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See Inside 21

, 20 E 13 JUN AY E 13, 2021 DAY NDJUN SUNSU

No.106390

President officially declares flooding a national disaster 12 PAGE

Cattle in flood-hit Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara

Millions of dollars in GCAA assets, bank accounts unverified for 2016 SEE PAGE 03

Vaccination Trained ‘overdrive’ 20 firefighters for PAGE

From homeless Mabaruma, 11 Mahdia 15 to––‘Howard’ aspiring engineer seeks public’s help to realise dream & Lethem PAGE

PAGE

Newly-trained firefighters during a recent simulation exercise (Marceano Narine/DPI photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Millions of dollars in GCAA assets, bank accounts unverified for 2016

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

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–– as key documents not provided for audit

By Rehana Ahamad THE Audit Office of Guyana has been unable to properly audit the financial statements of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for the year ending December 31, 2016.

This, according to Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma, is largely owing to the agency’s failure to provide key documents for verification, including its bank statements and assets register.

“I was not provided with bank reconciliation statements nor bank statements to determine the accuracy of amounts totalling $21,383,894 and included in cash and cash equivalents of $1,177,459,501,” the AG outlined in his report to the members of the GCAA’s Board of Directors.

Sharma, in his submission dated March 25, 2019, also highlighted the challenges faced by auditors in authenticating the assets owned by the GCAA. “I was not provided with a fixed assets register to support property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of $1,447,459,276,” Sharma indicated.

He said that as a consequence, the contracted auditors from Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants were “unable to carry out relevant audit procedure over this account balance and related depreciation charges of $90,656,256.”

Further, the auditor noted that he was not provided with support-

The absence of the requisite bank reconciliation statements and bank statements proved it difficult for the auditors to determine the accuracy of amounts totalling $21,383,894 and included in cash and cash equivalents of $1,177,459,501 ing documents for acquisition of assets totalling $420,626,768. “It was more impractical to extend my procedures sufficiently to determine the extent to which the financial statements may have been affected by these conditions,” the AG noted.

Additionally, the report indicated that the aviation authority was unable to bill customers of reportedly $6,843,420, due to lack of billing information. “This amount is not

shown as revenue or as an expense in the financial statements,” the auditor said.

He highlighted too that the “aged receivable listing provided showed a balance of $736,190,745 or $97,768,551 more than the amount shown in the financial statements.”

In expressing his required opinion on the findings, Sharma concluded that the GCAA did not maintain adequate accounting records and

supporting documents, nor was the system of internal control adequate to safeguard assets and assure proper recording of transactions.

“Accordingly, it was impractical to extend my procedures sufficiently to determine the extent to which the financial statements may have been affected by these conditions,” the AG noted.

A look at the GCAA’s audited financial statements for 2015 found

similar issues where the agency failed to provide key documents, such as its bank statements and assets register, for audit.

Contacted by this newspaper on Saturday, AG Sharma indicated that aside from the audited financial statements, the Audit Office would issue a “management letter” to the Board of Directors of the agency, outlining recommendations for remedies.

He explained that the letter would have made

specific recommendations for the unsettled accounts to be reconciled, and for measures to be put in place to ensure the smooth execution of the mandatory audits.

The Auditor General reminded that the investigations in preparation of the financial statements were done in accordance the International Standards of Supreme Institutions ISSAIs and the Audit Act 2004.

He also emphasised the importance of the government agency ensuring and maintaining adequate and accurate financial information. “Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements,” Sharma noted in the report.

As it relates to financial risk management, the report clearly outlined the fact that the GCAA’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks, including the effects of changes in interest rates and credit risk, which refers to the risk that occurs when one party to a financial instrument fails to discharge an obligation that cause the other party to incur a financial loss.

The report specified that the financial statements were approved by the GCAA’s Board of Directors on February 5, 2019, and later released to the media on Thursday last, during the 28th sitting of the National Assembly.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Min. McCoy delivers 200 hampers to Tigerbone/Banakari, Waiakabra –– says gov’t will always be there for the people

MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, on Saturday distributed 200 food hampers to residents of Tigerbone/ Banakari and Waiakabra along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The distribution is part of national efforts to provide support to the flood-affected.

“I want all of you to understand that the government will respond, and the government will always be there with you, not only in the bad times,

as well in the good times because we understand the needs of the people.

“We are working hard to make sure that we could create conditions for people to continue to have livelihoods that could take care of them and their families.”

The minister also told the villagers that the government’s priority is ensuring people are safe. He, however, assured them that provisions would be made for animals.

“The bottom line is that the government will help communities, farm-

Sunday June 13, 2021 –– 04:00hrs - 05:30hrs

ers and households to get back on their feet and to create a situation where we could continue to make their livelihood through farming.”

The government has already tabled a supplementary paper in the National Assembly, seeking $10 billion to aid flood-relief efforts.

Minister McCoy said the persistent rains are due to climate change, and he advised villagers to be mindful of their environment.

“I would ask you that you continue to pay attention to your environment… and to treat the environment with such care that it will not; your treatment of the environment would not contribute to the negative effects and consequences of the climate change pattern.

So, I want all of us to commit to that, to work towards that, and to be able to make our com-

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Hon. Kwame McCoy hands over a food hamper to a resident of Tigerbone/ Banakari munity much safer and healthier.”

Minister McCoy also visited Hill Foot to check on the emergency drainage works.

Meanwhile, the government continues to as-

sist flood victims with significant support coming from the private sector.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been leading the way, conducting assessments

in flood-hit communities to determine the level of intervention needed. He is supported by Cabinet Members who have been travelling countrywide to help flood-affected residents. (DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

ILO recommends strategy to address volatility of commodities

GUYANA’S growing dependence on commodity exports must be accompanied by carefully-designed efforts to diversify the economy in ways that would counterbalance the price volatility that often characterises commodity markets.

This is the conviction of Dr. Thomas Singh, Director of the University of Guyana’s GREEN Institute, who authored a United Nations-supported study into the closure of four of Guyana’s sugar estates and its socio-economic impact on more than 5000 dismissed sugar workers.

The study, conducted in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has recognised the negative impact that unstable world market prices would have had on export commodities such as bauxite and sugar.

“In both instances, policy makers who were confronted with the need to provide financial support to the loss-making industries eventually recognised that some action, privatisation or closure, was warranted,” the report notes.

It states definitively that there will have to be diversification into non-commodity sectors, taking appropriate cognisance of the tendency for commodity production and the “oil bonanza in particular,” to reduce the competitiveness of these other sectors.

The 110-page document also outlines the challenges to diversification, which include “the temptation to underestimate, if not overlook, the riskiness of new activities, precisely because Guyana will become wealthier, and the State can, therefore, better afford to underwrite projects.”

It also takes into consideration the high cost and poor quality of energy, and the (sometimes) severe shortage of human capital, along with the high cost of doing business in Guyana, and the relatively small (domestic) market for the goods and services that Guyana can produce.

“A National Investment and Diversification Strategy shall go beyond identifying sectors or activities for investment, to take account of the challenges mentioned… and clearly identify the respective functions of the government, the private sector, labour and civil society,” the report notes.

As the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government moves to gradually reopen the four sugar estates which were closed by the former A Partnership for

National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration, Dr. Singh has emphasised the need for this to be done in a manner that is sustainable.

In his recommendations, the local economist also pointed to the advancement of cellulosic ethanol production as a source of renewable, low-carbon energy that could possibly boost the very profitability of the sugar industry.

“Consideration must also be given to developing a bio-refinery to produce other high-valued chemicals from lignocellulose, both as a strategy for reducing costs, and also for further diversifying the industry,” Dr. Singh noted.

He said that biorefineries would make use not only of bagasse, but will also use other kinds of biomass, including rice straw, saw-dust, etcetera.

This, he explained, will also allow for the production of several commercial-scale, high-valued co-products that will enhance the profitability of the core cellulosic ethanol facility.

He noted that this is likely to reduce the production costs of sugar even further. Dr. Singh said, too, that the scope for developing relevant programmes of biotechnology research and teaching at institutions such as the University of Guyana is significant. “…both as a matter of supporting a cellulosic ethanol and biorefinery sector, and also as a matter of developing the University of Guyana, beginning perhaps with a graduate programme in biotechnology,” Dr. Singh noted.

He also pointed to the tendency of “dominance” that the oil sector has, and its ability to undermine the competitiveness of traditional exports, while supressing the emergence of new exports.

To this end, Dr. Singh emphasised the need for the government to provide incentives and fiscal support to new exports.

The extensive report also addresses the issue of climate change, and the need for all sectors to become sustainable, and operate in a manner that protects the environment.

It points specifically to a system for the granting of credits for emissions reductions to investors, commensurate with their equity holdings.

“This will allow private sector firms, and especially the major investors, to earn valuable carbon credits,” Dr. Singh said.

Also critical to the reopening of the sugar estates, Dr. Singh said, is the need for greater stakeholder involvement and consultation, both as a matter of good

governance but more so as a way to garner information about people’s expectations, perceptions and intended behaviour.

“This is extremely important as the oil-and-gas sector becomes more dominant in the economy. Quite apart from the fact that there was limited stakeholder involvement and consultation in the decision to close the sugar estates, there is still a need for consultation with sugar workers, especially those who were laid off, on what they require to sustain their livelihoods,” Dr. Singh noted.

He admitted that not everyone would want to return to the sugar industry, as have already sought alternative employment. “It would even be appropriate to consider conducting a comprehensive survey and scenario analysis of the needs and expectations of sugar workers affected by the closure of the sugar estates,” the report advised.

Dr. Singh believes that such as survey will enable the government to not only respond to the skills-training

Dr. Thomas Singh needs of the dismissed workers, but garner a greater sense of the number of workers that are willing to return to the sugar industry, and at what wages.

During the launch of the study on Thursday last, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh committed to ensuring that the recommendations are implemented, wherever possible.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Not an enemy T

HERE is a view being propagated by a certain media house that the Government of Guyana will owe Exxon some $20 billion by 2025, suggesting that the government will have to borrow money to repay this debt.

This view, however, is contextually incorrect. It is not a case where the government somehow would have to find US$20 billion by 2025 to repay Exxon. The investment of itself will repay the investors their capital investment and will yield a profit which will be shared between the government and the oil company; in other words, the future oil revenues. The PSA has a 75 per cent cost recovery threshold from which the contractor will recover the initial investment.

The projected capital investment for the Stabroek block over the life of the project is US$60 billion and the life of the project is 30 years.

Therefore, one can safely divide US$60 billion by 30 years, that’s US$2 billion per year X five years = US$10 billion; plus, pre-discovery cost and investment to date is about

US$10 billion by now, that’s how the proponents arrived at the US$20 billion figure by 2025 – which is based on Exxon’s projected investment. In other words, what the proponents are saying is Exxon’s projected investment by 2025 would be US$20 billion but what they did not say is that Exxon will recover that investment from production and the revenue generated therein – of which there is a 75 per cent cap, which is quite disingenuous.

Further, it is Exxon’s shareholders’ funds being invested ($20B) which will be recovered from the investment itself - not the Government of Guyana funds or the people of Guyana.

The Government gets a profit share which works out to 12.5 per cent + two per cent royalty = 14.5 per cent and this is a guaranteed 14.5 per cent until the end of the cost recovery period.

Noteworthy to mention, because of the 75 per cent cost recovery threshold, the recovery period for these investments will be very short. Liza phase 1, in the above illustration for example, using an average price per

barrel of US$45 at an annual production capacity of 43.8 million barrels of crude, the investment cost of US$4.3 billion will be recovered within three years using the payback method. With the Net Present Value (NPV) investment appraisal method and a discount rate of 10 per cent, the investment can be recovered within four years. As such, from the Liza 1 alone Guyana can earn over US$2 billion in the first five years and up to US$6 billion within ten years – taking the post recovery period into the equation. In other words, Guyana’s projected earnings from the Liza 1 development alone over the first decade is equivalent to 120 per cent of current GDP; 3.5 times current level of total public debt and five times government’s revenue using 2019 figures.

The development cost is usually the highest cost and, therefore, when the development cost is recovered, the operating expense is minimal since the infrastructure to extract the crude is already in place.

This view, with reasonable certainty, can be substantiated through a perusal of Exxon’s 2018 annual

report which confirmed that total operating cost was just about 27 per cent of total revenue. Hence, this means that in the post recovery period, profit share will be greater assuming, for example, that operating cost will be 30 per cent of total revenue, then effectively there will be 70 per cent of revenue for profit share of which 50 per cent is Guyana’s share. Therefore, Guyana’s profit share can be as much as 35 per cent post recovery period + 2 per cent royalty resulting in a total take of 37 per cent; up from 14.5 per cent during the recovery period in the first three to four years for Liza Phase 1 development alone. In addition, Liza phase 2 and many other FPSOs and development fields will be operationalised over the decade.

The Guyanese people, therefore, need to recognise that ExxonMobil and its partners are not Guyana’s enemy as some persons in society would want us to believe. ExxonMobil is Guyana’s development partner and instead of chastising the oil company, we need to look for win-win situations for Guyana and all its development partners.

Statement by Former President Donald Ramotar

I WISH to extend my support and thanks to the President and Cabinet on the measures that they are taking to bring justice to the Rodney family, and to Dr. Rodney’s supporters here in Guyana and abroad.

This is also very important to the moral health of our nation as well. It is vital that the truth and the whole truth be made available to our people, both those who lived through those traumatic days and our young people who must have all the facts to build

on what previous generations have achieved and to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that were made and encountered.

At this time I recall my first conversation with Dr. Patricia Rodney which led to the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the circumstances of his assassination. I am sure that she would see these latest acts by the government as major advances in the pursuit of justice and for the truth to be known to all.

The consistency of her and her children’s struggles for this day is a true example of love and determination. Today too I wish to recall and recognise all those who played important roles in getting the CoI going.

However, I wish to take this opportunity to recognise the tremendous efforts of two of my colleagues in that period, Anil Nandlall and Dr. Roger Luncheon. These two men worked tirelessly with me to get things moving and to allow us to arrive at the

stage we are today.

As we move to another anniversary of Dr. Rodney’s assassination, let us once more recognise that he was killed because he opposed the Burnham- led PNC dictatorship and because he was convinced that democracy was indispensable for a society to achieve real national and social liberation.

I once more salute all those struggling to defend, uphold and advance peace, justice and social progress.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

GECOM must be decisive!

Dear Editor, GECOM must be decisive going forward, to regain the confidence of our citizens in the execution of its constitutional mandate.

One has to be brutal and frankly condemn the snail’s pace or rather, the inaction of the chairperson and commission to cleanse the organisation.

It is more than a year since the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and his cohorts openly defied the directions of Chairperson Justice (Retired), Madam Claudette Singh, after both the courts and the commission had ruled on related matters brought before them.

It is inexplicable that the commission has been so indolent, although an abundance of public evidence exists, which underscores and highlights the outlandish acts by “Lone Ranger” CEO, along with Clairmont

Mingo, and Roxanne Myers. The trio have proved that they are unsuitable to be around the preparation machinery for the holding of any elections. Subsequent to their blatant and surreptitious manoeuvres, the Guyanese people were humiliated and suffered day after day as we were held to ransom for five long months with the riggers’ numerous attempts to derail the elections.

These unfit senior members of the GECOM Secretariat are presently before the court for fraud and misconduct in public office. But there is certainly no need to await the court’s decisions in these matters. The commission itself has the legal authority to hire and fire these corrupt staff, and they must be dismissed immediately for GECOM to proceed with preparations for the holding of local government elections this year. Related in this regard, the constitution states:

“ the Commission – (a) shall exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly; and (b) shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness, and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid. …”

It, therefore, contradicts logic and rationality that the commission’s lack of action and slothful disposition has not yet confronted a vigilant approach to the necessary review of its staff. While the trio held the dominant leadership positions, it has to be acknowledged that the corruption in GECOM is intrusive and far deeper. Senior

staff members Michelle Miller and Denise Cummings are also before the court.

In addition, Election Officer Shefern February and Information Technology Officer Enrique Livan are also accused and are facing charges related to inflating the results of Region #4 elections in favour of the APNU+AFC. Further, there are serious accusations against others for allegedly giving wrong advice and directions to the Presiding Officers in Region #4. This network of vipers who are still currently on GECOM’s payroll must certainly be screened, going forward.

It is recalled that APNU big boss Joseph Harmon and Granger announced that the Elections were free and fair on March 02, 2020.

As the reality dawned on March 03, that they were rejected by the Guyanese people, backdoor manoeuvres were activated. They were,

however, caught red-handed trying to rig the elections by using the “fraudulent” spreadsheet. They then tried to derail the elections!

For too long the PNC was allowed to manipulate the election machinery and rig elections and this must be halted now. As a consequence, we need to have electoral reforms so that we will never again have rigged elections, to address the establishment of a system that will not be easily manipulated. For those in the PNC who are conveniently talking about shared governance, there is a need for you to win the trust and confidence of the nation. Who would want to partner with cheaters and riggers?

The PNC’s track record clearly shows that it is all about using and abusing other parties for the assumption of power, and then subsequently kick them once power is attained.

In 1964 the United Force suffered this fate, and then again in 2015 the AFC was used and kicked to the kerb.

Of note, the PNC ruled this country for 33 years and never considered shared governance. Comparatively, one must not ignore the increasing role and inclusivity of the civic component as an approach of the PPP to shared governance as a starting point for discussions.

We must have free and fair elections and develop trust and confidence in parties advocating for governing roles in our nation-building.

An undecisive GECOM will not be able to establish the clear lines that are needed, going forward. In context, the chairperson and commissioners must get their act going.

GECOM must be prepared to have local government elections this year.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

Applaud for diaspora group working with gov’t on job opportunities Dear Editor, I APPLAUD the work of Oil & Gas Governance Network (OGGN - a diaspora group) to promote employment opportunities in the sector for local Guyanese and its renewed commitment to work with the government in promoting the industry.

While the group has made a case for higher royalty and profit-sharing rates and for increased local content, so that more funds can become available to the government for developmental needs, that has not deterred the body from promoting the industry and trying to get more Guyanese employed in the sector.

It says it is committed to working with the government to increase revenues and to create more employment opportunities in the sector.

Guyana is in its infancy in being an oil and gas country. Thus, widespread education about the industry among Guyanese is essential, and OGGN, comprising diasporans, has created some educational materials including a Directory of Jobs

in the oil and gas industry, educational videos, infographics, and some articles.

There is no comparable site seeking to educate Guyanese about Guyana’s oil and gas.

This is admirable and it is indeed commendable that a diasporan group is supportive of Guyana in this area.

The group has championed the cause for greater benefits from Exxon.

The groups says that its OGGN Oil and Gas Jobs Directory, www.oggn.org/ jobs-resources/, is an introductory attempt to provide information on some major companies operating in Guyana, so citizens may know where to apply for oil-related jobs. The directory gives an overview of what types of jobs are available, brief descriptions of the companies, and the contact information of those companies. The OGGN site is the only place that attempts to pull together the information into a portal.

The educational YouTube videos created by the OGGN can be viewed at www.oggn.org/education/ and cover these topics: 1.Understanding Guy-

ana’s oil and gas industry: Some basic oil terms to know 2.What jobs are available from oil and gas, and how can you apply and prepare for oil and gas jobs?

3.What women, and hinterland and rural residents need to know about opportunities in oil and gas. How to access information on training, education and jobs.

4.Understanding oil-production costs in Guyana.

5.Environmental concerns: How flaring of gas, oil spills, and environmental pollution contribute to climate change problems.

6.A comparison of key aspects of the Guyana 2016 and Suriname 2011 petroleum oil contracts – is Guyana getting a fair deal? “What do we mean by ‘the resource curse’ and how does it apply to Guyana.”

7.Describing the resource curse and how it applies to Guyana.

8.The economic dimensions of the resource curse with respect to Guyana.

9. The political dimensions of the resource curse with respect to Guyana.

The videos are 5-7 min-

utes each and are very user friendly and informative, as introduction to these basic oil and gas topics. The educational materials are useful for schoolchildren and college students looking for quick, basic information on oil and gas pertaining to the Guyana context.

The “Infographics” created by OGGN, found at www.oggn.org/education, are a collection of imagery, charts, and minimal text that gives an easy-to-understand, visual, user friendly overview of a topic. The topics include: 1.A map of the Guyana oil blocks with information about how much oil has been discovered in a particular block. Also, it links to the respective PSA or Prospecting Licence if available.

2. A timeline graph of when the various oil contracts were signed, their renewal and expiry.

3.Bar and pie charts comparing the Suriname and Guyana oil contracts.

4.Graphics showing which oil-producing countries have the ability to regulate the amount of oil being

produced versus which do not.

5.Geographic location of oil blocks and wells including explored wells, producing wells, approved wells, abandoned wells, etc., with links to any Field Development Plans and EPA approvals.

Some articles created for the educational project (see www.oggn.org), include the following: 1.Article explaining, “How much taxes should Exxon and the oil companies have paid?”

2.Article summarising, “Which of Guyana’s laws may have been violated by the Stabroek Block Contract.”

3.Article explains why it is “Time for Guyana to consider hedging as oil prices recover.”

The group’s contributions are laudable.

I thank diasporans in the OGGN for their contribution towards oil and gas education in Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Bill introduced to decriminalise cross-dressing

By Richard Bhainie

A BILL which seeks to officially decriminalise the offence of ‘cross-dressing’ was read for the first time in the National Assembly Thursday last.

The bill seeks to amend the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act of Guyana by deleting a section of the Act which makes it an offence for any person to dress as the opposite gender, in a public place, for any improper purpose.

The bill was presented by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandall, S.C, and is intended to give effect to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling in the case of Quincy McEwan and others v the Attorney General of Guyana [2018] CCJ 30 (AJ).

Section 152(1)(xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act notes that any person who being a man, appears in any public place, for any improper purpose in female attire, or whether the situation be vice versa, shall be liable to a fine of not less than G$7,000. The CCJ in the McEwan case, ruled the provision to be unconsti-

tutional and ordered that it be struck from the laws of Guyana.

In February 2009, Seon ‘Angel’ Clarke, dressed in a pink shirt and a pair of tights, with a black hairpiece, along with Quincy ‘Gulliver’ McEwan, were at North Road and King Street, Georgetown, when three policemen from the Brickdam Police Station arrested them; subsequently, on the same night, Joseph ‘Peaces’ Fraser and Seyon ‘Isabella’ Persaud were also arrested.

The four transgendered persons, who possess male primary sexual characteristics but identify with the female gender, were subsequently charged with the offence of Wearing Female attire contrary to the Act, to which they pleaded guilty and were fined G$7,000 each.

It was alleged that the then Chief Magistrate, Melissa Robertson at the hearing made comments about the transgendered persons being confused about their sexuality and told them they were men not women and needed to give their lives to Jesus Christ.

The transgendered persons then sought the advice of the Society Against

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandall, S.C Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and filed a constitutional action, arguing that the law under which they were charged was inconsistent with the 1980 Guyana Constitution, and that the law violated their right to freedom of expression, since clothing is a form of expression that communicates ideas and representations of personality, identity and beliefs.

They also argued that the law violated their con-

stitutional, guaranteed rights of equality and non-discrimination and they also challenged the conduct of the magistrate.

The High Court in 2013, and subsequently the Court of Appeal in 2017, were both reluctant to grant judgment in favour of the applicants, citing that the 1893 law was protected by the constitution savings law clause, which limits human-rights related constitutional challenges to laws that were in force before the 1980 constitution was given effect.

Then Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, S.C., had ruled that giving expression to one’s gender identity through clothing was not itself a crime. To constitute a crime, the expression must be in public for an ‘improper purpose.’

The matter made its way to the CCJ where the judges noted that by stigmatising those who do not conform to traditional gendered clothing and by criminalising aspects of transgendered people’s way of life, Section

153(1) violated Articles 149(1) and 149D of the Constitution of Guyana.

The right to freedom of expression is protected by Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana, which gives every Guyanese the right to hold and communicate ideas and opinions without interference. The CCJ found that a person’s choice of attire is inextricably linked to the expression of his or her gender identity, autonomy, and individual liberty.

For this reason, the CCJ ruled that Section 153(1), by putting individuals under the constant threat that, at any moment, for an unconventional form of expression that poses no risk to society, they could be arrested, detained, charged, prosecuted, and convicted, violated Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana.

The CCJ declared Section 153(1) inconsistent with the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, hence, that the provision was susceptible to being struck down and, in any event, to be rendered

void.

The explanatory memorandum of the bill that was presented in the National Assembly explains that it seeks to delete Section 153(1)(xlvii), signalling the government’s commitment to respecting the human rights of all Guyanese.

“The government rightly acknowledges and agrees with the CCJ that this archaic law, which is inconsistent with the Constitution of Guyana, has no social or legal purpose in a progressive society,” the explanatory memorandum notes.

Joel Simpson, Founder and Managing-Director of SASOD Guyana, told the Sunday Chronicle that “the symbolism of government bringing a bill to the House … says to the population that this particular government which wasn’t in office at the time the decision was made, is re-enforcing that they respect the rule of law and the decision of the court and that symbolism is important.”

From left are Angel Clarke, Gulliver and Peaches Fraser outside the CCJ headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Feasibility study for new East Coast water treatment plant – Minister Croal tells Hope residents

MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Friday, said the government would be conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a new water treatment plant to serve the East Coast Demerara.

The minister was at the time engaging residents of the Hope Lowland Community after the water well had collapsed, resulting in low quality water distribution.

Minister Croal was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, and Regional Manager – East Coast, (ag.), Orion Dhanraj, along with other technical officers.

He said the project will be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank.

Based on the outcome of the study, funds will be made available to construct the treatment plant, which will source water from the Hope Canal.

“From that study, if all things go successful, we will get the necessary funding to put a water treatment plant to service the entire East Coast Demerara, starting at Mahaica and ending at the lower East Coast,” he said.

Minister Croal said this is part of an overall plan to improve the delivery of quality water along the East Coast and align with GWI’s five-year strategic plan.

Regarding the Hope Lowland well, he said the system, which supplied water primarily to Hope Lowlands, Hope Estate and Block Five collapsed.

The minister said efforts are being made to add some 700 households to the system at neighbouring Clonbrook village.

“You need to give us some weeks because at Clonbrook, they have to divert the connection by the crossing so we are asking for a maximum of two months to bring your water to a level back to

where it was.”

In the interim, residents will be receiving water from the Victoria and Enmore water systems. Minister Croal explained and further noted that once the process is completed, the community will be added to both systems which will result in increased water pressure to all households.

The Housing and Water Minister also used the opportunity to update residents on the ministry’s plans for housing on the East Coast. He said while there are now lands for allocations in Hope Lowlands, lands will be made available for allocations in other areas as well.

He assured residents that once the allocation process commences, applicants in the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s database would be given house lots. Residents also requested a bus shed and improved internal roads for the community.

(DPI)

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, examining the water system at Hope Lowlands

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal engaging residents

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Long-term, low-carbon development will aid disaster mitigation efforts –– says WWF Guianas Director

WITH Guyana currently grappling with nationwide flooding at varying levels, the commitment to longterm low-carbon development will help to build the country’s resilience to climate change and bolster mitigation efforts, according to Director of WWF-Guianas, Dr. David Singh.

In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Singh posited that small, developing countries like Guyana are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with little to no ability to actually control the disasters manifesting.

This vulnerability has been acknowledged by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is an international environmental treaty addressing

climate change. Contextually, the UNFCCC explained that climate change calls for wide cooperation since its impact could adversely affect natural ecosystems and human life.

Cognisant of this, Dr. Singh said, “The disasters that we are now experiencing here- the flooding, comes out of the contributions of what is happening at a global scale with how the world is dealing with greenhouse gas emissions.”

Though he acknowledged that the occurrence of these natural disasters

tion capabilities. Carbon sequestration refers to the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that absorbs and radiates heat and that contributes to climate change.

Importantly, the WWF Director underscored that the larger companies that are involved in Guyana’s brown economy, specifically in the oil and gas industry, cannot be “distant partners” in Guyana’s efforts to address its climate vulnerability.

Instead, he said, “... as a responsible participant in the country, the oil and gas

Director of WWF Guianas, Dr. David Singh

The Essequibo River in the distance as seen from Turtle Mountain at the Iwokrama Rainforest the country is on the cusp of may be uncontrollable, he industry cannot simply be upward development, wherecontended that Guyana can using CSR [Corporate So- in it could be an example for be an “active participant” in cial Responsibility] to help all nations. Meanwhile, Dr. mitigation efforts.

Guyana to become more Singh, also acknowledged In doing so, Dr. Singh resilient.” that Guyana’s burgeoning oil explained that Guyana would The government has al- and gas industry is, perhaps, have to balance its pursuits ready emphasised its com- the country’s most significant in developing its oil and mitment to green develop- post-independence developgas and non-renewable en- ment. In his recent statement ment in terms of the revenues ergy industry (the “brown” on the occasion of World it is expected to generate for economy) with low carbon Environment Day, President the country. development of the coun- Dr. Irfaan Ali highlighted, Beyond this industry, try’s ecosystems and natural “As we continue to protect however, he said that Guypatrimony (the “green” econ- our environment whilst ex- ana’s commitment to pursuomy). According to him, panding economic opportu- ing development in both the the continued commitment nities for our people, in this oil industry and in low-carto low carbon development process, my government will bon development is a “new of the green economy could be guided by the revised Low frontier”. help the country to offset Carbon Development StrateTo successfully pursue future carbon emissions gen- gy (LCDS). this dual agenda, he also erated from the oil and gas “The revised strategy advocated for a substantial industry. will expand into environ- process of engagement with But, he cautioned, that mental services, water re- country folk, to ensure that Guyana must remain dili- sources management, cli- all people have access to the gent to ensure that carbon mate resilience, biodiversity, “best and most up-to-date” emissions do not outstrip the and marine economy.” information on local develcountry’s carbon sequestraThe president posited that opment.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

From homeless to ‘Howard’ — aspiring engineer braves life’s hurdles, seeks public help to realise dream

By Mesha Sealey

LIFE for 19-year-old Moriah Hamilton has always been far from a typical walk in the park.

In fact, according to the teen, her journey has been rough, fraught with financial difficulties and unfortunate circumstances.

Over the years, she has faced a rollercoaster of endless hurdles and challenges, and after being homeless twice in her young life, attending university had seemed virtually impossible; yet, today she stands a proud recipient of a partial scholarship to one of the highest-ranking STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) universities in America. Now, she needs only US$26,000 to secure her scholarship, and attend the prestigious Howard University.

Moriah attributes her success and the preservation of her dream to her stubbornness, passion and dedication, as well as to the invaluable support of her mother.

“From my childhood days up until now, my single-parent mother, Carol Hamilton, stressed the importance of education, and sacrificed the wealth of her years to ensure my two brothers, Jude and Micah, and I, could have access to knowledge and resources that would ensure our success,” she explained at the launch of her scholarship fundraiser.

Giving insight to her intellectual background, Hamilton detailed that despite remaining at the top of her

class throughout primary school, she was not fortunate enough to land a spot at one of the country’s top schools. However, she made a commitment to herself to excel throughout secondary school as well, despite some challenges-- being forced to be absent quite often and her dire housing situation.

When she wrote the Caribbean Secondary Entrance Examinations (CSEC) in 2018, she gained six Grade Ones and two Grade Twos, upon which she was granted admission at Queen’s College, to pursue subjects at the CAPE level.

In her first year at Queen’s College, she achieved first place on the Caribbean merit list for Green Engineering at CAPE, where she scored the only Grade One in the subject area; and in her second year (CAPE Unit Two), she achieved fourth place in the Caribbean.

“My achievements have enabled me to stand as a proud anomaly, a symbol of diversity in the STEM field, and a beacon for individuals who strive to reach their fullest potentials, despite the communities or identities that are ‘supposed to’ determine the extent of your success,” Hamilton proudly declared.

“I actively propel this narrative through my volunteerism and activism, in a series of groups and initiatives which encourage youths, like myself, to invest in sustainable futures.”

Her mother, Carol, noted that the journey throughout the years has been challeng-

ing, not only for her and Moriah, but for Moriah’s older brothers, who serve as her role models as well.

“It was always an upward struggle to bring my daughter, and my children in general… but through it all, I knew that I wanted them to have tertiary education, and a good, solid primary and secondary education. I never knew what angle it would’ve taken, or how I would have gotten it done, but… determination was one of my things.

Always. So I pushed against the odds,” she said.

The mother beseeched persons to open their hearts and contribute towards the total amount needed to guarantee Moriah’s university scholarship.

She stated that Moriah’s attendance at Howard would be a privilege and an honour to their family, and noted that she would be ecstatic to have the achievement be part of their family’s story.

Moriah volunteers a great portion of her time with the Youth in Natural Resources (YNR) initiative, which lobbies for the sustainable development and education about Guyana’s Natural Resources; as a Climate Change youth ambassador for UNICEF

Moriah Hamilton (second, right), with her mother, Carol Hamilton, and brothers, Jude (left) and Micah (right) Hamilton Risk Communication and Through her volunteer- help me to fulfil my dream to Community Engagement ism, activism, and education attend Howard University.”

(RCCE), which endorses cli- at Howard University, she At Howard University, mate change initiatives in the has pledged to be an agent Moriah will be pursuing a Caribbean, and the Girl Build of change, not only in her Major in Civil and EnvironGirl Foundation, which pro- community, but in Guyana’s mental Engineering, as well motes women empowerment. green and sustainable devel- as a Minor degree in ComHer activism is exercised opment. munication studies. through her Instagram page “Indeed, my story is not Persons desirous of as@green_tea_gy, which en- unique, as it echoes the as- sisting her may contact lightens Guyanese and Ca- pirations of many young her on 689-8572, Patrick ribbean youths on ideas and girls and boys throughout Stephens, the fundraiser’s issues in the sectors of green Guyana who dare to dream,” organizer, at 688-3760; engineering, sustainable de- she concluded. “I hope that or visit the GoFundMe velopment, and environmen- the Guyanese people will page: https://gofund.me/ tal activism. be inspired by my story and d63fe5d4.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

President Ali officially declares flooding a national disaster

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has officially declared Guyana to be in a state of disaster by virtue of the ongoing floods.

In his proclamation recorded on Thursday, the Head of State noted that as at the morning of June 7, 2021, a total of 28,228 households were affected by flooding, some with water entering

their homes, domestic animals and livestock in distress, or farmlands inundated.

“In pursuance of the powers conferred upon me by Article 99 of the Constitution of Co-operative Republic of Guyana, I do hereby declare a disaster in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” the official gazette reads.

Under Article 99 of the

Constitution of Guyana, the Head of State is responsible for disaster management, and is authorised to declare a disaster for the State, on account that he is satisfied that a disaster has happened, is happening, or is likely to happen.

In accordance with the declaration, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC)

Since the flood started, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has been leading the relief efforts to affected communities all across the country has been permitted to exercise disaster-management powers, in an effort to prevent or minimise loss of human life, illness or injury to humans, property loss, or damage to the environment.

During a flood-relief outreach in Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne), President Ali informed the residents of Chesney Village that he had been advised by the CDC that Guyana is now experiencing a Level Two disaster.

This classification was cited under the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) mechanism, which indicates that the national capacity to respond is not overwhelmed, but external assistance is required in the form of technical assistance, specialised equipment, support personnel, and information sharing in order to respond and recover from the event.

Despite Guyana’s situation being classified as Level 2, the CDC, in a press statement issued on Saturday evening, said that the impact of the floods varies by region, with Regions One (Barima-Waini), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), being at Level 2, being given national capacity to manage the impact.

Meanwhile, the devastating situation in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has progressed to a Level 3 disaster, based on the magnitude of the floods there. The CDC has noted that it is for this reason that regional and international support is needed to effectively mobilise resources in order to respond and recover from the impact of the floods.

“A Tropical Wave embedded within the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is currently affecting Guyana, resulting in heavy rainfall, which could last until mid-July,” the CDC noted.

Since May 18, 2021, the CDC has received reports of more than 29,000 households suffering from flooding in more than 300 communities countrywide. To date, a total of 17,829 cleaning hampers, and 21,735 food hampers have been distributed across the regions as a form of emergency relief.

The CDC said that it continues to manage the shelters that have been set up in Regions Two, Nine, and 10; these have been housing a combined total of 205 residents who were displaced, as floodwaters began to enter their homes.

The Commission has indicated that based on Presi-

dent Ali’s declaration, efforts at the regional level to better coordinate response activities with it have been intensified.

Tomorrow, the National Assembly is likely to commence its debate on a $10 billion supplementary budget that is being sought by the government to tackle the effects of the ongoing floods, and its corresponding countrywide relief efforts. The monies, once approved, will be used to complement the supply of food, sanitary and medical hampers for those affected. It will also aid the emergency repairs to a number of public infrastructure, specifically roads and bridges, that have been damaged by the floodwaters.

A preliminary assessment of the infrastructural impact of floods has revealed a loss of billions of dollars in public infrastructure. An overall financial impact of the ongoing disaster is yet to be determined, and is likely to be the focus of a socio-economic impact assessment, once the waters have fully receded, and those affected begin to recover.

President Ali has repeatedly vowed to provide much-needed support to those whose livelihoods were destroyed by the natural disaster.

“We will help you to get back on your feet,” Dr. Ali assured the nation.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Agri. Min, CPSO discuss priority … ahead of agriculture commodities CARICOM meeting MEMBERS from the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) met officials from the CARICOM Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production and Food Security to discuss priority agriculture commodities for targeted investment on Saturday.

This meeting formed part of the preliminary discussion to advance agriculture among CARICOM States ahead of the next CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, which is scheduled for July 2021.

During the discussion, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who also serves as Chairman of the Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production and Food Security, said the taskforce was pleased to engage the CPSO as it seeks to further develop their partnership and enhance the commercialisation of agriculture in the Region.

“We are encouraged that we will have a fruitful partnership given that the CPSO has already committed to preparing investment business cases on agri-food opportunities under your proposed ‘Twenty-five by 2025’ strategy to reducing the regional food import bill. One of the areas that the CARICOM Agri-Food System Strategy seeks to frontally address is the investment in production, research, and development.

“The implementation plan of the strategy identifies the private sector as a key stakeholder as we advance the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Agenda. Therefore, today we are pleased to engage the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) as we seek to further develop our partnership and enhance the commercialization of agriculture in the region,” the minister said.

The meeting was convened for members of the Ministerial Taskforce and the CPSO to come to a consensus on the priority commodities to be targeted, and for the determination of the investment and fiscal support required for each sector. Programme Manager for CARICOM’s Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development Program, Mr. Shaun Baugh addressed some of the priority crops and commodities that re-

gional investment should be targeted towards.

“During the last meeting, we had a lengthy discussion on what each Member State considered priority crops or commodities that regional investment should be targeted towards. We’ve come up with a list of what we project would be the opportunities. The first one has to do with poultry meat. We have data telling us that the total import into the CARICOM Region is 252,000 metric tons valued at over US$251 million. We are putting forward a potential replacement opportunity, over three years, of a 45 per cent replacement. This is not cast in stone but rather a conservative approach.

“The second has to do with corn and rice in relation to feed production. Our data is telling us that we have over one million metric tons being imported per year at approximately US $440 million. For this, we are targeting a replacement of around 20 per cent over the next three years. Meat is another key area. For beef, pork, and mutton we’re seeing over 43,000 metric tons being imported into the Caribbean with just over US $138 million in value.

For these commodities, we are targeting a 15 per cent reduction,” he said.

Mr. Baugh also noted that for niche vegetables, the data indicates 137 metric tonnes valued at around US $50 million.

“The benefits that we see for the Region through these initiatives are the creation of new industries throughout the Region, and an increase in inter-regional trade.

We should also be able to achieve a greater amount of food security and food independence, and this is seen as critical considering what has come as a result of COVID-19,” he said.

Mr. Baugh also said these measures will also promote employment and wealth creation as well as economic stability in the Region. This, he added, remains critical as it would allow member states to maintain and keep wealth within the Region. Coconut was also listed as the sixth commodity for consideration.

Head of the CPSO Secretariat, Dr. Patrick Antoine said that the organisation

has been focusing on two of the target areas so far.

“By way of update, we’ve been working on poultry meat and the issue of the niche vegetables. We saw that as the first draft of proposals that would be presented to the Heads of Governments so the idea is to see how we move with these and we’ve chosen them because they touch on virtually every country, as poultry meat is the biggest opportunity. The other opportunities are implications that can be addressed or worked on subsequently.

What you will get from the CPSO is really where the region’s priority stands and how these things look when we’ve analysed them.

The import data and the opportunities on the face of it is one thing, when you analyse them in terms of whether they make sense and what are the conditions that will make them viable for investment it is quite another. The Ministerial Team will have to take some hard decisions in terms of what kind of regime we’re looking at,” Dr. Antoine said.

Dr. Antoine further stated that while there are several opportunities across the Region, Member States will have to facilitate the creation of skills and scope to access market opportunities in other markets to aggregate them. He also said there would be instances where countries will be forced to displace old technology, which may be used by at-risk groups and farmers.

Minister Mustapha pointed out that although the Taskforce is working to minimise and ultimately remove barriers to trade among CARICOM States, each country would have to develop legislations that are country-specific to safeguard agriculture production and trade within that country.

Going forward, it is expected that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) accompanied by letters from both the Taskforce and the CPSO will be exchanged, followed by a detailed report for the various Heads of Governments to consider ahead of the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Conference.

Some of the participants at the virtual meeting

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Understanding Energy

Oil investments competing in a changing world

SPEAKERS at last week’s Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference highlighted that the future is uncertain for some major oil and gas investments as companies and countries move toward

renewable and low carbon energies. Stuart Young, Trinidad’s Energy Minister, warned that the “pace of the transition away from fossil fuels, like oil and gas, to renewable energy like

wind, solar, and hydroelectric, has made this country vulnerable,” alluding to the quickening pace of the energy transition.

Although speakers at the conference concurred with

the widely held belief among international experts that the world will likely depend on oil to some extent for decades to come, the long lifespan and major capital investments required for fossil fuel projects make it clear that there is no time to waste for countries that are looking to attract foreign investment in oil and gas.

Regional producers in South America and the Caribbean appear focused on making the most out of their oil and gas resources over the next two to three decades, after which many experts believe the demand for oil may stagnate or decline. In the next 12 months, Trinidad will hold three bid rounds for deepwater, onshore, and shallow water blocks, and the government has said that it will continue to negotiate gas supply contracts. Meanwhile, Suriname continues to sign production sharing agreements, most recently to develop block 53 offshore with Apache.

These high levels of activity suggest that regional players are keenly aware that investment dollars are not a given. Oil producers are critically examining their portfolios and declining to invest in new projects that are more costly or emission intensive to prepare themselves to compete in a lower-carbon world.

This impending uncertainty also raises questions of price. Right now, Guyana is riding high on oil prices that are hovering around US$70 per barrel. At that level, reserves should net the government hundreds of millions of US dollars this year and several billions more in revenues over the next decade. But beyond the 2030s, estimating price and demand for oil becomes increasingly difficult. That’s why many experts have questioned the push by some activists to delay production. For many countries, oil increasingly appears to be a “use it or lose it” situation.

Guyana is at least partially insulated from some of the reassessment happening throughout the industry.

It enjoys a low “breakeven price,” meaning the cost to produce a single barrel of oil is around US$35 a barrel. That price point is low, and Guyana’s high quality “light and sweet” crude oil is relatively cheap to refine and relatively low in emissions. That makes Guyana’s oil much more competitive in comparison to heavier, higher emission oils from Canada or Venezuela. Such projects may be left behind if investments decline.

Oil companies have publicly made it clear that they will be limiting their invest-

ments over the next decades to a small subset of projects – those with the low breakeven costs and the lower carbon footprint.

It’s crucial that the government not take these advantages for granted.

Guyana can ensure that it continues to offer fiscal terms and contracts that are competitive with other regional producers. In 2020, despite historically low oil prices and depressed global investment, Guyana snared US$9 billion in investments for the Payara project, the largest single influx of investment in the country’s history.

Although this was undeniably a win, fiscal terms will continue to be a lynch pin for investors. That’s especially true as regional competitors adjust their own terms to reflect marketplace realities. Brazil recently revised some local content policies and fiscal terms after a bidding round for oil blocks in late 2020 failed to bring in a single bid. Now development is heating up as Equinor and ExxonMobil announced their Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Bacalhau field this month.

Guyana is well positioned against regional competitors to continue to win new investments, but the global investment market is changing over time.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Trained firefighters for Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem

THE towns of Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem will, for the first time, have trained firefighters to man the newly built fire stations in Regions One, Eight and Nine, respectively.

Some 26 firefighters, on Friday last, graduated from the Guyana Fire Service’s Training Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Minister of Home Affairs, Roberson Benn, said the initiative is a fulfilment of a government commitment to build the capacity of the fire service through investment in assets and the expansion of its

regional personnel.

“The manning of these fire stations will be done by these young people… Since these young people come particularly from these communities, much would be expected from them in relation to the task for which they have been trained in protection of homes, in preventing fires, in preventing destruction of property,” Minister Benn said.

Prior to the training, the fire stations were manned by auxiliary personnel. Minister Benn said the expansion of the fire service also aims to

reduce loss of life and assets in the hinterland regions. He reminded firefighters that they may be required to go “beyond the call of duty” to serve their regions.

“I have said before to some that the houses of the people in the interior also burn and there is loss of life and assets, grievous loss with respect to fire…. So, this response by government is designed to reduce, mitigate and prevent those losses.

“The question has to be too that we should not take a narrow view of where particularly we are, but since

Graduates of the Guyana Fire Service training programme

New access road at Mon Repos Housing Scheme being explored THE Ministry of Housing and Water is exploring routes to construct an access road for the new housing development in Martyrs Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

Recently, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, visited the proposed site as part of an assessment of the area. Minister Croal stated that the new road is aimed at providing alternative access to lands for persons who were recently allotted through the ministry’s housing drive.

The new thoroughfare is also geared at reducing and/ or preventing traffic congestion and reducing commute time within the Agriculture Road, Mon Repos area, once completed.

Infrastructural works are simultaneously being executed in the housing scheme to allow the new landowners to begin construction as soon as possible.

The minister noted that these are part of efforts to

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, (centre), flanked by head of NAREI Jagnarine Singh and an engineer attached to the CH&PA, examine the site plan for the housing development and new access road ensure that the provision of companied by head of serviced house lots and com- the National Agricultural munities with the necessary Research and Extension Ininfrastructure, is designed stitute, (NAREI) Jagnarine to foster sustainable housing Singh and an engineer atand aesthetically pleasing tached to the Central Housing & Planning Authority environments.

The minister was ac- (CH&PA).

this is a new beginning, you may be the only asset, the only response that we have initially, in respect of these incidents in these remote communities.”

Minister Benn said the ministry aims to have continuous improvement at all levels of the disciplined services.

Meanwhile, graduates Clovis Calistro, Urel Pritchard and Shadrach Edwards received prizes for best student, best runner up and best drill, respectively.

In March, four fire tenders valued $202.9 million were handed over to the GFS. The vehicles were dispatched to Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, another to West Demerara and to the Central Fire Station in Georgetown.

Budget 2021 saw $1.9 billion earmarked to enhance the capacity of the Guyana Fire Service.

The new graduates undertaking a fire drill exercise This accounts for the re- construction of a new fire location of the Central Fire station at Eccles, and the Station from the congested purchase of six water tenStabroek Market area, the ders and two ambulances.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

CPGs invaluable in fighting crime, - CCU promoting safer communities Head HEAD of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Mark Ramotar, has lauded the invaluable work of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) across Guyana, in helping to fight crime and making communities safer.

Ramotar praised the GPGs at a seminar that was recently hosted by Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) law enforcement under the theme, ‘Community Oriented Policing’.

The event was held at Barnwell Event Space and Hotel on the East Bank of Essequibo and was attended by more than 100 executive members of CPGs across Region Three. The seminar was organised by the Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, and Deputy Commander, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud.

Ramotar told the CPG representatives that while their primary purpose was to assist the police in crime prevention, they were also

saddled with the added responsibility of helping to eradicate the social ills within the communities they serve.

“You have to do this while simultaneously promoting social cohesion in whatever simple or innovative way that you can…there are many ways to involve the residents in CPG-driven activities that foster and build camaraderie, while strengthening the community bonds of unity, in pursuit of a common purpose,” Ramotar told the gathering.

Ramotar posited: “Ideal-

ly, we want a crime-free society, not just in our respective communities or region but countrywide. This can only happen with the GPF working closely with the CPG members. The police cannot address the issue of crime by itself, we cannot operate in a vacuum, we need the support, Intel. and info. from members of the community.

You must be the eyes and ears of your respective communities.”

Noting that the activities of the CPG is a noble one, Ramotar said, “it’s not an easy thing to leave your

Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts homes in the nights to go on the roads and patrol, but you do it anyway, and that’s because you want to make a difference, you want to contribute and play your part in ensuring your communities are safer.”

The CCU Head also urged the CPG members to “be as frank as practicable and civil” in their discussions, noting that as representatives of the various CPG groups in the region, they

need to be bold in expressing the challenges that they have, whether as a collective or as individual groups.

“Those challenges can be myriad and the list can be long; shortage of vehicles in the division, lack of resources, lack of support and cooperation from the police, no protection for patrolling ranks, need for arms for CPG groups, possible need for legitimacy or recognition, lack of trust, members operating without precepts, Rural Constable applications being processed slowly…,” he said.

Further, Ramotar said there might also be internal challenges where persons are using the CPGs to satisfy their own personal agenda and gains, rather than seeing it as a community-oriented initiative.

“There might be personality clashes among members or cases where some members are misusing their authority…I can rattle on with a long list of possible challenges and problems but what we need right now is to find common ground and find solutions,” he said.

In this regard, he told the CPG groups that it was seminars like that one that provide the maximum scope for concerns to be voiced.

“It is seminars like these where you have reps. from various groups and partner agencies…make use of these group settings to brainstorm ideas and explore initiatives that can see the CPG working more closely with the police and other supporters in fighting crime in the communities and the region. This needs to be replicated in all the regions across the country,” he underscored.

“This is how we measure our success…I know Region Three has been relatively qui-

Head of GPF’s Corporate Communications Unit Mark Ramotar et in terms of crime and a lot of this success has to do with the efforts by Commander Errol Watts and his hard working team, and you (CPG members)….your support at the CPG level is invaluable.

The police cannot successfully operate in isolation or in a vacuum by itself…we need the support from the grassroots level, the community level, the feedback from residents. The CPGs provide an invaluable source of information both at the level of mitigation in crime prevention and at the support level with the Police in terms of enforcement,” the CCU Head asserted.

In attendance were 65 CPG executives, 52 CPG members, two senior officers, three Inspectors, eight Sergeants as well special invitees.

Meanwhile, Commander Watts outlined a strategic crime-fighting plan for Region Three, and spoke about efforts being made to foster and strengthen ties between the police See page 17

A section of the CPG executives at the seminar held at Barnwell Event Space and Hotel, East Bank of Essequibo

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

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Campaign to soon target ‘street children’- Minister Persaud

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is set to launch an extensive campaign focusing on assisting children who are found wandering.

Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, made this announcement on Friday, during the launch of World Day Against Child Labour, held in the Ministry of Labour’s compound.

“Many children can be seen asking for money. Do you know that it is a crime

to give them? What we want you to do is to report it. We will get them off the streets, and we will work with their families to keep them at home.

Sometimes, because we are filled with compassion, we want to help that child immediately and you can help that child by reporting and moving that child out of those situations and this is how you help.”

Minister Persaud said the government will provide

education and healthcare services for the development of the nation’s children. The government will also provide a nurturing environment to those who are unable to care for themselves.

Following a series of alarming reports in 2020, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, had called on the public to refrain from giving money to children on the streets.

The Protection of Chil-

dren’s Act 2009 states that parents could be prosecuted and imprisoned for allowing their child to beg on the streets. The CPA head said parental substance abuse, parental mental health issues, domestic abuse/violence and poverty contribute to children’s vulnerabilities.

She said it is the duty of the parent to provide for children. She noted that if parents cannot fulfil their duty, they could seek help from CPA. (DPI)

CPGs invaluable in fighting ...

From page 16

and the communities.

He said security cameras would be placed at strategic points on the West Bank and West Coast public roads.

On the issue of traffic management, Watts also noted that “we are doing the best with the resources we have in Region Three in terms of traffic management on a daily basis.

“We have our operation at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, where we have two

double lanes going in the morning starting from 5:30, and that is going well… we have been getting some positive feedback on this.”

The Regional Commander further stated that the division is expecting a few new vehicles, and once received, two will be dispatched to the islands of Wakenaam and Leguan. Additionally, Deputy Commander Persaud, who chaired the seminar, delivered a comprehensive

presentation on the crime and traffic situation in the region, highlighting a reduction in the various crimes and accidents when figures are compared for the same period between 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, there were six murders, 21 cases of robbery under arms (firearm used), seven cases of robbery with aggravation, five cases of rape, and four burglaries.

During the same period this year, however, there were

four murders – a decrease of 33.3 per cent; 18 robbery under arms – a 14 per cent decrease; no robbery with aggravation – a 100 per cent decrease; two rapes – a 60 per cent decrease, and two cases of burglary – 50 per cent decrease.

The Deputy Command also outlined that there has been a 69 per cent increase in serious accidents, a 7.69 per cent spike in damage accidents, as well as a 100

per cent decrease in fatal accidents.

According to Persaud, during the reporting period, the division has not recorded any fatal accident for the year compared to the period January 1 to May 31, 2020, when eight cases were recorded.

The region recorded its first road fatality last month when 12-year-old Varshanie Ramroop was struck and killed by a pick-up vehicle on the East Bank Essequibo

Public Road.

Regional Vice Chairman for Region Three, Omesh Satyanand, and President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan, also delivered brief remarks, in which they lauded the Commander and his team along with the CPGs for their collaboration, which has seen a considerable reduction in crime and accidents.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Woman found COVID-19 death dead in bed toll rises to 424

A 32-year-old housewife, who police say was a known alcoholic in the Minad Village of Matthews Ridge, North West District (NWD), was found dead, on Friday, in her house.

Dead is Jacqueline Gounga. Police said that, based on investigations, the woman, on June 8, 2021, around 14:00 hrs, was at a rum shop in Minad drinking high wine.

Subsequently, she fell ill on Thurs-

day last about 22:00hrs and went to bed. The following day, about 08:00hrs, her relatives observed she was motionless, and so, they made a report at the Matthew’s Ridge Police Station.

Ranks visited the scene and did not observe any marks of violence on the body.

She was officially pronounced dead at the Pakera District Hospital.

–107 new cases

THE Ministry of Health, on Saturday, reported that as of Friday, June 11, two more persons who tested positive for COVID-19, have succumbed to the virus.

The total number of deaths is now 424.

The latest fatalities are a 51-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 71-year-old man from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), who both died while receiving care at a Ministry of Health facility. Their deaths push the COVID-19 toll for June, 2021 to 26.

Additionally, the Health Ministry has recorded 107 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,199 tests conducted for Friday, June 11.

Of those, Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded two; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), six; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), nine; Region Four, 55; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), four; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), five; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), two; Region Nine, two, and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), 12.

The newly infected persons were 44 males and 63 females. Currently, there are

21 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 113 in institutional isolation, 1,495 isolated at home, and three in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has confirmed a total of 18,303 cases of COVID-19 since the discovery of the deadly virus in the country. Of that number, 1,632 are currently active; and of the 16,250 recoveries, 140 were recorded within the past 24 hours.

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

If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 6246674 immediately, or visit the Ministry of Health’s website at www.health.gov.gy.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

20 grand prizes awarded for ‘Snap n’ Share 55’ competition

THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, on Friday, rewarded the top 20 winners of their ‘Snap n’ Share 55’ photography competition, at a prize-giving ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

‘Snap n’ Share 55’ is a creative new initiative formulated by the Ministry of Tourism to celebrate Guyana’s 55th independence anniversary, by showcasing all the beauty the country has to offer. The competition garnered over 250 stunning photo entries throughout the month of May, from which 55 photos were shortlisted by officials within the Tourism Ministry.

The top 55 photos were posted to the Ministry’s Facebook page, and members of the pubic were asked to vote for their favourite photos by liking them. The top 20 photos were then selected, and their respective photographers were informed of the results of the competition.

“The response was tremendous. We had close to 200,000 reactions on those photos, which means that in some way people either liked, shared, or reacted in some way or another to those photos, and I think that deserves a round of applause,” Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Cordell McClure said at the ceremony on Friday last.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, expressed satisfaction with the success of the photo competition, and commended staff members for successfully creating, and “pulling off” the activity.

As a result of the response, which she described as ‘overwhelming’, the

(from left) Third place winner, Keanu Thomas, with first place winner, Thamesha Watson; Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond, and second-place winner, Dakari Jordan (Carl Croker photo) minister announced that the ‘Snap n’ Share’ tourism photography competition will now be a recurring event, scheduled to happen every year.

“I looked at the photo submissions several times, and remained in awe of not only the beauty of our country, but the photography skills and creativity of our citizens. I know a lot of us didn’t have sophisticated cameras, but they say that when you love something, you take great photos of it, and you could feel and see the love of country coming out of photos,” the Tourism Minister heartily expressed.

She thanked contestants for the passion and enthusiasm invested into the project in such a short time, noting that efforts were well-received and remarkable.

“You, the participants, were able to bring the beauty

of Guyana to life with these images. Guyana is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but for some Guyanese, this remains an abstract concept, because many people are yet to explore and experience much of the 83,000 square miles of this fascinating land,” she said.

Placing 20th to 15th place, in the competition, in ascending order, were: Romeo De Freitas, David Adams, Nikita Fung, Jared Massiah, Celina Young, and Nandanie Nimar, who each received a bottle of wine and a tourism package, courtesy of the Bistro Café and Bar. Ulex Adrian, who placed 14th in the competition, won a dinner at the Bistro Café and Bar; Yanick Easton, who placed 13th, won dinner at the Cara Lodge; Sean Basdeo, 12th, won dinner, compliments of the Georgetown

GDF reservist arrested after allegedly beating policemen A GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) reservist allegedly assaulted three policemen at the Pouderoyen tarmac,West Bank Demerara, on Friday evening.

A police report noted that police, on mobile patrol, came upon the suspect during their operation and he became verbally abusive towards them, using expletives. The policemen then warned the reservist of his

conduct and requested him to desist from such behaviour but he continued in a loud tone of voice which attracted a large gathering.

He allegedly cuffed and ‘chucked’ a police rank several times when he attempted to arrest him. Upon seeing such, the Sergeant and other ranks tried to render assistance but they too were assaulted, causing one policeman to receive injuries to

his mouth.

The perpetrator was subsequently subdued by the team, arrested and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station where he was placed into custody pending charges.

The team of policemen were seen and examined by a doctor on duty at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and medical certificates were obtained.

Marriott Hotel, and Michael Lowe, who managed to score 11th place, won a trip to the

Arrow Point Nature Resort, which was sponsored by Roraima Tours, Guyana.

Those who scored the 9th to 6th places, respectively, in the photography competition, and received cash prizes of $10,000 each, are as follows: Andrew Ally and Phillipe Walker, who shared the ninth position; Jalana Hartman, who scored eighth; and Amanda Persaud and Steven Bagot, who shared the sixth position.

There was no tenth or seventh place winner.

Coming in at fifth position was Rohindra Mahase, who won $15,000; Jamall Woolford came in fourth, winning $25,000; Keanu Thomas copped the third position, winning $50,000; Dakari Jordan managed to snag second position, winning $75,000 in cash, and Thamesha Watson scored first position, winning the grand prize of $100,000.

The top three winning photos were mounted at various Tourism organisations countrywide.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

‘COVID’ vaccination ‘overdrive’

–– Health Ministry hosts two successful vaccination ‘drive-thru’

By Richard Bhainie THE Ministry of Health (MoH) has ‘revved’ up its vaccination ‘drive-thru’ initiative into ‘overdrive’ by hosting two ‘drive-thru’ events this weekend, on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara (EBD), simultaneously, which saw scores of persons turning up to be administered their first or second dose of their COVID-19 ‘jab’, all in an effort to reach herd immunity.

Persons were able to be administered their first or second dose AstraZeneca and Sinopharm, or first dose Sputnik V vaccines at the vaccination ‘drive-thru’ events at MovieTowne, Liliendaal, Georgetown and at the National Stadium, Providence, EBD. Both events will continue Sunday.

When the Sunday Chronicle visited the National Stadium at approximately 12:45 hours on Saturday, Dr. Oneeka Scott,

Maternal Child Health Officer, said some 242 persons were already administered with either their first or second dose of either of the three vaccines distributed locally and she expected in excess of 1,000 people to attend on the first day, at that location.

Dr. Scott highlighted that the initiative was scheduled to commence at 10:00 hours, however, people turned up as early as 8:00 hours. She used the words “exciting, exhilarating, gratifying” and “satisfying” to describe how “happy” the team of 135, comprising of staff from the Ministry of Health and volunteers, are to be serving the people of Guyana.

“You have just over 250 people working at both locations. There are a number of institutions collaborating with us, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) being our right hand for some time now … we do have a few volunteers from some

of the medical schools, we have nurses, we have the clerical persons that were hired, and of course we do have the MoH staff who’s organising all of this,” Dr. Scott said.

She added, “This is about convenience, it’s about access, it’s about ensuring that we provide every possible opportunity for people to be vaccinated and we are seeing, as the two previous ‘drive-thru’ activities we’ve had, that people are excited about.”

Over at MovieTowne, at Turkeyen, Communications Manager of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Chelauna Providence, told this newspaper that at approximately 13:30 hours, over 300 persons were already administered with a dose of their COVID-19 ‘jab’.

“We’ve had a pretty overwhelming response, there has been a constant flow of traffic since we started this morning, people are

Khaleel Baig, a 22-year-old Trinidadian residing in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, receiving his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (Adrian Narine photos)

Clifton Singh travelled from Dundee, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara to be administered his second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine at the ‘drive-thru’ event at MovieTowne, on Saturday commenting on the convenience of being able to come in their vehicles, they’re coming out with their family, friends and co-workers and getting vaccinated, so we’re really happy about that,” she said.

Providence disclosed that based on the response to Saturday and Sunday’s activities, it is the organisers’ intention to explore the possibility of making the ‘drive-thru’ a permanent arrangement “to encourage

people to get vaccinated in a setting convenient to them, so that we can reach heard immunity, the ultimate goal.”

“One of the interesting things is that we’ve had some partnerships with pri-

Vehicles making their way through the ‘drive-thru’ at MovieTowne Guyana, Liliendaal, Georgetown on Saturday

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021 vate sector agencies, such as SOL Guyana, MovieTowne, DeSinco Trading, etc, to do some giveaways as a little incentive for people getting vaccinated, but the biggest incentive of all is securing our own health and of those around us,” she said.

Dr. Farah December of the immunisation programme at the Child Health Department of the GHPC, urged persons to “get the information necessary to make informed decisions with regards to becoming vaccinated” from “credible sources” and “make an informed decision for yourself and your loved ones.”

“Our immunisation programme in Guyana has a very good track record, we have been able to eliminate certain diseases from our country and remain safe from certain diseases just due to vaccines. Vaccines work, please let us all work together so that we can eliminate COVID-19 from the shores of this country,” Dr. December pleaded.

Khaleel Baig, a 22-yearold Trinidadian residing in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the National Stadium. He told the Sunday Chronicle that the ‘drive-thru’ initiative is “perfect,” as

he urged his home country of Trinidad and Togabo to follow Guyana’s lead in how the initiative is being rolled out.

Vijay Singh from La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, travelled to the National Stadium to be adminsitered his first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine.

He said he was eager to be administered his vaccine, noting that due to medical complications, he was previously barred from doing so.

He described the ‘drive-thru’ event as “easy, simple and fast.” Travelling all the way from the West Demerara, he urged and recommended that similar initiatives are implemented in other parts of the country.

A pensioner in his 70’s and a firm believer in the Lord, who withheld his name, told this publication that “God did not rule out doctors” and “when Jesus walked the face of the earth, he had a doctor with him.”

He posited that God “gave man wisdom, knowledge and understanding, for medical purposes as well” and he “leaned” upon the book of Proverbs, chapter three, verses five and six as he registered his trust in vaccination saving lives.

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Reg. 2 sec. school donates to flood relief STUDENTS and teachers attending the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School in Region Two, on Friday, donated 50 food hampers to St Monica/Karawab and Kabakaburi Amerindian communities.

The students and teachers are part of the school’s Social Cohesion Club which is overlooked by teachers Nikita James and Gary Williams.

James said the students, teachers and residents contributed towards the hampers.

Twenty-five hampers were donated to St Monica/Karawab while 25 were donated to Kabakaburi. The hampers consist of basic food items and cleaning supplies. They were packed by students and then taken to Charity for distribution.

At the handing over ceremony, Toshao of St

Students and teachers with the food hampers Monica/Karawab, Eve Meanwhile, the Re- kindness.

Samuels, expressed grati- gional Democratic CounThe Amerindian comtude, noting that the dona- cil is undertaking an on- munities of St Monica/ tion came at an opportune going relief effort with the Karwab and Kabakaburi time when the houses of Civil Defence Commis- were severely affected many are under flood- sion (CDC) to distribute by flooding on May 25, water. Deputy Toshao food hampers, water, stor- 2021. Houses and farmof Kabakaburi, Mattais age tanks, and sanitisers. lands were inundated Smith, expressed similar Regional Executive with about four feet of sentiments. He said that Officer of Region Two, water. due to the pandemic and Devanand Ramdatt, comTen families were the flooding, his residents mended the students and r e l o c a t e d t o h i g h e r are unemployed. teachers for the act of grounds.

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Karawab families relocated to safer grounds

A DECISION was made by the Region Two Administration to relocate 10 families from Karawab Upper Pomeroon River, in Region Two, to safer grounds, after they were severely affected by the recent flooding.

Their houses are inundated with almost four feet of water and it is barely receding.

Regional Executive Officer, Devanand Ramdatt, told this newspaper that over 30 persons are currently housed at “Long House” which is located on the highlands

of Karawab in the Upper Pomeroon River. Ramdatt said that the families moved to the new location on Saturday last. Hampers, as well as potable water were provided to the families. Ramdatt explained that assessments are ongoing in the Pomeroon River to gauge the impact of the flooding.

He also made it clear that no pumping was done from the Dawa Pump Station into the Pomeroon River, noting that regional engineers were working diligently to ensure that all the drainage and

irrigation structures were operable.

The Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, revisited the flood-affected communities on Monday last and delivered more medication to the health post. So far, there are no reports of any water-borne diseases.

Meanwhile, Toshao of St Monica/Karawab, Eve Samuels, lauded the efforts of the regional authorities in relocating the families; he hopes that the water recedes so that families can go back to normalcy.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

A house in the Pomeroon River still flooded

Houses and poultry flooded in the Karawab Amerindian community

Flood-relief packages sent to residents of the Pomeroon River by the Civil Defence Commission

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

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Farmers’ co-operation necessary during flood

President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, recently conducted a flood-assessment exercise in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

– Minister Mustapha MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, is urging farmers to co-operate with the government as it seeks to relocate their livestock to safe pasture during the current rainy season.

The move is in keeping with a commitment made

by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali for alternative measures to be put in place to ensure stranded cattle are moved to higher grounds with adequate feed and veterinary care.

The Head of State made the pledge during an assessment he conducted in flooded communities in Regions Five and Six on Tuesday and Wednesday last Addressing the media on Friday, Minister Mustapha said while the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is carrying out the President’s directive, farmers must co-operate.

“We have been providing the services to ensure that we take care of the livestock industry. However, we were not able to capture everyone and some of the farmers don’t want to relocate their animals, that’s the challenge we are faced with…

“As a matter of fact, I myself spoke with a number

of farmers there. They want to relocate only a small amount of animal to different parts; they don’t want to bring the big herds to the roadside,” he said.

The GLDA is currently helping to transport the animals. Minister Mustapha said excavators were deployed to various regions to elevate lands to provide better pathways for vehicles to traverse. Food and vitamins are also being provided to the cattle.

“In various areas, animal officers and vets [veterinarians] are also playing a critical role in providing the medical needs that are necessary to the animal, as they are vulnerable to many diseases due to the ongoing floods,” he added.

Minister Mustapha said while the heavy rainfall will continue, it is important for Guyanese to prepare to deal with the situation.

Meanwhile, the Administration, through the Civil Defence Commission, continues to monitor the countrywide flooding and support the most vulnerable persons.

To date, thousands of people have said they are satisfied with the interventions made by the government. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Over $43M in projects for Pomeroon River

RESIDENTS living in both Upper and Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two will see tremendous transformation in infrastructure, particularly in the Education and Agriculture sectors, since the regional administration will be investing $43,076,823 in their communities.

Regional Executive Officer (REO), Daveanand Ramdatt, said the current projects include the cutting of overhang trees, clearing

of creeks in the Amerindian communities of Wakapoa and Akawini Creek at the cost of $1.6 million; the cutting of overhang bushes and clearing of Bat Creek at St Monica, as well as Wairaro Creek in Upper Pomeroon at a cost of $1.2 million.

To enhance education delivery in the region, several primary schools are currently being repaired at Malborough, Wakapoa, St John at a total cost of $15 million, while repairs

are currently being done at Wakapoa secondary to the tune of $923,080.

Timber revetment works are currently being done at Marlborough Primary at a cost of $2.1 million while another $2.6 million is being spent at Liberty Primary school.

Additionally, empoldering works are currently being done at Siriki Primary at $2,070,000 and St John Primary at $2,550,000. To provide a better and comfortable

Officials from the regional administration conduct a site visit to a nursery school being constructed at Maybel Sandy, Wakapoa environment for learners in the Pomeroon River, repairs are being done at the sanitary facilities of the Martindale Nursery school to the tune of $833,793 and Wakapoa Secondary at $1,006,300.

Providing better access to the delivery of health in the region, general repairs are being done to the Timber Landing at Abrams Creek Health Post at a cost of $1,115,250, Sirki Health post at a cost of $1,687,150, and Mora Health post at $1,167,200. Empoldering works are currently being

done at Siriki, Friendship health post at an approximate cost of $4.6 million.

A Chain link fence is also being constructed at the Siriki Health Post to the tune of $1,625,040 and Dredge Creek health post at a cost $1,490,460. General repairs are also being done at Friendship Health Post for $23,400,000.

Ramdatt said that the works are continuously being monitored by the region’s Engineer and Superintendent of Works. The team conducts frequent

visits to the various communities to ensure that all projects are being done according to the contract specifications.

Meanwhile, the regional administration is currently constructing a Nursery School at Mabel Sandy, which was previously housed under a Primary School.

Also, a landing is being constructed at Curemeru, which would give access to the mainland where hunters, loggers and farmers can traverse.

Porter drowns while attempting to swim across Barima River THE body of a 22-year-old porter of Four Miles Port Kaituma, Region One, surfaced on Thursday last after he had attempted to swim across the Barima River, North West District (NWD).

Dead is Franklyn Benjamin, a porter who transported food supply and fuel to various back dams.

Police said that on Monday last, about 06:00hrs, Benjamin and his crew left Port Kaituma to deliver food supplies and fuel in the back dam. The supply crew was forced to stop at the Barima River, which was high at the time and, as such, prevented them from crossing. The team, however, waited for two days

for the water to recede but continuous heavy rainfall prevented the water from receding.

Out of frustration on Thursday last, Benjamin attempted to swim across the Barima River which is about 65 feet in width, with a heavy water current. Whilst in the middle of the river, Benjamin shouted for help and his crew members attempted to help him, but their efforts were unsuccessful as he went down into the water and did not surface.

Hours after, he was fished out of the water by his crew members and escorted to Port Kaituma District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

What the health minister said

THE National Assembly recommenced, on Thursday, with oral and written statements and reports, a steamy asking and answering of questions related to sports, and a lively debate on motions related to the business of the opposition.

But one of the presentations which was no doubt interesting, well-researched and realistic was delivered by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who was, at the time, updating parliamentarians, and the nation on the efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana.

He said that over 3M people worldwide have died as at June 9, 2021. This number continues to grow despite there being a vaccine that’s available to populations that ‘want it’.

Dr Anthony related there are 18, 088 cases recorded in Guyana with a total of 419 deaths before expressing the government condolences to the families of those who have suffered a loss by the dreaded pandemic. But, he said, since the start of pandemic the nurses and doctors have been working beyond the call of duty to get the pandemic under control. He called them “selfless” and thanked them for their efforts.

Dr Anthony warned that Guyana will not win its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic unless we get immunised now. He said that vaccines work and are successful against the COVID-19 virus as he listed the successes in places like the UK and US while telling Parliament that 297, 0490 doses of the vaccines have been administered and a total of 81,729 persons are fully vaccinated.

He then appealed for persons to come forward and get vaccinated now before it’s too late. Dr Anthony also stated that Guyana will have enough vaccines to cover its population this year as he mentioned the number of arrangements that are in place with the other developed countries and organisations to make this possible.

He, finally, spoke about the damage that vaccine hesitancy could have on government and urged a shift from hesitancy to vaccine enthusiasm.

It is alarming that vaccine hesitancy is at such an alarming point if one takes into consideration all that had been done in Guyana and coercing people to get vaccinated will not help.

Firstly, while this number is a good sign that persons are getting vaccinated, there needs to be at least about 70 per cent if we are going to achieve herd immunity.

That means we will have to likely still honour the guidelines and regulations that are in place for us to prevent the spread of the virus. We will, for the foreseeable future, have to abide by the curfew and lockdown imposed for our safety and good.

Secondly, focus is needed on getting more locations at which people can conveniently get their jabs. The National Inoculation Campaign must be further decentralised to achieve this. Add other safe sites and location to reach more persons that do not like converging in hospitals, health centres and public sites. The aim is that if the numbers of the persons who are tested and vaccinated against the disease goes up, chances of achieving herd immunity will go up and the virus would become less effective.

Thirdly, if the health officials come up with creative ways to get people who have doubts about the vaccines, onboard , apart from hosting drive-through campaigns which are successful, it would help. Perhaps, starting a Special National Vaccination Lottery where you give out a number of land, house, car and prizes is a good start. Maybe, the private sector and other stakeholders could invest specifically to achieve this goal which should see the cooperation of the public. We must ensure that we do everything in our power to get people to accept the vaccines that are being offered to the public and become effective communication gurus because more and more people are contracting and dying from the COVID-19 virus especially in cases where there are underlying conditions.

Finally, what the minister said will surely happen if we just show the willingness and cooperation to get vaccinated.

We will win the fight against COVID-19 pandemic with the right blend of vaccines, tests, management capabilities and decisions, strict adherence to the guidelines and regulations, strong political will and a strong communication campaign.

This disease has affected life in so many ways that is too many to mention.

Get vaccinated! Do your part to protect yourself and the wider Guyanese population!

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Broad faces risk ...

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England’s appeal.

A visibly frustrated Broad protested and signalled that Crawley’s fingers were completely under the ball, which might have some repercussions for the pacer. The ICC Cricket Code of Conduct (‘the Code’ hereafter) lays down, under Article 2, the Code of Conduct Offences.

DOES BROAD’S ACTION QUALIFY AS A BREACH OF ICC’S CODE OF CONDUCT? Article 2.1.3 of the Code penalises the showing of dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.

Article 2.1.3 includes: (a) Excessive, obvious disappointment with an umpire’s decision (b) An obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket (c) Shaking the head (d) Pointing or looking at the inside edge when given out lbw (e) Pointing to the pad or rubbing the shoulder when caught behind (f) Snatching the cap from the umpire (g) Requesting a referral to the TV Umpire (other than in the context of a legitimate request for a referral as may be permitted in such International Match); and (h) Arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision Given that even a shake of a head is offensive enough to attract a penalty under the Code, Broad’s actions might as well land him in trouble. (CricTracker)

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Proteas seal innings win as Rabada 5-34 rips through Windies

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – West Indies’ two decade-long wait for another victory over South Africa on Caribbean soil continued when they slumped to a heavy innings and 63-run defeat inside 2-½ days of the first Test here yesterday.

Resuming the third day on 82 for four in their second innings and requiring a Herculean effort to save the contest, West Indies collapsed for 162, about 40 minutes after the scheduled lunch interval at the Darren Sammy National Stadium.

Roston Chase topscored with 62 but no other West Indies batsman reached 20 as an energised pacer Kagiso Rabada tore through the innings with five for 34, picking up three of the last six wickets which tumbled for 80 runs.

Fellow pacer Anrich Nortje followed up his four-wicket first-innings haul with three for 46 while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj claimed two for 23.

The defeat was the home side’s seventh in their last ten Tests against the Proteas and they are now without a home win against their opponents since 2001 when Carl Hooper’s side won the fifth Test in Kingston.

“We didn’t have a good first innings,” captain Kraigg Brathwaite told media afterwards, referring to his side’s 97 in the first innings.

“But for me, you get good days and bad days, to be honest. So you just have to make sure you learn from both the good days and the bad days.”

West Indies endured two very bad days on Thursday and Friday, and the nightmare continued yesterday with their batting once again producing an ordinary effort.

Vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, resuming from his overnight ten, was twice given out by umpire Gregory Brathwaite on 13 in the fourth over of the morning from seamer Lungi Ngidi, but let off on both occasions by DRS.

The first reprieve came off a leg-side catch when replays showed the ball clipping his thigh pad while the second was an lbw verdict, which Hawkeye showed to be going over the top.

Blackwood made little use of his good fortune, however, loosely driving Rabada to Rassie van der Dussen at short cover without adding to the score of 97 for five.

Chase, on 21 at the start, put on 28 for the sixth wicket with Jason Holder (4), the pair seeing out the remainder of the hour safely.

In the second over after the resumption, Holder suffered a fatal error in judgement when he offered no shot to the first delivery of Maharaj’s first spell of the day, and lost his offstump.

Chase had earlier raised his ninth Test half-century with successive cover-driven boundaries off seamer Wiaan Mulder, off the last two deliveries be-

fore the drinks break.

All told, the righthander struck seven fours and a six off 156 deliveries in just over 3-¼ hours before also misjudging a straighter, faster one from Maharaj, attempting to cut, and dragging on.

Wo b b l i n g o n 1 4 0 for seven, West Indies lost Rahkeem Cornwall without scoring, driving the fourth ball he received to mid-off to give Rabada his fourth wicket.

And wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (9), struck a painful blow on the elbow by Rabada, never really settled and he too shouldered arms, allowing the same bowler to send his off-stump cartwheeling.

Nortje returned to end the game in the first over of his second spell of the day, having debutant Jayden Seales caught at third slip for three.

The second Test starts here on Friday.

WEST INDIES 1st innings 97 SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings D. Elgar c Blackwood b Roach 0 A. Markram c wkp. Da Silva b Seales 60 K. Petersen c Holder b Seales 19 R. van der Dussen c Hope b Holder 46 K. Verreynne c wkp, Da Silva b Seales 6 Q. de Kock not out 141 W. Mulder c wkp, Da Silva b Holder 25 K. Maharaj c sub, (K, Powell) b Cornwall 0 K. Rabada c Holder b Roach 4 A. Nortje c Hope b Holder 7 L. Ngidi c wkp, Da Silva b Holder 0 EXTRAS: (b-4, lb-1, w-3, nb-6) 14 TOTAL: (all out, 96.5 overs) 322 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-34, 3-113, 4-119, 5-162, 6-215, 7-222, 8-233, 9-312.

Bowling: Roach 20-3-64-2, Holder 20.5-4-75-4 (nb6-), Seales 21-6-75-3 (w-3), Mayers 8-2-28-0, Cornwall 181-61-1, Chase 9-5-14-0.

WEST INDIES 2nd innings (o/n 82 for four) K. Brathwaite lbw b Rabada 7 K. Powell lbw b Rabada 14 S. Hope c Mulder b Nortje 12 R. Chase b Maharaj 62 K. Mayers c Mulder b Nortje 12 J. Blackwood c van der Dussen b Rabada 13 J. Holder b Maharaj 4 J. Da Silva b Rabada 9 R. Cornwall c van der Dussen b Rabada 0 K. Roach not out 13 J. Seales c Mulder b Nortje 3 EXTRAS: (b-8, lb-2, w-1, nb-2, w-1) 13 TOTAL: (all out, 64 overs) 162 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-25 3-37, 4-51, 5-97, 6-125, 7-140, 8-141, 9-146.

Bowling: Rabada 20-9-34-5 (nb-1), Ngidi 13-3-31-0, Nortje 14-5-46-3, Mulder 6-1-18-0 (w-1, nb-1), Maharaj 11-5-23-2.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: QUINTON DE KOCK

34

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Phoenix Suns go 3-0 up on Denver Nuggets to move closer to NBA finals PHOENIX Suns moved closer to the NBA’s Western Conference final after going 3-0 up on Denver Nuggets in their semi-final series.

Devin Booker scored 28 points while Chris Paul had 27 in the 116102 win.

The Suns have won six consecutive play-off games and are one victory from reaching the conference final for the first time since 2009-10.

Elsewhere Philadelphia 76ers moved 2-1 ahead in their Eastern Conference semi-final series.

Joel Embiid had 27 points nine rebounds eight assists as the visitors beat Atlanta Hawks 127-111. \Suns started strongly against Nuggets in their game and were 21-8 ahead early on and 37-27 up after the first quarter.

Nuggets brought it back to trail 59-55 at the break but their opponents dominated after that and will aim to secure a clean sweep in the series in Denver today.

Nikola Jokic had 32 points,20 rebounds 10 assists for Nuggets on the night he received his NBA

Most Valuable Player award.

In Atlanta, 76ers put in a strong third-quarter performance to end the hosts’ 13-game home-winning streak.

Embiid and team-mate Ben Simmons each scored 11 points as they outscored Hawks 34-19 ahead of the final quarter.

Tobias Harris’ 22 points saw him hit the 20-point mark for the sixth straight game while Simmons finished with 18 points seven assists.

Game four is on Monday in Atlanta. (BBC Sport)

Nikola Jokic found himself under pressure against Suns

Shakib Al Hasan banned, fined for unruly behaviour

SHAKIB Al Hasan has been banned for three matches of the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL) for his unruly behaviour on Friday. He had shown dissent against umpire’s decisions, not once but twice, kicking and uprooting the stumps during the match.

He was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in the game against Abahani Limited.

The all-rounder also got into a scuffle with the opposition coach Khaled Mahmud who is also the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director. However, Shakib had apologised to the officials, fans and the teams for his conduct and admitted to have ruined the game.

“I apologise to the teams, management, tournament officials and organising committee for this human error. Hopefully, I won’t be repeating this again in future. Thanks and love you all,” part of Shakib’s statement on Facebook read.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan

The video of Shakib Al Hasan’s actions had gone viral within minutes of the incident and many had slammed him for his conduct.

The likes of Lisa Sthalekar and Virender Sehwag also reckoned that the veteran cricketer should’ve behaved properly and criticised him.

ESPNCricinfo reported that Shakib Al Hasan has been banned for three matches and also fined BDT 5 lakh. The umpires were also told to submit the report regarding the incident and the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) finalised the all-rounder’s punishment.

Accordingly, Shakib will now not be able to play in 8th, 9th and 10th round of the tournament. Going by the laws of the DPL, the 34-year-old has been accused of violating level three of which Shakib has broken two sections.

Shakib Al Hasan has been time and again in the news for all the wrong reasons over the last couple of years. His decision to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) while Bangladesh played Tests had created a little bit of ruckus as well. He was also banned for one year from international cricket by ICC for not informing multiple corrupt approaches during international matches. (CricTracker)

SUNDAY, June 13, 2021 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2) (1)

(2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S: Seymour Nurse-258 (Christchurch, 1968-69) Glen Turner-259 (Bourda, 1972)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Which WI bowler has captured most Test wickets against NZ to date?

Which NZ player has claimed most Test wickets against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

35

Henry & Wagner hurry New Zealand towards second Test victory

ENGLAND face defeat in the series-decider against New Zealand after another insipid batting performance on the third day of the second Test.

Joe Root’s side crumbled to 112-9 under glorious sunshine at Edgbaston, only 37 runs ahead.

England had battled their way back into the contest on an entertaining day, taking the final seven New Zealand wickets for 96 runs to dismiss them for 388.

Faced with a first-innings deficit of 85, the hosts had the opportunity to set a challenging fourth-innings chase, only for their top order to disintegrate.

In the face of some superb New Zealand bowling, England found themselves 30-3 and 76-7, and eventually needed a stand of 44 between Olly Stone and Mark Wood to drag the game into a fourth day.

Still, barring something utterly remarkable today, England will go down to their first home series defeat in seven years.

Dismal England spiral towards defeat This was another abject performance by England’s callow batting line-up, one that undid the good work of a resurgence that came earlier in

the day.

The game looked to be hurrying away from England in an action-packed morning session when New Zealand’s runs flowed and catches were dropped, only for England’s seamers - led by the excellent Stuart Broad - to fight back.

this time to eke out enough runs to avoid an innings defeat.

England crumble yet again The Edgbaston crowd had not finished singing Jerusalem when the England slide began, Rory Burns loosely driving Matt Henry’s second ball of

New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner bellows in triumph (Getty Images)

However, the evening capitulation that followed evoked memories of the dismal tour of India this year and leaves questions surrounding the future of the majority of England’s top order.

With questionable techniques and low reserves of confidence, they were unable to handle the relentless New Zealand attack on a pitch holding no demons.

By the end, England were again relying on their bowlers,

the innings to be caught at second slip.

With Henry holding a full length and nipping the ball, Dom Sibley edged to third slip before Zak Crawley was pinned by one that came back.

The bustling Neil Wagner took over, first trapping Ollie Pope on the crease for 23, then enticing Dan Lawrence into an edge behind.

In his third Test innings, James Bracey was cheered when he registered his first run,

only to be bowled around his legs sweeping at the left-arm spin of Ajaz Patel.

Captain Root dropped anchor in defiance, until even he nicked a cut at Patel to fall for 11 off 61 balls.

An example in defence came from Stone, while Wood swiped his way to 29 before he top-edged Wagner. There was still time for Broad to be bowled by Trent Boult.

Superb New Zealand surge towards victory New Zealand had the better of the drawn first Test and, despite making six changes for the second, have given England a lesson in correct batting, length-bowling and efficient catching.

From 229-3 overnight, they attacked the second new ball, Ross Taylor moving from 46 to 80 with some glorious drives.

He was dropped on 68 by diving sub fielder Sam Billings at long leg then, in the same over Taylor edged Stone to Bracey, the Gloucestershire wicketkeeper’s difficult start to life in Test cricket continued when he put down Blundell.

Wood hit Henry Nicholls on the head, then had him caught down the leg side from the next ball, with England

French Open …

After toppling Nadal, Djokovic hopes to be ready for Tsitsipas (REUTERS) - After dethroning ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Novak Djokovic will next face a first Grand Slam finalist in Stefanos Tsitsipas, as the world number one bids to become the first man to win all four Majors in the open era, at least twice.

Roy Emerson and Rod Laver are the only men to have won four Grand Slams on two or more occasions, but none has achieved the feat since 1968, when the sport allowed professional players to compete in the majors. .

A second trophy today at Roland Garros, following his 2016 win on red clay, will also give the 34-yearold Serbian his 19th Grand Slam title – one short of Nadal and Roger Federer’s men’s record.

His challenger will be 22 years old, who is bidding to become the first Greek to win a singles major.

Tsitsipas has long been marked out as a future Grand Slam champion and has already collected trophies from the season-ending ATP Finals and Masters 1000

tournaments.

But he reached the lastfour stage three times in a Major before Friday’s semifinal, where he defeated US Open finalist Alexander Zverev in a thrilling five-set duel.

2021.

“I’m looking forward to that challenge,” Tsitsipas said Friday while awaiting his first major final.

“I’m looking forward to upping my game in a kind of challenge to take it

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his French Open semi-final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann)

Greece’s first Grand Slam finalist will reach Court Philippe Chattier today with a 2-5 win-loss record against the Serbian, but will draw inspiration from the fact that he has a Tour-leading victory in

forward.”

Anything less than his ‘A’ game will be enough for the Greek as he never managed to beat Djokovic on clay, although he did lead the Serbian to five sets in the semi-finals at the same

venue last year.

The feelings of Friday’s resounding victory over 13time French Open winner Nadal may leave a hangover for most players, but that may not be a problem for Djokovic with his incredible mental strength.

“This isn’t the first time I’m playing an epic semi-final at a Grand Slam and then I have to come back and play the final in less than 48 hours,” he said.

“My recovery ability is great, I must say, throughout my career … I know what to do.”

Djokovic was happy to rest a bit and enjoy a semifinal victory over his great rival, but would take nothing against the Greek.

The Serbian said, ‘He is in excellent form. “I think he’s matured a lot as a player. Clay (is) arguably his best surface.

“We played an epic five-setter in the semifinals here last year. Yes, I know it’s going to be a tough one.

“I hope to recharge my battery as much as I can because I will need some power and energy for that.”

then running through the lower order after lunch.

Broad w as the pick, ending with 4-48. When he trapped Patel lbw to end a chaotic last-wicket stand of

27 with Boult, there was genuine optimism England could create a competitive contest.

It evaporated almost as soon as they began batting.

(BBC Sport)

ENGLAND 1st innings 303 NEW ZEALAND 1st innings o/n 229-3 Tom Latham lbw Stuart Broad

6 Devon Conway c Zak Crawley b Stuart Broad

80 Will Young c Ollie Pope b Dan Lawrence 82 Ross Taylor c James Bracey b Olly Stone 80 Henry Nicholls c James Bracey b Mark Wood

21 Tom Blundell c Joe Root b Stuart Broad 34 Daryl Mitchell c Zak Crawley b Olly Stone

6 Neil Wagner b James Anderson

0 Matt Henry lbw Mark Wood

12 Ajaz Patel lbw Stuart Broad

20 Trent Boult not out

12 EXTRAS: (b-13, lb-21, nb-1)

35 TOTAL: (all out, 119.1 overs)

388 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-137, 3-229, 4-292, 5-312, 6-335, 7-336, 8-353, 9-361.

Bowling: James Anderson 29-9-68-1, Stuart Broad 23.1-8-48-4 (nb-1), Mark Wood 25-3-85-2, Olly Stone 24-5-92-2, Joe Root 15-3-45-0, Dan Lawrence 3-0-16-1.

ENGLAND 2nd innings Rory Burns c Tom Latham b Matt Henry

0 Dominic Sibley c Daryl Mitchell b Matt Henry

8 Zak Crawley lbw Matt Henry

17 Joe Root c Tom Blundell b Ajaz Patel 11 Ollie Pope lbw Neil Wagner

23 Dan Lawrence c Tom Blundell b Neil Wagner

0 James Bracey b Ajaz Patel

8 Olly Stone not out

15 Mark Wood c Tom Blundell b Neil Wagner

29 Stuart Broad b Trent Boult

1 James Anderson not out

0 EXTRAS: (b-5, lb-4, nb-1) 10 TOTAL: (nine wkts, 41.0 overs)

122-9 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-17, 3-30, 4-58, 5-58, 6-71, 7-76, 8-120, 9-121.

Bowling: Matt Henry 12-2-36-3, Trent Boult 10-2-34-1, Neil Wagner 10-1-18-3 (nb-1), Ajaz Patel 9-4-25-2.

Broad faces risk of ban after showing dissent at umpire’s decision

CRICKET’S soft signal problems have indeed given the umpires and players a hard time in the recent past.

As per the laws currently in force, the on-field umpires are required to provide a soft signal even in a state of doubt before they take assistance from the third umpire, who can overturn the ground umpire’s call only on having sufficient conclusive evidence.

at third slip on Day 2 of the Edgbaston Test between England and New Zealand.

W h i l e C r a w l e y, i t seemed, had snaffled the catch cleanly on the first instance, on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough took the call upstairs to Michael Gough, with the soft signal ‘not out’.

Replays from different angles were found inconclusive by the third

England pacer Stuart Broad

In another recent incident of the soft signal creating uproar, Stuart Broad, the England pacer, was left fuming after being denied a wicket of New Zealand’s Devon Conway, who had edged a ball to Zak Crawley

umpire, who went ahead with the on-field umpire’s call of not out. Notably, Conway went onto score a solid 80, when he was only at 22 at the time of TURN TO PAGE 33

36

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

TTFA fires Fenwick; to name interim coach for Gold Cup TWENTY-FOUR hours after Guardian Media Sports reported that the FIFA-appointed TTFA Normalisation Committee (NC) had secured resignation letters from assistant coaches Derek King and Kelvin Jack, the NC announced Friday that it had terminated the services of Trinidad and Tobago head coach Terry Fenwick.

In a release on Friday evening, the TTFA said: “The FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) served notice of terminaT&T’s senior men’s tion to senior national head coach men’s NationTerry Fenwick al Team head c o a c h Te r r y Fenwick. Additionally, the NC

has mutually parted company with senior men’s National Team assistant coach Derek King and is finalising same with assistant coach Kelvin Jack.

“Given the financial situation of the TTFA, which threatens its ability to fund the coaches at the salary levels that were committed, the NC has met with Derek King and Kelvin Jack and have come to a mutually agreed position.

The NC wishes to thank Derek and Kelvin for their work, professionalism and sincere understanding. We wish them all the best in the future.”

The TTFA added that it will now prioritise the appointment of an interim head coach and coaching staff next week ahead of the Soca Warriors’ preliminary round action in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is scheduled to kick off in July.

The TTFA decision comes three days after T&T failed to get out of the first phase of CONCACAF qualifying group stages for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup. The Soca Warriors were held to a goalless draw by regional minnows The Bahamas last Saturday and also drew 1-1 with Puerto Rico, which left the team in the second position in Group F on eight points.

The eventual winners, St Kitts & Nevis, gathered nine points despite being beaten by Soca Warriors 2-0 on Tuesday in their final group match. Midfielder Duane Muckette (35th minute) and captain Khaleem Hyland (74th) screwed the goals that gave T&T their second win in the group at the Estadio Alterno del Centro Juan Pablo Duarte in the Dominica Republic.

Even before this match, there were calls for Fenwick, 61, the former San Juan Jabloteh and Central FC coach, to be fired or to resign, T&T having been knocked out of

EURO 2020

Finland beat Denmark in match overshadowed by Eriksen collapse FINLAND won their first game at a major finals as they beat Denmark in a Euro 2020 match that was overshadowed by Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch.

hours five minutes after kick-off, Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel returned to the pitch, before the Finland players applauded all the Danish squad members and the spectators in Copenhagen

Medics stretcher Denmark’s midfielder Christian Eriksen off the pitch

Eriksen, 29, collapsed after 41 minutes and received CPR on the pitch as his visibly-distressed team-mates surrounded him and fans around the world watched in shock.

After approximately 15 minutes of treatment, the Inter Milan star was carried off on a stretcher. Supporters from both countries chanted his name while both sets of teams spent the next hour in their dressing rooms.

Only when informed that he was awake in hospital did the players agree to resume the match.

At 19:05 BST, two

gave all the players a standing ovation.

The match resumed at 19:30 BST with the final four minutes of the first half played before a five-minute break for half time and then the second half.

Before Eriksen’s worrying collapse, Denmark

had been the better team, with Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky saving Jonas Wind’s 20-yard effort and tipping a header from Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg over the bar.

The match, the third of the delayed Euro 2020, had begun in a raucous, passionate atmosphere with more than 15,000 people at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital. But, unsurprisingly, it was far more subdued on the restart as attention focused on Eriksen’s health.

The visitors, who have never qualified for a World Cup and were playing in their first European Championship finals game, took the lead when Schmeichel was unable to keep out Joel Pohjanpalo’s header following Jere Uronen’s cross.

Denmark had a chance to equalise when they were given a penalty after Paulus Arajuuri was judged to have fouled Yussef Poulsen, but Hojbjerg’s poor spot-kick was saved by Hradecky. (BBC Sport) 11:15 hrs Tamaska 11:45 hrs Summer’s Knight

English Racing Tips Doncaster 08:45 hrs Harbour Vision 09:15 hrs Aswan 09:45 hrs Line Of Descent 10:15 hrs Ginger Jam 10:45 hrs Siam Fox

Salisbury 09:08 hrs Mountain Ash 09:38 hrs Beyond Equal 10:08 hrs Auditor 10:38 hrs Khaadem 11:08 hrs Kindred Spirit 11:38 hrs Deep Snow

contention following the 0-0 draw against The Bahamas.

Guardian Media Sports understands that the NC held a meeting on Thursday to decide the future of Fenwick, a former England international and his assistants King and Jack.

Fenwick’s appointment from January 2020 has been controversial from day one, with questions being raised about how his initial one-year board-approved contract was extended to two years.

His salary of an estimated US$20,000 per month has also been a national debate, since the TTFA remains in heavy debt which was last reported at TT$98.5M. Prior to the start of T&T’s World Cup campaign, Fenwick was also engaged in an alleged head-butting incident with long-serving media director Shaun Fuentes during a training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva in March.

The TTFA release added that a selection, led by NC member Nicholas Gomez and comprising Anton Corneal, Anthony Sherwood and Richard Chinapoo, will now meet to finalise the selection of an interim head coach. It said the interim coach and the panel will then establish the supporting team.

Guardian Media Sports understands that former national captain and midfielder Angus Eve, who led Naparina College to multiple titles in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), is among the frontrunners to take over as the team’s head coach.

Once the technical staff is finalised, the Soca Warriors are expected to start preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in the United States, where they will open against Montserrat on July 2 (Extracted from Trinidad Guardian).

12 Venezuelans test positive for COVID-19 day before Copa opener

Venezuela have played Bolivia and Uruguay since June 3

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Twelve members of the Venezuelan delegation at the Copa America have tested positive for COVID-19, health officials said yesterday, a day before they meet hosts Brazil in the tournament opener.

“The 12 members of the delegation include players and members of the backroom staff,” said a statement from the Health Secretariat in 12:10 hrs Spirit Mixer Irish Racing Tips Downpatrick 08:50 hrs Silvertown 09:20 hrs Hardwired 09:50 hrs Shopping Around 10:20 hrs Longacre Square 10:50 hrs Schone Aussicht 11:20 hrs Grinn

Brasilia, where today’s game will take place.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) made the diagnosis on Friday night and informed local health authorities.

“All are asymptomatic, isolated in individual rooms, and are being monitored by the CONMEBOL team and local health officials,” the statement added.

Venezuela are due to take 11:50 hrs Secret Sea 12:20 hrs Carrigmodrna Elm South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:25 hrs Ocean Warrior 09:00 hrs Adderbury Lake 09:35 hrs Caribbean Sunset 10:11 hrs Winter Fury 10:50 hrs Loud Marmite

on reigning champions Brazil this evening at the Mane Garrincha stadium.

The Copa America, the oldest tournament in international football and featuring 10 South American nations, was moved to Brazil at the last minute after Argentina pulled out because of a COVID-19 surge there.

Brazil agreed to host the tournament in spite of its own coronavirus issues.

Some 484 235 people have died in Brazil, more than any country in the world bar the United States, with 2,216 reported dead on Friday.

The Copa America, South America’s equivalent of the Euros, is due to run until July 10.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

37

Fury believes Usyk can upset Joshua … says it’s selfish, irresponsible to take on that fight TYSON Fury says he’s not confident at all that Anthony Joshua will win his fight against WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk in September.

Joshua is stubbornly choosing to hold onto his WBO heavyweight strap and defend it against Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) in a risky fight that brings nothing to the table in terms of money or acclaim.

If Joshua loses to Usyk, which Fury believes is very, very possible, he’ll be in a situation where he would have to fight him again. Joshua’s career would basically be on the line for the second fight with Usyk.

Joshua isn’t just potentially messing things up for himself by taking the Usyk fight. If he loses to Usyk, he’ll irreparably change the fortunes for Fury, who would make a fortune fighting him.

It’s a selfish and irresponsible move on Joshua’s part to take the Usyk fight because he’s potentially hurting himself, Matchroom, Fury, and Top Rank. There are a lot of people that will be harmed if Joshua loses this fight to Usyk.

A second defeat to Usyk would be the end for Joshua. With it, you could say goodbye to the money Joshua and Fury would have made if they had vacated their useless belts and met in Saudi Arabia.

No one would be the wiser if AJ vacated the WBO trinket, as the fans could care less if all four titles are on the line for the Joshua-Fury fight.

There’s literally nothing Joshua can gain from the Usyk fight aside from holding onto his WBO belt, which might as well be a useless ribbon.

The fans already view Joshua as one of the two heavy-

weight champions. Moreover, the ordeal that Joshua must go through to hold onto the WBO belt isn’t worth the payoff.

While Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs) has no doubts that he’ll successfully defend his WBC heavyweight title against Deontay Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) on July 24, he thinks Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) could lose to the hungry, crafty former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs).

“Now they’re left with Joshua stuck between a rock and a hard place,” said Fury to the Daily Mail about Hearn and Matchroom choosing to take Usyk fight.

“I don’t think they (Matchroom) fancy the Ukrainian guy (Oleksandr Usyk) for the fight he needs in August. And with their DAZN deal, it looks now as if that will be their last fight with Joshua,” said Fury.

You’d like to think that Eddie Hearn had the courage and foresight to try and talk some sense into Joshua by telling him to forget about fighting Usyk. Instead, vacate the WBO title and wait for the smoke to clear from the Fury vs. Wilder 3 clash.

There’s too much risk involved in Joshua fighting Usyk.

“Usyk is a southpaw, clever, technically very good,” Fury continued. “He’s smaller as a former cruiserweight champion but he handled Derek Chisora, who is physically tougher than Joshua.

“So while I’m absolutely confident of beating Wilder, I’m not so sure about AJ not losing his fight,” said Fury.

Charles Brun totally agrees with Fury. Joshua could lose to Usyk, and from there, his career could be a dumpster fire.

(Boxing News 24)

ALL-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the England Twenty20 squad for the first time since 2015 for three matches against Sri Lanka this month.

Warwickshire’s Woakes, 32, played the most recent of his eight T20 internationals in 2015.

Yorkshire seamer David Willey, 31, also features in a 16-man squad, having last played a T20 for England in May 2019.

Sophia Gardens hosts the first two T20s on 23 and 24 June, and the Ageas Bowl the final match on 26 June.

All-rounder Ben Stokes is absent with a fractured finger, Jofra Archer has an elbow injury and fellow pace bowler Reece Topley has a side

summer is about perfecting our team and continue to progress on the field,” said England head coach Chris Silverwood.

“Chris Woakes and David Willey are very experienced cricketers, and to have them both in the mix is exciting and shows the depth of squad we have available.”

England will play Sri Lanka in three one-day internationals in June and July after the T20 series.

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper, Yorkshire), Sam Billings (wicketkeeper, Kent), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper, Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham). (BBC Sport)

Boxer Oleksandr Usyk

Woakes returns to England Warner and Stoinis withdraw T20 squad after six years from men’s Hundred competition strain.

Woakes, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran were not considered for the current Test series against New Zealand as they were rested after having to quarantine following the postponed Indian Premier League.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in India in October and November.

“With the T20 Wo r l d C u p o n l y a few months away, this

Chris Woakes averages 30.33 with the bat and 36.14 with the ball since making his T20 debut for England in 2011

David Warner (right) has represented Australia in all formats while Stoinis has played in one-day-internationals and Twenty20s

AUSTRALIA duo David Warner and Marcus Stoinis have withdrawn from this summer’s men’s Hundred competition.

The pair were due to play for Southern Brave but have pulled out because of coronavirus restrictions.

They are both also named in Australia’s squad for tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh in July and August.

“It is obviously disappointing to lose players

with the ability of David and Marcus,” an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesperson said.

“But the realities of Covid means there are practicalities that are difficult for some overseas players to overcome.

“Replacement overseas players will be signed by Southern Brave, and we look forward to The Hundred showcasing world-class cricket this summer.”

Opener Warner, 34, was signed for £100,000 and all-rounder Stoinis, 31, for £80,000.

The first match of the new 100-ball competition - a women’s fixture between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals - will be live on BBC TV on Wednesday, 21 July.

Both the men’s and women’s finals take place at Lord’s on Saturday, 21 AugusT. (BBC Sport)

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 13, 2021

Dharry to fight either Mexican or US boxer next month ACE Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry is set to fight either a Mexican opponent or a boxer from Omaha, Nebraska, USA next month.

The fight is scheduled for the Forster Community Centre in Rock Rapids, Iowa on Saturday, July 17.

Along with the explosive Dharry, current WBC Latino Champion Ron Cruz is also carded to fight.

FINDING BOXERS Negotiations are currently taking place between Dharry’s expected opponents and organisers of the event, 15 Rounds Promotions.

Dharry, who suffered a debatable loss against home boxer Andrew Moloney in November of 2019 for the interim WBA super flyweight title in Melbourne, Australia, was flawless for almost a

decade.

Prior to the Moloney bout, Dharry had won 21 straight fights.

He said that finding a boxer to fight him these days has been challenging, more so because seasoned fighters are not looking to get into the ring with him since it can hurt their chances of a title shot or damage their records.

“I’ve been preparing for a fight for some time and keep getting little minor setbacks.

A least six opponents turned down fighting me.”

US-based Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry is raring to get back into the ring

Five Indian women players to feature in The Hundred

THE England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is all set to go ahead with the inaugural edition of The Hundred, which was postponed last year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Hundred tournament will feature as many as five Indian women players plying their trade for a number of teams.

All the five Women players including the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, all-rounder Deepti Sharma and batter Jemimah Rodrigues have been provided with the No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to participate in England’s domestic tournament.

Notably, India’s Women Team travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) earlier this month as they will square off against England’s Women team in a lone Test match followed by three One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals. The India Women tour of England is scheduled from June 16 to July 15 while The Hundred tournament will run from July 21 to August 21.

Harmanpreet has signed the contract with Manchester Originals while Jemimah and Smriti will be joining Northern Superchargers and Southern Brave respective-

ly. Deepti Sharma will play alongside the England national side skipper Heather Knight for the London Spirit.

Shafali Verma, on the other hand, has been included in the Birmingham Phoenix squad as a replacement for New Zealand star player Sophie Devine.

perience for the players.”

Meanwhile, Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of The Hundred Women’s competition, opened up on the participation of the England players saying that they are really excited to welcome a bunch of talented players from India. “It’s so good to finally

India women’s player Smriti Mandhana

India’s veteran cricketer Harmanpreet is quite excited about her new venture as she said as quoted by News 18, “It’s very exciting that I’m going to get to play in the first-ever game of The Hundred. It will be special to make history, especially with a women’s match at such a big ground.

We’ve played in front of some large crowds in India and it’s always a great ex-

be able to confirm the involvement of some of the superstars from the India team.

They’re a hugely exciting group of players and they’ll bring a lot to the competition.

“I can’t wait for July 21, I can’t wait for the whole competition, and I can’t wait for fans to see these world-class players doing what they do best,” Beth Barrett-Wild added. (CricTracker)

CONFIDENT OF DELIVERING Once he gets an opponent, the Brooklyn-based fighter is confident of delivering. He said that New York, where he lives, is finally allowing more activities, including sparring sessions,

so his training has improved.

Additionally, he is hoping that the clash will give him needed ring work for a September fight in Guyana, which should be a title bout.

“This fight is a warmup fight. I’m getting a title fight in Guyana on September 25. It’s up to Gary Sinclair and the Guyana Boxing Board (GBC) to work out the fighter. It’s going to be a big fight and big event.”

With COVID-19 restrictions and a less than assertive management team (now dropped), Dharry was bereft of opportunities.

Having not entered the ring after almost 20 months has also temporarily dropped him out of the top 10 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight division.

In August of 2019, he was ranked sixth.

“One of my objectives is to get back in the ranking.

As long as I get back into the ring, I’ll get back in the ranking.”

Although Dharry has a string of titles attached to his name, including the national bantamweight title, WBC Caribbean bantamweight belt, IBF Intercontinental title and the WBU Americas bantamweight belt, his ultimate dream is to win a world title.

“Had I a proper management team in my career, opportunities might have been better. I never had the luxury of people pushing for me, I had to push myself … I keep believing that I’ll win a world title. I feel really good physically and am confident that I’ll be able to do so.”

Australian swimmer withdraws from Olympic trials …Cites ‘misogynistic perverts, boot lickers’ TWO-time Australian Olympic medalist Madeline Groves won’t compete for a spot in the Tokyo Games, citing exploitation of “young women and girls” in swimming.

Groves, 26, won silver medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games in the 200-meter butterfly and the 4x100-meter medley. She announced on social media that she “made the decision to not compete at Olympic Trials in Adelaide.”

She also wrote that she was “very relieved” and “excited to watch everyone at trials,” but did not initially provide a reason for her withdrawal “Let this be a lesson to all misogynistic perverts in sport and their boot lickers - You can no longer exploit young women and girls, body shame or medically gaslight them and then expect them to represent you so you can earn your annual bonus,” Groves wrote.

“Time’s UP” Groves did not name names or go into specifics.

On Thursday, she thanked her followers for their support and announced that she’s deleting the Twitter app.

Groves has levied previous criticism, including recounting last November a “weirdo” who stared at her while she was wearing a swimsuit. She wrote that that incident happened “a

few years ago” and that the person who works in swimming has “possibly been given a promotion since.”

She also wrote that a coach made a sexual comment to her when she was 20 years old while she was working to make the Australian swim team.

previous complaints on record from Maddie.

“All allegations concerning child abuse or sexual misconduct are taken seriously

by Swimming Australia. We consider the welfare, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as paramount, and we have a duty to make in-

Madeline Groves won two Olympic silver medals in 2016

According to Reuters, governing body Swimming Australia reached out to Groves after her November Twitter posts.

“Swimming Australia reached out to Maddie in December 2020 to enquire about a tweet sent by her that referenced potential abuse by someone connected with swimming,” an SA statement read, per Reuters. “Maddie declined to provide further information nor do we have any

quiries to uphold the standards of our sport.”

Groves also criticised last month an International Olympic Committee (IOC) waiver for the Tokyo Games stating that participants “will take part in the Games at his/her own risk and own responsibility including ... serious bodily injury or even death raised by the potential exposure to health hazards such as the transmission of COVID-19.” (Yahoo Sports)

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) – Head coach Phil Simmons has defended West Indies’ preparation for the opening Test following their crushing innings defeat inside 2-½ days here Saturday, but said they now needed to raise their intensity and rebound strongly in the second Test beginning here this week.

The home side produced two lacklustre batting efforts, rolled over for 97 in their first innings and then for 162 in their second, to slide to a heavy loss late in an extended first session on Saturday’s third day at the Daren Sammy National Stadium.

While West Indies spent a month prior to the opening Test in a high performance camp, Simmons said they had been undermined by poor batting.

“Bad judgement, bad shot selection – however you want to put it. You can’t be out for 97 [in the first innings] and there’s any other question [about the result]. It’s just about bad selection in the first innings especially,” Simmons lamented afterwards.“The fact is we need to bat well in the first innings.

We need to bat a hundred overs and we need to find a way to do that against this team.

“I think if we bat a hundred overs against this team, we’re putting ourselves in a good position to put them under pressure.”

He added: “All the guys here, from one to nine at least, have Test fifties against proper bowling attacks. Yes, they (South Africa) are potent but the guys have made runs against all different kinds of bowling attacks.

“I think that the way we got out was not something we would be proud of and we have to come back and show what we’re really made of in the second Test.”

West Indies lost a grip on the contest once they were dismissed cheaply after opting to bat and then conceding a massive lead of 225, as South Africa gathered 322 behind Quinton de Kock’s superb unbeaten 141.

They finished day two on 82 for four but lost wickets steadily in the first session on Saturday to collapse, despite Roston Chase’s defiant 62.

With the second Test starting next Friday, Simmons said it was important the side again prepared themselves mentally in order to get a positive result.

“I think in each person themselves, they have to get themselves fired up,” a composed Simmons explained.

“We have to put them back through the paces that we did leading up to the Test match and prepare in as diligent a way as we did prepare going into this one and maybe add a little bit more.

“Over the next couple days, we’ll sit and have a look back at the Test match itself. I personally think that the preparation and training we did before was quite intense but we’ll see if we missed anything and try to put that in.

“But that’s all you can do because you as a Test cricketer have to fix your mindset and make sure your mindset is ready for it, and we’ve done that a lot of times leading up to this and in the past.”

Glasgow to wrap-up Collegiate football try-out today

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons

For West Indies, the defeat was their first in five matches this year after thumping Bangladesh 2-0 away and drawing nil-all at home with Sri Lanka in another two-match series.

That form propelled them up to sixth in the ICC Test rankings, one notch above the Proteas, but Simmons said the heavy defeat was now cause for deep introspection.

“It will definitely be [a reality check] for me. I don’t take things for granted,” he stressed.

“I think we played well in four Test matches but again, that’s only the start of how we have to get up the table and how much we have to play, so this has shown us that there is a lot of work still to be done which we kept reiterating to the players all last week.

“There’s a lot of work still to be done so we have to keep working.”

Ninvalle visits track and field facility at Burnham Park

Omari Glasgow in Atlanta Here, Ninvalle (right) holds discussion with the consultant (second from right) and engineers

DIRECTOR of Sport Steve Nivalle yesterday travelled to Berbice to have a firsthand look at the track and field facility being constructed at Burnham Park, New Ansterdam.

G U YA N A’ S O m a r i Glasgow is currently in Atlanta attending a ‘University ID’ try-out in front of eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One coaches, considered the ‘Crème De La Crème’ of University football.

The 17-year-old, who hails from Beterverwagting (BV) and plays for the Fruta Conquerors football club, will look to impress coaches from Clemson University, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, North Carolina State University, University of South Florida, Gonzaga, Liberty University, Virginia Tech, and Georgetown.

Glasgow has repre-

sented Guyana at the U-17 (2019 CONCACAF Championships) and U-20 (2020 CONCACAF Championships) levels, and scored against The Bahamas when Guyana won 4-0 during the Golden Jaguars’ FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.

The forward’s try-out in Atlanta was made possible by Albert Cappell.

Cappell is responsible for a number of student-athletes securing collegiate football scholarships at various levels across the US. Curtez Kellman, the current captain at Daytona State College, was the last player to benefit from Cappell’s generosity.

Ninvalle met with Aqua Suns Designs Inc. consultant Orin Boyce, engineer Jason Baptiste and Ryan Ramsarran, engineer attached to BK International.

The visit is one of

several being made by the recently appointed Director of Sport and coincides with government’s push to deliver on promises to the sport fraternity.

South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada ended with figures of 5 for 34 in the second innings (AFP/Getty Images) Images)

West Indies batsman Roston Chase drives during his top score of 62 on the third day of the opening Test yesterday

Proteas seal innings win as

SEE PAGE 33

Rabada 5-34 rips through Windies

Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova kisses and celebrates with the Suzanne Lenglen Cup (AFP (AFP Photo) Photo)

SEE PAGE 39

PARIS: Barbora Krejcikova won her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the French Open yesterday, beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to become the first Czech woman in 40 years to conquer Roland Garros.

Krejcikova, ranked 33 in the world and playing just her fifth main draw in a Slams singles event, triumphed 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 for a second career title.

The 25-year-old emulates compatriot Hana Mandlikova who claimed the trophy in Paris in 1981.

As it happened: Pavlyuchenkova vs Krejcikova The 25-year-old Krejcikova dedicated her victory to her mentor, the former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna who died of cancer at the age of 49 in 2017.

“It’s hard to put into words.

I cannot believe I have just won a Grand Slam,” said Krejcikova who was still outside the top 100 when the 2020 French Open took place last October.

“I spent a lot of time with Jana before she died. Her last words to me were ‘enjoy tennis

and try and win a Grand Slam’.

“I know she’s looking after me. All this is pretty much because she is looking after me. It was amazing that I got the chance to meet her.

She was such an inspiration. I miss her and I hope she’s really happy.”

In a nervy start to the final, Krejcikova was broken in the first game, serving up two double faults.

However, the 29-year-old Russian was unable to capitalise and dropped the next six games as her Czech opponent grabbed three breaks and raced away with the opener inside half an hour.

Krejcikova was rewarded for her bold attacking, hitting 13 winners to the Russian’s seven.

Pavlyuchenkova, who made her Slam debut back in 2007, was the more composed player in the second set, stretching out to 5-1.

A medical timeout at 5-2, during which she was seen munching Haribo gummy bears, merely delayed the Russian levelling the final.

In the decider, the players exchanged breaks in the third and fourth games, before the Czech broke to love for 4-3 on the back of a 10-shot rally.

Pavlyuchenkova saved two championship points in the ninth game and a third in the 10th but Krejcikova became champion on the fourth when the Russian hit long.

Both women capitalised on a draw in which the top seeds fell and just kept falling. World number one and 2019 champion Ashleigh Barty hobbled out in the second round.

Serena Williams was knocked out in the fourth round, world number two Naomi Osaka withdrew after one match, while 2018 champion Simona Halep never even made it to Paris. (AFP)

Batting at fault, not preparation - Simmons

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, JUNE 13, 2021