Guyana Chronicle News 20-06-2021

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20th June, 2021

Produce the evidence!

No.106397

SEE PAGE 03

– Min. Anthony tells Harmon over 'fake vaccine' allegations – says procurement was done with due diligence

Mysterious fire guts section of city school PAGE

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Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, observing the devastating fire as firefighters battle to save the engulfed North Ruimveldt Multilateral school (Adrian Narine photo)

Single father 17 overcomes challenges to provide for kids PAGE

GOAL wraps up 08 registration with 8,800 applications PAGE

The Indian High Commission in Guyana on Saturday hosted an event to mark the 7th International Day of Yoga, which is observed annually on June 21. The event was attended by former President Donald Ramotar, the Ministers of Health and Foreign Affairs, as well members of the Diplomatic Corps; they all used the opportunity to indulge in the ancient practice which has been scientifically proven to improve one’s physical and mental health (Adrian Narine photo) (see story on page 21)

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54%

By Rehana Ahamad

TRADITIONALLY, in any Indian line of credit, Indian companies are guaranteed 75 per cent of the work. However, in the case of Guyana and the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

local labour approved for Ogle-EBD road project ―Four Indian companies pre-qualified

and your locally available resources should be utilised to the fullest,” Dr. Srinivasa said during an interview with this newspaper on Thursday last.

He added, “If it is available here, then I believe we

locals to participate in the project, Indar said that the Government of Guyana has always been pushing for, and encouraging local content “as far as practical.”

High Commissioner Srinivasa has assured that all

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa

construction of the Ogle, East Coast Demerara to Diamond, East Bank Demerara Road project, the Government of India has made a “rare exception” in bringing that figure down to 46 per cent.

Indian High Commissioner of Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa, has confirmed that the project will now benefit from the participation of 54 per cent Guyanese labour and resources.

“When I was pushing for this, your Local Content Policy was not even finalised, but what I sincerely believe is, the local content in sense of your labour,

of the selected companies are “top of the line” with a wealth of experience executing major infrastructural projects in not only India, but other parts of the world.

“In that way, I can say that quality can be assured,” Dr. Srinivasa posited.

He said that the project would also pave the way for local companies to be exposed to different construction techniques and methods being practised by the engineers of India.

The completion of the Ogle to Diamond bypass road has been delayed for almost seven years now.

It was reported in August 2020 that the People’s

Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government had cause to “retailor” the project to conform to the loan agreement with the Indian Export/Import Bank, and the Government of India.

Minister Indar had said that the new, four-lane project will extend from Ogle to Eccles, rather than to Diamond, thereby, saving taxpayers approximately US$158 million.

“Already, on the bright side, we were able to, in just six months, bring forward the approval of the new four-lane road from Ogle to Eccles, funded by the Indian Government, by almost a year,” President,

should spend the money here and develop the economy right here.”

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, has confirmed that four Indian companies have already been shortlisted, as part of the prequalification phase of the project.

“This is now in [its] tender stage…bid documents [have been] released to the bidders,” Minister Indar said on Saturday. This newspaper was informed that the bidding process for the project will come to an end in August.

Commenting on the increased opportunities for

sation of that route.

“For you to do those swamps, the cost of the earth works pushed up the cost to US$208 million. Remember, the Indian Government only had US$50 million allocated to this project. So, we had to redesign the project to bring it to the original design,” Minister Indar had previously explained.

Funding for the project was secured by former President, Donald Ramotar, prior to the PPP/C demitting office in May 2015. Ramotar during an official visit to India had received the commitment of a US$50 million loan

A section of the Eccles to Diamond road

Dr. Irfaan Ali, said during his inaugural address to the 12th Parliament in February.

The former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government had modified the proposed project, to allow for the road to run through Mocha.

This however, resulted in a drastic increase in the cost of the overall project, due to the level of preparatory works needed for the reali-

from the Indian Exim Bank to fund the road.

The loan agreement was officially signed in 2017 by the then APNU+AFC Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.

Works on the first phase of the project, which entails the paving of an Eccles to Diamond link, commenced shortly after the August 2020 change of government; it is slated to be completed in July.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

3

Produce the evidence! ― Min. Anthony tells Harmon over ‘fake vaccine’ allegations ― says procurement was done with due diligence

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has demanded that Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, produce the requisite evidence to support his claims of “fake vaccines” being imported and administered in Guyana.

“I must express my ministry’s and our government’s disappointment in your statements, which were done without any evidence, deeming the Sputnik V vaccines used in Guyana as “fake”, Dr. Anthony said in his written response to a letter from Harmon, who had requested the acquisition details for the Russian-made vaccine.

Dr. Anthony, in his correspondence dated June 19, 2021, criticised Harmon for making public statements that could jeopardise the lives of thousands of Guyanese. It was only on Thursday that the Member of Parliament hosted a press conference calling for a suspension in the administering of the Sputnik V vaccine, claiming that it could be fake.

“In doing so, you intentionally encouraged citizens to not take the vaccine and, therefore, put their lives at risk,” Dr. Anthony reasoned.

The Health Minister indicated that Harmon’s failure to produce evidence to back his claims, should result in a withdrawal of his statements and a public apology to the

Guyanese people.

The Health Minister highlighted that as of Friday, Guyana has vaccinated 227,070 people with their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while some 98,076 persons have been fully vaccinated. Further, more than 59,000 of the fully vaccinated people were administered the Sputnik V, with no adverse outcomes. Among them is the immunised Opposition Leader.

at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, afforded all party representatives the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarity on matters pertaining to the national vaccination efforts, and the vaccines themselves.

“Your representatives [from the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change] had the opportunity to ask several questions and were provided with all the answers,” Dr. Anthony

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony

Responding specifically to the Opposition Leader’s request for acquisition details of the Sputnik V vaccines, Dr. Anthony reminded that the Government of Guyana hosted a briefing session with all political parties on matters pertaining to the importation of the lifesaving injections.

He said that the forum, hosted on April 26, 2021,

indicated.

The Health Minister reminded, too, that the 29th Sitting of the National Assembly convened on Monday June 14, 2021, also entertained a series of “exhaustive” questions on the subject. “You were present and even asked a few questions of your own,” Minister Anthony reminded Harmon.

“I patiently answered all questions, especially those relating to the source of Sputnik V procured, the quantity procured, the arrival of the vaccines, and the shipment arrangements, including temperature monitoring,” Dr. Anthony added.

DUE DILIGENCE He stated specifically that Guyana has not imported any vaccine without the requisite registration and approval for

Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon

emergency use by Guyana’s regulatory agency, which is the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD).

“All due diligence was conducted prior to procurement of all vaccines. Rigid and continuous monitoring of vaccines storage temperature are in place from manufacturing factory, throughout trans-

Mibicuri Cottage Hospital to be upgraded

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has revealed that the Mibicuri Cottage Hospital in the East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), will soon receive much-needed infrastructural and apparatus upgrades.

During a visit to the facility on Friday last, Minister Anthony assured staff that the hospital will be upgraded to serve the community more efficiently.

“This hospital has been around for some time and has been serving this community for a while and one of the things we want to do is to make sure that you improve the services that we’re offering here.

“And so, as I was saying to the Regional Chairman early this morning is that the government has set aside some additional resources, some of which would be utilised particularly at this hospital to complete some rehabilitation works in this hospital.”

With respect to the infrastructural upgrades, Dr. Antho-

ny said there would be a complete separation of the men’s and women’s wards, which is currently separated with detachable, temporary walls.

“I know when you have people here inside the hospital, male and females are in the same area and generally we want to have that separation, so that is one of the things that will be done.”

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

“Diagnostics in this hospital has declined because we don’t have x-rays and things like that, so we are working to make sure that we equip this hospital with some of the basic things so that you can offer a better-quality service,” he added. Physical work will begin in about two months’ time, the minister said, as the tendering process will start soon.

Next week, the ministry will, however, begin tendering for medical equipment for Region Six. The Mibicuri community was among several in the Region affected by flooding.

Minister Anthony handed over 300 insecticide-treated nets to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council for distribution to the most vulnerable residents.

Additionally, the minister also encouraged persons who have not yet taken a COVID-19 vaccine to get immunised.

At the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he addressed a ceremony to honour blood donors, Minister Anthony said COVID-19 is one of the most

portation to Guyana, during storage in our bonds and at utilization sites,” minister Anthony informed.

The Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) had also issued a statement indicating that the department would have assessed all vaccines using the guidelines set out by the World Health Organization (WHO), and that the methods of verification were reliant on Emergency Use

pressing problems in Guyana.

He said everyone has a responsibility to protect themselves, and reduce transmission of the disease.

“One sure way out of this pandemic is to make sure that we all get vaccinated.

COVID-19 is a serious thing

Authorisation (EVA) issued by several serious reference authorities, including those in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Department said, too, that Emergency Use Authorisations (EUA) were granted upon request as per protocol, and that it details the information of the vaccines that were intended to be imported;

this includes the name and address of the manufacturer and supplier.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in a special broadcast message issued on Thursday last, described Harmon’s call for suspension as being “shamefully reckless, selfish, and against the interest of Guyana and Guyanese.”

Notwithstanding the Opposition’s “non-medical” claims, the government has committed to continue administering all of the vaccines that it has procured, including the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

Dr. Anthony related that so far, the national vaccination programme has not had any adverse outcomes, and that no vaccinated person has developed any serious symptoms or has died. He therefore called on Harmon to be more responsible, and to join the government in its pursuit to vaccinate the entire adult population, as fast as possible. “It is in the interest and welfare of all of our citizens,” Dr. Anthony posited.

Globally, vaccination has been hailed as the only safe way for the world to exit the ongoing pandemic, which started more than a year ago. Fortunately, Guyana is one of the few nations that have been able to acquire enough vaccines to sufficiently immunise its entire adult population.

― tendering for medical equipment to begin next week because we have thousands of Guyanese who have been infected and unfortunately more than 400 Guyanese have died from COVID-19.

“We have a number of persons in this region, who also succumbed to COVID-19, and right now,

as I speak, we have about 167 active cases of COVID-19 in this Region. New Amsterdam is really one of the hot spots that we have in the country.

Each one of us, we have to take responsibility of reducing these numbers,” Minister Anthony said. (DPI)

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, handing over a treated mosquito net to the Mibicuri NDC Chairman

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

More help for flood-hit Kwakwani

THE government has assured residents of Kwakwani, Region Ten, that feasible strategies are being put in place to effectively address the flooding there.

On Friday last, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, met residents of the

logging community.

Kwakwani is among the worst-hit flooded communities, with several homes completely inundated. Minister Edghill said more food hampers will be sent to the area, as the government continues to work in the best interest of over 300 impacted communities.

Minister Edghill visited the district where he had a first-hand experience of the

devastating flood earlier this month. Hundreds of hampers were also delivered during that outreach.

On Friday, the Barama Company Limited contributed 140 protein-based hampers.

Additionally, the Natural Resources Minister said the visit to the community is testimony of the Government’s commitment to meeting with citizens at the

Minster of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, interacts with residents you go back to work so you can provide for your family.

We are committed to that,” Minister Bharrat added.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Minister said the gov-

ernment’s task is to ensure everyone is provided with the necessities, which would help to stabilise the situation until the water recedes.

“The immediate task of

Government will ensure that each and every farmer who have lost their crop or lost their livelihood, we will restore it and give you help for you to get up back

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, listens to the concerns of residents grassroot levels, despite the challenges.

“As a government, we will work with you to ensure that people are restored to their former state, that you go back to your farm land, that you go back to your logging concession.

“That you go back to your mining activity, that

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, engages residents during the meeting our government now is to ensure a few things: that our people have food to eat, that we drain the water off the lands as quickly as possible, that our people are provided with medical facilities and pure water.”

Also stressing the importance of Agriculture, Minister Mustapha assured the affected farmers, that the PPP/C Government will render support to get them back on their feet.

“Rest assured that the

again,” the minister said.

The ministers urged the residents to practise all COVID-19 measures and to disregard all negative comments about the vaccines and get immunised.

Several Cabinet members have already visited Kwakwani on separate occasions. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips have also conducted assessments in the area. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Brazil hits 500,000 COVID-19 deaths

(BBC) - The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 500,000 in Brazil, the second-highest in the world, as experts say the outbreak could worsen amid slow vaccination and the start of winter.

The virus continues to spread as President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to back measures like social distancing. The health institute Fiocruz says the situation is “critical”. Only 15% of adults are fully vaccinated.

Congress is investigating the government’s handling of the pandemic. President Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for not implementing a co-ordinated national response and for his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, which he has sought to loosen.

The opposition accuses the president of delaying

the purchase of vaccines for political reasons, as he has consistently played down the severity of the pandemic. The outbreak in Brazil has been fuelled by more transmissible variants of the virus, including the one first identified in the Amazon region and now known as Gamma. An average of 70,000 cases has been confirmed daily in the last week.

The rate of occupancy of intensive care unit beds remains at or above 80% in most states, and experts warn the start of winter in the southern hemisphere, next week, could result in more infections.

“Brazil faces a critical scenario of community transmission... with the possibility of worsening in the coming weeks due to the start of winter,” Fiocruz said.

On Twitter, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga ex-

pressed solidarity with the “fathers, mothers, friends and relatives” of those who had died, saying: “500,000 lives lost due to the pandemic that affects our Brazil and the whole world.”

Only the US has reported more deaths related to Covid-19. The seven-day daily average of deaths in Brazil has been above 1,500 since March. Gonzalo Vecina, the former head of the health regulator Anvisa, said the slow progress of the vaccine programme had and would continue to cost lives.

“There are 500,000 deaths, and unfortunately, it will continue to increase because it will take some time to increase vaccination coverage. Maybe this year will also be difficult because we depend on the delivery of vaccines, which were purchased very late,” he said.

The virus continues to spread in Brazil amid a lack of coordinated measures On Saturday, thousands Many cities have struggled impact on the economy of people protested across with insufficient number of would be worse than the virus. But he insists he the country against the Bol- doses. sonaro government and to President Bolsonaro has done all he can to demand the acceleration of has opposed lockdown buy vaccines from several the vaccination programme. measures, saying their countries.

T&T running out of first-dose vaccines, says PM (Trinidad Express) Trinidad and Tobago’s COVID-19 vaccination drive will soon slow as the country’s first dose supplies are set to run out by the end of the month.

This according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who speaking at a COVID-19 news conference on Saturday, noted that no incoming shipments of vaccines were expected before the end of June. As a result, he said, the administration of first doses would slow until another incoming shipment.

In the interim, he said, the administration of second doses would continue and is likely to last until mid-July.

“If we don’t receive any shipments by the end of the month, we will not have vaccines to give anybody a first dose. Once that is clear, I don’t expect people to come and say why you stop

vaccinating, carry on the vaccination programme, we need to vaccinate the population. That is not necessary.

We can only vaccinate with vaccines.”

“So, at the end of this month, I expect that every vaccine that we have which is available for a first dose would have been used. The vaccination program continues because we have in hand vaccines to give people their second dose. Those people who would have already got their first dose will get their second dose. That will take us into mid-July. by that time 377,000 vaccines that we had would have been completely used up both in the first and second doses,” he said.

Rowley added that there are four possible sources of incoming vaccines over the next few months. The country’s third COVAX shipment

of approximately 33,600, he said, is likely to arrive towards the end of July.

“There are two shipments likely to be on the way. Our third COVAX shipment, I was advised this morning, has been delayed again to sometime in July. It looks as though sometime towards the end of July if there are no further delays from the COVAX end. That has nothing to do with the Government of the Minister of Health, we are the recipients of that. If we have used up all that we have by the second week of July it means there will be a period in between when there is no vaccination going on. That is 33,000 doses if it doesn’t get reduced in the process,” he said.

In addition to this, he said,

the Government intends to continue purchases of the Sinopharm vaccine from China. He estimated one quarter million vaccines arriving in the month of July. The exact incoming number from China, he said, is yet to be clarified.

“We are also continuing our purchase from China and we expect that there will be another in July in the order similar to the one we just got. We will wait until we get the shipment document and confirmation to tell you that is the other source of vaccines. If things go according to plan, we should have one quarter million doses during the month of July,” he said.

The country can also expect an incoming shipment from the African Medical Supply Platform in August,

he said. However, the promise of the United States to share its vaccine supplies, he said, remains only a promise.

“We are still on track with our African Medical Supply platform expectation but remember that is in August.

The fourth promise is the promise of the United States to share their vaccines, we have not seen anything beyond that so far, we have not seen anything come through and we don’t know if we will be qualified,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Crisis Management for SMEs

S

MALL businesses that have experienced crisis within the past are evidently more concerned about crisis events than people who haven’t experienced crisis (Spillan and Hough, 2003; Mikusova, 2011; Herbane, 2013). Most SMEs typically don’t start crisis-management planning until after an actual catastrophic experience.

In small, open economies such as Guyana, economic policy measures are often limited.

Since the longer term within the context of a dynamic business environment is extremely uncertain, and further deterioration of economic conditions is predicted, economic policies must specialise in a minimum of three basic areas These are reduction of uncertainty in the business environment and much of this in Guyana’s context has got to do with the inherent intricacies of the economics; strengthening the basic social network; and preservation of future fiscal power (Bole, 2009).

The labour market is affected the most in every crisis. Therefore, one among the foremost important policy challenges is the way to design and implement measures that are socially sensitive and at the same time economically effective.

In order for SMEs to reply better to crises, they have to acknowledge that the

danger is present, and that they must do something about it. In fact, not only should SMEs be proactive, but promoting resilience is also vital.

Secondly, SMEs need to be realistic on what they will plan for and what’s likely possible post-crisis. Researchers contend that in situations where there’s extensive crisis experience, those seeking to reply invariably confront unforeseen situations.

It is important for SMEs, when planning for crises, to be mindful that ‘unexpected’ means their plan won’t be realisable, and evaluate what they consider as crucial for the survival of the enterprise after a disaster.

Thirdly, SMEs should conduct a risk assessment to assess the potential impacts of various events on all levels. They should assess the vulnerabilities of an infrastructure towards different types of events, different locations, or different activities.

Fourth, SMEs shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the people factor. The reality is that all employees might not be available after a crisis, and thus it can’t be predicted how employees would react in stressful situations (Dahlberg & Guay, 2015).

Organisations eager to perform well at crisis strategic planning must do the following: be able to pre-plan and yet be fluid enough to adapt to changing circumstances;

have leaders who are ready to inspire their people with a way of hope and direction, while also being grounded with realism about things they’re faced with; have an organisational culture that values disciplined planning, whilst fostering a capability to be creative and innovative; plan, and make decisions carefully and in a structured way; yet be responsive and ready to move quickly and boldly; and have teams that are ready to recognise patterns and integrate disparate information so as to form sense of chaotic situations, while being sensitive and aware of subtle changes to the environment as the situation evolves.

Crises often present a nexus of serious risks alongside substantial opportunities.

These factors, however, are typically not managed by one coherent set of processes, but rather by two separate disciplines -crisis management and strategic planning.

As such, effective crisis strategic management and planning; that’s, the method of surviving the crisis while finding the bright side, involves four key enablers: leadership, culture, deciding and situation awareness.

These must be viewed from the perspective of duality involving planning and adaptiveness (Vargo & Seville, 2011).

Effective crisis management of SMEs, researchers suggest, involve proactive business mindsets for sustainable growth and continuous expansions (Hong & Li, 2012).

There is need for creative solutions to administer support for SMEs within the case of Guyana’s COVID-19 response.

The Small Business Bureau, for example, operates a US$5 million revolving fund administered through the commercial banks. This fund can be re-calibrated to support measures to keep SMEs afloat and employees on the payroll.

It should be noted that during the past 10 months, significant work has been done to return the country to some level of normalcy while battling the pandemic.

Government has rolled out the $25,000 relief cash grant programme for households; allocated $750 million to support rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines; $51 million in grants from the Small Business Bureau (SBB); $20 billion in annualised benefits from the 2020 Emergency Budget measures; $60 billion in annualised benefits from 2021 National Budget measures; $80 million in the 2021 budget for the training of women; giving multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fund for Amerindian villages; intensified procurement of Personal and Protective Equipment (PPEs) and COVID-19 tests; engaged in countrywide distribution of educational booklets; and ease restrictions on businesses and travel to ‘breathe life’ into the economy and particularly ailing sectors.

Get vaccinated against COVID-19, urges Medical Council Dear Editor,

T

HE COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate the world, both healthwise and economically. While we continue to recommend that persons follow the established guidelines of social distancing, hand-washing and wearing of masks, there is now the additional measure of vaccines to protect us. Vaccines help us to develop immunity which help us fight off infections.

Recently, the issue of using the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine has gained additional attention in the news and on social media. This particular vaccine was the first to be registered and while it is awaiting official approval of the World

Health Organisation (WHO), the data surrounding its use is reassuring. Many countries (74 to date) have started using this vaccine based on evaluation of the data on safety, efficacy and availability.

There is no reason to expect denial of approval for this vaccine from the WHO and other authorities in the coming weeks. This is the same process that has occurred with all of the other available vaccines prior to WHO approval whereby countries have adopted a policy of “USE” pending approval after careful evaluation by their own technical team.

Guyana and its neighbours have the requisite technical expertise to analyse scientific data and make appropriate recommendations to our policy makers.

This was the basis for using the various

vaccines in Guyana – independent technical analysis of Risk versus Benefits.

All of the vaccines available in Guyana, including the Sputnik V, have a 100% record in preventing severe COVID-19 Infection defined as admission to ICU, needing ventilatory support or death. In fact, NONE of the 442 deaths recorded in Guyana were seen in fully (2 doses) vaccinated persons. There has been NO overwhelming adverse events reported worldwide for ANY of the vaccines used in Guyana to date.

Every person above the age of 18 is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Guyana, including pregnant and breastfeeding women. Persons with a history of severe allergic reactions should seek

medical advice before considering the vaccines and are the ONLY group who may not be medically suitable.

Healthcare workers were among the first to benefit from the vaccination programme in Guyana and this has likely contributed significantly to reducing the adverse outcomes among the fraternity.

The Medical Council of Guyana would wish that every resident of Guyana take advantage of the same protection as frontline workers and therefore urges our people to get vaccinated.

We are of the view that the BEST COVID-19 vaccine to take is the one that you have available right now.

Yours sincerely, Medical Council of Guyana

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

7

Amerindians urged to demand contracts from employers to avoid exploitation

MINISTER of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has urged Amerindian leaders to demand contracts for workers leaving the villages to work in the mining, forestry and other sectors.

The minister was at the time speaking to residents of Capoey village on the Essequibo Coast, during a recent two-day outreach to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the Department of Public Information (DPI) revealed.

According to DPI, Minister Hamilton was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn, and Region Two Technical Officers, Mohammed Shaheed, Lokenauth Rooplall, and other officials.

During the interactive session at the village benab,

Toshao Ralph Hendricks expressed concerns about miners entering their village and recruiting and exploiting villagers. He said persons would leave their families to go and work for months without pay.

Minister Hamilton, according to DPI, said the issue has engaged the attention of the ministry. He said it would be difficult to recover the money owed to the workers, since there is no contractual agreement between the worker and employer.

“That is the issue. As eager as you want to work, the minister and the Labour Department can only act based on a contractual obligation that you have.

We can’t investigate ‘he seh, she seh.’ That’s the fundamental issue,” the Labour Minister was quoted by DPI as saying.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton engaging residents of Capoey village

He called on the village council to draft contracts and have both the employers and employees sign and agree to the terms regarding job specification and renumeration.

Minister Hamilton said his ministry is willing to provide technical assistance in that regard.

“If the council needs the type of technical advice and input, the Board of Industrial Training is prepared to lend a hand to assist you in how you do contracts, how you make contracts because we have labour officers in this region but the officer cannot properly investigate the matters,” he said.

Last year alone, the Ministry’s Labour department was able to recover over $19 million for workers through the court system.

Keeping sexual assault secret hampers survivors’ healing, empowers predators Dear Editor,

A

N estimated 7.9 per cent of men and 19.7 per cent of women globally experience sexual abuse prior to the age of 18. And across their lifetimes, one in three women, around 736 million, are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner. Six per cent of women globally report being sexually assaulted by someone other than their husband or partner. Non-reporting is actually the norm when it comes to sexual assault. According to U.S.- based Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (USRA&IN), only one in three sexual assaults is ever reported to the police.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (USBJS) indicates that if the perpetrator is or once was the survivor’s intimate partner, the victim will report the crime 25 per cent of the time. When the offender is a friend or an acquaintance, 18 to 40 per cent of the assaults are reported. If the offender is a stranger, victims report assaults roughly half of the time.

With respect to these contexts empirical and anecdotal evidence point to higher numbers for the Caribbean.

According to the (USBJS), sexual assault survivors don’t come forward?because, although unsure of the perpetrator’s intent, they fear retaliation. Perhaps, they don’t want the offender to get into trouble, their families or anyone to know or don’t have enough proof.

They may feel the police won’t believe them or wouldn’t do anything to help them, or that the assault was a personal matter, not important enough to report. In addition, victims may feel responsible for what happened to them, or embarrassed about their lack of knowledge or judgment. They might feel guilty that they had too much to drink or were engaging in a risky, inappropriate behaviour. And young victims living at home might worry that their parents will be angry and unsupportive.

Also, in the Caribbean stigmas and shame, especially in situations where perpetrators are family members or close family friends,

play a role in non-reporting. Further, the police’s response in far too many instances is a disincentive to reporting.

However, keeping sexual assault a secret, as is often the case in the Caribbean, hampers survivors’ healing and empowers predators who might well continue with that behaviour.

By sharing the trauma with supportive professionals, friends or family members, victims can begin to reclaim their lives and bodies, eventually moving past the pain and ensuring that sexual predators are brought to justice, so that others are protected from them. Thus, the need for critical support circles and trained police (sensitisation, empathy, familiarity with relevant laws) to foster the process of seeking justice.

In 2017, India’s Supreme Court ruled that girls under 18 would be able to charge their husbands with rape, as long as they complained within one year of being forced to have sexual relations. This is instructive for the Caribbean, where marital rape has been on the rise during the pandemic, and where the age of consent needs to be raised to 18 years, to match the legal age for adulthood.

Also, where they exist, as in Guyana for example, Sexual Offences Courts must ensure that sentences handed down hover around the maximum rather than the minimum. Such courts must also be decentralised so that victims can have easy access, regardless of where they live. And, the ‘Model Guidelines for Sexual Offence Cases in the Caribbean Region’, already launched in Jamaica, should be the guiding framework within which rape should be a non-bailable offence to ensure that victims are not intimidated into changing their stories, which is ever so often the case. In fact, earlier this year, the very proactive Commissioner of Police of Trinidad & Tobago, Gary Griffith, made a heartfelt appeal for such a law to be realised.

The UNiTE Campaign to end violence against women by 2030 calls for action that focuses on the provision of services accessible to all survivors of rape and sexual violence. Among these are health-care services,

including post-rape care; emergency contraception and abortion; psychological support and counselling; legal advice and protection orders; shelter, telephone hotlines, social assistance and the provision of information at the local and national levels. Where possible, piggybacking and private/public sector collaboration should be explored to eventualise these recommendations.

All Sexual Offences Acts or similar legislation must provide for police officers to be charged if they fail to institute charges against suspects within a specified time, or if they delay in seeking advice from the Directors of Public Prosecutions ((as in Guyana) and for the law to be consistently applied.

Such acts also need updating in many cases to include marital rape, language changes, and the provisions mentioned by the UNiTE Campaign, as well as mechanisms (training, scope for reporting of such behaviour and consequences) to address victims’ complaints about police officers ridiculing or demonising them or sending them home instead of taking their complaints. Where they do not exist, victims support units within the police forces (as exists in Jamaica) need to be established to deal with both rape and domestic violence.

As the London Metropolitan Police have done with tremendous results, encrypted online space must be created to receive reports of offences of “misogyny, harassment, abuse and assault” via uploaded testimonies. And, where they don’t currently exist, registries of sexual offenders should be established while all such registries must be made public, otherwise they serve no purpose. In this respect, the work of the Caribbean Committee Against Sex Crimes (CCASC), an initiative of the NGO, Zandoli USA and Trinidad & Tobago-born activist attorney, Jonathan Bhagan must be commended for leading the regional Caribbean effort in partnership with Offender Watch, a U.S.-based sex offender registry management solution.

The USRA&IN suggests using these specific phrases when talking with someone who discloses she or he was sexually assaulted. “I believe you. It took a lot of courage to tell me

about this.” Victims may feel ashamed and worried they’ll be discounted. The best thing to do is listen and believe them. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything to deserve this.” Survivors may blame themselves, especially if they know the perpetrator personally. Remind them that they are not to blame.

“You are not alone. I care about you and am here to listen and help in any way I can.”

Provide a safe space for the telling of their stories. Assess if there are others in their lives who can also be supportive. “I’m sorry this happened. This shouldn’t have happened to you.”

Acknowledge that the experience has been traumatic and has negatively impacted their lives. Statements such as “This must be really tough for you” and “I’m so glad you’re sharing it with me” encourage further communication and let them know you care.

If the victim is a child, parents and caregivers must always believe what the child says. Immediately establish a plan with other adults so that unsupervised contact with the abuser is eliminated. Help the child to understand that the abuser did something wrong, and that this person needs help to stop hurting others. Pay close attention to the child’s cues about what he or she may need to feel safe. You can also help the child feel safe by demonstrating your willingness to protect his or her privacy. And get help immediately!

As well, language used to talk about sexual abuse must ensure that the focus is on perpetrators and not victims. Instead of how many women were raped, we need to talk about how many rapes were committed. And instead of sexual violence against women, we need to talk about perpetrators of sexual violence.

The idea is to address the abuse and its perpetrators while helping victims to heal and take control of their lives in a safe and empowered manner.

Yours sincerely, Annan Boodram, The Caribbean Voice

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

GOAL wraps up registration with 8,800 applications –– Public Service Ministry aiming for regional balance

THE government’s landmark 20,000 scholarships programme has attracted almost twice the number of applications that can even be considered for this year. According to figures released by the Department of Public Information (DPI), the programme, which is being facilitated by the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), has received in excess of 8,800 applications from all across the country.

The information agency quoted Director of GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi as saying that approximately 60 per cent of all the applications were submitted Online, with the majority of them understandably coming from persons residing in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which accounted for approximately 3,400 applicants.

This was followed by Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) with 1,044 applications; Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) with 786; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 674; Region Five (Mahaica-Berbi-

GOAL Director, Professor Jacob Opadeyi ce), 577; Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), 429; Region One (Barima-Waini), 300; Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), 296; Region Eight (Potaro Siparuni), 109; and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) 110.

Professor Opadeyi reported that of all the submissions received, 80 per cent of the applicants are eligible for the programmes of their choice. It was reported, too, that the eligibility process for the scholarships will be completed by Tuesday, after

which the qualified applications will be handed over to the Ministry of Public Service for further vetting and selection.

Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag told the Sunday Chronicle that once the Ministry of Education completes its process of pin-pointing those who are eligible, the selection aspect of the programme will commence; the awarding of scholarships could possibly wrap up by the end of this month, in order to facilitate the commencement of classes from July.

She explained that a team comprising four fully-qualified persons, headed by Professor Opadeyi, will be responsible for selecting the scholarship awardees. “[The team] will determine, by various factors, who is awarded the scholarships,” Minister Parag said. She noted that the persons will be chosen, based on their ability to fulfil the criteria for the programme. “Information extracted from the application form and motivational statements will be used to

determine this,” the Public Service Minister told this newspaper.

Dr. Opadeyi has explained that “there is a rubric of five conditions that must be used before you get a scholarship. One is a Grade Point Average (GPA). So, persons are ranked based on their GPA; then, we rank you based on your income.

Of course, if you have a high GPA; more points. Then we rank them based on the region of origin; where they come from.”

Minister Parag indicated that the government’s aim is to ensure the fair distribution of the scholarships. “It is imperative that there is regional balance in this selection process,” the Public Service Minister posited.

Similar assurances were given by Dr. Opadeyi, who highlighted the government’s efforts at levelling the playing field by providing technical support to the regions in need. In his engagement with the DPI, he gave an example where several applicants, particularly those from Regions Seven and Eight, did

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag not have email addresses to include in their applications.

Because emails are a critical and formal means of communication between students and the overseas-based universities to which they are becoming enrolled, efforts were put in place to ensure that email addresses were created and given to the prospective scholars.

The government’s 20,000 Online scholarship is the brainchild of President Irfaan Ali; its rolling out marks the fulfilment of campaign

promises made by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), prior to the hosting of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The initiative paves the way for Guyanese learners to have access to a number of internationally-recognised institutions, such as the University of the West Indies Open Campus, the University of the Southern Caribbean, the University of Applied Sciences in Germany, as well as the Indira Gandhi National Open University, the JAIN University, and the Sherlock Institute of India.

At no cost to them, Guyanese applicants had the opportunity to choose from 104 available programmes.

As part of the GOAL platform, 20,000 Online scholarships will be awarded over the next five years; this will see at least 4,500 persons benefitting each year. Minister Parag has explained that even though there has been a healthy surplus of applications, those who were not successful this year will have to reapply in 2022.

Minister McCoy delivers relief to flood-affected Laluni residents MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, on Saturday, delivered 150 food and sanitation hampers to the flood-affected residents of Laluni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The relief is part of the government’s ongoing efforts

to support Guyanese who have been severely affected by the nationwide flooding.

“We are here, and we want to ensure that we understand the situation here in Laluni and that we can give the necessary support,” Minister McCoy told Laluni residents.

Laluni comprises mainly farmers. Due to the recent heavy rains and unprecedented flooding, many of these farmers lost their cash crops and livestock.

Minister McCoy promised the residents that the government would soon be acting through the Ministry Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, listens to this resident’s concerns

Residents receiving a quantity of sanitation supplies

of Agriculture to help rebuild the farmers’ livelihoods.

“You can be assured that the government will help in situations where those who have been affected would need the support to get back on their feet.”

Last week, the government secured a $10 billion supplementary budget to support flood-ravaged communities and residents. Against this backdrop, Minister Mc-

Coy assured Laluni residents that once damage assessments are completed, the government will be moving to help them secure their livelihoods with those funds.

Minister McCoy informed residents that the unprecedented flooding is a consequence of climate change. In the wake of this, he urged them to preserve and protect the environment.

“This is a situation in

which all of us got to become more aware, conscious and cognisant to treat our environment in a way that would not create more troubles with the rainfall pattern that we see these days, and the type of climate-change phenomena,” he said.

Minister McCoy also listened to residents’ concerns about infrastructure, water and electricity distribution. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

$18.5M BIT skill training for Reg. 2 MINISTER of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has disclosed that approximately $18.5 million in skills training will be done in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) under the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

During a a two-day outreach in the region, Hamilton said the BIT committed $365 million to train over 2,900 persons in 2021; he explained that 16 skills training programmes have been approved for Region Two and will be spread out in almost all the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and Indigenous communities of the region.

Persons living in the Evergreen Paradise NDC will benefit from catering and cake decoration, while the Pomona Women and

Youth organsation will be involved in cake decoration.

Young people in the Charity NDC will be involved in cosmetology, introduction to agro-processing technologies, and garment construction, while residents of Wakapoa will benefit from general building construction training.

St Denys Mission at Tapakuma will be involved in the introduction of photovoltaic maintenance and repairs (solar installation) and residents of Capoey Village will be trained in shade house gardening. All the materials and resources for the training will be provided by the BIT. The participants will also receive $6,000 traveling allowance during the programmes.

Minister Hamilton, therefore, said that BIT is

collaborating with youth groups, religious organisations and technical institutes to execute the programmes.

He noted that seven programmes will be done at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) and will include data operations, electrical installation, general building construction, introduction to heavy equipment maintenance operation, office administration, welding and fabrication and refrigeration, and air conditioner repairs.

Minister Hamilton said that the BIT has successfully hosted several programmes already and, so, he is urging persons to come on board and learn a skill that can transform their lives.

He also said that plans are in place for Region Two to get its own Labour Officer.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, speaking during one of the training programmes

‘UG gives you an experience of a lifetime’ – Chancellor Greene

IN an effort to encourage persons to attend the University of Guyana (UG), Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene, said that Guyana’s premier tertiary institution would “give them an experience of a lifetime.”

Professor Greene made the remarks during the opening of UG’s career-day fair on Friday, which was done virtually. The fair is being held under the theme, ‘Discover Your Potential: Beyond Limitations’. It seeks to provide all the necessary career, application and registration guidance and support to prospective students.

Thousands of prospective students, both locally and internationally, got the opportunity to learn about the 140 programmes across 50 disciplines which are being offered by the university.

Chancellor Greene acknowledged the resilience of the 58-year-old institution, stating that the university has shown that great innovation can be birthed out of challenging circumstances, noting those challenges imposed on the university with the advent of the COVID-19 virus and how those challenges were used to better the university.

“Here at UG, you will be exposed to an environment where the academic staff are engaged in cutting edge research. Where increasingly their research results are being recognised internationally. Where, increasingly, our faculty collaborates in studies that provide an understanding

of the various levels of national, regional, and international developments. Where there is a continuous flow of seminars and workshops on topical issues. Where there is an active student association and continuous student engagement. Where there is an emphasis on fostering debates, sporting talent, even in religious and political activities - all of which make student life so enjoyable - it gives you an experience of a lifetime,” Greene expressed, according to a press release

UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin from the institution.

Meanwhile, UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, reminded that university education is attainable to anyone, as she urged persons to take up the opportunity of pursuing their dreams.

According to the release, she further reminded the students of the affordability of

the institution, pointing out the affordable packages that are available to students.

“Even if you’ve never thought about attending the university before, I am here to tell you, yes, you can, even if there has been no one in your life or your family who has graduated from university before, you can be the first. Even if there’s a small place inside of you that is doubtful and you feel as if you couldn’t cope, I’m here to tell you, you could go fast, or go slow, but yes you can. Even if you feel that you can’t afford it or it’s going to be too difficult for you, we have affordable prices, affordable packages just for you,” said Professor Martin.

At the fair, the university launched 12 new programmes which will commence in the new academic year. It was noted that three of the programmes: BSc. in Sustainable Tourism Management, MSc. in Supply Chain Management & Procurement and MSc. in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, were launched under UG’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI).

According to UG, these programmes were launched in recognition of the skills gap between the public and private sectors in the areas of supply chain management and procurement as well as the gap in the national framework of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management.

The additional six programmes are: BSc. Computing, Information Technolo-

UG Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene gy and Business, Diploma in Crime and Criminology, Pre-University English Reading Skills, Pre-University English Writing Skills, Small Business Management, and Business Plan Preparation and Writing, are being offered under UG’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

Meanwhile, the newly-established Institute of Energy Diplomacy has announced a suite of executive-level professional courses, some of which have already begun. These courses are being taught by leading international academics and experts from universities around the world with long track records in training for the energy sector, the release said.

The Centre for Communication Studies (CCS) has also launched three new Masters in Communication Studies in Strategic Communication, Social Change Communication and Visual Communication.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

COVID-19 death toll at 444 –– 136 new cases, infections rise in Region Nine

TWO more COVID-19 deaths announced by the Ministry of Health on Friday have pushed the toll for June to 46, and the overall toll since the discovery of the viral disease in Guyana, to 444.

According to the ministry, the latest fatalities are a 77-year-old female, and a 40-year-old male, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), who succumbed to the disease on June 18 while receiving

medical care at a Ministry of Health facility.

The ministry has also recorded 136 new cases of COVID-19 from 892 tests. Region One (Barima-Waini) confirmed two cases; Region Three

(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), eight; Region Four, 30; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), five; Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), three; Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 82, and

Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), six.

The newly infected persons were 67 males and 69 females. Presently, 21 people occupy the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 108 are institutionally isolated, and 1,353 are isolated at home, and two in institutional quarantine.

Of Guyana’s 18,973 confirmed cases since the discovery of COVID-19, 1,484 are currently active, while 152 of the 17,047 overall recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent

use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

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

If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health. gov.gy.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Reg. 10 RDC wants greater Joint Services presence … to help curb spread of COVID-19

By Jared Liddell

AS the positive COVID-19 cases in Region 10 continues to increase, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is moving towards having more Joint Services ranks present in the various communities to help minimise the spread of the deadly virus in the region.

This is according to the Regional Chairman Deron Adams, who during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle revealed that it has become apparent that hundreds of residents are going about their daily activities without wearing a mask or are not practising social distancing.

Region 10 has recorded 1,343 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started in March 2020, and according to Adams, the growing number is a direct result of the residents’ blatant disregard of the COVID-19 preventative measures in place.

The regional chairman also lambasted business

owners for allowing people without masks to enter their establishments, which only encourages the recalcitrant behaviour.

He noted that the RDC intends to take a zero-tolerance stance to prevent the continuous breach of the COVID-19 guidelines and to ensure that all preventative measures are followed to maintain the safety of people in the region.

“We have to bring the police on board, we need to start penalising, whether its business [owners who] encourage people to come into their business place without masks and ensure that these enforcements are in place.

We would likely have to put systems in place where we have the police arrest and pass them before the court, but we cannot continue along the same path or else we heading for disaster,” the frustrated regional chairman told this newspaper.

Further, Adams noted that just last week the region’s deputy vice-chairman died from the dreaded

disease. As such, Adams is on a mission to ensure that no one else from Region 10 succumbs.

Adams emphasised that Region 10 is not economically stable to withstand any period of lockdown and so the RDC does not envision pushing for one. He noted, however, that should the cases continue to rapidly increase, a phased lockdown could be instituted in an effort to control the spread.

“If we monitor the situation and we still don’t see improvement, then at that point we go to a last resort where we will start doing a phase-by-phase shut down of the region.

That is not my first action, we must have a zero-tolerance policy and a stricter enforcement policy on businesses, on whoever else, young people who are breaching these guidelines and putting everyone at risk,” Adams explained.

COVID-19 VACCINATION Meanwhile, Minister of

Health Dr. Frank Anthony during his daily COVID-19 update, indicated that just about 14% of the population of Region 10 has received their first dose of any of the available COVID-19 vaccines.

Region One is leading the country’s vaccination drive as 55.9% of its adult population received the first dose; Region Two stands at 42.4%; 45.7% in Region Three; 47.8% in Region Four; 49.36% in Region Five; 54% in Region Six; 45% in Region Seven; 28.6% in Region Eight, and 43.5% in Region Nine.

Just last week the Regional Health Office in Region 10, in collaboration with the RDC, launched an innovative house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination drive; however, Adams said residents were “resistant” to the drive, and just over 30 people took the vaccine.

“The drive was a very creative idea but it was met with resistance from many persons, but the RHO would have ensured that he had

specialists on board to guide and give information to persons there, but while you had about 30 something persons who would have taken the vaccine on that exercise, many persons rejected it and said plainly that they don’t want it,” he said.

The regional chairman noted that the recent allegations made by the Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon about the Russian Sputnik V vaccine has also made persons more apprehensive about the taking the “jab.”

Further, Adams stated that persons are “frustrated” with not being able to get their second doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. Guyana is expected to receive the shipment of the second dose soon, the health minister had said.

“Persons who want to take the second dose of the Sputnik are being discouraged, they are being frustrated because they are turning up for the second dose; the second dose is not in the country and it’s frustrating them, now they are asking

Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams

[the] question if the deadline has passed by two three weeks and the vaccine is not here, what will happen now.”

Meanwhile, Adams noted that the RDC intends to embark on a COVID-19 education drive to inform residents of the dangers of COVID-19, its preventative measures and COVID-19 vaccination benefits.

He noted that the RDC has already started to reach out to churches, youth groups and the Chamber of Commerce for collaboration on the initiative.

Gender Affairs Bureau hosts first men’s forum in Reg. 2 –– Region to form its own men’s group THE Gender Affairs Bureau, in collaboration with the Regional Gender Affairs committee, on Friday evening, hosted its first men’s forum in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and soon, the region will form its own men’s group.

The forum, which was held in the boardroom of the regional office, attracted men from various organisations and communities. Chairperson of the Regional Gender Affairs Committee, Veriena Rasheed, said the men’s forum was held under the theme ‘Improving the lives of our men and boys.’

According to Rasheed, in order for the region to achieve the goal of gender equality, strategies will have to be developed taking into consideration the needs of men and women. She said this requires commitment and resources. Rasheed reminded the gathering that the Regional Gender Affairs Committee is a sub-committee of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) that reports to the Gender Affairs Bureau.

She said that men are equally important as women, noting that the economic culture of society has changed and women are now joining the workforce, and so, men need to support women.

Meanwhile, Manager of the Gender Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Adel Lilly, urged the men to be bold and open to conversations. He also urged them to speak out and reach out if things are bothering them.

Additionally, Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit, said that the region will be forming its own men’s group that will meet and support the work of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in an effort to address issues affecting men and boys.

Attending the forum was Ravin Sharma, a teacher, who said it was very educational and informative. He said men were given the opportunity to express themselves.

A section of the gathering at the first men’s forum in Region Two

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Understanding Energy

Guyana’s second FPSO to boost production and revenues

LAST week, officials touted the latest sign of Guyana’s rapidly growing offshore oil development: the upcoming arrival of the Liza Unity, Guyana’s second floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. At a ceremony to celebrate the dedication of the FPSO in Georgetown, Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, said “we look forward to the safe arrival of the Liza Unity and… to the successful startup of production” of Liza Phase Two. When the FPSO is fully commissioned and is producing around 220,000 barrels per day, it will more than double Guyana’s current oil production levels.

The FPSO is expected to service up to 33 wells in the Stabroek Block, which are currently under development as part of the Liza Phase Two project.

The Liza Unity is the first FPSO to be built using SBM Offshore’s “Fast4Ward” FPSO design, incorporating the most upto-date digital solutions and emerging technologies to constantly monitor operation and increase safety. The Fast4Ward is also designed to avoid all routine flaring. These features should also minimise maintenance time and reduce the risk of production downtime or cutbacks, pro-

viding Guyana with higher, more stable production levels in the future.

Although the ramp up time for the vessel could take six to 12 months to ensure operational safety, the FPSO will generate significant new revenues for Guyana even if it only reaches half of its total capacity in 2022. As the Liza Destiny FPSO ramps up production to around 120,000 barrels of oil per day, Guyana could see production levels above 200,000 barrels of oil per day for the first time in 2022.

In addition to higher production levels, Guyana can expect to benefit from rebounding oil prices, which have begun to climb to pre-pandemic levels. Brent Crude is now over US$70 per barrel, the highest since January 2020, which means that Guyana should see higher revenues for upcoming 2021 oil lifts. Analysts are also predicting that oil prices could reach US$75 per barrel in the third quarter of 2021, promising even higher revenues.

According to a 2020 report by Rystad Energy examining oil revenues at different price points, Guyana could earn hundreds of billions from current oil development and discoveries. If oil prices reach US$80 per barrel, Guyana could see revenues of up to US$310 billion

from the 9 billion barrels oil reserves in the Stabroek block. Even if oil prices fall back to US$60 per barrel, government oil revenues would likely reach US$200 billion. With income levels this high, Guyana will have the ability to change its future long-term by investing in flood mitigation, agriculture, infrastructure, and social spending programmes that will help all Guyanese.

Deepwater exploration and development occurring off Guyana’s shores is among the most expensive type of oil and gas development. Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) allows for cost recovery of these projects and the Liza Phase Two alone has an expected price tag of about US$6 billion. Even after cost recovery is factored in, government revenues and income from oil lifts will still be high. Per the PSA, the government receives a two per cent royalty on all oil revenues. After this is taken out, operating companies are allowed to recover audited and approved production costs that are capped at 75 per cent of annual revenues. The remaining 25 per cent is split equally between the government and companies, which means Guyana still gets the larger cut of the pie.

Guyana has already received revenues

from two oil lifts this year, with higher revenues than in 2020 due to rising oil prices. Payment for the latest oil lift amounted to US$62.6 million dollars and pushed Guyana’s total oil lifted from the Liza Destiny to date to six million barrels.

A total of US$344 million, inclusive of royalties, now sits in the Natural Resources Fund. And this is just the beginning.

ExxonMobil has said that it hopes to have five FPSOs operating in Stabroek Block by 2026, for a total of up to 10 FPSOs in the next decade, significantly expanding production opportunities and putting Guyana on track to production of one million barrels of oil production by 2027.

The Liza Unity is expected to depart from Singapore in a few weeks on an 80-day journey to its new home in the Stabroek Block. Its arrival will be critical to the development of Liza Phase Two and Guyana’s continued progress as an oil and gas producer. The Liza Phase Two Development is expected to start production by mid-2022.

Once Liza Unity is safely in place and producing at capacity, Guyana can expect more frequent oil lifts and higher revenues that will bring opportunities for more transformational change in the country.

GDF honours fathers IN observance of Father’s Day, Chief-of-Staff (ag) Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Senior Officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), on Friday, presented hampers to fathers across the Force.

The GDF acknowledged that fathers fulfil an essential role in the moulding of their children.

During the presentations, the officers noted that military service is honourable yet demanding but urged the ranks to continue to be diligent.

The annual activity is a simple but meaningful gesture to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices made by these fathers in the fulfilment of their paternal respon- Chief-of-Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, presents a hamper to one of the many soldiers in observance sibility. of Father’s Day

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Politics & Society Forum

Simple steps to effective writing IN some quarters, it is believed that some are learning how to write, some are developing writers, and some are natural-born writers.

I am not sure where I fit into the aforesaid categorisations of writing. I rarely wrote and read only one book from cover to cover before I left Guyana at the age of twenty-one. The title of the book is “Bear Anancy and the Bird Cherry Islands.” I took one feature writing course in college in 1986. Apart from the general education courses, most of my courses in college centred around the social sciences, notably, in politics, sociology, and the history of the developing world.

My reading expanded enormously in the United States so much so that when students argue with me, rightly or wrongly so, I often say this to them. “You are young and smart, but I can assure you that I have read more than you.” The conversation generally moves from arguing to listening, revealing that one argues persuasively based on substance rather than emotion, and one receives substance from reading, reading, and reading. In local

parlance, this means an individual who is not well-read is like a house without light, grasping for pathways of understanding through sheer darkness. I do not debunk oral traditions, but even then, one will need some level of substance to function, which corresponds with the application of substance achieved by reading.

I share the above to say that you too can explore and find ways to do things that you like. The following is how I start writing my column. It is based on raw talent. University schooling has interfered but not killed this part of me. I normally choose a topic that is in cahoots with current events, which does not have to be all local. It can be international, but it should have an impact on local affairs, for example, World AIDS Day. The title should be eye-catching and connected to the narrative you are producing.

Generally, columns should resemble an inverse pyramid in that the main idea of the column should be in the first paragraph. This will catch the attention of readers as opposed to readers searching for your main idea. The rule of reading a

column is that readers will spend less than fifteen minutes reading and will spend lesser time if they do not get what you are saying in the first five lines of your column. So, in the first paragraph here, I have shared some general ideas of writers, and my experience in writing, and how it might pan out to encourage you to write columns. Notice, I do not mention that I am an expert writer.

What follows next is that you will have to provide at least three balanced points to back up what you are writing on. Columns tend to be between 650 and 800 words. Your points must be backed by evidence, evidence, and evidence.

You will have to do some research, and a good way to present your points is to share some quotes, but not too many. Try to limit the use of foreign and complicated words. Every point must be connected to the overall narrative. Here, I have shared my experience in Guyana, United States, and College as points to provide a narrative to encourage you to write. I have presented the points in a layman’s perspective so that they would be inclusive

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine

and encouraging.

After you have discussed your points, you will then provide some sort of suggestion or solution. Here I offer a suggestion of encouragement. This is a vital aspect of writing columns because readers generally would like to know not only how you present an argument but also what suggestion or solution you might have to address the argument. In this case, you would have noticed that I offered ways in which you can write a column by building upon your own natural abilities.

In conclusion, writing columns do not mean that one must start as an expert, or as a natural-born writer. It is an endeavor that demands an understanding of the structure of how columns are written, continuous practice as well as supporting your narrative by providing evidence and solutions. Writing columns can be a rewarding experience since you will be contributing to the knowledge of events, and even the shaping of ideas in your society.

Finally, you would have noticed that my conclusion married the introduction (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

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The Science of COVID-19 Coronavirus: Death should not be an option when vaccines are readily available

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center THE last two months have been the deadliest since COVID-19 hit the shores of Guyana. During this same period, vaccines have become available for every eligible individual.

The data is revealing that the unvaccinated are the ones that are dying and getting hospitalised from COVID-19. I am at a loss trying to understand why some would choose to die rather than be vaccinated and be part of the solution to this pandemic.

If someone had told me six months ago that by mid-2021, Guyana’s death

rate would be at its peak while vaccines were readily available for all, I would not have believed. Today, I wish to focus even more on the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 and hope that we get it right, especially with the threats that are coming.

The vaccination data so far Over 225,000 (48% of

adult population) persons have received their first vaccine dose thus far in Guyana. Of these persons, 95,000 (20% of the adult population) have already received their second dose.

There is no case of a fully vaccinated person becoming hospitalised or dying from COVID-19 so far.

This means that every person that is dying or being hospitalised in Guyana from COVID-19 is unvaccinated. Unfortunately, this pattern will continue for the foreseeable future as only 1 out of every 5 eligible persons is fully vaccinated. The other 4, are at a higher risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19. It is unfortunate, but we will be losing many more lives while we try to convince everyone to be vaccinated.

This madness will only stop when more than 85% of the eligible population is vaccinated.

An even more deadly variant is on its way Every time a variant of concern surfaces, the death and hospitalisation rates spike significantly wherever that variant surfaces.

We all should be aware of the recent devastation in India which was primarily

from the new delta variant.

This variant is more deadly and infectious than any of its predecessors. It has already reached the shores of Europe and the United States. Given the patterns of spread of previous variants, it may only be a matter of time before it reaches us here in Guyana. If this occurs then there is a good possibility of us experiencing similar devastation to what occurred in India. So far, the vaccines are holding up against this variant and is the most effective tool we have against it.

Why are there so many new variants?

New variants are popping up at higher rates than before. What is worrying, is the numbers of variants of concern (dangerous variants) are also rising.

The more persons a virus infects, the more it will mutate into newer variants.

COVID-19 infections have increased and spread more in the past eight months and as a result, mutation rates and variant formation has increased. This trend will continue unless preventative measures and vaccination rates are drastically stepped up in many countries.

What can happen with

Dr. Zulfikar Bux so many variants?

Every time the SarsCov2 virus mutates into variants of concern, it is evolving into more dangerous forms that pose new threats to our lives. This virus can only mutate if we allow it to spread from person to person. Every time it infects someone, there is a risk of it mutating. The worry for scientists is that unless we stop this virus in its tracks very soon, it will start to mutate into vaccine resistant forms which will evolve and sustain this pandemic and many more lives will be lost. In addition to preventative measures, rapid vaccination is the key to preventing this virus from evolving into forms that will destroy us even more.

Being vaccinated is therefore not only about you; it is about us all coming together to save ourselves and unite against a common enemy.

COVID-19 will not go away if we let our guard down.

It will continue to take many lives unless we work together and achieve the “vaccination for all” goal earlier rather than later. Be responsible! be part of the solution! Get vaccinated!

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Commander Ramlakhan urges ranks to get ‘vaxed’ against COVID-19 POLICE Commander of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, recently took his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and is urging everyone under his command to get vaccinated because it’s the only way Guyana would be able to exit the deadly pandemic.

“If you get vaccinated, you’re doing your part to protect someone else who might be at risk,” Commander Ramlakhan said, adding, “As long as you remain unvaccinated, you can become infected and pass it along to other people. You’re part of that

transmission chain.”

He continued: “I urge you to make certain that your families also get the vaccines, do your part to protect yourselves, your family, and friends, and remain combat-ready.

Let me emphasise that these vaccines are equally effective on everyone -- I have received the vaccine, and I hope you follow suit and get the vaccine when it is available.”

The Superintendent also noted that vaccination is one critical part of getting the country back to normal, in addition to continued testing and adherence to public health

Commander of Region Six, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, took his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine measures, such as wear- COVID-19 and its variing a mask and practising ants as “the biggest threat social distancing.

He described

Diamond Insurance donates to CDC flood relief DIAMOND Insurance, on Friday, donated a variety of sanitisation products towards the flood-relief programme coordinated by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

The items were handed over to Deputy Director General of the CDC, Major Loring Benons, by Diamond’s Marketing Manager, Priscilla Mackintosh, accompanied

by Accounts Officers, Devi Prashad and Xavier Singh at the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana on Woolford

Avenue, Georgetown.

“We, at Diamond Insurance, empathise with all persons affected by the severe flooding in the various parts of our country at this time. We also recognise the importance of sanitisation products in preserving a safe and healthy environment, especially since we are already coping with an ongoing pandemic. We are happy to be partners with the CDC to bring much-needed relief to those affected”, Mackintosh said in a press release from

the company.

Diamond Insurance, a related company of the iconic DDL Group, boasts their impressive insurance packages for Motor, Fire, Liability products, and Surety bonds among others.

The Head Office of the Company is located at 11 Lamaha Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, with branch offices at Giftland Mall, Mahaica, Bush Lot – WCB, Port Mourant, Springlands, and Henrietta on the Essequibo Coast.

Representatives of the company donate the items to Deputy Director General of the CDC, Major Loring Benons

to the Guyanese people that we have in the country right now, and that must be defeated.”

Guyana has recorded over 442 COVID-19 deaths since March 2020 and over 18,837 known cases.

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

good hand hygiene to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

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

If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health. gov.gy.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

‘Shell’ says he followed requisite legal process for quarry licence

A DAY after BK Quarries Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the recent granting of four quarry licences to Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed’s company, Hadi’s World Inc., the company has maintained it followed “all the requisite legal channels” in obtaining the licences.

In the lawsuit, BK Quarries Inc., through its attorney, Sian Dhurjon, is contending that despite several objections raised, the GGMC and the EPA took the decision to fully permit and issue the quarrying licences to Mohamed-- who had only applied for the licences in December 2020 -- for some 16,502 acres of land along the Mazaruni River, The lawsuit seeks to argue that the decision to award Mohamed the licences was made although BK Quarries Inc. had applied for a quarry licence since August 16, 2018, for a portion of the same area.

Further BK Quarries Inc. contends that they were issued a prospecting licence for the said portion of land since 2014, a licence which is still in force, and that the company has been carrying out exploration and developmental works on the prospecting licence since 2014.

The prospecting licence is for an area located on the left bank of the Mazaruni River in the vicinity of Itaballi and covers 9,364 acres. The purpose of the licence is for the conduct of exploration and developmental activities; the quarrying licences are for the extraction of rock and production of aggregate.

During an interview with Prime News on Friday evening, which was shared with the media, Mohamed explained that he applied for a quarry licence in 2020, subsequent to identifying the area along the Mazaruni River.

He noted that he was informed that BK Quarries Inc. indeed possessed a prospective licence, however, nothing was done

on the land, and it was referred to the GGMC Closed Area Committee.

“GGMC did an assessment on BK Quarry and only fifteen per cent of stone is being mined, he is in the quarry business for 30 years, so he has stone on his quarry for another 300 years,” Mohamed said.

“We made an application to the Closed Area Committee and our application was granted; then we proceeded to make our application to GGMC for the land. Our application

is “nothing cynical” about the licences.

According to the court documents, on December 30, 2019, Commissioner of GGMC, Newell Dennison, wrote to Brian Tiwari, the owner of BK Quarries Inc., stating that the application for the quarry at Itaballi was being processed. He pointed out that the area applied for was “a considerable expanse of land” and that the GGMC would require that the company reduce the acreage being sought.

were submitted on August 6, 2020.

There was no further communication from GGMC. This prompted a letter from BK Quarries to Commissioner Dennison on December 9, 2020. On January 20, 2021, Dennison wrote to BK Quarries informing the company that “all quarry licences extant and otherwise are to be reviewed by the Commission’s Board of Directors.” That letter continued, “Your further co-operation and patience

Azruddin Mohamed collecting the quarry licence from Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat while GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison (second left) looks on was considered, it went through all the requisite legal channels, the EPA granted permission on the June 14 and the licence were issued,” Mohamed said during the Prime News interview.

Mohamed explained that there was a public hearing on June 10, 2021, when representatives of BK Quarries Inc. made an objection to the EPA and requested that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) be conducted.

“This was an environmental issue; the board, after the public hearing, told the EPA that they can go ahead and issue the licence, so the licence was issued, environmental licence and GGMC prepared the licence for the quarries,” Mohamed asserted, noting that there

On January 9, 2020, BK Inc. wrote to GGMC confirming a meeting on January 14, 2020, with the commission’s Technical Sub-committee to advise on the way forward concerning the quarrying licence application being processed.

The result is that the GGMC, through its Technical Sub-Committee, decided that the size of the area being used to operate under the Quarry Licence was to be reduced by 50 per cent, from9,364 acres to 4,680 acres.

On July 2, 2020, GGMC wrote to BK Quarries requesting a map of the reduced area. GGMC said that this information was necessary for the finalisation of the quarrying licence. The updated map and the other requirements

is requested while this action by the Board is being expedited.”

However, on February 6, 2021, as published in the Official Gazette, BK Quarries Inc. observed that GGMC had published its Notice of Intention to grant four quarry licences to Hadi’s World Inc. of Lot 29 Lombard Street, Georgetown over the areas which were covered by the 2014 PL B-70 and the 2018 quarrying licence application.

A few days after the GGMC gazetted the Notice of Intention to grant, the EPA posted a notice in the daily newspapers that they had waived the requirement for the conduct on an EIA. The notice was to allow 30 days for any objections to the issuance of the EPA authorisation to Hadi’s World Inc.

BK Quarries Inc. objected to the EPA, notifying them that the area being applied for by Hadi’s World Inc. is currently held by the company under Prospecting Licence B-70 and was in the process of being converted to a quarry licence since 2018.

The company further objected on environmental grounds against the waiver of the EIA based on the expected negative environmental impacts associated with stone quarrying. The objections raised by BK Quarries Inc. regarding the ownership of the area and the need for detailed environmental assessment were all dismissed by the EPA as ‘inconsequential’ on June 15, 2021.

According to documents, BK Quarries Inc. contends that it is chiefly engaged in the business of quarrying and the selling of the stone and aggregate produced therefrom. The applicant posited that despite this, Hadi’s World Inc. which has no known experience or expertise regarding the running of quarrying operations, was granted the quarry licences to the lands.

The lawsuit alleges that the board of the GGMC was biased in favour of Hadi’s World Inc’s applications because of a close relationship to one of the company’s director.

However, Mohamed explained that his move to enter the quarrying operations was prompted subsequent to him noticing there is a significant need for aggregate in Guyana.

He listed a plethora of reasons why he is of the opinion that aggregate is in great demand, including flooding and rising sea levels, noting that stones for sea defence is imperative.

He also highlighted that the country is undergoing “massive development” and stone would be needed to facilitate that as well.

BK Inc. is asking the court to grant an Order of Certiorari to quash the decisions of the GGMC, dated June 15, 2021, to grant four quarry licences to Hadi’s World Inc. because those decisions are in breach of their statutory duty, in breach of natu-

Brian Tiwari, principal of BK Quarries Inc. ral justice, arbitrary, ultra vires, unreasonable, irrational, and unfair, abuse of power, whimsical, capricious, against their own policy and without any legal foundation or authority.

BK Inc. is also seeking an injunction to prevent Hadi’s World from occupying or taking any steps to develop the 16,500 acres of land recently awarded by the GGMC under the four quarrying licences.

Additionally, BK Inc. is seeking another Order of Certiorari to quash the decisions of the EPA made on March 21, 2021 and April 16, 2021 which were upheld by the Environmental Assessment Board (E.A.B.) on June 14, 2021, to award four environmental authorisations to Hadi’s World Inc. Lastly, the applicant is seeking an Order of Mandamus to compel the GGMC to take all steps necessary to see to the favourable processing of BK’s application dated August 16, 2018, for a quarry licence over the area of 9,364 acres designated by the GGMC as LM40: B-1000/000/18, upon the applicant being issued the requisite environmental authorisation by the EPA to conduct quarrying operations on the said area.

Mohamed explained that if a decision is granted contrary to his favour it would “somewhat” affect his company.

“We have already invested in equipment and to set up a quarry is a lot of money; we have already invested in a lot of equipment,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Single father Dan Rahim overcomes challenges to provide for his children brother’s name and her name and hands it to me, and she says, ‘that’s our loving family’.” He explained that she would often refer to their family, inclusive of their mother, as a happy, loving one.

Rahim reiterated that

By Mesha Sealey EARLY on in his parenthood, Dan Rahim recognised that his life would be fraught with many challenges, but he believes that his method of responding to them made him the person he is today.

Rahim is the father to two children, ages 14 and eight, and if one were to ask him where his journey as a single father began, he would reveal that it stemmed from one main incident: his infidelity to his wife when she was pregnant with his younger child.

“I decided to tell her because I felt… it was a guilt, and I wanted to be the best father that I could be, and being the best father, and bringing up your children in the best way means to do what is right, and so I told her the night about it,” he revealed, during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle.

Upon receipt of the news, his wife was ‘devastated’, Rahim said. She asked for space, but in a few weeks, they decided to put the incident behind them, and work towards building a life together again.

“At the time, we were living by her mother, and while we were there, that’s where everything else started,” he stated.

Rahim and his wife had, at this stage, obtained a plot of land from the Ministry of Housing, and had planned to build their own house, move there and start a family.

However, this dream of building a life with his wife and children never became a reality.

After several run-ins with the law and a series of domestic disagreements, Rahim ended up leaving his mother-inlaw’s house with his eldest child, in 2014; they lived in a small “ten by ten” prayer room outside his brother’s house for

Dan Rahim and his two children about three years.

During this period, he said his son was under a lot of stress having to wake up early every morning and pray with the adults. He remembers this being one of the lower points of his life.

Through a stroke of luck, Rahim assisted someone to sell a property, and the person, being grateful, asked Rahim what she could do to help him.

“So, I told her, I’m trying to get some money to start a foundation on my land. I have a land up in Herstelling. And she said, ‘okay, I’ll help you’.”

Rahim would receive $360,000 as gratitude for his help, which he would use to start the foundation for the house he now lives in with both his children.

“After I built my foundation, I started building piece by piece.

Whenever I worked, I would build,” Rahim recalled.

A single father, Rahim decided to quit his job as a Spare Parts delivery man for Japarts, to focus on raising his

children.

“So, I decided to close up shop, and all my dreams, and my aspirations and the things that I was after, I replaced it with my children’s future, and I’m working towards it,” he expressed.

He now rears poultry to make a living for himself and children, “They have their own rooms, they have good internet, they have AC, they have all the access they wanted, they’re doing very well in school, they’re well-mannered, respectful, and I would say they’re well off,” Rahim said.

While he tries his best to be a great role model for his children, he acknowledges and understands that their mother’s absence from their lives affect them more than they display.

His son rarely expresses how he is affected, but he says his daughter finds it difficult to grasp the concept of being in a single-parent family.

“She uses my phone to play Minecraft, and she built a palace. And in it, she put my name, her mother’s name, her

his children are the joy of his life, and he could not ask for a better reward for being a father than having the opportunity to raise his children, and watch them grow.

“Every Father’s Day—and their mother could bear witness to

this—they don’t ask me what I want. Because I tell them, what I want, I already have: my children by my side. That’s all I want.

They do everything accordingly, and I am very grateful for them,” he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Cost of living: ‘Gov’t open to all viable policy options’ – says Finance Minister

MINISTER of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said the government is exploring avenues to bring relief to Guyanese, following the recent increases in the cost of living.

The Finance Minister made this disclosure during a recent interview with social media commentator “Guyanese Critic.”

“I can tell you that we are certainly open

to the extent that there are some items that have some room that we can adjust on taxes… As a government, we are open to all viable policy options.

“We are under no illusion of the nature of the challenge. We know that this is a situation that exists.”

The interview was conducted shortly before the government went to the National Assembly

seeking approval for its $23 billion supplementary budget.

Minister Singh said the government is cognisant of the challenges brought on by the hike in prices. This is due to heightened costs in manufacturing and shipping globally, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decreased global trade market.

“We have been operating in an environment Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

where the global economy is facing challenges.

A number of commodities on the global market have had issues with supply.

“As a result of COVID-19, a lot of manufacturers and suppliers have had to scale back and introduce social distancing. It is not business as usual, so there is an issue on the supply side.”

The minister pointed out that these “extraordinary challenges” are not unique to Guyana, but are affecting other countries as well.

As part of relief efforts, the government had moved to reverse taxes on a range

of utility services and items when it took office in August 2020. Some of these include the removal of value-added tax on electricity, water, healthcare, education and even construction material. The government estimates that these tax reversals have returned some $20 billion into the pockets of Guyanese.

Notwithstanding these relief efforts, the prices for commodities have still increased, the minister said.

As such, he gave assurances that the government will assess all options to determine what form its intervention will take. (DPI)

Hicken continues donation drive

Deputy Commissioner of Operations (ag), Clifton Hicken, calls out to residents in East Ruimveldt as the hamper distribution commenced DEPUTY Commissioner of Operations (ag), Clifton Hicken, on Saturday donated food hampers to the residents of Albouystown and East Ruimveldt communities, compliments of the Guyana Police Force.

The food items were donated to the force by Food for The Poor Guyana Inc.; Murtland Smith, who is the Managing Director of Murals Logis-

tics Agency, and Harold Hopkinson, the Chief Executive Officer of Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. During the donation, Hicken interacted with the residents and urged them to continue to observe all COVID-19 protocols, and further advised them to get vaccinated. Hicken, who is an ardent supporter of law enforcement initiatives, reminded the

residents that he and the Guyana Police Force hold citizens in high regard and he will continue to have much more outreaches of this nature.

The residents thanked Hicken and his team for the timely and much-needed donation and pledged to support him in his effort to fight crime and foster better relationships between the Police and the public.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Mysterious fire guts section of city school –– Education Minister vows to rebuild

By Jared Liddell

A MYSTERIOUS fire on Saturday destroyed a section of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School in Georgetown, which housed the school’s First to Fifth-Form classrooms, Science, Home-Economics and Information Technology laboratories, as well as the school’s $3 million ‘smart’ classroom, the first to be launched in Guyana in 2015.

The Sunday Chronicle understands that the fire started sometime around 13:00hrs. Tiffany George, one of the two security guards on duty at the time, recalled that she was alerted to the fire by a man who was driving past the building.

“I was sitting in front here, and a guy driving a Canter came to the gate, and he told me, ‘Watch! The school on fire!’ So, when I look out, I see the fire coming out the roof, so I called for the other security, ‘cause she was at the back. I was at the front, ‘cause it does be two guards, right! One in the building, and one in front here!” George said, adding: “And I run to the back, and

I tell she, ‘Watch! De school bu’ning down!’ And then I call my supervisors, and I told them about the fire; and we called the fire service and the police, and they came sometime after.”

She noted that about four teachers were in the school’s auditorium, which is housed in another section of the building. They were setting up for an event that was scheduled for later that afternoon, George said.

With the first day of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations just nine days away, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand described the fire as an “unspeakable loss”.

She noted that the Education Ministry already has officers working to put systems in place to accommodate the school’s 65 students who will be sitting those examinations.

“To all the students of this school, I want to say to you now that your government is going to make arrangements to make sure your education is not interrupted; we’re going to put those arrangements in place immediately. In fact, there are officers presently in the Ministry of Education,

working to determine where we are going to place the students for CXC to do their various exams,” Minister Manickchand said.

“All the students of North Ruimveldt Multilateral will be writing their CXC, and passing them. This is an extremely unspeakable loss here, but it’s one we will overcome. We are going to work very hard to ensure this does not disrupt students,” she added.

She said that the government is committed to rebuilding the school to ensure the continued commendable performance of its students. North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School, which is categorised as a “List A” school, and regarded as one of the better schools in Georgetown, has an enrollment of 512 students, with a complement of 39 teachers.

Alison Cosbert, the school’s Headteacher who was at the scene of the blaze, stated that she is “hurt and shocked” at the horrific incident. She explained that she was not at the compound when the fire started, but quickly rushed over, once she received the news.

Firemen taking a water pump into the building to contain the fire

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, with Headteacher of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School, Alison Cosbert, at the scene of the fire on Saturday “I got a call from a past a school and a tragedy like plans to work along with teacher that the building was this happens, it’s really dev- the Ministry of Education to on fire. As a matter of fact, astating.” devise a plan on the way forI was at the hairdresser, and When the headteacher ward, for not just the students I ran out and I came,” Ms. and several teachers arrived who are sitting the 2021 Cosbert said, adding: “And on the scene, they removed examinations, but also those when I came, at least it was the school’s important re- students who will be returnthree-quarter; and I’m stand- cords to a secure location as ing to school, once the Health ing here now, seeing it go up a precaution, in case the fire Ministry gives the go-ahead. in flames. So, what else can spread to the other buildings Investigations into the I say? in the compound. cause of the fire are on“When you’re heading Ms. Cosbert said that she going.

A section of the school that previously housed the school’s science laboratory engulfed in flames

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Practising yoga can improve the economy – Minister Todd tells Yogis

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd believes that increased participation in yoga can positively influence the Guyanese economy. Delivering remarks at an International Yoga Day observance hosted by the Indian High Commission in Guyana, Todd reminded his audience that the ancient practice has been scientifically proven to boost mental and physical health.

He reasoned that with this improved well-being of the citizens, Guyana can advance further on the Human Development Index (HDI), and also rank higher on the world happiness scale, both of which are critical components of any economy.

“Guyana needs yoga; yoga can help us to bridge a lot of the gaps that we have in society,” Todd posited.

He recognised, too, that yoga establishes a critical connection between body and mind, which helps persons connect with nature.

He believes that that condition could result in improved care and protection

of the environment, which would help to combat climate change, and bring Guyana closer to achieving many of the objectives set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Having dabbled a bit with yoga for the very first time on Saturday, Minister Todd said that he plans to promote the practice beyond its international observance. “This is my first session; it surely would not be my last,” the Foreign Affairs Minister assured those at the function.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips also shared similar sentiments via a broadcast message, in which he acknowledged the important role that yoga can play in combating the deadly coronavirus, and coping with the stresses and frustrations that have been exacerbated by the global pandemic.

He reminded his audience that as a result of the virus, millions of people had to adopt to being indoors for much longer periods of time, and have been in search of healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the

Yoga instructor, Agnela Patil (centre) announce the poses, while two other representatives of the Indian High Commission do the demonstration

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd spin-off effects.

“Many people have turned to yoga during this time as a means of escaping stress or depression,” the Prime Minister noted.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony also highlighted the fact that yoga could possibly lessen the burden of the healthcare system by addressing medical issues in a comprehensive and holistic manner.

Doing the ‘upward facing dog’ pose are, from left, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony; Former President Donald Ramotar; Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa; and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd

“Many of times when we think about illnesses, we focus perhaps on the physical ailments that would call these illnesses, and look for ways and means of addressing them; but, a lot of times, if we want to embrace holistic health, then it is not just about fixing those physical ailments, but also thinking about your mental health as well,” Dr. Anthony explained.

He said that yoga has been practised over many centuries, bringing relief and benefits to millions of people.

“Not everything is understood by conventional medicine,” the minister noted.

He highlighted, too, that practising breathing techniques, although underrated, is one of the most important tools in rejuve-

nating one’s overall health.

“We have an opportunity of learning this ancient practice; and it also promotes longevity,” Dr. Anthony added.

Also present at the event was Former President, Donald Ramotar, who has been practising yoga for the past couple of years. He believes that yoga can prove to be particularly useful to young people, who are often faced with unique challenges.

Ramotar maintained that the practise of yoga can prevent many young people from falling into negative practices that can possibly rob them of a productive future. “[In this way] we can spare a lot of human capital,” the former Head of State noted.

He said, too, that yoga is quite beneficial to the older generation, and can help to remedy many of the

“creaks in the bones”. In wrapping up his remarks, Ramotar lauded the Indian High Commissioner, Dr. K.J Srinivasa for helping to promote the art of yoga, which can be regarded as “a lovely gift that India has given to the world”.

The activity concluded with a practice session led

by Yoga Instructor attached to the High Commission of India, Agnela Patil. This aspect of the observances saw the participation of former President Ramotar, Ministers Todd and Anthony, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, including United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch.

Notable international Guyanese cricketer, Ramnaresh Sarwan was also present to do the outlined poses.

Yoga has been clinically proven to reduce stress, and maintain good physical and mental health (Adrian Narine photos)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

DNA Bill to follow international standards – nothing sinister about bill, says Attorney General

By Richard Bhainie

THE proposed amendment to Section 25 of the Police Act, Chapter 16:01 of the Laws of Guyana, to allow for the

use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) information for the purpose of identifying persons in the custody of the police, will be amended to follow the internationally accepted

standards on the subject matter.

This comes against the backdrop of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) registering concerns in relation to the proposed

amendment. The Bar Association had noted that “the proposed amendment, if passed in its current form, without more, can result in the gross erosion and infringement of a person’s constitutional rights.”

“It’s a very small amendment, and the concerns that have been raised are very clear. In our efforts to address those concerns, we will look at whether they are in consonance with what the international protocols on the issue are,” Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., told the Sunday Chronicle.

As it stands, Section 25 of the Police Act 1957 makes it lawful for any member of the Guyana Police Force to take and record measurements, photographs and fingerprints, for the purpose of identifying all persons who may, from time to time, be in lawful custody.

However, since the legislation was enacted, international policing standards have been rad-

ically transformed and modernised. As Nandlall explained, DNA is now a permanent feature in criminal investigations, and as a result, every law enforcement agency, in almost every country, is constructing a database of DNA. DNA profiling is a state-of-the-art procedure that can be used to identify individuals on the basis of their unique genetic makeup. While people may share the same eye and hair colour, and may even look alike, they will not have the same DNA. On these grounds, the technology has revolutionised the criminal justice system as DNA serves as a very useful tool to accurately solve crimes. Forensic scientists can use DNA found at a crime scene and compare it to a suspect’s DNA sample once it is logged in a database, and be able to identify them.

The Bar Association had agreed that DNA evidence is a useful tool in proving the guilt or innocence of an accused.

However, they protested that the obtaining of that information merely on arrest, without consent or Order of Court, is alarming and dangerous.

The GBA said they found it wholly unacceptable that the power to obtain ‘DNA’ from the body, would be placed in the hands of a member of the Police Force without oversight and sufficient safeguards, something Nandlall is cognisant about.

“The objections which we have seen is not directed to the police extracting DNA samples from persons per se, they relate, as I understand them, to the stage of the investigation when the DNA sample is to be taken,” Nandlall said.

“So, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we will simply look at what is the trend in the Caribbean and in the Commonwealth

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. and what is the international protocols on the extraction of DNA and try to implement that in Guyana,” he added.

Section 25 goes on to state provided that if samples are taken from a person who has not previously been convicted of any criminal offence, and such person is discharged or acquitted by a court, all records of the samples must be destroyed or handed over to the person.

However, an amendment of this was not proposed.

The Attorney General has posited that while it is generally believed that DNA samples should only be taken from convicts, it is also useful to take and store DNA samples from “usual suspects” who may not have been previously convicted.

“One cannot rule out the utility of taking and keeping DNA samples of persons who are considered the usual suspects, they may not have suffered a conviction for whatever reason but they are known to be associated with certain criminal activity,” he said.

The Bar Association expressed that the amendment is so wide it lays fertile ground for much mischief in the event of its misuse, without due and proper safeguards, but Nandlall has assured that international practices will be assessed to bring Guyana in line with those practices as he registered that “there is absolutely nothing sinister about the Bill.”

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Corneal transplants at GPHC helping to restore patients’ visions

THERE are a number of ways that one can lose their ability to see; harm to the cornea, the transparent tissue found at the front of the eye, above the coloured iris, is just one of the ways that can contribute to someone being unable to see clearly, or even at all.

A research paper published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that diseases affecting the cornea are a major cause of blindness worldwide, second only to cataract in overall importance. Local firefighter, 32-year-old Shameer Nazeer, has been one of the many people whose cornea has been affected.

In fact, he was diagnosed with a corneal infection, but is unable to pinpoint exactly when he picked up that infection, since he has always been a very active person. This

affected; like by trauma to the eye, including scratches or a hit, and a disease known as keratoconus, which causes the membrane to bulge outward.

Fundamentally, however, the cornea is a clear structure that allows one to see, and if this becomes damaged and cloudy, one’s vision would become compromised. Fortunately, this is treatable. A corneal transplant can be done to replace a cloudy, damaged cornea with, well, another cornea. And, Dr. Hinds related that this new cornea is usually taken from someone who has passed away. Once removed, however, it has a viability of only about two weeks.

Corneal transplants have been conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) over the past few years.

Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the

year.

Dr. Sugrim emphasised that beyond patients’ getting to see

Firefighter, Shameer Nazeer (Photos courtesy of the News Room) fitted from a corneal transplant. In May, this year, he was among the first group of patients who benefited from this surgical procedure since it was last done in February 2019.

That transplant was a

GPHC Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim (left), conducting an examination on Shameer Nazeer, a patient who benefitted from a corneal transplant in May this year infection, according to local ophthalmologist Dr. Celeste Hinds, causes the cornea to become cloudy, which prevents one from seeing clearly, or even at all.

Beyond mere statistics, Nazeer’s infection illustrates the burden of an affected cornea: Loss of sight and the frustration at being unable to see, as well as the inability to participate in the sports he loves, or save people from fires, as he has been doing.

“I never experienced anything like that,” Nazeer said, emphasising: “I don’t want to experience something like that again.”

In addition to an infection, Dr. Hinds explained that there are other ways the cornea can become

GPHC, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, during a recent interview related that through support from the George Subraj Foundation in New York, the hospital has been able to conduct nearly 100 such transplants. And, effectively, they have been able to restore the sight of those people.

It is important to note that the Foundation helps with sourcing corneal tissues from individuals in the United States (US), and shipping them to Guyana for the operation, since the human tissue transplant legislation is still in the works.

With that tissue shipped to Guyana, patients are then able to undergo the treatment. Nazeer is one such individual who bene-

success, though Nazeer’s had minor hiccups during the post-surgery period.

And now, he is on the road to recovery, which involves taking delicate care of his eye, and weekly check-ups with his ophthalmologists.

“It was painful, but it was worth it, because now I can wake up in the morning and see. It might not be as perfect as it was, but it has been a slow process, and every day I’ve been getting improvement,” Nazeer said.

In addition to Nazeer, four other patients were able to benefit from the transplant this year. It is expected that another five patients will similarly benefit from this type of treatment before the end of this

again, which, in itself, is most welcomed, these patients will eventually be able to return to life

as they have been accustomed to, and they can make greater contributions to society at large.

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France dispatches flood relief to Guyana

THE Embassy of France in Suriname announced a shipment of a large donation to Guyana, considering the recent floods and the state of emergency claimed for a large part of the country.

The relief was facilitated by the French Regional Intervention Platform for the Americas and the Caribbean, part of the French Red Cross.

The cargo, loaded on the French military vessel,

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021 Martinique to Guyana and is expected to arrive in Guyana at the weekend.

“Because of the valued relationship between the two nations and in honour of fraternity and friendship

between France and Guyana, the donation of this humanitarian aid is essential, and the relations established between the French Red Cross and the Guyana Red Cross will ensure swift dis-

tribution to those in need,” the embassy noted.

France remains in solidarity with its trusted partners and continues to work on the various forms of co-operation.

Dumont d’Urville, consisting of 9.45 tons (a volume of 35m³) contains various items to bring first aid and relief for the affected population.

The embassy noted that the vessel will sail from

The supplies being loaded onto the French military vessel Dumont d’Urville

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Mr. Harmon’s irresponsible statements and hypocrisy

LAST Monday, the government’s inoculation campaign got a hike in finances approved by the National Assembly to acquire the vaccines and other resources to continue affording Guyanese the prospect of getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

The Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, stood up in the National Assembly to answer all the questions about the allocation, vaccination program, and other things.

Additionally, his colleagues in the government wasted no time utilising the State media and other avenues to dispel the negative propaganda. It was likely to be had because of the opposition’s specific line of questioning in the National Assembly about not only the vaccination programme but the Sputnik V Vaccines.

In short, they urged the public to get vaccinated now while reiterating the call for the achievement of herd immunity as they played down fears that could potentially lead to a spike in the troubling case of vaccine hesitancy.

Before the government’s message could settle in the minds of unvaccinated Guyanese, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change opposition started a campaign outside of the National Assembly raising fear about the vaccines and process to get them and the cost on the public’s purse.

No lesser a person than the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon appeared at a press conference calling on the government to ‘suspend’ its vaccination efforts since there is perceived skullduggery surrounding the issues related to costs, vaccines effectiveness, and alleged conspiracy with fraud.

A closer look at Mr. Harmon’s arguments and concerns reveal a pattern of misrepresentation and half-truths designed to send panic and fear into the public psyche about the available vaccines.

Harmon’s “banter” was a political ploy to make it seem like there is corruption afoot.

From the standpoint of somebody who may be a political novice, it could appear as if the plan is basically to stall to government’s efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and hijack the process temporarily then allow it to continue. It would be to inflict an assault on all that the government has

done so far to get people vaccinated and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

But to a senior political mind, this plot has the makings of desperation, irresponsibility, hypocrisy, and sheer PR gimmickry. This plot by the APNU+AFC politicians is to shift the focus from all the good government is doing to accomplish its manifesto promises.

Nothing else appears to make much sense because the opposition’s claim is not grounded in scientific research, factual evidence, and logical knowledge. Also, no medical expert or doctor came forward to back his claims about the vaccines.

Firstly, the government said the vaccines were within the process of getting approval from the WHO but received the relevant emergency authorisation. This process is nearly complete in most cases. The government says the vaccines are working and doing everything they expected they would. There haven’t been any reports of deaths or serious illnesses experienced after taking the vaccines. So, the government is confident in its mass usage.

And who would know about the effectiveness of the vaccines if not the opposition leader? In fact, before making this case, Mr. Harmon took both shots of the vaccine offered by the government.

Leading members of the opposition coalition have taken both shots of the vaccine. It’s hypocritical now for them to say that it isn’t safe or to doubt it. According to Health Minister, there are no fake vaccines in Guyana.

Secondly, the government said it followed all laws in getting the vaccine at the best price given the importance of immunising the population. The opposition tried and failed to link the Sputnik V Vaccines that Guyana received with all sorts of allegations against the businesses which aren’t in Guyana and have no interest, it would appear, in responding to fabrications spread by the APNU+AFC Coalition.

Thirdly, Mr. Harmon should be ashamed to talk about the issue of cost. Did he forget how the APNU+AFC Coalition squandered millions of tax-paying dollars setting up a fake bond or makeshift bond that they were renting?

And the infamous scandal with monies that supposedly

went down the drain behind its white elephant Durban Park Project, that is, home to the wood ants and insects.

Doesn’t Mr. Harmon know the worth of saving a precious life?

Finally, it is hard to believe that men like Mr. Harmon have Guyana’s interest

at their heart when they each day engage in acts that could be considered dangerous and criminal both in and outside of Parliament. The opposition could cause thousands of persons who are not vaccinated as yet to change their minds.

And would put the rest of the population at risk. Then Guy-

ana could not even achieve herd immunity and its health goals concerning fighting the pandemic.

The government has condemned Harmon’s plot and keep the pace of its inoculation campaign. If Harmon wants to show Guyana who cares for the people, he should

come clean now about the most recent plot against the government related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opposition tried it when they were questioning the Cash Grant Initiative and failed.

Get vaccinated! Use the free vaccines available!

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Bunny Shaw joins Manchester City

LONDON, (CMC) – Jamaica international Khadija Shaw has left France for England to join Women’s Super League (WSL) side Manchester City, saying she likes their style of play.

Twenty-four-year-old Shaw, nicknamed Bunny because of her fondness for carrots at an early age, has signed a three-year deal after two seasons with French club Girondins de Bordeaux.

The five-foot, 11-inch forward, who helped Jamaica qualify for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the first Caribbean nation to do so, said: “I want to come in and show what I can bring to the team. I just can’t wait to get going.

“I’ve got a lot of messages for the fans. I can tell they are very excited about me and I am excited to play in front of them. Hopefully, with my hard work, the fans can see the type of player I am.

“I am a simple player. I like the way Manchester City play. They build up, try to connect passes and play through teams. They try to get players in behind once they are in the attacking third and, for me, that is the type of football I like to play.

“I really enjoy playing that style of football. It also shows my best qualities.

To watch Manchester City and see that is one of their strengths was one of the main reasons why I made this decision,” added Shaw, who graduated with a communications degree from the University of Tennessee in May. Her arrival in Manchester follows the announcement of a three-year broadcast deal that will see WSL games shown on network free-to-air TV in the UK for the first time.

Established in 2010, the WSL is run by the Football Association and currently features 12 fully professional teams.

“The standard is getting better every year with the quality and calibre of players that are going over to England to compete,” said Shaw, who describes herself as a “jovial and open person”.

Shaw, who scored 10 goals in her first season with Bordeaux and 22 in her second, made her senior Jamaica international debut in August 2015, netting twice in a 6–0 victory over the Dominican Republic in an Olympic qualifying game.

The daughter of father George, a shoemaker, and mother Monica, a chicken farmer, Shaw grew up in Spanish Town – the birthplace of singer Grace Jones and sprinter Yohan Blake – as the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters, but lost three brothers and a nephew to gang violence.

A fourth brother died in a car accident.\

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

Heather Knight wants five-day women’s Tests after latest draw ENGLAND captain Heather Knight says she would like to see women’s Tests played over five days after their one-off match against India ended in a draw.

Knight’s side were on top for much of the Test in Bristol but the third afternoon was wiped out by rain, making it difficult to force a result.

ten been played on unhelpful pitches, making it difficult to force a result.

There was criticism when it was announced that the Bristol match would be played on a used pitch - an oversight for which the England and Wales Cricket Board later apologised.

England World Cup winner Alex Hartley said

England women’s captain Heather Knight

England have drawn their past three Tests and have not won a red-ball match since January 2014.

“Five day Tests could maybe be the way forward,” Knight told BBC Sport.

England play a Test every two years as part of the Women’s Ashes multi-format series, but India had not previously played one for seven years.

Australia’s victory over England at Canterbury in 2015 was the last time a women’s Test ended in a result.

Four day Tests are a legacy of the amateur era, where players often had to juggle playing international cricket alongside their other commitments.

Asked if she would like to see five day Tests, Knight said: “100% - we just ran out of time a little bit.

“So many games have ended in draws and a little bit of rain and slow play didn’t help our cause.

“I think if there was another day, what a finish that would have been.”

Women’s Tests have of-

it was the principle of not preparing a fresh wicket that sent a negative message.

“The pitch was absolutely fine. We saw a little bit of turn at lunch on day one which isn’t ideal,” Hartley told Test Match Special.

“There was nothing wrong with the pitch so I can’t criticise that. But that oversight would never happen in men’s cricket, so why did it happen in women’s?”

England had a fine chance for victory after reducing India to 240-8, but a stubborn 104-run ninth-wicket stand ultimately meant each side had to settle for two points in the multi-format series.

“Of course it was frustrating,” Knight added.

“I think the way we played all game we were trying to move the game forward and force that result.

“Obviously the rain on day three didn’t help us very much and not getting all the overs in was not ideal as well, but we did everything we could.” (BBC Sport)

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Abrams, Chance ease to 400m titles at Senior Athletics Championships ARINZE Chance and Aliyah Abrams did the expected and decimated their rivals to easily win the 400m finals at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Senior Championships held at the National Track and Field Facility yesterday.

The two sprinters who are based in the United States of America showed their superiority with comprehensive victories in their respective finals.

More of the attention was on Chance since he needed to run a blistering 44.90s to meet the entry standard time for next month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

After a breezy 46.56s in the preliminaries on Friday evening, there was a high expectation that the PowerAde Brand Ambassador would at least run a sub-46 time but he clocked 47.66s and still finished about 10 metres ahead of nearest rival Michael James (49.53s) and Courtly Bobb (50.01s).

For Abrams, she would have already qualified for the Games – the lone Track and Field athlete from Guyana to date – and the aim would have been to improve ahead of the Games.

Abrams ran a pedestrian 54.51s, a vastly slower time to her personal best of 51.13s

which was achieved in June 2019, or even the season-best time of 51.46s recorded in May. Joanna Archer (57.06s) and Collia Rowe (58.37s) completed the podium spots.

The 24-year-old, who will compete at her second Olympics, stated that she has two more meets lined up ahead of Tokyo to get closer to her best.

Meanwhile, Guyana Defence Force’s Mark Jhalu registered his personal best and a new national stadium record of 2.12m in the high jump while Natrena Hooper won the female version of the jump in 1.63m.

Earlier in the day, Cleveland Thomas won

the men’s 1500m in four minutes 8.68 seconds followed by Nicholas Daw (4:10.52s) and Anfernee Headecker (4:11.68s).

Likewise, Shaquka Tyrell ensured the Tyrell sisters went home with gold as she won the women’s 1500m event in a time of five minutes 13.52 seconds, in a close finish with Aaliyah Headley (5:31.65s) while Tia Azore (5:38.58s) brought third.

Today marks the final day of the championships which will get underway from 13:00hrs.

The highlights of the day are expected to be the finals of the 200m, 800m, and the long jump events.

Windies bundled out for 149 after Quinton de Kock’s 96 … Wiaan Mulder picks up 3 for 1, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi take two each

G R O S I S L E T, S t L u c i a (CMC) – West Indies squandered the hard work of their seamers when they collapsed meekly for 149 inside two sessions, to leave South Africa in a dominant position on day two of the second Test here yesterday.

Starting their innings on resumption from the lunch break after producing a sterling effort to dismiss the Proteas for 298 in their first innings, West Indies tumbled to 56 for four at tea before losing their last six wickets in the final session to fall for their ninth lowest total against the visitors.

Vi c e - c a p t a i n J e r m a i n e Blackwood top-scored with 49 and Shai Hope stroked a cautious 43 but wickets tumbled steadily around them as the home side failed to build partnerships of merit.

The innings was wrecked first by new-ball bowlers Kagiso Rabada (2-24) and Lungi Ngidi (2-27) before left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-47) chipped in with a brace to further accelerate the Windies’ slide.

F o u r t h s e a m e r Wi a a n Mulder joined the party at the end, snatching three wickets in nine deliveries to end with outstanding figures of three for one run.

Earlier, Quinton de Kock agonisingly missed out on his second hundred of the series when he was eighth out for 96, as medium pacer Kyle Mayers (3-28) and veteran seamer Kemar Roach (3-45) combined to share four of the last five South Africa wickets to fall.

Resuming on 218 for five following a half-hour delayed start due to a wet square, the visitors managed to add only 80 runs before their innings closed at the interval of an extended first session.

Mulder fell for eight in the seventh over after he had added just six, when Roach had him caught at the wicket in his first over of his first spell of the morning.

West Indies were then frustrated by a 36-run, seventh-wicket stand between de Kock and Keshav Maharaj (12), which kept them without further success for the rest of the hour.

Once Maharaj edged seamer Jason Holder behind, however, South Africa lost their last five wickets for 23 runs.

The left-handed de Kock, resuming the day on 59, appeared

set to complete triple figures when he edged a slash at a wide ball from Mayers into the gloves of wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva standing up, for Shai Hope at gully to take the rebound.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel failed to add to his tally and ended with two for 65.

West Indies had the worst possible start when captain Kraigg Brathwaite feathered a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper de Kock off Rabada, off the very first delivery of the innings.

South Africa belatedly resorted to DRS after umpire Gregory Brathwaite turned down the muted appeal, and subsequent replays showed a spike off the batsman’s glove.

Brathwaite’s left-handed partner Kieran Powell was hit in front by Ngidi in the fourth over for five with the score on eight and Roston Chase made four before falling to a catch at a deepish short-leg off pacer Anrich Nortje at 30 for three.

Left-hander Kyle Mayers’ struggles in the series then continued when he nicked an ambitious drive at Maharaj to Aiden Markram at slip for 12,

as the home side stumbled to the interval.

Hope and Blackwood staged a recovery of sorts after tea, posting 43 for the fifth wicket – the best partnership of the innings.

While Hope faced 103 balls and struck four fours, Blackwood counted half-dozen fours off 106 deliveries, the pair temporarily lifting the home side’s mood.

But Hope inside-edged an Ngidi in-swinger onto his stumps and Holder (10) lasted 22 balls before lazily driving at a wide ball from Rabada and squirting a catch to Keegan Petersen at gully at 115 for six.

Blackwood put on 28 with Da Silva who spent 39 balls over seven before edging a defensive stroke at Mulder and giving de Kock a straightforward catch, before Mulder knocked over Roach (1) and Jayden Seales (0) in the same over.

Blackwood passed 2 000 runs in his 39th Test when he reached 41 but was last to fall, holing out off Maharaj in a quest for quick runs with Gabriel at the other end.

SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings (o/n 218 for five) D. Elgar b Mayers 77 A. Markram c Chase b Gabriel 0 K. Petersen c Holder b Seales 7 R. van der Dussen b Roach 4 K. Verreynne c wkp. Da Silva b Gabriel 27 Q. de Kock c Hope b Mayers 96 W. Mulder c wkp. Da Silva b Roach 8 K. Maharaj c wkp. Da Silva b Holder 12 K. Rabada not out 21 A. Nortje c Seales b Mayers 1 L. Ngidi c sub. (DM Bravo) b Roach 1 EXTRAS: (b-9, lb-20, w-12, nb-3) 44 TOTAL: (all out, 112.4 overs) 298 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-26, 3-37), 4-124, 5-203, 6-239, 7-275, 8-275, 9-281.

Bowling: Roach 21.4-6-45-3 (w-1), Gabriel 16-4-65-2 (w-2, nb2), Seales 19-4-44-1, Holder 21-5-47-1, Chase15-4-26-0, Mayers 15-6-28-3 (w-1, nb-1), Brathwaite 5-0-14-0.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite c wkp. de Kock b Rabada 0 K. Powell lbw b Ngidi 5 S. Hope b Ngidi 43 R. Chase c Verreynne b Nortje 4 K. Mayers c Markram b Maharaj 12 J. Blackwood c Elgar b Maharaj 49 J. Holder c Petersen b Rabada 10 J. Da Silva c wkp. de Kock b Mulder 7 K. Roach c wkp. de Kock b Mulder 1 J. Seales c Verreynne b Mulder 0 S. Gabriel not out 0 EXTRAS: (b-6, lb-3, w-5, nb-4) 18 TOTAL: (all out, 54 overs) 149 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-8, 3-30, 4-54, 5-97, 6-115, 7-143, 8-145, 9-145.

Bowling: Rabada 13-6-24-2, Ngidi 7-0-27-2, Nortje 12-0-41-1, Maharaj 18-2-47-2, Mulder 4-3-1-3.

POSITION: WEST INDIES TRAIL SOUTH AFRICA BY 149 RUNS

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

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Two own-goals help rejuvenated Germany thrash Portugal

TWO own goals in four firsthalf minutes helped a rejuvenated Germany to a crucial 4-2 comeback thrashing of Portugal in a sweltering hot Euro 2020 Group F blockbuster in Munich.

The pressure was on the hosts after their opening match loss to France and, after a positive start, they went behind to a brilliant counter-attack from Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo tapping in his 107th international goal and first against Germany after good work from Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota.

There were just 15 minutes on the clock but Germany were frustrated and their hopes of a place in the knockout stages were in doubt but the game then flipped on its head when Portugal defenders Ruben Dias (35) and Raphael Guerreiro (39) each turned the ball into his own net.

It is the first time in major tournament history that a team scored two own-goals in a game. That was the lift Germany needed, with Kai Havertz (51) converting from close range to become their youngest-ever scorer at a Euros before Robin Gosens - who had put in crosses for

two of the earlier goals - nodded in a free header at the back post on the hour.

There was hope for Portugal when an unmarked Ronaldo set up Jota (67) to pull one back and Renato Sanches crashed a shot against the woodwork but the defending champions had left themselves too much to do and, after a

Wi t h F r a n c e d r a w i n g against Hungary earlier in the day, Germany knew they needed to take the game to Portugal and they did that emphatically inside five minutes, with Gosens acrobatically converting Matthias Ginter’s cross at the back post - but an offside flag against Serge Gnabry curtailed the hosts’ celebrations.

Robin Gosens celebrates after scoring Germany’s fourth goal against Portugal

heavyweight match-up which lived up to its billing, an ominous-looking Germany moved second in the pool, ahead of Portugal on head-to-head records.

HOW GERMANY TURNED THEIR TOURNAMENT AROUND

Havertz then tested Rui Patricio from the edge of the box, with Gnabry latching onto the rebound but unable to find the net, before Dias threw himself in the way of a Toni Kroos strike as Germany’s fast start continued.

Thomas Muller was next to hit the target as Germany

piled on the pressure - but then a clinical break from Portugal undermined all of the hosts’ good work.

Bernardo Silva broke clear from a Germany corner, picked out Jota with a delicious diagonal into the box and the Liverpool man expertly diverted the ball into Ronaldo’s path for an easy close-range finish

heat in Munich, Portugal were causing problems again, with Jota heading over from a wide free-kick.

Germany’s frustration began to show, with Dias and Pepe drawing boos from the home support as they took their time to get up from fouls - but then two own-goals transformed the contest.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva after scoring against Germany

It was Portugal’s first shot of the game but it inspired the players in red, with Ronaldo pulling out some showboating and Dias heading just wide from a corner soon after.

A cross at the other end just evaded Mats Hummels but after a drinks break midway the half due to the 30C

First, Dias turned Gosens’ smashed cross into his own net under pressure from Havertz, and Guerreiro fell into the same trap, with Joshua Kimmich this time providing the delivery into the six-yard box.

Gnabry almost capped a winding run with a finish on the stroke of half-time but

Germany didn’t have to wait long after the restart for more celebrations.

A fine, sweeping move through Portugal’s half was instigated by Muller and found Gosens on the left side of the box to cross for 22-year-old Havertz to tuck in from four yards out and make his mark in the record books.

Gosens then got reward of his own with a free header at the back post from Kimmich’s cross as Germany took complete control of the contest.

That measure of comfort was short-lived, as a lapse from Ginter played Ronaldo onside from a free-kick and the unmarked Portugal captain hooked a short-range pass across goal for Jota to make it 4-2.

Sub Sanches then almost set-up a grandstand finish, firing a thunderbolt of a shot against an upright from distance with 10 minutes to play, but Leon Goretzka clipped the crossbar himself with a fine drive at the other end as Germany finished on top - and emerged as contenders to take Portugal’s crown. (Sky Sports)

LA Clippers beat Utah Jazz to reach Western Conference finals for first time

LOS Angeles Clippers beat Utah Jazz 131-119 to secure a 4-2 series win and reach

the NBA Western Conference finals for the first time.

Terance Mann scored a

Messi sets up Rodriguez winner for Argentina against Uruguay in Copa America ARGENTINA secured a victory over Uruguay at the Copa America thanks to a winner from Guido Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, making his first start for his country since June 2019, headed in off a post early on following a cross from Lionel Messi.

Uruguay had a penalty appeal by striker Edinson Cavani turned down as they failed to register a shot on target in their opening match of the tournament.

Argentina’s win moved them joint top of their group with Chile on four points.

“We deserved to win,” said Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.

“We tried to be more compact, to make it more difficult to score against. Up front we have monstrous players who can get goals at any moment of the match.”

Uruguay’s next game is against Chile (21 June), while Argentina are next in action against Paraguay (June 22). (BBC Sport)

Terance Mann (left) and Paul George played a key role as LA Clippers beat Utah Jazz in game six

career-high 39 points for Clippers, who trailed by 25 points in the third quarter.

“Everybody was telling me to shoot the ball and that’s what I did,” said Mann, who hit 15 of 21 shots from the floor and drained seven of 10 three pointers.

Clippers will play Phoenix Suns for a place in the NBA finals.

Paul George scored 28 points and added nine re-

bounds seven assists for Clippers, who were without their top player Kawhi Leonard through injury.

“It feels great,” said George. “They wrote us off when Kawhi went down.”

In the Eastern Conference semi-finals Philadelphia 76ers earned a 104-99 win over Atlanta Hawks to level their best-of-seven series at 3-3.

Seth Curry and Tobias Harris scored 24 points

apiece for Sixers, while teammate Joel Embiid registered 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Atlanta reduced the gap to 100-97 with 14 seconds to go but Harris sank a pair of free throws as Sixers held on for the win.

“You saw the fight and grit of a whole group,” said Harris.

The 76ers will be at home for the deciding game today. (BBC Sport)

SUNDAY, June 20, 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:

Brian Lara-191 (Bulawayo, 2003) Hamilton Masakadza-147 (Bulawayo, 2017)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

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

Which ZIM player has claimed most Tes wickets against the WI to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

36

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

CPL 2021 schedule tweaked to avoid clash with remainder of IPL season

IN a shot in the arm for the BCCI and the IPL, the dates for the 2021 edition of the CPL have been revised; it will now be played in St Kitts and Nevis between August 26 and September 15.

The CPL was originally scheduled to start on August 28, and end on September 19, but that changed after the BCCI began talks with Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the CPL immediately after it identified the September-October window for wrapping up the remainder of the postponed 2021 IPL. The revised dates will mean a tweaked match schedule for the CPL, and the challenge for both CWI and CPL is that there aren’t many free days in a packed home sea-

son comprising tours of the Caribbean by South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.

Immediately after the ongoing series against South Africa, which ends on July 9, West Indies play a white-ball series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs against Australia, which will end on July 24. Three days later, the Pakistan series kicks off with a fivematch T20I series followed by two Tests, scheduled to end on August 24.

The BCCI wanted the CPL to bring forward the start of the tournament for two key reasons: Firstly, there are several players as well as coaching staff who are involved with both IPL and CPL franchises, and also, the owners of two of the IPL

Crouser breaks men’s shot put world record at U.S. Olympic trials

Ryan Crouser broke a 28-year Olympic record to win gold at Rio 2016 Olympics

RYAN Crouser broke the men’s shot put world record after a 23.37m throw at the United States Olympic track and field trials.

The 2016 Olympic champion’s effort broke the previous record of 23.12m that had been held by compatriot Randy Barnes since 1990.

Crouser set the new benchmark with his fourth throw in Eugene, Oregon.

“The second it left my hand I knew it was good,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s been a lot of work and dedication.” He added: “It feels like a weight has been lifted.

“I felt really, really confident coming in, but it wasn’t an expectation.

“The times I’ve come up short was me just getting a little bit tight, and trying to force it. I stayed loose, I stayed relaxed and executed my game plan that I had coming in, and that was the key for me finally doing it.”

Joe Kovacs was second with a 22.34m throw, while Payton Otterdahl’s 21.92m effort helped him secure third place as they joined Crouser in claiming America’s three shot put spots for the Olympics in Tokyo.

franchises - Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings own teams in the CPL too - the Trinbago Knight Riders

and the St Lucia Zouks respectively.

Secondly, the BCCI wanted the IPL-bound contingent

Kieron Pollard is one of many cricketers who play in both CPL and IPL (Getty Images)

to move sooner from the Caribbean to the UAE, where the remainder of the IPL will be played.

“Both IPL and CPL are important to CWI, to our cricketers and to fans,” Ricky Skerritt, the CWI president, told ESPNcricinfo. “CWI’s role was to facilitate arrangements for a non-overlapping and smooth transition from one tournament to the next.

Cricket administrators must collaborate if cricket is to survive the risks and costs of COVID-19.”

The 2021 CPL comprises 33 matches, all of which will be hosted at Warner Park. In April, Pete Russell, the CPL chief executive officer, had said this edition would be open to crowds but atten-

dance would be capped at 50% of the ground capacity.

Skerritt explained that the CPL would also soon be finalising the guidelines for the franchises to be part of the bio-secure bubble.

“Any bubble-related decisions are made by the local St Kitts health authorities and CPL medical advisers (same as CWI), in the context of the local COVID-19 situation,” he said.

“Just four weeks ago, St Kitts recorded community spread for the first time. For over a year, all cases were imported, identified, quarantined, and recovered. The first local COVID-19 (related) death happened just two days ago.” (Cricinfo)

England name 16-man squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka

ENGLAND have named the 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

The two teams will face each other first in the three T20 Internationals from June 23 and then the 50over battle is scheduled to commence on June 29.

The squad has no surprises. However, Sussex fast bowler George Garton has got the maiden call-up to the national team.

Interestingly, David Willey seems to be back into the limited-overs mix having made it to the ODI squad after returning for T20Is as well.

Among missing players is Ben Stokes who got injured during the Indian Premier league (IPL). However, he will be returning to action with Durham in the ongoing T20 Blast, having recovered from the fractured finger.

Rest of the IPL players who were rested for the Test series against New Zealand have returned.

In the meantime, England head coach Chris Silverwood confirmed that the pace bowlers Jofra Archer, Reece Topley and Saqib Mahmood were not available for selection due to different injuries.

“Several players are not available for selection due to injury. Jofra Archer (right elbow), Saqib Mahmood (abdominal) and

Reece Topley (side strain) are all missing, but continue to make excellent progress from their respective injuries,” Chris said.

a great shame as Olly was showing real promise with the ball and would have been part of our selection plans for this series,” Chris further added.

cashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire),

Sussex fast bowler George Garton has got the maiden call-up to the national team

The pacer Olly Stone has been ruled out of the whole summer after sustaining a stress fracture to his lower back during the second Test against New Zealand. This rules him out of the upcoming five-match Test series against India.

“Unfortunately, following the second Test at Edgbaston against New Zealand, Olly Stone has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of his lower back and will miss the rest of the summer. It is

The three ODIs between England and Sri Lanka will be played at Durham, London and Bristol with the series concluding on July 4.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Tom Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), George Garton (Sussex), Liam Livingstone (Lan-

Mark Wood (Durham).

(CricTracker)

FIXTURES:

» Wednesday, June 23: 1st T20I (Cardiff) » Thursday, June 24: 2nd T20I (Cardiff) » Saturday, June 26: 3rd T20I (Southampton) » Tuesday, June 29: 1st ODI (Durham) » Thursday, July 1: 2nd ODI (The Oval) » Sunday, July 4:: 3rd ODI (Bristol)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

37

Sneh Rana secures thrilling draw for India in one-off Bristol Test DEBUTANTS Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia shared an unbeaten 104-run stand for the ninth wicket to secure a memorable draw for India in the one-off women’s Test against England yesterday.

If Deepti Sharma produced a dogged resistance with a 168-ball 54 in the top-order, Rana top-scored with an unbeaten 80 off 154 balls and frustrated the England bowlers with two crucial partnerships down the order with Shikha Pandey and Bhatia (44 not out off 88) respectively.

The 27-year-old, who had taken four wickets in the first innings with her off-spin, had made a national comeback with this game.

The two teams eventually decided to shake hands after 121.2 overs.

Forced to follow on, after being dismissed for 231 in its first innings, India resumed the final day at 83 for one but lost talented Shafali Verma (63) early.

Sharma then joined hands with Punam Raut (39) and

added 72 runs to take India to 171 for three at lunch.

But the visitors lost four quick wickets for 28 runs to stare down the barrel at one

still remaining in the match.

After the break, Rana continued in the same vein as she smashed 13 fours in her 154-ball innings to take

Sneh Rana raises her bat after reaching her half-century on debut against England Women in Bristol (Getty Images)

stage before Rana and Pandey batted for almost 17 overs to stem the rot as India took tea at 243 for 8 with 40 overs

India’s lead across the 150mark.

Earlier, India opener Shafali Verma (63) could add just

Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien bids farewell to ODI cricket TALISMANIC Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien has announced his retirement from One Day International cricket. After 15 years of playing, the 37-year-old has decided to step aside from the game, leaving behind a rich legacy and some very pleasant memories.

The hard-hitting batter was undoubtedly the toast of Ireland due to his belligerent style of hitting and his ability to change the game within a span of a few overs.

He thus finishes his ODI career having scored 3 618 runs and having picked up 114 wickets as well. The right-hand batter is just third in the run-scoring list for Ireland now. What makes O’Brien special is his ability to strike the ball well even against top teams such as England, India, and West Indies.

His’s strike rate of 88.92 was among the best for the team.

It was not only against associate nations but also against quality teams that the 37-year-old scored his runs and gave Ireland a fair chance of winning. Apart from scoring runs he took wickets regularly for his team.

eight runs to her overnight score as she was caught by Katherine Brunt off Ecclestone in the 30th over.

Smashed for a straight

O’Brien was a wonderful fielder as well, further demonstrating his value in the team. He took 68 catches and thus finished with top honours in this department as well.

in the past. The hunger and love for the ODI format are no longer the same as it was and it wouldn’t be fair to Andrew, Graham, the team, and our supporters to continue to play while no longer feeling

Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien

Announcing his decision, O’Brien said, “After 15 years playing for Ireland I feel now is the right time to step away and retire from ODI cricket.

It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my country 153 times and the memories I take from them will last a lifetime,” as quoted by Cricket Ireland.

“This has not been an easy decision, but after ongoing consideration, I don’t feel I can contribute to the ODI team as much as I have

100%.”

“I’ve had some unbelievable moments with the team since 2006 – the three World Cups, the personal successes and spending time travelling and playing all over the world, but I will now shift my focus and remain fully committed to T20 cricket – with two world cups in the next 18 months – and hoping to add to my three caps in Test cricket.” (CricketTracker)

six in the first ball of the over, Ecclestone came back to dismiss Verma in the last delivery with Brunt taking a

spectacular catch at long-on.

Sharma and Raut then showed great resilience as India took a lead of six runs with seven wickets in hand at lunch.

However, a sudden lapse of concentration saw Sharma go for a reckless slog off Ecclestone in the 58th over only to drag the ball onto her leg-stump in what was the last ball before lunch.

Sharma played some good looking shots, which included a drive off Anya Shrubsole and a sweep shot.

Raut too had a few hits to the fence - one, off Ecclestone across the cover region and the other being a backfoot punch through covers.

Sharma reached her fifty, taking a single off Natalie Sciver behind square in the 55th over before being dismissed at the stroke of lunch.

England dealt two quick blows, dismissing skipper Mithali Raj (4) and Raut cheaply to leave India at 175 for five after lunch.

While Raj completely misread an Ecclestone delivery only to see it clip the

bails off, Raut, who was looking good till then, ended up giving a straight catch at square leg.

Pooja Vastrakar (12) then smashed three boundaries off Ecclestone in the 68th over before being cleaned up by Heather Knight in the 71st over.

Vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who had scored just 4 in the first innings, too couldn’t last long in the middle as she got out playing a slog sweep to become the fourth victim of Ecclestone.

Pandey and Rana then hit eight boundaries between them before the former was caught behind off Nat Sciver’s bowling in the 91st over.

For England, Sophie Ecclestone (4/118) was the best bowler, while Sciver took a couple of wickets.

The first of three one-day internationals takes place at the Bristol County Ground on June 27.

(Brief Scores: England Women 1st innings: 396-9 decl. India Women: 231 and 344 for 8 in 121 overs (Sneh Rana 80 not out,

England all-rounder Ben Stokes to return for Durham after broken finger

Ben Stokes has been putting the work in at Durham in the nets as he recovers from a broken finger

ENGLAND all-rounder Ben Stokes will make his first appearance since recovering from a broken finger for Durham in today’s T20 Blast fixture against Birmingham Bears.

The 30-year-old picked up the injury playing in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals in April.

It will be his first outing for the Durham Jets since 2018.

He has not been included in England’s squad for this month’s one-day international series against Sri Lanka.

But his inclusion for his county side is a welcome boost for Durham, with the squad affected by Covid cases.

The entire second team and their coaching staff were ordered to isolate this week after a member of the back-

room team tested positive for coronavirus following a second team T20 game against Lancashire at Chester-le-Street.

They only had 11 fit players for the midweek game against Lancashire and Paul Coughlin limped out of that game, which already saw coach Will Gidman re-registered as a player as 12th man. (BBC Sport)

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Kohli stands firm to frustrate New Zealand as India dig in

VIRAT Kohli led a battling effort from India’s batsmen as they tussled with New Zealand for control of the inaugural World Test Championship final at the Ageas Bowl.

T h e w i n n e r- t a k e s - a l l showpiece finally got into its stride on day two after Friday’s washout, with India reaching 143 for three; but an intriguing contest was not allowed to play to its natural conclusion as the last of three separate breaks for bad light brought an early conclusion after 64.4 overs.

The picture could easily have been worse for India had they faltered under the kind of stiff examination that downed England at Edgbaston last week, but Kohli shepherded his side through with a resolute 44 not out from 124 deliveries His hunger to occupy the stage had already been in evidence when he remonstrated with the match officials during a curious incident when he was still on 17.

Kiwi captain Kane Williamson allowed the DRS clock to run down following a big appeal for caught-behind off Trent Boult, only for umpire Richard Illingworth

to refer the decision himself.

Having effectively abdicated responsibility for a verdict of his own, he offered a sheepish ‘soft signal’ in the bowler’s favour.

repaid by a sloppy first hour from his new-ball bankers, Boult and Tim Southee.

In English conditions that batsmen dread the Kiwis allowed 41 runs in the first

Gill bore one vicious lifter in the helmet, while the dangerous Rohit (34) simply lost patience and nicked an out-swinger to the diving Southee. After 20 overs

India supporters dominated the reduced-capacity crowd at the Hampshire Bowl, loudly supporting their team throughout

That was promptly overturned, the right verdict, as UltraEdge showed no contact, but the drama around every potential Kohli dismissal was once again in full evidence The day began under ominously leaden skies, Williamson enthusiastically asking India to bat first only to be

hour, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill only prevented from doing further damage by a sluggish outfield.

New Zealand were dragged back by Kyle Jamieson, who settled instantly into a troubling line and length and walked off in the evening with immaculate figures of 14-9-14-1.

and 62 runs scored, it was a much-needed breakthrough.

Neil Wagner was the fifth New Zealand bowler to get his hands on the Dukes ball but needed only three deliveries to do what the others could not, flicking the edge of Gill’s bat to send him back for 28.

From that point, almost

nothing came easily for the batsmen. With Jamieson pointing the way, the rest of the attack levelled up and began asking all the right questions.

After taking lunch at 69 for two, India added another 51 in a fiendishly tricky afternoon session as Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara dug in.

The latter did not get off the mark until his 36th ball, was hit on the head by Wagner and eventually fell for eight as Boult trapped him lbw, but Kohli was intent on sticking around.

His first scoring shot had been a sweet hit through cover for four but that proved something of a red herring as he favoured blocks, leaves and gentle dabs to keep the score ticking For a player with so many flourishes at his disposal, this

was a fighter’s knock and the lack of any further boundaries did not ruffle him whatsoever as he kept his technique compact.

In Ajinkya Rahane (29 n.o.) he found a diligent support act, and the pair buckled down for the remainder of a disjointed day.

The tea break came 15 minutes early as Illingworth and Michael Gough took an overly cautious approach, a trend that continued as the players were ushered off after two more mini sessions.

The frustration of the 3 200 fans in attendance was not hard to hear and with just 64.4 overs possible out of a scheduled 180, even a reserve day may not be enough to avoid the title - and the £1.74M prize pot – being split. (PA Sport)

INDIA 1st innings Rohit Sharma c Tim Southee b Kyle Jamieson 34 Shubman Gill c BJ Watling b Neil Wagner 28 Cheteshwar Pujara lbw Trent Boult

8 Virat Kohli not out

44 Ajinkya Rahane not out

29 EXTRAS: (lb-2, nb-1)

3 TOTAL: (three wkts, 64.4 overs)

146 Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-63, 3-88.

Bowling: Tim Southee 17-4-47-0, Trent Boult 12.4-2-32-1, Kyle Jamieson 14-9-14-1, Colin de Grandhomme 11-6-23-0, Neil Wagner 10-3-28-1 (nb-1).

Smith’s participation in doubt for T20 World Cup and Ashes Misbah says door is open to Amir to make a comeback AUSTRALIA’S most reliable batsman Steve Smith is not part of the team’s tour to the Caribbean Islands for the limited-overs series. Few speculated that he has taken rest due to bio-bubble fatigue and tiredness.

But as per the latest reports, Smith has suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury which apparently he had earlier this year. The righthand batter was almost ruled out of IPL before he was fit in time to play a few games for Delhi Capitals.

Apart from playing IPL, Smith was also part of the Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield (domestic tournaments) in Australia.

Things seemed to be going well for the batter before the problem again cropped up which now rules him out of the West Indies and Bangladesh tours.

Incidentally, the 32-year-old underwent surgery in early 2019 when he was out of action for one year due to the Sandpaper Saga. After that, he had a terrific Ashes series in England in which the batter scored over 600 runs. But now everything seems back to square one with this elbow issue cropping up again.

Apart from the two tours, Australia are also gearing up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled to be held in India in

the month of October.

Although the global event is still five months away, Smith’s recovery from it and how he manages his fitness will decide his participation in the T20 event.

“Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how long or how serious it is, but it’s something he’s had before and it definitely flared up again in the IPL,” national selector Trevor Hohns said.

World Cup and of course the Ashes,” national selector Trevor Hohns said as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Although the right-hand batter has not been consistent as he would have liked to be in the shortest format, he still is crucial for the Men in Yellow. His ability to anchor the innings while the other stroke-makers go for big hits makes him important at the

Australia‘s prolific batsman Steve Smith “How long it will take to get it completely right I can’t tell you at the moment, I’ve had no further advice on that, but the main thing is for Steven from our view is to make sure he is fit for the T20

number three position in the T20 lineup.

The management and selectors will keep a close eye on Smith and hope he returns to full fitness. (CricTracker)

THE rumors of speedster Mohammad Amir making a comeback to the Pakistan cricket team are being widely circulated in the cricket fraternity. Amir announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2020 after accusing head coach Misbah ul Haq of mistreating him . The relations between Mishab and Amir aren’t healthy and a lot of things have been said from both sides.

However, Pakistan’s head coach has sent a clear message to Amir regarding his comeback to the national side. Misbah reckoned that if the speedster performs well and maintains the fitness standards, then there are no issues in him getting a place in the playing XI. The veteran also cleared his stance saying that he has nothing against Amir and will be happy to have him back on the team.

“Like I have said before, Amir was dropped because of injuries and performance and later he announced retirement. If he takes his

retirement back and performs well, the door is open for him to make comeback like every other player. I have no personal issue with him, which I have stated before as well,” said Misbah during the departure press conference ahead of the tour of England and West Indies.

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir “He made a comeback when I was captain and later as a coach. Last year, he wasn’t able to travel with us to England due to some family issues but as soon as they were resolved we

straightaway included him in the squad. I don’t know why this issue has been created and why Amir thinks like that. If we stay, perform well and the team needs him, he will consider for selection.

Whatever happened in the past, I don’t think about it,” he added.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the team’s squad for the West Indies and England tour before the commencement of the remainder of PSL 2021. However, the head coach has hinted that there can be changes in the squad after looking at the performances in PSL 2021 if the logistics and other factors are solved.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to select the squad [before PSL 6] for England and West Indies tour so early due to logistics issues caused by the pandemic. Ideally, we wanted to consider the in-form players for selection and, if logistics allow us, we will make changes to the squad whenever needed,” he concluded. (CricTracker)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 20, 2021

39

Archibald, Abrams are champions of the 100m at Senior National Championships

Emanuel Archibald (far right) wins the 100m on Friday evening at the National Track and Field Facility

EMANUEL Archibald and Jasmine Abrams powered to the 100m titles when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Senior Championships got underway Friday at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora.

Archibald clocked 10.18 seconds to erase his previous personal best of 10.22s, and easily win the marque race ahead of Akeem Stewart (10.46s) and Nolex Holder (10.47s), who had a tight battle for second.

However, he was still unable to meet the Olympic entry standard time of 10.05 seconds for next month’s Games in Tokyo.

On the distaff side, the overseas-based Abrams clocked 11:37s to comfortably take the female title but she too was off the qualifi-

Former Reggae Boy Paul Hall signs on as part-time assistant to ‘Tappa’ Whitmore PAUL Hall has been appointed assistant coach to Reggae Boyz Head Coach Theodore Whitmore for the Gold Cup and the duration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Paul Hall has been appointed assistant coach to Reggae Boyz Head Coach Theodore Whitmore

At the end of the qualifiers, his contract will be reviewed, Jamaica Football Association President Michael Ricketts confirmed today.

“Yes, he has signed a contract and it is with immediate effect,” the JFF president said.

Hall, a Senior Phase Coach at Queens Park Rangers, will work with the Reggae Boyz on a parttime basis meaning he will be available for camps and travel with the team for games. Otherwise, he will be engaged with his duties with the club.

“He will add quality to the coaching staff, especially since we have so many

English-based players in the squad,” Ricketts said. “We hope that we will get some positive results. Already, he seems to have a synergy with Coach Whitmore.”

Hall was Whitmore’s teammate during the 48 matches he played for Jamaica between 1997 and 2003, scoring 14 goals. Crucially, he was part of the Rene Simoes squad that historically qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France.

He said he was looking forward to working with the Reggae Boyz as they campaigned in next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and subsequently for the World Cup qualifiers later in the year.

“I am honoured and privileged to have been asked to be the assistant coach of the Jamaica National Senior Team,” said Hall, who is the holder of a UEFA ‘A’ license.

“This will be on a parttime basis so I will continue to work with QPR and develop players, which I am passionate about.

“I would like to thank the QPR owners, the board as well as Lee Hoos, Les Ferdinand, and Chris Ramsay for supporting me on this fantastic journey.”

Meantime, the JFF is planning to assemble its players in a camp in Florida for 10 days leading into the start of this year’s Gold Cup. (Sportsmax)

Jasmine Abrams (centre) powered to the female 100m title

cation mark of 11.15 seconds; she ran 11.25s in the preliminaries.

Brianna Charles (11.85s) of Running Brave and Juvonaa Cornette (11.90s) of Tytan Athletics rounded off the top-three.

A scintillating performance of the night was produced by 20-year-old Sir Kennard Hartog who stunned seasoned campaigner Cleveland Thomas to win the 10 000m.

The duo had an exciting battle throughout the race. Heading into the last 150m, Hartog distanced himself from the ageing legs of Thomas in a classic sprint to the final to clock 34 minutes 41.89 seconds for the victory.

He received thunderous cheers from his fellow athletes in the stands. Thomas clocked 34:46.36s followed by Mauro-Rolando

Cucui (35:29.30s).

The men’s Discus saw GDF’s Jermain Samuels (40.58s) and Joshua Jones (38.16m) take the top two positions and Gabriel Lim (37.35m) in third.

Today’s final day action will commence at 13:00hrs to accommodate AAG’s Annual General Meeting and Election of Office-bearers at 10:00hrs at the National Racquet Centre.

The highlights should be the scheduled two 200m finals and the men’s long jump in which Archibald will seek to qualify for the Olympics.

The event is not open to members of the public due to COVID-19 protocols.

ONE of West Indies greatest opening batsmen of all-time is now officially Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George.

Sir Cuthbert Gordon Greenidge KCMG MBE was knighted by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason on Friday afternoon during a ceremony held at Government House. Sir Gordon was initially bestowed with the accolade when the New Year’s honours were announced last year January.

The 70-year-old Greenidge once considered the most destructive opening batsmen in world cricket and who formed the most enduring opening international partnership with fellow Barbadian and Hall of Famer Desmond Haynes for more than a decade, had some advice to share with young cricketers shortly after the ceremony.

“Be committed to the job,

where he was an outstanding batsman for the Hampshire County, Greenidge later played first-class cricket for Barbados and went on to represent the West Indies in Tests and One Day Internationals for 17 years.

He also won two ICC World Cups in 1975 and 1979. He also won four trophies in his time at

Sir Gordon Greenidge formally knighted work hard at the job. Work on your skills and as I always say to most youngsters whom I speak with, don’t just brand yourself as a one-dimensional player. And I think too many players these days want to play the shorter version of the game.

Born in Black Bess, St Peter before migrating to England

Sir Gordon Greeniidge is being knighted by Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason (left)

Hampshire, including the County Championship in 1973, with his five centuries and 1 656 runs key to Hampshire’s success.

He remains the last Hampshire batsman to score 2 000 first-class runs in a season and when he left the club he held Hampshire’s record scores in all three limited-overs competitions.

Greenidge said that the players of today need to develop their skills and should focus their attention more on the longest format of the game.

“You need to develop the skills of the game itself; preferably the longer version of the game, which would give you what you need to be able to perform well at all levels of this game of cricket. So, yes, play the longer version of the game. You need to because the skill level of our game is missing,” Greenidge stressed. (Extracted from Barbados Today)

Arinze Chance comfortably won the 400m final, but was still not quick enough to meet the Olympic entry standard mark

Aliyah Abrams breezed to victory

Mark Jhalu set to a new personal best in the High Jump

SEE PAGE 34

Abrams, Chance ease to 400m titles at Senior Athletics Championships

Windies bundled out for 149 after Quinton de Kock’s 96 SEE PAGE 34

… Wiaan Mulder picks up 3 for 1, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi take two each

South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi celebrates with his team-mates (AFP/Getty Images)

SEE PAGE 38

Quinton de Kock was dismissed for 96 as South Africa were all out for 298 against the West Indies in St Lucia yesterday (Brooks (Brooks AFP AFP))

Kohli stands firm to frustrate New Zealand as India dig in

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, JUNE 20, 2021