Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_09_12_2020

SATURDAY 9 thJanuary, 2021

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Education, health, security No. 106237

–– key areas of focus, says President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali

–– urges Guyanese diaspora to return, explore economic opportunities

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03

Men at work

Major rehabilitation works are currently ongoing at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate to facilitate the first crop of the year, which is expected in February (See story on Page 2) (Adrian Narine photo)

Set NGSA with content up –– parents tell to Grade Five Education Ministry 12 PAGE

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

SATURDAY 9 thJanuary, 2021

’

Education, health, security No. 106237

–– key areas of focus, says President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali

–– urges Guyanese diaspora to return, explore economic opportunities

PAGE

03

Men at work

Major rehabilitation works are currently ongoing at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate to facilitate the first crop of the year, which is expected in February (See story on Page 2). (Adrian Narine photo)

Set NGSA with content up –– parents tell to Grade Five Education Ministry 12 PAGE

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Major rehabilitation works ongoing at Uitvlugt Estate

By Naomi Parris

MAJOR rehabilitation works are currently ongoing at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate to facilitate the first crop of the year, which is expected in February.

This was revealed during a tour of the estate on Friday, led by the estate’s management team, where media operatives were given an inside scope of the daily operations.

During the tour, Lochan Deokaran, a shift manager attached to the estate, disclosed that works are also set two begin soon to replace one of the chimneys at the estate.

“The state of this chimney is very poor, as you notice; it has a lot of pillars and wood on it, and it partially rotten. We had to use some reinforcement as stiffeners to keep it going throughout the year, because we did not have the material at hand to get it done,” Mr. Deokaran said.

He explained that the chimney will be replaced

with a three-CR chimney from the Whales Sugar Estate.

Deokaran further stated that the chimney’s current condition poses a hazardous threat to the estate and the many staffers who work in the vent’s environs.

“In this state, it poses a threat to the workforce, because if the chimney lean and fall, it can damage the work force; it can damage the entire area, and if anyone is walking and passing. So, basically, this is what we are doing right now,” the shift manager said.

The new chimney, which will be installed by February of this year, according to Deokaran, will be taller, and will also decrease the amount of ash that is usually blown in the residential communities.

The replacement is expected to be completed within two weeks; it will see an improvement of safety status, as well as a reduction in fuel consumption.

Additionally, works are currently being carried out

Mr. Lochan Deokaran, a shift manager at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate on the crystallizer system of the estate to ensure improve-

ment of sugar quality, grain size, factor recoveries, and increase in sugar extraction.

According to Goy Romain, another shift manager at the estate, the current system is scheduled for a complete overhaul, due to the deplorable condition it is in.

“We are scheduled to do a complete rehabilitation of the crystallizer system and the drives, and the cooling and heating,” Romain said, adding: “The reason being with the rehabilitation works will cause us to gain more sugar; it will increase grain growth and crystal sizes.”

Romain explained that the current system would have become ineffective over a period of time, slowing down the work of the

estate. Nevertheless, he said rehabilitation work will begin during the current outof-crop period.

“What we are planning to during this out-of-crop period and the next out-ofcrop period is to completely rehabilitate and do back each and every one of them, so we can get more effectiveness and more crystals,” he said, adding: “This will help us to boost our overall production, and reduce in our cost.”

He further explained that the current system, from time-to-time, would have break downs, which slow down the work of the entire estate.

“With the current system, what happens between time-to-time it would stall

on us; and when it stalls, it increases our boiling- house levels, and that now will slow down the process. And with that slowing the process, it would slow down everything. It’s like a ripple effect,” he said.

Rehabilitation on the crystallizer system and process pumps will see an improvement in sugar quality, and more sugar being produced.

Additionally, Deokaran revealed that works will also be carried out on the estate’s punt dumper area, with a new cane-washing system. This, he noted, will see less extraneous matter entering the factory; especially mud, thus improving sugar production.

61-year-old found with pistol, ammo arrested A SIXTY-ONE-yearold driver, who was found with an illegal .38 revolver and five matching rounds in the vicinity of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, West Bank Demerara, was arrested by police on Thursday.

Police said the man is a resident of Charlotte Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

Reports indicate that

at the time of the discovery, the suspect was driving a motor car when a party of policemen drawn from CID Headquarters, and lead by an officer, observed him acting in a suspicious manner and decided to stop him.

A search was conduct on the 61-year-old man and the vehicle he was driving.

Following the find,

The seized firearm and ammunition the driver was arrested and taken into custody.

He is assisting police with their investigation.

Apology IN the January 8, 2021 edition of the Guyana Chronicle under the headline, ‘Aubrey Norton owns house occupied by alleged Ponzi scheme operator,’ the story indicated that the Track ‘A’ Coldingen, East Coast Demerara house where the shooting incident on 6 January, 2021 occurred, belong to People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) executive member Aubrey Norton.

While the proprietor of the house is one Aubrey Norton, it is not the Aubrey Norton who is the PNCR executive.

The Guyana Chronicle

understood from a police report issued into the said shooting incident that the house belonged to one Aubrey Norton. Upon a visit to the premises, a victim of the incident identified herself as the wife of Aubrey Norton, which was inadvertently conveyed as her being the wife of the PNC/R member. It was subsequently discovered that there are two completely different Aubrey Nortons.

Upon discovery of the error, the Guyana Chronicle contacted the PNCR executive and apologised to him, an apology which he accepted.

The Guyana Chroni-

cle subsequently noticed a statement from Aubrey Norton, the PNC/R executive member, which insinuated that the story was published pursuant to instructions from the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy. The Guyana Chronicle would like to elucidate that no such direction was given and that the misunderstanding was an error and genuine mistake.

The Guyana Chronicle hereby retracts the said story and issues a sincere, unreserved apology to executive member of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton.

There was no inten-

PNCR Executive Aubrey Norton tion of malice, or character assassination as it was a genuine error and clear case of misunderstanding.

This publication deeply regrets any inconvenience caused to Norton and/or his family in any way.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Education, health, security –– key areas of focus, says President Ali

–– urges Guyanese diaspora to return, explore economic opportunities

President Dr Irfaan Ali

By Rabindra Rooplall GUYANA is ripe for investment and Guyanese in the diaspora who are willing to return home or invest here will benefit from a conducive business environment and enhanced health, education and security systems.

This is according to President, Dr Irfaan Ali, in an interview with Farook Juman, on a radio programme on WPAT 930 AM Radio, Manhattan, New York, on Friday.

The diaspora plays a key role in supporting families in Guyana.

Between 2006 and 2015, there was great interest and movement in Guyana along with investments from the diaspora. Today, Dr. Ali said, the environment is riper for investment with the oil and gas sector on stream.

With the emerging oil and gas sector, the President said government is working to not only strengthen traditional sector, but to open new areas and new opportunities.

“We see great potential for the diaspora to bring their capital resources back here. As a matter of fact, we are now discussing financial instruments through which we can have all categories and levels of the diaspora involved and integrated in the development of our country,” the President said.

He explained that the diaspora is accustomed to a certain level of service, whether public or private, and in Guyana, these services, especially in the areas of health,

security and education, will be strengthened to the level of international standards.

When these things are done, the President said the decision to return to Guyana becomes easier as these concerns were raised by the diaspora.

“We also have part-time investors who invest their resources to come and go, but on coming back on a permanent basis, issues of security, issues of healthcare, education, sports services, government services are critical areas of interest to the diaspora and these are the areas we are targeting, investing to improve and to make it better and to ensure we create an enabling environment,” President Ali said.

However, he noted that a bugbear has been too much focus being placed on the negatives without acknowledging the positives in Guyana. This setback, he noted, has created a negative perception of Guyana in the diaspora.

“The ‘what if’, oh, I would come there but what if this, or what if that. I think we need to have a positive outlook, the opportunities are there, you can’t understand the opportunities from a third hand or second hand perspective, you have to come here, do your research and look at the areas the country is moving towards, look at the opportunities and plan your own path,” the Head of State said, noting that government can only create the enabling environment.

INFRASTRUCTURE According to the President, there will be three tiers of infrastructural development, starting from the community level which begins with improvement of the healthcare systems, road network, educational and sports facilities.

These, he said, will be addressed in current and upcoming budgets.

Further, the President said growth opportunities or hubs will be created within a cluster of communities that can generate employment.

The second tier, he noted, will focus on regional development and key investment opportunities in the various regions.

And on that note, he pointed to Region Three as an example.

“You will see the development of agro-processing facilities; you will see greater use of the Essequibo River in terms of investment hubs and this will, of course, create various growth polls, and to facilitate this, we are not talking only about the new Demerara Harbour Bridge that will have a four-lane road going from the harbour bridge

to Parika, but also the Wales Development Authority and the landing of the gas to shore pipeline in Region Three, which will have a big industrial development taking place that will be linked to power generation, but we are looking at the possibility of a propane and LPG plant,” the President said.

These developments in Region Three, the President said, will create a population push to bring about urbanisation and regionalisation which will be supported by the housing programme that will create jobs and stimulate the banking sector.

Further, he said another alternative access road will be created from Timehri, East Bank Demerara linking Region Three, then going to Bartica. This is expected to significantly reduce the cost and time of travelling.

Additionally, Dr. Ali said there will also be a national energy plan aimed at reducing the cost of power by 50 per cent by 2025.

At tier three, the President said there will be transformational development in terms of infrastructure and these would include working with Suriname in bridging the Corentyne River. This will create an entire new logistics hub, which is linked to private sector development and the plan of a deep-water harbour.

In Region 10, the President said the bauxite industry and the mining sectors will have to be transformed into service sectors, where engineering, welding and other services will supplement the industry.

He also noted that call centres will boost employment in the region.

Meanwhile, in Region Five, he said that there will be a national aquaculture master plan, and pointed out that “in every region there will be creation of opportunities and you have to go after those opportunities.”

Government is also working to strengthen sugar to make it viable and sustainable.

From a conservative perspective, the President said that within the next five years, there should be five new hotels up and running.

“We are also supporting private healthcare and private education to make it globally competitive so that we can have foreign currency earnings from these services, creating a hub for health and educational services.”

Other developments in the pipeline include building a new city, a new highway from Ogle, East Coast Demerara to Diamond, EBD to Timehri airport, which reduces travel time while linking the new city.

West Coast Berbice murders: FBI providing technical assistance

THE US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is providing the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with technical assistance in its probe into the murders of West Coast Berbice teens, Joel and Isaiah Henry, and Haresh Singh.

Recently, President Irfaan Ali said he was aware that the Police Force reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for some assistance. The government had also engaged the Caribbean’s Regional Security System (RSS).

“I have told the police that whatever additional help they

need and we can facilitate, we will,” the President had said.

The mutilated bodies of the Henry Boys were discovered on September 6 in the Cotton Tree backdam, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Three days later, Singh was found in a bloodied state in the Number Three Village backlands, hours after he left home on his motorcycle to transport water for his relatives who were working on their farm.

The gruesome deaths sent shockwaves throughout the country and resulted in widespread public outrage and mass protests.

Meanwhile, Dr. Fondebrider, who is the Director of the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (EAAF), came to Guyana recently on a fact-finding mission, to determine whether the EAAF can provide assistance to the local authorities as they investigate these murders.

Before his departure, he requested key documents from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), including the autopsy reports, reports from the crime scene and the complementary analysis, among other things.

These would enable him to offer his opinion and advice.

Dead: Haresh Singh

Dead: Cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force gets down to business

THE 19-member National COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force headed by Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony got down to business on Friday, as the body met for the first time and began discussing the rollout of the vaccines in a few months’ time.

According to a release from the Ministry of Health, the “broad-based” Task Force includes representatives from several departments in the Ministry of Health, the National COVID-19 Task Force, other government agencies and the private sector.

The ministry said that this team of experts will meet every Friday to discuss the strategic implementation plan to monitor the rollout of a safe, effective and efficient vaccination programme.

“We want to ensure that we are prepared for the roll out of vaccines, and so they (the Task Force) will be looking at our preparedness and working on a vaccine preparedness and roll- out plan, then of course, ensuring that all the sites where vaccines will be administered are ready,” the minister was quoted as saying.

He added: “They will have to ensure that all the elements regarding the use of vaccines will be in place.

I would imagine that from the Vaccines Task Force, we will have several sub-committees that would be carrying out specific tasks.”

This Task Force will inform the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on the evolving vaccination situation. Already, Minister Anthony has indicated that efforts have

Saturday January 9, 2021 – 01:30hrs –– 13:00hrs

been made to create a draft training manual on how to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The procurement process for cold-storage facilities and distribution has already begun.

These are both important activities because the COVID-19 vaccines are unique. On one hand, they will be administered to adults, starting first with healthcare workers and elderly persons with comorbidities (which puts them at greater risk of contracting COVID-19).

This is a departure from the focus of Guyana’s vaccination system, through which vaccines are administered to children.

COLDER-THANNORMAL STORAGE FACILITIES Additionally, some of the COVID-19 vaccines require colder-than-normal storage facilities.

Though Guyana does not yet know which of the vaccines it will receive, Dr. Anthony indicated that the country would have the appropriate cold-chain and ultra-cold chain infrastructure to accommodate any vaccine.

This first meeting was

Members of the National Vaccines Task Force during their first meeting held at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) held in the boardroom of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The members appointed include: Minister of Health and Chairman of the Task Force, Dr. Frank Anthony; Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh; Director-General of Regional Health Services, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo; Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton; Deputy Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Veronica Griffith; Director of the Surveillance Unit, Sasha Walrond; and, Officer in Charge of Health Com-

munications, Shabana Shaw.

The Cold Chain Technician is John Ramotar, while the Pharmacy representation is made by Dr. Karishma Jeeboo. It was noted that immunology expertise will be sourced externally when needed.

Additionally, there are representatives from various agencies and organisations, including: Director of the Food & Drug Analyst Department, Dr. Marlan Cole; a representative from the Joint Services, Clifton Hicken; representative from the Guyana Revenue Authority, Lance Wills; representative from the Pan-American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO), Dr. Luis Codina; and representative from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Irfan Akhtar.

Dr. Malika Mootoo is representing the private health sector while Joann Bond and Prema Roopnarine are representing the Attorney General’s office and the

Ministry of Local Government, respectively.

“In making the appointments, Dr. Anthony explained that a deliberate decision was taken to appoint members who possess specific skill sets, as would be required for any national immunisation programme in general, but more importantly having regard to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in particular,” the ministry’s release noted.

“The members are public service professionals who are familiar with immunisation programmes, cold-storage operations and medical supply chains, as well as private sector representatives who have been trained in vaccination campaigns and who understand the expectations, thereby representing a diverse blend of people who have the required expertise and commitment to this national effort in response to COVID-19,” he said in the release.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

54 students, staff at dorms test positive for COVID-19

By Vishani Ragobeer THERE are currently 54 students, teachers and other members of staff who have tested positive for the coronavirus in dorm facilities across the country, according to Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony.

During his daily COVID-19 update with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday, Dr. Anthony highlighted that based on the information received up to Friday, 30 students who returned to the dorm facilities tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while 11 teachers and 13 other members of staff also tested positive.

The Health Minister noted that all of the patients have been placed in isolation. Some persons have been placed in institutional isolation, such as at the isolation facility in Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, which can be utilised by infected individuals in Region Four.

In some regions, however, there are greater

accessibility challenges to such facilities due to the expansive geography of the region; and it may be difficult to utilise another place -- besides the dorm facility -- to institute institutional isolation.

Therefore, Dr. Anthony said that some students and staff are in isolation in separate rooms in the same dorm facilities to which they have returned. Here, he said, much emphasis is placed on abiding by safety protocols.

There are dorms in Regions One, Two, Four, Five, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10. There have been cases recorded in all of these regions, according to the Health Minister.

It is likely that the number of students and members of staff who have been infected with COVID-19 will increase, since students are still returning to these dorm facilities for school.

The new school term began on Monday last, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministries of Health and Education have collaborated to ensure that all students return-

Students at the West Demerara Secondary School ‘social distancing’ during class ing from their homes to the dorm facilities are tested for the virus.

This is done to ensure that those indi-

viduals are identified, isolated and taken care of, while preventing a further spread of the disease.

Aurora Secondary staff member tests positive for COVID-19 A TEAM from the COVID-19 section of the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supernaam) on Friday visited the Aurora Secondary School to conduct tests on staff members who were in close contact with a colleague who has tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the staff member, who is attached to the school’s dormitory, is currently in quarantine at the Suddie Public Hospital.

The school’s three security guards, secretary, librarian, and a teacher who had contact with the positive staff member, took the

members told this newspaper.

Those staff members who took the test are expected to remain at home until the results are available.

They were also advised to continue to wear their masks, and to build their immune systems while indoors.

A staff member being tested for COVID-19 test. The man’s child, this newspaper understands, was also tested.

Staff said that they became scared after they learnt that the staffer had contracted the deadly virus.

“We were scared because we were close to the positive case; as such, we ensured we called the COVID team to test us early. It’s always good to know your status,” one of the staff

A doctor updating her records after taking the samples

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Inclusivity, unity and equity in governance MANY persons in the civic component of the PPP/C joined the partnership because it is recognised that the PPP is an all-inclusive party in whIch all members are treated as part of an extended family, with one ultimate goal – to achieve national peace, progress and prosperity in a democratic society.

Inclusivity is the very foundation of the guiding principles of the party because, paramount to every endeavour of the PPP, one enduring reality prevails, which is that ours is a nation of a tapestry of several ethnicities and cultures, all contributing richly to the national whole; the strength of the party resides in the recognition and acceptance, and even the celebration of this fact.

The civic component of the PPP/C

partnership is not a political strategy but a genuine consociation between non-political social activists and the political party that has piloted the struggle for democracy in Guyana. The PPP has, since its conception and formation, demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity and equity for all in its goals for Guyana’s independence and development.

However, the reverberations of the European plantocracy’s ‘divide and conquer’ strategy to control the Guyanese workforce still impacts this nation, to the point where suspicion of each other continues to impede the achievement of the full potential for developmental growth in the country.

The PPP/C leadership never appeals to one race in preference to another; but calls upon every Guyanese citizen, as it

has always done, to come together and defeat the forces that are destroying the unity of working-class Guyanese and their survival systems.

Taking into consideration the Coalition’s utterances and actions, one cannot doubt the veracity of reports, and a public perception, of a coalition-sponsored team of propagandists who are sustaining a smear campaign against the PPP/C leadership through letters to the media, perpetuating the allegations of racist utterances and actions, as well as fraud and corrupt practices, constantly regurgitated by well-known public figures, that are carefully designed to feed that campaign on the principle that lies eventually become entrenched in public fora if told often enough.

Although the governing party con-

stantly challenges the perpetrators of these vile allegations to engage in a public debate at a forum of their choice, it is obvious that it is not in their interest to engage in any debate that will expose their allegations as well-crafted untruths, engineered to deflect public attention from the very authentic stories and reality of their own divisive, corrupt and destructive practices during the approximately five years they have been presiding over this country’s affairs.

Working together for a better Guyana is the mantra of the PPP/C, which welcomes even their detractors to be a part of a partnership fostered by a party that forever holds out a hand in friendship to every Guyanese, without consideration of race, class or creed.

Enduring features of the American Elections and Constitution Dear Editor, TRUMP and his white supremacist supporters have literally and figuratively thrown everything at the American electoral system with the objective of derailing the will of the people.

They failed because of the enduring features of the American ethos and constitutional principles. They did not succeed because of the following, namely: (1) the real independence and autonomy of the electoral bodies in each state. Trump tried to influence his fellow Republican governors who were in charge of the battleground states to declare false statements of polls in his favour after he had lost. They all unequivocally refused to do so because for them, upholding the constitution and

the rule of law is paramount to party loyalty; (2) The independence of the judiciary.

Trump’s legal team tried every legal trick to have the statement of polls overturned and failed at each and every attempt. This is despite the fact that the Supreme Court is now more conservative-leaning due to Trump’s nominations. The same judges appointed by Trump voted against his frivolous legal actions because for them, upholding the constitution and laws of America is above any megalomaniac. This is akin to our Chief Justice (ag) Madam Roxane George being the bulwark of defining the independence of our jurisprudence in her flawless judgements during our elections fiasco; (3) Integrity, Intelligence and independence of the legislature.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz tried to have

the Senate replace the Democratic Electoral College members in the battleground states with Republican nominees in order to have Trump declared the winner. Over 90 per cent of the Republicans Senators voted against Cruz’s motion. The legislatures in both the House and Senate of America demonstrated that when it comes to upholding the constitution of America, it supersedes any party line or party loyalty.

Just imagine if a similar vote of a similar nature were in front of PNC/AFC Parliaments; (4) Maintaining law and order.

The Capitol police of Washington did not initially respond promptly and proactively to Trump’s protesters, causing the invasion of the Capitol. Some of the ranks operated in a partisan manner, taking selfies and allowing access to restricted areas

to protesters. Immediately there is now a full investigation and resignations will be shortly forthcoming.

This is to establish that at all times the law protecting agencies should be impartial and nonpartisan. Lastly, one of the enduring features of the American constitution is that the founding fathers made sure that laws were in place to guard against executive lawlessness. It is because of the rule of law that Trump now faces calls for removal and possible impeachment.

This is the way a democratic society should operate when faced with deranged and autocratic presidents.

Yours Sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Olivia Bess admitted to the Bar

SUCCESSFULLY navigating the journey towards being admitted to the local Bar is one of the most fulfilling moments and on Friday that accomplishment was celebrated with much pride and joy by young attorney, Olivia Bess.

Making the day extra special was the fact that her petition was brought before Justice Sandra Kurtzious at the Demerara High Court

by Attorney-at-law Keavon Bess, who happens to be her older brother.

The proud brother, beaming with pride, presented the court with a brief biography of the newest Bess attorney.

Bess was born on the 22nd day of July, 1995. She was born to Compton and Rosemari Bess and is the youngest of five siblings.

Bess, during her admission, said her success is one

for her entire family, noting that she was able to reach this point only because of the love, support and sacrifices of her parents, who pushed not just her to continue striving for excellence, but also her siblings.

“Often, it is easy for us to reflect on our journey to success without remembering the persons who sacrificed and carried us on their backs.

Today is not just about me, it

From right: Justice Sandra Kurtzious with new attorney, Olivia Bess (centre) and her brother, Attorney Keavon Bess (Delano Williams photo)

is also about all those people who sacrificed to get me here today. We begin with my parents. They started their life together with one motto, ‘Children must be better than us at all cost’ and they were able to accomplish just that,” said Bess.

She recalled in her journey that she had experienced many ups and downs and noted that like many others, it was filled with many sleepless nights, lots of studying, tears of pain and tears of joy.

Nevertheless, Bess noted that no matter the challenge, she had one goal in mind and she stayed focused on it.

“I remember times when it felt like everyone was outperforming me, and I remember times when I felt like I chose the wrong profession.

Nonetheless, it was the teachings of my parents that made me determine to continue along the path of success regardless of the challenging circumstances that presented itself, and for that alone I am forever grateful,” Bess expressed.

Prior to her journey into the legal profession, Bess attended Friendship Nurs-

ery School and St. Andrews and Sacred Heart Primary Schools. At the latter, Bess wrote her grade six assessment and was granted a place at the Tutorial High School.

After doing exceptionally well at her academics, she was transferred to Saint Joseph High School. There, she wrote 11 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and did well. She subsequently attended St. Rose’s High where she sat several subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and also did well.

In 2014, Bess applied and was accepted into the University of Guyana to read for a Bachelor’s of Laws degree. Whilst studying for her LLB, she also studied for and obtained a Certificate in Psychology at the University of Guyana and a certificate in Business Etiquette at the Carnegie School of Management and Home Economics.

After completing her LLB in 2017, the following year she was accepted into the Hugh Wooding Law School to read for her Legal Education Certificate and on

Olivia Bess, Attorney-at-law the 16th day of November, 2020, she was awarded the Legal Education Certificate by the Council of Legal Education, Hugh Wooding Law School.

According to Bess, her journey does not stop with being admitted to the local Bar; she intends to specialise in Business Law. The young attorney actively participates in voluntary work and has indicated that she intends to continue with this passion. Bess is one of the co-founders of Guyana Activate, which is a voluntary organisation designed to assist small businesses in Guyana.

Sam Hinds a model leader

Dear Editor,

FORMER President and Prime Minister Sam Hinds is a model leader. He has consistently opposed elections-rigging.

He is among a few leaders who courageously championed democracy since the launch of GUARD. He excoriated African leaders who closed their eyes and mouths to rigging by the PNC+AFC and or encouraged Africans to enjoin rigged elections in Guyana between 1965 and 1985 and in 2020. Mr Hinds’ (no relation to WPA’s controversial Dr David Hinds) consistency of character and principle is to be emulated, especially by emerging young politicians and leaders.

I also categorically condemn those who sought to besmirch the character of this respected African elder and illustrious son of Guyana, who served various periods as Prime Minister and President for almost 23 years. I spent much time between 1966 and 1992 and again on 2020, combating rigging without looking forward for benefits unlike several others. So I can relate to Sam. The international community, diplomats in Guyana, and local and international observers condemned the attempted election coup of last March 2, describing the efforts as a transparent attempt to publicly rig the 2020 elections, including the 1978 rigged referendum by the PNC. Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, and other PNC leaders presided over and directed rigged elections

in Guyana. One does not forget the speech in Atlanta by David Granger on the Coalition with regard to remaining in office. Sam Hinds rightly and courageously took some African leaders to task.

Sam, as he is popularly called, is a man of integrity and decency. Unlike most other African leaders, he could not bring himself to close his eyes on or support electoral fraud for the PNC to remain in government. He could not bring himself to support those who see Indians and other ethnic groups in multi-cultural Guyana as enemies who must be kept down and denied power through electoral fraud. Key Africans in the election machinery were instructed to rig the election to keep the PNC in office. Sam could not support such skullduggery. He embraces equality and respect for the law and the will of the voters.

He could not bring himself to support those who sought to keep Indians and other ethnic groups in multi-cultural Guyana out of power and as enemies, who must be kept down.

What if leaders of Indians and other ethnic groups had instructed their people to engage in electoral fraud?

Clearly, Sam endorses the words of wisdom expressed by the African academic, Dr. Chuba Okakigbo, who stated: “If you are emotionally attached to your tribe or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, then your education is useless. Your exposure is useless.

If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments,

you are a liability to mankind.”

Contrary to what one Afro-Guyanese racist penned denigrating Sam Hinds, Sam served his race and other ethnic groups with distinction. He was no racist. While he was PM, he had responsibility for energy, among other departments. He made sure that Linden continued to receive free, uninterrupted electricity when the rest of the nation was suffering from blackouts. Also, as a Lindener, he played a crucial role in rescuing the bauxite industry that was earlier closed by the PNC. He championed and delivered to bauxite workers more than their union leaders; bauxite workers benefited tremendously under the PPP. Moses Nagamootoo, who was Minister of Information in the PPP administration of the 19990s, praised Sam for his leadership.

In the PPP government, unlike his successor Nagamootoo in the Coalition, Prime Minister Sam Hinds was part and parcel of the central decision-making process. The PPP government listened to his views and adopted his recommendations unlike Nagamootoo who was ignored by the PNC leadership during the Coalition’s tenure.

Sam was leader of a PPP government, a leadership that worked collectively to implement manifesto promises.

Africans’ standard of living improved the most among all ethnic groups under the PPP. Sam Hinds was part of that effort. Some of the major achievements of the PPP govern-

ment included a drastic reduction in mortgage rates and restoration of the country’s economic viability after two consecutive decades of negative growth. The record would show that under the PPP, some 100,000 house lots were given out, with a substantial amount given to Africans. Many houses were constructed and distributed fairly among all groups, including Africans. In his last seven years in office, 2007-2014, Sam was part of the team that led the country to seven years of consecutive economic growth. The IMF report on Guyana said real GDP growth averaged 4.5 per cent annually for that period.

Africans benefited from that growth just like other groups.

The entire country’s infrastructure benefited under the PPP; Linden received new roads after 1992. There are many more achievements of Africans with Sam’s leadership; no need to document all.

No African leader has done more than Sam Hinds for Blacks post-1992. And the achievements were from a government that governed for all races. Sam Hinds’ governance was inclusive; it was for all races. T hat is why he is respected and adored by all races. His polling numbers have soared. He did not see things in terms of race, but humanity. Other leaders should emulate him.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Swift response from firefighters saves Fogarty’s

By Jared Liddell

A FIRE which reportedly originated from one of the extractor fans in the kitchen of the Fogarty’s building on Friday was quickly extinguished by members of the Guyana Fire Service.

The fire service has since launched an investigation into the incident. The fire

service around 09:30hrs received several reports about smoke emanating from the building, and immediately, the firefighters sprang into action.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said as part of the fire service’s efforts to control the spread of the blaze, several fire service vehicles were deployed, including the re-

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle

cently commissioned $292M fire boat.

“This area is one of the high-risk areas in the city of Georgetown that we know we have a very robust fire response whenever a call is made, regardless of what the situation is, we have done so and we have been able to mitigate whatever could have been a more frightening situation at this building,” he said, adding: “If I might add, historically this area was one of the areas that witnessed one of the most devastating fires in Georgetown in 1945; the great fire where this entire ward was wiped out, so I’m glad we do not have a repeat of that today.”

Gentle stated that although it took the fire service just eight minutes to arrive at the scene, he believes that the congestion in the area poses a serious threat to emergency response.

The fire chief noted that currently talks are being held with the Minister of Home Affairs and several other key personnel to address

Firemen at the scene ensuring that the blaze is under control this issue.

“I must say that the ranks who responded here were prompt; we had some setbacks, especially our movement of our equipment from the Central Fire Station area.

We took approximately eight minutes to clear up there because of congestion traffic and so on.

This is something we have to look at and maybe look at our strategies with

responding to these business areas… we realise the current state is impedance to emergency movement, not only fire but ambulances and everything else,” said Gentle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Woman charged with attempting to murder daughter granted $300, 000 bail ALMOST one month after allegedly beating her sixyear-old daughter unconscious before dumping her body in a nearby swamp, Drupattie Balkarran called “Natasha” made her first appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

Balkarran of Lot 43 Goed Bananen Land, East Canje, was not required to plead to the attempted murder charge which was read to her by Magistrate Renita Singh.

It is alleged that Balkarran, on December 13 last year, attempted to murder Jenita Ramsarran.

Jenita Ramsarran Police Prosecutor, Pravan Sayhu, objected to bail.

He stated that the child is still traumatised and that the accused has a history of physically abusing her.

He told the court that the accused may want to tamper with witnesses, who are her neighbours.

The prosecutor pointed out that the woman had reportedly confessed to committing the crime. In light of that, he suggested bail should not be granted.

Magistrate Singh later granted Balkarran $300,000 bail and ordered that she stay 100 feet away from the child and have no contact with her.

The matter was adjourned

Three years jail for illegal gun and ‘ammo’ ESAN Gibson, after being found guilty of being in possession of an illegal firearm and matching ammunition, was on Friday sentenced to three years in prison by Magistrate Delon Bess.

The matter was heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The court found that Gibson, on November 21, 2019, at Lot 80 Brutus Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, had in his possession a firearm, specifically a .380 pistol, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time. On the same day, and at the said location, he also had in his possession three .380 live rounds of ammunition, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

According to the facts, on the day in question, acting on information received, police

carried out an operation in First Street, Agricola, and proceeded to Lot 80 Brutus Street, Agricola. Upon noticing the police, Gibson ran into a building, causing the police to give chase behind him.

Eventually, the police discovered him hiding in a toilet, and when a search was executed on Gibson’s person, a firearm and the matching ammunition were found in his front pants waist. As a result, Gibson was arrested, told of the allegation and escorted to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were lodged. Gibson was charged for the offence.

Magistrate Bess ordered that Gibson be sentenced to two years in prison for the firearm charge, and one year in prison for being in possession of the illegal ammunition.

to January 27 and transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court.

The child’s father, Steve Ramsarran, told reporters at the court that while “little Shania” is recovering, the memories of that dreadful day is still fresh in her mind.

He said a computed tomography (CT) scan done on December 22 last, revealed that her skull is fractured. He explained it may take 6 to twelve weeks for the injury to heal.

On the day in question, the child was discovered in an unconscious state in a swamp about 500 feet away from her home. The discovery was made sometime after the accused had reported her missing.

The police, in a statement, disclosed that the child’s par-

Drupattie Balkarran called “Natasha” ents were separated some time ago and the father was given visitation rights to see her every Sunday.

Around 8:00 hours on the day in question, the father contacted the mother and

made arrangements to collect her. The mother stated that she prepared the child and left her playing in the yard.

The grandmother had recalled last seeing her granddaughter around 11:30 hours.

However, about 12:30 hours when the grandfather made checks for the child, he did not find her. As a result a search party was formed.

Neighbours and relatives combed the area. The child was eventually discovered by her grandfather, Satkar Balkaran, 63, who was part of the search party. A piece of wood was found next to the child’s battered body.

During interrogation, the mother allegedly admitted to investigators that she beat and dumped the child after she “dirtied” her clothes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

‘Face-off meeting’ set with selected asphalt plant employees

By Rehana Ahamad

BEFORE any legal action is taken, the officers fingered in mismanagement of the state-owned asphalt plant are scheduled to appear before a Human Resource (HR) Committee to answer for a series of questionable occurrences at the facility.

The plant, which is a subsidiary of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), was placed under the microscope following allegations of corruption highlighted in the local press in September 2020. A team of experts was assembled and an investigation commenced into the operations of the plant. The probe examined all dealings at the plant for the period 2013-2020. The investigation was wrapped up in December last, and the findings were submitted to Senior Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, on December 30.

That report was then forwarded to the Board of Di-

rectors of the DHBC, and after deliberations, it was decided that the board’s HR Committee would engage the officers who have been deemed culpable of wrongdoings at the plant.

“The board has found that particular operatives must be held accountable for the mismanagement and some of the

Rawlston Adams, Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation

breaches that took place, and in their deliberations, they (the board) needed to have a “face-off” interview with those persons,” Edghill told reporters on Friday.

He later confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that the DHBC Manager Rawlston Adams would be included on the list of persons to be questioned, as he was at the centre of one of the more startling findings of the investigation.

According to the report, he approved the purchase of an $897,000 wristband for himself, as a gift from the company on International Men’s Day 2019.

In the report, the investigative team facilitated responses from the DHBC on all of the findings. Responding to the concerns surrounding the very generous purchase, the company said that gift-giving was customary at the organisation, and that “Gifts were also given to all other men within the corporation.”

DISCRIMINATORY However, the gift purchases for all of the other men were valued at approximately only $10,000 each.

The investigating team determined that due to the lack of an independent approval system, the purchases can be deemed as misuse of the plant funds for personal gain.

Chairman of the investigative team, Chartered Accountant Chateram Ramdihal had explained that for such an expensive purchase, permission ought to have been sought from the Board of Directors, or in the absence of a board, the subject minister should have had the final say.

In the report, the team recommended that gifts to employees of the corporation be done in accordance with generally accepted principles,

and “at arm’s length.”

The probe found too that record-keeping and poor credit policies were not only costing the company millions in materials, but it had also created an avenue for mismanagement of the state’s resources, paving the way for gross corruption.

Nonetheless, Edghill said that based on the outcome of the HR meetings, the Board of Directors will determine suitable consequences for the culpable officers.

“The HR sub-committee of the board is to meet with them and interview them before formal action [is] to be taken. As far as I am aware, the chairman of the board is arranging for those interviews early next week,” Edghill said.

Edghill declined to comment on what some of the consequences are likely to

Senior Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill be, and whether legal action is likely in any of the cases.

“To say anything before that (the HR meeting), would be premature,” the minister maintained.

Region Two Chairperson urges farmers to invest in coconut industry – says it has ‘bright future’

By Indrawattie Natram

Henvil coconut water and said that she is frequently REGION Two (Pomer- exporting bottled coconuts oon-Supenaam) Chair- to Trinidad. She exported person Vilma De Silva is two containers of coconuts encouraging farmers in the to the Caribbean last year.

Pomeroon- Supenaam reThe regional chairperson gion to diversify and invest expressed optimism that in the coconut Industry with improved infrastructure which she said will lead to in the Pomeroon River, the big returns. industry will blossom.

De Silva made these She disclosed that she comments during an inter- plans to have discussions view with members of the with the relevant authorities media during a recent visit regarding the opening up to several flood-affected of additional lands in the areas.

Pomeroon River for coconut She said although Re- cultivation. gion Two is predominantly “Farmers in that area a rice-growing area, farmers are requesting [unblocked] need to think “outside the drainage. Once this can be box” and invest in coconuts. done, then Pomeroon can beShe explained that coconut come the breadbasket of the trees withstand the both wet Caribbean,” De Silva added. and dry-weather conditions.

When asked what is “Now that we have the stopping farmers from inflooding in the region, we vesting, De Silva opined are seeing cash crops perish- that most of them have to ing as well as rice; the coco- invest privately to conduct nut industry is not affected. drainage works which are These trees withstand any sometimes very expensive. weather, that’s why farmers Another hindrance is that need to invest wisely,” De most of the lands are leased Silva said. and farmers do not have De Silva who has ties to “Land Titles,” which makes the industry said that there it difficult to tap into the are huge demands for wa- banking system for loans. ter coconuts internationally “While the lands are and farmers need to tap into there, farmers make the those markets. She further money [but] they have to explained that the industry reuse [it] to reinvest because offers numerous opportuni- the banks are not lending ties in terms of adding value. money for further investShe is the proprietor of ment, since there is no form

Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva of assurance,” De Silva said.

However, De Silva is confident that under the PPP/C government prudent investments will be made in the drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems in the Pomeroon River. This in turn can stimulate development in that area.

She said once this is done, families will be able to cultivate and enjoy a better life.

According to De Silva, the Pomeroon areas were neglected by the previous administration.

For years farmers were suffering from poor drainage and irrigation which had led to them either migrating from the area or abandoning their farmlands.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Charity residents breathe sigh of relief as floodwaters begin to recede –– Black Bush, East Coast floodwaters also begin to recede

DAYS after Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha visited flood-affected areas in Charity on the Essequibo Coast, residents have begun to experience some amount of relief as floodwaters have started to recede.

The ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), along with the Region Two (Pomeroom-Supenaam) regional administration, were able to collaborate following a directive from the ministers to put systems in place to bring some degree of relief to affected residents.

It was reported that following the mobilisation of a drainage pump at Charity, floodwaters that had accumulated in several areas following days of persistent rainfall, began to recede.

Minister Mustapha, who instructed the NDIA during his visit last Tuesday to have the pump deployed to the area immediately, said that it was critical to put measures in place in order to bring some level of relief to those affected.

“I’m happy to report that just days after visiting these areas, we were able to bring some amount of relief to the residents who were affected. I would’ve instructed

our regional engineers to treat this issue with a great amount of urgency and to deploy a pump that operated in Windsor Castle to the area temporarily. When I visited the area with Prime Minister Phillips, I was able to assess

being,” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject minister added that the ministry is also working to develop long-term systems to combat flooding in vulnerable, low-lying areas across the country.

Works started in the Cane Grove cattle pasture

An area at Charity, Region Two, (Pomeroon-Supenaam) that was under water a few days ago the situation first- hand, and following consultations with my technical officers, it was determined that that was the best alternative for the time

Additionally, areas along the East Coast of Demerara are also experiencing some amount of relief after a visit by Minister Mustapha.

During the visit which took place on Wednesday last, Minister Mustapha instructed the NDIA to have two machines sent to the area to begin emergency works on several drainage channels that were in need of clearing.

Residents from Unity, Hope, Cane Grove and other areas along the coast who were affected, appealed to the minister for some assistance, noting that no maintenance works had been carried out on a number of areas’ main drainage channels and canals for some time.

On Thursday, the NDIA commenced clearing a number of canals that were blocked in Hope Estate areas on the East Coast of Demer-

ara, which has contributed to floodwaters receding in certain areas. Further, a machine was deployed to commence clearing of approximately 2,000 rods of drainage channel in Unity. That machine is expected to commence works today, with that intervention expected to service both farming and residential areas that are flooded.

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), have also dispatched extension officers to affected areas to assess the losses farmers have incurred.

To date, approximately 457

cash crop farmers and 92 livestock farmers from areas in Regions Two, Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), have been registered by NAREI and the GLDA (Guyana Livestock Development Authority) respectively for assistance from the ministry.

With rice cultivation in the irrigation phase, GRDB’s extension officers are currently monitoring the fields and will conduct a similar exercise should there be any reports of losses.

Farmers who have suffered from the flooding but have not registered are asked to contact their regional extension officers.

Restoration of City Hall likely to commence this year

By Richard Bhainie RESTORATION works on the iconic Georgetown City Hall building, which houses the offices of the Mayor of Georgetown, the City Council and the City Engineer, are likely to commence this year.

This was disclosed by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, during which he identified some of the plans his ministry has in store for the year.

The minister highlighted that preliminary studies into the restoration project have already been completed. The ministry will review the reports and construction works are slated to follow.

“The European Commis-

sion and some other stakeholders have done a report, so that will be re-evaluated during the course of next week and as soon as that is done, then we would be able to make some final determination,” he said.

Dharamlall explained that the project is a commitment of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government, which fits into plans to enhance the city of Georgetown.

He noted that the iconic 19th century gothic architectural marvel, the City Hall building, is a major tourism product and its restoration is necessary.

“We will be restoring the building to keep its image and its historical value; it also has a heritage value, it is a big tourism product and it’s part of the general landscape of Georgetown; it is also a

The Georgetown City Hall landmark. With all those into consideration, His Excellency is of the view that we have to get City Hall restored,” the minister said.

Dharamlall explained that due to the magnitude of the project, the execution will take a number of years to be completed and the ministry will expend an enor-

mous amount time to ensure that correct procedures are followed and things are done in a proper manner.

“It is important that the government take charge of this operation, because the current [City] Council is not transparent enough and we do not think that they are competent enough to

garner the resources and to execute the works that ought to be done,” Dharamlall said during the interview.

In 2019, the Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, informed the media that a sub-committee was established to speed up the reconstruction process of City Hall.

In February 2020, the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown launched a restoration fund for the complete rehabilitation of the historic City Hall building.

Narine on Friday informed this publication that the committee has not met for while due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, they are plans for the committee to meet soon to decide a way forward.

He explained that the bank account for the fund is fully functional and he urges

the public at large to make contributions.

In responding to the central government’s initiative to restore the building, Narine noted that there is an existing sum of over one billion owed to the Council, upon payment of which he would be able to initiate works at City Hall.

City Hall was designed by architect Ignatius Scoles, and the foundation stone was laid by Governor Henry Turner Irving on December 23, 1887. It was officially opened on July 1, 1889, by Governor Viscount Gormanston.

Over the years, the building has gradually descended into a deplorable state. There have been numerous appeals for the renovation and restoration of the beloved City Hall.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Set NGSA with content up to Grade Five –– parents tell Education Ministry

By Tamika Garnett

THE 2021 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) could be set using content only up to the Grade Five curriculum level, after parents and guardians of Grade Six students voted overwhelmingly for this option on Friday when a survey was carried out by the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The survey was done during the course of two virtual Zoom meetings, when the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and other MoE officials met with over 2,000 parents and guardians of Grade Six students.

The first meeting was held at 10:00hrs for parents and guardians of students hailing from Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Georgetown, while another meeting was held at 13:00hrs for parents and guardians of students from Regions Six,

Seven, Eight, Nine and 10.

The consultation meetings came one day after the ministry held a similar meeting with over 700 Grade Six teachers and primary school headteachers as part of its plan to work out a way forward for the sitting of the 2021 NGSA.

MEETING WITH GTU The MoE is now expected to meet with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) next week to discuss the format the NGSA will take when it is written this year.

During Friday’s meeting, the parents were asked to participate in a survey whereby they were asked what they thought “should be used to place current Grade 6 students into secondary schools?”.

Some of the options from which parents could select included having the students write the “Full exam. Papers One and Two, up to Grade

Six content”; “Full exam.

Paper One and Two, up to Grade Five content”; “No exam and use the Grade Two and Four Assessment results to place students”; “Paper One alone up to Grade Six content”; and “Math and English alone up to Grade Six.” In both meetings the parents largely voted for “Full exam. Papers 1 and 2, up to Grade 5 content”, while many parents rejected the idea of having the students being placed without the holding of any exams.

Written annually during the March/April Easter vacation, the NGSA involves students writing Paper One and Paper Two examinations in Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science, with the scores being used to determine how to place students in a secondary school.

Depending on their performance, students can be placed at one of six “national schools,” all based in the city,

or they are placed in a school within their region.

MUCH EFFORT Over the years, the assessment has become a big deal for the students and their parents, with many students often putting in much effort into aspiring to be among the “top students” who are awarded places at the senior secondary schools.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused schools to close since March, 2020, there has been much uncertainty over the way forward as it pertains to the hosting of the 2021 NGSA. In 2020, the situation saw the NGSA being pushed to being held in July instead of its customary March/April slot, and schools were partially reopened for the Grade Six students, so that they could work along with their teachers.

On Friday, Minister Manickchand told the parents that their contributions during the meetings would be considered as the ministry con-

tinues to contemplate its options going forward with the examinations. However, notwithstanding the anxiety, the minister clarified that the ministry could not offer any certainty on the dates at this time. Nonetheless, the minister reassured the parents that the MoE is working in the best interest of their children.

“What I can promise you is that we are not going to sit back and throw up our hands and give up. That’s not an option for us. We don’t have the option of taking the easy route.

We have the responsibility of making a decision in the best interest of the children of this country,” Manickchand said.

WILL BE INFORMED Manickchand noted that the nation will be informed as soon as a decision is made.

In the past, the minister had maintained that the holding of the exams will hinge on when the ministry will be able to allow the Grade Six students to return to schools, so that they can have fulltime access to in-person

teaching from their teachers.

The minister explained; however, that the decision on sending Grade Six pupils back out to school does not rest with the MoE, but is dependent on advice from the Ministry of Health and word from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development about the readiness of schools in all of the respective regions.

In the interim, as the Grade Six pupils remain home, they are being engaged virtually via a number of means, including timetabled programming on the Learning Channel, while the ministry has also distributed worksheets to all pupils across the country. The arrangement for virtual engagements did present limitations, due to unequal access across the country.

“There are many people that do not have access to the Internet, radio or television and there are parents that have difficulty using the worksheets with their children,” the minister had said.

Alleged fraudster gets $125, 000 bail A MAN, who allegedly committed several counts of fraud in 2018, on Friday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was released on a total of $125,000 bail by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Kavil Reece of Durban Street, Lodge denied all of the charges that were read to him.

It is alleged that the accused, on August 3, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $3M from Clement Glasgow, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell a property situated at Lot 60 Barima Avenue Bel Air Park, Georgetown, knowing same to be false.

It is alleged that he on August 23, 2018 at Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Lot 200 201, Camp Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, uttered to Tredessa Emanuel, a GRA Clerk II, one application for a Land Compliance Certificate, knowing same to be forged.

Further, it is also alleged that on September 23, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained the sum of $250,000 from Clement Glasgow, by falsely pretending that he was in a position to sell a property situated at Lot 60 Barima Avenue Bel Air

Park, Georgetown, knowing same to be false.

According to the facts, Glasgow is known to Reece. During the month of August 2018, Reece contacted Glasgow informing him that he has a Power of Attorney to sell a property located at Lot 60 Barima Avenue Bel Air Park, Georgetown, for the price of $7M. Glasgow agreed to purchase the property and paid $3.25M. Together with his payment, Glasgow repaired the property which amounted to $12,000,000. Reece subsequently visited the GRA where he submitted a forged application for a Land Compliance Certificate. However, it was observed by GRA officials that the signature on the document was not that of the owner and that the property was valued at $110,000,000. The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was conducted. Subsequently, Reece was arrested and charged.

Magistrate McGusty ordered that Reece be placed on $75,000 bail for obtaining by false pretense and $50,000 bail for uttering a forged document.

The matter was adjourned until January 29 and was transferred to Court Two.

Woman charged with allegedly setting house afire after ‘lovers’ quarrel’ A WOMAN who allegedly set fire to her lover’s house after a heated argument, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was granted $50,000 bail

by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Lashawna Desanzea of Stevedore Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, pleaded not guilty to setting fire to a building.

The charge alleged that the accused on December 29, 2020, at North Ruimveldt, unlawfully and maliciously set fire to a building, specifically, a dwelling house valued $3 million, that contained household appliances valued $150,000, property of Delon Joseph.

According to the prosecution, Desanzea and Joseph at the time of the incident were in a relationship and have a child together. The ac-

cused at times, would spend time at the house.

On the day in question at about 20:00hrs, Joseph and Desanzea were in the bedroom at his home when Desanzea told Joseph that she wanted something to eat. However,Desanzea’s request to Joseph turned into an argument.

This resulted in Joseph leaving the house.

An angry Desanzea then proceeded to the kitchen where she lit a kero stove which she threw on the bed. She quickly made her exit from the house and went to the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost. By this time, the house was destroyed by the fire. Desanzea was subsequently arrested and charged.

The matter was adjourned until January 29.

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Smith hundred undermined by superb Jadeja (ESPNCRICINFO) - Australia's Steve Smith ended his 16-month wait for a Test hundred on day two of a finely poised third Test against India.

Smith scored 131 from 226 balls, his first century since the fourth Ashes Test against England in September 2019.

Marnus Labuschagne made 91 but, after he fell, Smith received little support, the final seven wickets falling for 106 as the hosts were dismissed for 338.

and bowled for 26 by Josh Hazlewood and Gill was caught at gully off Pat Cummins for 50, his maiden Test half-century.

The four-Test series is level at 1-1, with the final Test in Brisbane starting on 15 January.

The 31-year-old last week lost top spot in the Test batting rankings to New Zealand's Kane Williamson.

Although he made two successive centuries in November in Australia's one-

suggested he was frustrated by discussions about his form.

"I'm reading lots of things people say about out of form, but think there's a difference between out of form and out of runs," the former Australia captain said.

"It was just nice to score a few and maybe keep a few people quiet.

"I mean, it was only about three or four weeks ago that I scored two hundreds at the Sydney Cricket

took Australia from their overnight 166-2 to 206-2 before Labuschagne edged spinner Ravindra Jadeja to slip to end a partnership of 100.

Australia should have posted a more significant score but Smith could only form small partnerships with the middle and lower order as batsmen fell cheaply. Mitchell Starc, with 24, was the only other Australian to pass 20 on the day.

Smith, who spent 46 balls in the nineties,

Nathan Lyon is all smiles after Josh Hazlewood pulls off a stunning direct hit to run out Hanuma Vihari, Australia vs India, 3rd Test, Sydney, 3rd day, January 9, 2021 (Š Getty Images)

India battled to 96-2 at the close in Sydney, 242 runs behind.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 70 for the opening wicket before Rohit was caught

day series win over India, he had managed only 10 runs in four innings in the Test series, including his first duck for four years in the second Test.

The 14 innings between centuries was the longest spell in his career since going 22 innings from debut in 2010 to maiden hundred in 2013.

He averaged 34 during his latest quiet run - a significant drop from his astonishing career average of 61.33.

Smith's celebration upon reaching a 27th Test hundred suggested relief and frustration, rather than happiness.

'It was nice to keep people quiet' Smith's response when asked about his century also

Ground. So yeah, it kind of just makes me laugh sometimes when people say that kind of thing.

"I love playing here at the SCG - it's a great place to bat. It's my home ground and my mum and dad were here, so they were able to see that."

Smith had not been any less relentless in his preparation before recent matches - his wife Dani posted a video of him on Instagram shadow batting in full whites in his hotel room the night before the Test...

How the day played out Smith began the day on 31, having shown increased attacking intent at the start of his innings on the opening day. He hit five fours in his first 25 balls on day one.

He and Labuschagne

reached his hundred with a trademark clip off the pads.

He received a loud ovation from the 9,000 spectators allowed inside the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Eventually he was last man out, brilliantly run out by a direct hit from square leg from Ravindra Jadeja, who also took 4-62.

In reply, Rohit and Gill - India's third different opening partnership in three Tests - batted impressively before both fell in the space of six overs.

Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Ajinkya Rahane batted defensively until the close and, should they form a significant partnership on Saturday, India will be favourites to win this Test.

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

2021 AP Invitational – the ‘gateway’ to Tokyo Games for Caribbean athletes

By Rawle Toney

THE June 19 Aliann Pompey Invitational (API) could be one of the most important track and field events in South America and the Caribbean, since it can potentially be the last resort for athletes who are hoping to qualify for this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

Like everything else, globally, the 2020 edition of the AP Invitational was postponed because of the advent of the novel coronavirus.

However, Pompey believes that the move may have been a blessing in disguise, with some additional challenges in ensuring the safety of athletes.

The AP Invitational, which ran off its inaugural event in 2016, saw 11 athletes, all from overseas, moving on to compete at the Olympic Games in Rio. “I think this year is more critical as compared to 2016, or any other qualification year for the world championship, just because of how 2020 played out with the

postponement of the Olympic Games and subsequent cancellation of a number of competitions, even in 2021. So the opportunity for athletes to qualify for the

(Olympic) Games have been reduced and the attractiveness and importance of the API becomes that much more critical,” Pompey said.

AP Invitational organiser - Aliann Pompey

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport from her New York location, the St John’s University coach revealed that talks with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson (Jr), with regard to the support from the Government of Guyana, have been bearing fruit.

Pompey said Minister Ramson has been “very supportive of the meet and we have a few new features to roll-out for the 2021 edition of the API that we haven’t had in the past, which I’ll be excited to share in the future”.

She pointed to the fact the API “aligns very much so with our government’s commitment to increasing opportunities for our young people using sports, as well as regionally”.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS Meanwhile, stating that though the AP Invitational’s organising committee is still very early in the planning and implementation phase, “with everything moving as quickly as it probably will, with the

Harding, a good swap for in-form Shepherd following positive COVID test

By Clifton Ross SPEEDSTER Keon Harding’s inclusion in the West Indies team for the Bangladesh tour is a good move following in-form all-rounder Romario Shepherd testing positive ahead of the series start.

Shepherd, who smashed his maiden 1st Class ton during December’s ‘A’ series tour of New Zealand, recently tested positive for coronavirus; resulting in Harding being named as his replacement with the first One Day International (ODI) bowling off on January 20.

Although Shepherd’s forced omission is a huge blow, given his recent batting form, reputation and ability to play the power-hitter role in limited overs of a game as well as his recent exposure to more international games with the Windies team; Harding could easily resolve the Windies issue of a secondary ball operator.

While Shepherd is undoubtedly a far better batsman, Harding’s List A record, especially coming off the back of a championship winning Super50 season last year with the West Indies Emerging Players (WIEP), has been brilliant.

the best stats produced by bowlers last season.

Harding also showed his ability to switch to Test mode if needed, as he churned out similar performances during the COVID-19 affected Regional 4-Day Tournament, which was eventually won by

Keon Harding

The right-arm pacer finished 3rd on the wicket-takers list during the last Super50, bagging 18 wickets from 9 games at an average of 16.66. His best returns of 4-35 and economy rates of about 5 runs per over were among

his Barbados Pride franchise.

The fast-bowler ended the Regional 4-Dayers with a 10-for including 5-19 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Another huge factor which nicely complements the Harding addition is

that he toured England last summer and now has an opportunity, much like Shepherd would have had, to somewhat cement a spot in the team with most of the seniors away.

Harding will also form a nice partnership with the likes of countrymen Raymon Reifer and Chemar Holder as well as Alzarri Joseph, who could form a young Windies 4-pronged pace attack.

Veerasammy Permaul, who makes his way back into the international mix after years away, is another player who will be keen on reestablishing his place among the Windies spin-bowling options for the rest of 2021.

With a variety of bowling options at his disposal, stand-in skipper Kraigg Brathwaite could easily use his new players to much success as the Caribbean side look to get their 2021 off to a winning start.

vaccine being available and health protocols and requirements changing over time, we’re not sure what the testing and quarantine requirements and protocols would be a month from now, much less five months from now”.

“We’ll just have to play it by air and be very cautious and make sure that all the safety measures will be met because we’re still in a very uncertain period of time given the coronavirus, especially if we expect international athletes to participate,” Pompey said, as she also highlighted that a close-working relationship with the country’s National COVID-19 Task Force will be established to ensure that all protocols are covered and observed.

Asked about corporate support for this year’s event, taking everything into consideration, the Olympian and Commonwealth Games 400m gold and silver medallist told Chronicle Sport that the event’s sponsors have played an important role in terms of the success of the meet and she believes that “in 2021 for the ones that do agree to move forward with us,

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they’ll be very, very important in providing this opportunity for Guyanese athletes and athletes in the Region”.

Pompey reasoned that she will be “looking again for our sponsors to meet us where they have in the past, in terms of their support, and help us ensure that we have a bigger and better API this year”.

ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE In February of 2020, Pompey’s API was added to the newly-structured World Athletics Continental Tour and the Guyanese called the achievement “a tremendous opportunity not just for the Aliann Pompey Invitational, but also for Guyana and athletics in the region”.

World Athletics said the impetus for creating the Continental Tour was to provide more competition and to earn opportunities for more athletes.

The Continental Tour will be divided into three levels – Gold, Silver and Bronze – whose status will be determined by the quality of competition and prize money on offer.

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38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

Local Golden Jags players, staff tested for COVID-19 ... Head coach hoping for negative return

GOLDEN Jaguars head coach Marcio Maximo is hoping that all of his 32 shortlisted, locally-based players can return a negative COVID-19 Test as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) moves into first gear, preparing the country’s Senior Men’s National football team for their busy 2021 on the international schedule.

First up for the Golden Jaguars is a trip to the Twin Island Republic for a March 25 clash with regional nemesis Trinidad and Tobago in their first of four matches in the CONCACAF Qatar World Cup Qualifiers.

This week, GFF announced that all local-based

players and staff of the Golden Jaguars were tested for COVID-19, following the granting of approval for the resumption of national team activities by the National COVID-19 Task Force.

“I would like to reinforce the importance of testing for the safety of everyone. All of the players were present without any absentees, which proved that they are aware of this issue. They represent the nation. We hope that the results are good and that we can continue our work,” Maximo said.

Once given the all-clear by the Ministry of Health, upon a negative return for the players and staff, the squad will then be free to partici-

pate in initial physical evaluations, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the National Training Centre.

According to GFF, once those evaluations are complete, the squad will commence training under strict health and safety protocols.

Ten members of the national team backroom staff were also tested.

GFF president Wayne Forde, said, “This is an exciting moment for the players and staff as we make progress in implementing our 100-day ‘Bounceback’ plan, following our engagement with the UEFA Assist programme.”

Forde noted that GFF is “extremely grateful for the support and guidance of the National COVID-19 Task Force in approving our plans and the Ministry of Health in conducting these tests. We are taking every possible step

to provide a COVID-secure environment so that the squad and staff remain safe and well during training.”

“With several important fixtures on the horizon, it is important for us to commence our preparations as soon as possible, as long as conditions allow, to give Guyana the best chance of success in the 2020 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March and June, followed by our historic return to the CONCACAF Gold Cup stage in July,” Forde said.

The national squad will be split into two groups of 16 for its physical evaluation on today and tomorrow, with weekly COVID-19 tests planned to monitor the wellbeing of the group as they progress through its training schedule.

Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group F alongside

Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St Kitts & Nevis.

Following their March 25 clash with Soca Warriors, Golden Jaguars will return home to roar against The Bahamas on Tuesday, March 30.

On Friday, June 4 Guyana will travel to St Kitts & Nevis for their third game and then host Puerto Rico on Tuesday, June 8.

Golden Jaguars’ best run in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers came during the run-up to the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where they had reached the penultimate round of the CONCACAF zone.

It was during that run they had a memorable showing against Trinidad and Tobago on November 11, 2011 at Guyana National Stadium where Guyana had won 2-1, thanks to

goals from Ricky Shakes and former English Premier League player Leon Cort.

Guyana last faced Trinidad and Tobago during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where, despite a beautiful goal scored by Neil Danns, the two sides ended the match with a 1-1 draw.

Guyana only played Puerto Rico twice at the senior level internationally, with the U.S. territory winning 2-0 in 1993, and Golden Jaguars, with a goal from defender King Solomon Austin, winning 1-0.

The clash against St Kitts and Nevis will mark the third meeting for Guyana, but it will also be the first time the two countries are meeting during a World Cup qualification tournament.

Stephens, Clarke make donations to four clubs in Linden ONE of the long-standing clubs in the mining town, Kings Basketball Club, through two United States-based Linden residents, have made donations of basketballs and boots to four clubs in Linden.

The donation was made by the secretary of the club, Ms Lissa Robertson, on behalf of former player Ryan Clarke and coach Gary Stephens, to representatives of Victory Valley Royals, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Kings and Retrieve Raiders basketball clubs.

The handing-over took place at the residence of Stephens, who is currently the lead official of the club and has contributed to the resuscitation of the club which is mainly comprised of junior players.

Clarke is a former player who is giving back also and has helped in making the donations, including footballs, to the Amelia’s Ward Panthers Football Club among others.

Kings’ basketball officials and former national players Nichola Jacobs and Shana Chester witnessed the presentations which come at a time when basketball is hoping to return to the hard courts in Linden. (Joe Chapman) Clubs pose with basketballs and boots which were donated by US-based Gary Stephens and Ryan Clarke. At left is Shana Chester, at right is Nichola Jacobs, while second right is Kings club secretary Melissa Robertson

Gajnabi, Grimmond among Guyanese selected for training camp TWENTY-FOUR leading West Indies Women cricketers will gather in Antigua this weekend, for a training camp which bowls off tomorrow at The Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG).

The camp will be the first face-to-face assignment with the players for new head coach Courtney Walsh and his technical support team, who will conduct a three-week high-performance programme for a mixture of senior players and new faces.

C r i c k e t We s t I n d i e s (CWI) has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sport in Antigua & Barbuda to orchestrate logistics and agree to the safety protocols for the commencement and duration of the camp.

All players and support staff were tested twice with negative COVID-19 results before their

arrival into Antigua. The players and support staff will train and live in a bio-secure bubble for the duration of the camp, during which time four more tests will be conducted.

The preparation camp, running from January 9 to February 1, kick-starts the year’s activities for the women’s team, a feature of which will be the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, due to take place in Sri Lanka in July.

Walsh said: “It’s very gratifying that the camp can take place during this challenging COVID-19 period, as the players are excited about getting down to work. We have a good mixture of youth and experience coming into the camp and I’m especially looking forward to working with some of the younger talent we have coming through.”

Coach Walsh will be joined by an experienced team of qualified coaches including former West Indies players, Robert Samuels and Corey Collymore. The camp will be also overseen by High-Performance Manager, Graeme West.

Walsh added, “Also on the coaching side, we have Samantha Lynch joining us and she did her Level 3 coaching certification training at the same time I did, so I know her very well.

“This camp will be a good experience for her, and I expect her to quickly become an asset to the team. Also, we have Steve Liburd who went to England with the team last September, to help with the fielding and Ryan Austin to focus on our spinners. I think we have a good blend of players and coaches and I’m looking forward to a great camp.”

Among the 24 players called up for the camp are some world-class performers: Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed and Shakera Selman.

Japhina Joseph, a right-handed batter from St Vincent and The Grenadines, is the newest member to be invited to the training camp. She impressed the selectors during the CWI Under-19 tournament in 2019. All-rounder Qiana Joseph from Windward Islands makes a return to the training squad along with teenager Steffi Soogrim from Trinidad and Tobago.

Full Squad: Aaliyah Alleyne, Reniece Boyce, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin Afy Fletcher, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Japhi-

The West Indies Women will undergo their

na Joseph, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Steffi Soogrim and Stafanie Taylor.

Team Management Unit: C o u r t n e y Wa l s h ( H e a d Coach), Robert Samuels (Assistant Coach), Corey Collymore (Assistant Coach), Ryan

Austin (Assistant Coach), Steve Liburd (Assistant Coach), Samantha Lynch (Assistant Coach), Neil Barry (Physiotherapist), Shayne Cooper (S&C Coach), Amanda Johnson (Mental Skills Coach), Gary Belle (Team Analyst), Sheena Gooding (Team Manager), Naasira Mohammed (Media & Content Officer)

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 9, 2021

GCA could re-start competitions within weeks THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) could re-start its cricket competitions within a few weeks, according to its Competitions Committee chairman Shaun Massiah.

The veteran cricketer/ coach said that the restart is a process, but if all goes according to plan, the national sport would resume in the capital city later this month.

An actual resumption date would, however, depend on the approval of the COVID-19 Task Force and the weather, according to Massiah.

“Once we get good weather and the approval, we would convene a meeting with our affiliated clubs, captains and secretaries to discuss and lay down the COVID-19 regulations pertaining to cricket and players. Once all of this is done then we can set a resumption date; but so far tentative dates are either January 23 or 30.”

Massiah, who is also the senior captain/coach of the Transport Sports Club, noted that there are still 2020 com-

petitions to complete.

“We still have competitions to continue such as 1st and 2nd Division, 2-Day and 2nd Division 40 Overs.”

els.

“New competitions in the pipeline are: First Division 50 Overs, Under-13, U-15, U-17, U-19 and U-23, Open

Cricket could re-start later this month in Georgetown

Upon completion, GCA will begin several new competitions at different age lev-

T/10, 1st & 2nd Division T20, and then the restart of 1st and 2nd Division two-day

along with the 2nd Division 40 overs.”

In the meanwhile the association is looking to attract new sponsors and is hoping that its regular patrons would again lend support.

Massiah who is confident that the sport would soon be given the greenlight said that the safety of the cricketers would be of paramount importance.

“Once everyone follows and practises all protocols and keeps the immune system high it should be good. When you see a sport like football which is a contact sport being given the go-ahead by the Task Force, I would want to think that cricket which is a lesser contact sport would get the go-ahead.

“Every fielding position is about more than six feet (apart) except for slips which is about two to three feet apart, so it is an 80% chance of getting the nod from the Task Force unless something major comes up.”

Cycling season to start with group rides THE cycling season would start with group rides before competitions are held according to information from the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).

After a meeting this week it was decided by the executive members that non-competitive events need to be held in order to keep cyclists active.

Racing Secretary of the federation, Malcolm Sonaram told Chronicle Sport that the weekend events will be held under the permission of the COVID-19 Task Force and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

“The Guyana Cycling Federation is planning a series of group rides to be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays. It will be geared towards assisting the cyclists with base training and endurance training.”

The group rides will take place in Berbice, Linden and Georgetown.

Sonaram noted that despite the non-competitive method, all precautionary measures will be imple-

mented.

“Needless to say the GCF will be checking temperatures of cyclists at the rides and providing masks when we stop

for refreshments.”

GCF is currently engaging various businesses and persons for sponsorship in order “to promote these rides with

the branding of support vehicles during the session”.

The first group ride is scheduled for next weekend.

Lloyd calls for more lively pitches in the Caribbean

By Rajiv Bisnauth

FORMER West Indies captain Clive Lloyd calls for more lively pitches being prepared in the Caribbean to help properly prepare both batsmen and bowlers.

Lloyd’s comments came in the wake of the regional side’s inability to deal with properly prepared pitches during the recent tour to New Zealand.

Their recent struggles on the tour of New Zealand saw the Caribbean unit lose both Tests by an innings inside four days.

They also suffered a sound thrashing in the preceding three-match T20 International series.

“The point is that we don’t seem to prepare pitches that are lively. When I say lively - good for both batters and bowlers,” Lloyd, the most successful West Indies captain reckoned.

He added, “I think the pitches here … if you looked at the square, there are not

a lot, we have about two or three pitches.

In England you have about twelve, Old Trafford have about fourteen pitches that they can groom, like in Australia. They have drop-in pitches, and with the amount of work they put in, the grass grew evenly, and was cut nicely…it was groomed, so you get the type of pitch you want”.

Further Lloyd asserted, “You go to a place like Western Australia, it’s good, it’s quick, but it’s good for the batters too.

“Once you get in, you can play through the line, you can play on the up. Barbados in the old days was a very good wicket to bowl on for the first day and a half. In Jamaica, the second day was always the best to bowl on, and so we had pitches that were relatively lively.”

To this end, Lloyd believes that if West Indies cricket is to improve, at least serious consideration should be given to pitch preparation.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Saturday, January 9, 2021

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

(1) Vs PAK, POS, 1958 (2) 100* (vs IND, Delhi, 1958-59)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which Guyanese only Test hundred was a double?

(2) When and where did Clyde Butts make his Test debut?

The first group ride is scheduled for next weekend

ANSWERS ANSWER S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Local Golden Jags players, staff tested for

SEE PAGE

38

COVID-19

FLASHBACK!

Guyana’s Neil Danns about to unleash what would be one of the best goals of the 2019 Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago. It was the last meeting between the two sides who will face each other again on March 25 in the Qatar World Cup Qualifier (Samuel Maughn photo)

2021 AP Invitational – the ‘gateway’ to Lloyd calls for more lively pitches in Tokyo Games for Caribbean athletes

SEE PAGE

37

the Caribbean

SEE PAGE

39

Scores of athletes from across the Caribbean and further afield are expected to converge on Guyana in a bid to qualify for this year’s Tokyo Games Clive Lloyd SEE PAGE 39

Harding, a good swap for in-form Shepherd following positive COVID test

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2021