Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_11_04_2022

monday 11th april, 2022

No.106690

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo meeting with fisherfolk in Berbice on Sunday (Tajeram Mohabir photo)

3,000 jobs for Region Six residents The iconic City Hall building in Georgetown gets ready for massive restoration works. The $780 million project is slated for completion in March 2023 (Adrian Narine photo)

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Surinamese officials ‘pushing back’ on licensing 03 Guyanese fishermen PAGE

–– Guyana continues to engage Suriname’s government at the highest level to resolve matter, says VP Jagdeo

Gov’t to repurpose ballfield for new 05 Parika Market tarmac PAGE

Pres. Ali lambastes Norton for fostering division among 02 Lindeners PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

‘Stronger together’ – President Ali lambastes Norton for fostering division among Lindeners

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali, on Sunday, chastised the Leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton for attempting to sow the seeds of division between the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government and the residents of Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

The Head of State’s comments came on the heels of similar sentiments offered by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Saturday,

in response to claims made by Norton that plans were in works to remove the electricity subsidy for residents of that region.

During a meeting with workers of the Linden Utility Services Co-op Society Limited, on Friday last, Norton claimed that the PPP/C government will have the Interim Management Committee (IMC) remove the subsidy, forcing them to pay more for electricity.

But President Ali assured the residents that the government has no plans to stymie develop-

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with Brigadier (ret’d) Prime Minster Mark Phillips, speaking to members of the media at the Parika Market (Latchman Singh photo) ment in any region or exclude any Guyanese citizen from the many benefits available locally.

“The people of Linden can understand and appreciate one thing, this is a government that will embrace them like every other Guyanese.

We don’t have a message for Linden and a different message for Berbice and a different message for Region Nine. We have one message for Guyana, all of us together, forward, prosperity for all, so Mr. Norton continue this path of propaganda, continue this path of mischief-making, it will bring you nothing,” President Ali said in response to questions from the press following his tour of the Parika Market on the East Bank of Essequibo.

The President reminded that the PPP/C government has invested heavily to ensure residents of the region are afforded tangible benefits.

President Ali spoke directly about the creation of 125 jobs in early 2022 through a private-public partnership with the local business community.

In January, the government supported the opening of the rebranded Kara Kara call centre (Midas BPO) at Linden which was reopened after being closed for some time. The centre is expected to be employing another 150 Lindeners by the second quarter of 2022 and holds the potential to hire as many as 1,000 persons.

“There is no differentiation between the people of Linden from the people of any other region. When we came into government we came with a banner, stronger together. We will do nothing under our leadership that will make us weaker. We will do everything under our leadership to make us stronger under one Guyana.

“Beware of those that try to destroy this trust, beware of those who try to instigate bad feelings against each other,” President Ali said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, in a statement on Facebook page

rejected Norton’s claim that the electricity rates in Linden will be increased.

“Reeling from his rejection by the people of Linden as evidenced by the poor turnout at his meeting, Aubrey Norton has embarked on his familiar acts of deception and desperation.

“The most recent of such is his peddling of the lie that the PPP/C Government plans to remove the electricity subsidy from Region Ten. This is totally untrue as the government has no such plans.

“Guyanese should therefore not fall prey to Norton’s attempt to mislead and cause panic,” the Vice-President noted.

Additionally, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Saturday, revealed that the Interim Management Committee was actually established to manage the Linden Utility Co-operative Society Limited (LUCSL).

“This action followed a determination by the Chief Co-operative Development Officer (CCDO) that LUCSL is being mismanaged,” the Prime Minister stated on his Facebook page.

He went on to explain that the Co-operative Society Act, Chapter 88:01, empowers the CCDO to take over any Cooperative or Friendly Society, or Credit Union, that, in the opinion of the CCDO, is being mismanaged or is not transparent.

“As such, an Interim Management Committee comprising of [sic] seven Lindeners of good standing was appointed by the CCDO to manage the society,” the Prime Minister revealed.

The seven Lindeners are: Renee Mac Donald, Chairperson; Winston Caesar, Hilton Lyle, Wanda Richmond, Courtney Handy, Leon Greaves and Latoya Walks.

And according to the Prime Minister, “at no time were they told that there will be any increase of electricity rates for Linden.”

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guyana CHRONICLE monday, april 11, 2022

3,000 jobs for Region Six residents

–– Vice-President announces during outreach to region

by Tajeram Mohabir SOME 3,000 temporary jobs will be allocated to residents of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in the coming weeks, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced during separate meetings with fisherfolk and representatives of the business community in the region on Sunday.

The announcement by the Vice-President was greeted with applause from the well-attended meetings at the Classic International Hotel and Resort in Skeldon, one of the communities that were severely affected by the estate’s closure in the region by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

Dr Jagdeo said the people will be employed three days per week at schools, hospitals and government offices and will receive a salary of 40,000 per month.

On assumption of office, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government was confronted with the situation where some 30,000 persons had lost their jobs under the APNU+AFC Government, and another 40,000 more

when the same government closed the country on the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the short-term, we have to try to get people re-employed so that is why in this year’s budget, we made a decision that we will give people temporary

number of people laid off at the Skeldon estate.

Some 800 temporary jobs have already been allocated to Region Two and the same number in Region 10, to ease the impact of the high cost of living on the residents there.

The PPP/C had prom-

gently to fulfil its manifesto commitments to the people, Vice-President Jagdeo said.

The government is also co-investing in the construction of an agro-processing factory at Black Bush Polder that will create scores of jobs for Berbicans and has received several

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo speaks to members of the Berbice business community on Sunday (DPI photo)

A section of the gathering of the Region Six business community during the meeting with Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday (DPI photo) employment so that they can have a family income,” the Vice-President said.

The 3,000 jobs in Region Six are more than the

ised to create 50,000 jobs in its first term in office, and since its assumption of power in August 2020, the party has been working dili-

similar proposals for investment in Berbice, the Vice-President told representatives of the business community.

This aside, he said the government is working with swamp shrimp farmers to increase production to one million kilogrammes, four times the amount currently being produced, so that they can amply satisfy market demands while at the same time create more job opportunities.

“So, if anybody has an employment-creating activity in this region, then we can sit and co-invest with them,” the Vice-President said.

He had previously explained that the government is working to attract investors in Regions Three, Five, Six, 10 and in the hinterland by offering them incentives to invest in these regions.

The majority of investors, since the discovery of oil in Guyana, have been flocking Regions Three and Four, to the extent that these two regions are now experiencing labour shortages, Dr Jagdeo lamented.

Surinamese officials ‘pushing back’ on licensing Guyanese fishermen –– Guyana continues to engage Suriname’s government at the highest level to resolve matter, says VP Jagdeo

By Tajeram Mohabir VICE-PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo said Guyana will continue to engage Suriname to ensure that the authorities in the neighbouring country follow through with a promise to license Guyanese fisherfolk.

He gave the assurance during a meeting with fishermen at the Classic International Hotel and Resort in Skeldon, Region Six, on Sunday.

The fishermen during the meeting complained that the Suriname authorities are yet to grant them the licences promised to ply their trade in Suriname’s waters and that they have been harassing them.

Mr Jagdeo said the Government of Guyana has been engaging the Government of Suriname at the highest level and pointed out that while

the Suriname authorities have shown willingness to address the matter, the people issuing the licences are pushing back.

The issuing of the licences, he said, will mean that they (people who are pushing back) no longer benefit from the old corrupt system from which they had been benefiting for years.

Guyanese fisherfolk have been subjected to exorbitant prices for the rental of licences to ply their trade in Suriname’s waters for the past decade.

The licences will be given to boat owners at a cost of 500 Suriname Dollars (SRDs) annually. In the past, the fishers paid as much as US$4000 in order to rent a licence from a Surinamese, so that they could fish.

In addition to dealing with this high cost, the fisherfolk are sometimes forced to give the bulk of their

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses fishermen at the Classic International Hotel and Resort on Sunday (DPI photo) catch at cheap rates to the person whose licence they had rented.

If they are not in possession of the required licence, they are held, their catches seized and they would usually have to pay fines ranging from US$10,000 to

US$12,000.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha related that prior to assuming government in 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration had been engaging the Suriname authorities on the

licence matter.

On assumption of Government in 2020, he said the Suriname authorities were re-engaged and they had proposed to form a government company to issue the licences, since their laws do permit the granting of such

licences to Guyanese.

The government company was expected to give the licences to the Guyanese fishermen, but this is yet to happen, even though Guyana has submitted the names for 150 licences for local fishermen.

On Sunday, the fishermen complained that the Suriname authorities want them to reduce their boat from 40 feet to 30 feet and take their boats to Suriname with catches, among other issues.

These demands by the Suriname authorities they view as harassment.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, who was also present at the meeting, said Guyana will continue to advocate for affected fishermen.

Minister Mustapha is hoping for an early resolution of the matter.

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Minibus driver dies in Rupununi accident AN accident on the Bina Hill public road in North Rupununi, on Sunday, resulted in the death of 48-year-old Lennox George of Annai Village.

Police Headquarters reported that George was driving minibus (#BAB 4875) owned by Annai Central Village Council at around 03:45hrs with two passengers - 20-year-old Junliana Williams and her six-year-old son.

It is alleged that George was speeding west along the northern side of the road when he dropped into a pothole and lost control; as a result, the minibus collided with a nearby tree on the southern grass parapet.

The driver’s body was removed from the minibus and placed on the parapet while the two passengers were escorted to the Annai Health Centre where they were admitted for observation.

A doctor later arrived at the scene of the incident and pronounced the driver dead.

The body of the deceased is presently at the Lethem Regional Hospital Mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

April 06, 2022

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guyana CHRONICLE monday, april 11, 2022

Health Ministry offering support to cancer patients

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the government has been offering support to Cancer patients through various mechanisms.

During his COVID-19 update last Friday, the Health Minister said that, as long as patients were enrolled at the clinic of the Georgetown Public Hospital, the necessary medication that is required is sourced through the hospital.

“Generally the medications are quite costly but we are able to buy it for our patients so I know a lot of breast cancer patients have benefitted from the medication that we offer at the

09/04/22 - 01, 03, 05, 19, 23

hospital.”

He explained that for patients who need radio-

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therapy, they are referred to the Cancer Institute which is located in the GPHC’s

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compound.

While it is a private institution, Dr. Anthony noted that once people are referred there, the government assists in paying the cost for the treatment.

“There’s a procedure of how to get that assistance but we generally will pay for our patients to get radiotherapy there.”

Earlier this year, Dr. Anthony, in an address on World Cancer Day, stated that the ministry will work with key stakeholders to develop a national cancer control plan to better manage and oversee all cancer control activities of the ministry.

09/04/22- 3, 4, 8, 9, 15, 19, 20

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guyana CHRONICLE monday, april 11, 2022

Gov’t to repurpose ballfield for new Parika Market tarmac

By Jared Liddell

IN a bid to ease congestion and improve the overall aesthetic of the Parika Market on the East Bank of Essequibo, the government is looking to repurpose one of two ballfields in the area for the creation of a massive market tarmac.

The announcement

tarmac, we will look at putting in the walkway canopies and then we will also look at enhancing the facilities, the washroom facilities, and everything,” President Ali told reporters at the end of the tour.

The President noted that the government’s intervention in the matter is necessary, highlighting that regional officials

Public Works, Deodat Indar will hold consultations with the market committee, vendors, and other stakeholders, to discuss, in greater detail, the plans for this massive infrastructural transformation.

The Head of State noted that all vendors will be asked to comply with the necessary changes aimed at improving the

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials listen to the concerns of a vendor at the Parika Market (Latchman Singh photo)

President Dr. Irfaan Ali interacts with a vendor at the Parika Market (Latchman Singh photo) was made by President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Sunday, during a walk-about of the market. On Saturday, the President also toured the Leonora Market in Region Three, and announced plans for a similar tarmac there.

The Head of State, during his three-hour tour of the market on Sunday, got a firsthand look at the vending alongside the roadway and how it affected the free flow of traffic to the Parika Stelling.

Many vendors have set up makeshift stalls along the roadway and daily traffic congestion has been the result.

“We have already started some discussions with the people who have the ballfield. There are two ballfields so we will upgrade one so they can use that one, and then we will see if we can extend the market with this additional land.

“We will extend the

had made known their inability to finance such a massive project due to a lack of revenue.

Illegal vending, coupled with outstanding rent, has impacted the region’s current position.

“There is $10 million in outstanding rent for the market, so whilst the market management can do better and should do better, they are faced with this reality too.

“Where there is a deficit of $27,000 (per month) and there is outstanding rent of $10 million, and here is where the government comes in. It is obvious that they (regional officials) don’t have any capacity to invest in any infrastructural upgrades here,” President Ali stated.

According to the President, within the next two weeks, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and Minister within the Ministry of

operations of the market.

He stated that, already from his interactions with the vendors, he has seen overwhelming support for the creation of the tarmac.

“Sometimes we have to make hard decisions; sometimes people have to embrace decisions that may seem hard initially but decisions that would ultimately benefit them, benefit everyone,

President Dr. Irfaan Ali greets a vendor at the Parika Market (Latchman Singh photo) take away a lot of problems so we will invest in that and we will ask everybody to move in the market,” President Ali stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Guyana: A Model of economic and social progress

GUYANA’s economy has recorded the highest cumulative growth rate in Latin America and the Caribbean. This disclosure was made by the World Bank which, having considered the economic performance of the regional economies, determined that Guyana recorded a cumulative economic growth rate of 72. 03 per cent, by far the highest in the entire hemisphere.

The country that came closest to Guyana is Nicaragua, which recorded cumulative economic growth of 7.53 per cent, an indication of the stellar performance of the Guyana economy during the 2019-2021 pandemic period.

Guyana, like other countries in the region, has not been spared the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which has created economic havoc in almost every country. In Guyana’s case, the economy suffered a major setback due to the floods in 2021 which, along with the

COVID-19 pandemic, took a heavy toll on the economic and social life of the country.

However, with prudent economic management and enhanced earnings, the economy was able to surge ahead to become the fastest growing economy in the region and, for that matter, the world.

Guyana’s economy is not isolated from what is taking place in the world as a whole. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is continuing to have a punishing effect on the economies of several countries especially those that are dependent on imported fuel and agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and animal feed.

The prices of fuel, wheat and other commodities have already risen sharply on the world market giving rise to protest actions in several countries.

Sri Lanka is currently facing one of its most serious economic crisis in decades and the President of Paki-

stan, Imran Khan, was recently removed from office as a result of a successful no-confidence vote against his leadership.

And while not all of the political and economic challenges are attributable to exogenous factors, they do contribute to some amount of political instability which several countries in the world are now experiencing.

In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, the scars of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to linger on, even though, thankfully, there are some positive indications of economic recovery. According to the World Bank, regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2.3 per cent this year and a further 2.2 per cent in 2023, with most countries now in the process of reversing the GDP losses from the pandemic crisis.

This is good news, even though, as noted by the Bank, these modest projec-

tions still place regional performance among the lowest in the world. This, in the view of the Bank, comes at a time ‘when the region faces important uncertainties as new variant of the virus may appear, inflation pressures mount and the war in Europe threatens world recovery.’

The regional growth projection has in fact been revised downward by 0.4 per cent following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In all of this, Guyana has emerged as a shining star.

For one thing, the PPP/C administration has embarked on a robust economic recovery programme while at the same time putting in place a number of policy interventions to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 virus.

Indeed, Guyana is ahead of most countries in the region in terms of adult vaccination rates and relief efforts to cushion the effects of the pandemic especially among vulnerable populations and groups.

The Guyana economy, according to World Bank projections, is expected to grow by 47.5 per cent this year. This is nothing short of a stellar performance and is likely to show further growth as more oil production wells become operational.

The Yellowtail Well, for example, is projected to achieve first oil by 2025 with an estimated capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.

This, along with other wells soon to come on stream, will catapult Guyana to the league of major oil producing nations. The economy will be given a further financial lift, especially if the trend of rising fuel prices continue in the coming years. Already, the war in the Ukraine has resulted in a significant hike in fuel prices which could potentially result in higher oil revenues to the country.

The economic prospects are bright for Guyana and, as pointed out by President

Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, our economy is becoming stronger and is rebounding from the adverse impact of the two-year long effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to President Ali, businesses, both local and foreign, are capitalizing on the unfolding opportunities and in the process generating jobs and providing incomes for our citizens.

The President and his administration must be commended for taking the country from the brink of economic collapse and undemocratic rule to one in which Guyana has become a regional model of economic growth and social progress. The multi-faceted and balanced approach to economic development within the framework of a low carbon development trajectory has gained international acclaim and could very well be a model for other nations, both developed and developing, to emulate.

Poll: Irfaan sails in popularity

THE latest opinion poll from the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) shows President Irfaan Ali’s administration (government) and himself sailing in popularity.

The Dr Ali administration has had to grapple with several major issues, including COVID-19, a tested economy, occasional flooding, Ukraine, soaring inflation, an uncooperative official opposition, disruptions in

parliament, attempts at provoking instability, stoking of race relations and other challenges.

But since becoming President in August 2020, the Ali administration has received highly favourable responses for turning around the economy, ensuring political stability, implementing “a one united Guyana” policy, combating COVID-19, as well as high unemployment and inflation, mitigating incessant flooding, doling out

stimulus and other financial grants, handing out farming subsidies, and tackling so many other challenges. And in so doing, the administration has been receiving widespread approval for its performance from the public.

According to the poll, the majority of respondents said the country has been on the move over the last 20 months and they are supportive of the President and his venture to build a better nation. They also express fondness for the

President, saying he comes across as a likeable person and a family man.

Even non-supporters and critics are impressed with how the President carries about himself and the government’s performance and the President’s handling of his responsibilities, a stark contrast to his predecessor.

Even many public servants, members of security forces, and other traditional supporters of the opposition, gave a positive review of President

Ali and his administration.

The latest poll finds that the President’s approval rating and that of his government and most ministers are up from similar polls conducted late last year. His administration also scores high on the public rating of the budget, although challenges remain with the public complaining about skyrocketing inflation.

Almost every respondent is worried about crime with a large majority also

saying inflation has been a major problem affecting their standard of living over the last several months.

The poll was conducted in late February and March

by Dr Vishnu Bisram, who has been conducting political surveys in Guyana and the Caribbean region since 1990.

The sample of 750 adults was stratified to reflect the demographics of the population.

Based on the findings of the March poll, President TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Stealing medicines from poor Guyanese should carry mandatory jail time and repayment

Dear Editor,

FOLLOWING the government’s successful Day of Prayers and Fasting, our medicine and health supplies system need much prayer and large doses of accountability and proper management.

Recent news that some Ministry of Health employees have been allegedly involved in a scam to steal medicines has stirred enormous anger across Guyana. The ministry must be commended for its vigilance.

Guyanese are tired of going to clinics and hospitals to be handed prescriptions to go purchase essential and sometimes costly medicines and supplies they need from private pharmacies, because the government clinic or hospital does not have the drugs.

The excuse they give is that they ran out. This

is just as bad as my relative being told in March to go back in June for his test/ scan. This is so unacceptable! People are quite ticked that there appears to be organised criminal efforts by inside employees to steal medicines and supplies from government health facilities.

This is not only morally reprehensible, it is simply unforgivable and the ministry must do everything to make sure that this practice is stamped out forever all across Guyana.

The shortage of medicines dates back to the days of Burnham and the PNC when everything was in short supply.

Subsequent governments have not been able to squelch such recurring corruption.

Under the Coalition, one of their earliest scams that was a poster child for APNU+AFC corruption was the “drug bond

scandal” that led to the removal of the Minister of Health. In Guyana, corruption cannot happen unless there is collaboration among conniving scoundrels, and this can go high up in an agency.

It is “organised crime” similar to drug dealers running criminal enterprises.

In the case at the Ministry of Health’s Diamond drug bond -- a director, a bond attendant, a retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer and a doctor -- were arrested as part of the investigations. One person was eventually remanded on five charges, including the unlawful possession of guns and bribery.

The police suspect that he, along with others, stole and sold a quantity of pharmaceutical products and other medical supplies from the bond.

He was taken into custody after the police, who were

Poll: Irfaan sails in...

FROM PAGE 6 Ali’s approval rating stood at 72%, up by 8% from late last year with a disapproval of 21%; 7% offered no opinion. The government’s overall performance rating was 62% with a disapproval rating of 32%. Prime Minister Mark Phillips’ performance approval rating was 63% with a disapproval of 29%. Vice President Jagdeo’s approval rating was 70% with a disapproval of 20%; 10% offered no opinion.

The administration’s approval rating has seen an uptick because of its handling of the many challenges facing the country and grounding with the people. The President, Prime Minister, Vice President and ministers have been on outreaches engaging the public to find

out their problems and addressing same.

Many said the President, VP, the PM, and the Ministers have been working very hard. The Vice President, in association with Dr Ashni Singh, has been credited for his management of the economy. Respondents gave the President a thumbs up for going out meeting people routinely, for having a common touch with ordinary folk, and for hosting celebrations of festivals such as Phagwah on the lawns of State House. Asked about the recent budget, some 76% of the respondents gave a thumbs-up, with only 19% expressing dissatisfaction.

Almost every respondent said they are pleased with government’s efforts to cushion the blow from sudden inflation attributed

to COVID-19, global fuel price hikes, rising shipping costs, and other factors.

But they feel more needs to be done to lower prices of basic goods. They say prices keep rising every time they go to the market or grocery stores.

The poll asked respondents whom they would describe as the leading ministers based on performance and who have reached out to the public. All the ministers received majority positive ratings. Respondents say several ministers touched their hearts, including Zulfikar Mustapha, Vindhya Persaud, Collin Croal, Anil Nandlall, Deodat Indar, Bishop Edghill, Kwame McCoy, Susan Rodrigues, among others.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

responding to a report of larceny at the bond, carried out a search on a car there, and found a duffel bag containing a 9mm pistol and two rounds of 9mm ammunition, a .380 pistol with a magazine containing seven matching rounds of ammunition, and a total of $4,580,000 in cash, including US currency.

There were 20 rounds of .380 ammunition in the side pocket of the bag, the police also said.

In 2020, a relative who was ailing with cancer got no medicines during the five months of rigging. Last year, she was told there were no drugs.

My wife called President Ali and “leading with the heart,” the President told her they will get the medicine.

Both the President and Minister Anthony

called our relative to say they would get the medicine. That promise was kept, but the missing months of medicine had already done its damage.

When employees steal medicines, they are in effect robbing babies, old people, the sick and the maimed, people fighting to live, and the most vulnerable among us who struggle to make ends meet.

In their moment of need, they either have to go without medicines or divert limited funds to pay for something that our health care system should be providing. That is simply shameful.

We expect the Ministry of Health will have proper accounting and tracking systems at all clinics, hospitals, and storage bonds. We should not find out about fraud

long after much harm has been done.

Inventory management is not rocket science.

How about if we create a system whereby in cases of shortages, the health agency issues a prescription voucher to the patient, tenable at participating pharmacies, and paid for by the government?

That way, citizens are not paying for the medicines.

How about if there is an online complaints system or phone number that you can call to report shortages of drugs at clinics? This will alert the government system of shortages, so they can investigate and take emergency action? We expect efficiency as we reinvent and reform government.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

CCJ and the court of public opinion Will Justice Saunders’ visit heal lingering political wounds over CCJ’s rulings? (Part Five)

By Earl Bousquet PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali and other top government officials, last Thursday, welcomed President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, to Guyana for a three-day visit, during which he would attend activities of the Guyana Bar Association’s 2022 Law Week.

The visit would have allowed Justice Saunders opportunities to assure Guyana’s legal fraternity of the CCJ’s independence and the professionalism that guides its judgements.

It would also have allowed President Saunders, if asked, to explain to legal and political doubters that all its Guyana decisions, before and after the last general and regional elections, as well as rulings reversing or changing local court judgements, were done on the basis of law.

Even before the last Guyana elections, there was a high level of cynicism and criticism following certain judgements that didn’t go down well with politicians who simply always put party first and foremost, above all else.

Ordinary Guyanese whose jail sentences might have been reduced or imprisonment otherwise shortened, will have every reason to pray for the CCJ for the rest of their lives.

But not the politicians who felt ‘robbed’

by CCJ’s decisions in the case of the PPP/C’s appeal to the regional court to make a legal judgement of the way the last general and regional elections was conducted.

Few can forget the lengths and depths some politicians went to, including trying to politically align Justice Saunders

to those opposed to the then ruling APNU+AFC. President Saunders commendably ignored the political diatribe boomed his way and the CCJ did its job of receiving and hearing the Appeals related to the allegations of electoral fraud.

Counting of the votes featured the traditional suspense associated with historical efforts to alter election results and change outcomes, including the appalling treatment of the Chair of the Elections Commission – a retired high court judge – and refusal of the then outgoing government’s top elections officials to accept the electorate’s verdict.

The clear losers held on to lost power for several weeks, until the outgoing President and Leader of the APNU (also a retired army brigadier) David Granger decided to command his political troops to withdraw from a battle they were sure to lose.

Not all the troops acquiesced to the brigadier’s retreat order, some even accused him of betrayal while still firing political blank shots at the CCJ and its President.

But the CCJ’s decisions and judgements were more than just an overwhelming decree of the judgement of the people in Guyana’s court of public opinion, as everyone was arrived at on the basis of law – and nothing else.

Justice Saunders’ meetings with Guyana’s lawyers, judges, magistrates and court officials will have allowed him, if asked, to erase any delayed doubts in the minds of those still nursing election-loss headaches or heartburns.

The Law Week’s activities will also have allowed President Saunders

to address the public – directly or indirectly – and assure them the CCJ isn’t there only to judge on political and judicial matters brought before it, but that its jurisdiction also extends to include hearing of private and commercial matters brought before it by entities or individuals on any matter they may feel needs its consideration and ruling.

The CCJ President would also have been able to let all Guyanese know that each and every citizen has equal access to the CCJ, which actually sits in CARICOM member-states to hear local cases – also through online hearings – and dispatches cases faster than the London law lords.

And all of that without any Caribbean citizen having to win a lotto (or two) to afford the cost of seeking justice from the British Privy Council, which remains the Final Appellate Court of the other ten member-states that haven’t joined Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana to make the CCJ their final Court of Appeal.

That the majority of governments that agreed to establish the CCJ to interpret and rule on the basis of the Treaty of Chaguaramas (that established CARICOM) have not taken the next logical step of joining its Appellate Jurisdiction will not surprise anyone who’s followed Caribbean politics since the age of independence.

In cases where a referendum is necessary to accede to the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction, governments have refrained from taking that constitutional step for fear of inability to win the twothirds (66%) majority required, as experienced

by Antigua & Barbuda a

few years ago.

Saint Lucia is well under way to be the fifth CARICOM nation to accede to the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction, despite signs and sounds that the political opposition will activate its legal minds to challenge the decision before the same Privy Council that only delivers judgement to those CARICOM citizens who can afford the unbearable costs.

Justice Saunders and his predecessors will most likely have visited every member-state of the CCJ since its inception in 2001, to make its case in the court of Caribbean public opinion -and on every occasion it’s proven that it meets and decides on cases faster and much cheaper than the Privy Council decides on Caribbean cases.

In 2014, the Jamaica Bar loudly complained to then CCJ President Sir Denis Byron that it was getting “too little from the London law lords” as the Privy Council had only delivered 11 judgements in 28 months.

Indeed, in the CCJ’s 16 years, Saint Lucia has only had 17 cases heard by the Privy Council, amounting to a single case per year, while the island pays an annual membership fee of US $2.1 million.

So, what’s the use of CARICOM memberstates paying that kind of money annually, but not making use of the appellate services available from the CCJ? By-the-way: Can anyone in any CARICOM member-state remember any member of the British Privy Council visiting to explain how it works and why it costs so much to seek justice in London?

I rest my case.

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guyana CHRONICLE monday, april 11, 2022

Incentives available for Guyanese who wish to return home –– Minister Mustapha tells diaspora in Suriname

WITH Guyana on the cusp of massive development, Guyanese in the diaspora are continuously being urged to return home, not only to invest, but to benefit from what their homeland has to offer.

It was only on Saturday that Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud met with Guyanese living in neighbouring Suriname to discuss the many opportunities that Guyana has to offer.

A press statement issued by the Department of Public Information (DPI) indicated that since the 1970s, some 25,000 Guyanese have settled in the Dutch-speaking republic, contributing extensively to several sectors including agriculture, fishing, construction and even the oil-and-gas sector.

Foreign Secretary Persaud said the intention of the outreach to Suriname was to update the diaspora of the countless opportunities that exist in Guyana.

During the meeting, Guyanese were also updated on the key developments taking place in Guyana, as well as the many opportunities that exist for them to contribute to the country’s ongoing

economic expansion.

Minister Mustapha in his remarks, zeroed in on the advancements in the agricultural sector, including the wide-ranging opportunities for local farmers, as well as the government’s effective approach to tackling the rising cost of food, largely brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently, the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary, according to the DPI, said that contributions from the Guyanese diaspora are critical to acceleration of the development agenda set out

by President Dr Irfaan Ali. Moreover, Persaud emphasised the opportunities that have since been secured for Guyanese, by way of the Local Content Act, which serves as further incentive for persons in the diaspora.

Outside of the landmark legislation, the Guyanese community in Suriname was also updated on the many other incentives to which they can have access should they choose to return home. Many of these benefits are components of the government’s Re-migration Scheme.

Ambassador H.E. Keith George, was also part of the

engagement and will be coordinating through his staff for follow-up interactions.

It should be noted that even as Guyana encourages the return of its people from Suriname, the two countries have been working to solidify relations at various levels.

Within the past year, extensive engagements between President Ali and his Surinamese counterpart, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, have managed to chart the way forward with a cooperation agenda, which outlines partnerships in a number of areas including agriculture, energy, the environment, forestry and infrastructural integration.

The latter is slated to be advanced with the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge, which is expected to “greatly enhance trade and economic activities and further cement human and cultural ties among our peoples,” President Ali said recently.

The Head of State had also pointed to the importance of private sector cooperation to the success of Guyana’s economic agenda.

Since then, there has been the establishment of a Private Sector Business Council, a 10-member body comprising private sector representa-

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud (third left) and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha (fourth left) meet with Guyanese in Suriname tives of both Suriname and which bi-monthly meetings private sector, Paul Cheong, Guyana. will be held. will take over.

The first official council The Business Council Another major commeeting was held on March will have joint leadership ponent of the Guyana-Su16, and saw the crafting of with Mr. Bryan Renten rep- riname relationship is the an agenda for the next year. resenting Suriname for the establishment of an energy The next meeting is set for first six months, after which corridor shared with BraMay 2022 in Guyana, after the Chairman of Guyana’s zil.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

4 things children need and why PROTECTION: Families and communities exist to help protect children. In both entities, children should feel safe and secure, supervised by caring adults who have their well-being at heart.

Children need protection from all types of abuse and harm that can befall them during childhood; not just from sexual predators who try to groom and radicalise them on the internet, but sometimes even from trusted family members and good friends. Adults need to be alert and watchful where children are con-

cerned.

They need to learn about the ‘signs of abuse’ to recognise when a child needs help. Adults must know who to turn to and where to go for assistance.

Parents should know how skilfully predators work when they bribe and cajole victims into sexual situations. Only when they understand the dangers and subsequent consequences of abuse can they use adequate measures to safeguard their children. Depraved adults exploit and use children because youngsters do not know any better.

Parents and community members should work together as child protection advocates.

They should speak out on behalf of children, create strategies to prevent abuse, and ensure child safety. Parents can network with other parents and community members to keep up-to-date with incidents in their community and pass on relevant information to keep the neighbourhood safe.

Vigilant community members can help reduce child abuse by identifying vulnerable families and children, leading to the early intervention by professionals, and assis-

tance for families in need.

It is often said, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. Setting up community websites where people can share information creates a platform to tackle child safety, among other relevant topics.

Direction: As children grow, there comes a time when they question their sense of purpose and their place in the world. When children are academically inclined, parents usually encourage them to work towards a goal, such as a career or a scholarship to learn overseas.

But for so many children, they exist without ever wanting to achieve anything, become someone, or reach a goal; they lack a sense of direction. Their skills or talents were not recognised or nurtured, fussed over or encouraged during their childhood, and they haven’t managed to work out what they want out of life.

Usually, very few role models exist for children in this type of dilemma.

Entering adolescence without a sense of direction can leave a young person with time on his/ her hands to get up to mischief. For example, girls who grow up without a father and very little guidance may fall for an older man (father figure), and teenage boys could get involved in drugs, alcohol and crime.

Talking to children about their future and what they can achieve is something that parents must start while the children are young and continue as they grow.

Parents should not limit their child’s abilities but give them the incentive to want to do well, not just to please parents but for their sense of attainment.

Parents should praise

children for the things they attempt, for their efforts and accomplishments. Even if they could do better, that is not the issue, build them up with words of encouragement and advice.

Parental inspiration helps to build a child’s confidence and resilience. Children are happier when they are working towards something tangible, even more so when they can progress in a specific direction that helps to fulfil their purpose.

Affection (Attention): Children need love and affection for healthy brain development. To enable a child to feel good about himself/herself, he/ she needs to feel cherished by parents, siblings and family. Giving a child affection should come naturally to most people, but emotional, social, and even economic pressures can prevent parents from sharing warmth and attention with children. A child can’t tell anyone that he/ she lacks love and affection from his/her family; he/she may discover the ‘lack’ as he/she matures.

As a result, he/she might make a point of hugging his/her children every day to make them feel precious, loved and appreciated. On the other hand, he/she may be a parent who says, ‘my parents never done it to me, and I find it hard to embrace and kiss my children’. It could go either way, but if parents are serious about raising happy, well-balanced, rounded children, they will genuinely want to hug them, kiss them and create a strong bond that lasts as long as possible.

Non-physical ways of showing affection as children grow can be: having discussions with them, sharing quality time, be-

ing on point with their activities and social life, and telling them you love them; not at the end of every phone call (which is a common practice that loses credibility); still, enough times for them to know that your love is sincere.

Connection (Correction): Parents who find it hard to connect with teenagers may have left it late, as good communication with children must be established early and maintained throughout their development. Children and adults should understand the various levels of connection.

There is a friendly level, a parent/child level, a deep (serious) level, and a ‘let’s mess about and have fun’ level. In short, adults should be approachable, and children must understand that there is a time and place for everything. No child wants a stuffy, strict parent who is too serious; neither do children need a parent who behaves like their peer.

Children need connection; they need to share their fears, aspirations and happiness with others, especially those who care for them. The link is required more than ever during adolescence as parents’ correct attitudes and outlook on life may become distorted.

However, if parents are not connected to their children, how can they correct them?

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

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Malaria treatment more accessible in most affected regions – Dr Anthony

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that more people have access to malaria treatment in some of the most affected regions.

During his daily COVID-19 update on Friday last, the Health Minister listed Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine as the regions with the most malaria cases, noting that healthcare workers have been working hard to make diagnoses and provide treatment.

Dr Anthony posited that healthcare workers were

trained to diagnose people with this infection.

“So, we have done that in these regions and those healthcare workers have been working very hard to make those diagnoses. We have more people trained, they have manuals that they go through these things with and they report obviously to us.”

Dr Anthony explained that because the country has been tackling malaria for quite some time, authorities from time to time have to evaluate whether the treat-

ments are effective.

According to the minister, “In other parts of the world if you continue using the same treatments, these parasites can become resistant to the medicines that you are giving and we have been working very closely with Harvard University to look at whether or not the parasites here have developed any sort of resistance to the medications that we are using.”

While a number of initiatives are ongoing to deal with the malaria issue in the country, Dr Anthony added that the Ministry of Health has also partnered with Johns Hopkins University to educate people and help them understand the importance of treatment and the signs and symptoms of malaria, while also trying to dispel myths about it.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fever, shaking chills, and flu-like illness.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Minister McCoy urges citizens to show respect, love to build base for ‘One Guyana’

MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, has called on citizens to respect, love and understand each other, to set the foundation for a ‘One Guyana’, as the country unites in fasting and prayer.

He was, at the time, delivering remarks to Hindu brothers and sisters at the Peter’s Hall Mandir on Saturday, as Hindus observe ‘Navratri’.

The Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri holds immense significance for followers of Goddess Durga.

During this festival, people worship nine different forms of Maa Durga. On the final day, prayers are offered to Maa Siddhidhatri in order to get their wishes fulfilled, as this form of Durga is known to bestow healing upon all.

“To extend charity, to extend goodwill to the people around us, right

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy of the religious bodies, in terms of helping us to cement that foundation for a ‘One Guyana’, because if you examine all of the religious texts, they all speak to the need for love for humanity, for respect for each other, for giving ourselves the opportunity to extend goodness and goodwill and charity to each other,” he said.

Minister McCoy said that the three main religions extend to everyday life as they allow one to spread love, peace, social

basis of our knowledge.”

Meanwhile, even as government continues to join the various religions in fasting and prayer, it is sparing no effort to ensure the improved livelihood of every citizen. Minister McCoy said that the administration is working tirelessly to achieve a Guyana that is wealthy and ideal for everyone.

“We truly believe in what we are doing, we have a vision, and we truly understand the needs of the people of our

The Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri holds immense significance for followers of Goddess Durga across our society, because it is only by us doing that, respecting each other, understanding each other, that we can move really quickly to the ideal place that we all desire for ourselves.

“The ideal Guyana it is us in Guyana, who have to be able to work as a people from the various religions, and the importance

harmony, exercise justice, good judgement and attain the knowledge of right and wrong, all vital components needed in society.

“Knowledge is such a very important ingredient in our lives. And we have to be able to pursue it, to be passionate about wanting to learn, wanting to know more, wanting to do the right things, on the

country. And for us, we feel as though we don’t have an option, other than doing as much, and working very hard in the interest of our citizens, because we badly need to get our people and to get our country to the point where it would be considered an image and cherished as the most beloved, the ideal place for all of us.” (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

‘We will not be caught off-guard’ - Region 10 prepares for May/June rains

By Naomi Parris IN anticipation of the May/June rainy season, the Regional Disaster Preparedness Committee of Region Ten has started to implement a number of systems to mitigate the effects of possible flooding in vulnerable communities across the region.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Deron Adams, Regional Chairman and head of the committee, said that information channels have been set up between the committee and the executive members of the various Community Development Councils (CDCs) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

“We have been in communication and in contact with all of the communities that were hit by the floods last year; we have already been making contact with

Adams explained that the committee is continually working to ensure that the disaster of last year does not repeat itself. He said the region will be better prepared this year to handle the after-effects of the torrential rainfall.

“We don’t intend to be caught off-guard this time around. Last year we were the first region to put a disaster preparedness committee in place. We have already had maps identifying hotspots and we intend to put systems in place that residents are given the correct information and advised accordingly.

“The community development councils have been submitting their work programmes. I have signed off on those work programmes and now they are at the NDIA, waiting approval.”

Once there is approval, the CDC will move ahead

Flashback: Flat houses on the waterfront area in Kwakwani, Region 10, submerged (Photo: Vishani Ragobeer/ June 5, 2021) the representatives in those communities [and] they are reporting to us daily and this information is being filtered to the Civil Defence Commission,” Adams said.

Additionally, a report identifying several capital works, such as the clearing of several outfalls in anticipation of the rainy season, has already been prepared.

“Since the last flooding, we would have submitted a report to the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority [NDIA] for a number of critical capital works that should be undertaken in anticipation of the next rainy season. Projects that we would have highlighted, were the clearing of a number of outfalls,” the Regional Chairman said.

with the clearing of a number of drains.

Additionally, in the riverine communities like Kwakwani, some residents have been advised to move to higher ground as the rainy season draws nearer.

Adams disclosed that only a handful of people have since relocated. However, the authorities will continue to issue warning to those residents who have not yet relocated.

“For many years now, consecutive governments would have advised the people at the Water Front area in Kwakwani that they should consider moving to higher ground.

Some of them moved, a few of them remain and so the call is once again for them to move to higher ground.”

In May 2021, the re-

gional authorities in the Upper Demerara-Berbice region had declared that the community of Kwakwani was in a “severe state” since floodwaters had risen above 15 feet, completely covering several houses.

Other communities in the region such as Rockstone, Lamp Island Hururu, Central Coomacka, Spei-

ghtland, Malali, Aroaima, Muritaro were severely affected.

Later in June, President Dr Irfaan Ali had declared Guyana to be in a state of disaster by virtue of the ongoing floods.

At the time, a total of 28,228 households were affected by flooding countrywide.

Regional Chairman, Deron Adams

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Narcotics destroying lives of youths – Home Affairs Minister is to target persons who are engaged in selling narcotics, regardless of where, whether it is close by a school or even in

- praises CANU for work YOUNG people engaging in the use of narcotics are destroying their lives as it also encourages crime and violence within various communities, according to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.

As such, he praised the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) for clamping down on incidents of trafficking, sales and usage of narcotics countrywide.

“The frequency of seizures has increased dramatically over the past year. We have had outstanding successes in not only seizing large quantities of narcotics but also vehicles, boats and airplanes too in relation to this nefarious activity,” Benn said last week, when he witnessed the

destruction of over 1,526 kilogrammes of marijuana, with a street value of US$2.5 million (equivalent to GY$523,979,000).

He congratulated CANU and supporting services that work diligently to ensure that illegal drugs are taken off the streets.

“Beyond crime and violence, trafficking and the smuggling of people along with money laundering are also associated with the narcotics trade,” Minister Benn noted.

Meanwhile, CANU Head, James Singh, said the agency was tackling the use of illegal drugs in schools across the country, a collaborative venture between the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.

“So, we’re working

with the Ministry of Education and other agencies, to sensitise and to develop a programme that allows us to go into various schools around the region and sensitise persons about the effects of narcotics,” Singh said.

While students are the main targets of the programme, teachers will play a crucial role in the implementation and effectiveness of the initiative.

“So, it’s not only about working with the students, but also working with the teachers. They must also be able to see the behavioural patterns of persons. That gives us a better idea if persons are on drugs or something else so we can work with them also,” he stated.

Singh also noted that CANU was doing a lot

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn of work in communities countrywide, and was urging persons from within the communities to play their role in curbing the use of illegal drugs.

“We’re doing a lot of work in various communities and the aim here

CANU Head, James Singh that community itself, and that’s why again I will ask…if you know

persons are engaged in selling narcotics within your community, anywhere, let us know confidentially and we will take the necessary action,” Singh said.

The narcotics recently destroyed were seized at various ports and the majority of it was imported marijuana.

“This is as a result of the support given by the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as other services such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). We have not destroyed any cocaine as yet because those matters are before the court,” Singh said.

For the first quarter of this year, CANU seized 49.2 kilogrammes of cocaine and 2,077 kilogrammes of cannabis, among other drugs, and a total of 39 persons were charged as a result.

The amount of cocaine seized is equivalent to over 108 pounds while the amount of marijuana seized is equivalent to 4,579 pounds.

Singh said that out of the cases made, 25 were linked to marijuana discoveries, 13 to cocaine finds and one for ecstasy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Childcare officers to benefit from counselling, therapy sessions

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud OFFICERS attached to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) are expected to benefit from free counselling and other therapy sessions to help boost their mental health.

The exercise will soon come on stream, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the relevant authorities.

Minister of Human Services and Social Secu-

rity, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, made the disclosure Friday evening, during a meeting with staff. She told the gathering that the issues and the challenges they face while performing their duties can be extremely difficult, especially with their home life. She said a person’s mental health is important, not only to themselves but those around him/her.

“I believe one that propels us forward and should continue to motivate us and energise us is our passion and love for children, and love for children can never be manufactured.

Love for children has to come from deep within with the kind of care that you want to see the endpoint.”

She relayed that she

New Anna Regina housing office to be fully operational from today

MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal says the ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CHPA) new office in Anna Regina, Region Two, will be operational from today (Monday, April 11).

He said the building was rehabilitated and furnished and will be outfitted with a full complement of staff to address longstanding housing matters on the Essequibo Coast.

A new regional housing officer was appointed and the ministry is in the process of recruiting an assistant housing officer, Minister Croal noted.

“We are also increasing the staff complement because we have a number of matters to address …we have had history in terms of poor performance from previous hosing officers, and so we expect to deliver a better level of service to residents of Region Two,” he explained.

Among the main issues are enforcement and verification of a number of matters. There are a number of cases of bogus receipts and therefore, the housing officers will have to verify those receipts in order to process the ownership document for

The Regional Housing Office at Anna Regina, Region Two allottees.

This comes as the government is expanding its housing programme on the Essequibo Coast. The CH&PA has developed two new housing areas at Charity-St Joseph and Buxton, as well as Onderneeming Phase Four.

Minister Croal said money has been allocated to advance infrastructure works in those areas which will allow allottees to commence the construction of their houses by the end of the year.

Since coming into office in August 2020, government has been working to decentralise critical services across the country.

As such, three housing officers were appointed in Essequibo, Berbice and

Lethem.

The housing ministry continues to establish regional housing offices in areas where none existed, with the most recent being the Lethem office which was constructed at a cost of $23 million. The office houses the CH&PA and Guyana Water Incorporated.

Minister Croal noted that the overall aim is to strengthen the ministry’s regional capacity so as to reduce the number of persons visiting its central office in Georgetown. Simultaneously, the ministry will be phasing out a number of offices being rented by GWI across the regions, since both agencies will utilise one building. (DPI)

is in talks with Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar and Principal Personnel Officer, Rafael Boodhoo for the programme.

“Mental health and depression are not small things; they can also become quite worrisome, so,

if you feel at times, you feel pressured and challenged to that extent where your mental health is affected, do not be afraid to reach out and ask for the service.”

Minister Persaud stated.

She added that, “if we do not take care of ourselves, no one will, but, in

this ministry, we will, we want to ensure that this is offered to you for you.”

The minister urged the officers to take advantage of the service when it comes on stream, and stressed that sessions with the professionals will be purely confidential. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Jackson, Gardiner star...

FROM BACK PAGE in 45.63 ahead of B r i t a i n ’s A l e x H a ydock-Wilson in 46.05, with Jamaican Jaheel Hyde third in 46.27.

Puerto Rico’s Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn made a winning start to the season by setting a world-leading time of 12.67 in her specialty -the women’s 100 metres hurdles -- with American pair Chanel Brissett (13.06) and Christina Clemons (13.15) second and third.

“I was nervous at first, just because of the strong headwind, but I knew what I had to do,” 25-year-old Camacho-Quinn said.

“World lead? I don’t know how to feel about it. I still have other things that I am more focused on, but I will take it.”

Barbadian Shane Brathwaite took advantage of the absence of American Olympic silver medallist, Grant Holloway, who pulled out because of the windy conditions, to claim victory in the men’s 110 metres hurdles in 13.78.

American Michael Dickson was second in 13.85 with Eduardo Rodrigues of Brazil third in 13.87.

B e r m u d a ’s m i d d l e - d i s t a n c e r u n n e r, Dage Minors, brought a big cheer from the large crowd with a third-place finish in the men’s 1,500 metres, crossing the line in three minutes 46.82 seconds to finish behind Kenya’s Kamar Etiang (3:45.26) and Germany’s Amos Bartelsmeyer (3:45.35).

C a n a d a ’s J e r o m e Blake took the men’s

English Racing Tips Pontefract 08:55 hrs Jaxta 09:30 hrs Rambusco Creek 10:05 hrs Autumn Festival 10:40 he’s Showalong 11:15 hrs Al Qaasim 11:50 hrs Wemyss Point 12:20 hrs Esken Rose 12:50 hrs Dapper Man Windsor 08:50 hrs Glamorous Force 09:20 hrs Breezyandbright 09:55 hrs Samba Lady 10:30 hrs The Princess Poet 11:05 hrs Kick On Girl 11:40 hrs Chimed 12:10 hrs Qeyaady 12:40 hrs Tiare Irish Racing Tips Tramore 11:30 hrs Douglas DC

100 metres in 10.38, getting the better of Americans Erriyon Knighton (10.39) and Noah Lyles, who was also clocked at 10.39.

The women’s event was dominated by Americans: Teahna Daniels winning in 11.45, with Gabby Thomas (11.49) and Javianne Oliver (11.62) filling the minor places.

The men’s triple jump went to American Chris Benard, winning with a 16.57-metre leap, ahead of Jamaican Jordan Scott (16.37m) and Bahamian Kawain Culmer (15.82m).

American Ajee Wilson won the women’s 800 metres in 2:03.09, outstaying Jamaica’s Chrisann Gordon-Powel (2:04.19) and American Charlene Lipsey (2:04.50).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Premier League’s top two Neutral umpires to return in Test cricket as countries ease travel restrictions play out pulsating draw ..However, all five match officials will continue to be non-neutral in limited-overs cricket

Since the start of the 2018-19 season, combining the four campaigns, City and Liverpool have been separated by just a single point in the Premier League MANCHESTER City retained their slender one-point advantage at the top of the Premier League as they fought out a classic draw with closest rivals Liverpool at Etihad Stadium.

The meeting between the country’s two outstanding sides lived up to its pre-match billing and in the end there was nothing to separate them, with the destination of the title still hanging in the balance with seven games remaining.

City flew out of the blocks to take an early lead through Kevin de Bruyne’s deflected strike but Liverpool were quickly on terms when Diogo Jota turned home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass.

Pep Guardiola’s side dominated a magnificent first 45 minutes but failed to convert a host of chances before Gabriel

Jesus stole in behind Alexander-Arnold to restore their lead from Joao Cancelo’s cross nine minutes before the break.

Liverpool had been strangely nervous but came out rejuvenated after the re-start, equalising when Sadio Mane celebrated his 30th birthday by scoring from Mohamed Salah’s perfect pass in the 47th minute.

Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out for offside as both sides pressed for a winner in this superb match, with City substitute Riyad Mahrez wasting a chance to win it in the dying seconds as he lifted his finish over the top.

Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola may regret their failure to turn first-half superiority into a more meaningful advantage but they will not be wholly dissatisfied with

the outcome.

There will certainly be no dissatisfaction with City’s level of performance, which was outstanding apart from a sloppy first 15 minutes at the start of the second half, during which Liverpool equalised and the reigning Premier League champions were on the back foot.

City’s supporters seemed happy enough with the final outcome, clearly living on their nerves in the closing stages knowing Liverpool’s threat and their capacity to strike at any time.

De Bruyne was at his imperious best, although Sterling struggled against his former club, his day summed up when arguably his most composed piece of play in a frenetic afternoon saw a low finish past Alisson ruled out for offside, while Liverpool’s keeper also denied him in the opening moments of the game.

City’s advantage at the top of the table is just that one point but knowing how formidable Liverpool’s challenge can be, you suspect Guardiola will settle for it with only seven games left and a fixture list that looks manageable.

He would have preferred the victory that would have opened up a crucial gap but City have survived their toughest fixture of the season against their most dangerous opponents largely unscathed. (BBC Sport)

NEUTRAL umpires will return to stand in Test cricket, as countries have started to relax the travel restrictions that were imposed with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic from 2020.

On Sunday, the International Cricket Council ( ICC) ratified the recommendation of its Cricket Committee to “utilise” more neutral umpires in international cricket, but also decided to have home umpires officiate in both ODIs and T20Is. Accordingly, for the 202223 period, the ICC has decided that three of the five match officials in Test cricket will be neutral: the on-field umpire, match referee and the third umpire.

The remaining two match officials - second on-field umpire and the fourth umpire will be non-neutral. Before the pandemic, both the on-field umpires, match referee as well as the third umpire were neutral officials.

But since June 2020, faced with the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, the ICC had decided to have non-neutral match officials in bilateral series.

Last year, the ICC Cricket Committee had recommended that structure to be retained which was approved by the global body’s chief executives committee as well as the board.

On Sunday, the ICC, in a media release, stated that the home umpires’ performance was “strong” and encouraging.

“The CEC was updated on the use of home umpires from July 2020 to February 2022 due to Covid-19,” the ICC said.

“The committee acknowledged that the performance of home umpires was strong and had not affected games. The use of

Since June 2020, the ICC has been using non-neutral match officials in all bilateral series (BCCI) home umpires had also led to 12 members of the international panel of umpires making their Test match debut.

In line with a previous recommendation from the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee, the CEC agreed that more neutral match officials should be utilised as travel restrictions are lifted while building on the success of the use of home umpires.

The success of the non-neutral umpires over the last two years has given the ICC the confidence to have no neutral presence in limited-overs cricket. Going forward, all the five match officials, including the match referee, will be non-neutral in bilateral ODIs and T20Is. Before the pandemic regulations, in ODIs, one of the on-field umpires along with the third umpire and the match referee were neutral. There were two home officials: one one-field umpire and the fourth umpire. In T20 cricket, prior to the pandemic, only the match referee was a neutral official, who now will be from the home board.

The Cricket Committee re-

appointed Mahela Jayawardene as a past player’s representative and also appointed Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, as the committee’s Full Member representative, taking over from David White.

The ICC was also advised by the Afghanistan Working Group at the meeting and as expected, were recommended the appointment of ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf as Afghanistan’s appointed representative to the Board.

“The Working Group advised the Board that the ICC was continuing to support the Afghanistan Men’s team to play international cricket while monitoring the governance of the sport in the country including the development of the women’s game,” the ICC said in a release.

“The ACB confirmed their continued commitment to developing women’s cricket and will submit a full action plan and budget to do so to the Working Group which will continue to monitor the situation and receive regular updates on its progress.”(Cricinfo)

Carter, Shaw score hat- tricks as Jamaica swamp Cayman Islands 9-0

TRUDI Carter and Khadijah Shaw each scored hat-tricks as Jamaica clobbered The Cayman Islands 9-0 on Saturday in the CONCACAF Women’s championship to set up a top-of-the-table showdown with the unbeaten Dominican Republic at Sabina Park on Tuesday.

Carter scored in the seventh, 16th and 17th minutes as Jamaica scored five in the first half against the home side playing at the Truman Bodden Stadium in Georgetown.

Tamoy Phillips’ own goal in the 12th and Jody Brown’s goal in the 14th meant that Jamaica scored all five goals within the first 20 minutes of the match.

Miraculously, Jamaica failed to add to the scoreline in the remaining time before the interval.

The domination continued after the break as Shaw scored three within 11 minutes (54’, 56’, 65’) as Jamaica boosted their goal-differ-

Part of the action in the Jamaica, Cayman Islands clash on Saturday

ence advantage over the Dominican Republic which were only able to defeat Bermuda 1-0.

Kayla McCoy came on as a substitute for Shaw and added her name to the score sheet in the 88th minute to complete the rout.

The lopsided victory means Jamaica leads Group C with the maximum of nine points, the same as the

Dominican Republic but Jamaica has scored 19 goals and conceded one in their three matches. The Dominican Republic has 14 from their three matches, which means that they need to defeat Jamaica on Tuesday to win the group and advance to the next round of competition.

A win or a draw for Jamaica means they advance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

East Coast Cricket Board/ Commander Khali Pareshram U-17 Tournament Launched ..Rockaway Group of Companies and Sunita Travel Service of New York on board

THE East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) launched its 50-over Under-17 Cricket tournament for the Commander’s Cup Thursday last.

The competition is fully sponsored by the Rockaway Group of Companies and Sunita Travel Service, two New York-based Businesses.

Commander Pareshram, in his presentation, stated that he was very grateful to be involved in sponsoring the Competition, since it came in line with the Police Force’s Strategic plan to promote relationships with our communities and youths.

He pledged his continued commitment regarding the sponsorship and development of cricket on the East Coast.

Pareshram urged the young cricketers to take

Mr Gray Ghadgat (left) makes the presentation to ECCB secretary, Mr. Anandjit, in the presence of Commander Pareshram and other sponsors the competition seriously as he was looking forward to a disciplined and exciting tournament. The East Coast Cricket Board / Commander Khali Pareshram U-17 tournament will be used for talent-spotting and for the

selection of the ECCB U-17 squad.

Also in attendance was the vice-president of the ECCB, Mr. Barton, who addressed the gathering, urging the attendees to be responsible, while also acknowledg-

Leclerc wins Australian Grand Prix as title rival Max Verstappen retires

Charles Leclerc celebrates his victory in the Australian Grand Prix CHARLES Leclerc took a dominant victory in the Australian Grand Prix to move into a commanding position in the World Championship.

The Ferrari driver was in total control of the race when his main rival Max Verstappen retired with a technical failure on his Red Bull at two-thirds distance.

Verstappen is 46 points almost two clear wins - behind Leclerc after just three races of the season, in two of which the Red Bull has failed to finish.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was second after winning battles with Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis

Hamilton.

Remarkably, in the context of Mercedes’ disappointing start to the season, Russell is second in the drivers’ championship at this early stage and Mercedes second in the constructors’ chase.

Leclerc’s win was his second of the season and by far the most imposing performance by any driver so far.

Red Bull had hopes of taking the fight to Leclerc, as Verstappen did on his way to victory in the last race in Saudi Arabia, but they were in vain.

Leclerc won pole position with the biggest margin of the season so far.

His team-mate Carlos Sainz caused an early safety car when he lost control of his car trying to make an overtaking move at Turn Nine after a bad start from a poor grid position. When racing resumed, Leclerc first eased away from Verstappen and then bolted into the distance as the Red Bull driver began to suffer from tyre problems.

A second safety car, this time caused by a crash by Sebastian Vettel on a dire weekend for his Aston Martin team, gave Verstappen a second chance.

Leclerc, who had not long before made his pit stop for fresh tyres, briefly struggled for grip on the restart and Verstappen challenged him into Turn One, but the Ferrari held him off and then proceeded to pull out another significant gap, moving clear at about half a second a lap, before the world champion ran into trouble.

Leclerc was more than seven seconds in the lead - a margin built in 11 laps - when Verstappen complained he could “smell some weird fluid” and he was told to pull off the track. (BBC Sport)

ing the sponsors’ efforts and financial sacrifices made to allow the players to be able to showcase theirtalents.

Mr. Daveteerth Anandjit, Secretary of the ECCB, in receiving the cheque, thanked Commander Pareshram and the overseas sponsors.

In his brief remarks, he declared that the ECCB will be delivering a quality tournament and urged the young cricketers to make full use of it.

In an invited comment, president of the ECCB, Bissoondyal Singh, said that he was delighted to see Commander Pareshram and, by extension, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) involvement

and viewed this as a massive step in the right direction.

Singh expressed his sincere gratitude to Mr. Ali of Rockaway Group of Companies and Ms. Sunita of Sunita Travel Service for having confidence in the administration of cricket in Guyana.

The ECCB boss took the opportunity to thank them for their support and contribution especially in these trying times. He also assured that their timely investment will go a far way in the development of our youth cricketers on the East Coast of Demerara.

This competition will bowl off this Saturday and will see ten (10) teams com-

peting for cash prizes, trophies and cricket gear for teams and players excelling during the tournament.

This tournament, which is expected to conclude on 28th May 2022, will be used to select the East Coast Demerara U17 team to participate in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) tournament later on in preparation for the Regional U-17 expected to be held in July this year.

The winning team will take home $100,000 and a trophy while the runner-up will earn $50,000 and a trophy. Other outstanding players during the tournament will also be given prizes.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Maharaj and Harmer put South Africa on brink of second Test win KESHAV Maharaj and Simon Harmer starred with the ball as a dominant South Africa edged closer to a series victory over Bangladesh in Port Elizabeth.

Bangladesh resumed at 139-5 on the third day of the second Test, but an efficient Proteas attack picked up where they left off on day two with the ball, dismissing the tourists for just 78 further runs.

The hosts declared at 176-6 in their second innings after Sarel Erwee (41) and Kyle Verreynne (39 not out) helped them to a 412-run lead, before removing Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, and Najmul Hossain Shanto in quick fashion to put themselves on the brink of a 2-0 triumph.

Bangladesh managed to hold off the Proteas attack for much of the morning, reaching 192 without any further losses through the efforts of Yasir Ali (46) and Mushfiqur

Keshav Maharaj picked two of the three wickets Bangladesh lost in the second innings Rahim (51), but Maharaj’s dismissal of Ali was the catalyst for a fine display of bowling from the hosts.

One day after producing the best batting performance of his Test career

to drag South Africa to 453 in their first innings, Maharaj removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11), while Harmer dismissed Mushfiqur, Taijul Islam (five), and Ebadot Hossain, the last of the trio for nought.

The hosts went in search of quick runs when they picked up the bat, reaching 60 before captain Dean Elgar was dismissed

by Taijul for 26.

Erwee, Verreynne and Bavuma (30) then posted decent returns to set the tourists a mammoth target, before Elgar declared in hope of a rapid victory.

Bangladesh’s second attempt with the bat began in even worse fashion than their first, with Hasan Joy caught by Wiaan Mulder from Maharaj’s first ball.

Maharaj and Harmer claimed another wicket apiece before the day was through, with the former sending Hossain Shanto for just seven runs and Harmer dismissing Iqbal for 13.

The hosts now appear certain to clinch the series on day four, with the below-par tourists needing 386 to level the series.

Maharaj superb once more Having recorded just his fourth Test half-century to put South Africa in a commanding position on day two, the 32-year-old spinner starred in more typical fashion on day three.

He set the home attack on their way by adding two more first-innings wickets, before claiming two dismissals for just 17 runs as the visitors saw their top order decimated later in the day.

Harmer gets in on the act Harmer was also outstanding with the ball, claiming the other three wickets at the end of Bangladesh’s first innings before wrapping up a fine day’s work by dismissing Tamim.

(Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings 453 Bangladesh 1st innings o/n 139 for 5 Tamim Iqbal lbw Wiaan Mulder 47 Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Sarel Erwee b Duanne Olivier 0 Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw Wiaan Mulder 33 Mominul Haque lbw Wiaan Mulder 6 Mushfiqur Rahim b Simon Harmer 51 Liton Das b Duanne Olivier 11 Yasir Ali c&b Keshav Maharaj 46 Mehidy Hasan c Duanne Olivier b Keshav Maharaj 11 Taijul Islam c Lizaad Williams b Simon Harmer 5 Khaled Ahmed Not Out 0 Ebadot Hossain c Lizaad Williams b Simon Harmer 0 Extras 4b 2lb 0nb 0pen 1w 7 Total (74.2 overs) 217 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-3 Joy, 2-82 Iqbal, 3-85 Shanto, 4-100 Haque, 5-122 Das, 6-192 Chowdhury, 7-210 Rahim, 8-216 Islam, 9-217 Miraz, 10-217 Chowdhury Bowling : Duanne Olivier 15 - 4 - 39 - 2, Lizaad Williams 12 - 2 - 51 - 0 (1w), Simon Harmer 10.2 - 1 - 39 - 3, Keshav Maharaj 24 - 6 - 57 - 2, Wiaan Mulder13 - 7- 25 - 3. .........................................................

South Africa 2nd innings Sarel Erwee c Mominul Haque b Khaled Ahmed 41 Dean Elgar b Taijul Islam 26 Keegan Petersen lbw Taijul Islam 14 Temba Bavuma lbw Mehidy Hasan 30 Ryan Rickelton c Mominul Haque b Taijul Islam 12 Kyle Verreynne Not Out 39 Wiaan Mulder b Mehidy Hasan 6 Extras 4b 4lb 0nb 0pen 0w 8 Total (39.5 overs) 176 for 6 decl Fall of Wickets : 1-60 Elgar, 2-84 Petersen, 3-90 Erwee, 4-119 Rickelton, 5-154 Bavuma, 6-176 Mulder Did Not Bat : Maharaj, Harmer, Williams, Olivier Bowling: Ebadot Hossain 5 - 0- 29 - 0, Khaled Ahmed 10 - 0 - 38 - 1, Taijul Islam 15 - 2 - 67 - 3, Mehidy Hasan 9.5 - 3 - 34 - 2 ............................................................

BANGLADESH 2nd innings Tamim Iqbal c Wiaan Mulder b Simon Harmer 13 Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Wiaan Mulder b Keshav Maharaj 0 Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw Keshav Maharaj 7 Mominul Haque Not Out 5 Extras 2b 0lb 0nb 0pen 0w 2 Total (9.1 overs) 27-3 Fall of Wickets : 1-1 Joy, 2-11 Shanto, 3-27 Iqbal To Bat : Rahim, Das, Chowdhury, Miraz, Islam, Ahmed, Chowdhury Bowling : Keshav Maharaj 5 - 1 - 17 - 2, Simon Harmer 4.1 - 1 - 8 - 1.

Warner stars as Delhi Capitals beat Knight Riders

DAVID Warner was at his destructive best as the Australian cricket team opener scored his first half century for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. Warner scored 61 off 45 deliveries with

six fours and two massive sixes.

Thanks to his destructive knock, Warner was able to add another milestone to his already illustrious career as he went past 5500 runs in the IPL. He became the fifth batsman ever to achieve the feat after Virat Kohli, Shi-

khar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and ex-Chennai Super Kings player Suresh Raina.

Warner is the only overseas player to achieve this feat with South Africa legend AB de Villiers in distant second with 5162 runs. The left-hander was also the fastest to achieve this feat.

Delhi Capitals marched

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday April 11, 2022) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 181* for the first wicket (V. Kholi & D. Padikkal (RCB vs RR) (2) M S Dhoni (13 catches) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has struck the first century in IPL 2022?

(2) Who claimed the first 4-wicket haul in this season’s IPL? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

David Warner was able to add another milestone to his already illustrious career as he went past 5500 runs in the IPL to a 44-run victory against KKR thanks to a dominant show from the batsmen.

Warner was the star of the show along with Prithvi Shaw (51 off 29 balls) as they added 93 runs for the opening wicket. The run rate took a slight dip during

the middle overs but a late onslaught from Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur was enough to take DC to 215/5 in 20 overs.

Chasing 216, KKR never looked in control as DC kept taking wickets at regular intervals with

Kuldeep Yadav claiming four while left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed took three. Shreyas Iyer tried to fight back with a well made 56 but the target proved too much them as they fell well short.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

Big wins for Haiti, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago in CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers Ground in Road Town, BVI. Batcheba Louis (33’, 39’, 42’, 58’, 89’) had five goals, Roselord Borgella (4’, 21’, 22’, 45’) recorded four goals, Melchie Dumornay (6’, 11’, 32’), Roseline Eloissaint (63’, 73’, 79’) and Mikerline Saintfelix (84’, 87’, 90’) all notched hat tricks to go along with a Kara Lewis own goal (8’) and scores from Nerilia Mondesir (51’) and Kethna Louis (77’).

Trinidad and Tobago are now atop Group F after posting a 13-0 win

versus Turks and Caicos Islands at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

Chelcy Ralph (6’, 17’, 82’) tallied a hat trick, Karyn Forbes (33’, 45’), May Matouk (49’, 66’) and Raenah Campbell (72’, 86’) each had braces, while Lauryn Hutchinson, Cecily Stoute, Liana Hinds and Maria-Frances Serrant all joined in on the scoresheet in the win.

(Sportsdmax).

Hetmyer’s pulsating, unbeaten 59 takes Royals to top of IPL standings

There were a number of commanding performances on the day on Saturday, as 2022 CONCACAF W Championship Qualifying continued with several group leaders in action MEXICO remained in first place in Group A thanks to an 11-0 win over Anguilla at the Raymond E. Guishard Stadium in The Valley, Anguilla as action resumed in the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship Qualifying on Saturday.

Alicia Cervantes (3’, 9’, 56’) had a hat- trick, Diana Ordonez (57’, 68’) and Katty Martinez (73’, 89’) each had braces, while Maricarmen Reyes (15’), Sandra Mayor (39’), Casandra Montero Rodriguez (52’) and Jimena Lopez (63’) added their names to the scoresheet for El Tricolor.

Costa Rica got a massive performance from star FW Raquel Rodriguez, who scored a hat trick to power the Ticas to a 4-0 win against Curacao in Group B at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisa in Willemstad, Curacao.

Rodriguez scored her goals in the 22’, 28’ and 64’, while Priscila Chinchilla chipped in with a score in the 57’ to give Costa Rica a three-point advantage in the group standings.

Laurie Batista was the hero on the day for Panama with a hat trick to help her side march past Aruba 9-0 in Group D at the F.F.B Football Field in Belmopan, Belize.

Batista scored in the 8’, 19’ and 45’, in addition to a Marta Cox brace (44’, 64’) and goals from Karla Riley (30’), Kenia Rangel (34’), Erika Hernandez (55’) and Gabriela Leonards (68’), keeping the Canaleras atop the group.

Table toppers Haiti flexed their scoring muscles in a 21-0 victory against the British Virgin Islands in Group E at the A.O Shirley Recreation

MUMBAI, India, (CMC) – Shimron Hetmyer emerged from a slow start to lash a pulsating half-century as Rajasthan Royals defeated Jason Holder’s Lucknow Super Giants by three runs to climb to the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) standings.

Finding the going difficult after arriving at the crease at 64 for three in the 10th over, the left-hander struck an unbeaten 59 off 36 deliveries as Royals rallied to 165 for six off their 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.

Hetmyer, dropped on 14 in the 14th over, scraped just 21 runs from his first 25 deliveries before exploding to plunder 38 runs from his last 11 balls, overall striking one four and half-dozen sixes.

Fast bowling all-rounder Holder finished with two for 50, his last two overs travelling for 34 runs as Hetmyer launched his onslaught.

In reply, South African opener Quinton de Kock topscored with a slow 39 from 32 balls and while Australian Marcus Stoinis struck a 17ball unbeaten 38 but Super Giants struggled to recover from 14 for three in the fourth over and failed to adequately compensate at the back end.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked up four for 41 to clinch Man-of-the-Match honours but it was New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult (2-30) who shook the innings with two wickets in the first over of the run chase.

Devdutt Padikkal’s run-aball 29 formed the foundation of the 42-run opening stand with Englishman Jos Buttler (13) before four wickets tumbled for 25 runs in the space of 29 balls, to leave Royals tottering on 67 for four in the 10th over.

Hetmyer’s arrival proved the turning point, the West Indies batting star inspiring

Shimron Hetmyer hit six sixes in his 36-ball 59 not out (Cricinfo photo) a 68-run, fifth wicket stand with Ravi Ashwin (28), as

Royals gathered 73 runs from the last five overs.

Hetmyer was particularly severe on his former Test captain Holder, hoisting him for two sixes in the 18th over which went for 18 runs.

The second of two sixes in the next over from Avesh Khan signalled Hetmyer’s 14th T20 half-century off 33 deliveries.

Boult then shocked Super Giants with two wickets in the opening over and Holder’s demise, tugging pacer Prasidh Krishna to mid on for eight, meant the innings was in tatters.

De Kock and Deepak Hooda (25) put on 38 for the fourth wicket before Stoinis belted a couple of fours and four sixes in a 36-run, unbroken ninth wicket stand with Avesh Khan (7 not out), but the 15 required from the final over proved out of reach.

Guyana women secure bronze at Pan Am Squash

24

THE senior national female squash team won bronze at the Pan American Championships which concluded in Guatemala on Saturday.

Guyana lost 1-2 to Canada in the semi-final, but their third-place finish secured their spot at the June 28 – July 8 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador.

Additionally, the men’s team, despite finishing eighth, also qualified for the CAC Games, which adds the icing on Nicolette Fernandes gold medal in the women’s singles.

The other members of the women’s team were

Ashely Khalil, Mary FungA-Fat, and Gabrielle Fraser.

Meanwhile, the men’s team of Alex Arjoon, Kristian Jeffrey, Jason-Ray Khalil, and Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, started their campaign with a 3-0 triumph over the British Virgin Islands but lost their next match 0-2 to the second-seed United States of America.

Canada then defeated them 0-3 and Chile by the identical scoreline to finish eighth. There were four teams -- Argentina, USA, Canada, and Chile -- who do not compete at the CAC Games, that finished ahead of the Guyanese men.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 11, 2022

From left: Nicolette Fernandes, Ashely Khalil, Mary Fung-A-Fat and Gabrielle Fraser in smiles after earning the bronze medal

Scottie Scheffler wins Jackson, Gardiner star as first major as Rory McIlroy Caribbean athletes excel finishes second ued his recent dominance with another commanding performance in Sunday’s final round.

The highlight was a stunning chip-in for birdie on the third, which turned momentum back in his favour after 28-year-old Smith had already reduced the gap to one shot.

Smith still applied pressure before seeing his chances irreparably damaged with a double bogey on the iconic parthree 12th.

Unruffled by McIlroy’s charge and Smith’s troubles, Scheffler converted more birdies at World number one Scottie Scheffler with his Green 14 and 15 to lead by five Jacket.(Sporting Life photo) shots with three holes left.

A majestic display WORLD number one Rory McIlroy, who shot an ended with the uncharacScottie Scheffler cement- extraordinary 64. teristic wobble on the 18th ed his place as the domAustralia’s Cameron as Scheffler, finally showinant force in the men’s Smith, in the last pair with ing signs of emotion as golf game by winning the Scheffler, hit a 73. tears filled the eyes of his Masters and clinching Wo r l d n u m b e r s i x wife Meredith, took four his first major.

Smith was aiming for a putts to confirm victory.

Scheffler won with a rare double of Players When the final shot one-under 71, after miss- Championship and Mas- dropped to an even louding two short putts on the ters victories, but ended er cheer, a relieved smile 18th, to finish 10 under par up finishing third on five broke out across Schefand claim the Green Jacket under alongside Ireland’s fler’s face as he celeat Augusta.

Shane Lowry. brated his fourth victory The 25-year-old AmerUS Ryder Cup star in the past six tournaican finished three shots Scheffler held a three-shot ments.(BBC Sport) clear of Northern Ireland’s overnight lead and contin-

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Top athletes from the Caribbean left their mark on the televised inaugural USATF Bermuda Games, on Saturday, picking up eight victories, as strong headwinds and rain played havoc with times at the Flora Duffy Stadium. `Regional powerhouse, Jamaica, matched the United States with three wins each on the 13-race programme, the Bahamas picked up two while Grenada, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Canada and Kenya shared one apiece.

Close to 140 athletes took part.

Shiann Salmon led a Jamaican sweep in the women’s 400-metre hurdles, winning in 55.35 seconds with compatriots Rushell Clayton (55.89) and Janieve Russell (56.56) following her home.

Shericka Jackson, a 100 metres bronze medallist at last year’s Tokyo’s Olympics, took the 400 metres in 51.40 with another Jamaican, Candice McLeod, second in 51.57.

American Jaide Stepter Baynes was third in 51.93.

Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts, the World Championships silver medal winner, opened the three-hour event, the first World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting of the year, by

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winning the women’s triple jump with a best of 14.15 metres, finishing ahead of Britain’s Naomi Metzger (14.00m) and American Michelle Fokam, who posted 13.42.

Ricketts got her mark on her third attempt after Metzger had jumped to an early lead on her second

Strachan said afterwards.

“I am satisfied with the performance because it wasn’t really great conditions, but I still came out on top.”

In one of the most exciting finishes of the day, reigning Olympic 400 metres champion, Steven Gardiner, of the Bahamas

Olympic 400 metres champion, Steven Gardiner effort.

In the women’s 200 metres, Bahamian Anthonique Strachan finished strongly to post 23.24 and hold off American Dezerea Bryant (23.72) with rising Jamaican star, Briana Williams, third in 23.82.

Strachan’s victory came 10 years after she completed the CARIFTA Games sprint double in the same stadium.

“I am excited to be back and repeat what I did back then,” 28-year-old

outgunned Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards in the men’s 200 metres.

Gardiner clocked 20.79, a mere seven-hundredths of a second ahead of Richards, with Emmanuel Matadi of Liberia third in 21.04.

“The wind was crazy, but I had to fight,” said Gardiner. “I didn’t get that good of a start, but I just did what I could to get to the line.”

Grenadian star Kirani James romped to victory in the men’s 400 metres TURN TO PAGE 19 MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022