Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-10-2021

THURSDAY 14th October, 2021

No. 106514

Fishermen rejoice

-over granting of licences to fish in Suriname waters

Gov’t advances efforts to revise Guyana’s NDC SEE PAGE

02

SEE PAGE

03

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at the forum on Monday

Boats moored at the Number 66 Fishery Complex in Corentyne, Berbice (Nafeeza Yahya photo)

accused of Three new schools Ex-cop murdering wife commissioned walks free in Region Nine SEE PAGE

05

Regional Education Officer, Kateri Joseph

SEE PAGE

12

Ex-cop Colin Bailey

Dead: Sirmattie Ramnaress

$2.7B in contracts awarded to boost food sector SEE PAGE

10

A contractor signing a contract awarded to his company

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Gov’t advances efforts to revise Guyana’s NDC -in preparation for Glasgow Climate Conference; key stakeholders engaged in the process

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at the forum on Monday

THE Office of the President, on Monday, convened a stakeholder engagement session to discuss the revision of Guyana’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, countries are required to prepare and submit NDCs, outlining their commitments to take action to address climate change.

NDCs are required to be updated every five years.

Since Guyana’s first submission was made in 2016, a revision is now due.

Monday’s forum was attended by a wide range of stakeholders from civil society, Amerindian organisations, conservation organisations, the private sector, and government ministries and agencies that provided perspectives on climate change, Guyana’s efforts, and the NDC. Vice-President, Dr Bhar-

rat Jagdeo, attended and participated in the interactive engagement.

The political opposition was also invited and attended, but instead of participating in the discussions, proceeded to deliver a written submission attacking the government’s efforts on climate change, low carbon development and the NDC and thereafter staging a walkout from the meeting.

It should be recalled that in 2016, the then APNU+AFC Government submitted Guyana’s first NDC, committing Guyana to move to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025. No other country at that time and up to now has over-extended itself to such a commitment, a situation that caused Guyana much embarrassment internationally and nationally then and up to now.

Coupled with this, during the period up to 2020, there were no initiatives by the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government to achieve this overly ambitious target.

Key energy projects inherited, which were initiated by the PPP/C Government, such as the Amaila Hydropower Project, were scuttled.

Monday’s engagement was one step in the process being undertaken by the Office of the President to revise the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), taking into consideration current realities and the government’s commitments to climate change and low carbon development. The focus will remain on key actions on adaptation to climate change and mitigation efforts, with particular emphasis on Guyana’s energy sector and forests.

A draft revised NDC will be put forward in the public domain for stakeholder review and inputs ahead of the UNFCCC, Climate Change Conference (COP26) scheduled from October 31 to November 12, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Office of the President)

A section of the gathering at the stakeholder engagement session on Monday

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

3

Fishermen rejoice over granting of licences to fish in Suriname waters

Boats mored at the Number 66 Fishery Complex in Corentyne, Berbice

SOME 150 licences will soon be distributed to Guyanese fisherfolk who 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 SRD500 annually.

In the past, the fishers have been paying as much as US$4,000 in order to rent a licence from a Surinamese so that they can fish.

In addition to dealing with this high cost, the fisherfolk are sometimes forced to give the bulk of their catch at cheap rates to the person whose licence they had rented.

The Upper Corentyne Fishermen Co-op Society (UCFCS) have since praised President Irfaan Ali and Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, for their role in securing the new arrangement.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle recently, the society’s chairman, Pameshwar Jainarine, stated that the boats operating out of the Number 66 Fisheries and the Number 65 Fishing Complex are

often said to be operating in Suriname’s waters. If they are not in possession of the required licence, they are held and their catch seized, he said.

According to Jainarine, the fishermen would usually have to pay fines ranging from US$10,000 to US$12,000.

He told this publication that given the circumstances, the fishermen and Surinamese nationals came to an agreement whereby the latter would rent licences to Guyanese boat owners under the guise that they (the Surinamese) are the owners of vessels and have employed a Guyanese crew.

This arrangement has been in place for some 17 years.

The chairman explained to this publication that if an incident occurs, the licensee is the one who has to make the report and sometimes they are not around or have the necessary finances. He said with this new arrangement, Guyanese fishermen and boat owners can now move freely and request whatever assistance they need from the Surinamese authorities without having

to go through anyone.

In providing a background on how the new arrangement came into being, he stated that the UCFCS decided to form a delegation to meet with President Ali. He said they noticed that the two governments were partnering on major projects which included the proposed Guyana/Suriname bridge, and decided to try to get licences for 50 boats.

“We formed a delegation and went to President Ali and when we reach, we asked for 50 licences but he asked how many boats we have at the coop and we told him 146.

So, he said why ask for only 50 when you have so much more boats…We were not certain we were getting the licence because of how long we have been trying but we listened to the president’s advice [and] we returned and submitted the names and information for the 150 boats and it was granted,” he said.

He added: “ We are so happy and relieved because this will make our lives so much easier and better.”

In a joint press con-

ference with Suriname President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, in August, President Ali announced that the two countries will be working towards the issuance of the licences by January 2022, since that is the period when they are usually granted.

This announcement was met with excitement from the Guyanese fisherfolk and some dissention from the members of the opposition party in Suriname who were of the view that this does not benefit Suriname and will cause the Surinamese to lose out.

Jainarine, during the interview, emphasised that the granting of a licence to a Guyanese will not affect the number of boats that are fishing in the Dutch nation’s economic zone since the Surinamese nationals, who were renting the licences, are not the owners of fishing boats.

“They don’t own the boats. It’s our boats they take and use to get the licences and they charge us money to rent the licence. When they have inspection, they say the boats are in the sea and they notify us to be pres-

ent for whichever date so we can bring the boats and get them inspected. They tell the authorities that the boats are theirs and we are operating it for them, so they get the licence. This won’t affect the quota in Suriname because is the same amount of boats, but the only difference is that the rightful owners of the boat will now get their licences,” he added.

The UCFCS is, however, keen to ask that their members strictly adhere to the rules under which the licences will be issued.

SAFER Meanwhile, a boat owner, Sachin Ramrattan, said the decision to issue the licence to Guyanese has removed the tension they have endured for so many years.

He noted that fishing in Suriname’s waters will now feel safer.

“It’s US$3000 and over; we have to pay that straight from our pockets.

No matter what, we have to find the money and it’s cash money. There is nothing like an agreement to work and pay at the start of the year; you have to find that money. So, it’s been so hard over the

past years . It would be a big ease once this comes through because it will be far cheaper and save us, ” Ramrattan, who operates five fishing boats, said.

He added that he hopes in the future the number of licences granted can be increased so that other fisherfolk from other ports in the region can benefit.

“The boats from the Number 66 co-op [are] most affected… because as soon as we enter outside of our area, we enter Suriname water. As it stands, some people who want the licence have never worked in Suriname before. So, it’s a very worrying situation,” he said Another boat owner, who identified himself as Roypen Mootain, said he owns thirteen boats and has been plying the Suriname route for twenty-seven years.

He stated that the issuance of the licence will not only benefit the boat owners, but it will trickle down to everyone in the fishing industry, especially the fishermen who can now look forward to better wages.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Five dead in Norway bow and arrow attack Police have cordoned off large parts of the town (BBC photo)

Five people have been killed and two more injured in Norway after a man used a bow

and arrow to attack them.

Police first received word of an attack in

the town of Kongsberg, south-west of the capital Oslo, at around 18:13 local time (16:13 GMT).

Chief Oeyvind Aas said a suspect had been caught and seemed to have acted alone.

Police will investigate whether it was an act of terror, a spokesman said.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg said reports of the incident had been

“horrifying”.

“I understand that many people are afraid, but it’s important to emphasise that the police are now in control,” she told a news conference, as quoted by Reuters news agency.

The attacker is said to have launched the assault inside a Coop Extra supermarket on Kongsberg’s west side.

One of those injured was an off-duty police

officer who was in the shop at the time.

A spokesperson for the chain later confirmed a “serious incident” at their store, adding that none of their staff were physically injured.

There was reportedly a confrontation between the attacker and the police before he was eventually detained at 18:47 local time.

One witness told local outlet TV2 she had heard a commotion and seen a woman taking cover, then a “man standing on the corner with arrows in a quiver on his shoulder and a bow in his hand”, according to AFP news agency.

“Afterwards, I saw

people running for their lives. One of them was a woman holding a child by the hand,” she added.

Officers are also investigating whether the attacker used other weapons during the incident, Chief Aas told reporters.

The suspect moved over a large area, and authorities have cordoned off several parts of the town. Residents were ordered to stay indoors so authorities could examine the scene and gather evidence.

The suspect has now been taken to a police station in the town of Drammen. He has yet to be questioned.

Dozens of emergency vehicles were at the scene, including ambulances, police cars and helicopters.

Norway’s Justice Minister Monica Maeland has been informed and is closely monitoring the situation, the ministry tweeted.

The country’s police directorate has ordered all officers nationwide to carry firearms as an extra precaution.

Usually police in the country are not armed.

“The police have no indication so far that there is a change in the national threat level,” the directorate said in a statement (in Norwegian).

(BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

5

Three new schools commissioned in Region Nine

Regional Education Officer, Kateri Joseph Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, with the learners of Fly Hill STUDENTS of Fly Hill, Rupertee and Pai Pang villages in Region Nine will now be able to easily access primary education, following the commissioning of three schools in the villages.

The new schools are in keeping with the government’s commitment to enhance the education sector in hinterland communities.

Some $18 million was expended to construct the Pai Pang Primary and $16 million for Rupertee and Fly Hill primary schools respectively. Each school was also furnished at the cost of

$3 million.

Pai Pang and Tiger Pond also saw the commissioning of teachers’ quarters for $14 million and $9 million respectively.

The schools were commissioned by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, along with Regional Executive Officer (REO), Karl Singh; Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock; and Regional Education Officer (REdO), Kateri Joseph, among others, on Tuesday.

Minister Dharamlall told residents that education is

an essential tool in the country’s development. He said education in Amerindian villages has, for too long, been neglected.

“Today is a manifestation of your prayers. Your prayers have been answered... over the last two days we have commissioned two additional schools at Rupertee. Those children from Rupertee had to walk to Annai every day. They now have their own primary school.”

Residents of Pai Pang also requested the same for similar reasons, which the Local Government Minister

said needed to be addressed for the betterment of the children.

“For so many years, Pai Pang has been asking too for their own school because their children had to go Tiger Pond and sometimes these children had to stay at night in Tiger Pond with nobody to take care of them and now this is a reality,” he said.

It was revealed that nursery school children will also be housed in the new schools. To this end, Minister Dharamlall urged residents, teachers and children to maintain the facilities as

there are more resources to come.

“These communities will benefit from massive transformation in every sector and so next year, you will see this come to fruition. These transformations are the commitment of the government and so we are willing to work with everyone to boost these efforts.”

Regional Education Officer Joseph said that teachers had already been selected to manage the schools. She also encouraged residents to apply to become teachers to serve in their respective communities.

Meanwhile, REdO Joseph took the opportunity

to urge teachers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 while Regional Chairman Allicock said the communities had been lobbying for the educational facilities for some time. While it was promised by the previous administration, it failed to keep that promise.

“Every year they have been asking for a school and we tried with the last administration to get this done, but it did not take flight, but it is our government now that made it possible for you to have this brand-new building here,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall and his team also distributed school bags to the children.

Domestic violence, sexual abuse, access to justice among key hindrances to gender equality –Women and Gender Equality Commission report

DOMESTIC violence, sexual abuse, incest, inaccessibility to social services and opportunities, unemployment and access to justice are just some of the issues that hinder the realisation of gender equality in Guyana.

This is according to the Women and Gender Equality Commission’s (WGEC) eighth and ninth annual reports which were handed over to Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir on Wednesday.

The report said these challenges are particularly found in rural communities.

“You will see that the report starts out with recommendations and this has to do with the work we do all over the country and without stakeholders to address the issues affecting women

and men as well,” expressed Chairperson of the WGEC, Indranie Chandarpal.

She added, “I would say from a legislation point of view Guyana has done exceedingly well, but passing legislation is not the only thing. You have to ensure that it becomes a living thing, that it works for people.”

On that same token, Chandarpal noted that the legislation committee of WGEC is looking at the Barbadian legislation on sexual abuse to identify how it can be emulated in Guyana.

Providing an insight on how the commission achieves its mandate, the Chairperson explained that the body conducts outreaches and sensitisation exercises across the country, and listens to the concerns of men and women, after which recommendations

to address people’s challenges are submitted to the National Assembly.

Depending on the type of recommendation, whether it be one in the nature of legislation, healthcare, education, social services or others, then the subject ministry would decide whether amendments need to be made to the law the facilitate improvements, Chandarpal pointed out.

“We also want to ensure that women and girls have opportunities everywhere.

If you look in the education system you see that there is a paucity of women in the science field. What we have done, we have worked with the University of Guyana, help them with a $3M subvention so that they can give scholarships on a yearly basis.”

The Chairwoman stated

that recommendations in the two reports are not new, adding that the commission continues to regurgitate recommendations from previous years that have not been acted on, to keep them alive.

“Importantly, it is about how you educate people to understand that both men and women have a role to play in society. It is about educating them. It is not about saying women are good and men are bad. No, it shouldn’t be that.

It is about the differences that we all have and respecting the differences.”

The Speaker commended the commission for the fiveyear strategic plan that it has developed. To ensure the commission reaches people and achieves its goal, the Speaker also called on the commission to move away from its mechanical appa-

Chairperson of the Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indranie Chandarpal handing over the report to the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir

ratus.

“Having read a few of these reports, I see that the commission is still operating with mechanical principles… But the important thing is about reaching out to people and launching new initiatives.”

The WGEC was established under section 212: G of the Constitution of Guyana. The commission is tasked with promoting and

supporting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goal Number Five - Gender Equality. As part of its other functions, the critical body is also tasked with promoting the integration, empowerment and rights of women and men in Guyana. (DPI)

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Risk Reduction

THE International Day for Risk Reduction is observed annually on October 13 after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction. In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated October 13 as the day to observe risk reduction the world over.

This year’s observance is focused on the sixth of the seven targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction with emphasis on international co-operation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses.

The theme for this year’s observances is ‘International co-operation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses’. The theme was chosen as 2021 is seen as a ‘make or break’ year for delivering on the 2025 Paris Agreement to counter the impact of climate change.

The fact is that any lack of action on climate change can result in many countries, especially those in the developing world, experiencing more extreme weather patterns which, as in the case of our own recent experience, could result in severe damage to critical physical and social infrastructure.

Such damage and disrup-

tions to national life can be mitigated by way of greater awareness of the risks involved and the dangers posed by global warming, which to a very large extent are the result of human action.

As noted by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, in a statement to mark the day, analysis of disasters have long shown that the levels of impacts observed are disproportional across countries, with low and middle-income countries suffering greater losses and damage when disaster strikes, especially in terms of mortality, injuries, displacement, economic losses and damage to critical infrastructure.

International co-operation for developing countries through Official Development Aid (ODA) and capacity building is therefore essential to boost disaster resilience and more importantly, to assist these countries to develop legislative frameworks, institutional architecture and related investment vehicles for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in line with the goal, targets, and priorities of the SFDRR. Of interest to note is that the 2020 Human Development Index puts Guyana at 0.682 for 2019. This places the country in the medium development category which is an improvement over pre-

vious ratings. With Guyana now becoming an oil-producing state, the ratings are likely to go higher. However, the need for technical, financial and logistical support cannot be overemphasised especially in the context of our own vulnerability to floods and other forms of natural disasters. The country has benefitted substantially from international co-operation and support as was evident from the recent floods. In fact, Guyana received assistance in terms of a detailed damage sector analysis and a damage and loss assessment through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Economic Commis-

sion for Latin America and the Caribbean respectively.

We live in an increasingly interconnected world and it is therefore imperative that as a country we develop closer co-operation and establish networks with international agencies to mitigate the impact of any disaster that may come our way. The Guyana Government, according to a statement by the Prime Minister, is committed to continuing and strengthening international co-operation partnerships for Disaster Risk Management, recognising the intrinsic role this can play in building the country’s resilience.

Emphasise mental health, empathy in corporate diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the Caribbean Dear Editor, ON October 10, the world observed World Mental Health Day and it brought to mind a growing interest among Caribbean entities in embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a key part of their corporate and Human Resources strategy. This interest in DEI could signal some hope for mental health policies in the workplace and is thus commendable as the Caribbean has often lagged in relation to its neighbouring North American counterparts in this respect.

Just recently, in a meeting with the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR) Florida chapter, where I serve as board member, I lamented that the Caribbean still had quite the way to go with DEI policies that can truly meet the needs of its often very diverse employee corps. The general interest and engagement in the subject across social media and in boardrooms are therefore welcome. Even more important is ensuring that mental health matters are

included in DEI policies to get the much-needed attention it deserves.

The World Health Organisation defines mental health as “A state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. This broad definition points to several things being likely to affect one’s mental health; including cross cutting DEI issues such as workplace discrimination, gender inequality, disrespect and employee disregard. It is therefore important for Caribbean entities to keep empathy as a key starting point for all attempts to be inclusive.

Empathy being the ability to put yourself in another’s shoes or to understand and share the feelings of others, is critical for any organisation keen on demonstrating DEI in the way it engages with all staff within its organisations, including those with mental health struggles.

My mind rings back to a

young lady who outlined callous treatment by her place of employment. While at work, she received the alarming news that her newborn child needed to be rushed to the hospital. Dazed, she headed to the boss’ office and was met with angry words about the work to be done. She made a hard decision to be by her child’s side at the risk of losing her job. Her biggest grouse, “I was emotionally drained, couldn’t focus at work and my boss was stone cold. How could she not understand that my child needed me?”

Her comment is unfortunately reflective of a larger issue in many Caribbean workplaces where basic empathetic skillsets are lacking and can easily morph into leadership that is void of positive emotions and understanding. This is amplified in some Caribbean societies which often downplay or demonise mental health struggles. From limited definitions of what constitutes mental health to negative descriptions such as “mad”, “insane”, “idiot”, empathy is especially not reserved

for those with mental health challenges, such as the young mother whose mental faculties were shattered because of her ill child.

Further afield, this deviation from empathetic approaches is also reflected in business-to- business interactions. I was once invited to participate in an event, then a genuine family emergency emerged. I was shaken and unable to focus, but hating to disappoint I poured out a sincere apology to the fellow business leader only to be met with an “ok.” Similarly, I have witnessed situations where someone expresses a family emergency which is no doubt affecting their mental health to a human resources-trained person who either did not respond or gave a very curt response. This is not ok. It reeks of disregard and goes against the very fibre of what an inclusive organisation would embrace, further justifying the need for all HR and management personnel to be given DEI sensitivity training.

As a reminder, humans need to feel appreciated at the

basic level. At the more specific rungs on Maslow’s needs hierarchy, people need a mix of safety (including health), love and belonging and esteem to get them to the pinnacle of self-actualisation. In the work context, these traits can be fostered by starting with empathy, which can set the tone for an employee who is dying to leave, an employee who simply needs a mental health break to perform their duties better and one who values the work that they do and feels valued by their organisation.

Some key starting points to get DEI policies right, include: equipping people in management and especially human resources roles with basic empathy skills for diverse staff issues, including those linked to mental health.

Starting off by assessing internal biases to determine how this affects the way people treat each other; committing to listening, actively, without assumptions that every employee issue is a ploy to gain sympathy or avoid work.

There will be genuine challenges and an employee who

feels constantly disregarded, is one who will feel dismissed; try to see things from another person’s point of view.

Visualise yourself in their situation and note some likely challenges you’d experience in their spot; and be genuine. If you are truly sorry for someone’s loss, express this in a way that shows you care and looks less like a reply was copy and pasted from online.

Importantly, reply.

The Caribbean still has quite a way to go in increasing its diversity, equity and inclusion approaches, but the steps being employed by some organisations and the interest by others is commendable.

By starting with empathy and acknowledging mental health as a legitimate issue, those involved in guiding and maintaining solid DEI policies will get much closer to getting it right.

Yours sincerely, Shanoy Coombs Chief Executive Officer Development Communications Strategist Intercultural Communications Trainer

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Prime Minister Phillips honoured in Brooklyn, New York

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, on Tuesday, met with New York State Senator, Roxanne Persaud, a Guyanese-American, in Brooklyn, New York. The Prime Minister and the two ministers were honoured by the Senator with citations and a proclamation

THE Prime Minister of Guyana, the Hon. Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, was, on Tuesday, honoured by Guyanese-American State Senator, Roxanne Persaud, who represents a district in Brooklyn where thousands of Afro Guyanese reside. The Senator also honoured Ministers Gail Teixeira and Collin Croal as well as Joe Yussuf of the Guyana Consulate in New York. This honour came on top of similar honours by Assemblywoman, Jenifer Rajkumar of Queens.

Jenifer’s district comprises of thousands of Indo Guyanese.

The Prime Minister and his entourage have been in New York since Saturday to promote investment in the homeland, as well as to give an update on Guyana.

The entourage has met with different groups of Guyanese in several parts of New York and New Jersey. A reception by the diaspora was also held in their honour on Long Island on Saturday evening.

While the entourage

was honoured for their work to promote Guyanese abroad, one Rickford Burke was rebuked for planning a boycott campaign and protest at a Christian church service and business forum for the entourage in Brooklyn. Burke is known as a perennial critic of the government. He has used nasty words to describe the Prime Minister.

The Guyanese nation and the diaspora have largely ignored Burke who has been known to crave attention.

Pastor of Grace Christian Church, Dr. Reynold Howell, a Guyanese, chastised Burke. The pastor issued a release saying his church is in the business of meeting people’s needs and pointedly declared that the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce doing business with Guyana Forum will not be cancelled.

Burke runs a primarily one-man organisation called GCID. The pastor said when Burke wanted to use the church facilities for visits of the Prime

Minister under the Coalition Government, he agreed. He said it would be discriminatory for him to deny permission for an event for the Prime Minister of the present Guyana administration.

“I accommodated he and his group multiple times. Now, in similar fashion, the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce approached us with its need for meeting space and our catering services, to host the current PM, the honourable Mark Phillips, other government dignitaries and about 60 people from the diaspora, and we consented to do so, in the tradition of hosting two previous PMs.” Pastor Howell said that, as a non-profit religious organisation, Grace Christian does not discriminate, and is now cast in a position to promote dialogue and healing in Guyana.

Discrimination is against the law in the US. Organisations can lose their non-profit status if they discriminate.

7

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Sugar workers must beware of the Coalition rabble-rousers

Dear Editor, THE rabble-rousers of the PNC-led APNU+AFC Coalition are again using the sugar workers to stymie development in the sector and the nation.

The ingratitude of the Albion Estate cane harvesters are on display. Today, when they have a government that is open to ad-

vocacy, listening to representative bodies, they are once again being misled like sheep and following socalled union leaders with a Coalition agenda to “… undermine this government… in whatever way you can.”

There was a plethora of strike actions prior to elections of 2015 as the workers were misled by

false promises into supporting a cabal that has always been anti-sugar industry.

They were betrayed when the APNU+AFC got into government and began dismantling the industry, firing over 7,000 of them in the process. The union and its reps were passive during this assault.

The human quotient and

consciences of the striking workers are synonymous with that of the Coalition cabal as they are displaying the same mindset and actions of their nemesis, who brought them to their knees. They have no empathy or sympathy for their colleagues who were left on the breadline, with starving children, losing homes and

appliances because they could not service debts, while they went to bed with full bellies, comfortably ensconced in their secure homes.

Now they are blackmailing this government, just when the industry is being transformed; a strike last month, one again this month. These misguided

few seem to like the PNC Government because they seem intent on joining the Coalition cabal to sabotage the progressive and transformative socio-economic paradigm now giving every Guyanese citizen hope for a future of peace, progress and prosperity.

Yours respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

Dear Editor, WOMEN and children are often seen as “second class citizens”. The way in which society responds to and treats them is often very hostile and disrespectful. We see this truth almost daily, not only in our homes and communities, but also in our politics.

Examples of the way society largely views women was recently seen with the Guyana Teachers’ Union responses to the current and previous ministers of education. The chants and various media that came out of those events were incredibly sexist and violent, sending an unfortunate message regarding

the way we should address differences with each other.

One of the foundations for community care is creating an environment for healthy communication.

This ensures not only that persons are able to settle misunderstandings in a respectful manner, but also provides a great model for

young children coming up, as their environment ultimately shapes them. If it is that we continue to display negative behaviours, it is more likely that children will also begin to exhibit similar negative traits amongst their peers, and which they will take into adulthood.

Children deserve good role models and women deserve to be treated with respect, even in times of conflict. Responses to conflict that rely on physical or verbal abuse just helps to continue the cycle of violence as both

children and adults see it as the normal and “just” thing to do. This type of thinking is also behind the culture of victim blaming that exists within our society. Many survivors of abuse are often reluctant to share their stories, as they do not believe they will get the type of support that they need. Unfortunately, they are often right, as a lot of people continue to hold the view that if someone was abused, they might have been asking for it or had done something to cause the person to abuse them.

There needs to be more care and support in the way we treat each other on every level. It might often sound simplistic, but it is only through sustained acts of kindness, concern and accountability that we will be better able to create safe and healthy communities.

Women deserve to be treated with respect

Akola Thompson Blue Umbrella Consultant, ChildLinK To re p o r t o r s e e k counseling, please call 914/227-0979/2272023/233-3500.

Man gets 18 years for raping woman

ONE day after a jury found him guilty of raping a 35-year-old woman back in 2018, Essequibo resident, Francis Gonsalves, was, on Wednesday, sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for the crime.

Gonsalves, 30, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court.

O n Tu e s d a y, a 12-member jury had found him guilty of engaging in sexual penetration with the victim.

According to reports, in the wee hours of March 27, 2018, the victim was walking home from a party when she was attacked and raped by Gonsalves.

The State was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken, while Gonsalves was represented by attorney-at-law, Ravindra Mohabir.

Francis Gonsalves

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

9

Enabling environment for commerce to thrive a priority -says Attorney-General, reaffirms Gov’t commitment to upholding rule of law

By Richard Bhainie THE Rule of Law is a fundamental principle which must be adhered to if there is to be a society conducive to economic growth and development and the Government of Guyana, having recognised this, is committed to upholding the Rule of Law, to enable a society where commerce can thrive.

These sentiments were expressed by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., during a webinar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) titled ‘Rule of Law as a Foundation for a Competitive Business Environment’.

Providing a definition for Rule of Law, Nandlall cited distinguished jurist, Lord Bingham, who articulated it means “... all persons and authorities within the State, whether public or private, should be bound by and entitled to the benefit of laws publicly and prospectively promulgated and publicly administered in the courts.”

Nandlall highlighted that in the absence of the rule of law, anarchy and tyranny shall prevail and it is difficult to dispute that in a society where there is anarchy or tyranny, economic development stagnates and social progress perishes.

“Such a society becomes moribund on its journey to becoming a failed State. The impact upon business is devastating. They become bankrupt, insolvent or are forced to close doors. The people of that nation either remain in that pauperised society or they find ways and means of exiting that nation,” he said.

There is a global consensus that rule of law facilitates long-term investment and sustainable development, but regionally, it is also recognised that adherence to the rule of law will increase business confidence, attract investments and ensure respect for and enforcement of property rights and freedoms.

GOOD GOVERNANCE Nandlall referenced President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, who, at an event in August 2018 at

the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, highlighted that while Guyana is poised for significant economic takeoff, it can be significantly enhanced with good governance and adherence to the rule of law.

“It must be clear that no serious investor will pump money into a country where property rights are not respected and are not accorded strong protection, and where there is no independent, fair and competent judiciary,” Nandlall said “Neither will there be an atmosphere conducive to competitive business in any society where there is social disorder, absence of individual rights and freedoms, or where the government is not elected by the will of the majority of the electorate and operates above the law,” he added.

The Attorney-General reminded that Guyana endured almost three decades of blatant disregard for the rule of law prior to 1992, during which the government of the day not only appropriated millions of dollars in foreign investments but also confiscated private property, including businesses, without paying just or any compensation, in some instances.

He also reminded of recent shenanigans during the period of 2015 to 2020 under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration where there were constant violations of the Constitution.

DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT “Today, I am pleased to report that in Guyana, there is a democratically-elected government that is committed to uphold the Constitution of this land and the rule of law, with due regard to all its various ingredients and tenets,” Nandlall said.

“This has brought with it public confidence and an avalanche of interests from investors across the globe, in a manner never seen before.

Once these investments begin to manifest themselves, the rule of law will continue to play a dominant role in our society,” he added.

Also speaking at the webinar was United States Ambassador to Guyana,

Sarah-Ann Lynch, who highlighted that the United States Chamber of Commerce uses five pillars, namely, transparency, predictability, stability, accountability and due process, to measure rule of law which are key factors that drive direct foreign investment and operations.

She cited a number of legislation which exists in the United States for combating corruption, designed to restrict and punish individuals and public officials from receiving gifts and engaging in illicit commercial activities, and financing transactions with foreign governments.

“US and foreign businesses know that if you

want to do business in the United States, or with US companies, the law matters, and these laws don’t just exist, they are stringently enforced and applied. Corruption exists everywhere, but how we address it matters, where there is immunity from prosecution, the rule of law becomes worthless,” she said Also sharing remarks at the webinar were Kendra Gaither, Executive Director, Coalition for the Rule of Law in Global Markets U.S. Chamber of Commerce and María Nelly Rivas, Vice- President, Government Relations in Latin America, Cargill.

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

$2.7B in contracts awarded to boost food sector

THE Ministry of Agriculture, on Wednesday, awarded a total of 15 contracts valued $2.7 billion to several qualified bidders for the completion of critical projects to boost the sector nationwide.

The simple signing ceremony which was held in the ministry’s boardroom saw 12 suppliers receiving the greenlight to begin works with specified guidelines.

Some $17.9 million was awarded to CEMO to design, review and supervise the pump station at Greenwich Park/Barnwell, East Bank Essequibo.

Shereaz Bacchus General Contractor is responsible for the construction of Mahaicony Creek Right Bank Agriculture Road in Region Five, at the cost of $685.8 million.

VALS Construction will build a pump station at

Cottage, Mahaicony, while another pump station will be erected at Black Bush Polder by Yunaz Civil and Building Construction, to irrigate Black Bush front lands. The agreements were signed at a value of $891.2 million and $978.7 million, respectively.

Contracts worth $108 million were also awarded to Massy Motors Limited and Memorex Enterprise for the supply of two-wheel drive tractors and trailer-mounted PTO driven pumps to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Further, Romell Jagroop General Construction Services was awarded $2 million for the supply and delivery of white sand. Memorex Enterprise will supply sand clay for $5.9 million and VR Construction will provide crusher run at a cost of $7.9 million.

THE decision of Magistrate Leron Daly, that the charges against former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, be dealt with indictably, was, on Wednesday, upheld

by High Court Judge, Franklyn Holder.

Myers is before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on two counts of misconduct in public office in relation to the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In February, Magistrate Daly upheld a submission made by Myers’ lawyer, Nigel Hughes, asking that the charges against her remain indictable.

By ruling in favour of the submission, Magistrate Daly was expected to conduct a PI to determine whether there is sufficient evidence against the former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of-

ficial to warrant the matter going to trial at the Demerara High Court.

However the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack, S.C., appealed the decision seeking judicial review.

The DPP had contended that the magistrate’s decision was irrational, unreasonable, arbitrary, ultra vires, without legal foundation, contrary to natural justice, and without legal authority.

Justice Holder, while delivering his ruling, said he found that the magistrate rightly applied the principles in the Summary Jurisdiction Act when she exercised her discretion to have the matter processed indictably.

He also found that Magistrate Daly was not unreasonable or irrational in her ruling.

As such, the charges against Myers will remain

A contractor signing a contract awarded to his company Access to the farmlands and markets are important for the supply of any agricultural scheme, and the Agriculture Ministry plans to upgrade the deteriorated sections of the road aback Bath and Blairmont, Region

Five. When completed, the project will benefit 1,100 farmers and 22,000 acres of land.

Meanwhile, AAV Ragoobeer General Construction was contracted by the New Guyana Marketing

Corporation (GMC) to rehabilitate the Peanut Butter Processing Packaging Facility at Karadarnau, Region Nine and to construct the packaging facility at Kumaka, Region One, at a cost of $18.5 million. The new GMC has also contracted 3D Construction to retrofit the Peanut Butter Processing Packaging Facility at Maruanau, Region Nine, while Emagination Marketing Agency will supply, deliver and install billboards.

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the projects are significant to the development of the nation’s food industry.

He noted that it is important for the contractors to complete works to a standard pleasing to farmers and residents.

“We will continue to monitor these projects very closely because we want

value for the money spent.

We want projects that when they are completed the people out there must be satisfied.”

Minister Mustapha explained that the move to initiate the projects stemmed from several consultations by the PPP/C Administration across Guyana.

“We are putting this infrastructure in place so we can mitigate future flooding and that is very important to us. We are also trying to recapitulate and rebuild GuySuCo and they are a number of projects there that we want to complete to ensure the agency strives again.”

The minister is optimistic that the PPP/C Government would take the agriculture sector to a standard no other country could match. (DPI)

while being a public officer, that is to say the Deputy Chief Election Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, she willfully misconducted herself together with Clairmont Mingo and others, to declare a fraudulent account of votes for the General and Regional Elections which amounted to a breach of the public’s trust in the office of the said DCEO of Guyana Elections Commission, without any reasonable excuse or justification.

On October 6, 2020, Myers surrendered herself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after she was tipped off that the police were preparing to release a wanted bulletin for her.

During her interrogation, she was asked 11 questions to which she replied, “I reserve my right to remain silent.” She was

not granted station bail and remained in custody until her court appearance.

Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Volda Lawrence; PNC activist, Carol Joseph and Mingo are all accused of inflating the results of Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district – to give the APNU+AFC Coalition a majority win at the March 2, 2020 polls, when, in fact, the PPP/C had won by 15,000 votes.

They first appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on October 21, 2020, before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, and were each released on bail.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) launched a ‘comprehensive’ investigation into all allegations of criminal misconduct in the aftermath of the 2020 elections.

PI for Roxanne Myers gets go ahead from High Court

Former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers indictable and a preliminary inquiry is expected to commence soon.

Recently, Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, along with Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and his deputy, Roxanne Myers, had their employment terminated by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Lowenfield

and Mingo have similar matters pending in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

In October 2020, Myers was first arraigned and was released on $300,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charges against Myers alleged that between March 4 and March 14, 2020, in Georgetown,

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

11

GRDB maintains GNBS GYS 170:2009 Certification THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), on Wednesday, celebrated the recertification of its central laboratory to the GYS 170:2009 Standard by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

The GYS 170:2009 is the national standard that guides laboratories to conform to dispense quality services to consumers. It allows laboratories the knowhow on the steps to developing and maintaining a thorough management system which, in turn, allows for the provision of accurate and reliable test results as requested by consumers.

While offering remarks at Wednesday’s exercise, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that the services provided by the laboratory will assist with enhancing Guyana’s position in rice production.

“Today’s activity is very important for us in the agriculture sector. The services provided by this laboratory will help to enhance Guyana’s position in the production of rice. Over the years, this laboratory has played a very significant role in helping the government to enhance our rice industry.

Today, rice remains one of the main contributors to our GDP. The Minister of Finance even alluded to the growth of the sector in his mid-year report. Even with the devastation suffered as a result of the extended

May-June rainy period and the COVID-19 pandemic, our agriculture sector has proven its resilience. While we are here to certify this facility, I want to say that the future of the rice industry under the PPP Government is looking bright. Although Guyana is now an emerging oil and gas producing country, our agriculture sector is poised to become one of the main contributors towards building our economy,” Minister Mustapha said.

GYS 170:2009 standards specify the requirements for the operation of testing and/ or calibration laboratories.

Deputy Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Ramrattie Karan, said the GRDB has worked hard over the years to maintain its certification.

“A decade has passed and we recognise that it has been hard working to maintain GYS170:2009 certification here at the central laboratory. We also recognise that the laboratory has attained international accreditation during that period. Even with attaining international accreditation, the laboratory has not given up its national identity or its national certification and the GNBS is proud to be joining with the GRDB to celebrate this milestone,” Karan said.

Chairman of the GRDB and Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj,

while offering brief remarks, stressed the importance of maintaining the standards required both locally and internationally. He also said that when Guyana can export its products, the country, in turn, benefits from improved GDP and can create employment and provide food security.

General Manager (ag) of the GRDB, Kuldip Ragnauth said the GRDB has always strived to maintain its standards.

“The fact that we are here today means that the board would’ve achieved in passing the assessment. We do not take our assessments lightly. This is about standards and, at the board, we aim to set very high standards. One of the main functions of this laboratory is to provide analysis and to grade rice and paddy for both local sales and export,” Ragnauth said.

Nurse jumps in trench to discard illegal firearm

A 24-year-old male nurse is in police custody after he jumped into a Woolford Avenue, Georgetown trench to discard an illegal firearm in his possession, during a random stop and search carried out by police.

The nurse was riding a gold and black XR motorcycle at the time he was stopped. He was found with a .32 revolver.

Reports indicated that police, on motorcycle patrol, were on Woolford Avenue, proceeding east, when the nurse was stopped and questioned by the ranks.

The seized firearm Police said he suddenly dismounted the motorcycle, ran and jumped into a nearby trench with police in pursuit. He was subsequently apprehended.

Checks were made in the trench where he had jumped and a silver .32 revolver, with the serial number filed off, was found.

The nurse was told of the offence committed, cautioned and he remained silent. He, along with the firearm, was escorted to the Alberttown Police Station where he was placed into custody and the said f i re a r m w a s m a r k e d , sealed and lodged, along with the motorcycle.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha receives the certification plaque from a Guyana National Bereau of Standards’ representative in the presence of other Ministry of Agriculture officials

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Ex-cop accused of murdering wife walks free

FORMER policeman Colin Bailey was, on Wednesday, freed, after the prosecution disclosed that it did not have any evidence linking him to the 2013 murder of his

reputed wife, Sirmattie Ramnaress.

Bailey was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court.

Ex-cop Colin Bailey

As the three final witnesses were about to be called by state prosecutor Sarah Martin, the judge asked her if their testimonies would tie Bailey to the crime.

Confessed killer, Colin Grant

In response, she conceded that there was no evidence linking him to the crime. Bailey’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, then made a submission for the charge to be dismissed.

The judge agreed with the attorney, and stated that no charge should be instituted against someone when there is no evidence to properly prosecute him/ her. The judge expressed her dissatisfaction with the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions for wasting judicial time.

Justice Barlow directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict and Bailey was freed.

On Tuesday, his coaccused, Colin Grant, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and was remanded to prison until November 2, when he is expected to be sentenced. Grant was said to be the “hitman.”

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Ramnaress was found dead on the morning of August 31, 2013, with a stab wound and injuries to her head and body, in the garage of her Diamond, East Bank Demerara home.

While petrol had been thrown all over her house, it was the bond at the back of the yard that was set alight and destroyed.

The woman’s body was discovered after the fire service was called to the fire scene. Her attacker also removed the footage from the surveillance cameras that were located around the house.

The police suspected that Bailey, who shared a 21-year relationship with the victim, was involved in her death. However, he had told police investigators that at the time of his wife’s demise, he was on active duty and therefore

Dead: Sirmattie Ramnaress had a solid alibi.

In 2015, the case was reopened after police arrested Grant. Grant alleged that he was paid by Bailey to kill Ramnaress and remove the footage from the surveillance cameras.

The police later charged both Grant and Bailey for the businesswoman’s murder.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

13

$1.2B being spent on new prison at Lusignan Elliot speaking to the media at the construction site (Elvin Croker photo)

By Jared Liddell TO improve the operations of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and to address overcrowding issues, government has allotted some $1.2 billion for the construction of a new, modern detention facility at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

On Wednesday, Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot, toured the construction site. During the walkabout he told members of the media that three new dormitory buildings are being constructed in the compound and they will have the capacity to house over 1,000 prisoners.

Construction is currently at 25 per cent and has a February 2022 completion date.

Over 800 prisoners are currently at the prison facility which has been overrun and crowded since a fire flattened the Camp Street Prison in 2017.

The situation at Lusignan was worsened in early 2020 after a fire destroyed one of the facility’s main buildings which housed an administrative office, kitchen and facili-

ties for between 185 and 190 prisoners.

Authorities had established makeshift holding bays in the prison compound but the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has exacerbated the situation, causing prisoners to become uneasy and, most recently, leading to an unrest which resulted in the death of two prisoners and injury to five others.

“These three facilities are being constructed to accommodate over 1,000 prisoners who will be housed in a very comfortable way because we all know the situation at the holding bay and the Lusignan facility after the burning of those facilities at Georgetown and Lusignan and this facility here would be able to accommodate prisoners in a very comfortable way,” Elliott stated.

MODERN Three of the new buildings will have modern features such as a fire suppression system that will allow for better control in the event of a fire.

Elliott stated that the Guyana Prison Service in its conceptualization of the new

buildings took into consideration the devastation that occurred at the Camp Street and Lusignan Prisons as a result of the fires. He said the prison administration has put strategic systems in place to combat any unexpected fires.

He highlighted that the plans include access to adequate sources of water to address any need that may arise.

In further speaking about the modernisation plans, the Prison Director disclosed that prisoners will enjoy better accommodation in the new prison.

“Prisoners will be living in the dormitory cell setting where they will be housed with beds and mattresses unlike the holding facility where that is not happening at the moment. So, the facility will be one which is modern [and] in keeping with those specifications that require prisoners to be housed within the prison.”

REINTEGRATION As part of the mandate of the GPS, training sessions are provided to prisoners in an effort to prepare them for re-integration into society when they are released. Elliott noted that heavy consideration was given to these programmes as prisoners heavily rely on them. It is for this reason that a trade school is also being constructed in the compound of the new facility.

A t t h e G P S ’s 3 8 t h Thanksgiving Anniversary Church Service, Elliot shared that some 300 prisoners benefited from training in literacy and numeracy, behaviour modification, voca-

Ongoing works on one of the buildings (Elvin Croker photo)

The three new buildings under construction at the Lusignan Prison (Elvin Croker photo) tional skills and art and craft as part of the prison service’s re-integration programme.

He had also disclosed that the prison service is working to roll out a conflict and anger management programme by next week at the Lusignan

Holding Bay, in an effort to reduce the cases of conflict among prisoners.

“A school is expected to be built here where prisoners will be exposed to further education in terms of all the training activities

they would have missed out on while they were in prison and we would have converted the holding facility into a trade shop where prisoners would be further exposed to the various training programmes,” Elliott stated.

14

Eight-year-old injured in Linden accident A DRIVER is in police custody after injuring an eight-year-old boy in the vicinity of Toucan Drive Junction, Amelia’s Ward Linden, on Monday.

Police said that the driver of the vehicle was proceeding along Amelia’s Ward Public Road

at a normal rate of speed when the left side rearview mirror collided with the 8-year-old, who ran from the northern to the southern side of the road.

As a result, the child fell and received injuries to the body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state by

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Man, wife arrested with illegal firearm, cannabis in Bagotstown

the driver and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was treated for head injuries.

He was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The driver of the motorcar remains in police custody assisting with the investigation.

The seized firearm A 34-year-old tyre agent and his wife were arrested on Wednesday after police found a black 9mm pistol with magazine, along with 80 grammes of cannabis sativa on their vehicle intercepted on the Bagotstown Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Police said that acting on information received, cops on mobile patrol gave chase behind a white Toyota Axio with registration number, PYY 4135, that was later intercepted.

The bag containing the cannabis sativa that was weighed by police

The driver identified himself, along with his wife, who was in the car at the time. They then allowed the police to conduct a search on the vehicle and in their presence and, under the left fender, a black 9mm pistol, along with a magazine was found.

A black bulky plastic bag was also discovered which, when opened, contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, along with a transparent plastic bag with tissues con-

taining five live suspected 9mm ammunition.

They were asked if they are the holder(s) of firearm licences and they answered in the negative.

The police then told them of the offences committed, cautioned, arrested and escorted them to the Ruimveldt Police Station where they were placed into custody.

The items found were sealed, marked and lodged. The cannabis weighed 80 grams.

Police investigations into the discovery continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

15

Poverty index reveals stark inequalities among ethnic groups -according to new analysis on global multidimensional poverty

DISPARITIES in multidimensional poverty among ethnic groups are consistently high across many countries, and in nine ethnic groups more than 90 per cent of the population is trapped in poverty, according to new analysis on global multidimensional poverty released last Thursday.

The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) measures poverty by considering various deprivations experienced by people in their daily lives, including poor health, insufficient education and a low standard of living.

The report examines the level and composition of multidimensional poverty across 109 countries covering 5.9 billion people and presents an ethnicity/ race/caste disaggregation for 41 countries with available information, including Guyana.

The report finds that, in some cases, disparities in multidimensional poverty across ethnic and racial groups are greater than disparities across geographical subnational regions. Indeed, when the MPI is disaggregated by ethnic group, the range in values is greater than that across all 109 countries and all other disaggregations tested.

I t a l s o s h o w s h o w, within a country, multidimensional poverty among different ethnic groups can vary immensely. For example, the difference in the percentage of people who are multidimensionally poor across ethnic groups is more than 70 percentage points in Gabon and Nigeria. In Latin America, indigenous peoples are among the poorest.

For instance, in Bolivia indigenous communities

account for about 44 per cent of the population but represent 75 per cent of multidimensionally poor people. In Guyana, Amerindians account for 10.51 per cent of the population but represent 63 per cent of the multidimensionally poor.

This finding resonates with a recent concern expressed by President, Dr. Mohamed Ali, when he assured Indigenous Leaders in Region Nine that his government will “invest more in Amerindian communities because there is a gap between you and the other communities in this Country” and that this gap will be bridged.

The multidimensional analysis also maps out next steps. The MPI combines the incidence and the intensity of poverty. For example, the two poorest ethnic groups in Gambia – the Wollof and the Sarahule – have roughly the same MPI value, but their deprivations differ, suggesting different policy actions are needed to reduce multidimensional poverty. An intra-household analysis of multidimensional poverty focused on gender is also included.

EDUCATION Worldwide, about twothirds of multidimensionally poor people (836 million) live in households where no woman or girl completed at least six years of schooling.

One-sixth of all multidimensionally poor people (215 million) live in households in which at least one boy or man has completed six or more years of schooling but no girl or woman has. The report also finds that women and girls living in multidimensional poverty are at higher risk of intimate partner violence.

Worldwide, across 109 countries and 5.9 billion people, 1.3 billion people are multidimensionally poor; about half (644 million) are children under age

18; nearly 85 per cent live in Sub-Saharan Africa (556 million) or South Asia (532 million); and more than 67 per cent live in middleincome countries.

In Guyana, based on 2019/2020 data: 1.7 per cent of the population (13 thousand people in 2019) are multidimensionally poor; 6.5 per cent of the population (51 thousand people in 2019) are classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty; and the intensity of deprivations, which is the average deprivation score among people living in multidimensional poverty, is 38.8 per cent.

The MPI value is 0.007.

In comparison, Belize and Suriname have MPI values of 0.017 and 0.011, respectively. But what is the day-to-day reality of life for multidimensionally poor people? The data paint a grim picture: one billion are exposed to solid cooking fuels, another billion live with inadequate sanitation and another billion have substandard housing; 788 million live in a household with at least one undernourished person and 568 million lack improved drinking water within a 30-minute roundtrip walk.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has eroded development progress around the world, and we are still grappling to understand its full impacts,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

“This year’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) reminds us of the need for a complete picture of how people are being affected by poverty, who they are and where they live, if we are to build forward better from this crisis and design effective responses that leave no one behind,” he added.

ENCOURAGING SIGNS Though multidimensional poverty remains high, there were encouraging signs of progress in some countries, at least until the onset of COVID-19. Of the 80 countries and five billion people for which there is data over time, 70 reduced MPI in at least one period, with the fastest changes coming from Sierra Leone (2013–2017), followed by Togo (2013/2014– 2017).

Some countries saw the fastest absolute reductions in their poorest regions— helping to fulfil their pledge to leave no one behind.

These areas include North Central in Liberia (2013– 2019/2020) and Province 2 in Nepal (2016–2019).

“Achieving a future where all people enjoy core capabilities they value and have reason to value requires the global community to fix the structural inequalities that oppress and hinder progress. Disaggregating multidimensional poverty data by ethnicity, race, caste and exploring gendered and intra-household patterns un-

mask disparities and forms a vital guide to policymakers to leave no one behind in the last decade for action,” said Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI at the University of Oxford.

While complete data on COVID-19’s impacts on the MPI are not yet available, the pandemic has exposed cracks in social protection systems, education, and workers’ vulnerability around the world. These cracks, the report shows, are deepest in countries with higher levels of multidimensional poverty.

For instance, millions

of children around the world stopped attending school during the pandemic but that disruption of formal education was more prevalent in higher MPI countries. In Zambia for example, the difference between the share of households with children attending school before the pandemic and those who participated in teacher-assisted learning during the pandemic was around 80 percentage points. Experiences from past health emergencies suggest that many of these children may never go back to school.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Three arrested after robbing jewellery store TWO teenagers and a 21-year-old are in police custody after robbing Bharrat’s Jewellery located at Robb Street and Orange Walk, Georgetown on Wednesday.

According to police, the ages of the suspects are 16, 17 and 21 years respectively.

Reports indicate that the 48-year-old businessman and 30-year-old salesman were inside the jewellery store when the three suspects entered.

Police said one of the suspects pulled out a black handgun from his right side pants waist, pointed it at the businessman and told

Police ranks arrested the suspects and placed them in the tray of their pick-up as curious onlookers watch

him not to say anything.

He then took away the victim’s cellular phone while one of the other suspects, who was armed with a hammer, lashed a glass case and broke it.

The third suspect then pushed his hand into the glass case and took out the jewellery. The suspects then ran out of the store and continued to run south on

Orange Walk.

Ranks on patrol duty were informed and they gave chase in the direction in which the suspects ran.

The suspects, on seeing the ranks, continued to run in different directions in order to escape but they were apprehended between Orange Walk and Alexander Street.

Police shot one of the suspects in his right upper

thigh and upon his arrest he was searched but nothing was found on him or the others.

The injured suspect was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he received medical attention under police guard. The other suspects are in custody as investigations continue

Autopsy: Andries died from perforation of blood vessels in the groin

KEVIN Andries, 35, who was killed Monday at Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), in a confrontation with police, died as a result of perforation of blood vessels in the groin area due to gunshot injury, according to an autopsy done on Wednesday.

The autopsy noted that Andries was shot on the left side of the buttocks and the bullet exited his left side pelvic area, damaging several blood vessels. The body was then handed over to relatives for burial.

Andries of Grove Housing Scheme, EBD, was shot dead by police in the wee hours of Monday after law enforcement responded to a report that he and another suspect were in motor vehicle PVV 5380 with stolen items.

According to the police, ranks were on mobile patrol duty on East Bank Demerara when they responded to a report via radio communications network, in relation to a motor vehicle bearing registration plate PVV 5380, with suspected stolen items.

Dead: Kevin Andries The suspected vehicle was subsequently seen in the Diamond, EBD area and was pursued by the ranks.

The vehicle, police said, sped away into an access street at Golden Grove, EBD, where two men exited, one of whom opened fire on the police.

The police returned fire hitting Andries.

The other man escaped while Andries was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he succumbed while receiving medical treatment.

Police had noted that a .32 spent shell was recovered and motor vehicle PVV 5380 was taken into police custody as investigations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

21

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

KKR survive late collapse to enter IPL final (ESPNCRICINFO) - They spent a large part of the chase in cruise control and then Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hit a wet patch that almost threatened to skid them right off the path and into an abyss. From 13 runs needed in 25 balls, Knight Riders lost six wickets in 3.5 overs with only seven runs added, and faced an equation where Rahul Tripathi was facing up to R. Ashwin needing to score six in the last two balls.

Tripathi had scored six from ten balls till then, missing more than connecting, while Ashwin had given up one run in four balls while nabbing two wickets. Tripathi had set himself up for a quickish length ball outside off, and threw a season's worth of verve into a flat-batted hit that was carried as much by nervous energy as anything else over the long-off boundary.

KKR’s' resurgence in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 continued, with their seventh win in nine games.

They are in the final, where Chennai Super Kings (CSK) await.

Delhi Capitals (DC) had seemed down and all but out of the contest for most of the second innings, but they came alive with a vengeance as KKR panicked with the finish line in sight.

Before the nail-biting finish, KKR set themselves up with a familiar template: the spinners choked the life out of the opposition, and the openers muscled a strong reply. Varun Chakravarthy was the bowling hero, taking 2 for 26 in four hard-to-read overs, which could have easily been 3 for less than 26 if he hadn't over-stepped by a millimetre.

While batting, they had the fearless Venkatesh Iyer to thank, the opener's insouciant 55 off 41 setting up a foundation strong enough to withstand the earthquake that came later.

Delhi Capitals' brief flutter at the top Sent in to bat, DC began sedately but overs three and four together brought 26 runs. Prithvi

Shaw had begun aggressively while Shikhar Dhawan hit a couple of sixes off Sunil Narine after having spent his first seven balls score-less. Both openers flowing and the score at a healthy 32 for no loss in four overs meant DC looked strong, but that was as good as it got for them while batting.

Varun struck with his first ball, Shaw not reading the one coming into him to be trapped in front.

That began KKR’s familiar spin strangulation.

Dhawan looked like he would aim to bat through the innings, but fell to Varun before the pacers would come on at the death.

The returning Marcus Stoinis added balance to the DC side on paper, but batting him at three after so much time out in the cold didn't come off. When Rishabh Pant too fell cheaply, DC were 90 for 4 in 15.2 overs, struggling to get above a run a ball.

The no-ball and Shreyas Iyer's grandstand finish Shreyas had come in to bat in the 12th over, which is later than he generally comes out for DC. For most of his innings, he just rotated the strike.

His fifth-wicket partner Shimron Hetmyer was more adventurous, though he had a slice of luck when on 2 in the 17th over.

A shovel was brilliantly caught by Shubman Gill diving forward at long-on, but Varun had over-stepped - by a thin margin. Hetmyer whacked two sixes against Lockie Ferguson's pace in the next over, though he gave it away when going for a non-existent run to be caught short of the crease by a long margin.

Shreyas then provided a rousing end to the innings, hitting a four and a final-ball six off Shivam Mavi as he conceded 15 in the final over, and the Capitals' total was in competitive territory given how the pitch was playing. Mavi, who had 1 for 12 in three overs till then, had his figures spoilt somewhat.

Venkatesh Iyer takes off

Venkatesh encapsulated KKR's opening stand with one shot. In the fifth over, he sauntered down the track and clubbed the ball effortlessly over long-on, and he did it against Kagiso Rabada.

He had earlier deposited Axar Patel over deep midwicket too, and that nonchalant six off Rabada reinforced how dominantly KKR had started.

The powerplay brought 51 runs with the openers still going strong, Shubman Gill playing the supporting role to Venkatesh's swashbuckling strokeplay.

The end of the powerplay didn't slow the scoring down. Dew had set in with force just before Capitals' innings ended, and they got the worse end of the conditions. But even if the dew made the ball more difficult to grip and come on to the bat more easily, it still needed the batsmen to execute their shots against bowlers of high pedigree, and they did that with panache.

Venkatesh reached his half-century in 38 balls, eventually falling to Rabada when he pulled straight to deep square leg. That broke the opening stand, but by then KKR already had 96 runs on the board and only 12.2 overs had been bowled.

The scramble at the death There was no hint of the drama that would unfold when Nitish Rana pulled Anrich Nortje to deep square leg at the end of the 16th over. But it began a procession that didn't look like it would end. Gill, who had essayed a breath-taking frontfoot pull off Nortje over long-on, was caught behind off an uncharacteristic poke after a controlled innings and KKR suddenly found there weren't that many wickets to spare.

The final over began with seven runs needed, and KKR scored just one run off the first four balls while also losing Shakib Al Hasan and Narine.

It was left to Tripathi to provide the final punch.

DC, who had looked the best team on show in the league stage while deservedly topping it, ended their campaign with three straight losses.

CWI planning return of First-Class cricket in January-February 2022 AFTER close to two years of no Regional FourDay cricket, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, said CWI is putting plans in place to ensure that a new season can start in late January or early February.

Adams made this disclosure on Tuesday evening as he spoke on the Barbadian radio programme, Mason and Guest.

According to the Director of Cricket, the ambitious goal would be to play a full ten rounds but they will ensure that at least five rounds are contested.

“We have recommended that we start Four-Day Cricket at the last week in January or the first week in February next year, and I agree with you 100%; it is desperately time for us now to get Four-Day cricket playing in the region for more than one reason,” the Director of Cricket stated.

At this point, CWI hopes that there will be “limited travel” and he used an example where three franchises stay at home and the other three travel for three rounds, with the roles reversed for the second phase.

Last March, Barbados Pride were declared the 2020 champions after eight rounds, ending Guyana Jaguars’ five-year stranglehold on the title.

The Professional Cricket League (PCL) started in 2014 and is contested between Jaguars, Pride, Ja-

Guyana Jaguars have secured the four-day title five times out of the six seasons since the Professional Cricket League started in 2014

maica Scorpions, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Windward Volcanoes, and Leeward Hurricanes over 10 rounds with franchises playing matches both home and away.

Apart from the CG Insurance Super50 Cup,

which was played in a bubble earlier this year in Antigua, no other senior regional tournament, organised by CWI, has occurred since the abrupt end of the Regional Four-Day competition in March 2020.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Wales’ Brooks reveals stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma (BBC) - Wales and Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks has revealed he

has been diagnosed with cancer.

The 24-year-old said he

has Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma but that "the prognosis is a positive one" and will start

treatment next week.

Brooks, who has won 21 Wales caps, was on inter-

Wales midfielder David Brooks joined Bournemouth from Sheffield United for £11.5m in July 2018

national duty last week and credits the Wales medical team for helping detect the illness.

"This is a very difficult message for me to write," said Brooks.

"I have been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma and will begin a course of treatment next week.

"Although this has come as a shock to me and my family, the prognosis is a positive one and I am confident that I will make a full recovery and be back playing as soon as possible."

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, an important part of the immune system.

"I'd like to show my appreciation to the doctors, nurses, consultants and staff who have been treating me, for their professionalism, warmth and understanding during this period," Brooks said.

"I want to thank everyone at the Football Association of Wales because without the swift attention of their medical team we may not have detected the illness.

"I'd also like to say thank you to AFC Bournemouth for

all of their support and assistance this past week."

Brooks has played nine times for Championship side Bournemouth this season, scoring three goals, but his football career will now be on hold as he begins treatment.

"Although I appreciate that there will be media attention and interest, I would like to ask that my privacy is respected in the coming months and I will share updates on my progress when I am able to do so," Brooks added.

"In the meantime, thankyou to everyone for the messages of support - it means so much and will continue to do so in the months ahead.

"I look forward to seeing you all again and playing the sport I love very soon."

Both Wales and Bournemouth have offered their support and best wishes to Brooks during his treatment.

Brooks, who made three appearances for Wales at Euro 2020, last played in the Cherries' goalless draw against Peterborough on September 29, when he came off after 69 minutes.

Wales announced on October 6 that he had withdrawn from their latest squad through illness.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday October 14, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kieron Pollard- 14 matches (2) Rohit Sharma-15 matches Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team won the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Tournament?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Euro 2020: UEFA to hold hearing into unrest during Wembley final

(BBC) - The Football Association is set to learn if England have to play any home games behind closed doors as a result of the unrest at Wembley Stadium during the European Championship final.

UEFA are due to hold their disciplinary hearing on Monday, with a verdict likely to be released within 24 hours of the tribunal concluding.

Fans fought with stewards and police as they attempted to break into Wembley for the event on July 11.

England lost to Italy in the final European football's governing body, UEFA, opened disciplinary proceedings into security breaches two days

Police stand in front of England fans at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final.

after the game was played.

The English FA set up an independent review of their

own a week later, saying it was determined to ensure the "disgraceful scenes"

No respect for Curtly Ambrose: Gayle

CHRIS Gayle had stern words for Curtly Ambrose after the former West Indies fast bowler said that the batter wouldn't be his automatic pick in the West Indies XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on Sunday in UAE. Gayle hit back at Ambrose saying he has "no respect" for the former player and that he is "finished" with him.

"I am speaking about Curtly Ambrose. I am singling out Curtly Ambrose, one of your own. I highly respected him when I came into the West Indies team," Gayle told The Island Tea Morning Show, a radio station in St Kitts, on Tuesday.

"When I just joined the team, I looked up to this man. But I am now speaking from my heart. I don't know what, since he retired, what he has against Chris Gayle. Those negative things he has been saying within the press, I don't know if he is looking for attention, but he is getting the attention. So I am just giving back the attention which he requires and which he needs.

"I can tell you personally, and you can let him know that Chris Gayle, the ‘Universe Boss’, has no respect for Curtly Ambrose whatsoever."

Gayle, who was part of the 2012 and 2016 World Cup-winning teams, added that if former West Indies players "continue to be negative" and not support the team, then the ‘Universe Boss’ is going to be disrespectful, disrespectful verbally in their face".

"I am finished with Curtly Ambrose," Gayle, 42, said. "I have no respect, any time I see him I will tell him as well - 'Stop being negative, support the team ahead of the World Cup.' This team has been selected and

we need past players to support us. We need that, we don't need negative energy. In other teams, their past players support their teams, why can't our own support us in a big tournament like this?

"We have won the tournament twice, and we will be going for the third title. The team has seen what is happening. It is going to reflect on the team. I am not going to take anything from any senior player. Curtly Ambrose pull your socks up, alright? Support for West Indies, ok? Support West Indies, that is the thing."

Last week, Ambrose spoke about Gayle's recent lack of form going into the World Cup. Since the start of 2021, Gayle has accumulated just 227 runs in 16 T20Is, averaging 17.46 with a lone fifty to his name.

The opener had left the IPL bubble to stay fresh for the global tournament after playing just two matches - where he scored 1 and 14 - for the Punjab Kings in the UAE leg of the tournament. Before the IPL, Gayle had scored 165 runs at an average of 18.33 in nine matches for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Though Ambrose felt that if Gayle gets going, "he can still be destructive", he said the batter "hasn't done much in the last 18 months to convince me that he will set the World Cup alight."

"For me, Gayle is definitely not an automatic choice for starting," Ambrose said on a radio talk show in Barbados.

"When you look at his exploits over the last 18 months, he has struggled not only for the West Indies, but (also for) other T20 franchises. The few home series we played, he hasn't had any scores of significance."

that marred the Euro 2020 final were "never able to be repeated".

Hundreds of fans got into Wembley for the showpiece without tickets after areas around the stadium became packed hours before the evening kick-off.

Many even sat in the area reserved for players' relatives.

UEFA are likely to focus on whether the FA's security measures for the game were adequate.

News of the hearing follows more unruly scenes at Wembley during Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Hungary which saw visiting supporters clash with stewards and police in the opening minutes.

World football's governing body, FIFA, has opened a disciplinary case into the match and the one between

Albania and Poland, which was also halted for 20 minutes as objects were thrown at the visiting Polish players.

"Following an analysis of the match reports, FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings in relation to yesterday's England v Hungary and Albania v Poland matches," said FIFA in a statement.

"Once again, FIFA strongly condemns the incidents at both matches and would like to state that its position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of violence as well as any form of discrimination or abuse.

FIFA has a very clear zero-tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour in football."

34

‘Green Machine’ gets tangible GOA’s support for RAN Sevens THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), has practically come up trumps in the final hour to ensure the National men’s Rugby Sevens team, ‘Green Machine’, competes at this weekend’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) Championship in Turks and Caicos.

Their outstanding airfare expenses were covered by the GOA and according to GOA president K.A Juman-Yassin, the support to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) is to a tune of just under G$1M. The GOA head wished the team its best and hope they do well and in response GRFU’s senior vice-president, Joshua Griffith, thanked GOA for the timely donation and said they will aim to fulfil the endeavours of Juman-Yassin with a solid performance.

GRFU secretary Terrence Grant revealed the GRFU was short US$5 400 for the airfare but with $1.2M from the National Sports Commission and now GOA, they have covered that and other expenses.

The Guyanese open their campaign on Saturday at noon against Belize, fol-

English Racing Tips Wincanton 08:15 hrs Oslo 08:45 hrs Beholden 09:20 hrs See The Sea 09:55 hrs Friends Don't Ask 10:30 hrs Strike The Flint 11:05 hrs Tony Max Carlisle 08:23 hrs Bavington Bob 08:55 hrs Slanelough 09:30 hrs Glentruan 10:40 hrs Near Kettering 11:15 hrs Low Profile 11:50 hrs Sword Of Fate 12:20 hrs King Of Unicorns Chelmsford 12:30 hrs Sun Rising 13:00 hrs Tollard Royal 13:30 hrs Notions 14:00 hrs Billy Mill

lowed by a clash against Bermuda from 14:15hrs.

After day one, the top two teams from each of the three pools will advance to the Cup competition, while the bottom teams will play for the Plate on day two.

Head coach Theodore Henry had stated their aim is to ensure they are part of the top four sides, as from there, possibilities are endless for the seven-time champions, who last tasted champion success in 2016.

The tournament also acts as a qualifier for next year’s World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, with the winning side gaining the opportunity to compete for the 16th and final spot on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens series.

‘Green Machine’ Squad: Jamal Angus (captain), Godfrey Broomes, Rondell Mcarthur, Osei McKenzie, Fabian Joseph, Lancelot Adonis, Peabo Hamilton, Avery Corbin, Oneil Charles, Johnathon Garnett, Lionel Holder and Tyrese Prescod.

Management: George David (manager), Theodore Henry (head coach) and Akeem Fraser (physiotherapist).

14:30 hrs Lord Lovelace 15:00 hrs Montather 15:30 hrs Smart Connection Irish Racing Tips Curragh 08:10 hrs Sissoko 08:40 hrs New York City 09:15 hrs Flora 09:50 hrs Franno 10:25 hrs Chacha Dancer 11:00 hrs Born Invincible 11:35 hrs Red Wasp American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 U S Steel Race 2 Resilient Courage Race 3 Copa Race 4 Tingling Mint Race 5 Prince Of Pharohs Race 6 Captivating Cara Race 7 Pier Forty

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

World record-holder Tirop found stabbed to death at home

Kenya's Agnes Tirop broke the world record for a women's 10km road race in Germany in September.

(BBC) - Kenyan world record-holder Agnes Tirop has been found stabbed to death at her home in the western town of Iten, with police treating her husband as a suspect.

The two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist, who finished fourth in the Olympic 5 000m final two months ago, was 25.

Last month, Tirop set the world record for a women's only 10km road race in Germany.

A criminal investigation is now underway into her death, with police saying her Race 8 Golden Plume Race 9 Giramonte Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine Race 1 Souper Smart Race 2 Jegos Fire Race 3 Emmeline Race 4 Ninja Princess Race 5 Shelly The Rocket Race 6 Anita Grigio Race 7 Circle Of Friends Race 8 Queen Beach South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:25 hrs Global Player 09:00 hrs Lion Of The Desert 09:35 hrs Bureau Des Legende 10:10 hrs Run As One 10:45:hrs Touch Of Fate 11:20 hrs Seemy Vision

husband has gone missing.

On Wednesday, crime scene investigators were at the house of Tirop, who police say was reported missing by her father on Tuesday night.

"When (police) got in the house, they found Tirop on the bed and there was a pool of blood on the floor," Tom Makori, head of police for the area, said.

"They saw she had been stabbed in the neck, which led us to believe it was a knife wound, and we believe that is what caused her death.

"Her husband is still at large, and preliminary investigations tell us her husband is a suspect because he cannot be found. Police are trying to find her husband so he can explain what happened to Tirop."

Makori added that police believe that CCTV in the house may be able to help with their investigation.

Tirop was also found with a stab wound to her stomach, sources have told the BBC. "Athletics Kenya are distraught to learn about the untimely death of World 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop," the country's athletics body said in a statement.

"We are still working to unearth more details surrounding her demise. Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances

on the track."

Tirop's ascent to global success Tirop's first taste of international success saw her win the world junior 5 000m bronze in 2012 and 2014, as well as a world junior cross country silver in 2013.

Two years later, during a rapid ascent, she won the senior World Cross Country Championships in China, becoming the second-youngest woman after Zola Budd to claim gold.

At the 2020 Olympic Games in August, Tirop finished just outside the medal places for the women's 5 000m, trailing Ethiopia's bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay by 0.75 seconds.

"It is unsettling, utterly unfortunate and very sad that we've lost a young and promising athlete who, at a young age of 25 years, had brought our country so much glory," Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta said.

"It is even more painful that Agnes, a Kenyan hero by all measures, painfully lost her young life through a criminal act perpetuated by selfish and cowardly people."

"I urge our law enforcement agencies to track down and apprehend the criminals responsible for the killing of Agnes so that they can face the full force of the law," the head of state added.

'A terrible blow to entire athletics community' As well as her 10 000m

bronze medals at both the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships, Tirop also impressed off the track.

In September, she set a time of 30 minutes and one second in Herzogenaurach, Germany, as she took 28 seconds off the old 10km road race record set in 2002.

Former double Olympic champion and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe led tributes from the sport, describing Tirop as "one of the world's best female distance runners over the past six years".

He added: "Athletics has lost one of its brightest young stars in the most tragic circumstances. This is a terrible blow to the entire athletics community, but especially to her family, her friends and Athletics Kenya and I send them all our most heartfelt condolences."

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach called her "a young and bright talent," who "gave hope and inspiration to so many people," while the athlete's sponsor Adidas said Tirop's "legacy will forever live on in our memory".

Michel Boeting, who has acted as a sports agent for many of Kenya's leading runners, tweeted: "We will never again see that majestic running style. We will never again see you raising your arms in celebration.

"But the worst is we will never see your beautiful smile again. You were Royal. It was a pleasure knowing you."

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14, 2021

Pooran looking to bounce back after poor IPL form (BBC) - Nicholas Pooran has admitted to feeling that he had let himself down during IPL 2021, but insisted that he was "not concerned at all" about his form ahead of the T20 World Cup. "The IPL is gone. It's done for me," he said, speaking from West Indies' training base in Dubai. "I just have to refocus and go again.

I know personally (that] I've let myself down) in terms of not sticking with my process long enough. I felt like I rushed the results a lot and I paid the price. You could see that in my scores. It's just for me to refocus now, hit the nets, work hard and plan again - simple as that."

Pooran, West Indies' vice-captain for the World Cup, made 85 runs at an average of 7.72 playing for Punjab Kings in the IPL this season, a stark contrast to his record in 2020, in which he averaged 35.30 with a strike rate of 169.71 across 14 innings. He made 32 off 22 in his first innings of the IPL's UAE leg, but managed 25 runs in his next four innings.

He said that his record in West Indies' home summer and in the CPL for Guyana Amazon Warriors indicated that his poor run in the IPL was simply a blip, and that he had faced so few balls in the tournament that his record could not be called "form".

"I'm not concerned at all," he said. "My cricket is based on confidence and my intent.

I left the first half of the season scoring what, 20 runs in five, six, seven games (28 runs in six innings). I came and did decent in the last three series for West Indies and in CPL. “It's about my process, continuing to believe in my process, having faith in my process, and my confidence is very high. I have

Nicholas Pooran made 85 runs at an average of 7.72 playing for Punjab Kings in the IPL this season. (BCCI)

no doubts in my mind that I can execute my gameplan and do good for the team.

"It's just games. A lot of sportsmen and a lot of cricketers have bad times but that's fine.

All cricketers do have that patch and come out of it. I wouldn't say it's a patch for me. I came to the second half of IPL batting really good for West Indies and Guyana in CPL. “To me, it's not form. When you think about it, I haven't really faced many balls in all honesty. It's just for me to give myself a chance."

Pooran added that while West Indies were focussed on playing "smart cricket" at

the World Cup and were looking to improve their strike rotation ahead of the tournament, they would not sway far from their primary strength:- hitting sixes.

"For the last couple of months, in the three series in the Caribbean (against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan), everything was about 'singles, singles, singles'," Pooran said. "We spoke about it and chatted about it.

We have players that play certain roles but as a batting group we want to get better, we want to improve.

"Yes, singles are a part of the game, but our focus is not too much on singles. We won

two World Cups with the same problem, to be honest: not getting singles, but yet we won two World Cups. I don't think the emphasis is on getting singles. It's more about intent intent and playing smart cricket, that's it.

"There are times that we know we'll have to put egos aside and grind deep for the team.

If that's batting a dot ball or trying to get a single, we'll do that. We have net sessions and match scenarios when we try to play to our strengths but also play to the conditions, which is finding how to get a single or working out how to get a single. We are working.

We're not the best at getting singles but it's a work in progress and we believe in our process and our team."

During the last T20 World Cup, which West Indies won thanks to Carlos Brathwaite's four successive sixes off Ben Stokes in the last over of the final match against England, Pooran was recovering from the car crash that left him with career-threatening injuries, and described his inclusion in the upcoming tournament - and his role as vice-captain - as a "proud moment".

"It's a big achievement for me," he said.

"I remember in the last World Cup, I was not recovered from my injury. I was always thinking about T20 World Cup - I wanted to be part of a T20 World Cup. “Processing it now, it's a big achievement for me, being vice-captain. It was never one of my goals to be a West Indies captain or vice-captain but it's my job, and I'm happy I can contribute in any way, supporting Polly (Kieron Pollard) and the coach. It's a proud moment for me and my family."

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 14,P 2021 AGE GRFU’s senior vice-president Joshua Griffith collects the cheque from GOA president K.A Juman-Yassin in the presence of manager George David (left) and secretary Terrence Grant.

34

‘Green Machine’ gets tangible GOA’s support for RAN Sevens KKR survive late collapse to No respect for Curtly enter IPL final Ambrose: Gayle 33 31 PAGE

PAGE

The Kolkata Knight Riders mob Rahul Tripathi after he took them over the line vs Delhi Capitals, IPL 2021 Qualifier 2, Sharjah, October 13, 2021 (BCCI)

CWI planning return of First-Class cricket in January-February 2022 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Chris Gayle Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams

PAGE

31

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021