Issuu

WEDNESDAY 24th November, 2021

' No.106555

Ferry being built by India for Guyana taking shape

Gov’t gears up for December-January rainy season

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10 PAGE

Eighteen Community Services Officers (CSOs) from Region One are now better equipped to operate and maintain water and sanitation facilities in their communities

Draft Local Content Bill Persons urged GECOM inches Midas BPO to employ 1,000 11 caters overwhelmingly to resubmit 07 towards hiring 03 persons next year for Guyanese 08 complaints to OPR key elections staff PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Gov’t gears up for December-January rainy season By Naomi Parris

THE Ministry of Agriculture is set to soon commence emergency works in anticipation of heavy rainfall and floods during the December-January rainy season. This was revealed by Subject Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, where he disclosed that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be spearheading a series of emergency works across vulnerable communities that are prone to flooding. “We have some emergency works that will start shortly, that will accommodate the heavy rainfall during the Christmas period,” the minister said. Minister Mustapha said systems will be in place in

the capital city, Georgetown. He explained that additional pumps have already been installed at critical areas in the City to ensure sufficient drainage at vulnerable areas. “We are trying to put all the systems in place but it also depends on the municipality and the City councils, these guys normally get those pumps and they don’t operate them. What I have done is put additional pumps, now we have 14 pumps in the City.” Meanwhile, in the farming communities across the country, additional works will be done to compliment the works that were done during the recent May/June floods. “In the farming communities we did a lot of emergency works during the last flood and I am hoping that those works will stand and we will

get drainage as quickly as possible. We have also placed additional pumps at various vulnerable parts of the country,” the minister said, adding: “What I have done also is advised the regional chairmen across the country to keep the drainage level of these canals very low, very low so that we can access a reservoir whenever we have heavy rainfall.” He noted that the NDIA has also been instructed to form a partnership with the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the region to ensure that all drains and canals are cleared and that all pumps and sluices are operable. “I have also instructed the NDIA, they have been working with the NDCs and other local bodies to get all the sluices and pumps operable and to ensure that all the

canals are clear.”

MORE RAINFALL In a report shared by the minister, it was revealed that the highest amount of rainfall can be expected in Regions One, Two, Three, Seven and the northern parts of Region Eight for the period December 2021 to January 2022. Additionally, the report stated that there is a high chance for wetter than usual conditions across all the regions. Region Nine and the southern parts of Regions Six, Eight and 10 are likely to experience the least amount of rainfall during this period. However, as the season progresses, water levels in conservancies, reservoirs and inland rivers in Region One, to the northern parts of Regions Six, Seven, and 10 are expected to reach maximum capacity.

GECOM inches towards hiring key elections staff THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has seemingly moved a step closer to finalizing what steps it will take in filling the positions of Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO). In an invited comment, GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj told the Guyana Chronicle that during the Commission’s meeting on Tuesday last, a decision was made that from the multiple shortlists previously created by the representatives of the

two major political parties on the Commission, those names have now been added into one list. It is now up to the Chairperson and Commissioners to decide on how to proceed with interviews and hiring. Commissioner Gunraj would not disclose further details but noted that he preferred to await the next steps of the elections body. In late September, GECOM met to approve the advertising of key positions of the elections commission’s secretariat which were made vacant as a result of the massive

shake-up following the plethora of challenges experienced during the 2020 general and regional elections which almost saw the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition returning to office through strange processes. A number of charges have since been laid against former top elections officials. While General and Regional Elections (GRE) are still a number of years away, local government election is currently due. President Irfaan Ali’s

GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj commitment from the time he assumed office has been to ensure the elections body was committed to the democratic process before moving into calling a date for that election.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha This publication recently reported that Hydromet data is estimating that the country will continue to see higher than normal levels of rainfall, akin to what Guyana experienced last year November, and which peaked with unprecedented flooding in May/June this year. Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings, in a previous interview, said that the Hydromet Office is able to forecast for up to six months and, thus far, from all indications Guyana can expect a recurrence of what was experienced last November. Beginning from November 2020, Guyana experienced month-onmo n th u n p r eced en te d

high levels of rainfall that caused unprecedented flooding all across the country. Though the country is usually prone to flooding, the flooding is usually most common in areas along the coast. However, the May/June rainy season saw flooding in all the regions, with Regions Two, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 being severely affected. President Irfaan Ali had declared the situation a national disaster. Agriculture and mining were some of the hardest hit sectors, and in some cases, entire communities had to be evacuated. Billions of dollars in flood-relief were later distributed to mitigate the impact of the flooding.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Men who murdered British teen file appeal

THE two men, who were recently sentenced by High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon for the 2015 murder of British citizen, Dominic Bernard, have approached the Court of Appeal. Hing, who is the godbrother of Bernard, and his friend, Staymon George called “Sherwin” were sentenced by Justice Kissoon at the Berbice High Court for the capital offence of murder. George had pleaded guilty to the crime which alleged that on October 14, 2015, at Kildonan Village, Corentyne, East Berbice, he murdered Bernard. However, Hing pleaded not guilty to the offence and was later found guilty by a 12-member jury. On October 20, 2021, George was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possi-

Staymon George bility of parole after serving 35 years. On November 5, Hing was sentenced to death by Justice Kissoon. The petitioners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of their trials.

Aaron Hing Hing, is claiming that his conviction cannot stand because he had an unfair trial and his sentence was excessive. According to George, he was pressured by his attorney into pleading guilty

Dead : Dominic Bernard which resulted in the judge erring by accepting the unequivocal plea to murder contrary to common law on the facts stated by the prosecution. George, among other things, said that the judge should have accepted his

guilty plea to manslaughter and not the capital offence of murder. Hing’s ‘childmother’, Krystol Thomas; her mother, Sinfine Henry, also known as “Coreen,” and his friend, Jahmil Sinclair, who were granted $300,000 bail each after being charged as accessories to Bernard’s murder, are expected to stand trial soon. The teenager arrived in Guyana on the evening of October 14, 2015. George, who is said to be a close friend of Hing, was the driver who transported Hing to the airport to collect Bernard. The teen was scheduled to fly back to England on November 5, 2015. After collecting the teen from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, they stopped at a location on Sher-

iff Street where they ate and drank a few beers. Bernard was never seen again. His parents came to Guyana, after he failed to arrive home. On January 8, 2016, a badly decomposed body was found in a shallow grave in the backlands of Nurney Village. A DNA sample taken from the body was tested against Dominic’s father, and they matched. The police later issued an arrest warrant for Hing and George after they disappeared when investigators attempted to contact them. Hing was arrested while hiding out at a city hotel, while George was nabbed at a house in Tucville, Georgetown. It is alleged that those charged with accessory hid Bernard’s personal belongings, including his camera.

WHO: Europe faces 700,000 more COVID deaths by March A further 700,000 people could die of COVID by March in Europe and parts of Asia, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned. The death toll already exceeds 1.5 million in the 53 countries of what the WHO terms as its Europe region. The WHO warned of

"high or extreme stress" in intensive care units in 49 of the nations by March 2022. Europe is facing a surge in cases, prompting Austria to return to lockdown and others to consider fresh measures. A number of countries -including France, Germany and Greece -- could also soon make booster jabs a require-

The WHO said it expected "high or extreme stress" in intensive care units in 49 countries of its Europe region in March (BBC/Reuters photo) ment for their citizens to be considered fully vaccinated. But several countries have seen fierce protests against new measures. The Netherlands saw several nights of rioting over a partial lockdown. In its assessment, the WHO warned Covid was the top cause of death in its Europe region. "Cumulative reported deaths are projected to reach over 2.2 million by spring next year, based on current trends," the WHO said on Tuesday. Confirmed COVID-related deaths recently doubled to almost 4,200 a day, it added. In Russia alone, the daily death toll has been recently topping 1,200. A high number of unvac-

cinated people and the prevalence of the Delta variant in some countries were key factors behind high transmission rates in the Europe region, the WHO said. The WHO Europe director, Dr Hans Kluge, urged those who were still unvaccinated to get the jab. "All of us have the opportunity and responsibility to help avert unnecessary tragedy and loss of life, and limit further disruption to society and businesses over this winter season," he said. As well as European nations, the WHO also considers Israel and ex-Soviet states like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as making up the region. (BBC)

Nokta turns 84, Collymore, 85 GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

--PPP stalwarts ready to continue serving

Clinton Collymore makes a point as Harripersaud Nokta listens attentively DESPITE serving Guy- that I am still in the party village-to-village, to using anese for decades, and to continue my struggle. I bicycles, horses, carts, aiding in the transfor- always remember the road boats, and eventually a mation of Guyana as we travelled, whether in motorcycle. government ministers the rivers or in the moun“That motorcycle took under the People's Pro- tains, or in the savannahs me into all the savannahs, gressive Party (PPP), or in the villages, wherev- from Lethem to Aishalton political stalwarts Clin- er,” Mr. Nokta said. and back; to Northwest ton Collymore and HarAccording to the for- and Mabaruma, to Karasaripersaud Nokta are not mer minister, memories bi and all around,” he said. ready to call it a day. of his work are among his Both Nokta and ColThe duo, who both had happy moments, and he is lymore said that since stints as ministers of local thankful for the support joining the party, it has government, still feel that he received from ordinary evolved and grown over they have more to give Guyanese during his early time, not only in numbers back to their party, and, by political years. but also in philosophy and extension, their country. “So many things we beliefs. During a double birth- faced, and we were not They recalled how day celebration at Free- afraid; we got through, sugarcane workers and the dom House on Tuesday, and we will continue farmers would contribute, the political veterans rem- again, wherever we can. It without hesitation, to their inisced on their time in has been a long struggle, cause. government, and their but it won't end,” Nokta “It was a hard strugyears in the party. said, while noting that he gle, and we endured. In President Irfaan Ali hopes that the younger addition to that, we faced was among those in atten- members and budding the wrath of PNC and the dance who also recollect- politicians will emulate House of Israel,” Nokta ed the past, and heaped both him and Collymore explained. praise on their overall in their perseverance and He said that although achievements. determination to fight and he is older, he would get Nokta celebrated his struggle for not only the back into action, if called 84th Birth Anniversary on party, but the country as upon by President Ali or Monday, while Collymore well. the PPP. celebrated his 85th on He recalled travelling Tuesday. the length and breadth of UNBROKEN COLLYGuyana with former PresMORE DECADES OF ident Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Collymore also notACHIEVEMENT and returning to Freedom ed that during the years Nokta, who is origi- House to serve under for- of struggle, he remained nally from the Essequibo mer President Janet Jagan, resolute, strong and “unCoast, but now resides in who, he said, “was like the broken”. Ogle, on the East Coast strength of all of us”. “No matter what the of Demerara, said his podictatorship did, I was litical fight began over WORKING HARD strong, steadfast, and re65 years ago when he FOR THE PARTY mained constant to the joined the PPP in August Nokta said he recalled party. And I'm still here. I 1956. Collymore joined working with Collymore got licks, I was locked up, less than a decade after, to raise funds for the par- I was treated badly, and I in 1963. ty in its early days, and am still here. I feel good; I “Today, I am happy went from walking from feel at peace with myself,

President Dr. Irfaan Ali flanked by Clinton Collymore and Harripersaud Nokta and other party stalwarts and I know I have done Congress (PNC). But this, was even eventually able well. I have not done any- he said, did not deter him to persuade his father to join the party as well. thing dishonest and disre- from joining the PPP. “I used to read the PPP The two stalwarts reinspectful to the Guyanese publication and commu- forced that their support of people,” Collymore said. For him, it was more nique, and it made a lot of the party is unwavering, and they will continue to of a struggle, since he sense,” he said. He said he stood by his give their utmost to congrew up in Plaisance, and his father was a member ideals, and continued his tinue fighting for a better of the People's National support for the PPP, and Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Constructive Criticism

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has issued a call to all contractors to ensure that works assigned to them are not only done in a timely manner but that they are done in keeping with the required standards and within the parameters of cost. The President's call could not have come at a better time when the country is experiencing one of the highest levels of growth and economic expansion in its history. Much of that growth and expansion is triggered by massive government expenditures in infrastructural development. Billions of dollars are being spent on a wide array of infrastructural works

such as road and bridge construction, construction of new buildings and maintenance works. Several oil and gas- related projects are also on stream or soon to come on stream, which taken together, will result in a major overhaul of the physical and social landscape of the country. The role of contractors and consultants in ensuring that the capital programme of the country is executed in a timely manner and within the framework of cost and quality cannot be overemphasised. Apart from contributing to the implementation of the government's work programme, it is also vital in terms of job creation

and the multiplier effect such employment could have on personal incomes and consumption levels. Any failure therefore on the part of contractors to complete works awarded to them represent a loss not only to the government but to the people in general who are deprived of jobs and the services which the projects were intended to engender. It is a fact that many contractors are in default when it comes to capacity and, as such, many capital projects languish because of lack of building capacity and poor management of the work plan. There are cases of collusion between contractors and consultants

to get cost variations which were not catered for in the work contract. And while there may be some genuine cases of cost overruns, the extent and frequency of such cost overruns cannot be overlooked by accounting officers and those in position of authority. One new development is the decision by the Office of the Auditor General to undertake a "value for money" audit to ensure that works are executed in keeping with cost, quality and time as stated in the contract. This is necessary at this time when so much money is being expended to build new infrastructure and upgrade existing structures.

Importantly, there must be adequate and strong penalty clauses in the contracts to ensure that the government is compensated financially for any default or lapses on the part of contractors. As stated by President Ali, there is always room for growth and contractors must learn to take constructive criticism and refrain from bidding for works for which they lack capacity or in some cases where there is over-capacity. Such works could be better handled by smaller contractors at the local level, which, in addition to building local construction capacity, could also help in terms of employment generation at the

local level. There cannot be business as usual on the part of contractors when it comes to the spending of public funds. The President, on his part, has indicated that 'every ounce of his energy and that of his government' will be spent on achieving the mandate of the people in the realisation of the plans, programmes and policies of the PPP/C administration. It is for contractors to do likewise and in the process create what President Ali described as a 'winning culture' where all parties benefit from the government's policies and programmes.

No other country has given such a high wage increase Perspective from Dr Vishnu Bisram

I READ with interest the government’s announcement of seven per cent increase to public servants. There are complaints that it is not substantial, given the rise in the cost of living. Indeed, in my several polls conducted over the last couple of years, voters complained about rising costs of living. But no country has given workers such a significant wage increase. If government addresses wage concerns of only public servants, what will the other state employees receive in wage and salary increases and how much will remain after wage agreements to address crime, security, social welfare, education, health, infrastructure, local government and agriculture, among other sectors of the economy and workers. As someone who studied and taught economics (including labour laws) for

several decades and as a trade unionist/labour leader myself (having led my union chapter for over a decade in NY), I fully support any argument that government must negotiate in good faith with the union’s leadership for fair wages and working conditions. I also am of the view that wage increases must keep pace with inflation, so that the working class does not suffer from a loss of purchasing power. All contracts have clauses on settling stalled negotiations that should be adhered to. Were the stalled negotiations or impasse tied to opposition politics? After all, the impacted labour unions are affiliated with an opposition party. Government workers deserve an increase, especially since they were denied a fair wage increment tied to inflation under the preceding Coalition administration; the general feeling is that workers were treated very badly by the previous administration. The preceding Coalition government (now the opposition)

largely ignored labour-union demands and terminated so many workers. Why didn’t the unions take action against their government? The current PPP-led government is applauded for this generous wage offer, coming in the midst of the raging pandemic when productivity has been down in almost all sectors except mining in the private sector. The spending of the seven per cent would help to boost the economy in the short-term. As an economist, it is my knowledge that wage increases create their own problems -- inflationary pressures on the economy that lead to demand for further wage increases in a never-ending cycle. Is the seven per cent fair? Can government afford it or more? Should wage increment be tied to productivity and inflation? The international trend in contemporary labour negotiations is wage increases are based on productivity. If the workers are not increasing their productivity, why should

they be rewarded with an increase in salary? The last time I was leader of my chapter that included several Guyanese educators, workers were forced into many give backs tied to productivity for wage increases. In NY, educators barely received three per cent a year increase retroactively for some five years, during which period we worked without a contract. In the U.S., the preceding contract remains in force when there is no agreement. The Guyana Government’s offer of seven per cent increase during very difficult times is significant and welcomed by workers. In no part of the globe have workers gotten such a high increase. And it is significantly higher than the reported inflation of 5.6 per cent as of end of October. Thus, it will result in a real increase in wages since it is higher than current inflation. Since inflation is transitory, going up and down, workers would benefit enormously if inflation stays at or below

seven per cent. It is noted that the seven per cent increase in salary is on top of bonus grants given last year to various sections of the public service. Aside from the bonuses and seven per cent raise, government provides various subsidies on fuel, utilities, etc. These are savings to working class, resulting in availability of money to spend on other items. Since public servants got seven per cent increase, other state workers would expect similar increase in what in labour economics is known as pattern bargaining (offers). Sugar workers, educators, and other government employees should also get seven per cent for 2021. In contrast, with the public service, sugar workers’ incomes are tied to real, measured, quantifiable productivity; they bring in treasured foreign exchange. They should get more. There are legitimate and counter reasons to give government workers a seven per cent increase. But business

owners rightly ask, shouldn’t increment be tied to productivity or performance like the sugar workers? It is expected that all workers offered or received an increase would produce more. Will they? Have all workers been productive? As people in the public tell me, some are productive and some are not. The public and the government expect that workers would produce more. Settling government employees’ wages is not the only issue facing any government. The current administration also needs to allocate funds to rebuild neglected infrastructure which will put the network in place to increase workers’ and business productivity. If government does not pay heed to infrastructure and those whose labour generate income and pay taxes, then the requisite revenues from increased productivity would not be forthcoming to meet union demands for wage increases. The government must be applauded for the seven per cent increase.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Persons urged to resubmit complaints to OPR WITH the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) completely destroyed following Saturday’s fire, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, is calling on per-

tion will be forwarded to the OPR. “We are calling on persons to resubmit any difficulties or complaints they had in terms of police behaviour, while the

would’ve had and what could’ve been lost. We will have to go back and do some reconstructing and revalidating with respect to complaints that went to the OPR.”

The gutted section of the building (Delano Williams photos)

From left: Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie; Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandalal; Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn at the scene of the fire on Saturday sons who have unre- OPR personnel work Benn noted that offisolved police complaints on reconstructing and cers from the OPR will with the agency to resub- re-establishing what they also try to actively reach mit their documents. have into a way in which out to persons who had He said while a tem- they can work properly,” made complaints, for porary location to house Benn stated in an inter- them to come in and have the office is being looked view with this publication at, persons can write to on Tuesday. the Office of the Com“In many ways they missioner of Police or have to start over again to the Ministry of Home in terms of some of the Affairs and the informa- information that they

their reports documented. He was made to understands that some of the files from the agency were saved before the building was gutted. “They would have to get to the areas from where the information came in to them, and from the people who made complaints. We would have to go back to identify where information came in from, what complaints there were and then to start over

again,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. With the agency still recovering from the fire, Benn said it is still uncertain to what extent documents from the office were saved. “There was an effort to save some of the files and they may have saved quite a number of files but I’m not sure as to what extent they have been able to save files in terms of percentage,” he noted.

He said information on the new location would be made public later this week. “I can’t speak specifically to where they have relocated to. I know some of their things were taken over to the police training centre but I can't say where is their specific location. We will have that tomorrow [Wednesday]. Things are still fluid at the moment,” Benn explained.

DPP Office closed indefinitely

THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will remain closed indefinitely as the agency recovers from Saturday’s fire which gutted the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the Construction Department and Stores. This is according to the DPP’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Liz Rahaman, who told the Guyana Chronicle during a telephone interview on Tuesday, that matters in the criminal assizes have not been affected. “The DPP office remains closed indefinitely to the general public. The fire has severely restricted all of our operations save and except the criminal assizes, and the appearance of state counsel in the assizes, mainly because the state counsel in the assizes would’ve had in their possession the documents that they need to go to court with,” she said. Like Rahaman, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, said the

disruption is a setback and he has indicated that extra resources will be allocated to assist the office to get back to its normal functioning as soon as possible.

against any person before any court, other than a court-martial. “The DPP office is an instrumental office in the functioning of the criminal justice system in Guy-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

As the fire ravaged the section that housed OPR, a large number of documents, files and books were removed from the office. Drawers from file cabinets were piled into

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn (centre) engaging Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack (left) and DPP’s PRO, Liz Rahaman (right) The office is responsible for the administration of justice in criminal causes or matters and has control over the prosecution of criminal matters

ana. So, it will have a setback and as soon as the DPP can get our office sorted out, we will restart our functions,” Rahaman said.

police vehicles to be relocated to a secure location while documents were thrown through windows on the top floor of the building, Fortunate-

ly, there was only minor structural damage to the office in the aftermath of the fire. “In the process of being saved, while the fire was raging, those documents, the law books, everything were just thrown out of windows and brought out haphazardly because of course, with a fire raging, nobody is able to do things in a logical way. We are grateful, for the saving of the books and those documents and books are now being safely guarded,” Rahaman said. She told this publication that the office is currently focused on cleaning the building, after which the Director, Shalimar Ali-Hack, will have to go through the documents and organise them. “As it relates to the chambers, the structure still stands but with the internal offices, the staff, we have collaborated and are cleaning our little space. What Madam DPP will do, at a later time, is go through all of the docu-

ments and we will sort them all out again. We are hoping and praying that as soon as humanly possible that we can resume our functions for the benefit of the Guyanese public,” Rahaman said. Meanwhile, Minister Benn told the Guyana Chronicle that he is hopeful that things could return to normal functioning within a few weeks given the critical role of the DPP. He noted that Saturday’s fire has compounded the situation that was created by the October 2 fire at the Brickdam Police Station. “Even though the files of the DPP [were] saved and the office spared…everything is in disarray at this time… Expect it to be some time before they have the files organised. With the jumbled state that it is in, we will have to spend some time to put enough people so that we could access them for the work of the court,” Benn noted.

Draft Local Content Bill caters overwhelmingly for Guyanese THE government will soon lay its Local Content Bill in the National Assembly, which could see Guyana setting strong targets for companies operating in the industry. The Bill’s first schedule would mandate a near takeover of oil operations by local goods and services in just 10 years. Though local penetration of the industry at present is not significant, the schedule seeks to mandate a gradual increase in the use of local goods and services, based on the government’s assessment of the ability of locals to provide them. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said that the legislation will be introduced in Parliament before year end. “Local content must be a means to promote eco-

nomic development, by creating opportunities for the Guyanese labour force and business sector in defined areas of work where the skills are available,” the draft bill states. The schedule sets out local content levels to be met by licensed oil companies from the date of effectiveness of their petroleum agreements or licences. These would include companies like ExxonMobil and Tullow Oil, which have entered directly into agreements with governments to explore and develop oil blocks. In the case of sub-contractors, their clock starts ticking from the moment they have entered into an agreement or partnership. These include companies sub-contracted by ExxonMobil and Tullow, like

Saipem and Schlumberger. The draft bill contains multiple tables outlining the percentage of local penetration necessary in the beginning, after three years, after five years, after seven years, and after 10 years. In employment, the schedule sets out the percentage of posts, at different levels, which should be given to Guyanese in companies’ upstream, midstream and downstream operations. Quotas are set for management, supervisory, technical core and professional support staff, along with semi-skilled and unskilled workers. For instance, a company’s upstream management posts should be 10 per cent Guyanese from the beginning of its agreement, and should move to 45 per cent at the 10-year interval.

Champion X’s Guyanese laboratory technician, Shiv Outar Guyanese are to be given 100 per cent of posts involving unskilled work from the inception, since this constitutes low-hanging fruit. Using a similar system,

the schedule seeks to set quotas, by sector, for the provision of goods and services throughout the 10year period and onward. Most sectors’ quotas for the utilisation of local goods

and services stand at 85 – 100 per cent at the 10-year target. Guyana’s draft local content legislation is currently in its consultation stage. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Community Service Officers in Region One undergo water, sanitation training EIGHTEEN Community Service Officers (CSOs) from Region One are now better equipped to operate and maintain water and sanitation facilities in their communities. According to a release, this is as a result of a two-

(UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The training included both theoretical and practical components and was done as a part of phase two of the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) pro-

maintenance of pumping systems, maintenance of water distribution systems, sampling and analysis of water parameters and the construction of basic sanitation systems. The participants were from the villages of White

WASH is an initiative aimed at improving sanitation, hygiene and access to potable water and is being rolled out among residents and Venezuelan migrants who have settled in villages in Regions One, Two and Seven.

The Community Service Officers during the theoretical component of the training day training seminar facilitated by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in Mabaruma, Region One from November 1920, funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund

gramme. Phase one was launched in hinterland communities in 2019. The release noted that focus areas of the capacity-building training exercise were photovoltaic systems, the operation and

Water, Kamwatta, Baramita, Arakaka, Falls Top, Canal Bank, Sebai and Koberimo. Training in hand-washing and menstrual hygiene was also done with Venezuelan migrants in White Water.

Self-confessed wife-killer appeals life sentence

Gavin Gill

Dead: Omwattie Gill

GAVIN Gill, who had confessed to the brutal murder of his wife, Omwattie Gill, called Anjalie”, has moved to the Court of

Appeal to challenge his life sentence. The 33-year-old taxi driver of Whim Village, Corentyne, was sentenced

by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court for the capital offence and will become eligible for parole after serving 30 years. In October, he had admitted that on March 30, 2019, in the county of Berbice, he murdered the woman. He had told the court, “I love my wife,” before explaining that the whole ordeal feels like a “nightmare” and he wishes to wake up to see his wife. In his Notice of Appeal, Gavin is arguing that his sentence is severe in all forms and as such, should be set aside. TURN TO PAGE 12

Phase one of the programme saw a number of WASH interventions that included the drilling of a potable water well at Whitewater, Region One and the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities in sev-

eral villages within the region, namely: Khan’s Hill, Imbetero, Smith Creek, Yarakita and Whitewater. On the sanitation side, more than 30 Ventilated Improved Pit Latrines (VIPs) were constructed, while in the area of hygiene promotion,

Regions One, Two and Seven. The success of phase one birthed further funding through a collaboration with the UNDP for the implementation of phase two. This funding is geared towards providing greater access to sustainable potable

Participants partake in a practical exercise several sessions were held with the migrants and residents of the host communities. The programme also entailed the distribution of water purification units to Kurutuku, Region Seven, and the distribution of hygiene and food packages to

water supply and safe sanitation, whilst strengthening capacity both with GWI and the hinterland communities for the operation and maintenance of the newly-established facilities, the release said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Ferry being built by India for Guyana taking shape

High Commissioner of India, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa and Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill and their respective teams during an earlier meeting GARDEN Reach Shipbuild- US$12.73 million, is being The ferry is to be used in ers and Engineers Limited constructed under a grant the North Western region as (GRSE), Kolkata, India, last and line of credit assistance well as South Western region Saturday held a ceremony from the Government of In- of Guyana up to the interior of laying the keel of the dia. Government of India town called Kwakwani, Berocean-going passenger cum offered, in June 2016, a grant bice River. It will be used as cargo vessel being built for of US$8million and LoC of coastal as well as river service the Co-operative Republic US$10 million for procuring vessel. of Guyana. an ocean-going ferry from According to a release T h e v e s s e l , c o s t i n g India. from the Indian High Com-

release said. The keel-laying ceremony of the ocean-going vessel was conducted in the presence of Captain Stephen Thomas, Director-General, Maritime Administration Department of Guyana; Ronalda Edwards-Horatio, Charge d’affaires, High Commission of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana in India; Rear Admiral VK Saxena (Ret’d), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, directors of GRSE and other senior officials of GRSE and the Transport and Harbours Department. The 70m-long vessel with a displacement of 1,700 tonnes is propelled by two diesel engines and twin disc gearboxes to achieve a maximum speed of 15 Knots. The ship has been fully designed by the GRSE design teams and can accommodate 294 passengers

in Guyana. This co-operation with India’s leading shipbuilder GRSE, highlights stable and long-term relationship between India and Guyana, the release from the Indian High Commission said. Highlighting the importance of achieving this major ‘Keel laying’ milestone amidst these challenging times, Rear Admiral VK Saxena, said that the ocean-going passenger cum cargo ferry vessel project provided GRSE with an opportunity to leverage its expertise in design and ship construction and showcase its shipbuilding prowess in the global arena. “This vessel aims to create a new benchmark in the field of passenger and cargo movement in Guyana. This project is a harbinger for more co-operation between the friendly nations of India and Guyana

A scene at the laying of the keel of the ocean-going passenger cum cargo vessel being built for Guyana mission in Georgetown, the (including 14 crew mem- in the maritime domain in agreement for supplying the bers) along with 14 cars, two near future,” the Indian High ocean-going passenger and trucks, and 14 containers and Commissions said. cargo ferry vessel from India cargo. The design has been With its emphasis on to Guyana in 18 months at a accomplished by the in-house export and realigning martotal cost of US$12,733,403 design team of GRSE and keting strategies to match was signed on January 13, incorporates enhanced safety the dynamic global environ2021 between Garden Reach and operational features. ment, the GRSE is building Shipbuilders & Engineers Captain Stephen Thom- six patrol crafts for BanglaLimited and the Ministry of as, chief guest at the event, desh apart from this ship for Public Works’ Transport and expressed satisfaction over the Republic of Guyana. In Harbours Department, Guy- the progress of the project. pursuit of indigenisation and ana. He said that this project is self-reliance in shipbuildHigh Commissioner of a distinct enterprise for the ing, the GRSE is currently India, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa and Government of Guyana de- executing six shipbuilding team facilitated the signing of signed to provide smart trans- projects including three adthe agreement expeditiously portation of passengers and vanced frigates, four survey as it was long pending, since cargo. The chief guest added vessels (large) and eight an2016. that catering to the needs of ti-submarine warfare shalA delegation from Minis- Guyanese people the vessel low watercrafts for the Inditry of Public Works’ Transport will prove to be an efficient an Navy and one fast patrol and Harbours Department mode of transport for the pas- vessel for the Indian Coast visited GRSE in Kolkata from sengers and cargo movement Guard. November 19 to 21, 2021, the

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Midas BPO to employ 1,000 persons next year

BUSINESS process outsourcing firm, Midas BPO, in partnership with the Government of Guyana, is seeking to employ 1,000 people in the coming year. The alliance is as a result of the government’s commitment to tackle the country’s high unemployment rate through the creation of 50,000 jobs. So far, the telecommunication company, which is located in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), has employed over 125 persons since it was established in September. The agency has a rapid employment rate, which sees some 25 to 40 persons being employed

greater than the bottom-line. We don’t want to be a nice shiny object you have for a short time; we really want to become a staple in Linden,” Sobers said, adding: “The first goal is to become the largest private employer, and we are looking to return real dollars back into the community.” Lindeners currently employed at the telecommunication company lauded the government for paving the way for financial gain. “I would like to thank them, because I see it as a major improvement, especially for Linden. When I first came, I really liked the initiative, because I

Rayon Brummel, an employee at Midas BPO daily. During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Midas BPO’s

saw a lot of youths coming off the street and having something to do. Young people have jobs now in Linden, so I want to

Daniel Anthony, an employee at Midas BPO in Linden Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Malcolm Sobers said the company is geared at creating a lasting impact through the creation of jobs, while restoring revenue to communities. “Being able to provide jobs and make meaningful impact is

commend them for that. We welcome new growth in any form for Linden,” Daniel Anthony, a sales agent told the DPI. Rayon Brummel expressed gratitude to the government as well. “For starters, it has been good, and quite challenging. I

would like to thank the government, because this is quite nice of them to provide something for us to do, since, you know, in Linden, there isn’t many jobs about. So this is a nice venture,” Brummel said. Fayon Bourne, another employee, shared similar sentiments. “Well, it has been a great experience thus far; I can’t complain, and I am enjoying it thus far,” Bourne said. “I would like to say thank you all very much; it has been a great opportunity to

open this working environment, so a lot of young folks can come out and get jobs, rather than being at home, having nothing to do, or just being on the street idling themselves. So, we are thankful,” she added. “Well, first of all, thank you, because it is a good initiative for Linden,” said Omisha Haynes. “You know, oftentimes, Linden is forgotten, and so, we are really grateful for it, and would like to take the opportunity to tell the government thank you so much for this initiative.”

The telecommunication company has plans to expand their operations to Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). During the partnership’s signing back in September, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said government is building an industry that will create meaningful employment for young people.

He said the call centre industry is able to create more jobs for young people than any other sector. Dr. Singh said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration remains committed to its promises. In addition to pushing for the creation of 50,000 jobs, the government has also liberalised the telecommunications sector, as promised in its Manifesto. He said that the liberalisation will help investments like Midas BPO.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Jehovah’s Witnesses on “A Better World Is Near” global campaign Photo courtesy of Quotemaster.org

GUYANA is one of the thousands of communities around the globe that has been receiving a powerful message of hope throughout November as Jehovah’s Witnesses embarked upon a special campaign focusing attention on the Bible’s hope for a better world. The campaign features the distribution of a special edition of The Watchtower magazine containing

the cover series, “A Better World Is Near.” More than 36 million printed copies of the magazine will be distributed in some 230 languages to communities in 240 lands around the globe. In addition, the digital publication is available on various platforms in nearly 400 languages. “People are longing to hear a positive message and this is the best news possible,” said Daren Sendall, National Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “A better world is not just a dream, it’s inevitable. In fact, it is a central part of Jesus’ gospel.” The magazine addresses the age-old “doomsday” question, “Is this world going to end?” The Bible’s comforting answer may surprise many readers. While some religions have predicted an “end of the world”, the magazine reveals the Bible’s clear message: The earth is here forever and will never end! However, the magazine explains that the Bible promises an end to injustice by quoting from the book of Psalms where it states that eventually wicked people will no longer plague the earth.— Psalm 37:10. This positive message has been the hope of millions around the world who have

prayed for God’s Kingdom to come. One such person is former West Indies opening batsman, Adrian Barath. Commenting on how the Biblical hope for a better world has changed his life, the former cricketer said: “From my experience in travelling to various countries, I saw suffering to an extent unimaginable. I read at Revelation 21:3, 4 that God's Kingdom promises a world free from crime, poverty, sickness and death. This has given my life more purpose, knowing that God will restore this earth to a paradise and my family and I will have the hope of living forever on it, free from the problems we all face today.” The Watchtower has been carrying the message about God’s Kingdom for more than 100 years and remains the most widely translated and circulated magazine in the world. It is available for download free online at jw.org or a free printed copy can be requested from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses by visiting jw.org and navigating to “Request a Visit”. For more information, please contact local spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, Andre Darrell by E-mail: ADARRELL@JW.ORG or telephone 617-9089.

FROM PAGE 09 He is also arguing that the judge took into consideration irrelevant factors when sentencing him. Among other things, he is contending that the judge failed to properly exercise his discretion in not giving him the 1/3 reduction in sentence for his plea. The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Omawattie was frequently abused by her husband, and moved out of the family home two weeks prior to her death. With her then sevenmonth-old daughter, Omwattie moved to her mother’s residence at Williamsburg. This move angered the man and he began threatening Omwattie and her mother. At the time, Omwattie had a restraining order to keep Gavin at least 100 feet away from herself, her mother and the child. According to reports, on

the day in question, at approximately 08:30 hours, the mother of one was making her way to work when she was ambushed and attacked by Gavin. She was first hit by a white Toyota motorcar – HC 4924 – driven by her husband and was flung several feet away due to the impact. Gavin then exited the vehicle and began stabbing the woman. In his bid to end her life, he continued the attack by holding on to her hair. He also chopped her several times on the neck and about her body as she lay motionless on a bridge. Moments after, a police patrol responded and apprehended the man at the scene. Omwattie was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital bleeding profusely from the wounds she received on the neck. She succumbed shortly after.

Self-confessed..

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 24, 2021

China to launch pilot reform project on business environment in six cities

By Lin Lili (People's Daily)

ACCORDING to a recent guideline issued by China's State Council, six Chinese cities will launch a pilot reform project to improve business environment. The six cities are respectively Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Lu Xiangdong, an official from the General Office of the State Council, introduced that the guideline was issued after the State Council solicited a wide range of opinions from market entities and relevant parties and held in-depth discussions. Over 100 reform measures in 10 fields were raised, the official added. The six cities were selected for the reform project because they have a complete industrial system and a large size of market entities, and they have built a solid foundation for reform after having gone through a series of positive explorations, Lu explained. Besides, the six of them include municipalities, cities under separate state planning

operation of the economy. Following the guideline, the governments of the six cities also tailored measures to facilitate enterprises and the people to the maximum extent. Wang Hong, vice mayor of Beijing, introduced that the guideline has rolled out a large batch of reform measures that are targeted and effective, and concerned mostly by enterprises. These measures, upon implementation, will indeed

better facilitate corporate services and entrepreneurship for Beijing enterprises, she said. Shanghai's vice mayor Wu Qing noted that Shanghai, taking the opportunity of the pilot project, will invest more energy in its services for market entities to make more policies benefiting the enterprises, including the one that enables eligible enterprises to enjoy preferential treatment without application.

Products are automatically stored in a warehouse of a glass fiber enterprise in Qianjiang district, southwest China's Chongqing municipality, Aug. 4, 2020. (People's Daily Online/Yang Min) and provincial capitals located on both the east and west of the country, the official introduced, adding that the six cities have their own advantages and characteristics. Lu said that the pilot reform project will play a bigger catalytic role in these cities. To gain experiences that can be replicated in other regions of China is a fundamental requirement of the pilot

project, so that the Chinese business environment can be constantly improved, Lu said. The project will be advanced stably and orderly with appropriate orders, pace, and steps, he added. The guideline aims to break the systematic and institutional barriers that prevent the investment of market entities, stabilise market expectation and promote the stable

Automobiles are being loaded onto a vessel of China Ocean Shipping Company at a terminal in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, Nov. 13, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Wei Jinsong)

Executive vice mayor Zhang Yong of Guangzhou said the guideline addresses the whole-life-cycle of market entities, and Guangzhou, as the only pilot field for the reform of intellectual property (IP) utilisation and protection, will cater to the demands of enterprises, optimise the service system of IP mortgage, and improve the market-oriented IP pricing and trading mechanism, so as to constantly expand the sources of financing for small- and medium-sized enterprises. To further revitalise market confidence and timely respond to the concerns of market entities, relevant departments have raised a series of high-value reform measures. With regard to the facilitation of market access and operation, e-business licenses have been made for all 150 million registered market entities across China, including enterprises, individual businesses and farmers' cooperatives. These licenses can be downloaded, shown, and printed anytime and anywhere.

A revisit to UNGA Resolution 2758: One China is undeniable truth

By Xin Ping Published by Global Times

ANYONE of reason would understand that arguments must be based on facts. This is the case in serious political affairs, and even more so on fundamental issues. When it comes to the Taiwan question, the "deep red line" as some would describe it, extra prudence must be exercised. In fact, there are undeniable historical facts, solid international law and wide international consensus that confirm the basic truth: There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The plot and connivance of "Taiwan independence" is recently manifested in some people's distortions of Resolution 2758 of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Some country touted its support for Taiwan's, "meaningful participation throughout the UN system." Also, some individuals in Taiwan said that Resolution, "does not mention Taiwan," still less "decide Taiwan's representation in the UN." But such remarks are beyond reason when checked vis-a-vis the Resolution's exact wording, the historical context concerned, and international common practice.

Both the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation already affirmed Taiwan's legal status as an inalienable part of China. After the founding of New China in 1949, the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) became the sole legal government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan. However, due to US isolation and blockade of New China, the Chiang Kai-shek clique's unlawful occupation of the seat in the UN was left unresolved until the 26th Session of the UNGA. At the plenary session on October 25, 1971, Resolution 2758 was passed. This recognised the one-China principle and made it clear that the government of the PRC is the only lawful government representing the whole of China, including Taiwan. It was recorded and can still be revisited that the meeting decided to, "restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognise the representatives of its government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organisations related to it."

Qiao's Laugh

This legal document has teeth. It brooks no denial or distortions. The words "restore" and "unlawfully" reveal the nature of the occupation of Chiang Kai-shek representatives. If China's representation at the UN does not include Taiwan, why should "the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek" be expelled from the UN? And Taiwan, as a part of China, did not need to be singled out in the resolution, just like Hawaii or Alaska that were not mentioned in the representation of the US. The so-called international representation of Taiwan has already been denied once and for all with the adoption of the Resolution. When it was still under consultation at the UNGA, the vast majority of countries held to the position that they could not agree to divide China's

territory just because Taiwan was still illegally occupied. They supported Resolution 2758, which respects China's sovereignty over Taiwan. On the other hand, a handful of countries including the US proposed the "dual representation" draft resolution in an attempt to create "two Chinas" in the UN, only to end in failure. It is not just settled in black and white, but also in international practise that the one-China principle has become a universally accepted norm in international relations. Relevant UN documents pointed out explicitly that "the United Nations considers 'Taiwan' as a province of China with no separate status", and the "authorities in Taipei are not considered to... enjoy any form of governmental status." And

Taiwan is referred to as "Taiwan, Province of China." For decades, the UN and its agencies have abided by the UNGA Resolution 2758, firmly upheld that Taiwan is a province of China and denied the so-called international representation claimed by the Taiwan authorities. In bilateral relations too, the one-China principle serves as the political and legal foundation, on which basis China has established diplomatic ties with 180 countries so far, maintaining friendly interactions with them. Against the rock-solid facts and overwhelming support, the "Taiwan independence" and secessionist forces have met repeated defeats. The Taiwan authorities' application for UN membership was rejected by the General Committee of UNGA for 15 consecutive years. Since 1993, the General Committee and successive UNGA sessions have rejected the motion on the "Taiwan's participation" or "membership" in the UN tabled only by very few countries each year. The Executive Board of the World Health Organisation and successive sessions of the World Health Assembly (WHA) have also rejected the motion tabled each year since 1997 by very few countries on Taiwan's "membership" or "participation" in the WHA as

an observer. It was only with China's consent that Taiwan was invited to observe the assembly. All these have proven that the Taiwan region's participation in activities of international organisations must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle. The representation of China in the UN has long been recognised in political, legal and procedural ways. Fifty years ago, when the lawful seat of the PRC in the UN was restored, the international community marked and celebrated the historic moment in local newspapers' headlines. "World hails Peking in UN", "Taiwan expelled, China in U.N.", "Chine Populaire 'rétablie dans ses droits légtimes' à I'O.N.U", and "China's admission to the UN, coupled with the expulsion of the Nationalist delegation which has occupied the Chinese seat for the past 20 years, is good news both for the organisation itself and for the world in general," to name just a few. Fifty years on, anyone who attempts to challenge the historical and legal fact or change the status quo will only embarrass themselves in the face of a much broader-based international consensus and wide support for the just cause.

Slovakian company scouts investments opportunities in Guyana

PAVOL Kozik, President of Proxenta, a Slovakian company investing in Cuba, visited the Embassy of Guyana in Havana on Monday, and met with Ambassador Halim Majeed to discuss investment opportunities here. Proxenta is an investment group operating on the Slovak market since 2009. Since its founding, the group has provided its clients with investment opportunities in partner projects of €60M in value. Kozik was accompanied by Cristina Ramirez Espinosa, Director of Exports, and Roylan Perez Sanchez, Director-General of the company. Ambassador Majeed gave the team an overview of the economic transformation that is currently

Ambassador Halim Majeed (left), Pavol Kozik (second left), Roylan Perez, and Cristina Ramirez underway in Guyana, and urged publication of Go-Invest, copthem to come up with specific pro- ies of the map of Guyana, and posals that would be transmitted to specially selected speeches of the Guyana Office for Investment the Head of State, President (Go-Invest) through the Guyana Irfaan Ali. Kozik indicated that his Ministry of Foreign Affairs and team is preparing to travel International Cooperation. He presented them with to Guyana on an official visit copies of the 2021/2022 Edition during the First Quarter of of Guyana Invest, the official 2022.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Judge to sum up evidence in Freeman Street murder trial

Murder accused: Stephon Howard (left) and Shawn DosSantos COME Monday, November sented by prosecutor Cicelia 29, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow Corbin. is expected to sum up the On Tuesday, the proseevidence in the trial of Shawn cution and defence gave their DosSantos and Stephon How- closing statements following ard, who are accused of the which, the judge adjourned the 2017 murder of Fazal Sha- case until Monday, November heed at his Freeman Street, 29, for her summation. East La Penitence house. Following the summing up The two accused, who at the Demerara High Court, the are also residents of Freeman judge will hand over the case to Street, have denied murdering the 12-member jury who will Shaheed, 58, a Berbice busi- retire to consider the verdict. nessman, during the course of The Guyana Chronicle a robbery on September 24, had reported that, on Sunday, 2017. September 24, 2017, gunmen They are being represent- stormed Shaheed’s home while ed by attorneys-at-law Nigel relatives were making final Hughes, Konyo Sandiford and preparations for the patriarch’s associates. The State is repre- one-year memorial service.

Dead: Fazal Shaheed Shaheed was reportedly in the yard at around 00:40 hours when the gunmen struck, while his two brothers, sisters and mother were in the house. His brothers, Talim and Shalim, who had come in from Canada and the US respectively for the service, were both shot about their bodies. The suspects reportedly told the police that the gun that was used in the commission of the crime was borrowed from a friend. They reportedly claimed that after seeing “strange faces” in the street, and having learnt that the persons were foreigners, they planned the robbery.

Human Services Minister urges essential workers to utilise childcare subsidies GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindyha Persaud has expressed disappointment that more essential workers have not applied for, or used, the childcare subsidy that is

The numbers are still coming in, but they are trickling in, and I want to tell persons they have the rest of the month, at least to get into the programme,” she noted. She added that the min-

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud available through her office. Launched in July, the subsidy provides eligible essential workers with children seven years or younger with $15,000 per month to spend at any licensed daycare or nightcare facility. The initiative was born out of a need to offer assistance to parents, particularly during the pandemic. However, the response has not been as encouraging as the minister had hoped. “I am very disappointed that a lot more people did not utilise it, because that has been out since early in the year, and we had public campaigns, extended the time, and did all sort of things,” Dr. Persaud said. The minister used the opportunity to encourage persons to apply for the subsidy, once they are eligible. “The intention is to help persons out there who really need it; who are struggling.

istry even took measures to assist daycare centres which are not licensed to become licensed, so that more persons can benefit from the initiative. The subsidy can only be used at registered daycares. The minister said that the ministry is aware that many single parents pay family members for childcare services, and has tried to put systems in place so that parents could still benefit. “We did have several challenges; people tend to leave their child home with somebody, or people who look after children in a home environment. Yes, they are not a registered or licensed daycare, so we had a parallel programme running, where if you want to become licensed, we were helping you financially, and in line with the COVID-19 guidelines, to become a registered daycare. From this experience, we are looking at the policy as it relates to home

care, and how do we deal with it through the funding,” Minister Persaud said. The minister also acknowledged that there has been a shortage of licensed daycare facilities, due to many choosing not to open because

of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced some parents to utilise informal services. Nonetheless, with things getting back to normal, the minister had thought that more persons would have welcomed the initiative.

“A lot of the licensed daycares did not open because of the pandemic, and a lot of people had struggles on where to go; who was looking after their child, and if they would qualify, but I really thought more people would opt for

this,” she said. The subsidy was particularly meant to target single parents and parents who are working below minimum wages, and at night, who may need a safe place for their child or children.

GUYANA CHRONICLE wednesday, november 24, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Hospitalisation, deaths expected for regions with low vaccination rates

WITH COVID-19 vaccination rates remaining low for three administrative regions across Guyana, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, on Tuesday last, issued a sombre warning that a higher number of infections, hospitalisations and deaths could occur if vaccination numbers remained low. During his daily COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, the Health Minister said Regions 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); 8 (Potaro-Siparuni); and 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have relatively low COVID-19 vaccination numbers for first and second doses compared to the rest of the country. With Region 10 high on the COVID-19 monitor list, the communities of Wismar and Amelia’s Ward are especially areas of interest because of current COVID-19 positivity numbers, Dr Anthony hinted. Dr Anthony said there has been a decline in the numbers of cases for regions where the COVID-19 vaccination rates are higher. “In the areas where we have a lot of people still remain unvaccinated, unfortunately, we are going to have more cases. And some of those cases are going to be severe and will require hospitalization,” Dr Anthony lamented. Guyana currently has 1,836 active COVID-19 cases with 58 persons hospitalized. None of the 58 persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Within the last 24 hours, there have been two deaths. Vaccination numbers continue to climb across the country, but health officials are still monitoring cases in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica). The community of Tuschen has featured prominent throughout COVID-19 briefings by the Health Minister over the last few weeks. Dr Anthony confirmed there are currently 45 active cases located there. Other areas of interest include Parika, Parfaite Harmony, Poude-

royen, and Cornelia Ida, all in Region Three. Region Four, however, has seen a high number of cases recorded for Sophia, Kitty, Campbellville, Cummings Lodge, and Strathspey. Some 396,000 persons have received their first dose of the COVID-19

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony vaccine with 271,000 of these already receiving their second dose. Several COVID-19 vaccines are currently being used in Guyana to inoculate the population. To date, 77% of Guyana’s adult population received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, the health authorities have opened the door for booster shots. Three categories have been identified including persons over the age of 50; frontline workers with co-morbidities; and persons over the age of 18 and living with co-morbidities. Booster shots are recommended six months after receiving the second dose of two-dose vaccines. For the single-dose Jannsen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine, the United States (US) Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a booster shot if the vaccine was received at least two months ago. With the concerns expressed of increased hospitalizations, Dr Anthony remains confident that Guyana’s oxygen supply is adequate. The main COVID-19 facility at Ocean View, Liliendaal has been supplied by local manufacturers of oxygen, the Health Minister said.

This capacity will be significantly boosted once the donation of an oxygen

plant by the Government of India makes it into Guyana.

As a result, however, of global logistics challenges especially in ship-

ping, the arrival of the equipment has been delayed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE wednesday, november 24, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Windies avoid follow-on... controlled from the outset. Any lofty ideas the home side harboured of quickly running through the West Indies lower order were foiled as Mayers and Holder counter-attacked in a critical seventh-wicket stand worth 63. Mayers, resuming on 22, faced 62 deliveries and struck eight fours overall while Holder, on one at the start, lashed three fours and two sixes in a breezy 60-ball knock. They cashed in on loose Sri Lankan bowling as off-spinner Ramesh Mendis (3-75) and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya both proved ineffective, leaving Sri Lanka without the desired

early breakthrough. Dhananjaya de Silva replaced Mendis and the move paid dividends when he struck in his third over of the morning. Mayers attempted to drive one from the off-spinner that stopped on him and he succeeded only in lobbing a catch to cover where captain Dimuth Karunaratne took a stunning catch diving to his right, three overs before the first drinks break. Holder disappointingly followed in the first over following the resumption, failing to keep down a cut and scooping a short one from left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama (3-38) to Dushmantha Chameera diving to his right at point. Stumbling on 175 for eight and still requiring a further 11 runs to avoid the follow on, West Indies found a hero in Cornwall who, in his typically forthright manner, punched five fours and a six in his 58-ball knock to inspire a 49-run, ninth-wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva (11 not out). It was Cornwall’s pulled boundary behind square off a long hop from Jayawickrama which took West Indies past the follow-on of 186 and

(From back page)

with that hurdle out of the way, he took the attack to Sri Lanka’s bowlers. In the very next over from the struggling Mendis, the burly right-hander cleared the ropes at mid-wicket with the first delivery to raise the 200-run mark, drove the next ball to the long-off boundary before under-edging a pull to

fine leg for another four, as the over leaked 15 runs. Unbeaten on 33 at lunch with West Indies on 215 for eight, Cornwall eventually fell to what proved to be the last ball of the day, top-edging a pull at the final ball of pacer Suranga Lakmal’s first over, to hole out to square leg.

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA 1st innings 386 WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 113 for six) K. Brathwaite c Nissanka b Mendis 41 J. Blackwood lbw b Embuldeniya 20 N. Bonner c Dhananjaya de Silva b Jayawickrama 1 S. Hope c Fernando b Mendis 10 R. Chase c Fernando b Mendis 2 J. Warrican c wkp. Chandimal b Jayawickrama 1 K. Mayers c Karunaratne b Dhananjaya de Silva 45 J. Holder c Chameera b Jayawickrama 36 J. Da Silva not out 11 R. Cornwall c Mendis b Lakmal 39 Extras: (b-3, lb-10, w-3, nb-2) 18 Total: (9 wkts, 80 overs) 224 Fall of wickets: 1-46, 2-51, 3-80, 4-83, 5-86, 6-100, 7-163, 8-175, 9-224. Bowling: Lakmal 6-1-10-1, Chameera 8-0-14-0 (w1), Embuldeniya 29-10-63-1 (nb-1), Jayawickrama 17-6-38-3 (nb-1), Mendis 17-1-75-3, Dhananjaya 3-0-11-1. Position: West Indies trail by 162 runs with one wicket intact.

Third former Essex player... England and Wales Cricket Board have apologised and encouraged others to come forward. Yorkshire's independent whistleblowing hotline received 36 calls in the first week. The ICEC inquiry has been open for a fortnight and received more than 1 000

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calls in the first week. "Since launching part one of our call for evidence we have been inundated with response," inquiry chair Cindy Butts said. "We anticipate that more and more people will come forward. "We continue to urge anyone who has experienced 10:30 hrs Green Light Gal 11:05 hrs La Folie Douce Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 10:00 hrsw Together Aclaim 10:30 hrs Ampeson 11:00 hrs Rosie Rock 11:30 hrs Marsa 12:00 hrs Eglish 12:30 hrs Sil Ver Klass 13:00 hrs Seattle Creek 13:30 hrs Draco Pulchrac English Racing Tips Wetherby

(From page 29)

discrimination whether that be sexism, elitism or racism, to respond to our call for evidence so we can examine the state of equity in cricket." On Thursday, Rafiq apologised and said he is "deeply ashamed" for using anti-Semitic language in Facebook messages sent in 2011. (BBC Sport) 09:15 hrs Skycutter 09:45 hrs Boughtbeforelunch 10:20 hrs Parisencore 10:50 hrs Darling Du Large 11:20 hrs Peerless Beauty Kempton 12:45 hrs Testing Faith 13:15 hrs Suwad 13:45 hrs Harry Three 14:15 hrs Rochebrune 14:45 hrs Bearwith 15:15 hrs Stormy Antartic 15:45 hrs Red Square 16:15 hrs Naval Commander

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Five-person panel to select Paine's replacement CRICKET Australia (CA) has confirmed that a five-person panel, consisting of selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide, former Australia batter and current CA board member Mel Jones, CEO Nick Hockley and chair Richard Freudenstein, will help determine the identity of Australia's next Test skipper. The National Selection Panel of coach Justin Langer, Bailey and Dodemaide has put forward a list of candidates to the panel for consideration. After assessing the candidates, the five-person panel will take one recommendation to the CA Board for approval. It was decided that Langer's immediate focus should remain on coaching the Test squad ahead of the start of the Vodafone Ashes next month, meaning he is not part of the five-person

panel. No timeline has been set for when a final decision will be made by the Board, but it's expected in the coming days. The National Selection Panel of coach Justin Langer, Bailey and Dodemaide has put forward a list of candidates to the panel for consideration. After assessing the candidates, the five-person panel will take one recommendation to the CA Board for approval. It was decided that Langer's immediate focus should remain on coaching the Test squad ahead of the start of the Vodafone Ashes next month, meaning he is not part of the five-person panel. No timeline has been set for when a final decision will be made by the Board, but it's expected in the coming days Fast bowler Pat Cummins is favoured to be Australia's

Cricket Australia announces a five-person panel that will make a recommendation to the Board for the next captain of the men's Test team.

47th captain of the Australian Men's Test team, while former skipper Steve Smith and batter Marnus Labuschagne also have leadership claims. Handing the captaincy to Cummins, who was Paine's vice-captain, would be a break from tradition for the national men's team, which

Bucks make franchise history in win over Orlando Magic REIGNING NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks recorded the largest halftime lead in their franchise's history as they routed the Orlando Magic 123-92. Bucks led by 41 points at halfway, seven players finishing a dominant performance with double figures. Jrue Holiday led with 18 points 6 rebounds 4 assists, while reserve Pat Connaughton landed five three-pointers as he added 17 points. It marked the Bucks' fourth consecutive win, and ninth in a row over Orlando. Five-time NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 12 points in addition to 8 rebounds 9 assists. The Magic - without injured Cole Anthony - have now lost six of their last seven games. The Bucks held a moment of silence prior to Monday's game for the victims of Sunday's Christ-

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 12 points 8 rebounds 9 assists for the Bucks

mas parade crash which happened 20 miles west of Milwaukee. Five people were killed when a driver ploughed into a crowd, injuring many more. Elsewhere on Monday,

Kevin Durant scored 27 points as Eastern Conference leaders the Brooklyn Nets. rallied for a 117-112 win over Cleveland Cavaliers. Phoenix Suns, second in the Western Conference, recorded their 13th successive victory by edging out San Antonio Spurs 115-111. The Suns' winning streak is their longest since the 2006-07 season when they won 17 straight games. Jaren Jackson Jr scored a game-winning basket with 6.7 seconds left, as his Memphis Grizzlies beat Utah Jazz 119-118, while Los Angeles Kings fell to their eighth defeat in nine games at the hands of Philadelphia 76ers, who won 102-94. There were wins too for Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves. (BBC Sport)

has never had a fast bowler as captain on a full-time basis. Paceman Ray Lindwall captained for one Test in 1956 while fast bowlers Sharon Tredrea and Raelee Thompson captained Australia's women's team in Test cricket in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Adam Gilchrist, who led Australia in six Tests and was a deputy to both Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting during his career, believes Cummins will get the nod "I think Pat Cummins is the frontrunner there," Gilchrist said this week. "I've got no problems with him having first opportunity. "They should have him if he's keen to do it and he must be reasonably happy to take the role, given he's vice-captain. "Steve Smith could very well take the captaincy again, but Pat Cummins will be the guy they lean to now. Smith's leadership ban following his role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal expired last year, while opener David Warner remains barred from holding any leadership positions in Australian cricket. Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell

Marsh have all held the role of vice-captain during Paine's three-and-a-half year stint as skipper. Selection chief Bailey also revealed this week that he would recuse himself from a vote over Paine's international future should the wicketkeeper's place in the Test team come under question. As well as being close friends having played for Tasmania and Australia together for 15 years, Bailey and Paine are also co-franchisees of a gym business, with the selector acknowledging the conflict of interest. "If the panel was not in agreeance on Tim's position going forward, and it was going to come down to a vote, then I would step aside and leave that to Tony and Justin to work through," Bailey told the Cricket Etc podcast. "They're both aware of that.” (Cricket.com.au)

Third former Essex player Jahid Ahmed alleges racism at county JAHID Ahmed has become the third former Essex player to allege he experienced racist abuse at the club, saying he "felt like an outsider all the time". Former bowler Jahid told The Cricketer he came to "dread" going to the club, for whom he played from 2005 to 2009. He alleged that he was bullied by a senior coach and his voice was mocked by some players and some members of the coaching staff. "Every day I would try to avoid their attention," the 35-year-old said. Former Essex players Zoheb Sharif and Maurice Chambers have also spoken about racist abuse they suffered at the club. More than 2 000 people have now contacted the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket's (ICEC) inquiry into discrimination in the sport following the racism scandal at Yorkshire.

Jahid stated that one coach mocked him by putting on an "exaggerated Asian accent" and made jokes about terrorism, as did some other players. He said the environment at Essex showed no respect for his Muslim faith. "It was a white man's world where brown people were outsiders," Jahid said. "I wanted to change my voice. I tried to deepen it. I really wanted to fit in. "I felt like an outsider all the time I was at Chelmsford. I was always fearing what they would come up with and it made it incredibly hard to concentrate on my cricket." Essex said in a statement that they were "disheartened" to hear of Ahmed's allegations. "The allegations make difficult reading and they will be treated and investigated with the utmost seriousness," chief executive John Stephenson said. "I have reached out to

him to offer him our full support, and I hope he feels encouraged and comfortable enough to be a part of our imminent investigation. "It is clear as a sport there is a lot of work to be done, but we are moving in the right direction. The next period is going to be extremely difficult, especially for those sharing their experiences, but together, we will come out the other side better for it." Essex have established a reporting channel for anyone who experienced discrimination at the club. Jahid said his "eyes had been opened" by Azeem Rafiq, who spoke about his experiences of racism at former club Yorkshire. Yorkshire was widely condemned for saying it would not discipline anyone despite a report finding ex-player Rafiq was a victim of "racial harassment and bullying". Both the club and the (Turn to page 28)

The Best FIFA Men's Player award: Messi, Ronaldo and Salah lead nominees

From left: Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

LIONEL Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah have all been nominated for the 2021 The Best FIFA Men's Player award. Chelsea midfielders Jorginho and N'Golo Kante, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are also on the shortlist. Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland, Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema complete the 11man list. There are seven nominees for the Best FIFA Men's Coach prize, including City boss Pep Guardiola

and Italy coach Roberto Mancini, who led his side to Euro 2020 glory. Hansi Flick is nominated after significant success with Bayern before taking the Germany job, along with Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and new Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte. Lionel Scaloni, who guided Argentina to a Copa America triumph, completes the list. Liverpool's Alisson, PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma, Chelsea's Edouard Mendy, Bayern's Manuel Neuer and Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City are up for the Best FIFA Men's

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 24, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Hashan Tillakaratne-204*(Colombo, 2001) (2) Chris Gayle-333 (Galle, 2010) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which SL bowler has taken most Test wickets against the WI to date? (2) Which WI bowler has claimed most Test wickets against SL to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Goalkeeper award. The shortlist for the Best FIFA Women's Player includes four Barcelona players, among them Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso. Pernille Harder leads a four-woman Chelsea contingent, while City duo Ellen White and Lucy Bronze are nominated, as is Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema. Barcelona's Lluis Cortes, Sweden's Peter Gerhardsson, Chelsea's Emma Hayes, Canada's Beverly Priestmann and England boss Sarina Wiegman are up for the Best FIFA Women's Coach prize. The candidates for each category were selected by respective panels of experts for men's and women's football. A public vote will run until 23:59 CET on December 10, after which three finalists in each category will be announced ahead of the ceremony on January 17. Lewandowski won the Men's Player prize in 2020, ahead of Ronaldo and Messi, while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp took the Men's Coach award. Bronze was named the Best FIFA Women's Player and Wiegman the Best FIFA Women's Coach. (Sportsmax)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

Champions League

Ronaldo, Sancho score as Man United begin life after Solskjaer with victory CRISTIANO Ronaldo delivered yet another critical late Champions League goal before Jadon Sancho got his first in a Manchester United shirt to give caretaker manager Michael Carrick a 2-0 victory over Villarreal. United were far from convincing against a side 12th in LaLiga, but where there is Ronaldo there is a way and his sixth Champions League goal of the season, 12 minutes from time, set them on course for victory. The Portuguese then helped start a move capped by Sancho in the last minute of the 90, with the England forward crashing a shot off the underside of the bar to confirm United’s place in the knockout stages and ending the three-match winless run that cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job. Elsewhere United’s managerial search continued – Ernesto Valverde the latest candidate linked with the interim role as Mauricio Pochettino played down his interest in swapping Paris St Germain for Old Trafford – but here the focus was on Carrick. The 40-year-old, who was integral to Solskjaer’s set-up and had said in yesterday’s press conference that his ideas were similar to the Norwegian’s, made a major statement on the teamsheet with Donny van de Beek, starting only his third match of the season, selected ahead of Bruno Fernandes. That was one of four changes – Alex Telles came in for Luke Shaw in an enforced move, while Anthony Martial and Fred came in for Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford. United fans, high above the goal in Villarreal’s El Madrigal, sang Solskjaer’s

Jadon Sancho scored his first goal ina Man United shirt

name during a seven-minute delay to kick-off due to problems with the officials’ radio sets. When play did get under way, Martial partnered Ronaldo in attack with van de Beek at the tip of a diamond midfield, though United struggled to make much of an impression going forward. Scott McTominay had an early chance from a free-kick, heading into the side-netting, but it was a familiar story of United looking too passive in midfield, and giving away possession too easily to offer Villarreal chances. The best of them came in the 27th minute when Pino pulled the ball inside for Manu Trigueros, whose first-time shot was kept out by a strong hand from David De Gea. Carrick, prowling the technical area, watched on as Ronaldo headed straight at Geronimo Rulli before firing a free-kick into the wall from a dangerous position. But the better openings were at the other end. Arnaut Danjuma, an injury doubt before the match, fired wide after Aaron Wan- Bissaka lost possession. It was De Gea to the rescue again just before the hour mark, with the goalkeeper denying Trigueros with a strong right hand after

Danjuma’s shot was deflected into the midfielder’s path. United were living dangerously, with Danjuma firing over after Wan-Bissaka allowed him too much space. But Carrick’s double substitution of van de Beek and Martial for Fernandes and Rashford changed the game, with United on the front foot thereafter. Sancho brought a fine save from Rulli after cutting in from the right and exchanging passes with Ronaldo. Moments later, United led, and this time Rulli needed to hold his hands up. The goalkeeper’s short pass played Etienne Capoue into trouble. Fred got a toe to the ball and Ronaldo did the rest with a lob over Rulli. The Portuguese almost had another five minutes later, a short header back from Juan Foyth allowing him to nip in but he poked his shot just wide. Villarreal were run ragged – Rashford shot straight at Rulli before Fernandes’ effort was deflected wide, and United inflicted the killer blow at the death. Ronaldo started the counter in which Rashford and Fernandes switched play to the right, where Sancho fired home to leave the travelling fans chanting Carrick’s name. (Yahoo Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday November 24, 2021

ICC 50-Overs World Cup qualifiers

Dottin, Mohammed fire Windies Women to opening win HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC) – Explosive opener Deandra Dottin extended her rich vein of form as West Indies Women opened their ICC 50-overs World Cup qualifying campaign with an uncomplicated six-wicket victory over minnows Ireland Women here yesterday. Asked to chase a meagre 160 at Old Hararians, the Caribbean side cruised to their target in the 40th over with Player-of-the-Match Dottin slamming 73 off 87 deliveries and captain Stafanie Taylor seeing her side over the line with an unbeaten 41 off 54 balls. Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed had earlier snatched three for 40 as Ireland Wom-

en, sent in, collapsed from 79 without loss in the 21st over, to 159 all out off 43 overs. Fellow off-spinners Taylor (2-15) and Hayley Matthews (2-20), along with new-ball speedster Shamilian Connell (2-33) all supported. Twenty-year-old Gaby Lewis top-scored with 36 while fellow opener Leah Paul struck 25 and the seasoned Eimear Richardson, a breezy 32 down the order. The victory put West Indies Women on top Group A by virtue of net run rate, as Sri Lanka Women also won their opening game yesterday. “They (Ireland) got off to a decent start and we were able to peg them back with a couple of wickets,” head

Player-of-the-Match Deandra Dottin (right) celebrates a moment with Chedean Nation during their partnership

coach Courtney Walsh said afterwards. “We managed to bowl them out in the end which was very good for us, and the batters ((hen) did the job. Deandra played extremely

well, supported by the skipper and we were very happy about that. “On the field, we started a little bit slowly but once Anisa broke the partnership … and we started getting those

wickets, we got back into the game in terms of taking control and just dominating the entire game.” Lewis punched four fours and a six while Paul struck a brace of boundaries, Ireland consolidating during the power-play before upping the tempo a little more afterward. With the partnership becoming worrying, Mohammed removed Lewis caughtand-bowled off the first ball of the 21st over and then watched as new batsman Amy Hunter was run-out next ball without facing a delivery. Mohammed bowled Paul in the 22nd over to accelerate a slide which saw six wickets tumble for 22 runs in the space of 60 balls, as the in-

nings was thrown into strife and never recovered. The result was never really in doubt once Dottin got into gear, stroking eight fours and two sixes as she dominated a 61-run stand with Rashada Williams (8) before adding another 33 for the second wicket with Chedean Nation (17). Dottin became the first of Richardson’s two wickets when she perished in the 25th over and Matthews (9) followed in the 31st but Taylor, who counted three fours in a measured innings, put on 34 in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand with Shemaine Campbelle (5), to ease any worries. West Indies Women face Sri Lanka in their next game on Saturday.

Guyana’s badminton team prior to departure

Guyana’s boxers are ready for action in Colombia

Team Guyana off to Junior Pan-Am Games in Colombia

THE majority of Guyanese athletes and their coaches departed these shores yesterday for a final stop in Cali, Colombia where they will compete in the inaugural Junior Pan-American Games which run from November 25 to December 5. Guyana would be represented in the disciplines of Badminton, Boxing, Squash, Swimming, Ta-

ble Tennis, Track and Field, and Weightlifting. A contingent of 28, of which 22 are athletes will be at the Games for Guyana. Team Guyana: Badminton: Narayan Ramdhani (coach), Priyanna Ramdhani, Akili Haynes, Tyrese Jeffrey; Boxing: Terrence Poole (coach), Alesha Jackman, Patrick Harvey, Travis Inverary;

First Test in Galle

Kyle Mayers (background) looks on as captain Dimuth Karunaratne takes a flying catch at cover

GALLE, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Under-pressure West Indies produced a dogged effort to avoid the follow-on here yesterday but rain wrecked the last two sessions to set up an intriguing last two days of the opening Test against Sri Lanka.

Resuming the third day precariously perched on 113 for six, West Indies battled to 224 for nine, thanks to left-hander Kyle Mayers who top-scored with 45, all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall who struck 39 and former captain Jason Holder who chipped in with 36.

Squash: Garfield Wiltshire, Shomari Wiltshire, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, Michael Alphonso; Table Tennis: Idi Lewis (coach), Miguel Wong, Jonathan Van Lange; Weightlifting: Sean Cozier, Esther Nurse; Athletics: Johnny Gravesande (coach), Revon Williams, Noelex Holder, Kelisa Smith, Chantoba Bright, Kenisha Phillips, and Swimming: Paul Mahaica Sr

(coach), Paul Mahaica Jr, Patrice Mahaica, Leon Seaton, Aleka Persaud. K.A Juman-Yassin, president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), charged the Guyanese athletes and officials to be good ambassadors and role models. Guyana’s delegation would be led by Chef-de-Mission Deirdre Edghill, and has physiotherapist

Jana Edghill who will also act as the COVID-19 compliance officer. The inaugural multi-sport event, geared to create a pathway to higher performance, will cater to athletes aged 17 to 22 competing in over 25 disciplines. Approximately 3 500 of the world’s next generation of athletes would converge on the South American nation.

Windies avoid follow-on but rain wrecks last two sessions

Once Cornwall perished off the final delivery of the fifth over after lunch, the heavens opened and forced players from the field, decimating the remainder of the session. The weather relented long enough for officials to flirt with a

restart half-hour after the scheduled tea interval but the rains returned shortly thereafter to also rule out any possibility of action in the final session. West Indies enter the penultimate day of the contest at Galle International Stadium still 162 runs

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adrift but breathing somewhat easier after safely navigating the hurdle of the follow-on. However, more rain has been forecast for the remaining days, raising the possibility of a draw and dealing a blow to Sri Lanka’s hopes of winning a game they have WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2021