Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_26_06_2022

26th june, 2022

free Inside No.106765

Commonwealth backs legal process to end Guyana/Venezuela controversy PAGE

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Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday met with residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground. The meeting focused on small-business development (Marceano Narine photo)

Developing world, 02 Commonwealth can learn from Rwanda – Pres. Ali PAGE

Gov’t committed to 03 tackling corruption PAGE

30 people inducted into 05 ‘Young Influencers’ programme PAGE

Some of the young influencers from the second batch who were inducted by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security on Saturday (Elvin Croker photo)

– Teixeira tells anti-corruption workshop Manickchand engages religious leaders to address issues 14 affecting students, teachers PAGE

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Developing world, Commonwealth can learn from Rwanda – President Ali

By Rabindra Rooplall in Kigali, Rwanda RWANDA has shown the developing world that the answer can be found “among ourselves and within ourselves” as “bold, innovative, visionary thinking” exists in the Commonwealth to addresses crises.

This is according to President, Dr Irfaan Ali

in his address at the closing press conference on Saturday at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.

The President praised the way Rwanda has emerged after a horrific genocide in 1994, when almost a million of the Tutsi people were killed.

The East African nation now has one of the

Commonwealth family to navigate through these paths.

“And with the SG bringing that stability and pushing those programmes, I think we have an excellent opportunity to confront these challenges,” the President stated.

In conversation with Kagame, President Ali said he noted that many times the developing world will look to the developed world for answers and best practices.

He said that the an-

(From right) President, Dr Irfaan Ali, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Rwandan President and new chair of the Commonwealth, Paul Kagame fastest-growing economies in Africa, and its capital Kigali, is hailed as the cleanest city on the continent.

He also congratulated President Kagame and the Rwandan people for their “hard work in building their country and the city of Kigali, saying that what they have done has “gained tremendous respect.”

“When you look at what President Kagame has achieved here with the people of Rwanda, it tells about a leader and a country that have a vision - bold initiatives, creative initiatives,” Dr Ali said.

He continued: “And when you look at the crises and the insecurities we face in the world today – food crisis, energy crisis, a climate crisis, a crisis of inequality – we require this type of leadership and the characteristics to navigate us through these difficult paths.”

President Ali said that he thinks President Kagame, coming in this time as chair, will help the

swers to the energy, climate, food crises facing the Commonwealth may lie within and it need not look at the developed world.

“What the world needs now and what the Commonwealth needs now, is stability, bold, innovative and visionary thinking. And the combination of our SG (Secretary General Patricia Scotland) and the incoming chair (Rwanda’s Paul Kagame) offers us a great opportunity,” the President noted.

He added that “this is the type of leadership and example by doing what is required in creating some of the changing circumstances that are so critically needed.”

The President underscored that “having a chairman that brings experience in a practical way, I think allows us to have something that is functional, direct and creative in dealing with the challenges that we’ll confront.”

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Commonwealth backs judicial process to end Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

By Rabindra Rooplall in Kigali, Rwanda THE powerful 54-nation Commonwealth is backing the legal route at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to bring a “peaceful and definitive” end to the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy.

In a communique issued in Kigali, Rwanda, at the end of their summit, the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth, which includes the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, expressed their “full commitment” to the ongoing judicial process to bring an end to the long-standing controversy.

“Heads noted that the decision made by the ICJ on December, 18, 2020, that it has jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Guyana on 29 March, 2018, paving the way for the ICJ to consider the merits of the case concerning the Arbitral Award of the 3, October 1899,” the communique stated.

Guyana is seeking to

President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland interact on Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda (Office of the President photo) obtain a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Commonwealth heads noted that Guyana

had submitted its Memorial on March 8, 2022, in accordance with the schedule set by the ICJ to hear the case concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary between the two countries.

“Heads reaffirmed

their firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” the communique stated.

Venezuela has been saying for the longest while that it is not interested in having this matter resolved by the court and,

the country remains seemingly bent on arbitrarily laying claim to Guyana’s territory, with its naval forces intruding on Guyana’s maritime space.

Increased activity by Venezuelan naval vessels and other forces in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) started after Venezuela’s President

Gov’t committed to tackling corruption

Nicolás Maduro issued a decree claiming Venezuela’s sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River.

A peaceful conclusion to its border controversy with Venezuela remains Guyana’s aim, but with the opposing state insisting on aggression, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, has affirmed that his nation will not cower in the face of threats against national security.

Venezuela earlier this month objected to the decision of the ICJ that it has the right to hear and determine Guyana’s argument for a final settlement of the controversy.

This means that the court must suspend hearing the merits of Guyana’s case until it fleshes out and decides on Venezuela’s objection.

For Guyana, Venezuela’s objection means it has joined the case, something which it did not want to do.

–– Teixeira tells anti-corruption workshop

By Jared Liddell MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling corruption at all levels as it works to improve its Anti-Corruption Framework.

Noting that corruption undermines democratic governance, Minister Teixeira addressed the opening ceremony of the Guyana Anti-Corruption Framework

Training workshop on Saturday, which is expected to provide knowledge to 16 participating organisations from both the private and public sectors.

In her address, Teixeira reminded that consecutive People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) governments have remained committed to the goal of tackling corruption and implementing several systems to reduce and prevent such from occurring.

Speaking about Guyana’s

anti-corruption architecture, Teixeira noted that the 19992001 broad-based Parliamentary Constitutional Reform Commission was comprised of equal representation of the Government and Opposition political parties, and national stakeholders from civil society.

She noted that during that time, the Commission conducted hearings and consultations with thousands of people across the country’s ten Administrative Regions

and ultimately introduced progressive and democratic innovations into the Constitution of Guyana. This was completed as part of a progressive plan to improve the democratic architecture of the nation.

This included the appointment of several constitutional post holders and new constitutional bodies through a model of power-sharing between the government and opposition. It also resulted in greater involvement of

Parliament in the appointment of these bodies based on mutually agreed upon mechanisms.

The appointment of the Judicial Service Commission, the Public and Police Service Commissions, the Public Procurement Commission, and the four rights commissions are also enshrined in this constitutional model.

Parliamentary standing committees such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Parliamentary

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira Management Committee, four new sectoral oversight committees (Economic Services, Natural Resources, Social Services, and Foreign Relations), the Security Sector Oversight Committee, see page 4

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Gov’t committed to tackling ... from page 3

and the Committee of Appointment to Commissions are also enshrined in the Constitution.

Speaking directly about the work of these constitutional committees, Teixeira noted that these institutions have played pivotal roles in ensuring that corruption is tackled on a large scale.

The PAC, in 2022, has been able to uncover massive errors and even blatant issues with spending at several governmental agencies.

In June, the PAC uncovered that over $21M in 356 advance payments, from

what was dubbed a “slush fund” bank accounts of Region Two’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC), are still to be accounted for.

The bank accounts are three special-project accounts at Republic Bank Limited for economic affairs (Reserve Fund), Economic Project (State House), and Westbury. The accounts were used to deposit revenue made by the region through various activities and events.

The PAC also managed to uncover that some $475.6 million was spent

by the Georgetown Mayor & City Council (M&CC) in 2017. This came as a result of the PAC examining the 2017 and 2018 Auditor General’s (AG) reports for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, formerly known as the Ministry of Communities.

The PAC also recently called for a criminal investigation to be launched into a 2018 project, which involved repairs to a self-acting sluice at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, for which cheques were prepared and

purportedly paid out before the completion of works.

The $4.6 million contract, as outlined by the Auditor General’s 2018 report, was awarded and later signed on December 5, 2018, with an expected timeframe of two months.

According to the report, some $4.5 million was paid to the contractor, while the project engineer, Dannie Ramdolar, who was assigned to the Ministry of Public Security, purportedly certified that works were completed on December 17, 2018.

Contrary to his certification of the works, a physical verification by the Audit Office of Guyana, on May 3, 2019, found that the contractor was still conducting works on the structure.

Owing to this observation, the audit report outlined that the engineer falsely certified that the works were completed in December 2018.

Teixeira reminded that the government took steps to enact strategic pieces of legislation that would combat corruption.

These include the Audit Act of 2004; the Procurement Act; the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act; the Financial Management and Accountability Act; the Access to Information Act; the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act; the Cybercrime Act of 2018.

PREVENTING CORRUPTION IN OIL & GAS SECTOR Most recently, the PPP/C government introduced and enacted the Local Content Act and the Natural Resources Fund Act as part of effort to prevent corruption in the oil and gas sector.

The Natural Resources Fund Act ensures that revenues earned from Guyana’s petroleum industry can only be used to finance national developmental projects, and/or respond to major natural disasters.

One of the main features of the new Natural Resources Fund Act is the limiting of the powers of the Finance Minister. The

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Act makes provision for the fund to be governed by a Board of Directors, comprising no less than three and no more than five members, including the chairperson.

They would essentially have to be persons with “wide experience and ability” in legal, financial, business, or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the local private sector.

The board itself is proposed to have a lifespan of two years, after which it shall be “eligible for reappointment.”

The board, as proposed, would be responsible for the overall management of the fund; reviewing and approving policies of the fund; monitoring the performance of the fund; ensuring compliance with the approved policies of the fund; exercising general oversight of all aspects of the operations of the fund, and ensuring that the fund is managed in compliance with the act and all other applicable laws.

Additionally, the board members will be required to adhere to a strict code of conduct while executing their duties.

The NRF 2021 legislation also proposes the establishment of a Public Accountability and Oversight Committee as well as an Investment Committee.

The Oversight Committee is projected to comprise a person nominated by the National Assembly, along with three representatives of the religious community, among others.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

30 people inducted into ‘Young Influencers’ programme

By Cassandra Khan

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS), through the Young Influencers Programme, on Saturday, inducted its second batch of 30 young influencers from the different regions of Guyana and awarded its previous batch of young influencers with certificates to conclude the programme.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, speaking at the induction and award ceremony, noted that the programme was crafted because she believes in young people.

“I have always believed in young people… and we are committed to working with you,” Minister Persaud said.

mentoring the second batch of young people.

The 30 new influencers include persons between the ages of 15 to 25 from diverse backgrounds across the country who will work with the ministry to tackle social ills young people face within society and advance projects that represent them.

In addition, according to the MHSSS, the programme provides education and training pathways for career development and integrates public engagements, communication and outreaches. The ministry intends for the programme to become a major vehicle to promote young people’s competencies and skills.

The influencers will be challenged to deliver impactful and inspirational outcomes through, “Sharing, Connecting, Influencing and

provides opportunities to connect with a network of policy, decision-makers and peers.

Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle, 20-year-old Ruth Wilson, who was one of the first batch of young influencers, related that the programme helped her to think outside of the box.

“The programme taught me a lot of things. I had a lot of experience dealing with other young people and it kind of pushed me to think outside of the box,” Wilson said.

Wilson told this newspaper that she has been a part of a similar programme for about three years and she thought she learnt what she needed to know. However, the ‘Young Influencers’ programme broadened her horizons and pushed her to become better.

Wilson said she is looking forward to mentoring the new batch of young influencers.

The programme was launched in January 2021, as part of the ministry’s efforts to push the country’s youth to participate in voluntary work to better their communities.

The Young Influencers programme lasts for one year and will seek to empower youths, and encourage them to harness their abilities to make a meaningful impact on their respective communities.

Minister Persaud had said that the idea of the forum is not only to empower youths, but to be able to influence others in a positive direction, and to create linkages with other youths across the country.

“Influence is not some-

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and the newly inducted young influencers (Elvin Croker photo) She related that the future ahead for the young influencers is a rather remarkable one and the programme helps with developing them further and allows them to use their voice for powerful causes.

Additionally, Minister Persaud said that she would like to continue the relationship built with the first batch of young influencers and she related that they will be

Empowering.”

The programme gives youths an opportunity to express themselves through a platform which gives them a voice to create, implement and promote volunteer activities that are in line with the ministry’s initiatives giving them the opportunity to work with and give back to their communities.

The programme also

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Jeremiah Kolekyezi, a first batch influencer, was selected as the Most Influential and was honoured with the Jaguar Award (Elvin Croker photo) thing that should be misused; it should not be seen as power. It should be seen as a tool, or an instrument or mechanism where you can guide people along a path that is beneficial to them, by being the best example, and not just saying you are the best example,” she was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

She had said that the aim is also to create an experience, through volunteerism, that will encourage the youths to move forward in

a way that would also allow them to benefit.

The youths would also have the opportunity to conceptualise a project that engages young people in a positive way. Once the project is viable, funding will be made available for it.

The first batch of influencers, 25 young men and women, were exposed to public-speaking training, and were educated about social and other issues plaguing the society, especially youths.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Vice and Virtue

THERE is a major difference between vice and virtue that not all politicians understand, as the definitions and interpretation will differ according to time and context.

But there’s nothing virtuous about approaching politics with only vice in mind -- and calling or treating it as virtue.

Efforts by the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to take a virtuous approach to the muddied and muddled ‘VICE’ interview with Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo is nothing but laughable, but it’s also a serious reflection of how easily the two parties will together mix vice and virtue as one, with the singular common objective of being politically victorious without victory.

Nothing in the VICE interview with the Vice-President revealed anything near to what the APNU+AFC band did while in office between 2015 and 2020; or, for that matter, between 1964

and 1992, when the PNC committed the most vile political atrocities ever levelled at any party in Guyana’s history.

The PNC under Forbes Burnham made it an often-repeated vice of cheating and stealing elections – and the APNU+AFC tried to do likewise after the March 2, 2020 elections, holding on to lost power for all of five long and bitter months in defiance of the expressed will of the electorate, even claiming – without providing a scintilla of proof – that it had won and was somehow cheated out of office.

They even claimed to have “evidence” in Statements of Poll that have remained invisible to this day, more than two years later. Vice-President Jagdeo recently publicly challenged PNC Leader Aubrey Norton to produce the said statements, but they have remained totally invisible and unavailable, mere figments of collective opposition imagination.

There is only vice and simply no virtue in the calls by the PNC and AFC, together and separately, for Vice-President Jagdeo to resign over the ‘vice’ interview, when neither party, nor its supporters in the media, or those who simply latch on to calls for him to go, have been able to prove in any way any truth in their claims that Dr Jagdeo did anything wrong, as charged by those with only partisan political vice in mind.

President Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice-President Jagdeo have, in the past 27 months since the 2020 elections the APNU+AFC tried for five months to steal a free-and-fair election they lost, been presiding over a new Guyana with the resources that were also available for preparation and consideration under the previous administration since 2015.

That the defeated partnership alliance has been unable to provide a single unit of proof of their loud claims

is a louder statement in itself, but even louder than that is the collective expressed and demonstrated statements by the USA, UK, Canada and all the countries and entities that stood by the fairness of the process and made it clear to those wishing to steal the election results that their vice would not be forcefully accepted as a virtue.

The PPP/C administration has taken necessary steps to ensure a Commission of Inquiry will sit on the elections and the PNC and AFC will have yet another opportunity to prove their claims that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and all others who distinguished between vice and virtue on the matter were simply lying.

But until the two losing parties can honestly select between political and electoral vice and the virtue of honesty, they should allow Guyana to continue to grow as it has been doing since they were voted out, without vice -- and in full virtue!

Elections CoI must fully expose riggers

Dear Editor,

ANOTHER significant promise by President, Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is on track to fulfilment. It assures the government’s facilitation of the conduct of a justified and necessary elections Commission of Inquiry (CoI) by an esteemed team of qualified international professionals.

The announced CoI will serve to interrogate the flagrant abuse of authority and the resulting damning events associated with the attempts to rig the results of the March 2020 elections. However, the results must be a revelation of the truth, thereby providing a basis for the successful uniting of our people locally and internationally, whose bold endeavours saved this country.

Electoral malpractices have for decades plagued the democratic fortification of this country, but the bubble finally burst.

A first of its kind to be held nationally, this CoI concerning electoral misconduct elicits a disquieting atmosphere and certainly ruffles the feathers of those who have sought to lay condemnatory critiques to undermine

the suspected outcome.

But it is not as if the masses at home and overseas are not aware of the blatant barefaced breaches of almost every rule, to steal power. What is most feared is that those involved who have managed to shield themselves so far could be now exposed.

It is recalled that in August 2021, His Excellency reaffirmed his administration’s aim to establish a CoI and also outlined that it will be an international one to independently investigate what occurred and where the weaknesses lie in Guyana’s electoral systems.

At the time, public reaction supported the approach, stipulating that the international approach will remove bias and ensure transparency. Since the recent announcement by President Ali, there have been a few mumbles seeking to be critically rejective of the mechanism and the provided scope of the CoI. In a Village Voice article captioned, ‘Participating [in] the CoI would be supporting a charade,’ Jeffrey et al have attempted to apply the proverbial pulling of cloth over the eyes of the unsuspecting observer.

Editor, the likes of Jeffrey et al cannot usurp the authority of the President or the

Commission in their convenient advocacy.

Please permit me to contextually highlight a few central pillars informing the legal authority and approach of a CoI in Guyana from which APNU+AFC representatives, Jeffrey et al try to deflect.

Notwithstanding that these fly-by-night commentators should read the act, Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiries Act Cap.19.03 states: “The President may issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorizing such commissioner or commissioners to inquire into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the President, be for the public welfare.

(1) Every such commission shall specify the subject, nature, and extent of the inquiry, and may contain directions in the following matters: a) in what manner the Commission shall be executed; b) if there be more Commissioners than one, which of them shall act as chairman; c) what number of them shall constitute a quorum; d) the place and time where and within which the inquiry shall be made and the report

thereof rendered; e) whether or not the inquiry shall be held in public, with reservation nevertheless to the Commissioners to exclude any person or persons if they deem fit for the due conduct of the inquiry, the preservation of order, or for any other reason; f) and generally, for the better giving effect to the purpose of the inquiry.”

Also, Section 10 states: “Commissioners acting under this Act shall have the powers of a judge of the High Court to summon witnesses, to call for the production of books, plans, and documents, and to examine witnesses and parties concerned on oath,…All summonses for the attendance of witnesses, or other persons, or the production of documents, may be in the form given in the Schedule and shall be signed by one of the Commissioners, and oaths may be administered by one of the Commissioners, or by the secretary.”

It is of note that our citizens have endured decades of ‘rigging’ and it was only with the foreign intervention of the ‘God blessed Carter Center’ in 1990 and again see page 7

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

VICE submerged, virtue emerged Dear Editor, A TROUBLED week that was tampered, tempered and traumatized, VICE News dramatizing a battle of vice submerging and virtue emerging, commenced with Father’s Day celebrations.

We remember the Father of the Nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan and now we have the Father of the Year, Dr Irfaan Ali, championing Guyana’s cause throughout the year on the international scene.

His Excellency is making a name for Guyana in Rwanda to end a week with the latest project to hit the country: the potential vaccine-production plant right here in Guyana. Heard through the grapevine, this nation has a lot to smile about, including the weekly laff and gaff: 1. “If the opposition is not prepared to come on board, well that’s unfortunate,” commented the Attorney General. As usual, the opposition always dilates, defaults and delays. The ship of development will not wait on them, but will sail on the journey of peace, progress and prosperity!

2. “We cannot talk about the survival of the sugar industry without addressing the issue of modernization. We are on the same page, not on two different pages. The workers, the union, government and management, we want the industry to survive. We can’t fight each other for this. We have to support each other.” APNU+AFC party cajoled workers in 2015 and then fired 7,000 odd and closed four estates.

3. “And the truth will set some of us free and others will be condemned to the opprobrium of the Guyanese people. Election riggers will face a CoI and the court.” Hung twice for the same crime? Guyanese are ‘hard ears!’ If yuh na hear, yu guh feel!

4. “We passed a local content law and now a lot of people are trying to beat the law,” pointed out the VP. All that glitters is not gold.

5. “This is something that has been very close to my heart and it indeed puts much into the hands of persons who have been living with disabilities,” Minister Vindhya Persaud reflected. Indeed, a heart made of 24K. 6. “Whether we allow that process to

continue unabated or whether we recognize that there is a crisis upon us and if we don’t intervene and try the best thing according to transparent and fair precepts to allow us to advance, then we run the risk of ending up at our destination fully paralyzed or not alive,” Prime Minister Mia Mottley warned.

The electorate listened, agreed and acted.

APNU+AFC was voted out of office and replaced by the PPP/C. 7. “If for some reason -- and we think this is unlikely -- but if for some reason the projects do not pay back, there will be no liability, no debt to the people of Guyana,” declared VP Rietema – EEPGL. Coming from the horse’s mouth, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” Guyanese are saved again from any million - dollar personal debt.

8. “No, no, I’m not getting involved with business, my thing is that I’m in government.

So, I assist from the government side. That’s it,” VP Jagdeo clarified. The stumbling block which turned the tide too tsunamic for VICE to grip!

9. “They can run but they can’t hide from the whirlwind,” says an eyewitness. No wonder a Guyanese suspect was arrested in Kenya, accused of trafficking illegal drugs.

10. “We are taking the reins of our future,” young people declared at the historic Commonwealth Youth Forum. The PPP/C Government is primed with youth, all full of blood, sweat, tears and skills.

11. “That’s not the right forum,” the Village Council protested. Eight opposition MPs to be suspended after conducting themselves in a “grossly disorderly, contumacious and disrespectful manner and in particular, repeatedly disregarded and disrespected, ignored the authority of the Assembly and the Speaker, thereby committing contempt and breaches of privileges.” What is the world coming to?

12. “The Barbados programme here is very successful, and it is an example of agility and adaptability because of changing conditions. We not only made sure that we protect the most vulnerable people in society, but also key objectives of the government to bring forward development in the country,” IMF Chief Georgieve said while showering praise on Barbados. Not surprising, PM Mia

Mottley is so close to President Ali. 13. Many involved in the 2020 elections fiasco were caught with their pants down. The CoI will only expose more flesh.

14. “GECOM is not a court of law,” explained Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh. GECOM has been used and abused too much in the past. “This time na lang time.” A new sheriff is in town.

15. “I wonder who’s kissing her now,” pondered poet Horace. The answer may cause headaches, heartaches and sleepless nights.

It’s better to be the one kissing than the one asking!

16. “If the government does things in keeping with good governance and moving Guyana forward with equality, we will say that,” Vanda said. Trading Economics said that Guyana’s GDP is projected to trend around US$4.50 billion in 2022. This is so due to its continuous resilience commenced in 2021, despite battling the pandemic and months of unprecedented floods. Encore?

17. “Forbes instructed that a monument to the Enmore Martyrs be erected,” wrote EBJ. Burnham also instructed the rigging of elections, violence after elections, banning of essential food items, control of media, PNC’s party paramountcy to all and sundry, sworn loyalty to the party, compulsory National service etc., etc., ……..

18. “Who authorized Trotman to sign the oil contract”? asked a letter writer. Yes, the burning question will live forevermore unless APNU+AFC answers it.

19. “El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta – If you take on too many things you will get little accomplished,” says the Spanish. “Don’t hang your hat higher than you can reach it,” says the Belizean, Guyanese say, “Take note Aubrey, or, cat eat yuh dinna.”

20. The world’s largest fresh water fish was found in Mekong, Cambodia. The sting ray caught on June 12th weighed 300Kg (661 lbs.) and measured 3.98m (13 ft) long and 2.2m (7 ft) wide. Guyana can boast of having the “Arapaima,” South America’s largest sweet water fish which can grow up to 15 feet and can weigh up to 440 lbs.

21. It’s time to sauté, bake and grill as miracle at (no, not 34th St.) Suddie Public Hospital miraculously revived teen mother

with no heartbeat.

22. “I will sleep soundly at night,” confessed Yasin. Will the Four Musketeers, Granger, Patterson, Jordan and Trotman do likewise over the oil royalty?

23. Who promised, “The small man shall be the real man” but doused them to smithereens instead with overburdened taxes?

Who promised, “The good life,” but gave themselves 50 per cent pay salary increases instead?

24. “I do hope that they take keen interest in investigating and exposing corruption wherever it exists and that as a people we demand that these allegations be properly investigated,” Clayon wrote. He’s right on track and the president listened and acted. The CoI is in motion for the 2020 election!

25. “They couldn’t incriminate me.” No, not words from the two per cent guy about his luxurious wine and dine Texas trip.

26. “I feel vindicated in my most unguarded moment,” the Vice-President voiced after the VICE’s video. Will VICE venture to visit subsequently or sporadically?

27. “I just letting you know that they only open their mouths when it suits them,” the Paper Boss reminded all. Civil societies and the usual suspects anyone?

28. “King leaves Viv in the shade,” Colin Croft reflected. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse rode into town to display absolutely magnificent and electrifying batsmanship as they came on the field to rescue Guyana by cutting taxes, driving financial mismanagement out of the ground, carving avenues of resourcefulness, swinging at shortcomings, lashing out at discrepancies and bludgeoning the Coalition’s attack to such a state that the world stood up and applauded Ali, Jagdeo, Singh and Nandlall, paving a winning team for the PPP/C’s Government’s successful achievements in such a short span in time.

Hope you enjoyed the game of fun with pun. Do plan for a great week ahead and do remember to walk with that smile on your face.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Elections CoI must fully expose ... from page 6

the International Observers in 2020 that a sense of democratic normalcy was imbued against the most egregious threats. The CoI, therefore, must be comprehensive, it must investigate fully pre and post-electoral dirty and wilful attempts to derail and rig the national and regional elections.

The events that unfolded from the passing of the no-confidence motion, the numerous challenges in the courts, and all that took place with Granger’s self-imposed Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission, contributed to the PNC completely taking control of the hiring of all staff members at GECOM, and particularly the

GECOM Human Resource Manager, who was unwilling to give information of the staffing at GECOM to the Ethnic Relations Commission.

The complete control of hiring, firing, purchasing, renting and all the other skullduggery that took place must be fully investigated.

In addition, the performance (circus) that took place at both the GECOM/Commission and GECOM/Secretariat must be fully examined. The lack of audits at GECOM surely serves as a beacon for improprieties and such an important agency must be above board.

The reviews and the reports of the GECOM

Secretariat must be fully prepared, submitted to, and discussed by the Commission, but this variant position has been an indictment for years.

There were no reviews in the 2015 General and Regional Elections or 2016, and 2018 Local Government Elections. Worst is that the shenanigans that are before the courts and the others who are still in the employ of GECOM deliberately made a clean sweep of all the records and GECOM is unable so far to have a review of the 2020 elections.

The police should and must be called in to investigate the culprits who swept the data from the computers.

President Ali naming and appointing eminent men on the International Commission of Inquiry is most welcome and all of Guyana is supporting and awaiting the full report after the CoI. This CoI must fully have exposed the riggers and we must see an end to the rigging of elections in Guyana. Our people will then be able to appreciate good governance and the country will be united for all to live in progressive peace and harmony.

Respectfully, Neil Kumar

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Marble, Grass and Glass: A journey from India to Guyana and on to the United States

SHAM Moteelall, an overseas-based Guyanese in Minnesota, has authored a fascinating book titled, ‘Marble, Grass, and Glass’.

The book documents Moteelall’s family’s journey from India to Guyana and then on to the United States.

Specifically, the book delves into the lives of various East Indian servants bound to British sugar plantations in the Caribbean.

People came under a process of servitude that resulted in a system that replaced, redefined, and reinvented slavery. Some died while still bound to the estates, leaving orphans behind, while many endured, survived and prospered. This book is their collective stories.

Lomarsh Roopnarine (LR): Perhaps readers might be confused by the title of your book. Please share some thoughts on why you chose the title of the book.

Sham Moteelall (SM): The title covers three geographical areas. Some of the people had wealthy origins in India and lived in MARBLE mansions.

When they left the plantations in Guyana, they lived in GRASS huts. My generation, many of us dwell and work in GLASS offices. When my orphaned father had difficult times as a child, he had dreams of his deceased parents returning and pampering him in a MARBLE mansion.

LR: What were some challenges you

Author of Marble, Grass and Glass, Sham Moteelall encountered in India in the process of researching and writing your book?

SM: The biggest challenge was the lack of information. The

immigration office in Calcutta was supposed to be at eight Garden Reach. Today, there are numerous ship-building operations and other commercial undertakings there. The security was strict and did not allow me to enter the compound.

It was difficult to find adequate lodging in some of the remote rural areas. Some of the hotels were scary with zero security and the door latches were inadequate. But I stayed there any way. To be fair, I stayed at some very nice hotels in the larger cities like New Delhi and Calcutta.

LR: What about your experience in Guyana?

SM: The Guyana archives were sketchy and not very well preserved.

LR: Your book has revealed a remarkable journey of your family from indenture to independence. What motivated you to embark on this journey?

SM: I tried finding a book that detailed a historical overview of the indentured process.

Nothing seemed suitable, so I decided to recreate the five generational stories and filled in the blanks with some research and speculations. Also, one day, about 40 [years] ago, I saw a hologram-like cloud that reminded me of my grandfather who died in the 1918 pandemic. It appeared to

be an invitation to tell his tragic stories. So, I told many stories about my ancestors starting about 1800 to about 1970.

LR: This is a rather interesting story insofar as encouraging you to probe deeper into the lives of your ancestors.

May I ask if there were any stories that still linger on your mind?

SM: Yes. First of all, I still want to find Desai’s relatives in India. Second, I would like to see the mansions where Lady and Vishnu/Pyroo grew up.

I hope to accomplish these on my next visit to India.

LR: The narration of your family’s life has shown an enormous pattern of persistence and perseverance in a plantation-oriented environment to “make it.”

Why do you think that this happened in Guyana, and not in India?

SM: They all tried in India. But circumstances hindered their efforts in some cases. In addition, some members were kidnapped to fill the mandated 40 per cent female passengers.

Some had political issues, some had legal issues, some had desperation issues, and some got pushed out because of high tax issues. They were resilient and hardworking people that were victimized by the existing systems, and some went in search of a better life.

LR: You are right in

that there was a gender disparity in the Indian immigrant population at least up to 1940.

There was a shortage of women, and yes, women were abused. But they used their shortage to bargain for better “things” that were not possible in India. I noticed also in your book how you discussed, very often, marriages based on match associations, which, interestingly held families together for generations.

This was the heart of Indian customs transferred from India to Guyana. What do you think have kept your family tradition alive from India to Guyana to the United States?

SM: Spirituality, dedication, and beliefs.

Our family, like many of our ancestors inherited very strong values and good work ethics.

These are the survivors. They survived plantation life. Therefore, family traditions have followed us in our various paths of life.

LR: What would you like readers to know about your book that I have not asked?

SM: To understand that atrocious things happened to our ancestors, and I am happy to have secured enough information to tell their stories. It was a 40year journey, but it was worth the effort.

LR: Thank you

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Understanding Energy

Royalties, cost recovery, and contracts explained

RECENTLY, critics of Guyana’s expanding energy sector and the country’s rapid rise as a major oil producer have continued to stir the conversation surrounding royalties. The claims have sometimes conflated Guyana’s oil contract, its debt, and the royalties it is entitled to.

Back in early February, Guyana’s national budget of G$552.6 billion was approved and passed, making it the largest in the country’s history. Even more important is that, for the first time, it included G$126.7 billion from the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), which represents Guyana’s share of profits and royalties from oil production.

The government, despite some of the challenges that come with a rapidly expanding sector and economy, has worked to take the proper steps and assurances to maximise the gains from production for Guyanese.

Guyana’s Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) shouldn’t be misrepresented, especially the claims about royalties— which some commentators have claimed could be recovered by companies as a cost of production.

At the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference in May, and again last week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made it

clear that, “if it is royalty, it cannot be recoverable.” Royalties are not recoverable under Guyana’s PSA and companies have made no attempt to recover any royalties as costs.

Under the terms of the PSA, Guyana is entitled to two per cent of all pre-cost revenues as a royalty and 50 per cent of all profits with a cost recovery ceiling of 75 per cent, which is roughly average when compared to agreements with other frontier oil and gas countries. The average government take will generally be around 60 per cent of profits or 14.5 per cent of overall revenues, when both the pre-cost royalty and the post-cost profit sharing are accounted for.

What critics sometimes omit is that Guyana isn’t taking on any financial risk in developing its oil and gas, but still stands to benefit handsomely. Guyana has not invested any of its own capital into the discovery and exploration phase and has avoided the fate of many countries which have gone into debt for exploration efforts that ultimately found nothing.

There is a substantial upside to a contract structure that has oil companies take the significant risk associated with oil exploration.

Companies have to walk away empty-handed if no oil is found, despite billions in investments.

Were this not the case via the PSA, average Guyanese would foot the bill through higher taxes, higher government borrowing, and less money for critical needs. Since companies make investments valuing billions of dollars in developing production, they are allowed to make back these costs through the cost recovery process, in the same way that investors in any business have to account for initial capital costs before calculating profits.

Despite erroneous claims to the contrary, cost recovery is a normal process and Guyana does not “owe” the companies anything.

Understanding the various types of contract structures and where Guyana’s deal falls on that spectrum is also key to understanding the debate over royalties. Deals that have high royalties do not normally split profits, while countries that tax operations heavily receive lower royalties or no profit sharing. Across the industry, countries that have long histories of production generally receive higher shares since the risk to companies is lower. In the United States, for example, companies pay a royalty of 12.5 per cent to 18.5 per cent and pay some income taxes. But they do not give the government any share of profits from oil found.

Beyond royalties and

revenues is the longterm future of Guyana’s burgeoning energy industry. Decades from now, projects will require decommissioning.

It is a common best practice to set aside earnings in the early years to save for these eventual costs of capping wells and removing equipment.

Many countries require companies to set aside these funds as part of their costs. This is hap-

pening in Guyana as well. Some voices have misunderstood this process and claimed that this is a way to take away earnings from Guyana. But decommissioning costs are the same as any other costs that companies incur during production, and the royalties and profit cheques the government receives already account for all costs.

As Guyana’s oil and

gas sector continues to expand and the government receives greater revenues, it is critical that the public conversation reflects the complex details of the contract accurately.

It is incumbent on journalists and outlets to carefully evaluate claims to ensure that citizens are getting quality information rather than ‘fearmongering’.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

VICE, Opposition opportunistically clutching at straws

THE Vice News documentary accomplished its mission to create much talk, action, and activism about corruption here.

Sadly, the journalist Isobel Yeung failed to create the link between the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and corruption if her story was to be considered believable.

Yeung also failed to embroil Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo in a scandal that would warrant his resignation, resulting in an investigation into the corruption claims.

She, however, ended up vindicating Jagdeo in his most vulnerable moment when his guard was down during a would-be sting operation.

The journalist has, nonetheless, implicated Chinese national, Su, in

the middle of the corruption allegations. He could be investigated for extortion, fraud, and other corruption charges as the twisted web unfolds.

What is even more perplexing is that, seemingly, there is no truth in the entire documentary except for the denials.

It would seem that Yeung did her documentary piece fearlessly about Guyana without the protection and credibility of facts, truth, or empirical data.

The truth is, this documentary was not the type of work that a professional and credible news entity would produce. It is also not the work that a muckraking journalist or entity would disseminate to the public.

It was one of the poorest attempts at investigative journalism.

It does not even have the

privilege of having the backings of the other journalistic principles – credibility, truthfulness, and objectivity.

Firstly, the documentary sought to exploit Guyanese fears about living in a country caught up in a war between the Chinese and Americans for dominance over Guyana’s oil wealth and future in terms of developmental projects.

It failed to make this form of propaganda stick

because Guyanese are getting much cleverer and more intelligent about the nuances of development, investment, and growth.

The trade battle between the superpowers will continue, but one would hope that Guyana, a small developing nation, would continue to demonstrate its lack of interest in taking sides but will strengthen its laws and regulations so as to not end up being squished or exploited by either party.

Secondly, one cannot say one is surprised by the Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s desperate and leech-like political behaviour. These politicians are gullible and appear to have boarded the bandwagon of calling for Jagdeo’s resignation.

Unfortunately, the APNU+AFC grouping joined by its ex-partner WPA is missing the bigger picture. They are not concerned about corruption or the strength of Guyana’s anti-corruption systems.

They are more concerned about Jagdeo. It is sheer spitefulness, hate, opportunism, vengeance, and political buffoonery. None of the political parties could point out a law that was broken or code of conduct that was breached.

One must ask where the same political and civil society voices were and outrage when the

former coalition administration’s Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, was caught in a conflict of interest scandal after he was photographed aboard an aircraft with investors purportedly en route to China in 2016.

Where were those voices against actual and evidence-based corruption scandals that the APNU+AFC government was guilty of?

Thirdly, it would not be alarming if it turned out that the APNU+AFC coalition and certain businessmen close to the opposition had a say in engineering the plot against Jagdeo. Guyanese would not put it past this crop of Opposition politicians to scheme secretly with VICE News against the PPP/C Government.

After all, this thought is justified when one considers how poorly the Opposition party is doing in representing the populace on common issues.

Political analysts also felt reasonably that this is a political distraction from the incompetence and aloof nature of the APNU+AFC. Other analysts say they must be closely watched and monitored by the PPP/C government as there is something up their sleeves. Whatever it is, something is going on with the way this journalist came here, went places, interviewed persons, and left. Maybe, there was a script, a plan, and a plot all along.

Fourthly, the Opposition party wants Guyanese to believe that everyone in the upper echelons of the PPP/C party is corrupt when that is not true. This mistruth is part of the big lie the politicians are still telling their supporters to rationalise their defeat at the last polls.

Also, the APNU+AFC Opposition wants the public to focus on this area rather than on the development that is gripping Guyana in every sector. One cannot help but think that the APNU+AFC also wants Jagdeo off the government scene at any cost.

Finally, objective Guyanese will see no issue with Jagdeo or the systems in place to track and monitor corruption. Additionally, there is no issue with the laws of Guyana in terms of prosecuting the corrupt acts of politicians, businessmen and citizens alike.

The problem with finding and rooting out corruption is that evidence or plausible cause is necessary if one is to be successful.

As long as there are deals and investors doing business via the backdoor or under the radar, the authorities must devise stricter systems and design models to catch the illegality when it occurs.

The Opposition party is being opportunistic and is clutching at straws.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Telemedicine and Telehealth can change the delivery of health care FIXING the age-old complaints of waiting time for pre-registration and triage, inconvenience and associated costs of re-doing laboratory tests due to misplaced records and hospital acquired infections as a result of an unsanitary environment can be quick wins with the advent of telemedicine and telehealth.

These are usually the explanations from people, more men than women, when asked about their reluctance to visit a hospital. This may have contributed to late diagnoses and progression of disease conditions which were once manageable, if caught earlier.

However, with innovative solutions, fixing those gaps in the system can transform the delivery of healthcare and preserve our country’s most precious resources for development -- the human resource.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual health platforms were unpopular. According to the American Medical Association, the genesis of telemedicine in the late1950s had attracted less than one percent of users.

However, today that consumption has increased significantly where over fifty percent of medical doctors in developed countries engaged patients. From the survey conducted with those who participated, 75 percent were satisfied with this medium.

This service incorporates the use of technology with medicine putting the patient and the doctor in the same room though physically apart. Phone calls, video chats, text messages and emails are all means in telemedicine, where access to a doctor is made easy and convenient twenty-four/seven, inclusive of weekends and holidays.

There are multiple terms for using such technological delivery for health

care. For example, telehealth is defined as providing remote non-clinical services such as securing an appointment and refills at the pharmacy whilst telemedicine refers to remote clinical services to improve the patient overall clinical health status, having assessed the patient’s reaction to the prescribed treatments. Other terms used for such types of service are e-health, mobile health and digital medicine.

Key considerations for such innovative solutions require the technological infrastructure, patient consent, privacy of confidential records and payment agreements for services provided or simply payment terms to have this service option available whether used or not.

This digital medium can be utilized for virtual appointments where the doctor can share your tests results and explain what they mean by video conferencing or do a prescription refill.

There are feedback information that must be shared with the healthcare provider, which means that the patient may need to possess the following machines such as glucometer, sphygmomanometer, scale and oximeter.

In cases of respiratory conditions, a non-invasive ventilation equipment may be required.

Telemedicine requires audio visual two-way interaction between the patient and the healthcare provider. It can be real-time which requires synchronous telemedicine or delayed, which is asynchronous, where stored patient data is shared with the patient or a specialist in cases of a further referral or a second medical opinion, whether local or overseas.

It works best to diagnose simple and uncomplicated health issues such as headache, sore throat, back

pain and digestive troubles. It is most convenient for follow-up assessments on treatment initiated, post-surgical treatment for immobile patients and chronic care requirements for illnesses that may require a clinic setting.

Patient visits and work load at some clinics can be drastically reduced if this service is smartly utilized to address simple recurring events of uncontrolled or mismanaged chronic illnesses. For example, a significant impact has been seen when telemedicine is utilized in diabetes mellitus.

For other stigmatized conditions in mental health and substance abuse disorders, this medium allows easy access to screening and counselling, where the ratio of persons requiring this type of service to the number of trained and skilled care providers is very high. Telemedicine is not only used in primary care but beneficial in specialty-care management such as cardiology, endocrinology, hepatology, nephrology, neurology, paediatrics and surgical perioperative cases.

This option benefits those in rural or remote residential areas with geographical challenges to access a doctor. Also for those patients with a permanent disability, the elderly without a caregiver or even in situations where time is a crucial factor, telehealth is an invaluable mechanism.

Telemedicine is not only user-friendly and comforting but it decreases direct cost, is effective and efficient in the management of health.

However, it must be noted that telemedicine is not a substitute for in-patient visits especially if emergency medical intervention is required. A physical examination, patient biodata and accurate body weight measurements to calculate medication dos-

ages may be impeded and hence the doctor may not be able to provide the optimum care. The absence of the emotional connection due to the physical factor or the human touch may also impact negatively on healing.

Additionally, those who may benefit the most are the elderly, shut-ins and disabled persons, who may not either afford internet services or may simply not be au-fait with how the technology works.

The legal and technological infrastructural requirements may also be two major impediments. Users will be required to update their training in the software technology. Laws will be required to be amended to support this type of practice. Legal requirements for prescription-writing will need to verify and authenticate the transaction, so as to disallow any form of falsification and irrational drug dispensing.

Telemedicine has limitations to certain disease conditions but there can be a smart solution to an already overburdened health system where you can maximize the capacity of the inadequate numbers of healthcare workers for the routine and uncomplicated scenarios.

This will lessen the burden of the workload and make the health system user-friendly. A reliable internet service is essential for this mechanism to work.

For further pharmacological guidance, contact the pharmacist of Medicine Express PHARMACY, located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic, kindly forward them to medicine.express@ gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/burg. Tel #225-5142.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

GOA needs special stimulus to be more proactive, achieve Gold medals Sport View

by Neil Kumar THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) must now wake up from its slumber and be more proactive.

While we are seeing the exit of the veteran GOA President, Kalam Juman Yassin, we must ask where is the Secretary General, Mr. Hector Edwards and the Vice-President, Mr. Charles Corbin,

along with several other executive members who are undoubtedly tired and have become ineffective.

The New President of the GOA must be able to recruit a vibrant and effective executive that will

work with the National Sport Associations and the government for the further development of sports in this country.

Mr. Yassin’s efforts, while admirable, were ultimately fruitless in attaining a medal at the Olympic Games during his tenure.

While Mr. Yassin was indeed elected as President of several national associations and sports clubs, it must be asked: What did he achieve?

It cannot be denied that he effectively lobbied the PPP/C Government and received a plot of “prime land” and the GOA now can boast that they have a “Headquarters”. However, while the lower flat is operable, the chaos that is the top floor must be completed. Hence, I would like to make a strong plea to the new executive to complete the building of the GOA’s Head Office and ensure that it operates in the interest of the further development of sports in our country. That building must become a real national attraction and a source of inspiration to our people, especially to

our sports personalities.

After serving for 26 years, “one generation”, he [Juman Yassin] should not struggle to stay at the helm of the organisation, and excuses of political interference only serve to diminish his legacy.

Any successful leader must have a succession plan to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership.

Whenever a leader fails to garner the unflinching support of his team it is time for him to exit peacefully. Juman was a good friend to many persons and he knew how to get along with his peers.

It is an understatement to say that elections are overdue at the GOA. The postponement of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) games and the alleged deliberate delay of the GOA elections are not encouraging. There have been serious discussions of change taking place since 2019. The IOC approval of an age limit of 70 years is a positive step.

The three-term time limit is also another step in the right direction, since it will give a President 12 years to

Neil Kumar perform and give his best to the Organisation.

GOA was very consistent in their call for better sport facilities. However, with the construction of several world class facilities, the GOA failed miserably to achieve the quality of performance expected from our athletes.

Instead, we are witnessing squabbles for trips abroad and the GOA showing a desire to ingratiate themselves with the sports administrators to win their support at GOA elections. The pervasion of such necrotic behaviour has only hindered the development of sports.

While we appreciate Juman’s interest in sports, we must now stop sporting with sports and get on with the business of truly developing sports in Guyana.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

National training for renewed curriculum begins

THE Ministry of Education has begun training teachers and pupils representing a wide cross section of schools at the primary level about the renewed curriculum.

It is envisioned that the academic year 2022-2023 will see the piloted curricula for Grades One to Four expanded to all schools in Education Districts two,

three, four, five, six, 10 and Georgetown.

This exercise will be phase one of the national rollout of the curriculum; the second phase is expected

Teachers undergoing training on Thursday last at the Cornelius Primary School which served as a cluster centre

to occur in the 2023-2024 academic year in Education Districts one, seven, eight and nine.

The national training exercise began on June 21, 2022, with Master Trainers engaging classroom educators from Grades One to Four. The in-person capacity building sessions will be held monthly with teachers in their school clusters.

Each Master Trainer will oversee a group of 25 teachers, and their capacities will be developed around a thorough comprehension and effective application of the renewed curriculum. The monthly meetings will occur from June 2022 to December 2022.

According to the Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development, Ms. Quenita Walrond-Lewis, this process is the beginning of the end for learners being told the nature of things rather than being able to experience it for themselves.

Further, she believes that through this process, children will no longer be viewed and treated as the passive recipient of information but rather as an active co-creator of their learning.

The curriculum aims to foster greater inclusivity, recognising that each child has unique qualities, and varied abilities which are to be respected in all learning situa-

tions. It provides for learning using diverse, responsive, and varied instructional strategies and caters for differentiated learning, resources and assessment.

The renewed curriculum contains several features which acknowledges Guyana’s unique context and reflects the country’s diversity.

The curriculum also gives focus to the essential educational competencies an educated person in Guyana should possess, such as communicating and collaborating effectively with others, possessing proficiency in literacy and numeracy and being able to enjoy physical and socio-emotional well-being.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

All encumbrances to be removed from roadways

THE Ministry of Public Works will begin removing encumbrances found on government reserves, as well as roadways across the country from Monday.

Subject minister, Juan Edghill, underscored that the decision follows weeks of appeal to citizens to comply voluntarily.

“That period of asking for moving is over. The Ministry of Public Works will begin to remove derelicts, sand, stone, debris, everything that is in the path encumbering the road shoulders through the length and breadth of Guyana,” Minister Edghill stated.

He made the announce-

ment while giving remarks at the signing ceremony of the new four lane project, held at the parking lot of Rucamel Shopping Plaza, Rupert Craig Highway and Ogle Road intersection, on Friday.

The minister pointed out that vendors plying their trade along the Sheriff/Mandela roadway

continue to affect traffic.

This, he noted, defeats the purpose of improving the flow of traffic within that area.

“We got to bring an end to the lawlessness while we develop Guyana.

Do you agree? We still got some time because today’s Friday, we got to do some cleaning up.

“We got to do some movement. We got to do some changes. If not, the Ministry of Public Works will remove it, and if you come to claim it, the only way you will get in is when you pay us what it costs us to move it,” the minister added.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill The ministry will not disrupt construction works, business places or residences, once a temporary construction permit is issued.

“We know people are building and people are expanding, and being able to interfere with anybody who’s building a building or a business

and you have to dump your standing sandstone because you’re doing construction- temporary permits that are issued for that, we’ll be talking about people who have things dumped with grass growing out the sand,” Minister Edghill stated. (DPI)

Manickchand begins meeting religious leaders to address issues affecting students, teachers MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, has begun to engage leaders in the religious community to address the issues of school dropouts and antisocial behaviours in the school environment.

Over the last week, Minister Manickchand has met with religious leaders in the Christian and Islamic communities and will soon be meeting with leaders from the Hindu community.

During the meetings, the Education Minister highlighted that the ministry has implemented several measures aimed at ensuring students return to school and receive an education in a safe and cohesive environment.

In addition to addressing the issue of school dropouts, the Ministry of Education has been dealing with reports of violent and anti-social behaviour exhibited by students, particularly those in secondary schools.

The religious leaders were told that their help will be two-fold. They will assist the ministry in carrying out “Operation Recovery” by engaging early school leavers and their parents within their respective communities.

This will help to determine the reasons behind the students leaving school and find solutions to ensure they are back in the classroom receiving the education they rightly deserve.

Secondly, their presence in schools

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand will be used to curb antisocial behaviours by counselling and guiding students to make better decisions which will positively impact their lives.

This is part of the ministry’s expansion of its social work capacity to be able to respond to the needs of students across the country.

The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring each child has access to educational opportunities.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Live theatre is back with ‘Link Show’ 36

A scene from a previous Link Show THE Theatre Company and GEMS Theatre Productions are raring to go with a cast of over 20 seasoned actors as the annual satirical review “Link Show 36” returns to the National Cultural Centre (NCC) from July 1 - 4.

Link Show is the longest running theatrical production and has unreservedly attracted the largest theatre audience in Guyana’s history. This year, Director Ron Robinson and Co-Producer Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, have assembled a cast consisting of many old timers and a few new faces.

The lineup includes Mark Kazim, Mark Luke Edwards, Sean Thompson, Sean Budnah, Paul Budnah, Stephen Asif Mohamed, Lee Leung, Rovindra Persaud, Travis McKenzie, Carlvin Burnett and veteran link show actor from 1981, Andre Wiltshire alongside Sonia Yarde, Simone Dowding, Sheron Cadogan Taylor, Makini Thompson, Marissa Morgan, Alicia Charles and new comer La Tisha DaSilva.

Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle, Madhoo-Nascimento shared that the entire cast and production team is glad to finally see the show return and can’t wait to deliver to their audience.

“We are very excited, all the actors are very excited, it’s been two years we haven’t had anything so we are excited to be

back on stage doing what we do best. We are looking forward to entertaining the patrons and I hope they are looking forward to us entertaining them.”

She added, “There has been an abundance of materials over the last two years to satirize in this upcoming production.”

Link Show, like many public events, has not been held for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed restrictions on public gathering to curb the spread of the virus.

However, with most restrictions lifted, things are returning to normal.

Nonetheless with the virus still very much in circulation, Madhoo-Nascimento noted that patrons attending the show will be asked to take precaution.

“I want to warn people to come with masks because COVID is not gone, it’s still very much around and we would also ask that they have sanitisers to sanitise their hands.”

The Link Show started in November 1981 and has missed a few years during its 41-year life span; it is now in its 36th production.

This year, ‘Team Mohameds’ will be supporting the Link Show 36 as a sponsor.

Tickets for the show are $3,000, $2,500, $2,000 and are available at the NCC. The show will start at 20:00hrs daily.

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140 inmates graduate after completing training courses

A total of 140 inmates from the Lusignan and Mazaruni prisons graduated after completing training courses A TOTAL of 140 inmates from the Lusignan and Mazaruni prisons have graduated after completing training courses in various programmes aimed at preparing them for reintegration into society.

The areas of training were in agriculture, tailoring, animal husbandry, apiary culture, carpentry, joinery, literacy, art and craft, leather craft and culinary arts.

During remarks at the graduation ceremony held on Saturday at the Cecil Kilkenny Training School, Lusignan, Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, said the Prison Service has an obligation to provide prisoners with skills to facilitate their reintegration into society.

“Effective rehabilitation programmes within the prisons are important.

Not only do they teach inmates a sense of selfworth, but they can also help inmates acquire new skills that can be applied

to starting a new life, following their release from prison and provide purposeful life goals,” Elliot said.

The Director of Prisons stated that the organisation remains confident that, as the prison infrastructure continues to be developed, more inmates will benefit from such rehabilitative training.

He made it clear that rehabilitation of prisoners is an ongoing process.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (ag), Deoraj Gyandat, said the Prison Service continues to adequately prepare inmates, whether it is with skill or educational training, so that when they are released back into society, they are productive citizens.

At the Mazaruni Prison Graduation, which occurred simultaneously, the Officer-in-Charge, Prisoners’ Welfare and Corrections, echoed similar sentiments to those inmates.

“I wish to congratulate

you all and assure you the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Prison Service remain committed to rehabilitation, hence the variety of programmes being made available across the various locations. Your commitment to these programmes is noted and we are proud that you’re making this step to reform yourself,” she said.

Mrs Bristol-Grant further stated that a total of 600 inmates have completed training thus far, with an additional 172 currently in the final weeks of classes.

Senior Superintendent of Prisons, Alexander Hopkinson, expressed his hope that the inmates will continue to take advantage of the opportunities and encourage others to do the same. “Now that you have completed this journey more is expected of you,” he said.

Inmates’ relatives were present at both venues to show their support.

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Tourism Ministry’s Snap & Share 56 competition winners awarded

PARTICIPANTS in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Snap and Share 56 Photography Competition were awarded their prizes earlier last week.

The photo competition is an annual feature that allows Guyanese to take pictures of tourism products and experiences in Guyana and submit them to the ministry. After submission, the photos will be uploaded to social media where the public will have the opportunity to like and share. Winners were selected based on most likes and

Minister Oneidge Walrond with the Top 20 winners of the Snap and Share 56 Photo Competition shares on the social media platforms.

The top five winners are Kishan Singh (5th), Kyle Joseph (4th) Govindra Raghubansi (3rd) Jermaine Messiah (2nd) and Shivanie Singh (1st).

The first-place winner received $100,000 and a trip for two to Kaieteur Falls from Evergreen tours, while the second place winner received $75,000 and a weekend with a Suzuki Jimny from Ansa Motors. The third place winner received $50,000, while the fourth place copped $25,000.

Other winners received cash prizes of $10,000, along with trips and meals compliments of businesses like Evergreen Adventures, the Marriott Hotel, Cara Lodge, Old Fort Tours, and Odyssey Tours.

Subject minister, Oneidge Walrond thanked participants for sharing the pictures,

and noted the many aspects of Guyanese life persons could relate to.

“With this snap and share, it is our opportunity at the ministry, and with our Guyanese to really share our beautiful country and the fact that we really do have so much more in common than we do different,” Minister Walrond said.

She also thanked the private sector for its support of the initiative in sponsoring some of the prizes for the competition.

“Tourism is one of the strategic sectors that government is focusing on,” Minister Walrond said.

She noted that government has placed a lot of resources in developing tourism because of the potential that it has.

“We believe not only in tourism as a way to market Guyana, but also as a way to drive economic activity

for every single region, and every single community.”

The minister noted too, that a lot of communities will benefit from tourism as there is focus on community-led and driven tourism.

Communications Officer Cordell McClure, said compared to last year when there were approximately 250 entries, this year entries multiplied by some 300 per cent.

Several of the winners spoke with DPI. Third place winner, Govindra Raghubansi said he is happy that his photo received positive feedback, especially from members of the diaspora.

His photograph shows fish for sale at the Meadowbrook Wharf.

“It goes to show that you don’t necessarily need the most expensive equipment, or to go on adventure to place high, you just need a good photo that people can relate to, that is also of high quality. So, I encourage everyone to just give it a try, take your photos and keep them for the next competition,” he urged future participants.

Shunza Samuels-Messiah who placed sixth, said she believes the competition gave potential visitors an idea of where they can go when they visit here.

“I think that the competition gives persons an opportunity to see what we have to offer, to see the areas that we have to give beautiful unique Guyana, so yea I think it helps us in some ways to market and promote destination Guyana.” (DPI)

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Home construction assistance programme launched in Region Three

SCORES of residents in Region Three turned out at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Friday, as the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority launched the Home Construction Assistance Programme in the region.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves;

gramme applicants can select from three pre-designed housing models ($7 million, $9 million and $12 million) and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions.

Those on board include Republic Bank Limited-Guyana, Citizens Bank and the New Building Society. The houses will be built by contractors and monitored by engineers of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for quality control.

During the launch sev-

Bank Demerara to Crane, West Coast Demerara, which will unlock lands for new housing and commercial developments.

Minister Croal also announced that construction for the first 500 homes in Region Three was expected to commence soon.

During the launch on Friday, residents lauded the government’s effort to make home-ownership more attainable.

“It’s a great initiative because, right now, for me, we’re paying rent

Region Three residents turned out in their numbers at the launch of the programme on Friday Director of Operations, Mrs. Denise King-Tudor and technical staff were present at the launch.

The initiative is the brainchild of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and is designed to assist Guyanese families, who own government or private lands to access financing and build their homes.

“Our goal as a government is to ensure that all of our citizens have proper access to housing. We understand the many difficulties that you encounter and this programme provides an avenue to bridge that gap,” Minister Croal stated.

Through the pro-

eral contractors in the region, who expressed interest in building the houses registered with the Ministry’s database. This will boost the regional economy and create employment for residents in the area.

Minister Croal noted that, in addition to the Home Construction Assistance Programme, several other projects will catapult the region’s housing sector.

Close to $4 billion in infrastructure works are ongoing in several housing schemes. The bidding process is also ongoing for the construction of a new four-lane highway from Schoonord, West

and it’s very expensive,” expressed Mrs. Shavannah Sugrim, a mother of two, who was able to pre-qualify with one of the financial institutions.

Her spouse, Mr. Royan Sugrim also shared similar sentiments, as he noted that they were looking forward to providing a safer shelter for their children.

Meanwhile, single mother of four, Ms. Shellon Castello, stated, “it’s a very good initiative especially for single parents […] I’ve been waiting for a while now to build my own house so it’s a good thing for the assistance we’re receiving”.

After receiving her

land in 2013 and encountering a number of difficulties constructing her home, Ms. Shamkumarie Persaud, also stated that she was pleased with the initiative. Ms. Persaud has now been pre-qualified for a mortgage with the New Building Society.

The Home Construction Assistance Programme has also been launched in Region Four, Region Six and Region Ten. (DPI)

Minister Croal during Friday’s launch of the programme in Region Three

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sunday CHRONICLE june 26, 2022

Passengers rescued after Two more COVID boat sinks in Essequibo River deaths, 111 new

EIGHTEEN passengers were, on Saturday afternoon, rescued in the middle of the Essequibo River after the boat they were travelling in sank.

The incident occurred around 14:30hrs. The Sunday Chronicle understands that the boat departed Parika, East Bank Essequibo for Supenaam and, later, it began to take in water.

The captain, identified as Anil Singh, decided to steer the boat - “King Kind” - to the end of the river close to the mangroves so that passengers could disembark and hold on to the mangroves.

A video showed the passengers gripping the mangroves while their

One of the passengers holding on to a branch items of baggage were floating. Another boat was sent from Parika for the passengers and took them to Supenaam.

Monitor for the Parika/Supenaam

Speed Boat Association, Sweershankar, said all passengers arrived safely but were drenched.

He said that he was thankful that no one was hurt.

“It was terrifying, we just had to hold on to bushes, and our bodies were in the water, I am thankful for life but my phone is damaged,” Narine, a passenger related.

Other passengers were thankful for life. Many of them claimed they lost valuable items and their cellphones.

Among the passengers was a troupe of comedians who were scheduled to perform Saturday night at a resort at Capoey, Region Two.

cases recorded

TWO more persons, in Guyana, have died from COVID-19, taking the country’s death toll to 1,251 since the first case and death were reported here in March 2020.

Dead are a 65-yearold man from Region Two (Pomeroon – Supernaam) and a 64-year-old woman from Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara).

The Ministry of Health said they both died on June 22; their vaccination statuses are not known.

Meanwhile, 111 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded from 861 tests conducted over a 24-hour period.

The new cases were recorded in the following regions: Region One (four cases), Region Two (14 cases), Region Three (eight cases), Region Four (59 cases), Region Six (25 cases), and Region 10 (one case).

The overall number of confirmed cases since the virus was first detected in Guyana in March 2020 has increased to 67,058.

There are three patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 28 patients are in institutional isolation, and 943 patients are in home isolation.

To date, 64,833 people have recovered.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

Barbados women retain Super50 title ANOTHER dominant display by Barbados ensured they retained Cricket West Indies Women’s Super50 title by beating Jamaica by eight wickets on Saturday at the National Stadium, Providence.

In another match severely affected by rain, Jamaica’s innings was limited to 26 overs and they

managed to reach 118-8 led by captain Stafanie Taylor who struck five fours in her 44 from 57 balls.

Natasha McLean (19), Jodi-Ann Morgan (12), and Keneshia Ferran (11) offered some support at the top and middle but it was the lower order who didn’t add the required impetus to pose a challenging score.

Hayley Matthews had another tight spell which accounted for 2-16 from her six overs and pacer Aaliyah Alleyne took 2-19 from five overs.

With little scoreboard pressure and Barbados being one of the in-form batting units, the chase was a cakewalk.

MATCH SUMMARY:

Jamaica 118-8 from 26 overs (Stafanie Taylor 44, Natasha McLean 19, Jodi-Ann Morgan 13; Hayley Matthews 2-16, Aaliyah Alleyne 2-19, Aaliyah Williams 1-25) lost to Barbados 120-2 from 23.4 overs (Kyscia Knight 60*, Matthews 22, Kyshona Knight 14, Alleyne 12*; Corrine Howell 1-16, Chinelle Hen-

Mayers century puts Windies...

FROM BACK PAGE Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-68) and was bowled and pacer Khaled Ahmed (2-77) got both Reifer and Nkrumah Bonner (0) to play on in the next over, in a damaging blow to the innings.

In desperate need of a rebuilding effort at the in-

terval, West Indies were lifted

by Mayers and Blackwood, the pair keeping Bangladesh wicketless for the entirety of the second session, and pushing the score up to 248 for four at tea.

Mayers reached his half-century, 15 minutes before tea with an aerial cut to backward point to be unbeaten on 60 at the second break while Blackwood, once again using a measured approach,

was not out on 40.

Blackwood fell in the second over following the resumption without adding, however, missing a pull at Mehidy and adjudged lbw after facing 121 balls and lashing half-dozen fours, but that was Bangladesh’s last sniff of success as Mayers dominated the final session.

Suppressed for the first 15 overs after tea in a period when West Indies failed to hit

a single boundary courtesy of tight spells from Mehidy and left-arm spinning captain Shakib-al-Hasan, Mayers found his mojo once the second new ball was taken.

Two boundaries in one over off Khaled took him into the 80s and he reached his hundred in style, moving to 97 with a glorious cover drive off Shoriful before whipping the next ball over square leg for six.

ry 1-22) by eight wickets and 14 balls remaining (DLS method) Matthews and Kyscia Knight added 56 in 11.4 overs for the opening stand before the captain, Matthews, departed for 22 (2x4s).

Knight kept the runs flowing with some classy shots as she and her sister,

Kyshona Knight, added 41 for the second wicket which really sealed the deal for Barbados.

Kyscia ended unbeaten on 60 (7x4s) from 75 balls while Aaliyah had 12 not out. Barbados’ win means this year’s T20 Blaze and Super50, were split between them and Jamaica.

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1st Innings 234 West Indies 1st Innings (overnight 67 without loss) *K Brathwaite b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 51 J Campbell c wkp Nurul Hasan b Shoriful Islam 45 R Reifer b Khaled Ahmed 22 N Bonner b Khaled Ahmed 0 J Blackwood lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 40 K Mayers not out 126 +J Da Silva not out 26 Extras (b5, lb21, nb4) 30 TOTAL (5 wkts, 106 overs) 340 To bat: A Joseph, K Roach, J Seales, A Phillip.

Bowling: Shoriful Islam 17-6-67-1, Khaled Ahmed 21-1-77-2 (nb1), Shakib-al-Uasan 18-5-46-0 (nb1), Ebadot Hossain 19-6-56-0 (nb2), Mehidy Hasan Miraz 31-8-68-2.

Position: West Indies lead by 106 runs with five first innings wickets intact.

FIFA and CONCACAF visit Guyana...

FROM BACK PAGE The visit followed a letter from FIFA in May, which informed the GFF that it was obliged to update its statutes this year, alongside all of FIFA’s 211 member associations, to meet the mandatory

requirements of the higher governing bodies.

“We were delighted to welcome the delegation from FIFA and CONCACAF this week to work towards aligning our statutes with FIFA and CONCACAF in the

interests of good governance and accountability,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“We look forward to continuing this work through to fruition this year,” Forde said.

During their visit, FIFA Member Association Man-

ager Sofia Malizia and One CONCACAF Manager Howard McIntosh met with the GFF Executive Committee, members of the GFF General Council, the GFF attorney and a newly-formed Statutes Revision Committee.

FIFA and CONCACAF will continue to support the GFF through the revision process by working closely with the Statutes Review Committee and the GFF General Council in the coming weeks.

Hayley Matthews takes over...

FROM PAGE 30 “The selection panel felt that it was time to make the change. We figured the timing was right with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup coming up early next year, if we were thinking of making any changes now would be the best time so that we give the new captain a couple of series under her belt before she enters into a World Cup,” Walsh said.

“Hayley Matthews is young, she has longev-

ity in the game, and she can lead the team for a longer time to get the experience and we are here to support her. For us it’s a win-win as we will have Stafanie to concentrate on her best cricket and passing on guidance to Hayley as she grows in the role of taking the team forward.”

Hayley Matthews expressed her pride and gratitude in the appointment.

“I am both humbled and honored to be giv-

en the opportunity to Captain the West Indies Women’s Team. It is definitely an exhilarating feeling and I welcome the experience to lead and learn with open arms,” she said.

“This team has been very close to my heart from the beginning of my professional career eight years ago and the influence of Stafanie’s leadership throughout those eight years has played a major role in the player I am today. I eagerly

anticipate working with the players to continue building on the progress in which the team has made thus far.

“I would like to thank Stafanie for her astounding leadership of the team over the years. We’ve accomplished some of our biggest milestones with her at the forefront and I look forward to continuing playing alongside her.”

Matthews and Taylor have both been among the best players for West

Indies. In her career, Taylor has scored 5,298 runs in 145 One-Day Internationals and 3,121 runs in 111 T20 Internationals.

She has also taken 152 wickets in ODIs and 98 in T20Is. Matthews, like Taylor is a right-handed top-order batter and offbreak bowler.

She has an impressive international record with 1,764 runs and 78 wickets in 69 ODIs, and 1,055 runs and 58 wickets in 61 T20Is. (Sportsmax)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

Serena Williams, Nadal, Djokovic & Andy Murray lead stellar cast at Wimbledon

A stellar cast of ageing greats has assembled for what could be one of the final times at Wimbledon as the jewel of the British sporting summer returns.

Many of the world’s biggest names are set to take part at the All England Club, led by Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Emerging stars like Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz are also playing.

However, it will be another SW19 tournament which has a different feel because of a major global crisis.

There are no ranking points available for the players because Wimbledon, unlike its Grand Slam partners at the French Open and US Open, decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing because of the invasion of Ukraine.

Daniil Medvedev, the Russian who is the men’s world number one, is the biggest absentee because of the move.

With the 135th edition of the championships starting on Monday, BBC Sport runs through the major talking points in SW19.

Can Nadal battle the

Rafael Nadal, who has won the men’s singles at the first two majors this year, is making his first appearance at Wimbledon since 2019 pain to continue his clean sweep?

Despite thinking last year his career was over because of a chronic foot injury, 36-year-old Nadal

Orlando Magic turn to Paolo Banchero with top pick

THE 19-year-old forward played for Duke University’s Blue Devils, averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 39 starts.

Magic finished bottom of the Eastern Conference with the second-worst record in the NBA last season at 22-60.

“I don’t even know what to say. I can’t believe what just happened,” said Banchero.

“I wanted to be in the NBA but I didn’t know I would be here.”

Seattle-born Banchero, who is the fifth Duke player to be the number one overall pick, was a surprise selection

by Orlando with many experts thinking Auburn forward Jabari Smith would be drafted first.

The Oklahoma City Thunder chose Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren with the second pick while Smith was selected third by the Houston Rockets, who had the NBA’s worst record last season at 20-62.

Polish-American Jeremy Sochan, who grew up in Southampton and Milton Keynes, was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the ninth pick.

The 19-year-old was born in Guymon, Oklahoma, before

has battled back to win the Australian Open and French Open titles this year.

Shortly after winning a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam men’s singles title in Paris, attention quickly turned to Wimbledon and whether Nadal would be able to play.

The Spaniard needed anaesthetic injections to

numb the pain at Roland Garros, saying he “could not and did not want to” continue playing under those circumstances.

But after having radiofrequency ablation treatment - which uses heat on the nerve to quell long-term pain - he decided to travel to London.

“It’s obvious that, if I am here, it’s because things are going better,” said second seed Nadal.

“If not, I would not be here. I’m quite happy about the things, how they evolved. I can’t be super happy because I don’t know what can happen.”

After playing an exhibition at the Hurlingham Club, Nadal headed to the All England Club and took part in the first practice session allowed on Centre Court.

Top seed Djokovic, 35, remains the favourite to retain the men’s singles and win a seventh title which would move him alongside Pete Sampras and one behind Roger Federer ’s record.

Federer is not playing as he recovers from a knee injury which needed a third surgery in August.

The 40-year-old Swiss has not played since losing in the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year but plans to make a comeback at the Laver Cup and Swiss Indoors tournament later this year.

Serbia’s Djokovic is tied with Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles and is aiming to close the gap on Nadal in the continuing battle to finish with the most majors. (BBC Sport).

Kerley & Jefferson win 100m titles at US Championships

Paolo Banchero helped lead college side Blue Devils to the NCAA Final Four this year his family moved to the UK der pick Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) when he was two years old.

3. Houston Rockets Eligible to play for both the USA and Team GB, in pick Jabari Smith (Authe end he chose to represent burn) 4. Sacramento Kings Poland, the country of his pick Keegan Murray mother’s birth.

In the 75-year history of (Iowa) 5. Detroit Pistons pick the NBA only seven players developed in the UK have Jaden Ivey (Purdue) 6. Indiana Pacers pick played in the league. Luol Deng, John Amaechi and Bennedict Mathurin (ArRobert Archibald among the izona) 7. Portland Trail Blazmost notable names.

In fact, the last British ers pick Shaedon Sharpe player to enter an NBA draft (Kentucky) 8. New Orleans Peliwas Ryan Richards in 2010, and although he was drafted cans pick Dyson Daniels by the Spurs he never played (G League Ignite) 9. San Antonio Spurs a game for the team. pick Jeremy Sochan (Baylor) 2022 NBA draft 10. Washington Wiz1. Orlando Magic pick ards pick Johnny Davis Paolo Banchero (Duke) 2. Oklahoma Thun- (Wisconsin)(BBC Sport).

FRED Kerley won the men’s 100m at the US Championships after running a world-leading time in the semi-finals.

Kerley, 27, ran a personal best of 9.76 seconds before the Olympic silver medallist won the final in 9.77.

Marvin Bracy (9.85) a n d Tr a y v o n B r o m e l l (9.88) were second and third respectively, while Melissa Jefferson won the women’s 100m in 10.69.

The event serves as the American team’s trials for the World Championships in July, also in Oregon.

Kerley improved his PB again after running 9.83 in the heats.

“It’s all about pacing and training and continuing to do what I’ve got to do,” he said after winning on Friday to secure his place at the World Championships.

After Sha’Carri Richardson failed to make it

Fred Kerley set a new personal best twice during the meet in Eugene, Oregon out of the first round, Aleia 10.74 - both personal bests.

There was another upset Hobbs and Twanisha Terry were favourites for the at the Jamaican Championships as Shericka Jackson women’s 100m title.

But Jefferson, who was beat Olympic champion eighth at the NCAA Cham- Elaine Thompson-Herah pionships two weeks ago, in the women’s 100m in came through to claim an Kingston.

With in-form Frasupset win and a new meet record, with only Shelly- er-Pryce not competing, Ann Fraser-Pryce having Olympic bronze medallist run faster this year (10.67). Jackson took advantage Hobbs was second in to win in 10.77 and claim 10.72 and Terry third in her first national title.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

Serena says she needed time to heal after rough 2021

LONDON: (Reuters) Serena Williams needed to heal physically and mentally during a difficult year away from tennis due to injuries and had doubts about her comeback at one stage, the former world number one said on Saturday as she prepares to return to Wimbledon.

Williams, 40, limped out of her first-round match last year at the grasscourt Grand Slam - where she has claimed seven of her 23 majors - following a leg injury.

“I don’t know. I didn’t retire. I needed to heal

physically, mentally. Yeah, I had no plans, to be honest. I just didn’t know when I would come back.

I didn’t know how I would come back,” Williams told reporters.

The American has slid down to 1,204 in the rankings and needed a wildcard from Wimbledon organisers the All England Lawn Tennis Club to compete in the main draw of the women’s singles.

She warmed up for the major, which starts on Monday, by teaming up with Tunisian Ons Jabeur in doubles at this week’s Eastbourne event where

the pair reached the quarter-finals before an injury to Jabeur ended their campaign.

“Wimbledon is such a great place to be, and it just worked out,” Williams added.

“I went into this saying I would play Eastbourne. I would never be ready for singles, I will play doubles and see how I felt. Definitely probably could have played singles there.

“But the doubles was great ... I felt more prepared than I thought I would a month or two months or three months ago. So it was surprising,

Former world number one Serena Williams but also it’s a fun time to Williams, who has been be out there and to enjoy it. drawn to face France’s Just to be out on the court Harmony Tan in the first again was cool.” round, said she felt like she

was injured for the whole of 2021 after Wimbledon.

“Last year was tough ... I ripped my hamstring.

I don’t think anyone ever wants to do that. The whole experience was rough,” the American added.

“From there I tried to make New York. I gave everything I could, just every day getting ready or trying to make it. But then it’s like, I’m not going to make it. Hung up my rackets for a little bit until I could just heal.

“It’s a tough injury actually to have what I had last year. It was no fun.”

Shericka Jackson and Yohan Wilder ‘considering’ Blake secure national 100m titles return to boxing

National 100 metres titles: From left: Shericka Jackson and Yohan Blake OLYMPIC 100m bronze medalist Shericka Jackson sent shockwaves through Kingston’s National Stadium on Friday with a blistering 10.77 to win the Women’s 100m on day two of the 2022 Jamaican National Senior Athletics Championships.

Jackson, who stomped her feet in joy after the race, finished ahead of NCAA Championships 100m silver medalist Kemba Nelson who ran a personal best 10.88 for second while defending double Olympic Champion Elaine Thompson-Herah was third in

10.89.

Meanwhile, 2011 World 100m Champion Yohan Blake turned back the clock to secure the Men’s title in a time of 9.85, his fastest time since 2012.

Pre-meet favorite Oblique Seville ran 9.88 for second while Ackeem Blake was third in a new personal best 9.93.

Elsewhere, Jaheel Hyde successfully defended his title as national 400m hurdles champion with a 48.51 effort to narrowly finish ahead of Kemar Mowatt (48.53) while Shawn Rowe ran 49.66 for third.

The Women’s equivalent was won by Janieve Russell in 53.63 ahead of Shiann Salmon who ran a personal best 53.82 for second. 2019 World Championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton was third in 54.20.

Andrenette Knight, who entered the final as the third fastest woman this year with a 53.39 effort in Nashville on June 5, was leading the event after six hurdles but failed to finish the race after unfortunately clipping the seventh and falling to the track. (Sportsmax)

FORMER heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder is ‘considering’ a return to boxing. Wilder, 36, has not fought since his knockout defeat by Briton Tyson Fury in October last year.

That was his second loss in a row, but the American says he is not yet officially retired.

“I’m definitely considering coming back,” he told Premier Boxing Champions.

“This is something that we’re trying to figure out and get things situated. I feel [it could be] a re-boost for my career.”

Wilder was undefeated and held the WBC world title before his epic trilogy against Fury, but suffered two knockout defeats by the

Deontay Wilder has 42 wins and just two losses on his record Gypsy King after a draw in return to boxing ever again their first fight. in my life. I’ve set my life The heavyweight rivalry up,” he said. captivated the boxing world Fury, who retired after and earned Wilder millions beating Dillian Whyte in of pounds, and he insisted if April, is the only fighter to he was to return to the ring defeat Wilder. money would not be the The ‘Bronze Bomber’ motivation. has 42 wins in his career, “It’s not about the finan- with 41 of those coming cial things, I never have to via knockout.(BBC Sport).

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday June 26, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Kingstown, St. Vincent, 2009 (2) 260*- Ramnaresh Sarwan (Sabina Park, Kingston, 2004) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Match in the recent WI/BANG first Test?

(2) Which WI scored most runs in the first Test of the current WI/BANG series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue2022

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

England strike late GBA serves off inaugural World to seize control of Badminton Day tournament Headingley Test

From left) England’s Matthew Potts, Stuart Broad, captain Ben Stokes and Jack Leach leave as rain stops play on day 3 of the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, northern England. Image Credit: AFP LEEDS (England): England’s bowlers struck 3 times in fast succession late on day three to take control of the ultimate Test towards New Zealand at Headingley on Saturday and keep on the right track for a 3-0 collection sweep.

The vacationers had been on 168-5 and led England by 137 runs when rain introduced a untimely halt to the day’s play.

New Zealand bought off to a promising begin of their second innings thanks to a fluent half-century from Tom Latham (76) however misplaced their means after the opener was dismissed by debutant Jamie Overton (1-34) off the primary ball after tea.

Devon Conway (11) was quickly to comply with, succumbing to Joe Root’s halftime without work-spin earlier than England landed the large scalp of opposition skipper Kane Williamson, who perished for 48 after edging behind to Matthew Potts (2-20).

Jack Leach (1-26) additionally bought in on the act after Henry Nicholls (7) chipped one straight again to him as New Zealand collapsed from 125-1 to 161-5.

Earlier, Jonny Bairstow smashed an impressive 162 whereas Overton fell three runs brief of a century as England had been dismissed for 360 of their first innings for a 31-run lead.

Resuming on their in a single day whole of 264-6, Bairstow and Overton continued to play positively early within the morning session earlier than the latter edged paceman Trent Boult to Daryl Mitchell at first slip to miss out on his landmark.

Bairstow and Overton got here along with England at 55-6 and their good rescue act resulted in a 241-run partnership for the seventh wicket to preserve the hosts afloat.

Overton struck 13 fours and two sixes in his 136-ball knock.

His dismissal introduced Stuart Broad to the wicket and he struck a 36-ball 42, concentrating on fellow tempo bowler Boult within the sixtieth over by smashing him for 2 fours and a large six and punishing Neil Wagner within the subsequent over.

However, Broad was then bowled by Tim Southee earlier than Bairstow, who hit 136 in 92 balls at Trent Bridge within the second check to win the match, fell wanting to increase the scoring fee as Michael Bracewell had him caught at lengthy-off by Boult.

Bairstow later took the gloves after common wicket-keeper Ben Foakes was unable to take the sphere due to stiffness in his again. England mentioned Foakes will likely be assessed in a single day.

England have a 2-0 lead and are aiming to win each match of a house collection with at the very least three Tests for the primary time since their 4-0 rout of India in 2011.(Hindustani Times

SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 329 England 1st innings (overnight 164-6) Alex Lees b Trent Boult 4 Zak Crawley b Trent Boult 6 Ollie Pope b Trent Boult 5 Joe Root c Tom Blundell b Tim Southee 5 Jonny Bairstow c Trent Boult b Michael Bracewell 162 Ben Stokes c Kane Williamson b Neil Wagner 18 Ben Foakes lbw Neil Wagner 0 Jamie Overton c Daryl Mitchell b Trent Boult 97 Stuart Broad b Tim Southee 42 Matthew Potts Not Out 1 Jack Leach lbw Tim Southee 8 Extras 0b 11lb 0nb 0pen 1w 12 Total (67.0 overs) 360 all out Fall of Wickets : 1-4 Lees, 2-14 Pope, 3-17 Crawley, 4-21 Root, 5-55 Stokes, 6-55 Foakes, 7-296 Overton, 8-351 Broad, 9-351 Bairstow, 10360 Leach Bowling : Trent Boult 22 - 4 - 104 - 4 (1w),Tim Southee 23 - 2 - 100 -3, Neil Wagner 12 - 1 - 75 - 2, Michael Bracewell 7 - 0 - 54 - 1, Daryl Mitchell 3 - 0 - 16 - 0 5.33 ........................................................

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings Tom Latham c Jonny Bairstow b Jamie Overton 76 Will Young c Ollie Pope b Matthew Potts 8 Kane Williamson c Jonny Bairstow b Matthew Potts 48 Devon Conway c Ollie Pope b Joe Root 11 Henry Nicholls c&b Jack Leach 7 Daryl Mitchell Not Out 4 Tom Blundell Not Out 5 Extras 5b 1lb 2nb 0pen 1w 9 Total (51.5 overs) 168-5 Fall of Wickets : 1-28 Young, 2-125 Latham, 3-152 Conway, 4-153 Williamson, 5-161 Nicholls To Bat : Bracewell, Southee, Wagner, Boult Bowling : Stuart Broad 14 - 2 - 45 - 0, Jack Leach 13 - 5 - 26 - 1, Matthew Potts 9.5 - 2 - 20 - 2, Jamie Overton 9 - 2 -34 - 1 (1w 1nb).

Ben Stokes 4 - 0 - 30 - 0 (1nb)

Mishka Beharry did well on the opening day THE Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) served off the first-ever World Badminton Day tournament on Friday with the event expected to conclude this weekend.

The two-day competition, which was sponsored

by Total Solutions, includes students of the Nursery Badminton Academy, a brainchild of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. In Friday’s opener at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, scores of players at all levels competed in varying events, including the Boys Under-11

Singles, the Girls U11 Singles, the Boys U15 Singles, the Girls U15 Singles, the Boys U19 Singles, the Girls U19 Singles, the Boys U23 Singles, the Girls U23 Singles, the Open Men’s Doubles and the Open Women’s Doubles.

The Open Men’s Doubles had a large field of competitors with several first-round clashes, including a win for national players Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey, one of the favourite pairs for the title.

Both players are also in the U23 Boys Singles and would likely be the front

runners. In their opening clashes, Haynes defeated Jonathan Debidin 21-14 and 21-17, while Jeffrey defeated A. Singh 21-9, 21-7.

National female champion Priyanna Ramdhani is expected to win the U23 Girls Singles. She gained a bye in her first round.

Young Mishka Beharry is also showing fight with an opening win in the U23 against J. DaSilva 21-10, 21-17. She also booked a place in the U15 Girls Singles final.

In the semi-final, she got past Malia Haley 21-5, 21-4. Naveah Eastman won the other semis with a win over Himanshi Kumar 21-8, 21-11.

In the Girls U19 Singles second round, Beharry claimed a victory against Eastman 21-14, 21-10, which gives her the edge in the U15 final.

World Badminton Day, which will be celebrated on July 5, is expected to bring people and communities together to experience fun and inclusive badminton, through a variety of active, engaging, and innovative badminton events.

Hayley Matthews takes over from Stafanie Taylor as West Indies Women’s Captain

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has announced that Hayley Matthews has been appointed as the West Indies Women’s Captain.

Matthews, who is one of the leading all-rounders in world cricket, will assume the leadership role from Stafanie Taylor ahead of the next West Indies Women’s Series, expected to be played later this year.

Taylor, the most successful female player in West Indies history and ranked among the all-time greats, has led the team for over seven years since 2015.

She was at the helm when West Indies won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016 and earlier this year when they reached the semi-finals of the ICC Wom-

en’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

CWI Women’s Selection Panel recommendation was ratified at the CWI Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, June 24.

“The selection panel has done a review of the team including the leadership. After this review the panel took the decision to recommend that Hayley Matthews takes over the role as captain,” said Lead Selector for Women’s cricket Ann Browne-John, who thanked Stafanie for her years in the role.

“Hayley has made notable progress over the years, serving as vice-captain of the West Indies Women’s Team and is the current Captain of her National Team, Barbados. She has matured as a

player and is one of the leading players worldwide with a good grasp of the game. Given the experience that she would have gained in both roles, we are confident this is the ideal time for her to step into the role of captain.

“We recognise that leading the team for seven years is a considerable achievement to which Stafanie has given huge levels of commitment and energy. We believe Stafanie is a world-class performer who will no doubt continue to add tremendous value to the team as one of the top all-rounders in the game.”

West Indies Women Head Coach Courtney Walsh endorsed the change in leadership.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

Sixteen athletes to represent Guyana at Caribbean Under-23 Games

SIXTEEN athletes through the disciplines of Athletics, 3x3 Basketball will represent Guyana at the inaugural Caribbean Under-23 Games to be hosted in Guadeloupe from June 29 – July 3.

This revelation was made on Saturday when the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) hosted a press briefing to announce the contingent.

The other disciplines being represented at the Games are Cycling, Futsal, Judo, and Netball in which 29 countries will be represented by around 800 athletes and 200 officials.

Guyana’s contingent

comprises: Athletics: Moses Pantilz (Coach), Chantoba Bright, Kenisha Phillips, Joanna Archer, Juvonna Cornette, Loneil Marks, Revon Williams and Keiron De Souza.

3×3 Basketball: Saleena Arjune (Coach), Stanton Rose, Timothy Thompson, Kimol Grimmond and Yonnick Tappin.

Swimming: Paul Mahaica (Coach), Zara Crane, Patrice Mahaica, Reakwon Noel, Sekhel Tzedeq and Paul Mahaica Jr. Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Deion Nurse, has been appointed Chef-de-Mission.

GOA representatives Garfield Wiltshire (sitting second right) and Deion Nurse (sitting second left) with some of the athletes and officials during a media briefing on Saturday (Photo: News Room)

America’s new sprint queen Jefferson set to face the dynamic duo of Jamaica

…Melissa Jefferson is ready to challenge Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and reigning world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the world championships

By Jean Cherry (REUTERS) – College

student Melissa Jefferson was stunned by an upset win in Fri-

day’s women’s 100m final, but she says she is ready for her next

Melissa Jefferson believes her fast run on Friday will give her a boost even though the time was wind-assisted. – (AFP)

big challenge – competing against the dynamic duo from Jamaica next month.

She will face two-time double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and defending world champion Shelley-Ann Fraser-Price at the World Championships, which will be held on the same track where Jefferson had just won the US title.

The relatively unknown Jefferson said after defeating top American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s race favorite, Elia Hobbs in a blazing 10.69 seconds assisted by the wind, “I (didn’t run against her) and I’m glad I got the chance.”

Richardson was out in the opening match on Thursday.

“I’m up for any challenge and anything that comes my way,” Jefferson said.

She has come a long way in just a few weeks.

Earlier this month the Coastal Carolina University sophomore was just eighth in the NCAA women’s 100-meter final, running in 11.24 seconds.

That’s a far cry from Thompson-Hera’s personal bests of 10.54 in Eugene last year and 10.60 Fraser-Price in 2021. Fraser-Price leads the world this year with 10.67.

But Jefferson, who was so unexpected to win this week that Track & Field News didn’t consider her a candidate for a top 10 spot at the US Championships, believes

her fast run on Friday will give her a boost, even if Time is windy – helped.

“I saw that 10.69 on the scoreboard was a very surreal moment for me and it gave me a little more confidence,” said the collegiate indoor women’s 60m champion, who clocked a personal best of 10.88 seconds of the 100m. “ I w o u l d n ’t s a y I doubt myself a lot, but I don’t fully understand what I can accomplish.”

But Jefferson also admitted that winning Friday was a blow.

“A little bit,” she said.

“I will be honest.

“It’s one of the biggest encounters of them all and the best of the best. Seeing the fruits of my hard work means everything.”

Mayers century puts Windies in dominant position

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Kyle Mayers goes on the attack during his unbeaten 126 against Bangladesh on Saturday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE June 26, 2022

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) – Left-hander Kyle Mayers struck a high quality unbeaten hundred as West Indies bounced back from a pre-lunch wobble to dominate Saturday’s second day of the second Test against Bangladesh.

The 29-year-old grabbed the headlines with 126 not out, a knock which powered West Indies to 340 for five at the close – a lead of 106 heading into day three of the contest at the Daren Sammy National Stadium.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite chipped in with 51, his opening partner John Campbell added 45 while vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood carved out 40 and Joshua Da Silva, an unbeaten 26 in support of Mayers in the final session when West Indies lost only one wicket.

The innings appeared to be taking a different complexion when West Indies lost three wickets for one run in the space of 12 balls in the

last 20 minutes before lunch, to decline to 134 for four.

But Mayers put on 116 with Blackwood for the fifth wicket before adding a further 92 in an unbroken sixth wicket stand with Da Silva, to dig West Indies out of a hole and put their noses in front.

Mayers has so far faced 180 deliveries in just over four hours and belted 15 fours and two sixes – the second of which raised his hundred about 45 minutes before the close.

The knock marked the first time in 15 months the Barbadian passed fifty, after launching his Test career with a magnificent unbeaten 210, also against Bangladesh in Chattogram last year February.

“I feel good. It’s been a while since I raised my bat in Test cricket,” Mayers said afterwards.

“Me and my teammates were speaking about it before this series and I told them I needed to get some runs.

“After coming from the Netherlands and scoring my first ODI hundred, my confidence was up and I told them this series I was looking forward to getting some runs.”

Resuming the morning on 67 without loss, still 167 runs in arrears, West Indies made a confident start as Brathwaite and Campbell stretched their opening stand to 100.

Brathwaite, on 30 at the start, faced 107 balls and counted seven fours while Campbell, on 32 overnight, struck half-dozen fours in a 79-ball knock.

The left-handed Jamaican perished with the hour mark approaching, gloving a pull at seamer Shoriful Islam through to the ’keeper and Brathwaite and Raymon Reifer (22) put on a further 31 for the second wicket which seemed to be taking the hosts to lunch safely, before chaos erupted.

Brathwaite played down the wrong line to off-spinner TURN TO PAGE 27

FIFA and CONCACAF visit Guyana to Barbados women retain Super50 title begin GFF statutes revision process SEE PAGE

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FIFA Member Association Manager, Sofia Malizia and One CONCACAF Manager Howard McIntosh meeting with the GFF newly-formed Statutes Revision Committee FIFA and CONCACAF completed a two-day mission in Guyana this week

as part of the consultation process to revise the Guyana Football Federation’s

(GFF) statutes, in order to align the GFF’s code of governance with the global

and regional governing bodies of football.

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Kyscia Knight ended unbeaten on 60 (7x4s) from 75 balls

Serena says she needed time to heal after rough 2021 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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| SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022