Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_27_02_2021

SATURDAY 27 th February, 2021

’ No. 106285

‘Suffering’ duplex purchasers to get relief PAGE

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Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

–– amendments to be made to Condominium Act this year

Audit so far unearths $300M financial 10 ‘skullduggery’ in Police Force PAGE

Guyana to receive 80,000 COVID-19 02 vaccines from India PAGE

Mom gives up kidney to save son’s life 04 PAGE

Aditya Mohabir (left) with his mother, Nadia Budwah

CEO of Linden Hospital Complex in ‘trouble’ for ‘Sweetman’ remark 07 PAGE

Four prisoners tunnel way out of Lethem lockup 04 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Guyana to receive 80,000 COVID-19 vaccines from India next week

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA will be receiving 80,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Government of India next week, as part of the commitment made by India to donate 500,000 vaccine doses to the Caribbean during its first phase of donations to the region.

On Friday, during his daily COVID-19 update, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, announced the donation from India. This, he said, was a “generous” donation from the South-Asian country to the Caribbean.

“We expect those doses to come into Guyana sometime next week,” Dr. Anthony said, explaining that bilateral talks are ongoing to finalise the data and time those vaccines would be received.

This Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured by the Serum Institute in India, and is called ‘Covishield’ in that country. The 80,000 doses Guyana will receive will allow for 40,000 persons to be immunised, since it is a two-dose vaccine.

It was reported that the

A dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being administered to Dr. Dave Persaud recently, at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown (Vishani Ragobeer photo) vaccine has an efficacy of 62 per cent, while it offers 100 per cent protection against the severe form of COVID-19, hospitalisation and death in a primary analysis of Phase III clinical trials.

However, according to a newer study from the Oxford University that is under review at the Lancet, a single standard dose of the vaccine provided 76 per cent protection (or efficacy) overall against symptomatic COVID-19 in the first 90 days (about three months). Then, vaccine efficacy reached 82.4 per cent after a second dose in those persons with a dosing interval of about 12 weeks.

And, Guyana has already begun rolling out this vaccine to some of its health care workers, working on the frontlines, since it received a donation of 3,000 doses from Barbados two weeks ago. Barbados, in fact, received 100,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India, and opted to send those 3,000 vaccines to Guyana.

Previously, during a virtual engagement with members of the media, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr K. J. Srinivasa highlighted that 500,000 vaccine doses would be donated by his country to the Caribbean, as part of that country’s vaccine maitri (friendship) initiative.

The acquisition of vac-

cines has been a challenge for small, developing states like those in the Caribbean. On Thursday, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in a statement, said it is ‘dissatisfied’ and ‘deeply’ concerned about the inequitable access to vaccines for Small Developing States, like those of the community.

CARICOM, as such, called for equitable access to vaccines in order to curb the impact of the pandemic, to protect its citizens and bolster the regional economy.

“As the virus does not discriminate, access to vaccines should not be discriminatory, with a few countries dominating the market with their resources and their volumes,” CARICOM said.

On Friday, Dr. Anthony noted that Caribbean countries are part of the COVAX facility, which is a global initiative geared at accelerating the development and manufacture of the COVID-19 vaccines, and then providing them in a guaranteed rapid, fair and equitable manner to those countries which need them.

However, Dr. Anthony noted, “With COVAX, we haven’t really seen that rapid deployment of vaccines.

We’re hoping that maybe sometime next week, we’d see vaccines coming to the region and shortly after that we’ll get adequate doses as proposed through the mechanism.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

‘Suffering’ duplex purchasers to get relief –– amendments to be made to Condominium Act this year

By Rabindra Rooplall FAILURE to amend the Condominium Act to include duplexes has resulted in further suffering for Guyanese who purchased such properties under the Coalition Government since insurance, title, or collateral value cannot be derived from such properties.

This was revealed by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Friday during the Budget Debates in the National Assembly.

Noting that dozens of duplexes built by the Coalition lack the legislative support they need, Minister Croal said between 2010 and 2015, 22,964 houses were given out to Guyanese under the PPP/C Government.

“The fact is, Mr. Speaker, even when the Coalition had one big idea for housing, even that they could not get right! Their big idea? Let’s introduce duplexes! And they proceeded to have contractors construct duplexes but did not think to have the Condominium Act amended to include this type of house,” Minister Croal explained.

He added: “The result is, those citizens who invested their hard-earned dollars into those houses cannot get insurance or titles and even more worrying is that banks are not amenable to holding duplexes as collateral!

How could any Minister of Housing with an ounce of sense allow this to happen?”

Further, he said under the Coalition, only 7,534 house lots were handed out during their term with 2,000 alone “being for elections gimmick and the period when they were illegally clinging to power”.

By mid of this year, he underscored that Minister of Legal Affairs, Minister Anil Nandalall will be bringing legislation to amend the Condomini-

um Act to allow banks to accept titles for those houses, insurance companies to issue policies to those homeowners, and, more importantly, allow the homeowners to access loans, for expansion.

Because of these and many other failures of the Coalition Government, in Housing and Water sector, along with other sectors, Minister Croal said housing has received a total allocation of $8.9 Billion of which $6 billion is for infrastructure and utility works in new and existing areas, “all aiding in advancing our commitment of allocating a minimum of 50,000 house lots to citizens within our first term”.

This year, 2021 alone, he said the Government intends to allocate over 10,000 house lots and 7,000 land titles to citizens, many of whom have been waiting for years to own their homes.

“Let the House be reminded that in just four months in office, 3,600 house lots and 413 titles were handed over to citizens. This year, we will also build 1,000 homes for low-income earners and young professionals and residents of Region 10 will also benefit from the construction of 1,000 homes through public– private partnerships, with community involvement in every step of the way,” he said.

Over these five years, Minister Croal said citizens will benefit from the construction of new roads, bridges, water, and electrical distribution networks, and improved drainage in all 10 regions.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS He explained that new developments including the construction of roads, bridges, drainage, water, and electrical distribution networks will be undertaken to complete in-

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during his budget presentation Friday frastructure development works in most regions.

“Our 2021 National Housing Development Programme will include the construction of 1,000 low-income and Young Professional Housing Units in Region Four Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Providence, Little Diamond, and Great Diamond; in Region Three – Onderneeming and Wales; Region Six -- Ordinance/ Fortlands, Hampshire and Williamsburg; and Region 10– Amelia’s Ward,” the Housing Minister said.

He added: “Mr. Speaker the Hinterland and Amerindian communities are no exception. The record of the PPP/C with respect to their development speaks for itself. In the area of housing we will therefore commence the construction of 100 homes this year for hinterland communities,” he said.

He explained that Government will continue the road construction to complete the access from Great Diamond to Mandela with the construction of the four-lane highway and heavy-duty bridges from Mandela Avenue to Eccles as well as the heavy-duty access bridge at Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara.

“Mr. Speaker, in addition to other users from

the East Bank, West Coast and West Bank, in excess of 20,000 residents will directly benefit from the new access road and 100,000 indirectly. Persons will now have a choice of access which they didn’t have before,” he said.

Not only is the Government providing affordable housing in sustainable and well-developed communities but Minister Croal said private-sector partners also contribute to the housing drive.

“And so to ease the burden of high construction materials cost, we have removed VAT from locally produced building and construction materials including sand, stone, concrete blocks, plywood, logs, and lumber.

This means Mr. Speaker that those persons who are house lot beneficiaries can look forward to paying cheaper prices for building materials,” the Housing Minister said.

SINGLE WINDOW APPROVAL SYSTEM Additionally, he noted that Government will soon implement a Single Window approval system for the Planning Permission Process which will greatly reduce processing time.

“It is no secret Mr.

Speaker, that the process to obtain a Planning Permit is painstaking, frustrating, and really a headache.

Potential business owners are saddled with the responsibility of running back and forth to a number of Government agencies, including the Guyana Fire Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and many others just to check the status of their permit.

The PPP/C Government has promised to improve the ease of doing business and so bottlenecks like I’ve described will negatively affect this goal of ours,” Minister Coral said.

He said the Planning Permute Process will be reorganised and recalibrated to be more efficient and ultimately more effective.

“My ministry will ensure that the necessary investments are made to enhance, strengthen and modernise the capacity of the staff and the technology used in the process.

I’m happy to report that we have already begun the preliminary work to revamp the process. During the next few weeks, all local democratic organs will be provided with a detailed list of documents that must be submitted and a revised Building Application Form. These two measures alone will significantly reduce the processing time,” he explained.

Noting that the priority of making life easier for citizens is not limited to house lot allottees, Minister Croal said that, for the first time, homeowners will now get extra monies because the low-income mortgage ceiling was raised to $12M at Commercial Banks and $15M at the New Building Society.

This intervention, he said, was highly anticipated by homeowners as it means that their interest rates will be lower and that other commercial banks will now have to become more competitive.

“This also means that citizens will now be able to access higher loans and it follows that they can now do more on their houses, their monthly installments will be reduced as a result of lower rates and, overall, citizens will be the winners,” Minister Croal said.

In the water sector, the minister noted that GWI was on the verge of a financial collapse despite the steep tariff increases by the previous Government. It had a significant operating loss of $1.1billion.

“So dire was its situation that it had to rely on bank overdraft facilities to finance its operations. Sadly, but predictably for the Coalition strategies, overdrafts totaling $270million did nothing to alleviate its losses,” he added.

Highlighting some of the issues, Minister Croal said employment costs had skyrocketed since 2015, rental of buildings, and debt plagued the entity. In August 2020, GWI debt to suppliers totaled $783M. “And even worse, over 5,000 customers were denied service connections because basic inventory levels of service connection materials that are required to provide a service had deteriorated. Also, in August 2020, the new management inherited over 8,000 water leaks which had been ignored for the period 2015 to August 2020,” he said.

But there’s good news.

The Housing Minister said under the stewardship of CEO Shaik Baksh, GWI has collected 5.3 billion dollars in revenue, an increase of 1 billion dollars over 2019 and this during COVID. “Its debt is reduced, it did not access its overdraft facility, and overall its financial situation has improved.

And this has happened in less than seven months and without burdening our pensioners,” he added.

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Four prisoners tunnel way out of Lethem ‘lockup’ FOUR prisoners, on Friday, escaped from the Lethem lock-ups after tunn-elling their way out of their cell.

The prisoners were identified as Jack King Paul, 36, of Kwatamang Village, North Rupununi; Clarence Rodney, 20, of Lethem Central Rupununi; Venezuelan Yon Rogg Hernandez, 26, called “John Roberts” of Tabatinga, Lethem; and Venezuelan Xarlos Edwards Thomas, 18, of Tabatinga, Lethem.

The incident occurred between 00:05hrs and 07:00hrs at the Lethem Police Station lockup. One prisoner of Tabatinga, Le-

them, Central Rupununi, who is in custody for assault, alerted ranks of the absence of the prisoners from the lockup.

Police, on discovering the men missing, noted that a metal rod, measuring one foot, was found on the

Clarence Rodney

Yon Rogg Hernandez called ‘John Roberts’

eastern side of the lockup next to a ‘dug hole’ in the ground, measuring three feet in width, length and depth and had an exit point.

The surface of the ‘dug hole’ had a two-inch layer of concrete with red sand beneath.

Efforts are being made to locate the prisoners as investigation continues.

The three-foot hole that was dug by the prisoners

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Mother gives kidney to save son’s life SIX months after he was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, 15-year-old Aditya Mohabir is now able to return to a normal life after his mother donated one of her kidneys.

End-stage renal failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is defined as the “final, permanent stage” of chronic kidney disease. At this stage, kidney function declines to the point where the kidneys can no longer function on their own.

The kidney transplant was performed on February 8 by Head of Department for Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery, Dr Kishore Persaud and team at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“Aditya was diagnosed with chronic renal failure six months ago, and he was placed on haemodialysis.

This caused tremendous stress to him and his family, generally. Coming from a single parent family, and diagnosed with kidney failure, brings on tremendous stress to his family, especially during this pandemic,” Dr Persaud highlighted, during a press conference on Friday.

The doctor went on to explain that the transplant, made possible with direct intervention from the President of Guyana, Honourable

Aditya Mohabir (left) and his mother, Nadia Budwah Dr Irfaan Ali; the Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, the Ministry of Health, and corporate sponsors, would not only help Aditya return to a life of normalcy, but would also alleviate the financial burden of dialysis and additional medication, which was expensive to source.

“What kidney failure did to this young man, is convert him from being an independent to a dependent child, meaning that he solely depended on the machine to stay alive, and on his family

and all these corporations for the medicines to keep him alive,” he explained.

However, with close monitoring, Dr Persaud assured that Aditya can live a normal life. Eventually, the young man will be able to return to school, work and carry on life as per normal.

“It felt great, because I knew to myself that I was doing something good, for Aditya, and I think that persons out there should not be afraid to be a donor. They should come forward, and

for whoever needs a kidney or so on, they should go forward [to help them]. Don’t be scared. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Aditya’s mother, Nadia Budwah expressed.

The 32-year-old woman expressed happiness at her son being able to return to a normal life, although she has said that it will be a while before everything can fully return to a state of normalcy.

“I am speaking on behalf of him, he is excited and he can’t wait to go home and show people what he went through and now he got back a normal life, he’s proud to show off right now,” Nadia said.

The mother also took the opportunity to express her sincere gratitude to everyone who supported her and her son throughout their journey.

“I would like to say thanks to everyone who supported us throughout the dialysis and so on, and continue to do the good work and look out for everyone else out there. Keep helping other people the same way you helped me,” the young woman concluded.

Also present at the media briefing were Dr Anthony, CEO of the GPHC, and the Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery team.

Court throws out M&CC’s $517M tax claim against Houston Estates HIGH Court judge, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, recently ruled that the Plantation Houston Sugar Estates Company Limited

does not owe the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) $517M in taxes.

The company, which is

Saturday February 27, 2021 – 04:30hrs

owed by Guyanese businessman, Michael Vieira had taken the City Council to court over accusations of tax fraud which were levelled against the proprietors of the estate.

City Mayor Ubraj Narine had accused the estate owners of selling lands in the Houston, East Bank Demerara area for billions of dollars without remitting the rightful taxes to the council.

In 2019, City Hall went as far as to halt the company’s land sale transaction.

However, the representatives of the estate had denied all accusations, claiming instead that the council had agreed to waive the taxes in exchange for estate cleaning and desilting of the canals in Houston and the surrounding areas.

On February 22, Justice Harnanan found that the City Council acted in excess of its statutory jurisdiction, improperly and unreasonably exercised its discretion in its decision to issue the General Rate Demand Notices 2019 and 2020, to charge the applicant rates on the properties at 400% their assessed value, and also to charge interest on purported arrears of rates compounded daily at 21%.

He also found that the City Council acted without the ambit of its power under

sections 202, 204, 206, 209, 216 and 218 of the Municipal and District Councils Act (MDCA) when it purported to issue the General Rate Demand Notices 2019 and 2020.

This resulted in the court granting an Order of Certiorari directing that City Council quash its decision to charge $517,112,222 in rates to the applicant in respect of its properties situated at South Half Plantation Houston and North and South Halves Plantation Rome.

It was further ordered and declared that the decision taken by the council in 2005 to increase rates payable on the properties from 40%, their assessed value, to 400% that value, was an unreasonable exercise of its discretion and ultra vires the power of the council under the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap. 28:01 [MDCA]. Noting that the decision was void, the court in its ruling quashed and set it aside.

Lasty, the court ordered that the applicant was not indebted to the council for payment of rates in respect of the properties as set out in the said General Rate Demand Notices 2019 and 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Manickchand categorises Coalition as chronic ‘non-starters’ –– says on-line programme that benefitted five Coalition ministers will now benefit 4,500+ students

By Navendra Seoraj WITH on-line learning moving from just an alternative form of acquiring knowledge outside of a physical space to a mandatory element of delivering education because of a pervasive pandemic, the Ministry of Education has committed to investing in electronic mechanisms, with $1 billion already being set aside for a national on-line learning institute.

Through this programme, which is catered for in the government’s proposed $383.1 billion Budget 2021, over 4,500 Guyanese will be able to access and benefit from undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD courses, delivered by accredited and internationally recognised universities.

This programme, while not new, had benefitted only senior government functionaries of the former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand Change (APNU+AFC) coalition administration, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand argued during her presentation on day three of the budget debate.

“The programmes we have are available through the Indira Gandhi National Open University, UWI Open Campus and the International University of Applied Sciences in Germany. It will be benefiting 4,540 students just this

year. It had benefited five ministers [APNU+AFC], but we serve the people without apology,” Minister Manickchand said in her dynamic presentation.

Moments before the minister presented this and other “big plans” for the sector, former Education Minister Nicolette Henry, in an attempt to defend the previous administration’s track-record, said the coalition had planted seeds which she is very proud of.

Among those seeds which the minister boasted of planting was the initiation of on-line training for teachers through the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the ProFuturo Foundation.

But, like a farmer on a sunny day, Minister Manickchand was evidently ready to uproot those ‘seeds’ and showcase the fruits of her own labour.

“On the issue of the APNU+AFC starting projects, their problem is just that they are fancy talkers.

Everything sounds right, but their problem is they cannot deliver,” Manickchand argued, noting that the ProFuturo project was implemented by the new government.

She went on to criticise the former administration, particularly Henry, by saying: “Henry was unable to

deliver on any project…all the projects you started we are rolling them out now.

You could not get it done… this budget demonstrates clearly a difference in sight, philosophy and ideology between the parties.”

Minister Manickchand even went as far as to call out the Coalition for their untruth about a project that was not initiated by their administration -- the smart classroom project.

ERRONEOUS CLAIM The Coalition had claimed that 11 schools were equipped with smart classrooms, but the education minister quickly dismantled this ‘falsity,’ by saying: “That is not true… we got about setting up those classrooms… the classrooms did not exist, the teachers said they did not exist, the students said they did not exist, we are insisting that the smart classrooms do not exist.

It is important we do not buy into those fibs.”

From dispelling untruths, Minister Manickchand switched her attention to Henry’s contention that Budget 2021 does not cater for sustainable man-

Opposition Member of Parliament Nicolette Henry agement of COVID-19, particularly in the education sector.

Contrary to Henry’s claims, the minister said measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 were instituted since the passage of Budget 2020, in September last year.

“The Budget [2021] caters for the continuation [of these measures],” Minister Manickchand said, adding that one of the first initiatives was the increased utilisation of the learning channel.

The same resources were available to the Coalition, but it took a new government to effectively utilise those resources in a pandemic, she said.

To further expand the reach of those resources, particularly the learning channel, the Education Ministry has budgeted $500 million for this institution. This allocation will cater for the creation of six additional learning channels.

“We will take it to every single Amerindian village… We have given them television sets, solar panels and lights… it is something we do that is tangible,” Manickchand said.

To further extend their reach, the ministry will be establishing its own radio station, since there are communities which still depend on this medium for information.

Specific to measures aimed at mitigating the effects of COVID-19, the ministry plans to increase its production of worksheets and training of teachers.

Minister Manickchand said $150 million has also been allocated for virtual training programmes for teachers.

“Five years from now we will churn out the most trained teachers… we have now the most persons enrolled to go and train to become teachers,” the minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Bright future for agriculture

AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha informed Parliament this week during the debate on the national budget that this country will develop a great agriculture sector, with the Chronicle reporting that the minister wants to see Guyana become an “agricultural powerhouse”, with a strong, sturdy farming and agro-processing industry that serves the purpose of providing Guyanese with food security at all times, even acting as a cushion for the nation against times of challenges, and that generates jobs across the country, especially in rural areas, and that helps the public with national nutritional requirements.

With its rich, fertile, vast swaths of land all along the coastal belt, and also in parts of the hinterland, Guyana’s soul pulsates to the heartbeat of its agriculture-friendly land, with the Guyanese people emerging out of sugar plantations and rice fields as slaves and poor labourers in the colonial system, to today own their own paradise under the tropical sun. Throughout its history, this country has looked to the land for its sustenance and growth and development. Out of the land comes not only the wealth of the gold and mining sector, but the food and nutrition that are so basic to survival.

At one time, Guyana’s biggest dream was to become the breadbasket of the Caribbean, and to see every corner of the country planted with thriving kitchen gardens.

Today, the nation aims for bigger industrial scale development, and so the minister sets out to build a sector

that serves a deeper purpose, one that is refined and ready to take on big investments, both local and foreign, that sees scaled-up dynamic activities in the fisheries, livestock, cash-crop, and rice and sugar sub-sectors.

These sections already do relatively well, and they have survived whatever economic travails the country has had to face, including suspension placed on exports, with the fisheries sector particularly resilient, but also livestock doing well, with the poultry industry always able to rebound from shocks. Minister Mustapha laid out the sad decline of the entire agriculture sector over the five years from 2015 to 2020, but he announced the good news that the sector is overcoming those years fast, and is already seeing growth across all areas.

Minister Mustapha stands out for the visionary role he takes on, for the sector over which he presides is Guyana’s heart and soul. In his approach to the sugar industry, and in his interaction with the public across the country, and in his big thinking about the possibilities of Guyana’s agricultural potential, the minister exercises a leadership confidence that would inspire farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural space with deep motivation to apply their shoulders to the wheel and ramp up Guyana’s reputation on the global scene as a food producer of excellence, with ripe opportunities for international partnerships and local participation, especially local farmers partnering with diaspora entrepreneurs.

Such is the blessedness of this awesome land that Guyanese call the

homeland, that among the nations of the world this country could choose to position its agriculture sector to be a global player, and focus only on that, and yet succeed. With the lay of the land, abundant water sources, rich fishing prospects, the tropical sun warming the fields and the rainy season bringing luscious freshness to the greenery, and livestock roaming across fine savannah flatlands in Berbice and the Abary and Essequibo and Leguan and Wakenaam, that even were Guyana to focus on developing its agricultural riches alone, with good governance and social justice for the people who work the land, as this government demonstrates with real teeth and concrete actions, such as tax breaks and incentives, this fascinating country would still dominate the Caribbean and this part of the Americas.

The oil-and-gas sector commands a lot of attention these days, because it serves as an existential catalyst for rapid scaling up of the nation’s socioeconomic well-being. The mining sector and forestry always played a major role in the economy. The wider agricultural potential seems to historically fall into a kind of taken-for-granted state, with the livestock and poultry sections historically garnering a bit more attention than cash crops, apart from sugar and rice. But Guyanese built this country on the backs of hard-working sugar and rice cultivators and kitchen-garden families.

Guyana’s soul comes wrapped up in its tilling of the land, in its intimate relationship with agriculture.

As Agriculture Minister, the most joyous job in the government falls into the lap of Minister Mustapha, and it is heart-gladdening to see that he tackles the task with clear-sighted commitment, a heart of energetic passion, and a deep desire to see farmers and workers in the agriculture sector rise to a status of respect and love across the country.

Every Guyanese knows what joy and peace settle on the heart when moving across the coastal belt, seeing rolling acres of rice fields and sugar cane fields and cattle and horses grazing in open pastures under the hot sun, or on a light tropical rainy day, the beauty of the Guyana landscape enriching the soul with its agricultural layout providing an aesthetic peace, and also solid food security.

As the nation becomes a global star in the oil-and-gas sector, and as macroeconomic development ramps up to developed-world status, it is with great contentment that one considers the words of Minister Mustapha in Parliament this week during the budget debate. It is the most wonderful sight to see thriving farms, fresh lush fruits and vegetables harvested off the local land feeding the nation, and those amazing pastures stretching from coast to coast where cattle graze in calm, peaceful content under the Guyana sun.

Agriculture would always be the nation’s cradle, an assured solid foundation with such on-the-ground heart-leadership as Minister Mustapha is providing for the agriculture sector.

Budget 2021 is focused and fresh

Dear Editor,

I AM very pleased with the provisions made in Budget 2021.

It’s a breath of fresh air to hear the Senior Minister of Finance announce an allocation of over $1B to tackle our sanitation issue in the country, and another $1.1B to tackle the issue of community development in the 70 local democratic organs and 10 municipalities. I am even more excited that we will get to see how government spends the over $522M for

NDCs. I am proud of these intended allocations as this signal’s that the administration is serious about our democratic organs and their development.

One only needs to look at the situation in the Better Hope/LBI NDC as a prime example of government taking care of its citizens needs through the councillors. We have started an unprecedented community project where we are going around to every area meeting the residents and listening to their concerns in the communities.

We are getting ready with the help of the government and the businesses to fix our roads and bridges in the area that were being willfully neglected by the previous administration. The NDC has been trying to get its work done with its citizens. We are meeting the community workers and letting them know how much work we are expecting to get done while extending our gratitude to them for staying and answering our calls during this COVID-19 pandemic phase.

All the help is needed from the Region-

al Democratic Council to make our jobs much easier this year. I hope that we will build a relationship stronger than the one we have developed during the one of the past administration.

Also, our plans for the upgrade of our fields and community centre are taking shape. We welcome this budget and seek to partner to get the work done.

Yours sincerely, Zaman Shaw

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Linden Hospital CEO in trouble for –– wants him transferred, not fired ‘Sweetman’ remark THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), on Friday, announced that it had written to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, over comments made by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linden Hospital Complex, Rudy Small, about the nurses at the health facility.

This development came on the same day that Small issued a statement, in which he claimed that irrelevant “salacious commentary” was added to the article which contained the remark.

“The reporter added salacious commentary alleging certain inappropriate behavior of nurses led to the decision to introduce an electronic timekeeping system. At no time in the formal interview did I ascribe the need for a timekeeping system to be related to the rumored behavior of nurses or any other staff,” he said.

On Thursday, Small was quoted as claiming that some of the night duty nurses at the hospital would often clock in for duty but then leave

Linden Hospital CEO, Rudy Small the hospital to engage in extra-marital affairs with their “sweetman”, before returning in the morning to clock out.

Small, in his statement, noted that while there is a legitimate problem with some nurses leaving the hospital without authorization while on duty, unsupported rumors have developed as to the reason for this.

“In mid-February, a reporter inquired into requested funding for the introduction of an Electronic Timekeeping System. I explained that among the several challenges the Linden Hospital Complex

face is a small number of staff members signing in to work and then disappearing until the end of their shifts,” he said.

He further claimed that after the interview, he had a casual conversation with the reporter during which off-therecord comments were made.

“At the end of the interview, off the record, the reporter and I engaged in casual banter. During that off-record conversation, certain popular rumors relating to the issue of disappearing staff members were highlighted,” the official explained.

Small has since refuted that rumors of staff leaving the hospital for extra-marital encounters has anything to do with the introduction of the timekeeping system, and says he was shocked to see that they were included in the article.

“Those rumors have nothing to do with the introduction of a timekeeping system at the hospital. These rumors relating to behavior of nursing staff have been part of the folklore in this community

long before my arrival as the CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex,” Small said.

Small highlighted that rumors aside, the issue with timekeeping at the hospital is still one that needs to be addressed in order for the smooth functioning of the facility.

“In addressing the problem of tardiness and incomplete shifts, management in no way failed to recognize the hard work and diligence of the majority of staff members of the Linden Hospital Complex. I am proud of the work our staff has been doing, but we are not perfect,” Small said.

He went on to explain the need for a timekeeping system.

“Efforts like adding a timekeeping system is not meant to denigrate the staff, but to reduce and eliminate the imperfection that exists at our hospital. We will continue to identify those aspects that represent our weaknesses so that we can improve the service we provide to the citizens of Linden and Region

GPSU President, Patrick Yarde 10.”

Meanwhile, the GPSU has since described the reported comment as “irresponsible”, “inappropriate”, and “unprofessional”.

The GPSU held a press conference on Friday.

“The union wrote Minister of Health asking for him to take appropriate action which we hope will result in the separation of the CEO from the institution,” GPSU President Patrick Yarde stated.

Yarde made it clear that GPSU is not calling for the CEO to be fired, as the Union was not looking to contribute

to someone losing his/her job during the pandemic. However, the union wants him transferred from the hospital.

It was noted that the CEO’s utterances could cause “serious disruptions in families of the healthcare workers, and asserted that it could even possibly contribute to increasing the domestic violence situation facing the country.

“His utterances purporting that nurses are engaging in extra-marital affairs is scandalous and exposes himself, his office and agency to significant legal sanctions and litigation.

The nurses attached to the Linden Hospital Complex has expressed a loss of all confidence in his ability to effectively carry the functions of his office, a position wholeheartedly shared by the GPSU,” the letter to the minister said.

“Consequently, the Union looks forward to you taking appropriate action with dispatch,” it added.

Small has since met with the nurses on the issue.

Putting things into context Dear Editor, I AM seeking space in your newspapers to highlight a part of my presentation to the National Assembly, on Monday 22nd February 2021.

The transcript of the relevant extract of my presentation is as follows: “There were poor procurement practices and I say this without fear of contradiction, because there is proof! I do not know if it was plain incompetence or corruption.

I do not know whether it was a case of spending the monies in such a way that some particular suppliers can get the contracts. I don’t know what practices, what rules were followed Mr Speaker. I do not know why the

technical staff were not consulted! Unto this day I still cannot understand how a veterinary anesthetic machine was bought in Region 6, to use on humans. And here is more proof of either gross incompetence or complete mismanagement, Mr Speaker.

The rehabilitation department of the Ministry of Health, this time Centrally, at around 2017, requested a piece of equipment to assist with persons having lung problems. That piece of equipment can be useful to persons with lung and breathing issues, especially the bed-ridden and CVA/ Stroke patients. The request was made for a “MECHANICAL CHEST VIBRATOR” - a vibrating machine/equipment that is placed flat on the chest area to stimulate the lungs.

The then Ministry of Public Health bought a vibrating dildo instead! For the Rehab dept to use on the patients!

Can you imagine the consternation of the Rehab staff? Unto today when they speak of it you can hear the disgust in their voices.

Mr Speaker how can that be explained? Incompetence? Ignorance? Corruption? Or a combination of all three? Mr Speaker that is typical and classic as to how the health system was managed in Guyana by the APNU/AFC in the period 2015 to 2020 July!”

Mr. Editor, this is to bring into context the demonstration of the dildo that was bought by the last administration instead of the requested “mechanical chest vibrator”. The

Six months of progress Dear Editor, THE first six months of this administration have been challenging but there has been a lot of progress.

Roads, bridges, public buildings, housing, health, social welfare, accountabil-

ity, power supply, energy and farming among others have improved.

Since becoming President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has governed for all of Guyana. He has provided support and programmes for all Guyanese regardless of political and ethnic affiliation. He has taken mea-

sures and reached out to the opposition for national reconciliation following the five months efforts to rig the elections.

The Guyanese diaspora I spoke with in America pray for his success.

As the country marked a national day last Tuesday, it is noted that the

demonstration of proof of the APNU+AFC’s incompetence has gotten a lot of comments in social media and the newspapers, whilst the context in which it was used was ignored.

It is unfortunate that the media and social media seemed to have been less outraged about the fact that patients who could have been helped by the purchase of the mechanical chest vibrator were left to suffer due to the procurement of the wrong piece of equipment .

I do hope this brings some clarity and closure to the issue.

Yours sincerely, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo PPP Member of Parliament President has taken measures to uplift the national prestige of the country and the patriotic spirit of Guyanese. Strident measures have been made to develop the human and natural resources of the country.

Plans have been announced for knowledge, technology and vocational education for youths to develop skills so as to uplift national capabilities.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Curfew remains; cinemas still closed

By Vishani Ragobeer AS Guyana heads towards the one-year mark since the first case of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was first detected here, there will be no further relaxations of any of the COVID-19 Emergency measures instituted to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to peruse an advance copy of the guidelines which will take effect from March 1 until March 31. As per these guidelines, which will be published in the Official Gazette, the nationwide curfew remains from 22:30 hrs (10:30 PM) to 04:00 hrs (4 AM).

The COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 15) also stated that no person shall host, attend or visit a cinema, except a drive-in cinemas; a

private party; a banquet, ball or reception; a public hotel, swimming pool or waterpark; a wake or vigil; a club or discotheque; a meeting of any fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organisation; or, any other social activity.

Last month, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, highlighted that if cinemas installed special air filters -- known as Hepa air filters -- they would be allowed to reopen. Cinemas would have to ensure that there would be adequate social distancing and strictly no eating, so that patrons could keep their masks on at all times.

Cinemas, in particular, have been particularly hardhit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures enforced to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus. None of the local movie theatres have been operational since

March last year. With these updated guidelines, therefore, it means that cinemas would have been closed for an entire year.

Gyms and fitness centres, restaurants and bars and places of worship are, however, allowed to operate at a limited capacity, once all health and safety guidelines are in place.

In the updated measures, as stated in prior measures, the Ministry of Health noted that public and private sector entities are permitted to operate, once the health and safety guidelines are adhered to, and that each employer takes steps to ensure that the risk of transmission of the virus among workers is minimised.

These newer measures, however, stated that workplace measures should address the resumption of work after a period of quarantine or isolation that was approved

A theatre at Caribbean Cinemas Guyana at the Giftland Mall by the Ministry of Health.

As per these guidelines, too, the Lethem Crossing (at the Takutu Bridge) remains closed, except on Thursdays,

where the crossing of essential goods and supplies is permitted. Flights to and from Brazil are strictly prohibited.

The recently reopened

Moleson Creek crossing shall be allowed to operate three days per week, as determined by the Ministry of Health.

28 new COVID-19 cases, 95 recoveries recorded

THE Ministry of Health has recorded, for February 25, 28 new COVID-19 cases and 95 recoveries from the 763 tests conducted within a 24-hour period.

Of the new cases, eight were recorded in Region Three, 17 in Region Four, and three in Region Five.

No other region recorded new cases.

There are currently four persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Thirty-seven persons remain institutionally isolated, while 332 persons are isolated at home. Eleven persons are institutionally quarantined.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www. health.gov.gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Dr. Mahadeo: Development in Region Six nosedived under Coalition

By Rabindra Rooplall REGION SIX under the Coalition Government saw progress being stymied because of systematic decisions made by the former Regional Executive Officers (REO) that resulted in planned work by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) being cancelled.

This is according to Government Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Vishwa Mahadeo during budget presentation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

“Mr Speaker, one might be tempted to ask why wasn’t there progress in Region Six over the period 2015 – 2020; after all, the PPP/C had won Region Six and the RDC handsomely and were majority in the Council with a PPP/C elected Chairman?

The answer is simple. The REO, the accounting officer, the person who decided and approved spending of RDC Six budget and who headed the Regional Tender Board, was appointed by the APNU/ AFC. According to the Regional Chairman, The REO from 2015 to July 2020 did not carry out the mandate, the decisions and requests of the RDC. As such, the RDC did not get to carry out its planned works,” Dr. Mahadeo noted.

Currently, he said the RDC under a new REO is rectifying and repairing the damaged system.

Within the last months of 2020, Dr. Mahadeo said works started in rehabilitating and fixing the damage done by the APNU+AFC in Region Six.

“Schools and health facilities were repaired.

Equipment was serviced and repaired where necessary.

Streets were fixed and the communities were consulted when this 2021 budget was prepared. The development includes $293M for bridges and roads for public works; in education $237M (159M repairs of buildings; 42M on furniture and 36M on two buses); in health $235M (150M on Maternity ward, Infectious Unit NAH, Skeldon Hospital, $70M on equipment) and theatre at Skeldon Hospital,” he said.

He reflected that a theatre was being constructed at Skeldon Hospital in 2014 to ‘roll-over’ for completion in 2015, but the project also felt the destructive touch of the APNU+AFC Gov’t and it was never completed.

Instead, he said other services are now being offered in that building. In 2021, “we have budgeted for an operating theatre for the Skeldon Hospital, so patients from the upper Corentyne and from up the Corentyne River, Orealla and Siparuta can get surgeries right in Skeldon,” he told the House.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mahadeo said for five years, the National Ophthalmology Hospital was allowed to deteriorate.

Not only were medical equipment not working, but he also revealed that the building was leaking, air-conditions were not functioning, staff was demotivated and no consumables, drugs, and medical supplies were available.

“The once national pride

PPP/C Member of Parliament, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo became a national disgrace under APNU+AFC. Mr Speaker, in 2014, there was no backlog of cataract cases in Guyana; however, to date, we have already identified over 1,200 persons who will need cataract surgery! This is an indictment on the APNU+AFC,” Dr. Mahadeo said.

He said that two weeks ago, after some major works and repairs to the building and equipment, the National Ophthalmology Hospital started doing surgeries once again, 16 cataract surgeries and Pterygium surgeries were done.

“This will continue.

There is hope for the cataract patients once again.

Nearly $100M is budgeted to make this facility fully functional again. Mr Speaker, Guyana is rising from ruins and destruction and rising rapidly,” he told the House.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Audit so far unearths $300M financial ‘skullduggery’ in Police Force

“THERE seems to be a revolving door between police finances and the police welfare fund.”

This was the assertion made by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who informed the

National Assembly last night that the recent detection of missing monies within the finance

department of the Guyana Police Force, has since spiralled to $300 million.

“An investigation is underway,” he said. In defending the budgetary allocations towards his Ministry, Benn indicated that the monies are needed and will be utilised strategically to address “rising crime which has taken advantage of the lapses due to the pandemic”.

The minister proceeded to highlight updated crime statistics which show an overall reduction in serious crimes by 6.9 per cent.

“This reduction is predicated on the effects of the stay-at-home imperative required by protection from the pandemic, as robbery under arms with guns, robbery with violence, breaking and entering with larceny and burglary show declines, but murders increased by 13 per cent,” Benn noted.

He said that the yearto-date figures [2021] have so far shown a decline in serious crimes by 40.3 per cent. “This is viewed as a response to an increase in vehicles, motorcycle patrols and also improving keenness of police ranks,” he noted.

Benn also pointed to a number of matters are currently being investigated by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU).

“Investigation into the procurement of consultancy services for the feasibility study and design for the Demerara Harbour Bridge; conspiracy to defraud country… on the 25th of January 2021 – David Patterson, former Minister of Public Infrastructure; Rawlston Adams, former GM

requested that the prison system plants 4,000 fruit trees to help improve the diet of the prisoners. I have asked the Minister of Agriculture for four shade houses to act as nurseries,” Benn said.

He reminded of the State’s responsibility to rehabilitate prisoners and to return them to useful work in the society.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, defending the budgetary allocations made to his Ministry [General Manager] of the Demerara Harbour Bridge; both pleaded not guilty and were placed on $200,000 bail,” Benn told the House.

He continued: “Money laundering investigation – Aubrey Norton, Martinez Seepersaud, money laundering investigation with regards to Yuri Garcia Dominguez; SOCU versus Michael Bagot, Civil Recovery Case; investigation with Shervington Lovell for drug-related offences; investigation with respect to the alleged illegal sale and lease of NICIL lands… investigation with respect to the Immigration and Support Services Department.”

The minister also reflected on the need for changes within the Guyana Police Force as well as the Guyana Prison Service. “The need for better professionalism and empathy,” the Home Affairs Minister posited.

“I have repeatedly told the agencies that I don’t want prisoners beaten, I don’t want their food taken away; I have

HARMONY Minister Benn in his presentation reflected on the state of the National Assembly, reflected on the distasteful engagements being carried on within the Parliament. “ If Guyana is to become better and be at peace and have harmony, it has to begin in this House and arise out of reasonable, responsible debate, based on facts,” Benn emphasised.

“I don’t know how we can achieve this unity if we continue to have engagements of this type in this House,” Benn lamented.

He also blasted the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+ AFC) members for “throwing up irresponsible statements” which he believes are used as a means of “playing victims” even against hard facts.

Nonetheless, Benn expressed his full appreciation and support towards Budget 2021, and encouraged his colleagues in the opposition benches to add their support to the document.

He concluded that the aim of the leaders in the House should be to craft a better life for Guyana’s future generations.

“To give them a better life than we have had,” Benn said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

US donates photocopiers, white boards to Police Force, Judiciary

THE U.S. Embassy and the U.S State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement, through the Justice Education Society (JES), donated a number of items valued at GY$798,000 to the Guyana Police Force and the Judiciary.

According to a release, the donation is part of the JES project Strengthening the Criminal Justice System in Guyana, with a mandate to strengthen the capacity of said entities to serve Guya-

nese more efficiently and effectively. The project began in July 2016, implemented by the JES of British Columbia, Canada.

The GPF will benefit from one photocopier and six white boards, while the Judiciary will benefit from five photocopiers and a white board.

The project has been working with the Judiciary, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Foren-

Autopsy: Dale Christopher died from perforation of liver, lungs AN autopsy, done of the body of 27-year-old Dale Christopher of Lot 1A Rosemary Lane, Georgetown, revealed that he died from perforation of the liver and lungs due to gunshot injuries.

Police said one metal fragment was extracted from the body of the deceased which was lodged in his upper back. The body was then handed over to relatives for burial on Friday.

Some 500 persons were attending a party at Hill Street, Lodge, Georgetown, in clear breach of the COVID-19 22:30 hours curfew, when Christopher was shot and killed Tuesday last.

Hours after the Guyana Police Force issued a wanted bulletin for 42-year-old Osafo Sereste Grundall of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, in connection with the murder; he turned himself in at the Brickdam Police Station.

Christopher, called Dead: Dale Christopher “Sun Skull” of Rosemary Lane, Cummingsburg (Tiger Bay) was shot once to the abdomen around 06:00 hours at Hill Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

He had left home at about 01:15 hours in the company of a friend to attend a party. However, at about 06:00 hours, two to three loud explosions, suspected to be gunshots were heard, causing the crowd of about 500 to disperse.

At the time of the shooting, the DJ and Selector were providing their services at the party but were later informed that someone was shot. As such, they reportedly stopped the party, packed up their equipment and left. Police stated that a taxi driver was passing along Mandela Avenue at the time when he was stopped by three males carrying the injured man, who was bleeding from a wound to the abdomen.

Christopher was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Three other suspects were taken into police custody and questioned as investigations continue.

sic Science Laboratory and news media to support the strengthening of the Guyanese justice system in a number of areas.

The project’s two key objectives are first, to improve investigation, case preparation, and trial advocacy of major crimes, and encourage media and public support for justice system

reform, and secondly, to build the capacity of criminal justice actors in the use of forensic video evidence.

During its five years of implementation, the project’s activities with the GPF focussed on tackling major crimes and included donations of equipment and supplies, training, coaching and the creation of quality

assurance protocols for law enforcement officers including crime scene technicians, investigators, the new Forensic Video Analysis Unit, and police prosecutors. JES also worked with the DPP’s Chambers and the Judiciary to create comprehensive and effective approaches to prosecuting and adjudicating cases of major crimes. JES’s

work with the media focussed on promoting public and media understanding of its work to support the continuing reform of the justice system in Guyana.

The current gift supplements earlier donations and will support the continued enhancement of Guyana’s criminal justice system, the release said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Late Justice Keith Massiah amongst Guyana’s greatest jurists –– Attorney-General

FORMER Chancellor of the Judiciary, the late Justice Keith Massiah, S.C, O.R, was hailed as ranking among Guyana’s greatest jurists and “will hold his own against any in Her Majesty’s Commonwealth”.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., made these remarks on Friday

during a Special Full Court Sitting to pay tribute to the memory of the late Justice Keith Massiah S.C, O.R. Justice Massiah passed away on April 24, 2020 at the age of 93, following a period of illness. During his lifetime, he held the pinnacle judicial office of Chancellor of the Judiciary from 1984 to1988, and then as the country’s Attorney-General and

Late Justice Keith Massiah, S.C, O.R

Minister of Legal Affairs from 1988 to1992.

After retirement from public office, Justice Massiah became a distinguished Professor of Law in the Department of Law at the University of Guyana, and for some time, its Head of Department.

He was awarded the Order of Roraima (O.R), in recognition of service of an

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, paying tribute to former Chancellor of the Judiciary, the late Justice, Keith Massiah, during a Special Full Court Sitting on Friday exceptionally high quality and beyond the normal call of duty in the administration of Justice and in the field of law.

“Whichever is the area of law upon which Justice Massiah had the occasion to expatiate, his judgements remain a comprehensive treatment of the relevant legal issues, most times expanding way beyond, giving the reader an intellectual insight into the evolutionary and historical metamorphosis of the legal issues, tracing them to their current state,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney-General, during his presentation, cited a number of cases adjudicated upon by the former chancellor. He noted the particular linguistic fashion and poetic flamboyance Justice Massiah adopted in the deliverance in his judgements, which were scrupulous.

“Another distinguishing feature of Justice Massiah’s judicial career is that there is no area of the law where one senses any discernable weakness or deficit. A cursory ex-

amination of his judgements span all branches of the law, whether it be constitutional or public law, criminal law or the various facets of civil law,” Nandlall highlighted.

Nandlall, who was a student of Justice Massiah, noted that to date he consults with worksheets prepared

by Massiah for guidance.

“Dozens of attorneys-at-law, including magistrates and judges would have benefitted from his legal scholarship as their lecturer,” he said.

He highlighted that one of his very own most memorable cases was one against Justice Massiah. He noted that he was a newly admitted attorney at the time, and upon judgment being granted in his favour, he professed all credit to Massiah, who lectured him on the very concepts which were the subject of the case.

“The vacuum left by the departure of Keith Stanislaus Massiah S.C, O.R, may not ever be filled, at least not in my lifetime,” Nandlall said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

US-based Essequibians donate masks, face shields to Region Two frontline workers

By Indrawattie Natram RECOGNISING the challenges frontline workers are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the US-based Guyana Essequibians Organisation, on Wednesday, donated protective supplies to the Department of Health Services in Region Two.

The masks and face shields will be distributed to the frontline workers attached to the hospitals at Suddie and Charity and the health centres and health posts across the region.

The organisation’s president, Indarjeet Paul told the Guyana Chronicle that members, in recognition of the challenges the health sector is fac-

ing, decided to purchase a quantity of face masks and shields.

“We would like our fellow Essequibians to know that we are aware of the struggles frontline workers face and as such, they need to be safe during the pandemic. We are also aware that supplies of critical protective gears dwindle.

As such, we took the op-

Two frontline workers and Regional Executive Officer, Devanand Ramdatt, with the box of protective supplies, which includes face masks and shields portunity to send same,” supplies on behalf of the welcomes the support.

Paul said. health department. He said Ramdatt used the opRegional Executive the donation was timely portunity to thank the Officer, Devanand Ram- and that Regional Dem- organisation for its hudatt, accepted the box of ocratic Council (RDC) manitarian efforts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Rotary Club of Garden City donates garbage receptacles THE Rotary Club of Garden City (Georgetown), the first cause-based club in Guyana with a focus on environmental issues, on Friday morning, donated garbage receptables to the Protected Areas and National Parks Commissions.

Rotarian Erwin Chapman said that the Rotary Club of Garden City (Georgetown) is the newest Rotary Club in Guyana, and its projects and activities will be focused on “supporting the environment”.

“This is the first donation to the commissions, and we look forward to continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest,” she said.

Denise Fraser, Commissioner of Pro-

tected Areas Commission and Denise Bentick, Director of the National Parks Commission expressed their appreciation for the receipt of the items.

The commissions’ representatives said the donation is timely as with the current national restrictions, persons use the park not only for physical health activities. The receptacles will be able to support the cleanliness and aesthetics of the environs.

The Protected Areas Commission is mandated to manage, maintain, promote and expand the national protected areas system in Guyana, and gives support to the urban parks in the City which falls under the purview of the National Parks Commission.

Rotarian, Erwin Chapman, and Denise Fraser, Commissioner of Protected Areas Commission and Denise Bentick, Director of the National Parks Commission following the kind gesture

Man who allegedly murdered pensioner remanded A 22-year-old man, was, on Friday, remanded to prison for allegedly murdering 72-year-old Mathura Etwaru. Etwaru was burnt to death in the compound of the Huaxin Supermarket at Beezie Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Marco Seudatt of Fourth Street, Foulis, ECD, appeared before

Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that he murdered Etwaru on February 22.

Magistrate Azore remanded Seudatt to prison and adjourned the case until May 18. The case is being prosecuted by Corporal David Goodridge.

According to reports, Etwaru’s body was discovered by a 52-year-old painter when he turned up for work at the supermarket.

The police reportedly found burn marks to the upper part of the man’s body. Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed at the supermarket and on build-

ings in the surrounding area, captured the incident which occurred around 02:46 hours.

Based on what was captured, the pensioner was rendered unconscious after being pushed to the ground during an argument with another man.

The man subsequently picked up some empty cardboard boxes and set

them alight near the pensioner’s body, before riding away from the scene.

Seudatt was later arrested and reportedly confessed to killing the elderly man.

A post-mortem revealed that the pensioner died from compression of the neck and severe burns about his body.

Marco Seudatt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Longest wooden bridge in Region Two commissioned at Mashabo

By Indrawattie Natram TOURISM in the Amerindian community of Mashabo in Region Two is expected to be boosted following the commissioning of a $1.2M wooden bridge.

The bridge, measuring 660 feet, links the back of Huist Diren on the Essequibo Coast to the Mashabo Mission Lake Top. This is the longest wooden bridge in the region.

Commissioning the bridge on Thursday was Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, who said the bridge linkage will cre-

ate a range of opportunities for the village’s economy, particularly in the areas of agriculture and tourism. She, therefore, commended the Mashabo Village Council for choosing to execute such a beneficial project in the community.

De Silva, while addressing residents, highlighted the importance of identifying resources within the village that could aid economic development and successful livelihoods.

She told residents that pensioners will no longer have to travel long distances to get their pension and

promised that plans are being finalised to make payment available in the village.

The assurance was given after residents complained about the high transportation costs they have to incur to journey out of the community to receive their pension.

De Silva used the occasion to call on residents to play an active role in the regular maintenance of the bridge.

Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit, who accompanied De Silva to the simple commissioning ceremony, said the bridge will allow for easier

The new bridge

A child from the community cutting the ribbon to officially open the new bridge and cheaper access to the community.

He said that residents

Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit (left) and Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva (right) taking a walk across the bridge shortly after it was commissioned

and visitors can access the community by either foot, bicycle or motorcycle to get across the Itiribisi Lake.

According to Oodit, the Mashabo community which is located aback of Husit Diren Public Road has rich tourism potential, and he urged the village council to indulge in “Black Water” tourism.

In his remarks, Toshoa Sylvin Raphael said the bridge was renovated by local contractor, Amous Fredericks, with funds from the 2020 presidential grant initiative. Raphael said that the Mashabo Village Council noticed the struggles residents often face when trying

to conduct business in other parts of the Essequibo Coast.

He also used the opportunity to thank all those community members who volunteered their time to ensure that structure was completed.

Raphael added that his

council is focusing on enhancing tourism in the community and the new bridge takes them one step closer to making this a reality.

Resident using the bridge are required to pay a fee of $100, while visitors will pay $300.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Guyana Jaguars vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force

Pollard hails Johnson as tactical genius, Red Force ready for challenge

By Clifton Ross

ing off for yet another Super50 final.

AHEAD of today’s mouthPollard praised his watering CG Insurance team’s efforts both colSuper50 finals, Trinidad & lectively and individually, Tobago Red Force skipper adding that the pieces withKieron Pollard said he’s ex- in the squad have all played pecting some tactical moves their role in the Red Force’s from Guyana Jaguars cap- success one way or another. tain Leon Johnson, adding “In terms of experience, that his boys are upbeat in terms of youth I think we ahead of this storied battle. have the right mix. I think we Speaking virtually yes- did a very good job in selectterday, the opposing team ing the squad, tried to cover leaders were poised after each basis and it’s shown their boys managed to run because everyone who came roughshod throughout the into the team has done well competition, inevitably fac- despite the varying roles”.

Pollard explained.

This year’s competition was basically dominated by the Red Force and Jaguars who continually did battle

for the number one spot.

Looking at the opposition and the possibility of losing to the Leon Johnson-led team, Pollard hailed his opposite number as one of the best leaders in West Indies cricket and a player who he expects will be pulling out all the stops, come today, in order to break the near 20year jinx.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket with and against Leon. He was the West Indies U-19 captain when we went to Sri Lanka in 2006, so the respect is always there. He was my first captain I played under in West Indies colours”.

“He has done a wonderful job, he’s tactically sound,

he’s good at that aspect of cricket, thinking cricketer.

The last title eluded him but I know he’s going to be looking to win this title and come out with all guns blazing from a tactical standpoint.” credited Pollard.

Meanwhile, West Indies T20 skipper said no decision has been made on Sunil Narine’s availability today but a final assessment will be made prior to the match.

Guyana meanwhile will be keen on seeing a continuation from Shimron Hetmyer, who batted them into the final with a scorching hundred.

Johnson and Chris Barnwell had also racked up hundreds earlier in the

competition but have since flown under the radar.

Chandrapaul Hemraj, Raymon Reifer and Anthony Bramble have all recorded fifties at some point and will need to step up today.

The Jaguars’ bowling has little issues and with Gudakesh Motie leading the charts and Kevin Sinclair getting added confidence following his West Indies T20 call-up for Sri Lanka, along with Ramaal Lewis and Veerasammy Permaul; Guyana have enough firepower to keep the Trinidadians at bay if needed.

Today’s match bowls off at 13:30hrs.

Olympic athletes can begin entering Japan after next month (REUTERS) - Athletes participating in this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo can begin entering Japan after it lifts its emergency declaration order next month, the Nikkei newspaper reported yesterday.

Nikkei reported that the emergency declaration is set to be lifted March 7 with the travel ban on foreign athletes removed shortly after.

The report added that Olympic athletes will not be required to self-isolate for two weeks on arrival to help them prepare for the Games set to begin on July 23, but they must restrict themselves to their accommodation and sports venues.

Japan has temporarily suspended exemptions allowing foreign athletes to train in the country ahead of the Tokyo Games as it closes its borders to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases.

More than 7 800 people have died in Japan due to the virus, while more than

431 000 have been infected.

Earlier this month Olympic officials unveiled the first of many COVID-19 rules

eating, sleeping or outdoors.

More than 70 000 people - including athletes, coaches and media representatives

FILE PHOTO: Olympic rings are seen near the National Stadium in Tokyo (Photo courtesy of YahooSport)

for the Games, starting by banning singing and chanting during events and mandating participants to wear masks at “all times” except when

- are expected to enter the country for the Games, the Nikkei report said citing estimates in Japan.

It added that the Jap-

NALICO/NAFICO joins ...

Albert Street office at a cost of $2 000 for adults and $500 for children. Meanwhile, VIP tickets cost $8 000.

Other sponsors of the event include Cyril’s Transportation Services, E-Networks, First

anese government could raise the cap on spectator capacity at sports venues to around 10 000 fans one

Class Auto Sales, GUYOIL (Castrol), Homeline Furnishing, Imran Auto Works, KFC, KGM Security, Land Star Drilling Company, MMD Hollow Blocks and Pavers, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Motor Trend Service Center,

month after the emergency orders are lifted, with prefectures allowed to raise the maximum capacity to 20 000.

TURN FROM PAGE 27

Modern Building Solutions, NALICO/NAFICO, Panko Steel Fabrication, Power Tech Sound Company, Prem’s Electrical, Ready Mix Concrete, Rush Energy Drink, Samaroo Investments Inc., Secure Innovations & Concepts

Inc., STAG Beer, Trans Pacific Motor Spares & Auto Sales, Truck Master, UNICOM – United Commodities, West Coast Customs Washbay, L. Mahabeer and Sons Cambio, Hand-in-Hand Insurance and Windjammer.

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Guyanese Sinclair named in Windies squad ahead of Sri Lanka T20I/ODI series … Gayle, Fidel Edwards return

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) yesterday named the West Indies squads for the CG Insurance T20 International and OneDay International Series against Sri Lanka, with a few new faces and familiar old stars returning.

Chris Gayle, the most prolific batsman in T20 history and experienced fast bowler Fidel Edwards, have been named in the T20I squad marking their return to the international stage while Guyanese off-spinner Kevin Sinclair earns his first West Indies selection along with Trinidadian left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein in the T20 Squad.

The T20I matches will be played under floodlights on March 3, 5 and 7 starting at 18:00hrs Eastern Caribbean Time 17:00hrs Jamaica time, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS).

This T20I Series will create history as the first full international matches to be played by the official West Indies men’s team at the CCG. The matches will also be the first West Indies T20Is to be played in Antigua since

2013.

West Indies will use these matches to prepare to defend their ICC T20 World Cup title scheduled to be played in India later this year.

The CG Insurance ODI Series will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on March 10, 12 and 14 with the final match scheduled to be a day/night encounter.

The series forms part of the ICC ODI Super League and these three matches provide the opportunity for West Indies to secure their first points as the team try to qualify automatically for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Speaking on the squads, CWI lead selector Roger Harper said, “As we build towards the defence of the T20 World Cup, the opportunity is being taken to determine our best team and squad as we go forward. Chris Gayle has performed very well in recent tournaments and the selection panel thinks that he can still add great value to our team. Fidel Edwards has been selected to give the bowling the potent firepower needed.”

Harper added, “Jason

Holder has shown his allround value in this format in recent times and after missing a few series he will add depth and experience to the squad. Akeal Hosein performed very well in Bangladesh (ODI Series) and had excellent stats in the CPL so this is an opportunity to see how he equips himself in this format.

“Kevin Sinclair grabbed our attention in the Super50 Cup back in 2019 and has been consistently economical in the last CPL and the current CG Insurance Super50. He will provide an off-spinning option for the team.”

All-rounder Andre Russell is still recovering from contracting COVID-19 earlier this month, and despite testing negative over a week ago was ruled out of the T20Is by the CWI Medical Panel whilst he completes his “return to play” protocols.

Fast bowlers Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas, along with batsman Shimron Hetmyer, and all-rounder Roston Chase, failed to reach the minimum fitness standard in time for selection

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Saturday, February 27, 2021 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Brian Lara-1,122 ODI runs (25 matches) (2) Sanath Jayasuriya-922 ODI runs (30 matches) TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI bowler has taken most ODI wickets against SL to date?

(2) Which SL bowler has claimed most ODI wickets against WI to date?

ANSWER NSWERS S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

consideration. They will all remain in Antigua after the CGI Insurance Super50 Cup to work on their fitness and conditioning.

• March 3: 1st CG Insurance T20I at CCG – 18:00hrs • Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT), 17:00hrs Jamaica Time (JT) • March 5: 2nd CG Insurance T20I at

CCG – 18:00hrs ECT/ 17:00hrs JT • March 7: 3rd CG Insurance T20I at CCG –18:00hrs ECT/17:00hrs JT. • March 10: 1st CG Insurance ODI at SVRS – 9:30am ECT / 8:30am JT • March 12: 2nd CG Insurance ODI at SVRS – 9:30am ECT /8:30am JT

• M a rc h 1 4 : 3 r d CG Insurance ODI at SVRS – 1:30pm ECT /12:30pm JT (day/ night) • March 17-18: Twoday warm-up match at CCG • March 21-25: 1st Test at SVRS – 10am ECT /9am JT • March 29 to April 2: 2nd Test at SVRS – 10am ECT /9am JT

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Dhanpaul aims to focus on youth development at Zeeburg SC

RETURNING president of Zeeburg Sports Club, Dhanpaul (only name), will focus on greater youth development during his next two years in office.

The 55-year-old was again elected unopposed to the helm of the West Demerara club when elections were held last week.

According to the West Demerara Franchise coach, the aim is to build the youth pool. He said that he is not only producing cricketers, but is keeping youths from the area positively occupied.

“When we get the youths involved in cricket, we keep them off the street, we give them purpose and teach them discipline - I don’t want the youths to stray.”

Dhanpaul has been involved in Zeeburg cricket for the last three decades and has helped many promising youngsters to

hone their skills.

“As long as you spend time with them, they will improve. It takes a lot of support, both physically and financially.”

Dhanpaul has focussed heavily on youth cricket and was the coach of the West Demerara U-19 team when they won the inter-association competition for three straight years under the captaincy of former Guyana U-19 skipper Travis Persaud.

He still coaches for the association at the U-19 level and continues to be an inspiration with the up-andcoming players.

In 2005, Dhanpaul, his son Yutesh Dhanpaul and Omar Narine re-started Zeeburg Sports Club after it was left abandoned for years. Since elections in 2006, Dhanpaul has been elected continuously to the helm unopposed.

According to Yutesh,

his father is an inspiration because of his commitment and dedication to cricket.

“During his years our club became the #1 club

on West Demerara, producing a lot of national youth players. Under his leadership our club was able to build two pavil-

Dhanpaul (front, right) has been a workhorse for his club

GCB elections postponed

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Cricket Ombudsman, Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran, is of the opinion that another short wait for the much-anticipated elections of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will not cost any irreparable harm, but rather could see the possibility of bringing the three County boards together.

The elections of the Cricket Board were postponed yesterday in the wake of a number of contentious issues raised by the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday evening to the Cricket Ombudsman.

“You have waited for a long time for elections and another short wait ... not going to cost any irreparable harm in my opinion, but the short wait could possibly bring a sort of coming together of the three County boards,” he said.

Further, the Ombudsman believed that in the light of the acrimony that exists in the cricket administration at the moment, every complaint must be addressed in a fair and objective manner, so that when the elections are held, those elections will be without contention.

“I’ve written to the representatives of the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo Cricket Boards; I believe on the issue of fairness, to be fair to the people who have raised contentions about the elections, about the process, that we should hold off on elections until such time as those complaints have been resolved, if not to the satisfaction of the people who are raising those complaints, at least objectively speaking, everybody will give their opinion, everything is clear and above board, and if elections are held there would be no contentions,” Ramkarran said.

ions. We are currently in the process of building a washroom for females and putting together a female cricket team,” Yutesh stat-

The election, which was supposed to be held at Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown yesterday saw the presence of delegates from both Demerara and Berbice Cricket Boards - which constitutes a quorum under the Guyana Cricket Administration Act. Each board has nine delegates. It takes 15 delegates to constitute a quorum.

However, the ECB decided not to submit its list of delegates and through its lawyer, Attorney-at-Law C.V. Satram, wrote to the Cricket Ombudsman outlying a number of issues regarding the electoral process, one of which was the Ombudsman’s function of verifying registers.

“Two of the three cricket boards are ready

ed.

The older Dhanpaul is not just a Level One West Indies coach, he is also a former player.He played against the likes of former West Indies captain Carl Hooper at the county level, while he was also a standby on the national U-19 team.

Yutesh noted that his father continues to be a role-model in the community and he is doing it through hard work.

“I can tell you that he eats, breathes and sleeps cricket.”

It is this dedication that has resulted in his unanimous re-election yet again at the club.

Over the next two years, Suraj Hiraman will function as Zeeburg’s vice-president, with Harri Narain as secretary and Robin Manniram as treasurer.

The Assistant secretary/treasurer/Club manager is Omar Narine.

… Contentious issues raised by ECB force Ombudsman’s hand

and there is one which is not, and I would like to do everything which is possible to bring that one county board back into the fold so that everybody can be satisfied; so that everybody can participate in the elections of the GCB of which I am the Returning Officer,” the Ombudsman stressed.

He also noted, “I haven’t seen any register.

I know that the DCB elections were held pertaining to Court Order, and I believe the same is so for the BCB. I do not believe the same was done for the ECB, so if one of the functions is to verify register and the ECB raised the issue of verifications of register and I could not in good conscience proceed with the elections in their absence in light of that allegation that

Demerara Cricket Board executive Ronald Williams makes a point

there are issues to be resolved, I could not in good conscience proceed to hold an election.”

Meanwhile, president of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), Bissoondyal Singh, feels that proposed action by the Ombudsman will lead to more litigation and years of problems.

“Essequibo had a responsibility to submit their delegates and then challenge it. They failed to do so, neglected or refused and so it cannot be one’s desire to have some other process outside of the Cricket Administrative Act. “The Act is clear what has to be done, and I cannot know a lawyer is coming here to shift the date, and it is outside of his jurisdiction...that is what we have - a problem,” Singh pointed out.

He further stressed: “Essequibo has not come; it’s not our problem; it’s not your problem furthermore. The ECB cannot play they do not comply and then come and asked for sympathy. We are dealing here with section 17 under the Cricket Administration Act and we must follow the law”.

Moments after the Ramkarran’s announcement, Attorney Arudranauth Gossai said the Cricket Ombudsman is bound under the law to conduct the elections.

“If the Essequibo Cricket Board doesn’t want to be part of the process, and the Ombudsman gives them some sort of avenue, that must be a legal avenue, because the Ombudsman was appointed under the law, so any function exercise must be according to the law … there is nothing in the law that empowers the Ombudsman to stop the elections. Once you had a quorum of fifteen members from two County boards, the election should have happened today (yesterday),” Gossai reckoned.

A legitimate GCB election has not been held since 2012.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 27, 2021

Rose’s arrival will boost the team, says National Coach Hercules GUYANA’S National Basketball team will certainly have its strength boosted with the addition of National player, Stanton Rose, as the players prepare for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers which is scheduled for April 7-11 in El Salvador.

The local team were granted approval to commenced training in January and are just about a month into preparation for the event. Guyana are currently the leading basketball team in the Caribbean following their successful triumph at the biennial Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Tournament in 2018.

Head coach of the Men’s National Team, Junior Hercules, has welcomed the addition of Rose, who was instrumental in leading the team to glory in one of the Federation’s greatest year of achievements.

He said, “Stanton’s arrival will significantly boost our training preparation since most of what we hope to do at the level of our offencee is the responsibility for guards, more specifically, our point guard. He plays a significant role in the execution of that offence.

“So, it also would allow for other players in the trials to operate in their natural domain, thereby giving them a better option or a better shot at being effective in their natural position. So yes, his arrival will definitely help us significantly.”

When questioned about the team’s preparation given that

the time frame has not been favourable, the coach disclosed: “So far preparation is progressing fairly okay. We still need to increase our intensity, something for which is an addition of new players, and also an increase of time, in terms of our available time on the court.

“I’m happy to say we haven’t had any injuries since we’ve had a long layoff close to a year in terms of preparation. So, I was very keen in not pushing players, beyond the limit and risk an injury, at this early stage in the preparation.

“So, I would say we’re progressing fairly okay but there’s a lot more work to be done.”

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers would have already been contested with the date originally planned for February 17-21, but Patrick Haynes, Secretary of the Central America and Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CONCENCABA) confirmed the change in date in January.

Meanwhile, the 13-player shortlist includes Delroy James, Stanton Rose, Kevon Wiggins, Anthony Moe, Ray Victor, Shaine Webster, Timothy Thompson, Akeem Crandon, Travis Belgrave, Nikkoloi Smith, Travis Burnett, Yannick Tappin and Terron Welch.

These players were able to earn a call-up to the squad due to their past performances since no basketball was played in 2020 when the pandemic arose.

Ansa McAl donates multivitamins, Lucozade to Golden Jaguars AS part of its ongoing support to the Guyana Football Federation, Ansa McAl has generously provided an essential supply of GNC Mega Men Sport multivitamins and Lucozade sports drink to the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team to fuel their preparation for upcoming 2020 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The presentation was made during a national team training session at GFF National Training Centre at Providence, where the players are currently training five times a week as part of the intense preparations for matches against Trinidad & Tobago and The Bahamas next month.

“I wish you all the best of success. Ansa McAl is very happy to partner with the football association in an effort to get you guys fit,” Ansa McAl’s Divisional Head of Health and Wellness, Andrel Griffith, told players at the FIFA-funded training centre.

“Mega Men Sport is one of

the best multivitamin products on the market. It has been clinically studied and shown to provide a solid line of essential nutrients and powerful ingredients for people like yourselves.

We are also providing you with Lucozade Sport, which will help to replace electrolytes and provide the energy you need.”

“We are happy to provide these for you as a start, and we wish you all the best in

your training and trials,” he said.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the Federation, GFF fitness coach Wilson Toledo said the supplements would play a vital role as the Golden Jaguars strive for peak fitness.

“It is very important for us to progress – this will help to increase and improve the performance of the players,” Toledo said. “We are working

very hard and they need to recover quickly and increase their strength and power. This kind donation from Ansa McAl will contribute a great deal to our efforts to reach a higher level of football.”

“Thank you to Ansa McAl for coming on board, staying with us and believing in us. We will do our best to bring back some great results,” he said.

Members of the National team display GNC Mega Men Sport multivitamins and Lucozade sports drink

Stanton Rose was the youngest player in history to win the MVP award at the CBC Tournament

GMR&SC Drag Race round one …

NALICO/NAFICO joins sponsorship team INVESTMENT in motorsport for the long run was the announcement by local insurance company NALICO/NAFICO who yesterday joined the sponsorship team for this weekend’s drag race round one.

The company, through representative, Azad Sulaiman, contended that they are interested in the development of motorsport.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Management and Staff of NALICO/ NAFICO we would like to say that we are happy with everything that GMR&SC has been doing and we are proud of the initiative that they have been taking,” Sulaiman said.

He added, “We are ex-

tremely excited to see what is going to go down with the new strip and Team Mohamed’s Nissan GTRs.” Meanwhile the club had released a briefing yesterday for all drivers, specifying that all competitors for both cars and bikes must be registered with medicals in addition to other necessary requirements before they would be allowed to race.

Cars were seen testing on the venue all week ahead of tomorrow’s meet and the unofficial feedback is one of satisfaction.

Tickets are going like hot cakes and fans desirous of witnessing the action can get them at the GMR&SC’s TURN TO PAGE 24

GCB elections postponed SEE PAGE 26

President of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), Bissoondyal Singh, responds to media operatives

… Contentious issues raised by ECB force Ombudsman’s hand

Cricket Ombudsman, Attorney-at-Law, Kamal Ramkarran

Guyana Jaguars vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force

Pollard hails Johnson as tactical genius Red Force ready for challenge SEE PAGE 24

Trinidad Red Force skipper Kieron Pollard

Guyanese Sinclair named in Windies squad ahead of Sri Lanka T20I/ODI series SEE PAGE 25

FLASHBACK!

Kevin Sinclair of Guyana Amazon Warriors poses with his El Dorado for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson

GMR&SC Office executive Desiree Lee collects sponsorship from Azad Sulaiman, representative of NALICO/NAFICO SEE PAGE 27

GMR&SC Drag Race round one ….

NALICO/NAFICO joins sponsorship team Rose’s arrival will boost the team, says National Coach Hercules SEE PAGE

27

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| SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021