Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_29_06_2022

WEDNESDAY 29th June, 2022

Price of the daily newspaper subject to change from July 1, 2022

‘Justice for all’

No.106768

–– President Ali urges patience as Police Complaints Authority wraps up report on death of Quindon Bacchus –– Compensation for vendors affected during violent protest; perpetrators to be brought to justice See stories on –– Police to investigate assassination threat against President pages 02,03,06

(Photos by Office of the President and Carl Croker)

Members of constitutional commissions to be sworn in on Friday

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, june 29, 2022

Compensation for vendors affected during violent protest –– perpetrators to be brought to justice, President Ali affirms

By Shamar Meusa

COMPENSATION will soon be delivered to Mon Repos Market vendors who were the victims of alleged crimes committed by persons who leveraged a protest action along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) for their personal gains.

The initial protest on Tuesday started at Golden Grove, where persons took to the street and chanted for justice after they were misled by a false media report that the police officer purportedly involved in the killing of Quindon Bacchus, had been released.

What started as a verbal chant quickly escalated as scores of persons made their way to Mon Repos, where they purportedly beat

vendors, robbed them and destroyed their property.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) managed to intervene and curtail the situation, but, by that time, vendors had already suffered significant losses.

In the aftermath of the event, President, Dr Irfaan Ali visited the market, where he assessed the damage and engaged persons who were affected and other residents of Mon Repos.

It was there that Dr Ali assured persons that they will be duly compensated and the perpetrators of those crimes will be brought to justice.

He said: “I want to assure you that you will be fully compensated, but more importantly, those who caused the harm must and will be brought to justice; this is of

more importance.”

The Head of State went on to say: “What was done is totally wrong and all those who are responsible for doing it must be brought to justice; they must face the full consequences of the law and not only those who did it, but [also] those who instigated it.”

He related that those who instigated and planned those protests are responsible for it being conducted within the confines of the law.

President Ali said while everyone has a right in a democracy to let their voices be heard, it does not give them the right to loot, steal or harm anyone.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, see page 5

President Dr. Irfaan Ali engaging vendors at the Mon Repos Market (Office of the President photo)

‘Let the system work’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 29, 2022

–– President Ali says, urges patience as Police Complaints Authority wraps up report on death of Quindon Bacchus

–– advises persons not to base their actions on ‘misleading information’ THE Police Complaints Authority (PCA) will soon complete its report on the circumstances surrounding the death of 23-yearold Quindon Bacchus.

This was according to President Dr Irfaan Ali during an engagement with relatives of Bacchus and

released.

What started as a verbal chant quickly escalated as scores of persons blocked sections of the ECD corridor with debris and even made their way to Mon Repos, where they purportedly beat vendors, robbed them and destroyed their property.

official Facebook page prior to his visit to Buxton.

He added: “I am advised that not only is that police in custody, but there is a second police in custody who is assisting with the investigation.

The police are still in what they term close arrest. They are not at large, they are not

chairman, and they assured me that the report would be finished early next week, hopefully on Monday.”

Chairman of the PCA, Justice (ret’d) William Ramlall, in a statement on Tuesday, also confirmed: “The investigation by the Police Complaints Author-

the report completed urgently, but the Head of State clarified that he cannot get involved in an independent investigation.

“Let us give them until Monday to finish the report.

I cannot instruct an independent body to finish a report today… [When it is com-

Contrary to what was falsely reported by a media house, which has since retracted its article and apologised, the attorney representing the officer in question, Kezia Williams, on June 23, filed a Writ of Habeas Corpus against the Guyana Police Force, the Attorney General, and the Director of

President, Dr Irfaan Ali engages residents of Buxton on Tuesday (Office of the President photo) other residents of Buxton on Tuesday.

The President’s visit to the community followed a protest which started at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, where persons took to the street and chanted for justice after they were misled by a false media report that the police officer purportedly involved in the killing of Bacchus, had been

“My dear Guyanese brothers and sisters as your President, I am asking you do not be misled, do not be used. I understand the hurt but let the system work, let us await the outcome of the system and let us not get emotional and act out of turn based on reports that are not grounded in the truth and facts,” President Ali had said in a video streamed on his

released; that is totally not true so there’s no basis for the type of action on the road that we are seeing now.”

During his subsequent visit to Buxton, the President told persons that the PCA has assured him that a report on the matter would be finished early next week.

He said: “I called this [Tuesday] morning, the commissioner, I called the

ity in collaboration with the Office of Professional Responsibility has been progressing rapidly. A thorough investigation is necessary in order to ensure a free, fair, and transparent finding. As such, all protocols must be observed and the outcome of that process would be communicated in due course.”

Some residents called on Dr Ali to intervene and have

pleted] you will see what the outcome is. Like you, I want justice for every Guyanese,” the President said.

He, however, made it clear to residents that he wanted to engage them directly because he did not want the situation to escalate further, especially with there being persons who are purportedly using various social media platforms to incite protests.

Public Prosecutions, in the High Court.

However, on Monday, High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon did not grant the application after the Attorney General’s Chambers objected and informed the court that the matter is still under investigation and De Nobrega is under “open arrest” while still in police custody.

GUYANESE goods and materials must be given preference by the contracted operator under the agreement, once the goods and materials are available on time, [are] of sound quality, and [are] in the required quantity at competitive prices. Additionally, Guyanese sub-contractors must be given preference once found to be commercially competitive and in keeping with the financial and technical requirements of the contracted operator. (Excerpted from the PSA)

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, june 29, 2022

Vincent Alexander to pay $2.5M to Vishnu Persaud for defamation

AFTER failing to file the challenge to the 2020 judgement within the required timeframe, the Court of Appeal has ruled that Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, will have to pay $2.5 million to former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Vishnu Persaud.

Persaud, who is now the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), back in 2018, had taken Alexander, former Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle, Nigel Williams, and the Guyana National Newspapers Lim-

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander

june 22, 2022

C 01 09 13 14 26 27 20 june 25, 2022

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ited (GNNL) to court for the defamation of his character.

In his court documents, he had contended that the statements made were formulated based on assertions of fact that he misrepresented or faked his qualifications while applying for the DCEO position. He claimed that statements clearly referred to him and were published both locally and abroad by the Guyana Chronicle.

In 2020, High Court Judge, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, awarded judgment amounting to more than $4 million after she found that the publication of the defam-

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atory statements tarnished Persaud’s professional and personal reputation which he had garnered over the years through educational pursuits and work experience at GECOM. According to her, the publication of the statements would have affected his ability to secure future employment opportunities.

The judgement was later appealed.

During the Appeal Court hearing, Persaud’s attorneys Devindra Kissoon and Natasha Vieira contended that Alexander failed to file his appeal within the stipulated six-week timeframe of his challenge.

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Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud

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The Appeal Court agreed with the lawyers’ submissions and in so doing, upheld the 2020 judgement.

This means Alexander will have to pay damages in the sum of $2.5 million to Persaud. The court also ordered that Alexander pay costs to Persaud in the sum of $150,000.

Given the court’s ruling, the judgement against GNNL and Williams also stands. They will have to pay damages in the sum of $1.5 million jointly and severally.

They are also ordered to pay Persaud $150,000 jointly and severally.

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Compensation for vendors ...

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from page 2

Anil Nandlall, S.C., also weighed in on the matter, noting: “A perceived injustice can never justify the commission of another injustice.”

The Attorney General said the alleged wrongful death cannot justify or be the basis of robbery, assault, and malicious destruction of property.

“It has already been disclosed that the investigation into the alleged shooting which is believed to have ignited the mayhem is ongoing and shall conclude shortly. Whatever the outcome is from this process, the law will run

its course,” the Attorney General said.

However, in addition to the actions at Mon Repos, protesters, as they made their way past several villages along the ECD corridor, placed debris, old buses, and other things on the roadways, which hindered the flow of traffic.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has since confirmed that the road at Enmore to Golden Grove has been cleared by the joint services and is being monitored. According to a statement from the ministry, officers will maintain their presence along the ECD carriageway to ensure

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, was on the ground to assess the situation and coordinate efforts to clear debris from the roadway (Carl Croker photo) that peace is maintained.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn,

earlier in the day was on the ground, assessing the situation with mem-

Members of the Guyana Police Force as they advanced towards the protesters along the East Coast of Demerara, on Tuesday (Carl Croker photo) bers of the joint services, some of whom donned riot gear.

The Home Affairs Minister, along with

The aftermath of the attack on vendors and vandalising of stalls at the Mon Repos Market on Tuesday (Shamar Meusa photo)

A vendor’s minibus at the Mon Repos market was set alight as chaos ensued following the protest (Shamar Meusa photo)

the team of joint services officials, urged residents to stay off the road and allow officers to do their work.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 29, 2022

National Enhancement

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s national enhancement programme is picking up momentum.

This programme, along with several initiatives by First Lady Arya Ali to beautify Guyana, have already contributed immensely to the new and changing landscape of Guyana, particularly in the city of Georgetown which is gradually being transformed into the “Garden City,” which it was revered as in the olden days.

The regions are also not being left behind. In almost every region of Guyana, citizens are coming together voluntarily to play their part in supporting central government and regional and district councils. Only recently a few residents of Region Six came together and erected a sign with the words, “I Love New Amsterdam” boldly and conspicuously displayed at the Esplanade Park.

A similar structure was earlier erected in the city of Georgetown at Kingston, which has now become a tourist attraction. People from all walks of life, including overseas visitors, would stop at the site to take out pictures of the eye-catching “I LOVE GUYANA” sign, some of which are posted on the various social media platforms.

And in a related development, the Ministry of Public Works has issued a directive for persons to have all derelict objects and encumbrances removed from our roadways, or will have the bear the cost of such removal should they refuse to do so. Apart from the hazards posed to traffic and the health and well-being of citizens, this exercise also forms part of the national enhancement efforts of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

These are indeed encouraging developments, especially as the country is now becoming an increasingly attractive tourist destination. At a recent enhancement exercise in East Ruimveldt, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, urged citizens to be responsible for their environment. According to the minister, everyone should be responsible for his or her own immediate environment.

“We all know how when we are in a clean environment how we feel uplifted,” Minister Walrond said, adding: “We don’t want our children to grow up in a city, in a country that disregards our health and safety.”

The minister was joined by several other dignitaries and government offi-

cials, including Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force.

The fact is that there is a growing sense of pride in Guyana, fuelled by a belief that Guyana is no longer a “pariah” state as was the case under the previous PNC administration. There is now growing optimism by citizens as the country is now firmly progressing along the path of development and prosperity.

Indeed, the image and economic profile of the country are changing as the political, economic and social life of the country becomes further consolidated and transformed in positive ways.

The latest Bank of Guyana report showed that the economy is becoming much stronger and resilient, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse global impact following the invasion of Ukraine

by Russia.

That growth is attributable to sustained production in the oil and gas sector, but also to positive output performances in the non-oil sectors.

As pointed out by President Ali: “Our economy is becoming stronger; it is rebounding from the two-year-long effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses, both local and foreign, are capitalizing

on the unfolding opportunities, and in the process, generating jobs and providing incomes for our citizens.”

The growth and development of Guyana is the result of several interacting variables, not least of which is the direct participation of citizens in the political, social and economic life of the country.

This is why it is so important for all citizens to get involved, regardless of political or cultural differences.

This country belongs to all Guyanese in equal measure and there no point in projecting a false narrative of perceived “marginalization” of any segment of the population, as some opposition elements are alleging.

President Ali had established a framework for all Guyanese to become involved in the exciting task of nation-building. His vision of “One Guyana” has resonated well with all Guyanese across the political, ethnic and cultural divides.

Indeed, this is the only way in which as a country and as a people we can lift this nation to greatness.

And for this, we owe a debt of gratitude to the President for his vision and perspicacity on the way forward for Guyana.

Police to investigate assassination threat against President Ali THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be tasked with investigating assassination threats made by a protestor on Tuesday, against President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Amidst protest actions calling for justice for Quindon Bacchus who was purportedly killed by a police, one of the protestors was filmed threatening to harm the President.

“Today, a man threatened my life.

And, the Member of Parliament who filmed it did not denounce the statement.

I have received an outpouring of love and support. Today, I will be holding my family and the extended Guyanese family tighter,” President Ali said in a post on his official Facebook page.

In a prior video posted on his page, the President said: “This is unacceptable in a democratic society… I assure stake-

holders that this is a separate issue and it must also be subject to investigation by the Guyana Police Force.”

The Head of State subsequently wrote that he will also be calling on the Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution decrying political violence and threats of assassination.

“I will be asking for the Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution decrying political violence and threats of assassination. Because, in order to build one Guyana for all, we must speak with one voice that threats of political violence and assassination will not be tolerated in our democratic society,” President Ali said.

The protest on Tuesday, initially started at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, where persons took to the street and chanted for justice after they were

misled by a false media report that the police officer purportedly involved in the killing of Bacchus, had been released.

What started as a verbal chant quickly escalated as scores of persons blocked sections of the ECD corridor with debris and even made their way to Mon Repos, where they purportedly beat vendors, robbed them and destroyed their property.

Contrary to what was falsely reported by a media house, which has since retracted its article and apologised, the attorney representing the officer in question, Kezia Williams, on June 23, filed Writ of Habeas Corpus against the Guyana Police Force, Attorney-General, and the Director of Public Prosecution, in the High Court.

However, on Monday, High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon did not grant the

President Dr. Irfaan Ali application after the Attorney-General’s Chambers objected and informed the court that the matter is still under investigation and De Nobrega is under “open arrest” while still in police custody.

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$60,000 minimum wage for private sector takes effect on July 1

A NEW minimum wage of $60,147 per month for those employed in the private sector will go into effect from July 1, following the gazetting of the necessary order on Monday.

The order which was signed by Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, states: “Subject to this order, the minimum rate of wages payable to an employed person shall not be less than $347 per hour, $2,776 per day, or $13,888 per week or $60,147 per month.”

The order replaces all previous orders pertaining to the minimum wage for the private sector.

The order includes a list of workers who will be covered; however, it noted that the minimum wage

payable “shall not be limited to workers employed in the sectors or activities specified in the schedule, but shall be payable to all workers in similar categories who are earning less than the sums specified.”

Any employer not adhering to the order will be liable to a fine and imprisonment.

The private sector minimum wage has not been increased since 2017, when it was raised from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the monthly salary from $35,000 to $44,200 for a 40-hour week. Comparatively, the minimum wage for the public sector is currently $70,000.

Discussions on the increase had started in 2020. However, with the

country in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and many private businesses struggling to meet their overhead expenses, the private sector had called for postponement of the increase.

With most businesses being able to return to normal functioning since last year, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) indicated its readiness to move ahead with making the increase official.

The private sector is one arm of the labour relations tripartite committee, which also includes the trade unions and the Ministry of Labour.

The tripartite committee had agreed on the increase earlier this year, an important step in moving

forward with the increase.

Two weeks ago, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had announced that Cabinet had agreed and was in support of the recommendation of the tripartite committee that the private sector minimum wage be increased to the $60,000.

The increase is seen as another means of bringing some amount of relief to persons given the increasing cost of living, which was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and compounded by the

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton war between Russia and Ukraine.

When implemented, the measure will add to a slew of other measures implemented by the government to cushion this increase.

The other measures include increases to the old age pension and pub-

lic assistance; the issuance of a one-off $25,000 cash grant to each household in the hinterland region; a one-off cash grant of $150,000 to each fisherfolk; a one-off cash grant of $100,000 for each child with a disability, and $1 billion in free fertiliser for farmers.

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US-based management software company eyes partnership with gov’t GUYANA-BORN entrepreneur Carlton Bharrat is looking to collaborate with government to strategically boost the efficiency of government agencies through the use of his management software.

According to Bharrat, his company -- Human Resource Time Management (HRTM) Consulting-- is based in the United States and offers expert consulting services for human resources, payroll and workforce management, implementation, and support through the creation of custom software for businesses.

HRTM Consulting is looking to introduce Human Resource (HR), Pay Roll (PR), and Workforce Management (WFM) software solutions in Guyana.

The company intends to have the staff in Guyana create and support custom software for businesses in the US and Canada.

HRTM Consulting plans to give high priority to giving back to Guyana, not only on the economic front, but also socially.

It is a services partner with UKG and has implemented and supported over 300 clients in government, healthcare, and education in the US, Canada, and Jamaica.

HRTM would like to introduce Guyana to world-class HR, PR, and WFM software solutions, both in the government and private sectors.

“UKG Software is a $4 billion company and the world leader in Work Force Management and Human Capital Software. Work Force Management and Scheduling software, once implemented, can reduce labour costs by eliminating employee [theft] of time worked, vacation, and sick time,” Bharrat said.

He related that the Government of Guyana, one of the largest employers in Guyana,

can realize a huge RoI (Return on Investment) of this software system, through efficiency, and accountability.

Many new and current private sector companies can benefit greatly from the implementation and operational services for HR/ PR and WFM offered by HRTM Consulting in Guyana, he said.

“UKG also has a product, Telestaff for police scheduling. HRTM has worked with this product at over 300 police and fire departments in the US and Canada. This product is currently being implemented at the TSA and ICE agencies in the US government,” Bharrat added.

According to him, HRTM can demonstrate and prove to the Government of Guyana that the use of such systems will save money and is an introduction to the latest technology.

HRTM will employ and train Guyanese to be part of the implementation team and retain them after the post-implementation phase, so as to maintain and work on other projects, in Guyana, the Caribbean, and the US. “University of Guyana technology graduates will have a portal to intern and be hired

by HRTM while being highly compensated.

HRTM has recently started an office in Guyana and hired seven employees who are supporting HRTM clients in North America,” Bharrat stated.

He added: “Guyana has some of the most brilliant young minds.

We at HRTM see an opportunity that would be mutually beneficial to all, by offering them an opportunity to advance themselves and Guyana.

As part of our Guyana strategy, we will engage UKG in the sales cycle and use Guyana as an entry point.”

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, june 29, 2022

JSC, TSC and PPC members to be sworn in Friday

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will, on Friday, appoint the members of the Judicial and Teaching Service Commissions and the Public Procurement Commission, the Attorney General’s Chambers has disclosed.

The swearing-in will be held at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

The AG’s Chambers, in a press release issued on Tuesday, said, “The constitutional and other legal requirements having been complied with,” the members of the three commissions will be sworn in.

The soon-to-be appointed members of the Judicial and Teaching Service Commissions have not been made public.

Regarding the membership of the PPC, the government-nominated members are Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase, Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin,

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

From left: Rajnarine Singh, Joel Bhagwandin, Pauline Chase, Diana Rajkumar and Berkeley Wickham (NEWS ROOM Photo) in their respective positions for a number and Rajnarine Singh. A Partnership for of years.

National Unity + Alliance For Change According to the provision made (APNU+AFC) coalition nominated Econ- in Article 127 (1) of the Constituomist Rawle Lucas, and former Chairman tion, “The Chancellor and the Chief of the National Procurement and Tender Justice shall each be appointed by Administration Board (NPTAB), Berke- the President, acting after obtaining ley Wickham to sit on the commission. the agreement of the Leader of the However, the party later withdrew Opposition.”

Lucas from the nomination and replaced On May 31, the president appointed him with Dianna Rajkumar, an executive several persons to serve as members of member of the AFC. the Integrity Commission (IC) and the The PPC is a critical body as it is Police Service Commission (PSC). constitutionally responsible for overChandra Gajraj was elected as chair sight of the public procurement of all of the five-member Integrity Commisgoods and services, along with the mon- sion, which includes Dr. Jocelin Kim itoring of infrastructural works to ensure Kyte-Thomas, Mohamed Ispahani Haniff, that they conform to the relevant laws Haresh Tiwari and Wayne Bowman. and guidelines.

Additionally, Bishop Patrick Findlay Guyana has been without a PPC since was sworn in as chair of the four-member October 2019, while the Judicial Service Police Service Commission that also inCommission (JSC) has not been reconsti- cludes Mark Conway, Hakeem Mohamed tuted since 2017. and Ernesto Choo-a-Fat. The JSC is responsible for making The members of the PSC were aprecommendations for judicial appoint- proved by the parliamentary Committee ments and removing or exercising disci- on Appointments, after consultations plinary control over persons holding or with the Guyana Police Association of acting in judicial offices. former members of the Guyana Police There has been a 20-year impasse on Force, and the National Community judicial appointments with the last sub- Policing Executive. stantive Chancellor being Justice Desiree The members of the IC were apBernard. The current Chancellor, Yonette pointed by President Ali following Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice, consultations with the Leader of the Roxane George, have both been acting Opposition, Aubrey Norton.

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Lima Sands residents thank gov’t for $90M road

THE residents of Lima Sands in Region Two are satisfied with the cur-

rent pace of construction works on the new $90 million road, which is

being done by the United Contracting Firm.

During interviews with

the Guyana Chronicle, several residents said that the road was last upgraded decades ago and during this time, it was difficult for them to traverse the area.

“It has been decades since Lima Sands has been upgraded to a housing scheme...[it] has since been plagued with a few problems, one of which is the poor condition of the road. We are pleased with government’s intervention,” Bibi Hazeela said Like Hazeela, several other residents expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana and called for the other phases of the road works to be awarded.

“We want the other phases to be completed and we want the same contractor to get it because we see the quality of work he is doing. We can communicate with him instead of other contractors,” Gobin Prashad told this publication.

Others noted that the community is developing at a fast rate, thanks to the represent government.

“Lima Sands is booming in the tourism sector.

Many persons are utilising the road, especially to the popular Mainstay Re-

An aerial view of the road which is under construction at Lima Sands sort and the construction within the agreed timeis a boost for tourism,” frame.

Additionally, he told Robinson (only name given) related. this publication that the Meanwhile, the firm’s firm has made donations contractor Safraz Ali said to nearby schools as part that 80 per cent of the road of its corporate social rewas completed at the end sponsibility.

“United Contracting of 10 weeks.

He said that his work- Firm is all about giving ers are working in the back and we are happy nights to ensure that the to serve the community project will be completed of Lima Sands” Ali said.

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UN: Reducing trade costs could help drive sustainable development

–– FAO’s State of Agricultural Commodity Markets examines ways to enhance the contribution of trade to food security, resilience, environmental goals (FAO) A robust and well-integrated global agri-food system could help all countries withstand unprecedented challenges, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 when global agri-food markets proved to be remarkably resilient.

“Efficient trade can promote world food security and better nutrition,” said QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at an event today to launch The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2022 (SOCO 2022), an FAO flagship report.

“Trade can also help global agri-food systems use scarce natural resources, such as land and water, more effectively and sustainably and to diffuse modern technologies worldwide,” he added.

The ongoing war in Ukraine, affecting a region of great importance for worldwide food security, is increasing uncertainty, and raising the risk of fragmenting global agri-food markets and magnifying hunger threats, which were already very high because of COVID-19, countries in conflict and humanitarian crises across the world.

The SOCO report, in its new edition, examines how mutually reinforcing multilateral and regional efforts can address the sustainable development challenges of today and those of the future. It does so with an eye to the global agri-food markets, agri-food systems resilience, economic growth, and environmental outcomes, cognizant that trade policies cannot be expected to fully address all the entailed trade-offs and require complementary measures.

In composing the SOCO report, FAO conducted modelling exercises to identify patterns between bilateral trade flows, relative prices and geographic

barriers, and to identify key drivers of trade such as comparative advantage and trade costs.

The report’s findings will be discussed at the upcoming 75th Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems, FAO’s longest-established technical committee, in July 2022.

MAPPING THE TRADE LANDSCAPE The globalization of agri-food markets has raised concerns about the impacts of trade on the environment and on societies.

Currently, the trade policy environment is characterized by slow progress in multilateral trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and a proliferation of deeper regional trade agreements that aim, in addition to market access, to promote convergence in domestic policies and regulations among their signatories.

The report aims to guide policy makers to find ways to ensure trade policies safeguard global food security and nutrition, respect the environment and bolster against shocks such as conflicts, pandemics and extreme weather.

Today, more countries trade with each other and the global agri-food market is more balanced than in 1995. Still, the trade geography mapped in SOCO 2022 highlights that although global wealth has grown, the share claimed by low-income countries has not changed much and the agricultural productivity gaps between countries can be enormous.

With the process of globalization losing steam since 2008, regional integration of agri-food trade has become more pronounced, often due to trade agreements, and promoted by factors such as geographic proximity and similar preferences. How-

ever, until recently, this has been less the case within sub-Saharan Africa.

One reason is that higher trade costs – related to tariffs, insurance, export and import procedures, time delays at borders and the need for compliance with numerous non-tariff measures and standards – can hinder integration and affect the structural transformation of economies.

In low-income countries, trade costs can add up to 400 per cent to a product’s final price, much more than for items traded between high-income countries.

In this context, the advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be important for economic growth and development in the region.

Yet, complementary policies must be established in order to let comparative advantage play out without marginalizing smallholder farmers who are stymied in their ability to increase efficiency and compete in more open markets.

Another takeaway from the report is the value – in terms of reducing vulnerability to potential shocks – of diversifying trade partners, especially for countries with a high dependency on food imports.

Globally, agri-food trade can enhance the efficiency of land and water use, but it can also result in negative environmental impacts. Multilateral trade rules and the rising number of regional trade agreements allow for environment-related provisions, which, when legally binding, can help tackle the environmental impacts of trade.

Nevertheless, the report says that global environmental externalities, such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, are addressed most effectively through multilateral approaches with trade rules helping to expand the reach of policies that take into account the full costs of such

The report aims to guide policy makers to find ways to ensure trade policies safeguard global food security and nutrition, respect the environment and bolster against shocks (FAO photo) impacts.

The SOCO report, published every two years, presents commodity market issues in an

objective and accessible way to policymakers, commodity market observers and stakeholders interested in agricultural

commodity market developments and their impacts on countries at different levels of economic development.

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Global event promotes pursuit of peace

AFTER an absence of over two years, Jehovah’s Witnesses across Guyana and the world have returned to their in-person public ministry.

The Witnesses’ Bible literature display carts, frequently seen pre-pandemic on busy streets throughout the capital and elsewhere, were rolled out worldwide.

The door-to-door ministry, though, remains suspended.

The Witnesses’ return to the public ministry comes just in time to invite those interested to view an online Bible education convention.

As the war in Europe dominates the public’s attention, viewers in Guyana will unite with millions of others around the globe for the annual convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This year’s convention theme is, “Pursue Peace!”

“This convention is an object lesson in how peace is being achieved by a global community right now as it unites millions of people, even in areas of conflict like [sic] Ukraine and Russia,” spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Guyana, Andre Darrell, said.

He said the power of the principles being discussed transcends national borders, ethnic differences, and language barriers. Both individuals and families are expected to benefit from attending the programme.

“The world today is full of hatred and strife”, said Roland Harte, a father of four, from Georgetown, who has been attending conventions for more than 30 years.

Harte related: “People are unhappy with their lot in life and that can affect how they treat others and we are

all affected. The convention will provide the opportunity to revitalize, recompose, and focus our attention on doing God’s will peacefully as a family.”

The three-day convention will be available in six parts, each corresponding to a half day of content. Topics to be explored are: how love leads to inner peace and peace with others; why the Bible can be called the road map to family peace; how to attain peace even when suffering illness, economic problems, natural disasters or other difficulties; what people from around the world are doing to enjoy peace and why friendship with God can lead to true peace.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding global conventions for more than 100 years. Following the

The Harte family viewing the convention programme on jw.org practice over the past two years, this year’s virtual programme will be released incrementally throughout July and August. The programme’s first segment will be available for streaming

or downloading, beginning June 27, 2022.

All are invited to attend the event by going to jw.org on the web, JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library app, or on

streaming platforms such as ROKU TV or Apple TV. The programme is free and accessible to all. The local spokesman could be contacted at ADARRELL@ JW.ORG, or on 617-9089.

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guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, june 29, 2022

Local company imports 150th container of low carbon Liquefied Natural gas

ICON LNG GUYANA INC., a local fuel distribution company operating throughout the Caribbean Region, on Tuesday imported its 150th container of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

LNG is a reliable and environmentally friendly fuel that replaces coal, heavy fuel oil, and diesel as a low carbon, safe and reliable source of energy for global demand.

ICON LNG has been providing natural gas to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) since 2019, to be used for power generation. Since that time the company has avoided emitting air pollution equal to 2,231 tons of Co2, 22,290 kilogrammes of Sulfur dioxide, and 2,041 kilogrammes of particulate matter.

According to the company, DDL is the first Guyanese company to recognize the benefits of LNG as a fuel for electricity production and uses it to run dual fuel gas/diesel generators that support its distillery operations in Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Recently, DDL expanded its use of LNG in process heating with the new manufacturing facility of its Tropical Orchard Products Company (TOPCO) subsidiary. The LNG will fuel a boiler used by TOPCO in the pasteurization process of the company’s products, including fruit juices and milk.

Speaking about the safe transport of the gas, the company noted that the LNG arrives at DDL in standard 40’ multi-modal ISO containers that keep it chilled to minus 160 degrees Celsius. The LNG containers are connected to a regasification terminal where atmospheric temperatures warm the LNG, allowing it to naturally change back into natural gas. The natural gas is piped directly into DDL’s manufacturing facilities.

ICON LNG offers

The 40’ multi-modal ISO containers holding the liquefied natural gas (LNG) full turn-key solutions for companies seeking to use LNG for power-generation or their process heating requirements. The firm designs and installs custom dual-fuel engine systems, LNG regasification systems, and smallscale LNG liquefaction equipment.

Noting its bright future with the local oil and gas sector, ICON LNG disclosed that it sees further opportunities in Guyana for using LNG as global demand for energy pushes oil prices to record price levels.

“With the planned gasto-shore pipeline intended to supply natural gas to a new 300-megawatt power plant, we have proposed to and are discussing with the government apportioning a small amount of the natural gas for Guyana’s first small-scale domestic liquefier,” explains Delmar Walcott, ICON’s Country Manager.

He noted that the liquefier would supply LNG to the transportation sector where it could be substituted in place of highly expensive imported gasoline.

“According to the Guyana Energy Agency, over two-thirds of Guyana’s petroleum imports go to the transportation sector for fuel. As other countries in the Caribbean Region have successfully shown,

natural gas can be used to run a typical internal combustion engine with only slight modifications.”

Walcott stated.

He opined that switching to Guyana’s natural gas would sure-

ly reduce prices at the pump, adding that the government can significantly reduce its petro-

leum import bill while also lowering costs for thousands of Guyanese drivers.

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Second ‘Every Child Safe’ short story competition launched DUE to the resounding response, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) will be holding its ‘Every Child Safe’ short story writing competition for a second

time.

In the initial competition, approximately 220 entries were received from children across the country.

According to a press release, the initiative seeks

to engage children between ages 12 and 17 years on issues surrounding child safety, child care and child abuse.

The young writers will be given a word limit of 600 words with stories needing

a title.

“Children safety is priority for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Safety is important in so many different situations especially to children and it is imperative that they understand that they must, at all times, consider their own safety and those of others and also be aware of how they can report and get to safe spaces in the event that they are confronted by anyone or anything that is harmful to them. Bringing this storybook competition for a second time allows them to discuss and think about it, to put thoughts on paper. We have a second storybook emerging where their words and their thoughts and experiences can influence other young people their age so I am looking forward to seeing what they will write,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said.

Under ‘Every Child Safe’, more is done than to just make information available to the public; a personal and consistent check-in with members of communities all across Guyana is carried out to help them to identify perpetrators and bring relief to

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, june 29, 2022

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud These stories will be those experiencing violence, abuse and other harmful ex- published by the Ministry and supported by the periences.

The campaign fosters United Nations Children’s heightened vigilance on child Fund (UNICEF). These abuse in communities and books will be circulated people will now be more countrywide. Writers will aware of crimes that they be given a maximum of should look out for and how two entries and each must they should report cases of be affixed with name, adchild abuse, utilising the dress and contact number.

914 hotline and all the other Prizes will be presented to avenues available to them the winners.

Stories could be emailed through the Ministry.

Stories must be written in to prmohsss@gmail.com or Standard English but creole dropped off at the Minismay be used in dialogues. try’s offices located at 357 The top 10 stories will be Lamaha and East Streets selected by a panel of judges or Lot 1 Cornhill Street from the Ministry with a Stabroek or the Childcare keen interest in capturing the and Protection Agency loimagination of the readers cated at Lot 7 Broad and while speaking to the issues Charles Streets, Georgelisted in a creative and cultur- town. Closing date is midnight on July 27. ally sensitive form.

‘Two Colours’ freed of Lusignan beautician’s murder LENNOX Wayne, called ‘Two Colours’, who has spent the last eight years on remand for the 2014 murder of cosmetologist, Ashmini Harriram, was, on Tuesday, acquitted of the crime.

Wayne was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court for the capital offence which read that, on July 10, 2014, at Lusignan, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, he murdered Harriram.

After deliberating for almost two hours, the 12-member jury found Wayne not guilty.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes and associates, while prosecutor Lisa Cave presented the state’s case.

The murder case was first tried in 2017 before Justice JoAnn Barlow and a 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court but ended in a hung jury.

Justice Barlow subsequently ordered a retrial, and the matter was listed to be heard during the January 2021 session of the Demerara Assizes.

The case later came up before Justice Sandil Kissoon, however, this too ended in a hung verdict.

In April, Wayne’s co-accused, Melroy Doris, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years.

Doris testified during Lennox Wayne called ‘Two Colours’

DEAD: Ashmini Harriram Wayne’s trial as the state’s key witness.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported Wayne was allegedly the triggerman while Doris was the taxi driver who drove Wayne to the scene of the crime to execute Harriram.

It is also alleged that following the act, Doris reportedly transported Wayne back to the city where the victim’s phone was handed over to one of the two persons who contracted the duo to carry out the murderous act for a price tag of $2.5 million.

The two men were reportedly contracted by the brother-in-law of the hairdresser and an accomplice who wanted her dead after they suspected that she had snitched on them.

They believed that it was she who had informed the police of a drug operation they were engaged in, resulting in the narcotics being seized.

guyana CHRONICLE wednesday, june 29, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 29, 2022

Serena Williams stunned by France's Tan in Wimbledon first round epic LONDON: (Reuters)- Seven-time champion Serena Williams suffered a second straight Wimbledon first round exit as she was stunned by French debutant Harmony Tan in a late-night Centre Court epic on Tuesday.

A year after the American retired injured from what many feared would be her last Wimbledon match, her return was eagerly anticipated, but 115th-ranked Tan ripped up the script for a stomach-churning 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) win.

With the Centre Court roof closed and the time approaching the 11pm Wimbledon curfew, Tan had one match point snatched away when Williams served at 5-6 in a rollercoaster deciding

set.

A weary Williams then appeared to be close to victory as she went 4-0 ahead in the tiebreak played to 10.

But Tan, who had never played a Wimbledon main draw match before, was not finished and clawed her way into a 9-7 lead before sealing victory as Williams netted a forehand.

Williams, who had not played a singles match since retiring hurt against Aliaksandra Sasnovich here last year, went through every emotion in three hours and 11 minutes of drama and put her fans through the wringer.

But in the end, the rustiness of so much time away from the court proved too much as another quest for a 24th Grand Slam title came

to a heartbreaking end.

Tan, who had only ever won two Grand Slam main draw matches compared to the 98 won at Wimbledon alone by Williams, could hardly believe it after clinching victory on her second match point when Williams fired a forehand into the net.

"I'm so emotional now.

Serena is a superstar and when I was young I was watching her so many times on the TV," the 24-year-old said on court. "For my first Wimbledon, it's wow. Just wow.

"When I saw the draw I was really scared. Because it's Serena Williams, she's a legend. I thought if I could win one or two games it was really good for me."

Abrams shatters National 100m record to qualify for World Athletics Championships COMPETING in the finals of the Women's 100m at the Trinidad and Tobago National Championship, Guyana’s Jasmine Abrams clocked 11.07 seconds to finish second at the Haseley Crawford Stadium over the weekend.

In the process, Abrams erased Brenessa Thompson's time of 11.14s, which was set at Leonora during the 2018 Aliann Pompey Invitational, to be the new national record-holder.

Jasmine joins her sister, Aliyah Abrams as the country’s two qualifiers thus far for the World Athletics Championships in Oregon

from July 15-24.

Athletics Guyana president, Aubrey Hutson, said he was impressed with Jasmine and hopes she peaks at the right time to perform well at the World Championships.

Noting Jasmine is a “hard worker”, Hutson indicated that her coach Jermey Bas-

com is “tailoring her programme” based on speaking with various international coaches to allow her to peak at the right time.

According to Hutson, should Jasmine improve her times, she should make the 100m final at the World Championships.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 29, 2022

New Zealand's Test superstars have started to fade

…Failure to seize on big moments in England suggests Kane Williamson and company have lost their spark

By Matt Roller

AT Lord's, New Zealand had England 69 for 4 in pursuit of 277; in Nottingham, they made 553 after being asked to bat first; in Leeds, they had England 55 for 6, still 274 behind their first-innings total. On each occasion, the game has drifted away from them, ending in England knocking off 270+ targets with at least five wickets in hand.

It has been a gruelling tour, one marred by a Covid-19 outbreak and injuries to key players in Kyle Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme, which has taken their run without a series win beyond a year.

Since last year's World Test Championship final, they have won two of their last nine Tests and slipped to fourth in the ICC's rankings.

The biggest question for that champion team was how to replace the retiring Ross Taylor and BJ Watling, but their effective replacements - Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell respectively - have been New Zealand's best two players in this series, putting on four hundred partnerships and thriving against the old ball.

NZC have spent years making succession plans, investing heavily in the A-team programme and looking to widen the pool of players available to them. But there has been an ingrained conservatism in their selection: Rachin Ravindra, the talented 22-year-old batter who bowls solid left-arm spin, scored 217 for Durham two weeks ago but New Zealand handed a debut to the 31-year-old Michael Bracewell instead, who averaged 24 with the bat and went at 5.97 an over with the ball.

And there has been an unmistakable sense of drift among the more established players. The inaugural WTC gave New Zealand's fixture list context, something to aim towards and aspire to be, but on this tour they have seemed directionless, losing all of the series' key moments.

None of the top five in the Headingley Test averaged more than 25.16 on the tour while Trent Boult was the only bowler to come out of the series with his reputation enhanced.

For Kane Williamson, their captain, it has been another difficult tour: he made his Test comeback after missing the entire home summer with an elbow injury but missed the second Test with Covid-19 and picked a bizarre team in the third, with Bracewell, a bits-and-pieces allrounder, playing as the frontline spinner ahead of Ajaz Patel on a pitch where Jack Leach bowled more than 70 overs and took 10 wickets Perhaps it was Neil

the game.

"To win those moments and take the game further into stronger winning positions is something we want to be doing and something we were doing really well a year ago. The margins are small so it's [about] not overreacting, making sure that we're aware of those things and keep looking to move forward as a side."

But that move forward will not be immediate.

"There's a long gap before the next one [Test series] and it will be quite different conditions as well," Williamson said. They are due to tour Pakistan at the end of the year while their fixture list for the 2022-23 home summer is due to be

Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell were New Zealand's best performers on tour (Getty Images)

Wagner who personified the tour. New Zealand supporters were crying out for his inclusion in the first two Tests but he was noticeably down on pace in Leeds and on the final morning, he was the bowler of last resort, brought on when England needed 10 to win with seven wickets in hand. He finished with match analysis of 20-3-108-2; at 36, it may be time to move on.

"Professional sport is very competitive: you win and you lose," Williamson said. "For us, it is frustrating that we haven't quite had some of the results go our way but… we [need to] still understand that we're not that far away. If we look at each match closely, there were moments - and large moments - throughout it where we were right in the match or even ahead of

announced on Tuesday.

ESPNcricinfo understands that they will play England in February, then Sri Lanka straight after The nature of their schedule, with sporadic short series across widely different conditions, means it is hard to assess performance: Will Young has played every Test in the last 12 months but has batted only 16 times across three different countries and against four different opponents.

Williamson's own future as captain is unclear.

He insisted that he intends to carry on in the role: "I certainly love this group and love being a leader within the environment," he said. "It's been an interesting period of time, getting back to fitness and things, but it's great to be out here,

playing along these guys and against a strong England team. Certainly the appetite is still there."

But his elbow has been a constant, nagging issue over the last

18 months and with a young family and six years of service in the bank, this feels like the perfect time to hand over to Tom Latham and focus on his batting.

His legacy as a great New Zealand captain is already secure: continuing in the role might feel like the safe option but if anything, it is the riskier one. (Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 29, 2022

Memory of Warne looms large as Australia return to Galle

…Players from Australia and Sri Lanka will observe a moment's silence before the first Test in Galle, a place that had a special bond with the late Shane Warne SIXTY-six images of Shane Warne will watch over Australia's cricketers in Galle as they fight to retain the trophy named in the late leg-spinner's honour.

Two months after his sudden death, Australia and Sri Lanka will play for the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, which the Aussies have not won on foreign soil since 2011.

Today’s first Test will also be dedicated to the Victorian, with a moment's silence to be observed before play and Warne's brother Jason expected to be in attendance.

Warne was loved worldwide, but in few places is that admiration greater than in Galle, a city he helped rebuild after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

The Galle International Stadium itself is a product of Warne's work, after he helped raise $1 million for it to be saved after the disaster Just 10 kilometres down the road lies the village of Seenigama, which was completely destroyed before Warne and Muthiah Muralidaran offered it second

life with the Foundation of Goodness.

It's part of the reason why Warne and Muralidaran's faces are plastered across the southern end of the stadium, with Warne shown 66 times and Murali 55.

Accompanying banners read 'Grand Masters of Spin', 'Undisputed Game Changers' and 'Legends are Created with Time Warne's face will likely outnumber the amount of Australians in the crowd, with around 50 having flown over for the two-Test series.

It's fitting though, given how dominant Warne was in Sri Lanka as Australia's leading wicket-taker in the country.

"It's really where he announced himself," Warne's first Test captain Allan Border told AAP. For all the replays and memories of the famous Gatting ball in 1993, one of most important spells of bowling in the past 40 years of Australian cricket was delivered in Colombo a year earlier.

With Sri Lanka needing 34 to win and with four wickets in hand, Warne was

Shane Warne and Muthiah Muralidaran in Galle after the devastating 2004 tsumani (Getty)

thrown the ball and produced his first match-winning performance for Australia.

"We always thought there was something worth sticking with, with this guy, there's just something about him," Border said.

"But it was about how are we going to unearth it all and blood it and use it properly.

It all just happened after that spell in Sri Lanka.

"You could really just see his game go to another level once he took those three wickets."

Untelevised back home, Warne's spell of 3-0 wrapped up Australia's second win in Asia in 23 years.

But more importantly, it was the catalyst for the career of the nation's finest ever bowler.

Until that point, Warne had taken 1-346 across his first four-and-a-half innings as a Test bowler.

And given he suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of the next Test, it's not inconceivable to think Warne may have faced a long struggle to return to the Australian team if not for his Colombo heroics.

"At tea during the second innings, I retreated to myself," Warne wrote in his 2018 autobiography, No Spin "'Jesus, I've done all this work, trained my arse off and I'm still getting hammered.

Maybe cricket isn't my go'."

Warne had gone for nine runs in his last over before tea on day five, before Border made the gutsy call to bring him back on and reignite his career.

"I thought 'oh no, no, no,

Shane Warne with Allan Border, his first Test captain (Getty)

no, no you can't be serious (when Border told me to warm up)'," Warne recalled "'This could be me done and dusted in a couple of overs. You can't do this to me, not now, not with so much at stake'."

History shows it was anything but the end of Warne, rather the start.

Warne got one to bounce out of the rough to have Pramodya Wickramasinghe caught at cover, drew Don Anurasiri's leading edge and wrapped the match up by claiming Ranjith Madurasinghe on the drive.

Highlights that now look like classic Warne, but in reality show the spell that was the making of him.

"He was bowling well. It wasn't as if he was bowling rubbish deliveries," Border said.

"I just had to trust him. It was a huge call, because he was a bit down in the dumps (with) where it had started for him.

"He just needed to work on some variations, and what

to do when guys went after him.

"That's just game play.

And that came in spades after that.

"It sounds simple, but it's amazing how much that changed his own perception of himself, where he was at.

"Just that simple: 'I can handle this. I landed the ball really well, I didn't panic and bowl long-hops and cost us the game'."

By the time Warne next returned to Sri Lanka in Test cricket in 1999 he was the world's best bowler, on the verge of being named one of Wisden's five cricketers of the 20th century.

He starred in the country again in 2002 with 11 wickets in a Test against Pakistan, before taking 26 wickets at 20.03 in his return series from his drug ban in 2004.

Warne's legacy remains not only at Galle's Stadium, but in the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy the two teams have played for since 2007-08.

A trophy that now takes on added meaning for this tour. (AAP)

Hamilton and F1 condemn Piquet over racist language LEWIS Hamilton has said "archaic mindsets need to change" and have no place in Formula 1 after three-time world champion Nelson Piquet used racially abusive language about him.

The 69-year-old Brazilian, who won the world title in 1981, 1983 and 1987, used a racially offensive term to refer to Hamilton in a podcast.

Piquet has been condemned by Formula 1, Hamilton's Mercedes team and the FIA. "It's more than language,"

Brazilian Nelson Piquet won the world title in 1981, 1983 and 1987

said seven-time world champion Hamilton.

"These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport. I've been

surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life.

"There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action."

Piquet was discussing the accident between Hamilton and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen on the first lap of last year's British Grand Prix.

He described the incident as "a joke", said Hamilton had been "lucky" only Verstappen crashed, and used a swear word in expressing his opinion that Hamilton had made a mistake.

(Turn to page 25)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 29, 2022

Semenya brands African athletics leaders ‘cowards’ over DSD stance NAIROBI, Kenya, – Twotime Olympic and threetime world champion Caster Semenya has branded leaders in African athletics “cowards” for failing to stand up and fight for female athletes who are facing eligibility issues.

The 31-year-old is barred from competing in her preferred 800m race by World Athletics’ differences of sexual development (DSD) rules introduced in 2019.

Athletes with high testosterone are required to medically lower their levels in order to compete in events between 400m and 1500m.

“I think that, in this day, we have coward leaders,” Semenya said.

“In this continent, people are quiet. I don’t know why they’re quiet. They’re not fighting for their own athletes.

“You have got to show up and work, fight for your athletes, and then African athletics will be great. At this moment it’s disappointing.”

When asked by BBC Sport Africa about Semenya’s comments and whether African athletics leadership has done enough for its athletes, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) president Malboum Kalkaba said: “Sorry, I do not have an answer, Several other African athletes have been affected by the DSD rules, including Burundi’s Olympic silver medallist Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and her fellow 800m runner Margaret Wambui of Kenya.

Last year, two Namibian teenagers, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, were forced to step down from the 400m weeks before the

Caster Semenya finished sixth in the 5000m at the African Athletics Championships this month

Tokyo Olympics after they were informed of their elevated testosterone levels.

Both Mboma and Masilingi ended up competing

in the 200m in Japan, with Mboma winning a historic Olympic silver for her country.

However, Semenya, who now competes over 5000m, has questioned African leadership’s handling of the teenagers’ situation as well as its relative “silence” on the DSD matter in general “When I was 18, I couldn’t speak up,” the South African said. “Now I’m mature enough, I can speak.

“Imagine what was going on through those kids’ minds. They can’t do anything, but the leaders are just sitting out there enjoying the privileges, being in the boardrooms.”

CAA director general Lamine Faty said Semenya “has the right to express her sentiments” and that concerns over DSD rules were raised by the organisation

a “long time ago” and were discussed again recently at a CAA council meeting in Mauritius.

A debate about eligibility in women’s sports has been heating up, with the recent focus being on the status of transgender athletes.

Last week, World Athletics president Seb Coe hinted his organisation could follow swimming in banning transgender women from elite female competitions, insisting “fairness is non-negotiable”.

“We continue to study, research and contribute to the growing body of evidence that testosterone is a key determinant in performance, and have scheduled a discussion on our regulations with our council at the end of the year,” he told BBC Sport ‘We are never going to stop fighting’ Champion over 800m

at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, Semenya has previously challenged World Athletics’ rules but lost her case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2019.

She then lost an appeal and was defeated at Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court a year later, before going to the European Court of Human Rights where her case has yet to be heard.

“We are never going to stop fighting,” she said.

“At the moment it is not about me, it’s about the young kids that are coming up now that are going to face the same problem.

“There are a lot of kids that want to compete in 400m, in 800m and in 1500m, but they cannot be included.

“They say sport is for all, but at the moment it’s not for all.” (BBC Sport)

Nadal overcomes third set wobble to reach Two more crushing defeats Wimbledon second round end Bermuda’s miserable tour KAMPALA, Uganda, (CMC) – Bermuda’s calamitous visit to East Africa came to an end on Monday with a second crushing defeat in two days that left them rooted to the bottom of the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B standings.

Bermuda lost by 291 runs to unbeaten Jersey on Sunday and followed it up with a demoralising 10-wicket defeat against Italy, the second-worst side, on Monday.

Jersey left Bermuda with a daunting task after piling up 371 for eight, and although the captain Kamau Leverock, who promoted himself to opener, weighed in with 63, including six sixes and four fours, his side crumbled to 80 all out in 17.5 overs with Malachi Jones the next highest scorer with four not out.

Nick Greenwood’s century put the Channel Islanders in control and fellow opener Harrison Carlyon followed up his 73 by claiming five

for 13 as Bermuda’s reply disintegrated.

There was little improvement on Monday when Bermuda were bowled out for 120 in 27.4 overs, Jones the top scorer with 21, before Italy’s opening pair, Marcus Campopiano (75 not out) and Nikolai Smith (49 not out), knocked off the runs in just 12.2 overs.

Bermuda’s inexperienced side had earlier lost heavily to Kenya, hosts Uganda, who ended the week still top of the standings, and Hong Kong.

Bermuda went into the Uganda leg of the tournament with one point gained from a no-result in an abandoned match against Kenya.

Hosts Uganda topped the table after the first leg, which was played in Oman in December 2019, with a perfect record of five victories.

The third and final leg of the group stage – part of the 2023 World Cup qualification process – will be played in Jersey in August.

LONDON: (Reuters)- Rafael Nadal made a stuttering but rousing return to the grass on Tuesday (Jun 28), beating 41st-ranked Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4 in Wimbledon's first round to begin his campaign for a third Grand Slam title of the year.

The 36-year-old second seed, who has not played at Wimbledon since 2019 and stayed away from warm-up tournaments with a chronic foot problem, looked to be motoring through the match until a series of unforced errors allowed Cerundolo,

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his first round against Argentina’s Francisco Cerunodolo (Reuters photo)

Hamilton and F1 condemn Piquet...

This weekend's British Grand Prix is the first anniversary of the incident, which was one of a series between the two drivers as they disputed last year's world title - a championship decided in controversial circumstances at the 2021 finale in Abu Dhabi.An F1 statement said: "Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society.

"Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect."

It added: "His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1."

Piquet, who is the father of Verstappen's partner Kelly Piquet, has a history of making unsavoury and unpleasant statements. During his driving career, he publicly questioned Ayrton Senna's sexuality and called his rival "the Sao Paulo taxi driver".

He also made offensive comments about Nigel

23, back in.

The Argentine upped the tempo and used his booming forehand to overpower twice Wimbledon champion Nadal, who has won 20 other Grand Slam titles, taking the third set and breaking serve in the fourth.

But Nadal, who won the Australian Open in January and the French Open earlier this month, regrouped and used all his experience to fight back, breaking a now nervy opponent twice to seal the match to the delight of a packed Centre Court.

(From page 24)

Mansell and the Briton's wife when they were team-mates at Williams.

"We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind," said Mercedes. "Lewis has spearheaded our sport's efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off track.

"Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fun-

damental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future."

The FIA, motorsport's governing body, said: "The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or wider society.

"We express our solidarity with Lewis Hamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport."(BBC Sport)

26

GDF beat Santos; Fruta Conquerors flay Swan 19-0 in Women’s League

The League continues to intensify at the National Training Facility, Providence (File photo)

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Development League (WDL) continued on Saturday last at the National Training Centre, Providence, with two matches.

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in their first match eased to a 4-0 win over Santos Football Club (SFC) whist Fruta Conquerors rebounded in grand style following their opening loss to Police Football Club ( P F C ) w h e n t h e y h a mmered Swan Football Club ((SFC), 19-0.

GDF were kept in check by their less experienced counterparts from Santos and were only able to penetrate the Santos final third once in the first half,

thanks to an Aboice Heywood 26th minute strike.

The bigger name teams including GDF and the GPF would have snapped up most of the seasoned female players during the transfer window thus far which has made way for a number of young players to be able to showcase their talent at this highest level for women in Guyana.

While it might bring with it some heavy losses, these young players would be very thankful for the exposure as they would become tougher players by the end of this shortened season.

The second half for the GDF was more satisfying as they fired in three un-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday June 29, 2022) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI 3; BANG 0 (2) Kyle Mayers (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored most runs for the WI in the recent Test series versus the BANG? (2) Who scored most runs for Bangladesh?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

answered goals. Anastasia Horsham in the 63rd, Suashar Greaves, two minutes later, and Sherrilyn Kingston in the 74th were the other players on the score sheet for the GDF, which is third place on the points table with three points, the same as Police and Fruta Conquerors at the top, goal difference separating them.

The Fruta ladies were in rampaging form, having given up full points to Police in the League’s opening match. Against a young and inexperienced Swan Football Club side that started the game with just eight players, Fruta Conquerors were gifted the perfect start when Sawn conceded an own goal just two minutes into the match.

It was the perfect momentum for the Tucvillebased side as they kept the standing Referee busy recording the times for the next 18 goals.

Leading the goal blitz was Nikisa Wayne with five goals; she was on target in the 28th, 29th, 36th, 41st, and 46th minutes.

There was a helmet trick each for Sandra Johnson (13th, 16th, 23rd, 30th) and Shamya Daniels (35th, 47th, 49th, 58th). Recording a hattrick was Shanic Thornhill (11th, 25th, 33rd) with a brace for Jessica Teasdale in the 53rd and 58th minutes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 29, 2022

Munisar named Guyana Girls skipper ahead of CWI U-19 tourney THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), on Monday, announced the Guyana Girls Under-19 team to participate in the Cricket West Indies Girls Under-19 Regional Tournament.

The tournament will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from July 3-14, 2022. National Women’s senior team player, Ashmini Munisar has been appointed captain of the team while Niveena Ramnauth will be her deputy.

Munisar, who played in the just concluded CG Insurance and CWI Blaze T20 Tournament is expected to play a major role with both with bat and ball as Guyana aims to take this year’s trophy.

The team includes Realanna Grimmond, who was the leading run scorer in the Under-19 Inter-county played in May with an aggregate of 120 runs.

Grimmond struck an unbeaten 91 against Demerara in what was considered the ‘final’ of the T20 tournament.

Head coach of Women’s

Captain Ashmin munisar will lead the Guyana U19 women's team

cricket, Julian Moore, will serve as the coach while West Indies pacer Tremayne Smartt, who was a member of the National Senior Women’s Team that participated in the recently concluded Women’s Regional tournament, will be the Manager.

The squad was expected to be encamped from yesterday, June 28- July 1, with sessions to be held at the Guyana National Stadium

from June 29-July 1, 2022.

The squad reads: Realeanne Grimmond, Naomi Barkoye, Ashmin Munisar (Captain), Melanie Dover, Niveena Ramnauth (Vice Captain), Lavina Ragobeer, Leah Kamlall, Sarah Amin, Crystal Durant, Trisha Hardat, Lakshmi Mahadeo, Darshanie Subramanie, Jamie Campbell and Cyanna Retemiah.

Crandon, Nandu among the runs as JB Masters maintain unbeaten run JB Masters maintained their unbeaten record in the Toronto & District Association (T&DCA) Super9 50-over tournament with victories last Saturday and Sunday, making it four wins in a row.

Playing at King City on Saturday, JB Masters defeated Toronto Cricket Club by the huge margin of 177 runs while they whipped Mississauga Ramblers by nine wickets the following day at Iceland Arena-Recreation and Sports venue.

Taking first strike on Saturday, JB Masters reached a formidable 308 for eight in their allotted 50 overs with Canadian national player Saad Bin Zafar hitting a top score of 76.

Former Guyana and West Indies One-day player Royston Crandon blasted four fours and five sixes in a quick-fire 58, skipper Varun Sehdev 53 and former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 opener Matthew Nandu 46 off 57 balls with five fours.

Fast medium bowler Matthew Seepersaud, who

Royston Crandon

Matthew Nandu

smashed a century the previous weekend in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) First Division tournament, claimed three for 61 from his allotment of 10 overs Toronto Cricket Club were sent packing for 131 in the 28th over with Raghu Sooqoor contributing 50 while Trinidadian Allert Atiba was JB Masters’ best bowler with four for 39.

Leg-spinner Kairav Sharma supported with three for 26 from six overs.

On Sunday, Mississauga Ramblers fared even worse, mustering a paltry 64 in 28

overs as Sharma was among the wickets once more, grabbing three for nine while off-spinner Sehdev took three for 16 and Sheel Patel two for 14.

Nandu was unbeaten on 36 when victory was achieved in the 11th over.

The Super9, which is the most senior of the T&DCA tournaments, continues on Sunday with JB Masters slated to play Centurions at King City. It runs until mid-September when a new champion will be crowned as defending champions.

Vikings Cricket Club has opted out this season.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday June 29, 2022

West Indies name white-ball squads to face Bangladesh ‒ McCoy, Thomas returns; Rovman Powell named vice-captain

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Left-arm pacer Obed McCoy is set to feature for West Indies for the first time in nine months after being recalled to the Twenty20 International squad to face Bangladesh, while Devon Thomas has also found favour with selectors again after playing his first T20I in eight years last December.

The invigorated Rovman Powell has been appointed vice-captain to Nicholas Pooran in a 13-man squad which sees the return of all-rounder Keemo Paul after nearly a year-and-a-half away from the shortest format.

There are no major changes in the One-Day International squad with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie the only new face.

West Indies will clash with Bangladesh in the first two T20Is of the three-match series at Windsor Park in Dominica next weekend, with the final game set for the Guyana National Stadium in Georgetown on July 7.

Guyana will also host the entire ODI series from July 10-16.

The 32-year-old Thomas, also recalled for the just concluded Test series but failed to get a match, finds himself with another opportunity to impress after being dropped following a single T20 innings on last year’s tour of Pakistan.

He has played only four T20 Internationals, the first three coming between 2009 and 2013.

McCoy, 25, forced out of last October’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates

showpiece in Australia.

“Generally, we have to start looking at the bigger picture of getting these players playing together as often as possible in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup later down in the year. We need to ensure we are fielding a very strong side for that tournament.”

Left-arm pacer Obed McCoy

with injury, returns to the top level following an impressive campaign in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals which yielded 11 wickets from seven matches.

He was also outstanding for Sussex in the England T20 Blast, snatching 14 wickets in five matches earlier this month.

“Thomas is a very versatile cricketer who has been knocking on the door in all formats,” said chief selector, the Most Honourable Desmond Haynes.

“He has been doing well in franchise cricket and with that level of talent, we must ensure we keep him interested. He brings a lot to the table and is basically a four-dimensional player – he can bat, bowl, he is brilliant in the field, and he can keep wicket as well.

“McCoy has done exceptionally well in the IPL and enjoyed a successful stint in England as well, so we are confident that he is back to his best in terms of playing

and fitness.”

Powell’s appointment as vice-captain follows the elevation of Pooran to captain, in the wake of Kieron Pollard’s retirement from international cricket.

And Haynes said it was part of a process of identifying future leaders.

“We know Rovman’s history. He has captained the West Indies before and is also the captain of his CPL franchise.

“Our role is to look at future leaders as well and we have identified a few, including himself, who we will be putting programmes around to ensure we keep them involved in that aspect of the cricket.”

From the team which toured India, gone are all-rounders Roston Chase and Fabian Allen, fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell, along with batsmen Shai Hope and Darren Bravo.

Haynes reiterated the importance of the imminent series, nothing it formed part of the preparation for this year’s

SQUADS: T20Is – Nicholas Pooran (captain), Rovman Powell (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Reserve: Dominic Drakes ODIs – Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales Reserve: Romario Shepherd

France’s Harmony Tan celebrates winning her Wimbledon first round match against Serena Williams of the United States at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Jun 28, 2022. (Photo: Reuters/Matthew Childs)

Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her first round match against France's Harmony Tan REUTERS/ Matthew Childs

Serena Williams stunned by France's Tan in Wimbledon first round epic

PAGE

22

Abrams shatters National 100m record to qualify for World Athletics Championships PAGE

22

Jasmine Abrams is set to compete at the World Championships

‘Live a positive life’

– Keemo Paul to Timerhi Prison inmates WEST Indies all-rounder, Keemo Paul, recently paid a visit to the Timehri Prison, East Bank Demerara, where he interacted with some of the inmates and encouraged them to live positive lives when they are released and to equip themselves with the tools to do so.

The trip, which was organised by his close friend, Siddiq Mohamed, Paul urged them not to make the same mistakes when they re-integrate into society and that they must always seek to develop themselves.

The prisoners questioned the all-rounder about life as an international cricketer, the demands of the coaches, and

West Indies cricketer, Keemo Paul (black shirt) along with friend Siddiq Mohamed (far left) and inmates of the Timerhi Prison after a recent visit

the pressures he faces in life.

They also indicated it was the first time an active sport personality of such

magnitude visited the facility and they appreciate the wisdom he shared.

Paul promised to donate

balls and bats to the facility, and also return to participate in a friendly game of cricket.

West Indies name white-ball squads to face Bangladesh

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‒ McCoy, Thomas returns; Rovman Powell named vice-captain 27 PAGE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022