Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 30-09-2021

THURSDAY 30th September, 2021

No. 106500

Hundreds turn out for second dose Sputnik V vaccine

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30,000 hinterland households to benefit from solar lighting

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_as Guyana gets US$7.2 million line of credit from India

PM: New ‘Amazonia’ Caribbean Cinemas $27B in benefits signals Guyana’s openness for investment to be disbursed

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by NIS this year

$200M ‘pumped’ into water supply enhancement project for Georgetown SEE PAGE

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Caribbean Cinemas’ Director of operations, George Borges, cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the cinema at Amazonia Mall, on Wednesday (OPM photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

Nicole Williams Hundreds turn out for second appointed GNNL Chair dose Sputnik V vaccine ASSISTANT Commiss i o n e r, P ro g r a m m e Planning, Risk Management and Advisory within the Large Taxpayers Division of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Nicole Williams, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL).

Williams previously served as a member and Interim Chair of GNNL following the resignation of then Chairman, Dr Yog Mahadeo.

Williams is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and holds an IMBA (Finance specialisation) with distinction, a Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies and a Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree in Accountancy, both from the University of Guyana.

GNNL Chair, Nicole Williams

Williams has over 18 years of experience in tax administration. Before assuming her current role

at GRA, she held several positions, including Manager VAT Examinations Unit, Manager Assessment Review (PAYE & Miscellaneous Taxes); Principal Manager, Commercial Operations Division of the Customs and Excise Department; Principal Manager, Post Clearance Audit; Manager, Public Relations and Manager (ag), Tax Advisory Services; and Tax Auditor.

Williams has a passion for volunteerism and is a Past President of the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central.

The other members of the board are Harry Gill, Jason Abd u l l a , R a u l A a ro n , Travis Bruce, Andrea Seelochan and Vanessa Narine, a staff representative (elected by staff) and the General Manager (ex-officio).

THE Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, began administering the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine, which arrived in Guyana on Monday following a lengthy delay.

Hundreds of people turned out to receive their ‘jabs’ at the Ministry of Health’s facility on Brickdam.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke with a number of persons who said they took the vaccine to protect themselves and their families from the deadly COVID-19. They are also encouraging others to do the same.

Keisha Hilkin said she took her ‘jab’ to help fight the novel coronavirus and to protect her two children.

“I feel pretty good because they say the vaccine help you fight the virus, so I have two little boys and I would do everything possible to protect my boys, so I got myself vaccinated…I would encourage others to take the vaccine as well, so you could protect your family members,” she said.

Ingrid Chabinaught is proud to be fully vaccinated.

She told DPI that she will also ensure her children are vaccinated as well.

She related: “I take it be-

cause I got my two kids and them does deh around me and them have to go and take them second dose too at the school and I feel proud about it… I feel much better how I come out and take it.”

Meanwhile, Govin Nakilavan said he took his vaccine to boost his immune system in order to fight the disease, if he becomes infected. He is also encouraging others to take the ‘jab’ as they will need it to protect themselves against the harmful effects of COVID-19.

“Basically, you want to protect yourself from the virus. You don’t want to get infected; it won’t prevent you from getting it [COVID-19] but will help boost your immune system…I would encourage people to come out and take it because, in the future, you gonna need it, in a time like this you gonna need the vaccine,” he related.

Omega Garraway shared similar sentiments, saying: “I would advise people to take it, I take it for my kids…so I would encourage everybody to take the vaccine.”

An elderly Noel Mohan is fully vaccinated against the disease. He said he is happy to be immunised and is also encouraging everyone to take the ‘jab’.

“I feel very good with it,

no complain, I get no effect with it, it went ok with me…I encourage anybody to … take the vaccine,” Mohan urged.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the Sputnik V vaccine is now available at vaccine sites across the country. He urged persons to go out and get inoculated.

“We have Sputnik V second dose that is now available, and again it’s who need that second dose they should come out now and get it so that they can be completely vaccinated. We have distributed to all the regions, so right now, in every region, the sites in those regions they have second dose Sputnik.

“In total, we’re working with five different vaccines in Guyana: AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Pfizer and J&J…so those persons who are now four weeks to 12 weeks after their first dose or anytime between that they have to come back and get their second dose,” Minister Anthony said.

The Health Minister again called on persons to take the necessary precautions: washing their hands regularly, wearing a mask, sanitising and getting vaccinated in order to prevent hospitalisation and deaths.

(DPI)

Persons awaiting their turn to take the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine, on Wednesday (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

30,000 hinterland households to_ benefit from solar lighting as Guyana gets US$7.2 million line of credit from India

By Tamica Garnett

SOME 30,000 households in hinterland communities across the country are set to benefit from solar lighting systems, following the signing of a US$7.2 million Line of Credit (LOC) agreement between the Government of Guyana and Government of India via the Exim Bank.

The signing took place during the celebration of the 57th anniversary of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day held by the Indian High Commission at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), on Wednesday.

Signing the agreement on behalf of Guyana was Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, while Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa signed on behalf of India.

LOC agreements are a component of the ITEC programme, which also includes training and capacity building courses for residents of the 161 countries where ITEC is implemented.

Over 600 Guyanese have since benefitted from opportunities to study at various institutions across India through the ITEC programme.

Thanking the High Commissioner and the Government of India for the funding provided, Minister Singh said the initiative will bring joy to families in hinterland communities.

“Consider for a moment the difference it will make to

people’s lives to enjoy electricity for the first time in their homes. For those 30,000 families, delivering electricity to their homes for the first time will be the single biggest thing to happen to them in an entire generation,” Dr. Singh said.

He acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Guyana and India, and highlighted how the ITEC programme has been a vehicle to strengthen that bond between the two nations.

“ITEC has provided remarkable opportunities for Guyanese professionals to obtain world class international training exposure and remarkable experience that could only have enhanced their ability to serve in Guyana and contribute to development, and benefitted development of their own world view. Needless to say, the ITEC programme is only one aspect of Guyana’s vast cooperation agenda with India over the years,” Dr. Singh said.

With Guyana now an oil producing nation which places immense focus on aligning human resources with the country’s development trajectory, Dr. Singh said that programmes such as the training offered under the ITEC programme are all the more important.

“ITEC will have an extremely important role to play, as we traverse the path of rapidly building the human capital that we will need, given the changes that will be taking place in Guyana in the months ahead,” Dr. Singh said.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Srinivasa also commended the great relations

between Guyana and India in the mutual development of the two nations.

“Guyana has been an important partner for India. India, since 1947, has remained committed as a steadfast and reliable developmental partner to Guyana,” Dr. Srinivasa said.

Fully funded by the Government of India, the ITEC programme was started in September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance from the Government of India. Today, the programme is available in 161 countries across the world.

ITEC is considered as a conduit to share India’s vast and unique experience of growth and development through capacity building and training.

Courses under ITEC provide a wide and diverse range of skills and disciplines such as agriculture, irrigation, information technology and telecommunications, finance and accounts, among others.

Several prominent Guyanese would have benefitted from training under this programme, including Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. Also in attendance at Wednesday’s ceremony were the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, as well as the wife of the Prime Minister Mignon Bowen-Phillips, who herself is a ITEC alumnus.

Giving brief remarks, Bowen-Phillips shared her experiences as an ITEC participant, when she did a six-week course in India.

“Exciting is the adjective I would use to describe my

UG to re-open using ‘blended’ approach THE University of Guyana is set to commence its new academic year on October 25, 2021, and will be using a blended system, comprising both in-person and online teaching to deliver its services.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it brought about, approximately 65 per cent of the university’s classes will remain online for the first semester from October, 2021 to January, 2022.

The remaining 35 per cent of classes, consisting

primarily of laboratory and field exercises, are expected to be blended, and face-toface learning will be delivered at various parts of the university’s campus, for specific courses, or parts of courses, only in the first semester.

Accordingly, the university will notify students directly of the schedule, as well as safety measures they are expected to comply with if any of their courses are to be held face-to-face.

Schedules will also be posted on Faculty websites.

A section of the audience at Wednesday’s ITEC Day celebrations (Elvin Croker photo) six-week programme in India.

My experiences in India will remain with me forever,” she said.

Several other Guyanese ITEC alumni were also present

at the anniversary ceremony and shared their unique experiences with studying and travelling under the programme.

Several other members of the diplomatic community

were also present at Wednesday’s event, including US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

$27B in benefits to be disbursed by NIS this year _over 60,000 pensioners being paid monthly

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, delivering the feature address at the NIS’ 2021 General Assembly and 52nd Anniversary celebrations, on Wednesday (Adrian Narine Photo)

By Richard Bhainie THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the country’s premier social security provider, is on course to paying $27 billion in benefits for sickness, accidents and pensions for the year 2021.

This is according to Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Board of Directors, Ramesh Persaud, during

his remarks at the NIS’ 2021 General Assembly and 52nd Anniversary celebrations at the Patrick Martinborough Multipurpose Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, on Wednesday.

The scheme was established on September 29, 1969, to maintain a system of social security, through which enough income is secured to take the place of earnings

when such are interrupted by sickness or accident, and to provide for retirement, through age, sudden death of a breadwinner and to meet exceptional expenses as those concerned with birth and death.

Additionally, a part of the scheme’s mission is to ensure that funds collected, which have to be used for future payments, are invested in such a manner that the economy of the country would reap maximum benefit.

The scheme currently pays about 60,000 pensioners and processes approximately 10,000 short- term claims on a monthly basis, accumulating to some $2.3 billion in benefits for sickness, accidents and pensions every month.

Persaud said that since the current board was appointed in December, 2020, there have been efforts to ensure that the quality of service extended towards contributors and claimants are enhanced.

“Customer service is not just about the please, thank you and excuse me or a good tone and a nice smile, but it is also about delivering the service expected by the beneficiary in a timely manner. A customer is only truly satisfied when they receive and cash their voucher or when their queries are resolved,” he said.

To this end, Persaud related that since taking up the responsibility as Chairman,

the new board has worked assiduously to achieve some phenomenal accomplishments including introducing new policies for easier registration and verification of self-employed businesses, to accommodate registration of workers from overseas and to facilitate offices opening at extended hours during peak periods.

Highlighting some accomplishments of NIS, the Chairman said that the scheme has seen a reduction in pending claims from over 14,000 claims per month to less than 4,000 claims per month.

“We receive an average 5,500 life certificates for processing per month. We are at the stage where all life certificates received in the month are processed in the same month. This was achieved consistently for June, July and August 2021,” Persaud said, as he reminded that previously, about 4,000 certificates were outstanding monthly.

He also said that contributions with suspense have dropped from 1.4 million to just over 800,000, while appeals have been reduced from over 1,900 to about 1,500, with over 200 reserve questions determined by the Board, since December, 2020.

The NIS has also seen an increase in the number of compliances requested by employers, which is now averaging 1,500 per month as compared

Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme’s Board of Directors, Ramesh Persaud, speaking at the NIS’ 2021 General Assembly and 52nd Anniversary celebrations, on Wednesday (Adrian Narine Photo) to an average per month of 600 in 2020.

“Of those received now, 90 per cent are resolved in the same month and over 80 per cent within less than three days, providing the business is up to date with their returns and payments.

“At the end of August, 2020, we had 90 compliances as compared to 550 at December, 2020. Of these, a substantial proportion of them are delayed due to issues of outstanding debts,” Persaud said.

NOT IN COMPLIANCE Persaud related that one of the significant challenges faced by the NIS is the fact that some employers are compliant when it comes to the payment of contributions.

The scheme has over 20,000 registered employers, with approximately 5,000 considered active, but only 3,500 fulfilling their obligations in a timely manner.

But all is not well at NIS, as the scheme’s reserve has been facing tremendous pressure in the last two years and currently stands at $29.6 billion.

This has been credited to the downsizing of the sugar industry, delays in payments by employers, clearance of the claims backlog and now

challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is also worthwhile to note that the scheme is now in a mature phase and is operating in a society where the average age of the population is increasing. The scheme’s actuarial advisers have made several recommendations for certain policies and structural change,” Persaud said.

The Board and Management of NIS are currently perusing means and mechanism of modernising the system to make it much more efficient.

Options are being examined to modernise the technological infrastructure, payment options are being expanded and contributors are urged to submit their contributions electronically.

Delivering the feature address at Wednesday’s ceremony, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, although commending staff of NIS for the tremendous work they have been doing, urged them to do better.

Dr. Singh said NIS has conducted 14 outreaches countrywide to offer assistance and deal with queries, as well as to make the services of the scheme more accessible outside of normal office hours.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Digicel to lay subsea cable connecting TT to South America

DIGICEL has signed a partnership agreement with Orange to extend the build of its Deep Blue One subsea cable and system from Trinidad and Tobago (TT) to French Guiana by an additional 2,000 km.

This will provide connectivity to French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad.

The cable will also be routed to connect the many offshore oil and gas rigs on the back of the industry boom in the region, and will include new cable landings in Trinidad, with a new route between Trinidad and Suriname. Installation of the cable is expected to begin in mid-2023, with the project expected to be completed in early 2024.

It will complement Digicel’s existing Southern Caribbean Fiber network, which already has approximately 3,000 km of submarine cable connecting 20 islands in the Eastern Caribbean, running from Trinidad up to Puerto Rico, with onward connectivity to Miami and New York.

In a press statement, the company described the project as a significant investment in international subma-

rine capacity.

“Our substantial investment in submarine capacity underpins our confidence in the development of the region. A great example of this is the connectivity options we will be able to provide, both onshore and offshore, to the oil and gas industries in countries like Guyana and Suriname as they capitalise on the boom in the region,” Digicel Group CEO, Oliver Coughlan, is quoted in the statement as saying.

This cable will have five branching units, as well as the capability to provide connectivity for offshore rigs, with anywhere from two to eight fibre pairs in each segment, offering a minimum of 12Tbit/s capacity, per fibre pair, the statement also said.

Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 42.3 billion euros in 2020 and 139,000 employees worldwide at 30 June 2021, including 80,000 employees in France.

With presence in 26 countries, the group has a total customer base of 263 million worldwide as at June 30, 2021, including 218 million mobile customers and

Telecommunication Union (ITU), titled “The economic contribution of broadband, digitisation and ICT regulation: Econometric modelling for the Americas”, it was suggested that an increase of 10% in fixed broadband penetration would result in

22 million fixed broadband customers. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business Services.

As a major player in the submarine cable industry, with investments in over 40 cables worldwide, Orange will rely on its expertise to act as landing party in Cayenne for the French Guiana branch and to operate the cable landing station on behalf of Digicel while its subsidiary, Orange Marine, will be in charge of laying the cable.

Peter Hobbs, Group Director International and Wholesale Business at Digicel Group noted: “As a Digital Operator serving over 13 million customers

Man accused of murdering friend remanded A 48-year-old Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara resident who allegedly chopped his friend to death, was, on Tuesday, remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Sahadeo Persaud appeared before the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that he murdered Pradesh Ramgobin, 32, of Block 5 Hope, East Coast Demerara Persaud was remanded to prison until November 30, 2021.

According to the police, Ramgobin was killed sometime between 17:00 hrs on September 21 and 09:00 hrs on September 22.

Police disclosed that Ramgobin regularly consumed alcohol with friends.

On September 21, he left his mother’s home to lime with Persaud and other friends but never returned.

Sahadeo Persaud The following day, at about 08:30 hrs, Persaud went to the victim’s mother and reportedly told her that her son was chopped on his hand and head which caused him to die.

Subsequently, the police were informed and went to Persaud’s home where

Ramgobin was found lying clad in blue underwear on a bed surrounded by blood.

As a result, the body was examined and two wounds and other injuries were found on the body.

Persaud reportedly confessed to chopping his friend during an argument.

in 32 countries globally, we’re focused on driving economic opportunities for our customers. This is an exciting next phase for us; it’s about delivering quality, reliability, performance and, importantly, opportunity.

We’re excited to get going on this.”

According to Digicel, the cable system will bring a full economical ecosystem for the benefit of all.

In a 2019 report published by the International

an increase in 1.9 per cent in GDP per capita,” the statement noted.

This latest development comes almost one year after the telecommunications sector in Guyana was liberalised, following an over 20-year monopoly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

The Unvaccinated and Deaths

According to data released by the Ministry of Health, the vast number of deaths from COVID-19 is from those who are unvaccinated against the deadly pandemic. Reports suggest that number could be as high as 90 per cent of the unvaccinated. That is more than adequate evidence that the vaccines do work and that there is a positive correlation between deaths from the virus and the unvaccinated.

Why then, one may ask, is there so much hesitancy on the part of some people to take the vaccines even in the face of overwhelming evidence that the vast majority of those who died from the virus could have been alive today if only they were vaccinated against the virus?

The sad thing about the entire episode is that there is no shortage of the vaccines in Guyana and everyone

who is desirous of having the vaccines only has to show up at the numerous sites set up by the Ministry of Health throughout the length and breadth of the country. It is as simple as that. Yet, several persons choose, against the best interests of themselves and their families, not to take the vaccines.

Guyana is one of few countries that has gone out of its way to make the vaccines available to the full universe of the adult population. As pointed out by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, when it comes to the health and safety of the Guyanese people no cost can be considered too high. In fact, a considerable sum of money has been spent by the government to procure the vaccines from whatever sources available. Almost all of the different vaccines available on the market have been sourced by the government at significant sums, but

cost has been of little consequence when compared to the health and well-being of the Guyanese people.

So far, over 600,000 persons have already been vaccinated. Of that number, 360,000 were administered with their first doses and over 170,000 have received their second shots and could be considered fully vaccinated.

That number is, however, not enough for the country to attain the status of herd immunity, which is so critical if we are to break the back of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the country continues to benefit from the generous donations of vaccines from friendly countries and organisations, the latest being a $205.8M from the Government of Japan.

Additionally, the country has so far received donations of personal protective equipment, medical equipment such as ventilators, among

other items, from several donor agencies.

The government is doing its part but it will take a collective effort on the part of all Guyanese if we are to effectively stop the spread of the virus in a timely manner. The government is aggressively pushing its vaccination campaigns but there are several other initiatives taken as well to sensitise the population on the dangers of not adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines and the established protocols.

Government offices and other private sectors are now insisting that persons show proof of vaccination as a prior condition for gaining entry.

The COVID-passport has now become an important document for the conduct of business in both the public and the private sectors.

Many individuals have now resorted to laminating their COVID-19 passports and placing it in their wallets for

ease of doing business.

The political opposition has to now come on board. It must, in the national interest, make strong and unequivocal statements in support of the government’s vaccination drive. The COVID-19 virus does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity or political affiliation and the sooner the APNU+AFC Coalition comes to terms with this reality, the better will it be, not only for its own members and supporters, but the society at large. In other words, it must take on an advocacy role in support of vaccination rather than hiding under the fig-leaf of ‘individual choice’.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Health in particular, is doing a commendable job in seeking to attain a position of herd immunity but such efforts are stymied by the political opposition. The infection rates in the mean-

while continue to climb.

Getting to the point of herd immunity is the only way in which, as a society, we can begin to take some comfort but we still have some way to go before we reach that target.

Government is aiming, at a minimum, to fully vaccinate a minimum of 500,000 persons in order to reach herd immunity. However, we are still some distance away from that comfort zone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), herd immunity is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through some previous infection.

The message cannot be clearer. Vaccines are both safe and a life saver. We can only ignore such reality at our own peril.

New PNC/R Executive needs to proclaim an end to rigging Dear Editor,

I WRITE this letter as an alternative to, and prompted by the Demerara Waves article of September 27, entitled “New PNC/R executive needs to get rid of maximum leader approach”, written by my former Cabinet colleague and still friend, Dr. Henry Jeffrey.

I differ comprehensively and totally with him. I wish he had seen the occasion and opportunity here for getting on to what he has been calling for, getting on the road of “a historical narrative to which we could all subscribe”.

Neither the “decision making” nor the “who is the leader, leader” question is the PNC/R executive’s major problem: it is the question of “what is their business plan, their winning plan?”

It ought to be a plan to win elections fairly and squarely: proclaiming an end to rigging: regretting the historical fact

that Forbes Burnham and most leaders and supporters of the PNC and latterly, the PNC/R/APNU, succumbed to the argument that rigging was the only way for the PNC/R/APNU to win, and that there could be nothing in the world worse than losing to the PPP/C. A “Proclamation to End Rigging” would open many wonderful doors for all our people, our country and most of all those who for understandably good reasons support the PNC/R/APNU. What a great relief for all of us, some relieved from having to deny and others from being angered in hearing the denials of what is well known. And take it from me, the PPP/C is not all that bad.

There have been recently in our newspapers and other media so many allusions to, explicit references to, and even seeming justifications of the PNC historical rigged

elections and the rigging narrowly averted last year, that the admission inherent in a “Proclamation to End Rigging” would not be an admission to something secret, not known, should not take any skin off of anyone’s nose. It would take a great burden off all of us Guyanese chests, particularly so, I say again as an Afro-Guyanese, the chests of so many of my Afro-Guyanese parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – who earnestly believed and wanted an opportunity to demonstrate that the PNC/R/ APNU would be good for Guyana. Our hopes and aspirations may have been noble: we all know and the whole world saw the behaviour of Mr. Mingo, the Region Four returning officer. He was a man knowingly facing a subsequent life of ridicule which many would consider worse than death.

Our hopes and aspirations were noble but turning from our Christian foundations of truth and honesty to rigging has been our doom, initiating a slide to group and national disaster. It is timely, to deliberately and firmly turn that page – avert the need for our younger people of great potential for our Guyana nation, like Amanza Walton-Desir and James Bond to go down that same road of make believe on which we have been so long stuck.

It is time to extend new hands of fellowship to our fellow comrades in Guyana, and in the much wider world that is much more one, and in which we must fraternise.

If the story of about 20 years ago has any truth, my former fellow MP, Raphael Trotman, then a rising star in the PNC, had the right inclination in his suggestion to former President Hoyte that the PNC/R apologise to

our country (and to many of its own supporters). There could and must be a PNC/R/ APNU that could and would be good for all Guyanese and Guyana. The new Executive must work at getting there.

Yes, the arguments for rigging did seem so strong to us Afro-Guyanese, to do a little wrong, a little rigging, to avert a greater wrong – the stealing of our entitled birthright of succeeding the departing British colonial masters under whom we had suffered so much, endured so much and learnt so much. We were ready to take over. Not that we did not recognise Cheddi and his PPP supporters as brothers in the anticolonial fight but they were younger brothers, recently come, whose time had not yet come – they should wait their turn. And when those sentiments were aligned with the instigations of the cold war against un-

godly atheistic communism, they were irresistible and so deep given that they also aligned with our self-interest – they are still deep in the bones of many of us, our organisations, and are being transmitted to our new young generation – we must work at dissipating them.

A “Proclamation of an End to Rigging” by the new Executive of the PNC/R would open the door to us all becoming Guyanese first, One People, One Nation with One Common Destiny. One independent nation of less than a million people, altogether getting on amongst ourselves, and getting on with the more than seven thousand millions of other peoples in nearly two hundred other nations.

Samuel A.A. Hinds Former Prime Minister Former President 3

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Fire damages Charlestown house

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

A FIRE of unknown origin has damaged a Lot 43 Broad and Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown property, leaving the owner and tenants counting their losses.

Owner of the building, Rudolph Gravesande, popularly known as Bunny, who resides at the bottom flat of the building, said he was on the pavement selling dog food around 18:00 hours on Wednesday, when he was alerted of a fire, which he saw emanating from a bedroom on the upper flat of the building.

Gravesande said he was able to get most of his possessions out of the building but could not account for a few items.

His tenant lost “a lot,” as the fire ravaged the upper floor of the building, which the tenant occupied, he said.

Divisional Fire Officer, Haimchandra Persaud, who was at the site of the fire, told the me-

dia that the Guyana Fire Service received a call at approximately 18:29 hours about a fire at the said location.

Two fire tenders from Central Fire Station and one from the West Ruimveldt Fire Station were dispatched to contain the blaze. On arrival, the ranks used water from their tank supply to extinguish the fire, which was contained to the top floor of the building.

“During my investigation they said he was a disabled person [person living with a disability]; himself and his son were not in the building at the time of the fire… they did not sustain any injuries,” Persaud said.

The Divisional Fire Officer did not pronounce on the origin of the fire, as the investigations are currently ongoing. He complimented his ranks for a job well done to contain the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

The Lot 43 Broad and Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown property which was damaged by a fire on Wednesday evening

Stacey Dos Santos Rahaman deserves recognition

Dear Editor, IN Guyana, race and politics fill the national ‘screen’ to an inordinate degree. People discuss and debate these topics day and night, 24/7. This toxic, divisive brew is consumed to the point of neurosis.

In the developed world, where academia, industry, manufacturing, the arts and the service sector are very advanced, politics and even governance are more in the background - except, of course, during election time. To state what should be obvious, there is more to Guyana – much more – than just politics; and that is where Stacey Dos Santos Rahaman (Stacey) comes in.

I had stayed away from

Facebook for many years.

I gave in about two years ago and I am glad I did because, apart for being a great connector, it is a source of information and entertainment. It sometimes gets a bad rap but, really, it just depends how it is used. Anyway, through Facebook I became aware of “Visit Guyana” and the incredible work that Stacey does in highlighting the many wonderful aspects of Guyana’s cuisine, hotels and the beautiful places that one can visit. I thought I knew Guyana fairly well, but Stacey took me to places (virtually) that I was not aware of. She goes to every nook and cranny of our country and tells us about it – always enthusiastically

and with a smile. While so many expend energy going at each other, Stacey cheerfully shows us what a beautiful country Guyana is; the real Guyana, beyond politics – the Guyana that stands mute. That Stacey does what she does during a raging pandemic makes her a hero. In my book, she is a patriot of the highest order and deserves appreciation and recognition.

Stacey’s husband, Chris Rahaman, is also involved in “Visit Guyana”. I think he will understand that my letter focuses on Stacey because she is the face of “Visit Guyana” and appears in so many of its photos and videos.

Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

New ‘Amazonia’ Caribbean Cinemas signals Guyana’s _Prime Minister Phillips says openness for investment

By Jared Liddell IN keeping with its vision of providing entertainment for persons to escape the realities of life, Caribbean Cinemas, on Wednesday, opened its second multi-screen movie theater in Guyana at the newly opened Amazonia Mall at Block M Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The state-of-the-art cinema will feature the latest movie releases in its six luxurious auditoriums which have giant screens fully equipped with 100 per cent digital projection technology, 3D technology and digital surround sound. Patrons will also enjoy the high back rocker seats which have cup holders and arm rests.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips said that the opening of the cinema’s second location underscores Guyana’s openness and readiness for investment.

He noted that the investment will significantly boost the local economy and directly impact the entire East Bank Demerara corridor as it will provide opportunities for entertainment and for the expansion of other businesses that will be benefitting from the cinema’s presence.

“Today, the launch of

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Caribbean Cinemas’ Director of operations, George Borges, at the ceremonial ribbon cutting to officially open the cinema at Amazonia Mall (Adrian Narine photo) Caribbean Cinemas at the Amazonian mall, this shows that plans are being made to expand the range of services offered in this area. Guyana’s economy is growing, and this expansion will create rapidly increasing opportunities. The floodgates of economic opportunities have been opened, as our country continues to develop, Guyana stands centre stage as more and more investment

leases including Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Cop Shop, Free Guy and Space Jam will be shown. Also, on the list to be shown are No Time To Die, the latest chapter in the 007 franchise starring Daniel Craig which will be released on October 14 and Dune, the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 cult sci-fi novel which is slated to be released on October 21.

Movie showtimes will start at 16:00hrs on weekdays and from 14:00hrs on weekends. The prices of tickets are $1,100 for adults and $800 for children. Every Tuesday will be Customer Appreciation Day and tickets will cost $800.

The last 18 months were the most challenging in the history of the cinema industry, hence Caribbean

Cinemas is proud of this latest achievement and is confident that Guyanese will enjoy its brand of big screen immersive entertainment.

The cinema has assured that all health and safety protocols will be observed for all patrons and employees. Further, in keeping with its efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, patrons will have the option of purchasing tickets online.

Cinemas across Guyana were granted permission to operate with 60 per cent capacity in an effort to abide by social distancing guidelines. Proof of vaccination and proper identification are also required from all patrons, except pregnant women and children under the age of 18. Also, facemask must always be worn

and interest is being shown in Guyana’s future,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

He called the investment a “proud moment” for the government, noting that the government has invested significantly in the development of the East Bank Demerara corridor through housing and infrastructural projects.

As part of the opening week’s schedule, new re-

One of the six auditoriums at Caribbean Cinemas (Adrian Narine photo) except when eating.

Caribbean Cinemas’ Director of operations, George Borges, reiterated the company’s commitment to providing Guyanese with employment opportunities. He noted that the new cinema will provide employment for dozens of Guyanese as well as independent contrac-

tors, suppliers, and service providers.

“We are committed to the community of Guyana in being a part of the growth and development of the local economy, by creating jobs for over 50 employees and independent contractors, suppliers, and service providers… At the same

time bringing relaxation and enjoyment with movie entertainment during these tough times in a beautiful environment with affordable prices for all to enjoy,” said Borges.

Caribbean Cinemas opened its first theater in 2015 at the Giftland Mall.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, during a tour of the newly opened cinema (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Over 200 Lindeners express interest in owning housing units _ during engagement with authorities of Housing and Water Ministry

CEO of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves (centre), with other officials of the Housing and Water Ministry during a visit to the construction site of the middle-income housing units in Linden CONSTRUCTION of 20 middle-income houses has commenced under the supervision of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10, and already over 200 persons have expressed an interest in owning one of those units.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves, visited the mining town on Wednesday, where he engaged with shortlisted applicants.

The CEO said that over 200 Lindeners have expressed interest in owning one of the units, but 60 have been shortlisted so far.

Wednesday’s exercise was geared at guiding the applicants on receiving prequalification from financial institutions and other key stages of the homeownership process.

“Construction of the homes has started and it is our intention to have persons identify their house lots, their houses… and to ensure they can acquire these houses, as early as possible, and be able to monitor the homes

throughout construction,” Greaves said.

Most of the applicants for the houses are said to be young professionals, including healthcare workers, law enforcement officers and other public and private sector workers.

The houses are 600 square feet, two-bedroom elevated units that will cost a total of $7.5 million, inclusive of the cost of the land which is $300,000.

Greaves related that successful applicants are required to pay CH&PA an initial $660,000, which includes the cost of the land and five per cent of the cost of the house ($360,000).

He further said that in its bid to offer affordable home financing, CH&PA has liaised with several banks to provide additional funding to applicants.

“We have engaged the New Building Society, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry and Demerara Bank, which have agreed to give preferential interest rates for those persons who want loans. They have also re-

duced the legal fees by half and waived other fees and charges,” the CEO told the potential homeowners.

He said that while the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry and Demerara Bank do not currently offer services in the region, CH&PA is engaging Republic Bank which is in a position to do so.

Construction of the first 20 houses started some weeks ago, following an announcement by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, earlier in the year, of a 1,000-home project for Linden.

Greaves said that the 40 units being constructed are part of the first stage of the overarching project.

He added that another 50 houses will be constructed before the end of the year. Following the outreach, he visited the site where the houses are being constructed to inspect the level of works. In addition to the units being built, CH&PA is also undertaking several infrastructural projects at Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc and Watooka, Region 10.

A section of the gathering at the meeting with officials of CH&PA

One of the many houses under construction

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

Multimillion-dollar contr acts awarded for St. Rose’s High, Yarrowkabra Secondary schools

THE Ministry of Education, on Wednesday, awarded two contracts for the construction of the St. Rose’s High School in Georgetown and the Yarrowkabra Secondary School on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

According to a press release from the Education Ministry, both projects went through the tendering process and the contract to construct the St. Rose’s High School was awarded to Shandong Degian International.

The project is scheduled to last 19 months with a defects period of one year. The school will be constructed at a cost of $515 million.

It will have a

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Alfred King, with the contractors following the signing of the contracts for the construction of new education facilities

three-storey building, separate sanitary block, modern classrooms, a canteen block, all modern data facilities,

laboratories and a lift.

The new facility will have the capacity to accommodate 350 to 400 students.

The contract for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School was awarded to R. Bassoo and Sons and is scheduled to be completed in 18 months with a similar defects period of one year.

That school will be constructed at a cost of $790 million and will have nine buildings complete with the requisite laboratories, designated space for

industrial arts, a main lecture hall and other auxiliary buildings.

This school will be able to accommodate 800 students.

Each project has a consultancy firm attached. Kalitech Inc. is the consultancy firm on the St. Rose’s High School project, while Vikab Engineering will be working with the Yarrowkabra Secondary School project.

Minister of Educa-

tion, Priya Manickchand, remarked that the projects will benefit generations of students.

She said that it is important that they complete each school on time so that children could benefit from everything that all modern schools have to offer.

She added that the Ministry of Education and the Government of Guyana has a strict posture with contractors as it relates to the completion of projects according to contract.

Minister Manickchand said, too, that unreasonable delays will not be tolerated as was seen in other situations, whereby contracts were ended when contractors failed to deliver.

The minister said that she is looking forward to the schools being completed so that their doors could be opened, and students receive the high level of education that they all deserve.

(Ministry of Education)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

COVID-19 claims five more lives FIVE more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 783, the Ministry of Health has reported.

The latest fatalities include three males: a 28-year-old from Region Four, and a 33-year-old and 17-year-old, both from Region Three. The females who died are a 55-year-old from Region 10 and a 66-year-old from Region Three. They were all unvaccinated.

According to addition-

al information from the Ministry of Health, Region Four accounted for 169 of the 279 new cases; Region Two, 20 cases; Region Three, 52; Region Five, four; Region Six, 10; Region Seven, five; Region Eight, three; Region Nine, six, and Region Ten, 10.

Even as new cases were recorded, 123 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to date to 26,762.

The country has now

recorded a total of 31,638 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 31 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 136 are in institutional isolation; 3,926 are in home isolation, and 11 are in institutional quarantine.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force until September 30, 2021.

They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current

measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew is

22:30hrs to 04:00hrs.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 180/181 for assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

UN Secretary-General calls for accelerated action on jobs, social protection

INVESTING in jobrich growth, social protection, and a just transition to a netzero emissions future, particularly in lowand-middle-income countries, could prevent a further deepening of the inequalities between developed and developing economies that have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a policy

brief issued on Tuesday.

At least US$982 billion in fiscal stimulus measures is needed to respond to the immediate labour market shocks of the crisis, and to support a just transition, as well as US$1.2 trillion annually for social protection floors in low-and-middle-income countries. No advanced economy has achieved economic and social progress without investing in social protection

systems, and quality public services that provide people with the necessary support to navigate the vicissitudes of their lives.

While the wealth of billionaires increased by over US$ 3.9 trillion between March and December 2020, the impact of the pandemic on the world of work, among other factors, has increased the number of extremely poor by between 119 and 224

million people, the first increase in poverty in over 21 years.

An estimated 8.8 per cent of total working hours, equivalent to the hours worked in one year by 255 million fulltime workers, were lost in 2020.

This corresponds to a loss of US$3.3 trillion in labour income before government support.

Because of the pandemic, there are an estimated 75 million fewer jobs in 2021 than there were before the crisis, and 23 million fewer projected in 2022.

The Secretary-General’s brief calls for urgent investments in a

job-rich, sustainable and socially inclusive recovery. The public and private sectors should leverage finance to significantly ramp up such investments to get the world back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and to address ever increasing risks from climate change and environmental degradation that could jeopardise 1.2 billion jobs, equivalent to 40 per cent of the global labour force.

A human-centred recovery from the pandemic needs employment and social protection policies to work in tandem, not only to improve people’s

living standards, but also to help them navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world of work, and the transition towards the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

To achieve a jobrich recovery, and a just transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy, the Secretary-General is calling for a Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection that would create at least 400 million jobs, and extend social protection to 4 billion women, men and children currently without coverage.

(UN)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

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$200M ‘pumped’ into water supply enhancement project for Georgetown --old transmission mains to be replaced

T H E G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI) will, over the next three months, be conducting essential works for the benefit of Georgetown residents.

This entails the installation of new transmission mains from Square of Revolution to Cemetery Road along Hadfield, Chapel, Princess Streets and Cemetery Road.

The objective of the project is to replace old transmission mains along Vlissingen and Cemetery Roads that are more than 60 years old, to reduce the risk of frequent breakages, costly emergency repairs and disruption of service.

GWI’s Chief Execu-

tive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh; Executive Director of Projects, Aubrey Roberts, as well as the contractor, Suresh Jagmohan, visited the site on Wednesday, September 29, where works are slated to commence.

During a live interview on GWI’s Facebook page, Baksh said that this Cemetery Road Project will cost in excess of $200 million and is being funded by the Government of Guyana.

He said that it is just a part of a wider plan to upgrade the entire Georgetown distribution network.

“Next year, already in the budget, we’re procuring $400 million in these HDPE transmission lines

to continue this work next year. These works will continue for several years to come”, the CEO pointed out.

He added: “To replace all the transmission lines, it will cost in excess of US$35 million and the government is committed to replacing those pipelines and has already done so through budgetary resources to commence the works.”

Baksh said that upon completion, residents will stand to benefit from improved water pressure and hours of service as the works will help the utility to control water wastage.

Roberts said: “We’ve chosen the route via Chap-

el Street because there is less traffic disturbance… the work on Hadfield Street, however, may cause one lane of traffic to be diverted. When we get into Chapel Street, one side of the street will be closed…

We will proceed through Chapel Street to Princess Street, then along Princess into Cemetery Road.”

In addition to the benefits outlined by the CEO, the Director of Projects said that customers within the serving area could look forward to a more reliable service from GWI. “The key benefit is reliability because every time we have to stop to repair a main it takes us almost a day and you lose a day of production and a day of service,” Roberts said.

He also said that an upgraded system would allow the company to create zones among communities in Georgetown, which would allow for the isolation of disruptions, as opposed to shutting down the entire city to fix one main.

The Cemetery Road project is being executed

by S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies & Construction Services and includes excavation works, the installation of PVC pipes, service connections, valves and fittings and the decommissioning of the old network. It is expected to be completed before the end of this year.

GWI is committed to reinstating all damaged infrastructure and ensuring the safety of all who

come into contact with the project site.

The utility company said it regrets the following inconveniences which may occur during project execution: limited to no parking for motor vehicles, limited access to traverse the project area via motor vehicle, limited access to walkways and driveways, noise pollution from heavy duty machines and temporary disruption of water service.

For more information on this project, please contact GWI’s Engineers: Mahendra Mentore on 624-0230, Aubrey Marks on 6201840 or Sajid Baksh of the contracted company on 678-6397.

Contractor, Suresh Jagmohan; GWI’s CEO, Shaik Baksh & GWI’s Executive Director of Projects, Aubrey Roberts

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Hinterland housing project to be rolled out soon HOUSING and Water Minister, Collin Croal, has announced that the Government of Guyana, through his ministry, will soon be rolling out a hinterland housing project in the new month.

T h e m i n i s t e r, i n responding to questions from reporters on Wednesday, said: “I’ll be pleased to let you know that in the four major hinterland regions, by the end of October, we will have an announcement and commencement for hinterland housing.”

He added that several areas have already

been identified for the rollout of this project, noting: “We already have the areas identified and we are going through the necessary process.”

Even as plans are being finalised, Minister Croal said that hinterland housing projects are more complex than those on the coastland.

“The hinterland housing programme is a bit separate from how you do it on the coastland, but there are some central areas for which we have identified and we also have a housing programme,” he related.

Through a collabora-

tive effort with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Ministry of Housing and Water has managed to identify lands for future development and housing projects in Regions One and Seven.

“The collaboration continues for them to identify lands for us for future development and housing.

That is ongoing, so there will be futuristic activities in Bartica,” He said, adding: “Similarly for Region One, I’m happy to say that there was a leeway for us to have a housing programme.”

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30 , 2021

Cummings Lodge low-income houses will be ready in October _ says Minister Croal

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal

WHILE noting that work on the low-income houses at plots 1,767 and 1,768 Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, is progressing smoothly, Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal announced, on Wednesday, that the first set of beneficiaries will be able to occupy their homes next month.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event, he told reporters that Phase One of the two-phased project is almost complete.

“We are about to complete the first round. We have about two hundred houses we are building, we have persons that are pre-qualified through our system so the beneficiaries are all awaiting to have access to their homes,” the minister said, adding: “We are currently working on the second phase which will be the additional one hundred. So, it is an ongoing process, and we are pleased about the progress for those elevated houses.”

He added that several of the homes are already complete and are ready for occupancy. “They have some that are complete already and we have persons who have already pre-qualified, and they have their letter to signify their ownership.”

Meanwhile, the minister noted that construction for the second phase of the project is underway despite the hiccups earlier

in the year.

“We ran into a few persons who were illegally occupying the area, so we did the settlement. There were some farming activities taking place and so that is out of the way.”

Additionally, Minister Croal disclosed that a similar project is underway at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. He noted that contractors have started land preparation for the housing project in that area and upon completion the construction of one-storey houses will commence.

He added: “There was a small portion of land that we had an issue within terms of the Ogle Airport in terms of the flight path.

We have clearance there and we have to do some land preparation for that.

Thirty acres have been identified so when the land preparation is complete, we will start construction of flat houses.”

He noted that before the end of the year, the Ministry of Housing will be rolling out several house and land allocation exercises across the country.

“We are not down scaling as yet. Within another two weeks we should be having three or four allocation exercises ….so you’ll see that we are actually still winding down in the Ministry of Housing and Water,” Minister Croal said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Jamaican woman awarded $3.1M for unlawful detention, inhumane treatment

ACTING Chief Justice Roxane George, S.C, on Wednesday, ordered the State to pay $3.1M to a 56-year-old Jamaican woman who said she was unlawfully detained and kept in the inhumane conditions at the East La Penitence Police Station.

Sandra Russell’s attorney, Darren Wade, in 2019, had filed a lawsuit in the High Court against the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police and the Chief Immigration Officer for wrongful imprisonment and inhumane suffering.

Wade contended that Russell was falsely imprisoned by the police and immigration authorities, and that whilst in custody, she had no proper bedding, the food she was given was inadequate, the lock-ups had inadequate space and lighting, and ventilation was poor.

Further, he had contended that his client’s fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 139, 141 and 148 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana were not only breached and encroached, but also infringed by members of the Guyana

Police Force and immigration Officials.

The Chief Justice, on Wednesday, ruled that Russell was indeed unlawfully detained and deprived of her freedom of movement and was also subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment given the conditions at the police station.

“The State must do better as regards to facilities for the incarceration of persons. The claim of so-called third world status cannot be permitted as a continual excuse for poor conditions and cannot be countenance as being the best the state can do,” Justice George said while delivering her ruling.

As such, she awarded Russell compensatory damages in the sum of $2.5 million for false imprisonment and $600,000 for being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment.

Additionally, the Chief Justice ordered Russel to leave Guyana and travel back to her homeland at her own cost.

The AG was also ordered to pay $250,000 cost.

In 2018, Chief Magis-

Sandra Russell

trate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court had sentenced Russell to eight months in prison after she pleaded guilty to a drug-trafficking charge. She was also fined $135,000.

The case against her was that on June 25, 2018 at Omai Landing, she had

70 grammes of marijuana in her possession.

She was released early from the New Amsterdam Prison after her sentence was reduced by half. On November 10, 2018, she was released and placed in the custody of a female immigration officer, after being informed that prep-

arations were being made for her deportation back to Jamaica. However, she was taken to the East La Penitence Station and kept in custody for eight months. On July 7, 2019, Russell was released on $10,000 bail.

Russell, through her attorney, sued the State

for $10M per day for every day she unlawfully spent in custody, in excess of $20M for the inhumane and degrading treatment she suffered, another $20M for the breach of her freedom of movement and $50M for false imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Rajasthan collapse despite Lewis’ half-century (ESPNCRICINFO) - Rajasthan Royals were in sight of a tall total when they were 100 for 1 in 11 overs, on the back of Evin Lewis' breakneck half-century.

However, his dismissal triggered a terminal collapse as Royals lost 8 for 49 - and their heads - to be restricted to less than 150 on a fresh Dubai track.

Royal Challengers Bangalore then hunted down the target with ease to consolidate their position in the top half of the points table, with seven wins in 11 matches.

Royals, on the other hand, subsided to their seventh defeat in 11 games. Despite the loss yesterday, Royals could still qualify for the playoffs if they win their remaining three games.

They might have still harboured hopes of a comeback when Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli fell either side of the powerplay, but KS Bharat and Glenn Maxwell forged a 69-run partnership to dash all of that. Royal Challengers ultimately sealed victory with seven wickets and 17 balls to spare, also giving their net run-rate a leg-up.

HEAVIN' LEWIS With Royals having two left-handers at the top, Kohli matched them up with Maxwell's offspin. Maxwell

had won a similar match-up against Krunal Pandya at the same venue on Monday, but this time Lewis and Yashasvi Jaiswal immediately dumped him out of the attack by taking 13 off his first over.

Lewis then cranked up to top gear, lining up debutant George Garton for two sixes and a four. In the next over, he heaved a slower ball from Harshal Patel over mid-on to rush Royals past fifty within five overs.

Jaiswal rode in Lewis' slipstream, making 31 off 22 balls in a 77-run opening partnership before Dan Christian had him scooping a catch to extra-cover. Even that didn't slow down Lewis as he heaved his way to a 31ball half-century - his first in the IPL and his fifth fifty-plus score since the start of CPL 2021.

THE CATACLYSMIC COLLAPSE It was Garton who began the collapse in the 12th over when he bowled a 106.3kph slower ball into the pitch.

It kicked up from back of a length and drew a top edge from Lewis, with Bharat snatching the catch.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed then took over, messing with Royals' middle order. Chahal had Mahipal Lomror stumped with a wrong'un before Liam Livingstone holed out to long-on with his trademark wide, loopy leg-break.

Sanju Samson and Rahul Tewatia tried to target Shahbaz, Royal Challengers' seventh bowling option, but

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Evin Lewis smashes one on the leg side, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dubai, IPL 2021, yesterday. (BCCI)

both picked out the boundary riders in the 14th over. Patel, who had earlier taken a pasting from Lewis, tricked the lower order with his assortment of slower balls.

BHARAT, MAXWELL STEP UP With the ball sliding onto the bat nicely in the early exchanges, Kohli and Padikkal held nothing back, hitting four fours each in a powerplay that produced 54 runs.

Mustafizur then shook up the Royal Challengers briefly with his skilful changeups. After he bowled Padikkal in the sixth over of the chase, Riyan Parag effected 12:30 hrs Glasstrees 13:00 hrs Charming Wally 13:30 hrs Abbado 14:00 hrs Manjdah 14:30 hrs Lafan 15:00 hrs Another Dawn 15:30 hrs Snow Berry Irish Racing Tips Bellewstown 08:25 hrs Arch Enemy 08:55 hrs Guiliana 09:30 hrs Dunum 10:05 hrs Earls 10:40 hrs Dolce Sicily 11:15 hrs Cycladic 11:50 hrs April's Joy 12:20 hrs Miss Louise American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Danny Deep Cuts Race 2 Stella Mars Race 3 Happy Medium

a direct hit in the seventh to leave Royal Challengers at 58 for 2.

Bharat then combined with Maxwell to settle the chase. He slog-swept Chris Morris for six, pumped Lomror down the ground for four, and even reverse-swept Rahul Tewatia for four, which had Kohli up on his feet and cheering wildly from the dugout.

As for Maxwell, he laid into Morris, smashing 24 off nine balls from him.

Bharat holed out for 44, but Maxwell glided to his fifty and wrapped up the chase along with AB de Villiers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Former WI batting coach calls for balance in fitness and experience TOBY Radford, former West Indies batting coach, is adamant that when it comes to the selection of the playing XI for the World T20, it will come down to a balance between the highly experienced players and those fit for the tough con-

ditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Radford was speaking on the Barbadian Radio programme, Mason and Guest, on Tuesday evening about West Indies’ chances at defending their title at the World T20 which starts Oc-

tober 17.

“There is a fine line with having experience, and this team has a lot of experience in (Dwayne) Bravo, (Kieron) Pollard, (Chris) Gayle, and (Ravi) Rampaul. These are guys that have been there and won World Cups but there is

a fine line between having all that experience and tactical awareness and how it will affect you, because you more probably will get injuries, probably slower between the wickets, might be slower in the field.” the former batting coach expressed.

Radford contended that the key is finding a dynamic team and one which has the situational experience to play the game in the playing XI. The West Indies High-Performance coach highlighted that T20 is a very physical game and the weather in the UAE is “incredibly hot” as he reminisced about a situation where he toured with the High-Performance team.

According to the coach, judging from the experience of playing in the UAE against Pakistan, the boundary size has great significance, as some are larger than most and it “won’t be a boundary-fest”, noting that two and threes will be vital.

West Indies, the only side to win the tournament twice, will feature on the opening day of the Super 12s - October 23 - as they kick off their defence of the title in Dubai against England Squad: Kieron Pollard (capt.), Nicholas Pooran (vice-capt. & wkp.), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher (wkp.), Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr. Reserves: Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Darren Bravo

Ronaldo injury time winner seals game against Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo was making a record 178th appearance in the Champions League

(BBC) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored an injury-time winner as Manchester United came from behind to beat Villarreal in an action-packed Champions League Group F contest.

The repeat of last season's Europa League final, which the Spanish side won on penalties, looked to be heading for a draw after another disappointing United performance but summer signing Ronaldo stroked home from Jesse Lingard's lay-off to spark jubilant scenes at Old Trafford.

However, visiting manager Unai Emery will be left wondering how his side did not come away with all three points.

United started brightly, with Bruno Fernandes scooping over and Ronaldo also failing to hit the target with a header in the opening seven minutes.

Villarreal took charge thereafter but could not score in a first half in which they created chance after chance.

United goalkeeper David de Gea made vital reflex saves to deny Arnaut Danjuma and Paco Alcacer, and also thwarted Yeremi Pino.

Striker Alcacer should have scored when Raphael Varane misjudged the bounce of the ball but dragged his shot wide, and Alberto Moreno and Pino both blazed over from promising positions.

But they did break the deadlock at the start of the second half as Danjuma got

in behind and pulled the ball back for Alcacer to convert from close range.

United were finding it difficult to make inroads but equalised through Alex Telles' moment of genius, as he smashed a first-time volley from 20 yards into the bottom corner.

Ronaldo's winner means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side pick up their first win while, in the group's other tie, Atalanta beat Young Boys 1-0 to go top of the table.

Brought back from Juventus in August for the big occasion, Ronaldo left it late to deliver his most telling moment since his return to Old Trafford.

United were heading for a third straight game without a win - after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by West Ham last week and beaten by Aston Villa in a limp performance on Saturday - but the Portuguese superstar had other ideas.

Making his 178th appearance in the Champions League, the most of any player, Ronaldo coolly converted in the 95th minute for his fifth goal of the campaign.

The home supporters erupted as the goal went in, with Ronaldo running to the corner, ripping off his shirt and throwing it into the air in celebration.

Fans stayed inside the stadium long after fulltime, serenading their returning hero with chants of "Viva Ronaldo".

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Canadian Legends surge to OMSCC Division One title CANADIAN Legends shrugged off their regular season defeat to Warriors, turning the tables on their opponents when they clashed in the Division One final of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) 2021 tournament, played at the Ashtonbee Reservoir, Scarborough, Canada last Sunday.

The highly-anticipated final, which saw Guyanese living in Toronto turning up in large numbers, failed to live up to its pre-match billing, as Warriors were jolted by a resurgent Canadian Legends who were making their debut in the OMSCC. Set a challenging 153 for victory, after Canadian Legends batted first and reached 152 for eight in their allotted 20 overs. Warriors could muster only 98 all out in 16 overs, going down by 54 runs.

Apart from opener Mike Kadir who hit a top score of 24 (one four, wo sixes), Avinash Singh (18, two sixes) was the only other player to reach double figures for Warriors who were jolted by the early loss of Mark Mosai and former Guyana Under-19 player Rovendra Mandolall who went via run-out route.

Andy Narayan was the chief wrecker with three for 16 while skipper Wally Bacchus grabbed two for 23.

Earlier, Canadian Leg-

The victorious Canadian Legends side.

ends were given a solid start of 51 from Imran Ali (26) and former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon (16).

The left-handed Chris Vernon shored up the middle-order with a solid 43, hitting one four and four sixes in the process. The knock earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, former Guyana National captain Damodar Daesrath stole the spotlight, copping the Playerof-the-Year award, registering the most runs (378) and for scoring a century (125).

Also receiving awards were Pradeep Singh of Rebels Cricket Club and Shablall Mohabir of Reliance Cricket Club who took the most wickets, both claiming 11

apiece while Anil Ramoutar of Canadian Legends was also recipient of a trophy for slamming an even hundred.

Winners and runners-up received trophies while all the players were recipient of medallions, compliments of Anil Sarwan (Great Canadian Oil Change).

The match also marked a special milestone for veteran softball player Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth who had the unique distinction of being part of three winning teams during the 2021 season.

He was part of Mercenaries who captured the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) title; played with Toronto Blizzards, who carted off the OMSCC Over-50 crown and he was rewarded again on Sunday in Canadian

Guyana through to Main Draw at COTECC/ITF U-12 tournament … will play Dominican Republic today NATHAN DeNobrega and Elwyn Levius have reached the Main Draw at this year’s Central American and Caribbean Tennis Confederation (COTECC)/ITF U-12 tournament in the Dominican Republic.

Behind coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, the two players are so-far undefeated in the tournament.

After breezing through Barbados and Haiti, DeNo-

brega and Levius returned yesterday to make light work of their counterparts from the USVI, winning both matches in straight sets.

DeNobrega defeated Croix Nelthropp 6-4, 6-3, while Levius had the better of Weston Wagne 6-0, 6-0.

The duo then returned in the Doubles to defeat the USVI pair of Henry Collins and Nelthropp 6-2, 6-4.

According to the team’s

coach, yesterday’s performance puts them in a position to play in the semi-finals of the Main Draw, adding “we will have to play our match against the Dominican Republic to see where we would end-up in the Main Draw tomorrow.”

This is the second time in the Boys’ U-12 division of the tournament that Guyana have reached the Main Draw, the first being in 2017.

Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Bermuda and St Lucia are the other teams in the tournament.

Legends’ deserved victory.

(Frederick Halley)

MVP of Sunday’s final, Chris Vernon collects his trophy.

30

Eight to represent Guyana at SA Junior Swim Championships

Olympian Aleka Persaud is on the team

GASA President, Dwayne Scott

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

Galaxy CC defeat Meten-Meer-Zorg CC in 10-over clash

Jonathan Foo struck an aggressive 40 for the winners.

THE Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) has selected an eight-member team for the South American Junior Swimming Championships from October 30 to November 14 in Peru.

The swimmers selected are: Olympian Aleka Persaud, Leon Seaton Jr, Paul Mahaica Jr, Daniel Claxton, Elliott Gonsalves, Sekhel Tzedeq, Patrice Mahaica, and Ariel Rodrigues.

The Junior Championships was initially set to be held in Bolivia but the COVID-19 situation forced a change in host nation.

According to GASA president Dwayne Scott, the event forms part of the association’s endeavours to give athletes exposure, bearing Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualification in mind.

Scott said this Junior Championships is part of the youth development plan for 19 athletes the association has “long-listed” since officials want swimmers to qualify for the Olympics, based on entry standard time and not the Universality spots.

It is also part of the process of building a potential relay team with the aim also

towards Olympic qualification.

Scott said there is no limitation on the number of events a swimmer can enter at the Championships.

Additionally, Scott indicated the event is not a qualifier for the Junior Pan American Games which will be held later in the year in Colombia.

The president said the officials already held their qualification meet on August 22 and they subsequently shortlisted Paul Mahaica, Patrice Mahaica, Leon Seaton Jr and Persaud to represent Guyana.

US-BASED Guyanese cricket team Galaxy CC were able to beat fellow pro-Guyanese side, Meten-Meer-Zorg CC, when the two teams recent ly battled in a special arranged T10 clash in preparation for the NYNCL and Rockaway Group T20 Cup. For Meten-Meer-Zorg, it was a chance to gain revenge on Galaxy, who defeated them in last weekend’s Caribbean Fest 40over final, but instead, it was a repeat of the final, with the full-strength Gal-

axy side doing the damage.

Galaxy CC won the toss and opted to bat. An explosive 77-run second-wicket partnership in 4.5 overs, between former West Indies U-19 batsman Zamal Khan and national cricketer Jonathan Foo, ignited the run surge.

Khan struck five sixes and two fours off 24 balls for a top score of 60, while Foo, who opened the batting, supported with 40 runs (1x4, 5x6) from 15 balls.

Former West Indies Test cricketer Devendra

Wasim Khan, the PCB CEO, has resigned from his position four months before the end of his con-

tract, the third big exit since the arrival of Ramiz Raja as the new chairman of the board. Wasim fol-

lows the departures earlier this month of head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis, both of whom left after Ramiz's formal appointment.

"When I arrived in 2019, there was a real need to build relationships and restore and enhance the global image and reputation of the PCB and Pakistan cricket," Wasim said in a statement.

"With decisive and strategic decision-making, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, we succeeded in earning the goodwill and respect of the global

cricketing family, which I am hopeful will lead to increased international cricket being hosted in Pakistan in future.

"With a five-year strategy in place, new domestic structure in its third season and the investment in women's cricket in an upward direction, I feel it is the right time to move on and reunite with my young family. They have sacrificed a lot so that I could fulfill my dreams of contributing to Pakistan cricket, which will always remain very close to my heart."

Wasim Khan had begun his stint as PCB CEO in 2019 Getty Images

PCB CEO Wasim Khan resigns CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday September 30, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Darren Sammy 14 matches (2) Alex Hales-13 matches Today’s Quiz: (1) The WI & AUST have contested 16 T20 Int’l matches to date. How many the WI have won?

(2) How many AUST have won?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Bishoo with 21 runs (3x6,seven balls) and National cricketer Gudakesh Motie with 17 runs (1x4, 2x6) supported with a few big shots, which helped to push the side to 155-5 from their allotted overs.

In reply, skipper Andy Mohammed played a few shots for 32 (1x4, 3x6) and Seon Daniel added an unbeaten 32 (2x4, 3x6) from 16 balls, but it was not enough as Meten-MeerZorg folded for 114.

Motie spun his way to 2-5 from two overs to lead Galaxy’s bowling attack.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday September 30, 2021

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GBBFF sets December 18 for Senior Bodybuilding Championships THE Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) yesterday set December 18 as the date for its Senior Championships.

The event, which is billed for the National Cultural Centre, will either be virtual or via a controlled audience.

Information from the president of the GBBFF, Keavon Bess, indicated that contestants will compete in three categories, Bodybuilding (to crown Mr Guyana champion), Bikini and Men’s Physique.

“The said competition is to celebrate life, health

and fitness whilst promoting healthy lifestyle and healthy living.”

It is anticipated that approximately 30 athletes will take the stage for the top local bodybuilding competition.

Bess said that an official list of athletes will be available in the first week of November.

DEPENDENT ON TASK FORCE Although the event is in its planning stages, hosting will still depend on the COVID-19 Task Force.

“Once the hosting of our

Marlon Bennett (middle) was crowned Mr Guyana when the event was last held in August of 2019.

competition is approved by the COVID-19 Task Force, athletes, backstage personnel and the executive of the GBBFF will undertake to observe all COVID-19 protocols as gazetted by the Ministry of Health.

While on stage, athletes will be required to stand six feet from each other while backstage athletes will be required to wear their masks and to maintain the mandatory physical distanc as welle.

Judges will be seated six feet apart and will be required to wear their masks.”

From left: Nathan DeNobrega, coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan and Elwyn Levius at the COTECC/ITF U-12 tournament in the Dominican Republic.

GBBFF sets December 18 for Senior Bodybuilding Championships 31 PAGE

Guyana through to Main Draw at COTECC/ ITF U-12 tournament … will play Dominican Republic today

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Rosanna Fung is the defending Ms Bikini senior champion.

Former WI batting coach calls for balance in fitness and experience

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Former West Indies batting coach Toby Radford

West Indies, defending champions, have walked with some ‘old legs’ to the UAE. Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021