Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_31_10_2021

31st October, 2021

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See Inside No.106531

Local content, natural resources legislation for Parliament before year end 09 PAGE

Expose corruption – PM charges Police Force

PAGE

–– wants booklet of values and standards circulated 03

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips to senior officers of the Guyana Police Force: “Without integrity, your organisation will suffer” (Elvin Croker photo)

Upgraded Lusignan Prison to 02 address security concerns - Benn PAGE

Decision on ‘cold cases’ to be made 04 by early 2022 PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Upgraded Lusignan Prison to address security concerns ...Benn

By Richard Bhainie WITH a number of prison escapes throughout the year, the security mechanisms at some of Guyana’s prisons, including the Lusignan Prison, were often called into disrepute; however, these concerns will soon be addressed with the new prison complex being constructed at the site.

This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who said that the new facility being constructed at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, will be more secure and a number of issues regarding the prison’s perimeter, towers and fencing, will be resolved.

Benn made the comment on the sidelines of the Guyana Police Force ‘Inaugural Integrity in Policing Symposium’ held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on Saturday.

The Ministry of Home A ff a i r s i n J u n e 2 0 2 1 signed a $1.2 billion contract for the reconstruction

of the Lusignan Prison, Lots 1-3. The new facility, which is expected to hold some 1,200 prisoners, is approximately 25 per cent complete, and is on track to meet its February 2022 deadline.

While the modern facilities are expected to provide requisite security to prevent prison escapes, Benn reminded that there remains the “human element” and persons who are employed with the Guyana Prison Service must play their roles and learn from precedents.

“There is always the question of the human element in everything we do and as you go along in a large organisation, sometimes you have incidents which you have to deal with, which you have to learn from and which you have to take the appropriate measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” the Security Minister lamented.

“There are still issues of integrity in terms of people who are doing jobs; they are paid for being able to look out and warn and identify when they are is-

sues, but I am very hopeful that we are on the path to improvement,” he added.

While commenting on the recent prison escape by double-murder accused, Kapildeo Gangadin from the Lusignan Prison, the Home Affairs Minister highlighted that surveillance from the prison towers overlooking the prison facility and surveillance of the cameras must be addressed as these mechanisms are in place to prevent escapes.

The year 2021 was riddled with a number of escapes at the Lusignan Prison, as well as escapes from the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni). Based on reports, most of these escapees have been recaptured.

On February 8, 2021, 32-year-old Davo Simeon, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, who was considered a trustee at the Lusignan Prison and was serving a 16-month sentence for break and enter and larceny, escaped from the facility. He was recaptured four months after on June 17, 2021.

In the same month, four

high-profile inmates who were serving sentences for murder and manslaughter, escaped from the Mazaruni Prison. On February 16, 2021, Imran Ramsaywack, Kenrick Lyte, Samuel Gouveia and Rayon Jones escaped the facility; it was observed that two bars from within the cells were cut to facilitate the escape.

Ramsaywack and Jones were shot dead by police at Better Hope South backlands, East Coast Demerara, on March 22, 2021 after police received information that they were hiding out in an abandoned, swampy field surrounded by bush. There have been no reports that Lyte and Gouveia were recaptured.

Weeks after Simeon escaped, on March 17, 2021, Taje Singh, 45, of Zeelugt North, East Bank Essequibo, who was serving a sentence for unlawful wounding and larceny, jumped the southern prison fence of the Lusignan Prison and made good his escape. He was recaptured just under 12 hours after his escape.

On April 9, 2021, 25-year-old Kevin LaF-

The three new buildings under construction at the Lusignan Prison (Elvin Croker photo)

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn leur of Providence Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, escaped from the Mazaruni Prison while serving a sentence of 56 months for robbery under arms. He was recaptured on May 1, 2021 in Ankerville, Port Mourant, Region Six. On June 08, 2021, 24-year-old Shazam Khalil, of Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice, who was remanded for break and enter and larceny and 26-yearold Andrew Chaung, of Vr e e d - e n - H o o p , We s t Coast Demerara, who was

serving a life sentence for murder, escaped from the Lusignan Prison.

Chaung surrendered to police one day following his escape after he was handed over to police by his sister and fiancée.

There is no available report that Khalil was recaptured.

The following month, on July 31, 2021, 38-yearold Quincy Clarke of West La Penitence, Georgetown, who was sentenced to two four-week terms for two counts of threatening language, escaped from the Lusignan Prison. He was recaptured later that day in Albouystown, Georgetown.

In the most recent escape, double-murder accused, 24-year-old Kapildeo Gangadin, escaped from the Lusignan Prison on Thursday last. He was incarcerated for the fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Ganesh ‘Chris’ Persaud on October 15, 2021. Gangadin was recaptured on Friday last.

Meanwhile, a vocational school will also be constructed at the Lusignan Prison; it is expected to aid with the rehabilitation of prisoners and the women’s prison will be relocated to Lusignan from New Amsterdam in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently inviting bids from eligible and qualified bidders for these projects.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Expose corruption

By Rehana Ahamad

COVERING up corruption and shielding crooked officers are not the kind of “protection” in which the Guyana Police Force should be involved, said Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is executing the duties of President.

He was at the time delivering the keynote address to an inaugural Integrity Policing Symposium hosted on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal The Prime Minister (PM) told senior officers gathered in the dome that they are all leaders placed in positions to deliver “public good,” which must not be abused.

“If you’re exercising power, issues of responsibility and integrity [must] be engrained [sic] in your psyche,” PM Phillips noted.

Premised on honesty and strong moral values, the Prime Minister said that integrity within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is critical to the nation’s safety and security.

He acknowledged, however, that at some point in their careers almost every public official is faced with proposals that seek to test their moral compasses.

“Your integrity will determine how you handle issues,” PM Phillips asserted. He went further to assure the officers that upholding one’s integrity “has its rewards.”

For integrity to be the order of the day, PM Phillips placed the onus on the toptier policemen and women whom, he said, are required to cultivate a “no nonsense command climate” based on noble principles.

“Keep your word, be true to your values and people will follow you,” PM Phillips posited. He added, “Your success as a commander adds up to the successes of the force in the eyes of the Guyanese society.” Such wins, the PM indicated, are much needed in order for persons to change their perceptions of the police force.

As it is, the GPF has been ranked by international surveys as being one of the least trusted bodies in the country.

“Without integrity, your organisation will suffer,” PM Phillips said, as he encouraged the police officers to spare no effort in weeding out the unethical members among them. “Don’t cover up, investigate and expose corruption,” the PM charged.

He reminded that a change in the negative perception of the police force is especially critical as the country remains on the cusp of massive transformation. “All eyes are on Guyana…Guyana is the land of opportunities right now,” PM Phillips recognised.

PUT IT IN WRITING In effecting the needed change, the PM stressed the importance for lower and middle-tier officers to understand and be constantly

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn

-PM charges Police Force -wants booklet of values and standards circulated

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips who is performing the duties of President, addresses senior members of the Guyana Police Force (Elvin Croker photo) reminded of their roles and what is required of them. To this end, he instructed that a booklet outlining key police principles be printed and distributed to officers all across the country.

“Put it in writing. Every member must have a booklet with values and standards; [that] is very important… so they can read, study and stay informed,” PM Phillips noted.

SEE ME AS A COLLEAGUE Even as he outlined the government’s expectations of the GPF, Phillips assured the officers that even before he became Prime Minister he had served for 36 years as a member of the Guyana Defence Force.

“I worked closely with [the] GPF; see me as a colleague who served with you and understand the challenges in the defence and security sector,” PM Phillips encouraged.

To this end, he assured the officers that under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government, deliberate and strategic efforts would be made to improve the lives of servicemen and women.

“Government is committed to doing everything within the confines of the budget to improve the GPF,” the PM assured.

Particularly, he said that the administration will address welfare issues, conditions of work, the need for

scholarships, and all other challenges facing not only the GPF, but the fire, prison and defence services as well.

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said that the forum serves as a much-needed platform for introspection, which is important as the force charts a more prosperous course. “When we speak about integrity in policing, it also applies to other services and agencies,” Benn noted.

He said that going forward, the GPF needs to pinpoint specific indicators, which can be used to measure improvements, and ascertain areas of weaknesses.

UNDESIRABLE QUALITIES Following up on remarks made by Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie, Minister Benn said that he no longer wants to see the police being involved in cases of harassment against members of the public, or incidents such as beatings and suicides occurring at police stations.

In relation to issues of domestic violence and child abuse, Minister Benn said that he wants the police force to start engaging communities within their jurisdiction to devise preventative measures and take a proactive stance.

In his presentation, Top Cop Hoppie went as far as to highlight some of the common instances when some ranks “do not exhibit the desired qualities” of their

positions. These, according to Hoppie, include use of abusive language to members of the public, unlawful withholding of documents and embezzling of public funds, among others.

There have also been reports of police officers making light of reports relating to domestic abuse and gender-based violence. More specifically, Commissioner Hoppie said that there have been instances when instead of promptly taking reports, ranks encourage the abused and the abusers to reconcile.

Added to that, the top cop expressed concern in relation to reports of police officers mocking male victims of abuse.

With regard to altercations with citizens, Commissioner Hoppie reminded that even if officers are dealing with hostile persons, it remains their responsibility to respond in a respectful and professional manner.

“If people think [that the] police are unethical, they are less likely to cooperate,” the Top Cop posited.

Nonetheless, in most instances, Hoppie said that disciplinary action is taken against the errant officers. In some cases, such action came in the form of criminal charges being brought against members of the force who have been found to be in breach of policies.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Decision on ‘cold cases’ to be made by early 2022

By Rehana Ahamad EVEN though several cold cases were reopened in 2016, the past five years have gone by with very little to no updates on their progress, or lack thereof. Some of these cases include the murder and dumping of teenager, Monica Reece’s body 28 years ago; the gruesome 2010 murder of young Demerara Bank employee, Sheema Mangar; and the shooting death of prominent fashion designer, Trevor Rose in 2014.

Questioned about the status of these cases on Saturday, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, told the Sunday

Chronicle that upon assuming office in August 2020, he engaged the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in relation to these past matters.

Asked to provide an update on these cases, Minister Benn said that they will all be reviewed, and that “arising out of that review, we will know how we [law enforcement authorities] will go forward with them.”

The minister said that these reviews will be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2022; that means, before March.

Five years ago, the Major Crimes Unit of the Guyana Police Force announced that

it will be reopening investigations into the aforementioned cases, and that detectives would begin analysing the evidence in each case to determine the way forward, based on the advice of the force’s legal adviser.

Soon after, a major shakeup took effect and saw then Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, being removed from his position, and since then, there were no updates on the way forward with these cases.

Soon after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic returned to office, Blanhum was reappointed to his position.

Meanwhile, although years have passed, families of the victims have still been clinging to bits of hope that justice will be served. As a matter of fact, it was the pleas from loved ones that prompted the police to reopen the cases in the first place.

Crime Chief Blanhum had said then that even though the cases were being reopened and authorities are hoping to make significant headways, it would be premature to make any promises of solving the

killings, as the evidence and statements still had to be reviewed by investigators, and then the police legal adviser.

MONICA REECE – 28 YEARS AGO In the case of 19-year-old Monica Reece, it was reported that aspects of the crime were not properly probed by investigators on April 9, 1993, when her body was dumped from a moving pickup vehicle on Main Street, Georgetown.

An autopsy report done by forensic pathologist, Dr Leslie Mootoo, had established that Reece, a young security guard, suffered a savage beating, which left her with a broken jaw and multiple other injuries, before she was hastily dumped in the vicinity of Courts Guyana Incorporated building, which once housed a Geddes Grant branch.

The autopsy revealed too that Reece had sexual intercourse just hours before she was killed. Pubic and other hair samples were collected from Reece’s remains for forensic analysis. With Guyana lacking in that field then, these and other sample materials were impounded and claimed to have been sent overseas.

Several weeks after she was laid to rest, Reece’s body was exhumed and more samples taken. These, too, were reportedly sent overseas, but according to police, the results of all the forensic tests returned “inconclusive,” leaving detectives no closer to catching the killer or killers, who might still be alive, living freely.

SHEEMA MANGAR – 11 YEARS AGO More than a decade later, in 2010, the death of 21-yearold Sheema Mangar sent sim-

ilar shockwaves throughout the country. Reports are that the young Demerara Bank employee had just left work on the afternoon of September 11, 2010, and was awaiting transportation in the vicinity of Camp Street and North Road in Georgetown, when a man snatched her blackberry cellular phone and escaped.

Mangar reportedly put up a chase, but the perpetrator, a man, proceeded into a car, which he then used to run her over. The young woman was dragged from Bedford Methodist Church at Camp Street and North Road, all the way to the next intersection at Camp and Church streets.

In this case too, DNA samples were taken from beneath a car, to be sent for testing; it was a piece of cloth which matched the uniform that Mangar had been wearing when she was run over.

Reports are that the samples were sent to Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Brazil, however, it is not known whether detectives ever received the results.

For years, Mangar’s mother, Radica Thakoor, decried the manner in which the investigation was handled. To date, the market vendor mourns the death of her daughter, knowing full well that her killer may also be roaming free.

TREVOR ROSE – SIX YEARS AGO In the wee hours of January 26, 2014, Trevor Rose, a popular costume and fashion designer, was fatally shot in the vicinity of the traffic light at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Reports are that Rose, along with Latoya Towler, the mother of one of his children, were the passengers of a car being driven by their friend, Troy Nieuenkirk, when a heavily tinted car pulled up alongside them and chided Nieuenkirk on the manner in which he was driving.

It is alleged that an argument ensued, after which a lone gunman exited the vehicle and immediately opened fire on the car that Rose was in. Police said that “a number of rounds” were discharged at Nieuenkirk and the other persons in his vehicle, after which the perpetrator escaped.

A post-mortem examination later revealed that Rose was shot five times. Two persons were subsequently held for questioning but later released. A 9mm pistol and 19 matching rounds were recovered at the scene. Rose’s family had since been adamant that the shooting was no accident; as a matter of fact, they had argued that the entertainment promoter was killed, premeditatedly, because of a woman.

Nonetheless, Minister Benn is hopeful that with new and advanced forensic capabilities, these cold cases could possibly be solved. “Now, they are other approaches in relation to the investigative work,” Benn insisted.

In addition to reopening the cold cases, Minister Benn said that the Guyana Police Force will also be addressing the issue of outstanding warrants for wanted persons who continue to evade the law.

The minister made specific reference to the situation with Kapildeo Gangadin, who, after being arrested for the murder of 21-year-old businessman, Ganesh Persaud earlier this month, was also found to be the man behind the 2020 murder of fisherman, Mukesh Mangra.

“The young man who did the double murder, was in fact, wanted for another murder previously,” Benn said. To this end, he said that the Guyana Police Force has to “review issues in relation to persons who are wanted.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

G20 leaders endorse tax deal, pledge more vaccines for the poor

Rome’s G20 summit will set (Reuters) - Leaders of the centre, Italian Prime Minister world’s 20 biggest economies Mario Draghi said governendorsed on Saturday a ments had to work together to global minimum tax aimed face up to the formidable chalat stopping big business lenges facing their peoples. from hiding profits in tax “From the pandemic, to havens, and also agreed to climate change, to fair and get more COVID vaccines to equitable taxation, going it poorer nations. alone is simply not an option,” A t t e n d i n g t h e i r f i r s t Draghi said. in-person summit in two years, The corporate tax deal G20 leaders broadly backed was hailed as a evidence of calls to extend debt relief for renewed multilateral coordinaimpoverished countries and tion, with major corporations pledged to vaccinate 70% of facing a minimum 15% tax the world’s population against wherever they operate from COVID-19 by mid-2022.

2023 to prevent them from However, with a crucial shielding their profits in offU.N. climate conference due shore entities. to start in just two days, the “This is more than just a G20 appeared to be struggling tax deal – its diplomacy reto throw its weight behind the shaping our global economy sort of strong new measures and delivering for our peothat scientists say are needed ple,” U.S. President Joe Biden to avert calamitous global wrote on Twitter. warming.

With the world roiled Italy, hosting the gather- by rising energy prices and ing in Rome, put health and stretched supply chains, Biden the economy at the top of the was expected to urge G20 agenda for the first day of the energy producers with spare meeting, with the more dif- capacity to boost production, ficult climate discussions set notably Russia and Saudi for Sunday. Underscoring the Arabia, to ensure a stronger way the coronavirus crisis has global economic recovery, up-ended the world, doctors a senior U.S. administration in white coats and Red Cross official said. workers joined the leaders DIMMED HOPES for their traditional “family” Like many of the other photograph -- a tribute to the G20 leaders in Italy, Biden sacrifices and efforts of med- will fly straight to Glasgow ics across the globe. on Sunday for the United NaAddressing the opening tions’ climate summit, known of the meeting, being held in as COP26, which is seen as a steel and glass convention crucial to addressing the threat

the tone for the COP26 of rising temperatures. The G20 bloc, which includes Brazil, China, India, Germany and the United States, accounts for an estimated 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but hopes the Rome meeting might pave the way to success in Scotland have dimmed considerably.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin both decided to follow events only via video link and diplomats looking to seal a meaningful accord said both countries, as well as India, were resisting ambitious new climate goals.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged the G20 and COP26 talks would

climate summit in Glasgow, held immediately after be difficult, but warned that national plans on how to curb “It is great to see all of without courageous action, harmful emissions will have you here, after a difficult few world civilisation could col- to be strengthened, but offered years for the global comlapse as swiftly as the ancient little detail on how this should munity,” Draghi said, catchRoman empire, ushering in a be done. ing the largely upbeat mood new Dark Age. Additionally, the leaders amongst those present.

“It’s going to be very, very are set to pledge to halt fiFar from the confertough to get the agreement we nancing of overseas coal-fired ence centre, known as ‘The need,” he told reporters, stand- power generation by the end Cloud’, several thousand ing next to the ruins of the of this year, and to “do our protesters staged a loud, but Colosseum amphitheatre - a utmost” to stop building new peaceful demonstration in the symbol of once mighty Rome. coal power plants before the city centre to demand action CLIMATE EFFORTS end of the 2030s. to stem climate change.

A draft communique seen Apparently relishing “We are holding this

by Reuters said G20 countries in-person diplomacy after protest for environmenwill step up their efforts to months of relative isolation, tal and social issues and limit global warming at 1.5 the leaders held numerous against the G20, which condegrees Celsius - the level sci- meetings on the sidelines, tinues undaunted on a path entists have said is necessary including discussions between that has almost led us to to avoid disastrous new cli- the United States, Britain, social and ecological failmate patterns. The document Germany and France on Iran’s ure,” said protester Edoaralso acknowledges that current nuclear programme. do Mentrasti.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Striking a Balance

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has touched on an important aspect of our national development during his address on the launch of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 for public consultation. The President spoke of the need to strike a balance between optimising our potential to create wealth and ensuring that the creation and optimisation of that wealth is done in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner.

This is all the more necessary as the country has now become an oil-producing nation.

The LCDS was the brainchild of then President and cur-

rent Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and it came into being in 2009. That was over a decade before oil was discovered in commercial quantities and it is now necessary for the strategy to be updated to reflect the new and changing realities.

The first LCDS emanated from wide-ranging consultations from a wide cross-section of the Guyanese people and was fully reflective of the views and opinions of the entire country, right across the ethnic, political and geographic divides.

This new round of consultations would be no different and even though the context has changed with the emergence

of oil and gas, the PPP/C administration is still committed to a low-carbon development trajectory. In fact, as indicated

by President Ali, Guyana still remains a low-carbon economy and ranks among the lowest carbon economies in the world.

The President reiterated his administration’s intention to pursue strong policies to ensure that the oil and gas sector operates within the framework of international standards.

Several measures are being implemented to ensure that there is adequate protection against environmental pollution, including the elimination of flaring from oil production,

except in the case of genuine emergencies.

According to the President, when the PPP/C took office in 2020, there were no safeguards in place to prevent flaring and it was left to the new administration to introduce taxes on flaring, one of few countries in the world to do so. In addition, new measures have been introduced to ensure that all waste management becomes the responsibility of the oil producer, in keeping with international industry standards. Further, Guyana will work with other oil producers to explore and promote the use of lower-carbon technological innovation such as the use of

renewable energy in oil production, carbon-capture utilisation and storage and to the extent possible, “green” hydrogen.

These are all forward-looking initiatives on the part of the President and his PPP/C administration, for which full credit must be given. The optimisation of revenues from oil and gas is important for us as a developing country to raise living and working conditions, but it must be done in a manner that is consistent with global policies aimed at creating a level playing field that aligns the global market place with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Chronicle has changed from a political rag to a more professional outfit

Dear Editor,

SINCE the change in political administration in August 2020 that led to new management of the state-owned media, the Chronicle has been allowed to be run very professionally; political interference is no longer part of its management. The Guyanese diaspora, especially in greater New York, notes the balance and a fair amount of coverage of community news of all sections and communities in the diaspora.

During the preceding administration, large sections (over half) of the diaspora were completely ignored by the government as well as the state media, as if they don’t exist. This writer and other reputed reporters in the diaspora penned several articles that were not published in the state

media during the last administration. Even non-political articles about the diaspora itself were not permitted from these writers. Worse, this writer was attacked in the state media, but his response was not published.

Preference in coverage was given to supporters of the ruling dispensation and in praising the regime. Attempts for consideration of submissions of reports on the diaspora were rebuffed. Also, the findings of opinion polls of this writer were not published in the state media.

The New York-based diaspora is pleased with the appearance of and coverage of news as well as commentaries in the Chronicle. Based on my informal poll (conversations with members) of the diaspora, a lot more now read the Chronicle paper and watch the DPI news than before. The diaspora

praises the wide divergence of views that is allowed, unlike under the previous regime.

They also note that there’s an ethnic balance of columnists and reporters unlike under the previous administration that favoured only one group.

The Chronicle and other state media were largely used as political tools for propagandistic purposes during the dictatorship (1966 to 1992). Independent media were punished, with newsprint being denied them. They were also silenced with countless libel suits from the state, all of them frivolous.

There was hardly any media outlet for community news and objective commentaries in Guyana. Even coverage of newsworthy events of the diaspora was not supported.

When I left Guyana in 1977 to pursue tertiary studies as a 16 year old, there were no

media in America for the Guyanese diasporic community coverage. And the state media in Guyana did not encourage reports about the diaspora or commentaries of the illegal authoritarian regime. So a group of us since 1977 when we were university students published regular community news reports that also featured news about happenings back home. The PPP political support group, the ACG, also published a monthly or bi-monthly community report even before we started our occasional news bulletins and commentaries.

This writer penned hundreds of articles in community publications that we started or to which we were affiliated. This writer was affiliated to several publications that focused on the Indian diaspora; several articles pertaining to events in the Guyanese diaspora were

written by this writer and published in them. Our views and coverage of the diaspora were not featured in the then state media. It was not until the launch of Stabroek News in 1986 that the diaspora began to see coverage of its existence and activities. The restoration of democratic rule in October 1992 freed up the Chronicle and it began featuring coverage of community events and celebrations of festivals in the diaspora. Both media also allowed critical public commentaries about the government.

This was changed in June 2015 with a change in government.

The Chronicle increasingly became a propagandistic tool of the regime. Worse, it libelled many people and business entities with personalised attacks.

The paper was forced to compensate victims with millions of dollars.

Today, the paper looks differently than under the Coalition administration. There is so much coverage of the diaspora – about its activities, celebrations of festivals, visits by government officials, etc. This writer’s views and volunteer reports are now published unlike under the Coalition’s management. Objective critiques of governance and other matters of national interest are permitted. The paper does not libel people with personal attacks.

The diaspora looks forward to reading the paper online that provides informative reporting and critical commentaries. And they are so pleased to see the coverage they get for their activities, as well as to read about the history that they have created in the diaspora.

Regards, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Guyana must put an end to ‘rigged’ elections

Dear Editor, WHILE it cannot be denied that the Guyana Elections Commission is a tough place to be, it is clear that the chairperson will have to be objective and ensure that we get free and fair elections. The torture and depression, along with the tremendous cost that this nation had to bear during those terrible five months, must never occur again. Further, the quality of persons employed at GECOM must be men and women with integrity, persons who will

be honest and above all, they must be bold and courageous.

Rudy Collins was a man of substance and he will forever be remembered as the first Chairman of GECOM who was prepared to bite the bullet and deliver free and fair elections in Guyana.

The task then was not easy, but after all the threats and pressure and with the support of the Carter Center, Guyana witnessed the return of free and fair elections. After the 1992 Regional and National Elections, Collins trium-

phantly gave way to Edward Hopkinson who did a fair job in overseeing the Local Government Elections (LGEs) in 1994. At those LGEs, which were held after two decades, the PPP/C dominated the polls.

Enter Senior Council Doodnauth Singh as Chairman of the Commission and highly successful National and Regional Elections were held in 1997. Then the powerful former head of the army, the eminent Joseph Singh was the Chairman of

the Commission for the 2001 highly successful National and Regional Elections.

For the 2006, 2011, and 2015 National and Regional Elections, Guyana had the rough period under the chairmanship of Steve Surujbally. In 2006 the National and Regional Elections went pretty smoothly. However, by 2011 the performance of the commission deteriorated as the staffing of the workers was taken over by the secretariat and the commission’s members allowed

things to slide. There were serious allegations against the employment of election day staff. Worst was the role of the chief elections officer and the administration with respect to accountability. As a result, the Guyana Elections Commission was not audited for the 2015 National and Regional Elections.

The 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections and the 2020 National and Regional Elections are yet to be audited.

With the dismissal of

the famous ‘trio,’ we are witnessing a plethora of advertisements to fill vacancies at the commission. It is most interesting to see the expression of interest from a wide cross-section of persons. There are foreigners, along with some very experienced individuals who have applied for positions in GECOM. Guyana must put an end to ‘rigged’ elections and citizens must be loud in their call for urgent LGEs. Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar.

Dear Editor, I PEN this letter to you today in regard to something I saw plastered on the front page of the Sunday, October 24 edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper which I find quite laughable. As I am sure many persons are aware, Kaieteur News would usually carry pictures in its publications of persons holding placards as part of their activism in support of their call for renegotiation of the con-

troversial ExxonMobil oil contract signed by the APNU+AFC. In the Sunday edition highlighted above the “protestor” was none other than Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, who wore a jersey with writing that called for 50 per cent royalty to be paid to Guyana. Editor, I found this to be hilarious and quite embarrassing for the Opposition Leader; hence, my decision to write to you today.

It is paramount that ev-

eryone is reminded that it was the APNU+AFC Coalition that negotiated and signed the very two per cent royalty agreement which Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, is now “protesting” against. In fact, a simple Google search will provide evidence of this. As a matter of fact, I reference an article published in June 2017 by iNews Guyana headlined “Exxon Mobil will pay two per cent royalty in new pact with gov’t”.

This article provided a very

detailed synopsis of the royalty agreement which the APNU+AFC Coalition signed with Exxon. With this in mind, I find it strange that the Opposition Leader would join the “protest” for 50 per cent royalty when it was his government that agreed for Guyana to receive two per cent in the first place. It is either that the picture used on Kaieteur News’ front page of the Opposition Leader was photoshopped or it’s a case of the usual dishonesty from

the APNU+AFC. At the same time, I found this whole thing to be even more comical when I flipped through the pages of the very edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper to find an article highlighting the APNU+AFC Coalition’s incompetent handling of the oil and gas sector. In fact, the article revealed that Suriname was able to secure a US$30.8M signing bonus for a block measuring approximately 2,235km2.

However, in the case of

Guyana, the APNU+AFC Coalition agreed to collect US$18M for an area that is 12 times the size of the Suriname block.

Editor, the fact that the Opposition Leader is parading around saying that Guyana should demand 50 per cent royalty when his government settled for two per cent is evidence of how inept they are. I trust that all your readers would see the same.

Yours very truly, Anson Paul

Dear Editor, TODAY I write to you with much enthusiasm regarding the recent launch of the four-month consultation on Guyana’s new Low Carbon Development Strategy by the PPP/C government. Without a doubt, it is important for countries to place more emphasis on reducing their carbon footprints and becoming carbon neutral.

Given the fact that we are facing climate challenges which threaten our livelihoods, I must commend

the PPP/C Government for launching this new LCDS initiative which will propel Guyana towards carbon neutrality and added prosperity.

After reading through the LCDS 2030 plan that was released to the public so that consultations can commence, I must say that the strategy is a well thought out one. It is very important for Guyanese to recognise that the aim of this initiative is to protect and maintain Guyana’s forests in an effort to reduce global carbon

emissions while at the same time, attract payments from developed countries for the climate services which will be provided through the said forests.

Providing that Guyana continues down this path with regard to the LCDS 2030 strategy, it is guaranteed that the country will benefit significantly in a number of different ways.

I wish to point out that not only will we be able to benefit from low carbon emissions, but also from investments. Building on

the latter, Guyana will be able to receive funds from countries that will in turn be used to build infrastructure, develop communities, promote businesses and more. Ultimately, this will lead to improvements in the standard of living which will benefit every single Guyanese. This, when coupled with the booming oil and gas sector, will propel Guyana to higher heights as far as I can see.

President Irfaan Ali said in his address when launching the LCDS 2030

consultations that the interest in Guyana during his recent visit to Dubai is unprecedented. With this in mind, I can only imagine the prospects that are going to meet our country in the very near future. As much as we focus on building our country in terms of infrastructure, it is equally important for us to focus on the environment as without it, we would not be able to reap the benefits of our hard work.

On this note, I want to commend the PPP/C

Government for seeing the need to launch this consultation for the LCDS 2030 initiative. It not only shows that they are committed to serving in the best interest of the people and achieving ‘one-Guyana’, but also to improve and preserve our beloved country for the benefit of our future generations. Kudos to the President and Vice President for their foresight in this regard.

Yours Truly, Alvin Hamilton

Harmon’s call for 50 per cent royalty is comical

New LCDS initiative will propel Guyana towards carbon neutrality and added prosperity

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Flood-relief grant will help restore farmers’ livelihood, boost food production –Minister McCoy

FARMERS of Kairuni, Kuru Kururu and Timehri in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) received the government’s flood relief grant on Saturday.

The farmers said the grant will assist them to move forward in redeveloping the agriculture sector. Cash crop farmer, Mr. Deonarine Narine, said he is proud of this initiative as it will allow farmers to return to their farmlands and boost Guyana’s food production. He said he will use the money to purchase fertilisers for his crops.

“It’s very hard to start back we farming to the scale that we had, but we still continue and we’re very glad for this grant from the government. At least is a help to get fertiliser back and get things in place to start moving forward…

“This is very good what the government is doing because to help the people to get back on their foot because without this we’ll fall more back, because some a we left the farming now and go to look work in other places and food production will get lower, we will get less food in the country.” Mr. Narine said.

Mr. Cleveland James, another farmer shared similar sentiments.

“Right now, the cash grant came in real aright because instead of invest-

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, interacts with farmers

ing in going more into the swamp I could do something on the hill, maybe I can buy a pump that could assist me, it will assist down the line maybe in developing the farm more…I thank the government for whatever assistance they giving and we will put it to use,” Mr. James said.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minis-

ter with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, spearheaded the distribution exercise.

The Public Affairs Minister encouraged the farmers to take advantage of the many opportunities presented to them in the agriculture sector so as to make a significant contribution to global food security.

“Work to ensure that

we are not only the bread basket of the Caribbean but we are a major, major contributor of food production and food security across the world and so ambition must be the beginning of everything we seek to pursue for our individual and collective good.

“We will position ourselves to be able to take advantage of all those op-

portunities that exist to be able to reach the ambition that we set out for ourselves,” the Minister said.

He explained that the government is working to enhance the quantity and quality of food produced in the country. The minister emphasised that farming should no longer be treated in the traditional way, but should be ex-

panded since agriculture will bring tremendous benefit to Guyanese.

Minister McCoy reiterated that the government understands the losses and devastation faced by farmers and will continue to make the necessary investments to improve their livelihood. (Modified DPI release)

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, distributing the flood relief grant to a farmer

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 31, 2021

Local content, natural resources legislation for Parliament before year end

By Rehana Ahamad

BOTH Guyana’s Local Content legislation and amendments to the Natural Resources Fund Act will be tabled in the National Assembly before the end of year, according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. At a virtual press conference on Friday, Dr. Ali said that Guyana would be receiving the support from the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and his technical team.

“They will work with us on the finalisation of our local content legislation and they will assist in the amendment of The Sovereign Wealth Fund legislation,” Dr. Ali told reporters.

Even though Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund (NRF) contains more than US$436 million, the Government of Guyana has insisted that it will not dip into those monies unless the requisite pieces of legislation are in place.

More specifically, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, had said that until or unless withdrawals from the fund are greenlighted by the National Assembly, Guyana’s oil wealth will remain untouched.

With the petroleum industry gearing up for mammoth developments, the country’s NRF could comfortably close off the year with almost US$600 million.

Since assuming office in August 2020, the Irfaan Ali-led government had promised that Guyana’s oil wealth will be directly injected into improving the lives of all Guyanese, as well as to boost

President Dr. Irfaan Ali met with Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (Office of the President photo) critical non-oil sectors such Ali said that Ghana’s com- presidents focused heavily on President Ali explained as education, agriculture and mitment to assist Guyana the petroleum sector as well that as a result of his enhealth. in finalising the pieces of as climate change. gagements with the Ghanian Dr. Ali also reiterated legislation, stemmed from It is believed that the President, Vice President, his government’s intention bilateral discussions between oil-producing nation would Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, was able to ensure that monies also the two Heads of State, on the have much to advise Guyana to lead a team of Guyanese remain in the NRF to safe- side lines of the 76th United in relation to ‘dos and don’ts’ officials to Ghana. There, it guard the prosperity of future Nations General Assembly as well as provide guidance was determined that within generations. in Mexico in September. The on possible pitfalls that can the coming months, a techMeanwhile, President engagement between the two occur. nical team from Ghana will

9

come to Guyana to assess and provide feedback.

Added to that, the Vice President of Ghana is also expected to visit Guyana later in the year, while President Akufo-Addo is gearing up for a visit himself. President Ali indicated that his Ghanian counterpart is planning to come to Guyana in February 2021, just in time to participate in Guyana’s oil and gas conference.

Outside of the state-tostate engagements, President Ali said that Guyana will also be accommodating a team of investors from Ghana, which will see private sector officials coming to establish partnerships with the local private sector, in relation to various prospects and investment opportunities.

“So, in addition to the technical teams and the co-operation at the bilateral level, we have also established an opportunity for co-operation and collaboration, and partnership with the private sector from Ghana and that of Guyana, and a team from Ghana will be here in Guyana to look at this specifically,” President Ali noted.

He said that already, the Ghanians have various areas of interest, including agriculture, mining, tourism, and food production.

“They have a wide array of interests,” Dr. Ali emphasised.

He expressed hope that members of the local private sector would actively participate and create the environment for the Ghana-Guyana partnership to prosper.

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Overcoming self-doubt and many struggles, Enterprise woman admitted to the bar

By Rabindra Rooplall

Attorney-at-law, Christal Amsterdam

IT was her father who inspired her to become a lawyer, given her passionate arguments at a young age, but the road to success for 24-year-old Christal Amsterdam was not an easy one.

As a matter of fact, she battled many personal struggles, including selfdoubt that she was not good enough to be a member of the legal fraternity. But on Friday, Amsterdam stood tall in the Family Court in Georgetown as she was finally admitted to the local bar.

Amsterdam, who is a Legal Officer attached to the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union (GPSCCU), was admitted to the bar by Justice Damon Younge; her petition was presented by attorney-atlaw, Collis Baveghems.

The new lawyer, who resides at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, intends

to pursue family, civil and corporate law.

When asked what inspired her to become an attorney, she said: “From a very young age my father would always say I never give up in an argument, I’m persistent and even when I think I might lose, I go back, find some other information and bring it back.

“He always admired my persistence and said that being a lawyer would be suiting for me. I began to look into the legal profession with my first exposure being Law and Order SVU. This interest moved from TV shows to movies like Marshall, to Sydney Sheldon books, after which I began to talk to persons I knew who were in the legal profession who advised me on the journey and the rest is history.”

In her admission speech, the new attorney said she is cognisant of the fact that her success is as a result of all the people who sacrificed and poured their love and energy into allowing her to pursue a career in the legal profession.

“People often say that they stand on the back of

the great lawyers that paved the way before them, while this is true, I would like to say that I stand on the back of my support system, my family, my church and my friends,” the former St Joseph High student said.

In this journey, she told the judge that there was a lot of doubt about whether she had what it takes to make it in the legal field.

“I have heard people say law is for the brightest of the bright, I heard I was too quiet and too shy and if I wanted to make it I had to be relentless and mean. I even had personal struggles of realising that I didn’t have the confidence that I saw being portrayed by others before me or even some of my peers. While at times this was discouraging, there was the voice inside that told me not to give up. The voice, I later realized, was the voice of God guiding me along the way,” she recalled.

Amsterdam said the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” manifested along her legal journey.

“While I was so scared of stepping out on to my

own in Trinidad, I was never really alone. I had my landladies that became my temporary parents, I have my father’s friend being just a phone call away and I even had a third cousin that became like a big brother.

I’ve seen my aunts, uncles, grandparents really step up and support my parents in this time. I can say that I was never in need nor want.

And to them I would like to say thank you even though thank you seems like such a small word for all they have done,” the attorney said.

She reiterated her intention to serve with professional integrity, respect and dignity.

“I intend to be an asset to this fraternity and by extension my country.

I aspire to be a vessel of change and innovation to assist this great land in its continued development, especially now with the new oil and gas sector. It is my hope that every citizen can see the equitable distribution of this new found wealth and know that its surplus is safeguarded for future generations,” she added.

Attorney-at-law, Christal Amsterdam (centre) flanked by Justice Damon Younge and attorney Collis Baveghems

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Over $7M in grants disbursed to Reg.2 Amerindian communities

REGIONAL Chairperson of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenamm), Vilma De Silva, on Friday, distributed over $7 million in presidential and developmental grants to the toshaos of various Amerindian communities in the region.

During the handing over ceremony held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), De Silva said that the grants

will aid further development in the communities.

The Village Councils were tasked to come up with beneficial projects for their communities.

Communities benefitting from the Presidential Grant included Bethany, Mashabo, and Wakapau.

Bethany was presented with $1.5M, Mashabo received $1.2M and Wakapau - $2M. For development grants, Akawini received

$600,000; St. Monica $600,000; Mashabo Village - $400,000; and Bethany Village - $754,839.

Toshoa of Bethany, Sonia Latchman, said last year’s grant was used to enhance the waterfront of her community. She said the project employed persons living there. According to her, Bethany is currently transforming and the grant will go a long way in helping the community.

CARICOM’s new Deputy SG set to take up office

Deputy SG of CARICOM, Dr Armstrong Alexis

DR ARMSTRONG Alexis of Saint Lucia has been appointed as the new Deputy Secretary-General (SG) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Dr Alexis takes up his post from November 1, 2021.

Dr Alexis was previously at the United Nations Development Programme where he has had a distinguished career in the Caribbean, the Pacific and Africa, rising to the level of Deputy Resident Representative

in Namibia.

“The DSG brings a wealth of experience to the post having served as well with the Commonwealth Secretariat and at a high level in the public service of his native Saint Lucia,” a press release from CARICOM noted on Saturday.

Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Dr Carla Barnett, in welcoming Dr Alexis said, “he is an experienced international public servant who brings a solid record of performance at a high level.

“The Community and the Secretariat will undoubtedly benefit from his skills and vast experience. I am looking forward to him joining the team at the Secretariat as we continue to strive to provide effective and efficient service to the Community.”

Regional Chairperson of Region Two, Vilma De Silva, hands over the cheque to Toshao of Bethany, Sonia Latchman

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

H. pylori, a prevalent stomach bacteria

H PYLORI is not a new bacteria. It has been studied extensively over the period 1970 to date where it is estimated that over half the world’s population is affected, according to a 2017 summary published by the NEJM Journal Watch. The prevalence of the H pylori bacteria is linked to socioeconomic and hygienic conditions, where clean water and sanitation are challenges in poorer countries. Statistically, according to 2019 UAE study, the prevalence is very high in developing countries 85 to 95 per cent compared with 30 to 50 per cent in developed countries. However in the less privileged indigenous parts of the developed countries, like in Alaska USA and Western Australia, prevalence rates spiked from 35.6 and 24.6 per cent in the urban areas of those respective countries to 74.8 and 76 per cent.

Apart from unhygienic living conditions and unclean water supply, one may also be exposed to H pylori from living in crowded areas and sharing of utensils or from direct oral contact like kissing someone who already has been infected with H pylori. It is present in saliva, vomit and feces. Eating uncooked or improperly prepared snacks or meals is a common way to acquire it. So home-cooked meals may provide a better sanitary option than buying food from entities where meal preparation may be questionable.

The incidence increases with age where 1 in 5 persons below 40 years or 1 in 2 above 60 years of age may have this stomach bug.

Complications of untreated H pylori are ulcers (mostly gastric and a few duodenal) which occurs in about 10 per cent of patients, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach walls –refer to picture 1) and gastric cancer.

Signs and symptoms of H pylori are pain and or burning in the abdomen especially when empty, nausea, loss of appetite, frequent burping, bloating, morning hunger, halitosis or bad breadth and unintentional weight loss.

Sometimes persons infected with H pylori are asymptomatic so they may not be aware that they are infected. In severe cases there is more pronounced abdominal pain, difficulty in swallowing, black or tarry stool or coffeecoloured vomit.

Diagnosis of H pylori is done after the physician or the gastroenterologist screens the patient and confirms the presence of the bacteria via a laboratory test or scoping. Noninvasive diagnostic methods are urea breath test (UBT is easiest method), fecal antigen test (stool test) or serology (blood test). Other more definitive but invasive methods of enquiry are endoscopy (see Picture1 below) and or biopsy to detect the presence of this spiral-shaped bacteria in the stomach tissue (see Picture 2 below). Note that serology

tests are unaffected by use of antibiotics and PPIs (treatment of the disease) hence it is not an appropriate method to determine eradication of the bacteria after treatment. A positive serology test may just indicate the presence of the H pylori bacteria but not necessarily an indication of the disease. A UBT is recommended after 4 to 12 weeks of completion of treatment to determine eradication.

Clinical presentation of peptic ulcer disease is a precursor for testing also.

The treatment protocol incorporates antibiotics and a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) to kill the bacteria and to shut down the acid production respectively. However, resistance to frequently used antibiotics cause treatment failure; hence the institution of the triple therapy where two different spectrum of antibiotics along with a PPI would do the job. Sometimes, a quadrupled therapy with the inclusion of bismuth (which has ulcer healing properties) can yield positive results when triple therapy is not fully responsive.

The rational selection of antibiotics by the prescriber depends on the patient’s previous usage patterns, so disabling resistance.

In refractory H pylori (recurrence after treatment) amoxicillin, tetracycline and rifabutin are recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) according to the 2021 guidelines. Some of the reasons for treatment failure are resistance

either from patient’s history with macrolides, non-adherence to treatment (the medications were not used as prescribed) and insufficient gastric suppression.

Earlier first-line treatments may include antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole or tinidazole. In very resistant cases levofloxacin and nitroimidazole may be considered. H Pylori kits with the combination with the PPI lansoprazole for 10 to 14 days are another option.

Proper nutrition and consumption of fruits, vegetables and vitamin C help with this condition. Recommended foods for H pylori patients are yogurt with probiotics, salmon, mackerel and sardines, eggs, tofu, olive oil and carrot seed oil with omega 3 and 6, nonacidic fruits and steamed vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage). Moderate use of blackberry, blueberry and raspberry are encouraged to aid with bactericidal effects of meds.

Only roasted or grilled white meat or fish may be tolerated in some cases. Avoid processed or fatty foods such as bacon and sausages, fries, fried chicken, spicy foods like curry and dhal, coffee, frizzy drinks and black tea.

In conclusion, awareness and education on preventative measures can assist with the eradication of this prevalent bacteria, since, as a developing country, challenges continue in accessing clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene practices.

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

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

The discovery at the No. 71 Village foreshore

THE discovery of coffins with skeletal remains along the Corentyne foreshore at No 71 Village might not have sent shockwaves across Guyana but has certainly raised more questions than answers. While I suspect the police and forensic team will continue to investigate the situation and might provide some answers, I am puzzled as to whom the remains belonged and why they have surfaced now.

To explore these questions, I have used my “advantageous” position of being born and raised in No. 72 Village, not too far from No. 71 Village foreshore, and my regular visits to the Corentyne foreshore from No. 64 Beach to No. 74 village, about five miles long.

Nevertheless, I have never seen, heard or engaged in any discussion of any coffins discovered at No. 71. Village foreshore until recently.

Geographically, No 71. Village is located about five miles from the town of Corrivertion and is home to about 1,500 inhabitants, mostly Indians.

These individuals began to settle in the area in the late 1870s through a colonial government policy of offering them pieces of land to remain in British Guiana in exchange of their entitled return passage to India. Today, life revolves around working on the sugar cane and rice fields as well as fishing on the Corentyne River.

Most people practise Hinduism and Christianity.

Perceptually, from the east is Suriname, then

the Corentyne River, followed by the beach, then the mangrove and eventually a sea dam trench, supported by a few kokers, that was built in the 1940s- from No. 69 to 76 Village -- to protect the villages from rising tides. After the sea dam trench are bushes, farms and houses as well as the main public road that runs from New Amsterdam to Corriverton, about 45 miles long. Beyond the main public road, commonly known as the “low side over” are more houses, coconut farms and large acres of rice fields.

Given the geography of the village, one would expect the discovered cemetery to be found anywhere else other than by the shoreline area.

The colonial government would not have allowed a cemetery so close to the shoreline because the then government realised that the area would have been subject to erosion, supported by the fact that it went at great length to protect the mangrove which served as a natural barrier to sand and soil erosion. The location of the discovered cemetery then seems odd when considering that the No. 66 and No. 74 cemeteries have been in the area dating back to at least 75 years. These cemeteries are located away from the Corentyne River foreshore, adding to confusion as to the location of the found coffins and remains at No. 71 Village.

This might have been an illegal grave site.

I will offer three assessments of the discov-

ery of the coffins and the remains, although I must admit, at this point, they are not facts. First, I think this cemetery or the burial site was privately owned because the colonial state would not have allowed a burial site to be so close to the shore, as explained above. Because it was privately owned, one can say that the site belonged to an upper class rather than a lower class of people. The entire area might have been a private compound owned by the upper class, and, as revealed in historical writings, this class preferred to reside along the breezily coast of the Caribbean. Guyana was no exception.

The people of this area might have had a close relationship with the colonial state, and might have not been subject to close scrutiny regarding burial requirements.

Second, I think the coffins and remains belonged to the middle or upper class because the coffins were made of pinewood which is not produced in Guyana. The wood had to be imported which was costly, revealing that the lower class would not have afforded the import costs. Moreover, the individuals who imported the pinewood might have used it for other decorative purposes such as furniture. We know from research that Europeans living in the Caribbean developed a culture to import items when the local quality did not meet their expectations. Africans and Indians were not in an economic position to do so; their ‘taste” of import things was also different.

For instance, Indians in the area did import religious items from India.

We know, too, that during the period when the bodies were buried, perhaps around 125 to 150 years ago, that Indians were living in thatched huts and did not use pinewood for any purpose. It would seem strange that they would use pinewood to bury their dead only, and not use the pinewood to build stronger houses, a needy area of concern.

There is a lack of consistency. Furthermore, Indians would have most likely cremated their dead

using local woods, according to Hindu customs.

Third, the deaths might have been caused by a contagious waterborne disease such as cholera which was sweeping through the region, as evidenced by reports on public health in British Guiana. The size of the coffins reveals that many children suffered, and suggests further that these children died within a short period of time, which is consistent when contagious diseases strike. In conclusion, and while we

need more archeological and forensic investigations, I think the graves belonged to people of European extraction either from Dutch or British background, and might be closely related. They were driven, and like areas of colonial life, by the desire to bury their dead in private rather public cemetery, which was probably in their own backyard in a compound secluded from the rest of society (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).

14

THIS week, Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon; PNC/R Candidate, Aubrey Norton, and the propagandist Rudolph Critchlow tried to pull wool over the eyes of Guyanese about the Irfaan Ali’s Government’s decision to give a $250,000 one-off cash grant to the sugar workers who were dismissed by the APNU+AFC Administration back in 2017.

The trio tried but failed to convince Guyanese that the PPP Government was engaged in a plot to bribe and reward their supporters. Even more cunningly, they said that the PPP was discriminatory with the cash grants.

Additionally, Harmon committed to stopping sugar workers from receiving this assistance if he becomes the leader of the PNC and potentially the next President of Guyana.

The propagandist even tried to put a flimsy programme called

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

APNU+AFC alternative facts about the sugar grant to dismissed workers

“unpacked” together to portray these alternative facts and propagandise the issues, not thinking that the public would see right through them.

Firstly, the Ali Government said that assistance is necessary to help the sugar workers back on their feet. The grants will take the form of financial aid. The Ali Government was not distributing this cash grant to the sugar workers as monies for their pensions and other benefits. Such a move would be a case where the Ali Government will be guilty of double-dipping their hands into the public purse; although it is a fact that many of the 7,000 sugar workers did not receive their rightful benefits and pensions.

So, the grant distribution to sugar workers should be seen as the Ali Government doing what it said it would do on the campaign trail to correct the wrong done to these workers. This decision

was long in the making, so it is nothing new, underhanded, or surprising.

Secondly, many sugar workers had lost their jobs without notice. Some are still unemployed, while others are underemployed.

That is because they were forced back into the job market without any other skills and trade.

Thousands of sugar workers and their families felt that the decision by the Coalition to close the estates was inhumane, cruel and devastating.

Even with the small pensions that some received they are still battling the social and economic impact of the decision to close the estates. Some of them who could not stand the hardship committed suicide while others died as a direct result of alcoholism.

So the basis of the cash grant is to help the sugar workers get back on their feet. They will be programmes designed and aimed at retooling them. Also, the government programmes should make their communities ready to deal with the social and mental

problems that they continue to face.

And during this point and time in our history, the government can afford this support to dismissed sugar workers.

Thirdly, what the AttorneyGeneral and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall said is correct and justifiable. He made no apologies to Harmon, Norton and the Coalition politicians for the grant that this group of workers will get next year.

Reasonably, one could say that the sugar grant was justifiable because the government gave the relief grants to other groups of Guyanese, including pensioners, school children, farmers, frontline workers and families of all strata of society.

What is wrong with sugar workers getting a cash grant?

Are they not Guyanese too and therefore entitled to some form of government help or aid? Are they not law-abiding citizens who pay their taxes? If anyone is guilty of racism and discrimination, it is the APNU+AFC politicians. The APNU+AFC Coalition would be silent if the Ali Government allotted this same aid or grant to the public servants or teachers. Their silence would have been deafening. No? But these groups will get the salary and benefits before the end of the year.

Fourthly, the APNU+AFC Coalition must know that its way of thinking about sugar workers is now on full display for the world to see.

Poet Maya Angelou said in one of her writings that “When people show you who they are, believe them, the first time.”

Some people got the message the

first time when the sugar workers were treated dishonourably and inhumanely by the APNU+AFC Coalition, while others got the message the second time.

Now they have seen the Coalition throw the AFC, Moses Nagamootoo, and Khemraj Ramjattan to the side after using them for the 2015 campaign and throughout their tenure in office. They know how the sugar workers were dealt with by the predominantly discriminatory Coalition politicians.

Finally, the government policy to give sugar workers a grant is not going to smooth over the wrong already committed but it will appease and help them face the challenges that linger within the communities and country.

On the other hand, the government has started the plan for turning GuySuCo around into a viable and profit-making industry.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

New FPSO will help boost Guyana’s energy outlook in high-priced environment

AFTER more than two months since it left its shipyard in Singapore, the Liza Unity, Guyana’s second floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, has arrived. This should be celebrated as a win for Guyanese, as the arrival of this new piece of technology means much more than just another FPSO. The Liza Unity represents Phase 2 of the Liza project in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, a symbol of progress as the country continues to develop and grow its oil and gas sector. Liza Phase 1, supported by the Liza Destiny FPSO, began production in late 2019 and has already delivered over US$435 million to Guyana’s Natural Resources Fund, with a projected US$600 million by year end. With the addition of a second FPSO vessel, Guyana could more than double production by the end of next year, keeping the country on track to reach more than one million barrels of oil per day by the late 2020s; that means significantly more annual

revenues for the government.

This approach has been beneficial for a couple of reasons. By installing a lower capacity FPSO earlier on, the Liza Destiny, Guyana was able to start producing oil more quickly. This also provided more time to build the Unity, which has significantly larger capacity with new features to help safely increase production by a large margin. This approach has also allowed Guyana to build quickly from initial production, as compared with neighbours like Suriname, which has stated it does not expect any final investment decisions for its own discoveries before 2022, meaning production likely won’t happen until several years later.

The Liza Unity’s 220,000 barrels of oil per day will combine with the Destiny’s output to reach more than 340,000 barrels per day, about one third of Guyana’s expected daily production within the next decade. The Unity is also capable of producing oil from nearly double the amount of wells as the Destiny. The Unity will

draw from 30 wells across a large area of the seafloor. The ship also includes a number of state-of-the-art technologies that are aimed to ensure the highest environmental standards. For example, the Unity is designed to avoid all routine flaring, an issue that has been top of mind for Guyanese.

Significantly, it is the first FPSO worldwide to receive Sustain-1 notation, which, according to the American Bureau of Shipping, means that the design and construction of the unit were assessed against requirements that align with certain United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These many benefits signify the massive investment that the Unity required, and which the companies can now make back from production through cost recovery. This process, spelled out in the production sharing agreement (PSA), allows this kind of upfront investment to happen without any risks or costs to Guyanese taxpayers.

By the end of 2022, the Unity is expected to more

than double Guyana’s production capabilities. And as oil prices continue to rise and are expected to remain elevated in the rest of 2021 and into 2022, according to analysts, Guyana will gain even more money. While the Unity is expected to begin production in early 2022, it will need time to ramp up production to full capacity to ensure everything is done as safely as possible. Total production output is expected to increase steadily over the year as systems and wells are brought online and tested one

by one.

Stabroek Block operator, ExxonMobil, recently increased its estimated oil reserves in Guyana to ten billion barrels of oil equivalent, after extensive exploration efforts found significant oil deposits at the Pinktail and Turbot-2 sites. In the Stabroek Block alone, ExxonMobil is planning to drill at least 37 exploratory wells through 2025, a campaign that could find billions of additional barrels of reserves for Guyana. The company has previously stated that it

could have as many as ten FPSOs to develop its current resource estimate.

Ongoing public discussions on the development of the Yellowtail and Redtail discoveries are also promising, as these are expected to be the largest project to date and will follow the Payara project. Payara is expected to start production in 2024, with Yellowtail to follow in 2025, providing even more long-term prosperity for Guyana.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali with new Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

New Chinese ambassador accredited PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday accepted the Letters of Credence from the new Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, and said that his government is looking to build on the existing relationship between the two countries.

“Guyana looks forward to the continued advancement of bilateral cooperation between our states during your tenure, particularly in the areas of education, health, information communication technology, infrastructural development and trade,” President Ali told the new diplomat.

The simple ceremony was held at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

The President added that Guyana also remains committed to working with the Government of the People’s Republic of China to promote high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, and promote more cultural engagement between the two countries.

The Head of State pointed out that the countries have

enjoyed “excellent relations” since the establishment of diplomatic ties on June 27, 1972, almost half-a-century ago.

He said that on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of bilateral relations between the two states, Guyana is looking forward to marking the auspicious occasion in a significant manner.

TANGIBLE BENEFITS The President also highlighted that Guyana has benefitted tangibly from its cooperation with China.

The Head of State said that ongoing projects within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, the extension of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and the construction of a four-lane highway on the East Coast of Demerara are testimony to the benefits derived from the cooperation between the two states.

“China’s assistance is aligned with my government’s commitment to improving the lives of the citizens, and enhancing the economic fortunes of the nation. This support is much

appreciated,” President Ali said.

CHINA’S STELLAR LEADERSHIP President Ali lauded China for its outstanding achievements in boosting social development, as well as leading its citizens to overcome various difficulties and challenges, in addition to its enhanced global influence.

“Given the extraordinary circumstances faced by the global community, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, my government applauds the leadership role taken by the People’s Republic of China, especially in the area of public health, and in providing tangible assistance that has been crucial to Guyana’s preventative measure to combat the virus in Guyana.”

President Ali also noted that the two states have collaborated “very effectively” in the international arena, particularly within the Group of 77 and China, in addressing the key issues of concern to developing nations, such as climate change. (Office of the President)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 31, 2021

Antigen COVID-19 test accepted at Guyana’s ports of entry from November

MOVING forward with its mandate of making Guyana’s main ports of entry more accessible while minimising the number of imported cases of COVID-19 into the country, the government, on Friday, announced its decision to accept negative antigen COVID-19 tests at its land and sea ports.

The decision was reflected in the newly instituted COVID-19 emergency measures which were published in the Official Gazette.

The new measure, which will be remain in place from November 1 to November 31, 2021, states “Before any person is allowed to enter Guyana, whether by land or sea, that person shall present to the relevant authorities a negative Molecular Biological Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, or an approved antigen test taken within seventy-two hours of the date of their arrival in Guyana and proof of vaccination.”

Since the reopening of Guyana’s main ports of entry in 2020, the government had only recognised

the use of negative Molecular Biological Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests at its air, land and sea ports.

AIRPORTS Meanwhile, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, on October 30, 2021 announced a similar decision to accept negative antigen COVID-19 tests.

A notice posted on the airport’s Facebook page read, “Effective from November 1, persons requiring entry into Guyana must provide a negative PCR or Antigen test, taken within 72hrs of their arrival in Guyana and proof of being ‘fully’ vaccinated.”

Antibody test; Rapid PC; Rapid test using Saliva Sample and home testing kits are still not accepted at the country’s main ports of entry.

All persons travelling to Guyana, 18 years and over must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 before arrival into the country; they are required to present their vaccination card bearing their

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, East Bank Demerara (Photo: Delano Williams) names, name of vaccine, date vaccine was given and batch number from an accredited health facility.

Gov’t shortens COVID-19 curfew hours –– business hours extended –– more people can go to church, mosque IN keeping with the government’s aim of systematically reopening the country to reintroduce some level of normalcy, the Ministry of Health, on Thursday, announced a reduction in its COVID-19 curfew hours, which sees the new curfew hours being between the hours of 00:00 to 04:00 hours daily from November 1, 2021.

The new curfew was published in the Official Gazette as part of the COVID-19 emergency measures no.

24, and will be in place until November 30, 2021. This change replaces the government’s previous curfew hours of 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours which was in place for the past year.

The new gazetted orders come even as the COVID-19 cases locally continue to climb daily. On Friday, the country recorded 94 new positive cases, along with six new deaths, taking the overall death toll to 910.

Meanwhile, the government has also extended the operational business hours to 23:00 hours.

These businesses include but

are not limited to supermarkets; gas stations; beauty salons and barbershops; clothing, shoes and book stores, restaurants and bars.

PLACES OF WORSHIP Meanwhile, in the newly gazetted measures, places of worship were granted approval to host 60 per cent of the building’s capacity at all religious services and gatherings.

This replaces the previous COVID-19 order which restricted places of worship to just 40 per cent of the capacity of the building. Even as the new changes are implemented from Sunday, the requirement to wear a mask in public places remain the same.

According to the gazetted orders, “no persons shall, without reasonable excuse, be without a face mask fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin of the person when the person is (a) in public; (b) travelling in a vehicle, vessel or aircraft; or (c) at a workplace.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 31, 2021

Pilot, wife injured in three-vehicle accident

VETERAN Guyanese aviator, Captain Malcolm Chan-a-Sue, 82, and his 84-year-old wife, Margaret Chan-a-Sue, are patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after they were involved in a three-vehicle accident on Saturday at High and Barrack Streets, Kingston, Georgetown.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the captain was driving motorcar, PLL 4477, with his wife in the front seat at around midday. They were proceeding east along the northern drive lane of Barrack Street when, it is alleged, that Captain

Captain Malcolm Chana-Sue is nursing injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Chan-a-Sue failed to stop at the intersection of High and Barrack Streets.

Police said there is a traffic sign there that is marked ‘STOP’ along with a stop line that is lawfully placed.

According to the police, the driver failed to stop and continued further east across the said intersection in front of minibus, BSS 8899, which was proceeding north along the western drive lane of High Street.

As a result, the front of the minibus collided with the right side centre portion of the captain’s car. The aviation veteran allegedly lost control of his car as a result

Captain Malcolm Chan-a-Sue reportedly failed to stop at the intersection and collided with the minibus

Teachers need to be educated on ‘child rights’ – says Rights of the Child Commission IN keeping with its mandate of protecting the rights and interest of children, the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) will be engaging teachers and headteachers on issues regarding the treatment of children, especially as it relates to cases of suspension and expulsion.

This was disclosed by RCC Deputy Chairperson Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, when she handed over the 2017 and 2018 RCC reports to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, last week at the Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

According to Benjamin-Noble, the RCC in its investigations over the year discovered that some level of public education is needed in the education sector as it relates to the suspension and expulsion of children from schools.

“We have found also in various communities that some of the schools need to be more conscious because we have found sometimes in complaints that we received, the principals for instance are not as conscious of the rights of the child and therefore make [incorrect] decisions in relation to children.

“We’ve had complaints in

relation to suspension, expulsion of a child from school, but the Convention on the Rights of a Child does not allow this,” Benjamin-Noble said.

Article 28 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of a Child notes: “States Parties recognise the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity.”

MUST BE INTEGRATED According to Benjamin-Noble, while the RCC See page 22

of the collision and then crashed into motorcar, PWW 5212, which was parked on the eastern side parapet of High Street facing north.

The passengers and the minibus driver were treated

for their injuries and discharged from the hospital while the captain and his wife are hospitalised.

Mr Chan-a-Sue was the recipient of the first Guyanese Pilots scholarship to

Air Work services training of Perth, United Kingdom in 1957. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School (AWHWAES).

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 31, 2021

Only fully vaccinated, negative 'COVID' people can access public buildings

AS part of government’s aim to reduce the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, persons wishing to gain access to all public buildings are now required to produce proof of being fully vaccinated against the deadly disease.

This was disclosed in the COVID-19 emergency mea-

sures no.24 of the Official Gazette.

This reflects one of the new changes in the new emergency measures for November 1, 2021 to November 31, 2021. In September 2021, as part of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 22), the government announced that Guya-

nese would be required to be vaccinated to access public buildings; this covered persons who were fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated, meaning they had just one dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The new guidelines for the use of public buildings, however, do not cater to

persons vaccinated with just one dose of a vaccine; it now requires all to be fully vaccinated.

Paragraph 17(1) of the new gazette states that “… any person who wishes to enter a public building shall be fully vaccinated.”

According to the gazette, “public buildings” mean any building to which the public has lawful access and shall include both publicly and privately owned buildings, including all institutions of learning. These include stores, banks, and other commercial places.

For unvaccinated persons and those partially vaccinated who want to access these places, an appointment must be made and they must produce a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test within seven days of the appointment.

Even with the government rolling out an aggressive COVID-19 vaccination programme that sees anyone above the age of 12 being inoculated, persons are still somewhat hesitant to be fully vaccinated against the deadly virus.

Currently, the government is offering first and

second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12 to 18, along with three vaccines targeting adults - the Russian-produced Sputnik V vaccine; Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine and the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, spoke about the reluctance of persons to get vaccinated with the second dose of the vaccines being rolled out by government.

Thus far 241,211 persons have been fully immunised, representing 47 per cent of the adult population.

“When you look at how much persons got their first dose and how much got their second dose, there is a difference of 139,000 people, so there is still a lot of people who need to come back and get their second dose vaccine,” Dr. Anthony said.

Minister Anthony said 55,000 people are yet to receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccines, which will expire November month-end.

“If they don’t come and by the end of November, if

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony these vaccines then expire, then we don’t have any in stock, then we have to wait until we get another shipment or we purchase another shipment, and that will be a pity because we have the vaccines and if people don’t come and take it and they expire, then you know we will have to look at other options, and that’s very unfortunate because if you get the vaccine you want to make sure that people use it so that they can protect themselves.”

Dr. Anthony said.

Teachers need to be ...

From page 21

will be implementing systems to facilitate this type of public education to leadership of the schools, the commission believes that training should be integrated for headteachers and teachers of all schools.

“We have found that we have to engage the principals, the leadership of the schools a bit more, but this should not be left only to

us, but it’s something that should be a part of the curriculum or part of the management training, perhaps of the leadership of the schools and the teachers of the schools,” she stated.

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES She further indicated that the RCC has made recommendations to Parliament

for legislative changes as they relate to sexual offences meted out against children.

The recommendations were made in the reports that were given to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

The reports are expected to be tabled at the next sitting of the 12th Parliament and its contents disclosed for public consumption.

From left: Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir; RCC Deputy Chairperson, Rosemary Benjamin-Noble and RCC Chairperson, Aleema Nasir at the handing over of the 2017 and 2018 RCC reports (Elvin Croker photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Three more die from ‘COVID’ -104 new cases

THE Ministry of Health has reported that three more persons who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus died between October 27 and 30, 2021 while receiving treatment at a government medical institution.

The latest fatalities are a 58-year-old female from Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) and an 86-year-old male from Re-

gion Four (Demerara-Mahaica), both of whom vaccination status are unknown, and a 57-year-old unvaccinated female from Region Four.

The country’s COVID-19 death toll continues on an upward trajectory with the toll at 913 since the virus was first detected here in March 2020.

In addition to the death toll, the number of new

cases of persons who tested positive for the virus continues to increase as well, with an additional 104 new cases of the virus detected from some 1,805 tests conducted within a 24-hour period.

With the new cases, the country’s overall number of confirmed cases stands at 35,548. The bulk of the new cases continues to be recorded in Region Four,

which saw 42 persons testing positive for the virus within the 24-hour period.

Region One (Barima-Waini) recorded 10 new cases; Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 12 new cases; Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), seven new cases; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 23 new cases; Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), two new cases; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) five new cases and Region 10 (Up-

per Demerara-Berbice), three new cases.

There are currently 17 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital; 65 persons are in institutional isolation; 2,758 are in home isolation and there are eight persons in institutional quarantine.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols contained in the Gazetted COVID-19 Emergency Measures,

which are in effect until October 31, 2021, along with other measures, such as regular hand-washing and social distancing, to curb the spread of the virus.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 6246674 immediately or visit us at www.health.gov.gy

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Infectious Diseases Hospital adds operating theatre

-to cater for pregnant women

The Infectious Diseases Hospital

AN operating theatre is among several upgrades at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, while giving the daily COVID-19 update on Friday, said the new facility will cater for pregnant women affected

by COVID-19.

“We have completed the operating theater at the Ocean View Hospital, because on occasions we have women who are coming in pregnant and on occasions we have to do emergency caesarean sections and that’s why we have installed a theatre at the Ocean View Hospital to cater for those emergencies because in instances the mothers are too sick to be moved to the Georgetown hospital and therefore, we really have to do an emergency operation sometimes,” Dr. Anthony said.

Apart from the operating theatre, the hospital will soon be fully outfitted with pipes taking oxygen to all the beds.

“So, we have piped oxygen, going to every bed on the second floor and we had started about a week and a half ago on the third floor, so that’s about completed as well, so the entire hospital now of close to 195 or so beds, to each bed we now have oxygen,” the Health

Minister said.

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and Sewa Guyana recently donated an oxygen generating plant to the hospital. This independent source of oxygen is expected to greatly reduce the cost of purchasing oxygen for the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“On the outside of the building, we have started construction of a base, so that when the oxygen plant comes into Guyana, that we will have the suitable base on which it can be installed so these are the works that have been ongoing at the facility,” Dr. Anthony added.

The Infectious Diseases Hospital currently has a capacity of 195 beds, 50 of which are in the ICU. “We have been expanding that ICU so we can comfortably accommodate about 50 patients, ICU type patients, the other wards are there for people who would have the less severe form of COVID, but nevertheless, they require hospitalisation,” Dr. Anthony said.

The Health Minister also noted that the hospital currently has an excess capacity as the numbers of patients are declining.

“I would say excess capacity because our cases at the hospital have come down quite a bit, right now we have 41 patients at

the hospital and we have 17 persons in the ICU that is coming down from when we had an average 38 patients in the ICU and probably about 120 patients in the hospital itself, so that’s a significant difference.” (DPI)

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Labour Ministry’s Co-op Department, all co-op societies to be audited

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

GIVEN the lack of transparency and accountability despite the billions of dollars in assets -- including cash and land -- in the more than 500 co-op societies in Guyana, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton has said that he will be ordering integrity audits for all co-ops.

He made this disclosure during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, during which he explained that the integrity audits will have to come after a forensic audit of his ministry’s co-op department has been completed.

According to him, the cleaning up will have to start in-house.

“I have instructed the Permanent Secretary [Bishram Kuppen] to have a forensic audit look at the ministry’s Coop Department, because the way I see it, that’s where I have to start.

They are the custodians of the clients,” Hamilton told this publication.

He added that: “Com-

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton

ing out of the audit of the co-op department itself, we will move to an integrity audit of all the co-ops. After that, I would be in a better position [to be] advised by independent people on how we move forward and then we would have to make decisions about who lives and who dies, whether it is needed, is it serving or should we dissolve it.”

Hamilton noted that since taking over as Minister of Labour last year August, he has already had need to have a number of Interim Management Committees (IMCs) installed at several co-operative societies across the country, given the level of mismanagement that was happening.

“When I came in, the state of things [was] nontransparency and nonaccountability, in large measure. So, we had to take steps with the Chief Co-op Development Officer (CCDO). For those who have been recalcitrant we brought an end to those management committees and we have appointed IMCs,” Hamilton said.

In most cases, IMCs were deemed necessary to be installed after it was discovered that only a few members had taken control of the co-ops’ executive.

“Most of them were not being run in a way that makes the contribution that it should be making to the communi-

ty and to the nation. And we are talking billions of dollars and tens of thousands of acres of property; and so it was just out there with just a couple people running with it.

That I will bring to an end. My position is once you are not serving the purpose for which you were formed then you shouldn’t be around,” Hamilton asserted.

He noted that the aim now is to bring the management of these co-ops to a functional state so that official Annual General Meetings (AGMs) can be held and new executives, elected from the members, can be installed.

Notwithstanding the need to bring in line or end dysfunctional co-op societies in Guyana, the minister emphasised that co-ops play a significant role in society and he still continues to encourage persons, particularly young people, to continue to form co-ops.

A co-operative society is a voluntary association that starts with the aim of the service of its members. It is a form of business whereby individuals join their hands for promotion of their common goals.

In Guyana, co-op societies are governed under the Co-operative Societies Act Chapter 88:01, which is enforced by the Ministry of Labour through the office of the Chief Coop Development Officer.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

U17 Lady Jags go down 6-0 to Honduras

THE Lady Jags picked up their first defeat at the CONCACAF U17 Girls Championship Qualifiers, when they went down 0-6 yesterday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Both sides had opened their campaign with a win, with the Lady Jags edging Anguilla 1-0, and Honduras getting the better of Turks and Caicos 7-0.

It was an intense start from the two teams, but soon Honduras took over, beginning with a right-footed finish from Anyeli Rodriguez in the 28th minute for a 1-0 Honduras lead.

The goal gave the Central American side a big boost of confidence and a minute later in the 29th Karla Calix scored the

first of her three goals to double the advantage, 2-0.

Calix then notched her second of the day with another right-footed strike in the 45th to give Honduras a 3-0 halftime lead.

C a l i x ’s s c o r c h i n g form carried into the second half and another right-footed shot found the back of the net in the 48th to earn Calix a hattrick and a 4-0 lead for her side.

Honduras kept the pressure on and it became 5-0 via a Guyana own goal in the 68th off of Anostasha Coppin.

Jalade Trim saw her almost perfectly taken free kick being denied by an exceptional save by the Honduras keeper.

Honduras then put the

finishing touch on their day in the 90+3 minutes with Rodriguez scoring her second of the match via the penalty spot to complete the 6-0 scoreline.

In the day’s other match, both Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands picked up their first point of the tournament after the two sides battled to a 0-0 draw.

The stars were goalkeepers Crystal Jean Baptiste of Turks and Caicos Islands and Dainelle Proctor of Anguilla, who each made a number of saves to keep their respective sides from conceding.

Group C will conclude tomorrow, with Honduras squaring off with Anguilla, while Guyana will meet Turks and Caicos Islands.

Home for boxing on the horizon...

From back page facility will be the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The idea, Ninvalle reasoned, is to make Guyana the ‘hub’ for boxing in the Caribbean, where countries will come to prepare and train for major tournaments.

He added that already boxers in the Region are using the Land of Many Waters as a base for their camp, pointing to the three

boxers who are currently in Guyana from Trinidad, getting ready for the Junior Pan Am Games in Cali, Colombia.

Earlier this year, Trinidad and Tobago’s Aaron Prince also used Guyana as his location to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.

“So this will be more than just a home for Guyana. You can look at it as a home for the Caribbean. We have some of the best box-

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ers in the English-speaking Caribbean, so right now we’re seeing boxers already coming here,” Ninvalle said.

Ninvalle, who also serves as vice-president of the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC), thanked Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr and the Government of Guyana, for their continued support of Amateur Boxing.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Scenarios: How West Indies can qualify for T20 World Cup semi-finals WEST Indies’ thrilling three-run win against Bangladesh means they are still in the hunt for a semi-final spot. To get there, they must win their last two games and finish on six points.

(There is a possibility of five teams finishing on four points with England topping with 10, but given West Indies’ net run rate, (NRR) that is not a route they’d want to take).

Assuming West Indies finish on. six points, here is how they can qualify without NRR coming into play: – England must win at least two of their three remaining matches. That includes beating Australia, and winning at least one of their two remaining games, against Sri Lanka or South Africa.

– Australia to lose all three remaining matches. They already have four points, and from West Indies’ point of view, they wouldn’t want any addition to that tally.

– Sri Lanka and South Africa to win no more than one of their two remaining matches. Both teams currently have two points, and played each other yesterrday. They also have games against England coming up, which means the winning team yesterday should lose to England.

– Bangladesh must beat Australia, since Australia already have four. If they lose to South Africa, then South Africa must in turn lose to England so that they don’t move beyond four points.

If all of these happen, then West Indies can progress

At the least, West Indies must win their final two group games to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stage (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images) without run rates coming into play. To start with, though, they need to keep their end of the bargain and win their two remaining games – against Sri Lanka on November 4, and Australia on November 6.

Given that five more Group One matches would have happened by the time they take the field again, they will have a pretty good idea of where they stand before their next game. (ESPNcricinfo)

Chelsea profit as Man City shocked by Palace, Liverpool held by Brighton

By Simon Evans

(REUTERS) - Chelsea moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after Manchester City lost 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace and Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday.

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea coasted to a 3-0 win at struggling Newcastle United with Reece James scoring twice before a Jorginho penalty wrapped up

the victory.

The West London club have 25 points from 10 games with Liverpool three points behind and champions City two further back.

Tuchel was pleased with the patience his team showed in a goalless first half but refused to celebrate the points dropped by their title rivals.

“It is a good day because of us. I believe what goes around comes around and I don’t feel happy to celebrate other perfor-

mances and results. We should be focused on ourselves,” he said.

“There is a long way to go and we know what we consistently need to produce to be able to have results,” added the German.

City fell behind to a Wilfried Zaha goal in the sixth minute and had defender Aymeric Laporte sent off for denying Zaha a goal-scoring opportunity on the stroke of halftime.

Gabriel Jesus had an effort for City disallowed for offside

Junior double sends Real Madrid top of La Liga REAL Madrid moved top of La Liga on goal difference with a narrow victory at Elche.

Vinicius Junior opened the scoring midway the first half, latching onto Mariano’s flick-on and sending a low finish into the corner.

Elche’s Raul Guti was sent off for a rash challenge on Toni Kroos before Vinicius doubled Real’s lead with a cool finish from Luka Modric’s pass.

Pere Milla scored late on to give Elche hope, but Real held on.

The hosts matched Carlo Ancelotti’s side - who were without injured top scorer Karim Benzema - for large spells and could have opened the scoring through Lucas Boye, but the Argentine’s shot was superbly saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Lucas Perez should have restored parity after Vinicius’ opener but turned Javier Pastore’s flick well wide of Courtois’ goal.

Real Sociedad can reclaim top spot this evening when they host Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao. (BBC Sport)

by VAR before Conor Gallagher secured the surprise victory for Palace.

“We need to do everything right but the players showed character. Unfortunately it went wrong in many, many things,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.

Liverpool, on a high after their 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United last Sunday, were brought back down to earth by Brighton at Anfield.

Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane put Juergen Klopp’s side in control but Zambian midfielder Enock Mwepu brought Brighton back into the game with a delightful long-range effort that sailed over Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Brighton gained the upper hand after the break and drew level in the 65th minute when Leandro Trossard side-stepped his marker and drove a low shot past Alisson.

Three goals were ruled out after VAR checks, Mane having one chalked off for handball and Salah another for offside while Trossard’s effort was also scrapped for offside.

“It feels like a defeat,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp

Chelsea’s Jorginho celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith) said.

“It’s not only because we were 2-0 up and didn’t win, it’s because the game I saw, we scored two of the most beautiful goals I’ve ever seen us score, which were disallowed,” he added.

“In the second half, we were not good enough. The body language I didn’t like it at all. It was like ‘oh my God, it’s really tough’,” Klopp said.

Arsenal’s good run of form continued with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City thanks to goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith Rowe.

At the bottom end of the table, Burnley picked up their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over promoted Brentford, Ivorian Maxwel Cornet scoring his fourth goal in five appearances.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Argentina spends weekend celebrating late hero Maradona BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – Argentine football is preparing for a weekend of celebrations to mark the birthday of the late football star, Diego Maradona. Matches across the country have been suspended and clubs and fans are dressed to remind them of the controversial superstar.

The former Boca Juniors, Naples and Barcelona player died of a heart attack on November 20 last year. His death was widely mourned in Argentina, who won the 1986 World Cup. “Today, 61 years after his birth, his memory is more than ever,” writes

the Argentine Football Association (AFA), “Because Diego is eternal.”

AFA goes out to the field in all ProClub, players wearing T-shirts with a picture of Maradona on the front, and the team captain wearing a blue and white armband (Argentine national colour) with his silhouette on it. I’m telling you to wear it.

All games, including amateur and children games, are told to pause after 10 minutes and give a minute of applause.

The association hopes that 1000 games will be affected across South America and asked fans to

take pictures and upload them using the hashtag # 1000PartidosPorEl10 or “1000Matches for the10”.

“Diego is in the hearts of all Argentines,” he said.

“Do not miss it.”

The first compliment took place on Friday night in the league, with a star photo on a sign outside the stadium.

A drone with a replica of Maradona’s No. 10 Argentine shirt jumped over the stadium and Racing lost to Defensei Justicia at home.

The song, recorded in honour of Maradona, was performed with fans cheering and singing.

Australian cricket mourns loss of Test greats Davidson, Mallett

Allan Davidson (left) played 44 Tests, taking 186 wickets with best figures of 7-93 AUSTRALIAN cricket is mourning the deaths of Test greats Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallet.

All-rounder Davidson died yesterday at the age of 92. Off-spinner Mallett, later an author and journalist, died from cancer on Friday aged 76.

Davidson, a left-arm fast bowler and lower-order batter, was regarded as “one of cricket’s finest players and most influential and beloved figures”, Cricket Australia (CA) said.

Davidson, who made his Test debut on the 1953 Ashes tour, went on to play 44 Tests, taking 186 wickets with best figures of 7-93 and was widely regarded as the world’s best left-arm fast bowler of his day.

He also scored 1 328 runs at an average of 24.59, including five half-centuries.

After retirement, he spent 33 years as president of Cricket New South Wales as well as 20 years as a trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein said: “Alan was a colossal figure in our game. Not only as one of the finest players to have represented Australia, but for

Ashley Mallett played 38 Tests between 1968 and 1980, took 132 wickets the positive influence exerted across the game as an administrator, mentor and benefactor.”

Mallett, who played 38 Tests between 1968 and 1980, took 132 wickets and is behind only Nathan Lyon (399) and Hugh Trumble (141) on Australia’s list of most successful Test off-spinners.

Nicknamed ‘Rowdy’, he still holds the best figures for an off-spinner in Australia with 8-59 against Pakistan in 1972, but is best remembered for his achievements in India on the 1969-70 tour, when he took 28 wickets.

Following his retirement from cricket, Mallett set up the Spin Australia programme and the Spin Academy in Sri Lanka. He also wrote numerous books, including the biography of another Australian great Victor Trumper.

Freudenstein added: “Ashley Mallett was a wonderful player, admired journalist and highly acclaimed author.

“He played a significant part in Australian cricket not only as a player but as a prolific storyteller who has preserved the memories of some of the game’s greatest moments in time.” (BBC Sport)

A screen displays an image of Diego Maradona and the legend ‘1960 thanks Diego’ at Boca Junior’s Bombonera stadium

Heyliger included in Canada’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier squad DILLON Heyliger is the lone Guyanese-born player named in Canada’s 14-man squad set to depart the North American country today to participate in the ICC 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, to be staged in Antigua from November 7 to 15.

The tall right-arm fast bowler, who hails from Essequibo and represented Guyana at the youth level, enjoyed a particular fine year in 2019, emerging as the top wicket-taker at the ICC Americas T20 final, played in Bermuda.

Heyliger finished the tournament with 11 wickets, including capturing four for 18 versus Bermuda, a feat for which he was richly rewarded, emerging as the best bowler as Canada played unbeaten.

The tournament, which was held to determine the two Americas qualifiers, saw Canada and Bermuda secure the top two places.

The 32-year-old Heyliger, who represented Montreal Tigers in the second edition of the Global T20 Canada in 2019, also had the unique feat of grabbing a hat-trick against Edmonton Royals, ending with the remarkable figures of 4-1-13-3 and also had the satisfaction of hitting the winning runs for his team.

Guyanese-born fast bowler Dillon Heyliger The Canadian squad includes exciting all-rounder Rayyan Pathan who recently participated as an overseas player in Nepal’s T20 Everest Premier League. Pathan also recorded a highest score of 46 and captured eight wickets with his medium-pace bowling during the St Kitts hosted 2019 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Colonial Medical Life Super50 Tournament.

The T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, which will be played in a round-robin format, will see the tournament’s top two teams progress into the two eight-team global qualifiers for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be played in Australia next November.

Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Is-

lands, Panama and the USA will be the other seven teams participating in the seven-day tournament, Canada 14-member squad: Navneet Dhaliwal (captain), Dillon Heyliger, Jatinderpal Matharu, Shreyas Movva, Salman Nazar, Rayyankhan Pathan, Cecil Pervez, Junaid Siddiqui, Kaleem Sana, Ravinderpal Singh, Hamza Tariq, Harsh Thaker, Saad Zafar and Aaditya Varadharajan.

The squad will be accompanied by six officials: Carlos Ragoonath – manager, Amarinder Bhinder – coach, two assistant coaches Khuram Chohan and Daulat Khan, Ankur Sharma – physiotherapist and Dinesh Mahabir – analyst.

(Frederick Halley)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

England thrash Australia as Jos Buttler hits unbeaten 71

ENFLAND outclassed Australia in a memorable eight-wicket victory to close in on a place in the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.

Jos Buttler smashed a brutal 71 not out from just 32 balls as England raced to a target of 126 with 8.2 overs to spare.

Eoin Morgan’s side dominated from the outset, reducing Australia - unbeaten in their two previous games - to 21-4 in Dubai.

Chris Woakes removed David Warner and Glenn Maxwell and produced an outstanding one-handed catch to dismiss Steve Smith for one.

Lower-order hitting and captain Aaron Finch’s gritty 49-ball 44 took Australia before they were bowled out for 125 off the final ball.

It was never likely to be enough.

Buttler launched five huge sixes as the chase turned into a procession, the England-supporting contingent in the crowd singing and dancing in their seats.

It was Australia’s heaviest T20 defeat in terms of balls remaining and maintained England’s perfect start to the tournament.

They have three em-

phatic wins from three games and sit atop Group 1, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals.

England play Sri Lanka in Sharjah tomorrow before finishing the group with a match against South Africa at the same venue next Saturday.

ENGLAND HUMILIATE OLDEST RIVALS Despite being ranked number one in the T20 rankings, even England would not have expected to have made such a perfect start to the World Cup. West Indies were bowled out for 55 and Bangladesh swatted aside with ease, but this win, against their oldest rivals, was utterly sensational.

By the end, amid Buttler’s extraordinary hitting, it looked as though the teams were playing sports from a different age.

The opener peppered the top tier of the stands en route to a 25-ball fifty which included two sixes in two balls off pace bowler Starc.

After the loss of Jason Roy for 22 and Dawid Malan for eight, Jonny Bairstow joined Buttler for the closing moments. When he launched two sixes of his own, captain Morgan was shaking his head in disbelief.

England’s performance

Jos Buttler produced a scintillating display of power-hitting (Getty Images) felt remarkably similar to their famous eight-wicket thrashing of Australia at Edgbaston in the semi-finals of the 2019 50-over World Cup. Continue this form and England could well back up that success and become the first men’s side to hold both

World Cups at the same time.

‘A MASTERCLASS OF T20 BATTING’ Former captain Michael Vaughan described England as “the best” and the “most destructive” team in the tournament.

Asked for his reaction

(REUTERS) - David Miller struck two consecutive sixes in the final over to help South Africa edge Sri Lanka by four wickets in a thrilling but low-scoring Twenty20 World Cup match in Sharjah yesterday.

Needing 15 in the last over for their second Super 12 win, lefthander Miller deposited the second and third balls from paceman Lahiru Kumara over the leg-side boundary to help South Africa chase down a 143-run target with one ball to spare.

Kagiso Rabada also hit a six and a four in an unbeaten 13 off

Castrol Strikers Volleyball Club will be one of the four teams in action today Volleyball Club and Young Achievers Volleyball Club.with 14 players each, have registered for the full day of battle.

According to information from the organisers of the event, Strikers will battle Eagles in round one, followed by Port Mourant

overs.

Woakes removed Warner with his second ball - caught behind off a thin edge for one - and trapped Maxwell lbw for six in his second over.

Between those wickets Woakes, leaping backwards at mid-on, held Smith off Chris Jordan, while Bairstow later took a good tumbling catch at long-off to cap another near faultless England fielding display.

Jordan had Finch caught at long-off and bowled Pat Cummins for 12 with a perfect yorker to give him figures of 3-17, his best in a T20 for England since 2019.

Liam Livingstone was effective too, conceding only 15 runs in four overs that also included the wicket of Matthew Wade.

It was the complete England performance. (BBC Sport)

Miller’s last-over heroics trump Hasaranga hat-trick

First annual PowerZone Volleyball Championship serves off today

THE North Nation Inc. first annual PowerZone Volleyball Championship will serve off from 09:00hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall today.

Four teams - Castrol Strikers Volleyball Club, Eagles Volleyball Club, Port Mourant Training Centre

to the victory, a typically understated Morgan said.

“Pretty good.”

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was slightly more effusive. “We saw a masterclass of T20 batting from Jos,” he said. “As clinical as it can be.”

Former Australia batter Stuart Law said: “It has been a horrible evening for Australia.

“England have shown their class in this format.

They are full of confidence and know their roles - and when you do that the game becomes very easy.”

BOWLERS SET ENGLAND ON THEIR WAY As impressive as the chase was, England effectively won the match with early wickets.

The seamers found movement under the Dubai lights and for the third match in a row England took two wickets in the opening three

versus Young Achievers.

Round two will have Castrol Strikers meet Port Mourant and Eagles face Young Achievers, before Strikers oppose Young Achievers in the third round and Eagles do battle with Port Mourant.

The top two finishers will then battle in the final of the

event, set to commence at 15:45hrs.

The winning team would collect $100 000 and bragging rights, while the top player of the day would receive a Most Valuable Player prize of $50 000.

All Covid-19 Protocols would be in place.

seven balls, giving ample support to Miller, who smashed 23 off 13 balls.

The duo got together with South Africa looking all at sea in their chase after Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga completed a hat-trick across two overs.

The 24-year-old Hasaranga dismissed Aiden Markram on the final ball of his third over and returned for his last over to send back South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who top-scored for his side with 46, and Dwaine Pretorius, for the hat-trick.

“I was a bit tense,” Bavuma said. “(But) I had lot of confidence in the fact that David was there.

“David hadn’t done that for a long time for us and it was a good time coming. He’s probably got the most beautiful swing I’ve seen from a batter, it’s almost like a golf swing.”

Sri Lanka are now unlikely to qualify for the semi-finals. captain Sri Lanka Dasun Shanaka said: “I was looking for the points table.I think it’s really hard for us after this game.

“But still we got a lot of pride in us, so next two games we hope to win and keep our pride.”

South Africa welcomed Quinton de Kock back to the side after the wicketkeeper-batter skipped the win against West Indies after he had opposed taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. de Kock took a knee, but did not last long at the crease, making 12. Along with opening partner Reeza Hendricks he was out to fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera in a double blow for South Africa in the fourth over.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and all-rounder Pretorius picked up three wickets each as Sri Lanka were bundled out for 142 on the final delivery of their innings after they were put in to bat.

Opener Pathum Nissanka played the anchor’s role before opening his shoulders to lift the scoring rate during his 58-ball knock of 72.

Nissanka added 41 during a brisk second-wicket stand with Charith Asalanka but the latter’s run-out after a 14-ball 21 pegged back the island nation.

Shamsi, the top-ranked bowler in the format, then spun a web around the Sri Lanka batters, sending back Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga to reduce them to 5-91.

Pretorius then carved through the middle and lower-order batting, picking up three wickets including that of Nissanka, to restrict them.

35

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

Kishore and Sukhram lead GTT Guyana Open Golf championship after day one -Albert finishes with net 57 FORMER champions Avinda “Ganguly” Kishore and Christine Sukhram were ahead after day one of the two-day 2021 GTT Guyana Open Golf Championship, which is taking place this weekend at the Lusignan Golf Course.

The Premier event on the golfing calendar, attracted 74 players, in several categories at the nine-hole venue.

In the 0-9 male handicap division, brothers Kishore and defending 10-time champion Avinash Persaud were neck-and-neck.

Kishore, the younger of the two, finished with a two under par 68, while Persaud ended his 18 holes with a

score of 69. The brothers, who will battle for the championship prize when the event continues today, have a six shot lead against their closest competitors, Vishal Girja (74), English player Tom Watkins (74) and Kevin Dinnanauth (74).

In the net battle of the 0-9 handicap range, Kishore is also ahead with 65, while Dinnanauth, who plays with an eight handicap is second with 66. Persaud, who is playing with a handicap of -1 is fourth behind Watkins (69).

FEMALE BATTLE Although Sukhram is in the lead, her nine over par finish (79) is just ahead of

Avinda Kishore is leading the male division by a single stroke former champions Joaan Deo and Shenella London. Both players are tied for second place with gross scores of 81.

Defending champion Barbadian Julia Stephenson

Christine Sukhram is leading the female division by two strokes is third, but 10 strokes back on 89.

10-18 HANDICAP DIVISION In the 10-18 handicap division, Rabindra Persaud

Rohan Albert, 27 handicap, is the net leader with an amazing 57 (Ravi) is leading a field of 35 golfers with a nine over par score. His 79 is two ahead of Andre Cummings with an 81. M. Harry and Roger Rajkumar are tied for third

on 82, while Maxim Mangra is currently fifth on 83.

In the 19-28 handicap category, Rohan Albert (84) is enjoying a comfortable four stroke lead after an astonishing 84 score—his best scorer ever. His closest rival Videsh Persaud is on 88.

OVERALL NET LEADER The 28-year-old Albert, who is playing with a 27 handicap, is currently leading the net scores with 57.

Kishore is second on 65 with Dinnanauth and Rabindra Persaud tied for third place (the Guyana Open is a gross score tournament, but outstanding net scores are also rewarded).

The championship is scheduled to conclude today.

Holding lauds Ntini for scaling heights amidst indifferent treatment WEST Indies great Michael Holding has opened up on the treatment the former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini received throughout his career.

Ntini was South Africa’s first black African international and had to deal with certain challenges owing to this fact. The for-

mer speedster had stated his struggles whilst contributing to Holding’s recent book ‘Why We Kneel, How We Rise’.

Holding’s book aims to share the stories of different athletes and their experiences of being victims of racism. The retired Caribbean speedster thus recounted some of the

stories that Ntini had told him. The veteran stated that the Proteas bowler was treated in a way that he felt he did not belong to the group.

“We all know he was extremely fit. We all know the stories of him running to the ground.

A lot of people thought it was part of his training

Amsterdam suffers unfortunate result at World Championships

GUYANA’S Desmond Amsterdam was disappointed after the referee was forced to stop his middleweight bout with Seyed Mousavi in the second round at the AIBA World Championship yesterday.

Amsterdam, who received a ‘bye, to the Roundof-32, had suffered a cut over his right eye in the first round, which worsened as the fight progressed.

The referee was forced to call ‘time’ in round two and went to Judges’ scorecards for the results.

Unfortunately, at the time, Amsterdam was just behind the Iranian boxer who had represented his country at the Olympic

Guyana’s Desmond Amsterdam is at right Games in Japan.

Amsterdam’s coach Terrence Poole was adamant that the Guyanese boxer would have won the fight, since he was gaining momentum.

Amsterdam and Olympian Keevin Allicock were the country’s two representatives at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

“Makhaya Ntini suffered all that. I am thankful to him to bear it out and still be so successful. That shows the strength of character of the man.

Hopefully, people will recognise, even those who did things like that perhaps did not recognise the hurt and the harm they were doing and the attitude that they had wasn’t right.

Hopefully, they will all learn and recognise their faults and their mistakes and they will be willing to learn and be willing to change,” Holding added.

(CricTracker)

Makhaya Ntini finished his illustrious career with 390 Test wickets regime. When he spoke further praised Ntini for to me, he explained to me having faced all of it and the reason that he ran to yet being so successful in the ground and did not his career. take the bus.

“Because when he CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Sunday went on the bus, he felt as though he did not belong October 31, 2021) because he was treated as COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL though he did not belong,” COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Holding said at Cricket South Africa’s Social JusAnswers to yesterday’s quiz: tice and Nation-Building (SJN) hearings..

(1) New Zealand & India Ntini finished his il(2) 30 games lustrious career with 390 Test wickets to his acToday’s Quiz: count. His tally is the third (1) How many times Darren Sammy captained most for South Africa after the WI in T20 World Cup games?

Dale Steyn and Shaun Pol(2) What is the highest T20 World Cup score lock. Holding, however, made by an Englishman against the WI to date? also stated that despite his impeccable numbers, he Answers in tomorrow’s issue …………………………… wasn’t considered as a se………………………………………………………………………… nior player in the side. He ……………………………………………………

GFF making massive financial investment in U20 team’s preparation

36

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 31, 2021

GFF president Wayne Forde THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is going above usual means to ensure the nation’s men’s Under-20 team can be best prepared for the upcoming CONCACAF qualifiers in the Dominican Republic.

President Wayne Forde disclosed on Friday that the total sum will be in the vicinity of G$12M to $14M. It is understood the GFF has encamped the entire squad in Guyana, and Forde said it has already cost the Federation over $12 million, but by the time the “final tab comes in”, it should be close to $14 million.

“We are very open with these things; I don’t think the general public for one reason or the other has a real appreciation for the cost that goes into a national team and when you see us organise multiple national teams, it is not just the cost and financial implications, but the logistics,” the GFF president disclosed at the press conference.

The investment is also being done

The Under-20s have some key matches coming up

to safeguard the squad, given the prevailing COVID-19 situation. As such, the Federation moved to encamp the entire squad.

Forde indicated that at the moment, all funds are being sourced from its FIFA Forward Development Programme and CONCACAF funding.

Guyana have been drawn into Group D of the CONCACAF qualification process with matches against the Cayman Islands (November 6), US Virgin Islands (November 8), and Nicaragua (November 10) to be played in the Dominican Republic.

The winner of each qualification group will progress to the round-of-16 finals tournament next

U17 Lady Jags go down 6-0 to Honduras SEE STORY ON PAGE 31

year.

The technical staff of the team indicated in a GFF press release they are very optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the next round.

In their last game in Group D, the squad will be hoping to exact revenge on regional rivals Nicaragua, following a nail-biting 1-0 defeat to the Central American side in the last edition of qualifiers for the 2020 competition.

That narrow loss cost Guyana a place in the final tournament, despite commanding victories against Montserrat, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the US Virgin Islands.

The 2020 tournament was eventually cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The diverse 20-man squad features four players from Santos FC, three from Georgetown FC, and three players from Fruta Conquerors, including star forward Omari Glasgow, who shone in his first appearance for the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team in FIFA World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.

The final squad will depart Guyana for the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, November 3.

Home for boxing on the horizon - GBA boss

Part of the action between Honduras and Guyana at the IMG Academy in Florida

An artist’s impression the proposed GBA Home of Boxing THE Guyana Boxing As- securing a plot of land from kitchen area, and a state-ofsociation (GBA) will soon the Government of Guyana the-art gym. have a place to call its own, to establish what will be the With an artist impresaccording to president home for the sport. sion and ‘plan’ already in Steve Ninvalle.

The approximately $50M place, Ninvalle revealed Ninvalle reported that facility, when completed, will that upon completion, the GBA is in the process of have a 20-room dormitory, Continued on page 31

Kishore and Sukhram lead GTT Guyana Open Golf championship after day one

PAGE 35

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SUNDAY,OCTOBER 31, 2021