24th January, 2021
, No.106250
After years of being treated for hormonal imbalances, she learnt it was cancer 04 PAGE
Berbice educators propose revolutionary approach to teaching 07 PAGE
Cleaning staff: The unsung heroes in the pandemic 16 PAGE
All eyes on Lowenfield
–– as GECOM given Jan. 29 deadline to hand over SoPs, SoRs
SEE STORY ON PAGE 03
Tossing plantains may appear to be simple here, but it's an intricate technique that farmers use to get their produce atop the Hubu Koker dam, on the East Bank of Essequibo, which is a critical port for wholesale transactions (Delano Williams photo)
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
Embassies in Qatar, UAE expected before year-end
…as Guyana positions itself for newer int’l partnerships By Vishani Ragobeer AS Guyana’s global stature continues to grow and it is
able to forge newer international partnerships, two embassies will be established in the Middle East-
ern countries of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the end of 2021.
This was highlighted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, in a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle. He also affirmed that Guyana’s “brand as a country” is improving globally. Last year, following his inauguration, President Irfaan Ali engaged the Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where a commitment was made to provide Guyana with a portable field (or military) hospital and ventilators. The donation of the field hospital, which arrived last week, is part of a growing relationship between the two countries
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd
Flashback- President Dr. Irfaan Ali (third right) and his team of ministers meeting with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum (fourth left) and his delegation from the UAE at the Office of the President (Office of the President photo)
and President Ali also said that Guyana is expected to establish an embassy in Qatar soon. “The fact that the Qataris have reached out to us in such manner shows that we’re gaining more friends, and given the fact that it is in a different region in itself- in the Middle East- I think it's a good showing for Guyana in terms of our visibility and it shows that we are moving beyond our traditional and other partners,” Minister Todd contended. But beyond the relationship with Qatar, Minister Todd highlighted that Guyana is strengthening ties with the Middle East. In addition to Qatar, Guyana already has good relations with Kuwait and is now forging ahead with strengthening its partnership with the UAE. These three countries are part of what is known as the “Gulf Cooperation Council”, a grouping of Arab nations in
the Persian Gulf. Other countries in this group include: Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia. “We also have an embassy in Kuwait and I can also add that the UAE has also reached out to us and we’re also in discussion to establish an embassy in the UAE,” Todd highlighted. When questioned on when the embassies in Qatar and the UAE would be established, he said that efforts are “past the midpoint” and that discussions on staffing these embassies have already begun. Todd also noted that Guyana is receiving assistance from both countries and that the establishment of the two embassies is progressing simultaneously. Following further discussions and a visit, it is expected that both of the embassies will be staffed and functional by the third quarter of 2021. TURN TO PAGE
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All eyes on Lowenfield 3
SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
–– as GECOM given Jan. 29 deadline to hand over SoPs, SoRs
Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield
Flashback: Representatives of the various political parties observing the opening of the containers by GECOM
By Navendra Seoraj THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), specifically the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, has been given until January 29, 2021, to submit to the High Court, all Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) from the March 2, 2020, general and regional elections. Election documents, particularly SoPs, were the subject of contention during events following the polls, as several requests by contesting parties and international organisations to view those documents were denied. Such an outcome is, however, unlikely this time around as the High Court has ordered that those documents, which are reportedly in the possession of Lowenfield, be submitted for safekeeping, ahead of the hearing on an elections petition which was filed by petitioners on behalf of the political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition. The Sunday Chronicle understands that the SoPs and SoRs, which are to be submitted to the court, are reportedly being kept in a container, which is in the custody of Lowenfield, who, along with other GECOM officials, is facing several election fraud charges.
Chief Justice, Roxane George, SC, in striking out one of two elections petitions submitted on behalf of the political opposition, ruled last week Monday that the first petition, 88 of 2020, will be heard in the court, but agreed that, ahead of that, the SoPs and SoRs must be submitted for ‘safekeeping’. Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, has since confirmed that the High Court order was served, and it states that those documents must be submitted on or before January 29, 2021. “The documents must be lodged. They will be lodged during next week,” Justice Singh said during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle. The chairperson, when asked about the storage of those documents, cited Section 102 of the Representation of the People’s Act, Chapter 103, which states that the CEO is the ‘custodian’ of all election documents. “He is the keeper of all those documents and he has them in his custody…I would not know where he stores them…I understand they are in some container, but I would not know because he is the custodian,” Justice Singh said during the telephone interview. She noted, however, that Section 19 of the Nation-
al Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act empowers the judge in an election court to make an order for the CEO to hand those documents over to the court. “She [Justice George] can take those documents,” Justice Singh asserted, adding that this is provided for by law. When asked about preparations to submit those documents this week, the chairperson said that the CEO and the Registrar of the Supreme Court will be working collaboratively to complete the process. The elections commission, she said, will, however, be in a better position to talk about this on Monday. The idea of having those documents lodged at the court was incited by attorneys, Douglas Mendes and Kashir Khan, who both requested that, in moving forward with the hearing of petition 88 of 2020, certain documents such as SoPs and SoRs, must be lodged with the registrar of the court for safekeeping. Mendes specifically reminded the court that the Representation of the People’s Act allows the CEO to destroy all elections documents after a 12-month period would have elapsed. The Chief Justice agreed to the requests and granted an order for the SoPs and SoRs to be submitted to the court. There are 2, 339 Statements of Poll. TURN TO PAGE
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Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
After years of being treated for hormonal imbalances, she learnt it was cancer
riod and it was for almost a year and didn’t take it serious. It was much better to deal with than the prolonged period I was experiencing before,” Dabie recounted. Soon enough, she would undergo an eight-hourlong surgery, and begin aggressive stint of chemotherapy.
….Carol Dabie tells her story By Rehana Ahamad
EVER since Carol Dabie was a teenager, her diet consisted of contraceptives needed to regulate her hormones; for more than a decade, she had been repeatedly misdiagnosed and treated for hormonal imbalances, kidney stones and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). She would later find out that her irregular and excruciating periods, accompanied by constant exhaustion and weight-loss were as a result of something much worse. In November 2019, while in the United States, Dabie was diagnosed with Cervical Clear Cell Carcinoma, a rare type of cervical cancer which mostly affects women of Indian ancestry. During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, the former media worker, now 38-yearsold, recalled being told that the ovarian cysts she had developed would eventually go away on its own; years would go by and Carol Dabie would get married and begin what she thought would have been, a beautiful, blissful married life. But her health deteriorated significantly,
and Dabie’s menstrual cycle consisted of even more painful and prolonged periods. “Or sometimes no period for months,” she recalled. Dabie’s symptoms had eventually become a way of life, and the struggles would be just another component of her daily routine. This continued for a few years, until three years ago when Dabie’s health took a turn for the worse. “I kept getting sicker. My body was getting more and more tired and doctors would relate it to my hectic lifestyle working in the media back then, while cooking and running my own catering service. [They would] just tell me to rest, and that I was suffering from exhaustion,” Dabie related. But a few months passed and Dabie’s health continued its downward spiral. “It was in 2019; I kept getting more ill and with vomiting, and symptoms like UTI. I was treated for UTI with antibiotics, but it was of no help. I kept going back to the doctor and an ultrasound was ordered and showed that the left kidney was swollen. Then I was told I had kidney stones and was put on
treatment for that,” the former Creative Director at the National Communications Network (NCN) recalled. It didn’t take long for doctors to realise that their treatment for kidney stones was not working. “I started to get severe lower back pain to the extent where I couldn’t walk. Another doctor I saw recommended I see an urologist, which I did and after speaking with him for over two hours and him going through my medical records, he recommended I do a CT scan at the Cancer Institute of Guyana,” the young woman remembered. The CT scan would then reveal the existence of a tumor behind Dabie’s uterus, “with swollen lymph nodes inside my pelvis.” Dr. Brian Niles of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital quickly ordered a biopsy, which was performed by an oncologist from Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). “At the same time, Dr. Niles inserted a stent inside the left kidney to help it to drain. The biopsy was sent to a lab in Trinidad. While I was waiting for that result, I got even sicker,” Dabie related. Her father had seen these symptoms before, and wasted no time in arranging for his only daughter to be sent overseas for expedited medical attention. “Just one day after arriving in the US, I was admitted at a city hospital in New York and another biopsy, along with another CT scan and a PET scan was done. When the results
Flashback to 2017: A vibrant Carol Dabie getting ready to do a video production for International Day of the Girl Child (Jules Gibson photo)
came back a few days after, I was positive with Cervical Clear Cell Carcinoma, a rare and incurable cancer that was not only in the advanced stage, but it had also metastasized (spread).” THE HORRIFYING NEWS “When I first got the news of the cancer I was sitting alone with the gynecologist. I asked if it can be cured and he paused and said it’s treatable but my oncologist will explain more,” Dabie recalled. Shortly after, she was accompanied by a friend to meet with the oncologist. “I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say. All I remember was Dr. Hagopian saying that if you go back to Guyana you will not survive.” Shattered by the news, Dabie remembered leaving the doctor’s office only to be chased by a counsellor who eventually became a major support system. “She said my
As her chemotherapy continues, the former media worker has lost much of her hair, but certainly not her smile
doctor said he wanted her to meet me. I just remember sitting in her office crying while she tried to counsel me.” At that time, the former producer was staying with lovable and accommodating relatives, but her biggest supporter, her father, was nowhere near. Due to circumstances, he remained home in Guyana. “When I got home (her relative’s home in the US) that day, I deactivated all my social media accounts, turned off my phone and just locked myself in my room and cried. I was scared and I needed my dad because he was always with me when I was sick,” the emotional young woman related. THE TRUTH ABOUT HER MOTHER’S DEATH Although tragic, Dabie’s diagnosis would bring clarity and shed much-needed light on the once mysterious monster that killed her mother. “She had all the symptoms but was never diagnosed,” a tearful Dabie recounted. Her mother died at the age of 48, while Dabie was just 11-yearsold. “My doctor explained this type of cancer is passed down, hereditary, and my dad confirmed that mommy had the same symptoms; from irregular period, infertility, vomiting with pains, exhaustion and rapid weight loss in her last days,” Dabie revealed. The budding chef said that had she known about her predisposition, she would have taken better care of her health. “I was not getting my pe-
CANCER, A DEATH, AND EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States, Dabie was still living with relatives who she said were incredibly supportive and provided her with all that she needed to get better, even while they themselves were battling a tragedy. “Someone in the same house I was staying in died from it [COVID-19],” Dabie revealed. She was forced into quarantine, having developed a low grade fever. Without an opportunity to mourn the death of her loved one, Dabie fell ill once more. Although testing negative for the coronavirus, Dabie had developed an infection in her already sick kidney, and the institution where she was hospitalised had become overrun with COVID patients. She was then transferred to another hospital, but by this time, the COVID-related delays to her treatment resulted in the cancer spreading aggressively. “More lymph nodes became infected in my left shoulders which caused me to undergo a different kind of chemotherapy called systemic chemotherapy, which was given to me once every three weeks and [I am] currently still on this.” The emergence of the coronavirus took an even heavier toll on Dabie’s mental health, and she soon developed depression and anxiety. “I was afraid to interact with people and kept myself locked away,” she recounted. In addition to her chemotherapy, Dabie also continues to see a therapist. THE STIGMA The type of cervical cancer that Dabie has been diagnosed with is not caused by the sexually transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), rather, it TURN TO PAGE 5
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
Family seeking justice for young mother that was burnt to death By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur A PORT Mourant, East-Berbice Corentyne family is seeking justice following the death of 29-year-old Ramona Doodnauth, known as ‘Canje Gal’ and ‘Tolo’, who died at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital on January 20, 2021, two weeks after she suffered burns to 90 per cent of her body. The Sunday Chronicle understands that while she was hospitalised, Ramona told relatives that she wanted to kill herself, and so she set herself on fire, but she moments later retracted that statement and revealed that it was her husband who committed the heinous act. A sister, Camiel LaFleur, revealed that Ramona was burnt beyond recognition; only her toes were untouched. Ramona, a mother of one, lived with her common-law husband at Ankerville, Port Mourant. “When we went to the hospital and see she, I could not believe is her, ‘cause she whole body bun up except she toes. And after we ask her what happen, she said she burn she-self. But then afterwards, she confided and say is the man do it to her,” LaFleur told this newspaper. Camiel further noted that Ramona also suffered
wounds to her abdomen, legs and hands, but admitted that she was in the habit of imbibing and self-harming, but not to the extent where she would set herself alight. According to LaFleur, prior to the incident, Ramona revealed to her mother that her husband would “chain her in the house and go out”. It is alleged that Ramona also confided in another relative, who’d visited her at the hospital, that it was her husband who had set her on fire. The girls’ mother, Sattie
Doodnauth, said she learnt of Ramona’s plight when a relative of the husband and a detective visited her house. “Was a Thursday; the relative and a police come and tell me, ‘We need you at the hospital; yuh daughter bun she-self,’” Sattie said, adding: “My daughter is not capable of doing something like that to herself. She used to tell me how he used to illtreat she.” The mother is urging the police to conduct a thorough probe into the case. When contacted, a senior
DEAD: Ramona Doodnauth
police source revealed that the husband was initially arrested but released after Ramona provided a statement saying that she attempted to
take her life after she found out he was having an affair with someone else in the same neighbourhood. The police is encour-
aging the family come forward with whatever information they may have, since the investigation is still active.
After years of ...
TURN FROM PAGE 4
is hereditary. But even so, Dabie said she had been secretive about her illness, since there seems to be a stigma attached to how cervical cancers are often contracted. “The sexually transmitted aspect of it,” she posited. In an invited comment, Oncologist and Director of Outreach at the Cancer Institute of Guyana, Dr. Syed Ghazi emphasised the need for women, especially Guyanese women, to pay more attention to their reproductive health, and ensure that they are screened every few years. “I would recommend getting pap smears,” he posited. The oncologist specifically recommended that women pay keener attention to their menstrual cycle, since changes in periods can be indicators of many worrying illnesses, including cervical cancer. Dr. Ghazi acknowledged that in Guyana, cervical cancers can often be misdiagnosed as kidney stones. According to the latest data published
by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2018, Guyana is ranked at number 16 in the world for cervical cancer deaths, recording 185 deaths. To this end, Dr. Ghazi lamented the fact that Guyanese often seek medical attention once they have developed illnesses, as opposed to ensuring they receive regular health screenings. As a result, many cancer patients are being diagnosed when the disease has advanced. Meanwhile, even as she continues her fight against cancer, Dabie has been using her social media platforms to bring awareness and encourage more women to take their health seriously. “People need to take their health more seriously; not only for cervical cancer, but all types of cancers, because only those who have experienced it truly understand what cancer patients are dealing with. It’s not easy. I had very little hope of surviving but here I am. My doctor said I am a medical
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
Exceeding Expectations GUYANESE woke up one morning last week to the amazing news that a new, major public road will soon be opened, linking Diamond and Eccles, easing the tense traffic pressure on the East Bank Demerara public road between these two thriving communities. This news came as a pleasant surprise to the nation: first, because the country is not accustomed to such rapid, new infrastructural development, and this was a new way of doing things; and second, blazing a brand new paved roadway through virgin land, building it from scratch, is a fresh, new kind of innovative action, especially by government. It is as if the Guyana Government is tackling the development agenda with the efficiency, professionalism, speed, and management skills of a private-sector culture. President Ali narrated a video that the state released across social media platforms, announcing the new road. This event and the way officials dealt with its announcement shows a brilliant side to this new way Guyana chooses to approach its 21st century journey. Citizens sat up and took notice: Guyana is indeed on a new path, and government means business, and it is going to be a journey such as the country has never seen before. Such confidence, leadership, decisive action, and literally blazing a new trail overnight, yes, this is a new Guyana. And the ricochet across the villages, towns and city, across the entire land, generates confidence in the hearts of Guyanese, a swelling of the heart that their nation is ready, willing, and able to tackle the challenges facing the society, with extraordinary decisiveness. People have been complaining for so long about the traffic delays on the heavy East Bank Demerara roadway, that they became resigned to their fate, feeling that this traffic jam in the mornings and afternoons would not ever end. And then one morning they woke up to their President narrating a video online, showing a new avenue is about to open to ease the time-wasting congestion. But this is more than pleasing the population and bringing necessary relief to the public. Rather, it demonstrates government’s keen awareness of the intricate factors that make for a
well-functioning, progressive, fast-moving modern economy: workers sitting in their vehicles waiting for hours for traffic to crawl forward, that is wasted human resource hours, day in and day out. Over a financial year, it adds up to enormous losses for the national economy. Not to mention, it also fuels emotional angst and stress and anxiety in workers starting their day in heavy congestion. Plus, the pollution from idling vehicles pouring carbon monoxide into the East Bank Demerara atmosphere could not be a good thing. All these factors came into play with that decision to move with urgency to get the new road done and open within record time. The new Diamond-Eccles public road solves all these issues with one project, a project that could very well become the initiating move for how the new future upon which Guyana embarks unfolds. Since 1992, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) governments have demonstrated this penchant for efficient governance. A government cannot take the world’s poorest economy, as the PPP/C did in 1992 when Guyana ranked as the second poorest country in the Americas behind Haiti, and move it within two decades to a 10 times increase in its Gross Domestic Product. That journey started with the humane, brilliant, patient leadership of Dr Cheddi Jagan. And it included some stalwart leaders who made tremendous contributions to the nation’s development. Throughout the journey, from 1992 to today, starting with Junior Finance Minister in 1992, to Vice-President today, is the dynamic presence on the Guyana stage of the indomitable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. For the past 30 years, the former President, now Vice-President, served the nation, always in the forefront of making sure this country keeps moving up, keeps scaling up its socioeconomic development, and keeps inventing the future. But his role in making sure Guyana remains a full-fledged democracy marks him for national heroism. Any country that nurtures a leader as the PPP/C nurtured Jagdeo, and the way he turned around to take on the role of elder statesman after his presidential stint ended and lead the party to continue its stewardship of this nation, it is a magnificent portrayal of national leadership,
self-sacrifice, and genuine care for Guyanese. This is why Guyanese could wake up to such good news, that their East Bank Demerara traffic jams are coming to an end with a new, major public road; because Guyana cultivates the kind of leadership cadre and political front that care about the socioeconomic conditions of citizens, rather than seeing itself as merely an almighty government force. This government is showing a deep sense of humility, cultivating a close relationship with people in communities across the land. But it is also showing spectacular professionalism, this ability for rapid, decisive action, and with a glittering array of world-class, high-value projects underway, Guyanese are looking on with awe and amazement at the transformation happening before their very eyes. Such a thing is new in Guyana, and maybe even the Caribbean. Guyana today is not just fast-tracking its way forward because of oil and gas, but because of this government’s determination to way surpass its promises to the people that it made during the elections campaign. Not only would the electoral promises be fulfilled, as Jagdeo posted on his Facebook page with a gallery of pictures to show projects and construction sites underway across the country, but the promises would surpass and surprise citizens with the deep urgency of implementation, with world-class standard, and with compassionate consideration for citizens’ benefit. This road linking Diamond and Eccles would go down in history as a symbol of government talk becoming real action, that citizens could trust the state to bring about the kind of socioeconomic progress that they promised in the elections manifesto, and in fact surpass all expectations. When a nation could wake up and feel great about their country, and look forward to driving to work into the city on a Monday morning without clogged congestion on one main road artery from their home to their workplace, oh what a day! The Guyana Government is not only keeping its promises to the Guyanese people, but is also surpassing expectations with flying colours.
The Statements of Poll are authentic proof of the true March 2020 results Dear Editor,
IN the March 2020 elections, the abusive, repulsive and disappointing behaviour of the administrative staff of the GECOM Secretariat exceeded expectations. Among these was the deliberate refusal of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) to produce original GECOM Statements of Poll to which he had access, that would have clarified beyond any doubt, a position which the Statements of Recount revealed and save our citizens unreserved stress and taxpayers, millions of dollars. The outright defiance of CEO Keith Lowenfield and cahoots under his command was used to denigrate and make a mockery of acceptable precedence, as well as a basic understanding of our electoral laws. The authority of the commission itself was allowed to be usurped and
undermined to the extent that a point was reached where the CEO operated as a god unto himself. It was no doubt unsurprising that when required, the commission could not instruct Mr. Lowenfield to provide even a sample of the Statements of Poll for random-validation purposes. The elections petition laid before the High Court is about a flimsy attempt of the opposition to capitalise on the deliberate attempt to derail the electoral process, which was jointly created by the PNC/APNU/AFC and their forces in GECOM. This time around, however, GECOM and the PNC-led cabal must produce their Statements of Poll. Chief Justice Roxane George has significantly ruled that the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, and by extension GECOM, is to lodge all Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) with the Registrar of the Supreme
Court for safekeeping. From the general feedback from the public, this has not gone down well with the thieves on the opposition. Some have argued that this ruling was not necessary, but the fact is that with the overwhelming irrationality of this cabal, nothing can be left to chance. Of note, is PPP/C Attorney Mendes reminding the courts that the Representation of the People Act allows the CEO of GECOM to destroy all election documents after 12 months have elapsed. As a consequence, Lowenfield will have to produce the SoPs that he hid and was hoping to eradicate. There is a sense that he would be found wanting for failure to produce, confirming that the likes of this kind of creature must never lay feet in the annals of GECOM again. Further, it will be interesting to see what they will produce for safekeeping, since it is clear that the spreadsheet
manipulating of the SoPs was put into operation in 2015. It may be recalled that in 2015, a similar execution of the false Spreadsheet fiasco occurred at the tallying of the SoPs. The PPP/C’s counting agents, including myself were present there at the GECOM building when the Returning Officer Melanie Marshall switched from using the actual SoPs and started to call the “numbers” from a “wicked and falsely” prepared spreadsheet. Our agents Attorney Charles Ramson, Omar Shariff and I protested vehemently against the false figures and declarations read from the spreadsheet, thereby resulting in the process being adjourned. It was unfortunately never recommenced. In 2020, however, it must be noted that ‘Rigged Elections’ were again high on the PNC’s agenda. This time, a united opposition along with the diplomats and the foreign
and local observers were very vigilant and they stood united and strong against the “Rigging” of the Elections. Thank God that the leadership of the PPP and their willingness to accept the path of peaceful struggle for free and fair elections or our country would have deteriorated into an uncorrectable land of civil unrest and warfare. The long, bitter and frustrating five months, punctuated by the 33-day long National Recount, all gave rise to a “free and fair’ result that would have long been avoided if the CEO had brought forward the legal SoPs. He should be surcharged and placed to rot in jail by the courts when the investigations are all over with. The Statements of Poll are indeed the most valid proof of the results and the courts have implied that they will consider these as key evidence to the petition. It is known that they are properly
prepared by trained personnel and authenticated with the signatures of the respective presiding officers and the party’s polling agents. The process is one that engenders overwhelming and indisputable monitoring and therefore cannot be merely cast aside. It is of note that early in the first week of March, the PNC, APNU+AFC declared that the elections were free and fair without any flaws. However, after those riggers were stopped in their tracks, the Guyanese people had to endure ‘Court cases after Court cases.’ Time will tell and our people are healing in the present environment, but the culprits and dangerous riggers must be brought to justice. The Statements of Poll are authentic proof of the true elections results! Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
Berbice educators propose revolutionary approach to teaching — replaces traditional classrooms with creative alternative in light of COVID-19 By Jeune Bailey Van Keric
BERBICE Educators have re-imagined and re-designed a creative alternative to the traditional classroom that would allow for a safe return to in-person teaching and learning. The design follows all applicable guidelines from the Centre of Disease Control, the National Health Institute and the Ministry of Health. The design does not show the obvious mask-wearing at all times when in school; hand sanitising every two hours: and no mass-gathering, as there is sufficient awareness that these must become part of our regular national habits. During an interview with Professor Daizal Samad and Ashwannie Harripersaud, an Assistant Senior Mistress at the Canje Secondary School, it was emphasised that online teaching cannot replace in-person teaching. “It simply cannot. Our job is to make it safer for this pandemic and all the variants of this pandemic. Vaccines, there are no guarantees that it would be effective in the abortion of this virus. But, we need our children to return to schools. Education at all levels. “With respect to the variables, we have looked at spatial dimensions, student / teacher posture and placement, entry / exit points that are safe; we have looked at transportation as more than 50 per cent of our children use public transportation. There is need for isolation room in the schools for suspected cases and routine hand-washing; mask-wearing will continue to be enforced,” Professor Samad said. Additionally, the teacher will have a microphone and would be able to modulate the volume so that each student in each wing of the teaching and learning classroom will hear clearly. ‘... Plexiglas, attention alert buttons… educational conventions such as notes of lessons, course outline, syllabi, etc. can be submitted electronically, so, there is as little paper as possible…. There is no possibility of someone coughing with droplets leaving on paper to affect the teacher... and their relatives…. However, let’s don’t forget the excitement we gained when confronted with something new. With each student input, the excitement grows,” professor Samad told this publication. Since the completion of the design in October 2020, efforts have been made to capture the attention of senior officials, but their busy lives did not garner a response. MUST BE GUYANESE “We did contact the CDC in America (North); we got a response. We contacted the Obama Foundation; we got a response. We contacted the Bill Clinton Foundation, and we got a response. But we have agreed that we want it to be a Guyana thing…. When last have we been known for something good, something exceptional?” the former head of the University of Guyana Tain campus asked rhetorically. He added: “But with the Teaching and Learning Station, it is Guyana’s contribution to the world which is aimed at saving
lives... and that is why we have delayed until now… to have this conveyed to all Guyanese and the nations of the world…. I am confident that this design will bring us back to ‘normalcy’.” Professor Samad and Harripersaud propose to build a prototype of the re-imagined and re-designed Teaching and Learning Station (T&LS) at the University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, which may be the most convenient location. The T&LS prototype can be ready for show-case viewing in Guyana about one month after a nod is given from the government. The educators have expressed a willingness to present the prototype to decision- makers and other interested parties in person.
SAFETY The students’ ports are enclosed by nickel-lined acrylic or Plexiglas, high enough to block aerosol and droplet transfer. It also mitigates any potential ricochet factor. The nickel-lined Plexiglas makes for greater stability and permanence. The teacher port, also enclosed with Plexiglas on all sides, is central. This centrality assures that the teacher is in direct and comfortable line of vision of students on all sides. Again, the height of the Plexiglas inhibits aerosol transference, and the elevation of the teacher port assures that the height of the Plexiglas does not hinder the sound of the teacher’s voice. Four-sided monitors are placed around the teacher port
is also equipped with built-in hand-sanitising wells, and there are discrete entry and exit points for students. Teachers have a separate entry/ exit route since the teacher port is enclosed and secured and may need to be unlocked, as it assures social-distancing between teacher and the students. Further, the teacher’s port is equipped with a desk, computer and keyboard, a comfortable swivel chair, and equipped with an application to alert the teacher as to which student needs his/her attention for questions / comments. It is projected that one of the learning stations can serve up to 20 students at any one time. However, with staggered classes, the stations can be used safely and effectively for the entire school day, after sanitising all surfaces after each class. It must be reminded that the re-imagined and re-designed teaching and learning station is a permanent feature not only against COVID– 19, but against future pandemics. BEYOND CLASSROOMS It would also be useful to note that the station can be
Reporter Jeune Bailey Van Keric (left) interviews Professor Daizal Samad and Ashwannie Harripersaud on the creation of their pandemic-ready classrooms
The teacher portal in the innovative classroom proposed by Professor Samad and Ashwannie Harripersaud
The student portal in the teaching and learning station Photo saved as teacher
The teaching and learning station, which can be set up at an estimated cost of $1M, has four wings; each wing being 15 feet in length and six feet in width. The length and width of the wings ensure social distancing between students, and between students and teachers. All surfaces are made of ¾ inch plywood, which is strong enough to withstand bracing, leaning, books and other materials. Each wing accommodates individual ports for five students-- two on each side and one at the head of each wing. This would give a total of 20 students per one hour of face-to-face instruction. The student port replaces the traditional desk/ bench/ chair, while the teacher’s port is centrally located and is six feet by six feet.
at a height above that of the average teacher for unhindered viewing by students from all directions. This also ensures that the teacher is in clear view of the students and vice versa. The monitors are controlled by a central desk-top computer bolted onto the teacher’s desk situated in the teacher’s port. The teacher is equipped with at least two high-capacity flash drives for pre-prepared content, which may also be submitted electronically in place of the old ‘lesson plan’. According to Professor Samad, the dimensions of the re-imagined teaching and learning stations can be built within the traditional classroom space with student ports being equipped with numbered buzzers should students need to get the attention of the teacher. Each student and teacher port
adapted for boardrooms, conference rooms, staff rooms, university and college rooms etc. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, face-to-face teaching has been drastically reduced locally with classes limited to only Grade Six pupils at the primary schools, and the Fourth to Sixth formers at the secondary schools. While the impact has been felt in all sectors of education, many great experts are at a loss as to how to ensure the health and well-being of students and teachers are maintained. The traditional classroom does not, nor cannot, ensure that all the necessary safety measures are implemented. The COVID-19 virus has already killed 170 persons locally. As of January 22, 2021, some 7,143 persons have been infected with the virus; some 3,084 cases are from Region Four alone. A few countries, such as the Scandinavian block, with the exception of Sweden, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and Canada, have acted swiftly to contain and mitigate the virus since it became known in December 2019. Most other countries ignored
the facts and warnings, took no action and continue to pay a heavy price with the loss of lives and significant slowing down of their economies. No sector in any society anywhere is exempt and the education systems have been severely affected and still face some constraints with access to online learning. “But teachers, from nursery to university level, must be aware of even basic things: do all students have cell phones or computers? Do they all have connectivity? Can they afford it? Do they have electricity? If, as a teacher, one establishes deadlines, can one be assured that the Network is consistently reliable? Children at the nursery level, for instance, learn differently from those in secondary schools , and the former, are much less acquainted with the use of technology. Partial on-line instruction may apply to senior secondary school children and tertiary students. But what of the differently-abled children?” professor Samad asked. The T&LS is designed to benefit all levels and abilities of learners, pupils and students, he said.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
APNU+AFC Coalition should have gone to the polls instead of the courts after No-Confidence Motion LAST week, I declared that the APNU+AFC Coalition had received enough feedback from the citizenry to realise that its leadership was palliative, meaning that the Coalition was applying a band-aid rather than a solution-solving approach to meet the challenges of good governance. I referenced the closing of the sugar estates, and the results of local elections, as events which the Coalition chose not to acknowledge as messages that something did not seem right in the mud land. Instead, the Coalition slipped into a mudslinging mode and detoured the nation into a forest of foibles and fanaticism. Further, I suggested that the dismissive attitude of the Coalition towards anything that did not jibe and jive with its leadership style had rendered it into a caretaker status before the No-Confidence Motion (NCM). I argue now that the Coalition made a serious mistake of believing that the statutory
responsibility of going to the polls, within 90 days after the NCM was successfully passed on December 21, 2018, was innocuous and trivial. First off, the decision to challenge the NCM was a surprise. Desperation, however, forced the Coalition to embrace an argument from a group of outliers who believed that 33 is not a majority of 65. Although this move was intended to extend the political life of the Coalition, the unfolding events demonstrated that it had inflicted enormous damage to its political capital. The Coalition’s power grid of supervision and surveillance over Guyana’s affairs dwindled, conceding some power to the PPP/C opposition. The NCM forced the Coalition to govern on the logic of restraint, as opposed to, on the logic of freewill. The logic of restraint frustrated the Coalition to a point where it refused to acquiesce to any demands constitutionally placed on it, opting to maintain the spirit of grasping for power rather
than upholding the letter of the law. This stoic position called into question the entire edifice of the Coalition's sincerity of good governance. AFC supporters such as those in Berbice and Canada, over time, broke away from the Coalition. They were convinced that the Coalition was deviating from its promised course of direction: transparency and inclusive governance. The citizenry, too, was convinced that the Coalition leaders were using the taxpayers’ money to pay overseas lawyers to strike down the NCM. The top brass of the Coalition was aware that the taxpayers were footing the bill for its expensive court cases. We are yet to hear a word from these individuals that the spending of taxpayers’ contributions for personal use was modus operandi. Equally cataclysmic was that the decision to challenge NCM revealed more weaknesses rather than strengths of the Coalition. At the core was unnecessary imposed stress
and trauma on the nation. The citizenry realised that the 33 was not a majority of 65 argument was risible, and what was thorning the side of the Coalition, was a shock from a sudden political blow from the PPP/C opposition. The continuous grasping to any possibility to discredit and defeat the successful NCM exposed the poppycock dimensions of the Coalition. The Coalition was casting about for an escape route, and in so doing, raised key questions: Why was the Coalition so reluctant to face the polls? What difference would one year later make in going to the polls as mandated by Guyana’s electoral cycle? If the Coalition was so successful in the recently held local elections in mid-2018, then what was the hold up of not going to the polls a few months later? Some sections of Guyana were convinced that the Coalition lacked sufficient mental and moral aptitude, suffering from maniacal behaviour. It harboured
sinister plans to buy time to rig the general elections in 2020. This thought was not farfetched. Moreover, the move to challenge a proven and passed NCM, promoted parochial and partisan interests, as well as divisiveness. What the Coalition had refused to acknowledge was that the gravitation to any opportunity to defeat the NCM was a subscription to the twin precepts of naked lust for power and political barbarism. The courts became the new places of comity and congress while the practice of good governance took a nosedive. The Coalition relied on a group of overseas lawyers and the courts to survive, caressing what social scientists call a theory of regulation. Instead of the Government regulating the lawyers, the lawyers were regulating the Government, a situation tantamount to placing the cart before the horse. This position was so symptomatic of what was so wrong with the Coali-
tion, where the country was handed over to foreign lawyers, and the maxim, let the chips fall where they may, became the defining mantra of leadership. The way forward should have been to face the music and go to the polls before March 31, 2019, as constitutionally mandated. This decision would have situated the Coalition in a better place and saved the nation from a period of cryptic history (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu).
closer look at the cervix. If any concerning areas are identified, a biopsy or removal of cells or tissues for examination under a microscope is generally indicated.
With Dr. Shivani Samlall, MBBS, Gynecologist Oncologist Dr. Shivani Samlall, MBBS, is a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology with a sub-specialty in Gynecology Oncology, and with over 10 years of medical practice. Dr Samlall can be contacted at drshivanisamlall26@gmail.com. CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION PART 4- SCREENING JANUARY is dedicated to raising awareness of Cervical Cancer. So, this week’s column explores the topic of screening for Cervical Cancer, which forms the subject of the World Health Organisation’s second pillar. Did you know that Cervical Cancer is one of the few cancers that have screening tests? These screening tests should form an essential part of a woman’s routine health care. WHY SHOULD WOMEN SCREEN FOR CERVICAL CANCER? Screening is done to identify pre-cancerous lesions (abnormal changes) in the cervix caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
so they can be removed in order to prevent Cervical Cancers from developing. It is also done to find Cervical Cancers at an early stage when they can usually be treated successfully. WHAT SCREENING TESTS ARE USED? For many years, cytology-based screening, also known as the Pap smear, and VIA (visual inspection using acetic acid) were the only methods for screening. However, with the understanding of the HPV as the main cause of Cervical Cancer, screening now includes HPV testing, which looks for the presence of high-risk HPV types in the cells of the cervix. HOW IS CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING DONE? Cervical Cancer screening can be done in a medical office, a clinic, or a community health centre or, in the case of the HPV testing, it can be collected by the woman (self-sampling). WHEN SHOULD A WOMAN
BEGIN CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING, AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD SHE BE SCREENED? Women should talk with their doctor about when to start screening and how often to be screened. Generally, screening should begin at age 25. Women between ages 25 to 65 should have primary HPV testing every five years. If this is unavailable, screening may be done with a co-test (combines Pap smear and HPV testing) every five years or a Pap test alone every three years. If this is also not available, then VIA can be done. More frequent screening is recommended for women with certain risk factors such as HIV infection, immunosuppressed (due to organ transplant or long-term steroid use) or women who were exposed to diethylstilbestrol before birth or treated for a precancerous lesion or Cervical Cancer. Importantly, women who were vaccinated against HPV will still require screening. This is because the vaccines protect against a few
and not all the high-risk HPV types. WHEN CAN A WOMAN STOP SCREENING? All Cervical Cancer screening should be discontinued in women older than 65 years, with no history of high-grade lesions of the cervix within the past 25 years and with adequate documentation of negative prior screening in the last 10 years. Women with a total hysterectomy (removal of both the uterus and cervix) where the surgery was done for a benign or non-cancerous condition, can stop screening. However, if the cervix was not removed, the woman will still require screening. WHAT FOLLOW-UP TESTS ARE DONE IF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING RESULTS ARE ABNORMAL? Depending on the test results, it may be recommended to have repeat screening. If verification of the result becomes necessary, a colposcopy (a procedure that involves the use of an instrument called a colposcope) is done to achieve a
CONCLUSION Widespread routine Cervical Cancer screening is important because it has shown to greatly reduce both the number of Cervical Cancer cases and deaths from the disease. In many high-income countries, such as the United States, Cervical Cancer was once a leading cause of death in women; however with widespread screening since the 1950s, it is now the 11th cause of death. In Guyana, we have access to all these tests. While VIA is available at most public institutions, other tests (Primary HPV testing, Pap smear, and Co-testing) are mostly available at private institutions. The most important thing to remember is to get screened regularly because the success of Cervical Cancer screening is due, in part, to the repeat testing that women typically undergo over many years. As have mentioned previously, screening is the only way to detect precancerous (abnormal changes in the cervix) or early-stage disease so that treatment can be given to prevent the disease or improve the outcome/ survival from the disease.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
Understanding Energy
Gas provides environmental benefits to Guyana
THE government’s recent announcement that the future gas-to-shore power plant will be located at the Wales Estate, West Bank Demerara, has brought much excitement to Guyana. The prospect of cheaper, more reliable energy from natural gas has the ability to reduce energy costs for residents and businesses, reduce emissions from heavy oil and work together with renewable sources of electricity. Guyana currently relies on imported heavy fuel oil to produce electricity. This is typically an inefficient, expensive and high-pollution power source, but it’s often the only fuel available for electricity production in small countries that don’t
have energy resources of their own. The natural gas found alongside Guyana’s offshore oil deposits could finally offer a new pathway for the country. The International Monetary Fund reports that switching to gas could significantly reduce basic living costs for Guyanese. A cheaper and more reliable fuel source like gas could be transformative for the local economy. One of the main concerns among businesses has long been high cost unreliable electricity. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently stated that the gas-toshore project will “change the entire dynamic of electricity production and pricing, possibly more than halving the present price of 17 to 20 cents FROM PAGE
Embassies in Qatar...
Minister Todd also affirmed that both embassies will be headed by an Ambassador from Guyana, but he indicated that individuals have not been identified as yet since the process of shortlisting and vetting potential Ambassadors is now being embarked upon. “We’re trying to reposition Guyana and I think we’ve made good strides in that and I think we’re able to do that because the people of Guyana were able to stand up in a very strong manner to show the world that we are a true democracy,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs said, adding: “I think the people of Guyana need to be commended for that effort, also with the support of our International partners.” The growing relationship with the Middle East, Todd explained, is due to cognisance of the amount of private capital that exists in the region. And in order to foster and facilitate private investments in Guyana, it is imperative to establish strong diplomatic ties. Following the establishment of such bilateral relations with Qatar and with the UAE, the minister was sure that Guyanese would benefit from significant projects, geared at improving their lives and livelihoods. “Our presence in the Middle East is growing and I think it's going to yield significant benefits for the people of Guyana, in terms of investments and investment not only in public private partnerships, but
per kilowatt/hour.” In addition to being a cheaper and more reliable alternative to heavy oil products, natural gas brings major environmental benefits. While natural gas is still a fossil fuel, the emissions it generates during electricity production are much lower than the emissions generated by using heavy oil as an energy source. According to the US Energy Information Administration, natural gas produces about 35 percent less carbon dioxide to produce electricity than heavy fuel oil. Carbon dioxide pollution does not harm human health directly but is a major contributor to climate change. Switching to gas could substantially lower Guyana’s carbon emissions
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private capital,” he affirmed. Notably, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait are all major oil-producing countries and Guyana has had diplomatic ties with these counties since the 1990s. With the announcement of its oil finds, Guyana is expected to be ‘on par’ with these countries, on a per-capita basis. Diplomatic ties between Guyana and Saudi Arabia, another major oil-producing country in this region, were established on February 22, 2012. In 2019, Guyana and Qatar signed a Bilateral Air Services agreement which paved the way for future cooperation in investment, in trade, and air travel and also in the movement of people. Discussions between President Ali and the Emir of Qatar explored collaboration in the Agriculture sector through investments in the Halaal industry, expansion of the housing programme, the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and support in other critical sectors including energy, oil and gas, services and infrastructure. In November last year, an eight-member delegation from UAE, led by his Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of Dubai, met with Dr. Ali and senior government officials, and held discussions on oil and gas, infrastructure and agriculture. A willingness to invest in Guyana’s sugar was also expressed by the visiting delegation
from power generation even while providing more energy to supply a growing economy. Data from the United States Department of Energy suggest that for every 10,000 homes that are powered with natural gas instead of oil products, 1,200 tonnes of Nitrogen Oxides, 2,500 tonnes of Sulfur Dioxide, and 3,350 tonnes of particulates are saved on an annual emissions basis. Lower emissions translate to cleaner air. International energy experts have stated that a gasto- power project in Guyana is crucial for the country to break its dependence on imported fuel oil. With a gas-topower plant, Guyana would no longer have to buy fuel on the international market at
high cost and could instead rely on its own deposits of gas. Gas also sets Guyana up for success for a cleaner energy future. President Irfaan Ali pledged earlier this year to stimulate the economy by bringing down the costs of energy in Guyana by as much as 50 percent, through a mix of gas and renewables. Gas plants can also serve as an ideal complement to renewables because they can start up within minutes instead of hours, quickly providing a backup source of reliable and consistent energy when the sun stops shining or the wind stops blowing. The plants can then easily and efficiently power back down once renewable sources are available again. Natural gas
is used extensively across the U.S. and Europe together with wind and solar projects. With its compatibility with renewables and lower overall emission level, gas can also be compatible with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. With a location for the gas-to-power plant in place, the benefits of cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy are finally within sight. The government hopes that the gas-to-power plant will be up and running as early as the end of 2023. The sooner that cleaner, cheaper energy is available from local sources, the better.
Guyana engages IICA for outstanding Panama rice payments MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, says the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) has been invited to assist Guyana in retrieving the $1.9 billion owed to rice millers by the Panamanian authorities. “Hopefully, shortly the Minister of Agriculture of Panama and myself will have a meeting on this matter. I am optimistic that after that meeting, we can have the payment,” Mustapha told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Guyana shipped a substantial amount of rice to Panama and two contracts were signed - one in 2018 and another in 2019 - however, only a partial payment has been made on the 2018 agreement to date. Since taking office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has taken robust steps to ensure that the Spanish-speaking country pays the outstanding sums. As part of the measures, on November 27, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooper-
ation dispatched a letter to the Panamanian government indicating the need for urgency in honouring the obligations to Guyana. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali also intervened and Panama acknowledged the arrears and has since committed to making the payment. Despite the circumstances, Minister Mustapha said the Panamanian government continues to show interest in Guyana’s rice. “They have also indicated their interest that they want to continue with the
All eyes on ... Subsequent to the March 2, 2020 elections, in the same month, High Court Judge, Franklyn Holder, had refused an application made to him for GECOM to produce SOPs for District Four. Following a slew of legal challenges and international intervention, a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the PPP/C received 233,336 votes while the APNU+AFC coalition got 217,920 votes. Both the SoPs and SoRs are expected to serve as evidence when the elections petition comes up in the court for hearing. Justice George has ruled that the second elections peti-
tion, 99 of 2020, is invalid on the basis that the second named respondent, former President, David Granger, was served the petition after the prescribed time for service would have expired. In delivering her ruling on this matter, the Chief Justice said: “The same cannot be said for petition 88 of 2020, as the procedures in filing and serving were fully complied with…indeed, to permit 99 of 2020 to proceed would be a disservice to the petitioners who ensured they complied.” In the first petition, 88 of 2020, petitioners Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick want the court to determine, among other things, questions
contract that we have but I am waiting for this meeting and IICA is making the arrangement,” he was quoted as saying by DPI. Minister Mustapha blames the previous coalition government for the delays, noting that if it had shown interest in the farmers, this dilemma would not have existed. The previous administration had said that it was not responsible for farmers being owed by millers for rice shipped to Panama.
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regarding whether the elections had been lawfully conducted or whether the results had been, or might have been affected by any unlawful act or omission and, in consequence thereof, whether the seats in the National Assembly had been lawfully allocated. Justice George has since given attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde, who is representing the petitioners, until February 12 to file his submissions and the respondents, including the Attorney -General, until March 19, to file submissions in reply. The parties must return to court on April 7, 2021, barring any directions by e-mail.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
COVID-19 and Children
...let’s not be complacent
Contributed by: Dr. Narendra C. Singh BSc, MB.BS, FRCPC, FAAP, FCCM, MSM, MBA, Hon LLD. Humber River Hospital Associate Clinical Professor McMaster University Canada THE global experience with children in the current COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated a much milder illness, in this otherwise vulnerable population. The reason for this fortunate difference is open to scientific speculation. Chemicals (cytokines) are released by the body when exposed to an infection or injury. Adults have a much stronger immune system, often resulting in an exaggerated response (cytokine surge) to infections which can damage various organ systems including the lungs, the heart and the kidneys. It is believed that because of their immature immune system children cannot mount this “cytokine surge” resulting in milder disease. Despite this predominantly mild disease in children, we cannot be complacent since, they can be the potential carriers to the most vulnerable in our population. We also know that children with certain risk factors can be susceptible to moderate and severe symptoms with increased hospitalisation and death. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a new disease entity with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations predominantly seen in children. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) announced this week that there was a significant increase in cases in children in the past two weeks in the United States. Whether this is as a result of school openings is unclear, but it means that there are more kids that can potentially transmit the virus to the more vulnerable in the population. A number of studies have demonstrated that children with COVID-19 have more viral load in their nasopharynx. However, there is no conclusive evidence that they are more of less contagious. Special precaution should be taken to avoid exposure to the elderly, such as grandparents. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults, but the frequency of the symptoms vary. Fever and cough are the predominant presenting symptoms, but vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, muscle pain, loss of smell and headaches can all be seen in isolation or concurrently. “COVID toes” characterized by purple blisters on the distil parts of the toes have also been described. In a systematic review by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of 7480 children less than 18 years of age with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection, information about symptoms and severity was available for 1475. Among these, 15 percent of cases were asymptomatic, 42 percent were mild, 39 percent were moderate (example, clinical or radiographic evidence of pneumonia without hypoxemia), 2 percent were severe (example, dyspnea, central cyanosis, hypoxemia), and 0.7 percent were critical (example, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure, shock). There were six deaths in the entire study population (0.08 percent). Risk factors for severe disease include but are not limited to obesity, diabetes and asthma. Since the disease is very mild in most cases, there is no specific treatment except supportive care. Appropriate isolation, contact tracing, handwashing and mask wearing are the cornerstone to preventing the spread. Patients that meet hospitalisation criteria will often require oxygen, high flow or rarely mechanical ventilation. Dexamethasone is often used in moderate to severe cases and the antiviral drug remdesivir is available for emergency authorization. Neither of these drugs have been well studied in the pediatric population. The author has used both of these drugs in
two severe cases and both had a full recovery. MIS-C is a rear, but increasingly recognised disease related to COVID- 19. It is similar to another illness termed Kawasaki’s Disease (KD), which presents with some characteristic features, including persistent fever, conjunctivitis, lesions in the mouth, swollen glands, skin rash and dilatation of the blood vessels of the heart. There are, however, some significant differences to MIS-C. The symptoms generally begin three-four weeks after exposure or infection with COVID-19 (see Figure 1). The most common comorbidities are obesity and asthma and are seen in a disproportionate percentage of Black and Hispanic children. Figure 1: Time course of MIS-C in PCR-positive COVID-19 cases
This lag of three-four weeks suggests that the illness is likely a post infectious complication, since it coincides with the timing of the body acquiring immunity. Many patients have a negative PCR test but have circulating antibodies to COVID-19, confirming that this is not an acute infection. The mechanism by which this disease causes multisystem damage is under investigation (see Figure 2). This illness results in significant inflammation in many organs in the body resulting in the release of certain proteins into the blood called inflammatory markers. Figure 2: Possible mechanisms of inflammatory processes for MIS-C
There are a number of such markers, but the most common ones measured are C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and procalcitonin. These tend to be extremely high, especially in the first subtype and are measured serially to gauge recovery. There appears to be three subtypes: 1. MIS-C without overlap with KD, or acute COVID-19 (35%) -- patients in this group have significant heart dysfunction and often present in shock. 2. MIS-C overlapping with acute COVID-19 (30%) -these patients have a pneumonia similar to that seen in adults. Most of these children have a positive PCR for COVID-19 and the mortality is much higher than the other two groups. 3. MIS-C overlapping with KD (35 %) -- many of these
patients have a number of symptoms consistent with KD, without the heart and lung involvement. The author has provided care for seven such in the pediatric ICU in the US. All of them had varying involvement of the heart and most of them fell into subtype 1. None of them were PCR positive for COVID-19, but five had circulating antibodies suggesting recent infection. All seven had an elevation in troponin levels (proteins released into the blood when the heart is damaged) and varying degree of heart failure as seen on echocardiogram. Five of them required medications (inotropes) to improve the function of the heart. All required oxygen and one required mechanical ventilation for severe shock and respiratory failure. For the successful treatment of these patients it is crucial to recognise that the condition exists and be vigilant. The treatment consists of supportive care including close monitoring in an Intensive Care setting (providing oxygen to support the lungs and inotropes to support the function of the heart). Since this condition is thought to be an immune mediated reaction to COVID-19, therapy is directed towards supressing the exaggerated immune response using intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). This has been found to be very successful and full recovery of the heart function is seen in most cases. Dexamethasone is often utilised as part of the treatment protocol, especially in children with significant lung involvement. Clotting of the coronary arteries and other vessels has been described with KD and MIS-C and therefore low dose aspirin is used prophylactically. TURN TO PAGE
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
Reg.4 continues to see spike in COVID cases OF 79 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Guyana on Saturday, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) accounted for 40, reflecting a significant spike in transmission of the virus within the region. On Monday last, Region Four accounted for 2,944 of the COVID-19 cases in Guyana, but on Saturday
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COVID-19 and .... Cases of MIS-C have been reported in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Because of the lack of recourses, including IVIG, steroids are a cheaper and more readily available option. Their potential to induce broad immunosuppression might be hazardous in countries in which tuberculosis and HIV infection are highly prevalent and where diagnostic facilities (to exclude other types of infection) are scarce. Therefore, steroid use needs to be restricted to short-term courses in children who have been hospitalised with MIS-C and who are severely ill. We are very fortunate that the most vulnerable in our population, our children, have been relatively spared from COVID-19. Let us not forget that they can be potential carriers and, therefore, wearing masks, hand washing and social distancing are
crucial to preventing the spread the virus. Parents and clinicians alike need to be aware that there is a group of high-risk children that are more susceptible to severe disease. In addition, MIS-C is a new entity and with the opening of schools and the potential increase in cases we need to be vigilant for an increase in such cases in the next few months. Only incudes PCR-positive cases in London, UK. Data taken from Public Health England. Figure courtesy of Alasdair Bamford and MyrsiniKaforou. MIS-C = multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. SARS-CoV-2 = severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This article is submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme
3,124 cases were recorded, showing an increase of 180 new cases in just six days. Of the 79 additional cases, 47 were males with the remaining 32 being females. Region One recorded six new cases, while Regions Two and Seven recorded three new cases each. Region Three recorded an additional nine new cases; Region Five
recorded five new cases; Region Six recorded four new cases; Region Eight saw an increase of two cases, while Region 10 recorded seven new cases. The 79 new cases were recorded from a total of 482 tests, taking the overall known cases to 7,222 since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020; the
number of recoveries is at 6,361. There are 33 persons in institutional isolation; 651 are in home isolation and 21 are in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.
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'Fraud and criminality'
SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
…as millions unaccounted for in Reg. 10 SLED projects
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton engaging one of the persons managing a pig-rearing project in Wisroc, Linden
The building (now abandoned) that was supposed to have housed the Coomacka block-making project
By Richard Bhainie THE Ministry of Labour has uncovered what it says is ‘fraud’ and in some instances ‘criminality’ as it relates to $34 million disbursed to the mining town of Linden, Region 10, through the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) initiative in 2019. The monies were distributed to several residents and Cooperative Societies for the establishment of community development projects, but a visit by Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, to the mining town on Friday last, discovered that most of the projects were never established while others were incomplete and in one case, persons who were given money, had migrated. Hamilton, during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, explained that this was discovered following inspection of the projects during his visit. He was accompanied by Chief Co-operative Development Officer, Perlina Gifth. The SLED initiative was established by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government in 2015 and was aimed at creating business and job creation in communities across the country. Minister Hamilton explained that for the year 2019, an estimate of $45 million was invested in Region 10, approximately $34 million of which was disbursed in Linden/Wismar. It was discovered that
The abandoned community centre and ICT hub in West Watooka (DPI photos)
13 groups received a total of $34 million under SLED programme in 2019 for community development projects. However, the Co-operative Societies were never registered with the Ministry of Labour, Department of Co-operatives, making them null and void. Further, the minister explained that, based on the projects he reviewed, many are situated on private lands, making the proprietor of those lands the legitimate owner of the structures erected thereon. “It is people using a guise of co-op for their own personal benefit,” Hamilton said. The projects are nowhere near completion; some too far away from civilization and there is even one case where an individual benefitted from the SLED initiative and left the jurisdiction without completing the project. Hamilton told this publication that APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, received
$5.8 million dollars for a co-operative society that is not registered, to conduct pig rearing activities. “I visited and it’s an unfinished project 18 months after they collected these monies, the project comes with the stalls or pens and 10 to 12 pigs for rearing; they don’t have the pigs,” Hamilton explained. Figueira, in response to this allegation, revealed in a statement Saturday that he was never the recipient of any disbursement of monies from the SLED programme. Meanwhile, another pig rearing initiative was awarded $5.2 million, and is situated on private lands owned by an aunt of one of the members of the “so called co-operative society” the project was awarded to. “It is fraud and criminality because you are impersonating something and you are not to collect public funds,” the minister said. TURN TO PAGE
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
Coalition controls fate of third party in Parliamentary committees –– say joinder parties –– to propose amendment of standing orders
EXISTING standing orders, which govern the operations of the National Assembly, inadvertently impose a restriction on “third parties” like the joinder of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and The New Movement (TNM), which have been excluded from Parliamentary Committees because their fate lies solely with the party which holds a ‘majority’ in the opposing side of the House. The displeased joinder party, which has one seat in the National Assembly, has lamented that standing orders, which govern the selection of parliamentary committees, perpetuate the “two party” system by forcing all opposition parties to fall under the discretion of the "opposition leader,” a post which is held by Joseph Harmon of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC). “This gives the largest opposition party control over
whether the third parties will be given a seat on the parliamentary committees, and insitutionalises an undemocratic system which leaves a significant portion of the electorate unrepresented in the decision-making processes. All voters who have representation in the National Assembly should fairly be represented at the table, and this should be reflected in the standing orders,” the minority opposition said in a statement on Saturday. Representatives of the parties are particularly displeased because they were exempted from the recently appointed Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reform, which is chaired by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. This decision, they fear, will result in gridlock between the two major parties, something which could have otherwise been averted had there been representation from the third party; the third party is represented in the
'Fraud and ... Over in West Watooka, $6 million was given to a group for a community centre and ICT hub; the incomplete building was abandoned in 2019. Minister Hamilton said another $2.3 million was provided for poultry rearing but that project never got off the ground and the incomplete chicken coop was taken over by vegetation. Additionally, the co-ops at Old England and Coomacka received funds for block making projects valued a total of $6 million. The Coomacka block making project is located in a deserted area, and the abandoned building has no roof. Hamilton added: “You have a case where an individual by the name of Archer…collected $2.3 million for chicken rearing, and he headed out to the US, nothing happened, I went to the place, there is no chicken there,” the minister said. In the Half Mile Housing Scheme, a community where the soil is composed of sand, the minister found nothing
but sand at the site where a children’s play park was slated to be erected at a cost of $1.6 million. After inspection of the sites, Minister Hamilton noted that it was a severe disadvantage to residents of the communities who were supposed to benefit from the projects, but were unable to do so. He explained that at the level of the Ministry of Labour, there are discussions to examine whether they can utilize the powers of the Chief Co-operative Officer to complete the facilities so that the people in the communities can benefit from them. He also indicated that he would discuss with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., to review the sport facilities and possibly take them over and complete them. Minister Hamilton explained that he would be conducting similar revision exercises in various regions across the country where funds were disbursed under the SLED initiative. In
Parliament by Deputy Speaker, Lenox Shuman. “Including representation from the smaller parties would have seen greater diversity in views, and undoubtedly, a voice of reason wherever gridlock might arise,” the joinder party said. In their view, the recent history of Guyana demonstrates that an interlocutor is or ought to be considered to be a vital component of Guyana’s politics. It is for this reason that the joinder plans to request an amendment of the existing standing orders, to afford third parties the opportunity to be represented on Parliamentary committees. “No one can fail to see that the political gridlock, which has prevailed for decades in Guyana, will not be resolved unless there is a group that is prepared to hold both institutionalised parties accountable and ensure transparency,” the parties said.
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August, 2020 former Sports Director, Christopher Jones, was arrested and released on $100,000 station bail for simple larceny in relation to several barbershop chairs and other items found at his Tucville home. A police search was executed after an audit of the then Ministry of Social Protection showed that it had approved the disbursement of $4.8M, through the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) administration, for the procurement of equipment for a barbershop under the SLED programme. The presentation of a financial return would reveal that the entire sum of money was spent by December 31, 2019, but almost $1M in items were not physically delivered but were instead stored at Jones’ home, and neither had the project been executed.
From left: Presidential Candidate of the LJP, Lenox Shuman; Presidential Candidate of TNM, Dr. Asha Kissoon; and Presidential Candidate of ANUG, Ralph Ramkarran (Delano Williams photo)
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
Eccles to Mandela Avenue road likely by November –– President Ali says it will modernise East Bank corridor
President Irfaan Ali, surrounded by his team, inspecting the project plan
IN addition to the Ogle to Diamond bypass road, the government is also pursuing the opening of a new link to connect communities on the East Bank of Demerara. This was confirmed on Saturday by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who indicated that the creation of the new thoroughfare is expected to significantly cut commute time for thousands of residents, while modernising the corridor. President Ali and a team, including Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, visited the proposed locations on Saturday to check the alignment and interconnection and discuss ways of getting a quality product in a short time, a press release from the Office of the President noted. “Because of the immediate need to ease the congestion, we are now building this alternative connection….all the traffic from the back would not go to the front; they will drive through the feeder roads to reach Mandela Avenue,” the Head of State said. He clarified that the Eccles to Mandela Avenue link is different from the one being constructed at Ogle to Eccles-Diamond highway. The first phase of the new East Bank road will run from Sixth Avenue
Diamond, all the way to Eccles. This, according to President Ali, is expected to be completed and ready for vehicular traffic by April 2021. The second phase of the project, likely to be completed by November, will see the construction of a fourlane connection from Eccles to Mandela Avenue. President Ali charged his team to expedite the process, while ensuring quality of the finished product. “Let’s focus on bringing an end to traffic problems on the East Bank….All of this is to bring ease, fastest commute time, less wear and tear on vehicle, greater efficiency, the amount of man power we lose in the traffic is not sustainable for our development, not sustainable for our citizens, the aim is to improve our standard of living and quality of life by reducing travel time,” the President emphasised. MASSIVE MODERNISATION Dr. Ali said that in addition to being a tangible link geared at easing the usual traffic congestion along the East Bank corridor, the new road will also enhance the quality of life for residents. TURN TO PAGE
The first phase of the road is expected to be completed in April, while the second phase could be ready by November
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
200 indigenous communities to get ICT hubs –– as gov’t rolls out ‘solar panel per household’ initiative in the hinterland By Jared Liddell REDUCING many disparities between the hinterland and coastal areas necessitates the use of technology, a critical tool which the new government is looking to afford persons in indigenous communities, through the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs. This initiative is being pioneered by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, which, according to subject Minister, Pauline Sukhai, is finalising plans to reinstitute its “solar panel per household” initiative in the first quarter of this year. “The ministry has been working assiduously to fi-
nalise plans to ensure that the persons in the indigenous communities have access to electricity in 2021,” Sukhai said during a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle. The minister pointed out that many indigenous communities are without electricity to this day, putting them at a significant disadvantage in terms of having, what some might consider, basic resources for ‘ease’ and ‘comfort’. Technology, for instance, could only be utilised when there is electricity, so it is only natural that the installation of solar panels precedes the establishment of ICT hubs. While noting that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has not yet designated a specific indigenous community for
the initiation of this project, Minister Sukhai said Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine are already receiving electricity through the use of solar panels. Speaking specifically about the establishment of ICT hubs, she said that over 200 indigenous communities will be benefiting from this initiative. With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic changing the way many sections of society operate, this is an opportune time for young people in hinterland communities to adopt and benefit from internet access. It is for this reason that the minister said that the initiative will not only allow persons to broaden their horizons with electronic (E)-learning, but
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai
also open new and creative opportunities that were oth-
erwise unavailable because of their inability to access the Internet. At the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, had committed to launching this initiative in 10 communities in Region Two, namely: Bethany, Mashabo, Capoey, Tapakuma, Mainstay, Wakapau, Kabakaburi, St. Monica Mission, Karawab and Akawini. The President had said that the funding to undertake this project would be sourced from India through a line
of credit of US$10 million. President Ali had said the aim is to ensure that students in Amerindian villages have access to education amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have you on an immediate programme to benefit from the solar system per household. We have restructured the expenditure to ensure you are on the programme,” the President said.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
Cleaning staff: The unsung heroes in the pandemic
By Vishani Ragobeer
LESS than a year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic made its way to Guyana. While healthcare workers have been on the frontlines battling the novel coronavirus and its adverse effects on individuals, cleaning staff and sanitation workers have been right behind them, providing the second line of defence, in the en-
during circumstances. In the first few months of the pandemic, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was seen as the epicenter of the country-wide medical efforts to combat COVID-19, which isn’t hard to imagine given that it is the biggest and bestequipped hospital in Guyana. While the hospital housed and treated patients infected with COVID-19, its opera-
tions were constantly evolving to adapt to the pandemic. And, with that came the obvious need for increased sanitation. “I used to work in the COVID-19 resting room and it wasn’t easy at all,” Ronella Dow, a maid with the GPHC’s Housekeeping Department, told the Sunday Chronicle. In this area, extra precautions were necessary; there
was the ever-present possibility that each person around her was infected with the virus and she had to ensure that she was suited in her Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): her medical gown, gloves and of course, her face mask. She had her mini bottle of hand sanitiser, always. As a housekeeping staff, she had to ensure that the wards and environs were kept
Housekeeping staff at the GPHC, Philion Pratt (right) and Nicola Hendricks
clean and tidy. That meant picking up discarded PPE, wiping the walls, floors, windows, sinks, washrooms… and well, you get the idea. “Sometimes you does want to know if it is a pig pen because they does just take off everything and throw it down right there… the washrooms does be a mess and so,” Dow lamented, adding: “It wasn’t easy working with COVID because is we work, you have to do it.” She understands the importance of her job, but is befuddled at those who still refuse to acknowledge the reality and severity of the pandemic. “I think that people need to get real. COVID is here and COVID ain’t going nowhere for now,” Dow lamented, recounting the many instances she has seen persons displaying such scant regard for the measures geared at protecting them and their loved ones. She even related that there are people who would ‘buse’ her for advising them to wear a mask. In addition to the housekeeping staff, there were other cleaning employees and contracted workers who were tasked with keeping the linens clean, sanitising the patients’ beds and facilities and ensuring that the hospital, as a whole, was kept clean. Though there is a general focus on maintaining a sterile environment in medical spaces, like the hospital, the pandemic necessitated an even greater focus on cleaning and disinfecting. Continuous investigations illustrated that the virus could be spread through aerosols and droplets, and could remain on surfaces for varying periods of time. Resultantly, the job of the cleaning staff became all the more important, if the spread of the virus was to be constricted. “We gah sanitise every day. Every day you gah wipe the walls and everywhere else, you gotta keep sanitising all the time,” another housekeeping staff, Philion Pratt, emphasised. Of course, these were duties performed before the
pandemic but she explained that there was a greater emphasis placed on engaging in the cleaning activities numerous times a day. With patients, including those diagnosed with COVID-19, going in and out of the hospital, or being transported to the various wards and areas, that emphasis was crucial to help prevent the spread and, yes, save lives. “At first when I started working (during) COVID, it was May month and nobody wanted to do it,” Pratt related. There was a lingering sense of hesitancy among the workers, since it seemed as though each day there was new information emerging on how the virus could be easily contracted. By then, it was known that though Pratt might not experience any of the common symptoms (the dry cough, fever, sore throat, for example), she could still be infected. This would mean that she was asymptomatic and very capable of infecting her loved ones with the virus. “I got my grandchildren and children to think about,” she said, half-joking that once her daughter found out that she was working in the maternity ward, where COVID-19 patients were, she ‘social-distanced’ from her family. Eventually, though, she got accustomed to it. Her routine became equipping herself with the necessary PPEs, cleaning the area that had become the transition ward for those patients who were tested but awaiting their results and then, santising ‘outside’ once she was home. Much like Dow and Pratt, there is Nicola Hendricks, Lavern Holder and a number of other cleaning staff who all work to keep the hospital and its environs safe. These workers are well-aware that they are often the forgotten heroes of the pandemic, even though they too consider themselves frontline workers. Still, they continue to perform their duties to help protect all persons, even those who refuse to believe that the coronavirus is a real thing.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
40-bed COVID centre opened at Suddie hospital
A side view of the isolation facility at the Suddie Hospital
Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Vishwanauth Mahadeo (left); Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (second left); Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Odit (centre); Regional Chairperson, Mrs. Vilma De Silva (second right) and Regional Health Officer, Dr Ranjeev Singh (right) cut the ribbon to the isolation facility, while others look on
By Indrawattie Natram IN an effort to boost its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health, on Saturday, commissioned a state-of-the art isolation facility at the Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The $12 million facility was refurbished to accommodate 40 patients and will provide staff members with the opportunity to monitor positive cases; it will become operational within a week’s time. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the spe-
cialised facility is part of the ministry’s comprehensive approach to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that although Region Two has not recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases, the facility provides an option for institutional isolation. As such, Dr. Anthony
urged the regional COVID-19 task force to increase its awareness programmes within the region as part of efforts to combat the deadly disease. Previously, the hospital was not equipped with sufficient space to house positive COVID-19 patients and so, persons were isolated at
home. In this regard, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, noted that this placed the hospital at a disadvantage since positive cases were not directly monitored and there was no guarantee that those persons were adhering to the home-isolation rules. Dr. Singh said that the facility was outfitted with the requisite staff, inclusive of a nurse, maid, and a doctor; it is also equipped with an upgraded ventilator and oxygen to treat critical patients. Dr. Singh maintained that the region continues to record a low number of positive cases. During the last few months, there has been a significant increase in testing across the region. A mobile unit was also established to target students and residents travelling from various hotpot communities.
Additionally, Dr. Singh said the region has not recorded any re-infected patients. This newspaper understands that most of the region’s positive cases were asymptomatic and did not require hospitalisation. To date, the region has recorded 222 cases, 18 of which are active. Four deaths were also recorded in Region Two; four persons are currently in institutional isolation at the Suddie Public Hospital. Meanwhile, the Health Minister noted that a team is currently looking at vaccination sites across the region in order to prepare for the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines. He further noted that training is ongoing for health workers who would be part of the immunisation process regionally.
Vessels plying Reg. 1 route undergoing emergency repairs THE vessels, MV Kimbia and MV Barima, are currently undergoing emergency repairs, resulting in an interruption of service to commuters travelling to and from
Region One (Barima-Waini). The MV Kimbia has developed a hole in its bow, while the MV Barima has experienced engine failure to its port engine, a press release from the
Eccles to Mandela ...
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The Head of State also hinted to the strategic establishment and placement of a Government hub which would boast of a new school, as well as outposts for the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Fire Service and an Emergency Medical Services unit. “This is part of the infrastructure transformation and integration of communities, because now Diamond, Prospect, Eccles, Herstelling, Covent Garden, Mocha all these communities will be integrated.” The press release outlined that the government will also be upgrading a number of roadways within the Diamond Housing Scheme, which
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should further enhance travel time within that community. President Ali, according to the statement, also proposed having a modernised security system which would include the erection of police towers and a “Wi-Fi system connected to cameras which would automatically ticket drivers.” “We will have tower-to-tower connection, so if someone is speeding at tower one, that person would be caught on camera and can be stopped by police at tower two. We need to look at smarter, safer and more modern ways going forward,” President Ali asserted.
Ministry of Public Works and the Transport and Harbours Department stated. The MV Kimbia is currently in dry dock at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation
(GNIC), and is expected to be fully operational by the end of January. Efforts are being made by the relevant agencies, in collaboration with the private sector, to get the service up and
running as soon as possible. The general public will be updated on the status of the vessels, and when they will be scheduled to depart Port Georgetown, as soon as
the problems are rectified. For updates and more information, persons can contact the Transport and Harbours Department on 226-9730/2259355.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
GuySuCo sets target of 98,000 tonnes for 2021 –– recapitalisation of estates ongoing says ‘agri’ minister
By Navendra Seoraj THE ascension of Guyana’s ailing sugar industry will undoubtedly take time, but the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, remains confident that progress in this industry is inevitable with prudent management and targetted approaches like those being adopted by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which has set a production target of close to 98,000 metric tonnes for this year. Laden with deficits, the sugar corporation, has for years, been struggling to even break-even, requiring constant bailouts and injections of finances to stay afloat, a situation which the new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government is looking to remedy through the recapitalisation of estates, strategic reopening of shuttered factories and public-private partnerships. Equally important in preparing those estates for profitability is maintaining productivity and satisfying the demand for sugar. In or-
Planting materials being sown at Uitvlugt (Adrian Narine photo)
der to achieve this objective, the three functioning estates - Blairmont, Albion and Uitvlugt - will be working to produce collectively 98,000 metric tonnes of sugar by the end of this year. In providing a disaggregation of the production target, Minister Mustapha said that the corporation will be looking to produce 48,963 metric tonnes of sugar at Albion, 27,940 metric tonnes at Blairmont, and 20,517 metric tonnes at Uitvlugt. The consolidated target is more than that of 2020, which was 89,000 metric tonnes.
Possible deterrents to the achievement of those targets, as seen in the past, include mainly, but are not limited to, inclement weather and industrial action. Moving ahead, while trying to navigate the potential adversities, the corporation will also be working expeditiously on the recapitalisation of the sugar estates. “The plan is to recapitalize; as I said when I asked for the supplementary [financing], we intend on doing critical repairs on equipment that were neglected over the past five years,” Minister Mu-
stapha said during a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle. It was reported that repairing Guyana’s ‘damaged’ and ‘neglected’ sugar industry will be a tall task, but it is one which the government has shown it is ready to take on and accomplish successfully, said Minister Mustapha, as he made his case to the Committee of Supply for supplementary financing of $4 billion for GuySuCo, in December. In presenting a breakdown of the supplementary allocation, the minister said $2.1 bil-
lion will go towards Albion Estate; $518 million to the Blairmont Estate; $60 million to Uitvlugt Estate; $10 million to Skeldon Estate; $746 million to Rose Hall Estate; $533 million to Enmore Estate and $60 million for the head office. Prior to receiving supplementary funds, the government had included in Budget 2020, $3 billion, of which $800 million went towards supporting the operating factories and $2.2 billion towards the shuttered Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon sugar estates. “All of this [financing] is necessary because a lot of work has to be done…over at Albion, the entire carriage and the chain and roller have to be changed…a lot of work is also needed at Uitvlugt and Blairmont. The focus would be to recapitalise and repair the estate, in order to increase production and productivity,” Minister Mustapha reasoned. He further said that the corporation is working simultaneously on the reopening of the shuttered estates. “There has been increased activity to reopen those three estates… works are moving apace and according to plan.” In 2017, the former A
Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country; the move saw four sugar estates being closed, and 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs. But, as said by Minister Mustapha, plans are afoot to return the industry to viability through coordinated and prudent management. “We have already employed 1,000 persons who they [APNU+AFC] dismissed. And, in the New Year [2021], we will employ another 3,000 workers and I am optimistic that, in the first crop of 2022, we will produce sugar once again at those estates. “They [APNU+AFC] have brought the estates to their knees, so we have to capitalise and bring the estates to a break-even point… there are opportunities in the Caribbean and it will also create more employment for the people,” said the Agriculture Minister. The Rose Hall Estate will be the first of the three estates to be reopened and is expected to begin grinding in 2022.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 24, 2021
$5.4M ‘Health Boat’ for Pomeroon River
–– to aid in medical outreaches, dental services RESIDENTS of both Upper and Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) will soon be able to experience a significant improvement in the delivery of health services, following the commissioning of a $5.4 million ‘Health Boat’ on Saturday.
During the simple ribbon-cutting ceremony at Charity Waterfront, Essequibo Coast on Saturday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that there will now be timely distribution of medical supplies and community medical outreaches. The boat, which is equipped
with a 200 horsepower engine, will be able to go into the far-flung areas within the Pomeroom with medical personnel on board. “During the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) campaign, we had in our manifesto that we will ensure that residents living in the
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (fourth from left) cuts the ribbon officially commissioning the ‘Health Boat’
riverain communities have better access to medical services,” Dr. Anthony reminded those gathered. He noted that, previously, health workers in the region faced many challenges, including transportation, but now that the boat has been commissioned, they can ef-
fectively conduct their work and provide better guidance to residents. Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, said that the boat was commissioned at an opportune time as the region will soon launch its Filaria Mass Drug Administration campaign. “Instead of having residents travelling to access
services at Charity or Suddie, the services would go [to] them,” Dr. Singh said. Attending the opening ceremony was Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh; Regional Medical Superintendent, Dr. Sheneer Reid; Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, and Prime Minister’s representative, Arnold Adams.
Officials take a ride in the ‘Health Boat’
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
NACAC confirms CARIFTA GAMES for July 2-4 in Bermuda … Qualification set for April
THE date has been set for the 49th edition of CARIFTA GAMES, which was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) recently confirmed that the games will take place from July 2 to 4 of this year in Bermuda.
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS SCOTTSVILLE 08:05 hrs Mystery Boy 08:40 hrs Peaceful Day 09:15 hrs Good Rhythm 09:55 hrs Bella Ballerina 10:30 hrs East Coast Star ENGLISH RACING TIPS Lingfield 08:40 hrs Violet’s Star 09:10 hrs Regulator 09:40 hrs Myseven 10:10 hrs Thrill Seeker 10:40 hrs Kylla Looks 11:40 hrs The Hulk 12:10 hrs Power Over Me HEREFORD 09:20 hrs The Edgar Wallace 09:50 hrs Champagnesuperover 10:20 hrs Oski 10:50 hrs Storm Force Ben 11:20 hrs Padstow Harbour 11:50 hrs Zee Man 12:20 hrs Chanceux IRISH RACING TIPS Thurles 09:30 hrs Colreevy 10:00 hrs Allaho 10:30 hrs Key Commander 11:00 hrs Gentlemansgame 11:30 hrs Vintage Prosseco 12:00 hrs No Grey’s Area 12:30 hrs Nible Yeats
This will be Bermuda’s third opportunity to host the prestigious event after their initial run in 1975 and the second in 1980. Following the provisional postponement which was the first in the tournament’s history, the organising committee made the decision last April to reschedule the Games for April 2-5 of this year. However, there were several concerns by the nations involved that the new date might present some challenges. The concerns of the nations were enough to rule out the April time frame which is why the majority decided on July when most of the athletes would have been done with academic engagements. President of NACAC, Mike Sands, said: “We took a decision at council level to do a survey with membership to determine the best course of action. There were several options for a date change, and we ultimately decided on July 2 to 4.” More than 600 athletes and officials from 27 Caribbean islands will arrive in Bermuda for the Games, one of the most popular junior athletics events in the region. The pandemic has also caused numerous athletes from around the region to miss out on their final year for competing at the games. This means a new qualifying deadline will be set for three weeks before the Games for those who still have not reached qualifying standards or athletes who are to be replaced because of a breach in age. However, athletes who qualified for the 2020 Games will not have to qualify again in the same age group. Meanwhile, Bermuda
currently has less than 100 active cases of COVID-19 and only 12 recorded deaths in the nation of just over 60 000 people. That means during the pandemic it’s almost inevitability that all incoming guests to Bermuda would have to take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test and receive a negative result. Guyana still hold hosting rights Once the hosting of the 49th edition of the games is successful during this pandemic, it will be most certain that NACAC will be forging ahead with preparations for the hosting of the 50th CARIFTA GAMES which is billed for Guyana. In January 2020 before the pandemic caused disruption in the sporting arena, NACAC president Sands visited Guyana for the first time and made an official visit to the National Track & Field Centre at Leonora. The visit was mainly to assess Guyana’s progress and capability of hosting a Track & Field meet of this magnitude that will see projected amounts of almost 800 athletes & technical delegates. Fans were still allowed in venues at this time. Sands, along with his General Secretary Keith Joseph, agreed that although there is some work to be done at the venue (Leonora), it has a lot of space and the potential of the facility is immense, not only for the 2022 CARIFTA Games, but for future meets. The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has already been awarded the hosting rights, President of AAG, Aubrey Hutson. and his team were scheduled to make a final presentation of what they have in store for the 50th CARIFTA Games after the completion of the 49th games.
‘He played with heart ... From back page Jamaica depended for many victories,” the release read. “The Jamaica Football Federation, like the rest of the country, was saddened when he was diagnosed with ALS and many hoped and prayed for a miraculous recovery. He played with his heart and soul for Jamaica as well as for his school and clubs and he will always be remembered for that. The JFF extends heartfelt condolences to his family and to the KSAFA family in this difficult time.”
sunday CHRONICLE january 24, 2021
Anderson takes 6-40 on tight second day ...
from page 32 to provide control and potency. He made the most of minimal reverse swing and had Dickwella caught at mid-off from a miscued drive to complete his five-wicket haul, before Suranga Lakmal became his sixth victim two balls later when he edged to gully. Critics accuse Anderson of being successful only in English conditions, where the ball swings and seams, but he has now taken 49 wickets at an average of 23.77 in his past 14 away Tests. Wood impressed, as he did on day one, while Sam Curran claimed the final wicket. It ensured all 10 wickets fell to the quick bowlers - the first time that feat has been achieved in Sri Lanka since 2001. Problems for Sibley and Crawley With a four-Test series in India to follow this match, the form of England’s spinners is an ever-growing concern, as are the performances of Sibley and Crawley. As a pair, they have scored eight runs combined from 55 balls against Embuldeniya, with six dismissals, and neither has reached double figures in the series. Sibley played a poor shot going back to a straighter, quicker ball and was trapped lbw. Crawley got a good delivery that turned, bounced and took the outside edge en route to first slip. Rory Burns, who missed this series for the birth of his child, is expected to return as opener in India, but with Bairstow set to be rested for the first two Tests, England have limited options at the top of the order. (BBC Sport)
SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings o/n 229-4 Lahiru Thirimanne c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 43 Kusal Perera c Joe Root b James Anderson 6 Oshada Fernando b James Anderson 0 Angelo Mathews c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 110 Dinesh Chandimal lbw Mark Wood 52 Niroshan Dickwella c Jack Leach b James Anderson 92 Ramesh Mendis c Jos Buttler b Mark Wood 0 Dilruwan Perera c Jack Leach b Sam Curran 67 Suranga Lakmal c Zak Crawley b James Anderson 0 Lasith Embuldeniya c Joe Root b Mark Wood 7 Asitha Fernando not out 0 Extras (lb-2, nb-1, w-1) 4 Total: (all out, 139.3 overs) 381 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-76, 4-193, 5-232, 6-243, 7-332, 8-332, 9-364. Bowling: James Anderson 29-13-40-6, Sam Curran 18.3-3-60-1, Jack Leach 38-5-119-0, Mark Wood 28-4-84-3 (w-1, nb-1) Dom Bess 26-2-76 -0. ENGLAND 1st innings Zak Crawley c Lahiru Thirimanne b Lasith Embuldeniya 5 Dominic Sibley lbw Lasith Embuldeniya 0 Jonny Bairstow bot 0ut 24 Joe Root not out 67 Extras: (b-2) 2 Total: (two wkts, 30.0 overs) 98 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-5. Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 5-2-10-0, Lasith Embuldeniya 11-4-33- 2, Asitha Fernando 5-212-0,. Dilruwan Perera 7-1-22-0.
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
Anderson takes 6-40 on tight second day in Galle Test By Matthew Hen’ry JAMES Anderson and Joe Root kept England in contention on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Anderson took 6-40 from 29 overs - his 30th Test five-wicket haul - as England bowled their hosts out for 381. He dismissed Angelo Mathews for 110 but Sri Lanka
eked out a good score from 243-6, Niroshan Dickwella making 92 and Dilruwan Perera 67. England fell to 5-2 in reply, before Root’s enterprising 67 not out from 77 balls led England to 98-2 at the close. He put on 93 with Jonny Bairstow, who is 24 not out, to steady England after openers Dom Sibley (0) and Zak Crawley (5) both fell, once again, to left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya.
James Anderson has now taken 606 Test wickets at an average of 26.59. Embuldeniya took two wickets in his first 19 balls after England’s spinners had earlier bowled 64 wicket-less overs. Mark Wood took 3-84 in support of 38-year-old Anderson, who became the oldest fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Asia. England, who lead the two-Test series 1-0, are likely to have to bat beyond Sri Lanka’s first-innings score to win on a surface that is beginning to offer turn to the spinners. When Embuldeniya dismissed Sibley and Crawley for the third successive innings, that looked a long way off, but Root and Bairstow came through a difficult passage to leave the game finely poised. Root, who scored 228 in the first Test, batted superbly and swept the spinners, both conventionally and reverse, at almost every opportunity. England’s leading Test run-scorers
Alastair Cook Graham Gooch Alec Stewart David Gower Kevin Pietersen Joe Root Geoffrey Boycott
12 472 8 900 8 463 8 231 8 181 8 119 8 114
Bairstow survived a tight lbw decision on review - a ball from off-spinner Perera would have hit leg stump but the notout on-field decision was upheld - but he too batted positively. Still, the difficulties Embuldeniya caused put into perspective the performance of England slow bowlers Jack Leach and Dom Bess, who finished with combined figures of 0-195. Their lack of threat and failure to build pressure allowed Sri Lanka to score more than they should have, especially given the performances of Anderson and Wood. Dickwella batted excellently for his highest Test score, as did Perera - who put on 89 with the wicketkeeper, 32 with number 10 Embuldeniya and 17 with last man Asitha Fernando. ANDERSON STILL KEY FOR ENGLAND Having taken three wickets on day one, Anderson had Mathews caught behind on review in his first over - the Sri Lankan adding just three to his overnight score. Once again, Anderson bowled an immaculate line and length with wayward balls almost non-existent, while Mark Wood also had debutant Ramesh Mendis caught down the leg side for a duck during his opening spell. Without Anderson in the attack, England leaked runs and it was he who returned again in the afternoon session See page 31
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
India reveal planning for ‘leg-side trap’ that snared Australia INDIA effectively strangled Australia with a leg-side trap to secure their epic 2-1 series victory this summer, bowling coach Bharat Arun has claimed. Humiliated in Adelaide, where they were shot out for a record innings low of 36, an injury-ravaged India won in Melbourne to level the series and batted out the fifth day to secure a draw in Sydney before completing a series victory for the ages by clinching the Brisbane decider. It all began with a call from head coach Ravi Shastri five months before the first Test got underway in Adelaide, according to Arun. “Ravi Shastri called me sometime in July and said we need to take the off-side out of the Australians,” the former Test player told reporters in a video conference. “We had our own analysis. Steve Smith and (Marnus) Labuschagne and most of the Australians got a lot of runs out of the cut, the pull and on the off-side,” he said. India’s analysts had also noted Australia’s batting mainstay Smith’s discomfort against balls aimed at his body during Australia’s series against New Zealand earlier last year. “Ravi said, ‘I want to make a plan to eliminate the off-side for the Australians’. Then we sat about and planned the whole thing. “We said we’re going to attack more straighter lines and have an on-side field, so it is very difficult for their batsman to be consistently clearing the on-side fields. That really worked for us.” Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting
India bowling coach Bharat Arun (left) has detailed the leg-side trap that Ravi Shastri and his team came up with to strangle Australia in their epic Test battle. was impressed how India employed the legslip position in Melbourne where Smith, Labuschagne and captain Tim Paine all fell into the trap. Arun said captain Virat Kohli, who returned home after the Adelaide loss to attend the birth of his daughter, and stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane endorsed the plans, while the bowlers stuck to the suggested line. India returned to a rousing reception on Thursday and Arun said the euphoria would not affect their preparation for the four-Test series against England beginning on February 5. “As our fielding coach R Sridhar said, it took us two days to forget that 36 all out,” Arun said. “Similarly, we have done an exceptional job in Australia... but we need to forget this also and look forward to the England series.”
Southampton knock holders Arsenal out of FA Cup A STRONG Southampton side knocked holders Arsenal out of the FA Cup in the fourth round courtesy of a first-half own goal yesterday. The Saints were rewarded for their attacking intent in the opening period when Gabriel turned in Kyle Walker-Peters’ cross in the 24th minute. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 508 minutes as they suffered a first loss in seven matches. Southampton will face another Premier League side, Wolves, in the next round. With their next opponents enduring a poor run in the league and having struggled in their 1-0 win at non-league Chorley on Friday, the 1976 winners will fancy their chances of progressing further at Molineux. The Saints also went close through Che Adams, whose low, angled strike was saved brilliantly by Bernd Leno, and James Ward-Prowse, who saw his delivery from a corner come off the bar. In the second half, substitute striker Shane Long fell under a challenge in the box, but penalty appeals were waved away by referee Peter Bankes. Arsenal were without forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, while another in-form player, Bukayo Saka, was only introduced in the second half. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side were tepid as an attacking force during the first 45 minutes, but looked more of a threat after the break. However, Eddie Nketiah’s deflected shot in the 67th minute, which was superb-
ly dealt with by home goalkeeper Fraser Forster, was their only effort of note. IT WAS A GOOD TEAM PERFORMANCE - REACTION Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl speaking to BT Sport: “We had in the first half more punch and more power “In the second half it’s normal they have a lift. We must make the second goal - we made one or two chances. Shane Long should have got a penalty. “We won the ball early on in the game, but our last decision-making was not always the best. In general, our work without the ball was good. “It was a good team performance.” Arsenal manager Arteta speaking to BT Sport: “We’re really sad to be out of the competition. “We had issues in the first half and unforced errors as a result of the high press they do. In the second half, we had two or three big chances. “It was an even game. In the first half, they won a lot of second balls. In the second half, we added more quality. We became more dominant and created chances, but it wasn’t enough.” On whether Aubameyang, missing because of personal reasons, will be available for Tuesday’s league match against Southampton: “I don’t know. He needs to address that issue; we’ll see how it evolves. We’re here and we have to support him he needs to take the time that is needed because that is a priority at the moment.”
Meanwhile, India opener Shubman Gill’s father says facing some 1500 short balls each day in practice and batting with a cricket stump honed the new Test star’s skills. The 21-year-old made his Test debut in the second match in Melbourne, smashed his maiden half-century in Sydney and produced an elegant fourth-innings knock of 91 in Brisbane where India completed a remarkable 2-1 series victory. “Since he was nine, I made him play 1500 short balls every day,” Gill’s father Lakhwinder Singh told the Times of India newspaper. To make it difficult for the youngster, Singh would often bounce the ball off a charpoy, a traditional woven bed. “The ball tends to travel faster after skidding off the charpoy,” Singh said. “Besides that, he practised with a single stump as his bat. That helped Shubman in
finding the middle of the bat more often than not.” Gill’s family moved some 300km from a village in Punjab to Mohali, a Test venue in the northern Indian state, in search of better training facilities. Singh also made his son practise on coir or canvas matting wickets to prepare him better for short-pitched deliveries. “The extra bounce that matting provides forces you to get in ... the correct position,” Singh said. “Batsmen who have played on matting pitches develop the ability to play on the backfoot, which is so essential for any higher level of cricket.” The Punjab player’s rise has resolved India’s opening issues after Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal struggled in Australia.(Cricket.com.au)
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
Tokyo Olympics ‘will take place this summer’, even without vaccinations, organisers say By Chris McLaughlin TOKYO Olympics organisers say they are not willing to see the event held behind closed doors - and that the Games “will take place this summer”. International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound said on 7 January there could be no guarantees of the postponed 2020 Games going ahead from 23 July. But a spokesman says it could even happen without the need for athletes or spectators to be vaccinated. “Our position remains we will deliver the Games,” Masa Takaya said. “The IOC has made it is absolutely on the same page as Tokyo 2020.” Sir Keith Mills, who was chief executive of the London 2012 Olympics, said on Tuesday he thought it
was”unlikely”the Games will take place this summer. Mills told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Wake Up To Money that organisers should now be “making plans for a cancellation”. On Wednesday, British Olympic Association chairman and former sport minister Sir Hugh Robertson said he was “very optimistic” the Games would take place. “I’ve spoken to the IOC - everybody is working on the basis the Games will go ahead,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “There’s been no talk of cancellation or postponement.” On whether athletes will be vaccinated for the Olympics, he added: “It wouldn’t be appropriate to ask athletes to be fasttracked. The BOA doesn’t want to queue jump, but this will look very different
IOC member Dick Pound in the spring.” ‘Our goals are not cancelled’ Takaya told BBC Scotland’s The Nine that a decision on how many fans will be allowed inside venues in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic will be taken in March. “We are not willing to see the Games taking place
Simmons wants strong finish despite Windies series loss CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (CMC) – Head coach Phil Simmons is still holding out hope of a victory in the final OneDay International tomorrow, even though his depleted West Indies side have failed to be competitive in the opening two matches of the series. The touring side lost both matches in Dhaka last week, going down by six wickets in the opener and then by seven wickets in Friday’s second game. With the series forming part of the International Cricket Council’s Super League – a qualifier for the 2023 World Cup – Simmons said it was important the Windies at least gained the 10 points available in the final ODI at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. “We came for 30 points (and) we have a chance of getting 10 points still in this competition,” Simmons said on arrival here yesterday. “Most of all (we want to see) the improvement. We have gone from (122 in the first game) to (148 in the second game). “We need to get to
West Indies head coach Phil Simmons that 230, 240, 250 that we can be competitive and give the bowlers something to bowl at for us to show our mettle in that aspect. “But definitely 10 points will be the ultimate (in this game).” The understrength West Indies side have struggled especially in their batting, with no player managing to score a half-century. Without several firstchoice players for the tour, selectors fielded six
debutants in the opening game and one more in the second, leaving the tourists desperately short of experience against fullstrength Bangladesh. However, Simmons said with preparation for the next World Cup having begun, the tour represented a chance for the fringe players to put themselves in contention for selection. “It’s a chance for guys to show what they can do at this level, a chance for them to put their names in the hat for 2023 and also put their names in the hat for (the next ODI tour against) Sri Lanka and (other tours) later down in the year,” Simmons explained. “So it’s good to see what people are made of.” The Caribbean side will be hoping to make amends for their last appearance in Chattogram when they were bowled out for historic low of 61, ten years ago. With the two recent defeats, West Indies have now lost their last seven ODIs against Bangladesh and suffered two successive series defeats.
behind closed doors,” he said. “We obviously want to see as many spectators as possible inside the venues, which is why we have been working tightly with the Japanese government and all international stakeholders, spearheaded by the IOC. “We will see in spring how we can accommodate spectators inside the venues. We also have to see what guidance we get from the government regarding spectators and look at the situation around sports, both internationally and nationally.” Takaya also dismissed a recent survey which suggested 80% of locals want the Games cancelled or postponed, saying that it was just one of a number of such polls. “Most recent surveys show people want the
Games to be re-postponed, but in that trend we see that people are willing to see the Games go ahead in some form, which is why we want to keep conveying how we are able organise the Games in this situation,” he said. Takaya said the Olympics could be delivered without mass vaccination, pointing out that “lots of sporting events are taking place in Japan” without one. “Our counter measures on Covid-19 are working under the assumption that we will not have a vaccine, so even if we do not, our plan is that we will be able to deliver the Games,” he said. “The J League and baseball season will start here very soon and there will be government guidance, so we will take all of those things into our con-
siderations.” Takaya was aware of the problems being experienced in Melbourne, where positive cases on three flights forced 72 tennis players into full quarantine before the Australian Open, with three players testing positive. “We have been looking into many other sporting events that have already taken place in the last six or seven months,” he said. “The feedback has been invaluable for Tokyo 2020’s planning and we will put those into our considerations and further refine our counter measures on Covid-19. “Athletes have been training very hard to pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams. We are very passionate about delivering the stage for those athletes this summer.”(BBC Sport)
IBF 2021 Convention cancelled INTERNATIONA Boxing Federation (IBF) Public Relations Director Jeannette Salazar has advised that the 2021 IBF convention scheduled for May 4 in Lang Beach California has been cancelled. Salazar said, “At this time, due to all the limitations on travel and gatherings in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we are unfortunately cancelling the convention scheduled for May 4-8, 2021 in Long Beach, California. “It was difficult to make this decision as we were looking forward to seeing you all again, and having a productive and successful convention. The current state of this health crisis re-
grettably does not permit this. We apologise for any inconvenience that this decision may cause. The convention in Long Beach will be rescheduled for 2022 and the dates will be shared with you as soon as everything is confirmed. “Over the next few months, we will keep monitoring how the situation regarding the pandemic continues to develop and improve. In the event that there is improvement and we can gather safely, we will consider hosting a smaller convention in New Jersey or the surrounding states sometime in the fall. We will notify you if this becomes a possibility.” (Fightnews)
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday January 24, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) 219*-Musfiqur Rahim (vs ZIM, Dhaka, 2018) (2) Mehidy Hasan Miraz-12/117 (vs WI, Dhaka, 2018)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) Which BANG player has scored most Test centuries to date? (2) Which player has captained BANG most in Tests to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 24, 2021
Lara shocked by jeering Jamaica crowd … rates shot-filled Sabina Park 213 as most memorable innings
LEGENDARY West Indies batsman Brian Lara has pointed to a performance that emanated from one of the uglier, darker moments of a largely sparkling career as one of his most memorable. In one of a few instances the batting star was not greeted by applause and gestures of widespread adoration on his sojourn to the crease, Lara was booed by the Sabina Park crowd when he strode out for the second Test of the 1999 Australia tour of the West Indies. During a tumultuous period for the Windies, the issue for some home fans stemmed from what they believed to be disrespect shown to bowling legend Courtney Walsh in what they deemed to be a hostile takeover of the captaincy by the Trinidadian. Walsh, who was appointed captain in 1994, served as captain for 22 Test matches before being replaced by Lara in 1998. On the back of a heavy loss to Australia in the first Test and having also previously been whitewashed by South Africa, The Prince found himself occupying the unusual status of public enemy. His response, a classy, shot-filled 213, which would go
Flashback: Brian Lara on the go during his classy, shot-filled 213 at Sabina Park
Age no factor for Fraser-Pryce JAMAICA track and field star, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, does not anticipate that age will be a barrier to achieving success when the 2021 Olympics finally rolls around. At 34, Fraser-Pryce will be one of the oldest women lined up to face the starter’s gun, should the event eventually be staged in Tokyo later this year. The 32nd Olympiad was initially slated to be staged last summer but was postponed due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The postponement of the quadrennial event has meant another year of training and preparation for some legendary athletes facing another race – the one against time. The situation will not be an entirely new one for nine-time World champion and two-time Olympic champion Fraser-Pryce. In 2019, at the age of 32, she be-
At 34, Fraser-Pryce will be one of the oldest women lined up to face the starter’s gun.
came the oldest female sprinter to win a 100m world title. In that event, by comparison, silver medalist, Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was nine years her junior. Showing herself to be very much at the top of her game in 2020, however, despite the havoc the global pandemic wrought on the international schedule, Fraser-Pryce is clearly in the mood to defy the odds yet again. “Yes, I’m 33, but if I can come back from having my son and be able to stand on the podium, my age is not going to stop me. I’m still going to work hard. I’m still going to be committed and I’m grateful for the years of experience I’ve had,” Fraser-Pryce told the BBC. “I’m probably older than most of the women in the race but so what? I’m just focusing on getting the job done and being happy.” (SportsMax)
FIFA ex-president Blatter improving after heart surgery, daughter says By Reuters Staff ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter spent a week in an artificially induced coma after heart surgery last month, his daughter has told Swiss media. “Just before Christmas, he had to go to the hospital for heart surgery,” Corinne Blatter said in an interview with CH Media, adding the operation had been expected to be routine. “But then everything became more complicated and dangerous. In total, he was in an artificial coma for over a week and was no longer responsive.” The 84-year-old had tested positive for
the coronavirus in November, his daughter said, but had recovered without having shown many apparent symptoms. Blatter, who was FIFA president for 17 years, was suspended and later banned by the soccer body’s ethics committee after becoming the subject of criminal proceedings in Switzerland in 2015. The proceedings, which are continuing, were widened in November to include suspicions of fraud alongside those of mismanagement and misappropriation. FIFA in late December also said it had filed a criminal complaint with Zurich prosecutors against Blatter over “criminal mismanagement” of a museum project he set up.
Corinne Blatter, speaking ahead of a hearing her father was set to attend within a wider-ranging complex of civil and criminal matters, said her father was not aware of the new complaint lodged by FIFA, and that the scrutiny over the last five years had taken a toll on him. “I am not a medical doctor, nor am I a psychologist, but when you consider all the things my father has had to put up with in the last five years ... you can imagine that he has been under a lot of pressure,” she said. Blatter is now showing small but continual signs of recovery, she said, and was released from intensive care this week.
on to underpin a massive 10-wicket win at Sabina Park to level the series, it must be said, went a long way in lightening the mood. “Everyone says the 153 was second maybe to Sir Don Bradman’s (Against England at Melbourne in 1936-1937), maybe post-war, one of the better innings, but a week before that I was in Jamaica where we played against Australia in that second Test match,” Lara told 7Cricket. “We came off scoring 51 in the fourth innings in Trinidad and I stood there in Jamaica, I was given the captaincy for two Test matches, on probation. Never before had that happened in the history of West Indies cricket…that 213 in Jamaica was for me (special) in terms of not just batsmanship but my inner strength to come out of that situation I was in,” he went on. “I was facing expulsion as the captain, of course. I was going to be playing; the captaincy was not that important to me that I wouldn’t play, but the threat of the expulsion and the fact that everyone was sort of jeering against me, in the Caribbean, was just unbelievable.” (Sportsmax)
Million-dollar man Cottrell cut INDIAN Premier League (IPL) club Kings XI Punjab are expected to retain West Indian star batsman Chris Gayle but have released his compatriot left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell ahead of the new season. The 31-year-old pace bowler was bought for a sizeable INR 8.5 crore ($US1,156,239) during the IPL 2020 auction but failed to justify the price tag. In six matches, Cottrell bowled 20 overs, claiming 6 wickets for 176 runs at an expensive economy rate of 8.80. U nfortu nately , perhaps the player’s biggest letdown came after being on the wrong side of a thrashing from Rajasthan Royals’ Rahul Tewatia, who smashed five sixes off one of his overs during a record run chase that Punjab initially looked certain to win. Gayle, on the other hand, was sensational. Despite starting the season on the sidelines, the big left-hander became Shledon Cottrell the driving force behind the team’s push for a playoff spot, although it ended with the team narrowly missing out on 6th spot. The West Indian had been left on the bench for the first seven games of the season. He was not picked for the first five, and food poisoning ruled him out for the next two. He ended with 288 runs at an average of 44.14 and a high score of 99. India batsman Karun Nair and Australian Glenn Maxwell, who had a mediocre IPL season but had a splendid series against India, have also been cut. Meanwhile West Indies Test captain Jason Holder has been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Holder was drafted as an injury replacement for Mitchell Marsh during the last tournament, and the Sunrisers have decided now to keep both. However, West Indies allrounder Fabian Allen is not so lucky. The Sunrisers franchise has cut the dynamic Jamaican even though he did not play a single IPL match last year.
Guyana’s Patrick Haynes (first from right), along with Chairman of FIBA 3X3 Commission, Former NBA great Andrei Kirilenko from Russia (centre), and Deputy Chairman Uganda’s Ambrose Tashobya. By Rawle Toney ACCORDING to Patrick Haynes, General Secretary of Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Guyana’s participation at the 2021 FIBA 3X3 AmeriCup will be a good way to boost the return of basketball locally. Guyana was confirmed among the 25 National Federations named by FIBA, to compete at the 2021 FIBA 3X3 AmeriCup which is scheduled for November 2021. Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Haynes, who is also the lone West Indian on FIBA’s 3X3 Commission, said the GABF is excited about the opportunity to once again be on the global stage of the sport, this time, in the shorter format.
Haynes explained that their participation in the main event or qualifying event will be determined by the country’s ranking-points, which are only accumulated based on the number of players and events hosted in the short-listed countries. “Regardless, if it’s the main event, or the qualifying event, Guyana will be ready for either of those competitions,” Haynes related. Haynes called the Land of Many Waters’ involved at the FIBA event as “a good look for Guyana,” adding that “I feel very energised with the news that we have qualified, and I’m working tirelessly with the rest of the GABF execs and the 3X3 personnel that we have employed.” The FIBA 3X3 Commission, held its
Participation at 2021 FIBA 3X3 AmeriCup a good look for Guyana – Patrick Haynes first meeting in March of 2020, at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, FIBA Headquarters. Former NBA great Andrei Kirilenko from Russia is the Chairman of the Commission, while Uganda’s Ambrose Tashobya is his Deputy. The commission held discussions on a wide range of topics which included an update on the growth of the FIBA 3X3 World Tour and the entire FIBA 3X3 competition network, the qualification system for national team events, the FIBA 3X3 Federation Ranking and women in 3X3 – one of FIBA’s priority strategic pillars. During its life cycle, the Commission was tasked to develop recommendations for improvement to 3X3 governance and
organisation and for the introduction of new official 3X3 competitions, to give advice on the allocation of official 3X3 competitions, to be responsible for training, examining and implementing the requested qualification of all 3X3 officials and to draw up the text of the FIBA 3X3 Basketball Rules, draft amendments to these rules for adoption by the Central Board, give the official interpretation of the rules and solve doubtful cases or cases not clearly covered by the rules themselves. They were also tasked to study the regulations governing all 3X3 competitions and to recommend changes to such regulations and to monitor the state of 3X3 around the world and to make recommendations for the development of 3X3.
‘He played with NACAC confirms CARIFTA and soul’ GAMES for July 2-4 in Bermuda heart –– JFF pays tribute to … Qualification set for April
See story on page 30
FLASHBACK: Guyana’s CARIFTA Games team hauled in 10 medals at the 2019 Championship. Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208
‘dependable’ Luton Shelton
THE Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has hailed former national striker Luton Shelton for being a man that played the sport with his heart and soul and one who has gone too soon. Shelton, who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2018, died on Friday after being found unresponsive at his home. He Luton Shelton holds the was 35 years old. Shelton, who was a record for the most goals prolific goalscorer for the after registering 35 goals country’s national team, in 75 appearances. holds the record for the most goals after registering 35 goals in 75 appearances. 32 of his goals came in matches that the team won. Shelton began his career for the national team against Saint-Martin in 2005 and created history by being the first man to score four goals on debut. His final goal for Jamaica came against Guatemala in 2012. “Shelton was a goalscorer of repute on whom see page 30 SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021