Issuu

TUESDAY 1st June, 2021

No. 106378

Several Region Three bars suspended for breaching COVID-19 guidelines

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‘Investments futile once there is irresponsibility’ SEE PAGE

―President Ali says, after finding pump attendants asleep, sluice doors closed, pumps off

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Hope Canal saves coastland from major floods

Paul Slowe 15 is ‘untruthful’ ‘untruthful’,, says President SEE PAGE

More relief packages for flood-hit 7 Region 10

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President, Dr Irfaan Ali during the inspection on Sunday night (Office of the President photo)

Veteran journalist Mondale Smith succumbs to COVID-19

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

―President Ali says, after finding pump attendants asleep, sluice doors closed, pumps off By Navendra Seoraj EMPIRICAL data shows that Guyana’s Capital, Georgetown, has long been prone to flooding, especially during the rainy seasons And while it is no different this time around, efforts by the government to mitigate the impact of the natural disaster are being affected by what the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali referred to as ‘irresponsibility’ on the part of some city workers directly involved in the management of pumps and sluices. In an impromptu visit to several pump stations across Georgetown and on the outskirts of the city late Sunday night, President Ali, who was accompanied by Board Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth found pump attendants sleeping, sluice doors closed, and pumps switched off. Particularly in Georgetown, an area managed primarily by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the President observed that although systems were in place and instructions were given for pumps to work continually, attendants were sleeping and being negligent. Early in the day on Sunday, the Guyana Chronicle reported that citizens of Georgetown, after leaving their beds, were greeted with floods due to the delay in the opening of sluices and the improper disposal of garbage around the city. “In the wee hours of this (Sunday) morning when the pumps should have been operable, pump attendants were sleeping, and did not put on the pumps, which led to accumulation of water in various sections, which would have seen the bottom flats of some houses having water inside. And this is mainly in the south of Georgetown,” Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill had said. The very night, when President Ali visited the pump stations, he observed exactly what Minister Edghill

had referred to. At the Riverview pump station, which is a major conduit for the flow of water out of the city, the Head of State found that the koker doors were closed, and the worker was sound asleep. This was also the case at Lombard Street, where the pump attendant attempted to defend his decision to not switch on the pump and open the sluice door.

When asked about the situation, the President said: “The situation speaks for itself; we can invest as much as we want, but it will be of no benefit if we do not have responsibility in the system.” SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL Further, he related: “Issues of national emergency and natural disasters have nothing to do with politics;

shortcomings in the system, especially with the management of sluices and pumps in the City. “People have to be held responsible; there must be consequences for your action. And unless we are prepared to hold people responsible, we will not see the full benefits of the investments. And at the end of the day, people suffer,” President Ali said. He added that minis-

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials watch as one of the active pumps drains water off of the land (Office of the President photo)

In a video circulating on social media, President Ali, after the inspection at Riverview, could be heard saying: “This is what we are talking about. I came out here myself to verify tonight, the pump is turned off; the main pump to drain the city is turned off. We said the pump must be on 24/7… [they] turned off the pump and did not open the koker… This is the main pump to drain the City. “We have to deal with heavy rainfall, we have to deal with negligence and irresponsibility… come to find this.” Over at the Kitty pump station, two of the city’s most important pumps were inactive. And President Ali, evidently perturbed by the situation, enquired why the pumps were not turned on. The attendant, in response, tried to defend his actions, but it was clear to the Head of State that there was some level of negligence.

everyone has to put their shoulder to the wheel and get this done… Only today (Sunday) you heard statements being made about pumps being turned on and off, and we are seeing the same.” Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine had denied claims that City Hall was deliberately hampering efforts to mitigate flooding in the City. City Engineer Colvern Venture, during a press conference on Monday, said, too, that City Hall is not responsible for flooding in the City. His contention was that there was no way for flooding in Georgetown to be averted, given the torrential rainfall and other factors. He went on to say that although it could not be avoided, the City Council had implemented systems to mitigate the impact of flooding. Contrary to Venture’s claims, the President’s visit proved that there were

ters and other officials have

fanned out across the country to not just assess the situation, but also to assist with relief efforts. This includes navigating dangerous conditions to deliver requisite assistance. “This has to be a national emergency; it cannot be a national irresponsibility. The mayor came out and blamed the government, and we made it clear that the government made investments; you have fuel and everything, and the pumps are turned off,” President Ali lamented. Some of the pump attendants could be heard agreeing that fuel and other pertinent materials are in place to efficiently operate the pumps and sluices. The negligence was observed although the National Weather Watch Centre advised on Sunday that coastal regions will likely experience cloudy to overcast skies, with scattered showers of varying intensities, and frequent rain. It was also reported that “thundershowers” were also likely to be experienced over these areas. Rainfall was expected to range between one inch and three inches within a

24-hour period. It is also common knowledge that there are two rainy seasons locally, from December to early February, and from late April to mid-August. According to the World Climate Guide, both duration and intensity of rainfall vary depending on area, but the period May-August is very rainy everywhere. Considering the known intensity of rainfall that is common around this time, it is expected that all systems should be operational. And while there was some level of negligence at various parts of the city, the President observed that the pump at Meadow Bank was operational, and that the pump attendant at the Central Georgetown drainage pump was opening the sluice door, and both the Lamaha Street and Kingston pumps were operational. The situation was the same at the Liliendaal Pump Station, where both pumps were working. The pump attendant there said the pump was running for over 24 hours.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Appeal Court orders murder trial for Marcus Bisram ONE year after he was set free, Marcus Bisram is expected to turn himself over to the authorities to stand trial at the High Court for the 2016 brutal slaying of 26-year-old Berbice carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt. This is following a ruling made by the Court of Appeal on Monday in favour of a challenge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C., to challenge the decision made by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall on June 1, 2020 to free the Guyanese-American philanthropist. Justice Morris-Ramlall had granted several orders which led to Bisram’s release. The first order granted by the trial judge was for the quashing of the decision of the DPP made on or about March 30, 2020, directing Magistrate

Renita Singh to re-open the preliminary inquiry into the charge against Bisram, with a view to committing him for the said charge on the ground that the decision of the DPP was unreasonable, unlawful,

Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

and made by ignoring relevant considerations and ultra vires. The second was an order of certiorari for the quashing of the decision of the DPP, directing Magistrate Singh to commit Bisram for trial in the High Court. Additionally, the judge granted an order which prohibited the DPP from proffering an indictment in the High Court charging Bisram. Following the judge’s order, Bisram walked out of the Camp Street Prison, on June 2, 2020, after the final documents were signed. Dissatisfied, the DPP moved to the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the ruling. In delivering the unanimous decision, the Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards said: “We are of the view that the committal proceedings by

the magistrate and the direction by the Director of Public Prosecutions would not have been invalid.” The court which also consisted of Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud, allowed the appeal filed by the DPP. B i s r a m ’s a t t o r n e y Arudranauth Gossai has given the court oral notice of his intention to file an appeal with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). In the interim, Bisram is expected to turn himself over to the police and will be placed on remand to stand trial for the capital offence of murder before the High Court. Bisram, a U.S citizen, was freed on March 30, 2020, after Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court found the State did

not have sufficient evidence against him. However, just hours later, Bisram was re-arrested as the DPP ordered the magistrate to re-open the case on the grounds that there is enough evidence for him to stand a High Court trial.

Marcus Bisram

Veteran journalist Mondale Smith succumbs to COVID-19

Veteran journalist, media personality and chef, Mondale Smith

As a result, Bisram’s lawyers moved to the High Court to challenge the DPP’s instruction. He was subsequently freed by Justice Morris-Ramlall. Bisram is accused of being the mastermind in the killing of Narinedatt on October 31, 2016. Narinedatt’s body was found on Number 70 Village road in Berbice. The next day police arrested his attackers who confessed that the flamboyant Bisram had ordered them to commit the killing. It is alleged that the carpenter refused Bisram’s sexual advances which led to him ordering the hit. Bisram returned to the United States after the crime but was subsequently extradited to Guyana in November 2019, after spending over two years in prison.

―remembered as a ‘happy soul’

VETERAN journalist, media personality and chef, Mondale Smith, on Monday, passed away at the Ministry of Health’s National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, where he was being treated for COVID-19. The 45-year-old was admitted to the medical institution experiencing severe symptoms of the deadly virus. His media career began at the state-owned Guyana Broadcasting Authority in the early 1990s. There, he produced as well as hosted several radio programmes. He later joined the Evening News and then the Prime News newscast where he covered hard news and sports stories. Smith was also employed as a journalist at Kaieteur News.

Apart from his work as a journalist, Smith was also the owner and chef at Chef Mondale’s Kitchen which specialises in catering authentic Guyanese cuisine. The Guyana Press Association (GPA) along with the entire media fraternity expressed great sadness at Smith’s passing. In a release, the GPA stated that his death “has shocked family, friends and his media colleagues.” The GPA further acknowledged Smith’s invaluable contribution to local media, noting that he always went the extra mile to ensure that he could use his platform to educate and share information to the public. “Throughout his media career, he never backed down from a challenge or a story, he was known for his many ‘stand-ups’ and for going after stories that showed the reality we lived in. All of this spoke of Mondale’s versatility and love for journalism; he was always eager to tackle an issue or go after a story. Even as Mondale had moved on to another career, he would share stories or highlighted issues that came to him,” the GPA release stated. Gordon Moseley, Editorin-Chief at News Source Guyana, and personal friend of Smith, in a Facebook post recalled fond memories of their over 20-year friendship. He called him a “happy soul who loved life, food and culture, and always a good gyaff.” “We also got a good laugh lots of times because at times people would see me in public and say wham Mondale and he would complain somebody would always call him Moseley. He said ‘all these people know is that we on tv or radio and like they does can’t tell who is who, look how u face fat and round and I slim, plus u bald and well I ain’t suh bald’, he would say and laugh,” Moseley’s post read. Moseley further stated that TURN TO PAGE 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Toka residents welcome new water-supply system THE residents of Toka, Region Nine, which has a population of approximately 300 persons are overjoyed at the drilling of a new well in their village. According to Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who visited the village on May 30, 2021, to witness and inspect works being executed, the well is being drilled with a new rig that was acquired by the Guyana Water Incorporated and executed by its in-house hinterland well- drilling team. He noted that the

overall project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Toka Village Council and entails the installation of four elevated storage tanks, which will be cited on a mountain in the village, a distribution network, a photovoltaic system and new service connections to cover more than 80 per cent of the village. The total cost for this project is G$10M. Executive Director of Hinterland Services, Ramchand Jailal, stated that the new well is expected to be completed within one week, while the complete

water-supply system is scheduled to be completed within three months. Region Nine Chairman Brian Allicock thanked government for its intervention, noting that the women and children will be particularly happy, since they would no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water. “There’s a hand-dug well, but when the flood comes water gets into there and it’s not safe for use… so I’m very happy for the people of Toka,” Allicock added. Michael Mendonca, a

FIVE years after Henry Mendonca, a Venezuelan national was fatally stabbed, his drinking buddy, was on Friday sentenced to three years, five months and 22 days imprisonment for the crime. Toney Rampersaud was sentenced by Justice Gino Persaud at the Essequibo High Court. In March, Rampersaud

was tried for the capital offence of murder but was found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter by a 12-member jury. He was convicted for unlawfully killing Mendonca on November 19, 2016, at Eteringbang Landing, on the Cuyuni River. According to a police report, the two men, who’d both resided in Venezue-

la, came to Guyana and were drinking at Eteringbang Landing when they had a misunderstanding. It was during the argument that Rampersaud is said to have broken a bottle and stabbed Mendonca twice in the abdomen. Mendonca was taken to the San Martin Hospital in Venezuela, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Three years for killing drinking buddy

Veteran journalist Mondale ... Smith was a good broadcaster, good journalist and a very good and humble person, noting that he “lived the life he loved and loved the life he lived.” Smith, earlier in May used his social media platform to plead with persons to be responsible and to take the necessary precautions to quell the

spread of the virus. “Dear people diagnosed as being Corona/COVID-19 positive, you are not being responsible when you decide to go out and party and hangout. You are supposed to be at home relaxing and healing/ recovering. However, people who know your business got to be pointing you out because

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you don’t give a rat’s ass about the other people you decide to socialize with. We ain’t know you are and we shouldn’t have to find out after you put us at risk,” he said in the post. He urged those who have tested positive to take responsibility, think about their neighbours and their safety and to stay indoors.

Toka Village Councillor, said he is also elated at the success of the drilling to date, as he explained that many previous attempts to have a well dug in the community have proved futile. He highlighted that the materialisation of the water-supply system is very timely, since the vil-

lage will soon be venturing into eco-tourism. This is the eighth well to be dug by GWI since the rig was acquired and the fourth for this year. Following its completion, the well-drilling team and the rig will demobilise and shift their attention to Region

Seven, where a well be drilled in Five Miles, Bartica. Thereafter, they will head to Region One, where a number of wells are scheduled to be dug as part of government’s 2021 budgetary programme and target to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Six.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Food Security

GUYANA was once referred to as the “bread basket of the Caribbean” because of the country’s vast agricultural potential. Its main economic traditional crops are rice and sugar, which continue to be produced and exported on a large scale to Europe, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Despite the challenges the country is facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, work is still being done to ensure that food security remains a priority in the country. As the government seeks to diversify the economy by introducing new non-traditional crops such as soya bean and corn to produce its own feed for the poultry industry, it is also expected to reap its largest rice harvest to date, along with expanding its sugar production. The sugar industry has seen tremendous works in the last eight months when three sugar estates were reopened

for operations, contributing to a boost in employment and hope for those communities that have suffered due to the closure. The industry has alone undergone a marketing evaluation, where more focus is on value-added products such as ethanol and molasses and has completely transformed its packaging strategies to meet market demands and capture and recapture new and old markets, locally, regionally, and internationally. The industry hopes to achieve 100,000 tonnes of sugar, surpassing its actual production in 2020 of 88,000 tonnes. As for the rice industry, markets are also expected to be increased on a global scale and quotas are being negotiated to be increased in Brazil to 34,000 tonnes from 10,000 tonnes of rice for this year. Guyana and Brazil are also in discussion to build a deep-water port and develop a railway connection, where goods can be easily transported between the two

countries, thereby benefitting both countries immensely. The livestock industry is also on the verge of tapping into Middle Eastern markets as the country is already self-sufficient in its production. Modern abattoirs are being constructed throughout the country for processing pork and beef to improve marketable value. Many families in Guyana are agri-dependent and as such, the government is committed to ensuring that smallscale farmers are also able to benefit from development of the sector through improved market access and technological advancement (use of drones to monitor their crops and communicating with the ministry through extension services in distant areas of the country). The entire country has agricultural potential, and the government seeks to ensure that all have access to the resources needed to exceed and become profitable. As such, the government has allocated

$50 million into Region Nine to enhance agricultural production in this region. Region Nine’s biggest advantage is the availability of rich farming lands to support large-scale agriculture. The government believes this region can contribute greatly to the country’s economy and as such, is committed to providing incentives, technical advice and other resources farmers may need to improve their production. Since farming is a traditional mechanism in Guyana, the government is working to ensure that the next step for the sector is implementation of agro-processing facilities around the country, to provide farmers the opportunity to add value to their produce through packaging, which will help to meet more market needs. The biggest obstacle in this initiative is the cost of electricity to maintain the facility. To combat this drawback, the government is working on providing alternative energy sources that will be cheaper to farmers.

Despite the current agricultural education courses provided in the country, there is still need for higher levels of education in the field of research and development, which is beyond the country’s potential to provide. However, India has provided an opportunity to have individuals pursue their masters and PhDs in agriculture through fully funded scholarships. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has also been given the opportunity to collaborate with the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) to enhance agricultural processes within the country in developing planting techniques and pest and disease management, among other areas of concern. The Indian Government has in the last year showed interest in assisting the country in whatever way it can, but much emphasis has been placed on the agricultural sector in the sugar, rice and aquaculture industries.

The sector still needs investors to provide the funding needed to transform it. These investments will help to create thousands of jobs for the country, which would have spin-off effects on other sectors, especially the tourism sector as hotels and restaurants also need fruits and vegetables to prepare their menus and foreigners will also want to support the local markets. There will also be lower unemployment rates, increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP); increased domestic incomes; lower rates of poverty, along with increased economic activities for Guyana. As the government seeks to find more regional and international markets for produce, the foreign income of the country will increase. In the coming years, Guyana will not only be able to provide food security for the country, but will also be able to comfortably supply Caribbean markets.

Government’s response to the flooding has been prompt Dear Editor,

UNDER every PPP/C administration, the response to national catastrophic occurrences by multi-sectoral government agencies is prompt and efficient, in attempts to alleviate suffering of victims on a short-term basis, while simultaneously strategising on contingency plans to implement systems to bring long-term solutions to prevent recurrence of disastrous incidents of a similar nature. The government’s response that was effected with

immediacy during the current flooding in various communities is a case in point. Conversely, in a similar situation during the Coalition government’s tenure in office, the victims affected by floods were left in a quandary as to when and if David Granger’s government had any intention to address their distressing situation, because, when the issue of compensation for persons, especially hinterland dwellers who lost homes and all appurtenances within, particularly farmers who lost crops and livestock after the flooding was raised in Parlia-

ment on July 27, 2017 by opposition Parliamentarian Colin Croal, a Coalition government minister told the House that compensation is not usually provided by the state for such disasters faced by Guyanese.

The dire straits of victims of flooding under the Coalition administration were treated as unimportant by the government, as weeks after such a severe catastrophe had decimated homes and livelihoods, the Coalition minister informed the House that the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) were still compil-

ing assessment reports. Despite repeated queries by PPP/C MP Collin Croal on a timeline for the reports to be completed, the Coalition Minister prevaricated, as had become the norm with Coalition government ministers when challenged about their lack of timely intervention at crisis points affecting citizens of the land. The Coalition minister had averred that a response to the crisis in Regions Eight and Nine was dependent on the outcome of a joint report between the governments of Guyana and Brazil, because

Granger’s government had contended that a rise in the river levels in Brazil contributed to the flooding in the hinterland areas, which begged the question of whether residents of Regions Eight and Nine are not Guyanese citizens who are entitled to state assistance in a crisis, regardless of the circumstances, instead of awaiting the outcome of a blame game with a neighbouring country. The Coalition minister who had said that “… compensation is not normally offered in situations like this” is erroneous. The correct

response should have been: “Compensation is not normally offered in situations like this under the Coalition government,” because, in such situations under every PPP/C administration prompt needs assessments are normally carried out and immediate assistance provided, with requisite compensation and other interventions to restore life to normalcy following on a long-term basis, based on qualifying factors. Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

More relief packages for flood-hit Region 10 GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

By Naomi Parris

boo Landing, Hururu Mission and Ladern’s Ville, which are some of the areas most affected by persistent rainfall. During the outreach, President Ali was able to interact with the distraught residents, listening to the concerns of those whose homes and farmlands have been inundated over the past few days. The President assured res-

PUBLIC Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill was on Monday in Region 10 as hampers were sent off to the affected communities from Central Kwakwani, where the flooding is worst, to the waterfront. Several boats from the various communities picked up the relief packages for distribution in their respective communities. Region 10 officials also on Monday visited several communities in Linden affected by the flood, to get a first-hand understanding of the impact. They also distributed relief packages to those affected. A team which was led by Regional Vice-Chairman Douglas Gittens, saw a number of councillors fanning out to areas that have been severely affected. According to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the effort comes on the heels of the recent provision of hampers and other supplies by the Civil Defence Commission and the President in the wake of the initial response by councillors on the ground and the RDC’s appeals for same. Minister Edghill also distributed hampers to residents who have been grappling with the flood for the past few days. Meanwhile, Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams reported that vulnerable persons, such as elderly persons living with disabilities and pregnant women have been displaced from their respective homes and were taken to higher ground. Over 30 families have been displaced from their respective homes. The families are either seeking refuge at relatives residing in

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill was busy at work in Kwakwani on Monday

other parts of the community that have not been affected, or at the Kwakwani Primary School which has since been made a shelter. Over the weekend, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips spearheaded a major multi-stakeholder outreach to several of the

flooded communities along the Upper Berbice River in Region 10. In continuing his on-theground assessment of the nationwide flooding, the Head-of-State was able to get a first-hand look at challenges faced by flood victims in communities such as Lamp Island, Kwakwani, Bam-

Region 10 Vice-Chairman Douglas Gittens preparing hampers to be distributed to flood-affected residents

Drug bond case against Dr. Norton will not be pursued --Vice-President says

IN a move which is reflective of its intention not to arbitrarily take action against persons from the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), the Government of Guyana has discontinued its case against Dr. George Norton, who was charged for his conduct in the arrangement for the rental of the controversial Sussex Street Bond. Dr. Norton, the former Minister of the then Public Health Ministry, was in April slapped with a Misconduct in Public Office Charge by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was not required to plead to the indictable charge, and was placed on $400,000 bail. In December 2020, Auditor-General Deodat Sharma recommended that the Guyana Police Force conduct a thorough investigation into the rental of the bond by the then Ministry of Public Health, under the former

Former Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton APNU+AFC Government, and to institute charges where necessary. The warehouse facility, situated at 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was rented from Lawrence “Larry” Singh at a cost of $12.5 million per month to serve as an offsite medical storage facility for the Public Health Ministry, and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The agreement for rental of the bond was signed by Larry Singh, on behalf of Linden Holding Inc. and then Ministry of Public Health Permanent Secretary, Trevor Thomas for three years, from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019. The report highlighted that there was no evidence to conclude that the contract was advertised, which is a breach of Sections 10 (1) and 25 (1) of the Procurement

Act of 2003. Investigations conducted by SOCU also revealed that Dr. Norton, in 2016, instructed Thomas “not” to engage the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) with respect to the tender and/or any submission of any justification for the award of contract for the rental of the bond, in turn single sourcing the contract. While this was the case, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo said that Dr. Norton was acting pursuant to directions from the then Cabinet. “We had a case against (Dr.) George Norton… [but he was] acting pursuant to the Cabinet, and we are dropping that case. It does not make sense prosecuting him for something the Cabinet ordered him to do,” Vice-President Jagdeo related during a recent interview aired on his official Facebook Page. Further, he said: “We are not rushing to charge everybody willy-nilly; we have not called SOCU and said every member of the other side must be charged.” To this end, the Vice-President affirmed that the government does not have an “enemy image,” so it will not be pursuing actions unnecessarily.

idents that his government working with all stakeholders, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), will ensure that food, water and health supplies are provided to those affected. He explained that shelters will be set up at various government buildings to ensure that flood-affected residents have warm places to stay safe

and secure until the floodwaters recede. President Ali was accompanied by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of the Public Service, Sonia Parag; Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess and CDC Head, Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig and other officials.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Hope Canal saves coastland from major floods -- gov’t mulls establishment of similar structures countrywide

By Rehana Ahamad HAD it not been for the Northern Relief Channel constructed at Hope/ Dochfour, East Coast Demerara, the majority of villages on the coastland would have been devastated with flood waters, much like it was in 2005, when boats had become the main form of transportation. This affirmation was given by a number of government officials, including the President himself, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who reminded that following Guyana’s infamous floods 15 years ago, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

President, Dr Irfaan Ali inspecting the operations of the Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast Demerara, on Sunday night

(PPP/C) government, under the leadership of then President and current Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, conceptualised what is widely referred to as the Hope Canal Project. It is a massive, multi-component channel which utilises a sturdy, eight-gated sluice to release excess water into the Atlantic Ocean, at times when the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) reaches maximum capacity. The conservancy is basically a reservoir that holds up to 582 square kilometers of fresh water; its earthen embankment could become susceptible to overtopping. The $3.6 billion ‘Hope Canal Project’ subsequently came on stream, and was greeted with a host of criticisms from the Parliamentary Opposition. Ever since the structure was put to the test in 2015, authorities had lauded the channel’s capabilities of drastically lowering water levels in the overburdened conservancy, which is was also being served by an insufficient release channel located at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. On Sunday night, President Ali visited ‘Hope Canal’ as part of his ongoing efforts to ensure that all is being done to tackle the ongoing floods. “If this canal was not here now, the East Coast [of Demerara] would have been under water,” President Ali recognised. Over the past week, a number of communities outside of Region Four have been severely affected by flooding. NEED TO REPLICATE Reaffirming the critical role that the ‘Hope Canal’ has played in safeguarding the coastland from devastating floods, President Ali cited the need for similar waterways to be constructed in various parts of the country. “We may have to replicate in Berbice and other areas… thankfully, we have this facility here and this has helped us tremendously,”

The $3.6 billion ‘Hope Canal’ project was successfully tested in 2015

President Ali said last night. During his inspection, President Ali found that all eight doors of the Hope/ Dochfour sluice were open, and that excess water which threatened the livelihoods of hundreds of residents, was being released, unhindered, into the Atlantic Ocean. “These floods and the rainfall have nothing to do with politics. The rain does not decide where it would fall or whose home would be flooded. This is an issue we have to deal with as Guyanese,” President Ali asserted. The Head of State was accompanied on his inspection run by Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) Board, Lionel Wordsworth, who, along with former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, initially spearheaded the construction efforts of the project. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday evening, Dr. Ramsammy was happy with regard to the operations of the Northern Relief Channel. He said that under his tenure, efforts had begun to construct a similar structure which would eliminate perpetual flooding being experienced in Black

Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice – Corentyne). The PPP/C government, in 2013, had commenced the construction of a $400 million two-door koker intended to serve the areas of Bengal and Johanna which have been highly susceptible to flooding. In light of what is happening in Regions Nine and 10, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that infrastructural solutions are currently being examined. He informed that more drainage channels, similar to ‘Hope Canal’ may have to be constructed to ensure that communities all across Guyana are safeguarded from any threats of flooding. “We have to look at it in a long-term; we have to do a lot of studies into that at Kwakwani and other low-lying and riverine areas,” minister Mustapha said. He indicated, too, that the Agriculture Ministry is in the process of procuring a $497 million dredge to construct and later maintain permanent channels and outfalls. This, he said, would heighten the capacity of the NDIA, and eliminate the need for companies and equipment to be outsourced.

Child rapist sentenced to 15 years

ADRIAN Sewdeen was on May 28, 2021, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on two counts of rape committed on an 11-year-old girl. The sentence was handed down by Justice Gino Persaud at the Essequibo High Court. In March, Sewdeen was convicted by a 12-member jury for the offence, which read that between June 1 and 30, 2018, in the county of Essequibo, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child who is under the age of 16. He was also convicted on the second count which read that on July 9, 2018, he repeated the act. According to reports, Sewdeen is known to the victim and her family. The victim would often be left in the care of a woman who is known to Sewdeen, and according to the prosecution, he raped the child whenever the woman was away.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Several Region Three bars suspended for breaching COVID-19 guidelines

Tropical Paradise Resort located in Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara, was suspended for one month Bar operator Quince Peters was arrested by police for breaching the COVID-19 guidelines

MULTIPLE night spots in Region Three were suspended from operations for a month after breaching the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the divisional Task Force. Reports indicate that on Saturday last, a COVID-19 enforcement was conducted on Tropical Paradise Resort where Quince Peters, 29, of Inner Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara, was arrested and taken into custody at the La Grange Police Station for breach of the

COVID-19 guidelines. Peters was served with a suspension-of-operation letter at the Leonora Police Station the previous day after a meeting with Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Errol Watts. At that meeting, nine bar owners and operators including Peters signed for the aforementioned letter and acknowledged that they understood the contents therein. “For Mr. Peters that letter served to say that the

said resort have [sic] to and remain closed for one month with immediate effect on receiving his letter,” one police source said. Reports indicate that on the day in question, Peters had hosted a wedding reception at the said resort after agreeing to the suspension letter. Meanwhile, on Saturday last, another COVID-19 enforcement exercise was conducted by the police at Hashtag Bar of Lot 7 Public Road, Pouderoyen, WBD. The bar is owned by Raymond Williams, 36. The police confirmed that Williams was arrested

‘Cheebu’ gets 10 years, 11 months for manslaughter

A LV I N C a l d e r, c a l l e d “Cheebu” or “CD,” was on Friday sentenced to 10 years and 11 months for unlawfully killing a man during a brawl at White Water Landing, Mahdia, in 2007. Calder, formerly of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced by Justice Gino Persaud at the Essequibo High Court. In February, a jury had convicted Calder for the manslaughter of Joseph Willie, on April 12, 2007.

Alvin Calder, called ‘Cheebu’ or ‘CD’

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Calder told

the police that Willie owed him money and was refusing to honour his debt. On the day in question, the men were involved in an argument over the outstanding money. It was alleged that Willie, who was armed with a cutlass, confronted Calder. However, Calder ran away and fired a shot in Willie’s direction. Willie was hit, and later succumbed to the injury. Calder was subsequently arrested in Georgetown.

Motorcyclist charged for causing death of pedestrian

SHAQUELLE Williams, who is accused of causing the death of a pedestrian while riding a motorcycle, on Monday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was granted $250,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Williams pleaded not guilty to the causing death by dangerous driving charge when it was read to him. The charge alleged that Williams, on February 6, 2021, on the Rupert Craig Highway, Georgetown, rode motorcycle CJ2794 in a manner dangerous to the public and caused the death of Shri-Chandra Persaud. According to the prosecution, Williams on the day in question around 18:25hrs, was riding his motorcycle west on the southern carriageway when he collided with Persaud and they both fell onto the roadway. They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Persaud died while receiving medical attention. The matter was reported and an investigation which was conducted led to Williams being charged. The matter was adjourned until June 14, 2021.

and taken into custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station for failing to comply with a letter of suspension of the operation of his business from May 28, 2021 to June 28, 2021, that he received from the COVID-19 National Task Force and which was served

on him during a meeting with the divisional commander. “Commander Watts at the Leonora Police Station on Friday 28 May, 2021, along with eight other bar owners along with Mr Williams, signed and received his letter of suspension of which he said he understood the content,” one police source said. Some of the other bars and entertainment spots in Region Three that have been suspended include the Bald Head rum shop, the Castle Royal Hotel and Apartment, the Secret Club, the Infinity Sports Bar, Lance Bar, Dada’s Grill and Bar, and the Shell Bee and Xs Bar.

Bar operator, Raymond Williams was arrested and his Hashtag Bar suspended for one month for breaching the COVID-19 guidelines

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

GGDMA pours $1.5M into flood-relief efforts

From left to right: Charles Da Silva (GGDMA), Kester Craig (CDC), Avalon Jagnandan (GGDMA) and Terry Singh (GGDMA) during the donation on Monday

THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has donated $1.5M to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to support communities which have been affected by the recent flood. According to a release, the donation by the GGDMA is in response to a request made by the CDC for assistance in the establishment of

shelters, and to bring relief to several communities negatively impacted by the recent heavy rainfall. “The GGDMA will continue to monitor several areas in mining districts which are among some of the areas affected, and will also offer support to miners and other communities,” the release said.

Cannabis-stuffed chicken seized at police checkpoint

ELEVEN bulky parcels of cannabis stuffed in 11 frozen chickens were seized by the police during a routine stop-and-search exercise at 70 Km Police Checkpoint, Region Seven. Reports indicate that the items were seized in motor lorry GZZ 3698 which was driven by a 46-year-old resident of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara. The driver was transporting 12 passengers at the time. Police said that the cooler belonging to one of the passengers -- a 40-year-old shop owner of Best Village, West Coast Demerara -- was searched, and 11 frozen chickens which contained 11 bulky parcels wrapped in plastic and foil wraps were found; all are suspected to be cannabis. The shop owner was told of the offence, arrested and cautioned, during which she responded: “Officer I buy this weed from a girl to go and sell.” The suspected cannabis, along with the suspect was escorted to the Bartica Police Station where the cannabis was weighed in her presence and amounted to 565 grams. The cannabis was lodged and the suspect is in custody as the probe continues.

The chicken stuffed with cannabis and seized by the police

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Region 2 RDC holds emergency stakeholders’ meeting on flooding situation --Karawab Village severely affected

By Indrawattie Natram

AS Region Two officials continue to put various measures in place to alleviate flooding in many parts of the region, an emergency stakeholders’ meeting was held on Monday morning to provide an update on the situation and the relief efforts. So far, the regional administration has deployed a mini-excavator, which will conduct works in various communities at scheduled times, installed drainage tubes, repaired pumps, and purchased fuel. During the meeting, which was held in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC)’s boardroom, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt said the regional administration has made a request to the Ministry of Finance for the purchasing of an additional $6.7M in fuel, so that pumps across the region can remain operational. Among those present at the meeting were several toshaos, chairmen and overseers from the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), members of the Water Users Associ-

Some of the major stakeholders who attended the RDC meeting

ation (WUA), members of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representatives of the National Agriculture Research Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Livestock Development Association (GLDA), and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). Ramdatt, in his remarks to them, explained that the region is currently experiencing severe flooding, especially in the Amerindian community of St. Monica/Karawab where about 300 residents are under approximately four feet of water, and several other parts of the Pomeroon River. Environmental Health

Officers will soon be dispatched to the flood-affected communities to assess the situation and educate residents about good hygiene, and protecting one’s health. Regarding the region’s interventions, Ramdatt told the officials that an email was sent to Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha for urgent repairs to four pumps located at Anna Regina, Taymonth Manor, Charity, and Dawa. He said that based on reports from regional engineers, repairing the pumps will help with draining the water from the lands. In addition to the four, the region has 16 working pumps.

The mini-excavator will make its first stop in the Good Hope/Pomeroon area, and will assist in the clearing of several clogged drains and canals. From there, it will be deployed to Lima Sands, followed by several other NDC areas to execute flood-relief work. Overseers from various NDCs during the meeting requested drainage tubes for their respective areas. The REO granted their requests, and assured them that the tubes will be sent to the various areas as a matter of urgency. They were also assured that several broken koker and sluice doors along the Essequibo Coast will be repaired. Some of the regional staff will be working on the night shift to monitor the flooding situation. The region will also be distributing more relief hampers to residents of Charity, St. Monica/Karawab, and the Supenaam Creek area. A GRDB representative informed those at the meeting that out of the 15, 276 acres of rice land that are ready for reaping, approximately 1,146 acres are under threat. Additionally, a NAREI representative disclosed that over

Toshao of Karawab, Monty Simon

980 farmers in the Pomeroon River are affected by floodwater. The Guyana Chronicle was told that several acres of farmlands in the Pomeroon River have been inundated since May 25, and that the water is receding slowly. Over 1000 persons in the Pomeroon River have already received food hampers. Meanwhile, Toshao of Karawab, Monty Simon, who was present at the meeting, disclosed that over 300 villagers have been affected by the flood. He reported that the water is not receding, owing to the poor drainage in the community. The toshao

expressed concerns about the health of the residents. In response to his concerns, the region has promised to send a health surveillance team to the area to assess the situation and make recommendations. Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, said the regional officials have been dispatched to various communities in three teams. She assured those at the meeting that continuous monitoring will be done, and the necessary interventions will be put in place by the regional administration to bring the flooding situation under control. No major flooding was reported in the Good Hope/Pomona, Annandale/ Riverstown, Queenstown/ Zorg-en-Vlugt, Evergreen/ Paradise NDCs, or by the Anna Regina Town Council. Aside from the Pomeroon River and St. Monica/ Karawab, there are reports of flooding in the Charity/ Ursara and Nile/Cozier NDCs. Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Oodit urged the stakeholders to work along with the regional administration and to report any sign of flooding.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Mudslides possible, Region Seven residents urged to evacuate By Naomi Parris THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has urged residents along the Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers, Re-

gion Seven, to immediately evacuate their homes and to move to higher ground in anticipation of continuous rainfall likely

leading to flooding and possible mudslides. The CDC issued the warning on Monday afternoon on its Facebook page,

stating that the National Weather Watch Centre forecasts that conditions will likely lead to continued flooding of areas already

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has issued a warning to Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) to brace themselves for continuous rainfall that is likely to cause continued flooding and possible mudslides (Gifford Marshall photo)

under water. The CDC is urging residents to take the necessary precautions to safeguard life and property against flooding, heavy winds and mudslides. Meanwhile, Regional Vice-Chairman Kamal Persaud said that while the warning has been issued, the challenge now is where to will residents evacuate, as those who are expected to be affected directly live in the hinterland areas of the region. However, she noted that the authorities are moving ahead with plans to establish shelters in the region. “It has already been planned that we need to put some systems in place, rescue shelters and so forth so that is definitely on the agenda,” Persaud said. She added that the situation in the region has worsened; however, the regional authorities are working to bring as much assistance as they can to residents who are severely affected by the flood. “For the day [Monday], we had heavy, heavy rainfall in the township, we are worse than what occurred on Wednesday”, she said, adding: “I am hoping that it won’t come to such devastation across the board; it’s a really rough situation, residents are heavily affected because of this.” Persaud noted that while

floodwaters have started to recede in the region, continuous rainfall is now seeing water levels rising. “By the time we get the water off and we get it under control, and for residents to return to some sense of normalcy, water rises again,” the regional official stressed. Over the last two days, President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, the CDC, along with several other government ministers have been fanning out across the country to flood-affected communities to assess the situation and provide support to those affected. Additional pumps have since been deployed to affected areas and hampers have been distributed to residents across the country. According to the Hydromet Headquarters, some 2.4 inches of rainfall is expected per day for the rest of the week. The Hydromet Department has since issued a severe-weather advisory, noting that forecast conditions are likely to persist and lead to flooding in low-lying areas. The authorities are advising citizens to take the necessary precautions, as rainy conditions coupled with high tides are expected to persist over the next few days.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Paul Slowe is ‘untruthful’, says President

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has vehemently denied allegations made by Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe, who accused the Head of State of attempting to influence the functions of the constitutional body. “This is not only far from the truth, but it is a malicious attempt to change the narrative,” Dr. Ali said in a statement released on Monday. Slowe’s allegations against the president come just as he is mired in charges of sexual assault, and accusations of defrauding the Guyana Police Force. In the statement, the President explained that he met with Slowe more than eight months ago in the same manner in which he engaged other independent commissioners and members of the judiciary. “At that meeting, I raised various concerns with him [Slowe] that were brought to my attention, without prejudice,” Dr. Ali indicated. The Head of State believes that Slowe’s allegations are not only convenient but opportunistic. “As President, my desire is to see these commissions function professionally and independently,” Dr. Ali said. He further challenged Slowe to produce the requisite

evidence to back his allegations. “It is clear as day that Mr. Slowe is bringing the independence and professionalism of the PSC into question when he aligns the PSC with Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, and retains Opposition members of Parliament – Roysdale Forde, Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Amanda Walton Desir to institute proceedings against the Government of Guyana.” President Ali also questioned Slowe’s political motives, inquiring as to how an independent commissioner can align himself with a political party. “Where is the independence?” President Ali queried. He added that “This level of distortion and public mischief by the Chairman of this Commission exposes his leadership and alignment.” In similar vein, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) issued a statement which not only condemned the allegations made by Slowe, but also responded to the efforts of Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon and the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) in calling for the international community to “take note of these worrying developments in Guyana.” The PPP/C believes that

President Dr. Irfaan Ali the Opposition is using the a public appeal to the internaunfounded allegations as “a tional community,” the PPP/C desperate attempt to gain some posited in its statement. type of approbation with the The release also pointed international community, af- to a host of unconstitutional ter destroying their credibility infractions made by members of and whatever semblance of the APNU+AFC, including an relationship which existed by instance where former governtheir five years of constitutional ment minister, Simona Broomes violations.” The PPP/C, in its statement, made specific reference to the Opposition’s defiance of the No-Confidence Motion, “and their vulgar attempt to rig the 2020 national and regional elections”. “For these atrocities, they were roundly condemned by the international community, and responded with indecent and vitriolic abuses and insults. Recently, every time an occasion presents itself, they make

was flagged for allegedly attempting “to direct the Public Service Commission to halt promotions of public servants upon the instructions of former President David Granger”. “Legal proceedings were filed, and Attorney- General Basil Williams consented to an Order before the then Chief Justice that the letter constituted political interference with an independent, constitutional tribunal in contravention of the Constitution,” the PPP/C statement reminded. “They would also like Guyanese and the international community to forget that Carvil Duncan, Chairman of the Public Service Commission was summoned to the Office of the President by [then] President David Granger and Joseph Harmon, and threatened that if he does not resign, there would

be ‘blood on the carpet,’” the statement continued. It further reminded, “When Duncan challenged the attempt to remove him from office, Attorney-General Basil Williams threatened the judge who was hearing the case in open court, causing the legal proceedings never to be determined.” The PPP/C also reminded of an instance where Harmon reportedly wrote to the PSC on behalf of President Granger, instructing the Commission to halt Police promotions. “Again, it is a matter of public record that Harmon’s letter was challenged by Court proceedings and a different Chief Justice ruled that he was guilty of violating the Constitution by politically interfering with an independent constitutional body,” the statement said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY JUNE 1,

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, TUESDAY JUNE 1, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Guyana ends South American Championships ...AAG heaps praises on 12-man with historic medal haul team's performance By Rawle Toney It was a historic showing by Guyana at the South American Track and Field Championships, in Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador, with the team ending its participation at the May 29 - 31 event with five medals-- four bronze and a silver. It was the Guyana’s biggest medal haul at the event which officially started in 1918 in Montevideo, Uruguay. President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, lauded the 12-member team’s performance as being beyond satisfactory, despite Guyana not being able to secure a gold medal. This was Guyana’s first time on the podium since Winston George won gold in the men’s 400m finals (45.42s) in 2017. Though attending the games in 2019, no Guyanese was able to secure a medal-finish. Brazil once again finished at the top of the 12-country event, collecting 49 medals (26 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze). Colombia, with 24 medals (eight gold, 13 silver and three bronze), followed by Venezuela (four gold, two

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silver and three bronze) wrapped up the top three places. Guyana’s tally saw them finishing ahead of Peru, Bolivia, Panama and Suriname on the medal table. Emanuel Archibald opened Guyana’s medal count with silver in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.23 seconds. However, Archibald, the country’s national long jump record holder, finished seventh in his pet event with a leap of 7.75 metres; something Hutson said he was a little disappointed about. “I don’t want to use the word disappointed, but I was expecting Archibald to win the Long Jump, or do better. I mean, he opened the season with 8.10 metres. But other than that, I’m very happy with the team,” Hutson explained. Hutson told Chronicle Sport that the AAG was happy, “because when you look at everything, COVID-19 and all, it was a good performance. It was our biggest team as well. It was good to know where your athletes stand. Jasmin Abrams was third in the women’s 100m, running 11.50s, while Jenea McCammon crossed Irish Racing Tips Tipperary 11:40 hrs Tar Heel 12:10 hrs Sunwalk 12:40 hrs Harmony Rose 13:10 hrs Swift Flight 13:40 hrs Sounds Of Spring 14:10 hrs Eastern Tornado 14:40 hrs Swelltime 15:10 hrs Away To Sea American Racing Tips Finger Lakes Race 1 Paynt The Edges Race 2 Mind Of Gold Race 3 Don’t Eatthe Apple Race 4 Take Your Place Race 5 Caleb’s A Survivor Race 6 Special Story Race 7 Fast Fran Race 8 Social Mobility South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:20 hrs Lord Melbourne 08:55 hrs Al Sakeet 09:25 hrs Bella Black 10:00 hrs Un Deux Trois 10:40 hrs Funky Music

the line at 13.63s to finish third in the women’s 100m hurdles. Andrea Foster’s time of two minutes, 05.93 seconds, was good enough for third in the Women’s 800m finals. Quamel Prince was fifth in the men’s 800m finals with a time of one minute 49.48 seconds.

Meanwhile, Akeem Stewart was disqualified in the Men’s 200m final (False Start). Stewart had run 21.18 seconds in his heat, which was the second fastest time in the qualifying round. The other Guyanese in the 200m preliminary, Arinze Chance, did not

make it to the finals. But Stewart would team up with Archibald, Jeremy Bascom and Nolex Holder to finish third in the Men’s 4X100m relay. Their time of 40.02 seconds was good enough for third place, behind Colombia (39.65s) and Brazil (39.10s).

FIFA, CARICOM enter landmark agreement FOOTBALL’s global governing body, FIFA, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration. The agreement is aimed at promoting integrity in sports and social responsibility while furthering the development of football in the region. The landmark agreement was signed by CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, at a virtual ceremony attended by the presidents of the national football associations of CARICOM countries, Ministers of government and representatives of the countries, as well as Concacaf president, Victor Montagliani. "We are delighted to enter into this agreement with the Caribbean Community, the aim of which is to leverage our sport as a catalyst for social development in the region,” Infantino said. Football, according to

the FIFA president, “has an incredible following in the Caribbean and there is still great potential for additional growth. I am very happy to see that the countries understand the opportunities this brings in terms of social benefits for their communities and we are looking forward to working hand in hand with them around this common goal.” “I very much welcome this MoU and the partnership with FIFA,” said CARICOM Secretary General. LaRocque said “many of our Member States have established developmental programmes using sports as a transformative agent. The social, health and economic benefits of sport are well appreciated and supported in our Region. The partnership with organisations such as FIFA assists in furthering our goals of encouraging our youth, in particular, to pursue healthy lifestyles while enjoying the benefits of a sport like football.” Concacaf president and FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani, noted that the

integrity of sport, and football in particular, is a top priority for FIFA and Concacaf, while stressing that the partnership “will benefit the whole Caribbean region and support us in our extensive efforts to develop the game at all levels.” The MoU focuses on several key areas of collaboration, in particular the implementation of a football programme in the physical education curricula in primary schools in the CARICOM region. FIFA, together with its member associations, will provide support for the development of football training, competitions and the training of football coaches, officials and administrators, along with physical education teachers. Other key focus areas of the agreement include measures for the protection of children and vulnerable adults involved in football activities, the fight against match manipulation and the promotion of sports integrity and social responsibility.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Argentina stripped of COPA America; Brazil to be new host

Brazil won the tournament in 2019, their ninth Copa America title

(BBC) - The 2021 Copa America will be hosted by Brazil, after Argentina was stripped of the tournament just two weeks before it starts. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said Argentina was removed as host because of the "present circumstances". The country is currently experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases. Later on Monday, Conmebol confirmed Brazil would host the showpiece event, which starts on 13 June. Stadiums have yet been announced for the tournament in Brazil. "Conmebol thanks the president @jairbolsonaro

and his team, as well as the Brazilian Football Confederation for opening the doors of that country to what is today the safest sporting event in the world. South America will shine in Brazil with all its stars!" Conmebol said on Twitter. Argentina was originally set to co-host with Colombia, who were removed on 20 May due to widespread protests sweeping the country. Opposition to the tournament had grown both inside and outside Argentina's government, while Uruguay striker, Luis Suarez, told reporters on Friday that priority had to be given "to the health of human beings". On 22nd May, Argentina went into a new nineday lockdown after seeing

35,000 new cases each day that week. Meanwhile, in Brazil, protests over the management of the Covid-19 pandemic by the government of President Jair Bolsonaro took place on Saturday. Brazil has registered nearly 460,000 deaths - the second-highest toll in the world after the United States. It also has the third-highest number of recorded coronavirus cases at more than 16 million. Brazil's Senate is holding an inquiry into the Bolsonaro government's handling of the pandemic and the slow roll-out of the vaccine programme. Brazil are defending champions, having won the tournament in 2019.

England should pick best team and not rest big names against New Zeeland ‒ Vaughan (BBC) Former England captain Michael Vaughan says England need to pick their best team for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on Wednesday and “get back on the winning trail”. England lost their last three Tests in India over the winter, having won nine and

drawn two of their previous 13. The two-Test series against the Kiwis precedes five Tests against India, before December’s Ashes in Australia. “Don’t worry about six months’ time, just try to win now,” Vaughan said. “[England boss] Chris

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Silverwood just has to make the right call, and pick a team that can win. “It was like a different game out in India, but when you are only seven Tests away from an Ashes you just have to get back to winning ways.” England are without star all-rounder Ben Stokes who is recovering from a broken finger, and seamer Jofra Archer who has had elbow surgery. The quintet of Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali are also absent after being given an extended period of rest after playing in the abandoned Indian Premier League. An injury to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes means the uncapped Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey is set to make his debut at seven, while Ollie Robinson - who is also yet to play for England - and Craig Overton, who has only

Sussex bowler Ollie Robinson (centre) could make his England debut at Lord’s (BBC photo)

played four Tests, could play at Lord’s. Vaughan, who was England Test captain between 2003 and 2008, says Silverwood, who has recently taken on the responsibility of head selector, has to pick his strongest, most experienced team. “I would personally go for [James] Anderson, [Stuart] Broad and [Mark] Wood this week, and Jack Leach - those are four bowlers I believe I can trust in all conditions,”

Vaughan said on the Tuffers and Vaughan podcast. “They are a formation that can bowl on day one through to five. “I would go for the best four bowlers, particularly when you don’t have Ben Stokes and you can’t get the balance right. “I’ve been very vocal in the last two years about not playing Anderson and Broad together and making sure that you are building.

“But I am at the stage now, with seven Tests to go, where the building should have been done and it is now about getting a team to play and win so they get down to Australia with that winning mentality. “If that means they [the leading players] play a few more Tests this summer then so be it, this England team has to start winning games to get their confidence up.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Matthew Briggs is new Golden Jaguars captain FORMER English Premier League defender, Matthew Briggs, has been named captain of the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team ahead of their remaining CONCACAF Group F, FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers. Briggs, who is signed to Vejle Boldklub in Denmark's Superliga, the country’s highest league, first tasted International football for the Golden Jaguars in March of 2015 when he started against Grenada in Guyana’s 2 – 0 win at the Guyana National Stadium. Since then, he has made 13 more appearances for the Golden Jaguars, while finding the net just once, doing so in Guyana’s 4 – 2 win

over Antigua and Barbuda in the CONCACAF Nations League. Guyana will play St Kitts and Nevis on June 4, followed by Puerto Rico on June 8. All matches will be played in St Kitts and Nevis. In accepting his new role, Briggs said “it’s always been a dream of mine to captain a national team, so I am thoroughly excited to get this journey started and to see what the future holds. We’ve got two games coming up and I hope we all give 110 per cent, like I know we will. We’ve got all the capabilities to go and win both of these games.” Briggs revealed the team’s excitement, noting that “going on the last camp,

we didn’t perform to our full potential, which was disappointing for us, so we are excited to get into these two games now and put that right. We want to win both games. I look at both these games and I think we are favourites to win them. I think we will be the better team and we’ve got more than enough quality to win both of these games.” Meanwhile, the team’s Head Coach, Marcio Maximo, said Briggs was a natural choice to lead the team because of the professional example he set to the other players during matches and away from the field of play. President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, lauded former

Matthew Briggs

captain, Sam Cox, for leading Guyana with passion and

dedication in recent years. “Sam has been a great

ambassador and warrior for Golden Jaguars. The whole nation is grateful for his service in leading Guyana to some of its greatest moments on the pitch, including reaching its first men’s CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019,” Forde said. The Golden Jaguars are currently in Antigua before departing for St. Kitts and Nevis on June 2 for their last two first-round matches. After a 3-0 loss against Trinidad and Tobago and 4-0 win over the Bahamas in March, Guyana lies in third place in Group F and requires favourable results elsewhere to reach the second round. Only the top team from each group will progress.

McNichol is first female president of Ninvalle ready Malteenoes Sports Club to fulfil duties as LONG-serving cricket executive, Deborah McNichol, created history after she was elected unopposed as the first female president of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC). Mc Nichol, who was an executive of the club for eight years and a member for 18 years, is also the only woman at the helm of any cricket club in Guyana. She served as first vice-president in the past executive, and will have Shawn Holder as her first vice president, with the second Vice President being Steven Jacobs. The other executive members are: Adrian Smith (Secretary), Denzel Alleyne (Treasurer), Shaquille Mosley (Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer), Sean Devers (Public Relations Officer) while former club president, Winton Semple and former National youth pacer and coach, Quason Nedd, are committee members. Mc Nichol, who has worked as a public servant for 43 years, said she is honoured to be elected as the first

Mc Nichols was an executive of the club for eight years and a member for 18 years

female cricket club president, and emphasised that only with hard work and unity

could success be achieved at ‘Malteenoes’. “Our biggest challenge to bringing back MSC to its best days is funding and a decreased membership, but I am confident that this executive, elected in the middle of the pandemic, will work to promote the club as somewhere people would want to join and spend their afternoons once this COVID-19 goes away” said the mother of three. Mc Nichol said her brothers played football and cricket while two of her sisters played hockey and a third

sister participated in boxing and cricket. The club has produced 27 National under-19 players between 1975 and 2013 and 32 who played for the National senior team between 1909 to 2009. It has also birthed the careers of eight West Indies International players between 1930 to 2003, with the latest being Indomattie Goordial, who made her Test debut. The historic club, located on Thomas Lands, was founded in 1902 by Barbadian Tailor Ferdinand Archer.

The new Malteenoes Cricket Club president, Deborah McNichols flanked by her First Vice President, Shawn Holder, and Second Vice President, Steven Jacobs (left)

Director of Sport By Rawle Toney Steve Ninvalle, the country’s Director of Sport, said he’s ready to ‘hit the ground running’ in his new capacity as the head of the National Sports Commission (NSC). On his first day since being appointed, Ninvalle, speaking to Chronicle Sport, first lauded the six-member Commission and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, for entrusting him with a position he said is important for the country’s development of sports. “From a national perspective, there’s a lot of work to be done and I intend to seek the guidance of the honourable Minister and to work closely with the Commission, in order to get sports where the Government of Guyana wants sports to be,” Ninvalle said. He further noted “I don’t expect that it will be an easy task, but then again, if we all have handson-deck, then the sky’s the limit for sports in Guyana and that is what I expect.” The NSC, led by Chair-

man Kashif Muhammad, met on Sunday, for the first time, where they unanimously, after consultation with Minister Ramson, named Ninvalle as Christopher Jones' successor. According to Muhammad, Ninvalle's distinguished background as a sports administrator helped to influence the Commission's decision. Ninvalle is a National Sports Award-winning administrator, known for transforming amateur boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean. He's the president of the Guyana Boxing Association, also a former sports journalist and Member of Parliament. He also served as a Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Ninvalle is now Guyana’s third Director of Sport following Neil Kumar and Christopher Jones, since the 1993 Sports Commission Act was assented to by former president, Samuel Hinds, after it was passed in the sitting of the Sixth Parliament on December 3rd of that year.

Matthew Briggs is new Golden Jaguars captain PAGE

Guyana's Matthew Briggs (#20) in action against Panama at the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Guyana ends South American Championship with historic heap praises on 12-man 21 medal haul ....AAG team's performance PAGE

FIFA, CARICOM enter landmark agreement PAGE

FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino (L) and CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, following the signing of their MoU.

Ninvalle ready to fulfil 23 duties as Director of Sport PAGE

Emmanuel Archibald clocked 10.23 seconds to claim silver in the men’s 100m final in Ecuador

Andrea Foster, who also competes for Clemson University, ran third in the women’s 800 metres

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TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021