Issuu

MONDAY 10th JANUARY, 2022

No. 106600

Guyana-born Cheong-Leen, who rose to become ‘Hong Kong’s mayor’, dies at age 99

SEE PAGE

GTU-organised ‘Isolation Day’ illegal

- teachers who participate risk not being paid, warns Minister Hamilton

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Beautiful countryside: Even with the high number of cars, minibuses and motorcycles in Guyana, the old tradition of horse-riding has not disappeared in the rural areas (Adrian Narine photo)

Mayor Narine’s file on alleged shooting with DPP

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Over 2,000 Amerindian youths Back from the brink of bankruptcy re-integrated SEE PAGE

- Forestry Commission monthly earnings now exceed $90M

into workforce

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

Back from the brink of bankruptcy - Forestry Commission monthly earnings now exceed $90M

By Rehana Ahamad DESPITE a global pandemic and months of devastating and unprecedented floods, Guyana’s forestry sector has managed to make quite a turnaround, with the Guyana Forestry Commission raking in a monthly revenue of more than $90 million – a notable increase when compared to a pre-pandemic period in 2019, when revenue collection stood at $70 million. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, who, via the government’s Department of Public Information, explained that improvements in the sector can be attributed to the implementation of specific policies. The minister indicated that, upon assuming office in August 2020, he met with staff and stakeholders of the forestry sector to devise and enact strategies that could “boost the financial performance and management

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat capabilities of the Guyana Forestry Commission”. It was noted that, following the engagement, a new policy direction was taken and the forestry sector soon began recording positive changes that demonstrate the GFC’s ability to function effectively and independently. A significant achievement, as outlined by the minister, was the ministry’s ability to convince small-scale loggers

to return to their operations, as a means of supporting the construction boom that has taken effect across the country. This, Minister Bharrat said, resulted in a notable increase in log production. He was quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying that, during 2021, log production saw a declaration of over 400,000 cubic feet, while over 100 new concessions were issued to small loggers. The growth of the forestry sector was recorded even as the GFC was brought back from the brink of bankruptcy. As a matter of fact, when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government assumed office, the forestry commission was unable to clear its utility bills, and pay staff in a timely manner. That prompted President Dr. Irfaan Ali to approve a $350 million bailout for the commission, as part of the 2020 Emergency Budget. That allocation effectively covered the entity’s operational costs as well as the wages and sala-

As Guyana’s logging production remains well below what is prescribed, the Natural Resources Ministry is currently undertaking a forest inventory to “take stock” of its forestry resources ries for its employees for the latter quarter of 2020. Nonetheless, the Natural Resources Minister said that, even with the forestry sector’s current growth, there are still some shortfalls, particularly in relation to the operations of larger logging companies. He told the information department that, going forward, his ministry intends to hold additional consultations and give more support to large-scale loggers, in an effort to ensure that they too reach their targets. “Their production was very low when compared to the small loggers. This is an area we will address in 2022,” Minister Bharrat said. He was further quoted as saying that issues relating to persons “holding up State lands” would also have to be examined and remedied. “We can’t have people holding up State land. There is so much room for increased production. That is not a question that stakeholders should be worried about,” Minister Bharrat noted. BELOW THE CUT Last year, during a programme aired on the National Communications Network (NCN), Minister Bharrat said that, unfortunately, the forestry industry’s production is 35 per cent less than what is nationally prescribed. He noted that, in addition to boosting production, significant work will also go towards driving value-added initiatives. “When we have value-added industries, it means that you’re creating jobs there again; you’re building that Guyana brand, and that is what we want to encourage,” Minister Bharrat said. He reasoned that significant investments will

have to be made to boost the extractive sectors, because even though the petroleum industry will become a major income earner, it will not be as labour intensive as other critical productive industries. TRADITIONAL PRODUCTIVE SECTORS “Oil is lucrative; we will make a lot of money as a country, from oil and gas, but our traditional productive sectors are the sectors that create the bulk of the employment, especially agriculture, logging, mining,” Bharrat said. He noted, too, that the forestry sector also stands to benefit significantly from the ongoing Forest Inventory Programme, which seeks to “take stock” of the forest resources. This multi-year project, according to the Guyana Forestry Commission, will see the “updating of forest resource information that is essential for national and concession level planning and scientific research and referencing to support the modern outlook of the National Forest Policy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy”. The last time that a National Forest Inventory was executed was some 50 years ago. Nonetheless, the ongoing implementation of the inventory will see field data collection on the State forests by administrative regions – all except for Regions Four and Five where no State forests occur. In 2021, the GFC targeted clusters in Regions 10, Two and Three, before moving onto Regions Six and Nine. Minister Bharrat said that the new effort will allow for the “mapping out” of various sections of the forest, to ascertain the number of trees

that it holds, the sizes of those trees, and the species to which they belong. According to information released by the forestry commission, the inventory is also expected to provide several key benefits at the national level, including, but not limited to, the “stratification of Guyana’s forests” based on the quantity and quality of forest resources in different areas, resulting in efficient zonation of forests based on intended use; identification of areas for conservation and protection; and providing baseline data for understanding the forest dynamics in these areas; allow for efficient biological and ecological research by providing preliminary baseline data on forest species, composition and distribution; integration of forest inventories with GIS/Remote Sensing technology, using empirical national forest data to design specific technologies for the monitoring of Guyana’s forests; and provide a reference dataset on forest resources for long-term monitoring and decisionmaking, including creating historical records of forest use for future generations. Further, Minister Bharrat noted that the coming years would see all extractive sectors benefitting from a number of infrastructural projects, including the much-anticipated Orealla to Moleson Creek Road. “What we are doing is to spend a lot on public infrastructure…when you spend government funds on public infrastructure, it creates jobs. It means that you would have to purchase your materials from local businesses, so you find that everyone will do well once there is public spending,” Minister Bharrat reasoned.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

GTU-organised ‘Isolation Day’ illegal - teachers who participate risk not being paid, warns Minister Hamilton

NOTING that today’s ‘Isolation Day’ organised by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) equates to illegal strike action, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton on Sunday said that teachers cannot be paid for the days that they do not work. Minister Hamilton in a social media video message made it clear that the planned industrial action does not follow proper labour regulations, which include the need for notice to be given to the employer, in this case, the Ministry of Education (MoE). “GTU called for an isolation day. While not being called a strike [it] can be deemed a strike as it calls for teachers to stop work,” Hamilton noted, adding that: “Any industrial action is governed by the Collective Labour Agreement

(CLA) between GTU and MoE. Common labour practice is that a period of notice be given to the employer before industrial action is taken. Moreover, labour relations practice would require the union to register its grievance with the MoE and enter a period of discourse before initiating any industrial action.” Minister Hamilton noted that there was “no report of formal discussions between GTU and MoE regarding the COVID-19 issue before the call of the isolation day.” It was last Friday that the GTU President Mark Lyte in a statement called for all teachers to refrain from going to school on Monday, January 10, which wa s deemed “Isolation Day.” On this day, all faceto-face and virtual classes would be suspended. “Teachers of Guyana

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton ought to be properly advised that heeding the call of the GTU to participate in the Isolation Day may be considered an unauthorised absence from work, abandonment of their students and gross dereliction of their duties. In this regard, the MoE will be under no lawful obligation to pay persons who are absent and aban-

don their post on Monday, January 10, 2022,” Minister Hamilton said in his message. The GTU has also called for the Ministry of Education (MoE) to close schools for 14 days. However, the MoE has maintained that this has already severely affected the learners as there has been severe learning loss. When the new school term began on January 3, schools were officially reopened for face-to-face classes for public school learners at almost every level. While some levels have classes every day, some were given the option to use a rotation or shift system. Although some teachers and learners have tested positive during the first week, the MoE has pointed out that they did not contract the virus at school. According to the Min-

ister of Education, Priya Manickchand, those teachers and learners had contracted the virus five to 14 days prior, which is when they were home on holiday. She noted that the horrid effects of prolonged absence from school has been repeatedly studied and documented, including by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). She pointed out that all the reports in the world say that school needs to be the last place to close, and the first to reopen. The minister emphasised that from all accounts, COVID-19 will not go away soon, and said that some parents are angry that the Ministry of Education has their children on rotation, as they prefer full-time school. “The ministry will continue to do what is asked of us by the majority, while allowing for space for parents

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand who don’t agree with the majority to do what is best for their children,” Minister Manickchand said. She was also quick to point out that engaging ‘online’ in Guyana means that more than half the school population will go without an education because of no, or poor Internet infrastructure.

Bonasika family needs help to rebuild following fire The house following the fire

Joshua Samuel Gill A BONASIKA Creek, Lower Essequibo River family is seeking help from the public to rebuild their home which was destroyed by fire on December 30, 2021. Head of the household, 30-year-old Joshua Samuel Gill recently told the Guyana Chronicle that, although he has his own land, he needs assistance

to build. The family, which includes three boys and three girls between the ages of 1 and 10 years, lost everything, including household items, clothing and personal documents, including birth certificates. They currently occupy a relative’s abandoned house, which is located

in the Region Two community. Gill told this publication that he and the other members of his family went to a farm and when they returned, the house was burning. This was the second tragedy for the family as Gill had previously lost his boat and engine. The distraught man said he is

finding it difficult to transport his children to school. A new home, he said will put him and family back on track to live a normal and comfortable life. “I really can’t believe [it]. I am still [in] shock. I don’t have electricity. I do not know how this happen to my family but we are alive and we can move on with the help from oth-

ers,” he added. Meanwhile, his wife, Levita Gill said that her children are going to school two days per week. She said that persons came and gave them some clothes. Like her husband, she wants the family to be in their own home. Recently, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha,

through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the business community in R e g i o n Tw o , h a n d e d over clothing, household items, and groceries to the family. The family has no phone, but anyone desirous of assisting can contact the Human Services Ministry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

New York apartment block fire kills 19 Victims were found on every floor of the building (BBC/GETTY IMAGES)

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At least 19 people, including nine children, have died after a fire in a New York apartment building. Another 32 people were sent to hospital, several of whom are in a critical condition, according to New York Mayor Eric Adams. Fire department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said they had found victims on every floor of the 19-storey block, saying the smoke was “unprecedented”. He told NBC News the death toll was the worst seen in New York for 30 years. It comes days after an apartment fire in Philadel-

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floors of the Bronx apartment block at about 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT), officials said. Some 200 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze, which officials believe was sparked by a malfunctioning electric heater. Commissioner Nigro said there were two floors of fire, but the smoke had spread everywhere. The door to the apartment where the fire started was left open, and smoke then spread to every floor, Commissioner Nigro told reporters. “Members found victims on every floor in stairwells and were taking them out in cardiac and respiratory arrest,” he said. George King, who lives nearby, told AFP news agency people were waving from the windows as the flames took hold. “I saw the smoke, a lot of people were panicking,” he said. “You could see that no-one wanted to jump from the building.” A total of 63 people suffered injuries, including the 32 taken to hospital. Thirteen are in a critical condition, Stefan Ringel, a senior adviser to the mayor, told AP news agency. “The impact of this fire

is going to bring a level of pain and despair to our city,” Adams told reporters. “The numbers are horrific.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul called Sunday’s events “a night of tragedy”, and pledged to create a victims’ compensation fund to support survivors. “There will be money to find new housing, burial costs and whatever we need because that’s what we do here in New York,” Hochul said. The area of the Bronx where the fire occurred is home to a large Muslim immigrant population and many of those affected by the blaze are believed to have originally come to the US from the Gambia. Adams urged anyone impacted by the fire to seek assistance from the authorities, irrespective of immigration status. He assured residents that their details would not be passed on to immigration services. Speaking alongside Adams, the US Senator for New York, Chuck Schumer, pledged to provide immigration support to allow families to come together to grieve. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

T&T: Kenny J brings mourners to Jamaica Prime Minister: tears as he ‘sings’ at his own funeral ‘No more lockdowns, get

Entertainer Kenny J (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday/Angelo Marcelle photo) EVER the consummate entertainer, Kenwrick “Kenny J” regaled to his very end, serenading mourners at his own funeral at Belgrove’s Funeral Home, Coffee Street, San Fernando on Friday morning. Mourners, including his daughter Jeselle, wiped away tears as the recording of his voice belting out the opening hymn, ‘God is Standing By’, resonated throughout the chapel. Before the service, his music – gospel, calypso, love ballads, demonstrating his versatility as a singer – filled the chapel. A slideshow of his life from childhood to adulthood, including one of him in the grey short-pants uniform police officers wore many decades ago, continued to entertain. Even officiating lay minister Cecil Colthrust, one of his former teachers, admitted the voice evoked memories of their past, and became emotional as he remembered the death of Kenny J’s younger sister in a tragic accident and his late mother, a childhood friend. He said he had to will himself not to cry because he had to conduct the service. “So this is a family reunion. Know that my pain is with you. I remember Kenny as a well-behaved child in school, who maintained that kind of personality and relationship in his adult life. “We celebrate the life of one who really lived, loved, knew what it was to love, to make sacrifices to make others happy,” he told the congregation, which was devoid

of entertainers with whom Kenny J shared the stage during his singing career. Calypsonian Wayne “Impulse” Modeste, who followed the service, which was streamed live, wrote, “I not feeling good. I was to be there. He was one of my best friends.” Other colleagues, including Abebele, Uprising, and a member of the Roy Cape orchestra, made their way to the chapel on learning of the service, but were too late to bid farewell, as the funeral lasted an hour, followed by immediate cremation. Junior Bisnath and members of the Kaisoca Moko Jumbies, with paintbrushes in their hands, reminiscent of one of Kenny J’s parang soca hits, waited outside the chapel to pay homage. Jeselle, with a framed photograph of her father, posed with them to add to her photographic archives. She told the Newsday the family chose not to divulge details of the funeral in advance, as they did not want a large gathering, in keeping with the health regulations. In eulogising her father, she said while he most definitely left his mark on the music industry, the man behind the music affected the lives of his family and the people around him in a positive way. “He always had a joke or three at family gatherings and he tried to keep everyone happy. Daddy made sure people around him were always happy and smiling.” She credited him with ensuring his siblings, who settled in different parts of the world, were tight-knit after the passing of their parents. She said he was special and was always willing to guide his colleagues in the musical fraternity and those in the police service during his 33-year career as an officer. Many of his socialcommentary calypsoes reflected his experiences as a policeman. “He was a loving uncle, caring father and best grandpa in the world. Kenny, Daddy, we would always love you. You don’t know how much we are missing you already. Tell Ma (the late Joan Joseph) hello. Thank you for your

love. Thank you for your music.” Kenny J died at the Augustus Long Hospital on January 2 of covid 19. An advocate for the vaccine, he enrolled with the Ministry of Health to encourage people to become inoculated so people like him in the creative sector could get back to work. Colthrust recalled seeing the advertisement two days before his death. “I saw him singing, ‘Do not hesitate, vaccinate,’ and when I heard we lost another icon, it really hit me hard, because here he was, healthy and not knowing what would happen two days later. But God has spoken.” He said Kenny J was a representation of the love Jesus had for God when he laid down his life so others could be saved. “How did Kenny carry that love? Through his many acts of kindness. He made use of the gift God had given him to make others happy. “He did not believe in showmanship. He did not do things to have his photograph in the newspapers. He did goodness out of his heart. “Thank God for the gift that was Kenny. He adorned our lives. He beautified our lives. He is that flower that would decorate the vases upstairs (heaven) and he would be singing of the glory of God.”The first week of the new year saw the deaths of three leading musicians: veteran calypsonian Bomber, Kenny J and kaiso jazz pioneer Clive “Zanda” Alexander. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

vaccinated, argument done’

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the country will face no more lockdowns. Tensions were high ahead of this morning’s briefing as many anticipated that Holness would again impose more tightened curfew measures amid a fourth wave of the coronavirus. Holness, while addressing a press briefing on Sunday, said he has “gone overboard to say that we are not going back to lockdowns” and urged Jamaicans to “be calm.” But Holness, who was responding to a question on his strategy in light of the increase in COVID cases, said the primary focus in containing the spread of the virus now lies with individual responsibility. “I wasn’t planning on turning this into a COVID Conversation, but I know there is great tension in the air and what it says to me is that people are not listening to what I have said. I have been very clear in Parliament, very clear, absolutely gone overboard to say that we are not going back to lockdowns, so be calm. And I have said what the (containment) strategy is. It is now in your hands. Go and take the vaccine. That is the strategy,” Holness shared.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness Jamaica on Friday “We can’t hold yuh down and put the needle reported 1, 593 new in your hand. If yuh get COVID-19 cases, a new sick, you take that respon- record high for the issibility,” he continued. land since the start of “There is an option, we the pandemic. Friday’s have vaccines all over the numbers marked the place. We have sites all third consecutive day the over the place. I don’t hear country recorded more one person complain that than 1000 positive cases. they can’t get the vaccine There are now 7,229 conanywhere. Go and get vac- firmed active COVID cinated. Argument done,” cases on the island. (Jamaica Observer) he ended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

A Success Story

G U YA N A u n d e r t h e PPP/C administration has changed the housing landscape in the country. The proliferation of housing schemes in all the 10 regions of Guyana and the regularisation of squatter settlements have in a sense resulted in a new Guyana, one in which for thousands of Guyanese there exists a renewed sense of optimism and hope of a more secure and economically better life. Without doubt, 2021 can be described as a momentous year as thousands of Guyanese are now the proud owners of their own homes as a result of the government’s robust housing programme, which in addition to addressing the housing needs of citizens, has also been doing

substantial work in terms of infrastructural works in these new housing areas. These include the construction of roads, provision of electricity, water and other social amenities in order to create a home-friendly environment for citizens in their respective communities. In all of this, the hinterland communities have not been left out. Over 100 families in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine will also benefit from the construction of homes and home- improvement subsidies under a $700 million hinterland housing programme. Full credit must be given to the PPP/C administration for the billions of dollars it has invested in the housing sector, resulting in thousands of Guyanese having their

dreams of a roof over their heads being realised and living in homes they can proudly call their own. In keeping with a promise made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Housing Ministry was able to surpass its yearly target of distributing 10,000 house lots in 2021 and projections of realising a projected 50,000 house lots by the end of its first term in office are well within reach. Only recently, a number of core homes were constructed under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme in Region Three, which will be replicated in other regions. This facility targeted vulnerable Guyanese who found it difficult to meet the full cost of home construction. Home ownership under

the PPP/C is much easier thanks to a menu of measures put in place not only in terms of obtaining house lots, but also in assessing bank-financing. This is especially so in the case of the New Building Society (NBS), which only recently dropped interest rates on loans, especially with respect to low-income mortgages. The government has also put in place a number of fiscal incentives which impacted positively on the cost of building materials, making it less financially burdensome to build homes. These are no mean achievements but the benefits of the government’s housing programme goes beyond homeownership. The business sector also benefits from larger sales turnover of building materials, not to

mention the thousands more who gain employment as labourers both, skilled and unskilled, in the construction sector. As pointed out by President Ali, the investment portfolio of some $15 billion in the housing sector has resulted in the importation of roughly 40 per cent of demand for building materials with an estimated value of over US$100 million, which is likely to increase three-fold over the next three years as new infrastructural projects become operational. That massive investment in the housing sector has been accompanied by a significant drop in low-income interest rates and an increase in the loan ceiling from $12 million to $15 million and an increase in the mortgage-relief

threshold from $15 million to $30 million. The PPP/C administration has done a great job in putting a roof over the heads of tens of thousands of Guyanese over the years. This is in stark contrast to the abysmal failure of the previous APNU+AFC administration which failed to provide house lots to those in need. In fact, the records will show that the PPP/C administration provided more house lots to eligible Guyanese in a single year than the APNU+AFC was able to do in its entire tenure in office. This is quite an achievement and nothing short of a success story for which the government must be given full credit.

APNU+AFC’s NRF Act had no place in Guyana’s governance Dear Editor,

I AM aghast that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are so adamantly opposed and antagonistic towards the new Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Bill that was recently passed and later signed into law by President Irfaan Ali. I find it most galling on two grounds: first, the APNU+AFC’s original bill was wholly illegal; and second, its content was woefully lacking in fundamentals suited to such an all-important bill. As regards the illegality of the old APNU+AFC’s

NRF Act, we must remember how and when it was delivered. As can be corroborated by memory, or actual recorded history, the initial NRF Act was passed in the National Assembly in 2019, but let us remember that by that time the then APNU+AFC administration had been already toppled by the historic No-Confidence Motion (NCM) that was tabled by the then Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic opposition in December, 2018. This successful motion legally rendered the APNU+AFC government a ‘care-taking’ one, and held them responsible for calling fresh elections within a three-month time

frame. In terms of necessary functions, APNU+AFC were not supposed to do anything save operate on a mere perfunctory basis, and conduct basic duties. In fact, the passage of the NCM meant that they were supposed to prioritise elections by March 2019. As we know, they did not, and continued to function in unconstitutional ways. In his presentation of the new NRF, Dr Ashni Singh succinctly reminded all that, “Given that, that sitting took place after the passage of the (said) No-Confidence Motion, that (APNU+AFC) bill suffered the fatal defect of what I would describe as constitutional illegitimacy by

the fact that it was considered by a National Assembly that should have been dissolved by that time.” In this regard alone, APNU+AFC has been silenced. The other factor is that the unconstitutional APNU+AFC’s NRF Act was riddled with a plethora of deficiencies, infused to facilitate the suspicious ‘whims and fancies’ of their members, namely, the excessive powers invested in the Finance Minister; absence of a governing body for the fund; and a complicated formula governing transfers from the fund and the provisions which allow withdrawals from the fund without par-

liamentary approval. In direct opposition to and destruction of these features, the PPP/C’s Bill exudes transparency and offers great confidence to the nation regarding its monetary management. For example, the new bill has greatly reduced the powers of the Minister of Finance. Plus, it has added an all-important Board of Directors, making it impossible for a one-man domination. The bill is also characterised by a ‘compulsory parliamentary approval’ before any spending, with a provision that every receipt be published in the Official Gazette and be reported to the National Assembly.

As for the much-talkedabout Santiago Principles, APNU+AFC did not adhere in full, leaving out the ‘governing body’ as stipulated by the said Santiago Principles, established back in 2008 to deal with Sovereign Wealth Funds. Overall, one is left to wonder what is really wrong with the APNU+AFC. They seem intent on ‘opposing just for the sake of opposing.’ They also seem hell-bent on using tactics that are unconventional, unruly and unconstitutional. Yours truly, Thomas Cole

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

Protect yourself against COVID-19 variants

Dear Editor,

THE COVID-19 pandemic is decimating lives by the millions worldwide: It is practically impossible that anyone can be found who has not lost a loved one or associate to the dreaded virus. Despite this reality, it boggles the mind why persons continue to ignore COVID protocols, refuse to take the requisite vaccines and consequently endanger their own and the lives of family members, friends, associates, and even innocent persons who are forced to expose themselves to infected persons

because of their jobs; persons such as taxi and bus drivers, salespersons, employees in goods and services sectors, private and public sectors and various work environments, such as construction, vendors, shopkeepers, etcetera. There are posts on social media, especially during festive occasions or commemorative celebrations, where absolute irresponsibility and lack of respect for their own and the lives of others are on full display by celebrants. They ignore the fact that the virus is not discriminatory and affects everyone, including health personnel. At a press conference re-

cently, featuring HE President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and senior health sector personnel, persons were urged to take the necessary precautions, follow rules and observe protocols, not only to avoid infection and/or spread of the disease, but in a national cooperative effort to eliminate the virus countrywide and restore life in Guyana to normalcy. While the President asserted that the government has the requisite capacity to effectively manage the current situation, he warned that the dynamics can change day to day if hordes of people continue to flout the rules

and refuse to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. While the government is quick on the uptake – being first to acquire vaccines, first to obtain booster shots and children’s vaccines and making every possible effort to curtail the spread of the disease, with the critical oxygenation needs being enough, there is continual preparation to treat emerging variants. The team urged that persons heed the fact that the virus is easily transmissible and deadly, especially the Delta variant, although the Omicron is more infectious. Each person – President Ali, Dr. Anthony and the other

health personnel stipulated the imperative of wearing masks properly, covering the face from nose to chin, and to always follow COVID-19 guidelines, especially social distancing and sanitising. Infected persons can be asymptomatic, which means they can be carriers and can unknowingly infect innocent persons with whom they come into contact, especially vulnerable, susceptible family members, such as children and elderly and/or sick relatives. The emerging mutations and diverse variants, such as Omicron and a flulike mutation, with Omi-

cron projected to be more dominant are changing the dynamics into fluidity that may very well prove more deadly than the first wave of the pandemic. I wonder how many persons are grieving today that their irresponsible, selfish actions in pursuit of enjoyment of the moment – gyrating to loud music and getting close and personal to partners without masks on a dance floor; or simply removing masks in a close grouping for photo shoots may have ensued in the suffering, or even demise of a loved one. Yours very truly, Attiya Baksh

It would be fantastic if the PNC could host a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive Dear Editor, THE news on COVID now is not good for Guyana’s unvaccinated and partially vaccinated. Minister Anthony said 20 per cent of our adult population remains unvaccinated; 413,376 persons or 80.6 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose, while only 298,954 or 58.3 per cent of them are fully vaccinated with both doses. More people are getting the booster shots, which is a good thing. With regard to the adolescent 12 to 17 age group, the Health Minister disclosed that some 30,829 or 42.3 per cent have received a first dose and of that amount, 21,957 or 30.1 per cent are fully immunised. So parents, please hurry up and get the children vaccinated so schools can be safer. What is more alarming is, one news report said, “Authorities

report almost 1,000 new COVID-19 infections in one day.” Nation, this is a health crisis regardless of what anyone says. When COVID should be decreasing, instead, the number of daily infections has gone up almost 300 per cent and people are still dying every day. More disappointing is that President Ali revealed that a total of 200 health care workers had tested positive for the virus -75 nurses, 50 doctors and 41 technicians across the health sector have contracted COVID-19. He added that 50 per cent of the nurses and 70 per cent of the doctors are from the Georgetown Public Hospital. How is it that the ministry allowed so many workers to remain unvaccinated? Are they not implementing the vaccine mandate? What kind of doctors and nurses do we have that are showing such a bad example? The government has

been getting the vaccines and if we refuse to take them, don’t blame the government. When you go for testing and there are long testing lines, don’t blame the government. You had the choice to get the vaccine long ago. Also, Education Minister Manickchand disclosed that by December 2021, 79 per cent of the teachers at nursery and secondary levels for the coastal regions have been vaccinated with 71 per cent at the secondary level. This is an improvement, but we need close to 100 per cent to achieve “herd immunity.” Please disclose the vaccination numbers for all the regions. And why do we still have so many teachers unvaccinated? Are we not implementing the vaccine/testing mandate? In the U.S., there were reports of over 1,000,000 (one million) new daily COVID cases as Omi-

cron surges – that’s more than the whole population of Guyana. The World Health Organisation said the number of global cases has increased by 71 per cent in the last week, and in the Americas by 100 per cent. It said that among severe cases worldwide, 90 per cent were unvaccinated. The record number of people catching the virus has left health systems under severe pressure. Here are some recent headlines – “Thousands of flights cancelled”; “Covid cases, test shortages are closing

schools”; “Covid cases rise by 948 per cent in Florida as Omicron drives huge wave across U.S.”; “Some Michigan schools expecting Omicron surge go online, cancel classes”; “Advocate Children’s Hospital sees three-fold increase in kids hospitalised for Covid-19, amidst latest surge”; and “Thousands of teachers, students absent as Omicron ravages Florida.” The World Health Organisation has warned against describing the Omicron variant as mild, saying it is

killing people across the world. Can the PNC under Norton show some nationalism and arrange a massive vaccination drive, instead of swiping at the government? How about the unions doing a drive? And all our churches? What’s keeping you back from stepping up at a time like this? We need everyone to get on board in the national interest. This is a matter of life and death, not a political matter. Yours sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

A question for the GTU Dear Editor, THE Guyana Teachers’ Union says it wants teachers to stay home so that they could be safe. Clearly, the teach-

ers did not get COVID at school because they were on holidays for the last three week. Could the Guyana Teachers Union tell us how they will get

teachers to stop their lessons and socialising and other such activities? Did the teachers commit to this? Yours sincerely, Marianne Adams

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

When is domestic violence acceptable?

THE answer to the above question is revealed somewhere in this article. Only people with unresolved deep-rooted psychological or emotional issues lash out violently. They believe they have every right to behave in this manner. But deep inside, they know they are wrong. They would never beat up a work colleague, their boss or someone they respect; for the same reason they take out their aggression on their families. Physical abuse is mainly perpetrated on women by men. Husbands beat up their wives when vexed, drunk or if they feel belittled. Boyfriends beat up their girlfriends if they think she is flirting or talking out of turn. Lovers have a tiff, and the girl wants to break up and move on, but he wants to stay with her, so he ‘knocks’ her about her head and body, leaving her bruised and disoriented. For these and other reasons, such incidents happen every day to women globally. Men behave this way because they can get away with it – they are bigger,

stronger and far more aggressive than women. But why do women put up with the beatings? The usual reasons are: for the children’s sake: or they have nowhere to go: and the daunting classical reason: ‘He said if I leave him, he’d hunt me down and kill me’. Many women are afraid and some have low self-esteem, while others are trapped in a web, hoping things will change but they seldom do. We are all aware of many women dying at the hands of men. Men who have an ounce of self-respect do not beat up women. They seek to understand and get along with them. There is an earthly plan for the two to exist side by side. Women think differently to men and vice versa. They complement each other, and so it was meant to be - evenly yoked. Everyone has quirks, strange behaviours and annoying habits, and of course, ‘Teeth and tongue must bite’. But man-woman relationships should be harmonious, cooperative and heartfelt. Even when a partner makes the other as mad as hell, the underlying uncon-

ditional factor should be love. Love for your fellow man, love for the beauty and essence of life, and love for your family with whom you share awesome experiences - the ups and downs, the unexpected occurrences; the lessons, the curveballs you overcome and the pleasures. Life is time. Time spent beating up a woman does not make a man macho. Neither does it mean he is tough or the head of his household. If anything, it proves him to be a lousy communicator with poor self-esteem, a rogue, a wimp, a coward and, as mentioned above, a person in need of therapy. Instead of thinking things through and controlling his thoughts and actions, or walking away he lashes out. (Would men ‘like’ being knocked about by women?) Hardships, stresses and problems come to all of us in life; we must face them, deal with them and learn to cope, regardless of how grave, painful, and despairing they may be. A true man is known by his conduct and tact. When his back is against the wall, he gives strength to his

family physically, mentally, and spiritually, sustaining them with love, patience, humility, resilience and encouragement. To raise boys into men with redeeming qualities (like those mentioned) is difficult nowadays. The distractions and influences available online and elsewhere are overwhelming, and few authentic, local role models exist. Most parents do not know what the younger generations are exposed to through the internet, and many parents don’t mind once their children seem okay, contented and quiet. Their school work is done, their chores completed, so they are allowed free time online. Children can learn good and interesting things online, but nothing beats the lessons taught to them by adults who care, and are ahead of their game in parenting. If the goal is to deter boys from growing into aggressive, abusive men, parents need to recognise red flags and curb disparaging behaviour before it escalates and becomes inherent. Is your son aggressive,

or a sore loser? Does he witness a fair share of antisocial behaviour? Can he accept criticism and shrug it off without getting annoyed or seeking to save face? Is he easily provoked? Children need skills to deal with instances as they occur, and adults to teach them acceptable behaviour. Criticism can be constructive. Help children to weigh up opinions and use their intelligence. Participation is more important than winning or losing. Help your child accept losing, gracefully, without hostility, holding a grudge or seeking revenge. Negative attributes such as retaliating behaviours, manipulation, threats to siblings or friends, lack of personal responsibility and always blaming others indicate that a boy or young man needs guidance from someone (preferably a male figure) he can look up to and trust. People wonder about men who beat women; How did they get that way? Where in their childhood did they learn such behaviour? Maybe the abuser can answer those questions with

some honest self-reflection. However, one thing we all know for sure, is that domestic violence is NEVER acceptable. There are many reasons why boys grow into men who abuse, an example being growing up in an abusive household. Another could be the result of internalising humiliation and emotions experienced as a child many boys are not allowed to express true feelings and speak their mind. However, NOTHING gives men the liberty to take out their deepseated frustration, (when triggered) on a woman. We need to work with our boys while they are young. Teach them to respect themselves and others. Self-control is a virtue they must identify, value and practise. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

COVID-19 cases increase 50 per cent in the Americas

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) data has shown that COVID-19 cases increased 50 per cent and deaths 11 per cent in the region of the Americas. From December 19 to 25, more than half of countries and territories in the region reported an increase in cases of over 20 per cent. The Omicron Variant of Concern has been reported in 27 countries and territories of the Americas. The largest number of new cases was reported in the United States, fol-

lowed by Canada and Argentina. In Central America, no increase in cases has been reported, except in Panama and Belize, which saw

cases rise in some of its regions. Bolivia leads the increase in cases in the Andean region, with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

also reporting rising numbers. In the Southern Cone, Paraguay and Uruguay reported increases, while Brazil saw a decrease in cases. The number of COVID-19 cases is also rising in the Caribbean region. Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica show significant increases compared to the previous week. Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, reported declines. PAHO warns that the increase in SARS-CoV-2 virus circulation in sever-

al countries, coupled with greater personal contact due to the holiday and vacation season, may lead to a rise in cases, hospitalisations, and deaths in the coming weeks. To reduce COVID-19 t r a n s m i s s i o n , PA H O continues to recommend vaccination and public health measures. These include the use of tightfitting masks, physical distancing, ventilation of indoor spaces, avoidance of crowds, and practising hand hygiene. In addition, PAHO continues to call on coun-

tries to accelerate vaccination coverage against COVID-19. As of December 28, more than 1.4 billion doses have been administered in the Americas, and 57 per cent of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean is fully vaccinated. The COVAX mechanism, through PAHO’s Revolving Fund, has so far delivered more than 76.2 million doses of vaccine to 33 countries in the Americas, many of them donated by other countries. (PAHO)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

Guyana-born Cheong-Leen, who rose to become ‘Hong Kong’s mayor,’ dies aged 99

HILTON Cheong-Leen, a former Urban Council chairman and lawmaker known as “Hong Kong’s mayor,” has died at the age of 99. Cheong-Leen, who cofounded the Hong Kong Civic Association in 1954, died in the early hours of last Tuesday at his home, his daughter Flora Cheong-Leen told the Post. “Our father unexpectedly left us in his sleep this morning … around 4am,” the ballerina-turned-fashion designer said. “We will have incredible memories of his ability to help so many people in his lifetime. A truly magnificent leader and a great, heroic dad to us.” The cause of death was old age, according to the family. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, expressed deep sorrow over Cheong-Leen’s passing and sent her deepest condolences to Cheong-Leen’s family. “Mr Cheong-Leen had

actively participated in public services for a long time. In the last century, he was the first Chinese person to become the Chairman of the Urban Council. He also served as a member of the Legislative Council,” she said. “He was committed to community services and was particularly concerned about the development of local education,” Lam said. Hilton Cheong-Leen, who was 100 at the time of his death in the Chinese tradition of counting age, was born in Georgetown, British Guiana, in 1922, the son of a Chinese immigrant father and a thirdgeneration Chinese mother. The family left for Hong Kong when Cheong-Leen was nine. He enrolled at the prestigious La Salle College, a Catholic school in Kowloon Tong, when it opened in 1932 and started working at a bank immediately after he graduated. His career in finance did not last long. In December

Hilton Cheong-Leen greets Princess Margaret during her visit to Hong Kong in 1975 (scmp.com photo)

1941, Japan invaded Hong Kong and swiftly defeated the allied forces defending the city. Cheong-Leen and his family fled to Guilin, where he worked at the U.S. consulate. His family returned to Hong Kong when the war ended in 1945. “One of the first jobs I was offered was with the Post,” he later said. “They offered me the chance to become a reporter with a salary of HK$500 [US$64].” But his friends suggested he instead import highly sought-after goods such as stockings, shirts and jackets from the U.S., because he had friends in New York. His company would later go on to specialise in importing Swiss watches. In 1953, Cheong-Leen joined the Hong Kong Junior Chamber of Commerce, a group formed under the auspices of an international NGO that promoted civic awareness. In that year, he represented the Hong Kong chapter at the group’s conference in San Francisco. Cheong-Leen subscribed to the chamber’s tenet that “government should be of laws rather than of men”. POLITICAL GROUP After returning to Hong Kong, he decided to form his own political group to offer the community an alternative platform for civic engagement. In October 1954, he cofounded the Hong Kong Civic Association and was elected honorary secretary. The association is the oldest surviving political group in the city. In 1956, Cheong-Leen ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Urban Council, which

oversaw municipal services on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. He ran again the following year and won, and would go on to hold his seat for the next 34 years. He also became the first Chinese chairman of the council, a position tantamount to mayor – hence his nickname. “I was often dubbed ‘Hong Kong’s mayor’ as I went around meeting folks from different walks of life and opening a variety of community activities, such as a painting exhibition and opening of a new business,” he said in an interview with the Post in 2019. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1973 and was indirectly elected to Legco in 1985. In 1960, Cheong-Leen, an early advocate for gradual democratic development in Hong Kong, travelled to London with Reform Club chairman and liberal-minded barrister Brook Bernacchi to lobby British officials to speed up the pace of political reform in Hong Kong. “The weakness of the system lies in the fact that the government is too often completely out of touch with the community. The value of the appointed unofficial advice is strictly limited,” the two said in a joint memorandum to Britain’s Colonial Office. “The person from whom the advice is sought is himself often out of touch with or blind to the realities of a situation or community with which or whom he is not in direct contact.” COMPULSORY SCHOOLING Cheong-Leen was also

Then Urban Council chairman Hilton CheongLeen speaks at the council’s centenary meeting in 1983 with Governor Sir Edward Youde (left) (scmp.com/ Robin Lam photo) instrumental in pushing for nine years of compulsory schooling for Hong Kong children, which is taken for granted today. Soon after he was appointed an unofficial member of the Legislative Council in 1973, he made a speech advocating the change and used every opportunity to further the cause. The government listened: in 1978, it began funding nine years of mandatory education spanning from Primary One to Secondary Three. A classic politician of the colonial era, Cheong-Leen believed meaningful change on bread-and-butter issues should come about through persuading the government, rather than taking to the streets. Cheong-Leen also frequently contributed letters to the editor in the Post. His first opinion piece was published on June 28, 1958, when he called on the colonial government and the British garrison to return the premises of La Salle College to the Catholic school. He would go on to have more than 200 letters published in the Post. Flora Cheong-Leen said her father had devoted his life to helping Hong Kong and its people.

“We are very proud of him having achieved so much in his life,” she said. In addition to Flora, Hilton Cheong-Leen was survived by one other daughter and two sons. Civic Association chairman Frederick Lynn Kwokwah described Cheong-Leen as a “selfless man” and a pioneer in Hong Kong’s political arena. “He always had the interests of Hong Kong residents on his mind during his tenure as a member of the Urban Council and Legco,” said Lynn, who knew Cheong-Leen for more than four decades. Former Hong Kong governor David Wilson, who served from 1987 to 1992, remembered Cheong-Leen as a committed public servant. “As chairman of the Urban Council and a Legco member and as a passionate advocate for improving the lives of the people of Hong Kong, particularly in education, Hilton Cheong-Leen was one of those with a deep sense of public service to whom modern Hong Kong owes so much. His was a long life well spent in the service of others,” he said. (scmp.com)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

Over 2,000 Amerindian youths reintegrated into workforce

IN just one year, over 2,000 young Amerindians have been trained through the Community Service Officers (CSO) programme in keeping with a manifesto promise by the current government, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai has reported. The CSO programme allows for individuals to be trained and meaningfully contribute to the development of their communities. “In 2021, we had our full complement of 2,000; in fact, 2,000 plus youths were back on roll with respect to working in their communities meaningfully and being trained and supporting their communities’ development while receiving of course a stipend as an incentive,” Minister

A group of Amerindian people at a local cultural event (DPI photo) Sukhai said. The minister said this billion-dollar initiative not only improves the skills of the Amerindian people, but also allows for money to circulate in their communities. She further noted that 600 youths were trained in other areas such as solar installation, servicing and operating tractors, as well as in information and communication technology (ICT). “We have trained 200 young men and women with respect to solar-installation maintenance. We’ve trained another 200 in driv-

ing and operating a tractor, as well as servicing the tractor and we have completed training also of 200 young men and women in ICT, in preparation for the major connectivity programme.” The minister said the Amerindian people must be prepared for connectivity, a major project being administered by the Industry and Innovation Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister. This initiative entails several ICT training sessions for young people to bridge the digital divide in the country. “We have jump-started

the Amerindian youths in being prepared for connectivity, so that they will be able to, not only manage, but they will be able to train their peers, farmers, youths, and schoolchildren. They will also be able to provide support to teachers and nurses who may very well have to use the computer,” she said. Meanwhile, the government has also synchronised training for medical health practitioners in various fields, so that they can better deliver healthcare services in these hinterland regions. (DPI)

ICT classroom constructed by the PPP/C government (DPI photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

Over $38M recovered by Labour Ministry for aggrieved employees Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

FOLLOWING several complaints from employees, the Ministry of Labour was able to recover $38,208,204 from employers in 2021.

The recovered sum included money owed for wages, overtime, severance, annual leave and payment in lieu of notice of termination.

Meanwhile, for yet another year, security companies dominated the labour complaints. Of the 867 complaints received, more than 20 per cent were made against security companies. The commercial sector came in second with 20 per cent. “[A] seminar was held with the security companies to educate them on the labour laws and regulations because the ministry continues to receive a lot of complaints,” a report from the ministry noted. For 2021, the ministry held more than 700 meetings with employers in an attempt to resolve the respective issues they had with the employees. Additionally, as part of efforts to improve employer/employee relations, representatives of 930 employers were trained in labour laws and regulations. The labour department was able to conclude 837 or 77 per cent of the open labour complaints in 2021. The year’s complaints also included 219 complaints from 2020. A total of 1,086 complaints being dealt with in 2021. The 867 complaints received in 2021 marked a 37.4 per cent increase in complaints compared to what was received in 2020. Some 1,200 complaints were received in 2019. The lower number of labour complaints over the past two years has

been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the closure of many businesses. With most businesses returning to normalcy, increases in the labour complaints were to be expected. Speaking with this publication, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton said he is satisfied with the amount of work and new developments that the ministry was able to accomplish over the past year, particularly given that it had only been reestablished in 2020. In other developments for the year, the MoL was also able to oversee the signing of 22 new collective labour agreements and held 19 conciliations. “Never in history of the country [and] in just one year, we have had several CLAs signed. Some of these matters have been outstanding for years, and in some cases the parties have been refusing to meet each other and we were able to bring them to the table and talk to each other, and even have them sign agreements. In some cases, it was a multi-year agreement signed,” Hamilton noted As it pertains to strikes, the ministry was able to barter a resolution between Chineseowned bauxite company, BOSAI, and its employees for the resumption of work in October, after a few days of strike action.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

EVEN as government continues to implement systems to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Ministry of Health has reported that 657 new cases and two more deaths have been recorded in a 24-hour period. A third death which occurred in December 2020 was included in the figures released on Sunday. Since the first case was confirmed in March 2020, Guyana has recorded a total 44,902 cases and 1,070 deaths. According to the ministry, the latest fatalities are a 63-year-old from Region

Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 74-year-old man from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), who were both unvaccinated and died on January 08, 2022. The third person, a fully vaccinated 84-year-old woman from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) died on December 23, 2021. Additionally, there are currently 5,908 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 657 new cases which are spread across the ten administrative regions. Region Four is leading the way with 345 new cases.

Guyana records 657 new COVID-19 cases, three more deaths There are 13 new cases in Region One; 18 in Region Two; 89 in Region Three; six in Region Five; 67 in Region Six; 35 in Region Seven; eight in Region Eight; 44 in Region Nine and 33 in Region 10. Of the active cases, five persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 107 are in institutional isolation; 5,787 are in home isolation, and nine are in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that

is, they are not exhibiting symptoms. In the past week, there has been a consistent rise in the number of confirmed cases. Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony had said that this consistent rise could be a sign of the presence of the Omicron variant, which is reportedly more transmissible. Samples have already been sent overseas for testing. “Pertaining to whether we have Omicron or not, as I said based on the evidence that we have, we do believe that it’s Omicron and that’s because of its contagiousness. The number of cases that we are seeing in the shortened time,

the types of symptoms that people are having, the less hospitalisation that we are witnessing… so there are all these features that we have observed using our collection of data and because of that we can predict that that is what we have here,” Minister Anthony said. He added that several Caribbean countries have confirmed the presence of the virus in their territories. Minister Anthony and health officials have urged persons who have tested positive for the virus to isolate themselves until they have been cleared. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in

force until January 31, 2022. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic. As per the current measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew is 12:00hrs to 04:00hrs. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 2267480; or 180/181 for assistance.

Mayor Narine’s file on alleged shooting with DPP

Mayor Pandit Ubraj Narine THE file pertaining to the alleged shooting by Mayor of the City of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine during a reported domestic altercation, has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers for legal advice as the police continue their investigation into the matter. According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle from police sources on Sunday, the file, which was sent for legal advice, has not yet been returned. On Monday, December 27, 2021, the police were reportedly called to the mayor’s Pigeon Island, East

Coast Demerara home after the sound of gunshots were reportedly heard emanating from there. Responding to the call and upon visiting the mayor’s residence, the police met a number of relatives of the mayor’s wife as they were standing on the street, who reportedly related that the mayor and his wife were having ‘some issues’ and they both reportedly admitted that they were indeed having issues. At the scene, the police had asked Narine if he was the holder of a licensed firearm and he admitted same, but denied firing the

weapon. His wife who was also questioned separately denied that the mayor had fired his weapon and that he had assaulted or threatened her with the weapon. The mayor was required to hand over his firearm with four live rounds to the police after he was escorted to the Beterverwagting Police Station where his licensed firearm was lodged. Narine’s hands were swabbed and what was collected was sent to the laboratory to be tested for gunpowder residue. The firearm was later dispatched for ballistic testing as well.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

Suicide – those left behind

By Vanessa Cort ONE of my daughters has keen memories of a friend who took his own life two years ago. She remembers with regret not reaching out to him and making time for him when he let her know that he wanted to sit down and talk with her. But at the time she had “a lot going on” in her own life and just did not get around to it. Now she lives with the guilt spawned by her belief that she could have prevented it. “You know I think because of the type of relationship we had, I feel if we had talked and he had told me what he wanted to do, I would have been able to prevent him from doing it.” Another older female friend of mine from Berbice seemed at a total loss when telling me of the suicide of her young nephew, “Awe

nah know why he do it,” she said, her face mirroring both her bafflement and her grief. And herein lies an issue that sets suicide apart from other deaths – the search for a reason and the feeling by a survivor that it could have been prevented. Family members and friends begin to question whether they could have done anything differently or whether they overlooked tell-tale signs. Harvard Health Publishing (HHP) tells us that “After a suicide these questions

may be extreme and selfpunishing – unrealistically condemning the survivor for failing to predict the death or to intervene effectively or on time.” Coupled with this is the tendency by survivors to “greatly overestimate” their role and to feel that they could have affected the outcome, when in fact, as Psychotherapist Tull pointed out, once a person is committed to the act there is little anyone can do to stop them. This, however, does not

prevent outsiders from apportioning blame, particularly to family members, who are often even ashamed to admit that suicide was the cause of death. Experts, once more, blame the stigma attached to mental illness for this, noting that suicide is often associated with mental health issues and observing that, because many religions condemn suicide as a sin, survivors are even more reluctant to disclose a suicidal death. In addition, families may differ on how to discuss such a death publicly and this can make it even more difficult for survivors who may want to speak out openly. “The decision to keep the suicide a secret from outsiders, children or selected relatives can lead to isolation, confusion and shame that may last for years or even generations,” according to HHP.

The Journal also states that of the more than 43,000 persons who take their own lives each year in the United States, an estimated “six or more” are left behind to grieve and struggle to understand what caused such an act. It is likely that a similar number is left behind in this country too. What is clear from literature on the subject is that survivors of suicide need help and support but are often overlooked, in part because of their reluctance to disclose their feelings. This is further compounded by the fact that the complex nature of suicide means that outsiders may feel uncertain of what they can do to help. Studies have shown that the aftermath of suicide is severe and different from other kinds of loss. This is because death by suicide is sudden, can sometimes be violent and is usually unexpected.

In certain instances survivors may have to deal with the police and the press and may be asked if they wish to visit the scene of the tragedy. Clinical Psychologist, Jack Jordan, PhD, says whether survivors choose to do so or not, either decision may be the right one, “But it can lead to trauma if people feel that they don’t have a choice”. Survivors of suicide are also more prone to PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and are at greater risk of taking their own lives. Hence, new research has led to the formation of groups, where survivors can meet and talk about the trauma. This offers new hope for healing and has proved to be beneficial. Perhaps such an initiative can be taken in this country to help in the healing of those left behind after a death by suicide.

Amerindian villages, communities receive $300M in presidential grants

One of the 112 tractors given to hinterland communities to boost agriculture (DPI photo) IN 2021, the 220 Amerindian villages and communities across the country received $300 million in presidential grants. The grants were used to boost village economies and to enhance the lives of Amerindians through a variety of projects. These include developing agricultural enterprises such as cattle and poultry rearing, cash-crop farming,

tourism ventures, village offices, and roads. The presidential grants are a major boost to the development of the Amerindian people as some communities receive up to $5 million. The programme was first started in 2007 by the then PPP/C Government. Apart from the grants, the government has imple-

mented several other initiatives to boost the economies of Amerindian villages and by extension, the peoples’ lives. Last year, the government procured 112 tractors along with ploughs and harrows at a total cost of $446 million, to boost agricultural production and ensure food security for Amerindians. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

Workers’ rights, capacity building took centre stage in 2021

- as Labour Ministry rolled out agenda AFTER being elected to office in August 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government went about reestablishing the Ministry of Labour, which had been reduced to a mere department under the previous administration. The year 2021 saw the ministry focusing on capacity building, human development and protecting workers’ rights, a mandate set out by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. Led by the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, in 2021, the ministry was able to recover over $38 million on behalf of employees. This sum included wages owed to workers, annual leave payment, overtime, severance and payment in lieu of notice of termination. Last year, the ministry received a total of 867 complaints, most of which were from the security and commercial sectors. Some 837 of those complaints were closed. In order to ensure full adherence to the labour laws, the ministry’s labour

department conducted close to 1,000 work place inspections countrywide. Most of those inspections were led by Minister Hamilton, who called for both local and foreign companies to respect and uphold the country’s labour laws and regulations. Additionally, 22 collective labour bargaining agreements were signed for 2021 while the ministry facilitated over 700 meetings with employers, all with the intention to settle the respective issues with their employees. A total of 930 employers’ representatives were trained in labour laws and regulations, while seminars were held with security companies to educate them on the labour laws and regulations in light of the increase in the number of complaints from employees of those companies. Creating a safe and healthy work environment, especially in the mining and construction sector, amid the pandemic, was a major focus of the Labour Ministry last year, as well.

The newly established labour office in Anna Regina, Region Two To this end, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department increased health and safety inspections at work places nationwide. A series of safety-related training sessions were conducted, targeting the oil and gas industry. The staff also underwent training in keeping with inter-

national standards. New labour offices were also established in Anna Regina, Region Two; Upper Corentyne, Region Six and Linden, Region 10. Labour officers were also recruited and placed in all 10 administrative regions. The ministry, through the Board of Industrial

Training (BIT), increased opportunities for technical and vocational education training countrywide. Wi t h a n i n c r e a s e d budgetary allocation of $439.8 million, BIT was able to facilitate training for some 3,086 persons in 2021, as compared to 2,000 trained the previous year.

The ministry was also able to advance talks with regards to the increase in the national private sector minimum wage to $60,000 through the convening of a tripartite committee that included representatives of the private sector and trade unions. (DPI)

Persons from Region Three who graduated from BIT programmes along with officials of the Ministry of Labour

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

Foods: nutritious and fascinating

Pulses come in all shapes, sizes and colours – so there’s something for everyone (FAO/Pedro Costa Gomes)

MEAL after meal, day after day. It’s easy to get into routines with food and forget about the variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and other foods that exist, with all the different nutritional benefits that they offer. If that sounds familiar, then FAO is here to help. Drawing on our experiences from around the world, we’ve consulted with local cooks, chefs and families to put together some fascinating and useful cookbooks. They’re designed to not only celebrate local cuisine, but to recognise the nutritious value of traditional meals eaten around the globe. Poor diets and disease are some of the top

causes of undernutrition, so promoting sustainable, healthy recipes is key to helping households make informed food choices. So, if you’re interested in trying some new, nutritious dishes, here are five FAO cookbooks that are bound to inspire you. A TASTE OF KENYA Kenyan Food Recipes takes you on a tour of the country’s best dishes, taking into account the diverse lifestyles, cultures and food traditions of its various communities. Households in Kenya don’t often use defined and measurable recipes, which can lead to incorrect nutrient intake and makes it much harder to estimate the nutrition of the population as a whole. This is why the FAO has produced a cookbook to document common recipes, detailing ingredients, preparation methods and portion size: to disseminate this local knowledge and enhance community nutrition. With a total of 142 mixed recipes from Uji wa Muhogo, a cassava porridge, to Inghokho, a stewed chicken dish, there’s something for everyone. Why not give it a go! LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN FLAVOURS Filled to the brim with recipes that pack a punch, Health, Knowledge and Flavours features a selection of recipes from different countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Traditionally prepared by women, the dishes featured in this cookbook reflect their incredible knowledge of local food and its nutritional value. The cookbook also serves to recognise the women’s contribution to and impact on household nutrition. Now you can learn from their expertise ; the book covers traditional recipes from El Salvador to Saint Lucia, Paraguay to Peru, with sweet treats such as carob and banana cake or main dishes such as trout with a cream made from the tarwi bean. RECIPES FROM THE MOUNTAINS Mountains are homes to a variety of food -- from potatoes to quinoa to mushrooms – often produced on steep slopes in harsh climates. In Mountain recipes: Cooks in high places, we feature the top 30 recipes from the International Mountain Day 2019 contest, organised by the FAO and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat to help promote mountain products and their nutritious value. Over 70 entries were received from 27 countries. The winner was

Ashmita Lama, whose recipe for Kwati, a classic Nepalese mountain dish that is eaten during the celebrations, is featured in this book. This traditional dish is made of Jumla beans, an indigenous food linked to the culture and religion of the Sinja Valley from which Ashmita hails. Jumla beans carry the Mountain Partnership Products label, which tells the story of the product and producer and works to boost the income of farmers in remote mountain regions. FEAST ON PULSES From lentils to chickpeas, borlotti beans to black-eyed peas, pulses are many, varied and very nutritious! The Pulses: nutritious seeds for a sustainable future recipe book has more than 30 recipes prepared by some of the most prestigious chefs in the world. The book begins by explaining why pulses are such an important food: they are packed with protein, fibre and micronutrients, have a low carbon footprint and are generally low-cost and accessible. It explains step by step how to cook them, what to keep in mind and what condiments and instruments to use. Lastly, the book takes the reader on a journey around the world, showing how pulses fit into a region’s history and culture, visiting 10 internationally acclaimed chefs as they go the market to buy pulses. Each chef prepares easy dishes and shares their best- kept secrets – why not cook along with them! QUINOA TREATS Quinoa fritters? Quinoa and apple pudding? Even a quinoa drink! Who knew there were so many things you can make with this simple grain. The International Cookbook for Quinoa combines many recipes, traditional and innovative, to offer more than 60 different dishes. Quinoa is key to providing nutrition for many families across the world – it’s full of protein and amino acids, great for people who follow a largely vegan or vegetarian diet. They are also an excellent source of iron and antioxidants. When grown, pulses are also versatile – they thrive in a variety of areas and can withstand both very high and very low temperatures. FAO is passionate about improving food security and nutrition for communities around the world. Our cookbooks celebrate the diversity of food, draw attention to their nutritional value and the cultural significance behind them. So next time you’re looking for some cooking inspiration, you know where to come! (FAO)

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday January 10, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

No assurances for Novak’s Australian VISA (BBC) - Novak Djokovic was given no assurances that a medical exemption would allow him into Australia, lawyers fighting to deport the tennis star have argued. The court filing by lawyers for the Australian government also reveal Djokovic, 34, is unvaccinated. Australia's COVID border rules ban non-double vaccinated foreigners from entering, unless they have a medical exemption from having the ‘jab’. Djokovic's legal team argued a recent infection gives

home office dismissed it as a valid reason. "There is no suggestion that the applicant had 'acute major medical illness' in December 2021. All he has said is that he tested positive for COVID-19. This is not the same," it said, adding there was "no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia". It also said that "it is common ground" between the two parties that "the applicant is unvaccinated". Djokovic has previously said he is opposed to vaccination, but never said open-

Novak Djokovic him a valid exemption. The Serbian tennis player flew into Melbourne last week, hoping to defend his Australian Open title. But instead he has been held in an immigration detention centre as his lawyers prepare to appeal against a decision by Australia's Federal Government to cancel his visa. The case is due to go before a judge on Monday. Tennis Australia has said it needs to know by Tuesday if he will be allowed to play, as it has to schedule his matches for the tournament, which begins 17 January. On Saturday, Djokovic's lawyers submitted a 35-page document arguing that their client fulfilled the criteria for a vaccine exemption certificate because of a recent COVID infection, which was confirmed by a PCR test on 16 December. But in Sunday's court filing, lawyers for Australia's

ly whether he had had the vaccine. In Australia, the news he had been granted a medical exemption was met with anger from citizens who have been living under some of the world's strictest COVID rules. Those controls have separated families, and meant people missed funerals, births and weddings. Now that more than 90 percent of Australia's over-16 population is vaccinated some rules have been relaxed. However, some people still cannot travel interstate or globally because of current measures. "I think it's a disgrace," Melbourne resident Christine Wharton told ABC earlier this week. "We've all done the right thing, we've all gone out and got our ‘jabs’ and our boosters and we have someone that has come from overseas and all of a sudden he's been exempt and can play."

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

England ‘hold for dear life’ to deny Australia Ashes whitewash

(ESPNCRICINFO) There is no such thing as a dead rubber in Test cricket. Australia, 3-0 up, having dominated the game, had their dreams of a whitewash shattered as England finally salvaged something from the wreck of this Ashes tour with Jack Leach, Stuart Broad and James Anderson surviving 64 balls under floodlights to secure a thrilling draw at the SCG. Leach and Broad faced 52 of them, most of which were against Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc before bad light forced Australia to turn to Steve Smith and he almost became a hero with the ball. He prized out Leach, his first Test scalp since 2016, caught at slip after the England's spinner had battled manfully for 34 balls without error. It left Broad and Anderson to survive six balls each from Nathan Lyon and Smith respectively and England's veterans held on. It was only the second time in Ashes history a team had saved a game nine-down in the fourth innings, the first being the famous 2005 draw at Manchester.

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High-quality half-centuries from Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes and a brave 105ball 41 from Jonny Bairstow had earlier put England in a position to save the Test. However, Australia will rue a raft of errors that have seen a chance at an Ashes whitewash literally slip through their fingers. They dropped three catches and missed a run-out on the final day. Scott Boland bowled magnificently to take 3 for 30 while Cummins almost turned the game with two wickets in three balls. But questions will be asked of the delayed declaration yesterday, as Australia failed for the second year in a row to bowl a side out on the final day at the SCG with Lyon and Starc taking just two wickets between them. Thanks largely to the excellent work of Crawley and Stokes, England were just three down at lunch, four down at tea and 5 for 218 with just 16 overs remaining and Bairstow and Jos Buttler at the crease facing the second new ball before the game took a thrilling twist. Cummins delivered two huge blows in three balls with two extraordinary inswingers to put Australia on burg 09:15 hrs Demachine 09:45 hrs One For You 10:15 hrs Jet Plane 10:45 hrs Noonlight Flit 11:15 hrs Java Point 11:45 hrs Peerless Beauty Taunton 09:00 hrs Jpr One 09:30 hrs Knickerbockerglory 10:00 hrs San Giovanni 10:30 hrs Quoi De Neuf 11:00 hrs Masters Legacy 11:30 hrs Young O’Leary 12:05 hrs No No Tonic Wolverhampton 12:00 hrs Dark Design 12:30 hrs Algheed 13:00 hrs Shurut 13:30 hrs Eligible 14:00 hrs Kenzai Warrior 14:30 hrs Ooh Is It 15:00 hrs Hooflepuff

James Anderson and Stuart Broad walk off after the match ended in a draw (Getty Images)

the brink of victory. Buttler, batting bravely with a broken finger that will force him out of the final Test, copped a vicious inswinger from Cummins. He over-balanced and hit his boot with his bat. The bat swivelled as a result at the precise moment the ball sneaked through and thundered into the back pad. Umpire Paul Reiffel gave it not out but Cummins reviewed and it was smashing middle and leg. Two balls later, Cummins delivered a searing inswinging yorker that hit Mark Wood flush on the front foot. Reiffel gave it out immediately and Wood knew his fate as he hobbled to his feet after crumpling over when he was struck. He reviewed but it was fruitless. Bairstow then nicked Starc to second slip but the normally reliable Smith grassed the chance low to his right. Smith redeemed himself not long after, insisting Cummins place a silly mid-off for Boland in addition to the short leg. Boland's belligerent length produced some nip off the seam, caught Bairstow's inside edge and ricocheted

onto pad before ballooning up to Labuschagne leaving Australia just two scalps to take in more than 10 overs. But Leach and Broad were magnificent. As Australia failed to extract any real venom from the pitch, they defended their off stump with their lives. Broad was literally put on his backside by a cracking Cummins bouncer. But he kept his wits about him and his gloves out of the way. Lyon too couldn't break through having earlier bowled two beauties to dismiss Dawid Malan and Stokes. Smith conjured one final piece of magic to give Australia hope. He pitched in the footmarks outside Leach's off stump, but it didn't turn as much as anticipated, the nick brushed Alex Carey's thigh and David Warner held well at slip. Earlier, Crawley played with a freedom that has not been seen on this Ashes tour from any of England's openers. He struck 13 boundaries and scored at an incredibly brisk rate. His 77 from 100 balls was the fastest Test innings by an Englishman

in terms of strike-rate in 17 years. He also had 77 of England's first 91 runs. Crawley moved his guard almost outside off stump and profited by picking off anything straight from Australia's quicks. He was also savage on the short ball, pounding several pull shots forward of square. It took a peach to dismiss him. Cameron Green delivered a searing yorker that hit Crawley flush on the toe. He was one of three wickets to fall in the opening session. Haseeb Hameed's horror tour continued. He registered his sixth single-figure score and nicked off twice in his 9. He survived the first off Cummins when Carey put him down in a similar fashion to the first innings, diving late to his right with one hand. He didn't survive the second off Boland. Lyon removed Malan for the fifth time in Test cricket eight overs later. Malan paid dearly for his penchant for trying to cut Lyon off the back foot, as a quicker 95kph arm-ball skidded on and crashed into off-stump. Australia could have had

four before lunch. Marcus Harris dropped a very tough chance at short leg off Cummins. Stokes was only 16 at the time. It proved very costly. Stokes battled through the pain of a side strain to make 60 from 123 balls, his second half-century of the match. He lost skipper Joe Root who was undone by Boland for the third time in three innings and was caught behind the wicket for the eighth time in the series. Boland's immaculate length and hint of nip away scratched the outside edge as Root tried to defend. Bairstow should have been run out next over trying for a suicidal two to fine leg. Lyon's throw was a missile that barely missed at the keeper's end but Carey failed to glove it cleanly thinking it would hit the stumps direct. It took Australia 22 overs to break through again with Lyon producing his best ball of the match. Sharp bounce and turn undid Stokes as he fended to slip. But that was the last wicket Lyon would take on the final day.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

Latham, Conway, Young feast Brooks satisfied with on mediocre bowling to performance push Bangladesh to a corner despite missing century

Shamarh Brooks

CMC – Despite missing out on a century on his One Day-International (ODI) debut, Shamarh Brooks is satisfied with his performance in Saturday’s match which West Indies won against Ireland at Sabina Park. However, the Player-of-the-Match admitted he could have played the ball that got him out at 93 after 89 deliveries, differently. After being dropped on 92 at the start of the 45th over in the opening match of the CG Insurance ODI Series, Brooks perished lbw to medium pacer Mark Adair in the 36th over. “In hindsight, now, looking back on it, I probably should have stayed on the front foot,” he said in a post-match interview. “There was a big space or a big gap on the leg side with the field that the bowler had set, so that’s the only real change I would make, instead of going back on the back foot, pressing forward on the front foot.” However, the Barbadian said, “at the end of the day, it was my first game, and I am still happy with the score that I got”. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get those three figures. I wouldn’t say I panicked in the nervous 90s. Some people would probably end up being a little too cautious after being set, but as we all know, it’s a learning curve at this level, and I’ll take this one on the chin and look to go from strength to strength,” added the elegant right-hander. Brooks hit nine stylish fours and three equally polished sixes on his way to his 93. The 33-year-old who made his Test debut in 2019 and began his limited-overs career with last month’s Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan, said his role in white-ball cricket is to “rotate the strike in terms of the middle overs”. “We’ve always produced guys who can hit the ball over the rope, so for me, it’s just to really come in and play my part in the middle overs – especially in a situation like [Saturday] where we lost early wickets – and get the innings going again, then continue with a flurry at the back end,” he added. Brooks’ brilliant batting display which featured in a record century stand with captain Kieron Pollard, helped West Indies to a 24-run victory against Ireland in the first of three ODIs. West Indies play the other two matches on Tuesday and Friday. The teams will also play a T20I next Sunday at the same venue.

Tom Latham scored his first Test century as captain (Getty Images)

(ESPNCRICINFO) - New Zealand have bounced back from the Mount Maunganui reversal, and how! They made 349 for 1 on the first day of the second Test in Christchurch after being asked to bat, with Tom Latham leading the way with an unbeaten 186, his first century as captain. Devon Conway had another great day, though he might have a nervous night as he finished the day on 99. And Will Young, the only man to be dismissed, hit 54. Latham and Conway have added 201 runs for the unbroken second wicket, following the 148-run stand between Young and Latham for the first wicket. It was the first hundred-plus stand for the opening wicket in the first innings in New Zealand since 2012. And they have already put on more runs than ever before for the first two wickets in a Test in New Zealand, topping West Indies' 289 in 2000. The same Bangladesh bowling line-up that struck so regularly in the previous game, was pedestrian at best on the day as they conceded 44 boundaries in 90 overs. Ebadot Hossain, the star of the Mount Maunganui win, went wicketless in his 21 overs, conceding 114 runs.

Shoriful Islam took the only wicket to fall. While Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz couldn't quite stem the run flow. Latham had a field day driving, cutting and guiding the ball through the off-side. He struck 21 of his 29 fours through this area, looking particularly great whenever he had a bit of room. He was also quick on anything short, pulling the ball with ease. Conway started with a beautiful cover-driven four off Mehidy, and towards the end of the day, blazed one through the covers off Taskin, highlights of his innings so far, which has already included ten fours and six. During the last session, Latham reached his 150 off 199 balls, before moving to his highest score against Bangladesh, topping the 177 in Wellington in 2017. Conway, too, picked up pace but there was a semblance of control from Bangladesh as they used spin for an extended period. Latham had reached his 12th Test century in the middle session to lead New Zealand's supremacy. They raised their run rate in the afternoon, scoring at 3.92, as opposed to the 3.53 in the first session. But Bangladesh had their chances, twice

denied by the review and once by their own frailties. Early in the first session, Latham overturned two lbw decisions off Ebadot in the same over. Then, in the first over of the second session, Litton Das dropped Young diving to his left from second slip, even though it seemed the ball would have carried to first slip. To make matters worse, the bowler, Ebadot, had to run all the way to the boundary to stop the resultant overthrow. Ebadot's figures were further dented when there was another four overthrows in his next over. It underlined Bangladesh's enthusiasm, perhaps. But they did remove Young, caught off Shoriful at point. It was Young's third consecutive dismissal in the 50s. Soon enough, Latham reached his fastest Test century, off 133 balls, to the applause from his wife, young son and father, who were all in the stands. Bangladesh's poor luck started even before the toss, when they lost Mushfiqur Rahim to a groin injury. This is the first time in more than 12 years that they are playing a Test without Mushfiqur, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup …Group A preview

THE West Indies play host to the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time, in 2022, and Group A will provide a first look at the defending champions. Bangladesh sprung a surprise two years ago in South Africa as a team featuring the likes of Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shoriful Islam – both part of the side that claimed an historic Test victory for the senior team in New Zealand this month – won the title. They face ever-present England, looking to secure a second title after the one they won back in 1998, as well as Canada and the United Arab Emirates. All the games will take place in St Kitts and Nevis, which previously hosted games at the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Bangladesh (13th appearance)

England’s Tom Prest

Over the last eight editions of the ICC U19 Men’s CWC, Bangladesh have come through the first round on six occasions, culminating

Bangladesh’s Rakibul Hasan

in the memorable overall victory two years ago in South Africa. On that occasion, they beat India in the final, the team who have caused them the most problems at Under-19 level. Prior to 2020, their previous best performance came in 2016 when a team captained by Mehidy Hasan Miraz finished third overall on home soil. Captaining the side this time around is Rakibul Hasan, part of the winning team in South Africa and the left-arm spinner will be key to the team building on a strong recent record. Canada’s 8th appearance Canada head to the West Indies to take part in a fifth

successive ICC U19 Men’s CWC, and an eighth overall. The North Americans will be hoping to improve on a best previous result of 11th place, which came in 2010. They have never made it past the first round and into the quarter-finals, and will be up against it here with the defending champion, Bangladesh, and England in the group. Skipper Mihir Patel was part of the team in South Africa, including scoring 90 against fellow Group A outfit, UAE. in a first-round defeat that was later avenged in the play-offs. England (14th appearance) It has now been 24 years since England’s sole ICC U19 Men’s CWC victory,

but the team did reach the semi-finals on the way to third place back in 2014. Last time out, England failed to get through the first round, edged out in a group also featuring Australia and the West Indies before going on to finish ninth with three wins in the play-offs. This year, Hampshire batter and skipper Tom Prest will be hopeful of a stronger showing for a completely new-look side coached by Richard Dawson. The team also features Barbados-born spinner Jacob Bethell, who will hope to impress on his return to the Caribbean, as well as fellow spinner Archie Lenham, who featured regularly for Sussex across all three formats in 2021 at the age of just 17. United Arab Emirates (3rd appearance) The United Arab Emirates have qualified for the ICC U19 Men’s CWC for the second edition running, and third overall having hosted the event in 2014. Last time around, the UAE got the better of Canada in the first round, but then fell to the same opponent in the 13th-place play-off, so they will be a familiar rival. Full international Alishan Sharafu, a batting all-rounder, will captain the side, having been part of the squad two years ago. He has since gone on to represent the UAE at T20I

Sparta Boss clinch K&S/GFF Futsal title in... spot. Eusi Phillips and Jermaine Junor both scored for their respective sides, so did Jeremy Garrett and Schultz as the scores stood at 2 - 2. While Curtez Kellman scored to put Sparta up 3 - 2, Colin Nelson was denied by Devon Charles. Hackett then made it 4 - 2, then Daniel Wilson, with hopes of keeping his side alive scored for Bent Street. But Shepherd put the game away for good when he slotted home from the 'spot' as pandemonium broke out in the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. For his exceptional performance which earned him the MVP trophy, Hackett went home with a motorcycle. In the third place game, Gold is Money defeated Leopold Street 3-1 to pocket $250,000 while the latter collected $100,000.

Bent Street's Jermaine Junor and Sparta Boss' Eusi Phillips battling things out during the K&S/GFF Futsal final

Canada’s Mihir Patel

and ODI level and will bring plenty of experience to the side as one of two returning players, along with 17-yearold wicket-keeper and opener Kai Smith, who was just 15 when he played in this event in South Africa. Group A fixtures 15 January - Canada v UAE, Conaree Cricket Center, St Kitts and Nevis 16 January - Bangladesh v England, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis 18 January - England v Canada, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis 20 January - England v UAE, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis; Bangladesh v Canada, Conaree Cricket Center, St Kitts and Nevis 22 January - Bangladesh v UAE, Warner Park Cricket Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis (ICC Media). FROM PAGE 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, 2022

BCB renews sponsorship for Ivan Madray memorial 20/20 Knockout tournament - receives sponsorship for Sir Curtly visit

The Berbice Cricket Board, on Friday last, attracted another sponsorship as it forges ahead with its plans for a very active 2022 cricket season despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Board’s president, Hilbert Foster, who also serves as the Manager was able to get Chandradat Chintamani to renew his sponsorship of the Ivan Madray Memorial 20/20 first division tournament. The sponsorship worth $380,000.00 was handed over to Foster in the Water Street, Georgetown office of Chintamani, who is the General Manager of Muneshwar’s Ltd. The Madray Cup is one of at least four first division tournaments that the vibrant BCB hopes to ‘run off’ in 2022. The board has already obtained sponsorship for the Tenelec Inc 50 overs tournament from overseas-based Berbician, Bobby Deonarine, and plans to lobby for a forty overs tournament and another 20/20. Foster expressed thanks to Chintamani for his support and committed the board to organising a tournament of the highest standard. Chintamani had sponsored the tour-

nament in 2018 and 2019 before the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation in 2020 and 2021. The teams that would play in the third edition are West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne, Skeldon and Berbice River. The involvement of the Berbice River team would be historic as it would be their first time playing at the first division level in the county. Foster disclosed that the BCB wants to give all persons across the county the opportunity to develop their potential and as such the riverain team was given the chance to play at the highest level in the county. Chintamani, in brief remarks, stated that he was very impressed with the development of Berbice cricket and was delighted to contribute to the BCB. The Berbice-born business executive explained that Madray had played a major role in his early development and, as such, he was pleased to keep Madray’s memory alive by sponsoring the tournament

Mr Chandradat Chintamani hands over sponsorship cheque to Hilbert Foster, BCB president

in his name. Madray was the third Berbician to play test cricket, after John Trim and Rohan Kanhai, He played two

test matches in 1958 before migrating to England where he died in 2009 at the age of seventy-five years.

The first two editions were won by Young Warriors CC in 2018 and Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour in 2019, respectively. Meanwhile, Foster, on Friday last, also collected the $1.3M sponsorship from Dr Frank Den bow for the upcoming Sir Curtly Ambrose visit to Berbice. Ambrose would be visiting the county from the 9th to 14th of February to conduct three days of fast bowling clinics at the Albion Ground. The sponsorship was handed over by a representative at the Princess Hotel in Providence and would cover all the cost of the visit including stipend, airline ticket, accommodation, meals etc. The BCB would also be distributing close to one million dollars worth of cricket balls to the twelve teams that would be playing the Board’s 2022 first division season. The distribution would be done as part of the BCB Patron Fund , which is financed by Patron Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources. The donation of balls should allow the clubs to play the entire 2022 season.

GFF mid-season transfer window open Sparta Boss clinch THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Sunday reminded its members, clubs and players that the mid-season transfer window has opened to enable the transfer of players between clubs. During this transfer period, which runs from January 1 up to and including January 31, the GFF would like to encourage clubs to process any desired transfers in a timely manner to avoid last-minute transactions, which seem to have become the norm. General Secretary of the GFF, Ian Alves, said this is a great opportunity for clubs to bolster their squad capacity and increase their chances of success in forthcoming competitions this year. “Coming out of the recently concluded year-end tournaments contested across the GFF’s regional associations, clubs and teams have had a good chance to take note of their deficiencies on the pitch, if any, or to see what possible projected adjustments might be needed in order to improve the team's performance going forward,” Alves said. “The mid-season transfer window provides those clubs and teams with an excellent opportunity to fix whatever needs fixing in terms of their composition and cohesion on the field of play. It is therefore anticipated that maximum use would be

K&S/GFF Futsal title in dramatic fashion

The transfer window runs from January 1 up to and including January 31

made of this opportunity accordingly.” A domestic transfer, in order to be considered procedurally correct, must involve the former club, the player, the former regional association (RA), the new club, and the new RA (in the case of a transfer out of the former regional association). “The GFF will treat a player-transfer as complete only if all of these entities are informed and involved, and provided

that none of them raise any legitimate concerns about the attempted transfer and, as a result, refuse to concur or approve the transfer,” Alves added. The new club has the recourse to seek the intervention of the relevant RA, or subsequently the GFF, if it is of the view that the transfer is being unjustly hindered by the former club or the relevant RA. The GFF acts as the RA for Elite League clubs.

Epic! The word used by the scores of spectators after witnessing Sparta Boss edging Bent Street 5 - 3 on penalty to win the Kashif and Shanghai/ Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Futsal Championship. Playing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, a capacity crowd saw Sparta Boss claiming the tournament's $1M first-place prize after the two sides ended regulation and extra time four goals apiece. With the crowd on the edge of their seat before the first whistle, Clive Nobrega scored as Bent Street opened their account four minutes into the heated contest. But the tournament's eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP), Ryan Hack-

ett pulled one back three minutes later with the scores level 1 - 1 at half time. Hackett completed his double in the second half, however, William Europe scored late in the game to send the game into overtime. Sparta Boss, behind their most skillful player, Gregory 'Jackie Chan' Richardson took advantage in the extra time, but his side’s celebration was shortlived since Pernell Schultz netted twice to put Bent Street back up 3 - 4. But in the closing seconds, Sheldon Shepherd pulled a late one to tie things up 4 - 4, forcing the game to be decided by kicks from the penalty TURN TO PAGE 22

Brooks satisfied with performance despite missing century

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 10, P A 2022 GE

Shamarh Brooks

Sparta Boss clinch K&S/GFF Futsal title in dramatic fashion

PAGE

Winners of the K&S/GFF Futsal final, Sparta Boss 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

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022