Issuu

MONDAY 12th April, 2021

' No.106328

Supplies for St. Vincent likely to be shipped on Tuesday SEE PAGE 03

–– CDC coordinating relief efforts with CDEMA

See story on page 03

This beautiful Amerindian village, Capoey, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, has been enforcing the national COVID-19 guidelines to guard against the spread and contraction of the virus

40 arrested; Kairos, Altitude bars Yarde-Benn showdown: More than five shut down for COVID-19 breaches hours to count less than 1,000 votes PAGE

PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Over 3,000 in Region Two vaccinated against COVID-19 HUNDREDS of persons suffering from chronic illnesses in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region on Sunday turned up at the Anna Regina Mandir Compound to receive their Sputnik-V vaccine. The massive vaccination drive was organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and other inter-faith organisations. Administering the vaccines were midwife Diane Sandy and Community Health Worker, Lashana Peters. The vaccination drive commenced at 09:00 hours and concluded at around 15:00 hours. The Sputnik-V is used to protect persons 18 years and older against COVID-19, the virus that has claimed

the lives of over 250 Guyanese. The Sputnik-V vaccine stimulates the body’s natural defences (immune system) and causes it to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus. The Sputnik-V vaccine was documented as the first registered COVID-19 vaccine in the world on August, 11, 2020. It is manufactured by the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in collaboration with the Gamaleya Centre. Dhanraj Iswarlall, 56, said he opted to take the COVID-19 vaccine because he wants to protect himself from the dreaded virus. Iswarlall also used the opportunity to encourage others to come forward and take the vaccine. Another recipient of the

Sputnik-V vaccine was Sohodra Jaikarran. Jaikarran said she has been suffering from asthma, and as such, she is happy to take the vaccine. Tara Changirka of Anna Regina extended gratitude to the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh and team for making the vaccines available to the people. Chandrika said after taking the vaccine, she felt more confident health wise. Lall Gobindan from Lima also extended gratitude to the Ministry of Health. Gobindan, 44, said when he heard he is in the category of those eligible for the vaccines he was delighted. According to Dr. Singh, it is important for persons to take the vaccine to protect themselves against

COVID-19. There are permanent vaccination sites located at Suddie, Huis’T Dieren, Queenstown, Anna Regina and Charity health centres. Thus far, some 3,000 persons in the region received their vaccine. Dr Singh said although the vaccine protects persons from the virus, they must also continue to wear face mask, avoid crowds, clean hands and surfaces regularly and adhere to social distancing. The vaccination team will visit the Pomeroon River next week to administer vaccines to the Amerindians.

A resident being vaccinated at the Anna Regina Mandir Compound on Sunday

Young woman in custody for causing public mischief

A 22-year-old sales clerk of Queenstown Village, Region Two, is in police custody assisting ‘cops’ with their investigation, after she claimed, in a Facebook post, that she was kidnapped by a taxi driver. Police ‘arranged’ a confrontation between the sales clerk and the taxi driver, and, during that engagement, the sales clerk claimed that she made a report of her kidnap at the Suddie Police station on April 10. The young woman also claimed that the car she stopped was searched and a police took out a gun from the waist of the driver’s pair of pants. Officers at the Suddie Police Station, on checking, did not see any report from the young woman and the officers who worked on April 10 said they did not see or know her. During the investigation, the young woman was asked to identify the ‘cop’ who took her report. In the process, all the policemen at the station took off their mask but the sales clerk was unable to identify any of them as the ‘cop’ who took her report.

The young lady had alleged that she stopped the car at Queenstown, and, upon entering the vehicle, she saw three other passengers - two females and one male. The Queenstown Village resident claimed that she asked the driver to drop her at a pharmacy at Suddie but instead he dropped her off at G and P Jaigobin Supermarket. During the confrontation, the driver of the car was asked if he knew the female and he replied in the affirmative. He claimed that he recognised her from a well-known hardware store where she works. Confronted with the accounts of the policemen and the driver, the young lady claimed that she could not remember the time she made the report, neither could she remember any of the passengers in the car. She was subsequently arrested and placed in custody for causing public mischief. The driver was released as police continue their investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Supplies for St. Vincent likely to be shipped on Tuesday –– CDC coordinating relief efforts with CDEMA By Vishani Ragobeer WITH substantial commitments already made by Guyanese desirous of providing assistance to St. Vincent, where the La Soufrière volcano has begun erupting, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) will commence loading supplies onto a vessel on Monday and that vessel can set sail by Tuesday, according to CDC's Director-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig. In an invited comment on Sunday, the Director-General told the Guyana Chronicle that the CDC is scheduled to commence loading the relief items on the vessel on Monday. These include non-perishable food items, safety supplies, water tanks and sanitation supplies. “The vessel has been identified and once we commence loading -- all things being equal, including weather conditions [and] all supplies are provided on time -- the vessel can leave on Tuesday,” the Lieutenant-Colonel related. He also indicated that this vessel should take about three days to reach St. Vincent. On Saturday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips, and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo held an urgent meeting at State House with members of the CDC and the private sector to coordinate Guyana’s emergency response to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A statement from the Office of the President highlighted that President Ali emphasised how important it is to get the relief items to the country quickly, and that he urged those present to put all systems in place to get it done in the fastest possible time. It was also noted that this emergency response is expected to be the first of many from Guyana. On Sunday, the CDC director-general highlighted that there are two other vessels on standby to take additional relief supplies to the affected island. Subsequent relief, however, will be guided by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), since this body is actively monitoring the needs of the country and is coordinating with other countries in the Region. “Not only Guyana is pro-

viding support and one of the things we have to do is continuously monitor the support and needs of the country and that is being done though CDEMA,” Lieutenant-Colonel Craig noted. A subsequent release from the Office of the President on Saturday highlighted that Vice- President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who was also at the meeting on Saturday, was in contact with the honorary consul in relation to Guyanese on the islands. “We’ve been fairly comforted that the Guyanese there are taken care of. There is no request on movement or anything,” the President was quoted as saying. The CDC director-general highlighted that the system of providing aid through CDEMA does not necessarily provide for preferential treatment for the affected Guyanese in St. Vincent. He, however, emphasised that all affected persons will be taken care of. The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) has established the St. Vincent Disaster Relief Fund to help the island as it deals with the disaster. Persons who wish to donate to the cause can do so by visiting any of the GBTI branches. The name of the account is: ST. VINCENT DISASTER RELIEF FUND, while the Account Number is: 011803403012. Additionally, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is collaborating with the CDC to mobilise support for St. Vincent and Grenadines. The supplies that are being organised will help to address the immediate needs of the people. These supplies include, inter alia: water tanks, buckets, cots, blankets, potties, field tents and kitchens, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits. Persons desirous of donating items can contact the CDC on telephone numbers: 226-1114, 226-8815, 225-5847, 226-1027, 6007500, 225-5347, 225-0977 or 225-5339. So far, commitments have already been made to supply drinking water, personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitation supplies, water tanks and shelter supplies. “Banks DIH has donated water (five-gallon bottles to fill a 20-foot container), John Fernandes Limited has donated a 20ft-container and a 40ft-container (to ship items to

The view from the Belmont Observatory, in St. Vincent, as the eruption at La Soufrière continues. The volcano is obscured by the ashfall and deposits can be seen on surrounding vegetation and houses (Photo credit: UWI Seismic Research Centre)

St. Vincent), and Gaico Construction and General Services has pledged two charter flights to the CARICOM island,” the lieutenant-colonel noted, in the release from the Office of the President on Saturday. DDL and several other big companies have also committed to donating items. PERSONNEL ON STANDBY In addition to the relief items, it was highlighted that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is on standby in case they are needed on the ground in the aftermath of the eruption. On Sunday, Lieutenant-Colonel Craig explained that the local authorities, including the CDC and other technical agencies were alerted to the situation in St. Vincent several months ago, when there was an increase in seismic activity. As such, he noted that local personnel have been on standby since and are willing to provide assistance to the sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, during his Saturday morning address to his countrymen, noted that he has been engaging the governments in the wider Caribbean Region. “The President of Guyana has been in touch with me

A cloud of volcanic ash hovers over Kingstown, on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent, Saturday, April 10, 2021, a day after the La Soufriere volcano erupted. (AP Photo/Lucanus Ollivierre)

quite often,” the Vincentian Prime Minister said, adding: “They’re loading a ship to send a lot of supplies.” He also highlighted that President Ali had informed him of the private-sector collaboration, including the special account set up to send relief to the island. The volcano erupted at 08:41hrs on Friday, after the government on Thursday night issued an evacuation notice for persons living in the Red Zone, which is in the northernmost part of the island where the volcano is located. This evacuation order was issued following an increase in seismic activity, indicating that the volcano would erupt soon. The Red Zone at reference is

said to be “the danger zone,” along with the Orange Zone (the section just south of the Red Zone). News 784 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reported that Geologist and Professor Richard Robertson said that more explosions are expected soon, and that the first one was not the biggest. “If there is a much bigger explosion, the ash can spread further [sic] to the south. This could continue for days or weeks and monitoring will continue,” News 784 quoted Robertson as saying. It was also reported that after the initial explosion, it is likely that others will occur. Later, on Friday afternoon, at

14:45hrs and then at 18:35hrs, other eruptions were recorded. At 05:00hrs on Saturday, yet another eruption was recorded. Videos posted on social media by residents of St. Vincent showed ash spreading to communities, covering buildings and surfaces. On Saturday, Barbados Today reported that the ash had spread to Barbados. Amid the unfolding natural disaster in St. Vincent, a number of other countries within CARICOM have also affirmed their assistance to the Vincentian Prime Minister and his people.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

CPCE goes online today THE Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) will begin operating its full online school from today. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, made the announcement on Friday during an engagement at the New Amsterdam Secondary School. Minister Manickchand said provisions have also been made for face-to-face learning for students who have challenges with Internet connectivity. “We are launching a fully online CPCE, however fully online does not mean solely

online, so there [is] still going to be space for people to go board and lodge around CPCE and go to a face-toface classroom. Especially those children from the hinterland, but we’re going fully online where every single thing can be done online.” The minister said while lectures would be taught via Zoom, trainees would also be able to access resource materials, tutors, library and other services through their own devices. She noted that in keeping with the government’s

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

objective to provide training opportunities for teachers in remote areas and throughout Guyana, three categories of

training were established. These include the Associate Degree in Education, the Trained Teachers Certificate

Programme and for persons who may be unable to get into these programmes due to the lack of qualifications, there are upgrading courses available. The minister said this cohort would be the largest accepted at the college compared to the previous years. “Every other year for the last 10 or 15 years our intake has been 500, 550, 530 and we have been graduating the same number every year. We registered as of yesterday, just over 2000 persons that are going to be trained to be

teachers,” she said. Minister Manickchand also noted that in order to lessen the effect of the pandemic on the education sector in the future, it was critical that the ministry craft solutions to ensure that learning and training takes place for these personnel. She said transformation of the education sector would introduce more trained teachers into the school system, improve the delivery of education and eventually lead to better scores in the classroom. (DPI)

St Vincent volcano: Power cuts after another 'explosive event'

There has been another "explosive event" at a volcano on the Caribbean island of St Vincent, with power outages and water supplies cut off. The La Soufrière volcano first erupted on Friday, blanketing the island in a layer of ash and forcing some 16,000 people to evacuate

their homes. Scientists warn that eruptions could continue for days - or even weeks. Emergency officials described the landscape as a "battle zone" and said more damage and destruction was likely. The emergency management organisation

Monday April 12, 2021 04:00hrs

Nemo tweeted: "Massive power outage following another explosive event at La Soufriere Volcano. Lightning, thunder and rumblings." It later spoke of "possible destruction and devastation of communities close to the volcano", and compared the eruption to that of 1902, the worst in St Vincent's history when more than 1,000 people were killed. White-coloured dust has covered buildings and roads around the island, including in its capital Kingstown. Ash had begun to harden on the ground after overnight showers and many homes were still without water and electricity, Nemo said. However, some residents said power had been restored by midday local time (16:00 GMT). Nemo is urging people

to "be careful on the roads, which have become treacherous as a result of the ash flow". Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said water supplies to most of the island had been cut off and its airspace closed because of the smoke and thick plumes of volcanic ash moving through the atmosphere. Gonsalves said thousands of residents had been sleeping in emergency shelters since Friday. "It's a huge operation that is facing us," he told NBC News. He said earlier that a lot of volcanic ash had fallen over the sea. "We don't know how much more is going to come out... so far, we have done well in that nobody got injured, nobody is dead." The Barbados Defence Force has been deployed to

St Vincent to provide humanitarian assistance as part of a disaster response mission, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency said. Homes across the island, which has a population of around 110,000, have been covered in white-coloured volcanic dust and rock fragments. It prompted warnings from officials to stay indoors, while emergency groups advised caution for those suffering with respiratory problems. "Be careful all. We are covered in ash and strong sulphur scents pervade the air. We ask that you take the necessary precautions to remain safe and healthy," Nemo said. Residents in Barbados, nearly 200km (about 124 miles) to the east, have also been urged to stay indoors. "This is to protect yourselves and your family," said Chief Medical Officer Kenneth George. People on the island of St Lucia, which is around 76km north of St Vincent, have been warned to expect air quality to be affected, with harmful gases potentially making it harder to breathe for people with conditions such as asthma, the island's Rodney Bay Medical Centre said. One resident of St Lucia, Olivia, told the BBC she had never witnessed anything like this before and that she was worried about a possible change in wind direction and ash being carried northwards.

"I am terrified of all the effects that are unknown at this point, ash in the middle of a pandemic -- no-one is prepared for that," she said. "Victoria Hospital has been transformed to become the Respiratory Hospital, and is treating COVID patients" she said, adding: "So technically, persons suffering from the effects of ash inhalation would be on the wards with COVID patients." More than 130 people who were due to leave St Vincent for Canada had to be taken by ship to St Lucia on Saturday after becoming stranded when their flight was cancelled. Other Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Guyana, have offered to send emergency supplies to St Vincent. They also said they would open their borders to those fleeing the fallout from the eruption. The volcano had been dormant since 1979, but in late 2020 it started spewing steam and smoke and making rumbling noises. The first sign that an eruption was imminent came on Thursday evening, when a lava dome became visible on La Soufrière. Just before 09:00 on Friday (13:00 GMT), seismologists from the University of the West Indies confirmed that an "explosive eruption" was under way. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Yarde-Benn showdown: More than five hours to count less than 1,000 votes THE result of votes cast in Region Four at the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections of office bearers was unavailable up to press time, despite a low voter turnout on Sunday. The Guyana Chronicle was told that the results of the elections would be available at 17:00 hrs, then 18:00 hrs and subsequently 20:00 but even at 21:00 hrs, counting of votes for Region Four was still incomplete. Some members of the GPSCCU were pleased with the way the elections were done while others had issues with the implementation of a new voting system by the organisation. This year’s elections saw a heated contest between the team headed by former head of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn and another led by President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde. Up to late Sunday evening, the results of the voting were not yet in. However, Benn, who is currently Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), said the results are expected to be available before the day was out. Less than 1,000 members voted at the elections The first elections to be held in 14 years, the teams are vying for a spot on the 12-member Committee of Management and three-member Supervisory Committee. Though nominees contest the elections as teams, electors do not vote for a singular list of candidates and instead must vote for each team member, individually. Though previous elections involved members all attending the AGM where they nominated and voted for office bearers, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AGM was held virtually while members were given the option of voting online or voting at respective polling stations in each of the 10 regions. The in-person voting ran from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs while the online voting ran from 12:00hrs to 16:30hrs. Members could vote in any region and voters were crossed off as voted based on a database being shared among the polling stations.

Some members commended the process. “It was smooth and very simple. You present your ID, and give them your credit union number and they verify you’re a member and verify your address, then they issue you with a ballot to vote,” explained member, Randy Beckles, who voted at the polling station in Region Three that was located at the Regional Education Office. Beckles shared his pleasure to finally see the elections going forward to clear the way for installation of a substantive Management Committee. He supported many of the initiatives that were carried out over the past few months under the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and is looking forward for that to continue. GETTING LOANS FASTER “For me we need a change in the governance for the credit union. We need to move away from the old structure that we had under the previous chairman to the new one right now, where you are getting loans so fast,” he said. While some members said the online process was smooth, others complained of having issues voting. Angela Harry, who visited the Region Three polling station at the Regional Education Office in Vreeden-Hoop, after she had registered to vote online, said she had some issues. “I signed up but somehow I’m not getting through. The signing up was easy, you full out the form and I got the email saying I was registered to vote, but there was no instructions on how to vote,” she shared. She could not be allowed to vote at the polling station there since she was already marked as an online voter. She said she returned home and made new attempts but after those failed, she once again returned to the polling station, hoping that she could be assisted by someone. At the GPSCCU Hadfield Street headquarters, which was the polling station for Region Four, voter Rosaline Stewart said: “The process was ok but I think they should have had a bigger venue. They could’ve rented a ground or something. But everything else was ok.”

A GPSCCU member deposits her ballot after casting her vote (Elvin Croker photo)

The Region Four polling station outside of the GPSCCU Headquarters on Hadfield Street (Elvin Croker photo)

Sitting outside of the Region Three polling station was campaigner for Team Benn, Jiemyma Armstrong, and some distance away from her sat GPSU Vice-President, Dawn Gardener, campaigning for Team Yarde. “I am backing them because they stand for truth and honesty, and they have the interest of the members at heart. They have done a wonderful job for the past three years as the IMC. We have easier access to loans, they are more customer-friendly and have a listening ear for all your concerns,” Armstrong said. However, the day was not without its share of allegations of voter irregularities. According to Gardener, there was voting by delinquent members and candidates of the other team being given observer status, when her team was not allowed to have observers. She also noted a change of venue of the Region Five polling station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Investment Destination

GUYANA has become one of the most attractive investment destinations worldwide and in the last few months has been exposed to many business opportunities, both on a local and international level and even on a regional level. The government has put in place many measures to provide potential business owners the opportunity to invest in Guyana to improve the economic level of activity, some of which include tax reductions/removals, incentives, and land accessibility. The Government of Guyana aims to avoid the Dutch disease by focusing on the other sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing and food production, tourism and hospitality, health, education, trade/export and housing/infrastructure. These sectors will have spin-off effects on each other. For Guyana to become one of the richest countries in the world and become a developed country, the private sector is needed. The private sector consists of many talented, skilled think tanks that can provide products and services on a level that can help Guyana be recognised as one of the top investment opportunists. Though the government can only provide assistance to an extent, it is up to these potential investors both locally and in the Guyanese diaspora to make the necessary moves to help their homeland.

A country does not earn its wealth by draining the pockets of its citizens through taxes, rather, it is being able to take less out of citizens’ pockets but on a larger scale, while ensuring that the people of the country have a comfortable standard of living. To put this in simpler terms, by having an array of income makes it easier for the country to earn more than having a limited stream of income where there will be restriction to use the little to suffice. When the taxes were introduced on fertilisers and machinery for agriculture, farmers were faced with financial difficulties which affected agricultural performance. However, with the removal of those taxes, farmers are now able to maximise their outputs and improve their quality of production. New markets have been sought for them internationally and investors from the tourism sectors who have successfully managed to open new local hotels and restaurants, will benefit from the farmers’ produce. As the tourism industry grows, the agriculture industry will also grow simultaneously as people need to eat and foreigners want to enjoy the fresh produce of Guyana. This contributes to the creation of jobs. People earn money which they will use to purchase items, invest in other businesses, build a home, or even save in the bank, which in-

creases the bank’s cash supply to offer loans to potential borrowers. This simple process of providing opportunities to create more jobs will result in more money available to be circulated in the economy where the government will be able to earn more revenue at the comfort of its citizens. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and GO-invest to provide local businesses access to investment opportunities. With this partnership, GO- invest will notify what incentives can be given to local businesses, unite the companies with international foreign direct investors, thereby promoting joint ventures that will benefit both parties. The Canada-Guyana Chambers of Commerce was established in December 2020 due to the major economic transformation ahead for Guyana, along with opportunities that will mutually benefit the countries through trade and other services. This opens doors for local businesses to partner with Canadian businesses to form mutual relationships that will benefit both countries. This increases markets for products internationally, along with expanding local markets with the help of foreign investors. The local content policy as the President

refers to as a ‘Living Policy” is currently in preparation with the aim of allowing businesses to reach international standards where they can compete globally and attain greater development levels. This will help local businesses to produce the high-quality products and services that are in great demand around the world. Apart from natural-gas power generation, local and foreign investors are interested in the waste-to-energy projects which consist of converting trash into megawatts of power. Since Guyana has a lot of garbage that is increasing tremendously daily, this initiative will help to reduce the waste being exposed around the country and help to provide a service that benefits the country in a great way. With alternative energy projects, operation costs for companies can be reduced dramatically, which will improve efficiency and production. Investors interested in agro processing will be able to benefit tremendously from this initiative. It is safe to say that increased taxes on items do not increase revenue. Guyana has potential to achieve greater heights with its resources and once persons can maximise on these resources, Guyana will be able to earn more revenue from jobs created and from the trade of products and services.

Election petitions continue to frustrate Guyanese while millions of dollars are wasted Dear Editor, THE APNU+AFC’s attempt to rig the 2020 National and Regional Elections has led them to wickedly file elections petitions to continue fooling their supporters. It is a glaring and open fact that they utilised myriad underhand moves and manoeuvres, while knowingly trying to derail the true 2020 elections results. The billions of taxpayers’ money abused in the process are not only overwhelming, but also highlights their innate policy of suffering the nation, given the immeasurable opportunity costs. The APNU+PNC petitioners represent the same cabal that flagrantly attempted to redefine the most basic interpretation of the English language. From the passing of the no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018, to the publicly witnessed recount of votes, the degree of unacceptable frivolity of arguments has not been witnessed before. They are now challenging Section 22 of the Election Laws Amendment Act (ELAA), through which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) created Order 60 for the recount of votes from the March 2 polls. The APNU+PNC is claiming that the recount was unlawful. It is a matter of extreme proportions that these concoctions were adopted while those contaminated elements in the GECOM Sec-

retariat and those supervising the final Region Four tabulation of the Statements of Polls (SoPs), refused to validate these approved instruments. All Guyana and the world know that they moved to deliberately provide a spreadsheet of false tabulation of the votes. Their refusal to provide the SoPs in their possession, as legally mandated for this purpose of validation, is a flagrant attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the Guyanese people and the international community. It is an even more serious travesty because of the amount of money and time that is being wasted behind the APNU+AFC riggers, whose leadership is grabbing at every last straw to keep their support base. It is a futile position that mirrors the false hope they created as the previous government while leading the country to the abyss of economic destruction fuelling social conflict. To now ask the High Court to determine whether the elections were lawfully conducted, or whether the results have been affected by any unlawful act or omission that allowed the PPP/C to win, is tantamount to sailors on a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean without life rafts. Following the ongoing petition case is indeed a matter of public interest. Of note was the abstract presentation of APNU+AFC petitioner Counsel John Jeremie, versus the apt responses of Senior Counsel Douglas

Mendes and Anil Nandlall, who ripped his baseless arguments apart. The eminent attorneys strongly responded, arguing that where certain difficulties arise in respect of an election, Section 22 empowers the commission to resolve the difficulties. The brilliant attorneys also advanced strong arguments that Section 22 grants GECOM the authority to amend by Order, several pieces of legislation to resolve any difficulty related to the implementation of the Elections Act. It is clear that APNU+AFC’s hope is one of frugality and their self-denial is hinged on some legal technical clause, fuelled by their self-imposed indecent conduct and actions, to derail these elections. This case, however, is expected to bring to the forefront many more revelations: among them, the fact that Keith Lowenfield and Clarmiont Mingo refused to produce valid Statements of Poll, which was the cause for the recount. The consequences and effects of the deliberate ‘hiding’ and withholding of the valid Statements of Poll to realise an election fraud must therefore carry heavy penalties, including jail terms. While there is wide public consensus that GECOM has enough evidence to dispel these contaminated employees and move on with its business, the violations by its officials exposed in the petition presented before the court must be taken seriously to

deter any such future endeavours. GECOM at its earliest meeting must be decisive regarding the riggers who have breached legal or other procedural policies to inform guilt in the conduct of the serious misdemeanours in the attempts to rig the elections. Further, the commission must immediately order all those charged and placed before the courts for fraud and misconduct, to go home. Importantly, millions of dollars are being wasted that our country cannot afford at this time. It is even more critical that the advancement of reform positions are held in abeyance pending the outcomes of this petition as the chairperson by her published words have indicated the need to allow. From the look of things, therefore, unless there is decisive action from GECOM, we may end up awaiting the appeals together with the continued deferral of necessary future electoral activites as a ransom to our nation’s forward movement. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed. This column calls on GECOM Chairperson Justice (retired) Madam Claudette Singh and the commission members to halt the rot and wastage. Act now! Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Poll: Gov’t gets kudos for budget

THE President Irfaan Ali-led government has got kudos (high marks) for its latest budget presentation and handling of the economy that has taken a hit from the pandemic. A NACTA conducted survey of “Budget 2021-22” presented by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has revealed an optimistic picture of the economy. The Finance Minister and Vice-President Jagdeo have pulled together a set of economic policies that are seen as being very good for the economy and better than any previous budgets presented by the coalition over the previous five years. It is an expansionary budget that focuses on urban-rural infrastructure and not unexpectedly, many rejoice over it. The presentation of the budget comes in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions on the global economy, with the world facing the worst contraction since the depression of the 1930s. Respondents praise the government for not proposing new, direct taxes and for reducing or removing a lot of taxes and fees and for increasing welfare benefits to the less fortunate. This ‘spend-now’ budget has received a broad welcome from voters from both sides of the political divide. It is considered as a lifeline for an

economy still battered by a partial lockdown, a continuing emergency COVID relief to the nation. They also feel it is a far better budget than any from the APNU+AFC coalition. Most people feel they should be better off from the budget. However, they complain that prices have not dropped in the shops in spite of lowered VAT. One other complaint is that respondents feel that the government should have lowered the income tax threshold so they can have more take-home money. A majority of those polled said the Finance Minister has delivered a fair, good, or better-than- expected budget. The government gets kudos for direct intervention to deal with issues of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. But concerns were raised over inadequate money for state companies. Respondents praised the government for its handling of housing, infrastructural development, support for agriculture, social support and COVID. But respondents complain of joblessness and inadequate incomes that are not sufficient to meet rising expenses and lagging local development of communities. They also continue to express fear of crime. Parents complain that their children have not been receiving adequate education during the year-long pandemic without access to

equipment (computer) or wifi to tap into long- distance learning. And the nation feels more needs to be done to address the recent surge of maternity and infant issues at hospitals and health clinics. The NACTA poll was conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram from late February through March with a sample size of 600 respondents reflecting the demographics of the population. When asked what is the most important issue facing the country, respondents expressed concern over unemployment, crime, the pandemic, infrastructure, health, blackouts and drugs, among others. They describe all these problems as important. Overall, people praise the government for the budget, saying it puts more money in their pockets. They describe the budget as mature, transparent, people-centred, and growth- oriented as compared to earlier ones. On being asked if they approve of the budget, 64 per cent said “yes” with 20 per cent saying “no” and 16 per cent not offering a response. Asked if the budget will produce a better life, 63 per cent said yes, with 21 per cent saying no and 16 per cent not sure. Some 66 per cent said this budget is better than the previous APNU+AFC budget; 19 per cent say it is ‘worse than’ and 15

per cent did not respond. Respondents from the bigger business community feel very optimistic and cheered the budget, while respondents from the small businesses were more reserved in their view of the budget. The big business persons gave a high rating of ‘A’ while small business gave it an average rating of ‘B’. Some concerns were raised by respondents over household expenses and inadequate incomes to meet them. The biggest fear is inflation (rising prices). The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed greatly to this worry. Some respondents feel there should be more economic support for COVID and another stimulus package like the one given out in November and December. Respondents expressed displeasure and disquiet over some responses to the budget. They also do not endorse the opposition boycott of Parliament. Respondents feel the opposition should be present in Parliament to hold the government accountable. Among those presenters who scored exceedingly high in budget presentations were: Anil Nandlall, Deodat Indar, Susan Rodrigues, Bishop Edghill, Charles Ramson, Zulfi Mustapha, Vickram Bharrat, Hugh Todd, Ganesh Mahipaul, and Sherrod Duncan.

Musings of desperation; clutching at straws Dear Editor, I READ with great astonishment the letter captioned, “If gas to shore is that good, then give Guyanese the goods on it,” by GHK Lall carried in the April 8th edition of the Kaieteur News. I am one known to be respectful of my elders and it would not be nice of me to say that his letter has the ramblings and musings of someone who is mentally unfit to be taken seriously. Mr Lall appears to be clutching at straws when one understands the real focus of his intended attack. As I often hear my mom admonishing me, “there is a method to the madness.” I wholeheartedly agree; however, when he said his view is “distant… limited,” I might add, it is not scholastic or academic, to say the least, when referring to the government’s energy projects.

Firstly, it was under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) that the idea of using solar panels got widespread acceptance as a means of cleaner renewable energy. This led to the Bharrat Jagdeo government rolling it out in the far-flung hinterland regions and areas in Guyana. This was continued by issuing and gifting solar panels to communities before pushing for its usage to become more residential and commercial. This should not be confused or mixed up with the Gas-to-Shore Energy Project when comparing benefits in terms of sector. As local Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin puts it, “The government’s transformative gas-to-shore project is underway and is set to be completed by 2023. The main objective is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek Block’s petroleum operations to supply some 200250 megawatts of energy to the national

grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.” He reasoned, just to school Mr Lall, “Reducing the cost of energy would not only make the country more competitive in terms of we could export more, with the objective of having a trade-balance surplus, but we will also save foreign exchange because we spend more than $500 million a year to import fuel.” And finally said, “So, if the gasto-shore would mean that we will get cheaper electricity, we will be pushing industrialisation and reduce manufacturers’ costs. It also means we are going to save about $250 million or more in fuel imports.” So Mr Jagdeo has our interests at heart when he is pursuing this project from all fronts. The challenges faced by the projects are not insurmountable to dissuade it from being pursued to the fullest. He has

shown that with the right skill set and policy direction, anything is accomplishable. Mr Jagdeo is not getting any drawback or side deal to what he does for the project as a VP in the government. He understands how the energy, gas, and oil sectors work, as opposed to the last government which did not. Guyana has the right skills and policies to move forward into the future. It is men like the writer of the musing in the Kaieteur News, and the policy of Kaieteur News of itself that point to “dangerous and dark times” ahead because jealousy trumps the facts, and suspicion overrules their good judgment. I am confident that Guyana will be safe and the renewable energy projects (both) are in safe hands. Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Three more deaths, 105 new Guyana sponsored, supported UN Declaration against COVID-19 cases recorded ON Saturday, Guyana recorded an additional three deaths consequent to the COVID-19 virus, bringing the country’s overall death toll due to the virus to 255. The latest fatalities are three women: a 65-yearold and a 63-year-old, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 41-yearold from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who all died while receiving care at a medical facility. Guyana has also recorded an additional 105 new cases from 1,152 tests conducted, taking the number of cases of persons infected with the virus since it was first detected in Guyana in March, 2020 to 11,149, from some 99,349 tests conducted. There are currently 15

persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 69 in institutional insolation, 1089 in home isolation, and 18 in institutional quarantine. As of April 10, 33 new recoveries were recorded, taking the total number of recoveries from the virus to some 9,721. Region Four has continued to see the largest increase of cases with 46 new infections being recorded in the region for Saturday; Region Three followed with 20 new cases while Regions Six and 10 each recorded 11 new cases. Region Two has recorded four new cases while Region Five has seen an increase of six new cases and Region Seven, seven new cases.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six-foot physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 hotline on 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www. health.gov.gy.

racism, xenophobia

–– says Rodrigues-Birkett, emphasises automatic voting record not final AMID claims that Guyana voted against a resolution to eliminate racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has emphasised that Guyana was the main sponsor of that resolution and that the country was supportive of it. Resolution 72/157 is entitled “A global call for concrete action for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.” This resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly (UN-GA) at the seventy-second session in December 2017. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Saturday night, Rodrigues-Birkett noted that there was some amount of false information circulating on social media, suggesting that Guyana voted against this resolution. “This is completely false and cannot be further from the truth. As Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, I wish to confirm that Guyana voted in support of the resolution when it was adopted in the General Assembly on December 31st, 2020,” Rodrigues-Birkett stated. In fact, the Permanent Representative underscored, “Indeed, as Chair of G77 and China, Guyana was the main sponsor of the resolution and, jointly with South Africa, facilitated the negotiations for this Resolution in the Third Committee.” The Third Committee of the United Nation deals with social, humanitarian and cultural Issues. According to original resolution document on the UN website, as the immediate past chair of the Group of 77 (G77) and China, Guyana presented the revised draft resolution on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the G77 and China during the seventy-fifth session of the Third Committee. The statement from Rodrigues-Birkett also noted that the Resolution was introduced by the representative from Guyana in the Third Committee on November 19,

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

2020. Then, the Guyanese representative reminded the Committee that 2021 would mark the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and, as such, the G77 and China had presented substantive changes to the Resolution aimed at commemorating this important milestone. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES The statement further indicated that the Guyanese representative stated: “The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action emphasises that equality and non-discrimination are fundamental principles of international human rights and international humanitarian law and are essential in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.” It was highlighted that this resolution constitutes a holistic agenda that encompasses measures to improve education and awareness, to fight poverty and marginalisation, and to secure inclusive development. And, the relevance of this resolution was further strengthened by the recognised nexus between combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. “The G77 and China views the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as a valuable opportunity to enhance public understanding about its comprehensive nature, and as a timely reminder to all that racism, racial discrimination xenophobia and related intolerance are scourges that must be eliminated,” the Guyanese representative stated too. Importantly, on behalf of

the G77 and China, she also noted that greater attention should be given to the issues affecting People of African Descent. “The International Decade for the People of African Descent and the adoption by consensus of the programme of activities for the implementation of the decade is an integral part of the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action,” Rodrigues-Birkett said. AUTOMATIC VOTING NOT FINAL At the end of the statement made by the Guyanese representative, Guyana invited delegations to co-sponsor and vote in favour of this resolution against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The Guyana Chronicle understands that this vote was recorded from an automatic generation process but it was not the final vote made by Guyana. “It should be noted that the automatic generation of the vote as shown on screen in the room at the time of voting is not the final official record of the meeting,” the statement from Rodrigues-Birkett explained. The Permanent Representative emphasised that Guyana was supportive of this resolution and posited, “It goes without saying that Guyana, as the proponent of a Resolution, would not have voted against our own resolution.” The official records from the voting done in the Third Committee showed that Guyana voted in favour of this resolution. The draft resolution, as orally revised, was adopted by 124 votes to 12, with 44 abstentions in that committee. The official records from the vote in the UN-GA are not yet available.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Impact of periods on education being assessed

By Rehana Ahamad

WOMEN and girls all across the globe can attest to the fact that a period is often accompanied by a great deal of pain and fatigue; for some women, the symptoms could become unbearable, causing lowered blood pressure and other spin-off discomforts. Until now, Guyana has not done any notable studies or research to assess the impact of periods on the livelihood of women and girls. To get the ball rolling, the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Minister Priya Manickchand, rolled out a survey which seeks to assess the impact of periods on education, specifically. “We have never studied how many girls are absent [due to their periods]; how many times a year or how many times a month; or how many of them cannot afford pads,” Minister Manickchand told the Guyana Chronicle. She said that the survey, which has already begun virtually, is being done with the aim of garnering enough information in support of the Menstrual Hygiene Initiative being piloted by the Office of the First Lady. Her Excellency, Mrs. Arya Ali had announced her landmark mission to make sanitary pads free for Guyanese women and girls, during her first newspaper interview, exclusively with the Guyana Chronicle, in January 2021. The First Lady had said then that her mission would be worth it, even if sanitary pads are just made available for free distribution in schools. Earlier in March, Mrs. Ali hosted her first period fundraiser; an elegant, sophisticated event coined ‘Chari-tea’. That event successfully raised $6 million for the purchase of sanitary products for school-aged girls in the hinterland. It was explained that due to the magnitude of the mission to eliminate period poverty, the First Lady has decided that the project will be rolled out in phases, beginning with the provision of sanitary pads to the most vulnerable. “The gravity of this problem was highlighted in a casual conversation I had with a stranger who pointed out that girls were forced to skip school routinely, and in some instances drop out permanently, because they could

First Lady, Arya Ali

growing body of evidence shows that girls’ inability to manage their menstrual hygiene in schools, results in school absenteeism, which in turn, has severe economic costs on their lives and on the country. “The challenge menstruating girls and women face is often less tangible than simply the availability of infrastructure, and is rooted in social The World Bank has indicated that periods also carry economic implications, with more than 500 million women and girls globally having inadequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management

not afford sanitary products,” Mrs. Ali told the donors at the March 2021 event. She emphasised that “This is unacceptable,” and that “No girl should be placed in a situation in which she is forced to [be] absent from or quit school because of her inability to afford sanitary products.” She noted that period poverty deprives girls of the very education which they need to grasp economic and other opportunities, while highlighting that it can result in harmful psychological effects such as impaired cognitive skills and social isolation. To bring an end to this undesirable plight, the First Lady believes that there must first be an end to the denial of period poverty, after which conversations around women’s health must be normalised, even in spaces occupied only by men. CONCERN FOR ALL “We must also disabuse ourselves of the idea that menstruation is exclusively a female concern. It is not. It is a concern for all because when girls are deprived of education and economic opportunities as a result of period poverty, it is the entire society which is affected, not just women,” she said. She said that everyone – civil society, Government,

and the private sector – has a responsibility to ensure every single woman and girl benefit from safe and hygienic menstrual products and the dignity that this affords. Once the distribution of free pads commences, Guyana could possibly become the second country in the world to eliminate “period poverty”. Last year, Scotland became the first to provide free sanitary products to women and girls in the country. For centuries, “period poverty” has forced women in all parts of the world to use a series of unhygienic substitutes for tampons and pads, stemming from rags and old cloths, to even socks. THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PERIODS In observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018 on May 28, the World Bank had published an article which pointed to the fact that at least 500 million women and girls globally lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). “Inadequate WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) facilities, particularly in public places, such as in schools, workplaces or health centres, can pose a major obstacle to women and girls,” the article posited. It informed too that a

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

norms and beliefs. In many cultures, menstruating women are considered impure and are systematically excluded from participating in everyday activities, such as education, employment, and cultural and religious practices,” the World Bank said. The report also highlighted the taboos and stigmas attached to menstruation often lead to an overall

culture of silence around the topic, resulting in limited and in some cases, misinformation on menstruation and menstrual hygiene. In conclusion, the World Bank referenced the importance of ‘contextual’ research relating to menstrual hygiene, and its commitment to supporting such initiatives.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Flexible Parenting

SOME adults find it hard to connect with children in a relaxed and friendly way. They believe they should have a strict approach so that children would not ‘take their eyes and pass them’. These adults can come across as regimental and stern, not fun-loving, thoughtful, kind or approachable. It follows that these are not the type of adults that children readily confide in or wish to emulate. Children seldom wish to be rude to adults (or take their eyes and pass them). They depend on grown-ups for guidance and protection. They prefer to bond and engage with them, feel comfortable around them and with them, share love and affection. Rude children learn the behaviour through their setting (environment) or because their parents failed to nip their ‘rudeness’ in the bud and allowed it to spiral out of control. Strict Parents usually have high expectations of

their children, which puts pressure on children to perform and achieve. Their participation in events is for the sake and gratification of their parents rather than the joy of competing or attaining. If children fall short of the acquired expectation, they will feel inadequate or fail in their parent’s eyes. Although they may have done their best, it may be impossible for them to live up to their parent’s expectations. Parental support should be generous and considerate to the child’s needs, and everything a child achieves should be appreciated and celebrated. While disciplining children is essential for teaching acceptable behaviour and right from wrong, it is also crucial for adults to spend time and have fun with children and give them space. Regimes and rules they must adhere to, without flexibility, can suppress a child’s creativity, curiosity, and natural ability. A few simple guidelines for chil-

dren to remember is all they need, with clear explanations and reasons why they are in place. Households need structure, and children cope well and feel protected and secure when they understand the arrangement and boundaries in their surroundings. Discipline metered out in line with the circumstances surrounding a child’s behaviour shows understanding and fairness while teaching the same virtues. Children are sharp; they can tell when the punishment fits the deed and when the punishment far outweighs the deed. They are also aware of when they get away with something. Therefore, parents must be consistent with discipline to keep children in line but flexible when required. Harsh or unjust punishment in a child’s eyes may lead to telling lies to avoid the consequences of their actions. If children tell lies, allow them to think twice about their answer and ‘come clean, especially when there is over-

whelming evidence against them. How many times have we heard the tactic that some parents use? “You’re not going to get in trouble, just tell the truth”. On the other hand, if telling the truth means parents will over-react, cause a scene, swear or cuss in public (or beat the child), it is much harder for them to confess. Parents who behave disorderly when disciplining children need to take a serious look at their behaviour and discipline strategy. They are missing the point of positive or flexible parenting. Even when trouble is looming, children must be encouraged to be honest and face the outcome of their actions. If they do not learn this quality when young, it could seriously affect their adult lives and relationships. Some parents make excuses for children and overlook their wrongdoings through sentiment or pride, but this does not help in the long run. It is fundamental to childhood that children gain qual-

ities that enhance their lives. Learning from their mistakes helps them to understand that life has natural consequences. The connection between adults and children needs to be balanced and as worthwhile for the child as the adult. The way parents behave and interact can impact the way children think, (positively or negatively) their level of confidence and potential outcome in life. Most parents want their children to do well and achieve great things, but they may need to evaluate their parenting strategies to meet the developing child’s needs rather than their personal requirements. A nine-year-old girl practised karate; she was timid but had a natural flair for the art. She caught on quickly and learnt her katas (formations) well. She became popular with the Sensei (Teacher) and other students. While performing her moves in the dojo (practice area), her mother would sit and watch patiently with the other par-

ents and on-lookers. However, one day the girl was terrified over an incident that occurred while her mother had popped out. She confided in an older female student, ‘don’t tell my mom what happened earlier, please, she beats me if I get anything wrong during the session’. The mother did not seem deranged, angry or unapproachable, yet her daughter was living in fear of getting beat over a natural occurrence – making a mistake. As adults and parents, we must assess how we think, what we do and our relationships with children, to ensure we do more good for their future than harm and not vice versa. 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

Canadian Prime Minister hails contribution of Guyana-born Professor –– Professor Dhanam Kissoon celebrates 30 years of distinguished service to the legal profession By Frederick Halley GUYANA-born Adjunct Professor, Dhanam Kissoon, recently celebrated 30 years in the legal profession in Canada, and among those extending warm congratulations to him in a commemorative magazine on the auspicious occasion were Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Ontario Premiere, Doug Ford; Toronto Mayor, John Tory; Toronto Police Service; Queen’s University Faculty of Law, where he still teaches and the Rotary Club of Brampton also extended their congratulations. In his congratulatory message, Prime Minister Trudeau said “The legal profession has greatly benefited from your candor, experience, and knowledge. As a lawyer for the past 30 years, you have fought to promote equality and justice for ev-

eryone while representing your clients with integrity and compassion. In addition to your esteemed legal career, you have devoted your time to various community initiatives which have benefit so many individuals. Over your many years teaching at Queen’s University Faculty of Law, you have gained the confidence and the admiration of your students. Your commitment to educating future lawyers has rightfully gained you numerous teaching awards. Thank you for all that you have done to inspire the next generation of legal minds. Please accept my best wishes for your future endeavours.” According to Premier Ford, “Members of the legal profession play an important role in protecting our rights, freedoms and institutions, safeguarding the common good, and ensuring a fair and just society. Mr. Kissoon, I

want to congratulate you on this significant milestone. With dedication and skill, you have represented clients in the areas of immigration and criminal law. You have also found time to give back to the Guyanese community, as well as the broader community, through charitable work. In addition, you have shared your knowledge and experience with the next generation of lawyers and legal professionals. You are a role model for your colleagues and a pillar of the community. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do.” IMPRESSIVE WORK Toronto Mayor John Tory said “The milestone anniversary is an opportunity to look back on Mr. Kissoon’s impressive work in the field of criminal and immigration law.

Thank you for your dedicated efforts in defending your clients over the past three decades. Congratulations on starting your firm, Kissoon and Associates, in 2000, after a stint on Bay Street. Your practice has also helped many people in the areas of real estate law, family law, and corporate commercial law. I also commend you for passing along your specialised knowledge to future lawyers, at Queen’s University for the last 27 years. On behalf of Toronto City Council, I offer my best wishes on this significant anniversary and continued success.” The board and members of the Rotary Club of Brampton Flower City Centennial, of which Kissoon is staunch member and past President, pointed out that Kissoon is a founding member of the club where he held the position of club President twice, in 2005

and again in 2015. The club added: You are an inspiration to others. Your dedication to your work is exemplary. Thank you for making a difference. Mr. Kissoon, we applaud you, and we wish you continued success in your years ahead.” Professor and Dean of Law at Queen’s University, Mark Walters, also extended congratulations to Professor Kissoon. “This is truly a wonderful milestone for you. This year marks not just the anniversary of an important achievement, but it provides us with a moment to reflect upon the contributions to Canadian society in the intervening thirty years. “Over the course of three decades, you have served your clients with skill and integrity. You have for 30 years been an educator. For three decades, law students at Queen’s University have ben-

Professor Dhaman Kissoon efited from your commitment to teaching, in particular your course ‘Racism and Canadian Legal Culture’. In response, students have honoured you with the Law Students’ Society/Stan Corbett Award on four occasions,” Professor Walters said. There are now more than 20 lawyers in the Kissoon family worldwide, one of whom is Dhaman’s uncle, Nandram, a retired Court of Appeal judge in Guyana. The most recent example of the Kissoon family’s legal practice pursuits is actually Dhaman’s own son, Navan, who was called to the Ontario Bar in June 2020.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Section of Pirara bridge collapses with heavy-duty truck

It remains unclear whether the truck was overloaded as it attempted to traverse the bridge

As of Sunday afternoon, efforts were ongoing to unload the truck and remove it from its perched position

TRAFFIC to and from Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has been stalled, following the collapse of the southern section of the Pirara bridge on Sunday morning. Reports are that a 50-foot section of the 160-foot long wooden structure caved under the pressure of a heavy-duty truck, which remains lodged between the debris. “The initial assessment as of this morning is that one third of the bridge that has been damaged,” Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, said on Sunday. In an invited comment, Indar informed the Guyana Chronicle that a joint effort comprising representatives from the regional administration, including the Lethem Town Council, as well as the private sector, has commenced an operation to ensure that the truck is offloaded and removed from its perched position. It is yet to be determined whether the truck was overloaded at the time it was attempting to traverse the bridge, which serves as a critical link between Lethem and Annai. “They have said to me

that they are trying and hopefully, would be able to get the truck out by the end of the day [Sunday],” Indar informed this newspaper. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the Ministry of Public Works has mobilised its key partners and staff in Region Nine, in an effort to commence immediate repairs to the important bridge. “Our engineers are talking to two contractors who are already mobilised in the area, to do a report quickly and an assessment of cost and timelines and so for repairs,” Minister Indar said. He noted however that unsuitable weather patterns in the region are likely to pose some challenges with regard to the intended execution and completion of repairs. “Normally, when you have heavy water flow for permanent works, it is an impediment, so the condition on the ground is also being taken into context,” Indar said. The minister gave the assurance that all efforts will be made to have the bridge reopened to at least ‘light’ vehicular traffic. “We will have to put back some structures there

to get light vehicular traffic first, and then we will work from there to get it back to its normal state,” the minister added. TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

40 arrested over weekend for COVID-

By Vishani Ragobeer

FORTY persons were arrested in Skeldon, Region Six; on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), Region Four; and, Vergenoegen, Region Three, after they were found in breach of the gazetted COVID-19 guidelines. According to police reports, a ‘Covicurb’ patrol was carried out on the East Coast of Demerara on Saturday night. This patrol lasted until about 00:47hrs on Sunday morning. During that time, officers arrested eight persons for vio-

lating the daily curfew, which begins at 22:30hrs and lasts until 04:00hrs. Between Saturday night and Sunday morning, nine persons were also arrested at a popular beer garden on the Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo public road. The arrests were made following another Covicurb patrol carried out in this region as well. According to information received by the Guyana Chronicle from a reliable source, 23 persons were arrested at the Classic International Hotel during another Covicurb patrol conducted in Skeldon

and New Amsterdam. This newspaper understands that the persons arrested were also found in breach of the curfew. It is important to note that while the national curfew is from 22:30 hrs to 04:00hrs, the COVID-19 emergency measures state that businesses should be closed by 21:30hrs, as stated in the gazetted COVID-19 Emergency Measures. In a recent address to the nation, President Dr. Irfaan Ali highlighted, “The COVID-19 Task Force has been asked to pursue charges against owners of establishments who are found in breach of the

COVID-19 guidelines.”

BARS SUSPENDED Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle was also informed that the operations of two city bars-- the Altitude Cocktail Bar and Grill and the Kairos Sports Bar and Lounge -- have been suspended for one month. The suspension took effect from April 9, 2021 and lasts until May 9, 2021. Letters sent to these businesses, that were seen by this newspaper, indicated that both bars promoted entertainment activities (parties) that breached the na-

tional curfew. “This blatant COVID-19 measur tempt for the laws resulted in the appl the letters stated. The businesse permission for reop through the Guyan (GTA). The author ble for monitoring a to ensure implemen necessary to preve novel coronavirus.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

-19 breaches

t disregard to the res reflects your conof Guyana which has lication of sanctions,”

es were advised that pening must be granted na Tourism Authority rity has been responsiall restaurants and bars ntation of the measures ent the spread of the

These businesses are required to ensure that their premises are modified to allow for ‘social-distanced’ indoor dining and then apply to the GTA for certification. Following an inspection of the premises from the local tourism authority, only then will the restaurants receive permission to offer indoor dining. According to the gazetted measures, the GTA will also be responsible for monitoring these establishments to ensure that they do not breach any of the COVID-19 measures.

Several of the persons arrested at Vergenoegen, Region Three, between Saturday night and Sunday morning (Guyana Police Force photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021 FROM PAGE

Section of Pirara bridge collapses with ... Meanwhile, the Lethem municipality, via social media, indicated that as at Sunday morning, several critical items heading into the town had been left stranded. This is inclusive of a fuel tanker belonging to the Lethem Power Company Incorporated. Back in November 2019, sections of the Pirara bridge also suffered damage. At that time, the Public Works Ministry then referred to as the Ministry of Public

Infrastructure, had executed a series of repairs to restore the structural integrity of the bridge. Those repairs lasted for more than two weeks and saw replacement of the upright piles that support the bridge, in addition to horizontal beams. Meanwhile, Senior Public Works Minister Juan Edghill informed reporters on Sunday evening that even prior to the collapse of the bridge, the Irfaan-Ali government had

commenced a programme to assess all the wooden bridges between Kurupukari and Lethem. The aim, Edghill explained, was to kick start the replacement of timber bridges with solid, concrete structures, specifically within the hinterland regions. The minister acknowledged the fragility of timber bridges, and the fact that damage often results in communities being “cut off.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Expectant mothers in Karawab, St. Monica Mission benefit from ultrasound services EXPECTANT mothers in Karawab, Upper Pomeroon River last Friday benefited from ultrasound services, on the second day of the Ministry of Health’s specialist medical outreach to Amerindian communities in Pomeroon- Supenaam (Region Two). Director-General at the Ministry, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo who led the exercise, said persons in the remote satellite community had difficulties accessing health care. “The residents from Karawab village, especially pregnant mothers, for them to get ultrasound service they would have had to come out of there and go to Suddie Hospital; so for them, bringing ultrasound to Karawab is very, very important, as you can see

Karawab, Monica Samuels, welcomed the initiative. “This morning was very nice because it is very difficult for my mothers to go out to Suddie Hospital to do the ultrasound; most of the times we refer them there but they don’t go because of the money. They don’t have money to go. It’s $8,000 in passage to go down to Charity return, and then to go up to Suddie is a next $2,000, and if they return late to Charity, sometimes the boat leaves them. So, I am really happy for the ultrasound because my mothers cannot afford to go and do ultrasound,” Nurse Samuels said. The senior nurse, who single-handedly manned the health post for approximately 19 years, recently welcomed the assistance of a Community Health Work-

a 15-minute boat ride even farther down the river. Similar services were provided here, much to residents’ appreciation. Several of them

Staff Nurse/Midwife of St. Monica’s Mission and Karawab, Monica Samuels year February we get gasoline, so it is really hard. The patients would have to buy gasoline for us to go out and then to get it back from the region is real hard. So, I don’t go and collect gasoline anymore because you have to go sign a book

Cuban Dr Yumi Cambar performs an ultrasound scan on this expectant mother during the Ministry of Health’s specialist medical outreach in Region Two they have been here waiting since early morning,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI). A total of 12 expectant mothers were given ultrasound scans, which are used to check on the development of the foetus, and to detect abnormalities and multiple pregnancies. Residents also benefited from other services such as diabetic foot care, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening for cervical cancer and optometry. The team then headed farther downriver to St. Monica’s Mission where seven expectant mothers were also given ultrasounds. Staff Nurse/Midwife and Medical Supervisor at St. Monica’s Mission and

er (CHW) and a cleaner for both communities, which each has a population of over 700. “It is nice for me because working alone was difficult when I had to take a patient down to the hospital. At first, we used to paddle to take our patient down to Kabakaburi, then when we get boat and engine, it help us a lot but right now, we not getting gasoline.” Nurse Samuels said the health post usually accesses the gasoline for home visits and emergencies through the regional office. However, that process has its own challenges and has now been further disrupted by the pandemic. “From last year after COVID came in, only last

at Suddie then go to Transport Division, then go to the regional office, then hire a vehicle to take up our containers, then hire a vehicle to bring down back the gasoline, so it is really hard,” she said. Toshao of St. Monica and Karawab, Thomas Charles, also lauded the government’s initiative. “I have been longing for this for a long time. We are very far from the hospital and it is very expensive to go out, so having this type of programme is very beneficial to us and I really want to thank the government for this,” Toshao Charles said. Subsequent to these visits, the team then joined another team at the Kabakaburi Health Post, which is about

had braved the rains and had turned out in their numbers to see the specialists. The outreach was wrapped up on Saturday.

The Region Two outreach followed closely on the heels of similar exercises held recently in Regions Nine and 10.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Royals looking at ‘long term’ Archer (ESPNCRICINFO) - Rajasthan Royals will take a long-term view on Jofra Archer’s fitness - for England as well as for the franchise - and not seek to rush him back to action simply to fulfil his IPL contract, according to their team director Kumar Sangakkara. Archer’s involvement in this year’s tournament is set to be decided later in the week, after he underwent surgery to remove glass fragments from his hand following an accident involving a fish-tank at his home in Hove in January. That operation was carried out while Archer was also undergoing treatment for a long-term elbow injury, having required cortisone injections to get him through England’s five-match T20I series against India last month. And while Sangakkara admitted that Archer’s fitness issues had tempted the Royals to consider their options ahead of the IPL auction in February, and terminate his £800,000 contract ahead of next year’s mega-auction, his pre-eminence as a T20 cricketer persuaded the franchise to give him the time he needs to get back to his best. “It was a tough decision,” Sangakkara said. “The injury concern was flagged up going into the auction but he was playing excellently for England. So the chances of him playing in the IPL from the start and being managed by the experts was realistic. But we have contingency plans in place now and no risks will be taken. “We are certainly hoping that he will be available for some part of the IPL,” Sangakkara added. “Not having him at the start is a big blow for us, because a lot of our

Jofra Archer was named MVP of 2020 IPL season BCCI planning is centred around his availability, and such last-minute injury concerns do affect any side, especially if it’s a player of the quality of Jofra. “But it’s very important that Jofra gets fit, not just for the IPL, but importantly for his international career. He needs to be in a very good space with his body, and mentally, when he does come here, so we’re all waiting to see how the assessment goes. And once the assessment is done, we’ll know more.” Archer was named as the IPL’s MVP at the last tournament in the UAE in November, after claiming 20 wickets at the impressive economy of 6.56. Assuming he is cleared to fly out to India in the near future, the eight-day quarantine period on arrival will eat further time out of his availability for a tournament that is set to conclude on May 30. “We have to be concerned about him as a player because his career is longterm and is not restricted to just one season and the IPL,” Sangakkara added. “His value to world cricket and to England cricket is part of our decision and we will be guided by the experts in English cricket

who look after Jofra. It’s not something we look at selfishly and we take a holistic view of how important Jofra is.” Archer’s mental well-being will be a further consideration, as and when he does return to fitness, given the long periods he has spent in bio-secure environments since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak. England’s management factored rest and rotation into their selections for the tours of Sri Lanka and India this year, and Sangakkara said that an open-door policy would be in use at Rajasthan as well. “It’s such an important part of the current complex circumstances,” he said. “Of living in a bubble, training there, and not having access to your regular support structures and families “Keeping your players relaxed, interested, calm and happy is something that every franchise takes very seriously. Rajasthan’s is a policy of treating players as people first. We take a lot of pride in getting to know our players, understanding them and supporting them, not just in terms of IPL cricket, but their overall wellbeing.”

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

South Africa takes on Pakistan in Second T20I

(ESPNCRICINFO) It’s difficult to establish whether the nail-biting nature of the first T20I was about as good as this hollowed South African unit can produce, or the harbinger of a tremendously competitive T20I series. South Africa would brush off the loss of most of their best players, especially with the bat, blasting to 188, with those who stood in for the likes of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen more than justifying their places, and possibly even giving the selectors a headache ahead of the T20 World Cup. It was telling, though, that the death bowling couldn’t drive home a victory from an especially favourable situation, which makes one wonder about their ability to be competitive when a bigger effort might be needed from them. South Africa were fined 20% of their match fee in the first T20I, for being one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into account. Captain Heinrich Klaasen pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. According to ICC’s code of conduct, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. South Africa’s problem is they need to ensure their top five bat as many overs as possible, even as they continue to take the risks necessary to push their batting totals past 200. All of this against an outstanding Pakistan bowling attack, who will be raring to hit the heights after an uncharacteristically poor bowling performance at The Wanderers. With George Linde coming in as early as number six

and, Andile Phehlukwayo aside, limited big hitting lower down, South Africa will have to find a way to extract the best of both worlds from the top order.

Azam could swap places with the destructive left-hander. Sharjeel Khan remains a potent option waiting in the wings, though with Rizwan in

Mohammad Rizwan’s blistering form has given Pakistan a fillip AFP/Getty Images And while they just about managed it in the first game, it’s unclear whether that’s sustainable over a four-match series. Pakistan should both be upset at a poor overall performance, and glad they managed to win despite being so far off their best with both bat and ball. While that might have been a record chase, it needed the rescue act of a red-hot Mohammad Rizwan and a carefree lower order, with most of the big guns up top and through the middle failing to take control of the game. Even if they had lost that game, Pakistan might have been confident they could outlast this South African side over a long series. Now that they go into Monday’s contest with a series lead, that belief will be iron-clad. Much of the debate around Pakistan centres on the personnel, and sequence, of the top order, Fakhar Zaman batting anywhere apart from the top feels weird, especially in a T20I, and with Rizwan in the form he is, Babar

the form he is, places in Pakistan’s top order are fiercely competitive. Form guidePakistan WWLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first) South Africa LLWLL IN THE SPOTLIGHT Heinrich Klaasen appeared to struggle with a foot injury following a blow sustained en route to the destructive half-century he scored on Friday, but if fit, his contributions remain pivotal to South Africa’s fledgling middle order. It was no coincidence Pakistan managed to find a way to put the handbrake on after the wicketkeeper batsman was dismissed, with South Africa failing to find a boundary between overs 14 to 19, derailing an innings that looked set to surpass 200. With the lower middle order light on the kind of power hitters South Africa will need, the importance of contributions from the top order, and Klaasen lower down, is even more magnified.

Usman Qadir’s long flowing locks shouldn’t have anything to do with his ability to bowl legspin, but having shaved them off before the first T20I, he did perhaps turn in the worst performance of his career. Looking to cement his role as the clear frontrunner for that position ahead of the waning Shadab Khan, 38 in three wretched overs was an inauspicious start. It’s difficult to see him suffering an outing as indifferent as that on Monday. Qadir remains of the canniest problem-solvers in this Pakistan side. Should he be anywhere near his best, South Africa will have one further problem to worry about. Team news Sisanda Magala and Linde were the only South Africans to have notably poor games, so South Africa are unlikely to ring in the changes. Kyle Verreynne, surprisingly left out for the first game, could come in, but if van der Dussen remains unfit, an unchanged eleven might not be a surprise either. South Africa (possible): 1 Janneman Malan 2 Aiden Markram 3 Pite van Biljon 4 Kyle Verreynne/ Rassie van der Dussen 5 Heinrich Klaasen (capt & wk) 6 Andile Phehlukwayo 7 George Linde/ Wiaan Mulder 8 Beuran Hendricks 9 Lizaad Williams 10 Tabraiz Shamsi 11 Sisanda Magala Fakhar Zaman may well open this time around, but Pakistan are expected to go in unchanged. Pakistan (likely): 1 Fakhar Zaman 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 3 Babar Azam (capt) 4 Haider Ali 5 Mohammad Hafeez 6 Mohammad Nawaz 7 Faheem Ashraf 8 Hasan Ali 9 Shaheen Afridi 10 Haris Rauf 11 Usman Qadir

Tokyo Olympic organisers to prepare 300 rooms for positive COVID-19 athletes (Reuters) - Tokyo Olympic organisers plan to prepare 300 hotel rooms for athletes who test positive for the coronavirus at this summer’s Games but show no or minor symptoms of COVID-19, Kyodo news agency said on Sunday. Japan’s government is placing Tokyo under a monthlong state of “quasi-emergency” from Monday to combat surging infections, less than a month after a broader state of emergency was lifted for the capital and Olympic host. The Tokyo organising committee plans to reserve an entire hotel located a few kilometres away from the athletes’ village in the Harumi waterfront district, which will likely cost several million dollars, Kyodo said, citing several unnamed sources. Coronavirus-positive athletes and other Games participants who do not require hospitalisation will be quarantined in the rooms for 10 days in principle, and medical staff will treat them around the clock, it said. The committee will also prepare about 30 special vehicles to transport the patients to the hotel, according to Kyodo. Athletes will receive COVID-19 tests every four days at least under rules unveiled in February for the Tokyo Games, scheduled to begin in late July after a one-year delay due to the pandemic. More guidance on isolation and testing is to come in April. Japan has recorded more than 500,000 infections and nearly 9,400 deaths, public broadcaster NHK said on Saturday, low compared to most other major economies. But concerns about the new wave of infections are rising ahead of the Games.

Nadal fully fit and confident ahead of Monte Carlo (Reuters) - World number three Rafa Nadal says he is fully fit and confident about his preparations as he begins his claycourt season at the Monte Carlo Masters, with one eye on the pursuit of a 14th French Open crown. The Spaniard has not played a competitive match since his Australian Open quarter-final loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas, having skipped a series of tournaments due to a back injury sustained in Melbourne. Chasing a record-extending 12th title in Monte Carlo, Nadal has been awarded an opening round bye and will open his campaign in the second round against either Federico Delbonis or Adrian Mannarino. “An important part of the season has arrived for me,” Nadal, 34, told a news conference on Sunday. “I think I did the right work to be ready. I’m happy the way that I am playing, for the moment my body is in good shape. “I am confident. I’m practising well these couple of days here in Monaco before the tournament starts. So I feel ready.” The 20-time Grand Slam champion is not the only member of the Nadal family to make the trip to Monte Carlo this week, with his uncle and former coach Toni travelling to the Principality as the new member of Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime’s coaching team. “He knows a lot about this sport,” Rafa said. “I am sure that it’s going to be an important help for Felix.” Toni, 60, decided to step down as Rafa’s coach in 2017 and concentrate on running the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. Ahead of the 2021 season, Auger-Aliassime spent more than a week training at the academy and approached Toni to join his team. “I am happy for Felix. I am happy for myself, too,” Nadal said. “I am happy to see my uncle here, see him here, spend time with him here on the Tour again. That’s a positive thing.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

United pull off come-from-behind win

(BBC) - Manchester United inflicted further damage on Tottenham’s hopes of making the Premier League’s top four as they came from behind to secure a fully deserved victory. Spurs went into this game knowing victory would keep them in touch with the Champions League places but another colourless performance led to what could be an expensive defeat. Edinson Cavani thought he had given United a firsthalf lead with a smooth finish from Paul Pogba’s pass but the goal was controversially ruled out by referee Chris Kavanagh following a video assistant referee consultation after Scott McTominay caught Son Heung-min with his trailing arm. United’s sense of injustice was increased when Son put Spurs ahead before the break but the visitors recovered impressively for a win that leaves them 11 points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

Fred was involved in the build-up and conclusion of the equaliser after 57 minutes, pouncing after Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris had saved well from Cavani. And Cavani finally got the goal his superb movement and constant menace deserved with 11 minutes left when he launched himself to head beyond Lloris from substitute Mason Greenwood’s cross. Greenwood completed the formalities with virtually the last kick of the game as he provided a finish that was too powerful for Lloris at his near post. Solskjaer delight as Man Utd fire back Manchester United ended the first half feeling as if the world was against them, wounded by the decision to rule out Cavani’s goal and then hit by Son’s opener. And yet, as they have done so often this season, they bounced back from going behind to win and did so in very satisfying fashion for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Edinson Cavani is the fifth player to score a league goal against a team managed by Jose Mourinho in two different countries Keeper Dean Henderson, now seemingly first choice ahead of David de Gea, made a couple of saves with his legs and Cavani was fortunate when a header bounced off his own post but United were by far the better team and had plenty of chances of their own at the other end. The Uruguayan may be 34 and surrounded by speculation that he could leave

Old Trafford at the end of the season but the timeless instincts of the great striker remains. He was a permanent threat, fully meriting the goal that gave United the lead. Pogba and Fred were also outstanding contributors in midfield for United, who have now opened up a seven-point gap between themselves and Leicester City, who lost at West Ham

United, in third. United are an enigmatic side, clearly full of talent and danger and yet often not at their best, but no-one could deny their quality here and no-one could begrudge them a very fine victory. Spurs get what they deserved: nothing Greenwood’s late goal may have extended Manchester United’s victory margin more than Spurs

manager Jose Mourinho would feel was justified, but he can have no serious complaints about the final outcome. Spurs led at the interval but it was United who came out after the break with real purpose and intent, Fred’s equaliser the inevitable result of the pressure that built up. For a side containing the attacking threat of Son and Harry Kane, Spurs lie dormant for long periods, dragged down by the stodgy game-plan that seems far too conservative for a team boasting two such elite attackers. Spurs, who won the reverse meeting 6-1 in October, had their moments in the second half but they were fleeting and there was never a sense they were taking control. This loss leaves them six points behind fourthplaced West Ham in seventh and they will have to improve markedly if they are to turn their top-four aspirations into reality.

Lingard form continues as West Ham beat Leicester (BBC) - Jesse Lingard continued his stunning form with West Ham by scoring twice in the first half to set the Hammers on course for a crucial victory over fellow Champions League hopefuls Leicester City. The two sides came into the weekend occupying the last two Champions League spots, before wins for Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday nudged West Ham down to sixth place. But David Moyes’ men showed they are up for the challenge of qualifying for Europe’s top club competition for the first time, going 3-0 up and holding on during a late Leicester rally to climb back into fourth. The Hammers took the lead as Arthur Masuaku’s cross went through to rightback Vladimir Coufal, who cut back for Lingard to sweep the ball inside Kasper Schmeichel’s near post from the edge of the box. Jarrod Bowen then beat

the offside trap to race on to Issa Diop’s long ball and square for Lingard to tap into an empty net for his eighth goal in nine Premier League games since arriving on loan from Manchester United. The 28-year-old forward, whose recent form earned him an England recall, then played a part in West Ham’s

third goal right after half-time as Bowen poked in from Tomas Soucek’s pass to round off a clinical team move. Kelechi Iheanacho pulled a goal back to give the visitors hope, before grabbing his 11th goal in 11 games in stoppage time, but the Hammers ensured they did not surrender a 3-0 lead for

the second straight home game and move within a point of third-placed Leicester. Noble reaches another milestone West Ham 3-2 Leicester: ‘We need to learn our lesson’ after Leicester scare says Moyes With Declan Rice set to

Jesse Lingard’s first goal saw him become the first West Ham player to score in four consecutive Premier League games since Michail Antonio in September 2016

be out until May, club captain Mark Noble has returned to the Hammers’ midfield at a pivotal stage of the season. The 33-year-old led by example during Monday’s 3-2 win at Wolves and did so again during his 400th Premier League game for West Ham - and 524th in all competitions - before going off after injuring his wrist making a desperate block late on. The Hammers were a Championship side when Noble made his league debut in January 2005. Now they could finish in the top four of English football’s top flight for the first time since 1985-86. The man known as ‘Mr West Ham’ signed a one-year extension in March, saying he will leave at the end of 2021-22, and said before Sunday’s game that he is relishing the prospect of playing Champions League football in his 18th and final season with the club.

Along with the graft of a long-serving club servant, the guile of short-term signing Lingard has helped cement West Ham’s status as genuine top-four contenders. A poor lay-off by Coufal denied him the chance of scoring another goal in the first half, while Lingard crossed for Diop to head home after the break, only to see it disallowed for offside. It seems it is no longer a question of whether Lingard will make England’s European Championship squad this summer, but whether he will start. Lingard’s only league goal last season came as Manchester United dashed Leicester’s Champions League hopes on the final day. Helping West Ham make the top four this time round would surely make up the mind of England manager Gareth Southgate, who was watching at London Stadium.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

PCB to outsource PSL bio-security protocol management (ESPNCRICINFO) - The PCB will outsource the management of its bio-security protocols to an international firm when the sixth season of the PSL resumes in June. The dates for the resumption have now been finalised, with the league restarting on June 1 and the final scheduled for June 20. Twenty matches remain, with all of them to be played in Karachi. The season was curtailed last month after an outbreak of Covid-19 among a number of players which made its continuation untenable. That came after a number of incidents raised questions about the security and implementation of the protocols put in place for the tournament; those were protocols that were in turn devised and put in place by the board’s medical panel. Dr Sohail Saleem, the head of that panel, is being released after his resignation, which he had submitted in the wake of the curtailment, was accepted. An independent two-person fact-finding commission has since compiled a report and made a series of recommendations that the PCB’s board of governors discussed in detail in a meeting on Saturday. The board of governors (BoG) “expressed their disappointment at the failures that were highlighted in the report and advised remedial actions needed to be taken”, a PCB release said. “The BoG endorsed all recommendations of the fact-finding panel, including robust and stringent implementation of the protocols, as well as maintaining a zero-tolerance approach towards all those who breach the Covid-19 SOPs, which are put in place for safeguarding the health and safety of all participants,” it said. The PCB is now close to appointing an international firm that, the release said, “specialises in providing Covid-safe technology solutions, bio-secure monitoring & management, as well as response and reaction to positive tests”. A mandatory seven-day quarantine period will be in place for all players and staff that will begin from May 22. Teams will have three days of training before the season resumes on June 1 with the Lahore Qalandars taking on the Islamabad United. All matches will be played at the National Stadium, with two match days of double-headers. REVISED SCHEDULE All matches at National Stadium, Karachi. Evening matches will start at 8pm local time; in case of double-headers, the first match will begin at 5pm local while the second match will start at 10pm. 1 June: Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United (N) 2 June: Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings (N) 3 June: Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators (N) 4 June: Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars (N)

The National Stadium in Karachi wears a forlorn, empty look after PSL 2021 was indefinitely postponed (Getty Images) 5 June: Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings (D); Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators (N) 6 June: Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings (N) 7 June: Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars (N) 8 June 8: Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi (N) 9 June: Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars (N) 10 June: Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings (N) 11 June: Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United (N) 12 June: Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi (D); Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars (N) 13 June: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi (N) 14 June: Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars (N) 16 June: Qualifier (1 vs 2) (N) 17 June: Eliminator 1 (3 vs 4) (N) 18 June: Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier vs winner Eliminator 1) (N) 20 June: Final (N)

KKR bowlers hold off SRH (ESPNCRICINFO) - The Kolkata Knight Riders managed the first successful defence in the 2021 IPL despite a blip towards the end of their innings. They managed just 42 in their last five overs, but the 145 for 1 in the first 15 proved to be good enough on a dry pitch, which their bowlers exploited. Eighty-or-nothing Nitish Rana had that eighty night on a track that didn’t support his weakness: short and fast bowling. The selfless Rahul Tripathi scored an attacking fifty despite not batting at the position suited to him-- opening the batting. Defending about 20 fewer than what they looked good for, the Knight Riders’ fast bowlers produced the big wickets and their spinners stifled the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen to seal the game. After Prasidh Krishna got David Warner early, Jonny Bairstow revived the Sunrisers chase with a 40-ball 55, but Pat Cummins got him out in the 13th over to leave Manish Pandey with a tall ask of getting 86 off the last seven. Pandey couldn’t despite an Abdul Samad cameo at the end. SUNRISERS ERR,

RANA CASHES IN Dry pitches are what Sunrisers have built their successful model on. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Sandeep Sharma remain accurate before Rashid Khan drove home the advantage, but on this occasion both Kumar and Sharma got off to an error-filled start. While Shubhman Gill’s struggle to bat at T20 pace continued from 2020, Rana made full use of the width provided by both the new-ball bowlers. By the time Gill was out despite seemingly having picked a Khan wrong’un, the Knight Riders still had 53 on the board in seven overs. TRIPATHI, RANA PUNISH SUNRISERS As often, Tripathi came out oozing intent. The second ball he faced, he went against the turn to hit Mohammad Nabi for a six over long-off. While Khan kept things quiet at his end, Rana and Tripathi kept attacking the others. They batted together for eight overs; only one of them didn’t feature a boundary, and two of them went for more than one. At 145 for 1 in 15 overs, with Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik and Eoin Morgan still in the shed, the Knight

Riders looked set to bat the Sunrisers out of the game. SUNRISERS FIGHT BACK In the 16th over, Tripathi fell trying to hit his third six of the night, but it seemed like the perfect time for Russell to walk in. He announced himself with a four first ball, but Khan got him out in his customary one over at the death. The slowness of the pitch proved difficult for the batsmen coming in, with both Rana and Morgan falling to the off-spin of Nabi in the 18th over. Karthik, though, arrested the slide with a nine-ball 22 to give the Knight Riders 28 more than what Mumbai Indians came close to defending in the first match in Chennai. PRASIDH DENTS THE CHASE Harbhajan Singh, playing his first IPL match since the 2019 final, almost had Warner the first ball he bowled to him but Cummins dropped him at point. However, in the next over, Krishna produced a beauty angling across Warner, getting the edge through to Karthik. With the left-hand batsman gone, the Knight Riders switched immediately to the left-arm spin of Shakib

Al Hasan with immediate results, getting rid of Wriddhiman Saha first ball of the third over. The Sunrisers were 10 for 2 in the third over. BAIRSTOW KEEPS SUNRISERS ALIVE With Pandey playing more of an anchor role in the chase, it was down to Bairstow to prevent being choked out by the Knight Riders’ spinners: Singh, Shakib and Varun Chakravarthy. He brought up his 50 in 32 balls, taking the Sunrisers to 100 for 2 at the end of the 12th over. Pandey was 34 off 27 at the other end. Cummins starts the final slide Morgan went to his strike bowler in the 13th, and while the ball to get Bairstow wasn’t flash, sometimes the short and wide ball does it just fine in T20s. Three metres either side of the man at backward point, and Bairstow would have got four more, but he found the man to perfection. The squeeze was on after that, and in Cummins, Chakravarthy, Shakib and Krishna, the Knight Riders had too much quality at the end for a suspect Sunrisers middle order.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Lacazette, Martinelli give Arsenal big win over Sheffield (BBC) - Gabriel Martinelli scored in his first start since January as Arsenal ended a run of four games without a win with victory over the Premier League’s bottom club Sheffield United. The Brazilian has endured an injury-plagued season, but was on hand to net his side’s second with a finish into an unguarded goal after Aaron Ramsdale had pushed out Nicolas Pepe’s shot. It was the 19-year-old’s first goal since January 2020. It came between two Alexandre Lacazette goals - the first a neat first-half finish after Dani Ceballos’ back-heel and the second a clinical effort in the closing stages after he was put clear by Thomas Partey. Sheffield United have

Lacazette’s goals were his 12th and 13th in the Premier League this season and his fourth and fifth in his last six matches won only four games this season and none since Paul Heckingbottom took caretaker charge a month ago and they had little answer to their opponents’ increased efficiency. At 1-0 there was al-

ways a chance that this generous Arsenal side may provide the Blades with a way back in, but Martinelli’s strike ended such home hopes, with Lacazette adding the final flourish.

The win - complete with a first clean sheet in 15 games - lifts Arsenal above Leeds and Aston Villa and up to ninth in the table, with 45 points. It did come at a potential cost, though, with

Bukayo Saka limping off in the second half with a thigh injury, making him a possible doubt for the second leg of the Europa League last-eight tie with Slavia Prague on Thursday. Sheffield United remain rooted to the bottom, 18 points from safety with just 21 left to play for. With their woeful goal difference, a loss at Wolves next Saturday will all but confirm their relegation. Morale-boosting win for Arsenal ahead of big European game Arsenal endured a chastening eight days in the lead up to this fixture, suffering a humbling 3-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League before drawing the home leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie with Slavia Prague. Their hopes of attain-

ing a Champions League spot via a top-four finish are long gone, leaving success in Europe’s secondary competition as their last remaining route back into its more lucrative big brother. This game, then, was as much about getting Slavia’s late equaliser at the Emirates out of their system with a more composed, confidence-boosting win. It took them a bit of time to warm up to the task, but ultimately they found their stride, with Lacazette’s opener coming during a period that saw Aaron Ramsdale tested and the side-netting struck. Encouragingly, Martinelli, starting only his sixth game of an injury-plagued season, was at the heart of much of their attacking threat.

Jazz reach 40-win mark in season (REUTERS)- Donovan Mitchell scored 42 points and the Utah Jazz became the first team in the NBA to reach the 40-win mark with a 128-112 victory Saturday night over the Sacramento Kings in Salt Lake City. Mike Conley added 26 points and Joe Ingles contributed 20 off the bench, with both players sinking five 3-pointers, to help the Jazz overcome a double-digit deficit en route to a rout of the Kings. It was Utah’s 24th straight win at home and the team’s 11th win in 13 games. Mitchell became the first Jazz player since Hall of Famer, Karl Malone, to score 35 points in three consecutive games. De’Aaron Fox scored 30 and Richaun Holmes poured in 25 points for Sacramento, but the Kings couldn’t hold on to an early 11-point lead. Warriors 125, Rockets

109 Stephen Curry poured in a game-high 38 points to move within 18 of Wilt Chamberlain’s career franchise record, lifting Golden State to a victory over visiting Houston. Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 25 points and Jordan Poole 21 off the bench for the Warriors. Curry increased his career point total to 17,765, putting him in a position to possibly catch and pass Chamberlain (17,783) as early as Golden State’s next game, which is Monday at home against Denver. John Wall, who sat out Friday’s 126-109 road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, returned to pace the Rockets with 30 points. Suns 134, Wizards 106 Devin Booker’s 27 points, double-doubles from both Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, and a dominant third quarter powered Phoenix

to a rout of visiting Washington. Washington played without NBA-leading scorer Bradley Beal, who is sidelined by back soreness. Paul scored 13 points and dished 10 assists, Ayton shot 7-of-10 from the floor for 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and all five Phoenix starters scored in double-figures. Just three Wizards scored in double-figures. Russell Westbrook recorded his 22nd triple-double of the season with 17 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, but shot 0-of-4 from long range and 6-of-17 from the floor overall. Lakers 126, Nets 101 The energetic Lakers used ball pressure, sticky defense and good perimeter shooting to run past Brooklyn on the road. Los Angeles corralled one steal and posted four blocks, forcing 19 Brooklyn turnovers

while converting those into 25 points. In his second game back from a hamstring injury, Kevin Durant led the Nets with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes. LaMarcus Aldridge added 12 points. Point guard Dennis Schroder carried the short-handed Lakers early, scoring all 19 points in the first half. Even an injured tailbone suffered while taking a charge on a baseline drive by Brooklyn’s Blake Griffin could not slow Schroder, who remained in the game. Raptors 135, Cavaliers 115 Gary Trent Jr. scored 25 of his career-high 44 points in the first half to lift visiting Toronto to a victory over Cleveland. Trent made 17 of 19 shots from the floor -- including 7 of 9 from 3-point

range -- to pace the Raptors. Malachi Flynn finished with 20 points for the Raptors, who erupted for 47 points in the opening quarter after making 17 of 20 shots from the floor (franchise-best 85.0 percent). Toronto didn’t take its foot off the gas and set a franchise record for points in a half at 87. Collin Sexton scored 29 points, Darius Garland had 19 and Kevin Love added 18 for the Cavaliers, who saw their modest two-game winning streak come to a halt. Blazers 118, Pistons 103 Enes Kanter set a franchise record with an NBA season-best 30 rebounds and also scored 24 points to lead Portland to a victory over visiting Detroit. Damian Lillard recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds, and CJ McCollum scored 26 points for the Trail Blazers. Carmelo Anthony and Nassir Little added 11 points

apiece. Josh Jackson matched his career high of five 3-pointers while scoring 21 points for the Pistons, who played without leading scorer Jerami Grant (knee) for the second straight game. 76ers 117, Thunder 93 Joel Embiid scored 27 points to lead Philadelphia to a road win over Oklahoma City. It was Embiid’s first time playing both ends of a backto-back since returning from missing 10 games due to a knee injury. Three Philadelphia starters -- Embiid, Ben Simmons and Furkan Korkmaz -- scored 10 points each in the opening quarter as the 76ers jumped out to a 37-25 lead. Philadelphia dominated inside early, with 18 points in the paint while shooting 13 of 16 inside the 3-point line in the first quarter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 12, 2021

Singh, Foster are CWI directors PRESIDENT and Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Bissondyal Singh and Hilbert foster are the two new Guyanese directors on the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Board. The duo was confirmed yesterday afternoon following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) where Ricky Skerritt and Dr Kishore Shallow were re-elected unopposed to the posts of President and Vice President respectively. Singh is also the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) president while Foster is also the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) president Foster, who spoke exclusively to Chronicle Sport, said he intends to use this new post for the development

Ricky Skerritt (left) and Dr Kishore Shallow have been re-elected unopposed to the posts of President and Vice President of CWI respectively. of West Indies cricket. “I am humbled to serve in that capacity and as I have always done. I will give of my

best to represent Guyana’s interest at the CWI but with the understanding that this new role is for the overall

development of cricket,” Foster said. The other CWI directors include Conde Riley

(Barbados Cricket Association), Calvin Hope (Barbados Cricket Association), Wilford Heaven (Jamaica Cricket Association), Dr Donovan Bennett (Jamaica Cricket Association), Enoch Lewis (Leeward Islands Cricket Board), Leon Rodney (Leeward Islands Cricket Board), Azim Bassarath (Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board), Arjoon Ramlal (Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board), Julian Charles (Windward Islands Cricket Board) and Dwain Gill (Windward Islands Cricket Board). Following his re-election, Skerritt said, “I am humbled and deeply honored to be re-elected to serve as CWI President for a second term. I take the respon-

sibility to lead the Board of this prestigious organization, most seriously. We have much unfinished work to do, and we renew our pledge to work untiringly to help achieve sustainable improvement, both on and off the field, for West Indies cricket.” Vice president Dr Shallow said, “I am again grateful for the continued support of the member representatives for Ricky and myself. This re-election is a victory for West Indies cricket as we continue on the path of growing the game across the region, and achieving good outcomes on all fronts and at all levels.” Skerritt and Shallow will serve a second two-year term. (Stephan Sookram)

Matsuyama wins masters (BBC) - Hideki Matsuyama held off the field to win the Masters by one stroke at Augusta National and become the first Japanese man to claim a major title. Matsuyama had a fourshot lead heading into the final day and, despite some nervy moments on Sunday, shot a one-over 73 to win on 10 under par. American debutant Will Zalatoris was his closest challenger at nine under. England’s Justin Rose, who led for two rounds, faded in the final round with a a two-over 74 to finish five under. Xander Schauffele, playing with Matsuyama, birdied the 15th to close within two shots, but hit his tee shot in the water on the 16th as his challenge ended with with a triple-bogey six. He ended at seven under par in a share of third with fellow American and 2015 champion Jordan Spieth. Spanish world number three Jon Rahm posted a final-day 66 to come in a further stroke back, alongside Australia’s Marc Leishman. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre impressed on his debut and finished joint 12th

at two under par to also secure his place at next year’s Masters. Matsuyama clinches first Green Jacket A decade since Matsuyama was awarded the Silver Cup as the leading amateur at Augusta National the 29-year-old returned to record a victory that will resonate hugely in his home

nation. Japan has boasted major champions in 1977 LGPA Championship winner Hisako Higuchi and Hinako Shibuno, who won the Women’s Open two years ago, but the closest a male player had previously come to golf’s most sought-after prizes was Isao Aoki with a runner-up finish at the 1980

US Open. The foundations for Matsuyama’s success were laid on Saturday, returning from an hour-long delay for storms to shoot six under par through his final eight holes. It meant the world number 25, who passed the time by sitting in his car playing games on his cell phone,

Hideki Matsuyama becomes the first Japanese man to win a major

signed for a stunning 65 that put him four strokes clear of the field. There were some early nerves on Sunday as Matsuyama sent his opening drive into the trees and watched his lead cut to one after Zalatoris made a birdie-birdie start. The 24-year-old American, who was aiming to become the first debutant to win since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, emerged as a surprise challenger but Matsuyama birdied the second, made smart par-saves at three and five and then completed the front nine with successive birdies. After Zalatoris dropped shots at 10 and the Golden Bell 12th, the Japanese player’s advantage was stretched to six strokes. Matsuyama, who had not won on the PGA Tour since 2017, could afford to cautiously bogey the par-three 12th but was fortunate to avoid sending his approach to the 13th green into the azaleas and he went on to birdie the hole. Playing partner Schauffele looked to have blown his challenge with four dropped shots in three holes through three, four and five.

But a run of four birdies that started on the 12th suddenly put the pressure on Matsuyama, especially when the leader hit his second shot on the par-five 15th over the green and into the water on the 16th hole. That resulted in a dropped shot and his advantage was down to two. Schauffele’s grandparents live in Japan and he says he knows enough of the language to share a joke with Matsuyama, but the American was is no mood for that when his tee shot on the par-three 16th dropped into the water as he recorded a triple-bogey six. That handed Matsuyama the initiative once more, despite carding a bogey himself, and he held a twoshot lead heading down the 18th, where he converted a bogey putt to clinch the Green Jacket in front of the patrons gathered around the green. The former world number two becomes the second Japanese player to enjoy a victory at the iconic Georgia venue in eight days, after Tsubasa Kajitani won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last week.

Singh, Foster are CWI directors

Bissondyal Singh was last month elected both DCB and GCB President

See story on page 23

GCB Vice President and BCB president Hilbert Foster is one of the two new Guyanese faces to the CWI Board

KKR bowlers hold off SRH See story on page 21

Donovan Mitchell (#45) of the Utah Jazz drives into Terence Davis (#9) of the Sacramento Kings during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 10, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Jazz reach 40-win mark in season See story on page 22

Shakib Al Hasan struck with his first IPL 2021 delivery, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2021, Chennai, April 11, 2021

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MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021