FRIDAY 15th January, 2021
' No.106243
1,000 homes for Region 10
–– President Ali says politics won’t hinder people's welfare ––‘investment zone’ to be identified in the region, ‘agri’ master plan in the making SEE STORY ON PAGE 03
President Dr. Irfaan Ali and government officials engaging various Region 10 youth groups on Thursday (Office of the President photo)
Three charged for murder of Henry boys
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Woman, 26, dies in Little Diamond fire
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Three charged for murder of Henry boys
THREE men are expected to be arraigned in court today for the brutal murders of teen cousins, Isaiah and Joel Henry, whose mutilated bodies were found at Cotton Tree backlands, West Coast Berbice, last September. On Thursday, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack recommended that Vinod Gopaul, Anil Sanchara and Akash Singh be charged for the capital offence. They have since been formally charged by the police, and are expected to be arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court today. The mutilated bodies Isaiah, 16, and Joel, 18, were found on September 6, 2020 in the Cotton Tree Backdam in West Berbice. A post-mortem found that the Henry boys died from haemorrhage and shock, due to multiple incised wounds. They both sustained severed spines, along with multiple chops about the body.
DEAD: Isaiah and Joel Henry
The killers carved out a huge ‘X’ on Isaiah’s head, while they cut open Joel’s chest. It is suspected that the boys had died some 36 hours prior to being found. Three days later, Haresh Singh, 17, was found, in a bloodied state as well, in the Number Three Village backlands, hours after he left home on his motorcycle to transport water for his relatives who were working on their farm.
The post-mortem on Singh indicated that he’d died of brain haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck. No arrest has been made for Singh’s murder. The gruesome deaths sent shockwaves throughout the country, and resulted in widespread public outrage and mass protests.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
49 new COVID-19 cases recorded THE number of persons tested positive for the coronavirus has increased by 49, according to the Health Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard for January 14, 2020. Even as new cases were recorded, five persons were reported to have recovered from the virus. The 49 newly-confirmed cases were recorded in Regions, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and 10. Twenty-six of the newly-confirmed cases were females. Regions Three and Five recorded one new case each; Region Three recorded 10 new cases; and Region Four recorded 19 new cases. Nine new cases were recorded in Region Six; Region Seven recorded six cases while Region 10 recorded an additional three cases. It was reported that the 49 new cases were recorded from a total of 455 tests. The country has now recorded a total of 6,745 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020. Following the recovery of
the five additional persons, the total number of persons who have recovered since March is now 6,068. There are currently 550 active cases, four of which are being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Currently, there are 54 persons in institutional isolation; 449 in home isolation and 43 in institutional quarantine. Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms. The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in
force from January 1, 2021, until January 31, 2021. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic. As per the current measures; however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes. Physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important. The current curfew time is 22:30hrs to 04:00hrs. Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 226-7480; or 180/181 for assistance.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
1,000 homes for Region 10 –– President Ali says politics won’t hinder people's welfare --‘investment zone’ to be identified in the region, ‘agri’ master plan in the making BENEFITS will be distributed equitably to every Guyanese, irrespective of their political preference or affiliation, as the welfare of the people is the focus of the Government, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said, as he announced a plethora of plans, including the construction of 1,000 houses, for Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The delivery of this and other commitments were made when the President and his Cabinet visited the region on Thursday. President Ali, as part of his forward approach towards engagement and development, told residents of Region 10 on Thursday that he intends to tap into the skills of residents, as well as to source the building materials from the community for the construction of those houses. “We will be engaging the young people and women in the construction of the homes,” he said, adding: “We need the materials for the construction of these houses to come from this region; the lumber, the sawmill, block makers and carpenters will all be engaged. If you don't have the skills, we will bring in people to train you, so that employment is created for the residents here.” Access to adequate housing is viewed as a basic human right, and is considered to be an integral factor for the enjoyment of other economic, social and cultural rights. And, with Guyana’s economy poised to quadruple in the coming years, the government will be moving to ensure that its people, especially from the low and middle-income brackets, have access to adequate housing. Housing units will eventually be constructed across all ten administrative regions, and authorities are already working to identify and acquire lands for this purpose. But, specific to Region 10, in addition to the construction of 1,000 houses, the President said 50 houses will be constructed in Amelia’s Ward for young professionals by the end of October 2021. “Here is what we are going to do: We are going to bring the bank in, and we're going to develop 50 Young Professionals Homes. We have the designs, just like we did for Eccles; so you’ll be living in an environment that you'd be proud of. So, we will set aside 50 house lots; we will build the homes,”
area that investors and business people think is an ideal area, and create an investment zone there and then to make those lands available in a way that it can be prioritised. That is something that we should look at,” President Ali said. TURN TO PAGE
President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials of the Government in discussion with private sector stakeholders from Region 10 (Office of the President photo)
the Head of State assured Lindeners. President Ali said officials of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will return to the region on Monday with representatives from the banking institutions to expedite the prequalification process. “We will pre-qualify you, so you will get your loan, your house lot, and your house on the same day,” the President affirmed. Immediately following this announcement, one of the beneficiaries, Dr Aliana Anderson, expressed her gratitude to President Ali for his swift intervention. “I feel very pleased, because we go there and say that we are young professionals, and right away he knew exactly what could have been our issue,” Dr. Anderson said, adding: “I was just thinking about a whole long speech I had to say, and he just went right to it. I feel very happy; I feel like he is the person for young people; like he wants to see us develop and be better. I am really happy.” Support for young people, however, does not stop there, as President Ali pointed to several other areas of development, including improved access to educational materials for children, access to healthcare, and the provision of opportunities for residents to offer services to support the mining sector. The President announced specific plans to develop an Online portal to allow young people who have specific training needs in all areas, including the hospitality sector, to register their interests. He said this will allow young people to benefit from the opportunities which will arise in all sectors.
“I will ask Ministers Charles Ramson and Joe Hamilton to launch an Online portal, where young people can register themselves and their interests in training. So if we know we have 50 or 100 or 200 youths from Linden who want to be trained in the hospitality sector, then we will be able to say, Okay, and provide a special arrangement to have you trained at the hospitality institute,” President Ali said. This portal will allow residents to register for not only existing initiatives, but also potential ones like the National Tourism and Hospitality Institute, and the National Oil and Gas Institute. The President assured residents that the Government will place emphasis on strengthening the human resource capacity across the country, including in communities in Region 10. He encouraged young people to start this process by forming consortiums, and working together. He noted that the Government is ready to work with those groups to prepare them to take advantage of all of the opportunities that are in the pipeline. INVESTMENT ZONE One of the potential conduits of opportunities and development is an investment zone in the region, which will soon be identified and developed jointly by the region’s private sector body and the Government. This, the President believes, will bolster economic growth, and increase opportunities in the region, and ensure private sector involvement in the process. “What we need to do is sit with you, look at the potential
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
‘A dream come through’ –– President Ali helps to fast track lease allocation for re-migrant GUYANA-BORN Peter Baptiste was ready to surrender his dream of developing a logging and value-added business in his homeland, but hope has been restored with a simple commitment from President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, to fast track the allocation of land for development. Baptiste, who had left Guyana, returned home sometime in 2017 with the hope and dream of investing in a log-exporting and value-added business in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice). Speaking with President Ali at a ministerial outreach in Linden on Thursday, the 45-year-old explained that when he re-migrated to Guyana some four years ago, he sold all of his assets from his minibus service in order to purchase five logging trucks that are valued at approximately $60 million. He also secured other assets to start
his dream business. “My intention was to come back and open up a sawmill, a furniture store and to export lumber and lumber materials. I even already had investors prepared from St. Lucia and the United States of America ready to do business, but the previous administration did not have a vision and that started my first problem,” Baptiste related. The investor said he approached ministers of the previous APNU+AFC Government for assistance but there was no success. “One time I called a minister and she kept asking me how I got her number and so I said minister I need some assistance and she switched off her number from me. “All of that was frustrating and my business ended up running flat because I was not getting to do what I wanted to do. What I did was ended up having to get refund for the trucks and I
45-year-old Peter Baptiste (Office of the President photo)
even wanted to leave and go back,” Baptiste said. Despite being discouraged, Baptiste said he knew that the G government would have changed at the last General and Regional Elections. “I saw this government with a vision and I wanted to work with this government. I am not about APNU and this and that. I am from Linden and looking for a government to work in my best interest. I was really planning on packing up and leaving, but I decided to stay and now I am happy about that,” the investor said. Baptiste was also having issues with obtaining a lease for lands he had applied for in the Moblissa area. After
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and other government officials engaging residents of Region 10 on Thursday (Office of the President photo)
explaining his issues to President Ali, he was instructed to speak with the representative of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLCS) and was told that he would be receiving the lease for which he had applied , today. His application is for two acres of industrial land. ISSUE SOLVED “Now I will be able to get my lease and one of my issues has been solved just like that after years of waiting. The businessman said that he is now optimistic that not only his issues, but issues that other residents face, can be solved. “President Ali rejuvenated my dreams, my vision and because of him I have been encouraged to invest more in my country. I never
believed that I would have been able to sit in front of a President and speak in such an informal and casual setting. I believe this is a government for the people and I am happy,” Baptiste said. The ‘Lindener’ was part of a group of miners, farmers and loggers who visited the Watooka Guest House to speak with the President. Most of the issues raised by residents of the region were related to infrastructural development, improved access roads, lands, bridges, drainage and irrigation and land allocation. The residents also raised various issues surrounding the inefficient management of local mining, logging and farming groups. They were told that budgetary allocations have already been made for the 2021 budget to fix some of the access roads and bridges that have stymied their progress. President Ali urged residents of Region 10 to position themselves to tap into opportunities that the Linden to Mabura Hill Road upgrade
project will bring to the area. The Head of State said that there will be lots of opportunities for both the private sector and residents. "There is a great level of investment that will come to Region 10, such as the U.S.$150M road initiative. You need to get yourselves ready to support that development," President Ali said. The upgrading to the 121 kilometres of roadway will help to improve connectivity between Guyana’s hinterland and the coast. The Head of State told the residents to recognise the development opportunities ahead and to improve their skills to ensure maximum benefit. President Ali also pledged his government's commitment to assisting the residents to consolidate their skills. In addition to this, the President said residents also have the opportunity to lend critical support to other sectors, including mining.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
UK bans travel from Guyana, other South American countries –– over concerns of COVID-19 variant in Brazil By Vishani Ragobeer FROM January 15, the United Kingdom (UK) has placed a ban on travellers through or from Guyana and all other countries in South America, Portugal and Cape Verde amid growing concerns over the new variant of COVID-19 identified in Brazil. The UK Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, made this announcement of the travel ban on Thursday via his Twitter profile. He explained that this measure was being adopted to reduce the risk of the UK importing infections. “This measure does not apply to British and Irish Nationals and the third country nationals with residence rights but passengers return-
Part of the announcement made by UK Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, on the travel ban to protect against importing the ‘Brazil’ variant
ing from these destinations
along with their households,”
must isolate for TEN DAYS
the Transport Secretary an-
nounced. A new variant of
COVID-19 was discovered in the UK late last year, after genomic sequencing was conducted on a number of samples. This variant is reportedly more transmissible but it does not seem to be more deadly. The ‘UK variant’ prompted many countries to institute travel bans on persons travelling from that country. In the Caribbean, Jamaica was among the few countries to institute such a ban but that country has since recorded four cases of the UK variant. Guyana has not imposed any such travel ban. Variants have also been detected in South Africa and Brazil. Now, however, the UK has opted to protect its citizens from the importation of any additional strains. The country previously imposed a ban on direct flights from South Africa and instituted restrictions on flights to the country.
According to the BBC, it is not unexpected that new variants have developed since all viruses mutate as they make new copies of themselves to spread and thrive “It’s suspected that the UK, South Africa and Brazil variants could be much more contagious or easy to catch than earlier versions. All three have undergone changes to their spike protein - this is the part of the virus which attaches to human cells. As a result, these variants seem to be better at infecting cells and spreading,” the BBC noted. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has already flagged the UK and South Africa variants and reported that there is a “very high” risk of Caribbean countries importing these variants. The agency has not yet flagged the ‘Brazil’ variant, but it is expected to do so shortly.
UG to remain online for first semester THE University of Guyana (UG), on Tuesday, announced that it would continue to work online for the first semester of the new academic year. The university in a letter dated January 13, 2021, advised students that the institution will be monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will provide any updated information if the decision is finalised to return to face-to-face operation. Additionally, students are advised to stay tuned into the university’s communications channels for updates. The university is projecting a tentative June 2021 return to its physical campuses. This is according to the UG Annual Report 2019/2020, which was released on Tuesday. The report noted that, in the meantime, the university is in the process of creating 15 rooms to host Zoom meetings, and these are expected to be completed by the end of this month.
“The new Office of the Occupational Health and Safety (OOHAS) has created several protocols and training, and is managing the gradual re-opening of the university in accordance with assessments and GoG [Government of Guyana] ordinances,” the report said. The report explained that, in the interim, the campuses have not been abandoned and “small teams of essential staff are continuously ensuring security, cleanliness, fumigation and maintenance of labs and centres that are running sensitive and continuous processes”. The 2020/2021 Semester One which already started will end in February 2021, while Semester 2 will run from March – July 2021, and graduation for the 2020 graduating class is scheduled for March 2021. The report said that all matters for the graduating students “are to be prioritised to enable their graduation”.
“Letter of completion or transcripts, in the first instance, are to be supplied gratis till graduation,” the report noted. In the report, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Dr. Paloma Mohamed Martin, gave a “Special Summary Report” on “UG’s Institutional Response to the New COVID-19” which covered actions taken during the peri-
od March 11 – November 30, 2020, to deal with the effects of COVID-19. The first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Guyana on March 11, and learning institutions were ordered close by law from March 16. That law was not lifted until November 2020. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that notwithstanding learning institu-
tions having been required to close, and challenges faced in
light of this, UG never ceased for a day.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Tajeram Mohabir
The world post-COVID ALTHOUGH COVID-19 slammed the world with so much pain, angst, and devastating economic contraction, with people worldwide panicking when considering the future, the signs indicate that humanity may actually see some significant benefits emanating from the pandemic. The United States, England, India and countries worldwide battle the virus with severe national agony, but under the surface of society, global planners are setting up new systems to radically improve how humans live post-COVID-19. Technology is the main driver for preparing the world for a new tomorrow, but reforms of social programmes, innovative monetary policy at Central Banks around the world, and new futuristic ways of living are all re-defining what tomorrow will be. The pandemic is forcing mainstream society to consider previously unthinkable social benefits to citizens, such as Guaranteed Basic Income, or Universal Basic Income, as it is called in some societies, and Universal Health Care for all, and Universal Higher Education. There is a global movement that is pushing
for these social benefits to become human rights around the world. Indeed, Canada is among a host of nations around the world that implemented COVID relief to citizens of $2,000 C'dian a month, and instituted automatic emergency aid to care-givers, senior citizens, and children. The United States is moving to increase its US$600 stimulus to US$2,000. In Guyana, the government rolled out its stimulus package of $25,000 to every household. President Ali gave notice that university education at the University of Guyana will be free. And the country's healthcare system is going through major upgrade, with public health free and accessible to every Guyanese. The pandemic exposes a big dysfunction within society, all over the world, whereby there is a great divide between the haves and the have-nots, between the super-rich and the desperately poor, between the vulnerable of society, and the well-off. And debates are now mainstream about correcting these anomalies. Governments are starting to install social programmes and compassionate policies that were unthinkable in much
of the world before the pandemic hit. So, post-COVID, the world will see a humanity that is much more humane, compassionate, and that takes care of the less fortunate; the vulnerable and the poor with greater consideration. Guyana is well au fait with much of these new social programmes, with government fully cognisant of its role as a government of the people. Guyanese are thankful that this government is well known for its immense care for the poor, the vulnerable of society, and the marginalised. It takes care of seniors, children, and the disabled. Guyana, therefore, is well positioned to align with the world system that is coming into play, post-pandemic. Many countries are having a hard time adjusting to the new society that is emerging, with the United States especially affected. In fact, the US has to go through a major revamp of its socioeconomic philosophy to fit in with a world that is less prone to the rabid profit-at-all-cost way of life. Apart from social programmes, and a more compassionate world, COVID-19 is also opening up a new urgency to take determined action on climate change concerns. For
example, the industry for self-driven cars is accelerating worldwide, with Germany announcing the phasing out of gasoline and carbon-fuel vehicles this decade. This pandemic mirrors the Spanish Flu disaster of 1918, a century ago. After that devastating global catastrophe, which coincided with World War I, the world went through a massive transformation, with cars and motor vehicles replacing the horse and buggy as the means of transportation. The transportation revolution then caused a brand new world to emerge; one of massive highways and paved roads, the ubiquitous gas station, and a global oil sector that fuelled great socioeconomic development and drove the Industrial Age. The global population moved away from farms and feudal existence to fast-paced metropolitan cities and factories. For the past 100 years, the Industrial Revolution engineered a massive leap forward in the living standards of much of humanity. However, the past 100 years also built up the disastrous carbon footprint that the Paris Climate Agreement is aimed at curbing and correcting. After this COVID pan-
demic, the world will see the Paris Agreement really take on teeth, in every country. So, the 21st Century global village is shaping up to be one that is much more compassionate to vulnerable and marginalised citizens, and that tackles with real teeth the pollution and carbon footprint that endangers the planet. Were it not for the pandemic now sweeping the world, these would be exciting times, with the transformation that is about to happen, although a significant chunk of the world population may resent change, and would kick against the transformation now underway. But a new world is emerging. And Guyanese would be happy that Guyana is on the cusp of this brave new world, with a progressive government running the State; with the oil-and-gas sector ramping up, and with the traditional economic sectors all showing signs of robust growth and development. Guyana seems poised to become an outstanding leader in the new world that is emerging, with the nation embodying the spirit of the new age.
COVID’s toll on the economy and counter- measures
Dear Editor,
THE COVID-19 pandemic has hit Guyana’s largely consumption-driven economy very hard. Real GDP would have contracted from March thru August 2020. In fact, the economy was contracting even before that, because money was not circulating, and too many workers had lost their jobs. The attempted election rigging also affected the economy. Since then, with rising cases, there is growing concern about the COVID pandemic and its effects on the country. While COVID-19 has thrown the economy into flux, early indications from the stimulus packages of last November and late last month suggest that the economy will turn bounce very well. While the COVID-19 pandemic has tested Guyana’s socio-economic and health resilience from March 2020, the response measures were different from the different governments. The nation was disappointed with the Coalition’s response
to the COVID. It was very poor under the Coalition regime thru the end of July. The new PPP government, from August 2 has taken effective counter-measures. President Ali's government has gotten “thumbs up” for its COVID response. The stimulus package received unanimous approval even from critics of the government and political opponents; the President’s and government’s approval ratings have been soaring as a result of the COVID assistance. The previous government could have offered a financial package to the suffering nation but failed to conceive one. The PPP administration immediately went about addressing the challenges of COVID. Even prior to the swearing in of the government, the PPP had been distributing relief packages around the country: food hampers, masks, protective shields, PPE, etc. to help the population, even in PNC strongholds, to cope with the problems. The sitting government had done little to address the COVID crisis, focusing instead on retaining
political power through electoral fraud. Once settled in, the PPP government began aggressively testing the population who showed symptoms of COVID and pursuing contact tracing. Prior to August, there were few tests, and the results were not made public. The number of COVID infections was underreported. Protective measures were not undertaken. The population was at risk because it was not known who were infected. Thus, many people were needlessly infected and too many lives were lost. The number of COVID infections is relatively high. The number of cases has increased since August. That is because there has been increased testing and reporting. The number of cases may also have been high (er) prior to August; it is just that the numbers were not accurately known by a secretive government. Now, one has a better assessment of COVID infections and how to address the problem. And since November, the government has given households
a stimulus of $25K. State workers also received an additional $25K stimulus package. The population is extremely grateful for the two stimulus packages. The Finance Minister was able to find the money to assist the population, receiving kudos all around from colleagues as well as the population at large. The government must continue to provide emergency support for vulnerable groups and individuals affected by COVID. It must expand medical resources to fight COVID-19 and ensure the safety of health workers and other first responders, as well as educators. In addition, government should implement fiscal and monetary initiatives to keep the economy afloat. And it should launch an economic recovery plan to create jobs and sustain growth. Work projects, like meaningful infrastructure rehabilitation should be given consideration like what happened in the US during the depression and after the major wars. What are needed in Guyana are tax breaks and other incentives to the business com-
munity, particularly to vulnerable industries and direct farmers so that they can get back on their feet. Taxes must be reduced across-the-board and bring more people into the tax network. The government should give direct subsidies to the farmers (and even seedlings, plants, manure, etc.) and other productive industries. The government should also give training to various sectors like taylors and seamstresses so they can produce for the oil industry, the security forces, and other businesses. These new businesses can become part of the supply chain. Farm land should be given a lot of subsidies. Government should provide direct transfer to farmers. Government can reduce if not eliminate taxes and fees for and use. Subsidies should be given for productive services. People can be hired to clean drains, etc, or to pave secondary roads as a work project. The government should roll out imminent corporate recovery and tax incentives for
enterprises that would create jobs, encourage investment and generate growth in 2021 and beyond. A larger budget for 2021, even it means going into large deficit spending, will help to jump-start economic recovery. The government should not depend only on gas and oil but look into key infrastructure projects, the transformation of the agriculture industry into a dynamic agri-business sector. Off curse, local energy investors should be given duty free concessions just like those given to the foreign MNCS. Incentives should also be given to mining and fisheries for exported oriented industries. Government should look into encouraging foreigners to invest in Guyana and for individuals with technical expertise from Asia and Africa to settle in the country. Such measures will help to create opportunities for the local population. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Sanctions for asphalt plant workers under review
By Rehana Ahamad
THE “face-off” meetings between a Human Resources (HR) Committee and selected workers of the Stateowned asphalt plant have wrapped up. This confirmation was given by the Senior Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, who indicated that the Board of Directors of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) have already submitted its report as it relates to sanctions for those workers who were deemed culpable of wrongdoings at the plant. “The chairman has since advised me, by way of correspondence, that those meetings took place, and there is a report that I have to study for the necessary actions to be
taken,” Edghill told reporters on Wednesday. The plant, which is a subsidiary of the DHBC, was placed under the microscope following allegations of corruption highlighted in the local press in September 2020. A team of experts was assembled, and an investigation commenced into the operations of the plant. The probe examined all dealings at the plant for the period 2013-2020. The investigation was wrapped up in December last, and the findings were submitted to Minister Edghill on December 30. That report was then forwarded to the Board of Directors of the DHBC, and after deliberations, it was decided that the Board’s HR Committee would engage the officers fingered in the
Senior Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill
mismanagement of the plant. “The Board has found that particular operatives must be held accountable for the mismanagement, and some of the breaches that took place,” Minister Edghill had said in a previous engagement. Among the employees interviewed by the Board was DHBC Manager, Rawlston Adams, as he was at the centre of one of the more startling findings of the investigation. The findings of the investigations highlighted that Adams approved the purchase of an $897,000 wristband for himself, as a gift from the company on International Men’s Day 2019. In the report, the investigative team facilitated responses from the DHBC on all of the findings, and in addressing concerns
surrounding the very generous purchase, the company said that gift-giving was customary at the organisation, and that “Gifts were also given to all other men within the corporation.” However, the gift purchases for all of the other men were valued at approximately only $10,000 each. The investigating team determined that due to the lack of an independent approval system, the purchases can be deemed as a misuse of the plant’s funds for personal gain. Chairman of the investigative team, Chartered Accountant Chateram Ramdihal had explained that for such an expensive purchase, permission ought to have been sought from the Board of Directors, or in the absence of
1,000 homes for Region... He added that when this area is identified, it can be developed with the necessary infrastructure, which will benefit all stakeholders. “We are going to put investment in; we are going to put opportunities here for wealth creation, job creation, and we are going to involve all of you in the private sector here,” President Ali affirmed. The Head of State reiterated that his Government remains committed to ensuring that all of Guyana, including Region 10, benefits from the development plans which are underway. “My government has made it very clear that our only intention is to serve the people of this country, and serve all the people of this country. You not only have our commitment, but the people of Region 10 can rest assured that you have a President and a Cabinet, and a Government who are ready to fulfill their mandate and commitment to uplifting your lives and making your lives better. “I assure you that this Government is ready to work with every single Guyanese. I do not concern
myself with the politics of any community; I concern myself with the welfare of the people of the communities,” President Ali said. Members of the Cabinet present at the outreach included the Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr; and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud. The President said communication among the various agencies is vital, along with a strengthened link to the Central Government. This, he said, will result in the development of the communities.
FIXING A SYSTEM “We are fixing a system that was broken; to fix that system requires all of us to work together. The Regional Democratic Council identifying where the broken bones are, working with the Central Government, and the Central Government will work with the RDC; that is what will lead to development. “The first thing that is essential is communication; that is why we are here today, to communicate directly to the stakeholders, to listen directly to the stakeholders, and to formulate a plan and a programme that all of us will be proud to be associated with,” the Head of State reasoned. President Ali acknowledged the needs of the community, particularly as it relates to access to housing. On this note, he said that over the years, there has been a sloth in the development of the sector, as the investment was not there to satisfy the demand in the region. “I want to assure you that we are going to put back resources to put back the energy, the vibrancy into
housing, and to create the opportunities that housing once created in the region,” the Head of State said. He said, too, that the issue is not just access to land or access to agricultural land, but to work with the people of the community to transform the land to an asset. This, he believes, will bring economic wealth to the communities. MASTER PLAN The Government plans on working with farmers to develop a master plan which would guide development and stimulate an increase in the productivity of this
region. This master plan will also encompass other sectors of the economy, President Ali said. Another “master plan” of sorts includes the creation of employment within the communities through investments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). “We now have to get the telecommunications sector to up the bandwidth to make an investment here, so that we can redirect traffic here to establish call centres, create jobs, increase the disposable incomes of families, giving them greater ability
a Board, the subject minister should have had the final say. In he report, the team recommended that gifts to employees of the corporation be done in accordance with generally accepted principles, and “at arm’s length”. The probe found, too, that record-keeping and poor credit policies were not only costing the company millions in materials, but had also created an avenue for mismanagement of the State’s resources, thereby paving the way for gross corruption. Minister Edghill said Wednesday that he will be studying the recommendations of the DHBC Board to determine what sanctions are likely to be instituted against the errant employees.
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and capacity to participate in the economy; those are the types of things we are targeting,” President Ali said. Regional Chairman of Region 10, Deron Adams, said that the regional administration will work “hand-inglove” with the Government to realise the development aspirations of the communities. He also pointed to several immediate needs, including access to housing, financing for small businesses, improved access to primary healthcare, and the formulation of an economic implementation plan among others.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Commonwealth joins pool of support for Guyana –– says country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity must be protected By Navendra Seoraj SUPPORT for Guyana in the border controversy with Venezuela continues to grow, with the Commonwealth being the latest international bloc to say that Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be safeguarded and maintained. “The entire Commonwealth family stands in solidarity with the people and Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and in support of a legally binding and peaceful resolution of this controversy,” Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, QC, said in a statement on Thursday. The Secretary-General reiterated the Commonwealth’s ‘unequivocal’ support for the maintenance and safeguarding of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in light of Venezuela’s recent claim to the seas and seabed adjacent to the coast west of the Essequibo River. President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, on January 7, 2021, issued a decree claiming Venezuela’s sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River. Based on reports emanating from Venezuela, the decree points to the creation of a strategic zone for national develop-
ment called the “Territory for the Development of the Atlantic Façade”, which the Bolivarian Republic envisages will provide adequate protection and safeguard its jurisdiction. However, since Guyana has sovereign rights over the coast west of the Essequibo River, as far as Punta Playa, it follows, consequently, that only Guyana can enjoy sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights over the adjacent sea and seabed. The Commonwealth, according to Scotland, is “deeply concerned” about Venezuela’s promulgation of a decree that seeks to establish that this nation has sovereignty over the area adjacent to ‘Guyana’s’ Essequibo coast, and other recent statements by the country regarding its border controversy with Guyana. At the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Commonwealth Heads committed their full support for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means to be used for the settlement of the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. On June 30, 2020, Guyana, in its virtual presentation in the Arbitral Award of October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) case said that not only is Venezuela’s current interpretation of the Geneva Agreement illogical and erroneous, but also in stark
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, QC
contrast to the interpretation the Spanish-speaking country had when it signed the very agreement in February 1966. Represented by a battery of international lawyers, Guyana said the agreement, in unambiguous terms, empowered the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General to determine an appropriate resolution mechanism to enable a peaceful settlement, which is the ICJ. FINAL AND BINDING JUDGEMENT Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement
that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela. Most recently, the ICJ on December 18, 2020, ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the Guyana, Venezuela border controversy case. It was reported that Guyana is confident that the international court will resolve the issue in its favour and that this will also settle the issue of maritime rights in the adjacent sea and
seabed. But, under international law, this is now for the ICJ to decide. At the most recent meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana, held on 12 October 2020, the group welcomed the commencement of the ICJ’s proceedings and encouraged both parties in the controversy to participate in this process. In this regard, the Commonwealth Secretary-General urges that the process now underway at the ICJ must be respected. This judicial process is one which CARICOM too supports since the regional bloc believes that it is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries. Both Canada and the United States of America (US) have also called on Venezuela to respect this judicial process. The Canadian High Commission, in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Monday, stated that Venezuela’s recent claim that it has sovereignty over the area adjacent to Guyana’s Essequibo coast is concerning. “The decision is in the hands of the International Court of Justice, and this judicial process must be respected,” the High Commission said. Assistant Secretary (ag) of
the US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak said, last Sunday, that the US supports the ICJ’s ruling that it has jurisdiction in the Guyana, Venezuela territorial border issue, which is the legal and peaceful way forward. “Maduro’s aggressive claims don’t change this; they only show the world his disregard for his neighbours and international law,” Kozak asserted in a post on his official Twitter page. Also, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, reiterated the North American country’s call for a legal, peaceful resolution to the border controversy. “I remind that sovereignty over this coast, and the land territory to which it is attached, were awarded to Guyana (then British Guiana) in the 1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity and legally binding character Guyana is confident the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold unequivocally,” President, Dr. Irfaan Ali affirmed in an address to the nation on Saturday. He said that regrettably, by decreeing that the seas adjacent to this territory belong to Venezuela, at least two fundamental principles of international law have been violated.
Improved access to healthcare in Region 10 --as President Ali donates engines, boat and ultrasound machine AS part of plans to improve access to healthcare in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has donated a boat, two boat engines, an ultrasound machine and a number of treated mosquito nets to this region. The President made this donation during an all-day ministerial outreach to Region 10 on Thursday. President Ali, while speaking during a simple handing- over ceremony, said he aims to put systems in place to make healthcare services more accessible to
all Guyanese. According to the Regional Health Officer of Region 10, Gregory Harris, the two boat engines (40 and 15 horsepower) would be used to improve the lives of people, mainly in Sub-Region Two. “For years it has been known that Sub-Region Two have [sic] not had access to certain diagnostic tests, so we are very grateful,” Harris said. He explained that antenatal mothers, mainly in Sub-Region Two will now have access to an ultrasound machine.
The boat which was donated by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
Harris assured the Pres-
improve healthcare delivery
ident that all the donated
and the lives of all the people
equipment would be used to
in the region.
Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, said that President Ali has been adamant that healthcare in the hinterland and riverain areas should not be less accessible than that on the coast. “Following [President Ali’s] instructions and interest in ensuring that there is equitable and equal healthcare across the country, systems are being put in place to ensure that every pregnant mother will get an ultrasound [examination]; will be seen by a doctor; will have dental screening; will have an HIV test; [and] will
have all the blood work that is necessary,” Dr Mahadeo explained. He added that the 40HP engine will be used by the medex, who is based in Kalkuni, to traverse the riverain areas to service each of the health centres, while the 15HP will be used to service areas in Kwakwani. Dr Mahadeo said too that Harris and the Regional Executive Officer of Region 10 have made budgetary allocations to ensure that the hospital and health centres in the region are able to provide healthcare services to all.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Attorney-General appointed chair of Constitutional Reform Committee
By Rehana Ahamad ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has been appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Committee of the National Assembly, which is expected to have its second meeting sometime next week. At that meeting, a Deputy Chairperson is likely to be appointed, Nandlall told the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday. He said that once all the key office holders of the committee are appointed, the team will commence formulation of a working programme for the year. The work plan, according to Nandlall, will outline the Reform Commit-
tee’s tasks, and the way in which the body will execute its responsibilities. “We will work out the programme on how the reform process will unfold, because the reform process will determine what provisions of the Constitution will be reviewed,” Nandlall said. The Attorney-General emphasised the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C)’s commitment towards constitutional reform. “You will recall that in our Manifesto, we said that we will pursue constitutional reform, with the Constitutional Reform Committee of the National Assembly being the engine that would drive the process,” Nandlall asserted. The Attorney-General is
Minister of Legal Affairs, and Attorney- General Anil Nandlall
hopeful that once the committee is commissioned, it would
Training for rollout of COVID-19 vaccines ‘steams’ ahead By Vishani Ragobeer THE rollout of the first set of vaccines for the virus, COVID-19, is expected to occur within the next few months and, to prepare for that, the training of health personnel to administer and manage the vaccination has been ‘steaming’ ahead. This was highlighted by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during his COVID-19 update with the Department of Public Information (DPI), who indicated that the necessary health personnel have been identified and training has commenced. The minister also indicated that a National Vaccines Preparedness Plan has been crafted and this has been used as the roadmap to guide the rollout of the vaccines. The training of health personnel is central to the rollout of these vaccines since each of the vaccines has various requirements including storage, composition, administration, possible side effects and dosage. And, it is not yet known which of the vaccines Guyana will be receiving. “We have to train personnel to make sure that the people who will be doing the vaccination know what they’re doing,” Dr. Anthony said, adding: “A lot of these people have experience with rolling out vaccines and we’re taking staff who would’ve worked with vaccination programmes
A COVID-19 vaccine
before, both at the national level and at the regional level, but we are training them more specifically to deal with the type of COVID vaccines that we’re expecting.” It is also important to note that these vaccines will be administered to adults, which is not commonly the demographic given vaccines in Guyana. A new immunisation bill that will allow for the vaccination of adults is expected to be presented to the National Assembly in early 2021. Dr. Anthony told the Guyana Chronicle that this bill features an ‘opt-out’ mechanism whereby exemptions can be made for persons who do not wish to be vaccinated. This will add to the existing Public Health (School children) Immunisation Act, which is an act that makes provision for the immunisation of persons seeking entry
into schools and day-care centres. The health personnel being trained for the rollout of the vaccines will also receive training on the proper recording of the persons who received the vaccines and the information on the vaccines themselves. In addition to bolstering the human capacity, the Health Minister also related that vaccination sites are currently being expanded to accommodate the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Another crucial area has been the procurement of refrigerators to store the vaccines and generators. “We’re hoping that we’ll be in a better state of readiness by the end of the month and we get all the pieces coming together,” Dr. Anthony said.
be able to efficiently tackle its tasks, with the support of all
the committee members. “Firstly, I’m expecting that we are able to accomplish the agenda of the meeting, which is to elect the chair and deputy chairperson,” Nandlall reiterated. The Constitutional Reform Committee comprises of Government Parliamentarians Priya Manickchand, Charles Ramson, Sonia Parag and Sanjeev Datadin, along with Opposition Members of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Nicolette Henry and Amanza Walton-Desir. Article 119A of Guyana’s Constitution specifies that “As soon as may be the beginning of each National Assembly there shall be appointed a Standing Committee for
Constitutional Reform.” The purpose of the committee is to continuously “review the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution, and making periodic reports to the National Assembly, with proposals for reform as necessary. The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform shall consist of not less than six or more than 10 members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection”. Additionally, to assist in its work, “the committee shall have the power to coopt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise, whether or not such experts or other persons are Members of the National Assembly.”
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Travel of terrorists, serious criminals now under the radar
THE United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of
today,” Voronkov said, “are a symbol of the solid joint commitment of CARICOM IMPACS and the Countering Terrorist Travel Programme of my Office to assist CARICOM countries in enhancing detection capabilities
member states in building their capabilities to detect and intercept terrorists and serious criminals by using Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data linked to INTERPOL and
Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding related to the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel Programme. The agreements will help the 15 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States enhance their capacity to detect the travel of terrorists and serious criminals while upholding human rights, in compliance with Security Council resolutions and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The signing took place during a virtual ceremony between the Under-Secretary-General of UNOCT, Vladimir Voronkov, and CARICOM IMPACS Executive Director (Ag.), Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones. “The agreements signed
using passenger data through an ‘all-of-UN’ concerted effort.” “This partnership is one that is mutually beneficial to both entities. On the one hand, it allows CARICOM to receive expertise from the UN, especially in the area of data privacy legislation and to strengthen its ability to undertake risk assessments. In addition, it gives CARICOM the opportunity to lend its vast experience to the UN as it continues to develop its software system to capture maritime passenger information, which CARICOM has been doing for the last 14 years,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jones. The Countering Terrorist Travel Programme, a flagship global initiative of UNOCT, assists beneficiary
other international and national databases of known and suspected terrorists and criminals. The programme also enhances international information exchange, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), and 2482 (2019) and relevant privacy laws. Through a partnership with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the United Nations Office of Information and Communication Technology (OICT), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the programme comprehensively assists
beneficiary Member States in legislative, operational, transport industry engagement, and technical areas. The support includes the donation and deployment of the United Nations “go-
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Labour complaints reduced in 2020 due to COVID-19 –– security services and mining sector continue to turn out most employee grievances
Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle
Travel” software system. The programme has been designed in accordance with human rights principles and United Nations policies and standards. Since the Caribbean Community has vast experience with the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), this partnership will also be mutually beneficial in relation to its extension to the maritime domain. To date, 38 beneficiary member states have joined the CT Travel Programme since its launch in May 2019. The UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme is co-funded by generous contributions from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, the United States of America, the State of Qatar, Australia, Japan, and the Republic of India.
By Tamica Garnett AFTER recording over 1,200 labour-related complaints in 2019, the Ministry of Labour last year saw a massive dip, receiving only 631 from aggrieved employees by the ending of November. This was due to the closure of many businesses and the curtailing of the ministry’s work, because of the COVID-19 pandemic which hit Guyana last year. Of the total number of the complaints received, the majority were from the security services and mining sectors, with most of the grievances involving issues in employers’ payment of workers. “Non-payments of wages, short payment of wages, overtime, and granting of leave. Those are some of the most prevalent complaints. We had the problems mainly between mining and security services,” explained Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, Ogle said that like most other organisations across Guyana, the min-
istry was no exception in being spared the effects of measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus in Guyana. “Everything had to reduce; the whole workload had to reduce. All like the training we usually do had to be reduced; we weren’t able to roll-out some of the stuff we would’ve liked, like things dealing with child labour. And even with OSH activities, we were curtailed. So the biggest challenges was COVID-19 last year. For 2019, we had over 1,200 complaints, and in previous years, we would receive a lot of complaints. But last year, we had 631 by November,” Ogle said. “We couldn’t do anything; the people couldn’t go in and do inspections for us to get stats. The officers didn’t want to go out; they were afraid. Likewise, they didn’t want persons to come in as well. We had to get social distancing, and had to be careful with persons coming in. We had reduced hours; going half-day. Then we had alternate days; so there wasn’t much work going on,” he added. TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Extension granted to BK twice for Andrews sea defence project lackadaisical attitude towards the execution of the crucial and urgently-needed works, expounding that it is
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, during his recent visit to the site (Adrian Narine photo)
By Richard Bhainie EXTENSION to the contractual deadline for the completion of rip rap sea defence at Andrews, Essequibo Coast, has been granted twice to contractor BK International, yet only 15 per cent of the project has been completed. This was revealed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, in a letter to the editor published in the January 13, 2020 edition of the Stabroek News, in response to a letter in the same newspaper by the Chief Executive Officer of BK International, Brian Tiwarie. The project was slated to commence officially on January 21, 2020, with a duration period of seven months, concluding on August 21, 2020. Indar, in the letter to the editor, explained that in a letter issued on August 17, 2020, a new deadline, October 9, 2020, was set by the Ministry of Public Works for the completion of the project.
“It was also mentioned in the letter that the works should be expedited assiduously to have the project completed within the stipulated deadline and failing to satisfy the requirements of the deadline would result in liquidated damages being instituted,” Indar said in his letter. Indar noted that consequent to inspection of the site conducted by the Ministry of Public Works on September 20, 2020, a letter was issued to BK International for “Non-Performance, reminding the company of the date of completion and its responsibility under Clause 17.2 of the General Conditions of Contract”. In response, a letter dated October 9, 2020 was issued by BK International seeking another extension of the deadline for the completion of the said works, reason attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Public Works then issued a new date, December 31, 2020, for the completion of the project.
“On December 28, 2020 BK International wrote seeking a further extension, stating that the heavy rainfall was the reason for the project being incomplete and asking for another extension until January 31, 2021,” Indar explained in his letter. He added: “The ministry did not facilitate this request since the contractor had breached his timeline and had defaulted on the performance of the work more than once.” During a visit to the site in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Sunday, Minister Indar discovered that a mere 15 per cent of the project has been completed. Based on documents seen by the Guyana Chronicle, the contract was awarded in the sum of $124.8 million under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration. And, of this amount, some 70 per cent has already been paid over to the contractor. Minister Indar denounced the contractor’s
Labour complaints reduced ...
FROM PAGE
However, he noted that the reduction in complaints was not simply due to less reports coming in and less labour disputes occurring due to the reduction of employment that occurred across the period, since many businesses would have also shut their doors, with several even laying off the workers. “Many of the workplaces closed; many of the shops on Regent, the restaurants, and
a lot of those places were closed, so we couldn’t go into them. But because the places were closed, there were less reasons for disputes.” Ogle said, adding: “When you have more workplace operating, you have more complaints. Some businesses are still closed.” He said that going forward, with the ministry’s current push for capacity-building, when work re-
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turns to full force, a robust work-plan will be rolled out to holistically address labour issues countrywide. “We plan to now put labour officers in every region. And we are going to collaborate with NIS, GGMC, and these type of government agencies. And we will go out there and do more outreaches and more inspections to see what is happening,” he shared.
to the detriment of residents, who are left to suffer. Considering this and other delayed projects be-
ing undertaken by BK, the minister elucidated that he intends to take stern action against this contractor.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Thousands of substandard light switches destroyed THE Product Monitoring Department of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has ordered the destruction of 4,800 imported light switches, which were inadequately labelled and lacked the required certification mark. According to a release, the items were destroyed on Wednesday in the presence of GNBS’ inspectors. The items, which were imported by a City importer, were inspected since November 26, 2020 and were found not in compliance with requirements of the National Standard. In the absence of the requisite certification mark and labelling, the importer was required to provide the GNBS with an authentic test certificate indicating that the light switches met quality requirements. The importer was unable to do so and, hence, the neces-
sary steps were taken to destroy the substandard items. The GNBS as of February 01, 2020, commenced the monitoring of a number of electrical fittings and equipment based on the requirements of 31 mandatory national standards. These electrical products include decorative lighting products, lamp holders, armoured cables, panel boards, knife switches, conduit, tubing, and cable fittings, surge protective devices, molded-case circuit breakers, molded-case switches, and circuit-breaker enclosures, cord sets and power-supply cords, thermoset- insulated wires and cables, attachment plugs and receptacles, drytype general purpose and power transformers. Importers and dealers of these products are required to take the necessary steps to ensure their products meet
the respective requirements. Products monitored by the bureau are flagged for examination at the time of importation. Inspectors also visit sale outlets across the country to examine products which are offered for sale to ensure compliance. Importers and dealers are required to take the necessary corrective actions when substandard products are encountered by the GNBS inspectors. Adding electrical fittings and equipment to the list of products monitored by the GNBS means that all such items are strictly monitored to ensure users, including homeowners, are protected from substandard products. Surveillance inspections will be intensified by the GNBS at sale outlets in the coming weeks. Importers and dealers are urged to purchase a copy of the relevant national stan-
Light switches prior to destruction on Wednesday
dards from the GNBS to familiarise themselves with the requirements. This will allow them to buy products that are in compliance with labelling and quality specifications. Lastly, the GNBS encourages importers to provide time-
ly redress to their customers regarding defective products purchased. The GNBS also monitors domestic electrical/ electronic appliances, weighing and measuring devices, textiles, garments,
footwear, safety helmets, safety matches, new and used tyres, gas stoves, cigarettes, PVC pipes, furniture, Christmas tree and decorative lighting outfits, cellular phones and gold jewellery.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
First Lady pushes for greater attention to corporate social responsibility by investors FIRST LADY, Arya Ali, on Thursday, met with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Peter Ramsaroop, to discuss areas for future collaboration. With foreign companies lined up at Guyana’s doors, the First Lady underscored the need for these potential investors to recognise their role in helping to improve the lives of the Guyanese people. “Foreign investment, in any part of the world, can be a very good thing. What must accompany that investment though is a conscious effort to give back to the country and people you are benefitting from,” she noted. As such, the First Lady charged the CEO to ensure that when companies express an interest in investing in Guyana, they must be made aware of specific areas where they can give back. She explained that one area of focus should be em-
ploying persons with disability. “For instance, we need to look at how we can engage these companies to guarantee employment for persons with disability. A quota system can be introduced where, perhaps for every 50 employees, at least two must be persons with disability,” she suggested. She also pitched her adopt-an-orphanage idea, where her Office is seeking to have businesses cover the expenses for underfunded orphanages for a minimum of six months. “So we have to look at incorporating these things into our agreements with foreign and even some local companies. At the end of the day, we must ensure that all of Guyana is taken care of,” the First Lady stressed. She also provided an overview of her National Beautification Project which seeks to provide a ‘face-lift’ for Guyana, as the country prepares for massive economic trans-
First Lady, Arya Ali shows Ramsaroop an artist's impression of one aspect of her National Beautification Project currently being undertaken
First Lady, Arya Ali (third right) and GO-Invest's CEO, Peter Ramsaroop (third left) and their teams discuss areas for future collaboration
formation and an influx of tourists. For his part, Ramsaroop expressed his desire to work closely with the Office of the First Lady to support those initiatives. He highlighted too, that GO-Invest ensures that it prioritises corporate social responsibility when engaging potential investors. “When we engage potential investors, we make sure that we discuss how they can fulfill their corporate social responsibility. Many of these companies are happy to do it. They want to invest, not just to make a profit, but to improve the lives of people,” the CEO revealed. The CEO also added that any effort made to enhance the scenic qualities of Guyana – as is being done with the National Beautification Project – will receive the full support of GO-Invest.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
26-year-old dies in Little Diamond fire
By Jared Liddell A FAMILY is mourning the loss of their eldest daughter who died in an early morning fire at the family’s Lot 8 Public Road, Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Georgetown, home
on Friday. The deceased woman has been identified as Krystle Chung, 26. According to reports reaching this newspaper, the young woman was trapped in her bedroom and was unable to escape the house before the home was completely
engulfed in flames; her parents and sister, who were at home when the fire erupted made several attempts to get her out but they were unsuccessful. One of the woman’s neighbours, Voila Patterson, recalled what had occurred. She stated that she was not at home when the fire started but received a phone call at around 05:30 hours alerting her about the blaze. She stated that initially, she had heard that her home was on fire and later received clarification that it was the Chung’s house that was being ravaged. Patterson further stated that according to her cousin, who was at the scene, the
Deceased: Krystle Chung
residents of the home were made aware of the fire by garbage men who saw the
smoke and raised an alarm. “She said they were jogging coming from Diamond and they saw the smoke… and then they saw the garbage men run over the road and they pelt a rock into the window to alert the family and then they started running and knocking on the doors and windows and so on to make sure that everybody woke up and so on,” said Patterson. She further stated that upon her arrival, the fire had already ravaged the home, leaving the family with not just financial losses but with the loss of their eldest child, Krystle. The Chung family, who owns the building, resided at
the top flat of the house and had two apartments that were occupied at the bottom flat. One of the occupants of the bottom flat, who asked not to be named, stated that he and his family were not at home at the time the fire started. He said that as a father, he mourns with the parents of Krystle. “We lost yes, but right it’s all things we could get back. Right now the only thing on our mind is the loss of Krystle.” The Guyana Fire Service has launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the blaze.
The charred remains of the Chung family’s Little Diamond Home
Blaze service sign-up made easier THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) recently collaborated with a number of external vendors to provide additional means of registering for its High Speed Blaze Internet service at no additional cost. PR Manager, Jasmin Harris, said the company collaborated with vendors in various regions to reach its customers in Blaze-ready areas. Customers can now register for the Blaze service at Gizmos and Gadgets, Unnique Innovations, Leading Technology, Future Vison, Cell phone Shack, Viscom Electronics, Net 2 Go, the Community Pharmacy, Telco Solutions, Mobile Wizard, T&J DVD Club, Sensation and Arshad Jewellery outlets. Further information on location and contact details for these partners is available at http:// gtt.gy/BlazePartners. “These partnerships give our customers options – in addition to online and in-store applications -- they can simply visit these vendors to apply for this service,” Harris said.
She explained that Blaze is now powered by Plume HomePass, which is a solution that works with the service to replicate Wi-Fi signal to ensure the best service experience in every corner of a customer’s home. Customers now have the option to select Plume pods when applying for the service. She reminded that persons can still apply for the service online via link http:// gtt.gy/BlazeForm.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Mahaica children’s home reaping benefits of ICT-Agriculture project By Naomi Parris FOR the past 11 months or so, Guyana, like other countries worldwide, has been feeling the squeeze, due largely to the many stringent measures that have had to be implemented to help slow the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Despite the glaring and debilitating adversities, the agriculture sector has managed to remain resilient through the adoption of new and innovative methods of farming. To date, the children and staff of the Mahaica Children’s Home are reaping the benefits from these methods through an Information Communication Technology (ICT) and agriculture project spearheaded by the Triple-C Consultancy Group. According to the Founder of Triple-C Consultancy, Bissasar Chintamanie, the goal of the project is to teach the youths of Guyana the importance of agriculture, especially during the pandemic. “This is wider than just
planting and understanding agriculture. My company is also going to provide training for these young people,” he said. Chintamanie’s company is currently looking to obtain digital materials to engage the children who are being housed at the facility to further inject ICT into agriculture. “We are looking to have some gadgets donated so that the youths can use them and we can use that as a medium for which we train them so we will be loading up information on and we will be coming here and getting them involved in the actual thing, as well as the online thing,” he said. As of present, many Guyanese, especially the youths, have their focus on the budding oil and gas sector; and while this may generate wealth for the country, Chintamanie noted that he does not want the youths of Guyana to become solely dependent on the sector. “ I want to make agriculture the after oil of this country and that is what I’m trying to embark on a
Corentyne man drowns in trench A 49-year-old habitual drinker of Lot 478 Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice drowned after he fell into a canal on Wednesday. The man identified as Keshonauth Ramnarace was found around 16:00 hrs face down in the canal by passersby, who alerted his relatives. According to Ramnarace’s daughter-in-law, Lydia Outar, he left home around 05:30hrs on Tuesday and was allegedly imbibing. She said that when her relatives arrived at the area where Ramnarace died villagers had already removed the body from the trench. “We were told, by eyewitnesses, that he was drinking since yesterday morning, and he was coming home in the afternoon, and he fell down a few times off his bicycle and bruised himself, so they picked him up and took him by a relative of ours to relax a bit,” Outar stated. She said that Ramnarace only spent some 10 minutes by the relative’s home and left. “He told them he wants to go home so he left and went a little distance away and prob-
Dead: Keshonauth Ramnarace
ably fell down where no one saw him and rolled into the trench. I guess because of his state, he could not get up and he drowned. After sometime, people started to pass and they noticed the bicycle and then him in the trench and raised an alarm,” she said. The police were notified and the body was subsequently taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem is scheduled for Friday.
mission to have more young people involved, and since we are [dealing] with the COVID now, we have to find innovative ways of doing things,” he said. He also noted that the project has been showing positive results as many of the children of the facility are now seeing the importance of agriculture and providing for themselves. Chintamanie further added that while the initiative might appear small, it will eventually be developed into a greater mission as he will be taking the project to other parts of the country. Meanwhile, Simone Blair, Home Services Assistant Supervisor of the children’s home, said the project has been very fruitful in providing home-grown organic food for its occupants while unlocking new potential and skills for the young girls and teenagers housed at the facility. “It’s a good motivation for the ones who are doing agriculture in Fourth and Fifth Forms and the ones who are at home who just like pulling the weeds be-
tween the vegetables when they plant them. At the same time, those who don’t have a skill have the opportunity to learn agriculture from grassroot coming up,” she said. Blair stated that the project will also help guide those who are uncertain about their future endeavors and career paths.
Founder of Triple-C Consultancy, Bissasar Chintamanie
Simone Blair, Home Services Assistant Supervisor of the Mahaica Children’s home
Founder of Triple-C Consultancy, Bissasar Chintamanie and Simone Blair, Home Services Assistant Supervisor of the Mahaica Children’s home picking the first batch of pack choi which was planted by the children (Delano Williams photo)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Poonam Singh
is back at it POONAM Singh’s new “Happy Place” music video which releases today is unlike any of the songs that she’s written in the past. It is one, she says, that brings out the fun side of her personality and she couldn’t be happier that she decided to write and record it. In an interview with the Buzz this week, Poonam
one he was dating back in the days. I wrote it a long time ago, and I decided to record it and release it now because I think it represents the fun side of me that I wanted to showcase.” The music video exhibits some of the qualities of women and the different roles they play in a relationship. “I know a lot of men
nam explained. In the video, Poonam has different looks including where she is all dressed up; when she is cleaning, singing, dancing, and so forth. “I decided to switch things up a bit. As an entertainer, you want to be versatile and show diversity. I feel like I am from a country with so many people, differ-
think they’re doing well but no one knows how much they have to save up. A lot of people don’t recognise my work….and it [gets] to me. This year is not about me trying to prove myself, but about me trying to be a better person than I was yesterday,” Poonam continued. Aside from her music,
REC
“Happy Place” showcases some of the qualities of women and the different roles they play in a relationship
A scene from her new music video
shared a little about the song and where its inspiration came from; the skincare project that she’s currently working on, and the hard work that she often has to put in to make her singing career a success. She recorded her new video in New York. “I just wanted to do something fun with my musical journey,” she expressed while noting that the lyrics were not inspired by her personal experiences. And so, “It’s all for the entertainment,” she said. “I usually gather thoughts from others’ experiences and then I would write. I got the inspiration (for this song) from my cousin and some-
who love a woman that can cook and clean and all these kinds of things. It’s not a reflection of who I am and the things I would do, but it’s a fun song and I was really happy to get it done.” This new song would be Poonam’s seventh, which includes collaborations she did with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Guyanese musician ‘Natural Black.’ “I am basically saying, ‘Come baby, come find your happy place with me.’ In the video, I am showing different versions of a woman, not specifically me, but any woman and the fact that we can do so many things,” Poo-
ent races, different colours, different beliefs, so I wanted to incorporate that in my music,” she said. But Poonam acknowledged that at times, things can get rough and overwhelming on her as an artiste. “It’s hard as a Guyanese artiste. Nobody knows the hard work you have to put in,” she expressed, adding, “It’s a lot of hard work and all of the money that I make, I put it back into music because you have to pay everyone and if you want your song to be internationally released, there’s a host of things that you’ll need to do.” “We see a singer and
Poonam is also working on an organic skincare company that should become a reality in another year
she is also working on an organic skincare company to produce a face mask, cleanser and moisturiser; all organic. “It’s stuff that I created on my own. I didn’t really like the shelf life of things that are not natural so I decided to come up with my own thing. I tried it on a few friends and it worked and I decided to take it up and get the chemist to do it properly for me, add some different ingredients to get it at its best.” In another year or so, this project should become a success. Poonam is encouraging her fans to follow her on her social media platforms including on Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, and Facebook.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Simeon Browne Rocks the New Year with
‘Time for Me’
MANY songwriters, artistes and music composers write songs from personal experiences, making them relatable to their fans and listeners, which often forms a bond between the song or even a particular lyric and the person on the listening end. In very personal and emotional fashion, producer, songwriter and song-bird Simeon Browne is certain that his supporters and listeners can relate to his new single ‘Time for Me’. A piece which he disclosed is based on a personal relationship experience, “the song was actually inspired by a personal experience that I had just last November. it really highlights some of the challenges you would face in relationships, where the importance of time is always being expressed,” Browne told the Buzz. The song he added, “speaks about [relationships] in a greater way; that no matter what is happening, you need to make time for that loved one, that special person and sometimes there is so much happening that you’ve really got to look to see what
Additionally, Browne disclosed to the Buzz that he and his production team have already begun working on a concept for the music video of the song and fans and supporters could look forward to seeing such in late February. “We are plotting it out right now. We have already started to plan the video for it and that may be released in late February,” he said. The writer and print/broadcast journalist further noted that this single is only the beginning as he is set to release several projects throughout the year, starting with an EP featuring various acts in late January. “I’ve got releases for the entire year, we’re going to start with the first EP from my label which is going to feature five artistes and that is The Fire Dance EP scheduled to be released on January 28,” he said. The EP, he disclosed, will feature a few known artiste is needed to be sacrificed in and new faces in Guyana’s order to make time for that dancehall arena namely person, and time can mean Negus and Tevlann, as well so many things to different as C4 along with himself. people.” Browne’s new album The song, which was re- is set to be released in leased earlier this week, has April of this year which already been making waves he said will feature danceand has been dubbed the ‘song hall/fusion music; proof the week’ on 100.1 Fresh duced by his label WonFM with Dj Garwin. damang Productions.
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FOR many, the phrase “true creativity lives within ” is just a proverb, however, Sadia Vasquez, a 22-year-old woman, who described herself as someone with gentle visions for life, bears testament as the evolution of her artwork is an example of why the phrase should never be overlooked. “I’m an immigrant. I’m a woman that asks herself so many questions. I can’t really express who I am because I’m constantly discovering myself. There are no differences be-
tween Sadia Vasquez and the artist. I don’t usually describe myself as an artist but a person with the necessity to express through art,” she articulated. The Buzz caught up with the self-taught Artist, who expressed that for years, her art has served as a safe space. She further noted that her love for art was born from the necessity of expressing one’s self. “While I have a passion for writing I can’t help but create something that will completely capture and tell my emotions.
22-year-old young artist, Sadia Vasquez
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
I think about how essential our photographic memory is. For example, If you see an image of a burning house, you see it as it is. There’s no room for misunderstanding. As opposed to when you read a poem, there’s room for interpretations. While I want to impact the visual aspects, I want the viewers to see with more than just their eyes,” Vasquez said. When asked about what inspires her, Sadia expressed, “If I’d named any famous artist, I’d be lying. The people that fight for their country, teachers, my neighbours, friends and family truly inspire me to create art. The entire creation, the sky, deserts, the ocean inspires me. The things I see inspire me to see beyond my very own eyes. If you want to ask me why? Think about a person that is sitting next to you in the bus and is crying. We don’t know where they’re going but we can see so many things if only we see beyond things. A Simple gesture inspires me,” she explained. Additionally, when asked about where, she envisions her artistic career in the future, Sadia conveyed, “ I’d really love to be truthful. I wouldn’t consider it my top being able to share my artwork in the most famous art gallery but instead to reach at least one person with my art. If I can have at least one person see and feel any of my artworks this would be fulfilling for me. I’d want to continue to explore new techniques and even create my very own. I’m afraid I don’t see this as a career because we’re talking about what I consider my safe space. I simply want to be vulnerable and share my emotions through art.” Conversely the young artist, also noted that it is her desire for the government in the coming years, to create more opportunities for local artists to display their artwork on an international level . In advising up and coming young artists, Sadia implored them to express themselves, even when there is a lack of self-belief; show everyone who you are, embrace yourself, be vulnerable and free. In her final remarks, Sadia referenced her daily mantra that aids in keeping her creative space an active one. “Be sure to use beyond your eyes to see. It is said that eyes see eyes but, if I can ask one thing, go beyond,”she said. “I know we’re all capable. Remember art doesn’t have a flag, face, race or even a nationality. Art is art. Experience art, feel it”.
A few of Sadia’s recent Artwork
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
The film brings together three generations of women tackling social issues
out today on
TRIBHANGA - Tedhi Medhi Crazy, which releases today on Netflix, is bringing together several powerhouse actresses including the gorgeous and successful Kajol, who holds the highest number of wins at the esteemed Filmfare Awards. Apart from the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai actress, the film stars Tanvi Azmi and Mithila Palkar in leading roles, along with Kunaal Roy Kapur. It is produced by Ajay Devgn FFilms, Banijay Group Asia and Alchemy Films. Written and directed by Renuka Shahane, the film speaks to a self-made single mom who grapples with regret and resentment while reflecting on the strained relationship she shares with her estranged mother. The film also explores three generations of women who each makes unique choices in life that may not necessarily go down well with others. However, it doesn’t stop them from loving and caring for each other deep within their hearts. The cast of Netflix India’s Tribhanga, Kajol and Azmi, along with Shahane, spoke about the film on “Spill the Tea” with Sneha Menon Desai of Film Companion. They spoke about the filmmaking process, emotions they found hard to portray on screen and what the pandemic taught them about relationships. “I loved the script the first time I heard it. Every time I’ve heard this script, I told her (Shahane) ‘Oh My God!’ I’ve got tears in my eyes. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve felt each and every part of the script,” Kajol expressed during
the interview. Kajol, who also featured in other Hindi blockbuster movies like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Fanaa, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and others, is known to be quite picky about her films and is on the record for refusing major roles that turned out to be hugely successful movies. “I wanted to do this film the first time I heard the script and I didn’t change my mind to the first time of shooting. We had a blast,” she said, adding that she struggled with having to act shy. Shahane, in the same interview, offered that the characters in this film have never been seen before on the big screen. “It’s very difficult to come up with something unique,” she said, noting that she spent three years on this script. She said she is grateful to have on board women who are all experienced in the industry and good at what they do. “These powerhouse performers - they bring in such a big pool of talent…Women power on screen.” Speaking about the roles of the characters, Azmi added: “Everyone has their unique ways, but don’t take them at face value. There is much more to these people. Don’t think this woman, just because she can’t get along with her husband and mother-in-law and walked out; that makes her a bad woman, because there are other things to her.” She said real emotions come out and that the film proves that even though people may have certain negative traits, there is still a lot of good in them.
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GCB officials blocked from entering Guyana National Stadium OFFICIALS of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) have been blocked from entering Guyana National Stadium by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The decision comes after reports surfaced in various sections of the media on January 12 showing a badly damaged cricket pitch at the Guyana National Stadium, after the hosting of the Kashif and Shanghai ‘Bounce Back’
tournament final on January 1. Below is the full statement issued on the Ministry’s Facebook page. “As a consequence of a failed attempt to denigrate the Guyana National Stadium and to maliciously incite public disquiet by an illegitimate body purporting to call itself the ‘Guyana Cricket Board’ by causing to be published images of the ground which have proven to be false, the
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has taken a decision to prohibit entry of the members of the illegitimate body to the Guyana National Stadium ground with immediate effect until there is full compliance with the restored Cricket Administration Act. In addition, the Ministry, being mindful of the careers of the players who will be participating in the Super50 regional tournament, will,
therefore, permit access to the Guyana National Stadium to players and coaches only. Finally, the Ministry continues to engage the president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) regularly and has formally requested an urgent meeting to brief CWI on the recent developments. The Ministry will continue to update the public on developments.”
No grass track meets this year – AAG president
… AAG calendar opens in February THE year 2021 has started in a rush with the first half of the month being completed today. In the latter half of December the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) received permission to stage a development meet which was
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not finalised for a few reasons. Inclement weather is one of the major reasons which have affected the date selected for the event, since president of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, had disclosed that he wished to host the event on a grass track. Hutson believes since the majority of his local athletes have been inactive for quite some time, he did not want to put too much of a strain on them during the competition. However, following his latest meeting with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr, AAG has reconstructed their calendar of events to suit the current state of the sport stricken by the pandemic. “We are trying to work our calendar down to a minimum of meets that we think we need to have to prepare our athletes for their international engagements. So we are still working on that calendar but we envision that the first Development Meet will be during the first week of February”, he said. Speaking on his choice of venue for the Development
meet, Hutson disclosed that every meet that is organised this year will be held at the Synthetic Track. This is because the heavy rains has caused grass tracks to become unfit for competitions and also because preparation of these grounds will present a problem during the inclement weather which has been around for numerous weeks. “Everything we do will have to be done at Leonora, so no grass track meets this year. We prefer to go to Leonora and get our coaches in a frame of mind that we would not be doing grass meets this year. We are going to be pushing our programme to be on rubber; so that they can tailor-make their training to fit that.” Hutson told Chronicle Sport that the Association hopes it can run off at least three development meets before the full competition season which seems quite possible. AAG was able to successfully stage three marathon events between November and December and what was encouraging to see was that the number of
participants increased with each event. The association was on top of the logistical aspect of those events under the pandemic parameters and will be confident going forward with the hosting of the development meets. It is also important to note that the Association has to reapply for permission to the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) for each event. Meanwhile, AAG’s choice to host its first event of the year in February was to give the athletes and coaches ample time to prepare for the engagements. Hudson confirmed that while some clubs have expressed their desire not to train for reasons known to themselves, some athletes have been doing work on their own. Most of the clubs from Linden, Berbice, Police, Running Brave, GDF and Buxton have training activities going on as well.. “I believe once these athletes know that competition is in the air and there has been approval for competition they will restart,” Hutson opined.
Head coach Crandon satisfied but recognises need for improvement By Rajiv Bisnauth WITH competitive cricket at the regional level set to resume next month, close to 40 potential Guyana Jaguars players went through a fitness assessment yesterday morning at the Synthetic Track located at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Head coach of the Guyana Jaguars Franchise, Esaun Crandon, who oversaw the assessment, pointed out that while most of the players have touched the mark of acceptable level of fitness, there is more work to be done. “Today (yesterday) most guys have touched the mark of acceptable level of fitness, some have exceeded that mark and some are below. I think it’s a good stepping stone for us, and I must say, I am somewhat satisfied from what I saw here …. It will only get better for us as we go along, obviously everybody is not where we want them to be, but at least we know where they are,” Crandon said. The former Guyana fast bowler added, “We had a long break, COVID-19 did not allow us to train as
we like to or as we usually do, but it’s good to get the guys out there and to assess where they are in terms of their fitness. It’s encouraging to see the number today (yesterday), the guys were doing their work, despite not much outdoor activities.” Further, the 39-year-old Crandon, who took 98 wickets from his 38 First-Class matches, believes that once the players have achieved a certain level of fitness, it makes it easier, not only for the coaches, but the national selectors as well. “Judging from the fitness assessment, I don’t think the selectors will have a hard time selecting a 15-man squad for the Regional Super50 tournament, in terms of fitness. Fitness is always important as a selection criterion,” Crandon asserted. Meanwhile, Crandon feels the pool of players currently available for national selection could land Guyana their tenth one-day title, adding that it’s the best set of players he have locally. Guyana have not won a title since 2005. “Over the years he had
some good teams, but we were not able to win ... put team on paper does not win you competition, so yea, I am satisfied with the pool of players that the selectors have to choose from; they are the best we have,” Crandon poised. In the meantime, West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer was excused from yesterday’s session, due to concussion he sustained during the T20 series in New Zealand. Hetmyer is expected to be assessed before Monday. Following the premature ending of the West Indies Championships in March last year, cricket in the region was put on hold due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, the local franchise was forced to conduct its training session via Zoom. N o w, w i t h t h e n e w COVID-19 regulations allowing for controlled training, the franchise is back outdoors with three practice matches billed for January 18, 21 and 23 at La Bonne Intention Cricket Ground. The Regional Super50 runs from February 7 to 27 in Antigua and Barbuda.
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Bess takes 5-30 as England dominate first day in Galle By Callum Matthews
SPINNER Dom Bess took 5-30 as a woeful Sri Lanka batting display left England in control after the opening day of the first Test in Galle. The hosts were bowled out for 135 in only 46.1 overs despite winning the toss on a pitch that offered only a little spin. England closed on 127-2, with Joe Root unbeaten on 66, Jonny Bairstow 47 not out and their third-wicket stand worth 110. Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley fell to left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya for four and nine respectively. Sri Lanka’s total was the lowest in a first innings in a Galle Test, and was a pitiful exhibition of indiscipline and poor strokes which demonstrated a clear lack of understanding of how to build a Test innings. England, who made five changes from their previous Test in August, were disciplined with the ball and tidy in the field, aside from a drop from debutant Dan Lawrence, with Stuart Broad superb in taking 3-20. Their reward was a strong position on their first day of overseas Test cricket since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, and their opening action of a year that includes home
and away series against India, a likely two-Test series against world number one side New Zealand and a bid to regain the Ashes in Australia.
SLOPPY SRI LANKA GIFT ENGLAND EARLY ADVANTAGE With England’s most recent Test being played five months ago, and Sri Lanka playing in South Africa over Christmas and the new year, there was concern that the tourists would not be as prepared as the hosts. Those fears soon disappeared. Broad, who had Lahiru Thirimanne caught at leg slip and Kusal Mendis, who has now made a duck in four successive Test innings, caught behind in the seventh over, showcased his experience and guile by turning to off-cutters almost immediately. Bess, playing his 11th Test, may have taken his second five-wicket haul in Tests but struggled to find a consistent line and length. Kusal Perera reverse swept Bess’ second ball to Root at slip, while Niroshan Dickwella slapped a long hop to Sibley at point to fall for 12. After getting Dasun Shanaka in fortunate circumstances as a sweep rebounded off Bairstow at short leg into wicketkeeper Jos Buttler’s hands, Bess produced a beau-
tifully flighted delivery to bowl Dilruwan Perera between bat and pad for a duck. He rounded off the innings by bowling the reverse-sweeping Wanindu Hasaranga for 19 as the hosts lost their last five wickets for 30 runs.
November 2019.
ROOT, BAIRSTOW NULLIFY SPIN THREAT For England this two-Test tour, which was cut short in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, is a
shot he played superbly last summer - but mistimed it to mid-off. However, Root, whose fifty was his 50th in Test cricket, will be buoyed by the way he and the recalled Bairstow nullified the spin threat as they shared England’s highest partnership in Galle. It was a chanceless stand, although Root overturned an lbw decision on 20 with replays
showing the ball would have gone over the stumps. Both he and Bairstow scored around the wicket, with Root playing the sweep to good effect, and Bairstow cutting and flicking through mid-wicket well. They will hope to build a substantial first-innings lead and turn the match into a three-innings game. (BBC Sport)
SCOREBOARD
Dom Bess’ (centre) previous five-wicket haul came against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in January 2020
Stand-in captain Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews offered some fight with a stand of 56 for the fourth wicket, the former becoming the 12th Sri Lankan to reach 4 000 Tests runs and Mathews the fifth to 6 000. However, both fell tamely in the space of three balls as Broad - who had taken three wickets in 80 overs in Sri Lanka before this match had Mathews slashing to slip, before Chandimal looped a simple catch to Sam Curran at cover to give Jack Leach his first Test wicket since
build-up to the four-Test series in India that follows. To stand any chance of beating Virat Kohli’s side England must play spin well, and they will be concerned by the early inroads that Sri Lanka made. Opener Sibley, whom many feel is vulnerable against spin, edged to slip via his back pad as he attempted to work Embuldeniya to leg. Crawley, promoted to open given Rory Burns’ absence to be at the birth of his first child, looked to take Embuldeniya over the top - a
SRI LANKA 1st innings Lahiru Thirimanne c Bairstow b Broad 4 Kusal Perera c Root b Bess 20 Kusal Mendis c †Buttler b Broad 0 Angelo Mathews c Root b Broad 27 Dinesh Chandimal (c) c Curran b Leach 28 Niroshan Dickwella † c Sibley b Bess 12 Dasun Shanaka c Buttler b Bess 23 PWH de Silva b Bess 19 Dilruwan Perera b Bess 0 Lasith Embuldeniya run-out (Leach) 0 Asitha Fernando not out 0 EXTRAS: (lb-1, nb-1) 2 TOTAL: (46.1 overs) 135 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-16, 3-25, 4-81, 5-81, 6-105, 7-126, 8-126 , 9-130. Bowling: Stuart Broad 9-3-20-3, Sam Curran 4-2-8-0, Mark Wood 6-1-21-0, Dom Bess 10.1-3-30-5, Jack Leach 17-2-55-1. ENGLAND 1st innings Zak Crawley c de Silva b Embuldeniya 9 Dom Sibley c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 4 Jonny Bairstow not out 7 Joe Root (c) not out 66 EXTRAS: (nb-1) 1 TOTAL: (two wkts, 41 overs) 127 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-17. Bowling: Lasith Embuldeniya 18-3-55-2, Asitha Fernando 6-0-19-0, PWH de Silva 7-0-30-0, Dilruwan Perera 10-2-23-0.
hits 36-ball hundred BCB president commits to taking Upper Corentyne cricket to another level Devine ― fastest in women’s T20 cricket PRESIDENT of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster and Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu, last Wednesday met with the executives of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) and representatives of the association’s twenty-nine members at an outdoor meeting at the Scottsburg Community Centre in Corriverton. Foster was invited by the UCCA as part of his outreach programme to inform clubs on the latest development in Berbice cricket and his administration plans for the sub-association. Foster informed the meeting that the BCB would be hosting at least three different tournaments for all clubs in the area at the second division level while countywide tournaments would be played at the Under-13, U-15, U-17, U-19, U-21 and U-23 levels along with second division, intermediate, first division and female levels. He also assured the teams that the board would be hosting two mini cricket academies in the area to coach a
total of 60 youths - 30 from Moleson Creek to No. 73 Village and another 30 from No. 72 to No. 43 Village. BCB coaches would also be sent to clubs like Line Path CC,No 73, Scottsburg and Rama Krishna Academy which all have junior teams registered with the board.
BCB president Hilbert Foster
At least 20 youth cricketers from the sub-association would also receive assistance of cricket gear, uniforms or a bicycle while every club would collect a box of balls as part of a comprehensive developmental programme.
Educational materials would also be published to educate youths on the game. The BCB boss committed to taking Upper Corentyne to another level in 2021 but cautioned clubs that to do so, they would have to be prepared to not only work hard but also observe the strict COVID-19 regulations set down by the board for the restarting of the game. These rules include: no spectators at venues, mask-wearing in the pavilion and social-distancing. Foster announced that teams who fail to follow the COVID guidelines would be barred from tournaments as his administration would be adopting a no-nonsense attitude as lives would be at stake. He also disclosed rules for the 2021 season, including the opening of a transfer season for players from January 1 to February 28 each year. Foster also announced that BCB would allow one player from out of Berbice to play at the senior level per match, once that player has had no international match for the last five years.
The UCCA season is expected to bowl off late next month with a round-robin 40 overs tournament, followed by a knockout 20/20 cup. The final of the multi-million-dollar Price is Right tournament would also be played shortly after being delayed for close to a year. Foster hailed the outstanding leadership of UCCA president Dennis D’Andrade and vice-president Sydney Jackman over the last three years. He noted that their leadership had transformed the body into the best-run sub-association in the country. The visiting delegation handed over a quantity of trophies, face masks, face shields and educational posters to the teams. The BCB president also handed over 4 educational packages to the family of injured cricketer, Retesh Haimchand. Foster had committed to providing the children with a cricket bat, food hamper and educational packages over the last month.
Sophie Devine launches one of her nine sixes. (NZC photo)
NEW Zealand captain Sophie Devine hit the fastest century in women’s Twenty20 history in a domestic match for Wellington Blaze. She reached her hundred off only 36 balls, beating the record held by Deandra Dottin, who made a 38-ball century for West Indies in 2010. Devine, 31, struck nine sixes and nine fours in her unbeaten 108 off 38 balls. Wellington chased 129 in 8.4 overs to thrash Otago Sparks by 10 wickets in the Super Smash in Dunedin. One of Devine’s sixes hit a young girl in the crowd, and the White Ferns skipper spoke with her after the match at the University Oval. It was Devine’s first innings since she ended two weeks’ quarantine four days ago, having returned from Australia after playing for Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League. “I was really nervous this morning. Whenever you have an extended break away from the game, you get nervous about whether you can come back into it,” she said. “So it was just nice to spend some time in the middle and get a few out of the screws.” Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest century in men’s T20 cricket, off 30 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the 2013 Indian Premier League.
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Hetmyer to sponsor three cricket tournaments as part of BCB calendar of events in 2021 GUYANA/West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer will be hosting three cricket tournaments across the Ancient County of Berbice as part of Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) list of activities for 2021. “I am delighted to be a part of the development of Berbice Cricket as I am very impressed by the direction it is heading and because I fully understand the importance of giving back to the county where it all started” were the words of West Indies Shimron Hetmeyer to president of BCB Hilbert Foster as he continued his investment into the development of Berbice Cricket. The 24-year-old middle-order batsman, to the surprise of the president of the board, handed over a combined $200 000 for the hosting of two one-day grassroots cricket tournaments at the Rose Hall Canje and Young Warriors grounds respectively. The BCB under Foster’s
leadership has set itself the hosting of at least 10 such tournaments as part of its effort to renew the passion of clubs after an almost one-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournaments would be played without spectators, as the board observes the guidelines of the Government of Guyana. Foster stated that BCB is seeking to assist some clubs to attract younger players to their membership, to inspire
them to be more proactive and also to give them an opportunity to win a BCB tournament. Most of the tournaments in the county are won by the dominant RHTYSC, Albion and this has affected the morale of some clubs as they find it very difficult to compete against the more organised clubs. They would also be in a position to take home very vital prize money. BCB has already
BCB president Hilbert Foster hands over Award of Excellence to Shimron Hetmyer
Shepherd COVID-free, to focus on Regional Super50 tourney By Rajiv Bisnauth
those ten days; so, I think I am fully recovered, I am good,” Shepherd said. He added, “My aim now is to return to competitive cricket with the main focus been the Regional Super50 Cup, which is set to be played from February 7 to February 27 in Antigua. The Guyana Jaguars started preparation. I had begun training with the Jaguars team, and when I tested positive for COVID-19, all the guys
FAST-bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd has recovered completely from COVID-19, after being diagnosed with the virus on January 2. The strongly-built Berbician went into self-isolation for ten days following the detection. Speaking on the Mason and Guest radio programme Tuesday evening, Shepherd confirmed that he has fully recovered from the virus and will now turn his attention to the forthcoming Regional Super50 tournament. “I was staying upstairs, away from everyone, and I could not come down. The funny thing about it is that I had no symptoms, I was normal throughout Romario Shepherd
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Friday, January 15, 2021
COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) Courtney Walsh-519 Test wickets (2) Courtney Walsh-227 ODI wickets
TODAY’S QUIZ:
(1) What are the best bowling figures in a Test innings by a WI player to date? (2) What are the best ODI bowling figures in a single match to date?
ANSWERS ANSWER S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
went into isolation,” The 26-year-old was selected in the West Indies 15man squad for the three-match ODI series against hosts Bangladesh later this month but his positive COVID-19 result came about after the first series of tests that were held by Cricket West Indies (CWI) ahead of the tour. The second round of tests all returned negative for the remainder of the squad, thus clearing them for travel for a tour that has seen a depleted side on the tour. In accordance with the established Government stipulations, Shepherd had to remain in Guyana where he concluded the period of isolation that unfortunately extended beyond the team’s travel period. A 38-member West Indies touring party arrived in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, on Sunday morning, to become the first international team to arrive in Bangladesh since the COVID-19 outbreak. Keon Harding, the Barbados fast bowler has been named as Shepherd’s replacement, making it nine uncapped players in the one-day squad. Due to the pandemic, several top West Indies cricketers opted out of the tour. West Indies will play a warm-up one-day game at the BKSP ground in Savar on January 18, before the first ODI on January 20.
raised funds for tournaments at the following venues - Bush Lot Farm, Whim, Port Mourant, Fyrish, Chesney ,No. 19 Kendall Union, Young Warrior, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh and Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice. Among the sponsors to join hands with the board are Mahendra and Vishal Nagamootoo, Troy Halley and Narsingh Deonarine. The tournaments at the Canje and Young Warriors
would see the three teams play for the Shimron Hetmyer Challenge Cup and a cash prize. Hetmyer also announced that he would be renewing his sponsorship of the BCB Intermediate tournament which he had sponsored in 2019. The tournament was not played in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. The sponsorship for that tournament would be $300 000 and clubs would be
Shimron Hetmeyer presents sponsorship cheque to Hilbert Foster
allowed a maximum of 4 first division players per match. Foster and Hetmeyer also discussed other areas of cooperation and more announcements are expected shortly The BCB president handed over a collection of publications from the board and RHTYSC to Hetmyer and also presented a special award to him. The powerfully-built player was unable to attend the Brian Ramphal Award Ceremony on December 27. Fellow national players Veersammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble. Nial Smith, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair and former Test player Clayton Lambert were also honoured for their contributions to cricket. Foster expressed gratitude to Hetmyer for the support of his administration and Berbice Cricket. He noted that the board had named 2021 as the Year of Investment and it was very pleasing to observe the massive outpouring of support from former and current players.
Windies skipper Mohammed eyes ODI series win following return to team
… believes newbies have enough talent to deliver the goods By Clifton Ross RECENTLY appointed West Indies One Day International (ODI) captain Jason Mohammed is putting all his faith into his young unit, with hopes of upsetting hosts Bangladesh, come next week when the 3-match series bowls off. The 34 year-old Trinidadian was recalled after two years away from the Windies senior team and was reinstated as ODI skipper, after the majority of the regular unit opted out of the Bangladesh tour due to COVID-19 related concerns. Speaking on ZOOM Thursday morning, Mohammed said he was elated to have another crack at international cricket and wants this run to count for something. “It was a very happy moment when I got that call to represent the West Indies. Being out of the squad for two years now, I’m happy to be back, more importantly I want to do my best and try and lead the team to a series win.” He continued, “It’s the second time this has happened, I’m happy to do it personally for me. It’s a great honour and achievement. Growing up, you always want to play for the West Indies but leading the team is a greater honour. Sometimes things come in different ways and I just have to grab the opportunity,” said Mohammed. Mohammed, who captained the side against England roughly 4 years ago, said his previous experiences as skipper will no doubt play a huge role in his upcoming assignment against the Tigers.
“I’ve done it before in an ODI and a couple T20 games, obviously I have some experience. I’ve been captaining coming through the youth ranks and captaining teams for a long period of time, but obviously this is the biggest stage; it’s international cricket. It’s something I’m looking forward to and looking forward to leading the Caribbean team”.
West Indies ODI captain Jason Mohammed
With the Windies camp already dismissing talks of their current unit being ‘second-stringed”, the ex-West Indies Under-19 player further doubled down on the notion, admitting that he’s fully confident in his arsenal of weapons. “It’s not a lot of senior guys around. It’s a lot of young faces and guys making their debut. My job is to try and make them as relaxed as possible and try to guide them on the field. It’s not much you can really do at international level, I think everyone understands his game well, it’s just for me to go through the
plans and try and execute that.” the captain said. I ro n i c a l l y, t h e r i g h t hander’s last international appearance was against the Bangladeshis and with 4 half-centuries under his belt from the 26 matches played, Mohammed admitted that despite no real cricket due to COVID-19, he has still been keeping fit and playing when he can with the National team back home. “Personally, I haven’t played a cricket game in a couple of months because of COVID-19. But I have been doing some training with the Trinidad and Tobago senior team and we have a few games here which will be important for the series. So for me I just want to hit as many balls as possible and look forward to three good games this series,” he added. Wrapping up, Mohammed added that apart from their plans to do well, coupled with their confidence level, it is ideally important not to underestimate the home team. He believes that should the Windies seek a win, they must first adapt and look to combat the obvious wide array of spinners which the Tigers will use as their main weapon in the pursuit of a series win. “Coming into any team in their hometown is difficult. Watching Bangladesh over the years, they rely on spin so I think the conditions will suit their spinners at home. But it’s something that we’re aware of, we had our first practice and the pitch was a bit on the slow side. We have to try our best to conquer that,” he concluded.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, January 15, 2021
Clive Lloyd to West Indies:
‘A perfect opportunity to prove you’re not second-class cricketers’ Former captain scripts open letter to the team in Bangladesh, urging the inexperienced players to believe in themselves. By Nagraj Gollapudi IN 1966, 22-year-old Guyanese youngster Clive Lloyd made his international debut in the first Test of the India tour, which was played in what was then Bombay. Lloyd, the tall and bespectacled left-hander, was told he was playing the match less than an hour before the start due to the finger injury to Seymour Nurse. Lloyd scored 82 and an unbeaten 78 to help the visitors take the series lead. West Indies won the three-match Test series 2-0 with Lloyd finishing among the top five run-makers. Lloyd utilised that fortuitous break to grow into a solid batsman and one of the most successful and dominant captains in cricket. Now, at 76, Lloyd wants to use the story of his debut to motivate the inexperienced West Indies squads in Bangladesh. Several of West Indies’ first-team players in both the
Test and white-ball teams opted out of the Bangladesh tour which comprises three ODIs followed by two Tests. In a heartfelt letter addressed to the contingent, Lloyd told the players that although they might feel they have been “thrown in the deep” in what will be a “daunting” assignment, it is not “insurmountable”. The letter was distributed to the West Indies players at the behest of Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt. Following is Lloyd’s letter in full.
opportunity to demonstrate your talents and skills to the world and prove to all and sundry that you’re not second-class cricketers. You can step up to the plate. In 1966 I was not selected in the original Test Team. Fortuitously, Seymour Nurse got injured and 45 minutes before
Moreover, playing for the West Indies is one of the highest honours a citizen of the region can achieve. I believed it then and I believe it now. You have found yourselves in exactly the same position; therefore, the world is your oyster. This is your opportunity to prove yourself worthy of your
Dear Guys I thought that I would send you this message as I’m aware that you’re embarking on a Tour which you probably weren’t prepared for and perhaps you feel like you’ve been thrown in the deep end and that people expect you to stand and deliver. What you should understand is that you have a chance of cementing a permanent place in the West Indies Team and not merely filling a gap. You have been chosen on merit. This is your destiny. It is your opportunity to fulfil it. This is a perfect
Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd
the 1st Test I was informed that I was playing and I played 35 straight Test Matches because I performed well. We won the series. You see, I recognised there was an opportunity to demonstrate my talent and capabilities and I seized it with both hands.
selection and you should be proud to wear that West Indies blazer and cap. You are representing one of the best cricketing nations which possess an enviable record of which we are very proud. Remember, we’re a nation of just over five million people.
Our records include: 29 Test matches without losing. 11 straight wins. For 17 years straight we never lost a Test match. This is just a snapshot of our exploits and achievements in the past. It took hard work, commitment and a sense of purpose to realise them. Above all, I would advise that you pay close attention to your levels of fitness and seek at all times whether as a batsman or a bowler to refine your techniques and skills. My team did it and I am confident you can too. You now have the opportunity to improve our Test match rating and instil some pride again in the standard of our Cricket. This is not just my expectation but also that of the entire Caribbean region. Your victory would be theirs also. Your trip to Bangladesh might look daunting but this task is not insurmountable. It is the ideal opportunity. With your determination, professionalism, youth and tenacity you can begin the dawn of a new era under the (Test) captaincy of the very astute Kraigg Brathwaite. Again,
what I am saying to you is not idle speculation. It is based on my own experience. When I took over the West Indies cricket team we had lost more than 20 Test matches on a trot and there was a clear need for rebuilding and a re-purposing of the team. I also had a number of untried players, as many of you might be. But my team did not flinch from the challenge and we eventually emerged on top. I am confident you can begin the necessary rebuilding of the West Indies team. We did it because we believed in ourselves. You can too. Self belief is the first step to success. I would like you to remember this adage: ‘in order to gain altitude, you must have the right attitude’. A positive mental attitude will see you through many tight situations which I’m sure you will encounter during this Tour. Lastly, success comes before work only in the dictionary. I wish you the best of luck. Please remember most people are judged by the obstacles they overcome. (Cricinfo)
Floyd Reifer appointed West Indies Under-19 head coach … WI preparations start for hosting ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in 2022 CRICKET West Indies (CWI) yesterday named Floyd Reifer as the new head coach of the West Indies ‘Rising Stars’ Under-19 team. The former interim West Indies head coach and current head coach of the West Indies Emerging Player & High Performance Programmes will lead the development of the squad as they prepare for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup to be played in the Caribbean in early 2022. Reifer was chosen because of his impressive track record in building and coaching successful development teams, including the UWI Blackbirds, Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), West Indies Emerging Players and West Indies A Team. As a former interim head coach for the senior team and as batting coach for the recent tour of England, Reifer’s experience and knowledge are perfectly suited to help young West Indians understand what is needed for them to achieve global standards. He is also a former batting coach for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and is the current head coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Speaking on his appointment, Reifer said: “It is great to be coaching the young players of the West Indies and trying
to guide them as we prepare for the World Cup at home. I am excited to have already begun the work and I’m sure the young men are also very enthusiastic. In speaking to many of the possible team members, they are all eager to start the programme.
at all aspects of their game, including cricket fundamentals and personal development. It is very intense and based on creating an ‘elite athlete’ with a professional mindset. “We have held meetings with coaches and the Territorial Boards and they are
Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, said: “I am happy that we have been able to appoint Floyd to lead our Under-19 programme and take the lads through to the World Cup early next year. The opportunity fits perfectly given his remit as our High Performance Head Coach, a role in which he has successfully overseen our High Per-
formance squads in the recent past, including Emerging Players and ‘A’ teams.” Adams added: “I would also like to thank Graeme West who coached the U-19 team in the last three campaigns, including winning the Tournament in 2016. Graeme will continue to be involved in his current role as High Performance
Manager. He will provide valuable support for Floyd in the planning and execution of the programme all the way through to the World Cup next year.” Floyd Reifer is a highly qualified, Australian Cricket Board (ACB)-certified Level Three coach, whose leadership experience includes being a former West Indies captain.
GFF warns of ‘punitive action’ if players participate in Halendino Sports Company trials
Floyd Reifer appointed West Indies Under-19 head coach
They have not been playing much cricket due to the COVID-19 situation, so it is great that CWI has started to put the preparation in place for our team a year out from hosting the World Cup.” Reifer added: “We have solid plans. The programme we have in place is science- and technology-based, and it looks
all happy with the direction we are going. Within that programme we hope to have High Performance training camps during the year, the annual Under-19 Rising Stars tournament in the summer, followed by hosting the South Africa U-19s for five One-Day matches in the Caribbean.”
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is distancing itself from the Khalifa Hale-managed Halendino Sports Company and their proposed two-day ‘trials’ for football players. In a release yesterday, the Wayne Forde-led GFF said they have taken note of the recent announcement by an entity called Halendino Sports, as covered in the Kaieteur News article “Halendino Sports to host trials” on January 14, 2021. “The GFF would like to make it clear to all members of the football community that Halendino Sports is not affiliated to the Federation and this activity has not been approved or sanctioned by the Federation. As such, no registered member of the Federation is authorised to participate in this activity,” the Federation said. The football trials, according to Kaieteur News report, are being held at various grounds around the city, including the Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) ground, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground, South Ruimveldt ground, Agricola Community Playfield, Sophia Exhibition Centre, Camptown ground, East Ruimveldt Nursery and Girls Guide, on January 23-24. The GFF stated that under their Constitution, and in the interests of good governance, player safety and professional standards, GFF members are only authorised to participate in officially sanctioned events. “Any participation in unsanctioned activities may result in punitive action, including suspension. Furthermore, at this time, any on-field activity must be reviewed and approved by the National COVID-19 Task Force before permission is granted by the Federation,” GFF cautioned. GFF is urging the football community to continue to follow and obey the COVID-19 regulations and protocols as ordered by the Government of Guyana to protect the health and wellbeing of the general populace during the pandemic.
SEE PAGE 24
GCB officials blocked from
entering Guyana National Stadium
The Guyana National Stadium
Jaguars players’ fitness assessment ...
Head coach Crandon satisfied but recognises need for improvement SEE PAGE 20
GFF warns of ‘punitive action’ if players participate in Halendino Sports Company trials
No grass track meets this year ― AAG president
… AAG calendar opens in February SEE PAGE 24
SEE PAGE 27
Christopher Barnwell going through his paces yesterday
Head coach of Guyana Jaguars Franchise, Esaun Crandon, was assisted by Julian Moore during yesterday’s fitness assessment
AAG president Aubrey Hutson
SEE PAGE 27
Khalifa Hale - CEO of Halendino Sports Company
‘A perfect opportunity to prove you’re not second-class cricketers’
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021