Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-04-2021

FRIDAY 16th April, 2021

' No.106332

Persons 18+ now eligible SEE PAGE 03

(PAHO image)

–– for COVID-19 vaccines, Dr Ramsammy announces; says second dose guaranteed

Aishalton goes into lockdown PAGE

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A President’s College student demonstrates how the new interactive smartboard at the school’s smart classroom works, as Education Minister, Priya Manickchand (second right) and other education officials look on (See story on page 8) (Ministry of Education photo)

Road fatalities in Berbice down by 80% PAGE

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More relief shipped to St. Vincent PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Aishalton goes into lockdown ––as COVID-19 cases, death recorded

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Deep South Rupununi village of Aishalton has been placed under a month-long lockdown

after nine COVID-19 cases and one death were recorded recently, according to Toshao, Michael Thomas. “The medical team has

recommended a month’s lockdown (due to) the wide spread of the coronavirus,” Thomas told the Guyana Chronicle during a telephone interview, on Thursday. He also confirmed that one village elder, 96-yearold Simon Marcello, passed away after he tested positive for COVID-19, on Wednesday. He said that while nine COVID-19 cases have been detected thus far, contact tracing was conducted and further tests would be conducted. According to the Toshao, health authorities said that the number of cases may increase significantly after these tests are conducted. The first case of COVID-19 in Guyana was recorded on March 11, 2020. Since then, Aishalton and many of the Deep South communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have been able to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. This outbreak, however, has now exposed the village to the pandemic. Though the local authorities have not been able to confirm how these cases were imported into the village, Toshao Thomas said

The community of Aishalton in Region Nine

that a number of strange persons were seen in the village over the Easter weekend, two weeks ago. This, he believes, could be a reason the virus was imported. On Thursday, after an emergency meeting with the response team in the village, it was noted that a curfew starting at 18:00 hours and lasting until 06:00 hours the next day has been instituted. This curfew will be in place until May 15 and will be enforced by members of the Guyana Police Force

(GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the village council. Additionally, Aishalton’s Village Council, by way of public notice, indicated that visitors or non-residents, and people from neighbouring Brazil will not be permitted to enter the community. Individuals conducting official business, such as government officers, contractors and medical personnel, are exempt from this. Businesses should be

closed by 18:00 hours daily and all social gatherings, including sports, church services and fundraisers are suspended. Businesses are also required to ensure that their premises are outfitted with sanitisation stations. Buses entering the village must not transport non-residents without permission from the village council and all passengers should be listed on a manifest and present themselves to gate monitors for screening.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Persons 18+ now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

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–– Dr. Ramsammy announces, says second dose guaranteed By Vishani Ragobeer FROM today, all persons aged 18 years and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines locally, Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has said in a post on his Facebook page. On Thursday, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Dr. Ramsammy lamented the spread of false claims that the country does not have enough vaccines to give the required second dose to individuals who received their first ‘jab’ of the COVID-19 vaccine. “I wish to make it pellucidly clear, everyone that has had a first dose is guaranteed their second dose,” Dr. Ramsammy said, adding: “And I can say that with confidence, and with 100 per cent assurance, because for every dose we have administered, we have put aside the second dose.” To illustrate his point, he explained that of the 20,000 Sinopharm vaccines Guyana has received from the Government of China, only 10,000 individuals would be able to get that vaccine. Subsequently, those same individuals will have to return between 21 to 28 days later to get their second ‘jab,’ since the Sinopharm vaccines are given in two doses. The

Nurse Edoll Ainsworth places a plaster on the arm of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, after he had received a dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines, which have also been administered across Guyana, are also given in two doses. “I would urge those who are spreading those fake stories to desist, because it is a disservice to our country; it is unpatriotic and a danger to public health,” Dr. Ramsammy lamented. In a statement released subsequently, the Dr Ram-

sammy highlighted that the Ministry of Health’s goal is to reach 100,000 first-dose vaccinations early next week. He also said that there will be shipments of vaccines into Guyana every week over the next several weeks, with another 262,000 doses of first and second- dose vaccines which have been acquired to be delivered to Guyana. With the vaccines Guyana has already acquired,

and once additional vaccines arrive, Dr. Ramsammy wants to assure members of the public that Guyana will be able to fully vaccinate 261,000 persons. He indicated that more than 70,000 persons have already been

vaccinated. MORE SPUTNIK VACCINES Meanwhile, during his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony reported

that 83,000 more doses of the Sputnik V vaccine are coming to Guyana by next week. These vaccines were expected this week, but the Guyana Chronicle understands that the shipment was unavoidably delayed. So far, Guyana has received a total of 182,000 vaccines. Though he did not indicate that all adults will now be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines from today, the Health Minister highlighted that that the country’s vaccination uptake is going quite well. Dr. Ramsammy, while speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, emphasised that vaccination for COVID-19 is the only sure way of exiting this pandemic. Though public health measures such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance and engaging in adequate sanitisation will help to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, he explained that only a combination of the public health measures with vaccination can result in countries overcoming the pandemic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Reparations for US slave descendants gains momentum (Al Jazeera): Black American slaves were promised “40 acres and a mule” by the US government in the aftermath of the Civil War that freed them in 1865, a promise that was rescinded soon after it was made. In the century and a half since, facing racism and repression, Black Americans have called for reparations, a notion that has vexed political leaders and an idea that has been met with significant resistance along the way. Now, for the first time in its history, the United States government is moving towards addressing the question of reparations for the descendants of African slaves. President Joe Biden in a meeting at the White House on Tuesday with Black US legislators renewed his support for a commission to study how the US can compensate the descendants of African slaves. “We are grateful for that because we are now doing something historically that’s never been done,” Representative, Sheila Jackson Lee, said of Biden’s commitment. “What you want the president to do is say that as we move forward,” Jackson Lee told reporters at the White House. There were four million African slaves in the US when slavery was abolished after the Civil War. So called “Jim Crow” laws in the southern states dispossessed Black farmers

Friday April 16, 2021 04:0hrs

from their lands and institutionalised segregation and disenfranchisement. Now there are more than 42 million African-American citizens of the US. In 2019, the average wealth of Black families amounted to $36,000, compared to $189,000 for whites, according to US Federal Reserve data. Black men are almost twice as likely as whites to be unemployed and are six times more likely to be imprisoned, according to government statistics. Reparations for former slaves have been talked about in American politics for decades but there has never been consensus on what should be done. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in June 2020 found only 20 percent of US adults support paying money to the descendants of slaves. “The US has never fully or properly reckoned with the gross human rights violation of chattel slavery and the post-emancipation racist policies that continue to harm Black people in the US today,” said Dreisen Heath, a researcher and advocate for reparations at Human Rights Watch, a non-governmental organisation. “If racial justice is ever to be achieved, repair needs to be a part of the equation,” she said. Democrats in the US House of Representatives are moving to pass a bill to establish a commission to study and

develop reparation proposals for African Americans. It passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 25 to 17 late on Wednesday night. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests that rocked the US in 2020 after the death of George Floyd and confronted with the rise of white nationalism, the establishment of a reparations commission would open a venue for badly-needed public dialogue about the systemic and long-term harms of racism in America, experts say. “The history of trans-Atlantic slavery has left an indelible mark in the continued presence of racism, racial discrimination, and ideologies of racial superiority in US legal, political, social and economic structures and underscores the interconnection between the historical wrongs of slavery and contemporary injustices,” E Tendayi Achiume, a professor of law at the University of California – LA School of Law told a House panel earlier this year. The scope of future recommendations goes far beyond financial compensation to descendants of slaves for lost wealth, said Achiume, who presented a report to the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 on the urgency of reparations for racial discrimination rooted in the slave trade and colonialism. “The reparations commission will provide the foundation” for a “comprehensive

accounting of the harms of slavery”, she said. The House bill would establish a commission of 13 members to be appointed by Congress and the president to study the question of reparations and make national recommendations within a year. The commission would be funded with $12 million to hire staff, obtain data and conduct hearings. Its mandate would be to document the institution of slavery in the US from the first arrival of Black slaves in 1619 to the end of the US Civil War in 1865. It would then assess the subsequent forms of discrimination that have harmed Black Americans since they were granted full US citizenship in 1868. Recommendations would address how the US government should apologise for slavery, how US laws and policies continue to negatively affect African Americans and how these injuries can be reversed. Advocates say reparations must go far beyond financial compensation implied by “40 acres and a mule”. “We must be made whole,” said Kamm Howard, national co-chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. “Initiatives must be developed that address the negative, trans-generational, spiritual, emotional, mental and physical effects of the historical traumas of enslavement, Jim Crow apartheid, and the ongoing racial violence and police terror,” Howard said. The legislation is opposed by US Republicans who will try to prevent it from reaching Biden’s desk by blocking it in the US Senate. Progress on the legislation has been a long time coming. The bill has been introduced in every Congress since 1989. House committee approval on Wednesday is the first time it has been advanced toward a vote by the full House. “We want to do the research. We want to hold the hearings. We want to formalize a process in which we can make sure we have the accurate information, and we can move forward to making our nation greater still,” Hilary O Shelton, director of the NAACP Washington bureau, told the House in February.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

St Vincent volcano: ‘We don’t know if we can go home’ (BBC News): Volcanic eruptions on St Vincent have blanketed the Caribbean island in ash, forcing 16,000 residents from their homes and leaving many without power or running water. Many of those there say they do not know when or if they will be able to return home. Shellisa Nanton, 26, lives with her family in the red zone - the areas at highest risk - in Georgetown. She told the BBC they had just hours to leave before La Soufriere erupted on Friday. “We felt tremors in the days leading up to the eruption but we were not told to evacuate until the last minute. “We were frantic when we heard the call to leave. We had to gather our things so quickly,” she said. Shellisa said it was painful to leave the home she shared with her mother, sister, her sister’s partner and their two-year-old child. “We were all scrambling to get our belongings together and we could feel the heat. It was heart wrenching and overwhelming to just leave our home like that, leaving behind so many memories. “We’ve had hurricanes before but nothing like this.” Shellisa says they were

and I’ve been helping them to move down south where I live,” Jomo Thomas told the BBC. “It’s an horrific scene since Friday there has been a series of eruptions,” the lawyer explained. “About four or five thousand are in shelters. But the problem is that many of the shelters are schools and because they are in the tropics there is a lot of ventilation, so the dust can easily come through.” Many of those who can are trying to leave the island. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has been visiting shelters across the island

lucky that they were able to leave the red zone in their truck. Many others did not have any transportation. “When we finally got the truck going, we passed many people on the narrow roads, who like us were leaving, but on foot and carrying what they could. It was so sad and depressing to see. “We were on the road all night until we reached the south. I don’t know how many people made it out.” Shellisa and her family are now living with a family friend in the south of the island in Campden Park. She says this is their home for now. “We don’t know if we can go home. We don’t know

if there’s a home to go back to. “We are planning to stay here for at least a few months. We just don’t know yet the extent of the damage. It’s very sad.” ‘Roofs caved in because of the ash’ On the island’s green zone away from the La Soufriere volcano Shanniel Johnson lives with her extended family. She told the BBC despite living in the safer’ green zone the ash from the eruption caused massive devastation which has only just improved somewhat thanks to the rain. “Roofs caved in on homes because of the heavy

ash fall. It’s been dark for a few days and there have been more eruptions since Friday,” she told the BBC. Shanniel says the ash carpeting the island had left them without water to drink, cook or wash. “The ash contaminated the water but thankfully it has rained recently so the ash is clearing in some areas. “But we need humanitarian aid. A lot of people have been displaced and are in shelters.” “Many of my family members live in red zones in the north of the island

INCREDIBLE BUT TERRIFYING Rhiannon West and her family are British nationals, living on the island under temporary residency rules.

The teacher hopes to return to the UK with her partner and six-month-old baby. “We stood outside our home on Saturday and watched as the volcano erupted and a huge billowing cloud of ash was sent into the air. It was incredible but also terrifying. “Since then, we’ve been sheltering indoors with everything closed. It’s scary thinking about what we can do to protect the baby. We keep losing electricity, have no water supply and no bottled water left at the closest shops,” West said. Further, she said: “This could go on for weeks and neither of us can work because of the power supply issues. The atmosphere is just very eerie,”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Vaccination and restrictions enforcement

THE announcement by government that vaccination will commence for persons 18 years and over could not be more welcome news as the current administration ramps up the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken the lives of over 250 Guyanese and infected over 10,000 of them. Since assuming office about eight months ago, the Dr Irfaan Ali Administration has adopted a balanced approach in the fight against the pandemic, that is, it has maintained restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus, while ensuring that the wheels of industry remain in operation. This was a key step in ensuring that in the fight against the novel coronavirus, businesses do not come to a standstill and put a further strain and drain on the economy, which was in a shabby state during the recent 18-month period under the former regime to frustrate and stifle democracy in Guyana. The emphasis then as it still is now was to ensure adherence to the national COVID-19 guidelines and steadily opening up the economy for business, while awaiting the release of approved vaccines against the deadly virus. Today, three months after the first batch of 3,000 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines

was donated by Barbados from a consignment it had received from India, Guyana has vaccinated more 70,000 of her citizens in which is probably the most aggressive vaccination campaign in the Region. Barring a few frontline workers who have chosen not to be vaccinated because of reservations about the vaccines, the thousands of others in the line of duty, spread across the length and breadth of Guyana, have been vaccinated. Health officials have also moved swiftly following the vaccination of frontline workers to the vaccination of citizens 40 years and over throughout the country and within mere weeks have now moved to vaccinate persons 18 years and older. The rapid administering of the vaccines could be credited to a military-like organised health team which has adopted a multi-stakeholder approach in reaching targeted groups of people in the society. To date, the government has acquired over 180,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines (Sinopharm, Sputnik V and Oxford AstraZeneca) through purchases and donations from India, China and Russia and seems well on course to vaccinate the entire population

before year-end. The aggressive rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is all but one weapon in the government’s arsenal in the fight against the pandemic, which has taken a toll on practically all the productive sectors in Guyana. Since assuming office, the government has rolled out a $25,000 relief cash grant programme for households; allocated $51 million in grants from the Small Business Bureau (SBB); $20 billion in annualised benefits from the 2020 Emergency Budget measures; $60 billion in annualised benefits from 2021 National Budget measures; $80 million in the 2021 budget for the training of women; given multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fund for Amerindian villages; intensified procurement of Personal and Protective Equipment (PPEs) and COVID-19 tests; engaged in countrywide distribution of education booklets; and ease restrictions on businesses and travel to ‘breathe life’ into the economy and particularly ailing sectors. Coupled with the vaccination programme and the steady opening up of the economy, determined efforts are also being made to charge persons and sanction businesses found

to be in breach of the national COVID-19 guidelines. So far, a number of businesses have been shut down and over 200 persons have been charged with COVID-19 breaches. One could only hope that the enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines is as aggressive as the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. This is necessary and it is instructive to note that as recent as Wednesday, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne had warned that vaccines alone will not stop current COVID-19 surge. “I cannot stress this enough – for most countries, vaccines are not going to stop this wave of the pandemic. There are simply not enough of them available to protect everyone in the countries at greatest risk,” Dr. Etienne highlighted, pointed out that “we need to stop transmission by any means possible with the tools we have at hand. This will require comprehensive strategies to both accelerate the rollout of vaccines and control the virus using proven public health measures.” The proven health measures she was referring to include wearing of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene.

Education being given its rightful place Dear Editor, I DRAW attention to a recent OXFAM (Oxford Committee for Famine Relief) study detailing that “A robust education system is imperative to any growing nation”. The study emphasised, “It is all the more necessary when the country is battling a raging pandemic and aiming to become self-reliant.” As we all know, the (COVID-19) pandemic has virtually reversed progress in the education system by years, and has thrown open the inequalities in the sector. Right now, there is an ever-growing global concern, that is, of stemming the possibility that “… teachers fear that a third of the children might never return to schools after they reopen”. They are surmising that this is so because many of them “… are likely to be from the marginalised social groups, making governments’ support crucial in the recovery of school education and prevention of drop-outs.” It is in this context that I applaud the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government for its many contingency plans and innovation. This fore-planning was evident in Budget 2021, when a whopping $60.6 billion was allocated to

support education delivery across the country. The plan that has already started to unfold is most comprehensive: Equipping all nursery to secondary schools with necessary resources (including trained and highly- qualified teachers); constructing new secondary schools in Regions Four, Six and Nine; upgrading schools in all the other regions; constructing and rehabilitating education facilities; improving the teachers training college (Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE); and financing the operation of University of Guyana’s two campuses in Regions Four and Six, and the list goes on. So, even as the world is taking a hammering educationally, Guyana is bracing itself for the aftermath of the causative factor: COVID-19. I add here another dimension that is already up and running: Online training through the CPCE of some 1,000 untrained teachers. This necessary initiative, as we know, is in keeping with the PPP/C government’s goal to transform the education sector, making it possible for all teachers to be trained, especially those in the far-flung regions, who can utilise this ubiquitous and modern mode to upgrade their qualifications. The figures show that in 1992, Guyana had just 30 per cent of its teachers trained, and that ratio

improved to about 80 per cent at the end of the PPP/C’s last governmental tenure (2015). So, this growth is expected to resume until the education system is fully functional, with a gamut of trained teachers. I now highlight the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) which is about to take off. This is where the Government of Guyana must be commended yet again for delivering on its Manifesto promise to provide, over the next five years, some 20,000 online scholarships to Guyanese. GOAL is being housed at the Ogle Estate, East Coast Demerara, and Professor Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, is heading the venture. Guyana’s aim is to facilitate the development of the country’s most important asset, that is, its human capacity. The first phase this year will see some 4,500 students pursuing programmes at the University of the West Indies’ Open Campus, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), the University of Applied Sciences (IUBH), the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), and the JAIN “Deemed To Be” University. This is indeed a phenomenal undertaking, and promises rich rewards for the nation, on the cusp of its greatest financial boom.

I remind readers that Guyana’s educational drive is in good hands. Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has been recently recognised as a Commonwealth Wise Woman, and is now a mentor on the Commonwealth Wise Woman Mentoring Project. This was for her work with the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL), in launching the Workforce Recovery Initiative in Guyana along with Coursera. This Workforce Recovery Initiative, via reputable universities through the Coursera programme, offered 4000 free online courses to Guyanese. Since launching this programme on September 5, 2020, over 53,371 Guyanese have been registered to pursue courses in various areas, and 43,305 certificates have been issued to 9,473 persons. No wonder Ms. Manickchand was honoured. It is my wish, and that of all right-thinking Guyanese, that education will continue in this upward and holistic manner. Guyana must not only be the ‘food basket’ of the region; it must (as it can) be the ‘think tank’ also. Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

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Lethem resident found with alleged smuggled liquor

―cannabis, guns found at empty camp site down the Mahaicony River, in separate search A RESIDENT of Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has been held after officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) found a quantity of liquor, suspected to be smuggled from Brazil, at the suspect’s residence. According to a press statement from CANU, the suspect, Lyndon Franklin, was seen entering Guyana from Brazil in his lorry and was followed to his Tabatinga residence. On arrival at the location, officers saw the suspect offloading goods suspected to be smuggled and undeclared, in his yard. “CANU officials intercepted him and uncovered the smuggled items among other goods packed in his truck,” the release stated. According to CANU, there were reports of attempts by the suspect and his agents to agitate the officers who were performing their duties. “Reports have been received at CANU headquarters

be charged and placed before the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for breaches of the Customs Act. In a separate search officers of CANU acting on a tip, conducted a search of an empty

Cannabis which was uncovered at an empty camp site, down the Mahaicony River

The two shot guns which were found

that after being on the premises, dogs of the suspect were released into the yard and allowed to advance towards ranks, which resulted in an officer discharging a round to fend off the said threat after repeated requests to secure the animals,” the unit said. Considering the reported events, the unit has undertaken to conduct a holistic review of the incident. Further, CANU said it will convene training for officers to ensure that they are able to withstand civilian agitation and intimidation. Additionally, CANU is imploring civilians to desist from advancing to or attacking its officials in any way whilst they are executing their duties. Since CANU’s establishment in Region Nine, the unit has assisted the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in a number of seizures of uncustomed goods, which have been evading the local ports, and will continue to provide assistance to all its inter-agencies whenever the need arises. In its most recent “bust” on Thursday, CANU seized 30 cases of Blackstone Whiskey; nine cases of Blend Seven Whiskey and four cases of Skarloff liquor. All of those items were reportedly found in Franklin’s motor lorry. The suspect is expected to

camp site on the Mahaicony River, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), where they uncovered 882 grammes of cannabis, two shot guns, ammunition and Venezuelan currency. According to the unit, no

one was arrested because the camp site and the nearby savannahs were empty. The contraband and related items were seized and taken to the CANU headquarters for processing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

President‘s College gets smart classroom By Tamica Garnett STUDENTS of the President’s College will now be exposed to advanced learning, as the Ministry of Education commissioned a smart classroom at the school on Thursday. With the commissioning of this facility, President’s College is now one of eight public schools with a smart classroom. Delivering her remarks

during a ceremonial commissioning ceremony at the school, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said that the opening of this smart classroom is the realisation of a promise she had made to the school to create such a facility. “We promised you that we would put in this school a smart classroom with all the modern gadgets that was [sic] needed. When we promise something, we deliver it. For

me it’s important to know that about the people who promised to serve you,” Minister Manickchand stated. She noted that it is important that the government does everything in its power to give students the necessary platforms to thrive and be the best they can be. The smart classrooms are equipped with an interactive, computerised, touchscreen smartboard, two cameras that can be used to video the lesson and a moni-

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand is assisted by students in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to commission the new, smart classroom at President’s College (Elvin Croker photo)

tor connected to the cameras. The commissioning of the smart classroom comes days after the minister commissioned two similar classrooms in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), at the New Amsterdam Secondary School and Skeldon Line Path Secondary. So far, smart classrooms have also been established at the Leonora Secondary School, Queen’s College, Brickdam Secondary School, East Ruimveldt Secondary School, and the North Ruimveldt Secondary School.

Minister Manickchand said that those facilities create an avenue for interactive, remote teaching, which would connect experienced teachers with disadvantaged students who are in separate locations. The minister shared examples, such as the New Amsterdam Secondary School where there is no physics teacher. With the smart classroom, it bridges the gap and affords students the opportunity to be taught the subject remotely. Minister Manickchand also spoke about an ongoing programme at the Ministry

of Education, which allows a number of teachers on the coastland to administer lessons to 12 schools in the hinterland, virtually. “The smart classroom here is going to make a huge difference not only to the students of President’s College, but to students outside of the school as well. You have to understand the scope that these things allow. It’s not only the smartboard, it’s cameras, it’s the ability to see students at home and to interact,” Manickchand reasoned. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

COVID-19 claims another life ––153 new cases recorded in 24 hours GUYANA has lost another precious life to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total number of deaths to 263. The latest fatality is a 94-year-old male from Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), who died while receiving care at a medical facility. The Ministry of Health has recorded 153 new cases of COVID-19 from 2,478 tests, conducted one April 14, 2021. Those cases were recorded in all administrative regions except Region Eight. The newly-infected persons were 78 males and 75 females. Region

Four continues to see a surge in cases, accounting for 82 of the newly-confirmed cases. Regions One and Two recorded one new case each; thirty-one new cases were recorded in Region Three; Region Five recorded four new cases and Region Six recorded eight new cases. Additionally, nine new cases were recorded in Region Seven, while Region Nine recorded 10 new cases and Region 10 recorded seven. The country has now recorded a total of 11,527 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020. Of those cases, 1,257 are

active, while 10,015 persons have recovered. Meanwhile, 10 persons are being kept at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. And, there are 78 persons in institutional isolation, 1,161 in home isolation and eight 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 April 1, 2021, until April 30, 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 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours. 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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President ‘s College ... The minister said that the ministry will be continuously monitoring the classrooms to ensure that they are being utilised and are producing results. “We are not going to leave it up to schools to roll this out how they want to. We are rolling out a whole ICT smart classroom usage to look at how these smart classrooms can reinforce, enhance and reach students who need that reinforcement,” she noted. Acting Principal of the President’s College, Samantha Success, and other staff of the school, thanked Minister Manickchand for including the school in the “smart classroom rollout.” “We feel great and we feel a sense of belonging at President’s College that such could be happening at President’s College. As a former student of President’s College, I am overwhelmed, the students are overwhelmed, and honourable minister, words cannot say how much we appreciate this effort not only of having the smart room, but having your presence. It is my pride it is our pride it is our joy,” Success said. A demonstration of how the smartboard works was done by a teacher of the school

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

More relief shipped to St. Vincent –– President Ali underscores Guyana’s commitment to helping island-nation –– Guyanese on the island safe with each other, Diaspora Unit Head says

By Vishani Ragobeer WHILE the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to contend with volcanic eruptions at the La Soufrière volcano, Guyana On Thursday sent a container filled with much-needed water supplies, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that this nation will contin-

ue to support the island. A twenty-foot container filled with cases of water left on a Tropical Shipping vessel, which was en route to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday. The water supplies were donated by Banks DIH Ltd, and supplement the emergency supplies sent by Guyana to St. Vincent on Tuesday aboard the ‘Miss Meena’

vessel. According to a press release from the Office of the President, President Ali assured the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves that Guyana is fully committed to assisting the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, not only in the immediate period, but also in the medium and long-term. President Dr. Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Hugh Todd; Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Acting Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Marcia Nadir-Sharma; and Director of the Department of the Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador George Talbot during a Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government on Thursday (Office of the President photo)

President Ali gave this assurance while speaking at the 14th Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government on Thursday. The release noted that President Ali informed the meeting that a vessel had already departed Guyana with 350 tonnes of varied needs, including water, water storage containers, sugar, rice, peas, chowmein, sanitisers, detergents, disinfectant, personal care items and supplies for infants. That vessel, the ‘Miss Meena’, is due to arrive in St Vincent and the Grenadines tomorrow. “Another shipment of items is being prepared for departure on Monday, April 19; that would include water, sugar, rice, assorted food items and personal care and hygiene items,” the release also stated. Cognisant that water supplies are much-needed in St. Vincent and also in Barbados, which has been affected by volcanic ash, President Ali also committed to sending a further 50 water tanks to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and another 50 to Barbados in response to an appeal from that nation’s Prime Minister, Ms. Mia Mottley. “President Ali said that the government has received immense support from the private sector, which had mobilised financial resources. It was the government's intention to supplement this,” the release noted further. Joining President Ali at this meeting was Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Hugh Todd; Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Acting Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Marcia Nadir-Sharma; and Director of the Department of the Americas in the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador George Talbot. The volcano in St. Vincent erupted at 08:41 hours last Friday, shortly after the government issued an evacuation notice for persons living in the “Red Zone”, which is in the northernmost part of the island, where the volcano is located, on Thursday night. Since then, there have been perpetual eruptions, which are projected to last for a few more weeks. Prime Minister Gonsalves, during an address to his countrymen the day after the initial eruption, noted that he has been engaging the governments in the wider Caribbean region, and there has been an outpouring of support for the country. “The President of Guyana has been in touch with me quite often,” the Vincentian Prime Minister said, adding: “They’re loading a ship to send a lot of supplies.” He’d also highlighted that President Ali had informed him of the private sector collaboration, including the special account set up to send relief to the island. The Office of the President noted that the two leaders would engage again on Saturday night. GUYANESE WITH EACH OTHER Meanwhile, Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ms. Rosalinda Rasul, has told the Guyana Chronicle that the Honorary Consul in St. Vincent has assured the local authorities that all Guyanese nationals living on the island have been evacuated from the danger zones. “No one in the shelters are coming forward as Guyanese, and this indicates that they are in private homes,” Rasul said. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Alliance Road sluices in line for remedial works –– as Timehri residents lament flooding caused by deplorable structures to assist us with monitoring the situation, and, hopefully, we can have this matter resolved by tomorrow (Wednesday). I’ve also instructed the NDIA to dispatch two excavators to commence works in this area. “So, a large excavator will be coming to do work on the canals, and another ‘mini’ excavator will be working to clear the cross drains to ensure

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha and other officials examining one of the sluices at Alliance Road, Timehri

AFTER receiving reports on Tuesday morning of instances of flooding in the vicinity of Alliance Road, Timehri, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with a team of senior officers from the ministry visited the area to assess the situation, and implement systems to resolve the issue. During the visit, breaches in both sluices along the Alliance Road were observed, with water seen intruding inland through the doors of both structures. While giving a summary of the visit, Minister Mustapha said the sluices were in a terrible state, and that remedial

works had to be done urgently to avoid further instances of flooding. “After receiving reports that residents in the area were suffering from flooding, I decided to come on the ground to assess the situation. The sluices are in a terrible state and water is coming through the sluice door while the tide is high. I’ve instructed that remedial works be done immediately,” the minister said, adding: “The NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority] is mobilising equipment to have the works done. I’ve also asked the Community Development Council (CDC) FROM PAGE

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More relief shipped ...

Even so, she noted that more Guyanese nationals are reaching out to the Honorary Consul to indicate that they are on the island, and providing whatever needs they might have at this time. During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the Honorary Consul to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Nigel Russell highlighted that those Guyanese who were living in the “green” or “safe” zone were encouraged to accommodate their fellow countrymen who were living in the “red” or “danger” zone and might have to evacuate. And such was the case following the eruption on Friday. The Honorary Consul noted that his priority was ensuring that the Guyanese were safely evacuated and relocated from the danger zones. Having done that, he said that the consulate is now focused on taking care of the needs of the people. “On the ground here, there will always be needs. The big-

gest need is water, and what I have asked Guyana, initially, is to get us some water, and to get us some goggles to deal with the (volcanic) ash, and face masks,” Russell related. And, though individuals have opened up their homes to accommodate others, he acknowledged that eventually, personal supplies will run low, and people will require some assistance. As such, the consulate has been making a list to send to the local authorities, so that relief can be provided. On Thursday, Rasul confirmed that Guyanese on the island have formed a bond with each other, and she assured the public that the government was making every effort to help provide supplies that they might need. Importantly, she identified water and specialised face-masks to help asthmatic persons breathe as two specific supplies that the local authorities would look to supply.

free flow of water in this area. I was also informed that when the tide comes in, residents have been suffering tremendously for almost one week.” As an emergency measure, the NDIA has placed sandbags to prevent water from the Demerara River from passing through the sluice door at high tide. Residents also reported

cases of crops being damages and the loss of eggs and poultry due to profuse inundation. Minister Mustapha instructed officials from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to carry out an investigation, and provide him with a report before the end of the

week. He also instructed both agencies to work along with residents at Timehri to ensure they receive all the necessary extension services. Following the visit, the NDIA was able to identify a contractor to execute remedial works, which are scheduled to commence within the next few days.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Massive corn, soya bean cultivation project soon --as seven-member investment team begins preliminary work SIX local companies and a regional firm have joined together to undertake a massive project that could see Guyana on the path to becoming self-sufficient in corn and soya bean over the

next few years. The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N

F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets. The seven-member team has been aggressively engaging the relevant bodies, and is Bounty Farm Limited’s Assistant Managing Director, David Fernandes during a discussion with Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj

expected to commence this massive project within the next few months. Following a tour of their Timehri operations on Tuesday, Assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm Limited, David Fernandes outlined the group’s vision for the project to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mandanlall Ramraj and other officials. During his presentation, Fernandes said that Guyana has long been touted as having the potential to become the ‘breadbasket of the Caribbean’, and that in recent years, there has been a greater appreciation for the high dependence on imports for livestock feeds. “With the onset of COVID-19, we have realised our vulnerability to global prices, supply, and freight variability. This underscored the importance of self-reliance in the area of food security,” Fernandes reasoned. “As a group, we want to be able to help transform Guyana’s food and agricultural systems, shorten the value chains nationally and regionally, become self-sufficient in commodities needed for the poultry industry, create employment, and boost rural development among other things,” he said. He also said that such a massive project would result in a substantial reduction in the cost of raw materials for livestock production, while improving Guyana's competitive advantage in the global marketplace. With Guyana expending close to US$25 million annually on proteins for the poultry sector, the government, since taking office, has taken steps to promote domestic cultivation of grains like corn and soya bean. The government, in its 2020 Emergency Budget, removed value-add-

ed tax (VAT) on agriculture machinery, fertilisers, agro-chemicals, and pesticides, thereby making it more feasible for such investments. Additionally, the government has reversed land lease fees across all sectors, and water charges back to 2014 rates. Also, in this year’s budget, an additional $500 million was allocated to the development of the corn and soya bean industry. These sums will be invested to ensure the necessary infrastructure are in place to support private investment. Investors from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have also signalled their interest in cultivating corn and soya bean here. Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha said that the government is keen on reducing its spending, especially on commodities that can be produced locally. The minister also said that the government is ready to work with investors, and provide the necessary support to ensure projects of this nature get off the ground. “We already have an investor from Brazil who is doing corn cultivation in Ebini, located in upper Berbice River, and I am looking forward to seeing more companies coming on board. Today's presentation was well received, and I commend our local investors for signalling their interest in such a large-scale project,” Minister Mustapha said. “If we can produce the amount of corn and soya bean required to become self-sufficient in proteins for our poultry industry, those funds can be used to further develop the sector. As a government, we are also working to reduce Guyana’s food import bill and food import dependency,” he added. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

$25M for upgrade of deplorable Kwakwani road in Hururu and development works pegged at $18 million for Wikki/Calcuni. Regarding the latter, $13 million has been set aside for repairs and extension of the community’s health centre and $5 million for the rehabilitation of its school. Under the Ministry of Public Works’ programme for 2021, $2.1 billion has been allocated to enhance hinterland roads. (DPI)

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, engaging residents of Kwakwani (DPI photo)

DEPLORABLE roads in Kwakwani are scheduled for the second round of upgrades, for which $25 million has been budgeted. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, announced the plans for the second round of works during Wednesday’s consultation with the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). “I am pleased to tell you this morning that out of $200 million that has been allocated for hinterland roads throughout Region 10, we will spend about $25 million to fix the internal roads here in Kwakwani,” he said. The minister said that the proposed roadwork follows a $12.18 million contract that was financed through Budget 2020, to rehabilitate the community’s roadways. Further, with major construction underway to build the Orealla to Kwakwani

road, Minister Edghill urged the NDC to prioritise the rehabilitation of its roadways. “It means that you should be generating more revenue and if the trucks are passing through here, and you are collecting revenue for the crossing; I will expect that a portion of that revenue will also go the maintenance of roads. “You cannot be collecting monies from the trucks and the monies are not put back into the maintenance of the roads that the trucks themselves will be damaging,” he said. Minister Edghill, during the meeting, was accompanied by his Cabinet colleague, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall. The ministers also announced that a $45 million nursery school would be built FROM PAGE

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Massive corn, soya bean ... The minister also said that the government will be making the necessary resources available, so that this project can commence as soon as possible, and will explore having a public-private partnership, as is seen with the initial investment of $500 million being allocated to commence infrastructural works in areas like the Intermediate Savannahs that have been earmarked for the cultivation of corn and soya bean, and other large-scale agriculture activities like the development of mega-farms. So far, the seven-member team has engaged several other relevant bodies like the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), and other

relevant stakeholders. Once given the green-light, cultivation is expected to commence before the end of the year. Presently, Guyana’s national feed consumption for the poultry industry is 113,000 tonnes annually, with ‘broilers’ consuming approximately 100,000 tonnes of feed, and ‘layers’ consuming approximately 13,000 tonnes of feed annually. This feed comprises 60 per cent gain (corn and rice), which is equivalent to approximately 68,000 tonnes, and 30 per cent soya bean meal, which is equivalent to approximately 34,000 tonnes per year.

The deplorable Kwakwani road (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Road fatalities in Berbice down by 80%

–– stronger police-community relations creating safer streets says Commander Ramlakhan STRATEGIC planning and improved police-community relations in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), have resulted in an 80 per cent decrease in road fatalities and a general reduction in crime, within the past three months. This is according to Commander of Region Six, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, who said that au-

thorities, in Berbice, have recorded a continuous decrease in serious crimes and road fatalities. According to commander, much of this has to do with mechanisms implemented to strengthen existing police-community relations and create new ones. This, he said, is all part of building trust and reigniting confidence in the Guyana Police Force’s ability to pursue

its core mandate, which is to serve and protect, while maintaining law and order. Ramlakhan, during a recent meeting at the newly-built Central Police Station at New Amsterdam, said that a number of initiatives have been implemented and some are still in the pipeline. The overarching aim of those initiatives is to provide medium to long-term solutions to crime, violence

and other social ills in the Berbice region. The meeting was attended by various police/community stakeholders and other representatives of Region Six, and a team from the Guyana Police Force’s Corporate Communications Unit headed by Mark Ramotar and Stan Gouveia. According to Commander Ramlakhan, a major success story has been the force’s

Commander of Region Six, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan

ability to foster relationships and build trust between the police and the communities in Berbice. Ramlakhan said this has allowed his team to better ‘police’ the region and maintain law and order. He noted that from last October (when he took over as Commander of Regional Division #6) to present, there has been a very steep decrease in serious crimes and a significant improvement in the relationship between the police and the communities in the region. “What is very significant is the major inroads and progress made in building and fostering relations and trust between the residents and the police. “Every day we are receiving intelligence and info from members of the public, info pertaining to crime, etc….and it’s not because of Ramlakhan but rather my team of hardworking officers who are not sitting behind a desk, but are out in the fields and in the communities, meeting with the residents,” Commander Ramlakhan said. Further, he added: “We are targeting the drug houses because we’ve realised that most of the crimes being committed are linked to persons who use narcotics. So, what we do is that we constantly, every week, we have raids and it is working well. Sometimes we come out empty handed…. but the frequency of our interventions has borne fruits and the residents are appreciative of the results.” The police commander said members of the public could traverse the streets easily without the lingering fear of being mugged or robbed. Traffic Officer and Deputy Commander (ag.), Assistant Superintendent Raun Clarke, who was assigned to the Berbice region as the traffic officer, on December 15,

2020, during his presentation at the meeting, said he has been working diligently and strategically with ranks to achieve a reduction in fatal accidents. According to Clarke, the collective effort has resulted in an 80 per cent decrease in road fatalities, as well as a 23 per cent decrease in “damage accidents,” so far for 2021. This decrease is measured against the corresponding period last year. Clarke said with the implementation of the traffic education section, resuscitated road safety programmes, and diligence of the ranks under his command, supported by objective citizens, who genuinely want to help and see the greater good, there are now safer roadways. In relation to traffic and road safety, Clarke noted that the police force continues to explore ways to meaningfully partner with residents and businesses in communities across Region Six. BE CONSIDERATE “Once we as road users continue to use the road safely, and continue to be considerate and careful, we would see a consistent decrease in accidents and road fatalities in Berbice,” Clarke posited. In a passionate appeal, Clarke further urged persons to use the roads in a safe, cautious and responsible manner. “We all need to play our part in road safety, as this is everyone’s business,” he said. Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, who is also a member of the Station Management Committee, said the Mayor and Town Council is particularly pleased to be associated with the positive changes occurring within the division. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

$45M nursery school for Hururu

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall

HURURU Village and nearby communities along the Berbice River in Region Ten will soon benefit from a new $45 million nursery school. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall made the announcement on Tuesday, during an outreach to the community. He said this project is being undertaken to cater for the fast-growing population in the community. “We are building this school to help make decisions for the future, as part of the government’s efforts to foster development in the education sector,” Minister Dharamlall said, adding that the new school will be built on the community’s playground. The minister said that the contractor for the project will be required to employ residents, and source wood from the community, in or-

der to revitalise the village’s economy. “When all of these things happen, it would be a domino effect for your village, because the more money is spent in your village, it will be better for your village’s economy,” Minister Dharamlall said. “If the money is taken away, you will be worse off, so you must demand that whatever happens, the village of Hururu must benefit from it,” he old those at the community meeting on Tuesday. Residents used the opportunity to ask the minister for assistance to establish a new community ground, which would include a pavilion for social activities. He promised that Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Charles Ramson Jr. will be informed of the request. (DPI)

Road fatalities in ...

FROM PAGE

He lauded the police for their work, which has contributed to major improvements across the region. He also acknowledged the “camaraderie and vigour” of police ranks in Region Six, particularly those stationed at Central Police Station in New Amsterdam. McIntosh said the Station Management Committee, within the region, has been very effective since it operates proactively. Chairman of the Central Station Management Committee, Roy Jafarally, echoed the sentiments of the Deputy Mayor and said that they urged aspiring members to have a vested interest in the welfare of the ranks serving

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in those communities. Jafarally went on to highlight several initiatives and projects that have been implemented, some ongoing, and others in the pipeline. One such project is the construction of police outposts at Angoy’s Avenue and Fort Ordinance. Chairperson of the Canfield Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Sherrian Beharry, in her presentation, commended Commander Ramlakhan and his team, especially Station Sergeant, Mark Edwards, who she said, has been very active in the committee and communities of Region Six.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

IDCE qualifies 643 persons in various regions THE University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) is leading the way with fulfilling the university’s forward-thinking vision of ensuring one graduate per Guyanese household by 2040. Just recently, the institute churned out 643 graduates in several disciplines who are all now fully equipped with skills needed to join the local

workforce or will further their studies in their chosen fields. In the last of five virtual graduation ceremonies held in March, the graduates from five centres spread across Guyana -- Georgetown, Anna Regina, New Amsterdam, Linden and, for the first time, Bartica -- were praised for staying the course and successfully completing their

studies amidst a global pandemic. According to a release, those graduated included 383 from Georgetown, 74 from Berbice, 127 from Linden, 12 from Bartica and 47 from Anna Regina. The courses pursued include Project Management Online, Supervisory Management Online, Occupational Health & Safety Seminar

Course, Proficiency in Mathematics, Early Childhood Education, Care for the Elderly, Industrial Relations and Management, General Law, Food and Nutrition and Information Technology, among others. This is in addition to those IDCE students who had completed degree and diploma programmes and graduated in earlier ceremonies

Niola Fiedtkou of Bartica

Keisha Hamid of Berbice

Darica Thompson of Linden

Verina Singh-Rasheed of Anna Regina

along with the others from the University’s Turkeyen and Berbice campuses. Registrar of the University of Guyana, Dr. Nigel Gravesande, noted that the IDCE has been at the forefront of promulgating the university’s development agenda “to provide equal access to quality education to individuals and groups irrespective of geographical location”. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed, in her remarks, applauded the graduates, noting that they had “risen as the cream of the crop in difficult times”, which serves as a testament to their resilience. Professor Mohamed expressed that the pandemic was unpredictable, however, the university had already begun thinking about the design of the university’s future, its accessibility, more inclusiveness, and to be more relevant to persons across the country.

the initiatives being taken in terms of expanding the reach of the IDCE programmes across the country and for increasing the number of courses being offered. She also congratulated the five valedictorians - Darica Thompson (Linden), Keshia Hamid (Berbice), Verina Singh-Rasheed (Anna Regina), Niola Fiedtkou (Bartica) and Shontell Coggins (Georgetown). In her comments, Singh-Rasheed encouraged her colleagues to embrace change and adapt to the new environment. “We took the step to engage in the courses here at the IDCE because we realised that where we were, where we wanted to be and what was changing around us meant that we too needed to do something! We needed to better equip ourselves if we were going to push forward in the rapidly developing world around us”. “So, today I would like to base my message on that of us being service providers. We all understand that having a business or skill and using it to earn is all about being a service provider. As we approach the end of our journey together, ask yourselves what makes you a great service provider,” she added. Hamid, who topped the Berbice Centre, also commended her colleagues who persevered throughout the pandemic to achieve their milestone.

ASPIRATIONAL GOALS As a result, she said four aspirational goals were discussed, the first of which entailed IDCE. “Our first aspirational goal was to have one graduate per household. Why? For the most part of the world, the science tells us that a graduate or a person who even enters a university is the best prognosis for success for a family, for a community and, of course if you have a whole lot of these people, for your country,” the Vice-Chancellor said. She noted that Guyana is on the brink of tremendous opportunities but citizens will not be able to benefit if they are not fully ready and thus the role of the University of Guyana as the only State university is to equip Guyanese with the necessary skills to be ready. The Vice-Chancellor thanked IDCE Director, Dr. Jacqueline Murray and staff, for adequately implementing

PERSEVERANCE “At the beginning of this journey, we were optimistic and had a clear picture of our destination, although we expected challenges, nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to face. Today is proof of our perseverance to accomplish this milestone”. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Guyana gets sixth ‘oil lift’ despite reduced production levels

–– authorities assessing implications of production woes to protect national interest REDUCED production levels at ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase One operation have not affected Guyana’s oil lift, as it was safely and successfully completed on Wednesday, at planned quantity, and in keeping with the Crude Lifting Agreement and lifting schedule.

Lifts are done every eight to nine days, and, with production levels low, there were concerns that the operator would not meet the quota of just about one million barrels within the expected time. It was reported recently that ExxonMobil, while conducting final checks on the recently re-installed flash-gas The Liza Destiny FPSO

Minister of Natural Resources Mr. Vickram Bharrat

compressor on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel offshore Guyana, encountered another issue, which forced them to slash their production temporarily, by at least 75 per cent. According to ExxonMobil, its regular daily production of about 120,000 barrels has been reduced to 30,000 per day, a decrease of 90,000 barrels. “We have reduced production to a minimum level that mitigates formation of hydrates in subsea systems, maintains gas injection and fuel gas to the power generators, and minimises flare,” ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Adviser, Janelle Persaud said in an official update on Tuesday. According to Persaud, production was reduced significantly because the company encountered problems related to the discharge silencer, which is a component of the recently re-installed flash-gas compressor. The compressor was damaged in January, and resulted in the company having to temporarily increase gas-flaring to above pilot levels in order to maintain safe operations. The faulty contraption was subsequently removed and sent to Germany for immediate repairs. The repaired and upgraded components of the flashgas compression system have been safely re-installed, but a comprehensive three-phase

testing programme was undertaken to ensure full safety. It was during the final stage of the three-phase testing programme that the company encountered a problem with the discharge silencer. A discharge silencer is used to attenuate noise produced by the expansion of air, steam or gas at elevated pressure to atmospheric pressure. In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Natural Resources said that the Government of Guyana (GoG) was notified of an unexpected issue arising with the discharge silencer of the flash-gas compressor. As part of efforts to rectify the issue, a team from SBM Offshore, MAN Energy Solutions and ExxonMobil are on site, assessing repairs, with support from engineering experts in Europe and the USA. At this time, the compressor remains offline, and production and flaring volumes are being closely monitored, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) said. The government, through MNR, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has been receiving regular updates on the matter. And, officials of the MNR met with representatives of the company on Wednesday to discuss its findings, and plans for the expeditious resolution of this issue. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, speaking with residents of Mabaruma on the issue of land ownership in Kokerite

Housing area in Region One to be regularised –– as authorities move to settle issues related to distribution of titles, allocations FOR years, residents of Kokerite Hill, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) have lived in uncertainty because of unsettled issues related to land ownership in the area, but the Ministry of Housing and Water has committed to resolving those issues very soon. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during a recent visit to the area, told residents that the ministry, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), is working along with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to regularise the housing district through the correct legal channels. The area has 122 resi-

dential lots, of which 111 were allocated. Those lots are primarily for low-income earners. According to Minister Croal, while the land is already demarcated, ongoing matters related to the distribution of land and further allocations, have stalled the regularisation of the area, leaving a number of persons in a state of uncertainty. “We’re expecting in the coming months, for a number of persons who paid, some as far back as 2014, to be able to process their titles and for those who have been issued titles, we will have to go through the legal process of re-issuing,” Minister Croal said. Once those matters are

resolved, Minister Croal noted that the ministry will recommence the allocation process so as to facilitate more persons who would have previously applied for house lots in the area. In the interim, the Ministry of Housing and Water, has started an electrification programme to enhance the lives of residents in the Kokerite Hill and surrounding areas, while a new access road is being constructed by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region One. Additionally, enhanced water services are expected in the area, as the Guyana Water Incorporated will be drilling a well later this year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

CARDI, CDB target Caribbean’s sweet potato value chain –– with US$810,000 investment THE Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), through financial support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is implementing a threeyear project to improve the production, processing and marketing of sweet potatoes in the region. For this project, the CDB will provide US$600,000 and CARDI, US$210,000. The project will be implemented in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The results of the project will be shared across the region.

Sweet potato is an important local food source for Caribbean people and a priority research commodity for CARDI. However, in spite of the agronomic and value chain improvements, the regional industry is still beset with challenges. Regional production is lagging behind when compared to other regions of the world. Additionally, CARDI noted that farmers and processors are not adequately equipped to meet the demands of the modern consumer and address product safety standards and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) re-

quirements for intra-regional trade. This situation prohibits them from accessing high-value food markets for fresh and processed products. Using a market-led approach, a value chain analysis will be conducted to analyse the gaps and identify opportunities for market linkages and investments. A complementary research component will identify and make available climate resilient varieties for production and processing. The aforementioned interventions, CARDI noted, will drive the development of a series of agriculture multi-

media extension aids. Targetting farmers and other stakeholders along the sweet potato value chain, these aids will demonstrate best practices in sweet potato cultivation, processing and value-added product development. The goal is to increase the production and consumption of sweet potato. According to Executive Director, Barton Clarke, the region’s dependence on imported food to meet daily subsistence is both worrying and unacceptable. The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, has also brought the region’s food insecurity into the spotlight. TURN TO PAGE

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A sweet potato field

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Guyana gets sixth ‘oil lift’ despite ...

FROM PAGE

“The GoG is, as would be expected, highly disappointed with the operator’s inability to resolve this situation to date, and will continue to monitor the levels of daily crude oil output and flaring to best allow for an economically-feasible level of production during this period. “The GoG is currently examining the implications of the loss of output, and consequently loss of income and revenue, including measures that it may have to institute to protect national interest,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said. ExxonMobil Guyana has since said that it is extremely disappointed by the design issues and continued under-

performance of the compressor, and will be working with the equipment manufacturer, MAN Energy Solutions, and the vessel’s operator, SBM, to rectify the situation. This performance is below ExxonMobil’s global expectations for reliability, the company said. It was in early March that Guyana benefitted directly from its petroleum sector, receiving US$61,090,968 (approximately G$13B) from the sale of the nation’s fifth oil lift. The fifth lift was sold to New York-based Hess Corp, which, in turn, vended the local crude to HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), a joint venture between State-run Hindustan

Petroleum Corp. and Indian steel tycoon, LN Mittal. HMEL reportedly operates a 226,000 barrels per day ‘Bathinda’ refinery in the northern state of Punjab. Prior sales of local crude, particularly the first three, went to a trading arm of Shell on a dated ‘Brent’ basis. Guyana, new to the petroleum sector, sold its first one million barrels of crude on February 19, 2020, raking in nearly US$55 million. In its second million-barrel sale, the country received US$35 million, and US$46 million as proceeds from the sale of its third million-barrel of crude, and US$49.3 million from its fourth oil lift. Based on a consolidation

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of all the lifts to date, the country has sold 5,009,797 barrels of oil valuing US$246,542,662. Along with the earnings from the oil lifts, and over US$21 million in royalties and interest, Guyana has close to US$267,668,709 in its Natural Resources Fund (NRF) at the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana receives a two per cent royalty, and a 50 per cent profit oil, which is what remains after the producer recovers the production cost.

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IDCE qualifies 643... “Working hard is vital in achieving your goals, we are graduates of the University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education; people who are intelligent and resourceful and contribute significantly to today’s ever-changing world. We may not yet fully comprehend the value of all the things we have learned here, but recognise that if we do the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves”, Hamid added. IDCE Director, Dr. Jacqueline Murray, in her remarks, assured that the institute is committed to providing equal access to quality education to individuals and

groups irrespective of geographical location. She noted that since its establishment on January 02, 1976, the IDCE has delivered a menu of continuing education, personal and professional development programmes across the country. The IDCE caters for a wide cross-section of persons ranging from ages 16 and above. The unemployed, including out-ofschool youths, are also given a chance to upgrade academically or technically with the aim of creating jobs for themselves, making themselves job ready, or to pursue higher education.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Waiting time for payment of pensions reduced significantly –– with new, efficient pension delivery services THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is launching a sensitisation programme to apprise pensioners of hassle-free options to access their pensions. This initiative is another step towards fulfilling a commitment made by Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, to improve pension delivery and increase the options for senior citizens to receive their pension.

In order to kick-start the educational drive, the ministry will be hosting weekly, live question and answer (Q&A) sessions on the its Facebook page every Thursday at 9:00 hours, from April 22, 2021, to respond to all pension-related concerns. Persons from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will appear as guests on a number of radio stations to discuss pension-related matters, includ-

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, interacting with pensioners during a community outreach

ing the two new options the ministry has introduced this year to supplement the post office system and allow ease of collecting pensions. According to the ministry, pension vouchers could now be redeemed at any of the Western Union or MoneyGram locations in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), in addition to the post offices countrywide. “Pension vouchers can be encashed at these locations throughout the month and not only during the first week of the month. They can avoid lines and crowds by using any of the new options as we work to improve pension delivery,” Minister Persaud stated. In addition to money transfer agents being able to cash pension vouchers, banks will facilitate pensions being deposited in pensioners’ accounts within the first five days of each month, with no taxes being deducted. While this is the case, however, pensioners utilising the banking system must deposit their “Life Certificates” at all Ministry of Human Services and Social Security locations every quarter,

to continue receiving bank payments. Life Certificates must be signed and stamped by either a Justice of the Peace, notary public, Commissioner of Oaths, medical practitioner, head teacher, Minister of Religion or a manager of a bank or a branch of a bank. The mnistry also provides direct payment service to pensioners who live in remote communities. Pensioners in more than 40 remote communities, notably in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine already benefit from this service. For optimum service in view of logistics, these direct payments will be made every six months. The direct payment service option is also available to pensioners, who qualify for the ministry’s shut-in services. Persons who have serious mobility issues, visual impairment or are bedridden will be eligible to have their pension delivered directly to their homes. The ministry has established a register to facilitate this option, and once the information provided is verified, direct payment will commence. To date, the ministry has facilitated over 3,459 pensioners via the shut-in system, throughout the 10 administrative regions. To qualify for the pension bank deposits or shut-in delivery systems, pensioners

must apply. All pension application approval processes will be within three weeks from the time of submission of the application form. In an effort to simplify and expedite the processes, the ministry has dedicated special lines to facilitate all clarifications and queries. The numbers are as follows: Banking system 227-0130; new applications/shut-ins and remote services 623177, 227-4410 or 225-6565 ext. 2301 and reporting of domestic and elderly abuse 914. With over 58,000 pensioners benefitting from the Old Age Pension scheme managed by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, training is also a crucial element in the delivery of quality service. To this end, the ministry will continuously train its probation officers, who have to interact with pensioners. Further, policies will continue to be developed to bolster the efficiency of the pension systems, and constant review will be facilitated. “The Ministry of Human Services is very people oriented, and as such, our staff must be courteous and helpful at all times,” Minster Persaud reiterated.

CARDI, CDB target Caribbean’s ...

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“Projects like this are an opportunity for Caribbean countries to make significant strides towards increasing their production of traditional commodities, placing them on the path to achieving food and nutrition security. “Our vision is to have a food secure region. We view this as a shared responsibility and CARDI remains committed to working with

all stakeholders to improve the region’s self-sufficiency, whilst exploiting our full production potential in a sustainable manner,” Clarke said. In Guyana, CARDI will be working in close collaboration with NAREI to implement this project. Specific focus would be to undertake DNA analysis of local crops for classification into varieties, and

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train farmers, research and extension officers, along the value chain, on improved cultivation practices, identify drought-tolerant varieties, build capacity on this commodity and address challenges sweet potato farmers face. The overall objective is to position this industry to capitalise on the existing and emerging markets.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

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Singing sensation Diana Chapman

Diana was inspired by world-renowned artistes Beyonce and Michael Jackson

– Says singing sensation Diana Chapman POPULAR music personality Diana Chapman, whom fans love to tune into daily on the radio, wants to take things up a notch by registering herself as an artist so that she can continue to do her music more professionally. “I should have done this a long time ago but I believe that everything happens at the right time,” the Linden-born diva told the Buzz in an interview this week. Apart from her radio announcing job, Chapman is currently working to create new music which is expected to be released shortly and is also working to have her music available on all streaming sites.

was dance and then came music,” she said. She can still remember how she was greatly impacted by world-renowned artistes Beyonce and Michael Jackson. “I never thought that singing would become something that I really wanted to do. It was until I saw Beyonce on stage and Michael Jackson and I thought they were so amazing and performed with so much energy and vibe and sang so beautifully. I started to imitate them.” Chapman found herself in front of the television watching their music videos and learning the choreography of them and that’s where her inter-

Diana is a daily radio announcer

Growing up, she always nurtured a desire to become a lawyer as he found the profession very intriguing. She still hopes to be able to pursue her dream in some form, but in the meantime, she is continuing to make a name for herself in the music industry. Chapman’s career in music started as a result of her love for dancing. She recalls that during her primary school days, she participated in the Children’s Mashramani competitions each year. “So I would say my first love

est in performing on stage started. So she thought she should try singing too as she was already dancing. Chapman began performing on small stage shows in Linden and one year, she got a call asking for her to be a contestant in the junior calypso competition. She had no interest in calypso but she nevertheless tried and got second in the competition. She went back the second year and took the crown and became the junior calypso monarch. From that year forward, Chapman gained

the confidence she needed to participate in several national competitions. “It has been a really great ride performing and singing and having fun doing it. Music has always been part of my life but it sprang from my love for dancing,” Chapman expressed, adding, “Music always sparked something inside me that made me feel very lively; it puts me in a different zone. So when I started singing, it made it even better; I have the opportunity now to create the beats I would have inspired.” Chapman said because she loves her work so much, it never feels like she is working too hard. “I can

Chapman has won several awards in her career so far, and has represented Guyana in various countries at events

work all night on a performance and not feel like it’s a burden because that’s what I like to do. It’s my safe space and my comfort. I don’t think I am here for anything else other than to create music,” she said. Apart from copping senior and junior calypso monarch titles in the past, Chapman has also placed second and third in several other competitions. She was awarded the outstanding youth in the field of arts and culture in Linden and has represented Guyana at Car-

ifesta in Haiti and Trinidad. Her trip to Kazakhstan at the World Expo in 2017 has also been very memorable. She further placed third in

the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph’s (GT&T) Jingle and Song competition in 2013. Chapman is a radio

announcer at Mix FM, and broadcasts on 103. 3 in Linden; 91.5 in Berbice; and 90.1 in Georgetown and Demerara.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

...opts to remain positive throughout pandemic LOCAL comedian Michael ‘Credit’ Ignatius is “rolling with the punches” as he, like many other artistes and performers, continues to battle with the effects of the dreadful Coronavirus pandemic which has put a damper on events all around. While this aspect of life has been affected, Ignatius told the Buzz that the pandemic has afforded him the time to reflect on how thankful he is for life, for his family, and the little things in life. So he has chosen to look on the bright side of things and focus on positivity, as he does a few ads here and

Michael with some of his pals who are also entertainers

there, and gets called to a few events like birthdays and so forth. He does air conditioning as his regular job. Ignatius has a few ideas stored up of things that he can embark upon but prefers to wait some more before discussing them. All he would say is that his fans may very well be in for some new videos and the like in the future. “Being creative is nothing easy you know,” he observed, as he called attention to the amount of work that has to go into the material he presents to the public, less it becomes offensive to some.

he has come to be known as ‘Credit’ who often acts alongside his stage wife ‘Radhika’ (Leza Singh). He is known for his performances in the popular Link Show, and ‘Nothing to Laugh About,’ among others like ‘Love, Sex and the Tax Man’, ‘Smile Orange’, ‘No tricks no business’, ‘Awe Society’, ‘Two’s a crowd’, ‘Dosti’ and ‘Bhagban.’ The BV Community High School, during Michael’s years there, was always buzzing with a concert or a drama festival, and teachers, knowing of Michael’s talent, would always ask him to perform. He represented his school in a play called ‘Blood Thicker Than Water’ at the Theatre Guild, and it was there that he came to the attention of Producer/ Director Desiree Edghill who later commended him for his work. She not only lauded his prowess but also invited him to participate in a documentary she was making on HIV/AIDS. The first major play he did at the Theatre Guild was ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ with Godfrey Norton, who is also a producer/director.

Local comedian Michael ‘Credit’ Ignatius

He noted that artists are now operating in a very sensitive environment where information can be misinterpreted to mean something that the entertainer did not have in mind. Michael’s thrilling sense of humour and natural knack for making people laugh has led him to become one of the country’s most popular and loved comedians, and

In a previous interview, Ignatius had credited the likes of Godfrey Norton, Desiree Edghill, Ron Robinson, Maria Benschop, Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones, Ajay Baksh, Rajen Tiwari (also known as Zapper Man or Calu), Francis Pearce, Margaret Lawrence, Richard Narine, Kirk Jordan with helping him hone his acting.

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Noel uses her own experiences to help participants build their confidence

FASHION designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Sonia Noel has recently returned to Georgetown after she took her ‘Confidence Becomes You’ programme to the Fairview and Lethem Villages in Regions eight and nine. “The month of April is going exceptionally well,” Noel expressed in a social media post lately; as she recalled how the programme, which was started five years ago, was held for the first time via Zoom last year. The Sonia Noel Foundation in collaboration with IWOKRAMA held the programme last year. She also collaborated with her good friend Raquel Thomas-Caesar who accompanied her to Fairview Village. “Thank You Raquel…for caring for the people in Fairview. You are going beyond to add value to the people in that community,” she expressed. This time around, the team was able to facilitate afternoon tea parties and storytelling after the session. The young ladies who participated were inspired by the stories from the 365 Invaluable Life Experiences and Women Across Borders. During the programme, Noel was able to use her o w n e x periences

to teach the girls that shyness and lack of confidence can be overcome with hard work. “I saw myself in so many of them. I told them I had to work on being confident and that’s why I am so passionate about the subject today,” she told the Buzz. Noel, who herself grew up in a small

Fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Sonia Noel

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

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Noel seized the opportunity to teach proper etiquette while dining and so forth

village, seized the opportunity to help the girls learn proper etiquette while dining and so forth and allowed them an opportunity to read in front of others and then discuss points from the books. Meanwhile, some of the tips that Noel shared with the girls on how to build

confidence as good posture increases energy. “Being bullied or abused. People who have been bullied or abused can create a lead a life of fear. Unattainable beauty standards - social media can cause a lot of harm especially in regards to young girls. When girls compare their bodies to what

The team was able to facilitate afternoon tea parties and storytelling

their self-confidence are: make a date and set a small, achievable goal; commit to the task, take baby steps, hold yourself accountable, motivate yourself and engage in positive self-talk, don’t compare yourself to others, don’t strive for perfection, don’t beat yourself up when you make a mistake, focus on the things you can change, do things that you enjoy, and celebrate small achievements. She pointed out that hanging around toxic people and paying too much attention to what others say about you are two main “confidence killers.” Bad posture can also affect one’s

is seen on social media, it increases their chance of having a poor body image,” Noel also pointed out. The participants were also given follow up work and assignments. “This programme has helped me tremendously from the simple function of introducing myself properly to the major discovery of realising my true purpose,” participant Akeisha Henry has expressed. “This session was fantastic and the content will be helpful to build confidence for all women. The ladies anxiously await the next session,” said Lethem Counselor Megan Thomas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Holder named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year

JASON Holder was on Wednesday named among the Wisden Five Cricketers of the Year. The honour was announced as the historic almanack unveiled its 2021 edition. Wisden is the game’s most prestigious and recognisable publication and this outstanding recognition is presented to players who excelled in the game. Holder has emerged as the leading all-rounder in Test cricket and is among just a handful of players in history to score over 2 000 runs and take over 100 wickets in less than 50 Test appearances. He was at the forefront when the West Indies team played against England in the summer of 2020, becoming the first team to tour during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they played three Test matches in a bio-secure bubble. He also spoke publicly

and profoundly on the Black Lives Matter, following the death of George Floyd in the United States, and the fight for equality and justice around the world. In its essay, Wisden described Holder as: “… soft voice, old-world manners and a physique that wouldn’t shame a superhero, he had something of the Golden Age Hollywood star. Now, he graduated into a statesman”. The publication added: “Holder and his squad were determined to show solidarity. After discussions with the England management, both teams wore a Black Lives Matter logo on their shirts, while the squads, plus backroom staff and officials, would take a knee before the first ball in each game. It was a rare example of cricket uniting in a humanitarian gesture – and a defining image of the summer.” Holder expressed great delight at being named among the elite list. “This award means so

much to me. I’m delighted that my efforts to play well and make a contribution have been bearing fruit and I just want to continue and reach higher heights,” he said. “To be named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year is something truly special as over the years I have seen a list of great players who have etched their names in history. The last recipient from West Indies was Shai Hope in 2017 and after seeing his performances it inspired me to be one of the Wisden Cricketers of the future.” Ricky Skerritt, president of CWI said: “Congratulations to Jason whose all-round cricket excellence is making all West Indians proud. For such a relatively young and intelligent athlete, he should get even better.” Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket said: “On behalf of all of us at Cricket West Indies, I want to congratulate Jason on his being selected as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year. In a period that has thrown up many

challenges, he has performed consistently with distinction and dignity both on and off the field and we wish him all the success possible going forward.” The Five Cricketers of the Year represent a tradition that dates back in Wisden to 1889, making this the oldest individual award in cricket. The five are picked by the editor, and the selection is based primarily but not exclusively, on the players’ influence on the previous English season. No one can be chosen more than once. (CWI) WEST INDIES WISDEN CRICKETERS OF THE YEAR Names in brackets indicate the player was chosen for his feats for a county team. All others were picked mainly for their feats at international level. • 2021 – Jason Holder • 2018 – Shai Hope • 2013 – Marlon Samuels • 2008 – Shiv Chanderpaul (Ottis Gibson) • 1997 – (Phil Simmons) • 1995 – (Brian Lara)

• 1992 – Curtly Ambrose, Richie Richardson • 1991 – (Desmond Haynes) • 1989 – Jeff Dujon (Franklyn Stephenson) • 1987 – (Courtney Walsh) • 1985 – Larry Gomes • 1983 – (Alvin Kallicharran, Malcolm Marshall) • 1980 – Joel Garner • 1979 – (John Shepherd) • 1977 – Gordon Greenidge, Michael Holding, Viv Richards • 1975 – (Andy Roberts) 1974 – Keith Boyce, Roy Fredericks • 1972 – (Lance Gibbs) • 1971 – (Clive Lloyd) • 1970 – Basil Butcher • 1967 – Seymour Nurse • 1964 – Charlie Griffith, Conrad Hunte, Rohan Kanhai, Garfield Sobers • 1959 – (Roy Marshall) • 1958 – OG ‘Collie’ Smith, Clyde Walcott • 1951 – Sonny Ramadhin, Alf Valentine, Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell • 1940 – Learie Constantine • 1934 – George Headley • 1915 – (Sydney Gordon Smith)

Edghill bows out of singles after Guyana to battle Jamaica today at FIBA 2023 World Cup Pre-Qualifiers tournament losing top 16 battle in Argentina GUYANA will face Jamaica today in their second outing at GUYANA’s top female table tennis player Chelsea Edghill lost her top 16 battle yesterday afternoon, which knocked her out of the singles competition at the Latin American Singles and Mixed Doubles Qualification tournament in Rosario, Argentina. After winning her morning match, the former Caribbean U21 champion looked ready to enter the quarter finals, but she was stopped by Guatemalan Mabelyn Enrique 4-2. The Central American player might not have been as energetic as the Guyanese, but she was composed and measured and playing within her abilities, which saw scintillating spins and forceful returns. Edghill, who is a Lourosa Portugal semiprofessional player, had several unlucky bounces throughout the game and she was able to return well from her opponent’s serves. Her second set, which saw her blowing away Enrique 11-2 proved her dominance, but in the end Enrique was able to make the necessary adjustments and wrest back control to win: 11-8, 2-11, 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8. The loss means that Edhgill will not get a chance to represent Guyana at the Tokyo Olympics in the singles event. After the game, the 23-year-old issued a heartfelt social media post where she thanked those who supported her on her journey. “The dream of playing in singles at the Tokyo Olympics is over for me. Thanks to all the people who made my prepara-

tions enough to compete at this level.” She thanked Coach Idi Lewis for his guidance, Table Tennis veteran Sydney Christophe for his support, the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) for the opportunities and her parents for always believing in her. To reach the top 16 battle in the Women Singles, she had defeated Paraguayan Leyla Gomez 4-1 (11-8, 11-7, 17-15, 7-11 and 11-5). Natalie Cummings also fared well in her second chance at the singles yesterday morning, but she could not get past Ecuadorian Nathaly Paredes. Cummings lost the first two sets by close margins, which took the wind out of her sail, although she battled back to win twice, it was not enough, the game ended in Paredes’s favour (13-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11 and 11-6). Another former U21 Caribbean champion, Shemar Britton, also looked solid, but he could not get past Colombian Alexander Echavarria in the Round of 32. Britton lost 2-4 (5-11, 11-4, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8 and 4-11). Joel Alleyne also bowed out in his round of 32, when he faced Venezuelan Cecilio Correa. That match ended 4-1 (117, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4 and 11-3). Tomorrow, Edghill and Britton will partner in the mixed doubles competition with the hope of qualifying for Tokyo. They are scheduled to challenge the Ecuadorian pair of Nathaly Paredes and Alberto Mino in a Round of 16 battle.

the FIBA 2023 World Cup Pre-Qualifiers tournament in El Salvador. Jump ball time is 18:00hrs. The men from the Mighty Kaieteur faced Nicaragua last evening in their opening game (the result will be published tomorrow). Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport understands that coach Rohan Robinson of Jamaica was tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to miss the game, as per tournament rules. Robinson received his result about two hours before tip-off of the Jamaica versus Costa Rica game last evening. Robinson, a report said, is showing no symptoms, is awaiting the result of a second test while he remains in isolation. Other team members were also tested. The tournament has adopted a bubble approach and any other positive results could see Jamaica being ejected from the competition. The ‘Reggae Ballerz’ is not yet at full strength, according to information, as two key players in Jerome Thomas and Nicolai Brown are still trying to sort out visa issues to join the squad. A Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) official, when contacted, said the 11 players and six technical staff all returned a negative COVID-19 result in the latest tests conducted by basketball’s global body FIBA in San Salvador. Guyana went to the tournament with 11 players, after forward Timothy Thompson returned a positive COVID-19 just before the team’s departure.

Embiid scores 39 points as Philadelphia top Eastern Conference

Joel Embiid scored 39 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Brooklyn Nets 123-117 and moved into first place in the Eastern Conference. Embiid also registered 13 rebounds as Philadelphia overcame Brooklyn, who were missing several players. Tobias Harris added 26 points and Ben Simmons scored 17 as Philadelphia claimed their third consecutive win. Elsewhere, Stephen Curry scored 42 points in three quarters as the Golden State

Warriors beat Oklahoma City. For the eighth consecutive game, Curry scored 30 or more points to help his side to a 147-109 win. Luka Doncic scored three points as the time ran out to secure a stunning 114-113 victory for the Dallas Mavericks over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Los Angeles Clippers overturned an 11-point deficit in the final five minutes to beat the Detroit Pistons 100-98. (BBC Sport)

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Bulls quicks put hosts in control of Sheffield Shield final

MICHAEL Neser and Jack Wildermuth schooled New South Wales’ young batting line-up with a textbook opening-day bowling effort that put Queensland in a formidable position in the Marsh Sheffield Shield final. Neser (5-27 off 13.2 overs) and Wildermuth (4-21 off 16) took all but one of the NSW wickets to fall in an eventful start to the clash, with the visitors folding for just 143 on a slow, seaming surface. Bulls attack leader Neser dismissed three of the Blues’ four top-order players still yet to turn 22 in a mesmerising spell, capped off by a stunning Marnus Labuschagne catch. It was the right-armer’s first five-wicket haul of the Shield season and, with national selection chief Trevor Hohns watching on at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, only enhanced his reputation as the country’s leading fast bowler without a Test cap. Captain Usman Khawaja raved about Jack Wildermuth on match eve and the all-rounder backed up the hype with a blistering second-session spell, taking 3-1 in 19 balls and was on a hat-trick after removing Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott on the stroke of tea. Labuschagne reeled in a stunning diving snare off a firmly-struck Josh Hazlewood drive to end the Blues innings on the lowest first-innings score in a Shield final since the last time these two sides met in the five-day decider in 2005. Only stand-in skipper Kurtis Patterson, who scored 43 in a watchful 128-ball stay, having earlier won the toss and elected to bat, offered any extended resistance for the Blues. With Bulls reaching 58-1 by stumps on Wednesday, it left the home side in a strong position as they look to claim the Shield silverware for the first time in three years. Mitchell Starc delivered a fearsome spell in the final

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session and continued his running battle with opener Bryce Street, striking him on the chest with a vicious bouncer, but Joe Burns was the only victim of the hosts’ 25-over stint with the bat to end day one. Burns edged behind off Hazlewood for 20. Labuschagne, who was engaged in spirited discussions with Nathan Lyon for most of the final session, looked imperious in reaching 23 before the close of play and appears

Michael Neser walks off after his five-wicket haul (Getty Images)

the danger man for NSW on day two. The Blues nearly lost a wicket before they had scored a run in a nervy start to the match; openers Daniel Hughes and Matthew Gilkes hesitated on a quick single, but Xavier Bartlett narrowly missed the striker’s end stumps. The let-off cost NSW little, as Gilkes left one from Neser that clattered into his off-stump. Hughes and Patterson weathered testing spells from the relentless Bulls pace brigade, who sent down 33 consecutive dot balls and conceded just 15 runs during the opening hour. Hughes offered a tough diving chance to keeper Jimmy Peirson on three but then was not so lucky on 19 when he edged behind again, and had to depart despite replays showing 11:55 hrs Calthor 12:30 hrs Zoffanien 13:00 hrs Tune The Chello 13:30 hrs Springfield Lodge 14:00 hrs Malinas Glory 14:30 hrs Fameaftertheglory American Racing Tips Keenland Race 1 The Beat Race 2 Keep Your Distance Race 3 Xtrema Race 4 Deferred Taxes Race 5 Congratulated Race 6 Master Piece Race 7 Therideofalifetime Race 8 Jades Gelly South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:05 hrs Racine 08:45 hrs Musical Glitch 09:20 hrs Warrior Bling 09:55 hrs Jaeger Moon 10:30 hrs Duke Of Cards

Wildermuth was millimetres away from overstepping for a no-ball. Jason Sangha came and went in a blaze of boundaries, cracking 20 from his first 18 balls before top-edging an ill-judged pull shot off Neser, before fellow young gun Jack Edwards nicked off to the same bowler for a duck.

Of the four players in the Blues’ top seven aged 21 or under, Sangha was the only one to reach double digits. Patterson has had a lean Shield season with the bat but the former Test man batted with composure in a 128 knock and looked set to pass fifty for just the second time this summer before he joined

the procession of Bulls to have edged behind. Abbott was promoted to bat at six having averaged 75 in the Shield this season and while he looked the part when he effortlessly pulled Bartlett for six, his departure on the stroke of stumps sealed a horror second session for Bulls. Abbott had survived a re-

prieve on 13 when he edged Bartlett to second slip, with replays this time showing a noball had in fact been bowled. It was the first time a batter has been recalled in that manner, with this final the first to be played under recently-introduced playing conditions introduced by Cricket Australia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

No flags on Russia’s Olympic uniforms MOSCOW, Russia – Russian competitors at this year’s Tokyo Olympics will be wearing blue, red and white uniforms, but their country’s tricolour flag will not appear because of doping sanctions. ZASPORT, the supplier of the Russian Olympic team, unveiled uniforms on Wednesday that bore the logo of the Russian Olympic Committee, instead of the country’s flag. The logo of the Russian

Olympic Committee consists of three flames in the colours of the national flag with the Olympic rings below them. Russian athletes are barred from competing at major international events, including the Olympics, under their flag and with their anthem until 2022 following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last year. The sanctions, initially im-

posed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but later halved to two years after an appeal, were designed to punish Moscow for providing global anti-doping authorities with doctored laboratory data that could have helped identify drug cheats. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) published guidelines in February pertaining to uniforms and other aspects

Models present the uniforms of the Russian Olympic team competing in this year’s Tokyo Olympics, in Moscow, Russia, April 14, 2021 (Reuters)

of competition. It said at the time that Russians would compete as representatives of the Russian Olympic Committee under the acronym ‘ROC’. Many Russian athletes

were barred from the past two Olympics and the country deprived of its flag at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Russia, which has acknowledged issues in its implementation of anti-doping policies, denies running a state-sponsored doping programme. (Reuters)

Simon to head new Central Essequibo Cricket Committee THE Central Essequibo Cricket Committee held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday at the Imam Bacchus Sports Centre and elected a new executive body to administer cricket within the district for the period of one year. Elections were not held for the past six years with the clubs welcoming the opportunity to exercise their franchise. Secretary of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), Autto Christiani, who previously held the position of chairman was replaced by Trevis Simon who was elected unopposed. THE OTHER ELECTED PERSONS WERE:Autto Christiani – vice-chairman, Rohan Boodram – secretary, Sanjay Rajkumar – treasurer, Chevraj Boodram – Asst secretary/treasurer, Kumar Dass - Public Relations Officer, along with Preamnauth Persaud, Parmesh Persaud and Ricky Persaud as Committee members. Those elected to chair sub-committees were:- Fundraising – Sanjay Rajkumar, Competition – Parmesh Persaud, Disciplinary – Autto Christiani and Selection – Trevis Simon. The Committee will meet shortly for its first statutory meeting and to prepare for upcoming competitions whilst following the COVID-19 guidelines. (Elroy Stephney)

Real Madrid, Man City in Champions League semis LIVERPOOL, Ebgland – Real Madrid moved into the semi-finals of the Champions League after their makeshift defence held on for 0-0 second-leg draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday to complete a 3-1 aggregate win. The Spanish side will face Chelsea in the last four as they search for their fifth Champions League title in eight years. In Dortmund, Manchester City scored twice in the second half through Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Wednesday and reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years. Liverpool, 2019 Champions League winners, created enough chances in the opening 45 minutes to have turned the tie around but they ran out of ideas in the second half. Juergen Klopp hoped that a disappointing Premier League campaign could be compensated for with some end-of-season European excitement but his side still look well short of the thrills they produced in the past two seasons. “You always need the key moments. We didn’t lose the tie tonight, we lost in Madrid.

We didn’t score and then the experience of Real Madrid played the tie out,” said Klopp. “We love this competition and for other reasons it is very important we are back in it. We can now concentrate on the Premier League and we will.”

Dortmund went ahead when striker Erling Haaland chased down a deep cross, the ball falling to Jude Bellingham and the teenager curling his shot into the top corner in the 15th minute for his first Champions League goal. Premier League lead-

Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson (right) in action with Real Madrid’s Casemiro, April 14, 2021 (Reuters)

Meanwhile, Foden, who scored the winner in their 2-1 first-leg victory, fired in off the post in the 76th minute after Mahrez had converted a 55th-minute penalty to secure a 4-2 aggregate triumph and send City into the last four for the second time.

ers City, eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition in the previous three years, will face Paris St Germain in the semi-finals after the French champions knocked out holders Bayern Munich on Tuesday. (Reuters)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

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Classy Babar ‘tons’ up after dethroning Kohli PAKISTAN captain Babar Azam has ended India counterpart Virat Kohli’s more than three-year reign as the top-ranked one-day batsman in the latest official rankings. B a b a r ’s e l e g a n t stroke-making has often drawn comparisons with the prolific Kohli, who is considered a modern batting great across formats. Babar led from the front in Pakistan’s 2-1 ODI series victory in South Africa last week and snapped Kohli’s 41-month stay atop the official rankings, the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement. The 26-year-old is the fourth Pakistan batsman to achieve the honour following in the footsteps of Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and Mohammad

Yousuf. Captain Aaron Finch and opener David Warner are the only Australian batsmen in the top 10, coming in at fifth and ninth respectively. Babar and Kohli are the only two batsmen in the top six in all three formats. “This is another milestone in my career, which will now require even more hard work and absolute consistency with the bat in order for me to hold on to the ranking for an extended period of time,” Babar said in a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “I have also previously topped the T20I rankings, but the ultimate ambition and goal is to lead the Test rankings.” Later on Wednesday, Babar hit a record-break-

ing 122 to lead Pakistan to an impressive nine-wicket victory over hosts South Africa at Centurion and a 2-1 lead in the four-match Twenty20 series. Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 73 as he and Babar, whose century came off 49 balls, shared a record 197-run partnership in a devastating display that enabled the tourists to reel in South Africa’s competitive 5-203 with consummate ease. They won with two overs to spare after making 205-1, dispatching the home bowling to all corners of the ground. Babar’s record T20 score for Pakistan, including 15 fours and four sixes off 59 balls, was an innings of finesse and guile rather than bludgeoning shots to under-

Less than 24 hours after ending Virat Kohli’s reign on top of the ODI batting rankings, the Pakistan skipper posted a hundred in the third T20 against South Africa

line his rare class. Rizwan’s knock may have been overshadowed by his skipper’s but he was equally brilliant in a supporting role. It was the second highest successful run chase in a T20 international at Centurion with a tiring Babar eventually out caught behind off the bowling of Lizaad Williams. Janneman Malan and Aiden Markham shared a 108-run opening wicket partnership as South Africa got off to a flying start after being put in to bat. Markham made a half-century for a third successive game before being bowled for 63 while Malan scored 55. The last match of the series - and of Pakistan’s tour - will also be played at

Centurion today.(Cricket. com.au) ICC ODI Batting rankings 1) Babar Azam (Pak) 2) Virat Kohli (Ind) 3) Rohit Sharma (Ind) 4) Ross Taylor (NZ) 5) Aaron Finch (Aus) 6) Jonny Bairstow (Eng) =7) Fakhar Zaman (Pak) =7) Faf du Plessis (SA) 9) David Warner (Aus) 10) Shai Hope (WI) ICC ODI Bowling rankings 1) Trent Boult (NZ) 2) Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afg) 3) Matt Henry (NZ) 4) Jasprit Bumrah (Ind) 5) Mehedi Hasan (Ban) 6) Kagiso Rabada (SA) 7) Chris Woakes (Eng) 8) Josh Hazlewood (Aus) 9) Pat Cummins (Aus) 10) Mohammad Amir

‘Greedy, selfish’ Streak cops eight-year corruption ban ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani says the eight-year ban for corruption handed to former captain and coach Heath Streak is the sport’s darkest day in the country. The 47-year-old Streak admitted five breaches of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption code and agreed to the sanction that was revealed on Wednesday. “This is a very sad and shameful episode that might well go down in history as the darkest day in Zimbabwean cricket,” Mukuhlani said in a statement. “Streak was a powerful figure adored by many and held up as an idol for future generations of cricketers. “But, as we and the rest of the world now know, Streak was also a corrupt, greedy and selfish character, who regrettably abused his status and position in pursuit of dirty benefits.” Mukuhlani endorsed the punishment and said it would “help to reinforce the measures that the ICC and ZC have been taking to root out any wrongdoing in cricket. “We will continue to work actively within our structures and with the ICC to combat criminality in all of its forms and to ensure that cricket remains clean locally and globally.” Streak’s ban relates to incidents while he was coach of his country’s national team and an assistant coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other domestic competitions. Streak communicated for more than a year with an Indian man who sought inside information for betting purposes, a disciplinary decision released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday noted.

The man, identified only as ‘Mr X’, rewarded Streak with gifts like two Bitcoins, which Streak sold for $35 000, and a new iPhone for his wife. The 47-year-old admitted to five charges, the ICC said. He disclosed inside information that might have been used for betting, failed to disclose gifts he received, facilitated the introduction of Mr X to players, failed to report the approaches to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, and obstructed an investigation into his conduct.

2017 Bangladesh Premier League, a tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2018, a Zimbabwe-Afghanistan series in 2018, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League. The ICC insisted that Streak’s actions ultimately “did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches.” “As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game,” said Alex Marshall, the general

Heath Streak playing against Australia in the 2003-04 season (Getty)

Streak, a former fast bowler, is one of Zimbabwe’s greatest players and the first from his country to take 100 Test wickets. He played 65 Tests and also had successful spells in England with Hampshire and Warwickshire. Streak was coach of his country on two occasions, from 2009 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2018, and coached Bangladesh from 2014 to 16. He also worked as bowling coach for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 IPL and for Kabul Zwanan in the 2018 Afghanistan Premier League. The offences related to games in 2017 and 2018, the ICC said, and included the

manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit. “He breached the code on several occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also sought to obstruct and delay our investigation.” Streak began communicating with Mr X via WhatsApp in late 2017. Over the course of 15 months, Mr X asked Streak “to provide him with various information, in relation to tournaments and matches he was involved with,” the ICC said. Streak also provided Mr X with the contact details of numerous players, including one who was a national team captain, when he knew or

should have known that the businessman would approach them for inside information, the ICC said. The players were not named but, in the correspon-

dence, Mr X told Streak they could “make good money”. Streak also colluded with Mr X to try to cover up his actions after he was informed by the ICC that he was under

investigation and would be interviewed. Streak admitted to the charges last month and waived his right to a hearing. (Cricket.com.au)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

Wisden names England all-rounder Ben Indira Singh is OMSCC Player Stokes leading cricketer in the world again Management/Statistician

ENGLAND all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world for the second year in a row. Stokes, 29, is the first Englishman to win the award twice since its inception in 2004. He scored more Test runs than any other batsman in 2020, with 641 in seven matches, while also taking 19 wickets. Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens has become the oldest person since 1933 to be named as one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the year. Stevens, 44, is the fourth-oldest recipient of the award, which dates back to 1889. England batsmen Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and former West Indies captain Jason Holder join Stevens on the 2021 list. Stokes won the award last year for a stellar 2019 in which he played a key role in England’s World Cup victory and scored 135 not out in a thrilling one-wicket win over

Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley. In a year curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Stokes still shone in 2020, averaging 58.27 in Tests, including 120 against South Africa and 176 against West Indies, while his 19 wickets came at an average of just 18.73.

final as Australia beat India, while she was also the leading run-scorer in the 2020-21 Women’s Big Bash League. Stevens took 29 wickets at an average of only 15 in the Bob Willis Trophy last year, which Wisden editor Lawrence Booth said “confirmed his status as one of

Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League with a broken finger

Australia batter Beth Mooney was named the leading woman cricketer in the world. Mooney, 27, was named Player-of-the-Tournament in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup, scoring 78 not out in the

the domestic game’s most unsung heroes”. Crawley hit a sublime 267 against Pakistan at Southampton in just his eighth Test in August, while also scoring centuries in both the Bob Willis Trophy and Twenty20

Blast. Sibley also made his maiden Test century in 2020, with an unbeaten 133 against South Africa in Cape Town, before scoring 120 against West Indies at Old Trafford. Holder is acknowledged for being “a giant both on and off the field” last summer when West Indies toured England during the coronavirus lockdown. He led his side’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement in taking a knee before each Test and also took 6-42 in the first innings of the first Test at Southampton, which West Indies won by four wickets. Rizwan averaged 43.14 in Test cricket in 2020 and also took a stunning catch to dismiss Stokes in the first Test at Old Trafford. West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard was named the leading T20 cricketer in the world after averaging 53 with a phenomenal strike rate of 199 for various teams and also helping Mumbai Indians to the Indian Premier League title. (BBC Sport)

IN 2018, Indira Singh was one of two stalwart women elected to the executive committee of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC), marking the first time in the history of the body that women were given that privilege.

Indira Singh

Singh was elected Web Content Administrator while her counterpart Shanta Persaud took over the post of Secretary. While Singh continued in her role for the past three

years, Persaud had resigned her post. At last Sunday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), Singh was elected as the Player Management/Statistician, joining Jas Mathura, who is the first female vice-president of the entity as the two women among the executives. Unfortunately, in our issue of Wednesday, April 14, 2021, no mention was made of Singh in the report headlined – “Paul Jaman is new OMSCC president.” The error is sincerely regretted. Meanwhile, Guyana Chronicle freelance journalist Frederick Halley has accepted the position of secretary of the OMSCC following a request from the OMSCC executives. The request was made after no one was elected at last Sunday’s meeting. Halley previously served as Secretary/PRO of the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and is also the current Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA).

Location approved for Joshua-Fury summer fight, reveals promoter Hearn PROMOTER Eddie Hearn has revealed Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have agreed on a location for a summer showdown between the two heavyweight world champions. The rivals have a deal in place to face each other twice in 2021, though a venue and date had yet to be agreed for the first meeting. However, having said recently he planned to present “three or four” options to both teams, Matchroom promoter Hearn confirmed on Thursday that a site has been approved and negotiations are “in a great place”, having sat down with Fury while the pair have been in Las Vegas. Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO titles, while the unbeaten Fury is the WBC champion after dethroning Deontay Wilder last year. “I don’t want to talk too much about it because I think people are bored of me talking,” Hearn said in an interview with Behind The

Gloves. “All I will tell you – which I haven’t said to anyone yet – is that both sides have approved the site offer they want to go with. Now we are just finalising the site deal and we are in a great place.

is in his mind. What he basically cemented in my mind is that this is the only fight he wants. I know that is the same with AJ. “We’ve got the offer, we all approve and we are moving forward now. We’re good. I’m not going to go into

announcement.” Hearn also made clear that the original plan still remains in place, meaning a bout midway through 2021 will be followed by a rematch before the end of the year. “There is no option for this fight to go at the back end

ple would like to kick it to November or December. That’s not available. It was never available. “What was available was a summer fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship. That is what you’re going to get. “Both guys want two fights this year – one will be in the summer, one will be in December. That’s the plan.” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said last week that the English capital is ready to host the lucrative

fight, despite the restrictions in the country amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Fury’s most recent three bouts have all been staged in Las Vegas while Joshua reclaimed his titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch held in Saudi Arabia in December 2019. The 2012 Olympic gold medal winner fought once in 2020, with Joshua beating Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena in front of a restricted number of fans. (Sportsmax)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER FRIDAY, April 16, 2021

British pair Tyson Fury (left) and Anthony Joshua between them hold all of the world heavyweight titles

“I saw Tyson yesterday. We had five or 10 minutes together – and it was good. “I don’t represent Tyson, so I don’t know what

where it is going to be held, but it has been agreed by both sides over the option we will take. You will get the date very soon, plus the official

of the year,” Hearn said. “That’s been the hardest thing about securing the site deal ... in this world we live in today, most peo-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, April 16, 2021

35

Wisden honour a ‘fantastic achievement’, says Pollard BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Kieron Pollard has described as a “fantastic achievement” his being named by Wisden as the Leading T20 Cricketer in the World, and says he is hoping to create more history in the coming year. Wisden, cricket’s most authoritative and respected publication, made the announcement late Wednesday, noting that the West Indies white-ball captain had distinguished himself by “(helping) the Trinbago Knight Riders to CPL glory and the Mumbai Indians to another IPL title, displaying his well-renowned six-hitting skills along the way.” Under Pollard, TKR played unbeaten last year to capture the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for a record fourth time.

Weeks later, the Trinidadian played a key role in inspiring Mumbai to a successful defence of their IPL title and their fifth crown overall. “(The year) 2020 has not been great for all of us, being hit by a pandemic. We did not expect something like this but we were able to use this time wisely, spend time with family, reflect and think about what we want to do,” Pollard said from India where he is currently turning out for Mumbai in the IPL which got underway last week. “I got the opportunity to play some cricket as well and it has worked. Being able to be named T20 Player-of-the-Year 2020 I think was a fantastic achievement in what would have transpired, and I just want to continue to make my fam-

Late wickets help Joseph fuel Worcestershire comeback LONDON, (CMC) – Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph grabbed a brace of wickets to cap off a Worcestershire fightback on his County Championship debut, on an otherwise quiet day for West Indies players on day one of the second round which bowled off here yesterday. Playing at Derby, hosts Derbyshire piled up 360 for eight after being sent in, with the 24-year-old Joseph claiming both wickets off successive deliveries in the day’s penultimate over, to end with two for 86 from 18 overs. Derbyshire were cruising at one stage on 338 for four but Joseph’s late burst ensured the hosts lost four wickets for 17 runs towards the end. Matt Critchley struck a breezy 109 while South African left-hander Leus du Plooy narrowly missed out on three figures with 98, after adding 137 for the second wicket with opener and captain Billy Godleman (50). Wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein was unbeaten at the close on 65, having put on 121 for the fifth wicket with Critchley, whose fourth first-class hundred came off 159 balls in just under 3-¾ hours and included 11 fours. At Canterbury, fast bowler Miguel Cummins picked up one for 92 as Yorkshire gathered 358 for eight against Kent, with veteran seamer Darren Stevens pick-

ing up three for 52. Opting to bat first, Yorkshire got a rollicking 97 off 116 balls from opener Adam Lyth who struck 15 fours, while 22-year-old Harry Brook hit 54 off 80 deliveries before falling lbw to Cummins. At Taunton, West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite ended the day on two as Gloucestershire reached 13 without loss in reply to Somerset’s 312.

ily, my friends and my real supporters and people who support the Kieron Pollard brand proud.”

Currently, the 33-yearold sits second on the alltime list of run-scorers with 10 641 runs, only behind

West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard

Pollard has emerged as one of the world’s leading T20 cricketers over the last decade, becoming renowned for his destructive lower order hitting, brilliant fielding and clever medium pace.

West Indies teammate Chris Gayle with 13 760, and has taken 293 wickets. Pollard brought all of his experience to bear on the CPL campaign last year, averaging 51 with the bat

and proving an inspiration as captain, as TKR marched imperiously through the tournament. His record led to him being named last year on the International Cricket Council’s Team-of-the-Decade, which he labelled as “fantastic small achievements”. “ Wi n n i n g C P L , 1 2 games on the trot without losing a game was fantastic, winning the IPL for a fifth time – I think we continued to break records and personally continued to score runs,” said Pollard. “I just want to continue to entertain you fans, entertain my family, entertain my friends and at the end of the day, just try to do what God has given me talent to do, be it what format. “Being named T20 Player-of-the-Year (for) 2020 and

also being named in the T20 Team-of-the-Decade, these are fantastic small, small achievements. Pollard said he was also pleased with his efforts this year, leading West Indies to a T20 and ODI series win over Sri Lanka last month, while becoming the third player to hit six sixes in an over in a T20 International. “We look forward to 2021 which has started pretty decently as well, joining some esteemed company in hitting six sixes in an over in international cricket, and I look forward to continuing that sort of form and continuing to perform.” Wisden also named former Test captain Jason Holder as one of its five Cricketers of the Year.

Grave: CWI yet to agree on venues for home series JOHNNY Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI), said the venues for the forthcoming home series, against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, are yet to be determined. It was reported on Tuesday’s Newsday that the entire South Africa tour of the West Indies (two Test matches and five T20 Internationals), is tentatively set to be staged in Trinidad. Grave, in a WhatsApp interview on Tuesday, said, “We haven’t agreed venues yet for the men’s internationals against (South Africa), Australia and Pakistan. We are still talking to Ministries of Health in the

region to understand what the protocols might be for both international and regional cricket and where we think the least risk host countries will be.” The recent Sri Lanka tour of the West Indies, which comprised of three T20 Internationals, three One Day Internationals and two Tests, was staged entirely in Antigua – at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Grave is hopeful that a decision can be made before the end of this month. “We will convene a board meeting now the AGM (Annual General Meeting) has taken place before the end of the

month and will make a recommendation to the Board about the men’s summer schedule and also women’s international, regional and youth

Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave

tournaments. “We will continue to try and host as much cricket as possible but need to always ensure player and support staff safety as well as the safety of the population in our host countries,” he added. Grave has not given up hope that a four-day tournament will take place. “We are extremely keen to play 4-day cricket and are talking through all the options with the franchise CEOs and WIPA (West Indies Players Association).” But Grave noted, “covid and ash clouds (from the La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent) are not making planning any easier!!” (Trinidad Newsday)

Morris stars as RR beat Delhi Capitals by three wickets

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph

Asked to bat first, Somerset were carried by wicketkeeper Steven Davies (87) and Craig Overton (54), the pair staging 116 for the second wicket to repair the innings. And at the Oval, veteran seamer Kemar Roach went wicket-less from 18 miserly overs which cost 46 runs, as Leicestershire reached 215 for three against Surrey. Opener Sam Evans struck exactly 100 not out, partnering with Hassan Azad (55) in a 130-run first-wicket stand.

CHRIS Morris hit two sixes in the final over as Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Delhi Capitals by three wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chasing 148 to win, Delhi needed 12 from the last six balls, bowled by England’s Tom Curran. Morris - who is the IPL’s most expensive ever signing finished with 36 from 18 balls and saw his side over the line with two balls to spare. Earlier, Delhi posted 1478 with Rishabh Pant scoring 50 from 32 balls. Having lost the toss and put in to bat, Delhi - who thrashed Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets in their opening game -

fell to 37-4 after 7 overs. Seamer Jaydev Unadkat bowled superbly, varying his length and pace to finish with figures of 3-15, while Mustafizur Rahman also chipped in with 2-29. P a n t ’s h a l f - c e n t u r y, which included hitting spinner Rahul Tewatia for four boundaries in the 11th over, offered some resistance before the Delhi captain was run-out by a direct hit from Riyan Parag. With a relatively low target to chase, Royals’ top-order faltered as they fell to 42-5. Chris Woakes took two wickets in the third over, including the dismissal of England team-mate Jos Buttler.

Buttler - promoted to the top of the order having batted at number four in Royal’s four-run loss to Punjab Kings

Chris Morris became the IPL’s most expensive ever auction signing after he was was signed for £1.6M by Rajasthan Royals

on Monday - was caught behind for two. David Miller then offered some hope for the Royals with a fine knock of 62 from 43 balls. The South African - who replaced Ben Stokes in the Royals line-up after the England all-rounder was ruled out of the tournament with a broken finger - hit seven boundaries and two sixes. When Miller was dismissed by Avesh Khan, Royals still needed 44 runs from 25 balls. But Morris took over the reins, launching the ball to all parts of the ground and holding his nerve to seal the win. (BBC Sport)

Holder named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year SEE PAGE 30

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder celebrates after taking one of his five wickets on March 21, the opening day of the first Sandals Test match against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Holder claimed 5-27 to help the regional side dismiss the visitors for 169. (Courtesy CWI/Philip Spooner)

Guyana to battle Jamaica today at FIBA 2023 World Cup Pre-Qualifiers tournament SEE PAGE 30

SEE PAGE 30

Edghill bows out of singles after losing top 16 battle in Argentina

Chelsea Edghill was able to get past the round of 32 yesterday

Jordan to be Bryant’s presenter at Hall of Fame enshrinement By Lucy Nicholson

Guyana captain Stanton Rose Jr

SEE PAGE 35

(REUTERS) Michael Jordan will be Kobe Bryant’s presenter when the Los Angeles Lakers great is inducted posthumously into the Basketball Hall of Fame next month. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion with Lakers, died last year aged 41 in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter and seven others, shocking the world of sport and sending fans into mourning. He will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2020 alongside the likes Kobie Bryant, a five- time NBA champion of Tim Duncan and Kevin with Los Angeles Lakers died last year Garnett

on May 15. Members of the Class of 2020 were asked to select previous inductees to present them to their peers during the ceremony. Lakers guard Bryant, who idolised Jordan growing up, will be presented by the six-time champion, who made an emotional speech at his memorial. Jordan, who led Chicago Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s and currently owns Charlotte Hornets, will also present Baylor women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey for her enshrinement. Former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich and 10-time WNBA All-Star Tamika Catchings are among the other members of the highly anticipated Class of 2020. Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, retired from the league in 2016 after one of the most decorated careers in basketball history, and is the NBA’s fourth all-time leading scorer.

Wisden honour a ‘fantastic achievement’, says Pollard

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FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021