Issuu

WEDNESDAY 19th JANUARY, 2022

No. 106609

Health Minister: PCR tests only for persons who are hospitalised, in high-risk environments

SEE PAGE

Energy corridor, deep-water harbour talks to take centre stage SEE PAGE

- as President Ali meets with Brazilian, Surinamese counterparts

A two-week timeline has been given for the completion of phase one of the ‘Guyana Walk’ being constructed along the Lamaha Corridor, where the old railway station was situated. Phase one of the project entails a walkway, with benches, lights, a green space and parking lots on both sides of the walkway. Photo at right is an artist’s impression of how the space will look upon completion (DPI photos)

FAO pumps millions of dollars Mother pleads for safe into flood-relief initiative return of 10-year-old son SEE PAGE

SEE PAGE

Appeal Court stays its election petition ruling

SEE PAGE

- allows AG, Jagdeo to proceed to CCJ

FAO pumps millions of dollars into flood-relief initiative

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

- funds to benefit small-scale farmers By Naomi Parris SEVERAL small-scale farmers across Guyana will soon benefit from a series of agriculture and livestock inputs and disaster risk management training under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s emergency flood-response project. The project, “Emergency Response and Early Recovery Support to Smallholder Farmers Affected by the 2021 Floods in Guyana and Suriname”, w h i c h w a s o ff i c i a l l y launched on Tuesday in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Boardroom, will see livestock medications, seeds, planting materials, and fertilisers being supplied to farmers. This

(From left) Livestock farmer, Bibi Waheeda Hamid; FAO’s resident representative, Dr. Gillian Smith; Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha; and Head of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Dwight Walrond at the handing over and launch ceremony of FAO’s emergency flood-response project aspect of the project will be done at a total cost of US$136,000 (G$28.1 million). Further, US$29,000 (G$6 million) will be spent on capacity building exercises among farmers and technical staff of the ministry to reduce the vulnerability of farming communities, provide the necessary support to farming businesses, and reduce the increasing threat on the nation’s food security. Speaking further on the project, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that his ministry will continue to advance the agriculture sector through investments in drainage and irrigation and climateresilient crops and livestock practices. “In Guyana, we recognise the effects of climate change on our agriculture sector, and, subsequently, the livelihoods of our farmers, especially vulnerable smallholder farmers. We recognise the essential role that our smallholder farmers play in supply chains and food systems,” Minister Mustapha said. He further related that farmers are a key aspect of agricultural development in Guyana and the country’s overall economy, noting:

“We take pride in our efforts and achievements in supporting our local farmers for their economic advancement and resilience for the advancement of our agriculture sector, and the achievement of food security in Guyana.” He further expressed his gratitude to the organisation for the support given to local smallholder farmers, especially at a time when many of them are grappling with the effects of the 2021 floods, coupled with the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the agriculture sector. FAO resident representative Dr. Gillian Smith said that the project will equip the farmers with muchneeded training in disaster risk management and flood recovery response. She further said that the project will be a boost to the government’s ongoing efforts, which has so far seen over 50,000 farmers receiving assistance in the form of cash grants. This aspect of the project is expected to last approximately six months, and farmers from Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice),

Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will undergo training, and receive planting materials and equipment in preparation for their return to the fields. Livestock farmer Bibi Waheeda Hamid, of Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, is one of the many beneficiaries of the project. Hamid related to the Guyana Chronicle that when last year’s May-June rainy season hit, her life was left in shambles, as she watched her livelihood wash away right before her eyes. The woman said that she was uncertain of her next move, since she had lost the source of her income. But with the FAO’s support, Hamid and many others like herself will now be able to rebuild their lives. Another beneficiary, Neville Ramadar, of Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, said that he, too, suffered a grave loss during the floods. Ramadar said that he lost over 10 acres of rice, and all of his cash crops due to flooding. However, as the project takes shape, Ramadar will return to the fields, in the hope of ramping up production.

Energy corridor, deep-water harbour -as President Ali meets with Brazilian, talks to take centre stage Surinamese counterparts

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali

President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro

President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi

COME tomorrow, President Dr. Irfaan Ali is scheduled to make a working visit to Paramaribo, Suriname, to meet with Presidents Jair Bolsonaro of the Federative Republic Brazil, and Chandrikapersad Santokhi of the Republic of Suriname. A press statement from the Office of the President specified that the leaders will be discussing, among other things, the formation of an energy corridor, as well as mutual opportunities within the oil-and- gas sectors of all three countries. Guyana and Suriname have burgeoning petroleum sectors, while Brazil is one of the leading oil producers of the world. The energy corridor is expected to see the countries teaming up to share power, based on a collective understanding of their needs and ability to supply. President Ali had pre-

viously indicated that the operationalisation of this plan would require development of local knowledge and capacity in the area of logistics. “Our own demand, locally, and the spin-off of our own investment that will see more export, would require greater logistics planning,” Dr. Ali had said previously. With Guyana being a critical gateway between South American and the Caribbean, the links created by this corridor would position her as a critical shipping hub. This integration, President Ali had said, requires careful planning, and the development of a logistics industry. Once the Suriname leg of the meeting wraps up, President Bolsonaro and his team of officials are expected to travel to Georgetown for an official one-day visit with President Ali and his team of

ministers. The latter set of discussions will centre on improving economic relations, energy and food security, telecommunications, agriculture, infrastructure integration and the development of a deep-water harbour in Guyana. The Office of the President’s statement reasoned that since Guyana offers the shortest and quickest access to the Atlantic Ocean for significant parts of northern Brazil, a road connection linked to the deep-water port could also serve the interest of both countries. “When the two leaders spoke last Monday via teleconference, they discussed enhancing the partial-scope agreement between their nations, with the hope of bolstering trade,” the statement noted. It concluded: “They also

deliberated on topics for further engagements at the ministerial levels.” Another key Guyana-Brazil project is the construction of a road link from Boa Vista, Brazil, to Georgetown, Guyana. It is unclear whether this particular subject will come up for discussion on Friday, however, in September 2020, soon after President Ali assumed office, Brazil’s Economy Minister Paulo Guedes was reported as saying that his government intends to move briskly ahead to secure funding for the project, which will open up greater development for Guyana and Brazil. “We want to make this road from Boa Vista to Georgetown; it has 100 per cent support from us,” Minister Guedes was quoted as saying during an interview with Roraima’s Senator Chico Rodrigues.

For context, the State of Roraima, in Brazil, is sandwiched between the southern borders of Guyana and Venezuela, and is home to Bonfim, the current and official cross-over point for Guyanese or Brazilians into Lethem in Guyana’s Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Both Guedes and Rodrigues believe that Guyana will be “the new Dubai of the hemisphere”, having found significant quantities of light, sweet crude offshore, with more oil blocks to be explored. The Economy Minister has projected a sense of optimism, stating that Brazil will pursue road, port and energy collaboration. Outside of oil and gas, Brazil has also recognised the potential of Guyana’s agriculture sector, already expressing an interest in partnering

with Guyanese to establish a massive cattle production industry in the Rupununi. During a visit here in October, Aluizio Nascimento Da Silva, Roraima’s Secretary of State for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply told Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha that as part of the proposed cattle production, Guyana would see Brazil being a steady market for meats, which, he said, could be exported to Roraima to be processed at one of “the big abattoirs there”. It is also unclear whether the smaller projects such as cattle farming will be up for discussion on Friday. Nonetheless, Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations on August 26, 1968, and ongoing areas of co-operation include trade, health, agriculture, transport and security.

a police station the said afternoon, and went back on Monday morning after searching the entire night. Upon her return to the station, she said that the police paid her little attention, since the lad had left before and was found in Skeldon.

She related that her son grew up with his grandparents in Skeldon, and after their death, he began living with her about a year ago. Anita said that a week ago, her son left home and went to relatives in Skeldon without her consent

or knowledge, but she was relieved to know where he was, then, unlike the current situation. After receiving no positive word from relatives or friends who he might have possibly gone to, the family is now fearful.

Andrew, a student of the Tain Primary School, was last seen wearing a brown short pants and a grey teeshirt. Anyone with information is asked to make contact with his mother on 668-5505, or the nearest police station.

Ten-year-old Andrew Gomes DISTRAUGHT mother, Anita Devi Gomes has issued a call for the safe return of her 10-year-old

son, who has been missing since Sunday. Gomes, 27, of Ankerville, Port Mourant, Berbice, told the Guyana Chronicle that her son, Andrew Gomes, left home around 08:00 hrs with the intention of returning two bottles to a nearby shop. Anita said it was raining, so she advised her son to wait until it stopped before going on the road, and then proceeded to take a shower. After recognising that a lot of time had elapsed and the child had not returned, she went out to look for him. “When I finish bathe like around 8 o’clock Sunday morning, I didn’t see he, and I started calling out, but he was not there. So we continue to search, but could not find him anywhere,” the distraught mother said. Anita said she subsequently made a report to

Mother pleads for safe return of 10-year-old son

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Motion tabled for nomination of member for NRF board SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has filed a motion asking the National Assembly to nominate one member for the Natural Resource Fund (NFR) Board

of Directors. The nomination is provided for in the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, which became law in December, 2021. The Board of Directors is a new governance mecha-

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nism introduced by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government. It adds a layer of separation between political leaders and the fund, where previously there was none. The board will consist of directors, appointed by the President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Act contains provisions which confine the selection of directors to having wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business, or administrative matters, and prohibits the appointment of

a person who is a member of the National Assembly. The National Assembly is expected to vote to refer the matter to the Committee of Appointments, in accordance with Parliamentary Standing Order 84(3)(b)(iii), for it to make a suitable recommendation to the House on the candidate to be identified as the nominee. The motion will be laid on Monday, January 24, 2022. As for the appointment of other members, Chairman of the Private Sector Commis-

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh sion (PSC), Paul Cheong, has told multiple private media houses that the process is already underway to select the candidate, which will represent the private sector, as is also provided for in the Act. The advancement of the provisions of the Natural Resource Fund Act, including appointments of directors and committee members, are in preparation for an early

withdrawal from the fund, to finance pressing development initiatives. The Act has a long list of mechanisms which promote transparency and practical governance. Parliamentary scrutiny is a cornerstone of the governance mechanism the government has set in place to ensure the operations of the fund are above board. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Boodnarine Persaud takes charge of policing in Region Six

- as Superintendent Ramlakhan proceeds on pre-retirement leave

Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan (left) shares a moment with the new Commander of Region Six, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud SUPERINTENDENT Boodnarine Persaud has taken up the mantle of leading policing efforts in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) as the new Divisional Commander, after being handed the responsibility by Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, who has proceeded on pre-retirement leave. Persaud, who previously commanded Region One (Barima-Waini), began serving in his new capacity on Tuesday. His predecessor, Superintendent Ramlakhan served in the position from October 2020 to now. Within this time, he undertook several projects and initiatives to build partnerships with key stakeholders in the region, and successfully managed to restore public confidence in the police. According to a police press

release, Ramlakhan’s leadership has inspired almost all his subordinates to continue to serve the citizens with the highest degree of professionalism, dignity and commitment. “His 34-year journey in the Guyana Police Force has earned him great knowledge and experiences in managing people and other resources, that his departure into retirement would definitely leave a void that can never be replaced.” Like Superintendent Ramlakhan, Persaud has also served the GPF with distinction in many capacities. His knowledge and experience of the job will allow for continued partnerships with key stakeholders in the region, as they endeavour to collectively fight crime and maintain safety and security for all.

Notably, Ramlakhan and Persaud together have a total of 70 years of service to the Police Force, and their legacy should serve as inspiration for its other members. Region Six’s Deputy Commander, Superintendent H. Sawh will take up the post of Commander of Region One, effective January 21, 2022; he would be replaced by Deputy Superintendent V. Hunt, who previously served as Region Six’s third in command. The auspicious handing over of command from Ramlakhan to Persaud followed a meeting, and meaningful interactions with the regional police’s administrative team, Head of the Cops and Faith Community Network, Pastor Wesley La. Fleur, and prominent representatives of METRO. Superintendent Persaud said he will continue to work towards fostering public trust through community engagements, youth development through sports and other meaningful activities. He added that there will also be development through the training of ranks to ensure professionalism at all times in the areas of road safety and crime fighting among other policing activities, and that he will continue to work to ensure that the region is safe and secure.

Over 22,000 adolescents fully vaccinated

OF the country’s adolescence population, that is persons aged 12 – 17, 30.8 per cent have been fully vaccinated and 43.7 per cent have received at least one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, according to statistics released on Monday by the Ministry of Health (MoH). The ministry said this accounts for 22,464 adolescents being fully vaccinated so far, and 31, 861 being partially vaccinated. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine was approved in the USA for this category of persons. With COVD-19 cases in Guyana currently on the increase, the MoH is calling on parents to ensure their children are inoculated. “Parents and guardians, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and will protect your children

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, looks on as 15-year-old Ramon Cummings takes his first dose from becoming severely ill or hospitalised if they contract COVID-19. Get your adolescents vaccinated as soon as possible. Together, we can win this fight against COVID-19,” the ministry said. Vaccination of adoles-

cents started in Guyana last August. The MoH collaborated with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to carry out a widespread vaccination campaign to ensure that the vaccine was available to all those who needed it.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

A New Pathway

THE Guyana Government has recently concluded a training programme for prisoners with a view to facilitating easier integration into society after they have completed their term of imprisonment. This is indeed a commendable gesture on the part of the government given the fact that there are many persons who would have found themselves in jail for reasons for which they later regretted. Many of those were convicted for what could be regarded as ‘minor’ offences and for what is described as ‘crimes of passion’. Eight hundred and sixty-one inmates housed at Mazaruni, New Amsterdam, Camp Street and Timehri Prisons were awarded Certificates of Participation after successfully completing training in several skill areas. A wide variety of courses were offered such as entrepreneurship, carpentry, joinery, tailoring, culinary arts, art and craft, cosmetology,

barbering, crops husbandry and anger management. Among those who received certificates were high profile and convicted prisoners. The thinking behind such training is that inmates can potentially be reformed, rehabilitated and given another shot at leading productive lives after serving their sentences. According to Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot, the prison service has an obligation and a mandate to provide prisoners with skills in order to facilitate their reintegration into society and to become better citizens. This is expected to be an ongoing exercise. In May 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs Citizen Security Strengthening Programme in collaboration with the Avasant Foundation of the United States conducted a 15-week Digital Skills Training Programme for inmates of the New Amsterdam Prison. The programme was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with the

objective of aiding the rehabilitation and social transformation of inmates upon their return to society. The inmates received training in Web Design and Development, Entrepreneurship, Office Management, Leadership Skills, Social Behaviour, Customer Service, Communications, Sales and Marketing, Mathematics and English. The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Prison Service is on a course to improve the image of the organisation. The overall objective is to reduce the propensity of inmates to repeat past mistakes in life and to allow for an easier and more successful re-integration into society upon their release. These developments have to be seen within the much broader framework aimed at creating a safe and secure environment while at the same time seeking to modernise the policing and justice system in the country. Last year,

a total of 22.2 billion dollars were earmarked in the National Budget for the Home Affairs Ministry out of which $5 billion were allocated to enhance the operations of the Guyana Prison Services. A sum of $50 million was allocated to training inmates in a variety of skills. One of the courses offered, Anger Management, is especially relevant not only for prisoners but for members of the wider society. It is a psycho-therapeutic treatment for anger prevention and control. Very often harmful things are done or said out of frustration or a feeling of being denied or deprived of something a person felt important to him or her. These are impulsive actions with unintended consequences including inflicting injury on others which could result in imprisonment. According to medical experts, anger is a completely normal, usually healthy human emotion but when allowed to get out of control it can turn violent and

lead to destructive consequences, including breaking the law. Hence, the importance of managing anger in socially approved ways and without coming into conflict with the law. And according to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, his ministry is in the process of devising a programme called “A Fresh Start” aimed at bolstering efforts to rehabilitate prisoners and to provide them with the requisite skills for their re-integration into society. The programme is aimed at providing a toolkit with the basic items which will be made available to persons leaving the prison system. These and the other measures implemented by the government will go a far way in terms of reducing recidivism rates, which is a tendency for inmates to return to a life of crime on their release from jail. There is apparently no available recent statistic in Guyana as to the exact rate of recidivism, but the rate in

some countries, including the United States, is relatively high. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali had announced a range of measures in the pipeline not only to fight crime but also to reform the lives of criminals in Guyana. According to the President, ‘once you want to change your life, we want a discussion with you. We want to talk to you to give you an alternative pathway to earning a living and a decent life. The life of crime is short-lived, you may have in your head short-term glory, but it’s short-lived. We want to work with you in giving you a better option in life.’ These are indeed forward looking/thinking in terms of re-integrating those who, for whatever reason or reasons, broke the law and faced imprisonment and who are now genuinely seeking a new pathway to earning a living upon release.

President, First Lady have sent strong message that cleanliness is important Dear Editor,

WHEN I lived in the Abu Dhabi/Dubai area of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), that country was very clean, very safe, and very rich. We say we want to be like Dubai, and that’s good. They systematically clean all the time. In the malls, a worker sits in the toilet and spray and clean after every user. In the Carrefours (grocery stores) and malls, workers drive around little machines that vacuum the floor all the time. Every morning, there would be thousands of workers along the roads picking up trash and any landscaping debris. Daily, they sweep the sand in front of the entrance door and driveway of my villa.

(The UAE is a sandy desert so it’s sand everywhere). Every plant, tree or grass you see has hoses running through to provide water since it does not rain there. It was quite commendable for our President himself to be leading the recent cleanup efforts, with help from the GDF and others. It sends a strong message that cleanliness is important. The PNC did the same when they won in 2015 but it was not sustained. Kudos to our First Lady also, who has done remarkably in various beautification projects. Ms. Arya gets the job done. Maybe give her Office a bigger allocation in the 2022 budget since she gets results. It was quite sad there is a news report that said, “Mayor calls for boycott of city

clean-up.” Isn’t that very, very (sad) if it is true? Guyana is where it is because our leadership is still to come up with a sustainable solid waste disposal plan after 60 years. We do what I call “random acts of improvement” versus a “comprehensive, ongoing, systematic design and national plan for improvement and transformation”. Our politicians love to do “emergency” projects, not well-designed long-term plans. We have a love affair with garbage. We have “peaceful co-existence” with trash. I usually keep candy wrappers in my pocket until I can find a garbage can, but in Guyana, anywhere outside is our garbage can. No. 63 beach is a garbage dump. In my Whim Village, they are now dumping garbage right

at the entrance of the burial ground. Same at Le Repentir and everywhere in Guyana. What manner of people are we? Garbage everywhere is what keeps us in the “Third World” designation. So when the headline says, “Police presence, camera installation to tackle illegal dumping - President announces,” are we looking at root causes why we have such an enormous garbage problem? Why do people dump trash anywhere and everywhere? Apart from mindsets that tolerate trash that Guyanese develop from kindergarten in poor, decrepit schools and environments, we have not provided enough trash cans, or huge steel bins with hinged covers across our communities. There are no proper

and deliberately created dumping sites in every village or a process for getting rid of solid waste. Concreted holding areas with sides can store garbage until NDC trucks or private providers can collect and take to the dumpsite several times a week. We need landfills or trash incinerators in every region. In countries in the European Union, incinerators are replacing landfills and generating energy in the process. Most of our NDCs do not provide ongoing, reliable trash removal services. Some villages have private contractors with open-top trailers and trucks. These are not real garbage trucks and they leak dirty water oozing from the garbage. In those, the workers stand in the trash as the ve-

hicles move around. Quite a primitive operation. We need to efficiently, and systematically monitor if trash cans are filled and overflowing in highuse areas or at special events, and empty those and put in new trash bags. In the USA, households get two bins – one for regular household trash and one for recycling items – plastics, paper, cardboard, bottles. Yard and construction waste, and electronics can be carried to the landfill, or holding stations. If every home and business can clean the ditch/areas in front of their property, that will be a big change. Yours sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Stephanie Isaacs is not aware of all the facts

Dear Editor, Stephanie Isaacs, in a letter to the Stabroek News under the caption, “The government continues to remain indifferent towards protecting the people from this virus” got my attention, and I feel compelled to make a response. Stephanie and others of her ilk need to know that information is available and people must seek to be informed regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still very much upon us. The word from the Ministry of Health is that almost 40 per cent of COVID-19 fatalities for the month were triggered by co-morbidities and waning immunity systems. Currently, some questions have been raised as to whether or not some of those reported as having been fully vaccinated may have falsified their vaccination status by way of having a forged vaccination card. Then medical information must be distilled, and this is where I have a few things to say. First, as reported in the Vanguard, vaccines and the concept of vaccination is as old as the history of medicine and many years of vaccination have shown that vaccines are

generally safe and highly effective in disease prevention. The COVID situation is no different. The evidence is abundant and suggests convincingly that COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and well-tolerated by the majority of those vaccinated. Minor temporary side effects such as fever, pain at the spot of injection, and body weakness, among others, have been reported following vaccination in some persons. Secondly, again quoting the Vanguard: “It should be emphasised that death from COVID-19 vaccines is very rare. In Europe and America, the death rate due to COVID-19 vaccines is reported to be less than 0.002 per cent.” What we must understand is that “It is not unusual for people with COVID-19 to die from complications of diabetes or hypertension which may not be directly related to or caused by COVID-19.” The words of the many experts state that “Many of these persons who succumb to COVID-19 after vaccination are likely to have lost their immunity or failed to develop sufficient immunity after vaccination.” So, although people from all walks of and age

in life get COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, a whole lot depends on the kind of work they do, the conditions they live in, and whether or not they have other health problems. Now, Stephanie is quite an alarmist, stating currently there “… is a new stage of despair and alarm when children end up being fatally affected by this virus as is happening now.” She adds that “It is because of the desire of parents to protect their children, that there have been appeals to the government, and the Minister of Education, to close the schools and resume virtual learning. They have remained staunchly steadfast in their ill-advised and reckless decision not to do so.” Well, here is more news for her. “Get vaccinated” is the constant call from Health Minister, Frank Anthony, who keeps pleading with the nation, especially teachers, eligible students, and I add, just about everyone, to be compliant, as regards being fully vaccinated. Before this, the President himself, Dr. Irfaan Ali, made a passionate plea, explaining that “Our only tool to be ahead of all these variants, all the

changes, the mutations that we are seeing is vaccination. If it is that this variant is far more infectious, the only thing that will save us is vaccination. The only thing that will slow hospitalisation is vaccination. The only thing that will slow the death rate successfully is vaccination.” This call came amidst the Omicron outbreak. For the Stephanies, any genuine worry that schools could help to rapidly spread infections has been eased by a recent study that suggests children aged under-15 are about half as likely as adults to catch and spread the coronavirus. Researchers in Iceland monitored every child and adult in the country who had been quarantined after

possible exposure to the virus. Using contact tracing and genetic sequencing to identify links between outbreak clusters, the study of 40,000 people found that children “can and do get infected and transmit to others, but they do both less frequently than adults”. One large new study from South Korea found that children under the age of ten appear to not transmit the virus very well. A study, published in April by researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, suggests that younger kids haven’t developed the molecular keys that the virus exploits to enter the body and wreak havoc on the respiratory system, micro-

scopic structures known as ACE2 receptors. So, reality coupled with common sense and medical science go in favour of having actual classroom sessions. Our problem here seems to reside with the staff members and not the students, as they have been playing too much politics with the well-being of our students. Therefore, it is wholly inaccurate and terribly illogical to say that “The government continues to remain indifferent towards protecting the people from this virus.” Efforts are still ongoing and the backing of science is being heeded. Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Duncan has to learn to walk the line responsibly

Dear Editor, IT is not surprising that Opposition Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan found himself before the court for his latest transgression. Host of the “In the Ring” talk show, Sherod Duncan will add to the rising cyber-crime court cases worldwide, as, since the start of the pandemic, the number of cybercrime-related incidents in the world has risen to record levels. Steeped in controversy, Mr. Duncan was arrested by the police, kept in custody for several hours, but was released on bail. He is being accused by IT Manager at the Guyana Elections Commission, Aneal Giddings, over statements that he allegedly made on his

social media talk show. Mr. Giddings complained to the Cyber Crime Unit that during one of Duncan’s talk shows, he, Giddings, was singled out by Duncan and allegedly referred to as a “jaggabat” and “trench crappo,” two demeaning descriptions that are disrespectful and so caused him significant emotional distress and humiliation. This kind of posture from MP Sherod Duncan, that is, of using various platforms in social media, to fire invectives and derogatory remarks, typifies him. Back in September last year, Sherod Duncan was publicly chided for his “vile, most repugnant onslaught” against Priya Manickchand. Duncan has repeatedly done this, often

attacking many of those whose political views do not align with that of his and the APNU+AFC. In this latest incident, the police were obligated to act on the complaint as is prescribed by the very stringent cyber-crime laws passed by the APNU+AFC when they were in government and despite many objections. I hope his situation will culminate in some kind of condign treatment from the court. We can’t say whatever we want to about people on a platform like Duncan’s and get away with it because of politics. Duncan has to learn to walk the line responsibly. Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Pride has been restored to Georgetown

Dear Editor, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, over the weekend, led several senior government officials and members of the Joint Services, the private sector and several other agencies on a two-day clean-up exercise of the capital Georgetown. There was also support from the various diplomatic missions, to whom we are all grateful. This exercise was initiated by the President and came after residents of Georgetown have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the poor management of the capital city under the

A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change stewardship. The City of George town is controlled by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. The APNU+AFC City Council is seemingly under political directive from the People’s National Congress/Reform, which has opposed the clean-up and has urged residents, their supporters and its various controlled NDCs not to participate. This was hardly the case as the people of Georgetown fully supported the clean-up initiative; even in the PNCdominated strongholds. This goes to show our people are now enlightened as to who has their interest at heart.

This continuous trend of divisive, selfish and irresponsible politics being practised by the PNC/ APNU+AFC is unacceptable. Most of the residents of Georgetown were fully appreciative of the initiative that sought to beautify their environment, whilst removing the health hazards that affected them. After taking a simple walk around the City today, this letter writer is pleased with the work that has been done. Pride has been restored to Georgetown, our beloved capital. The City itself has a different atmosphere altogether. Congratulations are in order. Yours sincerely, Thomas Cole

Chronicles of a Chronic Guyana Chronicler

Part 5: Reviewing respective regimes’ records and remedies for recovery

By Earl Bousquet IN the two-party political systems and societies that dominate Caribbean politics, major parties are assessed not just by what they say and do in opposition, but how they ‘walk the talk’ in government. Ditto Guyana, where the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) both have set say-and-do records in and out of office, the respective record cards will also be read differently by supporters of each party at and between general elections. But while the PPP has been the Mother of All Guyana Parties, the PNC has a longer record card as a ruling party. Neither party is exactly

what founders Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham left on departure and both have also wedded into alliances and amalgamations to adjust to post-Jagan and post-Burnham times. Today, both parties [have] a 30-year record of achievements since 1992 (when internationally observed and approved elections heralded a late-20th Century return to electoral democracy) and 2022 (entering the age of 21st Century oil). The PNC presided over the initial entry and establishment of the rules and regulations for the national landscape in which the international oil companies will extract, sell and compensate the new ‘Black Gold’, eventually quite unwilling ceding the decision-making to the

PPP as demanded by the people’s expressed political will in the 2020 elections. It doesn’t surprise anyone in Guyana that the two major parties are still at odds on the future of oil just as before the last general elections, the only major difference (to most) being regime. The jury can still be said to be out on how the PNC handled the new oil factor during its last term and same with the PPP at the start of its current term, but it’s already quite evident that the parties, in office, see oil with very different eyes. Naturally, opposition parties will ‘oppose for opposing sake’ as per their expected role(s), but only the PPP has served with a two-term administration (under President Bharrat Jagdeo), while

the PNC’s very transparent, crystal-clear effort to equal the score evaporated under the heat of the 2021 Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling that turned the 2020 electoral dream into a political nightmare. President Irfan Ali and the PPP/C administration are going all out to show they can do more to ensure more oil dollars are spent for more popular and national development causes at all levels through creation of new jobs and opportunities and introduction of new processes, rules and regulations to continue where the APNU/ AFC left off. Likewise, as per normal, the PNC-R and the APNU+AFC Alliance in Parliament have not yet found any areas of agree-

ment with the PPP/C’s approach, elements of both related entities accusing the Ali administration of most of the same things they were accused of in office, warning against ‘spending too much too quickly’ and taking issue with the related (Natural Resources and Local Content) legislation for like and different reasons. But if anything, the current administration has been able to guide the oil boom in directions that have seen more benefits therefrom flowing more directly to communities, in greater amounts and over wider spaces, touching more communities and regions as both revenues and projections increase. The Opposition is yet to totally settle its post-Congress in-house differences

Earl Bousquet over how far and wide the new party leader will be allowed to influence the parliamentary party. And there’s no sign the Brigadier and the Opposition Leader are about to together wave the white flag, or throw the towel into the ring at Sophia. In the circumstances, since taking over from the Brigadier, the new general has been putting all his decades of accumulated experience in the trenches into strategic and tactical use, deploying all available ground forces to the front while holding decorated retirees and lieutenants with counter battle-plans at bay -- and maintaining control of the Situation Room.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

PCR tests only for persons who are hospitalised, in high-risk environments –Health Minister THE Ministry of Health a n n o u n c e d Tu e s d a y that it will only provide COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for persons who have been hospitalised, and those who have been in environments susceptible to COVID-19 infection. This was revealed Tuesday by Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony during his daily COVID-19 update. Dr. Anthony explained that the ministry, however, will instead be offering rapid antigen tests to persons who have symptoms. “With symptoms and doing the rapid test… the

test results would generally be that you’re positive if you have COVID; so, we want those persons with symptoms, they can do their rapid tests, and we’ll determine their status,” he explained. With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, persons have been flocking testing sites across the country over the last few weeks. Dr. Anthony stated that this was because persons were not observing the window period before testing. “If you have been exposed, you can’t come right away to be tested; there’s a window period that you have to wait, and

most people are not observing that. So, what is happening, is people are coming and flocking to the site, and when they get back their results, obviously it’s going to be negative, because you are within that window period when the test is not going to work,” the minister highlighted. According to the ministry’s most recent guidelines, an individual who has come into contact with a person infected with COVID-19 “should be placed on self-quarantine, and testing done five days from the date he/she was in contact with the confirmed case”.

Dartmouth residents protest manslaughter charge in Orin Boston killing

The protest at Darthmouth, Region Two POLICE and firemen was charged for man- unable to move beyond that were deployed to Dart- slaughter and was granted point. School children and mouth, Region Two, early $1M bail. Peters, a resident businesses were predomiTuesday morning after of Central Amelia’s Ward, nantly affected. residents protesting the Linden, is the one who O r i n B o s t o n S n r. manslaughter charge in- reportedly fired the fatal warned that the protest acstituted against a SWAT shot. Boston was lying in tion will continue until the rank for the shooting his bed and was unarmed case is re-heard. He is calldeath of Orin Boston, at the time of the shooting. ing for the police constable began lighting fires and Meanwhile, the Com- to be charged with murder blocking the main road mander of Region Two, instead of manslaughter. He with debris. Woman Superintendent added that his son was shot T h e p r o t e s t b e g a n Denise Griffith said that in his sleep and is therefore around 04:00 hours and the situation is not calm and calling for justice. up to press time on Tues- residents have warned that Boston was shot day, the situation had not the protest will continue if during an anti-crime opchanged. justice isn’t served. eration. The SWAT unit Residents placed a banThe residents and Bos- was reportedly searching ner with the words “ Justice ton’s relatives are calling for prohibited items in for Junior Orin aka Bat. We for the upgrade of the man- Boston’s house but nothwill not be silent” across slaughter charge to murder, ing illegal was found. a bridge which is the only since according to them The investigation into the access point to Charity Boston was unarmed, had shooting was conducted . Boston was a father of two no criminal history and was by the police’s Office of young children and operat- not wanted for any offence. Professional Responsibiled the popular “Ease Meh Tires, pieces of wood ity (OPR) and the charge Stress” bar. and other debris were set on was later instituted based On Friday, police con- fire on the bridge causing a on the advice of the Direcstable and SWAT team disruption in the free flow tor of Public Prosecutions member, Sherwin Peters of traffic. Vehicles were (DPP).

Dr. Anthony reiterated that if persons properly observe these guidelines, there would no longer be large crowds gathered to be tested on a daily basis. As a result, the minister disclosed that certain criteria must be met for persons to get a PCR test. “The ministry is now going to do PCR only for people who are hospitalized, or persons who would come to one of the A&E or outpatient clinics, and the clinicians there decide that this person would need a PCR… or if somebody is working in a high-risk setting and requires a PCR, then we will do [that test],” he noted.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony Recent studies have shown that rapid antigen tests have proven to be 78 per cent effective when confirming cas-

es of COVID-19, and 98.7 per cent effective in ruling out infection in persons who did not have COVID-19. (DPI)

Agrifood systems key to overcoming impact of pandemic

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

-Minister Mustapha inauguration ceremony of IICA Director-General

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

ENJOYING strong support from the ministers of Agriculture of the Americas and international officials, Manuel Otero, an Argentinian, assumed office as Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for the 2022 – 2026 period. This is the veterinary

surgeon’s second consecutive term as head of the specialist agency in agricultural development and rural well-being. The many officials representing all the countries of the Americas who were present to witness the ceremony made mention of Otero’s efforts to advance agrifood system sustainability in the hemisphere.

IICA Director-General, Manuel Otero

The ceremony was held at IICA Headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica, with most of the officials attending virtually, given the health situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the many officials who took the floor and emphasised the institute’s role in tackling the challenges facing food production in the region and the world were the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro; Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, Rodolfo Solano Quirós; Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply and Chair of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), Tereza Cristina; Argentina’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Julián Domínguez; Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Víctor Villalobos; Paraguay’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and Chair of IICA’s Executive Committee, Santiago Bertoni; Minister of Agriculture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saboto Caesar; Costa Rica’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Renato Alvarado; and the Bahamas’ Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, Clay Sweeting. Other speakers at the ceremony were the Deputy Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, Javier Manzanares; former President of the Dominican Republic and IICA Goodwill Ambassador, Hipólita Mejía; Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; the Honduran Secretary

of Agriculture and Livestock, Mauricio Guevara; and the Minister of Agriculture of Nicaragua, Edward Centeno. The ceremony was also witnessed by Ambassadors of IICA Member States in Costa Rica, heads of mission of international organisations with offices in that Central American country, private sector representatives, members of academic institutions and representatives from the international and national press. HONOURED IICA also used the ceremony as an opportunity to honour three outstanding women of the Americas for significant contributions to food production and rural well-being and the strengthening of the region’s agrifood systems: Maris Llorens, a Swissborn Paraguayan livestock farmer and philanthropist; as well as scientists Raquel Chan and Gabriela Olmedo, from Argentina and Mexico, respectively. After administering the oath of office to Otero, with his two young granddaughters, Catalina and Sofía, looking on, Minister Tereza Cristina remarked that, “Otero’s tremendous coordination capacity served to advance critical issues for the hemisphere’s agriculture sector. We hope that IICA will continue to support the countries in protecting agriculture and free and fair trade. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in generating income and employment and guaranteeing food and nutritional security. SEE PAGE 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

UG Berbice Campus English graduate publishes eight academic articles

Juggling between family life, a full-time job, publishing academic articles, dealing with a host of other personal and professional commitments, all the while being a final-year student at the University of Guyana, is certainly not an easy feat. But 36-year-old Ashwannie Harripersaud, an educator by profession, has proven that she has what it takes to be resilient and make her mark in the education sector. Harripersaud, a Senior Assistant Mistress at the Canje Secondary School in Berbice, will be one of over 2,200 graduands who will “walk” the virtual graduation stage when the University of Guyana hosts its series of virtual graduation ceremonies beginning February 4. The proud mother of two has successfully completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She explained that even though the final year of her studies was extremely demanding. Yet, she managed to publish eight full-length academic articles in international, scholarly, refereed journals. She also co-authored a scholarly book on West Indian Literature which was accepted for publication by Austin Macauley Press in the United Kingdom. The book, entitled Wholeness and Home in West Indian Literature, will be available in February 2022. Some of the articles that were published during her final semester at UG include: “The Classroom Re-Imagined and Re-Designed: The Pandemic-Ready Teaching and Learning Station”; “The Quadratic Equation Concept”; “Matrices: Concepts and Real World Contexts”; “Dueling Banjos: Classroom Contrapuntal: Creole versus English”; “A Review of Daizal Samad’s The Mirror Tells its Tale”; “History Through Place Names”; “Psychological/

Perceptual Inhibitors to the Teaching/Learning of Mathematics”; and “The West Indian Emerges: George Lamming’s In the Castle of my Skin”. Ashwannie also has several other articles on language and culture under consideration by international journals. She insisted, “The intent of my publications effort was to be demonstrably multi-disciplinary in approach”. According to Harripersaud, one of the most challenging periods of studying at the University of Guyana (UG) was having to shift gears from having physical classes to online learning. “Online learning defied real interaction with other students and with lecturers,” she shared. WELL-ROUNDED, CONFIDENT INDIVIDUAL Despite the challenges of online learning and not being able to physically communicate with peers and lecturers, she praised the university for the role it played in helping her to become a well-rounded and more confident individual. “I am more thoughtful and self-aware rather than being selfserious and arrogant,” she said. “There were lecturers who were driven to truly teach by example and to involve themselves in unheralded scholarly accomplishments. These were the people who drove me to think deeply about this noble profession called teaching, to understand that to teach well needs a philosophical sub-structure, that original scholarship is both a moral and professional obligation,” the proud UG graduand explained. Reflecting on her days on campus, Harripersaud noted that if she were to go back in time she would tell herself to shut out the noise and ignore the gossip. “I would aspire to be lofty in scholarly ways and be more self-critical,” she remarked .

When asked about her experience as a student at UG, the young educator responded, “My most fond memory was sitting in a class where we were encouraged to think about things far beyond our limited individual experiences, a class that conveyed information with ease

while allowing us students to learn more about ourselves: why do we think the way we think? Why do we see what we see while neglecting to see other things? Why do we behave the way we do and act the way we do? Why do we speak as we do and relate to others

in ways that we do? This was joyous and refreshing indeed -- to leave a class knowing a bit more about myself, my country, and my world. ” This is the 55th Convocation for the Turkeyen Campus and the 20th for the Berbice Campus. (UG)

Ashwannie Harripersaud

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Appeal Court stays its election petition ruling - allows AG, Jagdeo to proceed to CCJ

AT T O R N E Y- G e n e r a l Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo have been given the greenlight to move to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to challenge the Court of Appeal (CoA)’s decision that it has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal filed to challenge the dismissal of APNU+AFC’s Election Petition 99 of 2020. On Tuesday, at the King-

ston-based CoA, Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards ruled in favour of a motion filed last week by Nandlall, and Jadgeo, as the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). In the motion, the applicants sought an order granting leave to appeal the court’s December 21, 2021 decision. By way of a majority ruling, the court had said it has jurisdiction to entertain

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C. an appeal challenging Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision to dismiss the said petition, on the grounds of late service, non-service, or improper service. Secondly, the parties were seeking a stay of execution of the CoA’s judgement. During the hearing, APNU’s lawyer, Roysdale Forde called the move to the CCJ premature, since it should have been considered along with other things such as the nature of the case, and the fact that the substantive matter of the appeal itself is yet to be heard. H o w e v e r, Tr i n i d a d ian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, who represented Jagdeo, said that the matter is of great public importance. He also noted that the December ruling was not unanimous, but by majority. After hearing both sides, the Chancellor said, “This is a matter of great public importance, and, given the nature of the application and the fact that the application is brought under the respective sections of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, this court sees no reason to deny the applicants leave to appeal.” As such, she granted the leave, along with an order to stay the court’s December ruling. In a 2-1 decision on December 21, the Chancellor, and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory said that the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal that has been filed. The Chancellor, in her ruling, said that the decisions of the Chief Justice were a final order on both the election petition, and a preliminary issue of compliance. Since the Chief Justice’s decision was a final order, the Chancellor said that the petitioners have a right to an appeal, since there was no decision on the petition itself. She also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have the power to hear the appeal of an election petition dismissal, for want of compliance. She said it is a power Parliament should

consider conferring upon the Full Court. However, Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud disagreed, as, according to him, the applicants, Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse, had no right to appeal, since there was no final decision by CJ George, who had dismissed the application in January, on the grounds of serious noncompliance. At the time, the matter was before the High Court. He also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have jurisdiction to entertain the appeal, and, therefore, ruled that the appeal be dismissed. In his application for leave, Nandlall said that the intended appeal is a matter of public interest, which touches and concerns matters of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, and, as such, are proceedings of great general and public importance. Additionally, he claimed that the intended appeal is an arguable one, with a realistic prospect of success on the issue of whether the Honourable Court has jurisdiction to hear the civil appeal. According to Nandlall, the Appeal Court has a duty to protect the integrity of appeals, so that they are not rendered nugatory before they are heard and determined. As such, he asked the Appeal Court to grant the reliefs being sought, so that there may be a resolution of the fundamental issues which concern the interpretation of the Constitution, as well as issues integral to Guyana’s Constitutional democracy. The initial appeal case was filed in January 2021 by Forde and Trinidadian Attorney John Jeremie, S.C. Among other things, they contended that the CJ erred in law, and misdirected herself when she misapplied the doctrine of strict compliance by holding that such compliance is related to the contents of the Affidavit of Service, instead of the filing of the Affidavit of Service in a timely manner.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

NGSA mock exams to be written in February and May

AHEAD of the July 6-7 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), pupils will be writing their first mock exam on February 16 – 17 and the second on May 11 - 12, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced. According to the ministry, the first mock exam “will test topics - concepts up to week four of the Grade Five consolidated curricu-

lum, including the Grade Four consolidated and Grade Three normal curriculums”. The second mock exam will test topics and concepts up to the end of the Grade Five consolidated curriculum. Both mock exams are expected to be written under strict COVID-19 protocols. For both the mock exams and the NGSA, English

Paper One and Two will be written in the morning half of the first day, while Science Paper One and Two will be written in the afternoon session of that day. On the second day, Mathematics will be written in the morning session and Social Studies will be written in the afternoon. The mock exams will be written at primary schools

across the country and has become a new strategy implemented over the past two years to assist the Grade Six pupils. Aside from the mock exams, the ministry has several other initiatives in place to assist the Grade Six pupils and teachers as they prepare for the assessment. These include the NGSA Booster Programme and a ‘Quiz Me’ platform available on the

ministry’s website. The annual NGSA is considered a critical assessment for pupils as it is used to determine their placement in a secondary school. Pupils are assessed in the core areas of Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted face-to-face learning since March 2020, the ministry

has been administering the NGSA based on curriculum work up to the Grade Five level. This is part of its efforts to be more accommodating to pupils who have been disadvantaged by the closure of schools. Grade Six pupils returned to the classroom for face-to-face learning when the new school term began on January 3.

Men charged for littering granted $40,000 bail each

CITY Magistrate Annette Singh, on Tuesday, released three men who were, allegedly, caught dumping garbage on Wellington Street, Georgetown, on $40,000 bail each. Satnarine Bisnauth of Tuschen, West Coast Demerara; Jomo Singh of William Street, Kitty and

Wellington Jirk of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown were hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on separate charges. They denied that on January 17, 2022, they deposited waste on Wellington Street, a public place. After granting bail, the magistrate adjourned the

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

matter until February 10th, 2022. Last weekend, the government, the private sector and the Joint Services joined forces to clean up several parts of the city. The Guyana Police Force subsequently issued a warning to the public to desist from dumping

Satnarine Bisnauth, Jomo Singh and Wellington Jirk garbage in and around den City.’ doing so will face the full the city of Georgetown. The force has cautioned force of the law. The clean-up initiative is members of the public that Footage from CCTV part of efforts to restore it is unlawful to be dump- cameras are being reGeorgetown to its former ing garbage in the city of viewed by ranks in a bid glory and for it to be once Georgetown and its envi- to identify and capture again known as the ‘Gar- rons, and anyone found litterbugs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

For a Shared Future

(By China Today, ZHANG HUI) BEFORE the start of the Chinese lunar Year of Tiger, China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the latest economic data, showing that the country’s GDP grew 8.1 percent year on year to RMB 114.37 trillion in 2021. Facing head-on the pressure of demand contraction, weakening expectations, and other unfavorable factors amid a complicated external environment further exacerbated by intermittent COVID-19 resurgences, China has continued on the path of a stable recovery, spearheading both global economic development and epidemic control. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a special address at the 2022 World Economic Forum virtual session, in Beijing, on January 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) “China will stay committed to pursuing high-quality development. The Chinese economy enjoys a good momentum over-

all,” Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated in his speech delivered to the 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) virtual session. He pointed out that the fundamentals of the Chinese economy, characterized by strong resilience, enormous potential, and long-term sustainability, remain unchanged. “We have every confidence in the future of China’s economy,” he continued. The whole world is an interconnected body as globalization has further interlinked all countries closely together. No country can stand unscathed while many parts of the world are mired in crises, thus making them a community of shared future. Therefore, at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly held in last September, President Xi proposed a Global Development Initiative, aiming to steer global development toward balanced, coordinated, and inclusive growth amid the once-in-a-century pandemic, by calling on the international community to join hands in

rising to the challenges and seizing the opportunities. “The Initiative is a public good open to the whole world, which aims to form synergy with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and boost common development across the world. China stands ready to work with all partners to jointly translate the Initiative into concrete actions and make sure that no country is left behind in this process,” Xi noted in the 2022 WEF speech. To that effect, true multilateralism should be upheld. “We should remove barriers, not erect walls. We should open up, not close off. We should seek integration, not decoupling. This is the way to build an open world economy,” Xi observed. Workers weld components at a workshop of an automobile manufacturing enterprise in Qingzhou City, east China’s Shandong Province, on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Wang Jilin/Xinhua) The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

(RCEP) agreement, the world’s largest free trade deal to date, came into force on January 1, representing a landmark victory for multilateralism and free trade. A modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial free trade agreement, the RCEP covers about 30 percent of the world’s population, as well as 30 percent of the world’s economic and trade volume. “In addition to tariff reduction, the RCEP has also set a benchmark for economic and trade rules in the Asia-Pacific region,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a recent regular press conference, adding that the RCEP’s commitment to highlevel opening-up regarding trade and investment in services will facilitate the smooth flow of various economic factors, while further improving the industrial, supply, and value chains in the region. Having simplified administrative procedures and reduced trade barriers, the RCEP is expected to provide a strong boost to

deeper regional economic integration. As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 quickly engulfs the world, many countries have gone through renewed surges of infections. They have been put on guard again by tightening their epidemic control measures. Vaccines have become even more important. When the new year started, health workers globally had vaccinated 49 percent of the population. However, only four percent of people in the poorest countries have been fully vaccinated. China was the first country proposing to make vaccines a public good, to ensure their equitable distribution and close the global immunization gap. China has honored this commitment. As of now, the country has sent more than two billion doses of vaccines to over 120 countries and international organizations. In the global fight against the pandemic, facts have shown once again that the whole humanity is a community of a shared future. “Countries need

to strengthen international cooperation against COVID-19, carry out active cooperation on research and development of medicines, jointly build multiple lines of defence against the coronavirus, and speed up efforts to build a global community of health for all,” Xi said. Meanwhile, for China, this February is, in particular, momentous since the much-expected Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games overlaps with the country’s most important festival, the Chinese New Year. As a strong chorus of support grows around the major international sports event, China is ready to welcome Olympic athletes from across the globe. In Chinese culture, the tiger symbolizes bravery and strength. To confront the severe challenges facing humanity, we must “add wings to the tiger,” and act with the courage and strength of the tiger to overcome all obstacles on our way forward, Xi said in his WEF speech.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

China propels joint construction of green Silk Road with active efforts

(By People’s Daily Zhou Guomei) The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has yielded fruitful results and had a far-reaching influence upon the world since its inception. It has become a popular international public product and cooperation platform with exuberant vitality and broad development prospects. By adhering to green development and promoting the construction of a green Silk Road, China is actively working with various parties to advance the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, striving to make green a defining feature of Belt and Road cooperation and bringing unprecedented historic opportunities for common development and shared prosperity to countries participating in the BRI. In 2019, the BRI International Green Development Coalition was officially established. With languages and operating models recognized by various countries around the world, the coalition has carried out dialogues and exchanges, joint research, capacity building and other activities. It has attracted more than 150 Chinese and foreign cooperative partners from 43 countries and won positive response and widespread support from the international community. Last June, 29 countries jointly launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development at the Asia and Pacific High-level Conference on Belt and Road Cooperation, which further manifested the international community’s recognition of and support for green development. The Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the BRI, a set of principles released in 2018 for greening investment in the Belt and Road, has been joined by 39 large international financial institutions, witnessing a continuously

growing number of driving forces for the green development of the BRI. The pandemic has posed grim challenges to global economic, social, and environmental cooperation systems. In an effort to satisfy the needs of BRI countries in advancing economic recovery and green and low-carbon development after the COVID-19 pandemic, China has made continuous efforts to push forward with the construction of the BRI Environmental Big Data Platform, the Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center, and the BRI Green Development Institute, and implement the Green Silk Road Envoys Program and the Belt and Road South-South Cooperation Initiative on Climate Change. The country has also carried out in-depth research into hotspot issues of concern to BRI countries, including green investment as well as green and low-carbon energy development, and released a series of research reports including Green Development Guidance for BRI Projects Baseline Study Report. China has trained for nearly 120 developing countries more than 3,000 officials and technical personnel for ecological and environmental protection and addressing climate change, and was thus praised as a role model in SouthSouth cooperation by the UN Environment Programme. In addition, China has actively provided effective support for BRI countries in their efforts to tackle environmental and climate challenges by offering them technologies, products, and knowledge and information services regarding green and lowcarbon development. (The author is an official with the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Agrifood systems key to overcoming... FROM PAGE 10

IICA is the home of agriculture in the Americas and we, the countries, are counting on you.” KEY Guyanese Minister Zulfikar Mustapha also highlighted the dramatic social and economic consequences of the pan-

demic, noting that, “As the pandemic continues, our economies will continue to face challenges, and we must therefore adapt. We must consolidate the progress achieved over the past four years and focus on social development projects.” From Honduras, Secretary Guevara noted that the IICA team had provid-

ed the Central American country’s agrifood sector with considerable assistance to overcome difficult situations, such as those triggered by violent hurricanes. In turn, Costa Rican Minister, Alvarado praised Otero, describing him as “a person committed to agriculture and to the men and

women in the countryside who work day to day to provide us with food.” “We must guarantee the food security of our population and ensure a fair price for the efforts made by farmers, so that they don’t fall victim to the different means of commercialisation. It is time to turn our gaze towards

producers, to ensure their well-being and dignified existence”, noted Alvarado. In his inauguration speech, Otero expressed his excitement at assuming a new four-year term at the helm of an institution like IICA, which is now looking towards the future. “From that first day, and with the clear leader-

ship of the member countries of IICA, we have sought to ensure that agriculture and rural areas are regarded as strategic assets of the countries of the Americas, a region that has tremendous potential to contribute to resolving the regional and global crises that affect all of us”, he said.

$30M water system for Itabac

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

- Some 300 residents to access potable water for the first time A NEW water system will be installed in Itabac, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), to provide the residents with adequate access to potable water. The project is estimated to cost over $30 million, with

an estimated duration of four months. The scope of the work includes the drilling of a potable water well, the supply and installation of a distribution network, the installation of a well pump and

photovoltaic system, the establishment of service connections, the construction of a concrete base, as well as the installation of storage tanks and the setting up of interconnections to the distribution network at Itabac.

Close to 300 residents will benefit from first time access to water. Currently, the residents have no direct source of water and rely heavily on rainwater harvesting. In November, when Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal spoke with the Department of Public Information (DPI), he said that although 98 per cent of the hinterland communities has the infrastructure in place to supply potable water, only 70 per cent of the population actually has access to potable water. This is due the layout of the communities which

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and team inspecting the well being drilled at Toka, Region Nine (DPI PHOTO) means that those with no di- The project will be managed rect access to potable water by the Director of Hinterhave to walk long distances land Services, Ramchand to access water or practice Jailall. rainwater harvesting. Because of the hardships The Hinterland Depart- faced by scores of Hinterment of the Guyana Water land residents, the HousIncorporated (GWI) has ing and Water Ministry has already determined the loca- embarked on an aggressive tion where the well is to be campaign to minimise the drilled in the community. TURN TO PAGE 21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

$30M water system for...

FROM PAGE 20 inequalities and bring relief to those affected. The DPI had also reported that the GWI intends to spend some $120 million to develop water distribution systems and establish new wells across various Hinterland communities, including Yakarinta, Rupunau, Katoka and Apoteri. Minister Croal had also announced in November that another $43 million would be directed towards completing new water systems in communities such as Para Bara, Wichibai, Curicock, Jawari and Nappi. These efforts would be executed via the respective Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) s.

Further, throughout the year 2021, in excess of $150 million was invested to upgrade existing and establish new water systems in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) alone. Consequently, more than 500 residents of areas such as Shulinab, Shea, Annai, and Culvert City, Lethem were able to benefit from improved access to clean and safe water. As reported by DPI, similar works were also done in the communities of Toka, Katoonarib and Potarinau which have wells that were commissioned with distribution systems, benefitting 1,320 residents. Further, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

was signed by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for community service officers throughout the Hinterland region to be trained in the monitoring and maintenance of the water systems. Minister Croal said that two-day training programme has since commenced in Mabaruma, Region One and Lethem, Region Nine. Within the next month, training programs will take place in every other Hinterland community. As part of the 2021 national budget, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government allocated $4 billion for the procurement of equipment needed to improve and expand the wa-

ter supply network systems across the country. Another $275 million was allocated for the procurement and installation of 20,000 water meters for residential and business areas countrywide, while $200 million was plugged into the expansion of water treatment plants at Sophia, Eccles, Covent

Garden, Grove, Friendship and Vergenoegen, to benefit over 50,000 residents. Aside from extensive upgrades to the transmission mains between Church to Cummings Street and Cemetery Road to Mandela, Georgetown, benefitting over 35,000 residents, the government also invested

$100 million to procure electromechanical equipment for the rehabilitation of water production facilities. Increased investments are likely to come from allocations in the 2022 national budget, which is due to be presented next month.

Persons in home isolation will no longer be issued ‘COVID’ discharge 22

AS of Tuesday, the Ministry of Health will no longer be issuing discharge certificates to persons who have been in home isolation after contracting COVID-19. This was revealed by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, during his daily COVID-19 update on Tuesday With over 12,000 people currently infected with the respiratory illness, Dr Anthony said the ministry will be unable to issue documents for every person who may come requesting the document, as it is “clogging up the system”.

“When we had two or three persons coming for that discharge certificate, we could go back, look into the results, check and be able to give that certificate. With thousands of persons who have gotten infected… it is extremely difficult to verify the records to be able to issue discharge certificates for everyone,” the minister explained. Dr. Anthony reiterated that the document does not provide safety for persons to return to work. He said once persons have isolated and are asymptomatic after the isola-

tion period, they could return to work. “Once you have completed your home isolation, you can go back to work. There’s no need for you to take a discharge certificate,” Dr Anthony said. Further, Minister Anthony highlighted that public sector agencies should not require employees to produce clearance certificates to return to work. The minister said that should private sector entities continue to require the document, other measures will have to be implemented by these agencies to accom-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

modate that. “The private sector… who require such a discharge certificate, maybe those workplaces can make alternative arrangements for their employees to get such a certificate, but we would not be issuing discharge certificates for persons who are in home isolation,” he asserted. He said, however, that individuals who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 will be issued a document upon their release. “The persons who the ministry will issue discharge certificates for are those per-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony sons who have been hospitalised. So, if you are in any one of our regional hospitals or the Ocean View hospital, then we will issue you, upon discharge, with that discharge certificate,” the minister explained. This cessation also comes after large crowds

were seen standing in line to receive clearance certificates as the common belief was that it must be produced in order to return to work. There are currently 12,391 active COVID-19 cases across the country. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

‘Birdman’ pleads not guilty to murder of Mocha mechanic Sedley Liverpool called ‘Birdman’

A MIXED 12-member jury was, on Tuesday, empanelled before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Demerara High Court for the trial of Sedley Liverpool, who allegedly shot and killed a Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara mechanic. Liverpool, called “Birdman”, denied that, on June 1, 2015, at Nelson Street, Mocha

Arcadia, EBD, he murdered 23-year-old Terrence Lanferman. He is being represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir, while the state’s case will be presented by prosecutors Lisa Cave and Taneisha Saygon. The trial is expected to commence on January 24 and a total of 15 witnesses are slated to testify.

Liverpool’s cousin, Kenkassie Lynch was also charged for the capital offence of murder for his role in the crime. In 2019, he was tried before Justice Navindra Singh and was sentenced to serve 75 years after a jury found him guilty of the crime. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the shooting stemmed from a feud between the accused and Lanferman,

but Lynch reportedly admitted that he alone carried out the shooting. On the day in question, Lynch allegedly returned to Mocha and met his cousin, after which he visited Nelson Street to conduct surveillance on Lanferman’s house. Lynch then returned to Liverpool’s house, and at around 19:00 hours, Liverpool alleg-

edly gave him a handgun. The two headed back to Nelson Street on a ‘CG’ motorcycle. While Liverpool waited in a nearby street, Lynch allegedly went to Lanferman’s residence and knocked on the front door. Lanferman opened his front door to greet his visitor, only to be confronted by a gunman.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Ervine, seamers help Zimbabwe level ODI series with crucial win A HUNDRED from Dasun Shanaka and a 118-run stand between him and Kamindu Mendis weren't quite enough to help Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in the second ODI of the series in Pallekele. Under pressure at 63-4 in a run chase of 303, Shanaka helped Sri Lanka settle the nerves with a brilliant hundred. Kamindu Mendis held one end stable with a solid half-century, but Zimbabwe managed to keep the run rate on a leash and eventually broke the partnership with Richard Ngarava picking up the crucial wicket of Mendis. Chamika Karunaratne joined Shanaka and added some late fireworks, but a

ball after the Sri Lankan skipper completed his hundred, Chatara produced a fine slower ball that saw Shanaka hole out in the deep. Karunaratne kept fans hopeful with a late cameo, but he was run-out attempting a tough second run in the 48th over, effectively ending Sri Lanka's hopes of a win. Earlier, Zimbabwe opted to bat and started off well with Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Regis Chakabva putting on a solid half-century partnership in quick time. The introduction of spin immediately reaped rewards as Jeffrey Vandersay sent back Kaitano first and Chakabva a few overs later. Interestingly, the leg-spinner had

Craig Ervine’s 91 helped Zimbabwe post 302 for 8

dismissed both the openers in the first ODI as well. Zimbabwe resurrected the innings with Sean Williams, fresh off a hundred in the last game, and Craig Ervine milking the bowlers. The scoreboard kept ticking

steadily as the visitors maintained a healthy run rate. A desperate review against Ervine in the 27th over returned umpire's call - which was not out - and the partnership continued to flourish. The century stand came up closely afterward and Zimbabwe looked set for a huge total when Vandersay struck again. The spinner forced Williams out of his crease with one that turned sharply and Kusal Mendis whipped off the bails to affect a stumping. Chamika Karunaratne then struck with the wicket of Wesley Madhevere two overs later to leave the visitors in a spot of bother. Sikander Raza, though, ensured the efforts from the top-order wouldn't go to waste. Even with Ervine dismissed in the 90s, the all-rounder kept Sri Lanka at bay with his hitting. Raza slammed four fours and a six in a 46-ball 56 that powered Zimbabwe past the 300-run mark. Having put up a healthy total on board, the Zimbabwean bowlers responded with the new ball to force the hosts onto the back foot. Blessing Muzarabani struck twice inside the first eight overs while Tendai Chatara accounted for another to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 31-3 with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Dinesh Chandimal back in the pavilion. Charity Asalanka counterattacked with Kamindu Mendis holding the fort, but it didn't last long as the off-spinner Madhevere cleaned up Asalanka to put Zimbabwe in the driver's seat again. It was then that Shanaka walked in to put Sri Lanka in course correction mode and revive the run chase. However, his hundred went in vain as Zimbabwe accounted for him a ball after he completed the milestone, and restricted the tail to take home a narrow win. Sri Lanka have now lost more matches than any other team in the ODI World Cup Super League. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, go up from the last position with this win. They will have a chance to win their second successive bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka when the teams meet again in Pallekele on Friday. (ICC.com)

Guyana MMA fighters eager... (From back page) UAE, since Singh highlighted that Trinidad and Tobago had to withdraw after their representatives recently tested positive for COVID-19. Singh revealed that Guyana’s up-coming participation in their first IMMAF World Championships is a manifestation of almost two years of planning, with the GYMMAF using the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed to the GYMMAF accreditation to the IMMAF; something Singh labelled as “a lot of hard work and dedication”. “Because of the accreditation, Guyana now have the opportunity to participate in the World Championships moving forward and in the near future, the Olympics. We’ve been working vigorously with the Guyana Police Force Martial Arts Academy, Phoenix Jujitsu Club to ascertain the quality of athletes

we’re sending off to represent our nation,” Singh said. Several companies came in for praises from the GYMMAF, particularly Banks DIH, Bounty Farm, Akbar Inc, Sandcorp Development, Zoon, Universal Travel, WR Services, Eureka Labs, Acarai Properties and Northwest Securities. The aforementioned companies, according to Singh, played a major part in helping to make the team’s trip to the UAE a success. Hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation, with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and in partnership with Palms Sports, the senior and junior national tournaments are to take place at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena in Zayed Sports City, near UFC Fight Island (Yas Island). The event will be broadcast live globally on immaf. tv.

Box office open... fans are entitled to a 50 per cent discount on all tickets except the Banks Party Stand, as they present their local/national ID. A special ticket price of US$75 is available for the Banks Party Stand, and in addition to being fully vaccinated, fans must also present a negative rapid antigen test,

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(From back page)

administered by one of the Barbados governments approved list of testers/testing locations, taken no more than 48 hours ahead of each match day. The matches in the series are scheduled for January 22, 23, 26, 29 and 30. Play begins on each day at 16:00hrs local time. Plumpton 09:25 hrs Young Butler 10:00 hrs Dream In The Park 10:35 hrs Top And Drop 11:10 hrs Lavorante 11:40 hrs Blueberry Wine 12:10 hrs Shiroccy Road Southwell 12:35 hrs The Tron 13:05 hrs Percy Willis 13:35 hrs Lucavan 14:05 hrs Magic Gem 14:35 hrs Okaidi 15:05 hrs The Game Of Life 15:35 hrs Kind Review 16:05 hrs Olympic Eagle Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 09:40 hrs Form Of Praise 10:15 hrs Ano Syra 10:50 hrs Collective Power 11:20 hrs Grandmaster Flash 11:50 hrs Elzaamsan 12:20 hrs Mutadaawel 12:50 hrs Power Drive 13:20 hrs Ampeson

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Raducanu beats Sloane Stephens on Melbourne debut BRITAIN'S Emma Raducanu showed quality and resilience to beat American Sloane Stephens in three sets for a spot in the Australian Open tennis second round. On her senior debut in Melbourne, the US Open champion won 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 against Stephens, another previous winner in New York. Raducanu, seeded 17th, was sharp as she wrapped up the first set in 17 minutes before errors crept into her game. Stephens took advantage to level but Raducanu reasserted control to win. The 19-year-old will face Montenegro's Danka Kovinic in the second round tomorrow.

Raducanu cupped her head and dropped the racquet in what is becoming a trademark celebration, illustrating how much it meant to win in her first Grand Slam match since Flushing Meadows. "Both me and Sloane put everything out there and it was a very good match," said Raducanu, who wrapped up victory shortly before midnight and thanked an excited crowd for staying. "We had some great rallies and I'm happy to come through against such a great champion." RADUCANU SHINES AGAIN ON BIGGEST STAGE Intrigue has surrounded Raducanu going into the

2022 season as everyone wonders how she will follow her stunning ascent to the US Open title. Eyebrows were raised when her opening match of the year ended in a 6-0, 6-1 defeat by Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in Sydney. Wins have been hard to come by since her stunning victory in New York, but she showed again in Melbourne how much she thrives on the big stage. With her pre-season preparation limited by contracting COVID-19, Raducanu lost to Rybakina in 55 minutes. Against 68th-ranked Stephens, it looked like Raducanu might be wrapped up even earlier a week on - this time for wildly different

Emma Raducanu became Britain's first female Grand Slam singles champion in 44 years when she won the US Open in September

reasons. Stephens, who won the

2017 US Open, had not played for two months and only arrived in Australia recently after getting married on New Year's Day in the US. Her lack of on-court time showed as she won only four points in an error-strewn opening set. The second set completely switched. Raducanu was the one who started to make mistakes - racking up 19 unforced errors compared to only two in the first - and 28-year-old Stephens took advantage to level. Raducanu, who had never played a deciding set in a Grand Slam main-draw match, broke serve twice to race 5-0 in front in the final set. Three match points

quickly arrived in the seventh game and, after a brief delay caused by an intruding moth on the baseline, Raducanu took the final match point when Stephens flicked into the net. "It was a tough matchup for a first round," said Raducanu. "I knew there would be some long rallies because her athleticism is right up there. I had to work extremely hard for those points. "Coming out for the first set, I played very good tennis, but of course there was always going to be some adversity. I'm happy to have regrouped in the third set. "I don't think the scoreline reflected what happened in the third set." (BBC Sport)

Hussain wants Ponting to replace ECB to investigate report after police break up post-Ashes party Silverwood as England’s head coach THE England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will investigate report after police were called to break up an early-hour drinking session at the team hotel. England and Australia's players and staff got together to mark the end of the Ashes at the tourists' Hobart base. England captain Joe Root, bowler James Anderson and Australia trio Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey and Travis Head were told to disperse by police. "The England party have apologised for any inconvenience," said the ECB. "The hotel management received a noise complaint by a hotel guest and, as is commonplace in Australia, the local police attended the scene. "When asked to leave by hotel management and the Tasmanian police, the players and management in question returned to their respective hotel rooms. "The ECB will investigate further. Until such times, we will make no further comment." The investigation will

England players James Anderson (left) and Joe Root

not only focus on the incident itself but also how the video of the police intervention got in the public domain. The video showed four officers ordering Root, Anderson, Head, Carey and Lyon, who were seated around a table full of beer bottles, to disperse from a roof terrace. It was shot by England assistant coach Graham Thorpe, who can be heard naming the players and saying he was "videoing this for the lawyers". Thorpe took charge of England for the drawn fourth Test in Sydney when head coach Chris Silverwood was in isolation

after testing positive for COVID-19. England's coaching team were already under pressure following England's 4-0 series defeat. The incident comes the day after a newspaper report suggested a drinking culture had developed on the tour among England staff and players, exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions placed on the tourists. Tasmania police confirmed they were called to the Crowne Plaza hotel after 06:00hrs local time following a report of "intoxicated people". They said no further action would be taken. (BBC Sport)

SAYING England endured a tough time in the recently-concluded Ashes series would be an understatement. The Joe Root-led side hardly had any pleasant moment in the series as Australia walked away with a 4-0 triumph, retaining the Ashes urn. The Three Lions received massive criticism for their disastrous show and England Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to take some major steps to avoid such failures. Speaking on this regard, former England captain Nasser Hussain advised ECB to appoint ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting as the head coach of the national team. Not often you will see an Englishman batting for an Aussie’s inclusion in the national team set-up. However, considering the current situation, Hussain feels Ponting would be the right man to take England team forward. “I like Chris Silverwood and half his reign has come in COVID-19 bubbles. I’ve got

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting

a lot of sympathy for that … But too many mistakes have been made and Silverwood is accountable because of the extra responsibility he has for selection. You can look at the system but county cricket doesn’t make you bat first at Brisbane and leave (Stuart) Broad and (James) Anderson out on a green Gabba pitch,” Hussain said on SportMail. Meanwhile, England’s

current coach Chris Silverwood had said that he is a good coach and wants to continue in the role. However, his position is under scrutiny after the Ashes debacle. Hussain certainly believes the former Australian skipper the perfect replacement for Silverwood. “You can’t take the same management team to the Caribbean and tell them to carry on as if nothing has happened. With a heavy heart I say move away from Silverwood,” he added. “An alternative? I like Ricky Ponting. Everything I see about him impresses me. He might not have a lot of international coaching experience but he’s got a great cricket brain. There are a few out there — unfortunately, not many of them English. If Ponting is available he’d be perfect. He cares about cricket and cricketers, he knows the game inside out and has gravitas,” said Hussain further. (CricTracker)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

A player is his own best coach By Brian Davis I WATCHED the first cricket game of the Under-19 World Cup between the West Indies and Australia in the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. The TV coverage on ESPN was excellent. The main problem with television viewing is the limited vision of fieldsmen’s positions. However, the fundamentals are there for one’s enjoyment of viewing: like the bowler’s line and length, the movement of the ball through the air and off the pitch, and, of course, the replays, which beat back looking on from a distance. I expect in the modern-day game coaches would be comfortable to know that they have the benefit of TV repetition to fault players’ proficiency, whether it be batters, bowlers, wicketkeepers or fieldsmen. In addition, they also have the use of a

cricket data analyst attached to their team. The point I’m trying to make here is that there is no excuse whatsoever for batters, mostly, to be struggling with faulty techniques. The astute coach would be intent on seeking out his players’ shortcomings. The WI youth team batters were lacking in basic, orthodox methods of playing an innings. They should be taught how to construct an innings, plus other attributes have to be addressed, apart from the absolute requirement of defence, to keep one’s wicket intact, and attack - the method necessary in order to score runs. These virtues are concentration, confidence, fitness, reading of the game, enthusiasm and motivation. And they can all be developed in long practice sessions, both in the nets and in the middle, using the playing field to advantage.

Sir Curtly Ambrose

Observing the WI youths play their game against Australia on January 14, I was surprised to witness how incompetent the batters were in their approach to their innings. It was almost impossible for me to understand. Some were deficient in defence, combined with those who suffered from an absence of concentration. Then, emotionally, quite a few, not all, seemed to have anxiety problems. This

last one is a sure sign of these youths being built up for the occasion in a manner that made them worry about carrying out their function. It was noticeable the way some batters beat up on themselves after being dismissed. One doesn’t expect the youthful cricketers to have the calm assurance of experienced cricketers, but when one observed the Australian team they seemed so advanced compared to their Caribbean opponents. The reason for this is over-coaching. What I mean by this is the idea a coach might have that he’s actually pushing his team, searching for perfection, instead of allowing the youngsters to think for themselves. The only way to do that is to leave them alone. A motivational coach sees himself as a guide and allows his student to work things out for himself, then, only instructing in areas

where the youth would not be made to feel insecure, thus losing self-confidence. A player is his own best coach and a coach’s job ought to be one of encouragement with a little sound advice when necessary. Therefore, long sessions at practice are the secret of improvement and development, as all general characteristics of high-class performances are enhanced by lengthy practice. I noticed Sir Curtly Ambrose during play, coaching a fast bowler at the boundary’s edge. This should not be done. That is undermining the youth’s concentration. A coach should have chats with individual players off the field, before the game, during an interval or after the game. If the coach is doing a proper job, the young cricketer would have the confidence the coach believes in him and not have to give him hints while on the field during a

game. The coach is there to encourage, create confidence in the player, building him up. Players on the field could discuss matters with their captain or teammates, as they’re learning all the time; but coaches should leave players alone while the game is being played. The Scottish team whom WI would have challenged in their second match might not be too huge a challenge and hopefully a weaker opponent than Australia, a side that appears positively mature. Nonetheless, it was disappointing to have to witness the WI side in that first game. I can only hope that I’m wrong and the blame can be laid at the feet of the pandemic, which prevented the players from practising productively. Yet the warm-up games were also disappointing. In the end, coaches have to take the flak. (TT Newsday)

Pollard puts blame on Windies batters for series defeat KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has put most of the blame for the 2-1 One-Day International (ODI) series defeat to Ireland on the Caribbean side’s batters. He made no secret of the fact that he was disappointed in the batting unit, after Ireland survived a lower order wobble to beat West Indies by two wickets in the series-decider here on Sunday, marking only the third time they defeated the Caribbean

side in an ODI and their first series win over the West Indies. West Indies won the opening ODI by 24 runs and lost the second by five wickets. “(I am) disappointed the way we batted throughout the entire series. That is the main reason why we would have faltered,” Pollard said. “We weren’t able to put enough runs on the board. The one game where we scored 269, we were able to get over the line, but 229 and

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 19, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 19 (2) WI 11; ENG 8 Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the result of the recent WI/IRE ODI series? (2) Who was declared Man of the Series? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

212 at this international level is totally unacceptable.” Adding that the West Indies had a batting problem overall, across all formats of the game, the captain said batters needed to better assess situations and conditions, and play appropriate shots when needed. “It’s not just the 11 guys that are here or the 15 guys that are here, it’s around the Caribbean. And we continue to, sort of, reward a guy going to Super50 and score a couple of hundred runs and then, you know, he has to play or he has to be able to get into the team. We keep trying to chop and change different individuals at different times but I don’t think we’re actually addressing the real problem,” he said. However, the skipper stressed that as team leader, he accepted responsibility for the outcome of the series. “I can take that responsibility that we haven’t done well and that is not something we can hide from. But, as I have said before, it’s not just here, it’s overall across all formats, if you be totally,

West Indies and Guyana all-rounder Romario Shepherd came in for praise from Pollard

totally honest,” Pollard said. Last Saturday, as West Indies prepared themselves for the third and final ODI, vice-captain Shai Hope had defended the batters, saying they were forced to play on a pitch that was not conducive to stroke play. “We all know that in the morning time is a lot of

moisture in the pitch …. It’s not easy for batsmen to flow in those types of surface,” he said at the time. “I’m not saying that cricket has to be easy all the time, but it’s not a free-flowing wicket, especially in the morning at Sabina, so it’s just important for us as batters to adapt to that as fast as we can.” Despite the series result, Pollard was pleased with the performances of Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd and ODI debutant Shamarh Brooks. He said he was very proud of Smith and Shepherd who he said had to wait their turn to get opportunities to play with the West Indies, and wanted to see more done to develop talented players like the duo. “But they have come in and they have shown, in the last series in Pakistan and even this series here, that they want to be at the international level,” he said. “Obviously they’re a bit rough on the edges – when I talk about rough I’m talking about somebody like an Odean Smith – but you can

see the raw talent and what we see around the world is that persons take those sort of raw talents and good players and make them into great players. And that is something we need to do with some of the individuals that we have here. But are we willing to do that?” Pollard said Shepherd, in particular, was a diligent, honest, and hard worker who did whatever the team required “and he shows that he wants it”. Brooks, who hit 93 on his ODI debut in the first match, also came in for praise from the Windies skipper. “Brooksy, coming into this series, getting a 90 and missing out on a hundred, a 40-odd, missing out today (Sunday) – again, well done to him, but we need to be hungry in order to grab the chances. He would have been one who had not gotten a chance and he had the perfect opportunity here to cement his place. To the other guys, we need to work harder,” Pollard said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday January 19, 2022

Brevis puts on show as South Africa romp to victory … Afghanistan, England also in winners’ row SOUTH Africa’s Dewald Brevis cracked 108 and took the final wicket as South Africa downed Uganda by 121 runs in Trinidad, an emphatic response to their opening Group B defeat at the hands of India. Having elected to make

half-century partnership with Kaden Solomon that ended when the keeper-batter was stumped at 166 for four. Wickets fell around him regularly but with a quick single in the 41st over, Brevis brought up a superb century from 108 balls and lifted his side above 200. The

South Africa finish their Group B campaign against Ireland on Friday while Uganda face group leaders India on Saturday. Afghanistan became the final team to get their tournament underway and rolled Uganda for 65 in Trinidad to prevail by 135 runs. Afghanistan, quarter-finalists at the last edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket

South Africa’s Dewald Brevis brought up his superb century from 109 balls

first use of the Queen’s Park Oval pitch, the young Proteas stuttered and lost openers Ethan-John Cunningham (1) and Valintine Kitime (12) in the powerplay. That brought Brevis to the crease, with the starlet nicknamed ‘Baby AB’ hoping to build on his fine 65 in a tournament-opening loss to India. He cracked a pair of back-foot boundaries from the second and third balls he faced and pulled medium pacer Yunusu Sowobi dismissively for six in the 13th over. Brevis’s fast start allowed skipper George Van Heerden to play on the undercard and the pair combined for 74 before the latter pulled a full toss to Fahad Mutagana at 113 for three. Brevis pressed on, scoring heavily behind square on the off-side and building a

innings petered out somewhat and South Africa lost their last five wickets for 24 runs thanks to seamers Juma Miyagi (3-33) and Pascal Murungi (3-58). Uganda also found the powerplay overs tough going and left-armer Aphiwe Mnyanda turned the screw early on, castling Ronald Omara in the second over. Mutagana and Isaac Ategeka steadied the ship and got to 33 for one before the former nicked off to Solomon to give Mnyanda another. That would prove the biggest partnership of the innings as Uganda subsided to 110 all out, losing their last five wickets for 24 runs. Brevis was the undisputed star of the show with bat and ball, also chipping in with 2-18 and bowling Juma Miyai to take the wicket that sealed victory.

World Cup, made a steady start but were rocked by shedding three wickets in four overs inside the powerplay. Mohammad Ishaq (21) was brilliantly caught by Peter Karoho, Bilal Sayedi (12) was comprehensively bowled and Allah Noor (2) flicked to a fielder as they sank to 40 for three. The innings hinged on the fourth-wicket stand between captain Suliman Safi and Ijaz Ahmadzai, who took the game away from PNG with a partnership of 105. They struck a perfect balance between attack and defence and dealt primarily in boundaries, with 44 of Safi’s 62 runs coming from fours and Ahmadzai striking seven fours and a six. They were separated by Katenalaki Singi at 145-4

and his superb spell of 4-18 from five overs helped bowl Afghanistan out for 200 in 38.2 overs. PNG, appearing at the event for the eighth time, never looked likely to chase it down and it was downhill from the moment that Karoho was bowled on the first ball of the innings. The Afghan attack all excelled and emerged with remarkable figures, with Naveed Zadran taking 2-9 from five overs and Nangeyalia Kharote 2-5 from three. With number eight Aue Oru top-scoring with 13, PNG were dismissed for 65 from 20.5 overs. Next up for Afghanistan are rivals Pakistan tomorrow, whom PNG then face on Saturday. Captain Tom Prest made 93 at a run-a-ball before chipping in with two wickets to see England to a 106-run victory over Canada, making it back-to-back Group A wins in the process. England only needed to chase down 98 to win their opening game against Bangladesh, but were given the opportunity to flex their batting muscles when inserted by Canada at Warner Park. Jacob Bethell (7) was bowled in the seventh over, bringing together George Thomas and captain Tom

Prest who immediately took the game to the Canadian bowling attack. Prest was particularly good at picking length and pealed a pair of fours from the final over of the powerplay, which England ended at 48 for one. He also played an inventive scoop off Gurnek Singh for four behind square and brought up his half-century in 58 balls. Prest lost Thomas midway the innings when he played a tentative push and missed, bowled for 52 at 116 for two. He was ably supported by James Rew (33) and when the skipper was trapped in front for a run-a-ball 93, the momentum was maintained by William Luxton and George Bell. The buccaneering pair struck five sixes between them with Bell responsible for three in an eye-catching 57 from just 35 balls. That took England to 320/7 from 50 overs. England got rid of Can-

ada opener Siddh Lad (5) in the fifth over but were met with firm resistance in the form of a second-wicket stand worth 60. Keeper-batter Anook Chima made a measured 38 from 65 balls and Yasir Mahmood (25) joined him at the crease for a productive 10 overs. Skipper Prest got rid of Mahmood and then four wickets fell for 35 runs as Canada’s run chase floundered. England were defied by Gurnek Singh, who hit four fours and two sixes, and Ethan Gibson who also played a range of attacking shots in a seventh-wicket stand worth 74. But Josh Boyden took control with the ball and snaffled three of the last four wickets to fall to finish with 4-44, his second four-wicket hall in as many games. Canada were only bowled out in the penultimate over, for 214. (ICC Media)

Simmons implores players to better assess situations ahead of series against England WEST Indies senior Men’s head coach, Phil Simmons, says players must be more aware of situations ahead of the Betway T20 International Series against England. “Each game has a situation. Every ball is a situation in the game, and we’ve got to be able to assess that situation and know how we have to play in that game. If you’re 20-3 you play differently than if you’re 40-0. These are the little situations that we need to highlight and win and that will take us to winning the game,” he said in a press conference yesterday. Simmons also explained that the return of the West Indies to the pinnacle of world cricket will only come with a focus on development at all levels.

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons

“Definitely things need to be changed at different levels. You don’t become bad batters at this level,” he said. He continued, saying that responsibility lies with coaches at all levels to see to the development of players in the region.

“You come up here thinking you are able to play up here, but things are not going the way they should, so there must be some sort of responsibility taken from the levels before us and that’s something that has to be addressed, generally, as an organisation,” Simmons added. With that said, Simmons also acknowledged that once players get to the international level, they also have a part to play. “In saying that, the guys, when they come up here, need to fight harder. They need to put more effort into wanting to be the best in the world when they come up here,” he added. The West Indies will play five T20 Internationals against England in Barbados starting on January 22. (Sportsmax)

From left, five of the six athletes heading off to the IMMAF World Championships in the UAE – Webster McRae, Christopher James, Akeem Fraser, Corwin D’Anjou and Ijaz Cave

We’re ready!

Guyana MMA fighters eager to feature at World Championships By Rawle Toney GUYANA’S Mixed Martial Arts team will depart tomorrow for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital of Abu Dhabi, where they will join athletes from over 50 countries at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships. Corwin D’Anjou, one of the six athletes representing Guyana at the January 24-29 event, believes that though the Land of Many Waters is not known for producing top fighters in the Octagon, the athletes are determined to give a good account

of themselves. Renowned Judoka, Sensei Bruce Fraser will turn to D’Anjou, his most prized fighter at the Championships and who has a number of MMA bouts under his belt. D’Anjou’s amateur MMA history saw him only lose once in four outings, while winning the other three via submission. However, he admitted that with national pride on the line, Guyana can expect nothing but his best while in Abu Dhabi. The black belt judoka said the team had worked hard during their preparation with Sensei Fraser and Sensei Troy Bobb, while pointing

GYMMAF president Gavin Singh

out that they’ve done almost everything possible to have a positive result when they get into action. “I wouldn’t go into details in terms of our preparation because the World is watching, so we’ll allow that to be a surprise, but just know that we’re well equipped; we worked very hard and we will not take this opportunity lightly,” D’Anjou said. D’Anjou will compete in the Men’s Welterweight (77.1kg) division, while Webster McRae will suit-up in the Middleweight (83.9kg) category. Ijaz Cave and Akeem Fraser

will throw-down in the Men’s Light Heavyweight (93kg), Christopher James in the Heavyweight (120.2kg), while John Campayne will measure-up in the Super Heavyweight (300kg) division. Meanwhile, with Guyana making their debut at an IMMAF World Championship, president of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF), Gavin Singh, believes the country’s presence alone in Abu Dhabi, is an accomplishment. In fact, Guyana will be the only country from the Caribbean present i n t h e TURN TO PAGE 28 ►

Box office opens for historic Betway T20I series … to be attended by fully vaccinated fans BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Fully vaccinated fans from yesterday were able to purchase tickets for the first series to be played here since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with Kensington Oval operating at only 50 per cent capacity for the five-match Betway T20 International (T20I) Series between West Indies and England. Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the opening of the box office at Kensington Oval for the inaugural series which will feature two consecutive weekends of back-toback T20Is starting on Saturday, January 22 and concluding on Sunday, January 30. CWI said it has been working with the Barbados Government, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Kensington Oval to provide the safest venue possible.

“We are excited to open the box office today for this historic Betway T20I Series. A huge collaborative effort has allowed for fully vaccinated fans to see these five matches in a safe environment,” said CWI Commercial Director Dominic Warne said. “We encourage all fans to carefully follow the COVID-19 protocols at the venue to enjoy thrilling T20I cricket between two exciting teams.” CWI said there is limited availability of seats with a high chance that tickets will be sold out before the day of each game because the venue is operating at limited capacity as a result of COVID-19 protocols. Fully vaccinated fans will be able to sit with their family or travel groups, while marshals and stewards ensure social distancing between groups of fans. Fans must also wear face masks at all times other than when eating and drinking. “A range of ticket prices allows for different viewing locations and budgets,” Warne said.

Ticket prices range from US$40 to US$80 for any of the seated stands, and Caribbean TURN TO PAGE 28 ►

Kensington Oval will be operatin at only 50 per cent capacity for the five–match series

Brevis puts on show as South Africa romp to victory … Afghanistan, England also in winners’ row

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