Issuu

WEDNESDAY 23rd June, 2021

' No.106400

Modern building for Abram Zuil Secondary School

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GECOM trio sent on leave SEE PAGE 03

March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo (left) and Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

Delay in Sputnik V 15 arrival may be due to Russia’s COVID spike PAGE

Attorney-General sues Ferguson over ‘slanderous’ ID card comments 02 PAGE

Pensioner dies 13 in boat collision PAGE

Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers

Sputnik V vaccines authentic 07 PAGE

–– Russian manufacturer confirms, Health Ministry calls for public apology from Harmon

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Attorney-General sues Ferguson over ‘slanderous’ ID card comments By Richard Bhainie ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Tuesday, filed a lawsuit for the defamation of his character against A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson, for remarks she made stating that he was distributing identification cards on Elections Day. The allegation that Nandlall had distributed identification cards to People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporters on the March 2, 2020 Elections Day, surfaced on the same day when the remarks were made by General-Secretary of the

People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Amna Ally and former Attorney-General, Basil Williams, at the Mon Repos Primary School, East Coast Demerara. Ferguson had reiterated the remarks on March 22, 2021 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, during a round-table discussion hosted by the European Union (EU) Elections Observer team, in front of the entire forum, while speaking through a microphone. The court documents filed by Nandlall quotes her as saying “…you have persons who are sitting in this room that were found distributing ID Cards on elections day, not the APNU/AFC. It is the very Attorney-Gener-

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.

al, Mr. Anil Nandlall, who was found distributing ID Cards in the lower East Coast corridor…” Present at the round-table discussion were UN Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka; the United States (US) Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Mark Cullinane; Director of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Dorotta Tyzy; representatives from the political parties, constitutional service commissions, the press and other prominent authorities. The Statement of Claim filed on behalf of Nandlall by the law firm, Satram & Satram, noted that, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by way of innuendo, the words uttered by Ferguson meant and were understood to mean that Nandlall committed a criminal offence and an electoral offence, both

punishable by imprisonment. It goes on to state that Ferguson utterance means that Nandlall is guilty of electoral irregularity; that he was actively aiding and abetting persons to commit a criminal electoral offence and to commit electoral irregularities; that he perverted the electoral process; that he is dishonest and lacks integrity; that he was unfit to participate at forums like the round-table discussion and that he was unfit for public office. CALCULATED TO DISPARAGE “The aforesaid words complained of were calculated to disparage the Claimant [Nandlall] and intentionally done to and did embarrass, humiliate and injure the reputation and standing of the Claimant in his profession and office,” the court doc-

ument stated. The court document noted that Ferguson made the remarks knowing them to be false, and as a consequence, Nandlall’s reputation has been seriously harmed and he has suffered considerable hurt, embarrassment, distress and anxiety. The Attorney-General is claiming general damages in excess of $10,000,000; aggravated damages in excess of $10,000,000; costs and other orders the Court deems just and reasonable. Nandlall is also seeking an injunction restraining Ferguson and anyone acting on her behalf from speaking or publishing the said or similar defamatory remarks, as the court document noted, if Ferguson is not restrained by the Court, she will continue to publish the same or similar remarks. Nandlall had previously issued a statement on the matter denouncing a video that was circulating on Facebook in which Ally and Williams made the accusation, noting that on the day in question he was called to the location by PPP/C candidates to observe a crowd misbehaving and abusing persons who were going to cast their vote. “When Basil Williams

and Amna Ally entered, I thought I was talking to intelligent, mature, experienced politicians who would have been able to rise above the foolish fray and, low and behold, they were mouthing the identical accusation,” Nandlall expressed in the statement. The Attorney-General on March 23, 2021 had disclosed that he was awaiting a transcript of the recorded meeting to file legal proceedings against Ferguson where the burden of proof will be on her to prove before a judge in the High Court that the accusations she made are truthful. “I don’t want when I go to court she denies saying so, although she said it in a whole room of people. I will have the recording with her voice on it so the judge will not have to be in doubt and I will not have to go to any great length in providing that these words were uttered and were uttered by her,” he said. “She will go and explain to a judge of the High Court very soon how she knows that I was sharing out ID cards. Let them bring the person who saw me or let them bring evidence that they have that I was sharing out ID cards on Elections Day,” he added.

GECOM trio sent on leave GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

By Richard Bhainie

COME Monday, June 28, 2021, Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM’s) Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, and the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, will proceed on their respective annual leave. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) nominated GECOM Commissioners, Sase Gunraj, Manoj Narayan and Bibi Shadick, tabled three motions, dated June 1, 2021, seeking the “immediate dismissal” of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo. They had cited a gamut of reasons pertaining to breach of functions, duties, responsibilities and obligations, to support the motions filed. Speaking to the media, Gunraj explained that when the motions are called up on Tuesday, the Opposition nominated commissioners raised objections pertaining to the debate of the motions. He explained that they cited reasons including that GECOM ought not to deliberate on the motions given that the persons who tabled the motions are also tasked

said.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) nominated GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj

with the responsibility of discussing and determining it. “They also suggested that an independent tribunal or some tribunal be set up to deal with it - some tribunal to determine and hear the issues outside of the Commission,” Gunraj said. However, the PPP/C Commissioners submitted that GECOM, by virtue of its constitutional mandate, is responsible for the hiring, firing, disciplining and overall management of its staff, and as a consequence is specifically tasked and authorised to hear and determine the motions for the trio’s dismissal. “After much back and forth discussions, the Chairman reserved her ruling on it, but, more importantly, the Chairman has made a

decision which was taken very consensually by the commissioners that the three officers be sent on their annual leave,” Gunraj said. He hopes for a timely ruling by the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, pertaining to the ability of the Commission to hear the motions, and he is optimistic that the motions will be heard by the Commission as to his reckoning every authority indicates that the Commission has the authority and ability to hear and determine the motions. “My reading from the Constitution and the articles of the Constitution from which GECOM derives its power does not suggest that we have the power to delegate those functions,” Gunraj

CHARGED The GECOM trio came in for harsh criticism from the public at large for their alleged conduct at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. They have since been charged, and are currently before the courts. Lowenfield is faced with three counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and three counts of Forgery; while Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers

Mingo was charged with four counts of Misconduct in Public Office, and Myers with two counts of Misconduct in Public Office. Gunraj explained that “courts upon courts” have pronounced upon the actions of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo during the shenanigans that followed the March, 2020 Elections Day and have determined the “egregious nature” of their actions. With some $1.1 billion budgeted for in the 2021 Budget towards the hosting of Guyana’s Local Government Elections (LGE) – intended to be held this year, several government officials have chastised the trio and have registered their concern about going to elections with

March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo (left) and Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

them at the helm of GECOM. “The public posture and the public confidence of GECOM depend on the removal of these persons. The public confidence of stakeholders and of the general electorate is at an all-time low because of the actions of these persons,” Gunraj said as he disclosed that the Chairperson did not make a decision on the date a decision on the matter will be given. According to a press release from GECOM, Lowenfield will proceed on 42 days annual leave, Myers will be on 120 days leave and Mingo will be on 35 days leave and the Commission intends to conclude the discussions within the shortest possible time.

In addition to Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers, Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence; Opposition activist, Carol Joseph; the CEO’s clerks, Michelle Miller, Denise Bob-Cummings; Elections Officer, Shefern February and Information Technology Officer, Enrique Livan were also charged. They are all accused of inflating the results of Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district – to give the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition a majority win at the March 2 polls when in fact, the PPP/C had won by 15,000 votes.

Businesses donate janitorial, veterinary supplies to flood-relief efforts

REGAL Stationery and Computer Centre is the latest private-sector body to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture to offer relief to those who are affected by flooding. On Monday, representatives from the company handed over 100 hampers with janitorial supplies to the ministry. Subject minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who received the hampers thanked the company for its timely donation. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a number of corporate bodies rendering their assistance to help those who were affected by flooding. I’m happy that you have joined

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, receiving veterinary supplies from a representative of Poonai’s Pharmacy and General Store

in these efforts because I’ve been making the call for other bodies to come on board,” the minister told the representative of the company. Minister Mustapha

noted that he and other government ministers have been engaging residents of flood-affected communities and while they have been providing relief, the government can only do so much.

“The government cannot do it alone,” he said adding: “Several other companies have made contributions to the CDC (Civil Defence Commission) and other ministries. The devastation is tremendous in areas like Kwakwani, Black Bush Polder, and Region Seven. We’ve been interacting with farmers and residents across the country and these hampers will assist with giving some form of help to those who are affected,” he said. Meanwhile, Poonai’s Pharmacy and General Store, on Sunday, donated a number of veterinary supplies to the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) to aid in their flood-relief efforts.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, collects one of the hampers from a representative of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre

With the current flood situation in Guyana now being declared a national disaster, several corporate bodies have been rendering support to those who have been affected.

Persons have received hampers with food items and janitorial supplies from both the government through the CDC and several corporate bodies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

COVID: Vaccines running out in poorer nations, WHO says

A large number of poorer countries receiving COVID-19 vaccines through a global sharing scheme do not have enough doses to continue programmes, the World Health Organisation has said. WHO senior adviser, Dr Bruce Aylward said the Covax programme had delivered 90 million doses to 131 countries. But he said this was nowhere near enough to protect populations from a virus still spreading worldwide. The shortages come as some nations in Africa see a third wave of infections. On Monday, South Af-

rican President Cyril Ramaphosa called for an end to vaccine hoarding by wealthier countries as his government scrambled to curb a steep rise in cases. On a continental level, only 40 million doses have been administered so far in Africa - less than two per cent of the population, Ramaphosa said. To address this, he said his government was working with Covax to create a regional hub to produce more vaccines in South Africa. Covax was created last year to ensure COVID-19 doses were made available around the world, with richer countries subsidising costs

for poorer nations. Led by the WHO and other international organisations, Covax initially set a target of providing two billion doses worldwide by the end of 2021. Most of those are being donated to poorer countries, where Covax hopes to distribute enough vaccines to protect at least 20 per cent of the populations. However, the distribution of these vaccines has been hampered by manufacturing delays and supply disruptions, leading to shortages in countries wholly reliant on Covax. Uganda, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Trinidad and Tobago are just some of the countries that have reported running out of vaccines in recent days. At a WHO briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Dr Aylward acknowledged the extent of those shortages in stark terms. Of the 80 low-income countries involved in Covax,

Some countries are battling third waves of Covid-19 as vaccines run out (BBC photo) “at least half of them do not have sufficient vaccines to be able to sustain their programmes right now,” Dr Aylward said. “If we look at what we’re hearing from countries on a day-to-day basis, well over half of countries have run out of stock and are calling for additional vaccine. But in reality it’s probably much

higher,” Dr Aylward said. He said some countries had tried to make alternative arrangements to end shortages, with harsh consequences, such as paying above market value for vaccines. As vaccine supplies come under strain, some wealthier countries with spare doses are leading efforts to step up donations through Covax and other means. On Monday the administration of US President Joe Biden announced how it planned to donate 55 million vaccine doses to countries in need. Of those, 41 million would be distributed through Covax, with the remaining 14 million shared with countries deemed to be priorities. These vaccines are not included in the 500 million doses President Biden said the US would donate via Covax. President Biden made that pledge earlier this month

at a summit of major economic powers, known as the G7 (Group of Seven). Together, those G7 members committed to donate one billion vaccines to poorer countries over this year. But campaigners criticised the pledge, saying it lacked ambition, was far too slow and showed Western leaders were not serious about tackling the worst public health crisis in a century. Some health experts believe it could be months - if not years - before enough people are vaccinated globally to declare an end to the pandemic. When asked about global need for vaccines on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: “What we have found to be the biggest challenge is not actually the supply, we have plenty of doses to share with the world, but this is a Herculean logistical challenge.” (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

‘Life can’t go back to normal’ – Kwakwani Waterfront residents urged to relocate - cycle of flooding expected to worsen By Naomi Parris

IN May, the regional authorities of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) had declared the community of Kwakwani to be in a “severe state” since water levels had risen above 15 feet, completely covering several homes. Yearly, when the May/ June rainy season comes, residents would brace themselves for heavy torrential rainfalls and light flooding. This year was no different as many had prepared for the “norm” that they had grown accustomed to. However, the rainy season brought more than what residents had bargained for. Cort Simeon, the Vice-Chairman of the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council (KNDC) disclosed that residents would have experienced a similar ordeal with severe flooding at the Kwakwani Water Front some ten years ago and sometime in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the water level has never risen as high as it did this year. “It’s about 10 years ago, Kwakwani would have had severe flooding but not to this extent. We would have never ever in history had this before and I born and grow in Kwakwani,” he told the Guyana Chronicle during a telephone interview. He said the waterfront area which is separated from the Berbice River by a long stretch of road and a sandbank

along with another area called Lamp Island are currently the most severely affected in the community. Simeon explained that residents would usually brace themselves for torrential rainfall and high tide, but what they had not prepared themselves for, was high water levels. “It’s a norm every May/ June to have flood come up a little bit and we brace ourselves for that two months or some, and we would cope but now things are getting out of hand for us.” Over the past few months, there has been a significant increase in the water level of the river, which, coupled with heavy torrential rainfall, has left the community inundated since late April. In the past, Simeon said, “We would have never reached the stage where the entire waterfront had to be out of electricity as a result of the flooding and presently we are out of electricity.” The Guyana Chronicle had recently spoken to waterfront resident, Kenrick Samuels, who was in disbelief and was hurriedly packing his valuables to move to higher ground. Samuels, who owns and operates a welding shop in the area, had related that the water in the area rose quickly, and within the blink of an eye, his workshop was completely

Persons in a boat manoeuvre through floodwater in Kwakwani to reach residents who are affected. Due to the flooding situation this is the only way for residents to move around (Solomon McGarrell photo) inundated. In a follow-up interview on Tuesday, Samuels said that watching the water level in his hometown quickly rise was “unbelievable”. The man said he has been living in the community all of his life, and while he had experienced flooding before, it was never this severe. SEASONAL FLOODING To trace the history of seasonal flooding in the Region 10 community, the Guyana Chronicle spoke to the former Regional Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, who was the then acting regional chairman some ten years ago when severe flooding had hit the community.

COVID-19 death toll surpasses 450

THREE more COVID-19 deaths announced by the Ministry of Health, on Tuesday, have pushed the toll for June to 54, and the overall toll since the arrival of the viral disease in Guyana, to 452. According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are a 74-year-old female from Region 10, a 32-year-old female from Region Nine, and a 48-year-old male from Region Four. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health has also recorded 90 new cases of COVID-19, with 1,295 tests carried out for June 21, 2021. Of those, Region Three confirmed eight cases, Region Four, 36; Region Five, three; Region Six, eight; Region Seven, two; Region Nine, 28, and Region 10, three. The newly-infected persons were 45 males and 45 females. Currently, 21 persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 106 are institutionally isolated, 1,414 are isolated at home,

and seven are institutionally quarantined. Of Guyana’s 19,234 COVID-19 cases since the arrival of the virus here, 1,548 are currently active, while 66 of the 17,241 overall recoveries were recorded within the past 24 hours. All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need

for good hand hygiene to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The Minister of Health has also urged persons 18 years and older to take the COVID-19 vaccine, to immunise themselves against the deadly virus. If anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www. health.gov.gy.

Mingo, in a candid interview, said that severe flooding in Kwakwani is a phenomenon that tends to occur every ten years or so during the rainy season or whenever there is above-normal rainfall. “There is what I want to call a cycle of flooding that takes place primarily in the Kwakwani Waterfront area. What happens is whenever there is persistent rainfall…the rain falls in the upper regions of the Berbice River so the water keeps rushing down there and it normally overflows the banks of the river in the vicinity of Lamp Island and also the waterfront area,” Mingo explained. He noted that in 2006 just after a wave of severe flood-

ing, the then government had identified an area in Kwakwani to be transformed into a housing scheme to facilitate the relocation of residents from the waterfront area. However, only a few residents would have opted to relocate to higher grounds. According to Mingo, majority of the residents were reluctant to relocate. “There was a new housing scheme which was developed and most of those persons were offered house lots to relocate. However, there was a high level of reluctance by those persons to relocate,” he said lamenting that, “most of them preferred to ride the flooding out.” Previously, he said the water would have subsided within a week or two and residents would have returned to their normal lives. He added that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) would respond to the needs of residents during and after the floods. ‘IT’S TIME T O RELOCATE’ Mingo explained to this publication that, in the past, residents would just clean-up and go back to normal after the floodwaters would have receded. He insisted that given the recurring floods, residents, par-

ticularly those living along the waterfront should take climate change and global warming into consideration and relocate. “What could be done is the only thing that was referred to those people during my time, which was 20 years ago, is have those persons relocated …but as I said there is a reluctance of them to relocate,” he adding: “Once the water has subsided, life goes back to normal and that’s it.” Mingo said given the severity of the flooding this time around, it is safe to say that the cycle will continue and severe flooding can be expected in the future. “I’m certain that once this water subsides, within another three years or so, it is going to come back again. It’s a normal phenomenon. It’s nothing new, but what is new, is the level of the water would have risen,” he said. According to the current Regional Chairman, Deron Adams, the community has a population of about 3,000 people. With dozens of homes at the waterfront area inundated, shelters were set up at the Kwakwani Primary and Secondary schools which are located more inland and on higher ground. These shelters are housing those flood-affected residents who are unable to stay with their relatives or friends. Up to press time on Tuesday, close to 100 persons were being housed at those shelters.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Same old same old at City Hall THE government continues to make necessary interventions to help mitigate the impact of the floods in various parts of the country. The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and key ministries, including Agriculture, Public Works and Local Government and other agencies, are working tirelessly around-the-clock to not only provide some relief to affected residents, but to also assess the damage inflicted. It continues to be a coordinated and collaborative effort by the stakeholders to confront these challenges. However, on one front, the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown to be precise, there appears to be a deliberate attempt to inconvenience residents. One night, not too long ago, President Dr. Irfaan Ali visited pump sites and sluices in the City and its environs and found that many, if not all, were turned off and closed respectively when they should have been in operation. Subsequent to that, the Minister of Agriculture conducted a similar visit, and his findings were no different. He

alluded to what he believed to be acts of sabotage on the part of the M&CC. Just this week, garbage was seen piling up in various parts of the City. Given the impact of clogged drains and canals, and the potential the garbage pileup can have to heighten flooding, it is therefore unfathomable that such will be allowed to occur during this period of heavy rainfall. This week, the Minister of Local Government pointed to negligence, and stated his belief that little is being done by the leadership of the M&CC to develop the City, due to politicization, and taking advantage of the Opposition’s control of City Hall. Given what was most recently discovered, it becomes extremely difficult to indeed not conclude that there may be a deliberate effort by the M&CC to be negligent and politicise the situation. Many are of the view that by doing so, the intention is to embarrass the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government in the perceived context that it has neglected the Capital City, especially since it does not have political

control of City Hall. Nothing could be further from the truth, and what is irrefutable is that the Opposition APNU+AFC has political control of the M&CC. It goes without saying that their supporters are in the majority, therefore any act of sabotage or negligence by City Hall, even those premised on political spite, will affect all residents, moreso their own. The obvious question is: Why inflict suffering, even on your own, for political purposes? Experts could use the point of ingrained characteristics on the part of the current Opposition in trying to justify the actions in question. Sadly, negligence and mismanagement appear intrinsic to the City Hall. Under its leadership, the City has been flooded even when it shouldn’t, and with additional mechanism to alleviate the situation in place. Garbage pileup seems an integral facet of its operation, or lack thereof. Citizens, regardless of political affiliation, continue to lament the M&CC’s inability to develop the City, and its continual inefficient approach to deliver vital services.

Any doubt may have been dispelled through recent reports on the Mayor refusing to take any blame for the poor management of the City’s pumps and sluices, while stating that it is not his job to monitor employees. That in itself explains not only how the government feels about City Hall, but the citizenry as a whole. While, from such reports, one may be led to believe a not so subtle abdication of responsibility on the part of the Mayor, it may be more reflective of what seems to be a calculative approach, where he is more concerned about facilitating the desires of his political masters. That seems more in keeping with reality, especially since in the past, the magnitude of mismanagement at the M&CC led to staff not being paid on numerous occasions, which, in itself, led to the PPP/C government having to intervene to lessen the impact. Clearly, nothing has changed at City Hall over the years, even the blame game from the bowels of its seat of power.

Health of the nation is the wealth of the nation Dear Editor, VACCINE hesitancy is of mounting concern around the world, and local politicians that add fuel to such a negative cause are setting their supporters up for suffering and death, although global leaders have embraced vaccination that has saved thousands of lives. Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon has shown poor leadership and lack of care for Guyanese that have taken his advice to not get vaccinated, while making disparaging remarks about the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme that has been successful so far. President, Dr Irfaan Ali has condemned as “reckless and immature” a call by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon to suspend the administration of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Political leaders who oppose the development and safety of the citizenry are selfish, and will be judged accordingly in the history books. As of Monday last, the Health Min-

istry shared that Guyana would have vaccinated close to 50 per cent of its adult population with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and about 20 per cent of the adult population has received their second dose, making them fully vaccinated. President, Dr Irfaan Ali has mandated that the Health Ministry vaccinate all adults by the end of 2021. Government has reiterated on many occasions that Guyana will not be deterred by vaccine price or other barriers. The Government has declared that it will invest as necessary to protect the Guyanese people. The Region Three COVID-19 Task Force hosted its first ‘drive-thru’ vaccination on June 19 at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac, West Bank Demerara, and the next is expected to be held at the Synthetic Track and Field Facility in Leonora. The Region Three Chamber of Commerce is encouraging and advocating for all right-thinking Guyanese to take advantage of the vaccination process that is currently being administered freely by

healthcare professionals, as in the future, those who did not receive will have to pay at private entities for the same vaccine. So far, Guyana has been able to secure vaccines and donations from COVAX, Barbados, China, India, Dubai and the African Union/CARICOM Agreement. This is available to benefit all Guyanese, but misguiding citizens with cheap politics will only cause the Opposition to hemorrhage further, as veteran People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Thandi Mc Allister has this month also resigned from the party that she served for over 25 years, after highlighting that the Opposition has a poor vision for youths and the nation. The Opposition Leader has openly declared that in vaccinating 223,659 persons with a first dose, and the 92,157 fully vaccinated persons so far, the price paid was not worth it. No one that is fully vaccinated in Guyana has ended up in the ICU; none has died. This investment in our people is entirely worth it. The world must emerge from this pan-

demic with as many people as possible vaccinated. To achieve that, people in politics must leave judgements on vaccination safety and efficacy to the independent experts that they have entrusted with making these decisions. Harmon must be reminded that if he is interested in the next elections dead supporters will not assist him in any way. Currently, government is embracing all religions, races, sexual orientations and everyone in society to take the vaccine to safeguard themselves and their families. Mr. Harmon should rethink his posture and instead advocate for all to take the vaccine since he is not a scientist and should not be making claims about the vaccine without any foundation of a scientific nature. Yours sincerely, Halim Khan President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Sputnik V vaccines authentic –– Russian manufacturer confirms, Health Ministry calls for public apology from Joseph Harmon LESS than a week after Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon expressed his belief that the COVID-19 vaccines entering Guyana from Russia could be inauthentic, and discouraged Guyanese from taking the drug, the Ministry of Health on Tuesday released a document from Director-General of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIV), Alexander Chistyakov, dismissing Harmon’s claims. The document, which was a letter issued by Chistyakov, head of the Human Vaccine Limited Liability Company (LLC), which is a subsidiary of the RDIF, confirmed the authenticity of the shipments of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines sold to Guyana by an authorised company called Aurugulf, by providing batch numbers, certificate of analysis, and the packing list, along with the vaccine shipments. According to a statement released by the Health Ministry, the document dismisses the “malicious and reckless” statements made by Harmon that seem to indicate that the vaccines in Guyana may be fake, since the batch numbers issued by the RDIF match those of the vaccines received by the ministry. The statement also stated: “Mr Harmon has demonstrated that scoring cheap political points trumps the well-being and welfare of the Guyanese people.” The ministry has since called for Harmon

Photos of the document issued by Director-General of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIV), Alexander Chistyakov, confirming the authenticity of the Sputnik V vaccines entering Guyana

to publicly withdraw his statements, and to issue a public apology to the Guyanese people for the irreparable harm that he has done to the national vaccination programme, the distrust that he has created, and the vaccine hesitancy that he may have caused, which has indirectly put at risk the lives of many Guyanese. Last Thursday, even after becoming fully immunised against the deadly coronavirus, Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon hosted a press conference to express his belief that the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia could be fake, and called for a suspension in the administering of the drug, without any evidence to support his allegations. Harmon’s call has since attracted a myriad of criticisms from various sections of society, including respected doctors and leading private sector groups, and has even elicited a stern response, deeming the statements “shamefully reckless, selfish, and against the interest of Guyana and Guyanese”, from the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali. As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the deadly coronavirus, almost every country has been working overtime to acquire the lifesaving vaccines. Fortunately, Guyana has remained one of the few nations that have been able to acquire enough vaccines to sufficiently immunise a large percentage of its adult population.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Arakaka residents receive flood-relief hampers

RESIDENTS of Arakaka, in the Matakai sub-region of Region One, are among the latest beneficiaries of the government’s hamper distribution programme. Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal on Tuesday led the initiative, along with Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley and Chairman of Matarkai Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Orlando Thorne. The Regional Chairman said that some 32 communities across the Barima-Waini region have been affected by floods, thereby presenting serious implications for thousands of residents. Arakaka, which was cut off from critical sup-

plies due to the inundation of the access roads, is the most affected area. Government’s aim is to assist all families that have been directly affected by the flooding. “We understand your plight, and this is intended to help you, “Minister Croal said, adding: “Our approach is threefold; initially, we conducted an assessment, [and] we also have our healthcare workers monitoring for waterborne disease. This distribution represents the second aspect of our second response.” The final aspect of the programme will include providing assistance to resuscitate farming, mining and other economic activities in the region that

An Arakaka resident receiving her hamper from Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, while Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, assists with holding an additional bag have been shaken. Additionally, the minister told Arakaka residents that development plans are in motion for the community. In an effort to expand the village’s water distribution service, he stated that a new well will be added to community.

“We also previously committed to providing a generator to supply electricity to the community for 2021; that generator has arrived, and installation will commence soon. Every community’s development is important to us, as well as the growth of

our country,” the minister said. One hundred and fifty hampers were handed over in Arakaka. As the days progress, the minister and his team will be distributing hampers to a number of other villages in the sub-region.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Severe flooding caused collapse of tailings pond –– Minister Edghill

TORRENTIAL rainfall, which caused severe flooding at the East Montgomery Mine in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), led to last Thursday’s collapse

of a tailings pond. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, during a brief telephone interview on Monday, confirmed that an inspection led by a team of engineers from

Bosai Minerals Inc. engineers during their inspection of the mines following a breach of the tailings pond

The four-foot channel that was dug by the NDIA to drain floodwater from the residential communities of Three Friends and Maria Elizabeth

his ministry and representatives of Bosai Minerals Inc., which owns the mines, revealed that severe flooding was the cause of the breach. Minister Edghill also noted that the area where the breach occurred is exhausted, and mining operations there have been dormant for several years now. This breach left the Three Friends and Maria

Elizabeth communities inundated for several hours. In a separate interview, Bosai’s Communications Relations Officer, Scherry Domer said that extensive inspections of the mines have revealed that water levels had risen above 15 feet. “They are water stains around the perimeter of mined-out areas that show the height to which the water rose, currently es-

timated at over 15 feet,” Domer said. Domer further explained that the elevated water levels eventually caused distress to the exit dam, and saw water being released into the surrounding residential areas. “The sudden release of over 15 feet high volume of water from the mined-out area resulted in a tsunami effect, which overwhelmed the excessive flow of water into the Three Friends Mine.” Shortly after this had occurred, the management of the mining company was alerted about the breach, and a team of senior representatives was dispatched to the area to have a first-hand look at the situation, she added. A team of engineers from the Ministry of Public Works also visited Bosai’s operations, and was shown the extent of the company’s property, as well as the discharge of the drainage pumps to the environment. The team was reportedly pleased with the findings of the inspection, and determined that the company’s operations did not

cause the flooding. Meanwhile, the mining company has since vowed to assist residents in the area to rebuild damaged infrastructure. “Bosai is committed to render all necessary assistance in the form of equipment and material to assist in remedial works within the communities, and is willing to work along with all the relevant stakeholders: The Ministry of Public Works, the Regional Democratic Council and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority,” Domer said. Quick intervention by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) saw the water completely receding in the affected communities. According to the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dwight John, a four-foot channel was dug by the NDIA to quickly drain off the floodwater from residential lands. He stated that residents have since received relief packages from the government, and more relief assistance can be expected in the coming days.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Sloppy D&I contractors will have to pay –– AttorneyGeneral

By Richard Bhainie ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal, Anil Nandlall, S.C., will be drafting a new model contract which will set out specific terms and conditions to address contractors who fail to fulfil their obligations in relation to the maintenance and upkeep of drainage pumps in the country. As part of the new terms to be crafted, contractors who enter into agreements and are found to be in breach of their duties or are negligent in the performance of same, which is found to contribute to flooding, will have to pay compensation. The contracts will also include a liquidated damages provision, which allows for the payment of a pre-determined sum, agreed to by the parties at the time that the contract is entered into, should one of the parties be found in

breach of the contract. The decision was taken after the Attorney-General and his team met with the Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NIDA), Lionel Wordsworth, and the Deputy-Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the NDIA, Dave Hicks, on Monday, at the Ministry of Legal Affairs. That meeting was in keeping with the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, instructing Nandlall one week ago to immediately review all service and maintenance contracts within the sphere of the Government of Guyana, and the entire State structure, in relation to drainage pumps, sluices, kokers and drainage and irrigation. Nandlall was tasked with reviewing the general structure of the contracts, and where penalty clauses are found to exist, to enforce those penalty clauses against contractors who are found to be in violation of any aspect of the agreement. If, upon perusal of those contracts, the Attorney-General was to discover that such penalty clauses are absent, the President had instructed

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. that the contracts be renegotiated for the purpose of inserting penalty clauses, which can be activated when contractors fail to discharge their duties under such contracts. During the meeting, the contractual documents were examined and the NDIA representatives are expected to provide the Attorney-General Chambers with a brief of the facts and circumstances surrounding non-working drainage pumps that are subject to be maintained and kept functional under those contracts.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Painting of the Progress Pride Flag unveiled THE High Commission of Canada, in partnership with Equal Guyana, unveiled a 12-foot by 19foot painting of the Progress Pride Flag, on the driveway of the Canadian High Commission. The unveiling was done by High Commissioner, Mark K. Berman, along with the Managing Director of EQUAL Guyana, Anil Persaud and EQUAL Guyana members, Raiza Khan and Scott Singh, a release said. High Commissioner Berman said that he was proud to have the painting done at the High Commission. “Today, I am extremely proud to unveil this painting in the High Commission compound as a symbol of LGBT rights and the progress that has been made thus far. However, it is also a very bold reminder that there is still a lot more to be done locally and globally to address discrimination and LGBT rights, but Canada will

remain a strong advocate for the human rights of all and the freedom to be yourself,” he said. The painting was done in celebration of Pride Month and as part of the High Commission’s activities to support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Guyana. The High Commission of Canada and EQUAL Guyana recently signed a project agreement to promote gender equality with the focus of establishing LGBT rights through engagement, education and empowerment. The High Commission of Canada believes in the protection and promotion of the human rights of the LGBT people globally and believes that everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression. Later in the month of June, EQUAL Guyana will partner with the High

Commission again, but this time for a social media take-over where EQUAL Guyana will use the High Commission’s Instagram platform to engage with the followers and share information about the importance of pronouns for the LGBT community and why using the correct pronoun is important. “Canada welcomes the recent announcement by the Government of Guyana to strike out the law against cross-dressing, in keeping with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling. Canada will continue to support education and dialogue to address stereotypes and prejudice against LGBT persons locally and will continue to encourage Guyana’s civil society and political leaders to embark on a process of engagement and change with the aim of decriminalising intimate same sex relations,” the release concluded.

High Commissioner Berman (at right) is joined by Raiza Khan, Anil Persaud & Scott Singh from EQUAL Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Public Service Ministry relaunches website

THE Ministry of Public Service has relaunched its website to make it more user-friendly to better serve the people. In an invited comment, Minister Sonia Parag says this is the first step in digitising the ministry. She noted that while there was an existing website when she took office, more work needed to be done to ensure that it provided and could capture all the relevant information to meet users’ needs. “This is really an enhanced and improved website for the entire ministry that covers all departments, but the huge takeaway from all of this is the improvement of the scholarship website, in keeping with the Minis-

try of Public Service’s mandate to modernise the public service.” Minister Parag said the platform being used to host the website is the same one that is used by Harvard University. System Development Officer at the Ministry, Shelvin Nurse, explained that users can access information on both the operations of the ministry and scholarship programmes. “The new and improved Ministry of Public Service website that will feature some new updates that will be upgraded from our previous website…. So a few things to note; we have much improved user interface, whereby persons can access various information about the ministry

very easily and they can see information highlighting our scholarships and training courses and so on, much easier than before.” Nurse said the online application process for scholarships has gotten easier. He said prospective applicants will be able to upload their documents, complete their applications and receive a timely response from the ministry. The ministry’s Scholarships Manager, Deomattie Seeram, says the new website will see applicants receiving quicker responses. “It helps us and it takes a lot of time away from actually having to make a lot of calls, and I think it’s a good thing because the applicants as well, you can log on at any time

Modern building for Abram Zuil Secondary School Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag into your application, and you’re able to see what the statuses of your application. So, that’s a major improvement for us,” she said. Work was started on the website mid-last year and was recently completed. The website went live two weeks ago and can be accessed at mps. gov.gy. (DPI)

THE Region Two Administration has signed three contracts valued over $628 million for several infrastructural projects aimed at improving access to government services and enhancing residents’ quality of life. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on Saturday, witnessed the signing during a visit to the region. A $585 million contract was awarded to Builders Hardware and General Supplies, for the construction of a new Abram Zuil Secondary School. Two other contracts were also awarded, to K and K Boat Building and Outboard Mechanic Ser- Local Government vices for the supply of a and Regional Develwater ambulance that will opment Minister, Nigel operate between Supenaam Dharamlall and Parika, and GenEquip for the supply and delivery of two 4-wheel drive John Deere tractors. Minister Dharamlall said the construction of the new school is the fulfilment of a pledge the government made to the region. “Since its establishment in 1980, I think the school has seen bits and pieces upgrade, rather than upgrade or construction that would modernise it. “Abram Zuil has been at the forefront of education in our country. It has produced outstanding students…. So, we have to put investment in education and we have to provide greater services to our students and also to our parents,” the minister said.

Man gets life sentence for brutal killing of pork-knocker FIVE years after the battered body of pork-knocker, Shawn McDonald, was found in a metal tank at Kurupung, in Region Seven, his killer was, on Tuesday, sentenced to life in prison for the crime. Noel Rodrigues was on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Essequibo High Court for manslaughter. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, between June 18-19, 2016, he unlawfully killed McDonald. A 12-member jury, on Tuesday, found Rodrigues guilty of the offence and he was later sentenced by Justice Singh. On June 16, 2021, Rodrigues’ co-accused, Otis McCurdy, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Justice Singh. According to reports, McDonald resided at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, and had

worked in the interior for several years. A post-mortem showed that he sustained multiple injuries, including wounds to the head, a broken shoulder and a deep cut to the mouth that reportedly caused him to suffocate on his own blood. The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that the killing may have been triggered by complaints from a woman that McDonald had tried to sexually assault her and had cut down two hammocks near a camp. Police were also told that McDonald was seen drinking and brandishing a cutlass at individuals at Kurupung and was last seen alive heading towards his camp. Additionally, the police were told that McCurdy and Rodrigues were later seen putting the pork-knocker, with his feet bound together, into the metal tank.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Essequibo River boat collision claims pensioner’s life

A pensioner of Karrau Village, Essequibo River lost his life after a passenger boat collided with his boat in the Essequibo River at about 10:45h on Monday. The pensioner has been identified as Richard Bowens, 87. Based on reports, policed said the passenger boat, captained by 50-year-old Jules Benjamin of Parika, East Bank Essequibo left the

Parika Stelling with 23 passengers heading to Bartica. He reported that he saw Bowens’ boat, which was being powered by a 15HP outboard engine, about 700 metres in front of him heading in the direction of Bartica. The man told police that as he was approaching the smaller vessel, the pensioner suddenly changed course resulting in the collision.

Bowens’ engine fell off the stern of the boat and into the water. A nearby boat then rendered assistance to the injured pensioner and transported him to the Bartica Hospital where he succumbed while receiving medical attention. The body is awaiting post mortem and Maritime Administration has been engaged as Benjamin assists with the investigation.

The boat which the pensioner used before his demise

Port Kaituma residents benefit from medical mission, donation drive COUNSELLOR Stuart de Freitas, along with two volunteers from The Embassy of The Sovereign Military Hosptalier Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta,

refugee shelter, where the team from Georgetown was honoured to be able to meet and interact with hospital staff, patients, refugees and some members of the Warrau nation.

volunteered his time to attend to children at the hospital, while de Freitas, Orlando and other volunteers distributed clothing, shoes, bedding, toys, sanitiser and masks. This mission marks Dr.

The team from the Embassy of Malta during the visit to Port Kaituma visited Port Kaituma on a medical and donation drive on Saturday. According to a release, the visit was coordinated / facilitated by Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chair Orlando Thorne. Thorne organised a tour of the Port Kaituma District Hospital and the Venezuelan

According to a release, the Embassy has been involved for some time with the refugees in and around Port Kaituma, focusing their missions on medical humanitarian efforts, reaching out to the vulnerable in society. Dr. Obel, paediatrician of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital,

Obel’s eighth visit, Ambassador de Rosière has visited in the past and de Freitas’ first visit. The release noted that the embassy has expressed gratitude to the donors from both Canada and Guyana and the many volunteers who made the good gesture possible.

Woman kills abusive husband at Blackwater Landing An argument between lovers turned fatal when a 26-year-old woman stabbed her reputed husband in the chest on Sunday around 12:30hrs at Blackwater Landing, Region Eight. The dead man was identified as Junior Singh, 23, called “Fine Man” and “Bumble Bee” a pork-knocker. Police said that about a week ago, the man and his wife decided that they were leaving the backdam for home but due to transportation difficulties, a room was given to them by a businesswoman to stay until transportation was sorted. However, on Sunday last, the suspect was at the businesswoman’s shop assisting her to cook while the

husband was at another nearby shop imbibing with friends. His wife later joined him and spent some 20 minutes there and afterwards she returned to the businesswoman’s shop. The husband then went to the businesswoman’s shop and began to verbally abuse the suspect. The couple then went to their room where a physical altercation ensued. During the fight, the wife alleged stabbed the man to his chest with a knife. The police were summoned to the scene and the suspect was arrested and is in custody assisting with the investigation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Trio freed of armed robbery attempt on Republic Bank

FOUR years after the failed armed robbery on Republic Bank’s Water Street branch, three men were, on Tuesday, freed of the crime after Senior Magistrate Leron Daly upheld a no-case submission made by their attorneys. Ex-Police Constable, Anfernee Blackman, of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown; former Republic Bank employee, Shawn Grimmond of Pike Street, Kitty and ex-Rural Constable, Gladstone George, of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown walked out of

the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court as free men. Magistrate Daly ruled in favour of a no-case submission made by the trio’s lawyers, Leslie Sobers, Dexter Todd and Roger Yearwood. The lawyers had submitted that the state failed to make out a case against their clients. The magistrate overruled the submission made by the fourth accused, Keron Saunders, of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and called upon him to lead his defence come July 14.

Another former Republic Bank employee, Jamal Haynes, of Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, who was also implicated with the four men, had pleaded guilty to the charge and was jailed for six years. Both Grimmond and Haynes were employees of Republic Bank at the time of the attempted robbery while George and Blackman were constables attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The lawmen reportedly aided in the robbery attempt by providing the firearms that were used. In his bid to

escape, Haynes was shot to his leg. It was reported that, on the morning of July 4, 2017, three armed men entered the bank before it was opened to the public. Haynes and his alleged gang members,

including the now deceased, Elton Wray, had reportedly planned on getting their hands on the night deposits, since it was a three-day weekend and companies would have deposited millions of dollars in cash.

Wray, a 25-year-old China-trained agronomist, who was, at the time, employed at the National Agriculture Research Extension Institute (NAREI), was shot in the chest and killed during the incident.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Delay in Sputnik V arrival may be due to Russia’s 'COVID' spike – Minister Anthony HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, says the delay in the arrival of the second doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine may be due to Moscow’s spike in the Delta variant of COVID-19. The minister made this statement on the side-lines of an event on Monday. “You would see that there are spikes in Moscow of the Delta variant, and that might be one of the reasons why we are having difficulty in getting the supplies that are needed…. They have accelerated vaccination of their own population but we are working to see how fast we can get those second

doses in,” he said. Minister Anthony said he is hopeful that Guyana will receive the second doses soon so persons can be fully immunised against a severe form of COVID. Persons are due to receive the second dose of the vaccine 12 weeks after having been inoculated with the first. While there has been no confirmation of any new strains of the disease in Guyana, Minister Anthony encourages the public to continue to observe all of the gazetted COVID-19 precautionary measures. “From the epidemiological picture that we would have seen over the last cou-

ple of months, with more cases and severity of disease, certainly there are some form of variant that differs from the original strain that is circulating in Guyana,” he said. Minister Anthony said it is possible that the P1 variant might be circulating here and the best protection is vaccination. As such, he advises all eligible adults to get vaccinated and persons, who are due for their second doses, to get fully immunised. To date, 227,690 eligible adults have received their first dose of a COVID vaccine, reflecting about 46.8 per cent of the population. Some 98,635 persons have also received their second doses. (DPI)

Ex-cop charged with obstruction of justice following dismissal of murder case FORMER policeman, Henry Clement, who is accused of deliberatively absenting himself from court when he was required to be present to give evidence, appeared, on Tuesday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was granted $70,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Clement pleaded not guilty to the obstruction of justice charge and is required to make his next court appearance on July 8. The charge alleged that

Clement, between July 15 and October 21, 2020, at Georgetown, willfully obstructed the course of justice by absenting himself from court despite being warned that he had to give evidence in the case of the State versus Devon Allen, also known as “Bighead”, and Rodrick Thomas, also known as “Roger” for the offence of murder committed on Kelvin Walters. According to the prosecution, Clement committed the alleged offence while he

was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He was warned on several occasions to attend Court 3 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to provide evidence in the preliminary inquiry (PI), but failed to show up. His absence resulted in the court case being dismissed. Investigations conducted into the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of the case led to Clement’s arrest. Clement was subsequently charged.

Sputnik V vaccine arriving in Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Berbice fishermen complain of harassment in Corentyne River –– Minister Mustapha looking into concerns raised

A group of fishermen have complained to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, about the continued harassment they face when plying their trade. Chairman of the Number 66 Village Fishermen’s Co-op Society, Pamashwar

Jainarine, told Minister Mustapha that some years ago, Guyanese fishermen were issued licences directly from Suriname. “Over 50 years now, fishermen from Number 79 Village and Crabwood Creek fishing in the Corentyne

River. We had an arrangement with Suriname where, one time they gave us our own licences. The licences were issued to Guyanese. In 2007, the Surinamese took away the licences, gave them to people in Nickerie who would then rent these

licences. It has reached a state [now] where they’re charging US $800 for a licence which has a value of about US$25. We’re asking for the cost to be reduced,” Jainarine said. The Chairman also informed the minister that fish-

ermen are being harassed and extorted by certain Surinamese River patrols, a release said. “In addition to that, they’ve been harassing the fishermen. They get certain patrols, there is an individual that demands money. US$100 or even US$200 and those who pay him the money are allowed to fish while the rest are sent home. Any lil thing and they’re sending back the boat. Sometimes that licence hasn’t even expired but they would send home the boat. We had an arrangement, sometimes they would issue the licence in March; we understand March month next year the licence valid for, never mind, it said January to December. It would say January to December but they’re giving the licence in March, April, and even till June month. ,” Mr. Jainarine said. Minister Mustapha told the fishermen that government is in constant contact with the Surinamese officials on the issue. “We’ve had a discussion not so long ago and raised a number of issues about fishing. We were of the notion that Guyanese fishermen should have users’ rights. For example, if we’re going to Orealla, we don’t have to take a pass to use the river. They did indicate that they were willing to give the fishermen licences, both for the Corentyne River and their waters. We don’t believe our fishermen should have to get licences to fish in the Corentyne River, so we’ll continue to discuss these issues with our Surinamese counterparts. They had asked us to supply them with the names of those who usually rent licences to Guyanese but because government is not the one engaging those individuals, we cannot supply them with that information,” Minister

Number 66 Village Fisherman’s Co-op Society Chairman, Pamashwar Jainarine Mustapha said. Minister Mustapha told the fishermen that his office will be dispatching a letter on Monday to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking the intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Last November, Minister Mustapha formed part of a ministerial delegation to Suriname which was led by President, Dr Irfaan Ali. Since then, the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs have been in contact with Suriname’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, debating the issue. Earlier in the year, Minister Mustapha disclosed that his ministry had received a correspondence that detailed the Surinamese government’s willingness to issue Guyanese fishermen with licences soon. This, he said, would see fishermen being able to operate comfortably in both the Corentyne River and Surinamese waters, thus eradicating the need for fishermen to pay exorbitant fees to rent licences from the middlemen.

Minister Mustapha and other ministry officials during the meeting with the fishermen

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

139 CPGs formed, 2,215 new members added

ADMINISTRATOR of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Community Policing Groups (CPG), Rishi Das, says the unit’s membership has doubled since the start of the year. Since January, 139 groups have been formed, taking the total so far to 225 CPGs, with some 2,215 additional members taking the total membership to 4,225.

CPGs Administrator, Rishi Das “If we look at the figures, it will be every month membership onboard is 316 and forming of groups each month within January to date, is 20 groups per month. “So, we are reaching the achievement that minister has given us of over 5,500 persons. So, we are working towards the goal and so far, we are doing well,” Das told DPI in a recent interview. He said groups were formed in areas such as Moruca and Mabaruma in Region One; Santa Mission in Region Three, at Orealla and Siparuta in Region Six; and in several communities along the coast. Das said being in the groups and meeting the people are the key factors that led to the massive increase in membership countrywide. “It is about visitation. Most of the areas that we visit, they complain about visitation, that the secretariat that was prior never visit them. Some areas, three and four years, they never got a visit. “They only go and form the groups and never go back to see what is going on. I would call it management by walking around. If you do not go and visit, you would not get anything coming out from them,” he said. Additionally, the administrator said the CPGs continue to work hand-inhand with the Guyana Police Force to address crime in communities. He said the policing group has since assisted with recapturing two escaped prisoners.

In November, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn relaunched the CPGs with a focus on rebuild-

ing, boosting membership and regaining trust within communities in order to prevent crime. In 2019,

CPGs reportedly assisted in dismantling carjacking rings on the East Coast and Soesdyke Linden Highway.

They also discovered an illegal airstrip in Region Nine. Das said the CPGs are

assisting in flood relief efforts and the fight against COVID-19 in communities countrywide.

CAL staff take COVID-19 vaccine in Guyana

–– Health Minister says non-nationals here can also get it

MINISTER of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has said that anyone in Guyana, whether a Guyanese national or not, can benefit from government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme. He made this disclosure during his daily COVID-19 update on Tuesday, where he stated that this position supports government’s overarching goal of herd immunity. According to the minister, the Government of Guyana, like many other governments globally, know that the only way the pandemic can be controlled is if everyone within their borders take the necessary precautions, which include taking the COVID-19 vaccine. He indicated that Guyana has facilitated the vaccination for a number of Caribbean nationals as well as citizens

from neighbouring countries. The health minister noted that the government’s vaccination drive does not require persons to provide proof of citizenship before the vaccine is administered. “We have a very open policy, so we don’t check to see which nationality you are before you can get a vaccine. And so our policy has been very open. I think a number of Caribbean nationals who are here in Guyana benefit from the vaccination programme. For us to achieve heard immunity, it means that the people who are here should get vaccinated; so if they are residing in Guyana, we don’t have a problem giving them a vaccine,” said Minister Anthony. Further, in keeping with the government’s commitment to assist citizens of

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony Caribbean territories, Minister Anthony said several staff members of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) were vaccinated. He noted that the company had written to the ministry, seeking assistance with getting its staff members who were arriving here from

Trinidad vaccinated. “We did receive a letter from the airlines asking us whether or not we could assist with vaccination of their staff, and we agreed. So we have been working. When the staff come in to one of our vaccination sites, we provide the vaccines for them,” he stated. The minister did not disclose when this initiative commenced, or the number of CAL staff that have received their vaccines through Guyana’s vaccination programme. Minister Anthony noted that the government has made significant strides in ensuring that local airport staff are also vaccinated. He stated that the Ministry of Health previously dispatched health officials to Guyana’s main ports of entry to facilitate the vaccination of those staff members. He added that the ministry plans to embark on a similar initiative in the near future to give those persons who did not have the opportunity to benefit from the first vaccination drive to be able to do so.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

President Ali discusses IsDB intervention, support following countrywide floods

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, has met with President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr Bandar Hajjar and his team to discuss intervention measures and the bank’s support in the wake of the recent floods across Guyana. According to a release, the Head of State raised the need for aids to farmers to restore their productive capacity, support for drainage and irrigation initiatives and further strengthening of the national drainage system. Discussions also centred on assistance for the affected hinterland and riverine communities. These areas, the President explained, depend predominantly on the mining and forestry sectors. Other critical interventions identified were the restoration of river dams, President, Dr Irfaan Ali hinterland roads and bridges, many of which were destroyed and remain submerged. The President of the Islamic Development Bank assured that no effort would be spared to support Guyana’s rebuilding efforts and enable more resilient infrastructure. Dr Hajjar added that a technical team will be in contact with Guyanese officials to develop the response mechanism and to mobilise resources needed under these very “urgent circumstances”. The Head-of-State said that a technical team from Guyana would mobilise and gather all the necessary information to accelerate the implementation of the interventions raised. He also thanked The Islamic Development Bank for its commitment to working with the Government and the people of Guyana and for its overall support. (Office of the President)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

The CPC celebrates its centenary in readiness for the future

By China Today, Author: EVANDRO MENEZES DE CARVALHO

CHINA’s socio-economic achievements are indivisible from the wise leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which, on July 1, 2021, celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. Therefore, any discussion of China’s achievements — its economic feats, eradication of extreme poverty, technological advances, modern infrastructure, and progressive development of an ecological society, among others — inevitably leads to the cognizance of the integral role of the country’s governance model in all of them. Knowledge in Western countries about China’s governance is sketchy to say the least, based largely on stereotypes presented in prejudiced

China is still perceived as an economy dominated by stateowned enterprises bent on stifling the private sector. However, since the 1980s, China has promoted reforms aimed at expanding the role of the market. That decade saw the appearance of Huawei — now the world’s largest supplier of telecommunications equipment and leader of the 5G revolution — and Lenovo — the Chinese brand with the most outstanding global presence, according to the 2017 BrandZ Top 30 Chinese Global Brand Builders list. Private Chinese companies that became giants in the market in the late 1990s, meanwhile, include the Alibaba Group, Tencent, and Baidu. These three companies, along with Xiaomi, entered the list of the world’s 50 smartest companies, according to the MIT Technology Review 2015. Since the 2008 global financial crisis, China’s pri-

rise in those of the U.S. China now has 115 science parks at universities, and more than 1,600 incubators supporting new entrepreneurs, according to China’s Ministry of Science and Technology. As regards education itself, the country has made remarkable achievements. The 2020 QS World University Rankings include 12 Chinese universities among the world top 100, among which Tsinghua University, at 15th, was the best placed. Another apocryphal view of China is one stating that it is a country secluded from the world. However, apart from the achievements mentioned above that clearly contradict such discourse, there are other noteworthy data. China, whose population now stands at 1.4 billion, has become the most significant contributor to world tourism. In 2018, Chinese people made around 150 million trips abroad, ac-

120,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine which Brazil purchased from China arrive in São Paulo on November 19, 2020. São Paulo Governor Joao Doria received the shipment at the airport and distorted media reports. China is, in effect, hostage to a worldview whereby any socio-economic system that differs from the Western model carries negative connotations. The West would do well to divert from its current trajectory, seemingly directed towards a reversal of Enlightenment conquests, and expand, without prejudice, its percept of China. It may then apprehend all the factors that have engendered the country’s phenomenal development. That, however, means acknowledging and highlighting the foremost undeniable truth — that the CPC is the vanguard party leading rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the economic sphere,

vate sector has steadily gathered momentum sufficient to become the main driver of the country’s economic growth. It currently contributes more than 60 percent of Chinese GDP and more than 70 percent of technological innovation, and provides over 80 percent of urban employment. To those who insist that China’s educational system does not encourage innovation, bear in mind that China surpassed the U.S. as the top source of international patent applications in 2019, and maintained the lead in 2020, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. China’s patent applications that year showed a 16.1 percent increase over 2019, as compared to a 3 percent

cording to the World Tourism Organization, and surpassed Americans and Germans as the biggest spending tourists. Owing to the pandemic, tourism has understandably slowed, but should resume its former pace in a few years’ time. If we consider that barely 10 percent of the Chinese population has a passport, the potential for post-pandemic expansion is huge. This highlights another important demographic, namely, China’s 400 million middle-class population, which is expected to double by 2035. The resultant consumer market will have profound global impact. This, in turn, implies an increase in both Chinese imports and business opportunities within the country.

The Chinese government is currently engaged in a gradual and controlled opening up of its financial system. Foreign investors are indeed eager to tap into China’s growing asset management market, valued last year at

National People’s Congress in March 2021. The document’s clear orientation towards investment in technology and innovation opens up possibilities for multiple partnerships with overseas entrepreneurs. From the point

through learning from elsewhere things that can help the Chinese people. During the late 19th century, when China was still looking for ways to strengthen itself, there arose the maxim: “Chinese teachings as a basis,

Citizens loiter around a commercial center in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province on April 8, 2021. Chengdu is city renowned for the comfortable life enjoyed by people living there around RMB 121.6 trillion (US $18.9 trillion). Goldman Sachs recently partnered with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in a joint wealth management venture. BlackRock Inc, the French Amundi, and the British Schroders have followed a similar path of partnerships with Chinese banks. Since 2016, the yuan has been included, alongside the dollar, euro, British pound sterling, and Japanese yen, in the International Monetary Fund basket of reserve currencies. This is an essential step towards internationalization of the Chinese currency, and is now being tested in its digital version. Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, believes that the digital yuan will be more competitive than the digital dollar. This equation doubtless takes into consideration that China is the largest trading partner of more than 100 countries, something that considerably expands the likelihood of China’s international financial transactions being denominated in yuan. Looking to the future demands attention to the framework of the 14th FiveYear Plan, approved by the

of view of governance, there is concern about sustainability as regards quality as well as growth. At the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE) convened in November 2018, President Xi Jinping declared that, “innovation is the premier engine for development” to overcome the global growth bottleneck. The Chinese president stated that his country would increase imports, facilitate access to the Chinese market, and promote a worldclass business environment. He also affirmed China’s support for the World Trade Organization, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the G20, the BRICS, and — the most daring economic integration project of the 21st century — the Belt and Road Initiative. In this centenary year of the founding of the CPC, China also celebrates the greatest civilizing achievement to which any country could aspire: the eradication of extreme poverty. Accomplishing this was possible mainly by virtue of its governance model. It is one that has evolved from the Party’s concrete historical experience and Chinese wisdom, including seeking solutions

Western studies for practice.” Of course, this phrase must be contextualized in its time. But it nevertheless shows that, in contrast to the West’s rejection of Chinese teachings, China, despite the harrowing privations it had suffered, nevertheless sought to study and learn from the West. The CPC celebrates its 100th anniversary thanks to its capacity for resilience and patience in learning not only from its successes and failures, but also from the world. Contrary to Western claims, the CPC is more open to dialogue than one might suppose — more so, I dare to venture, than many Western political parties. Upon understanding this, the world will have broken down the last, definitive cognitive wall that separates the West from the Chinese people. _______________ EVANDRO MENEZES DE CARVALHO is executive editor-in-chief of the Brazilian edition of China Today, a professor of international law, and coordinator of the Brazil-China Studies Center at Fundacao Getulio Vargas Law School in Rio de Janeiro.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, June 23, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Guyana to open Women’s Indoor Pan Am Cup against USA AFTER a two-year hiatus from international competition, mostly due to the global pandemic, the Guyana national women’s indoor hockey team is scheduled to compete in the Indoor Pan Am Cup (IPAC) from June 25 to 27 in Pennsylvania, USA. Guyana will face the host nation, USA, in their first match on Friday at 11:30hrs. The USA are the defending champions who represented the Americas in the last indoor World Cup in Berlin, Germany. The USA are the topranked Pan American team at 12 in the world and will further benefit from competing on their home court where the team have been encamped. Guyana are the lowest-ranked team in the competition at 31, with Argentina at 16, Canada 18 and Uruguay 22. After their clash with USA, the Guyanese ladies then face Argentina at 18:00hrs the same day, before Canada and Uruguay the following day. According to Fernandes, while he does not place a limit on the team’s potential, he considers toppling any of the four powerhouse nations to be considered a success. The winner of this year’s IPAC secured the spot to represent the Americas in the next Indoor World Cup scheduled for Belgium in 2022. With training being suspended for most of 2020, the ladies resumed training under strict COVID-19 social-distancing measures earlier this year and have been working hard to make up for lost time. Of course, all countries

participating would have experienced various levels of disruption and so Guyana will not be the only participant needing to prepare a team in a short time. The ladies have been training at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall under the guidance of head coach Philip Fernandes. Goalkeeper Alysa Xavier, Trisha Woodroffe, Marzana Fiedtkou, captain Gabriella Xavier and Aliyah Gordon are the only players returning from the team that contested the last IPAC held for the first time in Guyana in 2017. Added to the team will be defensive-stopper Makeda Harding, the young Spartan trio of Abosaide Cadogan, Madison Fernandes and Sarah Klautky, experienced defender Ashley DeGroot and the baby of the team, Saints striker Clayza Bobb. Despite this being the youngest squad ever to represent Guyana, Fernandes said the team is packed with talent and he’s very excited by the several teenagers in the line-up. According to the Fernandes, “It was a challenge to get the young players to understand systems and team attack and defence concepts in such a short time as there is no substitute for experience,” Fernandes said “But these girls have the skills and hockey intelligence to be competitive.” Guyana Indoor Hockey Team: Abosaide Cadogan, Alysa Xavier, Gabriella Xavier, Ashley DeGroot, Trisha Woodroffe, Sarah Klautky, Madison Fernandes, Aliyah Gordon, Clayza Bobb, Marzana Fiedtkou and Makeda Harding. The team’s manager is Princessa Wilkie.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

ICC World Test Championship final India vs New Zealand…

Knife edge final day looms (ESPNCRICINFO) - A defensive masterclass from Kane Williamson all but eliminated a defeat for New Zealand in the World Test Championship final, but India were resolute in the session they got to bat, losing just two wickets and ending the penultimate day 32 runs ahead. It needed Tim Southee's genius to prise out the openers in arguably the best conditions of a Test that has proved to be torrid for batters. So torrid, that we can still think of a result despite only 225 overs of play in the five regulation days of the Test. As was the case in the two-Test series between these two teams in New Zealand, the contribution from the lower order proved to be the difference: New Zealand's last five wickets added 114 to India's 61. Yet their lead was only 32. New Zealand began the day - an hour after time because of a drizzle - 116 behind with eight wickets in hand, but India's bowlers made sure New Zealand didn't run away with the game. It was a masterclass in controlled bowling in helpful conditions, giving New Zealand nothing to score off and finding enough wicket-taking deliveries in-between. In the second half of the innings, though, Williamson found support from Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee, whose risks against a now-tiring three-man seam attack came off. New Zealand's last five added 114 in 29 overs, which defied the prevailing run rate of around two in the rest of the match. Before the lower order got away from them, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma put in quite a shift to make sure New Zealand didn't bat them out of the contest. They did it the hard way: not looking for magic balls but drying up runs with sustained, intense good bowling. Between them, the three bowled all the overs in the first session followed by a half-an-hour lull leading to the second new ball in the

second session. A good indicator of the quality of bowling and the surface is the rate at which Williamson is scoring because he is a masterful batter who plays according to the situation. His 49 off 177 balls was his slowest innings of 20 or more balls. The last time New Zealand scored fewer than their 152 here in the first 80 overs in an innings was way back in 2002. In the whole first session, you could count the number of ordinary balls on one hand: two in-swingers down the leg side from Ishant that went unpunished and a half-volley each from Shami and Bumrah. Just 34 runs came in that session for the wickets of Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling. Taylor swung hard at the sight of the first full ball he got and ended up chipping to mid-off. Nicholls followed an around-the-wicket away-swinger. Watling got a peach from Shami, which pitched middle and hit top of off. At the start of the second session, India relaxed a little as the new ball was seven overs away. This is where the scoring rate started to turn, but with the new ball Shami trapped Colin de Grandhomme with an in-swinger from wide on the crease to make it 162 for 6. Jamieson, though, used his reach well to go after the bowlers. A ball after he hit the first six of the match, he top-edged a hook to fall to Shami for 21 off 16. New Zealand were still 25 behind, and Williamson now upped his intent a little. He upper-cut Shami for a four, started looking to open the face a little whenever allowed to go back, but still picked boundaries only off poor balls, which increased now that the three fast bowlers were close to bowling two sessions just by themselves. Williamson will be cross with himself that in such a situation he followed a wide ball from Ishant with an attempted back-foot drive, possibly leaving a few runs out there. Southee, though,

Kane Williamson picked up his scoring pace in the second session. (Getty Images)

made sure they took the lead past 30, hitting two sixes, going past Ricky Ponting to move to No. 15 on six-hitters' list in Test cricket. However, it was Southee the bowler who kept New Zealand in the hunt for a win with highly skilful bowling. India began batting with the final session of the day, a situation reminiscent of their defeat in Christchurch where they lost six wickets in the last session of a day after the first innings of both sides had practically cancelled each other out. That pitch had steep and uneven bounce. This one was now finally settling down going into the third day of use. There wasn't anything off the pitch available for the New Zealand bowlers, but the swing with the Dukes was still a challenging proposition. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill looked in control, but Southee was just a little better. Gill was removed in the 11th over when Southee followed up three out-swingers with a change in seam position at the last moment, bowling his wobble-seam delivery, which swings in. Gill looked to flick to midwicket, which meant he was

beaten on the inside edge and trapped in front. Rohit looked more assured, and in the company of Cheteshwar Pujara was headed for stumps when Southee came back for a testing second spell. They

had had to endure the Jamieson examination before Southee took over. Fifteen minutes before stumps, he took Rohit out with the in-swinger, but this time with a seam-up delivery, only with the shiny side

outside. Rohit padded up, and was given out lbw. Virat Kohli and Pujara played out the tricky last 15 minutes, but knew they had serious work to do on the final morning, the reserve day.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Darren Sammy joins CWI directorship panel FORMER West Indies cricket captain, Darren Sammy OBE, is the newest member of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Board of Directors, following his appointment as an independent non-member director, by the CWI Board at a meeting held last Thursday June 17, 2021. With over 14 years of international cricket experience, Sammy is celebrated by many in the region, and across the world, as a charismatic and inspirational figure, renowned for leading the West Indies to back-toback ICC T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016. Darren is the first international cricketer from his native St Lucia where the national stadium has been named in his honour. He has captained the Windward Islands cricket

team in addition to several domestic T20 leagues both regionally and internationally. Sammy is an awardee of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II, and a Goodwill Ambassador for St Lucia. He is also the current head coach of Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and a Cricket Consultant for the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Sammy’s appointment to the CWI Board of Directors is in keeping with two of the fundamental principles which have guided CWI’s improvement strategy for the past two years – increased utilisation of regional technical expertise and the implementation of a Cricket First Policy. It is expected that Mr Sammy’s appointment will

Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy

add a fresh and more youthful perspective, as well as a

high level of updated cricket know-how to enhance the

existing expertise in the CWI boardroom. Commenting on Sammy’s addition to the Board, CWI president Ricky Skerritt said, “I am delighted to welcome Darren Sammy as an independent, non-member Director whose role will be to ensure that all the right questions are being asked while contributing to the shaping of new ideas and solutions. “Darren’s fairly recent experience as a two-time World Cup winning captain will bring with him a much-needed modern-day cricketer’s perspective which should add valuable insights to Board discussions

and decision-making. His appointment is testament to our commitment to strengthen CWI’s governance, and to utilise expertise from across all stakeholder groups.” On his new appointment, Sammy said, “It is an honour to be appointed as a CWI Director. This is another great opportunity for me to give my best to West Indies cricket in a new way, off the field. All my local, regional and international experiences have prepared me to make a significant ongoing impact in West Indies cricket. I am excited and thankful for the chance to serve and look forward to giving back to the sport and region that I love so much.” Sammy is one of three (3) appointments of Independent Directors approved at last Thursday’s CWI Board of Directors’ meeting to serve for the next two years. He joins Trinidadian Attorney Mrs Debra Coryat-Patton and Jamaican Surgeon and University Administrator, Dr Akshai Mansingh, who were both re-appointed to serve a second term. CWI’s Articles allow for up to four (4) non-member directors which means there is one (1) slot remaining which the Board intends to fill in the near future. All directors’ appointments will expire in 2023 at the conclusion of CWI’s Annual General Meeting of that year.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday June 23, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shane Shillingford-10/93 (Dominica, 2013) (2) Ray Pricee-10/161 (Harare, 2003) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals against ZIM in Tests to date? (2) Which ZIM wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals against the WI in Tests to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Grenada to allow fans for South Africa T20 series CRICKET fans in Grenada will get the chance to see the reigning World T20 Champions, West Indies, in action against South Africa in the upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) Series. Following the request from the Government of Grenada to explore the opportunity to have fans at the matches, the Ministry of Health, in co-ordination with the Grenada Cricket Association (GCA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI), has made provision for fully vaccinated spectators to attend the fivematch series. Fully vaccinated fans will need to have received their second vaccine dose 14 days before the game that they are attending to be eligible to purchase tickets. The first match will be at the Grenada National Stadium on Saturday, June 26 with the second following on Sunday, June 27; then Tuesday, June 29; Thursday July 1; and Saturday, July 3. First ball daily is at 14:00hrs local time (13:00hrs Jamaica Time). Johnny Grave, CEO of

CWI said: “Following the return of fans during the second Betway Test in St Lucia, we are delighted to gradually welcome back fans into the stands at the Grenada National Stadium. We know they will have a great time watching our World Champions take on our visitors from South Africa. “This is a step in the right direction, and we again want to thank all the health officials and organisers who made sure all systems are in place to keep everyone safe for what promises to be an exciting series.” Fans must produce their vaccination documentation and national ID to be able to purchase a ticket. Fully vaccinated fans will be seated in the top tiers of the Junior Murray/Rawl Lewis Stand and the Members Stand. Fans under the age of 18 years will not be allowed to purchase tickets or enter the stadium. The price of tickets is EC$50 per match day. Fans can purchase a five-match season pass for EC$200 at a special promotional price essentially getting one match ticket for free when you

purchase four. There is also a special offer of any three matches for EC$120 applying to the second to fifth matches. Sales will run daily from 08:30hrs to 16:30hrs at the main ticket booth at the Grenada National Stadium, concluding on July 2. This venue will be used for tickets sales on NON-MATCH DAYS. Details for ticket sales booth on match days will be announced at a later date. Fans will need to wear facemasks to gain entry to the venue and then keep wearing masks throughout the match. They will also need to remain socially distanced at all times when seated. A limited number of vendors will be selling non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and fans will be able to take their own small coolers into the stadium. For fans to get a ticket and gain access to the National Stadium, the following steps must be taken to meet COVID-19 match protocols Tickets will only be available to those who are vaccinated two weeks in advance of the game that they are attending.

Badminton Shuttle Time project introduced in Linden schools

Potential players from the Mackenzie High School with Guyana’s best badminton players, Narayan Ramdhani (fourth from left) and his sister Priyanna Ramdhani (right).

ON Monday two schools in Linden were introduced to the sport of badminton by the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) through its Shuttle Time project. Students from the Mackenzie High School and the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School were taught the fundamentals of the game by the country’s top badminton players and world-ranking siblings Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani. Other members of the visiting team, including GBA president Gokarn Ramdhani, vice-president Ayanna Wat-

son and secretary Emelia Ramdhani also made presentations of racquets, shuttlecocks and nets to the schools. Players with potential at both schools were also presented with personal racquets by the Ramdhani siblings. In a release, GBA expressed gratitude to Headmaster Haslyn Small, Deputy Head Auja Sealey and PE teacher Shavin Green of Mackenzie High School; Headmistress Ms Shellanne Craigwell and PE Teacher Selon Peters of Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School for arranging the

large turnout of students for this Shuttle Time Projects at their respective schools. “The GBA would also like to thank Mr Lindley Langhorne (Head - Physical Education Allied Arts) for arranging the two schools so that we were able to execute the Shuttle Time Projects.”. Last week the programme served off with two schools in Berbice. The executive of the GBA had visited the New Amsterdam Multilateral and the Berbice High schools where similar presentations were held.

Motie’s all-round effort leads Galaxy CC to comprehensive win in Caribbean Fest NATIONAL left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie proved his dominance with both bat and ball to lead Galaxy Cricket Club to a 123-run victory against New York Kings when action in New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Caribbean Fest 40-over Tournament continued on Sunday. Motie’s all-round effort was bolstered by the debut performance of former West Indies leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo and former Essequibo cricketer Telson Johnson. In the Group A battle against the previous unbeaten Kings out of India, group leaders Galaxy won the toss and opted to take first strike. The pre-dominant Guyanese team struggled early with six wickets, including that of skipper Yudesh Bissn-

Gudakesh Motie had an all-round game for Galaxy CC.

auth (8), falling for 77 runs in 15.1 overs, but Bishoo joined his Albion club mate and they repaired the damage. Motie struck 57 runs (5x4, 2x6) from 49 balls before he was run-out, while Bishoo added 49 (3x4, 2x6)

from 53 balls. When Motie fell, Bishoo and Johnson added 71 runs for the eighth wicket. Johnson, who was particularly aggressive, belted three fours and six sixes in a top score of 62, which helped to push the side to 216 before they were bowled out in 34.4 overs. Needing to score at just under 5.5 runs per overs, Kings were pegged back in the first over, when Hemindra Ramdihal bowled and caught Sajeev Rahull Kumar (0). The opening bowler took the next three top order batsmen to finish with 4-18 from seven overs, before Motie cleaned up the middle order. Motie ended with 4-25 from seven overs, while Bishoo took 1-23 from five overs as Kings folded for 93 in 25.1 overs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

RHTYSC hosts Tribute to Municipality Workers Programme for Rose Hall Town THE eleven cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC), last Friday hosted its first Tribute to Municipality Workers programme as the club blazed away to fulftl its target of 700 activities for the year. The main objective of the programme which is the brainchild of Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, is to recongise and honour the outstanding workers of the Rose Hall Town Council, who, on a daily basis, work beyond the call of duty to develop Guyana’s smallest township. Ten workers were honoured - five from the junior staff and five from the administrative section. Those honoured were Town Clerk Natasha Griffith, Head of Market Section, Shelly Clarke, Head of Security, Sharon McAllister, Head of the Works Section, Travis McAllister, and Treasurer Seromanie Ramdihal, along with Miranda Rodney, Esther Fraser, Leonard Cooper, Drupattie Peters and Stephen Ramsingh. Foster, in a short presentation, stated that since

the club was established in 1990 it had benefitted from the services of the Town Council and despite some rough periods, it has also enjoyed a good working relationship with the council and its leadership. He recalled that the management of the club had committed itself to working along with the council to make a positive difference in the township at the start of the year and has fulfilled that commitment - obtaining several major donations and installing close to 40 street lights across the town. In the past, the club had spearheaded the restoration of the Area H Ground, constructed a Children’s Playfield, raised funds for an all-weather court, put up street signs, constructed a charity kitchen and a 175th monument among numerous community projects in the township. Residents have also benefitted from numerous medical outreaches, youth fairs, musical evenings, clean-up campaign, Christmas villages, job fairs, while the club has organised the town’s anniversary celebration on five different occasions including

a memorable 175th celebration of the formation of Rose Hall Village in 2017. Foster, who is one of the selected few from the township to have received a National Award from the Government of Guyana, urged the awardees to uphold their high standards and to always be courteous and polite while serving the residents of the town. He congratulated the Town Clerk and Mayor Dave Budhu on their outstanding leadership of the town with the limited resources at their disposal. He recommitted the club to assisting the council as much as possible and announced that the RHTYSC would continue to sponsor the Tribute Programme in the future. Town Clerk Natasha Griffith stated that the council was delighted to work along with the club, which is a household name across the county, and hailed the cooperation of the management of the club in the development of the small town. Mayor Budhu stated that the council was very grateful that the club would join hands with it to host the first

GK Inc. Managing Director Ramdeo Kumar hands over donation to Hilbert Foster.

major tribute programme for workers. He stated that RHTYSC had expanded the programme at the last stage to include more workers instead of just four..

He wished the cricket teams the best in the future and saluted them on being outstanding ambassadors of Rose Hall Town. Each of the awardees received a medal of excel-

lence, framed certificate of excellence, a food hamper and a special gift. On the request of the Mayor, the club would next month donate a microwave to the council. Meanwhile a delegation from the Georgetown-based company, GK Inc. visited the office of the club and held a fruitful discussion with Secretary Hilbert Foster and his deputy Simon Naidu on plans to make a difference in the lives of youths using the forum of sports and education. Managing Director of the Company Mr Ramdeo Kumar stated that he was impressed with the work of the club and would like to join hands to make sure that youths who are involved in sports also understand the importance of education. Kumar handed a quantity of medical supplies to Foster for distribution. The items included face masks, face shields and blood glucose monitoring systems. The company also made a financial contribution of $50 000 towards a house restoration project that the club is currently undertaking for one of its junior members.

Maximo gambles blend of experience, youth in Gold Cup preliminary round squad …No place for Cox, Harriott and Danns CONNOR Kurran-Browne, who plays with English football Championship club Bournemouth FC, is the lone newcomer named in coach Marcio Maximo 23-man squad for Golden Jaguars’ CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary round clash against Guatemala. The two sides will collide from 21:30hrs on Saturday, July 3 at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Maximo will be hoping that his selections fare wellenough to advance to the next round, where they’ll face the winners between Guadeloupe and The Bahamas on July 6 for a place in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup round-of-16.

Though being named in the provisional 60-man squad, Guyana’s 2019 Gold Cup hero, Neil Danns, did not find favour in Maximo’s final squad, nor did Sam Cox, Pernell Schultz and Callum Harriott. Kurran-Browne’s Bournemouth FC teammate, Nathan Moriah-Welsh was impressive for Maximo since making his debut for Guyana in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and will get another chance to do the same in Florida. Guyana’s ‘Wonder Boy’ Omari Glasgow, was also named as he looked to continue his good run on the international scene, while Trayon Bobb, who was snubbed in 2019, gets a call-up.

Queens Park Rangers’ Stephen Duke-McKenna will have another taste of Gold Cup action, having played in the Michael Johnson side in 2019. Midfielder Curtez Kellman, coming off an exceptional NJCAA collegiate season with Daytona State College, returns to international football for the first time since 2018. Kellman did well-enough to pick up an NJCAA Division One All-American selection. Reiss Greenidge, the Bolton Wanderers defender who was an unused substitute in Guyana’s squad that defeated Belize 2-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League, has been included in Maximo’s side. Matthew Briggs, Ter-

rence Vancooten, Emery Welshman, Sheldon Holder, Keanu Marsh-Browne, Liam Gordon, Akel Clarke, Kevin Layne and Daniel Wilson will join Duke-McKenna as the only other players on the 23-man roster that featured for coach Michael Johnson’s squad when Guyana made their first ever Men’s Gold Cup appearance. All remaining players on Guyana’s 60-man provisional tournament squad list will be placed on standby. Gold Cup squad: GOALKEEPERS: Akel Clarke (Mount Pleasant Academy), Kai McKenzie-Lyle (Cambridge United FC), Shawn Adonis (Guyana Police Force FC) and Shawn Adonis (Guyana

Police Force FC). DEFENDERS: Marcus Wilson (Santos FC), Matthew Briggs (Vejle Boldklub), Liam Gordon (Bolton Wanderers FC), Terence Vancooten (Stevenage FC), Nicholai Andrews (Santos FC), Reiss Greenidge (Bolton Wanderers FC), Kevin Layne (Mount Pleasant Academy). MIDFIELDERS: Nathan Moriah-Welsh (Bournemouth FC), Javier George (Stade Beaucairois 30 FC), Daniel Wilson (Guyana Defence Force FC), Job Caesar (Guyana Defence Force FC), Curtez Kellman (Daytona State College) and Stephen Duke-McKenna (Queens Park Rangers FC). FORWARDS: Connor Kurran-Browne (Bournemouth

FC), Keanu Marsh-Brown (Wrexham AFC), Omari Glasgow (Fruta Conquerors), Kelsey Benjamin (Guyana Defence Force FC), Sheldon Holder (Caledonia AIA), Trayon Bobb (Uitvlugt Warriors FC) and Emery Welshman (Hapoel Raanana). TECHNICAL STAFF: Head coach - Marcio Maximo, Assistant coach - Charles Pollard, Assistant coach - Wayne Dover, Goalkeeper coach – Eon DeVeira, Lead Physiotherapist -Quacy Paddy, Fitness coach - Wilson Toledo, Head of Recruitment - Faizal Khan, Team Operations Manager - Rawle Adams, Assistant Team Operations Manager - Naseya Brewster

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Division Three gets 1500 face masks from Parika Salem Sports Club

Work ongoing to correct... briefing yesterday. “I think since I have been here, we have been trying to correct a number of things and we seemed to have corrected it earlier in the year, mainly to spin bowling but we need to do some work on the fast-bowling," he added. Jermaine Blackwood’s total aggregate of 88 runs after four innings was the leading run-scorer for the home side in the two Tests. Roston Chase, who just had three innings due to injury, had the best average

of 24.66 and top-score of 62. One other half-century was scored by opener Kieran Powell. The aforementioned encapsulates the struggle of West Indian batsmen in their home conditions, and also the inconsistency, since a series ago against Sri Lanka they were scoring centuries. “All we can really do is look back at the way we got out, the way of the dismissals and try to make sure, technically, we work on things. Also, there is the mental as-

(From back page)

pect of these players and how they come back after this,” the coach contended. From August 12, they will play Pakistan, who are currently ranked fifth, in two Tests at Sabina Park, Jamaica. To prepare for those, each of the six regional franchises is expected to have three Four-Day matches within their territory then Cricket West Indies (CWI) should have ‘Best v Best’ Four-Day matches.

From left, Detective Assistant Superintendent Troy Whittaker, Deputy Commander Boodnarine Persaud, Ryan Hercules of Parika Salem, and Inspector Eon Isaacs at the Leonora Police Station yesterday.

THE Parika Salem Sports Club, yesterday, donated 1500 face masks to the Guyana Police Force Regional Division Three at the Leonora Police Station. Public Relations Officer of the Sports Club, Ryan Hercules, explained that the kind gesture was the result of the club‘s desire to build a better relationship with the force. Hercules, who is also head coach of the Guyana Police cricket team, explained this is just the start, and with the blessings of the Police Force, he would be happy to further assist in strengthening the partnership. Deputy Commander of Regional Division Three, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud, accepted the face masks on behalf of the division said they will go a long way in safeguarding both

the Police and members of the public. Persaud further related as part of their strategic planning for 2021-25, they are seeking more partnerships and development and they are happy to have the support of civilians, especially those in sport since it caters to youths. “When you look at community-oriented policing and looking back at some of the other countries that are investing in it, this is an initiative that they took up to show that instead of being reactive, let us shape them (youths), let us involve them. “If we get them actively involved in meaningful actives, we could have them on our side and motive them to live a better life away from crime,” the deputy commander contended. Also present at the sim-

ple ceremony was Detective Assistant Superintendent, Troy Whittaker, who is in charge of crime in Region Three, and Inspector Eon Isaacs in charge of traffic in the region.

South African bowlers were on the West Indies like a rash during the recently concluded two-Test series.

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Reiss Greenidge

Work ongoing to correct batsmen’s technical flaws – Simmons

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West Indies head coach Phil Simmons working with Jason Holder on a recent tour.

WEST Indies head coach Phil Simmons has assured that management is working to address the technical flaws of the batsmen after another disappointing Test series. In the two Tests in St Lucia which concluded over the weekend, West Indies batted on four occasions and were unable to surpass 165.

Against the pacey South African seamers, they didn’t seem comfortable with the bodyline attack and as captain Kraigg Brathwaite stated at the post-match press conference, they played at unnecessary balls. Simmons said they need to do a reflection and keep working to improve in weak areas.

“We all have technical flaws and when we leave a West Indies tour, we always have to go back and work on things. Fortunately, or unfortunately, tours come up quickly these days, so little things that we have to correct, (keep) coming up again and again,” the coach expressed at a virtual media TURN TO PAGE 35 ►

FLASHBACK! Guyana’s Madison Fernandes (first from left) battles the USA in the 2017 Indoor Pan Am Cup at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021