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THURSDAY 18th February, 2021

' No.106276

Prices for gasoline, diesel to drop –– as Minister Singh announces cut in excise tax on Fuel

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

SEE STORY ON PAGE 02

Guyanese flavoured street food initiative coming PAGE

$2B for capital works at Albion Estate SEE PAGE 03

–– critical equipment to be upgraded, replaced; all-weather road being rehabilitated The centrifugal machines at the Albion Sugar Estate which are used for expelling water or other fluids from moist substances, or for separating liquids of different densities (Adrian Narine photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Prices for gasoline, diesel to drop –– as Minister Singh announces cut in excise tax on fuel

By Rehana Ahamad GOVERNMENT will be lowering the excise tax rate on both gasoline and diesel from 50 per cent to 35 per cent with immediate effect. This pleasant announcement was made on Wednesday night by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. “As a result of the reduction in the excise tax rates, the price at the pump will also be reduced with immediate effect. Specifically, gasoline prices are expected to reduce from $184 per litre to $170 per litre, and diesel prices from $170 per litre to $160 per litre,” Singh specified. The minister observed that over the past few months, oil prices have risen steadily on the world market, from US$35 a barrel in late October 2020 to over US$60

a barrel at close of trade on Wednesday. As a result of this steady increase on the world market, fuel prices have also been rising on the domestic market. Singh said that Government’s reduction in the excise taxes serves as means of easing the impact that this rise would have on local consumers, particularly the travelling public as well as those productive sectors for whom fuel is an important input. Minister Singh explained that, during its previous term in office, “the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government had put in place arrangements to adjust the excise tax rate on fuel from time to time to cushion the domestic impact of world market price fluctuation, and that the current tax adjustment is being effected using this previously established mechanism.” The announcement by Minister Singh is welcomed

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

news for a group of minibus operators plying route #50 (Georgetown to West Coast Berbice). About a dozen of them on Wednesday, armed themselves with placards which read, “We need gas prices to drop”. Speaking on behalf of the minibus operators, Rawana Ali, who relies on his mini-

bus operations to make ends meet, lamented the fact that increased fuel prices are not always met with a proliferation of minibus fares. “Since I was working hire car during the (Guyana to Suriname) ferry time, the bus fares here remain the same thing; we don’t get no increase, and really and

truly, it very tough for us to work under such conditions,” the Bath Settlement resident noted. He indicated too that the advent of the novel corona virus has served to compound challenges faced by minibus operators in Region Five. Ali said that while minibuses are required to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines by reducing capacity of the passengers, they are not allowed to demand hike in fares. “Then too, people are afraid to travel; people are afraid to go out, so all the work that we tend to get kind of come down a little. You nah having any jobs on the road; just in the mornings and in the afternoon,” Ali posited. “Is either two things; is either the Government put a reduction price on the tax on the gas so that they can bring it down back, or we gon have to raise the bus fares,” the

minibus owner concluded. Minister Singh on Wednesday emphasised that the recent adjustments are “in keeping with the strong ongoing commitment by President Irfaan Ali’s Government to ensure that domestic customers are protected from sharp price escalation on the world market and from cost of living increases”. Deputy General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), Molly Hassan, told the Guyana Chronicle that global oil prices have been a rapid rise since last year September-October. “Our increases here in Guyana have been at minimum; we try to keep cost as minimal as possible,” she said, noting that GuyOil, over the past few months, has been operating with minimal profits, in an effort to maintain Government’s objective of stabilising oil prices locally.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

$2B for capital works at Albion Estate

–– critical equipment to be upgraded, replaced; all-weather road being rehabilitated By Navendra Seoraj ACCESS to financing has improved the prospects at the Albion Sugar Estate, where authorities are looking to ramp up operations and upgrade the facilities there, through an investment of more than $2 billion in capital works. The Albion Estate, one of three producing sugar estates, spans 9,616 hectares of land and has the grinding capacity of 170 tonnes of cane per hour. Established in the 19th century, the sugar estate served the local sugar industry independently until being merged with the Port Mourant Estate in 1953. This amalgamation formed the largest operating unit within the local sugar industry. While the immediate aim might not be to return the facility to its former glory, management of the estate has big plans to ensure that complete efficiency is achieved. Manager of the Albion

Sugar Estate, Threbhowan Shivprasad, said over $2B has been set aside for work which will stretch from the field to the factory. “The factory would take 40 per cent and agriculture, 60 per cent… this includes machinery and equipment, the infrastructure like bridges, revetment and so on, so it would take a large sum,” Shivprasad said in response to a question from the Guyana Chronicle, following a tour of the estate on Wednesday. The need for critical work at the estate was exposed during the second crop of 2020, when the estate had ‘a lot’ of downtime. From the snapping of a chain to a leaking bushing, the estate found itself dealing with mounting problems created by a lack of tangible investments over the past five years. In 2017, the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government announced the

Manager of the Albion Sugar Estate, Threbhowan Shivprasad (Adrian Narine photo)

closure of several sugar estates across the country; the move saw four sugar estates being closed, and 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs. However, in 2020, the corporation was allocated a sum of $7 billion. A sum of $3 billion was used to recapitalise the Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Enmore sugar estates while the remaining $4 billion was allocated to support rehabilitation works at the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion sugar estates. A further $2 billion has been set aside in Budget 2021 for

capital works to be carried out at the various sugar estates across the country. Although this continued investment augurs well for Albion and other estates, Shivprasad said some equipment at his facility has outlived its productive life by over 10 years in some cases. “We operated for the past years when the other estates were closed… we were promised that resources would come and it never happened so we had to work with whatever we had… they did not purchase any

new equipment and machinery. “We cannot keep patching and welding… the boilers also have major issues… we have leaking tube lines, so instead of 40,000 pounds per hour, you are getting less than that so you have to do investment in these things to improve that,” the estate manager reasoned. Based on the existing conditions at the estate, authorities are anticipating about 125 hours of downtime. But, with the capital injections, grinding hours could increase to about 140 very soon. Pending renovations to the factory has not hindered progress, as work has started already on the rehabilitation of the estate’s all-weather road, which, once upgraded, will improve cultivation and cane transportation. The estate is also in the process of acquiring tillage tractors. Additional machines, while improving tillage of the land, will contribute broadly to the management

of pests and weeds. Those capital investments are being made at a time when GuySuCo is working to have all of its estates ISO certified to improve quality assurance. Recently, during a visit to the Blairmont Sugar Estate, GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sasenarine Singh, highlighted that the corporation will be focussing on expanding its sale of packaged sugar in Caribbean Community (CARICOM), North America and the local markets. The corporation has since set a target to produce approximately 97,420 metric tonnes of sugar by year-end and breathe new life into the country’s sugar industry,

Harvesting commences at Albion Estate

–– 3,900 hectares of land to be harvested; three methods to be utilised By Navendra Seoraj HARVESTING has started in the country’s sugar belt, with the first set of sugarcane set to be reaped today at the Albion Sugar Estate. In the coming weeks, cane harvesters and machines will be dispatched across the estate to harvest 3,900 hectares of land. Albion Estate, one of three producing sugar estates, is currently the country’s largest producer of sugar, and this is expected to continue in the near term, as the output from the 3,900 hectares of land is anticipated to be 261,000 tonnes of cane. “Out of that we expect to produce in excess of 21,750 tonnes of sugar, with a TCTS [tonnes cane to tonnes sugar] average of 12.5,” Manager of

the Albion Estate, Threbhowan Shivprasad said during a comment following a tour of the estate, on Thursday. This crop will last for about 12 weeks, ending in May with the estate hopefully reaching its target of 21,750 tonnes of sugar, which is about 50 per cent of its total production. This will form part of the industry’s annual production target of 98,000 metric tonnes of sugar. To help achieve this overarching target, the Blairmont Sugar Estate will be producing 27,940 metric tonnes of sugar, while Uitvlugt will be looking to churn out 20,517 metric tonnes of sugar. At Albion, Shivprasad said the estate, in addition to employing the manual/traditional method of harvesting [cane harvesters], will be

Human Resources Manager at the Albion Sugar Estate, Vemen Walter

taking a semi-mechanical approach, which will involve the use of bell loaders. The other method outlined by the manager is mechanised harvesting, which, once fully operationalised, will be used to harvest 40

tonnes cane per hour. “With that kind of harvesting, you can do harvesting around the clock,” Shivprasad said, adding, however, that the layout of the fields will have to be adjusted.

Despite the move towards mechanisation, authorities gave the assurance that sugar workers will remain an integral part of the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Human Resources Manager at the Albion Sugar Estate, Vemen Walter, said the factory currently employs 3,407, while there are 1,204 harvesters. In 2017, the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country; the move saw four sugar estates being closed, and 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs. But, as said by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, plans are afoot to return the industry to viability through coordinated and

prudent management. “We have already employed 1,000 persons who they [APNU+AFC] dismissed. And, in the New Year [2021], we will employ another 3,000 workers and I am optimistic that, in the first crop of 2022, we will produce sugar once again at those estates. “They [APNU+AFC] have brought the estates to their knees, so we have to capitalise and bring the estates to a break-even point… there are opportunities in the Caribbean and it will also create more employment for the people,” said the Agriculture Minister. The Rose Hall Estate will be the first of the three estates to be reopened and is expected to begin grinding in 2022.

Elderly woman succumbs to COVID-19

A SIXTY-NINE-year-old woman from Region Four on Tuesday succumbed to COVID-19 complications while receiving treatment at a medical facility. Her death is the 189 th for the country and the 12th thus far for the month of February. In the meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has recorded 51 new cases from 559 tests carried out within the past 24 hours. Of these, seven were recorded in Region Three, 36 in Region Four, one in Region Five, four in Region Six and three in Region Seven. Regions One, Two, Eight, Nine and 10 have not recorded any new cases. There are currently eight persons being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Forty-two persons remain institutionally isolated, while 555 persons are isolated at home. Seven-

teen persons are institutionally quarantined. Additionally, thirty-three recoveries were recorded for February 17. 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 your home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need 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.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

New Amsterdam Hospital frontline workers vaccinated against COVID-19 FRONTLINE workers at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, on Wednesday, received their first dosage of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Region Six COVID-19 Taskforce spokesperson, Dr Kester Persaud, told reporters in Berbice that some 150 doses are available for Region Six and 100 will be administered within the New Amsterdam / Port Mourant catchment area. The remainder will be utilised by persons within the Skeldon/ Black Bush Polder areas. The vaccine helps in the fight against COVID -19. Berbice had recorded eight deaths in recent months. According to Dr Persaud, the adverse reactions are no different from any other vaccine. Side effects include muscle pains, injection site

Dr Leron Henry being vaccinated on Wednesday

tenderness and chills. During the exercise, at the Transition Unit, Dr. Mahendra Rampersaud

Friday January 19, 2021 –– 10:00 HRS Saturday January 20, 2021 –– 00:30 HRS &10:30 HRS

exercise, were Sister Caroline Phillips and Regional Health Officer, Dr. Vishalya Sharma.

Barima Kariabo infant died from pneumonia, autopsy finds AN autopsy conducted on the body of a two-year-old boy who died on Saturday last has indicated that he suffered from pneumonia. The child of Barima Kariabo, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), began experiencing a high fever on February 9. On February 13, the child’s condition worsened. According to the mother, Nicola Campbell,

Thursday January 18, 2021 –– 09:30 HRS

was the first to be vaccinated by Nurse Blanche Gilead. Also present during the simple, yet historical

the infant became “motionless” at around 23:00 hours on that day. As such, he was rushed to the Barima Kariabo Health Centre and then to the Mabaruma Hospital. At around 12:00 hours on Sunday, the child was seen by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival. The body has since been handed over to relatives for burial.

(healthinfo.org.nz photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

800 house lot allocations planned for Region Two –– double allocations, staffing being addressed, Minister Croal says By: Indrawattie Natram MINISTER of Housing and Water Collin Croal has announced that 800 house lots and a new building for staff dealing with housing-related matters will be available in Region Two by the end of March. These were among the disclosures that were made by the minister during an open-day event held at Charity on Wednesday. During his address to the gathering, he said his visit was part of a continuous process by his ministry to conduct open days in various regions across the country to provide solutions to the many housing and water issues residents may have. In Region Two, he said that there is a backlog of 2000 housing applications which the Ministry of Housing is working diligently to address. He said the Government of Guyana during its first term has committed to ensuring that 50,000 house lots are made available to eligible citizens. The minister used the occasion to inform residents that the ministry has had discussions with officials of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, who have indicated that land for housing is available at Charity and Onderneeming. He, therefore, said he and his team will be re-visiting the region at the end of March to do the distribution. “We will be back in the region to distribute 800 house lots, 400 for Charity and the remainder for Onderneeming…you ought to feel excited since many of you are waiting for long,” Minister Croal said. Meanwhile, he indicated that the ministry is currently restructuring the region’s Department of Housing. The renovation of a building at Anna Regina to deal with all housing matters are part of those plans. According to Minister Croal, renovation works are underway and when complete, the building will house current and soon-tobe-hired staff. A Regional Housing Officer, an Assistant Regional Housing Officer, a Clerk, and an Enforcement Officer will be hired for the region, he disclosed, before emphasising that these are all part of the

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and team listen keenly to a resident during an open-day event at Charity, Region Two

Some of the Charity residents who attended the Housing Ministry’s open-day activity

ministry’s plans to enhance the services offered in the region. “When the building is finished renovating, then persons can go to the office and make their complaints or conduct follow-ups. I assure you, the necessary investigations will be done immediately and those who have double allocations, we are trying to relocate you whenever the distribution commences in March,” he added. He also said that plans are in place to regularise the Charity squatting area and a team from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is currently working on this. The minister sought to encourage persons to utilise the ministry’s online services, adding that its website

will soon be launched. Giving brief remarks, Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva said she was happy to have the housing team in the region. She said the demand for housing is high, noting that she is pleased that house lots will be made available to residents in March. De Silva said that during various outreaches conducted by regional officials, many residents had raised countless concerns regarding housing. All of those concerns, she assured residents, were forwarded to the Housing Ministry for immediate intervention. During Wednesday’s event, persons were given an opportunity to meet with the minister and his team of CH&PA officers. Residents who spoke

A resident engages a housing official during the open day

with this newspaper made positive comments about their engagement with the minister and housing officials. Sharika Persaud, a resident of Charity, said she was happy to reach the minister. She said that she felt at ease after he told her that an investigation will be launched into her doubleallocation matter. Another resident, Nigel Maugh, said he had applied for a house lot in the Charity area since 2016 and, to date, has not received a feedback . Maugh was grateful for the opportunity to meet with the minister and his team. Chairman of the Charity/ Ursara Neighbourhood Democratic Council

(NDC), Purash Kishore, was also present. The Housing Ministry conducted a similar activity in Regions Four and Six.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Looking Ahead ONCE this country gains a firm footing on its current trajectory of socioeconomic development, with Guyanese on a plateau living their daily lives as a well-developed society that garners worldwide respect and admiration, comes the next phase of Guyana’s rise -- the fashioning of the nation into a technological society. Such a preparation requires three pillars: a national policy that targets the cultivation of an innovation culture across every strata of the society, including at the regional and even municipal level; nurturing a country-wide pool of thought-leaders whose job it is to research and publish and stir up professional debate, a solid national conversation, as to what kind of future works best for Guyana, especially through forums at the University of Guyana, but also across the land; and networking well with global organisations to make sure this country fits into the global village with ease and is well-aligned to the new frontier of humanity. This 21st century is promising to push the frontier of mankind to astonishing heights, with the conquest of space and Mars and the rolling out of futuristic computing power and the development of Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and the Internet of Things already well underway in advanced nations of the world. Countries have even announced the phasing out of fossil-fuel cars starting in 2025, as self-driving electric vehicles are positioned as the new mode of trans-

portation. Before one blinks, Guyana will be on the edge of this new world, ready to play a dynamic role in the grand scheme of things. Now, the Guyanese nation is in the phase of bringing its GDP and standard of living in line with the rest of the Caribbean and with the developed world, of becoming an advanced nation on the world stage. From all indications, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government would accelerate socioeconomic development so fast with its level-headed approach to macroeconomic matters, that exponential growth will position the country to be a big player in no time at all. The oil-and-gas sector will this year become established as a national way of life. The traditional economy is already showing positive signs of growth and development. The skills-training agenda is well underway. Everything on the local front is well set. And the country is also aligning well with the global roadmap of phased-in, net-zero emissions as the climate change agenda picks up steam across the world, with Guyana’s intention to fulfil the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and to partner with the World Economic Forum on reforming key systems and structures for a world that is fully humane, equitable, and just. The future of the world order is shaping up to be all about technology. Developed countries worldwide are preparing for the post-COVID era, looking

to technology as the way to rebuild and to scale up. And growth today happens with exponential progress, rather than with the old linear steps. Growth and development occur with lightning speed, and societies that fail to prepare for accelerated advancement would be left behind in the new world order now under construction. This world is not just drifting through history. Rather, global thought-leaders are planning what the future of mankind would be like, much like the Guyana Government plans this society in advance, mapping, designing and tweaking the blueprint for what the nation would look like in the future. Thus, the national budget is the business plan for the country, planning what 2021 would turn out to be, and how the next five years would shape up. Despite the global pandemic, the world is actually in exciting times, with Technology Man on a serious quest to conquer some heady heights. Guyana’s place in this technology terrain is a vital requirement for the country to sustain its rise, its upward trajectory. Development is not a destination, with a set summit, that once the nation gets there it could rest and relax. As the world is seeing with the advanced nations of the world, socioeconomic development is a constantly advancing phenomenon, with the need to always push the ceiling higher, to set new, bigger goals, and to see further and further ahead as the society is lifted higher and higher in its elevation.

All this might sound a bit too much for a small country such as Guyana, as it is only now reaching the start of its amazing potential, now launching out on its journey to the top. But, as one sees with the Asian Tiger nations, and even India and China, and also with the emerging economies in Brazil, South Africa and Russia, which up to the early 1990s still existed in grotesque poverty for much of their populations, within a couple of decades a nation could ramp up its power and wealth to global standards. Such is growth these days, of exponential progress. These things Guyana would want to take into consideration even now, in its early days of this meteoric rise it has embarked upon. To prepare for this kind of future, this technological era of Mankind which is at the doorstep of the global village, Guyana would do well to establish within the next couple of years a firm structure that fuels innovation, encourages widespread technological research, and networks with global stakeholders for a tech start-up sector that launches global digital enterprises from the home front, even from villages across the Rupununi, Berbice, Essequibo and Bartica. Government is on that path, with high-speed Internet a major component of this year’s budget, and with sound management of the oil-and-gas fund, already securing US$200M in the Natural Resources Fund as potential capital for technological Guyana.

It’s in us to give Dear Editor, BY the grace of God, Humanity First Guyana Linden chapter was able to assist someone in need on February 11th with the help of the Region 10 Police Force, led by Police Commander and support from Lester Glen. As Chairman of the Humanity First Linden Branch, I was informed by Lester Glen that there was a family in need and [asked] if we could provide some assistance. Right away, I was intrigued in helping this community member. At around 11:00am, I met up with Lester Glen and Internet influencer, Kunchi, at the Wismar Housing scheme, a poorer area in Linden. We then travelled to

the village nearby guided by a fellow Muslim brother, Shakeel Austin, who has been in contact with the single mother in need and had also organised the whole project of assistance. It was great to see the amount of support the community had shown to helping the single parent and mother of four. Her circumstances were grievous; living in a small 7x7 brick home with no windows and no proper toilet. However, the community of Linden is striving to change that and built her a new home very soon, that is suitable for a human being. Some 700 bricks were ordered to the property so that the home can be expanded, and a proper washroom would be built within for her family. This reminds me of a phrase the Prophet

Muhammad (peace be upon him) once stated: “Look to those who have less than you, and do not look to those who have more. This is more appropriate so that you do not overlook (or undervalue) the blessings of Allah that you have.” On Sunday, February 14th, Humanity First Guyana delivered 100 boxes in both Georgetown and Linden as well as part of our monthly routine. These boxes were given out to the less fortunate and, seeing that it was Valentine’s Day, some individuals were looking to be shown some love. Humanity First Guyana was able to be of comfort on that day. At times like these, we should be grateful for the life we have and that there are always others that are less fortunate and in need. This

will bring about the sympathy for mankind and desire to help one another without being greedy and selfish. It is the right of every person to be fed, given water, clothed and sheltered with no exceptions. I pray for this woman and her children that God bless them abundantly and God bless all those who came together to help out a community member. We hope to make Linden a better place, one home at a time. Maulana Fahd Peerzada Linden, Guyana Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Eight taken to court for racial incitement

THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has commenced legal action against eight defaulters -- three in December 2020, four in January 2021 and one so far in February -- in an effort to stop the spread of racial incitement among Guyanese, especially on social media. According to a release, when their cases were called in the Georgetown Magistrates Court, five persons pleaded guilty to offences committed separately. The charges filed were for exciting hostility or ill will on the grounds of race under the Racial Hostility Act and for causing racial or ethnic violence or hatred under the Representation of the People Act. The five defendants who pleaded guilty, the ERC said are John Gobin, Lashonna Chester, Stacy Smartt, Glynis Gibson and Tiffiny Greene. They were all

fined for the offences committed on separate dates. The two defendants who pleaded not guilty - Surendrapaul Rampersaud and Steve Anthony

Barakat will attend court separately when their cases resume, the ERC said. It noted that Barakat’s case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was adjourned by Magistrate Leron Daly to March 1, 2021 for trial while Rampersaud’s matter was adjourned to March 19 by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, West Coast Berbice. A charge for the eight defendant, Suckie Persaud was filed on Tuesday by the ERC and she is expected to appear at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on March 1, 2021 to answer the charge. “The ERC is again urging citizens to promote tolerance and understanding, especially towards those of different ethnicities for a better country,” the release concluded.

We must ensure that our properties remain Guyanese-owned

Dear Editor,

I wish to recognise the exposé: “VP tells oil companies to rent, not purchase local properties,” as published in the February 16th, 2021 edition of the various print media. I would like to agree with the Honourable Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, especially since this topic has been an area of great concern for which I have strongly advocated since 2015, when the previous government was in power. To me, the idea of buying local properties is irrational and needs to be reassessed with strict laws in place to prevent not just the big oil companies, but some of the wealthiest foreign industrial, commercial, and manufacturing industries and personalities from making us beggars in our own country. In my opinion, it would be unwise to open a new door for these companies without first ensuring that Guyana

and Guyanese are getting their due. As such, my heart is smiling to see that our current government is looking at these issues with much attention, and I must compliment the honourable Vice-President on his wisdom and conscientious leadership as it relates to our oil and gas sector. We know that he speaks on behalf of His Excellency the President-- Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Cabinet, and the Government of Guyana. Since 2015, I have expressed the same sentiments in various media: radio, my Islamic television programmes, social media, and in the print media, as the honourable Vice-President pointed out in his recent speech. In one such article: “Companies and contractors need some control,” published in the Guyana Times on February 11th, 2019, I stated that these oil “Corporations and businesses operate as persons and they look after their self-inter-

ests and the shareholders first. We, as the owners of our independent country, must ensure we protect our assets and our citizens and get maximum benefits for our country and people.” I further went on to state: “We must ensure that valuable lands and properties are secured for our children and our children’s children for generations to come. Otherwise, we will have to rent lands, flats, houses, and offices from the foreign investors and we will become nothing and own nothing.” Our properties, particularly our lands, must remain Guyanese-owned. This is not a novel idea, but it is something that has been achieved in a variety of countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. Any lease must be in a Guyanese name, who will contract with foreign partners to build to suit or lease to them for a sum so that they can build their own property. Additionally, we need to set

down strict laws whereby assets cannot be transferred to their names. Subsequently, a law must be established that, if anything is done clandestinely with local personalities, very strict penalties will be enforced. Renting properties from Guyanese will cause us to build to international standards and specifications needed by the investors and oil companies, and give Guyanese an opportunity to raise their standards and control the valuable assets of Guyana. In this way, we have local content wealth preserved and circulation of funds. It is important to mention, let us remember that these companies, even if they register in Guyana as a Guyanese company, they always find ways not to pay the requisite taxes. They tend to export their profits from Guyana without any benefit to Guyana and Guyanese. Some Guyanese may have a few

low-level paying jobs here or there, but for high-paying management jobs, these corporations still seem to be overlooking and undermining our people whilst bringing in their own. At this juncture, I wish to once again recognise the Government of Guyana for looking out for the interests of all Guyanese and our future generation. I reiterate that as Guyanese, we must look after our own peoples and generations to come by not selling or leasing our land to any foreign industries

-- not only oil companies, but industrial and commercial ones as well. We must ensure that our properties remain Guyanese-owned. I, the undersigned, respectfully ask that we move quickly to make this a law. We cannot sit back and watch these companies, that are only interested in their own well-being and shareholders, suck our nation of its resources dry. Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

By Vishani Ragobeer

supposed to have any adverse events like this; therefore, in my view, it might be purely coincidental,” the Health Minister said. According to reports, around 18:00hrs, Cozier collapsed while in a barrack room and was picked up and rushed to the GPHC in an unconscious state. It was further reported that he was placed in incubation, during which he had a relapse, suffered two seizures and subsequently

Mysterious death of police constable being investigated

A HEALTH-RELATED investigation into the death of police constable Rockliff Cozier has been launched to determine whether it is linked to an adverse reaction to any medication, according to Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony. On Tuesday it was reported that Cozier, who was infected with chickenpox and was stationed at the Region-

al Police Division #4 ‘B’, died around 18:15hrs, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after allegedly taking two varicella (chickenpox) vaccines and his filaria pills. During his daily COVID-19 update with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Wednesday, the Health Minister highlighted that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of Cozier’s death

before any pronouncement is made. He said that the team undertaking the investigation includes persons from the Pan-American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO). The minister nevertheless posited that ingesting the pills are not expected to cause such an adverse reaction. “Generally when we review the safety profile of the filaria tablets, you’re not

Dead: Police constable Rockliff Cozier

passed away. Importantly, chickenpox is a highly contagious illness, characterised by an itchy rash on the skin and caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the varicella vaccine for chickenpox is given in two doses, but it is recommended that each dose be separated by at least three months.

Juvenile Holding Centre receives new beds THE Ministry of Home Affairs and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Guyana have come together to improve living conditions of juveniles at the Juvenile Holding Centre. On Wednesday, the ministry, with support from UNICEF, installed 10 new bunk beds at the holding centre, located in Sophia. Local Mechanical Engineer, Andy Moore, built the beds which comes with a security feature that reinforces each bed to the floor. These beds will improve the living standard of the juveniles at the facility and will ensure a

more overall humane environment. The ministry, as part of its improvement plan, is working assiduously on improving the ergonomic of the entire facility. Currently, additional works are ongoing on the elimination of air pollution, while improving the safe-water supply at the centre. The beds were handed over to the holding centre by the ministry’s Director of Juvenile Justice Department, William Orrin Boston and team, on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn.

The recently installed beds at the Juvenile Holding Centre

Couple charged with 2017 'crowbar murder' to be retried Man gets $50,000 bail on ganja-trafficking charge

AFTER almost four hours of deliberations, the jury was unable to arrive at a verdict in the murder trial of Alexis Turpin and her lover, Sterfon Barlow. The two are accused of murdering Turpin’s reputed husband. On Wednesday evening, despite further direction from trial judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Demerara High Court, the 12-member jury could not arrive at a verdict. Given this development, they will have to be retried at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes and will remain on remand. Turpin and Barlow have

Sterfon Barlow

Alexis Turpin

both pleaded not guilty to killing Sherwin Johnson on

July 2, 2017 in Georgetown. According to reports,

Turpin has a child with Johnson, and the three had lived together in Lodge. On July 2, 2017, Johnson reportedly got home early from work and caught Turpin “red-handed” in bed with Barlow. A confrontation ensued and it is alleged that Turpin and Barlow reportedly attacked Johnson and dealt him several lashes about his body. She then allegedly armed herself with a crowbar and stabbed Johnson several times. Johnson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he later died.

A MAN who was allegedly found with cannabis in his shop was on Wednesday, placed on $50,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Daniel Thomas denied that he, on February 9 at South Sophia, Georgetown, had in his possession a narcotic, specifically 23 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. According to the particulars of the offence, policemen acting on information went to Thomas’s residence located at ‘G’ South Sophia where he was contacted. He was

told that they received information concerning himself and would like to conduct a search on his premises, inclusive of his shop. Thomas complied and the search was carried out in his presence. While the ranks were searching Thomas’s shop, a quantity of transparent plastic containers containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found. Thomas was told of the allegation and cautioned, during which he remained silent. The matter was adjourned to March 24.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Consultation begins on Hire Purchase Bill

By Rehana Ahamad

DURING a previous sitting of the National Assembly, the landmark Hire Purchase Bill 2020 was referred to a Special Selection Committee for consideration and consultations. As a consequence, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has issued a notice inviting all stakeholders to provide feedback on the bill. “Interested persons are invited to examine the bill with a view of making any amendments, modifications, additions and/or comments and to submit same, by email, to the Chambers of the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs at the following email address: johnmfraser@ mola.gov.gy,” the published notice read. In an invited comment, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond explained that following the bill’s presentation to the National Assembly earlier in the month, some gaps were detected in the consultation process. “Most of the persons who are involved in hire purchase felt that they didn’t really get a chance to have their voices heard,” Minister Walrond explained. She is hopeful that the consultation process could be wrapped up within the next few weeks, so that the bill can be tabled in the National Assembly as soon as possible. “I am hoping that this could be done right after we finish the budget debates,” Walrond posited. Minister Walrond believes that once enacted, the bill will transform the lives of the majority of Guyanese consumers who are unable to purchase cash, items needed to improve their lives. The minister made specific reference to items such as washing machines and motorcars that are usually acquired through credit purchases, at great risks to buyers. “What we have found is because of [the] lack of [a] regulatory framework for these types of arrangements, common people are being taken advantage of,” Walrond had said during a recently televised NCN programme. She explained during her engagement with producer Mark Watson, that the Hire Purchase Bill will serve as a protection tool for buyers against “onerous” and “un-

to the fact that the advent of a proper framework would also encourage many more persons to make purchases via credit, as it will no longer be a risk. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, remarked that the Hire Purchase Bill is an addition to government’s comprehensive modernisation agenda

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond

scrupulous” business establishments. Minister Walrond gave an example of persons having their items repossessed without notice, having almost completed payments for the items. “We have had hundreds of complaints of these hire-purchase arrangements that have particularly disadvantaged the people,” the Member of Parliament noted. COOLING-OFF PERIOD Once the new regulations are in place, Guyanese buyers will have the luxury of mending mistakes that come from impulse purchases. According to Minister Walrond, the bill provides for seven days of “cooling-off period,” which would give buyers the opportunity to return an item that they have regretted buying. “The seller has to accept it back from you… we have all had buyers’ remorse… you take it home and then you realise, ‘oh, I really shouldn’t have done this’,” minister Walrond reasoned. She said too that once the bill is passed, it will mandate sellers to explain prices and procedures to buyers, whereas sellers would have to specifically declare cash prices for an item, along with the hire-purchase cost of the same item. This component of the bill, Walrond said, is geared at eliminating financial jargon that often see hire-purchase prices being shrouded in secrecy. “If you don’t disclose [the prices], there will be criminal penalties,” the Commerce Minister said. She noted, too, that while the bill serves as a protection tool for consumers, it will also bring major benefits to businesses throughout Guyana. The minister pointed

in all sectors, including commence and finance. “Buying on credit is a staple aspect of life in most modern and advanced societies,” Minister Singh said. He noted that Guyana has many sellers who resort to conducting cash transactions, since there are often faced with concerns of unpredictability and lack of protection that come from entering hire-purchase arrangements.

“As we become increasingly a more modern society, which is unavoidably going to be a society that is going to be characterised by modern ways of doing business, including doing business on credit and hire purchase, it is important that we have a sound and legal framework that will facilitate those transactions and encourage more people to do such transactions, but in a predictable en-

vironment,” Dr. Singh noted. As Guyana continues its course to advancement, the Finance Minister believes that the potential for buying and selling on credit will inevitably increase dramatically. “Disposable incomes are going to be increasing; people are going to want to acquire these items [vehicles etc] for comfort,” Dr. Singh added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Search continues for Mazaruni Prison escapees

THE Joint Service patrols are still searching for the four high-profile inmates who escaped from the Mazaruni Prison after cutting locks and iron bars during the wee hours of Tuesday morning. A search has been launched by law enforcement to recapture the four escapees who are all convicted of murder. Law enforcement officers are using water, air and land patrols in a bid to find the men. The escapees have been identified as 25-year-old Imran Ramsaywack, who is facing a death sentence after being tried for murder. His last known address is Lot 07, Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice; Kenrick Lyte, 44, who is also facing a death sentence after being tried for murder. His last known address is Grant Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River; Samuel Gouveia, 26, who is imprisoned for murder. His last known address is Lot 13 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and Rayon Jones, 28, who is also imprisoned for murder. His last known address is Lot 121 Timehri, EBD. The police have since issued wanted bulletins for the men, who will now face an ‘Escaping from Lawful Custody’ charge. According to Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot, about 07:15 hours, during the

unlocking of the Brick Prison (Solitary Division) supervised by the duty officer and four other ranks, it was observed that the padlock to the entrance gate was tampered with. Further checks, he said, revealed that two bars of separate cells were cut. The matter was immediately reported to the Officer-in-Charge, Mazaruni Prison, Kofi David, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (ag), who immediately ordered a head count. Upon conclusion, the Prison Director said the aforementioned convicted prisoners, who were housed in the Brick Prison (solitary) were unaccounted for. Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is appealing to members of the public, as well as relatives and friends of the wanted men, to give any relevant information as to the whereabouts of these escapees so that they can be captured and returned to the prison. “Also, an appeal is being made to the escapees to surrender to the police or relevant authority, to avoid any serious confrontation that is likely to result in the use of force. All information will be treated with a high degree of confidence and also the rights of those escapees will be respected and upheld,” the Police Force said. In 2019, the death sentence was handed down on Imran

WANTED: Imran Ramsaywack

WANTED: Kenrick Lyte

WANTED: Rayon Jones

WANTED: Samuel Gouveia

Ramsaywack, who was found guilty of murder by a 12-person jury. Ramsaywack, also known as, “Kevin Jones” and “Coolie Boy” was found guilty of the March 2015 murder of US-based citizen and boutique owner, Samantha Benjamin. Kenrick Lyte, of Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), in 2019, was found guilty of murder by a 12-member jury at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast. He was charged in 2014 for the murder of 72-year-old Osmond Fiedtkou. Samuel Anthony Gouveia, formerly of Plaisance, ECD, was charged for the murder of Santee Solomon, on November 23, 2015, at Puruni Landing, near the Cuyuni River. In 2018, Rayon Jones was sentenced to 28 years for the murder of Puranand “Andrew” Baljit, a mechanic, who was killed during a robbery on June 9, 2016, at his Timehri, East Bank Demerara home. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the convicted killers is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 455-2238, 455-2222, 455-2241, 2264585, 225-2700, 225-3650, 226-1326, 911 or the nearest police station.

Boat with decomposed bodies still not found THE boat that was spotted on Monday with several decomposed bodies on board has still not been found, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has reported. Vessels from the private sector were mobilised to assist local authorities to locate and tow the abandoned boat into port. One vessel that was operating offshore was directed to the area of the boat’s estimated position on Monday night. However, MARAD noted that the vessel spent several hours on Tuesday searching the probable area of the boat’s track but the search proved futile. “This vessel has since returned to Port Georgetown, but its owner has several

other vessels operating in the general area, and they have been advised to look out for the abandoned boat. Two fast boats with two 200 HP engines each left Morawhanna Tuesday morning with a team that included members of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). They executed search patterns offshore and inshore, that encompassed the area from the western boundary of Guyana’s maritime border all the way to Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast,” MARAD explained. The GDF has so far executed three reconnaissance flights over the initial probable area and the expanded search area. They also did not report any sighting of the boat.

According to MARAD, another search vessel that has on board an officer and ranks from the GDF Coast Guard is still at sea searching for the abandoned boat.

MARAD has published a navigational warning via the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), informing all vessels in the general area to be on the

lookout for a boat adrift and to report any sighting. The Maritime Administration Department has also sent emails to several equivalent organisations seeking their assistance in identifying the boat and the remains of those on board. It has also informed the administration in Trinidad and Tobago to notify vessels about the boat, since the direction of the ocean current can possibly take it to this country. On Tuesday night, Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill noted that based on the direction from which the boat was coming, it could be a vessel out of Africa. “The boat doesn’t have an engine attached to it. It has a tow line from the front based

on the pictures. Was the boat towed out and cut loose? Was it cut from something? We are not sure, that is why the Minister of Home Affairs has remained engaged to ensure that the investigative capacity of the Police Force, along with the resources become available instantly on capturing that boat and bringing it here so we can get answers,” he noted. Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had noted that if or when authorities retrieve the vessel, the Guyana Police Force will take charge of the investigation to determine the origin of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the situation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

$293M to enhance fisheries, aquaculture industry THE emerging fisheries and aquaculture industries will see significant growth with the $293 million provision the government has proposed in its 2021 National Budget. Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, announced the measure in the National Assembly last Friday. Currently, the cost of production for aquaculture products is greatly impacted by the cost of feed, which accounts for some 60-70 per cent of overall production costs. However, with 2021 plans streamlined, the government will be facilitating feed-formulation research with the aim of reducing the cost of feed to below $200 per kilogramme, in an effort to encourage increased investment and productivity. Further, the Finance Minister said the government is keen to revitalise the fishing industry and has reversed increases in licensing fees, removed taxes on fishing equipment, and allowed fish exporters to reclaim value-added tax on inputs to

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha looks on as a fish vendor prepares her catch for the market

production. “Over the medium-term, government will focus on supporting the development of inland fisheries and aqua-

Two men remanded for murder of elderly priest TWO men who are accused of stabbing an elderly priest to death two months ago, on Wednesday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Mohanie Mohabir and Rawle McPherson were not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder. The charge alleged that Mohabir and McPherson, between December 16 and December 21, 2020, at St. Sidwell Anglican Church, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, murdered George Chuck - A - Sang.

According to the prosecution, both Mohabir and McPherson are known to Chuck A - Sang as they regularly visited his home. On December 21, 2020, about 16:00hrs, Chuck - A - Sang was found in his home with several wounds. An investigation was launched and resulted in the arrest of the two accused. The accused were interviewed, during which they reportedly confessed to the crime. As such, the charge was laid against them. The matter was adjourned until February 25 and transferred to Court 3.

culture through amendments to the aquaculture and inland fisheries regulations, finalise a strategic plan for the subsector, and develop

guidelines for sustainable aquaculture and ornamental industry in Guyana, among other initiatives.” Meanwhile, Minister of

Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha says he wants the industry to make a significant contribution to the nation’s output. In order to achieve

this, the government has made great investments in the industry to date. “Aquaculture has the potential to bring in a lot of revenues and many Caribbean countries and even North America and other places need these kinds of fishes. So, I will encourage and continue to promote aquaculture,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI). The ministry will establish a database to update farmers on its plans and programmes for the sub-sector. A breeding programme for indigenous species is also being developed at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station, where hatcheries will provide fingerlings at a subsidised cost to farmers. In 2020, research was conducted on several species of fish including the arapaima, patwa, tambaqui and the Nile tilapia. Additionally, the ministry is continuing its efforts to realise the reversal of the U.S. ban on catfish. (DPI)

Driver in Valentine’s Day fatal accident granted $600, 000 bail RAYON Alves appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and was granted a total of $600, 000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly. Alves denied the charges when they were read to him. It is alleged that on February 14 he drove motor car PVV 1289 dangerously and caused the deaths of Dakera Gritten and Tonika Halley. Reports are that about 00:30hrs, Alves was proceeding at a fast rate of speed along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. As he was overtaking vehicles he lost control of the motor car and collided with a GPL utility pole. This resulted in the car toppling several

Rayon Alves

times before coming to rest in a trench, in an upturned position.

Some of the occupants were removed from the car in unconscious states by pub-

lic-spirited citizens, who had rushed to the scene to render assistance. Gritten and Halley who were badly injured were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Gritten was pronounced dead, while Halley succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment. It is alleged that Alves fled the scene after the accident. He was arrested and escorted to the East La Penitence Police Station where he was placed into custody and charged with the present offences. Magistrate Leron Daly ordered that Alves be placed on $300,000 bail for each count of the charge before adjourning the case to March 15.

Filaria campaign to ramp up in Region Two

COUNCILLORS of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) recently pledged their support to the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), commonly known as filaria. This pledge was made during a February 10, 2021 meeting of the council where Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Ranjeev Singh, informed that the campaign will be launched in the region on March 5. Speaking to his colleagues

in the RDC boardroom, Dr. Singh said that the disease was a public health problem and as such, every community leader had a part to play in its elimination. He explained that Guyana has opted for the triple-drug therapy- Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine, and Albendazole (IDA) - in all the endemic areas and has vowed to achieve 100% geographical coverage. Once the campaign is successful – that is attaining more than 65 % coverage – the Ministry of Health can move towards applying for a certifi-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

cation of elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis. Dr. Singh encouraged the community leaders who sit on the council to ensure that persons living within their communities consume the pills whenever the pill distributors visit them at their houses or workplaces. Meanwhile, Region Two Chairperson, Vilma Da Silva, said that the region is one of the endemic areas, and, as such, she urged residents to support the campaign by taking the pills. De Silva reminded that filaria is the leading cause of disability and so

A pill distributor educating sports personnel about the benefits of taking the filaria pills

A youth being sensitised about the upcoming campaign by Regional Coordinator, Shaleena Baksh, and pill distributor, Roseanne Latchman, at Golden Fleece community ground

persons should take the disease seriously. The Prime Minister’s representative and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) councillor, Arnold Adams informed that he would be the first in the line to take the pills whenever the campaign is launched in the region. “Everyone needs to participate in the campaign activities by taking the Filaria Pills to eliminate the disease. Region Two’s participation is important for this second and final round as the region will be part of the campaign,” said Adams,

who is also the Chairman of the region's Health and Sanitation Committee. Also speaking on the issue was Opposition Councillor, Mark Mc Lean, who explained that he too will be supporting the campaign by taking the pills; he used the opportunity to encourage others to do the same. Lymphatic Filaria is a disease caused by a tiny worm, which is transmitted from person to person through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes. During the campaign, trained pill distributors will be

visiting communities or will be stationed at specific points across the region; they will be administering the triple-drug therapy to the eligible population. Individuals will be measured using a dose pole after which the appropriate dosage will be given. Sensitisation has commenced in the region and is being led by the regional coordinators and the national supervisor. They are reaching out to members of the public and stakeholders to raise awareness about the programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Guyanese flavoured street food initiative coming

WITH street tourism being highly regarded in many parts of the world, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security says it wants Guyana, too, to be able to tap into this industry and will introduce a grand initiative that will see mobile street food kiosks being established across the entire country. Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, has been careful to point out that this will be a very standardised operation which will not see the likes of just about anyone as strict adherence will be paid to hygiene and sanitisation. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, the minister explained that this initiative is intended to be something distinctive that can potentially change the very landscape of the country. The kiosks will be made out of different met-

als and woods in an effort to reflect something very beautiful that is unlike the ordinary food stands. “We’re especially paying attention to hygiene, presentation, quality and standards,” Minister Persaud expressed, adding that persons will have to be evaluated before being granted permission to run a kiosk. The ministry is developing a sample of just what should be seen on the streets and other details for the project are still being worked out at the moment. But so far, the minister informed that each kiosk will be equipped with a garbage bin and sink. The initiative is intended to reflect Guyana’s diversity and beauty and will be tapping into various industries in the country like its fabrication, food prep and agricultural industries. It is also expected to result in significant employment mainly for women, but not exclusively

to them. A group of women can decide that they want to run a kiosk together and they will be granted permission as a group. Minister Persaud also pointed out that the timing for this initiative is practical in that a take-away service is the order of the day with hardly any indoor dining being permitted. “Universally, street food allows customers to get a firsthand sense of the flow and preparation of local culinary magic,” the ministry said in a statement a few days ago, noting that the programme will be showcasing and promoting ‘Guyanese only’ street foods, a venture that would open new industries and provide jobs for many, including single mothers, youth and persons with disabilities. DEADLINE Phase one of the Street

Food Initiative includes the logo, tagline and Kiosk design competitions for which the deadline for entries to both categories of competition is Friday, February 26, at 15:00 hrs. According to the minister, the street food concept hinges on the premise of people’s deep connection to local food flavours. “Guyanese have always been enamoured by local cuisine and the opportunity to encourage persons to craft an industry that creatively presents our local or street foods to visitors and locals alike is captured in this initiative. The innovative creation of street food industry can make a sizeable contribution to the economy that has been impacted by COVID-19,” she said. The environment for the project, she said, must be conducive to promote the Street Food initiative. Against this backdrop, Min-

ister Persaud is optimistic that the kiosk will create that “trendy vibe that also promotes Guyana’s uniqueness and diversity”. “What we at the ministry want to achieve is a distinctive and stylish kiosk. A modern and eye-catching structure coupled with Guyana’s renowned mouth-watering creations in a winning formula creating a signature experience for Guyanese and visitors alike,” she stated. The Logo and Tagline and Kiosk competitions will enable interested persons to “bring to light” the ministry’s concept of stimulating positive growth in the social sector. Once the winning design for the kiosk is selected, a model will be built by the ministry and used as the specimen for the standardised structure, while the logo/ tagline will become the official emblem of the project. “We will work with

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud vulnerable groups to prepare their business plans and make referrals to secure small loans to build the structure and be part of this exciting new industry of food tourism,” Minister Persaud explained. Under the initiative, potential vendors will undergo a three-stage training programme. The training sessions will place emphasis on hygiene, safe food handling, waste food disposal and entrepreneurship and producing authentic flavours and diversity.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Region Two frontline workers receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine By: Indrawattie Natram IN keeping with the Ministry of Health’s efforts to protect all frontline workers against the dreaded COVID-19 disease, scores of doctors, nurses and dental surgeons in Region Two on Wednesday received the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Ranjeev Singh was the first in line to receive the vaccine around 09:00hrs in the boardroom of the Suddie Public Hospital. Moments later, he told the Guyana Chronicle that he was delighted to lead his team in taking the vaccine. Dr. Singh, who had tested positive for the virus several months ago, said he is satisfied that a dose of protection is in his system to provide immunity against the virus. He commended the region’s frontline workers for their positive response to the vaccine and for taking it. “I think it's a timely initiative that will protect healthcare providers and provide that sense of protection for them. I am happy that the vaccines are available in Region Two and I am hoping that we can get for all frontline workers and the general public [immunised] so the region can be protected,” Dr. Singh added. Medex Renota Singh,

Nurse Shonette Jonas and Cedella Frazer of the National COVID-19 Task Force accompanied the vaccines from Georgetown. Medex Singh disclosed that the process was smooth in Region Two and frontline workers had displayed mild symptoms. She noted that the vaccines are being administered voluntarily and the targeted frontline workers include those on the task force, the doctors and nurses working at the Isolation and Quarantine facility, laboratory technicians, and the team that conducts screening/swabbing. Medex Singh, explaining the vaccination process, said that the health worker would have to visit the triage area at the Suddie Public Hospital where the nurse on duty will fill a personal data sheet. Thereafter, the Data Entry Clerk will take additional information, after which the healthcare worker is directed to the vaccination site. After receiving the vaccine, the worker is expected to be in the observation unit for about 15 minutes before being allowed to leave. Prior to leaving, they must collect an immunisation card which has the vaccine details. MIXED FEELINGS Meanwhile, the frontline workers who took the

vaccine displayed mixed emotions. Many of them were in the waiting area since 08:00hrs. Doctor Goolcharan Dyal immediately after taking the vaccine said he was happy that he took it. He said that he opted to take it after mustering courage from his colleagues at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). According to Dr. Dyal, the process was painless and he feels much safer knowing that the vaccine is in his system. Another doctor, Nareefa Cozier, told this publication that she was nervous at first but after taking the vaccine she felt much better. Dr. Cozier said she works in the Maternity Department and many times would come into contact with positive mothers. Knowing that she has been vaccinated makes her feel safe, she added. Subsequently, Sabrena Harrychan, a dental surgeon, said she visited the vaccination site with full energy to take the dose. Harrychan said that she is exposed to the virus and believes that it is within her right to make the decision to take it. Another dental surgeon, Kevin Sooklall, said so far he has not had an adverse reaction to the vaccine. Sooklall, who is attached to the Oscar

A nurse preparing a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Region Two Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Ranjeev Singh receiving the first dose of the Oxford- AstraZeneca vaccine

: Dental Surgeon Kevin Sooklall getting a dose of the vaccine

Joseph Hospital at Charity, added that he is very happy that he took it and is therefore advising his colleagues to come on board and take the vaccine. The doses were administered by Community Health Worker (CHW) Lashana Peters and Midwife Diane Sandy. The vaccine will be used to protect persons aged 18 years and older against COVID-19, which is caused

Dental surgeon Sabrena Harrychan receiving the vaccine

Doctor Goolcharan Dyal being injected with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

by a virus called coronavirus (SARS- CoV2). The vaccine stimulates the body’s immune system and causes it to produce its protection (antibodies) against the virus. It is injected into a muscle and is given in two doses. The second dose is given 12 weeks after the first injection and according to the Ministry of Health, workers must return for their second dose to complete the vaccination process.

The ministry has advised that although frontline workers are taking the vaccine, it is important that they continue adhering to the COVID-19 precautions after receiving the doses. Persons are advised to continue wearing a mask, to avoid crowds, clean hands and surfaces regularly, keep a distance of six feet from others, and self-isolate and book a test if experiencing any symptoms.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Site identified for new well at Lusignan

THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), in close collaboration with the Mon Repos La – Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council, has identified a site for the drilling of a new well in the community of Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara, by the end of May, 2021. Villages such as Enmore, Mon Repos, Lusignan, Annandale, Good Hope, Friendship, Enterprise, and other nearby villages have been experiencing a low level and in some cases, a disruption of service, due to the collapse of the Lusignan well. GWI, in a release, said numerous failed attempts were made to repair the well, after which it was decided that a new well will be drilled. The procurement of

materials for the drilling of the well is in progress and this includes well screens, well casings, drilling fluid and conductor casings. GWI had implemented alternative arrangements to provide a steady level of service to areas that have been affected by the collapsed well. This includes reactivating the Enmore well station, and channeling water from the Friendship Water Treatment plant to the affected areas. The residents have been receiving a total of 10 hours of water daily. GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, on Wednesday, met with the Chairman of the NDC, Ayube Mohammed and Councillors, as well as representative of surrounding areas to discuss measures to improve the level

of service in the interim. It was found that areas such as Annandale North, Lusignan South of the Grassfield, Sand Reef and Marshon, have been receiving a fair level of water pressure. However, there are other areas which are receiving a poor level of service. In this regard, GWI will commence a massive leak-repair programme on Friday to aid in the improvement of the water pressure. GWI engineers are also closely examining the transmission and distribution system to optimise the flow of water to the areas. A visit was also made to the Friendship Water Treatment Plant to examine how the flow can be increased to better service the areas.

Woman jailed for three years, fined $5M for offensive Facebook posts –– gets 9 months for assault

ROSHANNA HUNTE, who was charged with assaulting her ex-lover and later posting indecent content about her on Facebook, was, on Tuesday, found guilty of the offences. Magistrate Delon Bess, who was hearing the case at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, sentenced the Hill Street, Albouystown resident to nine months in prison for unlawful assault and three years’ in prison, together with a fine of $5M, for the content she posted on the social media platform. Hunte’ victim, Nikhola Hopkinson, of Waterloo Street, Georgetown, who was charged with unlawfully assaulting Hunte, was also found guilty and was fined $20,000. According to the first charge laid against Hunte, she, on June 22, 2020, at Bourda, Georgetown, unlawfully assaulted Hopkinson so as to cause her actual bodily harm. She was accused of using a computer system between June 22 and 25, 2020, at Waterloo Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, to publish electronic data of Hopkinson that was obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious or indecent with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to her. Hopkinson, on the other, was accused of unlawfully assaulting Hunte at Bourda on June 22, 2020. The court was informed that the two women had a physical confrontation on June 22, 2020. Prosecutor Harris explained that the

two are known to each other as they are tenants of an apartment building located at Lot 182 Waterloo Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown. They eventually got close and, allegedly, formed an intimate relationship. A female, who shared an apartment with Hunte, is also known by Hopkinson. Hunte and the female would constantly have disputes and Hopkinson would intervene as the peacemaker. Later on, the female decided to share an apartment with Hopkinson and the two, allegedly, became intimate. On June 22, 2020, Hopkinson and the female were heading to Bourda Market and while in the vicinity of Robb Street, Hunte ran up to the female and whispered in her ear before touching her butt. Hopkinson and the female continued walking. They later saw Hunte standing in the passageway with her hands folded. This lead to a verbal exchange between Hopkinson and Hunte. The court was told that Hopkinson, in fit of rage, dealt Hunte a blow to her head with a glass bottle. She then bit Hunte above the left eye. This escalated into a fight. On June 23, 2020, the female went to Hopkinson at her shop and informed her of the presence of numerous pictures of them along with derogatory remarks that were uploaded to Facebook by Hunte. Hopkinson immediately made a report at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary. Following a police investigation, charges were laid.

GWI’s CEO, Shaik Baksh (left) and technical officials at the site where the new well will be drilled

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

De Willem Housing Scheme residents accessing water in their homes for the first time NEW home owners at De Willem Housing Scheme, Region Three, can comfortably access water on their premises, while prospective occupants can consider building their homes, now that a water distribution system is in place. The realisation of this new water network comes

following an intervention by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, who visited the area on Tuesday, February 16, upon the invitation of residents. Prior to her visit, Minister Rodrigues received complaints from members of the community regarding the lack of infrastructure to

make it liveable. During her meeting with them, the minister explained that the water system that was recently installed was just a temporary solution. She noted that her ministry was on a quest to ensure new housing schemes are developed with the basic amenities such as water and given that the scheme had been in existence for over five years, such services should have already been in place. As part of plans to provide immediate relief, Minister Rodrigues informed residents that the provision of water supply to the community, which consists of more than 300 lots, was realised through the connection of a six-inch transmission pipeline to the De Willem water distribution network, which is supplied by the Uitvlugt Water Treatment Plant. This is a

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, interacting with residents short-term mechanism that ment Plant, using an eightThe minister also vowed, would see residents receiv- inch transmission line. This through CH&PA, to ensure ing water at the stand pipe would allow a significant there is electricity supply in level on their premises. improvement in the level of the area. The ministry, in collab- service to each household. Residents expressed oration with the Guyana In order to benefit from thanks to the minister, Water Incorporated (GWI), the water supply, residents noting that it was a great would then undertake a are required to apply for relief, particularly for permanent solution, which their individual service con- those who had already entails a direct connection nections and installation moved into their new to the Uitvlugt Water Treat- will occur. homes.

Improved water quality for Golden Grove residents MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, returned to the community of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday, to meet with residents and inform them of the works that had commenced to improve their water service. The minister had attended an outreach with President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday last, where concerns relating to water quality were raised. She explained that the

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, during her visit to Golden Grove on Tuesday Guyana Water Incorporat- supplied with a 24-hour water ed (GWI) was conducting service but there is a high assessments to address the concentration of iron, GWI quality of service they were release said. receiving. The community is To tackle the issue im-

mediately, the GWI will be flushing the pipelines. Minister Rodrigues noted that she will see to it that a schedule is implemented to ensure flushing is done regularly. Plans are also in place to repair leaks along the network, which would help to prevent contamination and further improve water quality. A long-term solution however, is to install in-line filters to treat the water. The Housing and Water Minster pointed out that 52 per cent of Guyana is receiving access to treated water and Government is committed to providing treated water for at least 90 per cent of the population by the end of its first-term in office.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Hospitality institute will boost our human capital - THAG

THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) is confident that the establishment of a Hospitality Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) will enable “Destination Guyana” to provide a world class experience in service delivery. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Association said that it is extremely pleased to see that Guyana’s National 2021 Budget, including a grand sum of $185 million to kick start construction of the long-awaited training institute. “This facility will not only boost our human capital but it will empower vulnerable groups and play a critical role in rural development,” THAG said. The association assured that it will continue partnering and working with the Government of Guyana throughout all phases of this

institute is projected to have the capacity to offer certificate, diploma, associate degree and degree courses in areas relating to tourism and hospitality. Singh said that the advancement of the tourism sector has been severely hampered by significant skills gaps existing at all levels. This has often been compounded by the fact that there exist few opportunities for trainings to be done locally. “To address this glaring mismatch between demand and supply, in 2021, work will commence on the construction of the Hospitality Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) for students to be trained and certified annually,” Dr. Singh said. He noted that the institute is being pursued as a means of supporting the growth and development of tourism as a rapidly emerging sector that should be equipped to provide a world class experience in service delivery. The Finance Minister, in

Guyana is best known for its impressive ecotourism qualities (Visit Guyana photo) project, including the design of an operational model that satisfies the needs of more than 1,800 students to be trained and certified annually. The establishment of a Tourism Hospitality Training Institute has been on the cards for several years now. As a matter of fact, in 2014, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had budgeted some US$4 million for the construction of the institute. Later in 2019, the Coalition Government had announced the award of a US$250,000 contract to finance the building’s design. At that time, the land for the project was being finalised. In December 2020, shortly after the PPP/C was voted back into office, the government said that the Caribbean Development Bank had approved a US$11 million (approximately $2.3 billion) loan for the development of the institute. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, recently announced the latest allocation for the project, as he presented the country’s $383.1 billion 2021 budget. During his presentation to the National Assembly last week, Dr. Singh said that the

his presentation, informed that Guyana currently has in excess of 150 hotels, along with 30 resorts and lodges that provide an approximate room capacity of 3,400. “Most of these accommodations can be characterised as traditional and rustic establishments with only a small number of business-oriented accommodation properties of international standard,” Dr. Singh highlighted With the emergence of a promising Oil and Gas Industry, Guyana has embarked on a course of rapid transformational development. “These initial incoming investments will add an additional 1,000 hotel rooms in the near term and potentially a total of 2,000 to 3,000 rooms in the medium term, catalysing the development of the accommodation subsector and dramatically improving overall industry standards,” Singh said, as he referred to some developmental projects currently in the pipeline. The Finance Minister reminded that the global tourism industry is among the most affected sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated decline of 70 to 75 per cent in international arrivals, when compared with 2019. “In Guyana, vis-

itor arrivals are estimated to have fallen by 72.5 per cent in 2020 – from 314,727 in 2019 to 86,503 in 2020. With measures in place to limit

transmission of the virus, the tourism and hospitality industry came to a standstill, halting travel experiences, in-person engagements and

virtually every other aspect of the industry,” Dr. Singh posited. He also emphasized the government’s commitment

towards advancing and expanding domestic tourism, as well as catering to the traveling needs of Guyanese in the wide diaspora.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Sanasie to challenge Skerritt for CWI presidency By Rajiv Bisnauth SECRETARY of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cricket Guyana Inc., Anand Sanasie, is set to challenge incumbent Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt in elections carded for March 21. Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that Sanasie, a long-serving Director of CWI will be nominated by his board and is expected to be seconded by Barbados Cricket Association (BCA). It is understood his running mate is Calvin Hope, the vice-president of Barbados Cricket Association, who is also a CWI Director. The two names are expected to be submitted before today’s nomination deadline. Skerritt - who has previously been a cabinet minister and senator in the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis, also served as minister of tourism - and vice-president Kishore Shallow are both in their first terms as president and vice-president but their tenure has been tainted by the current failure of their proposed 10-point plan they set out prior to being elected.

The 10-point plan includes cricket-specific issues such as modernising coach education, a new approach to selection, placing greater emphasis at Under-19 and Under-23 levels and increased funding for the sport at grassroots level. Skerritt, a former West Indies team manager, ended Dave Cameron’s controversial reign as the CWI president after six years. Cameron lost by an 8-4 margin after the elections were conducted. Emmanuel Nanthan, who was also standing for a fourth term as Cameron’s deputy, was beaten by the same margin by Shallow, an entrepreneur and president of the St Vincent & The Grenadines Cricket Association. Sanasie was asked for comment by Chronicle Sport but declined. Each of the six territorial boards, Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), BCA, Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and GCB have two votes each, and the votes can be cast by two representatives nominated by each of the territorial boards.

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Today’s Quiz:

(1) Put these in order beginning with the team BANG first engaged in Test cricket: New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Zimbabwe (2) How many WI players have now made a century on Test debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Senior players batting form It was my responsibility to bat deep, says Barnwell could be Jaguars X-factor By Rajiv Bisnauth

… Johnson, Barnwell centuries helped set tone for rest of batsmen By Clifton Ross LEON Johnson and Christopher Barnwell have laid the foundation for Guyana Jaguars’ other batsmen to now build on and keep the runs flowing as they continue their 50-Over title quest. The captain Johnson was the first to rack up three figures which blew the wind out of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. The former West Indies Test batsman played his usual classy game and, as a result, registered what would be his 2nd List A ton, but more importantly a huge momentum booster for himself and the team with a tight season ahead. His energy seemed to rub off almost immediately after, when the all-rounder Barnwell, one of last season’s top batsmen; seemingly picked up from where he left off, but this time breaking the shackles and reaching his maiden 50-Overs hundred. One huge difference from last season is that the approach seems to be a bit more aggressive yet responsible at the same time. A long break from COVID-19 also played a part as both centurions scored their runs at an extremely efficient pace. Johnson’s 102 required just 133 balls and featured 12 fours and a 6, typical stroke-play from the left-hander. Barnwell, on the other hand, was more belligerent, not being paid by the minute as his 107 came from just 90 balls. The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) veteran finished with a strike-rate of 118.8, endorsed mainly by his 4 fours and six maximums. Another veteran in Anthony Bramble added the finishing touches with a 49-ball 69, adding 4 fours and as many sixes to the lot. These individual contributions early in the tournament, especially from two of the franchise’s original big stars who have been around since the Professional Cricket League (PCL) took effect, are a great plus for the Jaguars who have additional international young stars like Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd and others.

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This batting surge in the recent matches has also paved a way for the bowlers to feast on under-pressure opposition batsmen. Spinners Kevin Sinclair and Gudakesh Motie have been filling the big shoes of Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo thus far with additional support from all-rounder Ramaal Lewis. With Nial Smith and Shepherd running the offence in the fast-bowling department, especially with Jaguars looking to get more from their spinners; the team is on its path to becoming arguably one of the most well-oiled units in the competition, alongside the formidable Trinidad Red Force and Barbados Tridents. Guyana will definitely want more from their internationally accredited top-order in Assad Fudadin and Chandrapaul Hemraj, the latter warming up well with a hundred in the Jaguars’ practice games, prior to the tournament. Both left-handers looked good in the first game with scores of 22 for Fudadin and 24 for Hemraj. Hemraj had 3 fours and a 6 while Fudadin, who made his return to Guyana colours after a few seasons with the Jamaica Scorpions, had 2 fours. Both batsmen failed in the second game with the former scoring just 8 and the latter, 10. Should those two find their groove and give the Jaguars a few 50- or 100-plus opening partnership stands, Johnson and the in-form middle could easily go to work on the competition with far less pressure than they absorbed in the first two encounters. The Jags, with 12 points and leading the table to date, have a tough next assignment on the 20th against arch rivals and current 2nd-placed Red Force (8 points) - a match which will do much for the form of both franchises. With a few days to recover, regroup and maintain their training in-between, match 3 will certainly reveal where the Jaguars are as a team and which areas they will need to improve, going forward.

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ALL-rounder Christopher Barnwell scripted one of the best List A innings last Sunday in match seven of the Cricket West Indies (CWI)-sponsored CG Insurance Super50 Cup against Jamaican Scorpions. Guyana Jaguars had needed some inspiration to extricate themselves from another top-order failure, and there was no one better than Barnwell to provide it. In the absence of regular skipper, Leon Johnson, the stage was set for the strongly-built Barnwell to exhibit his batting prowess, and he duly rose to the occasion. Once the right-handed Barnwell is on song, there are few bowling attacks in the region that can put a stop to his willow work. The 34-year-old slammed a 90-ball 107, his maiden List A hundred, as he batted responsibly to ensure Jaguars set a winning total. However, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player in his post innings interview said he was fully aware of his responsibility, taking into consideration Jaguars’ position when he came to

Christopher Barnwell the wicket. “It was a wonderful feeling … went close on a few occasions, but couldn’t get over the line, but today (Sunday) I have been one of the main batters. With the skipper out, I just take that extra responsibility to go and bat as deep as possible – an aspect of my game that I have been working on rigorously,” he said. Barnwell further added, “Johnson (Leon) was obviously a big loss for us, but as one of the senior players who have been around for a long time, I just take that extra responsibility to go out there and play well and it

paid off.” Barnwell struck four fours and half-dozen sixes, first adding 91 for the fourth wicket with Akshaya Persaud (25) before putting on a further fifth-wicket 88 with Anthony Bramble (69). His innings contribution saw Jaguars end on 299-9 after being 21-3, at one stage. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie then spoiled the Scorpions run chase, picking up 4-55 to move his tally to nine wickets from three games. The Scorpions were eventually bowled out for 190 in the 45th over. Meanwhile, West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, leading the Jaguars in the absence of injured captain Johnson, said the side’s winning streak was important. “It’s really nice to be on the winning side to be honest and it’s always good to win back-to-back games. That’s what we always talk about and it’s a good feeling for us,” said the 24-year-old. The Jaguars with three wins from three games moved to 12 points. They will be in action again on February 20 in another day/night encounter against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Petra Organisation awaits improved health state PRIOR to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Petra Organisation had almost fullproof plans to elevate the grassroots level of football in Guyana. The association which prides itself to prioritise junior football also has the capacity to host senior tournaments as well. When the pandemic struck in 2020, it caused the organisation to suspend its calendar of events which had at least nine scheduled tournaments for the year. In March 2020, Petra provisionally suspended the Milo Under-18 Schools Football Championship because all the schools involved were closed due to the pandemic. The calendar boasted tournaments such as the Courts Pee Wee 11-and-Under Boys, Smalta Pee Wee 11-and-Under Girls’, ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Under-14, Milo Boys Under-18, GUYOIL Under-18 League,

KFC Goodwill Tournament, Limacol Senior Tournament, Turbo Knockout and Corona Futsal tournaments. Speaking with co-Director of the Association, Troy Mendonca, he said it is challenging at the moment for the organisation since its programme is reliant on on how the school system functions. “When we analyse the trend, we realised that out of guidance from the necessary authorities, it is very difficult to implement anything right now, so we haven’t been doing anything. Our programmes are dependent on the situation at school and, to be honest, we always see ourselves in the line of youth development. So since there is no schooling, to get the children back and organise them for an event is also very difficult,” Mendonca stated. He continued: “We are hoping with the advent of the vaccine we can im-

prove in another couple of months. However, internally we have ourselves ready to roll out our programme as soon as the situation improves.” Mendonca believes even in the senior department it is challenging to get the ball rolling because only the National Team has been gifted the opportunity to train. He added that anything the Petra Organisation does must be under the auspices of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for both school and club football. “We don’t want to promise anything, or we don’t want to make public announcements that football is near then it can’t be fulfilled. So we are waiting for the appropriate time to go public and that will be when the situation improves in the coming months.” The Petra Organisation has even pondered the op-

Petra Director Troy Mendonca tion of a virtual avenue but decided against it because the youth department would still have to be training or playing the game for it to be effective. Meanwhile, the former National footballer is urging persons to remain practising caution, to assist against the spread of the novelty virus.

Benjamin, Hackett heading to try-out for Valour FC in CPL By Rawle Toney KELSEY Benjamin and Ryan Hackett will depart for Canada soon, where the pair will be part of Canadian Premier League (CPL) club Valour FC pre-season training. The club’s head coach Robert Gale, through Guyanese and Canadian football Hall-of-Famer, Alex Bunbury, had extended an invitation for two U-23 players from Guyana to train with the side in a try-out style training camp. Two players, who are currently training with Guyana’s senior men’s National football team ahead of their Qatar World Cup Qualifiers, are members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) football club. Only recently, Bunbury, a legend in Canada but proudly states he’s Guyanese first, was instrumental in Fruta Conquerors’ 19-year-old forward, Nicholas McArthur, securing a full scholarship to Chicago State University ahead of their NCAA Division One football debut.

Men of Valour! From left – Ryan Hackett, Guyana’s head coach Marcio Maximo, Alex Bunbury and Kelsey Benjamin. Gale, who coached Canada’s National Youth teams from 2011 to 2018, said his club is looking forward to working with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, as they welcome “these young talented Guyana players to our professional club environment. We currently anticipate a mid-April start to pre-season but will stay in contact with Mr Bunbury to finalise all de-

tails in line with government COVID-19 protocols.” The Canadian coach is hoping that “this is the first of many engagements our organisations can have and would like to extend our hospitality to your entire organisation for future Coach and Player Development exchanges as you develop your infrastructure.” Currently the club has the services of several Caribbean, South America and Cen-

tral America players from Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Peru, Costa Rica and Venezuela. The Pre-season for this year’s Canadian Premier League is set for the first week in April. However, the season is planned to commence on May 22 pending the approval of government authorities and the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

Red Force thump Hurricanes by 9 wickets after bowlers, batsmen dominate A STERLING all-round performance by the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force saw them surge to an emphatic 9-wicket win over Leewards Hurricanes in last evening’s battle. The Trinidadians continued to flex their muscles and tap into their wide array of options in both departments, completing a relatively simple task of maintaining their unbeaten run and keeping the top two spots interesting with Guyana Jaguars looking to secure a win today and possibly reclaim their number one spot. Veteran fast bowler Ravi Rampaul snared a miserly 3-17 with equal support coming from the wizard Sunil Narine who bagged 3-36 and veteran spinner Imran Khan (2-16) were the primary reasons for the Hurricanes being kept to a paltry 129 all out in 46.1 overs. Leewards’ batting approach first turned out to be dismal in the end, as opener Kieran Powell (29), Nitish Kumar (24) and leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr (26) finished as the primary scorers. In the end, some tempered batting from opener Kjorn Ottley who missed out on a fifty, ended on 47 not out while middle-order batsman Jason Mohammed finished on 40* as the Twin Island franchise cruised to 130-1 inside 25 overs. Ottley was classy during the chase, punching five fours and a 6 before losing his partner Evin Lewis who was dismissed by lone wicket-taker, Quinton Boatswain (1-34); for 27-ball 28 (3x4, 2x6). The in-form Mohamed came to the middle and immediately picked up from where he left off in previous games, finding the ropes on 5 occasions. Both players held their nerves and eventually saw Red Force over the finish line with an abundance of wickets and overs left in the tank. (Clifton Ross)

DCB elections to go ahead after Full Court ruling By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Full Court yesterday dismissed the appeal which was filed last Monday to set aside the long overdue Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) elections. This new development has now paved the way for elections to be held on Friday at 11:00hrs at the Demerara Cricket Club, Queenstown, after High Court Judge Navindra Singh ordered the holding of elections. Justice Singh’s ruling on Monday now paves the way for a legitimate board for the first time since 2009. His ruling ended over a decade of several Court matters, which have affected the smooth operations at the board level. In January 2011, an act unprecedented in the history of sports took place with the staging of two elections by the DCB. The separate elections were held; one by businessman Bissoondyal Singh at the Lusignan Community Centre and the other by Raj Singh at the Wales Community Centre. Following those elections, the factions failed to recognise the eligibility of each other’s event and this was followed by a number of Court matters, leaving the administration of the board in jeopardy. However, the five associations affiliated to the DCB were mandated to submit their delegates by yesterday. But Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that the Georgetown Cricket Association, East Coast Cricket Board and Upper Demerara Cricket Association - were in full compliance, providing their list of delegates. It is unclear if the other two associations with voting rights - East Bank Cricket Association and West Demerara Cricket Association - have provided their list of delegates. Georgetown Cricket Association, East Coast Cricket Board, East Bank Cricket Association and West Demerara Cricket Association have seven votes each, while Upper Demerara Cricket Association has three, making it a total of 31 votes at the DCB election. There are two agenda items for Friday’s elections the Call to Order by a Marshal of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature and the nomination and election of a Returning Officer for the conduct of the elections of the members of the Executive Committee of the Demerara Cricket Board.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, February 18, 2021

Sponsorship pouring in for inaugural President’s Softball tournament

FOLLOWING the ceremonial launch of the newest softball tournament, corporate entities began aligning themselves with the prestigious President’s T20 Softball tournament. The three-day tournament, which is organised jointly by the Honorary Consul of Guyana to Florida, Ramzan Roshanali and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL), was launched on Sunday February 7, at the Everest Cricket Club banquet hall with Guyana’s President His Excellency Irfaan Ali delivering the feature address and officially committing to the mega tournament. Also joining the tournament but from the corporate side are gold and

Only doing what my predecessors failed to do - Minister Ramson ... Sport ministry welcomes partnership for community development through sports By Rawle Toney

Telesha Ousman (centre) receives the sponsorship from manager of Dinar Trading Clifton Singh while his colleagues share the moment. diamond dealing giants Dinar Trading of Lamaha Street Alberttown, Mohamed’s Enterprise of Lombard Street, George-

Proprietor of Mohamed’s Enterprise Nazar Mohamed (right) looks on as one of his staff hands over sponsorship cheque to Telesha Ousman.

town and popular Realty Broker, Satishwar Persaud of Canada. Both the Dinar Trading and Mohamed’s Enterprise handed over their valuable sponsorship to Secretary of GSCL, Telesha Ousman. In response, Ousman restated the tournament’s commitment to their brands and to the sport of softball cricket. Persaud, under his business name Adana Homes, said that he was pleased to be part of this tournament and wished for a long and fruitful relationship with the Club. He added that he was very happy to be given the opportunity to be part of this event and answered the call without hesitation.

According to the GSCL, the growing list of corporate partners includes Regal Stationery and Computer Supplies, Banks Beer, Crown Mining Supplies, Regal Sport, popular You-tuber Danny Persaud with It’s our life ARD, Elegance Jewellery, Roraima Airways, Barama and Star Party Rentals. The inaugural President’s T20 Softball tournament will be played under the auspices of the GSCL in three categories; Open (all ages), Masters (over 40 years old) and Legends (over 50 years old) from March 5 to 7 at venues in and around Georgetown.

Georgetown cricket tentatively set to resume next Saturday AFTER a special meeting among executive members of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) on Tuesday afternoon at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), it was decided by the Chairman of the Competitions Committee, Shaun Massiah, that the sport would resume next Saturday. The veteran player/coach noted that “while we did not fully agree on a resumption date, I still tentatively set the 27th of February, 2021 to resume GCA cricket”. Cricket, which is seen as a low-risk sport owing to its non-contact nature, is slowing re-starting, with the national team currently in action at the regional level and the U-19s having just concluded their battle at the inter-county level. Massiah noted that certain systems will have to be in place before competitions resume. “All the affiliate clubs will have to give feedback and sign the GCA

Several first and second division competitions will continue when the sport re-starts in the capital city. COVID-19 Protocols based on the guidelines by the Task Force.” The Transport Sports Club senior

captain/coach said that he will now look to secure venues for the restart, which should see the continuation of all 2020 competitions. The first- and second-division competitions, which include two-day and limited over battles, will conclude before 2021 competitions take place. Last month, Massiah said that there were several new competitions earmarked for the year. “New in the pipeline are: first division 50 overs, Under-13, U-15, U-17, U-19 and U-23 competitions. Open T/10, 1st & 2nd division T20, and then the restart of 1st and 2nd Division two-day along with the 2nd division 40 overs.” Some of the top clubs in the country compete under the GCA banner, including Georgetown Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Everest Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club and Police Sports Club.

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, took his outreach to communities in Region 5 over the weekend, as he once again met with residents to ascertain their needs and wants, especially with regard to the upgrading of several grounds in the region. Minister Ramson, under whose ministry, $1.5B was allocated for sports and development in 2021, said he’s not reinventing the wheel, but only doing what his predecessors failed to do. “You would see me in some new community in some new Region and that’s because there is a line item in my budget for ground enhancement,” Ramson stated on the sidelines in Region 5. According to Ramson, “The interesting part about what I’m doing, that is different, is that these lines existed all along. No one, and especially the previous administration; no one saw fit that they should visit these grounds if they’re allocating resources, to know how they can best make decisions to allocate these resources.” The country’s national federations and athletes were the biggest winners from the Government’s allocation of $1.5B for sports this year, according to the National Budget. Of the $1.5B, $915.5M was allocated for the transforming of community grounds into modern state-of-the-art sports facilities, commencing in Regions 2, 6 and 10. The sum will also be used for adding lights to community grounds, as well as the laying of synthetic tracks in Regions 6 and 10. It was also noted that $618M will be used for the hosting of tournaments by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and to support sports associations. From this amount, $320M will be spent on the training of athletes and coaches, as part of the sports academy. Last year, $803M was allocated for sports, but Ramson explained that three-quarters of the budget was already spent, adding that “even though we only had a fraction of the resources, we’re doing a lot more, because it’s not the amount of money that you have, it’s how you use the money, that is what really makes the difference.” “What I’ve found also is that there is an untapped resource where people want to build and they want to build in this framework of partnership that was never really explored in such a meaningful way that we’re doing, being stretched across the entire cabinet and that is being led by the President Dr Irfaan Ali,” Ramson said. Only recently, President Ali had told Chronicle Sport, that the Government of Guyana is keen on partnering with the country’s athletes who have business aspirations. The Head-of-State also stated that under his administration, sports infrastructure will be increased and every Guyanese will benefit from the massive roll out of their developmental plans for the sector.

Guyana Jaguars veteran players Leon Johnson and Christopher Barnwell have set the tone for their team with twin centuries.

See story on page 25

Sanasie to Senior See challenge story players on page 24 Skerritt for batting form could CWI presidency

be Jaguars X-factor … Johnson, Barnwell centuries helped set tone for rest of batsmen

Only doing what my predecessors failed to do - Minister Ramson ... Sport ministry welcomes partnership See story for community development through sports on page 27

Incumbent CWI president Ricky Skerritt

Anand Sanasie

DCB elections to go ahead after Full Court ruling Justice Navindra Singh

See story on page 26

Benjamin, Hackett heading to try-out for Valour FC in CPL Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, addresses youths at Golden Grove Community Centre ground. Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

See story on page 26 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021