Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_02_6_2020

SATURDAY 6 th February, 2021

’ No. 106264

‘Nothing illegal was done’

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– Min. Todd tells relatives of Guyanese fishermen

Minister Hugh Todd and Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva speaking with relatives during Friday’s engagement at Charity

State-of-the-art secondary school for Prospect

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A 3D image of the layout of the new Prospect Secondary School (Ministry of Education photo)

Exxon trims 02 Sawariwau Alleged ‘cannabis’ production to Primary damaged trafficker bludgeoned reduce flaring by earthquake 21 to death in prison 15 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Exxon trims production to reduce flaring –– working ‘diligently’ to fix gas compressor By Navendra Seoraj PRODUCTION levels at ExxonMobil’s operations offshore Guyana have been reduced in order to accommodate the repair of a gas compressor which became defective recently due to a technical problem related to a seal. The result of this inoperable compressor has been increased gas flaring, an exercise which does not augur well for the environment. With this being the case, ExxonMobil has started working expeditiously to rectify the problem. “I wish to assure you that teams of experts from ExxonMobil, SBM Offshore and MAN Turbo are working diligently to fix the compressor and return it to service as quickly as possible,” President of ExxonMobil, Alistair Routledge said in a statement on Friday. The company said a technical team has

safely removed the third-stage compressor from the package enclosure on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), and is preparing it for transport onshore. An initial examination reportedly determined that the unit has to be sent for repairs in Germany, where it is expected to arrive on February 9. The full extent of the damage will not be known until a detailed inspection of the compressor is done at the workshop of the manufacturer, MAN Turbo of Germany. Given that there is no immediate solution to the compressor being out of commission, the company has reduced its production levels at the Liza Destiny. The company, in 2020, had reduced production to limit flaring offshore; however, this shifted Guyana’s fourth oil lift

The Liza Destiny FPSO

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

‘Nothing illegal was done’ –– Minister Todd tells relatives of Guyanese fishermen

By Indrawattie Natram MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, on Friday, assured relatives of the Guyanese fishermen who were detained in Venezuela that they were operating within Guyana’s boundary and were not engaging in illegal fishing. The minister led a team to Charity in Region Two where he met the relatives and distributed hampers, less than a day before the fishermen are expected to return home. The fishermen were apprehended by Venezuelan Naval Vessels on January, 21, 2021 and after spending two weeks in detention and making a court appearance, they, along with their vessels, were released. During his discourse, Minister Todd told the relatives not to feel guilty about what has transpired and he sought to reassure them of government’s full support. Accompanying Minister Todd were National Security Adviser to the President, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Foreign Service Officer, Sharmayne Balram; Executive Liaison to His Excellency/ Chief-of-Staff, Dr. Rahim Rahman and regional officials. He told the relatives that his visit is more than distributing hampers. He said his visit was to connect one-toone with the affected families as well as to bring good greetings from His

Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, and his Cabinet. He assured the fishermen’s families that the Government of Guyana cares about them and the fishermen’s welfare. “It’s not just about the hampers, it’s about bringing the message to let you know we care about you and your family’s wellbeing. What I want you to understand is that what your family was doing is nothing illegal…they were working hard to support their families. Don’t feel guilty about anything,” Minister Todd said. He, therefore, urged the families to give the men the

support and compassion they will needed when they return home. The ministry used the opportunity to educate the gathering about Guyana’s territorial limits and the right of citizens to fish within it. He explained that Guyanese live in a sovereign country that has territorial limits which are recognised internationally. He said fishing in Guyana’s water is a “legal thing” recognised internationally; however, like some other countries there is a claim coming from Venezuela. Minister Todd assured them that they need

not worry. “What is most important for you to understand is that as we’re operating in our territory [that is] recognised internationally. The Venezuelan Government was kind enough to release the vessels and crew and discontinued the court proceeding, so we need to be thankful,” he added. INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT Meanwhile, he explained that CARICOM, Canada, the United States of America, and the United

Kingdom supported Guyana’s calls for the men to be released. “All of those countries were interested in the release of your family. That is how important you are. The world wanted to make sure your families’ human rights were not violated …they were [being] prosecuted for doing something legal,” Minister Todd added. Further, the minister said that the government recognised the struggles of fishermen and in moving forward, he said the President is building stronger leadership to deal with Venezuela’s

claim and to protect Guyana’s border. Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, who accompanied the minister, said that at the regional level, there was constant communication with the fishermen’s relatives. She said she is happy that they were released and can now be reunited with their families. De Silva emphasised that Guyana remains watchful of its borders and said that every “blade of grass” belongs to its people. Kumar Lallbacchan, who owns Lady Nayera, one of the vessels the detained fishermen were on, commended the efforts of all partners and the Government of Guyana to get the men released. He confirmed that the fishermen have reached Guyana’s water but will be arriving at Charity, Region Two by Saturday midday. He said that he is very satisfied with the diplomatic approach that was given to the situation. RELIEVED The relatives who met with the minister and his team said they are very satisfied, happy, and content with the many interventions that were done. One such person was Ruth Brown, who said her brother, Trevor Daniels, is the owner of Sea Wolf, one of the detained boats. Daniels

Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, and Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, interacting with one of the relatives

Minister Todd handing over a hamper to a relative of one of the fishermen

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Hugh Todd speaking to the relatives of the Guyanese fishermen

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‘Nothing illegal ... From page 3

had left to fish in the deep water with his crew members. The woman said she was saddened after she learnt of their detention and is relieved that he and his crew were released and are on their way home. Tricia Roberts told the Guyana Chronicle that when she heard the good news that her husband will be returning home, she was ecstatic. Tricia Roberts, the wife Roberts, who is pregnant, of one of the fishermen said that she was worried and their daughter that her husband would have missed the birth. “I was very sad, worried, and frustrated. My husband is the sole breadwinner and we depend on his catch to survive. I think prayers help. I am glad that he is coming home,” she said. Danwantie Singh, a mother of three, expressed similar sentiments. She thanked the government for the assistance given at “every step of the way”. Singh said she has been sick ever since she heard Dhanwantie Singh is happy that her husband the news that her huswas released and is on band was taken before the court. his way home Trevor Daniels, Toney Garraway, Errol Gardener, Orlando Roberts, Christopher Shaw, Shirvin Oneil, and Randy Henry are on-board the Sea Wolf while Richard Ramnarine, Ramlakhan Kamal, Nick Ragubar, Javin Boston, Michael Domingo and Joel Joseph are on the Lady Navera. The fishermen were in the custody of Venezuelan authorities for a little under two weeks and according to reports, they were not mistreated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Exxon trims production ... From page 2

from November to mid-December. It is unclear at this time whether this exercise will have the same effect this time around. LOWERED PRODUCTION LEVELS “We have lowered production levels on the Liza Destiny since the compressor failed, and continue to seek ways to reduce flaring. We are currently injecting, or using 88 per cent of the gas produced from the wells. We share a common interest in responsible management and appropriate standards for development of the country’s natural resources,” Routledge said. Back in 2019, ExxonMobil had explained to the media that for the first period, after ‘first oil’, there would be initial start-up flaring, as authorised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which occurs during the commissioning and initial

start-up phases of the FPSO when gas and liquids are introduced into new facilities and equipment. This flaring, it said, would not continue as a routine, and will only take place again in the case of an emergency, whereby flaring will be used to immediately de-pressure the facility as part of a shut-down process to reduce risk. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 18 discoveries since May 2015, and began production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase One development project. With the company’s Liza Phase Two development, and the Payara project set to come on stream within the next two years, gas flaring will again be something to pay attention to. And while the Government of Guyana has already prohibited routine gas flaring at the Payara development project, Executive Director of the Payne Institute for Earth

Saturday February 6, 2021 – 01:00hrs – 1:00hrs

Resources and Research, Professor of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Morgan Bazilian had said that general regulatory and technical measures must be implemented to mitigate gas flaring in future projects. ENVIROMENTALLY BAD “Yes, flaring itself has environmental impacts, and is a waste of resources; economically and environmentally bad,” said Dr. Bazilian during a virtual session with local reporters in October 2020. He added: “There are technical ways to reduce flaring… but there must be a combination of technical measures which will come in quickly, and regulatory measures.” Most countries take “a long time” to develop a regulatory framework for gas flaring, but from the expert’s understanding, the projects in Guyana are engineered to have zero routine flaring. Dr. Bazilian pointed to the “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative introduced by the World Bank, which brings together Governments, oil companies, and development institutions which recognise the detriments of flaring. According to the World Bank, this initiative pertains to ‘routine flaring’, and not to ‘flaring’ for safety reasons

or non-routine flaring, which, nevertheless, should be minimised. “Routine flaring of gas is flaring during normal oil production operations in the absence of sufficient facilities, or amenable geology to re-inject the produced gas, utilise it on-site, or dispatch it to a market. Venting is not an acceptable substitute for flaring,” said the World Bank. According to the World Bank, during oil production, associated gas is produced from the reservoir together with the oil; much of this gas is utilised or conserved, because governments and oil companies have made substantial investments to capture it, but some of it is flared because of technical, regulatory, or economic constraints. Dr. Bazilian said gas flaring is controlled through power plants, or reinjection into wells, and in Guyana’s case, while ExxonMobil has started reinjection, there are already talks locally to establish a gas-to-energy system. “We have to make these decisions, but they will be made dependent on the resources available, and what the market offers,” said Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo in a previous report. Although many things are still undecided, the Vice-President said the government is certain that it does not want gas flaring to continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Minister Persaud surprises hearing-impaired student for her birthday

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Friday, gifted a laptop to 11-year-old Anaya Lall, a hearing-impaired student who celebrated her birthday on the same day. Lall, a student of the Tuschen Deaf Academy, and a chess aficionado who receives weekly training from a member of the Guyana Chess Federation, was given the laptop to assist her with her online studies. According to a statement from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, “The ‘Birthday Girl’ was accompanied by her mother and two representatives from the Deaf Association of Guyana.” It also quotes Minister Persaud as saying: “The ministry is committed to working with the association.”

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, right, having a conversation in sign language with 11-year-old Anaya Lall

Minister Persaud (right) handing over the laptop to Anaya

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Connecting with the people UNDERLYING every aspect of Guyana’s development agenda is the common denominator of improving the socioeconomic condition of individual Guyanese; of empowering every Guyanese to live to their best potential; of designing the society so that everybody achieves his or her optimal possibility. Development is not just to showcase big shiny projects, or to increase national wealth, or to become a world-class country. Although it is all of those, more than anything, Guyana’s development is about its people; about raising the standard of living of the Guyanese nation through individual empowerment. Every morning, thousands upon thousands of public servants; nurses, teachers and people of all walks of life, farmers and labourers and construction workers and retail workers and soldiers and police and firemen and firewomen get busy with their daily activities to make this country hum and move forward. In Government, scores of State leaders and parliamentarians and officials dedicate their days to improving the lives of Guyanese. Ministers these days travel the length and breadth of the land to interact and discuss the country’s progress with local residents, practising dynamic servant-leadership in always evolving the methodology of how projects work to contribute to the welfare of every citizen. The goal of it all, this complex operation of society, is the empowerment of the aver-

age Guyanese citizen to live the kind of life that each person deserves in this great land of Guyana. What an absolute joy for people to go about their busy days in this country, knowing that they elected in free and fair elections the kind of Government that works in their interest; that cares about their welfare, and that is matured and experienced enough to operate the State machinery with efficiency, professional conduct, and ethical consideration for the people who elected them to office. Just like one vote counts as an important factor in who governs in a democracy, the big development agenda and good governance, and the overall system of Guyana’s operation, it is all happening for each and every Guyanese. In other words, national development is aimed and targeted at the individual person, rather than a faceless mass of society. Thus, when the leaders of Government look into the eyes of a person in face-to-face meetings with the Guyanese public in Essequibo, Lethem, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma, Leguan, and Wakenaam, they go back to the office with that person’s personality stamped on their consciousness, and make State decisions with that one Guyanese in the mind’s eye. This kind of consideration the previous Coalition Government lacked; this connection with the people of this country. When Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney-General Anil Nandlall and

Prime Minister Mark Phillips could interact with journalists, and walk through the streets of villages and towns of this country and look citizens in the eye and smile with them and listen to their views and rub shoulders with ordinary souls; people feeling a buddy-buddy relationship of camaraderie and easy relations between the elite leadership and the ordinary citizenry, one knows that the nation is at a good place; that the average Guyanese is important, valuable, and uppermost in consideration of the development agenda. Development is for people; one person by one person. Democracy serves the individual who votes; that is how votes matter. When a nation sees a Government matured enough to intuitively know this; that the individual person is the most fundamental part of the process of what constitutes society, that nation is on a good, solid path. In the housing agenda, and allocation of land to citizens, it is an individual enterprise; one Guyanese at a time. In making sure the GDP rises, it is for each Guyanese, like when the GDP exponentially jumped from US$300 per person to US$3000 per person, as noted by former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, that is a direct individual impact on Guyanese – and indeed a world record in how fast such a big jump happened. In considering why Guyana needs to achieve its legendary potential, and what is the common denominator of this massive

development agenda of Government, it is important for the society to understand that uppermost in the minds of those who foster and set the development agenda is the individual person, each and every Guyanese citizen. The average citizen tends to feel that development is a bigger-than-life undertaking; that massive projects like the mega mall at Leonora tower above their heads. But it all works only for one purpose: To make life easier, better, and workable for the individual person. This is a perspective that inspires people; that motivates each person to get up and do their bit to make the society function well. When people know that Guyana’s forward movement is for their individual benefit, that not only their vote matters to the body politic, but that their human resource capital is crucial to the overall national welfare, it makes Guyanese feel important, worthy, valuable. And a society that fosters a citizenry who feels valuable, worthy and a necessary part of the grand scheme of things, is a nation that hums and buzzes with a motivated human resource base; people who tackle their lives with gusto, energy, and commitment to the cause of their own development. One Guyanese by one Guyanese, like brick by brick in building a solid concrete house, the nation rises to its glory, to make real that musical line in the national anthem, ‘Oh Great Land of Guyana’.

Drill for oil did not cause earthquake Dear Editor,

I’VE heard a lot of people in the country talking, sotto voce, that the oil caused the earthquake, so I decided to float the hypothesis that it did. Here is a summary of my conversations with two oil people, written so that high-school physics students can understand. ME: The oil in the Takutu Basin is a little higher than the offshore oil, of similar quality, and connected under the 2kmthick Guiana Shield. So when we extract oil and gas from offshore and don’t refill with something to replace those fluids, the porous rock and hollows that no longer hold the oil and gas crumble, hence the rumble. The earthquake happened when a large set of hollows collapsed. OIL 1: This is incorrect. Any earthquakes here have nothing to do with drilling for oil. ME: It’s a hypothesis; please give an alternative and not a mere assertion.

OIL 2: Oil deposits are very rarely connected; they are in pockets, and that is why we drill so many wells. OIL 1: Earthquakes occur due to plate movement, and movement of rocks along fault planes. The depth of this one was 10km. Oil wells are drilled less than 6km down. Be careful of spreading misinformation! Quite a lot of people, especially in Guyana, think that drilling results in earthquakes. I am a qualified person. ME: And do you know what is under the Guiana Shield? OIL 1: It is well studied as one of the oldest areas in the world; plate tectonics is across the entire planet. The earth is ever changing; the porous rock also does not crumble when oil or gas is removed, so don’t worry about that. These rocks are under tremendous pressure; when oil or gas is removed, the spaces are filled up with water moving up from surrounding rocks. ME: And where does the pressure

come from?

OIL 1: From the weight of the rocks above. ME: Agreed. So what is the source of the energy that causes the subterranean pressure to send oil and gas up a drill pipe? OIL 1: I don’t understand the question. He then opts out of the conversation, and does not accept an invitation to a private discussion. So I will answer my last question. The oil well pressure has to do work to raise the oil. Let us use what I think is a simple approximation of the situation: The oil is 3km below, half of which is the Atlantic Ocean (5,000 ft.), and the other half below the ocean floor. Every million barrels of oil will therefore require 4TJ (terajoule) of energy to be raised by the underground pressure, reckoned in this model as 523 atm. This energy must come from the fall-

ing of sufficient mass under gravity, i.e., subsidence. If the average density of the Earth’s crust is 2 600 kg/m3, then it can be calculated that every million barrels of oil extracted creates the potential for 42 surface acres of earth 3km deep to fall one foot. No one but God knows when, or over what time the equivalent of this subsidence takes place. Everyone assumes that subsidence takes place in the vicinity of the oil drilling, but in fact, again, only God knows where. Oil companies, especially after the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, know it is preferable to drill through sealable rock, which is a bulwark against upward leaks and downward subsidence, to keep their operations from that kind of harm. We are supposed to be protected by the Guiana Shield, which is about 2km thick. But the Takutu Basin, where the earthquake occurred, occupies a suture zone in the Guiana Shield. This hypothesis proposes that there is a fluid connection TURN TO PAGE 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

This ‘change of heart’ is most welcoming

Dear Editor, THANKFULLY, all the detained Guyanese fishermen and their boats have returned safely to the shores of Guyana and to their families at home. All Guyanese are relieved by the turn of events after a grueling period of tense wait and nail-biting suspense. The fishermen’s families were more intimately affected and troubled, while the Government of Guyana was politically worried with encumbrances from responsibilities. Perhaps, most, if not all Guyanese, were tormented by the chain of

circumstances and became transgressed with reserved unfriendliness. Caught between a rock and a shore, Guyanese and Venezuelan citizens were embroiled in mixed feelings, and looked on at arm’s length, hoping and praying for a quick and peaceful resolution. There are many combined families from both shores, products of ethnic interactions and marital knots. Many Guyanese are still residing in Venezuela, and Guyana is the home of many Venezuelan immigrants. In the political turmoil in Venezuela, people fled the Maduro dictatorship and

Government MPS are correct in seeking to remove David Patterson from chairing the PAC Dear Editor, THERE is no plot afoot to remove David Patterson from the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly because the People’s Progressive Civic Government “is afraid of scrutiny of its accounts”, as is being claimed by the APNU+AFC. This shabby defence that the Opposition has manufactured is merely to justify his continued Chairmanship at a time when public trust in him is at an all-time low. From news reports I’ve read, it is clear that the intention of the Government MPs is not to remove Patterson altogether, but ethics and decency dictate that he removes himself from chairing this important committee, which is charged with overseeing Government expenditure. As it is, he has refused to resign, so the PPP/C MPs are correct in pursuing the current course. So, this docile and immoral attempt to trample with the facts on this situation will not be victorious. All right-thinking Guyanese are watching. Yours respectfully, Erin Northe

economic downturn to seek refuge in the safe haven of Guyana’s bosom. Venezuela did reciprocate in kind during the Burnhamite days when Guyanese were escaping the hardship of brute force and ignorance from a prejudiced government to be accepted with open arms by Venezuela. There are many articles crediting the determination and devotion of the Guyana Government to vigilantly pursue diplomatic channels for the safe release of the Guyanese fishermen, and the undaunted input of the international community, supporting Guyana’s stance and at the

said time putting pressure on the Venezuelan Government. On the other hand, there are publications indicating that it was at the “whim and fancy” of President Maduro who authorised and ordered their release. If so be the case, did President Maduro bow to the reality of the situation, and acted in the only practical manner for mutual peace? Did he bow to international pressure, or simply the advice of China or Russia? Did he fear the unnecessary aggravation of further sanction or aggression from the USA? Did he reconsider the speculated unfriendly retaliation from the United Nations? Did he

Drill for oil ... under the Guiana Shield to oilfields elsewhere, like in the offshore oil blocks. The hypothesis under which the oil companies, and hence the Government and EPA, are operating is that there is no connection. Theirs should be the null hypothesis, quod erat demonstrandum, not mine, especially after the recent relatively shallow continental earthquake. Gas escaping from the wells without reinjection is a bigger problem. Reinjection would help considerably with maintaining subterranean pressures to prevent subsidence anywhere. Using the same model, every billion cubic feet of gas allowed to escape can cause the equivalent of 303 acres of land 3km deep to subside one foot! Better check to see if the Guyana Coast and Seawalls are really on the

TURN FROM PAGE 6

Guiana Shield. That is why it is necessary to have qualified inspectors (with armed guard to prevent ‘accidents’) 24/7 on the FPSOs and oil rigs, who can check on the pressures and variations over time, and on the true amounts being reinjected. Reinjection of sea water alone will not have the permeation reach of gas fast enough. If the powers persist in taking blind risks, they must learn to build to withstand earthquakes, and do the decent thing by using the oil money to build such structures, pronto, or the poor victims of Sunday’s ‘quake’, who still have to live with the rumbles. Yours sincerely, Alfred Bhulai

surmise that the anticipated eventuality of the ICJ legal consideration for Venezuela’s unjustified action? At the back of his mind, maybe he is worried that in the final analysis, the ICJ will be the final seat to pronounce on the border issue. Perhaps he remembered his fellow Venezuelans residing in political and economic autonomy in a friendly Guyanese society, who are in turn, supporting residents back home directly or indirectly. Maduro’s uncanniness could have been an early and uncalled for testing point for Joe Biden to quickly reconsider and implement America’s foreign policy. Taiwan’s issue and Myanmar’s situation are also providing sleepless nights. Regardless of the reason or the situation, this changeof-heart is most welcoming for all stakeholders, and all are much relieved by its outcome. The uncomfortableness has momentarily

subsided, and the threat of military advancement become less pronounced. Is this satisfactory to all parties? Does this temporarily or permanently clear the air on mutual respect for the recognition of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone to facilitate economic activity? Did President Maduro “lose face” or won praise from the international community? Does this bolster Guyana’s status or weakened Venezuela’s claim? At the end of the day, both governments are tempered without lifting a finger in violence, losing not a blade of grass nor one curass. Hopefully, such an ugly situation must not arise again to cause reservation, aggravation and apprehension. Consideration must be given for wary attention in the application of care and compass. Respectfully, Jai Lall

Congratulations for early budget Dear Editor, THE new PPP/C administration has really hit the road running. The Budget will be presented in the next few days, and by mid-March, it would have received parliamentary scrutiny and final approval. The passing of the budget allows the country to move on apace in development. Yours sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

National State of Entrepreneurship Survey commences in Linden APPROXIMATELY 260 students from various schools in Linden, Region 10, have participated in the first phase of a National State of Entrepreneurship Survey, which is geared towards gathering critical information needed to craft relevant programmes and initiatives, to enhance entrepreneurship in Guyana, particularly among young people. The government survey is being executed via the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, headed by Oneidge Walrond. On Thursday, the survey was piloted with the participation of five schools, namely the Linden Foundation Secondary School, the McKenzie High School, Harmony Secondary School, Wisburg Secondary, and the New Silver City Secondary Schools. Speaking with students about the initiative, Director of Business and Entrepreneurship under the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, John Edghill, said that his team would be partnering closely with other ministries and agencies to develop comprehensive programmes that will expose school leavers to the fascinating world of entrepreneurship. The survey, according to the Director, will serve as an insight into the needs and necessary adjustments that will have to be made to ensure that

school leavers and young adults are fully apprised of the options that exist for them to become business owners. The ministry is hopeful that the survey would inspire and perhaps even pave the way for students to realise their dreams of becoming businesspersons in various sectors. “We have plans for pushing entrepreneurial development. For those who have aspirations of pursuing business and even those who don’t yet understand the concepts of entrepreneurship, we will bring that information to you and will design practical programmes that can benefit you,” Edghill noted. He said that the Tourism Ministry wants students to have more practical knowledge of entrepreneurship, so as to guide them towards making more informed decisions on possible career options, once they leave the school system. He also pointed to several existing initiatives which seek to provide guidance and assistance to small and even first time businesspersons; one such enterprise, he indicated, is the Small Businesses Bureau, which opens doors for young people to access the requisite resources to either start or grow their businesses. PROVIDE TRAINING

“The ministry and the Small Business Bureau will help you to develop your business plans and ideas and give you the training needed and some financing, that can propel you to a place where you can earn on your own and improve your standard of living,” the Director informed the rather attentive students. The Survey, according to the ministry was also completed by more than 50 established entrepreneurs currently operating in Region 10. The National State of Entrepreneurship Survey is expected to be extended to other secondary schools students, as well as the general adult population, in all regions across Guyana. Only recently, the Small Business Bureau (SBB) signed off on $20 million in grants for various persons seeking to establish businesses within the information technology or ICT sector. In January, 20 persons received one million each, as grants under the Bureau’s Green Tech Fund. The monies provide support for impressive existing and start-up businesses that are technology and environmentally based. Persons, who recently benefitted from the grant, include Kaimwantie Seenarine, of ‘Smart Learning Guyana’ who is working towards developing a mobile app that will provide academic guidance to Guyanese children, even in the absence of internet connections. Cherryann Greene, told reporters that she will be utilising her grant to launch a business called ‘Ridealong Gy’ which promotes the use of pedal

cycles as a means of transportation in and around Georgetown, in an effort to reduce the carbon emission foot print that continue to have detrimental impacts on the environmental and human health. Rupesh Ganpat, a veteran in the banking industry, also received his one million to develop an app designed to guide persons through the loan processes that exist in Guyana. The Small Business Bureau is a semi-autonomous agency established by the Small Business Act of 2004, which states that “small business” accounts for any person or persons, “including a body corporate or unincorporated, carrying on business in Guyana for gain or profit and satisfying at least two of the following conditions: Employs not more than twenty-five persons; has gross annual revenues of not more than GYD$60M; has total business assets of not more than GYD$20M. As early as next week, the government will be looking to propose, in the National Assembly, several amendments to the Act, which will adjust the abovementioned figures, as a means of “leveling the playing field” for small businesses, especially as Guyana continues to undergo rapid modernisation. The amendments, according to Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond, would provide support needed for small businesses to successfully operate and perhaps even compete in Guyana’s ever-evolving investments sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Inter-Religious Organisation executives meet President PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali met with executive members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) at State

House on Friday. Also present at the meeting were Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill. President Ali applauded the group and agreed that it has an important role to play in promoting peace and unity in Guyana. He also urged its members to call out persons who promote hate, particularly on social media, and to be part of the solution in healing the country.

IRO was formed in 2003, after which it adopted a Constitution. In 2004, the organisation was officially launched with the objective of promoting inter-religious tolerance. Today, some 40-member organisations that came out of the traditional religions of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and the BahĂĄ?Ă­ Faith are a part of the group. (Office of the President)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Robbie Rambarran returns to GPHC as DCEO –– to push for new A&E room, improved management systems

By Rehana Ahamad FOR 13 years, Robbie Rambarran, has elevated through the ranks as an administrative staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he started off as a clerk attached to the Stores Department. As the years went by, he was eventually promoted to the position of Stores Coordinator, followed by Assistant Director of Finance, then to Finance Director (ag). During 2015, on occasions when the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was out of the jurisdiction, he usually “held down the fort” in that capacity as well. He eventually left the hospital to take up position within the international development sector, working on a project

funded by the World Bank. On February 1, 2021, Rambarran was officially appointed the substantive Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC. In a press statement on Friday, the institution’s management and Board of Directors welcomed Rambarran to their team. “The holder of a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Robbie also holds professional qualifications in Procurement and Project Management. In addition to his professional skills, his human and managerial qualities combined with his experience and knowledge of the GPHC’s operations at various levels saw him emerging as the most promising candidate following a an extensive and extremely competitive selection process,” the GPHC statement

read. The release added, “Mr. Rambarran brings exceptional knowledge, ability and background to the GPHC which is projected to amplify the institution’s capacity to offer safe, high-quality care to the people it serves.” BIG PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT Having been part of the GPHC staff complement for more than a decade, Rambarran is quite au fait with the needs of the institution. He plans to utilise his new portfolio in a manner that would bring resolution to many of the hospital’s administrative challenges. To begin with, he plans to heavily advocate for the establishment of a new accident and emergency

(A&E) Unit. “The emergency room we currently have was actually [intended to be] a temporary setting,” Rambarran told the Guyana Chronicle during an interview on Friday. He explained that many years ago, the building which was originally constructed to house the A&E Unit had to have been demolished. “About 20 years ago, there was an emergency room at the Lamaha Street entrance [of the GPHC], but because we had a sewerage problem, they had to break down that entire building, which was a relatively brand new building,” Rambarran said. He said that the important A&E Unit was quickly shifted to what was supposed to have been a temporary location, but fast forward two decades, the GPHC emergency room is still accessed via the hospital’s New Market Street entrance. “There have been some extensions over the years, but it is not what an emergency room should actually be like,” the new GPHC DCEO posited. NEW EMERGENCY ROOM He confirmed that in its current form, the demands of the emergency room have exceeded its capacity, “and so, one of

the things that I would like to play a part in pushing here, is the new emergency room.” For many years, the institution has suffered criticisms over issues of drug shortages and expired pharmaceuticals. Rambarran plans to move ahead to address this situation. “We always have challenges with our supply chain management systems, in terms of managing our pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and other products,” Rambarran said. To this end, he plans to implement an efficient “warehousing management system”, as well as an “inventory management systems”, which he believes would assist in reducing, and perhaps even eliminating instances of drug shortages and expiration. “It will help us to quantify and forecast properly,” Rambarran indicated. “Those are two of my immediate plans, and I have many others to address patient management systems as well; plus, improved procurement processes, etc…there is a whole host of stuff that I have planned, but infrastructural wise, the new emergency room, warehousing issues… those are two areas that we have gotten a lot of flagging for over the years,” the GPHC official noted. He is hopeful that with the support of the existing

GPHC’s new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran GPHC staff, his tenure at the institution would be rewarding and beneficial to not only members of the public seeking medical attention, but the hospital staff as well. “I don’t want to blow the trumpet and be too ambitious…I have some plans, and with the wonderful team here, I hope we could do great things together,” Rambarran surmised. He said that returning to the GPHC has so far been a pleasant experience, almost as if he had never left. “Many have said welcome, many have said congratulations, but the most warming part is that many have said ‘thank you’ for coming back…it is like home sweet home.”

Rambarran plans to use his new GPHC position to push for the establishment of a new Accident and Emergency Unit

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Much-needed relief for Little and Big Biaboo farmers By Naomi Parris

RESIDENTS and farmers of Little and Big Biaboo, Mahaica, on Friday, complained about the after effects of aerial spraying, the lack of drainage and irrigation services, the after effects of heavy rainfall and the need for more agriculture extensions in their communities. These concerns were raised during a community outreach by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha. The farmers and residents told the minister that they have suffered major losses due to a number of issues in the region. Cash crop farmer, Kamal Persaud, said, “when the big rice farmers spray the rice with aircraft it drifts and it comes straight across and affects all the cash crop farmers.” Persaud told the minister that he and other cash crop farmers have been dealing with this issue for quite some time and whenever they make attempts to address the matter no one pays heed to their concerns. “When we meet with those people with our concern, those people are saying that they are not using that kind of drugs to damage our crops... this thing has been happening for years and years and we wish that this problem will come to an end.” Persaud told the minister and those gathered that while rice is important and is a staple in everyone’s diet, it must be accompanied by vegetables, hence, cash crops farms are just as important as rice farms. “Cash crop is not simple, it’s everyday work and people can’t survive on rice alone, the rice goes well with vegetables,” he said. Raising another serious concern with the minister, Persaud noted that on weekends and

holidays, a number of jet skiers are often seen speeding and performing tricks along the Mahaica River. The man explained that the perpetrators would often perform their tricks around residential areas where farmers, residents and sometimes even little children would have to traverse. “Another concern that I’d like to raise is the jet skiing in the Mahaica River. This area here is a residential area... people have to cross that river on a daily basis, most weekends jet ski will come and parade the place and these guys are only on the jet ski when they are intoxicated and we have small children paddling canoe in the river, we have smaller boats.” MORE EFFICIENT EXTENSION SERVICES Meanwhile, another farmer, who gave his name as Naresh Bhagwadoe, made a request for the Ministry of Agriculture to provide more efficient extension services in the area to better assist the farmers of Little and Big Biaboo. “We are asking the Ministry of Agriculture for extension service to Region Four, most of the extension service provided in this area is from Region Five, if we could get some service for the farmers in Region Four for the farmers farming across the river and up the river,” he said, adding: “My second concern is that there is an agriculture officer in the area but most of the time because of the condition of the dam and such, we need some type of transportation to get [the individual] into the backdam.” Additionally, Bhagwadoe told the minister that livestock farmers within the area are also in

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, in discussion with farmers from Little and Big Biaboo on Friday (Ministry of Agriculture photo) need of some assistance from the ministry. A farmer, from Little Biaboo, who preferred not to be named, said there are some serious works that need to be done to improve drainage and irrigation systems in the farming community, especially during the rainy season. “When the rain fall the pump can’t pump out the water from the canal and some farmers cut the dam and put some tubes in and when the pump working the water still can’t move,” the man said, adding: “We are requesting a pump at the canal during the rainy season and we just asking if you all could put it in place for the rainy season.” In response to the concerns that were raised by the farmers, Minister Mustapha put a halt to aerial spraying until farmers can find other methods of distributing pesticides to their farms. Additionally, the minister told the farmers in the area that he will report the issue of jet skiers to the relevant authorities and his colleague so it can be addressed as soon as possible.

He also told the farmers and residents that extension officers will be deployed to the farming communities to address their immediate concerns.

In addition, the minister noted that a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will also re-

turn to the area within a few weeks to address the concerns of poor drainage and irrigation services in the communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Pollard and Narain remembered for their legal contributions –– during special Full Court sitting

THE Supreme Court of Judicature on Friday held a special Full Court sitting at the Demerara High Court to pay tribute to the late legal luminary, Brynmor Pollard, SC and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Sase Narain, SC. Pollard died in January 2020, while Narain died in

August of that year. Paying glowing tributes to the late attorneys were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC; Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George; Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards; President of the Bar Association of Guyana, Teni

Housty; Pollard’s son, Andrew Pollard, SC; Juman Yassin, SC; Hari Narayan Ramkarran, SC and Nigel Hughes. Among those present in court were Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir; Justices Brassington Reynolds, Franklyn Holder and Nareshwar Harnanan and

The special memorial sitting held at the Demerara High Court retired judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Justice Duke Pollard. Joining remotely were Sir Sridath Ramphal and other esteemed guests and members of the legal fraternity. Nandlall was the first to enlighten the gathering about the life and works of the two luminaries. Pollard attended Queen’s College where after graduating from Sixth

The late Sase Narain Form, he taught at the school briefly. He then proceeded to London to read for the Bar. In 1959 he returned to Guyana and was called to the Bar, after which he served in the Attorney-General’s Chambers under the then Attorney-General, Sir Shridath. In 1970, shortly before Guyana attained its Republican status, Pollard was invited to take silk and became a Queen’s Counsel. Following this, he was appointed as the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and served as an expert authority on legislative drafting, constitutional and public law, and related matters. He left the service of the Government of Guyana in 1979, when he was engaged by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation and seconded to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The late Brynmor Pollard as General Counsel. At the Secretariat, he assisted in the harmonisation of the region’s Companies Law, and provided assistance to the Constitutional Assembly of Namibia, South West Africa, which was poised to attain independence at the time. He was also a leading participant in the efforts of the Council of Legal Education and its two law schools in Trinidad and Jamaica. Pollard served as the Vice-Chairman of the Juridical Committee of the Organisation of American States (OAS) from 2000 – 2002 and the Judicial Service Committee of Guyana. He demitted that office in 2010. For his outstanding contributions in the field of law at the national, regional, Commonwealth and international levels, Pollard was conferred the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) and later in 2015, the Order of Roraima (OR), Guyana’s second highest national award. Meanwhile Narain served as House Speaker from 1971 to 1992, making him Guyana’s longest-serving Speaker to date. In the latter days of his tenure, Narain See page 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Man who allegedly murdered Corentyne brothers remanded A FORTY-NINE-yearold labourer, was, on Friday remanded to prison for the brutal murder of two brothers at No.43 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne. Vernon Ravi Ramgadoo appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the No.51 Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to two counts of murder. Particulars of the charge allege that on January 31, 2021, at No.43 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, he murdered Mahendra Ramotar and Surendra Raghunandan. Ramgadoo was remanded to prison until April 23, 2021. The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on January 31, between 21:30 hours and 22:30 hours on the Number 43 Public Road Corentyne, Berbice, Ramgadoo went berserk and fatally stabbed the two brothers and injured two persons, including their mother, Sookmattie Richmond.

A neighbour, Anthony Persaud, was also injured when he tried to assist one of the brothers during the attack. He was treated at the New Amsterdam Hospital and sent away. According to information received, on the night in question, “Sookmattie” and her husband Randolph Richmond were involved in a heated argument at their home when “Mahendra” tried to intervene to assist his mother. He subsequently confronted his stepfather and another argument ensued, which captured the attention of Ramgadoo, who was imbibing at a yard nearby. Ramagdoo is Randolph’s brother. An aunt of the two boys, Hemwattie Ramotar, related to the Guyana Chronicle that the suspect came armed with a knife and proceeded to stab “Mahendra” despite the intervention of his mother and others. After he committed the act, the suspect left the scene and while on the roadway he was

Pollard and Narain remembered ... From page 12

had effectively banned then Opposition Leader, Cheddi Jagan, from speaking in the House unless he had apologised for tossing down law books and removing the mace during a sitting. Dr. Jagan never apologised but returned to the Chamber and addressed the Parliament as President after his party had won the 1992 elections. He acquired his legal education from the City Law School in Chancery Lane, London and returned to Guyana to practice law in 1957. Narain was Deputy Chairman to the Public Service Commission and the Police Service Commission by the then People’s National Congress (PNC) administration in the late 1960s. After leaving his post as speaker in 1992, Narain returned to practice law and retired in 2006. He was later conferred with silk. Narain was the recipient of the OR national award. He was also awarded the Order of St. Michael and St. George by Queen Elizabeth II, an award which is given to persons who have delivered extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country. The Chancellor in her remarks highlighted that both men have made an enormous contribution to the legal profession and have served their country well. Meanwhile, the CJ mentioned in her presentation that the two luminaries were true exemplars who contributed immensely to their nation while noting that they will be remembered as multi-talented gentlemen and devoted family men.

confronted by “Surendra” and he “slashed his (Surendra) throat”. The injured brothers were picked up and taken to the Skeldon and Port Mourant hospitals respectively, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. A port mortem examination done on the bodies of the brothers gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage.

Remanded: Vernon Ravi Ramgadoo

Mahendra Ramotar

Surendra Raghunandan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Sod turned for new secondary school at Prospect –– minister warns schedule will be tight when construction commences

By Tamica Garnett MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, pledged Friday that there will be better monitoring of construction works on new schools, during a ceremonial sod-turning event at the proposed site of the new Prospect Secondary School on the East Bank Demerara. The new school is being constructed to replace all the “Primary Top” secondary schools on the East Bank, and when completed is expected to accommodate approximately 1000 students. It will also boast such modern facilities as a science ‘lab’, an ICT ‘lab’, a library, and studio for the performing arts. The project is being funded through a loan from the World Bank, but has not yet gone to tender. Referring to a situation that currently obtains whereby work on the construction of a number of new schools has been woefully falling behind schedule, Minister Manickchand warned that when construction at Prospect commences, this state of affair will not be allowed to occur. “My commitment and promise to you here today is that this school will not be like those other schools. Today, we commit to you that any civil-works project we take on, we will monitor it very, very closely. If the people who are

monitoring it are unable to monitor it, they will have to make space for people who are capable of doing that; and I’m very clear about that,” the minister stated. With only six traditional secondary schools on the East Bank corridor, a new facility was deemed necessary to accommodate those students who are currently attending the eight “Primary Top” secondary schools in the district. The construction of a new secondary school at Prospect, some five or so miles from the capital, Georgetown, is part of the Ministry of Education’s plan to achieve universal secondary education across Guyana. Minister Manickchand noted that if the construction of the school is not properly monitored, then it will be a disservice to those students that the facility is expected to serve.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (right, holding spade) along with her PS, Alfred King (left), and Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson (with fork) doing the symbolic turning of the sod at the site of the new Prospect Secondary School on Thursday (Elvin Croker photo) the minister said. completed 10 per cent of school after writing the project not only for the TIGHT TIMELINE New secondary schools the work, and had missed National Grade Nine As- access that it will provide “We are going to keep are currently under con- several deadlines. sessment (NGNA) to the students, saying, a very tight timeline on struction at Good Hope, “We don’t yet know Approximately 750 “Our learners will now be the completion of this on the East Coast of De- who is going to be the con- students attend eight exposed to the quality of school, and as soon as merara, Westminster on tractor, because we haven’t “Primary Top” second- education that we can see you miss, we will be on the West Bank of Demer- yet put it out for bid,” Min- ary schools in the East happening at Queen’s Colyour backs; not because ara, and at Yarrowkabra ister Manichchand said, Bank Demerara area, lege. They would not have we want to manage like on the Linden-Soesdyke adding: “We don’t know so when construction of to travel to Georgetown; autocrats, but for all the Highway. However, the who will be the consultant, the new Prospect Sec- we will have our own QC time that the school stays projects have been plagued but what I hope and pray is ondary School has been on the East Bank.” unbuilt, we have children with issues. that the people who put for- completed, those schools’ Also present at Friday’s in the secondary departAt Yarrowkabra, for ward themselves as having secondary department sod-turning event was ment of a primary school instance, the ministry was the capacity and desire to will be closed. Chief Education Officer unable to get the quality forced to terminate the build this school will be pa(CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson, of education that they contract for that school, af- triots who understand what OVERJOYED and Permanent Secretary in need. And that would be ter the contractor had only we want to do, and try their Regional Education the Ministry of Education, a sin, and it’s criminal,” best to finish on time.” Officer (REO) for Region Alfred King. Here in Guyana, “Pri- Four (Demerara-MahaDuring his presentation mary Top Schools”, as ica), Tiffany Harvey, at the ceremony, Dr. Hutthey are called, are primary could not contain her joy son emphasised that the schools with a secondary at seeing the initiative construction of the school school department, and being put into motion, is a manifestation of the are used as an alternative and expressed how great ministry’s commitment to for students who did not a benefit it will be to the ensuring that the nation’s attain enough marks at students in her district. children are afforded the the National Grade Six “This is a time for me best education possible. Assessment (NGSA) to to dance, because this is an “It is symbolic of the be placed at a secondary achievement; a joy,” she high premium paid on school. They also apply in shared. education by the MoE,” cases where the existing She explained that with Dr. Hutson said, adding: secondary schools are full only six secondary schools “Our progress as a nation to capacity, and cannot along the East Bank De- can be no swifter than accommodate anymore merara, the situation has our progress in educastudents. been insufficient for the tion, and as a ministry, Though a traditional n u m b e r o f s e c o n d a r y we are serious about prosecondary school runs from school students in the dis- tecting and nurturing this Grades Seven to Elev- trict, but while the “Prima- resource. So, at the minen, classes at “Primary ry top” is an alternative, istry, we have carefully Top” schools run from it does not provide the looked at all the scenariGrades Seven to Nine, and students with the level of os, and came up with the the students are usually education they deserve. idea of constructing the A 3D image of the proposed layout of the new Prospect Secondary School transferred to a secondary She commended the school in this area.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Alleged cannabis trafficker bludgeoned to death in prison A FORTY-year-old man accused of trafficking cannabis died in the Lusignan Prison after another inmate clubbed him in the head with a brick wrapped in a towel while he was asleep. Dead is Victor Soomaru of Lot 85 Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown. He was remanded to prison on February 1, 2021. Reports indicate that on Thursday night an alarm was raised by prisoners housed in unit one at the Lusignan Prison (Quarantine Section). The warders on duty responded and it was reported that Soomaru was lashed with a piece of brick wrapped in a towel while he was asleep by another remanded prisoner. Soomaru was immediately taken out of the unit and escorted to the prison

infirmary where he was seen by the medical personnel on duty and given the necessary medical attention. He was later referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for further medical treatment and was seen and examined by a doctor on duty. On Friday about 10:30 hours, Soomaru died while he was still receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Prisoner Soomaru was housed in unit one along with three other prisoners including his attacker. Police are investigating the incident. The body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation mortuary where it is awaiting post-mortem examination.

Abram Zuil man drowns while bathing in trench near his home A TWENTY-seven-year-old man lost his life on Thursday night while bathing in a trench at Abram Zuil, in Region Two, not far from his home. Dead is Lennox Ballieram of Lot 3, Abram Zuil, on the Essequibo Coast. His lifeless body was discovered by his brother, Johan. According to information reaching this newspaper, Ballieram lived with his adopted parents, and in addition to being a habitual drinker, he was diagnosed as having leukaemia. Johan related that it was his mother who told him that his brother had left to take a bath in a trench at the front of their house around 20:00 hours on Thursday and had not returned. On hearing this, Johan went in search of Lennox, and around 06:30 hours, he discovered his brother’s body submerged in the trench. The police were then summoned to the scene; there were no visible marks of violence on Lennox’s body, which was escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead. His body is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

The Lusignan Prison (File photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Guyana may receive Pfizer or Moderna –– Minister Anthony vaccine from African Union By Vishani Ragobeer IT may be possible for Guyana to also receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, which have high degrees of effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 infection after the two doses, from the African Union, according to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony. On Thursday, while responding to questions raised by Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Health, Dr Karen Cummings, in the National Assembly, Dr Anthony announced that Guyana is earmarked to receive an additional 149,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. These vaccines will be garnered from the African Union, through an agreement brokered by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). As part of this agreement, Caribbean countries will receive about 1.5 million doses in total. The quota earmarked for Guyana is just less than 10 per cent of the vaccine doses that will be distributed to the Caribbean region On Friday, during his COVID-19 Update with the Department of Public Information

(DPI), Dr Anthony noted that the 149,000 doses from the African Union will be paid for by the Government, as Guyana has expressed an interest in receiving vaccines through this mechanism. While he was not certain which vaccines(s) the country will receive through the union, since those discussions are ongoing, he said, “I think they might have access to the mRNA vaccines which would be the Pfizer, Moderna and Astrazeneca vaccines.” Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) vaccines are made using a technology that delivers some amount of genetic code to cells in the body to make the ‘spike’ or protein on the Sars-Cov-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19). These proteins are then able to activate the body’s immune system, allowing it to detect the spike protein from COVID-19 as ‘foreign’ or ‘unwanted’ and subsequently, develop antibodies to fight it. Pfizer and Moderna, which have an efficacy of 95 per cent and 94.1 per cent respectively, are mRNA vaccines. The Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines, which Guyana is already expected to receive nearly 104,000 Oxford-Astrazeneca doses of, through the

A third-year emergency medicine resident gets one of the first COVID-19 vaccinations at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center on December 14 (Photo Courtesy of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center) global vaccination alliance known as the COVAX facility, is reportedly 62 per cent effective. The Astrazeneca is also, reportedly, approximately 90 percent effective with a lower dose than the required two doses. These vaccines are all given in two doses, which means that 52,000 persons will be able to benefit from the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine while 74,500 persons will benefit from the vaccines from the African Union. Guyana will also receive 20,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses from China, which means that about 10,000 persons can become immunised. Most of the COVID-19 vaccines are distributed through two-dose regimens because the first dose helps the body to recognise the virus and ‘wake up’ one’s immune system, while the second shot- which is given a few weeks later- helps to strengthen or boost the immune system generated after the first dose.

Altogether, thus far, Guyana has been able to secure 273,000 vaccine doses which could be used to immunise some 136,500 individuals, or approximately 18 per cent of the population. The Government is in talks with India, Russia and China in addition to a number of multilateral agencies and the manufacturers of the vaccines themselves to secure more vaccines for the population, since vaccines are the means of leaving the pandemic. The Health Minister has continuously emphasised that the vaccines will be used to immunise frontline workers, the elderly and persons with co-morbidities (other underlying medical conditions) first. There are about 22,000 healthcare workers who are all eligible to receive the vaccines, while the remainder will go to the other two groups.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Waramadong COVID-19 cases still on the radar

–– health authorities trying to stay ahead of cases in Region Nine

By Vishani Ragobeer THERE are currently 44 active COVID-19 cases in the Waramadong Village located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), and as such, local health authorities are still monitoring the spike in cases there, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said. During his daily COVID-19 update with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Dr Anthony highlighted that a medical team has been in the village, monitoring and handling the cases. Importantly, however, he noted that the team

would travel to other villages in the Mazaruni to check for COVID-19 and monitor the situation. “This is to ensure that we’re not missing any cases in nearby villages where persons can be active as well,” Dr Anthony explained. BRAZIL CONCERNS Beyond monitoring Waramadong and other areas of interest, where an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases has been detected, the Health Minister also highlighted that efforts are being made to constantly monitor

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony Region Nine (Upper Ta- COVID-19 cases and kutu-Upper Essequibo). the emergence of a new Due to its proxim- variant (or strain) of the ity to Brazil, where virus, and the porous there is an outbreak of borders between the two

countries, this region has been an area of concern. In January, health authorities were alerted to the new COVID-19 variant, or strain, discovered in Brazil. Since then, local authorities have restricted travel between the two countries. The land border between the two countries, the Takutu Bridge, has been closed since March, 2020. Limited travel is allowed on Thursdays where goods are brought to Guyana or taken across to Brazil, and this is reportedly supervised by the authority of both countries. Flights between the two

countries are currently restricted. “We have established a system to ensure that we are constantly checking that we are not missing any cases,” Dr Anthony related while explaining that not very many cases have been detected in the region. Nevertheless, Regional Chairman of Region Nine, Brian Allicock, told this newspaper that residents are concerned about the surge in cases in Brazil and the new variant, given its close proximity to Brazil and the illegal crossings occurring.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

$84M ‘BLAST Gaming Centre’ officially opened –– to employ persons from the community

THE Guyana Lottery Company (GLC), on Friday, officially opened the doors to its $84 million ‘BLAST Gaming Centre’ on Mandela Avenue. The investment will see

at least 15 persons from the East Ruimveldt community being employed in various disciplines. Present at the opening were the GLC’s General Manager, Tracey Lewis;

former national player, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, and the company’s Brand Ambassador, Rawle Toney. “This 84 million dollar facility houses a total of 35 Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) machines. We have 14 on this floor [ground floor] and 21 on the first floor, a virtual sports betting room under the Let’s Bet sports brand and really it’s a one stop shop. So if you’re here and you also want to purchase a lottery ticket for the million dollar jackpot, you can do so,” Lewis explained. With COVID-19 protocols including maintain-

From left to right: General Manager of the Guyana Lottery Company, Tracey Lewis and former national football player, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson cut the ribbon to officially open the store. Also photographed is the company’s Brand Ambassador, Rawle Toney ing social distancing in of research, people wanted place, the facility would to have different places to be able to accommodate go … However, I say that approximately 60 persons with a warning which is our slogan ‘know your at full capacity. The GLC currently has limit, play within it’ for 23 agents nationwide and over 18,” Lewis said. There are features inthey run their own BLAST facilities. However, the stalled in the machines to Mandela facility will be alert gamers of their usmanaged by the GLC, the age. The machines would first of a couple of stores also give persons the opthe company intends to tion of “cashing out”. Further, there are cominvest in. Cognizant of the ste- pany protocols that would reotype surrounding gam- not allow persons to spend bling, Lewis told this pub- only a certain amount of lication that the company time at the facilities so has employed measures as to ensure they do not to ensure persons play waste their money. “We are very conwithin their limits, while having a leisure activity to scious about that [gambling stereotype] and very indulge in. “We want to give peo- sensitive about that in Former national footballer, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ ple something to do in the these times especially. Richardson stands next to his portrait community. We did a lot We have our own internal mechanisms to ensure persons don’t sit in here and spend all their money. This is an extra-curricular activity and we want persons to be responsible in their gaming,” Lewis added. She later touted the facility as being “Guyanese” explaining that every purchase at the location goes back to Guyana. “Since the launching of the Let’s Bet Sports brand, the brand has committed to giving back to Guyana. Over the years the brand has sponsored every sports discipline, being one of the largest sponsors for cricket in Berbice,” Toney said. In paying homage to Guyanese athletes, portraits of Guyanese international cricketer Steven Jacobs and national footballer Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson were unveiled in the Let’s Bet room.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

Police promotion fiasco…

Parties unable to reach out-of-court settlement

DESPITE meeting several times, the Police Service Commission (PSC) and five senior police officers were unable to resolve the issues surrounding the 2020 year-end police promotions out-of-court. As a result, the High Court will be proceeding with the case filed by Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus; Superintendents, Ravindra Stanley and Shivpersaud Manni Bacchus; Assistant Superintendent of Police, Shavon Jupiter; and Inspector of Police, Prem Narine against the PSC.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George

–– High Court to move ahead with case

Attorney General, Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC In the circumstance, Kumar requested leave to file an affidavit in defence in the case. The CJ subsequently set April 9, 2021 as the date for clarification and directions. On January 12, during a hearing in the case, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, had disclosed that based on the preliminary discussions with the Chairman of the PSC, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police,

On Friday, when the matter was called in the High Court, Deputy Solicitor General, Deborah Kumar, disclosed the parties’ failure to reach an amicable solution. “Despite strenuous efforts and the parties meeting, regrettably I’m to inform this honourable court that we have not made progress in the matter,” she told Chief

Police Service Commission (PSC) Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe

Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus

Paul Slowe, the parties were on a “path to resolution”. Brutus, in his legal documents, claims that he was bypassed for a promotion due to an ongoing investigation. Brutus believes the action by the commission was irrational, unreasonable, See page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

180th COVID-19 death recorded AN 86-year-old male from Region Four is the most recent COVID-19 fatality, the Ministry of Health said in a press release on Friday. While the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard for February 5 does not reflect this death, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths is now 180. Of the 107 new cases recorded, one was recorded for Region One, two for Region Two, six for Region Three, 29 for Region Four, 68 for Region Seven, and one for Region Eight. No new cases were recorded for Regions Five, Six,

Nine and Ten. Currently, five persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 56 persons are in institutional isolation, 746 persons are in home isolation, and 13 persons are in institutional quarantine. These figures bring the number of recorded active cases back up to 820. As the number of cases continues to climb, all Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2021. This order emphasises 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 on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www. health.gov.gy.

Parties unable to reach ... From page 19

arbitrary, and unlawful. Superintendents, Ravindra Stanley and Shivpersaud Manni Bacchus; Assistant Superintendent of Police, Shavon Jupiter; and Inspector of Police, Prem Narine, had moved to the court seeking reliefs similar to those being pursued by Brutus. Police officers Dennis Stephen, Hugh Winter, Monica Washington, Edmond Cooper, Kurleigh Simon Stanton, and Phillip Azore were admitted as interested parties in the case by the CJ. Brutus is asking the court to grant a declaration that the policy of the PSC not to promote or consider for promotion officers with pending disciplinary matters before it, is unlawful. He is also asking for a declaration that he is entitled to be promoted to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police. Further, he is seeking an Order of Certiorari quashing, nullifying and/or cancelling the decision of the PSC to deny him the appointment to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police. He is also praying for an Order of Certiorari quashing, nullifying and/or cancelling the decision of the PSC to promote Cooper, Philip and Kurleigh Simon, who are all Senior Superintendents of Police, to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police. Lastly, he is asking the court to grant an Order of Mandamus compelling the commission to reconsider its decision not to promote him in accordance with law, and in accordance with his legitimate expectation. RECOMMENDED Five officers – Brutus, Wendell Blanhum, Ravindranauth Budhram, Errol Watts and Fazil Karimbaksh have been recommended for promotion by the Commissioner of Police. However, the PSC had taken a decision to promote Blanhum, Budhram, Watts, Cooper, Azore and Simon to that rank. “It has been the practice of the commission not to promote police officers with pending disciplinary complaints, regardless of the nature or seriousness of such complaints. Trivial and unsubstantiated complaints have been accorded the same weight as grave or serious allegations of indiscipline in denying promotion to those against whom disciplinary complaints have been lodged with the commission,” Brutus’ court documents stated. Brutus was appointed to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police in 2015. In October 2019, it was alleged by the Deputy Commissioner – Administration, that Brutus committed a breach of discipline. The commission appointed Assistant Commissioner, Royston Andires-Junor to investigate that allegation. A breach of discipline notice was not served upon Brutus until October 2020. The investigation has not progressed beyond the issuance of the breach of discipline notice. In keeping with its practice, the commission purportedly refused and/or failed to consider and/or denied Brutus for promotion to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police, relying on the said allegation of indiscipline. “The allegation is frivolous. The applicant knows of no other reason why he was denied the promotion he was recommended for,” the document stated. According to the court documents, Cooper, Azore and Simon, who are being promoted outside of the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police, are under investigation for alleged disciplinary and/or criminal offences. The said officers were promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent in the years 2016, 2017 and 2017 respectively, and were, therefore, junior to Brutus.

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Sawariwau school damaged by earthquake –– CDC on ‘fact-finding’ mission in Region Nine By Vishani Ragobeer

A TEAM from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is in Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo) from today to conduct a fact-finding mission on the earthquake that struck that region and affected other parts of Guyana and Brazil. On Friday, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, Director-General (DG) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, related that his team was underway to the region following reports that several communities were still experiencing tremors after the earthquake which occurred on Sunday. “It is a general fact-finding mission and then once we find anything, then there may be a more detailed mission,” Craig related. He, however, explained that it is not abnormal for tremors to occur days after an earthquake has occurred. In fact, he posited that such was usually the case. Recently, in an interview with this newspaper, Research Fellow at the University of the West Indies (UWI)’s Seismic Research Centre, Lloyd Lynch, also related that the occurrence of such tremors after an earthquake was normal. In simple terms, an earthquake is caused by sudden movement of the material that makes up the earth’s crust. The shaking that is felt is caused by the energy that is released in waves which travel through this crust following a sudden release of ‘stress’ caused by the continuous movements of the earth’s tectonic plates (which are pieces of the earth’s crust). And Lynch explained that, simply, sometimes a rupture is not complete following the earthquake. Therefore, the area experiencing the ‘stress’ would have some aftershocks spreading throughout the space. “It’s highly unlikely that [these aftershocks] will lead to something stronger,” the research fellow noted, while explaining that such occurrences gradually lose their strength as the days go by. Nevertheless, he highlighted that the gradual decline is not an absolute

occurrence; it is possible for the tremors to become stronger. REGION RATTLED Sunday’s earthquake, and the subsequent tremors, has left Region Nine rattled. During a telephone interview on Friday, Toshao of Aishalton, Michael Thomas, said that the tremors occur mostly in the nights. “We are afraid because we don’t know what it is exactly… and it is still very loud,” Thomas highlighted. In the community of Katoonarib, which is approximately an hour’s drive away from Aishalton, the impact has been felt the strongest. Here, buildings and earth surfaces have been damaged. And, the regional authorities have been trying to provide relief. Importantly, the Guyana Chronicle was informed that a primary school has been damaged in another neighbouring community, Sawariwau. Thomas explained that the walls are leaning and some sections of the building are damaged. This, he was informed, occurred since the earthquake struck on Sunday. The CDC Director-General said that his team will also investigate that today. Meanwhile, the Director-General noted that the CDC has had several telephone conversations with the UWI’s Seismic Centre and that a meeting between the two bodies is set for Monday. In a recent release, the CDC noted that it continues to monitor the impact of the 5.7 magnitude earthquake which was felt across Guyana on Sunday. The body said it would be partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources to conduct further analysis, observation, and assessments to gain a comprehensive perspective of the region’s susceptibility to seismic hazard. As part of assessment efforts, the CDC noted that it is in discussion with the UWI’s Seismic Research Centre and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide technical support if the need arises. “The result of these assessments could determine future actions which can include, but

not limited to, conducting earthquake preparedness and response planning and training, evacuation drills and exploring the possibility of developing earthquake-resilient infrastructure codes for that region and, by extension, Guyana,” the release stated further.

The damage caused by the earthquake in South Rupununi (South Rupununi District Council photo)

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GMR&SC Endurance racing round one …

Two-wheel daredevil to make race car debut this weekend

THIS weekend’s Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club Endurance race meet is a chance for many to return to motorsport, but it is also the chance for one newcomer to make a smooth transition. Nyron Maraj, a former biker will be on debut at the helm of a Toyota EP82 starlet, a drastic change from those who know the Kitty resident. Maraj is no stranger to speed, having lived most of his life aboard two-wheeled

monsters but this weekend’s change represents a turning point in his motorsport life. Speaking to the media earlier this week, the proprietor of Trini’s Auto Works plans to use this weekend’s event as a benchmark for his new EP82 project. “I am not going to set records. That is not my goal. My goal is to complete the race,” said Maraj, who enters the Unlimited class with Raymond Seebaran. He continued, “The Endurance is not about speed. The car is fast but I may not have the experience that the other guys have out there. However, I think I can be competitive. I will not fight anyone because of course they have the experience but I will not give way; I will not belly out and I will not play a ‘duppy’ role. I will do what I have to do when I have to do it.” When quizzed about the switch from two to four

wheels, one word rang constantly. “Safety! My family doesn’t appreciate the motorcycles because I’ve been in a bad accident in 2017 and it took a toll on me. I broke both hands (but) I had to feed the need (of speed) so that’s why I ended up buying the car.” “At first, I and a friend we were hanging out and it came up as a spur of the moment thing.” He said he plans to keep the car as road-usable as possible, adding that his plan for the build is to ensure that the car can be used at both drag-racing and circuit-racing as well … the later dependent on further sponsorship. Speaking specifically about his transition, Maraj said, “The car feels great. It’s not as fast as a motorcycle but that is the transition for me and it feels great. I understand speed because I have been on a

motorcycle doing ten-second (drag-racing) passes. It’s a little more relaxing than the motorcycle.” “I feel a lot more comfortable (in the car) and it is a lot safer. I have equipped the car with an eight-point roll cage it is miles apart from a motorcycle.” The car is sponsored b y Ti g e r R e n t a l s G Y and Triniautoworks with wrench work being done by Anil Persaud aka Nala. Meanwhile this weekend’s event gets rolling from 12:00grs with Secure Innovations and Concepts, First Class Auto and Sherriff Security all on board as sponsors. The event will occur under the COVID–19 guidelines with all drivers, marshals and officials being subject to temperature checks and mandatory sanitisation on entry to the South Dakota Circuit.

American Racing Tips Gulfstream Park Race 1 Girl Dad Race 2 Uncapyured Soldier Race 3 Noble Empire Race 4 Soglio Race 5 Liam’s Boy Race 6 Great Island Race 7 Buck Moon Race 8 With Verve

Sandown 09:15 hrs Caribean Boy 09:50 hrs Shan Blue 10:20 hrs Bristol De Mai 10:55 hrs Alnadam 11:30 hrs Ask Me Early 12:05 hrs Dostal Phil

10:51 hrs Classy Dame 11:25 hrs Longsider 12:00 hrs Murhib

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:13 hrs Valyrian King 08:53 hrs Western Fort 09:30 hrs Anything Goes 10:10 hrs Mount Pleasant 10:45 hrs True To Life 11:20 hrs Zimbaba 11:55 hrs Expressfromtheus English Racing Tips Musselburgh 08:57 hrs Mahlervous 09:29 hrs Oscar Ceremony 10:05 hrs Christipher Wood 10:40 hrs Return Ticket 11:10 hrs Hereia 11:45 hrs The Ferry Master 12:19 hrs Alcala

Lingfield 08:00 hrs Talking Point 08:35 hrs Count Otto 09:11 hrs Misty Grey 09:45 hrs Forest Of Dean 10:16 hrs Symbolic Power

Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 09:05 hrs Cape Gentleman 09:35 hrs Chacun Pour Soi 10:10 hrs Energumene 10:45 hrs Ponr Aven 11:15 hrs Honeysuckle 11:50 hrs Ciel De Neige 12:25 hrs Kilcruit

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Saturday, February 06, 2021 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Muttiah Muralitharan (SL)-800 Test wickets (2) Jim Laker-10/53 (ENG vs AUST, Manchester, 1956)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who has claimed most ODI wickets to date? (2) What are the best bowling figures in an ODI game to date?

ANSWERS ANSWER S IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

South African top order falters under Pakistani pressure (ESPNCRICINFO) Pakistan prised out an overly aggressive South African top four to leave an under-pressure middle order with plenty to do in Rawalpindi. Temba Bavuma, who has not scored a hundred in five years, and Quinton de Kock, who has scored 45 runs in four innings as captain, were at the crease at the close having approached their time

in the middle entirely differently. While Bavuma survived a drop, an lbw review and two appeals for catches, de Kock breezed his way to 24 not out off 11 balls and took on the spinners. Pakistan’s attack will nonetheless be pleased with the pressure they put on a South African line-up that continues to grapple with its approach to batting in the subcontinent,

Rassie van der Dussen lasted just one ball (AFP)

with no-one able yet to convert a start into something more. Pakistan also didn’t have a centurion in their first innings but seventies from Babar Azam and Faheem Ashraf provided the fulcrum around which the rest operated in the face of an intense show by Anrich Nortje. He claimed his third career five-for, and first away from home, and ensured South Africa kept Pakistan under 275. Nortje made the breakthrough with the second ball of the day when Azam looked to cut a length ball but got a thick outside edge. Faf du Plessis took the catch at head height to deny Azam the opportunity for a third hundred in three innings at this ground. But du Plessis’ catch was not the most spectac-

ular piece of fielding on the day. That belonged to Bavuma, who ran out Fawad Alam with a direct hit at the non-striker’s end with a one-handed pick up and throw from point, reminiscent of his Perth 2016 dismissal of David Warner. South Africa hoped to get rid of Ashraf fairly soon after that and called for a review when he missed a paddle sweep off Keshav Maharaj on 15. Replays showed the ball would have missed off stump. Ashraf made the most of that and saw off the second new ball, which accounted for Mohammad Rizwan - bounced out by a fired-up Nortje - and Hasan Ali, who was caught at slip off Maharaj. In particular, Ashraf punished an off-colour Kagiso Rabada, taking 30 runs off 32 balls he faced from him.

With Yasir Shah at the other end, Pakistan would have had 300-plus in their sights but Shah offered Wiaan Mulder a low catch in his follow through. Nortje cleaned up with two wickets in his 25th over to prove that seamers, if they’re able to bowl quickly, can prosper on this pitch. That wasn’t entirely the approach of the Pakistan pacers. While Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled around the 145kph mark, Hasan found a hint of swing through the air and Dean Elgar’s edge twice. Elgar first pierced the gap at second slip before a faint edge made its way to Rizwan. Hasan’s next ball kept low and snuck under Rassie van der Dussen’s bat to remove his off stump and leave South Africa 26 for 2 at tea.

NBA’s All-Star game ... makes the world go round, so it is what it is.” However, Fox, who was speaking after Sacramento’s 116-111 win over Boston Celtics, said he would play if picked. “You know you get fined,” he added. “If you’re supposed to be in it and you’re not hurt and you decide not to play, that’s a hefty fine, so I would play in it.” James was speaking after his triple-double helped Lakers to a 114-93 win over Denver Nuggets, consigning Nuggets

to their second defeat in three games. James scored 27 points, adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists, as seven Lakers shot double figures. Elsewhere on Thursday night, Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia 76ers were stunned by Portland Trail Blazers as a 121-105 defeat ended their four-game winning streak. Blazers were missing four starters and playing with just nine active players because of injury, but Gary Trent Jr scored 24 points and Carmelo Antho-

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ny add 22 as they pulled off a shock win. Kelly Oubre Jr scored a career-high 40 points as Golden State Warriors beat Dallas Mavericks 147-116, while Jordan Clarkson came off the bench to score 23 points as the Western Conference leaders, Utah Jazz recorded their 13th win in 14 games, beating Atlanta Hawks 112-91. Houston Rockets rolled to a 115-103 victory over Memphis Grizzlies as John Wall led four Rockets into double figures.

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Root, Sibley frustrate India

(ESPNCRICINFO) - A dominant 200-run partnership between Joe Root and Dom Sibley put England on top on the first day in Chennai, as Test cricket returned to India after an absence spanning 14 months.

punched them round the ground while Sibley ground them down with an oldschool rearguard. Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s breakthrough with the last ball of the day, trapping Sibley lbw for 87 with a fast,

dav’s wristspin. For England, Dom Bess retained his place ahead of Moeen Ali, while James Anderson was picked over Stuart Broad. Having missed the famous win at the Gabba through injury, Bumrah

Joe Root and Dom Sibley put on 200 for the third wicket (BCCI)

After Sibley had laid a foundation with Rory Burns, England lost two wickets in quick succession before lunch and appeared to have let their strong start slip. But Root, in the 100th Test of his career, continued from where he had left off in Sri Lanka as he eased through the gears to reach his 20th hundred, and his third in as many matches this year. India bowlers toiled hard for little reward throughout the afternoon and evening sessions, as Root swept, flicked and

inswinging yorker, England were in the box seat at the close. Root had no hesitation in choosing to bat after winning the toss, and Virat Kohli admitted that he would have done the same on a pitch that looked flat from the start. Axar Patel’s knee injury meant that Shahbaz Nadeem played as the left-arm spinner, while Washington Sundar retained his spot at No. 7 as India opted for three finger-spinners rather than a third seamer or Kuldeep Ya-

returned to play his first home Test, more than three years after his debut, and created a chance with the first ball he bowled. Angling the ball into the left-hander from round the wicket, he drew a tickle as Burns shaped to work to leg, but Rishabh Pant put down the chance diving to his right. Sibley and Burns built steadily, getting through the first hour unscathed, successfully seeing off the new ball and coping with R Ashwin’s threat after his early introduction into the attack. But

NBA’s All-Star game a ‘slap in the face for players’ – James (BBC) - The NBA’s plans to stage an All-Star Game amid the coronavirus pandemic are a “slap in the face” for players, says LeBron James. Reports suggest the game could be arranged to be played on March 7 in Atlanta, having initially been cancelled before the season started. The Los Angeles Lakers star said players had been looking forward to some time off after a short off-season. “I have zero energy and

zero excitement about an All-Star Game,” said James. “I am not happy about it. If I am selected I will be there physically but not mentally.” He added: “We came off a short off-season of 71 days and then coming into the season we were told we were not going to have an All-Star Game so we would have a nice little break. Then they throw an All-Star Game on us like this. “It is pretty much a slap in the face. We are still dealing with pandemic

and we are going to bring the whole league into a city that is open.” Similarly, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox believes it is “stupid” to hold an All-Star Game while the pandemic is ongoing. “If we have to wear a mask and do all of this for a regular game, then what’s the point of bringing the All-Star Game back?” said Fox, 23. “ O b v i o u s l y, m o n e y TURN TO PAGE 28

as Burns grew in confidence, he began to display his vulnerabilities, exposing his stumps when lunging across to sweep Ashwin from round the wicket. He then skipped down the pitch to clip him effortlessly through midwicket for four as lunch approached, which caused Ashwin to change his line of attack and look to push the ball across him from over

the wicket. The ploy succeeded almost instantly: in an attempt to throw Ashwin off the scent, Burns brought out the reverse sweep to the fifth ball of the over, but was through the shot early. The ball looped up off his glove and into Pant’s hands, and Burns was visibly frustrated with his decision-making as he trudged off. As is so often the case

when India play at home, the first breakthrough brought a second soon after. Dan Lawrence, batting out of position at No.3 after Zak Crawley’s freak injury, was pinned lbw for a fifth-ball duck, looking to swipe Bumrah into the leg side. Kohli deserved credit for the call to take Ashwin out of the attack straight after his wicket, and Lawrence barely even consid-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2021

CWI signs five-year deal for UK coverage CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has signed a major five-year deal with BT Sport for the exclusive live coverage in the UK of all West Indies international home matches played in the Caribbean. As part of the agreement, BT Sport will have rights to West Indies next international home series against England, scheduled for early 2022. This upcoming series will have added interest as it will be the first time that the two teams play the Richards-Botham Trophy Test Series - named in honour of Sir Vivian Richards and Sir Ian Botham - two of the greatest cricketers of alltime. England’s visits to the Caribbean are an iconic fixture in the international cricket calendar and regularly attract one of the largest live TV cricket audiences

in the UK. CWI president Ricky Skerritt said: “On behalf of CWI, and all who helped make this deal come together, I am delighted to announce one of our largest ever broadcast rights agreements in the form of this unprecedented partnership with BT Sport. Our tour to England last year helped to remind us how strong the West Indies brand continues to be in the UK, and we thank BT Sport for so highly valuing West Indies cricket by committing their broadcast support over the next five years. ”I am especially pleased that, in partnership with ESPN, BT Sport will also show much of the upcoming CG Insurance Super50 Cup which starts next Sunday, February 7.” As well as England’s tour to the Caribbean in 2022, BT Sport will have access to a

packed schedule of exciting international cricket from the West Indies in 2021 on its sport channels and across its digital platforms, starting with Sri Lanka, whom they

late afternoons and early evenings, cricket-lovers across the UK will be able to watch the world’s top players and teams in action without having to set their

Series, not just for our fans in the UK hailing from the Caribbean, but also to the many UK sports and cricket fans who will be able to watch live on their TV or mobile devices

face across all formats in March before the tours to the Caribbean by South Africa, Australia and Pakistan over the course of June, July and August. With start times in the

alarms or stay up through the night. Johnny Grave, CWI CEO commented: “The first ever Richards-Botham Trophy in March 2022 will be an eagerly anticipated Test

after school or work. “West Indies home series are the second most watched cricket in the UK after England’s home matches, and this agreement ensures that the best action from the

Caribbean will be broadcast in an extremely important sports and tourism market for the region.” Rachel Knight, Rights Director, BT Sport said; “We want to provide customers with the best sport from across the globe, so we are delighted to add the England men’s and women’s cricket teams to our line-up. In addition to some hugely important and enticing Test and T20 International matches over the next 18 months, the new rights in New Zealand and West Indies will see the world’s top cricketers regularly on BT Sport.” This is a long-term agreement and has huge significance because the UK is the West Indies’ second largest commercial market, and where a large number of fans with West Indian heritage reside.

Blackwood annoyed after missing century (CMC) – Despite single-digit scores in West Indies’ only tour game last week, strokemaker Jermaine Blackwood said he had still backed himself to get among the runs in the ongoing opening Test, but is annoyed at failing to convert his half-century into triple figures. The right-hander hit a polished 68 on yesterday’s third day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium as West Indies, replying to Bangladesh’s 430, were dismissed for 259 in their first innings. At the close, the hosts had stumbled to 47 for three – an overall lead of 218 runs. “You have to be confident as a player because we played a practice game and I didn’t score any runs but still you have to have that mental toughness,” Blackwood said afterwards. “As a player, I know that I am not too good in practice games but once the Test cricket starts, I’m 100 per cent ready.” He continued: “We came from England and New Zealand which were pretty similar. The ball was bouncing and seaming around, there wasn’t too much spin but here in Bangladesh you know you’re going to get a lot of spin. “The ball is spinning a lot, the ball is keeping

low so we just have to play on the front foot as much as possible and as late as possible. “I think once you as a batsman don’t really lunge at the ball, I think you will be very successful, and then you have to capitalise on the bad bowling whenever you get the chance to score.”

Blackwood entered at a critical stage of the innings after captain Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed for an attractive 76, and then watched as debutant Kyle Mayers perished for a fluent 40. Tasked with rebuilding from a position of 154 for five before lunch, Black-

wood inspired a 99-run, sixth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva who made 42 in only his second Test. However, Blackwood’s dismissal was a soft one, caught down the leg-side off an ordinary delivery from off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4-58), and he said

he was left kicking himself. “It was very frustrating because I’ve been telling myself I really want just to convert more of these half-centuries into centuries and I’m stepping in the right direction,” said the Jamaican, appointed vice-captain for the tour. “But I was very disap-

Jermaine Blackwood works one off his pads, Bangladesh vs West Indies, 1st Test, Chattogram, Day 3, February 5, 2021

pointed in the way I got out. I guess in the next innings I will just have to (keep my head down) and bat in the same fashion.” Trailing by 171 runs on first innings, West Indies made early inroads into the Bangladesh second innings with off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (2-28) removing Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain without scoring in the second over to leave the home side tottering on one run for two wickets. And speedster Shannon Gabriel worked up a fair turn of pace on the flat wicket before claiming Shadman Islam for five, leaving Bangladesh on 47 for three at the close. Blackwood said both Cornwall and Gabriel had been superb in the final session. “I have to commend the two big guys, Shannon especially,” said the 29-yearold. “He ran in and put his heart and soul into it on these flat surfaces and is bowling pretty quickly and aggressively and as you see he got the rewards. Hopefully tomorrow he can do the same thing. “I think (Cornwall) bowled brilliantly as well. He made the batsmen play. I think tomorrow once he comes and does the same thing, he’s going to get a lot of rewards.”

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‘I am not fully fit’ – Pestano By Rajiv Bisnauth

OF late, a lot of criticism has been levelled against the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) senior selection panel for not putting the right blend of players for the 43rd edition of the region’s premier one day tournament, the CG Insurance Super50 Cup. This year the selectors recalled openers Assad Fudadin and Trevon Griffith along with pacer Keon Joseph. Subsequently Griffith, the left-hander was replaced by wicketkeeper Kemol Savory after being tested positive for COVID-19. There were maiden Jaguars’ Super50 call-ups for Kevin Sinclair, Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach –

all three have played List A cricket for other teams. The Jaguars will be without a few players namely leftarm medium pacer Raymon Reifer and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who are both on West Indies duties in Bangladesh, while bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul sits out of the tournament in order to facilitate adequate recovery from an injury. Another notable absentee is T20 specialists Sherfane Rutherford who opted to play league cricket elsewhere. However, with the absence of those key players, one felt that bowling all-rounder Clinton Pestano should have make the cut. But according to the Berbician, he is not surprised by the

selectors’ decision, since he is not fully fit to resume Regional cricket. “I am not that surprised, since I am still recovering

Flashback! Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson congratulates Clinton Pestano during a regional game

Bangladesh carve out huge lead over Windies

(CMC) – West Indies conceded a dangerously large lead despite half-centuries from captain Kraigg Brathwaite and his deputy Jermaine Blackwood, but Rahkeem Cornwall stunned Bangladesh with two wickets in one over, as the visitors clawed their way back into the opening Test here yesterday. Brathwaite carved out an uncharacteristically, strokefilled 76 while Blackwood was in his element with an enterprising 68 but West Indies dramatically lost their last five wickets for six runs to tumble to 259 all out, 15 minutes after tea on the third day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva supported with a compact 42, a knock that was in direct contrast to that of debutant left-hander Kyle Mayers, who produced a flamboyant 40. With the Windies trailing by 171 runs on first innings, off-spinner Cornwall (2-28) removed opener Tamim Iqbal and new batsman Najmul Hossain, both without scoring in the space of three deliveries as Bangladesh slumped to one run for two wickets in the second over of their second innings. Captain Mominul Haque halted the slide with an unbeaten 31 before speedster Shannon Gabriel claimed the unsettled opener Shadman Islam for five, half-hour before the close, to leave the hosts on 47 for three and a lead of 218 runs overall, heading into today’s penultimate day. In a dramatic start to the morning, West Indies lost Nkrumah Bonner (17) to the first delivery, edging left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (2-84) to Najmul at first slip on 79 for three. However, Brathwaite continued in the same vein from the previous evening,

entertaining with an array of attacking strokes to post his 20th Test half-century and his second in nine innings on Bangladesh soil. More importantly, he put on 55 for the fourth wicket with Mayers, a stand which not only repaired the innings but forced the hosts on the defensive. Brathwaite struck 12 fours off 111 balls in just short of three hours at the crease while Mayers faced only 65 deliveries and crunched seven fours. Resuming on 49, Brathwaite reached his fifty with a single in the second over but then moved into high gear, driving left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman (2-46) down the ground for four and twice sweetly punching Taijul through cover point for successive boundaries. He moved into the 70s by smashing off-spinner Nayeem Hasan (2-54) to the square boundary before coming down to Taijul in the next over to unfurl a powerful straight dive for four. A hundred was beckoning when Brathwaite bizarrely misjudged an off-break from Nayeem in the next over, offered no stroke and had his off-stump pegged back, 45 minutes into the day’s play. Mayers’ approach, meanwhile, belied his experience. Twice he audaciously drove Mustafizur for boundaries in the morning’s third over, before also stylishly cutting Nayeem and Taijul for fours. He appeared on course for a half-century when he missed a bat-pad defensive stroke and was lbw to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the first of the off-spinner’s four wickets. Ultra-edge subsequently showed Mayers had gotten an inside edge but had been unaware. Stumbling on 154 for five and still well adrift of the follow-on, West Indies needed a partnership and got one,

from an injury,” he said. Pestano, who missed the entire 2020 Regional Four-Day season, which ended prematurely, due to the current COVID-19

Blackwood and Da Silva combining to add a precious 99 for the sixth wicket on either side of lunch. Unconvincing initially, Blackwood settled to hit nine fours off 146 deliveries in just under 3-¼ hours while Da Silva, composed from the very start, faced 141 balls in a shade over 2-½ hours and counted three fours and a six. They carried West Indies to lunch on 189 for five and Blackwood, unbeaten on 34, reached his 14th Test fifty and second in his last four innings, three overs before the drinks break with a cover-driven four off Mehidy. West Indies were beginning to take command when both batsmen perished in the last seven deliveries before tea. Da Silva had just driven Nayeem to the long-off boundary to bring up the 250 when he swished aimlessly at the next delivery and was caught at the wicket. And with the first ball of the next over, Blackwood went softly, tickling a leg side catch to the wicketkeeper off an innocuous delivery from Mehidy. Perched on 253 for seven at tea, West Indies’ tail lasted a mere 18 deliveries after the resumption, with Mehidy taking two of the three wickets. The decision to hand Cornwall the new ball then paid dividends, as he trapped Tamim lbw with his fourth ball, the left-hander missing a forward defensive prod. Two balls later, he found Najmul’s edge for Blackwood to gobble the catch at first slip, to leave Bangladesh in strife. Mominul and Shadman put on 32 before Gabriel, introduced first change, got the rewards for his aggression when left-hander Shadman gloved a lifter to give Da Silva a simple leg side catch.

pandemic, said he remains focussed for a First-Class return. “Currently I am working hard on my all-round game and fitness, so by the time the Four-Day comes around I should be ready.” Pestano reckoned. Asked to comment on the Jaguars’ squad, the strongly-built Pestano said that the 15 players selected are all capable of performing; adding that the squad is a balanced one mixed with youth and experience in all departments. Pestano played four matches last season and got two wickets, but it was October 2018, when he dominated. The Berbician was the leading wicket-taker for Guyana in that tournament, with 15

dismissals in nine matches at 18.00 and an economy rate of 4.21. During that tournament he joined an elite group of bowlers who had achieved a hat-trick during the 43-year history of 50-Over cricket after his match-winning performance against the hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force. He became only the second seamer behind Kieron Pollard to achieve such a feat. Ex-Trinidad & Tobago/West Indies spinner Rajindra Dhanraj, Anthony Martin, the Antiguan leg-break spinner and mystery spinner Sunil Narine were the last bowlers to achieve the exploit. The Super50 Cup bowls off on Sunday and concludes on February 27.

Fruta Conquerors to compete in 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield FRUTA Conquerors, winners of the 2019 GFF Elite League, will compete in the 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield when the regional competition resumes, following the cancellation of the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

get to work.” Conquerors were the last team to represent Guyana in the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, finishing bottom of their group in 2019 and missing out on the knockout stages. Suriname’s Robinhood went on to claim the ti-

The Caribbean Club Shield is open to title-winning clubs from the 27 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members that do not organise professional league football. The top two teams from each of the four CFU nations with a professional league - the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Haiti – compete in the top tier CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship. “We are delighted to be given a chance once again to represent Guyana at the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield,” said Fruta Conquerors president Colin Gittens. “We were all very disappointed with the manner in which things turned out last year. Now that we are in the tournament, there is an atmosphere of excitement and purpose throughout the club - the players, staff and ExCo are really motivated and ready to

tle, beating Martinique’s Club Franciscain 1-0 in the final. “Based on that experience, our aspiration has always been to return and prove that we deserve to be competing as the top team locally,” head coach Sampson Gilbert said. “We give ourselves an even chance as any team in the tournament and with adequate preparation and motivation, we will perform well.” As the GFF Elite League was cancelled in 2020, due to the pandemic, Guyana became eligible to enter being the winners of the most recent edition of the league. The Tucville-based side dominated the 2019 season, finishing unbeaten with a goal difference of +38. “I would like to thank president Forde and the GFF for their continued support, which is essential to making this a worthwhile endeavour,” Gittens said. “Also

we would like to thank our sponsors S.M. Jameel and Company Ltd and the Guyana Beverages Inc. family, our primary sponsor, for their continuous support throughout the years. Much thanks and appreciation is extended to all other stakeholders and sponsors who supported the club.” This year’s competition is set to take place between April 1 and April 11. The winners of the tournament will play the fourth-placed team in the 2021 Caribbean Club Championship for a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF League. Sampson said the coaching staff were preparing an intense, holistic schedule for the squad to ensure players were ready for the challenge ahead after a long period without competitive football. “The club is proud to represent Guyana’s budding football development in the Shield. This is an opportunity to highlight our competence as national league champions and showcase young and developing talent in our country,” he said. “Guyana’s football needs this exposure since we’re on the brink of World Cup and Gold Cup qualifiers, while also looking forward to the implementation of a professional league.” The GFF is currently working with experts from European football’s governing body UEFA to develop a sustainable model for the launch of Guyana’s first professional league.

SEE PAGE 31

Bangladesh Kraigg Brathwaite leaves the ball only to be bowled, Bangladesh vs West Indies, 1st Test, Chattogram, Day 3, yesterday

carve out huge

lead over Windies

GMR&SC Endurance racing round one …

Two-wheel daredevil to make race car debut this weekend

SEE PAGE 27

Nyron Maraj’s EP82 Toyota Starlet (GTCallouts photo)

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| SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2021