Issuu

TUESDAY 30th March, 2021

' No.106316

Sixth drillship arrives in Guyana’s waters

–– awaiting additional resources to commence drilling

SEE PAGE 03

First batch of COVAX vaccine here

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Pres. Ali calls for reform of int’l debt framework

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‘Chips man’ graduates with engineering degree

United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka (far left); Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, advisor to the Ministry of Health (second from left); EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó (fourth from left); United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative (ag), Irfan Akhtar (third from right); PAHO/WHO Country representative, Dr. Luis Codina (second from right) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins (far right) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday with the first batch of vaccines from COVAX (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

First batch of COVAX vaccine here ―31,000 Guyanese already vaccinated By Richard Bhainie THE first batch of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 through the COVAX facility, comprising a quantity of 24,000 doses, were received, on Monday morning, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The COVAX facility is a global mechanism that was created to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. COVAX is made up of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi; the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO); the World Health Organization (WHO) and other stakeholders. During the initial distribution phase from COVAX, Guyana is expected to receive a total of 100,800 doses of vaccine. Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) Country Represen-

tative to Guyana, Dr. Luis Codina, at the handing over ceremony held at the CJIA, noted that this first delivery will be complemented with the remaining doses expected between April and May. According to allocation figures on Gavi’s website, 15 Caribbean countries will receive just over 2.1 million doses of COVAX vaccines by May. Guyana is part of the smaller grouping of Advance Market Commitment (AMC) countries which will receive their first tranche of vaccines for free. Even though the first batch is a small portion of the overall supply of vaccines to be made available to the country through the COVAX facility, it is expected to go a long way to continue the vaccination drive that is currently ongoing. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, advisor to the Ministry of Health, who represented the Government of Guyana at the handing over of the vaccines, disclosed that 31,000 individuals residing in Guyana have so far received their first dose

of the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Ramsammy, a former Health Minister, noted that with the arrival of the first batch of vaccines through the COVAX facility and the expected arrival of the 200,000

doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine in a matter of days, it is the government’s intention to inoculate 10,000 persons per day, starting this week. Further, this week, the

tive and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Guyana to the stakeholders of the initiative for the timely donation. “The intent [of COVAX] was to ensure that we put

The first batch of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19, made available through the COVAX facility, being offloaded from the AmeriJet International aircraft which arrived, Monday, at 09:40hrs at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

second dose of COVID-19 vaccines will be available to those persons who received their first ‘jab’ during the initial stages of vaccination. “So, Guyana is on the road, we are demonstrating that we are Guyana strong and we are on the road to ensuring that all persons resident within our borders are vaccinated in 2021,” Dr. Ramsammy said. Dr. Ramsammy commended the COVAX initia-

a dent in the inequity for vaccine supply. We may not have prevented the inequity but they are aggressive steps being made to ensure that no matter which country, we will be vaccinated against COVID-19,” Dr. Ramsammy said. “We will spare no effort and we will invest whatever is necessary that every citizen in our country and everyone resident in our country, including migrants, are vacci-

nated against COVID-19. For us, this is the most important investment we can make at this time,” he added. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Guyana (ag), Irfan Akhtar, who was present at the handing over, noted that the arrival of this first batch of COVAX vaccines is one step further in ensuring that no one is left behind in the vaccination against COVID-19. “There should be equitable distribution of vaccines in different regions and especially those regions which are hard to reach and supply chain is very weak, that’s why we need to put our efforts to make sure our vaccines are reaching in time and people in need are accessing the vaccines,” he said. Meanwhile, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, assured that the EU will continue to make every effort to provide support to countries such as Guyana. “It is not a secret that we are going through a difficult period within the EU; we have a problem with vaccines, and that’s why I’m proud to say that so far the EU has exported almost as many vaccines as it has used with its own citizens,” he said during the ceremony at the CJIA. Also present at the handing over was United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka, who, on behalf of the UN, expressed satisfaction that the vaccines were made available to Guyana. “COVAX is a global partnership; this COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis and it needs a global solution and the UN system has come together last year to respond to this unprecedented crisis,” she said. Guyana has so far received 20,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine as a donation from China and 80,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca, also as a donation from India. In addition, Barbados extended to Guyana 3,000 doses of its Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines which were donated to them by the Government of India. President Irfaan Ali, on Friday last, disclosed that Guyana will also receive 200,000 doses of the Russian-made Sputnik vaccine, through an arrangement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Sixth drillship arrives in Guyana’s waters ―awaiting additional resources to commence drilling

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA’S waters is now home to six drill ships, with the recent arrival of Noble Corporation’s Sam Croft, which will be servicing the operations of global oil giant, ExxonMobil, and its affiliates. The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the vessel arrived recently in Guyana’s waters and is currently at a staging area within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Simply put, the vessel is awaiting additional resources before it commences exploratory and appraisal drilling at the Stabroek Block. According to an advertisement published on March 26, 2021, in the Stabroek News, ahead of the vessel’s arrival, the Sam Croft will be at the staging area until April 15, 2021. The arrival of this drillship follows the entry of Stena Drilling’s DrillMAX, which sailed into local waters in February to commence exploratory and appraisal drilling at ExxonMobil’s Longtail-3 well in the Stabroek Block. The Sam Croft has a gross tonnage of 50,940 and deadweight of 41,000. The vessel’s drilling depth is 40,000ft. In addition to the DrillMAX, the sixth vessel joins the Stena Carron, the Noble Don Taylor, the Noble Bob Douglas and the Noble Tom Madden offshore Guyana. It is unclear, at this time,

which well(s) will be drilled by the new vessel, but the Guyana Chronicle understands that 16 exploration wells are planned for this year. And, ExxonMobil, operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur blocks offshore Guyana will be spearheading

kilometers), with current discovered recoverable resources estimated at more than nine billion oil-equivalent barrels. The 18 discoveries on the block to date have established the potential for at least five floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) ves-

in late 2019 well ahead of the industry average for development time. Liza Phase Two remains on track to begin producing oil by early 2022. Liza Phase Two will produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates, using the Liza

Data from Norwegian independent energy research and business intelligence firm, Rystad Energy, suggests that close to 300 million barrels of oil equivalent has been discovered on average for each exploration well (wildcat and appraisal) drilled

The Noble Sam Croft drillship [Photo courtesy of Noble Sam Croft]

the local exploration activities, having already set an ambitious divestment target of $15 billion by expelling mature assets in Asia, Europe and Africa, so as to prioritise investments in “high-value” assets such as Stabroek. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square

sels, producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2026. Current development activities at the Stabroek Block include the Liza Phases One and Two, and the Payara projects. ExxonMobil’s first offshore Guyana project, Liza Phase One, began producing

Unity FPSO, which is under construction in Singapore. Payara is the company’s third project in the Stabroek Block and is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after start-up in 2024, using the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

in the country over the past six years. This aside, with around 16 exploration wells planned, including some in riskier frontier regions, 2021 holds a lot of promise, Rystad Energy said. The energy research firm believes that drilling results

will be eagerly watched by the services industry, as more exploration success off Guyana would translate into welcomed opportunities after the market slump of 2020. The country’s oil-andgas-sector is already pumping finances into its Natural Resources Fund (NRF), with some US$61,090,968 (approximately G$13B) being earned from the sale of the nation’s fifth oil lift. The Government, in keeping with its commitment to accountability and transparency in the petroleum sector, has announced that the country received its latest payment after the sale of 997,420 barrels of oil which were lifted from ExxonMobil’s Liza Destiny on February 5, 2021. The nation, new to the petroleum sector, sold its first one million barrels of crude on February 19, 2020, raking in nearly US$55 million. In its second million-barrel sale, the country received US$35 million, US$46 million as proceeds from the sale of its third million-barrel of crude, and US$49.3 million from its fourth oil lift. Based on a consolidation of all the lifts to date, the country has sold 5,009,797 barrels of oil valuing US$246,542,662. The country is anticipating its sixth lift within the next two weeks. Along with the earnings from the oil lifts and over US$21 million in royalties and interest, Guyana has close to US$267,668,709 in its NRF, at the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank.

EPA officer dies in Melanie accident

A 31-year-old officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) died on Monday morning after he was flung from his motorcycle when a motor lorry drove into his path on the Melanie Public Road on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). Leon Singh, who resided at Newtown, Enmore, ECD, was picked up by bystanders in an unconscious state and subsequently died from his injuries while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The accident occurred around 09:30hrs. The driver of the motor lorry has been identified only as a 43-year-old resident of Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD. The driver

has been taken into police custody as investigations continue, Police Headquarters noted in a statement. According to reports from the police, Singh was riding his motorcycle, CH 3066, proceeding west along the southern lane while the motor lorry GSS5634 was proceeding north on the western side. Police said that the driver of the lorry failed to stop at the corner and as such, ended up in the path of Singh’s motorcycle. The front of the motorcycle collided with the right side front of the lorry, throwing Singh onto the road. Singh received injuries to his head and other parts of his body. He leaves to mourn his wife, Neetu, his

seven-year-old son, five siblings, his parents and many other friends and family. Singh’s family is hopeful that justice will prevail. During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Singh’s brother Anthony Singh said from what he was told by eyewitnesses, his brother tried to alert the lorry driver. “I just hope we get justice for this whole scenario because the driver was wrong, he failed to stop when Leon was on the rightaway. He failed to stop even though my brother was blowing his horn, he continued moving. He [Singh] tried to sway away from the vehicle but he [the lorry driver] continued driving and that’s how he [Singh]

end up driving into the canter,” Anthony expressed. Anthony last spoke with his brother two days ago and received news of the accident not too long after it happened. He said he later visited the scene with the police. He described his brother as a very humble person. “Leon was a loving, caring young man, always going after what he want, always, always. Always putting people in front and leaving himself undone. He would go the extra distance just to make sure people get things in order,” Anthony said. Meanwhile, Singh’s wife Neetu, said, “He was really a good guy. Always open up and friendly.”

Dead: Leon Singh

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Traffic in Suez Canal resumes after stranded ship refloated ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) - Shipping was on the move again late on Monday in Egypt’s Suez Canal after a giant container ship, which had been blocking the busy waterway for almost a week, was refloated, with more than 400 ships waiting to pass through. A marine source told Reuters that vessels were travelling southwards towards the Red Sea after the 400-metre (430-yard) long vessel, Ever Given, was freed undamaged, earlier on Monday. Egypt’s Leth Agencies said 43 vessels had resumed transit from the Great Bitter Lake, which separates two sections of the canal. “The ship came out intact and it has no problems. We’ve just searched the bottom and soil of the Suez Canal and thankfully it is sound and has no issues, and ships will pass through it today,” the Suez Canal Authority’s (SCA) Chairman, Osama Rabie, earlier told Nile TV. The Ever Given had become jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal in high winds early last Tuesday, halting traffic on the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia. Early on Monday rescue workers from the SCA, working with a team from Dutch firm, Smit Salvage, partially refloated the ship and straightened it in the canal. After several hours,

it shifted briefly back across the canal before being manoeuvred free by tugs as the tide changed, a canal source said. “The time pressure to complete this operation was evident and unprecedented,” said Peter Berdowski,

said it would be repositioned in a lake that sits between two sections of the canal and inspected for seaworthiness. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), the technical managers of the container ship, said there were no reports of pollution

freed. “We will not waste one second,” Rabie told Egyptian state TV. He said it could take up to three days to clear the backlog, and a canal source said more than 100 ships would be able to enter the channel daily. Ship-

ping group Maersk said the knock-on disruptions to global shipping could take weeks or months to unravel. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who had not publicly commented on the blockage, said Egypt had ended the crisis and assured

Ship Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, is seen after it was fully floated in Suez Canal, Egypt (Photo courtesy of Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)

CEO of Smit Salvage owner Boskalis, after the Ever Given was refloated. The company said approximately 30,000 cubic metres of sand had to be dredged to refloat the 224,000-tonne container ship and a total of 11 tugs and two powerful sea tugs were used to pull the ship free. Evergreen Line, which is leasing the Ever Given, confirmed the ship had been successfully refloated and

or cargo damage. QUEUE At least 400 vessels are waiting to transit the canal, including dozens of container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vessels, Nile TV reported. The authority said earlier it would be able to accelerate convoys through the canal once the Ever Given was

resumption of trade through the canal. Oil prices were more than 1 percent lower at $63.85 a barrel after the ship was refloated. Shares of Taiwan-listed Evergreen Marine Corp had closed 1.75 per cent higher. About 15 per cent of world shipping traffic transits the Suez Canal, which is an important source of foreign currency revenue for Egypt. The stoppage was costing the canal $14 million-$15 million a day. Shipping rates for oil product tankers nearly doubled after the ship became stranded, and the blockage has disrupted global supply chains, threatening costly delays for companies already dealing with COVID-19 restrictions. Maersk was among shippers rerouting cargoes around the Cape of Good Hope, adding up to two weeks to journeys and extra fuel costs.

Selected quote from Dr Cheddi Jagan “Those who see only race/ethnicity in politics in Guyana, as others who see tribalism and religion in other countries, are not viewing reality comprehensively, objectively and scientifically. In Guyana, because of the strong foreign monopoly domination by the sugar plantrocracy, the class struggle was more intense. And, although the two major racial/ ethnic groups are culturally different, they are not uni-class and class different as formally the case in the colonial period in East Africa. Both groups are largely made up of working people. As such, the PPP/Civic, with its working class sympathy and policies oriented to material and cultural fulfilment, can lay the foundation for unity in diversity.” 1996

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Support for pepper spray –– Online petition surpasses target of 15,000 persons (Jamaica Observer)- A petition calling for the legalisation of pepper spray on the “Jamaica House Petition” online portal gathered speed over the weekend, surpassing the 15,000 mark required for petitions to be reviewed. The online appeal, which was launched on February 18, 2021, up to press time on Saturday evening, had garnered 16,876 signatures, essentially 110.51 per cent of target. The closing date for signatures was March 29. The petitioners, in a seven-point rationale, outlined the virtues of having pepper spray handy, calling it an “invaluable self-defence [tool] to anyone.”

Individuals, it said, should own pepper spray as it can be used on multiple attackers, is economical, easy to carry, causes no permanent damage, easy to use, and could save its carrier’s life. The portal’s petition policy states: “If you gather 15,000 signatures in 40 days, we’ll review your petition, and if it complies with agreed standards, the Office of the Prime Minister will issue an official response.” Calls for women to arm themselves with the gadget have mounted over the past few days, fuelled by last Wednesday’s kidnapping of former accounting clerk Khanice Jackson, a resident of Portmore, St Catherine.

Jackson’s decomposing body was discovered last Friday at a fishing village on the outskirts of the municipality. A man has since been detained in connection with her disappearance. In the meantime, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, through his social media account on Saturday, maintained that, based on Jamaican statute, it was, in fact, legal to carry the substance. “Ladies your safety is paramount! Please note that pepper spray and mace for personal protection are excluded from the definition of an ‘offensive weapon’ in JA and therefore legal,” he said, referencing Section 2(2) of the Offensive Weapons (Prohibition)

Act 2001. That provision, however, appears to be in conflict with section 20(1) of the Firearms Act which prohibits the possession of firearms and ammunition except in accordance with a firearm user’s licence. Under this statute pepper spray is regarded as restricted ammunition and the penalty is a fine or imprisonment. Golding, in an updated post on Saturday, expressed gratitude to lawyers and law students who participated in discussions regarding the legality of pepper spray/mace. “...It was a useful discussion. Matters arising: We will research inter-

national best practices to discern an appropriate policy for JA... If anyone wants to help [with the] research, let me know. We’ll also prepare a simple amendment to the Firearms Act to remove any residual legal uncertainty (and, if necessary, that amendment can be taken to Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill). More updates soon,” Golding said, concluding his message with the hashtag #EndViolenceAgainstWomen. Jackson’s death has evoked anger and distress calls from several quarters, with many calling for more to be done to protect women and girls.

BMA: Proposed minimum wage will create major headache for small businesses (Barbados Today)- The proposed minimum wage set to take effect from April 1, will create a major headache for small businesses across the formal and informal sectors, officials have warned. This caution came as those in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors sounded the alarm of possible devastating knock-on effects, and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) called for “the difficult conversation” on productivity and efficiency gains and the cost of doing business in Barbados. The government has indicated that it will be moving ahead with a Minimum Wage Order for a proposed national minimum wage of $8.50 and a minimum wage of $9.25 for security officers, for April 1. Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA),

Shardae Boyce told reporters that while majority of the association members were already paying “well over the proposed minimum wage,” there were still concerns about a severe impact on their operations to wage increases that will have to take place among other business support organisations who then will be forced to pass on costs. “Ripple impact may mean different things to different people, but for the manufacturing sector, we partake of services from different sectors that will have to now follow the increase in minimum wage and therefore it is anticipated that cost may be passed on in terms of the services they provide to us,” Boyce explained. “So obviously, if you are partaking of those services and an increase is implemented, it will automatically affect us in terms of the prices that we have to

pay for partaking in those services. So from a manufacturer’s perspective that is how an April 1 implementation will impact us,” she added. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, said while larger farming companies were already paying the proposed minimum wage or more, the smaller farmers would be the ones to feel the pinch. “They would have to look at their operations to make sure they comply with the minimum wage. The automatic thing from this though is that there will be a knock-on effect as pointed out. There will have to be some adjustments if they are going to remain competitive,” said Paul. However, pointing out that farm wages in other countries where Barbados gets some of its food supply were

a lot less than in Bridgetown, Paul said this could result in local farmers becoming even less competitive. “The question of the competitiveness of the prices that we offer here as against imports from CARICOM countries is something that we will be concerned about,” he said, pointing out that in Barbados there were a lot of very small farming operations. Private sector officials have also raised concerns that business owners in the informal sector would also have a hard time continuing their operations if they were to pay workers more than they currently do. President of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation (BEC), Yvonne Hall, said she anticipates that those in the informal sector who did not pay taxes or National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions to be most impacted.

“Right now you have jobs that do not fall under the Shops Act and so you are not breaking any law. But let us be clear, with the introduction of the national minimum wage, no one in Barbados should be working for a wage that is below whatever has been stipulated and specified in the minimum wage. So everyone will be expected to follow that Order and you will literally be in violation if you are paying someone below the national minimum age, whether you are a small farmer or a seamstress or whatever,” Hall warned. President of the BCCI, Tricia Tannis, insisted that along with a national minimum wage, which will automatically mean a pay increase for some workers, there should be a renewed national discussion on productivity and efficiency gains, as well as the cost of doing business.

Tuesday March 30, 2021 04:30hrs Wednesday March 30, 2021 04:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Tajeram Mohabir

Towards sustained growth THE plethora of fiscal measures implemented by the government to put the productive sectors of the economy back to work are showing positive signs, with the myriad investments coming to Guyana over the past eight months. These investments will, in turn, create employment, and help to reduce the level of unemployment in the economy, and, in turn set the stage for a sea of public transformational development projects over the next five years. With the potential huge growth in GDP in the first decade of oil production thus transforming the economy into a trillion- dollar or potentially a two-trillion-dollar economy, on account of large sums of oil revenues, it does not necessarily mean that the quality of life on a broader spectrum will be improved, and/or experienced by a wide cross-section of the Guyanese people. This does not guarantee real economic growth, against the back-

ground of the human development paradigm, with respect to poverty reduction in particular. Case in point is that the largest retrenchment of some 10,000 sugar workers under the previous regime having the far-reaching implication of further adversely affecting about 40,000 dependents could be devastating. This outcome has, in effect, taken away approximately $10 billion in income distribution to these workers and the broader economy annually. This means that the economic and social well-being of these people are going to decline rather rapidly, and oil revenue would not necessarily create direct employment for them. There were a number of government programmes, nonetheless, aimed at re-engaging these people in productive income- generating activities such as training with new skills, namely carpentry and plumbing etc. But these measures, though designed with good intent,

will not compensate for the economic loss incurred, neither will they give rise to stability and progressive growth in the income distribution of these thousands of retrenched people. Fortunately, the current regime is so far demonstrating its strong commitment to fulfilling its Manifesto promises, where the government has indeed embarked on a programme to resuscitate some of the sugar estates that were closed. There may be various reasons for “economic growth lopsided” nations, that is, those nations which have high rates of GDP growth relative to improvement in human development indicators, including low social expenditure, government corruption, or inequitable distribution of incomes. The resultant effect of such cases suggests that good economic growth not accompanied by increases and/or improvements in human development may prove to be ultimately unstable.

Economic growth is the most powerful instrument for reducing poverty, and improving the quality of life in developing countries. Both cross-country research and country case studies provide overwhelming evidence that rapid and sustained growth is critical to making faster progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, and not just the first goal of halving the global proportion of people living on less than $1 a day. Growth can generate virtuous circles of prosperity and opportunity. Strong growth and employment opportunities improve incentives for parents to invest in their children’s education by sending them to school. This may lead to the emergence of a strong and growing group of entrepreneurs, which should generate pressure for improved governance. Strong economic growth, therefore, advances human development, which, in turn, promotes economic growth. But under different

conditions, similar rates of growth can have very different effects on poverty, the employment prospects of the poor and broader indicators of human development. The extent to which growth reduces poverty depends on the degree to which the poor participate in the growth process, and share in its proceeds. Thus, both the pace and pattern of growth matter for reducing poverty. A successful strategy of poverty reduction must have at its core, measures to promote rapid and sustained economic growth. The challenge for policy is to combine growth promoting policies with policies that allow the poor to participate fully in the opportunities unleashed, and so contribute to that growth. This includes policies to make labour markets work better, remove gender inequalities and increase financial inclusion. Asian countries are increasingly tackling this agenda of ‘inclusive growth’. India’s most recent

development plan has two main objectives: Raising economic growth, and making growth more inclusive, a policy mirrored elsewhere in South Asia and Africa. Future growth will need to be based on an increasingly globalised world that offers new opportunities, but also new challenges. New technologies offer not only ‘catch-up’ potential, but also ‘leap-frogging’ possibilities. New science offers better prospects across both productive and service sectors. Future growth will also need to be environmentally sustainable. Improved management of water and other natural resources is required, together with movement towards low-carbon technologies by both developed and developing countries. With the proper institutions, growth and environmental sustainability may be seen as complements, not substitutes.

‘Eyewitness’ column crossed the mark

Dear Editor,

IT is obvious to anyone who pays attention that Hinduism in Guyana, mainly through its two national festivals, Divali and Holi, is interpreted in ways by political parties and their various surrogates to promote their respective agendas, and to condemn their opponents. No one dares to take the same liberty with Christianity and Islam, the reason being that the adherents of these faiths themselves will fiercely guard against any trivialisation. The world knows to what extent they are prepared to go to defend their beliefs. But, with Hindus, it is different. We

are in the forefront promoting the most devastating kind of sacrilege. We know, for example, how, in the 1970s and 80s, leaders of the Hindu community conferred divinity on prominent politicians of the day, making them the equivalents of Rama, Krishna and Shiva. The latest demonstration of the tendency in this regard is seen in the Eyewitness column, entitled Post Phagwa Postings, in the Guyana Times, March 29, 2021, where the writer, invoking “some deep, unconscious prompt”, makes a link between the acronyms of Post Phagwa Postings (PPP) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and offers a “modern take” on the

old story of Prahalad and his tyrannical father. If making the link between the acronyms is not enough to churn the stomach into nausea, the writer goes on to demonise former president David Granger into the evil and tyrannical king, who had become drunk with power, and, on the other hand, to divinise the current President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, into the youthful Prahalad, that paragon of virtue possessing an unparalleled and unwavering devotion to the Lord, and the Lord alone. One can ask many questions about the significance and appropriateness of this “modern take”, but I leave it to readers, especially Hindus, to ask questions, seek

answers, and form their own conclusions. But, I have two concluding points to make. I noted at the beginning that Hindus themselves are often in the forefront in volunteering in the desacralisation to Hinduism as in the present case. Eyewitness himself has not only demonstrated an acquaintance with Hinduism, but one gathers from the column that he is a Hindu. In any case, I do not believe a non-Hindu would ever dare to engage in any “modern take” as we see in the present case. The second point I make is that in no case do we find a permanent and eternal conflict in narratives of Hindu legends. There is always a reconciliation in the end; and in

the case of Prahalad and his father, such a reconciliation was seen in the final embrace between father and son. Of course, in the end, the father was also put to death by the Lord, and, as Eyewitness must know, death at the hands of God is indeed synonymous with final liberation, in this case, the ultimate reconciliation. Obviously, this conclusion could not fit the “parallels”, and would make the “modern take” meaningless. Yours sincerely, Swami Aksharananda

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

From a night school to a leading university By Oscar Ramjeet ONE, one duttie a buil dam -- the longest journey starts with the first step -The University of Guyana (UG) was described as Jagan night school by Forbes Burnham when he was in the opposition in 1963, and Cheddi was premier. Most of the first intake were working students and could have attended classes only in the evenings. Dr. Jagan contacted his friend Harold Drayton who was in Ghana to assist in the establishment of the learning institution. Drayton returned to Guyana in December 1962 and recruited a few socialist scholars from the United Kingdom and the United States to be lecturers, including Lancelot Hogben, Joan Duke and Paul Baran. The university opened on the grounds of Queen’s

College in late 1963 with what can be considered a handful of students. The first chancellor was Edgar Mortimer Duke and Lancelot Hogben, an English mathematician and biologist, the first Principal and Vice Chancellor. Now after 58 years, it boasts of 8,000 students on roll and statistics. However, about 90 per cent of the graduates left after graduation for foreign countries to seek higher education and to secure lucrative jobs --- many of them have gained their masters and doctorate degrees and are lecturing at universities or serving in senior positions in multi-national corporations. Prior to the establishment of UG, students were forced to seek higher education overseas -- mainly the University of the West Indies at Mona in Jamaica.

Of course, only the wellto-do parents could have afforded to send their children to Jamaica, the United Kingdom, or Canada. Now with the advent of the University in Guyana, ordinary and ambitious students took advantage because it was affordable. A large number of UG students came from the county of Berbice and in a move to decentralise the learning institution, a campus was set up at Tain, Port Mourant, Corentyne in Berbice . Now in its 58th year in existence, UG has 136 programmes in 60 disciplines, including medicine, law, engineering, agriculture, business, accountancy and education, among others. President Dr Irfaan Ali, speaking at the recent UG graduation, said that higher levels of education is the key to national development

and stressed that with Guyana’s move to expand and develop its resources, the university’s graduates can play an important role. What is important in my view is that the government will have to seek ways and means to encourage the graduates to remain in the country and to those abroad to return home. This of course will have a price tag – incentives and tax-free concessions. What is more important is to ensure safety and proper health facilities, and proper education for their children.

UG was the brainchild of Dr. Jagan, but Burnham when he became Prime Minister after independence played a very important role in developing the institution and in a few short years it was recognised by the international community. Forbes went a little overboard when he insisted that students must do national service in order to graduate from the institution. He also had a slogan, ‘Education from the cradle to the grave,’ which means university education was free and this was not

only for Guyanese, but all CARICOM nationals… of course, many Caribbean nationals took advantage of the free education. What is important is that the government must ensure that the university has competent and qualified lecturers and tutors and functions without political interference. The current Vice- Chancellor is Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, the first woman to hold such office.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Pres. Ali calls for reform of int’l debt framework —says existing mechanisms affecting poor countries’ recovery from pandemic PRESIDENT of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has expressed deep concern pertaining to the wide gaps that the COVID-19 pandemic has created between rich and poor countries. He has since called for more systems to be put in place to help countries struggling to rebound from the deadly disease. “Guyana would therefore like to take this opportunity to urge developed countries and international financial institutions to immediately revisit and reform the existing international debt framework, so as to make it more responsive to developing countries’ needs,” Dr. Ali said. He was at the time addressing a virtual meeting of heads of state and heads of government, on the International Debt Architecture and Liquidity. The engagement was convened and led by United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres; Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. President Ali told the world leaders that while the pandemic has aggravated the levels of poverty and economic distress, the structure of the existing international debt compounds poorer

countries’ bleak recovery prospects. He, however, applauded the recent initiative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) of US$650 billion. This, he said, would definitely enhance global liquidity and assist countries to navigate the risk and adverse effects of the pandemic. While he complimented the Group of 20 or G20 countries for initiating the debt service suspension initiative, which allows for the postponement of debt repayments for more than 70 low-income countries, President Ali used the forum to “strongly urge” that serious consideration be given to granting a further extension of the standstill period to support their recovery efforts. “Given the reality that many poor countries are saddled with debt distress, we advocate for broad-based debt relief to developing countries through international frameworks, similar to the Paris Club arrangements, such as the debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative,” President Ali noted. He further urged the granting of debt relief by

bilateral and commercial creditorsnot explicitly participating in debt-relief initiatives, since these measures will help to provide valuable fiscal space and liquidity

National Income (GNI) to official development assistance. Dr. Ali noted that the developed world’s achievement of this pledge has been underwhelming, as only four of

President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali

for the affected developing countries, enabling them to mount appropriate responses geared at mitigation, relief and rebuilding in the wake of natural and biological disasters. “Immediate relief should be provided,” President Ali asserted. He believes that this could be achieved if developed countries honour the pledge made to allocate at least 0.7% of their Gross

the 29 member countries of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) have met or exceeded the 0.7% target. These countries include Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden.

The Guyanese Head of State also made an appeal for developed countries, and international lending institutions to increase funding to support small developing states, so that they can improve their response to natural and biological disasters, which exact massive tolls on their economies and infrastructure. “The pandemic has highlighted the importance of international economic cooperation. Such cooperation to assist developing countries better shoulder their debt burdens has never been more imperative as it is now,’’ President Ali appealed. It should be noted that the high-level virtual meeting, convened as part of the Financing for the Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative (FFDI), aimed to underscore the urgent need for more concrete action to provide liquidity and address debt vulnerability. It follows the meetings and roundtables held in 2020 under the auspices of the FFDI to mobilise action to

assist the economic recovery from the pandemic, which has claimed more than 2.78 million lives and resulted in more than 127 million confirmed cases to date. The pandemic has gone beyond a health and humanitarian crisis to also become an unprecedented global development emergency. The meeting featured opening remarks by the UN Secretary-General and the leaders of Canada and Jamaica, followed by a high-level roundtable with IMF Managing-Director Kristalina Georgieva; World Bank Group President, David Malpass; OECD Secretary-General, Ángel Gurría; recently appointed WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and approximately 20 heads of state and governments, who recommended measures to overcome debt and liquidity problems to help the world recover better and invest in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

GRA boosting capacity to handle Guyana’s oil economy THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is strengthening its ability to meet the tax demands of the emerging oil and gas sector. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said the government is working on upgrading the GRA’s system, since oil and gas “is a completely new sector to the Guyanese landscape.” He said new skills were needed in the tax authority to administer and discharge the responsibilities relating to oil and gas. “So, there is an oil and gas department that was recently established and we are currently working on building the capabilities in that department, including things like audit capabilities et cetera, to be able to perform the important responsibilities that the GRA has with respect to the oil and gas sector. But even more

broadly, to strengthen capabilities in taxpayer audit, and tax enforcement. That work is very much ongoing,” Dr. Singh was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI). The GRA is implementing a new information technology system, the Revenue Management System (RMS), which will modernise its operations, DPI further noted. “We are currently in the process of introducing greater online capability so that people can interface with the GRA in an online environment. There are some things that you should not have to go to the GRA to do. To pick up a tax declaration form or assessment form or to complete and submit your form. There are a number of services that should be capable of being performed online,” Dr Singh added. He said the task of building and equipping institutions to manage Guyana’s

Security guard beaten during Phagwah Day outing A 2 3 - y e a r - o l d s e c u r ity guard of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is nursing injuries to the head and chest after he was beaten by a known individual during an outing at Adventure Village, Essequibo Coast, on Sunday night. The incident occurred around 22:30hrs and police are currently on the hunt for the suspect. The Guyana Chronicle understands that Domesh Singh was injured while he was hanging with his friend. Singh alleged that the suspect, whom he is familiar with, approached him and immediately began to cuff him to the chest. Singh further alleged that the sus- Domesh Singh received injuries to his head and nose pect took a beer bottle and broke it on his head before the head and nose. A report was then made escaping. to the Suddie Police StaFriends immediately astion. Singh remains clueless sisted Singh to the Suddie Public Hospital where he as to the motive behind the received several stitches to attack.

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

economy is ongoing; however, the GRA had made a lot of progress since its establishment, becoming the single revenue authority collecting all taxes in Guyana. “Having the single GRA has enabled us to have a more comprehensive view of tax collection processes. I would be the last to tell you that the GRA has all the capacity to meet its needs and that it is fully equipped to perform all its functions.

“We recognise acutely, the need to strengthen the GRA, to continue to modernise and strengthen it to respond to the rapidly changing realities of the Guyana economy,” he said. Dr. Singh said a single revenue authority allows the agency to integrate its approach to tax collection as it gives a 360-degree perspective on tax collection for 365 days a year on all taxes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Region Three farmers stress need for all-weather road

FARMERS from the village of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara), are calling on the relevant authorities to urgently address the need for an all-weather road in the farming community. Susan Mohese, a rice farmer from Philadelphia, told this newspaper that following the recent heavy rainfall, she and other farmers from the community have been unable to gain access to their farms to carry out their daily work. “When the rain fall, when the tide is high and when the koker is not working, the water rides over the dam and when it’s so, we can’t go in the backdam with tractor trailer,” Mohese told the Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday, during a telephone interview.

She added: “If we get one or two all-weather roads it would be easier to bring out paddy, but like how this rain fall two, three days, your paddy cannot go out, no tractor can go in.” Mohese, in emphasising her plight, explained that, with farmers unable to access their farms to transport paddy and other crops, they suffer losses in the millions of dollars. The rice farmer said the need for an all-weather road was already brought to the attention of the Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, and while she understands that it will take some time to materialise, the current condition of the access dam in the farming community and the significant losses to farmers, highlight the need for it to be constructed with some amount of urgency.

A section of the Philadelphia access dam which is currently submerged (Susan Mohese photo)

“The rice industry is an industry that brings billions of dollars to Guyana and what we are saying is that the government can help us do an all-weather road to make the production better. We have asked them; they said that they have to budget it and we understand but at the moment it is very needed and if we get it next crop it will be very helpful,” Mohese explained. Another farmer, Mahendra Nandalall, who also spoke with this publication, said that, to date, the dam to access farmlands has been completely shut off and farmers cannot gain access to the backdam to get to tend to their crops. “We cannot come out on the road...as soon as the rain falls, the head of the road them or the dam is flooded and we have difficulty in get-

ting out our crops from there,” the frustrated man said. Nandalall added that farmers have also had ‘run ins’ with the police since they are forced to temporarily park their trailers on the road. “It is very very bad at this moment; rain is falling, farmers are trying to get out their crops and they are being harassed by the police as well. When you see these trailers come out, there is no where we can wash, because there is no all-weather road we can wash or do anything, perishable goods are there,” Nandalall explained. Additionally, Nandalall stated that the community of Philadelphia is also in need of a second koker and a pump to assist with drainage and irrigation in the area.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Harbour bridge being damaged by speeding trucks, vessels ―Edghill mulls placement of traffic ranks on bridge

“THE bridge cannot be opening two times a day,” said Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, as he explained several new measures that are being implemented to reduce damage and lessen the daily traffic woes that plague the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB). On Sunday, Edghill met with the technical team that was assembled to address recent damage done to ‘Span Nine’ of the floating structure. He said assessments have determined that most of the damage to the bridge is caused by speeding vehicular and marine traffic. “We have had to put measures in place, particularly for the trucks,” Edghill said, explaining that the current damage to the bridge was caused by truck drivers applying brakes suddenly while speeding along the aged structure. “We have to get a new culture of truckers driving on the bridge,” the minister posited. He explained that consideration is being given for police ranks to be stationed with their ‘speed guns’ along the bridge itself, so as to detect and deter speeding. As it relates to speeding marine vessels, Edghill said that boat captains and vessel owners are among those being engaged to ensure adherence to speed limits and other precautionary measures to prevent further damages to the harbour bridge. “Because some of them [vessels] are moving with such speed, and they are creating waves and current, they are causing misalignment to the bridge,” the Public Works Minister noted. He acknowledged too that re-

quiring vehicles and vessels to “slow down” would most likely result in lengthier retraction times. As such, the

Public Works Ministry has commenced a comprehensive analysis of travel patterns, which is expected to garner

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and engineer Marcel Gaskin providing an update on the repairs being done to the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DPI photo)

critical information for the modification of the bridge’s retraction schedule. “That analysis will be completed within the next 48 hours,” Edghill said on Sunday. Presently, authorities are considering the implementation of mostly night-time retractions, while only facilitating the biweekly daytime passage of tugs and barges, which are not safe to transit at nights. “We have already engaged the agents and owners of ocean-going vessels and we want that every time there is a retraction, there must be about five to six vessels passing,” Edghill noted. Meanwhile, ‘Span Nine’ of the DHB is still not fixed. “Every effort is being made to ensure that we could get

vehicles crossing the bridge, supplies can move from the east to the west and vice versa, people can get to work, and we can respond to medical and security emergencies,” Edghill said, adding that the Saturday closure of one and a half hour for emergency repairs was grossly insufficient. “All it did was to allow us to fix one of the 272 pins to get the bridge into some shape to allow for retractions for marine traffic and to keep vehicular traffic moving,” Edghill noted. As a temporary solution, trucks are only being allowed onto the bridge at intervals; this has resulted in the buildup of traffic along both the eastern and western ends of the bridge.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, along with a team of engineers and officials from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, recently inspected the damage to span nine of the bridge

“We have to get these measures in place in a matter of hours and we are working around the clock,” Minister Edghill related. During the meeting, engineer Marcel Gaskin reminded attendees that the DHB has outlived its lifespan and is currently showing signs of serious wear and tear. He said that efforts to fix the bridge are being rolled out in short and long-term phases. This, he explained, includes replacement of the retractor span, which is the section of the bridge that has to be opened and closed for large vessels to pass. Gaskin estimates that the bridge would be fixed within a six-month period. “We have to design and install what we call an exoframe, which is a frame to the outside of the existing bridge structure that is going to support those panels of the retractor spans that are broken. We have to procure spare static rollers and spare travelling rollers. All these are rollers that enable the bridge to open and close. We want to have spares, so in case anything happens to the existing ones, we have those in place,” Mr. Gaskin informed the meeting. Meanwhile, efforts are continuing for the realisation of a new Demerara River crossing. Minister Edghill had previously set out an ambitious three-year timeline for materialisation of the bridge, which is expected to be a ‘fly-over’ structure that links La Grange on the West Bank of the Demerara River, and Nandy Park on the opposite side.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Most of ‘earthquake’s energy’ used up —Geologist says that big ‘aftershocks’ are dwindling By Vishani Ragobeer

THOUGH there are concerns among the residents of the ‘Deep South’ area in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) over the continued aftershocks (or tremors), Geologist Javed Baksh, who has been working in the area, stated that the intensity of the aftershocks was dwindling, signalling that most of the earthquake’s energy had been depleted. The region was the epicentre of a massive 5.7 earthquake on January 31, which was felt across Guyana and in parts of Brazil. Since that occurrence, the Deep South area - particularly the ‘Deep South’ communities of Aishalton, Katoonarib and Sawariwau - have been affected by continuous aftershocks. Baksh, who is a Geologist with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), told the Guyana Chronicle that the authorities do not have enough information as yet to determine when these aftershocks will end. In fact, he reminded that it was only recently that a multi-stakeholder team, including himself, installed equipment to monitor seismic activity in four different locations in the south Rupununi area. “Right now, what we can

say is that most of the energy (of the earthquake) has expended,” the Geologist highlighted, adding: “That is the general thought but going forward, how much will be released, how much more stored up, we don’t have an actual measure.” Professor at the São Paulo University, Marcelo Sousa de Assumpção, who has been working with the team, explained, during a recent virtual meeting, that most of the aftershocks (or tremors) will occur in the same faults where the original earthquake occurred. These aftershocks can be used to study the properties and the geology of the main shock (the January 31 earthquake). The professor further explained that an earthquake occurs when the rocks or faults on the earth’s crust can no longer sustain the stress (or pressure) that it has been experiencing for a very long time. At that point, there is a sudden movement, known as a failure, that generates a very strong vibration. He explained that sometimes, some parts of the fault may still have some stress to release, thereby resulting in the aftershocks. And this has been the case in the ‘Deep South’ area, where the fault running across the region has been releasing these aftershocks. Baksh, who is part of the

team responsible for retrieving data from the seismometers on a weekly basis, said that the second earthquake was not necessarily a significant earthquake. Before the massive 5.7

great magnitude. “On that principle alone, we know that the biggest shaking has passed,” the Geologist explained. He also noted that from the data the

occurring in the area. The Deputy Toshao of Katoonarib, Floria Singh, shared that she has not been able to sleep well over the past two months because of the con-

The equipment to monitor the aftershocks in ‘Deep South’ Rupununi being installed (Photo provided by the CDC)

magnitude earthquake, there were foreshocks (tremors occurring beforehand) dating back to December 2020. That massive earthquake, Baksh explained, is expected to be the ‘peak’ of the seismic activity occurring there; this means that the ensuing seismic activity would not have such a

local authorities do have, they do not believe that the seismic activity would last for an extended period of time.

RESIDENTS FEARFUL Meanwhile, residents in these three communities have expressed their fears over the seismic activity

tinuous vibrations. She also noted that many of her villagers have complained of migraines and anxiety since the unpredictable occurrences have been adversely impacting them. Following Friday’s earthquake, she highlighted that the villagers are, once again,

in a state of confusion. The GGMC Geologist highlighted that the GGMC has been engaging the communities on an ongoing basis. During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, Preparedness and Response Manager (ag) of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Salim October highlighted that the commission is working on a medium to long term plan to help the affected communities respond to these largely unpredictable occurrences. “At the moment, the CDC is gonna be looking at a more medium to long term process which will include Katoonarib and Sawariwau in the community-based risk-management system,” he said, emphasising: “We will commence discussions with those communities with the aim of developing community-specific plans and we will be working with them to develop an earthquake response plan which forms the basis of an annex to their recent disaster-risk-management system.” He noted that there is no timeline guiding the development of this plan as yet but hastened to add that such a response is needed in the fastest possible time.

Irresponsible behaviour in pandemic may lead to unparalleled devastation …Dr. Bux warns, amid concerns over increased public activity, Brazil variant AMID a steadily increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases being recorded daily, Director of the national Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Dr. Zulfikar Bux, highlighted that unless persons take the necessary precautions and adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines, the country may be devastated by the adverse effects of the virus. In his weekly column published in the Kaieteur News, Dr. Bux lamented that the month of March has been one of the deadliest and one of the most infectious months since the pandemic started last year. Exacerbating this, he said, is that the increased infection and fatality rates have not resulted in a great change in public behaviour. Importantly, he also highlighted the unfolding situation in Guyana’s south and south-western neighbour Brazil; this country currently has had the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in the world over the past two weeks. Additionally, Brazil has seen a surge in

COVID-19 cases, which is partially attributed to the emergence of the P1 or Brazil variant of the SARSCoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19). This variant is more transmissi-

can spread across borders and cause similar effects in other countries,” Dr. Bux stated. In Guyana, particularly in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), there

closed since March last year, there are a number of ‘backtrack’ or illegal routes that facilitate crossings.

der-monitoring will be intensified and that there will be an increased focus in the region, to ensure that the

Director of Guyana’s Emergency Medical Services, Dr. Zulfikar Bux

Samples containing the P1 or Brazil variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19 (Felipe Caparros Cruz/Alamy photo)

ble, which means that more persons can become infected. “Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) are warning neighbouring countries to take precautions, since they are very concerned that the mutated variant responsible for this devastation

have been concerns over the importation of COVID-19 and more recently, importation of the P1 variant. Guyana and Brazil share an expansive, porous border and though the official crossing between the two countries the Takutu Bridge - has been

Guyana has not yet been able to detect whether the Brazil variant has been detected in the country, since only a small number of samples are being sent abroad for genetic sequencing (a type of genetic analysis). Neither the United Kingdom (UK) variant nor the South Africa variant has been detected locally either. Still, local authorities have indicated that bor-

COVID-19 guidelines instituted to curb the spread of the virus are adhered to. “This variant is more deadly, easier to catch and affects younger adults more than previous strains of the Sars-Cov-2 virus. This is a recipe for disaster and it is exactly what we are seeing in Brazil,” Dr. Bux emphasised. Importantly, he alluded to concerns that the local

increase in cases may be caused by the Brazil variant, coupled with the irresponsible behaviour of persons in the pandemic. “Common sense would dictate that we should not wait to find out, but get responsible and heed preventative measures before the situation really gets out of control,” he underscored, lamenting: “We have recently seen more deaths of younger persons than in any other period during this pandemic. The young adults here are getting hit harder with the disease than previously.” Cognisant of this evolving situation, Dr. Bux urged persons to adhere to the protective measures of avoiding large gatherings and maintaining a social distance, washing hands constantly and wearing masks. He also indicated that the string of local observances -- Phagwah, Easter and Ramadan -- may present an opportunity for these measures to be flouted. But, he again urged that persons adopt more responsible behaviours.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Stricter monitoring of drainage and irrigation structures paramount

―Agri. Minister calls on M&CC to improve monitoring efforts AFTER a broken koker door led to the flooding of approximately 250 households in Werk-en-Rust on Sunday morning, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has called on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to ensure that there is stricter monitoring of the drainage and irrigation structures in the capital. The early-morning flooding, which resulted from the damaged koker door, occurred during a high tide; it was repaired shortly after the tide receded, and the affected households were able to begin cleaning. According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Mustapha emphasised that the operation of the city’s drainage and irrigation structures that drain water into the Demerara River are the primary responsibility of the City Council. In the release, the minister also lamented what appeared to be a lack of effective management at the sluice, which resulted in flooding of the area. “The subject minister said that it was unacceptable

that persons were subject to this amount of discomfort on a national holiday, and called on the M&CC to enforce stricter penalties on

hrs on Saturday and 04:00 hrs on Sunday, the sluice operator was supposed to close the sluice gate, but it appears as though that did

to close the door, but their efforts were in vain. “After speaking with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA)

Security and Maintenance Officer of the Trinity Methodist Church, Terrence Gibson bailing water out of the church’s inundated ‘admin’ building

persons who are found to be negligent in their responsibility of opening and closing City sluices in a timely manner,” the release stated. According to the release, sometime between 21:00

not happen. When the tide began to rise, and water started to come through the opened sluice gate, the communities were flooded. The operator and engineers from the M&CC attempted

Board Chairman, I instructed that the NDIA lend support to the City Council to monitor this structure. So, during the next scheduled closure of the sluice door, our engineer was on site

to monitor and give assistance to M&CC personnel,” Minister Mustapha was also quoted as saying in the release.

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) noted that in the Charlestown area, the roads were inundated with about eight inches of water,

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha

Once the door was closed, the Princes Street pump was used to start draining water from these areas, which ultimately resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of flood water from the area. A statement issued by the

while as much as 12 inches of water were on those in Werk-en-Rust. The Commission is in the process of assessing the damage the situation would have caused the many businesses and households in the affected areas.

Four new schools to be constructed in Region Seven

Minister of Agriculture and Executive Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Zulfikar Mustapha and other officials on Sunday participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of former President of Guyana, Mrs. Janet Jagan on the occasion of her 12th death anniversary. Also present at the event were the Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) David Armogan, and Regional Vice-Chairman Zamal Hussain

FOUR new schools are to be constructed in the CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven), according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kerwin Ward, who stated that the money was catered for in the 2021 National Budget. The schools will be constructed at Dagg Point, St. Martin’s, Waramadong and Kurutuku, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported. Ward said the allocation is another demonstration of the government taking steps to ensure it reduces the disparity between the coastland and rural communities. The construction of schools would create more learning spaces and better ensure the delivery of education, DPI noted. A nursery school will be built at Dagg Point and primary schools at St. Martin’s, Waramadong and Kurutuku. “In Waramadong, the

school has outgrown its existence of over 60 years and so its structure is at its toll, hence our decision to establish a new school there. The

get to school,” the REO said. He explained that because of this, attendance from children in Dagg Point is low, as the transportation costs

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kerwin Ward

one at Dagg Point – it is due to its vastly developing community and a school is absent, absolutely none - and so the students from Dagg Point have to travel from Bartica to

weigh heavily on the parents. It was highlighted that between Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, 239 schools serve 32,603 learners; however, most of the schools are

primary schools. There are 13 secondary schools which are located as follows: three each in Regions One, Seven and Eight and four in Region Nine. The Ministry of Education has budgeted some $10 million for feasibility studies for the construction of new schools in the hinterland and remote areas, in keeping with its goal to provide universal secondary education. Attaining universal nursery education is also one of its aims. In the meantime, the Government has restarted and augmented several of its programmes to alleviate the financial burden on parents of school-aged children. This includes the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, which was increased from $10,000 to $15,000 per public school student, and the school uniform and supplies voucher valued at $4,000, per public school student.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

‘Chips man’ graduates with engineering degree ―hopes to become President of Guyana one day By Juene Van Keric

IT was not until 2018 that Nicolas Ariston Chesney stumbled upon the most profitable small business of selling chips, which was a vital source of income while furthering his studies at the University of Guyana. “I sold plantain chips, chicken foot, cassava chips, sweet potato chips. I started by selling about 10-15 chips. I was kind of shy at first. I didn’t know who to go to and what to say, so I started with my classmates. The news quickly spread through my faculty and eventually the entire campus was buying. My new name became ‘Chip man’ and our slogan was ‘A chip a day will raise your GPA’,” recalled Chesney, who recently graduated with a Degree in Engineering from the University of Guyana. He told this publication as the days went by sales skyrocketed to the extent that he was selling more than 500 packs of chips every week. “Sales went up so high that I ordered 1,000 packs of chips and the supplier crumbled because they couldn’t handle the capacity,” Chesney, who described himself as a Christian, farmer, motivator, friend and mechanical engineer, related. The young man noted that his academic journey was not an easy one as he had to spend two extra years at the Berbice High School because of poor performance.

In 2007, at the age 17, his family left New Amsterdam, Berbice and migrated to The Bahamas, where he spent another two years at R.M Bailey Senior High School before graduating with his high school diploma in 2009.

English. It was too late to for me to sign up for CXC, so I decided to apply at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) hoping to pursue a Certificate in Forestry, which is a oneyear programme, instead of me wasting a year. But during

ing people in the world, both students and lecturers. I was fortunate to be elected as the President of the Student Society and the President of the Bible Club simultaneously. At GSA, a group of friends and I founded a non-profit organisation named R.E.A.C.H (Raising and Extending Arms to Care and Help). Also, while at GSA, I rewrote Math and English and received Grades Three and One respectively. I graduated in 2015 and enrolled at the university and got accepted that same year into the Mechanical Engineering Programme. “UG was tough mainly because I did not have a solid Math foundation, which was necessary for my field of study. I struggled for the first two years.” And, although his parents paid the majority of his tuition fees, at times they struggled and he needed the extra cash to print assignments, for transportation and other miscellaneous expenses. BORN ENTREPRENEUR “I believe I was born an entrepreneur, so I had to de-

Nicolas Ariston Chesney

Four years after, he returned to Guyana and had initially applied to the University of Guyana, hoping to enroll in the new academic year, but was unsuccessful as he did not meet the entry requirements. “I had to rewrite Math and

the interview, I was advised by the academic board that with my qualifications it would be better to do the Diploma in Agriculture, which is a twoyear programme “During my time at GSA, I met some of the most amaz-

vise ways to work around my finances. It wasn’t until 2018 I stumbled upon the most profitable small business of selling chips. My course was a fulltime programme, so I couldn’t make the chips, but I learnt to make the mango sour. I bought tamarind and cucumber when mangoes were out of season. I even injured a nerve on my hand from peeling close to 50 mangoes every night. “My business affected my studies because sometimes I had to choose between studying or peeling mangoes. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to attempt it unless you’re absolutely certain you can do it because it can affect your grades,” he chuckled. According to Chesney, people, would remember him for his unique ways of doing business because he transports his chips in a suitcase on his motorcycle. “I remember one time the security thought I was the person who made the bomb threat and I was pulled in for questioning. When they opened the suitcase, all they saw were the bottles used for the mango sour, the security laughed and said ‘bai guh lang yuh way,’”

he related. Chesney noted that it was at this point that an inner awakening occurred which led to the desire of embarking on a journey, with the ultimate goal to become the President of Guyana. Proud but humbled by his accomplishments, Chesney is also the owner of a registered small business named Eco-Tropical Farms and the current President of the R.E.A.C.H Foundation. He is encouraging youths and even adults to never give up on their dreams. “Remember this, a bumblebee is not supposed to fly according to the laws of aerodynamics but the bumblebee doesn’t know that so it flies anyway. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, you have the ability to accomplish anything you put your mind to do and with God at the centre of it all you will make it,” he said. Chesney credits his success to his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, his parents, classmates, friends, sponsors, customers and all the wonderful people at his church, the Full Life New Testament Church of God.

Over 100 acres of Wakenaam rice lands flooded ―due to faulty sluice, excessive rainfall

EXCESSIVE rainfall and a faulty sluice have left farmers of Sarah Village, Wakenaam, in a quandary, as more than 100 acres of rice land have been affected by flooding in the area. Rice farmers related to the Guyana Chronicle that their lands have been inundated for over two weeks now, and, despite several reports to the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at Sans Souci, nothing has been done. One rice farmer, who preferred to remain unnamed, said that this issue is not new, as it has been a regular occurrence which is yet to be addressed tangibly. “The last crop, our rice lands in the Sarah area were flooded cause a board in the Koker came out… this year is the same thing… this need to stop; there need to be a permanent solution or at least constant monitoring,” the rice farmer said. Given the prevailing situation, rice farmers are turning their attention to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), as a last resort to ensure that all drainage and irrigation structures on the island are monitored properly before the commencement of harvesting.

“We cannot afford for these structures to break during the crop, because when the crop floods it means that we are heading for losses” the farmer related.

informed of the issue and efforts are being made to remedy the situation. Rice farmers at Wakenaam are currently offered $3,500 for a bag of “Grade A” paddy. They are utilis-

Inundated rice lands at Sarah, Wakenaam

In speaking about his personal assessment of the damages caused by flooding, the farmer said over 15 acres of his rice lands are inundated. He said that such will always be the case unless the sluice is repaired in a timely manner, especially since his lands are close to the mechanical water regulator. When contacted, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture said that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NDIA was

ing the ferry to transport their harvest to millers in other parts of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The Minister of Agriculture had announced, recently, that farmers on the island will see a reduced cost for ferry services. This was made possible by the ministry after a concession was granted to millers and farmers who transport paddy using the ferry service.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

2 more COVID-19 deaths, 14 new cases

GUYANA, on Sunday, recorded two more COVID-19 deaths, taking the country’s death toll since March 2020 to 229. The Ministry of Health revealed that the latest fatalities were two wom-

en: a 67-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 63-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). They died while receiving care at a medical facil-

ity; these persons take the death toll for the month of March thus far to 30, making it one of the deadliest months for COVID-19 here. Meanwhile, according to the ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard for March 29, a

total of 14 new cases were recorded from 427 tests, taking the overall known cases to 10,182. Additionally, 43 new recoveries were recorded, taking the total number of recoveries to 8,922.

Of the 14 new cases, nine were men and five were women. Also, the cases were draw from Region Four (seven cases), Region Seven (five cases) and Region Ten (two cases). Meanwhile, there

are 1,075 active cases in Guyana; 14 of these cases are in institutional quarantine, 11 are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 54 are in institutional isolation and 996 are in home isolation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Khan wins 3rd edition of Survival Phagwah Golf Tournament OVER the weekend, the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) contested their annual Survival Phagwah Golf Tournament which was hosted at the Lusignan Golf Course. An impressive participant turnout of 30 golfers saw Kasim Khan walk away with top honours while Shanella London finished in the runner up position. Khan accumulated a gross of 74 (HC 7, net 67) while London’s gross of 80 (HC 10, net 70) was good enough to beat Hilbert Shields. Shields’ podium position was accomplished with a gross of 84 (HC 13, net 71) while Vijay Deo finished fourth with a gross of 82, playing at a handicap-11 (net 71). During the presentation ceremony, LGC Secretary, Chet Bowling, said, “It was good, it was well-attended. We had an approximate total of 30 persons and what I would term as the high point of the tournament was the fact that we had one or two other females competing in the competition.” He also mentioned the intense level of competitiveness at the 19th hole since the competitors approached the final hole with their scores at loggerheads. “There wasn’t much of a difference in the gross scores, it was fierce, but, of course, it was all done in camaraderie. The guys enjoyed the game, and so much so that they went back to play it again after the competition.” The club also had a non-sponsored club tournament on Monday to bolster competition and participate in the efforts of seeing the sport grow. It is also important to note that all the LGC LGC tournaments were contested under the COVID-19 guidelines. The secretary further noted that the club has some interesting partnerships brewing for the staging of the Guyana Open, which is billed for October. may be slated for the end of October this year.

Defiant Brathwaite eyeing century as Windies battle back on opening day

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was on the verge of a ninth Test hundred but his first in nearly three years, as he propped up an otherwise erratic West Indies batting effort on the opening day of the decisive second Test against Sri Lanka here Monday. The 28-year-old ended unbeaten on 99, a resolute innings which saw him become the 16th West Indies batsman to pass 4 000 runs, and which underpinned the home side’s 287 for seven after they were sent in at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. Left-hander Kyle Mayers struck 49 while Rahkeem Cornwall struck a bold unbeaten 43 and Jason Holder, 30, but West Indies never really settled and lost wickets steadily throughout the day. In fact, they looked in danger of being dismissed cheaply in the final session when they slumped to 222 for seven just over an hour after tea but Brathwaite and Cornwall combined in an excellent 65-run, eighth wicket stand to deny the Sri Lankans any further success. Brathwaite, dropped on 37 at third slip by Oshada Fernando off left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando, about 40 minutes after lunch, has so far faced 239 balls in a shade over 6-½ hours at the crease and struck 11 fours. Cornwall, meanwhile, has crunched half-dozen fours and a six in a breezy 53-ball knock to be in sight of his second career Test half-century. “For me, I just wanted to play the ball as late as possible,” Brathwaite said following the day’s play.

“Sri Lanka obviously are a disciplined bowling unit so for me, it was just cashing in on the bad balls. “The ball wasn’t spinning much so it was the discipline of letting the ball come to me, and that worked for me.” Irrepressible fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, who finished the day with three for 53, gave Sri Lanka the early initiative when he removed left-handed opener John Campbell (5) and Nkrumah Bonner (0) in successive overs, to reduce West Indies to 15 for two inside the first 45 minutes. Campbell nicked a defensive prod and was caught at the wicket in the morning’s seventh over while Bonner, coming off a hundred in the last Test, played back and inside-edged the sixth ball he faced onto his stumps. Brathwaite then inspired the first of three half-century stands, adding 71 with Mayers for the third wicket to see West Indies to lunch on 86 for two. Mayers, who made 45 and 52 in the last Test, made an uncertain start against the Sri Lankan seamers and was dropped on 12 by Pathum Nissanka at third slip off Lakmal on the stroke of the first hour. He survived and launched a counter-attack with eight fours off 61 deliveries to be unbeaten on 49 at lunch, but lasted only a further three balls following the resumption before driving at a full length delivery from Vishwa and giving wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella the second of his four catches. Jermaine Blackwood arrived to lash two fours and a six in 18 off 29 balls and had added 34 for the fourth wicket when he edged Lakmal behind on the stroke of the drinks break,

leaving the home side on 120 for four. In need of a partnership, the Windies found one in Brathwaite and Holder who put on 51 for the fifth wicket to slow Sri Lanka’s advance through the middle order. Holder exuded class in a knock lasting 34 balls in nearly an hour, the majority of his five fours coming in beautifully timed strokes down the ground. However, he was a victim of his increasing confidence with tea approaching, driving at the first ball of off-spinner Dhananjaya De Silva’s opening spell and edging a simple catch to Lahiru Thirimanne at first slip. There was drama in the third over before the interval when new batsman Joshua Da Silva missed a sweep at the second ball he faced and was adjudged lbw to Dhananjaya in what appeared to be a plumb lbw decision. Once the decision was reviewed, however, DRS showed the ball turning hugely to miss leg, much to the astonishment of the Sri Lankan team and Da

Silva himself, who had nearly exited the field. Yet to score at tea with Brathwaite on 61, Da Silva failed to make the most of the let-off and was caught behind for one off pacer Dushmantha Chameera, wafting at a widish delivery, half-hour after the interval. A partnership blossomed between Brathwaite and budding all-rounder Alzarri Joseph (29), the pair posting 37 for the seventh wicket to keep Sri Lanka wicket-less for almost the remainder of the first hour. Joseph drove with authority to notch three fours and a six off 41 balls before he was hit in front by a straight one from left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya to signal the drinks break. But any hopes Sri Lanka entertained of a swift end to the innings were then dashed, however, as Brathwaite and Cornwall defied the second new ball to help West Indies end strongly.

SCORECARD WEST INDIES 1st Innings *K Brathwaite not out 99 J Campbell c wkp Dickwella b Lakmal 5 N Bonner b Lakmal 0 K Mayers c wkp Dickwella b V Fernando 49 J Blackwood c wkp Dickwella b Lakmal 18 J Holder c Thirimanne b de Silva 30 +J Da Silva c wkp Dickwella b Chameera 1 A Joseph lbw b Embuldeniya 29 R Cornwall not out 43 EXTRAS: (lb6, nb7) 13 TOTAL: (7 wkts, 86 overs) 287 To bat: K Roach, S Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Campbell), 2-15 (Bonner), 3-86 (Mayers), 4-120 (Blackwood), 5-171 (Holder), 6-185 (Da Silva), 7-222 (Joseph) Bowling: Lakmal 20-8-71-3 (nb1), V Fernando 22-4-59-1, Embuldeniya 21-4-79-1 (nb5), Chameera 16-3-56-1, Dhananjaya 7-3-16-1 (nb1).

T&T held by Puerto Rico, Montserrat snatch late point BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – A brilliant second half strike forced Trinidad and Tobago to share the points in a 1-1 draw with minnows Puerto Rico while lowly lowly ranked Montserrat stunned Central American giants El Salvador with a late goal to earn a point in another 1-1 stalemate, in the opening round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA World Cup on Sunday. Playing in Group F at the Mayagüez Athletics Stadium, T&T were lucky to escape to the half-time break without conceding after Puerto Rico missed a plethora of chances to get on the scoresheet. However, things changed quickly in the second half as Joevin Jones put the visitors ahead in the 54th minute from close range.

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Canada-born Ryan Telfer swung a left-sided cross into the box where Levi Garcia won a headed challenge for Jones to slot in from six yards. Lyle Taylor scored late to earn Montserrat a draw against El Salvador. Garcia came close to doubling his side’s advantage soon after when his curling corner hit the far post but Puerto Rico, ranked 76 spots below T&T in the FIFA rankings at 179th, then hit back in the 72nd minute through substitute Ricardo Rivera. On the field for only 10 minutes, the 23-year-old wrapped his head around Raul Gonzales’s pinpoint cross into the box to beat goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup from close range. The result left T&T sec-

ond in the group on four points behind St Kitts and Nevis who have won their opening two matches. There was also an upset of sorts in Group A where captain Lyle Taylor struck in the 89th minute to steal a share of the honours for the 183rd ranked Montserrat, ranked 113 spots lower than El Salvador in the world rankings. David Rugamas put El Salvador ahead at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curacao when he got onto a clinical through ball and scored with a deft finish to the keeper’s left. But unable to add to the scoreline, El Salvador were punished with the game’s end in sight when Taylor, who plays for Nottingham Forest in England’s Championship division, produced a superb glancing header from

Jamie Allen’s cross. The result was the second straight draw for Montserrat and it left them third in the group while El Salvador are second on four points, behind Antigua and Barbuda also on four points but ahead courtesy of a super goal difference. In Group D, substitute Audel Laville’s brilliant long range equaliser against the run of play left Dominica dreaming at 1-1 in the 82nd minute but Jose Fajardo Torres, a first half substitute, scored three minutes later to hand Panama a 2-1 win at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo. In the other game played, Curacao beat Cuba 2-1 at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala City, with all three goals coming in the first half of the Group C contest.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Non-neutral umpires, other Covid-19 Boxing champ Oscar de regulations to remain in place until July la Hoya to end retirement

NON-neutral umpires will continue to officiate in international cricket, with the ICC deciding to extend the Covid-19 regulations it put in place last year till July 2021. That is one of the key recommendations of the ICC Cricket Committee, which has been approved by the global body’s chief executives’ committee (CEC) and is set to be ratified by the ICC Board when it convenes virtually later this week on March 31 and April 1. The ICC Cricket Committee, which is chaired by the former India captain Anil Kumble, had met earlier in March and approved a hybrid model of match officials where feasible; that would allow for one neutral umpire and three home umpires in a bilateral series. But this model would be restricted to countries where the neutral officials can travel without having to quarantine. The CEC, which met virtually last week, approved the recommendation and has sent it to the ICC Board to get a final approval. As it stands, the World Test Championship final - scheduled from June 18-22 in Southampton between India and New Zealand - would

be officiated by a team of neutral match officials, all English. Chris Broad is likely to be the match referee, with Richard Kettleborough, Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth - the three English umpires on the 12-man elite panel - to form the umpires’ line-up for the match.

cricket since the ICC introduced the concept of neutral umpires in 2002. Since then, the only exception was Illingworth standing in the two-Test series recently between Bangladesh and West Indies, which was only because Bangladesh does not have any umpires on the elite panel.

Non-neutral umpires will continue standing in international cricket, as has been the norm since June `2020 (Getty Images)

Last June, the ICC took on board the recommendation of the committee on having home umpires officiate in bilateral series mainly due to the logistical challenges of travelling during the pandemic. It was the first time non-neutral umpires have officiated in bilateral Test

To remove any perception of bias, the Cricket Committee had agreed to allow teams an extra review across all three formats as an interim measure during the pandemic. That move, the committee discussed this month, had worked satisfactorily, and

allowed the ICC to widen its pool of home umpires who were getting exposure standing in international cricket. This February, the MCC World Cricket Committee, too, suggested that “a balance could be struck” by pairing one home and one neutral umpire as the on-field officials to provide exposure to neutral umpires as well to standing outside their home country. Saliva ban and other Covid-19 regulations to continue The extension of the interim Covid-19 regulations means the ban on use of saliva to shine the ball as well as the allowance of like-for-like substitutes in Test cricket, in case a player tested positive for Covid-19, would also remain in place. Those recommendations were made by the ICC’s medical committee, which once again recommended that those regulations should stay. The ICC said that only sweat would be used by teams to shine the ball. In case saliva was inadvertently applied, the onfield match officials would, after a period of “leniency” and having given at least two warnings, penalise the bowling team with five runs. (Cricinfo)

(REUTERS)- Forty-eight year-old former boxing champ Oscar de la Hoya is ready to climb back into the ring. De La Hoya announced Friday last that he’s coming out of retirement July 3rd against a yet-to-benamed opponent. He hasn’t been in a professional fight since losing to Manny Pacquiao 13 years ago

Oscar De La Hoya announced his retirement from boxing in April 2009. He had a 39-6 record before stepping away from the ring (File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo)

There’s some speculation he has his sights set on a bout with Floyd Mayweather, according to Yahoo Sports. No surprise to many in the industry given the huge payday both sides went home with after their 2007 fight. De La Hoya’s expected exit from retirement comes on the heels of the return of other boxing champs. Last year former-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson battled Roy Jones Jr. in an exciting charity exhibition bout that ended in a draw. Meanwhile, negotiations for a Tyson-Evander Holyfield rematch have reportedly stalled. This isn’t De La Hoya’s first attempt to revive a winning career with a 39-6 record, 30 knockouts, a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics for the United States and world title belts in six different weight classes. He also talked about making a comeback last year - but a fight was never scheduled.

Steve Smith ‘would be keen’ to return US men’s soccer team ‘devastated’ at to captaincy if selectors wanted him failing to qualify for Olympics: coach STEVE Smith says he “would be keen” to return as Australia captain if the national selectors wanted him. Batsman Smith was removed as captain and banned from leadership roles for at least two years for his part in the ball-tampering scandal in 2018. The 31-year-old served a year-long playing ban and resumed internationals in June 2019, under Tim Paine in Tests and Aaron Finch in T20 and ODIs. “I’ve learnt so much about myself and grown as a human being,” Smith said. There was criticism of current Test captain Paine following Australia’s home series defeat by India. Smith was named Australia’s player of the series when he returned for the 2019 Ashes, scoring 774 runs at an average of 110.57. “I’ve certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did

come up again, I would be keen,” Smith told News Corp.

Steve Smith scored the most runs by any Australian across all three formats in the 12 months to January 2021

“If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it’s certainly something I would be interested in.” Smith admitted he would “always have to live” with the Cape Town Test, where batsman Cameron Bancroft tried to use sandpaper on the ball to give Australia an advantage. He gave an emotion-

al news conference after being stripped of the captaincy and later said he had struggled to come to terms with the impact on his career. Smith has since captained the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. “I haven’t always felt like I wanted to captain again. That’s only come in the last little bit,” said Smith. “I feel as though I’d be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn’t, that’s fine as well.” (BBC Sport)

(REUTERS) - The United States are “absolutely devastated” at missing out on qualification for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Honduras, said coach Jason Kreis. Defeat in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament means the United States will miss a third successive Games, with their last appearance coming in Beijing. Juan Carlos Obregon and Luis Palma scored for Honduras with U.S. captain Jackson Yueill replying for

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his side. “Absolutely devastated,” Kreis said after the match. “In our locker room, the guys are, it’s like a tragedy.

cause I do believe we had enough quality in our team, we had enough ability in our team. “But just at the end of it ... tonight I didn’t think

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers - United States v Costa Rica - Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico - March 18, 2021 Coach Jason Kreis of the U.S. reacts (REUTERS/Henry Romero)

“I think we all wanted this so bad ... and I think it could be that when you want it too bad, you put yourself in a position where you can’t perform to the level needed. “ We w e r e n ’ t g o o d enough to get it done, be-

it was quite enough.” Honduras will play Mexico in today’s final, with both teams advancing to the July 23-Aug. 8 Tokyo Olympics from the North and Central America and the Caribbean zone.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Golden Jaguars hunting three points today By Rawle Toney THE Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s senior Men’s National football team, will go hunting three points today against The Bahamas in the Dominican Republic, to keep their 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup hopes alive.

day aren’t known for their football prowess as they are more notable in the Caribbean and further afield for producing some of the best Track and Field athletes, as well as basketball players, in the world. The Bahamas’ international record and their position in

win over Puerto Rico, and 4 – 0 victory against The Bahamas. Trinidad and Tobago is second on four points from their two outings so far, with their latest fixture against Puerto Rico ending with a draw (1 – 1). With Puerto Rico picking

… Coach Maximo cautious of The Bahamas

takes, adding that mistakes will be made, even when teams come out victorious, “Mistakes are part of the team’s performance because, as coach, after every game, you will always have mistakes to fix.” In the game against the Soca Warriors, Maximo went with Akel Clarke between the uprights, while his defensive line saw debutant, Miguel Scarlett in the rightback position, Terrence Vancooten and Matthew Briggs as the Centre-Backs, and Kadell Daniel in the LeftBack position. Captain Sam Cox paired with Daniel Wilson as Maximo’s Centre-Midfielders,

while Callum Harriott (left) and Trayon Bobb (right) flanked the wings. Keanu Marsh-Brown held the ‘number 10’ position and Israel-based forward, Emery Welshman, worked up-front. Off the bench, Maximo injected 17-year-old Omari Glasgow, along with Kelsey Benjamin, Jobe Caesar Bayli Spencer-Adams and Pernell Schultz into the game. Asked by Chronicle Sport about possible changes to the starting line-up, Maximo said it’s not his usual procedure to pronounce on the team’s composition

before the game, but said, “I think the biggest problem for the last game wasn’t really players, but some position and movement inside the pitch. But we fixed it inside training and I hope tomorrow (today) it wouldn’t repeat and we will play well for the game.” Only one team will advance to the next stage of the Qualifiers, and the Golden Jaguars will pick up the pieces and hope to progress. The team will return to Guyana tomorrow and continue preparation for their up-coming matches against St Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico in the next FIFA International window.

St Kitts, Antigua, score big wins in World Cup qualifying

The Golden Jaguars in training in the Dominican Republic (Photo compliments: GFF)

Kick-off time at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal is 15:00hrs. After being ‘defanged’ three-nil by Trinidad and Tobago in their opening match of the campaign, Head Coach, Marcio Maximo, while not being pleased with the result, said he was satisfied with the team’s performance. Maximo said that it offered a glimmer of hope of what he’s trying to achieve with the new-look Golden Jaguars squad. Guyana’s opponents to-

the dudgeon of FIFA’s World Ranking (196), would make them the proverbial whipping boys at the CONCACAF level, but Coach Maximo is warning against complacency, telling the media, in a virtual press briefing, that the Bahamas is a quality side going through a rebuilding transition just like Guyana. As it stands, Group F of the CONCACAF Qualifiers is headed by St Kitts and Nevis, who picked up six points following their 1 – 0

up a point, it leaves the US territory in third and Guyana and The Bahamas in the cellar. “We need to fix our mistakes because we made some mistakes in the midfield, but it’s not about players, it’s about position…we need to have patience and organization, and we need this to create our chance,” Maximo said. According to the former Tanzania National Coach, he’s not worried about mis-

JCA deeply concerned that CWI had to adjourn meeting

THE Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is deeply concerned that Cricket West Indies (CWI) had to adjourn its annual general meeting on Sunday due to the lack of a quorum. The Articles of Association of CWI requires a minimum of nine representatives from members’ states to be present. Only eight (8) representatives were in attendance, those from The Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board, Leeward Islands Cricket Associations, Windward Islands Cricket Associations and the Jamaica Cricket Associations. The JCA noted that the representatives from the Barbados Cricket Associa-

tion (BCA) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) were absent without an apology for their absence despite the fact their attendance was previously authorised. According to the JCA, “this comes at a time when we need to work together to continue the rebuilding of our cricket, which requires a mature approach on the part of everyone especially those in leadership roles. “As one of the final bastions of Caribbean unity, it is even more important that we overcome whatever challenges we may have individually and work collectively to preserve our lasting legacy.” The JCA said “this occurrence which is potentially

damaging to the reputation of the people of the Caribbean as well as those in the diaspora highlights the urgent need for change to the governance structure of CWI. “We need for all our members to act in a way that will engender the confidence and respect of our Caribbean people, sponsors, media rights partners, our fans and even more importantly our players who will take the field of play this morning for the second test against Sri Lanka. We at the JCA sincerely hope that this is not the culture we intend to create in West Indies Cricket. (Jamaica Cricket Association)

ST KITTS and Antigua and Barbuda each scored big wins to close out the latest round of matches in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Saturday night. There were also wins for Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. A Keithroy Freeman double sandwiched around a Rowan Liburd penalty paced St. Kitts and Nevis in a 4-0 win over the Bahamas, meaning the Sugar Boyz finish with a perfect March. Omari Sterling-James came into the contest as a second-half substitute and fired a long-range shot that kissed off the post and in for the fourth goal at Thomas Robinson Stadium. Meanwhile, a pair of familiar faces scored the goals for Antigua and Barbuda in a 3-0 victory against the U.S. Virgin Islands. Veteran forward Peter Byers got on the board in the 26th minute with his long-time Benna Boys teammate Quinton Griffith netting a penalty in the 34th minute and then again from the run of play in the 42nd. Guatemala also closed out March with a perfect start to qualification. After last Wednesday’s win over Cuba, Los Chapines earned a 3-0 win over the British Virgin Islands. In the 22nd minute, Darwin Lom muscled off his defender and poked his finish home before the goalkeeper could block it. Moises Hernandez added a second, running onto Nico Rittmeyer’s cross into the box and finishing confidently. The lead was three in the 81st minute

with Robin Betancourth getting on the end of a ball over the top and scoring just five minutes after entering the contest. It was also a perfect start for the Dominican Republic, which topped Anguilla 6-0 on Saturday after last week’s win over Dominica. Fresh off participating in the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, Dorny Romero scored a double, converting a penalty in the 22nd minute and using his left foot to knock in a half-volley in the 27th minute. Nowend Lorenzo also had a pair of goals, with a goal in each half. Romero turned provider and set up Domingo Peralta for a 65th-minute goal, and substi-

United Kingdom-based Omari Sterling-James scored for St Kitts and Nevis

tute Luis Espinal put in the final goal in the 74th minute. There was also a big win for Nicaragua as Ariagner Smith and Juan Barrera each scored twice for their side to begin its Concacaf World Cup Qualifying campaign with a 7-0 victory over the Turks and

Caicos Islands at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. Barrera opened the scoring in the third minute, finishing off a low cross that came in from the right side to give La Azul y Blanco an early lead. Smith’s first came five minutes later, as he finished off a team move to double the advantage. Despite heavy rain that began to fall as the game progressed, the second half started in the same fashion as the first, with Marvin Fletes scoring from a corner kick just a minute after the restart. One minute after that, Smith added to his debut Nicaragua goal with a second score just a minute later. Barrera got his service from the left side in the 59th minute and completed his brace before making way, as Nicaragua manager Juan Vita made a number of modifications. Two of those changes found the back of the net, with Dshon Forbes scoring on a breakaway in the 78th minute and Matias Moldskred putting the cherry on top in the 87th. Finally, Nigel Hasselbaink notched a hat-trick in Suriname’s 6-0 victory against Aruba, scoring twice in the first half and once in the second. Ryan Donk was the last to touch a set-piece before it went in, adding another to his Suriname account after scoring a 3-0 victory against the Cayman Islands to open qualification. Florian Jozefzoon, on his debut for Dean Gorre’s men, and Roland Alberg also found the back of the net in the win. (Sportsmax)

Bissoondyal Singh is new GCB president ―Foster named VP, Sarwan, Percival to head selection panels

DEMERARA Cricket Board boss (DCB) Bissoondyal Singh, will now have added responsibility after being elected unopposed as the new Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) president, following Monday’s elections. Singh, who was not too long ago elected DCB president, now, along with his new, yet vastly experienced executives committee, will have a chance to reshape the atmosphere of cricket following the previous attempt to hold the elections a few weeks back. This move also brings an end somewhat to the years of legal battles which was fought by both the previous and current members of the GCB, paving the way for a much smoother path to ensuring Guyana’s

cricket is kept at the current high level. Cricket Ombudsman Kamal Ramkarran, who was named after Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson Jr. had led the charge some months back, beginning with the reactivation of the Cricket Administration Act, further ensured a smooth process yesterday at Park Rayne. Apart from Singh, who has been a familiar figure in cricket over the years, former Guyana and West Indies captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, was appointed Chairman of Senior Selectors. Another former national cricketer, all-rounder Andre Percival, will now serve as Junior Chairman of Selectors. Berbice Cricket

Board (BCB) president, Hilbert Foster, was further appointed GCB Vice-President, adding to his responsibilities of leading both the BCB and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports (RHTYSC). Long-serving Competitions Committee head of the DCB, Shaun Massiah, will continue his role on the bigger stage after being given the role of new GCB Competitions Committee Chairman. Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief selector, Roger Harper and former BCB president, Anil Beharry, have voting rights as Technocrat members. It was the first time the GCB had held elections in ten years.

Full executive of the Guyana cricket Board reads:: President– Bissoondyal Singh; Vice-President– Hilbert Foster; Vice-President– Rabindranauth Saywack; Secretary– Ronald Williams; Assistant Secretary– Davteerth Anandjit; Treasurer– Pretipaul Jaigobin; Assistant Treasurer– Dr. Cecil Beharry; Public Relations Officer– Claude Raphael; Marketing Manager– Mohamed Baksh; Chairman of Competitions Committee– Shaun Massiah; Chairman of Senior Selectors– Ramnaresh Sarwan; Chairman of Junior Selectors– Andre Percival. Technocrat members with voting rights at executive meetings– Roger Harper and Anil Beharry.

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Kraigg Brathwaite cuts en route to his unbeaten 99 on day one of the second Test on Monday

Golden Jaguars hunting three points today Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021