Issuu

TUESDAY 27th April, 2021

No. 106343

Over 121,000 persons vaccinated against COVID-19

Second elections petition

SEE PAGE

tossed out

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, C.C.H, S.C

―no breach of, or non-compliance by GECOM with Constitution or law governing elections, Chief Justice rules

Online scholarships 4&8 rolled out in Berbice, Linden SEE PAGE

Delisha Budhu (left) interacts with First Lady Arya Ali. Budhu of Black Bush Polder several weeks ago had written an open letter to the First Lady on the need for opportunities for youths in her community. Government rolled out its 20,000 online scholarship initiative in Black Bush Polder on Monday (Ministry of Education photograph)

APNU+AFC continues to mislead its supporters SEE PAGE 2

SEE PAGE

―says Attorney-General; PPP/C condemns Harmon’s attack on Chief Justice, judiciary

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

APNU+AFC continues to APNU+ mislead its supporters

― says Attorney-General; PPP/C condemns Harmon’s attack on Chief Justice, judiciary By Richard Bhainie WITH utter disregard for the COVID-19 guidelines, supporters of the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) on Monday took to the streets of Georgetown to express their dissatisfaction with the ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, C.C.H, S.C., in the Elections Petition, 88 of 2020. In addition, the supporters also took to Facebook and other social media platforms to express this dissatisfaction, sporting hashtags such as “#CheatedNotDefeat-

ed” and even launching personal attacks on the Chief Justice. Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., in responding to the unwarranted attack said in the clear light of very little likely success of the election petitions, the leaders of the Coalition are “cruelly misleading their supporters.” “Any competent lawyer and any reasonable-minded human being, having observed the electoral process, would know that these petitions had very little likelihood of success, any person who has a rational mind would have concluded

that,” Nandlall said. He highlighted that from the inception of the filing of the petitions, supporters of the APNU+AFC were gathered in large numbers in the vicinity of the High Court, where leaders of the party informed them that the petitions would inevitably evict the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government from office. The scene around the High Court was similar on Monday when scores of supporters and leaders of the party gathered in anticipation of the ruling, after which they expressed their disappointment of same.

“When they were filed [the election petitions] they had a big commotion in front the High Court and announced to the whole world including their supporters that these are the petitioners that will bring the PPP down,” the Attorney-General recalled.

Justice. CONVENIENT CRITIC “The Chief Justice was good then! Today, the Chief Justice has dismissed their petition, the Chief Justice is now a political appointee. So, they are going to continue to tarnish the image

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

“Knowing full well that neither of them had any reasonable prospect of success, yet they are continuing to put into people’s minds false confidence, miscon ceived expectations and promising people things that they cannot deliver,” he added. Nandlall noted that it is seemingly apparent that supporters of the APNU+AFC conveniently criticised the Chief Justice, in making his claim he cited and made a comparison to the case filed by Christopher Jones challenging the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries, which was ruled in favour of APNU just last week by the Chief

and reputation of our judges and the institution called the judiciary, simply because they cannot win a case which has no merit,” he said. The Attorney-General was particularly pleased with the ruling and he opined that the implications of the decision are very important for the democratic architecture of Guyana and that the decision confirmed that the rule of law is operable in Guyana. He highlighted that in his humble view, the rulings stemming from the series of elections-related litigation will go a far way in helping to improve and reform the system, as it has shed light on areas that some

may feel were ambiguous. “This decision ought not to surprise any fair-minded person, this decision confirmed what all of us witnessed and was part of, all of us are aware of the difficulties that were attendant to the tabulation of the results for region number four by the use of Mingo, the Returning Officer, of a spreadsheet as the basis of tabulation as opposed to the Statements of Poll (SoPs),” Nandlall said. He added: “Up to now the APNU+AFC has refused and is refusing to disclose to the public and to the world their SoPs which they claim they have won the elections upon, that by itself should put to rest issues regarding the creditability and authenticity of their claims.” Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon in a statement to his supporters, expressed disagreement with the Chief Justice’s ruling. After the ruling, a group of APNU+AFC supporters moved their protest from in front of the High Court to the commercial district of Regent Street, forcing many business owners to close their shops. The PPP/C in a press release after the ruling “vehemently’ condemned Harmon’s attack on the Chief Justice and the Judiciary, and called upon all Guyanese to dismiss the opposition’s “aggressive posturing as yet another rank attempt to remain relevant and to mislead its supporters.” It also noted that the ruling has vindicated the position of the PPP.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Second elections petition

tossed out

―no breach of, or non-compliance by GECOM with Constitution or law governing elections, Chief Justice rules By Richard Bhainie

IN accordance with the ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, C.C.H, S.C. that there was no breach of the Constitution by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to make the elections “a sham or a travesty as claimed by the petitioners”, the last standing Election Petition, 88 of 2020, was tossed out. In a thorough, comprehensive and well-reasoned judgement, the Chief Justice (ag) sitting in the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature on Monday dismissed the Elections Petition which sought to vitiate the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, not based on evidence, but hinged on a legal argument pertaining to the constitutionality of the election laws. In this matter, petitioners Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick contended that the elections were unlawfully conducted, and/or that the result of the elections, if found to be lawfully conducted, were affected by unlawful acts or omissions on the part of GECOM. They relied upon the grounds that Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act 2000 is unconstitutional, and by extension Order 60 of 2020, which authorised the elections recount process, is invalid, null, void, and of no effect. Further, they contended that the Returning Officers’ Electoral District Declarations could not have been set aside, and GECOM’s actions were unlawful and encroached upon the High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 163 of the Constitution, which gives the court exclusive jurisdiction to determine questions as to the validity of the elections. They noted that the pow-

ers and functions of GECOM is vested by the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act (RPA), and the Election Laws (Amendment) Act (ELAA), and argued that GECOM acted in excess of its jurisdiction (ultra vires), and breached the Constitution when it issued and acted upon Order 60 pursuant to Section 22 of the ELAA. They also submitted that Parliament, by enacting Section 22 of the ELAA, violated the legal doctrine of the separation of powers, and abdicated its legislative function to GECOM by virtue of a mere Order to amend the provisions of the RPA, and thereby disregard the declarations of poll submitted by the returning officers.

STRUCK DOWN In citing a plethora of legal authorities, the Chief Justice struck down these arguments, ruling that Parliament did not abdicate its law-making responsibility to GECOM when it enacted Section 22 of the ELAA; that Order 60 is not ultra vires of the Constitution or Section 22, and that neither Section 22 or Order 60 usurped the High Court’s jurisdiction. In accordance with Articles 62 and 162, GECOM’s functions are to conduct elections pursuant to the Constitution, and any Act of Parliament. Article 162 (1) (b) stipulates that GECOM can issue instructions, and take such actions as necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the Constitution, and any Act of Parliament, namely, the RPA and ELAA. The Chief Justice explained that Article 162 (1) (b) gives GECOM wide scope to discharge its functions, as detailed in the said article, so that it could ensure and deliver a lawful, fair and credible

elections, as required in a democratic society. In those regards, she explained, Article 162 (1) (b) gives GECOM responsibility to resolve any difficulties that arise during the elections process; and that therefore, Section 22 of the ELAA was enacted accordingly with Article 162. “When one reads the ELAA, it addresses a number of issues that had arisen regarding elections,” Justice George said. “By enacting Section 22,” she reasoned, “Parliament clearly envisaged a responsible Commission, which, with the benefit of operational institutions, would best be able to address the needful during the elections process. This, to my mind, must obviously include addressing difficulties and challenges that may arise.” In acknowledging that there were indeed difficulties in the elections process, which was recorded in a series of legal actions during the elections process, the Chief Justice concluded that Section 22 is an implementing provision to operationalise Article 162, so that GECOM could exercise its function in the management of the election process. Therefore, it is constitutional. She also disagreed with the petitioners that Section 22 offends Articles 65 and 170 of the Constitution, which provide for the legislative power of Parliament and the mode of enacting legislation, respectively. “Article 65 (1) provides for Parliament to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Guyana; the ELAA, which includes Section 22, is an enactment that so provides,” she reasoned. “Article 170 states that subject to Article 164… the power of Parliament to make laws shall be exercised by Bills passed by the National

Assembly, and assented to by the President. The ELAA was passed by the National Assembly and assented to, therefore, prima facie, there is no contravention of this article,” she added. Further, the Chief Justice highlighted that there is nothing in Articles 65 and 170 which restricts or prevents Parliament from enacting laws to delegate its legislative function; therefore, Parliament did not abdicate its law-making responsibility to GECOM when it enacted Section 22.

“provides the parameters for its efficacy, and the power granted therein is not arbitrary; it includes sufficient mechanism to establish that Parliament did not surrender or abdicate it powers. Thus, I hold that there was a lawful delegation of power, as provided for by Section 22, so that GECOM could independently and properly control the elections process to completion.” In addressing the Constitutionality of Order 60, she explained that similarly as Section 22 of the ELAA, it al-

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, C.C.H, S.C

“I uphold that the power, as set out in Section 22, is clearly and sufficiently circumscribed, so as not to run afoul of the doctrine of separation of powers,” Justice George held. “My analysis of the authorities cited has led me to the ineluctable conclusion that Section 22 is not ultra vires of the Constitution, and I so hold there has been no violation of the doctrine of separation of powers,” she added. She reasoned that Section 22 of the ELAA is meant as an aid to the elections process, so as to permit a determination of a result, and it does not, in any manner or form, permit a usurpation of the High Court’s jurisdiction, or Article 163. “Section 22,” she said,

lows for the implementation of Article 162. Order 60, in turn, operationalises Section 22 by providing the mechanism for GECOM to address the difficulties that has obviously arisen as regards the declaration of the results. OBLIGATION “GECOM, as part of its core functions pursuant to Article 62 and 162,” the Chief Justice explained, “had an obligation to complete the election process, and, therefore, had concomitant obligation duty and responsibility to address such difficulties to achieve this. Order 60 was an aid in the process, permitting a determination of the results it is itself limited by its pro-

visions. “Order 60 was meant to facilitate GECOM’s mandate to declare the final results of the elections. The order, therefore, merely modified the RPA, and provided an alternative mechanism for arriving at the results of the elections, given the difficulties which arose. And GECOM considered it necessary to overcome in completing the election process, which it was mandated to do. “Order 60 does not confer any additional powers on GECOM, but simply alters the procedure to arrive at the results of the election. While the procedure was different, the aim and objective remained the same: To count the ballots and determine the votes cast,” the Chief Justice held, adding: “I consider and hold that Order 60, and for that matter its enabling provision, Section 22, did not, and have not usurped the jurisdiction of the High Court, under Article 163, to determine whether an election was lawfully conducted.” In making her ruling, the Chief Justice noted that in order to exercise general direction and supervision, and have administrative conduct of the elections, GECOM had to ensure the lawful and proper implementation of the RPA, and Section 22 of the ElAA. “This was done lawfully by GECOM, via Order 60 enabling it to issue instructions and take action as appeared necessary and expedient to resolve the controversy, as part of its responsibilities to complete the elections process by delivering the results,” she ruled. “There was no breach or violation or non-compliance by GECOM of the Constitution or the law governing elections such as to make the elections a sham or a travesty as claimed by the petitioners,” she added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

GOAL scholarships taken to Linden RESIDENTS of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) are on board with the administration’s Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme, following a launch in Linden on Monday. The initiative is a flagship project of the PPP/C government in keeping with a campaign manifesto promise to deliver 20,000 online scholarships to citizens within the first term in office. Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, met prospective applicants during a meeting at the Mackenzie High School. The minister told them that the government is investing in their education and that the rollout of the initiative in the region is a testament to the value the administration places on the people. He said the scholarships are intended to provide equal opportunities and access. Through the programme, Minister Edghill said, “We are going to prosper Guyana for all Guyanese. We are going to bring development to all of Guyana, and that

is not based on the result of the ballot box … This is a way to go to make life more comfortable and to make life easier for the people of Guyana.” While focusing his address on upliftment through education delivery, the minister also said, “life is about learning”, and that the programme will award scholarships to deserving students 18 years and older across the country. INTERNET CHALLENGES Minister Edghill reminded Lindeners that Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips is working to ensure that the Internet is both accessible and affordable. This point was made even as many residents nodded in agreement that the current Internet providers may lapse in delivering consistent and optimal service. “We are committed towards a layout, granting licences and ensuring that data and bandwidth are available… People must be able to study and have access to internet. So, don’t be afraid to apply. Improvements are

coming to the Information Communication Technology sector,” he said. Minister Edghill noted that the administration has removed the value-added tax from data and has liberalised the communications sector through Commencement Orders to enforce the Telecommunications Act (2016) and the Public Utilities Commission Act (2016).

versity of Guyana (UG), noted that upon successful graduation from the certificate, degree, postgraduate diploma, or master’s courses, students will not be directed to work in the Public Service. Professor Opadeyi said the scholarship would allow citizens to work in either the public or private sector. Moreover, he said graduates would not have their

can expect PhD programmes from January. The Ministry of Education is responsible for administering the academic and technical aspects of GOAL, while the Ministry of Public Service is spearheading the award of the scholarships. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS During the second phase

A section of the residents at the GOAL launch at Mackenzie High School (DPI photo)

He added that these measures were taken because the government appreciates the importance of ICT- the driver of the GOAL programme. THE INS AND OUTS OF GOAL Head of GOAL, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, who previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Uni-

movement restricted by stamps in their passports, and that they will only be required to conduct a community service of their choice. Additionally, Professor Opadeyi said while GOAL offers 85 programmes, of which 4,500 scholarships will be equally distributed across all 10 administrative regions this year, citizens

of Monday’s launch at New Silvercity Secondary School, residents were eager to access GOAL services. For petroleum engineering UG student, Aliyah Dey, who is eyeing the programme for postgraduate studies, GOAL “is a great opportunity for youngsters who don’t

and also those who have education qualifications.” Dey said persons should grab the opportunities through GOAL to develop the nation. Meanwhile, an employee at the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10, Chisara James, said, “this is a good initiative that government is providing for young people because Linden really needs this.” James expressed the view that many persons have completed school but lacked the opportunities to advance their education. She said the online programmes would minimise the fatigue and high costs of travelling to Region Four to further their studies. Regional Executive Officer Dwight John and other officials and staff from both the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Education attended the programme launch in Linden. So far, the administration has secured partnerships with five academic institutions to deliver education through GOAL. These are the University of the West Indies Open Campus (Barbados), the Indira Gandhi National Open University (India), the University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Jain University (India), and the University of the Southern Caribbean. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Preserving the environment through creativity ―‘upcycle’ competition brings out vision for sustainability through innovation

ON the surface, utilising plastic waste to create an item that is unique and usable seems trivial, but the Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), through its “upcycle competition,” are encouraging persons to reveal their vision for a sustainable environment through innovation. In observance of World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on March 15, and Earth Day, which was celebrated on April 25, the CCAC through a collaborative effort with the Seawalls and Beyond volunteer group, held the competition at the Kingston seawall in the vicinity of the bandstand, last Saturday. Conducted under the theme for World Consumer Rights Day, “Tackling Plastic Pollution,” the competition saw eight teams participating and utilising their creative minds to turn plastic waste into any inno-

vative item. A representative of the CCAC, in addressing the participants, advised them

“When you go back to your communities and groups, encourage others to do the same. If they can’t

She further said that this activity should also serve as a reminder that future generations could benefit

generation and if we don’t start by doing something now, we would not be able to leave anything, and, for

only if there is a sustainable environment. “We have to leave something for the future

that, we must consume in a sustainable manner,” the representative reasoned. Representative of Sea-

Winners of the CCAC and Seawalls and Beyond’s ‘upcycle competition’ share a moment at the Kingston Seawall, last Saturday (Elvin Corker photo)

to not just think of the activity as a one-off event, but more as a lesson that could be shared with others.

dispose of it responsibly, turn it into something creative,” the representative said.

walls and Beyond, Dwayne Hackett, said too that his group has been advocating for the recycling of plastics, and he feels that the way persons continue to utilise plastic products is unsustainable. “So, we have to think innovatively how to keep out this plastic and you are leading in doing so” Hackett told the participants. Emerging as the winner of the competition was a group called “Recyclers,” which copped $50,000. Further, Hema Persaud, who participated independently, managed to get second place and win $40,000, while the “Positive Foundation of Agricola” secured the third spot and $30,000. The competition was judged by Commissioners of the CCAC, Jason Allicock and Nalinie Singh, and Sean Thomas of the Burrowes School of Art. (Elvin Croker)

First Lady meets writer of ‘open letter’

― hosts one-on-one engagements with Black Bush Polder residents SCORES of residents of Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six, were afforded the opportunity to have their grievances heard and addressed by First Lady Arya Ali on Monday. Mrs. Ali led a team of government officials on an outreach to the community, which recently garnered much public attention following a letter published in a local newspaper. The piece titled, “An open letter to the First Lady” was written by a young woman named Delisha Budhu, who related a series of challenges that seem to hinder the growth of young people in Black Bush Polder. The letter went viral and Budhu was immediately contacted by government officials who wanted to know how they could help. On Monday, the First Lady took it upon herself to visit the farming community and listen to the plight of the residents first hand. Following an engagement to promote Government’s 20,000 free online scholarship programme, Mrs. Ali sat with Budhu

First Lady Arya Ali and Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag with Delisha Budhu on Monday

and had one-on-one engagement with her and every other resident who wanted to speak with her. A list of the community’s needs was compiled and persons were advised on when and how their matters could be addressed. Members of the community expressed deep appreciation for the First Lady’s intervention and the humble way in which she listened and engaged each resident. As it relates to Ms. Budhu, much of the concerns outlined in her letter will be put to rest with the launch of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). In a heartening reflection, Budhu said that she did not expect the letter to have gotten that much traction. Moreover, she did not expect that the First Lady would personally visit her and listen to the problems that plague her community and hinder development. Budhu said that Mrs. Ali’s intervention has rekindled her hope of a better life.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

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

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

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

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

Hindus celebrate Hanuman Jayanti

Dear Editor, HAVING observed nine nights and days of Vasant Navratri and culminating with Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti followed shortly and Hindus in Guyana joined with the rest of the world to celebrate this grand occasion which typically falls on the day of the full moon during the Chaitra month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, the Chaitra Purnima Tithi commenced at 12:44hrs on April 26 and ends at 09:01hrs on the 27th. The auspiciousness was consolidated with conducting Satnarayan Katha for Purnima and paying homage to Shri Hanuman Ji in celebrating His manifestation. One of the most revered Deities, being the elixir of devotion over doubts, despair and distress, Prabhu Sri Ram commissioned Pawan Putra Hanuman as his most ardent devotee, to portray strength, valour and wisdom and, as his ambassador for His representation. Sri Ram also embraced Hanuman Ji as his fourth brother. As a blessing to Anjana, an Aspara who spent 12 long years praying to Lord Shiva to rid her of a Shraap from Sage Durvasa, He provided her and Kesari with a joy of the world with His incarnation as Mahaveer Hanuman Swami. At the same time Anjana Devi

was engaged in Tapasya, King Dasharatha in Ayodhya was performing the ritual Putrakama yagna in order to be blessed with children. By divine intervention, Suvarchala, the kite-bird, appeared right in time and snatched some of the payasam or pudding given to King Dasarath from Agni Deo, flew away and dropped it in the air, above the vicinity of Anjana’s head. Vayu, the wind God blew the droppings directly in the open palms of Anjana and she participated in the offerings from above. From this consumption, she was gifted with Shri Hanuman ji. King Dasrath was blessed with four sons, Shri Ram, Bharat, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. As a child and growing youth, Shri Hanuman thrilled the world with his admirable feats and prankish mischief, endearing adventures unbelievable to the eyes of his companions. Like Shri Krishna, he had an army of followers who never left his company but proceeded not to abate from his magnet. In the Holy Ramayana, Valmiki emotionally describes the inevitable meeting of Shri Ram and Hanuman Ji in the forest as a revered moment, filled of ecclesiastes and savoured penchant. From that moment, Shri Hanuman Ji remained in the Lord’s company to serve him with humility and harmony, blossoming with ardour and adoration and bonded through appreciation and attachment.

Lal Teeka is applied on the forehead to demarcate a devout devotee of Shri Hanuman Ji and Hindus would do hanuman Jhandi on Tuesdays and Saturdays to pay homage to him. Raising the red flag in the front of the yard, remains a pride for all of his worshippers and a Hindu home is usually identified by this hallmark. Pawan Putra Hanuman served Shri Ram with exceptional distinction, and, Hanuman Ji is considered the door to Shri Ram. By praying to Hanuman Ji, he can be the pathway for receiving the blessings of Sri Ram. There are numerous and fantastic stories with their diverse facets, depicting the valour of Sri Hanuman in coming to the rescue and assistance of the Raghukul. His strength was needed to restore King Sugreeva to his rightful throne, secure the victory of Lanka and eliminate the evil Rawana to place his kind-hearted brother, Vibishana, to rule. Sri Hanuman’s valour was required to release Sita Mata from the imprisonment in Lanka and his intellect became renowned with his dealings with the different demons and their trickery and sorcery. As a yogi, Hanuman Ji could have expanded and contracted his body size to fit the need or purpose of his mission. When Sri Ram’s brother, Lakshmana, was hurt in the battle, Sri Hanuman felt the pain and his sentiments expressed overflowed his

love and compassion for the brothers. His retrieving of the whole mountain to ensure that Lakshmana would be cured with the right medicine from the Sanjeevani herb, depicted his committed concern and unswerving loyalty to risk any danger in order to give his services selflessly. The Hanuman Chalisa remains one of the most beloved chants for all Hindus, being a devotional strota or hymn. The 40 verses authored by Tulsidas Ji in the Awadhi language, serenades the glory of Shri Hanuman Ji and fully describes his affluent features, flawlessly characterising his immaculate qualities. It is sung before the commencement of the reading of the Ramayana and heralds the end of a puja for Shri Raghuveer. Shri Hanuman Ji was asked by Lord Rama to remain on Dharti Ma and his immortality sanctions a devotee’s prayers as the means to capture Bhagwan’s attention faster. May Sri Hanuman Ji’s bestow his love for all and remove all hurdles as we celebrate His anniversary. May the sentiments and emotions of Pawan Putra remain our strength and devotion towards the road of renunciation. Shubh Hanuman Jayanti. Respectfully, Jai Lall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

It makes sense to move away from life-threatening agro-chemicals Dear Editor:

FOR years stakeholders have been calling for a pesticide safety programme that will save lives and help reduce suicide. There are quite a few examples of such programmes that have been successful, but the one usually touted is the Sri Lanka Hazard Reduction Programme, which reduced pesticide suicide in that nation by 50 per cent + in a decade. THE SRI LANKAN MODEL ENCOMPASSES: 1. Introducing a minimum agro-chemicals list restricting the use of pesticides to a smaller number of pesticides least dangerous to humans. 2. Placing import restrictions to ensure that more dangerous chemicals do not enter the country. 3. Restricting the availability of agro-chemicals by ensuring that they are stored safely in locked boxes in rural households, along with all equipment with which these pesticides are used. 4. Ensuring that empty containers are safely and effectively disposed of. 5. Restricting sale of agro-chemicals only to licensed premises and to licensed farmers. 6. Implementing administrative controls to ensure that sales outlets safely store all agro-chemicals. 7. Implementing an ongoing safe-use policy to educate people about safe handling, use, storage and disposal. Concurrently, for small-scale farming, non-chemical methods, including organic farming, should be encouraged. 8. Improving medical man-

agement of pesticide-poisoning: an important facet of control because better management will reduce the number of deaths. Requirements are the better availability of antidotes (both in central referral hospitals and ideally in peripheral health units) and ventilation facilities, better training, and better evidence for interventions. 9. Constantly monitoring all measures to ensure ongoing conformity, including random home visits to check for locked-box storage and field visits to ensure that only licensed premises and licensed farmers have access to chemicals and that safe handling, use, storage and disposal are in effect. In this context, it was noteworthy that the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) recently received 15 pesticide-storage cabinets from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) to be handed over to farmers across the coconut-producing regions for the safe storage of monocrotophos. These 15 add to whatever number has been distributed over the years, and it was commendable that the Registrar of the PTCCB, Treica David, said that the PTCCB will be working with NAREI to ensure that farmers and extension officers have a clear understanding of the requirements by which the chemicals should be used and stored. One must assume that the word ‘safely’ was inadvertently omitted from Ms. David’s statement. At the handing over, Agriculture Minister Mustapha said that ‘stakeholders can rest assured, knowing that government will continue to make the

necessary investments in the sector to ensure that farmers and their families are safe and that emerging industries such as the coconut industry, have the necessary support to reach their full potential. One would hope that by this statement, the minister means that all farmers who deal in all pesticides and agro chemicals will eventually receive such cabinets and trained in usage, storage and disposal safety, as will all future agro extension officers, so that the training can always be turnkeyed to future farmers, since this needs to be an ongoing exercise. As well, one would hope that this safety training would include ensuring that only the most reliable person in each family keeps the keys and/or combination to storage cabinets, that that individual is the only person who purchases the agro-chemicals and that sellers are mandated to ensure that is so, which may mean that those eligible purchasers may have to give some sort of identification with their names and photos. Additionally, it makes sense that such an initiative be comprehensive in that the Ministry of Agriculture and the PTTCB must begin to implement a programme to do away with life- threatening agro chemicals as has been happening elsewhere. This plan must, of necessity, include a widely publicised list of all banned agro chemicals. Additionally, potent agro-poisons such as gramoxone, the choice of poisons in Guyana, must be added to that list. Gramoxone contains the lethal ingredient paraquat, a substance banned in many nations across the globe. There is no known antidote and it has

Take the vaccine now, don’t delay Dear Editor,

THE COVID problem started over a year ago, and by now it should have been getting better, not worse. However, it is alarming that we had the highest number of new cases at 214 and 154 recently, and we have moved quickly from 200 to nearly 300 deaths, with April having the highest number of deaths. People of Guyana, now is not the time to dilly dally and be slack. We are in a state of emergency with this virus. The major way to deal with this virus is for everyone to get the vaccines right away. I cannot understand why any-

one would choose to wait, when the government is making it easy for our people to get the vaccine. Minister Anthony is doing all he can to get enough vaccines for the country. They have expanded the number of places where you can go to get the vaccine. Former Minister Ramsammy has done a good job organising mass vaccinations in Berbice. A vaccine site at Mr. Ramayya’s place in Whim is a good idea to expand access. Everywhere across the country, in Linden, in the hinterland, and elsewhere, the government is making it easy to get the vaccine. We need to see a com-

bined national effort to make a big push to get everyone vaccinated. I call on all churches, mosques, temples, cricket and other sports clubs, Parent/Teacher organisations, other non-governmental organisations and all organised groups to get their members to go out and get the vaccines. Maybe a telethon-type event on TV and radio can be arranged. Those with radio and TV programmes can dedicate a session calling on people to get the vaccine. We need everyone to have a common, united message on why it

TURN TO PAGE

one of the highest death rates for poisons, once ingested. While there has been no study on its usage in Guyana, a 1997 study by Dr. Daisley and Dr. Simmons on forensic analysis of acute poisonings in south Trinidad showed that of 105 deaths analysed, almost 95 per cent were cases of suicide, and almost 80 per cent of deaths were due to paraquat. An analysis of international literature, especially a study in South Korea, shows that the introduction of national policies regulating and banning paraquat led to a significant decrease in pesticide-associated mortality.

As well, both the Agriculture Ministry and the PTTCB must focus on enforcement to ensure that the current access to Gramoxone and other agro poisons in Guyana, by all and sundry, be eliminated and that the law limiting access only to persons who directly use them, be enforced across the board. The fact is that those who attempt suicide generally do not want to die, but ingestion of agro poisons effectively takes away from them that option to survive. Finally, alternatives (sustainable farming) to traditional farming should grad-

ually be fostered, not only in order to reduce use, but by also boosting climate-change initiatives. Among such alternatives currently making global headway are permaculture, biodynamic farming, hydroponics and aquaponics, urban agriculture, agroforestry and food forests, polycultures and crop rotation, heirloom and older varieties, natural pest management, mulching, groundcovers and manual weed control. Sincerely, Annan Boodram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Online scholarship programme reaches Black Bush Polder ―Internet access in area to be assessed

ON Monday, three of the country’s “leading ladies” journeyed to Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where they executed a comprehensive outreach geared mainly at promoting the government’s “20,000 scholarship” initiative. The team, led by First Lady Arya Ali, comprised Public Service Minister Sonia Parag and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand. A packed day of fruitful engagements commenced in the

morning hours at the Mibicuri Secondary School in Black Bush Polder. There, Minister Parag outlined the concept behind the establishment of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). She explained that GOAL is a platform established by the Ministry of Education to facilitate regional and international scholarships offered by the Government of Guyana, through the Public Services Ministry. “We have five universities at the moment with which the

Guyana Online Academy of Learning is working, and that would be the Jain University in India; we have the Indira Gandhi University in India; we have the University of Southern Caribbean; we have the University of Germany and we also have the University of the West Indies,” Minister Parag said. She said that the scholarships cater for a plethora of intriguing programmes, ranging from certificate courses, diplomas, post-graduate diplomas, master degrees, and even aca-

demic doctorates. “What is even more attractive is that the government is paying fully for this, and for you to achieve this. It has absolutely no upward age limit, and you are not bonded to the government, so you really cannot find a package that is more attractive anyplace else,” Parag posited. In emphasizing the importance of education, the Public Service Minister implored those present at the engagement to take advantage of the opportunities to qualify themselves for free. She said that the Ministry of Education is responsible for the

technical aspect of GOAL, while the Public Service Ministry has the responsibility of awarding the scholarships. During the engagement, teams from both ministries partnered to help with the crafting and submission of scholarship applications, as well as to address queries related to the initiative. INTERNET ACCESS The forum also addressed the issue of connectivity, and Minister Manickchand informed persons that a technical team has already been mobilised and will soon be deployed to assess the internet access of the communities within Black Bush Polder

gramme needs,” the Education Minister noted. She said that even though the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten global human development, Guyana will not be left behind, and will continue to push for progress. She said that the establishment of the GOAL platform is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to the elevation of all Guyanese, regardless of their political persuasion, gender, geography, or any other difference. “20,000 persons (In Guyana) will get the opportunity to learn, while countries are closing their universities,” Manickchand posited.

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, assists one young man with his scholarship application “I don’t know what is required to bring strong, reliable and cheap internet...what we do know (is that) the First Lady, her office has begun to work with private providers to come in and assess what’s happening to decide how this can be done, whether it can be done, and on what scale it can be done. And that assessment is going to happen before the end of next week,” Manickchand noted. She urged residents to not allow internet challenges to prevent them from applying for the scholarships, since the programmes do not require a 24-hour online presence. “We have designed this programme knowing fully well that all over this country, particularly in the hinterland and riverine communities, you do not have reliable internet services. You don’t need strong and permanent internet to do the work this pro-

Take the vaccine ...

is important to get the vaccines. Our failure to act responsibly at such a time as this can be very costly for the nation, both in the loss of lives and costs to treat a high number of people infected with the virus. Nation, let’s encourage each other to go and get

She also referenced her ministry’s efforts in successfully executing the ‘Coursera initiative’ which saw in excess of 54,000 certificates being awarded to Guyanese learners. These certificates, Manickchand reminded, were issued by reputable universities all across the United States of America and the United Kingdom. With that certificate arrangement coming to an end, the government has launched an even more substantial programme, in the form of GOAL. Minister Manickchand related that persons who do not qualify for the GOAL programmes can capitalise on the opportunity to undertake ‘upgrade’ courses, which make them eligible. Assurance was also given that the GOAL will be in existence for the next five years to facilitate continued learning opportunities for Guyanese.

FROM PAGE

the vaccine. Let’s be our brother’s keeper and convince those who are taking the matter lightly, that we are in a state of emergency and everyone needs to be vaccinated in the best interests of the nation. Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Unapproved relationship results in death of Albouystown youth A MAN who visited his girlfriend in Sophia on Saturday evening was stabbed to death after the girl’s family did not approve of the relationship. Dead is Devon Xavier, 20, of La Penitence Street, Albouystown. Reports are that Xavier was visiting his girlfriend at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, when she suddenly instructed him to leave as her father and cousin approached. Police said the relatives were not in favour of the relationship. When the father and cousin approached, the father report-

Dead: Devon Xavier

Teto Browne wanted by police POLICE, on Monday, issued a wanted bulletin for Teto Browne, also known as “Tommy”, for the offence of trafficking in person. Police only revealed that Browne committed the offence between December 2020 and April 2021. No other details, such as an age or last known address, were provided for Browne. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Teto Brown is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 227-2603, 226-6978, 226-6221, 219-3252, 2271149, 225-8196, 268-2328, 268-2298/2222, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station. Police said all information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Wanted: Teto Browne

edly told the young lady to go into the house. The girlfriend told investigators that she saw when her cousin grabbed Xavier and stabbed him in the chest. The cousin then made good his escape, while Xavier collapsed to the ground. The body was subsequently examined by a doctor from the Alberttown Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), and the young man was pronounced dead. Police said efforts were made to locate the suspect but with no success. The father of the girlfriend is currently in custody assisting with the investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Over 121,000 persons vaccinated against COVID-19 ―Guyana maintains general immunisation programme despite pandemic

By Vishani Ragobeer MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has said that 121,237 persons have received their first dose of one of three COVID-19 vaccines which are being distributed across the country. On Monday, during his daily COVID-19 update, Minister Anthony related that the uptake in the national COVID-19 vaccination roll-

out has been going smoothly, and that in addition to the more than 121,000 first-doses which were administered, approximately 2,135 persons have now received their second dose. All of the COVID-19 vaccines used in Guyana, namely the Oxford-AstraZeneca, the Sinopharm, and the Sputnik V, are being administered in two doses. The health minister explained that an individual is deemed

fully immunised in about seven days after receiving the second dose. “Seven days after the second dose, your body would have been able to react appropriately; you’ll see a boosting of antibodies after seven days,” Dr. Anthony said. Meanwhile, since this week is recognised as World Immunisation Week in the Americas, Minister Anthony took the opportunity to

inform the public that the health ministry has been maintaining its countrywide vaccination rollout of all 18 of the childhood vaccines, despite the pandemic. “For all of those antigens (there are about 18 of them), we stayed within the 90 to 100 per cent coverage in Guyana,” he said, adding that only one childhood vaccine recorded an 88 per cent in 2020. He, however, did not state which vaccine that was.

pandemic, the Health Minister said: “We are very pleased that we have been able to maintain our immunisation programme for children across the country, despite the challenges with COVID.” In a recent report, the global Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognised that due to the COVID-19 virus, too many children are missing out on the life-saving power

coverage remains on a global decline, even in the United States. “As a global immunisation community, we must not lose track of these missed children, and we must close the gaps that hinder the equitable delivery and access to all vaccines in childhood and throughout the lifespan,” the CDC stated. Meanwhile, at a recent event, Minister Anthony attributed the continued suc-

Nurse Edoll Ainsworth places a plaster on the arm of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, after he had received a dose of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

Minister Anthony highlighted that the ministry is now running two nationwide vaccination campaigns simultaneously: The rollout of the childhood vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Juxtaposing this success alongside the constraints presented by the COVID-19

of vaccines. The report indicated that some 13.8 million children go without receiving a single dose of vaccine every year. The CDC also said that almost 70 preventive immunisation campaigns in over 60 countries remain postponed due to COVID-19, and routine immunisation

cess of Guyana’s immunisation programme to the commitment of health workers all across the country. “Without them going that extra mile; without them going out and making sure that every child is getting their vaccine, this would not have been possible,” Dr. Anthony said.

Drunken man with hammer dies in confrontation OMKAR Kishundyal, 64, of Canal No.2 Polder, West Bank Demerara, who had armed himself with a hammer, was killed by another man with a cutlass during a confrontation on Sunday afternoon. The police said that about 14:30hrs on Sunday, Kishundyal, who was under the influence of alcohol, went to the suspect’s home at Belle West, Canal No.2 Polder, with a hammer. There, he began to behave disorderly and threatened to kill the suspect and his family over some work which the suspect’s father was supposed to have done

at his home. According to the police, Kishundyal ran into the suspect’s yard and began to lash at him with the hammer. T h e suspect then picked up a chair to shield himself from the blows but K i shundyal reportedly wrestled the chair away from him. The police said the suspect released the chair and armed himself with a cutlass. The suspect

claimed that he used the cutlass as a shield against the hammer when Kishundyal sustained a cut to his right hand. At this point, the police said Kishundyal retreated from the suspect’s premises before collapsing some 600 feet away. He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and later died. The suspect was arrested and remains in custody. An autopsy done on Monday revealed that Kishundyal died of haemorrhage and shock due to an incise wound to the forearm. The body has since been handed over to relatives for funeral arrangements.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

BK should compensate Little Diamond flood victims ―says Minister Mustapha

MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha is of the view that BK International is to be blamed for Monday’s flooding at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and should compensate over 100 residents who have lost millions of dollars in appliances and other valuable household items. According to information received by this publication, flooding of the area began sometime around 03:00hrs on Monday, while most residents were asleep. Investigations have so far indicated that the flooding was primarily due to a “slushy patch” near the koker in the community, where BK International has been contracted to do work. The Ministry of Agriculture has given the construction company up to the end of May, 2021, to complete the Little Diamond koker project which was awarded in 2017 by the previous government. Residents on Monday indicated that sometime late last week , BK’s excavator had fallen into a hole. The much larger hole which was left after the piece of machinery was pulled out allowed the water to breach the sea dam. Minister Mustapha visited the community around 08:30hrs to get a first-hand look at the

situation and to interact with the affected residents. He noted that following the mishap with the excavator which left a visible breach, the company’s workers made no effort to repair the damage or put measures in place to prevent any flooding that could have occurred, especially in light of the spring tide. He noted that many of the residents have very expensive appliances which

were damaged as a result of the flooding. “I myself want to say that the contractor [BK] should have been up front in terms of getting this breach rectified early. It seems like yesterday when they had the first sign of it, they didn’t do any major work to stop it and as a result of that this morning we had this serious breach. I am saying that the contractor should compen-

A little Diamond resident standing in a flooded yard (Ministry of Public Works Photo)

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha in one of flooded houses (Ministry of Agriculture Photo) Photo)

sate these people, because as I said the residents indicated that when they ask[ed] the operators and other workers, they didn’t pay any heed to the concern that they raised,” said Minister Mustapha.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar

URGENT HELP NEEDED Meanwhile, Minister within the Minister of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who also visited the community, said residents are hurt and frustrated. “Fridge was floating in the people house, their beds were floating, everything was damaged. They don’t even have mattresses to sleep on anymore, everything was soaked. Those people are hurting and they need help,” he said. Since 2017, there have been four breaches, with Monday’s breach being the most damaging

to residents. The first breach occurred on New Year’s Day, the second on Phagwah Day and the third which occurred on Sunday resulted in minor

flooding. “For me, I am saying if you know there is a slushy piece and its spring tide now and the water is going to rise, you should’ve

made a better impolder. Every single resident in that area right

TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Police seeking men who threatened pilot at Bartica airstrip

The ASL Cessna 206 Aircraft that was involved in the incident

INVESTIGATORS from the Guyana Police Force and the Civil Aviation Authority are probing a security incident concerning an aircraft at the Bartica airstrip on Monday. The incident, which involves an Air Services Limited (ASL) Cessna 206 Aircraft bearing registration number 8R-ZOM, was described as an “unlawful interference”. “The incident occurred at the Bartica Airstrip at approximately 09:00hrs on Monday; ASL is reportedly taking this incident very seriously. There was no harm or escalation in the incident; the pilot, passengers and aircraft returned from Bartica to Ogle Airport safely. The matter is presently being investigated by ASL’s internal security and safety departments. Also, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority was notified of the incident,” the GPF’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) Director, Mark Ramotar noted.

Reports indicate that while the pilot of the Cessna aircraft was awaiting the arrival of his passengers at the airstrip, he was approached by three men who tried to compel him to fly the aircraft with them onboard to a destination of their choice. When the unarmed men came to realise that the pilot was not complying with their instruction, they left the scene after threatening him. The pilot subsequently made contact with the police, as passengers began arriving for the flight. According to ASL in a statement, a report was made to the Bartica Police Station, and the cops stationed there responded immediately by providing security for the aircraft and its occupants. “The Guyana Police Force is presently investigating the matter, and ASL is fully cooperating with them,” the company said in its statement.

Man accused of forgery granted bail RAJPAUL Basdeo on Monday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with forging a document and was granted $60,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. Basdeo of Section B, Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to one count of forgery. He denied that he, on March 27, 2019, at Charlotte Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, forged a special Power of Attorney document, purporting to show that it was signed by Dhanmati Ramjass, knowing the same to be forged. The court was told

that Ramjass and Basdeo are known to each other. During the year 2018, Ramjass travelled to Canada to have an operation done on her eyes. The operation was unsuccessful and later resulted in her losing her sight. Given her situation, she started using her thumb print instead of a signature to conduct her business. She later learnt that Basdeo made a claim that she signed a power of attorney document giving him control of her two properties. The matter was reported to the police and following an investigation, Basdeo was charged. The matter was adjourned to May 17, 2021.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Foreign Affairs Minister emphasises Guyana’s commitment to the Global Compact for Migration FOREIGN Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, on Monday, attended the virtual Regional Review Meeting for the Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to a release, the GCM represents an agreement to engage in closer inter-governmental cooperation and to focus national efforts on migration policy. It sets out a wide array of recommended measures based on international best practices, including an unprecedented review of data, for addressing the challenges of migration governance while protecting the human rights of all migrants. During the meeting, Minister Todd iterated Guyana’s commitment to the core prin-

ciples of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Minister Todd further highlighted that Guyana has begun taking action in keeping with those standards and objectives that are espoused in the compact, through the establishment of the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee that deals with the unprecedented flow of migrants from neighbouring countries into Guyana. The primary objective of this committee is to develop and monitor a comprehensive, coordinated, mechanism for a sustained response to the ongoing humanitarian needs of the new wave of migrants, as well as ensuring that equitable attention is given to the members of the host communities which are heavily impacted by this migration flow. Also present from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Gold miners donate $1M to relief efforts for St. Vincent THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has donated $1M to the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to support its relief efforts for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who are affected by the recent volcanic eruptions on the island. The GGDMA handed over the donation to the PSC, and expressed heartfelt support to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines during this disastrous period in their country.

“The GGDMA, through the coordination of the PSC, remains committed to supporting the response efforts at this critical time of the Vincentians. May the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines be comforted as the nations pool together resources to satisfy their needs,” the GGDMA noted in a press release on Monday.

and International Cooperation were, the Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud; Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper and Ambassador Michael Brotherson.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

ECD residents take COVID-19 vaccine vaccine,, encourage others to do same RESIDENTS along the East Coast Demerara, on Monday, turned out at their respective health centres to get immunised against COVID-19. The Department of Public Information (DPI) visited Ann’s Grove/ Clonbrook, Lusignan, Beterverwagting health centres, and even the Enmore Polyclinic, to speak to some of them. Taxi driver, Purshotam Singh said his love for his job led to his decision to get vaccinated. “The vaccine is very good to take to fight the disease and because I deal with a lot of customers, I feel that it is better to take the vaccine so that I can deal with society, especially with

Depa Chooielall getting inoculated

Residents at Enmore Polyclinic getting vaccinated

dealing with money and people,” he said. As for those who are afraid of the COVID vaccine, Mr. Singh said that there is nothing to be afraid of as it is better to be ‘safe than sorry’ during this pandemic. Depa Chooielall

agreed, adding that her decision to be safe, healthy and even boosting her immune system should be the mindset of everyone. “I would encourage them to come out and get vaccinated because it is nothing hard and it is a

very simple process and it is nothing to be afraid of. It will help them to be on the safe side,” Chooielall said. Seventy-one-year-old Mohamed Amar Zakira, and his 64-year-old wife, told DPI that being vaccinated gives them some reassurance about being safe and living longer during this pandemic. “Everybody talking about this thing (COVID-19) and I am getting old so if this thing going to hit me then I would die but if I get the vaccine then at least I would survive than die so I see that way but I am not sure how other people are seeing it,” he said. Zakira stressed the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, adding that those who have to work during this period need to be inoculated. Like most persons vaccinated, Romnie Dass said she was encouraged by a loved one to get vaccinated and it took little to convince her. “My daughter encouraged me to come, she came last week and just she got the vaccine so she told me to come and get for prevention and to be on the safe side… so come and get the vaccine which will protect not only yourself but others so I would encourage everyone to do it. The vaccine is just a little ant bite, you know just a pinch,” Dass said. Since the Government commenced its immunisation campaign in mid-February more than 121,000 people have been vaccinated with the shots being available for anyone of adult age. Guyana has received some 265,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to date and the Government is working to source more.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

GPSU members challenging recent credit union elections ―say laws were breached

SEVERAL members of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), on Monday, officially declared a protest against the recently held Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of office bearers for the credit union. The faction said it is protesting on the grounds that the April 11 elections breached the Cooperative Societies Act, Chapter 88:01, which governs all credit unions in Guyana. They did not state specifically which parts of the act were breached.

and members, Veira Naughton and Ivelaw Henry. The quartet is part of a 15-member team led by GPSU President Patrick Yarde, which had contested the elections. Yarde was not present at Monday’s press conference. Yarde’s team is challenging the win by all 15 members of a team led by former Commissioner of Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC), Trevor Benn. Benn was previously Chairman of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the GPSCCU that was put in

and transportation being provided to persons wishing to attend. They also noted concerns over the lack of a voters’ list and the amount of notice that was given ahead of the AGM and elections. “The notice of the AGM and agenda was first published once in the print media on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021. Eligible members interested in contesting elected positions were only given one day’s notice, where a notice was issued on March 31, 2021 and nominations opened and closed on

From left to right are GPSU Vice-President, Dawn Gardner, and GPSU members, Ivelaw Henry, and Patricia Went (Adrian Narine photo)

At a press conference held at the GPSU’s Regent and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive headquarters, GPSU Vice-President, Dawn Gardner, said that the faction had not yet decided on the way forward. “After this press conference we will put our heads together and will determine the way forward, on what we are going to do. We as a team have to sit together,” Gardner related. She noted, however, that the GPSU will be issuing a correspondence to the Ministry of Labour (MoL), the government authority that has oversight for cooperative societies. Gardner was joined at the head table by former Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) Chairperson, Patricia Went,

place in 2018 when the Committee of Management led by Went was removed. Prior to the elections, the GPSU side had called for Benn to be removed. Asked why the GPSU team waited some two weeks before challenging the results of the elections, Gardner noted that the team was busy gathering its evidence to put forward its case. In a statement read by Henry, the members are questioning several changes made for the 2021 elections, including the choice to have the AGM held virtually and for voting to be partially done virtually. In addition to the virtual voting, polling stations were created in each administrative region as opposed to voting being done in a central location

April 1, 2021,” Henry relayed as he read from the prepared statement. The elections saw members of the credit union voting for members who were vying for a spot on the 12-member Committee of Management (CM) and three-member Supervisory Committee (SC). Henry noted that discrepancies on elections day included the omission of himself and another GPSU nominee, Loren Parks, from the ballot for the CM. He said they were instead listed as nominees for the SC. It was also alleged that their team member, Alexander Kempton, who was nominated for membership on the SC, was also omitted from that ballot. At the GPSCCU elections, though nominees contested the

WhatsApp calls now accepted as proof of life for old age pensioners THE Human Services and Social Security Ministry has announced that pensioners who have to provide quarterly Life Certificates to ensure continuous old age pension payments are deposited into their bank accounts can now make a WhatsApp video call to the Ministry to confirm proof of life. According to a release, currently, life certificates are signed and stamped by either a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, Medical Practitioner, Head Teacher, Minis-

ter of Religion or a Manager of a Bank or Branch of a Bank, and can be dropped off at any o f

the Ministry’s offices countrywide, or scanned and emailed to pension@mhsss. gov.gy. The ministry, mindful

of the need to be adaptable to this category of elderly citizens, will now be facilitating video submissions as proof that they are alive. “Pensioners can video call our staff via WhatsApp @ 662-1572 Monday through Thursday, between 08:00hrs and 16:30hrs, and on Fridays, between 08:00 and 03:30hrs. Additionally, during the call, they would have to clearly show some form of valid identification, whether National ID or passport,” the release said. (DPI)

elections as teams, electors do not vote for a singular list of candidates, but instead must vote for each team member, individually. Apart from having issues with the elections, the four protesting members also stated that they were not in agreement with the rate of dividends that was declared to be paid out for the period 2011 – 2020, as well

as the procedures behind the decision for the credit union to begin issuing car loans and mortgages. Following the elections it had been announced that the credit union would be paying out over $285 million in dividends at a rate of 10.75 per cent beginning from April 19, 2021. Members were previously paid an interim dividend of three per

cent for the period 2011 – 2013 with an expectation that they would be paid the balance at a later date. It was also announced that as early as the month of May, members would be able to get up to $5 million for car loans, and up to $15 million for mortgages at an interest as low as 1 to 3 per cent.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Hampers distributed to Santa Aratak residents ―Minister McCoy urges residents to get immunised against COVID-19

MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, has said that the PPP/C Government will continue to serve the peo-

ple of Guyana with sincerity and commitment. Minister McCoy made the statement on Sunday during an outreach to Santa Aratak, a community located up the Kamuni Creek,

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). He was joined by Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud.

The ministers’ visit is part of the government’s series of outreaches to meet residents nationwide to ensure that their livelihoods are being maintained. Several hampers were distributed during the consultation.

and medications to treat with this pandemic. “As a result, our situation, if you believe it’s bad today, would have been 10 times worse because of what prevailed at that time,” he added. Further, Minister McCoy

earlier this year from government’s $1.6 billion COVID-19 cash grant investment initiative for hinterland communities. “We intend to ensure that the $10 million is spent properly for the people of

Hampers being packed for distribution at Santa Aratak (DPI photo)

Minister McCoy said every household would be able to benefit from the nation’s resources. Residents were reminded of the lack of finances and resources the PPP/C found after entering office in August 2020. “The economic geniuses among us, in the persons of Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, we were able to steer the ship safely to a situation where we were able to deal with the priorities at the moment, and to deal with it understanding the hardship of our people.” The minister said while the results of the elections were stalled for some five months by the APNU+AFC, its government officials were still utilising funds from the treasury to aid their effort to “deny all of us the right to the government of our choice.” He stated that it was the caring PPP/C government that put the people first and adopted several approaches to tackle the COVID-19 situation, following the callous behaviour of the Coalition. “It is by the astute leadership of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, that we were able to immediately put in place the measures that were absent in the first place because of the failure of the previous government. The hospitals and health centres in this country were without the necessary tools

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, distributes a hamper to a Santa Aratak resident (DPI photo)

urged residents to ensure that they get immunised against COVID-19, noting that the vaccine is the safest option now to prevent transmission. Meanwhile, Minister Persaud said the government is not focused on any specific race, colour or creed, but stands committed to helping every Guyanese in keeping its mission. Some $10 million was distributed to Santa Aratak

this village,” Minister Persaud stated. He noted that the money would be used to purchase a 75-horsepower engine, a 40-foot boat, and a generator for the water system, among other things. Last Friday, the two ministers collaborated and distributed almost 400 hampers to residents of Orealla and Siparuta, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six). (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Unite against gender-based violence

― Minister Mustapha urges Berbicians

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday urged Berbicians to come together and take a firm stance against gender-based violence. The minister made this appeal at the launch of the Men and Women’s umbrella programmes at the Humanitarian Mission Guyana Incorporated (HMGI) at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. The programmes are designed to educate and empower men and boys and women and girls to make meaningful contributions to society through training. The men’s programme teaches men to become advocates for women, against domestic violence and abuse. Minister Mustapha said a collective effort is required to stem this scourge. “Gender-based violence is a worrying social issue in our country. It is a real issue and all of us have to tackle this scourge collectively.” He noted that while the administration is focusing on

development of the economy, it is also working to ensure that the human capital is developed through education and training opportunities. “Education is the key to reducing gender-based violence in our country and… through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, there are a number of measures that the government has implemented to tackle social issues,” the minister said. Minister Mustapha is also urging organisations to play a role in addressing these issues, as a multi-faceted approach is needed. Meanwhile, he commended the efforts of the HMGI. “The event is important and that is the kind of skills that organisations like these I must commend for the impact they will have on the people,” he said. The organisation promotes skills training and counselling for individuals as its mission is to educate and empower persons. (DPI)

BK should compensate ... FROM PAGE now is frustrated with the contractor,” said Minister Indar. Minister of Public works Juan Edghill and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, along with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Director-General Lieutenant-Colonel Kester Craig, visited the area at different times during the day to assess the damage with the aim of providing timely relief to the Little Diamond residents. Additionally, the government through the CDC distributed cleaning supplies and food hampers to those affected. “We have people from the CDC on the ground right now. I have been talking to Colonel Kester Craig and some cleaning items from government’s side will be there and they will give them back some ration and so, some hampers, because some of … the food was at a particular cupboard

and the water would have [sic] destroyed them. The water was really high, so it even destroyed most of their appliances and their furniture as well,” said Minister Indar. Further, he said residents are faced not only with damage to their household appliance, but there has also been significant losses to residents who were rearing livestock in the community, and those who have gardens which provide incomes. In the meantime, the Public Works Ministry is working to ensure that the breach is sealed with a temporary fix to prevent more flooding as works on the koker continue. The ministry is also working to ensure that the grass in the trenches alongside the river dam are removed to improve the speed of drainage in the area.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

FAO encourages greater consumption of fruits and vegetables

AS it turns out we need more than an apple a day to keep the doctor away. In fact, we need approximately 400 grammes of fruits and vegetables daily, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Under the theme “Fruits and vegetables, your dietary essentials,” the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV) offers the celebration of two food groups that we can all identify with and with which we all have a unique relationship. Its role in how we shape our ideas about the value of fruits and vegetables in our daily lives is important, as it creates numerous avenues for us to educate, engage with and think about these food groups in imaginative and colourful ways. In celebration of Earth Day on April 22 and IYFV, the need for the production and consumption of healthy and nutritious food remains at the forefront of discussions and efforts to ensure a healthy planet and the health of all people. While it is recognised that access and prices can affect the ability to consume healthier diets, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has come up with a unique initiative to encourage more consumption of fruits and vegetables. It is against this background that the FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a series of four fun, family-friendly social media challenges to raise awareness on the important role of fruits and vegetables in our nutrition, food security, health and in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Renata Clarke, the FAO’s Sub-regional Coordinator remarked that the four social media challenges present an educational and interactive way to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables. With the alarming cases of childhood obseity and diabetes across the Region, she believes this platform not only provides an opportunity for learning, but for behavioural changes in food consumption, which can lead to a longer and healthier lifespan. She added that “since the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, access to fruits and vegetables was a concern for many persons who started planting their own food and setting up backyard gardens to ensure that their food supply was adequate and readily available. We also noted that many parents involved their children in backyard farming as a fun outdoor activity [and] who had to find creative ways of educating their children as schools re-

mained closed.” The FAO not only aims to raise awareness on IYFV, but also to encourage persons to get involved using their social media platforms, maintaining healthy diets, and sharing in this activity with family and friends in their safe spaces so that together we can influence the consumption of healthy diets inclusive of fruits and vegetables. SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGES: #BackyardChallenge In this challenge, persons are encouraged to share a creative 60-second video/photo of the fruits or vegetables harvested from their gardens using the hashtags #IYFV2021 and #Backyardchallenge #UglyFruitChallenge In this challenge, persons are encouraged to share a creative 60-second video of a dish prepared from ‘ugly fruit or vegetable’ using the hashtags #IYFV2021 and #Uglyfruitchallenge. In this challenge, if you have the ugly-fruit fever and are eating fruits that look ugly to others, we invite people to share a creative 60-second video of this with us, using the hashtags #IYFV2021 and #uglyfruitchallenge. #Namethefruitchallenge or #Namethevegchallenge In this challenge, persons are encouraged to share a creative 60-second video identifying a fruit or vegetable by looking at a photo or the actual fruit or vegetable and try to guess the name, using the hashtags #IYFV2021 and #Namethefruitchallenge or #Namethevegchallenge. #Tastethefruitchallenge or #Tastethevegchallenge In the final challenge, persons are encouraged to taste a fruit or vegetable blind-folded and to then identify the fruit based on the taste, using the hashtags #IYFV2021 and #Tastethefruitchallenge or #Tastethevegchallenge in a video of 60 seconds or less. All four challenges are open to the public and persons may participate as often as they wish by posting their photos and videos on all social media platforms, using the hashtags and tagging FAO accounts on Twitter in the Caribbean and Americas: • Twitter- @FAOAmericas @FAOCaribbean • Facebook- https://www. facebook.com/UNFAO/ • Tik Tok- https://www. tiktok.com/@fao • Instagram- https://www. instagram.com/fao/ More information can also be found on FAO’s website at http://www.fao.org/ americas/caribe/en/.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Regional nation to fill one... dos emerged winners in the tournament staged in Guyana. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic wiped out all domestic women’s cricket in the Caribbean last year and has continued to keep a question mark over the hosting of the T20 Blaze this year. England, meanwhile, have qualified for the eightteam tournament by virtue of being hosts, while Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa all booked their spots courtesy of their current standing in the International Cricket Council Women’s T20 International rankings. The ICC said the last spot in the Commonwealth Games tournament would be determined by another qualifying tournament scheduled to be staged before January

31 next year. “We are incredibly proud and excited to be part of Birmingham 2022 and it is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue to grow the women’s game globally,” said the acting ICC chief executive, Geoff Allardice. “We are committed to maintaining the momentum that saw 86,174 fans packed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last year and Birmingham 2022 gives us another global stage on which to showcase the women’s game.” The tournament marks only the second time cricket will be played at the Commonwealth Games, the last occasion being 23 years ago when a men’s 50-overs tournament was played at the multi-discipline showpiece

Taking a knee to be outlawed... had been "unanimously approved" - would now be passed to the IOC's legal affairs commission in order to consider the range of potential sanctions against those who fail to adhere to the rule. Coventry added: "We are asking the legal affairs commission to come up with a proportionate range of different sanctions, so that everyone knows going into a Games what they can and can't do. "It's up to (them) to give the Athletes' Commission guidance on proportionality." A spokesperson for the British Olympic Association said: "We are appreciative of the broad, global consultation that took place

FROM BACK PAGE held in Malaysia. Jamaica, Antigua and Barbados represented the Caribbean but none reached the knock out stage. Commonwealth Games president Dame Louise Martin said the women’s tournament would bring a new flavour to the event. “Cricket is a sport that is synonymous with the Commonwealth and we are so excited to have it back in the Games for the first time since the men’s competition at Kuala Lumpur 1998,” Dame Louise said. “The debut of women’s T20 cricket will be a historic moment for Commonwealth Sport and a wonderful showcase for women’s sport across the world.” The Commonwealth Games will feature 4 500 athletes from 72 countries. FROM BACK PAGE

through the IOC's Athletes' Commission and that British athletes were given the opportunity to engage through both the consultation and the IOC survey. "We understand that the survey showed overwhelming global support for maintaining the existing rule about political protests whilst providing increased clarity for athletes and fostering new opportunities for expression elsewhere.

"As we have recently reiterated, we also strongly believe that sport and politics should continue to remain separate. "However, we also support the desire of athletes to be advocates for causes about which they feel strongly. We will work with our own Athletes' Commission to find a way to make this work for all parties." (PA Media)

American Racing Tips Will Rogers Downs Race 1 Bugger Red Race 2 Sooner Skuta Race 3 Black Magic Lady Race 4 River Liberty Race 5 Quality Rocket Race 6 El Vale Race 7 Headedtothestars Race 8 Bella Blu

Brighton 09:00 hrs Spurofthemoment 09:30 hrs Navello 10:00 hrs Holdenhurst 10:35 hrs Street Parade 11:05 hrs Mamillius 11:40 hrs Bombastic 12;15 hrs Study The Stars

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:10 hrs Munabadha 08:45 hrs Arizona Lady 09:25 hrs Fasinada 10:05 hrs Nitro Girl 10:40 hrs Sheltering Sky 11:10 hrs Ra’Ed

Lingfield 11:35 hrs Headley George 12:10 hrs Glencora 12:45 hrs Air To Air 13:20 hrs Lottie Marie 13:50 hrs Charlie Arthur 14:25 hrs Worthily 14:55 hrs Spanish Kiss

English Racing Tips Nottingham 08:50 hrs Amber Dew 09:20 hrs Sir Rumi 09:50 hrs Puy Mary 10:20 hrs Lights On 10:55 hrs Freja 11:30 hrs Lostwithiel 12:05 hrs Asadjumeirah

Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 10:40 hrs Hallowed Star 11:15 hrs Echoes In Rain 11:50 hrs Magic Tricks 12:25 hrs Chacun Pour Soi 12:55 hrs Nonbvinding 14:00 hrs Youcannotbeserious 14:35 hrs Glowing Account

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Bangladesh's new, positive outlook bodes well for their Test future ... In Pallekele, they fielded five specialist bowlers and opted to bat first - not usual for the team at all

MOMINUL Haque, Bangladesh Test captain, expects his team to improve in Tests if they take positive decisions, like picking five specialist bowlers, as they did in the first Test against Sri Lanka. They also decided to bat after winning the toss. It was a rare occurrence for Bangladesh on foreign soil, considering the greenness of the Pallekele pitch, and it was another positive call. As such, the look of the pitch meant little, scores of 541 for 7 declared, 648 for 8 declared, and 100 for 2 proving that. But the two sides, especially the visitors, would not have known this when they chose their XIs or took a decision at the toss. "If you want to win a Test match in Sri Lanka, you should always have five bowlers in the team," Haque said. "We were playing a Test after two months, so if someone bowled poorly or got injured, we would have been in more trouble. To get ahead in Test cricket, you should play with five bowlers and six batsmen. "You will always want five bowlers if you want to take 20 wickets. Also, having six batsmen makes everyone take a bit more responsibility. But, while there was some advantage in this decision, there was some risk too. We usually don't play with six batsmen, but I think we should always play with five bowlers. That's what big

that's why we used to prefer bowling first. But recently, we have been playing in the subcontinent where it gets difficult to bat in the fourth innings. Maybe this is a reason why we have batted first. "I wouldn't call it a defensive mindset but we considered the given conditions. In places like West Indies, New Zealand, England and South Africa, there is sideways movement early on in

Tests, so often we have tried to take advantage of those conditions." Over the last couple of years, Bangladesh have mostly been without Shakib, but have still had a very one-dimensional spin-only bowling plan at home. Domingo has stressed on the need to have a more balanced attack at home so that they can have a proper bowling attack for overseas Tests.

It would be interesting to see what type of pitch is dished out for the second Test in Sri Lanka, also in Pallekele, starting on Thursday. But Bangladesh would feel encouraged from the first Test. And that might push them to take more such positive, bold decisions - that is the sort of thing that helps a struggling side get better. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1st innings (541-7 decl.)

teams do." The best teams also take first-day conditions head on. Batting first reflected the mindset of the Mominul Haque-Russell Domingo firm. So far, Bangladesh have chosen to bat on all three occasions they have won a toss in an overseas Test. Why that is interesting is that Bangladesh hadn't done such a thing in ten Tests, in more than ten years, prior to the tour of India in November 2019, when they opted to bat in Indore and Kolkata. Between July 2009 and November 2019, Bangladesh only ever fielded first when they had the choice. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan were the captains during that period. It's true that Bangladesh

have usually batted first at home or in the subcontinent, but overall in overseas Tests, they have bowled first in 40% of the times they called the coin correctly. And never have they shown an inclination to have first strike when the pitch has looked pace-friendly. But the new way - in India - was criticised. In his first Test as captain, in Indore, Haque was left frustrated by all the questions, while Domingo was belligerent in his responses when asked the same question during the Kolkata Test. "I think when we played overseas (during those years), most of the conditions were bowler-friendly," Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain, told ESPNcricinfo. "I think

SRI LANKA 1st innings Dimuth Karunaratne c Nazmul Hossain Shanto b Taskin Ahmed Lahiru Thirimanne lbw Mehidy Hasan Oshada Fernando c Liton Das b Taskin Ahmed Angelo Mathews b Taijul Islam Dhananjaya de Silva b Taskin Ahmed Pathum Nissanka c Liton Das b Ebadot Hossain Niroshan Dickwella run-out Mehidy Hasan Wanindu Hasaranga b Taijul Islam Suranga Lakmal not out Vishwa Fernando not out Extras: (b-4, lb-10, nb-3, w-10 Total: (eight wkts decl., 179.0 overs)

244 58 20 25 166 12 31 43 22 0 27 648

Fall of wickets: 1-114, 2-157, 3-190, 4-535, 5-544, 6-553, 7-585, 8-647. Bowling: Abu Jayed 19-2-76-0 (w-1. nb-1), Taskin Ahmed 30-6-112-3 (w-1), Ebadot Hossain 21-1-99-1 (w-5, nb-2), Mehidy Hasan 58-6-161-1 (w-1), Taijul Islam 45-9-1632, Mominul Haque 4-0-18- 0.

BANGLADESH 2nd innings

Tamim Iqbal not out Saif Hassan c Niroshan Dickwella b Suranga Lakmal Nazmul Hossain Shanto b Suranga Lakmal Mominul Haque not out Extras: (nb-2) Total: (three wkts, 33.0 overs)

74 1 0 23 2 100

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-27. Bowling: Suranga Lakmal 8-2-21-2 (nb-1), Vishwa Fernando 5-2-18-0, Dhananjaya de Silva 11-1-46-0 (nb-1), Wanindu Hasaranga 9-0-15-0.

Curry sets record for most three-pointers in a month STEPHEN Curry broke the NBA record for the most three-pointers made in a month as Golden State Warriors beat Sacramento Kings 117-113 on Sunday. Curry, who finished with 37 points, hit seven three-pointers to take his total to 85 with two games to play in April. The previous record of 82 was set by James Harden while playing for Houston Rockets in November 2019. Curry enjoyed his 30th 30-point game of the season and has hit at least that

target in 13 of his past 14 games. "It seems like I've run out of ways to describe Steph's play," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. "The shot-making is just unbelievable and mind-boggling." A second successive win pushed Golden State's record to 31-30 this season as they chase a play-off spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant scored 33 points on his return from a three-game absence with a thigh injury for Brooklyn Nets during

a 128-119 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns. Kyrie Irving had 34 points with 12 assists and Blake Griffin scored 16 points as Nets held on to their place at the top of the Eastern Conference. Devin Booker scored 36 points for Phoenix, who are second in the Western Conference despite successive defeats, while Deandre Ayton scored 20 points with 13 rebounds. Atlanta Hawks earned an important 111-104 victory over Milwaukee Bucks,

while Memphis Grizzlies held off a late rally to beat Portland Trail Blazers 120113. Charlotte Hornets beat Boston Celtics 125-104 thanks to Devonte Graham's 24-point performance, to move within two games of Celtics for the sixth spot in the East. Elsewhere, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers both kept their play-off hopes alive with respective wins over Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Azam replaces Kohli as fastest Increased accountability on English coach a welcome change, to reach 2,000 T20 runs (AFP) - Pakistan captain Babar Azam became the fastest batsman to reach 2 000 Twenty20 international runs Sunday, achieving the feat in 52 innings, four fewer than Indian superstar Virat Kohli. Azam lifted his T20 total to 2 035 runs by making 52 as Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 24 runs to win a T20 series 2-1 at Harare Sports Club. Kohli has scored 3 159 runs in the 20-over format, but it took him 56 innings to pass the 2 000-run landmark. After Azam and Kohli come Australia skipper Aaron Finch (62 innings) and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (66). Azam won the toss, opted to bat and the tourists made 165-3 in 20 overs as they sought redemption after a shock 19-run loss two days ago. The batting of Mohammad Rizwan (91 not out) and Azam (52) and career-best bowling from Hasan Ali (4-18) ultimately ensured Pakistan would not suffer the humiliation of losing the series. Zimbabwe made a bold bid for victory, though, reaching 101 for one after 13 overs before being undone by the loss of three wickets within 15 balls for the addition of just eight runs. As the Pakistan bowlers tightened their grip, only Brendan Taylor (20) made a meaningful score and the hosts finished on 141-7. It was the second successive T20 series success for the tourists after beating South Africa 3-1 before travelling to Harare. Rizwan cracked three six-

according to Mark Taylor

Pakistan captain Babar Azam plays a shot as Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva looks on during the third Twenty20 international match at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

es and five fours as Pakistan exceeded the expectations of Azam, who believed it would be a challenge to surpass 140 on what he considered a bowler-friendly pitch. After the loss of Sharjeel Khan for 18 off the last ball of the fourth over, Rizwan and Azam put on 126 for the second wicket before the captain was out in the final over.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday April 27, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 60 matches (2) Quinton de Kock-22 dismissals (18 catches/4 stumping) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored the first century in IPL 2021? (2) Who claimed the first five-wicket haul in IPL 2021?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Medium pacer Luke Jongwe, the star of the shock Zimbabwe victory, was once again the most impressive bowler with figures of 3-37. Needing to score at a rate of 8.3 runs an over to overtake Pakistan and achieve a historic first bilateral T20 series victory, Zimbabwe began promisingly. Unperturbed by the loss of Tarisai Musakanda for 10, fellow opener Wesley Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani speedily compiled a 65-run second-wicket stand. But when Marumani (35) was bowled by Mohammad Hasnain, Pakistan gained the initiative and Madhevere (59) and Regis Chakabva (0) soon followed to the dressing room. While recalled Ali excelled among the Pakistan bowlers, Haris Rauf (2-34) atoned for a costly early spell by capturing two wickets in the final over. The T20 series will be followed by two Tests, also in Harare, beginning on April 29 and May 7.

FORMER Australian captain Mark Taylor has given a cautious tick of approval to England's radical overhaul of its selection process, but warned the move has the potential to backfire. England this week announced the axing of national selector Ed Smith, with the team to now be picked by head coach Chris Silverwood, who will work in consultation with captains Joe Root (Test) and Eoin Morgan (ODIs and T20s). The managing director of the English team, former spinner Ashley Giles, explained the new structure would make lines of accountability much clearer. "I don't want to talk it down too much, even though it's never been the model I would envisage for cricket," Taylor told Wide World of Sports. In this era of increased accountability, if people are going to be holding Chris Silverwood responsible for how the team's playing, you've got to give him every opportunity to choose the team he thinks is best. "That's the merit behind it, but it's going to require people in and around that team to have strong adult conversations, and at the same time, not have the fear that there'll be repercussions from those conversations, and that's the hard part." Taylor reflected on the period in the mid-1990s when he took over as national captain, at a time when Bob Simpson was the most powerful figure in Australian cricket. Simpson was not only the coach, but a selector, a position that carried significant influence under the reign of Taylor's predecessor, Allan Border. By the end of Taylor's time as captain, the coach (by then Geoff Marsh) had been removed from the selection panel, a move that was reversed a decade ago, with current coach Justin

England coach Chris Silverwood (left) with Test captain Joe Root (Getty)

Langer once again given a seat at the table. Usman Khawaja's demise as an Australian player in recent years has coincided with suggestions of a rift between the left-hander and coach, and selector, Justin Langer. The pair engaged in a heated discussion in the leadup to a Test against Pakistan in the Middle East in 2018, Khawaja hasn't played for Australia in any format since mid-2019. He posted solid, if unspectacular numbers for Queensland this summer, but is rarely mentioned as a candidate for a recall. And according to Taylor, it's when there's controversy over selections that it's ideal to have the team at arm's length from the selectors. "I really liked that model from my time when, as captain and coach, we didn't have a selection vote," Taylor explained. "Obviously we both had a big say in who was picked, but at the end of the day it's up to the coach and captain to get the team to play their best. "But if you're officially on the selection panel, and there's innuendo going around that you support one player over another, then that's a huge burden to carry." Taylor noted that the increased amount of international cricket in recent years means the national captain plays less domestic matches than ever, while the

time constraints on the coach means he's unlikely to see as many games as an independent selection panel. "The national captain sees very little domestic cricket," he said. "Yes, they've got a good handle of the national squad, but they don't see a lot of players outside of that little world. "The more you have the selectors in and around the national team, like the coach, the more you continue to just pick the same players, rather than looking outside the bubble." Taylor welcomed the move to make Silverwood accountable for the results of the team, but explained that the coach of a cricket team has much less influence on the outcome than the coach of a football team. "The accountability that goes with coaching a team has needed to be increased, but cricket is a very different game from football in terms of how you account for wins and losses," he said. "There's no doubt the captain of a cricket team has far more to do than the captain of a football team, regardless of the code. "England might be increasing the accountability of the coach, but Test cricket goes for seven hours a day, for five days, and the coach doesn't always have control over what's happening in the middle, and/ nor should he."(Channel 9: Wide World of Sports)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Ashwin, Zampa, Richardson & Tye leave IPL amid COVID-19 concerns ADAM Zampa and Kane Richardson have joined fellow Australian Andrew Tye in ending their Indian Premier League (IPL) season early to return home. India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 34, also said he is taking a break from the IPL to support his family. The news comes as In-

the governing body. India has been reporting more than 300 000 cases for days, setting new daily global records. Yesterday, it had the highest number of daily coronavirus cases for a fifth straight day, reporting 352 991 new infections and another 2 812 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. Royal Challengers Ban-

I've ever met," the Australia vice-captain wrote on Twitter. "To know so many are suffering so much at this time saddens me greatly. "There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue with COVID-19 infection rates remaining high. "I'm advised that the

Australians (from left) Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye have all cut short their IPL seasons

dia struggles with a surge in coronavirus cases. Tye, who was with Rajasthan Royals, flew to Sydney on Sunday, citing the "stress of bubble life" and concerns about borders closing in Australia. "I just thought I should try and get on the front foot and get home before I got locked out of the country," the seamer told Australian radio station SEN. Tye, 34, who flew home via Mumbai and Doha, added: "There are definitely concerns. A lot of guys have been in touch once they've realised I was leaving. "Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it." The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is not currently aware of any England players planning to leave the IPL, with individuals set to make their own decisions, rather than

galore said yesterday that leg-spinner Zampa, 29, and fast bowler Richardson, 30, will be unavailable for the rest of the IPL season and were returning to Australia for "personal reasons". A statement added: "Royal Challengers Bangalore management respects their decision and offers them complete support." Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paceman Pat Cummins has asked his fellow players to join him in contributing to help India's hospitals deal with the pandemic. Cummins, 27, who is among a number of Australia's top players to remain in India, has pledged 50 000 Australian dollars (£28 006) to the PM Cares Fund, specifically to purchase oxygen supplies. "India is a country I've come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest

Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country." Cummins added: "At times like this it is easy to feel helpless. I've certainly felt that of late. But I hope by making this public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into people's lives. "I know my donation isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone." Australia has avoided the worst of COVID-19 by closing its borders and installing snap lockdowns - such as a threeday lockdown in Perth, announced before the weekend - when cases of community transmission occur. (BBC Sport)

CWI says reduction in income reflects effect of global pandemic … End of Sony Media Rights Agreement also a factor CRICKET West Indies (CWI) has said that the reduction in income from 2019 to 2020 reflected the effect of the global pandemic as well as the end of the Sony Media Rights Agreement which ran from 2012 to 2019 culminating with the England and India International Home Tours in 2019. In its 36-page Annual Report, which was released last Thursday, CWI pointed out that it only hosted one International Home Tour in 2020 against Ireland before the pandemic was declared. “While WI teams toured England in the latter half of the financial year, all other scheduled tours and tournaments were either curtailed or cancelled.” The report said that as of January 31, 2019, CWI had total indebtedness of US$30,287,434. Two years later, this has been reduced to $20,005,757 or a decrease of approximately 34 per cent. “This has all transpired despite the near crippling impact on business operations and treasury management of the COVID-19 pandemic over the ten months leading up to January 31, 2021. “This was particularly challenging given that the majority of expenses are fixed or semi-fixed in nature. Management worked closely with the Financial Strategy Advisory Committee (FSAC)

to put in place short-term equitable cut-backs (primarily compensation and stakeholder funding) and to seek efficiencies and more rigorous cost containment policies (implementation of the Procurement Function enhancements and protocols).” CWI said that “coming out of 2018, the effective interest rates from Sagicor and Royal Bank were 7.66% and 4.83 per cent respectively. However, associated therewith were significant “processing/handling fees” of approximately $209,700 (Sagicor) and $7,500 (RBC) and the legal fees related to the aborted Bond transaction of $92,430. “In 2020, management substantially consolidated all banking activities, moved away from virtually all cash payments (minimised the use of cheques) and negotiated a new loan facility with Republic Bank with an effective interest rate of 4.50 per cent and processing fees of $16,750. This resulted in a reduction in overall Debt Servicing Costs from $1,315,788 to $525,512 for the comparable 12 months leading up to January 31, 2021. “Concurrently and consistent with the objective of doing everything possible to treat all obligations to all related parties in a transparent and equitable manner, an indepth review was undertaken to (a) confirm all balances

and (b) set in place a plan to get all related parties as current as practicable. According to the report, “This objective process involved down payments some obligations that were several years past due. As at January 31, 2021 this outstanding balance is $5,841,299 (down from $7,527,283 as at January 31, 2020). Following the PKF financial review, which was approved by the Board in December 2019, CWI said its management undertook a comprehensive restructuring of the Finance Department with a view to improve its systems and processes whilst integrating new technology which would allow for the generation of timely reports, improved record-keeping, better cross-functional support, and greater overall efficiency. “A major part of the restructuring was the additional investment in our financial software namely Microsoft Dynamics which was upgraded to include new Purchasing/ Purchase Requisition and Inventory modules and comprehensive training of personnel from the CEO and management team members; so that all members of the organisation whose job function includes aspects of the purchasing and inventory management could utilise the new software.

Nadal battles past Stefanos Tsitsipas for 12th Barcelona Open title RAFAEL Nadal won his 12th Barcelona Open title, saving a match point in a thrilling three-set victory over Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas. Nadal trailed 4-2 in the opener but recovered, breaking twice to take it. World number five Tsitsipas showed great grit in the second set, saving two match points in the 10th game before levelling the match on a tiebreak. In a tight third set, Nadal faced a match point before piling on the pressure to win 6-4, 6-7(6-8), 7-5. The victory, which took three hours 38 minutes, gave the 34-year-old his 61st clay court title and came against an in-form opponent who

had won his maiden Masters crown in Monte Carlo last week. "Winning the trophy here means a lot," said Nadal, who had lost only one set in 11 previous finals in the Spanish city. "I have been increasing my level and this was an important victory for me." Tsitsipas, who recovered from two sets down to beat Nadal at February's Australian Open, started this match strongly before the Spaniard turned the opening set around. Nadal again came from a break down in the second set after Tsitsipas had regrouped well. That took him to the brink of victory on the court named after him, but Tsitsipas showed his own mettle to stay in the

contest, recovering from 1540 at 4-5 with two fine points, including a lovely touch volley winner on the second. A topsy-turvy tie-break saw Nadal lead 4-2 then save two set points from 4-6 only to serve a double fault at 6-6 that helped Tsitsipas clinch it. The third set was serve-dominated until 4-5, when Nadal wobbled on his own delivery, but ultimately it was the Spaniard who proved just the tougher. Meanwhile, in the Belgrade clay court final, Italy's Matteo Berrettini won his fourth career title. The world number 10 beat Russia's Aslan Karatsev, who had stunned Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals 6-1, 3-6, 7-6, (7-0).

Avinash Persaud shot an incredible 68 (net 67) over 18 holes to win the tournament

Persaud storms to Caribe Golf Tournament title

REIGNING Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud produced his second best gross score to date in a competition to win the 18-hole Caribe Golf Tournament, which was played last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) course on the East Coast of Demerara. Persaud, the most successful Guyana Open male champion in the history of the tournament, scored a two-under-par to finish with a score of 68, just one more than his best-ever score of 67, which was achieved several years ago.

He called it a great return to the sport after staying away for several months. “It felt great to be playing again after a long time away.” Guyana’s most talented golfer, with 10 Guyana Open titles under his belt, scored 12 pars (the predetermined number of strokes to complete a hole), two bogies (one stroke over par) and four birdies (one stroke below par). Two of his birdies were scored on the front nine and the other two on the back nine. Given that the LGC has a nine-hole

course, golfers play the course twice in most competitions. The 30-year-old Persaud, who is a single handicap golfer also won the longest drive competition, where he drove the ball over 300 yards. Overall Persaud finished with a net score of 67. LGC president Patanjilee Persaud (14 handicap) placed second overall with a gross score of 81 and a net score of 67 (lost on a countback). Third place went to the ever-improving

Richard Haniff, who shot a 77 gross to finish with a net 68. Patanjilee Persaud also won the best net front-nine and Euerka Giddings, the best net back-nine. Nearest to the pin was won by Gavin Todd. Managing Director of Ansa McAl Troy Cadogan, Business Unit Head Errol Wilson and Brand Manager Kwesi Richmond were on hand for the presentation of prizes. Some 37 golfers, following the prescribed COVID-19 protocols, competed.

Women’s cricket...

West Demerara, East Bank Demerara cricket Regional nation to fill one of two remaining associations fail to show at DCB meetings THE recently elected Executive Committee DCB president Bissoondial Singh indicatspots for historic T20 tournament of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) held ed that he will continue to reach out to these its first Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) on April 24, 2021 at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) pavilion, Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. During the meeting, members expressed concern that the West Demerara Cricket Association and the East Bank Cricket Association have not attended any meeting of the DCB. These two associations were also absent from the Court-appointed meeting in February 2021 to elect officers of the DCB for the 2021-2023 term of office.

two associations since they are important to the developmental process, and in any case the cricketers are the ones who will suffer as a result of their continuing absence. Furthermore, Singh said that the presidents of both associations had been sent registered notices of the meetings and copies of those notices were published in the newspapers. In addition to the non-attendance, the two associations have not submitted their nominees for positions on the various sub-committees of the DCB.

Taking a knee to be outlawed at Tokyo Olympics Barbados won the last T20 Blaze staged by CWI in 2019

LONDON, (CMC) – A Caribbean nation will claim one of the last two spots in the historic Twenty20 tournament when women’s cricket debuts at next year’s edition of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. With West Indies unable to compete as one entity, this year’s T20 Blaze – the Cricket West Indies women’s domestic championship – will determine the country which joins several global powerhouses at the July 28 to

August 8 Games. “As per the qualification process, the winner of a designated Qualifying event will determine which country from the Caribbean region gets to participate as athletes will be representing their individual countries and not the West Indies as they would at ICC events,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement Monday. CWI last hosted the T20 Blaze in 2019 when BarbaTURN TO PAGE 24 ►

TAKING a knee is set to be outlawed at the Tokyo Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a recommendation from its own Athletes' Commission to curtail the right to protest on the field of play. Two thirds of respondents to a survey relating to a potential change of the IOC's Rule 50, which bans demonstrations of "political, religious or racial propaganda" on Olympic sites, said they did not feel such protests were appropriate. Athletes' Commission chair Kirsty Coventry said: "A very clear majority of athletes said that it's not appropriate to

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

demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, at the official ceremonies, or on the podium, and so our recommendation is to preserve (those places) from any kind of protests and demonstrations or acts perceived as such." A total of 3 547 athletes representing 185 countries and 41 sports responded to the survey, as part of a 10-month consultation process initiated by the widespread social and racial justice movements in the United States. Coventry said the recommendation - which IOC president Thomas Bach confirmed TURN TO PAGE 24 ► TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021