Issuu

MONDAY 13th DECEMBER, 2021

No. 106574

High-level taskforce activated - to respond to issues that may arise during the December-January rainy season

SEE PAGE

Guyana positioning itself as oil producer in a zero emissions world

The Kitty Pump Station in action on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)

- VP Jagdeo says, Board of Directors proposed for Natural Resources Fund SEE PAGE

Retrenched Berbice sugar workers rejoice

Ceres: Harmon not fit to lead a boy scout SEE PAGE

- $685M injected into Berbice economy SEE PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Retrenched Berbice sugar workers rejoice - $685M injected into Berbice economy

By Nafeeza Yahya

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, hands over the cheque to one of the beneficiaries, Ava Smith, at Skeldon Community Centre Ground

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, hands over a cheque to Kowsilla Ramotar

THE distribution of the government’s $250,000 one-off cash grant to retrenched sugar workers continued in Region Six on Sunday with over 2,700 persons receiving their cheques, taking the payout total to some $685M that is expected to go back in the East Berbice economy.

Following the closure of the estates by the APNU+AFC administration during their tenure, many were placed on the breadline. The situation plunged the workers into a state of depression as there was no alternative employment. The money they received from their severance quickly depleted due to the unavailability of a steady source of income and many only held on to the hope that their situation would improve. In 2020, after PPP/C administration returned to government, the plans to reopen the closed sugar estates began to materialise and in October 2021, VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo, during a meeting with sugar workers, announced that the government will be making a one-off payout of $250,000 each to the retrenched workers. Some 2,740 retrenched workers, 910 from the Rose Hall Estate benefitted from the exercise which represented a payout of $227.5M to that community while 1,830 from Skeldon Estate benefitted which amounted to $457.5 M being injected into the community’s economy. On Sunday, many braved the rains and went to the Rose Hall Welfare and Skeldon Community Centre grounds to receive their cheques. It was an atmosphere of festivity and happiness among the former sugar workers as they heaped praise on the Irfaan Ali-led administration for fulfilling its promise. Many expressed satisfaction at the timing, saying it could not have come at a better time as they shared their painful stories and now plan for the spending of the grant. Ava Smith, 62, of Ulverston Village was employed as a cleaner at the Skeldon Estate for 27 years. She was among the hundreds who received the one-off payment on Sunday. Smith, who was all smiles, told the Guyana Chronicle that she was extremely grateful. She explained that, after being severed, she was unable to find a stable job for quite some time. However, she eventually ventured into a small business where she purchased used clothes from the USA and sold it at the Port Mourant Market. WILL BE REINVESTED She posited that she will use the grant to invest and expand her small business. “I am very proud to have

received this and I know I will put it into good use. I want to buy things for my stand. I had grandchildren that I was helping with school and had to throw box hand to help them through school and look at many other ways to get money to support them. This money will help not only me but my entire family because it will be reinvested,” she said. For Parwanan Lachana, 35, of Number 76 Village, being the main breadwinner for his young family, it became very difficult after he received his severance letter. Latchana, a father of one, worked at the Skeldon Estate as an operator for 10 years. After the closure, he was forced to do odd jobs around the community to make ends meet. “It was pressure. I cried and broke down many days because I know this was going to be rough. For months, I walk all over looking for jobs and just had to tek what I get. I work gas station, paint, farm -- anything that pay meh tek am just to ensure we had things to eat,” he related. He said he even became depressed after his bills started to pile up, especially the mortgage. Presently, he has a kitchen garden which supplements the household. He related he will utilise the funds to clear the arrears of his mortgage and get some items for his family during the holiday season. “I want to put some to my mortgage and buy some nice things for the house and me child; we struggle hard so this will change our lives. I hope I can get back a lil wuk at Skeldon Estate when it reopen,” he said. Dhanraj Hemraj, 59, a father of five, who worked as a cane harvester for 30 years and eight years as a chain operator was emotional as he reminisced on the day he was fired. “It came as a shock. I never expected it but was happy with the lil severance because I thought I could a save it but it done so quick and we struggle a lot until I get re-employ as a chain operator when the Skeldon Estate start rehire. “This money means a lot for me and my family, especially during this season but we would have already prepare for the season too so this here will go in a corner and stay for the hard season TURN TO PAGE 4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

High-level taskforce activated - to respond to issues that may arise during the December-January rainy season

The taskforce will be headed by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips GUYANA’S previous rainy season took a massive toll on the country and its people; it resulted in unprecedented floods which saw waters surpassing 15 feet in some areas. As the country enters its second rainy season, [December-January] President Dr. Irfaan Ali seems not to be taking any chances. As a result, the Head of State has moved to activate a ‘Cabinet Level Taskforce’ to respond to issues brought on by the rains, especially potential

floods. According to a statement issued by the Civil Defence Commission [CDC], the taskforce will be led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, who, along with his team, will work in tandem with all local authorities to ensure that all response and mitigative systems are in place and are functional. “These systems will include, but are not limited to, all working sluices, kokers, and drainage systems,” the

CDC statement said. It noted that the aim of assembling the taskforce is to “make certain that there is a proactive and coordinated response to the current rainy season with the intent to safeguard livelihoods and property”. Additionally, the CDC said that teams from all administrative regions are mandated to regularly update the Task Force at 12-hour intervals, on any and all impacts caused by the rains. “Reports are to describe the communities affected, types

of impacts and the measures being taken by response and technical entities,” the CDC noted. It explained that already, within the past 24 hours, Regions One to Five have reported accumulated rainfall measuring above two inches. Moreover, the weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts continuous rain and thunderstorms across the entire coastland and parts of Regions Seven, Eight and 10. “Region Nine will see scattered showers intermittently,” the CDC said. Even before the launch of the taskforce, the Ministry of Agriculture, headed by Zulfikar Mustapha had embarked on an aggressive plan to ensure that all drainage apparatuses in Georgetown and across the country were functioning at maximum capacity. Those efforts led to the quick receding of accumulated waters in the City. Mustapha, in an invited comment on Friday, had said that, notwithstanding some amount of resistance from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), his ministry has moved ahead to add a secondary level of monitoring through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). “When I went [to a sluice Thursday night] while the sluice was open, half of the door was in the water impeding the flow of the water. Last night, at Riverview, residents complained that either the pump or the sluice

wasn’t working,” Minister Mustapha shared. PROMPT ACTION He said that the NDIA has been quick to ensure that issues are rectified immediately, and has also been vigilant in ensuring that all canals and drains are cleared. “I have since assigned three engineers from the NDIA to monitor these pumps and sluices on a 24hour basis to ensure they are operable. In some instances, the Town Council workers refuse entry to the compound of our engineers,” the Agriculture Minister noted. During the last rainy season, pump attendants of the M&CC were caught by President Ali sleeping on the job, while water levels in the City were rising. With heavy rainfalls expected to last until February next year, the government has issued a call for all citizens to take necessary precautions against this natural occurrence. “… so residents should be cautious and also help to ensure the system is cleared by avoid dumping garbage and other things in the system,” the minister said. The previous rainy season, which commenced earlier in May, resulted in more than two months of devastating floods, occurring in all regions, across 300 communities. This had affected some 52,000 households and destroyed thousands of acres of farmlands. Even now, many are

still trying to recover from the impact of the previous floods, and, fortunately, most of the affected persons have already benefitted from the government’s $7.8 billion flood relief programme which saw affected persons benefitting from various cash grants aimed at kick-starting their recovery. Unfortunately, a second bout of floods loom, even as the government continues distribution of the cash grants. It is hoped that with the taskforce, the country would be better equipped to minimise the effects of the rains. In addition to being chaired by Prime Minister Phillips, the taskforce comprises of the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; the Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) Director-General, Colonel Kester Craig; the National Security Advisor, Gerald Gouveia; along with representatives of the Guyana Defence Force, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority and Hydromet Office. In the meantime, residents countrywide are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary flood precautions. Also, they are encouraged to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.

he said. “Several persons seeking to lead the PNC and to be elected to lead Guyana have children who are not Guyanese. Why are you interested in leading a country when you have nothing invested in its future? Maybe your sole interest in leadership is to have access to pilfer State resources or to make State resources available to your friends and family,” he added. With the PNCR 21st Biennial Congress slated to take place on December 18, former Chairman of the party, Basil Williams, on Saturday, pulled out of the race to be leader of the party. The other candidates for Leader of the Party are currently Harmon, Aubrey Norton and Richard Van West Charles. Ceres has endorsed Norton for the position, noting that he has pledged his entire life to the

Businessman and prominent engineer, Charles Ceres service of Guyana. “Unlike Richard Van West Charles he did not accept a job which moved him away from Guyana. He has steadfastly worked to advance his community and provide guidance to young people who represent the future of Guyana,” Ceres said.

Harmon not fit to lead a boy scout

- much less PNC, says prominent engineer, Charles Ceres BUSINESSMAN and prominent engineer, Charles Ceres, has reasoned that the past decisions made by prominent members of the former David Granger administration have disqualified them from seeking leadership positions in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R). Ceres, in a statement endorsing Aubrey Norton for leader of the PNC/R, noted that persons who occupied key leadership positions under the previous administration and are now vying for leadership positions in the party, have failed to demonstrate their competences when they had the chance. He specifically named Joseph Harmon and Basil Williams, whom he opined do not understand the concept of nation

building and failed to represent the interest of the state when they were given the opportunity. “Williams and Harmon as attorneys failed to ensure minimum standard of care was applied to the management of the country’s resources; this alone disqualifies them from being leaders of the boy scouts much less a political party,” he said. Ceres pointed to a number of transactions which were executed under the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration against the best interest of the country, which he said Harmon and Williams played active roles in. “The recent correct indictment of former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is an indictment against both Harmon and

Basil Williams,” he opined, while touching on the sale of prime waterfront property by the APNU+AFC administration to BK International at an undervalued sum. “Harmon failed to represent the interest of the state, since he was part of the Cabinet which allowed the gifting of valuable state land on the Demerara River Waterfront to BK International,” he said. In addition, he noted that Williams, the former AttorneyGeneral, the attorney for the State, had equal responsibility for not ensuring adherence to the minimum standard of care for State resources under the APNU+AFC administration. POOR LEADERSHIP “Both Harmon and Williams were integral part of the

machinery which signed the agreement with ExxonMobil. That agreement has significantly disadvantaged future generations of Guyanese. That agreement confirms the inability to understand the concept of nation building,” he said. Ceres was adamant that the ability to lead is influenced by precedent and highlighted that the actions by Harmon and Williams are particularly important as they were provided with responsibilities to lead in the past. “A decision to seek the mantle of leadership must be preceded by actions which demonstrate leadership. The entire cast of individuals seeking to lead the PNC except one have failed to demonstrate committed leadership to alter the plight of the African-Guyanese person,”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Retrenched Berbice sugar workers...

FROM PAGE 2 that will come after the holidays,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. TEARS OF JOY Kowsilla Ramotar, 57, of Canefield Settlement was moved to tears of joy as she received her cheque. She related that since the closure of the estate, she was unable to find a job and resorted to selling achar and coconut choka at a roadside stand. Ramotar was employed as a cleaner at the Rose Hall Estate. She was worried how her family would have been able to enjoy the holidays but now they have sufficient to be merry and have some to save and take care of their

basic needs. She expressed thanks to the government for the payout, noting that in an instant her outcome has changed from good to bad and now to good again. Meanwhile, Jeetandra Suril, 43, told the Guyana Chronicle that he feels as though life has returned to his body and is optimistic that same feeling will be felt in the community of Rose Hall soon as the estate begins operation again. Suril, a father of three, said for many months his life felt stagnant and he faced many challenges in finding another job in order to maintain his home. He noted those were days he did

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not want to relive. In 2021, he was rehired as a tractor mate at the Rose Hall Estate, which changed his life. “I plant a garden and do any lil work meh find to send the children to school. Those were very terrible days. Is only when I get rehired I feel like meh body get life again and things can be normal. With the money I receive here I feel very comfortable, it’s like life come back to meh body. Things were dull and sad for me. I have a next 15 years more with GuySuCo and for that I feel secure,” he said. WILL ALWAYS BE SUPPORTIVE Meanwhile, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, in brief remarks, highlighted

that the government understood the pain and suffering the retrenched sugar workers endured under the APNU+AFC Government and was doing all it can to bring relief to them. “It was a heart rendering, emotional experience to hear and see, firsthand, what the callous and unconscionable and cruel decision by the APNU+AFC to close the sugar estates and what it has done, not just at an aggregate economic level, but the damage and the cruelty that were inflicted and what that had done to the individual households and individual families; some of that damage we may never be able to repair,” he told the grant beneficiaries. Apart from the one-off grant, the government was looking at various avenues

Dhanraj Hemraj to provide employment and other opportunities to help to bring more relief to all Guyanese. “Our commitment to you is that we are trying to provide some support and help you in whatever way we can but our commitment does not stop at this $250,000 grant and, as you are aware, we have already started work to re-open the estate. In fact, many people have already started to be re-hired in many of these area, hundreds of people have been re-hired already. In addition to that, we are working to create other economic activities for people to be able to find other types of work,” he said. Such economic activities will be visible in a new call centre, the farm to market roads at #52 and #58 Villages that are expect to open up some 50,000 acres of new lands, the deep water

harbour project at the mouth of the Berbice River, the Molsen to Eldorado Road and the Guyana/Suriname Bridge. These projects, among others, the minister said will completely transform the Berbice economy which will also see the injection of $685,000,000 as a result of the cash grant to the retrenched workers that will filter down into the village economies. Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, was also present at the distribution exercise. He alluded to the many projects being rolled out by the government to make the lives of citizens comfortable. “We are fulfilling the promises that we have made to the people of our country. We are not taking away jobs; we are not taking away benefits from the people. We are giving benefits and restoring livelihoods…This government, over the past 15 months, has rolled out a number of benefits to the Guyanese people. This is one of them. That’s the kind of investment we are making so this don’t have anything to do with politics; this has to do with the welfare of the people of the country,” the minister said. The team was accompanied by Regional Chairman, David Armogan and Regional Vice-Chairman, Zamal Hussain.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Guyana positioning itself as oil producer in a zero emissions world - VP Jagdeo says, Board of Directors proposed for Natural Resources Fund

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo By Rehana Ahamad EVEN if the global net zero carbon emission targets are met by 2050, the world will still need to be supplied with up to 24 million barrels of oil per day. This is according to Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who recently signalled government’s intention to position Guyana as a deserving long-term oil producer. “The developed world has done its bit,” Jagdeo said, alluding to the fact that even though first world countries are the leading carbon emitters and polluters of the environment, small and developing nations such as Guyana are the ones suffering the brunt of the consequences, stemming from destructive hurricanes and earthquakes, to disastrous floods and drought. In his keynote address to an awards ceremony and gala hosted by the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Thursday evening, Jagdeo registered his disappointment with the court case filed by two Guyanese seeking to bar ExxonMobil and its partners from continuing to drill for oil offshore Guyana. The two men have claimed that the environmental impacts of the operations infringe on their human rights. “If you add all of the emissions from Exxon Mobil… and emissions from every sector here in Guyana, it will not be equivalent to the emissions of the world in one hour in a day; it would be less than; that is annual emissions,” the VicePresident posited. He believes that Guyanese who want the country’s oil production to seize are essentially propagating the agenda of developed nations that are adamant to continue the operations that make them wealthier, while saddling developing states with

the responsibilities of protecting the environment. “So, our NGO [NonGovernmental Organisation] believes we must shutdown the operations here, but in the developed world, they want more oil pumped because prices are escalating and affecting their people, their businesses, their consumers,” Jagdeo highlighted. He continued: “There are just 490 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide allowance remaining before we achieve net zero and the 1.5 degrees targets; that belongs to us now in the developing world; the developed world has used up its allowances, but they don’t behave that way; they want equal burden sharing now, all of everything that we have.” The former President went further to lament the hypocrisy behind some of the environmental instructions that come from larger countries, including a directive that the developed world will not support financing for any fossil fuel-related activities and that gas, which is a fossil fuel-related sector, should not be part of the energy mix of the future because it is polluting. “But we have just seen that when gas prices tripled in Europe, the same countries that say this, they’re now starting up some coal fire power plants which are even more polluting than using gas for energy,” Dr. Jagdeo complained. He argued that when developed countries are faced with crises, “they look at any solution, whether it’s polluting or not.” NO BASIS Further, the Vice-President pointed to the dangers of publishing unfounded articles that are often “passed off as analysis”. “…they harm our interests and they have no basis in solid reasoning, absolutely none,” Jagdeo posited, as he called on members of the private sector to stand up to the misinformation being peddled. Jagdeo, dubbed a ‘Champion of the Earth’ for his efforts to fight against climate change, has said that, over the years, Guyana has dutifully served the earth as a net carbon sink, and that it now deserves to be able to maximise its oil resources to improve the country and the lives of its people. As it is, Guyana’s 18.48 million forested hectares stores some 5.31 gigatons of carbon, making it the second highest forest carbon stock per capita of any country on Earth. According to Jagdeo, this reputable status was not achieved overnight, but rather, resulted from a myriad of protective measures instituted by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C),

during its years in government. “First of all, if you have to cut a single tree in Guyana the approach is you have to submit to the Forestry Commission… you have to submit for approval a five-year management plan; you have to submit an annual operational plan; you have to do 100 per cent inventory – that is, measure every tree that you intend to extract; you then get a unique tag that could be traced, a logging tag that could be traced back to your concession for every tree that you cut,” Jagdeo elaborated. He said that Guyana’s forestry sector currently has worldclass monitoring, reporting and verification systems, which are, on an annual basis, internationally verified by satellite technology and on-the-ground proofing. “That is why our forest has remained intact,” Jagdeo asserted. He said that definitively, too, even with a relatively new petroleum sector, the PPP/C Government will ensure that the growing economy is effectively balanced with improved measures to protect the environment. Even as the local oil and gas sector continues to grow more and more lucrative, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government has insisted that it will not fall prey to the infamous Dutch Disease by becoming overly reliant on oil revenues. As a matter of fact, the government has often said that it intends to utilise its oil revenues to propel the countries critical non-oil sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, health and social services. KEY Added to that, Jagdeo reminded that enacting comprehensive and effective Local Content legislation is also key to ensuring that Guyanese benefit directly from their nation’s oil wealth. This piece of legislation is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday, according Jagdeo. He explained that the contents of the legislation were

crafted in a manner which ensures optimum local participation in the petroleum industry, but does not discourage foreign investments. “That’s the balance we’re trying to strike and it will be done, and we will pass it soon.” Also slated for the National Assembly is the Amendment Bill for the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), which seeks to ensure that the country’s oil revenues are spent in a manner that is transparent to the people of Guyana. The government has said that it will not touch a dime of the $US534 million contained in the fund, unless the existing legislation is amended to ensure greater transparency with regards to use of the monies. Jagdeo said that, as part of the proposed amendments to the NRF, a Finance Minister could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment for failing to disclose and officially Gazette receipt of oil revenues within a three-month period. He was quick to reference previous transgressions committed by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government, particularly as it related to a signing bonus it received from oil giant, ExxonMobil in 2016. “The former Finance Minister said we never received, nor did we request a signing bonus… a year after they [the previous government] had received the $18 million US dollars and placed it in an account that is not reflected in the Consolidated Fund nor was part of the balance sheet of the Central Bank,” Jagdeo recalled. He reminded too that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic was forced to go as far as the courts to ensure that the monies were paid into the Consolidated Fund, in accordance with the Constitution. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Altogether, Jagdeo said that four major sets of amendments were being proposed for the

It is believed that Guyana, as a longstanding carbon sink, deserves to reap the benefits of its lucrative oil and gas industry, while developed countries begin adhering to global climate change requirements legislation which governs the NRF. They include a proposal for a Board of Directors to be strategically inserted to function between the Finance Minister and the management of the fund. “While in opposition, we said that the Minister of Finance was too directly involved and had too much of an influence in the legislation,” the VicePresident noted. He assured that once the

proposed amendments are passed, all matters pertaining to the NRF, including deposits and withdrawals, would be clearly publicised in a manner that could be easily understood by members of the public. “It is not going to be complex. It will say that below this sum on an annual basis, the money comes directly to the Treasury, and beyond this sum, larger shares of it will be saved,” Jagdeo noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Sustainable Development

GUYANA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently signed a framework agreement aimed at accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The framework agreement identifies common challenges faced by countries in the region and seeks to inform positions taken by the United Nations to complement national development efforts. The new Multi-Country Sustainable Development Co-operation Framework (MFDCF) covers the period 2022-2026 and was officially signed by Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and UN Resident Co-ordinator, Yesim Oruc. The UNDP Programme in Guyana is guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the UN Multi-country Sustainable Development Framework for the Caribbean (UN MSDF). It is designed to be responsive to the diverse develop-

mental needs of countries covered under the framework agreement. The diversity is reflected in three broad thematic areas, namely, poverty eradication, structural transformation and resilience building. Guyana and the UNDP has a long history of cooperation. It has been operating in Guyana since 1966 and has been playing a key role in Guyana and the region as a whole where sustainable growth and human development still remain a challenge. According to the 2021 Regional Human Development Report, the region is one characterised by great contrasts, where wealth and prosperity coexist with vulnerability and extreme poverty. There are also high levels of volatility, low growth and low productivity. According to the report, the Latin America and the Caribbean region is caught in a trap of high inequality and low growth. This has resulted in a vicious cycle that limits the ability to advance on all fronts of human develop-

ment. Guyana for the greater part of its post-independence period had experienced stunted growth and consequently low levels of human development. During that period, the country scored poorly on the UNDP Human Index, thanks to nearly three decades of PNC authoritarian rule. However, with better access to education, improved healthcare, improved delivery of social services and an overall improvement in living standards, Guyana’s ranking on the UNDP Human Development Index is expected to improve although it will take some time before the economic and social wreckage of the past can be fully regularised. With the restoration of democratic rule on October 5, 1992, the country began to experience a sustained period of growth but the baggage of past mismanagement and structural deformities continue to be a drag on the realisation of the country’s full potential. However, the quality of life of the Guya-

nese people improved progressively and incrementally, due in large measure to the people-oriented policies and programmes of the PPP/C administration. With the discovery of oil and gas in large commercial quantities, Guyana is now poised for unprecedented economic growth and currently ranks among the fastest growing economies in the region and, for that matter, the world. The UNDP has contributed to Guyana’s development priorities in particular by supporting the objectives of the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), promoting economic development and combatting climate change. As pointed by the UNDP Resident Co-ordinator, the partnership agreement between the UN and the Guyana Government reinforces the shared commitment to the achievement of the global goals and to mobilise the UN to accompany Guyana’s remarkable development trajectory. According to

the Resident Co-ordinator, ‘across all the areas of sustainable development, there is great momentum in Guyana even though there is much to be done for Guyana to reach its own national development ambitions.’ Guyana is indeed on the path of economic recovery. The road to recovery has never been easy but the support it received from the several developmental partners has been overwhelming. The assistance by the United Nations and its several agencies has been particularly beneficial especially in critical areas such as defence of our territorial integrity and our national security. The United Nations through its Secretary-General has been highly instrumental in the search for a solution to our territorial dispute with neighbouring Venezuela, despite the intransigence displayed by our neighbour to the west. The matter is now before the World Court for adjudication. The UNDP had also played a role in the strength-

ening of our democracy by way of technical assistance to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Under the former Chairman of GECOM, such assistance was frowned upon, but given the new dispensation at GECOM it is expected than any assistance aimed at institutional strengthening of that important body would be welcomed. As mentioned by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the virtual Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, it will take the collective effort of all stakeholders globally to safeguard democracy from those w h o a re i n c l i n e d t o gain power other than through the democratic route. In this regard, the United Nations and its several arms, including the UNDP, must be commended for the role it has played in the consolidation of democratic rule in Guyana and in the overall development of Guyana.

Electoral reform or constitutional reform, the ‘rigging’ of elections in Guyana must be stopped

Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will not conduct Local Government Elections (LGEs) within the statutory constitutional period this year. Chairwoman Justice (retired) Claudette Singh recently confirmed this position in a letter to the Attorney-General, publicised in several widely circulated media reports. The main reason presented by GECOM’s Chairperson is the absence of a Chief Elections Officer (CEO). The cause of such absence is no secret, much public evidence

of nefarious actions the previous CEO and staff under his supervision, highlights deep embroilment in activities egregious to GECOM’s image and mandate, resulting in electoral fraud charges. Consequently, the occurrences have not only exacerbated the hemorrhaging loss of confidence in the electoral body but now creates an overspill of national and community implications that is the source of debates and discussions concerning reforms as a corrective necessity. Be as it may, it is absolute that GECOM must hold LGEs at the earliest

time. This must, however, be advanced in full cognisance and recognition that election rigging must never be allowed to happen again in this country. This country had enough ‘gridlocks’, our people had too many woeful experiences while being on the periphery. Today, we must see swing votes as unity votes and recognise that reforms will come with further development. Hence, the imperatives required of GECOM are to ensure that all systems are in place to hold free and fair elections. The importance of the LGEs must not be under-

scored given their role as a key countercheck mechanism on community development at the municipal, community, and village levels. Importantly, it is paramount that local leaders elected at these levels also be brought to a decisive review point, held accountable by the citizens they serve for delivery of essential services; and in ensuring parallel development in partnership with the national plans. Notably, the ruling PPP/C Government has long recognised and demonstrated support in this regard and has ensured the adequacy of funding for these elections.

There have been calls for power-sharing and the outcry regarding needed constitutional reforms. Importantly, the latter requires two-thirds majority support in the National assembly and takes significant time. In the past, the process has been significantly abused by PNC representatives, and this fact is evidenced by the decades of fruitless meetings by the appointed taskforce. Our nation, therefore, should not be held at ransom under this guise before LGEs are held. The reforms that are being put in place to strengthen the Representation of the People

Act (RoPA), are highly relevant in enabling GECOM to proceed with fewer risks until objective constitutional reforms are finalised. Democracy is no longer a stand-alone word of optional pursuit. Rather, it is now accepted as a necessity in our global civilised relations. Elections as the key instrument of democratic approaches must be devoid of discrimination, hatred, rigging, bullying, and the likes. In the past PNC governments, the Guyanese people struggled for adult suffrage, experienced a TURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

The music was a distraction Dear Editor,

The heart-centred approach of the Ali administration is resonating with the population. Government welcomes constructive criticism and

this is sent in that spirit. I recently watched (on Facebook) President Ali’s address at the Guyana Tourism Awards. The President made several important points and announcements. However, the background music was

more in the foreground and made it difficult to hear and concentrate on what His Excellency was saying. It was competing for attention and was almost drowning him out. A short continuous loop kept repeating and the effect

Electoral reform or...

FROM PAGE 6 Coaition government that failed us in 1964, and had our rights trampled under the paramountcy system of the PNC party. This characteristic behaviour of the PNC must not be condoned and our people must never again have to flee this country begging and looking for a better place to only survive. After decades of turmoil and suffering, it took a united people with the establishment of the Political Committee in Defense of Democracy (PCD) and the assistance of the world, particularly the Carter Center that enable our nation to experience free and fair elections in 1992. Editor, please permit me the latitude to touch a little on the consideration of power-sharing as a starting consideration of commentators, given the experience our nation has had at the hands of the PNC when it joined with the United Force (UF) in 1964. Then again in 2015, another PNC coalition with mainly the AFC took the seat of power. The result was nonstop corruption along with no respect for inclusivity, and total disrespect for the people led to the defeat and fall of the Coalition Government.

In strong contrast, although the PPP had a high chance of winning the 1992 elections, the party recognised the need to put an end to the winner-takes-all government and introduced the broad base inclusivity proposal of the civic component. At that time the civic component was promised a twenty per cent share in the government and there was tremendous prestige, pride, and recognition that the civic component brought to the list of candidates. When the PPP/Civic won in 1992, the broad-minded approach of Dr. Jagan’s PPP party allowed the civic to take more than forty per cent of the government. Our economy was turned around and experienced tremendous development. It is clear to all that the PPP approach to politics in this country is more inclusive and appreciated although objectivity in models can be considered. Notably, the youthful leadership of the PPP/C Government is certainly very proactive and very efficient. The fact that the government is governing for all the people is resulting in development across the country. The

PPP/C policy is all-inclusive and our youths are benefiting from powerful education programmes and there will be further improvements leading to the all-round development of our economy and greater success. As the PPP/C development traction gains momentum, we must guarantee the insurance of our democracy and people’s rights by putting an end to marginalisation, discrimination, and advancing free and fair elections. Hence, legislative changes to strengthen the electoral process must be our priority to ensure that we have early LGEs. The necessity for us to have a better functioning GECOM must also be our priority. I take the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Vishnu Persaud for his appointment as the new Chief Elections Officer. Sir, you have in your hands the opportunity of being the astute professional that will realise the change and balance required in restoring the confidence of our people in GECOM. The rigging of elections must be stopped. Congrats! Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

was distracting and irritating. I almost got a headache. The President’s speech is not a movie or dramatic production. It is not enhanced by loud and monotonous music. At most, such music can be played as a one-minute intro and outro.

The President’s address is sufficiently interesting to hold our attention. Government might want to review other video productions to see if distracting music is an issue. Wishing the First Family and all my Guyanese

brothers and sisters a safe, blessed and enjoyable Christmas season. The Main Street light up is fantastic! Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

It is okay to feel angry

VIOLENCE aimed at one due to one’s sex, is known as gender-based violence (GBV), and it can take many forms – violence isn’t always physical. Violence can also be psychological, emotional and verbal. When we speak of genderbased violence, we address the aggression inflicted on women by men. Although on rare occasions, the violence can be enacted on men by women and on women by women and men by men, it is primarily women who get injured for life by an ex-boyfriend or spurned lover; and women who get regularly murdered at the hands of men. Another example of gender-based violence is when men fall into economic poverty and take it out on their wives. Unable to make ends meet and scraping by on a meagre allowance cause anxiety and depression for both adults. Women who feel endangered when their male partners have had too much to

drink or when something goes wrong in their life are prone to become victims of genderbased violence. Mothers living in despair can negatively affect their children without knowing, creating a discontented household. In some communities violence against women, such as a husband beating his wife, is seen as a private or domestic affair – which is of little or no concern to neighbours or passers-by. But no man has a right to beat his sister, mother, girlfriend, wife or daughter. Some women are led to believe that they ‘asked for it’ or they ‘made’ the person’ knock’ them. Therefore, the fault lies with the victim. However, it is never the victim’s fault. The leading cause of physical violence lies with the perpetrator. The way he thinks; his views on women and girls in relation to himself; and the environment in which he was raised. Parents raise their boys to be tough and their girls to be delicate and soft. Only girls

are meant to cry. How often have you heard the phrase ‘boys don’t cry? Boys are meant to be strong and never show their true feelings. But boys do cry, and they should learn to come to terms and deal with how they feel during development. Everyone has feelings they need to express and not keep bottled up inside. Boys and girls should have the chance to speak about and examine how they feel to begin to understand how intense feelings can be, and yet they subside in time. Most of all, young people must learn how to control their state of mind and not become engrossed by them or take out their negative mindset on others. Many families have unspoken traditions where girls and women are mistreated and physically abused. Nothing much is expected from female family members except for having children and housekeeping. Their fathers may slap or beat their mothers, and the young people

who witnessed the beatings will do and accept the same in their adult lifestyles. This dysfunction stems from a patrilineal system, an acceptable social norm in some households. When an unfortunate crime comes to light through a disfigurement or fatality, neighbours and family members are always on hand to say how the victim suffered years of abuse at the perpetrator’s hand. By then, of course, it is too late. Some men harbour views that validate violence against women to some extent, with notions that violence gives them dominance over their female partners and proves that men are superior to the weaker sex. One young mother recalls, ‘My older brother was in the room next door when my partner started to cuff me in my head, I screamed loud enough for him to know what was happening to me, but he never came to my rescue. Over the years, I realised and later learnt that he displayed the same behaviour towards

his wife and eldest daughter on occasions. He lashed out at them with cuffs and violence. Relationships need love, understanding and ‘two minds in sync’ to flourish amicably? There are cultures known for keeping women suppressed and treated like second-class citizens, with a lack of education and early marriages sometimes arranged from 9-year-olds. This process may be acceptable in societies where men believe they are entitled to women and believe they own the same. But this is not a custom practised in Guyana, and everyone knows that women are not property to be bought, sold or owned by anyone. Women and girls should be treated with respect by boys and men. They should be given opportunities to live their lives free from all types of abuse or fear of the same. Women and girls deserve the right to achieve their goals, aspirations and ambitions the same as boys and men. To curb the onslaught of

domestic violence in our society, we must address the way we raise our children and the social norms we teach about morals and self-awareness. It is alright to feel angry, sad, frustrated, worried, betrayed, frightened etc. Things arise in life that test our faith, resilience, and sanity. Teach children to recognise and examine their feelings and give them an undivided listening ear to talk about them if they choose. A hotline for victims of domestic abuse is operational 24/7. Members of the public who feel threatened or vulnerable can call 914 for advice and assistance. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Region Two administration hosts Christmas Tree light-up

THE Region Two administration, on Friday evening, ‘lit up’ a 20-foot Christmas Tree, at Anna Regina, to usher in the Christmas spirit. This is the third consecutive year that the region has done this. The event, was held in front of the Regional State House where a staff member reflected on the holiday season.

Robert Mc Curdy reminded the audience that the birth of Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated during this season. He urged the gathering to ensure they kept Christ in mind while they are celebrating. Greetings for the holidays were extended by each programme head of the regional administration. Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Susana Saywack, said that

the season is all about giving and spreading cheers. Noting that Guyana is a multiculture society, she said she admires the way persons socialise during the festive season. She used the opportunity to wish the staff a Merry Christmas and later commended the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for doing well in terms of its capital and current works.

Also making brief remarks was Regional ViceChairman, Humace Oodit, who extended Christmas greetings to everyone present. He said it was a joyous occasion and urged those gathered to ensure they took care of their health. Oodit said Christmas was a time to celebrate the achievements of one’s life and to foster family time. He

The lit Christmas Tree said Region Two had been transformed over the years and preparation was in place to present the 2022 budget, which will include money to improve public services in Region Two.

During the programme, carols were sung by the students of the Anna Regina Secondary School. Later on, the Christmas tree was switched on after the count of 10.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

5 per cent Region 10 population positive for COVID-19 WITH a population of 39,992 according to the country’s 2012 count, one in every 17 persons in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) have now tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus. This means nearly six per cent of the overall number of persons in the Region have tested positive for COVID-19, according to data provided by the Ministry of Health on Sunday last. Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, during his COVID-19 briefing, maintained that where COVID-19 vaccination numbers were high, cases and deaths were low. “In the areas where we have a lot of people [who] still remain unvaccinated, unfortunately, we are going to have more cases. And some of those cases are going to be severe and will require

hospitalisation,” Dr Anthony said in late November. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had set a global target for governments to vaccinate 40 per cent of their populations by December 2021. Guyana has surpassed that target, vaccinating 56 per cent of our population against the deadly pandemic. Vaccination numbers in Region 10, however, remain low. In August, the Health Minister reported: “Region 10 has the lowest numbers for first dose vaccines… we have just completed about 5,693 vaccines [which are] first dose”. The Minister was concerned that there are also persons in the Region who might have flu-like symptoms but do not take COVID-19 tests which resulted in lower test-

ing for COVID-19 in the region. “We know with COVID there might be people who are asymptomatic, so if you don’t do tests, you wouldn’t know whether you are positive or not,” Dr Anthony related. The Health Minister had cause to call out what he considered politicisation of the pandemic in the region, which was contributing to vaccine hesitancy. It was observed that residents in Region 10 supported a lockdown call by regional leaders in early September to protest government’s COVID-19 emergency measures. Jermaine Figueira, parliamentary representative of the region and a member of the political opposition, was quoted in the media referring to the government’s vaccination policy as “coercive”,

a position supported by the region’s Chairman, Deron Adams. Just a few months prior, in June, the region’s ViceChairman, Douglas Gittens, died from COVID-19. Gittens had supported the need for persons to get vaccinated, repeating this call one month before his death. With the threat of the Omicron variant looming, Guyana has ‘upped’ its recommendation for citizens to get booster shots for COVID-19. This recommendation comes based on the growing scientific evidence that twodose vaccines start to lose their effectiveness after six months, and after two months for one-dose vaccines like the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. With the Christmas season likely to mean increased

Suddie Parlour promises corrective measures following another ‘mix-up’ THE management of the Suddie Funeral Parlour will soon be implementing measures to ensure that the mix-up of bodies does not happen in the future. This is according to the chairman of the funeral parlour’s management committee, Charran Sarajeet. His comments came on heels of a recent mix-up of two bodies which were being stored at the Region Two facility. The Ram family of Mainstay cremated Nathan Fiedktou’s body instead of their deceased relative, Oodit Ram. Fiedkou, 87, of Onderneeming in Region Two died seven days ago. When Fiedkou’s relatives showed up at the parlour on Sunday morning to collect his remains, they were told that he had already been cremated. They had already made preparation to bury the pensioner according to Christian rites. The upset relatives told this publication that they were left dumbfounded when they learnt of the mix-up. The family had also purchased clothing and a coffin and were heading to the Adventist Church for the viewing. Given the development, they were forced to conduct a funeral service without the body of their relative. The clothing was placed inside the coffin minus the

The Suddie Funeral Parlour where the mix-up occurred body. The tomb was already Rakesh Ram, the dead man’s built but nothing could be son said. placed inside owing to the Rakesh said that the parabsence of the man’s body. lour’s management con“We are really sad over tacted him and it was agreed this, and we blamed the that they (the parlour) will management of the parlour take on the responsibility for this. We have lots of of disposing the body. He people travel from Canada explained to this publicato come to see our grand- tion that his father died father,” a granddaughter from COVID-19 complirelated. cations which means that The family is now seek- certain guidelines have to ing answers from the man- be followed with respect agement committee. They to the burial. He is clueless are also questioning why no as to how such a mix-up tagging system is in place at could have occurred and he the facility. expressed his desire for a Meanwhile, when con- speedy resolution and clotacted Ram’s family related sure of the matter. that they had already held The parlour’s mana funeral service according agement committee will to Hindu rites for him. The be making the necessary family said that the funeral interventions to ensure was held on Saturday and that proper tagging is done the ashes were already scat- at all the hospitals in the tered. region before COVID-19 “We are poor. We hardly patients are transportcould have afforded it. We ed there for storage. The asked for help and we man- management committee aged to get someone. To be will also be meeting with honest, we cannot offset the two families and the another funeral service. We necessary interventions already did the service also,” will be made.

gatherings, the Health Minister urged, in a recent COVID-19 briefing, persons to ensure they are in well-ventilated areas and that gatherings are limited to small numbers. For the Omicron variant which is currently increasing steadily in the global north, Dr Anthony

cautioned: “It’s not only by droplets but this virus spreads by aerosols which means particles still remain suspended in the air you’re breathing for a much longer time. So somebody could have been there that got the virus, sneeze or something, and that remains suspended in the air”.

Health worker sterilises a document during a sanitisation exercise. (Adrian Narine/Guyana Chronicle)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Human Services Ministry condemns murder of Mon Repos woman - says no call was made to 914 hotline

DEAD: Balram Heeralall

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, on Sunday, publicly condemned the brutal

murder of 48-year-old Malini Wahid, who was strangled, on Friday, by her 50-yearold reputed husband,

Balram Heeralall called ‘Nappy’. Relatives had told the media that Wahid endured years of abuse

at the hands of the man and that calls to the domestic violence hotline – 914 – went unanswered. They said by the time the police arrived, Wahid was dead. The ministry, in a statement which was posted on its Facebook page and released to the media, said that an investigation was immediately launched to ascertain the reason behind the alleged unanswered calls. “Upon receipt of those allegations, an investigation was immediately launched which included thorough review by Digicel and GTT and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security of all calls placed to the 914 hotline on that day, a review of the ministry’s internal call logs and several interviews with the personnel who manage the 914 hotline,” the statement said. It added that the findings of the investigation revealed that no calls placed to the 914 hotline by any GTT or Digicel number on December 10, 2021 were missed (unanswered) or dropped. A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t was uncovered that there were no reports received by the 914 hotline on December 10, 2021, in relation to Heeralall’s abuse and murder of his partner. Further, no report, to date, was made to the 914 hotline on Heeralall’s abuse and murder of his partner. According to the findings, the hotline was receiving and responding to calls for the 24 hours on the day in question during which operators received numerous reports of other incidents of abuse. A police report detailed that the couple

DEAD: Malini Wahid

lived together at Martyrs Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and would normally have domestic issues. Heeralall was before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s court for assaulting and threatening the woman. Police said that, on Friday, the couple appeared before the court and they were both sent home. Heeralall later left home to sell clothing, and, on his way, he called his wife and told her that a horse hit his car and she must visit him at Triumph Public Road. However, she did not go. About 20:15 hrs, he arrived home with his car and complained of feeling pain in his chest and she rubbed his chest and offered him tea which he refused. He then requested to go to the doctor in his car and asked her to accompany him. However, she insisted that they take a taxi and this resulted in an argument. The woman was later heard crying for help. According to the police, a neighbour responded by jumping the fence and saw Heeralall choking Wahid on the floor of the living room. He was reportedly telling her to die as he choked her. He later laid next to the woman’s body after ingesting a suspected poisonous substance. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by paramedics of the Melanie Fire Station but died shortly after arrival.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Call centre for the Corentyne GOVERNMENT will be budgeting monies in 2022 to create the infrastructure for a call centre in East-Berbice, Corentyne, Region Six. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made this announcement on Saturday, while commissioning a new water treatment plant in Sheet Anchor, Region Six. “Only two days ago, the Minister of Finance was

in discussion with a major call centre that is willing to bring investment in Region Six, that will create at least 500 jobs. We are now working on the new budget to put the money to put the infrastructure in place to have this investment realised as quickly as possible,” President Ali confirmed. President Ali explained that the government is de-

veloping the entire country and that Region Six will not be left behind. Phillip Rose, a resident of New Amsterdam welcomed the initiative and said the economy of Region Six will be boosted, and that more persons will be meaningfully employed. “It will mean a lot. I believe the President has development at heart. I think we have call centres

here but not massive as the president envisions. What I would like to say is that we want to see this come on board and a lot of young people will be getting jobs. This region needs job creation,” Rose stated. In September, the government, through the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment, Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, signed

a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MIDAS BPO to establish a call centre in Linden that will employ 250 persons. This is part of fulfilling yet another manifesto promise of providing 50,000 jobs in the first five-year term. Thousands of jobs have already been created in just over a year by the government. The sugar industry

has accounted for some of the jobs after the government reopened the shuttered sugar estates. The construction sector is also steaming ahead, and is guided by the home construction drive under the Ministry of Housing and Water. The Tourism and Hospitality sector is also picking up, while the agriculture sector is expanding, just to name a few. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) – a closer look By Vanessa Cort

GANESH, a resident of the Corentyne, would head for the crack cocaine block every Friday afternoon, after he collected his pay. He would stop home first to shower and change into fresh clothes and arrive on the ‘block’ in high spirits. He was anxious to get his first smoke and would be impatient to get a ‘crack pipe’, often loaned to him by

a fellow smoker. His boisterous good humour would fade from the moment he took that ‘hit’ and his paranoia would surface. He would then begin pacing the yard looking suspiciously at everyone and peer out in the direction of the road expecting the police to arrive at any moment He would be reluctant to part with the ‘pipe’ and became aggressive if the owner tried to take it back. Often he would agree to purchase it

and held onto it as if his life depended on it. Someone who liked to card-gamble, Ganesh would seek out other smokers and gamble and smoke until his money was done. But he would not stop there. He would ask for credit and when he reached his limit would begin to pawn his clothing, starting with his sneakers, which the seller accepted because they were usually brand names and

she knew his family would redeem them all and pay his outstanding debt. In fact Ganesh often left the ‘block’ in nothing but his underwear, towed home by someone appointed by the seller. Following his departure, a family member would appear, pay his debt and uplift his clothing while loudly lamenting his behaviour. Though he was still able to hold down a job, Ganesh

nevertheless portrayed many of the signs of Substance Use Disorder (SUD). He became paranoid and aggressive and once he started to smoke was unable to ‘call a halt’ even after his money was finished. His behaviour was extreme, in that he resorted to literally selling ‘the clothes off his back’ just so he could continue smoking. Jenny, on the other hand, has smoked crack every day now for more years than she can count and picked up the habit over two decades ago, when she would smoke much as Ganesh did. She is sharp-tongued and witty and supports her habit by cleaning and doing odd jobs for people and engaging in what she called “going with men”. She actually lives on a block, keeping her clothing and other personal effects in bags and bathing at nearby Bourda Market, where she also washes her clothes. “I stopped plenty times,” she told me, “but I always start back”. She has developed a chronic cough, which she says is the result of smoking both crack and cigarettes and ruefully comments, “I think one day they going to kill me”. And though I have been talking about Jenny in the present tense, her words proved prophetic as she died some months after our chat, apparently emaciated and incontinent. I was told that before her death Jenny had deteriorated to the point where she had begun sleeping on a shopfront pavement and could no longer walk. She lived on the charity of passers-by and residents of the neighbourhood, who

would provide her with food and snacks. Often she would leave the food untouched and would crawl and stumble to the nearest block, where she would ‘smoke out’ all the money she was given. It appears that Jenny’s vital organs began to fail her and her body was so weakened that she found it difficult to stay upright. More than once she had been hospitalised but refused to stay and would take her own discharge. Jenny ‘came from a good family’, who, she admitted, were initially concerned about her but left her to her ‘own devices’ when she continually resisted their efforts to help and continued to smoke crack. Ganesh, too, came from a family who could afford to pay his weekly debts. How long they would keep this up and how much longer he, a recent smoker, would be able to stay in a job, are questionable. Instead of helping him, however, by paying his debts, his family was enabling him though they clearly did not know what else to do and as the “baby” of the family they had completely spoiled him. But families are often ‘at a loss’ to know how to cope with someone with a Substance Abuse Disorder. And while there are many services available in countries like the United States for consultation, counselling and treatment of persons with SUDs, there is still much work to be done in this country to provide similar services to help combat the growing scourge of substance abuse.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Everton fans Boo Benitez in side’s latest loss

James Tomkins scored his first Premier League goal since 28 December 2019

(BBC) - Everton’s wretched season continued as fans booed Rafael Benitez’s decision to substitute Richarlison during another defeat at Crystal Palace. Demarai G ray’s poor pass let in Jordan Ayew who found Conor Gallagher to sweep home his fifth Premier League goal since joining from Chelsea on loan at the start of the season. At 1-0, manager Benitez replaced Brazil forward Richarlison - who was clearly unhappy to go off with Salomon Rondon, which provoked an angry reaction from the travelling fans at Selhurst Park. Four minutes later, James Tomkins made it 2-0 from close range following a corner by Will Hughes, who was making his first start since joining Palace in August. Rondon’s first goal for Everton gave Benitez’s side hope but Gallagher’s wonderful finish from outside the box in the closing moments secured a thoroughly deserved win that lifts Palace above the Toffees into 12th spot in the Premier League table. Palace were the more threatening team, with Jordan Pickford forced to save from Ayew and Wilfried Zaha before England midfielder Gallagher struck in the closing stages of the first half. Everton have won

10 points from losing positions this season but were unable to avoid a fourth defeat in five games and face a daunting return to London on Thursday to take on third-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (19:45 GMT). Fans turn on Benitez Crystal Palace 3-1 Everton: Mistakes cost Everton says Benitez Monday’s late win over Arsenal helped alleviate some pressure on Benitez but there was no mistaking the whistles and jeers when he opted to replace Richarlison with Rondon shortly before the hour mark. Richarlison, who had just 10 touches, shook his head as he slowly walked off the pitch before slumping into a seat in the dugout. Everton, who have lost four in a row away from home, actually played their most threatening football with the number seven off the pitch. After Rondon pulled a goal back from close range, Andros Townsend had an attempt deflected narrowly wide against his former club. Then Anthony Gordon went for goal instead of passing, with Palace keeper Vicente Guaita denying the substitute b e f o re G a l l a g h e r produced a sumptuous finish in the 93rd minute to seal Everton’s eighth league defeat of the season.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Verstappen is F1 Champion

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

(F1) - Max Verstappen secured his maiden World Championship with vic-

tory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton finishing

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:15 hrs Blackwhitedynamite 08:50 hrs Quickstep Lady 09:25 hrs Royal Kitty 10:05 hrs Space Oddity 10:40 hrs Port Adelaide

CMC – Andre Russell lit up the Australian Big Bash with an explosive cameo as Melbourne Stars won their second game on the trot with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sydney Thunder here Sunday. Asked to chase 152 at Sydney Showground Stadium, Stars’ run chase was energised by Russell who blasted a Man-ofthe-Match unbeaten 42 off 40 balls to take them

English Racing Tips Plumpton 08:30 hrs Any Given Sunday 09:30 hrs Sandy Brook 10:00 hrs Dr Kananga 10:30 hrs Karakoram 11:00 hrs Don’t Be Robin 11:30 hrs Fairy Gem Chelmsford City 09:15 hrs Shurut 09:45 hrs Atheby 10:15 hrs Income 10:45 hrs Fauvette 11:15 hrs Got No Dollars 11:45 hrs Atlanta Breeze 12:15 hrs Peripeteia Wolverhampton 12:00 hrs Dark Side Prince 12:30 hrs Stockpyle 13:00 hrs Carmela So-

second as the race ended in a nail-biting one-lap sprint after a late Safety

Car. The result, which saw Valtteri Bottas finish sixth and Sergio Perez retire, means Mercedes have clinched a record eighth consecutive constructors’ championship. Medium-tyred Hamilton jumped soft-shod Verstappen at the start, while the Dutchman came back in Turn 6, nudging him wide and over the run-off, but the Mercedes driver continued in the lead. Stewards decided not to investigate. The pit window opened when Verstappen came in on Lap 13, Hamilton a lap later, leaving Sergio Perez in the lead with the mission to hold off Hamilton. Perez did exactly that, on Laps 20 to 21 – being dubbed a “legend” by his team mate as he let him past to continue the chase, before pitting on Lap 22. The podium looked certain

until he retired on Lap 56 under a Safety Car, which was brought out for a Nicholas Latifi crash. That Safety Car, during which Verstappen pitted for soft tyres, left the race with just one lap of green flag racing remaining, producing another memorable moment in this epic season. Verstappen did make the pass on Hamilton into Lap 5, the decisive move, and while Hamilton attempted to come back towards Turn 9, there was nothing doing. History was made, as it was always going to be, and the trophy went to the Dutchman for the first time. Carlos Sainz took the final podium place ahead of AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda in P4 – while AlphaTauri team mate Pierre Gasly rounded out the top five. Valtteri Bottas struggled to P6, running as low as

eighth, and losing a potential podium spot from fourth to sixth under the final Safety Car. Alpine took points with Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon eighth and ninth respectively, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounding out the top 10. Alfa Romeo suffered a double retirement as Kimi Raikkonen bowed out on Lap 26, team mate Antonio Giovinazzi 10 laps later. Latifi was Williams’ second retiree after George Russell bowed out from his tenure with the team with a loss of drive on Lap 27. Mercedes and Red Bull therefore shared the spoils in this incredible season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fit for a season that will no doubt go down as one of the greatest ever.

Russell lights up BBL

prano 13:30 hrs Rose Of Lancashire 14:00 hrs Mutaraafeq 14:30 hrs Screaming Petrus 15:30 hrs This One For Fred American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race 1 Awesome Break Race 2 Orbiting The Sky Race 3 Port Hunter Race 4 El Valor Race 5 Hidden Pride Race 6 Charge It All Race 7 Makes Good Sense

West Indies batsman Andre Russell on the attack.

over the line with 17 balls to spare. Entering in the 12th over with his side tentatively placed on 83 for three and then watching as captain Glenn Maxwell fell to the very next delivery for 40, Russell took control of the innings with a spectacular display of power-hitting. All told, he belted a four and five sixes, posting 72 in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership with Hilton Cartwright whose 13-ball

23 not out included a four and two sixes. “The wicket wasn’t the best wicket to bat on, especially starting as a batter,” said the 33-year-old Russell, who opted out of West Indies’ current tour of Pakistan due to “personal reasons”. “The thing is we bowled well and then the batters give us a good start and it’s good that I can capitalize on the back end.” Earlier, 29-year-old

right-hander Alex Ross top-scored with 77 off 49 deliveries as Thunder gathered 151 for five after being sent in. He punched four fours and four sixes batting at number five, adding 84 for the fifth wicket with Daniel Sam who made 23 from 18 balls. England’s Alex Hales hit 28 off 21 balls with four fours and a six at the top of the order but was part of a slide engineered by Afghan

leg-spinner, Qais Ahmad (2-17) as Thunder slumped to 65 for four in the 12th over. Russell went wicket-less from four overs of medium pace which leaked 38 runs. Stars then found themselves in early trouble at 24 for two in the fifth over before opener Marcus Stoinis lashed a measured 31 from 30 balls in a 59-run stand with Maxwell who chipped in with three fours and two sixes. When Maxwell and Stoinis fell off successive deliveries to leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha (2-20), the momentum shifted in Thunder’s favour but Russell quickly changed the course of the game. His first scoring shot was a massive six over long-on in the 13th over off pacer Nathan McAndrew and he followed up by plundering 20 runs from the next over sent down by left-arm seamer Daniel Sams, as Stars quickly regained the advantage.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

West Indies take on Pakistan in first T20I today

CMC – Beleaguered West Indies will attempt to shake off the disruption of four positive COVID-19 cases in their camp and refocus their attention, when they take on powerful Pakistan in the opening Twenty20 Internation-

al here Monday. The Caribbean side arrived last Thursday but saw their preparations rocked after the trio of Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers tested positive and were ruled out of the entire series, which com-

prises three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals. The fourth positive case is a non-coaching member of the support staff. Captain Nicholas Pooran, who will oversee the series in the absence of

Captain Nicholas Pooran (left) and Shai Hope during a training session ahead of Today’s opening T20 International

the injured Kieron Pollard, said while the developments were “unfortunate”, West Indies would make the most of the situation by getting the best out of the remaining players. “It’s unfortunate that a couple guys got COVID. Anyone can get it so it’s a little bit unfortunate,” Pooran said in Sunday’s media conference. “Selectors, coaches, we had original plans of what the XI was going to look like – who’s going to play and who’s not going to play. “But in saying that, other guys are going to get the opportunity to showcase their talent and their ability and I’m looking forward to seeing those guys take their opportunity.” He continued: “Obviously it’s a rebuilding stage for us now. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have other senior players here but I’m very excited for one to see this new group of players get on to that cricket field. “I believe they’re a lot of talented players here, a lot of special players especially when it comes to the shorter form of the game. “For me, I’m looking forward to see us play together and sticking to our plans as much as possible and being hungry for success.” The squad is a new look one, marked by a plethora of changes following a failed T20 World Cup title defence in the United Arab Emirates last month.

Missing are the likes of the retired Dwayne Bravo, veteran Chris Gayle who has also hinted at retirement, ageing seamer Ravi Rampaul, along with the quartet of Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons, who are unavailable due to “personal reasons”. And with all-rounder Jason Holder rested and Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy recovering from injury, West Indies will be fielding an inexperienced unit. However, Pooran said there were several younger players who he backed to step up and play important roles during the series. “We have many players. When it comes to all-rounders, there’s Odean Smith, there’s Romario Shepherd, Dominic Drakes – these are three young all-rounders and they are very, very talented,” Pooran pointed out. “We just saw what they did in the recent T20 tournament (in Abu Dhabi) and even at CPL, so there’s a lot of talent there. “I know [Bravo] has been grooming them and I’m happy to see them on a cricket field when they get that opportunity and I know they are going to take full advantage of it and everyone will be proud of them.” The fortunes of the two teams could not be more different heading into the series. While West Indies finished one from bottom of their group at the T20 World Cup and failed to

qualify for the final four, Pakistan played unbeaten before losing in the semi-finals. Pakistan, who beat West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year, also followed up by sweeping Bangladesh 3-0 in Dhaka last month. “Obviously, Pakistan are playing really good. They had a really good World Cup – actually a very good 2021,” Pooran conceded. “But in saying that, it’s T20 cricket and you always have a chance in it … and in T20 cricket, it’s anyone’s game. It just takes one individual to have a brilliant game and that can turn the results in our favour.” Monday’s opener gets underway at 6 pm (9:00am Eastern Caribbean time). SQUADS: PAKISTAN – Babar Azam (captain) Shadab Khan (vice-captain) Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper) Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir WEST INDIES – Nicholas Pooran (captain), Darren Bravo, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Wa l s h J r, R o v m a n Powell.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Guyana officially announced as 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup co-host It is official, Guyana will host matches at next y e a r ’s I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup after the ceremonial bat presentation was made to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. at the National Stadium, Providence on Sunday. Presenting the bat to the Minister was Tournament Director, Fawwaz Baksh, who indicated there is a strategic objective to

inspire more young boys and girls to play the sport, and also develop cricket facilities across the region, noting that at the end of the tournament, there will be 21 facilities across the region that meet ICC standards. The tournament runs from January 14 – February 5 and comprises 16 teams, 64 matches over 28 days in four territories – Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda.

Additionally, Benjamin Leaver, ICC Senior Event Manager, said he has been working with the Under-19 World Cup since 2014 and it is one event that is “close to the hearts of ICC” as it is a dynamic event that showcases the future stars. Meanwhile, Minister Ramson Jr. expressed the tournament will derive immense economic value to Guyana. “We quantified internally at the Ministry, that in excess of US$3M in

economic value will be coming to Guyana within the month of January. We were not going to allow an opportunity to host a tournament where you are getting that kind of revenue stream indirectly or directly into the country and let that flitter away,” the Minister stated Guyana is now the only territory to have hosted all ICC events awarded to the West Indies, namely the Men’s 50-Over World Cup (2007), Men’s World T20

(2010), Women’s World T20 (2018), and now Men’s Under-19 World Cup (2022). Ramson Jr. indicated that Guyana’s hosting agreement was in “jeopardy” due to torrential rain, which left some venues under water a day before the ICC team returned to inspect. He further highlighted the phenomenal teamwork to ensure the country remained a host as there are ongoing works to clear out-

falls and nearby drains to reduce the flooding around the facilities, in particular, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC). There will be free entry to watch cricket’s future stars as, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CWI has stipulated fans should visit www. u19cwc.com/tickets to get free tickets to allow organisers to control the number of spectators attending.

Skeldon. Chintamani , who is the General Manager of Muneshwar Ltd, informed Foster that he was very impressed with the standard of the game in the Ancient County and was delighted to be associated with it . He is the nephew of Madray, who was the third Berbician to play test cricket for the West Indies. The board was also informed by popular overseas businessman, Dave Narine, that he would be sponsoring a countywide tournament for second division teams across the county as part of an effort to unearth new talents for the future. The tournament would involve close to one hundred teams in five sub associations: Berbice River, West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne. Each of the zones would provide one champion, who

would then play in an overall final. Narine is a strong supporter of the game in Guyana and is the owner of the West Indian Imports Store in New York. Junior Minister of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, along with a group of businessmen, this week, would also be handing over a three-hundred and twenty-four thousand dollar pitch

cover to the board. The 20 feet by 100 feet cover would be the third one to be obtained by the vibrant board and would be handed over to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association. Cover have already been obtained for the West Berbice and Lower Corentyne areas and Foster has committed to getting two more for the riverain and New Amsterdam/Canje areas in

early 2022. Minister Rodrigues has committed to working along with the BCB to lift the game to another level in the county. The BCB has announced plans to produce a total of ten West Indies players over the next three years and would be expanding its coaching and cricket development programmes in the New Year.

Ivan Madray 20/20 to be launched shortly

Minister Susan Rodrigues T H E B e r b i c e C r i c k e t involve twelve teams in the Board, on Sunday 19th county. of December, would be The teams would include hosting its Annual General for the first time the Berbice Meeting at the Port Mou- River Cricket Association rant Community Centre first division team along with Ground and incumbent West Berbice, Blairmont, president, Hilbert foster, Police, Tucber Park, Rose would be seeking his third Hall Canje, Young Warriors, successive two-year term Albion, RHTYSC, Port Mouafter being elected to the rant, Upper Corentyne and presidency in 2018. Confident of securing a third term, the incumbent executives have been busy working on obtaining sponsorships to hit the ground running from January 2022. Foster, who has led a massive marketing drive for the BCB, on Friday last met with long-time sponsor, Chandradat Chintamani, who recommitted to sponsoring the third edition of the BCB Ivan Madray 20/20 tournament. The tournament would be launched shortly and would Chandradat Chintamani

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Dave’s West Indian Imports and Exports Sponsors 10 Youth cricketers in Demerara

The 10 cricketers who are beneficiaries of cash vouchers, compliments of the Dave’s West Indies imports Store

Long-time cricket sponsors, Dave’s West Indian Imports made sure ten (10) cricketers from the Demerara Associations benefited from voucher grants valued twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) each. These vouchers can be redeemed at Metro Office and Computer Supplies for stationery and other academic related materials. Proprietor of Dave’s West Indian Imports and Exports, Dave Narine’s involvement and support for this national sport goes back to previous years as a sponsor of the GCB Under 15

Inter-County tournaments. Narine’s donation is particularly welcomed during this COVID-19 pandemic when sponsorship is not readily accessible. His voluntary commitment and contribution to the youths will positively influence their lives. This speaks volumes of his company’s generosity to the sport. The president of the Guyana Cricket Board and Demerara Cricket Board (GCB), Bissondyal Singh, along with the executive, reciprients, parents and guardians would like to express sincere thanks to Mr. Narine, his family and

Dave’s West Indian Imports and Exports for this timely donation which will assist the youths to improve both their cricket and academics. The beneficiaries of Mr. Narine’s generosity are Sean Edwards and Abishag Hall (Upper Demerara Cricket Association), Myhiem Khan and Shawn Thompson (Georgetown Cricket Association), Kelvin Raymond and Sachin Balgobin (West Demerara Cricket Association), Anand Ramgobin and Zameer Aziz (East Bank Cricket Association), and Neeran Bani and Sasenarine Harricharran (East Coast Demerara Cricket Board).

Broad, who hasn’t played since tearing his calf in August, wrote in his Mail On Sunday column that he believed he would only have been chosen in a five-man seam attack at the Gabba. While disappointed, he believed it would be inappropriate to “kick up a stink” over his non-selection, having publicly questioned his omission for the first Test against West Indies in Southampton in July 2020. “Stuart has been great, to be honest,” Silverwood said. “Obviously he was disappointed not to be playing but he understood that this is a long series. “Everybody will put their hand up to do the hard work out there and he is ready to do that now. We

had good conversations with Stuart before any decisions were made and he was 100 per cent on board. “I’ve not told anyone they are playing yet. We will have some sore bodies from this Test and we’ll make decisions from there.” Australia also have some decisions to make at the selection table with Josh Hazlewood flying to Sydney nursing a side strain, although Cricket Australia have said he hasn’t been ruled out of the Adelaide Test yet. David Warner is also being monitored for a rib injury after being struck by a Ben Stokes short ball in Brisbane. Silverwood said his team were looking ahead, rather than dwelling on their dis-

appointing showing in the first Test, which was characterised by twin batting collapses and some sloppy fielding. “We had a good chat in the dressing-room after,” he said. “There are obvious areas we need to improve on, such as holding our catches and building big partnerships. “Obviously they were hurting, but there is belief they can win this series. We have been in this position before. We have gone 1-0 down and then bounced back. We have the players here that can match the Australians. The confidence is there that we can compete with Australia, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”

Anderson, Broad ready for Ashes second test

James Anderson and Stuart Broad warm up in Brisbane Getty Images (ESPNCRICINFO) - Stuart Broad and James Anderson are in line for selection in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, with England head coach Chris Silverwood declaring that the pair are “fit and ready to go”. The omission of the vastly experienced seam-bowling duo from the series opener at the Gabba raised eyebrows even before Australia romped to a nine-wicket victory inside four days, and selection was a predictable focus of the post-match wash-up. And while he did not confirm any selections for the day-night Test starting on Thursday, Silverwood

backed Broad’s assertion earlier in the day that they would be well prepared, having started training with the pink ball in the Brisbane nets as soon as their omission from the first Test was apparent. “Jimmy will be fit and ready to go for the second Test, as will Stuart,” Silverwood said on Sunday ahead of the team’s planned departure from Brisbane on Monday. “They are available. Certainly, from an experience point of view, with the bowlers we’ve got heaps of experience so I’m happy with that. “The guys have already been training with the pink

ball behind the scenes. And what we have got is a very skilful set of bowlers. We have talent and we still have two of the best up our sleeve as well.” The decision to leave Anderson out of the first Test emerged on the eve of the match, with the ECB saying it was not injury related but aimed at managing him ahead of the daynight fixture in Adelaide. Broad’s omission was more of a surprise on match-day morning when England opted for spinner Jack Leach instead, a call which came in for more criticism after Leach’s return of 1 for 102 in 13 overs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, December 13, 2021) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) St. Lucia, 2011 (2) Darren Sammy ; Shahid Afridi Today’s Quiz: (1) When and where did the West Indies & Pakistan first contest an ODI game against each other? (2) Who were the captains involved? Answers in tomorrow’s issue ………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 13, 2021

Cevons waste management joins K&S Super Sixteen

Ms. Latoya Jacobs (2nd left) of Cevons Waste Management Inc. hands over sponsorship to GFF president Wayne Forde. At left is Jacobs’ colleague, Ms. Jennifer Gordon and at right is Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major

Cevons Waste Management Inc., located at Cevons Park, Lot 1 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, the market leader in the waste disposal industry in Guyana has joined forces with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation (K&S) for the Super 16 Cup, which kicked off on Friday evening last at the Loenora Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara. On hand to receive the company’s donation at their Mandela Avenue headquarters, were GFF President Wayne Forde along with K&S Co-Director, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major. Handing over Cevons Waste Management’s contribution was Ms. Latoya Jacobs in the presence of colleague, Ms. Jennifer Gordon. Ms. Jacobs, in brief remarks, informed that Chief Executive Officer of the company, Morse Archer was thrilled to be contributing to the tournament which makes a timely return and shows

the grit and determination of all involved to beat the ongoing pandemic. “As a company, we recognise the challenges the world and, by extension, Guyana have faced due to covid-19 but we also applaud you guys for fortitude and determination you have shown to pull off this tournament. We are therefore gratified to be a part of this year-end extravaganza and we wish you and the teams the very best.” Forde, in response, expressed pleasure on behalf of both the GFF and K&S to CEO Archer and his company for helping to make the competition a success. “ We k n o w t h a t teamwork makes the job easier for all, so we thank you Mr. Archer and team for being a part of the corporate team which will bring smiles to the faces of many as the prizes and other tournaments expenses are taken care of. We look forward to your continued support in the coming months and years.”

Guyana officially announced as 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup co-host SEE PAGE 21

West Indies take on Pakistan in first T20I today

SEE PAGE 20

Captain Nicholas Pooran (left) and Shai Hope during a training session ahead of Today’s opening T20 International

Verstappen is F1 Champion SEE PAGE 19

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2021