Guyana Chronicle 02-28-2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

‘Teach your children about ‘914’ like you teach them ABCs’ ... Minister Persaud urges at launch of two Child Advocacy Centres in Region Six

By Rehana Ahamad EVERY child must be taught that if they are ever in trouble, there will always be someone to help them on the other end of the 914 hotline.

This is the vision of Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, who launched two new Child Advocacy Centres in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Sat-

anese, especially abused women and children.

Shortly after at the opening of the Whim centre, Dr. Persaud explained that in an effort to eliminate child abuse altogether, more emphasis will be placed on administering and in some cases, strengthening complementing parenting programmes as part of the global Spotlight Initiative.

Reflecting on the more than 3000 cases of child abuse recorded in 2020, Dr. Persaud said that more needs to be done to create a stricter culture of reporting among Guyanese.

“When you see

urday.

The facilities, located at Springlands and Whim, provide a safe space for abused children to tell their stories just once, as against repeatedly relating and reliving their trauma

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud to various stakeholders, in the quest for justice.

Similar to the other centres in various parts of the country, these recently launched facilities are also outfitted with child-friendly spaces, along with an interview room to accommodate the abused child and one interviewer, most likely a fully-trained social worker; other stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, will be able to witness the ongoing interview virtually, from an adjacent room.

Minister Persaud in her feature address at the simple commissioning ceremony at Springlands, said that the centres will add to the ministry’s efforts of decentralising its services to ensure that these can be easily accessed by all Guy-

See page 4

One of the child-friendly corners at the Child Advocacy Centre in Springlands

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Unholy spending –– Coalition doled out $2M from MARAD for gospel concerts, Min. Edghill informs House

PUBLIC Works Minister, Juan Edghill on Friday informed the House that some $2 million of sums allocated for the operations of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) was channelled to gospel concerts under the Coalition Government.

The Coalition was forced to leave office due to mounting international pressure after a series of attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 elections failed.

Addressing the House during his budget presentation, the Bishop turned minister said aside from the unholy channelling of money for gospel concerts, one minister of the then Coalition Government had tapped into MARAD’s account as though it were a “slush fund.”

According to Minister Edghill, every government ministry provides access to funds for travelling and other “subsistence” required to do the government’s work and it is difficult to fathom how in the normal scheme of things a minister would dip into other government reserves to pay for activities that were most likely already budgeted for.

MARAD falls under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which has since been renamed the Ministry of Public Works by the current government. Former Ministers of Public infrastructure under the Coalition

Government, Annette Ferguson and David Patterson are under investigation in connection with a gift-giving scandal in which they personally benefitted Both Patterson and Ferguson were said to be recipients of expensive jewellery and other gifts from several agencies that fell under their remit. The gifts were all purchased with

Former Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson

taxpayers’ money.

“The benefits of the brooches and the bed sheets and the laptops and the unending list of items that were bought from agencies for Ministers Ferguson and Patterson while they served are well documented and it is a shameful act,” Edghill told the National Assembly.

Referring to Ferguson’s earlier presentation criticising the government’s proposed $383.1 billion budget, Edghill said, “I understand the bitterness of the Honourable Member.”

Edghill also criticised the former Public Infrastructure Ministers for seeking to take credit for the foundation that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had laid prior to demitting office in 2015.

He drew specific reference to the Sheriff-Mandela Expansion Project, for which he said the opposition Members of Parliament were attempting to take credit. Minister Edghill made it clear that the same road project was conceptualised by the PPP/C and pursued prior to 2015.

“Myself and Dr. Ashni Singh had to look at each other and smile,” the Public Works Minister said, adding: “Mr. Speaker, that was a 66-million US dollar IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), and I am sure the person would have signed that loan; the signature would be Ashni Kumar Singh.”

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill The minister also referenced the Ogle-to-Diamond bypass as well as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), which were all conceptualised under the former PPP/C Government, but had suffered significant delays under the Coalition Government.

Shuman supports Budget 2021 –– urges Coalition to drop race banter and operate with integrity

“I DO not need to defend the budget; the budget defends itself,” were the sentiments shared by Lenox Shuman, representative of the minority parliamentary opposition, as he rose to debate the government’s proposed $383.1 billion budget on Friday night in the National Assembly.

Shuman said that even though Budget 2021 is not perfect, it is good enough “to repair the damage, to stabilise the financial ground and to fortify for a better and more progressive Guyana.”

The former Toshao of Pakuri (St. Cuthbert’s Mission) expressed satisfaction regarding the budgetary allocations that would benefit Guyana’s Indigenous peoples across Guyana.

“That we have $630 million for the revival of the Amerindian Land Titling Programme is far superior than what was done under the PNC rule for the last five years.

The entire Annai sub-district was gazetted as an NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council), thus revoking the land titling of the Indigenous peoples of that area, which is a clear violation of the multitude of international laws,” Shuman indicated.

The Leader of the Joinder Party also pointed to several issues that were not catered for in this year’s budget, including

the much-needed stipend increases for Toshaos, as well as more financial support for the National Toshao’s Council. Shuman said that while there are no laws that make it mandatory for governments to consult stakeholders before preparing a national budget, he was happy that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had reached out to many persons and groups before compiling and presenting the country’s financial blueprint.

“I cannot disagree with progress… The ADF (Amerindian Development Fund) is replenished to the tune of $1.5 billion.

How can I be against anything that stands to benefit the most marginalised population of this country?” the Member of Parliament queried.

Shuman reminded his colleagues in the opposition benches that their role is to ensure that the government is held accountable to the people of Guyana. He encouraged his fellow opposition MPs to maintain their integrity and desist from using racism as a cover for incompetence.

“When you lack substance, the default cannot be race. It is unbecoming of a nation that is 54 years old,” Shuman posited.

He also encouraged the government to remain true to its “One Guyana” slogan and pursue the establishment of a reconciliation

Representative of the minority Opposition Leader Lenox Shuman gives Budget 2021 a ‘B’ grade unit to bring Guyanese together in harmony.

Referring to the rolling out of the contents of the 2021 Budget, Shuman pointed to the need for an active Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“The PAC, the Public Accounts Com-

mittee, now becomes the focal point of accountability and we must conduct ourselves with integrity if we are to be taken seriously.

They are the government and we are the opposition and as the opposition, if we do not want our slip to show, we cannot slip,” Shuman said, as he took a jab at Chairperson of the PAC, David Patterson who is currently facing fraud charges as well as a blocked no-confidence motion.

Shuman also responded to accusations of him being a “subset” of the PPP/C government.

“If it means that I stand on the side of and fight for democracy, then I am a subset.

If it means that I have vision for a progressive Guyana, free from oppression, then I am a subset. If it means that I am against dictatorship then, I am a subset. If it means that I am against intellectually bankrupting a country, then I am a subset. If it means that I am for Indigenous rights, then I am a subset, and if it means that I am on the side of an inclusive Guyana. then I most definitely and unapologetically am a subset,” Shuman asserted.

In concluding, the Amerindian leader said that he has given the budget a “B” grade, since “it does for Guyana what is needed.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

‘Teach your children about ‘914’ like ...

From page 2

something, say something,” the minister implored.

She also encouraged her staff to keep the ‘human’ in human services and ensure that they approach each case with urgency and humility.

“When a report is made, that’s not the end of it. What happens next?

We need to ensure that the trauma that is experienced, that [it] is mitigated by what happens next,

because the scars that will remain are lasting ones,” Dr. Persaud posited.

She expressed appreciation to the partners who made the establishment of the centres a reality; they include Child Link, the European Union and the United Nations.

During her brief remarks at the opening of the Whim facility, Director of Child Link, Omattie Madray underscored the

One of the child-friendly corners at the Child Advocacy Centre in Springlands

Sunday February 28, 2021 – 04:30hrs

importance of the media in effecting wholesome changes. In this regard, she encouraged media workers to disseminate information of abuse in a responsible manner which will not stigmatise the many services that can be accessed to bring great relief to vulnerable members of society.

Madray also lamented the need for the programmes to be administered by persons who have the capacity and passion to execute the functions of their portfolios. Meanwhile, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponzo Canto, assured that the protection of children remains a priority at the level of the EU, and that the opening of the Child Advocacy Centres is a good illustration of what can be achieved through collaboration.

He said that Guyana has so far benefited from almost GY$1 billion that have gone towards im-

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto test out the interview room, as onlookers observed from the adjoining room at the Child Advocacy Centre in Springlands proving the lives of children in Guyana.

“A country can be measured based on how we treat children, and the EU is proud and happy to be supporting the government,” Ambassador Canto posited.

Similar sentiments were shared by, Mikiko Tanaka, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana, who pointed to the importance of breaking the often repetitive

cycle of violence where abuse is normalised and children grow up to either become abusers or accept being abused.

“We have to cut that vicious cycle...it (abuse) is not normal; violence is unacceptable,” Tanaka asserted, as she pointed to the United Nations £500 million efforts to end violence against women.

Reflecting on the Spotlight Initiative, Tanaka said that this has proven to be successful in various parts of the world, and that there is need to capitalise on the expanding network that

continues to showcase innovation of various magnitudes.

“Lessons learned here could benefit other countries,” Tanaka surmised.

In wrapping up the second commissioning exercise, Dr. Persaud said that she wishes to see more perpetrators being brought to justice.

“No matter where a child is or who that child is, that child should be assured of safety, love, encouragement and motivation,” the Human Services and Social Security minister concluded.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Winfer Gardens Primary gets 40 electronic tablets for disadvantaged pupils

THROUGH the kindness of overseas-based Guyanese, 40 electronic tablets, were, on Friday, handed over to the Winfer Gardens Primary School by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for pupils who are having difficulties accessing online classes owing to the absence of a device.

This donation follows a similar one made last month to two Grade Six pupils.

Those pupils up to that point were unable to access their online classes.

On Friday, 20 of the tablets were donated for the pupils of Grades Three, Four, Five and Six, while another 20 will be donated next Friday for those in Grades One and Two. The parents and pupils who were present at the simple ceremony, expressed gratitude to the school and the PTA for the donation.

“I feel so happy because

he really needed a tablet to do his school work. He depends on his cousin’s phone and it was very, very hard for him and it throw him back a lot,” commented Lucy Moore whose nephew, 10-year-old Lamani Stewart received one of the tablets.

A Grade Six pupil, Stewart is at a critical juncture as he is preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) later this year.

Moore highlighted that the family is very grateful that he is now better positioned to attend classes.

“We are all just so grateful for this,” Moore expressed.

Schools in Guyana have been closed physically since March 2020 due to measures implemented to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learners were officially re-engaged in September 2020 virtually. A multi-faceted blended method was used.

For the virtual classes, learners are required to have electronic devices, and internet. Learners lacking these facilities are at a disadvantage.

Headteacher Deryn Moore-Heyliger, noted that since the closure of school and the subsequent virtual engagements with learners, the school observed that approximately 40 pupils were not able to access classes regularly.

She said she was later approached by some parents who informed her of the difficulties they were facing.

“They weren’t online due to lack of internet and gadgets, so that’s how we ventured out to have this donation done,” Moore-Heyligar explained.

Meanwhile, executive member of the PTA, Edwin Seeraj, said that being cognizant of the dilemma the students were facing, a decision was made to help as

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–– says on-line programme that benefitted five Coalition ministers will now benefit 4,500+ students

Headteacher, Deryn Moore-Heyliger, hands over one of the tablets to a pupil best they could. Resources were pooled and the first two tablets were bought in January.

Members of the PTA reached out to other corporate businesses, NGOs and other individuals for assistance in garnering more tablets. Seeraj approached some of his family members and got favourable responses.

“The response was overwhelming. Sam and Edna Murugan of Florida signalled their intention to assist immediately and solicited the assistance of their local church. They contacted a close friend, Darryl Summers, who also readily agreed to be part of the deal.

Mr Summers made a sizeable monetary donation to the cause,” Seeraj explained.

Seeraj said he hopes that this gesture of kindness will create a domino effect and

Some of the beneficiaries of the donation pose with their new tablets

inspire others to do similar acts, not only at Winfer Gardens but at other schools across the country.

“We feel very nice to be able to do this, but we didn’t do this for a show.

We are doing this because we’re hoping to be motivators so that others can see this and be motivated to also do something kind for others. It is a PTA effort,” Seeraj stated.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Very unparliamentary GUYANESE look to their National Assembly for inspiring leadership, for role models, for national leaders to espouse views and inspiring rhetoric that causes the nation to tackle the task of development with optimism, positive energy, and camaraderie.

In the hallowed chambers of Parliament, Guyanese should witness the real exemplary living out of the national ethos, co-operation, as the world’s only Co-operative Republic.

Whoever set the tone for Budget Debate 2021, seemed to have caused other Members of Parliament to plunge into a sort of reactive mode, adopting the same tone of harsh, plosive, quarrelsome rhythm to make their point. Across this country, and throughout the diaspora community worldwide, on social media, Guyanese witnessed their Parliament become mostly a place of uninspiring scapegoating, with each side blaming the other for all sorts of political stuff, instead of focusing on the way forward for Guyana.

The Opposition cannot escape blame for their approach to their role in the National Assembly, with a seeming deliberate strategy of aggressive, confrontational, non-cooperating spirit in their conduct within the House, although some of the members from the ruling party also engaged in unwarranted parliamentary rhetoric. Guyanese expressed dismay at what the Budget Debate turned into.

Indeed, citizens had good reason, after watching their Parliament descend to a quarrelsome atmosphere, to be disappointed, because the entire country welcomed the 2021 Budget as a progressive blueprint to ramp up the socio-economic prosperity of the nation, especially with GDP projected

to increase exponentially. When Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, presented the Budget, everybody across the country applauded the business-friendly and social welfare measures, especially the lack of new taxes. Citizens were looking forward to a great debate in Parliament, hoping for their political leaders to be engaging in a national conversation around the Budget measures, with expectations that the tone of this Parliamentary confab would further lift the spirits of Guyanese everywhere.

The country had just got used to the tone of President Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips and other senior members of the government urging the nation to come together, to forget divisions, to co-operate and act with, in the words of President Ali, oneness and unity, to advance this country’s bright, miraculous future. Guyana, as the senior government leaders made a point of assuring the nation, stands at the doorstep of its greatest advance ever, and every Guyanese must benefit, and every Guyanese ought to roll up their sleeves and play a positive role, and every Guyanese should play for that oneness, co-operation, and national unity.

It is with sadness that the nation watches how the Opposition approaches this idea, seeming to disdain any effort to see themselves as partners in the development process, to come alongside the freely and fairly elected government to make Guyana a proud and tall nation on the world stage. It is even more sad that some government leaders in the House allowed the Opposition tone of divisive plosive words to cause them to react in kind, and to descend to verbal lashing out

at the uninspiring Opposition.

The entire country knows that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is the political institution that advances Guyana’s socio-economic well-being and goodwill, since the birth of the nation. The entire Guyanese society knows that the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime for 28 years rigged elections and suffered Guyana through excruciating economic disaster. And the entire nation knows that the Coalition made a stupendous mess in their five years at the helm of the country, leaving a macroeconomic situation that was in tatters last year, and leaving a legacy of damage to the democratic integrity of the nation.

One would think that the government members would spend their time talking to the nation and addressing Guyanese from the Assembly floor, with a keen sense of stirring in the hearts of citizens a sense of the realness of the new direction of the country, and inculcating the vision of the President Ali administration, and extolling the positive new atmosphere that the oil and gas sector is making possible, and explaining the unique stance of Guyana in the world community as an oil and gas producer, and a preserver of the natural environment.

Guyanese expected every Member of Parliament to paint for them the future of their country, not stoop to scapegoating, political rants and quarrels, and to inject a tone on the national stage of harsh, plosive, heavy rhetoric rubbing raw on the ears of Guyanese.

This country is on a new path, and the government is implementing a new vision, and the future prosperity of Guyanese is a

real one, not a fantasy. As much as one needs to set the record straight and not allow misrepresentations of history, for example, not allowing a Member of Parliament to mislead the nation on the national debt, as Juretha Fernandes tried to do by claiming that Guyana’s debt would skyrocket as the worst ever, only to be corrected by Minister of Sport, Youth and Culture, Charles Ramson, that the debt is only 8.7 per cent of GDP, the forum of the floor and podium of the National Assembly is a sacred one. This is a spotlight from which every national leader would want to speak to the nation from with a deep sense of responsibility, of leadership, of being a role model and a person of enormous influence and impact on the heart and mind of Guyanese.

It would be pertinent to this country moving forward into making real the vision of President Ali, were Members of Parliament to be sensitised to their role on the national stage, as not merely administrations and elected members of Parliament, but as leaders to whom Guyanese look up to for real substance, for inspiration, and for motivation to tackle the road ahead.

Public discourses are important to the national well-being, goodwill, and the psyche of the citizenry, and so it is crucial to be conscious of the fact that now Guyana has matured and become sophisticated enough for leaders to carefully craft their speeches, their posture on the national platform, and their postulations and pronouncements to the Guyanese nation.

Indeed, it is a way of taking care of the soul of the people, to cause them to feel uplifted, motivated, and inspired.

ERC did several noteworthy things but many were joy rides Dear Editor, PLEASE allow me to reply to the response of the Chairman, Rev. Dr. General Bishop Oswald Smith to my article: “Atrocities in the Ethnic Relations Commission,” as published in the media on Sunday, February 14th, 2021.

I must point out that one cannot attempt to “put the record straight” with a response that is baseless and one which tries to whitewash the realities within the ERC as they relate to the wasting of taxpayers’ money and the

many other incompetencies of the general management of the ERC. At this juncture, I wish to make it pellucid that I have nothing personal against the chairman and furthermore, I am not on a mission to decimate him or his character. However, as a tax-paying citizen of this country I must speak with respect and honour for what is right for the nation of Guyana and the Guyanese people. Mr. Editor, quite similar to the Quranic quote I used in my previous letter, the Holy Bible states, “Maintain justice and do what is right...” Isaiah 56:1. That being said, I,

Commissioner Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan, firmly stand behind the words I said in my prior letter and subsequent commentaries I made in the Kaieteur News.

As one within the ERC to witness the inconsistencies, the lack of fair play for facilities and privileges, favouritism, cowardice, attempts to decimate a significant section of our country’s population, and some who are empowered by the Leader of the Opposition and former President, David Granger; the fact that the ERC, through its chairman, refused to condemn the realities of what existed

but would rather issue petty press releases -- in which they have become specialists in -- called for much awareness. I must add that these “press releases” were always pushed and when issued, too late.

Further, for emphasis, I wish to reiterate that the chairman cancelled the trip that was organised by the Deputy Chairman, Mr. Norman McLean for the Commissioner of Police and the Brigadier along with their teams to escort us in the See page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

GECOM must step up, deliver 2021 LGEs in free, fair manner Dear Editor, THE concretisation of the PPP/C’s commitment to supporting scheduled Local Government Elections (LGEs) in 2021, has been appropriately represented in the National Assembly by the Hon. Nigel Dharamlall, Minister of Local Government.

It follows public statements on behalf of the government by the Hon Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Vice-President the Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. There is unquestionably no need for redress, and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), must step up to deliver the 2021 LGEs in an unprecedented free and fair manner.

Without any doubt, several remedial changes are required towards such delivery, given the disappointing depths of eroded confidence to which GECOM has fallen.

Evidence of cross-cutting, biased positions taken by the justifiably condemned chief elections officer demands immediate fixes which must commence now since any result with the current culprits are likely to result in confusion and recounts and wasting taxpayers’ money. Several other areas which necessitate review or possible clearer policy are presented hereafter for consideration.

Attention and possible revisit must be given to the increasing number of Local Authority Areas (municipalities/NDCs), for which there were no consultations

with the then main opposition party. In many instances, the outcome was an inadequacy of councillors’ representation for a specific area, although there would have been previously approved constituencies that were published in the Official Gazette. Particularly, this occurred in areas where a significant demographic shift of population occurred due to the PPP/C’s housing drive. Some newly sub-divided constituencies now bear a significant imbalance of the number of residents and distance assigned to one candidate competing to be elected as councillor against the other. A more equitable system is required.

The gerrymandering and impromptu shifting of existing boundaries which by the GECOM CEO cut across divisions/sub-divisions. They have created a nightmare for not only the voters who previously attended certain polling stations, but also for the position informing the support of specific candidates to be backed for elections as a councillor. Often when a boundary is capriciously shifted, particularly in new development locations, the descriptions of the boundaries placed in the Gazette are inconsistent with any specific ground with markings. GECOM needs to do much better in this respect for transparency.

In the creation of new divisions and sub-divisions, the boundary defining the previously established positions come into question and brings to the fore legitimacy

queries. This is because divisions/sub-divisions are already legally created and published in the gazette, within the existing regional structure. Further, the newly created areas are placed in the Gazette in abstract to the changes and their effect on the previously notified positions. In context, I will argue that the creation of new divisions/ sub-divisions may be done administratively to facilitate the elections, but they should not be considered as new unless legally approved as part of the regional structure.

Another area of concern is the conditions under which proxies are issued and which are often the subject of abuse and the time to correct the misnomer when discovered is not sufficient. A reassessment of the applicable verification procedures is necessary.

The casting of ‘lots’ as a solution to resolve issues of ties at LGEs is not readily accepted by most contestants involved in these elections. A more equitable remedy, rather than the option of chance, should therefore be implemented. Also, the process for replacing a councillor in case of death or continuous absence should be driven by total constituency voting specifics. In this respect, in the case of someone who is elected as an individual rather than a party slate, consideration should be given to: a. Conducting a By-Election b. Selecting the candidate who had secured the next highest number of votes in the constituency

c. Mutual agreement by the general council of elected councillors, on an individual from the contestants.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in preparation for the upcoming LGEs, interested stakeholder organisations, individuals, and political parties are urged to consider the requirements of communities in the various constituencies and local government areas. We must recognise the advancement of the standard of services required to mirror the pace of development that more likelywill be m moving exponentially under this PPP/C government. Likewise, community leaders must be able to provide initiatives that will catalyse a partnership to influence the parallel development of our local government areas.

Consequently, the selection of candidates should satisfy the conditions identified, considering the adequacy of representation in terms of gender and ethnic balance, an untarnished character within our laws, reputation, suitability, relationship with the community; availability, and capacity to serve and perform, together with knowledge of community structure.

Continued improvements and partnership are what we must strive for once GECOM upholds its responsibilities and deliver free and fair LGEs. Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

ERC did several noteworthy ...

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disrupted areas in Region Five.

This was cancelled arbitrarily without notice, even to the surprise of the vice-chair. To me, this shows a conflict of interest and possible political instruction from his handlers.

While I do not wish to have a public debate with the chairman of the ERC, I cannot comprehend that a man of his calibre—a servant of the Most High God—say to the world, to the country, to the Speaker of Parliament, to the President of Guyana, etc., that the amount of $150,000 for the commissioners and $100,000 for the staff were allocated for COVID-19 relief. In actuality, the monies of $100,000 and $150,000 were, in fact, a Christmas bonus and not a COVID-19 gift! The votes for these exorbitant amounts were strictly for holiday bonuses and not as COVID-19 relief! COVID-19 packages and alternate work days, as well as “work from home” were already established for commissioners and staff of the ERC. As such, the chairman’s utterances in his response is essentially an outright excuse to escape the fact that money from the ERC is being wasted and without justification and just cause. To me, taxpayers’ dollars are sacrosanct and a special gift from the Government of Guyana to the ERC and hence, it must be spent wisely at all times; so much so that I am against the costly retreat in New Amsterdam in the midst

of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic that is currently in play and for which I reiterate, I voted against. I publicly stated that this is a waste of taxpayers’ money which could have been spent otherwise in the cause of harmony and peace for the Guyanese people. I find myself constantly asking what the intention of this lavish expenditure is, since we have now reached the legal end of our term. It is indeed unfortunate and tragic that certain person(s) seem to be bent on finishing the money we may have in hand before their departure from the ERC. Mr. Editor, I concur that we have done several noteworthy things. However, in my opinion, much of it was just a “joy ride” and “tourist ride” around Guyana. I say this because very little has been done in these programmes for which there has been little to no follow-up. We have done nothing in these areas where we visited other than giving them lunch.

I remember when a commissioner, whose name I do not wish to mention at this time, wanted funding for an event for her constituency. Our mandate is not supposed to be for a constituency, but we are supposed to be nationalistic. Nonetheless, the money was made available and quickly voted for in her favour. However, when youth commissioner Pandit Deodat Persaud wanted fund-

ing for a Youth Harmony project aimed at getting young people from all of our ethnic groups together, he was immediately shut down by the chairman. He was shut down as he raised it again, and again and again.

This is the crux of the situation of a dilemma in which I literally cannot stand. Pandit Deodat Persaud also proposed that we have mini-offices in all regions of Guyana. It was again easily shut down by the chairman and his support group comprising a few commissioners who do not seem to understand these things. I agreed with the idea of Pandit Deodat Persaud and then suggested how it could be achieved. I suggested that in each of the 10 regions, we ask for a desk for an ERC staff with a special appointment, one trained by the ERC and paid around the same amount of money paid by the regional offices. This personnel could be trained on how to take complaints and direct them to the main ERC’s office. These ideas were repeatedly shut down. Eventually, when we went all over the country, those were the exact sentiments expressed by the people who suggested that we set up mini-offices where we could listen to the people, particularly those in areas with no technology or the know-how of how to contact the ERC, and then transmit the message to the ERC’s headquarters in Georgetown.

Mr. Editor, I do not wish to prolong this.

I reiterate, I have nothing personal against the chairman. I liked him very much and supported him publicly, even when one of his former flocks from his church had publicly decimated his character.

Finally, I completely agree with the chairman: when selecting individuals as commissioners, the public should not place wolves in sheep’s clothing. They should not be able to occupy roles and be appointed to senior positions so as to be politically and/or ethnically controlled by their handlers and those who wanted them in those positions, as we have seen in the part leadership of the ERC as it is today. As the commissioner appointed by the Islamic community, I must speak the truth and so, Mr. Editor, I repeat for emphasis, and end with one of the philosophies I live by: “O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ?from justice?.

If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ?know that? Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.” (Quran 4:135) Yours Sincerely, Commissioner Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

35 UG graduands to join nursing profession –– 10 awarded for outstanding performances

THE University of Guyana (UG) in collaboration with the University of Vanderbilt and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, in 2020, produced a total of 35 graduands from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programme.

Ten of them were on Saturday presented with various awards for their outstanding performances in the programme at a ceremony held at the Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown. The ceremony was initially slated to be held in 2020, but was postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The students will officially graduate in the coming months.

The best performing student, Osiola Gilbert,

told the Sunday Chronicle that she comes from a family of nurses; her grandmother, mother, aunts and sisters are all nurses and this is where she developed an admiration and passion for the profession. Gilbert did not achieve the best performing student title without challenges: during her time in the programme she fell ill and was forced to put a halt to her studies.

But she did not allow this to stop her from pursuing her dreams and so, she rejoined the programme to finish what she had started.

Gilbert dreams of advancing the nursing profession and delivering efficient and effective care. Her advice to persons intending to pursue nursing is to stick to their goals and go beyond a

Bachelor’s degree.

Meanwhile, Peggy Allicock, who hails from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) noted the many challenges she had faced while working and balancing her studies; however, she persevered as she was determined to fulfil her dreams. Allicock explained that from a young age she had experienced first-hand the many challenges persons in the interior face when it comes to receiving medical attention. This only motivated and ignited her desire to purse the profession of nursing.

Allicock will be joining the nursing profession soon and so, she is appealing to the public to be more respectful towards nurses given their mountainous task. Allicock

Noel Holder, A.A, in his remarks, reminded the nurses of the critical role they play, especially in these COVID-19 times, which requires a gamut of skills.

“You have to stop thinking you can and you have to do it because you have attained a level of education that allows you to critically think, that allows you to do research, that allows you to understand things in a better way and allows you to give better patient care to the Guyanese population,” he told the graduates.

Present at the ceremony was former Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Country Representative Dr. William Adu-Krow,

The best performing student, Osiola Gilbert, receives a nursing pin

The best performing student, Osiola Gilbert

Peggy Allicock received multiple awards

also thanked her family who played a tremendous role in supporting her dreams.

Director of the School of Nursing, Reverend Dr.

who shared his wealth of experience in the medical field and challenged the nurses to excel in the profession.

Also delivering brief

remarks at the ceremony were Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement, Dr. Emanuel Cummings and Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Cecil Boston.

The award for Best Performing Student was presented to Osiola Gilbert. The Humanitarian Award was awarded to Suedelle Cornelius, Peggy Allicock, Sadonna John and Shellon Cornelius.

The award for Best Innovation Project went to Osiola Gilbert, Yashonda Khairu and Peggy Allicock. The St. Joseph Mercy Award was copped

by Suedelle Cornelius and Janice Daly. The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Medical Department Award was awarded to Tiffany Daw-Haynes.

Rachelle Harris, Shellon Cornelius and Osiola Gilbert received Distinction Awards, and Reha Adams received the Distinction Rev. Dr. Noel Holder A.A Award.

Achievement in Nursing – Nurse Department Comfort Compassion and Caring without even a prescription awarded was copped by Peggy Allicock.

9

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Agri. Minister hosts massive community outreach in Reg. 6 –– NIS, land matters most reported

HUNDREDS of residents from several villages in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) turned up to have their issues addressed as Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha hosted a community outreach at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

The day’s proceedings saw persons with longstanding agricultural, land, water, insurance and other issues meeting with the minister and his team, hoping to have some degree of relief. Many persons, most of whom said they had experienced the royal run around for a number of years, were seen leaving the meeting with smiles on their faces.

Latchman Mohaan, a past worker of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said that he has been working with the corporation for 22 years but is having problems receiving his benefits.

“When I went to NIS, they said that my contributions are short. I worked hard for 22 years, I am an old man now and I need my money. Mr. Minister I need your help.

My wife is not working and is me and she alone.

I see you helping people all over the country so I come here for some help,” Mr. Mohaan said.

Kamroon Razack, a 66-year-old resident, said that for years she’s been seeking help but never got any assistance.

“The drains in my area need digging. I’m glad the minister came here today so that he could help me.

He told the people from NDIA and the region will come and do some work in the area, so I’m looking out for the help,” Ms. Razak said.

Parmanand Ontar, 40, from Fyrish, said that he had been going to the

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission for years after paying for his transport.

“Almost seven years I pay for this land and I have not received a transport. I have my agreement of sale and all my receipts, so I’m here today to see the minister to see if he can help me, because every time I call they can never give me a straight

trip was worth it,” Stewart said.

Irvin Shepherd, a farmer from Stanleytown, said that he had cattle, but they all died some time ago.

“All my cow dem die out from rabies, so I’d like for some help to get myself going again. I also sell coconut oil, crab oil and press oil, but it gets rancid fast, so I’d like

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha answer,” Mr. Ontar said.

Mariana Stewart, a single mother of five, said she was pleased with her interaction with the minister after trying to get some assistance with her farm for years.

“I am from New Amsterdam and when I saw that the minister was having this outreach I decided to come. I have a small farm that feeds me and my five children. I usually plant and sell greens. I have a few chickens too.

I would just like a little help on my farm, because many of my chickens died and I don’t know why.

The minister immediately told the extension officers to visit my farm to see why my chickens died.

They said that they would come on Monday, so my

some advice on how I could get the oil dem to last longer. Minister, I commended you. You are the only minister I heard say you are going to do something with the second phase of MMA. I heard the President say that he will transform the sector and I know that things will happen now.

All the time all we had was promises and now we are seeing things happening,” Mr. Shepherd said.

Many persons who attended the outreach commended the minister and the government for their proactive approach to dealing with issues across the country thus far. Citizens had complained that, over the past five years, most of their issues went unaddressed after several

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha meets with residents of Region Six at the Albion Community Centre Ground failed attempts were made “While on the camMinister Mustapha to meet with government paign trail, persons ex- also said that GuySuCo officials under the previ- pressed their dissatis- is now working with NIS ous administration. faction with the way the to resolve the many issues Since taking office, country was being run. pertaining to workers’ government ministers One of the commitments contributions. He urged have been hosting mas- we made during the elec- G uyS uCo to monitor sive community outreach- tions process was to meet worker’s contributions es across the country in with citizens and have before they reach the age an effort to address the their issues addressed as of retirement. backlog of issues faced by soon as they took office.

Minister Mustapha citizens across the coun- Every week ministers are was accompanied by try. Minister Mustapha, out in different communi- senior officials from the while offering comments ties meeting with people. Ministry of Agriculture, on Saturday’s event, said You know we are dealing regional officials and that these outreaches are a with Budget 2021, but we officers from the Guytestament to government’s understand that these en- ana Lands and Surveys commitment to meeting gagements are important Commission (GLSC) with citizens and having and have to continue,” and the National Insurtheir needs addressed.

Minister Mustapha said. ance Scheme (NIS).

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha listens to a resident of Reg-ion Six

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Divorced mom publishes book to help women overcome separation

By Jeune Van Keric “OCCASIONALLY, I struggle from situations that happened in the past and last November, one of those emotions acted up,” recounted Wendy Natasha Fraser,

who related, “I could not sleep that night.

So, I took my laptop and started typing. And while doing so the title ‘Fix Your Crown – Turning Pain into Power’ came to my mind.”

This is the title for her

new book which aims to help divorced women overcome the pain that comes with separation.

“There will be very painful moments in your life that will change your world in a matter of minutes. These moments

will change you…. Cry, scream, if you must … but, when your thought process has been restored, fix your crown,” the author stated in one of the many chapters of her book.

The book was recently launched and a signature ceremony was held at the New Amsterdam Hospital, where Fraser is employed as an administrative staffer.

Fraser, of Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, hopes like any other woman that her relationship with her lawful wedded husband would have

weathered the storms of life and together they would have remained until death.

However, things just did not go according to plans. Dreams were shattered, and a divorce followed.

“We must turn our pain into power. We need to search ourselves and make some drastic changes. Change direction! Change mindset!

Remove limitations,” she told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview.

Fraser got married at age 23 and was a divorcee a decade after.

Wendy Natasha Fraser signs a copy of her book, “Fix Your Crown” at the signing ceremony held recently at the New Amsterdam Hospital as a purchaser looks on

Wendy Natasha Fraser Now a mother of a young daughter, she related that getting over the divorce was a painful process, but her new life has also allowed her the opportunity to upgrade herself academically and engage in physical exercise.

“The book is teaching us that instead of using the pain to be wallowing in sorrow, we can turn the pain into power by pushing and elevating our self, [sic]” Fraser said with a smile.

Fraser is not new to writing. She had worked briefly with the Ancient County’s first online news agency, “Berbice News. com” , before penning her first book, “Chosen Vessels” in 2019 . That novel sought to encourage readers to fulfil their God-given purpose in life.

To purchase her books, persons can contact Fraser on telephone number 674-8146.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Politics & Society Forum A possible miracle: Would the rigging attempt of Guyana’s general elections be a topic at the Caribbean Studies Association Conference in Guyana in 2021?

IN most controversial situations, there are generally three reactions.

There are those who speak out, those who speak out selectively, and those who do not speak out at all. The latter situation irks me the most - not to say that the two other situations are irrelevant - when I examine the failed attempt to rig Guyana’s general elections from March 2, 2020, to July 31, 2020.

Many people and organisations fought hard in the middle of a pandemic to ensure that the riggers did not plumb Guyana to the depths of odium. I understand some people are shy and therefore do not feel comfortable speaking out. Likewise, some people fear speaking out because of reprisal. However, some socalled influential individuals and groups have been roguishly silent on the failed attempts to rig the general elections. This silence is deliberate, if not conspiratorial, which requires attention, even a blind analysis.

The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us that, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” I might be stepping over the line if I equate the attempt of rigging the general elections with evil. I do believe, however, that the labyrinthine consequence of rigging has plunged Guyana into a state of irrepara-

ble ambiguity and anxiety. I will address this situation in a separate column. If the rigging were successful, we would have seen evil dished out daily. The democratic-minded individuals would have challenged political brigandage and the washing away of Guyana, and subsequently, the State would have reacted and engaged in evil ways to justify its legitimacy to rule. A chill of déjà vu of Burnham’s dictatorship just swept through my mind, consonant with what Sir Walter Scott said in his epic poem, Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field, “Oh what a tangled web we weave/When first we practice to deceive.”

So, who are these individuals and groups that have been roguishly silent about the failed attempts to rig the general elections?

Since August 2, 2020, they have come out in droves speaking and writing about social justice but not on the failed attempt to rig the general elections. Allow me, however, to start with what I submitted to the Stabroek News (03.28.2020) during the attempt to rig the general elections. “I would like… my participation at the thirteenth research conference of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research on hold…until and unless the editorial board declares, like other institutions, the rigorous call for the restoration of democracy in Guyana through a fair and

free electoral process. Silence from these academics and my attendance to and participation in this conference will be abetting and condoning the blatant rigging of Guyana’s general March 2, 2020, elections. I am anxiously awaiting a response from this highly regarded historical research institute.” I have not heard anything from these members of this yearly conference. It took me three attempts to have them remove my name from their mailing list.

Some members of the Guyana Historical Institute are also attached to the University of Guyana and the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA). They are permanent fixtures at these regional academic organisations and conferences. I brought up the CSA because the 2020 conference was scheduled to be held at the Marriott in Georgetown and thousands of presenters, including the so-called social justice group of 65, were expected to attend. That conference was cancelled because of the pandemic, but it is rescheduled for this year at the same venue. The presenters, plus the social justice group of 65, at the CSA conferences, love to present on issues affecting the Caribbean. Haiti, for example, is always on the conference programme.

However, when I perused the CSA website, there was one vague line on the “current

Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine

political situation in Guyana” and nothing on the failed attempt to rig the general elections.

I believe that CSA conference should say more on the failed attempt to rig the general elections in Guyana in 2020. There should be a call for papers on Guyana’s election fiasco.

I have said some time back that the Diaspora Conference at the University of Guyana was a self-centred exercise heading nowhere. I say here, repeatedly, that it will be a miracle if there is one panel on the CSA five-day conference programme on the failed attempt to rig the general elections in Guyana. You would think that the theme of rigging the general elections in Guyana would be a top priority given that (a) the conference will be held a stone’s throw away from where the attempt to rig the general elections occurred, (b) the rigging event happened last year which means it is still raw and ripe for analysis, and (c) the Caribbean region was involved via CARICOM to find a solution to the impasse of the general elections.

Tell me, which theme, other than the pandemic, competes with the failed attempt to rig the general elections to favour the APNU+AFC Coalition for utmost attention at the 2021 CSA conference in Guyana? Where is the social justice group of 65? (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

Understanding Energy

Rebound in global market will support Guyana’s growth AS COVID-19 began to spread across the world in early 2020, global markets were sent into a tailspin.

Crude oil prices hit some of their lowest levels in recent memory, pushing many oil companies to halt exploration, postpone development efforts indefinitely, or even declare bankruptcy. In Guyana, exploration and development continued in the Stabroek Block, but low oil prices led to lower-than-expected revenues from the crude lifts that followed first oil.

Even at lower oil prices in 2020, Guyana generated significant revenues from ongoing oil projects and added nearly US $200 million to its Natural Resources Fund while securing a record US $9 billion investment in the Payara project.

At long last, prices appear to be turning a corner. Since April 2020, crude oil prices have been steadily recovering and Brent crude oil now sits at over US $60 a barrel due to rising global demand. According to a study done last year by international analysts at Rystad Energy, at $60 per barrel, Guyana’s oil income would stand at about US $200 billion, com-

pared to about $95 billion with prices sitting at $40 per barrel.

Price increases have such a disproportionate impact on revenues since production costs remain largely fixed no matter what the oil sells for—that means that any increase in price is mostly profit, of which the government gets 50 percent. Additionally, with vaccination rollout plans ramping up and COVID-19 cases falling in many countries, including Guyana, oil prices could rise further, which would support growth in emerging oil and gas markets like Guyana.

Rising demand coupled with long-term trends like decreasing global investment and short-term events like the extreme weather in Texas, which significantly disrupted oil and gas supply chains in the United States, could also benefit Guyana. If prices continue to rebound and approach $80 per barrel, oil income in Guyana could reach as much as $310 billion dollars according to Rystad Energy. While most analysts consider $80 unlikely in the medium to long term, it’s illustrative of just how big Guyana’s oil boom has the potential

to be if steady investments lead to continued production growth.

In late 2020, ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block, estimated that Guyana’s government could receive five to six lifts of oil in 2021. Each cargo of oil sold by the government in 2020 netted around $50 million US. But if prices continue to rebound, 2021 could already be a much more lucrative year for Guyana.

If current oil prices hold, Guyana can expect higher budgets that mean more opportunities for major programmes to improve the lives of Guyanese. Additional oil discoveries and projects are expected as operating companies continue to explore in more blocks offshore Guyana. The next projects in line for the Stabroek Block, Liza 2 and Payara, are each expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day, almost double the current 120,000 barrels per day produced at Liza 1. Rystad Energy projects that government revenues could top $10 billion annually by the end of the decade due to increasing production levels.

As the globe continues to recover from

COVID-19 and the energy sector continues to rebound, economic recovery can hopefully support sustainable growth and further development in Guyana. Higher government revenues can make highly ambitious goals on healthcare, education, and major infrastructure projects like the gas to power project attainable.

But while high oil prices are undeniably a boon for Guyana, it’s equally important that Guyana use any windfall from higher prices smartly. In just one year of production, Guyana has seen commodity prices go up and down, and it’s clear that neither is permanent.

Saving money in a sovereign wealth fund and prioritising growth-boosting investments like infrastructure are critical to avoiding some of the traps that oil-rich governments often find themselves in.

And with revenues multiplying with each new project that comes online, it’s important to learn these lessons quickly.

Thankfully, it appears the government is conscious of these challenges and already aiming to meet them.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

The Science of COVID-19

Acute kidney injury: protein or blood in urine Contributed by: Dr. Haimchand Barran MMSc Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases Fellowship -- Nephrology Nephrology Department -- GPHC AS mentioned in previous articles, some patients with COVID-19 have displayed kidney damage through acute kidney injury (AKI), mild proteinuria (protein in the urine), hematuria (blood in the urine), or slight elevation in creatinine (blood marker testing for kidney function). Today, we will cover protein and blood in the urine in our continuing series.

PROTEIN IN URINE People with proteinuria have unusually high amounts of protein in their urine.

The condition is often a sign of kidney disease. Your kidneys are filters that don’t usually let a lot of protein pass through.

When the kidney is damaged, then proteins such as albumin may leak from your blood into your urine. You can also have proteinuria when your body makes too much protein.

Kidney disease often has no early symp-

toms. Protein in your urine might be one of the first signs. Your doctor may spot proteinuria on a urine test during a routine physical.

Over time, as it gets worse, you might have symptoms including foamy or bubbly urine; swelling (edema) in your hands, feet, belly and face; urinating more often; shortness of breath; fatigue; loss of appetite; upset stomach and vomiting; and muscle cramps at night. Some common things can cause proteinuria include dehydration, inflammation, low blood pressure, fever, intense activity, high stress, kidney stones, taking aspirin every day, and very low temperatures.

Conditions that damage your kidneys can also make you have too much protein in your urine. The two most common are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Other serious conditions that can cause proteinuria include immune disorders such as lupus, kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis), a blood cancer called multiple myeloma, preeclampsia (which affects pregnant women), a buildup of protein in your organs (amyloidosis), cardiovascular disease, intravascular hemolysis, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed, kidney cancer, and heart failure.

Things that might make you more likely to have protein in your urine include obesity,

being aged over 65, a family history of kidney disease, and being of African American/ Native American/Hispanic/or Pacific Islander descent.

Some people get more protein into their urine while standing than while lying down.

This condition is called orthostatic proteinuria. A urine test, called a urinalysis, can tell whether you have too much protein in your urine.

BLOOD IN URINE Having blood in your urine can be a sign that something is wrong with your kidneys or another part of your urinary tract.

The medical name for blood in your urine is hematuria.

There are two types of hematuria: if you can see the blood in your urine, it is called gross hematuria; and if you cannot see the blood in your urine without looking at it under a microscope, it is called microscopic hematuria.

Anyone can have hematuria, but you might be more likely to have it if you have a family history of kidney disease; have an enlarged prostate (in men); have a history of getting kidney stones; are taking certain medicines, such as pain relievers, blood thinners and antibiotics; participate in strenuous (difficult) exercise; or have, or recently had, an infection.

There are many reasons that you might have blood in your urine. Having blood in your urine does not necessarily mean you have kidney disease. Some common causes are menstruation; strenuous (difficult) exercise; sexual activity; and having a virus, injury or infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other more serious problems can also

Dr. Haimchand Barran

cause you to have blood in your urine. Some of these problems include kidney or bladder cancer; irritation or swelling in your kidneys, prostate (in men) or another part of your urinary tract; polycystic kidney disease; blood clots or diseases that cause problems with blood clotting; and sickle cell disease You may not notice any symptoms if you have microscopic hematuria. If you have gross hematuria, you may notice that your urine is pink, red or brown. This happens because the blood in your urine makes it a different color. If you have gross hematuria, you may also get blood clots in your urine, which can be painful.

If you notice that your urine is a different colour than normal, or if you are having pain when you urinate, tell your healthcare provider. He or she can do some tests to figure out why you have blood in your urine or what is causing the pain and what treatment would be best for you.

The treatment for having blood in your urine depends on what is causing the problem. For example, if you have blood in your urine because of an infection, your doctor might tell you to take an antibiotic medicine.

If you have blood in your urine for another reason, you might need a different kind of treatment.

To find out why you have blood in your urine, your doctor might ask you for a urine sample. The urine sample can be used to test for signs of an infection, kidney disease or other problems. Your doctor will use the results of the urine test to decide if you need more tests or if you can start a treatment.

This article is submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme. For questions, email ministersecretaryhealth@ gmail.com.

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Labour Ministry engaging bilingual tutors –– to train officers in Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin

THE Ministry of Labour is currently engaging bilingual tutors to have Labour and Occupational Safety and Health Officers (OSH) trained in three different languages, beginning with Portuguese.

Minister Joseph Hamilton made this statement on Friday in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on the sidelines of the budget debate in the National Assembly. The minister said training in Portuguese would be followed by Spanish and Mandarin, which would start soon. However, the

training in Portuguese recently came to a halt with the death of the tutor.

Minister Hamilton said the government took the decision to start the language training to prepare its Labour and OSH officers to engage with the expected large influx of migrants whose first language may not be English.

Chinese entrepreneurs welcomed the plan during discussions with them at a one-day seminar held at the Chinese Association Hall last Sunday.

The minister said there were only nine OSH officers when he

became the minister in August, but today that number has increased to 30. This is to facilitate the ministry’s overall plan to ensure two officers are stationed in every region except Region Four, which has been categorised into three parts; East Coast, Georgetown and East Bank. Region Four will have six OSH officers.

Minister Hamilton said workplace accidents and deaths have been soaring, but he will implement measures to arrest this.

“In 2020, over 32 persons died in workplace accidents. Secondly, over 300 persons got

injuries in workplaces that were non-fatal and all of this they knew, but yet they did not increase the complement of safety and health officers to supervise and to manage health and safety in the workplace.”

The pool of labour officers has also been increased from 16 to 26 and they too would be assigned to every region.

“We have had recommendations coming

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton from every region except from Seven and Eight right now as I speak and those are being processed right now by the permanent secretary and once all the procedural things are over, we will forward them to the Public Service Ministry as regards

hiring these persons and training them and sending them back in their regions,” the Labour Minister said.

Minister Hamilton also noted that the trained labour officers would be stationed in the regions from which they are drawn.

14

6.9 per cent decrease in serious crimes in 2020 –– Minister Benn

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has said there was a decrease in serious crimes in Guyana in 2020 by 6.9 per cent.

The minister made this statement in his contribution to the 2021 Budget debate in the National Assembly on Friday.

“A review of the 2020 crime statistics indicate an overall reduction in serious crimes by 6.9 per cent. This reduction is predicated on the effects of the ‘stay-athome imperative retire by protection’ from the pandemic as robbery, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, breaking and entering and larceny and burglary showed decline, but murder increased by 13 per cent,” he said.

Minister Benn also said year-to-year figures for 2021 has shown a decline in seri-

ous crimes by 40.3 per cent when compared to the same period last year. He said the increase in vehicle, motor cycle and beat patrols and the improved keenness of police ranks also contributed to the decrease.

“The reduction is due to provision by the government resources in the form of 45 motor cycles and support of vehicles and loans from government agencies along with better use of surveillance cameras and intelligence show the efficacy of this.”

The minister said safety and security of citizens is important to the development of the country, and that the Force is working to improve public confidence.

Some $22.2 billion has been earmarked to provide a safe and secure environment for all. Of that sum, $15.3 billion has been allocated to the

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn Guyana Police Force with undergo training in 20 dif$300 million to be spent on ferent courses to improve its land and water fleet coun- their investigative and forentrywide. sic capabilities. Efforts will Another $830 million has also be made to resuscitate been allocated for the reha- Community Policing Groups bilitation and maintenance countrywide. The sum of of several police stations. $95 million has been allotted These include police stations to the groups to strengthen at Providence, Ruimveldt, neighbourhood patrols and Cove and John, Albion, visibility.

Whim, Parika, and Wismar.

The $383.1 National Resources will also go Budget was presented untowards building the hu- der the theme “A Path to man resource capacity of Recovery, Economic Dythe Guyana Police Force. namism and Resilience.”

Some 828 police ranks will (DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Baby boy crushed to death by father’s truck THE police are investigating the death of 20-month-old Adan Kiritpaul, who was crushed to death by a lorry driven by his father at their Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) residence.

Police Headquarters in a statement noted that the driver was slowly navigating the motor lorry out of his yard and when he looked out his rearview mirror, he saw something between the lorry’s wheels.

He immediateDead: Adan Kiritpaul ly stopped and disembarked when he made the gruesome discovery of his son lying motionless with his head crushed. The police arrived shortly after and commenced processing the scene.

The body of the child was taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital and an official pronouncement of death was made.

A post-mortem is expected shortly and the father remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Guyana-born Canadian lawyer opens local office –– takes aim at immigration consultancy

By Navendra Seoraj BOASTING extensive knowledge of the Canadian immigration system, Guyana-born lawyer and founder of KYL Law Firm, Kelicia Letlow-Peroune, is looking to extend her reach and offer her services to persons from her motherland, through the establishment of a local office at Duncan Street, Georgetown.

Coming from humble beginnings in Guyana, Letlow-Peroune became the first member of her family to obtain a first-degree in law from

the University of Guyana.

This milestone achievement laid the foundation for her to migrate to Canada, where she eventually completed her studies and was called to the Bar, in Ontario.

In response to questions from the Sunday Chronicle, the lawyer said, prior to starting her own law practice, she worked and volunteered with community, non-governmental, and international organisations, because she also has a deep passion for social justice.

She has since expanded her horizons and is now a member of the Law Soci-

ety of Ontario, the Women’s Law Association of Ontario, and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers. Over the years, the lawyer has assisted clients from over 20 countries, some of which include the Philippines, India, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Nigeria, The Central African Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and the United States of America.

Letlow-Peroune has also represented clients before the Federal Court of Canada, as well as the immigration tribunals within the Immigration and Refugee Board

37 new COVID-19 cases, 26 recoveries recorded GUYANA has recorded 37 new cases of COVID-19, as well as 26 recoveries, with 654 tests being carried out within 24 hours.

Of these new cases, six were recorded in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 29 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

No other region recorded new cases. As it stands, four persons currently remain within the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 22 persons remain institutionally isolated, while 358 persons are isolated at home and 18 persons are institutionally quarantined.

All Guyanese are urged to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.gy.

of Canada. She has extensive knowledge of the Canadian immigration system, having successfully challenged humanitarian and compassionate application refusals, denial of refugee claims and detention orders, to name a few.

Through her local office, the lawyer plans to utilise her experience to provide quality immigration consultancy to Guyanese. Letlow-Peroune’s experiences have exposed her to the challenges people encounter when dealing with legal issues, particularly those related to immigration.

“Whether you are seeking assistance with immi-

gration or a family matter, protect your rights and your future with an attorney who will help you find the best solution in a manner that is ethical and efficient,” the lawyer said.

She recently started a social media blog, which is designed to help persons understand and navigate the intricacies of applying and securing the various categories of visas for work, study, vacation or even obtain permanent residence.

Canada has been well established as one of the world’s top destinations to study and for good reason;

Attorney-at-law, Kelicia Letlow-Peroune it offers some of the best universities, scholarships, affordable tuition fees, and the opportunity to obtain permanent residence after graduating from a Canadian college or university.

Guyana and Canada share a strong bilateral relationship, which is the result of political ties through the Commonwealth, commercial links, development assistance and immigration.

Canada and Guyana also share extensive people-to-people ties: the Guyanese diaspora in Canada is estimated to be around 200,000.

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Venezuela’s ‘threatening’ posture still a concern for CARICOM –– bloc reiterates support for Guyana in ongoing border controversy

VENEZUELA’S “threatening posture” in the ongoing border controversy with Guyana remains a concern for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which reiterated its position following the conclusion of the 32nd inter-sessional meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, on Thursday.

The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy relates to a more than century-old disagreement, which arose

as a result of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899, which outlines and settles the boundary between the two nations, was null and void.

According to a communiqué from CARICOM, Heads of Government remain “very concerned” about the threatening posture of Venezuela and have reaffirmed their support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.

In March 2018, Guyana filed its application in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking an affirmation of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the international boundary that it established. The ICJ ruled on December 18, 2020, that it has jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case.

Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the

land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

Venezuela has said, for the longest while, that it is not interested in having this matter resolved by the court.

And, the country remains seemingly bent on arbitrarily laying claim to Guyana’s territory, with its naval forces intruding on Guyana’s maritime space.

Increased activity by Venezuelan naval vessels and other forces in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) started after Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, issued a decree claiming Venezuela’s sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River.

Despite outright condemnation of Venezuela’s latest claims and global recognition of Guyana’s sovereign rights over the contested area, a naval vessel attached to the Bolivarian Republic, just days after the issuance of the decree, had entered Guyana’s territory and abducted 12 fishermen, who have since been released.

Heads of Government of CARICOM noted, with satisfaction, that the cumulative effort of the region con-

tributed to the unconditional release of the fishing vessels and crew.

That matter aside, the fact remains that the border controversy is still active.

But CARICOM believes that the ongoing judicial process will bring a peaceful and definitive end to this matter, especially if Venezuela participates in the process.

A peaceful conclusion to its border controversy with Venezuela remains Guyana’s aim, but with the opposing state insisting on aggression, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has affirmed that his nation will not cower in the face of threats against national security.

“As President of our beloved country, my single most important responsibility is to keep the Guyanese people safe. It is the first thing I think about when I wake [up] in the morning. It is the last thing on my mind at night.

And my working day is consumed by it.

“But I want no mistake made about it: my government is doing all in its power to vigorously protect our people’s health and our country’s territorial integrity. Just as we will not relent in the battle against COVID-19, so will we not bend to threats

to our national security… we may be a small country, but we are a proud people.

We have no military might, but we have moral and legal right. We pick fights with no one, but we will resist threats from anyone,” President Ali said during a recent address to the nation.

The most recent international stakeholder to add its voice to this matter has been the United Nations (UN) through Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. According to President Ali, Guterres, in a letter, made reference to January 30, 2018, when he chose the ICJ as the means to be used for solution of the controversy.

The secretary-general acknowledged that the court is proceeding to adjudicate the merits of the case.

“Guyana is fully committed to the ICJ process.

We believe international law and independent international jurists of the highest caliber offer the most credible and definitive way in which to put an end to the Venezuelan contention. Therefore, we will continue to pursue that course,” President Ali said.

At the same time, however, Guyana, he said, is not averse to engaging Venezuela on bilateral matters in which we have a common interest.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Investigation launched into death of mother, newly born THE authorities in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have launched an investigation into the sudden death of a 31-year-old mother of three, Vanessa Lewis-Sahadeo and her newly born baby girl.

Sahadeo died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in the wee hours of Saturday, hours after she was rushed there from the New Amsterdam Hospital after giving birth to her baby girl; the baby died at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Friday.

Sahadeo of Lot 13, Third Street, Williamsburg, Corentyne, was admitted a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Monday last after she was transferred from the Port Mourant Hospital. She had visited the Port Mourant Hospital after experiencing abdominal pains and was told that her pressure and blood count were low. She was at the full term of her pregnancy and was expected to give birth during the course of the week while in the hospital.

Her distraught mother, 53-year-old Claris Cecil, said the family remains in a state

of disbelief over the deaths; she said her daughter was a strong and active woman, who had no prior medical condition.

Cecil recalled speaking with her daughter before she was taken to the delivery room on Friday.

“She called me the morning and said the doctor run ward and say everything okay, that they will carry she now to the labour room to get baby. So, I say alright.

“Then I call back and talk to her some more and she said ‘mommy, I am going now, must make up meh bed nice with the green sheet, so when I come out, me and my baby gonna lie down’,” a tearful Cecil recalled.

Sahadeo even told her mother to take lunch for her at the hospital, but when her sister showed up later with the food, she was met with dreadful news – the baby girl had died.

A nurse also telephoned Cecil with the distressing news.

“So, I get a call from the nurse saying that she baby died, so I asked how? And the [nurse] say they tried to

take the baby out and the womb come out and that Vanessa need blood and they taking her Georgetown Hospital, and the phone cut off.

“When I call back, I continuously asking if meh daughter okay and they said alright,” Cecil recalled.

Cecil barely made it to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she saw her daughter briefly on a stretcher, while medical personnel were tending to her.

“When meh go I see meh daughter on the stretcher in front the door lie down, so I think she dead, cause she cover up and they get a thing pumping her. So I start holler and then nurse say ‘no she isn’t dead,’ but when I feel meh daughter, she cold, cold,” Cecil told reporters.

Sahadeo was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she succumbed and the family received the dreadful news via telephone just after midnight on Friday.

“My brother-in-law called and was talking to my husband and I hear he crying say he good good daughter dead; anywhere they would

26 Haitians ‘busted’ after entering Brazil illegally from Guyana

The illegal immigrants who were detained in Brazil (Photo released by CANU)

THE Brazilian Federal Police have arrested 27 immigrants who entered Bom Fim illegally via Guyana’s borders.

A release from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) here noted that the interception occurred Friday evening and early Saturday morning. Of those arrested are 26 Haitian nationals and one Cuban. Also arrested were taxi drivers waiting to transport them onwards.

“Some of the Haitians arrived in Lethem during this past week. They were initially denied entry into Brazil, but it was suspected that

they would try to use other routes to cross over, hence the information was passed on to Brazilian Counterparts

by CANU who then alerted their law enforcement units within the area,” the CANU statement noted.

Recently, Brazil’s Federal Police and CANU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share information and conduct joint operations, involving narcotics and other criminal activities.

“This is one of the successes coming out of this arrangement. The movement

of persons through unofficial crossings not only poses a security risk but also a health risk due to the ongoing COVID Pandemic,” the CANU release concluded.

Guyana’s land borders with Brazil have been closed since March 2020.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, had noted that security and border patrols will continue to be vigilant, while the health authorities in Region Nine have been placed on alert since a new transmissible COVID-19 variant was discovered in Brazil this year.

Vanessa Lewis-Sahadeo was pregnant with her fourth child

Claris Cecil wants justice for her daughter

go together.”

Cecil wants justice.

“Meh want justice fuh

meh daughter because my daughter healthy and strong.

Nothing nah do she, she ah

laugh, gaff and talk. Before she went in to deliver, she say ‘mommy, buy a big ice cream and feed meh pickney them.

“We need answers, we need justice.”

Meanwhile, Director of Regional Heath Services, Dr Vishalya Sharma told the News Room that an investigation has been launched.

“On behalf of the Regional Health Services, I would like to express condolences to the family and relatives of Miss Lewis. As a result of this, an investigation has been launched,” Dr Sharma said.

Sahadeo leaves to mourn her three children ages 11, nine and six.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Human tissue transplant legislation to advance health system

By Richard Bhainie

THE much-needed human tissue transplant legislation is a revolutionary piece of document that will completely overhaul and improve the health sector, while providing a gamut of benefits for persons requiring organ transplant.

Dr. Kishore Persaud, Head of Department, Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), is one of the key stakeholders

in the drafting of the legislation.

During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Dr. Persaud noted that there are currently patients in Guyana as young as 10 years old, and many others below the age of 20, who suffer from kidney failure but cannot undergo a transplant because they do not have a compatible donor. With the absence of the legislation to allow for the transplant of organs from ‘brain-dead’ individuals, patients with kidney failure have to undergo dialysis -

one of the most expensive treatments.

The Human Tissue Transplant legislation will provide the regulatory framework which will enable Guyana to perform cadaveric transplantation; this is the transplant of tissue from ‘brain dead’ individuals, or cadaver as they are referred to, to living persons. Currently, there is no legislation governing this area in Guyana, which means there is no legally provided criteria for identifying and labelling someone as ‘brain-dead’,

Dr. Kishore Persaud, Head of Department, Multi-Organ Transplant and Vascular Access Surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (left) and his team, Dr. Roy Samlall (centre) and Dr. Bolan Persaud

whether a ‘brain-dead’ person can be removed from a ventilator and the method and procedure on how to do so.

It would also provide systematic regulations and guidelines to govern living donor transplants, which is the only type of transplantation currently performed in Guyana, along with a section pertaining to blood transfusion.

“The hospital did corneal transplants in the past; however, those corneas were donated because we cannot harvest our own due to lack of legislation. We’re only doing living donor kidney transplant and that’s when someone has kidney failure, we have to get someone to donate a kidney to him/her; so if no one donates, that person dies or has to stay on dialysis until they die,” Dr. Persaud said.

The legislation would allow the family of ‘braindead’ individuals to donate the organs of the individual, once they have been legally determined ‘brain-dead’. It would also allow persons to register if they want to donate their organs when they die.

The term ‘human tissue’ is used to describe how cells, the building blocks of life, are grouped together in an organised manner according to specific structure and function. These groupings of cells form tissue structure, which then make up organs and various parts of the body.

The legislation was titled the ‘human tissue’ legislation so that it can be far-reaching; it would encapsulate various human transplantations and not be restricted to a certain group of tissues or organs.

In this regard, it would open the door for the advancement of medicine in

Guyana. Specialist doctors would have to be trained in a gamut of medical fields to provide different transplants, expanding the arena of medicine in Guyana and improving the quality of service.

“It will also widen the access of care the ordinary citizen can get; the laboratories will have to develop to compensate for the transplant legislation; the administrative component of the hospital will have to develop, and the facilities offered by the hospital will automatically develop,” Dr. Persaud explained.

He highlighted that there is a high demand for organ transplantation in Guyana, which would allow hundreds of persons to live healthy and productive lives.

“We have a significant amount of our population that is diabetic and hypertensive; the main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and high blood pressure. We have over 150 patients on dialysis that desire a transplant or can benefit from transplant,” he said.

Dr. Persaud explained that dialysis is one of the most expensive treatments in the world, and once someone assumes the treatment, one has to remain on it for the rest of one’s life, unable to work or live productive lives.

“With a patient getting a transplant, they don’t have to do dialysis; they require minimum medication to stay alive. They go back to work and they’re able to live a healthy productive life.”

The legislation is also being drafted to protect against trafficking in persons and the illegal harvesting of organs.

The legislation would only permit for the harvesting of the organs once someone is declared legally brain dead

and the hospital would not be able to store any organs.

“Patients are prepared when they are in need of a transplant, so if someone is ‘brain-dead’ in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), they will call us and indicate whether the organ can match and then we do the transplant,” Dr. Persaud said.

Further, to aid in these efforts, the legislation provides for a fixed team, appointed by the Ministry of Health, which will be authorised to be part of the transplantation process.

“So, if a transplant is happening in Guyana, it is only happening by a specific group of persons and no other person – so it protects the ordinary man so no one can do a transplant through the back door,” Dr. Persaud explained.

With this legislation, it is expected that some burden will be removed from the public health sector.

“This is something I have been pushing for because of the benefits. Every sector of this country will benefit from this legislation, it’s something we need. Every other Caribbean country has this type of legislation, so it will put us on par with our neighbours and help us to improve the quality of care offered to the entire country,” Dr. Persaud emphasised.

The draft bill is currently at the Attorney-General Chambers for revision. On January 20, 2021, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. met with Dr. Persaud and his team along with members of the Guyana Medical Council to discuss the legislation.

The bill is expected to be presented in Parliament on or before May 2021.

19

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Amidst COVID, young real estate agent celebrates first year in business AMIDST the COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued the world, a 20-year-old real estate agent has weathered the storm to survive her first year in the real estate business.

During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Steadfast Logistics, Amrita Sookram, described the hurdles and challenges she overcame to celebrate the milestone.

It was always Sookram’s dream to become an entrepreneur; she became fascinated with the commercial environment through being a ‘business stream’ student while at the North Georgetown Secondary School.

“Being an entrepreneur allows me to meet new people, manage my own time and projects, build a team, create job opportunities for young people, have the power to give back, learning to embrace failure, amongst other things,” Sookram said.

On February 22, 2020,

less than a month before COVID-19 made its way to Guyana, without anticipating the disease or the cruelties that it brought with it, Sookram launched her business.

She described her experience during the initial stage after the launch as “devastating” as she faced many challenges, however, with her head held high, she maneuvered through the stormy seas to survive her first anniversary.

“I had to close my business for months, reduced the number of employees, I became bankrupt due to lack of sales causing no profits and losing a lot of money on rent at my first location because although we were closed, we still had to pay the rent,” she said.

After a couple weeks in the business, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Sookram was forced to close shop and retire home in lockdown. However, this did not stop her as she was de-

Survey on climate change, health perceptions launched THE Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) will soon have a better understanding of what Caribbean people know about the links between climate change and their health.

According to a release, the survey will be shared through a partnership with Caribbean mobile phone network, Digicel, and targets adults, 18 years and older, across many Caribbean countries.

Respondents will be asked to complete a short questionnaire which should take about 10 minutes. Participation is entirely voluntary, anonymous, and individual data will not be shared. The survey received ethical approval from ethics review boards of the UWI and PAHO/WHO. The data provided will be a valuable guide in the creation of an awareness and advocacy campaign and will strengthen climate and health systems in the Caribbean.

The survey is a critical tool to gain baseline information for the European Union (EU) funded 5-year project aimed at empowering Caribbean action for climate and health. It is being im-

plemented by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and brings together project partners including CARICOM, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) and the UWI. Other UN agencies and universities like St George’s University (SGU) will also participate.

The survey is entitled ‘Is there a link between climate change and your health?’ Anyone wishing to participate can click this link: https://trnd.ly/ClimateHealthTT The project builds upon the success of the “One Health One Caribbean One Love” project led by the UWI St. Augustine Campus from 2014 to 2017. It also addresses the strategic lines of action identified by regional health and environment leaders of the Caribbean, during the Third Global Conference on Health and Climate Change, held in St. George’s, Grenada, on 16 and 17 October 2018, and reflected in the Caribbean Action Plan on Health and Climate Change (2019).

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Steadfast Logistics, Amrita Sookram

termined to make her mark in the real estate world.

Sookram operated online for a while, utilising means and mechanisms such as social media to promote her brand

and establish herself in the market. In June, 2020 she acquired a new office location and was determined to grow her business.

“After moving to our new location, we started to use the COVID-19 guidelines and created a communication plan where most of our business was done through online/social media,” she said. Sookram noted that since then, business has been “fairly successful”.

Sookram now feels “accomplished” and proud of herself and grateful to her staff. As a young entrepreneur, she described her experience thus far as inspiring.

The process of taking risks, challenging herself despite her fears, sleepless nights and

building a team, took a mental toll, but Sookram refused to give up.

What her customers described as the “Jane of all trades”, Sookram provides services in real estate and property management, architecture, construction, shipping and travel services.

“I do enjoy what I do, I love meeting new people and exploring what the business world has to offer, brainstorming new ideas and challenging myself to make things happen,” she said.

Her plans for the future involve expanding her business in terms of opening more branches and getting investors on board to provide more services to satisfy her customers and create job

opportunities.

Sookram credited the support she received from family and friends who pushed her to overcome the hurdles she faced. She noted her favorite quote, “Rome wasn’t built overnight” which she kept at the back of her mind as she pushed through.

“I kept going also because I know how hard I’ve worked to build Steadfast [Logistics] and I didn’t intend on giving up because of situations I’m unable to control,” she said.

Steadfast Logistics is located at 76 ‘B’ North Railway Line, Kitty, Georgetown; they can be contacted 621-8445.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Gov’t building cohesive, stronger communities …says Minister Anand Persaud

THE Government will be pushing the wheel of innovation, change, and developing industries as Budget 2021 aims to build cohesive and stronger communities and regions, through a no-nonsense approach, to the task of institutional and capacity building.

This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud. He made his contribution to the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The budget, he said, was in line with the developmental needs and priorities.

“As you heard from the

private sector, the business community, the normal man, the pensioner, and the young people, budget 2021 has the incentives and right plans, this time around.”

Noting that last year. a total of $28M was earmarked to be spent under the Policy Development and Administration in the ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Minister Persaud said this money was spent tackling the poverty reduction and job creation needs of Guyanese.

“We spent the last six months making critical investments in our solid waste management programmes and local markets upgrade projects, which serve thousands of residents on a daily

basis…Mr. Speaker, some rehabilitation work was done last year to the Albouystown market, making it more accessible to residents and more user-friendly to the vendors.

“East Ruimveldt market could not be completed due to non-cooperation by M&CC. However, efforts will be made to have this market completed before the end of March 2021,” Minister Persaud said.

He continued: “Mr. Speaker, imagine, the APNU+AFC spent millions of dollars on markets rehabilitation and today, the percentage of occupancy of 13 of these markets is less than 40 per cent. For example, the Kitty Market. Mr. Speaker,

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud

the approach by the last administration has confirmed that they were clueless when it comes to making lasting and sensible strategic investments. Today, I can proudly report that the first phase of the Mon Repos market is almost completed. This market is among the biggest of the markets in Guyana.”

He reflected that in 2002,

the ministry equipped six Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) with the much-needed furniture and equipment, which was not catered for by the last administration. Persaud said that millions are allocated to continue the enhancement and provision of an easy transport network of farm produce from farmlands in

Berbice River communities to residents in Linden and Georgetown.

Emphasising that the investment is essential, as it increases farmers’ access to input and output markets, Persaud said this also stimulates the rural non-farm economy and vitalises rural villages. He said that this also increases consumer demand, and facilitates the integration of rural areas into national and international economies.

“We believe every Guyanese must share our wealth regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or social class. Our vision is colour blind when it comes to establishing a developed Guyana. But the opposition wants Guyana to believe that they are saints and can’t do any wrong. But the entire country knows better,” Persaud said.

President Irfaan Ali’s Government, he said will continue to work on collaborating with all local democratic organs to get the best possible results in 2021 and beyond.

PANCAP launches toolkit to boost HIV response during COVID-19 THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, officially launched a toolkit for social contracting during a virtual event attended by key stakeholders from the region’s HIV response including government, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Social contracting involves governments providing financial support for programmes, interventions and other activities implemented by civil society organisations. This is done to help prevent reductions and disruptions in targeted services for key and vulnerable populations (in particular) and contributes to more rapidly expanding effective HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria responses, a release said.

In remarks, Dr. Rosmond Adams, Director, PANCAP highlighted that the toolkit is timely as COVID-19 threatens to undermine the gains made in the region’s HIV response. He explained that the toolkit aims to assist regional countries in developing and implementing a social contracting mechanism in partnership between governments and CSOs with recommended actions set out

in a four-stage process and examples of regional and international experiences to guide decision making.

“Collaboration between governments and civil society is critical particularly at a time where COVID-19 has placed a strain on the region’s resources for responding to HIV,” stated Dr. Adams, who added: “We hope that this toolkit can foster more collaborations and partnerships between governments and CSOs to maintain the gains made in the HIV response.”

Ivan Cruickshank, Executive Director, Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), stated that he endorsed the toolkit and welcomed the attention placed on the need for more partnerships between governments and CSOs. “Civil society is the heart and the backbone of the Region’s HIV response,” stated the Executive Director, who pointed out that “they reach the most vulnerable who are in urgent need of access to health. Governments need to recognise the tremendous value that CSOs bring to the response and work with them to reach those most affected by HIV. I applaud this PANCAP initiative and hope that governments and CSOs seize the opportunity to use the toolkit to build strategic alliances that will benefit the

most vulnerable”.

Veronica Cenac, the consultant responsible for the toolkit, highlighted that it contains guidance to countries and recommends a four-stage process for the implementation of social contracting in the Caribbean.

These include securing the political will of government and CSOs, readiness assessment - analysis of legal and regulatory framework, implementation process, and a roadmap for sustainability.

She emphasised that effective rollout of social contracting will require planning, ongoing advocacy, and collaboration between government and CSOs as they build partnerships to deliver HIV services.

Jason Shepherd, Senior Programme Officer, Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/ AIDS (CRN+), also endorsed the toolkit and echoed that governments and CSOs need to collaborate on HIV activities in light of the ongoing COVID-19 challenge.

“As we continue to navigate COVID-19, social contracting offers an effective solution for HIV programmes reaching those most at-risk for HIV”, stated Shepherd.

The PANCAP Toolkit for social contracting will be presented digitally to governments and CSOs across the Region.

21

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

6th EDITION

FEBRUARY 28th, 2021

‘Straight Outta 592’ gives micro, small businesses social media exposure

ious areas. Apart from the business owners, her other influences would be her close friends and her current boss.

“The reason I would say this is because over the past year, they have all contributed to my growth in their own little ways and each has encouraged me to explore my communication and creative skills,” the blogger related.

It is common knowledge that success doesn’t come without challenges and one of her biggest hurdles when she started her creative venture was extending her reach to a wider audience.

She believes that when she created the Instagram page, the reach was larger than that on Facebook.

Today, she has learned to filter her content and post during peak hours to gain the most traction.

Creator of ‘Straight Outta 592,’ Janel Bovell-Drakes

“STRAIGHT Outta 592” is an 11-month-old social media platform, founded by Janel BovellDrakes, which focuses entirely on increasing awareness of products and services offered by micro and small business enterprises in Guyana.

Bovell-Drakes uses her platform to support local businesses by making a purchase then posting a review on Straight Outta 592. This strategy has helped to promote many businesses as well as acquire new customers, both locally and in the diaspora. For now, Straight Outta 592 services are free.

The blogger said: “For years, I have supported local micro and

small businesses and I have seen their talents, dedication and time spent on building their businesses to cater to customers.”

Small businesses are usually managed by one person and that person has several responsibilities such as dealing with customers, performing cashier duties, stocking the shelves, posting on social media pages and so much more.

In most instances, these business owners are so busy that they have little time to update their social media pages and this is where Straight Outta 592 steps in.

“It was always a dream to create a brand and I wanted to be the first platform that focuses only on micro

a n d small b u s i nesses in Guyana, I wanted to push for an ‘is we own’ concept,” Bovell Drakes said.

Her greatest influence is the small business owners. She has seen many invest their time and money to create brands that are a true representation of what they have to offer.

These businesses have evolved over the years with packaging, customer service and also expanded their services and products for Guyanese in var-

INCREASING AWARENESS The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the Straight Outta 592 platform, but it has negatively impacted many micro and small businesses. This, in fact, has encouraged her to invest more time into increasing awareness of these businesses.

Bovell-Drakes believes her greatest professional accomplishment thus far is being able to develop and implement a new platform that allows persons locally, regionally and internationally to see products and services offered by local micro and small busi-

nesses.

She has successfully managed to establish fun and interactive ways for these businesses to be recognised on social media.

“Recently, I introduced the virtual interviews on my Instagram page which allows me to introduce the business owner or a representative who will then inform the viewers about their products and services and provide some advice to those desirous of starting their own small business,” the blogger said, adding that the business owners also have the opportunity to display some of their products.

A small business owner once told the blogger that ‘they’ can steal your recipe, but the sauce won’t taste the same. This has since resonated with her and has helped her to grow in both her personal and work life.

Creating a business is a big step for many. It might be to assist with financial growth or just for passion but one thing that is always important is to remember to be original, stand true to your brand and also be honest about your products and services.

Bovell-Drakes noticed that on several occasions, persons display pictures of other people’s work; this is deceitful and misleading to customers. At no time should any business owner be comfortable stealing pictures of other people’s work.

TURN TO PAGE 22

22

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Economist floats idea of National Investment Strategy

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA is undergoing a period of great transformation, through which sizeable investments are expected to emerge, and to facilitate a smooth process of growth, Senior Economics Lecturer and Director of the University of Guyana (UG)’s GREEN Institute, Dr. Thomas Singh, believes that a National Investment Strategy should be crafted.

Speaking at a recent post-budget forum organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Dr. Singh said that a few things are needed in light of Guyana’s development. The national investment strategy, he said, should be an important focus.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, earlier this year, Dr. Singh had explained that this national strategy should encompass environmental sustainability and inclusive development. This he

believes would facilitate more equitable growth and development.

“If growth were more inclusive then the concerns of the poor would be incorporated in the decision making of those persons with the ability to invest,” he told this newspaper.

An important consider-

ation for him is that the focus on environmental sustainability should not only be encouraged because an environmental agency requires it or because an environmental activist is lobbying for it.

Instead, he said that such a strategy must, ideally, engage all stakeholders in the deci-

sion-making process. Emphasis, the economist said, must be placed on those poorer or more vulnerable sections of the population.

He cautioned that a great inequality of income encourages the very poor sections of the population to operate in high growth sectors like mining, which might involve environmental degradation.

This is just one nexus between environmental sustainability and inclusive development.

He noted, too, that Guyana’s economy is largely characterised by commodity production, whether it is rice, sugar or other agricultural products or the extractive industries. And this production, he explained, gives rise to ‘rent.’

In economics, economic rent is any payment to an owner or factor of production in excess of the costs needed to bring that factor into production.

“When you have an economy where rents are so pervasive, the economy is not a normal one and what becomes important is who owns the resources… if you compared that to an economy where there are many diversified economies, that would contribute to more equitable growth,” he explained.

In a diversified economy, which facilitates more equity, he noted that more people will be able to contribute to the economy. The alternative, with pervasive economic rents and fewer sectors, is that only a handful of people are needed to make those sectors “work”, the economist reasoned.

And as such, he said: “We need a national investment strategy that is green, but inclusive and equitable.”

Senior Economics Lecturer and Director of the University of Guyana (UG)’s GREEN Institute, Dr. Thomas Singh

It is important to note that the government has committed to resuscitating its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which articulates a keen focus on sustainable development.This strategy, as it is now, will be broadened to include wider environmental services, water resources management, climate resilience, biodiversity, renewable energy, and the

marine economy, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said in his inaugural address to the Parliament.“We believe that this strategy will allow Guyana to earn substantial revenue that can be utilized to diversify the economy and create employment opportunities for our people as we did previously under the Norway Agreement,” Dr Ali said.

‘Straight Outta 592’ gives micro, ...

FROM PAGE

The most effective marketing strategy for Straight Outta 592 has been participating in live interviews.

The blogger said, in her first live interview, persons were able to have a better understanding of what Straight Outta 592 is all about, understand the services offered and get a sense of how her passion has led to the evolution of the concept.

Over the past few months, she has learned that networking, collaborations, and support to other businesses are great for business growth.

Networking can create many opportunities for these businesses; it can also boost their reputation and referrals. Collaborations create connections with other small businesses and support is what helps businesses to keep going. Support can be in the

form of finances or through sharing, liking, commenting on social media posts and/or referrals.

SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE The blogger said she always encourages persons to create business accounts on both Facebook and Instagram because there are many features on these platforms, which allow businesses to gain recognition.

In offering advice to businesses, she said: “Make use of your social media channels. I use both my personal and business pages on Instagram and Facebook to boost the presence of these businesses and also my WhatsApp story.

“As business owners, you should always be open to feedback, the good, bad and

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constructive as they assist in improving your products and services. Technology is a powerful tool - it all depends on how and when this tool is used.”

In 2021, Bovell-Drakes sees herself working along with other organisations to assist micro and small businesses with training in basic courses. She is also working on a website which will serve as a digital listing hub for businesses, and hopes to start hosting an annual mini business exposition; this is in fact her number one business goal.

Businesses desirous of being featured on Straight Outta 592 could connect with Bovell-Drakes through the following social media pages: Facebook: Straight Outta 592 and Instagram: @straightoutta592.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Owner of ‘Be Beautiful’, Sadhana Seeram

The ‘pandemic’ product that served as a launch pad for Seeram and her business

Job loss

opens new door for young entrepreneur –– making waves in cosmetics industry with beauty products

By Mesha Sealey LOSING a job is seen by some persons as one of life’s most stressful experiences, as, aside from the obvious financial constraints experienced by unemployed persons, the added stress could have a serious effect on one’s mood, relationships and overall health.

While this might have been the case for 28-year-old Sadhana Seeram, in the aftermath of losing her “nine-to-five” job, she quickly found the knob to a new door, which led her to the field of entrepreneurship.

“When I had started [my business], I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I wasn’t sure what to get into. Then, I saw an advertisement that was looking for agents to sell beauty products in Guyana, so I went for it. I became the agent for that company’s skincare products. I was still working my job, and I didn’t have a location or a business name. I was just bringing in products and selling them. Then I lost my job in 2016,” she recalled.

It was the loss of her job that gave her the time to focus on her business. With the help of her sister, who sold makeup products at that time, she brainstormed the name ‘Be Beautiful’ for their skincare and makeup venture.

“We had a location in Albert Street, then we moved to Fogarty’s, but because of the rent and everything, we had to close. My sister ended up pulling off, and it was just me on my own, doing my online thing, as I was still looking for a job

after I had to close.

“My business was a part-time thing, but I just couldn’t get something that I liked.

I felt like doing the whole thing online; I couldn’t meet customer demands. Sometimes the delivery time was inconvenient for them, and we had issues like that,” she said.

In 2019, Seeram decided to give her venture another shot, and once again sought places to rent. She later reopened the doors of ‘Be Beautiful’, and has since been functioning independently at the lot 83 Robb Street location.

Speaking about what motivated her to pursue this dream and create ‘Be Beautiful’, the entrepreneur said that while she was initially undecided about a venture to invest in, becoming the agent for beauty products, as well as her own experience, pushed her to help women feel more comfortable “in their skin.”

“I believe that every woman is beautiful in their own way, and true beauty comes from inside; but from my experience, I think a lot of women lack self-confidence because of their appearance. We, as women, particularly worry about how we look. ‘Be Beautiful’ is basically here to help women boost their confidence,” Seeram said.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has also helped ‘Be Beautiful’ take-off, in terms of giving her the time to create a new line of products.

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The ‘Glow’ facial oil created by ‘Be Beautiful’

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

Tele-health business gets ‘tech’ support from GTT

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has managed to engineer technological solutions to assist local tele-health business, Oncall Medical Solutions Inc, in combating challeng-

es of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

With businesses increasingly offering online services to aid in flattening the COVID-19 curve, GTT continues to do its part by providing the support

necessary to enable Oncall Medical Solutions Inc to provide tele-health services in Guyana.

Through OnCall Medical Solutions Inc, patients could connect with and receive care

from private healthcare providers at their convenience.

Among the services offered are health management, house calls, blood sampling, COVID-19 sampling and telehealth services which allow

patients to consult with doctors via telephone or through video apps.

According to GTT’s Public Relations Manager Jasmin Harris, the technology company provides a combination of services to OnCall. Those services include the hosted PBX service, VOIP via SIP service and mmg+.

“We are proud to announce that our hosted PBX service is enabling OnCall Medical Solutions to break barriers with its telehealth services. The impact of coronavirus has challenged GTT’s Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris

Managing-Director of Oncall Medical Solutions Inc, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple

many businesses to become innovative; with reduced physical interactions, companies were forced to develop ways to connect to their customers and it has been our pleasure to support OnCall’s initiative,” Harris said.

She added that while GTT’s technologies help to connect businesses to their customers, the company also encourages the use of mmg+ for cashless payments, to further reduce physical interaction.

“We commend OnCall Medical for breaking the physical barrier of accessing health care with its telehealth service and we are extremely happy that our technology solutions can help bridge the gap of healthcare services in Guyana, to the benefit of our people,” she added.

The public relations man-

Job loss ...

“During the pandemic, I launched my very first product, which is a turmeric scrub.

Being in the beauty industry, I knew I wanted to make something and launch it. I always had the idea, but I never put the work into it.

“After the pandemic hit and I was at home, I thought it was the right time to actually work on it, and in July last year, I made the scrub and launched it. The response has been so amazing. The customers are so supportive!

My customer base wanted to try it, and when they tried it, the feedback was just great.

I knew it was going to work, but I didn’t know they would love it so much,” Seeram said.

Her ‘pandemic’ product

ager said too that GTT has also provided the tele-health business with free handsets to connect with their local team of doctors.

“The world is rapidly changing and we are equipped and ready to support local businesses like OnCall Medical Solutions Inc. Our team and our partners are committed to supporting businesses with technology solutions such as remote-working, online collaboration, managed networking and security, and cloud solutions,” Harris said.

Managing Director of OnCall Medical Solutions Inc, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple lauded GTT for its partnership to facilitate local operations.

“We are excited that GTT and its partners are able to provide and support the connective technology necessary to drive our business. OnCall Medical Solutions Inc believes [that] everyone in Guyana deserves access to the best healthcare and GTT is helping us to make that a reality,” Dr. Dalrymple said.

OnCall Medical Solutions Inc can be reached via 233-A-DOC (233-2362) or 624-OCMS (624-6267) or via email at oncall@oncallguyana.com. Persons could also visit its website at www. oncallguyana.com for more information.

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served as a launch pad to greater success, as the entrepreneur went on to create and launch her own series of ‘Be Beautiful’ natural skincare products, which she said sells “like hot cake.”

“I think every day gets better because the best part of my business or my day, is when a customer gives me feedback that this product is exactly what they were looking for, or exactly what they needed.

It makes me proud that I’m delivering what they want to them,” the entrepreneur said.

It is for this reason that she extended her gratitude to her customers, who have been nothing but supportive since the establishment of ‘Be Beautiful’.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

‘By hook or by crook’ Caribbean will be vaccinated for COVID-19

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–– CARPHA Executive Director affirms valued COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, but the only vaccines received in the region to date were from India, which has donated 100,000 vaccines to Barbados and 70,000 to Dominica through bi-lateral arrangements.

Next week, some 80,000

Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr. Joy St. John

By Vishani Ragobeer AMID concerns over the hoarding of vaccines by larger nations across the globe, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr. Joy St. John, related that several stakeholders across the region have been pooling resources to ensure that Caribbean countries would be able to procure vaccines needed to immunise their population against COVID-19.

During a virtual forum organised by the Sagicor Cavehill School of Business and Management, in Barbados, Dr. St. John highlighted that CARPHA has been supporting several member states in efforts geared at procuring vaccines. Support has also been given to boost the local capacity of countries as they prepare for the rollout of vaccines.

She acknowledged that there are some concerns over the region’s ability to secure vaccines. This has been well-ventilated by the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.

In a statement subsequent to the press conference, CARICOM said it is ‘dissatisfied’ and ‘deeply’ concerned about the inequitable access to vaccines for Small Developing States, like those of the community. CARICOM, as such, called for equitable access to vaccines in order to curb the impact of the pandemic, to protect its citizens and bolster the regional economy.

“As the virus does not discriminate, access to vaccines should not be discriminatory, with a few countries dominating the market with their resources and their volumes,” CARICOM said.

Heads of Government noted, too, that even countries with the funds to purchase, have been unable to procure and receive vaccines through commercial arrangements, given the relatively small volumes which they seek. Aside from the concerns over the accessibility of vaccines, there have been concerns over the funding needed to secure enough vaccines to cover Caribbean populations and to prepare the local health systems for the rollout of vaccines.

“The funding, I don’t think you need to worry about… the recognised funding agencies have been working with individual member states and at the CARICOM level and the various platforms have also come through with arrangements,” Dr. St. John said, however.

In the initial vaccine rollout phase, a 20 per cent coverage of the adult population in various Caribbean countries is expected. Commenting on the funds needed to facilitate this, Dr. St. John disclosed: “The money is in the process of being raised”.

She singled out the Inter-Development Bank (IDB) as one of the regional partners that has been working with individual member states and CARICOM to ensure that there is funding for vaccines. Member States of CARICOM have all signed on to the highly

vaccine doses are expected to be donated to Guyana from this South-Asian country. Dr. St. John also spoke highly of the “regional solidarity” through which member states have been sharing the vaccines that they have received.

A dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being administered to Dr. Dave Persaud recently, at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

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‘Free UG’ draws mixed views at youth budget forum

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

–– budgetary measures to encourage youth entrepreneurship

–– home ownership lauded Some of the participants at the Youth Budget Forum organised by Move On Guyana and the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC)

By Vishani Ragobeer THE provision of free education at the University of Guyana (UG) has been a topical matter over the past few years, and, more recently, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government pledged to make this a reality, but during a virtual youth forum, few young people had varying views on this.

Friday’s virtual forum was crafted by local youth organisation, ‘Move On Guyana’ and the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), with the aim of providing a space for young Guyanese to discuss and debate the 2021 National Budget.

At that forum, however, the ‘Free UG’ matter was raised. Economic and Youth Policy Advisor at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Elson Lowe, noted that he was expecting some indication that there would be a gradual move towards ‘Free UG’ in this year’s budget.

Lowe has been heading the ‘Free UG’ movement for the past few years, and has emphasised that Article 27 of the Constitution of Guyana states: “Every citizen has the right to a free education from nursery to university as well as at non-formal places where opportunities are provided for education and training.”

However, final year Economics student at the UG, Matthew Gaul, noted that while there was no mention of ‘Free UG’ in this year’s budget, he is cognisant that the current government promised this within five years.

Indeed, as per the PPP/ C’s 2020 to 2025 manifesto, the party promised to “provide free education at the University of Guyana within five years” as part

of efforts geared at improving access to education, increasing the quality of education and preparing students for the job market.

‘Free UG’ has garnered much support from many students and Guyanese, then President of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), Jafar Gibbons, had told the Guyana Chronicle in 2019. His predecessor, Devta Ramroop echoed similar sentiments.

Gibbons, who supports making university education free, had noted that while making university education free will be beneficial to many students, careful consideration must be given to ensuring that there are quality teachers and adequate facilities.

Meanwhile, at Friday’s forum, Head of the Department of Economics, Sydney Armstrong highlighted, “When we talk about free university or free education, my discussion is rather than us talking about free university or tertiary education, we should be talking about affordable education.”

A central concern for the economist was whether making tertiary education free would be a sustainable investment for Guyana, cognisant that if UG becomes funded by the ‘oil money’, there would come a time when those funds would not be replenished.

Other concerns for him included who becomes eligible for ‘free UG’ since UG only has the capacity for about 9,000 students, and how to recuperate losses if students do not perform well. He also reminded of the popular adage in economics: There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Though UG would be made free, he reminded that cost would be borne elsewhere.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

THE RANCOR AND QUALITY OF PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

PARLIAMENT has a rich history and culture of having some of the best and most influential debaters

since the period of the National Legislative Council in 1947 and then the National Assembly May 1966.

These debaters used the skill of language to jab at their political opponents.

It was the very sharp, precise and colourful oratory skills of former President of Guyana, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan that won him the spotlight whenever he stood to speak in the National Assembly. His concern about the normal man and the issues that he brought to the fore transcended race, class, and religion. Dr Jagan’s legacy was rich with many moments when he rallied against his opponents while in opposition or in Government.

Similarly, the same could be said of former Prime Minister Forbes Burnham who, as history records it, was a man with the spice in his mouth and the intellect to deliver the necessary oratory blows, sometimes too much and unjustified, to his fellow comrades in political and parliamentary realms.

Together, they led scholars, professionals, and the ordinary parliamentarians in debates that would redefine the concept of what it really means to engage one anther in sound, factual, concise, politically-correct, moral and classy debates in Parliament.

There were many policy disagreements and linguistical arguments among parliamentarians during the famous 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. These fights about policy and excess continued throughout the 2000s where it slowly started taking a deep dip or plummet into an undesirable path. This trend continued from the period 2015 to a new low that saw the standards that were not good, morally-unsound, politically-inapt, unparliamentary in nature creeping its way into what could be described as ‘the most troubling period of parliamentary life’.

NOW FAST FORWARD TO THE 12TH PARLIAMENT These parliamentarians, mostly the opposition, are violating the rulings of its Speaker, its parliamentary conduct, rules and traditions with impunity. There is nothing parliamentary about the language or behaviours of its members.

Recall, it was Coalition MP, Geeta Chandan-Edmond who drew first blood at the Attorney-General, Anil Nandalall, who is without a child by saying, “I am a proud mother of two children. All the credit goes to my husband.” Then the homophobic insults hurled from the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon to Minister

Kwame McCoy, “I have a lil boy for you.”

These behaviours must be condemned strongly by all right-thinking Guyanese and the parliamentarians should be sanctioned in the interest of the gains made by Guyana on the fronts of becoming an inclusive, tolerant and progressive multicultural society.

When we taught Parliament couldn’t descend anymore into the gutter, there were a number of insults hurled across the divide.

Truth be told, these debates are disappointing to say the least since they started. They have become too personal beyond the realms of what is acceptable parliamentary language and behaviour. There are little facts or empirical evidence. Only talking heads on the side of the APNU+AFC opposition.

And, the APNU+AFC opposition is wearing its heart on its sleeve for every one to see when it comes to the issues of racial insecurity and racial hostility in Guyana. It seems to see everything through its ‘racial and racist’ lenses. It cannot point to the issue by using welcomed examples of the ‘racism’ which it says the PPP Government employs, by using the trends in the empirical and factual data before it. Its talk about never ending discrimination is like ‘throwing water on ducks back’ without the cases and evidence. Where are the facts? Where is the evidence?

Consequently, when the APNU/AFC Government was in office, it had the opportunity to right everything it complained about by commissioning studies, COIs, reports but it didn’t. It would be wise if the opposition didn’t accuse the PPP/C of this heinous and most unfortunate acts during the debates because it is embarrassing to them even though there may be acts taking place.

Finally, the debates can still be uplifting and inspiring for all if they are delivered with the truth and conviction, facts and the element of political surprise. But there is no need for the level of hate, crassness, idiotic flares and the parliamentary misgivings that are taking place now. Go back to the days of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham and try hard to emulate them. Better must come over the next few days.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, February 28, 2021

ACME manager died from hypertension

Dead: Sandra Dee Barker

AN autopsy conducted on the remains of Sandra Dee Barker, the ACME General Store Manager who was found dead in her office on Wednesday last, revealed that her death was caused by hypertension which caused brain haemorrhaging.

The post mortem, which was done on Friday, also revealed that Barker died sometime between Monday and Wednesday. The body was later handed over to relatives for burial.

Her body was found by her 25-year-old colleague on Wednesday morning on the ground of her office lo-

cated on the third floor of the Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, building.

The 54-year-old of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara resident was identified by her brother, Philip Barker of Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown.

Police, in a statement, had said the body was examined by Emergency Medical Technicians. “The scene was processed and no marks of violence were seen, neither were signs of breakage found on the building,” the police had said.

FROM PAGE

‘Free UG’ draws...

“Emphasis should be placed on making the university of greater quality.

Emphasis has to be placed on how the university can strengthen its approach while building the human capital,” Armstrong contended.

At the virtual forum, many of the young people in attendance were eager to hear more about the plans for ‘Free UG’ and how Guyana would pivot into allowing students to study at the national university for free. President of the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), Dr. Quacy Grant emphasised that with free tertiary education, efforts must be made to ensure that the youth are also ready to penetrate the job market.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP Importantly, Dr. Grant noted that the GNYC is pleased to see that a portion of the budget is being allocated to help youth entrepreneurs and to help youth generate money for themselves.

“We’re moving into an

26

oil economy and we have to train young people not only to be employees but to become employers,” Dr. Grant noted. He was supported by another youth, John Edghill, who highlighted that the budget offers several ways to access grant financing and financing for young people who are interested in business ownership.

Meanwhile, final year Economics student, Matthew Gaul, also noted that budgetary measures geared at reducing the cost of construction and home ownership were welcomed. In the budget, certain construction materials were zero-rated; there was an increase in the low-income mortgage loan ceiling and the increase in the ceiling for housing loans at the New Building Society.

“It’s very important that as young professionals that we can build our own homes. I think that these measures will be a boon to the construction sector... (and) these measures will benefit us and young professionals,” Gaul said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Simmons blasts TT ...

TURN FROM PAGE 39 was the first to fall when he holed out to long off off left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie in the 20th over but Bravo joined Simmons to add a further 100 for the second wicket.

Bravo hit three fours and two sixes and appeared set for his half-century when he slashed a wide ball from leftarm seamer Reifer for Shepherd to take a diving catch at short third man in the 39th over.

By then, Red Force were in full control at 221 for two and a string of solid partnerships then propelled them past the 300-run mark.

Simmons, who reached three figures in the 37th over to register his seventh List A hundred, posted 67 with Pooran for the third wicket and a further 21 for the fourth with captain Kieron Pollard (23), before eventually perishing in the 45th over, lifting Shepherd to Shimron Hetmyer running back at mid off.

Pollard and Denesh Ramdin, with an 18-ball unbeaten 27, then added 48 for the fifth wicket to further punish Jaguars.

Facing a steep required run rate of 7.26, Jaguars quickly crumbled under the scoreboard pressure.

Te v i n I m l a c h p l a y e d around a full length delivery from fast bowler Anderson Phillip (2-40) and was lbw for five in the third over with the score on 17.

Left-hander Hetmyer, fresh off a hundred in last Thursday’s semi-final, arrived at the crease with the weight of the run chase on his shoulders and briefly raised hopes of another special innings.

In the next over from Phillip, the fifth of the innings, Hetmyer punished the 24-yearold, belting three fours and an upper cut for six, to race to 20 off 12 balls.

But three balls later in the next over from Rampaul, Hetmyer slashed impulsively at a wide delivery and edged a straightforward catch to wicketkeeper Ramdin at 40 for two.

His dismissal triggered a slide that saw five wickets tumble for 15 runs in the space of 28 balls, and erase any chance Jaguars had of victory.

Chandrapaul Hemraj pulled the first ball of the next over from Seales and was caught

by Phillip on the ropes at deep backward square for 14 and seven balls later Johnson steered Rampaul to Phillip at gully to perish without scoring.

Chris Barnwell was caught at deep mid-wicket by Mohammed for five, top-edging a pull at Seales in the ninth before Shepherd (4) missed a forward defensive prod and had his offstump pegged back by Rampaul at the end of the 10th over.

Reifer, who counted seven fours and three sixes, then put on 39 for the seventh wicket with Kevin Sinclair (19), 38 for the eighth wicket with Veerasammy Permaul (13) and 71 with Motie (28) for the ninth but those partnerships only delayed the inevitable.

South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:10 hrs Kapen Pride 08:45 hrs Jack Of Hearts 09:20 hrs Storm Chaser 09:55 hrs Lord Of The Manor 10:30 hrs H Two O 11:00 hrs Class Of Eight English Racing Tips Fontwell 10:10 hrs The Crooner 11:10 hrs Mcfabulous 11:40 hrs Fantastikas 12:10 hrs Sametegal 13:10 hrs Gentleman Valley Hereford 10:20 hrs Torn And Frayed 10:50 hrs Raffles Gitane 11:20 hrs Mouseinthehouse 11:50 hrs Overawed 12:20 hrs Bothwell Bridge 12:50 hrs Banana Joe 13:20 hrs Petty Cash Irish Racing Tips Naas 10:30 hrs School Boy Hours 11:00 hrs Echoes In Rain 11:30 hrs Zoffanien 12:00 hrs Pont Du Gard 12:30 hrs Micro Manage 13:00 hrs Light Brigade

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

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Simmons blasts TT Red Force to Super50 Cup crown ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Ace opener Lendl Simmons blazed an imperious hundred as a dominant Trinidad and Tobago Red Force stormed to their

first domestic 50-overs title in five years by crushing Guyana Jaguars by 152 runs in a lopsided final of the Regional Super50 Cup here Saturday night.

SCOREBOARD RED FORCE Innings L Simmons c Hetmyer b Shepherd 146 E Lewis c Barnwell b Motie 57 D Bravo c Shepherd b Reifer 47 N Pooran c Motie b Shepherd 39 *K Pollard b Smith 23 +D Ramdin not out 27 J Mohammed not out 1 EXTRAS: (b5, lb1, w16) 22 TOTAL: (5 wkts, 50 overs) 362 Did not bat: R Rampaul, J Seales, A Phillip, A Hosein.

Fall of wickets: 1-121, 2-221, 3-288, 4-309, 5-357.

Bowling: Sinclair 10-1-50-0 (w4), Reifer 6-0-53-1, Smith 9-2-59-1 (w8), Shepherd 10-0-105-2 (w3), Motie 10-0-43-1, Permaul 5-0-46-0 (w1).

JAGUARS Innings C Hemraj c Phillip b Seales 14 +T Imlach lbw b Phillip 5 S Hetmyer c wkp Ramdin b Rampaul 20 *L Johnson c Phillip b Rampaul 0 C Barnwell c Mohammed b Seales 5 R Reifer not out 97 R Shepherd b Rampaul 4 K Sinclair c Seales b Hosein 19 V Permaul b Rampaul 13 G Motie b Phillip 28 N Smith b Seales 0 EXTRAS: (lb2, w3) 5 TOTAL: (all out, 43.5 overs) 210 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-40, 3-40, 4-44, 5-50, 6-55, 7-94, 8-132, 9-203, 10-210.

Bowling: Phillip 7-0-40-2 (w1), Rampaul 10-1-52-4, Seales 7.5-0-40-3 (w1), Hosein 10-1-36-1, Mohammed 9-0-40-0 (w1).

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: LENDL SIMMONS

Records reset; day ends prematurely as ‘Kong’ catches fire ON a day when records tumbled at the South Dakota drag strip, a premature end was what those gathered were treated to.

The recent acquisition by Secure Innovations and concepts Inc. of the highly touted Toyota Supra from the late Mad Dog, set the strip ablaze, quite literally.

The car caught fire at the end of a run, with driver Denzel Hopkinson escaping from the car. The blaze was subsequently contained without causing any injury or further damage.

Team Principal Harold Hopkinson told us, “ It is unclear what caused the incident. We are still going to see what happened and what caused the fire. It was unfortunate.”

Earlier in the day, the Team Mohamed’s Goliath set a new strip record with a 7.646-seconds time.

Team owner, Azrudin Mohamed told the media, “We are very happy with the times turned in today for the track record and we should [do] better times tomorrow.”

Outside of that, several competitors used the Saturday to ensure that their machines were fine tuned ahead of today’s meet. Meanwhile, spectators are reminded that masks must be worn and social distancing must be observed.

Sponsors of the event include Cyril’s Transportation Services, E-Networks, First Class Auto Sales, Guyoil (Castrol), Homeline Furnishing, Imran Auto Works, KFC, KGM Security, Land Star Drilling Company, MMD Hollow Blocks and Pavers, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Motor Trend Service Center, Modern Building Solutions, NALICO / NAFICO, Panko Steel Fabrication, Power Tech Sound Company, Prem’s Electrical, Ready Mix Concrete, Rush Energy Drink, Samaroo Investments Inc., Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc., STAG Beer, Trans Pacific Motor Spares & Auto Sales, Truck Master, UNICOM – United Commodities, West Coast Customs Washbay, L. Mahabeer and Sons Cambio, Hand-In-Hand Insurance and Windjammer.

Behind Simmons’ pulsating career-best 146 off 145 balls, Red Force piled up a massive 362 for five off their 50 overs – the fifth highest total in Super50 history – after being asked to bat first for the first time in the tournament at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Veteran fast bowler Ravi Rampaul (4-52) and his teenaged counterpart, Jayden Seales (3-40), then dismantled the Jaguars top order to send the innings crashing to 55 for six at the end of the 10th over.

With defeat all but certain, all-rounder Raymon Reifer topscored with an unbeaten 97 off 112 deliveries, inspiring defiant lower order resistance before he was left stranded short of a

well-deserved hundred, as Jaguars collapsed to 210 all out in the 44th over.

The result gave Red Force the distinction of playing unbeaten in the tournament while for Jaguars, the defeat saw them extend their 16-year drought without a domestic 50-overs title.

“Winning is the only thing,” an emphatic Red Force skipper Kieron Pollard said afterwards.

“No matter what, every time I get the opportunity to step on the cricket field, you want to do well as an individual and a team and you want to win.

“I thank God for giving us the opportunity to come out here and actually prove that we are the best

team in the Caribbean this year.”

Jaguars captain Leon Johnson, meanwhile, lamented his side’s efforts.

“We weren’t on our A game today,” he said. “I thought Red Force were better than us. I think the execution of our shots in the power-play really cost us.”

Jaguars had earlier found themselves completely deflated after the 36-year-old Simmons took centre stage with his second hundred of the campaign and the highest score in a Super50 final.

He smashed 15 fours and seven sixes, inspiring several partnerships as Red Force took advantage of wayward Jaguars bowling.

His opening partner Evin Lewis stroked 57 off 53 deliveries while left-hander Darren Bravo hit 47 off 52 balls and Nicholas Pooran, another left-hander, a 15-ball 39.

Fast bowler Romario Shepherd finished with two for 105 but lacked discipline, and leaked runs throughout his 10over spell.

Red Force’s start was typically flamboyant as Simmons and Lewis put on 121 for the first wicket in quick time, to deny Jaguars any early success.

Left-hander Lewis, who struck three fours and four sixes,

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

Legends divided over pitch after two days of ‘mayhem’ … The pitch for the third Test in Ahmedabad has been labelled both ‘very good’ and ‘awful’ as pundits are split after India’s victory

FORMER England captain Sir Alastair Cook said he felt uncomfortable watching the “mayhem” of India’s rapid victory in the day-night third Test due to the state of the Ahmedabad pitch.

Seventeen wickets fell in just two sessions on Thursday as batsmen on both sides were left in a spin by the pink ball before India eased to a 10-wicket victory.

Cook called India worthy winners but felt the state of the pitch meant “there’s something that doesn’t sit quite right.”

“It doesn’t look great when India win by 10 wickets because it was a lot closer than that actually,” England’s leading Test run-scorer said on Channel 4.

“India deserved the win.

Obviously they are better in those conditions, but it was a tough Test match to watch.

The pitch had such a big influence on that.

“That was so hard playing against spin today. India lost

seven for 40 when the pressure was on, England were all out for 80. That is incredibly hard to bat against.

“I was sitting here thinking how would I have played against certain balls, what game plan. I can’t work out a low-risk strategy that would have been successful - unless you have a lot of luck.

“I don’t like that on day two. On day four I’d have no problem. People can say that’s sour grapes.

“The better side won, and that’s fair play to India, but there’s something that doesn’t quite sit right.”

But one-time England superstar Kevin Pietersen rejected criticism of the pitch, saying: “If England had won this Test match there is no way we would be sitting here hammering the wicket.

“Yes there was definitely an overriding ball wins over bat in this Test match but it was a one-off. You are in the subcontinent. When you go to Perth, what happens

CWI inks multi-year deal with Supersport intended to take Windies cricket into new markets CRICKET West Indies (CWI) on Thursday confirmed its third new multi-year broadcast rights agreement with SuperSport, securing the rights to West Indies cricket until the end of 2024 in sub-Saharan Africa.

The four-year agreement will see SuperSport feature exclusive live coverage of all West Indies international home matches and regional tournaments played in the Caribbean on its television and digital platforms.

As part of the agreement, West Indies cricket will now be seen in over 54 African countries and islands, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya. SuperSport’s coverage starts with the recently confirmed West Indies versus Sri Lanka series which commences on Wednesday, March 3 with three CG Insurance T20 International matches.

The agreement also includes the rescheduled visit by South Africa to the Caribbean in June 2021, a tour that had to be rescheduled from July 2020 due to COVID-19.

“This new long-term SuperSport agreement ensures that the much-loved West Indies teams will be accessible toQ an expanded number of African consumer markets with sub-Saharan Africa’s premier broadcaster,” said CWI president Ricky Skerritt.

“As CWI’s third major media rights agreement was finalised in the past few weeks, we are excited that SuperSport will be featuring every international series and regional tournament from the Caribbean, including the upcoming Sri Lanka Series and the rescheduled tour of the West Indies by South Africa in June.”

Johnny Grave, CWI CEO said the agreement is another step of taking West Indies crickets into new markets.

“We are absolutely delighted to confirm this significant four-year agreement with SuperSport to ensure that millions of cricket fans in Sub-Saharan Africa can follow West Indies Cricket in the Caribbean,” Grave said.

“By partnering with Africa’s leading sports broadcaster, CWI continues to deliver against our strategic objective of increasing the worldwide audience for and access to one of the world’s most loved cricket teams and regions.”

This is the third major broadcast agreement announced by CWI following the recent ground-breaking agreements with ESPN+ for the United States market and with BT Sport for the United Kingdom and Ireland markets.​ (Sportsmax)

there?”

India captain Virat Kohli also defended the spin-friendly pitch, saying the match finished in two days because of the batsmen’s failure - on both sides - to apply themselves.

coming on nicely with the odd ball turning but it was below-par batting from both teams.

“Our bowlers were much more effective and that’s why we got the result.”

England batsman Ollie Pope is bowled by off-spinner R Ashwin (BCCI-Sportzpics)

“It was a very good pitch to bat on, especially in the first innings,” Kohli said after India went 2-1 up in the four-Test series.

“We felt like the ball was

Kohli pointed out that most of the batsmen fell to deliveries that did not turn.

“It was bizarre that out of the 30 wickets, 21 were off straight balls,” he said.

“I feel that’s just lapse of concentration or indecision or too many things going on in your head as a batter when you are playing for the turn but getting beaten on the inside.

“It was the classic example of batsmen not applying themselves enough, and maybe that’s why it was such a quick game.”

Andrew Strauss echoed his former opening partner’s remarks and used England captain Joe Root as an example.

“Look at Joe Root for a moment. We know he is a great player of spin,” Strauss said. “He is in great form as well. What did he get - 19 today? Might have been out two or three times en route to getting that score.

“And by the way, that’s day two of a Test match. To say the pitch has no fault to play, I totally agree with Cooky. Kohli’s looking after the groundsmen there to a certain degree.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also criti-

cised the surface on Twitter, while it wasn’t just ex-England players complaining.

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar agreed the pitch was difficult to bat on, but said the performance of opener Rohit Sharma – who posted scores of 66 and 25 .n.o. – proved scoring runs was not impossible.

“It was a challenging pitch, no question about it because the odd ball was turning, the other ones were coming straight,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“So how to keep your mind strong about hoping the variation was the key. India showed, particularly in the second innings, and even when Rohit Sharma batted in the first innings, that they could do it.

“On a pitch like this not every batsman is going to be successful, but even if two are successful, and, in India’s case both times it was Rohit Sharma, who really was the difference between the two teams.” (Cricket. com.au)

Man City beat West Ham to secure 20th straight Premier League victory MANCHESTER City extended their winning run to 20 matches and moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League as John Stones’ second-half strike was enough to secure victory over a resilient West Ham United.

Stones fired home his fourth goal of the season from Riyad Mahrez’s neat lay-off to keep Pep Guardiola’s side in control of the title race.

Fourth-placed West Ham gave City a decent game at Etihad Stadium and fought back to level through Michail Antonio before the break, after Stones’ central-defensive partner Ruben Dias had put the hosts in front.

But Guardiola, likened to celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal by Hammers counterpart David Moyes before yesterday’s fixture, once again came up with the right ingredients as his side improved following

the second-half introductions of Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden.

City’s unbeaten record now stretches to 27 games and they will equal their longest run without defeat if they do not lose against Wolves on Tuesday.

box.

The execution was terrible - the ball barely got off the ground and ran straight into the wall, allowing the visitors to clear. It was a notable moment because it was so unusual.

What de Bruyne did

John Stones’ third league goal of the season secured the points for Manchester City

Normal service resumed for De Bruyne After about 20 minutes, City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne lined up a freekick, about 40 yards out, to the right of the West Ham

with another crossing opportunity from a similar position not long afterwards was more in keeping with the Belgian’s normal standards.

Delivered with his left

foot, the ball curled towards goal, too far out for stand-in West Ham keeper Darren Randolph to come for, and begged Dias to head it home.

It was de Bruyne’s 11th assist of the season - equal with Tottenham’s Harry Kane - and proved to be a rare moment of inspiration for a City side well shackled up to that point, with the returning Sergio Aguero barely having a touch.

The Argentina forward has been beset by a series of setbacks since last summer.

He made it to the second half this time around after being replaced at the break on his last Premier League start, also against West Ham in October.

But the 32-year-old was off the pace and did not react quickly enough to tap home a de Bruyne cross on City’s last attack before he was replaced by Jesus after an hour. (BBC Sport)

Sancho scores and reaches assist landmark in Dortmund win JADON Sancho scored and recorded his 50th Bundesliga assist as Borussia Dortmund beat Arminia Bielefeld.

The 20-year-old England international, making his 99th German top-flight appearance, laid the ball off for Mahmoud Dahoud to score from 20 yards early in the second half.

Sancho then scored a penalty after Amos Pieper

fouled Marco Reus.

Real Madrid loanee Reinier Jesus added a late third after some unselfish play by Erling Braut Haaland.

Dortmund are fifth in the Bundesliga table after a run of three wins in a row in all competitions.

(BBC Sport)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

41

Thomas’ hundred completes Pride Super50 Cup misery NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) – Devon Thomas’ hundred trumped Jonathan Carter’s as Barbados Pride’s already wretched Regional Super50 Cup campaign finished on the same miserable note here Friday with a seven-wicket defeat to Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the fifth-place match.

Choosing to bat first at Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Pride appeared to have the upper hand when left-handed Carter struck exactly 100 off 121 balls and Shai Hope carved out 85 off 106 deliveries to get them up to 265 for seven off their 50 overs.

However, opting to open the batting, Thomas blasted a stroke-filled 117 off 130 deliveries as Hurricanes raced to their target with nine balls to spare.

Keacy Carty, who got three figures against Pride in the preliminary round, finished unbeaten on 50 from 72 balls while captain Jahmar Hamilton smashed 37 not out off 25 deliveries and Nitish

Kumar 29.

The result compounded Pride’s nightmare showing in the preliminary round when they lost four of their five encounters to finish fifth in

Hope provided the early momentum for Pride, adding 35 for the second wicket with older brother Kyle Hope (9) before putting on a crucial 124 for the third wicket with

Devon Thomas plays through the on-side during his hundred against Barbados Pride on Friday

the six-team competition, only above Hurricanes.

For the winners, the victory erased some of the disappointment of a campaign that yielded a single win – over Pride.

Carter.

The right-handed Hope, in his third innings of the tournament, crunched eight fours and two sixes while veteran Carter posted an identical boundary count en route to his third List

A hundred.

Both fell to fast bowler Quinton Boatswain (3-68) 54 balls apart but not before Carter had put on a further 43 for the fourth wicket with all-rounder Roston Chase (21).

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph finished with three for 44.

In reply, four successive half-century stands propelled Hurricanes to their target with Thomas at the heart of three of them.

First, he put on 58 off 56 balls for the first wicket with Kieran Powell (21), 63 for the second with Kumar and 84 for the third with Carty.

All told, Thomas belted nine fours and three sixes before carving captain Jason Holder to cover in the 40th over, after reaching his third List A hundred.

Carty, who punched two fours and a six and Hamilton, who hammered three sixes, then staged a 65-run, unbroken fourth-wicket stand to put Hurricanes over the line.

Adams insists players are aware fitness standards must be met before selection Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, has insisted players are well aware of the minimum fitness requirements needed to be considered for selection before even individual form is considered.

Based on an agreement between CWI and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), players must achieve a rating of 40 during the evaluative yoyo fitness test to be considered for selection.

Adams comments come on the back of the recent non-selection of talented batsman Shimron Hetmyer for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

The 24-year-old had looked in splendid form based on a scoring a majestic 112 in the semi-finals of the CG Insurance Super50 competition, which

lifted Guyana to the final.

Hetmyer, however, clearly fell below the 40 percent stipulation.

is 40 and for a couple of years we have had selection tied to the achievement of that minimum standard,”

West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer (Inset: CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams

“The policy asks for a minimum standard in certain aspects of the fitness testing.

So on the yoyo intermittent test, that minimum standard

Adams told members of the media via an online press conference chat on Saturday.

“It’s pretty simple and all the players are aware

of it. Failure to get to 40 makes them unavailable for selection. So when the panel sits, the first thing that they will consider,before looking at the teams and the squads they want to put together, is who are the players that are available through achieving that minimum standard,” he added.

The occasion was the second time that Hetmyer missed out on making the minimum fitness standard, after failing a fitness ahead of a tour against Sri Lanka in February of last year.

The player last represented the team in the New Zealand series in November and was called up but opted out of the tour to Bangladesh earlier this month. The test is conducted twice per year.

(Sportsmax)

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal ban reduced to 12 months PAKISTAN batsman Umar Akmal’s 18-month ban for failing to report corrupt approaches has been reduced to a year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The 30-year-old was also fined 4.25 million Pakistani rupees (£18 925).

The ban is backdated to when he was suspended by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disciplinary committee in February 2020.

Akmal will be free to play competitive cricket once he has completed a rehabilitation programme.

A three-year ban was originally imposed after he admitted to failing to report approaches made during

the Pakistan Super League last year.

In July 2020 the ban was halved to 18 months on appeal.

Akmal, who made his Pakistan debut as an 18-yearold in 2009, has played 16 Tests, 121 one-day internationals and 84 Twenty20s.

He has had several disciplinary issues, including failing fitness tests and being banned for three matches in 2017 for criticising the-then coach Mickey Arthur.

Akmal was recalled in 2019 after a two-year absence.

He made a golden duck in his two most recent appearances, T20s against Sri Lanka in October 2019.

(BBC Sport)

Tiger Woods recovering

Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – (Reuters) -Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is recovering and is in “good spirits” after he received successful follow-up procedures on injuries sustained this week in a car accident, according to a statement posted to his Twitter account on Friday.

Woods, considered one of the greatest golfers of his generation, was being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, following the crash on Tuesday, which left him with a fractured right leg and shattered ankle.

“Tiger and his family want to thank you all for the wonderful support and messages they have received over the past few days,” the statement read. “We will not have any further updates at this time.”

Woods, 45, who overcame numerous surgeries to break an 11-year major drought and win the 2019 Masters, had hoped to compete at Augusta in April.

The accident stunned the world of professional sport and prompted an outpouring of support from fellow athletes as well as former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

Sri Lanka full match schedule

CCG – Coolidge Cricket Ground SVRS – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium • March 3: 1st CG Insurance T20I at CCG – 6pm Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT), 5pm Jamaica Time (JT) • March 5: 2nd CG Insurance T20I at CC – 6pm ECT/ 5pm JT • March 7: 3rd CG Insurance T20I at CCG – 6pm ECT/5pm JT • March 10: 1st CG Insurance ODI at SVRS – 9:30am ECT/ 8:30am JT • March 12: 2nd CG Insurance ODI at SVRS – 9:30am ECT/8:30am JT • March 14: 3rd CG Insurance ODI at SVRS – 1:30pm ECT/12:30pm JT (day/night) • March 17-18: Two-day warm-up match at CCG • March 21-25: 1st Test at SVRS – 10am ECT/9am JT • March 29 to April 2: 2nd Test at SVRS – 10am ECT/9am JT

42

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

News-Talk Radio 103.1 FM to bring radio commentary on Sri Lanka cricket tour News- Talk Radio Guyana 103.1 FM yesterday acquired the rights to broadcast the radio commentary of all the cricket matches to be played by Sri Lanka against the West Indies.

The less than five-year old radio station welcomed the opportunity to be part of the game that has singularly united Caribbean

Executive Chairman of News-Talk Radio 103.1 FM Denis Chabrol

peoples for centuries.

“We have entered the radio commentary scene at a time when there is refreshing and renewed interest in the constantly improving performance of the West Indies,” Executive Chairman of News-Talk Radio 103.1 FM, Denis Chabrol said.

Chabrol said from all indications so far 103.1

BCCI opposed to ICC’s new bidding policy for world events … would prefer tournaments to be allocated as done before

By Nagraj Gollapudi THE BCCI has again expressed its unhappiness at ICC’s new bidding policy to find hosts for its global events in the 2023-2031 cycle. The reservations are not new but were reiterated at a meeting for ICC members on Wednesday.

The meeting wasn’t a formal ICC Board meeting, but one with relevant members with a single point on the agenda - the events hosting process from 2023. The BCCI was represented by its current president Sourav Ganguly, the first big meeting he has attended since he was hospitalised twice recently after suffering a heart attack in January.

The decision to get members to bid to host events was a marked departure from how event locations were decided upon in the previous eight-year cycle. All the major global men’s events were essentially divvied up by the Big Three Australia, India and England - among themselves. On the surface, it would seem none of those three boards is especially happy.

In February last year ICC sent out an email to all members, Full, Associate and Affiliate, asking them to tender expressions of interest for any of the 20 global tournaments - in both men’s and women’s cricket - listed in the 2023-31 cycle.

To lobby interest Manu Sawhney, ICC’s chief executive officer, went on a whistle-stop tour visiting a number of countries but not India.

The objective, Sawhney told countries, was to make cricket a more global sport. A number of members have expressed interest, including the PCB, who has said in the past it would put in joint bids with the Emirates Cricket Board.

However, none of the BCCI, ECB and Cricket Australia expressed any interest.

Issues with the bidding

process are part of a broader battle between the Big Three and ICC management, and some of the other Full Members; the BCCI, ECB and CA, are also opposed to the ICC’s plan for an extra global event in the next cycle, which will ensure one global tournament is played every year from 2023 to 2031.

The BCCI’s main objection has been that when the original decision approving the extra set of events was taken, during an ICC Board meeting in October 2019, the Indian cricket board did not have an elected administration.

taken in a rush.

Ganguly’s administration has carried forward that objection. Before Ganguly, Arun Dhumal, the BCCI treasurer, too, is understood to have raised similar objections at the ICC chief executive committee meeting recently.

Although Ganguly was unavailable, a senior BCCI official confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that India remained opposed to the ICC decision.

The root of the BCCI’s objection does not lie completely in a potential expansion of the hosting market, though that is part of it. But there is also

Sourav Ganguly (BCCI president), Manu Sawhney (ICC chief executive) and Jay Shah (BCCI secretary) pose with the T20 World Cup (International Cricket Council)

That meeting, though, was attended by former BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhury, who did not have the consent from the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, which was supervising the BCCI until October 2019.

Nonetheless, at the time the BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri sent out an email to the ICC stating the final decision on an extra event in the 2023-31 cycle should be put on hold until an elected administration took seat.

As for the number of events including the extra world tournament, Johri noted that it would have “wide-ranging” repercussions on the bilateral calendar and should not be

an objection to being asked to bid. They would prefer for events to be allocated, as they have been before.

According to the official, India, Australia and England should have been given priority for the marquee events.

“Why should one bid?” the official asked. “Why is there a bidding process when India, England and Australia have not even bought the bid document?

Cricket is not like Olympics or football where 100 countries are vying for the interest? Out of the top 10 countries there are just three who have the infrastructure and skillsets to host it. It has to come by rotation. You cannot ignore these three coun-

tries and think of hosting it in smaller countries.”

At the negotiation table Ganguly has been more open to potential expansion, to explore both old and new markets. The BCCI, for instance, would be supportive of a men’s World Cup held in Africa, co-hosted by a number of countries including South Africa. It also is backing a global T20 event in the Americas. But it does want to ensure that some of the marquee events are hosted in old and established markets like India.

The official also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the wider economic landscape across the globe and that would have an impact on smaller countries bidding for an event.

The biggest challenges, the official pointed out, would be paying a hosting fee to the ICC, creating the infrastructure and sustaining it. Even bigger countries like the USA might struggle where cricket remains a minority sport despite the large diaspora.

Despite strong reservations from BCCI, an ICC Board member said that the differences were not insurmountable. Another person, privy to the developments, said that ECB had not bought any bid document also because it was said to be concerned by one pre-condition which called for total government support in hosting a world event.

The ICC has not been satisfied with financial returns from the three world events hosted in England: the 2017 Champions Trophy and the women’s ODI World Cup and the 2019 men’s World Cup. India’s own position as potential hosts is not straightforward, given that a long-running tax dispute between the board and ICC is yet to be resolved.

Discussions are expected to continue until the next ICC board meeting in March. (Cricinfo)

FM will be the only radio station in Guyana that will be broadcasting commentary on the Sri Lanka -West Indies matches.

The radio station said it has also finalised arrangements to guarantee high quality commentary to its audiences overseas and in the far-flung remote regions of Guyana, on computers, mobile devic-

es and on tablets on the livestream on www.bit.ly/ newstalk1031 The Sri Lankans will be playing West Indies in three T20s, three OneDay Internationals and two Test matches.

N e w s - Ta l k R a d i o Guyana assures listeners that the radio commentary will not be interrupted unnecessarily.

Controversial eligibility rules were never meant to disenfranchise Windies players - insists Cameron Former Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Dave Cameron, insists the controversial eligibility rules put in place during his tenure were never meant to disenfranchise players.

Former CWI president Dave Cameron

The legislation, which was implemented as the region jostled with the cash-rich T20 leagues for the commitment of its top players, stated that players who did make themselves available for domestic competitions would be ineligible for international selection.

As a result, many of the region’s top players were often left out of the line-up, which left the Windies’ Test and ODI sides shorn of some of their best talents. Cameron insists that

the hope at the time was to encourage more balance between the West Indians taking part in cash-rich T20 leagues and representing the regional team.

“It was never about not wanting players to play around the world. We respected that, we accepted that, but, West Indies cricket doesn’t have a product if we don’t have our best players playing. So we needed to find a way to get our players to have the understanding that you can’t play everything,” Cameron told the Mason and Guest radio programme.

“In the early days, I had a conversation with the players about telling us what they were going to play and when they would be available. So the selectors could understand where they want to go. After the strike occurred in India players decided that they weren’t going to play, and for the reduced salaries, so the West Indies first policy never actually got a chance,” he added.

“It was never intended to disenfranchise anybody, but look at what is happening in New Zealand, they still play in the leagues but they give their all to New Zealand when New Zealand is on the stage.

That’s all we were saying, as our senior players, you can’t play everything.” (Sportsmax)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Sunday, February 28, 2021 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

Courtney Walsh-26 ODI wickets (22 matches) Muthiah Muralitharan-34 ODI wickets (27 matches)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which WI has played most ODI matches against SL to date?

(2) Which SL has played most ODI games against WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 28, 2021

43

St Clair hoping to bring World Boxing League fight to Guyana for Independence … Elton Dharry, Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques to headline Pro/Am card

By Rawle Toney

“Guyana will be a force to be reckoned with once again (and) our promotion group FORMER International Boxing Organisation (IBO) promises to use our technocrats in boxing and International Boxing Federation (IBF) suto bring Guyana gold at the Olympics,” St per-featherweight World titles holder, Gairy St Clair, Clair said. is teaming up with the World Boxing League (WBL) St Clair pointed out that “this promotion to bring a Pay-Per-View event to Guyana, in time will adopt a Guyanese community after each for Guyana’s 55th Independence Day celebrations event held. We will foster these communities (Wednesday May 26). to participate in returning glory to the rural areas St Clair behind his ‘Superhero Fight and where talent is spotted. This promotional Night Promotion’ is hoping to collabgroup intends to continuously promote orate with Guyana Boxing Board of sports and cultural events.”

Control (GBBC), Guyana Boxing St Clair is known as one Association (GBA), Ministry of Culof the finest boxers Guyana ture, Youth and Sport and Ministry has ever produced, more so of Tourism for the event, which in the featherweight division. he says “will put Guyana on the He wrapped up his career with world stage.” four consecutive wins with the Based in Australia, the last being on June 29, 2013, with 46-year-old St Clair, who a Unanimous Decision victory made pro debut in 1994 in over Roberto Oyan in Australia, a win against Nigel Boston at putting his record at 45 wins (18 Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, told Chroniknockouts), 12 defeats and two cle Sport that “the card is intended to interest draws.

Guyanese from New York, Miami, Toronto St Clair became Guyana’s fourth and London; pay-per-view is also intended world boxing champion - after Anin these areas.” drew Lewis, Wayne Braithwaite According to St Clair, Elton Dharry and and Vivian Harris - when he defeated Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques will be featured South African Cassius Baloyi on a in the main bout and main supporting bout unanimous decision in South Africa in respectively, adding “this card is a Pro/Amp July 2006. card that will bring together boxers from He held the crown for only three Gairy St Clair wears his two the Caribbean, Central America and Latin months, losing his first title defence world title belts America.” to South African Malcolm Klassen.

Sport Ministry’s statement on postponed Guyana Cricket Board election

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport yesterday issued a statement following the postponement of the Guyana Cricket Board election, which was fixed for Friday (February 26) at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown.

Below is the full text of the statement.

The Ministry was advised that the election of the Guyana Cricket Board which was appointed to be the 26th February, 2021, was not completed. It is important to note that, pursuant to the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, once the Minister makes the respective appointments, i.e., the date for the election and the Cricket Ombudsman, the minister has no further role to play unless the election was not completed.

The ministry was informed that the Cricket Ombudsman received a letter from an Attorney-at-Law, who raised matters in relation to the conduct of the election and the Cricket Ombudsman determined that in the interest of fairness the election ought to be postponed to afford the alleged aggrieved stakeholder an opportunity to be heard.

The ministry will, consequently, engage the Cricket Ombudsman and the Attorneys-at-law for the relevant stakeholders and re-appoint a date for the Guyana Cricket Board election, acting in accordance with the Guyana Cricket Administration Act. The ministry is not oblivious to the dark cloud hovering over Guyana’s cricket administration and recognises that this is an issue which must be settled expeditiously.

All stakeholders must share that position and comply with the Cricket Administration Act. Cricket players and cricket lovers deserve better and the public can be assured that the ministry is determined to bring closure to this issue.

Fruta Conquerors launches fundraising campaign … drawn in Group C of Caribbean Shield tournament REIGNING Elite League champions, Fruta Conquerors, are calling on the “generous support” of corporate Guyana as the club begin the build-up to their 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield campaign.

Fruta Conquerors have been drawn in Group C against St Vincent and the Grenadines side Hope International FC and SV Racing Club of Aruba in the competition which will kick off on April 23 in Willemstad, Curacao.

“This is a great draw for us and we are confident that the team can make Guyana proud at the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield this year,” said Fruta Conquerors president Colin Gittens.

“But we cannot do this alone. We are kindly requesting the generous support of corporate Guyana to help us fulfil this dream as we strive to represent the

Golden Arrowhead with pride and honour on the Caribbean stage.”

“This undertaking places considerable financial

corporate partners as we prepare for this prestigious tournament,” Gittens said.

The four winners of the Shield’s group stages will

The winners of the 2021 CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, if compliant with CONCACAF Regional Club Licensing criteria,

Club Championship to compete for a spot in the Scotiabank CONCACAF League.

According to Gittens, members of the Tucville-

FRUTA CONQUERORS

demands on the club, from travel to training. We would very much welcome the help of existing and new

progress to the semi-final stage with the final and third-place matches scheduled for Sunday, May 2.

will advance to a play-off against the fourth-placed team from the 2021 Flow CONCACAF Caribbean

based club are “determined to deliver a significant improvement on our performances from last time.

The players and staff are fully focussed on showcasing the true nature of their talent and showing the Caribbean region that Guyanese club football can be a real force to be reckoned with now and in the future.”

Due to the impact of the pandemic, Fruta Conquerors will represent Guyana in the competition as champions of the 2019 Elite League season, when they finished the season unbeaten with a perfect record of nine wins.

The Tucville-based team competed in the 2019 edition of the Caribbean tournament, finishing the group stage with one draw and two losses. “ We a re w o r k i n g hard to build our brand for the future so that the club and partners can fully capitalise on the future professionalisation of football in Guyana,” he said.

s t s a l b s n o m Sim e c r o F TT Red 0 5 r e p u to S n w o r c Cup SEE PAGES 39 &38

The successful T&T Red Force unit celebrate with the Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy (Photo: CWI Media)

Records reset; day ends 38 prematurely as ‘Kong’ catches fire

GMR&SC drag race round one...

SEE PAGE

The secure Innovations and concepts Inc owned Toyota Supra was badly burnt (GT Callous)

Team Mohamed’s team principal, Azrudin Mohamed

says former President

By Rajiv Bisnauth FORMER President Donald Ramotar has expressed his disappointment at the prolonged delay in bringing the management of cricket at the local level to finality.

The cricket fiasco suffered another roadblock last Friday after a decision was made by Cricket Ombudsman, Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran, to put a hold on the long-awaited Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) elections.

The elections were scheduled for the Umana Yana, Kingston, but the Ombudsman decided against the electoral process, a clear violation of the Cricket Administration Act after he cited fairness in the wake of a number of contentious issues raised by the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB).

“I am disappointed … a lot of effort to bring the management of cricket in a sound and acceptable footing was done during my tenure. I am really disappointed that we are still continuing to tag on and on. Our efforts

continue to be frustrating, democratically and otherwise,” the former Head of State reckoned.

Ramotar, who served as President for one term, was the driving force in legalising the Cricket Administration Bill, which seeks to provide legal administrative guidelines for cricket locally.

The former President, who was the only incumbent to have won the presidency and not have majority representation in the nation’s Parliament, further reiterated that all the bill seeks to bring is transparency, accountability, and good governance to the administration of cricket in Guyana and to address the plethora of allegations of rigged and fraudulent elections, financial irregularities and lack of accountability in respect of cricket administration, inter alia, because of the absence of legal personification in its structure.

This Bill does not, in any way whatsoever, allow or permit, directly or indirectly, Government’s involvement in the administration of cricket in Guyana, save and except a singular

instance, where the minister is ascribed a function when the Act comes into operation. After that initiating act, the minister’s role disappears”.

The Bill was assented to by Ramotar in May 2014, but was thereafter found so offensive by the GCB, who subsequently rejected the legislation and moved to the Court of Appeal to have the Act suspended in 2014 and in 2018.

However, through the (current) Attorney General, a motion was filed to have the Cricket Administration Act restored to its original condition. That motion was subsequently made possible and the Act was fully enforced last September.

The Cricket Ombudsman, having been appointed by Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, after consultation with Cricket West Indies (CWI) i, has two functions - to verify the Register of Clubs and perform the functions of Returning Officer for the first elections of the membership of the Guyana Cricket Board.

Meanwhile, Attorney Arudrunauth Gossai

was surprised at Former President the turn of events Donald Ramotar on Friday, stating that he and the Ombudsman had on Thursday successfully fought against an Interim Order to stop the Guyana Cricket Board elections.

“Now the law is clear; the minister sets a date for the first elections, which the minister did, and so in my mind anybody to change that election (date) must be the person who fixed it.

And so in the absence of the minister directing the Ombudsman that the election is not to be held today, the Ombudsman was bound under the law to conduct the election,” Gossai reckoned.

The dignity which is missing for over a decade at the administrative level of cricket locally now seems never-ending.

The deeply contentious administrative struggle will continue with a group of dictators, who have abused the Court system just to maintain power. A legitimate GCB election has not been held since 2012.

Adams insists players are aware fitness standards must be met before selection Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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| SUNDAY CHRONICLE, FEBRUARY 28, 2021