Guyana-Chronicle_Epaper_09_04_2020 by Guyana Chronicle

FRIDAY 4th September, 2020

' No.106112

Panama commits to resuscitating rice deal

–– settling outstanding payments with interest, says Min. Mustapha

PAGE

Wednesday is Budget Day

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, who has oversight for finance, busy at work preparing the budget for next Wednesday’s presentation (Adrian Narine photo)

Brazil strongly committed to Boa Vista-Georgetown road

Two cyclists die in Billions worth in 09 separate accidents marijuana plants destroyed SEE STORIES ON PAGES 10 & 12 PAGE

PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

King Mohammed VI of Morocco congratulates President Ali PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has received a congratulatory letter from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who expressed the hope that the two nations can start a “new chapter” of co-operation. In his letter, King Mohammed VI said, “We keenly look forward, in the Kingdom of Morocco, to working with the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to start a new chapter in our relations

based on dialogue, consultation and full respect for our countries’ peculiarities and immutable values. This should help us fulfil our people’s aspirations for fruitful co-operation rooted in the principles of South-South solidarity.” King Mohammed VI also expressed his warmest congratulations to President Ali and extended his best wishes for his success in high office. (DPI)

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco

COVID-19 claims two lives ––19 new cases recorded in 24 hours

GUYANA has lost two precious lives to the dreaded Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the past 24 hours, taking the local death toll to 44. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the victims were a 67-year-old male of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and a 48-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). Health authorities said both persons were admitted to a health facility and were tested after they showed signs of COVID-19. Officials of the Ministry of Health have since confirmed that they are in contact with all relatives and persons, to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who might have been exposed to the victims. The ministry is also appealing to the public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and their families and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace. All Guyanese were reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which are in effect until September 30, 2020. This order emphasises 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. The need for caution is justified by the daily rise in cases of the disease. Just Thursday, the country recorded 19 new cases of the disease, a low figure when compared to previous days, but still significant. Authorities have so far tested 9,040 persons for COVID-19, with 7,639 being negative and 1,401 positive. Of the positive cases, 805 persons have recovered, while 44 persons have lost their lives to the scourge. Authorities are, however, monitoring the active cases which include 67 persons in institutional isolation, 471 in home isolation and 14 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Panama commits to resuscitating rice deal -- settling outstanding payments with interest, says Min. Mustapha By Rabindra Rooplall THE Panamanian Government has responded to Guyana, acknowledging the outstanding payments for rice and has committed to addressing those payments, but has requested to do so after COVID-19 subsides, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has confirmed. In an invited comment on Thursday, Minister Mustapha said that the Panamanian Government also plans to honour the outstanding payments, with interest, as stipulated in the agreement signed by the two countries, and has committed to resuscitating the

rice deal. Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB’s) General Manager, Nizam Hassan, told the Guyana Chronicle that the continuation of the market is good news for the rice industry. He said the commitment from the Panamanian Government augurs well for the rice industry - farmer, millers and other stakeholders. The GRDB has also seen a rise in the export of packaged rice, signalling a greater sale of value- added products. Rice production has been on a steady upward trajectory over the last few years. For the first half of the year, rice exports raked in

US$99 million. “With regards to Packaged Parboiled Rice, we exported 3,705 tonnes in 2019 compared to 5,535 tonnes in 2020 and with regards to Packaged White Rice, which has really shown an astronomical jump -- it has moved from 6,316 tonnes in 2019 to 47,484 tonnes in 2020,” Hassan had said earlier in the year. Panama owes Guyana GY$ 1.9 billion from contracts signed in 2018 and 2019. Minister Mustapha, on Wednesday, noted that government will be looking at the Caribbean markets for rice export, especially those

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

countries that have indicated their willingness to explore options. Noting that rice production is expected to increase tremendously, Minister Mustapha said large-scale farmers have acknowledged that Mexico is interested in purchasing rice and that will be explored. He said that value-added products will also be needed to boost the industry, contending that “If we don’t have value-added products there is no survival in the industry.” The Panama rice market was secured under then Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, back in 2014.

Draft Payara licence being discussed APPROVAL of ExxonMobil’s Payara Development Project seems closer to fruition, as Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat has confirmed that a draft licence is being discussed. The project, located in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block, is expected to see the drilling of up to 45 development wells which could take up to five years, with drilling initially pegged to begin in 2020 and initial production by early 2023. The project marks EEPGL’s third field development in the Stabroek block and targets 180,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day, with anticipation to produce approximately 5,700,000 to 6,600,000 barrels of crude oil per month. A review of the Payara Development Project was previously conducted by the Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants contracted by the

Department of Energy (DoE) under the previous administration. The new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, however, decided to review the work already undertaken by the DoE to ensure that the interests of all Guyanese are protected and are in keeping with international transparency and accountability standards. The current review is being done by a team of international experts, headed by Canadian Queen’s Counsel Alison Redford. When contacted about the ongoing review, Minister Bharrat told this publication that a team of legal and technical experts from the DoE and a team from ExxonMobil are discussing the draft licence for the Payara project. “There are still issues to be worked out, but the teams will be meeting over the next few days,” said the minister, adding: “We need to get this

right, so that when the final agreement goes to the Presi-

Guyana Alistair Routledge, in commenting on the review

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

dent, he is satisfied.” President of ExxonMobil

of the project, had said objectives align on matters such as

COVID-19 claims two ... While the situation is already grim, cases are expected to rise further when government receives the results for 500 COVID-19 test samples, which were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Monday. It was reported that the samples were sent because the country was experiencing a backlog caused by increased testing across the

country. Guyana Chronicle was told that the results are expected back by Friday, but the results will likely take the number of cases higher. While some persons continue to take the dreaded disease for granted, the Guyana Chronicle had reported that the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer”, especially in cases involving persons who have co-mor-

bidities. This was according to doctors of the GPHC. At the time, Guyana had recorded six deaths due to the COVID-19 disease and while the loss of life is never pleasant, doctors had said most of the persons who died had co-morbidities. In medicine, co-morbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with

FROM PAGE

the importance of protecting the environment, and ensuring that all Guyanese benefit from their resources. However, the oil and gas company is aware that the clock is ticking. According to a recent report, Routledge said that already, there has been some delay in the Payara project, but meeting a September 2020 timeframe for approval could prevent future development projects from being delayed. “If we can achieve the full funding, all the approvals necessary for Payara in the month of September, in the next few days, weeks, then we can keep those other projects on course. If we see a delay, unfortunately, it’s not just a day-to-day delay. If we delay beyond September, then it would be a multimonth, maybe nine to 12 months delay, because of the installation windows that we have offshore with weather

systems,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President said. Guyana has already received US$140 million from the sale of crude, which is being produced by EEPGL’s Liza phase 1 development. ExxonMobil is now firmly established in Guyana, operating an office in Georgetown with numerous ongoing exploration and development operations offshore. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 16 discoveries since May 2015 and began production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase 1 development project. The company is the operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks offshore Guyana. Since 2015, ExxonMobil has increased its estimated recoverable resource base in Guyana to more than 8 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

passed have [sic] co-morbidities; some had diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and one of them even had severe pneumonia, which, without COVID-19, can also cause death…. These, coupled with the complications related to COVID-19, can be dangerous,” said Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at GPHC, Dr. Genellys Camps, during a past interview with the Guyana

Chronicle.

a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, comorbidity is each additional condition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 81 per cent of the persons who contract the virus will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and another five per cent will need intensive care. “Most of the people who

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information kindly contact one of the COVID-19 hotlines - 231 1166, 226 7480 or 624 6674 - or visit the ministry’s website at www.health.gov. gy .

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Toronto crash: Passengers ignored safety commands, report finds (BBC) Passengers ignored safety instructions following a 2019 plane collision with a fuel tanker at a Toronto airport, hampering the emergency response, an investigation has found. Canada's Transportation Safety Board report into the collision documented passengers jumping from exits before an evacuation order was given. Others tried to grab their belongings as they evacuated the plane. The agency says the findings highlight the importance of following procedure. Many passengers ignored instructions to "remain seated and calm" while some tried to grab their overhead luggage during the evacuation and others were yelling that they needed to get out of the plane, fuelling panic, the agency report, which was released this week, says. The night-time 10 May

2019 collision took place in rainy weather that caused a Toronto to Sudbury flight to return to Toronto's Pearson International Airport shortly after take-off. There were 52 passengers, including three infants, on board at the time of the incident. Fifteen people received minor injuries, including one infant who was badly bruised after being thrown from her parent's arms, hitting the seatback and falling to into the aisle when the fuel tanker collided with the aeroplane. The report, released this week, says the fuel tanker driver's vision was hampered, including by rain and condensation on the vehicle windows, when the tanker, travelling 40 kph (25 mph), hit the taxiing plane,. The pilot also failed to see the tanker in the "critical moments before the collision" due to a combination of

The May 2019 collision happened at Toronto Pearson International Airport

"darkness, rain, and reflected light". Flight crew abused One passenger, who had ignored the flight attendant's request to keep her seatbelt fastened, was thrown to the floor by the impact. In the moments after the collision, the flight attendant asked passengers to remain seated but "despite this command, some passengers unfastened their seat belts and

stood up". One passenger climbed over the back of their seat, opened a rear emergency window exit and jumped, followed by one more passenger. A few seconds later, the flight attendant opened one of the main doors amid pressure from passengers and "verbal threats from one of them". As soon as she smelled fuel, she told passengers to

evacuate the plane. Many ignored her commands to leave belongings behind, and at one point a passenger returned to the plane to retrieve belongings left on board. Other tried to follow but were turned back by the flight attendant. It took three minutes and 38 seconds to get all passengers off the plane, "which exceeded the 90 sec-

ond certification standard for emergency evacuations", the report states. "It is important that passengers pay attention to the pre-flight safe ty briefings, review the safety features card, and follow directions from flight attendants in order to be prepared and to evacuate safely during an emergency," it says.

Beirut explosion: Rescuers investigate ‘heartbeat in the rubble’ (BBC) Rescuers in Beirut are searching through the rubble of a building amid reports a person could be alive - nearly one month after a powerful blast devastated the Leba-

Friday, September 4, 2020 –––05:00 HRS

nese capital. Specialist sensor equipment has been brought to the Mar Mikhael area following unconfirmed reports that a heartbeat was detected.

More than 200 people died when 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate in a port warehouse detonated on 4 August. Some 300,000 people were left homeless. There has been outrage that so much hazardous material was stored unsafely in the port. The Lebanese government's resignation shortly afterwards failed to pacify protesters, who clashed with police in the city for several nights. In a separate development, four containers with 4.3 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were found on Thursday outside Beirut's seaport, the army said. It said its specialists examined the containers, but gave no further details. What's the latest from the scene? A crowd gathered at the collapsed building as the rescue team from Chile got to work. It is still unknown if a person is alive under the rubble. Reporters at the scene said there was a temporary halt after some of the debris shifted, causing workers to quickly clamber down. The rescuers were passing the building on Wednesday night when their dog gave a sign there was a person alive inside. On returning this morning the dog went to the same place and gave the same sign. The

group then used a scanner to search for a heartbeat or a breath from within, and came with equipment to dig down into the rubble. The rescuers split into teams of seven to move the debris piece by piece, due to the risk of further damage. Every so often there were calls for silence so the rescue team could listen intently, the BBC's Orla Guerin reported from the scene. Red Cross staff have set up a tent with floodlights and supplies. Army, fire service and volunteer rescuers are also on the scene. 1PX TRANSPARENT LINE The Chilean rescuers arrived in Lebanon on 1 September. According to a local source, they have highly sensitive equipment which can detect breathing at a depth of 15m (49ft). As of now there is no confirmation that anyone is alive under the rubble - but some of those gathered at the scene dared to hope, our correspondent said. Al-Jazeera's correspondent Zeina Khodr tweeted that "search teams say they detected a body and what could be a person with a heartbeat under the rubble".

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Jamaica election: Voters go to polls amid surge in COVID-19 cases (BBC) Jamaicans are voting to elect a new parliament as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus infections. Prime Minister Andrew Holness called for the early vote last month in what analysts saw as a bid to capitalise on people's satisfaction with his economic agenda and early response to the virus. But he has faced criticism amid a rise in cases as restrictions are lifted. Face masks and temperature checks will be mandatory in polling stations. Jamaica's parliament has 63 seats, and members are elected in a first-past-the-post system. The campaign was dominated by discussions over the economy, how to fight crime and the coronavirus pandemic. Who are the main players? Mr Holness, a former education minister and leader of the conservative Jamaican Labour Party, has been prime minister since March 2016. The 48-year-old is hoping to gain seats from the opposition People's National Party (PNP), led by Peter Phillips. At a televised debate on Saturday, the prime minister

said 100,000 jobs had been created during his time in office while 22,000 Jamaicans had had the chance to buy their own homes. Taxes had been cut, he said, and poverty was at its lowest level in 10 years. According to the World Bank, inequality in Jamaica is lower than in most countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, but the poverty rate is still significant - 19% of the population in 2017. The pandemic is likely to affect the country's economy, heavily dependent on tourism. Meanwhile, the prime minister has also faced criticism over high rates of crime and violence, and alleged corruption among public officials. In 2011, Mr Holness became Jamaica's youngest prime minister at the age of 39, but governed for only 74 days after losing an election to Portia Simpson Miller, the country's first female head of government. His wife, Juliet, is also a member of parliament and is running for a second term. At Saturday's debate, Mr Phillips said his PNP was an alternative to "economic stagnation [and] major

crime" and that he could offer a "future of relief from Covid-19 pressures". During the campaign, the 70-year-old said the "majority of the people and the poorest were being left behind" and that education remained an issue. After finishing a treatment against colon cancer, he declared he was "free" of the disease. What are the Covid-19 measures in place? Voters must wear face masks and temperature checks will be carried out before they are let into a polling station. Upon entering, they will be required to wash or sanitise their hands. Electoral officials will also enforce social distancing measures. Special rules have been announced for people who have been in quarantine or in isolation, including restricted voting hours. The country had an early success in containing Covid-19 but infections have spiked in recent weeks after borders reopened to international travellers. It has confirmed around 2,700 cases and 24 virus-related deaths, according to the

Mexico violence: Two more die after attack on wake in Morelos (BBC) Two more people have died after a gun attack on mourners at a wake in the Mexican city of Cuernavaca. The number shot dead when gunmen opened fire on people mourning the death of a youth who was killed in a motorcycle accident has risen to eight. Police said the guns appeared to have been used in previous crimes which, they say, suggests the perpetrators have links to organised crime. It is the latest in a series of mass shootings in the city this year. Rise in murders It came just hours after Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said in his state of the nation address that murders and extortion by organised crime gangs had increased since he came to power. A police search for those behind Tuesday's shooting

has so far not led to any arrests. Four youths aged between 16 and 18 died at the scene of the shooting while four other victims, aged 15, 21, 25 and 31 died later of their injuries. Fourteen people were injured in the attack, which occurred at around 22:35 local time (03:35 GMT) on Tuesday. Among those injured are two children. Presentational white space Ballistic experts have linked the guns used in the shooting to other crimes committed in the area. Last month, six people were shot dead when gunmen opened fire on a group who had gathered to have a drink in a street in Cuernavaca. The motive of that attack is not clear either. Earlier this year, the bishop of Morelos, Ramón Castro Castro, said that the state

had been "overrun" by crime. Crime figures for the state shot up last year - a 35% rise in murders, a 68% increase in kidnappings and 363% more extortions compared to 2018, official figures suggest. Security analysts say the spike in violence is to blame on a battle for control of the state between five warring crime gangs. President López Obrador said that his government was combating the causes of crime by "providing work, education and welfare for people who are at risk of being recruited by criminal groups, especially the young". But official figures suggest that across Mexico murders have been on the rise again this year after reaching a record high in 2019. There were 20,494 registered murders in the first seven months of 2020, compared with 19,357 in the same period of 2018.

The prime minister has heralded authorities' success in reducing poverty

health ministry. At the debate, Mr Holness defended his decision to call the election six months ahead of schedule despite the pandemic, and rejected

claims by Mr Phillips that he had ignored expert advice. "The pandemic will only end when there is a vaccine. This may be a year and a half to two years,

according to some experts, [and] this would be well outside the constitutional limits to call an election," he was quoted by the Jamaica Observer as saying.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Boosting rice production INDUBITABLY the PNC-led coalition’s broken pre-election promises was a major contributory factor to its decline of popularity and voter-support and the precipitation of its defeat at the polls in March of this year. Among the most negatively impacted sectors was the agriculture sector, with the rice industry sent into a downward spiral as a result of those broken promises. The rice industry, like the sugar industry, was a major mainstay of the national economy. Unfortunately, during the long tenure of the Burnham/Hoyte PNC governments, until October 1992, the rice industry was neglected to the point of collapse and, as a result, Guyana reached a state where cheap and poor quality rice had to be imported from South-East Asia to supply the domestic market in order to be able to satisfy our international markets. During that time thousands of rice farmers abandoned their rice cultivation; consequently, between 1968 and 1980, the number of rice-growing families declined from 45,000 to about 23,000. This was not surprising because there was no incentive and impetus to continue rice cultivation: the opposite held true instead. The PNC government on ascension to power, implemented several courses of action that were inimical to the agricultural sector, which discouraged farmers and laid the foundation for the contraction of

the rice industry. One of the first things it did was to remove the farmers from controlling the then Rice Marketing Board (RMB), which had been established under the PPP government. Instead of farmers who are the producers of rice, having the greater say within the RMB, it was the bureaucrats and hand-picked party individuals, who had little or no knowledge of rice production, who became the new bosses of the industry. In addition, such concessions as duty-free fuel and fertilisers were all removed and in one instance when the farmers protested against the ills of the industry, police dogs were unleashed on them. The Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), which was the bona fide representative of the rice farmers, was de-recognised and replaced by a PNC puppet organisation. To compound the farmers’ plight, there was a rapid decline in drainage and irrigation due to a cessation of government funding, consequencing the rice industry being plagued by flooding, which created havoc with our agricultural sector, not least the rice industry. However, because of the policies and programmes of the PPP/C administration that governed Guyana between 1992 to 2015, together with the resilience of the farmers, the rice industry was revitalised and subsequently began rivalling

the traditional backbone of the national economy – the sugar industry. During the debate of the national budget in 2011, then Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud noted the success of the industry and revealed that in the preceding year the rice industry had made a record production of 360,996 tonnes, with the sector projected to increase its production in 2011 even further to 379,628 tonnes, a 4.9 per cent increase in value added. He noted that the vision of the PPP/C administration was to have an expanded and more competitive industry. Persaud referenced Guyana’s entry into the Venezuelan market and pointed out that the move was highly criticised. However, he noted that with Guyana tapping into a new market, the intention was to develop and expand the product range; in other words, with more emphasis to have been placed on value-added products. A major plus for the rice sector was the release of two new rice varieties, GRDB 9 and GRDB 10, which had greater durability against insect-infestation and diseases, with several other being tested. Small farmers’ groups were introduced to a special three-year financial facility of some $220M, $180M in grants and $40M in low-interest loans, which was intended to facilitate their expansion

and allow them to farm through best practices. Under the Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development (READ) was the establishment of the Enterprise Development Fund (EDF), through which support to small farmers was provided. Apart from the afore-mentioned initiatives, there was tremendous emphasis on drainage and irrigation, which is an essential prerequisite for any successful agricultural programme. Additionally, as a consequence of a special request from the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association General-Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj – directly to then President Bharrat Jagdeo--the government had given duty-free concessions on fuel, agricultural machinery and spares. The decline of the agricultural sector under another PNC-led government has once again precipitated the free-fall of all agriculture-based industries – primarily rice, sugar, cash-crops and their manufactured by-products; with the rice industry taking another severe downturn – near to annihilation -- except for RPA collaborating with the private sector to sustain/attain markets and fight for farmers’ rights with millers. The return of another PPP/C administration, which has always shown itself amenable to advocacy on the farmers’ behalf, especially through representation by the RPA GS Seeraj, who takes a hands-on,

people/farmer-centric approach to administration. The coalition government had unilaterally cut off the annual subsidy to the RPA, which were funds accrued from farmer’s subscriptions for representation and other services; so, apart from the personal service by Seeraj, the RPA had to curtail its projected plans, including the provision of advantageous terms on the acquisition of seed paddy, fertiliser and fuel that were intended to boost rice production and make the sector even more viable than in the years preceding 2015. Had the PNC-led coalition won another term in office, the agriculture sector would have continued decelerating – to the point of extinction. With the prodigious production of agriculture-based products under the former PPP/C administration’s ‘Grow More’ campaign and The Jagdeo Initiative, complemented by its multiplicity of supportive interventions to boost the sector, Guyana had achieved the UN’s MDG for food security. Successive PPP/C governments have always seen agriculture as one of its major planks for development with a human face – the mantra of the iconic Dr. Cheddi Jagan. All the actions and promises of the current PPP/C administration under President Irfaan Ali’s watch indicate that this praxis will be a continuum in its developmental trajectory.

Should UG appointments during interim gov't be revoked? Dear Editor, REFERENCE is made to “Minister Edghill is right on UG Appointments” (GC Aug 14). One of the principles learned in academia and in the study of politics is that a caretaker or interim administration does not undertake new policy or appointments to any important agency

or institution or vacancy. It is a basic principle that all governments and institutions honour. The APNU+AFC violated that norm. All appointments made during the status of the caretaker regime ends when a new administration takes over. The appointees at UG and other agencies should tender their resignations.

The APNU used its control over the UG Council to make appointments at UG, placing supporters in key positions. Three very important appointments were made at UG during the caretaker administration: JE Greene as Chancellor, Paloma Mohammed as VC, and Melissa Ifill as Deputy VC. Three appointments were made and none were

Indians or Amerindians in a country where Indians and Amerindians are over 55% of the population. All three appointees are Pan-Africanists and view Marcus Garvey and other Pan-Africanists as heroes. Nothing is wrong with that position. They think nothing of Jagan and Gandhi. So we know where their loyalty lies in a racially divided coun-

try. Two of these appointments were made during the period of election- rigging (One in June and one on July 31). Why did the APNU-led government rush to make these appointments at the country's only academic institution, when it knew it was only a caretaker? Anyone with academic integrity would resign from those posts rather than be

asked to resign. Should the appointments of the three be revoked? Is it ethical for these appointees to stay on? Already the university had become too politicised with the appointments of Ivelaw Griffith and now Paloma Mohammed- Martin and the other two. TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

I think UG vice-chancellor’s appointment should be reaffirmed

Dear Editor,

THERE was a recent Letter to the editor with the odious title, “Should the UG Vice-Chancellor’s appointment be revoked?” published in the Guyana Times (September 2, 2020). In that letter, the writer called for the revocation of Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin’s appointment as the vicechancellor of UG on the grounds that her late husband Professor Tony Martin was Afrocentric and by extension, was aligned with the PNC. A few things are wrong here: Prof Tony Martin was not Guyanese, never lived in Guyana and was never politically associated with any party in Guyana. Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin stands on her own as an outstanding and productive scholar. She has earned her degrees—undergraduate, MA, and Ph. D from established and highly reputable institutions. She has no need to stand in her late ex-husband’s shadow. Secondly, the letter revealed its odious and divisive ambition by equating Afrocentricity with racism. The Afrocentric turn has been the most emancipating development in the Euro-American academy since World War II. It is clearly recognised that the demand for an inclusionary curriculum was a refreshing contribution to the human intellectual project. Until the emergence of the African-American Studies initiative in the late 1970s, the Euro-American academy proffered a Eurocentric approach to knowledge. The African experience was absent. It was not considered relevant.

There was ignorance of this essential aspect of humanity. The objectives of the fledgling academic field were spelt out in Maulana Karenga’s seminal publication, Introduction to African American Studies. Among them were to create and more inclusive academy, “to assemble and create a body of knowledge which would contribute to intellectual and political emancipation,” “to develop mutually beneficial relationships between the campus and the community,” and to establish a legitimate, respected and permanent discipline. Clearly, this represented a strategy for filling a deficiency in the Euro-American academy. One outcome of this critique of the Euro-American academy has been the growth of inclusion. Today it is not strange to find Latin American, Asian, Women and Gender Studies programmes in the American Academy. These achievements stand on the shoulders of those pioneering scholars such as Blassingame, Dubois, Woodson, Hare, and Martin. It must be appreciated that the penner of the letter to the Guyana Times was exercising her freedom of speech, a right that is enshrined in Guyana’s constitution. Going with this right and other rights is the expectation of responsibility. The caution to do due diligence (conduct research) before we say or write stuff that can injure the reputations of individuals and institutions is appropriate here. Such is the case with this embryonic and seemingly partisan motivated campaign against the current Vice-Chancellor of the Uni-

versity of Guyana. The University of Guyana needs space to breathe and grow. For more than 50 years the institution has been an unfortunate site in Guyana’s political machinations. Despite these dramas, one must be proud of its alumni who have demonstrated innovation and achievement around the world. There are a few who have returned to Turkeyen and silently led, clearly not for material rewards, but because of service to the nation. Paloma Mohamed is among that number. I write this because I have been closely associated with the University of Guyana for more than 20 years and am aware of the calibre of person that Professor Paloma Mohamed is. I have been aware of her capability since she was an intern at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation at the High Street location during the early years of the 1980s. .The University of Guyana that I have interacted with has always been in a crisis mode. It was in that state in 2000 when Dr. James Rose was the vice-chancellor. It was in that condition when Professor Carrington was the vice-chancellor. It continued to be in that condition under Professor Ivelaw Griffith. My engagement with UG has not been superficial. For 20 years it has engaged all levels of the institution, the leadership, the faculty, and students. In the early years of the 21st century, circa 2006, I conducted on behalf of UNESCO an assessment of the once pioneering Centre for Communication Studies (CCS). That assessment was

part of UNESCO’s evaluation of the state of communication education and training programmes in the Caribbean that had received UNESCO investments. I had previously conducted similar assessments in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. My findings on Guyana were devastating. The Centre for Communication Studies was under-resourced, the curriculum in need of review, and the physical facilities derelict. In simple terms, the unit was not fit for purpose and not capable of leading Guyana’s engagement with the emerging interconnected global communication environment. The report identified opportunities for quickly alleviating the condition. About two years later, I received a call from the then Dean of the Social Sciences faculty, Dr. Michael Scott, indicating that the CCS was about to collapse and the university needed urgent help to ensure that the students currently in the programme could complete the courses they needed for graduation with the undergraduate certificates, diplomas, and degrees offered. It was in that crisis, that I reconnected with Professor Mohamed. She had returned to Guyana, recently completing a Ph.D. at the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine) and was delivering on a commitment to return to UG after graduate studies. She had made the commitment to Dr. Scott after completing her undergraduate degree. She, along with a small team of fellow CCS alumni, launched Project Phoenix, the strategy for the rehabilitation

and growth of the Centre for Communication Studies. This was done spectacularly. In a few short years, she garnered international funding and mobilised domestic resources to upgrade the curriculum, initiate research, and launch a transforming programme of faculty development. By 2012, she and her team had put CCS on an upward trajectory and in the process won respect for UG in major regional and international academic circles. It was therefore not surprising that in time this talent as a team player and an innovative leader would be deployed as Dean of Social Sciences and recently as the deputy-vice chancellor (Philanthropy, Alumni, and Community Engagement). As the DVC in the Griffith administration, her performance and productivity revealed a solid scorecard, especially the metrics of resources mobilised for UG. The year-long process that led to her appointment as the 11th Vice-chancellor of the University of Guyana was a public one. I even posted the Call for Applications on my Facebook page. Then the public presentations by the shortlisted applicants were public on the Zoom platform. Clearly, her qualifications, experience, and her demonstrated tradition of services to the nation contributed to the appointment. This interpretation is in harmony with recent declarations by the Council of the University of Guyana, the university’s highest governing authority. The Council of the University of Guyana has also addressed the other insinuation, that decisions made during the nation’s recent

political crisis are illegal. Addressing that issue directly, the council stated: Since it is the Council which appoints, the Acts and Statutes do not provide for the vice- chancellor or any staff of the university to be political appointees. Therefore, the period in which a vice-chancellor is appointed is not germane to any political process. The nation expects the university to perform its duties regardless of changes in government. Professor Mohamed-Martin has held this appointment for less than six months. No other vice- chancellor has had to administer the institution during a global pandemic. She has hit the ground running and with the authority of the Council of the University of Guyana has continued to assemble a team of qualified and tested faculty members to lead the university into the future. She heads what is probably the most crucial institution at probably the most critical moment in Guyana’s history. We need stability at UG, not the perpetuation of the crises that characterised the past 20 years. I think the UG vice chancellor’s appointment should be reaffirmed!

Should UG appointments during interim ... Paloma Martin’s very first act as VC was to appoint a PNC ideologue as her assistant. Others would be coming. She saw nothing wrong in such an appointment. There is a lot wrong with it. Paloma Mohammed is the wife of the deceased Afro-centrist Tony Martin, author of the book Race First (1986), a study of Marcus Garvey. The book treats Indians and other ethnic groups as non-existent. Garvey (1887-1940) was a Jamaican political activist, black nationalist, and the founder and first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League

(UNIA-ACL, commonly known as UNIA). Paloma Martin’s academic focus defines her ideology and her view on race conflict in Guyana. Like her deceased husband, Paloma Martin is an ardent follower of Garvey. She published a book on him entitled A Man Called Garvey: The Life and Times of the Great Leader Marcus Garvey (The Majority Press, 2004). She is not interested in Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Ayub Edun, Mahatma Gandhi, Balram Singh Rai, JB Singh, and other great Indian leaders or thinkers. Mohammed comes across as a front for Black supremacist groups

in Guyana. Her recent promotion of Afro-centrist historian, Dr Melissa Ifill as Deputy Vice Chancellor is just one example of the gate that has been opened by Paloma. Dr. JE Greene is on record stating that the PNC made enormous electoral gains in Guyana during the period of Burnham's rule when he knew elections were rigged. Dr Ifill is a member of a group of black activists and well-known Africanists such as Hugh Tommy Payne, Nigel Hughes, Andaiye, Carl Greenidge, Dr David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye, among others. On August 4 2014, the group hosted a Pan Africanist forum in conjunction with the Cuffy 250

Committee of Washington D.C. The forum was to be the theme: ‘The State of Black African Guyana: Time for Renewal and Empowerment’, at the African Cultural Development Association’s AKWAABA (Welcome) Centre at Thomas Lands. I applaud the group for its Afro-centric and Africanist activities. I hope Indians, Amerindians, Chinese, and Portuguese would hold similar forums on their communities. Paloma Martin should have made similar appointments to that of Melissa Ifill to balance the Afrocentricity of herself and Ifill. The ethnic biased appointment is

Sincerely, Vibert C Cambridge, Ph.D., A.A.

FROM PAGE

sufficient ground for Paloma Martin to tender her resignation. It is also the honourable thing to do since she was appointed by the Granger-appointed board during a caretaker administration. Such an appointment should have been for an interim board until the new government was sworn in. Now that there is a legitimate government, a new university council must be convened and the position advertised. Martin could re-apply. Ms. Sherry Hosein Singh Cedar Hill Road, Claxton Bay Trinidad W. I.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

'Sex-positive' youth groups make positive call on government WORLD Sexual Health Day, observed on September 4 annually, provides the opportunity to galvanise action for the promotion of sexual health for all, irrespective of age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual-orientation, gender identity, health status, national origin or any other human characteristics. This is according to ASPIRE Youth Network-Guyana, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement, the Society Against Sexu-

al Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana and SRHR Adventures, which, in a release, contend that the reality though, is that every day should be Sexual Health Day. “Every day, people are faced with the issues of early sexual debut, unsafe sex practices, the contraction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and the lack of access to sexual health information and services. Young women, girls, youth, sex workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer

(LGBTQ+) people are most affected,” SASOD said. According to “The Situation Analysis of Adolescent Pregnancy in Guyana” Report (UNICEF, 2018), Guyana recorded the second highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 19 to 22 per cent of girls becoming pregnant before the age of 18. In 2014 alone, UNICEF found that 15 per cent of adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 began childbearing and that 62 per cent of adolescents between the

ages of 15 and 19 have an unmet contraception need. Additionally, Guyana has noticed an increase in HIV and other STIs among the youth demographic. Further to this, discrimination, stigma, fear, and violence prevent many people from accessing basic sexual health services. “The government must do more to realise our legal right to the highest attainable standard of health. Article 24 of the Constitution of Guyana provides that every citizen has the right to free medical attention. Let us be

clear: Guyana must do more for vulnerable groups and their sexual health,” SASOD said. It noted that the ASPIRE Youth Network Guyana, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement, SASOD Guyana and SRHR Adventures call on the new government to take a number of steps. These include invest in training for healthcare workers to deliver confidential, youth-friendly, and non-discriminatory services; invest in mobile

clinics and tele-medicine to deliver sexual health services and care during the COVID-19 pandemic; provide PrEP for those at substantial risk of HIV infection in accordance with WHO guidelines; promote sexual health information on all media platforms; conduct age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education in schools; and support civil society organisations as partners in addressing sexual health issues in Guyana.

Cathy Hughes threw Mingo and Lowenfield under the bus Dear Editor, THE long-standing traditions of Parliament is to operate within the embodiment of the constitution, the arms of the law and justice, the parameters of rules and regulations, the confines of dignity and integrity and the bosom of peace and goodwill. Burnham absconded with that honour when he brokered with lies and deceits with external help to forge an alliance resulting in an unearned entrance to gov-

ernance in 1964 and then, in 1978, to fraudulently enforce an unacceptable “Referendum” on to Parliament, the nation and the people because of an acclaimed twothirds majority approval for constitutional changes. Burnham purported that there was a 70 per cent voters’ turnout for the Referendum and 97 per cent voted “yes” but in actuality, there was only a 10-14 per cent turnout. Since then, Parliament has been seeded with abomination, thanks to the diabolical

mischief planted by the “bête noire” PNC party and its apathetic members. In 2011, the PPP/C had a minority government and so the APNU and the AFC parties were able to veto them and voted in a speaker and a deputy who were not PPP/C. In 2015, the APNU+AFC party unconstitutionally appointed a speaker of their choice and did not allow the appointment of a deputy speaker, thus denying the PPP/C that “gentleman’s agreement” post. Still want to talk about

atrocity and violation? On how many numerous occasions were not the members of the PPP/C censored, expurgated and silenced in Parliament by PNC-appointed speakers? The PPP/C government has reached out to the other side of the divide and has made “inclusive governance “a reality by nominating and electing Mr. Lenox Shuman as the new deputy speaker for the House. Mr. Shuman, an Opposition MP, is the leader of the Liberty and Justice Party, he is not part of the PPP/C and in fact, he ran against the PPP/C in the election, contesting for the presidential position. President Ali just does not talk but puts words into action. Relieving Dr. Vincent Adams of his post as director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not disabling him, but enabling him for further and future consultation as per President Ali, thus, reflecting willingness to work across the board and with non PPP/C party alliance. Shuman’s appointment as a technical adviser is again inclusive governance and is not a conflict of interest as an opposition party. The narrow mindedness of the APNU+AFC party knows no boundary and their “shortcomings” continue to be reflected daily in words, deeds and actions. Their comments about Shuman’s appointment should be challenged and analysed by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) as material for racism. It is the first time in the history of Guyana that a member

of the Indigenous family has been anointed with a highest post so far and this was made possible by the PPP/C. In the month of September that is declared “Amerindian Heritage Month,” all Guyanese are proud and happy that Lenox Shuman has been elevated to this honourable position, except of course, the envious and discriminative APNU+AFC and their convoluted members, led by no other than a fork-tongued David Granger. Even their supporters in the street disagree with their comments and would want to disassociate themselves from such slanderous and cheap comments. Is this what they meant by seeing “eye to eye?” Remember the choice words of former AFC member, Asquith Rose when denouncing Cathy Hughes’s propaganda about election-rigging earlier in June as “pathetic, appalling and absurd?” How can you seriously purport to want to build strong relationships with members of all the communities when you deliberately sidelined one member from the very inception by turning your back on him? Isn’t this a sure sign of refusing his entire community and widening the gap, instead of bridging it? But of course, we all know only too well that the PNC regards “truth” as the enemy and has made the elements of “lies, deceit, dishonesty, corruption, collusion and fraud” a culture that must be practised, propagated and preached by the party. Incorporating all these dangerous and diabolical factors into a wicked witch’s

cauldron, manufactures a distasteful medicine that must be consumed by each member in order to sanctify their sincerity and loyalty to such a devious, daring and devilish party. No wonder the truth can no longer be recognised when presented in any form or shape to them. The entire world had an “eyeball-to-eyeball’ view of Mingo’s election-rigging and yet it is only the APNU+AFC party who continues to deny its existence! The Lowenfield mathematical fiasco continues to be an international abhorrence; yet, it is only the APNU+AFC who concurs and accepts such audacious preposterousness. Opposition MP Cathy Hughes threw Mingo and Lowenfield under the bus when she openly affirmed that the APNU+AFC party won 217,000 votes during her chastisement for Mr. Lenox Shuman as the deputy speaker of the House. A guilty conscience does speak louder than words and as “ole” people say, “mouth open, story jump out.” There goes the election petition case through the window. Will Granger rap her as he did with the confessions blurted out by Nagamootoo, Harmon and Ramjattan? When you dig a hole for someone else, who first falls in? “Ole” people also say, give a long rope to anyone and soon, that person will hang him or herself! Time is longer than twine! Time will tell. Respectfully, Jai Lall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Brazil 100 per cent committed to Boa Vista-Georgetown road

BRAZIL’s Economy Minister, Paulo Guedes, said, on Thursday, that his government is interested in moving briskly ahead to secure funding for a Boa Vista to Georgetown road, which will open up greater development to Guyana and Brazil. He made the remarks during a live interview with Roraima Senator, Chico Rodrigues. For context, the state of Roraima, in Brazil, is located snug in between the southern borders of Guyana and Venezuela. It is home to Bonfim, the current and official crossover point for Guyanese or Brazilians into Lethem in Region Nine. Guyana’s consecutive Governments have had their

Brazil’s Economy Minister, Paulo Guedes eyes set on a Brazil to Guyana highway which would open up endless possibilities for the two countries. Brazil and Guyana have long expressed intentions of working

together in this regard. Addressing these plans on Thursday, Minister Guedes said: “We want to make this road from Boa Vista – Georgetown. It has 100 per cent support from us. Senator Chico Rodrigues, we will work with BNDES [Brazilian Development Bank] and internationally with the IMF, World Bank; we will work with the IDB, the Inter-American development bank; we will work with the BRICS [New Development Bank] bank.” Both Guedes and Rodrigues believe that Guyana will be the “new Dubai of the hemisphere” having found significant quantities of light, sweet crude offshore with more oil blocks to

be explored. The Economy Minister projected a sense of optimism stating that Brazil will pursue road, port and energy collaboration. “We want to bring all the resources to make these transcontinental infrastructures possible, we want gas from Bolivia, we want gas from Argentina; we would like to participate in the shock of cheap energy. We want the Boa Vista-Georgetown road; we want to do this together. We want this road, we will support. We will take this funding internationally. This will lead to another route to the Atlantic and if you go left you route to Asia,” he said. For decades, both Guyana and Brazil envisaged a route through Guyana, which will

Roraima Senator, Chico Rodrigues provide better development prospects for investors to come from the Caribbean into Brazil and from Brazil into the Caribbean. In fact, in some parts of the Rupununi,

roads were actually aligned but, at the time, there was no funding to complete them. Minister Guedes hopes that the road will facilitate the passage of the free trade zone of Manaus through the route. This was established in 1967 to promote the development of Brazil’s inner Amazon region, by establishing an industrial, commercial and agricultural hub. Meanwhile, he envisions oil and energy collaboration. He committed to the Roraima Senator: “We are together with you in this Roraima project and I always say this is going to have 100 per cent support from the Government of Brazil.

Billions worth in marijuana plants destroyed A TEN-HOUR drug eradication exercise in the Berbice River has led to the destruction of thousands marijuana plants from different fields in the community of Gatetroy and DeVeldt in the Berbice River on Thursday. The operation, which was spearheaded

ed in the discovery of a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun along with 49 live 12-guage cartridges. A nursery with approximately 200,000 seedlings was also found. The police, in a statement, put the estimated weight of the dried and eradicated cannabis at 337,263 kilogrammes with an

The gun and ammunition found by police by a senior officer along with a party of ranks in the division and officers from the Narcotics Branch, CID headquarters, was one of several that have been ongoing to halt the supply of the illicit drugs throughout the country. According to police, 10 fields and 251 banks measuring 42 feet by 20 feet with approximately 211,220 cannabis sativa plants ranging from two to six feet in height were discovered in the operation at De Veldt, Berbice River in three different areas. Further, five camps were also discovered along with a drying area. In one of the camps, approximately 2,500 pounds of dried cannabis were found. Additionally, a search of a nearby clump of bushes result-

estimated value of several billion dollars, based on approved pricing used. The suspected cannabis and camps were burnt on site. The firearm and ammunition, along with a cellular phone found were taken into custody and lodged pending further investigation. Recently, the police have been consistent in their efforts to halt the supply of the drug countrywide. For the year, thus far, in the Berbice River, several marijuana fields worth billions of dollar have been destroyed. However, in the Berbice River, police have encountered some challenges. Whenever law enforcement officials visit the various cultivation locations, the cultivators are nowhere to be found.

Some of the plants that were destroyed by cops on Thursday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Appointment of JSC a priority – says AG, notes land court judge needed in Berbice

GOVERNMENT is working to swiftly appoint a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as calls have been made to fill the position of land court judge in Berbice, Legal Affairs Minister and AttorneyGeneral (AG) Mohabir Anil Nandlall has said. Members of the Berbice Bar Association have raised the issue of the vacant position of the land court judge in Berbice. In an invited comment, the attorney-general noted that government is working to swiftly remedy this issue at the level of Parliament. “We cannot now appoint the land court judge because the Judicial Service Commission has expired since 2017. Now that we have Parliament in session, we will endeavour

to appoint a judicial service quickly, because part of the appointment process is driven by a parliamentary procedure,” he explained. He added, “as soon as we get that done in the Parliament, we’ll move quickly to appoint a Judicial Service Commission so that more judicial officers can be appointed.” The legal affairs minister further expanded that the coalition government demonstrably did not understand the manner in which a democracy functions. And as a result, he said during the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) tenure, the government deliberately did not appoint several key constitutional agencies, in

Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney-General Mohabir Anil Nandlall

particular the JSC. “In fact, I will venture to say, that because the Judiciary or elements in the Judiciary ruled against them upon their multiple violations upon the constitution, they may have wanted to stifle the Judiciary. And a way to do so is to refuse to appoint a JSC. They cannot say that they were unware because while in opposition, myself and the leader of the opposition repeatedly highlighted the fact that there is no JSC,” the attorney-general added. Article 128 (1) of Guyana’s constitution states that “judges, other than the chancellor and chief justice, shall be appointed by the President, who shall act in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.”

The JSC by legal definition is the guardian of Guyana‘s judicial autonomy. The commission is responsible for making recommendations for judicial appointments and removing or exercising disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in judicial offices. The chancellor and the chief justice are ex-officio members of the JSC. The body includes chairman of the Guyana Public Service Union, (GPSU), a member appointed by Parliament and one by the President. The commission, according to the law, is not to be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

Pedalcyclist killed, two seriously injured –– in Rupert Craig Highway accident

At the scene of the accident on Thursday

FAMILY members and friends are currently mourning the loss on Thursday of 40-year-old pedalcyclist, Navindra Doray, who became the country’s latest road fatality when he was struck down on the Bel Air Public Road, on the lower East Coast Demerara. According to the police, Doray, of Block ‘F’, Sophia,

Greater Georgetown, was proceeding west along the southern side of the carriageway, when he was hit by a Tacoma (pickup) being driven by a 25-year-old Trinidadian national going in the same direction as he, and at a fast rate. The police say that as the pickup approached Yokohama Auto Sales, which is

on the southern side of the road, the driver proceeded to overtake several vehicles on the inside, which led to his vehicle ‘clipping’ Doray’s bicycle from behind, causing the cyclist to fall and injure himself in the head, as well as about the body. The driver of the Tacoma was also injured, as was the 32-year-old male who was in

the vehicle with him. All three were reportedly taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where Doray was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the Tacoma and his travelling companion, meanwhile, were admitted, and were up to press-time said to be receiving treatment.

Doray’s grief-stricken family members at the scene of the accident that claimed his life

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

GDF receives $40M in marine spares under CBSI THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) received a quantity of engines and marine vessel parts from the Government and people of the United States of America under the existing Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The items were valued at some USD$200,000 (GYD$ 40,000,000). They were handed over to Inspector-General, Colonel Trevor Bowman, and the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard, Commander Sean Harmon, by the US Embassy’ s Charge d’Affaires Mark Culliane, at Coast Guard Ship Hinds, Ruimveldt recently. Colonel Bowman thanked the US representatives on behalf of the GDF Chief-of-Staff and noted that the timely delivery of the equipment would certainly boost the operations of the Coast Guard.

The items received include four Yamaha 250 HP engines, two Metal Shark Shockwave seats, fuel pumps, motor assemblies, propellers, and batteries, among other items. United States Charge d’Affaires, Mark Cullinane, also conducted an official visit at the GDF Coast Guard Station Hinds, Ruimveldt. A United States of America initiative, initiated in 1983 as a temporary programme by the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, it took effect on January 1, 1984. However, The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Expansion Act of 1990, known as “CBI II”, made the CBI permanent. The GDF has benefitted over the years under the Initiative.

GDF Inspector-General, Colonel Trevor Bowman, receives the signed document from US Charge d’Affaires, Mark Cullinane, for $40M in boat supplies at the simple handover ceremony

Solar lights installed on kokers in Region Two PUMP attendant and sluice operators attached to the Regional Two Administration can now be able to effectively carry out their work, especially in the nights, now that the

Regional Electrical Department has installed solar lights on the drainage structures. The move will provide adequate lighting around the structure and will assist

The solar lights being installed on one the kokers in Region Two

operators during the rainy seasons. According to Regional Executive Officer, Devanand Ramdatt, previously, the sluices were dark and whenever checks were made, things were not visible.

This, he said, hampered the productivity of operators, and as such, the regional administration decided to install the lights to assist. He also commended the efforts of the regional electrical team

for their efforts and said the lights will be useful when it comes to opening of the kokers at night to facilitate adequate drainage. He also said the pumps and sluices are govern-

ment’s property and should be properly secured. The Regional Electrical Department’s electrical team has already installed solar lights at various locations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

‘Human Services’ will work harder to improve lot of abused children –– mere thought of what those children endure moves Min. Persaud almost to tears

IN order to familiarise herself with the various organisations that fall under her ministry, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud paid a visit on Wednesday to the Children and Family Centre, a housing facility in suburban Plum Park, Sophia which provides temporary shelter for vulnerable families and children. While there, Minister Persaud committed to ensuring that the families and abused and neglected children being housed at the Centre receive the best of treatment, so as to help them forget and overcome the hardships they have endured. Describing the rousing welcome she received from the children and other residents of the facility, in spite of their less than ideal circumstances, as “heartwarming”, Minister Persaud said: “When children are affected by abuse, in many cases, it is heartbreaking to imagine a child having to deal with that on a daily basis… So, to go there today and see the children in a different frame of mind; coming out of situations and circumstances like that, it warmed my heart.” She also commended the Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ms. Ann Greene and the staff of the facility for doing whatever it takes to work with the children during this COVID-19 situation, particularly their finding creative ways of helping them to learn, play and interact with each other while still adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines. Dr. Persaud was also impressed by the fact that the Centre not only caters for

children, but members of their families as well. “The unique thing about this Centre is that family members, or those family members who are similarly affected; like their mothers, they can be there with their children. So it’s the entire family that is looked after; cared for, and given the best of our consideration,” she said. The Children and Family Care Centre can house up to 80 persons at a time, and is accessible 24/7. It is made up of seven buildings, which include dormitory facilities for boys and girls; living quarters for up to eight families; kitchen; dining room; administration building and training facilities. IT TAKES A COMMUNITY Earlier this week, the minister had also disclosed that a centralised database will be established at the Ministry of Human Services to obtain data for the development and implementation of policies and actions for the prevention of, and response to violence, exploitation and abuse of children. Noting that it takes a community effort to look after a child, the ministry said it will be working along with international stakeholders, community groups, and non-governmental organisations towards the protection of children against abuse and exploitation. The Minster acknowledged the strides made by child advocacy groups, Law Enforcement and international donor agencies in protecting children. She, however, noted that there is still room for “a much more collaborative, focused-driv-

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud on Wednesday interacts with children living at the Children and Family Centre in Sophia

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and CPA Director Ann Greene (second and third right respectively) having a bit of fun with children and staff of the Children and Family Centre in Sophia on Wednesday (Photos by DPI)

en approach” in addressing child abuse, with “monitoring and evaluation” being standardised. In the circumstances, the

Ministry will be stepping up its efforts, through educational campaigns, to encourage parents and communities to become more involved in

reporting incidents of child abuse. The ministry and the CPA have continuously urged citizens to report

instances of child abuse and neglect to the relevant authorities to save children from grievous living situations.

Cyclist killed on Dennis Street, Sophia A CYCLIST lost his life after he was struck down by a motorcar that was allegedly speeding on Dennis Street, Sophia Public Road. The victim was

identified as Joseph Semple, 52, of Section ‘C’ Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The incident occurred at around 18:30 hours on Tuesday. He was riding his

bicycle along Dennis Street when he was struck down by motorcar PXX 5407 which was driven by a 30-year-old resident of Pattensen-Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Police said the car was proceeding west along the southern side of the road allegedly at a fast rate of speed, while the pedal cyclist was proceeding west along the northern side

of the road. In the vicinity of Black and White Access Road, the pedal cyclist rode across from the northern side to the southern side and ended up into the path of the

motorcar. As a result, the front right side bumper of the car collided with the left side of the pedal cycle resulting in the cyclist being flung some distance away.

The man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in a semi-conscious state and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where he later succumbed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Sheriff/Mandela project ongoing under strict COVID-19 guidelines By Lisa Hamilton

THE Sheriff/Mandela Road Project is in full swing with contractors working under strict COVID-19 guidelines to get the job done. On Thursday, the Guyana Chronicle visited some of the construction sites along the roadway and engaged Site Engineer, Nirmala Robindra. At the time, she was standing on the Arapaima Bridge, not far from the East La Penitence Post Office on Mandela Avenue, monitoring the construction of a bypass bridge. The bypass bridge, she said, would be in place for about six and a half months to cater for the construction of a new bridge at the location, in keeping with the project plan. As Robindra explained what was taking place, a dragline excavator moved large timber piles which were driven into the thick mud of the ‘creek’ for the construction of a revetment as a means to stop the flow of the water. Sand, crusher run and loom would then be put to stabilise the roadway. She said the new bridge would have pre-cast concrete decking, pre-cast concrete piles and would be overlaid with asphalt. The works at the bridge are being conducted by Kares Engineering Inc. Not far from the bridge was a small wooden station set up as the COVID-19 check point. Signs placed on the station alerted workers that the site is operating under COVID-19 protocols. It prohibits entry of persons who feel ill; urges workers to maintain two meters from others while on site; requests that they wash their hands regularly and thoroughly; reminds them to cough or sneeze into their elbows and to avoid touching their faces. The site includes a handwashing area with a sink and hand sanitisers; a temperature

Large timber piles placed at the intended location of the bridge bypass to the Arapaima bridge (Carl Croker photo) check station; an isolation zone secluded with plastic; a kit of COVID-19 epidemic prevention supplies and clean drinking water. “Every morning they [the workers] come in, they have to test their temperature, they have to wash their hands, we take note of their temperature and, after lunch, they do the same. If anybody is above the normal temperature we put them in the isolation area and then you would have to call the relevant authorities,” Robindra said. The workers are also quizzed on whether they might have been in contact with a person displaying symptoms of the virus or whether they were experiencing any symptoms. Further up Mandela Avenue, just opposite the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, construction workers were widening the road with the help of a hymac excavator. The equipment dug up a foot or two of the compact soil near the roadside while men nearby shovelled sand in place. This part of the project was being conducted by BK Construction. WORK ONGOING In the opposite direction, at the intersection of Garnett and Sheriff Streets, more road widening works were ongoing.

Workers were seen constructing new pavements similar to the ones constructed along Mandela Avenue. Not far from that construction site was a tent set up as another COVID-19 check point. The woman in charge of ensuring that workers were adhering to the guidelines in place, Sabitri Dhanwak, said that the COVID-19 epidemic prevention supplies kit had everything to detect possibilities of the virus and to keep workers safe. Opening the kit, she said that there were COVID suits, face masks, thermometers, hand sanitisers, liquid soap, paper towels and more. The tent, similar to the one at the Mandela checkpoint, possessed a sink with water available for workers to wash their hands. At a press conference on August 19, 2019, Minister of Works, Juan Edghill stated that several key road projects previously stalled, such as the Sheriff/Mandela Road Expansion, would be back on the agenda. The soon-to-be-operationalised fully-automated asphalt plant which has the capacity to produce 160 tonnes per hour will help to further advance the project. In November 2019, the funding agency, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had suspended

The COVID-19 check point (Carl Croker photo)

the disbursement of funds for the US$31 million project owing to health and safety violations by the contractor, Sinohydro Corporation Limited. The road expansion contract is subject to performance audits by the IDB. Since then, Minister Edghill said the IDB has been re-engaged by the government on the environmental issues that caused the project to be stalled. The IDB-funded Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue Road Expansion Project was contracted to the company in December 2017 but work commenced in August 2018, following surveying work. The project is intended to improve road safety; simplify traffic movements; provide adequate drainage for the road corridor and interdependent communities; and extend the design life of the pavement and all roadway structures to a minimum of 20 years from the expected end of construction. This stretch of road will see the construction of a twolane roadway with a concrete median portioning the two lanes along Sheriff Street while Mandela Avenue will involve expansion of the roadway from a two-lane road to a four-lane road, with a central concrete median and shared-use paths. A roundabout will be constructed at the junction of Sheriff Street and David Street/Railway Embankment Road, while the completed roadway will also be outfitted with the requisite road safety amenities, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes and adequate parking spaces. Bridges will also be upgraded, while in the vicinity of East Ruimveldt and North Ruimveldt secondary schools there will be a pedestrian overpass.

Worker, Sabitri Dhanwak, demonstrates the handwashing technique (Carl Croker photo)

The temperature testing station, just near the isolation area. Carl Croker photo)

Men along Mandela Avenue working to widen the road (Carl Croker photo)

More works at the intersection of Garnett and Sheriff Streets (Carl Croker photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

‘Give us the respect we rightfully deserve!’

–– NTC chair challenges countrymen; urges they put COVID-19 restrictions to good use, by learning about the way of life of the Indigenous Peoples CHAIR of the National Toshao’s Council (NTC), Nicholas Fredericks has called on the Indigenous Peoples community and Guyanese on a whole to take the time during this year’s celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month to reflect upon and embrace the rich and vibrant culture of the Amerindian way of life. Making the call during a virtual address to usher in the month-long festivities, Fredericks said: “On this special important occasion,

marking once again our Indigenous Heritage Month, the theme, ‘Fostering Traditional Practices for a Safe Environment’ is very fitting, because, as you know, we are the guardians of nature. And this is the time we need to reflect on the contributions we have made, and continue to make towards the development of our country and the management of natural resources, based on our traditional practices.” He said that despite the adverse affect the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is

having on people and countries the world over, it will not alter the panache with which the event is usually associated, as it will be enjoyable just the same, even though things will be done virtually. Fredericks also made the point that with many being confined to their respective homes due to the virus, there is no better time than now for Guyanese to recognise, celebrate and educate themselves on the significant roles the Indigenous Peoples have played in preserving

NTC Chairman, Nicholas Fredericks

the country’s true wealth,

need to protect our land, so

policy development, towards livelihood; proposals to ensure that we are fully involved in the discussions so we can contribute and continue to contribute to developing our in a safe way,” he said. He noted that the NTC stands ready to work for the betterment of its people, and to fight against the effects the pandemic has had on the Indigenous communities, as well as any other challenges that may come their way. He also called on Indigenous youths to use their time at home learning how to best preserve the rich, unique traditional practices left them by their ancestors. “To you the youths, I want to encourage you to interact with the elders: Learn about your forest; learn about your skills, as that is what is going to take us and

‘This is when Mankind has to realise that money is not all; we need to protect the environment, and we need to protect our land, so that we can survive, and our future generation will have a safe place to live’ --NTC Chair, Nicholas Fredericks which is the environment. “It is a very important time for us to reflect, and to recognise that without us, as Indigenous Peoples, this earth will not be the place that it is. And especially now in this pandemic, where our lives are threatened alongside everybody else, we must recognise the importance of our traditional knowledge and our traditional practices in these times,” he declared, adding: ‘MONEY’S NOT ALL’ “This is when Mankind has to realise that money is not all; we need to protect the environment, and we

that we can survive, and our future generation will have a safe place to live.” Fredericks further stated that now more than ever, a collaborative approach is needed from all the relevant authorities to discuss the enhancement and preservation of Indigenous communities to ensure a brighter future for Indigenous youths across the country. “To our new President and his Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, let us all work together with the Indigenous brothers and sisters across Guyana and in the Diaspora to make sure that our voices; our contributions towards

ensure that our knowledge and practices will be continued from generation to generation,” he said. In closing, he called on all Guyanese to unite to protect Guyana’s natural resources and the people who continuously safeguard those resources. “Let us recognise, reflect and educate ourselves during this month, and ensure that, moving forward, we have a strong indigenous population in Guyana that will always be there working towards the maintenance of mother earth,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Employment of youths, skills training can reduce crime –– Region Three Chamber President

From right: Region Three Chamber of Commerce President, Halim Khan; Deputy Commander, Boodnarine Persaud; head of GIT, Sheik Aleem, and Commander Errol Watts, along with other ranks and officials of the chamber pose next to the environmental noise-measurement kits

EVIDENCE suggests that most young offenders recognise that qualifications, skills and jobs can help them lead useful and crimefree lives. This was discussed on Thursday when Region Three Chamber of Commerce President, Halim Khan, met with divisional commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, and his team at the

Lenora Police Station Boardroom. Khan said the meeting was essential in implementing plans for security while ensuring robust community relations and building trust with stakeholders. He said issues of creating employment for youths and reducing criminal activities among them were also discussed, noting that skills

training will be made available at the Lenora Technical Institute to promote marketable skills within the youth population. “We cannot properly protect the public by focusing on punishment alone; we must also address the underlying causes of crime. We can best protect society by making a positive and lasting difference to avoid criminal acts

from the inception,” Khan said. Noting that issues of cattle rustling and the slaughtering of cows were occurring in Region Three, Khan said the police promised to address the issue condignly. Additionally, at the meeting, an environmental noise measurement kit was donated to the law enforcement team to be used in the region.

Khan said majority of noise pollution complaints occur within residential areas. “These stem from generators, bars, processing facilities, wood processing facilities such as sawmills and furniture workshops, welding workshops, and even wash bays,” he noted as police will now be able to monitor such activity in the region.

In attendance at the meeting were head of Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT), Sheik Aleem, who is a member of the chamber; Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts; his deputy Superintendent, Boodnarine Persaud; General Secretary of the chambers, Dennis Mayers and other police ranks.

Suspect in pensioner’s CDC launches countrywide study on murder remains in custody long, short-term impact of COVID-19 A SUSPECT in police custody is cooperating with the police after the body of a pensioner was discovered at his Lot 6 Hope, Lowlands Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on Tuesday. Sukhnanan Dugi, 90, called Henry Sukhnanan, was murdered between last Monday and Tuesday morning. He was reportedly beaten to death. Reports indicate that the pensioner lived alone in a two-storey wooden and concrete house and was last seen alive around 16:00 hours on Monday by his niece who visited him. The police was subsequently alerted and visited the scene where the body was examined and they discovered two open wounds at the back of his head, another wound to the right side of his face and swelling to the left side of his face. Wounds were also found

--not only at the socio-economic level, but other unforeseen ways as well

Sukhnanan Dugi called Henry Sukhnanan

on his right hand and wrist. A piece of wood, suspected to be the murder weapon, was recovered along with a bloodstained piece of cloth on the floor. The interior of the house did not appear to have been ransacked, and no signs of forced entry were observed. The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy as investigations continue.

THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Tuesday embarked on a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on households across Guyana. The purpose of the study is to determine the short to long-term impact of COVID-19 on both society as well as the economy, with the aim of informing response and recovery policy interventions and other measures. According to a release from the Commission, the Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing Consultancy Incorporated (CATI), an in-

ternational consultancy group, has been contracted to conduct the study, in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines and regulations. According to the CDC, the approach at reference will see the assessment team contacting residents across the country, by phone, to conduct interviews regarding their experience with COVID-19 and the related measures being implemented to keep the disease in check. In places where it is not possible to contact persons by phone, due to the unavailability of the relevant telephone services, local teams will be deployed to conduct in-person interviews in keeping with physical distancing and other

COVID-19 requirements. According to CDC Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, the assessment will be of great benefit to the Commission, as it will enhance the effectiveness of the national COVID-19 response. He especially wants people to know and understand that the facts and evidence which the study will garner regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their lives and livelihoods, our sectors and industries as a country will also be used to help develop plans for recovery; to bring our Guyanese society and economy back to normalcy, and possibly even better than it was before.

UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Jairo Valverde, in speaking to his agency’s role in the conduct of the study, said: “The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is therefore quite pleased to partner with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on the assessment, and looks forward to the elaboration of response and recovery measures to support Guyana in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.” Both the CDC and UNDP join in encouraging residents of communities all across the country to give the assessment teams their full support, as what they’re doing will redound to everyone’s benefit.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM Local dancehall music group aims for higher heights

USIC is known as the universal language that brings together people from all walks of life, to either to enjoy the different genres and sounds or to create a

masterpiece. In this case, music brought together five young men who all share the same dream, to create music and one day be some of the greatest performers to represent Guyana and the mining town of Linden. This group of young men are a part of a local dancehall music group called ‘1syde’ led by its founder 25-year-old Orwin Hermanstein better known by his stage name Iwin, who is also the lead vocalist and lyricist of the group. The other members are: 25-year-old Felix Braitwaite aka Cramps, who merged his love for critical thinking, entrepreneurship and music, dubbing him the managing director of the group; 25-year-old Ronnel Domer aka John and 23-yearold Orvin Hermanstein aka Ivin. These two young men bring their love for writing and producing to the group, making them the promoters and content creators for the group. The last member who is the youngest, 19-yearold Domar Hermanstein aka Slick is also a gifted lyricist and a genius in the art of performing freestyles. The group of young men met while they all were perusing a tertiary education at the University of Guyana (UG) however soon after meeting, the young men all bonded over a common interest which was music. “While we were at UG we realized we have a real passion for music especially dancehall music. We would always find time to write songs, do freestyles on instrumentals and listen to the latest dancehall and hip hop music despite most of our time being taken up with academics. After we were successful in obtaining our bachelor’s de-

The members of the 1syde music group

grees in our respective fields, Iwin realised he had a gift to be a professional artiste,” the group said. After the leader of the group, Orwin decided to record his first song ‘Special to Me’ the young men officially decided to come together and form the ‘1SYDE’ group in 2017. Like many other artistes, the group’s goal is to one day perform globally and have Guyana recognised for not just being the land of many waters but also the land of many talents. “Our main objective is to take Guyanese music to the highest level possible to compete globally. The sky is the limit for us we know there will be challenges, but together as a talented team, 1Syde members are very optimistic we will make it,” they said. Describing their group dynamic as a brotherhood and a safe place for young creatives, the young men said, “It is about building a brand that will put Guyana on the map to compete with the world. We want to break the stereotype that ‘The Guyanese music industry is dead’ and pave the way for younger artistes to carry on the dream of becoming an established artiste right here in Guyana.” Despite the woes of the COVID-19 pandemic the group has still been making music and is currently working on a new project which they believe will be the one to put them on the map. “The 1Syde team is currently working on a track titled ‘Brand Name’ voiced by Iwin. This one is going to take the bars a little higher literally and figuratively. In short, it will be a catalyst to help the 1Syde team be more recognised. The video shoot will be done in Georgetown, Guyana and some parts will be done in the USA. We won’t be stopping there, for sure, there is also a mixtape in the pipeline so stay tune people it would only get bigger and better,” they said. Additionally, the group will be launching their very first clothing line in November of this year.

25-year-old Orwin Hermanstein, better known by his stage name Iwin, the founder of the 1syde music group

A sweet escape

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

–– Entrepreneur launches monthly therapeutic care packages to soothe the anxieties of the pandemic

S the entire world and Guyana continues to grapple with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, self-care remains fundamental in keeping one’s mental and physical health in check. As such 29-year-old entrepreneur, Krystal Butts is promoting self-care through her small business care during this nerve-wracking period. The woman’s business is monthly subscription to a care package filled with all the necessities for an at-home spa and relaxation day to ease the anxieties of the pandemic. “I came up with the idea when I was home, when I was on layoff from work…

A glimpse of the Therapy box package

Krystal Butts

As a lady, during all this stress and all that is happening around us we need some time to unwind,” she said. “I was just sitting one day relaxing and I was thinking it would be a good idea to have a section in the house where I could just relax and it came to me that I needed therapeutic items to relax.” The entrepreneur stated that after having her own successful at-home spa day she decided to share her initiative with the rest of Guyana and women across the country. “It came to me that maybe I should start a business out of this, you know having the whole idea of helping other women relax as well during this time and so I decided to do the subscription box,” she noted.

However, because of her introverted nature, Butts disclosed that she had a difficult time marketing her business since she was still familiarizing herself with various social media platforms and online marketing on a whole. “I had to get the ideas, get want I wanted to sit down, structure everything and try to come up with ways of how I can reach the public because I’m not really a person who is on social media or that has many friends, so I had to really had to sit down and think about ways to get my business out there,” she said. Additionally, she noted that the Therapy box is more than just psychical care but also mental care since she believes that finding time for one’s self to unwind and have a moment of silence and relaxation can benefits ones mental health which makes room for a bonus in one’s psychical appearance

Some of the products being offered in the therapy box are, face masks, face scrubs, body lotion, candles, sage, hair care products and accessories and aromatherapy oils However, Butts noted that customers can also customise their own therapy boxes and request any product of their choosing and likeness. While the therapy box is mainly a service for women, Butts disclosed that she will soon be offering a special therapy box that will cater to men and children during the pandemic. Having an eight-year-old daughter herself, Butts know what it is like to have a ‘mini-me’ who wants to do everything mommy does well. So she will soon be launching a therapy box for kids which sees children also having time to unwind after a long day of playtime, classes, or even an examination.

The making of a sitcom during a pandemic ‘Days like these’ production team pushing forward despite difficulties

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Sean Thompson, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento & Makayah Smith on set PISODE 1 of ‘DAYS LIKE DESE’, the 15-minute sitcom which is currently focusing on on COVID -19, began airing since August 21. Episode 3 will began airing today and the production team has reported that it is a very challenging task to produce a sitcom during the pandemic while ensuring that the cast and crew observe the rules and all the guidelines for COVID -19. In a press release from the sitcom management team, it was related producer of the show, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento carefully guides the creative team of Kirk Jardine and Rochelle Christie in their scriptwriting, keeping in mind not too many cast members in one episode, no physical contact for actors except in cases where they are direct family members involved; all crew are masked and at least one actor is wearing a mask if they are close to one another. If there is actual ‘touching’ in a scene, sanitizer wipes and spray are readily on hand for use after the scene. “Days like Dese” is the theatre community of notable actors presenting to the public an educational and entertaining programme to help fight the pandemic that is affecting all of us. The team encourages all viewers to share with their friends and family so in an aim to raise awareness on precautionary measures of how to fight the pandemic. Each week a new episode is released and aired nationwide on all 21 television stations, from Bartica to Charity, Linden and on the Upper Corentyne. At least five stations in the county of Berbice are airing it. After each episode is completed, it is then uploaded on YouTube.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday September 04, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel-6839500) & CUMMINGS

ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dwayne Bravo-28 wickets (2015-TKR) (2) Keemo Paul

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who were the losing semi-finalists in CPL 2013? (2) Who is the first

Tallawahs player to win the Man of the Match Award in Hero CPL 2020?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Kazakh Lutsenko wins Golden Jaguars to Tour de France stage six know 2021 Gold Cup preliminary opponents on September 28 By Julien Pretot

MONT AIGOUAL, France (Reuters) - Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko claimed his maiden victory on the Tour de France when he won the sixth stage, a 191-km trek from Le Teil yesterday as the top guns again delayed the fight for the general classification. Astana rider Lutsenko, a former Under-23 world champion, prevailed from an eight-man breakaway at the top of Mont Aigoual to add to his 2017 Vuelta stage win. Spain’s Jesus Herrada took second place, 55 seconds behind with Belgian Greg van Avermaet in third, 2:15 off the pace. Briton Adam Yates retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey after staying tucked in the main peloton, which crossed the line with a deficit of 2:53. “We talked about it in the team bus this morning and we agreed that it was a stage that suited me,” said Lutsenko,

Astana Pro Team rider Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan wins stage 6 in Tour de France - - Le Teil to Mont Aigoual, France. (Pool via REUTERS/Christophe Ena) who broke clear in the punishing ascent to the Col de la Lusette, a 11.7km climb at an average gradient of 7.3%. Behind him, the main favourites did not use the ascent to test each other, leaving defending champion Egan Bernal’s Ineos team to set a moderate pace. “We knew that this climb was tricky, it was a pretty bad surface. I

think we climbed at our own speed and saved energy, we just tried to stay safe,” said Ineos domestique Michal Kwiatkowski. “Everyone is keeping his powder dry and is saving energy for the next days,” said Yates, who was never threatened throughout the stage. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, who is third overall, suffered an untimely puncture in the climb up to the Col de la Lusette but managed to regain his place in the peloton easily, thanks to the bunch’s slow pace. The only sparkle came in the final metres, when Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe produced a brief attack to regain one second after losing the yellow jersey to Yates, following a 20-second penalty for illegal feeding on Wednesday. Today’s seventh stage is a 168-km ride from Millau to Lavaur, which is expected to favour the sprint specialists.

Premier League terminates China broadcast contract By Simon Evans MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The Premier League has cancelled its contract with Chinese broadcasters PPLive Sports International after just one season, the league said in a statement yesterday. The broadcasters, part of retail group Suning, paid around $700 million for three years of English Premier League (EPL) streaming rights from the 2019-20 season. “The Premier League confirms that it has today terminated its agreements for Premier League coverage in China with its licensee in that territory. The Premier League will not be commenting further on the matter at this stage,” the league said in a statement. The Daily Mail had reported last month that the Chinese broadcasters

had withheld payments due to the league in March. In a statement posted on their official company Weibo account, PPLive Sports International said that it had held negotiations over the price of the rights with the league. “COVID-19 has brought many challenges, and it’s especially obvious during broadcasting rights negotiations,” the statement said. “After rounds of meetings, PPLive Sports and the Premier League have a disagreement on the price of broadcasting rights. We regret we couldn’t have an agreement with the Premier League. “The direction of PPLive Sports’ strategic development will not change. Broadcasting rights strategy adjustment is based on objective reality and strategic thinking. PPLive Sports will

continue to dedicate itself to providing high quality services to fans, copyright holders and partners.” The deal with PPLive Sports International was struck during the peak of Chinese interest in international football and marked a huge increase in revenue on the previous deal. Beijing-based Super Sports Media was the previous rights holder in China with local media reports suggesting they paid more than 1 billion yuan ($145.13M) for a six-year deal until the end of the 2018/19 season. The ending of the PPLive Sports International deal is a further loss of income for Premier League clubs following the coronavirus outbreak, which forced a stoppage in play lasting several months. The League resumed games in June and July without fans.

Reports of discrimination in football rise by 42%, says Kick It Out (REUTERS) - Reports of discrimination across all levels of professional soccer in England and Wales rose by 42% last season, despite it was suspended for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-racism organisation Kick It Out has said. There were 446 reports of discrimination in the 2019-20 season, up from 313 in the previous campaign, while reports of racial abuse increased by 53%. There were also 117 reports of abuse based on sexual orientation - a 95% rise. Premier League teams have sought to highlight racial injustice following the season’s restart in June with Black

Lives Matter protests before kickoffs but Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari said there was still work to be done. “This year the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd turned the world on its head,” Bhandari said. “Football responded positively with clubs increasing their work in the community and with the players symbolising the demand for greater equality of opportunity, by taking a knee. “But beneath the surface, hate and division in society remains a lurking pernicious threat.” Crystal Palace’s Patrick van

Aanholt and Wilfried Zaha had called for social media platforms to take stronger action against racism after they were both subjected to online racial abuse. “The FA has made huge strides in recent years to ensure that English football is a diverse and inclusive game, but we know there is more to be done,” Paul Elliott, chair of the Football Association’s Inclusion Advisory Board, said. “We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and ... we investigate all reported forms of discriminatory abuse in English football at every level of the game.”

THE Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s senior men’s national football team, will know their 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary round opponents on September 28, after the Victor Montagliani-led Confederation announced on Wednesday, their attempt to deliver a football-first philosophy, and to add more anticipation for fans across the region. Golden Jaguars had finished second in Group C of League B of the CONCACAF Nations League and will be joined by The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cuba, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Montserrat, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago in the Gold Cup preliminary tournament. The tournament will be played as a direct elimination format from July 2 to 6 in 2021, in a centralised location in the United States. After a knockout format, the remaining three teams at the end of the Preliminary Round will qualify for the Gold Cup Group Stage. By virtue of winning the CONCACAF Nations League, League A and League B, Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Suriname and the USA gained automatic qualification to next year’s Gold Cup. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup Champions, Qatar, will compete as a guest in next year’s Gold Cup as part of a major collaboration between CONCACAF and the host country of FIFA World Cup 2022. CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation’s longstanding relationship, which was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in May 2017, has resulted in various joint initiatives which have served to greatly develop football in both regions. The MOU established a framework for strong collaboration between both Confederations and paved the way for a strategic partnership between CONCACAF, Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the organisation charged with delivering the infrastructure and operations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The partnership includes Qatar National Team competing as a guest in the 2021 and 2023 Gold Cups. The Qatar team are the current regional champions, having won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Additionally, the team participated in the 2019 Copa America in Brazil, providing strong opposition for South American national teams in the group stage. Qatar will be the second AFC national team to compete as guest in the Gold Cup, following South Korea who played in the 2000 and 2002 editions. Montagliani, who sits as FIFA’s vice-president, said “the CONCACAF Gold Cup continues to grow as a competition and we are hugely excited at the prospect of the 2021 edition, particularly as it falls in the Confederation’s 60th anniversary year.” Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation president and Senior FIFA vice-president, on behalf of the AFC and the entire Asian football family, thanked Montagliani and his members for the invitation that they have extended for the AFC Asian Champions, Qatar, to play in what he has called a “a prestigious tournament as the Gold Cup”. “When AFC and CONCACAF signed their Memorandum of Understanding in May 2017 we saw the obvious opportunities for both Confederations to help and improve each other both in terms of performances on the field - of teams, players and match officials as well as operations staff - and, just as importantly, the continued development of the game across our continents,” Al Khalifa said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

Sports Minister says Government willing to help with revival of MSC “EXCELLENT! I am happy to have the support from the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) executive, because we would like to do some work here and it is important for me to do work in a collaborative way, where you get the support and cooperation from management and the members of the MSC Club” was how the new Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Charles Ramson (Jr) described the meeting he held with club’s executive committee last Friday in Linden. Minister Ramson spoke with the president of MSC, Mr Avery Trim, and members of his executive committee. He was briefed on the challenges that face the

Having a look of Mackenzie Sports Club ground is (second from right) Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson (Jr). one-of-its-kind sports facility in the country, which existed since 1956 after it became a members club.

Earlier this year on March 27, in light of the prevailing circumstances concerning the global threat

of COVID-19 as a pandemic, the management of MSC has taken measures to close its operations temporarily,

based on the decision by the Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) to implement a regional curfew in the Town of Linden and its environs in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani). In the field of sport, MSC ground is known to have staged international football, cricket, cycling, track and field, boxing among others, while international teams have also graced its basketball court and the famous Kashif and Shanghai football was berthed there also. Speaking on the intention of the government Minister Ramson said that: “as part of its priority area as far as work is concerned Linden is a priority area. So contrary to what some

people may want to peddle here, there would be no neglected area of youth, sport and culture.” He quipped: “It needs a revival and all the relationship; that is what you will get from me and in particular sports….Whatever I do I will involve for Linden in particular intend to keep you in the loop.” Minister Ramson said provisionally the government has plans for MSC and was clear saying, “I don’t intend to supersede anybody. I want a working relationship and intend to involve you in every step of the way as far as the projects intend to proceed and deliver within the budget that service to the membership of the MSC and the people of Linden.”

First of three T20 Internationals

Rockets hang on to defeat England are dangerous but Thunder, move on to West semis we’re ready, says Langer By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - Australia are primed and ready to take on a dangerous England side in the white ball series that starts today with the first of three T20 internationals, says head coach Justin Langer. Langer watched his players go hard at it in two intra-squad warm-up match in Southampton on Tuesday, with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey smashing rapid centuries in the second encounter. It highlights the batting depth at Langer’s disposal, but he is aware that England also have destructive run-makers. “England are dangerous. I watched the way Eoin Morgan plays. It’s exciting to watch, he comes out and smacks it from ball one,” Langer told a news conference on Wednesday. “They have got some good young players, and they’ve brought in some of their more experienced players. We know they have been the best one-day team in the world for a few years now. “We came here two years ago and got smashed 5-0 and came here last year and won two of the three

Marnus Labuschagne is pushing for a first T20 cap but didn’t win the big one in the (World Cup) semi-final. We know what to expect and we will be ready for it.” Langer has a plethora of batting options up his sleeve with Labuschagne pushing for a first T20 cap. “Labuschagne’s innings was absolutely sublime; it was brilliant to watch. He was hitting Pat Cummins, the world’s best, over point for six,” Langer said. “All we can ask for is that guys bang so hard they are putting pressure on the guys in there. “At the moment they (Aaron Finch and David Warner) are the best open-

ing combination in the world in T20 and one-day cricket. When you have Steve Smith, the best batsman in the world, and best opening combination, it’s hard to break into that. But hardcore competition is what we’ve based our success on.” Langer said Australia have come a long way since the 5-0 hammering by England two years ago when their reputation was in tatters after the ball-tampering scandal that resulted in lengthy bans for Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft. “The team had made a terrible judgment in South Africa and individually, and collectively, we paid the price,” said Langer, who came in to steady the ship and has taken Australia to the top of the Test and T20 rankings. “We came here with a very young team because of the circumstances and, gosh, that put hairs on their chest to lose 5-0 in England. It was that one last punch from ‘Mother Cricket’ saying ‘you guys made a mistake, make sure you remember it.’ “But we’ve earned back respect internationally and we’ve made Australians back home proud of us.”

JAMES Harden capped a miserable shooting performance with timely defensive play, and Houston Rockets held on for a 104-102 victory over Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Wednesday near Orlando. Harden closed out on Thunder guard Luguentz Dort and recorded a blocked shot with 4.8 seconds left and Houston clinging to a one-point lead. Following a Robert Covington free throw, Rockets blew up an inbounds play from Thunder with 1.1 seconds left to clinch the series and set a date opposite Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals. Game 1 of that series is set for today in the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Dort produced a gamehigh 30 points on 6-for12 3-point shooting, the highest scoring total for an undrafted rookie in a Game 7. But Rockets clamped down elsewhere defen-

Thunder guard Chris Paul sively, forcing Thunder guard Chris Paul into six turnovers while holding Dennis Schroder to 5-of-17 shooting. Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched Paul with 19 points and hit a corner 3-pointer that gave Thunder a 102-101 lead with 1:42 remaining. But those were the final points of the game for the Thunder, who committed 22 turnovers that Houston converted into 28 points. Harden shot just 4 of 15 and had a series-low 17 points. But he added nine assists and received help from his teammates,

with Covington posting 21 points 10 rebounds three steals three blocks. Eric Gordon matched Covington with 21 points while Russell Westbrook chipped in 20 points nine boards. Paul added 11 rebounds 12 assists to complete a triple-double. Neither team led by more than eight points in a contest that featured 13 ties and 15 lead changes. With Harden off to a woeful shooting start, missing 5 of 6 shot attempts, Covington, Gordon and Westbrook carried Rockets offensively in the first quarter by recording six points apiece. But Thunder led by just one point entering the second quarter despite shooting 11 of 20 from the floor by virtue of seven first-period turnovers that Rockets converted into 10 points. Dort caught fire in the second, pouring in a dozen points during one stretch before Rockets wrestled away control. Gordon and Covington combined for 30 points as Houston led 61-59 at the intermission. (Field Level Media).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 4, 2020

When ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite ruled the Cruiserweight Division DO you remember where you were on October 11, 2002, when Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite recorded a 10thround TKO win over Italian Vincenzo Cantatore? Braithwaite, who hails from the village of Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara, on that fateful night, joined Andrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis on the list of Guyanese to claim a world title. The clash against Cantatore, who at the time had developed a reputation in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Cruiserweight division as a Knockout specialist, saw Braithwaite claim the WBC Cruiserweight World title, having defeated Tosca Petridis for WBC’s International Cruiserweight title via TKO in 1999, in Melbourne, Australia. Braithwaite went on to have successful title defence matchups against Ravea Springs (February 21, 2003), Luis Andres Pineda (December 13, 2003) and Louis Azille on April 14, 2004. By then, ‘Brig Truck’ had racked-up an impressive record in the cruiserweight division with 20 undefeated fights. With the exception of his bout with Azille and John Lennox Lewis (1997 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall), which ended in a Unanimous Decision win, the other 18

Guyana’s Wayne Braithwaite (L) knocks out Pablo Hernandez (R) of Cuba during their Cruiserweight title fight at the Kieler Ostsee Halle on March 29, 2008 in Kiel, Germany. wins at the time came from Braithwaite putting his opponents on the canvas. On April 2, 2005, Braithwaite tasted defeat for the very first time in his ca-

reer when he went down to Jean Marc Mormeck via a Unanimous Decision. The defeat saw Braithwaite relinquish his WBC Cruiserweight title, and also fail to grab hold of the World Boxing Association (WBA) World Cruiserweight title. The southpaw cruiserweight Braithwaite recorded his second professional defeat on September 3, 2005 when he was TKOed in round-four by Panamanian Guillermo Jones for the WBA Fedelatin Cruiserweight title and WBC Latino Cruiserweight title. After failing to get past Enzo Maccarinelli on July 21, 2007 for the WBO World Cruiserweight title and picking up his third career defeat, Braithwaite bounced back on March 3, 2008, to win via TKO against Yoan Pablo Hernandez and claim the WBA Fedelatin Cruiserweight title and WBC Latino Cruiserweight title. However, after his win against Hernandez, Braithwaite never fully got back to being the ‘Big Truck’ of the Cruiserweight division On July 11, 2009, the man from Plaisance who had gotten the ‘Big Truck’ moniker from former promoter and Member of Parliament, Odinga Lumumba, lost via Unanimous Decision

to Steve Cunningham in a non-title fight. He returned to win via TKO against Adam Harris in March of the following year, but after a two-year break and fighting at home for the first time since his TKO win over Wayne Harris, Braithwaite went down to Barbados’ Shawn Cox. Eight months later (October 26, 2012), determined to show the boxing world and his fans at home that he still has what it takes, Braithwaite faced compatriot Shawn Corbin at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and lost by Unanimous Decision. The fight marked the last time the man who many only know as ‘Big Truck’ stepped into the boxing ring. The ‘champ’, as he popularly known in his village of Plaisance, celebrated his 45th birth anniversary on August 9. He could feel proud of his illustrious career, which saw him move from winning the Guyana Cruiserweight title (1998) to the WBC International Cruiserweight title (1999), followed by the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Cruiserweight title (2000) before holding on and successfully defending his WBC World Cruiserweight title (2002-2005).

Tallawahs inch towards semi spot after washout AROUBA, Trinidad (CMC) – Only 34 deliveries were possible as torrential rain washed out yesterday’s clash between Jamaica Tallawahs and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at the Brian Lara Stadium. Sent in, Patriots were coasting on 46 without loss in the sixth over when heavy rain drove players from the field around 10:25hrs

never to return. Each side secured a point from the washout, Tallawahs remaining in fourth on seven points and Patriots staying bottom of the pile on three points. A victory in one of their two remaining games will see Tallawahs reach the final four while Patriots have been formally eliminated.

Before the stoppage, Australian Chris Lynn (23 not out) and Evin Lewis (21 not out) provided some entertainment following a quiet start. Lynn struck a four and two sixes in a 15-ball knock – the bulk of his runs coming when he blasted a four and two consecutive sixes off the last three deliveries of the fifth

over sent down by Afghan off-spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. Lewis, meanwhile, faced 19 balls and belted two fours in the first over from speedster Fidel Edwards along with a six off the last delivery of the contest from left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, before the rains swept the ground.

Warriors end Barbados Tridents CPL title defence THE Barbados Tridents’ stuttering defence of their Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title finally ended last night as they again failed to make three figures against a well-balanced Guyana Amazon Warriors bowling attack. Early boundaries from Chandrapaul Hemraj meant Shimron Hetmyer and Ross Taylor could take the team home in cruise control, and the Amazon Warriors ended the league stage on a roll with four wins from four. (Scores: Guyana Amazon Warriors 90/4 (Hetmyer 32*, Hemraj 29, Taylor 16*; Holder 2/10, Reifer 1/16, Santner 1/25) beat Barbados Tridents 89/9 (Young 18, Santner 18, Charles 10; Tahir 3/12, Shepherd 3/22, Green 1/17, Sinclair 1/23) by 6 wickets Romario Shepherd put paid to a promising start with two wickets in two balls. Charles chipped tamely to Taylor at point, but there was nothing tame about the dismissal of pinch-hitter Rashid Khan, as a fierce pull was brilliantly caught by Brandon King who ran 20 yards to his left from deep square leg and dived full-length. Greaves survived the hattrick ball then closed the over with a four. Brooks hit a four off Imran Tahir but fell softly to Green, albeit with Taylor taking a good catch at short midwicket, and the Tridents reached the Powerplay at 28/3.

Brandon King (2R), Chris Green (R) and Romario Shepherd (2L) of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate the dismissal of Rashid Khan of Barbados Tridents during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match 26 between Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on September 3, 2020 in Tarouba, Trinidad And Tobago. (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images) That became 28/4 the very next ball when Tahir bowled Greaves, beating him all ends up with a googly. Kyle Mayers launched a straight Hero Maximum off Sinclair, but was undone by wrist-spin again, skying a Tahir googly to give Hemraj an easy catch at mid-off. The implosion continued as Tridents captain Jason Holder gifted Green a catch at midwicket off the second ball after the drinks break, Shepherd the bowler, and a second poor batting effort in a row by the Tridents against the Amazon Warriors

left them 39/6 after 11 overs. Mitchell Santner and Nyeem Young milked Sinclair for eight, and while Naveen went for just one on his return, Young ended a 37 ball boundary drought with a classy Hero Maximum over off Green. Santner pulled Shepherd for four, and after 15 overs the Tridents were 65/6. Sinclair ended the mini-recovery, bowling Santner with a quicker ball and celebrating by adding an extra flip or two to his post-wicket routine. Young should have fallen to Naveen, King making good

Golden Jaguars to know 2021 Gold Cup preliminary opponents on See story September 28 on page 21

ground on the leg-side again but this time dropping the catch, but it mattered little as he soon missed a sweep off another Tahir googly and was bowled. Tahir ended his spell atop the Hero CPL wicket-takers table, and the Tridents ended the 18th over at 78/8. Raymon Reifer pulled a Naveen slower ball through midwicket, and although the young Afghan ended wicketless he will bowl far worse spells that look better on the scorecard. Shepherd once again showed off his effective slingy yorker in the 20th over

that went for just five. The innings ended with a run-out, and for the third time in Hero CPL 2020 the Tridents had failed to make three figures as a team. Santner struck second ball of the chase, bowling King with an arm ball that in effect swung into the right-hander. A tight over from Holder ensured Hemraj started slowly, but got himself going with a powerful slog swept Hero Maximum and a whipped four off Santner. He should have fallen to the New Zealander, the usually faultless Hayden Walsh Jr dropping a catch, but he continued his attack off Rashid with two fours and a six. After four overs, the Amazon Warriors were 34/1 and the required run rate was just three and a half an over. Holder cleverly angled the ball across Hemraj, who couldn’t resist a pull shot and was well caught by Young at third man. Sherfane Rutherford, in for the rested Keemo Paul, got a promotion to four, but lasted only three balls before edging Holder to Ashley Nurse at slip. Holder took a heavy fall but completed a wicket-maiden, leaving the Amazon Warriors 40/3 after seven overs. Hetmyer started watchfully, his first boundary not coming till his 12th ball and that too off an edge past new keeper Charles. Pooran faced

five dot balls and tried to get off the mark with a boundary, but toe-ended Reifer straight up in the air to give Brooks a simple catch at cover. Taylor joined Hetmyer with the score 49/4 and a brief to calm things down. Young started with a chest-high full-toss that was rightly called a no-ball, and was lucky not to be called for another with the free hit, Taylor pulling a suspiciously high delivery for four. Hetmyer again edged past the keeper, and he and Taylor nudged and guided the Amazon Warriors to 67/4 at halfway needing just 23 more to win. Holder could have ended his spell with a third wicket, but Taylor’s edge flew wide of slip, and Rashid was nudged for six off two overs to leave just 12 to win. Hetmyer finally hit his first boundary off Santner thanks to indifferent boundary fielding from the visibly injured Holder, Taylor had time to practice his forward defensive against his countryman, and Hetmyer for the second day in a row hit the winning runs. The Tridents now hold the unwanted record of being the first Hero CPL defending champions not to make the knockouts, and with the Amazon Warriors now guaranteed to avoid the Trinbago Knight Riders in the semi-finals, a sixth final is very much on the cards. (CPL).

USA’s Christian Pulisic (#10), about to make a move on Guyana’s Brandon Beresford during his side’s 4-0 win at the Allianz Stadium in Minnesota during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (Samuel Maughn photo)

When ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite ruled the Cruiserweight Division 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

See story on page 23

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020