Issuu

WEDNESDAY 18 th November, 2020

’ No. 106187

Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson

– among big hotels interested in Guyana

PAGE

Exports increase by 86.7 02 per cent PAGE

Photo courtesy of Radisson Hotels official site

Mining sector expanded 343 per cent 13 PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Local exports increase by 86.7 per cent –– amid global decline in trade due to COVID-19

By Navendra Seoraj THE export performance of all trade blocs in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) declined significantly in the first half of 2020 due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but in the Caribbean, the evolution was different due to the surge in oil exports from Guyana, where aggregate exports have increased by 86.7 per cent. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in its 2020 Trade and Integration Monitor, which was released on Tuesday, said the contraction in exports during the first half of 2020, to the U.S. (-19 per cent), the European Union (-18.6 per cent), and, to a lesser extent, China (-1.0 per cent), played a decisive role in the LAC’s trade performance, accounting for two-thirds of the overall downturn. However, intra-regional flows fell at even higher rates within all LAC blocs: –30.3 per cent in the Andean Community(AC); –24.6 per cent in The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR); –24.0 per cent in the Pacific Alliance; and –8.8 per cent in Central America and the

Dominican Republic. Similarly, according to the IDB, a limited sample of Caribbean countries suggests that intra-zone exports from the region contracted by 25.4 per cent, excluding Guyana, whose notable increase in oil exports has set it apart. A limited sample of CARICOM countries -- including Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname -- show that they increased their intra-bloc exports by 54.2 per cent, and those to the rest of LAC by 63.8 per cent in 2019, while total exports fell 7.1 per cent due to a decrease in sales to the rest of the world (–17.7 per cent). And, during the first half of 2020, intra-bloc

trade increased significantly, by 60.8 per cent, as did sales to the rest of LAC by 24.7 per cent, and total exports by 10.2 per cent. However, this increase was explained exclusively by the performance of Guyana, whose exports increased by 86.7 per cent in 2020 when compared to 2019, after the country started exploiting new oil fields. MASSIVE INCREASE Guyana, according to the IDB, increased its exports within the bloc (CARICOM) by 164.2 per cent, to the rest of LAC by 159.9 per cent, and to the rest of the world by 76.9

per cent. In the first half of 2020, total shipments fell by 24.1 per cent in the rest of the Caribbean countries for which data is available, (a drop of 25.4 per cent for intra-bloc flows, and one of 17.1 per cent to the rest of LAC). Intra-regional trade, according to the IDB, was already contracting at a faster rate than flows to the rest of the world in 2019, and it plummeted further in the first part of 2020, due to the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic. However, given its share in LAC’s total exports, extra-regional demand accounted for most of the drop in total external sales. “The main contractionary factors were sales to the US, and to a lesser extent the EU, while sales to China dropped less, due to the exceptional increase in Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) exports to this country. Although intra-zone trade dropped in all LA integration blocs, this was more pronounced in the AC and MERCOSUR,” said the IDB. The pandemic weakened the demand of LAC’s major trading partners, and imports from the region fell

significantly in the first half of 2020. According to the IDB, when the crisis hit, demand from LAC’s main buyers had already deteriorated, a trend that had begun in late 2018. UNPRECEDENTED IMPACT The outbreak of COVID-19 and the attendant measures to contain it had an u-nprecedented impact on all LAC destination markets, triggering a widespread drop in exports. The prices of the region’s main export commodities were affected quickly, even before the full effects of the pandemic hit. “The greatest impact came from the drop in oil prices, while the effect on metals and minerals, and on agricultural products was relatively minor. However, unlike recent trade crises, on this occasion, the shock was primarily driven by a sudden drop in vol-umes. “Looking ahead, the prospects for recovery are still uncertain, despite some positive signs in certain indicators relating to prices and trade operators’ expectations on global activity. The next chapter describes the performance of trade in goods and services across different LAC countries and sub-regions,” said the IDB. The IDB report concluded that countries in the region should make

decisive moves towards an ambitious agenda of international integration policies, if they are to capture new investments and take advantage of nearshoring opportunities. The pandemic has exposed challenges that point clearly to a need to make headway on the institutional strengthening of export promotion and investment attraction agencies, trade facilitation and the modernisation of customs, the diversification of the services sector, and trade digitalisation. The IDB also determined that there is a need for pragmatic solutions to certain longstanding challenges. For example, reducing transportation costs through investment and reforms in the infrastructure sector will be critical for the region’s economies to position themselves competitively in the global production networks of the future Additionally, given that the ongoing transformation of globalisation will have a profound impact on business strategies, the IDB suggests that it would be essential to strengthen regional integration and cooperation initiatives to position the region’s economies within an efficient and reliable regulatory space that is attractive for investors.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson – among big hotels interested in Guyana

By Navendra Seoraj IN anticipation of a rise in visitors and traffic to one of the newest petroleum states, Guyana, renowned players in the international hotel industry have tendered their proposals to be part of the local growth by providing firstclass accommodation and other activities/services. Guyana, with its newfound oil wealth, is on the cusp of economic transformation, and has already received the title of “investment capital” of the region and possibly the world. This has so far served as encouragement for some of the key players in the hotel industry like the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Radisson Hotels, and the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, among others, which have already submitted Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to the Government of Guyana. Hyatt Hotels Corporation, commonly known as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, is an American multinational hospitality company headquartered in the Riverside Plaza area of Chicago that manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts, and vacation properties. According to the Hyatt’s website, the company has more than 950 hotel, all-inclusive, and wellness resort properties in 67 countries across six continents. Radisson Hotels, also a major stakeholder in the

industry, is an international hotel chain headquartered in the United States. Radisson Hotel Group is one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups in the world, with seven distinctive hotel brands, and more than 1,100 hotels in destinations around the world. The Hilton Hotels & Resorts is also a global brand of full-service hotels and resorts, and the flagship brand of American multinational hospitality company, Hilton. According to the company’s website, with more than 575 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts provides the foundation for exceptional travel experiences, and values every guest who walks through its doors. The Government had recently put out expressions of interest and requests for proposals for investors to build hotels in Guyana. The aim, as outlined by the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is to provide at least 2,000 first-class rooms, making Guyana “a conventional destination”. EOIs Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill was reported recently as saying that more than 30 EoIs were submitted to the Government, with at least two of them eyeing areas next to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Minister Edghill had said that he is satisfied with the two proposals for the construction of the hotels near the airport located on the East Bank Demerara. “I must tell you I like what I see in those proposals,” the minister said, adding that the proposals were sent to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CJIA, Mr. Ramesh Ghir. These potential investments are seen as timely, because Guyana, which sits on the edge of South America and has a population of about 750,000 people, is expected to ‘boom’ with its new-found oil wealth, which is expected to drive infrastructural development and other sectoral advancements. According to reports,

the country has already raked in close to US$150 million from its oil-andgas sector, with lots more to be earned. But the focus, as outlined by the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, will be on maintaining a diversified economy. YEAR OF INVESTMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT President Ali had said that progress is expected on all fronts in 2021, which has since been designated as the Year of Investments and Development. “What you will see next year is a flurry of development; there will be active work on the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, the new four-lane road, new hotels,

and the creation of 50,000 homes,” said the President. He said work will commence on the construction and rehabilitation of roads in hundreds of communities; new infrastructure will be created, and there will be major developments in every sector. Additionally, private-sector investments are expected to increase, stretching from the construction of new shore bases to service the oil-andgas sector, to new office complexes and other private development projects. The President anticipates that with increased construction, there will be an increased demand for quarry and construction materials and labour. “What we are looking forward to, or hoping for in 2021 is a post-COVID-19 environment; this would bring back the tourism and hospitality sector… We have seen the President talk about going out to request EoIs for four international hotels for us, but the first thing is to have a stable environment,” said Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr. Nicholas Boyer in a past report. Boyer said that while every industry has been affected in some way by

COVID-19, there are areas such as construction and mining which remain resilient, and have continued to produce positive results. President Ali had committed to getting the economy back on track, starting with the implementation of measures and projects included in the $329.5 billion 2020 Budget. Budget 2020 includes a $25,000 cash transfer to every household; a $15,000 cash grant, and a $4,000 uniform voucher for schoolchildren; $800 million for the Amerindian Development Fund; $5 billion for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); a two-week, tax-free bonus for members of the Joint Services; and $150 million for frontline workers, among many other benefits. The President had also said that the government, after re-prioritising and re-programming fiscal measures, has managed to add $20 billion in relief to the “pockets” of Guyanese at a time when the nation is faced with the effects of COVID-19, and the recently concluded protracted electoral process. The conduits of relief include revised tax measures and sweeping incentives.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Trump fires election official who contradicted him Donald Trump says he has fired a top election official who contradicted the US president’s claims of voter fraud. President Trump said he “terminated” Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) chief Chris Krebs for his “highly inaccurate” remarks on vote integrity. Trump has refused to concede the US election, making unsubstantiated claims of “massive” voter fraud. Election officials said the vote was the “most secure” in US history. Krebs reportedly incurred the White House’s displeasure over a CISA website called Rumor Control, which

debunked election misinformation, much of it amplified by the president himself. CISA Assistant Director, Bryan Ware stepped down last week. The White House had asked for his resignation. Following his dismissal on Tuesday, Krebs appeared to have no regrets about speaking out. Shortly before he was fired, Krebs posted a tweet that appeared to take aim at Trump’s allegation that voting machines in various states had switched ballots to his rival Joe Biden. Mr Krebs tweeted: “ICYMI: On allegations that election systems were manipulated, 59 election security experts all agree, ‘in every case of which we are

aware, these claims either have been unsubstantiated or are technically incoherent.’

#Protect2020”. He was among senior officials from the Department

of Homeland Security who last week declared the November 3 US general election

Chris Krebs was a Trump appointee

the “most secure in American history”. “While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should too,” said their statement, which was posted to CISA’s website, which did not name Trump directly. K re b s re t w e e t e d a Twitter post by an election law expert that said: “Please don’t retweet wild and baseless claims about voting machines, even if they’re made by the president.” (BBC)

Ethiopian PM gives ‘ultimatum’ as civilians flee Ethiopia’s prime minister has said a military operation against rebel forces in the northern Tigray region is entering its “final phase”.

A biy A hmed s aid a three-day deadline given for Tigray’s forces to surrender had now expired. Hundreds of people have reportedly died in nearly two

WED, 18 November, 2020 ― 04:30hrs ~06:00hrs

weeks of clashes between the rebels and the federal army. At least 27,000 people have fled to Sudan. The UN has said a “fullscale humanitarian crisis” is unfolding. Getting information from Tigray is hard as there is a virtual communications blackout. Fighting broke out on 4 November after Ethiopia’s central government accused the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a political party which controls Tigray, of holding an illegal election

and attacking a military base to steal weapons. The TPLF has denied the attack. In response, Mr Abiy ordered a military offensive against forces loyal to the regional government of Tigray, accusing them of treason. He said that “the last red line had been crossed”. The TPLF sees the central government as illegitimate, arguing Mr Abiy does not have a mandate to lead the country after postponing national elections because of coronavirus. In a Facebook post, Mr

Abiy said the operation by the federal forces was nearing a conclusion. “The final critical act of law enforcement will be done in the coming days,” the prime minister said. He thanked TPLF fighters who, he said, had taken advantage of the deadline to switch sides but he did not give a number. And Mr Abiy added that his government was “ready to receive and reintegrate our fellow Ethiopians fleeing to neighbouring countries”.

Meanwhile, TPLF adviser Fesseha Tessema, a former Ethiopian diplomat, told the BBC that civilian sites in Tigray’s main city, Mekelle, were being bombed by federal forces. “[The people of Tigray] haven’t done anything wrong, they are in their own homes, churches,” Mr Fesseha said. The federal government has denied targeting civilians and said that air attacks are aimed at the Tigrayan military. (BBC)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Surge in underground mining anticipated –– Min. Bharrat says staff training required for effective monitoring

FOLLOWING two large gold finds in Guyana’s interior, Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Vickram Bharrat said that staff will receive expert training in anticipation of an increase in underground mining. He noted that the ability to effectively monitor the industry to ensure adherence to health and safety protocols is of paramount importance to the ministry. Within weeks of each other, two Australian companies recorded massive finds. Troy Resources announced a major gold find at its Smarts underground project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Then on Monday, Alicanto Minerals Limited announced a maiden find of 500,000 ounces at 1.8 grammes per tonne (g/t) at its Arakaka Gold Project in Region One (Barima Waini). Minister Bharrat, in commending the finds, noted that as the industry continues to expand, his ministry will be assessing the regulatory needs, and will expand its own capacity, correspondingly. He informed that par-

ticular focus will need to be placed on increasing the ministry’s capacity to monitor underground mining, as expertise in that area is considerably lacking. “We see that there is a lot of deposits underground, so health and safety becomes of key importance. The ministry wants to ensure that we have people who are trained to monitor underground mining, because, soon, more companies will start going in that direction, given that there are large deposits,” the minister noted during an interview with this publication. Minister Bharrat stressed on the need for training, given Guyana’s inexperience in this area. “It is something that is new to Guyana; it’s not that we have a lot of experts sitting and waiting. So, getting people trained to regulate underground mining safety is paramount. But we have been monitoring all the different tiers of mining, not only small- scale, but large-scale mining as well,” he added. Asked if there is cur-

rently sufficient capacity to monitor the sector, he pointed out that whatever exists would never be enough. “There could never be enough; the more officers, the better for me, but, of course, we have to look at budgetary constraints,” he said, adding: “But as mining operations increase, obviously we will have to look at it, to see if the numbers we have are adequate enough, or if we are spreading ourselves too thin.” ATTENTION REQUIRED Further, the minister emphasised that mining is currently driving the Guyanese economy, so necessary attention must be paid to the industry. “It’s benefiting about 200,000 Guyanese either directly or indirectly. Since I came into government, I am amazed at the amount of people who are getting back into mining now,” Minister Bharrat related. He noted that the recent budgetary measures which were put in place to make

Map showing Alicanto, Arakaka and Ianna Gold Projects in Region One the industry easier, particularly on local small-scale miners, is driving an even greater interest among the miners. “We have been trying to incentivise the sector, for example by removing VAT on mining equipment and vehicles; duty-free ATVs and so on, so the result is a lot more people being involved. I see about 20-30 people every week in need of land; that want to go back into mining; that want permits. And the gold price has contributed to that too,” the Minister noted. “We are trying to incentivise even more by having the regulatory agencies trying to make it easier to do business with them; not relaxing regulations, but in trying to process documents faster. You would notice we are moving towards that,” he added. But with more investment and more activity comes the need for more monitoring and regulating. This is done primarily through the Guyana Geology and Mines Com-

mission (GGMC). The Minister assured the Guyana Chronicle that the onthe-ground monitoring is continuously ongoing. “We have ‘Mines Officers’ stationed throughout the mining district; permanently stationed in those mining districts. So we have officers on the ground, monitoring day-to-day activities,” he informed. The minister admitted that there are sometimes slippages. “I am not making excuses, but sometimes

some do slip through. Then there’s the human factor; we’re dealing with human beings here, and the lust and lure in the gold mining area. It’s the reality on the ground; we depend on our officers to maintain the integrity, and to act professionally at all times,” the minister said. ALICANTO A statement from Alicanto has noted that the estimate includes a See page 8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

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Human trafficking A post recently appeared on social media platform, facebook, under a questionable name, with the following words: “Need local girls to work at a bar in the interior... serious enquires only... 6467079 Subsequently, a news release informed: “On Friday, November 13, an operation conducted by members of the Guyana Police Force, with support from the Human Services Ministry, rescued 19 adult females suspected to be victims of human trafficking from an establishment in Region Three. Three children were also rescued, a release from the Ministry of Human Services said today. The women and children are now in the protective care of the Ministry, while the alleged perpetrators are in police custody” Combating of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act of 2005 guarantees the safety and protection of all victims and ensures their rights are respected and not violated. Members of the public are encouraged to report all suspicious TIP activities to the Ministry’s TIP hotline

numbers: 227-4083, 623-5030 or 6240079 (Spanish hotline). Persons can also visit the TIP Guyana Facebook page. The release said that suspected victims and survivors of TIP are never placed in police custody, but are instead safeguarded by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit. The Social Services Minister, Vindhya Persaud, has a track record of showing interest in, and caring for, the welfare of the vulnerable in society, especially children. Her current ministerial portfolio has given her greater latitude in her social welfare work, which has now extended to the eradication of the practice of trafficking in persons in Guyana. The minister feels strongly about the protection of children and ensuring that they have the requisite quality of childhood that would ensure a healthy combination of mental, psychological, emotional and physical growth. Enforced child labour and trafficking in persons are absolutely heinous crimes that proliferate worldwide,

and in some societies where poverty is dire, some parents feel driven to sell their own children for pittances – destroying their own children for temporary relief from their pecuniary circumstances. Many children have been kidnapped and sold; many have been exploited by their own relatives or trusted persons in their lives; many persons – adults and children-- have been tricked into slavery where they are taken away to distances and situations from which they find impossible to escape and are forced into virtual servitude. In Guyana, many persons, especially children and females, have been lured away from their rural or hinterland homes with the promise of jobs, or by other means, only to find themselves captives of some unscrupulous persons in horrendous situations. These twin scourges have plagued societies from time immemorial and if the minister could successfully address these criminal acts in the Guyana social landscape, then her tenure could save many victims from untold, proba-

bly lifelong, agony; not to mention lost lives that would have been restored to victims and their loved ones. There has also emerged horrifying tales where persons are kidnapped, killed and their body parts sold to doctors working underground in organ transplant rackets. The UK Mirror reported in December of 2014, inter alia: “one of the kidnappers has confessed to police that the girl had been sold so her organs could be harvested.” Fox News reported on January 19, 2019 that Tanzanian authorities said that 10 children, who were kidnapped in December, were killed for their body parts. Trafficking in persons is a major crime that proliferates in the world, and trans-continental trade in humans and human body parts seem to be gaining traction. It would take an international pact of cooperation to seriously impact this crime where the poor and vulnerable are especially susceptible to lures by inhuman, merciless criminals.

Is the costly biometric marking of fuel by GEA still necessary? Dear Editor, THE Guyana Energy Agency introduced the biometric marking of all imported fuels under its previous late head, Mr. Joseph O’Lall, circa 2003, in an effort to combat fuel smuggling. The existing condition then was that fuel sold on the local markets of Trinidad and Venezuela was heavily subsidised by their respective governments and sold extremely cheaper than the regular export market prices. Fuel smugglers capitalised on this disparity in prices, and in collaboration with locals in Trinidad and Venezuela, smuggled the subsidised fuel into Guyana, and undersold the legitimate

suppliers who bought their fuel from those countries’ refineries at the regular Platts market pricing. The Guyana Energy Agency, in their effort to identify and curb the fuel smuggling, introduced the marking of all fuels imported by authorised dealers with a biological marker; hence, any fuel found without this biometric marker would be illegal. This biometric marker came at a cost which GEA charged to the oil companies, and they, in turn, factored this into their selling price at the gas stations. Rewind to present-day conditions in Trinidad and Venezuela with respect to fuel supply where the situation is now totally different.

Trinidad has closed down their refinery, and is now importing all its fuel requirement for local consumption and export. They have removed the subsidy, and all their fuels are now sold at market prices. Venezuela, on the other hand, has gone through a complete reversal from having fuel being smuggled out of their country to fuel now being smuggled into the country due to the tremendous shortages caused by dysfunctional refineries. Clearly, the situation no longer presents itself as a primary source for fuel smugglers to operate in these two countries; therefore, we should ask the quintessential question whether fuel smuggling is still a threat to legitimate

dealers. If our review shows that it is not, then we should do away with the biometric marking system and its associated cost on the price at the pump. There is an old management anecdote told about relevance when the House of Commons in England was painted centuries ago. A guard was posted outside to warn the members of the House not to touch the walls since they were freshly painted. As the story goes, the guard was still posted centuries after the wall had dried. No one bothered to review the posting, or its raison d’etre. Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

New agriculture boards urged to embrace innovation AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, on three separate occasions on Tuesday, met with newly appointed members of the Board of Directors for the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). During the meetings, Minister Mustapha reaffirmed government’s confidence in the various boards’ abilities to take innovative steps to move their respective agencies forward. While addressing members of the GSA Board of Directors, Minister Mustapha said that government has a vested interest in further developing the school, given the role it plays in delivering quality agriculture-focused education. “The Guyana School of Agriculture is one of a kind. I know for a fact that even though other countries have senior institutions offering programmes in agriculture, students travel from all over the Caribbean to attend our school. We, too, have the University of Guyana with an agriculture programme but the knowledge offered at GSA is unmatched. With

this in mind, it is my hope to have the school extend its services to other regions. I would like for a campus to be established in Berbice, since this is a large agriculture-producing region and many persons would like to attend. I’m entrusting the responsibility to you to explore this and make recommendations so that government can make this a reality,” Minister Mustapha said. Newly appointed chairman of the board, Dr. Dindial Permaul, said that he looks forward to working with the new board to ensure the school continues on a positive path. He added that, with the vision of the government, the experience of the board members and the resources being made available to facilitate development, GSA will be able to achieve a lot. Following that meeting, Minister Mustapha met with the newly appointed Board of Directors for the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board. During the meeting, Minister Mustapha said that regulating the use of pesticides and toxic chemicals is crucial in Guyana. “Large companies are signaling their desire to invest in the country and they will need permission and

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, with members of the GRDB Board of Directors oversight in the area of toxic chemicals. You will have to ensure that you move the Board forward. We have to ensure that we not only work with the companies, but with all the stakeholders to enlighten them about the dangers of chemicals and proper storage practices. While we recognise the significant achievement in chemicals management in Guyana, we must also be weary of the emerging chemicals issues in Guyana, especially in the farming communities,” Minister Mustapha said. Chairman of the Board, Dr. Leslie Munroe, said that the board will ensure it delivers on its purposes. HIGHER LEVEL “I see the year ahead

as one which we will try to make the laboratory function at a higher level and to achieve those goals which were set in the shortest possible time,” Dr. Munroe said. While meeting with newly appointed Board of Directors for the GRDB, Minister Mustapha reminded members that rice remains one of Guyana’s largest foreign exchange earners. “We have to ensure we develop and move this industry forward. Since my appointment as Minister of Agriculture, I’ve taken a ‘hands on’ approach to dealing with matters pertaining to the rice industry. I’ve been addressing issues affecting farmers, millers and stakeholders in general. With the

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha with members of the PTCCB Board of Directors

expertise that we have on this Board, I am confident that you can move the rice industry forward. Although Guyana has been producing a large quantity of rice, the main focus of this Board is to ensure that you find new markets for Guyana’s paddy and rice. For the next crop, I am very optimistic that it will be a favourable crop, given [the] amount of critical works undertaken in our large rice-producing Regions,” Minister Mustapha said. The subject minister added that the ministry continues to constantly engage Panama about the outstanding payments owed to millers. Chairman of the GRDB Board, Madanlall Ramraj, said that he is confident that the Board will be able to address the issues faced by the sector. “Rest assured that with the competence and the knowledge of the members of the board, we will work as hard as possible to address these issues and restore confidence in the farmers and all stakeholders,” Ramraj said. The new members of the Board of Directors for GSA include Dr. Dindial Permaul (Chairman), Dr. Mahendra

Persaud, Pandit Rabindranath Persaud, Natasha Beerjit-Deonarine, David Fernands, Pawan Persaud, Mae Thomas, Tasreek Khan, Asraf Narine, Trecia David-Garnath, Dr. Nardeo Basdeo, Dennis Deroop, Carol Webster and Brian Greenidge (ex officio/ CEO). The new members of the Board of Directors for the PTCCB include Dr. Leslie Munroe (Chairman), Dr. Dindial Permaul, Odessa Duncan, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Pooran Seeraj, Dr. Dwight Waldron, Dr. Berysha Saskia Solomon, Narinedat Bhikran, Rajendranath Mooniram, Maxine Bess and Trecia David-Garnath (ex oficio/Registrar). The new members of the Board of Directors for the GRDB include Madanlall Ramraj (Chairman), David Ramdehol, Jaya Manickchand, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Lekha Rambrich, Bopaul Jagroop, Dr. Dindial Permaul, Kian Jabour, Natasha Beerjit-Deonarine, Stewart Gonsalves, Seepaul Narine, Zamal Hussein and Nizam Hassan (ex Officio/GM).

Husband charged with murder of wife TAIJRAM RAHIM, 32, has been charged with murder of his wife, Amrita Rahim, 28, called “Sally” and appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

According to information provided, on November 13, at their Lot 7 Marcy Dam, Rosignol, West Coast Berbice home, Rahim fatally stabbed his wife as she lay on the bed. At approximately 23:45 hrs on the night in question, the couple and their three children returned from a

birthday party when an argument erupted between Rahim and his wife after he accused her of infidelity. Amrita had threatened to leave the house, when Rahim left the bedroom, went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife. It is alleged that he returned to the room and stabbed

his wife in the region of her left chest while she was lying on the bed. The couple’s eldest child, an 11-year-old, ran to relatives for help. Amrita was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem performed on her remains gave the cause of death as perforation of the heart due to stab wound. Rahim, a cane harvester, was remanded to prison and is expected to make his second court appearance on December 29.

Taijram Rahim

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

ExxonMobil discovers ‘heavy oil’ at Tanager-1 well in Kaieteur Block –– detailed evaluation of data will be conducted, says Westmount Energy EXXONMOBIL has discovered “heavy oil” at its over US$100 million Tanager-1 well, which is located in the Kaieteur Block. As defined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), heavy oil is a type of crude oil characterised by an asphaltic, dense, viscous nature (similar to molasses), and its asphaltene (very large molecules incorporating

roughly 90 per cent of the sulfur and metals in the oil) content. Based on information from Westmount Energy, a shareholder in the Kaieteur Block, evaluation of Logging while drilling (LWD), wireline logging and sampling data, confirm 16 metres of net oil pay in high-quality sandstone reservoirs of Maastrichan age. This is the first discovery at the

Kaieteur Block. Preliminary evaluation of the fluid samples from the Maastrichan reservoir shows heavier oil than is reported from the Liza Phase One crude analysis. This discovery, according to Westmount, is currently considered to be non-commercial, as a stand-alone development. But these samples will be the subject of further detailed laboratory

analysis over the coming months. Westmount said the Tanager-1 exploration well is the deepest well drilled in the Guyana-Suriname Basin to date. It was spudded on August 11, 2020, using the Stena Carron drillship, and reached a total depth of 7,633 metres in recent days. “Although high quality reservoirs were also encountered at the deeper Santonian and Turonian intervals, interpretation of the reservoir fluids is reported to be equivocal at this stage and requires further analysis. It is anticipated that the well will now be plugged and abandoned in the coming days.

“The Tanager-1 results confirm the continuance of a cretaceous petroleum system and the Liza play fairway onto the Kaieteur Block, down dip from the prolific discoveries on the neighbouring ExxonMobil operated Stabroek Block,” said Westmount. The company said the Kaieteur Block partners will now conduct a detailed evaluation of the data collected at Tanager-1 with a view of understanding the well result, re-calibrating the seismic model for this part of the basin and high grading the next potential drilling targets on the Kaieteur Block. ExxonMobil is operator at the Kaieteur Block

and holds 35 per cent interest with Cataleya Energy Limited holding 25 per cent, Ratio Guyana Limited 25 per cent, and Hess 15 per cent. Westmount holds approximately 5.4 per cent of the issued share capital of Cataleya Energy Corporation and around 0.7 per cent of the issued share capital of Ratio Petroleum Energy Limited Partnership. The Kaieteur block is adjacent to the Stabroek Block which has delivered 18 substantial oil discoveries since 2015, with reported discovered recoverable resources of over nine billion oil-equivalent barrels to date.

Surge in underground ...

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maiden resource at the Purple Heart area of 338,000oz at 2.4g/t gold. The resource runs from surface to a maximum vertical depth of 150m, and mineralisation remains open along strike, and at depth. Stretching more than 300km square, the Arakaka Gold Project (AGP) is one of two gold projects in Guyana being explored by Alicanto; the other is the Ianna Gold Project, located some 20 km southeast from ongoing exploration operations at the Arakaka. “Arakaka hosts multiple regional scale structures, late basin conglomerates, extensive alteration systems, widespread, high-density veining indicative of gold systems capable of yielding multimil-

lion-ounce bulk tonnage gold resources, as well as high-grade, 2m-thick quartzgold reefs,” Alicanto’s website boasts. At AGP, the company is currently focused on four well defined target areas with near to medium-term resource potential. “The Arakaka Gold Project is a regional scale project, and is host to a number of target areas warranting further exploration activity for shallow, bulk tonnage, open-pit gold targets,” the company says. The AGP permits are 100 per cent held either directly by Alicanto’s wholly-owned Guyanese subsidiary, or subject to various underlying option agreements with Guyanese operators.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Much-needed help for

Mocha Arcadia farmers By Naomi Parris

RESIDENTS and farmers of Mocha Arcadia, on Tuesday, complained about the severe flooding, poor infrastructure and lack of drainage and irrigation services in their communities. These concerns were raised during a community outreach during which Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, was told by farmers that they have been put out of work, since many of the farmlands in the area are in terrible condition, making it almost impossible for them to farm on the lands. Sherryann Deabreu, a farmer and mother of six, told the minister that during the rainy seasons she is unable to provide for her family, since her farm and produce are often destroyed by stagnant flood waters as a result of poor drainage and irrigation in the area. “When rain fall, the farmers are being affected; when is the dry season, it is okay because we plant and we get to reap. But when the rainy season step in, that is where everything goes down the drain for us,” the woman said, adding: “It does be hard that we got to take the money back out of our pockets to buy back seeds, to get the land clean back and go back into agri-

culture again.” The woman, in sharing her daily plight, said: “It has become frustrating when you have produce, done bearing and then water come up on them and they destroy. We cannot reap them to sell them.” Expressing a similar dilemma, Miranda Lorde said, “The drainage is really bad, it reach to a stage where farmers cannot farm no more because every time we getting major loses and it’s causing a distress in the housing community as well too.” Meanwhile, a cattle farmer, who gave his name as “Oswin”, said he too has suffered a loss, since he no longer has access to his farm in the backlands because of the poor infrastructure and the aftermath of severe flooding. “My issue is that I’m not getting pounding of my animals; I have lands for my animals but the land is flood. I cannot access the land because the land is flood; I can only use it when I get a real dry weather.” The farmer added that such has been very costly for him since his animals are left to roam the streets and graze in public pastures. “It is very costly to me. A lot of times I have to be selling my animals or getting to pay the vet to fix them because when they get

Sherryann Deabreu expressing the challenges she is facing to the Agriculture Minister on Tuesday

Cattle Farmer, Oswin (only name given)

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, interacting with farmers of Mocha Arcadia during an outreach exercise (Adrian Narine photos)

into the housing area, they are being hurt by residents,” he said. SUPPORT Meanwhile, in addressing the farmers, Minister Mustapha said, “I want to assure you that we will support you and we will work with you to ensure that we resolve these problems. I will come back here within a period of time to ensure that all the things that we are saying here is completed.” In relation to the complaints of the drainage and irrigation systems in the area, the minister said a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will return to the community to assess the amount of work needed to be done in the community. Additionally, he told farmers that the ministry is currently working to ensure that all agriculture stakeholders, especially farmers, receive the best services to spark more interest in the agriculture sector. “Our focus, our objective is to ensure that we now reignite people’s interest back into agriculture. There is a saying around the country, since we have oil and gas, that those will bring in lots of money, but, that will not be the case, because one day those resources will be exhausted but agriculture is here to stay,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

US company interested in converting Guyana’s plastic waste to fuel –– thousands of jobs expected

GREEN Link Renewable Energy, a United States-based company, has expressed an interest in converting Guyana’s plastic waste into fuel, and will soon submit a formal proposal. Company officials pitched this idea during a meeting with Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill on Monday. Minister Edghill said he was pleased to

hear that not only will plastics be less of a pollutant through this initiative, but it will also provide thousands of jobs to locals. This initiative will also help the country advance towards a renewable energy state, he added. Minister Edghill advised officials to engage the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), the Ministry of Local Gov-

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill (centre) and members of the visiting team. From left are: Messrs. Bruce Gold, Derek Castaneda, Robert Castaneda, Jason Baboolal and Joshua Somwaru

ernment, and the Director of Solid Waste Management. The team, which comprises Messrs. Derek Castaneda, Joshua Somwaru, Bruce Gold, Robert Castaneda and Jason Baboolal, is expected to meet with local authorities during the week, and draft and submit an official business proposal for consideration. BACKGROUND Green Link Renewable Energy was created in 2014 as a renewable energy development and finance firm. It focuses on waste-to-energy, plastic-to-fuel opportunities, and securing capital for projects. The firm’s founders worked together on a number of renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and regional transmission engagements in Latin America prior to forming Green Link. The firm, which is based in the Southeastern United States, is dedicated to the search for more effective, yet proven and bankable zero-waste solutions, technologies, and partners. They have partnered with Renewlogy, a global leader in plastic-to-fuel technology, to turn streams of waste plastic into valuable fuel resources. The company’s knowledge, experience, and commitment to benefiting the planet has driven it to grow its team, which now

includes representatives in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Israel. A 2016 CNN article, titled “Millions of tons of plastic garbage pollute our world. What if we could turn them into fuel instead?” explored the plastic-to-fuel idea. It was articulated that the idea was posited by a team of scientists from the University of California, at Irvine (UCI), and the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC) in China. The technique involves breaking down the plastic to a molecular level to turn it into a readily usable fuel similar to diesel. The source material is the most common type of plastic, polyethylene, which is predicted to reach a global annual demand of nearly 100 million metric tons by 2018. Polyethylene is used to produce various types of packaging, from bags to bottles, but it doesn’t degrade easily, and can linger in the environment for even hundreds of years. Along with other types of plastics, it pollutes waterways and oceans (one large cluster is known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch) and often gets eaten by birds and marine life. An easy system to turn used plastic into fuel could help relieve the burden on the environment of a material that loses 95% of its value after one use cycle.

‘Jinga Harry’ on bail as shooting investigations continue CONTROVERSIAL and notorious businessman, Harrielall Motilall, known as “Jinga Harry”, who surrendered at the Mahaica Police Station on Saturday, after opening fire on law enforcement officers last Friday, was placed on station bail as investigations continue into the incident. The businessman reportedly forced law enforcement officers to seek cover after he and others opened fire on them when they attempted to respond to illicit activities at his bond at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD). A number of vehicles and other items, suspected to have been smuggled into Guyana, have been seized by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers. According to a source close to the investigation, several enforcement officers from the GRA were responding to information of illicit activities at the bond when they came under heavy gunfire.

AK-47 and M70 rifles, at the scene. The 60-year-old businessman had appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court in September last, for a firearm-related charge. Motilall, of Lot 11-12 Helena#1, Mahaica, ECD, was charged by police for possession of components of a firearm without being the holder of an appropriate licence, contrary to Section 16(2) (a) of the Firearms Harrielall Motilall, Act, Chapter 16:05. known as “Jinga Harry” In 2016, Motilall was The GRA officers then sentenced in absentia to four requested police backup years In prison for dischargbut the onslaught continued ing a loaded firearm at GRA when the police arrived and officers. On July 16, 2014, Motiso the ranks retreated after they were ill-equipped to lall, while in the company of others, at Airy Hall, respond. However, a suspect was Mahaicony, discharged later apprehended and GRA a loaded firearm at Fabiseized a number of items but an Stuart, Jason Moore, the main suspect, Motilall, Khemraj Murli and Garmanaged to escape until he field Scott, with intent to decided to surrender. The maim, disfigure, disable police also found 7.62 spent or cause grievous bodily shells, which are used in harm.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

First security agencies’ ‘confab’ focuses on improving performance

WITH the primary focus on improving performance, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, recently held the first inter-agency meeting with Joint Service heads, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), law enforcement officers and

stakeholders. The meeting was held at the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown. In attendance was Adviser to the Minister on Security, Harry Gill, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mae Toussaint

Jr. Thomas. Issues discussed at the event included procedures, corruption, inter-agency sharing of information, revision of past performances, planning and executing projects and maximising results. Permanent Secretary

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn (third from right), flanked by Adviser, Harry Gill and Permanent Secretary, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, along with law enforcement heads

Mining pit caves in on pork knocker A 26-year-old pork knocker lost his life on Sunday, following a mining pit accident which occurred at Arena Backdam, Region One. The victim has been identified as Erroll Ramitt called “Tushi” of Port Kaituma, North West District. Police said that, at around 14:30hrs, Ramitt was in the mining pit operating a marrock engine when a piece of land fell

and covered him. Immediately following the incident, the man’s colleagues began digging in a bid to rescue him. It took about 30 minutes for them to locate him and by that time he was motionless. His body was transported to the Port Kaituma Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Thomas said the purpose of the monthly meeting is to understand the performance level of the various agencies as well as what plans have been developed and are currently being developed for the year 2021 and beyond. “After just 100 days

in office, the current administration has already accomplished a number of significant promises of which several agencies have played, and, are playing, a pivotal role,” she said. The Permanent Secretary is looking forward to working with all of

the agencies with the aim of improving services to citizens. Homes Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and Adviser Harry Gill questioned the Joint Service heads on their presentations while offering insights and recommendations on many issues.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Guyana, Costa Rica discuss bilateral relations, regional integration

FOREIGN AFFAIRS and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, on Tuesday, met with Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Costa Rica, Rodolfo Solano Quirós, on a number of areas of mutual interest as well as enhancement of bilateral relations and regional integration. Further, the foreign ministers were joined by Guyana’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN),

Rodrigues-Birkett. Minister Solano extended congratulations to Guyana for its leadership of the Group of 77 and China, noting that the initiatives undertaken during Guyana’s chairmanship have helped to energise the objective of the Group. Further, the Foreign Minister underscored the need for enhanced regional integration and the deepening of ties between Central America and the Caribbean

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, in an online discussion with Foreign Affairs Minister of Costa Rica, Rodolfo Solano Quirós and Guyana’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN), Rod-rigues-Birkett Community (CARICOM). On his part, Minister Todd reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to regional integration and regionalism. “We believe in cooperation; we believe in inter-governmentalism,” the Foreign Minister stated. Minister Todd stressed the importance of South-South cooperation and noted that the two countri-es have a good opportunity to explore collaborative initiatives to strengthen relations and bring the people of Guyana and Costa Rica closer together. He also discussed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Costa Rica’s

presidency pro tempore of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and climate change, among other matters. Guyana and Costa Rica established diplomatic relations on April 17, 1974. The two countries often collaborate at the multilateral level through organisations such as the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Latin America and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), and the United Nations (UN).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Mining sector expanded 343 per cent WHILE the agriculture sector contracted by 4.1 per cent in the first half of 2020, the mining industry, expanded by 343.7 per cent in the first semester, after oil production began in December 2019, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has reported. The agriculture sector, the largest productive sector of the economy, represents 17.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while mining, the second largest sector, 14.9 per cent. The bank in a report titled, “A Pandemic Surge and Evolving Policy Responses”, a quarterly bulletin series put together by the economics team of its Caribbean Department, also noted that gold production, representing almost 10 per cent of GDP, grew by 2.1 per cent in the first half of the year, bolstered by historically high prices of gold. Though generally the agriculture sector suffered a decline, rice production, the bank noted, is expected to expand by around three per cent in 2020, which would contribute to mitigating the contraction in agriculture. “The services sector, which makes up 45 per cent of the economy, is potentially the most exposed sector to social distancing policies. This sector declined by 3.8 per cent the first half of the year, with wholesale and retail trade falling by 14.7 per cent, transportation and storage by 25 per cent, and accommodations and food services by 32.9 per cent,” the IDB report stated. The construction sector, which had been growing at relatively high rates prior to the pandemic, fell by 5.6 per cent. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana on March 11, 2020, the Government has been in transition, with new authorities taking office in August. Initially in March, the Government’s policy response focused on containing the spread of the virus by introducing restrictive measures that included closing schools, non-essential businesses, and both inter-

national airports, and by supporting the health sector with equipment and hospital facilities, tax relief, and distributed food supplies, the report noted. More recently, the authorities introduced additional tax policy measures and extended flexibility in the financial sector, support to the health sector, and relief to vulnerable households. SUPPORT MEASURES With respect to the fiscal response, the new Government, the bank noted, introduced a series of tax measures to provide relief and support to the private sector. The main policy developments included the removal of the 14 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on electricity and water, medical supplies, building and construction materials, inputs for the poultry sector, domestic travel, and mobile phones. In addition, both the VAT and import duties were removed for machinery and equipment in sectors such as mining, forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing. Authorities estimate these measures will generate savings of approximately US$96 million (G$20 billion) for the private sector. Additionally, the Government announced the allocation of US$21.6 million (G$.5 billion) to support household welfare with cash transfers of US$120 (G$25,000) per household. The Government also announced plans to obtain US$60 million in loans from multilateral organisations that would potentially be used to fund these programmes. In terms of the financial sector, the Bank of Guyana has extended the relief period and introduced measures to support liquidity and lower financial costs. The Bank of Guyana had originally encouraged commercial banks to defer loan repayments to customers and companies in good standing and adjust corresponding account classifications to cush-

ion non-performing loans through the end of the year, the IDB report stated. To support liquidity, it noted that the central bank reduced a series of policy rates such as reserve requirements, liquid asset requirements for demand deposits, and savings and time deposits. Commercial banks agreed to provide shortterm loans at concessional rates between five and six per cent, lower than the prime lending rate of 10.3 per cent. AGGRESSIVE FISCAL ACTIONS In the face of rising COVID-19 cases, Caribbean economies will need more aggressive fiscal actions to protect their productive assets and invest in ways that ensure more sustainable growth in the future, according to a new report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). According to the report, while fiscal space is a constraint, as a nascent economic recovery emerges additional resources should be channeled to high-productivity infrastructure products to further stimulate growth, the study notes. The report comes at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising worldwide and in most Caribbean countries, negatively impacting the tourism industry just as it enters its peak season. “First and foremost, countries need to stop the coronavirus from spreading,” said David Rosenblatt, regional country economist for the Caribbean at the IDB, noting that the number of virus cases was rising everywhere with the exception of Barbados. “Countries will need to use sophisticated tools that look at closure or reopening of their economies with decisions based on susceptible, infected and recovered models, both at source and destination countries.” Looking ahead, the bank said Caribbean economies face a challenging peak tourist season with double digit contractions, plus commod-

ity shocks on non-tourist economies of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, though Suriname and Guyana will see a boost from high prices for gold. Early tourism booking data suggest sharp declines for Jamaica, The Bahamas and Barbados.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Teen pleads not guilty to murdering Mahaicony businesswoman AN18-year-old youngster on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the gruesome murder of Mahaicony businesswoman Bibi Nesha Shairoon, called ‘Shakeela’, who was bludgeoned to death during a robbery at her home in 2016. His trial is expected to commence today, following his appearance on Tuesday before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court where a 12-member jury was empanelled. According to the murder indictment, the teen, on October 17, 2016, at Lot 4, Novar, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), allegedly killed Shairoon. He is being tried as a juvenile, since he was 16 when he was charged for the capital offence. Attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva is representing the accused, while Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy is on record for the State. Last year, Devanand Rampersaud, called ‘Juju’, a 27-year-old former fisherman of Berbice, was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years. He has opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Shairoon’s bound body was discovered in her home on October 17, 2016, by a worried relative who had not seen her in two days. The woman, who lived alone, had operated a grocery store that also sold garden chemicals, cell-phone cards and cell-phones in the lower flat of her home.

Bibi Nesha Shairoon, called ‘Shakeela’ She was found with her feet and hands tied, and with what appeared to be marks of violence about her body, primarily her head. The intruders had gained access to the house by ripping out a few boards of the wall on the lower flat, and after ransacking the place, carted off a number of valuables, including money and phone cards. The teenager became a suspect after residents revealed that he used to help the woman in the shop, and had had an argument with her. Rampersaud had confessed to beating the woman in the head with a frying pan, but accused the teen of being the mastermind of the murder and robbery.

Kitty man accused of murder remanded A MAN, who allegedly bludgeoned a security guard to death before robbing him, on Tuesday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Faith McGusty. Shawn Small of D’Andrade Street, Kitty, was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder. The charge alleged that he, on November 11, at New Market Street, Georgetown, murdered Bharrat Dass in the course or furtherance of a robbery. Prosecutor Inniss informed the court

that, on the day in question, Small, along with other persons was drinking at the Dass’ workplace. All of Dass’ drinking partners later left. Small, it is alleged, subsequently returned and inflicted several[zf1] blows to Dass’ head before escaping with his cellular phone and money. The matter was reported to the police and an investigation was conducted. The accused was arrested and charged for the offence. The matter was adjourned to December 8, 2020.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

41 persons at St. Cuthbert’s Mission recover from COVID-19

FORTY-ONE residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, who tested positive for COVID-19, can now return to their usual activities after being given the all-clear

by doctors. On Monday, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, said although the community had recorded 239 positive cases, people were only ex-

Herstelling murder accused pleads guilty to manslaughter –– sentenced to time served

FOUR years after Abdool Ameer Subrati was fatally shot during a robbery at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, murder accused, Devon Chacon, on Tuesday, confessed to the crime, during a High Court appearance. Justice Navindra Singh, after recording Chacon’s guilty plea to the lesser count of manslaughter, sentenced him to time served. Chacon admitted that, on October 20, 2016, at Herstelling, he unlawfully killed the 43-year-old man. The State was represented by prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, while Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels and Sophia Devon Chacon Findlay were on record for Chacon. Prosecutor Hardy pleaded with the court to consider the nature and gravity of the charge in its sentencing. Daniels, on the other hand, requested that the court consider the time his client had spent on remand awaitAbdool Ameer Subrati ing trial. In the end, the judge sentenced Chacon to time served, after considering his guilty plea and the time he had spent on remand. The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Subrati’s brother, wife and daughter arrived in Guyana days before the robbery, and had planned a family reunion at the Herstelling property. About 01:30hrs on the day in question, shortly after guests left, five bandits, two of whom were armed, pounced on the family. The gunmen, hiding in a bathroom in the back yard, escaped on foot with the visitors’ passports, money, jewellery and other personal items. Subrati reportedly resisted the bandits and was shot to the neck. The bullet ricocheted to his spine and punctured his lung in the process. Chacon is the brother-in-law of tenants who were renting the lower flat of the two-storey house where the robbery occurred. Hours after the murder Chacon was arrested and confessed to the crime.

periencing mild symptoms of the disease. “A little bit of good news with St. Cuthbert’s Mission is that while we have been monitoring our patients, we were able to discharge… about 41 persons, who have had the disease, met the criteria. They were asymptomatic

for the past 10 days, and now we have discharged [them]. So, the numbers would go down slightly, but we’ll still have a number of cases as we continue to test,” Dr. Anthony said. The minister reiterated that adequate medical staffers are in the community and

monitoring is ongoing. “We have been able to give them all the meds that they will need and the kits that they need. So, they have all the things that are necessary in terms of responding to COVID.” Further, household assessments and sanitisation

exercises are continuing to curb the transmission of the disease. Dr. Anthony said his ministry is also collaborating with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Civil Defence Commission to obtain hampers for residents. (DPI)

Region Nine students test negative for COVID-19

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

EDUCATION MINISTER, Priya Manickchand, has announced that the COVID-19 test results from the Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo region have returned negative. In a Facebook post, the education minister said the results were confirmed by the Regional Health Officer. “Just got the very good news from the RHO that the results for all swabs for Region Nine are in and they are ALL negative,” she posted. Rapid tests conducted on students previously showed

some positive results. Regional health officials later retested those persons and their results returned negative. Over the weekend, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, visited the region and interacted with students at St Ignatius Secondary School. He assured them that the Government remains committed to ensuring equal access to educational opportunities and that their safety remains a top priority.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Minister Manickchand also disclosed that, as of last night, several persons in Bartica had tested positive for COVID-19 and were placed in isolation. “Also learnt last evening that some five teachers, two ancillary staff and six students have thus far tested positive at Bartica (two schools). Each positive person is in isolation,” she said. Meanwhile, the ministry continues to take all necessary precautions to ensure students and teachers are as safe as possible. (DPI)

Finding ‘honest interlocutor’ in Coalition an uphill task –– VP Jagdeo GOVERNMENT and the opposition APNU+AFC Coalition have not met since the change of administration on August 2, largely because the ruling administration is finding it difficult to locate an “honest interlocutor” in the political opposition, said Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. The Vice-President is adamant that Guyana needs to settle on one agenda for the future. However, the government is challenged to identify a single Opposition official who can speak on behalf of that team. “We still have to, notwithstanding the fact that all efforts made have failed, we still have to reach out to have that done. The problem now is that we do not have Vice-President, an honest interlocutor Bharrat Jagdeo on the other side,” Dr Jagdeo to national broadcaster, NCN. To have an “honest interlocutor”, the Vice-President said, there must be somebody across the table who will agree to go through “bumpy times with you”, but would still give a commitment and keep that promise. “So, the question remains. Who do we speak with on the other side? At this point in time, I cannot see a single individual who can stand up and say I speak for the collective and we are going to make some commitments here about working together and that person has the ability to defend, and have the party defend those commitments,” he said. Dr. Jagdeo said the government has a progressive agenda and interested parties must subscribe to the overarching economic plan. The political Opposition has been battling internal turmoil since losing power even as it continues to defend a series of alleged illegalities under its tenure. The VP said many people who were not part of the coalition parties’ structure were handpicked for the 12th Parliament, leaving the more seasoned people behind. Further, the Opposition Leader continues to deny the legitimacy of the PPP/C Government. Dr Jagdeo said the government is finding it difficult since dialogue is something promised in its manifesto. “Even now it is very important to us, talking about the future, but you have to have people to talk with, who are not more concerned about defending illegalities,” he explained. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has said that there could be no talks unless the Coalition leadership recognised his government as legitimate.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Storage for COVID-19 vaccine being examined

GUYANA is looking to augment storage facilities for its quota of COVID-19 vaccines, as a second experimental vaccine has yielded promising results. Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, explained that Guyana will first access three per cent of a COVID-19 vaccine, followed by 20 per cent later, through the COVAX facility. US drug company, Moderna, on Monday, announced that an experimental vaccine against COVID-19, the mRNA1273, from Biotech, has shown that it is nearly 94.5 per cent effective. This vaccine can be stored in a standard refrigerator with temperatures of 2 degrees to 8 degrees Celsius (36 degrees to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 days. “The other interesting thing with the Moderna vaccine is that they are saying that if you store at minus 20, you can keep those vaccines for as long as six months, and if you have the fridge and freezers that we normally use

at home, then we will be able to store the vaccine in those conditions for 30 days, which is in keeping with our existing cold chain that we have [in Guyana],” Dr. Anthony said in his Monday COVID-19 update. Moderna’s announcement followed closely on the heels of an announcement by Pfizer that its vaccine has shown 90 per cent protection against the virus. However, the Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at very cold temperatures of minus 70 to 80 degrees. “The challenge would have been, and still is, you would need refrigerators to store these vaccines at minus 80 [degrees] and that’s going to pose a challenge because in our cold chain network in Guyana, we don’t have such refrigerators. So, if we are getting those types of vaccines, it would mean that we have to buy these refrigerators and put that type of infrastructure in place.” Dr. Anthony said the Government is prepared

to do what is necessary should the Pfizer vaccine become available. “We will have to review and I’m sure we will be able to. If it’s necessary, we will be able to buy

those refrigerators.” The minister said the Government was optimistic about the Moderna vaccine; however, it will rely on the COVAX arrangement to secure Guyana’s

allocation. In the meantime, it will take the necessary steps to ensure proper storage is in place when the vaccines become available.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

CIOG, AMCHAM reach out to less fortunate THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), in collaboration with AMCHAN, handed out thanks-giving hampers (food supplies and hygienic items) to some of the less fortunate brothers and sisters at its Thomas Lands, Georgetown headquarters, on

Tuesday. Also, the CIOG handed over a plaque of appreciation to the US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, for her extraordinary service, dedication, commitment and contribution towards upholding the democratic process in Guyana.

US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, receives a plaque of appreciation for her extraordinary service, commitment and contribution towards preserving democracy in Guyana

US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, participating in the kind gesture

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

RCEP agreement victory for multilateralism, free trade (Xinhua) -- The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s biggest trade pact, by 15 Asia-Pacific countries, on Sunday, represents a victory for multilateralism over unilateralism and free trade over protectionism. After eight years of negotiations, the crucial and timely signing shines rays of hope through the dark clouds of global trade uncertainty and proves to the world that openness and cooperation are a sure path toward common prosperity. Covering a region with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 26.2 trillion U.S. dollars, or about 30 percent of global GDP, the RCEP agreement is an unprecedented, modern, comprehensive, high-quality and reciprocal mega-regional trading arrangement that accommodates the broadest possible interests, conditions and priorities of

different countries. The signing marks a new milestone in regional economic integration in East Asia. The RCEP agreement was signed against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has plunged the world economy into a serious recession with contracted global trade and investment. The signing shows that in the face of challenges, countries should choose solidarity and cooperation over conflict and confrontation, and look out for each other in the spirit of partnership rather than follow a beggar-thy-neighbour approach or sit by and do nothing. As the largest economy among the RCEP members, China has been supporting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to play a leading role in the negotiation process of the RCEP. China will continue to support the centrality of ASEAN and advance the follow-up imple-

mentation of the RCEP so that the agreement will help build the region’s resilience through an inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic economic recovery process and contribute

about one-third of the country’s total foreign trade, and the actual investment from RCEP members accounts for more than 10 per cent of China’s total foreign investment.

and promoting a new round of opening up. The RCEP is the 19th free trade agreement China has signed, bringing the country’s free trade partners to 26.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and leaders of other countries attend the signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement after the fourth RCEP Summit, which was held via video link, Nov. 15, 2020

to the recovery and growth of the world economy. China’s total trade with RCEP members accounts for

Signing the RCEP agreement has once again demonstrated China’s resolve in implementing its free trade zone strategy

As China is making every endeavor to facilitate its new “dual circulation” development pattern, the agreement will

promote the greater participation of the country’s various industries in market competition and enhance the nation’s capability to mobilize resources in both international and domestic markets. It will also grant high-quality products from RCEP members easier access to the super large Chinese market with 1.4 billion people. The signing of the RCEP is not an end, but a beginning. Parties involved should complete their domestic approval procedures as soon as possible so as to allow the trade pact to take effect and benefit enterprises and individuals alike at an early date. The RCEP also remains open to India, which had been due to sign but pulled out last year. Although the road ahead promises to be bumpy, the RCEP has further unified the region in the pursuit of common economic growth. China will work with all parties to ensure the pact comes into effect soon.

Self-developed technologies, equipment contribute to China’s major infrastructure projects

(People’s Daily) -- China’s infrastructure saw rapid development in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period, during which a large number of self-developed technologies and equipment contributed to faster infrastructure construction. By the end of this year, the country’s high-speed rail mileage and highway network are expected to reach 38,000 km and 155,000 km respectively, and the number of civilian transport airports are expected to hit 242. Recently, the world’s first 1,000-tonne bridge girder erection machine was put into use in southeast China’s Fujian province, erecting box girders on the construction site of the Meizhou Bay crosssea bridge of the Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railway. The Kunlun is capable of erecting a 1,000-tonne box girder with a maximum span of 40 meters.

According to Zhang Zhihua, a leader of the project undertaken by China Railway 25th Bureau Group Co.,

the pier. The BDS outperforms GPS in terms of signal strength and measurement

China’s home-made and independently operated BDS reached a new level during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

The Kunlun, a 1,000-tonne bridge girder erection machine (Photo/ Chinanews.com)

Ltd., the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) was applied during the project to ensure the accurate positioning of the rotating body and

accuracy, better guaranteeing the project’s safety, said Liu Chengqi, chief engineer of the project. As a major innovation,

Since November 2017, China has successfully launched 30 satellites, making it the third country in the world to independently own a global

navigation satellite system. The application of BDS has provided a more efficient means of constructing transportation infrastructure in the country, the chief engineer noted. On Oct. 30, China’s first tunnel across the Yellow River was drilled by a gigantic Chinese-made shield tunneling machine in Jinan, capital of Shandong province. With a total length of 4.76 km, the tunnel contains two levels of highway and rail transit. As the country’s widest shield tunnel for both rail and road transport, it serves as a shield tunnel beneath a “hanging river,” as the riverbed of this section of the Yellow River sits above downtown Jinan. In recent years, China has made remarkable progress in independently manufacturing shield tunneling machines, thanks to efforts of leading manufacturers such as China Railway Engineering Equip-

ment Group Co. Ltd. and China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited (CRCHI). According to statistics, the country produces about 500 sets of shield tunneling machines each year, with an annual output value of about 30 billion yuan (about $4.3 billion) and a net profit of about 5 billion yuan, given an average unit price of 60 million yuan. By 2035, the total length of China’s railway tracks will reach about 200,000 km, including 70,000 km of highspeed railway, according to a recent outline on China’s railway development in the new era, said CRCHI chairman, Liu Feixiang. CRCHI will continue to develop new shield-tunneling machines to enable China to move from being a big manufacturer of shield-tunneling machines to a major innovator, Liu added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

URBAN PARKS: Protecting nature and promoting healthy lifestyles

GUYANA’S Urban Parks are among the few places within the city that provide large recreational spaces and opportunities to interact with nature for Guyanese and visitors. People find solace in green spaces, and enjoy doing many different activities

in the areas such as various types of recreational activities, health, wellness, exercise and fitness activities, various sports. These spaces even provide educational benefits. Guyana’s most prominent green spaces -- the Botanical Gardens and the Zoological Park,

the National Park and the Joe Vieira Park -- are urban parks that are part of the National Protected Areas System area managed by the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) which oversees the National Parks Commission (NPC). For many people, these parks serve as a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day urban activities – a convenient escape because distant, lengthy and expensive travel is not required to enjoy their beauty and convenience. Urban Parks also enhance the physical appearance of urban communities, offering an aesthetically pleasing landscape that interrupts the monotony of the typical urban environment. Research has shown that green spaces especially with lots of trees and vegetation can filter air, and despite the

fact that Guyana does not have major air pollution issues compared to elsewhere in the world, the PAC takes comfort in believing that our parks contribute to the maintenance of good air quality in the environment. This, in turn, promotes and supports better respiratory health for the nation’s people. It is also worth mentioning that the Urban Parks managed by the PAC, in addition to their flora, also provides roosting, nesting and feeding habitats for many species of birds as well as reptiles such as small caiman, and mammals such as monkeys and manatees. Today we will focus on two of our urban parks. THE BOTANICAL GARDENS The Botanical Gardens is a 35-hectare green space established in 1879.

It offers a unique look back at Guyana’s history and culture through its monuments and iconic colonial structures which blend with the picturesque trees and flowers to create a well-balanced space for recreation and solitude. The Botanical Gardens also boasts one of the largest collections of species of palms in the city, in addition to its unique landscape at the western section of the Gardens, where the flora replicates various ecosystems of Guyana, such as grassy savannas and swampy forests. This area is home to over 200 species of birds, along with small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. It is one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the city of Georgetown, and is popular among bird enthusiasts. The Botanical Gardens also carries an intricate pond system that connects through the entire expanse of the land area. This pond system is home to West Indian manatees and small caimans, and extends all the way through the Zoo, which is comprised of 2 hectares of the Botanical Gardens. ZOOLOGICAL PARK AND REHABILITATION CENTRE The Guyana Zoo was opened in 1952, and its two (2) hectares makes it the smallest member of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS). It serves as a learning and recreation centre for visiting patrons, with up to 10,000 visitors coming to view the animals every month. The Zoo operates as a wildlife education and rehabilitation centre, and provides a safe haven for many rescued, endangered, injured, abandoned, and unwanted wild animals.

The first inhabitant of the Zoo was a Harpy Eagle gifted in 1946. It was this gift that originally prompted the construction of the Zoo on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens. Since then, the Zoo has housed some of Guyana’s “Giants”, and remains home to a Giant River Otter, a Harpy Eagle, a Black Caiman, a Jabiru Stork, Jaguars and Giant River Turtles. The Harpy Eagle, the Jabiru Stork and the Spider Monkeys are the oldest residents of the Zoo, having lived there for over 25 years. These animals are cared for by trained and experienced zookeepers, and a team of technical staff who ensure they are healthy, adequately housed, and given a balanced diet. The original vision of the Zoo is one for recreation, education, research and conservation. It continues to work towards this vision, and to increase environmental education and awareness among Guyanese. The Protected Areas Commission has developed a master plan for the modernisation of these facilities, which will need financing. It would see the enclosures being reconstructed to replicate natural habitats to improve the overall quality of life for the animals living here. The Commission encourages persons to make full use of our urban parks, and help to take care of them. In the interest of the welfare of our wildlife, we also encourage persons to avoid removing wildlife from their natural habitats, and to not keep them as pets. Despite being currently closed due to COVID-19, we take pride in knowing that these green spaces add to an improved quality of life, and they are a part of Guyana’s national patrimony.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

PAHO responds to Tropical Storm Eta –– prepares for Hurricane Iota, supports countries in emergency response in Central America THE Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is responding to the passage of Tropical Storm, Eta, and getting ready for Hurricane Iota in Central America, supporting the countries’ health response and operation of Mobile and Fixed Emergency Medical Teams, to ensure that people in affected areas receive medical care and disease-prevention assistance. PAHO’s country offices are working under Special Emergency Procedures and have been responding since the ETA storm was formed and alerts went out that it, along with the new storm named Iota, would affect Central America. Iota has become a Category 5 hurricane and is forecast to bring catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge, and torrential rainfall to Central America, according to the US National Hurricane Center. “We are supporting the response, particularly in Honduras and Guatemala, supporting the countries in implementing risk prevention and care measures for the current circumstances,” said Dr. Leonardo Hernandez of PAHO’s Emergency Operations Center. “Today, our focus is to avoid additional risks from the impact of Eta and protect the population, health workers, and health facilities, as well as equipment and supplies. We are performing damage and needs assessments, providing technical cooperation, and finalizing proposals to donors to mobilize resources because the effects on health care services have been considerable. Many residents have been evacuated to shelters and it’s important to maintain and enhance public health measures related to Covid-19,” he added. In addition, three experts were deployed to Honduras to support PAHO’s office to cover emergency coordination management, emergency medical teams coordination, and emergency information and project management. Urgently needed supplies and medicines have been sent to affected countries from PAHO’s Humanitarian Warehouse in Panama, PAHO’s Emergency Operations Center detailed. Two COVID-19 kits with more than 30,000 supplies of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, N95 respirators, gowns, goggles), enough to care for 10 intensive care patients during 30 days of hospital stay, were sent to Honduras, along with 5,000 litre water tanks, mosquito nets, 300 “dignity” kits with hygiene, protection and personal safety supplies, as well as water and sanitation supplies. In Honduras, Dr. Dinora Nolasco, head of the Cortez Health Region, reported that health units are completely damaged, and that more than 64 health workers were affected by the rains. “We do not yet have the count of damage to health facilities because the water level has not dropped, when that happens, we will know how our health network is.” For Nicaragua, PAHO also sent two COVID-19 kits of personal protective equipment-- gowns, gloves, surgical masks, respirators, goggles, and “face shields-- plus 138 emergency backpacks and 5,280 soaps. PAHO also allocated supplies to Guatemala, including 100 emergency backpacks and 400 “dignity” kits for migrants. PAHO’s Emergency and Disaster Management adviser for Central America, Dr. Alejandro Santander, said that “the presence of the PAHO/WHO team in the area aims to enhance the mechanisms that will be used both to capture the information that is occurring after the passage of the natural phenomenon and, for adequate decision-making in health care during and after wind damage and flooding. It is imperative now to work with the affected populations, with decision-makers, and with the media.” In emergencies, PAHO works with countries to strengthen the health sector’s capacities for prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response and early recovery from emergencies and disasters related to any type of threat, whether natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological or other.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

U.S. Senate passes bill to criminalise doping at international sporting events

THE United States Senate has passed a bill that will allow U.S. officials to prosecute anyone involved in doping at international sporting events. The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, named after Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, is set to be signed into law by President Donald Trump. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief Travis Tygart said it was “monumental” in the “fight for clean sport”. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is concerned about the bill. The legislation, which passed the Senate unopposed on Monday, after previously passing the House of Representatives unanimously, allows the U.S. to seek prosecution for doping conspirators at competitions involving American athletes, sponsors or broadcasters. It targets coaches, agents, managers and officials rather than athletes, who are already covered by WADA sanctions. The potential penalties include fines of up to $1M (£756 000) or prison sentences of up to 10 years. “The Act will provide the tools needed to protect clean athletes and hold accountable international doping conspiracies that defraud sport, spon-

sors and that harm athletes,” said Tygart. “It is a monumental day in the fight for clean sport worldwide and we look forward to seeing the Act soon become law and help change the game for clean athletes for the good.”

USADA chief Travis Tygart

WADA said that despite “positive elements” of the bill, it is concerned the legislation will “disrupt the global legal anti-doping framework”. “It is likely to lead to overlapping laws in different jurisdictions that will compromise having a single set of anti-doping rules for all sports and all anti-doping organisations under the WADA code,” it added. WADA president Witold Banka also questioned why the law excludes U.S. professional and college athletes, when they

were included in the original draft. He said: “If it is not good enough for American sports, why is it being imposed on the rest of the world?” WADA also said it was concerned the bill could deter whistleblowers from coming forward if there was a risk of prosecution, but Tygart said the law would “protect whistleblowers from retaliation”. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia opposed any U.S. legislation, including the Rodchenkov Act, which sought to extend U.S. jurisdiction beyond its borders. Rodchenkov, the former head of Moscow’s anti-doping laboratory, fled Russia in late 2015 with detailed evidence of the state-sponsored doping regime he masterminded, which led to Russia’s ban from the 2018 Winter Olympics. He is living under a witness protection programme in the U.S. Rodchenkov’s lawyer said the bill was “the dawn of a new day for clean American and global athletes”. He added: “Very soon, U.S. authorities will be able to prosecute those involved in systematic doping fraud. This will be an immediate worldwide deterrent. (BBC Sport)

Mahrez scores as Algeria qualify for Africa Cup of Nations (AFP)-Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez scored as title-holders Algeria drew 2-2 in Zimbabwe Monday and became the third country to book a place at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon qualify automatically as hosts and Senegal secured a spot Sunday by winning in Guinea-Bissau thanks to a Sadio Mane goal. Andy Delort and captain Mahrez gave the Desert Foxes a two-goal advantage in Harare that was halved just before half-time when Knowledge Musona netted. Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi took off Delort and Mahrez as he made five second-half substitutions within 12 minutes, but the bold move backfired when Prince Dube equalised eight minutes from time. Drawing ended the perfect three-win record Algeria took into a match played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus, but it

guaranteed them a top-two finish in a section including Zambia and Botswana.

Faso drew 0-0 in Malawi to miss out on chances to qualify from Group A.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

FROM BACK PAGE

CWI president reveals ... sports activities being used as rewards and platforms for learning”. He also identified “CWI – in partnership with private sponsors – delivering regional age-group tournaments commercially branded, as the future stars and rising stars of West Indies cricket, with mentoring inputs from past players and a busy overseas tours programme for emerging players, being exposed to international environments and good competition in advance of selection to the senior team as important outcomes. Skerritt said “closer monitoring and improved collaboration with the regional franchise system to ensure adherence to minimum standards for coaching and for player fitness and health; and territorial boards committed to improving communication, teamwork and regional cooperation, minimising insularity and focussed less on cricket politics and more on local grassroots development and growth of the sport” was also vital to success. The CWI president said another important outcome

will be “a player remuneration and contractual system that rewards outstanding performance, recognises future potential and frowns on mediocrity”, noting that “player welfare must also be at the foundation of such a remuneration system”. Skerritt said a modern research and science-based high-performance programme, delivered through a network headquartered at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua, and operated in partnership with regional higher learning institutions, focussed on preparing and up-skilling individual players and coaches, and preparing representative teams for winning performances” was another intended outcome. He said he also wanted to see in the future “head coaches commencing strategic planning, team-building and technical preparation for competing in ICC Cricket World Cup events, a minimum of 18 months ahead of the actual event”. Skerritt said a target of “achieving at least 60 percent of winning results in all three

formats, w i t h I C C rankings never lower than the top five, and with several elite male and female West Indian players ranked within the top 20 players in the world” was also a desired outcome. He said “CWI, and its subsidiary CCG, to be transformed into a sustainably financed and efficiently led and operated corporation, employing the best available professionals, adhering to global standards of governance at all levels of operations, and engaging productively with all shareholders and stakeholders” was another outcome. Skerritt pointed out that it was important that “cricket fans of all ages being engaged and re-energised to love West Indies cricket, with the establishment of a highly motivated and organised supporters club” and “an efficient, creative and modern public communications system, producing and delivering relevant and interesting stories of past, present, rising, and emerging West Indies cricketers and team performances” were two critical outcomes.

Bennett, Fung among big names competing at ‘Resilience’ bodybuilding competition

… Over $1M in cash up for grabs REIGNING Mr Guyana Marlon ‘Bolo’ Bennett and National Bikini champion Rosanna Fung are among some of the big names registered to compete in next month’s Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF)/Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport ‘Resilience’ competition. The event is set to be spectator-free since organisers are looking to follow COVID-19 regulations. Bennett and Fung, who both won their titles at the 2019 Senior Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, will be joined by former five-time Mr Guyana Kerwin Clarke, who has agreed to be the guest poser at the event. According to information from the federation, over $1M

in cash is up for grabs. Each of the four categories: Bodybuilding Lightweight (all athletes at 165 pounds and lower), Bodybuilding Heavyweight (all athletes at 166 pounds and higher). Ms Bikini and Men’s Physique will have $100 000 as the first prize, while the second place winners will collect $70 000 and the third-placers $50 000. Additionally, the overall winner of the bodybuilding segment would receive $200 000. According to a release from the federation, CAC finalist Darius Ramsammy, Guyana’s Strong Man winner Carlos Petterson-Griffith, the reigning 2020 Men’s Physique champion Jonathan Jeffrey and the 2020 Novices Bikini

champion Ashanti Conway will join a number of other big names for the event. In total some 36 athletes are billed to take to the stage. The release noted that the organisers will adhere to all of the Ministry of Health COVID-19 rules. “Athletes, backstage personnel and the executive of GBBFF undertake to observe all COVID-19 protocols. While on stage athletes will be required to stand 6 feet apart and backstage athletes will be required to wear their masks and maintain the mandatory physical distancing. Judges will be seated 6 feet from each other and will be required to wear their masks.” The event would be streamed live on social media.

Simmons wants more ...

Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez

Who joins the defending champions in Cameroon from Group H will probably be decided in the final round next March when Zimbabwe host Zambia. Uganda lost 1-0 away to South Sudan and Burkina

A couple of late goals from Percy Tau and Themba Zwane earned South Africa a 4-2 win over Sao Tome e Principe in Group C and eSwatini and Congo Brazzaville drew 0-0 in Group I.

which includes roles and responsibilities, has also been a key aspect of their training. “I think the big areas are consistency, especially in the bowling department and understanding the situation. Or in batting where we’ve had control of the game and persons may give away their wickets; so things like that are the main things we’re considering,” said the ex-Windies batsman. Missing a few key players likes Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons, coupled with playing in a series which they have yet to win on Kiwi soil, the Windies will have a number of important boxes to tick off; but a confident Sim-

mons said he was trusting his guys to play their roles come game time. “ Well it’s been great (preparation), everybody has been looking to do what’s necessary, working hard and making sure they’re doing everything for the team right now so that has been great,” he said. One huge take of this tour is a number of young Windies players the likes of Joshua DaSilva, Jayden Seales and others have gotten the opportunity to experience cricket at the highest levels, ideal preparation according to their coach for when they are fully ready to kickstart their own

FROM BACK PAGE

careers. “ I t ’ s very beneficial ( t h e tour) to all of them because they see what it’s like to be a part of a West Indies tour, to train with the West Indies team. So they work and we work with them even though they are reserves. It helps improve their game,”. Simmons highlighted. In closing, he thanked and urged the fans back home to continue supporting their team, as, apart from winning for their fans and people, just being able to represent the Caribbean with pride and success is the team’s main priority.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

FIFA asks tech firms for better visuals for tight VAR calls (REUTERS) - FIFA has asked technology companies to develop ways to improve visuals to help its officials with close video assistant referee (VAR) decisions on off-sides, the global soccer governing body said yesterday. The current system, which involves the use of dotted lines to determine whether a player is offside, has come under fire following a string of controversial calls in Europe’s top leagues. In a bid to improve the system, FIFA said companies would be provided with “anonymised datasets” of offside decisions based on which they should present possible solutions. FIFA also said that three technology providers have expressed an interest in developing semi-automated technology to improve the review process for offside incidents. “The aim of this development phase is to further

Mercedes to start contract talks with Hamilton

FIFA World Cup 2022 South American Qualifiers - Brazil v Venezuela - Estadio Morumbi, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 13, 2020 Referee Juan Gabriel Benitez refers to VAR Fernando Bizerra/Pool via REUTERS

improve the algorithms of the systems based on a collection of datasets from hundreds of different offside incidents,”

the governing body said. FIFA also said it discussed the development of the VAR “light” con-

cept, which aims to create more affordable technology which can be implemented at all levels of the game.

FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Qatar in February

FLASHBACK: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and teammates celebrate winning the Club World Cup v Flamengo with the trophy at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 21, 2019 (REUTERS/Corinna Kern)

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The FIFA Club World Cup, originally planned for December, will now be held from February 1 to 11 in Doha, Qatar, organisers FIFA said yesterday. The tournament brings together the six continental champions from across the world, with European Champions League winners Bayern Munich the first to have qualified. Last season’s tournament ended with Liverpool beating Brazilian club Flamengo in the final. FIFA did not state if supporters would be able to attend any of the games, noting only that “In line with FIFA’s Internation-

al Match Protocol, FIFA and the host country will provide the required safeguards for the health and safety of all involved.” A new expanded 24-team Club World Cup was due to be held in June/July 2021 in China but coronavirus-related delays to Euro 2020 and the Copa America, which will be held a year late, have led to the postponement of that plan. FIFA also opted against moving two postponed women’s age-group tournaments to 2021 and instead will allow the planned hosts to hold those tournaments in 2022. Costa Rica will host the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and India the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Lewis Hamilton is now Fornula One’s Most successful driver of all-time

LONDON, England (Reuters) – Mercedes expect to start contract talks with Lewis Hamilton in the next few days now that the Briton has clinched a record-equalling seventh Formula One world championship, team boss Toto Wolff has said. The 35-year-old Hamilton’s current deal ends next month. “Flying back from a seventh drivers’ championship, you can’t talk about a contract. It wouldn’t do justice to the achievement,” the Austrian told the BBC. “We’re going to give it a few days then we are going to talk about it.” Wolff told reporters jokingly after Hamilton won Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix to clinch the title, and equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s seven, that Hamilton had “got really more expensive”. He also indicated that there was still no rush. “I think more than likely we are looking towards the end of the year,” the Austrian said of the timeframe. “Not that we wouldn’t find time for each other but I don’t want to put ourselves under pressure to say before Bahrain or before Abu Dhabi we will

announce a new contract because there isn’t any pressure. When it’s done it’s done.” Formula One heads to Bahrain next week for races on successive weekends before the December 13 finale in Abu Dhabi. Both sides have said they want to continue but just have to put pen to paper. “We’ve got three weeks in the Middle East, so, now it’s a bit more chilled but I still have three races ahead of me that I want to win,” Hamilton said on Sunday when asked about the talks. “It’s not done but we will get it done, I’m sure.” Mercedes won the last seven constructors’ and drivers’ titles and the cars and rules are substantially the same next year. Hamilton is now Formula One’s most successful driver of all-time, with a record 94 wins. “He loves racing and the competition, as does the team and myself … so I see us going for more next year, maybe putting another great year on and then obviously we have this tremendous, challenging regulations change for 2022,” said Wolff. “I see us going for a while.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Indian Premier League cash-cow delivers even in COVID times By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The robust appeal of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was once again highlighted this year after the world’s richest Twenty20 league escaped the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic with only a few minor scratches. The Indian cricket board’s (BCCI) league, which has an estimated brand value of $6.8 billion, drew record television and digital viewership and at least one of its franchises even grew its revenue despite the league being first postponed and then shifted to the United Arab Emirates following the coronavirus surge in India. Cancelling the whole tournament would have left a $536 million hole in the pocket for the world’s richest cricket board, which rarely shares financial numbers about the league. So the IPL’s eight franchises were ushered into a bio-secure bubble in August to play 60 matches across three venues, all behind closed doors. Mumbai Indians claimed a record fifth IPL title in Tuesday’s final, but it was a victory for Brand IPL too. “It’s been a great success

given the current scenario globally,” BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal told Reuters. “Everybody had their fingers crossed whether we’d be able to pull it off.” Starved of live cricket action for nearly nine months, the world’s second most populous nation sat glued to television sets, lapping up every bit of action from the UAE. Board secretary Jay Shah, quoting TV monitoring agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), said that a record 200 million fans had watched the Sept. 19 opener between Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi. In terms of viewership, the IPL even outperformed some of the pay-per-view matches of the Premier League in Britain. BARC tweeted before the playoffs that the league had clocked seven billion viewing minutes, up 28% from last year, after the first 41 matches. “With people generally staying indoors due to the pandemic and with lack of other entertainment options due to COVID-19, viewership numbers have been staggeringly high,” Santosh N, external advisor to financial consultancy firm

Duff and Phelps, told Reuters. “It showed why IPL is such a massive property not just in cricket, but in world sports in general.” BCCI’s Dhumal called it the “most successful IPL ever” in terms of viewership and explained what he thought it meant for cricket’s eco-system.

associations and creation of cricket infrastructure,” he said. EXIT VIVO, ENTER DREAM11 None of that looked vaguely possible in March when the 13th edition of the league was first postponed because of the pandemic.

opted out amid a growing backlash against Chinese companies in India. Fantasy gaming company Dream11 came on board, paying 50% less for the privilege, but other sponsors also kept pouring money in. The BCCI even landed, for the first time, a title sponsor ex-

FILE PHOTO: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan displays the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket trophy during a news conference at his residence in Mumbai May 30, 2012 (REUTERS/Vivek Prakash)

“I’m glad we were able to organise it successfully because when it impacts BCCI revenue, it impacts the game, it impacts the players, it impacts the state

A new window sprang open rather unexpectedly when this year’s Twenty20 World Cup was postponed but the league lost title sponsor Vivo, who

clusively for the Women’s T20 Challenge, traditionally a sideshow to the men’s competition. Players were paid in full and among the franchises,

runners-up Delhi Capitals said they had increased their 2019 revenues. “This season, we’ve managed to secure associations with 18 partners, same as last year,” chief executive Dhiraj Malhotra told Reuters. “However, we’ve also been able to procure higher individual values for deals as compared to last season so that has increased our revenues. Things would only get better from here for the league, he said. “With its smooth conduct under such unprecedented circumstances, the IPL has inspired a lot of confidence in the market,” Delhi’s Malhotra said. Duff and Phelps’ Santosh said the league has found the right mix of glamour and quality, and the availability of free live content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms also helped. “There might have been a minor impact in sponsorship revenues for franchisees this year as the sponsors were not sure of IPL’s success,” he said. “However, with the massive success IPL has seen this year, we can expect sponsorship to be back to pre-COVID levels for next season.”

Joshua wants to prove best in the world against Fury – Hearn Chris Paul traded from Thunder

ANTHONY Joshua is willing to take on anyone; but wants to prove he is the best heavyweight in the world by fighting Tyson Fury, says Eddie Hearn. Joshua is preparing to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO belts against Kubrat Pulev on December 12, his first fight of a year that has seen the boxing schedule hampered by the coronavirus pandemic. Bulgarian Pulev – who is the IBF’s mandatory challenger – is a hurdle the champion needs to clear ahead of a potential unification showdown against WBC holder Fury, the British rivals having agreed a two-fight deal for 2021. However, with Fury involved in a mediation process with former opponent Deontay Wilder over a potential trilogy fight, Oleksandr Usyk could offer an alternative option. Promoter Hearn has made clear that Joshua is ready for any challenger in the ring, though the lucrative showdown with Fury remains his top priority. “AJ has consistently proved that he will fight all-comers – mandatory challengers, unified champions, future hall-of-famers,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “Now he’s doing it again (with Pulev), and that’s why when you talk about Usyk, he will fight Usyk no prob-

lems at all, but he wants to fight Tyson Fury. “He wants to prove he’s the best heavyweight in the world and undisputed or not, we will do everything we can to make sure it is. Not one person can have any doubt after that fight who the ‘baddest’ man on the planet is.”

close to stacking up when compared to those Joshua has faced – and beaten – since turning pro. “It makes me laugh when people look at AJ’s resumé” Hearn said. “Maybe I’m seeing something other people don’t? “I mean Dillian Whyte,

Anthony Joshua is preparing to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO belts against Kubrat Pulev on December 12

Fury had planned to make a title defence before the end of 2020 – Agit Kabayel was lined up as an opponent for December – but announced on Twitter on Sunday that he will not now be back in the ring until next year. ‘The Gypsy King’ secured the belt by sensationally stopping Deontay Wilder in February, while also he holds a points-win over Wladimir Klitschko on his record. Hearn, though, insists Fury’s CV does not come

Dominic Breazeale, Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, Carlos Takam, Andy Ruiz, Kubrat Pulev. “These are consecutive fights. You don’t see Tom Schwarz, Otto Wallin, Sefer Serferi. Who is the other geezer? I can’t even remember his name, the Italian bloke? And then Agit Kabayel. “I mean it’s laughable when you compare the two resumés, but it’s in black and white for everyone to see.” (Sportsmax)

to Suns in six-player deal

CHRIS Paul has been traded to Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to multiple reports. The veteran point guard, a 10-time All-Star, was dealt from Houston Rockets to Thunder last offseason but is now on the move again to a Suns team with an intriguing young core. Paul and forward Abdel Nader will head to Phoenix in exchange for Kelly Oubre Jr, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque as well as a 2022 first-round pick. The acquisition of Paul gives Suns a veteran facilitator for shooting guard Devin Booker and centre DeAndre Ayton. Phoenix went 34-39 last season - their best record since the 2014-15 season - going 8-0 in the NBA bubble after the campaign resumed following the coronavirus-enforced suspension. They missed out on a re-

turn to the playoffs, finishing 10th in the Western Conference, but Paul’s arrival will fuel hopes they can take the next step in 2020-21 as Booker and Ayton continue to develop.

go with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team leader with 19 points a game in 2019-20. Rubio can help fill the void at point guard with Dennis Schroder seemingly

Veteran point-guard Chris Paul

Booker averaged 26.6 points per game for the second successive season, leading the team in that category. Ayton had 18.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. For Thunder, who lost in seven games in the first round of the playoffs to Rockets, Oubre gives them another frontcourt scorer to

set to join Paul in leaving for pastures new, the German expected to link up with the Los Angeles Lakers. Suns hold the 10th overall selection in today’s draft, while Thunder will have to wait until pick number 25 to add a rookie to their roster. (Sportsmax)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Rawle Toney/GABA 3x3 Classic

Tip off an uphill task: Clubs to feature this season

ORGANISER of the Rawle Toney/Mackeson 3x3 Basketball Classic, Rawle Toney, disclosed that there is a high possibility of contesting the tournament in the latter part of December. Toney also told Chronicle Sport that this year he will be collaborating with Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) in efforts to produce more versatile competition and also secure a spot on their Basketball calendar. He said, “Persons are getting serious with the 3-on-3 format, so everyone who wants to play needs to be registered. Most of the clubs expressed their interest to play but some declined because they are not comfortable to play during the pandemic. In 2019, the organiser amassed a commendable number of sponsors as well as participants for the hosting of the event which took place under lights at the Burnham Basketball Court. The entities which made the event possible included Ansa

McAl - the title sponsor, the Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports, Fireside Grill, JD Carn ICT Guyana Inc., Allegiance Corporations Inc., National Sports Commission (NSC), Trophy Stall, Kester Gomes and Chung’s Global Enterprise. While over 25 teams competed for the top prize of $300 000, it was won by Pitbulls 3.0 after a 22–12 blowout over Smooth in the finale. The two-day tournament which had a 4-point feature also featured Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s (GABF) National 3-point Shoot Out. However, for the hosting of the event next month, Toney and the Association will be battling to implement the COVID-19 guidelines which are expected to be somewhat of a challenge. He disclosed that they are currently trying to secure an audience with the Minister of Sport and National COVID-19 Task Force to attain the recommended guidelines that would allow for the smooth flow of the event.

Suspension and Restart In early March the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) was one of the first international federations to have suspended all its international competitions due to the pandemic. This caused many domestic competitions in the region to be suspended following government directions. FIBA has already released its document which is primarily for use by National Basketball Federations and Basketball Leagues, who are looking for guidance in the restart of basketball in their jurisdiction, particularly if there is a lack of Government oversight on the management of the COVID-19 virus in sport. The document, which is available on the FIBA site, targets key questions to ask before a restart, guidelines for a restart, initial preparation and potential restart plan items. Venue conundrum “Behind closed doors” is the phrase mostly used when any

ECB accused by former umpires Holder and Dawood of ‘institutionalised racism’ By Shamoon Hafez

THE England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been accused by two former umpires of “institutionalised racism”, in the latest allegations to surface in the sport. Barbadian-born John Holder, who officiated in Test and oneday international matches, said it looked “more than suspicious” he had not received a reply from the ECB when offering to be a mentor. Ismail Dawood, meanwhile, said he had heard racist language used in front of senior ECB staff, which went unchallenged. The pair have asked for an independent investigation from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) “to challenge organisations like the ECB”. Former wicketkeeper Dawood, who played county cricket for Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Yorkshire before becoming an umpire, said he had “absolutely no trust or confidence in the ECB” and the organisation is a “complete mess”. The last black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) umpire to be added to the ECB’s first-class list was Vanburn Holder 28 years ago. There have been none since his retirement in 2010. An ECB spokesperson told BBC Sport: “Today’s group of professional umpires don’t reflect the diverse ECB we are determined to be. “We want to see more BAME representation among our officials, and recognise we still have a long way to go as a game to achieve this.” BBC Sport understands a person who used discriminatory language in front of senior man-

agers was suspended, but cleared of wrongdoing. Dawood, who stood on the ECB reserve list and umpired first-class matches, said: “If that sort of language was used elsewhere, people would lose their jobs. “I have absolutely no trust or confidence in the ECB. All the way down to the grassroots it is a complete mess and that is why we need it to be investigated. Do I want to be part of an organisation that is a complete mess? No. “In one performance review, I was told: ‘Fine judgements must be made about who best fits in.’ “The complaints we have made shows the institutionalised, structured racism as well as discrimination, cronyism, bullying and dishonesty that has been part of our lives being involved in the ECB.” Holder, meanwhile, says he raised the issue but had not received a response to his email. Asked if he believes there is institutionalised racism at the ECB, he said: “I have no reason to doubt that there is. “Several non-white umpires have made enquiries about going on the first-class umpires panel, or becoming a mentor or liaison officer, and none has progressed.” Their allegations come following Azeem Rafiq’s claim of “institutional racism” at his former club Yorkshire, who have opened an inquiry. And, earlier this year, former England batsman Michael Carberry said he does not “expect anything” from the ECB in fighting racism, which he says is “rife” in the sport. Dawood said: “There are systematic blockages which have

been put in place by the ECB and will be kept in place if they are not thoroughly investigated. “We are having minimal representation of BAME cricket players, coaches, umpire/ officials, CEOs. The list goes on. This is from the grassroots level upwards. The barriers that Asian or black people have is far greater than non-BAME people. “Some of the stories coming out this year have been harrowing. People are not coming out and talking and making things up, so we want the Equality and Human Rights Commission to look into sport as a whole but cricket is our sport. “We implore the EHRC to look into the structures of the ECB and put them under investigation. They need to challenge organisations like the ECB to act; we don’t want words, we have had lots of words, we want action.” In its statement, ECB added: “Earlier this year, we commissioned a full independent employment investigation into allegations made against an individual, and while these were not upheld, the investigation did identify areas where we need to be better and do more to be inclusive and diverse. “The ECB has now commissioned a review, with board oversight, to look at how we can reform our approach to managing match officials. “This will set out actions as to how we can improve our systems and processes to increase the diversity of umpiring, inspire the next generation of umpires and match referees, have a world-class umpiring programme and ensure a culture of inclusivity and fairness throughout the umpiring system.” (BBC Sport)

sport is about to resume during this pandemic. Though some cases may mean it literally, there are only a few venues around Georgetown that would allow this feat to be achieved.

to bring relief to citizens. Another option he may need to explore is the outdoor Gymnasium Courts which are laid behind chain-link fences. This may prove effective in the planning

earlier parts of the evening. The silver lining still remains in the viewing aspect and sponsor support for the tournament. The first tournament was live-streamed

Pitbulls 3.0 celebrate becoming the champions of the Rawle Toney/Mackeson 3x3 Basketball Classic in November 2019. The organier, Rawle Toney, stands at far right

Major concern in this aspect is to control the crowd at an outdoor facility which led to the option of trying to acquire the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) for the event. Sadly, in April the CASH was prepared as a quarantine facility to house at least 350 persons. The quarantine facility was meant to house those who may have had contact with persons tested for the coronavirus. The other venue is the National Gymnasium, which was used as a storage facility for the stockpiling of materials for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in the previous Government’s multi-faceted approach

stage if the possibility exists to acquire that section of the venue. Pandemic effect The bottom line is, ‘Everyone was affected from COVID-19’. In a Sport battling for recognition locally, this season the competition took a hit which sees a minor reduction in the prize monies, but other accolades remain intact the organiser disclosed and as mentioned earlier, the participation bracket was shortened. Wi t h a 2 2 : 3 0 h r s t o 04:00hrs curfew in place there is no doubt the times will also be readjusted to the

on social media and that facet remains untouched while sponsors also disclosed their willingness to hop on board the tournament. Nevertheless, Toney is adamant to get this event off the ground for the love of the sport and the much-needed first step in the return of any sport. He had high praise for the sponsors that made a major impact, such as the Ansa McAl, Guyana Lottery Company and Fireside Grill. He mentioned that without these entities the success of the inaugural tournament would have never been possible.

Athletes won't be forced to get COVID-19 vaccinations – IOC’s Bach By Jack Tarrant

TOKYO. Japan (Reuters) - International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said yesterday that athletes would not be forced to get COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, but he said they should as a “demonstration of solidarity” with the Japanese. Bach visited the Athletes’ Village yesterday before concluding his two-day Tokyo trip with a visit to the National Stadium. “We will encourage athletes that whenever possible they have the vaccination because it is better for their health, and it is also a demonstration of solidarity with their fellow athletes and also the Japanese people,” said the German. Bach’s trip, his first to Japan since the decision to postpone the Games in March, has been up-beat throughout and he has spoken about the great impact a vaccine could have on Tokyo’s ability to host the Olympics next year. More than 11 000 athletes

are expected to descend upon Tokyo for the Olympics, due to begin on July 23, with thousands more coming for the subsequent Paralympics.

Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, speaks during a joint news conference between IOC and Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) in Tokyo, Japan, November 16, 2020 (Du Xiaoyi/Pool via REUTERS)

However, when pressed whether athletes were going to jump the queue to get any potential vaccine before the Games, Bach was adamant this wouldn’t be the case. “We made it clear from the very beginning that the first priorities are for the nurses, medical doctors and everybody who keeps our society alive, despite the coronavirus crisis,” Bach told reporters at the National Stadium. These are the people who deserve to be the first ones to be vaccinated.” Tokyo 2020 organisers are holding a project review meeting this week and hope to decide on a range of COVID-19 counter-measures, including whether spectators will be allowed in venues next year. A small group of anti-Olympics protesters gathered outside the stadium during Bach’s visit and their chanted slogans could be heard as he walked alone down the running track and looked up at the empty seats surrounding him.

20th annual Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture...

CWI president reveals 16 desired outcomes for the game in the Caribbean BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The 10-point plan to rescue the game in the Caribbean has become a list of 16 outcomes, which Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt said is achievable over the next decade, if he has his way. Skerritt said he firmly believes that sticking to the ‘Cricket First Philosophy’ and implementing the ‘West Indians First’ policy that helped to sweep him and vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow to victory, in March 2019, will produce results. The CWI president was speaking on the topic ‘Reforming Cricket West Indies for Improved On-field Results’ during the 20th annual Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture, which was virtually hosted by the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies through its Faculty of Sport. “The ‘Cricket First’ philosophy and the ‘West Indians First’ policy, which are interconnected and inextricable, together mandate that the revival of West Indies cricket should be developed around West Indian talent, culture, and heritage,” he said “…and should aim to always achieve excellence and pride in the best of what it means to be a West Indian.” He added: “All of CWI’s key cricket decisions must be designed to develop that sense of pride and aspiration for our representative West Indies teams that has been too often absent over these past 20 years. “In order to achieve a renewed sense of purpose and excel-

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

Bennett, Fung among big names competing at ‘Resilience’ bodybuilding competition SEE PAGE 32

… Over $1M in cash up for grabs

lence within CWI, difficult choices and challenging decisions will have to be made.” Skerritt listed high among the outcomes “a modern and fit-for-purpose corporate governance system, which is consensus- oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable, inclusive, and results in the best decision-making”. He also envisaged “CWI, all of its cricket teams and its various technical intervention programmes, led by competent and empowered professionals, mostly of West Indian origin with respect for our proud history and culture, and with strategic minds and winning attitudes”. Skerritt said he expected to see “a well-organised grassroots programme in every member territory, jointly funded by government, private sponsors and the local cricket association, with technical inputs and standards from CWI as needed. He also anticipates children “wanting to play and enjoy cricket, and getting opportunities to do so through relevant school, community and club leagues and programmes – with young boys and girls enjoying and learning the game with technical oversight by committed and competent coaches, trained centrall y through CWI’s own coaching education and development programmes”. TURN TO Skerritt said he hoped to see cricket-lovPAGE 32 ing children “encouraged to do well academically, with access to cricket and other

Simmons wants more emphasis on batting, bowling … believes tour beneficial for reserve players SEE PAGE 32

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr (centre) presents a sponsorship cheque to president of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Keavon Bess, in presence of some contestants and officials

ECB accused by former umpires Holder and Dawood of ‘institutionalised racism’

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons

SEE PAGE 35

By Clifton Ross

Former umpire John Holder (left) has officiated in Test and one-day international matches and Ismail Dawood (right) is a former county wicketkeeper before becoming an umpire

WINDIES head coach Phil Simmons said his boys have been acclimatising well so far in New Zealand, stating that the team have already commenced going over their blueprints for the upcoming series. With the warm-up games bowling off today against the New Zealand A team, preparation continues to build for the Caribbean Boys who, according to Simmons in a recent interview, said the acclimatisation process has so far been

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smooth since arriving. “Things have been good, a few days are warm and a few days are cold but most of the days it’s bright and warm, so you know when it’s warm the West Indies team tend to thrive”, said Simmons. With a lot of on-field logistics being worked out during the daily, steady practice sessions, Simmons highlighted that the mental prepaTURN TO ration PAGE 32 for the series, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020