Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-13-2020

13th September 2020

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Overjoyed No. 106121

–– sacked sugar workers tell of their struggles, look forward to returning to work Pompeo to visit 22 Guyana

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US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo

LLB graduates to be recruited as prosecutors 12 PAGE

Wife held for 18 husband’s suspicious death PAGE

Offering comfort: Education Minister, Priya Manickchand (seated first left) and Member of Parliament, Dr Thandika Smith (right), accompanied by Region Three officials, on Saturday, visited the home of Carol Williams (third right), the grandmother and guardian of Akon Richards, 11, of Cornelia Ida Primary School and offered their condolences. Richards drowned Friday night, in a canal, in the village of De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara. He was awaiting his NGSA results at the time of his death. The government has committed to helping out his family with the funeral expenses in its time of grief (See story on page 12)

Budget at a glance centre page

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Prices spike for greens in GT –– farmers forced to bribe West Berbice protesters to pass roadblock

By Telesha Ramnarine WITH greens trucks unable to pass through the protests at Berbice, prices for fruits and vegetables have skyrocketed over the past few days and vendors are now hopeful that the situation will be brought completely under control in the new week. With no greens to sell, some vendors have had to rely on what they personally planted at home, bringing such produce to the market. Without the required quantity, the prices were not set as normal. A bag of boulanger, for example, which the Berbice farmers normally sold for $4,000, was now going for $7,000. Eschalot, which was bought for $300 a pound, was now at $700. And many more items either doubled or tripled in price, according to

vendors. Zureena Rohoman, who has been a greens vendor for 15 years, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Saturday, that after days of not coming, some of the trucks came down Friday night and some early Saturday morning. “Because of the situation at Berbice make our greens get so expensive. Bora, celery, all those things come from up there. We plant our own produce and bring down, so we have a little to sell but the prices went up. The prices raised because the things can’t come, so the lil bit that deh… like celery was selling at $1,500 a pound from $700,” Rohoman explained. Another vendor, who only gave his name as Mark, has also been vending for the past 15 years. He said the

sellers in the markets are not receiving goods to sell, and whoever braves it to bring some, would offer the goods at very high prices. “People are scared to come down. Greens are hardly on the market. It’s only a few things that come from Parika that you can see on the market.” PAY FOR PASS According to Mark, only those persons who know the protesters in Berbice have gotten their vehicles to pass through. They would pay money to the protestors to be allowed safe passage. “So when they come, they raise their prices to cover what they would have had to pay. They jack their prices up

Deosarran Ramotar was attacked on his way to town

Vendor Dhanraj Ramsamugh

because they had to pay to come over,” he noted. He said he could not afford to buy some of the things. “How I sell here, I don’t exploit customers. So I prefer to not even buy it because I don’t want the customers to tell me the prices too high.” Dhanraj Ramsamugh has been vending for 30 years and related how the protest actions have negatively affected his business. “Everything cost double or triple the price. Most of the stuff comes from Berbice; I would say about 25 per cent come from Parika and 75 per cent come from Berbice.” According to Ramsamugh, tomatoes that were going for $360 a pound is See page 8

Overjoyed

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

–– sacked sugar workers tell of their struggles, look forward to returning to work

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur “WITHOUT agriculture Guyana is nothing,” said Hemraj Badal, contending that “oil will come and done” as he commended the move by government to re-open the closed Berbice sugar estates. Badal, a former foreman at the Rose Hall Estate, East Canje, Berbice, said the new government must focus on agriculture and it must never be neglected for oil. He was one of the few sugar workers who were lucky to find a stable job after the estate was closed in 2018. He is now employed as a security guard with a private company after searching for over three months and could not find a steady job. Now that the government is keeping good on its promise to re-open the estates that were closed by the APNU+AFC administration, displacing over 7, 000 workers, Badal, like many, is eager to return to work with GuySuCo. “As a little boy growing up our parents always encouraged you to get a job at the estate because you will get the benefits even if is not right away, so that was my goal, since going to school, to work in the estate. But in 2015 you keep hearing the estate gon close and nobody believed but when you receive the letter in 2018, you get shocked. It was heartbreaking. But now that this government is committed to re-opening the industry, we all know that without agriculture, this country is nothing and is the biggest foreign exchange in terms of the economy for the country that will remain even after oil,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. The transition for the 31-year-old father of one has been hard but was necessary in order for him to provide for his family. With tears welling in his eyes as he looked to his infant son sitting on the bicycle with him, he expressed gratitude to his current employer, pointing out that

Deodat Persaud many of his colleagues were still unemployed. Many have resorted to subsistence farming and fishing to make ends meet apart from doing odd jobs, occasionally. “Moving from a certain amount of salary to a lower one, you had to adjust your lifestyle and not getting a union to represent you, it is difficult but I had no choice.... A lot of people depend on the sugar estate and everybody know that Canje, without the estate, is a dead place so now that the sugar industry is gonna open back everybody will benefit again, ”he said. The government has allocated $5B to GuySuCo, of which $3B is set aside specifically for critical works geared towards the phased re-opening of the Rose Hall, Skeldon and Enmore estates. This announcement was made last Wednesday by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, who presented the national budget. LONG-TERM GOAL Edghill said a viable and sustainable sugar industry is the government’s long-term goal and it will work to solve the problems of the industry holistically. He noted that the government, since assuming office, has been doing an assessment on the state of the assets and the level of

Kumar Mohabir re-investment to be done, starting with an initial allocation of $3 billion in 2020 for critical works, with an additional $2 billion being made available should works progress. As for the Wales Estate, he said works have commenced to create opportunities and employment under the newly-established Wales Development Authority. “The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will concentrate its efforts to ensure it achieves, in the shortterm, a break-even status. We will ensure better management by appointing a new, competent and skilled board of directors. We will ensure greater efficiency through the necessary re-tooling, product diversification and retraining where necessary,” he told the House. As the news was announced, residents of the East Canje community who have seen their village economy decimated by the closure of the estates are now breathing a sigh of relief. In Berbice, the Rose Hall Canje Estate was home to some 2,500 sugar workers, 1,181 of those were retrenched, many of whom were the sole breadwinners of their families. At the Skeldon Estate, another 1,851 workers were retrenched. BAD TREATMENT The remaining work-

Steve Sirkisoon ers from the Rose Hall estate were transferred to Blairmont Estate over in West Coast Berbice and Albion Estate on the Corentyne. Many, after being transferred, had complained bitterly and even held strikes about the distance and treatment they received at the other estates. Some had remarked they were being treated as “step-children” after they were made to wait several hours for trucks to take them home despite completing their tasks for the day. It is therefore no surprise that many like Pretipaul Chetram, 45, of Gangaram Settlement, who was transferred to the Albion Estate, are anxiously waiting the re-opening of the Rose Hall Estate so that they can hopefully get to be transferred back to their hometown. Chetram has been with the estate since the age of 25, employed as a ‘planter’. He noted that while there is a truck that takes them from the head of his street to Albion daily, the time and travelling are quite fatiguing. “When it reopens here I hope I can get returned to work here because I does leave home like four o’clock in the morning and get back home until after three in the afternoon. When we working here, I’m home by mid-day because

Hemraj Badal the backdams here is closer,” he related. A businessman that operates a grocery store at Rose Hall, Canje, who asked not to be named, said when the estate was in operation, he was doing well in sales. However, when the estate was closed, his sales dipped significantly. He sees hope of better days ahead with the re-opening the estates. “With the opening of the sugar estate, everyone is looking forward to that because once people can earn they can help the home, their children also shop which will help businesses. The only source of income for this community was from the sugar estate and when it was closed, business drastically reduced,” he said. Deodat Persaud, a religious leader and a youth advocate, said the closure of the estates, apart from the economic effects, had far-reaching psychological implications, especially for men who were the sole breadwinners of their families. BROKEN HOMES, SEPARATED FAMILIES This has led to many families being displaced and separated. Many homes were broken due to a build-up in frustration from not knowing where the next meal was coming from.

He posited that, with the estates being re-opened, the availability of steady jobs will help to reignite the family and make it a more cohesive unit, since the frustration will no longer be there. Persaud, however, cautioned that workers returning to the estates should be prepared for changes in the manner in which they previously operated and put forward better work ethics to help ensure sustainability of the industry. For Steve Sirkisoon, 31, a former field mechanic and father of two, he was forced to accept a taxi job for $2,000 to support his family. For him, losing his job at the estate was an eye opener and he can’t wait to return to the estate. “Losing the job at the estate made me realise that the things that we often complain about and take for granted was actually better, when you get to the private sector then you see the conditions that you are being forced to work in and the advantage that they take on you because you don’t have a choice.” Overall, the reaction from communities has been one filled with hope as many look forward to a return to the state of economic vibrancy they once enjoyed. Kumar Mahabir of Lot 1047 East Canefield, a father of three, who worked as part of the bell gang loading cane, was filled with excitement as he only recently got a regular job after searching for more than 18 months. He feels his prayers have been answered. “With the estate, you nah gah worry about nothing cause you know is a steady job you getting and nah gah worry wah gun happen tomorrow. I am so happy right now that I just can’t wait for the estate to start back so I can get proper things for me family, especially my children them,” he said with a broad smile on his face

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

US wildfires leave dozens missing in Oregon, state governor says (BBC) Dozens of people are missing in Oregon alone, state Governor Kate Brown has said, as deadly wildfires continue to sweep through US West Coast states. Fires have been raging in California, Oregon and Washington for three weeks. Fanned by winds amid

record heat, the blazes have burnt millions of acres, destroyed thousands of homes, and killed at least 25 people. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom said the fires show the debate around climate change is “over”. “Just come to the state of California. Observe it with

Dozens of people are missing and at least six are confirmed dead in Oregon

your own eyes,” he told reporters from a charred mountainside.

Sunday, September 13, 2020–– 12:30hrs & 16:00hrs

The fires have burnt a total 4.5m acres - an area larger than Connecticut and slightly smaller than Wales - in recent weeks, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The smoke pollution from the wildfires has left Oregon’s largest city, Portland, with the worst air quality in the world, followed by San Francisco and Seattle,†according to IQAir.com. White House spokesman Judd Deere announced in a tweet on Saturday that Pres-

ident Donald Trump would visit California on Monday. What is happening in Oregon and Washington? In Oregon, where firefighters are battling 16 large blazes, 40,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders. Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) says the fires have killed six people, but officials warn the final death toll could be much higher. Governor Kate Brown on Friday implored householders to stay out of the fire zones despite reports of looting. “Let me assure you that we have the Oregon National Guard and Oregon State Police monitoring the situation and preventing looting,” she said.

Beatriz Gomez Bolanos, 41, told Reuters news agency of her family’s frightening drive to safety through fires burning on both sides of their car. She told her four children to close their eyes as they made their escape. “Everything is gone. We have to start again from nothing, but we are alive,” she told the news agency. At least one blaze in Oregon - the Almeda Fire, one of the most destructive in the state - is being treated as suspected arson. In Washington State, firefighters are tackling 15 large fires. A one-year-old boy died earlier this week as his family tried to escape a blaze. His parents remain in critical condition.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

T&T: Ministry records 7 COVID deaths in a day

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The COVID-19 virus has now killed 50 people in Trinidad and Tobago, after the Ministry of Health announced yesterday that there had been seven fatalities - the largest number to be recorded within 24 hours locally to date.

resent a 24-hour increase as it included samples taken as early as August 31. The delayed test results have been brought on by an overburdening of testing infrastructure which came shortly after the second phaseís community transmission of the virus began. It

ed, itís likely to be extended in one form or another. Since the new measures were implemented, Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh has stated numerous times that their main focus was to break the community transmission of the virus and have T&Tís transmis-

Emergency Medical Technicians wait near ambulances outside the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility after dropping off COVID-19 patients recently.

The recent fatalities were three elderly females and two elderly males with co-morbidities and two adult males. One of them was reputed Port-of-Spain gang leader and businessman Cedric ìBurkieî Burke, who died at the Couva Hospital. The deaths brought the count for the second phase of infections locally to 42. The second phase of the virus began on July 20 with case 139. The total number of active cases also increased to 2,013 after 127 new cases were reported and brings the total number of cases to be recorded since March 12 up to 2,825. The ministry, however, noted that the recently announced cases do not rep-

resulted in a backlog which the ministry has been trying to clear ever since. Since the beginning of the second phase, Government partially rolled back on the reopening of the country on August 16; reducing the number of people allowed to gather from ten to five, closed beaches, rivers and water parks, ceased all in-house dining and made the wearing of masks in public mandatory among other measures for 28 days, ending today. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is expected to address journalists and the public at 2.30 pm today with an update for the country on the way forward. But with 2,260 cases and 50 overall deaths record-

sion classification downgraded to cluster spread. However, the country is still listed as having community transmission. An accurate picture of the daily caseload is yet to be fully realised due to a large number of outstanding samples results. Technical Director of the ministryís Epidemiology Division Dr Avery Hinds has periodically shown graphs with the aggregated data. His most recent presentation on Monday at the ministryís virtual press conference showed a downward trend of daily recorded cases but even Hinds noted it is subject to change as the backlog in tests is cleared.

JAMAICA: COVID SCARE - Anxiety Rises Among Elderly As Deaths Hit Seniors Hard (JAMAICA GLEANER) Many of the countryís 350,000 senior citizens are reportedly living in fear as they try to escape the creeping clutches of COVID-19. Jamaica recorded 74 new positive cases on Thursday and two additional deaths, bringing fatalities to 40. Among the deceased over the last 48 hours have been a 90-year-old man from Kingston and St Andrew, and two St Catherine residents, a 77-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man. All three reportedly suffered from underlying illnesses or disorders such as diabetes, renal disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Director of the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre at The University of the West Indies, Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, is concerned about the increasing susceptibility of the elderly, with more than half of Jamaicaís COVID-19 deaths among persons 70 and over. They are afraid, and the death rate among the elderly gives them reasons to be afraid,î she told The Gleaner on Thursday. Eldemire-Shearer said that although the Government stipulates that the elderly can leave their houses to go to the pharmacy and to seek medical attention, some are so gripped by fear that they refuse to go out to have their prescriptions filled. On Monday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness revised upwards a stay-at-home order, from 75 to 70, restricting movement for the elderly. The emerging domestic crisis for the elderly ñ which follows global trend lines showing them at greatest vulnerability to the new coronavirus ñ is becoming more evident, the expert on ageing said, as some seniors have asked their nursing aides to halt visits entirely. Anecdotal reports show that those refusals are more frequent in urban populations, which are declining visits to limit the risk of spread with Jamaica in community-transmission phase. They were told, donít let anybody in. Some of them stopped their helpers, not just nursing aides, because of the issues around public transportation,î said the professor, a leading voice of advocacy on

ageing. Six hundred and thirty-nine, or 62 per cent, of Jamaicaís 1,027 active coronavirus cases, between August 27 and September 10, are in the urban-dense parishes of Kingston, St Andrew, and St Catherine. St James has 38 cases. STAY AT HOME Eldemire-Shearer, former chairman of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons, agrees with the Governmentís stay-at-home order, which allows for travelling for food and medicine, and to exercise, but is worried about the tangential effects of limited mobility. Homebound seniors who are not getting exercise are at increased risk of losing muscle mass, but it is the psychological impact that concerns Eldemire-Shearer the most. We are seeing a lot of anxiety. I wouldnít call it depression yet, but the descriptions we are getting is, ëWe are not in control,í and you know how old people like to be in control,î she said. The return of more employees to workplaces in June ñ a stark contrast to the frigid economy five months ago ñ has also left many seniors unsupervised during the second, more fatal wave of the pandemic, which has killed 911,000 people globally. Worldwide infections have topped 28 million. Nursing homes have been ordered not to allow family visits to limit the risk of spread of the coronavirus, but some operators have been finding creative ways to get senior citizens to connect with relatives. The nurses in the homes, the practical nurses, are using their own phones for video chats to the relatives who cannot come in and they are playing more games,î the professor said. Eldemire-Shearer is urging families to ensure that elderly relatives are getting sufficient stimulation. It is really for families to try and motivate them to do a little bit more exercise, and exercising not in the sense of gym, but just walking and finding ways to stimulate them because they are sitting around doing nothing,î she said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

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Voices of reason in PNC leadership IT has been reported that the political clique that allegedly incited their supporters into riotous, even criminal behaviour on the West Coast of Berbice attempted to instigate Buxtonians into joining the fracas they were organising countrywide, but, to the amazement of those who had experienced and/or observed the mayhem caused by the Buxton uprising, the Buxtonians apparently flatly refused to become engulfed in the cataclysmic and destructive aftermath of such activities. Buxtonians had endured much in the past from heeding such divisive leadership that would see the country in flames rather than relinquish power, and they prudently apparently refused to take that path once again. Buxton, once acclaimed for sons and daughters – from both major races, who were intellectual giants; for great scholarship, and even former President and current Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has always acknowledged the input his former teacher, Buxtonian Ms Audrey Payne, contributed to shaping his intellectual growth; for exceptional talent in the arts and sports, had become a pariah in the eyes of their fellow countrymen and the world; when even loyalists such as Eusi Kwayana had to flee that community and employers rejected job seekers who had an address in that locality. But in the darkest hour emerges enlightened leadership – and Buxton had M’Boya Wood. In 2010, during the 170 years Emancipation celebrations, M’Boya, recognising that the village needed urgent financial and other help, emailed fellow Buxtonian Presidential Adviser Odinga Lumumba,

seeking audience with then President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. Wood, then domiciled in the USA, decided to become an intermediary between the (PPP/C) government and Buxtonians. He gathered a team of fellow villagers and met with then President Jagdeo for discussions on the way forward. The outcome was M’Boya volunteering to facilitate a meeting with President Jagdeo and Buxtonians in that village. To shouts of ‘’HAM JAMBO!” (WELCOME) and thrumming of African drums, Dr Jagdeo was greeted effusively by village leaders led by M’Boya, Odinga, and during that historic meeting President Jagdeo refuted a lie that had been peddled that he had denigrated Buxtonians. Wood told the President that Buxtonian women had been severely traumatised by the events that had made their community a pariah in the Guyanese society for over eight years; so the President invited Buxtonian single parents to a meeting at the stadium to resolve their issues and address their problems. During that follow-up meeting several women signed up for the WOW programme and other developmental/educational opportunities. Wood told the President that Buxton needed a complete overhaul, whereupon the former was informed by the President that the help was always there on offer, but was rejected by the village leaders. Since then, with the Buxtonians themselves opening up their community to exploration of their potential for growth and development, that village had changed by leaps and bounds for the better with the fulfilment of the former President’s promises, especially with clearing farmlands;

enhancing drainage and irrigation systems; rebuilding and re-furbishing the Tipperary Hall; establishing a series of programmes, including an IT centre and a steel band for youth development, among others. At a subsequent pre-elections PPP/C meeting in Buxton, a well-orchestrated invasion by APNU supporters who had amassed a short distance away with APNU posters before storming the PPP/C meeting with strident shouts of “We want Granger” backfired, because first former PM Sam Hinds, in his calm, measured, reasonable way, encouraged the APNU supporters to listen to the speakers, no matter which party they were supporting, and then rationalise their choices before deciding on their way forward; and they stopped heckling and stayed to listen. But the star of the evening was undoubtedly Mboya Wood, who quelled the few insistent hecklers and turned the tables on APNU, which had intended to disrupt the PPP/C meeting – a strategy that backfired when the APNU supporters quieted and began listening intently to first Mboya Wood and then PPP/C presidential candidate Donald Ramotar, as the former gave his reasons for supporting the incumbent party. The latter outlined the developments so far undertaken by the government, and the projected developments of the incoming government that he was proposed to head. Wood described the mixture of APNU and PPP/C supporters as a beautiful Guyanese mosaic. He encouraged the crowd to be civil, as incivility and contentious behaviour will get no one anywhere, because dialogue with each other as intel-

ligent people who will listen to each other before making choices is the right way to solve problems. When he had captured the crowd’s attention he related stories of life under the former PNC administration, when Buxtonians suffered the wrath of the PNC right alongside other communities. During those days, Wood recalled, Buxton had no proper infrastructure, no water, “… no proper anything”, and no hope, causing many to join the WPA under Walter Rodney. According to Wood, those were the days when people were not free to make such choices. “Who dares to tell me that I cannot join the PPP/C?” he thundered, then related a progressive series of incidents that drew him to that party and convinced him that this was the best choice for continued development in the country Only voices of reason and good leadership – on both sides of the political divide -- can heal our nation and enable Guyana and Guyanese to optimise and achieve its/their full potential for economic growth and development. To the surprise of the nation, during the recent mayhem that was incited by political opportunists, former PNC chairperson Volda Lawrence, emerging from under the shadow of Joseph Harmon and David Granger, displayed her potential for great leadership by urging a surcease by rioting PNC supporters and encouraging them to embrace peaceful avenues to conflict-resolution. Only time will tell if Volda Lawrence can re-shape the image of the PNC from that defined by the behaviour

Fake group justifies illegal logging Dear editor, I WISH to briefly respond to a letter written on September 4, “Legal or illegal logging? Which is it?” to the media by a group which refers to itself as ‘Essequibo Small Loggers.’ Their missive was riddled with aspersions on A. Mazaharally & Sons Ltd (AMSL), and it is imperative that I address them accordingly. It seems as though these persons, rife with animosity in a stylised narrative, simply set out to justify stealing, and in doing so have hijacked the good name of the small loggers under the fake name of ‘Essequibo Small Loggers’ to get the public’s attention

-- a truly shameful and reprehensible act. This group of forest raiders, hiding in disguise, are nothing short of poachers; they have forged alliances with many co-conspirators, circumnavigating the surveillance system of concession holder,’ then use, without permission, the concessionaire’s funded road infrastructure in those concessions to gain undetected access through alternate routes so as to illegally harvest the logs, which eventually get sold off on the open market at lower rates than the legal logs and lumber, isn’t that what delinquents do? Isn’t this illegal logging? AMSL, a company with decades of experience in the forestry sector that contributes

meaningfully to our country’s economy, is a proponent of sustainable harvesting practices; and not only did the company raise awareness of illegal logging which adversely impacts the forestry sector, but also as a stakeholder, it brought judicious attention to the sector’s management. The sanctity of contracts is underpinned by the obligations and considerations to which parties who entered into them must perform, based on offer and acceptance and binding in law; however, it is untruthful and diversionary to refer to a contractor’s agreement, which is meant to provide labour services as subletting of state forest lands. Editor, it is certainly not my intention

to engage in an equivalent retaliation with fake groups; however, in my previous letter, I have raised valid concerns on issues which have plagued the forestry sector for years, and at the same time, I offered some possible yet practical solutions, which, if taken into consideration by policy makers and thus implemented, will help level the playing field and boost revenue streams for the GFC and the overall forestry sector. Yours faithfully, Capt. Ahamad Mazahar Ally Director for AMSL

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

How banned foods enter Guyana Dear editor, I HAVE received compliments for a piece I did on the impact of banned goods on culture and religious practices. Some asked if I could explain how banned goods are smuggled into the country and the consequences if caught. The country must not eradicate or forget that horrific experience of struggling to get food to eat. I recall a report in the early 1980s in Caribbean Contact that was headlined: “Give us our daily bread” that was quite literal in meaning. There was no bread (and by extension, roti, cake, etc.) in the country as flour was banned since the 1970s. It reminds me of my studies in European political history in which the French Emperor’s wife, Marie Antoinette told his aide in 1789 to tell the subjects, “Let them eat cake” when the aide complained that the people had no bread. The emperor and empress, like Burnham who himself behaved like an emperor, was out of touch with reality. Burnham later became a hated figure for his lifestyle of decadence and callous governance. There were several ways in which banned goods made their way into Guyana. They were brought from the porous borders and the police were susceptible to bribes. It was almost impossible for Burnham to monitor the vast borders and the open ocean. Some of the border police were trained to confiscate banned goods and detain violators. But not all were ideologically aligned with Burnham to enforce the ban. Some were sympathetic with the hungry population and didn’t support the policy of using food as a weapon against

people to break their cultural and religious practices and or political affiliation. Most of the banned goods came via Suriname, crossing the Corentyne River in the night and made their way to other parts of the country. I direct readers to Prof Chaitram Singh’s classic book Flour Convoy. For Essequibians, it was more convenient and less harassing to bring goods through the Venezuela border or use boats for the short distance from the mouth of the Pomeroon River to the Venezuelan coast. And deep in the interior, banned goods were brought from Brazil as well as from Venezuela. You pay the right amount of bribe and the border police looked the other way. A “small piece” was also given to the food police to close their eyes when they made spot checks of goods being transported. At times, the food police would ask for or confiscate some items like sardines or tomato paste or corned mutton or milk or coffee and non-perishable items to take to their starving families. The spot checks were more conducted to collect bribes rather than to enforce the law. Some goods were seized and violators detained in order to show Burnham that the law against imperialist (White man) imports was being enforced. In the early day the food police demanded heavy bribes, but over time, the amount declined. In the early days the food police were very ideologically supportive of Burnham and enforced the ban, jailing many people on the Corentyne caught with banned goods. Many people ended up in jail with long sentences for violating the food ban. Even if you were performing a puja or in a Koran Sharief or A “Christian Service” at home, you were not

spared if the food police descended upon your home and banned foods. In fact, wedding houses and Jhandis, Bhagwats, Ramayana Kathas, and Koran Shariefs were regularly raided. That is where the food police netted their largest bribes. An aunt of mine was caught, sentenced and jailed for selling sardines, potatoes, and flour. I don’t wish to describe the sexual abuse she suffered from police. Unable to face the shame from having to return to family members, she took her own life, leaving several children behind. Over time, the food police became lenient. With low pay and hungry bellies, including starvation among their own family members, and declining morale among the police, they closed their eyes to smuggling of goods. They were willing to accept some banned goods or a bribe in exchange for closing their eyes to food and medicinesmuggling. Banned goods were also brought in through the airport. Whenever I went to Guyana from between 1981 and 1990, I would smuggle goods (including bread, flour, toilet paper, milk, etc.) into Guyana in my luggage. A police uncle often received me at the airport. Although he didn’t ask custom officers to break the law on banned foods, officers knowing that was the person who came to receive me at the airport closed their eyes to prohibited foods. From Timehri to town, one’s vehicle may be inspected several times by the food police, but since they knew my uncle who was a ranking officer, his vehicle was not searched. But from town to Corentyne, I travelled in hire cars that were searched several times. The food police would

stop and search vehicles with passengers who looked as if “they just come in or foreign.” They hustled their “small piece.” If you resisted the bribe, they made threats to take you into the police station, so you caved in and offered a bribe. A small piece ($US10) was enough or a few apples and grapes or chocolates (Oh yes, all were banned including dried fruits; no imports allowed!). I should remind readers that banned goods also affected peoples’ physical and psychological health. Many children grew up malnourished; statistics on malnourishment ballooned comparable to Haiti, Somalia and Ethiopia. Many, young and old, ended up being crazy because of a lack of food and basic medicines. There was insufficient space at the asylum to host them and so many remained at home or wandered the streets as vagrants. Besides lack of food, physical violence took a toll on a lot of people, driving them insane. Kick-down-door robberies, as an organised crime with involvement from some in state power, and choke and rob also took a toll on mental health with Indians in the main being victims. Culture and religion prohibited many Guyanese from consuming certain foods, most of which were banned. In reflecting on that period of banned goods, it is hard to understand how the PNC’s supporters allowed Burnham to unleash such mental torture on the nation and a policy that led to mass starvation and enormous suffering. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

President Ali remains fearless by leading from the front AS the world turns, the bold and the beautiful are becoming rich and famous, accepting that once is not enough to experience everything in this assumptive one life to live. No wonder we should all value and treasure each other’s life as we would our own. At a time when we face frightening possibilities of fracture and even dissolution, it would be disastrous to insist that our differences outweigh what we have in common. No man, movement, or public mood, after all, is an island entirely of itself. One man’s happiness cannot be bought by another man’s misery. As haziness clouded the atmosphere over the past 48 hours in Guyana, the brilliant sunshine evaded the ambience of sadness, as if to empathise with the gloom that has dawned the nation to a partial doom. The country has surpassed the 50th COVID-19 death total as America strikes the 191,000 figure. In a year when the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped countless International rituals and ceremonies, even the commemoration of 9/11 could not escape unchanged as the 19th anniversary of the terror attacks was marked by duelling ceremonies in New York City at the September 11 memorial plaza and a corner near the World Trade Centre. Nineteen years ago Friday, nearly 3,000 American lives were lost when planes were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Guyana cannot practise the art of parallel purposes as does the developed nations.

The PPP/C party as a new government has just taken the baton from the APNU+AFC party, inheriting a devastating, bankrupt economy with an impoverished population and interfaced with the repercussions of a pandemic and the mercenary criminal ruthlessness in society by organised bandits. To be immediately saddled with the perplexity of purposeful racial incitement by deliberate political injection resulting in deaths, looting, damage, injuries, burning and other atrocities, further compound the delicate fragility of the government’s infancy. Was the Henry cousins tragedy a well-orchestrated scenario that solidified a foundation as a springboard for the infamous eventualities that materialised as a consequence (whereby the lives lost were used as a political sacrifice), or, were the murdered bodies coincidentally used conveniently to create racial mayhem and uproar with a political agenda? The crave for financial greed and political power would influence any diabolic character to engineer any length of devious indulgence. Nothing is impossible and all hypotheses must be considered, especially with so many criminal elements parading in disguise freely in today’s society, undetected but, suspected. The rapacious urge for oil-revenue controllership is another imploding attraction that influences the mischievous aggradation of hysterical behaviour from denied extortionists. Too many eye and hair-raising coincidences are rapidly developing, too good for comfort, under the watch of an oil-signing contract being shelved in abeyance and the public outcry for re-ne-

gotiation for improved conditions. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen Kamala Harris described how Americans acted with love and courage on 9/11 and the days following the tragedy. “What our attackers failed to understand is that the darkness they hoped would envelope us on 9/11 instead summoned our most radiant and defined human instincts — the instinct to care for one another, to transcend our divisions and see ourselves as fellow citizens, to race toward danger and risk everything to protect each other, the instinct to unite,” she said. It is sad to acquiesce with all the accusations circulating in Guyana, pointing fingers (with substantial proof) at those accused of imperfections. Too many insincere innuendoes are stymying the sensitiveness of the grieving situation, while, many culprits are sneering happily behind the curtain, planning another catastrophic move. The dust will not easily settle on the dirt anyway quickly and, the wounds will remain unhealed for quite a while. Too many broken homes from both sides of the divide will not succumb to the public open sympathy and the cry for real justice may remain unfulfilled. Only by wearing their shoes will anyone be able to feel their pain and experience their agony. But the resilience and bravado of Gladstone Henry, father of Isaiah Henry, one of the unfortunate victims, is commendable and his words of advice speak volumes for all conscientious Guyanese to finally sit up, listen, take note and implement. His sincere pleadings

should move mountains and cement a unity that is absent in a diversified nation, a division planted by the owner of the “divide-and-conquer” Burnhamite strategy. President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s decision to engage international help to intervene in helping to investigate these criminal activities is understandable, acceptable and desirable. This is not foreign interference nor dependence nor preference, but an added neutrality that will supplement the smoothness of domestic police operation. His request also for the Attorney General Anil Nandlall to explore within the UN system all means available to hold to account all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife, is commendable. Also, announcing that efforts will be made to explore the commissioning of a CoI to look at every aspect of this situation, comprehensively understand and apprehend the instigators, is much required. His three-tier resolution programme and his Friday’s stern warning issued to persons utilising social media platforms to promote racial hatred, race baiting and racial hostility, should send a caution, alerting all those who are committed to destabilising this nation, that they will be severely dealt with condignly and expeditiously and that he means business. President Dr. Irfaan Ali remains fearless by leading from the front and will not be scared by any challenge of any nature. Respectfully, Jai Lall

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Prices spike for... From page 2

Misleading information on flaring

I HAVE been closely following reports in the Kaieteur News on the flaring offshore at the Stabroek Block with growing alarm, particularly one in which the newspaper said flaring placed “Guyana among the top 10 gas flaring countries in the world.” It was not until I read

a report this week from an online news service which explained the different measurements being used and how Guyana compares to the world using the standard benchmark which is used by the World Bank, that I did a double take and decided to read more closely. It turns out that Kaieteur

News was measuring gas flared in cubic feet, while the World Bank uses cubic metres. One cubic metre is equivalent to 35 cubic feet. The country with the lowest cubic-metre measurement of flaring out of 30 assessed by the World Bank, is Ecuador, with 920 million cubic metres. Guyana, with around 10 billion cubic feet of gas flared to date, means this is really equivalent to just over 283 million cubic metres. How then can Guyana be in the top 10, top 20, top 30 or even top 40 countries for flaring? Make no mistake, flaring is harmful to the environment and must be curtailed. Also harmful is misinformation which serves to alarm the population. This puts us, as Guyanese, at a great disadvantage when looking to engage in constructive discussions with international players in the oil-and-gas industry, since we come across as ignorant of basic facts. I am eagerly awaiting a correction from the newspaper. Yours sincerely, Donald Singh

now $500 a pound. “I don’t have racism but I feel it’s wrong what the people are doing. If somebody kills somebody, they have to look for the person and the police have to look for them.” He said he observed, too, that the protestors have only been attacking and targeting persons of a particular race. Another vendor, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity because of fear of victimisation, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Saturday, that his business has been adversely affected due to the protest actions. “We don’t know what’s their next move

bricks on the vehicle. It was last Tuesday morning around 06:00 hours when he was in the process of coming to town with his squash and tomatoes. “We were stuck in the middle because we couldn’t pass to come to town nor to go back home, and so all our load would spoil right there.” Ramotar said had it not been for the debts he has, he would not have even been in town on Saturday to do business. Another farmer who was travelling just behind Ramotar suffered even more losses, as his truck was full of greens. He said he suffered about $450,000 in losses. Ramotar said he and this truck driver

The prices for vegetables and greens have doubled and tripled due to the Berbice protest actions and if they will start up in Georgetown. Every single thing was doubling up because people were risking their lives to pass,” he expressed. According to him, he has to pay the City Council $1,800 a day to land his truck on location, whether or not he did any business. Other bigger trucks would have to pay more, around $4,000 and $4,500. This vendor was particularly upset about the situation in Berbice. “Innocent people cannot pay for the two deaths. No one knows how the boys died because the police did not say clearly that they find the murderer; they are still running their investigation. You cannot stop innocent people, beat them, break up their vehicle, rob them and then say that’s protesting.” GREENS VENDOR ATTACKED One of the bus drivers who was attacked, Deosarran Ramotar, said his life flashed before his eyes when he had to speed away from a protestor who smashed his bus window and continued pelting big

had to be assisted by Public Works Minister Deodat Indar, who helped them pass through the protest in his convoy. In an invited comment, subsequently, Indar told Chronicle that after he learnt that many persons were trapped at different spots in the Berbice area, he left the convoy, which was made up of several other government ministers, and went in search of the stranded persons. The minister said the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman of Bath, Krishna Sewlall, assisted him in reaching out to those persons. “The NDC Chairman drove me to a house where we found about five business persons who were not getting police escort out of the area. I realised we had some police in our convoy so I was able to use them to help these and other individuals to pass,” Indar explained. The minister said he has since sent a team to the area to install some street lighting, and also to rehabilitate those that were damaged by the protestors.

Zureena Rohoman

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Days of Jordan’s oppressive economic policies are over I AM obliged to respond to the Former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who made outlandish claims on the current PPP/C’s Budget that is before Parliament for debate and approval. Mr. Jordan is the last person who should comment on this budget, as his leadership at the Ministry of Finance wreaked havoc on the economy, and bankrupted Guyana. His misguided philosophical approach is one which not only stifled the average consumer in Guyana but was onerous and burdensome on the private sector. No incentives were given for production and the promotion of productivity. To compensate for this, unleashed on taxpayers was a regime of abrasive and wide-reaching taxation; unprecedented in its nature in the Caribbean. I would like to apprise the public that out of the Budget of $329.5B the PPP/C administration met with unauthorized and illegal spending of more than half of the budget from January 1, 2020 to August 2, 2020 as there was no Parliament since December 2018. A substantial portion of this budget had to cater for ‘rollover’ projects from 2019, undertaken by the APNU caretaker government. The claim by Jordan that the PPP/C administration has to spend $329.5B within the last quarter of the year is nothing beyond soundbites demonstrating both his ignorance and incompetence. It is important to note that in 2014, the final year of the PPP/C’s administration, tax revenue totaled $135.2B. Within a mere five (5) years, the APNU+AFC government tax revenues sky-rocketed by $91B or, a 67 percent increase from 2014. Notably, this increase in tax revenue came directly from the pockets of the citizens of Guyana in order to fund their lavish lifestyle in office. The sum-effect of Mr. Jordan’s policies is that the citizens of Guyana were left poorer. What they did with this money is Mr. Jordan’s legacy to answer to the Guyanese people. But to point out a few, we saw bloating of the public sector characterizing this period, driving operational costs up by

astronomical levels with no corresponding increase in work output. He must also answer why he transferred lands to people illegally while as a caretaker minister, why monies were spent on capital works in Guyana against the financial laws of the country and why he lied to the Guyanese population about the US$18M signing bonus. Mr. Jordan has the dubious distinction of being the worst Finance Minister to ever set foot in that office. Recently, a $300M fraud was discovered by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) around fuel supply at GUYOIL. Since GUYOIL falls under the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Jordan will have to answer for that as well. It is my duty to ensure that the record is clear on this matter from the outset. This Emergency Budget is a step in the right direction to rectify the wrong-doings and malpractices of Mr. Jordan and the Granger administration and seeks to usher in a new era of economic boom through our plan for prosperity. MEASURES ENACTED BY PRESIDENT ALI’S GOVERNMENT The PPP/C’s budget underpins its philosophy of a pro-poor approach to managing the economy where every measure is designed to affect the Guyanese population in a positive way. A few of the measures in the budget can be categorized as efforts to: 1. Support COVID-19 Frontline Workers by setting aside $150M for their direct benefit 2. Reduce the Cost of Living by the reversal of VAT on electricity and water – a hardship measure placed on the Guyanese people by Mr. Jordan’s policies which is being removed by Dr. Ali’s government. 3. Increase disposable income by directly providing $25,000 per household through $4.5B in the Budget. 4. Measures to Improve the Provision of Education and Health a. Removal of 25 percent corporate tax on

private education which will translate into a reduction in school fees per child b. Removal of 25 percent corporate tax on healthcare. This will translate itself to a lower hospital bill. c. Removal of VAT on medical supplies. This simply means that the bill at the pharmacy is cheaper. 5. Support for miners through removal of VAT on machinery and equipment. Hardship measures created by Mr. Jordan’s policies severely hampered many smallscale miners, forcing them out of operation. This new measure will enable 60 percent of small-scale miners to re-enter the mining sector. 6. Support for farmers through the removal of VAT on ATVs, the reversal of VAT on exports, reversal of land lease fees across all sectors which grew between 67 to 1900 percent under the APNU+AFC government, removal of VAT on fertilizers, agro-chemicals, pesticides, key inputs in poultry industry, zero-rating of poultry industry and the affording of tax concessions on investment in agro-processing facilities, cold storage and packaging. These measures will help to drastically reduce the cost for farmers. 7. Support vulnerable groups through: a. Provision of $15,000 per child b. Doubling of the uniform allowance c. Reduction in cost of construction material through the elimination of VAT, contributing to the dream of home-ownership for the average Guyanese a reality. d. Reducing the cost of a mobile phone which is now used by children to access their online learning platforms e. Slashing of all licencing fees by half – this will assist every person who is operating a small business, shop, grocery store, transport f. Increase in old age pension from $20,500 to $25,000 8. Measures to Support our Amerindian Brothers and Sisters through: a. The implementation of a programme that will see 25,000 solar units being distrib-

Deodat Indar, B.Sc. (Hons.), MBA, FCCA, CPA Minister within the Ministry of Public Works

uted; b. $800M for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) including the re-introduction of the Community Service Officers (CSO) programme aimed at developing young Amerindians in various villages. This will create job opportunities for approximately 2,000 youth; c. $300M from the ADF for investments in productive assets including tractors, trailers and agriculture tools; d. $10M for commencement of the design of the National Toshaos Council Headquarters; and, e. Resumption of the Amerindian Land Titling programme. With the approach laid out by Dr. Ali’s administration, citizens of all walks of life can be assured that his policies and commitment will result in prosperity. President Ali has committed to ensuring that his Plan for Prosperity, despite the challenges, will ensure that standard of living for every citizen is lifted. Guyanese can look forward to an inclusionary and participatory agenda in the medium-term, leaving behind the dark days of Mr. Jordan and the APNU+AFC’s oppressive economic policies.

Mauricio Claver-Carone is new IDB president VICE-PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, on Saturday, participated in the special meeting of the Board of Governors to elect a new president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Guyana, on August 4, 2020, announced its support for the candidacy of Mauricio Claver-Carone, who was elected on Saturday. In his capacity as Guyana’s governor of the IDB, Jagdeo, addressed the meeting and stressed the need for the new president to tackle support for small states in Latin America and the Caribbean. Further, Jagdeo addressed the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the region, particularly for Caribbean countries, including dealing with overburdened health

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo systems, loss of economic output, revenue and employment. He indicated that many countries in the region have had to redirect resources, from fiscally stressed budgets, for tackling the challenges caused by the pandemic to the servicing of

onerous debts. Jagdeo urged recognition of the peculiar circumstances of small states in the region, including the fact that some of these countries have graduated out of concessional financing. As such, he called on the bank to ensure that creative tools and packages be crafted to address the needs of these small states. Claver-Carone will take office on October 1, 2020, for a five-year term. As president, he will oversee the operations of the IDB Group, which comprises the IDB, IDB Invest and IDB Lab. Claver-Carone will succeed current President, Luis Alberto Moreno. The Board of Governors also issued a resolution expressing gratitude to President Moreno for his service. Claver-Carone is current-

New IDB President, Mauricio J. ClaverCarone ly Deputy Assistant to the U.S. President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. He previously served as U.S. Representative to the International Monetary Fund and as

Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College, Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America and Master of Laws in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University Law Center. To be elected President, a candidate must receive a majority of the total voting power of the IDB’s member countries as well as the support of at least 15 of the 28 regional member countries (26 borrowing member countries, plus Canada and the United States). The IDB has a total of 48 member countries, with Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices in all borrowing countries as well as in Europe and

Asia. The Board of Governors is the bank’s highest authority. Each member country appoints a governor, whose voting power is proportional to the capital in the bank subscribed by his or her country. Governors are typically finance ministers, central bank presidents, or other high-ranking officials. The Board of Governors holds annual meetings to review bank operations and make key policy decisions. It also occasionally holds special meetings, including to elect a President. Claver-Carone will be the IDB’s fifth President. He follows Luis Alberto Moreno (2005-2020); Enrique V. Iglesias (19882005); Antonio Ortiz Mena (1971-1988); and Felipe Herrera (1960-1971).

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Understanding Energy

Putting flaring into perspective

MUCH has been debated about the flaring of natural gas at Exxon’s offshore production facility that has gone on longer than many of us expected. While not ideal, it is important to put the situation into context and avoid hasty policy decisions based on hyperbole and a lack of technical knowhow. When wells are drilled into an oil reservoir, “associated” gas comes up to the surface under pressure along with the oil. Companies have a few options to handle this gas, such as reinjecting it, processing it as liquefied natural gas, or flaring it. As a new producer, Guyana lacks the infrastructure to use the gas at this time, says Dr. Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines and a former lead energy specialist at the World Bank, “[so] the practice is to flare or burn these gases.” Unexpected issues with a gas compres-

sor on the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) ship in the Stabroek block led to flaring being continued months after first-oil production began. While it is within Exxon’s permit to flare during the start-up phase, it had been hoped that by now the company would have been able to move to full production and use up nearly all of the associated gas through re-injection and to power the equipment on the vessel. Any level of routine flaring is undesirable, no matter what the volume. Fortunately the Liza project was designed to avoid routine flaring beyond the start-up phase, barring technical glitches. It is the responsibility of Exxon and the other companies operating offshore to address these issues as quickly and safely as possible. However, it is also important to put these numbers into perspective and not be

led astray by pronouncements from some critics, who would prefer Guyana to sit on its oil wealth and be denied the revenue from developing this resource. The top four gas-flaring countries are Russia, Iraq, the United States, and Iran, which together account for 45 per cent of all global gas-flaring, while the top 30 oil-flaring countries account for almost 95 per cent of total flaring. Contrary to some recent sensational claims, Guyana is not in the top 10 or even in the top 30 flaring countries. Those reports confused cubic feet and cubic metres, making it look as though Guyana’s output is much higher than it is in reality. Let’s give those critics the benefit of the doubt that it was an accidental mathematical error and not a deliberate attempt to mislead. But while Guyana’s flaring is relatively minor in context and is occurring 200 kilometres from shore, it still has left many Guyanese wondering why it’s happening at all. All new oil-production operations require some degree of flaring during startup for safety reasons. Even countries with the strongest environmental approaches allow flaring when production gets underway, or in the case of emergencies or equipment malfunctions. Liza Destiny is designed to avoid routine flaring, but in this case, flaring has enabled malfunctioning equipment to be safely repaired while allowing for some production and revenues to Guyana. Future plans to tap some of the gas to generate electricity onshore should also help. At the end of the day, Guyana is the world’s newest oil producer and while un-

fortunate, it is also natural that there have been some speedbumps. Does that mean we should halt all production (and forego millions of dollars of revenue, the jobs and economic benefits) to decrease short-term flaring that is insignificant compared to the top 30 flaring countries? According to Exxon, repairs have been hindered by travel restrictions due to COVID-19 that have also thrown a wrench into the supply chain. The current state of the world has made it much more difficult for specialised technicians to travel to fix critical equipment such as the gas compressor. Therefore, equipment had to be sent abroad for repairs by its manufacturers. But, once repairs are made, Guyana should be able to follow the example of countries such as Norway that are on the path to eliminating routine flaring within the next few years. Liza Destiny and the other FPSOs planned by Exxon are already designed with this in mind and our government would do well to make eliminating routine flaring a policy goal as well. Oil producers in the Stabroek block appear committed to avoiding routine flaring. Now it is up to them to get the situation with the current equipment challenges under control and put measures in place to ensure it does not happen again. If they can accomplish that, Guyana will be well on its way to a status as one of the most environmentally friendly oil producers. It is important to ensure that the flaring currently happening, unfortunate as it is, is just temporary.

Supenaam housewife died from multiple incised wounds THE autopsy on the remains of Lunisa Peters, 24, of Supenaam Village has revealed that she died as a result of multiple incised wounds to the body. The post mortem was conducted on Saturday 12, at the Suddie Mortuary, by government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh. Peters tragically lost her life on September 9 after her ex-boyfriend hauled her by her hair in the washroom and took a knife and dealt her several stabs about her body. A rolling pin was also used to hit her about the body. She had shared a five-year rela-

tionship with the 41-year-old alleged murderer from Golden Fleece Village. According to Meg Matthews, the aunt of the deceased, Peters was warned several times to stay away from the ex-boyfriend. He had also threatened her many times. It is alleged that Peters was having another relationship with an overseas guy who called her the same time her ex-boyfriend was at her home. He heard the male voice and became angry and killed the 24-year-old woman. The ex-boyfriend re-

Dead: Lunisa Peters mains in custody and is expected to be charged for Peters’ murder.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

President Ali touts importance of data for development –– as stakeholders join hands to navigate the challenges of Small Island Developing States

By Vishani Ragobeer THE reliance on data and evidence-based approaches to development in specific contexts must be used to facilitate the development of Guyana and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), according to President, Dr Irfaan Ali. This past week, stakeholders from countries across the globe participated in a Virtual Island Summit which sought to discuss the challenges SIDS faces and their progress towards achieving the United Nations (UN)’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). President Ali delivered remarks at the opening of the Eastern Hemisphere Session recently. It was at this forum the Head of State indicated that several critical lessons were learnt from the voluntary review on Guyana’s progress in implementing the SDGs, done in 2019. Chief among these lessons was the importance of data systems, which Guyana has not yet mastered. In fact, he highlighted that a challenge for Guyana is inadequate data to support planning, policy formulation, and

President Dr. Irfaan Ali targeted intervention. Strong data systems, he explained, promote development by ensuring “strategic and evidence-based interventions” and the absence of these creates difficulties in planning and projection.” To remedy this, the President highlighted, “We will undertake a systematic analysis of our data management system, including data collection and analysis through the public service to identify critical areas of strengthening.” In doing so, he expects data-driven and evidence-based policy decisions and directions, instead of “ad-hoc” actions. At this forum too, President Ali noted that

while Guyana is not an island state, it is a small state which is susceptible to the effects of climate change, natural disasters, and exogenous economic shocks. The country, he noted, is constrained by small markets and a plethora of social issues. “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development provides a framework to ensure that economic transformation results in social transformation, leading overall to the development of welfare of all people of Guyana,” he said. Furthermore, he posited that the intersection of economic development and human development should be focused on by all SIDS. This should include a focus on improving healthcare, education, social justice, security, and poverty reduction, all of which are outlined in the SDGs. “Guyana has begun the process of aligning the SDGs (with) its developmental agenda. We remain wedded to these goals as part of our national development agenda,” he said, but noted that the current COVID-19 pandemic and the constant threat

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves of climate change inhibits progress in the SDGs. ACCESS TO FINANCE Another major challenge affecting Guyana and other Caribbean SIDS is access to finance for developmental purposes. SIDS often seeks funding from multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for developmental projects within the nations. However, President Ali highlighted that the inherent grouping structures of these organisations

constrain development; as countries begin to develop, they move to higher statuses; from low-income to developing to developed. He explained that when capital injections are made and the economy begins to develop, the country “graduates up the ladder.” “While this might sound attractive to policymakers and leaders, there are implications because we are starting from a different starting point and access to concessional financing and grant resources becomes an issue,” he bemoaned. Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, also a speaker at this forum, also addressed further concerns of SIDS in the global multilateral system. He reasoned that the trajectory of development pursued by the global superpowers is not applicable or even conducive for SIDS which contends with threatening vulnerabilities because of their “smallness” and “debilitating legacy of history.” Moreover, SIDS are even more vulnerable to climate change and the resulting onslaught of exacerbated natural

disasters. GLOBAL EXCLUSION “On top of all these shackles of development is the cruel design or evolution of the contemporary global political economy which inhibits and undermines the developmental thrust and indeed the very viable existence of SIDS,” Gonsalves bemoaned. Though SIDS are exceptional because they have been able to survive thus far, he lamented the exclusion of the small, developing states in the design of the global political economy. In order to contend with the unique challenges, Gonsalves posited that global partnerships must be established, with much alacrity, with positions for SIDS in the multilateral global system as well. This, he affirmed, must not merely be discretionary treatment but rather, a commitment that must be embedded in international law. “The SDGs are unlikely to be achieved without a global partnership,” the Vincentian prime minister said plainly.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

LLB graduates to be recruited as prosecutors

PERSONS who possess a Bachelor of Laws degree but did not proceed to law school will be given a chance to become state prosecutors. This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall, who explained that the move is in keeping with the vision to strengthen prosecutorial services. “Except in capital offences tried before a judge and jury in the High Court, invariably, all criminal offences in the Magistrate’s Court are prosecuted by police ranks, who undergo certain limited training in the area of prosecution. Such has been the position since independence. While very few can doubt that having regard to their limited training, and I dare say, their lack of legal education and in some cases equipped only with

secondary education, they have acquitted themselves reasonably well against the most formidable of defence counsel,” Nandlall said. He noted that because of the appreciable inequality, there have been multiple miscarriages of justice, simply because of the defence counsel’s superior knowledge and training in the law. As a result, the legal affairs minister said that the victims of crime, the state and the public interest have suffered decades of grievous injustice. “It is the state’s duty, though belated, to address this deficiency if true justice is to be achieved in our criminal justice system. What I plan to implement, obviously, is far from what is required. But I think it will go a far way in alleviating the current travesty,” Nandlall said. He explained that there

are dozens of persons in Guyana, especially young people, who possess a Bachelor of Laws degree but for whatever reason have not proceeded to one of the law schools in the Region and may be currently unemployed. “I have begun a process of creating a database of these persons and they will be soon contacted to join a new initiative, which will see a collaboration between the Guyana Police Force and the director of public prosecutions, whereby after completing a one-year accredited prosecutorial training course, they will be hired as prosecutors and will join police prosecutors in the magistrates’ court, right across the length and breadth of our country,” the AG said. The legal affairs minister said this addition will augment the quality of prosecutions in the Magis-

trates’ Court qualitatively, while at the same time provide a great job and career opportunity for many law graduates who are currently unemployed. This must have a positive impact and must result in great improvements in the standard of prosecutorial service, so that victims of crime can feel confident when they enter the court- room, said Minister Nandlall. “The sad reality currently is that many times victims of crime feel that the ordeal which they have to endure in the court because of the lack of proper legal representation, is sometimes worse than the crime itself, which they had to endure,” the minister said. He continued: “I will be the first to concede that this is not the ultimate solution, but I will be bold to say that it is a step in

the right direction. In terms of training of these new recruits, discussions have already begun for the implementation of a one-year accredited prosecutorial training programme at the University of Guyana with the Head of the Department of Law and the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Law.”

Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall Over the next few weeks, the AG said these discussions will intensify and hopefully there are a host of other initiatives, which will be implemented under this programme.

Preteen drowns in De Kinderen canal A PRETEEN boy drowned on Friday afternoon while swimming in a canal near his De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home. Dead is Akon Richards, 11, a student, of Lot 45 De Kinderen, WCD. Reports indicate that Richards resides with his grandmother and on the aforementioned day, he was with his two younger female cousins, ages five and nine, playing in the rain when he went into the canal to swim. He later encountered difficulties, was seen struggling to remain above the water and was unsuccessful in returning to the surface. The incident occurred sometime around 15:45hrs. The cousins, having made the observation, notified their mother of what occurred but were Dead: Akon Richards initially ignored. However, they insisted that their cousin went into the water but did not exit, which caused their mother to commence calling out for the boy and after not receiving a response, she alerted the grandmother. Together, they continued calling for the boy but were unsuccessful. A team of family members and neighbours subsequently got together and carried out a search in the said canal. However, Akon’s body was not found until 22:00hrs. By that time, the police were already on the scene assisting with the search. Subsequently, the motionless body of the preteen was fished out of the canal by family members and then escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. The body was examined by the police for marks of violence but none were seen. It is presently at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlor awaiting an autopsy.

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Environmental permit required before Payara gets ‘green light’

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–– EPA and GGMC join ongoing discussions, says Minister Bharrat By Navendra Seoraj GLOBAL oil giants, ExxonMobil, will have to be granted an environmental permit before the company’s Field Development Plan (FDP), for its Payara project, gets the “green light” from local authorities. This was according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday. The Payara Project, located in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block, is expected to see the drilling of up to 45 development wells which could take up to five years, with drilling initially pegged to begin in 2020 and initial production by early 2023. The project marks EEPGL’s third field development in the Stabroek block and targets 180,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day, with anticipation to produce approximately 5,700,000 to 6,600,000 barrels of crude oil per month. A review of the Payara Development Project was previously conducted by the Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants contracted by the Department of Energy (DoE) under the previous administration. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, was initially seeking approval for the Payara Development Project Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and FDP, ahead of 2020. The new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, however, decided to review the work already undertaken by the DoE to ensure that the interests of all Guyanese are protected and are in keeping with international transparency and accountability standards. The current review is being done by a team of international experts headed by Canadian Queen’s Counsel, Alison Redford. Minister Bharrat had told this publication that a team of legal and technical experts from the DoE and a team from ExxonMobil are discussing the draft licence for the Payara project. And, as negotiations between local authorities and ExxonMobil deepen, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is the agency responsible for granting the

environmental permit, and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have joined the panel on the government’s side. ‘YES’ When asked about the latest addition to the panel, Minister Bharrat said: “Yes, the EPA has to issue an environmental permit before the agreement is signed between the government and ExxonMobil.” One of the known environmental issues attributed to ExxonMobil is its offshore flaring, something which local authorities strongly condemned. ExxonMobil’s responsibility to the environment took the forefront in Guyana when the Company encountered issues with its gas compressor after it increased production in mid-May. Key specialist technicians were required to repair the units but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, repairs were initially delayed. It caused concern amongst Guyanese who received reports that ExxonMobil resorted to flaring billions of cubic feet of natural gas due to the challenges. This and other issues are expected to be addressed as the negotiations progress. It was recently reported that the ongoing negotiations, while important to the country’s development as an oil nation, do not determine the government’s position or opportunities in the oil and gas sector, said Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo. As it is now, there are issues related to the Payara project that the government and ExxonMobil do not see eye-to-eye on, but Jagdeo said active negotiations are still ongoing . “We see this as a continuum… Exxon (Mobil) will not disappear tomorrow, and the Payara licence is not the only opportunity to get what the President (Dr. Irfaan Ali) said and what the PPP/C campaigned on, and that is, an industry that benefits the investor, but significantly benefits the people of Guyana, through jobs, business opportunities and so on,” said the vice-president. President Irfaan Ali had said government wants to strike a balance by ensuring the country gets more for local content, brings natural gas to shore and ensure the lives of all Guyanese are improved significantly. ExxonMobil is now

firmly established in Guyana, operating an office in Georgetown with numerous ongoing exploration and development operations offshore. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 18 discoveries

since May 2015 and began production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase one development project. The company is the operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks

offshore Guyana. Since 2015, ExxonMobil has increased its estimated recoverable resource base in Guyana to more than eight billion oil-equivalent barrels.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

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ExxonMobil trainees ready to work By Telesha Ramnarine

FOUR of the trainees who were part of the first group of Guyanese to benefit from an ExxonMobil-organised training in Canada, have expressed their excitement in transitioning from theory to practice when they join the offshore family sometime this month. The four, Royston Khalil, Faudia Mudeena Ramjohn, Sameer Ally and Alex Latchman, spoke to the Guyana Chronicle in online interviews recently, when they all expressed appreciation for the training and detailed the positive effects that it will have on them personally. The four, along with 20 other trainees, returned home last month following an intense 18-month training at the Cape Brenton University. They will now be deployed to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSO) Liza Destiny, where they will be employed by Destiny operator SBM Offshore, in support of ExxonMobil and partners to produce Guyana’s oil and gas. The participants were exposed to basic training in the first instance and then advanced training in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and operations. The four featured in this article have each topped their discipline. Royston Khalil, of Number Four Village, West Coast Berbice, is an electrical technician who said his training overseas was more than he could’ve imagined. “It was very intense being in a classroom from 8 to 4, Monday-Friday, packed with a lot of studying, assignments, tests and exams,” he expressed. The practical training offered was of high standards, using equipment that Khalil said he had never seen in local technical institutions. “I am very proud to have been a part of the first batch… I’m so excited and cannot wait to actually be doing practical work and getting my hands dirty. I’m so ready that I’m counting the days to go offshore,” Khalil further expressed. Faudia Mudeena Ramjohn, another trainee who hails from Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, is an operations technician whose job requires an immense amount of knowledge regarding the product and the process. “I have gained so much knowledge about process control and the oil-and-gas indus-

Royston Khalil try that can be applied not only to the Liza Destiny, but worldwide,” she offered. Further, she said the training has also helped her to develop positive attributes that will help her be a better person and a good operator. “Safety has also become a major part of both my professional and personal life, which is probably the prime benefit.” Ramjohn added: “Developing a country’s resource is one thing, but developing my own country’s resources adds entirely new feelings: those of pride, responsibility, an obsession to get it right and to do it as safely as possible. I feel nothing but excitement. I’m ready to learn more and I’m ready to officially be a part of the industry that powers the world.” HANDS-ON WORK The basic-systems training in the four disciplines was followed by hands-on work in a classroom setting, and now they will put their training to work on the FPSO, where they will be mentored by experienced experts from SBM Offshore and other business partners. SBM Offshore Country Manager Herve Laurioux, believes that the programme demonstrated SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil’s commitment to ensuring that Guyanese are meaningfully engaged in every aspect of their work in the country. Meanwhile, another trainee, Sameer Ally of New Amsterdam, Berbice, is an instrument technician trainee who is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He explained that the training was both theoretical and practical and was divided into two parts, the first being

Faudia Mudeena Ramjohn in basic skills training which entailed exploration, drilling and production of oil and gas, while advanced skills training allowed him to specialise in instrumentation. “I have become a lot more safety conscious; whatever I do, I think safety first. The oil-and-gas industry requires high levels of competency. I am confident that I can safely, efficiently and effectively carrying [sic] out my daily tasks on the FPSO, which in turn help the company attain its objectives to the benefit of Guyana,” he said, adding, “I am 100 per cent ready to join the offshore family. It is truly an honour.” Offering a bit of advice for other Guyanese who wish to work in the oil-and-gas industry, Ally said: “Set your goals and work towards them. There is [a] lot of negativity out there, but we all have unique opportunities to be part of an industry with the potential to develop Guyana even more.” The fourth trainee, Alex Latchman of Cummings Lodge, is now a mechanical technician who completed detailed studies on pumps, valves, pipes, compressors and gas turbines, among others. He was also able to complete Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), Basic firefighting training, atmosphere gas-testing and firstaid response. “This training has given me the opportunity to expand my technical knowledge and the skills, while instilling the importance of safety in my day-to-day life, at work and at home. I am extremely excited to be putting the theoretical knowledge gained over the last 18 months into practice. I wish to thank my wife, family and instructors for the extra support they have given me throughout

Sameer Ally

Alex Latchman

my training,” Latchman expressed. ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Adviser Janelle Persaud offered that the development model for operations and maintenance employees is designed for trainees to advance from Technician I to III over time. She said the intent is to enhance their capacity to such a level that they are able to replace an experienced international worker. More than 2,000 Guyanese are working on ExxonMobil activities in Guyana, which represents 55 per cent of the total workforce.

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$790M for operationalisation of COVID-19 hospital –– funds to be spent on retrofitting, equipping and establishing ICU

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA has already expended $1.6 billion on the infectious diseases hospital at Liliendaal, but the facility, which was built by the former APNU+AFC administration, will need $790 million in additional

work before it is fully operationalised. “Given the poor planning that went into the conceptualisation of this facility, we are forced to budget a further $790 million in addition to the $1.6 billion already sunk, to operationalise the infectious disease hospital,” said

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Juan Edghill, while presenting government’s $329.5 billion budget to the National Assembly, on Wednesday. The former government had said the new facility, which was established at the site of the former Ocean View Hotel, will serve as the

first all-inclusive infectious diseases facility, and would eventually remove the constraints from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the regional and district hospitals, especially in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It was reported that the

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony facility has a capacity for 190 beds and also caters for laboratories, a pharmacy, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an operating theatre and even a mortuary. A section of the facility was also set to house the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), a surveillance centre, a research centre and administrative offices. A closer examination of the facility by the new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government revealed major inefficiencies in not just the physical aspect of the project, but also the deal between the former government and the owner of the former hotel, Jacob Rambarran. In highlighting some of those inefficiencies, Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, had said there is no flow of air in the facility, so there is a possibility of everyone becoming infected. There is also no provision for oxygen in the wall, and the Audit Office, in a past inspection, had found mold in the building. Persons had called the facility a ‘shell.’ But considering the “hefty chunk” of tax dollars which were spent on this project, the new government chose to not ignore the project. DIFFERENT THINGS “We have to look at the different things that we will use the funds ($790 million) for,” said Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, in an invited comment on Saturday. Authorities had already transferred patients with mild

symptoms of COVID-19 from GPHC to a section of the infectious diseases hospital, but Dr. Anthony said a number of issues have since been identified. Those issues, he said, were related to plumbing and electrical deficiencies, things which will be addressed through the use of the additional funding. “Some of the work will focus on the retrofitting of plumping and all of that… we recognise that we have to do plumbing and wiring in the whole place… a lot of expenses,” Minister Anthony lamented. Funding will also go towards purchasing equipment for the facility and the establishment of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The idea to establish a special COVID-19 facility was put to government by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) after a new study found that Guyana could have as many as 20,000 COVID-19 cases in a month. The Ministry of Health, using the PAHO/WHO method, had initially projected 1,400 cases, but a recent study done by PAHO/ WHO found that, with every case, another 2.5 persons will be affected within five days, if there is no partial lockdown, and if persons do not exercise effective social distancing. “That 2.5, if I infect you, you infect 2.5 others and they infect another See page 18

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Wife held in husband’s suspicious death A 47-year-old man who was chopped to the head when three masked men invaded his home on Friday evening, succumbed, hours after, at the New Amsterdam Hospital. The man has been identified as Mohamed Haniff, a taxi driver of Lot 56 Experiment, West Coast Berbice. Police have so far detained the man’s 44-yearold wife as investigation continues. According to Police, at approximately 21:00 hrs, Dead: Mohamed Haniff Hamid and his wife were at home alone when the three unidentified men, armed with a gun, cutlass and an iron bar, pounced on them. During the ordeal, one of the men fired several chops to Hamid’s head and demanded cash and valuables. However, when the victims responded that they had none, the men made their escape empty-handed. The seriously-injured man was picked up and taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital but was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam hospital where he died, about four hours later. The Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene, and, during their initial investigation, recognised that the wife’s account of the incident did not add up; hence, she was detained, pending further investigation. Reports are that the wife is facing some financial trouble and, reportedly, pawned the house without her husband’s knowledge. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the victim returned to Guyana on Saturday last. An investigation into the murder is ongoing.

$790M for operationalisation ... From page 16

The infectious diseases hospital at Liliendaal 2.5. Within a month we will get over 20,000; it’s a simple model but it makes a lot of sense,” said PAHO/ WHO Resident Representative, Dr. William AduKrow, in a previous News Room report. And should this happen, Dr. Adu-Krow said five per cent or 1,000 of those infected would need intensive care, and Guyana simply does not have the capacity for this. Guyana has so far recorded 1,763 cases of COVID-19. But 1,144 of those persons have since recovered while 52 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 46 persons are in institutional isolation and 508 are in home isolation, while 13 persons are being treated in the COVID-19 ICU.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Two more persons die from COVID-19 –– 49 new cases recorded within the past 24 hours, 138 samples sent to CARPHA GUYANA has lost two persons to the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the death toll to 54. The victims were a 62-year-old man from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and a 67-year-old male from Region One (Barima-Waini). Both victims were admitted to local health facilities and were tested after showing signs of COVID-19. They, however, succumbed while receiving treatment. The Ministry of Health expressed condolences to the families of those persons and committed to making every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time. Officials of the ministry have since contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who might have been exposed to the victims. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus. Most people, who fall sick with COVID-19, will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. The WHO had said that 81 per cent of persons, who contract COVID-19, will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms and five per cent will need intensive care. But the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer”, especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, among other things. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said clinicians around the world are working double time to ensure that their patients, who have underlying conditions, are safe during this time. “We need to help by educating persons… they need to understand that once they have underlying conditions… they would have a greater risk of having the more severe form of the disease if they get COVID-19,” said Dr. Anthony, in an invited comment on Saturday. In speaking about some of the measures in place at local clinics, the health minister said they have been promoting sanitisation, the wearing of masks and adherence to social distancing protocols. Dr. Anthony said that now, more than ever, persons have to be their “brother’s keeper,” especially as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. Guyana has so far recorded 1,812 cases of COVID-19 with 49 of those cases being recorded in the past 24 hours. But 1,191 of those persons have since recovered while 54 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 48 persons are in institutional isolation and 504 are in home isolation, while 15 persons are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The emergence of asymptomatic cases had prompted authorities to distribute more sample kits across the country, especially to regions where the infection rate is high. Most of the cases have so far been recorded in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Increased sample-taking had resulted in a backlog which authorities sought to alleviate by sending 500 samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARHPA). The results of some of those samples have already been received, and the country has sent an additional 138 samples for testing, said Dr. Anthony.

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Pompeo to visit Guyana US SECRETARY of State, Michael Pompeo, is expected to visit Guyana on September 17 to 18, 2020, an official correspondence from the Foreign Affairs Ministry has confirmed. However, the details of the visit are not yet available. In July, Pompeo had imposed sanctions on officials of the former government who resisted handing over power to the PPP/C, following a vote recount of the March 2 elections. The unnamed targeted individuals are “responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy” in Guyana, the US secretary of state had said. The sanctions include the revoking of visas of the then APNU+AFC government officials and could be

day was elected IDB president during a meeting of the bank’s Board of Governors. Claver-Carone is the first person from outside Latin America to lead the Washington-based IDB since its founding in 1959. A statement from the bank has indicated that he will take office on October 1, 2020, for a five-year term. The IDB plays a piv-

US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo

IDB President, Mauricio Claver-Carone applied to members of their families. The US action followed a move by the PNC/R-led coalition to seek a local court injunction on the declaration of the winner of the elections. Others likely subject to US sanctions included former government ministers and members of the elections commission. “The Granger Government must respect the result of democratic elections and step aside,” Pompeo had said back in July 2020. Since taking office, the new government has announced support for Mauricio Claver-Carone, US-nominated candidate to head the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Claver-Carone on Satur-

otal role in the progress and overall development of Guyana, Latin America and the Caribbean Region. The Board of Governors is the bank’s highest authority; it has a total of 48 member countries. Claver-Carone succeeds President Luis Alberto Moreno. The Board of Governors issued a resolution expressing gratitude to President Moreno for his service. Claver-Carone is currently deputy assistant to the U.S. President and senior director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. He previously served as U.S. representative to the International Monetary Fund and as senior adviser to the Under-Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. To be elected president of the IDB, a candidate must receive a majority of the total voting power of the IDB’s member countries as well as the support of at least 15 of the 28 regional member countries (26 borrowing member countries, plus Canada and the US). The IDB is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has offices in all borrowing countries as well as in Europe and Asia.

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SOCU will no longer be a political tool, says AG

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–– staff should include top-class investigators, lawyers, accountants and auditors By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT will ensure that the Special Organised Crime unit (SOCU) functions autonomously while pursuing its mandate of investigating Anti-Money Laundering/ Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) offences. This is according to Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall. “No serious offence has been instituted against anyone and there has been no conviction of any worth over the past five years; and that has to do with the enforcement arm of the AML/ CFT which is SOCU, not being allowed to function

in the manner it was set up to function,” the attorney general noted. The legal affairs minister had repeatedly said that SOCU is the enforcement arm of the AML/CFT structure and should be staffed with top-class investigators, lawyers, accountants, financial investigators and auditors among others. This body he said is supposed to pursue information supplied to them by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to investigate and recommend charges. “SOCU has been used by the previous administration as a political witch-hunting tool against us who were in the opposition at the time, so we have to reorient SOCU, properly equip SOCU and

allow SOCU to discharge its statutory mandate under the AML/CFT Act,” Nandlall said. However, on Friday, SOCU won its first case against a man who was “busted” with money hidden in cans of paint at the Springlands, Berbice crossing. The sum of $6M was ordered forfeited to the state. Michael Bagot, a Guyanese, was intercepted on March 12, 2020 while coming from Suriname and having in his possession €24, 530.00 (the equivalent of G$6M) concealed in cans of paint. The Springlands-Berbice crossing at reference is not the officially designated point of entry between Guyana and neighbouring

Suriname. Bagot was arrested by the police for failing to present himself to the immigration authorities and to declare whatever foreign currency he had on him that was over the prescribed limit set out by the Foreign Exchange (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 86:01, Laws of Guyana. Subsequent to his arrest, SOCU approached the Supreme Court for an interim order to confiscate the sum of €24, 530.00, in accordance with Section 37 (2) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Chapter 10: 11, Laws of Guyana. The learned Chief Justice Madame Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, grant-

ed the detention order for the police to lawfully detain the currency on March 17, 2020; said Order was further extended on June 12, 2020 for three months, pending the hearing and determination of the Fixed-Date Application. The Commissioner of Police, through the Chambers of the Attorney-General, commenced legal proceedings for the civil forfeiture of the said sum, whereby written submissions were made before Madame Justice JoAnn Barlow. The court eventually found that based on the manner of concealment of the money in paint cans, it could be inferred that said monies came from unspecified criminal conduct. It was also found that

Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall Bagot failed to provide information disclosing the source of said concealed money, and that on previous occasions he had left the jurisdiction from the designated immigration point of entry and exit, but when he re-entered Guyana, it was through the “back-track” route. In light of the foregoing, the court ruled that the sum of €24, 530.00 would be forfeited to the state. There was no Order as to costs.

Budget at 24

IN the first half of 2020, Guyanaís real economy is estimated to have grown by 45.6 per cent, driven by the petroleum sector. However, the non-oil economy contracted by 4.9 per cent, with significant declines recorded across many major industries. This was, in part, due to the protracted general and regional elections, but also a result of the significant reduction in economic activity after the introduction of several emergency measures in the second quarter to curb the spread of COVID-19. These measures saw restrictions being imposed on the movement of persons and operation of non-essential businesses, which, in turn, led to a reduction in household income. While there was a phased relaxation of measures in the third quarter, a surge in COVID-19 cases in August has necessitated the reintroduction of more stringent measures. The need to constantly monitor and readjust emergency measures in response to the spread of COVID-19 amplifies uncertainty surrounding the economic performance of various industries for the remainder of this year. As such, a few different scenarios are considered in forecasting growth and other macroeconomic indicators for 2020. Real GDP is expected to grow by between 48.4 per cent and 51.2 per cent, while the non-oil economy is expected to contract by between 1.4 per cent and 4.3 per cent SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT * $100 million for the Small Business Development Fund to provide loans and grants to prospective small business owners. * $212.1 million has been allocated to the Small Business Bureau, which includes provision to equip and operationalise the business incubators at Lethem and Belvedere. * $105 million to the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development programme, which is being redesigned to ensure that the intended outcomes of small and micro business development and livelihood improvements are being demonstrably achieved.

ENERGY EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION * Govít pursuing a path that will allow for the completion of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. * Will pursue mini-hydro grid-tied systems in Bartica and Lethem as part of energy diversification initiatives. Additionally, solar and wind systems for off-grid areas are being addressed. * 25,000 Amerindian Household to benefit from Hinterland Electrification Programme.

* $400.6 million has been allocated for expanded electrification of our Amerindian and hinterland communities.

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of the accident and emergency and medical outpatient departments of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). * $20 million is budgeted for the commencement of the design of a four-storey building to relocate the pharmacy and medical records services, and to create on-call accommodation for our hard-working medical personnel. * A further $2.5 billion is budgeted for drugs and medical supplies for the hospital. * Government will budget an additional $790 million towards the operationalisation of the infectious disease hospital.

tilation, working toilets, the d students and ancillary staff and safe behaviour in all learning * The Cyril Potter Colleg funding to facilitate learning tres of teacher education and t education programme. * $221.3 million is alloca several roll-over projects acro campuses including the new resources and bursary buildin learning centre and electrical u

HOU * $3 billion has been bud of governmentís housing deve frastructural development in ex preparation for new housing s INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY * $5.2 billion for ICT development. * Government will liberalise the telecommunications sector and increase access to cheap data and bandwidth. * National Data Management Authority will receive an increased subvention of $2 billion. * An additional $200 million will be invested to expand the Learning Channel. * $65.6 million for the completion of a call centre in Linden; 200 jobs for our people.

HEALTH * $14.3 billion has been budgeted for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies. * Corrective action to facilitate the procurement of emergency supplies of drugs and medical supplies, to the tune of $3.2 billion will be undertaken. * Completion of the SMART Hospital initiatives at Diamond, Paramakatoi, Mabaruma, Leonora and Lethem. * Redevelopment of the West Demerara, Suddie and Bartica Hospitals. * Operationalisation of a national electronic patient information system. * $143.3 million is budgeted for the purchase of HIV-related drugs and medical supplies. * Government will invest $17 million in the construction of a cold storage bond in Region Six to ensure the maintenance of a sufficient supply of vaccines in-country. * $15 million is budgeted for the continued extension

EDUCATION * $1.7 billion has been allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of schools across the country. * In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursery students will be given individual home-based packages containing print material, manipulatives and other appropriate resources. The primary and secondary students will each receive work books and the core text books in Math, English, Social Studies and Science. * Additionally, the timetabled structured format on the Learning Channel that caters for each grade from Nursery to Grade Nine will be expanded and upgraded so that six channels can run concurrently. This upgrade will also permit for hinterland communities that are currently unserved to be catered for. * A portion of the $300 million allocated to blended learning options is budgeted for the establishment of a radio station which will be dedicated to delivering education. * Provisions have been made for schools to be retrofitted with the necessary infrastructure to exist in a COVID-19 world. These include sinks with running water, proper ven-

WATER AND * A portion of the overall s ed for sanitation interventions geted for a number of water s in coastland and hinterland are bina, Wainina, Shulinab, Shea * A study will commence water from the Hope Canal, a ment systems for the hinterla Mahdia, the islands of Leguan areas of Walton Hall to Chari Region Five and Tain to No. 5

AMERINDIAN A DEVEL * Money has been allocate Indigenous People in the area velopment, student welfare, w

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delivery of masks to teachers, d adequate signage to promote institutions and schools. ge of Education will receive continuity in hinterland cento facilitate the virtual teacher

ated to complete and advance oss the University of Guyana w sewer system, the human ng, the pump house, teaching upgrade projects.

USING dgeted for the implementation elopment vision, including inxisting housing schemes, land schemes and land acquisition.

D SANITATION sum of $644.2 million allocats in 2020 government is budsupply improvement projects eas including Mabaruma, Bara, Cheong Mouth and Bartica. e for the provision of potable and the design of water treatand towns of Mabaruma and n and Wakenaam and coastal ity ñ Region Two, Bush lot ñ 50 Village ñ Region Six.

AND HINTERLAND LOPMENT ed to facilitate support for the as of food security, youth dewomen initiatives, agriculture,

eco-tourism and grant to fund social and productive micro projects. * $800 million is allocated to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), out of which $300 million will be used for the purchase of tractors and accessories to incentivise agricultural economic activity within indigenous communities. * An initial sum of $10M was budgeted for the design of a new head office for the National Toshaoís Council. * The ICT hub programme will also be re-introduced to 26 Amerindian communities and 25,000 households solar photovoltaic units will be provided. * $800 million has been budgeted for the Hinterland Roads Programme to address construction and rehabilitation of roads across Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10. * Amerindian communities will also be benefitting from the COVID-19 cash assistance announced by this government ñ about 19,000 Amerindian households are expected to benefit from the $25,000 cash transfer, with an allocation of about $475 million.

SENIOR CITIZENS * In addition to strengthening the medical capacities at the Palms Geriatric Home, government will be reinstating the water subsidy for pensioners from October 1, and, from January 1, 2021, an increase in the Old Age Pension to $25,000.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN * $25 million has been allocated to support the effective functioning of the Youth Advisory Council.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY * $38.9 billion is budgeted for the deployment of resources to improve investigative and forensic capabilities and provide equipment, facilities and training for our law enforcement officers; for expanding the use of ICT in the fight against crime, providing better remuneration and conditions for the officers in our security forces and ensuring greater accountability by the Police Force for solving crime and to reform the prison system, to improve conditions and ensure compulsory training and educational opportunities for prisoners, security and safety prison officers. * Government has budgeted $1 billion for ongoing works on police stations including Anna Regina, Fort Wellington, Mabaruma, Golden Grove and Mahdia and divisional headquarters to align the policeís boundaries with Guyanaís administrative regional boundaries. * Additionally, police stations will be constructed at Cove and John, Brickdam, Matthewís Ridge, Leonora, Lethem, Whim, Albion, Parika, Wismar and Mahdia. * Further, government has set aside $428.1 million for the procurement of 50 vehicles to aid in the crime fight. * Approximately $63 million has been allocated to the procurement of two water tenders for Linden and Bartica, as well as to upgrade the facilities at Mahdia. Additional vehicles, tools and equipment will also be procured to aid in firefighting.

PETROLEUM * Government will immediately engage the oil and gas companies in better contract administration/renegotiation. * An armís length SWF insulated from political interference will be established. * Legislation will guide how funds will flow from the SWF into the budget, and the purpose for which they will be used.

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* It will be endured that expenditures are transparently determined and go through the parliamentary process. * There will be the establishment of a model PSA based on industrywide standards and best practices. The purpose of this is to ensure that Guyanese receive maximum benefit from these contracts without disincentivising foreign investors in the sector. * Thousands of Guyanese will be trained at every level to create national core of managers and workforce to chart the future direction and effectively manage the sector. * It will be ensure that annual reports from the government are laid in the National Assembly detailing oil revenues and expenditures. * There will be regular audits. * Civil society will be involved in a central role to monitor compliance and accountability. * $586.5 million is allocated to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, which has responsibility for metrology on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO).

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY * Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates will be opened in a phased approach. * A capital injection of $112.9 million is allocated to the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary-Agricultural Development Authority to undertake critical drainage and irrigation works which will see improvements for farmers, and will also bring additional lands to a usable state. * Over 1,200 acres of farmland in West Watooka, Linden will benefit from D&I works in 2020. Additionally, plans for the design of pump stations at Cottage, Adventure, and Andrew, as well as the design of farm-tomarket roads at Villages 52-58, Region Six, Right Bank Mahaicony, Left Bank Mahaica, and Salem, Region Three, will commence.

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A big boost to education in hinterland –– Indigenous communities looking forward to solar panel distribution By Telesha Ramnarine HAVING to deal with patients at the Aishalton District Hospital in the dead of night with no electricity can be quite challenging for the health workers there, and hence they are among those who welcome the solar panel distribution initiative that will see ap-

proximately 25,000 units being dispersed to various Amerindian villages. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, told Guyana Chronicle recently that the solar panels are primarily for the indigenous villages, and will target facilities within those areas that especially have to do

with health, education, ICT hubs, and even households. “We have agreed, too, that those households whose batteries have been destroyed over the years will also receive some support,” the minister informed. And the batteries are especially needed, Toshao for Katoonarib Village, Nicholas Cyril stated during an inter-

view with this newspaper. “If you are giving the solar panels, you should also give the batteries,” he urged. Katoonarib Village is located in South Central, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo), and the population is said to be growing. Therefore, an assessment may need to be done to determine which households do

Katoonarib Toshao, Nicholas Cyril we do not have light, so we will usually use our torchlight or phone when there is no light,” he explained about the dire need for such units in his village. HIGHER GRADES Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall offered that the project is already in the implementation stage following President Irfaan Ali’s agreement with the Indian Government. “It’s basically that we did the planning, CHW at Aishalton, Carl Croft not have solar panels. “The initiative will help children to study at nights; and when the indigenous people come from fishing and hunting, they would need to use light,” Cyril expressed, adding, “In these areas where we live, we mostly use firewood, some lamps, so this project will greatly help us.” The village has Wifi and with schools out due to the pandemic, Cyril opined that those villagers with devices will be able to benefit. However, with most of them having no phones or tablets, he is especially looking forward to the restart of the ‘One Laptop per Family’ initiative. As for Carl Croft, who hails from Aishalton Village, also situated in Region Nine, the units will especially prove effective to the health sector. He spoke from the standpoint of a Community Health Worker at the village hospital. “Solar panels would be very effective in our community because we have a long, dry, sunny weather. And most of us do not have electricity. Sometimes we have patients at nights and

Mabaruma DEO, Marti De Souza and it’s for the funding to happen now. The funding has already been initiated so it’s for the disbursement and so forth to take place.” According to him, the solar panels would be of higher grades than was previously provided and will also have a longer shelf life. “It will not cost so much to maintain, and when I say solar panels I mean the system. The system consists of a panel and the batteries and so forth,” he explained. The announcement of the 20 to 25,000 solar panels to the hinterland communities See page 27

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A big boost to education...

From page 26

was announced in August by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill. He had explained that the project was accelerated following discussions between President Ali and India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, K. J. Srinivasa.

SOLAR PANELS AND EDUCATION District Education Officer for the Mabaruma Sub Region, Marti De Souza, told Guyana Chronicle, on Friday, that, from an education perspective, the solar panel initiative is a plus, given that

schools have not physically re-opened and children will be using whatever means necessary to continue learning. “What it will mean for them is that they will have a steady flow of energy/electricity, and this is one of the concerns if we are to conduct any sort of teaching electronically. Looking at the Learning Channel, for example, if you do not have a steady flow of electricity, even if you have television, how do you get access?” De Souza offered that solar energy will especially benefit those who are living along

isolated, riverine communities. “It’s a move in the right direction. Education will stand to benefit. In Mabaruma here, we will be broadcasting audio lessons so having a radio on at all times would be good for the children, and even to charge their devices because if they are going to be interacting with their teachers to receive handouts via WhatsApp, energy is important.” Karen Abraham, from Kato Village, also spoke from an education point of view. “I am thinking it would be good to give to households, but then again, if we are going to talk

about virtual learning, I am thinking it would be good to equip all hinterland schools with solar electricity so that when this forum of learning is extended, they would have sufficient electricity to be able to provide power for projectors or television sets so as to use recorded lessons or videos to teach.” Whether the government decides to give the units to families or equip the schools with them, Abraham believes that the project should start with the deep riverine communities which have no other means to acquire electricity.

Kato Head Teacher, Karen Abraham

Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Miner fined $12M for destroying section of Cuyuni River

A MINE operator, who destroyed a section of the Cuyuni River, resulting in extensive damage to the buffer area of the river, has been fined $12M by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The fine was imposed by the GGMC after an investigation found that the operator committed several offences. The ministry, in a release, said field officers and the members of the Prosecutorial Unit combined their efforts to secure the first custodial penalty imposed on a miner for illegal mining. The miner was found to be operating illegally on a Prospecting Licence (PL) in the North West Mining District and refused to comply with repeated orders of the commission to desist from such activities.Â

“In the meantime, the Ministry of Natural Resources, through the GGMC, will continue to take a firm stance against illegal mining and prosecute defaulters, in keeping with the Mining Act and Regulations, for the sustainable governance of the mining sector,� the ministry said in a release. As part of a renewed strategic vision for the extractive sector, particularly mining, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, has mandated the GGMC to intensify monitoring and compliance in keeping with the Mining Act and Regulations. According to a release, this follows the relatively high price for gold and the See page 29

The fine was imposed by the GGMC after an investigation found that the operator committed several offences

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Miner fined $12M ...

From page 28

much-anticipated gold rush which leads to illegal mining and raiding of legitimate mining properties. As such, the GGMC’s Mines Services Division has resuscitated its Prosecutorial Unit to combat the emerging trend of illegal mining. Minister Bharrat pointed out that the dormancy of this unit resulted in a cavalier approach towards compliance by miners. The success of this unit has rapidly gained attention across the various mining districts, as the commission intensifies efforts to

combat illegal mining and preservation of safe working environment. According to the natural resources minister, the unit is well supported by the field staff of the division whose compliance checks were essential for filing the requisite charges in instances where offences were committed. Minister Bharrat has also mandated the GGMC to aggressively pursue illegal mining and operations that are not in keeping with safety and environmental standards.

Autopsy: Port Kaituma pensioner died of multiple stab wounds AN autopsy done on a 75-yearold security guard, who was beaten to death in Port Kaituma two Saturdays ago, revealed that he died of hemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds. Earl Peters of Ballfield, Port Kaituma, who was a guard at the office of the Guyana Elections Commission in the district, was rushed to the hospital where he briefly regained consciousness. He then told investigators that

an unknown man attacked him, inflicted the injuries and walked away. A businessman, who resides at Train Line, Port Kaituma, told police that he was at home when he heard someone shouting for help. “He immediately went outside to investigate and observed a male, whom he recognised to be Mr. Earl Peters, lying on the ground soaked with what appeared to be blood. He then ran to the Port Kaituma

Police Station and made a report,� police said. Police said that they observed Mr. Peters lying on his back on the ground in an unconscious state and soaked with what appeared to be blood from injuries to his abdomen, his left side head and left wrist. After briefly regaining consciousness, Mr. Peters died at the hospital at about 11:23 on September 5, 2020 while receiving treatment.

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Cricket festival in... CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

will take away $250 and the losing semi-finalists will earn $125, tournament director Rodney Simpson said. Simpson explained during last Friday morning’s press conference held at the YMCA that from next year it would be turned into a regional competition because Cozier was well known throughout the Caribbean. “This tournament this year would be a local tournament but next year we will make it a regional tournament because Tony Cozier, who died on May 11, 2016 at the age of 75, is known throughout the Caribbean. We want to move the tournament to different parts of the Caribbean, we want to play it in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, move it around. “Through this first tournament, what we are going to do is that we are going to use this tournament to select a Barbados team to represent Barbados out of this first tournament. So, this tournament is not a one-off and not a local tournament. We will use the local tournament as a nursery to play in the regional tournament,” Simpson said. He explained that for this inaugural edition, the teams are going to be split into four zones, eight matches per day over a period of four Sundays. Two teams from each zone will advance through to the quarterfinal, semifinal and final. Individual prizes will also be given to the most outstanding performers. Hamilton Lashley, chairman of the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation, who is hosting the event, said that it wasn’t by accident that they envisioned this tournament. He explained that the idea for this cricket festival was mooted after his foundation looked across the landscape of Barbados and realised that young people needed intervention in their lives. Therefore, Lashley, a former member of parliament and also a veteran community activist, along with his committee members, came up with this competition named after the former sports journalist, administrator, outstanding community practitioner and president of the Barbados Hockey Association. “If we are going to tackle the serious issues confronting our young people in

this country, we have to use practical and popular ideals, ideas and activities to at least bring what I like to call, a kind of equilibrium to the social landscape. “We have decided as a committee that the best medium to use and the most attractive medium to use, contrary to what some social interventionist might think, is the element of sports. Sports continue to be underestimated and underrated in terms of the stabilising effect that it brings to the community,“ Lashley said. The outspoken activist added that he believes the accolade of the highest order for the independence award in Barbados should have been accorded to Cozier when he was alive. And it is not just Cozier but many other outstanding sportsmen and women, he noted, that should have been honoured and recognised while they were still alive. Cozier’s daughter Natalie Linton was present at the launch and spoke on behalf of her family including brother and cricket analyst Craig Cozier who was in Trinidad and Tobago for the Caribbean Premier League. Linton in expressing her gratitude said: “It is a pleasure for me to be here and for my dad to be honoured like this to have a competition named after him. I am certain with all the partners involved and Mr Lashley’s organisation and his team that it will be a successful tournament and will go on for years. Community Officer of the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation, which has been in operation since 2006, Marc Laurent, added that it was an honour to recognise a stalwart such as Cozier and to highlight his contribution, not only to cricket but also to hockey. “This foundation has facilitated a number of community events. I need to tip my hat to Mr Lashley because a lot of it has been done without the assistance of what we call social media now. This is an opportunity to highlight activities that the foundation has been taking part in over the last couple of years, and use this as a platform or springboard to get more individuals on board through traditional media,” Laurent said. (Extracted from Barbados Today)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

NBA Play-offs:

Boston Celtics beat Toronto Raptors to reach conference finals

THE Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference finals with a 9287 win against defending champions Toronto Raptors in the series’ deciding game. Raptors’ Fred VanVleet missed a three-point attempt that would have tied the game at 90-90 with 12 seconds left then Kemba Walker made his free throws at the other end to seal the win. Celtics’ Jayson Tatum starred with 29 points 12 rebounds in game seven. Celtics will face Miami Heat in the conference finals. Game one of that series - Celtics’ third conference finals appearance in the last four seasons - will take place on Tuesday. Heat reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2014 with a 4-1 series win over Milwaukee Bucks.

Boston Celtics last won a conference title in 2010.

Raptors had come back from 2-0 down to tie the series against Celtics at 3-3, but VanVleet’s 20 points were not enough to help them to victory. Jaylen Brown added 21 points eight rebounds for

Celtics, while Marcus Smart had 16 points six assists and a crucial block in the final minute. “I tip my hat to Toronto. They’re the defending champs and they have a lot of heart,” Tatum said.

“They made us earn that. I think we responded after almost being up 3-0, then tied 2-2. It was big and I think it’s going to help us moving forward.” (BBC Sport)

US Open final

Thiem, Zverev battle to become first Thiem, new champion in six years

By Amy Tennery

NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) Austria’s Dominic Thiem and Germany’s Alexander Zverev will vie for the U.S. Open tennis title today in a final that will crown a new men’s Grand Slam singles champion for the first time in six years. Second-seed Thiem has lost three previous Grand Slam finals -- twice to Rafael Nadal at the French Open and once to world number one Novak Djokovic in Australia -- while Zverev had never previously been beyond the last four at a major. With Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer, the sport’s dominant trio, all absent from Flushing Meadows’ final weekend this year, tennis will have a new Grand Slam champion for the first time since Marin Cilic beat Kei Nishikori to clinch the U.S. Open title in 2014. Federer and Nadal had both opted out of this year’s tournament, while Djokovic exited in the fourth round after an infamous swat of his racquet sent a tennis ball into a line judge’s

neck. “From the moment Novak was out of the tournament, it was clear that there’s going to be a new Grand Slam champion,” said Thiem, who was thwarted by Djokovic in a fiveset heartbreaker in Melbourne earlier this year. “From that moment on, that was also out of my mind. I was just focussing on the remaining guys left in the draw.” The 27-year-old, who suffered a shock first-round defeat at the hands of unseeded Thomas Fabbiano last year, has triumphed over his last three opponents in straight sets. Standing in his path to a maiden title is 23-year-old Zverev, who is out for revenge after losing to Thiem in their Australian Open semi-final earlier this year. The seventh-ranked Zverev came back from a two-set deficit in his semi-final against Pablo Carreno Busta on Friday, proving he has the grit and determination to pull through when the going gets tough. “I looked at the scoreboard; I’m down two sets to love in a Grand

Slam semi-final. I knew I had to start playing better, to give myself a chance,” said Zverev. “I wanted to give myself ... set by set just the opportunity to stay in the match. That’s what I did.” One of the tallest men in the sport at 1.98m, Zverev will look to unleash his massive serve to gain the advantage, after firing off 116 aces during tournament so far, compared to 41 from Thiem. World number three Thiem, however, has committed nearly 70 fewer unforced errors than Zverev through six rounds in New York this year. Thiem has also demonstrated a keen understanding of his opponent’s game, and leads 7-2 in their head-tohead, although he is taking nothing for granted. “The moment we start the final, we both want to win with everything we have. That’s all I focus on. A good record against Sascha, it doesn’t help me at all,” Thiem told reporters. “I expect a very tough, very open match. I guess that’s what it’s going to be.”

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Kragh Andersen wins stage 14 of the Tour de France

By Julien Pretot

LYON, France (Reuters) - Denmark’s Soren Kragh Andersen timed his effort to perfection to win the 14th stage of the Tour de France, a 194.5-km ride from Clermont-Ferrand on Saturday. The Team Sunweb rider attacked with just under three kilometres to go and never looked back as Slovenian Luka Mezgec took second place and Italian Simone Consonni came home third, 15 seconds behind.

Slovenian Primoz Roglic retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey ahead of today’s 15th stage, a 174.5-km mountain trek ending up the Col du Grand Colombier. Triple world champion Peter Sagan regained some ground on points classification leader Sam Bennett when he finished fourth after the Irishman was dropped early on and could not fight for victory in the finale. Bennett, who is looking to become the first Irishman

since Sean Kelly in 1989 to win the green jersey, leads with 262 to Sagan’s 219. Sagan is hoping to claim a record-extending eighth green jersey but he has been far from his best this season. His Bora-Hansgrohe team set a fast tempo on an early climb to split the bunch and Bennett found himself trailing and unable to come back despite a long chase with his Deceuninck-Quick Step team mates, but Sagan could not deliver a win. There were multiple at-

Outpouring of grief as softball stalwart laid to rest … Memorial tournament to be played in his honour

THERE was an outpouring of grief at the Muslim Youth Organisation, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown on Thursday as members of the softball fraternity, family and well-wishers paid their last respects to the late Khalid ‘Bilal’ Haslim. Haslim, who was later interred at the Ogle cemetery after another moving ceremony at the Ogle Masjid, was a well-known softball stalwart who represented several teams in Guyana, including top club Regal at home and in North America. Among those paying tributes were Chairman of the Regal cricket teams and the Regal Business Group, Mahendra Anil Hardyal, well-known Public Relations personnel John Ramsingh and president of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. Ian John. Hardyal expressed shock and sadness on the passing of Haslim, pointing out that they have been friends for over 15 years. “We were so close that we became more than friends, we became family, he became my brother. Bilall’s brother also played cricket for us locally and internationally. My mother and brothers also became really close with Bilall and his family. According to Hardyal, “As the years went by, Bilall and his family became even closer with us that they were part of everything we did. Whether it was playing cricket locally or overseas, supporting each other at religious functions or social events, Bilall and Nareema were always by our side. “It’s almost one week since he has passed and it’s hard for

me to believe that my brother is truly gone and we wouldn’t be able to do anything together again. Sharing some of his experiences with Haslim, Ramsingh recalled an occasion when they were on an overseas tour. “I remember while we were on an overseas tour, we were to meet for breakfast and our beloved brother, Bilall landed at a restaurant ahead of us. And he called Anil … He said, ‘George, we deh IHOP, yall come hay”. Anil with a sharp response was like, High up way. To me that true story is relevant for two reasons: Some of us believe that there is ascension to heaven of the soul after death so Bilall’s soul is certainly High up. “Secondly, Bilall always knew where the bargains were and was very convincing that there were no better deals. And being a true team player, he would tell all of us where to catch the deals. If you noticed how he is always well dressed with the latest style and fashion, it’s because of the many deals.” “Locally, I know the guys at the taxi stand at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport will miss him. There will forever be a space, literally where a neatly dressed Bilall with his shirtjac was seen parked reading the daily news while waiting to professionally execute his duties to his passengers. He was in tune with what was happening around him. “I am usually the journalist of the team in and out of Guyana. Recently I was looking for photos of Bilall. In most of those photos

he was showing a peace sign, also in a large percentage of the pictures he was among other persons but in one hundred per cent of the images he was smiling. “I then concluded, that my brother would be happy to unite everyone peacefully. That is a task I knew was dear to him, as he always wanted to see the various factions of cricket come together for the common good. “I am confident we will soon hear about a Bilall Memorial Cricket Tournament but it will be fitting for us to have the title as the Bilall Unity Cup.” GSCL president John recalled Haslim started his cricketing career, representing GCC, MYO and Ogle at hardball before venturing into softball. According to John, Haslim was an extremely talented cricketer who had done exceptionally well while representing various softball teams across Demerara, including Park Rangers, Mike’s Pharmacy and more recently Regal. Haslim turned out for Regal in and out of Guyana and according to the GSCA president, was scheduled to travel with the side to the annual Florida Cup last March but due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the threeday tournament was cancelled. Tasleema Stanley, who flew from Canada for her brother’s funeral, thanked all in attendance for the tremendous support during this time of bereavement. Brother Wasim, who resides in the USA, was however unable to attend because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Frederick Halley)

Soren Kragh Andersen wins stage 14 at the Tour de France. (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

tacks in the short climb up to the Col de la Croix Rousse in the finale, but Kragh Andersen was patient and he jumped away at the right moment. “I waited for the right moment. Some riders attacked but I waited. When I saw that there was a quiet moment, I went,” said Kragh Andersen, who gave Sunweb their second victory in this year’s Tour after Swiss Marc Hirschi won the 12th stage in Sarran on Thursday. “When I saw Marc win and I win I look at the dynamic of the team, it’s great. We talk to each other and we’re developing as a team.”

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South Africa cricket ‘ban’ crisis – History repeats itself after 50 years … South Africa cricket is in danger of being banned by the ICC after SASCOC, a government agency took control of the daily operations of Cricket South Africa.

Former CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe SOUTH Africa’s cricket is in massive crisis after the country’s official cricket board, Cricket South Africa (CSA), was suspended and its operations were taken over by SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee), which is a government body. SASCOC said the decision for CSA to step aside was taken after, failing to share a damning report that led to the sacking of former chief executive Thabang Moroe some nine months after

he was first suspended. It also follows heavy criticism from sponsors and national team players, the latter accusing the board of “self-interest” in failing to deal adequately with the contents of the report, and the postponement of an Annual General Meeting scheduled for September 5 which was to elect a new president after Chris Nenzani resigned last month. The battle lines have been drawn. SASCOC is the macro-body that oversees sport in South Africa and has the power to rein in its federations, of which CSA is one, if deemed to be acting improperly. In a statement, CSA has said that it does not agree with the resolution taken by SASCOC and has not had the opportunity to engage with SASCOC on various issues raised in the communication. It has

also sought legal advice. The ICC (International Cricket Council) forbides any kind of government interference in the day-to-day functioning of the cricket boards in the country. For South Africa, this step could see a ban from international cricket until the issue is sorted out. For many South African cricketers, this is an instance of history repeating itself after 50 years. SPORTING ISOLATION In 1969/70, South Africa were dominating cricket and the crescendo came when they whitewashed Australia 4-0 in the series. However, for the next 22 years, South Africa would be banned from not just international cricket, but all sports totally. What were the reasons? The Apart-

heid policy of the South African government at that time. Certain acts like the Group Area Permits and the Racial Segregation Act were the cornerstone upon which South Africa’s racism was institutionalised. The Gleneagles Agreement, signed in 1977, prohibited any kind of sporting contact with South Africa. The Proteas, starved of international cricket, organised Rebel Tours of England, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Australia and were met with very limited success. The players of the countries who toured South Africa suffered immensely. West Indies and Sri Lanka players were handed life bans while England’s players were banned for just three years. In 1991, after Nelson Mandela was released and Prime Minister FW de Klerk relaxed some policies, South Africa was

greeted back into the international arena. Their first tour was to India in 1991, a country that they had no diplomatic relations ever. After their tour to India, they were part of the 1992 World Cup and the first official international team to tour South Africa after the end of Apartheid was India itself. For 22 years, South Africa was robbed due to the government’s Apartheid policy. 50 years later, government interference due to alleged ‘malpractices and maladministration’ within Cricket South Africa might force the ICC to usher in a ban. At the same time, South Africa’s neighbours Zimbabwe were also banned for a short while in 2019, due to government interference in the board. For South Africa, it seems history might be repeating itself.

Liverpool,, Arsenal off to flying starts Matthew Nandu continues purple patch Liverpool

TORONTO, Canada Teenager Matthew Nandu’s purple patch with the bat continued last weekend with the 17-year-old slamming a brilliant century last Saturday and following up with an unbeaten half-century the following day. Playing for Kaieteur in the Brampton-Etobicoke & District Cricket League (BEDCL), the left-handed opener blasted nine fours and a six off 115 balls, reaching 126 as his team reached a formidable 337 for six in their allotted 50 overs. Another teenager, Roy Singh was also in masterful form, his unbeaten 107 being studded with 10 fours off a mere 87 deliveries as he and Nandu pulverised the Canadian Eagles attack which saw the opposition using some 10 bowlers. Zoahib Anis, who bowled his full quota of overs, was the best bowler on show, bagging an impressive three for 41. Canadian Eagles were never up to the task, reaching 232 for six when their 50 overs expired with Anis, batted at number six, crowning a fine all-round performance with an unbeaten 69 which included four fours and three sixes. Opener Malkeet Singh was also among the runs, hitting 61 (five fours). Leg-spinner Jonhatan Singh (two for 24), and Ashtan Deosammy (two for

in new Premier League season

By Simon Evans

Matthew Nandu

25) were the top wicket-takers. On Sunday , Nandu turned his attention to the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) where Kaieteur International B made light work of United Titans in their First Division fixture, played at the Ellesmere ground, Scarborough. After skittling out their opponents for a paltry 109 in 24.3 overs, Kaieteur International B reached the target comfortably in 23.1 overs with Nandu unbeaten on 57

from 65 delivers when victory was achieved. His knock included six fours, Navin Nauth supported with 27. Mohamed Chaviwala was United Titan’s top-scorer with 23 after they were rocked by 15-year-old fast-medium bowler Nigel Ramsaroop who finished with an impressive four for 26 from eight overs. Arjuna Sukhoo grabbed three for 11 from 2.3 overs while Trevor Jerrick took two for 40 from his 10-over spell. (Frederick Halley)

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) - Liverpool and Arsenal got off to winning starts with victories over promoted sides on the opening day of the new Premier League season yesterday. Mohamed Salah scored a hattrick, including two penalties as champions Liverpool won a seven-goal thriller with hugely impressive Leeds United at Anfield with the Egyptian grabbing the win from the spot in the 88th minute of a 4-3 victory. Arsenal enjoyed a more comfortable opening day with a 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Crystal Palace beat Southampton 1-0 with Wilfried Zaha on target. Liverpool took just four minutes to get on target -- Leeds debutant German defender Robin Koch was ruled to have handled a Salah shot and the Egyptian blasted home the spot-kick. Jack Harrison equalised for Leeds eight minutes later with a fine solo goal before Liverpool restored their lead in the 20th minute with Virgil van Dijk left unmarked to head in an Andy Robertson corner. Marcelo Bielsa’s side, back in the top flight after a 16-year absence, rallied again with Patrick Bamford slotting home after van Dijk had failed to deal with a ball over the top. Salah blasted Liverpool back in front, 12 minutes before the break but Leeds hit back for a third time through Polish midfielder Mateusz Klich, who made it 3-3. Liverpool secured the points in the 88th minute with another Salah penalty after substitute Rodrigo Moreno clumsily brought down Fabinho. “What a game, what an opponent, what a performance from both teams. A proper spectacle, I loved

that,” said Klopp. “It is pretty rare you see that many goals in a game and we have left space for improvement in our defending but that is not unusual for a first game,” added the German. Liverpool are now unbeaten in 60 straight league games at Anfield -- the kind of consistency that Mikel Arteta must dream about at Arsenal but the Gunners at least took care of business in West London. Alexander Lacazette fired the visitors ahead in the eighth minute after poor defending by the home side before new signing Gabriel made it 2-0 in the 49th and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the icing on the cake with a superb shot into the top corner. Crystal Palace forward Zaha scored his 50th league goal for the

club as they beat Southampton 1-0 to secure a home victory on the opening day of a Premier League campaign for the first time. The hosts went ahead against the run of play as Zaha, who had managed only one goal in his previous 21 games, met Andros Townsend’s pin-point cross from the right with a side-footed volley past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy in the 13th minute. Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters was shown a straight red for a high challenge before referee Jon Moss changed it to a yellow following the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). West Ham United were hosting Newcastle United later yesterday while today Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur take on Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Trinbago Knight Riders (2)Kieron Pollard (TKR) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was voted Man of the Final in Hero CPL 2020? (2) Who were the losing finalist?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

47

SUNDAY CHRONICLE September 13, 2020

Two Golden Jaguars players seal contracts in Europe By Ras Wadada TWO members of Guyana’s senior men’s football team Golden Jaguars - signed new professional football contracts within 24 hours of each other and in different countries in Europe. The two English-born players were members of Guyana’s historic team that made their debut at CONCACAF’s prestigious Gold Cup last year. First to affix his signature last Thursday was Anthony Jeffrey who will be plying his trade this season in Northern Wales for the Wrexham FC in the English 5th tier National League after almost 3 years at Dover Athletic FC. The 25-year-old speedy winger in an invited comment to Chronicle Sport expressed his delight on becoming a ‘Red Dragon’, “I am very happy with this new direction in my career as it works for me and my family, so I am looking forward to push on. Last season I had a disappointing year after the Gold Cup because I did not push on as I should have, but thankfully I am here now at a much bigger club. My goals are to stay healthy and be consistent so as to help the club get promoted. Playing for such a big club I now need to reach my full potential and I feel like I am ready for the challenge”. Wrexham FC enjoyed their best season of the last four that they have played in the National

Anthony Jeffrey will be plying his trade this season in Northern Wales for the Wrexham FC. League finishing 4th out of 24 teams last season and in 2013 won the 44th FA cup final for tiers 5 to 8 at the famous Wembley Stadium. The oldest football club in Wales was established in 1864 and is the 3rd oldest professional club in the world. Their highest division ever reached was in 1978 when they gained promotion to the English 2nd division. Jeffrey, whose parents are both born and bred Guyanese, also shared that interest, at Wrexham. In Guyana it is already being felt as he has received request for the Golden Jaguars shirt which brought smiles to his face. “This opportunity to play for

Wrexham has got almost half the nation finding out about Guyana since it is one of the biggest teams in Wales; so more people are now taking notice of Guyana and it has me smiling with pride. I doubt many people here would have known about Guyana before I signed. “It certainly will help me to be better prepared to play for Guyana on the international stage which I am looking forward to. I wish everyone in Guyana good health in these trying times,” the 5-time capped Golden Jaguars player stated. The powerfully-built Jeffrey made an impressive international debut for Guyana at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium last year March against Belize when the Jaguars scored a historic win to qualify for their first major international tournament, the Gold Cup. Last Friday, in Denmark, Golden Jaguars team mate Matthew Briggs also inked a deal which binds him to newly promoted Superliga side Vejle Boldklub for the next two years. The 29-year-old Briggs became the youngest player to appear in the English Premier League at 16 years and 68 days in 2007 when he came on as a substitute for Fulham versus Middlesbrough in the final 13 minutes of the game. Another

Fulham youth, Harvey Elliott, broke that record last year when at 16 years and 30 days he came on in the 88th minute against Wolves. Speaking to Chronicle Sport from Denmark, via WhatsApp yesterday, the central defender exclaimed that he is currently enjoying the best of his football career, while he explained how he got signed. “I was playing in Denmark last season for Division One side HB Koge and was really playing well, probably the best football I have played in my career, so I was on the radar of Vejle BK whom I had a great game against in the Division One. After football restarted from the lockdown the owner of Vejle contacted me and invited me to come and train with the team for a week to have a look at me in their lineup”. The 29-year-old who played 30 times for England youth sides, U-16, U-17, U-19, U-20 and U-21 - made a switch to Danish football two years ago and says it was always his desire to play abroad and after his career took a downward turn he decided to make the move. “I had dropped down the leagues in England where it is so hard to get back up, especially at my age, since clubs are more inclined to invest in younger players and when the opportunity through a former manager came I jumped at it as it was always

Matthew Briggs also inked a deal which binds him to newly promoted Superliga side Vejle Boldklub for the next two years.. my desire to play abroad and Denmark was the ideal. “The style of football I’d say is more technical, but not much of a difference from the Championship of England and I must say is a really good standard. It’s a solid contract for 2 years. I am so happy now and to be playing top flight football again and against quality teams like Copenhagen FC is a great opportunity for me”. Five-time Danish Champions Vejle BK, referred to as ‘The Reds’, is one of the most successful clubs in the country’s football, having produced the only European footballer-of-the-

year in Allan Simonsen in 1977, and after winning the Division One last year are back in the top flight and, according to new signee Briggs, his aim is to cement his place in the starting eleven, while “remaining fit and playing consistently as I can”. The six-footer added that “everyone knows I play for Guyana and I do get people asking me all the time to bring back Golden Jaguars shirts for them”. The grandson of a born Guyanese on his mother’s side made his international debut for Guyana in 2015 versus Grenada. He has gone on to add 9 more caps as well as to score a goal and he is eagerly anticipating the continuation of his Golden Jaguars career. “I am very much looking forward to continuing my Golden Jaguars career as the future for us seems very exciting, after finding out we are going to the Gold Cup again and of course the upcoming World Cup Preliminaries. “I believe the more we put Guyana on the map, the more exposure the local players will get and definitely clubs in Europe will want to contract them.” His reconnections to his roots in his words: “It has been amazing connecting with so many of my family and Guyana is a beautiful country. However, I would like to see football become more popular in the country and for local players to have better opportunities to play for bigger teams.”

TTFA files injunction to stop Tuesday Tuesday’’s EGM THE attorneys for former president of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) William Wallace and his team filed an injunction last Friday to stop Tuesday’s Emergency General Meeting (EGM) by the sports’ general membership from taking place. The injunction, filed with the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, comes two days after questions were raised about the legitimacy of the meeting by Osmond Downer, the T&T Football Referees Association (T&TFRA) vice-president, who also worked on the TTFA amended constitution in 2015, and a day after Robert Hadad, the chairman of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee (NC) which also comprises attorney Judy Daniel (deputy chairman) and former banker Nigel Romano (member) wrote to the membership informing them that the meeting is on and all concerns that were raised have been resolved. Justice Carol Gobin, who ruled in the TTFA favour on

August 13, that T&T High Court can hear the former TTFA executive officers’ appeal against the implementation of a NC, will hear the application during a Case Management conference tomorrow. In its application to the T&T High Court of Justice naming the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association as the claimant and FIFA as the defendant has asked the court for the following: 1) taking any further steps to convene and/or conduct any meeting, on the 15th September 2020 or any other date, which purports to be an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Claimant; 2) instructing and/or directing any person or persons to seek to withdraw the instant claim and/or in any way, manner of fashion from interfering with or seeking to undermine, the instant proceedings, except by way of lawful representations made by the Defendant’s duly appointed Attorneys-at-Law or other lawful

intervention 3) making use of and/or publication of the Claimant’s Official Logo, Letterhead, and Stamp/Seal; and 2. That the Defendant do pay the costs of this Application. The application has listed 20 grounds for the TTFA requests, while Williams has produced an affidavit with 20 documents which comprised among others, the membership signed petition letter dated August 28, the response from Hadad dated September 4, agreeing to convene the EGM on September 15 and the August 26 letter from general secretary of FIFA Fatma Samoura, addressed to Hadad, warning that TTFA would face sanctions if it did not withdraw the matter out of the T&T High Court by September 16. Wallace is claiming that at item 12 of his affidavit that the stakeholders meeting which the Shamfa Cudjoe, the Ministry of Sports and Community Development called on August 28, he believed was attended by

Hadad, and the previous TTFA president David John-Williams as well as other persons, was to request and convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the TTFA. The affidavit gives a general account from the first day of FIFA’s takeover of TTFA on March 17 with all relevant documents and email correspondences between parties. Wallace and his three vice-presidents Joseph Sam Phillip, Clynt Taylor and Susan Joseph-Warrick and associates Keith Look Loy, the president of the T&T Super League and Anthony Harford, the president of the Northern Football Association, have always resisted FIFA’s decision to implement a Normalisation Committee to manage the TTFA after it enforced Article 8.2 of the FIFA Statutes which states: ‘Executive bodies of member associations may under exceptional circumstances be removed from office by the Council in consultation with the relevant confederation and replaced by a

Former president T&T Football Association (TTFA) William Wallace

normalisation committee for a specific period. The TTFA is represented by attorneys Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Crystal Paul and Jason Jones, while FIFA’s legal team is Cherie Gopie and M. Hamel-Smith & Co. (Ex-

renka overwhelmed her in a fast start, hitting 13 unforced errors and struggling to cope with the Belarusian’s proactive play and controlled aggression. Draping a towel over her head at changeovers was a sign of Osaka’s concerns. Her attempts to collect her thoughts and regain her composure did not initially work, however. Another wayward forehand prompted a frustrated Osaka to throw her racquet to the floor in disgust. Eventually, though, the mental resilience which she says she has developed over recent months came to the fore. That resulted in a major momentum shift in her favour as Azarenka threatened to move 3-0 ahead in the second set. A rasping forehand by Osaka proved pivotal, not only in the game, but ultimately in the whole match as

Naomi Osaka holds the US Open trophy after beating Victoria Azarenka in yesterday’s US Open final with a superb comeback victory the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre..

By Jonathan Jurejko BBC Sport NAOMI Osaka demonstrated her growing maturity to fight back against Victoria Azarenka in a compelling US Open final and claim her third Grand Slam title. Japanese fourth seed Osaka, 22, won 1-6 6-3 6-3 for her second US Open title. Osaka was overwhelmed in the first set and was in danger of trailing 3-0 in the second before recovering to win 10 of the next 11 games to take momentum. Belarusian Azarenka, playing in her

Osaka beats Azarenka to claim her third Grand Slam title

first major final since 2013, lost serve for 5-3 in the decider. Osaka shrieked with joy as she took her second match point, then calmly laid out on the court and stared at the New York sky as she contemplated her latest achievement. Osaka’s level raised considerably as 31-year-old Azarenka was unable to maintain the intensity she showed in a WEST Indies legendary fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts has criticised the recent pitches used in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for offering significant assistance to otherwise average bowlers. The surfaces at the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) were at the centre of attention for most of the campaign. Many argued that the condition of the surface played a significant part in scores that were much lower than usual. In the end, the tournament was won by the home team, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) who often did not seem to struggle on the surface. In fact, the Knight Riders ended with a perfect record. Also not finding fault with the surface,

one-sided opening set. The fightback ensured Osaka, who won the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open, maintained her record of winning every Grand Slam final she has played in. \”I don’t want to play you in any more finals, I didn’t really enjoy that, it was a really tough match for me,” Osaka jokingly told Azarenka. “It was really inspiring for me

however, was the majority of the bowlers. “I know we blame COVID for everything but this is not one of the things we should try to blame on COVID …we are making bowlers look 10 times as good as they are and especially in the spin department,” Roberts recently said on Antigua’s Good Morning Jojo Radio programme. The competition was held in unusual circumstances this season, with all the matches held in Trinidad and Tobago due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Roberts, however, still believes the pitches, notwithstanding, could have been better prepared. “You knew about three or four months ago that you’re going to have this tournament

LATE legendary cricket broadcaster Tony Cozier is being honoured with a tournament called the Tony Cozier 23 and Under Youth to Youth T-6 Cricket Festival scheduled to commence Sunday, September 27 at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). It is the first of its kind and is expected to attract a total of 16 teams from across the island. The prize money includes $500 for first place and the Tony Cozier challenge shield, second place finishers Turn to Page 44

because I used to watch you play here when I was younger. I learned a lot, so thank you.” Osaka’s maiden victory at Flushing Meadows two years ago came in straight sets against Serena Williams in a hostile environment following the American’s infamous argument with umpire Carlos Ramos. This second success could not have been more different.

Here she had to fight back from a set down against an inspired Azarenka - and navigate a tricky decider which could have swung either way - on a virtually empty Arthur Ashe Stadium because of the coronavirus pandemic. “For me, I just thought it would be embarrassing to lose this under an hour,” said Osaka, who will rise to third in the world after her win. Osaka looked a little lost as Aza-

she seized control to level. The former world number one maintained that level in the decider to earn a 4-1 lead, but was unable to convert one of three break points to move 5-1 ahead. That might have proved costly when Azarenka immediately put the set back on serve, only for Osaka to battle back again by winning what proved to be the final two games.

Former West Indies bowling legend Andy Roberts

in Trinidad, one country, but you have two different facilities that you are going to play at; so arrangements should be made to get all the pitches up to a certain standard,” he added. “When I say all, I mean the entire square, because you can’t just use two pitches for the number of matches you are going to be playing on them.” (Sportsmax)

WI bowling legend Roberts critical of CPL pitches

-’Bowlers looked 10 times better than they were’ –

Tony Cozier was known as “the voice of West Indies cricket”

Cricket festival in honour of Tony Cozier

Members of the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation (from left): Leo King, communication officer Marc Laurent, Greggory Small, and the tournament’s technical director Rodney Simpson presenting Natalie Linton, daughter of the late Tony Cozier, with a booklet for the tournament. (Picture by Morissa Lindsay)

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SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 13, 2020