Issuu

MONDAY 31st August, 2020

' No.106108

Breaking the glass ceiling

–– five Amerindian leaders ready to take Guyana to next level

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Better days ahead for Tiger Bay residents PAGE

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and First Lady, Arya Ali, helping with the distribution of hampers during their visit to Tiger Bay on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)

Illegal protest leaves many stranded PAGE

COVID-19, youth empowerment, transparency

–– big on the agenda of new REOs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

ACCC being readied for Parliament

The Nandlallâ€™s edition of the 'Laws of Guyana'

PREPARATIONS are in full swing for the commencement of the 12th Parliament on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). When the Guyana Chronicle visited on Sunday, there was a flurry of men and women at work ensuring

that the necessary logistics were in place, inclusive of the health and safety measures to protect against the coronavirus. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in pursuance of the powers conferred upon him by Article 69 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana,

issued Proclamation that the sitting of the 12th Parliament would take place at the ACCC which is more open-spaced when compared to the Parliament buildings. Upon entrance to the centre, one of several health workers to be present on Tuesday was stationed at the

door to test the temperature of those who enter and to administer hand sanitising sprays. On the ground floor, several men were seen setting up tents, fetching chairs and even sprucing up some parts of the building with a fresh coating of paint. In strategic areas, sinks were placed and attached to a water source. The sinks all have foot pumps which eliminate the need for persons to use a knob to turn on the running water. Inside the dome, there were purple-covered law books which are available to both the government and opposition sides of the National Assembly. These books were issued under the hand of the current attorney-general, Anil Nandlall, as such, they are referred to as the Nandlallâ€™s edition of the Laws of Guyana. They were all lined up on a desk on the front row. The Guyana Chronicle also noticed the special chair designated to the Speaker of the National Assembly while the mace, as required, will also be present on the day. All other seats, where persons are allowed to sit, have been marked with green arrows above them. Each seat marked allows for the separation of one or two seats in between. In a brief interview with the newspaper, Public Relations Officer at Parliament, Yannick December pointed out that four conference rooms on the two sides of the dome have been arranged to accommodate the government and opposition. TURN TO PAGE

Final sprucing-up works being addressed

A sink for hand-washing

The ACCC decorative water fountains being cleaned

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Breaking the glass ceiling

–– five Amerindian leaders ready to take Guyana to next level By Rabindra Rooplall WITH a mixture of vibrancy and youth combined with knowledge and experience, five strong Amerindian leaders will sit on the government’s side of the House when the 12th Parliament is convened on Tuesday. They are Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams, Pauline Sukhai, Yvonne Pearson, Alister Charlie and Dr Thandika Smith. For 42-year-old Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams of Paruina, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, it will be a privilege to represent his region in Parliament while ensuring all Amerindians are represented through his presence in the National Assembly. “In the Amerindian community and especially my region I would like to see the villages improve in the line of telecommunications. Right now many persons have no access to information technology in all the villages in the region,” he said. Williams, who is married and is a father of five, said Internet connection is of such importance that it ties in with education and health-care development. “Youths on the whole need to be involved in decision-making and there is a need for opportunities that lead to careers and work, especially for Amerindians,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. Williams, an environmental health assistant trained in malaria microscopy and attached to the Ministry of Health, said that unemployment in Region Seven is creating major issues with negative consequences that need to be addressed, especially for youths. He said many youths who finish or leave school have no access to opportunities to develop their lives and that of their family, “but through Information Technology they can pursue their studies and qualify themselves”. He also noted that agriculture is the number one source of income for many persons in the region but high cost of living has left many behind.

and was eventually chosen to represent Region Seven in Parliament. “I come from the tribe of Arekuna, and live in the only

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai

“Even though farmers tried their best, there was no effort by the previous minister of agriculture to promote and support farming activates in the region,” he said. PARTNERSHIP APPROACH To address these and other issues in Region Seven, Williams noted that more collaboration is needed and he will be moving in that direction. Reflecting on his association with the PPP/C, the young leader said his father, the late Levi Williams, served as a regional councillor after the PPP/C won the elections in 1992. He served as councillor up to 1997. “He was the one that encouraged me to follow the affairs of the country, and, in 2015, I was selected as a regional councillor and served until 2019. There I performed and represented my village and district in the infrastructure, health and education departments,” he related to this publication. Williams said he became close with the PPP/C since the party has the Amerindian people at heart. “The party doesn’t just operate out of Georgetown and make decisions, they always have people on the ground getting information and interacting with villagers getting things done, and that is how I like to involve myself with the PPP/C, they help everyone,” he emphasised. Williams noted at the last elections, he was a candidate on the regional and top-up lists

Alister Charlie

Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams

Yvonne Pearson

Arekuna village in the entire Guyana, which is in Paruina, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven. I feel proud to represent them in Parliament,” he shared. Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, who is no stranger to politics, first sat in Parliament in 1992. She became Minister of Amerindian affairs in 2008 and served until 2015 when there was a change in government. UNRESOLVED ISSUES The economist and Amerindian and Women’s affairs activist has returned as Minister of Amerindian Affairs and will be focusing on Amerindian youth and development while clearing up unresolved issues in the ministry. “This surrounds sustainable village economies, working on indigenous councils and representatives to advance economic and productive activities in their villages. We will also be aiming to collaborate with all the other ministries that have an

ACCC being readied ... The doors are labelled: Government Caucus Room, Prime Minister’s Lounge, Opposition Caucus room and Leader of the Opposition Lounge. There is also a First Aid room. In the yard, tents will be set up to facilitate additional individuals such as drivers and the health team in place for any form of emergency. Later in the afternoon, a team of medical practitioners

interlocking relationship with village development, such as considerations for electricity, drinking water, housing, health and educational services being delivered in a more efficient manner,” Minister Sukhai said. The minister explained that, over the next five years, many things have to be achieved, especially in connecting with women and youth, promoting community development and

stopped by to ensure that all that had been set up was in keeping with the necessary COVID-19 guidelines. Meanwhile, the Parliament Office’s technical team has already conducted a test run of the online systems which will cater for participation via Zoom on the day, another first for Parliament in Guyana. December said that the simulation went well and he can assure that all

Dr. Thandica Smith

building capacities of village leaders. The mother of two said the issues surrounding land titling and demarcation will also be addressed. For, Yvonne Pearson who is a knowledgeable indigenous leader, farmer and political activist who has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of indigenous peoples, returning to Parliament means she will get an opportunity to offer her services to make a difference. Pearson, who is from the Carib nation, had served in the 11th Parliament. She is married and is a mother of five and a grandmother of 13. She first joined the PPP/C in 2010 and was previously a member of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA).

FROM PAGE

systems are ready. The entire sitting will be livestreamed on Facebook and on Parliament’s website. Preparations have also been put in place to cater for the media to cover the sitting. With its 233, 336 votes garnered at the March 2 General and Regional Elections, the new PPP government has been allocated some 33 seats in the National Assembly. The APNU+AFC Coa-

In the 12th Parliament, she will be pushing for the revision and strengthening of the Amerindian Act, particularly where issues of mining, forestry and the environment are concerned. “We must understand what indigenous peoples’ rights are; we must have a clear definition, so we would not have issues of overlapping with other legislations,” Pearson said.

WOMEN AND YOUTH She noted that issues dealing with youths and women will be strongly addressed during her tenure in Parliament while noting that many indigenous women are at a disadvantage because of geography. “I have been fortunate to travel Guyana, and I have seen under the PPP/C there has been development with regards to indigenous people’s welfare and wellbeing, we are not where we are supposed to be but there will be more development. When I got involved with the party I was able to assist many people to make indigenous lives better,” she explained. Pearson said the indigenous community has had five years of struggle and there is so much to do in getting the country back on its feet again and for Guyanese to once again be at peace. However, for Dr Thandica Smith, 32, who is a medical doctor, this is her first occasion in the political spotlight and serving as a parliamentarian means that the interest of youths, education and development will be priority for her. With a mixture of the Carib and Arawak nations, Dr. Smith is originally from Warapana, located in the Upper Pomeroon River. She will represent Region Three where she currently resides and works. She is employed at the West Demerara Regional Hospital for the past seven years and has been working mainly in the General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology departments. Dr. Smith’s aim is to position herself to make a difference in the lives of every Guyanese through her medical, political and humanitarian work. The young doctor is entering the 12th Parliament with big plans, and, among them, include a heavy focus on youth

development, women empowerment, employment and cultural preservation. VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS “I will be looking out for the voiceless and those who are afraid to stand up for themselves and I believe that I can represent them in every way, and ensure that education is promoted in all aspects, along with the promotion of skills for the development in life, as not everyone is academically inclined,” Dr. Smith said. Alister Charlie, 42, who is no stranger to Parliament, will also be returning to the House on Tuesday. Charlie, who is of Wapishana and Macushi heritage, said Region Nine where he is from has suffered tremendously under the previous government. “Amerindians must not be left behind,” he said, adding that “they must be a part of the developmental process.” In the 12th Parliament, he said, Amerindians will benefit from development in every sector in Region Nine. Charlie joined the PPP/C in 2006 under the guidance of former Amerindian Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. He worked on the Regional Democratic Council of Region Nine where he participated in standing committees that tackled matters on education, agriculture and public works. He served in the 11th Parliament, and, during that time, he faced a tremendous level of character assassination from operatives of the former government. “However, the side effect of that is that the people in Region Nine supported me even more because they know exactly who I am,” Charlie confirmed. September is Amerindian Heritage Month and the seasoned Amerindian leader is urging all to celebrate the occasion but to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. “The Amerindian population is just about 11 per cent in Guyana and we need to be very serious and all precautions must be taken because we cannot afford any deaths within our nation,” he said.

lition with 217,920, has 31 seats while the joinder list of A New United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM) with 5,214 votes, have one seat. By Proclamation dated December 27, 2019, issued under Article 70 (2) of the Constitution, the 11th Parliament of Guyana was dissolved on December 30, 2019.

The Opposition caucus room

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

illegal protest at West Berbice leaves many stranded

BLOCKED roads by protesters has left many commuters stranded in both East and West Berbice with many forced to make last minute arrangements on Sunday. Up to press time, protesters remained in the streets of several West Berbice villages, blocking roads with derelict vehicles, huts and other debris while burning tires and other flammable items in

protest over the arrest and subsequent detention of Clairmont Mingo for electoral fraud. Shouts of “Free Mingo!” ranged through the air amid the smoke as the protesters called for Mingo, who is being held at the Sparendam Police Station to be released. He was arrested on Tuesday last. Mingo’s attorney, Darren Wade, had filed an application seeking for Mingo to be released from police custody but it was dismissed by Chief Justice (ag), Rishi Singh, on Saturday afternoon. Mingo is expected to make a court appearance today after police instituted four charges against him on Saturday. The police, in a strongly worded statement on Sunday, said the protest ac-

Monday, August 31, 03:30hrs - 05:00hrs

tion was unlawful and that the actions can only cause harm to the well-being of innocent citizens. “The Guyana Police Force categorically states that these protests are not only illegal but they also represent a threat to public safety due to the riotous behaviour of those involved in the illegal protests,” the statement said. According to the police, the gathering is in clear violation of COVID-19 guidelines and endangers the lives of many. The police also made it clear that they will use any means necessary to clear the roadways while maintaining that the detention of Mingo is within the confines of the law. Meanwhile, on the Corentyne, a butcher was, on Sunday evening, busy buying ice to preserve some 2,500 pounds of beef that was en route to Georgetown when he was forced to turn back at Weldaad due to the protest. Speaking with this publication, the businessman explained that he was forced to utilise the services of trusted family members and close friends from West

Heavy ‘build-up’ of traffic due to blocked roadway

A shop that was used to block the roadway at West Coast Berbice Coast, all the way to his home in Wellington Park on the Corentyne to help store some of the meat in their freezers while he puts the remainder on ice. Another resident of Moruca, North West District, Zaleena Yussuf, who was visiting relatives on the Corentyne, had to

reschedule her flight on Monday morning to the interior after she was left stranded on the Corentyne. Yussuf, who was on vacation, was scheduled to return to work today. She is worried that she would not be able to report for work as expected.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

$11.2B proposed for constitutional agencies By Navendra Seoraj

AS the year draws closer to an end, government will be seeking the National Assembly’s approval of $11.2 billion for constitutional agencies, so that those agencies could be financially equipped to effectively execute their mandates. The proposed sum, which covers both capital and current expenditures for 16 constitutional agencies, will be tabled when the 12th Parliament convenes on Tuesday. The country’s last budget, Budget 2019, was passed in December 2018 to the tune $300.7B. And, with the country already eight months into 2020, it is important for a budget to be passed soon. The National Assembly had approved over $11B for the 2019 fiscal year. The new People’s Progressive Party

Civic (PPP/C) government’s proposed budget for constitutional agencies, includes $4,943,052,000 for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); $1,799,248,000 for Parliament Office; $908,636,000 for the Audit Office of Guyana; $150,636,000 for the Public and Police Service Commission; $117,075,000 for the Teaching Service Commission; and $2,443,164,000 for the Supreme Court. The proposal also includes $222,822,000 for the Chamber of the Director of Public Prosecution; $70,001,000 for the Office of the Ombudsman; $40,911,000 for the Public Service Appellate Tribunal; $220,802,000 for the Ethnic Relations Commission; and $10,020,000 for the Judicial Service Commission. Government will also be seeking approval of $24,392,000 for the Indigenous

People’s Commission; $25,958,000 for the Human Rights Commission; $46,095,000 for the Rights of the Child Commission; $58,327,000 for the Women and Gender Equality Commission; and $206,460,000 for the Public Procurement Commission. It was reported recently that Guyana has been without a budget for close to two years and the extraordinary spending that occurred between March 2 and August 2 has left the treasury in an empty state, President Irfaan Ali had said. According to him, the mismanagement of many State institutions and decision-making processes of Guyana resulted in the tremendous loss of finances, compared to pre-2015. “We are going to ensure that we do a comprehensive report on every aspect of the economy, every sector, so that the Guy-

anese population can understand what is taking place,” the President told Newsroom in a recent interview. Parliament will be convened on Tuesday and the emergency budget will be laid within two weeks. It will focus on making resources available to tackle a number of pressing issues. “The first few weeks have been used for bringing together the pieces to have a full assessment of the situation, and developing strategies in the emergency budget to address the immediate concerns and needs, as we move towards the planning of a full budget next year,” he said. He also noted that Vice-President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, will be reading the budget in Parliament, as government continues search for a minister of finance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

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Agriculture the solution OVER the last century, the world’s population has quadrupled. Today, according to the most recent estimate by the UN, there are 7.8 billion people — and we may reach 9.7 billion by 2050. This situation is driving up the demand for food and as more countries like China, Mexico, India, and Brazil expand their spending power, the outcome would be a greater demand for higher quality foods. According to the International Association of Agricultural Economist, food demand is expected to increase anywhere between 59 per cent to 88 per cent by 2050. Farmers worldwide will need to increase crop production, either by increasing the amount of agricultural land to grow crops or by enhancing productivity on existing agricultural lands through using more fertilizer, using more genetically modified seeds, greater harvesting of scare water resources, and adopting new methods like precision farming. But some of these scientific interventions are proving to not be as healthy as we thought and more people are hunting for niche products that are more organic and more naturally grown.

This is where Guyana comes in. We have land, we have water, we have the right climate and we have a people willing to take the risks once they are assured that they have a pro-production government with the right models of empowerment. It is imperative that the new PPP/C Government engages on timely institutional reforms in the agriculture sector to enable an export market-driven environment. What the farmers want is a vision and a plan and timely investments in the rural infrastructure to inspire them to till more land. This is where projects like the completion of the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Scheme (MMA-ADA) should be relooked with a serious eye. The most promising direction for any future agricultural development in this country must be focused on increasing and diversifying production of table-ready food products and we can only do this efficiently and effectively using a system of plantation agriculture. The basic problem in the development of plantation agriculture is the need for costly infrastructure to provide drainage and irrigation for the land. If done skillfully, it is estimated that over the next 15 to 20 years, major drainage and irrigation projects can reclaim

easily between 100,000 to 150,000 acres more for the farmers, especially in the MMA area. Additionally, with the construction of the Del Conte Road, along the Essequibo River and the opening up of the Berbice River areas, this country can easily add another 100,000 acres of arable lands, which, today, is almost completely unused except for some small cultivation. It is on these sorts of project that has real sustainable wealth for this nation. In 2017, the most senior agriculture official in Guyana then, Mr. Noel Holder, stated that the Ministry of Agriculture has made a decision to go ahead with the commencement of Phase II of the MMA Project that runs between the Abary River and the Mahaicony River. But with the former Granger regime, it was all talk and no action. In a public comment, the general manager of the MMA-ADA said that the conservancy dam is being built that will run across the Mahaicony River and that a sluice would also be built to regulate the water flows. He said this project is for the development of the agricultural land between the Abary and Mahaicony rivers to assist with drainage and irrigation.

According to him, the conservancy dam would lead to the watershed between the Mahaica and Mahaicony rivers. He said the project would also entail the construction of the main irrigation canal between the Mahaicony and Abary rivers as well as a main canal head regulator, which would control the outflow of water from the conservancy into the main canal. He further stated that there would also be the construction of secondary canals that would service agricultural lands. These secondary canals, he said, would link to the main canal. Flood embankments would also be constructed along the left bank of the Abary River as well as along the right bank of the Mahaicony River. It is projects like these that would provide real wealth to our people for the next century. In light of a senior oil executive threatening to pull his investments from Guyana, we as a people must remind him of the words of Eric Williams, former Prime Minister of Trinidad, who once stated that “oil don’t spoil”. This nation’s salvation lies in the production of table ready high-quality food products and we must not get confused about this fact.

Insurance companies can help in ensuring safer roads Dear Editor, PLEASE permit me a small space in your newspaper to propose a solution which I believe will help us to reduce the number of reckless drivers we have on our roadways, causing serious harm. Reckless drivers need GPS trackers or transponders to notify the police that they are speeding. In the US, the insurance company gives drivers GPS trackers to monitor their acceleration and how they apply brakes. These trackers help let the companies decide if you are a safe driver and whether they should increase or decrease your policy rates. I believe this should be implemented in Guyana.

This GPS tracker plugs into the vehicle’s diagnostic port under the dashboard to monitor how fast the vehicle is driving, or how fast it pulls off from a stop, or even how hard the driver presses the brakes. According to the law in Guyana, all vehicles must be insured (as per the Third Party Risks Act) in order to be granted a licence. Due to this, I believe the insurance companies can play a greater role in curbing reckless driving. If the insurance companies adopt these measures to force drivers to pull up their slacks, those insurance companies won’t have to pay for damage and loss of lives because they uninsured the buses and cars operated by drivers with

bad records. Furthermore, if the insurance company sees it’s not fit for you to drive, they can remove your policy and you won’t be able to drive in Guyana. So, this will help to reduce the amount of reckless driving, particularly those who depend on driving to make a living. I think they will pull up their slacks and save people’s lives. For persons who might be giving their cars to someone else to drive, the insurance company should be notified and that person’s name should be put on the policy so that this person would face the penalty for reckless or dangerous driving. If the insurance companies do this, I believe that drivers will realise that they are working the bus, or the car,

to feed their families and they would not drive recklessly. It will ban the bad drivers from the roadways, as they cannot drive without a licence, and they will learn that they cannot drive unless they learn how to abide by speed limits, acceleration and even braking distance. While many drivers can pay bribes to police officers, the insurance companies can make a difference in enabling our roadways to become safer for all. We should seriously consider this as we look towards reducing the number of road accidents. Yours sincerely, Vick Mahabeer

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

The APNU+AFC party is the Pied Piper to certain disasters and wrong doing AS the fourth perspiring week for the busy and tireless PPP/C Party comes to an end since wrenching power after a protracted delay from the stubborn and obstinate APNU+AFC Party, the heat is turning up in Guyana as more political fireworks are exploding with removals, replacements, resignations, scandals and exposed malfeasance. On the bright side, it is reassuring to see the police asserting the law and being proactive in the forefront, embellishing their image, especially with the Mingo/Lawrence/ Lowenfield and GECOM staff affair and the alleged Ponzi scheme. Their involvement is anticipation for a smooth flow in justice, unlike an undulating past exercised under the discriminative previous administration. The harsh reality of COVID-19 continues to pose a major obstacle and challenge for the PPP/C Government as the 12th sitting of Parliament is scheduled for next Tuesday at the ACCC. More cases are rapidly being recorded, the death rate is dangerously climbing and positive confirmations are alarmingly revealed as country-wide texting continues. Taking over from a careless and uncaring COVID-19 Task Force Committee led by Joseph Harmon, this new Health Ministry is tasked and heavily overburdened with prioritising testing, distribution of the pandemic kits, curbing and slowing its spread, preventing its growth, strengthening its facilities, educating Guyanese, implementing the protocols and enforcing the rules and regulations. Acknowledging that this team is in unchartered waters, it needs all the help it can acquire, both domestically and internationally.

Guyana is deemed the epicentre for the Caribbean and as such, it has to implement a professional and fast-moving programme to stem the flow and flatten the curve, bearing in mind that time is against them and they are deep above their knee in this inherited pandemic mess. The President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, was quoted by the Ministry of Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services Unit as saying, “The balance requires very strong protocols and I think, therein lies the trick to this pandemic; the protocols and enforcing the protocols. Now, we can move to reopening once we have strong protocols that can be enforced and once we have the institutional mechanism to support those protocols.” But there is no trick or short cut as an answer to this problem. Only a disciplined nation committed to the rigged rules and regulations, respecting and implementing all the protocols may contribute to any degree of success in harnessing this virus. Masks, sanitising, washing, social distancing and citrus fruits in-take are good attributes along with virtual gatherings versus physical conferencing. Guyanese need to be serious and not carefree with their behaviour in order to save lives. The callousness and recklessness of the APNU+AFC Party continues as they deliberately endanger the entire Guyana with their horrendous and unscrupulous call for Guyanese to come out in large gathering to support their mischievous and selfish agenda. As reported in the news media, from Joseph Harmon’s Facebook, his message of “Message from DG Joseph Harmon, Good

Mingo must reveal authors of electoral fraud Dear Editor, I HUMBLY seek space in your publication to make a few points about what may be the most topical issue in Guyana’s political circle, that is, the blatant attempts between March 2, 2020 and August 2, 2020 to rig an election in full view of the world. Editor, I see a lot of folks are trying to sell the narrative that the arrest of Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, and the subsequent charges laid against in him are politically and racially-motivated. Maybe those who are working to sell this misplaced narrative should mull the following: Did Mingo deviate from the SoPs? Did Mingo attempt to declare inaccurate results at Ashmin’s building? Did Mingo deny political parties an opportunity to examine the SoPs to ensure they are accurate at the GECOM Headquarters? Did Mingo commit electoral fraud? Did Mingo collude with others to undermine democracy and derail the electoral process? Was Mingo given a chance to right the wrong he committed? There are many other similar questions that could be asked. But, taking into consideration the above questions and the fact that the people of Guyana suffered for five months as a result of his actions, the probe by the

police and the subsequent charges are all the making of Mingo and no one else. He got himself into this when he attempted what I consider and electoral coup, knowing there are serious consequences for such actions. With that said, Mingo has another chance to make this right. He must say who are the intellectual authors of this crime. He must say what led to him deviating from the established process. He must say why he deviated. The ball is now in Mingo’s court. He can choose to expose the intellectual authors behind the attempted rigging or condition his mind to face the consequences of that dastardly act of attempting to steal the will of the people. Whichever way it goes, justice will and must be served. Guyanese are smart people and will not be fooled by the cries of racism and political persecution. If you do the crime, prepare to do the time. Regardless of whom it may be, electoral malpractice, trampling on democracy and suppression of the will of the people will not and should not succeed in any democratic society. People must be held accountable for their actions. Yours sincerely, Edward Layne

afternoon Comrades the petition will be filed on Monday August 31, 10:00 hours, Supreme Court Building. We are asked to mobilise in numbers to lend support to our party. We want a big manifestation against this persecution that is going on.” How heartless and irresponsible can the former head of the COVID-19 Task Force be? This appeal confirms that he and his cabal did not have the interest of the Guyanese people at heart during their reign and again, they were only drawing down large sums of money for not doing the job they were appointed to do and the poor taxpayers money was again being squandered. Will their supporters not wake up and see how they are being used and abused perpetually and allowing the APNU+AFC Party to put their lives at risk? What do the people in the street hope to achieve from any participation? Petty bribes and then potential death? The police will again come into the limelight in dealing with any illegal gathering and the confrontation of devious political leaders. Here is a transparent and unambiguous living proof of the leader of a group, orchestrating disobedience of the COVID-19 regulations, inciting and instigating the illegal gathering

of a mob that is potentially dangerous and fatal to the entire nation. How can such a character hope to be a leader for an opposition party, setting all the wrong and unethical examples, hoping to muster command and guide the rest of the flock? Over a cliff, yes, to another dungeon where immorality pervades and lies and deceits continue to corrupt the minds of the innocent young people. Where are the voices from the churches to condemn this type of unforgiving and ruthless behaviour? The APNU+AFC Party in any form or shape can never represent their supporters to teach, guide or have them indulge in the practice of any manifestation of truth, honesty, integrity and dignity that will honor any concept of a religious principle. Wake up Guyana, do not allow the APNU+AFC Party to be the Pied Piper to attract and lead you again to certain disaster and wrong doing! Is this what you really and truly want? Please, do your soul searching, listen to your conscience and do not answer their illogical call. Respectfully, Jai Lall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

‘Gov’t will stand by you, come what may’ –– Labour Minister assures RUSAL workers

Some of those who met with Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton at ‘Watooka’ on Saturday

By Tamica Garnett MINISTER of Labour Jo-

seph Hamilton cut to the chase on Friday, saying that the government has

every intention of ensuring that the rights of every Guyanese worker are re-

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton speaking to RUSAL workers at the Watooka Guest House during their meeting in Linden on Saturday

spected and not trampled upon. He made the government’s position on workers’ rights known when he met with affected workers and union representatives of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), during a recent two-day visit to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The Minister first met with workers in the Kwakwani area on Friday, while a larger meeting was held with the bulk of the company’s employees at the Watooka Guest House in Linden on Saturday. The Minister was accompanied to the Region by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat. “I just wanted to brief them as to the meeting I had with RUSAL thus far, and to let them know of our intentions to work with them, and that we will continue to engage them, so that they can be apprised of what is happening, and government’s position going forward, which, most important of all, is the protection of the rights of workers,” Minister Hamilton said. Russian aluminum giant, RUSAL, is the parent company of BCGI, with a 90 per cent ownership in the com-

pany, while the government owns the other 10 per cent. Through BCGI, RUSAL has been mining bauxite here in Guyana since 2006; however, since 2009, it has been having strained relations with its Guyanese staff. In February of this year, the company officially terminated 326 employees over their taking industrial protest action, and according to reports, the company also terminated another batch of employees earlier this month. The company suspended operations here since February, a move which led to a spate of rumours that it may have been closing down its Guyana operations entirely. However, it has since continued to indicate its intentions to stay. Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU), to which RUSAL workers belong, was also present at the meeting, and said that the Union is looking forward to working with Minister Hamilton to resolve the situation. RESPECTFUL AND CORDIAL “It was a very respectful

and cordial meeting,” Lewis said. “He gave his commitment that he will continue the engagement, because he wants to be properly informed. The Union’s position is very clear: That we have to give the minister the opportunity to resolve the differences; the same opportunities that were given to Ministers in the past.” Minister Hamilton said he explained to the workers that though RUSAL has indicated its intentions to continue operations in Guyana, the way forward, as it pertains to labour relations with the company, would have to be dealt with after the company would have better outlined what future plans it has in store for Guyana. “We are at the stage whereby we are awaiting RUSAL’s document, so it can be looked at. And we promised that once that happens, one week after, we would recommence the situation of properly discussing the issues with the workers,” the Minister said. The Minister has also asked the GBGWU to submit a document outlining their issues. TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

COVID-19, youth empowerment, transparency –– big on the agenda of new REOs By Lisa Hamilton NEWLY-APPOINTED Regional Executive Officers (REOs) across Guyana, despite the pandemic, are invigorated to improve the shortfalls in regions, especially the areas of accountability, transparency, agriculture and equal access to education. On Saturday, the Ministry of Local Government announced that, today, six new officials will be taking up leadership of different regions while four previous REOs of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) will retain their posts. The Guyana Chronicle reached out to five of these REOs on Sunday who were eager to speak about their plans. New REO of Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt, said that he has a good understanding of the issues which affect the rural region, two of which are transparency and accountability. “There are quite a number of issues as it relates to accountability in this region. The house that the regional executive officer will have to move into, a number of assets were removed from that house. So, that shows the level of work that is required to bring this region to the highest level of accountability,” he said. On the matter of transparency, he assured that no room will be left for “darkness” on certain matters as information will be made readily available to those who seek it and the public will not be left out of the process. Ramdatt has a wealth of academic achievements to his name and has held the positions of assistant director of youth, regional accounting officer and former regional chairman of the region. He

has also worked in the agriculture sector as a grading officer. The area of agriculture, he pointed out, requires much interest as Region Two is predominantly an agriculture-base region. Ramdatt said that the rice, fisheries, dairy and more will be given the attention they deserve. He will also work to ensure that there is team work between the Regional Council and the regional administration. “For the past five years there was great disconnect and I’ve seen the evidence of the destruction that has created. My focus will be to ensure that we have the greatest possible participation of our people and key stakeholders in the development process,” he said.

Ministry of Agriculture to see how we will go ahead with it to ensure that all those people who were put on the breadline, who weren’t able

COHESIVE APPROACH Under his leadership, he promised that a farmer will be deemed just as important, and worthy of attention, as a regional chairman or anyone of official status. “We are all equal because this development agenda is one that requires a cohesive approach,” he said. To head Region Six as its REO from today is Narindra Persaud. He is an educator for over 20 years and previously served as a regional councillor for Region Four and manager of the Materials Management Unit at the Ministry of Health. Persaud said he is eager to bring about development that has been lacking over the years in every possible area. One of these areas, he pin-pointed was the sugar industry. He stated: “The people of Region Six have been at a great disadvantage in terms of sugar. Many people were put out of a job, so that’s a key area to look at. We have to work along with the

to support their family, they will be able to do so now.” He also plans to focus on transparency primarily in the management of finances. He said that this has not been done efficiently over the years and his aim is to restore confidence to the people.

REO of Region Six, Narindra Persaud

REO of Region Two, Devanand Ramdatt

REO of Region Eight, Mitzy Campbell

REO of Region Nine, Karl Singh

REO of Region Four, Pauline Lucas

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION Meanwhile, newly-appointed REO of Region Nine, Karl Singh, will immediately tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and its spread in the region. Being so closely situated to the Brazil border, the region has been affected by illegal border crossing which had tripled the initial numbers there. “The priority is to lessen the impact, makes sure that the entire region is educated [and that] they’re aware as to the preventative measures in safeguarding their people from COVID-19,” Singh said. The new REO has several management certificates; has served as the regional

vice-chairman for Region Nine (2015-2020) and the assistant REO from 2014-2015. He also has his sights set on addressing the education issues in Region Nine, ensuring that the gap existent between the coast and the hinterland is further reduced. “If you know Region Nine you would know that it’s the largest region and it’s very difficult for education officers to get to and from schools. That’s a priority and we have to find ways and means in seeing how best we can help students,” he said. ICT EXPANSION One avenue will be through the distribution of learning and teaching mate-

rials and the expansion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Apart from these, Singh said that he will also focus on the linking of areas such as the Deep South and South Pakaraimas with the town of Lethem and other communities. He said that Guyanese there should not feel excluded from the services which ought to be accessible to all, and roads must provide a solution. I look forward to serving. I am a man from the Rupununi and elections came and went a few months ago, this is the result and we have to build the region, a stronger region. When I leave, whenever the time comes, people must be able to say ‘this man did all these things [and] he

‘Gov’t will stand by you ... “I asked the Union to document all of their concerns, and submit it to me, so that we can match RUSAL’s position and their positions when we review to see what could be done, or should be done,” Minister Hamilton said, adding: “Once we know we have a go on the recommencing of operations, then we would bring into the con-

versation the Union and the workers ‘rep’, and they can be part of the conversation, going forward.” Earlier this month, Minister Hamilton had led a government delegation that had met with representatives from RUSAL, to discuss the company’s future in Guyana. The Minister said the company had noted that recom-

mencement of its operations here will take some time, as there are several factors involved. “They outlined some of the issues they have as regards the recommencing and re-opening of the operations,” the minister said. “The issues revolve around mostly technical, financial and marketing matters. The

fact that they stopped production, their market shares was gobbled up by other suppliers. And there’s the fact that the shipping company also closed operations,” he added. German transshipment company, Oldendorff, had terminated the services of some 132 workers, and closed up its Guyana opera-

tions in April, after RUSAL did not renew its contract with them. Given the host of issues overlooking RUSAL as it works towards a reopening of operations here, the company was asked to document and submit a report on the situation to the government. “We asked of them to document all these issues

would have helped X amount of people in the region’,” Singh said. Meanwhile, one of the REOs retained from the previous APNU+AFC Administration, Pauline Lucas, is responsible for Region Four. She told this newspaper that she plans to continue to operate in a professional manner in executing the directives from Central Government. Some of areas she believes should receive immediate attention are the continued improvement of physical infrastructure; improvements on the public financing system; increased staff complement and training; and strict adherence to the procurement system. Speaking to the latter, she said: “That is one of my key areas to ensure that we continue to spend the money that is entrusted in me in a prudent and efficient manner.” Lucas said she also plans to work to ensure the overall physical outlook of the region through better roads, drainage and infrastructure. The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic will also take priority through the various health centres. Also retained from the APNU+AFC is Mitzy Campbell, who will continue as REO of Region Eight. In the region, she will continue to push for the development of education, agriculture and sport. She said that while works it the region have slowed because of COVID-19, this will pick up in the near future as there is much work to do. “We still won’t allow that to shut us down completely in terms of developmental projects,” she said. Addressing the area of sport, Campbell said that this can be used to develop rounded young people and it assists in youth empowerment.

FROM PAGE

and present a paper to us with a proposal. Hopefully, by mid-week, the Ministry of Natural Resources will get it, and the technical people will study it and then advise us. One of the ideas is to set up a joint technical committee to study all the issues, and to probably advise government,” Hamilton explained.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Autistic behaviour and children

MOST people only know about an illness, disease or disorder if a friend, or a family member, is afflicted, or if they read up on the facts and information. Today, we are taking a look at autism. In Guyana, there are many undiagnosed autistic adults and children. If you do not

know the behaviour and signs that signify autism, you cannot make a judgement call or seek advice or help for an autistic person. Autistic people DO need help, mostly from those with whom they live. Parents, siblings and members of the community must understand what

it is like for the person living with autism; if they could put themselves in his/her shoes for the day, they would see the world in a different light. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that has no cure; an autistic person will be autistic for the rest of their life. Once autism is di-

agnosed, a specialist doctor or psychologist can teach parents and autistic children how best to get by in life. As the child grows, aspects of the disorder may improve and be replaced by other difficulties that may arise, especially in adolescence and sometimes in adulthood. Ordinary, everyday people are known as being neuro-typical; they go about their lives talking, laughing, interacting with others, concentrating, working, feeling emotional, happy, sad, angry, etc. They partake in communication naturally. They use body language, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact without a second thought. An autistic person is known as being neuro-diverse, which means they understand and experience the world in a different way to others; you could say their brains are wired differently. Some of them avoid eye contact, which could be mistaken for disinterest. Autistic people may find certain smells, textures, materials and certain foods, colours, noises and patterns distressing if they are hypersensitive or on the other hand, they may seek out sensory stimulation through fascination, if they are hypo-sensitive. These quirks do not mean they cannot function alongside neuro-typical people. Assistance and allowances have to be made for them to perform in mainstream establishments. In contrast, others with severe autism (and related disorders) may need a 'special school' and re-occurring visits to doctors or specialists. Autism is not a single condition; e.g. like deafness, asthma, or diabetes. It is a range of related disorders with shared symptoms. All children with autism will have trouble with communication, behaviour,

and lack social skills; making it more challenging for some of them to learn in the same way as everyone else, as learning is achieved mainly through communication. Autistic children have difficulty processing (understanding) other people's emotions, thoughts, facial expressions, gestures and body language. Because they cannot process these communicative traits, they cannot learn, mimic, or display the same and often come across as unfriendly, rude, or lacking in empathy because they do not fit into social norms. Others may criticise some parents for their child's 'out of hand' or 'strange' behaviour. Unbeknown to the critique that the child, is autistic and the 'behaviour' is a form of communication. Autistic children can communicate their distress, pain or dislike for things that affect them, using unconventional behaviour. A child might cover his ears and start screaming at the sound of a passing siren, or an extreme example might be a child banging his head against the wall for the same reason. Each autistic child has different symptoms, behaviours and reactions, to what they perceive through their five senses. That is why being on the autistic spectrum cannot be decisive. Autism is easier to detect in boys than it is in girls and harder to see in babies under one-year-old. Some early signs could be: the baby does not make facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning: the baby does not make eye contact, or follow the parent with his eyes, around the room; the child does not initiate interaction, e.g. cuddles, hugs or kisses. Autistic people may ap-

pear quirky or odd. They may repetitively do things and seem unemotional or distant; content in their own company. They find it hard to make friends or keep up with conversations. Not because they want to be alone or have no wish to be around people, but they cannot process the code of behaviour or social cues (that so many take for granted) and apply them to their advantage (although they can learn how to do this over time). Some autistic people have a high IQ; they achieve great notoriety in artistry, mathematics, science and other fields. On a chosen topic, an autistic person may speak for hours intellectually, but cannot hold a two-way conversation for one minute. Some autistic people have fantastic memory and problem-solving skills. Although some adjustments and considerations will have to be put in place for the individual’s care and safety, those with mild to moderate autism need time, space, understanding and tolerance from their families and society, for them to get on in life and fulfil their potential. Step by Step Guyana is a school for children with autism; you can find out more, along with other information about autism online. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

‘Self-serving’ AFC leaders force Harbhajan to quit GOBIN Harbhajan, the former Office of the Prime Minister Representative for Region Six and long-serving member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Friday resigned from the party he joined some 15 years ago. In a letter announcing his resignation, Harbhajan thanked the party for the opportunity to serve the people but felt it strayed from its main objective. “I am of the belief that the party was formed to serve the needs of our people, and,

Gobin Harbhajan

in my humble opinion, those things which were once valued by the members of the party no longer exist,” he said in his resignation letter. Harbhajan, who has become a household name in

Region Six, said he joined the AFC because of his love and passion for helping the people but noted that, up until 2017, he felt the party had the best interest of the people at heart, but some senior members became self-serving and were only interested in power. “We were the only multi-ethnic party with equal opportunity for everyone, but it became about some senior members looking to get power only for themselves, and TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Online classes ‘not just moving classroom to Zoom’ –– says UWI deputy principal By Vishani Ragobeer ONLINE classes require novel approaches to both teaching and learning, according to the Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI)’s Open Campus, Professor Julie Meeks. The UWI’s Open Campus has been a forerunner of online, distance learning in the Caribbean for more than a decade after it was formed from the amalgamation of several existing UWI units. As such, this campus had a better chance to adapt to the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced the closure of schools and prompted online learning. And, with the experience in this specific modality, Professor Meeks emphasised, “Online learning and online teaching is an entire discipline; it is not just moving your classroom to zoom.” The professor was answering questions at a recent COVID-19 forum organised by the UWI’s COVID-19 Task Force. Here, she also highlighted that it is highly unlikely that students would just sit and take notes as the

classes are being administered via Zoom. Importantly, she posited that teachers must find interactive ways of engaging students to keep their attention focused on the subject being taught. She also said that teachers must provide avenues for students to ask questions. “I had a class on Monday from 5 o’clock to about 8 o'clock and the lecturer mostly read the slides,” one university student told the Guyana Chronicle. “She made it very clear that she wasn’t au fait with the online mode of delivery, and though she tried her best to engage my colleagues and I from time to time with questions, or through discussions, the lectures always felt so dreary.” The student also related that she would often do chores at home while she was attending this class, and more often than not was distracted while the class was ongoing. Professor Meeks noted that experiences like these are not unusual. Online teaching, according to her, requires teachers to be more “flexible” with students, considering that pupils and students alike may not be in FROM PAGE

‘Self-serving’ AFC leaders ... they wanted to keep people who were loyal to them in key positions so that, at the national conference, they can get the most votes and yield power,” the former AFC member said. He noted that some of the very things that the AFC campaigned against, they became guilty of committing. One of these, he noted, was the holding of three separate Regional Management Committee elections for Region Six in which two were declared null and void, because those elected were not “loyal” to a certain senior executive. He continued that these individuals who were placed at the helm of the Regional Management Committee in Region Six neglected the people and the AFC paid the price dearly at the last Local Government elections (LGE) and ultimately at the 2020 elections.

“Several founding members in Region Six were sidelined for younger blood who were supportive of a senior member but the plan backfired because they did not go on the ground and meet the people,” he said. Harbhajan said he appealed to the leadership of the party that they needed to get into Region Six and meet with the people, and address their concerns, because it was the votes in the region that helped them to get into office, but they did not pay him any heed. When quizzed on whether he will be joining another political party, Harbhajan said he is not looking to jump to another party but will focus on the interest of the people, and, if he sees any party that shares the same values as him, he would be willing to join it.

conducive learning environments. She also emphasised the very real issues of technology (including Internet) disparities. ASSESSMENT The shift to online teaching has also resulted in a shift towards online assessment for many. And this too has been fraught with challenges. From a university’s perspective, Professor Meeks contended, “the exam is where it gets challenging.” While learning institutions may want to safeguard the integrity of their assessments and minimise students’ ability to cheat, for example, empathy towards students and their varying circumstances is also crucial.

Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI)’s Open Campus, Professor Julie Meeks (UWI photo)

The deputy principal indicated that ‘take-home’ examinations which are not timed and would not require a stable Internet connection can be used, and have been used by the UWI at all of its campuses, during this period of uncertainty. Teachers in Guyana, just

as elsewhere in the Caribbean and across the world, were forced to engage in virtual teaching methods after schools were closed indefinitely since March 16, as a measure to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Physical distancing has been touted as a key non-therapeutic measure that could help mitigate the spread of the virus. However, the sudden shift to online classes has not been without its challenges, particularly with consideration for teachers and students who have only ever used the traditional ‘chalk and talk’ mechanism of schooling. Additionally, the overarching technological infrastructure necessary for virtual engagements is not readily available for all students, in all parts of Guyana. A few days ago, Educa-

tion Minister, Priya Manickchand met with teachers and other stakeholders virtually. Through this engagement, the minister highlighted that mass training will be offered to teachers so that they will be able to teach effectively through the novel methods of delivery. Much like Professor Meeks, the minister acknowledged that online teaching and learning require tailored skills. The education minister also said, “We’re making sure that nobody leaves CPCE, going forward without the ability to appreciate and use the various forums that exist, and are likely to come into being.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Six Guyanese Awarded Chevening Scholarships

SIX Guyanese have been awarded the Chevening Award (FCO) scholarships and will now receive fully funded study, for a one-year masterâ€™s degree, at a university of their own choosing

in the United Kingdom (UK). The scholarships are for the year 2020/2021 and were announced by the British High Commission to Guyana. Heading to the Univer-

sity of Strathclyde to pursue an LLM in Criminal Justice and Penal Change is Stacy Goodings. Goodings is an attorney-at-law and an assistant director of Public Prosecution at the office of the Director

of Public Prosecution (DPP). Her goal is to share with law enforcement agencies in Guyana, systems or policies that can be implemented for the improvement of the

Guyana. Though currently serving as a senior probation and social service officer (ag) for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Lauristan Choy will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Children, Youth

to become a data scientist. She will pursue a Master of Science in Finance and Big Data Analytics at Swansea University. Her goal is to apply her knowledge gained from her course

Lauristan Choy

Dreylan Johnson

Stacy Goodings

Prashant Gangapersaud (Suriname)

Anika Lambert

Luanna Hardowar

and International Development at Brunel University in London. When he returns to Guyana, he intends to contribute to the development and implementation of policy relating to children and youth. Setting out to elevate tourism-based research in Guyana and to develop a sustainable tourism industry is Anika Lambert. The young woman, passionate about travel and a tourism advocate, has been chosen to pursue a Master of Arts in International Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Greenwich. Meanwhile, heading to the University of Derby to pursue a Master of Science in International Business is Prashant Gangapersaud. He has extensive experience as an operations coordinator and business process consultant in Suriname. He intends to positively impact the business culture and enhance in-country knowledge as a management consultant and academic. On the other hand, Luanna Hardowar, a financial analyst, aspires

to improve data collection processes and analytical methodologies to provide quality information which can then be used to make informed decisions. Shinelle Bayrd is another Guyanese recipient of the scholarship. She is an entrepreneur and founder of the Wellness Centre which aims to raise awareness and provide support for persons dealing with mental health illness. She will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Globalisation, Business and Development at the University of Sussex. Since the academic year 2015, the UK has expended over $600 million on over 83 Chevening scholarships to Guyana. The Chevening is an international scholarship scheme which enables students with leadership qualities from 144 countries and territories to undertake post-graduate study or courses in universities in the UK. After these scholars have been awarded their degrees, the UK expects them to come back and work for the benefit of Guyana.

criminal justice system. Meanwhile, the University of Sussex will soon welcome Dreylan

Shinelle Bayrd Johnson, a young woman who has cultivated a love of culture, geography and sustainable development. She will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Cultural and Creative Industries at the University of Sussex. She told the High Commission that she has recognised the role of culture in shaping people and places and with its ability to be the biggest driver of global economic development, she is eager to see the industry become a force of social change and economic growth in

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

President commits to paying closer attention to Tiger Bay –– promises residents ‘a better quality of life’; it’s not the last they’re seeing of him

By Jared Liddell PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali on Sunday paid his first visit as Head-of-State to ‘inner-city’ Tiger Bay in down-town Georgetown, where he not only met with residents, but committed to working on ensuring that they enjoy a better quality of life. With him as he “grounded” with residents was First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali, as well as Captain Gerry Gouveia, who was recently appointed National Security Adviser. Also on the presidential team were Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag), Clifton Hicken; Commander of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica)’s ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean; and several business persons who operate from the Rosemary Lane Community.

President Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali engaging one of the residents of Tiger Bay on Sunday When he was good and settled, President Ali promised his eager audience that it was the first of many visits he would be paying the community, as “being on the ground” and “having a hands-on approach” enables leaders to have a better understanding of the needs of the people. “You can sit in office and hear about the problems in Tiger Bay, but when you come out and you see it and interact with the people, and you see it from the ground, it gives you a better understanding of the problem itself,” President Ali said. Speaking with the scores of residents that lined the streets of Tiger Bay, particularly Holmes Street, which is one of the main ones, he reiterated his commitment to developing the community, saying that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

President Ali listening to what some of the young footballers in the community had to say (Photos by Elvin Croker)

(PPP/C)’s watch, the government intends to make Tiger Bay self-sufficient. And that, he assured his audience, can only be achieved by equipping those who live there with tools to ensure they are able to collaborate with the government to sustain themselves. GREATER FOCUS He highlighted that the government will be placing greater focus on the youths in the community, by providing greater and easier access to education and educational resources.

He said, too, that the government will be working on providing residents with several vocational training opportunities, so as to ensure that they are able to use whatever skills they acquire to enter the job market. He explained that through public-private collaboration, Tiger Bay residents will not only be able to gain employment in the skilled labour sector of the economy, in areas such as carpentry, electrical engineering and welding, but also access “small financing” so as to give them an “opportunity” to become business See page 14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

President commits to paying ... From page 13

First Lady Arya Ali engaging one of the female residents of the community

President Ali and the First Lady making their way through the scores of Tiger Bay residents that came out to welcome them to their humble community on Sunday owners. And while reminding the residents of the government’s commitment to its promise of working to ensure all Guyanese have access to a better life, he told them that they too have a voice in the running of the country’s affairs, and should not be afraid to use it, or seek help from the government. Emboldened no doubt by what the president had to say, and the sincerity with which he was able to get his message across, several residents seized the opportunity to engage him, one-on-one, highlighting some of the issues that most bother them, such as limited access to resources and jobs. They also touched on their poor living conditions, and sought his assistance in helping them find better living accommodations. One resident, Cheryl Accra, told the Guyana Chronicle when she had a chance to do so: “I’m glad the President come and see what the people have to live through; and I see he is making promises to help, but I hope the promises are kept. I know we did get some help before when this party was in power; I just hope we get it again.” THE PROMISE In response to seeing first-hand the state of the community, and having heard the issues of the resident, President Ali there and then committed to the residents to have the Minister of Housing pay them a visit, sometime within this new week, to begin assessment of the housing conditions in the community so as to ascertain what response can be undertaken by the government to provide a level of ease to the residents. He also announced that the government will be working to design strategic policies that would target at-risk communities like Tiger Bay, by restructuring how resources are provided to those residents to ensure positive change that would be sustainable. President Ali said that in the interim, the Emergency Budget that was slated to be taken to Parliament for approval will see the provision of relief for residents living in at-risk communities like Tiger Bay. During the visit, several families were given hampers that were a collaborative effort between the Civil Society and the Muslim Youth Organiation (MYO).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

COVID-19 claims four more lives By Navendra Seoraj

THE novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to show its deadly form in Guyana, claiming the lives of four persons between Saturday and Sunday. The dreaded disease first claimed the life of an 80-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). Guyana Chronicle understands that the man, who was a patient of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), died while receiving treatment on Saturday. The Minister of Health later reported the death of a 78-year-old female, who died while receiving treatment at the Lethem Hospital, on Sunday morning. Shortly after this report, authorities said a 53-year-old woman from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), died while receiving treatment at GPHC. This newspaper was also informed that another patient of the GPHC’s COVID-19 ICU, 32-year-old Alician Sinclair, died while receiving treatment on Sunday af-

ternoon. Authorities have since confirmed that they are in contact with the family and relatives of all the victims to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed. 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. But the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer”, especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities. This was according to doctors of the GPHC. At that time, Guyana had recorded six deaths due to the COVID-19 disease and, while the loss of life is never pleasant, doctors had said most of the persons who died had co-morbidities. In medicine, comorbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary con-

dition; in the countable sense of the term, comorbidity is each additional condition. 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. Guyana has so far recorded 1,234 cases of COVID-19, but 687 of those persons have since recovered while 39 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 87 persons are in institutional isolation and 411 are in home isolation while 13 persons are being treated in the COVID-19 ICU. As cases continue to climb, authorities have asked persons to observe the COVID-19 emergency measures, which are still in effect. This order emphasises the need to always use a facemask correctly and consistently when leaving their homes, practice physical distancing, and observe good hygiene to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you do have symptoms of COVID-19 or any concerns that you may need information, please contact the COVID-19 Hotline

on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health. gov.gy. As the country moves forward in its fight against COVID-19, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that persons, who had initially tested positive for COVID-19, are no longer required to have a follow-up test to be medically cleared for the disease. Dr. Anthony, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), said: “There is no need for another test because all the guidance that we have received from PAHO/WHO has been for about a month and a half now that there is no need for a second test. We have incorporated that into our guidelines and that is what we have been using.” He said once persons are tested positive, they will be monitored for 10 initial days. Once they are symptom-free, they will be monitored for three additional days and if they continue to be symptom-free then they will be discharged from institutional isolation facilities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Hamilton sweeps to ... FROM BACK PAGE

out of the points as their lack of speed was laid bare on Spa’s long straights. Sebastian Vettel, leaving Ferrari at the end of the year, was 13th, a place ahead of last year’s pole-sitter and winner Charles Leclerc, whose race was further hampered by slow pitstops. “We need to work and find something because like this it’s very difficult,” Leclerc said of the Italian team’s form that even drew a shake of the head from Vettel’s replacement Sainz. The race was interrupted by an early safety car, sent out after a crash involving Antonio Giovinazzi and George Russell. The Italian lost control of his Alfa Romeo at the exit of the Fagnes chicane. Russell, running behind Giovinazzi in his Williams, collected a loose wheel that came off the car, leaving debris strewn across the track.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Pooran’s maiden T20 ton fires Amazon Warriors to victory

NICHOLAS Pooran hit his maiden T20 hundred from just 45 balls to lead Guyana Amazon Warriors from 25 for 3 to a seven-wicket win with 21 balls to spare in a chase of 151 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, taking his side into playoff contention after a wretched start to the tournament. Pooran dominated an unbroken 128-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ross Taylor, who was happy to play second fiddle with 25 not out off 27 balls. (Scores:Guyana Amazon Warriors 153 for 3 (Pooran 100*) beat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 150 for 5 (Da Silva 59) by seven wickets) Pooran hit 10 towering sixes on a tricky Queen’s Park Oval pitch on which St Lucia Zouks had defended 92 earlier in the day, and his hitting was breathtakingly clean as he targeted the Patriots spinners, effortlessly lofting them over wide long-off and heaving through midwicket. After Joshua Da Silva’s 59 had dragged the Patriots up to 150 for 5 and Jon-Russ Jaggesar took two wickets in the final over of the Powerplay, the Amazon Warriors looked in all sorts of trouble, not least with their batting line-up misfiring throughout the season. But Pooran made any suggestions of their demise look startlingly premature.

Selection surprises

Evin Lewis looked in all sorts of pain batting at No. 7 after a groin injury on Saturday night, but was named in the Patriots side at the toss, while Sheldon Cottrell missed out due to a niggle. But it was a real shock to see Chris Lynn left out, even after 73 runs in six innings, and fellow overseas player Nick Kelly was also left to carry the drinks. Guyana sprung a surprise too, leaving out Lynn’s future Mumbai Indians teammate, Sherfane Rutherford and dropping Chandrapaul Hemraj after a poor run this season. Their batting line-up looked particular short with Kevin Sinclair - a lower-middle order option for WI Emerging Players in the Regional Super50 last season – being used as a makeshift opener and Keemo Paul carded at No. 6.

Sinclair stars

Sinclair, the 20-year-old Guyanese allrounder, was handed the new ball as Chris Green opted to bowl six overs of offspin in the Powerplay, and he upstaged his captain with a fine spell. He struck in his second over, as Lewis chopped an offbreak onto his own stumps, and celebrated in style that would make a professional gymnast proud. He continued to keep the Patriots quiet with a combination of arm-balls and regulation off-breaks, varying his lines and pace, and conceded only nine runs from his allocation of four overs.

Da Silva accelerates

Da Silva was a team-mate of Sinclair’s in WI Emerging Players’ improbable run to the Super50 title last year, and despite him impressing with runs in the warm-up games on West Indies’ tour of England, the gen-

eral consensus was that he was not suited to T20 cricket. He had done little to dispel that idea in the first 12 overs of the innings today, nudging his way to 16 off 26 balls having been dropped earlier in the tournament amid concerns about his strike rate. But after swatting Ashmead Nedd through mid-off, he turned on the style once Guyana threw the ball to a seamer, Keemo Paul, for the first time in the 14th over. Despite struggling in the heat, Da Silva heaved Paul’s slower ball for six, before hitting Imran Tahir for four and then bringing up his maiden T20 fifty, upper-cutting a Naveen-ulHaq slower ball for three before smacking him for two boundaries to finish the 17th over. He had laid the foundation for late acceleration, with Denesh Ramdin -- whom he had dislodged from the Trinidad and Tobago side in first-class cricket last season -- whacking two sixes at the death to take the Patriots to 150.

King loses his crown

Brandon King was the leading run-scorer in the CPL last season but has had a miserable time of it this year. After hitting Alzarri Joseph for two early boundaries -- as the Patriots opened the bowling with the only two bowlers to take an IPL six-for - King swatted awkwardly at a short ball, giving Ramdin an easy catch behind the stumps. That left his returns for the tournament at 60 runs at 8.57 from seven innings, and when Jaggesar took two wickets in the final over of the Powerplay, Guyana were in disarray at 25 for 3. But that brought Pooran and Taylor together, who quickly turned the game on its head. As the required run rate soared to 9.5 runs per over, Pooran decided to take the attack to the Patriots, slapping Jaggesar for two sixes over long-off as Taylor short-arm jabbed Emrit over midwicket. Pooran then attacked Imran Khan, hitting him for two sixes and a four in the 11th over, before adding another towering blow off Jaggesar. Joseph’s return did little to stem the flow, as the partnership ticked up towards the first century stand of the tournament with two boundaries off him and a towering six over midwicket off Ish Sodhi, eventually reaching it with an enormous lofted drive through mid-off from Sohail Tanvir. A maiden ton looked out of reach with Pooran on 82 at the start of the 17th over with only 16 runs required, but he hit each of Sodhi’s three balls over the ropes, roaring in celebration as he sealed the win and made the first hundred of the CPL season in the process. On this form, there is little stopping Pooran, who was brutal down the ground and in front of square on the leg side and calmly ticked over with well-placed singles when his calculations suggested that a boundary wasn’t possible. Tonight will be a huge positive for West Indies, with evidence that he can fire even on difficult, turning wickets ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Masterful Morgan leads England to victory in record T20 chase against Pakistan

Eoin Morgan led the way with 66 from 33 balls in England’s run chase (Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Captain Eoin Morgan belted a blistering half-century as England chased down a record target at Old Trafford to beat Pakistan by five wickets in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday. Pakistan posted 195 for four in their 20 overs on a flat wicket, but the home side completed their victory with five

balls to spare and a take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Morgan blasted 66 from 33 balls to secure the win in what is the highest chase in any form of 20-over cricket at Old Trafford. Jonny Bairstow (44 from 24 balls) and Tom Banton (20 from 16 balls) got their side off to a fast start with an opening stand of 66 in 38 deliveries, but when they fell in consecutive balls to spinner Shadab Khan (3-34), the home side appeared to wobble. But Morgan and Dawid Malan (54 not out in 36 balls) led the

Man. United agree £40m fee for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek

MANCHESTER United are closing in on the signing of Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek after the two clubs agreed a fee in the region of £40m. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a huge admirer of the Netherlands international, 23, and has had him watched on a number of occasions. It is understood United have now firmed up their interest with a medical and personal terms still to be concluded. The transfer is expected Van de Beek to be finalised within days. Van de Beek is set has won 10 to sign a five-year deal, caps for the which should allow Netherlands him to be available for United’s opening game of the 202021 season, against Crystal Palace on 19 September. He will become Solskjaer’s first close-season signing after a much-publicised move for Borussia Dortmund’s England winger Jadon Sancho stalled over the size of the fee. Van de Beek was part of the outstanding Ajax side that got to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019. He was left out of Ajax’s friendlies with German pair Eintracht Frankfurt and Union Berlin over the weekend.

counter-attack and accelerated as their third-wicket partnership grew, finishing with 112 in 62 balls before the skipper was caught in the deep with the side still needing 18 runs to win. Pakistan also got their runs at the top of the order as opener Babar Azam smashed 56 from 44 balls in an opening stand of 72 with Fakhar Zaman (36 from 22 balls). Number three Mohammad Hafeez carried on that momentum with a blistering assault on the home bowlers, who struggled to

find the right length and too often dropped too short, exposing the square boundaries. Hafeez struck four sixes in his 69 from 36 balls before offering a simple catch to Morgan at cover. The pick of the England bowlers was leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who recorded figures of 2-32 as he picked up the wickets of both openers. The third and final match in the series will be at the same venue on Tuesday. The first match was abandoned due to rain.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Crawley and Labuschagne have brought attacking flair to No. 3 position again

By Ian Chappell (Former Australia captain)

AFTER suffering a lull while being shunned by star batsmen Steve Smith and Joe Root, the crucial No. 3 position might be about to experience a youth-led resurgence. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has been on a rocket-launch trajectory since he permanently took over the spot in 2019. And following a stylish double-century against Pakistan, England’s Zak Crawley appears to have found his niche at first drop. These talented players are capable of returning a lustre to the No. 3 position. This critical spot in the batting order is no longer reliant on just consistent veterans like India’s Cheteshwar Pujara and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson to uphold its importance. However, there’s a dramatic difference in the style of the youngsters compared with the tried-and-tested duo. There’s a youthful urgency about both Labuschagne and Crawley that contrasts with the cool, calculating style of Pujara and Williamson. The latter two experienced players have seen it all before and understand what can go wrong. Both rely on steady accumulation early, gradually wearing down the bowlers until they are ready for plucking. Occupying the crease and adding substantially to the total are their two main objectives.

In sharp contrast, Labuschagne and Crawley like to make their mark early, establishing superiority with energetic running and audacious shot-making. Their motto appears to be: “Let’s win this

ers tire. There’s no better example of the second type than Pujara’s gradual but comprehensive wearing down of the Australian attack in 2018-19. The obdurate right-hander ground the

gland might be tempted to install Crawley in the opening slot. I’d caution against that by citing the example of the young Viv Richards. Despairing of Richards’ nervous, mid-order struggles in 1975-76, West Indies opted to use him as an opener in Adelaide. As Richards proceeded to flay an

The Windies cottoned on quickly. In his next series, Richards’ 556 runs against India included three centuries. He exceeded that outstanding output in the series after that, aggregating 829 in just four Tests against England with two doubles and a century. All 1385 of those runs were amassed at No. 3. Richards went on to become the pre-eminent batsman of his era and the flagbearer for aggressive, counterattacking No. 3s.

come with being prime minister of Pakistan - confessed: “The only batsman who intimidated me was Viv Richards.” Nevertheless, Crawley is ideally suited to fill England’s needs at No. 3 with his natural attacking instincts. England are yet to solve their opening puzzle but Crawley, Root and Ben Stokes comprise a potentially strong and dangerous middle order. An upcoming Ashes series featuring a duel between rival No. 3s Labuschagne and

Marnus Labuschagne’s stunning 2019 has been capped off with the Australian batsman moving from 110th to fourth in the ICC’s world Test rankings

game quickly.” The two pairs epitomise the distinctly different choice available when searching for a successful No. 3. The ideal player is one who can take charge of an opposing attack despite the loss of an early wicket but also has the technique to withstand a sustained testing bowling spell. If that type is not available then the next best option is a player who can steadily accumulate runs early in his innings and begin to expand his stroke range as the bowl-

bowlers into submission and then a polished Indian attack finished the task. Since then the youngsters have made their mark. Where Labuschagne eagerly volunteered to bat at three, Crawley has been shuttled through the order, filling holes in the England line-up as they appeared. A number of his early innings were as a replacement opener for the injured Rory Burns in South Africa. With Burns’ struggles escalating against Pakistan, En-

Zak Crawley harks back to the Viv Richards school of No. 3 batting (Getty Images)

extremely strong Australian pace attack in scoring a brilliant 101, I mentioned to Rod Marsh: “When the West Indies realise it, they’ll have one of the best No. 3s going round.

That’s not to suggest Crawley can replicate Richards’ career. It would be unwise to burden him with emulating a man about whom Imran Khan - someone who has valiantly faced the various threats that

Crawley promises a more glamorous future - one befitting the importance of the position. (ESPN Cricinfo)

NBA roundup: Lakers beat Trail Blazers, advance to semis ANTHONY Davis scored 43 points and LeBron James added 36 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night near Orlando to win the Western Conference first-round series in five games. Davis was 14-of-18 shooting and collected nine re-

bounds, while James made 14 of 19 shots and recorded 10 rebounds and 10 assists to increase his NBA playoffs 30-point, triple-doubles record to 13. Los Angeles won a playoff series for the first time since beating the Denver Nuggets in the first round in 2012 during Kobe Bryant’s tenure. The Lakers will face the

winner of the series between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals. Bucks 118, Magic 104 Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton recorded

double-doubles as Milwaukee returned to the court and made short work of Orlando to finish off a 4-1 win in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Com-

plex near Orlando. Three days after walking out to protest the recent shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis., the Bucks led by as many as 21 points in coasting to a fourth

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Monday, August 31, 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) (2)

76 matches Dwayne Bravo & Dinesh Ramdin (Providence, 2014)

(1) (2)

When did the Warriors fail to reach a CPL final? In which CPL season the Patriots played in a final?

TODAY’S QUIZ:

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) handles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Gary Trent Jr. (2) during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

straight win that vaults the top seed into an Eastern semifinal matchup with the fifth-seeded Miami Heat. Antetokounmpo put up game-highs in points (28) and rebounds (17) in leading the Bucks to their second straight first-round series win after they had been eliminated there in eight consecutive trips to the postseason. Rockets 114, Thunder 80 James Harden scored a game-high 31 points, Robert Covington made a career playoff-high six 3-pointers and Houston welcomed back All-Star guard Russell Westbrook with a victory over Oklahoma City in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series in The Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando. Houston will advance to the Western Conference semifinals with a victory in Game 6 today. Harden shot 11 of 15, including 4 of 8 on 3-pointers, while adding five assists. He had little trouble scoring on Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, who gained renown for his rugged defence against Harden in Games 2-4. —Field Level Media.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 31, 2020

Tridents botch run chase as brilliant Zouks make history PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Reigning champions Barbados Tridents bungled a straightforward run chase to slump to shock defeat as St Lucia Zouks made history with the lowest total ever defended in Caribbean Premier League history here Sunday. The result seemed a foregone conclusion when leg-spinner Hayden Walsh’s three-wicket haul sent Zouks tumbling for 92 off 18 overs – the joint second lowest total in the franchise history and lowest in this year’s tournament. However, Tridents then showed precious little intent as their run chase meandered aimlessly, and were three runs short of their target at the end to plunge to their second defeat in as many days and their fifth in seven games. They were suffocated by Zouks’ slow bowlers, leg-spinner Javelle Glen grabbing two for 11 from his three overs and left-arm-

er Zahir Khan along with off-spinners Mohammad Nabi and Roston Chase combining to dry up the scoring in miserly spells. Tridents were still in the contest with nine runs needed from the final over but Chase held his nerve and conceded only five, to complete a quite remarkable turnaround for Zouks. With 10 points from five wins, Zouks lie second to leaders Trinbago Knight Riders, and on the verge of a spot in the final four. Kesrick Williams appeals successfully for an lbw decision against Barbados Tridents captain Jason Holder on Sunday. Sent in on a turning Queen’s Park Oval pitch, Zouks struggled from the outset when they lost Rahkeem Cornwall (6) to the fourth ball of the morning and Andre Fletcher (6) in the following over, to slump to 12 for two. Leniko Boucher (18), in

his first match of the tournament, then paired with Chase (14) to post the best stand of the innings as they added 30 for the third wicket. Mis-stumped on 12 by Shai Hope in the fifth over,

Darren Sammy, right, the St;Lucia Zouks captain celebrates the Hero Caribbean Premier League match against the Barbados Tridents at the Queen’s Park oval.(Ohot by Randy Brooks CPL t20 via Getty Images

‘Age is just a number’ - Bravo cautions against underestimating geing cricketers WEST Indies all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, has cautioned against judging a cricketer’s ability and capability to make valuable contributions to teams just based on their age alone.

competing in the Caribbean Premier League for Trinbago Knight Riders. As far as the CPL goes, the historic achievement marked his 100th in the competition. In 12-years, Bravo

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo made history last week after capturing his 500th wicket in the T20 format

The much-travelled 36-year-old T20 specialist made history last week after capturing his 500th wicket in the format while

has played for numerous T20 franchises around the world, including playing a major role in two T20 World Cup titles for the

Boucher perished in the following over when he was bowled by Walsh missing a badly timed cut. When Walsh bowled Chase with a full length delivery in his next over, Zouks were

West Indies. Though not quite at the absolute top of his game these days, he remains an impact player for any team he represents. With pressure often placed on players to retire, once they approach 40, Bravo has insisted he feels in great shape. ”Anyone who challenges or questions our age – I don’t think anyone of us, our performance has dipped or dropped because of our age,” Bravo recently told EspnCricinfo. “As a matter of fact, most of us even perform just as good or even better. Age is just a number. Don’t judge a player by his age but judge him by his performance and his ability to continue to play.” The likes of Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, and Bravo have all defied age, performing brilliantly for their franchises all over the world. (Sportsmax)

tottering on 50 for four in the ninth over and there was no recovery as the last eight wickets tumbled spectacularly for just 42 runs. There was no sign of the drama to come when Johnson Charles punched four fours in 39 from 42 deliveries in a 32run stand with Hope (14). Seamer Kesrick Williams (2-12) got the breakthrough when he brought one back sharply to hit Hope in front in the sixth over, extending the right-hander’s wretched run of form that has seen him scrape 113 runs from seven innings. And even when the in-form Kyle Mayers was beaten and bowled for two by a beauty from Zahir in the seventh over with five runs added, Tridents were still hot favourites to take full points. But the wheels began to come off when captain Jason Holder was deceived by a brilliant full length slower ball from seamer Kesrick Williams (2-12) and trapped

lbw for one at the start of the 10th, and Charles holed out to long on off Glen at the start of the 14th over. Still, the task remained a simple one with Tridents needing 22 runs from the last five overs but nerves became frayed when Corey Anderson (11) was bowled by Nabi in the 18th and Rashid Khan (2) picked out long on with Glen in the penultimate over. Chase was then brilliant in the final over, keeping Ashley Nurse (12) scoreless off the first ball and then getting him to hole out to mid-wicket off the second. Raymon Reifer then missed a swipe at high wide full toss that was there for the taking before punching a couple to backward point and scrambling a bye off the fifth. With six runs needed from the final ball, Nyeem Young spanked a low full toss to deep cover but it was not enough to save Tridents.