TUESDAY 1st September, 2020
' No.106109
Military to play ‘bigger role’ in national development
Parliament resumes today after 467 days
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–– says President Ali at ceremony to officially recognise five newly-promoted officers
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Gov’t announces $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief package 02 PAGE
National curfew goes back to 6pm to 6am 08 PAGE
Mingo released on $600,000 bail –– to report to CID every Friday
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05 President Irfaan Ali affixing the badge of rank on the lapel of one of the newly-promoted officers
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Two more die from COVID-19
By Navendra Seoraj
AUGUST has been the deadliest month in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with 20 persons losing their lives within this time. The most recent victims were identified as an 89-yearold man from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and a 47-year-old woman from Region Seven
(Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Both persons were reported to have died while receiving treatment on Monday. 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 condition; 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 41 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 home, 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 6246674 or visit the Ministry of Health at www.health. gov.gy.
Gov’t announces $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief package GOVERNMENT would be providing $25,000 per household as a relief due to the impact of COVID-19, President, Dr Irfaan Ali said on Monday. The President made the announcement while addressing the Private Sector Commission’s Annual General Meeting, but did not go into details of the relief package. President Ali less than two weeks ago had said that government is mobilising some US$60M from the World Bank, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Development
Bank, in addition to a $4.5B package it had announced earlier to bolster the national response to COVID-19. The President had noted that those sums were in addition to the US$1M grant received from the Government of India. Those, he said, were outside of other bi-lateral support received and were in the process of being received. The President then had said he spent the last few weeks consulting with many stakeholders, including the private sector, communities, trade union representatives, youths, and healthcare pro-
fessionals, aimed at arriving at a national holistic plan that integrates every aspect in response to COVID-19. “So what we have seen is the closure of small business enterprises, our economy declined about four per cent at mid-year, contraction in business by more than 20 to 70 per cent, the loss of jobs, reduced workforce, reduced operations and output due to the implementation of work rotation work schedules,” the President had noted. Further, the head of state said the loss of income has led to starvation in many communities, something
which is being addressed. He had pointed out that a holistic plan was being looked at to tackle the pandemic, while also targeting measures that would create jobs, ensure the return of income, and improve spending in the economy, while keeping the population in good health. The government, he had said was focused on delivering an all-encompassing plan that will hold health and safety paramount, while balancing the need to fortify the economic standing.
Healthcare workers, police among workers for childcare assistance HEALTHCARE providers, police officers, and other officers within the joint services, are among a number of category of workers that will be eligible to benefit from a “Childcare Assistance Programme” that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) is planning to roll out shortly. The pilot programme will see the ministry covering the payments to childcare facilities that care for the children of those persons who qualify for the assistance. The programme is open to the relevant frontline workers both in the public and private sectors. “It will be available to frontline workers with children who are below the age of seven and the direct payment will only be made to licensed childcare facilities. The category of workers that can benefit from this
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindyha Persaud
programme will include all healthcare workers, police officers, prison officers, fire service officers, security officers and army officers,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud, informed during a virtual press conference last Monday. The minister said that applications form for the programme will be sent to the relevant employers, while it will also be made available
for download on the ministry’s website. The criteria and other relevant information will be listed. Persaud noted that as the programme develops the ministry will re-visit to look at the possibility of widening the scope of persons to which it is offered. “This project is a pilot and if not before the end of the year, then very early next year we will look at how we can expand it,” the minister said. The minister said that the ministry is trying to do whatever little it can to assist those who are doing so much for the nation. “We are giving packages for essential workers. I want to thank those workers going out every day under challenging circumstances and risking their lives to deliver services to all of us across Guyana,” Minister Persaud said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Military to play ‘bigger role’ in national development –– says President Ali at ceremony to officially recognise five newly-promoted officers PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali on Monday unveiled plans to have the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) play a more significant role in the country’s development. He made the announcement during the course of a simple but symbolic ceremony at State House to officially recognise the five newly-promoted officers of the GDF, which event saw him pinning them with their new badges of rank. Those officers so recognised were Colonel Gary Beaton, who was promoted to the rank of Substantive Brigadier, and Lieutenant Colonels Ronald Hercules, Julius Skeete, Omar Khan and Kenlloyd Roberts, who were all promoted to the rank of Substantive Colonel. Four of the officers, except for Colonel Skeete, who’d received his in 2018, were also awarded the coveted Military Service Medal (MSM). Regarded as the second highest commendation in the life of a Serviceman, the MSM is usually awarded for exceptional service, above and beyond the call of duty, or for gallantry while in action. In his address at the mid-morning function, President Ali said that not only were the promotions long overdue, but necessary to the strengthening of the Army’s leadership, and a manifestation of the Defence Board’s intention to ensure that the GDF is continuously manned by a team of professional and highly-motivated officers. “I congratulate Brigadier Gary Beaton on his appointment; his promotion is duly deserved,” he began. “I com-
mend him for his outstanding and committed service; his
promotions will follow in the future.”
purpose of today’s ceremony was to confer the Military
knowledges and salutes their splendid service.”
At Monday’s ceremony to officially recognise the five GDF Officers who were recently promoted. With President Irfaan Ali and Chief-of-Staff Godfrey Bess (centre and third right respectively) are the five Servicemen in whose honour the event was held
service is worthy of emulation. His elevation to the rank of Brigadier should serve as an incentive to others to strive for greater professionalism and excellence in the discharge of their duties.” Turning his attention next to Lieutenant Colonels Hercules, Skeete, Khan and Roberts, President Ali said, “I also extend congratulations to the other newly-appointed Colonels; their promotions are meritorious and overdue. I charge these five officers to give their full support to the acting Chief-of-Staff, who retains my confidence. Other
IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTIONS On the subject of the importance of promotions, the Commander-in-Chief said they are essential to entrenching a system of meritocracy and to reward performance, qualification and experience, and his government will ensure that it adopts a policy to ensure that all those deserving of promotion are so elevated. Speaking specifically to the subject at hand, President Ali said: “The second
Service Medal on four officers. The Constitution of Orders of Guyana at Article 32 (1) provides that the Military Service Medal may be awarded in respect of military service by Members of the Guyana Defence Force, in action or other distinguished service beyond the call of duty. As President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and in the exercise of the duties of that office, I was pleased to confer the award to [these Officers]. I congratulate the recipients; they are richly deserving of this honour. The nation ac-
Moving on to other matters of equal importance, President Ali said that as the country moves forward, the Defence Board has commenced discussions on how the military and the men and women of the Armed Forces can become more integrated in their communities, and how their service can and will be utilised at the level of communities. INTEGRAL TO DEVELOPMENT “Guyanese must not only see these distinguished men and women in uniform as
just members of the Army; they must see you as a key and integral part of development; of their community and national development,” he said, adding: “Our military is blessed with great men and women, with tremendous skillsets and experience and the know-how. The time has come for us to harness this great potential in our military to uplift and build communities all across the country.” On the subject of making the military more community-oriented, engaged and aligned with national development goals, particularly as Guyana continues to emerge as an oil economy, he used the opportunity to urge the men and women before him to see themselves not only as distinguished men and women in the Army, but to play a key role in community and national development. “We must think outside the box as we chart a course where the military will be actively and integrally involved in the development shift and advancement of our country, especially with the oil-and-gas sector; new security challenges, border challenges,” the president said. “The military must play a major role in the emerging needs of our country,” he added. Members of the Defence Board, including the Prime Minister, Brigadier (rtd) Mark Phillips; Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall; and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn also attended the ceremony.
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo congratulates President Ali THE United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has congratulated President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on his victory at the March 2 General and Regional Elections, adding that he looks forward
to working with Guyana to advance shared values, economic prosperity and security in the Region. Pompeo on Monday tweeted, “Spoke with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali to express our congratulations
on his election victory. Democracy ultimately prevailed in Guyana. The United States stands ready to work with our Guyanese neighbour after this historic transition.” Additionally, Pompeo Spokesperson Morgan
Ortagus stated that President Ali’s electoral victory reflected a free, fair, credible, and transparent electoral process that respects the rule of law and the will of the Guyanese people.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Belladrum protest subsides
AFTER clashing with the police in the early hours of Monday, and spending the night on the roadways, protesters in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have allowed traffic to finally flow after an almost 24-hour stoppage at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice. The protesters had blocked the roads, demanding the release of the embattled returning officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo. The protesters used old buildings, derelict vehicles, wood and other items to block the roadways, while setting old tyres and other items on fire to prevent vehicles from passing. The traffic build-up was miles in both directions, with many forced to sleep on the roadways in their vehicles, while others sought alternative arrangements.
The police, in a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, made it clear they would use all legal means necessary to stop the illegal protest, and allow the traffic to flow. On Monday, police in riot gear tried to disperse the protesters, but were met with resistance. At least one civilian and a policeman were injured during the standoff. Despite getting the crowd that was in breach of the COVID-19 protocols to temporarily disperse, they returned and demonstration escalated. Some protestors made make-shift beds and camped out on the roadways throughout the night. As the new day dawned, more protesters joined from other villages such as Calcutta, in Mahaicony, in blocking the roadways. Some even took to playing dominos in the middle of the road to en-
This road which was blocked and cleared on Monday, thereby allowing for the resumption of a free flow of traffic roadways, and traffic was sure no vehicle was allowed welcome by the protesters. By mid-afternoon, the finally allowed to flow freely. to pass. The Association for DeThe protesters finally let traffic started to flow, albeit up after Mingo, who was at a snail’s pace, as drivers mocracy and Human Rights charged with four counts of tried to manoeuvre the nu- Guyana, in a statement electoral fraud, was released merous hindrances on the on Monday, is calling on the leadership of the APafter being asked to post roadways. Residents and police NU+AFC to stop misleading $600,000 in bail. Upon his release, he was given a warm ranks joined forces by late their supporters by encourafternoon to help clear the aging them to commit illegal
‘Top Cat’ further detained THE High Court on Monday granted the police clearance to further detain the prime suspect in the murder of Navindra Samaroo, who was gunned down on Middle Road, La Penitence last month. Dwayne Castello, 27, called “Top Cat”, of East Ruimveldt, was on August 27, 2020, shot and arrested by policemen on patrol duty on Genip Lane in the same East Ruimveldt neighbourhood in which he resides.
Since his incapacitation and arrest, the police have successfully approached the High Court for an extension to keep Castello in custody, as their investigation into Samaroo’s murder is still ongoing. The 23-year-old employee of G&J Phone Cards Investment on Mandela Avenue, was gunned down while sitting in his motorcar, PPP1645, on July 23, 2020 at Middle Road, La Penitence. Police have confirmed
activities, noting that the protests by the residents were reminiscent of the PNC of old. “We ask that the leaders of APNU+AFC discontinue their efforts at misleading the residents of Belladrum, and that they desist from inciting further protest action. These actions are only reflective of the actions of the PNC back in 1992, after they lost general elections that year. The ‘Mo Fyah, Slow Fyah’ campaign was launched by some of the very same PNC members who now constitute the membership of the APNU+AFC Coalition. The 1992 campaign caused mayhem, loss of lives, looting and property destruction. It almost seems as if the tiger has not lost its stripes,” the organization said in its statement.
--pending completion of investigation into ‘Middle Road’ murder
ARRESTED: Dwayne Castello
Tuesday, September 1, 2020–– 04:30hrs & 06:00hrs
DEAD: Navindra Samaroo
that Castello is also wanted in connection with a series of robberies. Reports are that patrol ranks, acting on information they’d received on the day in question, proceeded to Genip Lane, East Ruimveldt where they saw the suspect, who, upon seeing them, attempted to flee on a black motorcycle. By this time, the police had already stopped and disembarked the vehicle, and Castello, realising he’d been cornered, pulled out a firearm from his pants crotch and discharged several rounds in the lawmen’s direction.
One rank, who was quicker on the draw than his colleagues, returned fire, hitting the career criminal in his left foot below the knee. Thus incapacitated, Castello fell to the ground and was arrested. When searched by the police, it was discovered that he had in his possession a 9mm pistol with six live matching rounds in the magazine. He was escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was treated and has since been in police custody.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Dominguez, wife face 10 Mingo released on $600,000 bail more fraud charges --to report to CID every Friday By Clestine Juan
excess of $1M unlawfully, For those charges the couple ACCELERATED Capital was remanded to prison until Firm Inc (ACFI) Financial September 21, 2020. Adviser, Yuri Garcia DominHowever, the couple’s atguez and Director, Ateeka Ish- torney is expected to file an mael, were, on Monday taken application at the High Court on before the court to answer 10 Tuesday, September 1, 2020, for fraud-related charges bail on these six charges. Dominguez and Ishmael of Thus far a total of 57 Track ‘A’ Coldingen, East Coast persons have made reports at Demerara, appeared before Mag- the Criminal Investigations Deistrate Leron Daly at the George- partment (CID), with claims town Magistrates’ Court. The amounting to over $31.5 million couple was charged jointly and in investments in the company. pleaded not guilty to the charges. The duo was first held by Particulars of the charges police one week ago following alleged that, between the months an investigation into the comof May and July 2020, the cou- pany allegedly running a “Ponzi ple, with intent to commit a Scheme”. felony, conspired with persons A Ponzi Scheme is a form known and unknown to obtain of fraud in which investors are a total sum of over $60M from made to believe in the success 10 victims under false pretence. of a non-existent enterprise, and The Cuban national and his encouraged to invest because of wife were represented by attor- the payment of quick returns. neys-at-law Glen Hanoman and However, the first investors are Dexter Todd. only being paid from money Todd, during his application invested by successive investors. for bail, told the court that the However, the company veaccusations laid against his client hemently denies the allegations are private in nature which calls and, in statements issued, affor proceedings in a civil court firmed that “the funds necessary and not a criminal court. He further argued that the to refund our clients are ready to State has imposed itself as a third be disbursed”. The police have listed party to a private contract and is Dominguez, a naturalised Cuban forcibly allowing the course of national, and his wife as grave a criminal nature to take shape. flight risks, given that they have The couple was released on no assets in the country. The pair $1M bail each and the case was is said to have been operating adjourned until October 5, 2020. their investment company in On Thursday, August 27, Guyana for as far back as 2017; 2020, the couple first appeared however, they have never been before Magistrate Marissa Mit- licensed to do so by the Guyana telholzer, at the Vigilance Mag- Securities Council (GSC) as is required. istrate’s Court. According to reports, some It is alleged that, between May and July 2020, the Cuban 17,000 Guyanese are said to national and his wife, with intent have collectively invested apto commit fraud, obtained a total proximately US$20 million in sum of $24.7M from 13 persons the company. The company came to the limelight earlier this by false pretence. The couple, was not required month, when several persons are to plead to the charges and each said to have been making claims was granted $3.9 million bail. of not receiving their monies The case was adjourned until from the company. ACFI has been attributing September 18, 2020. The couple also made a vir- its failure to remit payments to tual appearance before Mag- clients as being due to its lack istrate Alisha George at the of a bank account, as several Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. local commercial banks have A total of six similar charges closed accounts for Dominquez were read against the duo which and Ishmael and their business alleged that they obtained an over the past few months.
By Clestine Juan
EMBATTLED Region Four Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo, along with two other Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employees were on Monday charged for various offences relating to electoral fraud reportedly committed during the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. Mingo, 69, of Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on four charges of ‘Misconduct in Public Office’, but was not required to plea to the indictable offences. The first two charges against him allege that on March 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, while being a public officer… he willfully misconducted himself by declaring a result for District Four without ascertaining the total votes cast in favour of each list in the said District Four Regional and General Election. The case against him is that he failed to add up the votes recorded in favour of each List in accordance with the Statements of Poll, which, in the eyes of the Law, amounts to a breach of the public's trust… without any reasonable excuse or justification. The last two charges against him allege that Mingo again committed the same offences, this time round on March 13, 2020, at the same GECOM High and Cowan Streets, Kingston Head Office, when he willfully misconducted himself by declaring a
result for District Four in the Regional Election of the said March 2, 2020
Former President and APNU leader David Granger talking with protesters
General and Regional Elections. Mingo is represented by Attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels and Darren Wade. Holding for the State are Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Shellon Daniels. Mr. Hughes, in an application for bail, told the court that his client does not pose a flight risk, and that he also has personal health issues. State prosecutor Mohammed, who thought otherwise, objected, citing the seriousness of the offence. He justified his denial by quoting former Jamaica Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who headed the OAS mission here to observe the March 2, 2020 election, as saying that never before has he seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election. The State prosecutor further argued that the recent recount process of the elections exposed glaring irregularities which proved that the figures presented by Mingo
Shaik Baksh back as GWI CEO THE Ministry of Housing and Water, on Monday, announced the appointment of Shaik Baksh as chief executive officer of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI). The ministry and its sister agency, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, in a release, said it looks forward to working together for the further development of the sector. Baksh brings with him a
wealth of experience having served in the sector for a number of years. He held the post of Minister of Housing and Water from 1998 to 2006. He also served in the capacity of CEO at the Guyana Water Inc. from 2012 to 2015. Baksh, who also served as education minister under the PPP/C government, holds a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Guyana and
Shaik Baksh
an MSc in management from the University of London. He also worked as a
were either altered in some manner, or forged. “His conduct shows great disrespect to the people of Guyana,” Mohammed said.
lecturer at the University of Guyana and as an executive in the private sector.
After weighing the matter carefully, the Chief Magistrate released Mingo on a total of $600,000 bail, on condition that he reports to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Friday. He was also ordered to lodge his passport at the court, and keep 50 feet away from witnesses in the case. The case is adjourned until September 25, 2020. TWO COUNTS OF CONSPIRACY Meanwhile, GECOM Elections Officer, 44-yearold Shefern February was slapped with two counts of conspiracy to defraud the public. February, of Bachelor's Adventure, East Coast Demerara, was not required to plea to the charges, which allege that on March 13, 2020 at High and Cowan Streets, Kingston, together and with others, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana… did not use the figures from the Statements of Poll for the purpose of ascertaining the figures to make the declaration of the results for the said District Four Regional Elections of the said March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elec-
tions as is required by law, thereby resulting in a false declaration being made for the said District Four Regional Elections of the said March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. She was represented by Attorney-at-law Eusi Anderson, Latoya Roberts and Nigel Hughes. Anderson told the court that while his client was in police custody, she was denied her fundamental right to an attorney by a member of the Guyana Police Force. Despite the fact that the prosecutor objected to February, too, being granted bail, for fear that she might tamper with the witnesses in the case, the Chief Magistrate also released her on bail, but in the sum of $300,000, on condition that she reports to CID Headquarters, and lodge her passport with the court. She was also ordered to return to court on September 25. In the case of GECOM Information Technology Officer, Enrique Livan, who was charged for Conspiracy to Defraud, he, too, was not required to plea. The 27-year-old, who resides at Turkeyen, on the lower East Coast, is also represented by Anderson, Roberts and Hughes. The charges against him are that between March 4-5,2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, together and with others, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana, while being appointed as a clerk for District Four of the Guyana Elections Commission, for the purpose of the Regional and General Elections of March 2, 2020, unlawfully altered the figures in the course of the recording of the numbers from the statements of poll for District Four for the purpose of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections results. TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Celebrating Guyana’s First Peoples THE month of September is a celebratory time for all Amerindians and/or descendants of the original inhabitants of Guyana -- our indigenous peoples. Since Dr. Cheddi Jagan decreed September to be Amerindian Heritage Month in 1995, there has been projected into the national and psychological psyche that Amerindians are no longer going to be a marginalised people subsisting on the crumbs of developmental initiatives within the national construct, but will be fully integrated into the holistic national programme for development by the PPP/C Administration; and one of the basic components of this new paradigm is the Amerindian Act. The Amerindian Act (1976) has never been enforced since its existence and did not fully address Amerindian rights and entitlements: However, the PPP/C Government, after a comprehensive review and stakeholder consultations, drove and passed the Amerindian Act of 2005, which addressed all of Guyana’s First Peoples’ pressing concerns, foremost among which were land-titling issues and sub-soil rights. The Amerindian Act, 2005 provides for, inter alia: 1) Grants to communal land. Unlike the old Act, the new Act includes a process for the granting of land. For instance, a community can apply for land once they can prove that they have been living there for at least 25 years and the minister must commence an
investigation and make a decision within six months. 2) Leases: The minister is not required to approve leasing of titled Amerindian land, as opposed to the first Act where the minister is required to approve it. In the new Act, the communities are only required to seek the advice of the minister. 3) Intellectual Property Rights: With respect to the use of scientific research, the researcher will, among other things, have to submit to the Village Council a copy of any publication containing materials derived from the research. 4) Environmental Protection: The Amerindian Act supports the need for the communities to use their natural resources in a way that lends support to the concept of sustainability: Impact Assessments will have to be completed in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. 5) Mining and Forestry: Amerindians will have a legal right to traditional mining with the consent of the Village Council and they must comply with the relevant legislation. With regard to forestry, the Village Council plays an integral role in determining who is allowed to use their land and on what terms. 6) Governance: The Village Council is empowered to establish rules for their communities and set fines within the legal confines of the law. Notably, the money received due to the non- adherence of the rules, goes into the Village Council’s account, not the government’s.
Citizens attacked on Demico downtown premises Dear Editor, I AM forced to bring to the attention the following incident I observed on Sunday, August 30, 2020 on the premises of the Demico Outlet downtown, Georgetown. I walked by the Demico Building towards The Guyana Police Force Mobile Unit and all of a sudden, I heard loud voices of females behind and as I turned around, I observed a confrontation of a female and others on the premises of the DEMICO Outlet. I was clueless as to what was happening and then I saw a female of dark complexion, about 5’ 6’ in height, very short hair and dirty looking,
running towards my direction. I stepped aside and saw a mob chasing her and I distinctly heard voices from the mob saying, ‘she just juk some women and she only playing mad.’ I stood there looking at the female being chased as she ran upstairs to the mobile unit and tried to close the door behind her from the mob that was chasing her. I didn’t venture closer, but I overheard the mob which got closer saying, “look how she juk up them women and she ain’t mad, she playing mad.” I then observed two females, assisted by public-spirited citizens, being taken to the mobile unit for the police
officers to have a look at what the suspect just did. It appeared the two females were harmed and shortly after, an ambulance arrived and took the two females away. Perhaps to the hospital. This all happened mid-morning because I headed off to my destination of Parika and reached there a few minutes before noon. Thanks to those public-spirited citizens who came to the rescue of the two injured females. I have always said via the press over the years that the government of the day needs to clean the city of the homeless, vagrants, mentally challenged persons etc.
Who would have been held responsible if those two females had died from the wounds they sustained? Perhaps the Guyana Police Force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, can educate the public on what happened to the two injured females. The Ministry of Social Cohesion, which I think overlooks these people on the streets, needs to urgently address this situation. Perhaps I am incorrect with the ministry, but can someone forward this observation to the relevant ministry. Yours Faithfully T.Pemberton
7) Consultations: More than half of the recommendations are reflected in the Act. These inclusions were as a result of recommendations from the communities and other stakeholders. The process lasted two years and is an unprecedented one in this part of the hemisphere. The Amerindians of Guyana are given equal status within the landscape of Guyanese citizenhood, while yet being encouraged to sustain their cultural and traditional norms; this far surpasses the treatment meted out to indigenous peoples of even first-world countries. The Amerindian Act is merely one component of the holistic approach successive PPP/C governments have taken to enhance economic growth and social development in Amerindian communities. The current government has signalled its intention to revise and review the administrative dynamics directly affecting Amerindian developmental constructs over the past five years and reverse, wherever necessary, decisions that adversely affected indigenous peoples’ communities, lives, and ways of life; as well as to create inclusionary initiatives to ensure that Amerindians share, in equal measure to that enjoyed by coastal citizens, the resources of this country that belongs to all the people of the land. The management and staff of GNNL and the Guyana Chronicle wish all of Guyana’s indigenous peoples a happy Amerindian Heritage Month.
Politics diminished the Maha Sabha
UPON the passing of the late Sase Narain, inevitably his association with the Maha Sabha of Lamaha Street came into the fore where he served as President for a lengthy period before handing over to the late Judge Ramraj Jagnandan. I think it would be apposite to note here that this organization, which is still in existence, is probably the first organised body in Guyana which propagated Sanatan Vedic Dharma in a structured manner and many stalwarts of the past were associated with it but one name stands out as a founder member in the 1930s and that is the redoubtable Dr. Jung Bahadur Singh, who lobbied intensively during British colonial rule for the right of Hindus to be cremated. Maybe the divine law of Karma played its hand and it
seems that Dr. J.B. Singh was officially the first Hindu to be cremated after this final rite for Hindus was legalised in then British Guiana. In the minds of many Hindus, the Maha Sabha’s unfortunate allegiance to the PNC under the leadership of Sase Narain began the downfall of this once great organization, creating a split within the Hindu community and leading to a gradual whittling down of its large membership and estrangement of prominent Hindus. I believe the lesson is that Hindu organisations should stay away from political affiliation and concentrate strictly on the promotion and propagation of our great and eternal Dharma. Yours sincerely, Chris Persaud
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Time to move on with our lives Dear Editor, “THE United States is closely monitoring the tabulation of votes in Guyana ….we join the OAS Commonwealth, EU, CARICOM and other democratic partners who are calling for an accurate count. We commend CARICOM’s role in seeking a swift democratic resolution and it is important to note that the individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate governments/ regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States”. Those words were uttered by Mr. Mike Pompeo, speaking earlier in March 2020 at the State Department. It was another country’s intention to punish all those who directly and indirectly thwarted the democratic process in Guyana and, they did! What do you expect the concerned country to do? Sit and twiddle her fingers and say you guilty ones are forgiven? It was the caretaker President,
David Granger himself, also earlier in March, after the election, had warned, “It is my sworn duty, as President, to uphold the Constitution and keep our citizens safe. I intend to do so. I will not allow political malefactors to hijack our democracy and compromise public order and human safety. Law and order will be maintained.” President Ali is only following a precedence committed by the past President and abiding with Granger’s intention to allow law and order to be maintained by bringing to justice all those who had participated in the obstruction of the smooth flow of the election process. Thank you Mr. Granger for your good advice and guidance for President Ali to adhere to and implement. The popular will of the people must never be compromised with fraudulent actions and behaviour nor by intimidation. The APNU+AFC Party denied democracy to Guyana when they refused to accept the consequences of the
NCM since in December 2018. Granger’s appointment of Patterson as the GECOM Chairman was unconstitutional. Signing contracts and agreements during December 2018 and August 1, 2020 were not in concurrence with the “caretaker mode.” Attempting to steal an election and illegitimately gain power was a criminal act. Collusion and corruption by embezzlement is fraud. Encouraging and inciting violence is working against the law and disrespectful to human safety. Organising illegal gatherings and protesters is not abiding with COVID-19 regulations and keeping with the law. Who are the perpetrators of all that Granger had cautioned against? Only the APNU+AFC Party and Granger himself who are the delinquent ones, culpable and capable to be inglorious hypocrites of the highest order. Again in March 2020, Granger had pleaded with all sides of the divide say-
ing, “Guyanese are asked to contribute to ensuring that we maintain law and order at all costs. Guyana is a lawful state. We must allow the institutions which we revere and on which we rely to work to ensure that there will be a fair outcome to the issue which we now face.” Isn’t this good advice for Joe Harmon, the current “Hammy,” the seemingly tough bully who is a self-imposed “Leader of the Opposition” and proclaiming to want to carry the fight to the PPP/C Party in Parliament? He is a sub-standard tactician, a technician whose attrition for such a position will only encourage further partition, an arithmetician whose opinion for the election recount result would seriously question his role as an academician, his diabolical ambition is fruition for parliamentary prohibition and as such, Guyanese admonition for suspicion is in keeping with a tradition composing of an inhibition filled with apprehension. In the eyes of an educated youthful Guyanese generation who is consciously
serious about being upright in moral dignity and as a law-abiding citizen, whose judgement is not derailed by blindness due to discrimination, who is educated to make correct judgmental decision and whose mind is scripturally influenced for guidance, would you seriously consider such an imposter to truly represent your interest and the country’s interest, acknowledging his unscrupulous past? Let the games begin and another war break began with the filing of the election petition yesterday. The Belladrum protest is its existentialism. All the battles fought by the APNU+AFC Party were lost to the PPP/C Party. It is of paramount importance though that Guyanese pay heed to the teachings of Granger, a historian, whose fatherly message to this nation can carry a far reaching effect, especially to himself and his APNU+AFC Party followers. He said after the election, “Guyanese will continue to live with each other. We must not allow ourselves to
be provoked into taking any action which will engender hate or disharmony.” It was in the same vein that Dr. Irfaan Ali had accepted the presidency and had stressed that Guyanese are not separated by class, ethnicity, religion or political persuasion. Philosophising a prediction, President Ali had surmised, “There is only one future and that future requires a united Guyana, that future requires a strong Guyana, that future requires every Guyanese to play a part in building our country, ensuring that we leave a better Guyana for the next generation.” With the 12th sitting of Parliament today, all Guyanese eagerly await for Guyana to once again get rolling under the PPP/C Party mantle and for the opportunity for the materialisation of both presidents’ dreams. Guyanese need to move on with their lives and to exit their hibernation. Respectfully, Jai Lall
Police alone cannot solve crime Dear Editor
I RECENTLY perused an article in the press under the heading, “Focus returns to Tiger Bay.” The missive reported on a visit paid to Tiger Bay, sorry, Rosemary Lane, by officers at the apex of management of the Guyana Police Force: Clifton Hicken, Assistant Commissioner Operations; Royston Andries, Junior Assistant Commissioner Police Public Relations and Press Officer, and Simon Mc Bean, Assistant Commissioner, Commander Region Four (a). It was pleasing to note such high-ranking members of the Guyana Police Force visiting a depressed community. It was so nice to observe in this virtual time so many police boots of various sizes and high quality literally pounding the beat at Rosemary Lane. According to Dr. Kissoon of the Ministry of Health, who was a member of the visiting party, his reason for visiting was to let the persons within the community understand the importance of wearing of masks, washing hands and practising social distancing to stop the spread of COVD-19. From the photograph in the newspaper all had on their
masks. The police also dealt with many issues and concerns affecting the residents and promised to return to that location shortly for further interactions with them. The senior law men abandoned the traditional bird’s eye view that let them see everything from above, from the sky. Instead, during the visit, the trio assumed a worm’s eye view of things, trying to find whatever comes right in front of them - smell it, touch it, feel it and see if they can do something about it. Positive activities between the police and residents of Rosemary Lane, particularly with the youths, is nothing new. It peaked when Laurie Lewis was the Commissioner of Police. However, over the past few years due to diverse reasons activities declined and almost flattened. Apparently, an attempt is now being made to raise the level of activity between the police and members of that neglected community. One tool to help law enforcement tackle crime through problem solving is what Cohen and Felson theorised as the Crime Triangle. It sits on three legs: The victim, the suspect and the location. Crime is presumed amenable to suppression if any of the three legs of the triangle is
removed or neurtralised. In the crime triangle, location is a critical element in reducing crime and the fear of crime. At numerous locations there are many issues operating that are causing crime to flourish. They may be political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental. (PESTLE). Unless the PESTLE is adequately addressed crime will boom. Many law enforcement agencies pay most attention to the suspects, less to the victims, while the locations are left almost untouched. Braiden (1998) recommended another way to view the significance of location - “the hunt and the habitat:” I can’t think of two special - interest groups more physophically opposed to each other than hunters and animal rights activists, yet there are two things they totally agree upon: the species will survive the hunt; it will not survive the loss of its habitat. What can policing learn from this basic principle of nature? Well if the basic principle is to eliminate the criminal specie forever, surely the best way to do that is to eliminate the habitat that spawns and sustains that species. Structured as it is, the criminal justice system puts 95 per cent of its resources into the hunt
while the habitat is left almost untouched. We can never win working that way, because the habitat never stops supplying new customers for the hunt.” The challenges faced by the police are numerous. They defy any one-shot solution. The police cannot solve crime alone. Rules without relationship lead to rebellion. The police must establish and sustain effective partnerships with members in the communities they swore to serve and protect. Sustainability must be the watchword. In fact, working in partnership with members of the communities is enshrined in the mission statement of the Guyana Police Force. Activities by the police like the one alluded to above must be replicated and sustained in all the police divisions. It is called Community-oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS). The police are not only required to solve crimes but to work in tandem with members of the community to identify problems therein and find solutions to them. It is not a project, it is not a programme, it is a culture. It must be a constant work in progress. It will promote trust and cater for greater public confidence in the police. It will empower the police to be proactive
rather than reactive, thus, enabling them to do more intelligence-led policing. Green shoots will emerge. They will be fruitful. However, in this COVID-19 era, the police in their community relations activities must ensure that they, and those they interact with, protect themselves with their PPE and adhere to other COVID-19 recommendations or they will be in violation of COVID-19 Emergency Measures. Stephen R Covey in his book, “The 8th Habit From Effectiveness to Greatness,”
posited that managers, leaders and organisations must move from effectiveness to greatness. I pray that God will inspire the police to move from effectiveness to greatness. You cannot do policing without God. So it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end. I recommend Covey’s book as a must read for all police officers. Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Avoid overinvestment, unrealistic promises
National curfew goes back to 6pm to 6am
–– energy expert urges gov’t
AS the new government takes up management of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, there is a list of actions the Ali Administration should avoid if it is to evade the resource curse and the mistakes of its closest neighbours. Vice-President of Energy and Sustainability at the Institute of the Americas, Jeremy Martin, recently put out a ‘not-to-do’ list for the administration, based on his research and experience in the industry. He was assisted by graduate student at the School of Global Policy and Strategy at the University of California, Kathryn Hillis. First, Guyana was advised to avoid overinvestment in the oil and gas industry. An example given of this is the construction of an oil refinery. It was pointed out that while there should be adequate infrastructure for drilling and shipping the oil, any refineries built would likely be “deeply unprofitable”. Reference was made to the last refinery built in the US in 1977 highlighting that, since then, over 40 years, no such refinery has been built again due its infeasibility. Added to this, energy economists point to an oversaturation of global refining capacity even as many countries are looking to decrease their use of fossil fuels and COVID-19 has negatively impacted the global fuel market. In 2017, Director of Advisory Services at the USbased Hartree Partners, Pedro Haas, stated plainly that the construction of an oil refinery in Guyana would be unprofitable as it would cost the country some $5 billion with a negative rate of return on investment at between US$23 billion. “In addition to the cost issue, a refinery built before the state has enacted proper oversight and regulatory agencies could become a vehicle for corruption and crony capitalism. Look no farther than another neighbor, Brazil, as to the pitfalls of this issue,” the writers stated.
Vice-President of Energy and Sustainability at the Institute of the Americas, Jeremy Martin
This Brazilian political corruption scandal, which began in 2014, involved the indictment of dozens of high-level businesspeople and politicians after investigations alleged that millions had been given to officials of Petrobras, Brazil’s majority-state-owned oil company. Second on the not-to-do list was the advice for Guyana not to subsidise gasoline. Martin explained that while a gasoline subsidy can provide a quick boost of economic growth to a developing country, this is only temporary and is not worth the long-term debt. “To avoid the future need for the IMF and possible citizen uprisings, Guyana should keep gasoline at market value… in Latin America, an abundance of oil has led to a sense of resource nationalism, causing citizens to view gasoline as a public good rendered nearly free by government subsidies,” the writers acknowledged. CASES OF VENEZUELA AND ECUADOR Giving examples of this mistake, Venezuela was put in the spotlight as the most drastic and Ecuador as the most recent. It was noted that once implemented, the subsidies become expected by the people and making them nearly “politically impossible
to remove”. Thirdly, it was recommended that Guyana refrain from turning away dual citizens as it transitions. They said that transitioning a largely agricultural country into the world’s newest oil nation requires significant technical expertise and talent which may not be present in Guyana in the numbers. “Fortunately, Guyana has a large diaspora across the globe comprised of individuals with experience and ability. The government should appeal to its far-flung citizens to return home and share in the newfound opportunities. While this seems obvious, there is a pervasive nationalistic pride that makes accepting dual citizenship difficult,” the individuals outlined. One case of this they pointed to was the illegality for a Member of Parliament (MPs) to serve while holding dual citizenship status. After the December 2018 no-confidence motion in Guyana, several MPs were forced to either resign from the post or give up their dual citizenship. Martin said that this type of nationalism cultivates the exact nature of policy that could hinder the success of Guyana. Fourth on the list, Guyana is being urged not to disregard the potential to monetise associated natural gas resources. There has recently
been much talk in this regard as many Guyanese want to see a gas-to-energy project which would bring cheaper electricity costs. Martin and Hillis said that this gas can also be used to improve Guyana’s power system that is currently in need of enhanced reliability. Guyanese country-wide have been consistently affected by blackouts because of inefficiencies in the services offered by the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL). Still, the writers advised: “Major developments around the use of natural gas as a cleaner burning power generation source, as well as the importance of avoiding flaring for emission and environmental reasons point to an obvious win-win for Guyana to monetise the associated natural gas primarily for use in power generation.” MUST BE GROUNDED The final action Guyana has been urged not to do as regards the “delusions of grandeur”. In all its doings, Martin said that the Ali Administration should ensure that its people are grounded when it comes to their expectations of the oil and gas sector. While there will no doubt be significant economic development, it was noted that the average citizen will not likely not see a large-scale change in their circumstances that is immediate. “When the population is anticipating wealth that may not occur on the level or timetable perceived, the simmering displeasure with government could lead to unrest and destabilising protests,” the cautioned. “The reality check and need to manage expectations, while politically unpopular, will also help to ensure for the population that governance of the oil wealth is wise, long-term and not one associated with the expectation of a rapid, endless financial windfall and deluge of funds.”
–– control measures extended to September 30, 72 new cases recorded
By Navendra Seoraj GOVERNMENT, in recognising the rise in cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), has amended the emergency measures, as part of an effort to contain the rapid spread of the dreaded disease. The measures, which will now last until September 30, include an extension of the national curfew, which has reverted from 21:00hrs5:00hrs to the initial 18:00hrs to 06:00hrs. The emergency measures were made pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement –B, March 16, 2020. According to health authorities, the COVID – 19 Emergency Measures (No. 8) will expire on September 30, 2020 unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions. It was reported that the Government of Guyana had done a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and had found that it was fragmented and incapable of administering the public health, economic and social measures needed to keep the population safe. “The Government of Guyana has initiated a complete overhaul of the current public health response. Government has looked at the approach used in other territories, especially in the Caribbean, and has resolved that a multi-sector and multi-faceted approach has been the most successful model, with an aggressive policy of detection, contact tracing and, if positive, isolation,” said authorities in a
previous report. Part of the renewed approach to fighting COVID-19, includes mass testing, something which has proven successful in detecting cases which could have gone “under the radar”. Authorities have so far tested 8,510 persons, with 7,204 being negative and 1,306 positive. Of the positive cases, 718 persons have recovered and 41 persons have lost their lives. The remaining cases include 87 persons in institutional isolation, 451 in home isolation and 12 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While cases have been recorded in all ten Administrative Regions, the infection rate in some regions is higher than in others. Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has been the epicentre for this disease, recording 473 cases, while Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has recorded 237 and Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 217. While monitoring is easier in Region Four, access to certain hinterland areas could be difficult, so government, as part of an effort to contain the spread in those regions, has restricted non-essential travel in and out of Regions Seven, Eight and Nine, until September 30. On a national level, government has also agreed to keep the international airports closed to international travel. The control measures, which include a national curfew and social distancing guidelines, are often hard to cope with, but, considering the prevailing circumstances, persons must be cautious and vigilant, as they continue to do their part in the fight against COVID-19.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Can’t ‘brush away’ everything done by coalition gov’t
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–– says Ram, but expects gov’t will reverse some taxes, in Budget 2020 By Navendra Seoraj BUDGET 2020 will soon be presented in the National Assembly, and while government will not be able to reverse or “brush away” ‘everything’ done by the former APNU+AFC administration, stakeholders expect that some taxes will be reversed. The emergency budget is expected to be presented within two weeks upon convening of Parliament today. The new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, while in opposition, had said that the coalition extracted some $300 billion more in additional taxes over the past five years. Additional taxes included Value Added Tax (VAT) on utilities and reducing the list of zero-rated items. In economics, zero-rated supply refers to items subject to a 0 per cent VAT on their input supplies. Some persons had argued that tax measures, instituted by the past administration, were cumbersome, but the new government, in reviewing those measures and preparing the budget, also have to consider the challenges and effects of COVID-19 on the economy. 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. “I certainly believe that they would be reversing some of the taxes. I know it would not be all because I don’t think they could just take a big brush and reverse everything that the coalition government did…though not everything from the tax measures were bad,” said Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram in an invited comment, on Sunday. Ram suspects that government is going to raise the threshold for personal income tax, which is at $780,000 per annum. “The government may not wish to go much further than that, but I would like to see the reduction of the
personal income tax rate and maybe a couple other productive, progressive plans, but I don’t like the situation where the personal income tax rate (28 per cent) is higher than the corporate tax rate for
Ram said he was disappointed that, despite the extraordinary circumstances, government did not invite any segment of the population for consultations on the budget, although it should
Outgoing PSC Chairman, Capt. Gerry Gouveia
non-commercial companies (25 per cent),” said Ram. On another issue of taxation, the accountant believes that government is going to deal with the issue of zero rating some items, which need to be restored to zero-rated status. This he believes will cost the government some amount of revenue, but it is needed. “The government has its work cut out, they need to know the numbers and figures and I hope they will make not only right decisions, but also decisions to bring relief to the people on the lower grounds of the economic ladder,” said Ram. STILL TOO SKEWED The economy, in his view, is still too skewed, in the sense that it has been providing an investment climate and revenue structure that favours those who are “better-off” in society. Government has, however, been taking stock of where the economy is, and while there is not a lot of time to do so, officials said they hope to achieve a lot.
have been done. Outgoing Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Gerry Gouveia, was, however, a bit more lenient, as he acknowledged that the new government has only been in office for less than four weeks, during which time it had to deal with pressing issues, while informing itself on revenue, spending and the state of public finances. “While doing so, government has had to contend with troubling statistics relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and workplace restrictions. This means that the government has necessarily had to limit interactions with stakeholders, including with the private sector commission. This is regrettable but understandable,” said Gouveia during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle. While recognising the challenges facing the government, keeping private sector businesses afloat and all employees on their payroll is important to minimizing the pandemic’s impact on the economy. And, the sup-
port from the government to private sector entities over the past few months has been minimal, so they would like to see some relief measures in the budget. One such measure in-
support in order to survive, to pay taxes, and continue employing staff,” said the outgoing PSC chairman. Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Guyana, Sydney Arm-
Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram
cludes allowing “loss relief,” not only prospectively, but all together, thus having an immediate positive impact on those businesses that are directly affected by COVID-19. “We would also like to see the immediate restoration of zero rated status on exports and all those goods and services which adversely impact on the prices charged to consumers. Some of those things include domestic flights and food items, among others. We would also like to see an increase in the personal allowance and reduction of the personal income tax rate to 25 per cent and the possibility of some progressivity in the rate structure,” said Gouveia. For companies and all the taxpayers unable to meet their payments on time, the private sector commission would like to see a waiver of penalties and interest, and some deferral of such payments. NEED SUPPORT “We understand the challenges facing the government but many businesses need
strong had strongly advised that the proposed budget be “people-focused”, and especially give priority to vulnerable groups. He feels that, essentially, it should focus on such key sectors as health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and industries, all of which should be inextricably linked to the new Oil-and-Gas Sector, which should be its central feature. “As a nation, we are at a defining moment, given the development of our Oil-andGas Sector,” Armstrong said, “but it is also important to note that the road up ahead is still going to be challenging, given that we are still in a global pandemic.” Considering the economic situation and the instability caused by COVID-19, the economist said there is need for a “stimulus package”, as this would ease the “economic hardship” faced by vulnerable groups in society. Government will have much to consider, given 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 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 Guyanese population can understand what is taking place,” the President told Newsroom in a recent interview. To generate jobs, create wealth and opportunities, the President said a series of incentives will be launched for various sectors such as the hotel industry, manufacturing, industrial development and livestock, among others. He said when capital is raised there will be public, private partnership to deal with the housing sector which will also create thousands of jobs. As such, works have already started on the 2021 budget. Meanwhile, he noted that jobs will also be created when the sugar industry is up and running. Government is also committed to creating opportunities at the sugar estates with a special investment regime set aside for the Wales Estate, since all the equipment were sold out. “This will create wealth, opportunity, build capacity and bring back life and economic prosperity to communities,” Dr. Ali said. He said the sugar industry is not about workers working in estates but the socio-economic impact of the estates on the regions and communities, as those far outweigh any subsidies government will give. He noted that the government will inject some $600M into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to assist with the payment of wages and salaries for employees. The President also noted he has seen many files of expressions of interest for the sugar estates.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
UWI zeroes in on race relations in T&T By Vishani Ragobeer THE University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, zeroed in on the dynamics of race relations and reconciliation in Trinidad and Tobago through its post-election Virtual National Symposium held on August 30. The Twin Island Republic held its General Election on August 10, 2020. The pre-election campaigning and the post-election reactions were fraught with racist overtones and tension, primarily between the two larger racial groups, the Indo and Afro-Trinidadians. These two groups also form the support base for the two larger political parties, which hold the monopoly of the electorate. “Perhaps this country is at a crossroads in its race relations, or perhaps the ease of social media simply allowed this issue to be propagated,” related Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UWI, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine. This, she highlighted, formed the impetus for the university’s forum, which was organised by the Law Faculty in collaboration with the Catholic Commission for Social Justice. Importantly, she posited, “A university must be grounded in its community and it must provide a voice
for important issues. It must facilitate discussion, as well as lead that discussion for public good.” The symposium brought together several academics who have been immersed in the field of race and race relations, alongside other integral stakeholders. According to the Professor, it is clear that there are enduring structural issues which are conducive for the pervasion of these racial tensions but which must be interrogated in order to facilitate reconciliation. This symposium, she affirmed, was just the first step. While speaking at this forum, Professor Emeritus, Rhoda Reddock, highlighted that the Afro/Indian binary replaced the black and white binary promulgated by colonisers during the post-Independence period. The antipathy which exists primarily between these two groups results from colonial power structure where, essentially, white was right. “(Race) was a key organising principle of colonialism,” she said, explaining that it justified the near decimation of Indigenous people and the forced transportation and enslavement of Africans. This, therefore, meant that when the Indentured Indians and later, other groups such as the Middle Easterns and other Asians came to the
Twin Island, they entered into an already “racialised, colour-coded, hierarchical social structure.” VICTIMHOOD This overarching system of white supremacy was the genesis of a myriad of dangerous and destructive stereotypes and myths that plague that multiracial country. This, she noted, positions the racial groups in competition with each other for “victimhood”; that is, they compete to ascertain who has suffered more, and who deserves more, who has been discriminated against more, and who is the current oppressor versus who is currently oppressed. “Racialised contexts are difficult enough when hierarchies are clearly visible but where the groups concerned are relatively equally placed or equally displaced, as in many parts of the post-colonial world, the potential for conflict is much higher,” Professor Reddock said pointedly. Meanwhile, Leader of the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Kwasi Mutema, posited that the tensions between the Indo and Afro-Trinidadians which plagues the country today were politically engineered, in an attempt to consolidate political power for a minori-
Professor Emeritus, Rhoda Reddock speaking at the UWI’s Post-Election National Symposium on Understanding Race Relations and Reconciliation in Trinidad and Tobago
ty. This hegemony of political power would be dismantled, inevitably, if these two large groups would unite, according to NJAC’s leader. This phenomenon, he said, is one which has been inherited from colonialism. Exacerbating this was Chairman of the Council for Responsible Political Behaviour, Dr. Bishni Ragoonath’s assertion that the country’s political leaders seem not to have respect for each other, nor a deep sense of responsibility to mitigate racial tensions. He contended that political leaders have incited racism, used racial stereotypes to gain political capital and have engaged in race-baiting. According to him, respect and responsibility must be central in a developmental paradigm. MORE POLITICAL WATCHDOGS Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Katija Khan, called for more political watchdogs and pressure groups to hold
leaders accountable for their actions, or even lack thereof. Furthermore, she said, “It is not enough for us not to be racist. If we are to combat racism, we need to be anti-racist.” To achieve this goal of reconciliation, she advocated for the continuation of conversation like this symposium but which also provides safe spaces for honest and candid discussions about race and ethnicity. She noted that “calling out” racism is necessary, but there must also be space for persons to be engaged, to actively facilitate growth and reconciliation. There are many similarities between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in the context of race and race relations, owed to the similarities in demography and history. This is articulated by Professor Ann Marie Bissessar and Professor Emeritus John Gaffar La Guerre in their book “Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana: Race
and Politics in Two Plural Societies.” The Academics contend also that there is a unique interface between race and politics in these two countries. Moreover, just as in Trinidad and Tobago this year, Guyana’s own protracted 2020 Regional and General Elections were similarly plagued by racial tensions and strife. In July, before the declaration of the results in August, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) said, ““There is no doubt that the historically long period it has taken for the declaration to be made has exacerbated tensions and discontent while unfortunately fostering ethnic strife, especially on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that public utterances, including the building of expectations by some officials and their political subjects, have and continue to contribute to the heightening of tensions and a further widening of unwanted division among our people.” The ERC said that it would urge the political leaders to de-escalate those tensions. Following his swearing in, President Irfaan Ali committed to fostering an ambitious agenda of National Healing. According to him, the protracted election period exacerbated tensions in Guyana which inhibits the development of all Guyanese.
Father of two killed, fruit vendor arrested
A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder of Kishan Persaud, 29, called “Rocky”, who was chopped to the neck on Saturday night at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Reports indicate that Persaud of Busbie Dam, Craig, EBD, was driving motorcar, PKK 8911, a white corolla wagon, headed in the eastern direction along Busbie Dam and as he was about to turn his motor car into First Street Craig, he was confronted by a man blocking the road with a fruit and vegetable cart. As a result, the father of two exited his vehicle and asked the suspect to remove his cart to allow him to pass, but the suspect refused to do
Killed: Kishan Persaud called ‘Rocky’
so which resulted in an argument between them. Police said that it is alleged that the suspect then armed himself with a cutlass
which was concealed in his cart and dealt Persaud a chop to his left side neck, after which he escaped. The incident occurred at about 21:30 hours. Persaud, who was a seaman and a minibus conductor, then drove himself to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he died about 22:30 hours while receiving medical treatment. The suspect was later arrested by the police at his home; he remains in custody and is assisting with the investigation. Persaud’s wife said that her three-year-old son had witnessed the entire incident and is currently traumatised.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020 FROM PAGE
Mingo released ...
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GECOM Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman
CAUGHT RED-HANDED Prosecutor Mohammed impressed upon the court that Livan changed the numbers that were recovered on a computer system for District Four, and was caught red-handed, and that when the numbers were reviewed, there were discrepancies. Livan was released on $150,000 bail, on condition that he, too, lodges his passport at the court, and report to CID Headquarters. His case was also adjourned until September 25. Outside of the court, despite the rigid COVID-19 guidelines, several supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) were engaged in a spirited protest for Mingo’s release. Several senior Party members and former government ministers, including former president David Granger, Simona Broomes, Khemraj Ramjattan, David Patterson, Joseph Harmon, and Nicolette Henry were also on the ground, showing support for Mingo. GECOM Commissioners Desmond Trotman and Vincent Alexander were also present to throw their support behind the embattled RO. The charges against the three GECOM officials were all filed after the Guyana Police Force launched a “comprehensive investigation” into allegations of criminal conduct by Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, and RO of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, in relation to the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections and the events that followed. On March 4, 2020, during the disrupted tabulations of the District Four count, Livan was questioned by the police after he was accused of abruptly halting the tabulations and secluding himself with a flash drive with GECOM’s information at the Ashmin’s Building. Party agents and other
observers became suspicious when Livan, after complaining of feeling tired and wanting to conclude the tabulation process, left the room with a flash drive and computer, both of which were being used during the tabulation process. The following day, Mingo allegedly made a fraudulent declaration which was eventually overturned by the courts. Livan was later promoted by Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield to perform the duties of a supervisor at one of the stations for District Four during the national vote recount despite protest by political parties. Lowenfield is already facing criminal charges in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court relating to fraud, misconduct in office and breach of the public’s trust by providing results of the March 2 elections which he knows to be false. MINGO’S ARREST Mingo was on Tuesday last, arrested after court marshalls had been looking for him to serve a warrant for his arrest on criminal charges; charges which were filed by a private citizen, but he’d somehow managed to give them the slip for weeks. The charges at reference were filed in March by Charles Ramson Jr. not just against Mingo, but PNC/R Chair, Volda Lawrence, as well, alleging they all had to do with the controversial results for District Four. On Monday last, Mingo did not appear in court as was expected, but Lawrence did, and she was placed on $100,000 bail after appearing before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, on private criminal charges, including conspiring to forge documents to show a win for APNU+AFC at the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.
APNU+AFC files election petitions, hopes for fresh elections THE APNU+AFC coalition on Monday officially challenged the outcome of the March 02, 2020 elections by filing two election petitions at the High Court. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) emerged victorious in the aftermath of those elections. The coalition through its lawyer Roysdale Forde filed the documents on behalf of the applicants Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick, who want the High Court to determine the legality of the elections and the results that led to the declaration and allocation of seats in the National Assembly. Other attorneys who were part of the filing were Raphael Trotman, Olayne Joseph and Trinidad Senior Counsel John Jeremie. The coalition also named several respondents, including Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; Vice-president Bharrat Jagdeo, as well as representatives of several political parties that contested the elections, as it wants the High Court to cancel the polls and order fresh elections within 90 days Saying nothing about the party’s Statements of Polls (SoPs), former President and Leader of the APNU+AFC coalition, David Granger, while outside the High Court said the coalition is confident
From left: Attorney Roysdale Forde, former President, David Granger and Joseph Harmon after filing the elections petition (Adrian Narine photo)
that it has enough evidence to prove that the elections were poorly managed. However, Attorney Forde said the coalition will not be providing its SoPs, noting that it was not relevant to what the APNU+AFC was asking the court to determine. “As we have said repeatedly, the elections was [sic] not decided on Statements
of Poll; it [sic] was decided on the recount and if we are challenging the results of the elections, it must be on the basis of the recount and those documents,” he said. The applicants have also named Granger as a respondent to the petitions where they are also asking for a quick and expedited hearing. According to Guyana’s
Chief prison officer killed in Homestretch Avenue accident A 38-year-old chief prison officer attached to the Guyana Prison Service, on Monday morning, lost his life, and his colleague was injured, after a two-vehicle collision along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. Reports revealed that the accident, which occurred in the vicinity of Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Headquarters, involved motor car PYY 7942, driven by a 27-year-old prison officer, and a Nissan X-Trail, PWW 4425, driven by a 22-year-old man of Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The collision resulted in the death of Prince Cox, 38, of Nabacalis, East Coast Demerara. Enquiries disclosed that the motor car was
Dead: Chief Prison Officer, Prince Cox
proceeding west along the southern side of the road and the X-Trail was proceeding east along the northern side of the said road and as both vehicles were approaching CANU headquarters, the motor car, while overtaking a line of vehicles, ended up in the path of the X-trail which pulled further north in an effort to avoid a
collision. However, despite his efforts the front of the X-trail collided with the left side front door and fender of the motor car, resulting in both drivers, as well as occupants of the motor car, Prince Cox and a 22-year-old prison officer of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, receiving injuries about their bodies. They were picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where Cox was pronounced dead. The drivers of both vehicles and the other occupant of the motor car were admitted at the hospital and are receiving treatment. The body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting an autopsy.
laws, the validity of votes can be challenged only through an election petition after the overall election result has been declared and a government is in place. At this point, an investigation will be done and the case tried in court based on the evidence presented.
Suspect in death of toddler arrested REGION One Police Commander, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, and a team, undertook a 14-hour journey to Kariako Village, Barama River, NorthWest District, where the motorcyclist involved in the death of a toddler was arrested on Sunday. Dead is one-year-old, Nesiha Alexander. The accident occurred on Wednesday at Kariako Village around 19:30 hours. The matter was reported to the police on Friday night. The suspect, who was riding the motorcycle at the time, has been identified as 25-year-old, Cain James. Reports indicate that Neshia was with her 13-year-old sister, Charmaine Samuels, standing in the corner of the roadway. Charmaine was holding her little sister’s hand when the motorcycle, which was proceeding along the said road, collided with them. As a result of the impact, the toddler fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries to her head and body. She was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken home, and then rushed to the Kumaka District Hospital by her parents. Nesiha was pronounced dead at about 09:00 hours, on Thursday, by a doctor.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
‘Let the road proceed as designed’ -- St. Cuthbert’s residents tell Min. Edghill during consultation
PUBLIC Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Sunday, visited the residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission on the Linden Soesdyke Highway to consult them on the ongoing $99 million road project. Minister Edghill was accompanied by the ministry’s Senior Engineer, Miscellaneous and Urban Roads, Denita Crandon; Project Engineer, Stephen Cheong and the contractor from J&R General Construction Services.
The minister and his team received a warm welcome by the Toshao, Beverly Clenkian, and residents who were equipped with their face masks and at all times, socially distanced during the meeting. The contract was signed back in December 31, 2019 but works on the road began sometime last week and is currently progressing on the 14 miles of sand road. The project was delayed due to COVID-19, according to
Minister Edghill (second from left) meets the village Council of St. Cuthbert’s Mission
Crandon, who also noted that the road works should be completed by November 29, 2020. The road surface will be upgraded to compacted loam, which can later be resurfaced to bitumen. Minister Edghill explained that it was brough to his attention that residents had concerns with the project once it kicked off, since no consultation was done by the previous administration. “It was brought to my
that the canopy was dangerous and in fact, serves as a hub for thieves. Against this backdrop, it was agreed that the structure should be demolished for the construction of the road and the safety of the residents. One resident, Verona Persaud, said she would like the loam road to stop before it enters the village as the loam and dust can be dangerous, especially within the health centre district. She also noted that she feels when the road is completed, drivers will be reckless, thereby, affecting the indigenous children who are accustomed to playing around the village. To this concern, the contractor assured the residents that speed bumps will be erected to ensure safety. On the other hand, Minister Edghill stressed the importance of the loam road coming into the village. According to him, development comes in stages and a compacted loam road will pave
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, being greeted by St. Cuthbert’s Mission Toshao, Ms. Beverly Clenkian
attention that once the works was started there were some objections, especially in the main entrance coming off of the Highway where the widening is to take place… it will interfere with some of the trees and destroy the canopy. I spoke to the contractor on arrival and I was told that he was approached and asked to cease work interfering with the trees and the rest of it,” the honourable minister explained. A resident of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, who has been recently appointed as the Minister’s Adviser on Aviation, Lennox Shuman, highlighted during brief remarks that no consultation with the residents was done, while noting that residents were not employed on the project. Meanwhile, the minister in a frank and open manner engaged the residents on various views and issues. HUB FOR THIEVES In the end, residents said
the way for a bitumen road in the future. On the issue of no residents being employed on the project, the contractor said, works will be executed via machines and less manpower will be required. Minister Edghill, nonetheless, urged the contractor to remain in consultation with the residents and wherever possible, employ residents as part of the project. Vincent Harry was very excited to see development taking place in his community and told the Minister, “Let the road proceed as designed.” This statement was welcomed with a resounding applause from the scores of residents that were present. Minister Edghill took the opportunity to inform the community of the government’s developmental agenda and current preparation of the Emergency Budget 2020. He thanked the residents for their good wishes, prayers and words of encouragement.
Parliament resumes today after 467 days
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
TODAY, for the first time in 467 days or over one year, the Government of Guyana will return to Parliament under new circumstances and in recovery from a five-monthlong electoral process, which made headlines across the world. Members of Parliament (MPs) will, this time, take to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) today, an alternative to the Parliament Building Chambers and the best solution for engagement during a world health crisis which has
dence motion. The matter dates back to December 21, 2018, one of the most dramatic moments in Guyana’s history, when a no-confidence motion brought against the APNU+AFC Government proved successful after one of their own members crossed the floor to side with the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). The motion, laid in the name of then Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, had blared on its cover: “BE IT RESOLVED that this National As-
what constitutes a vote of “majority” if the uneven figure, when divided, stands at 32.5 --- supposedly “half a member” which is evidently impossible. It was also debated whether Charrandass, a dual citizen of both Guyana and Canada, was legally a Member of the National Assembly. The no-confidence motion was upheld by the High Court on January 31, 2019 but on March 22, 2019, the Court of Appeal, by a two-one majority, invalidated the motion on the basis that an absolute majority
was not acquired. It was not until June 18, 2019 that the CCJ – Guyana’s final appellate court – validated the no-confidence motion. In handing down its consequential order on July 12, 2019, the CCJ stated clearly that the government, as a result of the passage of the no-confidence motion, will remain in office, though on a different footing, until a new President is sworn-in. The CCJ’s finality on the matter cleared the way for the elections to be called and all eyes turned to the Guyana Elec-
Guyana’s Parliament building
killed almost one million people globally. It is only the second time that this change of venue has occurred, having first being required in 2002 when then President Bharrat Jagdeo issued a proclamation designating that the National Assembly meet at the Ocean View Convention Centre while renovations to the Public Buildings were ongoing. Under the new arrangement and likely another first, several MPs are to participate in the proceedings online, from home due to health-related concerns. Even so, and apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, normal circumstances did not lead to the hiatus of Parliament being held. The last Parliament held was the 115th Sitting of the 11th Parliament which occurred on May 23, 2019. This Sitting, along with the three previous, was boycotted by the then opposition which was displeased with the continuance of operations of the APNU+AFC Government after it had been legally booted by a no-confi-
tions Commission (GECOM) which, at the time, was without a chairperson. UNCONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENT
On June 25, 2019, former GECOM Chairman, Justice (Ret’d), James Patterson, stepped down from the post after the CCJ ruled that his appointment by former President Granger was “flawed” and thereby unconstitutional. The matter had taken on its own string of legal battles. On July 26, 2019, about a month later, renowned legal luminary, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, was selected by former President Granger to be the Chairperson, ending weeks of back and forth between the then opposition leader and President over the best possible pick. That same month, the commission commenced its preplanned house-to-house registration which made a timeline for the elections uncertain. Added to this, faced with its own financial and technical challenges, in September 2019, GECOM informed former President Granger, for the very first time since the motion, that it wouldn’t be in a position to conduct credible elections until the end of February, 2020. As such, on December 27, former President Granger ordered that the 11th Parliament and the 10 Regional Democratic Councils be dissolved on December 30, 2019, thereby paving the way for General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020. THE FIVE-MONTH
FIASCO From March 2, to August 2, 2020, the now well-ventilated stages of the elections took place from E-Day, to the count, to the national recount, to the exhaustive recourse sought through the courts and the final declaration made. Newly-elected President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, announced in August that the 12th Parliament would commence today, September 1, 2020. Apart from the $11.2 billion for constitutional agencies for which approval will be sought, a new Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Speaker will also be elected. The former Speaker of the National Assembly is Dr. Barton Scotland but there was no Deputy Speaker under the APNU+AFC as, though it is protocol for the opposition to nominate the same, the PPP/C did not do so in 2015. Meanwhile, the new Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, is also expected to be sworn in and will likely give a statement. He and his colleagues will form a group that is called the ‘shadow Cabinet’. Parliament is one of three supreme organs of democratic power in Guyana. It consists of the President and the National Assembly and has power to make laws for the peace, order and good Government of Guyana. It was created by the 1966 Constitution of Guyana, embodied in the Schedule of the Guyana Independence Order and made pursuant to the Guyana Independence Act, 1966. The first Sitting of the National Assembly of the first Parliament of Guyana was held on the May 26, 1966.
sembly has no confidence in the government”. It was the party’s position that the APNU+AFC Administration was damaging the country’s future and an end should be put to its leadership. THE FAMOUS “YES” Shouts erupted that night in the National Assembly as colleagues of the former AFC Member, Charrandas Persaud, begged him to vote “no” to the motion as opposed to the “yes” he uttered twice. “We ‘dropped the ball’ by not treating this seriously enough, and by failing to recognise that one of our own could vote in favour of the motion,” then Leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman, said then in reflection. It was the turning point for the country and would lead to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, but not after a slew of court battles climbing all the way up to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and seeking to deem the motion as invalidly passed. Legal minds debated the 65-member government and
The Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) where the 12th Parliament will commence today
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Georgetown expansion a long-term goal for Housing Ministry HOUSING and Water Minister, Collin Croal, has disclosed that an expansion project for the city of Georgetown is in the pipeline and is among his ministry’s long-term goals. The minister was, at the time, speaking on Kaieteur Radio last Friday. According to Minister Croal, as Guyana’s Oil and
Gas Sector continues to develop, the expansion of Georgetown will be necessary. “At the ministry level, you have the aspect of zoning; Georgetown is expected to expand further, with the advent of the Oil and Gas Sector, as well as, our improvement in our economy,” Minister Croal said.
As the ministry embarks on this project, a multi-sector approach will be instituted and relevant agencies will play a role in the project’s success. “We will be working in collaboration with the other ministries to ensure we have the areas that are properly identified for housing development [and] for commercial
development because the time will come when we also have to look beyond Georgetown. Those are part of the long-term vision in the ministry’s plan.” Further, the minister is currently looking into the granting of permits. Time efficiency for the permission of grants is expected to improve, as the current process
Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues (DPI photo)
was found to be lagging and discouraging to prospective investors. “We will look at the legislation, to see how we can improve because when your applications are sent to us, we also have to work with the local authorities… for example the Fire Department… sometimes you submit those documents, and you may ask for their no-objection
and the relevant sub-agencies could take a while to respond,” Minister Croal explained. He also noted that Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is expected to soon establish a new board which will operate in a “more proficient and efficient manner” in addressing some of these issues. (DPI)
Contentious Petroleum Commission Bill to be re-tabled THE government is working towards the re-tabling of the Petroleum Commission Bill, faulty in many ways, within a timeline of four to six months. This was conveyed to the Guyana Chronicle by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, who also said that the elaborate powers given the natural resources minster under the bill, will be reviewed. Even the former administration had admitted in 2018 that the powers vested in the responsible minister was “too much” after such was argued by the former opposition, now government, in Parliament. In 2017, former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, tabled the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill of 2017 during the 64th sitting of the 11th Parliament. The bill, which is the legislative architecture for the Petroleum Commission of Guyana, was to be taken to a Special
Select Committee at a later sitting of the National Assembly after its second reading. However, to date, it has not yet been passed. President Dr. Irfaan Ali, while an opposition Parliamentarian, had argued: “When we examine Section Eight, which deals with the power of the minister to give directions to the commission, it is clear that the commission will hardly be able to work without the direction and control of the minister. According to Section Eight, the minister is not only allowed to provide policy guidance, but also give direction to the commission regarding size of the establishment, the employment of staff and the terms and conditions of employment.” Through the Guyana Chronicle’s research, the bill, in fact, speaks to the ‘minister’ 100 times in total. Apart from what was mentioned by Ali, the minister could also determine what is deemed as “good oilfield practice”; TURN TO PAGE
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Teen remanded for murder THE juvenile who went berserk on August 14 was, on Monday, remanded to Juvenile Holding Centre after he made his first appearance before Magistrate Annette Singh via Skype at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. He was not required to plead to the murder charge committed on two victims and was therefore remanded to prison until September 21, 2020. Meanwhile, the two women and her two children who were brutally stabbed about her body, remain at Suddie Public hospital in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The family member's conditions remain the same. On August 14, the teenager went berserk at his home in Pomeroon River, Region Two, killing his brother-in-law, 55-year-old Ramdat Singh, also called “Shami”, of Bat Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, and his nephew, three-year-old, Kissoon Williams. Reports are after that the teen stabbed Singh, he attacked three children ages one, three and six, and his two sisters. He stabbed one
Dead: Ramdat Singh
of the women, and the three children about the bodies, while the other woman’s throat was slashed, after which he fled the area. The injured persons were placed in a boat and rushed to the Charity Hospital. Singh was pronounced dead on arrival. The other injured persons were all transferred to the Suddie Hospital, where two of them were rushed to the theatre for emergency surgery while the other three were admitted to the ICU in stable condition. Three-year-old Williams succumbed to his injuries later in the evening.
FROM PAGE
Contentious Petroleum ... approve, amend or reject the plans, proposals, reports, analyses, data and any other information submitted by an applicant or operator and direct that the commission perform “any other function as assigned” among others. Section Five(d) lists one of the duties of the commission as being expected to “carry out any directions of the minister given under Section Eight” and Section Eight lists seven categories of directives that the minister may give the to the commission. In an interview with this newspaper, Minister Bharrat detailed what should be expected from the commission, likely to be established by early 2021. “It’s an independent commission, free of political interference because the previous Petroleum Commission Bill or the one that was tabled, that one actually gave minsters too much power. Actually, the minister could have usurped all the powers of the commission. So, not because
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we’re on the opposite side now we’ll support that, we don’t support it. We believe that the minister should not have that amount of power; that the sector should be depoliticised as much as possible,” he said. It was President Ali, in his inauguration speech on August 8, who announced that his government has plans to set up a Petroleum Commission to insulate the oil and gas sector from political interference. With Guyana heading back to Parliament today, progress begins towards finalising the 2020 budget which will further pave the way for crucial bills to be debated. Minister Bharrat said: “It has to go back to Parliament. We would have given it a timeline for four to six months and that is what we’re working with. We have to get through this budget period and then, I’m sure, we’ll retable the Petroleum Commission Bill.”
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Messi fails to show up for Barca training
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Unhappy Lionel Messi missed Barcelona’s first training session of the new season on Monday, days after his shock announcement that he wants to leave the only club he has played for professionally. Messi’s failure to show up for the session, the first under new Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, was widely expected after the 33-year-old Argentine also failed to show up for a pre-season medical on Sunday. Reuters television footage showed players arriving for the session which began at 1730 local time (1530 GMT) and Messi did not appear. The six-times world player of the year insists he has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave on a free transfer — a claim disputed by Barcelona and La Liga. Messi’s lawyers plan to invoke a clause in his four-year contract, signed in 2017, which would have allowed the forward to leave the club for free if he had requested it by June 10. They will argue that date — nominally the end of the season
— is now irrelevant after the coronavirus pandemic forced an extension of the La Liga season deep into August. However, La Liga said on Sunday that the only way a club can sign the Argentine forward is if he triggers a release clause of 700 million euros ($836 million). Messi’s decision came after Barcelona failed to win any silverware last season, which finished with a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals. Supporters who waited outside the training ground on Monday were split over Messi’s decision. “I really want Messi to stay,” Brazilian Fabio Alfredo Suarez told Reuters. “Messi lives in my heart — it’s a pity that he leaves, I wanted him to leave through the front door of the club.” Spaniard Ivan Antolin Beltran remembered that Barca had helped Messi through the earlier stages of his career. “After all that Barca has given to Messi throughout his career, which started here as a child... they paid him for all his medicines and everything ... I think his way of behaving is a bit incorrect,” he said.
Beacon... CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE
up by capturing the prestigious Kashif and Shanghai annual nationwude KO on New years day 1996. Among the club’s players of that era were: Claude Phillips, Mark Pollard, Rawle Prince, Dexter Cort, Ola Pedro, Andre Trotz, Wayne Dover, Julian Masdammer, Sherwayne Scott, Trilton Luke, Shawn Prince and brothers Martin and Mortimer Stewart. The year 1996 also brought honor to the club when Nigel Denny was appointed captain of the national U-19 team, a feat emulated 2 years later by son of coach Brathwaite, Kayode. Over the years the club has gone through lots of changes with migration being chief among them, while the mal or non functioning of the Georgetown Football Association is another factor. Today as they celebrate 35 years of existing as a club congratulations are in order.(Ras Wadada)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
NBA roundup:
Leonard posts 33, Clippers close out Mavericks KAWHI Leonard had 33 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists and the Los Angeles Clippers eliminated the Dallas Mavericks from the playoffs with a 111-97 victory in Game 6 on Sunday in the NBA bubble near Orlando. Ivica Zubac had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Paul George contributed 15 points, nine boards and seven assists for the Clippers. Leonard added five steals. The Clippers advanced to the second round of the Western Conference play-
offs, where they await the winner of the Utah Jazz-Denver Nuggets series. The Nuggets won later Sunday to tie the series 3-3. Game 7 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET. Luka Doncic had 38 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Mavericks. Dorian Finney-Smith added 16 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 10. Denver Nuggets 119 — 107 Utah Jazz Jamal Murray exploded for a game-high 50 points, including 14 in a
second-quarter turnaround that propelled third-seeded Denver to victory over sixth-seeded Utah, forcing a seventh and deciding game in their Western Conference first-round playoff series in the NBA bubble. In scoring 50 for the second time in three games, Murray won a second consecutive duel with Jazz counterpart Donovan Mitchell, who poured in a team-high 44 points, his third time over 40 in the series. Game 7 is scheduled for
Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists as Clippers eliminated the Dallas Mavericks.
Tuesday, with the Nuggets going the distance for the third consecutive time in the last two seasons. They survived a Game 7 with San Antonio in the first round last year, before losing the decisive game to Portland in the Western semifinals. Boston Celtics 112 — Toronto Raptors 94 Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart scored 21 points
apiece to lift Boston to a victory over Toronto in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Kemba Walker had 18 points, Jaylen Brown 17, Daniel Theis 13 and Robert Williams III 10 as the Celtics won their fifth straight game to open the playoffs. Theis and Walker added game highs of 15 rebounds and 10 assists, respectively.
Kyle Lowry had 17 points and Serge Ibaka added 15 for the Raptors, who saw their eight-game winning streak come to a halt. Toronto shot 31-of-84 (36.9 percent) from the field and 10-of-40 (25.0 percent) from 3-point range. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet combined to go 8-of-32 for 24 points.( -Field Level Media)
UEFA confirms teams could forfeit Nations League matches over COVID-19 BERN (Reuters) - UEFA has confirmed that teams could ultimately forfeit upcoming Nations League matches if they are unable to turn out due to players testing positive for COVID-19, or that the drawing of lots could decide a result. Soccer’s European governing body said that matches could also be officiated by non-neutral referees should any of the originally-appointed match officials test positive. Two rounds of matches will be played between Sept. 3 and 8, the first competitive internationals in Europe since the coronavirus outbreak, and UEFA acknowledged that preparations were progressing against “a background of
difficulties”. All the matches are due to be played in the originally-scheduled venues except Moldova v Kosovo which has been moved to Parma in Italy, although this is because Moldova does not recognise Kosovo as an independent nation. UEFA said that positive COVID-19 cases from tests conducted before matches could result in groups of players, officials or entire teams being placed into quarantine. In the case of quarantined players, UEFA said the match would go ahead as long as the team still had 13 players available including at least one goalkeeper.
If a team did not have 13 players, UEFA said it would try to reschedule the match. However, if this was not possible, the disciplinary committee would decide on the outcome and the team judged to be responsible for the postponement would forfeit the game. If neither or both teams were judged responsible, the result would be decided by the drawing of lots, UEFA said. UEFA said that, should any match officials test positive, it might “exceptionally appoint replacement match officials who may be of the same nationality as one of the national associations and/or may not be on the FIFA list”.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Ewan sprints to Tour de France stage three victory CALEB Ewan produced a dazzling sprint finish to win stage three of the Tour de France as Julian Alaphilippe held on to the yellow jersey. The Australian Lotto Soudal rider timed his sprint perfectly into a strong headwind in Sisteron to squeeze past Peter Sagan and snatch victory from Irishman Sam Bennett. It is his fourth Tour stage win after three victories on his debut last year. “The guys did a great job keeping me at the front,” said Ewan. “This is the biggest race in the world and I’m so happy to get another win and prove last year wasn’t a fluke. I hope to keep coming back and keep winning.” Ewan displayed excellent bike handling skills to navigate a chaotic finish, and avoid the headwind that penalised his rivals, until the last moment.
The 26-year-old narrowly avoided Sagan’s back wheel and the right-hand side barrier to get onto Bennett’s wheel before he kicked clear with tremendous speed at 50m to go. “I was a bit too far forward in the final kilometre so I dropped back and gave myself a bit of a rest,” he added. “Coming from behind is a bit of a risk but I got through past the barrier and had the speed in the end.” European champion Giacomo Nizzolo finished third, with France’s Hugo Hofstetter taking fourth. Former three-time world champion Sagan faded to finish fifth but picked up enough points to replace stage one winner Alexander Kristoff in the green points jersey, which the Slovakian is aiming to win for a record-extending eighth time.
Caleb Ewan has won stages in all three Grand Tours.(Getty)
It was a high-speed finish after a largely sedate day, with France’s Jerome Cousin spending 110km off the front alone before he was swept up by the peloton with 16km to go. Cousin had been in a breakaway with compatriots
Root left out of Twenty20 squad to face Aussies ENGLAND Test captain Joe Root has been left out of the Twenty20 squad for the threegame series against Australia. Root is in the one-day squad with Chris Woakes while Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran and Mark Wood are included in both squads. Ben Stokes, who missed the last two Tests against Pakistan to visit his ill father in New Zealand, is left out. The three-match Twenty20 series starts on Friday with three one-day internationals from 11 September. The second T20, on Sunday, will be live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 13:50 BST. T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood. Reserves: Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood. ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. Reserves: Joe Denly, Saqib Mahmood.
Opener Jason Roy has been left out as he recovers from a side strain but he will stay inside the bio-secure bubble with a view to demonstrating his fitness for the one-dayers. Reece Topley, David Willey, Liam Dawson and James Vince - who only scored 57 in three innings - drop out of the one-day squad that faced Ireland with batsman Joe Denly and bowler Saqib Mahmood demoted to reserves. Willey and all-rounder Lewis Gregory drop out of the T20 squad that is currently facing Pakistan while Mahmood again drops to the reserves. Root’s omission from the T20 squad means he will not have featured in any of England’s last four series in the format with a World Cup scheduled to start in India in October 2021. The 29-year-old opted to play in the Vitality Blast for Yorkshire rather than rest after the Pakistan Test series, and has still been left out despite scoring 65 against Notts on Monday and 64 against Derbyshire on Sunday. Despite that, National Selector Ed Smith says no “doors are closed” for Root.
“At the moment we are setting up in a particular way as an XI in T20 cricket and Joe is not in that,” said Smith. “The decision then moves to ‘if he’s not in that starting XI at the moment, although no doors as closed to him in the future and that could easily change, where is the right place for Joe?’ “He plays so much cricket and gives so much to England every time he plays and the decision is that it is not right to have him in the squad if he’s not likely to be starting. “Moving forward that could easily change - we’ve all seen that Joe is an easily adaptable and outstanding batsman and he could easily come back into the reckoning.” Head coach Chris Silverwood will be in charge for the series after assistants Paul Collingwood and Graham Thorpe took charge of the series against Ireland and Pakistan respectively. The three ODIs form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League which will determine qualification for the 2023 World Cup, with the top seven teams automatically booking their spot at the tournament in India.(BBC Sport).
Benoit Cosnefroy and Anthony Perez, who were battling for king of the mountains points. Perez had taken the virtual lead off Cosnefroy in that classification but was then forced to abandon the race with a broken collarbone after he punctured on a descent and crashed into his Cofidis team car. Alaphilippe avoided trouble to retain the race lead, with Britain’s Adam Yates still second at four seconds back, while defending champion Egan Bernal has moved up two places to sixth overall.(BBC Sport).
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Windies allrounder CSA to consider reparations to players Rahkeem Cornwall discriminated against in the past eyes successful Test career
Rahkeem Cornwall
RAHKEEM Cornwall has only played three Test matches but if he gets to have things to go his way, he will be playing a lot more before he puts his bat away for good. The gigantic 27-yearold Antiguan all-rounder is currently playing for the St Lucia Zouks in the 2020 Hero CPL and it is an opportunity to perhaps get his foot in the door of the international franchises that have signed many of his Caribbean colleagues, who have flourished. However, his primary focus is on becoming a permanent fixture in the West Indies senior Test side.
“If I can play the T20 format and travel the world and play leagues it would be good but my aim is to be one of the most successful Test players out there,” Cornwall said in a recent interview. “Playing Test cricket is the art of cricket, everyone wants to play Test cricket and do well. I have already played the format, I just want to make sure I get what I am really looking for in Test cricket and when my times comes to retire, I don’t have any regrets.” In the three Tests he has played, Cornwall has taken 13 wickets.(Sportsmax)
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 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) 2015 & 2017 (2)2017 Today’s Quiz: (1)Who took most wickets in last season’s Hero
CPL?
(2)Name the teams that have never contested a
CPL final to date.
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Cricket South Africa (CSA) will embark on a process of reparations for anyone involved in the game who has been discriminated against in the past as part of their Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) project. Compensation amounts will be determined after complaints have been heard and mediated by the newly appointed transformation ombudsman Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, who will also be responsible for setting up the Restoration Fund. “My expectation is that based on the complaints, the ombudsman will be able to categorise them, and based on that, he will be able to determine what percentage goes to which player,” Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw, a CSA Independent Board Director and their transformation chair, said. “If you work in an asbestos factory and they are affected by TB, you get compensated. There’s nothing wrong with compensation when people have lost income.” That means that anyone who believes they were denied opportunities on racial grounds could approach the ombudsman, who will then have to determine the severity of their case and the amount of compensation . The money for the fund has yet to be secured but CSA are hopeful of raising it through corporate involvement and even the South African government. “We’ve got to still raise the funds to see how we are going to restore. There are a lot of companies, even government, that is ready to restore people,” Kula-Ameyaw said. “The money will change hand at some point but the modalities and the formula must be worked out. It could even be after a year because the ombudsman will take a few months to set up and deal with complaints.” While the finer details, including a timeline, have not yet been finalised, Kula-Ameyaw called the launch of the SJN
Makhaya Ntini and Gary Kirsten will both be ambassadors for the Social Justice and Nation Building project Getty Images “one brick in this nation-building house,” which seeks to ensure that “everyone will be treated fairly in the game of cricket”. It also comes after several stories of exclusion were revealed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Former players and coaches have spoken out in the media and while none have actively asked for compensation (Thami Tsolekile demanded an apology), CSA are seeking to make financial contributions to those who were not able to earn money from the game because of discrimination. “Potentially, players who see themselves as victims of the current target system which requires franchise teams to field a minimum of six players of colour of which three must be black African, could also approach the ombudsman.” As an example, this might mean a player like Aaron Phangiso, who went to the 2015 World Cup and was the only member of the squad who did not play a game even after South Africa qualified for the quarter-finals with a game to spare, may be
compensated in match fees or that Geoffrey Toyana, who missed out on the national coaching job in 2017 (which former CSA president Chris Nenzani has now called a “missed opportunity,”) may have a case for reparations. The ombudsman’s functions are not limited to people of colour only and Kula-Ameyaw indicated that anyone who has been involved in the game, at any level, can approach the ombudsman. “If something is fair, it will be fair to everybody,” she said. Potentially, that opens the door for players who see themselves as victims of the current target system, which requires franchise teams to field a minimum of six players of colour of which three must be black African. An example of such is Leus du Plooy, who told the Afrikaans-language publication Netwerk24 in February that the reason he signed a Kolpak deal with Derbybshire was because, “the system we have disadvantages young, white players in particular.” Although the SJN will be open to hearing, and address-
ing, all stories of exclusion, Kula-Ameyaw stressed that CSA still need to accelerate the pace of change and ensure more representation for people of colour. While the work of the ombudsman will deal with historical complaints, CSA will continue its own transformation work, with an emphasis on on-field demographics. “Where we will focus the most, is the actual game. The plans will include building talent aggressively,” Kula-Ameyaw said. “The long-term plan is to make sure there is no racism in sport; no discrimination.” The SJN will be supported by nine former players, who have been named as the project’s ambassadors, and will assist with raising public awareness of the campaign. Some of the ambassadors, such as Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki and Toyana, have already gone public with their experiences of discrimination. The list of ambassadors is: Zondeki, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Toyana, Ntini, Marcia Letsoalo, Shandre Fritz, Nolubabalo Ndzundzu and Dinesha Devnarain. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Zverev beats Kevin Anderson in US Open FIFTH seed Alexander Zverev overcame a tough challenge from South African Kevin Anderson to reach the US Open second round with a 7-6 (72) 5-7 6-3 7-5 win. The 23-year-old German stuttered as he lost the second set, but regained control to beat the 2017 finalist. “Kevin is not somebody you usually play in the first round,” Zverev said. “I’m extremely happy to get through.” Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, the fourth seed, also reached the second round. Both players are chasing a maid-
en Grand Slam title with defending champion Rafael Nadal absent from the men’s draw due to coronavirus concerns while 20-time major champion Roger Federer is not playing because of knee surgery. But they must still compete with men’s top seed and 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who faces Damir Dzumhur in his first-round match after 00:00 BST on Tuesday. Zverev broke serve to go 3-2 up against Anderson in the first set but was later broken back by the world number 117, managing to claim vic-
tory in a tie-break. Anderson broke late in the second set to level things and pushed the German at every opportunity with his dominant serve, but Zverev eventually wrapped up the match in just over three hours. Tsitsipas, 22, sailed through his opening match, beating Spain’s Albert Ramos Vinolas 6-2 6-1 6-1. The world number six will face either American Maxime Cressy or Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik in the second round, while Zverev plays American 19-year-old Brandon Nakashima. (BBC Sport)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 1, 2020
HERO CPL 2020 Match 22…
Pooran ton, the ideal confidence booster ahead of Tridents skirmish -TKR, Tallawahs lock horns in opener
All eyes will be on Nicholas Pooran tonight following his record hundred By Clifton Ross FRESH off their thumping come-frombehind win on Sunday night, Guyana Amazon Warriors will enter another must-win battle today; this time against defending CPL champions Barbados Tridents in what could be another firecracker under lights at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy ground. After a few mixed outings, the Warriors went from the most under-pressure team this season, given their stardom and CPL record to the seemingly hungriest team on show. Up until a few nights ago, Chris Green and his men have been enduring a yo-yo season and one which has been plagued most by shoddy batting. The savoir of the woeful batting performances was Shimron Hetmyer, who had been fetching the team on his back for a few rounds with a couple of fifties, before he too seemed to be running a bit cold with the blade. However, the occurrences of Sunday night was a clear reminder that no team should underestimate the prowess and unpredictability of the former 5-time finalists. After hitting 68 and then throwing the game away a few rounds back, Nicholas Pooran made amends for his misfortunes in the past and hammered his way into the top player
CPL
Jason Holder and his men are terribly under pressure heading into tonight’s encounter
ranks this season. The West Indies left-hander smoked 10 sixes and 4 fours in his 45-ball whirlwind, unbeaten ton which helped Guyana to much-needed 7-wickets win. His 128-run stand for the 4th wicket with Ross Taylor, who ended with with 25 not out off 27 balls including 6; broke the backs of their opponents while giving them the desired impetus needed ahead of this evening’s duel. Warriors enter the match as clear favourites, especially after the one-man show by Pooran who has now passed Hetmyer as the team’s leading run-scorer and second in the tournament with 206 runs; trailing Jamaica Tallawahs opener Glenn Phillips by a mere 1 run. The champs on the other hand, will be gunning to break their recent string of losses and get back to their winning ways should
they seek to reclaim their title. After Raymon Reifer failed to defend the final over which was in favor of thse champs versus Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), resulting in Kharry Pierre seeing his team over the line yet again; the Tridents then suffered an even more embarrassing loss at the hands of the St Lucia Zouks on Sunday. Barbados failed miserably to attain the low target of 93 set by their opponents, eventually being ripped apart for a paltry 89-7 when their 20 overs expired. Such bad luck has put Jason Holder under a bit of pressure, given his team has now replaced the Warriors by dropping to second-to-last place on the table. Chris Green and his men as a result of their scorching win on Sunday, regained some of their glow, shooting back up to 3rd
place behind the Zouks who have moved up to 2nd with ‘Bubble’ hosts, the unbeaten TKR sitting pretty in the number one position. Batting will play another huge role again for the Warriors as Pooran will be keen on continuing his form along with Hetmyer and Taylor who are the team’s regular contributor of runs during the recent days. Chandrapaul Hemraj got the axe last game in place of all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, who returned 1-9 from 4 overs before being promoted as Brandon King’s partner at the top. Although Sinclair managed just 5, his approach could warrant another match while King will need to break his string of low scores and regain some confidence. The all-rounders in Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford remain x-factors namely because of their West Indies experience and their capability of going berserk with the bat. Tridents have been similar to the Warriors in their batting approach this season, as a number of star player; the likes of Shai
Hope, Johnson Charles, Kiwi Corey Anderson (who has one of the fastest ODI hundreds in history) and Kyle Mayers; who kicked off the season in nice form; have yet to discover their true form but could flip the switch on the Warriors tonight. Bowling-wise, both franchise are evenly poised and tonight’s match could be a battle of the World-class leg-spinners in Tridents Rashid Khan and Warriors Imran Tahir. Windies leg-break spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. is fresh off a 3-fer and could add nicely to the Ashley Nurse/ Khan combo. Reifer remains a key bowler for the Tridentss but his horror last over versus TKR will play on his mind today. Holder has been decent as leader of the pace attack but Guyana’s variety in their attack like Naveen Ul Haq and Paul will be keen on recording another win. At this point, both sides can ill afford to lose another battle; Guyana especially are keen on breaking the CPL cure while the Tridents will want to get themselves back into a position of completing a successful title defense. Match bowls off at 17:30h.
IPL franchises see glass half-full despite financial hit from COVID-19
The 13th edition of the IPL will begin in the UAE from September 19. File Photo By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Indian Premier League’s eight teams are counting the cost of COVID-19’s impact on their finances but having faced the prospect of the tournament being
wiped out by the pandemic this year they are taking a ‘glass half-full’ view of the situation. The IPL’s original March start was scuppered by the first wave of the novel coronavirus and India’s cricket board (BCCI) had to pull out all the stops to rescue the Twenty20 league, which has an estimated $6.8 billion brand value. The tournament has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates, will be played under a hastily-arranged title sponsor and will start on Sept. 19 — nearly six months later than scheduled. After Vivo paused its title sponsorship for this year’s edition, fantasy gaming company Dream11 took it up for 2.22 billion Indian rupees (22.75 million pounds), roughly half of the 4.4 billion the Chinese smartphone maker paid annually. “The discount provided to Dream11 would be a major (financial) hit for the BCCI, along with making arrangements for bio-secure bubble which will be an additional cost burden on the board,” Santosh N, an external advisor at financial consultancy firm Duff & Phelps, told Reuters.
The league shares 50% of the title sponsorship money with the eight franchises, who will also miss out on gate receipts and in-stadium revenue this year while existing sponsors demand discounts in the absence of fan initiatives. The switch has seen Delhi Capitals lose shirt sponsor Daikin, with the air-conditioning equipment maker saying the new dates did not work for them. “The reason being the business scenario and the timing, which earlier, being the summer, would call for advertising efforts to create awareness and recall for the AC category,” a Daikin spokesman told Reuters. Capitals Chairman Parth Jindal said the BCCI should look at compensating the franchises. “If the BCCI doesn’t compensate, there will be a significant loss to each franchise, about a 30% drop in revenues,” Jindal told Mint newspaper earlier this month. SILVER LINING But with the BCCI at risk of a $547 million
drop in revenue had the entire season been cancelled, treasurer Arun Sigh Dhumal preferred to look on the bright side. “When you encounter such challenging times and so many impediments, you are bound to lose on certain revenues,” Dhumal told Reuters. “Looking at the overall picture, everybody should be happy that at least we’ve been able to organise it. “At such short notice, we’ve been able to get a new title sponsor. It speaks volumes of IPL as a brand, and how it has grown over the years.” Sponsors continue to trickle in for the franchises and the league also welcomed edutech start-up Unacademy as a new sponsor on Saturday on a three-year deal, reportedly worth 1.2 billion rupees. Santosh said that as the tournament draws closer more would come onboard. “And with the IPL happening around the festive season this time around, it’s an added bonus for the companies to be associated with it,” he added.
Guyana’s Emery Welshman (#10) bullying his way against Trinidad defender Curtis Gonzales during their clash which ended 1 - 1 at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. (PHOTO CREDIT: Associated Press)
Welshman hoping for Golden Jaguars ‘call up’ ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifiers By Rawle Toney AS the country’s beloved ‘Golden Jaguars’ count down the days before their October 8 start of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers, Israel-based forward, Emery Welshman, says he’s hoping to receive a call from Coach Marcio Maximo to be part of his squad to embark on a FIFA World Cup dream.
“As always it will be up to the coaches to select us. We know that they have a cap on the amount of internationals selected so my focus is to keep fit and healthy so that I am in contention for selection,” Welshman told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview from his base in Sakhnin, Israel. Since taking over the reins of the Golden Jaguars from former coach,
Michael Johnson, Maximo made it clear that there needs to be a balance between the local and overseas-based players, with the Brazilian coach adding that “balance between the numbers of internationals, export and local players in all competitions will be maintained as well as our level of competitiveness and at the same time we will continue to develop our local football and local players,”
3, the ‘Player/Coach began a journey that reaped rewards, winning trophies and providing players for youth and senior national teams of Guyana. In the beginning it was called YSM Beacon, but in 1992 the YSM, meaning Young Socialist Movement, was taken off. After competing in the Georgetown Football League’s division two in 1986 the team earned promotion to the Demico League division one in 1987. Undaunted by a dismal debut season in the City’s top flight football where they
Welshman, however, who has scored nine times for Guyana in his 16 outings since making his debut in 2015, seems more than a shoe-in to be part of the squad for the campaign which will see the Golden Jaguars roaring against Trinidad and Tobago at a venue to be announced in the Twin Island Republic. The 28-year-old Welshman in his last outing for Guyana grabbed
a historic point for Maximo against Jamaica, in a game which was played in the Land of Wood and Water last November. Welshman had given Guyana the lead in the 45th minute, but Jamaica, through Javon East, equalized in the 50th minute. The game finished 1 - 1. Guyana is grouped with Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St Kitts and Nevis, and according to the former Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake player said “history has shown that we tend to make things harder on ourselves so I hope we can all learn from past mistakes and not take these games lightly. Having said that, we will need all the players at our disposal (local and foreign-based) to be playing at high levels, playing competitive matches week in and week out. “ “With the right mentality and best available squad we give ourselves the best chance to qualify to the next round,” Welshman said. Asked about his tenure in Israel’s top-flight league since moving from Hapoel Haifa to FC Bnei Sakhnin last year, Welshman noted “football-wise things are moving along here in Sakhnin. We were able to gain promotion back to the first division last season and are now preparing for the start of the league.” “Of course the lockdown was difficult as it has been for the majority of people. I’m fortunate enough to have my Wife and kids in Israel with me so that made things a little bit easier. It would have been extremely hard to be separated during this pandemic so we thank God that we are together,” Welshman reasoned. Welshman, scored twice for Guyana in their 2018 World Cup run in their home-and-away contest against St Vincent and the Grenadines. After an illustrious NCAA Division 1 career with Siena Saints and Oregon State, Welshman found his way on the Portland Timbers (U23 side) before joining Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Toronto FC. With stops at Sigma FC, Real Salt Lake, Real Monarchs, Puerto Rico FC, Forge FC and Cincinnati FC, Welshman found a new home in Israel.
Lionel Messi missed Barcelona’s first training session of the new season on Monday.
Beacon FC - 35 years old today
Distinguished national footballer of the mid-70’s to mid 80’s Gotdon `Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite
THIRTY-five years ago, today, distinguished National footballer of the mid 70’s to mid 80’s, Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite established the Beacon FC. Along with lots of players from Region
ended at the bottom of the table they battled their way out of the relegation and promotion competition to avoid demotion. Thereafter there was improvement season after season while garnering a reputation for an attacking and attractive brand of football. The crowning moment for Beacon was winning the Demico League in 1995 followed
SEE PAGE 19
Messi fails to show up for Barca training 19
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TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER 1, 2020