Issuu

FRIDAY 2nd October, 2020

' No.106140

Army joins fight against COVID-19 SEE PAGE 03

–– PM says COVID-19 a national security threat –– businesses face closure for non-compliance with COVID-19 guidelines

‘We’re not turning anybody away’ PAGE

–– CH&PA CEO commits to addressing land concerns of all ECD citizens

Chairman of Region Four, Daniel Seeram, addressing squatters and East Coast Demerara residents at the Chateau Margot Primary school on Thursday (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

Squatters destroy $2B Curfew reduced to alleviate Berbice murder investigations: in cane varieties 13 economic ‘strains’ 17 Argentine forensic experts being sought PAGE

PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

First Lady makes donation to Cancer Foundation

TO officially usher in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, First Lady, Arya Ali, on Thursday, made a donation to the Guyana Cancer Foundation shortly after declaring the Main St. Avenue an ‘Avenue of Hope’. The event, which was hosted

by the Office of the First Lady, was supported by the Guyana Cancer Foundation and Impressions Branding. The donation received by the Guyana Cancer Foundation from the First Lady will fund breast cancer testing for 50 women during the course of the next few months.

First Lady, Arya Ali (seventh right) made a donation to the Guyana Cancer Foundation shortly after declaring the Main St. Avenue an ‘Avenue of Hope’, on Thursday

During brief remarks, the First Lady highlighted that although tremendous strides have been made in research and treatment, health experts are nowhere close to finding a cure. She said that as a result of this, the single most effective tool in the fight against breast cancer remains early detection. It is for this reason she thought it prudent to lead the charge by providing support for increased testing in the coming months. Noting that breast cancer statistics remain grim worldwide, particularly in developing countries, Mrs. Ali called for “proactive, consistent education programmes, supported by strong screening

programmes” and increased support from international financial institutions. “As resources become available and our country moves to a better financial position, support for screening of every woman at the age of 40 and above, on a continuous basis, should be considered as a preventive and early diagnostic tool in the fight against breast cancer,” she said. Narrowing in on Guyana, the First Lady drew attention to the number of grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts who have lost their lives to breast cancer. “We must therefore take strength from those among us

who, through determination, courage, pain and faith, have survived. It is your stories that must inspire us. It is your stories that create hope and lift up spirits, and we must not be afraid to share those stories,” she said. She also used the opportunity to remind every Guyanese woman of how important they are to society. “I wish to remind each of us that a Guyanese woman is a great woman. Whether she is a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer, or even a stay-at-home mom. Let us be reminded of how great we are as women. Therefore, we must ensure we protect the life of every Guyanese woman.”

The ‘Avenue of Hope’ now bears a Breast Cancer Awareness arch which serves as a reminder of the victims of breast cancer, and the need for early testing. Other speakers at the event included Bibi Hassan, President of the Guyana Cancer Foundation; Debbie Persaud, Marketing Manager at Impressions Branding; Ravin Singh, Director of Projects Policy & Public Affairs at the Office of the First Lady; and cancer survivor, Beverly Munesar. Eleven-year-old Jarrel Toney recited the poem ‘A bearer of hope’ to all cancer survivors present at the event.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Army joins fight against COVID-19

–– PM says COVID-19 a national security threat –– businesses face closure for non-compliance with COVID-19 guidelines

By Rabindra Rooplall WITH COVID-19 being deemed a national security threat, over 500 Guyana Defence Force (GDF) troops will be deployed to assist the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in enforcing the new COVID-19 emergency measures. All citizens countrywide are asked to wear masks and to adhere to the restrictions and the curfew. The announcement of the Army joining the fight against COVID-19 was made by GDF Chief-of-Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess. He was at the time speaking at a news conference where Operation “CoviCurb” was launched by head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Prime Minister, Mark Phillips at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday. Chief-of-Staff, Bess said the engagement will be in the form of a Joint Service effort as the military troops will work alongside relevant stakeholders and partners interfacing with citizens. He explained that the Joint Service will utilise soft cogent approaches to ensure citizens wear masks properly, practice social distancing and adhere to the restrictions of social events and curfew timings. The Chief-of-Staff said the GDF will be collaborating with civil society across all regions and sub- regions to educate Guyanese to adhere to the national COVID-19 regulations. “We will also continue to improve the security of the unofficial entries into Guyana

at our borders. I call on all citizens and residents across all communities to cooperate and collaborate with us to get this job done; your safety and the safety of your beloved ones are of paramount importance at this time. Work with us to ensure that Guyana and

number 10 is effective from October 1, 2020 and new measures and restrictions have been put in place to ensure that persons, families, communities and the country as a whole are safe from the pandemic.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie

GDF Chief-of-Staff (ag) Brigadier, Godfrey Bess

all fellow Guyanese, as well as those who made Guyana their homes, rise above this current situation,” said the Chief-of-Staff. Emphasising that no one else needs to be infected, he said no one else needs to die in this pandemic since everyone should be looking out for each other. “Guyanese are resilient people; we must stem this tide of this infection and ultimately reduce the number of persons who will succumb. Let us be our brothers’ keepers as GDF intensifies its efforts to help in the fight against COVID-19,” he said. Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, said the new COVID-19 measure

CONTINUOUS PUBLIC EDUCATION The Guyana Police Force, he said, is in the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 enforcement and will embark on a continuous public education and advisory campaign in order to sensitise members of the public of their individual responsibility. “The approach will see members of the Joint Services, along with other key stakeholders, working assiduously in a combine effort throughout the country. It is my sincere hope and expectation that efforts will be effective in contributing in a decline in the COVID-19 statistics in Guyana and I just

Todd, Scotland discuss COVID-19 impact on small states MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, on Thursday, met with Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, in a bilateral meeting held virtually on the margins of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Among mutual areas of interest, they discussed the upcoming Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), oil and gas, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Confer-

Minister Hugh Todd in discussion with Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland

ence (COP26) and support for small states in light of COVID-19. Guyana has been a member of the Common-

wealth since 1966 and remains committed to the Commonwealth, its Charter, and sister organisations.

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips

want to call on all to adhere to these measures,” Hoppie said. Prime Minister Phillips said if persons care about their lives and those in their home, they need to “start by wearing a mask”. He added, “If you don’t have to leave

your home, do not leave your home.” Guyana currently has more than 1,100 active cases of COVID-19. September has been the deadliest month for the pandemic in Guyana, with 41 lives lost in 30 days. The Prime Minister fur-

ther said that all businesses countrywide will receive a warning if the breach the guidelines and on the second occasion, there will be a closure. “That is what we want to communicate clearly across Guyana; first time warning, second time closure! COVID-19 is a threat to national security right now in Guyana,” the Prime Minister said. He said all measures must be adhered to and all hands have to be on deck to curb the COVID-19. “This transcends politics and I want to appeal at this stage that whether you are in opposition or whether you are in government, what is important is all of us must now play a role in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Yes, you can criticise what is done by the government but let’s go beyond criticism; get involved in finding solutions, spreading the message, ensuring people adhere to the measures -- that is what is important for all Guyanese now,” PM Phillips said.

guyana CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Argentine forensic experts being sought TALKS are underway to secure the services of one of the world’s foremost agencies in forensic anthropology to support investigations into the murders of West Coast Berbice teenagers Isaiah Henry, Joel Henry and Haresh Singh. This was revealed in a joint press statement by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and Hughes Fields & Stoby on Thursday. The Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (Equipo Argentino de Antropologia Forensica-EAAF) which has worked on high-profile cases in many parts of the world has offered to send a team to Guyana, including a forensic pathologist, a forensic anthropologist and a forensic radiologist. The team will bring the equipment they need for their investigations. Discussions with the director of the EAAF to bring

this initiative to fruition are being undertaken by representatives of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Human Rights Association and Hughes Fields and Stoby, the law firm representing pro bono the interests of the families. The EAAF team will build on the forensic work of the regional security system which is currently examining samples from the crime scene, victims and suspects. GPF Public Relations Officer Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor said it has been agreed that the initiative will comprise a team of four people, including a forensic anthropologist, a forensic pathologist and a forensic radiologist, who will come with the necessary technical equipment. “The team will remain in Guyana for a week. A report of the team’s findings will be made available within a month. This visit will happen as soon as the

Friday October 2, 2020 - 05:00hrs - 06:30hrs

-- to support Berbice murder investigations

Dead: Isaiah Henry

Dead: Joel Henry

Dead: Haresh Singh

logistics of getting the team to Guyana are completed. The major challenge may well be COVID-19 rather than administration issues,” the assistant commissioner noted. The joint statement also noted that the engagement of a prestigious team such as EAAF increases the possibility of providing the families of the victims some form of closure as well as securing successful prosecution of the perpetrators. “A version of the truth surrounding the deaths which is supported by the best science available locally, regionally and internationally will also increase acceptance of by all right-thinking Guyanese. Such a report would provide a foundation on which to build more harmonious communities both on West Coast Berbice and throughout the country,” the joint statement noted.

A briefing note provided by the EAAF indicates that since its foundation in 1984, the organisation has worked in 55 countries. It is involved in the case regarding the disappearance of 43 students in

Mexico currently attracting much international attention. EAAF is made up of 70 members with qualifications in different scientific fields such as anthropology, archaeology, medicine,

criminalistics, information technology, biology, and genetics. They work at the different offices that the institution has in Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Tucumán) as well as in New York, Mexico, and South Africa. Since its creation, EAAF has remained independent of any government or political party, and is distinguished by its low profile. It is more involved with actions than with words. Its financing sources are typically European and North American foundations, some European states, and, since 2005, the Argentine state.

Appeal hearing into Neesa Gopaul’s case commences on Oct. 19 COME October 19, the Appeal Court is expected to commence full hearing into the case involving Bibi Shareema Gopaul, and her ex-lover, Jarvis ‘Barry’ Small. They are currently serving a combined total of 202 years for the gruesome murder of 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul. They were found guilty of teen’s murder at the Georgetown High Court in March 2015 and were sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh to 106 years and 96

Dead: Neesa Gopaul

years respectively. Dissatisfied with the ruling of the court, the duo appealed the conviction and sentence, arguing that the trial was unfair and that the judge erred in law. On Thursday, October 1, 2020, the matter came up for case management hearing via Zoom before Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal, Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory. Small was represented by Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes and associates while Gopaul was unrepresented. Gopaul was given 14 days from today to get an attorney. She also asked that if she failed to acquire an attorney that one be provided for her. The State was represented by prosecutor, Stacy Gooding. The case comes up again on October 19 at 09:30 hours for full hearing. The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on October 2, 2010, the remains of Neesa Gopaul were discovered at a location along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway

Bibi Shareema Gopaul called ‘Naree’

Jarvis ‘Barry’ Small

tucked inside a suitcase that was partially submerged in a creek. A rope had been wrapped around the suitcase, and dumbbells were attached at one end, apparently in an effort to keep the body under water. Besides the body, a passport bearing the name, Neesa Lalita Gopaul, was found. The teenager was reported missing just days before the gruesome discovery was made. Subsequent to the discovery of the body, Bibi and Small were arrested and charged with murder.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Peter Ramsaroop appointed new head of Go-Invest –– ‘GAP’ analysis on sectoral investments high on his agenda

By Navendra Seoraj THE Board of Directors of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) has appointed well-known Economist, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the agency. Dr. Ramsaroop, who is a seasoned senior executive with significant experience in business, economics and politics, will replace Owen Verwey as head of the agency. The appointment comes days after President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, said progress is expected on all fronts in 2021, a year of investments and development. Dr. Ramsaroop is expected to lead efforts in both Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Local Content Investments (LCI). The economist brings to the table a wealth of experience in the area of economics, as he served as the Economic Advisor to the

former President and current Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo. He also served in the United States military and is a decorated War Veteran. Dr. Ramsaroop holds a Ph.D. in Management and Public Policy and an MBA with emphasis in economics and technology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He also has two associate degrees and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance/Management from Park University, Parkville, Missouri. He also held faculty appointments at Belleville Area College and City Colleges of Chicago and was also an associate professor at the Department of Defense Uniformed Services, University School of Medicine; an adjunct professor at Webster University’s Department of Health and Information Technology; and he currently lectures at the University of Guyana. Ramsaroop has held senior executive positions

“We want to build a Guyana that is ripe with business opportunities, humming with employment expansion and growing perennially in prosperity.”

New CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop including chairman of Evolvent Inc. a leading Cyber Security Company in Washington DC; chairman and CEO of ‘RoopGroup’ Investments; and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating officer for UltraLink, a fortune 500 company. When contacted about his recent appointment, Dr. Ramsaroop told the Guyana Chronicle that he is excited to lead the charge in driving growth and investments. President Ali, in his inaugural speech, had said:

Construction worker on bail for killing brother A SIXTY-FOUR-year-old construction worker was, on Thursday, arraigned in court for the unlawful killing of his younger brother during a drinking spree at Back Street, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD). O’Neil Jordan called “Owie” of Den Amstel, WCD appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ali-Seepaul via Skype at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on a manslaughter charge. Particulars of the charge alleged that on September 24, at Den Amstel, O’Neil unlawfully killed his brother, Wilton Jordan, 55, of the same address. O’Neil was not required to plead to the charge and was released on $400,000 bail. The case is adjourned until January 27, 2021. According to reports, the two brothers were consuming alcohol at Back Street, Den Amstel, when Wilton left the company of his brother,

O’Neil. O’Neil then followed and caught up with Wilton a short distance away and held on to him. Wilton, however, held on to a neighbour’s gate but his brother continued to pull him during which he lost his grip on the gate. It is alleged that O’Neil pushed Wilton to the ground, resulting in him hitting his head on the road and losing consciousness. O’Neil then dragged Wilton across the street where he threw him into a trench and refused to render assistance. The motionless body of Wilton was pulled from the trench by two passers-by, who saw what had transpired. The body of Wilton was escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

EXPANSION OF LOCAL INVESTMENTS Dr. Ramsaroop plans to actualise Dr. Ali’s vision by attracting FDIs and facilitating the expansion of local investments. “We will balance our approach to ensure that our local entities get the opportunities to build capabilities and capacity and our employment numbers rise so our people could see a better career progression and earn higher incomes,” said the economist, adding that ‘hundreds’ of companies from around the world already have their ‘eyes’ set on the local market. C o n s i d e r i n g t h e i ncreased interest in the local market, Dr. Ramsaroop said: “I see us quickly doing a gap analysis on the sectoral investment needed such as in agriculture, tourism, and

infrastructure so we can attract and guide the investors in addition to matching them with our local providers.” The new CEO also plans to assess the existing policies, infrastructural bottlenecks, supply chain issues and workforce deficiencies in order to make Guyana more conducive for business. Trinidadian Senior Economist Dr. Roger Hosein, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, had said: “Doing business in Guyana is way, way too difficult in terms of the international comparison or even in terms of the Caribbean comparison.” Dr. Hosein explained that Guyana must do its “homework” on how to improve the ease of doing business here; if the country is successful in this bid, greater private capital injection and foreign capital injection will be facilitated. Moreover, the country would be better poised to target its diaspora to help boost economic activity by direct participation, human capital formation, or financial capital flows. A country’s ease of do-

ing business is determined through the use of numerous indicators. These include: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency. “As the Chief Investment Officer for Guyana, my goal is to work with all our Government agencies and the private sector to make our slogan, ‘Guyana is open for business’, a reality… and I will add, come grow with us to this slogan” said Dr. Ramsaroop. Go-Invest’s mandate is to contribute to Guyana’s economic development by promoting and facilitating local and foreign private-sector investment and exports in accordance with the country’s approved investment and export strategies. This agency is divided into two divisions, one responsible for investment facilitation and promotion, and the other for export promotion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Re-structuring the ERC THE need for a re-vitalised and re-structured Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is paramount to deal with issues that are dividing our country into ethnic camps. The Ethnic Relations Commission comprises stakeholders across the societal strata, and it holds a wide-ranging mandate to address issues of national concern, especially regarding race relations. However, there had been a clamour for the disbanding of this body from persons who are concerned that the ERC has failed in satisfactorily executing its mandate, especially during the troubling events of the recent past. The ERC is a legally constituted body mandated to address matters that are divisive – either in actions or rhetoric; and also to create spaces for national conversations on the way forward on healing our ethnically fractured nation and bridging divides within communities. Practically everyone concedes that Guyana has inherited from the colonials a serious racial distrust and divide in the nation, primarily between Guyanese of East Indian descent and Guyanese of African descent. Maturity in nationhood should dictate that Guyanese transcend racial considerations and deal

with each other primarily as members of one human family and as fellow Guyanese; but while relationships at individual level between members of different races in Guyana are strong, even where miscegenation has created a creolised amalgam of races that are truly Guyanese, especially during elections season the ugly reptilian features of racism raise their head, poised to strike its poison into the soul of Guyanese nationhood. While the nation is becoming aware that our development can only retrogress if we continue to harbour malice toward our fellow Guyanese -- especially on the basis of their ethnicity -- the psychology of politics is so entrenched in the Guyanese being that it poisons the architecture of the nation’s identity and causes decay in the framework of nationhood. The incorporation of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) into the body politic of the ERC was integral to the struggle to eliminate the prejudices – real or imagined -- that exists within communities that are dividing our nation. Guyana is a deeply religious nation, albeit of several approaches to serving the Lord but, by and large, the primary message preached by every religion is one of love and acceptance

of one’s fellow human within the fraternity of humankind. As such, the inclusion of the IRO in the ERC was integral to healing the soul of the nation through the various approaches to national cohesion by the latter body. A two-day Media Encounter facilitated by the Ethnic Relations Commission under then ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill, in collaboration with the Guyana Press Association (GPA); the University of Guyana Centre for Communication Studies; the Guyana Media Proprietors and Owners Association; the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) and the Government Information Agency (GINA), in 2011, concluded with expressions of a sense of satisfaction and the across-theboard conclusion that the event was useful, stimulating and beneficially functional. A joint release stated, inter alia: “… the robust involvement of students of communication and young members employed in the media augurs well for continued efforts to further improve journalistic standards in order for media to continue to effectively undertake its societal role and better serve the public… “The emphasis of the ERC on the use of education and moral persuasion as an approach to interactions between the ERC

and the media was commended. Further, it was hoped that the ERC and its partners both developed a fuller understanding of the constitutional mandate of the ERC, as well as the complexity of the issues that confront media workers. “The media practitioners called upon the ERC to seek a declarative statement from the judicial branch in their quest for elucidation of aspects of the Racial Hostility Act. A major emphasis of the media Encounter was discussion of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act and the Racial Hostility (Amendment) Act.” The atmosphere of cordiality was pervasive and the success of the media encounter was due to its broad-based involvement from many stakeholders. If Media Encounter 2011 was a microcosm of what can be expected and achieved in the wider society, especially during Guyana’s elections seasons, and indeed, in a wider sense as a norm rather than an exception, then there can be no reason for Guyanese to see each other as “them and us,” but as one nation working together for national peace, progress and prosperity.

Accumulation of these eyesores is very disgusting Dear Editor, PASSING the Bourda Market on Wednesday, I was fortunate to witness members of the City Constabulary/Police breaking up vendors’ stands around the market. These are stalls that vendors occupy during the day, but at the time the vendors had already packed up and gone home. Later in the afternoon, a similar exercise was conducted at the Stabroek area, and police vehicles could be seen transporting the stands. Over the years, I’ve been objecting to vending on the roadside around the market areas because many started in the corners and eventually were extended to almost half of

the road, causing major hindrances to the traffic. Whilst the vendors are a great relief to many, they have been allowed to become lawless because they are not being monitored properly. This operation by the authorities at no time is right in my opinion. The vendors should have been consulted and given a chance, instead of causing unnecessary expense and possibilities exist that the vendors could be coaxed into create disturbances. We are seeing elements around the place just waiting for an excuse to coax people to create unrest and authorities should be wary of these actions and approach situations in a professional manner. Editor, only recently the authorities indicated that

steps would be taken to address stalls, abandoned vehicles etcetera on the roadside along the East Bank. With the amount of things happening around the country, waiting to see if the authorities will start addressing these issues, I came up nil and I’m wondering if it would be addressed. Again, there are negative and positive sides as regards this situation, but again, the actions of many errant people causes others to be feeling the squeeze. In cases with some, there are many who abandon their stands and cause them to be safe havens for vagrants, criminals, etc. They also manifested into eyesores to the public, attracting garbage, etc. In some cases, active vending by vendors

on the roadways also causes conflicts with neighbours, etcetera; and if not addressed properly, it could cause problems. Presently, there’s an ongoing feud that involves the police, the NDCs and the RDCs, but no one seems capable of addressing the situation even though laws are being broken daily. One caretaker family started by building a stand in the yard which was abandoned soon after and built a stand on the roadway. Eventually, they constructed another huge stand on the other side on other people’s land. Not satisfied with that, a miniature stand is then put in front, along with a few chairs with plants. This causes motorists to stop on the roadways or drive

and park on the neighbour’s parapets. In addition, loud music playing from the wee hours in the morning until late at nights. Whilst they might be going about making a living, they are causing discomfort to others around. Finally, editor, traversing around the Vreed-enHoop area, old stands and vehicles that were once used for vending could be seen abandoned around there. That area is very busy and the accumulation of these eyesores is very disgusting. Whilst the authorities are saying that they would be removed with a fine attached, they should embark on it so that many having similar intentions would be deterred. A while back, permission was

given for roadside vending only to mobile stalls/stands, once they were on wheels. Eventually, many would remove the wheels, making them permanent, or some would erect permanent structures. Quite a lot are positioned is such a way, that pedestrians are forced to walk on the road, putting themselves in harm’s way. At Peter’s Hall, there’s a container covering the pavement and on the road. That container is there for quite a number of years and is not being removed. Will we be seeing a change to this madness? Yours truly, Sahadeo Bates

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Mahatma Gandhi is indisputably acclaimed and accepted for his universality Dear editor, LAST week, September 21, the United Nations General Assembly observed “The International Day of Peace.” This week, people are gathering physically and virtually, for another common cause; one that is not strange to us here in Guyana, but one that has bonded the brothers and sisters throughout the world. It is so significant that, at the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations on September 24, 2019, glowing tributes were paid to the one who was fondly referred to as Bapu, one who is considered as “the father of the nation in India.” To quote from Albert Einstein about the person and the reason people are so lovingly adoring the date October 2: “Mahatma Gandhi’s life achievement stands unique in political history. He has invented a completely new and humane means for the liberation war of an oppressed country, and practised it with greatest energy and devotion. The moral influence he had on the consciously thinking human being of the entire civilised world will probably be much more lasting than it seems in our time with its overestimation of brutal, violent forces because, lasting will only be the work of such statesmen who wake up and strengthen the moral power of their people through their example and educational works. We may all be happy and grateful that destiny gifted us with such an enlightened contemporary, a role-model for the generations to come. Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as he walked the earth in flesh and blood.” One-hundred-and-fiftyone (151) years ago, Oct. 2, 1869, Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Kathiawar, India. A shy, timid, but unremarkable student went to London at the age of 18 years and attended The University College, London, to study law and in June 1891, he was admitted to the bar at Inner

Temple, London. He returned to India and later proceeded to South Africa on a work contract, afterwards, resettling in India. He was married to Kasturba from 1883 to 1944 and she bore him four sons. The late, famous Indian poet, Rabindra Nath Tagore, pronounced him with the title “Mahatma,” one that he Gandhi, never referred to or accepted because he was a very humble individual who chose a lifestyle of simplicity, austerity, fasting and celibacy, free of material goods and followed the teachings of Hinduism and Jainism that espoused non-violence, fasting, meditation and vegetarianism. He immersed himself in sacred texts including the Bhagwat Gita, the Quran and the Bible. Many may ask the question, “Who was Gandhi and why do we need to pay homage to him?” Well, to answer this question, allow former U.S. President Barak Obama to respond. Mr. Obama said in 2010, “I am mindful that I might not be standing before you today as President of the U.S., had it not been for Gandhi and his message he shared with America and the world.” When Mr. Obama was asked in September,2009, “Who was the one person, dead or alive, that you would choose to dine with?” His answer, unhesitatingly was, Mahatma Gandhi, because his biggest inspiration came from him. What does Gandhism mean to this world in the 21st Century, where we are confronted with devastating problems that are tearing mankind apart globally, externally and internally? They range from politics to economics, social to medical, environmental to wars and other issues covering terrorism and crime. To begin, as per Gandhi, there is no such thing as Gandhism. He does not claim to have originated any new principles or doctrines. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills. Rather, it is a political creed, an economic doctrine, a religious outlook, a moral precept and especially, humanitarian world view. It is an effort, not to systematise wisdom, but to transform society and is based on an underlying faith

in the goodness of human nature. With this background, we can look at some of his works, achievements, hardships, sufferings and credits that can be attributed to, as answers to today’s disturbing problems: WARS – A protagonist of peace, Mahatma Gandhi was born as an ordinary man, yet, his extraordinary deeds and non-violence philosophy changed the world we see today. HIS VISION – Nonviolence is a way to make a political statement. In order for a nation to have peace, violence should be eliminated and people should input justice. Peace is not an ending point, but instead, should be a process that would end a war. EXAMPLE – Gandhi employed non-violent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule. POLITICS – Gandhi inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. EXAMPLES - Martin Luther King JR. in USA and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. He drew international attention to the injustice of depriving Indians the right to vote in South Africa. In Pretoria, South Africa, his act of civil disobedience awoke in him a determination to dedicate himself to fighting “the deep disease of color prejudice and suffer hardships in the process, appalled by the discrimination and racial segregation faced by the Indian immigrants at the hands of the British and Boer authorities. 1947 – Gandhi’s Indian National Congress and Mohamad Ali Jinnah’s Muslim League gained India’s independence, after successful negotiations. ECONOMICS – He encouraged the “SARVODAYA” economic model which literally means “welfare upliftment for all.” Removing poverty and unemployment were the objective but the economic and development approach preferred adopting technology and infrastructure to suit the local situation, whilst paving a way for equal opportunity for the rich and poor. SELF-SUFFICIENCY

– Rather than buy British manufactured clothes, Gandhi began to use a portable spinning wheel to produce his own cloth. The spinning wheel soon became a symbol of India’s independence and self-reliance. Gandhi wore a simple loincloth and shawl. SOCIAL – (1) EDUCATION – He favored an education system with far greater emphasis on learning skills in practical and useful work, one that includes physical, mental and spiritual study. He called it “NAI TALIM” – new education. (2) WOMEN – Gandhi strongly favored the emancipation of women and urged the women to fight for their own self-development. A wife is not a slave of the husband, but his comrade, better half, colleague and friend. (3) DEMOCRACY – It is more than a system of government. It means promoting both individuality and the self-

discipline of the community – it means settling disputes in a non-violent manner, it requires freedom of thought and expression – it is a way of life. · (4) YOUTHS - If India is not to declare spiritual bankruptcy, religious instruction of its youth must be held to be at least as necessary as secular instruction. Whatever may be the pros and cons of going to the public theatre, it is a patent fact that it has undermined the morals and ruined the character of many a youth in his country. Responsibility will mellow and sober the youth and prepare them, for the burden they must discharge. If I was to be their real teacher and guardian, I must touch their hearts, I must share their joys and sorrows, I must help them to solve the problems that faced them, and I must take along the right channel the surging aspirations of their youth.

(5) CRIMES -Every murder or other injury, no matter for what cause, committed or inflicted on another is a crime against humanity. (6) TERRORISM - Terrorism and deception are weapons not of the strong, but of the weak. MEDICAL – It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold. ENVIRONMENT – Recently, in the light of climate change, Gandhi’s views on technology are gaining importance in the fields of “environmental philosophy” and philosophy of technology.” U.S. Vice-president Al Gore spoke and quoted extensively about Gandhi’s influence on him. The best part of Gandhi’s ideas was that they empower the individual. It’s up to each and every individual to simplify his or her life, to share his or her resources and to care for his and her surroundings. TURN TO PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Public servants, misguided Guyanese need to stop following corrupt political orders I FIND it astounding and painful how some average Guyanese, and even some of the supposedly most

intelligent and qualified, put themselves in trouble because of their love for a political party and their

faith in certain ambitious and egotistical political leaders. It is most disturbing to observe how certain

politicians inconvenience workers, employees, and others by placing them in conditions that may become dangerous to life or cause injury, or even imprisonment with a criminal record. With this said, I would like to address the following: 1. At present, we have seen how certain politicians under the ‘Evil Eyes’ directive, remain hidden with other senior clandestine operatives to shield themselves, but will use lower-level political instruments to disaffect a nation and mislead poor and good citizens. This is apparent in the unfolding of events that have taken our nation by storm, which almost created civil war. 2. With reference to the aforementioned, the most recent is the protest by the nurses. Please allow me to pen my thoughts on these nurses. Nurses, like teachers and other public servants are vital service providers for the citizens of this country, whose salaries are being paid by citizens. They are known to be aides in emergency and life-saving circumstances, both locally and globally. Citizens of this country who pay them deserve service, and under no circumstances should employees of the taxpayers, or servants, referred to as public servants, attempt to blackmail citizens by threatening to place their lives at risk. Being a nurse is a very noble profession with enormous dignity and respectability. If there is a grievance or a request, they cannot start from what should be the last measure, but must obey public service protocols and rules. 3. I am in agreement with President Irfaan Ali. The Government of Guyana took over a broken economy with no reserves in the treasury and set up a budget to reduce the cost of living,

which, in my view, is more than just collecting coloured printed paper called money. Dropping the cost of living as they are doing by removing VAT on power, water, raw food ingredients, educational items, and providing free electricity and water to pensioners, whether or not they have worked, along with so many other initiatives introduced through the budget, are all intended to put more money into the pockets of citizens. Unfortunately, the people of Guyana like to see a lot of printed coloured paper in their pockets, which comes from increases, but in fact, this sends up the cost of living, because the cost of every item goes up with an increase in coloured printing paper called money. 4. There is certainly political interference with nurses, as there are in so many other parts of our economy to try to break the government, not realising that they are only making the government stronger and better. The President said that while he is trying to reduce the cost of living in time, the relevant increases will be provided which will be more useful with VAT. 5. Some nurses are threatening the lives of a certain group of people because of their culture and race. This is not good. This kind of behaviour and manipulation by the political director of the ‘Evil Eyes’ is only causing more ethnic tension and discord within the nation. This ‘Evil Eyes’ director is only putting himself in a position as a marked political operative who fosters animosity among the citizens of this country. With this in mind, I ask, does he really believe he can win an election in the future this way? 6. Nurses protesting and staying away from their jobs have already been compensated for the remainder

of the month, and if this is the case, it is my hope that the Ministry of Finance would extract the days or the periods they did not work. “No work, no pay.” 7. My advice to the government at this time is that while we are appealing to the good nature of the nurses, the servants of the people, the caregivers of the citizens of this country, perhaps the new government should think of reading a page from the book of Late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. I remember when there were no teachers available, he brought teachers from Sri Lanka to support the education system. I applauded him for that then, and it is something that I still applaud him for now. Perhaps this government should consider taking trained nurses from Haiti, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan under a serious contract for 10 years, after which they will be eligible for citizenship in a modern, dynamic, growing and more prosperous economy I envision that Guyana will be in that time. At this juncture, I would conclude by advising citizens to use their grey matter or brains and not to allow themselves to become the puppets of dark political powers that are bent on exploiting healthy, easy, and trusting people, so as to fulfil their evil agendas. These politicians do evil and put others to shame while branding others, like our nurses, as unfit for promotion and a scholarship for self-development. Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

“Bumps” to face jury trial for Vankenie’s death

SEON RAJGOPAUL, 29, called “Bumps”, who, allegedly killed Nickosie Vankenie, 24, during an argument over a bottle of Guiness Stout, was committed to stand trial at the next convenient sitting of Berbice Assizes. The ruling was made by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Court on Wednesday. The magistrate, addressing the defendant, said: “Your case get throw over to High Court. The judge and jury will determine the case.” Rajgopaul of Pope Street, New Amsterdam, remains on $300, 000 bail. He was represented by Sasha Roberts. On July 3, Vankenie was stabbed during an argument over a bottle of Guiness Stout at “Choby” Hangout, Patrick

Seon Rajgopaul called “Bumps”

Dam, Plantation Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue in New Amsterdam. He succumbed to his injuries at the New Amsterdam Hospital just before 08:00hrs, two days after un-

dergoing a nine-hour emergency surgery. His injuries which included a stab wound to his jugular vein stemmed from an argument with the suspect. According to information received, it was after 21:00 hrs on Friday when the now deceased, along with friends, was liming at the popular spot which continues to defy the curfew guidelines. The now deceased had paid for a bottle of Guiness but had stepped away from the counter before being served. It was during this time that the suspect apparently picked up the alcoholic beverage. An argument and a scuffle followed before Vankenie slumped to the ground. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where he later died.

Mahatma Gandhi is ... GANDHI’S BELIEFS: 1) Religion - is not about what a person believes, it is about how a man lives, how he relates to other people, his conduct towards others and one’s relationship to one’s concept of God. It is important to improvise one’s way of life and conduct by absorbing ideas from any source and any religion. 2) Influences – His most profound influences were those from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Jainism 3) Tolstoy – Tolstoy’s “A letter To A Hindu” using love as a weapon through “passive resistance.” 4) Shrimad Rajchandra – A poet and philosopher. 5) Bhagwad Gita – As his spiritual dictionary and greatest single influence on his life. 6) Satyagraha – The essence is “soul force” – His most important battle to fight was overcoming his own demons, fears and insecurities. 7) He summarized his beliefs first when he said “God is Truth” but later changed this statement to “Truth is God.” MISCELLANEOUS ACHIEVEMENTS 1) Gandhi founded the National Indian Congress 2) Gujarat Vidyapith 3) Harijan Sevak Sangh 4) He was the primary leader of India’s Independence Movement 5) The architect of a form of non-violent civil disobedience that would in-

fluence the world. 6) Anti-colonial Nationalist – a political ethicist 7) Founded an ashram in Ahmedabad, India, that is open to all classes of people. RECOGNITION AND TRIBUTES 1) Gandhi is referred to as “The Father Of The Nation”. 2) Volumes of books were written and still being written by global authors on Gandhi. 3) Many movies were made, including Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Gandhi in Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film, “Gandhi,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. 4) His bust, statue and image can be found in museums and parks in most countries on all the continents. 5) His image appears on numerous paper currencies and stamps in India. 6) Oct 2nd is a public holiday in India – Gandhi Jayanti. 7) Jan 30th is commemorated as “Marty’s day in India. 8) Many Temples are dedicated to Gandhi. 9) There is a Mahatma Gandhi Museum in Madurai. 10) The International Gandhi Peace Prize is an Annual Award by the Gov’t of India – Yohei Sasakawa from Japan was the 2018 winner. 11) There is the Gandhi Peace Award in America – Dr. Zaher Sahloul and Mayson Almisri from

FROM PAGE

Syria are the 2019 winners. 12) UNESCO – Since 1948 – Observes Jan 30th as the “School Day Of Nonviolence and Peace in schools. That was the day Gandhi was shot and killed by an extremist. 13) United Nation General assembly – 2007 – Declared Gandhi’s Birthday – Oct2nd, as the “International day Of Nonviolence. Imagining Mahatma Gandhi in 2020 is not an easy task to think about, but his granddaughter Ela Gandhi and Gandhian scholar Tridip Suhrud give it a shot anyway to answer a couple of questions: Which global leaders do you think he would have looked up to? They would have looked up to him! I think he would have found a good friend in Dalai Lama. Anything that would have saddened him deeply? The divorce between means and ends. The immortalisation of Mahatma Gandhi is indisputably acclaimed and accepted universally, because of the uncontested significance of the divine teachings of truth and non-violence, a principle that conceptualises mankind’s eternal survival for a peaceful co-existence. Respectfully, Jai Lall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

New Amsterdam Municipality gets $46M to boost services

THE Local Government and Regional Development Ministry will inject $46M into the New Amsterdam Municipality to improve its operations and services to residents of the township. Some $20M in subvention will go to the council, $25M towards all-weather roadways and the remainder for municipal staffers to cope with the effects of COVID-19. The announcement was made by Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, during his first meeting with Mayoress, Winifred Heywood, councillors and administrators, at the municipal chambers on Wednesday. Also at the meeting were Regional Chairman, Permaul Armogan; Vice-Chairman, Zamal Hussain; and Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud, among others. The announcement of money by the minister was greeted with applause

even as the minister urged the town's managers to supply the list of the identified roads to be upgraded by Friday. He said President, Dr Irfaan Ali, would like the government to be a part of the lives of the people and the ministry will be the link between communities and residents. “We play a critical role, and, as part of our mandate, it is important that we come out and reach with you so you can have an understanding how we operate and we can have an understanding of the people we serve. So there are basic things, every councillor must have an enhanced relationship with the Ministry of Local Government and the Regional Democratic Council. And, to aid our decision-making, there must be proof that persons were consulted so when the council makes a decision on behalf of the citizens of New Amsterdam, the ministry has to be

Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, addressing councillors and administrators, including New Amsterdam Municipality Mayoress, Winifred Heywood (in black blazer); Deputy Mayor, Wainwright Mc Intosh; Town Clerk, Sharon Alexander; and Municipal Treasurer, Kerry Ann Edwards at the Municipal Chambers on Wednesday

involved in those decisions. We would like to see the evidence that you would have met with the citizens and they would have helped us with determining priorities," the minister said. Further, councillors were reminded of their responsi-

bilities as elected officers, who are given the mandate to serve to the best of their ability. “While understanding the circumstances under which you work... you have got to start to be more accountable to the people you serve, if

you are not doing so. Many times we have had reports... we have to allow people to speak and criticise. We have to listen... but none of us as leaders like to face criticism…. Many things can be solved by listening," Minister Dharamlall said.

Making reference to how efficient his ministry operates, the minister said: "We have the mandate over 70 neighbourhood democratic councils, 10 regional democratic councils, 10 municipalities and 200 community development councils across the country. My desk is clear. There are thousands of people who are dependent on you for their livelihood, that you provide a service... people depend on you because they have their business to run... so, if we take our time to get things done... imagine the repercussions that will occur and the domino effect on the lives of people on a daily basic. Every day, we are expected to improve the lives of people" he reiterated. Meanwhile, Mayoress Heywood has pledged the council’s support to the Local Government and Development Ministry and promised to uphold the oath which stipulates service without fear or favour.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Agriculture is back bone of the economy –– Minister Mustapha tells West Demerara farmers By Naomi Parris JUMP-STARTING celebrations for Agriculture Month 2020, Minister with that portfolio, Zulfikar Mustapha, visited farmers in the Parika Backdam, Ruby Backdam and Vergenoegen, West Demerara region, on Thursday, to address a number of concerns affecting them. The minister, during his first visit, told the farmers and residents that the aim of such engagements was to ensure that all their needs were met to provide quality produce for the country and to other neighbouring countries within the Caribbean region, soon. "There are a lot of concerns and demands in the farming communities in the country as a whole; people need jobs, people need development, people need a lot of other facilities and the resources that we gave are limited; that is why we are coming to listen to your concerns to see how we can also prioritise them”, he said. He further noted that the timing of his visit could not have come at a better time as Guyana is gearing up to celebrate Agriculture Month. Agriculture Month is celebrated in October. "This is a very important month for us. Today, we would have launched Agriculture Month 2020 and we have launched it because

we feel agriculture is the backbone of our country's economy, and it will remain the backbone of our country's economy even with all the other resources in the world -- the oil, the gas, the gold, the diamond and bauxite ... A time will come when all those resources will be exhausted and we will have to continue to depend on agriculture," he said. Farmers, he said can be considered the backbone of Guyana's economy as they are the ones who keep the sector alive. "We recognise the role that you the farmers are playing in bringing in wealth for our country and we'll continue to ensure that we support the people in the agriculture sector,” he said, adding: "I want to reiterate the point that we are committed to all the promises we have made in our manifesto and I'm very optimistic, come 2025, we will fulfill all the promises." During his visits to the areas, the minister was able to address concerns of drainage and irrigation, farm infrastructure and renting of land. Meanwhile, speaking briefly about Guyana's sugar industry, he noted that, from the 2020 budget, some $18 billion has been allocated to the sector and Guyanese can expect to see the Skeldon, Enmore and Rose Hall sugar estates soon being operational while the Wales Estate will see a development authority

Agricola resident fined $40,000 for threatening language, assault charges TARIk Cameron, 25, of Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday, October 1, 2020, appeared before Magistrate Delon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on three criminal charges. The first charge alleged that on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at Water Street, Georgetown, Cameron made use of abusive language to Vernita Moore, resulting in a breach of the peace. The second charge alleged that on Tuesday,

September 29, 2020, at Water Street, Georgetown, Cameron made use of threatening language to Vernita Moore, resulting in a breach of the peace. The third charge alleged that on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at Water Street, Georgetown, Cameron unlawfully assaulted Vernita Moore. Tarik Cameron admitted to all the charges. Magistrate Delon Bess ordered that Cameron pay a fine of $40,000.

programme being established to provide jobs for former sugar workers who were laid off from their jobs during the closure back in 2017. The minister is expected to visit the Den Amstel and Hague backdam today where he will have similar interaction with farmers.

Minister Mustapha, at Ruby Backdam, interacting with a resident who was, at the time, expressing concerns of access to farm lands in the area (Photo by Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Injured man found lying on road dies

Jagdeshwar Singh

FAMILY members of Jagdeshwar Singh, 53, of Perservance Village, Region Two, are calling on the police of ‘G’ Division to launch a thorough investigation into his death. Singh was found lying, last Tuesday, in a pool of blood on the Perservance Public Road around 18:00 hrs, not far from his home. Relatives of the deceased believed that if Singh was given proper medical attention, he could have survived the trauma. According to the sister of the deceased, Chand Samaroo, he was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital. Prior to his discovery, she said she was told that he was imbibing with friends earlier in the day. The sister is, however, clueless as to what happened to her brother but desires justice. Relating the story to this newspaper, Samaroo said that her brother was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital and had to undergo emergency surgery. He was then listed as critical and was sched-

uled to go to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The grieving sister said that her brother was placed in the ambulance and went early the morning for the first ferry but missed it after medical officials claimed that they forgot to inform the stelling officials that they had a patient. The sister said her brother was helpless and medical officials at the hospital were debating as to which doctor will go with the patient. She said they rushed him with the midday ferry and while he was being transported to the GPHC, he died. The distressed sister blamed her brother’s death on the negligence of the hospital and posited that if her brother had made it on the morning boat, maybe he could have survived. The sister said that the post-mortem, conducted on the deceased, revealed he died from blunt trauma to his head. One person was in custody but was later released.

Woman on bail for stealing from employer RESHMA Deoroop, 22, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, accused of larceny, was, on Thursday, granted $30,000 bail by Magistrate Delon Bess. Deoroop appeared before Magistrate Delon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to her. Particulars of the charge stated that on Monday, June

22, 2020, at Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Deoroop, being employed as a clerk or servant by Tesouro Resources and Grey Wolf Resources, stole the sum of $50,000, Property of Tesouro Resources and Grey Wolf Resources-- her employers. The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Squatters destroy $2B in cane varieties

By Vishani Ragobeer

THOUSANDS of cane varieties have been destroyed resulting in a potential loss of billions of dollars in future cash flows due to the occupation of lands that belong to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) by squatters. Several squatters have been occupying GuySuCo’s lands in Vryheid's Lust, Success, and Chateau Margot areas along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). Numerous structures have been erected in these areas, even some appearing to be permanent structures. The squatters have lamented that their financial constraints, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have forced them to squat. However, their occupation has been quite costly to the corporation, which is looking to make a comeback. "We lost around 16,000 varieties of cane which were being evaluated and can never ever be replaced," head of the Agriculture Research Centre at GuySuCo, Gavin Ramnarain, said. These varieties were being planted at the GuySuCo research breeding fields located at Chateau Margot (called the “CM” Field), adjacent to the old GuySuCo’s fields at Success where the squatters have settled. As the squatters settled here, they began clearing the land to erect their structures, and some starting small farms to support their sustenance. But, in so doing, they

Head of the Agriculture Research Centre at GuySuCo, Gavin Ramnarain

destroyed the crops which were being studied. The fields occupied by the GuySuCo Research department there are 73 hectares in total and contain some 81,730 varieties under evaluation. “Initially, the squatters burnt field CM 44 a few weeks ago with a loss of 420 Varieties. This was soon followed by the burning of other fields with a further loss of 16,650 varieties of experimental canes,” Ramnarain elaborated. “The department has 31 hectares in cane at this point, it would be a calamity if these were to be burnt,” he said too, emphasising that it takes just less than two decades to produce a commercial variety of sugarcane.

The cane crop, much like human beings, creates unique genetic combinations when crossed to create new seedlings. Ramnarain explained that each seedling has a completely different genetic makeup than the next. And due to this, different varieties of the cane have varying characteristics, some of which may be more resilient, or suitable for planting in the various soil types than others. The development of the varieties of cane takes about 14 to 18 years; during this time, approximately 100,000 seedlings are sowed and tested and monitored over the years to determine their quality, size, resilience to pests and diseases, and adaptability to the various soil types. This

is done to determine which are commercially viable for the corporation. Moreover, the loss of the varieties of cane could cost the corporation, which is looking to make a comeback, more than $2 Billion in future cash flows, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Sasenarine Singh, in an interview with the News Room. Ramnarain explained that a “star” variety cane, which is a crop that has proven to be commercially viable, can be responsible for about 25 per cent of the corporation’s annual production, which equates to $2 Billion. “We do not know how (many) ‘star’ performers were lost in that nearly 17,000 varieties that were put on fire by the squatters, but we can expect we lost a fair few and thereby losing billions of dollars that they would have generated,” Ramnarain lamented. The destruction of these 16,000 varieties represents nearly two decades of data generated, which cannot be replaced also.

guyana CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

‘We’re not turning anybody away’ -- CH&PA CEO commits to addressing land concerns of all ECD citizens By Vishani Ragobeer THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be working assiduously to streamline the land applications of squatters occupying GuySuCo lands unlawfully and other East Coast Demerara (ECD) residents, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sherwyn Greaves said. Squatters have been occupying lands that belong to GuySuCo in Vryheid’s Lust, Success, and Chateau Margot, ECD for some months now. According to a statement from Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, these squatters have been pleaded with to desist from squatting in these areas which belong to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). On Thursday, the Ministry of Housing and Water,

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves

they’ll have the opportunity to provide whatever additional documentation they can bring it into the office as soon as they get them,” Greaves told this newspaper while at the primary school. The CEO highlighted that the CH&PA will commence

Officers of the CH&PA assisting persons with their land application at the Chateau Margot Primary school on Thursday (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

through the CH&PA, hosted an exercise at the Chateau Margot Primary school to streamline the land application process, primarily for those squatters. “We’re not turning anybody away today. We’ll take down the application and

land preparation in the next few weeks, and related that in about six to eight weeks, the authority will begin allocating those house lots. Currently, 22 areas in Region Four- both on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, are being opened up for

housing. And, priority will be given to those squatters who already have land applications with the authority to occupy those lands. “It’s a GuySuCo issue but CH&PA’s mandate is to provide housing for the citizens and so it is a housing need which is why we are here and we are going to engage all the residents, we’re going to ensure those who applied before will be put on a priority list, those who never applied before will now apply and they will be treated as soon as lands become available,” Greaves explained. The CEO did acknowledge that there is a large backlog of house applications but reminded that the government has committed to providing 50,000 house lots and housing units within the next few years. AIN’T EASY “Eleven years now I waiting, four children I get and it ain’t easy paying a house rent,” one squatter at Success said, showing her land application to members of the media. Another woman, who was present at the primary school since 07:00 hours with her infant daughter in hand, lamented that she was a salesgirl working for a humble salary, but lost her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is for this reason that she was forced to squat on the GuySuCo lands at Success too. She related that she has submitted her land application since 2015, but to date, she has not been able to get a house lot. “I can’t afford to pay a rent, I got my wife and my children,” Kishan Brijmohan, a driver, said. His wife, Sumindra, highlighted that she has been experiencing

Chairman of Region Four, Daniel Seeram, addressing squatters and ECD residents at the Chateau Margot Primary school on Thursday (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

some difficulties in the land application process because Kishan cannot provide the required income statement. “At this time we don’t have anywhere to go,” Sumindra lamented. However, CH&PA CEO insisted that persons will not be neglected in this process. “An income statement is a simple calculation that our officers will assist them; they don’t have to do pay a (Justice of Peace) or an accountant, our officers will assist them,” he affirmed. He also highlighted that this exercise will continue at this primary school until the squatters and other citizens who are coming to apply for land, are satisfied. Ian Campbell, a teacher and farmer, was also there on Thursday to help streamline his land application. Though he was not squatting, he bemoaned the lofty cost of paying rent, particularly during this pandemic period. Newly-elected Chairman of Region Four, Daniel Seeram, has endorsed the government’s efforts and assured that they will work in tandem with the authorities to safeguard the welfare of the citizens. NOT TIME TO POINT FINGERS “This is not the time to point fingers... this just time for collective effort -- at the regional level, the Central Government level, the ministerial level -- for us all to come around. If we push hard enough, we could get this done with a bit more expedience,” the chairman said. He too was present at Chateau Margot and assured the scores of persons there that he would work along

One of the structures on the Success lands (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

with the CEO and the CH&PA to ensure that redress is provided. Many persons told him that they were without all of the required documents, and sought his help. “I will have to engage with housing so that we can

momentum pushes through so that persons get that piece of land that they want so much,” the chairman noted but reminded that land distribution is a process which takes time, and this is exacerbated by the backlog of

A squatter from Success GuySuCo lands

find a way around this issue of registration but I think here is a golden opportunity to do things -- not only to give out a piece of land to somebody but to get all Guyanese registered,” he said. If need be, however, the chairman related that he and his staff in tandem with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs) will develop an initiative to assist persons in the communities with the registration process. The required documents include a National Identification Card (an ID card) or a valid passport; a recent employment letter or a payslip, and for self-employed persons and affidavit of income; birth certificate of children, marriage certificate and death certificate of spouse (if applicable); completed form and a Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate. “It is good to see them coming here and I hope this

applications. Seeram also related that he would support the government if the decision is made to let the persons occupying the lands continue occupying them, cognisant of the many persons who already erected structures, some even permanent structures. In his statement, Minister Croal further said, “I would like to categorically state that I have done and will continue to ensure that the housing needs of all Guyanese are approached with the utmost urgency and expediency.” He ascertained that the ministry and NICIL representatives have been very tolerant while engaging the squatters, recognising the demand and need for adequate housing as a fundamental human right. Coral assured all that the ministry is striving to satisfy the housing needs of all Guyanese.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Yarde threatens strike despite budget provisions GUYANA Public Service Union (GPSU) President, Patrick Yarde, has threatened industrial action if front line workers are not adequately remunerated. President, Dr Irfaan Ali, had recently said that genuine concerns of health workers have been radicalised and exploited by persons who want to appear as “independent actors”. The President had maintained that his government is committed to improving the prospect and livelihood of nurses, doctors, clerical and frontline workers, even outside of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “We are looking at assistance in the housing programme, not only increases in salary… better working conditions, better add-on benefits… nurses with children would benefit from the cash incentive, the cash grants, they will benefit from the uniform allowance, and the removal of VAT on electricity and water,” said President Ali. According to Yarde at a press conference on Thursday at the GPSU headquarters, Shiv-Chan-

drapaul Drive, a letter of ultimatum was delivered to Heath Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and the chief executive officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation (GPHC). Yarde is looking for a “positive response” from the minister by October 6 or the union will work to mobilise and support countrywide protest actions. “Unless these concerns are addressed the union will not only support the nurses protest action but will work towards it being intensified,” stated Yarde. The commencement of the nurses’ protest, according to Yarde, was based on the frustration Guyana’s frontline workers have faced for several years. He added that the issue being raised and the protest actions that followed are not in isolation, explaining that there were two past ultimatums issued on previous Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, and the CEO of the GPHC. He claimed following consultations with the then Coalition Government, the ultimatums were put on hold. Government, in the recently-presented 2020 Budget has allocated

some $150 million for frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. President Ali had said he understands that every category of worker wants more, and wants better. And, he assured that the government has better to deliver, and that the authorities are committed to ensuring that all categories of workers have a better standard of living, better opportunities, and greater prospects in the future. Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, reacting to comments made by Yarde told the Guyana Chronicle that, based on the information reaching his office, there is no need for an intervention by the Ministry of Labour. He added that he is aware the Ministry of Public Service and the GPHC are working together to address the matter and has been receiving daily updates from the chief labour officer, who has been getting information from every area that there is a protest on the matter. At this stage, he said the Ministry of Labour is not being mobilised to make a statement or take any action.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Curfew reduced to alleviate economic ‘strain’

–– Dr. Anthony says protecting lives and livelihoods must be balanced By Navendra Seoraj THE need to balance the protection of lives and livelihoods has motivated government to reduce the hours of the nationwide curfew which was adjusted from 6:00pm-6:00am, to 9:00pm-4:00am. Guyana, like many other countries around the world, has been facing the economic and socio-economic challenges stemming from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. And, striking a balance between protecting lives and maintaining economic stability is no easy task, but government plans to reduce the “economic strain” by allowing persons to safely conduct their daily activities for longer hours. COVID-19 has infected 2,929 persons and claimed 85 of those lives, but on the other hand the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has warned of the need to adopt immediate strategies to face the labour crisis caused by COVID-19, which has led to the loss of at least 34 million jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Guyana has not been immune to the impact of COVID-19 as there have been job losses, reduction in business and declines in many sectors. “The reality is we cannot keep the people depending… and not being able to conduct normal activities will lead to protest and rebellion against what we want to achieve…we want to curb the spread, but the reality is people need food, water and they have to work,” said Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, during a press briefing on Thursday. The Prime Minister said it is imperative for government to find the right balance which will protect persons and their livelihoods. The reduced curfew, which will serve as one of these methods, was gazetted along with other measures which will expire on October 31, 2020. The measures also include allowing outdoor dining up to 8:00pm and permitting salons and other businesses to open until the same time. “We want the right balance where people could have the opportunity to conduct normal activities, but they need to observe the measures which include social distancing and wearing a mask,” said Prime Minister Phillips. Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said the decision to reduce the hours for the curfew was not made without proper consideration and consultations. LOSS OF INCOME Dr. Anthony referred to a United Nations (UN) survey on Caribbean COVID-19 food security and livelihood impact, which revealed that six out of 10 respondents experienced job losses or a decline in salaries. “The disruption to livelihood was widespread… two in three persons said their ability to earn was impacted because they could not leave home,” said Dr. Anthony, adding: “We are trying to have a balance between protecting lives and livelihoods… if we reduce the hours of curfew, people will be allowed to carry out economic activities under strict rules.” Persons, although having more time to conduct their daily activities, will have to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Government also announced that businesses which break the rules once will be warned, but if they commit the offence a second time, the business will be closed. It was reported that the Government of Guyana had done a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and 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 14,309 persons, with 11,380 being negative and 2,929 positive. Of the positive cases, 1,760 persons have recovered and 85 persons have lost their lives. The remaining cases include 142 persons in institutional isolation, 931 in home isolation and 14 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

guyana CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

‘All Guyanese must benefit’ -- Minister Bharrat tells local content panel about urgent need for local content legislation

LOCAL participation in the new oil and gas sector remains a top priority for the Government of Guyana, said Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, as he reminded the Advisory Panel on Local Content about the urgent need for local content legislation and stronger policies. The panel, which was established a few weeks ago, has been tasked with undertaking a review of all existing initiatives and policies relating to local content in the petroleum sector and to provide guidance for the development of Guyana’s Local Content Policy and Legislation. The panel comprises Shyam Nokta (chair), Carl Greenidge, Anthony Paul, Kevin Ramnarine, Carville Duncan and Floyd Haynes. According to a press statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Minister Bharrat told the panel about government’s commitment to local content and reiterated the need to have a ‘solid’ policy and legislation in place very soon. He also emphasised the need to maximise opportunities for goods and services produced by Guyanese or sourced locally and to take advantage of opportunities that exist now, even as the country plans for the future. A top priority is to also ensure that as many Guyanese, including small businesses and semi-skilled labourers benefit from the oil and gas industry. The panel has been meeting regularly and with support from the ministry, will be reaching out during the month of October to key stakeholders in government, the private sector and civil society to solicit inputs and perspectives. The panel is expected to submit its report and recommendations by November 2020. It was reported that the former APNU+AFC administration had created a local content policy after many consultations with various stakeholders. This policy framework recognises the broader goal of the previous administration to optimise national income from development of the country’s sovereign hydrocarbon resources, and prudently invest these revenues to transform the economy to the benefit of all Guyanese, now and in the future. The policy was designed to deliver both short-term opportunities for Guyanese citizens and Guyanese suppliers, and longer-term capacity building by raising the standards of Guyanese industries to be internationally competitive. Despite the aims and objectives of the policy, Minister Bharrat is of the firm view that a policy is not enough. “The previous administration spoke about first oil; oil and gas, and all this talk about the industry, and there is no local-content legislation; no draft of it… There is a local- content policy, but you need a legal framework to ensure that things happen,” said the minister during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle. He said that having a policy is not enough to hold a major player, or any player, in the oil-and-gas sector accountable, as there is nothing binding or regulating their operations.

U.S. Ambassador, Minister Manickchand discuss development of education sector U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education Priya Manickchand at her Brickdam office. During the visit the parties discussed the education programme supported by the Peace Corps, with Ambassador Lynch introducing Minister Manickchand to the Peace Corps Director, Nadine Rogers. Peace Corps Guyana has an ongoing education programme geared at improving literacy in primary schools. The current programmes see the volunteers working with pupils in Grades 1-4 at select primary schools across Guyana. The volunteers teach children to read, and also collaborate with teachers to explore ways to teach more effectively, and to enhance the learning environment through development of resource materials and classroom libraries. Minister Manickchand and Ambassador Lynch both pledged the support of their respective organisations towards continuation of the programme. The two sides also promised to collaborate in other areas of mutual interest for development of the education sector. Also present at Thursday’s meeting were Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcel Hutson and Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ingrid Trotman.

guyana CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Only persons who test negative for COVID-19 will be allowed in Guyana -- says Dr. Anthony, other protocols being established ahead of re-opening of airports By Navendra Seoraj AS Guyana moves to reopen its international airports after October 12, Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, has assured that only persons who test negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will be allowed to enter the country. Guyana’s two international airports, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Eugene F. Correia International Airport, have been closed to incoming commercial, international flights since midnight on March 18, after Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 11. The airports were initially scheduled to close for a two-week period; however, as cases in the country increased, the closure continued to be extended. And, while the protocols for reopening the airport are still being finalised, Minister Anthony said passengers would not be allowed to travel to Guyana unless they have a negative COVID-19 result from a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Ideally, the test would have had to be done within 72 hours, but once it is slightly over that time, persons will have to be tested upon arrival into Guyana. “The mechanisms will be put in place so that you can be swabbed and that test would be done and once that test is done, you’ll get back your result within a reasonable period of time and if you’re negative, you’re allowed to proceed,” said Dr. Anthony, noting that persons who test positive will have to be isolated. Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips said other protocols for the reopening of the airports are still be finalised. “We will take the opportunity between now and then (October 12) to put protocols in place…we will not just reopen, there are a number of protocols we have to put in place,” said Prime Minister Phillips. When asked what led to

the decision to reopen the airports, the Prime Minister said the ‘demand’ for reopening the airports was what prompted discussions related to this topic. Director-General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, when contacted by this newspaper, said the authority has already started preparations for the reopening of the airports. PREPARED “We are making sure that the airport has everything in place, so we are just doing a final check to ensure that the airports have the necessary measures for sanitisation, social distancing and temperature machines are in place,” said Field. Field said Guyana’s aviation sector, like many others around the world, has taken a ‘hit’ because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The director-general stressed the severity of the impact by describing it in one word, “catastrophic”. “The pandemic dealt a terrible blow to aviation industry…there was loss of revenue and individuals, people have not been able to move at will…so this goes far beyond the financial impact on the industry, there are emotional and social impacts which were felt,” Field lamented. Reeling from the devastating impact that the coronavirus has been having on international air travel, the GCAA recently received a GYD$600 million bailout to ensure that the regulatory agency remains internationally compliant. In speaking about the social effect of the disease, the director-general said passengers were not able to attend funerals and other important occasions because airlines were not plying the destination. The only way to curb the spread of this disease is to adhere to social distancing guidelines and other preventative measures implemented by local authorities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Courtney Walsh named ... From back page organisational skills will be key aspects as we try to develop a winning team culture. “I worked with the team at the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia and in the series against India in the Caribbean last year, so I have a very good understanding of what is required. “The ability and the talent are there, we have some fantastic players in the West Indies, and

it will be my duty and focus to help the women to develop their talents and achieve the goals we are going to be setting together.” Jimmy Adams, CWI’s director of cricket, expanded on Walsh’s role, saying: “He will be overseeing the programme initially until the end of the next two ICC Women’s World Cups in 2022, and he will be pivotal in working with CWI’s High Performance Team to move our whole women’s programme forward.” Walsh takes over the role from Gus Logie, following a recruitment process that was announced in May. Andre Coley was the team’s interim coach on the just-concluded tour of England, which marked the return of top-flight women’s cricket after the pandemic-enforced lockdown. West Indies lost the five-match T20I series against England 5-0.(ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Lakers beat Miami Heat -116-98 in NBA Finals opener

LEBRON James says the Los Angeles Lakers still have “a lot more work to do” after they comfortably beat the injury-hit Miami Heat 116-98 in game one of the NBA Finals. Anthony Davis scored 34 points for the Lakers, with James adding 25 points and nine assists. Jimmy Butler had 23 points for the Heat, who lost point guard Goran Dragic and forward Bam Adebayo to injury. James said: “The job is not done. We’re not satisfied winning one game.”

Speaking after Thursday’s game, he added: “You have to get a feel for how hard Miami plays. We got a sense for that. We got more work to do. It’s that simple.” The Lakers went into the series as overwhelming favourites to land a record-equalling 17th NBA Championship title, 10 years after their last finals appearance. However, it was the Heat who began the game on top, racing into a 13-point lead in the first quarter. That advantage would not last long, though,

as the Lakers scored 11 three-pointers to complete a 30-point turnaround by the end of the first half - before surging clear in the second. “They’re a great team. They’re here for a reason,” said Lakers forward Davis. “They came out very hot, we came out slow. “We can’t come out like that in game two. “If we want to win this series and become champions we’ve got to come out better from the start.” Miami’s evening was made worse by Dragic and Adebayo both being forced

Barack Obama (centre) and Shaquille O’Neal (left) courtside out of the game. Game two of the best-ofDragic, Miami’s lead- seven series is on Friday.. ing scorer in the post-seaPassion and protest in son, suffered a foot inju- the Orlando bubble Since rery in the second quarter, suming in July, the season is while Adebayo left with being played inside the ‘NBA a shoulder strain in the Bubble’ at Disney World Rethird. sort in Orlando, Florida. Butler was also forced Coronavirus restrictions to leave the court with a mean no fans are allowed, sprained ankle, but was able leading to an eerie atmoto return in the fourth quarter. sphere at what should be one “I’ll be OK. Some treat- of the United States’ greatest ment and I get ready to go sporting occasions. again. I’ve got to be ready to Though the stands were go,” he said. empty, a virtual crowd was

appeared as ‘virtual’ fans projected on to a big screen courtside, including some well-known faces, such as former US president Barack Obama and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. Former Los Angeles forward Pau Gasol was also among the virtual fans and wearing a Lakers number eight jersey, the now-retired shirt made famous by the legendary Kobe Byrant, who died in a helicopter crash earlier this year (BBC Sport).

Barca overcome early red card to earn big win at Celta VIGO, Spain (Reuters) - Impressive performances from Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati helped Barcelona overcome an early red card to defender Clement Lenglet and win 3-0 at Celta Vigo on Thursday to make it two wins out of two in the new La Liga season. Teenager Fati showed pace and anticipation to nip in between two Celta defenders and fire Barca ahead in the 11th minute, picking up where he left off with his two early goals in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Villarreal. Barca’s lead looked to be under threat when Lenglet received a second booking at the end of the first half for striking former Barca player Denis Suarez in the face, sparking furious protests from Messi and Gerard Pique. But Barca quickly doubled their advantage soon after the interval, as Messi tore through Celta’s defence and fired a low shot which took a heavy deflection off Lucas Olaza and squirmed past keeper Ivan Villar for an own goal. The Catalans, who had failed to win their last five league games at Celta’s Balaidos, maintained control even with

10 men, only once looking in danger of conceding. Nolito skipped into the area but his shot was saved by Barca stand-in keeper Neto, Celta’s Miguel Baeza pounced on the rebound but Sergi Roberto threw his body in the way and deflected the goalbound shot on to the crossbar. Messi almost got a goal himself with another bursting run into the area but his shot was saved by Villar, leaving Sergi Roberto to lash high into the net deep in added time for the third goal. Sergi Roberto praised Barca’s fighting spirit and said they had learned to battle after their humiliating 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League. “It was very important we continued to play with positivity when we had one player less,” he said. “We defended as a team, everyone did their job and we played with a lot of desire, and showed we really want to achieve great things this season. “We realised after the result against Bayern that we had to change things, we were fighting right up until the last minute today.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Djokovic reaches French Open third round with ruthless win NOVAK Djokovic continued his dominant start to the French Open with a ruthless straight-set win against Lithuanian world number 66 Ricardas Berankis in the second round. The world number one won 6-1 6-2 6-2, meaning he has lost just 10 games in his first two matches. Djokovic, 33, is one of the favourites to win the tournament and put together an almost flawless performance to triumph in one hour and 23 minutes. “I felt really good,” Djokovic said. “I hope I can carry on like this.” The top seed has tough competition for the title in Spain’s 12-time champion Rafael Nadal and Austria’s two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem but he looked focused and in control against Berankis on the Roland Garros clay. After dropping just five games in his first-round win against Sweden’s Mikael Ymer, the Serb continued his bid for an 18th Grand Slam title in equally brutal fashion. Djokovic broke Berankis’s serve in the first game of the match and went on to win the first set in 22 minutes, with the Lithuanian 30-year-old winning just 10 points. A further two breaks helped Djokovic take the second set and his level continued to rise even higher as Berankis struggled with a back injury. In total, the world number one served 10 aces, hit

Novak Djokovic has won the French Open once, in 2016. 25 winners and won 95% of points on his first serve to claim an easy victory. “Right from the blocks I want to bring in the intensity,” he told Eurosport. “I managed to do that in the past two matches. It’s

exactly how I want to roll into the match.” Djokovic will face either Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan, who beat American world number 47 Tennys Sandgren, next. Unbeaten on the court this year, Djokovic’s only defeat in 2020 came when he was defaulted from his US Open last-16 match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta after hitting a line judge with a ball. Shock for ninth seed Shapovalov On Court Suzanne Lenglen, Canadian ninth seed Denis Shapovalov lost a five-hour five-set battle against world number 101 Roberto Carballes Baena. The 27-year-old Spaniard, who has never reached the third round before, beat his higher-ranked opponent 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 8-6 and now faces Bulgarian 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov. Dimitrov made light work of Slovakian world number 102 Andrej Martin in a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 win. Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas had an equally easy time later on Philippe Chatrier, beating Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-1 6-4 6-2. Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini is also through following a 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-3 win against Lloyd Harris, as is Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov after beating Jiri Vesely 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-2). (BBC Sport)

Surrey, Lancashire & Gloucestershire through to T20 Blast Finals Day SURREY, Lancashire and Gloucestershire won their respective T20 Blast quarter-finals to confirm their Finals Day spots at Edgbaston on Saturday. Surrey’s 56-run win over Kent was set up by a stand of 114 between Jason Roy and Hashim Amla, while Will Jacks took a career-best 4-15 with the ball. Lancashire skittled Sussex for 95 at Hove to progress to the last four. And, in Bristol, Gloucestershire bowled out Northants for 113 on their way to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Notts Outlaws play

Gloucestershire cruised to a seven-wicket win over Northants to reach Finals Day Leicestershire Foxes in the remaining quarter-final at Trent Bridge (18:00 BST start).

The two semi-finals and final will all be played on Saturday behind closed doors.

Jacks spins Surrey to Finals Day England opener Roy struggled for runs during the 50-over international series against Ireland and Australia, registering a highest score of 24 in six innings, but his knock of 72 in Surrey’s final T20 group game against Kent signalled a return to form for the 30-year-old. Against the same opposition, Roy added 56 in a century partnership with former South Africa batsman Amla (73 not out) to help his side to 169-2 at The Oval. Off-spinner Jacks then accounted for Kent’s main at-

tacking threats at the top of the order, dismissing England trio Zak Crawley, Joe Denly and Sam Billings, as well as Daniel Bell-Drummond - the leading run-scorer in the group phase. Surrey will go to Edgbaston as the in-form team, having now won eight consecutive T20 games. Bowlers were on top at Hove, where Sussex restricted Lancashire to 140-8 in an innings disrupted by a rain delay. But Sussex were then undone by the visitors’ spinners during their run chase, with Liam Livingstone (4-23), Matt Parkinson (3-9) and Tom Hartley

(1-18) sharing eight wickets between them. Meanwhile, Gloucestershire ended their last-eight hoodoo in the T20 Blast after losing at the quarter-final stage in three of the previous four years. Victory over Northants rarely looked in doubt after a superb effort bowling first in Bristol. Benny Howell (3-16), Ryan Higgins (3-24), David Payne (2-14) and Graeme van Buuren (2-17) prevented Northants from posting a challenging total and the home side reached their target with more than eight overs to spare. (BBC Sport)

World Athletics opens door for ‘innovative’ formats at Olympics PARIS, France (AFP) - World Athletics paved the way for changes to competition formats at the World Championships or the Olympic Games when it published its 2020 guide to regulations and competitions on Monday. The two major meetings of international athletics have been precluded thus far in hosting an “innovative” format, such as the introduction of a decisive

final test in the long jump. “World Championships and Olympic Games (are) no longer excluded from competitions where events may be held in an alternative format,” said World Athletics. In search of a larger and younger audience, international athletics regularly tries to innovate in its competition formats by modifying competitions or by introducing elimination races.

The formats have attracted some criticism from athletes. In August U.S. triple jumper Christian Taylor led the offensive at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm which offered a modified long jump competition, with the best three jumpers after five attempts qualifying for a final jump which decided the winner of the competition. “I hope this idea will stop after this

season,” the double Olympic and fourtime world champion tweeted at the time. “I would like to understand how this could be better than the traditional format?” After falling foul of the novel coronavirus the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will now start in July 2021, with the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, pushed back to 2022.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

Messi, Ronaldo to renew rivalry as Barca face Juve in Champions League GENEVA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will face each other for the first time in more than two years after their teams, Barcelona and Juventus, were drawn together on Thursday in the Champions League group stage. The two sides, who met in the 2015 final, were paired in Group G along with Dynamo Kiev and Hungarian side Ferencvaros, who are back in the group stage after a 25year absence. Ronaldo and Messi, the two highest scorers in Champions League history with 130 and 115 goals respectively, have not clashed since the Portuguese left Real Madrid to join Juventus at the end of the 2017-18 season. The pair have only met five times in the Champions League, most recently in 2011 when Barcelona beat Real 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Manchester United knocked Paris St-Germain out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage in 2018-19. Defending champions vision studio in Geneva, proBayern Munich must face duced several other high-proDiego Simeone’s Atletico file clashes. Madrid after they were drawn Paris St Germain and together in Group A along- Manchester United will side Salzburg and Lokomotiv clash in Group H, English Moscow. champions Liverpool face The draw, held at a tele- Ajax Amsterdam in Group

D, which also features high-scoring Italians Atalanta, and Real Madrid play Inter Milan in Group B. Group stage draw in full: Group A: Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Salzburg, Lokomotiv Moscow Group B: Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Borussia Monchengladbach Group C: Porto, Manchester City, Olympiakos, Marseille Group D: Liverpool, Ajax, Atalanta, Midtjylland Group E: Sevilla, Chelsea, FK Krasnodar, Rennes Group F: Zenit St Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Lazio, Bruges Group G: Juventus, Barcelona, Dynamo Kyiv, Ferencvaros Group H: Paris St-Germain, Manchester United, RB Leipzig, Istanbul Basaksehir

UEFA to allow partial return of fans where local authorities allow GENEVA (Reuters) Spectators are to be allowed at European club and national team competition matches, at up to 30% of stadium capacity, where local authorities allow, UEFA said on Thursday. The European soccer body said the decision followed what it described as a successful pilot match on Sept. 24 where Bayern Munich faced Sevilla in the Super Cup in Budapest. Apart from that game, UEFA has staged all matches behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic since the restart of football in June. UEFA said the admission of fans and the capacity limit would be subject to the decision of local authorities. It said that matches cannot be played with spectators where local authorities do not allow it and that the limit of 30%

Geneva, Switzerland - Didier Drogba and UEFA General Secretary and Director of Football Giorgio Marchetti during the draw UEFA Pool/Handout via REUTERS may be reached if the limit set by local authorities is not lower. It added that away fans would not be allowed, that social distancing will be mandatory for spectators and additional precautionary measures such as the wearing of masks must be implemented according to local rules. “The UEFA Super

Cup demonstrated that it is possible for fans to attend football matches in the right circumstances by putting their health and safety first with comprehensive mitigating measures in place,” UEFA said. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said that 27 countries in Europe already allowed fans in

stadiums to some degree. “(The) decision is a sensible first step which puts fans’ health first and respects the laws in each country,” he said. “This decision allows much more local flexibility to deal with admitting fans than was previously the case, always respecting the assessment of local authorities.”

Windies Head Coach Phil Simmons hopes England tour Caribbean WEST Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons hopes England will return the favour and tour the Caribbean in the near future. West Indies were the first team to tour the UK since the coronavirus lockdown started when they played three Tests in Southampton and Manchester in July. The women’s team also stepped in to play England when South Africa and India were unable to tour. “England know that at some point they will have to give us back something, so to speak,” Simmons said. The three-Test series - which England won 2-1 - was

West Indies were the first team to tour the UK since the coronavirus lockdown played behind closed doors in bio-secure venues. “I think England know there is not an obligation but fair is fair,” Simmons told BBC World Service’s Stumped podcast. “I think there has been a lot of dialogue between our top brass and the English top brass so I’m sure something is being put in place.” West Indies’ T20 tour of Australia has been postponed but they are set to travel to New Zealand in October. “I think all the countries below the top three (England, Australia and India) need some sort of assistance,” Simmons said. “It’s similar to the Premier League looking to help the EFL so something like that would be good.” An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson said they were “keen to support the West Indies”. “While the current international calendar doesn’t allow us to travel to the West Indies before our next scheduled visit in early 2022, we are currently in discussion with them about expanding this tour to include additional games,” a statement read.(BBC Sport).

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, October 2, 2020

New course, old rivals as Kipchoge, Bekele face off in London By Mitch Phillips LONDON, England (Reuters) - An unfamiliar course, poor weather and the absence of 750 000 cheering fans suggest a world record is unlikely in Sunday’s London Marathon but long-standing rivals Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele could still produce a race for the ages. After the cancellation of the original race in April due to COVID-19, organisers have pulled together an elite-only event, featuring almost 20 laps of St James’s Park, behind high fences and watched only by a handful of journalists, coaches and event officials. For Kenya’s Kipchoge, this will feel familiar after he became the first man to break two hours on a similar multi-lap course in Vienna last year, his one hour 59.40 minutes time ruled unofficial due to pacemaker and drink station anomalies. There is no getting around his official record, however, posted 2:01.39 in Berlin in 2018 to destroy the existing mark by 78 seconds and seal his position as the sport’s greatest-ever over the 26.2 mile distance. Ethiopia’s Bekele had

Kenya’s Daniel Wanjiru and Eliud Kipchoge with Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Guye Adola pose for a photograph. London Marathon - Elite Men Press Conference - London, Britain - April 19, 2018. (Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra) his own ‘GOAT’ claim af- Kipchoge’s official 35 “We are rivals, we beat ter winning multiple world though many believe the each other a few times and and Olympic track titles Kenyan to be several years such a rivalry has helped and setting long-standing older. keep us in the sport for so world records. “It should be a great race long,” he said. H i s m a r a t h o n - b e s t and I’m really looking for“Of course I respect him seemed to be behind him ward to it after almost a year as an athlete and for his disuntil he somehow found a since I last competed,” Kip- cipline to stay in the sport for 2:01.41 in Berlin last year choge, seeking a record fifth such a long time. We have to miss Kipchoge’s mark by London title, told a remote the same management and two seconds. That made the news conference yesterday. share many things but we East African duo the only Asked what he thought will race.” men to have broken two of his chief rival, he said: “I Kipchoge will wear the hours two minutes for the respect the man, the success latest version of Nike’s distance. and the mentality of being carbon-plated Alphafly It is remarkable that both able to train with such dis- Next% shoe, which comply won distance world titles on cipline even after such huge with World Athletics’ new the track in 2003 and now, success.” restrictions on cushioning 17 years on, are still top of Bekele, who must have height but are still widely the pile and breaking new thought his podium days perceived to give a conground. were over after a series of siderable advantage over Bekele, who still holds poor runs and failed finish- traditional shoes. the 10 000m world record es in the two years before Bekele has opted for the having lost his 5 000m his Berlin renaissance, re- older Vaporfly version that mark last month, is 38 to paid the compliment. served him so well last year.

Mumbai Indians back to winning ways MUMBAI Indians on Thursday defeated Kings XI Punjab at the Sheikh Abu Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi with the KL Rahul-led Punjab falling short of 48 runs in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Mumbai Indians dominated the proceedings after Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya gave them the perfect finish with the willow in the first innings.

Courtesy a cracking half-century by Rohit Sharma and blistering knocks by Pollard (47* off 20) and Hardik (30* off 11), Mumbai Indians posted a mammoth 191-4 in 20 overs. Skipper Rohit went on to smash 70 off 45 after having a difficult start to his innings. However, Rohit, Pollard and Hardik took down the KXIP bowling unit to pile on the runs in the latter half of the

first innings. Chasing 192, Kings XI Punjab were off to a shaky start as they lost in-form Mayank Agarwal for 25 whereas Karun Nair, at no. 3, scored a three-ball duck to mount more pressure on the batters. KL Rahul soon followed suit after an uncanny 19-ball 17. While Nicholas Pooran launched two huge sixes and a couple of boundaries in his 27-ball 44 but it

was too little too late for the Punjab outfit. Glenn Maxwell mostly struggled in his stay at the crease as he scored 18-ball 11 with Sarfaraz Khan and Jimmy Neesham also failing with the bat. With the thumping win, Mumbai Indians get back to winning ways after losing two out of their three matches played so far and the Rohit Sharma-led MI would be hoping to carry forward the momentum in IPL 2020. For Kings XI Punjab, they have now lost three matches in IPL 2020 after going down against Delhi Capitals in Super Over and against Rajasthan Royals in what was a record-chase in IPL. Mumbai Indians next play Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sharjah on Sunday whereas Kings XI Punjab Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by 48 runs to register their second win of face Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on the same day. the Dream11 IPL 2020.

WI Women cricketers being left behind – Russell Arnold

… believes team must focus more on fitness FORMER Sri Lankan cricketer turned commentator Russell Arnold believes West Indies Women have been left behind, in terms of their physical fitness and capability, with teams like Australia, India and England putting greater emphasis in those areas. The recent T20 series in England has been largely a one-sided affair, with the hosts cruising out to a 5-0 lead. In addition, England has secured margins of 40

FLASHBACK: The West Indies women players celebrate winning the T20 World Cup in 2016 runs and above in three of the four matches played so far. Even if the regional team could use rust as a factor, there was also the series against Australia last year, where the team lost 3-0 in an ODI series, before also losing 3-0 in a T20 international series. In 2016, the West Indies Women defeated Australia to claim the World T20 title and previously scored victories over England. Russell believes a major part of the gulf in recent results has to do with how the big three teams are preparing physically. “The other teams are going way ahead. I know a lot of focus is being put on the Australian team, on making them better athletes. They are a lot faster, a lot stronger, they can really hit a ball, they are more agile. That’s where they are getting ahead,” Arnold told the Mason and Guest Radio program. “Teams like the West Indies are still relying on the flair. So now and again, when something comes off you will win a game but to get the consistency to improve, these are the things you need to focus on,” he added. “A few years ago you would say New Zealand is up there with England and Australia, but the New Zealand Women have fallen off because the other teams are totally focused on improving not only their skills but also their athleticism, which allows for better performances. It’s a case of the lesser teams not being able to focus on those areas or not focusing.”(Sportsmax)

Courtney Walsh has worked with the West Indies women’s team previously( CWI)

Courtney Walsh named West Indies women’s coach ‘CWI board should have four ex-cricketers’ – Lloyd

COURTNEY Walsh has been named head coach of West Indies’ women’s team and, according to a Cricket West Indies statement “will lead the preparation and development of the women’s team at least up until the end of 2022”. Walsh, who is West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 519 scalps, had worked with the women’s team during the T20 World Cup held in Australia in February and March this year. He has also worked as assistant coach with Bangladesh’s men’s team. He has also served as a West Indies selector previously. Walsh said he takes up the role with a “very good understanding of what is required”. “I’ve always wanted to give back in any way I can and help with the development of the game in the West Indies,” he said. “The experience I have, my knowledge of the game, and my overall See page 23

Following a thrilling Super Over-win against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore returned to winning ways in the Dream11 IPL 2020.

... former WI captain calls for end to exclusion of former players WEST Indies legend Clive Lloyd has pointed to a continued lack of inclusion of former players at the board level of regional cricket as being a significant hindrance to improving the fortunes of the struggling team. Though typically the realm of lifelong administrators and businessmen, the cricket

Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd boards of the sport’s big three, England, India, and Australia have included former players at the top level of the game’s governance. Currently, India is the best example with former captain Sourav Ganguly serving as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, on a body that also included Brijesh Patel.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently added former captain Andrew Strauss as a non-voting member but also includes women’s player Lucy Pearson. For Cricket Australia, Michael Kasprowicz resigned from the board earlier this year but two-time women’s World Cup winner Mel Jones remains a member of the board. “The board should have four ex-cricketers. Knowledgeable, intelligent people who want to take our cricket forward,” Lloyd told the Mason and Guest radio program. “When I was at Lancashire on the committee, we had 16 or 17 people on the committee, but we had to have six cricketers, that was enshrined in the constitution because it’s a cricket club. That’s why cricket is taken care of in England. All the clubs have the same situation.” “We do not have a Test cricketer of note on our board. If you look at all the other boards, Australia have had four captains on their board. India have had some of their ex-players on their board. England, who they have coaching the team, and the ECB have their ex-cricketers… cricketers are involved in the development of the game. (In the West Indies) If you decide to be a part of the board and you are somebody of some standing, they don’t seem to want you because they believe you will overshadow them.” The current Cricket West Indies (CWI) body does have Michael Findlay, who played Test cricket for the West Indies between 1969 to 1973 along with Julian Charles and Enoch Lewis who played cricket at the regional level. (Sportsmax)

269 million viewers watched IPL 13 in first week, says study (REUTERS) - A record 269 million viewers tuned in for the opening week of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), which is being held in the United Arab Emirates due to the COVID-19 crisis, with viewing minutes up 15%, data released on Thursday showed. The Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC) said the first seven matches of the tournament’s 13th edition from Sept. 19 to 25 had 60.6 billion viewing minutes, 15% more than the opening week of the 2019 edition (52.8 billion). “We’re thrilled to deliver the biggest ever IPL. The opening week... resulted in a staggering new viewership record,” Gautam Thakar, the CEO of broadcaster

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Star Sports said in a statement. “Dream11 IPL 2020 wouldn’t have been possible without the support of all our sponsors and stakeholders. Our teams are working tirelessly in a bio-secure bubble in India and UAE to bring fans closer to the game.” The increase in viewership for the 2020 edition -- up from 268 million viewers in 2019, was despite there being only seven matches in the opening week, one fewer than last year, BARC said. The season opener between champions Mumbai Indians and three-times winners Chennai Super Kings on Sept. 19 was watched by 158 million viewers, it added. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020