Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 03-11-2020

TUESDAY 3rd November, 2020

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New voters’ list needed

No.106172

–– before LGE, says GECOM's Chair, suggests house-to-house registration on the cards

SEE PAGE 03

AG writes SOCU, CID for criminal investigation into land distribution –– Jordan says allegations ‘baseless’ 02 PAGE

More than 50% of ‘David G’ buses not working

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Rain floods out East Coast communities –– NDC tries to remedy situation

Contracts for construction of two secondary schools terminated SEE PAGE 12

Mala Sadick, a coconut vendor and resident of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, said she has lost approximately $200,000 worth in coconuts due to the heavy rainfall on Monday (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

AG writes SOCU, CID for criminal investigation into land distribution

–– Jordan says allegations ‘baseless’

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has written to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), officially requesting a criminal investigation into the distribution of state lands by the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration.

In separate letters, dispatched on Monday, the Attorney General said the Government of Guyana is requesting a criminal investigation into transactions made by the former administration after the successful passage of the no-confidence motion in December 2018. Nandlall also requested that all consequential legal resources be pursued including the institution of criminal charges.

Based on a list issued by the Attorney General’s Chambers on Sunday, lands valuing $2,383,390,759 were issued by the APNU+AFC to eight private investors, while only $64,623,276 was paid over, a mere two per cent of the consolidated total.

Among the eight companies listed are Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Inc.; Navigant Builders Inc; Cardiology Services Inc.; Premier Sales and Services; Supergraphics; American Marine Services Inc.; Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL); and BK Marine Inc. “It will be noted that except in one case, where ten per cent of the purchase price was paid, a mere fraction of the purchase price was paid but title was vested by former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan,” said the AG’s

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

Former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

Chambers.

Further, each of those titles were vested after the March, 2, 2020 general and regional elections, and each agreement of sale was entered into after the former APNU+AFC government was toppled by the successful passage of the no-confidence motion, which, essentially, ‘stripped’ them of their authority to enter into agreements of sale or vest titles.

The Attorney General, after seeking legal advice on this matter, had determined that he could properly maintain an action for the offence of misfeasance in public office against Jordan, while the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) could similarly maintain criminal proceedings against the same individual.

As a result, the Attorney General said he will commence civil proceedings, this week, to, among other things, recover the said parcels of land and claim compensation against those implicated, including Jordan and the for-

mer Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin Heath – London.

JORDAN SAYS ALLEGATIONS BASELESS Jordan, in responding to the Attorney General, said: “These allegations (and innuendos) against me are baseless and repugnant. In my view, they are designed to impugn my character, tarnish my image and lower my esteem in the eyes of my family, friends, admirers, well-wishers and the general public.”

The former Finance Minister, in a letter on Monday, said he performed his duties in compliance with the oath of office and to the best of his abilities.

On the advice of Counsel, Jordan refrained from delving into matters of an evidentiary and factual basis.

This, he said, will be done at the appropriate time.

Assault charge dismissed against national cricketer THE assault charge against national cricketer, Christopher Barnwell, was dismissed on Monday as a result of insufficient evidence.

Barnwell, 33, was on trial before Magistrate Rondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court. On Monday, the Magistrate ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case against Barnwell and dismissed the charge.

Barnwell was represented by attorney-at-law Savannah Barnwell.

On August 5, Barnwell made his first appearance before Magistrate Weever for assaulting an off-duty police officer during a cricket match.

The charge alleged that Barnwell reportedly assaulted the cop, who as playing on an opposing side during a

National cricketer, Christopher Barnwell

match on March 25, 2019, at Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

He was out on $30,000 bail.

Reports are the men had an argument and during the melee, Barnwell became annoyed and pushed Benn to the ground. The officer sustained bruises to his hands.

guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

New voters’ list needed

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-- before LGE, says GECOM’s chair, suggests house-to-house registration on the cards

By Navendra Seoraj GOING into another election would be problematic for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) unless there is a new voters’ list, said Chairperson of the Commission, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh.

Guyana is anticipating Local Government Elections (LGE), which is due next year, and, while President Irfaan Ali has said that the elections machinery needs to be “fixed” before such is held, Justice Singh said another prerequisite would be the updating of the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD) - used for the compilation of the Official List of Electors (OLE).

Although no official decision has yet been taken at the level of the commission, Justice Singh said it is necessary to have an updated register before elections are held.

“We have not taken any decision in relation to that as yet, but we are doing work in relation to our readiness because it is necessary that we have the register updated.

“Remember we had a lot of problems with that, so we have to look at those things… but, at the moment, we are looking at the elections petitions, as those will have to be heard,” said the GECOM Chairperson during an exclusive interview with

the Guyana Chronicle, on Monday.

On August 31, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, through its lawyer, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, filed the petition on behalf of Claudette Thorne, while on September 17, Attorney-at-Law Mayo Robertson filed documents on behalf of Heston Bostwick.

Both Thorne and Bostwick want the High Court to determine the legality of the elections, and the results that led to the declaration, and allocation of seats in the National Assembly.

The case comes up again on November 24, 2020 for the preliminary hearing, and, ahead of this, the Commission has appointed prominent elections lawyer, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan to represent Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

And, while the commission’s main focus, according to Justice Singh, is the elections petitions, there is still need to update the register, since this had caused “problems” in the lead-up to the March 2, 2020, general and regional elections.

Prior to the elections, GECOM had undertaken house-to-house registration with the aim of creating a new NRRD, but this process had to be cut short by Justice

Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

Singh following the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice which upheld the no-confidence motion passed against the then APNU/AFC Government, thus necessitating the holding of Regional and General Elections in the shortest possible time.

The commission had then embarked on an extensive Claims and Objections exercise before preparing the Preliminary List of Electors.

The data garnered from the house-to-house registration process was merged with the existing NRR database, after which the OLE was extracted. The OLE had over 600,000 voters listed.

A review of this list, which is supported by Justice Singh, was also recommended by a three-member CARICOM team which scrutinised the national vote

recount.

“As a minimum condition of electoral reform, the team recommends the urgent need for the total re-registration of all voters in Guyana,” stated the CARICOM scrutineers.

The team also added: “It is clear that, given the state of the voter registration of the country, Guyana was not adequately prepared for the 2020 poll.”

Justice Singh said the commission will have further discussions on this topic in the coming days, but an immediate action would involve approaching Government for funding to update the register.

HOUSE-TO-HOUSE REGISTRATION When asked about GECOM’s current budget,

the chairperson said: “I cannot tell you much about the budget… remember we carried the election with it, and while there is still money, this election is next year.

“We still have the elections petitions and we are distributing ID (identification) cards, but we need to have the register and that register means perhaps house-tohouse.”

Providing that the commission decisively chooses house-to-house registration as the method of updating the NRRD, Justice Singh said there would be concerns related to the Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George’s ruling that the commission could only add names and not remove any.

Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram, in an application filed on July 22, 2019, had asked the court to declare that the house-to-house registration exercise was in violation of the Constitution of Guyana and the spirit of the Consequential Orders issued by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on July 12, 2019.

In her ruling on this matter, the Chief Justice determined that persons, who were previously registered, even if they now reside overseas, cannot be removed from the NRRD unless they are deceased or have been disqualified.

“That (the ruling) would

be our problem going into another election like this,” said Justice Singh, adding that this is among a number of issues which need to be addressed.

Like President Ali, GECOM Commissioners, Sase Gunraj and Vincent Alexander, have both agreed that things need to be “fixed” before elections are held.

When asked about the need for fixing the elections machinery, Justice Singh said: “That is true, that is very true.”

She, however, maintained that the commission’s biggest challenge would be updating the NRRD, as this would set the foundation for holding elections.

“We have to give it some in-depth thought and of course, we have offers like from the EU and so, but we will have to see how we will go about it as early as possible,” said Justice Singh.

The European Union (EU) had welcomed the “democratic” conclusion of Guyana’s elections and had said it is prepared to assist with electoral reforms.

On the basis of the recommendations presented in the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), the EU stands ready to support this reform process in cooperation with the GECOM and other electoral stakeholders.

Contracts for construction of two secondary schools terminated

GOVERNMENT has terminated the multimillion-dollar contracts for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School and the reconstruction of the St. Roses’ High School.

In two separate letters issued on Monday, Attorney-General Anil Nandlall notified both contractors, BK International Inc. and Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd, about the termination of their contracts.

In BK’s case, the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government had entered into a contract with the company through the Ministry of Education, for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School, just off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The contract was fixed at $826.5 million, and the scheduled date for comple-

The St. Roses’ High School

tion of the work is March 12, 2021.

“Thus far, your company has only completed five per cent of the schedule of work. As a consequence, your company has commit-

ted a fundamental breach of the terms of the contract, and as a result thereof, the Government of Guyana hereby exercises its right to terminate the contract with immediate effect,” said the

Attorney-General in the letter to the company.

The grounds for termination were cited as the failure to comply with the schedule of work, and the inordinate delay in the completion of

work on the project.

The Government, according to Nandlall, will activate the provisions in the contract regarding the enforcement of ten per cent of the contract sum as liquidated damages, and the surrendering of the performance security as a result of the company’s fundamental breach of the contract.

Similarly, the government enforced the same provisions on Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd, as the company has only completed nine per cent of the scheduled work on the reconstruction of the St. Roses’ High School.

The former government, through the Ministry of Education, had entered into an agreement with Courtney Benn Contracting Services on August 8, 2018, for the reconstruction of the St. Roses’ High School, located at Camp and Church Streets.

It was initially agreed that the project would cost

over $352 million, and be completed on or before April 8, 2020. The former government, however, had issued an addendum to the contract, dated December 23, 2019, to facilitate the driving of piles by the company.

The contract was then extended for a period of 20 months, and is now scheduled to be completed by August 23, 2021. The contract sum was also increased to over $412 million.

As a consequence of the delay in the delivery of this project, the contract was terminated with immediate effect.

The government has since ordered that both companies arrange to have the respective sites cleared immediately.

It was reported recently that over $20 billion in “illegal contracts”, issued by the former APNU+AFC administration over the past year, will be investigated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Minister Rodrigues promises improved water supply in Moraikobai

MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues on Sunday assured residents of the Region Five(Mahaica-Berbice) community of Moraikobai, that the village’s water supply system will be expanded to ensure water availability closer to homes.

Minister Rodrigues, during her interactions with the residents, received several complaints about the neglect of the water system.

She was informed that not only is the water supply insufficient for the population, but access to it is limited.

Bridget France, a resident, informed that many of the approximately 20 stand pipes in the community are non-functional.

The village, which has a population of approximately 1,200 persons, is being

served by a single shallow well that was drilled some years ago. Additionally, residents source their water from rainfall and the Mahaicony River.

As part of a short-term solution to address villagers’ concerns, Minister Rodrigues made a commitment to have the existing stand pipes repaired, and simultaneously expand the distribution network in keeping with the capacity of the well.

This, she anticipates, will ensure more persons have access to the water system, more so closer to their homes.

She also assured Moraikobai Toshao, Colin Adrian that Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) will return to flush the distribution network and repair leaks, since complaints of a high iron content were also made.

Further, in an effort to maintain the system regularly, the Minister said her Ministry and GWI will look at employing servicemen

from within the village, who will be able to address any technical issues residents may have on a timely basis.

GWI is expected to pres-

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues during her address to villagers

ent a full report on the village’s water system to the Minister following an assessment, which would pave the way for the drilling of a

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), also handed over food hampers to villagers.

These included 250 sacks of

Minister Rodrigues during her visit to the Moraikobai Water Supply system

Minister Rodrigues handing over food supplies to the community on behalf of the Government (DPI photos)

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 -- 04:30 HRS

new well in the new year.

The Minister further highlighted that Moraikobai is a growing community that is ripe for investment, and therefore posited that the community will not be neglected by her Ministry, or the current administration.

Minister Rodrigues, on behalf of the People’s

rice, 1,200 pounds of peas, and 1,200 pounds of channa.

This visit is the realisation of a promise made by the Minister prior to being appointed to office, to return to the community and address the needs of villagers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 128 –– 30 new cases recorded THE local death toll for the COVID-19 pandemic has risen to 128, after two additional deaths were recorded as of Monday, while 30 new positive cases were recorded, taking the total number of positive cases to 4,238.

According to the Ministry of Health, the latest fatalities are a 74-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and a 57-year-old man from Region One (Barima-Waini).

Both persons died while receiving care at a medical facility.

Of the 30 new cases that have been recorded, 18 are men while 12 are women. Geographically, these cases were recorded in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) one; Four (25); Five (Ma-

haica-Berbice) two; and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) two.

Of the 4,238 positive cases, 3,264 persons have recovered thus far. A total of 20,067 tests have been conducted. There are nine individuals currently in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 66 persons in institutional quarantine; and 771 persons in home isolation.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures (No. Eight) will expire on November 30, 2020, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per these measures, all persons are required to wear face masks when leav-

ing their homes. Physically distancing and adequate sanitisation are also important.

The curfew is now 22:30 hours to 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166, 2267480 or 180/181 for assistance.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus.

Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.

There are, however, vulnerable groups such as persons with underlying conditions and elderly patients, who may develop the severe forms of the disease.

Guyana ready for ‘COVID-safe tourism’ –THAG President says

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA has a unique tourism product which is suitable for ‘COVID-19 safe’ activities, according to President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramkumar highlighted that many of the tourism activities Guyana offers are done in small groups, even before the pandemic struck Guyana and devastated the industry.

Guyana is a world-renowned eco-tourism des-

tination, and many of the activities and travel opportunities are done in sparsely-populated areas in small groups. Additionally, Guyana offers many community tourism opportunities, which also does not cater for large groups of people. It is for this reason that Ramkumar posited that Guyana’s industry has “tremendous strengths and opportunities” in a COVID-19 environment.

Tourism Awareness Month, observed annually during the month of November, provides the tourism sector with a good opportunity to spring back into business,

THAG President Mitra Ramkumar

according to Ramkumar.

Moreover, he emphasised that it offers Guyanese the opportunity to explore their country more, as travel to foreign countries is restricted.

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A scene from a previous Guyana Restaurant Week activity

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

America votes and USA-Guyana relations AMERICA votes today to choose a President that will preside over the administration of the nation for four years from January 2021. The contest for control of the White House is going down to the wire, although some opinion polls suggest a front-runner in the form of the Democratic challenger Mr Joe Biden against Republican incumbent Mr Donald Trump. Mr. Trump was known to have come from behind and won in 2016 against the more popular Hillary Clinton. Although Guyana or small developing states has not figured strongly in U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. wields tremendous influence over many of them, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Regardless of the outcome in the presidential contest, U.S.-Guyana relations are on a strong foundation and not likely to be reversed as both countries need one another. Guyana looks

to the U.S. for American investment to transform the economy and consolidation of democratic gains following the change of administration on August 2 after five months of political uncertainty related to that brazen attempt to rig the elections. And the U.S. seeks to bring Guyana closer to America for geo-strategic and economic interests, especially since Guyana is now an oil-producing nation.

America is a pre-eminent superpower and the world looks to see who will be elected President.

Whoever is elected President will have at his disposal the vast array of powers that comes with the office. The world looks to the U.S. for leadership on a variety of fronts, including helping to protect democracy. In fact, just last March, democratic forces in Guyana and the international community looked to the U.S. to protect our democracy when it appeared that the incumbent regime was all set to change the outcome of free and fair elections

in order to remain in office. The U.S. saved the day in Guyana by applying tremendous political pressure on the regime to accept the verdict of the electorate.

Wherever there is electoral fraud, countries would turn to the U.S. to protect democracies. But the U.S. not only protects democratic governance, it also offers generous assistance to several developing countries. Guyana has been a major beneficiary of U.S. largesse ever since independence in 1966.

Our country is grateful and our two countries enjoy friendly relations. And we look forward for a strengthening of that relationship regardless of which party (Republican or Democrat) or candidate (Republican incumbent Donald Trump or Democratic challenger Joe Biden) captures the White House, the seat and home of the American presidency.

The world eagerly awaits the outcome of the elections. Even here in Guyana, people are following the campaign in America

in earnest interest. And of course the hundreds of thousands of Americans with Guyanese roots are also closely watching if not also participating in the electoral process. They recognise the importance of the relationship between the U.S. and Guyana, and we are informed by the Guyanese scholar that this election has the highest Guyanese American voting participation.

The U.S. also seeks closer relations with Guyana. Not since the 1960s has the U.S. focused so much attention on our country.

The visit of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Guyana last month signals the importance which Washington places on Guyana. Secretary Pompeo was the first Secretary of State to visit Guyana and the highest official to visit the country.

Everyone seems to want to know the answer to the burning question of, “Who will win?” We learn from various commentaries that the American opinion polls

show a very close contest between Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden.

So the race can go either way.

America-Guyana relations are on a strong footing and regardless of who wins, it is likely to remain this way. Other countries may look for a reset of relations with America.

People are also equally eager to know, “When will the results be known?” Unlike in past U.S. elections when the outcome was known just hours after the poll closed, this year the outcome will take much longer. This year, there is absentee and mail-in ballots, many millions, and these would not be counted until well after the voting ends tonight. Thus, the world may not know who has won the presidency until days later when all the ballots have been counted. Regardless of when it is known, we expect improvement in U.S.-Guyana relations.

A demoralised APNU+AFC is not the answer Dear editor, AS noted in yesterday’s Washington Post, “With attacks on journalists increasing and the space for free expression shrinking, Tuesday’s presidential election will be decisive for the future of press freedom in the United States and around the world,” penned a writer. Freedom of the press is guaranteed under President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s new administration and the fair distribution of government’s advertisement.

Under the past APNU+AFC government, this was not only lacking but also, the state’s machinery was solely used for that party’s propaganda programme.

The distortion of truth, spreading of lies and the blatant tongue twisting were channelled fluently and flowingly without reservation through this medium. As a result, many writs were filed suing for large sums of mon-

ey because of APNU+AFC’s falsity and recklessness and now, ironically, it is the PPP/C Government that is faced with footing the bill.

All the lawyers’ fees created as a result of the APNU+AFC Government’s frivolous and vexatious litigations against the PPP/C have to be mockingly borne now by said PPP/C Government.

The dastardly acts on the Treasury by the APNU+AFC has to be fixed by an impoverished PPP/C Government.

The misappropriated financial excursions enjoyed by the cunning APNU+AFC is now the PPP/C’s headache to consolidate and appropriate.

The APNU+AFC’s corrupted transactions while in power now become a monster and a storm for the PPP/C to tame and calm. The APNU+AFC had synchronised a network of convoluted and complex proceedings while in office by ignoring, changing or reworking the legal ramifications to disguise the legiti-

mate requirements, so that the requisites will conveniently suit their purposes.

It is the job of the PPP/C to harness all resources to unwind all the puzzles and perplexed problems that were intricately woven with callous and meticulous foresight.

This premeditation was carefully contemplated by the devious ingenuity of the APNU+AFC, so that they could have pursued all possible avenues in order to manufacture veins of financial drains to extract perks and pocket-filling remunerations. It is up to the PPP/C to not only plug these loopholes, but also to discover the sources and destinations.

The APNU+AFC had to make up for the missing chances during their 23 years of absence from domination and now had to utilise their five years of opportunities that were gifted in their short life span. The past five months were crucial because they realised that

this cherished occasion may not arise again and so they excruciatingly vandalised the circumstances accordingly.

An animal being led to the slaughter house wouldn’t care where the feces would land.

Now that the APNU+AFC has hit the fan and the spill can be found nationally, it is the laborious loyalty of the PPP/C Government, that has to patiently clean it up. Ask if the APNU+AFC followers care or are concerned and you will most likely be greeted with a scorned expression and a turned-up nose in a number of probable cases.

Their diehards would remain belligerent and still condone their criminal and outrageous behaviour. In fact, they will not only condemn you for racking up dead carcasses and denying the established facts, but also accuse you of wicked fabrications to cause strife. How do you temperamentally rationalise with such absurd insanity and contemptuous antagonism?

But, a ray of hope burns at the end of a lit channel, exposing the APNU+AFC’s fragility as they crumble daily with supporters deserting or abandoning their lost cause, enveloping a mirage of hopeless, visionless and illusive aspirations. It is without any pressure but a conscientious effort that onlookers are observing the true nature of a demonic APNU+AFC, who deliberately destroyed and demolished the innocent simpletons who were chastised and castigated for the greed of personal gains at an expensive cost!

Thousands chose to dive into the realm of silence and disbelief, rather than confront the enlisted horror and face the terror that has endangered their very welfare and honour.

They preferred to cower in shame and avoid any discussion pertaining to this magnanimous monstrosity. They feel overwhelmed in being let down and want to hide in the shadow of lower heads with

eyes scorching the ground, rather than eyes admiring the beauty of a promised future hand held by the PPP/C. Do you blame them for feeling let down by heartless and villainous leaders who shunned their very basic needs and wants?

This is a representation of an outer edge, blunted, but advancing on thin ice, lying on a foundation of uncertainty, doubt and disbelief.This coin has three sides and we have explored the flat side of those depressed in oblivion and those in abeyance dangling on a narrow, rounded surface.

Flip it and the opposite side of the enraged prostrators will surface to demonstrate a campaign that reflects frustration, condemnation, aggravation and revulsion. They blatantly feel repulsive and are beginning to express their dissatisfaction with the APNU+AFC for failing to uphold the campaign motto to run on honesty and integrity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

AFC has lost A different perspective on the sugar industry from Tony Vieira’s a true fighter Dear editor,

THE GAWU noted Mr Tony Vieira’s letter which appeared in the November 01, 2020, Stabroek News. Mr Vieira contended that the Guyanese sugar industry would be better served by producing ethanol instead of sugar. This is, for us, not a new position coming from Mr Vieira and we have heard it from him on several occasions in the past.

Our union, for its part, remains supportive of initiatives that will allow the sugar industry to not only strive but thrive.

And, we are a strong proponent of sugar diversification and believe that the success of the industry is connected with a diversified product base.

On the issue of ethanol, the GAWU is aware that this matter was considered several times in the past. We are aware that those studies had indicated that ethanol was not viable.

The most recent work that we are aware of was done by the Sugar CoI. The CoI pointed out whether ethanol was fermented from cane juice or from molasses it was simply not feasible vis-à-vis the cost of fossil fuels. In fact, the CoI noted that ethanol would have only been a worthwhile measure if sugar prices had fallen to US$170 per tonne, currently sugar is being sold at US$320 per tonne.

Moreover, that examination was conducted when the cost of a barrel of oil stood at US$45. At the time of preparing this response, oil prices hovered around US$35 per barrel further eroding the attractiveness of ethanol.

Nonetheless, the GAWU does not wish to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater and maybe it is that Mr Vieira is recognising something that no one else is seeing. Therefore, an updated study may be useful since Mr Vieira’s advocacy for the ethanol business is based on ethanol yields of 22 gallons per tonne of cane. While we cannot confirm or dispute this quoted yield, there is no evidence to confirm that one tonne of GuySuCo’s cane will yield 22 gallons of ethanol. We therefore urge that the industry’s demonstration ethanol plant at Albion be used to study ethanol yields from GuySuCo’s cane to provide first-hand data and associated cost/benefit.

In further support for his position on ethanol, Mr Vieira argues that ethanol production requires less power which will result in bagasse being available for other purposes. At first glance this comes over as very convincing however, Mr Vieira omits the fact that a number of processes identical to sugar manufacture are required to make cane juice available for ethanol production. These prerequisite processes are major energy users and have to be employed in ethanol or sugar production. Therefore, there is no major reduction in energy demand since the big energy users are still required.

We urge Mr Vieira to provide an energy balance for sugar versus ethanol from juice to support the energy reduction claim.

In considering ethanol, we must consider our nascent oil sector which is expected to grow from strength to strength in the coming years. This could

be the cause of even further declines in fuel prices locally and GuySuCo ought to take this into account. We did see that Mr Vieira did not confine himself to Guyana and argued a ready market was available in the US for instance. Again these and other factors have to be taken into account in deciding the way forward.

Mr Vieira also urges that GuySuCo and/or the Government pursue ventures into aquaculture. This again is something the gentleman has been urging for some time. We recall that Mr Vieira advocated that the Corporation pursue this venture at Wales following the sudden decision to close the estate at the end of 2016. We are aware too that the Corporation did commission a study and Mr Vieira himself, in a different dispensation, was involved in seeking to get the venture off the ground.

Of course we are not aware of the reason/s for the failure to launch given the seeming attractiveness of the proposal.

It seems that aquaculture is an idea that Mr Vieira is deeply committed to and from his letter very passionate about. We should not forget though that the corporation did experiment with aquaculture in the past with miserable results. Certainly, these are pains the corporation can ill-afford at this time. It, therefore, may be prudent for Mr Vieira, given his strong beliefs, to approach the Agriculture Ministry to pursue a trial of his idea at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station for instance. The lessons learnt may be useful for expansion of the initiative.

Nevertheless, we believe, we have sufficient land for

A demoralised APNU+AFC is ...

Gradually, the truth is sinking in with the unveiling of all the catastrophic humiliations they have suffered because of the party’s dirty work and devious corruption. Again, they are too ashamed to discuss and deny the hard and established facts that are portraying the dishonesty of an evil government, whose officers were consumed with selfish ambitions meant to serve a good life to be realised by themselves only. How fool-

ish, injudicious, pugnacious and unreasonable could they have been, knowing that their imprudence would cause them the wrath of intelligent party members and the attention of law- abiding associates. No wonder many are currently distancing themselves from this pile of bilge that is overflowing and hogwashing the shores of Guyana. The end is near and there is an urgent need for a new beginning, but, from

both the sugar industry and the aquaculture industry to coexist.

Mr Vieira’s letter came in response to one written by former President Donald Ramotar which we also considered as well. Indeed, much of what was written by the former President aligns with the GAWU’s views and we agree with him that there are several worthwhile possibilities.

In his letter, Comrade Donald also spoke about the union’s unwillingness to become involved in management of the industry.

While we are unsure of what he really means, the GAWU, however, has never shied away from expressing its willingness to work collaboratively with the management towards the success of the industry.

We hold the view that it is through the collective efforts of all stakeholders – the Government, the management and the workers/ union – that the industry will succeed.

Also the former President, apparently, expressed a dim view of the union seeking pay rises for workers. We hope that is not really the case. But our union has no qualms in seeking workers benefit from a rise in pay. Comrade Donald, who emerged from the GAWU, is very much aware of our union’s proud stance in standing with and advocating for the sugar workers and all union members for that matter. But, the former President also knows of the treatment sugar workers received over the last five (5) years. He certainly would be aware that the workers got not a single cent in pay increase. He knows too that many of their benefits were simply

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where do you start, with whom and based on what? The prognosis for checks and balances as a modicum of control is imminent, yet the responsibility lies with genuine commitment from patriotic Guyanese, sworn to loyalty to the nation. The defunct APNU+AFC is demoralised and certainly not the intended answer!

Respectfully, Jai Lall.

taken away by an uncaring and unkind cabal who hadn’t a sliver of sympathy for sugar workers and their families. And, he is knowledgeable of the sustained struggles by the workers to be treated fairly and justly. Certainly, the workers have not abandoned their just struggles and the union will not abandon them.

Comrade Donald is aware of the GAWU’s commitment to its members and we want to assure him that our union has not departed from its principles it upheld when he was a senior leader of the union.

The letters of Mr Vieira and former President Ramotar we see are yet another part of the continued active interest paid to the sugar industry and the several opportunities for viability. The GAWU also believes that a successful future awaits the industry and we are heartened by the commitment of Government and the level of support that the industry is receiving.

We sincerely hold that the industry can turnaround and play an even more meaningful role in Guyana. These are views also shared by Messrs Vieira and Ramotar albeit from different perspectives.

What is most reassuring is that we have a political administration that undertook to bring the industry out of the doldrums and restore it to its rightful place. We of the GAWU are ready to play our part and stand with the workers who will also play a critical role.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Heartening IT was heartening to see the prompt response of the pertinent government agency in the case of a deserving mother fighting for her paralyzed son finally getting much-needed attention. Though late, it is better than never.

Yours sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Dear editor, Please grant me space in the letter column of your newspaper to share my take on the recent loss to the AFC, especially here in Berbice.

Editor, the recent resignation of Mr. Abel Seetaram from the AFC has sent a massive blow and loss to that party.

Mr. Seetaram is a true fighter and was a defender of the AFC, no matter what.

He is a man of the people, although he has and I think continued to be the target for some. Mr. Seetaram is always for the grassroots people, no matter what. He stands for his party and his people.

I have personally approached Seetaram on several occasions venting my concerns and frustration about several community matters and yes, he was quick to listen. I can say that after he listens to my concerns, I did see most or almost all of the matters being looked into.

Seetaram sometimes will get blows from his colleagues in the coalition and I can say this because once I stood at the RDC under the shed, saw and heard a top and member cussing him out because he was pushing for work to be done in an Indian area.

Editor, Seetaram will fight for the AFC no matter what and he did that everywhere he went. On several occasions I would hear him say that he is not APNU or PNC but AFC and he wants to see all have equal access to development.

It was shocking and sad when I saw on the news that Seetaram parted ways from the AFC that he fought so strong for. But there is only so much a person can take.

I know that the AFC cannot find a replacement for Mr Seetaram ever in Region Five or Berbice at large.

When Seetaram is on television I love to watch, because he speaks the language of the people. He shows his true spirit and fights for the people.

The AFC has lost a true warrior and foot soldier and won’t ever get anyone to carry that fight and work like Seetaram here in Region Five and Berbice. Seetaram was liked by many across the region.

Seetaram after Dr Ramayya was the lone fighting soldier for the AFC in Berbice and he stood up to many and all from different political parties by defending the AFC to the earth. He was a true fighter for the AFC and the AFC has now lost the man who carried the mantle of their fight in Berbice.

The resignation of Mr Seetaram will see the AFC crippled, as there will be no one to carry the fight and work anyone.

Seetaram is a true political fighter and I wish that this new administration will look at the work of Mr Seetaram, both politically and regionally, and get him on board to continue the work he has been doing.

I wish Mr Seetaram all the best in his future endeavours and hope that he will continue the fight for the people’s development in this region.

The AFC has lost a true fighter.

Respectfully, Kishan Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Private facilities now seeking approval to do PCR testing

–– Health Minister urges public to ‘stick to’ licensed facilities

By Vishani Ragobeer PRIVATE medical facilities, which advertised that they are offering Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 tests even though they were not licensed by the Public Health Ministry, are now seeking approval from the health authorities to offer this service.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that there are two private medical facilities which have advertised that they are offering PCR testing, which is the ‘gold standard’ test used to diagnose whether someone is affected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. And, one of the two medical facilities even told this newspaper that it was “certified” by the minis-

try. This was false.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony reminded that only two institutions are authorised to offer PCR testing - the Ministry’s National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) and the Eureka Medical Laboratory (the only private facility currently with authorisation).

The Eureka Laboratory was inspected and deemed capable of offering the service. Other private institutions, including the Sheriff Medical Centre, have engaged the health authorities in an attempt to garner the approval needed to offer PCR testing.

These institutions, according to the minister, are

Director of the COVID-19 Task Force, Colonel Nazrul Hussain

at various stages of setting up this service but it is crucial that they receive the approval from the ministry.

Dr. Anthony explained that for a private institution to gain approval, their facilities would be assessed and

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

deemed fit. The assessment would cover whether the institution has a PCR machine; biohazard cabinets used for the extraction of the samples, and also if there is adequately trained staff.

“You will have to satisfy the Ministry of Health tech-

nical personnel that you have the equipment, you have to know that you have the staff to be able to do this thing in the right way and once we are satisfied that you have that capability then you are licensed to be able to (offer PCR testing),” said Dr. Anthony. He also indicated that the ministry is willing to work with those facilities that have imported the equipment and are in the process of establishing themselves so that they can become compliant.

He, however, stressed that members of the public should only seek the PCR testing from approved facilities.

Director of the COVID-19 Task Force, Colonel Nazrul Hussain, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, highlighted that once private institutions have been granted the licence to offer PCR testing, they

would have to report how many tests are being done and what those results are to the COVID-19 authorities.

The total number of tests done daily, as well as the total number of positive cases recorded, are put into a COVID-19 database and are disseminated daily by the Health Ministry.

“They have not started to provide that information which would tell us that no tests are being done,” he said. When informed that one unlicensed private medical institution was offering the PCR testing, he emphasised that compliance is necessary.

“It’s not that we’re looking to ‘catch’ them, but we want to ensure that they are properly regulated,” the Colonel said.

Guyanese and Today’s US election outcome Dear editor, TODAY (Tuesday) is E Day – Election Day in America where hundreds of thousands of Guyanese are settled and their turnout is the highest so far in the history of their presence in America, going back the late 1960s.

(More Guyanese Americans

and their descendants live in America than Guyana).

Today is also Election Day in Bihar, India, where a large number of Guyanese have traced their roots. The whole world is focusing on America and few Guyanese are concerned about the outcome of elections in Bihar. (I follow Bihar’s elections because I

am an India political watcher having taught South Asian history for several years, and I conducted many opinion polls in India to determine popular support of political parties, but not for this election; polls suggest that the incumbent BJP alliance will prevail). In America, polls suggest that the Republican

incumbent Donald Trump is going down to defeat by Democratic challenger Joe Biden. There are other candidates on the ballot, but they will not make much of a dent in the votes to affect the outcome in any of the states.

Guyanese are in the thick of the electoral contest in America, not as candidates or campaigners but as voters and poll workers. There is a lot of enthusiasm among Guyanese voters and many actually voted early while others tell this writer they will vote Tuesday.

Few Guyanese volunteer for or donate to the election campaign. This writer volunteered for the Democratic campaign.

As the labour leader of my teaching site for over 15 years, the union annually voted to endorse Democratic candidates and the leaders tow the line).

Several Guyanese have been working at poll stations over the last two weeks for early voting and several will be on duty on November at schools and at senior centres. Schools have been closed to facilitate the electoral process, but it is not a holiday, although several businesses are closed.

Americans are uneasy about the outcome, fearing violence. Reports say guns have been sold out. Some “ red neck” racists have threatened violence. Guyanese constantly have queried my views on the outcome. Will it be a close outcome, a comfortable victory, a landslide, or a blowout?

Will Trump accept defeat?

Trump predicts victory. Biden also predicts victory. If Biden

loses he will concede quietly, but he is not expected to lose if we go with the opinion polls.

From his language, it does not appear that Trump is likely to accept defeat – he said he has a battery of lawyers ready to go to court on Tuesday night.

I do not think the outcome wll be close, but a declaration or presumed winner may not be ready on Tuesday night. Once the outcome is a landslide, Trump will claim fraud and accept defeat. If it is close, he won’t throw in the towel – dragged in court. I see a decisive victory as per my analysis of poll numbers.

The actual voting in America does not have an electoral system like Guyana’s, whereby the party or candidate with the most popular votes wins the presidency. There are 51 contests – each state plus Washington DC holds its own election without national involvement. The national government cannot instruct the states how to run their elections. Each state declares its own winner. Each state has an assigned number of electoral votes (EVs). The candidate that gets the most votes in a state wins its electoral votes and there is a significant Guyanese presence in several of the swing states such as Georgia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Michigan. Two states (seven votes) divide their EVs based on proportion of votes won.

The EVs are added for each state won by each candidate.

The candidate with at least 270 EVs wins the presidency

regardless of amount of popular votes won. Right now, polls suggest that Biden will get between 279 and 351 EVs. It means, therefore, that he will win the presidency. But it is possible that Trump can pull off a miracle with last-minute swing voters; votes can also be excluded from being counted if they arrive late at the counting place. The contests in several states are very close. Biden was way ahead in several states a few days ago, but the gap has narrowed with some states a dead heat. Nevertheless, 279 is the minimum projected for Biden, even if he were to lose the popular votes in the other states. My analysis sees Biden crossing the 300 mark. Although polls give Biden wins in Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, and Virginia, those states (62 EVs) would be very close and may very well go to Trump. But Biden does not need them to win the White House.

In 2016 Trump won comfortably (306-232 against Hillary Clinton). Polls suggest that if Trump were to win, it would be very narrow, just over 270.

But Biden is projected to get a huge victory – a landslide or even a blowout. The last time there was a blowout was in 1980 and 1984 when Reagan swamped Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale respectively.

Obama won comfortably in 2008 and 2012.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

More than 50% of ‘David G’ buses not working

By Tamica Garnett MORE than 50 per cent of the 21 school buses under the former “David G Five Bs” programme are currently in need of repairs, and it will take millions to restore them to proper working condition.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand shared that of the 21 buses under the programme, 11 are currently in a state of disrepair. However, she noted that the Ministry will be using the remaining 10 to assist with transportation for the nation’s children, given that the vehicles are the property of the State.

Although the total cost to repair all the school buses is not yet known, an estimate done on one of the damaged buses has revealed that the cost will be in the vicinity of $35M to fix just one of them.

In giving a regional breakdown, Minister Manickchand said one of the school buses is working in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); five are out of operation in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has four, but only three are working; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has five, but only three are working; Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) has two, but only one is working; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) has one, and that is working; and of the three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) just two are working.

The school buses are distributed across the ten administrative regions, and are under the management of the respective Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).

“More than 50 per cent are not working. This is not my report; these are reports we got from around the regions upon request. Some of them can be repaired, and are being

One of the ‘David G’ school buses

repaired, and some of them cannot be,” Minister Manickchand revealed.

The Minister was at the time responding to queries during a press conference on Saturday last, where the Ministry officially announced that schools will be partially reopening from November 9 for Grades 10, 11, and 12 students.

This will mark the first official return of students to the school buildings since schools were closed in March as part of a slew of measures instituted to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

During a follow-up interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the Minister refuted reports that the Ministry was not utilising the ‘David G’ vehicles, or does not want to repair them, because they were part of a programme instituted under the previous David Granger administration.

“It’s foolishness to say that we don’t want to repair them. The buses are State property; they don’t belong to

any one person; it is the people’s property. So every effort will be made to make sure the buses are effectively used and serviced, in the same way that every other State property is used,” Minister Manickchand clarified.

She stressed, however, that the vehicles are in a severe state of disrepair, as they were acquired without proper assessments.

“The buses were bought without any foresight or forethought, so what we have is a bunch of people gave some old buses; 35-year-old buses; fix it, cut a ribbon,” she noted.

Manickchand said she understands that parents are genuinely concerned about transportation for the schoolchildren, but given the volume of learners there are, the buses are wholly insufficient, even with the partial reopening of schools.

“Wherever the buses are, they are going to be applied and used for the children, but we have 21 buses, and 21,000 children about to come back

Guyana ready for ‘COVID-safe ...

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“We as a people need to stop looking at tourism as a luxury but as a necessity, because it’s what the doctor ordered; people need to relax and rejuvenate,” he said.

For this month, Ramkumar also highlighted that the popular event, Restaurant Week, which has not been abandoned, will give locals the opportunity to experience some amount of fine-dining. Over the past few months, there have been restrictions on fine-dining in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“For Restaurant Week, we’re only going to be do-

ing outdoor dining with strict protocols,” Ramkumar said. Tables must be placed six feet apart, and persons dining will sit three feet apart from each other. Sanitisation protocols will be in place, and the restaurants will be required to have fully-digital menus, chalkboard menus or disposable menus.

Given these distancing requirements, there is a reduction in the number of restaurants participating in the event this year. Only the major restaurants, which are large enough to accommodate that, are onboard

5

so far. These include the Marriott Hotel, Herdmanston Lodge, the Duke, Cara Lodge, Jaxx International Grill, New Thriving, and Watooka House, in Linden, to name a few.

Ramkumar said that THAG is looking into facilitating curb-side pickup and delivery, so that there are a greater variety of options for patrons of the restaurant week.

“While we want to reopen, we want to ensure that we follow the protocols and guidelines employed,” he emphasised.

out to school. And even if all 21 buses were working, it still couldn’t manage the transportation of all the students,” the

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

minister explained.

Guyana currently has some 170,000 children in the

9

public school system, and the Minister related that an assessment will have to be done first, before any transportation system can be implemented.

“Would it be easier for parents and students if we have school buses on the road? The answer lends itself without a question; of course, it would be. But the issue is how to do that effectively for 170,000 children in the country,” the Minister said.

The Minister further said that a more pragmatic approach to the situation of transportation for students is to ensure that the quality of education at all of the schools across the regions is more equitable, so that students can be placed at the secondary schools closest to their homes, as is done in the case of assigning students to primary schools.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Shortage of city engineers puts hold on major works

GUYOIL gets new General Manager

–– Mayor blames Local Government Commission, threatens court action MAYOR of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine has disclosed that the lack of city engineers, occasioned by the Local Government Commission’s decision to disapprove persons identified to fill the post, has resulted in several major developmental works in the city being put on hold.

Mayor Narine has since informed that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has not ruled out taking the matter to court.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Mayor Narine said the current situation has tremendously impacted the operations of the M&CC. “We actually abide by the laws of the Local Government Commission body, which outline to us what to do; and we have correspondence to reflect those outlines,” he said, adding: “We follow all procedures;

Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Ubraj Narine

we also had expertise like Christopher Ram come in.

We are actually appalled that the Local Government Commission had done something like this to the M&CC.” Mayor Narine also disclosed to this publication that

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall

although there are works to be completed in the city, the Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is currently facing numerous issues that the Local Govern-

ment Commission is putting on the back burner of their priorities.

“While the Port Mourant [NDC] is facing a number of issues that the Local Government Commission is not solving, there are works to be done in the city, because we have to serve the people of the constituencies. So, right now, we at the M&CC are just waiting to see what happens,” the mayor said.

When asked about the M&CC’s plans to tackle the issues it is having with the Local Government Commission, the mayor said in response that court action is being considered.

Furthermore, Mayor Narine stated that he has been visiting several of the main communities in Georgetown to ensure that drainage systems are being maintained.

These maintenance works, he said, will help to alleviate the flooding caused by the recent

heavy rainfall.

Under the previous administration, these maintenance works were undertaken in parts of the city by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in collaboration with M&CC. The drainage works, which included manual cleaning operations, totaled $71,934,120, while the mechanical cleaning operations were pegged at $91,652,572.

These works were expected to increase the city’s drainage capacity, and significantly reduce flooding throughout the city.

The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on October 22, sent a letter to the Council, which, in part, indicated that more attention needs to be directed towards improving the aesthetics of the city and the maintenance of drainage systems.

Meten-Meer-Zorg youth murdered POLICE are investigating the murder of 20-year-old

Keron Williams, a labourer of Meten-Meer-Zorg, Ocean

Garden, West Coast Demerara.

Police Headquarters has noted in a statement that detectives are on the hunt for the suspect, who is known as ‘Grasie’. Reports indicate that the two were imbibing in the area on Sunday at around 17:15h, and some 30 minutes later, Williams was discovered with injuries to his left shoulder.

He was taken to the Leonora Diagnostic Centre where he succumbed to his injuries.

“Persons were questioned in relation to the incident, but no useful information was received,” the police noted in their statement. Investigations are ongoing.

Berbice man chopped to neck during robbery THE police have arrested a suspect in connection with the armed robbery committed against a 21-year-old labourer of No. 58 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Sunday night at around 21:00 hours.

Police, in a statement, noted that Eric Haripersaud called ‘Mikey’, was walking home after leaving a birthday party in the community, when the suspect, identified as ‘Rasta’, accosted him from behind and placed a cutlass on the left side of his neck.

The victim claimed that the suspect relieved him of a Samsung Galaxy S (5) cellular phone without sim valued $28,000 and $15,000 in cash.

In the process, the victim received a chop wound to the neck.

Police said the victim then picked up a piece of wood and tried to defend himself during which the suspect fled the scene. The victim then raised an alarm and told his friends what had happened; he was then taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was seen by a doctor on duty, treated and sent away.

The victim reported the robbery to the Springlands Police Station and at around 01:30 hours on Monday, police contacted the suspect at his home where he was told of the allegation, cautioned and arrested.

A search was carried out at the home of the suspect for the stolen items, but none was found. He remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

New General Manager of GUYOIL, Trevor Bassoo

THE Board of Directors of the Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL) has announced the appointment of Trevor Bassoo as the company’s new General Manager.

Mr. Bassoo is the holder of a BSc. in Computer Science from the University of Guyana; a CAT accounting qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; a PhgC. in Business Administration from the University of Leicester and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

The new General Manager is also currently wrapping up his Commonwealth Masters in Public Administration (CMPA) at the University of Guyana.

In addition to his qualifications across a wide array of professional areas, Mr. Bassoo has 20 years of combined private and public-sector management experience, a release from GUYOIL noted.

After being interviewed and selected by the Board of Directors, Mr. Bassoo joined GUYOIL on October 19, 2020 and has since been reviewing the company’s operations while interacting with staff with a view to understanding where the company is currently positioned.

Acknowledging the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihoods of Guyanese, the new General Manager stated that the company’s immediate objective is to bring relief to the people by way of reducing and stabilising the fuel price, the release further noted.

According to GUYOIL, Mr. Bassoo further noted that as the country’s largest supplier of petroleum products, under his leadership GUYOIL plans to expand its operations across the country, reaching the people and businesses in the remote areas.

He reassured the improvement of product quality; health, safety and environment; customer service and branding are priority for the company in the near future.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

At least $150M needed for restoration of main roof of St George's Cathedral

St. George’s Cathedral (Adrian Narine Photo)

By Dillon Goring BISHOP of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana and Suriname, the Rt Revd Charles Davidson, has disclosed that an additional $150 to $ 175 million will be needed for the restoration of the main roof of the St. George’s Cathedral.

During a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the Bishop explained that the structure’s roofing, except the main portion, is complete.

According to the Bishop, nothing has been done and no one has been contracted to

begin works on the main roof, which includes the ceiling.

It is unclear when the main roof will be completed, since the cost is unknown.

“We do not know the cost of that on paper. We are having people who are telling us it might be $150M million or $ 175 million, but we do not know,” he said.

The Bishop revealed that information about the completion of the renovation works on this iconic structure remains unclear. The exterior and interior walls have all been restored.

He explained that the issue with all restoration proj-

ects has to do with the availability of money and with this particular project, the Diocese of Guyana has provided most, while the National Trust, under which the structure falls, has provided a reasonable sum.

Between the years 2018 and 2019, the National Trust of Guyana provided funding to replace the glass on the building.

Over the years, money has been collected by the church for its restoration fund. Some of that money was used for the restoration expenses.

Additionally, Rev. Charles mentioned that the compound

is in need of fencing considering the many misfortunates that have occurred and given that persons are using the Cathedral for reasons other than its intended purpose. He stressed on the need to preserve this heritage building.

The National Trust of Guyana is an organisation that plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the country’s national patrimony is preserved. Heritage buildings such as the St George’s Cathedral and City Hall are safeguarded by the National Trust.

Pumps operational; dredging continues in Region 2

PROMPT action by the Region Two administration Monday morning resulted in the receding of floodwaters, particularly in the Charity, Affiance, and Reliance areas.

Residents woke up to their yards flooded as a result of the excessive rainfall; Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Odit said he received several calls about the situation and immediately put the pumps at Anna Regina, Three Friends, Lima, Charity, and La Union into operation.

Officials also visited pumps and sluices in other areas such as Taymonth Manor and Capoey, to ensure that they are in proper working order.

The region’s drainage and irrigation team is dredging the communities of Capoey

Regional Vice-Chairman Humace Odit (second left) inspects a sluice at Affiance

and Taymouth Manor, following reports that the sluice is said to be blocked with excessive slush.

The Regional Vice-Chairman advised residents to take the necessary precautions. He said

the drainage and irrigation team will continue to monitor the situation along the coast.

NDIA employing technology to improve drainage and irrigation WITH the significant role the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) plays in the agriculture sector and a wider cross-section of society, it is now implementing the use of technology in its day-today groundwork.

The NDIA is one of Guyana’s apex organisations which manages, maintains and improves drainage and irrigation at the national level.

The Authority also plays a pivotal role in the country’s water resources.

According to Crystal Conway, Geographic information Systems (GIS) Engineer at the NDIA, over the years, the organisation has evolved from its total dependence on machinery and manpower.

These days, the organisation uses GIS, project management, drones and other forms of computer science technology to fullfill its mandate.

She explained that the NDIA has to manage and monitor every square inch of Guyana’s waterways, which cannot be done efficiently manually, hence the organisation makes use of GIS and drones to collect data.

Conway further explained that GIS is just another ‘fancy’ way of mapping.

“Most paper maps are static; they are a snapshot in time,” she said. “We are geo-mapping many things, and you want to be able to change what’s important to you, because today you might be more interested in kokers, and tomorrow you might be interested in pumps. Having your map available in layers gives you that flexibility, and it lets you do all kinds of data analytics and modeling. GIS is basically the science of mapping all of that geographic information.”

She noted that with this technology, the Agency has managed to capture thousands of kilometers of canals, and hundreds of structures; the NDIA plans to do much more, she said. “[We] began to embrace technology not just in the engineering works, but in everything that we do. Today, we use GIS to map the network. We also focus more on design; we use structural and geo-technical design in our work here,” she said, adding, “We found that monitoring and just evaluating the work

NDIA’s GIS Engineer, Ms. Crystal Conway

that is being done by eye is not good enough, so we need to be able to measure.

“We also need to be able to do it in a more efficient manner, so we have folded drones into our operations, and we’re exploring new approaches to older problems.”

Conway said that the incorporation of technology has proven to be a successful addition to the NDIA’s workforce, since engineers are able to better monitor water resources, as well as respond to emergencies.

“The impact with all this technology on our work-flow is visible in many areas, so we have been able to respond to emergencies faster; we have also seen a change in the way we do business as well.

The use of technology has helped us to process contracts, payments a lot of things go faster, and data collection goes faster.”

Moving ahead, the NDIA will continue its incorporation of technology and will provide continuous training of staff in this area.

“As the Agency looks forward, we don’t want to stop this embrace of technology; we want it to continue; we want to continue our capacity building, and many of the staff here has realised that further professional development is important, and a lot of them by their own initiative are furthering their studies in engineering.”

She added that the agency also sees the value of staff, and is currently funding remote training in integrated water resources management, project management, monitoring and evaluation, as well as GIS.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Rain floods out ECD communities

–– NDC tries to remedy situation

By Vishani Ragobeer FEW communities along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) have been flooded out as the yearend rainy season, which usually commences in mid-November and lasts until January, began with heavy rainfall.

During the early hours of Monday, heavy rainfall caused flooding in the communities of Success, Mon Repos, Lusignan and Annandale. Mon Repos was particularly hard hit given that the drainage pumps in the area were not operational until much later in the day.

“Since we wake up this morning, floodwater was in our house and our shop and everything start damaging,” Debbie, a resident of First Street Mon Repos, told the Guyana Chronicle.

She related that, with each rainy season, the environs are usually inundated quite easily. She attributed this to the poor maintenance of the community’s drainage system.

She said, however, that this rainy season has been the worst in a number of years given that the water has made its way into her home; this does not usually occur.

When this newspaper visited the area, Debbie’s shop was closed and many of her products were stored on shelves and countertops; inside her home; furniture was packed away. She also highlighted that her wooden cabinets became waterlogged and started to swell.

A coconut vendor, who lives north of the Mon Repos public road, Mala Salik, is another business person who was affected by the rainfall. She lamented that she has to discard about $200,000 worth in coconuts because the storage space became inundated with contaminated flood water; her house was also inundated.

“It’s everybody affected and we can’t really blame no one body for what happened but we want some help with cleaning up the place,” Salik said.

Chairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ayube Mohammed, in an interview

One of the inundated houses in Mon Repos (Delano Williams photo)

Many of the products in Debbie’s shop were contaminated with floodwater and she was forced to rearrange them (Delano Williams photo)

The floodwater made its way into Maureen Wairawen’s house at Mon Repos and she was forced to rearrange the furniture to prevent further damage (Delano Williams photo)

with the Guyana Chronicle, said that the council was actively attempting to remedy the situation.

CHALLENGES He disclosed that the drainage pump at Mon Repos was not operational as an excavator had to clear the overfall first. The Annandale pump, a neighbouring pump which also helps to drain the flood water, is only functioning at half-capacity as one of the engines is being repaired.

Additionally, the NDC encountered some challenges which prevented it from sufficiently cleaning the drains in the area ahead of the rainy season.

According to Moham-

med, the NDC has only been able to collect 30 per cent of its taxes for the year so far due to constraints created by the COVID-19 pandemic. And as such, the NDC’s cleaning crew has been sent home.

A team from the Ministry of Public Works, through its Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), has been working for the past two weeks to assist with cleaning efforts, but Mohammed said that the team only works for four hours each day. Even so, he lamented that residents too have a responsibility to keep the internal drains clean, so that the water would drain much faster. .

Additionally, the drainage system of the newly-expanded ECD road has presented some challenges.

“Those drains are built slightly higher than what they used to be, so the water has to build up to a slightly higher level in people’s yards before it can drain off,” he said.

Rupert Williams, a resident for more than 30 years, also said that the drainage system on the new roadway presented some challenges.

He said that he observed a large layer of sand beneath the drain, which does not allow much water to be held within. Thus, flooding occurs much faster.

MORE RAINS COMING Monday’s downpour, which resulted in flooding, was only the beginning of the year-end rainy season, and much more rain is expected.

According to the Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana is currently transitioning into the secondary or short rainy season which typically lasts from mid-November to January.

“Atmospheric conditions are favourable for the commencement of the rainy season and, therefore, forecasters have high confidence that the transition to the rainy season has begun,” the Hydrometeorological

service said.

“This means that an increase in rainfall activity over the coming weeks and into the next three months is expected.”

Though an increase in accumulated rainfall is expected, it is not expected that there will be rainfall every day throughout the season. Instead, it is forecasted that there will be periods with reduced or no rainfall as well as periods of excessive rainfall.

The Hydrometeorological service, however, advised that persons should be prepared as the potential impact of the rainy season on lives, livelihoods and infrastructure is well known.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Vessel, 24lbs ganja seized in Berbice River

–– two arrested TWO persons are in police custody following the discovery of 11 kilograms (24 lbs) of marijuana which was allegedly thrown into the Berbice River on Sunday night, in the vicinity of Mara, East Bank Berbice.

Police said the discovery was made about 23:00hrs by members of the police marine patrol. The wooden vessel, with an outboard engine, is currently lodged at the Central Police Station.

According to a police report, the suspects, of Herstelling on the West Bank of the Berbice River, were observed in the wooden vessel and after they saw the patrol, they reportedly threw the illegal substance overboard.

The bag was quickly retrieved by the lawmen and upon inspection, it was discovered that it contained seven transparent plastic wrapped

parcels, and a black plastic bag containing, leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis.

The suspects were promptly arrested and were escorted to the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam where the

The illegal cannabis which was seized by the police

The partially submerged wooden vessel with the engine

Man who killed his children appeals life sentence JOHN BLANCHARD, who was sentenced to life in prison after he admitted hacking his three children to death, has moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the severity of his sentence.

Blanchard, in 2016, was sentenced by Judge Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court, after he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

He admitted that, on October 11, 2011, at Dr. Charles Sand Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, he killed the children – six-year-old Joy, four-year-old Daniel and 10-year-old Belika Blanchard.

Judge Barlow indicated that Blanchard had to serve 30 years before he could be eligible for parole.

Dissatisfied, Blanchard moved to the Appeal Court and is arguing that the sentence was manifestly excessive and severe in all the circumstances of the case.

On October 11, 2011,

illegal drugs were weighed and amounted to 24.4 pounds.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle understands that an internal investigation was also launched since the police ranks did not adhere to Standard Operating Procedures.

John Blanchard

Blanchard was detained following the chopping to death of the children. Belika and Daniel died almost instantly, while Joy succumbed a day later at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where she was receiving treatment.

The family resided at the location where the murders occurred, and, according to reports, at the time of the incident, the children’s mother had left for the interior to seek a better job.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

CXC students looking forward to returning to school

By Tamica Garnett

FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Devi Persaud is scheduled to write her Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC) subjects next year but had been contemplating postponing her sitting until 2022, but, with the announcement that schools will be reopening from next Monday, Persaud says she’s looking forward to writing the exams next year.

Persaud is among several students who are looking forward to returning to the classrooms they have not been in since March when schools across the country were closed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In September, schools began to re-engage students virtually.

Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that it has been a difficult few months for her as she prepares to write five subjects at the 2021 CSEC. “I am excited it’s opening back because it has been kind of tough, especially knowing that I have to write exams next year,” the Endeavour and Commons Secondary School student shared.

“Sometimes the internet would go off when the teacher is trying to explain something. And it is hard understanding some new topics, since much explanation isn't done. Going back to school means I will have a better understanding of what is really going on.”

Students, parents and teachers have been split in their feelings towards the re-opening of schools next week, and whether it is the right balance for mitigating the learning loss and protecting the students and teachers from the deadly virus.

“There will be both disadvantages and advantages.

But it is beneficial for those students who don't have access to neither the internet nor a device where they can work from home,” shared 18-year-old Dexter Pellew.

A student of the MacKenzie High School in Linden, Pellew is preparing to write seven units at the 2021 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE); he said the time at home has taken away from his ability to more focus in his preparations for his exams.

“My biggest challenges were getting accustomed

MacKenzie High student Dexter Pellew

with doing work from home, being more independent in my studies and, better at managing my time,” Pellew told this publication.

Several teachers, however, have mixed emotions about the situation, but are sympathetic to the effect the closure of schools is having on their students.

“I have 66 students, but if I have a zoom meeting and four turn up that’s a lot. Four

Endeavour and Common Secondary School student Devi Persaud

is the most I’ve ever had. It’s frustrating because I am putting a lot into doing the work and I feel like I’m wasting my time,” commented one teacher, who teaches CSEC Mathematics at a school in the city.

The teacher, who prefers to remain anonymous, noted that she is not in support of the reopening of schools, but she believes that the students will not be as prepared as

needed for exams in 2021 if they are to remain at home and continue learning virtually.

The reopening of schools was officially announced by the Ministry of Education on Saturday last following a week-long series of virtual consultations held with parents and teachers from across the country. On Friday last, a new list of COVID-19 Emergency Measures catered for the re-opening of schools.

Though in agreement with the re-opening, another teacher who teaches at a secondary school on the East Coast of Demerara, believes that perhaps students and teachers should have been given more time.

“I am happy that it is opening, but I am questioning the time they’re looking to re-open it,” the teacher noted.

“But I want school to re-open, the children at my school, a lower secondary school, are struggling greatly. Out of a class of 30 plus students, we would have

about five online. Majority are greatly affected and the little that are online are not coping properly with the technological era.”

When she announced the partial re-opening of schools, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had noted that “nothing we do will be perfect, [but] doing nothing however can cause irreparable harm and damage to our students and result in lifelong consequences.”

The minister also noted that in Guyana, the ministry has already received an alarming number of requests from students to repeat the year, as they feel they will lose if they continue to stay out of school.

“We learnt from studies internationally which indicated a strong likelihood of learning loss and a high possibility of premature school-leaving and that the longer students stayed out of schools, the more likely these will be the consequences,” she noted.

Young motorcyclist dies in Little Diamond accident AN accident on the Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on Monday, resulted in the death of 24-year-old Joshua Persaud and the hospitalisation of his friend, 27-year-old Devendra

Partab.

Police, in a statement, noted that Persaud, of Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD, was riding his motorcycle north along the western carriageway on the eastern drive lane at a fast rate when

he lost control and toppled.

As a result, both Persaud and Partab (who was the pillion rider) fell on the road and received severe injuries.

They were picked up in an unconscious state by a party of Police ranks and taken to

the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where Persaud was pronounced dead.

Pertab remains hospitalised.

The accident occurred minutes after midnight.

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Fulham beat winless West Brom to move out of bottom three FULHAM secured their first Premier League win of the season as they beat West Brom to move out of the bottom three.

Bobby Decordova-Reid headed Scott Parker's side ahead from close range after Aleksandar Mitrovic's cushioned header had set him up.

The hosts doubled their lead four minutes later and Mitrovic was again involved as he laid the ball off for Ola Aina, who struck spectacularly from 20 yards out.

The Cottagers came close to scoring a third but both Tom Cairney and Decordova-Reid had efforts cleared off the goalline within seconds of each other.

West Brom hit the crossbar through Conor Townsend's misjudged cross when it was goalless, but Slaven Bilic's side remain without a league win in 2020-21 and replace Fulham in the relegation zone.

This match was between two of the sides who had earned promotion from the Championship in 2019-20, West Brom coming second behind champions Leeds, before Fulham beat west

Bobby Decordova-Reid's goal was his third in six games after he also scored in the 4-3 loss to Leeds and the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

London rivals Brentford in the Wembley play-off final.

But both have found life at the top level much tougher, with Fulham only picking up one point from their opening six games, while West Brom had drawn three and lost three.

The visitors almost took a fortunate third-minute lead when Townsend's cross nearly caught out home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola but bounced off the woodwork. However, the hosts then became the better side with the lively Ademola Lookman shooting wide from 20 yards out.

The visitors almost took a fortunate third-minute lead when Townsend's cross nearly caught out home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola but bounced

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off the woodwork. However, the hosts then became the better side with the lively Ademola Lookman shooting wide from 20 yards out.

Fulham's opening goal came in the 26th minute as Antonee Robinson's leftwing cross was headed back into the danger zone by the impressive Mitrovic and Decordova-Reid converted for his third goal of the season in all competitions.

It only took the home side four minutes to move 2-0 in front. Aina started the move on the right flank, he linked up with Cordova-Reid and played the ball into the feet of Mitrovic, who, with his back to goal, laid the ball back into Aina's path and he struck a beautiful effort into the top corner for a spectacular first Premier League goal.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa could have even made it 3-0 before the break as he collected the ball following a fine run from captain Cairney but could only shoot at West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Fulham had been on a run of four away matches since losing 3-0 at home to Aston Villa, after which co-owner Tony Khan apologised to the club's fans, but their supporters would have been much happier after this showing.(BBC Sport)

guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Davis knocks out Santa Cruz to take super-featherweight title LEO Santa Cruz showed up to the Alamodome intending to throw down with one of boxing’s scariest knockout artists.

But the American Gervonta `Tank’ Davis responded in kind and delivered the type of dramatic ending that fans crave.

The 9,000 or so socially distanced fans in attendance in San Antonio, Texas, witnessed an explosive main event filled with non-stop action as Santa Cruz and Davis engaged in a firefight.

Santa Cruz looked good early and won the first two rounds on two of the judges’ scorecards. But Davis stuck to his game plan and in the sixth round connected on a surefire Knockout of the Year contender with an uppercut

for the ages.

As Santa Cruz lay motionless on the canvas for the first time in his boxing career, Davis celebrated earning the WBA lightweight and WBA super featherweight titles in the biggest win, and knockout, of his career.

Praise for the “uppercut from hell” began pouring in on social media moments after the finish with even one of MMA’s biggest names showing some appreciation for Davis’ extraordinary power.

With the victory, Davis remains undefeated and improves to 24-0 with 23 knockouts and becomes the first boxer to win titles in two divisions since 1988 when Sugar Ray Leonard beat Donnie Lalonde for the WBC super middleweight

and WBC light heavyweight titles. The two-division champion proved his fights are must-see TV and despite the hefty price tag attached to his first pay-per-view event, buyers were likely not regretting making the purchase.

"First, I want to say, I'm a pay-per-view star. Second, I ain't dodging nobody," Davis said in his post-fight interview. "I'm going to continue to show the world that I’m No. 1. I don't have to call nobody out. I'm the top dog and everyone knows that. Just set them up and I'll knock them down, one by one."

Santa Cruz, who seemed to be OK after regaining consciousness and leaving the ring on his own feet, moves to 37-2. (Yahoo Sports)

Barbados ready to host 2021 CARIFTA swimming once govt's agree to travel protocols BARBADOS Aquatics said it is willing to host the 2021 Carifta Swimming Championships next Easter once the governments of the participating nations agree to certain travel protocols.

The meet would be held from April 3-6, 2021.

The 2020 championships were cancelled earlier this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but according to BA President Tony Selby, Barbados is already staging swimming competitions, according to BA President Tony Selby, who said it

would now be up the leadership of the participating nations.

“We already have protocols in place. It is now to get to the governments to agree that the athletes be pre-tested before so there would be no need for them to be tested here so they can go straight into competition,” Selby told Sportsmax.TV Monday.

According to Selby, the BA already has approval from their COVID-19 Task Force to have pool swimming and open-water competitions. As such, their

short-course nationals to be held from December 1-6.

Elsewhere, a local club is also set to host a long course meet from December 11-13.

Sportsmax.TV also understands that BA have received approval from FINA to stage their long-course nationals from March 2-7 as well as Carifta as these meets have been FINA approved as qualifying meets for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

It is now down to the governments to decide if what is being proposed is acceptable to all concerned.

Guyana Jaguars set to resume training this week

By Clifton Ross AFTER months away from live action and team activities, the Guyana Jaguars are expected to commence their full-time training sessions at the La Bonne Intention facility this week, following the Government’s re-opening of the floodgates to live sports.

Athletes and associations locally have gotten their wish after months of lockdown, which saw gyms, sports fa-

cilities and any semblance of team activities or gathering being subject to a forced hiatus.

Now, with the Government allowing sports to commence its journey on the path to normalcy, Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive, Anand Sanasie, recently confirmed that training sessions for the 5-time 4-Day champs will resume this week at the new LBI facility, which is set to be officially unveiled in the near future.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) director told Chronicle Sport that while the team will restart its sessions, the process will be a bit more meticulous as the re-opening of sports is still happening in the middle of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

In keeping with the Government's rule that all local associations must work along with, essentially being given the green light by the Ministry of Health in order to fully reintegrate back into

the world of live team sports.

With cricket being a team sport, Sanasie said that the reintegration process will be closely and strictly monitored. He noted that due to the nature of the sport, keeping full account of the safety while still abiding by Covid-19 guidelines, will be paramount over the next few days of getting back into action.

CGI, according to the executive, will be playing their part in keeping with the

necessary rules which once permission is given to resume practice, training and live cricket in the future.

The players, those who have not played any international cricket or franchise tournaments like the Hero CPL or ongoing IPL, have been forced to improvise and stay fit and in playing shape during lockdown.

Daily ZOOM fitness sessions with team and West Indies physio, Neil Barry Jr, ensured players were fully

assessed during initial stages of the quarantine while further ensuring that they were kept in some playing form despite the challenges.

This news of the 50 per cent re-opening of gyms and Sports venues also comes at the right time as the LBI facility is equipped with floodlights and a mini stadium-like setup which could see scrimmages and competitive short games being simulated in a safe, limited-access area.

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Hamilton's future looks less clear than his seventh title

By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of becoming the most successful Formula One driver of all time but a record-equalling seventh world title looks more certain than his racing future.

Speaking after he won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Sunday, the 93rd victory of his F1 career, and his Mercedes team took a record seventh successive constructors’ championship, the Briton raised doubts.

“I would like to be here next year but there’s no guarantee of that, for sure,” Hamilton told reporters after going a mighty 85 points clear of team mate Valtteri Bottas with four races remaining.

“There’s a lot that excites me of the after (F1) life so time will tell.”

His words could be seen as an early shot in negotiations with Mercedes over a new deal -- worth many tens of millions -- rather than a serious statement of intent, yet they still shook assumptions.

Hamilton is out of contract next month and, in this strangest of seasons,

Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - November 1, 2020 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium with the trophy after winning the race Pool via Reuters/Miguel Medina

teams are having to contend with new financial realities and pressures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I guess if Lewis were to decide to step out of Formula One, which I don’t think will happen, we are going to have a frantic driver market out there,” said team boss Toto Wolff, who did not sound too concerned.

“But I think it’s the moment and the emotions, we are all happy but very tired also. It’s the same for me.”

It would be a major shock

if the Briton followed the example of former team mate Nico Rosberg, who retired immediately after winning the 2016 title.

Speaking to Sky Sports last month, Hamilton said a new deal was ‘probably’ a formality, that he had yet to hit his peak and planned to race on.

He has also spoken about using his platform to push for change in society, on questions of racial injustice and diversity.

Mercedes want him to stay but the question is how

much they are prepared to pay and how long Hamilton wants to commit for, particularly with Wolff intending to stand back from the dayto-day running of the team.

The Austrian, a shareholder in the team, has said he is working on the succession and a new, undefined executive role.

Hamilton described Wolff on Sunday as “the best boss you could have.”

The Briton’s future will become clearer once he wins the championship, with the stage set for title celebrations in Turkey in two weeks’ time, but it is hard to see him not staying for a shot at an eighth title and 100 wins and poles.

The cars are staying the same next year and Hamilton has said he is keen to see how 2022 pans out with a major revamp of the regulations.

Hamilton, winner of nine races so far this year, will equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher’s record seven titles in Istanbul if Bottas fails to score seven points more than him.

Bottas, now Hamilton’s sole rival, has managed that only twice this season.

Warwickshire to adopt BAME shortlist policy in first-team coach search Warwickshire say they will be the first county cricket team to use principles of the Rooney Rule as they start looking for a new first-team coach.

The role is vacant after Jim Troughton's exit last Wednesday.

Warwickshire aim to "encourage applications from suitably qualified black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) candidates", they said in a statement.

Surrey's Vikram Solanki is the only current BAME head coach working in firstclass county cricket.

The Rooney Rule, named after NFL diversity committee chairman Dan Rooney, requires clubs in American football to interview at least one BAME candidate for each head coach or senior football operation vacancy.

The England and Wales Cricket Board implement-

Warwickshire are without a first team coach for next season following Jim Troughton's departure.

ed it for all coaching roles in the national men's, women's and disabled teams in May 2018.

But Warwickshire are believed to be the first to formally adopt it when recruiting for a similar post at county level.

The English Football League introduced the policy in June 2019, following an 18-month pilot, to apply to all first-team vacancies.

The Premier League has

not adopted it.

"There shouldn't be a barrier in the mind of anybody with the right experience who wants to apply for this job," Warwickshire chief executive Stuart Cain said.

"We think it's right to adopt the principle of the Rooney Rule in the same way as many of the world's leading sports organisations have.

"Birmingham is one of the UK's, if not Europe's, most diverse cities and we

have to reflect this when holding a mirror up to the club and how we operate at every level, from the board down."

Warwickshire director of cricket Paul Farbrace will manage winter training until a new first-team coach is appointed.

The former England assistant coach will be supported by bowling coach Graeme Welch, batting coach Tony Frost and second-team coach Ian Westwood.

Warwickshire had a disappointing shortened 2020 season, failing to win any of their Bob Willis Trophy matches or, as Birmingham Bears, reach the knockout stages of the T20 Blast.

Former captain and batsman Troughton, 42, had been appointed firstteam coach in 2017 but left following a review of last season.(BBC Sport)

Rohit Sharma 'in danger of injuring himself again if not careful' -Shastri INDIA's head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that Rohit Sharma's medical report stated "he could be in danger of injuring himself again" and advised the batsman not to rush his comeback.

Rohit, who is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in the ongoing IPL, was left out of the India squad for the upcoming Australia tour on a day when he was seen hitting the nets for Mumbai Indians, sparking speculation on the status of his fitness.

Shastri said the call not to include Rohit in the squad was taken by the selectors after going through his medical report.

"It's being handled by the people in charge of the medical part of it. We don't get involved in that. They have submitted a report to the Rohit Sharma picked up the selectors and they injury during the game against Kings XI Punjab on October 18. have gone about their business.

(BCCI photo) "I have no say, neither am I a part of the selection. All I know is the medical report which says he could be in danger of injuring himself again if he is not careful," Shastri told Times Now. The tour of Australia comprises three T20Is, three ODIs and four Tests. The series is scheduled to start on November 27.

Shastri further advised Rohit not to make the same mistake he made during his own playing days.

"There is nothing more frustrating for a player than getting injured. Sometimes you know, you want to get out of that room of yours and try and see how quickly you can come back," he said.

"And therein lies the grey area. Therein lies the problem where you want to go and play, you want to test yourself. But only you will know at the back of your mind whether you are 100%, whether there is a chance going at it again." The BCCI is currently monitoring Rohit's progress and there is a possibility that he may play for Mumbai later in this IPL. "What I fear, I have been through that as a cricketer myself. I finished my career in 1991 when I went back to Australia when I shouldn't have. If I had taken a break for three or four months, I could've played five years longer for India.

"So, I speak from experience. It is a similar case. I wanted to go. Doctors told me don't go. It was greed. I was in tremendous form so there was this eagerness to go back. I hope Rohit's case is not that serious and the same with Ishant (Sharma)."

Ishant, who plays for Delhi Capitals, also got injured during the IPL. Shastri said the Indian team is bound to miss players of Rohit and Ishant's calibre.

"Both Ishant and Rohit will be missed in Australia.

Both were missed in New Zealand too. Ishant played a huge role in our win last time (in Australia) and Rohit played a huge role in the home series against South Africa (last year).

"Both these players have had a huge role to play for us to be at the top of the WTC standings."

In Rohit's absence, KL Rahul has been made the vice-captain. Shastri was not surprised with the selectors' decision.

"It is not surprising at all. He captained the side in New Zealand (during the T20I series) when Virat and Rohit were not on the field."(ESPN Cricinfo)

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Lorgat back on CSA interim board FORMER Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat has been installed on a nineman interim board which has been tasked with restoring the image of the scandal-tainted organisation.

The former ex-International Cricket Council chief executive, 60, led South African cricket for four years from 2013 before departing after a breakdown in his relationship with the national body.

Administrative crises led to the entire board resigning earlier this week and the nine replacements headed by a retired judge, Zak Yaqoob, have been given a threemonth tenure.

Sports minister Nathi

Mthethwa, who announced the stand-in board, said the members were "men and women with a range of skills in law, governance, business and international relations".

"We think that within three months they would have delivered, especially because this is a group of people who would know what to do," said Mthethwa.

Jacques Faul, who was temporarily chief executive, said this week that cricket in South Africa had lost credibility and that those in leadership positions were responsible.

"People do not trust us (cricket officials) to do the right thing and I do not think credibility will come back overnight," ventured Faul.

Haroon Lorgat has been asked to help restore the image of Cricket South Africa.

"A lesson we have learnt from this mess is that officials must love the game and have an understanding of sport and cricket rather than be interested only in personal gain.

"Hopefully we now have people who are willing to serve cricket and help the sport get its credibility back."

Months of disarray Faul had stepped in to

Archer leaves his mark in IPL despite Royals disappointment (REUTERS) - Rajasthan Royals failed in their bid to make the playoff of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) but their pace spearhead Jofra Archer will leave with his held head high after his superlative performance in the tournament.

Sunday’s 60-run thumping by Kolkata Knight Riders ended the 2008 winners’ hope of a second IPL title but England quick Archer enjoyed a stellar season and still leads the race for the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Archer is among the six bowlers who have claimed 20 or more wickets in this IPL and his economy rate of 6.55 is the best among them.

Rajasthan Captain Steve Smith felt the team’s inconsistent top order had failed to complement the effort of Archer and all-rounder Rahul Tewatia.

“Jofra has been exceptional pretty much every game.

Tewatia obviously has pulled a few out of the hat throughout the tournament ... Not enough support for them,” the Australian said.

Barbados-born Archer also appeared to enjoy his lower order cameos and smashed 10 sixes in the tournament.

“Jofra was outstanding with his economy rates,” Rajasthan coach Andrew McDonald said.

“He’s been incredible on the field and stamped his au-

in T20s and 49.05 in 25 ODI matches in which he has a top score of 118.

The ongoing debate has reached the ears of CWI Chief Selector Roger Harper.

In a recent response to questions from the media regarding Pooran’s selection to the West Indies Test squad, Harper said the player would be availed of a chance to prove himself in the longer form of the game during

of "gross credit card abuse" within the governing body.

Sponsors, including one of the big five South African banks, abandoned the organisation, saying involvement with cricket was affecting their reputation.

South Africa will host England for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches during November and December behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Proteas will also host Test matches against Sri Lanka (two) and Australia (three) while also welcoming Pakistan (three one-day internationals and three T20 matches) during the 2020/2021 season.`(BBC Sport)

Taylor shines but rain has final say SYDNEY, Australia, Nov 1, CMC – West Indies Women’s skipper, Stafanie Taylor, struck a cameo but it went in vain as rain frustrated Adelaide Strikers’ hopes of a win by forcing a no result against Perth Scorchers here Sunday.

Sent in at Drummoyne Oval in a contest reduced to 10 overs because of rain, Strikers posted 70 for four with Taylor top-scoring 30 from 16 balls.

The talented right-hander struck four fours and a six and Adelaide Strikers’ Stafanie Taylor.

Jofra Archer in action in IPL 2020. (IPL)

thority on the game early in the tournament when he got his chance with the bat.

“His all-round game keeps getting better. We had too few contributions around him.”

Archer said last week he was counting down the days to be free from the world of bio-secure bubbles that he has been trapped in for the past few months in order to play cricket amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We come back stronger,” the 25-year-old tweeted after his team crashed out of the playoff race.

'Pooran should be playing Test ...

From Backpage which he has scored 143 runs at an average of 23.83.

However, the player has excited fans in the shorter forms of the game, most recently for the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL where his six-hitting and stroke making triggered debate as to whether he should take his obvious talents to the longest form of the game.

Pooran averages 25.68

replace former chief executive Thabang Moroe, who was blamed for much of the CSA mismanagement and who was sacked, after being suspended last December, two months ago.

Before his suspension, Moroe had fallen out with the national cricketers' association and banned five journalists who had been critical of his decisions.

Later, one member of the old board splashed over 550,000 rand ($35,000/30,000 euros) on a full-page newspaper advert without authority even though the CSA is heavily in debt.

CSA president Chris Nenzani, who was repeatedly criticised for poor leadership, quit soon after amid reports

the upcoming tour of New Zealand set to run from November 27 to December 15.

In addition to the three T20 matches in which Pooran will be involved, and two Tests, the West Indies are down to play two first-class matches from December 3-7 and December 11-15, in Hamilton and Wellington, respectively.

Harper said the Trinidadian would be given an

opportunity to play in those matches.

“There was a lot of consideration given to Nicholas Pooran; we are still looking at it and I am sure as we move forward, Pooran will have an opportunity as well,” Harper said. “He is in the T20 squad and he has expressed willingness to play in four-day games that will be available during the tour."(Sportsmax)

was the only batsman to pass 10 as seamer Taneale Peschel with two for five, helped restrict the scoring.

Asked to score a revised 52 from seven overs, Scorchers had reached 25 for one in the third over when rain returned to end the contest.

Taylor missed Adelaide’s opening game last weekend due to quarantine but returned for Saturday’s 58-run defeat to Sydney Thunder, making 18 and going wicket-less in three overs of off-spin which cost 30 runs.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s Windies teammate, Hayley Matthews, continued her weak start to the campaign when she was dismissed for just one as her Hobart Hurricanes went down by eight wickets to Melbourne Stars, also at Drummoyne Oval.

The right-hander was second out in the second over with just three runs on the board, lbw to seamer Natalie Sciver who claimed three for 21 as Hobart managed just 89 for nine from their allotted 19 overs.

Opener Elyse Villani then hit an unbeaten 51 from 32 deliveries to see her side safely to victory, with off-spinner Matthews’s only over costing 15 runs.

Matthews made a ‘duck’ in Hobart’s opening game last weekend.

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Adapting to New Zealand conditions crucial for success, says Simmons CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (CMC) – Head Coach Phil Simmons has underscored the importance of adapting to conditions here as West Indies begin their quest for their first Test series win on New Zealand soil in 25 years.

The Caribbean side arrived here last Friday following a 50-hour journey from the Caribbean and are currently in a 14-day isolation, but will be allowed to begin daily training sessions at their Sports Managed Isolation Facility after the third day of isolation.

In addition to the twoTest series, West Indies will clash with the Black Caps in three Twenty20 Internationals and Simmons said key to any success would be how quickly players navigated the acclimatization process.

“I think the challenge is about adapting to the environment,” Simmons told reporters via a Zoom media conference.

“New Zealand is different to Australia and they're close to each other but New Zealand is different to Australia, it's different to England where we played our last series.

“So it's how we adapt to the atmosphere, to the conditions and everything down here and in a way, it's a good thing that we have to be here this early that guys can get a chance to see what it's like.

“We have a couple practice games before…and I think that's an important part of the preparation that we have to make sure we work on things that we're going to get in this series.

“We know New Zealand is going to be tough, it's going to be hard cricket but as long as we get the right preparation over the next four weeks, hopefully we'll be ready.”

The tour is being played amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and is the second one for West

West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood (left) and Head Coach Phil Simmons (Photo: CWI Media)

Indies this year following last July's three-Test series in England which they lost 2-1.

They played superbly to win the first Test in Southampton but suffered batting meltdowns in the last two matches at Old Trafford in Manchester to lose the series and surrender the Wisden Trophy.

Simmons, who assumed his second stint in charge of the squad last October, stressed it was critical West Indies learned from the experience in England if they were to pose a serious challenge in the upcoming series.

“We're trying to continue to build up. We have to take that Southampton performance and try and

Capitals seal second place, RCB qualify despite defeat AJINKYA Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan struck half-centuries as Delhi Capitals(DC) secured second place and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) also qualified for the Indian Premier League play-offs despite a six-wicket loss.

The winner of the penultimate match of the regular season at Zayed Cricket Stadium was guaranteed to face Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1 on Thursday and it was Delhi who came out on top.

RCB remain in the hunt for the title, though, progressing as their net run-rate is better than fourth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders finished with.

Sunrisers Hyderabad can seal the final play-off place at the expense of KKR if they beat defending champions Mumbai today.

RCB posted 152-7 after being put in, the consistent Devdutt Padikkal making 50 off 41 balls and AB de Villiers 35 from 21 in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

South Africa pacemen Anrich Nortje (3-33) and

after the wicketkeeper-batsman had cleared the rope twice.

Rabada, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, has two more scalps than Jasprit Bumrah with 25 after dismissing Josh Philippe and Shivam Dube.

DHAWAN AND RAHANE DELIVER

Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore joined Mumbai Indians in Dream11 IPL 2020 Playoffs.

Kagiso Rabada (2-30) played big hands for the Capitals once again to restrict Virat Kohli's side to a below-par total.

Dhawan (54 off 41) and Rahane (60 from 46) put on 88 for the second wicket to put the Capitals well on their way to victory.

PROLIFIC PADIKKAL, PROTEAS DUO STAR AGAIN Padikkal has been one of the shining lights for RCB and the 20-year-old moved

above his captain Kohli in the list of leading run-scorers in the 2020 tournament.

The opener matched KL Rahul's tally of five half-centuries in this year's competition, hitting five boundaries as he anchored the innings before the excellent Nortje removed his middle stump.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who opened the bowling, had Kohli caught in the deep for 29 off 24 balls and Rahane ran De Villiers out with a great throw in the final over

Dhawan has also had an outstanding tournament and only his India team-mate Rahul has scored more runs than him.

The left-hander demonstrated majestic timing and power once again, finding the boundary six times as he and Rahane stepped up when their side needed them.

Rahane's half-century was his first in six knocks, a timely return to form, and he hit one of only two sixes in the run chase under pressure.

Shahbaz Ahmed saw the back of Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer before Rahane fell to Washington Sundar, but Rishabh Pant and Marcus Stoinis finished it off.

see what are the points we need to work on to better that and we have to better that,” the former West Indies Test batsman said.

“It's very difficult to beat teams at home now and we have to be able to play the best of cricket that we can play on each given day of any Test match to be able to beat the teams higher up the table of which New Zealand is one of them.

“So I think we're going to try and take a lot of points from Southampton but I think we have a lot of improving to do in New Zealand.”

The series will mark the beginning of New Zealand's international home campaign following the lockdown last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be played under strict biosecure protocols.

New Zealand, however, has been praised globally for its management of the pandemic, with only 1600 confirmed cases – 75 of

which remain active – and 25 deaths.

And Simmons said already the touring party had been made to feel safe by authorities since their arrival, which augured well for the series.

“It was brilliant to be able to play earlier in the year in the UK and now it's great again to have the opportunity to come to New Zealand and be invited by New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand Goovernment to be here and we're looking forward to it,” he said.

“It's been great since we got here. At the airport we were well looked after and things were done as professionally as they can be.”

All members of the touring party tested negative for COVID-19 prior to their departure from the Caribbean last Tuesday and also tested negative upon arrival here.

The series runs from November 27 to December 15.

'Big Man Cricket' not approved by GCB THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) recently shot down plans to host the 'Big Man Cricket' tournament, on grounds that the event will infringe on the sanctioned Over-40 competition.

The upcoming event which has now, officially, not been sanctioned by the board, was expected to target players over 45 years old, with hopes of representing the country in the inaugural T25 tourney which is expected to be played in Guyana sometime between February and March of 2021.

Information from the GCB regarding the situation, reported to Chronicle Sport, clearly outlined that the board's calendar of sanctioned cricket competitions already includes such a format, more specifically an Over-40 competition which will be used as a measuring stick for selection of any veterans cricket tourney.

It was also hinted that organisers of the competition had apparently commenced planning and putting things in motion for the event, without prior approval of the GCB. The board, nevertheless, stated that as a result of the full review of the application submitted by the Big Man Cricket organisers, it was within the best move to not have such an event sanctioned, given the pros and cons.

The competition, had it gotten the nod of approval by the GCB, would have bowled off from November 15 to December 5, with some 10 teams expected to be a part of the veterans tournament.

(Clifton Ross)

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'Pooran should be playing Test cricket' - Michael Holding CRICKET commentator Michael Holding believes Nicholas Pooran should be playing Test cricket despite the fact that he has not played much first-class cricket.

The former West Indies fast bowler believes that had Pooran, and a couple others, had been in the West Indies team in England this past summer, the outcome of the series might have been different.

During the #Raisethebat series in England in July, the West Indies won the first Test in Southamption only to be comprehensibly beaten in the next two matches at Old Trafford and subsequently lose the series 2-1.

Darren Bravo and Shimron Heymyer had declined invitations to participate citing safety concerns but Pooran was

never considered for selection. Holding believes that had those three been there things might have been different.

“They were competitive against England without, in my opinion, three of their better batsmen. Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer chose not to come and they didn’t select Nicholas Pooran, who I think is very talented and should be playing Test cricket,” Holding said during an interview with Wisden Cricket Monthly.

“If they all played I think the series would have been a lot closer and, in fact, I have an inkling that West Indies might have won because runs on the board was their problem.”

Pooran has only played See page 22 three first-class matches in

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TuesDAY, nOVEMBER 03, 2020