Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 10-11-2020

TUESDAY 10th November, 2020

' No.106179

High turnout as schools reopen SEE PAGE 03

–– MoE wary of learning loss, losing learners to the labour market

Electrical issues possible cause of Regent St. fire PAGE

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A student of the West Demerara Secondary School is sanitised before she goes into her first class after eight months away from school (Delano Williams photo)

$1.1B in contracts signed for major road upgrades, other works PAGE

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Police, CANU uncover explosive devices during raid -set up to trap ranks

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Eight students at PC test positive for COVID-19

–– Minister Manickchand urges against ‘stigmatising’ infected persons

By Vishani Ragobeer EIGHT students who would be residing in the dorms of President’s College on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) have tested positive for COVID-19.

During a virtual press conference on Monday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand related that from the first batch of students who entered the school, before instruction resumed on Monday, four were tested positive for the disease. Subsequently, a “wider batch” of students was tested and four additional students were positive.

It was reported that four of these students are from the Kato Secondary School, and are part of the first batch of students from this school who will be sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations next year. They travelled to this school so that they could be adequately prepared.

These students are not displaying any of the symptoms, but are nevertheless

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson at the ministry’s press conference on Monday

COVID-19 positive. The minister also said that the other four students are not from that region, but are from other parts of the country; the eight students are in isolation.

Since the students residing in the dorms are sharing a living space with each other, Minister Manickchand had previously said that it was prudent to test all of those students for the virus. During a meeting with members of the media earlier Monday morning, Minister Manickchand explained that consideration was given to, essentially, creating a ‘bubble’ around this school. All students returning

to the dorms were tested to ensure that the virus is not brought into the “bubble.”

She said then that there is “no real issue” at the school but later, at the press conference on Monday afternoon, she highlighted that when the 5,000 dorm students across Guyana are tested, it is likely that there will be more who are COVID-19 positive, given the spread of the virus in Guyana.

Parents of students attending this school can keep their children at home, once they are adequately engaged and students can also get transfers to schools close by, until schools return to some degree of normalcy. The transfers, the minister assured, will be facilitated in a matter of hours.

Additionally, she said that interactions with persons out-

The President's College

side of the school would have to be curtailed in order to ensure the safety of the students.

This also means that the ministry would offer the option of residency to the non-resident students; Minister Manickchand will meet with the parents of these non-resident students on Tuesday.

NO STIGMATISATION The minister urged against “stigmatising” the disease, reminding that persons who are tested positive may experience mild symptoms and then return to normal health after isolating or quarantining for the stipulated time.

She also highlighted that if a large number of students are being tested, it is more likely that there will at least be some positive cases. And if a student is found positive, she emphasised that the protocols instituted by the Ministry of Health will be followed and that the Health Ministry will deal with those cases, as it would with any positive case of the virus.

“Do we shut down the entire system because we find a student with COVID? That’s not sensible, it’s not practical and it does not serve our children,” the Education Minister said.

When questioned why the students were not tested before coming to Region Four for school, Minister Manickchand said that the ministry was acting on advice from the Ministry of Health. She explained, too, that it was more practical to test the students, some of whom are travelling from far-flung communities, here so that there can be adequate tracing and that the students can be placed into the isolation facilities if need be, to reduce the possibility of re-infection.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

High turnout as schools reopen –– MoE wary of learning loss, losing learners to the labour market

By Vishani Ragobeer MANY students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 returned to the face-to-face classroom setting on Monday, as the Ministry of Education attempts to prevent further learning loss and losing learners to the labour market.

During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, related that, based on information garnered from five of the 10 administrative regions, there was a 60 per cent turnout of students in Grades 10 and 11.

Additionally, there was a 100 per cent turnout of teachers, which she said was not surprising, since many of those teachers indicated that online teaching was not conducive for teaching all parts of the curriculum.

Since March, schools have been closed to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Learning shifted to the online setting, which was seen as one of the few options which could facilitate engagement at the time. The Ministry of Education, however, made the decision to conduct a phased reopening of schools, starting with Grades 10, 11 and 12 and the Technical Vocational schools, from Monday.

Earlier in the day, while visiting schools, the minister related to members of the media that it seemed as though more of the “top schools” have a higher turnout of students.

She however reminded, “We gave parents a choice -- you can keep your children

lege. While speaking to journalists, the Principal Jackie Benn-Ralph related that the

A teacher of the West Demerara Secondary school engaging her students after conducting a Social Studies diagnostic test

at home, if they are engaged; you can bring them out (to schools); or you can get them transferred if they are attending a school if they live far away.”

These options have been introduced because the ministry is trying to meet the needs of the students and parents in the unusual learning environment. Additionally, schools have been given the autonomy to craft their own schedules for engagement, cognisant of the challenges their students might have faced over the past few months and the novel solutions crafted in response. What is important, the minister stressed, however, is that the students are prepared for their high-stakes examinations in 2021.

BLENDED APPROACH On Monday, there were no students at Queen’s Col-

school has adopted a blended approach. Through this mechanism, teaching will continue online and students will only visit the school’s premises if they have to do practical work.

Students expected to engage in practical work and assessments for home-economics, the pure sciences, the industrial arts, the allied arts and agricultural science will be in school for the face-toface and practical sessions. A two-shift system, from 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours and 13:00 hours to 15:00 hours, was developed from proposals submitted by the various Heads of Departments.

“What we found is that our students, when they do come into the school will be actively engaged without them being otherwise distracted,” the principal said, adding: “If we are bringing

them in for three hours, it is for concentrated work; we don’t want them engaged in

ister Manickchand stressed.

Subsequently, she explained that the ministry, and by ex-

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, greeting students of the Brickdam Secondary School on their first day back at school (Delano Williams photos)

anything else.”

She also highlighted that this system of blended learning is what is necessary to adequately prepare her students for their upcoming examinations. The principal also related that the students were “anxious” to complete their School-Based Assessments (SBAs) and Internal Assessments (IAs).

While this school is able to effectively engage in blended learning, the minister acknowledged that it is not the same for many other schools. The school’s ability to craft its own schedules and mechanisms for engagement is therefore crucial.

PREVENTING DROPOUTS “We can’t allow our children to drop out because of the absence of engagement from March to now,” Min-

tension the Government, is tasked with ensuring that the COVID-19 pandemic does not augur long term implications for learners.

Of grave concern is whether students have “dropped out” to support their families or because of the protracted period away from school.

The Education Minister highlighted that support will be given to students so that they can return to the learning environment and complete their secondary education.

That support will be offered on an individual basis, after assessing what support is needed.

Previously, Minister Manickchand disclosed that teachers, parents and CSEC and CAPE students themselves have registered their concerns that they are not being engaged adequately

in preparation for their 2021 examinations. These concerns precipitated the move to reopen schools.

On Monday, while visiting the schools, the minister highlighted again that reopening schools would help prevent further learning loss, particularly among those students who have not been able to adequately access or utilise the online learning space.

At the West Demerara and Brickdam secondary schools, students did turn out to classes. Headteacher of the West Demerara school, Harrynarine said the shift to online learning was not without its challenges as some students did not have adequate internet connectivity or electronic devices to access classes.

The turnout at that school, on Monday, was approximately 90 per cent. Over at the East La Penitence Primary, where the Brickdam Secondary School students are being engaged, there was about a 70 per cent attendance, according to the Deputy Headteacher, Samantha Alleyne.

She highlighted, as well, that engaging students online has been a challenge for the teachers of the school. Now that the school is reopened, on a rotational basis, she is optimistic that some students may be able to access the school’s Information Technology (IT) lab for some amount of blended learning.

80 % of drainage works completed in Buxton THE Ministry of Agriculture has completed 89 percent of drainage works in Buxton, East Coast Demerara, less than two weeks after residents and farmers had complained bitterly to subject Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

During the meeting, residents had complained about the need for critical drainage works to be carried out in several areas of the village.

A release from the Ministry on Monday noted that outstanding works are scheduled to commence within the next few days.

According to the release, Chairman of the Buxton/ Friendship Grantees Corp

Society, Leroy Hamer said that residents are already experiencing relief following the meeting.

“When the minister was here with his team, we asked for the Friendship Middle Walk and the Friendship East and West Sidelines to be cleared. Today I can say that works on the Middle Walk and the East Sideline were completed. The works were done in a timely manner even with the current weather and because of that we have not experienced any flooding, even with the heavy rains that are falling. I want to thank the minister for being a man of his word,” Mr. Hamer was quoted as saying in the

release.

Last month, Minister Mustapha also met with residents of Belladrum in Mahaica-Berbice, to listen to some of the issues affecting them.

During the meeting, it was disclosed that drainage and irrigation was also a major concern for farmers, the release noted.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the farmers told the minister that the lack of drainage works in the community over the years was beginning to pose a threat to the health of the young children in the village.

It was noted that Minister Mustapha instructed officials from the National Drain-

Work ongoing at Buxton, East Coast of Demerara (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

age and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to put systems in place to have works carried out on a number of drains

and canals in the area.

“In less than seven days, NDIA was able to deploy the requisite resources to com-

mence critical works on the AD 60A main drainage canal, which is over 3.4 miles long,” the release stated.

It was further noted that to date, the NDIA has expended close to $2M to carry out the works in the village and its environs which will assist with drainage and irrigation of over 1000 acres of farm lands.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, Belladrum NDC Chairman, Emile Wilson said that it was a delight to see that the meeting resulted in works being done in such a timely manner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Law and Order Commission, CPG to be reconstituted –– satisfaction survey on crime, security to be available online

By Rabindra Rooplall THE National Commission on Law and Order, which has not met over the past five years, will be reconstituted soon along with the launch of a ‘satisfaction survey’ on crime and security, which will be available online.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, made the disclosure during remarks at the official launch of the re-

formed national Community Policing Group (CPG) at the Police Training Centre at Eve Leary, on Monday.

Benn reflected that the national policing group system has its origin in 1976 due to efforts by the then Commissioner of Police, Henry Fraser, who adopted a response to rampant crime and loss of confidence in the security forces at that time.

“It was recognised that the promoting of safe com-

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn (fifth from left) flanked by Police Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas; Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Charles Ramson Jr. and Security Adviser to the Minister of Home Affairs, Harry Gill (third from right) along with CPG and law enforcement officials

munities and neighbourhoods could only come through by enabling and rebuilding of community trust and confidence through a system of volunteerism, using law abiding citizens to bolster and aid lawful, professional and human rights, embracing efforts of the Guyana Police Force,” Minister Benn explained.

He said that the fear of crime and security, imposed by reckless inconsiderate behavior, are at the top of the list of public concerns.

The Minister noted that poor law enforcement will also affect tourists and national and international investors who have genuine interests in partnering in Guyana’s development.

“A healthy and vigorous CPG must be a confident and reliable part of the security architecture of the country to help overcome the challenges

Tuesday November 10, 2020 ––0:30 & 11:30

of terrain, topography, demographics, culture, religion and language that are integral to our landscape and social diversity,” Minister Benn emphasised.

He noted that the formal policing structure can only be overcome by a system which offers engagement with youths, civil society, religious leaders and social activists who reside in the communities and who have a vested interest in promoting law and order.

Minister Benn said there are currently 166 community policing groups across the country with 2,903 members.

This, he explained, shows a decline in groups by 20 per cent and membership by 40 per cent, adding that the activity level of the current groups is also below 30 per cent.

“There is a firm belief which I share completely that

the misuse of the CPG system for blatantly partisan political purposes beginning from the passage of the no-confidence motion in December 2018 and accelerated with further manifestation during the recount period, has seriously undermined the CPG system and the purposes for which it is intended,” Benn explained.

Further, the Home Affairs Minister said the same situation occurred in the Guyana Police Force and staff restructuring is designed to ensure acceptable confidence and professionalism at all levels.

For the CPG, he said that the new leadership will have to form group partnership across all communities, enhance diversity, and resolve conflicts. The new leadership will also have to promote useful social activities and proactive engagements with youths, vulnerable groups and women in at-risk communities.

“This will help the Guyana Police Force, the primary law enforcement agency, to better meet the expectation of all citizens,” he said.

Benn charged the CPG to also promote social cohesion and unity at the community level. The CPG is expected to increase to 5,000 members across the 10 administrative regions.

Meanwhile, Security Ad-

viser to the Minister of Home Affairs, Harry Gill, in his address, said during the last five years the CPG suffered and became dysfunctional due to the lack of leadership.

“During this period, there were many reports of wrongdoing amongst others members, vehicular abuse, members misusing their authority and lack of cooperation between CPG members and ranks of the Guyana Police Force,” Gill said.

He explained that the restructuring of the CPG is designed to fix the deficiencies.

According to Gill, in the first quarter of the New Year, the CPG will participate with the police in a procedural justice programme to build trust among the citizenry that lack confidence and respect of law enforcement.

He said that the training will enhance the way the police and CPG interact with the public.

“To be successful, CPG members must earn the trust of the residence they interact with on a daily basis,” Gill said. “No one with a history of domestic violence, alcohol abuse or even those perceived to be corrupt would ever be invited to be a part of this noble cause.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

No decision yet on NGSA 2021

By Tamica Garnett THE 2021 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) will not be held during its customary March/April period. However, no concrete decision has yet been made on when the assessment will be held or whether it will be held at all.

This was shared by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during a virtual press conference, held on Monday. It was on Monday that public schools partially reopened, allowing classes for the Grades 10, 11 and 12 students who are preparing to write the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations.

She revealed that the Ministry has been receiving requests from primary schools

for a partial reopening for the Grade Six pupils. However, Minister Manickchand emphasised that no decision has yet been made for the NGSA. “There are different things we’re doing with the Grade Six cohort but we have not made a decision as yet about whether we’re writing [the NGSA] and, if so, when, or what form that paper will take. As soon as we take that decision we are going to let our parents and students know and our teachers,” the Minister noted.

She added that: “What I can tell you right now is that the exams will not be written in March/April. We are definitely going to be postponing if we write it at all. We don’t know as yet; we are looking at if we could do just a paper one, to see if that is the fairest

thing we can do for the children.”

The Minister noted that with the NGSA being a placement examination created and administered locally to allocate the Grade Six pupils to a secondary school, there are other options that could be looked at by the Ministry of Education to assign the pupils. “[NGSA] is our exam. We can set it; we can determine how we write it or whether we write it. It’s an assessment to place pupils. Are there other ways that we can place students into secondary schools?

We are looking at that,” the Minister explained “We’re looking at if we can test just up to the Grade Five level and that all depends on when we go back to school.

We have to be careful. In the meanwhile, we have printed

80 % of drainage works ...

“I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised to see works were done. These kinds of things do not happen every day,” Wilson was quoted as saying.

Additionally, President of the Emanuel Foundation, Ivanho Gravesande, during the meeting indicated that there was a need for some shade house materials to assist with the rehabilitation of a shadehouse project in the Golden Fleece area.

It was noted that Min-

ister Mustapha committed to assisting the group with materials and seedlings to resuscitate their shadehouse.

PROGRESS IN NABACALIS On Thursday last, after meeting with farmers from the village of Nabacalis on the East Coast of Demerara, Minister Mustapha also made good on a promise for the ministry to commence a needs assessment to determine to magnitude of works

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necessary to bring relief to residents and farmers in the village.

The release noted that following the meeting, a team comprising research and extension officers from the NAREI returned to the village and met with farmers to determine a plan of action as it relates to their cultivation practices and how the agency can assist.

Additionally, an engineer from the NDIA will be meeting with members

all the notes pupils need. We have given all the text books they need for Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and English Language. We have specific worksheets, and we are supplementing all the text books that they need, just to try to make them a little more prepared.”

The NGSA is held annually on two days during the “Easter Vacation” and tests the pupils in Papers One and Two in four subject areas, namely Mathematics, English Language, Social Studies and Science.

Based on the scores attained, the learners are assigned to secondary schools based on the cut off scores the secondary schools have. of the Nabacalis Water Users Association later to develop an assessment report of works to be carried out. Once the assessment is complete, NDIA will commence works to areas in need of critical and urgent drainage works.

Pensioner dies from COVID-19

––10 new cases recorded A PENSIONER has lost her life to the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the country’s death toll to 137 and the eleventh, so far, for this month.

The Ministry of Health identified the recent victim as being an 80-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). This newspaper was reliably informed that the victim died while receiving treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), on Sunday evening.

The Health Ministry has expressed condolences to the family of the victim and pledged to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time. There continues to be a proliferation of COVID-19 cases, locally, with 10 persons testing positive within the past 24 hours.

Of the total 4,524 cases, 3,549 persons have recovered. This means that approximately 78 per cent of the cases have recovered thus far. Since March, 22,278 tests have been conducted across the ten regions of Guyana.

There are eight persons in the COVID-19 ICU, 47 persons in institutional quarantine, 69 persons in institutional isolation and 757 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 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 leaving their homes. Physical 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

Road safety

A NEWS report headlined “Road Safety Education Enforcement Awareness Campaign” disclosed that the Ministry of Home Affairs had officially launched its Road Safety Education Enforcement Awareness campaign.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill initiated the campaign by participating in road block and education exercises on Vlissengen Road and along the East Bank Public Road.

Minister Edghill urged drivers to observe the road rules, including the ‘Five Cs’.

The report stated that traffic police officers and representatives from the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) also participated in the exercise. The

team also distributed pamphlets and masks and reminded drivers to adhere to the COVID-19 preventative measures.

The carnage on Guyana’s roadways not only leaves dead and wounded victims, but also immeasurable desolation and grief: mothers, fathers, children, wives, husbands, grandparents, uncles, aunts and members of extended families are left with the trauma, pain and sense of loss that might be reduced with the passage of time, but which never truly goes away.

The fallout of orphaned children left to the mercies of an uncaring society oftentimes exacerbates the societal problems caused by consequential juvenile delinquency.

There have, over the years,

been several initiatives by successive governments and the Guyana Police Force in a bid to control reckless and irresponsible usage of Guyana’s roadways, but the carnage continues.

In December of 2019, the olice launched a major, aggressive road-safety operation as part of its efforts to reduce traffic accidents. The traffic plans were finalised for 2020.

Code-named “Safe Road,” the operation was programmed to be conducted in all 10 administrative regions.

The operation followed a meeting with Commissioner of Police Leslie James, and all traffic heads countrywide at Eve Leary in the Commissioner’s Conference Room. In the meeting, the Traffic Chief made two power point

presentations, highlighting traffic plans for 2020 and plans to deal with extant traffic issues.

Operation “Safe Road” commenced from 06:00hrs on Sunday, December 15, 2019 across the 10 administrative regions.

Road accidents, especially over weekends and holidays, are directly attributable to speeding and alcohol as the main factors, which have led to tragic outcomes that devastated innumerable families over decades since automobiles were introduced to Guyana’s travelling public.

There needs to be a holistic approach, involving the police force, road-safety bodies, civil societies and all road users, even pedestrian traffic, all of whom will have to play a role to make the roads safer.

The issue of road safety has

been a recurrent feature engaging the attention of successive police commissioners. Carelessness and speeding, mainly by minibus and taxi drivers or young joy-riders and party-goers, have been the primary cause of accidents. There are also allegations that many inexperienced drivers paid bribes for their driver’s licences.

The unnecessary loss of lives, disabilities and injuries, as well as damage to property caused by accidents on the roads can be avoided if due care and consideration can be taken by road users.

There needs to be zero tolerance for infringement of traffic laws, especially for driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, playing loud music and the use of cellular phones while driving.

President Ali has done well in 100 days TO the people of Guyana and the Caribbean, people across the globe of all ethnicities and walks of life, it is a singular privilege to share my perspective with you on the first 100 days of Mohammed Irfaan’s presidency, a young but experienced President like no other. His Excellency became a member of the National Assembly of Guyana in 2006 and thereafter was appointed to the key positions of Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce. As a minister, his transformational leadership inspired change to serve the people of Guyana and led to his assigned functions of President and Prime Minister on separate occasions. In 2015, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) formed the opposition and

subsequently he received overwhelming endorsement as chair of the Public Accounts Committee and co-chair of the Economic Services Committee of the Parliament of Guyana.

With the belief that his country needs his service, the ?Leader of the Peoples’ Progressive Party/Civic, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali was officially sworn in on Sunday, 2nd August 2?020, to become the ninth President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana?. History will record some of his profound words spoken,?“My first and last responsibility will be to the people of Guyana; all of them... From this day forward, our one nation and our people must join together to peacefully transition our country to a pathway of economic and social development at home, and respect and regard abroad.”

It comes as no surprise that immediately after taking his oath of office, His Excellency focused on key priorities for progress, bearing in mind contextual realities -- ?he was President of a diverse nation -- who was sworn in after the conclusion of the country’s longest and most challenging general and regional elections, and during a time when the world was combating a fatal enemy known as COVID-19?.

One recalls His Excellency’s eminent pronouncements, “In my service to Guyana, I will not see a nation divided by ethnicity; I will see a nation cemented in unity...?. Every life in our nation matters and my government will ensure that every life is protected from harm.” In addition to his creation of a COVID Response Unit comprising government policymakers,

ministers and regional and international partners such as CARICOM, PAHO, and the UNDP, as President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali has personally participated in his government’s programme to guide medical responses and to create a COVID-19 impact socio-economic plan for all people, including those in the hinterland areas. His Excellency lost no time to “hit the ground running”.

His value for life comes from within and its manifestation through his ?actions to curb the spread of a pandemic will be one of his cherished legacies as President of Guyana.

Over the last 100 days, under ?President Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Guyana has shown the world that we can choose a path for peace in the interest of human betterment, a path that is not defined by our differences, but by our common aspirations

and hopes. His Excellency has addressed critical questions ?countries face today -- how to promote equality and justice; how to uphold freedom and human rights; how to end crime and violence -- acknowledging that these questions do not have easy answers. ?His address to the nation on September 9th, 2020, identified national interventions in response to the West Coast Berbice murders and ensuing unrest, as well as mobilisation of an International Commission of Inquiry (CoI)“to hold to account all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife.” Of major significance, His Excellency added: “The time has come for us to deal with this issue very frontally.

The time has come for us to deal with it very seriously and no one must believe that they can use situations like these for any political gain.

There is no gain whether politically, socially, economically, morally or culturally.”

This statement ?captures the President’s thrust that there is a oneness to humanity, that all people in Guyana, as well as people everywhere, are bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that we can only achieve for ourselves by caring for others around us and maintaining peace in the interest of human betterment.

The life story of President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali is similar to that of ordinary Guyanese citizens. Mohammed Irfaan Ali was born to a humble Indo-Guyanese Muslim family in Leonora, a village on the West Coast of Demerara region of Guyana?.

His parents were both educators who greatly inspired his excellence in academia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Challenges for the newly established Ministry of Labour

Dear editor,

THE PPP/ C Government must be commended for establishing a Ministry of Labour as distinct from a department within another ministry on its assumption of office as the newly elected government in August 2020. The new Ministry of Labour faces the challenge of delivering fully the mandate required of an effective ministry. The mandate is defined

by Guyana’s construction, labour laws, regional and international labour standards in keeping with its obligations as a member of the UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) since 1966, and CARICOM, from its inception.

The Ministry of Labour has direct responsibility for national labour policy, industrial relations, conciliation/ mediation, labour standards, labour legislation, occupational safety and health, the general co-ordination of labour administration services, and tripartite consultation and dialogue on labour matters, involving the government and the social partners – the rep-

resentatives of the national trade union body and the employers’ organization, the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Ltd. (CAGI), which was established and has been functioning since 1962, and is the recognised employers’ organisation by the UN-ILO The Ministry of Labour and social partners – representatives of trade unions and the recognised employers’ organisation – have been involved over the years in tripartite and other consultative meetings, and attendance with the government at the annual international labour conference in Geneva. They have also participated in the numerous events – seminars, conferences, symposia, and meetings organised or sponsored by the ILO Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean.

The social partners are very aware of, and knowledgeable about ILO standards and their tripartite obligations in the labour and social fields. They have a stake and responsibility, in keeping with ILO-ratified conventions, for the way labour-administration services are resourced and delivered, and for the observance in law and practice of

President Ali ...

He attained his secondary education at St. Stanislaus College in Georgetown, Guyana and holds a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies. ?It is hard to capture in words, not just the facts, the upbringing that makes a life. The essential truth of Mohammed

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Irfaan Ali is simply his innate qualities of humility that make him a remarkably unique President, an exemplar of history, who within 100 days of assuming office is moving a nation toward justice. Referring to?his campaign promises, the President recently expressed “his intention to establish a legal and

international labour standards.

The Labour Ministry and the social partners constitute essentially the tripartite pillars of the industrial relations system. The Labour Ministry is required to provide effective labour administration services to workers, trade unions, employers and their organisations. This is done through the chief labour officer and staff of the ministry in their technical, advisory, inspectorate, and conciliation/mediation functions.

The labour-administration system is informed, influenced and functions within the norms of national legislation, international labour standards, and regional labour policy of CARICOM. The national constitution of Guyana, the labour laws, and international labour conventions of the ILO, ratified by Guyana as treaty and international law, provide the legal basis, foundation and framework for the conduct of labour relations by the government, its agencies, and the social partners represented by trade unions and employers and their organisations.

regulatory foundation upon which a new and modern economy will be built, striking a vital balance between traditional sectors and the new and emerging industries, including oil and gas, technology and communication.” Furthermore, as President, he has intensified Guyana’s partnership with CARICOM and the USA in pursuit of a path of unprecedented economic growth and sustainable development.

Guyana’s watchwords, “One People, One Nation and One Destiny” were encapsulated in poetry and received ac-

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR POLICIES There are also regional and other international instruments impacting the work of the Ministry of Labour. As a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Guyana is committed and obligated to observe the labour policies of CARICOM as set out in its Charter of Civil Society, and its Declaration of Labour and Industrial Relations Principles, 1999.

Article XIX of the Charter of Civil Society provides for the right and protection of every worker to: * freely belong to and participate in trade union activities; * negotiate and bargain collectively; * be treated fairly at the work place, and to enjoy a safe, hygienic and healthy working environment; * reasonable remuneration, working conditions, and social security; and * utilise/establish machinery for the effective conduct of labour relations.

The CARICOM Declaration of Labour and Industrial Relations Prin-

knowledgement with a nod of the head by the President at his inauguration ceremony. ?His Excellency also welcomed back to their homeland, Guyanese who live abroad, in recognition that their national pride remains in Guyana. He further underscored: “?As President, I will have to walk with kings, in our country’s interest, but I assure you that I will never lose the common touch.” ?For the people of Guyana, for those he inspired around the Caribbean region and the globe, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali’s first 100 days

ciples outlines the general labour and industrial relations policy to which the CARICOM states aspire. The declaration was informed by ILO labour standards (conventions and recommendations) and reinforced these standards relating to: * freedom of association, collective bargaining, non-discrimination in employment and occupation, employment policy, labour administration, industrial disputes settlement, consultation, and tripartism.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 of the United Nations Article 23 states that: 1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

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in the Presidential Office denotes a time to celebrate his unwavering commitment to the “common touch” of which he has spoken. I believe that his deliberate initiatives to empower ordinary people to influence government actions calls for self-reflection- “the higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk.”

Yours sincerely, Dr. Vashti Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Belgian cocaine bust…

Police, CANU uncover explosive devices during raid –– set up to trap ranks

By Rabindra Rooplall EXPLOSIVE devices set up as a trap were found at a house raided by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force recently, as investigations continue into a huge cocaine ‘bust’ made in Belgium on a shipment of scrap metal which left Guyana’s shores in September.

This was confirmed on Monday by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who said the drug shipment would have entailed several months

of planning and preparation, and as such CANU and the Police will continue to raid a number of houses.

“I am aware that care was taken to enter a particular house, and there appeared to be a rigged-up explosive arrangement at the normal entrance to that house. The issue is being reviewed, too. The house is in Region Four,” the Home Affairs Minister said, adding: “We are extremely alarmed at the fact of the shipment; at the fact of it escaping, or being allowed to

pass through the surveillance system, in terms of container scanner, container checks, and all those things in relation to the matter.”

At the time of the interview on Monday morning, Minister Benn said that four suspects had already been interviewed, and there is a warrant out for the local shipper, one Marlon Primo of 701 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Lot 69, Atlantic Ville, also on the East Coast.

“Of course, this activity could not have happened overnight; it had to be in preparation and planning for a long period of time, and it would

have taken quite a bit of time to plan and do the logistics, and to compromise persons and fooling others, too, in respect of making the shipment,” Minister Benn said.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that CANU will be offering Primo protection and security, since he has expressed fear for his safety.

On Saturday last, investigators interrogated customs officers about the absence of images of the shipping container, in which cargo listed as scrap metal was found.

It was also discovered that the ship carrying the container had stopped in

Guadeloupe for a few days, before making the onward journey to Belgium, and so CANU is now trying to ascertain whether the seals on the container are the same ones it left Guyana with.

The 11.5 tonnes of cocaine were neatly packed in a safe inside the container, which was then covered with scrap metal.

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Belgian authorities are collaborating on the find.

Counter-narcotics prosecutors say they had tracked the trans-Atlantic journey of the cocaine from Guyana, on the north-eastern coast of

South America, and seized it upon its arrival at the Belgian port of entry in Antwerp.

The catch is “the largest overseas drug bust ever, worldwide,” federal prosecutors are quoted as telling the Belgian media, and that the estimated street value of the drug load is €900 million.

Three police officers, a port manager, and a lawyer were among some 20 persons arrested as part of the operation targeting the “well-structured” criminal organisation suspected of orchestrating large and “regular” drug shipments from South America to Belgium.

The criminalisation of politics Dear editor, American politics have become criminalised. A steady drum beat of words and deeds -- from “lock her up” chants, to prosecutions of President Trump’s associates, to Trump pushing for Joe Biden’s indictment – have eroded the bright line between politics and the criminal law.

This is deeply troubling for several reasons.

First, criminalising politics conflicts with the bedrock principle that the rule of law applies equally to all people. Entangling the passions of politics with the criminal law leads to treating people differently based on their political affiliation -- instead

of/ on their guilt or innocence. This is antithetical to even-handed justice.

The examples of this criminalisation are endless. Republicans want to lock up Hillary Clinton for her email practices and prosecute Obama administration officials for investigating the Trump campaign.

Democrats, meanwhile, want Michael Flynn in prison and Trump indicted in New York the day he leaves office.

And so on.

In American politics the messenger matters more than the message, the actor matters more than the act.

This is diametrically opposed to the basic premise of the rule of law -- that all people must be treated equally and their specific alleged misdeeds are

what matter.

Second, criminalising politics accelerates a disturbing trend towards ever more political polarisation. It ramps up the stakes from treating opponents like political rivals to treating them like personal enemies.

True, fierce domestic politics is nothing new. It is woven into the fabric of our democratic system. But ultimately we are one nation in a dangerous world. Our political disputes should not consume a disproportionate amount of our national bandwidth.

Nor should they undercut our ability to respond to the many foreign threats we face. If looked at from a global perspective, Americans’ interests overlap far more than they diverge.

Put simply, Americans should focus our political energy on winning elections and setting policy, not sending officials we don't like to jail.

Finally, criminalising politics deters talented people from entering the political arena. The United States Government already has a personnel problem. We shouldn’t further dissuade quality people from entering Government because imperfections and ambiguities in their past might be shoehorned into politically motivated criminal accusations. The downside for winning office should be losing the next election, not getting indicted.

These concerns about the criminalisation of politics must be looked at in context. It is of course true that

entering the Government should neither absolve someone from past crimes nor serve as a license to commit new ones. And one aspect of even-handed justice is to prosecute not just the weak and anonymous but also the powerful and well known.

Striking the right balance is hard. But there should be a strong presumption in favour of leaving politics -- and it's inherent passions and prejudices -- at the courthouse door. Criminalising politics doesn't just poison our Government and undermine our justice system. It imperils our nation as a whole.

Yours sincerely, William Cooper

FROM PAGE 7 Congratulations to Nandlall and Jonas; Challenges for ...

3. Everyone who works has the right Hughes should also be to just and favourable remuneration, ensuring for himself and his family an worthy of human dignity, and made Senior Counsel existence supplemented, if necessary, by other

Dear editor, Since the President announced his appointment of two Senior Counsel, Mr. Anil Nandlall and Mr. Timothy Jonas, I managed to privately congratulate Mr. Nandlall and now I congratulate both these outstanding Guyanese publicly. They are both well deserving candidates. I am sure all Guyanese endorse this step.

I believe there is another very outstanding lawyer who is just as deserving but was not considered at this time. That is Mr. Nigel Hughes; he is one of the better lawyers in this country and is a deserving candidate for Senior Council.

I look forward to seeing him so recognised in the near future.

I know it is a bit late but congrats once more to Mr. Nandlall and Mr. Jonas. And I look forward in congratulating Mr. Hughes in the not too distant future.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President of Guyana

means of social protection.

4. Everyone has the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

The Challenge for the Ministry of Labour Given the continuing adversarial nature and practice of industrial relations by the parties, compounded by political and partisan interests, and the exploitation of ethnicity, the compelling challenge and responsibility of the Ministry of Labour (and the relevant government agencies), the social partners and civil society, is to transform the industrial relations climate from an adversarial model to a consensus-based model through sustained social dialogue, tripartism, and partnerships which can lead to national social accords for national economic and social development.

Yours sincerely, Samuel J. Goolsarran

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Electrical issues possible cause of Regent St. fire –– investigation to be completed today

What is left of Singh’s Electronic World following a fire which ignited at the old Sachi’s Building where a tent was constructed

Naomi Parris

“It’s going along right now, the owners are being interviewed as we speak and we had electrical inspectors out there. Right now we are trying to ascertain if that construction or contraption that Sachi did, if it was sanctioned by the city engineers,” the fire chief said.

He said evidence was found to indicate that the fire may have been electrical in nature.

“We saw evidence of

maybe some mischief electrical wiring that was done,” Gentle said, adding, “We are working along with the government electrical inspector now and we are in the process of interviewing them; we should complete this investigation by midday [today].”

The response of firefighters on Sunday night was hampered by a hydrant which was heavily covered by debris. Three water hydrants

and the canals between South Road and Croal Street were used to access water in order to extinguish the fire. The team from the fire service managed to contain the fire to Singh’s Electronics World and stopped it from spreading to the neighbouring Dhoray building.

The Sachi store was ravaged by fire in February this year and was completely gutted.

–– in second ‘Dream Realised’ project

the CH&PA has been conducting.

As it relates to the issue of land acquisition for the development of new housing schemes, the minister said negotiations with agencies that own potential lands are being actively carried out.

The CH&PA has been in negotiations with GuySuCo, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), and the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC) about acquiring lands.

“There are some lands that are under CH&PA, but further lands are being made available,” the Minister said, adding: “We have been able to sort out with GuySuCo those lands that they have identified for their purposes, so we

know what will be available to us. And now it’s for the acquisition, we have received documentation from GuySuCo of more lands available on the East Bank corridor, for which we are processing the necessary paperwork for it to be vested to us.”

He emphasised that there is a focus on land acquisition, not only in Region Four, but in all the administrative regions across the country.

“There is a demand elsewhere too; it’s not just Region Four alone. Our focus for the acquisition of land is not just on the coast; it’s across the country. We have from Regions One to Ten, for which we are seeking lands for further housing drive,” Minister Croal said.

AN investigation into a fire which started in the empty lot that once housed the old Sachi building on Regent Street, Georgetown, has so far pointed to electrical issues, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle.

Gentle in an update on Monday told the Guyana Chronicle that the investigation into the fire is moving

apace and a report should be completed today.

The fire chief disclosed that several persons have been interviewed by ranks of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to determine the cause of the fire. It was earlier reported that it was the Sachi building that was burnt down again, but this publication was made to understand that the owners had erected a tent in the empty lot and were selling toys and other items.

On Sunday night, the fire chief said a report was received around 20:30hrs that someone was burning garbage in the empty lot and the firefighters called for back-up.

It is believed that the fire spread to Singh’s Electronics World and completely destroyed the building. But the fire service is now investigating a faulty electrical installation at the “tent” erected

by Sachi’s.

A woman seen looting the burnt store on Regent Street (Delano Williams Photos)

Another 200 land titles for distribution

By Tamica Garnett

ceremony on Monday, in that he reminded those present ANOTHER 200-plus land that it will be a title-distributitles are expected to be tion exercise, and as such the distributed to residents in allocation of house lots will Region Six (East Berbi- not be taking place. ce-Corentyne) on Friday, “We have published in when the Central Housing the newspapers for a number and Planning Authority of persons from Region Six (CH&PA)’s “Dream Real- to make contact with us. The ised” project continues in titles are not new allocations that region. made by us; they are for perThe event will be held sons in the system who have from 09:00h to 15:00h at the completed payments, and the University of Guyana’s Tain titles were just there sitting at Campus, and will also in- the CH&PA, not being disvolve exhibitions by a num- tributed,” the Minister said. ber of supporting institutions, The tiles are for lands at including commercial banks. Eliza and Mary; Plantation Minister of Housing and No. 77; Plantation No. 76; Water, Colin Croal revealed Plantation Ordinance Fortthe plans for the event during lands; Plantation Kilcoy and a CH&PA contract-signing Chesney; and at Plantation

Mount Sinai.

This event will be the second “Dream Realised” project distribution, following the inaugural event that was held at the Providence National Stadium on the East Bank Demerara last month, where some 350 persons received their titles for lands in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The project is a push for persons to own their own homes.

“We want to encourage persons to ensure that they receive their titles, so that they can approach the banks for their mortgage and start to build,” the Minister noted.

The distribution activities are part of the government’s

drive to distribute more than 2,600 land titles countrywide, which is part to a wider goal to build 25,000 homes, and create 50,000 house lots within the next five years.

The Minister noted that with approximately 70,000 applications for housing in the CH&PA system, the Ministry is actively looking at ways of addressing the backlog, even as the number of applications continues to grow with new applicants daily.

The Housing Minister said that since he took office in August, the CH&PA has already received an additional 1,000 applications, particularly due to a number of housing outreaches that

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Debris on fire hydrants hampers response to emergencies --Fire Chief, City Mayor urge citizens, business owners to dispose of waste properly

By Naomi Parris IF one were to walk down Regent Street, or any street in central Georgetown on any given day, it would be difficult to spot a fire hydrant at first glance, since many of them are often covered in debris.

This slows down the ability of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to respond the way it ought to in the event of an emergency or fire.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle following a fire on Regent Street on Sunday evening, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has disclosed that on numerous occasions when the fire service responds to a fire in the city, they are faced with the difficulty of locat-

ing or having to clear a fire hydrant from debris, which slows down their response.

“This is a situation that we would have encountered more than once; not only garbage but also construction material, and even old cars.

And so we find that they are blocking hydrants,” the Fire Chief told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, adding: “If you move around, especially in the built-up areas, you will see most of the hydrants have some level of vandalism on them.”

The Fire Chief further noted that there is a need for business owners and citizens to change their attitude to how they dispose of their garbage around the city, especially near fire hydrants.

“I think that it is time people should act more responsibly. Fire hydrants are not there for somebody’s whim, or to be used to park cars next to; it’s there for a fire. For, when we have these situations, and if we get here and those hydrants are not functioning or not located, it delays our response; it delays our fire tactics and our mechanisms to extinguish [a] fire, so it definitely is concerning,” he said.

Fire hydrants exist only for use in the event of a fire, and emergency cases where the Guyana Water Incorporated [GWI] sees fit, based on its own assessment.

Also, persons are expected to park their vehicles at least three feet away from a

A typical day on Regent Street, in down-town Georgetown (Delano Williams Photos)

A vendor setting up business for the day on Monday on Camp Street

fire hydrant.

‘IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY’ Meanwhile, the Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine, who was also on the scene of the Regent Street fire, has expressed disappointment with the state of several fire hydrants in the city.

“I was there at the fire, and where the garbage actually went, it’s not vendor’s garbage; it is huge boxes, and these things what the stores them does dispose of. And that place is every single day covered with that amount of garbage,” the Mayor lamented, adding, “That is a clear picture to show that

the business people need to pay a little more interest in their business environment, because every reaction has a reaction, and we saw the reaction on Sunday.”

He stated that for far too long, the city council has borne the brunt of the blame for the debris covering fire hydrants.

“In Regent Street, they don’t care; and these things are actually piled up there.

Every day, we are moving it; and you see what it caused on Sunday. The Mayor and City Council get blame; I won’t take blame for it,” the Mayor said.

He called on business owners and vendors to keep the area clean and clear of

garbage.

“As citizens of Georgetown,” he said, “we have a responsibility as well; the business owners, they have a responsibility as well.”

Mayor Narine is hoping that other business owners will treat the recent tragedy as a lesson, and change their attitude and the way they dispose of their solid waste.

“We have a responsibility to play in our environment, and the business sector should learn from this,” he said, adding: “If the stakeholders can come and let us have a meeting and deal with this garbage issue, it will be better for all of us.”

Several Region Two villages under floodwater

By: Indrawattie Natram

SEVERAL communities in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are currently inundated following heavy and continuous rainfall over the last few days.

Regional officials are working to bring relief to the affected residents.

Residents of Zorg, Suddie, Land of Plenty, Anna Regina New Housing Scheme, Somerset and Berks, and Paradise were busy over the

A flooded veranda of a home at Zorg Village, Region Two. Its occupants had to elevate some of their valuables

weekend and early Monday morning bailing water from their homes and putting sandbags at their doors to reduce the flow of water.

In the Lower Pomeroon, areas such as Marlborough, Martindale and Hackney Lowlands were flooded. Residents reported that their kitchen gardens, lower flats and farms were under approximately four inches of water. Many of the crops were in the blossoming stage.

Residents of Zorg Village said they have never experienced this level of water accumulation on the land and blamed this situation on poor drainage compounded by the heavy rainfall.

At Capoey Mission, an Amerindian settlement, the conservancy was overflowing onto the dam.

While there was no report of a breach, residents and a team from the Regional Administration are working to get sand bags to the area.

-Regional Administration working to bring relief Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Odit, who overlooks Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) in the region, said that several pumps are operable and all slucies are working.

He said too that a team from the Regional Administration’s D&I department is monitoring the situation and every eight hours an assessment is made.

Regarding flooding on the Essequibo Coast, Odit informed that several pipelines have been installed in the Zorg area to assist in the draining off of the accumulated water.

He said while the continuous rainfall has resulted in a high accumulation of water, the conservancies at the Unu Creek, Riverstown and Good Hope are open. This, he explained will ensure that the floodwaters in these resi-

Flood water in a home at Somerset and Berks

dential areas recede.

Additionally, he informed that the team is working tirelessly to ensure that the floodwater in all areas recede so that life could re-

turn to normal for residents.

Officials of the Anna Regina Town Council visited several areas in the township to assess the situation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Mother jailed for ganja trafficking granted bail pending appeal

A 35-year-old woman who was last month sentenced to two years imprisonment for trafficking cannabis was on Monday released on $50,000 bail by the High Court pending an appeal hearing.

Anitha Qualis of New Amsterdam, Berbice, was granted bail by Justice Navindra Singh following an application by her attorney Siand Dhurjon.

The attorney in his application contended that the sentence imposed upon Qualis is excessive, inordinate and unduly severe and it fails to take into account the significant mitigating circumstances in favour of the mother of four.

On October 15, Dhurjon appealed Qualis’s sentence.

According to the grounds for appeal, Dhurjon is contending that the sentence was inordinate and unfounded. He said too that the magistrate made an irrational exercise of discretion in imposing the sentence.

On October 9, Qualis who confessed to trafficking cannabis to support her children, was sentenced by Magistrate Crystal Lambert

The lawyer explained that his client had a hard life and was not able to attend secondary school.

At the tender age of 15, she had her first child and was belittled and abused by her partner, who eventually abandoned her with their children.

Dhurjon told the court that Qualis had lost her job at a snackette and felt an irresistible compulsion to do all things necessary to feed her starving children.

Despite his plea, the magistrate handed down the

Anitha Qualis

at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court to two years imprisonment and slappe/d with a $754,000 fine.

Qualis had confessed that on September 19, at Karrau Village, Essequibo River, she had in her possession 503 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

During a sentencing hearing, Dhurjon had pleaded with the court to give his client a non-custodial sentence.

Non-custodial sentences are penalties that don’t include time in prison. It involves a promise of good behaviour for a set period, which may include a surety (guarantee or amount of money) and other conditions.

Dhurjon pleaded with the magistrate to be merciful and not to impose a custodial sentence, but rather other alternatives that would prevent her from being behind bars.

two- year prison sentence.

Dhurjon in a last attempt to keep his client out of prison, applied for a suspension of the sentence under the Criminal Law Reform Act, Cap.11:05.

Magistrate Lambert refused the lawyer’s request and ordered that the woman serve her sentence.

Dhurjon later signalled his intention to appeal the severity of the sentence and to seek his client’s urgent release in light of the COVID-19 epidemic ravaging the prisons.

According to reports, on September 19 around 14:30hrs, ranks were on mobile patrol at Karrau Village when they observed Qualis acting in a suspicious manner.

The ranks intercepted Qualis, who then pulled out a black parcel which was underneath her clothes.

The bag was searched and compressed cannabis was found inside. She was then7 arrested and taken to the Bartica Police Station where she was charged with the offence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

$1.1B in contracts signed for major road upgrades, other works –– contractors warned about substandard works

By Tamica Garnett

Lodge and Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara; La FORTY contracts valued Parfaite Harmonie, on the at $1.1 billion in capital West Bank of Demerara; works to be done under the Zeelugt, on the West Coast Central Housing and Plan- of Demerara; and the CH&ning Authority (CH&PA)’s PA Housing Schemes.

2020 budget were signed Minister Rodrgues on Monday at the Arthur during her remarks at the Chung Conference Centre. signing ceremony encourThe 40 contracts are to aged the contractors to place be distributed among 21 con- emphasis on utilising materitractors and represent works als from local manufacturers to be executed across Re- and local labour. gions Two (Pomeroon-Su“I urge you to support penaam); Three (Essequibo and engage local manufacIslands-West Demerara); turers as much as possible Four (Demerara-Mahaica); to stimulate growth in the Five(Mahaica-Berbice); and economy; same with the Six (East Berbice-Coren- people you employ. The tyne). The works include employment opportunities upgrades to roads and bridg- you will create ties in with es, installation of water and the bigger picture of job-creelectricity distribution net- ation and economic growth,” works, and the provision of Minister Rodrigues said.

LED streetlights.

She also urged the conT h e c o n t r a c t s w e r e tractors to be cognisant of signed by CH&PA Chief the role they are playing in Executive Officer (CEO) ensuring that the ministry’s Sherwayne Greaves. mandate to bring affordable Ministers of Housing and comfortable housing to and Water, Colin Croal and the citizens of Guyana.

Susan Rodrigues warned the “You have a lot going contractors that there will be on, and it's easy to lose sight a zero-tolerance approach of the importance of the to untimely and substan- work you are doing, but you dard works. Minister Croal must be conscious that you highlighted that the public are helping to build commusigning ceremony is part nities; when you recognise of the agency’s efforts to the significance of the work ensure transparency and you are doing, that's when accountability of the works you will feel the responsito be executed. bility to deliver quality work “Timely execution of in a timely manner,” the contract for works must be minister said. at the forefront; contractors The contracts range in must give value for money. size, from one for $129M, Necessary actions will be w h i c h w a s a w a r d e d t o taken on you if you don’t,” GuyAmerica Construction Minister Croal informed the Inc. for road upgrades in contractors.

Diamond; to another for The minister said that $2.567M, which was awardemphasis will be placed on ed to Annirud Ramcharitar monitoring and evaluation to for doing access roads in ensure that citizens are given Williamsburg, on the Corenvalue for money. tyne.

“We will not be acceptAside from the upgrading substandard work; we ing of roads in Diamond, will hold you accountable. G u y A m e r i c a w a s a l s o Let us not look at cutting awarded a $20M contract corners; if the project says to upgrade the La Bonne half-inch steel, don’t let it Intention (LBI), East Coast be quarter-inch steel; let it Demerara access road, and be half-inch steel. Integrity a $12.2M contract to upand transparency must be a grade the main access road hallmark of contractors who in Providence. plan to execute works unThe second largest bulk der the CH&PA,” Minister of contracts went to Bardon Croal said.

Construction, in the sum of He noted that the works $88M to do road upgrades are all a part of the minis- from “Little [Diamond] to try’s plans to ensure that Great Diamond”; $23M for when persons are allocated road upgrades at La Parfaite house lots, vital infrastruc- Harmonie; and $19M for the ture is already put in place. “installation of a pure-waHe also highlighted that ter distribution network” at the investment in housing Prospect. projects represents a direct Fix It Depot was awardinjection of capital that will ed $108.685 for two constimulate the economy. tracts, while three conSome of the communi- tracts totalling $85 million ties covered include Dia- were awarded to Annirud mond, Eccles, Prospect, and Ramcharitar; four totalling Providence on the East Bank $65.445 million went to of Demerara; Cummings Eron Lall; and two totalling

$56.105 million went to Shereaz Bacchus.

The contracts were awarded by either the CH&PA tender board, or passed through the National Procurement and

Tender Board Administration (NPTAB). Minister Croal commended the CH&PA for having completed the awarding of its capital works programme in such a timely

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, right, hands over the signed document to a contractor

manner.

Though the contract signings marked the allocation of all of the works to be completed under the CH&PA, the minister

noted that there are more contracts to be allocated under the ministry, and another batch is expected to be signed within the next two weeks.

CH&PA’s Sherwayne Greaves, right, looks on as a contractor signs his contract

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Minister Ramson ...

From Backpage interest in the sport. “Foremost, the GTA extends gratitude to Minister Ramson for always accommodating our sport.

Noteworthy is the fact that majority of our dialogues thus far have been initiated by the minister.�

GRATEFUL Campbell noted that the players and officials were grateful to return to the court. She credited Shelly Daly and Andre Lopes for the coordination of the tournament, which is being held on weekends.

She also thanked the ITF for sponsoring the event and the coaches and players of the GTA for their continued support.

Rain hindered the first weekend of competition, but there were some notable standouts including Lopes, who won his opening matches.

He defeated Donnie Anderson 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday, while he made light work of Wayne Baker 6-0, 6-2 on Sunday.

A few other matches were held over the weekend. Some 21 persons are battling in the male-only tournament.

Vietnamese Grand...

From Page 22

27 June: France (Le Castellet) 4 July: Austria (Spielberg) 18 July: Britain (Silverstone) 1 August: Hungary (Hungaroring) 29 August: Belgium (Spa) 5 September: Netherlands (Zandvoort) 12 September: Italy (Monza) 26 September: Russia (Sochi) 3 October: Singapore (Marina Bay) 10 October: Japan (Suzuka) 24 October: USA (Austin) 31 October: Mexico (Mexico City) 14 November: Brazil (Sao Paulo) * 28 November: Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) 5 December: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Super-sub Messi scores twice, leads Barca to Betis win

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Lionel Messi came on at half-time to rescue Barcelona by scoring twice, including his first goal from open play this season, in a 5-2 victory over Real Betis Sunday.

Messi had been rested

by Ronald Koeman but was thrown on with the game in the balance after Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty in the Argentinian's absence, before Antonio Sanabria cancelled out Ousmane Dembele's opener.

But within four minutes of his introduction, Messi gave Griezmann an open goal with a superb dummy and then scored twice himself, the first a penalty that saw Betis' Aissa Mandi sent off for a handball on the line.

In between, Loren Moron had given Betis brief hope but Messi's second and a

late strike from Pedri ensured Barcelona ended their four-match winless run and climbed to eighth in La Liga.

“Leo finished the match against Kiev with some problems,” said Koeman. “He wasn't in a position to play in the first half but we talked about him being on the bench and said he would come on if he felt good.

“He's a player who in principle always plays, but today he didn't because of some minor problems.”

Messi gave a resounding answer to those suggesting his performances this season have been evidence of decline.

Even before registering his first goal of the season from open play, the 33-year-old had turned this game, putting Barcelona in control with his brilliant dummy for Griezmann and

then a penalty won from a Dembele shot, teed up by his pass.

Griezmann also got his goal with Messi on the pitch but was unable to prove a point without him.

Despite a lively opening half an hour, Griezmann missed a penalty before Messi scored his and the Frenchman was eventually substituted, pictured sat in the stands with a gloomy expression while Barca romped to victory.

“I hope he continues to work like he is working,” said Koeman. “To miss opportunities you have to be there. We must highlight his character, to keep working.

He knows perfectly well that he has missed a penalty, and some chances, but it means he is always there to score.”

Neither team seemed too interested in defending early

on as Griezmann and Ansu Fati fired off two shots each while Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to be alert to push away William Carvalho's header.

Barca broke through after 22 minutes when Dembele cut inside onto his left foot before hammering a finish past Claudio Bravo for his first league goal in 13 months.

When Mandi conceded a penalty after sliding in on Ansu at the front post, Griezmann had his chance to add a goal to his busy firsthalf display.

But Griezmann missed, a tame shot easily saved by Bravo, before Betis scored, Sanabria finishing after Cristian Tello had again surged clear down the left.

Messi came on and four minutes later Barca were ahead, the Argentinian scuttling to meet Jordi Alba's cross at the front post, only to step over the ball, fooling his marker and the goalkeeper, to leave Griezmann with an open net.

Eleven minutes later, Messi made it 3-1 with a penalty, won after his pass had set up Dembele for a shot that was blocked on the line by the arm of Mandi, who was sent off.

Moron gave Betis hope with 17 minutes left when he finished off Alex Moreno's pullback but Messi made sure, latching onto Sergi Roberto's flick and smashing in his second and Barca's fourth. Pedri made it five in injury-time.

Dottin helps Trailblazers win Women’s T20 Challenge SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – West Indies Women’s all-rounder Deandra Dottin helped paved the way for Trailblazers to complete a 16run win over Supernova in the final of the triangular Women’s Twenty20 Challenge on Monday.

Dottin made 20 and shared a half-century opening stand with her captain, India international Smriti Mandhana to anchor Trailblazers to a modest 118 for eight from their allocation of 20 overs.

The Barbadian all-rounder did not bowl, but off-spinners Salma Khatun and Deepti Sharma shared five wickets and Supernova failed to successfully chase the victory target on a slow pitch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Dottin struck only one four in a 32-ball stay at the crease and she was overshadowed by Mandhana, whose 68 from 49 balls that included five fours and three sixes was the top score, after Trailblazers were put into bat in the final of the three-team competition.

“It was great to be part of this,” said Dottin. “I al-

ways wanted to be selected for the Women’s T20 Challenge and to play for the team winning the trophy is really awesome.

“I was struggling a bit with my timing because of the condition of the pitch, but it was really enjoyable standing there and watching Smriti bat from the other end. I was more than happy to turn over the strike to her because she was hitting the ball really well.”

Dottin shared 71 for the first wicket with Mandhana before she was caught at mid-on off Poonam Yadav in the 12th over.

No other Trailblazers batters reached 20 and Dottin’s dismissal sparked a decline that saw eight wicket fall for 47 in the final 54 balls of the innings.

Supernova’s batting never ignited in the chase and Sharma tied them down in the middle overs with two for nine from three overs before Khatun sliced through them in the second half of the chase, ending with three for 18 from four overs.

India international Harmanpreet Kaur hit the top score of 30.

Windies pair of Pollard, Hetmyer face off in IPL final today DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard and left-hander Shimron Hetmyer are on opposite sides, but they are driven by the same ambition – winning this year’s Indian Premier League Twenty20 title today.

An exciting contest awaits fans, when defending champions Mumbai Indians take on first-time finalists Delhi Capitals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pollard, a long-standing member of Mumbai, and Hetmyer, a recent addition to Capitals, will each be looking to make their mark in the title match, which will be televised around the globe.

Pollard has scored 259 runs this season at a strike rate of 190.44, and though Hetmyer has not played too many games this season, he will be high on confidence

following his 22-ball 42 not out in Qualifier 2.

Both the teams have finished in the top two after the conclusion of the league stage and Mumbai, led by India international Rohit Sharma, are heavy favourites, having won the title on four previous occasions.

Delhi, led by another India international Shreyas Iyer, are playing in their first final of the world cricket’s richest domestic competition and will have to overcome bouts of nerves if they are to overcome Mumbai.

This will be the fourth time that these two sides are facing each other this season and Mumbai have won all the three previous matches.

Delhi, however, have nothing to lose and will be going all out to spoil Mumbai’s coronation.

With both sides packed with batting, the title looks

like it will be decided by the two team’s champion fast bowlers.

Delhi’s Kagiso Rabada, the South Africa international, has taken 29 wickets in the competition, two more than Mumbai’s Jasprit Bumrah, the India international.

The battle for Purple Cap – symbol of bowling supremacy in the competition – is on the cards, but the two fast bowlers have made it clear winning the title takes precedence.

Though Mumbai’s bowling attack is settled, Delhi will sweat a bit over the fitness of left-arm pacer Trent Boult.

The New Zealander had to leave the field after bowling only two overs in Qualifier 1 because of an injury.

Once he is fit enough, Boult, Rabada and South African Anrich Nortje can form a lethal pace bowling attack.

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

255*, 183*: unstoppable Will Pucovski makes irresistible Test case IN the space of two sparkling innings, Will Pucovski has rocketed to the front of the queue for places in Australia's Test match top six, vaulting to the top of the Sheffield Shield averages and giving Victoria a powerful start to a match in which they were sent in to bat by Western Australia on a grassy pitch at Karen Rolton Oval.

Where Pucovski's 255 not out in a record partnership of 486 with Marcus Harris was put together against lowly South Australia on a decidedly batting friendly surface, this unbeaten innings of 183, again with strong support from his opening partner, was a powerful riposte to Western Australia's morning inclination that this would be a day for their all-seam attack.

The two major challenges set for Pucovski were to battle full deliveries as Cameron Gannon, Matthew Kelly, Aaron Hardie, Cameron Green and Lance Morris all tried to extract swing and seam, and then to make use of his pull and hook shots as the same quintet dropped increasingly short in the face of scant success for the former method. Harris accompanied Pucovski up until the pair had put on 186 more than halfway through the day, before the Victorian captain Peter Handscomb offered strong support for the most part, albeit with the occasional moment of awkwardness.

Looking on, the new Victoria coach Chris Rogers was once glimpsed laughing in conversation with a couple of his squad members: in batting terms at least, he will seldom feel more content as a mentor

Runs for fun: Will Pucovski piled up another big century (Getty Images)

no matter how long his career carries on. The Warriors' selection had been somewhat forced by an agreed decision with Cricket Australia to allow the spin bowler Ashton Agar to return home to Perth for some rest prior to looming duties with Australia A and the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.

The state's 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement was going to seriously cut into the time available otherwise, although there were plenty of occasions when the Warriors would have liked to call upon their leading wicket-taker.

It was instead left to D'Arcy Short, who alongside Scott Boland and Queensland's Brendan Doggett was one of three Aboriginal cricketers taking the field in NAIDOC week, to offer up some overs of left-arm wrist spin. Short was at least able to beat Pucvoski's bat with a top spinner, a better outcome than the vast majority of deliveries that were either left alone, defended stoutly or dispatched the boundary with some flourish.

Harris survived a low chance in Green's first over, edged into the cordon where Sam Whiteman was deemed to have scooped it up on the half volley, before his leading

edge was taken by the same fielder with a superlative one-handed dive after the fashion of Steven Smith in the slips for Australia. Handscomb's approach veered between conservatism and considerable risk, and he was to offer a half chance to the slips when scything at Gannon late in the day. These undulations only served to amplify how Pucovski showed a masterful ability to move up and down the gears depending on the scoring opportunities on offer, starting more slowly than Harris, skating into the 70s, then pulling things back before gliding to his second century in as many innings.

There was to be more acceleration later on in the day, in spite of a liberal supply of boundary fielders placed by the Western Australia captain Shaun Marsh, and boundaries came with a decided rush when the hardness and bounce of the second new ball gave Pucovski a little more to work with.

Stumps arrived with the second wicket stand worth 136, and Pucovski already 20 runs ahead of the Shield's next heaviest scorer, the Test incumbent Travis Head. It may be a matter of weeks before they are international teammates.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Haney beats Gamboa to defend WBC title

DEVIN Haney cruised past Yuriorkis Gamboa with a unanimous decision to defend his WBC lightweight title behind closed doors in Florida on Saturday.

The unbeaten Haney was fighting for the first time since last November after undergoing shoulder surgery in January.

Two judges had the 21-year-old American leading for every round while the other had him winning all but two.

Following the fight, Haney said Teofimo Lopez, who holds the other belts, is the "main fight I want to

Devin Haney celebrates after defending his WBC lightweight belt

make happen".

Cuba's former WBC title holder and Olympic

gold medallist Gamboa, 38, started well but began to tire as the fight went on.

Haney rocked Gamboa with several solid jabs and left hooks, improving his record to 25-0 with 15 knockouts.

American Lopez, meanwhile, beat Vasyl Lomachenko by a unanimous points decision in October to become the undisputed world lightweight champion.

The 23-year-old is the youngest fighter to become a four-belt undisputed champion, with an unbeaten record of 16 wins from 16 bouts. (BBC Sport)

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

BCCI boss Ganguly is 'undermining ' selectors by speaking on their behalf - Vengsarkar FORMER India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is "undermining the credentials" of both the national selectors as well as the IPL chairman Brijesh Patel "by sticking his neck out" and speaking on their behalf.

Vengsakar, who was chairman of national selectors between 2006 and 2008, said he was beginning to lose faith in Ganguly as president.

"When the IPL dates and venues were being discussed and organised, he was speaking on behalf of the IPL chairman. Sadly, time and again he's sticking his neck out on behalf of those who are capable of taking deci-

sions and explaining them on their own. Is he undermining their credentials? Or does he feel he knows more than the others?"

Vengsarkar said he wondered why Ganguly - who was elected as BCCI president in October 2019 - was speaking on team selections and player-fitness issues, which ideally should be addressed by the national selectors.

Former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi is the current selection committee head and chaired his first meeting in October while picking squads for the Australia tour. Joshi has not spoken on the selections so far.

Dilip Vengsakar, former chairman of selectors, is wondering why Sourav Ganguly is speaking on team selections and player-fitness issues (Getty Images)

"It's quite astonishing to see Ganguly wearing so many hats as he speaks on behalf of the supposedly appointed chairman of selectors, Sunil Joshi, as to why 'X' was dropped and 'Y' was

not selected and why 'Z' was not considered, besides how somebody is still not fit," Vengsarkar told the Times of India on Monday.

Vengsarkar has also questioned the "discrepancy" in

Vietnamese Grand Prix dropped from 2021 F1 schedule

THE Vietnamese Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2021 Formula 1 calendar, BBC Sport has learned.

It raises doubts that the race, due to make its debut in April before it was called off because of the coronavirus pandemic, will ever take place.

The date of the Vietnam race, 25 April, has been left blank on a 22-race 2021 schedule to be published on Tuesday.

The calendar could extend to 23 Grands Prix - a new record - if F1 can find a replacement for Vietnam.

The move has been triggered by the arrest on corruption charges of a key official responsible for the race in Hanoi.

Hanoi People's Committee chairman Nguyen Duc Chung was arrested in Augustfor alleged appropriation of documents containing state secrets.

The case is not related to his involvement in the grand prix.

However, Chung was the key figure in the race being introduced and championed it with the national government. His absence has led to a vacuum and Vietnamese authorities have told F1 that the government has other priorities, including key elections, the pandemic and recovery from a typhoon.

Talks are ongoing with regard to a possible race in Vietnam in 2022, but the situation raises the significant possibility that the event will fail to materialise.

Any replacement race would be at one of the tracks added to the calendar this year as a result of the pandemic, with Turkey, Italy's Imola and Portugal's Portimao the leading candidates.

A spokesperson for F1 said: "Our calendar will be announced on Tuesday and we are not going to give a running commentary before its publication. It also needs to go to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for approval."

The 2021 season, the schedule for which has been seen by BBC Sport, is scheduled to start in Australia on 21 March and end in Abu Dhabi on 5 December.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is on 18 July and the new Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, announced last week, the penultimate race on 28 November.

One key development is that the calendar features a race in Brazil, and that it is scheduled to be in Sao Paulo rather than Rio De Janeiro. The event is listed as provisional for now.

The contract for Sao Paulo's Interlagos track, which has hosted the event since 1990, ended this year, and F1 has agreed a deal for a race at a new circuit yet to be built in the Deodoro area of Rio. However, the Rio track requires environmental approval as it involves the felling of a patch of forest.

The Hanoi track that was to have staged the Vietnamese Grand Prix.

This has not yet been granted and the project is clouded in controversy and confusion, with world champion Lewis Hamilton among those indicating their opposition to the track being built.

F1 is therefore planning to return to Sao Paulo - at least for 2021 and possibly for the foreseeable future.

F1 has political complications in returning to Interlagos, as the sport's owner Liberty Media refuses to deal with the promoter at the circuit, who is close to former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

The race is likely to go ahead with a new promoter.

Otherwise, the calendar bears a strong resemblance to the original 2020 schedule, which had to be restructured after the first 10 races were called off as a result of the pandemic.

The biggest change is the moving of the Dutch Grand Prix from the spring to 5 September, where it follows a week after the neighbouring Belgian event.

The race at the seaside town of Zandvoort had been due to return for the first time since 1985 this April, but was a casualty of the pandemic.

F1 is confident that it will be able to run its calendar next year subject as long as the global pandemic does not significantly worsen.(BBC Sport) 2021 FORMULA 1 CALENDAR 21 March: Australia (Melbourne) 28 March: Bahrain (Sakhir) 11 April: China (Shanghai) 25 April: TBC 9 May: Spain (Barcelona) 23 May: Monaco 6 June: Azerbaijan (Baku) See Page 19 13 June: Canada (Montreal)

the medical reports concerning senior India batsman Rohit Sharma. Sharma was not named in any of the three squads for the Australia tour due to a hamstring injury, but a BCCI announcement on Monday said he would rested for the limited-overs leg of the tour and included in the Test squad. He is currently leading the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Last week, Ganguly had told PTI that Sharma had suffered a hamstring tear that could get "ruptured again" if he played too soon. As a precaution, the BCCI did not want to name him for the Australia tour. Ganguly also said then that that Sharma would travel to Australia if

he "recovers".

Vengsarkar spoke on the issue of Sharma playing in the IPL with an injury while also not being selected for the Australia tour on those grounds. "Rohit [is] surprisingly dropped from the Indian team for the tour because the BCCI physio has ruled him out due to a hamstring injury.

Now, the question is: How did the Mumbai Indians physio declare Rohit fit to play in the IPL? Why is there a discrepancy in the reports of two physios?

"I really don't know who calls the shots while selecting the squad. Is it the BCCI officials or the selectors?" (ESPN Cricinfo).

Guyana’s Sunny Singh shines with double, Anderson wins first

TORONTO, Canada (CMC) – Guyana’s Sunny Singh won twice while Jamaican Jodeien Anderson notched his first winner at Woodbine this season, as the pair tasted success on the eight-race card in the city’s west end.

The veteran rider paired with 6-1 bet Blowback to capture race one over 5-½ furlongs before following up to win race two over a mile and sixteenth aboard favourite Bearakontie.

Anderson, meanwhile, took his victory in race four with 5-1 chance Tackle the North, steering the three-yearold filly to a half-length win over the three-yearold and upward fillies and mares, in a 5-½ furlong dash.

A regular at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Anderson’s win was his only top-three finish in 15 rides at Woodbine Guyanese jockey Sunny Singh this season.

The spotlight, however, fell on Singh who moved to 10 wins for the season from 115 outings.

He opened his account with Blowback, carrying the chestnut gelding to a 1-¾ length victory over the two-yearold maidens.

Singh forced the pace set by the duelling Ticket to Alaska and Strong Attitude before bidding in the upper stretch and getting clear.

Singh’s second came over distance when he made virtually all the running with three-year-old filly Bearakontie to slam the three-year-old and upward maiden fillies and mares by 3-¼ lengths.

Bearakontie duelled with Snow Scene during the early exchanges but Singh got clear down the backstretch to dominate the running.

Barbadian Jason Hoyte also tasted success, winning race seven over six furlongs with 14-1 outsider Tiz Priceless.

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guyana CHRONICLE Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Captain Kohli to return to India after first Test INDIAN skipper Virat Kohli is set to play only the first Test against Australia this summer so he can return home to be at the birth of his first child.

Indian selectors announced yesterday that Kohli will return to India following the first Test of the series in Adelaide (December 17-21) to be with his wife Anushka Sharma, who is due to give birth in January.

In a statement, the BCCI made no mention of whether or not Kohli would be able to return to Australia for the latter part of the series once the baby has arrived.

However, given the strict biosecurity measures that require all international visitors to complete two weeks of hard quarantine upon their arrival in Australia, it's seemingly not practical for Kohli to fly home for the birth and then return to Australia.

Cricketers have often played Tests abroad either side of a quick trip home for the birth of a child, but Australia's hard border - the result of the COVID-19 pandemic - makes it near impossible this summer.

"The BCCI has granted paternity leave to the Indian captain," a statement read. "He will return after the first Test against Australia in Adelaide."

Ajinkya Rahane would be expected to fill in as captain in Kohli's absence.

Kohli will land in Australia later this month to complete two weeks of quarantine before playing in the six limited-overs games to start the summer and then the first Test, a day-night match in Adelaide.

Australia are expected to name an extended Test squad later this week.

…Rohit Sharma added to Test squad

India's skipper set to miss final three Tests of their series against Australia to be at the birth of his first child

India have also confirmed that star opener Rohit Sharma will miss the T20 and ODI series due to a recent hamstring injury, but have added him to their Test squad. Selectors have opted to rest their white-ball vice-captain with a view to him playing in the Tests later in the summer.

Pace star Ishant Sharma is set to be added to the Test squad as he continues his recovery from an abdominal injury, while wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha is under a fitness cloud after he injured both hamstrings in a recent Indian Premier League match.

Losing Kohli for the bulk of the Border-Gavaskar series

Phoenix XI beat Majestic CC to capture the double in NYNCL PHOENIX XI stormed to back-to-back wins over the weekend in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) at Baisley Pond in Queens, New York.

The predominantly over-

another Guyanese, Chris Patadin, and the pair carried Majestic to a quick start.

When Narine, who captained the side, fell in the third over for 20 (3X6s), Patadin, a former national

former national youth player, Dominique Rikhi (who only played with Phoenix during the Sunday competition) had good starts. When Chooweenam fell in the fourth over for 26 (2X6s,

Phoenix XI added the Sunday title to their winnings over the weekend.

seas-based Guyanese team had defeated Unruly Cricket Club by 70 runs on November 7 in the Saturday T20 final before defeating Majestic Cricket Club by four wickets in the Sunday T20 final on November 8.

Against Majestic (who also have Guyanese players), Phoenix bowled first.

Former Berbice inter-county all-rounder, Derick Narine, who played for Phoenix XI in the Saturday League, but for Majestic in the Sunday League, had teamed up with

U-19 cricketer, continued to work the ball around, but wickets were tumbling at the other end.

By the 20th over, Majestic had managed to labour to 131-9. Patadin, who struck six fours and a six in his runa-ball 61, was left not out.

Former Guyana first-division player, Dino Chooweenam, led Phoenix’s bowling attack with 2-27 from four overs, while Trinson Carmichael also took two wickets.

In their turn at the crease, Chooweenam and

2X4s), number three batsman, Hemindra Ramdihal, belted three fours and a six for a 12-ball 25.

Although Rikhi top scored with just 29 (2X4s, 2X6s), his teammates were able to chip in enough to rally the side to victory.

A total of six players got into double figures, including Randall Wilson, who scored 18 from 16 balls towards the end, in a game that went down to the last ball.

would be a huge blow to India's hopes of retaining the trophy they won two years ago when they became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia.

The world's No.2 ranked Test batsman has scored 27 Test hundreds, including seven against Australia.

India's selectors have also added wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson (ODIs) and left-arm quick T Natarajan (T20s) to their white-ball squads, while spinner Varun Chakravarthy (shoulder injury) has been ruled out.

Dettol ODI Series v India First ODI: November 27, SCG, 2.40pm AEDT Second ODI: November 29, SCG, 2.40pm AEDT Third ODI: December 2, Manuka Oval, 2.40pm AEDT Dettol T20 INTL Series v India First T20: December 4, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT Second T20: December 6, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT Third T20: December 8, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT Tour matches Australia A v India A, December 6-8, Drummoyne Oval Australia A v Indians, December 11-13, SCG (day-night) Vodafone Test Series v India First Test: December 17-21, Adelaide Oval, 3pm AEDT (day-night) Second Test: December 26-30, MCG, 10.30am AEDT Third Test: January 7-11, SCG, 10.30am AEDT Fourth Test: January 15-19, Gabba, 11am AEDT. (Cricket.com.au)

Medvedev wears down Zverev in Paris to claim third Masters title

By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - Russian Daniil Medvedev outclassed German Alexander Zverev 5-7 6-4 6-1 in the Paris final on Sunday to claim his third Masters title.

The third seed, who also defeated Zverev in the Shanghai final last year, returned strongly throughout the match to take his first title of the year.

Medvedev, 24, had more energy in the deciding set and made the most of his opportunities against an inconsistent Zverev, who had won five of their six previous meetings.

A double fault earned the Russian his eighth ATP title after two hours and seven minutes.

Medvedev said he pulled off the win by making his “opponent crazy”.

Both players had a high first serve percentage early on, holding comfortably.

Zverev went 40-0 up on the Russian’s serve at 6-5 to earn the first break points of the match.

Medvedev saved the first two by dictating the rallies, but he whacked a forehand long on the third and conceded his second set of the tournament.

Zverev faced his first

Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates with the trophy after winning his men's singles final tennis match against Germany's Alexander Zverev at the Paris Masters at The AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, Sunday. (Photo: AFP)

break points in a fiercely contested third game in the second set, which he won, but he dropped serve in the ninth game when he sent a crosscourt backhand long.

Medvedev won his service game to love to level the match and send it into a decider.

He broke to love, held serve after saving four break points and broke again thanks to a booming service return as he moved 4-0 up.

With his confidence shattered, Zverev never looked capable of mounting a comeback as Medvedev added to his 2019 Shanghai and Cincinnati Masters titles.

Both players will take part in the season-ending ATP Tour Finals at the O2 in London from Nov. 15-22.

Medvedev, the fourth Russian player to win at Bercy after three-time champion Marat Safin, Nikolay Davydenko and Karen Khachanov, said he would go into the tournament full of confidence.

“I’m coming in better shape than last year. Last year I was real exhausted, I had lost in the first round in Paris. That’s when you lose your confidence,” he said.

“When you lose first round you always lose your confidence.”

Deandra Dottin at (centre) celebrates the Women’s T20 Challenge trophy with other team members.

(Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for BCCI).

See Story on Page 20

Dottin helps Trailblazers win Women’s T20 Challenge Minister Ramson will prioritise tennis as core sport

Minister Charles Ramson Jr. (fourth from left) with members of the Guyana Tennis Association.

TENNIS will move to a different level under the watch of Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr. On Sunday, he told a gathering of players and officials at the launch of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA)-organised ITF-sponsored Safe Tennis Tournament, that the sport would move to new heights.

“I’ve moved tennis into one of my core sport for the country, I’ve divided it

(sport) into core and none core, which means it becomes a key priority area for us on behalf of the Government of Guyana.”

The Minister said that the reason he decided to prioritise tennis is because it “has the same kind of engagement” as some of the other sport, such as cricket, football and basketball.

Traditionally, tennis has not been a very popular sport in Guyana. Globally, it’s however ranked in the top

10 in popularity with an estimated 60 million men and women playing the game (ranked seventh globally by Topend Sports).

Vice President of the GTA, Cristy Campbell, in her remarks at the Le Ressouvenir Tennis Court on the East Coast of Demerara, thanked the Minister for his interest in the sport.

“Foremost, the GTA extends gratitude to Minister Ramson for always See page 19

See Story on Page 20

Mumbai Indians Kieron Pollard

Windies pair of Pollard, Hetmyer face off in IPL final today

Delhi Capitals Shimron Hetmyer

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TUESDAY, nOVEMBER 10, 2020