Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-14-2020

WEDNESDAY 14th October, 2020

’ No. 106152-

G$42 TRILLION AVAILABLE TO GUYANA – Investments to be announced soon, says CEO of U.S Investment Agency 03 PAGE

Many reconnected with families, friends –– as first flight arrives at CJIA, tourism-related businesses expected to return to life

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Nurses stationed at the testing units at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday (Keno George photo)

Lawrence on 02 bail as probe into electoral fraud intensifies PAGE

SARA dismantled –– Director, Deputy and staff fired

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Teen beaten, stabbed to death at wash bay

- one arrested, two wanted 08 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Lawrence on bail as probe into electoral fraud intensifies

CHAIRPERSON of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Volda Lawrence was on Tuesday released on $100,000 station bail after presenting herself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning into allegations of fraud committed at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Lawrence’s attorney, Nigel Hughes said his client has always made herself available to the Police, and that the detention of any person for questioning by the Police should only be used when there is a concern that that person might be a flight risk, or interfere with evidence in the case.

Hughes told reporters that the offence for which Lawrence was arrested relates to activities that took place at the Ashmins Building, where the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) ran its operations centre for the March 02, 2020 elections.

On August 24, 2020, Lawrence was placed on $100,000 bail in relation to a private criminal charge filed against her for the alleged fraudulent elections declaration of March 5, 2020.

The charge was filed against her and Clairmont Mingo, GECOM’s Returning Officer for Region Four, since their signa-

tures were found on said declaration, and a national vote recount found that the numbers were inflated in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition.

Mingo is also facing several fraud charges, among them uttering a forged document with intent to defraud the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. Mingo is currently on $600,000 bail for charges related to electoral fraud. Their cases have been adjourned to November 16, 2020, to allow the prosecution time to complete the filing of statements.

Meanwhile, on Friday last, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers was released on $300,000 bail, after pleading not guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office, when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Myers is represented by Hughes, and colleague Attorney-at-Law, Ronald Daniels.

The Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, who is also before the court, but on three private criminal fraud charges, is expected to go on trial next month.

On Friday last also, when the case was called before Magistrate Faith McGusty

PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence and her attorney, Nigel Hughes heading into CID Headquarters on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the prosecutor had just filed additional statements, and was given until October 23 to file the remainder.

The charges were filed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member Desmond Morian, and General Secretary of The New Movement (TNM), Daniel Kanhai, on June 30, 2020.

The magistrate has set November 13 for commencement of the trial for the case filed

by Morian, while Kanhai’s matter was given a November 20 start date.

When the charges were read to Lowenfield back in July, he was not required to

plead, and was later released on $450,000 bail.

As the country’s chief elections officer, Lowenfield had presented results for the elections, with the exact inflated figures for the APNU+AFC coalition, as was declared

by Mingo.

The results were described as fraudulent, and there was a public outcry. A national vote recount which was done subsequently, clearly established that the PPP/C was the winner of the elections.

The election results were finally announced on August 2, 2020 after a fivemonth delay.

Suriname Foreign Affairs Minister expected today –– ahead of launch of Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform CONCRETISING plans for economic and social cooperation between Guyana and Suriname will be high on the agenda over the next two days, as local officials engage Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname, Albert Ramdin, who is to lead a delegation here today.

Ramdin, during his of-

ficial visit, is expected to meet with local Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, to continue consultations on the various initiatives formerly agreed upon by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

The Ministry of Foreign See page 3

Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of Suriname, Albert Ramdin

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

G$42 trillion available to Guyana –– Investments to be announced soon, says CEO of U.S Investment Agency

By Navendra Seoraj

ECONOMIC advancement on all fronts is expected in the near future, as several United States (US) agencies have offered, collectively, US$200 billion (approximately G$42 trillion) in financing for businesses interested in investing in Guyana.

Guyana, a fledging oil state which sits on the edge of South America, is anticipating massive development in the coming years, with the bridging of Suriname and Guyana; a deep water harbour; a new Demerara Harbour Bridge across the Demerara River and consistent revenue from a growing oil and gas sector.

To aid in Guyana’s progression, the United States of America (U.S.A) has sent a team of persons representing six agencies including the Department of Treasury, the

Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Adam Boehler greets President Irfaan Ali at State House during a reception held in his honour (Office of the President photo)

Export-Import Bank of the United States, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Department of State, the Department of National Security and the Department of Homeland Security.

Members of the U.S. team met with representatives of the local Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other stakeholders in the commercial sector, on Tuesday, during their oneday visit here. They also met with President Irfaan Ali, the Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and other Government officials at State House late Tuesday night.

“We looked at the quantum of funds they can lend…and from all the agencies in the room, we would be able to access US$200 billion,” said Chairman of PSC, See page 9

Suriname Foreign Affairs Minister expected ...

From page 2

Affairs, in a statement, said discussions will also focus on preparations for the launch of a Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

President Ali, following his inauguration in August this year, had met with President Santokhi to discuss a number of areas which the two countries could work collaboratively on.

Among some of the areas were oil and gas, infrastructure, border and maritime security, COVID-19, mining, technology, and agriculture, the ‘green’ economy initiative and joint engagement on local content.

President Ali had said the aim of the engagement was to support bilateral relations between the

neighbouring countries and open up new areas for cooperation from emerging sectors, and develop infrastructure linkages beneficial to both countries.

“We recognise that our countries share similar challenges, circumstances and opportunities at this moment and it is very critical and important for us to work together to find common solutions,” President Ali had said, adding: “We need to set out an agenda that’s proactive, an agenda with deadlines, an agenda with greater involvement of stakeholders in the society of both countries, especially the private sector.”

President Santokhi, in response, had said: “Yes, there is a historical cooperation with Suriname and

Guyana, but from this moment, with these two leaders, there will be a value-added to that cooperation…

We’re not here only to discuss, but we’re here to act.”

He had said a working committee will be set up at the policy and technical levels to advance discussions and to determine a timetable of action. The Surinamese President also announced that soon, a written agreement will be formalised to back the plans.

With Ramdin here, it is expected that this agreement will be ‘ironed out’ and finalised to the benefit of both countries. Ramdin is accompanied by Suriname’s Minister of Public Works, Dr. Riad Nurmohamed, and the Minister of Public Health,

Amar Ramadhin, along with other government officials.

Just Saturday, Guyana’s Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill and Dr. Nurmohamed visited the proposed site for the new bridge across the Corentyne River, connecting Guyana and Suriname.

The ministers visited the landing areas in Guyana and Suriname, and the middle at Long Island (Lange Island). The flags of both countries were planted at those locations, an exercise which demonstrated the political will of both governments to put their people first.

Formal diplomatic relations between Guyana and the Republic of Suriname were established on November 25, 1975.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Many reconnected with families, friends --as first flight arrives at CJIA, tourism-related businesses expected to return to life

By Jared Liddell AN Eastern Airlines flight arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at 11:45 hrs on Tuesday with a total of 44 passengers on board, comprising Guyanese eager to return home, and foreigners visiting for business and leisure.

The passengers were welcomed by the Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips and Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill. The airport was closed on March 18 of this year, and Eastern’s return flight last evening was expected to have on board 216 passengers.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to some of the passengers shortly after they arrived, and among them was PJ Prempeh, who was extremely excited to have gotten a flight to return to Guyana. Prempeh is an American citizen who recently got married to a Guyanese, and has not been able to see his wife since February.

“It feels good to be here; I’m excited. I haven’t seen my wife since February of this year; that’s almost seven

months. I had gotten a ticket from American Airlines a few months back, and the flights kept cancelling, so when I heard that we would be able to come back now, I was happy, because I’ll get to see my wife,” Prempeh said.

He is appreciative of the government’s decision to reopen the airports, as it gives many persons like him the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones. According to Prempeh, the flight was a good one, and overall, the systems that have been put in place to minimise the spread of COVID-19 at the airport are adequate.

Dexter Armstrong, another passenger, also spoke well of the safety measures at the CJIA. “So far, I like the procedure that they have here, and I hope that they can keep it up. I think the move to reopen the airports is positive, and once they put everything in place in terms of safety against COVID, I see that travel can return to normal,” Armstrong said.

He related that he did not experience any hassle getting

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, with a Guyanese family who returned home on the Eastern Airlines flight (Keno George photo)

on the flight and coming through the airport, and was happy that he will be reuniting with friends and family.

The reopening of the airports here has not only afforded some persons the opportunity of reconnecting with their families and friends, but also allowed others to come to savour the many treasures Guyana has to offer, and at the same provide relief to those businesses that were put out of commission due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

since 2019, since the advent of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

This decline in airline travel, he said, has resulted in an estimated loss of some $104B in global business

revenue in 2020.

“The closure of airports has adversely affected aviation operation,” Minister Edghill said, adding: “Like many other businesses that have been affected, civil aviation has suffered tremendously, resulting in closures, bankruptcy, and loss of business. Through Budget 2020, we would have even had to lend support to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), because of loss of revenue. The CJIA has experienced significant loss in revenue as well, but they are managing gracefully.”

He said that the government cannot sit back and allow the onslaught of COVID-19 to continue, and it was with this thinking in mind that the decision was taken to reopen our air-

SIGNIFICANT DECLINE Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill has said that globally, passenger travel by air has shrunk between 59 and 62 per cent

Wednesday October 14, 2020 - 02:30hrs - 04:00hrs

Passengers arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on the first commercial flight to Guyana since the formal re-opening of the airport on Monday (Keno George photo)

ports to commercial flights, and implement and enforce strict COVID-19 prevention systems. Noting that the reopening of the airports on Monday, October 12, 2020 is vital to allow persons the opportunity to earn and sustain themselves and their families, Minister Edghill sees it as “a bold and crucial step” towards bringing

some sort of normalcy to the livelihoods of the country’s economy, while putting systems in place to ensure the safety of all.

And with aviation being the critical and an essential service that it is, he said that apart from allowing Guyanese to return home, the reopening of the airports also allows for specialists in areas such as construction to come to Guyana.

Just recently, the government invited Expressions of Interest for the construction of a new bridge across the Demerara River.

GOOD FOR BUSINESS The reopening of the airports will inject new life into business travel and commerce and has been welcomed by many business owners who have been feeling the squeeze due to the restrictions brought about by COVID-19.

The hospitality sector, Minister Edghill said, will benefit tremendously from this reopening, as hotels and restaurants will once again be able to see customers and consumers having access to their facilities.

The minister lauded the COVID-19 safety measures being implemented at the CJIA. Some 13 out of the 44 passengers who arrived on Tuesday had done their PCR tests more than 72 hours before ‘touch-down’.

Now that the airport has been reopened, the minister disclosed that WestJet airlines will be coming to Guyana on October 15 from Canada, and will be leaving with passengers to Canada the next day. The demand for this type of flight is so high, Minister Edghill said, that the flight out of Guyana has already been booked to capacity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE wednesDAy, octobeR 14, 2020

COVID-19 not directly responsible for death of many patients –– late recognition of symptoms among reasons for spike in deaths – Dr. Carpen

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA has seen a stark increase in the number of deaths related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the past few months, and while those victims were listed as “COVID-19 deaths,” the disease, in most cases, was not directly responsible.

Based on available statistics, the country has already lost 106 people to this dreaded disease, with 65 of those persons dying between September 1, 2020 and October 13, 2020.

Guyana’s situation, though serious, is not unique, said prominent Cardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

“When you look around the world, you see that Guyana is not unique…everybody is going through the same thing and if you look at the case fatality rate, Guyana

is there like any far more advanced country.

There is nothing more wrong in Guyana or less wrong, we are in the same situation as everybody else in the world,” said Dr. Carpen.

There are over 38 million cases of COVID-19 globally, and while 26.3 million persons have recovered, 1.3 million persons have died.

Data released recently by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) shows that 94 per cent of Americans who have died with the new coronavirus had other underlying health conditions. The report shows that COVID-19 was the only cause of death listed in just six per cent of deaths.

On average, those who died with other underlying conditions had 2.6 additional conditions of causes of death.

Those underlying conditions include respiratory diseases, influenza, pneumonia, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, dementia and more.

Authorities in Guyana

have noticed a similar trend, with persons assigned as COVID-19 deaths dying from “many other things.”

In explaining the local situation, Dr. Carpen said: “A lot of people assigned as COVID-19 deaths are dying from so many other things, but just happen to be COVID-19 positive.

“There are a number of patients who died from stroke, kidney failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, but unfortunately that is the way deaths are reported during the pandemic…that is just how it is.”

A death due to COVID-19 is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a death resulting from a clinically compatible illness, in a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case, unless there is a clear alternative cause of death that cannot be related to the COVID-19 disease.

The organisation further said there should be no period of complete recovery from

COVID-19 between illness and death.

“A death due to COVID-19 may not be attributed to another disease and should be counted independently of pre-existing conditions that are suspected of triggering a severe course of COVID-19,” said the WHO. COMING LATE While authorities have been utilising various remedies and medication to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on patients, Dr. Carpen lamented the late recognition of symptoms, and consequently late treatment.

“People are coming late to the hospital and are not recognising symptoms… what is more important, when people come late, we have to think about what happened to them before, who they were exposed to and who they put at risk,” said the renowned Cardiologist.

It is for this reason that the “medical mantra,” “test, trace, isolate and treat,” remains important not just in Guyana, but across the world.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health, the authorities have so far tested 16,215 persons, with 12,650 proving negative and 3,565 positive.

And while 2,435 persons have recovered from this disease, 106 have died so far, and there are 1,026 active cases which include 132 persons in institutional isolation, 876 in home isolation, and 16 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The WHO had said that 81 per cent of persons, who contract COVID-19, will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms and five per cent will need intensive care.

But, in the absence of an official cure or specific treatment for COVID-19, the organisation believes that the best way to prevent and reduce transmission is to be

Cardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen well informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.

This was also the view of Dr. Carpen, who reiterated the importance of social distancing, hand-washing, wearing a mask and managing underlying conditions.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Local content policies STUDIES have shown that in other oil-producing countries, if the local content policy is enshrined within its legislative framework, then it would not work effectively. And, it is the task and/or responsibility of the government to ensure that it is in place and not just merely a policy promoting local content.

The current draft local content policy framework mirrors an academic paper– albeit inadequate - rather than a pragmatic policy paper.

To this end, while the draft policy recognises in generic terms– the objective of local content strategies –it does not speak to the specificities with respect to how it intends to execute local content activities and/or strategies.

For example, it highlighted that there will be a regulatory mechanism but it did not address the workings and functionalities of that mechanism. And it does not speak to a strategy of removing barriers (if any) for local firms’

participation, and what strategies will be undertaken for enhancing the contestability of local firms’ and Guyanese nationals’ participation as against international firms and foreign nationals.

Moreover, it is noted also, that the draft petroleum commission bill merely speaks to the promotion of local content and local participation in petroleum activities which is unarguably inadequate; unless there will be a separate legislation to address local content.

So what obtains in other countries, for example Malaysia? According to Nordas et.al, (2003), the objective of Malaysia’s LCPs is to: (1) provide affordable petroleum resources to the local market; (2) build the foundation for forward links; and (3) secure local involvement and control of both upstream and downstream segments.

A mix of regulations, incentives-based and capability-building programmes, are used to achieve the above-

mentioned objectives. The main ‘vehicle’ for the Malaysian LCPs was through Petronas (Oil & Gas Company) inter alia – its participation in PSAs and its policies focusing on developing the local work force technical skills and efficiency of their supply industry.

Under the PSA terms, contractors are required to: minimise the employment of foreign workforce – to this end, the recruitment of foreign personnel requires the approval of Petronas; train internal Malay personnel – this includes the provision of capability development programs that enable Malay personnel to replace the expatriate workforce; commit a minimum monetary amount to be allocated to the training of Petronas personnel, the amount being contract specific; and offer on-the-job training to personnel of the NOC, upon the request of Petronas.

Also, every PS contrac-

tor is subject to an annual research contribution equivalent to 0.5 per cent of the sum of cost oil and contractor’s share of profit oil and the research contribution is tax deductible.

With the availability and accessibility of sufficient literature of lessons learned in hindsight - on poorly implemented and less effective LCPs in some African oil-producing countries such as Nigeria and Angola for example; it is now imperative that local content strategies be adjusted to address important questions about definition and measurement of local content and seeking balance between strong regulation and encouraging investment that secures the best possible outcome.

It is the responsibility of host governments to link local content to governance, anti-corruption strategies and substantive transparency by all parties (Ovadia, 2015).

Development strategies that rely solely on productive investment of petroleum revenues have failed Africa in every case. Yet, local content offers new potential to make oil and gas work for African development in the 21st century. To this end, Ovadia (2015) argued that – with the right policies and involvement of all stakeholders, natural resources can be developmental.

Having benchmarked Guyana’s draft LCP to the LCPs of other established petroleum producing countries around the world, a number of inherent weaknesses have been identified. While the draft policy recognises in generic terms – the objective of local content strategies – it does not speak to the specificities with respect to how it intends to execute local content activities and/ or strategies.

With regards to proposed recommendations, first and foremost, the local content strategies and policies need

to be incorporated in the legislative framework. It is noted also, that the draft petroleum commission bill merely speaks to the promotion of local content and local participation in petroleum activities which is unarguably inadequate; unless there will be a separate legislation to address local content. As was evidenced in the local content around the world, without having it incorporated in the legislative framework, it is largely ineffective and much to the disadvantage of the host countries.

Henceforth, the first recommendation, for emphasis is the incorporation of the LCP into the petroleum legislation (s); clear targets, procurement rules and strict measurement procedures need to be identified and established; policy tools and/or instruments were not addressed as well hence this need to be worked out for example, what fiscal incentives would be put in place.

They must not remain in their cushy jobs with fat perks Dear editor,

OVER the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore estates as efforts are being made to resuscitate operations there.

I had heard from others of the sad realities they met when they opened the estates gates and were able to walk around. I told myself maybe the situation wasn’t as bad. But as I stepped foot on those estates for the first time since their closure at the end of 2017, I recognised the situation was worse than what was described to me.

As I walked through the compounds of those estates I could not help but feel overwhelmed by sadness and then anger as I looked around and recognised the damage that was inflicted on these estates. I saw at Skeldon, for instance, very expensive pieces of machines left in the elements to rot and to be taken over by vegetation. I doubt that those machines can ever be fixed even by some of GuySuCo’s skilled artisans who can do wonders. At Enmore I saw with my own eyes, how equipment was apparently chopped up and stripped away and seemingly carted

off. I learnt at Enmore that several pieces of equipment cannot be accounted for as it appears to have vanished.

I learnt too that at Enmore, despite extensive checks, hundreds of steel punts have disappeared.

As I walked through those estates, I wondered what really transpired and how could millions, if not billions, of the Guyanese peoples assets just disappear.

I wondered whether they were sold off and if the monies can be accounted for?

As I walked through those estates I felt the pain that people faced was extended to the assets they cared for

and kept working despite adversity.

As I walked through the closed estates, I saw former staff compounds which were once teeming with life, reduced to deserted wastelands. I saw beacons of hope reduced to machine graveyards. It was an awakening call for me. Never have I ever in my many years in the sugar industry seen assets, owned by the people of our great nation, treated with such disdain, disregard and disrespect.

Clearly those who superintended over the state of affairs must be made to answer. They cannot be

allowed to remain in their cushy jobs with fat perks.

They have violated the trust of the Guyanese people as they stripped fully functional estates of many assets.

Clearly, those who played a leading role must be called to books. I have heard the President himself saying public officials must answer, and I believe those who led NICIL-SPU who, in my view, are responsible and must give account of their actions and if guilty of any wrongdoing must face the consequences.

However, as despondent as I was when I visited the estates, my hopes are

buoyed. I have confidence in the workers and the managers appointed to reopen the closed estates.

I have seen in the past how our collective efforts have led us out of the darkest tunnels and have seen now the commitment to right the wrongs. I am confident that we, once more, we will overcome the obstacles more imbued to become stronger and better.

Yours faithfully,

Seepaul Narine, MP General Secretary GAWU

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Mahipaul needs spiritual and psychological upliftment Dear editor,

AS a father to both sons and daughters, it was a bit painful to witness the evil and absolute despotic attempt by Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to disaffect the Honorable Minister of Local Government and his son.

Over the weekend, Mr. Mahipaul was seen spreading a rather awful rumor, making it seem as though the tender of Designz Unlimited had been pushed by the Hon. Minister, Minister Dharamlall himself. Designz Unlimited is known to have been founded by Mr. Dharamlall’s son, Tariq Dharamlall, since he was 16. While we know that politics can be extremely devastating, horrible, and painful, I can only imagine the heartache

this obvious attempt to disaffect the Honorable Minister must have been to both father and son. A very important issue to consider is the fact that this company, as far as my investigation shows, has always been tendering and supplying the Ministry of Local Government and others, including some businesses in the Private Sector.

Designz Unlimited has never had any problems in the last few years when the APNU was in government. During the APNU era, Designz Unlimited was responsible for supplying the ministry. So why the hue and the cry now? Is it because the young man’s father is the minister? Sadly, this all seems like politically clutching beach sand in water or, as we proverbially say, “clinging to straws.” It is quite evident that the goal is to disaffect the character of

young Tariq Dharamlall.

It is sad that there are some politicians who love to target the children of individuals who do not share their points of view, especially as it relates to politics. Political maniacs like Mr. Mahipaul lack the capacity and vision to recognise that you do not put people’s children into humiliating situations just because you despise the parent.

Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul is considered to be a citizen who is usually treated with a great deal of disrespect.

It seems to me that from all his comments and general behaviour, especially those of recent times, this fellow needs to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist to help him map his brains so that he can see and understand people’s feelings, especially those of innocent children.

In some small measure, I wish to take this opportunity

to also advise Mr. Mahipaul, as I did to another warlord in his faction, that what you put out is what you would receive and what you sow is what you will reap. If you target other people’s children and you try to disaffect other people’s characters then prepare for when the table turns. The universe is not blind, and the world, through automation, sets up its karmic powers to teach lessons, and indeed, the guilty obtain their wrath, so that all is properly balanced.

Targeting the children of another is a grievous sin; simply because you do not like a parent or the things they say. It is quite obvious that just like his political mentor, aka ‘Evil Eyes,’ Mr. Mahipaul has lost his human conscience: the wand of God that warns people when they are wrong or telling lies.

When people do not listen

Post card in commemoration of queen’s visit in 1966

to the warnings of human conscience, it is known to go to sleep, as is the case of Mr. Mahipaul and his mentor, ‘Evil Eyes.’

Worse still, it is all for a small tender that is just a mere eighty thousand Guyana dollars. This just all smacks of total wickedness with the accuser possessing a political pygmy attitude and mindset. It is not like that of the hundreds of millions of dollars, or in some cases, billions of dollars that were awarded to friends and relatives during the last regime. Mr. Mahipaul, I would advise you, sir, to grow up!

Behave! With these kinds of seeds planted by you and your political associates, you convince yourself that you will never recover any kind of influence by the karmic dispensation of the universe. If you look and analyse yourself, you would realise that you and the evil eyes are deteriorating from human norms and expecta-

National flag was wrongly positioned Dear editor

Dear editor, ONE of Guyana’s historic moments was in May, 1966 for its Independence and the very first visit by Queen Elizabeth and husband in February of the same year.

In commemoration of the Queen’s visit, I share for viewing from my personal collection a post card which was printed from that historic visit. This, I believe should be a very educational for all.

Yours faithfully, T.Pemberton

tions.

I advise you Mahipaul, smoke your pipe very hard, inhale extremely deep, and do not exhale. It is only then that you might be able to see something of worth, and then maybe your conscience will wake up!

While I know you will never say you are sorry, it would be the correct thing to apologise to the youth you wronged. After all, it is quite obvious that you read something, and you jumped into it without even worrying or ensuring the information was factual.

Thank you, Mr. Editor, for your approval of this missive. The intention is to make this guidance available to Mr. Mahipaul, who is in serious need of some spiritual and psychological upliftment.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

TWO daily newspapers recently carried front page articles on the proposed bridge across the Corentyne River. The headlines read, “Guyana, Suriname teams visit landing site for Corentyne bridge -- agreement expected to be signed next month” and “Guyana, Suriname mark site for Corentyne River Bridge”.

According to the reports, Suriname’s Public Works Minister, Dr. Riad Nurmohamed; Guyana’s Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill and other officials from both countries visited the site for the proposed Guyana - Suriname River Bridge.

The missive carried photographs of the flags of Guyana and Suriname being displayed and planted at Moleson Creek, the proposed site for the bridge. I discovered, to my chagrin, the flags were placed in the wrong positions. During my school days it was imbedded in me that in Guyana, whenever the

flag of Guyana is displayed alongside another flag, it must be on the right of that flag and when it is among other flags, its rightful position is the centre and a little above the other flags. What I saw in the photograph was the flag of Suriname on the right of the flag of Guyana when it should have been the other way around. Also, Suriname’s flag pole appears to be sturdier than Guyana’s.

I will not flag the issue much longer but hasten to posit that we must, at all times, respect our symbols of nationhood. They are the National Anthem, the Coat of Arms, the Golden Arrowhead - the national flag and the National Pledge.

Hope that in future we will observe the protocol as it relates to our flag. Let our flag fly proudly but in its rightful position.

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Teen beaten, stabbed to death at wash bay - one arrested, two wanted

FLASHBACK: Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, former President, David Granger, and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon after filing the elections petition on August 31

Case management for Elections Petition set for Oct. 22 CHIEF Justice (ag) Roxane George has set October 22, 2020 for a case management hearing into the APNU+AFC’s Elections Petition which seeks to challenge the validity of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

At the case management hearing, which will be done virtually, the date for the hearing of the matter is expected to be set. Other timelines and deadlines related to the petitions before

the Court will also be set.

On August 31, the ‘Coalition’, through its lawyer, Roysdale Forde, filed the documents on behalf of the applicants, Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick, who want the High Court to determine the legality of the elections, and the results that led to the declaration and allocation of seats in the National Assembly.

Other attorneys who are part of the case are Raphael Trotman, Olayne Joseph,

and Trinidad Senior Counsel John Jeremie.

The ‘Coalition’ had named several respondents, among them Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo; as well as representatives of several political parties that contested the elections, as it wants the High Court to cancel the polls and order fresh elections within 90

days.

The PPP/C emerged victorious in the aftermath of those elections.

The applicants have also named former President, David Granger, as a respondent to the petitions, where they are also asking for a quick and expeditious hearing.

According to Guyana’s laws, the validity of votes can be challenged only through an election petition, after the overall election results has been declared, and a Government is in place. At this point, an investigation will be done, and the case tried in court, based on the evidence presented.

A SIXTEEN-year-old boy was attacked, beaten and stabbed to death on Tuesday by three teenagers at a Wash bay where he was employed at Front Road, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Dead is Jumal Park called “Cherio”, a labourer of Nonpareil Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the murder was committed by a 19-year-old labourer of Hunter Street, La Penitence; an 18-year-old unemployed man of West Ruimveldt along with a 17-year-old unemployed boy of La Penitence.

Police said that the victim was at work at “Wanita Wash Bay” washing a car when the 19-year-old, who was armed with a knife and the two others who were armed with pieces of wood, approached the wash bay.

They trio then called out to him and challenged the teen to a fight and began advancing towards him.

However, the victim retreated into a yard where he was stabbed to the left side of his chest and to his right upper arm by the 19-year-old, while the other suspects lashed him with the wood.

The victim, after being injured, ran into a house in the said yard through an open door and fell on the kitchen floor.

Dead: Jumal Park called “Cherio”

Police said that the owner of the house, who was at home at the time, heard the commotion and tried to protect the victim by preventing the suspects from entering and in the process, was stabbed on the left wrist by the 19-year -old.

The suspects then escaped west on Front Road, West Ruimveldt and north on Hunter Street to an unknown location.

The victim was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by the home owner, where he was pronounced dead at 10:30 hours by a doctor on duty.

The teen’s body is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting an autopsy. Police said the 18-year-old suspect was arrested and is in custody. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the other two suspects as investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE wednesDAy, octobeR 14, 2020

G$42 trillion available ...

From page 3

Nicholas Boyer, in an invited comment on Tuesday following a joint press conference with the U.S officials held at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

These funds, he said, will be made available in the form of loans, but from all indications the interest rates will be different from those already available to local investors.

“Based on what they were saying, we would assume the interest rates and lending terms would be different from what we have available…we are hoping that the cost of capital will be different,” said Boyer.

A member of the U.S. delegation, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Adam Boehler, during the press conference, said that, from his end, they are able to back both US-based and Guyanese companies with financing.

Based on discussions with the private sector, Boehler said areas of focus include reducing the cost of electricity; investments in small and medium size businesses and investments in agriculture and farmers.

The agency, through these projects, will be looking to increase the amount of jobs and improve the livelihood of every Guyanese, while at the same time focusing on major infrastructural development.

Although the agency has a general cap of US$60 billion, Boehler said no specific amount has been identified for Guyana from their end.

“We do not have a specific amount…we look at large infrastructural projects, but we also look at every mortgage that goes to individual persons…it is not about the amount for us, but the impact… we look at projects from the billions down to projects that get US$500,” said the CEO. When asked about the agency’s capacity and whether only USbased companies will benefit from financing, Boehler said: “We have the ability to back US-based and other Guyanese companies…We are American, we like them and there are great American-Guyanese companies, but we can back Guyanese companies in some of these efforts.”

INVESTMENTS SOON Already, the CEO foresees a strong partnership with the local private sector and even said that investments will be announced soon.

“This is exciting for Guyana…I think it is a great time because we

can grow in partnership with the US, which we clearly have affinity for and a large diaspora in, and target market for, agricultural exports,” said Boyer.

He said it is great to have a partner to provide access to capital and help Guyana to unlock its full potential in all sectors. This initiative comes just one month after a visit from US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who signed several agreements with Guyana.

The framework agreement to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the Growth in the Americas Initiative is expected to help them to identify specific ways to advance their joint interest.

The MoU aims to provide a platform for US private sector investment to build Guyana’s physical infrastructure, energy sector, and digital economy transparently. Guyana is the second Caribbean country to sign the MoU, joining Jamaica.

This agreement, President Irfaan Ali had said, will boost the business environment for U.S. private sector investment in Guyana, particularly in the fields of energy, both non-renewables and renewables, along with infrastructure.

Further, he said the agreement will also pave the way for the U.S. private sector to expand its investment portfolio and partner with Guyana’s private sector.

President Ali had also noted that these partnerships will help to meet Guyana’s broader infrastructural and downstream development needs and, by extension, drive economic growth and development as well as job creation.

The Secretary of State had said the U.S. was ready to partner with Guyana, especially when big decisions are faced on moving forward in future prosperity.

“That’s how Americans will help produce local jobs and sustainable growth for the people of your country. You should know that the United States AID that works as part of the State Department is on the same page too. I’m proud to announce this morning that the agency has committed $3M for a locally-led programme for citizens’ involvement in their government, and a million and a half so that the youth of Guyana will be involved in democracy as well,” Pompeo had explained in September.

Private-sector investments are expected to increase, stretching from the construction of new shore bases to service the oil-andgas sector, to new office complexes and other private development projects.

Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Adam Boehler (Adrian Narine photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

SARA dismantled –– Director, Deputy and staff fired THE Government, on Tuesday, dismantled the operations of the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) and terminated the services of the Director, Professor Clive Thomas, and his deputy, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer (Major ret’d), with immediate effect, citing a breach of the State Assets Recovery Act of 2017.

The Government also terminated the employment of some 41 employees with immediate effect.

A statement from the Chambers of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, noted that Thomas and Retemyer appointed “themselves and determined their term of office, in complete disregard and violation of the provisions set out in the Act.” “This Agency has achieved nothing in five years, but has ‘gobbled up’ close to $1B GYD in public funds in salaries, wages, rent and operational expenses,” Nandlall noted.

An action was filed in the High Court challenging their appointment and that action is also pending, Nandlall’s Chambers noted. Documents released by the Attorney General showed that the two men ‘hired each other’, thus breaching the Act. In outlining the sections of the Act that were breached, the Attorney General revealed the following: in relation to the appointment of the Director and Deputy Director the Schedule states in

Section (1) that the National Assembly shall – (a) by a simple majority; and (b) on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, appoint the Director and Deputy Director of the State Assets Recovery Agency.

Further, in Section 1 (4) of the Schedule it is stated that the Director and Deputy Director shall be informed of their appointments by the Clerk of the National Assembly: (4) The Clerk of the National Assembly shall, by letter, inform the Director and the Deputy Director of their appointment. Moreover, the

Heath-Retemyer entered into a five-year contract with the former AP NU+AFC Government on September 1, 2017.

Details of the contract, which was released by the Attorney General, reveal

Major (ret’d) Aubrey Heath-Retemyer

Professor Clive Thomas terms and conditions of the appointment of the Director and Deputy Director are provided for by Section 2 of the Schedule which is set out hereunder for reference: 2 (1) The terms and conditions of the appointment of the Director and Deputy Director, including their term of office shall be such as determined by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments.

“The Government of Guyana wishes to thank you for your services and hereby assures you that your curriculum vitae will be kept on record for consideration for future employment,” a letter signed by the Attorney General stated to both men.

Both Thomas and

that Thomas was being paid a monthly salary of G$1M, G$30,000 travelling allowance per month, a G$50,000 risk allowance per month; the Government paid for security and electricity at his place of residence, cell phone and landline bills, internet access at his residence and provided medical and life insurance.

As it relates to Heath-Retemyer, his salary was G$700,000 per month and he was given the same benefits as his Director.

The Attorney General, in his statement, reminded that one of Guyana’s largest financial institutions, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) “was assailed by SARA, who instituted proceedings to acquire the Headquarters of GBTI located on High and Young Street Kingston in the High Court.”

According to Minister Nandlall, the land was acquired by GBTI by public tendering process over a decade ago.

“GBTI after acquisition of the land subsequently constructed its Headquarters amount-

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall ing to an expenditure of several hundred million Guyana dollars. The Honourable Justice Franklyn Holder ruled that SARA was not a corporate entity and as such it could not sue or be sued by such a name. The judge found that since the commencement of the Act, no director has ever been appointed and none by construction of the provisions of the Act. “The Court ruled that only a director, a duly authorized officer, was empowered by Section 40 of the Act to institute proceedings of the nature sought to acquire the land from GBTI. Although, the court raised the issue of an authorized officer as described in Section 2 of the Act having the capacity to institute proceedings such as the one against GBTI, counsel for SARA did not seek an Order to substitute a possible authorized officer with the description of Section 2 of the Act. The case was struck out,” the Attorney General said.

He further noted that every other action filed by SARA was bound to fail due to the defect identified by the Court.

“The Government will undertake to strengthen asset recovery components of the AMLCFT legislation and will endeavour to enact legislation utilising the CARICOM model of State Asset Recovery, in respect of state assets acquired illegally. This model legislation is in consonance with our laws and the Constitution,” Nandlall said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE wednesDAy, octobeR 14, 2020

Lombard Street Man accused businessman dies six of shooting cop weeks after shooting

granted bail

DESMOND McPherson on Monday appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of shooting a policeman and being in possession of a loaded gun.

McPherson was not required to plead to four charges.

It is alleged that on October 5, 2020 at Arapaima Street, Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, McPherson, with intent to resist lawful apprehension, assaulted Constable 24016 Ramsingh, a Peace Officer acting in the execution of his duty.

It is also alleged that on the same date and place, McPherson had in his possession a .32 Taurus pistol without being a holder of a firearm licence to carry it, and four matching rounds of ammunition without being licensed to carry that too.

The final allegation is that he discharged a loaded firearm at Constable Ramsingh with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

According to the facts of the case, at 18:45hrs, Constable Ramsingh and Constable Kennedy were patrolling Arapaima Street, Guyhoc Park, when two explosions were heard by Constable Ramsingh. He alerted Constable Kennedy and they both proceeded in a westerly direction to investigate. While approaching a crowd of about 10 persons,

Constable Ramsingh noticed McPherson inconspicuously distancing himself from the crowd with his hands tucked to his side. Persons at the scene reportedly said he was in possession of a gun.

Constable Ramsingh proceeded towards McPherson and when he was about two feet away, he reportedly observed the accused reaching for his handgun. He immediately held onto McPherson’s hand and a scuffle ensued. During the scrimmage, McPherson discharged a round which struck Constable Ramsingh to the inner part of his right leg and existed through his buttocks.

In the attempt to defend himself, Constable Ramsingh discharged a round from his service weapon, which struck McPherson to the inner part of his left thigh. The injured rank managed to relieve McPherson of his firearm.

Public-spirited citizens and Constable Kennedy assisted in the apprehension of McPherson. Police ranks who were the vicinity at the time also rendered assistance.

Constable Ramsingh was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined and admitted as a patient.

McPherson was later charged.

Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus granted McPherson $70,000 bail on each charge.

The matter was adjourned to November 2.

SIX weeks after being shot by two men on a bicycle in front of his Drysdale and Lombard Streets hardware store, 70-year-old businessman Lennox Robinson finally succumbed to his injuries on Monday.

Robinson, who lived in South Ruimveldt Park, but for years ran Robinson’s General Store on down-town Lombard Street, was reportedly shot on September 2 and never regained consciousness. According to the police, he died at around 16:00h on Monday at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hos-

pital Corporation (GPHC).

Reports indicate that the businessman, as was his wont over the years, was sitting on a chair in front of the business establishment when at around 12:10h, he was confronted by two men on a bicycle.

Police said that during the course of an argument among the men, which quickly developed into a physical altercation, Robinson, who was ‘licensed to carry’, was relieved of his gun and shot by one of the suspects, who later escaped with the weapon.

DEAD: City businessman, Lennox Robinson No arrests have as yet been made, but according to the police, the matter is still being investigated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Qatar commits to help Guyana with military hospitals, ventilators … to fight COVID-19 pandemic THE Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has committed to providing Guyana with much needed equipment including portable military hospitals and ventilators to help the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

This commitment was made on Tuesday, when President Irfaan Ali held discussions with the Qatar Head of State over the telephone. A statement from the Office of the President noted that President Ali discussed several key areas of col-

laboration and cooperation with the Emir of Qatar.

The Emir of Qatar, His Royal Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

According to the statement, Qatar’s Emir used the opportunity to express congratulations to President Ali on his inauguration and committed his willingness to assist Guyana.

The other areas identified for collaboration include support for the Agriculture Sector through investments in the Halaal industry, expansion of the housing programme, the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and support in other critical sectors including Energy, Oil and Gas, Services and Infrastructure.

Both President Ali and His Royal Highness committed to mobilising technical teams from both countries, immediately following the discussions. The teams will include the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries, as well as the Energy Minister from Qatar and Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister and Agriculture Minister.

Following the engagement, the teams will also proceed to design programmes and projects to access resources from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).

According to the Office of the President, the

QFFD is a public development institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement external aid projects under Law No. 19 of 2002 and its amendments.

It has provided aid to several countries around the world to achieve the international cooperation goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Qatar Fund for Development’s main goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, by addressing priority issues of education, health and economic empowerment.

The two Heads of State committed to vis-

President Irfaan Ali iting each other to discuss the partnership between the two countries further.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE wednesDAy, octobeR 14, 2020

Motorcyclist critical following horrific accident at Devonshire Castle A 56-year-old motorcyclist, from Devonshire Castle, Region Two, is currently battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Suddie Public Hospital, after he was involved in a horrific accident with a hearse attached to the Regional Democratic Council on the Devonshire Castle Public Road on Monday.

This newspaper understands that Toolsie Maniram is in an unconscious condition at the hospital with severe head injuries.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that Maniram was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road on motorcycle CJ 6341 at a normal rate of speed, while the driver of the hearse GNN 5061 was proceeding in the said direction some distance behind, at a fast rate of speed.

It is alleged that, while in the process of negotiating a right bend, 59-year-old Bharat Joseph, the driver of the hearse, lost control and collided with the rear of the motorcycle. That occurred at around 17:10h.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist fell onto the roadway and was dragged a reasonable distance. The hearse then toppled and came to a halt in a trench located on the eastern side of the road, pinning the motorcyclist.

Maniram was removed from under the hearse by passersby who took him to the hospital. The driver of the hearse remains in police custody.

The hearse toppled and ended up in a trench

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Probe launched into illegal structures on Charity river dam A THOROUGH investigation has been launched into the establishment of illegal structures along the Charity sea defence river dam in the Charity/Ursara district in Region Two. On Tuesday, a delegation which included Region Two Chairman, Vilma Da Silva; Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Odit; Sea Defence Engineer, Saeed Mohamed, and Councillor of the Re-

gional Democratic Council, Fawaz Baksh, visited the area and met with residents.

Several concerns were raised including the building of illegal structures that are impeding traffic and several businessmen constructing their private wharf. Residents said these businessmen are charging exorbitant fees to poor farmers.

In response, Da Silva said she has seen first hand that

private structures are indeed blocking traffic and making the area impassable. While she acknowledged that Charity is a fast developing community, proper infrastructure such as adequate parking and toilet facilities have to be provided, especially near the sea defence dam.

David Parks, who has a fence on a portion of land close to the river dam, is claiming he has the neces-

Chairman of Region Two, Vilma Da Silva, met with residents of Charity

sary documentation, however engineers from sea defence and workers from the NDC have not seen those documents.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Parks sold the portion of land to another

businessman who has the intention of building a private wharf. As such, engineers will be visiting the site to conduct further investigations.

Residents are calling for all permanent structures

to be removed so that cash crop farmers can have access to conduct their daily activities. The area is used to offload and load boats, especially to persons fishing and plying the Moruca and hinterland areas.

One of the illegal structures that was constructed along the Charity sea defence river dam

Pensioners to get five 400-gallon tanks of water free from January NEWLY-APPOINTED Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Mr. Shaik Baksh, said pensioners will receive ten cubic meters of water free of cost from January 1, 2021, in keeping with budgetary provisions.

That amount, the CEO said, is equivalent to five 400-gallon black tanks, which is sufficient to last a pensioner and partner for one month; anything over that amount will be billed, the Department of Public Information (DPI) revealed.

Those five tanks of free water are only for metered pensioners.

“We estimated that consumers were paying VAT [valued-added tax] in excess of $35 million a month, so this is a big relief for all consumers, especially the pensioners. That is why this Government saw it necessary to reinstate free water of ten cubic meters,” Mr. Baksh was quoted as saying

by DPI. Mr. Baksh also urged pensioners with outstanding water bills to go to GWI’s head office so that

a system could be put in place to clear those bills since the measure was not retroactive.

Pensioners had been receiving free water prior to 2015 and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had vowed to undo the APNU+AFC taxes on the utility when it returned to office.

This year’s budget saw the removal of VAT from water and electricity and an increase in old age pension from$20,500 to $25,000, which also takes effect from January 1, 2021.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Datadin and team tasked with transforming CJIA

By Jared Liddell THE six-member board of the Cheddi Jagan international Airport (CJIA) headed by prominent attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, was, on Tuesday, formally installed by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, who charged the new team to transform the country’s leading port of entry.

The members of the board are Sanjeev Datadin (chairman), Savitree Singh-Sharma, David Ramdehol, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, Dawn Ellis and Sean Richmond.

Minister Edghill urged the new board to improve services at the CJIA and suggested the implementation of specific systems such as cellphone and car rentals for visitors as these would significantly enhance visitors’ experience in Guyana.

Inefficiency, he said,

must never be a word associated with the CJIA, and all persons accessing the airport must experience the highest quality of service.

The minister also underscored the need to strengthen security at the CJIA, stressing that illicit drugs must not be allowed to pass in or out of Guyana.

The complete development of the CJIA, he said, must be one of the main priorities for the new board members.

“Improve on what you already have and build on it. As your minister responsible for aviation, I’m open to you, open to engage you to ensure that you have adequate policy direction. I am available to ensure that matters that have to be resolved that we have expeditious decision making because oftentimes it’s not just the decision but the timeliness of that

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill (fifth left), with the members of the CJIA board. From left to right: David Ramdehol; Savitree Singh- Sharma; Board Chairman, Sanjeev Datadin; Dawn Ellis; Dr. Amarnauth Dukhe; Sean Richmond, and CEO of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir

decision that really matters,” said Edghill.

Chairman Datadin said the newly-appointed board intends to improve services at the airport to allow visitors’ experience to be pleasant.

Top of the agenda for the new board, he said, was the review of the COVID-19 preventative systems for protection of all persons utilising the CJIA to travel to and from Guyana.

Datadin noted that a key priority now is to ensure the safety of not just the passengers but workers of the CJIA and, by extension, the entire country as a whole.

Stringent measures, he said will be taken to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Man accused of shooting cop granted bail DESMOND McPherson on Monday appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of shooting a policeman and being in possession of a loaded gun.

McPherson was not required to plead to four charges.

It is alleged that on October 5, 2020 at Arapaima Street, Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, McPherson, with intent to resist lawful apprehension, assaulted Constable 24016 Ramsingh, a Peace Officer acting in the execution of his duty.

It is also alleged that on the same date and place, McPherson had in his possession a .32 Taurus pistol without being a holder of a firearm licence to carry it, and four matching rounds of ammunition without being licensed to carry that too.

The final allegation is that he discharged a loaded firearm at Constable Ramsingh

with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

According to the facts of the case, at 18:45hrs, Constable Ramsingh and Constable Kennedy were patrolling Arapaima Street, Guyhoc Park, when two explosions were heard by Constable Ramsingh. He alerted Constable Kennedy and they both proceeded in a westerly direction to investigate. While approaching a crowd of about 10 persons, Constable Ramsingh noticed McPherson inconspicuously distancing himself from the crowd with his hands tucked to his side. Persons at the scene reportedly said he was in possession of a gun.

Constable Ramsingh proceeded towards McPherson and when he was about two feet away, he reportedly observed the accused reaching for his handgun.

He immediately held onto McPherson’s hand and a

scuffle ensued. During the scrimmage, McPherson discharged a round which struck Constable Ramsingh to the inner part of his right leg and existed through his buttocks.

In the attempt to defend himself, Constable Ramsingh discharged a round from his service weapon, which struck McPherson to the inner part of his left thigh. The injured rank managed to relieve McPherson of his firearm.

Public-spirited citizens and Constable Kennedy assisted in the apprehension of McPherson. Police ranks who were the vicinity at the time also rendered assistance.

Constable Ramsingh was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was examined and admitted as a patient. McPherson was later charged.

Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus granted McPherson $70,000 bail on each charge.

The matter was adjourned to November 2.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Eugene F. Correia airport ready for commercial operations

From left: Kit Nascimento, Andrew Boyle, Michael Correia, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle and in front, Anthony Mekdeci

THE Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) will be fully equipped to carry out the sampling for the PCR COVID-19 tests for passengers arriving at the airport when it reopens for commercial flights today.

This assurance was given following an onsite meeting

at the airport’s international terminal with officials of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Ministry of Health (MoH), Eureka Medical Laboratory (EML) and the chairman and management of the airport, to review the arrangements in place for the opening of the airport to international commercial flights.

At the meeting were Michael O. Correia (Jnr), Chairman of the Board, Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI); Col (ret’d) Anthony Mekdeci, Chief Executive Officer & Project Coordinator, OAI; Abraham Doris, Director of Aviation Safety and Security (ag), GCAA; Karen

Gordon-Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health; Andrew Boyle, Chief Executive Officer, Eureka Medical Laboratory; and Kit Nascimento, Public Communications Consultant, OAI The meeting reviewed the COVID-19 protocols and regulations established by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, for governing the commercial operations of the Airport in order that the required arrangements and facilities are in compliance with these regulations.

Driver who crashed into Rose Hall couple turns self in -injured husband, wife recovering

Police Headquarters, THE driver, who fled the scene after crashing into in a statement, noted that two prominent Rose Hall the couple was proceeding Town business owners on east along the northern Monday night, turned him- drive lane while the car self over to the police on was proceeding west along the southern drive lane Tuesday.

This was confirmed by Commander of ‘B’ Division, Linden Isles, who revealed that the driver was taken for a medical examination after he alleged he was beaten following the accident.

The couple, who owns a chain of Imran’s stores, 5 7 - y e a r - o l d Imran Hamid and his wife Saudia Hamid Imran Hamid and his wife Saudia Hamid, 52, is in a and made a sudden turn stable condition at a hos- north into the path of the pital in Georgetown after motorcycle.

The couple fell off the they were transferred from the New Amsterdam Public motorcycle and as a result, sustained injuries about their Hospital.

The Guyana Chronicle bodies. This newspaper ununderstands that they were derstands that Mrs. Hamid making their way to one of sustained a fractured right their stores on motorcycle foot and was scheduled to CK 2456, when they were undergo surgery while her struck down by motorcar husband sustained a gash to bearing registration number his head and injuries to his PMM 5277 at around 18:05 shoulder.

Police are continuing hours on the Rose Hall Town their investigations.

Public Road.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Alleged murderer of GPHC dispatcher to know fate Thursday STATE prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, on Tuesday, closed the State’s case in the trial of sixty-year-old Allan Sim, who allegedly killed the mother of his child in 2015.

Sim, called “Cayenne” of Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), will appear before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.

The former taxi driver had denied that on November 23, 2015 at Georgetown, he murdered Melissa Skeete, called Lisa, a staff member of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson is representing Sim. Justice Singh has set Thursday for the summing up of evidence in the matter, following which he will hand the case to the 12-member jury.

Allan Sim called ‘Cayenne’ According to the prosecution’s facts, Sim and Skeete shared a child together. The woman worked as a dispatcher at GPHC. On the day in question, at about 15:00 hours, Sim picked her up from work in his motorcar bearing registration PRR6801.

About 30 minutes later, the woman was found in the vicinity of Carmichael

Street, bleeding profusely from several stab wounds about her body. She was rushed to the GPHC, where she succumbed while receiving treatment.

An investigation was launched and the accused was arrested. Under caution, he reportedly admitted to the offence, and his car was found five days later with the passenger seat replaced.

On November 25, 2015, Sim turned himself in to the police at the Alberttown

Melissa Skeete called ‘Lisa’ Police Station after news surfaced that he had allegedly stabbed and killed the mother of his three-year-old daughter.

Sim is alleged to have stabbed Skeete eight times about her body before pushing her out of his car on Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

A post-mortem revealed that a single stab wound inflicted to Skeete’s stomach was “too deep”, and was responsible for her death.

Skeete’s relatives allege that she had shared an “on-and-off” relationship with Sim for more than 10 years, during which time she had been constantly abused and controlled by him, although he was married. She had finally decided to end the abusive affair when tragedy struck.

Over 1,000 active COVID-19 cases GUYANA, on Tuesday, recorded 44 new cases of COVID-19, taking the overall known cases to 3,565.

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health, 16,215 persons have been tested, with 12,650 proving negative and 3,565 positive. Available information shows that Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and One (Barima-Waini) account for the highest number of cases, with 1,643 and 587 respectively.

And while 2,435 persons have recovered from this disease, 106 have died so far, and there are 1,026 active cases which include 132 persons in institutional isolation, 876 in home isolation, and 16 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Authorities have said that cases are

being detected because more tests are being done. Sample taking was also increased across the country because the authorities believed that many cases are going “under the radar.”

This suspicion had prompted the authorities to distribute more sample kits across the country, especially to regions where the infection rate is high. Most of the cases have so far been recorded in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

“We are sending out more kits, so there will be an increase in sample collection… the testing itself has components; one is sample collection, and then there is the processing of

samples,” said Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, in a recent report.

The actual testing is being conducted centrally at the National Reference Laboratory, because regional facilities lack the capacity and technical skills needed to get it done. While the government hopes to improve capacity in those regions, the immediate need for sample-testing takes precedence, especially with the high number of asymptomatic cases.

It was reported that processing time for samples taken from persons to test for the COVID-19 will be reduced from about eight hours to two-three hours, as government received a new automated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing machine from China.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Businesswoman hoping to ‘jump-start’ economy with Farmers’ Market FORTY-eight-year-old entrepreneur, Diane Sinclair is hoping to “jump-start” the economy with her business concept of an Almond Tree Farmers’ Market.

Sinclair, during an interview with this newspaper, said that many small businesses have suffered tremendously as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but she believes that a farmers’ market will afford them opportunities for future marketing both locally and internationally.

The enthusiastic businesswoman said that she has a building that was

used to house a gym, but due to the pandemic, she was forced to close, but has since come up with a plan to have it accommodate small businesses.

The market, she said, will create a lively community space for the sale of homegrown, organic, repurposed, eco-friendly handicraft products among other items.

The market will be held on November 14, 21, 28 and December 5, 2020 from 07:00h – 13:00h, indoors and outdoors, at Lot 229 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

The businesswoman is

Local Entrepreneur Diane Sinclair

encouraging persons to see the farmers’ market as a pos-

itive initiative.

“It will be a market with a difference; it is geared at helping small businesses earn, as they have already suffered due to the pandemic,” Sinclair said.

Four of the market’s stalls will be given free of charge to children between the ages of 8-14, as part of Sinclair’s Encouraging Early Entrepreneurship (EEE) programme.

The market will also feature live music by local musicians such as Gavin Mendonca and Drummer Chucky.

Persons can make contact with Sinclair on 6972463 or 623-7240.

CAPTIONS: Photos saved as: ‘Sinclair’ & ‘Flyer’ 1: 2: No caption needed

Driver killed after drunken friend reverses truck into him - One arrested, another wanted

A motor lorry driver lost his life on Five Miles Public Road, Bartica, in an accident on Monday night, after indulging in alcohol with fellow lorry drivers.

Dead is 31-year-old Deoraj Singh of Canal #1, West Bank Demerara. He was pinned to the ground by a lorry that was reversing, after it had towed another truck out of the sand.

Reports indicated that the three trucks were parked on the western corner of the road while the three drivers were consuming alcohol at a nearby house.

Sometime after 21:15h, the drivers decided to leave and it is alleged by Ramlakan Bishundial, the driver of lorry GTT 226, that they all proceeded to their respective lorries when they observed that motor lorry GNN 2121 was stuck in the sand.

As a result, the driver of lorry GNN 5974 assisted by pulling out the lorry with a rope on the northern side of the same road. Upon completion, the driver of lorry GSS 2121, Deoraj Singh, exited his vehicle and was standing in front of it when lorry GNN 5974 reversed and collided into him.

This resulted in the ve-

Dead: Deoraj Singh

hicle being push backwards, further colliding with motor lorry GTT 226.

Due to the collision, Police said Singh received abrasions to his face and body and fell to the road surface in an unconscious condition.

He was picked up by the driver of motor lorry GTT 226 and passers-by who placed him in a vehicle and took him to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is currently at the Bartica Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem examination.

The driver of motor lorry GNN 5974, on seeing what happened, fled the scene while the driver of motor lorry GTT 226 is in Police custody; a breathalyzer test conducted showed it was above the prescribed limit.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

‘No Littering’

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-NDIA launches campaign against littering

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, plants a coconut tree at the seawall to commemorate the launch of the ‘No littering campaign’ Some of the young volunteers of the ‘Seawalls and Beyond’ group gathered at the launching of the NDIA’s ‘No Littering Campaign’ on Tuesday at the Georgetown seawalls (Photo by Adrian Narine)

ECHOING calls for Guyanese to take better care of their surroundings, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, noted that all stakeholders must collaborate to change the culture of littering in Guyana.

The Minister made these

ing but only if the relevant agencies, volunteer groups and the populace work together.

“Let us be an agency that can make this change in our country. We in Guyana here have a culture and the Government can put all the

Minister Mustapha during his address at the launch of the ‘No littering campaign’

remarks during the launch of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA’s) ‘No Littering Campaign’ on Tuesday at the Georgetown seawalls.

“We have to clean but at the same time we have to work with the population. We have to work with the people and we have to change their culture and change their mindset,” he said, adding: “Our culture in Guyana, sometimes when persons eat something from a bottle or eat something from a plastic they throw the garbage out of their car window or on the road. We now have to work against that culture.”

The Minister noted that there can be an end to litter-

resources in place but if we don’t change the culture and the behaviour of our population then we will end up at square one again,” Minister Mustapha said.

He urged the NDIA to take its littering campaign to other parts of the country to further address the culture of littering.

Adding to the Minister’s call, Mr. Dwayne Hackett, founder of the ‘Seawall and Beyond’ volunteer group said that littering is more than just an aesthetic problem but rather a serious one, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“In this time of panSee page 28

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‘Green Business Technology Fund’ now targets 20 small business owners SMALL businesses with ground-breaking, ‘green’ business ideas and solutions were, in June, offered the opportunity to gain assistance from the Small Business Bureau (SBB) through their Green Business Technology Fund initiative.

Eligible applicants were advised to submit an application to be amongst 12 lucky persons to be awarded $1 million each to aid in the development of their business. However, due to the large number of submissions, that number was increased to 20 on October 5 and the deadline for the submission of applications was extended.

Launched in 2017, the SBB’s Green Business Technology Fund is

geared towards encouraging the implementation of businesses that incorporate fundamentals of the Green State Development Strategy. It supports a new idea which presents an innovation that improves the delivery of services. The solution must include the use of either: a software application, development of a prototype or and involve the use of ‘green’ energy. The businesses involved range from startup to existing business but must be considered as a ‘small business’ as defined by the Small Business Act of 2004.

Since the project started in 2017, winners have included owner of One Cart Dash, Fendel Etwaroo, and creator of bartering app “Swopp” Shemar Spencer.

In a recent interview with this publication, SBB’s Marketing Officer,

Marketing Officer attached to Small Business Bureau, Shamane Headley Shamane Headley, noted that the business project is a technology-based initiative that ensures environmental sustainability.

SBB has assisted a wide range of businesses/initiatives such as online service providers, online delivery service providers, agricultural business projects that employ new technology to research rice production, online small business market places and agri-based businesses that incorporate modern technology to convert waste into fuel.

Furthermore, once the application process is closed, the submissions will be reviewed and sent to a panel of judges who will select the winners.

“We have external members from the business and professional community who judge the proposals, such as business owners, CEOs and those types of persons.

Every year the judges change and the winners are also announc-ed within a month,” Headley said.

SBB is a semi-autonomous agency established under the Ministry of Business in keeping with the Small Business Act of 2004. It was established in 2010, and became operational in 2013 with funding from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), for the ‘Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED Programme).

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Disaster Risk Management legislation to be adopted, enforced –– as gov’t moves to improve Guyana’s response, effectiveness

By Navendra Seoraj SAFEGUARDING the people and patrimony of a nation is essential, because those resources are critical to advancement and development. And in light of the growing external and internal threats, the new government will be moving to adopt and enforce legislation for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction.

“Guyana has long departed from the reactive approach to hazard management, and it is the intention of the Government of Guyana to facilitate greater strides towards a more extensive and comprehensive approach,” said Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark

Phillips, in his message on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, which was commemorated across the world on Tuesday.

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is defined as the application of disaster risk-reduction policies and strategies to prevent new disaster risks; reduce existing disaster risks; and manage residual risks contributing to the strengthening of resilience and reduction of losses.

Some of the immediate goals to facilitate those risks locally include the intended adoption and enforcement of DRM legislation; the integration of DRM into the education system; and the establishment of a strong institutional framework for

the coordination of risk reduction and emergency responses at all levels.

Moreover, Prime Minister Phillips said it is the government’s intention to strengthen and upgrade existing legislation and regulations to ensure the thorough integration of disaster risk analyses in all aspects of infrastructural and community development, so as to prevent the creation of new risks, and reduce existing ones.

The recent commencement of oil-and-gas operations here in Guyana, and the proliferation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have justified the need for disaster-risk governance, which is relevant to both traditional and newly

emerging threats.

“The Government of Guyana is committed to integrating the principles of efficient and effective governance into our national DRM framework, which will in turn safeguard Guyanese lives, property and the environment from disasters,” the Prime Minister said.

“In our plight to ensure such integration within overall national development planning, our governance structure has provided a multi-sectoral framework for disaster risk-reduction planning and coordination among government agencies, international partners, civil society and the private sector, through the mechanisms of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination

Platform and the National Emergency Operations Centre,” he added.

This mechanism of which he speaks, the PM said, has afforded the activation and operation of the National COVID-19 Task Force, and the implementation of holistic and coherent response strategies to address the impacts and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic locally.

It is for this reason, he said, that International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is seen as a critical reminder of the relevance and need for transformational insight and leadership in disaster reduction.

“One of the main functions of Government is to provide stewardship to our country, in its bid towards

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips development, with critical responsibility for the quality of life of the population through the economic choices and administrative processes that will promote equity, poverty reduction and inclusiveness,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

He believes that the principles of good governance provide the key to sustainable development, and, by implication, to effective disaster risk reduction.

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‘Big plans for fishing in MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha says his ministry will soon collaborate with a number of stakeholders to expand

the fishing industry across the country, as there are ‘big plans’ in store for the sector.

Minister Mustapha made

this disclosure on Tuesday during a tour to the Pritipaul Singh Investments Shrimp and Tuna Processing Plant in McDoom, East Bank De-

--says Agri. Minister

Mr. Pritipaul Singh uses a bit of fish to explain to Minister Mustapha how the processing plant works

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, being taken on a tour of the Pritipaul Singh Investments Shrimp and Tuna Processing Plant at McDoom on Tuesday by its owner, Mr. Pritipaul Singh

merara.

The Minister, who said he was impressed with the efficiency of the company’s production, noted that col-

laborations and investments in companies like these will soon see the fishing industry coming more to the forefront in building the country’s

economy.

“This operation here is a model operation, with the contribution it has been making in terms of creat-

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ndustry’ ing employment for people.

With the investment he is making, this will have a direct effect on the economy, and as a government, we recognise the contribution of the fishing industry, which is why we have put measures in place,” Minister Mustapha said.

He further stated that the Ministry of Agriculture, through its fisheries department, will be working closely with Mr. Pritipaul Singh and other stakeholders in the sector to expand the processing plant to create more job opportunities for Guyanese across the country.

He also noted that with the removal of the Valued Added Tax (VAT) on a number of equipment, and the sweeping budget allocation for the agriculture sector, farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders will see more money in their pockets.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pritipaul Singh disclosed that he has over 1,500 persons employed at his company who work on a daily basis to provide the best produce they can for the country as well as for foreign export.

“My company is a seafood company, and we export to all parts of the world. We basically have our own boats; we harvest, we process and we export all over the world. We also buy from the whole country; we buy fish, and we also do our own shrimping,” Mr. Singh said.

He noted that the goal of the company is to provide employment for the nation’s people, and to expand the fishing industry through foreign export.

“Our goal, basically, is to expand our operations, so we could be more productive and head in a direction where we could be in control in

Staffers hard at work ‘prepping’ and packaging fish for the market (Adrian Narine photos)

whatever we are doing. And in the process of doing that, we motivate our staff by ensuring they have the best quality and standards and

environment that they are in,” the businessman said.

As it relates to the removal of VAT on a number of equipment, Mr. Singh

said, “Everything I buy here is being added VAT; as a result, I can reclaim it.

I mean, it is a plus; if I can have that returning to me,

it means it is an incentive to my workers. I can look at increasing people’s pay; I can give them give them more benefits.”

Families lose millions in valuables following Charlotte St. fire

SEVERAL persons are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed two houses on Charlotte Street, Georgetown on Monday night.

Handel Mackenzie of Lot 167 Charlotte Street, who returned to his home on Tuesday to make an estimate of his losses, noted that there

was burning scent at around 21:00 hours on Monday but he did not take it seriously since nothing was amiss at his house.

A few minutes after he retired to bed, Mackenzie said he was altered to a fire next door; he immediately ran out of the house as he had no time to save any

valuables.

Mackenzie estimated a $10 million lost in valuables.

Meanwhile, Eon Hargard, who resided at the bottom flat of the same building, noted that after he was alerted to the fire, he immediately rendered assistance to his nextdoor neighbour where the fire initially started, however, A section of the charred building (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Eon Hagard showing the Guyana Chronicle what is left of his home

his attempts where futile due to the intensity of the flames.

“The neighbour called out that her house was smoking but when I reach up by she, it was already ravenous, she had to run out with she children and I had to run out with she too,” Hargard told the Guyana Chronicle.

According to Hagard, his neighbour had left her stove on which he believes caused the fire. Hagard, who appeared to be distressed at the time of the interview, could not give an estimate of his losses, but he did manage to save a few items. Persons who are interested in assisting the families can contact them on telephone number 699-9458.

Eon Hagard

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Lives of law enforcement officers under serious threat – Police Force THE administration of the Guyana Police Force says it has noted a worrying trend of physical attacks on members of the Force, during the execution of their lawful duties, by some members of

the public.

The Police Force, in a statement, noted that review of video footage, as well as reports received from affected ranks, have revealed instances of citizens assaulting

them, brandishing cutlasses, pieces of wood and other weapons at them, attempting to disarm them and such like.

“Notably, all the attacks reviewed and reports received, comprise all the elements of a serious threat to life and safety of the law enforcement officers targeted, as well as persons within proximity, and in so doing render any action taken by the police to mitigate these threats as

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Public Relations Officer, Royston Andries-Junor

lawful,” said Royston Andries-Junor, the Assistant

Commissioner of Police and Public Relations Officer in the statement.

According to the senior cop, it is “fully evident” that the targeted ranks consistently exercised significant restraint and exposed themselves and innocent civilians to serious injuries.

In consideration of this development, the Force is calling on members of the public, who may be tempted to carry out such actions,

to refrain from doing so, as they would not only be in violations of the law, but can invoke life-threatening consequences.

“Consequences we would wish to avoid as we continue to execute our mandate of preservation of the peace and prevention and detection of crime to the benefit of all law abiding citizens and Guyana as a whole,” the statement concluded.

‘No Littering’ From page 19 demic, we are all too aware of the importance of proper sanitation and sanitary practices. Finally, and critically important is the fact that waste generated from human activity has a major impact on ecosystems not only the ecosystems on land but those of the ocean,” he said.

He noted that humans depend on the ocean and it is critical that they protect it at all cost.

“As humans, we depend on the oceans far more than we often think about it. The health of oceans is critically important to our very existence. Not only do the seas provide the world’s population with seafood but it is the largest influencer of our

A few of the volunteers cleaning a section of the seawall

climate. We need to better care for our ocean by not dumping trash into it.”

Hackett said that, daily, large volumes of waste

enter the ocean by direct littering and dumping of garbage over the seawalls and by the seaside, along with dumping into rivers,

creeks, canals, trenches and drains, which eventually finds its way into the oceans.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Men accused of murdering sisters, father in fire, freed TWO men, who have been on remand since 2014 for the murder of two sisters and their father, were freed by the Demerara High Court on Tuesday after Justice Brassington Reynolds upheld a no-case submission made by their lawyers, Latchmie Rahamat and Dexter Todd.

Ganga Krishna called ‘Buddie’ and ‘Scientist’, a 74-year-old businessman, formerly of North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, and his assistant, Avishkar Bissoon, 26, of Sheriff Street, Campbellville, were on trial before Justice Reynolds.

The two charges stated that on November 17, 2014, at Lot 65 King and Robb Streets,

Ganga Krishna and Avishkar Bissoon Georgetown, the men murdered Clarissa, 14 and Theresa Rozario, 11, in the course or furtherance of arson on their dwelling house.

The last charge stated that on December 21, 2014, the men murdered 63-year-old Hilrod Attlee Thomas, also known as Rudolph Thomas.

The attorneys argued that the State does not have enough evidence to prosecute their client and so they made a no-case submission calling for the case to be dismissed.

Justice Reynolds ruled in favour of the submission and directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.

The trial against the duo restarted on October 5, before a 12-memner jury after being aborted on two occasions.

According to reports, on November 17, 2014 at around 02:00 hours, Clarissa and Tressa Rozario were asleep along with their father when their house became engulfed in flames.

Their father managed to jump through a window to escape the fire but he sustained second and third-degree burns. On December 21, 2014, he succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

It is alleged that Krishna was the mastermind behind the fire, while Bissoon acted as his assistant.

The Guyana Chronicle had previously reported that investigations in this matter took the police two years when a drug addict reportedly confessed that he was offered money to set fire to the disputed building.

The accused were arrested in 2016.

The police believe that the building was torched to drive out the individuals who were also claiming ownership of the property by prescriptive rights.

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After successful 2022 CARIFTA Games will be held with COVID-19 in mind bubble, league grapples with uncertain future

By Rawle Toney

Los Angeles Lakers celebrate their 106-93 series win over Miami Heat after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

LOS ANGELES, USA (Reuters) - As the NBA burst its bubble following the completion of the Finals on Sunday, the league now faces tough questions about when the next season will begin and what it will look like.

The league’s three-month stay at Walt Disney World in Orlando was a huge success, with no players and coaches testing positive for COVID-19 after the virus derailed the season in March for four months.

LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to win the championship and cap a thrilling playoffs on Sunday.

But even though the environment was safe, living on the campus required major sacrifices, and there is little appetite to return anytime soon.

“I think you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t have ups and downs in the bubble,” James told reporters on Sunday night.

“At times I was questioning myself, should I be here? Is this worth sacrificing my family? I’ve never been without my family this long,” he said, noting that he missed his son’s 16th birthday.

The 2020-21 campaign was scheduled to tip off in December but few expect that to happen given the league just wrapped up the longest season in its history and financial agreements

still need to be hammered out.

The NBA has already pushed back the draft from October 16 to November 18 and Commissioner Adam Silver has said he doesn’t expect the season to begin this year, with January or possibly February a more likely target.

Silver, however, said he hopes to play a full 82-game season and playoffs in home arenas with fans despite the still raging pandemic, which has killed more than 214 000 people in the United States.

“N othing has really changed with this virus,” Silver told reporters last month.

“In fact, I think in the majority of states right now, cases are ticking back up again.”

He said he hopes advancements in rapid testing could make a big difference in terms of the league’s ability to potentially get fans into arenas.

“I think everybody understands just like in the country, there are public health considerations, but the economy is a public health issue, as well, so we’re working and trying to strike that right balance,” he said.

“Part of my job is to study what’s happening in other industries, what other leagues are doing, including international soccer leagues.

“So all of that’s on the table right now.”

PRESIDENT of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson told Chronicle Sport on Monday, that along with North and Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Association, the custodians of the Caribbean Free Trade Association Games, Guyana will be hosting the 2022 event with COVID-19 in mind.

Guyana will play host for the 50th edition of the Caribbean most prestigious Youth and Junior Track and Field event, and Hutson pointed out that there will be no further delay of the championship, adding that sports administrators and organisers have found a way to co-exist with the coronavirus, while keeping everyone safe.

Hutson said AAG and NACAC are following in the footsteps of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which is moving full speed ahead with the hosting of next year’s Olympic Games, with or without COVID-19.

“While we would wel-

come a cure or some kind of relief from COVID-19, we have to continue to push ahead, and do whatever we could do, and operate in an environment where we limit transmission of the virus from one person to the other,” Hutson said in an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport.

Hutson further noted that the guidelines given by World Athletics (formally IAAF) are compounded on all fronts to combat COVID-19 in Track and Field, but they will have to coordinate with the Government of Guyana.

The 49th edition of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games would have been held April 10-13 in Bermuda, but, due to the Caribbean, like the rest of the world battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers had to move the event to 2021; the same year that was designated for Guyana to host one of the most prestigious youth track and field events in the world.

“They (NACAC) are basically holding our hands in the process. It’s a fore-

gone conclusion that the CARIFTA Games will be held next year and in 2022, so we’re being guided by them daily on everything that we need to do which must include the protection of our athletes,” Hutson said.

Meanwhile, looking ahead, Hutson revealed that AAG will run off its season next month, with the intention of giving the already shortlisted athletes the chance to be competition-ready for the 2021 CARIFTA Games.

Guyana is a founding-member of CARIFTA, and in 1972, the Games was initiated to mark the Caribbean Free Trade Association’s transition to CARICOM. The 2017 CARIFTA Games will go down as one of the country’s most memorable outings, given the fact that athletes were able to bag eight medals - four gold, three bronze and one silver.

It was at the 46th edition of the games, hosted in Curacao, where Linden’s Compton Caesar created history by winning Guyana’s first-ever gold medal in the 100m event.

Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for COVID-19: Portuguese FA CRISTIANO Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirus, the Portuguese Football Federation announced yesterday.

Ronaldo “is asymptomatic” and “will not play against Sweden” in today’s Nations League match, the federation said on its website.

The 35-year-old Juventus forward, who has been voted the world’s top player five times, played in Portugal’s goalless Nations League draw against France on Sun-

day.

Ronaldo has scored 101 goals for Portugal and will be a huge absence for his team against Sweden as they aim to hold on to top spot in their group.

The test result also means Ronaldo is a doubt for Juventus’ Champions League group match with Barcelona on October 28, which was set to pit Ronaldo against his old rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, who has also

starred for Manchester United and Real Madrid, is the highest-profile footballer to test positive for COVID-19, which has killed over a million people since the start of the pandemic earlier this year.

Brazil forward Neymar, his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic have also tested positive for the virus in recent weeks. (AFP)

Shastri urges AB de Villiers to come out of retirement INDIA coach Ravi Shastri yesterday urged South African batsman A.B. de Villiers to come out of international retirement after he hit an explosive 73 in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 36-year-old, who ended his international career two years ago, smashed six sixes in a 33-ball blitz in Sharjah on Monday that set up a big win for Royal Challengers Bangalore over Kolkata Knight Riders.

Accolades poured in for the former Proteas captain, with Bangalore skipper Vi-

rat Kohli calling his teammate “super-human”.

“What one saw last night was unreal,” Shastri wrote on Twitter.

In a direct plea to de Villiers, Shastri added: “The game in these trying times or otherwise needs you back in the international arena and out of retirement. The game will be better off.” de Villiers called time on his illustrious South Africa career in May 2018 after playing 114 Tests and 228 one-day matches with a batting average of over 50

in both formats.

Reports emerged that de Villiers wanted to come out of retirement and play for the national team in the 2019 World Cup, but a return never materialised.

Earlier this year, de Villiers hinted he may return for the Twenty20 World Cup, scheduled to be held this year, that was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

His IPL form - three half-centuries and a strike rate of over 185 in seven games - has added to talk of a comeback. (AFP)

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Nadal’s Paris record will never be beaten, predicts Murray COLOGNE, Germany (AFP) - Andy Murray predicts Rafael Nadal’s record of 13 French Open titles will never be beaten as the British former world number one looks to bounce back in Cologne this week from his own Roland Garros disappointment.

Murray, 33, the reigning Olympic champion, crashed out of last month’s French Open in straight sets with a lopsided first-round defeat to Stan Wawrinka, as he works his way back from hip surgery.

O n S u n d a y, t h e S c o t watched in awe as Nadal, 34, demolished Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in the final at Roland Garos to win his 13th French Open title.

The Spaniard has also equalled the all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles held by Roger Federer, who hailed Nadal’s victory as “one of sport’s greatest achievements”.

Murray echoed the Swiss legend and doubts anyone will even get close to Nadal’s record in Paris.

“It’s an amazing achievement. I don’t think that what he has done at Roland Garros will ever be beaten. I just don’t see it being topped,” Murray said in Cologne.

“He is one short of winning the same number of Grand Slams as (Pete) Sampras did just at one tournament. It’s incredible.

“I don’t think it’ll be repeated and I don’t think anyone will be close.”

Murray reached the second round of the US Open in his first Slam since hip resurfacing surgery and Roland

Garros was his third tournament this year after rehab.

Having needed wildcards to play in Paris and Cologne, Murray hopes the back-to-back ATP indoor tournaments on the Rhine can help improve his current ranking of 97th.

“It will be good to get a few matches in over these next few weeks - I hope to perform better than I did in

Spain’s Rafael Nadal bites the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) as he celebrates during the podium ceremony after winning the men’s singles final tennis match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Philippe Chatrier court, on Day 15 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on Sunday (Photo: AFP)

Verdict reserved in landmark Saleem Malik case A DECISION in Saleem Malik’s legal fight to clear his name is imminent after the independent adjudicator in the pending case reserved his verdict yesterday. The case was heard by retired judge Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, and the judgment is expected in 15 days.

The case centred on the content of the transcripts from a recording from 2000 that reportedly caught Malik talking about fixing matches and potentially corrupting games in exchange for money.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) believed the transcripts put Malik’s integrity into question, while the cricketer challenged the credibility of the transcripts themselves.

Malik wished to clear his name and voluntarily approached PCB integrity commission in 2010, but failed to respond to PCB’s questions.

He approached PCB yet again this year to obtain permission to be reintegrated into PCB setup, prompting the cricket board to re-examine his case. Once more, PCB called upon Malik to clarify his position with regard to the sting operation conducted by the now-defunct British tabloid News of the World, in which he was allegedly caught on tape talking about

fixing matches for money.

He has formally replied to PCB but the board’s anti-corruption department found his response “unsatisfactory and irrelevant”.

The PCB accused the former captain of “denial and avoidance” with respect to the transcripts, and referred to an apology he had made in 2014 in which he appeared to “accept my wrongdoing” and “apologise to the fans and start my rehabilitation process”.

Former Pakistan batsman Salim Malik was fined and banned for life in 2000

But in the hearing before the adjudicator, Malik’s lawyer argued that the transcript’s authenticity wasn’t independently verified. “Their case hinges on the basis of an ICC document, but we have found out that the ICC letter

clearly says these transcripts aren’t verified,” Malik’s lawyer said after the final arguments before the judge.

“The basis on which Malik was made a scapegoat for years is not even authentic. And if the transcripts are not authentic, then PCB has no case.”

The PCB’s lawyer, however, said the board would continue to take the content of the transcript seriously.

“No one can play games with PCB’s vigilance department,” PCB’s legal attorney Tafazzul Rizvi told ESPNcricinfo. “Any player or support personal who wants to be associated with cricket at any level is required to answer any query of the PCB’s vigilance department about their integrity or conduct.”

Malik’s career as a player was sullied by the match-fixing scandals. In a judicial inquiry - that began in 1998 and continued for 13 months - he was found guilty of bribing Australian cricketers Shane Warne and Mark Waugh to lose the 1994-95 Karachi Test.

Malik was fined and banned for life in 2000, but eight years later his sentence was overturned by a Lahore sessions court, allowing him theoretically to return to the fold.

Paris,” said the Scot.

“I want to win tournaments and move up the rankings.

“Physically, my body tends to feel better the more I play.

“Hopefully, I will play a lot over the next two weeks, perform well and see how it goes after that.”

For today, Murray pre-

dicts a “tough” start against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco for the chance to play world number seven Alexander Zverev in the second round.

“Whoever gets through will face Sascha (Zverev) and he is obviously one of the top players in the world,” said Murray.

The Scot says he has had to

adapt after hip surgery.

“It has gone well at times and sometimes been a struggle,” he admitted.

“I was told it would be an 18-month process for my body to get used to it.

“It changes the way your pelvis moves and your body needs to adjust.

50

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday,October 14, 2020

World Test Championship final on schedule, says ICC

By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - The final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) remains on course to be held in June next year despite the disruption caused to the qualifying process by the COVID-19 pandemic, cricket’s governing body told Reuters yesterday.

The pandemic played havoc with the game’s international calendar, prompting cancellation of a number of Test series and complicating the process of allocating WTC points from those matches in the process.

“The planning is still in progress,” a spokesman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) said of the WTC final, without elaborating how the point system would be reworked.

“There is likely to be more clarity in the coming days once all stakeholders are aligned. There will be an announcement on this soon.”

bilateral Test series, giving the format its standalone showpiece like the World Cup in other formats.

Originally, nine topranked sides were scheduled

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison

This year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia had to be postponed because of the pandemic and the restrictions it forced.

ICC launched the WTC last year to lend context to

to play six series over two years with the top two making the final at Lord’s.

India currently top the WTC points table, having played four series, followed

by Australia who have

played one fewer.

England have played four, including home series against West Indies and Pakistan in July-August, and are third.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison last week underlined the logistical challenge of hosting the WTC final.

“We are talking about a COVID environment, and when you put COVID into a negotiation like this, it changes everything,” he said.

“If you are taking part in that fixture and you have potentially two neutral teams playing a world final in the UK, I’m pretty sure you’d want to know you are safe and protected when it comes to the health environment you are heading into.”

‘KKR can do without Narine’ - former England captain Pietersen … Spinner not at his best for years

FORMER England captain Kevin Pietersen believes Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could well afford to do without Sunil Narine, should he be suspended, as the spinner does not have the same impact as in years gone by.

continue bowling, for now, but another report to the Indian Premier League (IPL) would see Narine suspended until cleared by BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee.

Narine had performed heroics for KKR after de-

The bowler was previously suspended in 2015 when he was ranked No. 2 on ODI and T20 rankings.

His action was reported as suspect in successive matches during the Champions League Twenty20. It resulted in his missing out on play-

team meetings. When he bowls, you are thinking about it. When he bats, you are thinking about it. It is the same when he is fielding,” Pietersen said on Star Sports.

“Sunil Narine has not been the same bowler for a few years now. He hasn’t had his best; he hasn’t had his real big spin.

Coming to Sharjah, it is not something you are really worried about Sunil Narine. And then the bowlers have found him out in his batting. You bowl him short, he doesn’t like it,” Pietersen added.

Arthur ‘positive’ Joe Root’s side will travel to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur

SRI Lanka coach Mickey Arthur says he is “really positive” about the prospect of England being able to tour in early 2021.

Two Tests scheduled to be played in March this year were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m hoping we can fulfil our fixtures in South Africa in December and then have England over here to start a really busy 2021,” said Arthur.

“Here in Sri Lanka there is a strong drive to get the game going.”

Sri Lanka have not played since a Twenty20 against West Indies on March 6, while England were able to

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wdnesday, October 14, 2020

KKR spinner Sunil Narine

The 32-year-old West Indies bowler does indeed face the threat of suspension after being reported for a suspect action during KKR’s victory over Kings XI Punjab last week.

The spinner is allowed to

fending 14 runs off the final over, to help his team register a stunning 2-run victory over KXIP. Despite that, however, Pietersen insists the bowler has not quite been at the same level since his last suspension.

ing in the final for Kolkata Knight Riders, who lost to Chennai Super Kings.

“If I am honest, I am not so sure if (Sunil Narine absence) is a massive loss.

Andre Russell is the guy you spend time talking about in

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ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Suresh Raina (CSK) Sachin Tendulkar (MI)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Who scored most runs in IPL 2010?

Who took most wickets?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

fulfil their summer schedule behind closed doors and in a bio-secure environment.

None of England’s winter fixtures has been confirmed, but there are plans for limited-overs matches in South Africa in November and a tour of India in February and March.

That would leave scope for the Sri Lanka Tests to take place in January, although Bangladesh have recently called off their tour over the Sri Lankan government’s requirement for visiting teams to quarantine for 14 days in hotels without the provision to train.

In the bio-secure bubble in England, teams were able to train while they served their quarantine period.

South African Arthur said: “We had two months of total lockdown - proper lockdown - meaning solitary confinement and the army outside patrolling the streets.

“But after all that we sit here in a country that is basically normalised.

“We need to get cricket up and running otherwise we may as well shut the whole thing down and wait for a vaccine.” (BBC Sport)

51

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday,October 14, 2020

Jefford Classic organiser ‘partially optimistic’ of hosting 2021 event ... eyes move from MSC to Bayroc synthetic track

By Rawle Toney AFTER being forced to cancel this year’s event, Edison Jefford, organiser of the Jefford Classic, is partially optimistic of staging Guyana’s largest Track and Field event in 2021 at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground.

Edison Jefford, whose brainchild it was to host the event 11 years ago, in an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, said with the airports being reopened for commercial travel, it marks a sign of some level of normalcy being restored with strict measures in place to protect citizens from the coronavirus which can be dreadful for some.

Forced to cancel this year’s event because of COVID-19, the Jefford Classic Track and Field championship organiser, is hoping that his 2021 edition can be held unhindered.

“I see the airports reopened and that move will indicate that there will be moves to reopen the country entirely soon, but that has not been announced formally. So we’re hoping that the country can open up next year, return to some normal-

cy, so that we could have the event hosted,” Jefford said.

However, Jefford was keen to highlight that his plans to see the Classic return is “partial optimism because COVID appears as though it will take us into 2021 and, given that situation, our plans have to be hedged around that. So, we are basically paying attention to the situation and hoping that the cases could be driven down and society can return to some normalcy.”

MOVING TO BAYROC SYNTHETIC TRACK Meanwhile, Jefford isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket, as the former stand-out sport journalist told Chronicle Sport already, along with his organising committee he’s also focussing on 2022.

With the construction of the synthetic track at the Bayroc Community Centre ground ongoing, Jefford is hoping that his Track and Field Classic will be given the opportunity to commemorate commissioning of the facility.

Jefford sees the opportunity presenting itself to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Government of Guyana, using the Classic “as

perhaps one of the premier events to open that facility in Linden”.

According to Jefford, the Classic enjoys the full support of Corporate Guyana and when moved to Bayroc, he anticipates that they will attract even more support.

Edison Jefford - Jefford Classic organiser

ExxonMobil, Ansa McAl Trading Limited, Guyana Lottery Company’s Lets Bet Sports, DeSinco Trading, MVP Sports and FireSide Grill and Chill are among a string of corporate entities that have thrown their unwavering support to the event so far.

Taylor returns to Big Bash League JAMAICA and West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor is set to continue her foray in the Australia Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) as she has signed on for a second season to play for Adelaide Strikers.

the Melbourne Renegades, proving just how dangerous an asset she is.

Across her 60 WBBL matches, the right-hander has scored 1 074 runs at an average of 26.20, while also

Windies Women captain Stafanie Taylor has signed up for a season to play for Adelaide Strikers

Taylor, 29 years old, is set to feature much more for the Strikers in the upcoming season, after playing just two games for the Adelaide-based franchise last season.

In her first match with Strikers last season, Taylor bagged three for 26 against

taking 49 wickets.

The ICC number oneranked batter and number two-ranked all-rounder is elated to once again parade her skills Down Under, as she looks forward to a full season of Twenty20 cricket.

“I’m really pleased that I

was able to return to the Strikers in a competition that has been so great for my career,” she said. “Strikers are a fantastic franchise and I can’t wait to get started this season.”

Taylor is the third and final international who has signed for Strikers this season, joining New Zealand captain Suzie Bates, and South African power hitter Laura Wolvaardt.

Strikers head coach Luke Williams is pleased with Taylor’s return.

“We are thrilled to be bringing back Stafanie, who proved to be such an exciting player in a short period last year,” he said. “We feel that we have a really balanced, all-round squad, and we all can’t wait for the season to be under way.”

Adelaide Strikers will bowl off their WBBL|06 campaign on Sunday, October 25 against Hobart Hurricanes at Hurstville Oval.

(Reprinted from Jamaica Gleaner)

Jefford Classic holds to its credit being the first in over two decades, to allow one of the country’s most decorated Track and Field athletes, Aliann Pompey, to compete in Guyana in 2011.

Along with scores of regional and international acts, the Jefford Classic provided one of the biggest platforms for the country’s track and field athletes and clubs, being one of the most lucrative local

His son, Edison Jefford, felt it best to host an event to honour his father. He chose Linden as the home of the Championship, taking into account the MSC Ground was one of the

FLASHBACK!

Guyana’s Aliann Pompey is swarmed by fans after competing, for the first time in Linden in 2011, at the Jefford Classic

The event also saw the return of Marian Burnett, a distinguished 800m and 1500m athlete, for the first time in ages at the MSC Ground.

meets.

The Jefford Classic was birthed after the passing of Elton Jefford, one of Guyana’s distinguished National sprinters, in 2008.

many places, or probably the most notable, where the now deceased Jefford had his foundation and made a name for himself in track and field.

CSK boost flagging IPL play-off hopes with 20-run win against Sunrisers

CHENNAI Super Kings (CSK) put themselves back in the hunt for a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs, thanks to terrific death-bowling against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

After losing five of their opening seven matches, this was realistically a must-win contest for last year’s IPL runners-up, and their 167-6 paved the way for a 20-run victory.

When Sunrisers got to 141-6 by the end of the 18th over, this clash in Dubai was in the balance, but Shardul Thakur and Dwayne Bravo applied the brakes to concede only six further runs.

Kane Williamson made 57 from 39 balls for Sunrisers, but they finished on 147-8, with the result meaning they are joined on six points from eight games by Chennai - both sides still in with a shot of finishing in the top four.

Chennai began the game on the front foot, with Sam Curran bumped up the order to open. His pinch-hitting role bore fruit, with the English

all-rounder cracking 31 before he was bowled by Sandeep Sharma from the 21st ball he faced.

Shane Watson weighed in with 42 and Ambati Rayudu added 41, with their third-wicket partnership worth 81, and runs continued to flow.

Hyderabad captain David Warner made a nervy start with the bat in the reply and it was no surprise that he fell cheaply, caught and bowled

by Curran.

At 93-3 after the 14th over, Sunrisers were off the pace, with Jonny Bairstow (23) having also gone early. Williamson kept them in it, striking seven fours before he holed out to Thakur at long-on off Karn Sharma’s bowling.

Sunrisers took 15 runs in a four-ball purple match, Rashid Khan and Shahbaz Nadeem cutting loose. But crucially Thakur gave away just four runs off the bat, plus a wide, in the 19th over.

Rashid perished to the final ball of that over, given out hit-wicket after stepping back onto his off stump when taking

a mighty swipe, before Bravo conceded just a single from an outstanding final set of six.

BRAVO FOR BRAVO He gave credit to Thakur after the match, citing the 19th over of the Hyderabad innings as the key to victory, but Bravo (2-25) was nevertheless terrific when thrown the ball for the finale. Having Nadeem caught and bowled off a desperate slog killed the game, nailing a big win for CSK. DHONI GOES THE DISTANCE Chennai skipper MS Dhoni added 21 handy runs at the end of his team’s innings, and one shot will live long in the memory.

T. Natarajan sent down a delivery that was close to being a yorker but left Dhoni with just enough room to shuffle his feet and club the ball over long-on and into the top tier of the stand - a shot that was said to have travelled 102 metres. He was out next ball.

2022

FLASHBACK!

Guyana’s CARIFTA Games team at the 2019 Championship

CARIFTA Games will be held with COVID-19 in mind Shastri urges AB de Villiers to come out of retirement SEE PAGE 48

South African batsman A.B. de Villiers has struck a rich vein in the IPL, fuelling talk of a comeback from international retirement SEE PAGE 50

SEE PAGE 48

SEE PAGE 48

Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for COVID-19: Portuguese FA Ronaldo is the highest-profile footballer to catch COVID-19

World Test Championship final on schedule, says ICC

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020