Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-18-2020

18th October 2020

’ No. 106156

Charrandass

SQUATTERS 03 is REFUSE SHELTER back PAGE

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2,000 acres of land 05 Left behind with a three-year-old needed to facilitate –– brothers excel at CSEC/ CAPE, fulfil dead mom’s dreams 04 gas-to-energy project PAGE

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Immediate relief for Belladrum 10 residents PAGE

Execution attempt at Lusignan 10 prison PAGE

Raphael (left) and his brother, Revon with their -sister, Esther

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Charrandass is back

AFTER more than a year since uttering a simple, three-letter word to topple the former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, Charrandass Persaud, who fled

to North America, has returned to Guyana with the intention of resettling.

In what was dubbed a historic move, Persaud, a former Parliamentarian on APNU+AFC’s side of the House, voted in favour of a No-Confidence motion

against his government which was tabled by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018.

Fearful for his life, Persaud immediately fled Guyana and was living in

Canada until last week, when he returned to Guyana.

Persaud’s Attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, told the Guyana Chronicle that his client never left Guyana with the intention of staying away for more than

two months. His stay in North America, according to Datadin, was protracted because of a slew of legal challenges which followed the passage of the No-Confidence Motion and a subsequent five-month electoral impasse, which concluded only on August 2, 2020, with the PPP/C being elected to office.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had declared that the PPP/C won the March 2, General and Regional Elections after amassing 233,336 votes. The then political opposition with that victory, unseated the coalition, which received 217,920 votes.

“We figured he would only be away for two months but we did not envisage the delay in the elections…so he never really shut down his business in Guyana. Persons were operating on his behalf,” said Datadin.

Persaud, a lawyer by profession, operated a

Former APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud private practice in New Amsterdam, Berbice; he is originally from Adelphi in East-Berbice, Corentyne.

Datadin refrained from disclosing his client’s location because of the numerous threats against his life.

“He (Persaud) is still fearful for his life,” said the Attorney, noting, however, that his client is here indefinitely.

Minutes after voting “yes” to unseat the David Granger administration, Persaud, on the corridors of the Public Buildings, had told reporters that he was grossly disappointed in the AFC, the party to which he belonged.

“We are sitting in Parliament like ‘yes-men’ to APNU, and we are AFC,” he had said. “And we have not blended See page 3

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Squatters refuse PM’s offer of shelter –– Human Services Ministry, diaspora ready to assist

By Vishani Ragobeer PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, during a meeting with the squatters at Success on Saturday, offered to set up a temporary shelter nearby for them, but his offer was not met with a favourable response.

Over the past few months, squatters have been occupying lands at Vryheid’s Lust, Success, and Chateau Margot on the East Coast

the squatters, the Prime Minister, during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, emphasised that squatting is illegal and that persons should apply for house lots through the established channels, that is, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

After spending about an hour at the squatting area, meeting with the squatters and listening to their concerns, the Prime Minister recognised that some persons

He also related that there was no evidence of any permanent structure there at Success, and thus opined that the squatters were attempting to force the Ministry of Housing to perhaps regularise the area.

He reminded that these lands will be used by GuySuCo when they recommence cultivation shortly, and thus, they are not for human occupation.

ASSISTANCE

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, engaging the squatters at Success (Office of the President photos)

An aerial view of the squatting at Success of Demerara (ECD). The largest group of squatters has been squatting at Success on lands that belong to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), where sugarcane cultivation is expected to resume, after years of dormancy.

After his meeting with

were in need and tried to assist however he could.

“We explored the possibility of a shelter nearby for them, (at) perhaps a school or something but they’re not interested in that, they’re interested in staying on the land,” the Prime Minister told the Sunday Chronicle.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and members of the diaspora are seeking to provide assistance to the vulnerable individuals at Success.

On Saturday, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya

Charrandass is ...

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with APNU. The other parties have; we have not.

The government is APNU+AFC; we have not blended.

So why are we doing everything they want to do, like passing

Prime Minister Hamilton Green’s Pension Bill?” Persaud had told reporters.

Persaud had said that his vote was a ‘conscience’ one.

“I am not a PPP member; I am not affiliated to the PPP,” he had

Persaud, told the Sunday Chronicle that she stands ready to provide assistance in the form of food hampers and potentially, financial assistance to those families with children in need.

Persons desirous of the ministry’s help can approach the ministry directly or they can send their names and contact information to the Ministry’s Facebook page, and engage Ministry personnel.

She also reminded that her ministry will be launching a new face-mask sewing initiative geared at providing employment opportunities to persons affected by the pandemic; this initiative is expected to last beyond the pandemic.

Many of the squatters have lamented that they

said, adding: “This is not because of the PPP; this is because my conscience is now clear. My life may go but you know what, I will die a happy person with a clear God damn conscience.”

Meanwhile, the Police Force, in 2019, had launched an investigation following allegations of bribery and movement of gold

by Persaud. It is unclear whether this investigation is still active

have no option but to squat since they lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One such squatter was Jamicia (only name given), a mother of four. Previously, she worked as a salesgirl on Regent Street but lost her job in March.

A pregnant mother, Daveka, lives in a home consisting of a tarpaulin wrapped around pieces of wood wedged into the ground; she has a small kerosene stove and a mattress on top

of a few wooden crates. She told the Sunday Chronicle that she was a receptionist at the Tourist Villa, but lost her job due to the pandemic.

She occupied the land a few months ago and made it her home.

There is also Amanda Jordan, a pregnant mother of two, who previously paid $35,000 monthly in rent, but when the COVID-19 pandemic caused her to See page 8

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Left behind with a three-year-old –– brothers excel at CSEC/ CAPE, fulfil dead mom’s dreams

By Jeune Vankeric SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Revon Lafleur has purposed in his heart to strive for excellence after being left with the responsibility of guiding his teenage brother Raphael and threeyear-old sister, Esther.

It has been just over two years since their divorced mom Roshanna died after a brief illness, leaving shattered lives behind. Among those left behind was her eldest child, Revon, who was preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in the months ahead.

July 19, 2018, was not a date he wanted to remember.

He shunned the memories but decided to deal with it.

The memory caused tears to gush from his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away as he stared at Esther, who sat nearby in her other brother’s arms.

“I have to work hard for them. I have to keep going.

I have to be focused. I have to get the work done at any cost,” Revon said passionately.

“But during the exams… while I was writing the math paper I was sitting there and time was running out. I did not answer most of the questions. I closed my eyes.

My mom’s memory came.

That was what reminded me of what I was fighting for... what I had to do. I started to write until I finished the questions. I felt proud and I knew I was doing it for her.

I felt her presence, guiding me, urging me to finish the paper.

“Everyday I have to wake up…. No mom… but I have a brother and a sister. I have to provide for them as I am the eldest. I have to work hard, especially for Esther. I believe I should be her protector. She is my responsibility... working hard is the best

Sunday, October 18, 05:30hrs - 07:00hrs

way,” the teen said.

And, he sure did, at the 2019 CSEC examination, just months after his mother’s July 19 death the previous year, he secured passes in 11 subjects, namely Mathematics, English ‘A’, Physics, Human and Social Biology, Physical Education, Information Technology, Agriculture Science, Biology, Social Studies, Chemistry and English B. TEARS OF JOY “I was on work study.

I told my brother to check for my grades. When I got the news I became teary. No mom was there to share the news.

I got six Grade Ones, three Grades Twos and two Grade Threes. My mother was not there to celebrate with me. The accolades… don’t matter how many (sniff) she is still gone… nothing will bring her back,” he said.

But despite his emotional battles, Revon has held the “bull by the horns’, he continues to excel, passing at five subjects at the 2020 CAPE sitting as he strives to achieve his mother’s dream for him to become a medical doctor.

Even as he continues to pursue higher learning at President’s College

Left to right: Raphael and Revon La Fleur where he spent his entire secondary years, Revon has ensured that he remains a positive role model for his brother Raphael.

SAD MOMENT Raphael, now 16, witnessed his mother transitioned from time to eternity.

Her head was on his lap as she laid in the vehicle on her way to a private hospital.

She never arrived. She died on the way.

Raphael, the younger of

the two brothers was tasked with breaking the news. As devastating as it was, he turned his energy to sports.

He fought and overcame personal battles, but was encouraged to be focused.

His older brother helped and he emerged successful.

At the recent CSEC sitting he secured 10 passes in Grades Ones and Twos.

The subjects are Agriculture Science (Double Award), English ‘A,’ Industrial Technology Electrical, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physical Education and Sports, Physics, Social Studies and Technical drawing. He seeks to pursue a career in Technology.

Together, the brothers who live at Fort Ordinance, East Canje with their maternal relatives, are urging all to cherish their mothers.

“It was two weeks ago

I took my sister Esther to the clinic for her monthly check-ups. I saw a mother and her son. They looked so beautiful. I was tearing up in the clinic.... He has his mother… he don’t know for how long. But my mother is gone. No matter what I do, she is still gone…. my brother and I have been off to President’s College for five years… when we return at home at weekends… our mom is at the market, as she was a businesswoman…. the next day was church. We did not get enough of her…. you know …. parents go out with children… you know… you sweeping, cleaning together.

The erupted laughter... we did not get enough of those moments, so let’s cherish our parents and those special moments,” Revon advised.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

2,000 acres of land needed to facilitate gas-to-energy project

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–– three locations being considered, project to come on stream next year

By Navendra Seoraj CLOSE to 2,000 acres of land is required for the construction of a power plant to facilitate the potential gas-to-energy project, which is set to come on stream next year.

Part of the plan by the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is to reduce the cost of energy by 50 per cent through an energy mix, which includes the conversion of natural gas from ExxonMobil’s offshore operations to electricity.

President of ExxonMobil’s local operation, Alistair Routledge was reported recently as saying that about one-fifth of the resources discovered so far in the Stabroek Block contains natural gas, most of which would be associated gas produced with the crude oil.

It is common knowledge that natural gas can be used to generate electricity in a variety of ways, but, the local plan is to establish an industrial facility that generates electricity from primary energy, which, in this case, is natural gas.

A special task force established by President Irfaan Ali to assess the feasibility of

a gas-to-energy project, has since determined that close to 2,000 acres of land would be needed to construct a power generation facility.

This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, who, during a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle at his Brickdam office, said getting natural gas to shore is just one aspect of the project as authorities also have to identify and acquire adequate space for the establishment of a power plant.

The potential site for a power plant is being considered simultaneously with a location for the landing of pipes, which will run directly from ExxonMobil’s operations to a designated area onshore Guyana.

“There were several studies done before by a number of different agencies such as public infrastructure and the finance ministry, and there are a few people who were involved in those studies, who are still there…a few of them are even part of the task force, so they have good knowledge about the project,” said Minister Bharrat, adding that preliminary information from those studies show three potential areas for the landing of a pipeline.

Among those areas are Berbice, East Coast of Demerara and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

“We have different options that we are looking at, but whatever the technical team comes up with and recommends, that is what we will work with…they are looking at the best site in terms of cost effectiveness,” said Minister Bharrat.

In considering a location for both the power plant and landing of the pipe, authorities will also have to cater for future expansion of the gas-to-energy project.

The government will be looking to wrap up these considerations and discussions soon, as the intention is to bring the project on stream in 2021.

Just Friday last, Executive Director of the Payne Institute for Earth Resources and Research Professor of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Morgan Bazilian, said general regulatory and technical measures must be implemented to mitigate gas flaring in future oil production projects.

Among the technical measures he suggested is the gas-to-energy initiative, which will not only mitigate

gas flaring, but provide ‘tremendous’ benefits to Guyanese.

“This project will provide reliable energy and cleaner energy…people are of the opinion that because Guyana has oil we will forsake our work with the LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy) for oil and gas. Yes, we intend to explore oil and gas to the fullest because people need that to develop the country, but it will not be at the expense of the environment,” said Minister Bharrat.

Contrary to the perception that oil and gas will be detrimental to the environment, the Minister believes that gas-to-energy will go a far way in ensuring that there is clean energy because there will be no more burning of diesel or ‘Bonasika’ fuel, which is heavy.

Minister Bharrat assured that Guyana will have reliable, cleaner and cheaper energy, which will not only benefit households, but also stimulate growth in the manufacturing and commercial sectors.

Guyana is said to have one of the highest costs of power generation in the world, a factor which has discouraged many businesses from investing here.

“With gas-to-energy, we will be able to produce energy at competitive rates and this will allow us to attract a lot of investors, especially in the manufacturing sector,” said Minister Bharrat.

He even envisages the country having one of the largest industrial parks in the Caribbean, with the advent of this project.

It was reported recently that the local economy like many others around the world has taken a ‘hit’ because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and although the direct and indirect effects of this scourge remain a challenge, the country is expected to see a ‘flurry’ of development projects in 2021.

Guyana, which sits on the edge of South America and has a population of about 750,000 people, is expected to ‘boom’ with its new-found oil wealth, wealth which will drive infrastructural development and other sectoral advancements.

Guyana has already raked in close to US$150 million from its oil and gas sector, with lots more to be earned, but the focus, as outlined by the new PPP/C government, will be on maintaining a diversified economy.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat Progress is expected on all fronts President Ali had noted, pointing out that 2021 will be the year of investments and development.

He had said work will commence on the construction and rehabilitation of roads in hundreds of communities; new infrastructure will be created; and there will be major developments in every sector.

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

British envoy to visit sugar estates –– will inform interested companies of feasibility

REVIVING the sugar industry will be no easy task for local authorities, as they battle with financial difficulties, but the industry may attract the attention of British investors.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, is expected to visit the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) estates soon, following which he will inform interested British

companies on whether it is feasible to invest.

“I am interested in seeing the estates for myself. That would then allow me to be better informed with regards to any discussions with interested companies in the UK,” the High Commissioner told the Sunday Chronicle during an interview on Saturday.

GuySuCo produces sugar at an average cost of US$0.35 per pound, while

world market prices have averaged US$0.16 per pound.

Although the sugar industry has been considered a liability for years, the new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration is hoping to revive the industry, especially for the social and societal benefits.

In 2017, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the

country, leaving thousands of persons without a job or source of income.

The move saw four sugar estates being closed and 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs.

The new government, however, plans to re-open those shuttered estates and simultaneously rejuvenate the industry through ‘innovation’ and ‘prudent’ management and interventions

which could also come from the private sector.

“We alone as a government cannot do it and that is why we are looking at the private sector to help sustain sugar,” Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha had noted.

A number of private investors have already expressed an interest in sugar, said Minister Mustapha, in a recent report.

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn These private investors are expected to work collaboratively with the government to rebuild the sugar industry.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Human capital and economic development PREMISED upon historic facts, the notion of the high level of emigration rate that Guyana suffered from over the last few decades which still persist – albeit to a lesser degree when compared to the mass emigration rate recorded about two decades ago – this unarguably strongly correlates to the underdeveloped status of Guyana’s socio-economic strata. More importantly to note, however, such conclusive inference is stemmed mainly from the crime and violence situation in Guyana especially within its historic context wherein Guyana had experienced a unique kind of crime and violence situation described as politically motivated crimes which usually occurred during periods of national elections. The major consequence for Guyana resulting from the crime and violence situation on socio-economic outcomes is that this has been the primary causation, both historically and presently, perhaps to a lesser extent, of a high level of emigration and by extension, leading to a great degree of ‘brain drain’ in Guyana. In other words, a large number of the Guyanese educated population have migrated to other countries and this phenomenon has indisputably served as a key

contributor towards Guyana remaining largely underdeveloped, particularly the socio-economic strata; especially against the backdrop of the history of politically-motivated crimes in Guyana’s context.

In 2015 for example, the immigrant population of Guyana was 2.01 per cent of the total resident population. On the other hand, outward migration from Guyana up to the same period was a whopping 451,139.

In 2015, 37.03 per cent of all citizens lived outside their country of origin. During the past two decades or so, an unprecedented massive emigration of people out of Guyana to North America had occurred. An average of 6,080 people per year emigrated between 1969 and 1976, increasing to an average of 14,400 between 1976 and 1981. Figures for 1976 showed 43 per cent of emigrants went to the United States, 31 per cent to Canada, 10 per cent to Britain, and 9 per cent to the Caribbean. Deteriorating economic and political conditions in the 1980s led to even sharper increases in the emigration rate. Unofficial estimates put the number leaving the country in the late 1980s at 10,000 to 30,000 annually. Many of these emigrants were middle class professionals, who opposed government policies. Thus, a significant and

permanent loss of vitally skilled individuals.

Moreover, referencing the last labour force survey done in 2018, statistics showing the percentage share of Working-age Population by Level of Education Completed, it was shown that 10 per cent of the labour force has no schooling; while about 50 per cent (the highest number) of the workforce have only up to primary education; upper Secondary Education comprised just 20 per cent; post-secondary accounts for just about 5 per cent; while Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctoral equivalents account for less than 3 per cent of the labour. These interesting facts and figures, therefore, further strongly corroborate the contentions presented within this article and notes the importance of the level and quality of human capital to propel economic development of any country.

Against this backdrop, human capital accumulation has long been considered an important factor in economic development.

Empirical work suggests that human capital levels directly influence the rate of domestically produced technological innovation (Romer, 1990). Moreover, the stock of human capital affects the speed of adoption of technology from abroad as shown by Nelson & Phelps (1966). The significance of this

alternative model in terms of its empirical implications is that human capital stocks in levels, rather than their growth rates, now play a role in determining the growth of per capital income.

Much of the motivation for human capital policies in developing countries is the possibility of providing economic growth that will raise the levels of incomes in these countries. The focus on alleviating poverty in developing countries relates directly to economic growth because of the realization that simply redistributing incomes and resources will not lead to long-term solutions of poverty. Within this context, it is emphasized that human capital is an integral part of a country’s development and economic growth has human capital as an important factor.

Recent research has shown that tertiary education has significantly affected the growth of economies instead of secondary education. Workable policies should be put in place to bring about an overall economic growth. Expenditure on health and public education should be utilized effectively and efficiently so that the country would experience quality health care services and a quality educational system.

Remembering Corentyne student protests Dear Editor, THIS month marks the 44th anniversary of the student protests on the Corentyne that led to changes in how students and faculty were treated at the Corentyne (Chandisingh) High School(CHS) during the Burnham dictatorship. The strike empowered students and faculty and set a precedent that would have far-reaching implications around the country. It was a student revolution that resulted in students and staff gaining rights that they never enjoyed – to form organisations that would advocate for their interests. Such rights began to spread across schools on the Corentyne like wild fever – the results of the unprecedented, unheard-of revolutionary action taken at CHS by students – to call a strike (boycott of classes) with public protests at the school and in the surrounding areas that enjoyed solidarity at neighbouring schools.

I was reminded about it last week by a community volunteer in Richmond Hill. Youngsters need to know about that aspect of Guyanese history that needs to be on public record. That was a model peaceful protest, not the kind undertaken in West Berbice where people were targeted on account of race and were beaten and

robbed and some females molested.

Two Saturdays ago at a diaspora event in Richmond Hill, a regular volunteer in organising and or aiding in these activities, Ramchand (his consistency in volunteerism is deserving of government’s recognition), came up to me and reminisced about the student strikes. I had seen Ramchand at Guyanese activities for the last two decades, but never knew he had joined the strikes in 1976 and 1977. He assumed that I knew him from that strike era. He knew me as a student leader since 1976 but I could not remember him. He refreshed my memory of visits I had made to his school. He factually recalled my coming to his school, Belvedere, at the back of Rose Hall in October 1976, to speak with students to garner support for the start of the strikes at CHS. I was a student leader, President of the newly founded Hindu Society and was tasked with garnering support for the student strike. So I visited neighbouring schools on the Corentyne explaining our predicament and appealing for their solidarity to win our grievance at CHS. They gave us solidarity for the October 1976 strike and in January 1977, they joined the strike at picket lines. The October strike resulted from the dissolution of a student organisation we launched, the CHS Hindu Society. It was the first of what would be other students

clubs like a Muslim Society, Christian Society, and a Students Society. Hindu Society was the first because Diwali was around the corner and the club was needed to organise a concert at the school. Permission for the launch of the Hindu organisation (CHSHS) was granted by the principal, J.C Chandisingh, and election was held to choose the executive of the body. I was elected President; Tajeram Raghubeer was vice-president. There were other executive positions chosen, most held by females. A few days later, the principal’s son Rohan Chandisingh, who was an assistant principal, objected to the existence of the organisation and sent for me in a private meeting in his office, announcing that it would be banned. Then the principal called in a few leaders of CHSHS and announced that the organisation had been disbanded. Rohan told me that I was allowing myself to be influenced by Chaitram Singh, whom he accused of having a political agenda. Chaitram, who received military training at West Point, had no such agenda.

At the time I was head prefect; the prefects were interviewed, appointed, and supervised

by Rohan. I was removed as head prefect but was retained as a prefect and given a warning to cease and desist from activities relating to the organisation. The principal and Rohan’s position, supported by Mr Deonarine who was

deputy headmaster, was that a Hindu Society (HS) would exclude non-Hindus from participation and would be considered discriminatory and as such, was disbanded. We were encouraged and supported to form the Hindu Society by Muslims and Christians. The formation of the Hindu Society was a test case to see how far the school’s administration would tread in allowing the function of students’ clubs. Our plan was to also have a Student Society and societies of the other two major religions. (Teachers Chaitram Singh, Jack Jagnandan, and Ms. Punwasee were among faculty advisers and were given warning letters to dissociate from the club). The Hindu Society petitioned the principal in a memo to reconsider his disbanding of the HS and we requested permits for the formation of a Student Society, Muslim Society, and a Christian Society. They were all turned down.

With advice and support from faculty, we called a student strike. I and other members of the leadership were threatened with expulsion; there were a few female firebrands who stood firmly. (Khemraj Ramjattan was in the class with 5A with me but did not join the strike.

Derek Kalicharran of 5C or B and who went on

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

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Sharada Navratri- (Part 2 of 2) Dear Editor, SHARADA Navratri is a nine-day/night period, dedicated to the worshipping of the Universal Mother, Mata Durga. She is the embodiment and consolidated form of Mother Parvati, Lakshmi and Sarswati and as such, she is the invincible fortress that represents Shakti (power) and whose blessings are sought for the protection against negativity and evil. Each night is dedicated to one form of her manifestations as listed below.

1.Shailputri: Goddess Shailputri (Goddess of Nature) is depicted with a beautiful face, having a crescent moon on her forehead. She has two hands, in the left she carries a lotus and in the right, a trident. She rides the Nandi bull. Shailputri means the daughter of the mountain. When the Goddess took birth as the daughter of the Himalaya, in the house of the king of mountains, she came to be known as Shailputri. She destroyed the demoness Tarika and is worshipped for the realisation of the self within, on the first day of Navratri.

Mantra: Om Devi Shailaputryai Namah 2. Brahmacharini: Goddess Brahmacharini is depicted bare feet and carrying Jaapmala in the right hand and a Kamandalu in the left. When the Goddess Durga took birth at the home of Daksh Prajapati, to marry Shiva, she was named Sati. Sati was also known as Brahmacharini before marriage. Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped for ascetic qualities on the second day of Navratri.

Mantra: Himaachala sutaa naatha sanstute parameshwari Roopam dehi jayam dehi yasho dehi dwisho jahi Namo Devyai Mahaa-Devyai Shivaayai Satatam Namah Namah Prakrtyai Bhadraayai Niyataah Pranataah Sma Taam 3. Chandraghanta: When Goddess Sati got married to Lord Shiva, she started wearing a half-moon-shaped tilak on her

forehead. This tilak represented a bell, therefore, the Goddess was known with the name Chandraghanta. Goddess Chandraghanta is depicted with 10 hands. In four of her right hands, she carries a lotus, a Dhanush, an arrow and ‘Jaapmala’. The fifth hand is in Abhay Mudra. Similarly, in four of her left hands, she carries a Trident, a Gada, a sword and a Kamandalu and the fifth one is in Varada Mudra. She rides on a tigress and is worshipped for peace and serenity on the third day of Navratri.

Mantra: Om Hreem Shri Chandraghanta Durgaaye Namaha

4. Kushmanda: Goddess Kushmanda rides on a lioness, carrying a Kamandalu, a Dhanush, a Bada and a lotus in her right hands, and a pot filled with nectar, a ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, a ‘Gada’ and a ‘Jaapmala in the left hands. When she started living inside the Sun, she came to be known as the Goddess Kushmanda. She shines as the Sun, and is specifically known for her prowess.

Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped for health, wealth and strength on the fourth day of Navratri.

Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

5. Skandmata: Kartikeya, is the lord of war, also known as Skanda. He is the son of this Goddess of Fire, and because of this fact she came to be known as Skandmata.

Goddess Skandamata is depicted sitting on a lotus, because of which she is also known as Padmasana. She is shown with four hands, in two of which she carries lotus flowers, in the second left hand, she carries baby Skanda and the second right hand is in Abhaymudra.

She rides on a lion and is worshipped for wisdom and purity of the heart on the fifth day of Navaratri.

Mantra: Om hreem saha skandmatriya namah

6. Katyayani: Goddess Katyayani is depicted sitting on a lion and while her right hands are in Abhay Mudra and Varada Mudra, the left hands carry a lotus and a sword. She was born to attack Mahishasura, and came to be known as Katyayani. She is worshipped for the desire of a righteous partner for marriage on the sixth day.

Mantra: Katyayani Mahamaye Mahayoginyadheeshwari Nandgopsutam Devipatim Me Kuru te Namah

7. Kalratri: When the Goddess of Fierceness manifested to destroy the demons, Shumbh and Nihumbh, she was known with the name Kalratri. As the name suggests, she is depicted in a very ferocious form.

Seated on a donkey, she carries a sword and an iron hook in her left hands, whereas the right hands are in Abhay Mudra and Varada Mudra. This form of the Goddess is worshipped for the removal of ignorance and darkness on the seventh day.

Mantra: Om Bhurbhuva svah kalaraatri iha gaccha ihatisha kalaratryai namah kalaratrimavahayami sthapayami namah padhyadibhih pujanaambidhaaya Meaning: I see the awesome form of Mother Kaalratri combining in her the gross, subtle and causal bodies. I invoke the presence of the divine mother who is called by the name of the dark night. Please be propitiated with my offerings and bless me with your bounteous grace.

Om chandaviram chandamaayam raktabija prabanjaniim tam namaami cha devesim gayatrim pujayaamyaham Meaning: Om, You are the greatest con-

Remembering Corentyne student ... to become a national cricketer also did not join the strike. Khemraj was a prefect, Derek was not. But both were close affiliates of Rohan Chandisingh). I penned and hand-delivered early next morning a letter to the Portuguese Quarter residence of the Berbice Education Officer (EO) Mr. Solomon, brother of cricketer Joe and son Radhay, who had also represented Guyana in the regional first-class Shell Shield cricket tournament. The memo, which was constructed with assistance from faculty advisers, apprised him of the situation at CHS and advised him of the strike. On behalf of the striking students, I invited him to visit the school and to meet with us to discuss our grievance and to instruct the administration to restore our HS and give permission for formation of other clubs.

The EO visited the school and was greeted by myself and other protesting students outside the gate of the compound; we reiterated our issues. He urged us to return to class and in return would examine our grievances. He said he would not act under duress. The strike continued. Meanwhile, threats of expulsion continued and prominent individuals from the area as well as former popular staff members were brought

to convince us to end the strike. We refused to back down. Teacher Solomon, after consultation with the Chief Education Officer (Milton Lowe), returned a few days later and agreed to our conditions -- restoration the HS and permission to launch the other clubs. Another condition was, no student or members of the faculty would be victimised (transferred) and that Asst. Principal Rohan would be removed from the school. The principal met with us and consented to our conditions in the presence of the EO. He also agreed that we would be granted permission to hold a school assembly of all students. We agreed to call off the strike and early next morning a school assembly was called; I addressed the body. I was advised by faculty and was tempted to declare a half-day holiday. But given that we had lost several days lessons and not wanting to usurp the authority of the administration on matters of school holidays, I backtracked on giving the students the rest of the day off. Lessons continued normally that day and throughout the rest of the fall term. The other societies were formed. I became vice-president of the Student Society (equivalent of a student government); I don’t recall if Tajeram

or Govind (forgot his last name) of Guava Bush, Albion, was elected president; females held the other executive posts. We organised a Diwali concert that also included a short prayer and distribution of mohanbhog. There was live band music and classical dancing. Diane Peters did an exquisitely marvellous dance of the song from the film Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram (that starred Zeenat Aman and Shashi Kapoor) that was a hit at the time. But we would receive a shock after the term ended.

After the Christmas holidays, when we returned to school in January we were told that teachers Chaitram Singh, Jagnandan, Punwasee and a few others had been transferred from the school. Rohan was also transferred to the Manchester High School.

Immediately, we called a students’ strike, but Ramjattan and Kalicharran did not join the strike; I visited several schools on the Corentyne to build support for the strike.

Most of the CHS staff also walked off the job. We were later joined by students and staff from other schools. Walter Rodney, Eusi Kwayana, Malcolm Rodrigues, and other prominent figures, including from the

queror of anger and illusion. You remove my anger from the roots and limit my ego.

I bow down to you, the destroyer of the demon Raktabija and worship you as Gayatri the goddess of the three forms of wisdom so that you award your divine protection to me.

8. Mahagouri: Goddess Mahagouri is depicted sitting on a bull. One of her right hands carries the trident and the other is in Abhay Mudra, similarly one of her left hands carries a damru and the other is in Varada Mudra. When Goddess Shailputri was very beautiful and fair at the age of 16, she was known as Mahagouri. This form of the Goddess is worshipped for the removal of suffering and the enlightenment of spiritual seeker on the eighth day of Navratri.

Mantra: Om Devi Mahagauryai Namah.

Prarthana: Shwete Vrishesamarudha Shwetambaradhara Shuchih, Mahagauri Shubham Dadyanmahadeva Pramodada.

Stuti: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Mahagauri Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah.

9. Siddidhatri : Goddess Siddhidhatri is the moola roopa of goddess Parvati. When at the beginning of the universe, Lord Shiva worshipped the unmanifested form of Shakti, she had no form. Therefore, she was depicted as the left half of Shiva. She sits on a lotus, riding a lion. In one of her right hands, she has a Gada and in the other is a Chakra. In her left hands, she holds a lotus flower and a Shankh.

The devotee seeks her blessings for the realisation of the Divine or Brahman as she completes the mundane world on the ninth day of Navratri.

Respectfully, Jai Lall.

TO BE CONTINUED TURN FROM PAGE 6 PPP, visited us on the Corentyne and gave solidarity. The strike lasted several weeks and attracted national attention, including reports in the media and I appeared on radio and newspaper interviews. Several students were beaten by police in peaceful protests. Armed military units sent by Burnham were present during the protests to intimidate us and at times pointed their guns in our direction. Two of my colleagues were arrested while I evaded the dragnet of a police arrest. It took years before their case was dismissed by the court, but they could not get police clearance to travel. I was fortunate to get a police clearance to leave the country to pursue studies abroad.

One friend escaped to Suriname where he paid his way to get on a flight to the U.S. What would have happened to me if I too had been arrested for asserting a human right to celebrate my faith in a school, and rendered unable to come to the U.S. to obtain a tertiary education?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Officials preparing for ‘any eventuality’ which may disrupt schooling

Passenger arrival to double at CJIA

By Vishani Ragobeer

THE reopening of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to commercial operations will see passenger arrival doubling over the next month, the airport has noted in a press statement.

Since the reopening on October 12, some 44 passengers have already arrived in the country on the first flight facilitated by Eastern Airlines.

Several commercial carriers, including COPA Airlines, American Airlines and Caribbean Airlines, have made clear their commitment and anticipation to recommence commercial flights to Guyana.

Eastern Airlines will be providing four flights weekly from Miami and New York, while COPA has disclosed that it will be moving to have flights on October 26, with three weekly from Panama.

Meanwhile, American Airlines has a timeline that will see its first flight to Guyana on November 4, and will have six flights weekly from Miami, while Caribbean Airlines will operate its first commercial service between Guyana and New York on October 19.

Speaking on the recent reopening of Guyana’s airports, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Caribbean Airlines, Garvin Medera lauded the government’s decision to do so, as worldwide, the aviation sector has experienced a 95% drop in passenger traffic, and $1.4 billion in revenue losses over the last six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Medera, “2020 has been an unprecedented year for aviation. Our customers in Guyana and

THE Ministry of Education (MoE) is working to improve its preparedness for any other eventuality which may disrupt schooling in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, according to Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr Marcel Hutson.

Following the first case and death in March, schools were forced to close in Guyana in order to reduce the spread. As such, learning was taken to the virtual space. This was not a perfect system, however, as there is a myriad of internet and technological disparities in Guyana.

“It is the first time something like this (the pandemic) has happened and we are not going to be caught like this again,” the CEO said, in a recent interview with the Sunday Chronicle.

While the ministry is currently contending with the challenges presented

by COVID-19, Dr Hutson highlighted a number of programmes which the Ministry is crafting to safeguard from future challenges.

One of those solutions has been to work on cre-

ating question banks so that teachers would readily have questions to disseminate should any disaster, which prevents or disrupts physical schooling, arise again. It was explained that this will allow teachers and students to readily have resource materials.

Additionally, the CEO related that the Ministry is advancing its ‘tech agenda’ to ensure that the education system itself is internet ready. To this end, he welcomed the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, sharing his belief that increased competition will allow better internet access opportunities for children across Guyana.

Part of the agenda to advance technology includes facilitating the agreement with Pro Futuro, which will allow over 5,000 boys and girls from communities across Guyana to benefit from the use of technologies, and incorporating innovative methodologies in classrooms at the primary level.

The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, recently highlighted that the ministry would provide tablets to students in Indigenous Communities to allow them to access

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr Marcel Hutson virtual classes.

The other solution the Ministry will be focusing on is to create a “safe school policy” which would prepare schools for any disaster, such as a flood. Dr Hutson, however, could not provide further details on this policy other than to say it is part of the effort to prepare for any “eventuality”.

Minister Manickchand, in a recent public forum, also emphasised that the Ministry was working towards improving the education sector, in light of the current deficiencies found in the COVID-19 response.

North America can count on Caribbean Airlines to reconnect them with their family and friends. We attach tremendous importance to our valued Guyanese customers, and their loyalty to the airline.”

Medera said that Caribbean Airlines has undertaken to observe all safety protocols, which are aligned with the highest international standards for the protection of both its passengers and its employees.

Meanwhile, the CJIA has attained Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) from the Airports Council International, Latin America and the Caribbean Region (ACI-LAC).

The ACI airport health accreditation programme provides airports with an assessment of how aligned their health measures are when compared to the ICAO’s Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) recommendations, as well as with industry best practices.

The CJIA believes this will give both airlines and passengers alike the confidence that the safety measures implemented are in line with international standards.

In the meantime, passengers arriving into Guyana are required to obtain a negative PCR test taken within seven days prior to their arrival.

Passengers with tests within four to seven (4-7) days prior to arrival at the CJIA will be subjected to a second PCR test.

As it relates to the on-site PCR testing at the airport, the CJIA has noted that all the passengers who have since been tested on arrival are negative for COVID-19.

Squatters refuse ...

From page 3

lose her job in March, she was left with nowhere else to stay. Though her makeshift home has been affected by GuySuCo’s flooding of the lands in preparation for the cultivation of sugarcane there, she said she cannot leave because she has nowhere else to go.

“It is better for people to have access to house lots and better housing overall.

That’s the thrust of the government,” Dr. Persaud, however reasoned, adding, “Squatting is never a good thing because it is not healthy in terms of access to water and sanitation.”

Daveka’s home at the Success squatting area

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, with the squatters She stressed that persons must live in require the assistance and will then chanspaces that are suitable for occupation, nel the contributions to them. outfitted with the necessary amenities.

“We gotta find some way to assist In addition to the assistance the Min- these persons here at Success,” Matthews istry will be providing, members of the said. diaspora have been organising dry foods A small number of local contribuand clothing for these squatters. Gavin tors have also reached out to Gavin to Matthews, who is the person coordinating provide assistance to these squatters. the assistance from the diaspora, told this For anyone desirous of contributing, newspaper on Saturday that he will visit Gavin can be contacted on +592 627 the area to ascertain how many persons 4425

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Immediate relief for Belladrum residents –– Agri. Minister pledges support for farming groups, critical drainage works to commence shortly

FARMERS and residents from Belladrum, in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), will soon benefit from a number of developmental initiatives, as Government works to implement critical programmes targeting all classes of Guyanese.

During a visit to the community, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha met with a number of residents and farmers to listen to some of their concerns, the most prominent of which is the lack of proper drainage and irrigation.

Trevor MacDonald, a resident of the Belladrum area, said that for a number of years, the small internal drains in the community have been stagnant, and that it has become a health threat to the residents.

“We are having some water lodging that has now become stagnant; the drains need to be cleared. Right now there is a big back-up of water, and we are asking if something can be done urgently; if you can dig the drain and maybe put a pipe leading out to the main canal, so that the water can flow, it will bring instant relief to this issue,” MacDonald said.

“There are a lot of small children playing there, and if you pass through there now, you will see how green the water is, and the smell and the

West Berbice area has a lot of potential when it comes to agriculture.

As minister, I will ensure every person who wants to get into agriculture has the necessary resources to do so,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha addressing Belladrim residents recently Sivraj Bachah, a cattle pha said that he will engage amount of flies around those drains. Please, we are plead- farmer from the Planta- his colleague ministers so ing with you to do some- tion/Foulis area, said that that some street lights can thing; we’ve been suffering the farmers themselves are be installed in the village, as tasked with digging and well as having an increased for too long,” he added.

Minister Mustapha in- maintaining the drains in police prescience in the comformed the residents that he their area. He also said that munities. has instructed officials from there needs to be better seThe subject minister furthe National Drainage and curity in the villages. ther stated that he plans to “I am one of the farmers implement a number of deIrrigation Authority (NDIA) to have their regional engineer who suffer from the lack of velopmental works in comwork with the Neighbourhood proper drainage here. When we munities like Belladrum.

Democratic Council (NDC) dig it, we still have to maintain “I am happy to be here. to do an assessment of the it. Another issue is that of the Since I’ve taken over as Mindrainage works that need to need for street lights. We need ister of Agriculture, I’ve emsome street lights; people are barked on a number of outbe carried out in the village.

“I’ve asked them to have robbing and thieving in the reaches across the country to the assessment completed village. There is also a lot of visit with farmers from various within a week, and I will send coconut and cattle thieving, and communities to see how I can a machine to have the drains I believe if we have the street assist persons to get into farmcleared,” Minister Mustapha lights and more police patrols, ing, and develop their current we wouldn’t have these issues. level of production. Over the said.

Resident of Plantation/ We never had anyone to help years, the farming community Foulis also took the oppor- us or to listen to our plight, so and the agriculture sector have tunity to highlight some of Minister, I am happy that you not been given the amount of the issues affecting them are here today to restore hope,” resources needed. I intend to Bachah said. as well. work with all classes of farmIn responding to the is- ers to alleviate poverty, and, sues raised, Minister Musta- over time, create wealth. The BETTER SECURITY

IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCTION Minister Mustapha also said that the ministry has set aside funds to help farmers improve their production, taking into account the effects of climate change.

“In this year’s budget, we have allocated $15.8 M to purchase materials for shade-houses; farmers from this village will benefit from that initiative. We know that the effects of climate change continue to impact our production. If we intend to restore or resuscitate agriculture in this community, then you the farmers have to come on board with projects like this,” Minister Mustapha said.

Belladrum NDC Chairman, Emile Wilson also spoke about the lack of proper drainage, and how it is affecting rice cultivation in the area. Further, he addressed the need for a pasture in the area.

“The drains have not been maintained for a number of

years; I am asking for a system to be put in place, so that when the drains are cleaned, the necessary maintenance works can be carried out,” Wilson said, adding: “Minister, rice and cattle are also a big issue in this area; we have a lot of cattle but no pasture.

The officials can tell you how often they have to come and deal with breaches caused by cattle crossing these canals.

I am asking for you to use your office to bring some sort of resolution to this. We, the rice farmers are in constant conflict with the cattle farmers, because their cattle are always damaging our rice.”

Minister Mustapha committed to having the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) work with residents to identify an area suitable for the development of a pasture, so that the cattle owners in the area can have a suitable place to graze their cattle.

He also encouraged residents to form themselves into groups, so that they can work along with the Ministry’s agencies and other Regional officials to identify and come up with solutions to other issues faced.

Minister Mustapha committed to returning to the village to assess the works that will be carried out within the coming weeks.

Execution attempt at Lusignan prison Minister Manickchand tours –– murder accused brutally chopped

QUICK action by ranks on duty at the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara prevented two prisoners from being “executed” on Friday night, according to Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels.

A statement from Samuels revealed that Aszim Shivgobin, also known as ‘Blackie’, a 23-year-old inmate of Holding Bay Two, is in a “clinically stable” condition after he was brutally attacked and chopped by two prisoners at around 22:15hrs on Friday.

Shivgobin is on remand for the murder of Canadian citizen, 23-year-old Nicholas Ramkissoon Jaipaul.

Shivogbin sustained lacerations to all extremities and chest, the Prison Director said, noting that he was able to identify his attackers while other prisoners also identified these same persons as Shivgobin’s attackers.

“Quick response by Officers on duty with the assistance of other prisoners thwarted an attack on a second prisoner and resulted in both lives being saved. The improvised weapon reportedly used has been retrieved,” Samuels said in his statement.

He further noted, “It is alleged that Shivgobin and the other prisoner were targeted for execution by another prisoner.”

The matter has been reported to the Police and will be fully investigated so that charges can be laid against the relevant persons, the Prison Director noted.

Shivgobin is charged along with 26-year-old Charran Sewdhan, also known as ‘Vickey’ and

Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton

The injured murder accused, Aszim Shivgobin, is currently hospitalised 56-year-old Moonasar Beharry with Jaipaul’s murder.

Jaipaul arrived in Guyana in January with his grandfather, 86-year-old Ramkissoon Jaipaul.

The duo was residing at the grandfather’s house in Number 69 Village, Corentyne, and was expected to leave the country in May but remained here after the airports were closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The young Jailpaul disappeared from the house sometime between August 16 and 17.

On August 20, the remains of Jaipaul were discovered in some bushes along the Molesen Creek main access road after the prime suspect confessed to the crime and led investigators to the location.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Friday, toured the Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton, East Coast Demerara. Led by the proprietor, Mr. Adrian Benjamin, Minister Manickchand received the first-hand experience at the various processes that lead to the production of the tasty products made by the 27-year-old business. This tour followed a Bursary Awards Ceremony held by the bakery for 18 pupils who wrote the recent National Grade Six Assessment.

(Ministry of Education photo)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

11

Improved extension services for Region Six farmers ―Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur REGION Six farmers have been assured that extension services in the region will improve to cater for their needs when Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, and team met with residents of Tain, Fyrish and Number 19 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne on Saturday.

Former Vice-Chairman, Region Six, Dennis Deoroop, has been assigned the position as agricultural coordinator within the region and will be responsible for ensuring all agencies under the ministry and extension officers address issues faced by farmers.

“I have tasked them to ensure that their work is more proactive, they will be more responsive to the needs of the farmers. I have employed an agricultural coordinator in Region Six, who will coordinate all aspects of this activity, be it the rice sector, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), all those persons will have to ensure they meet with the farmers, visit the backdam, listen to their problems and they advise accordingly,” Agriculture Minister told the residents.

The minister also noted that oftentimes, farmers are at their wits ends when faced with issues with no proper advice but noted that this will be at thing of the past.

A farmer raises a concern during the meeting on Saturday

“Many times farmers are faced with issues and are not in receipt of proper advice.

They don’t get the kind of extension service that the Ministry of Agriculture provides; that will improve now. That will change; we will have these officers to be more responsive to the needs of the farmers,” he said.

Meanwhile, issued such a lack of proper drainage and irrigation, water, deplorable streets, the need for recreational facilities, the need for affordable livestock and poultry for farmers were among issues raised.

Andura Forde, a resident of Fyrish and the chairman of Gibraltar Fyrish Farmers Association called on the minis-

try to provide resources to help develop the farming community of Fyrish/Gibraltar. Forde has an existing project with NAREI to cultivate cauliflower and broccoli.

To this end, the minister committed to ensure that the group continues its work with NAREI and at the same time will look at expansion for other value-added produce such as ginger, turmeric and corn.

The minister also announced that very soon the ministry will launch a new rice variety which will to bring better yield for farmers. Farmers can expect about 55-60 bags per acre with the new variety as opposed to 30-35 bags per acre. In addition to higher production, the variety also has

a good resistance to pest and disease.

“By next week, we want to launch this new variety so we can make it available to our farmers so they can get better yield per acre. So the next crop will be better yield and more production.”

Meanwhile, the NDIA was also tasked to resolve the drainage concerns within the communities that were highlighted by residents. The minister also reiterated his ministry’s commitment to support, improve and develop the fishery sector and agriculture in general.

“We will continue to develop agriculture. Agriculture has the potential to eradicate poverty and

I am very optimistic that we can eradicate poverty if we develop this sector.

As we have started already in the sugar industry. We will create jobs once more for those persons who lost their jobs in the past three years. They will once again be gainfully employed by 2021-2022; these factories will come into order. As long we can get those on track, the entire country can be happy and we can eradicate poverty and develop our country where everyone will benefit.

The burdens they are experiencing will be eased and we can make Guyana one of the best country in the Caribbean,” the minister said.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha speaks at the meeting with farmers

Guyana to host virtual G77 climate change conference ―SDGs, climate change, COVID-19 pandemic to be discussed COUNTRIES from around the world will gather virtually on October 29 and 30 for a high-level climate change conference hosted

by Guyana, in its capacity as Chair of the Group 77 and China.

The meeting will be conducted under the theme, “Maintaining a low-carbon development path towards the 2030 agenda in the era of COVID-19”.

Speaking at a recent media briefing at his South Road office, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd said the event will provide a plat-

form for partnership among the Group’s 134 Member States and China on the implementation of climate action, the mobilisation of financial resources, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among other things.

He further said the forum will provide the opportunity for discourse on the SDGs, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while also allowing stakeholders to highlight the links between climate action and climate finance.

The meeting will also provide opportunities for

member states to examine ways in which the global financial architecture can improve access for developing countries to maintain a climate-resilient development pathway, in the context of the 2030 Agenda.

Further, the forum will facilitate knowledge exchange on the experiences in the combat of climate change, and the role of South-South Cooperation in supporting developing countries in their response, and the need for vital changes in policy and institutions at all levels.

Delegates will also share case studies demonstrating

ecosystem approaches that maintain existing carbon stocks; regulate water flow and storage; maintain and increase resilience; reduce

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd

vulnerability of ecosystems and people among other matters of importance.

During the forum, Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will also be showcased as a model of how climate change can be addressed through low-carbon development, particularly among developing countries.

President Irfaan Ali; Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are among the speakers scheduled to address this forum.

They will be joined by

ministerial and expert-level representatives from the membership of the G77 + China to address pertinent issues related to sustainable development within the context of a global COVID-19 recovery plan.

The Group of 77 was established on June 15, 1964 by 77 developing countries, and currently serves as a platform for more than 130 states to articulate and promote collective economic interests, and enhance joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues in the United Nations system.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Understanding Energy

The role of ‘farm-in’ agreements in oil and gas SO-CALLED “farm-in” agreements have been recently making headlines in Guyana, mostly in relation to the Kaieteur and Canje blocks offshore.

These agreements can be difficult to understand, but they’re a commonplace arrangement throughout the global energy industry and it is vitally important that Guyanese understand their meaning.

A farm-in agreement creates a partnership between two companies – one that already holds a lease granted by the government and one that wants to participate in developing that lease. For example, a small company might be granted an offshore lease from a government years ago, but after recent discoveries in a nearby block, a bigger company now wants to acquire a stake in that lease and develop it. The bigger company can “farm into” the block which the smaller one “farms out” to them. To do this, the bigger one takes on a portion of the smaller company’s stake in the block and agrees to pay part or all of the development costs in exchange, in addition to other fees.

In simple terms, these agreements allow smaller companies that want to invest in oil but may not have the capital to fully develop a block to outsource the financially intensive exploration and development stages to

companies that have more access to capital and expertise. Many contracts contain a provision to allow later farming-in if a company eventually decides to do so.

This type of agreement is mutually beneficial.

Small companies are often willing to take bigger risks than larger ones and bet on oil blocks that are much more speculative, which larger companies can be reluctant to bid on initially. However, if the acreage does turn out to contain oil or gas resources or is in an area that is technically difficult or expensive to extract, a smaller company may not have the resources or technical wherewithal to spend billions of dollars developing it.

Because of this, farm-in/farm-out agreements are a common practice in the energy industry used by small companies around the world. Many small companies can be as simple as a handful of geologists who buy cheap lease acreage in new or emerging areas where they think there might be oil – in the same way that many real estate speculators buy land near cities that they think developers may be interested in years from now.

Then if an oil find is made nearby, they can farmout to bigger companies that are interested now that risks are lower to develop it and keep some of the eventual production revenues.

Guyanese will likely know some of the names of companies that have used this practice offshore, like JHI and Eco Atlantic. It is also commonly used by medium sized operators like Tullow and Kosmos all

over the world. Even larger state-owned companies like Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company, commonly farm-out blocks. Petronas farmed out a block in Suriname to ExxonMobil earlier this year.

Guyana normally requires government approval for new farm-in agreements, which it has traditionally granted – most recently for a deal between CGX Energy and Frontera Energy Corporation in May 2019.

Although this is a common step for governments to take, it is important to note that a farm-in agreement doesn’t change the terms of the original lease or alter the government’s cut of revenues.

In fact, farm-in agreements generally benefit governments, by making it more likely that even blocks owned by small companies can be developed.

In addition to market efficiency, farm-in/farm-out agreements can help insulate Guyana from global market uncertainty. Small companies tend to be hit particularly hard by bad market conditions like low oil prices and anemic demand. But farming out allows them to outsource development to larger companies that have greater capital reserves and can generally better weather economic storms.

Fundamentally, farm-in agreements are a tool to help make sure that promising oil areas are actually developed into revenue-producing fields.

And with Guyana’s government counting on those revenues for a slate of much-needed infrastructure investments and other budget priorities, that’s an important benefit for Guyana.

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Mother pleads for help to save 15-year-old A MOTHER of three is pleading for the public’s assistance to cover the cost of radiation for her 15-year-old daughter who was recently diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor.

Shelly Balkarran told the Sunday Chronicle that her eldest daughter, Shaniece Nanhoe, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) which is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue.

After 16 rounds of Chemotherapy failed, the family was told by doctors that she will need $1.3M to begin radiation treatment as no other options are left.

Balkarran noted that her daughter fell ill in July of this year but she thought it was a case of the common cold.

“I suggested that it was just a cold so we watched it for a week; at that time the eye started to get more small, and we saw that there was like a funny look in the eye and after that the jaw started to swell and we thought maybe she has an infection.”

The family visited two Dentists and an Optometrist who all treated the child for an infection with antibiotics but after her condition worsened, she was rushed to

15-year-old Shaniece Nanhoe before and during her illness the emergency ward where it was later discovered she had a tumor.

The following month, the family travelled to Jamaica where it was discovered that the tumor is cancerous. There, Balkarran noted that her daughter was given one dose of chemotherapy but with limited money the family was unable to continue the treatment.

Balkarran said she reached out to the Cancer foundation here and returned home. The mother noted that her daughter’s body recently began to re-

Shelly Balkarran and her daughter, Shaniece Nanhoe, before she fell ill

ject the chemotherapy, forcing her to reach out to the public for assistance.

“Three cycles ago, that is when we realised that the body is rejecting the chemo, that’s why we have no options, the cancer is now attacking her other eye but as a mother I have to try everything and I’m going to fight this.

“We have spent every dime that we had. We had a little help, we had help from family and friends but you know medical is not cheap and that’s why I came out to the public and I’m begging for help…whatever I can get, no matter how little it is I need, I’m not going to let this cancer take my daughter.”

According to the distraught mother, the cancer is moving aggressively and as the tumor grows larger, it breaks the bones in her daughter’s face which means that she will also need facial reconstruction surgery.

Describing her daughter as “a gift from God”, Balkarran said despite her ailment and the tremendous pain, she is “as bright as rainbow” and remains in high spirits.

Anyone wishing to assist the family can make contact with Balkarran on +592- 692- 4045

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Suspected ‘Syndicato gang’ members arrested in Reg. 1 –– Gold prices attracting illegal crossing into Guyana

FOUR Venezuelans, who are reportedly members of the feared Syndicato gang, were arrested by Police on Friday, in Region One. Police also seized two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) along with $100,000 and a quantity of what appears to be raw gold. Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that ranks conducted a search of a hotel in Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), where they found the men along with two Guyanese.

The Venezuelans claimed to be miners in Venezuela but the Police said they did not provide any documents as proof and it appears that they are suspected to be members of the Syndicato gang.

The men were arrested for failing to present themselves to immigration, while the Guyanese, who also claimed to be miners, were arrested for aiding and abetting the Ven-

ezuelans to enter Guyana illegally.

The cost of gold has climbed to over US$1,900 per ounce and while this presents a great opportunity for local miners, it also breeds ‘desperation’ in the form of illegal mining operations, which, in some cases are being protected by the Syndcato gang.

There have been multiple reports recently that the gang has been operating within the bordering regions and have been terrorising Guyanese citizens.

These actions have not only been driving fear in local hinterland communities, but Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, said it is also a means of protecting illegal mining operations, particularly in the Cuyuni area.

Last month, a Joint Services patrol from Guyana came under fire from the Venezuelan shore, reportedly from Syndicato gang

Mining in Port Kaituma members.

Guyana’s border with Venezuela is more than 1,000 kilometers long and patrols are conducted on a routine basis, by ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force.

But, even before the attack on the officers, employees of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), who were travelling from Eteringbang to conduct mining inspections in the Cuyuni River, came under fire from persons believed to be part of the gang.

On September 4, while those same workers were enroute to their base, they were once again targeted. A similar incident occurred in May 2016 when officers of the GGMC narrowly escaped injury after they came under attack, in the vicinity of Eteringbang, in the Cuyuni River.

Based on information gathered by authorities, most of those attacks were no coincidence, as they were done to protect Venezuelans who are mining illegally in Guyana.

As part of a renewed strategic vision for the extractive sector, particularly mining, the Natural Resource Minister has mandated the GGMC to intensify monitoring and compliance in keeping with the Mining Act and Regulations.

According to a recent report, this follows the relatively high price for gold and the much-anticipated gold rush which leads to illegal mining and raiding of legitimate mining properties.

It is for this reason that GGMC’s Mines Services Division has resuscitated its Prosecutorial Unit to combat the emerging trend of illegal mining.

COVID-19 screening centre needed at Lima Sands –– PPP/C Councillor

PEOPLE’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Regional Democratic Council Councillor, Ronald Thompson, has requested a special shed or facility be set up for COVID-19 screening at Lima Sands, in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

Thompson was at the time speaking at the first statutory meeting of the RDC recently. The Councillor said that Lima Sands was a leading gateway to several communities, including the Tapakuma areas, and, as such, it was important for a facility to be designated for screening by health professionals.

According to Thompson, there is an existing shed which can be used temporarily. He emphasized that

PPP/C Councillor, Ronald Thompson during the RDC meeting persons needed to be protected from the deadly virus and screening was important at strategic areas within the Lima Sands community.

In response, Clerk of the RDC, Devenanad Ramdatt, said that the members will discuss the

issue with the Regional Health Committee and possible interventions will be made. Additionally, Regional Health Officer, Dr Ranjeev Singh, said he will provide the necessary resources to make the project possible.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Human Services Ministry to launch face-mask-sewing initiative –– Programme to boost employment opportunities for vulnerable individuals

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, will launch a Garment and Accessories Cottage Industry Initiative on Monday.

The project would commission individuals to sew over 200,000 masks which will be distributed countrywide including schools, heath and child care facilities.

A press release from the Ministry quoted Minister Persaud as saying that the mask project “is aimed at improving the livelihood of families by increasing their access to economic opportunities, while sustaining a ready supply of increased demand for face masks, throughout the 10 Administrative regions.

“The Ministry is inundated with per-

sons who need financial assistance and this project allows some of these disadvantaged individuals to become gainfully employed.”

Persons, especially in the low-income bracket, who can sew and have sewing machines in their possession, can uplift application forms from any of the Ministry’s security guard huts or the Regional Democratic Council offices countrywide.

Individuals who lost their income during the COVID-19 pandemic; individuals with disabilities; unemployed persons who head single parent households; victims of Gender-based Violence and Trafficking and Women Groups are eligible to apply.

The application forms would be available at any of the Ministry’s security guard huts and Regional Democratic Council Offices countrywide; or download it from the Ministry’s website: https://mhsss.gov.gy/forms.html Deadline to return the application Form is Friday, October 30, 2020 at

16:00h, either through the post and must be addressed to: Hymawattie Lagan, 1 Water and Cornhill Streets, Stabroek or email to hlagan136@gmail.com For further information and clarification, persons can contact Ms. Lagan on 672-1653.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

COVID-19 forces many to take up gardening – hardware stores report increased sales in tools, other equipment

By Rabindra Rooplall THE global COVID-19 pandemic has forced thousands of people into unemployment, and with no stable income to take care of their families, many turned to gardening

– an area that was largely ignored and stigmatised.

It is now one of the key areas geared at revitalising economies around the world as the demand for fresh fruits and vegetables is on the increase.

As a matter of fact, local

hardware stores, between the months of March and July 2020, also reported an increase in sale for tools and hardware supplies as consumers in self-isolation used their time to complete home improvement projects.

Horticulturist Phulmattie Budhram watering her plants at the shop located at Agriculture Road Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

Horticulturist, Phulmattie Budhram As a result of worldwide shutdowns and curfews, there was a surge in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) gardening as consumers found new ways to improve their living space and keep themselves entertained during isolation.

“Vegetables and citrus plants were the ones in demand for about four months straight and then things cooled down as things retuned to normalcy,” Horticulturist, Phulmattie Budhram told the Sunday Chronicle.

Budhram manages her plant shop at Agriculture Road Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

Budhram said things have since slowed down but her grafted fruit plants are always in demand since mini mature trees only need small space to grow.

For persons picking up the tools of the trade for the first time, getting started seems daunting, but, as the Horticulturist would say, the hard work in the beginning really pays off in the end.

Budhram emphasised that no one needs to be a farmer to reap the benefits of homegrown produce; it can all start from the comfort of a sunny window and a bit of extra time and any-

one is capable of growing a few vegetables and fruits at home.

She explained that plants need care and there is no such thing as a low maintenance plant, because gardens only bloom when time is invested in them.

Budhram advises that the humid environment is great especially if someone has his/her own greenhouse. However, she said aspiring gardeners should use potting soil and check on their plants every day while all weeds should be removed.

She explained that plants, like people, are less immune to disease and insects and they should receive adequate amount of sunlight, care and nutrients to their roots.

When planting is done indoor, Budhram explained that all plants require well-draining soil, which means a pot with holes in the bottom is needed and some small stones in the bottom of the pot before adding soil to let water drain through the stones.

The Horticulturist said while each plant may grow best in a slightly different soil environment, an all-purpose potting soil is suitable for a variety of growing purposes.

Some of the plants Budhram recommends can be grown at home include: tomatoes, cucumber, all varieties of pepper, callalu, broccoli, eschalot and grafted lime and lemon.

As part of Agriculture month and ‘plant a tree initiative’, the businesswoman said she is distributing hundreds of seedlings and plants free of cost to persons who visit her shop this month.

Budhram, a mother of four, also loves sharing her knowledge freely about the process involved in planting fruit trees, flower trees, vegetables, peppers, spices, coconut trees and many other plants.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Younger men losing their lives to heart attacks – Outgoing CMO

By Vishani Ragobeer

AN increasing number of young men have been losing their lives to heart attacks, pointing to the prevalence of underlying conditions, according to outgoing Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud.

Dr. Persaud, Guyana’s CMO since 2007, highlighted that over his tenure, the general age for heart attacks, observed primarily in men, had dropped significantly from persons in their 60s to persons in their 50s.

Nowadays, he said, persons have been suffering from this fatal condition as early as their late 20s.

“Young men just drop down and die from heart attacks, which was kind of unheard of before,” Dr. Persaud lamented during a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle.

This occurrence points to the prevalence of underlying conditions for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Dr. Persaud explained. Exacerbating this situation, according to the CMO, is that many persons have these underlying conditions, but the health conditions may go undetected for a number of years because persons do not engage in regular medical checkups and screenings.

These NCDs- such as diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers, account for about 70 per cent of deaths in Guyana, according to the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). Last year, Head of Medical Services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Mahendra Carpen, related that 30 per cent of patients who go to the hospital for emergency health care, due to a heart attack, for example, only then realise that they are also diabetic.

Regular health checkups could have revealed

these underlying conditions earlier, and perhaps even prevented those emergencies.

Reflecting on his career so far, Dr. Persaud related that there are many public health issues that the country has become better equipped to manage, reduce, and even prevent, however, the “big challenge” that remains is the prevalence of the NCDs and the underlying conditions which go undetected for years.

“Something is driving these concerns,” he said, adding, “The access to medical care is better and we are able to diagnose more comprehensively but I still think there is something else driving this.”

Though further investigations would be required to determine definitively what contributes to this concerning issue, Dr. Persaud opined that it may be the “behavioural aspect” of people.

Dr. Persaud emphasised that individuals must be more appreciative of good health practices that have been known to contribute to good health, overall.

These practices include eating healthy meals, exercising regularly, and reducing alcohol consumption.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) attributed the rise of NCDs, worldwide, to four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol, and unhealthy diets.

COVID-19 But what complicates matters even further is that the prevalence of these underlying conditions increases an individual’s vulnerability to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

“With COVID-19, we have seen the impact of the underlying conditions, especially, and I think again in men,

younger men,” Dr. Persaud said.

The WHO and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention both indicated that older folks and later, older folks with pre-existing, underlying health conditions, were more vulnerable to contracting this

coronavirus, thus becoming severely ill. Younger folks, who were more likely to be asymptomatic (infected with the virus, but not showing any symptoms), were cautioned that they might be “carriers”- spreading the disease to other, older folks.

Here in Guyana, the

public health authorities have been concerned that the increasing vulnerability of persons to NCDs coupled with the prevalence of these underlying conditions have been contributing to the prevalence of COVID-19 in younger persons and men.

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Outgoing Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

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‘No flaring’

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

–– Expert says gas better used for electricity, injection into wells

By Navendra Seoraj

RELEASING greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is in no way good for the environment, and, while unavoidable in some cases, particularly during the initial phases of oil production, it can be regulated or

channeled to productive systems in the long run, resulting in zero routine flaring.

Flaring in Guyana’s context was being done by ExxonMobil at its Liza Phase One development offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block.

Reports are that ExxonMobil flared over two billion cubic feet of natural gas due to challenges during production start-up, but these challenges have since been alleviated with the commencement of the re-injection of gas.

Back in 2019, Exxon-

Mobil had explained to the media that for the first period after ‘first oil’ there would be initial start-up flaring – authorised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – which occurs during the commissioning and initial start-up phases of the Floating Pro-

Executive Director of the Payne Institute for Earth Resources and Research, Professor of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Morgan Bazilian duction Storage and Offloading (FPSO) when gas and liquids are introduced into new facilities and equipment.

This flaring, it said, would not continue as routine and will only take place again in the case of an emergency whereby flaring will be used to immediately de-pressure the facility as part of a shut-down process to reduce risk.

ExxonMobil Guyana has made 18 discoveries since May 2015 and began production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase One development project.

With the company’s Liza Phase Two development and the Payara project set to come on stream within the next two years, gas flaring will again be something to pay attention to. And, while the Government of Guyana has already prohibited routine gas flaring at the Payara development project, Executive Director of the Payne Institute for Earth Resources and Research, Professor of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Morgan Bazilian, said general regulatory and technical measures must be implemented to mitigate gas flaring in future projects.

“Yes, flaring itself has environmental impacts and is a waste of resources…economically and environmentally bad,” said Dr. Bazilian during a virtual session with local reporters on Friday.

He added: “there are technical ways to reduce flaring…but there must be a combination of technical measures which will come in quickly and regulatory measures.”

Most countries take a “long time” to develop a regulatory framework for gas flaring, but from the expert’s understanding, the projects in Guyana are engineered to have zero routine flaring.

Dr. Bazilian pointed to the “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative, introduced by the World Bank, which brings together governments, oil companies, and development institutions which recognise the detriments of flaring.

According to the World Bank, this initiative pertains to ‘routine flaring’ and not

to ‘flaring’ for safety reasons or non-routine flaring, which nevertheless should be minimised.

“Routine flaring of gas is flaring during normal oil production operations in the absence of sufficient facilities or amenable geology to re-inject the produced gas, utilise it on-site, or dispatch it to a market. Venting is not an acceptable substitute for flaring,” said the World Bank.

According to the World Bank, during oil production, associated gas is produced from the reservoir together with the oil; much of this gas is utilised or conserved because governments and oil companies have made substantial investments to capture it, but some of it is flared because of technical, regulatory, or economic constraints.

Dr. Bazilian said gas flaring is controlled through power plants or reinjection into wells, and in Guyana’s case, while ExxonMobil has started reinjection, there are already talks, locally, to establish a gas-to-energy system.

“We have to make these decisions, but they will be made dependent on the resources available and what the market offers,” said Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, in a previous report.

Although many things are still undecided, the Vice-President said Government is certain that it does not want gas flaring to continue. As reported, the priority, as outlined in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and ExxonMobil is oil recovery, but the new administration will be looking to capitalise on the associated gas deposits, so that Guyanese could benefit from cheap electricity, among other things.

The Vice-President said Government plans to move ‘swiftly’ with the gas-to-energy project, as its intention is to deliver the promise of cheap electricity, which was made to Guyanese.

Projects like this are especially important because flaring of gas contributes to climate change and impacts the environment through emission of carbon dioxide, black carbon and other pollutants.

According to the World Bank, it also wastes a valuable energy resource that could be used to advance the sustainable development of producing countries.

“For example, if this amount of gas were used for power generation, it could provide about 750 billion kWh of electricity, or more than the African continent’s current annual electricity consumption,” said the World Bank.

Regardless of the measures employed, Dr. Bazilian said Governments across the world should always work towards zero routine flaring.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

COVID-19 and the human heart

ALTHOUGH the early concerns with the COVID-19 infection focused on the effect it has on the respiratory system/lungs, we have been consistently seeing a significant and worrying damage to the human heart as the pandemic continues.

It is recognized that there is increased out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and sudden deaths in many places with high COVID-19 presence. There have been many reports of myocarditis behaving like a heart attack with complaints of chest pains, abnormal electrocardiogram, and increased markers of heart muscle damage. This can occur even in the very young patients. Severe cases can develop heart failure and even shock can occur.

“COVID-19–associated heart dysfunction can also be attributed to other pathways, including Takotsubo syndrome (also called stress cardiomyopathy), ischemia from endothelitis and related atherosclerotic plaque rupture with thrombosis, and the multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children (MIS-C).

“The underlying mechanism of stress cardiomyopathy is poorly understood but has markedly increased during the pandemic. MIS-C is thought to be immune-mediated and manifests with a spectrum of cardiovascular features, including vasculitis, coronary artery aneurysms, and cardiogenic shock.

“This syndrome is not exclusive to children because the same clinical features have been the subject of case reports in adults, such as in a 45-year-old man. There is a diverse spectrum of cardiovascular manifestations, ranging from limited necrosis of heart cells (causing injury), to myocarditis, to cardiogenic shock (an often fatal inability to pump sufficient blood).

“Cardiac injury, as reflected by concentrations of troponin (a cardiac muscle-specific enzyme) in the blood, is common with COVID-19, occurring in at least one in five hospitalized patients and more than half of those with pre-existing heart conditions.

Such myocardial injury is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality and troponin concentration correlates with risk of mortality.

“Furthermore, patients with higher troponin amounts have markers of increased inflammation [including C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and high neutrophil count] and heart dysfunction (amino-terminal pro-B–type natriuretic peptide)” -- Dr. Eric Topol.

heart failure include shortness of breath, tiredness, easy fatigability, inability to lie down flat to sleep, swelling of the legs and sometimes even the abdomen.

HEART RHYTHM DISORDERS The COVID-19 patient is at high risk for the development of heart rhythm disorders due to the acute and chronic effects of this disease on the heart muscles, cells and conduction system.

The common types of heart rhythm disorders recognized are: 1. High grade atrio-ventricular block -- This is when there is a slowed conduction between the top part of the heart which sets the pace (Pacemaker/Sinus node) and the bottom part of the heart (Ventricle).

This can cause dizziness, falls and loss of consciousness. Treatment may include implanting a pacemaker if this persists.

2. Atrial fibrillation – This is when there are multiple areas in the top part of the heart competing to set the pace of the heart instead of the natural pacemaker (sinus node). The resulting rhythm is irregular, chaotic and often fast.

The more common effects on the heart are: 1. Myocarditis 2. Early and accelerated cell death 3. Heart Attack-like presentations 4. Heart failure 5. Heart rhythm disorders MYOCARDITIS This is essentially the inflammation of the heart muscles.

In the case of COVID-19, there can be a generalized inflammatory reaction brought on by the Virus, which then spreads to the heart and affects the muscles of the heart.

This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue and may sometimes be fatal.

Early and accelerated cell death The lifespan of the cells is shortened therefore they die earlier. Their place is taken by scar tissue which cannot perform the normal functions of the heart.

As a result of this the contraction and relaxation of the heart can be adversely affected.

Additionally, there can be a disturbance in the conduction and electrical system of the heart.

HEART ATTACK-LIKE PRESENTATIONS Many of these patients with COVID-19 can develop chest pains remarkably similar to a heart attack and come to hospital. Their electrocardiograms (ECG) can be abnormal and blood tests show positive for an enzyme normally seen in a heart attack.

This can cause significant confusion in making decisions how to manage patients.

HEART FAILURE Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body to meet the normal demands. The blood takes oxygen to the body and oxygen is used to create energy for work.

Common complaints in

3. Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia – This is when the bottom part of the heart (Ventricle) starts to beat independently of the top in a rapid, irregular and chaotic way. The result is an inefficient pump function of the heart which can lead to death.

4. Sudden cardiac death and Pulseless electrical activity -- This is a very bad development with a high risk of death.

Essentially there is no effective contraction of the heart to produce a pulse or sustain a blood pressure although there is electrical activity seen on the cardiac monitor.

The stay-at-home order is an important part of limiting coronavirus spread, but it does not apply to people experiencing medical emergencies.

You should seek medical assistance if you are experiencing symptoms of heart disease.

These would include: 1. Chest pain or discomfort 2. Feeling weak, light-headed or faint 3. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back 4. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders 5. Shortness of breath Until we find better ways of treating COVID-19 we must take all precautions to minimize exposure and control the effects. We can all do this by continuing to practise social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks when in public.

(This article is part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

Sterling scores as City needle Arsenal (BBC) - Stand-in skipper Raheem Sterling scored the only goal as Manchester City returned to winning ways in their Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Sterling, given the armband by manager Pep Guardiola with Fernandinho on the bench and Kevin de Bruyne injured, finished off the rebound after Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute shot had been saved.

Arsenal had chances to level but City keeper Ederson denied them with three excellent first-half saves and both David Luiz and Pepe were off target with free-kicks in good positions after the break.

The result extended a miserable run of away results against their fellow ‘top six’ members for Arsenal. They have now failed to win in their last 29 such meetings, since a success at City in 2015.

Guardiola is yet to drop a point against the Gunners in five encounters at Etihad Stadium since he succeeded Manuel Pellegrini as City manager in 2016.

More importantly for his side, after picking up a single point from their last two games, they were able to claim maximum points in this one.

pearance since June after recovering from a knee injury.

Master beats pupil As might have been expected from a meeting be-

At one point, Willian was operating as centre-forward and Sterling was sitting deep in midfield. After Aguero’s exit, Bernado Silva briefly

Raheem Sterling scored his fourth goal of the season for Man City

The three points came even without De Bruyne and with the returning Sergio Aguero restricted to an hour’s action on his first ap-

tween Guardiola and the man he spent three-and-a-half years alongside in the City dug-out, Mikel Arteta, this was a tactical blitz.

went into the false nine role as both men tried to keep the other guessing.

Arteta was able to bring on £45m new-boy Thomas

Partey for his debut near the end but the truth is, he doesn’t have the strength in depth afforded to Guardiola.

Both sides suffered disruption in the build-up, although the loss of Aymeric Laporte and Mendy to injury had less of an impact on City as the delay in finding out the Premier League were prepared to allow Kieran Tierney to play had on the Gunners.

The Arsenal defender had been told to isolate by the local health authority in Scotland due to a ‘close contact’ breach on international duty.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the Gunners then lost defender Rob Holding to a hamstring injury in the warm-up.

This all contributed to a slow start they never really recovered from as City kept their first clean sheet of the season with a defensive performance far removed from the one which saw them concede five against Leicester in their previous home game.

Lampard cites individual errors as Chelsea draw Southampton (BBC) - Frank Lampard said Chelsea need to cut out individual errors after they twice relinquished a lead to draw 3-3 with Southampton.

Jannik Vestergaard headed in a dramatic injury-time equaliser to claim the Saints a point, after Danny Ings and Che Adams had earlier brought the visitors back from 2-0 down to 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.

All the goals conceded by the Blues included defensive mistakes, with Kai Havertz needlessly losing possession in his own half for the first, a weak back-pass from Kurt Zouma and poor attempted block from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga contributing to the second, and an unnecessarily conceded free-kick and poor attempted clearance enabling the third.

“We have to not give those goals away,” Lampard told BBC Sport. “We are making individual mistakes in games and it gives other teams chances at all times. It is something we need to get better at.

“It goes through the team. We are seeing a lot of goals in the Premier League at the moment and no manager is happy with that. We all want clean sheets. It has to be better.”

Chelsea were in control courtesy of two superb Timo Werner goals - the first courtesy of a sublime dummy which bamboozled Jan Bednarek before drilling in, and the second as he lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and nodded home.

When it looked like the hosts were cruising, Southampton hit back as Danny Ings went round keeper Arrizabalaga to finish and Adams punished dire Chelsea defending to smash home an equaliser.

The Blues responded just 121 seconds later with Werner sliding the ball across the box for compatriot Kai Havertz to convert an easy finish which seemed to be the winner, but Vestergaard’s late effort sealed a draw.

“You go 2-0 up and you want to finish the

game, as at that point we were playing great football. The first half was as good as we have played this season,” added Lampard.

“Southampton are a good side and we allowed the pressure they want to put you under off the ball to gain traction.

“When they got their first goal, just before half-time, they put us under pressure and our game management could be better.

“My message at the break was that it shouldn’t change the game and the players should be happy with how they have played for 40 minutes. But we never reached those levels in the second half.”

CHELSEA’S DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES PROVE COSTLY Despite a top-four finish last season, the problems for Frank Lampard’s side were obvious - weak at the back, they paid a heavy price for their frailties against Southampton.

Chelsea conceded 54 goals last term, more than any other team that finished in the top 10, but a heavy spending spree in the summer invested more in attacking additions than defensive reinforcements.

The experienced Thiago Silva, brought in on a free after leaving Paris St-Germain, missed out and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy suffered an injury on international duty with Senegal.

It meant the error-prone Kepa was back in goal and his contribution for Southampton’s second goal was far from impressive, but he could do nothing about their equaliser.

Lampard insisted that he and the team have faith in the keeper, but it will require hard work and mental strength from the 26-year-old to rediscover his form.

“He has to be strong enough mentally; that’s the job we’re in,” said Lampard. “He has to deal with that, he has the support of myself and his team-mates.

“He has to keep working, that’s the only

way through it. It’s unfortunate because he did make two really good saves today, but obviously with something like the second goal, then eyes are drawn to that.”

The home side failed to capitalise on champions Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Everton earlier on Saturday, with them missing out on the chance to go second and instead staying sixth.

But while they work on resolving their backline problems, they will have no problems going forward with the fire power they possess.

Prolific striker Werner looked like heading to champions Liverpool but the transfer did not materialise and he showcased why Chelsea were quick to pay £54m for the RB Leipzig man.

Werner, who scored 34 goals last season, was a constant menace for the Saints backline, his low centre of gravity allowing him to shift left and right, bringing about the first goal.

He had his back to goal a long way, but his step-over and dart left Bednarek trailing and, despite having work to do with three defenders and the goalkeeper in attendance, Werner slipped a cool finish into the bottom corner.

Werner caused problems for the same defender for the second goal, holding off the towering Bednarek from Jorginho’s raking pass, calmly lofting the ball over the advancing McCarthy and heading in from close range.

Chelsea’s dangerous trio of attackers combined for the third as Christian Pulisic found Werner’s run into the box and he moved it on for Havertz’s first league goal.

With Hakim Ziyech making his debut off the bench in the final 18 minutes, as well as the options of Tammy Abraham, Olivier Giroud and Callum Hudson-Odoi available to Lampard, Chelsea will not have problems scoring goals.

It is at the back where they remain most vulnerable.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

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AB de Villiers’ late burst wrecks Rajasthan (ESPNCRICINFO) - Having AB de Villiers in your line-up is like having a cheat code in a videogame. Take him away and Royal Challengers Bangalore were very much second best to Rajasthan Royals yesterday, with all their other batsmen struggling to find the boundary on a slow pitch, in a chase of 178. Take him away, however, is exactly what the Royals couldn’t do. de Villiers arrived with the Royal Challengers needing 76 from 42, which became 76 from 41 when Virat Kohli departed. Gurkeerat Singh was on strike for 17 of those 41 balls, and scored just 19 off them.

But even with all these layers of difficulty added to his task, de Villiers pulled it off, and made it look easy, with just a bit of help from the Royals’ tactics.

With the equation coming down to 35 off 12, they left their best bowler, Jofra Archer, for the 20th over rather than use him in the 19th as most teams would have done. de Villiers hit Jaydev Unadkat for 6, 6, 6 off the first three balls of that 19th over, and the game was pretty much in the bag. He finished unbeaten on 55 off 22, having hit six sixes - one more than Royals

managed in their entire innings - and Royal Challengers won with two balls to spare.

UTHAPPA TURNS BACK THE CLOCK Robin Uthappa has always been at his best as a top-order batsman. Before today, he had an average of 29.81 and a strike rate of 133.47 from 121 IPL innings in the top three, as against 24.45 and 119.68 in 55 innings lower down. And yet, he had batted down the order in all of his matches this season, until today, when the Royals shuffled their line-up once again.

Having tried four opening combinations already this season, they then turned to Uthappa, in his preferred position, alongside Ben Stokes.

Having struggled for fluency all season, Uthappa found it, making full use of the powerplay field restrictions. He used the crease excellently to pick up four fours in the third over of the match - a drive past mid-off and three sweeps or swipes over backward square leg - when Washington Sundar bowled with long-on and deep midwicket as his two boundary fielders.

In the next over, he hit the medium-fast Isuru Udana for a four and a six over mid-on - another favourite zone - and Royals were up and running.

CHAHAL INTERVENES Stokes wasn’t quite as fluent, and he fell in the last over of the powerplay, off a slower bouncer from Chris Morris.

Uthappa was still going strong, though, hitting Navdeep Saini

1 in 8.1 overs - Royal Challengers may have wondered how they were going to stem the scoring rate.

The answer was right in front of them. Since the start of the 2018 season, there had been 12 occasions before to-

AB de Villiers scythes one over covers, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dubai, IPL 2020, October 17, 2020

for a pair of fours in the seventh over, and when Sanju Samson greeted Yuzvendra Chahal’s introduction with a massive six over midwicket which took the score to 68 for

day in which Chahal had taken a wicket in an over where he’d also been hit for at least one six. No other spinner had come close - Sunil Narine and Shreyas Gopal were a distant

joint second, having done so six times each.

Chahal usually achieves this by continuing to challenge batsmen to hit him for six, and he did so again today, taking out both Uthappa and Samson in that same over, trusting in his flight, a wider line, and the long boundaries in Dubai.

Samson’s wicket may have seemed like a poor choice of shot, but there was a bit of deception involved too, with the dip and the slowness of the delivery causing him to drag the ball straighter than intended, and hit the ball to long-off rather than over extra-cover.

SMITH, TEWATIA HELP SET CHALLENGING TARGET Jos Buttler found the boundary twice in the next three overs, but Chahal, Sundar and Saini combined to give away just 17 runs from overs 12 to 14. Royals needed someone to restore their ebbing momentum, and Steven Smith provided the boost they needed, using his movement around the crease and the deftest of hands to pick up a pair of fours off Udana and a six and another four - either side of Buttler’s dismissal - off Morris. He picked up three more fours in the 18th over, off Chahal, two via the

reverse-sweep.

With Udana bowling an expensive 19th - Rahut Tewatia, who seems to enjoy batting against left-arm seam, got stuck into him - and Morris a tight 20th, Royals posted 177 for 6.

THE BOUNDARIES DRY UP Through most of their chase, Royal Challengers simply got stuck. A feature of their innings was the inability to hit fours. They only hit five in all, compared to the Royals’ 17 and part of the reason for this was the unwillingness or inability of their top order to play the sweep, which is such a key weapon on slow pitches.

Where the Royals - for whom Uthappa and Smith played the shot particularly well - picked up 25 runs off 11 balls with conventional, reverse, paddle and slog-sweeps against the spinners, Royal Challengers only picked up three runs, off two balls.

Devdutt Padikkal struggled to 35 off 37 balls, with only two boundaries, while Kohli struggled for fluency but muscled a pair of sixes in scoring 43 off 32.

By the time de Villiers came to the crease, Royal Challengers’ required rate had climbed from 8.9 at the start of their chase to 10.9 at the 13-over mark.

Everton come from behind to draw with Liverpool Spectator-free bodybuilding competition set for early December

(BBC) - Everton came from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League in a Merseyside derby thriller as Liverpool were denied a stoppage-time winner by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Sadio Mane put the visitors ahead in the third minute but they were furious soon afterwards when a wild challenge by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford on Virgil van Dijk, committed after an offside decision, saw the defender having to go off injured with VAR failing to review the tackle.

Everton, who had won their previous seven games in all competitions, equalised swiftly at Goodison Park when Michael Keane headed in a corner from the outstanding James Rodriguez.

Liverpool, with Thiago Alcantara at the heart of everything, were back in front with 18 minutes left when Mohamed Salah volleyed in Yerry Mina’s poor clearance to set up a frantic finale, with only Pickford’s magnificent save from Joel Matip’s header keeping Everton in the hunt.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header restored parity with nine minutes left but

Everton were then reduced to 10 men when Richarlison was sent off for a wild challenge on Thiago.

Liverpool thought they had won it in stoppage time when Pickford could not keep out Jordan Henderson’s shot - but in a finish to match the chaotic nature of the game, Mane was adjudged to be offside after a lengthy wait for the VAR decision.

Pickford the central figure again Everton and England keeper Pickford has been unable to stay out of the headlines this season as the spotlight has fallen on his faltering form - and he was the central figure in this eventful Merseyside derby.

When Everton were 1-0 down, he somehow escaped a red card for a challenge on van Dijk that was dangerous enough to force Liverpool’s defender off, with the Dutchman looking in much discomfort as he made his way around the pitch.

He was then in more traditional action as he made a fine save from Trent-Alexander Arnold’s free-kick and then with Liverpool no doubt feeling he should not even be on the pitch - he made a world-class

save diving away to his right to keep out Matip’s header when it looked a certain goal with the score 2-1 in favour of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Even then his afternoon was not over as he scrambled back in vain after failing to hold Henderson’s shot - the relief clear when VAR ruled out the goal.

Everton may still not have beaten their great rivals in a decade but Carlo Ancelotti’s side will take great comfort from the manner in which they fought back twice and while Liverpool were the more consistent threat, there is a serious menace about this team that was not present last season.

Thiago brings class to the chaos Liverpool’s Thiago and Everton’s Rodriguez sailed serenely above the chaos in this match, showing the time and class that simply did not seem to be available to others.

In Thiago, Liverpool have added a midfield controller to the side that won the Premier League at a canter last season.

He was composed and some of his picked passes were of the highest standard, looking an absolute snip at £20M from Bayern Munich.

THE Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) has decided to host a celebratory bodybuilding competition on December 5, at the National Cultural Centre.

The competition, which is expected to attract a number of seasoned musclemen, would however be done without spectators.

Viewers can watch the event via social media or on television.

President of the federation, Keavon Bess, who was hoping to host the Senior Championships (Mr Guyana) later this year, noted that due to restrictions in place it would be impossible for senior athletes to get stage-ready for such an event.

“We concluded that athletes would have not been afforded the time to prepare for a Seniors competition and with the closure of gyms it’s impossible for athletes to prepare their bodies for a competition of the magnitude as a Seniors competition, between whenever gyms are opened and the fifth of December.”

Bess said that the upcoming competition would help to

improve the mood of people who are affected by the pandemic.

“We have dubbed this competition ‘Resilience’.

It’s basically our way as bodybuilders in saying that we have the resilience ... and all Guyanese have the resilience to overcome the difficulties experienced due to COVID-19.”

According to the GBBFF head, the date of the competition is only tentative “on the uncontrollable rise of cases or the restrictions that government may implement”.

The competition would be open to all categories and among the big names expected is reigning Mr Guyana Marlon Bennett.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Sunday, October 18, 2020 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Adam Gilchrist-13 dismissals : 9 catches; 4 stumping (Deccan Chargers) (2) 152 – third wicket (Murali Vijay & Albie Morkel (CSK)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) What is the highest ever team total made in IPL history to date?

(2) Who were the two captains involved in the first game of IPL 2020?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

More sponsors on board GGA Breast Cancer fundraiser tournament … Trophy Stall, MACORP, Assuria among new faces

AHEAD of its upcoming ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ fundraising tourney, the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) gained added sponsorship in its overall fight against the disease.

Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, Trophy Stall, Guyana Beverages Inc. were a few of the latest corporate sponsors to join Survival and CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Resort along with the GGA in its upcoming event.

Going by the slogan ‘Play Golf, Fight Cancer’, the one-day event will feature a number of seasoned and novice golfers at the Scouts Association of Guyana ground, Woolford Avenue, where they will attempt to raise both awareness and funds which will go towards the ongoing battle against cancer.

Prizes include spa treatments, hampers, beverages

and trophies along with a grand prize of $50 000 cash or GTT phone credit will be up for grabs, as the event is designed for players of all levels to have fun and display their skills.

“Many Guyanese have suffered personal losses or (they) fight a daily battle with cancer, especially women who are our mothers, sisters, wives, and nurturers of our nation. We cannot simply sit back and let this disease win! Just like we cannot let COVID beat us,” said GGA president Aleem Hussain.

“Every year since 2017, our golfing community and corporate supporters have been active in the fight against cancer, usually with a tournament to raise funds and awareness. Last year, Banks DIH and Citizens Bank were the main sponsors of the Golf charity event but this year,

due to COVID-19 guidelines, we had to modify the event.” he continued.

As a result, the format is as follows: Participants can visit the Academy & Driving Range any day from Monday 19th to Saturday 24th (15:00hrs-19:00hrs to qualify) with the top 8 players from the female, male, beginners and male professional categories scheduled to battle for the top prize of $50 000 cash or Gtt phone credit on Sunday 25th at 16:00hrs.

Players will each hit 10 balls and based on skill level, they will have different distances (50, 75 and 100 yards) to score points based on where in large circles the ball lands. “This is a test of skill and ability to have fun, whilst supporting a great cause,” said Rudy Ramalingum, Director of the Nexgen Golf Academy.

Guyana to host next Caribbean Championship - GBA Ninvalle AS Guyana is slowly opening up to international traffic, Guyana Boxing Association has registered to host the next Caribbean Championship once it receives all COVID-19 related clearances.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle yesterday disclosed that the hosting of the Caribbean Championship came up at a recent meeting of Caribbean presidents and Guyana accepted the offer to host.

“There is no definite timeframe as yet since there is the overhanging threat of COVID-19; but there may be a likelihood of such a competition being hosted in the first quarter of 2021. Guyana has accepted that offer to host but the timing will depend on how restless Mr COVID-19 is,” Ninvalle told Chronicle Sport.

Guyana staged the Championships in 2015 and 2018. On both occasions the Land of Many

Waters came out on top.

In 2018 Guyana picked up 10 gold, three silver and two bronze medals to snatch the championship title from nearest rivals Trinidad and Tobago.

The locals had won the inaugural Caribbean Boxing Championship when Guyana hosted the tournament in 2015 and subsequently made a successful defence of that title in Barbados in 2016, but in 2017, due to financial constraints, could have sent only four boxers to the championship which was hosted by St Lucia.

St Maarten was scheduled to host the 2020 Caribbean Championship but abandoned plans because of unforeseen circumstances. According to Ninvalle, Guyana’s experience in pulling off such tournaments, along with the quantity and quality of the boxers, played a part in the country offering to host.

“It’s more of a benefit for us if we stage.

All of our boxers get a chance to participate also our officials. We lost the Champion Country Title in 2017 because we were only able to send a team of four boxers to St Lucia. The very next year the crown was back home when we hosted,” Ninvalle stated.

GBA has only held one competition for the year (February 15) and Ninvalle ruled out any chance of another during 2020. “I don’t see any such activity being held for the remainder of the year. We can be consoled by the fact that almost every other country in the region is facing the same issue at the same time.”

However, Ninvalle a vice-president of the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) said that he will be pushing on for more virtual seminars for the local and regional fraternity.

“The top two finishers in each category will receive a trophy from Trophy Stall,” says owner Ramesh Sunich.

Trophy Stall, with locations all over the country, has been a strong supporter of all sports in Guyana for many years and owners Ramesh and Devi have come to love the sport of golf.

O w n e r o f Vi v a a n t a Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, Karan Mehra, said “Vivaanta is a part of Guyana and we are pleased to support the fight against cancer and continue our support for golfing, something we started with Mr Hussain a few years ago. We hope that many players participate and support and win a chance to experience our services at the spa.”

Assuria General, CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Golf Resort, AR Printery, Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, New Trend Auto, Mings

Products and Services, Nexgen Global Realty, Guyana Beverages, Karibe Rice, MACORP and Gtt are all strong supporters of Golf and the fight against cancer and have been an integral part of the growth of the game in recent years.

The Guyana Golf Association has been active in the promotion of awareness for a variety of charitable events through sports and will continue to use golf as a means of improving the lives of Guyanese.

“We hope that members of both local and expatriate communities will participate in the events, since the Golf Academy & Driving Range is designed to conform to social-distancing guidelines and it is for a cause that affects all of us,” said Hussain.

Partnership with Scouts Association of Guyana and Guyana Teachers Union has

made the creation of a facility in the heart of Georgetown a reality so that more people can access the game without having to purchase equipment.

With golf as a recognised CAPE subject, GGA president plans to promote the sport in schools all over the country, to have at least 3 000 players within the next few years and to hope a long-time goal of fielding an Olympic team realised.

The contest is open to everyone who has played golf or wanted to try and the Golf Academy will give everyone a free lesson and one hour of free play just for participating in the event.

Simply call 645-0944, visit Nexgen Golf Academy facebook page or stop by the facility located on Woolford Avenue, just minutes away from Marriott and Pegasus hotels. (Clifton Ross)

Coaches working with out-of-form Hope (CMC) – Out-of-form West Indies batsman Shai Hope will be placed in a remedial programme in an attempt to ensure he rediscovers his powers in the longest format.

The 26-year-old was on Friday axed from the Test side to tour New Zealand next month but convener of selectors, Roger Harper, said Windies head coach Phil Simmons was consulting with Barbados Pride coaches to establish a way forward for the elegant stroke-maker.

“The plan is that the head coach Phil Simmons is working along with the franchise coaches in Barbados and have put a programme in place to work with Shai to get him back to his best so I think that’s the sort of process that we’ll put in place,” Harper said.

“So it’s not a case that Shai has been left to his own devices. There’s a process in place and all things considered in these COVID-19 times, there are coaches working with him.”

Hope made his debut five years ago but, apart from hundreds in both innings of the Leeds second Test on the 2017 tour of England, has failed to live up to expectations with an average of 26 from 34 matches.

In fact, the right-hander has averaged only 19 from 17 Tests inside the last two-and-a-half

years, in direct contrast to his One-Day International form that has seen him average 61 with eight hundreds during the same period.

Hoping to revive his Test career on last July’s England tour, he again struggled with an average of 17 as part of an overall poor showing by West Indies.

of and we’ve seen in the past’,” Harper explained.

“We think there’s a tremendous future for him in Test cricket and we want him to rebuild his game to that level that can take his game and West Indies cricket to the heights that we would like to achieve.

“Shai is a very practical person and is very smart, and

West Indies batsman Shai Hope

Harper said Hope took the news of his dropping in “very good spirits” and was fully aware he still had a future in the longest format.

“It’s my responsibility to inform all players of their selection and non-selection and I spoke to Shai and I said … ‘we are giving you the opportunity to work to rebuild your game and get back to the standard that we think you’re capable

he understands that he has not been at his best, and he took it in very good spirits.

“I expect he will work very hard to regain that sort of standard and quality performances we know he’s capable of.”

We s t I n d i e s w i l l b e searching for their first series win on New Zealand soil in a quarter of a century when they face the Black Caps in two Tests in December.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2020

39

Ramson, Hicken join forces for Agricola sports gear distribution ... Minister debunks idea of exercise being a political ploy

By Rawle Toney MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, yesterday handed out a quantity of sports gear to the youths of Agricola, as part of the Government of Guyana’s ongoing effort to help in the development of sport across Guyana.

Football cleats, basketballs, footballs and other equipment were handed out in the project which was supported by Assistant Commission Clifton Hicken through his community outreach programme.

Ramson told reporters that the exercise represents an initiative of President Dr Irfaan Ali, who he said wants his administration to remain engaged with people and remain connected.

“Coming into Government, what the People’s Progressive Party/Civic had said, is that we would be a Government for all people; regardless of whether the area had supported the PPP/C. Our position, our action in Government is that we are there for all people,” Ramson said.

NOT A POLITICAL PLOY Asked if distribution of the sport gear and his robust and proactive approach towards sports is a political ploy, Ramson reasoned that the government are not in election mode, or are they campaigning, but they’re rather honouring an obligation they made during the lead-up to the recent elections and one

that’s within their manifesto.

“If you had said to me that we’re doing this just before an election then I would totally understand where the question is coming from; we’re not in an election. In fact, when the election was just concluded, one of the first things you’ve seen us do is come into all the areas in the country,” the minister stated.

“When it comes to ploy, tell that to the kids who are going to be using those sports gear. They don’t consider ploys, they don’t consider political opportunities; they’re going to be using these gear to advance their skills and well-being and maybe have a career out of it,” Ramson further said.

The minister said the Government of Guyana, through his ministry, has a comprehensive plan to advance talents in Guyana in relation to sport.

“A government will never look at the position of government and treat it as though it is a temporary situation.

However, your actions will indicate whether you remain in government or not.

“We’re here, in Agricola, because this community was neglected when they asked for sports gear during the 2015-2020 period. The community leaders said they’ve asked the previous government and they said no. So we want to make sure that the community has access to the grounds, as well as the gear,” said Ramson.

Ramson said the community of Agricola will also benefit from the government’s Ground Enhancement programme.

Multi-purpose sports facility most welcome in Region 2 - Blackman

DURING the recent budget debates, government, through the Minister of Sport Charles Ramson, announced that Region Two will be the recipient of a modern multi-purpose facility.

He further disclosed that following consultation with various stakeholders, the structure will be built at the existing Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, multi-faceted former athlete Andre Blackman expressed delight at the latest development for the Cinderella County.

Blackman, who represented Essequibo at cricket, athletics and football revealed that sports in Essequibo lost its way through lack of requisite facilities.

“I believe that it is a positive move by the government since we have been lagging behind for far too long despite our enormous talent in the Region,” he stated.

Capitals sink sloppy Chennai (ESPNCRICINFO) - Shikhar Dhawan, reprieved on 25, 27, 50, 79, punished a sloppy Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and powered a challenging chase of 180 on a sluggish Sharjah track, finishing unbeaten on 101 off 58 balls - his first T20 hundred.

The victory, secured with one ball to spare, moved Delhi Capitals (DC) back to the top of the points table.

It was still anybody’s game at the start of the last over.

Capitals needed 17 from it.

Sam Curran had just dismissed Alex Carey and executed his wide yorkers to give up a mere four runs off the penultimate over. With Dwayne Bravo, the CSKs’ designated death bowler, off the field because he “wasn’t fit”, MS Dhoni turned to Ravindra Jadeja.

Jadeja could have had Dhawan earlier in the evening, with his third ball, had Deepak Chahar not misjudged a catch in the outfield. Dhawan then whacked him for back-to-back fours and out of the attack.

Jadeja vs Dhawan round 2 began with an off-side wide and a bottom edge for a single.

A nerveless Axar Patel, facing his second ball of the night, then clattered 6, 6, 2, 6 to cap a thrilling finish and hand CSK their sixth defeat in nine matches.

CSK START SLOW, THEN EXPLODE Tushar Deshpande struck

with his third ball, a skiddy bouncer, getting rid of pinch-hitting opener Sam Curran for a duck. Eleven of the first 12 deliveries Capitals had bowled were all dots - including the first maiden in Sharjah - bowled by Kagiso Rabada.

Ashwin’s carrom balls and got a move on for himself with a pair of fours. While du Plessis kicked on to a half-century, Nortje blasted out Watson for 36 off 28 balls.

Soon after, du Plessis lost steam and Rabada had him

Shikhar Dhawan’s attacking fifty kept the chase ticking, Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2020, Sharjah, October 17, 2020

But then Faf du Plessis darted around his crease, manufacturing his own lengths and angles to inject some urgency into the innings. He jumped across off and scooped his South Africa team-mate Anrich Nortje for six before backing away outside leg and creaming his slower variation, clocked at 128kph, through the covers. du Plessis chanced his arm against Kagiso Rabada, too, pulling him with great power to the midwicket fence. At the other end, Watson took on R.

hole out for 58 to become the fastest to 50 IPL wickets.

When MS Dhoni stepped out and nicked Nortje behind for 3, CSK were 129 for 4 in the 17th over. However, a scorching 50-run partnership off 21 balls from Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja set the Capitals’ 180.

While Rayudu kept advancing down the track and swiping at balls, Jadeja stood deep in the crease, latching onto any errors in length. Both Rabada and Nortje missed their yorkers as Jadeja clouted

three sixes over long-on.

DHAWAN SHOWS THE WAY Deepak Chahar found swing in the early exchanges like he often does. He nipped out Prithvi Shaw for the fifth time in six innings. He also got Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth time in four innings. Dhawan was largely cautious against him, but he tore into both Curran and Shardul Thakur.

Dhoni bowled Chahar out by the eighth over and Capitals were 60 for 2. If Dhoni was planning to control the defence with his spinners and Bravo, then Dhawan foiled all his plans. He shimmied out to his first ball against leg-spinner Karn Sharma and spanked it over his head for four. He picked the next ball, a googly, and cut it firmly for four more.

With Dhawan taking all the risks, Shreyas Iyer sat back and simply tried to turn the strike over. However, when he looked to manufacture a boundary, he was done in

by Bravo’s lack of pace and picked out long-on.

Marcus Stoinis then produced a cameo of 24 off 14 balls before Thakur bounced him out in the 16th over.

Once Carey holed out in the 19th over, the pressure mounted on Dhawan. However, he didn’t panic, and took the chase deep. And, after having not conceded a six in his four-over spell earlier, it was Patel who closed out the game by smoking Jadeja for three sixes.

Former Essequibo athletenow-coach Andre Blackman

The diminutive sportsman who now concentrates on coaching football has expressed optimism that priceless opportunities will now be afforded to budding athletes and he urges them to take full advantage.

“We never had such openings, instead we had to struggle by weeding bushes on patches of land just to enjoy a game of cricket; our athletes suffered because there were no tracks while we were humiliated at basketball because there were no courts,” he recalled with some degree of resentment.

“We are indeed capable of producing world-class athletes in various disciplines, but we were neglected, hence our poor showing generally.”

Blackman was known as a prolific club cricket. He played among the best in the county including John Floyd, Alfred

Maycock, Trenton Peters and Jaimini Singh as part of North Essequibo.

He also had a fledging career as a striker for Quibo Football Club of Cotton Field.

He couldn’t be left behind and was rated as one of the fastest 100-metre sprinter of his time.

He has now become a strong advocate for the advancement of sports locally and can be seen working closely with young athletes in various communities.

“I want the best for our sportsmen and women since I am confident of a complete turnaround in our fortunes when competing with other counterparts from the other districts.”

Blackman, who also served as a vice-president of the Essequibo Football Association is of the strong conviction that there is a paradigm shift of how sports is being viewed in the Region and as a result, the administrators of the various sports associations must get their act together.

He acknowledged that interest is waning and that most of the bodies are dysfunctional.

The veteran sportsman is therefore giving the thumbs up for the imminent facility and believes that the investment is most welcome though overdue.

The Region, which is mostly known for its agricultural production, is rapidly being transformed into an economic hub.

“Sports should not be left behind during this exciting chapter of our country,” reasoned Blackman, as he recalled champions the calibre of Professor Kimani Nehusi, Reona Cornette, Dr Colin Roach, Prince and Julian Holder in the field of athletics, Daramdeo Lall in weight-lifting, Joseph Livan in table-tennis, Freddy Coates in martial arts and Hector Massiah in shotput among others.

The government has undertaken to construct several multi-purpose sports facilities across the country which, according to Blackman, “This is testimony of their commitment towards rural sports development and a strong pillar for the upward mobility of our athletes as they strive to become international stars.

“Let us unite in this effort because our destiny resides in the preservation and effective management of this facility,” stated Blackman as he prepares along with every Essequibian to usher in a new chapter in the promotion and development of sports in Region 2.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, along with Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, is joined by beneficiaries of their distribution in Agricola.

Also in photo are members of the visiting party

Ramson, Hicken join forces for Agricola sports gear distribution ... Mi ploy SEE PAGE 39

nister deb unks idea of exercise being a political

Spectator-free bodybuilding competition set for early December

SEE PAGE 37

The bodybuilding competition would be a celebratory competition and not the Senior Championship

Guyana to host next Caribbean Championship

FLASHBACK:

GBA president Steve Ninvalle hands over Best Boxer trophy to bantamweight Keevin Allicock at the conclusion of the 2018 Caribbean Championship

SEE PAGE 37

― GBA Ninvalle SEE PAGE 38

AB de Villiers’ late burst wrecks Rajasthan

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020