Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-21-2020

WEDNESDAY 21st October, 2020

’ No. 106159

MONUMENTAL AND IMMEASURABLE PAGE

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–– President Ali hails former President Janet Jagan’s contribution to Guyana

The State will care for you!

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on Tuesday assured injured soldier, Sergeant Gordon Cornette that the State would continue to take care of his medical treatment and welfare. The PM visited the injured officer at his Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara home and was sympathetic to his predicament. Sergeant Cornette suffered burns to his hands and face during an explosion while on duty at the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard base in Ruimveldt, Georgetown in February of this year (Office of the Prime Minister photo) (See story on page 8)

Volda Lawrence, Carol Joseph charged with 13 electoral fraud PAGE

Squatters National unity ‘trickle’ into a collective 02 Graham’s 05 responsibility Hall shelter –– President Ali PAGE

PAGE

Cop pretends to be female, charged for attempting to have sex with teen boy 08 PAGE

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

National unity a collective responsibility -- and all leaders have a role to play, says President Ali

By Rabindra Rooplall PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, made a stirring appeal for a united Guyana and challenged all leaders, including political leaders to work individually and collectively

to achieve this milestone within the period of the current generation.

He shared these sentiments while unveiling Commemorative Centenary Stamps to mark the 100th birth anniversary of former President, Janet Jagan, at

State House.

“I want to appeal to all of Guyana in the spirit of all those who came before us, those who are still with us, that it is time we stop reflecting in an empty way, the time has come for us in this country to reflect with honourable intentions, to reflect with a passion and a commitment to achieve what those who struggled selflessly, wanted to achieve, and that is the unification of our people,” the President noted.

Underscoring that nothing is as important to Guyana’s development as the unification among all the ethnicities of the country, the President said it is the most pressing issue for all citizens.

“We talk a lot these days about the economic bonanza that will come, about the great wealth that will come, about lifting our people form poverty but today I say to you, the greatest of task and challenge for all of us is the unification of our people,” the Head of State asserted The President said this is a burden that must be carried by all leaders across the spectrum.

“And this does not rest on the people out there, this rests entirely on the

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

shoulder of leaders. We cannot lead without dignity, we cannot lead in a way that is disrespectful to the laws of our country,” he said.

He continued: “Today I ask all of Guyana, especially within our political landscape, to assume individually and collectively the role of achieving the unification of our people and I assure you every single day of this

government’s life will be spent dedicated to the task, it will be achieved, it must be achieved, we have to break down the invisible walls of disunity and bring our people together. We owe this to the legacy of those who work tirelessly and selflessly, we owe this to our future generation and we have to fix it now and fix it in this generation and do not leave this burden upon those who

will come after us.”

The President noted that in order for Guyana to be a prosperous and successful country and excel at all levels, all must unite as one.

“So today, as you reflect, I ask us to reignite in ourselves that spirit, that spirit that saw us victorious so many times in our country. We are at our best when we’re united,” the President added.

Two charged with murdering ‘Mow’ test positive for COVID-19 THE commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the 2019 murder of gold miner, Deon Stoll, called ‘Mow’, was postponed after two of the accused tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.

The PI, was expected to commence a few weeks ago before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

On remand for the capital offence are Shane ‘Demon’ Morgan called ‘Dellon’, a 33-year-old graphic artist of East La Penitence; Roberto Sankar, a 28-year-old businessman of Pigeon Is-

-PI delayed land, East Coast Demerara; Wayne St Hill, 38-year-old graphic artist of Dowding Street, Kitty and Steve Rollox, a 38-year-old taxi driver of Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara.

Stoll of Essequibo Coast, Region Two, and Barima Avenue, Bel Air, Georgetown, died following a shootout with the bandits on October 14, 2019.

The Guyana Chronicle was, on Tuesday, able to confirm that two of the accused tested positive for

COVID-19 and are currently recovering.

In September, it was reported that 140 inmates of the Lusignan Prison had tested positive for the virus.

Thus far, the majority of them have recovered.

It is believed that the bandits had been tracking Stoll for a while and believed he had cash and raw gold in his possession.

When they cornered him, See page 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

MONUMENTAL AND IMMEASURABLE –– President Ali hails former President Janet Jagan’s contribution to Guyana

By Rabindra Rooplall THE legacy of Guyana’s first female President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Prime Minister, First Vice-President and Deputy Speaker of Guyana, was celebrated on Tuesday with the unveiling of Commemorative Centenary Stamps.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, joined Government officials and representatives of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for the unveiling of the stamps on the 100th birth anniversary of former President Janet Jagan during a ceremony held at State House.

The former President was one of the founding members of the PPP, and served in various capacities in the party.

di Jagan Research Centre (CJRC).

President Ali said the legacy of Comrade Janet was still a driving force today.

“Janet Jagan was a torch bearer for freedom and democracy; Janet Jagan imbued her party with her fighting spirit. It was her example of resilience and resistance that her party turned to during the period from March to August of this year when there was a criminal conspiracy to steal our elections. Inspired by her tenacious spirit, her party resisted the attempts to deny the democratic will of the people,” he said.

Mr. Ali pointed to the former President’s lifelong dedication towards ensuring that the rights of others were respected and protected. In so doing, he highlighted her

times to work particularly for the improvement of workers,” he said.

The President also called on those gathered to remember the former President’s role as a “trailblazer” on the path to Guyana’s liberty, firstly from the grip of colonial rule, and later from the vice-like grip of dictatorship when she joined her husband, former President Cheddi Jagan on the political frontlines.

“We remember her at this time for her strong will, her indisputable political organisational skills, and for her dedication to the ordinary man and woman… We remember her at this time because she would have been proud that democracy was protected and preserved.”

The President said that

Prime Minister Mark Phillips receiving complementary frame of copies of the stamps from Mr. Hydar Ally, Director of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (OP Photo) She was also a founder of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), and headed that organisation until her death.

Also paying tribute to the former President were Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Mrs. Jagan’s great-nephew, Mr. Ian Jagan; and Mr. Hydar Ally, Director of the Ched-

role as a pioneer of women’s rights, her struggles while championing the cause of the working class, as well as her advocacy for press freedom.

“Janet Jagan’s entire life was one devoted to the rights of others; Janet Jagan fought for a fairer and more equal society. She used the political offices held at various

Mrs. Jagan’s fighting spirit was complemented by her warm and kind heart.

He added that the former President often gave away her earnings to people, oftentimes strangers who needed help.

The former President also had a special affinity for children, and published

a number of children’s books as she looked to give back in every way possible.

WARM AND MOTHERLY “Janet Jagan was warm and motherly; she remains one of the most modest and humble persons you could have ever met,” President Ali said, adding: “I have had the great fortune of knowing her, and benefitting from her wise counsel.

I consider it a humbling experience to assume the seat of the presidency which this political giantess once filled.”

The Head of State lauded the late President’s achievements as monumental and immeasurable, and called on those present to not only pay homage to her legacy of freedom and democracy, but to work tirelessly towards the unification of the people of Guyana.

“The time has come for us, in this country, to reflect with honourable intentions; to reflect with a passion and a commitment to achieve what those who struggled selflessly, wanted to achieve.

And that is the unification of our people. It is the most pressing issue for us as a people. We talk a lot these days about the economic bonanza that will come about; the great wealth that will come about, lifting our people from poverty. But today I say to you, the greatest of tasks and challenges for all of us is the unification of our people.”

President Ali said it is the country’s leaders who will have to take up the responsibility and lead the charge towards achieving unification.

“This does not rest on the people out there; this rests entirely on the shoulders of leaders. We cannot lead without dignity; we cannot lead in a way that is disrespectful to the laws of our country,” he said, adding: “I assure you, every single day of this Government’s life will be spent dedicated to this task. It will be achieved;

President Dr. Irfaan Ali it must be achieved. We who will come after us. So have to break down those today, as you reflect, I ask invisible walls, and bring us to reignite in ourselves our people together; we owe that spirit which saw us victhis to the legacy of those torious so many times in our who worked tirelessly and country. We are at our best selflessly; we owe this to our when we’re united.” future generation, and we Meanwhile, Prime have to fix it now, and fix it Minister Phillips said that in this generation, and to not See page 4 leave this burden upon those

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

47 persons recover from COVID-19 GUYANA continues to record a consistent rise in the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, but there has been an equally high level of recovery from this disease, with some 47 persons being medically cleared within the past 24 hours.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, the number of recoveries moved from 2,749 on Monday to 2,796 yesterday.

According to the

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

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

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

cent will need intensive care.

Locally, health authorities have so far tested 17,256 persons, with 13,460 being negative and 3,796 positive.

Some 31 of those positive cases were recorded within the past 24 hours alone. And while peo-

Persons are being encouraged to take extra precaution, because there is no approved cure or specific treatment as yet for the disease. Guyanese are also reminded to observe the protocols established in the COVID-19 emergency measures.

Anyone who dis-

plays any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, can contact the COVID-19 Emergency numbers: 231 1166, 226 7480 or 624 6674 immediately, or visit the ministry’s website at www. health.gov.gy.

MONUMENTAL ...

From page 3

over the past several decades, successive governments have symbolically honoured the most historic moments and personalities through postage stamps.

“From the 100th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, to the Independence and Republic Jubilee Stamp Collections, and many more, our country has revelled in the practice of preserving its history, culture and traditions through our postage stamps; a practice that has been observed the world over, from as far back as the 19th Century,” PM Phillips said.

Wednesday, October 21, 05:00hrs - 06:30hrs

ple have recovered from this scourge, 114 persons have lost their lives, and there are still 886 active cases.

Of those active cases, 67 persons are in institutional isolation, 805 in home isolation, and 14 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN Adding that the launch eternalises the work and the memory of a true visionary, the PM said Janet Jagan was a woman of extraordinary political significance to Guyana.

“Much like her husband, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, a founding father of this mighty nation, Mrs. Jagan stands as a pillar of historical greatness. Having served as the first female President of Guyana, and wellknown for her championing of women’s rights, Mrs. Jagan can be considered a sterling example of women’s empowerment in Guyana. She was a true believer in strong and active leadership, with a vested interest in the betterment and development of Guyana, and

These commemorative stamps to mark the centenary birth anniversary of late President, Janet Jagan, were unveiled, digitally, at State House, on Tuesday (OP photo) she selflessly served this country which she had made her home after her marriage to Dr Jagan,” the PM said.

Highly recognised and rewarded for her work, PM Phillips said the stamps being unveiled at the event will serve as an added preservation to Mrs. Jagan’s legacy and political contribution to Guyana.

“Across four denominations, the stamps will depict four memorable occasions of Mrs. Jagan’s life: Her visit to London in 1964; her address at the United Nations General Assembly as President in 1998; a light moment during her Presidency between December 19, 1997 – August 8, 1999; and her address at a May Day Rally in the 1970s, given her previ-

ous post as Minister of Labour, Health and Housing during 1957 – 1961.

These stamps will be available at our 62 post offices countrywide from October 21, 2020, while stocks last,” he noted.

For many, the prime minister said, the significance of such a tribute, using postage stamps, may be lost, particularly given the advent of digital communication and its seeming detraction from the value of the postal service.

“But our postal services continue to play a vital role in communication, even today, with our post offices in Guyana persistently innovating and improving its services to ensure that it remains relevant in this day and age. It was only earlier this month that the

world observed World Post Day as a reminder of the fundamental role that postage workers and postal services still play in our daily lives, particularly as the world faces a global pandemic,” he explained.

Moreover, PM Phillips said that by using powerful figures as the face of postage stamps, over time, they will serve a larger, more figurative role, telling stories to future generations about past accomplishments, occurrences and personalities.

“I look forward to many more such initiatives that honour our past, as we forge ever forward towards a prosperous future for Guyana,” the Prime Minister said in closing.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Squatters 'trickle' into Graham’s Hall shelter

By Vishani Ragobeer SQUATTERS occupying the lands at Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are trickling in to the shelter set up at the Graham’s Hall Primary School to accommodate them.

As of 18:00 hours on Tuesday, there was only one squatter present at the shelter, but three others were expected to make their way there later that night, according to Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig.

In an invited comment, Craig explained that some of the squatters had indicated they would need shelter during the CDC’s registration and assessment exercise done at Success on Sunday.

Squatters have been occupying the Success lands that belong to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for months. The Corporation has begun flooding the lands to prepare for the resumption of cultivation after years of dormancy, and

it has been emphasised that these persons cannot stay on the lands.

At the shelter, there are 48 beds spread across several of the classrooms. There are several amenities, including a kitchen and washroom facilities, and adequate santisation facilities in light of the OCVID-19 pandemic.

Meals are being provided for the squatters.

When asked how long these squatters will be allowed to stay there, the director-general noted that the Commission is working based on directives from the Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips.

He, however, highlighted that the CDC is equipped to provide shelter to these persons for “a while”.

On Sunday, the Guyana Chronicle visited the squatting area while the CDC was engaging in its assessment exercise. There, Senior CDC Response Officer, Captain Salim October explained to this newspaper that the squatters’ length of stay in the shelter is contingent upon

Two charged with ...

From page 2 they did not expect him to fight back.

Police made progress within a matter of days as the movie-style robbery was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV).

In addition to those on remand, several others were charged for their alleged role in the crime. Four persons were accused of being accessory to the murder by receiving and comforting Morgan, between October 14 and 22, after he had allegedly committed the murder.

They are Odessa St. Hill called ‘baby’, a 37-year-old graphic artist of Delph Street, Campbellville; Dr.Alonzo Dos Santos, a 33-year-old Second Lieutenant in the Guyana Defence Force and resident of Prospect, East Bank Demerara; Duncan Vanveild called ‘blackbody’, 36-year-old welder of ‘B’ Field Sophia and Keith Mc Kenzie, 32-year-old taxi driver of East La Penitence.

They are currently out on bail.

It would appear that at least two cars trailed the ve-

DEAD: Delon Stoll called ‘Mow’

hicle Stoll was travelling in.

Sankar was seen on CCTV footage allegedly trailing Stoll’s car and acting in a suspicious manner.

It is believed that Morgan and Wayne St. Hill were the shooters and Rollox was the driver of the vehicle they fled the scene in.

Odessa St. Hill reportedly took Dr. Dos Santos to Vanveild’s home where Morgan was hiding out from the police. He had sustained a gunshot wound and it is alleged that the doctor treated him.

McKenzie was the driver of the motor car which Morgan was intercepted in at a roadblock on October 22, 2019.

The St. Hills and Morgan are said to be cousins.

One of the classrooms at the Graham’s Hall Primary School that have been prepared for the squatters to use (Delano Williams photo)

the actions other ministries or bodies may take to assist them.

At the time, October could not say how many squatters were interested in using the shelter, but it was subsequently reported that of the 166 persons engaged through the CDC’s assessment, only seven families indicated that they needed shelter.

“We do not wait until there is an escalation of a problem, then to put the necessary and appropriate facilities in place. What we’re doing is anticipating that if the conditions worsen, and people don’t have anywhere else to go, we do have a facility that would be ready by the end of the day for persons who need to be housed in a shelter,” October had said

on Sunday.

On Monday, however, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo told this newspaper that the Government would provide those squatters that are vulnerable with “a piece of land”.

Recently, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) began streamlining the land applications of squatters occupy-

ing those lands unlawfully, in an attempt to provide some redress. The CEO of the CH&PA, Sherywn Greaves, in an invited comment, said the Authority was doing all that it could to assist those persons, but that it is still distributing lands in a structured manner — giving lands to persons with the oldest applications first.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

(ag)

Lax attitude to work

BY now, it is apparent to the most casual observer that the consciences of the majority of Guyanese have taken an extended holiday, and this is a direct consequence of the immorality and amorality of corrupt administrative conduct witnessed over the past five years.

The British Guiana Public Service was created in the mould of the British system and public servants once straddled the spectrum of high values, absolute professionalism and impeccable integrity.

But then the status quo changed and most of those qualified through proper channels were no longer deemed qualified for jobs during Burnham’s reign. The only qualification then was a party card – for any office. The consequential decay seeped into the national moral fibre and has become endemic to the national social construct.

Minister former, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, once issued a warning to doctors who have been trained at taxpayers’ expense but who refuse to serve the nation as, when, and where the need arises.

However, despite the fact that scholarship awards are majorly funded by the host governments, Guyana’s government still expends humongous sums in subsidising the acquisition, at all levels, of education; and in the case of scholarship students, there are expectations of returns whereby the requisite capacities are expanded to enable equitable and

dependable services in all the sectors that afford accessibility to all those in need, wherever they may reside.

Healthcare is a major component of government’s deliverables that are aimed at optimising the quality of life of citizens countrywide. However, the horror stories told of the laid-back, even arrogant attitude of many healthcare workers to patients are highly believable, because they are told by simple people who are not versed in dissembling. Even more, they are most often very much in awe of what Vice-President Jagdeo once described as “these tin gods”.

Many nurses who have been trained at government’s expense and whom are employed at public institutions work at private hospitals, delivering premium healthcare to those patients paying hefty sums, and use their duty period at the public institutions as their rest periods, as a consequence, delivering such inferior service that oftentimes it has been alleged that lives have been lost as a result of such negligent care; or rather, lack of care.

There was once a regimen in hospitals that ensured nurses worked as per a schedule to deliver optimal care to patients, but today, nurses often ignore a bedridden patient requesting help, or are so rude that patients are fearful of asking for help.

Former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, had once remarked with his trademark

frankness that doctors had become businessmen to whom the welfare of patients was no longer paramount.

Unprofessional behaviour and misconduct by most public servants has become endemic in Guyana, and they are further encouraged by their unions and the opposition, members of which politicise every issue in the land, to the detriment of the citizens of the land.

The proliferation of lawlessness in society is phenomenal and has even infused what should be enclaves of innocence, which are our schools, and it is not uncommon to hear of instances where parents and/or students have abused a teacher or another student, and vice versa.

The incidents of violence, bullyism, thieving, etcetera are rising in direct correlation to the joint opposition’s continuum of encouragement to the criminal fraternity in Guyana.

PPP/C Governments, past and current, expends large sums into the various sectors every year in an effort to create facilitating mechanisms to propel upward trends in service delivery and enhance individual lifestyles; yet at every step these efforts are stymied by the doomsayers and naysayers who encourage mutiny – open and secret, by members of the public and joint services.

It is apparent that many criminals join the security sector to use it as a front for their covert criminal activities. Of recent times the credibility

of the joint services has been taking a battering because of criminal actions of some of the ranks.

Gone are the days when the sight of someone in a police uniform provided assurance of safety for members of the society, which is more than sad; it is tragic, because there are many good and decent police men and women, who work in accordance with their mandate to “serve and protect” the nation.

The benefits package of public servants, when added to their salaries, far outweighs wages earned in the private sector, yet they are on a permanent goslow. Most report late for work, then spend the days lazing away and chatting on the office phones.

It is incumbent that these anomalies are addressed, and even though the joint opposition will oppose for the sake of opposing, as they are wont to do, all the sectors in the public service need to be cleared of deadwood and decadent employees.

And none of the opposition parties are in a position to cry “foul”, because if they are investigated by the Guyana Revenue Authority, especially those of the legal and medical fraternity, then it would no doubt show how much they are birds of similar feathers, and how much they have in common with those in the public service who draw salaries and collect attendant benefits under false pretence.

Foundations of PNC and AFC slowly eroding

Dear editor,

OPRAH Winfrey reminded us that, “The truth shall always be our shield against corruption.”

It is said that only the truth can set you free, or, someone else free (sometimes, at the expense of one’s own demise). It is not easy for the truth to flow from one’s mouth like the rapid waterfall. One’s conscience should permit words, opinions, statements, answers, feelings, thoughts and ideas to permeate a reflection of

veracity that are associated with authenticity, accuracy and legitimacy. Guyana has established a trend, dominated and established with a paper trail compromising truth and honesty, especially in the political arena. The public is fed-up with the disgusting perpetrators of lies, deceits and fabrication filtered from politicians, agitating to influence supporters with their pretentious leadership. Guyana has seen how the APNU+AFC’s attempt to con the public and the courts with the result from the No-Confidence Motion was flawed.

Granger’s decision to bully the public and the courts with his appointment of James Patterson as Chairman for GECOM was futile. His prolonged exercise to finally settle on Claudette Singh’s choice was exasperatingly laborious. APNU+AFC‘s domineering attitude with the house-tohouse campaign was presumptuous. The entire election process was riddled with aggressive and illegal deliberations to defraud the system, by callously rigging to win and frustrating and deceiving the observers and the entire electorate. Many

APNU+AFC members are being charged with election fraud as a result of their misdeeds and actions orchestrated from the party’s leadership.

Will their (leaders) be charged for collusion also? Following the ultimate swearing in of President Ali as the legitimate president, the streets were filled with demonstrators on numerous occasions for different purposes, at all times organised by destabilisers who See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Gas-to-shore power plant should be strategically placed Dear editor, THE location of the gas-toshore power plant should be conceptualised within a holistic framework of a new energy frontier where it should be coterminous with a deep water port, light and heavy manufacturing industries and an export processing zone.

This gas turbine power plant should be the central power station bank for the Berbice Demerara Interconnected Grid with a capacity of approximately 300MW which would adequately

supply all our present and projected national energy consumption.

This type of reliable and affordable power should be in a cluster with the other

Foundations of PNC ...

From page 6

were tongue twisters circumventing the truth and fooling the public.

They coerced the public to violence with their racial insinuations and this led to catastrophic damage and losses, including the deaths of civilians. The stifling of the conscience further led to wanting to deny the Indigenous people of their long over-due benefits. APNU+AFC members not voting in favour of the bills passed to finance the various projects for the over-looked people in the interior, confirms that they (APNU+AFC ) are heartless, irresponsible and do not mean well for the welfare of the people.

Deviation from morality accounted for corruptions too numerous to mention. As a consequence, how can the APNU+AFC ever question and query the current government when they themselves are guilty of illegitimate transactions which they chose to hide from Guyanese?

In the USA, President Trump’s inhibition is not only misleading, but, can potentially lead to bigger issues with perhaps, legal implications. Trump’s recent prognosis may be viewed as dropping a hint with wishful thinking for the realisation of not a dream but a reality.

Joe Biden continues to whip Trump for, not only raising funds but also, to win votes and gain the American confidence in greater circles. Will the social landscape of America change with a Biden/ Harris victory?

The APNU+AFC has indulged in enough mud-slinging exercise and the foundations of the PNC/R and AFC is slowly but surely eroding with internal

corrosion. Party members are constantly acknowledging the truth and the need to cross the thin line that had once exemplified “loyalty” now materialises with resignations and recitations. There no longer exists any “royalty,” but, certainly profanity with any continuity. As foreseen, it is obvious that Guyanese no longer can remain consumed in a deceitful environment. As such, there is an urgent request to come out of that shell and break out with no more despair and distress. The PPP/C party has provided that avenue to all those who were once oppressed and depressed, by demonstrating with not an imaginative vision but with facts, figures and formulas that are taking a formation to unfold their promised manifesto. The unfulfilled promises of the APNU+AFC from time immemorial will remain a legendary disaster and a figment of the imagination. Kofi Annan once said that, “We don’t need any more promises.

We need to start keeping the promises that we made,” for, “If corruption is a disease, transparency is a central part of its treatment.”

President Irfaan Ali swore to uphold truth and honesty and has certainly distanced himself and First Lady Arya Ali from any corruptive schemes. Let’s see what time will tell with the PPP/C government and what Guyana’s destiny has in store for Guyanese.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

industries such as a small Refinery, LPG plant (cooking gas), fertiliser plant, agro industries, plastics, polymers , chemical, pharmaceuticals and a host of other assembly and light manufacturing plants.

The rationale being that industries that will require uninterrupted power supply by generating their own power will be in great position to pipe the natural gas from the shore-to-gas plant that will be in close proximity and utilise it to run their plant. A deep water port close by will enhance the movement of materials for manufacturing as well as export. A cost benefit analy-

sis of supplying natural gas to existing power stations at Kingston, Vreed-en-Hoop, Garden of Eden and Canefield should be examined as against the cost of retrofitting their limited percentage of available engines that could be converted to work with natural gas. It might well be more economical to continue working these power stations on HFO and Diesel.

Citing of the shore-togas power plant in the most feasible location can be our harbinger to place Guyana in the realm of a modern industrial nation.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

Kitty, East Ruimveldt markets to be sanitised today THE Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown have announced that the Kitty and East Ruimveldt markets would be closed to the public to facilitate sanitisation by the Council’s Public Health Department, today.

According to a release, the Council has established a fixed schedule to sanitise all of its buildings on a regular basis and vendors are not to keep open, operate or occupy their stalls nor conduct any business activity today.

“There shall be no selling in and around the market whilst this exercise is ongoing.

The Council regrets any inconvenience this may cause,” the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

PM visits soldier injured in fireworks explosion –– assures him of Government’s support

PRIME MINISTER (PM), Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Tuesday afternoon, promised injured soldier, Sergeant Gordon Cornette, that the State would continue to take care of his medical treatment and welfare.

The PM visited the injured officer at his Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara home and was sympathetic to his predicament.

Sergeant Cornette suffered burns to his

hands and face during an explosion, while on duty at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Coast Guard base in Ruimveldt, Georgetown, in February of this year.

The Prime Minister assured the soldier and his family that the Government has the welfare of all its service men and women at heart, and “whatever specialist help he needs to recover, he would get it”.

“GDF and the state of Guyana will look after him for the rest of his life... I

spent 36 years in the GDF and I myself was responsible for the care of people who got injured and the families of people who got injured,” the Prime Minister said.

Anya Cornett-e, the sister of the soldier, expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister for sitting with the family.

“This was much appreciated, you taking time out of your busy schedule to visit and listen… it was in the press that the Army will visit and you showed up, so it

will show that you kept your promise. I just want to encourage you to continue putting your best foot forward,” she said.

Similar sentiments were shared by father of the soldier, Gordon Cornette (Snr.).

Also present during the meeting with the family was GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier, Godfrey Bess; Medical Officer, Guyana Defence Force, Major Nigel Langhorne; and other representatives of the Army. (DPI)

Cop charged with child porn, attempting to engage in sex with underaged boy

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier, Godfrey Bess (standing at door) in discussion with injured soldier, Sergeant Gordon Cornette and his relatives (DPI photo)

–– pretended to be female during Facebook chat A POLICEMAN, on Monday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 17-year-old boy, one day after procuring pornography from him.

He denied the two sexual related offences and was granted $100, 000 bail by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

It is alleged that on January 19, 2020, at Georgetown, the policeman procured child pornography for himself through a computer system from the child. It is further alleged that the policeman met the child the following day at Kitty, Georgetown, with the intention of abusing or engaging in sexual activity.

Prosecutor Inniss informed the court that on January 19, the policeman was in communication with the child via Facebook Messenger under the pretext of being a female. He requested several nude photos and

videos from the child of himself. After his entertainment with the child’s photos and videos, he proceeded to make plans to meet the child. The cop, the prosecutor said, tricked the child into believing he would first be meeting the female’s uncle. The uncle’s role was to examine the teen to ensure he did not have leaks, rashes or boils on his private parts. Once he was cleared during the examination, he would meet the female.

According to the prosecutor, the child was very hesitant to comply but the accused reportedly persisted. The child met the accused at a location in the central Georgetown area the following day and together they journeyed to Kitty. During the examination, the police and a child care officer entered the room.

The accused was told of the offence and arrested.

He will return to court on November 6, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Brigadier Gary Beaton heads Sea, River Defence Board THE Sea and River Defence Board has been constituted and gazetted for a period of one year with Brigadier Gary Beaton at the helm as chairman.

The other directors include Captain Stephen Thomas, Kevin Samad, Jermaine Braithwaite, Tom Singh, Rawle Aaron, Heide Gillette, Arnold Adams, Ayube Ishaan, Desmond Morian, Rion Peters, David Armogan, Sherwyn Greaves, Lionel Wordsworth and Michael Hudson.

A representative each from the private sector and Civil Defence Commissions will also sit on the Board.

Additionally, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will nominate a representative for the board.

Brigadier, Gary Beaton The new board members have been gazetted at a critical juncture of Guyana’s development where the Government is focusing on strengthening the country’s sea defence.

The board will work under the purview of the Guyana Sea Defence Department following its installation by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

Ruimveldt youth granted bail on armed robbery charges TWENTY-ONE-YEAROLD Joshua Evans, last Friday, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of robbery under arms.

Evans known as “Joshy” and of West Front Road, Ruimveldt, pleaded not guilty to the charges which were read to him by Magistrate Delon Bess.

It is alleged that on August 26, 2020, at Fourth Street, La Penitence, Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Larry Singh of one iPhone 7 valued $200,000 and $5000 cash.

The facts presented to the court are that Singh and Evans have been familiar with each other for over 10 years.

On the day in question, Singh left his shop located on Middle Road, La Penitence and headed to his home located at Fourth Street, La Penitence.

Whilst walking, a knife was placed to his neck allegedly

by Evans, who forced him to

relinquish his valuables. Evans was later arrested and charged.

The second charge alleged that on July 1, 2020 at Hibiscus Street, East Ruimveldt, Evans being in company of another and armed with an offensive weapon, specifically a cutlass, robbed Shawn Thompson of one Samsung cellular phone valued $35,000

and $7,700 cash.

According to the facts of the case, Evans and his accomplice are strangers to Thompson. On the day in question, the accused robbed Thompson of his valuables and made good his escape.

Evans was later arrested and charged.

Magistrate Bess granted

Evans $150,000 bail on the first charge and $70,000 bail on the second.

The matter was adjourned to November 13 and transferred to Court Two. Evans was previously charged with similar offences and is currently under investigation for several others.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Economic growth in agriculture reduces poverty, food insecurity –– Minister Mustapha tells FAO regional conference

ECONOMIC growth in agriculture is about three times more effective at reducing poverty and food insecurity than growth in other sectors, as most of the poorest and hungriest live in rural areas and are involved in agricultural activities.

This is according to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha during his address on Day Two of the XXXVI FAO regional conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, hosted by the Government of Nicaragua.

Minister Zulfikar said that investment in agriculture is, therefore, critical for the resuscitation of rural livelihoods in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, and en-

abling the rural economy to recover.

“We must work together towards ensuring that there are sustainable agriculture policies and measures that contribute to poverty reduction in our rural communities,” he told the conference.

Therefore, he said, improving farmers’ livelihoods in rural areas, and diversifying the rural economies through the enhanced competitiveness of the agriculture sector is a priority of the Agriculture Ministry.

He emphasised that this requires working assiduously with the public and private sectors, and international organisations to implement programmes that will increase the agricultural productivity and income of

farmers, not forgetting south-south cooperation and integration as an essential tool for strengthening alliances in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

He explained that informed policy decisions for prosperous and inclusive rural communities, improving agricultural and rural statistics is a priority of the Guyana Government.

“The Ministry of Agriculture of Guyana is, therefore, committed to working with the FAO to prepare a Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Rural Statistics. The FAO’s support to the Ministry of Agriculture to prepare a National Strategy integrating the SDGs in its National Agricultural Planning will aid the promotion of working handin-hand towards prosperous and inclusive rural societies in Guyana,” the minister explained.

In Guyana, he said, Agriculture Month is observed in October, and this year’s theme is “Investing in Agriculture for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development”.

He noted that one of the key components to strengthening the rural development agenda is the strengthening of budgets for inclusive and sustainable rural development.

VITAL FOR DEVELOPMENT “Investment in the development of public goods such as agricultural mechanisation, innovation, infrastructure, technical assistance, and access to farmto-markets in rural areas is important for development,” Minister Mustapha said.

Realistically, he noted that it is not feasible for a government budget to sufficiently finance all the projects necessary.

Therefore, the Agriculture Minister said increased investments through enhanced international cooperation with organisations such as the FAO are welcome.

However, he said, “We are aware that funding from international organisations has its limitations, and therefore private investment and public-private partnerships are encouraged to increase the coverage of public goods and services, particularly in the rural communities.”

Noting that some of the measures are creating an enabling business environment for the private sector by reducing burdensome taxes and other budgetary support, the minister said the private sector alliance is strengthened, and it has opened internal dialogue.

“With the FAO’s support, we intend to widen this to the Caribbean and Latin American countries to supply exportable products to your countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Minister said that while the sugar Industry in Guyana was once the largest employer of agricultural workers, the livelihoods of over 7,000 Guyanese sugar workers were affected by the closure of four sugar estates in the past five years by the previous Government.

“As a poverty alleviation measure, the PPP/C Government of Guyana has committed to investing in the sugar industry, reopening the closed sugar estates, bringing the industry to a break-even point, and creating many socio-economic benefits for the thousands of persons that will be re-employed,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during his address at the FAO regional conference VALUE-ADDED Further, he said the Agriculture Ministry agrees with the FAO that the vision of the agricultural sector as a generator of employment must be expanded to involve related value-added sectors in food production, processing, rural services, and market access, and that these should be supported by policies that stimulate their growth through innovation and investment.

He said that Guyana stands to benefit tremendously from the emerging oil sector.

However, he said the availability of this revenue presents a challenge to the traditional agriculture sector, as it is likely to influence Guyana’s labour supply, wages and exchange rate, which could impact the competitiveness of the tradeable sectors such as rice and sugar in Guyana’s overall economy.

As a result, he explained that the Guyana Government is working towards developing better functioning institutions, training the labour force, and diversifying the agriculture-based economy.

“Changes in markets with greater access requirements, the accelerated pace of technological transformations, and demands for knowledge and management skills impose new challenges for our farming population,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “Technological change is one of the important challenges to be addressed if Guyana is to compete with technologically advanced nations, especially in our crops and livestock research initiatives in areas such as artificial insemination and genetic improvements. Further, technical cooperation would be welcomed, as technological changes will serve as an engine of positive transformation for rural development.”

In closing, Minister Mustapha said he supports recommendations of the 36th Session of the Regional Conference, and looks forward to continuing working with the FAO to develop sustainable rural communities that will help to achieve the SDGs, through policies that will, one day, eradicate hunger and extreme poverty.

Caribbean leaders have been very active on the floor with interventions from Ministers of Agriculture and their delegations from many of the Caribbean countries.

Some of these countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

Delegations from the remaining Caribbean countries will make their contributions at today’s final session.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Kaieteur National Park

I

N the Pakaraima highlands of Region 8, the majestic Kaieteur Falls flows into the Potaro River.

This magnificent beauty, an iconic feature of Guyana, with a single drop of 226 meters or 741 feet is situated in a National Park that serves as an important centre of endemism in the wider Guiana Shield Region and home to the Patamona people.

Ninety one (91) years ago, the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) was established as a protected area under Ordinance No. 41- Kaieteur National Park Act No. 20:02 of 1929 with the objective “to provide for the control of the

rently managed by the Protected Areas Commission to safeguard Guyana’s natural heritage and patrimony. KNP is the smallest hinterland protected area in Guyana accounting for approximately 0.3% of the country’s land area and approximately 5.4% of the NPAS. This protected area is defined and managed under IUCN category VI as a managed sustainable use protected area. The Protected Areas Act also secures and guarantees the rights of indigenous peoples to continue to use the resources in the Park for traditional purposes.

Why Kaieteur? The landscape of the Park is stunning

said park and for the preservation of the natural scenery, fauna and flora”. KNP is the oldest protected area in the Amazon region, and one of the first in South America.

Did you know that the size of the park was changed twice? In 1929 the park initially covered an area of 116.6 km2. However, in 1973, the Act was modified reducing the size to a mere 19.4 km2 to allow for gold and diamond mining. More than 20 years later in 1999, the Act was again amended, increasing the area to its current size of 626.8 km2 – this was to allow for more effective management and protection of the ecosystem.

For a number of years the KNP was managed without a management plan in place and with limited engagement with key stakeholders.

However, as Protected Areas management evolved and improved globally, so did the system in Guyana.

With the passage of the Protected Areas Act 2011, KNP was brought under the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) and is cur-

with elevations ranging from 75m at the base of the gorge to 1,066m on ridges adjacent to the Kaieteur Plateau. It contains vast areas of closed canopy rainforest, riparian forests, and scrub savannah.

Together with the fact that the park hosts species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, the need for conservation of this special place became increasingly important. The varying habitats attributed to the landscape’s relatively high altitudes, low temperatures, high rainfall and sandy soils gave rise to a rich diversity of species.

Plants in the area have been relatively well surveyed.

87 lichens, 72 bryophytes, 4 hepatics, 115 ferns, and 1,176 flowering plants have been recorded. Twenty two (22) endemic plant species have been identified, in addition to many unique orchids. The Kaieteur endemic cabbage head bromeliad, is common at Kaieteur Top as well as a newly-described fern, Hecistopteris kaiteurensis.

KNP’s fauna is relatively understudied, with the

exception of the amphibians. Several new species of amphibians were recently described. Three hundred and fifty eight (358) bird species are listed with 21 of 22 of them being pan-tepui (table top mountain vegetation) endemics. Endangered species including the Harpy Eagle, Cock-of-the-Rock and Scarlet Macaw. KNP is a regionally-important site for various species of Swifts including White-collared Swift, Gray-rumped Swift, Bandrumped Swift and Tepui Swift. KNP supports populations of tropical rainforest megafauna including the globally endangered Giant River Otter and the vulnerable Giant Armadillo, Giant Anteater, Bush Dog, Southern River Otter, all wild cats, monkeys, wild hogs, and the tapir.

The cultural significance of KNP cannot be over-emphasised; it should be widely known, respected and celebrated. The Kaieteur Falls itself is an important spiritual area and symbol to the Patamona people of nearby villages of Chenapau and Karisparu as well as the other Patamona Villages in Region 8. They rely on the resources provided by the forests, rivers, and savannahs for generations. The knowledge of traditional use is an integral part of the culture and identity of the people and serves to inform the development of sustainable resource and land use plans for the park and surrounding area. With regard to the “sacredness” of the falls, the PAC, upon the request of the Patamona Communities, has been striving to ensure that visitors and researchers use the Park, and more particularly the Falls, in a respectful and responsible manner. Activities that are not compatible with the values of the Patamona people are not allowed, e.g disposal of human remains (ash) over the falls and extreme sporting activities.

What’s in a name? On the 16th July 1870 Charles Barrington Brown, a Geologist and Surveyor assigned to the then British Guiana, See page 12

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Sinking Venezuelan oil tanker poses no major direct threat to Guyana

By Navendra Seoraj AN ‘idle’ Venezuelan oil tanker, with 1.3 million barrels of crude oil, is reportedly sinking in the Gulf of Paria near Trinidad and Tobago, and while a possible oil spill can impact the ecological systems of both Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela almost immediately, it poses no major direct threat to Guyana.

“Based on our analysis, there is no major direct impact because of its location,” said Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, told Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday. According to the Miami Herald, the tanker, called the floating storage and offloading (FSO) Nabarima, was abandoned more than 20 months following tightened U.S. sanctions.

Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig

The report stated that while Nabarima is flying under a Venezuelan flag, it is operated by the Petrosucre Company, a joint venture between the Venezuelan state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, PDVSA and the Italian oil giant, Eni. After the Trump administration imposed sanctions on PDVSA in January 2019, Petrosucre stopped its oil extraction and the ship was

The Venezuelan flag carrier - Nabarima Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel in the Gulf of Paria

left off the eastern coast of Venezuela/northern cost of Trinidad and Tobago.

With recent photos showing the vessel dangerously tilting to the side, concerns over its possible capsizing have been growing.

For Guyana, while there is no major direct threat, Lieutenant Colonel Craig said a potential spill would affect fishermen who are licenced to operate within proximity of the vessel.

“It definitely would affect fishing and any type of marine activity in the area,” said the director-general.

Fishing and sea-going vessels are urged to be on the lookout for any sighting of oil spills and to report immediately to the local Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on telephone number 226-9871.

The CDC and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Authority (CDEMA) are closely monitoring the situation and have committed to keeping the public updated.

According to the CDC,

should the need arise, the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan will be activated and a committee will be tasked with conducting analysis, assessments and necessary response measures to mitigate any adverse effect on Guyana. The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan was handed over to Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on October 6, 2020.

In expressing great satisfaction in receiving the plan, Prime Minister Phillips had said such a strategy would assist the Government’s programme of disaster preparedness in the oil and gas sector.

The National Emergency Oil Spill Plan was crafted with valuable inputs from the Guyana Marine Conservation Society; Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission; the Ministry of Legal Affairs; the Shipping Association of Guyana; ExxonMobil; Tullow; Guyana Oil Company ( Guyoil); Repsol; Shell; GAICO Construction and other stakeholders.

Kaieteur National ...

From page 11

arrived at the falls (Brown 1871).

It is believed that Brown miswrote the Patamona name for the Falls K?yik Túwúk (“Old Man’s Falls”) resulting in Kaieteur. In many documents from the period, the spelling Kaietuk was used, being closer to the original Patamona name and more consistent with the naming of Amatuk, Waratuk and Pakatuk. Brown’s 1871 description of the area also indicates the presence of a Patamona Village below the Falls. Brown first reported the “Kaieteur Legend” which described a large Patamona Village on the Kaieteur Plateau.

The “Kaieteur Legend”

was retold by William Henry Brett in a poem (Brett 1880).

The story now being told of “Kaie” a Patamona Legend, was also turned into a poem in the 1940’s by A. J. Seymour. However the people of Chenapau have, over the years, maintained that it is the original story of the Kaieteur Legend that should be told, since it has much cultural and spiritual significance to the Patamona people.

In a subsequent article we will delve a bit more into the history of this “Legend” as we continue to share and celebrate the Might and Wonder of Kaieteur.

This article was prepared by the Protected Areas Commission, accompanied by a Graham Watkins photograph.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Volda Lawrence, Carol Joseph charged with electoral fraud

CHAIRPERSON of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Volda Lawrence and opposition activist Carol Joseph were, on Tuesday, slapped with electoral fraud charges and are expected to appear before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Lawrence, a former Health Minister, is charged with forgery while Joseph is charged with conspiracy to commit forgery. Both charges stem from the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

The women presented themselves at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary and the charges were put to them in the company of their attorney, Nigel Hughes. The duo was later released on their own recognizance.

Last week, Lawrence appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, and was released on $100,000

Carol Joseph

bail for two counts of conspiracy. This was her second court appearance to answer elections fraud charges.

The charges alleged that Lawrence, on March 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, conspired with GECOM’s Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo and others to declare a fraudulent account of votes for District Four in the March 2 elections.

Hughes is the attorney on record for Lawrence

in those matters while the state is being represented by prosecutor, Teriq Mohammed from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers.

Lawrence made her first court appearance on August 24, 2020 to answer to a private criminal charge and was placed on $100,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate. She was jointly charged with Mingo, who is currently on self-bail for that indictment.

The charge was filed given that their signatures were on the March 5 declaration. A national vote recount subsequently found that the numbers listed in the declaration were inflated in favour of the APNU+AFC. Mingo is also before the court on several other fraud-related charges, including uttering a forged document with intent to defraud the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.

13

-to make court appearance Wednesday

He was granted $600,000 bail for those matters and the case adjourned to November 16, to allow the prosecution time to complete the filing of statements.

Lawrence and Mingo are among several persons who are before the court charged with various offences pertaining to the March 2 elections.

Two Fridays ago, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, was released on $300,000 bail after pleading not guilty

to two counts of misconduct in public office. She appeared before the Chief Magistrate.

Hughes and Ronald Daniels are her attorneys.

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

Magistrate Faith McGusty, who is presiding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, is hearing those mat-

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

Lowenfield has been accused of presenting elections results with the exact inflated figures in favour of the APNU+AFC. Those same figures were declared by Mingo.

He was not required to plead and was released on $450,000 bail

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Caribbean roadmap for adolescent, youth health launched

CARIBBEAN youth advocates have called for action on areas of priority for their peers with the launch of the Caribbean Roadmap for Adolescent and Youth Health: Championing Our Wealth: Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Adolescents and Youth in the Caribbean.

Three days of discussion last November with close to 200 congress participants,

including policymakers, international and regional and partners, and young people, culminated in the launch of the roadmap on Monday.

The launch showcased the involvement of young advocates in the design, moderation and content of the event, and was hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO).

J o i n i n g t o o ff i c i a l ly launch the Roadmap was Guyana’s Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, who commended the young people and the partners for the collective wisdom encapsulated in the Roadmap.

“I want to thank PAHO/ WHO, CARICOM and UN Partners for their leadership in this process. I urge you to continue the advocacy for political prioritisation and

the integration of these recommendations into national development plans. While the challenges before us are compounded by COVID-19, we have an opportunity of using this roadmap to usher future generations into a cleaner and healthier Caribbean. Can we do it? Yes, we can!” Minister Anthony exclaimed.

Five Caribbean youth advocates, namely, Pierre

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony Cooke Jnr, Christopher In offering congratGilkes, Michelle Belfor, ulations to all involved Jean Sano Santana and in bringing the Roadmap Renatta Langlais, took part to fruition, Director of in the launch, and focused the PAHO/WHO’s Family, their discussions on the Health Promotion and Life four tracks contained in the Course Unit, Dr. Andrés Roadmap: Mental health, de Francisco noted how substance use, violence and delighted he was that the injuries; sexual and repro- congress was not just a ductive health and rights, stand-alone event.

HIV and STI; nutrition, “This roadmap docuphysical activity, sports ment summarises the reand youth development; sults of the congress disand climate change and the cussions, and proposes environment. clear and measurable action H e a l t h y C a r i b b e a n in priority areas, includCoalition (HCC)’s Youth ing mental health, sexual Voices Technical Advis- and reproductive health, er, Pierre Cooke Jnr noted environment and climate that the issues highlight- change… And I want to ed in the Roadmap are assure you that, as PAHO, human rights concerns, we will do our utmost to reand require, in many cas- spond to this call and help es, moving beyond policies implement the roadmap to enacting comprehensive recommendations,” he said. legislation to protect the The CARICOM Secyouth of the Caribbean. retariat has already taken Speaking specifically note of the recommendaabout NCDs, he noted, “It tions. and is committed to is the right of every child continued support. “New to have access to the high- initiatives, for example, est attainable standard of plans to engage young health and we are simply people in programmes to not ensuring that they have mentor and train youth access to that. When we leaders and engage youth look at systems where, in in decision-making and the Caribbean, we have strategic planning on ismajor gaps in protecting sues of climate change our children in the food and the environment and and nutrition system. We its impact on health have don’t have mandatory front also been added to the proof package labelling. We gramme of work through don’t have increased taxes the EU, CARICOM, PAHO on sugar-sweetened bev- project on climate change erages. and health systems… But A n d , w i t h i n o u r I also firmly believe that schools, we don’t have if we are to achieve the proper legislation and change we are seeking, we, policies in place to protect each of us, must see ourour children, to ensure selves as champions for that they have healthy change, and we must be and nutritious meals,” prepared to step off the Cooke indicated. stage, as it were, and run alongside our adolescents MUST BE and youth… Yes; run if we PRIORITISED want to keep up with them, Sexual and Reproduc- in the pursuit of the goals tive Health and Rights of this roadmap,” CAR(SRHR) advocate, Mi- ICOM’s Director of Human chele Belfor, of Suriname, and Social Development called for leaders to pri- Helen Royer said. oritise this area, stating, The Caribbean Con“Within this pandemic, gress on Adolescent and we are seeing that sexual Youth Health (CCAYH) and reproductive health was held in Port of Spain, has been put in the back- Trinidad and Tobago from ground, even more so October 14-17, 2019. The than it was before. discussions and recom People are really fo- mendations were carefully cusing on food nutrition, documented by a team of which is fair, but if we do notetakers and technical not focus on SRHR and consultants for preparation gender-based violence, we of the Roadmap. are creating a pandemic The purpose of the within a pandemic. roadmap is to provide This Roadmap could strategic guidance on not have come at a better actions member states time to provide the needed should take to address actions from young peo- adolescent health in their ple…” local setting.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Sonia Noel to host confidence programme for girls INTERNATIONAL Day of the Girl Child was celebrated on October11, and according to fashion designer and philanthropist, Sonia Noel, it is vital that “we find ways to empower our girls all over the world”.

Noel has visited many schools and hosted events for young girls in Guyana and the Caribbean for a number

Bethany Love Hanna is an Intuitive Coach from Arizona and her story was featured in Women Across Borders-With a mission. Antiguan born Tavia Hunt, who is a co-author from Fulfilling Purpose, will be one of the presenters.

She is artistic director at Shiva’s School of Dance and empowering young ladies through the creative

Sonia Noel says part of her mission is to instill confidence in girls so that they are all capable of making a meaningful contribution to the world

of years.

Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA), in collaboration with Women Across Borders, will be hosting a free ‘Confidence Becomes You’ virtual programme on October 25, from 3pm to 5pm for girls, ages 12 to 16.

Noel will be leading the presentation for this programme.

“What can we do to ensure our girls have the opportunity to live their best lives? I have two amazing daughters and a beautiful granddaughter and all three of them ignite my passion to empower girls around the world. Part of my mission is to instill confidence in our girls so that they are all capable of making a meaningful contribution to the world,” said Noel.

Some of the co-authors from the Women Across Borders Mission will be making presentations for this empowering programme.

arts. Dr Safeeya Mohammed hails from Trinidad and she is the CEO and founder of Sisu Global. Dr Mohamed shared part of her journey in Rising from the Ashes.

Clemencia Godette is an impressive local actress who has been featured in many productions.

She has used her platform to inspire young ladies. Nancy Saiboh is from Cameroon and has done projects for young girls in Africa. She is the Founder of Empower Her Africa. All of these phenomenal women have contributed to young girls in their countries and abroad. Sonia Noel Foundation has launched many projects that added value to many lives. One of the recent projects was recognising people who are making a difference in a quiet way.

The inspiration came from Allan John who died earlier this year. He was a veteran boat captain and Noel’s foster dad. He was from the in-

digenous community and that is the reason the award was launched during Amerindian Heritage Month. He made invaluable contributions to many lives in an extremely discreet way.

“The true measure of a man or women is measured by the great things they do when the cameras are off and no one is looking. His

life and death inspires me to acknowledge people who are making a contribution to humanity without recognition,” said Noel.

SNFCA honoured men and women from the indigenous community for Amerindian Heritage Month.

The other honourees were Ovid Williams, Paulette Allicock, Gibson Caesar and

Benita Roberts. Dr Raquel Thomas-Caesar and Palm Court supported this initiative. This will be an annual award for anyone living in Guyana from all races, who are making a difference in their communities. The public will be given an opportunity to nominate a person who is changing lives in a positive way.

“We are encouraging parents and other siblings to register the young girls they think can benefit from this programme. Contact information livingwithintention11@gmail.com or 6848129. Let’s continue to contribute to humanity in whatever ways we can,” said Noel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

GUYOIL contributes $500k towards Pinktober Fund GTT’s Pinktober fund received a financial boost recently, with a $500,000 donation from GUYOIL. According to a release from the telephone giant, all funds received will go towards support and enhancement of cancer care in Guyana.

Receiving the sponsorship cheque at the company’s Camp Street boardroom was GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, who expressed gratitude for GUYOIL’s continuous support.

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, receiving the cheque from GUYOIL Public Relations Officer, Lanessa John-Forbes “Strong partnerships, such as the one we share with GUYOIL, are integral to the success of Pinktober and the holistic attention that cancer patients and their providers receive. GUYOIL’s unwavering support continues to positively impact on cancer treatment and awareness in Guyana; together we are making a difference,” she said.

Public Relations Officer at GUYOIL, Lanessa JohnForbes, conveyed GUYOIL’s commitment to promoting cancer awareness and care in Guyana.

“While it is unfortunate that we cannot join GTT in its walk/run event this year, we will join the cause in promoting awareness through our planned internal cancer awareness activities. As corporate citizens, we all endorse physical distancing as a measure to help combat the pandemic – and we too, shall support the annual initiative virtually,” John-Forbes said.

She added, “We at GUYOIL believe that it takes a collective effort to make an impact and our aim is to increase awareness among our employees and customers. We want to also promote prevention and the early detection of cancer.”

On October 1, GTT commenced its Pinktober 2020 events online. The company has several virtual activities to observe and promote cancer awareness this month which include Fit and Pink, the TikTok challenge, Pink Friday’s and Mental Health Day. Individuals and Corporations can also support the cause by purchasing special Pinktober bottles at GTT retail stores or by ordering online for delivery.

Donations can be made using mmg+ - simply give to code 07693.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Beijing 2022 World Press Briefing kicks off Online ―to brief media on Games’ preparations

THE virtual World Press Briefing (WPB) for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games kicked off on Monday.

Organised by the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee (BOCOG), the Online press briefing is an opportunity for stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the ongoing preparations leading up to the Games.

Taking into consideration the inability to carry out on-site tours, the conference will take advantage of simulation technology to present the construction and progress, spatial layout, and vehicle and personnel flow design of the venues.

Fifteen functional areas, including media operations, venue constructions, registrations, accommodations, transport as well as securities will be touched upon.

“Quality services for media organisations are an integral part of our work. We give high priority to media operations, and will honour our bid commitments. We have done, and will continue to do everything necessary to meet the pre-Games

and Games-time needs of the media for Games coverage,” Zhang Jiandong, executive vice-president of the BOCOG said in his address.

Zhang went on to express confidence in Beijing’s smooth preparations for the Games, despite the challenges brought about by the coronavirus, and vowed to provide “comprehensive, efficient and convenient” media services.

This world press briefing is the first under the watch of Lucia de Montanarella, who was named IOC Media Operations Chief in January.

“I think that the commitment of Beijing 2022 trying to deliver high standard services and facilities to the media is testified by the table that we see, with the top management of BOCOG participating at the opening of this world press briefing,” Montanarella said during her opening remarks.

“It means a lot to the worldwide media to know that BOCOG gives the interests of the media such a high priority in their organisation.” (CGTN)

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No traditional Berbice Trans Guyana Airways launches Assizes opening due to commercial flights to Barbados COVID-19 THE traditional parade and the inspection of the Guard of Honour, which normally signal the opening of the Berbice Assizes, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Tuesday’s opening, Presiding Judge, Brassington Reynolds, briefly greeted Divisional Police Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan, the lone officer, dressed in ceremonial uni-

Presiding Judge Brassington Reynolds and Commander Jairam Ramlakhan share a light moment, prior to the declaration, which signalled the opening of the criminal session of the Berbice Assizes on Tuesday

form, before addressing the jurors in waiting who were seated under tents in an outdoor makeshift court room, where social distancing was observed.

As a result of the global pandemic, the 30-odd police ranks, who usually make up the Guard of Honour, were forced to remain at their various locations as their close order manoeuvers were restricted, in keeping with social distancing guidelines.

However, after the jurors in waiting were briefed of their roles and responsibilities, a 12-member jury was selected to determine whether Rooplall Abrahim and Gocoul Madanpàul are guilty of the murder of Anita Baichan, who was burned to death after her Hope Village, West Coast Berbice home was set afire by bandits on January 3, 2016.

The State Prosecutrix is Abigail Gibbs and the Defence Counsel, Sasha Roberts.

This Beechcraft 1900D will be used for the Trans Guyana Airways flights to Barbados

TRANS Guyana Airways will introduce five weekly flights to the Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, from the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Guyana from November 1, 2020.

The airline, in a release, said that these flights will facilitate travel to and from Barbados as well as connections with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, American Airlines, Caribbe-

an Airlines, InterCaribbean and Air Antilles.

“Trans Guyana Airways prides itself in taking great care to protect the health and safety of its customers and staff.

Our procedures are updated regularly in keeping with the most current guidelines from Government and international agencies with particular emphasis on controlling the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandem-

ic. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff is our number one priority,” the airline said.

Flights will occur on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and all passengers are required to present a negative PCR Test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Trans Guyana Airways can arrange the PCR test for an additional fee for passengers departing from Ogle.

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China’s growth gives confidence to world economy THE past three months in China have shown what can be achieved if the pandemic is brought under control. China’s GDP in the third quarter grew 4.9 per cent, compared with

the previous year, showing that the economy is on a solid track to the pre-pandemic levels.

The growth rate fell short of the expected 5.2-5.5 per cent,

but is still a remarkable achievement, considering other countries are still struggling with the pandemic, and climbing out of the economic mire. Even though major economies are expecting a growth in the third quarter, the chance of going back to pre-pandemic levels is slim, as the second wave of COVID-19 is already on the way.

The figure also confirms the latest forecast from the IMF that China will be the only major economy that grows this year at 1.9 per cent, while the U.S. economy is projected to shrink by 4.3 per cent, and the eurozone by 8.3 per cent.

“It’s an encouraging and hopeful message for the rest of the world,” said Rob Subbaraman, global head of macro research at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Singapore in a Bloomberg interview.

“If you successfully handle the health crisis, your economy can recover.”

China will be “the key driver of global growth” in 2020 and 2021, said Eswar Prasad, former head of the IMF’s China division, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

There is a concern that China’s growth was mainly driven by exports of medical equipment to other countries. Data from the third quarter does show that imports have not resumed to pre-pandemic levels. But in September alone, imports increased 13.2 per cent, becoming a stabilising factor for global industrial and supply chains. And the supply of masks from China means countries battling against the coronavirus can buy a large bulk of masks and protective suits quickly, and at an affordable price.

The first seven months of this year saw an almost 400-per cent increase in American imports of epidemic-prevention products from China.

In the meantime, China is also buying more iron ore from Brazil, more soybeans and pork from the U.S., and more palm oil from Malaysia. According to the New York Times, this has also partly reversed the steep drop in commodity prices during the first quarter, and eased the pandemic’s impact on certain industries.

China’s economy is expected to continue to pick up in the fourth quarter, and retain its position as the main engine of global economic growth. Do uncertainties still exist? Sure. But in this bleak situation, China’s growth is still the brightest silver lining for global economy.(CGTN)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

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Preliminary results show Chinese COVID-19 vaccine candidate-safe: The Lancet A CHINESE COVID-19 vaccine candidate, based on the inactivated whole SARSCoV-2 virus, is safe, and elicits an antibody response, according to the findings from a small early-phase randomised clinical trial published Thursday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

The latest study included participants aged between 18 and 80 years, and found that antibody responses were induced in all recipients. Participants aged 60 and older were slower to respond, taking 42 days before antibodies were detected in all recipients, compared with 28 days for participants aged 18-59.

The trial was not designed to assess efficacy of the vaccine, so it is not possible to say whether the antibody responses induced by the vaccine, called BBIBP-CorV, are sufficient to protect people from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The authors also noted that interpretation of the re-

sults of this study is limited by the short duration of follow-up.

According to The Lancet, there are currently 42 vaccines for COVID-19 in clinical trials. Vaccine candidates in clinical trials vary in type, and include DNA plasmid vaccines, inactivated virus vaccines, adenovirus-vectored vaccines, RNA vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and virus-like particle vaccines. Some of these vaccines have already proved safe and able to elicit immune responses in early-phase clinical trials. “Our findings indicate that a booster shot is necessary to achieve the greatest antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2, and could be important for protection.

This provides useful information for a Phase 3 trial,� said Yang Xiaoming, one of the authors of the study, and a professor from the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. (XINHUA)

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Zimbabwe coach Richmond Hill Liberty CC crowned Lalchand Rajput exempted NYNCL 30-over champions from touring Pakistan

Zimababwe coach Lalchand Rajput

ZIMBABWE head coach and former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput has been exempted from the Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan after the Indian embassy in Harare refrained the cricketer from traveling to Pakistan.

Rajput was appointed as Zimbabwe’s full-time coach in August 2018, after the team’s failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. He featured in two Tests and four One Day Internationals for India between 1985 and

1987.

A statement from Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) read that Rajput has been sidelined from the Pakistan tour upon the request of the Indian government representatives.

The Pakistan Embassy in Harare had already issued a visa for him.

Also, in the absence of Rajput, Douglas Hondo will coach the team for the three-match ODI and T20I series in Pakistan starting October 30

Morata double gives Juve win over Kyiv in Champions League KYIV (Reuters) - Juventus made a winning start in the Champions League as they defeated Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 thanks to a pair of classic poacher’s goals from Alvaro Morata in their Group G opener on Tuesday.

Juve coach Andrea Pirlo enjoyed his first win as a manager in Europe’s elite club competition, which he won twice with AC Milan during his playing days as a midfielder.

With Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out following a positive test for COVID-19, Dejan Kulusevski was twinned with Morata up front and Federico Chiesa created some early chances for the visitors.

However, Juve suffered an early setback when defender Giorgio Chiellini had to be substituted in the 19th minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, forcing Pirlo to reshuffle his defence before Morata came to the rescue.

A clever backheel by Aaron Ramsey set up Ku-

lusevski and although the Swedish winger’s shot was saved, Morata was on hand to fire home the rebound and the Spaniard then stole in front of his marker to head home from close range in the 84th minute.

The COVID-19-limited crowd roared on the hosts but Kyiv struggled to create decent chances on their return to the Champions League after a four-year absence as Juve comfortably closed out the win.

“The goal early in the second half helped us because we had more space afterwards,” said Juventus winger Chiesa. “We wanted this victory badly because it’s important to have a great start in the UEFA Champions League.

“The expectations are always high at Juve, but we try to win every time we take the pitch,” he added.

Juventus host Barcelona in their next group game on Oct. 28, while Dynamo Kyiv travel to Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

IMPRESSIVE spells of bowling from right-arm medium-fast Altaaf Habibulla and pacer Neive McNally and an all-round performance from Dion Chooweenam propelled the Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club to championship honours in the New York National Cricket League 30-over Sunday Competition.

The predominantly overseas-based Guyanese side was able to get past another Guyanese oriented club, Everest/ACS, in the final of the competition over the weekend.

In fact, it was former national U-19 cricketer, Jetendra Sookdeo, who placed the eventual second-place finishers on his back, but with Habibulla and former Jamaica Select XI player, McNally, combining for seven wickets and Chooweenam delivering a miserly spell, the chase became difficult.

Richmond Hill won the toss and opted to take first strike at Baisley Pond. It proved to be the right call early as former Guyana U-19 cricketer, Azeemuddin Khan (15) and the in-form Chooweenam batted their way to 75

runs in 9.3 overs before the latter fell for 49. Chooweenam’s innings, which spanned 37 balls, was punctuated by four sixes and three fours.

The loss of the eventual MVP of the final resulted in a momentum shift and over the next 11 overs, Richmond Hill lost four wickets for just 26 runs.

Everest/ACS managed to further control the run rate with the likes of former Jamaica right-arm leg-spinner doing the damage. Number eight batsman, Keron Sewnarine, however, played a few shots and spent some time at the crease towards the end, which allowed Richmond Hill to reach 176-9 from their allotted overs.

Roberto Simpson and Deveshwari Prashad picked up two wickets each.

Despite only needing to score 5.9 runs per over for victory, Everest/ACS were placed on the back-foot early. They lost their openers, Troy Haley (2) and Wasim Haslim (8) by the sixth over (2-21), but Sookdeo came to the crease and began the rebuilding process.

Habibulla though was

having none of it and did the bulk of his damage during this time. He picked up the wickets of Amarnauth Persaud (3), Marinaro Dixon (1) and Prashad (0). Jacobs used his experience well and he and Sookdeo were able to swing back the pendulum in favour of the batting team with a seventh wicket partnership of 73.

The pair, however, fell off consecutive balls to McNally in the 28th over; the tailed was then knocked over resulting in the side being dismissed for 156 in 29.3 overs.

Habibulla finished with 4-20 from six overs, McNally with 3-37 from six overs, and Chooweenam with 0-12 from his six overs.

Overall, Jacobs finished with 20 wickets in the competition, while Deveshwari Prashad finished with 19 and Habibulla 17.

In the batting department, Chooweenam tallied 392 runs from six matches at a whopping average of 78.4, while Sookdeo finished behind on 349 runs from 10 matches, Mario Persaud third on 305 from six matches and Haslim fourth on 288 from 10 matches.

Approaching 80, Pele gives thanks for his lucid mental state

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - On the eve of his 80th birthday, Brazilian football great Pele told his fans he was happy and healthy and pleased to be reaching the landmark with his lucid mental state.

Pele has been shielding at home in Brazil for most of the COVID-19 pandemic but in a jovial recorded message ahead of his landmark birthday on Friday he looked ahead not back.

“Now that I am 80, I need to thank God for giving me the health to get this far, and lucidly, although not always intelligently,” he said with a laugh.

“Wherever I go the world over I am well received, doors are always open to me. I hope that when I get to heaven God welcomes me the same way that everyone welcomes me today thanks to our beloved football.”

For most of his career on the world stage with Brazil and in club football at Santos

and the New York Cosmos, as well as for years afterwards, the man born Edson Arantes de Nascimento was widely considered the greatest footballer of all time.

First Diego Maradona and then fellow Argentine Lionel Messi came along to challenge that hegemony but the Brazil striker’s trophy cabinet is as big as his rivals.

With Santos, he won the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup twice, along with 10 Paulista state championships and six Brazilian league titles.

He remains the only player to win the World Cup three times and famously scored more than 1,000 professional goals.

Wherever he goes, Pele is still feted as ‘The King’, a title given to him by playwright Nelson Rodrigues when he was just 17.

However, his landmark birthday comes at the end of a difficult period.

His son Edinho served

jail time for drug trafficking and money laundering although he always denied the charges.

Pele has been hospitalised several times in recent years and walks with difficulty due to an ailing hip.

The upshot, Edinho said in February, was that his father suffered from depression.

Pele quickly denied his son’s claims and, although the novel coronavirus pandemic affected the world barely a month later, he was upbeat in a short video sent to the media to mark his 80th.

“Everything that we get in life is because God thinks you deserve it,” he said. “If I did something that made people unhappy... that’s life, forgive me.”

This year marked the 50th anniversary of Pele’s third World Cup triumph, won in Mexico in 1970 with what many pundits rate as the greatest football team of all time.

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Players with centuries in consecutive T20 innings DELHI Capitals (DC) opener Shikhar Dhawan entered the history books on Tuesday after scoring his second consecutive century in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He became the first player in the history of the cash-rich league to cross the three-figure mark twice in two outings. He smacked an unbeaten 106 off 61 deliveries with 12 fours and 3 sixes to propel the Capitals to 164 runs in their 20 overs.

However, when it comes to T20 cricket overall, Shikhar Dhawan is the ninth cricketer to achieve the feat. The southpaw is the third Indian batsman to do so as well with Ishan Kishan and Unmukt Chand scoring hundreds in the back to back T20 innings.

Both of them did it in Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in 2019 and 2013 respectively.

Rather Chand was the second player to smack tons in two consecutive matches in the shortest format seven years ago. David Warner was the first ever batsman

to achieve the special feat in T20 cricket during the now defunct Champions League T20 in 2011. The CLT20 was the tournament where the T20 teams from top countries used to compete for the glory.

in 2014, and Michael Klinger, in 2015, scored more than 100 runs in consecutive outings.

Interestingly, England’s Kevin Pietersen also made it to this list in 2015 smashing two back to back tons while fea-

Shikhar Dhawan

WHO ARE THE OTHER CRICKETERS IN THE LIST? The unique and special feat has been achieved twice in England’s premier tournament, T20 Blast. Luke Wright,

turing in South Africa’s Ram Slam T20 tournament. Marco Marais and Reeza Hendricks are the two other batsmen to who entered the record book in 2018.

However, it was all about Shikhar Dhawan on the day as

CA looks to finalise India tour arrangements

Cricket Australia(CA) may soon need to contemplate employing one of its back-up plans for India’s lucrative tour as Queensland government and health officials continue to mull over its quarantine proposal.

for India’s touring party, is not rubber-stamped.

The governing body had what it described as “a productive meeting” with Queensland officials on Monday night.

“This is an extremely de-

Australia captan Tim Paine (left) and India’s Virat Kohl

CA is yet to announce revised dates for this summer’s international schedule, the highlight of which is a fourmatch Vodafone Test series between Australia and Virat Kohli’s team.

The current plan is for Australia and India to play six white-ball matches in southeast Queensland, starting next month, before travelling to Adelaide for the first Test in mid-December.

But CA will need to rejig its draft schedule if its submission for players to quarantine in Brisbane, which includes booking out an entire hotel

tailed and complex plan that places the health and safety of the community, players and staff as paramount,” a CA spokesperson said.

“There is clarification required in order to finalise arrangements.”

Sydney looms as one potential option if the Queensland pitch falls flat.

CA has already been working closely with the NSW Government as it prepares to stage the entire Rebel WBBL season in Sydney.

Perth and Adelaide were both investigated as potential quarantine options for the likes

of Kohli, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah before CA focused on creating plans for a Brisbane biosecurity bubble.

Australian and Indian stars are slated to leave the UAE, where they are taking part in the Indian Premier League, in approximately three weeks.

It underlines the seriousness and urgency of the challenge confronting CA. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has repeatedly insisted privately and publicly they are keen to tour but anxiety has grown in some quarters – especially among Australian broadcasters – as the wait for a signed-off program continues.

The only stumbling blocks at this stage are State Government approvals regarding quarantine arrangements.

CA recently hosted a trans-Tasman women’s series at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, marking the first time a national sporting side had arrived in Australia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But securing sign-offs for India’s squad has proven notably more difficult as campaigning for an October 31 election gears up.

India’s cumulative tally of coronavirus infections recently passed 7.5 million.

The United States is the only country that has recorded more COVID-19 cases.

(Cricket.com.au)

he didn’t spare any of the opposition bowlers. He read the conditions well and despite the other batsmen struggling at the other end, he took care of run-scoring. Unfortunately, the Capitals lost the game and the record knock went in vain but the team will be puffed looking at his form and will be hoping that he continues in the same vein.

Players with centuries in consecutive T20 innings:

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Holder disappointed at lack of BLM gestures in England series, IPL JASON Holder, West Indies’ captain, has expressed his disappointment that the gesture of taking a knee before each match of their Test series against England this summer, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, was discontinued for the subsequent visits of Pakistan and Australia, and overlooked for this year’s IPL. Holder was speaking to the Cricket Writers’ Club after he and his West Indies team were this year’s recipients of the prestigious Peter Smith Award - an annual honour which recognises outstanding contribution to the presentation of cricket to the public - following their efforts in ensuring that England’s international season was able to take place in spite of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Holder himself was also singled out for particular praise in the club’s citation for “conducting himself with grace on and off the field, speaking eloquently on race and racism and the need for

education and unity, during a period of turbulence precipitated by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.”

A significant aspect of the response came in the gesture of

taking a knee, which occurred on the first day of each of the three West Indies Tests, and was also continued for England’s subsequent white-ball series against Ireland, as well

West Indies captain Jason Holder

as West Indies’ women’s fivematch T20I series later in the summer.

However, the gesture was not a part of the Test series against Pakistan, or Australia’s white-ball tour. That oversight drew a strong rebuke from Michael Holding, the Sky Sports commentator, who condemned the reasoning offered by the respective boards as “lame”, and Justin Langer, Australia’s coach, subsequently acknowledged that his team “should have thought and talked a bit more about it”.

“I was following a little bit of what Michael Holding was saying regarding the Pakistan and Australia tours, which followed ours,” Holder told the CWC website. “It’s difficult to be able to get people to see the importance of it, and that’s where the education has to be filtered through.

“It’s really important people understand where we as black people are coming from, and understand the harsh reality of how the world is set

up. There are inequalities out there, some of them are very much in our faces, some are done discretely, but there are inequalities and I think it’s just a level of education.

“I personally was a bit disappointed to see how the Pakistan and Australia tours went on after us and they’re not showing their solidarity.

But it’s a long debate, a long hard challenge, a long road, we as people need to continue to come together, put our minds together and genuinely find ways to fix the inequalities in the world.

“It’s not an overnight fix, this is something that is going to be ongoing for maybe a number of years. But I think the most important thing is that we need to come together, we need to see each other as all equal human beings and treat each other that way, and be your brother’s keeper in this world.”

Holder is currently in the UAE, where he is part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad in this year’s IPL. However,

there has been no recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement at any stage of that competition, either, a situation which he acknowledged was “sad”.

“To be honest I haven’t had one conversation up here around it,” he said. “Sometimes it seems it has gone unnoticed, which is a sad thing. I guess it’s for us to re-highlight the importance of it, for people to understand what is happening in the world.

“Covid has obviously caused a lot of attention around it, there’s suddenly a lot of attention on the elections in America as well, too. But for us, particularly as black people in the Caribbean, a black-dominant society, it’s for us to continue the education.

“Cricket West Indies has done an excellent job in continuing awareness of it. The women had a series in England where they wore the Black Lives Matter logo and continued to push the movement as well.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Japan will take steps to guard Morgan warns of mental health against Olympics cyberattacks issues in bio-secure bubbles

By Ami Miyazaki, Jack Tarrant TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan said on Tuesday it would take countermeasures to ensure next year’s Tokyo Olympics are not derailed by cyberattacks after Britain and the United States accused Russia of orchestrating efforts to disrupt the Games.

Olympics organisers reported no significant impact on their operations for the 2020 Games, which were postponed until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Britain and the United States on Monday condemned what they said were a series of malicious cyberattacks orchestrated by Russian military intelligence, including attempts to disrupt the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

K re m l i n s p o k e s m a n Dmitry Peskov denied the allegations, attributing them to “Russophobia”. He told reporters: “Russia has never carried out any hacking activities against the Olympics.”

Japanese chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato said Japan would make every effort to protect the Games from possible hacking attempts.

“We cannot turn a blind

eye to malicious cyberattacks that threaten democracy,” Kato told a news conference, adding that Japan was gathering and analysing information and in close contact with Britain and the United States.

“The Olympics are a major international event that attract attention, and cybersecurity measures are extremely important.”

British officials said on Monday the hackers from Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency had also conducted “cyber reconnaissance” operations against Tokyo Games organisers.

They declined to give specific details about the latest attacks or say whether they were successful but said they had targeted Games organisers, logistics suppliers and sponsors.

The organising committee said in a statement they had already made extensive cybersecurity preparations and that there had been little disruption to its platforms.

DOPING SCANDAL “While we have constantly monitored various types of cyberattack on the digital platforms owned by Tokyo 2020, no significant impact has been observed in our operations,” spokesman Masa Takaya said.

Olympic sponsor Panasonic Corp said in a statement it was strengthening its global monitoring efforts, adding: “We did not detect any evidence of an attack.”

A representative for fellow sponsor Toyota Motor Corp declined to comment.

A string of hacking attempts have been conducted against international sporting organisations which Western officials and cybersecurity experts say were orchestrated by Russia since its doping scandal erupted five years ago.

ENGLAND players will be free to withdraw from tours if living and playing in bio-secure bubbles is impacting their mental health, says limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan.

England games were played at bio-secure venues this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic, with players spending several weeks living in on-site hotels.

Similar measures are in place at the Indian Premier League and are expected to be needed again for future tours.

“I think it is untenable,” Morgan said.

“I don’t think it’s possible. I

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

England limited-overs Captain Eoin Morgan

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

actually think it’s probably one of the more challenging times for anybody involved in the cricket industry.”

England’s men played West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia this summer with all matches played at Emirates Old Trafford or the Ageas Bowl, where the players stayed in on-site hotels.

Players were unable to leave the site until the end of the series and could not have their families staying with them.

They were tested regularly,

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ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: Murali Vijay (CSK) Chris Gayle (RCB)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

Who scored most runs in IPL 2011?

Who took most wickets?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

and visiting teams had to quarantine for several days before they could move to the international venues.

They were also required to maintain social distancing rules.

England are scheduled to tour South Africa for whiteball matches next month, with tours of Sri Lanka and India to follow in early 2021.

Morgan expects players will have to pull out of international tours in the future because of the pressures.

“We’ve spoken about this as a team and we’ve accepted that guys will come in and out of the bubble as they feel it is affecting their mental health,” said Morgan, speaking at a Chance to Shine event.

“I don’t think people should look down on it and they shouldn’t feel like people aren’t doing their job or not committing to their country.

“That’s a reactive way of dealing with things and we want to be at the forefront of making it acceptable for people to say, ‘I need to spend time with my family now and I’m taking this tour off’ just because of the extraordinary circumstances.” (BBC Sport)

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CWI blanks Cameron for ICC chairmanship Cricket West Indies (CWI) has not nominated anyone for the upcoming elections of the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairmanship.

The ICC after months of being undecided about how to go about installing a new chairman finally settled on a path to achieve it. They outlined that the first step was one whereby current ICC Board members had given its membership until Sunday (October 18) to nominate candidates for the position of chairman. After this, the potential candidate must be seconded by another board member before the elections are held.

The ICC has outlined that the nominees must be either a former or current ICC board member.

The USA Cricket Hall of Fame had written to CWI asking that they nominate the former president of regional body Jamaican Dave Cameron, 49, as chairman.

In a 17-member ICC board, 16 can cast their vote (17th member is CEO Manu Sawhney without voting rights) and as per the existing rules, either Barclay or Khwaja would need 11

votes (2/3rd of the board) to become the next chairman.

In case Cricket South Africa (CSA) gets suspended by the ICC over government interference, then the number of voters will come down to 15.

However, in case Barclay fails to get 11 votes, Khwaja will continue as the acting chairman of the ICC. A lot of major Test-playing nations are expected to rally behind Barclay.

Meanwhile, Colin Graves, the former England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman was the favourite to become the next ICC chief, however, he didn’t file his nomination after he learnt that he was not a unanimous choice and he also did not command the numbers of required votes to win to get elected.

There is a buzz that the BCCI will lend support to Barclay against Khwaja, who is known to be close to a former ICC head, who will actively take interest in the election if it happens.

However, when Guardian Media Sports contacted CWI vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow, he said this was not done.

According to Shallow: “It

did come up for discussion and we did not nominate anybody for the post.”

When contacted yesterday, Cameron said that he was not nominated by anyone.

“I reached out to certain people but did not hear anything from them, so I guess that it is safe to state that I was not nominated by anyone for the post seeing that the process that now closed.”

Cameron, who lost the presidency of what was then called the West Indies Cricket Board to Ricky Skerritt in the March 2019 elections – in which he was seeking a fourth consecutive term said that although he is disappointed, he feels it more for the regional cricket body.

“CWI needs someone to seek their interest and also that of the smaller cricket boards across the world. If not they will just have to be mere bystanders and take what they get. The reason I got World Cups to come our way in the

Players mental health critical in COVID-19 environment: Holder

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, became the latest government official to throw massive support behind the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), by providing a 1-year scholarship for one lucky Ancient County player.

The mega move featured a large delegation consisting of elected and appointed executives of the BCB, on Saturday last, meeting with the Minister of Agriculture at the Fyrish Primary School during an outreach programme by the Berbice-born Minister.

The delegation, headed by president Hilbert Foster, consisted of senior executives Robby Saywack, Angela Haniff, Dr. Cecil Beharry, Ameer Rahaman, among others.

The meeting was described as very fruitful and successful and according to Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu, formed part of the BCB plans to meet Government officials to seek their cooperation in transforming the state of Berbice even further.

The Minister congratulated the BCB on its hard work over the last few years and indicated that he was willing to work along as he knows the passion that Berbicians have for the game.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – West Indies Test captain Jason Holder has warned that the mental health of players could be at risk if adjustments are not made to the bio-secure “bubbles” which have allowed for the resumption of cricket amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The top-ranked all-rounder in the longest format said while he was pleased that the protocols put in place had allowed players to continue plying their trade, playing the sport entirely in a quarantine environment could prove unsustainable.

“It’s been demanding. It has been challenging,” said the 28-year-old who was a late call up to the ongoing Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“I’m blessed to be still working. There are lots of people in the world not working because of COVID and we’re still given the opportunity to entertain people and do something we really love.

“But something needs to be thought of in order to just try to free up things a little bit more for the players’ mental health.”

A global cessation of cricket ensued last March following the outbreak of the pandemic but Holder led a West Indies side on a ground-breaking three-Test tour of England five months later, to signal the return of international cricket.

The tour was governed by

strict medical protocols which saw players being forced to undergo isolation on arrival, before living and playing games at the same venue without minimal contact with the general public.

Games were played behind closed doors and players were not allowed to leave the on-site accommodation.

Holder has since been involved in the Caribbean Premier League and the IPL, with both tournaments guided by similar measures.

“I had two months in England. Then I was home literally for two days before I went to Trinidad [for the Caribbean Premier League] for a monthand-a-half,” Holder explained.

“Then I spent four or five days at home in Barbados before I got a call to come over.

So you’re back into isolation.

“And if you look at scheduling, it doesn’t get any easier.

It’s literally going from bubble to bubble. Some places are accepting families and some aren’t, so it makes it harder to be away from your family and your loved ones.

“I haven’t seen Barbados properly in about five months and I don’t know when I’ll get back there.”

Holder will fly from the UAE to New Zealand and enter yet another bio-secure “bubble” for West Indies’ two-Test series against the Black Caps starting in December.

Caribbean was that I went in there and fought and demanded and that is why we got the Women’s World Cup a couple of years ago and we are getting the Youth World Cup in 2022.”

Imran Khwaja will be the interim chairman of ICC until elections are held for the post. The decision was taken by the ICC Board on Wednesday after incumbent Shashank Manohar stepped down following two terms in the role.

Khwaja, who is a former president of the Singapore Cricket Association, was elected as ICC’s deputy chairman in 2017, a year after Manohar became the global cricket body’s inaugural independent chairman. The deputy chairman’s position was part of the new ICC constitution which came into effect from 2017.

That constitution was drafted by a five-person working group which included Khwaja.

A lawyer by profession, Khwaja, 64, has been an

ever-present but little-heard figure - publicly at least. He remains, however, a powerful voice on the ICC Board and is part of several influential committees. Currently, the committees Khwaja sits on include the Finance & Commercial Affairs, Nominations, Development (chair) and Membership.

It was Khwaja who played a significant role in convincing Manohar to continue as ICC chairman in 2017 after the former BCCI president had opted to step down even before finishing a year in the post.

Although he is the chairman of Associates, Khwaja has had a say in significant reforms the ICC carried out under Manohar’s leadership, including the overhaul of the governance structure, the finance model and creating a democratic structure at the ICC board where even the smaller countries have had a say.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket’s Gregor Barclay and

Former CWI president Dave Cameron

Khwaja of Singapore are the only two prominent names who will be fighting for the ICC chairman’s post to replace Manohar after filing nominations and a one-month window has been kept by the ICC Board to see if it can have a unanimous candidate.

“As of now, it looks like there will be an election between Barclay and Khwaja, who is ICC’s acting chairman. They are the only two who have filed nominations.

Both have their share of support from the board,” a senior official, privy to developments in ICC Board, told the Press Trust of India (PTI), yesterday. (Reprinted from Trinidad Guardian)

BCB, Minister Mustapha launch student scholarship programme

...University Scholarship, junior tourney among plans confirmed BCB President, Hilbert Foster, provided the Minister with an update on the progress of Berbice Cricket and stated that despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the board has kept itself busy by making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate. The BCB is also working on a number of plans to hit the ground running whenever the cricket season restarts.

be sponsored by the Agriculture Minister and would bear his name. The BCB would establish a Special Committee headed by veteran educator/Television Editor, Gregory Rambarran, to select the awardee of the scholarship.

Cricketers across Berbice would be invited to send in applications for the scholarship which would be in the agricultural field at the

of a junior cricket tournament in Berbice. The BCB, in 2021, would be organising tournaments at the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 levels while several inter-school tournaments would also be held.

Foster expressed gratitude to the Minister, who was once actively involved playing the game for his home village, Bloomfield.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with the president and executives of the BCB

Among the plans the board is working on are obtaining sponsorship for tournaments, formation of a semi-professional league, county wide coaching, educational programmes and assistance for young cricketers.

The BCB is set to create history when it becomes the first board in Guyana to provide a one year University of Guyana Scholarship to a young cricketer in the Ancient County.

The scholarship would

University.

Foster stated that while the scholarship is for one year, the BCB would consider extending it based on the performance of the student.

The BCB, in the next few years, according to Foster, is expected to place a lot of emphasis on the promotion of education among cricketers as it wants to produce all rounded individuals.

Minister Mustapha also agreed to a $300,000.00 sponsorship for the hosting

The vibrant Minister also committed to assisting the BCB in obtaining other sponsorship and to use his status as the Region Six Member of Parliament to push for the upgrading of grounds in the county.

The BCB, last week, held successful meetings with Attorney General, Anil Nandalal and Minister Vickram Bharrat.

Bharrat would officially be inducted as the Honorary Patron of the board on Saturday 14th of November.

Richmond Hill Liberty CC crowned NYNCL 30-over champions PAGE 36

Champions, Richmond Hill, took home the spoils

Nicholas Pooran scored a stroke-filled 53 as Kings XI Punjab beat Delhi Capitals by five wickets Pele will reach his landmark 80th birthday on Friday

Approaching 80, Pele gives thanks for his lucid mental state PAGE 36

Pooran fifty propels Kings XI Punjab to third straight win

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) – Dashing West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran lashed his second half-century of the Indian Premier League to fire Kings XI Punjab to a convincing five-wicket victory over Shimron Hetmyer’s Delhi Capitals here Tuesday.

With Kings XI chasing 165 for victory at the Dubai International Stadium following opener Shikhar Dhawan’s second successive unbeaten hundred, Pooran stepped up to top score with 53 off 28 deliveries to inspire his side to their third win on the trot with an entire over to spare.

Pooran struck six fours and three sixes and received support from Australian Glenn Maxwell who made 32 from 24 deliveries and veteran West Indies opener Chris Gayle who made 29 from just 13 deliveries.

Left-hander Dhawan had earlier snatched the spotlight with a quite brilliant unbeaten 106 from 61 deliveries as Capitals tallied 164 for five off their 20 overs.

He struck a 12 fours and three sixes but such was his dominance that no other batsman managed to pass 14.

Dhawan lost Prithvi Shaw cheaply for seven in the fourth over but put on 48 for the second wicket with captain Shreyas Iyer (14), 33 for the third with Rishabh Pant (14) and a further 35 for the fourth with Australian Marcus Stoinis (9), to keep the innings afloat.

Hetmyer made just 10 after arriving at the crease in the 18th over, and blasted a single six before being yorked off the final ball of the innings by pacer Mohammed Shami (2-28).a In reply, Kings XI lost in-form opener KL Rahul (15) cheaply before Gayle dominated a 35-run, third wicket stand with opener Mayank Agarwal (5) to repair the innings.

The 41-year-old Gayle slammed three fours and two sixes but was one one of two wickets to perish in the sixth over, bowled hitting across at a straight one from off-spinner Ravi Ashwin.

Stumbling on 56 for three, Kings XI were rescued

by Pooran who anchored a critical 69-run fourth wicket stand with Maxwell to put them in sight of their target.

When Pooran gloved a short one from South African seamer Kagiso Rabada (2-27) behind in the 13th over and Maxwell followed a few overs later, Kings XI were stumbling again but New Zealander Jimmy Neesham (10 not out) saw off the danger, ending the game with a six over mid-wicket off Australian left-arm seamer Daniel Sams.

With the victory, Kings XI have moved up to fifth on eight points with Capitals remaining top on 14 points.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020