Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-24-2020

SATURDAY 24th October, 2020

' No.106162

Kwebanna on lockdown for 14 days

–– as COVID-19 cases climb to more than 50 in one month, two deaths recorded SEE

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COVID-19 could affect minimum wage increase in private sector

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Fallen tree injures eight women at Success squatting area PAGE

Photo courtesy of Kwebanna Facebook page

Private charges against Lawrence, Lowenfield and Mingo withdrawn –– since they are similar to charges filed by police

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Fallen tree injures eight women at Success squatting area

EIGHT women are injured following the collapse of a tree at the first flooded field at Success on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) where squatters have been occupying lands for several months now.

According to reports received by this newspaper, at 14:10 hours on Friday, a

huge tree, which is located on an east-west dam, collapsed on a group of squatters who were conversing nearby. This dam is located at one of the entrances to the squatting area; an area that comprises canefields and belongs to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

At this entrance, there are

a few makeshift structures where many squatters congregate daily. There are small shops located here as well.

At the time of the incident, the Guyana Chronicle understands, some of the women were sitting and chatting. Few other people were nearby.

According to reports, one woman was seriously injured,

while the others sustained minor injuries to the head, feet, arm and other parts of their bodies.

The injured persons are: 25-year old Dallyan Donald; 34-year-old Shevon Bell; 33-year-old Pinkey Benjamin; Smart (only name given); 46-year-old Sunita Persaud; 28-year-old Nafeeza Persaud; 47-year-old Nalini Lall; and 40-year-old Sonia Nazir.

Dallyan and Pinkey are known to the Guyana Chronicle, as they’d both related previously that they were squatting here because they

feel as though they have no other option, since their finances have been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both Dallyan and Pinkey had also shared that they had applied for house lots for a number of years now; Pinkey has applied to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) since 2006.

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a recent interview, told the Guyana Chronicle that the Government will provide assistance to some of the squatters. This assistance, he added, would be getting them

land to live on.

Recently also, the CH&PA began streamlining the land applications of squatters occupying 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 is doing all it can to assist those persons, but that it is still distributing lands in a structured manner, in that it is giving lands to persons with the oldest applications first.

CH&PA age policy back to 21 years THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has reverted to the 21 years age threshold for house lot applicants.

This was relayed by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during an exclusive interview with DPI at his Ministry’s central location.

“The last Government did reduce the policy to 18 years, but in all practicality, if you are approaching the bank for a loan, there are certain requirements that they seek,” Minister Croal said.

Among these requirements is an employment history, for as long as three years. The minister explained that many 18-yearold applicants could not produce this and other necessary prerequisites to the bank and other institutions.

As a result, the CH&PA system is left with void lots.

“We’re trying to reduce that in the system, whereby you see a number of empty

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal

lots and what we want is that when you have an allocation, you are eligible for a loan and that you can build immediately,” said Minister Croal.

The CH&PA system has inherited 1,700 applications from persons between the 18-21 age bracket. However, from the time of their appli-

cation to now, several of the applicants have reached the new age margin.

“For many of those that have attained that age of 21, they will not be affected,” the Minister said. Citizens are advised that they must be at least 21 years old to be eligible to apply.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Kwebanna on lockdown for 14 days –– as COVID-19 cases climb to more than 50 in one month, two deaths recorded

By Navendra Seoraj KWEBANNA, a little community nestled in the heart of Region One (Barima-Waini), has gone into lockdown for 14 days, after becoming a hotspot for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within the past month.

Since recording its first case on September 19, 2020, there has been no end in sight to the proliferation of COVID-19 in the community, as cases have climbed to more than 50, with two of those persons losing their lives to this scourge.

Creating the right conditions to effect a reduction in the spread of COVID-19 has been a challenge for village authorities, because residents are close-knit, and seldom follow the established guidelines.

The move to lockdown the community, therefore, comes as a desperate effort to stabilise the situation and save lives, said Toshao of Kwebanna and Vice-Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Paul Pierre during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday evening.

“Well, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the village, and based on advice from the health sector, regional administration and the police, we have decided to lockdown the village so we can get control over the situation… This is the only way we can get some control, because of the fact that COVID-19 has spread rapidly over a number of weeks,” Pierre said.

With a population of just over 900 people, the toshao believes it is imperative that

they act now to protect those persons, and ensure that no more lives are lost.

Over the next 14 days, no one will be allowed in or out of the village, unless authorised by the relevant authorities. This and other measures will be supervised and implemented by regional authorities and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

MIGHT BE EXTENDED “We are looking to do this for 14 days in the initial stages, and if it does not get better, we would have to go a bit longer,” Pierre said, adding that the police will play a big role in enforcing not just the new measures, but also the national guidelines/ emergency measures.

These emergency measures were made pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement –B, on March 16, 2020.

According to health authorities, the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 8) will expire on October 31, 2020, unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Public Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

The control measures, which include a national curfew and social distancing guidelines, are often hard to cope with, but considering the prevailing circumstances, persons must also be cautious and vigilant, as they continue to do their part in the fight against COVID-19.

There have been mounting calls for persons to adhere to the COVID-19 measures,

but even in little Kwebanna, these calls have been ignored.

“The idea of this lockdown is to keep people at

and especially during this time, leading up to Christmas, we would get a lot of orders from persons in Moru-

Toshao of Kwebanna, Paul Pierre

home, and from moving too much, because there has been a lack of adherence to the measures, and that is what is causing the spread… So this is the only way to control the situation,” Pierre said.

ECONOMIC IMPACT Even though this is being done to safeguard the health and well-being of residents, the lockdown is expected to drastically affect the major economic activities in the community, which include farming and lumberjacking.

“We do a lot of lumber, so the lockdown would affect us. We have a sawmill there,

ca and Kaituma,” Pierre said, noting that the lockdown will severely affect business because persons would not be allowed to work at the mill.

He said, however, that farmers will continue to operate their farms, but will only be allowed to move from their farm to their houses.

Despite the inevitable economic decline in the community, the toshao assured the Guyana Chronicle that residents will not go hungry, as the regional administration is already mobilising food and relief hampers. These hampers are expected to be delivered today.

Additionally, other organisations like the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and the NTC will be making donations where necessary.

“I am sure other agencies will step in if the situation gets worse, but I am hopeful that the lockdown will curb whatever is happening,” said Pierre.

It was reported recently that as part of efforts to improve and increase testing for COVID-19 in hinterland communities, the authorities have sourced 20,000 antigen tests which will produce results within minutes.

Hinterland regions have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic, with Regions One recording 662 cases; Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), 371 cases; Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 128 cases; and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) with 375 cases, accounting for over 38 per cent of the total cases in Guyana.

TESTING BEING DONE CENTRALLY And as it is now testing for COVID-19 is done centrally at the National Reference Laboratory in Georgetown. Authorities would first have to acquire a sample from a person suspected to have COVID-19, and then send the sample to Georgetown where medical professionals will conduct a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, which takes hours to produce results.

“We have ordered the antigen tests. This is not the PCR test… it is done right at the site once you suspect COVID-19… you run the test and get it back within 45 minutes,” said Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony

during a COVID-19 update last Wednesday.

Each hinterland community is already equipped with fixed sites for testing, but Minister Anthony said in cases where there is a high infection rate in a particular community, a mobile team will be deployed to conduct testing and contact tracing.

Minister Anthony said trained COVID-19 personnel are in every region collaborating on the clinical aspects of treatment, conducting contact tracing and environmental sanitation to ensure that the disease is being managed.

Detecting cases of COVID-19 in remote hinterland communities has, however, been a challenge for the Ministry of Health, but the ministry has since turned to toshaos and the Guyana Police Force to assist with contacting tracing.

“We have a difficulty tracking people in hinterland regions because some of them do not have telephones or a formal address, or any other form of contact information… to find them and make contact is difficult, but we have been working collaboratively with the police and toshaos to find those people and get them isolated,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Narine Singh in an invited comment on Wednesday.

Considering the unavoidable challenges due to the remoteness of those communities, Dr. Singh advised persons in hinterland regions to adhere to the control measures, which also includes isolation once tested positive for COVID-19.

70 persons recover from COVID-19 ALTHOUGH there continues to be a proliferation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) locally, the recovery rate remains high, with some 70 persons being medically cleared within the past 24 hours.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, the number of recoveries has moved from 2,853 on Thursday to 2,923 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 those 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, the health au-

thorities have so far tested 17,841 persons, with 13,881 being negative and 3,960 positive.

Some 83 of those positive cases were recorded within the past 24 hours alone. And while people

have recovered from this scourge, 117 persons have lost their lives, and there are still 886 active cases.

Of those active cases, 112 persons are in institutional isolation, 795 in home isolation, and 13 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Considering the rising number of cases, 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 displays 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Marketing manager robbed during traffic buildup AN armed bandit on Friday robbed and injured the marketing manager of Continental Group of Companies, while she was waiting in traffic on Hunter Street, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The victim was identified as Romana Spencer, 41, an employee of Continental Group of Companies, Industrial Site Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Police said she was robbed of $244,000 by an armed bandit.

Investigation revealed that the victim was driving her motor car on Water Lilly Street, West Ruimveldt en route to her office after transacting businesses between Regent and Robb Streets for her company.

At the time she had

$244,000 cash in her hand bag which was on the floor of the passenger seat and due to the buildup of traffic she stopped on Hunter Street and was approached by the robber.

The armed bandit who came from an unknown direction walked up to the driver’s side; the window was up at the time and the car doors were locked.

The robber then rapped on the windscreen with a black handgun in his right hand which caused the petrified victim to horridly drive off and in the process of doing so, she hit the rear of a motor lorry. At this time, the suspect discharged several rounds at the victim’s vehicle, which came to a halt.

The suspect then approached the victim’s car, went to the driver’s window,

hit the window with the gun and broke it and then removed the bag containing the cash before making good his escape in a Northern direction, on Water Lilly, Street West Ruimveldt.

When the window of the car was smashed, several pieces of glass injured the victim’s hands.

The windscreen at the back of the vehicle was also shattered. On the floor of the front passenger seat, police found one 9mm spent shell and on the driver’s side, two 9mm spent shell along with a live 9mm round.

Residents of the area said the bandit had an accomplice on a motorcycle waiting on him in the vicinity of the West Ruimveldt Primary School. The accomplice aided in his escape.

A detective interviews the victim, Romana Spencer (blue shirt), while other cops inspect her vehicle on Hunter Street, West Ruimveldt following the armed robbery

Coronavirus: France puts 46 million under night curfew

(BBC) The French government is imposing a curfew on two-thirds of the country - 46 million people - from Friday night for six weeks, after a record 41,622 new coronavirus infections in one day.

The total infected in the epidemic has now passed one million. In Europe, only Spain and Russia have reached that.

A week ago night curfews were introduced in Paris and eight other French cities. Now 38 more areas will have curfews from 21:00 to 06:00.

Most of Europe has rising infections.

Slovakia is to impose a partial lockdown for a week from Saturday, allowing only travel to work, shopping for

essentials and school for younger children.

New lockdowns have come into force in the Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland.

There are also high infection rates in Belgium, Spain and Italy, putting many hospitals under severe pressure.

Paris night life is non-existent as police enforce a curfew

SATURDAY, OCTOBER13, 2020 ― 13:30hrs ―15:00hrs

FRENCH CRISIS DEEPENS The wider French curfew comes into effect at midnight (22:00 GMT) on Friday, then at 21:00 from Saturday onwards.

It has drawn complaints from restaurant and bar owners, whose businesses are already suffering after the two-month lockdown in the spring.

In several regions of France, more than half the intensive care beds are now occupied by Covid-19 patients. Over the past 24 hours France recorded 162 more deaths.

A new French app called “#TousAntiCovid” has been launched, to replace the previous one “#StopCovid” that was downloaded by only 2.7 million people - far below the take-up of similar anti-Covid apps in the UK and Germany. #TousAntiCovid is a smartphone tracing tool with more local information than the previous app.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex said “circulation of the virus has today reached a very high level” - 251 infections per 100,000 people in the past week.

He said that was a 40% increase in one week and the reproduction (R) rate was around 1.35, “which basically means a doubling of the number of cases every two weeks”. The R rate measures how many others each infected person is passing the virus on to.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

DPP withdraws private charges against Lawrence, Lowenfield, Mingo THE private criminal charges filed against Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; Chairperson of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Volda Lawrence and Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo were, on Friday, withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the rationale behind this development is that the private charges are similar to those recently filed by the Guyana Police Force.

In Lowenfield’s case, his three private charges were filed by People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) member, Desmond Morian, and General Secretary of The New Movement (TNM), Daniel Kanhai, on June 30, 2020. They alleged that he committed electoral fraud during the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Magistrate Faith McGusty, who is presiding in those matters at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, had already fixed November dates for the commencement of the two trials.

Lowenfield’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, had written the DPP requesting that the charges be withdrawn. However, that request was never addressed.

The senior Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) official now has six matters remaining. Those charges were filed by the police following a “comprehensive” investigation into the elections and its aftermath. He is out on $300,000 bail.

The charges include three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of forgery.

The first set of charges alleged that Lowenfield on June 11, 13 and 23, 2020, at High and Cowan Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, while being a public officer, that is to say, the CEO of the GECOM, he wilfully misconducted himself by failing to ascertain the result of the election based on the

National Recount conducted pursuant to Order 60 of 2020 as gazette on May 4, 2020 by subtracting votes from the total number of votes reflected from the results of the recount, without any reasonable excuse or justification.

The other charges alleged that on June 11, 13 and 23, 2020 in Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, he uttered a certain forged document, purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the March 2 elections, knowing the said report to be forged.

Meanwhile, the DPP, also withdrew the private criminal charges filed against Lawrence and Mingo for the alleged fraudulent elections declaration of March 5, 2020.

In March private criminal charges were filed against the duo by Charles Ramson Jr. in relation to the controversial District Four results. The contention is that Mingo and Lawrence uttered a forged document with the intent of defrauding the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01.

It is alleged that Mingo, having been ‘procured’ by Lawrence, a former government minister, on or about March 5, 2020, at Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown, uttered to Lowenfield, a Form 24 Representation of the People Act dated March 5, 2020, knowing same to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of the State of Guyana.

On Wednesday, five persons, including Lawrence; opposition activist, Carol Joseph and Mingo, were hauled before the court on electoral fraud charges.

Lawrence, Joseph, Mingo and GECOM clerks, Michelle Miller and Denise Bob-Cummings, were all arraigned separately before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Mingo and Lawrence were charged jointly. It is alleged that on March 5, 2020, at

Embattled Region Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo

Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document, that is to say, a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2 General and Regional Elections, knowing same to be forged.

They were each released on $30,000 bail.

Mingo and Joseph were also jointly charged. It is alleged that on March 13, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the elections, knowing same to be forged.

They were both released on $30,000 bail.

Additionally, Joseph was slapped with two other charges which alleged that on March 13, at High and Hadfield Street, Georgetown, she conspired with Mingo and others, to declare a fraudulent account of votes for District Four in the March 2 elections.

She was released on a total of $60,000 bail.

Miller was also slapped with two charges. It is alleged that between March 3 and March 5, at High and Hadfield Street, together and with others, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana, being appointed as a Clerk for District Four by GECOM for the purpose of the elections, in assisting Mingo, she did not use the figures from the State-

Former Government Minister and Chairperson of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Volda Lawrence

ments of Poll for the purpose of ascertaining the figures to make the declaration of the results for the said elections as is required by law, thereby resulting in a false declaration being made for the said District Four. She was released on a total of $60,000 bail.

Further, Cummings was charged with two similar offences which were allegedly committed on March 13 at GECOM Headquarters, High and Cowan Street, Kingston.

She too was released on a total of $60,000 bail.

The defendants were rep-

GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield

resented by a team of prominent attorneys which included Nigel Hughes, Eusi Anderson and Darren Wade. The State was represented by prosecutor, Teriq Mohammed, from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chambers.

The cases were adjourned to October 28.

On October 14, Lawrence appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, and was released on $100,000 bail for two counts of conspiracy.

Those charges alleged that on March 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, she 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.

Mingo is still facing several fraud charges, including uttering a forged document with intent to defraud the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. He was granted $600,000 bail on those charges and the case adjourned to November 16, to allow the prosecution time to complete the filing of statements.

Three 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, when she appeared before the Chief Magistrate.

Hughes and Ronald Daniels are her attorneys.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Centenary birth anniversary of Janet Jagan FORMER President, PPP, PYO and WPO founder member, Janet Jagan, OE, was lauded by Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P., General-Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association.

He said thusly: “If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse - in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan.”

In his address at the launch of a Commemorative Centenary Stamp in honour of the birth anniversary of former President Janet Jagan, His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali said, inter alia: “She built a party that stands today as strong as ever – one that has delivered so many Presidents and leaders to Guyana, and her legacy… her output is so many leaders that is part of her legacy she built in the PPP... she left behind a legacy which immortalizes her in history.

“Janet Jagan was a torch-bearer for freedom and democracy. She dedicated almost her entire adult life in struggling

for Guyana’s freedom and the restoration of democracy. Despite the daunting challenges she and her party faced during those struggles, she was never fazed or discouraged. She believed in the righteousness and justness of her cause… Janet Jagan imbued her party with her fighting spirit.”

Alluding to the challenges faced by the party post elections 2020, the President asserted: “It was her example of resilience and resistance that her party used 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 attempts to deny the democratic will of our people.”

Dr. Cheddi Jagan, writing in ‘The West on Trial,’ professed: “She influenced me with a deep and abiding faith and caring for the poor, the disadvantaged and the handicapped, the oppressed and the marginalised, and she has a very deep commitment to honesty in politics. As a result I do not worry about anything. I work together with her very closely and we debate soundly without anything to worry about or anything to hide.

She has given me peace of mind.”

Ms Sheila Mathura, General-Secretary of the WPO, related that the women’s empowerment branch of the PPP that Mrs Jagan had founded – the WPO, intends

to commemorate her life until March the following year with activities that are open to all; and these include, but are not limited to a visit today to Babu Jaan to take fresh flowers and hold a small programme, from 1 p.m. to celebrate Mrs. Janet Jagan’s 100th Birth Anniversary, subsequent to which the WPO will be planning a series of activities, primarily visits countrywide – from village to village to have discussions on her life and works.

In the address by His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo, on the occasion of his inauguration as President of the Republic of Guyana, State House, Georgetown, Guyana, he said, inter alia: “In this world, there are those who resign themselves to accepting history as it is and there are others who make history. The Jagans, Cheddi and Janet, you will agree with me, are associated with the latter variety. We have just witnessed the making of history. A few moments ago we witnessed the strength of character only few can boast. We have witnessed humility born out of courage. I want to pay tribute to a heroine of our land – one who is undoubtedly the woman of the century in our land: I pay tribute to Madame President, Mrs. Janet Jagan. She will always be my President.

“She has done what very few people

would have done. After receiving a mandate from the people only 20 months ago to be Guyana’s first woman Executive President, the most powerful position in the country, she has decided to call it a day. The only other person with such wisdom, courage and humility who comes to mind right now is Nelson Mandela: But this is not farewell; rather, this is a celebration of her great sacrifices and struggles on behalf of all of Guyana for the past fifty years. This is also recognition of the contributions of the women in our society.”

Voicing what could very well be the sentiments of every member of the WPO, Ms Mathura averred: “Janet Jagan is my inspiration. I will forever be grateful to God for sending Janet Jagan to this little corner of the world to awaken our consciousness and to teach us that we were living in subjugation and poverty, without rights. Janet opened the political door and taught us to walk through it with pride and dignity. She advocated for us to be educated so that we can participate and influence decisions that affect our lives and those of others.

“Janet Jagan will continue to live on forever in our history. Every time a woman excels in the socio-economic or political landscape of our country, her work and vision will come alive.”

Region Five will breathe once more after five years Dear editor, PLEASE allow me first to congratulate both the Chairman Mr. Vickchand Ramphal and vice-chairman Mr. Rion Peters on the recent re-election back into the office to serve a second term.

I know both of the gentlemen will serve and serve this Mahaica-Berbice region well and ensure that developmental works are being done in all of Region Five and not in some villages or sector, but all sectors. Congrats once more.

It was with joy that I am penning this letter to your newspaper because I am now relaxed that the people in Region Five no longer have to face abuses and hard words when asking for things to be done that will better their lives and surroundings.

As a former regional councillor who serves this region, I have walked all the villages week after week in the past five years and tried my utmost to ensure that things

happen within every village and NDC. I had the opportunity to listen and try to help people from both political divides and mostly heard the cry of the people, especially the APNU+AFC supporters for betterment when it comes to their daily livelihoods.

In the five years of the APNU\PNC\AFC Government, I served the RDC and always tell my fellow councillors that this place is worse than a fish market when we are supposed to make the right decisions in taking the region forward. I had to sit and endure what the PNC councillors were doing because I have no one to complain to because most of the AFC leadership was all about them.

Yes, sometimes I would stand up and talk when things needed to be debated and sometimes I would sit and just look on as I glance with a smile at the PPP man on the council, Rion Peters. Why? Because of the manner in which some of the councillors on my side were behaving. Most of the time and I must admit they were wrong, but it wasn’t my place

to tell them but the chair of the RDC because he has the power to ask them to leave or excuse the rest of the proceedings, but he never did with authority.

After several meetings, I will go to both chairs and vice and say to them, padna something wrong, the chair has the power and ain’t using it to make those people abuse the standing orders of the council. Many times I will tell the chair he has the authority to put someone from the administration to act as clerk of the RDC meeting if the clerk who is the REO is walking out because the clerk of council cannot call off any RDC meeting but the chair.

But wait, while the chair opted a view times to put someone to act, there came the PNC dictator and bad man REO who is the clerk of the RDC, demanding and ordering all of the heads of department (HoDs) and staff to walk out of the meetings when he does and if they fail to comply, he would deal with them.

This now leads me to say that this very

PNC dictator REO then took it upon himself and started to transfer staff members who are heads of department and mostly take away from them their assigned duties.

The regional engineer was relieved of some of his responsibilities because the PNC’s REO could not have his way in making his PNC friends and relatives to get contracts.

So, the engineer was put to just look at roads and nothing else in the region. I objected again because the engineer has to be the person who sees the technical things being done in all works and also has to ensure and overlook that contractors work with the bill of quantities, while ensuring there is value for monies.

The PNC dictator REO and I weren’t seeing eye to eye most of the time because I say it as I see it; and I saw that he was dictating and doing things that are far from what is expected of him as REO. But I guess he has

TURN TO PAGE 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

OP-ED

By Ms. Mikiko Tanaka Resident Coordinator, United Nations (Guyana)

UN Day on 24 October marks the 75th Anniversary. The visionary Preamble of the UN Charter from 1945 says it all: “We the Peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends, to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, … and to employ the international machinery for the promotion of economic and social advancement of all peoples, … have agreed to the Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organisation to be known as the United Nations.”

We may have averted World War III, but we find ourselves in a world that is debilitated by a virus, climate change, rising disparities, social polarisation, sharpened political divisions and new and old conflicts. Freedom House reports that in 80 countries, the quality of democracy and respect for human rights has deteriorated since COVID-19 began.

Only five years ago in 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 197 parties signed the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Action. After halving extreme poverty under the previous Millennium Development Goals, the ambitious 2030 Agenda envisaged the world free of poverty, hunger, inequalities and violence.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals encompass people, prosperity, planet, peace and partnerships and are universal for all.

COVID-19 has plunged us backwards by decades and has exposed divisions, disparities and weaknesses of economies, societies and politics.

Guyana is not spared by the COVID-19 pandemic and wide socio-economic impact. The electoral crisis compounded hardships and social divisions and shattered citizen confidence in political and institutional systems. The new government has acted swiftly in instituting tax and policy measures to revitalise economic activities and provide much-needed emergency as-

sistance. While most of the world is trying to save their economies from a freefall, Guyana’s favorable position of becoming a new oil producing nation is attracting foreign investors and giving hope (and high expectations) for a faster recovery and future prosperity.

Guyana has the opportunity in its hands to reshape the economy, society and governance towards the SDGs but a genuine transformation entails addressing some difficult legacy issues that are structural and systemic in nature and challenges some entrenched norms and values. It would take the full participation and collaboration of government and state institutions, private sector, civil society and citizens to make this transformation.

The last two years have exposed fundamental issues in citizen participation and representation. Protecting the integrity of elections and ballots is critical, but the ability of citizens to participate in public policies and decision-making in between elections is also important. Parliament is the supreme institution of citizen representation. When the margin between the government and opposition is one or two seats, parliamentary decision-making should entail consensus-building and compromise to be inclusive of all Guyanese citizens. Parliamentary oversight should go beyond opposing and defending, and genuinely serve to improve accountability and performance of the public sector in the interest of every citizen. Parliament would not be viable if no-confidence motions and judicial actions become political instruments. Regional and local governments can bring decision-making closer to citizens if meaningfully decentralised with accompanying resources, authority and tools.

The potential for citizen participation and community development is far-reaching, if enabled.

Citizens are beneficiaries and financial contributors of public services, and public services are ultimately accountable to citizens. Education, healthcare, social protection, police are essential services that need uphaul in standards, quality and accessibility. COVID-19 has shed light to the tireless and often thankless work of many health workers, teachers, social workers, police. Distinguishing and recognising good work and service is as important as properly addressing sub-standard performance. Instilling meritocracy in the public sector requires system-wide consistency and integrity encompassing recruitments, training, management, promotions. Citizen participation and feedback can contribute to the betterment of public services.

All men and women should have equal

opportunities to decent jobs in Guyana.

Doing business in Guyana is challenging, but extremely difficult for those without assets, connections, skills, status, identification documents and access. The same applies to getting jobs in the public sector, and jobs in the formal private sector are scarce in number. Over half the labor force is informal and 12 per cent were unemployed before COVID-19. An inclusive and sustainable economic transformation entails professionalism, competition, meritocracy and quality standards. It calls for tailored and affirmative actions to equalise the playing field for all individuals and to stop sexual harassment, power abuse and discriminatory practices and conditions.

Citizens can demand and help create these conditions with civil society, labor unions, private sector and state institutions.

Civil society and media (including social media) are essential channels for citizens to participate and to shape the culture, values and principles that underpin how institutions and society operate. Hate speech and violence are harmful in their own right but also close down space for constructive civil society and citizen voice and participation. A big thanks goes to the journalists and media outlets who displayed courage, reason and integrity through the

electoral crisis.

The work of the UN needs to evolve to help find solutions to overcome these hard issues and to catalyse transformations that last. Whatever SDGs we work on, how we do our work is even more important.

Policy advice should foster citizen participation, protect rights and make detailed refinements to remove disparities and inequalities in practice. Lawmaking support should help citizens to comprehend and shape laws. Development projects should be catalytic investments for positive and lasting changes in the relations between the state and private sector, civil society and citizens. The UN has to act by example to instill the values and principles of the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda’s “leave no one behind” rights-based approach.

In UN75 conversations in Guyana, young people wanted to contribute to national development and be part of shaping a future that is equal, just and in balance with nature, free of violence and discrimination, with equal access to services, opportunities and jobs and where people respect and understand each other in dialogue. The Preamble of the UN Charter still resonates 75 years later. The work is hard and far from over but worthwhile for a better world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Gratitude to membership of the Rupununi Miners Association Dear editor,

I WOULD be appreciative of you publishing my profound gratitude to the membership of the Rupununi Miners Association (RMA) and the entire mining community of Region Nine for allowing me to serve as their president of the RMA. Mr. Editor, over these four years of service I have had the good fortune of gaining vast, invaluable knowledge in the areas of mining regulation and good practices, greater appreciation for our indigenous peoples’ culture, interests and concerns, also the importance the mining sector played and continues to play throughout the various communities and the entire region. Most importantly, the fragile nature of social cohesion within the region.

Please permit me to highlight some of the positives achieved by the RMA during this period of my tenure, which in my humble opinion have set the foundation for the association to build upon in order to achieve greater benefits for its members, surrounding communities, region and by extension, our nation.

The RMA during this period was able to cultivate an atmosphere of civility, respect and favourable working relationship towards achieving the goals of stakeholders, as opposed to a history of hostility, disdain and distrust.

While this is a work in progress, I must take my hat off to Lt.Col. Ward and team for being key towards this positive achieve-

ment, also the Romanex Company and the RMA. The RMA has established itself as a recognised and respected organisation to be reckoned with by stakeholders.

Mr. Editor, it would be remiss of me not to recognise the hard work, resources and time invested by the Ministry of Natural Resources and its hard-working officers, in facilitating all stakeholders involved on the Marudi issue so as to achieve amicable solutions to contentious issues.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to some of these key players namely, Ms. Watson, Maj (ret’d) Derrick Lawrence and former Minister, Raphael Trotman.

Also to the many GGMC officials with whom I’ve had the good fortune to interact to achieve our successes, however limited.

To the indigenous communities, especially Mr. Nicholas Fredericks and his team from the SRDC for their tolerance, kind and wise words of advice, and most importantly, their desire to work towards achieving solutions for the benefit of all involved.

Also, to the executives of the association, I sincerely thank you for your years of strong support and loyalty in the interest of the association. Particularly those dedicated individuals (mainly the ladies) who never cowered when that extra effort was required. Thanks to these individuals, the RMA can boast as to where it is today. It has been my humble approach to conduct my personal, business affairs and the affairs of the RMA without any sentiments of ethnic, social or political bias, hence, my parting advice to my fellow

brothers and sisters of the RMA. To the Takutu family, and my very own family (wife, mom, sisters and brothers), no words can express the gratitude which I feel for the support extended to me and team unconditionally in my quest to be of service to my fellow brothers and sisters of the association and the Rupununi.

Finally, it is my fervent desire that the relations and positives mentioned above will be developed upon and blossom to benefit all concerned under the new leadership.

Sincerely Marlon Johnson

Region Five will ... another version to this as he always does and goes personal.

He transfers much staff because some PNC ones who wanted to move up without knowing to do the work will tell him they don’t like the person, etc. He uses his power to abuse the staff of the RDC and I always spoke up for all that came to me.

He hires a transportation officer that abuses and takes advantage of the drivers, especially the Indian ones. That very transportation officer will give those drivers vehicles that are not working well to work with at night, that has one headlight working, etc, and when the drivers complain, he runs to this PNC dictator buddy friend the REO and ensures that warning letters are given to them.

Many were sent packing and not only the Indian drivers, but some clerical and other employees of the RDC, while some opted to leave because of pressure. I can speak of it because I know it and it’s all true.

Here is just one example of the discrimination that was happening in Region Five under the PNC REO Morrison. After he dictated and decided that he would throw out the cash-crop farmers from the farmland and start a model farm (this was a milking cow), I stepped in and asked to be part of that model farm project. Why? Because at that time I was thinking it would be good because the proposals I would have put would have seen the hiring of farmhands and also the technical staff. I proposed a NAREI and GSA training centre, shadehouse projects, and much more, especially the planting of cash crops that would have been sold to the buyers of Region Five that take daily produce to the markets.

I have fought the REO to ensure that those cash-crop farmers whom he wants to move that lands are being provided to them so that they can continue; and I did make that happen. I could not have done anything else because the dictator REO had his own agenda.

I will talk about this project later.

When we decided to start planting the cash crops, the REO asked me to get some boys to work full time on the farm, and yes, I did because I know that within the Bath\ Woodley Park NDC it’s the heart of cash crops. I had him hire five for a start.

All was going well. Cash crops were planted and resold to local buyers and I was happy. But then comes the bomb from the dictator: he starts to dig fish ponds in the red sand (as known as reef sand) area to mine hassar and tilapia and I objected. He then

FROM PAGE 6

went and purchased coconut plants and I objected. He then wanted to plant eschallot under shade houses and I objected. Then is when I started to get kicked from the project.

After two weeks’ time, I was approached by a few Indian farm workers and was told that they want to leave the work because they don’t like what’s happening and before they get fired they want to leave.

After listening to them, I went to the REO and started a really hard conversation with him because I saw his aim.

Those workers were accused of carrying news to the PPP and by the way, none of the workers has anything to do with politics.

I never saw them at a political meeting, rally or outreach. It was an excuse that the dictator was using to hire his PNC people.

Anyone can check the records from 2018 to now how many persons were hired to work at that farm and who they were.

Anyone can check the number of drivers that were hired by the PNC in five years and who they were. Anyone can check the records as to how many people were hired by the RDC and who they were.

Anyone can check the records and see who were the contractors getting major works in Region Five and who they were.

Anyone can check, see, and compare the works being done in various villages and see where those works were happening.

Anyone can check the records and know that there was serious self-centred business happening in the RDC administration under the PNC’s REO, especially in drainage and irrigation.

I can go on, but later I will and to put the icing on the cake I must say that I have complained to the AFC many, many, many times, but was asked by some to shut up.

A few members and two of the leaders encouraged me to go public. Well, to go public under PNC one would have to think twice because of the abuses coming from the petroleum adviser and some of her PNC people in the region.

I always stood under the shed at the RDC and said to all PNC, AFC, and even the dictator REO that the table would turn one day and those very people that they are stopping from breathing will breathe once again.

Breathe Region Five, breathe once again.

Regards Abel Seetaram Former Regional Councillor, Region Five

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Berbice residents can now access GTT’s Blaze service

A GTT contractor completing fibre build-out in Corriverton

RESIDENTS within the Corriverton and Skeldon, Berbice areas, can now benefit from the high-speed Blaze Internet service offered by the Guyana Tele-

phone and Telegraph Company (GTT).

“We made a promise earlier this year that we would rollout Blaze in several areas.

Though we had a setback

with the delivery dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have still been able to commit to our promise, and we have delivered the Blaze service to Grove, Diamond, Parika and now Skeldon and Corriverton areas,” GTT’s Product Lead of Fixed Broadband Services, Jamal Inniss said in a release.

With more than 1,000 households now set to benefit from the service, Inniss shared that the Blaze expansion has been welcomed by the community.

“We appreciate the responses we have been getting already, and we are pleased to provide these communities with highspeed Internet; it’s a speed that’s now demanded of us, as we all adjust more and more to an increased reliance on faster connectivity,”

COVID-19 could affect minimum wage increase in private sector LABOUR Minister Joseph Hamilton said the impact of COVID-19 on businesses may affect a proposal to increase private sector minimum wages when a new tripartite committee is formed to look at the issue.

The minister noted that at the current stage, discussions are ongoing for the establishment of a new committee, as the lifespan of the old committee has expired.

The committee will constitute representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the private sector, and the two umbrella trade union bodies: The Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Union in Guyana (FITUG).

“We are about to establish a new tripartite committee; hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, we will have that committee in place. We are now determining the representation and, hopefully, very shortly, I will have that announcement of who the committee will consist of,” Minister Hamilton said in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

When formed, one of the first things the committee is expected to discuss is the resuscitation of a proposal that was started last year to have the private sector minimum wages increased from $44,200 to $60,000.

Addressing this situation was among some of the first things highlighted by Minister Hamilton when he assumed the ministerial position in August, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office that month.

As pertains to how soon the initiative could be rolled

out, the minister noted that the private sector has indicated the need for consideration of the economic strain that the COVID-19 situation has had on the businesses, and how it may affect their ability to pay increased wages right away.

“At the level of the union representatives, they would want the decision to be made now; at the level of the business community, they have put on the table before me the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their business substantially, so I would have to take that into consideration,” the minister noted.

He added: “The issue now is when to implement, but when the tripartite committee is re-established, that conversation will conclude there and then, and I would be better advised on the way forward.”

The private sector minimum wages has not increased since 2017, when it was raised from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the monthly salary from $35,000 to $44,200 for a 40-hour week. Comparatively, the minimum wages for the public sector is currently $70, 000.

VASTLY CHANGING Last year, Consultant of the Labour Department, Francis Carryl had concluded that the economy was vastly changing, and another increase is crucial.

However, over the past few months in Guyana, many businesses have had to either shutter their doors, or effect major cutbacks to remain in business. With finances tight, many have also even had to ask employees to take pay cuts so that they could afford

to keep them employed.

Calls to Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Nicholas Boyer for a comment on the matter were unsuccessful.

Though not entirely dismissive of the possibility of delaying the implementation of the increase, President of the GTUC, Coretta McDonald said the union would be looking for a finite timeline of how soon it could be rolled out.

“We need to have a definition for when; we can't just leave it in open space; we need to define it so that our members can be assured that this increase will be done at a particular time,” McDonald noted.

She, however, commended the private sector for being onboard with plans for an increase in salary.

“We are happy that the private sector is on board to pay the minimum wage, and we look forward to having many more engagements with the private sector. We are hoping that many more of the benefits that the public servants are receiving that private sector employees can enjoy. If not all, most,” she related.

Calls made to President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Carvil Duncan for a comment on the situation were also unsuccessful.

When formulated, aside from looking into the minimum wages increase, the tripartite committee will also serve to address all labour matters pertaining to employment in the private sector.

Inniss stated.

Aatif Mohamed was among the first customers to benefit from Blaze installations in Berbice. As a family man and businessman, Mohamed is hopeful that both his personal and business Online experience with this

new broadband service in the area will be satisfactory.

“I’ve read different reviews about this service in other areas; I am satisfied enough that GTT will provide the quality of service which they’ve promised,” said Mohamed.

Residents of both Corriverton and Skeldon are encouraged to sign up for the service via https://www. gtt.co.gy/blaze/apply. Installations for Skeldon are scheduled to commence in the new week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Toshaos Council proposes housing programme –– flagged other issues in meeting with Minister Croal

HOUSING and Water Minister, Collin Croal, on Friday, met with the chairman and executive committee of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), at the Central Planning and Housing Authority Board Room, Brickdam, where he was brought up to speed about issues affecting the Indigenous community.

NTC Chairman, Toshao Nicholas Fredericks, said it was very important for the NTC to have collaborative relations with various agencies and ministries in an effort to find resolutions on issues relating to the Indigenous peoples and their communities in the absence of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, during the meeting with members of the National Toshaos Council on Friday

Since the conference will not be held this year, the council requested a meeting with the minister to bring to the fore matters relating to the housing and water sector. Some of the issues include little to no access of potable water in a number of hinterland villages, as well as the need for a housing programme.

Minister Croal welcomed the engagement, noting that it provides a platform for the council and members to make representation for their people as Guyana and the rest of the world continue to grapple with the restrictions brought on by COVID-19.

The team included Jude Da Silva, Executive Director;

Secretary of the National Toshaos’ Council, Russian Dorrick; Toshao, Nandanie Jerry; Programme Director, Toshao Marbell Thomas; Toshao Beverley Clentian of St. Cuthbert’s Mission; Toshao, Mario Hastings; and Toshao, Loretta Fiedtkou.

Toshao Fredericks also used the opportunity to congratulate the minister on his appointment and thanked him for meeting with the teams.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal committed to further engagements with the council in an effort to keep them abreast with development plans for hinterland regions.

Alleged serial abuser remanded for pelting woman with bricks – was previously charged with hammer beating, setting her alight COLLIN Reid, who allegedly attacked a woman with a piece of wood and pelted her with bricks after she spurned

his advances, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison.

Reid also known as Oji Reid pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault causing actual bodily harm which was read to

him by Magistrate Leron Daly.

It is alleged that, on October 18, 2020, at Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted a female so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

According to the facts of the case, Reid and the woman are known to each other. The defendant it is alleged, had repeatedly threatened the woman and had abused her on several occasions after turning up at her home uninvited. On the day in question, at about 09:00hrs, the

woman was about to leave her yard on her motorcycle when she was accosted by the defendant who allegedly grabbed her hand which she pulled away.

Reid, it is alleged, subsequently armed himself with a piece of wood and attempted to hit the woman. She managed to dodge the blow by riding away. However, Reid persisted. While running behind the motorcycle, he started pelting bricks.

The woman was forced to abandon her motorcycle and

flee the area on foot, but not before one of the bricks struck her right foot causing injury.

The matter was reported to the police and a medical was obtained.

The court was informed that Reid has two similar matters relating to the woman pending in court. It is alleged that on October 12, 2020, he had beaten the female with a hammer. On October 5, 2020, he threw lighter fluid on her before lighting her afire.

Magistrate Daly adjourned the case to November 6 in Court 6.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Two charged with stealing traffic lights solar panels

TWO men, who were allegedly caught stealing two solar panels belonging to the Ministry of Public Works, on Friday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were released on $30, 000 bail each.

Trevor Garraway and

Harry Bhawanti denied the joint charge which was read

by Magistrate Leron Daly.

It is alleged that on October 20, 2020, at the intersection of Brickdam Road and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, they stole two HQST 50W 12V Polycrystal-

line Solar Panels value, $30, 280, property of the Ministry of Public Works.

The court was informed that during the year 2017, the ministry (Ministry of Public Infrastructure as it was then known) installed the solar panels at the said location

to aid in powering the traffic lights. On the day in question, one of the defendants allegedly went to the said location and removed the solar panels.

The police was informed and subsequently made contact with the said defendant.

While being questioned, he allegedly told investigators that he had given the stolen items to the other defendant, for whom he provided contact details.

Investigators made contact with the second defendant who allegedly told them

that he had hidden them in the Stabroek Market area.

The police were taken to the area where the items were retrieved. Both men were cautioned, arrested and later charged.

The matter was adjourned to November 13.

Agri. ministers discuss strengthening regional integration AGRICULTURE Ministers from across the Caribbean region on Friday met with Director-General of the Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture (IICA) to discuss strengthening ties and improving regional agricultural collaborations.

One of the most notable areas highlighted was the need for intensified collaborations among sister states to increase regional import and export of crops and other agricultural commodities.

Additionally, the ministers discussed knowledge sharing to strengthen their marine management systems.

agri-food sector, to provide the needed technology and technical knowledge in the agro-processing industry, specifically, in processing technology and techniques to facilitate training and development for food safety and good manufacturing practices for agro-processors, and assistance with marketing, more specifically social media marketing in terms of assisting with the participation of trade shows and exhibitions locally, regionally and extra-regionally,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also mentioned that through support from IICA, Guyana was

on promoting sustainable food and nutrition security.

The other is in relation to climate change, recognising the importance of putting into practice more resilient agricultural practices. For this reason, we have an infrastructure represented by national offices in fourteen CARICOM States,” Otero said.

The participating Ministers of Agriculture also lobbied for greater collaboration in greenhouse production and knowledge sharing as it relates to the coconut value chain.

Suriname’s Minister for Agriculture, Animal Hus-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, and IICA’s Country Representative in Guyana, Wilmot Garnett

During their discussion, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha spoke about Government’s vision as it relates to marketing and developing Guyana’s agro-processing industry, and the role IICA is expected to play in offering support during the process.

“Our vision is to shift agriculture from primary producer to value-added to reduce Guyana’s 41 per cent dependence on imports, which translates to a Food Import Bill of G$45Billion.

We are cognisant of IICA’s role in trade, and, therefore, we ask for your support to accelerate a shift towards becoming a more market-led

able to commence its Dairy Value Chain Study.

“This is fundamental, as we develop this industry, to reduce the importation of dairy and dairy by-products,” Minister Mustapha said.

IICA’s Director-General, Manuel Otero said that agricultural development in the Americas has to be specially focused on the more vulnerable regions like South America and the Caribbean.

“Although I’m not an expert on Caribbean agricultural matters, my attention is concentrated on two issues.

The first is related to the urgent need to reduce the food import bill, with emphasis

bandry and Fisheries, Rabindre Parmessar said that the forum was suitable to discussing the impacts of the pandemic on the productive sectors, and the lessons learnt. He further cautioned the ministers, saying: “We cannot continue with the way we were producing; we have to be strategic in our production going forward.”

Over the years, IICA’s partnership with Guyana has birthed many of the developmental achievements in the agriculture sector today. Some of these include the support for projects which helped Guyana to improve the productivi-

ty and competitiveness of the agricultural sector; the strengthening of agriculture’s contribution to the

development of rural areas and the well-being of the rural population; the improvement of agricultural

capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change; and make better use of natural resources.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

35 new patient-care assistants join health sector

By Alisa Lashley

THIRTY-FIVE new Patient-Care Assistants, drawn from all across the country, recently entered the healthcare system after graduating last weekend from a six-month training programme in rendering patient-care assistance (PCA).

The PCA trainees were exposed to theory and clinical training which better prepared them for the work

environment. The training programme, which was first held in July 2018, is essentially a collaborative exercise between the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security and Public Health that is usually held at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and its social distancing restrictions, training this year was held at the more accommodating Critchlow

Labour College (CLC) on Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands.

According to health officials, a PCA’s role is to monitor the status of patients, assist them with eating and taking care of their personal hygiene, as well as transporting them around and maintaining their supplies.

In his address to this year’s batch of graduates, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Human

Services and Social Security, Mr. Shelton Daniels, began by commending them for going the distance.

“Let me say that you have done well over the past months, and much more is being done to improve the work of a Patient Care Assistant at the various homes and centres managed by the ministry,” he said, adding: “Being successful in this career usually requires someone with excellent interpersonal skills, solid organisational habits and an empathetic nature. In general, it takes a certificate in patient care from a vocational school to get into this field, but, for all of you, this opportunity is a lifelong

Valedictorian of the PCA programme, Sasha Richardson

Newly-appointed PCAs during their graduation ceremony last weekend

process to your dream.”

In an interview on Thursday with the Guyana Chronicle, Valedictorian, Sasha Richardson, noted that completing the programme under the current COVID-19 guidelines was no easy task, as it proved to be not only challenging, but demanding as well.

“Like most people the world over,” Richardson said, “I had to adapt to the rules of COVID-19. Before the pandemic arrived in Guyana, I was already taught how and when to perform hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment, including the wearing of a mask. Coping with the pandemic during class was somewhat challenging, as we had to maintain social distancing, as opposed to a normal basis…

because the classes offered were based on caring for others, basic nursing skills, anatomy, communication, nutritional needs of a patient and conditions associated with the elderly.”

As to what she plans doing career-wise, Richardson said that the programme has made such a lasting impression on her that she’s already begun attending CSEC classes online, in the hope of firstly becoming a registered nurse and much later, a midwife. “With experience comes exposure, and being exposed to the PCA programme,” she said, “has made me grow immensely, as a result of the hard work, studying and sacrifice. I devoted myself so that today, I have not only gained knowledge and skills,

but I’m a better individual.”

She’d like to encourage persons interested in applying to do the PCA programme to just go for it.

“Since there is no greater feeling than the love you receive for genuinely caring for others,” Sasha said, “I urge you to join, as you will not only be certified to care for patients, but also your family. This foundation paves the way for you to go further in your career and to become career-driven to climb to higher heights within the healthcare field.”

The new batch of PCAs is expected to work closely with medical staff of the Palms Geriatric Home, The Night Shelter, and the Hugo Chavez Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Maintain polio vaccination to prevent outbreaks –– PAHO encourages countries COUNTRIES in the Americas must maintain polio vaccination and epidemiological surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to prevent outbreaks, say experts at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). The reminder comes on the eve of World Polio Day, observed on October 24.

While the Americas was the first Region to be declared polio-free more than 25 years ago, that achievement needs can only be protected with continued vaccination and strong surveillance.

“Although as a Region we have defeated polio once before, if we allow vaccination coverage rates to fall and become too low, we will be at risk for polio circulation in our communities once again,” said PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne.

She added: “That is why it is more important than ever to do our part to protect and sustain polio elimination in our Region while we wait for countries in other parts of the world to achieve this goal.”

Regional polio vaccination coverage rates for the Americas have been below the recommended 95 per cent over the past few years. Reported coverage for the third dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV3) for the Americas between 2016 and 2019 ranged between 85-87 per cent.

PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne

Coverage in 2020 might to be lower in many countries due to disruptions in primary healthcare activities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cuauhtemoc Ruiz Matus, head of PAHO´s Immunisation Programme, said, “Now during the pandemic, we must work extra hard to not lose what we have gained.”

He noted that important factors in the success of the Region´s fight against polio included strong political commitment from governments; engaged, committed communities; strategic partnerships and support between international agencies, Rotary International, and governments; and tireless healthcare workers who made it their goal to reach and protect every child with polio immunisation.

“Without all of these things, we wouldn´t be where

we are today,” said Ruiz.

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed essential health services, including immunisation services and epidemiological surveillance systems designed to catch vaccine-preventable diseases quickly and allow for a rapid response before outbreaks grow, as healthcare workers around the Region have been focusing on pandemic response.

The Region of the Americas reported its last case of poliomyelitis caused by wild poliovirus in 1991, and in 1994 was the first Region to receive the certification of having eliminated the virus.

Lessons learned from the Americas on epidemiological surveillance and initiatives aimed at the sustainability of immunisation programmes through PAHO’s Revolv-

ing Fund for Vaccine Procurement have been shared with immunisation programmes globally, and now five of the six WHO

regions – representing more than 90 per cent of the world´s population - have been certified as free of wild polio. Only

two countries in the world continue to report wild poliovirus transmission: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

14

Guyana, Canada discuss collaboration of medical teams

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

― among other plans to boost health sector Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, in discussion with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, and Counsellor for Development Cooperation in the High Commission, Janine Cocker. They were joined by Permanent Secretary, Malcolm Watkins

CANADA’S support of Guyana’s response to COVID-19, private sector interests from Canada, collaborations with Canadian-based medical teams and SMART hospitals were some of the issues discussed when Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, paid a courtesy call on Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, on Wednesday.

that the development of the app will improve the capacity of officers at the Port Health Department, who are stationed at the respective ports of entry, since it will help with more effective surveillance of persons coming into Guyana.

He said support is also needed in the updating of several acts relating to the health sector, such as the Public Health Act and the Food and Drug Act, just to

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, shares a light moment with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterje

The discussions were held on October 21, 2020 at the minister’s Brickdam office, Georgetown.

Counsellor for Development Cooperation at the High Commission, Janine Cocker, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins, were also present.

Chatterjee said a niche area for the Canadian High Commission is the provision of technical assistance in the healthcare field. One of these areas is the possible development of an ‘app’ geared at tracking COVID-19 patients or those who have been tested.

Dr. Anthony indicated

name a few.

The opportunity also exists for technical assistance to be made available for the development of a new strategic plan for the Ministry of Health, the development of Guyana’s research capacity, and the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) and trans-medicine, a release from the ministry said.

Chat: Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, shares a light moment with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee, and Counsellor for Development Cooperation in the High Commission, Janine Cocker.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Region Four Health Department connected with COVID-19 patients THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has gifted phones with SIM cards and special mobile plans to the Region Four Health Department to ensure ongoing connectivity with COVID-19 patients.

The mobile plan includes 30 days unlimited calling to patients with GTT numbers and an additional 200 minutes to make contact with those patients not on the same network. The plan also features 3GB data that can be used to facilitate WhatsApp calling.

“We are always happy to contribute to a good cause.

Since the start of the pandemic in Guyana, we have been supporting our frontline heroes with free data, to ensure that they remain connected while on and off duty. This latest gift is an extension of our acknowl-

edgement that we are in this together – and together we will rise,” said GTT’s Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana, GTT has made a range of donations to the healthcare sector.

These include a Ministry of Health toll free COVID-19 hotline, free mobile services for doctors and nurses, stipends to COVID-19 hotline volunteers and most recently data SIMs to connect COVID+ mothers to their newborns through technology.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Gavin Nash Persaud, said that he was appreciative for GTT’s most recent support, which was made to specifically assist with tracking cases.

“The Health Department of Region Four is extremely

Eccles murder accused freed after PI TWO murder accused, on Thursday, walked out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court free men, after they were exonerated of the 2019 execution-style killing of Kelvin Walters.

Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus discharged Rodrick Thomas, 29, of William Street, Kitty and Devon Allen, 32, of Middle Road, La Penitence at the end of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

The men’s attorney, Dexter Todd, in a no-case submission, argued that there was no evidence linking his clients to the crime.

The magistrate subsequently accepted Todd’s submission, noting that there was insufficient evidence against the duo.

According to reports, on the day in question, Walters, 34, was travelling in his motor car along the East Bank Demerara road, heading south, when two men on a motorcycle pulled up alongside him.

There was an exchange of words and the men rode up in front of the car and blocked its path. At the time of the incident, Walters’ reputed wife, Roxanne Henry, and a five-year-old were in the vehicle.

Walters, according to information, drove his vehicle into the motorcycle, but the two men took evasive action.

The motorcycle fell onto the roadway and the car rolled over it. The pillion rider got up and opened fire on Walters. According to eyewitnesses, he was shot to the mouth.

Walters lost control of the vehicle which slammed

DEAD: Kelvin Walters

Deon Allen

Rodrick Thomas

into the median. Henry also suffered injuries.

Police sources had said that the men fled the scene on foot, into a nearby village, leaving behind a 9MM pistol and 14 matching live rounds of ammunition.

Reports are that Walters might have been a key witness in grenade attack committed on the Kaieteur News in 2016. In that incident, the grenade failed to explode.

grateful for GTT’s kind donation of phones with SIMs. This contribution will ensure consistent and necessary follow ups with patients,” Persaud said.

He explained that, “…the devices would mainly be utilised on weekends and holidays to communicate COVID-19 test results to persons living on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.”

The RHO also took the opportunity to remind citizens to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus.

“Wear your masks, wash your hands correctly and frequently and maintain social distancing,” said Dr. Persaud.

GTT's Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris, hands over the SIMs and devices to Dr. Daveen Tiwari

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Mumbai thump Chennai

(ESPNCRICINFO) - IPL 2020 had begun with the Chennai Super Kings surging to a five-wicket win against the Mumbai Indians.

The return fixture between the two with more than two thirds of the league stage gone illustrated how divergently the tournament has gone for each side. Mumbai demolished the Super Kings by 10 wickets in 12.2 overs, having put up a clinical bowling display and followed it up with a dominant opening stand between Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock. Mumbai joined the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore on 14 points, but with the best net run rate to top the table.

Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah wrecked the Super Kings top order after putting them in, with high-quality, accurate seam bowling. The Super Kings floundered to 3 for 4 in the third over, the second-lowest score at four wickets down in IPL history. That was only one of the lows that the Super Kings touched - and there was no coming back from a powerplay score of 24 for 5, the third-most wickets lost in

a powerplay ever.

Boult and Bumrah were irresistible at the top, and Mumbai didn’t even feel the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, sitting out with a hamstring strain which gave Kieron Pollard his second game in charge in the IPL. The Super Kings had made a host of changes, bringing back Ruturaj Gaikwad and N Jagadeesan and handing Imran Tahir his first game of the tournament, but none of those bore much effect.

Boult struck in his first two overs, Bumrah took two in two balls in his first over. Boult would go on to take one more powerplay wicket, and ended the Super Kings innings by getting his fourth for a career-best 4 for 18 in the IPL. Sam Curran back to No.7 in the batting order - was the lone point of resistance for the Super Kings with a well-compiled 52, but all he could do was ensure the total went into triple figures.

With Sharma absent, Mumbai sent Kishan to partner de Kock at the top and he promptly smashed the bowlers around in his 68* off 37, while de Kock

played the ideal supporting role with a 37-ball 46.

trying to salvage things and not get bowled out.

POWERPLAY PANDEMONIUM Boult began by swinging the ball away from Gaikwad, before bringing one back in to rap him on the pads.

He successfully convinced Pollard to go for the review, and the decision went the bowler’s way. Pollard gave Bumrah the new ball to share - something Bumrah has done just once before in IPL 2020 - and he promptly delivered a one-two punch. Ambati Rayudu was caught behind off the glove, the ball getting big on him after being banged in short. Jagadeesan got one in the channel that he poked at, to be gobbled up at wide slip.

Boult then struck a crucial blow getting Faf du Plessis to edge behind too with feet cemented to the crease. There was a change of ends for Boult inside the powerplay, but that made no difference to his wicket-taking, with Ravindra Jadeja pulling a short ball straight to short midwicket.

There was nowhere to hide for the Super Kings after that burst, and the rest of the innings was about

CURRAN’S RESISTANCE He was back at No. 7 but found himself batting in the powerplay nonetheless.

With the innings floundering, Curran opted to bat sensibly and try to bat through, reining in his naturally attacking instincts in the shortest format. He found partners who could stick around with him in Shardul Thakur and Tahir, as the Super Kings began the laborious process of padding up the score to whatever extent was possible. He picked up the boundary where possible as Pollard deployed the spinners and Nathan Coulter-Nile through the middle overs, and at the end, Tahir even ramped Bumrah for a four over the wicketkeeper, but that moment and Curran getting to fifty were the only ones that brought any cheer in the Super Kings innings.

Rahul Chahar continued his good run too, getting two wickets, including that of first cousin Deepak Chahar - the first time he was bowling to Deepak in the IPL.

KISHAN, DE KOCK LAND DEVASTATING BLOWS What the Super Kings needed up top was tight bowling and quick wickets in the powerplay.

What they got was Kishan’s flashing blade punishing any errors in line or length. de Kock was happy to play the supporting role as Kishan began blazing away from the start, deflating whatever little chance of contest was there in the match. Kishan’s first ball was crashed through the covers when Josh Hazlewood was short and wide outside off. In the fifth over, he took Deepak Chahar for 14 runs in three balls.

When Tahir came on to bowl, Kishan - who had fallen to him five times earlier - showed no fear, hitting him for a six each straight back in the eighth and tenth overs. In between, he got to fifty with back-to-back sixes off Jadeja.

By then, the match had become a batting exhibition for Mumbai’s openers, and a chance to swell their individual tallies while bumping up the team’s net run rate significantly too.

Lampard unfazed by United’s current run of form (REUTERS) - Manchester United’s wildly unpredict-

able start to the season will have no bearing on Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, according to Blues boss Frank Lampard.

United lost 3-1 and 6-1 at home to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur respectively but bounced back with an away win at Newcastle United last weekend and pulled off a notable win at Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Chelsea have not won in the league at Old Trafford for seven years and Lampard’s reign as manager began last season with a 4-0 hammering at United.

They also lost 2-0 at home, although they did win the FA Cup semi-final between the two.

“I think the league’s unpredictable, you can analyse all the games; you talk about certain games where big teams have conceded

Frank Lampard of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on October 23, 2020 in Cobham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) a lot of goals or there have been big turnarounds in games,” Lampard, whose side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to Southampton last weekend, told reporters.

“We’ve been part of one of those, and so have others.

“So I’m not interested in that, I think United are

a very good team, we’ve played them enough last year to know that and I’m not concerned in what might have happened in games before. We’ll take them at face value.”

Chelsea have conceded nine goals in five games but were much-improved defensively in a 0-0 draw at home

to Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Veteran defender Thiago Silva was outstanding in that game while keeper Edouard Mendy was a calm presence.

Mendy will start against United with Kepa Arrizabalaga ruled out with a shoulder problem while Thiago is also available for selection with Chelsea’s only absentee being Billy Gilmour.

Veteran keeper Petr Cech will not travel despite being surprisingly added to Chelsea’s Premier League squad.

Chelsea are eighth in the table with United down in 15th so both sides will be desperate to put down a statement of intent.

“They went to Paris and got a fantastic result, and everything is very close in the league,” Lampard said.

“It’s an opportunity to get some very hard-earned points, but it will be a tough match.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Windies squad could provide lucrative BBL signings

(ESPNCRICINFO) - The West Indies squad could provide a lucrative source of overseas signings for the BBL, after the competition added scope for a third foreign player in the XIs, if the tournament can take advantage of the travel bubble that exists with New Zealand.

West Indies have a three-match T20I series in the country at the end of November followed by two Tests, and since earlier this month it is now possible to travel from New Zealand into New South Wales without needing to quarantine on arrival.

The West Indies players will undergo managed isolation when they arrive at the start of the tour next month, but under current regulations, they will then be able to move around freely with the normal population unlike the restrictive biosecure bubbles which are in operation around the world.

That could mean they are able to fly directly to Australia to take up BBL deals without the need to quarantine for 14 days, although Cricket Australia (CA) stressed that all overseas players are subject to Australian Border Force approval. The T20I series finishes on November 30 and the second Test ends on December 15 in Wellington. The BBL, meanwhile, is expected to begin in the second week of the month.

A significant number of the West Indies squad could be of interest to BBL clubs since it was confirmed there is now room for an extra overseas player, revealed by ESPNcricinfo earlier this week, which will be funded outside of the salary cap.

Kieron Pollard is captain of the T20I side which includes Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer, the latter who is also in the Test group. West Indies Test captain Jason Holder is not part of their T20 set-up but is currently at the IPL and could interest clubs as might fast bowler Kemar Roach who has previously played in the BBL. Andre Russell, who would likely gain plenty of interest, Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis opted out of the New Zealand tour so they would need to go through 14 days quarantine to be part of the BBL. Dwayne Bravo recently withdrew due to an injury sustained at the IPL. The BBL is attempting to attract as many big-name overseas signings as possible to help compensate for the potential absence of more Australian internationals to the larger squads that will be needed this season. They’re also looking to ease tensions with broadcaster Channel Seven, although the postponement of New Zealand’s limited-overs tour in January means there is a clear window in the latter part of the competition. However, given the strains on multi-format players this season, it would appear unlikely the likes of David Warner, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will feature.

“It’s such a fast-changing environment with borders and different considerations.

Our clubs have been really innovative and agile to be able to adjust their recruitment strategies so that [bubble] is a good example of one that’s opened up recently and I know there’s conversations happening,” Alistair Dobson, the head of the BBL, said.

“There’s a unique opportunity to capitalise on it if that’s the way our clubs decide to go, there are a players that are available and suit the contracting strategies. That would

from the BBL players already signed.

The schedule itself is expected to be confirmed shortly after the rubberstamping of the Australia-India fixtures. That tour received government approval on Thursday and is awaiting final BCCI sign-off.

Keiron Pollard is the West Indies T20 Captain and is currently plying his trade in the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians be a great result.”

“I think having the best players in the BBL is always a primary objective of our clubs. You can see by some of the announcements in recent days that they’ve been really ambitious. The third player on the list just adds another dimension, [more] depth and quality to the teams. The types of players we get, there will be some names you know and some up and coming stars.

There’s plenty of history in the BBL of players leaving the competition with much bigger profiles than when they arrived.”

However, while the bubble exists with New Zealand it could be harder to get their own players involved. Pakistan tour after West Indies and though that series finishes on January 7, there is no more international cricket until late February. When the schedule was announced, NZC made specific mention of having their leading names available for the T20 Super Smash, although some could well be attracted across the Tasman.

“One of the silver linings is that our Super Smash competition, which will be played in that window, will now be boosted by the presence of Blackcaps and White Ferns,” David White, the NZC CEO, said last month. “It’s going to be the best Super Smash yet, I’m confident of that.”

Dobson said: “I know there’s some players from New Zealand we’d love to have in the BBL if it lines up. I can see a way for them to be part of it. They’ve got their own commitments at the same time, [so] it all comes down to the unique requirements of each club, borders and contract strategies. But it certainly looks like there’s a unique opportunity this year with that bubble opening.”

Outside of the potential advantages of the New Zealand bubble, Dobson said that all indications were that other overseas players would still require 14 days hard quarantine including the England contingent who will have come from a biosecure series in South Africa. The WBBL players recently completed the same protocols and were not allowed outside of their hotel rooms for that period, but Dobson added he had not received any significant concerns

On Friday, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated that state borders, expect Western Australia’s, could be open again by Christmas which may give the BBL more flexibility with the fixturing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Kapil Dev stable after heart surgery (BBC) - Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has undergone a heart surgery at a hospital in India’s capital Delhi after he complained of chest pain.

A statement from the hospital said that Dev, 61 was admitted on Friday, and was in a stable condition now.

Dev captained India’s World Cup winning team in 1983. He was named

by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002.

Wishes have poured in for the former captain from across India.

The former middle-order batsman and fast bowler is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders to play the game.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery,” tweeted India batsman Shikar Dhawan.

Several other players, including former Test captain Anil Kumble, also wished Dev a speedy recovery.

An all-rounder who was devastating with both bat and ball, Dev took more than 400 wickets and scored more than 5,000 runs in Test cricket. Since retiring, he has coached the Indian side and had

He has scored 3,783 ODI runs, including a top score of 175 not out

which he hit against Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup.

Court of appeal rules in FIFA’s favour –– TTFA to pay legal costs

The former pace bowler and batsman is one of the greatest to play the game various other roles away from cricket, Dev is considered as one of the greatest fast bowlers India has produced.

In total, he took a remarkable 434 Test wickets and 253 one-day international wickets.

With the bat, Dev made 5,248 Test runs, including eight centuries and 27 fifties, at an average of 31.05.

(WIRED868) - IN roughly four minutes, Chief Justice Ivor Archie brought Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president William Wallace’s legal jaunt to a crashing halt, as the court of appeal ruled in favour of Fifa today, and set aside high court Judge Carol Gobin’s verdicts on 13 August and 13 October.

The TTFA was also ordered to pay legal costs for the high court and court of appeal to the tune of one senior counsel and one junior. Archie noted that fellow Justice of Appeal Nolan Bereaux concurred with the final ruling in every respect.

The TTFA was represented by Dr Emir Crowne, Matthew Gayle, Jason Jones and Crystal Paul, while Fifa was represented by Christopher Hamel-Smith SC, Jonathan Walker and Cherie Gopie.

Wallace and his vice-presidents, Clynt Taylor, Susan Joseph-Warrick and Sam Phillip, were removed, according to Fifa, on 13 March 2020, when the Bureau of the Fifa Council—headed by president Gianni Infantino—ordered that the local body would henceforth be run by a Fifa-appointed normalisation committee, due to its parlous financial state.

Wallace initially turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for adjudication; but, after complaining of bias by the Swiss-based body, changed course and filed at the Port of Spain high court instead in May. Gobin subsequently declared that Wallace was entitled to justice from the local courts due to the behaviour of CAS and Fifa and because the TTFA is formed by an act of parliament.

Archie took a decidedly different view today.

“The filing of these proceedings was a breach of article 67 of the TTFA’s Constitution of which the TTFA is bound,” stated the chief justice. “We are of the view that section 67 is unambiguous … The filings of these proceedings were, therefore, ultra vires, null and void and of no effect and will be struck out.”

Article 67, which deals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, states: ‘In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes, any appeal against a final and binding decision passed by Fifa, Concacaf or the leagues shall be heard by the CAS, unless another arbitration tribunal has jurisdiction in accordance with art 69. ‘[…] TTFA shall ensure its full compliance and that of all those subject to its jurisdiction with any final decision

passed by a Fifa body, by a Concacaf body, by the arbitration tribunal recognised by TTFA or by the CAS.’ Archie declared that Gobin was ‘plainly wrong in refusing to stay these proceedings’. He also found the TTFA’s attorneys to be in breach of the laws of Switzerland and the local Civil Proceedings Rules (CPR) by serving Fifa via email.

“There was no reason why the matter should not have been referred to arbitration,” said Archie. “Fifa was ready, willing and able to conduct the arbitration … The decisions of Madame Justice Gobin, dated 13 August 2020 and 13 October 2020, are set aside; and the order granting the declarations dated 13 October 2020 is squashed.”

Wallace revealed earlier that the New City Chambers attorneys were working pro bono, with the TTFA only asked to pay for the necessary filings. The legal costs so far were all borne by the elected officials and their supporters.

However, as a parting gift, Archie made a substantial addition to their tab.

“TTFA will therefore pay Fifa costs for the application in high court as well as this appeal,” said the chief justice, “with the cost of this appeal to be twothirds of the costs assessed below. In both instances, costs are certified fit for one senior [attorney] and one junior.”

Archie did not accept Fifa’s argument that Wallace and his vice-presidents were not authorised to launch the legal proceedings against Fifa in the first place.

“There is no evidence before us to indicate it was not filed in accordance with the constitution of the TTFA,” said Archie.

As a result, the legal bill incurred by today’s crushing defeat could theoretically be passed on the TTFA. Whether it is Wallace and his United TTFA slate or the local football body, the bill would be daunting for either party.

Wallace, Taylor and Phillip are due to meet with the TTFA’s member delegates on Sunday in an extraordinary general meeting to decide the way forward for the local body, which is on a provisional suspension from Fifa at present.

Wallace, in an interview with the Trinidad Newsday yesterday, did not rule out a trip to the privy council if they lost at the court of appeal—although that is likely to be something that TTFA member delegates will have some say on this weekend.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

England’s men agree to pay cuts

(ESPNCRICINFO) - England men’s centrally contracted cricketers have agreed to a 15% pay cut for the 2020-21 season, following an agreement between the ECB and the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP), the body which represents the interests of the men’s international squads.

The decision, which had been widely anticipated in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, comes after the ECB was forced to lay off 20% of its workforce, a total of 62 roles, in response to a financial hit in excess of £100 million for the 2020 season.

Last month, the ECB announced 12 red- and 12 white-ball contracts for the 12-month period from October 1, with five players - Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes - being awarded both.

Previously, a Test contract would have been worth £650,000, and a white-ball deal approximately £275,000 (with some performance and appearance-related elements factored into both) while the players stood to earn a further £14,500 per Test appearance, and £4,500 for each limited-overs match. Joe Root, as the England Test captain, also received a supplement of £175,000.

However, from the outset of the pandemic, England’s players have been conscious of the need to play their part through an unprecedented period of uncertainty, and agreed back in April to make a voluntary contribution of £500,000 to the ECB and

selected good causes - which was the equivalent of a 20% cut to their retainers for the first three months of the season.

According to a report in the Guardian, the agreement this time around is also understood to include a significant reduction in team win bonuses - which range between £44,100 and £176,400 per Test, depending on where the opposition sits in a five-tier system drawn up by the ECB, and between £11,000 and £58,800 in white-ball cricket, with additional bonuses for outright series victories.

“I would like to thank the players and TEPP for their collaboration, which has enabled us to reach this agreement,” Ashley Giles, the England men’s managing director, said. “The relationship with our men’s players and their representatives (TEPP) is strong, and we need to recognise that our players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, have conducted themselves with great maturity and responsibility throughout this challenging time.

“We now want to build on this agreement and work together on a number of areas relating to player welfare, particularly mental health, which remains a high priority for all of us, as we continue to navigate a path through this pandemic.”

Richard Bevan, the TEPP chairman, added: “These are unprecedented times and once again the players have shown that they fully appreciate the important role they play in helping cricket emerge from this pandemic in as

Joe Root talks shop with the England team (Getty Images) strong a position as possible.

In agreeing to this revised remuneration package, they have shown great responsibility and unity with the wider game.

“TEPP would like to place on record our appreciation to the ECB for their cooperative approach in agreeing a way forward throughout these challenging circumstances.”

Meanwhile at county level, Worcestershire have confirmed that they will be taking up the option of the government’s new Job Support scheme, which will run for six months from November 1, with other clubs likely to follow suit.

In a statement, Worcestershire said that they recouped approximately £500,000 after furloughing their staff at the height of the pandemic, an option that was taken by all but two counties this summer.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 24, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel-6839500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Paul Valhaty-120* (King’s XI) (2) 6 centuries

Today’s Quiz: (1) Which wicketkeeper effected most dismissals in IPL 2011?

(2) What was the highest ever partnership for any wicket in IPL 2011?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

GCF to use Gaico Construction funds to boost online chess

THE funds received from long-time sponsors Gaico Construction Inc., will be used by the Guyana Chess Federation to bolster its online chess programme.

On Tuesday, the federation received $300,000 from the construction and general services company.

Chairman of the GCF’s Chess-inSchools Committee Anand Raghunauth noted that the money would be used to help advanced young player.

“The money will be used to get gold membership for an additional 100 children.

On Chesskid.com basic membership is free, gold cost US$50 per child. We got a discount because of bulk purchase so it will cost US $15 per child. We offer this for free to children.”

Along with online tournament access, the Gold Membership would also offer participants tools such as puzzles, videos on advance techniques in the game, endgame positions among other techniques.

Chess has been one of the only sports to soar during the pandemic. Without the need to physically meet, online chess has

become a comfortable for regular players and a needed recreation for new players.

At the simple presentation ceremony on Tuesday, Gaico Construction’s General Manager Mr.Komal Singh expressed great satisfaction in being able to support the efforts of the federation in bringing its chess initiatives to as many persons as possible especially the children.

At this time when most are struggling with finding resources the company views its relationship with the federation as its

civil responsibility to support Guyana’s youths thus ensuring a great future.

The federation, though Raghunauth, also expressed delight in the contribution.

Junior chess in Guyana has grown expeditiously with more than 200 students now a part of the federation’s chess in schools programme.

Parents or representatives of schools who wish to get children involved in chess can contact Anand Raghunauth on 681-8771 or Mr. John Lee on 623-0986 for further details.

Bottas heads second free practice in Portgual (BBC) - Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll escaped punishment following an investigation into a crash during practice at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

The pair collided as Verstappen tried to overtake Stroll after they had raced down the pit straight.

Stewards called both drivers to give evidence and ruled that neither was “wholly or predominantly at fault”.

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was fastest overall in the session from Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton eighth.

Red Bull’s Verstappen swore over the radio immediately after the crash between the two drivers, asking what Stroll, of Racing Point, thought he was doing.

Stroll had passed Verstappen at the final corner of the previous lap. Verstappen attempted to pass back at the start of the next lap, but Stroll turned in.

The stewards’ report said: “Stroll was on a fast lap and was allowed to pass by Verstappen on the lap preceding the incident.

“Given the information from his team and usual practice, Verstappen assumed that Stroll would back off for the next lap and moved to overtake along the main straight.

“However, Stroll was instructed by his team to go for a second flying lap. Stroll assumed that Verstappen would have backed off to gain a gap between them, also in line with usual practice, and so was not looking for the overtaking Verstappen.

“The drivers agreed in the hearing that the incident was the result of a misunderstanding between them and that with hindsight, both

could have contributed to avoid the incident.”

The incident led to one of two red flags in a disrupted session that left teams and drivers with little information on a track that is new to F1.

The first stopped was caused when Pierre Gasly’s Alpha Tauri caught fire.

A mandatory Pirelli tyre test on development tyres for 2021 run in the first half-hour of the session further limited useful running and meant the session was unrepresentative of the true competitive order.

Gasly’s problem interrupted Hamilton’s quick lap on the soft tyres, while Bottas managed to complete his before the session was stopped.

Hamilton did manage to get in another lap before the second red flag, but was 1.3 seconds off the pace.

Bottas had earlier topped the first session, 0.339secs ahead of Hamilton, with Verstappen third.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was third fastest, from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and their team-mates Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari have the latest in a series of aerodynamic upgrades, some developments on their floor being introduced in Portugal following changes to the front of the car at the last two races.

Hamilton, who will break Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of victories if he wins on Sunday said he had enjoyed the Autodromo do Algarve but had had a troubled day.

“Incredibly difficult circuit,” the world

The car of Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri is removed from the circuit during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Portugal at Autodromo Internacional do Algarve on October 23, 2020 in Portimao, Portugal. (Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) champion said. “Massively challenging. The undulations are incredible “A lot of places you can’t see where you’re going - exit of Turn Eight you are looking at the sky for a period of time, also into (Turn) 11 you turn in and you don’t know where you are.

“The surface is very smooth and you see

a lot of people sliding and spinning, not an easy day.

“First practice was probably the better session for me even though the car didn’t feel that great and then we made some changes and it was pretty terrible in P2.

“I need to take a few steps back and see where we went wrong with the set-up.”

Extensive COVID testing for Reggae boys ...

From page 27

we want to ensure that all our players will be going there with a clean bill of health.”

He continued: “It is severe times now because it is not business as usual and so it is going to cost us some money for everyone to do the test, but we haven’t worked out the amount of money it would cost.

“This is something new for them but like I have said before, this is an official kick-off for the campaign, and so this is one of the ways in which we are moving

forward.”

For overseas-based professionals, Wint said the JFF would be relying on the respective clubs to provide testing information but were assured these players were “tested regularly”.

Marquee Reggae Boyz goalkeeper, Andre Blake, who plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, had earlier expressed concern about the JFF travel protocols amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Their clubs will have to provide us

with the scope of their testing within this period, but we know that they are tested regularly,” Wint explained.

“This makes us very happy that we will be able to get through this and to kick-start our (World Cup) campaign and to show the world that we are ready for this and to show that we can co-exist in this pandemic.”

Jamaica are poised to face Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on November 14 and then again three days later, in their first international assignment since the COVID-19

outbreak.

Concerns have been heightened over player health and safety especially with infection rates across the globe – especially in Europe and North America – spiking sharply in recent weeks.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo became the most high profile player to contract the virus while on duty with Portugal recently.

Worldwide, the number of infections have climbed to 42.3 million with deaths standings at 1.1 million.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2020

Campbell braces for New Zealand challenge CMC – Embattled West Indies opener John Campbell says he has put the torrid tour of England behind him but is braced for a similarly difficult challenge on the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

The left-hander struggled badly during the three-Test England series last July, managing a mediocre 84 runs from six innings, to come away with an average of 16.

And with several pundits questioning his inclusion in the 15-man squad, Campbell said he was determined to make amends for his poor recent form.

“I have to show character. I didn’t have the best of times in England, but that’s history,” the Jamaican told the Observer newspaper here.

“I can’t really dwell on what happened … it was way below my standards and international standards, but it happens.

Now it is about how I’m going to come back from it.”

Campbell made his debut last year when England toured the Caribbean, impressing with several good starts in tandem with experienced opening partner Kraigg Brathwaite, but failing to carry on.

He averaged 35 in that series but then struggled with 48 runs in the two-

John Campbell Test series against India been given another opporin the Caribbean, before tunity and I’m definitely gathering his maiden fifty looking to make full use against minnows Afghan- of it. I’m just looking to istan in the one-off Test in finish off this calendar India last November. year well.

Campbell, who aver“It doesn’t make any ages 25 overall from nine sense me being too hard Tests, said it was critical on myself because that will he made the most of the only put more pressure on opportunities against the me, which won’t help.”

Black Caps.

During the recent En“In international cricket gland series, Campbell there is no easy opponent. struggled against the movWhen you get to that level, ing ball, especially against players have a lot of expe- veteran seamers James Anrience and a lot of skill, so derson and Stuart Broad.

I’m expecting another big Since his return to the challenge,” he said Caribbean, he has been “I know it won’t be working on his technique easy, but New Zealand is with franchise coaches a place where if you spend Andre Coley and Nikita time at the crease you will Miller and hopes his efscore runs. I’m definitely forts pay dividends. looking to spend time and “I’m pretty confident to score big runs.” going into the tour, even He continued: “I’ve though the most recent

Extensive COVID testing for Reggae boys before Saudi Arabia friendly CMC – The Jamaican Football Federation has confirmed it will carry out extensive COVID-19 testing of locally-based national players, before the squad leaves for next month’s international friendly doubleheader against Saudi Arabia.

Despite the high financial costs, players are scheduled to undergo a minimum of three tests, with JFF general secretary Dalton Wint highlighting the importance of the squad’s health and stressing the current COVID-19 environment was not “business as usual”.

Jamaica has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with 4 186 active cases and 8 638 infections overall.

There have been 182 deaths.

“They all have to be tested before we depart the island,” the Gleaner here quoted Wint as saying.

“The local players will be tested before they go into camp, and they will be tested during camp, and they will be tested within three days of leaving Jamaica for Saudi Arabia.

“This will be excellent for us because See page 26

tour for me wasn’t the best,” he noted.

“I’ve put in some work over the past few weeks on areas that needed to be [fixed]. I’ve been working pretty hard with the coaches, and I’m trusting the process.

“It’s basically about watching the ball for as long as possible, and getting in good positions to access the ball. I think I was off balance while I was [batting] in England, so I’ve been working hard getting my balance right and my weight right going into the shots.”

Campbell leaves the island on Sunday for Barbados from where the West Indies touring party will fly to New Zealand later next week.

GCF to use Gaico Construction funds to boost online chess See story on page 26

Gaico Construction’s Natasha Lakraj makes the simple presentation to GCF’s Anand Raghunauth.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz are poised to take on Saudi Arabia.

Extensive COVID testing for Reggae boys before See story Saudi Arabia friendly on page 27

Mumbai thump Chennai See story on page 22

Ishan Kishan was the aggressor early on, Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2020, Sharjah, October 23, 2020

Court of appeal See story on page 24 rules in FIFA’s favour –– TTFA to pay legal costs

Chief Justice and JLSC chairman Ivor Archie

Windies squad could provide lucrative BBL signings See story on page 23

Shimron Hetmyer

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020