Guyana Chronicle E-paper 10-4-2020

4th October, 2020

, No.106142

Jordan blames Lawrence’s leadership SEE PAGE 03

–– says feet-dragging contributed to non-payment of allowances to health workers Hundreds better positioned to receive house lots

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Hinterland pupils Gomez, Nasario did well at NGSA

Life returns to Skeldon Estate

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–– 61 retrenched workers rehired, fields being cleared, machines being made operable A tractor ‘hauling’ a water punt through a canal at the Skeldon Estate (Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur photo)

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Motorcyclist dies after triple collision

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

703 persons better positioned to receive house lots –– CEO promises fair distribution of house lots, reasonable prices

By Vishani Ragobeer A TOTAL of 703 persons are now better positioned to receive affordable house

lots, following the assistance provided by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) over the past few days at the

CH&PA CEO, Sherwyn Greaves

Chateau Margot Primary School.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves, told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday that the authority met with 703 persons who had previously applied for house lots and those who were new applicants. Of that sum, more than 300 persons had applied before and were waiting on a house lot -- with one application dating as far back as 1999.

“We took down their information, their contact information and we’ll be contacting them as soon as land becomes available,” Greaves said, highlighting that persons who applied years before will be given priority.

In the recently-approved 2020 Emergency Budget, land preparation for 22 areas

Some of the helpless squatters meeting with Vice-President, Bharat Jagdeo outside of State House on Friday night

Squatters at the Success GuySuCo lands congregate where the bridge they constructed was before it was dismantled (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

A squatter, Loreen Sewsarran

on the East Coast, East Bank, and West Bank Demerara; Linden; Berbice and Essequibo, were approved. Greaves explained previously that these lands had to be prepared with the necessary infrastructure such as roads, electricity and drainage and irrigation.

The land allocations for the residents will fall under this project. The ministry will ensure all the necessary infrastructure for sustainable housing such as roads, electricity, lights, and drainage and irrigation are installed before persons are asked to pay for and occupy these lands. The

distribution will be conducted in a fair manner, with persons who have applied the longest being contacted for lands first.

Additionally, 59 new applications were accepted while more than 300 persons, also applying for the first time, were scheduled to return with the required documents on Saturday (yesterday) and on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

While Greaves highlighted that priority will be given to the persons who applied before, this does not necessarily mean the priority is also extended to the squatters

who are occupying lands that belong to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in Vryheid’s Lust, Success, and Chateau Margot and the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) for some months now.

“I wasn’t particularly looking if this was a squatter or this wasn’t a squatter. I was just looking at if persons have applied before and if we have land available. We’re dealing with them from oldest in,” the CEO said. This, he stressed, is to ensure that there is some fairness in the land allocation process.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Jordan blames Lawrence’s leadership for non-payment of allowances –– says Coalition was ‘booted’ before measures were implemented

THE inability of the former APNU+AFC Government to provide a proper ‘care package’ for health workers was due mainly to the ‘feet-dragging’ by the then Public Health Ministry headed by former minister, Volda Lawrence, said former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan.

His comment comes one day after Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, said Jordan had “flatly, refused and rejected” requests by the then Department of Public Service for increased allowances for healthcare workers, when the Ministry of Finance was sent proposals prior to the change of government in

August.

For approximately two weeks now, public healthcare workers, nurses in particular, have been staging strikes at facilities across the country, including the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three; the Fort Wellington Hospital in Region Five; and the Linden Hospital Complex in Region 10. The nurses are calling for better pay and risk allowances.

In response to Minister Parag’s comment about the allowances, Jordan, in a letter, said: “The payment of a COVID Risk Allowance (CRA) was my idea. Yes,

you heard correctly: It was my idea.

“It arose out of an earnest conversation I had with a nurse of the GPHC. I was struck by the passion with which she represented the plight of nurses in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic… among the issues she raised with me were the absence of PPEs and cleaning agents, the absence of security in the triage area, exposure to COVID-positive patients, the lack of transportation from their homes to the hospital and vice versa during the curfew hours, the absence of counselling for nurses and their families, and payment of an allowance for the in-

703 persons better positioned ...

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One of the makeshift bridges constructed so that persons can access the lands (Vishani Ragobeer photo)

AFFORDABLE It was reported in some sections of the media that Guyanese may soon be paying less than $100,000 for some categories of low income lots, in keeping with the Government’s promise of affordable housing.

When asked about this, Greaves related that the authority has not yet settled on a fixed price as yet. However, he assured, “We’re trying to give out house lots as cheap as possible to meet the needs of people.”

He also assured that the sometimes exorbitant prices of house lots, under the previous administration, would be revisited.

SQUATTERS’ PLIGHT While the CEO indicated that there is no priority being given to the squatters on the ECD lands, the squatters took their plight to State House where they were able to meet with Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo. It was reported that the former President said

that these persons are likely to have a meeting with the subject ministers.

However, in a statement issued to the media, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said that he had met with these squatters before and urged them to desist from squatting on the GuySuCo lands. He also encouraged them to apply for house lots through the ministry.

One squatter, Lucy Moore has been living in Success since March. She was living with her mother and her four children, but was forced to move because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I applied for land since 2004 but when I go back in March there was no record of my application so I had to reapply,” she said. “I just tired and fed up. We want to stay here and we don’t want to move.”

Exacerbating the situation, however, is that these lands were used for GuySuCo’s research on the cane crop. The lands cleared by

the squatters resulted in the loss of an estimated two billion future cash flows and an unquantifiable amount of data and research.

Still, the squatters bemoan that they have no other option.

“I just doing this for my chirren them, we don’t have nowhere to go,” another squatter, Loreen Sewsarran, said. She was a squatter who was hit by the police pellets during a standoff with the police and the squatters on Wednesday.

These squatters have been given up to Monday to vacate the GuySuCo lands they are occupying.

Already, the bridge connecting the GuySuCo lands where the squatters are to the rest of Success has been dismantled but the squatters have since erected a makeshift bridge made from pieces of wood and tree branches to get to their temporary houses.

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag

Former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan

Former Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence

creased risks they faced.”

Jordan said the Ministry of Finance was ready to provide assistance in these areas, but Lawrence never acted on his offer.

The former minister said he contacted Lawrence via Whatsapp on April 5, 2020, outlining the issues raised and urged that these matters be addressed quickly.

“I offered the Ministry of Finance’s help to prevent a crisis from developing, including the pay-

ment of a risk allowance to frontline workers. Yes, I am able to include that quotation because I still have all of the Whatsapp communication,” said the former minister of finance.

Jordan went on to claim that the Coalition Government had made a “major payout” of over $900 million in increased allowances to the health sector, something which workers told Jordan they never received.

Following this “discov-

ery”, Jordan said he immediately recommended that the Ministry of Public Health look into the issue and ensure that health workers benefit from the “2019 increases”.

He said the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Colette Adams and Director of the Office of the Budget (DOB) were charged with the responsibility of putting a package together.

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Food loss and waste

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

–– must be reduced for greater food security and environmental sustainability

At the global event marking the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and their partners urged everyone to do more to reduce food loss and waste or risk an even greater drop in food security and natural resources.

Some 690 million people today are hungry and three billion cannot afford a healthy diet. Hunger has been on the rise for the past five years, and the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the food and nutrition security of up to an additional 132 million of people. On top

of that, we are faced with an ecosystem decline and the consequences of climate change.

Yet, food continues to be lost and wasted. This year we have witnessed an increase in food loss and waste as a result of movement and transport restrictions due to the pandemic.

COVID-19 aside, however, each year about 14 per cent of the world's food is lost before even reaching the market. Food loss is valued at $400 billion annually - about the GDP of Austria. On top of this comes food waste, for which new estimates are coming out early 2021.

When it comes to environmental impact, food loss and

waste generate eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Food loss occurs from farm up to and excluding retail, whilst food waste occurs at retail, food service and household level.

Causes range from poor handling, inadequate transport or storage, lack of cold chain capacity, extreme weather conditions to cosmetic standards, and a lack of planning and cooking skills among consumers.

Simply put, reducing food lost or wasted means more food for all, less greenhouse gas emissions, less pressure on the environment, and increased productivity and economic growth.

INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGIES AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE "Food loss and waste is a big challenge of our time," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, urging for stronger partnerships, more public and private investments in training for smallholder farmers, technology and innovation to step up the fight against food loss and waste as "our planet is a

Sunday, October 4, 2020 -- 05:30 & 7:00 HRS

Globally around 14 percent of the world’s food is lost before even reaching the market. Farmer harvesting beans in Kenya (FAO photo)

small boat in the universe".

"Innovative postharvest treatment, digital agriculture and food systems and re-modelling market channels offer huge potential to tackle the challenges of food loss and waste. We have just built a partnership with IBM, Microsoft and the Vatican to empower Artificial Intelligence in all these areas," added Qu. Inger Andersen, Exec-

utive Director of UNEP, encouraged governments to make food loss and waste part of national climate strategies.

"Only 11 countries have so far included food loss in their Nationally Determined Contributions. None of them included food waste.

By including food loss and waste and sustainable diets in revised climate plans, policymakers can improve their mitigation and adaptation from food systems by as much as 25 percent," said Andersen.

Calling food loss and waste "an ethical outrage" given that so many people go hungry, António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, in a message sent in support of the Day, urged everyone to play their part in tackling this issue - from countries setting a reduction target and measuring their food loss and waste and policy action in this area being included in climate plans under the Paris Agreement to businesses taking a similar approach and individuals shopping carefully, storing food correctly, and using leftovers.

The need for everyone to come together and step up efforts to reduce food loss and waste, including through innovation, technologies and education, to shift behavioural norms away from waste, to measure and track progress, as well as work towards increasing the availability of food and reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production - topics to be explored in depth at the 2021

Food System Summit - were echoed by speakers and panel discussion participants from the UN, European Commission, private and public sectors, agriculture ministries of developing and developed countries, farmers', markets' and consumers' organisations and associations, academia and chefs.

SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE FOOD LOSS AND WASTE Solutions to stem food loss and waste include: good data to know where in the value chain the major hot spots of food loss and waste are; applying innovation for example, e-commerce platforms for marketing or retractable mobile food processing systems; government incentives to bolster private sector food loss and waste action and collaboration across supply chains; investments in training, technology and innovation, including for small-scale producers; better food packaging and relaxing on regulations and standards on aesthetic requirements for fruit and vegetables; behaviours that value and make the most of food at home; redistributing safe surplus food to those in need through food banks; facilitating farmer's access to consumers and shorter value chains through farmers markets and rural urban linkages; and investing more to strengthen infrastructure and logistics, including sustainable cold chains and cooling technologies.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Alternative Energy ALL over the world the impacts of climate change are devastating, even sometimes obliterating entire nations. Of recent times we have witnessed the catastrophic Hurricane Michael in the US; Cyclone Titli in India; Hurricane Leslie in Portugal, tsunami and mudslides in Indonesia; nearer home in Haiti and other Caribbean countries. Global warming is real and is immediate, so solutions to effect impactful reductions of carbon emissions are a dire fundamental prerequisite to man’s survival on planet earth; even to survival of planet earth itself The extant imperative is to address the climate-change phenomenon with alacrity if we are to leave a sustaining and sustainable earth for future generations.

According to a CNN report, high up in the Eastern Himalayas is one of the greenest countries in the world. While many nations are struggling to reduce their carbon emissions, the Kingdom of Bhutan is already carbon negative because it takes more greenhouse gases from the atmo-

sphere than it emits.

Sandwiched between China and India, Bhutan spans approximately 14,800 square miles. Its vast woodlands cover approximately 70 per cent of the country and act as a natural carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide.

As a result, according to its own figures, this nation of around 750,000 people removes nearly three times as much CO2 as it produces.

Guyana is also a net carbon sink because of vast forests and the fact that our hinterland dwellers – our indigenous peoples, have for centuries preserved our eco-systems through living in harmony with nature and the natural habitat of Guyana’s multitudinous, multifarious denizens of the forest – our relatively unscathed flora and fauna.

The developed world primarily emits more CO2 each year than developing nations. Many regions in developing nations are currently engaged in frenzied efforts to reforest lands that have become deserts through centuries of deforestation, denuding

their countries of the protection of their respective country's rich natural environment.

Experts are warning that earth has only up to 2030 to stem and reverse carbon positivity.

The carbon-negative countries in the world are mostly heavily forested and undeveloped and they are currently the lungs of the world.

Environmental protection should be enshrined in the constitution of every nation in order to maintain forest cover to withstand climate-change challenges.

In our little corner of the earth our country's growth and its manufacturing sector are being stymied because of our dependence on fossil fuels to generate electricity. We have the capacity to generate energy from hydro, solar and windpower.

We can produce enough hydroelectricity to even sell to neighbouring countries, which could also offset tons of annual CO2 emissions.

The manufacturing and entrepreneurial world especially, as well as private users of energy have suffered greatly from

the costly and inefficient power supply that decimates morale and profits; and Guyana’s plans to embark on various strategies to address this malady that is regressive and which greatly impedes the manufacturing and productive sectors is welcomed by the private sector.

Gafsons is one corporate giant that embraced alternative energy by shifting its base to a new location in Mc Doom where that company has re-built from scratch so as to incorporate solar power in its entire complex.

According to Gafsons’ CEO, Sattaur Gafoor: “This is just our initial foray into going green because we recognise, as we have always done, that our corporate responsibilities extend beyond profits as investment into our human capital boosts morale, motivation and, eventually, greater successes in entrepreneurial endeavours and achievements.”

Guyana’s greenhouse gas emissions would not exceed the carbon sequestered by its forests for generations; and our LCDS sets a unique precedent that is being emulated by other nations

and our country will remain carbon negative if it maintains its current levels of forest cover.

Mr. Gafoor asserts: “… the private sector has a major role to play as we need to devise ways and means to effect operational changes to make our sector – individually and collectively, a force for change that can simultaneously generate profits and carbon credits through the recognition that, unless we respect our environment and work in synchronisation with nature, then nature itself would factor into destructive dynamics that will – directly and indirectly, lead to the eventual Armageddon of mankind’s existence.

“We are leaders of industry, and we have to explore and initiate strategies to remain carbonnegative because humans caused the problems, and the problem resolution resides in our own efforts.”

Guyana’s LCDS was conceptualised and promoted, to much acclaim, at various world fora by the current Vice-president, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

GPSU unfair to new government; playing politics with nation’s health Dear Sir, THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is being unfair to the new government, encouraging its members to call in sick, engaging in daily protests, and contemplating strike action, at such a time as this.

To be fair, the government as soon as it got in, said it would give a hardship allowance to nurses and took its $150 million proposal to parliament to be approved. This was a good start and a show of good faith.

But the union couldn’t wait for parliament to approve the budget and started to engage in protest action, without initiating discussions and negotiations.

To give Jack his jacket, the government has already begun to enact several pro-people, pro-worker measures, rolling back almost 200 taxes; restoring water subsidies to pensioners; making it easier for pensioners to receive their pensions; giving out COVID cash grants and student grants; asking squatters to apply for house lots, etc. I do not recall the GTUC or GPSU praising the government for such goodwill in honouring election promises. Much has been accomplished in a short time. The government has committed to pro-worker measures in its labour policy, social services, and it is working on reopening the sugar estates so these productive enterprises can produce wealth to finance raises and better benefits for nurses

and all public service workers. The GPSU therefore, would be hard pressed to explain why its strike action at a time of great national health emergency in this COVID era, is not a political calculation to destabilise the new government it does not support.

The records show that the PNC government refused the PSU’s requests for hardship allowances, but the GPSU did not engage in any industrial action against the PNC. It waited for the PPP to come in and without initiating discussions and exhausting the grievance and collective bargaining process, is holding the country to ransom. To take such action with a COVID emergency is not only reckless, it is medical terrorism against the nation.

The GPSU’s history is one where it has been aligned with the PNC and is willing to be the PNC’s lapdog over the years. It is a leading part of the labour faction that does not support the PPP. The GPSU’s leadership should not use the nurses as pawns in its political games, and nurses should not be misled by those with a clearly political destabilisation agenda.

The government must take whatever measures necessary to send a signal that unions must follow the rules and put the national interest first. Shame on the GPSU. Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

PNC gov’t never fond of press freedom and democracy Dear editor,

THE world remembers the brutal slaying and kidnapping of U.S. journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a sad, disgusting and inhumane act, cowardly perpetrated by destabilisers of democracy and those who are committed to denying the freedom of the press. Khashoggi wanted to expose the fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming of people who dare to speak their minds. It is acclaimed that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi government agents at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 (the same day that the world was celebrating the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who represents truth, peace and non-violence in today’s global environment). Initially, officials in Riyadh insisted that the journalist had left the building alive. After almost three weeks of denial, they acknowledged that Khashoggi was murdered but portrayed the assassination as a rogue operation of which the country’s top leaders were not aware. In Washington, the killing sparked outrage in Congress, which blamed the assassination on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed

bin Salman. On the eve of the second anniversary of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, several American legislators are calling for justice for the slain journalist and berating President Donald Trump for shielding Saudi Arabia’s rulers from accountability.

At a virtual event hosted by the Washington-based Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) on Tuesday, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives vowed to stress human rights in America’s relations with Riyadh.

President Trump has embraced Saudi Arabia’s rulers instead of criticising them over their human rights violations, including the murder of Khashoggi and the war in Yemen that has killed more than 100,000 (one hundred thousand) people. Congressman Tom Malinowski, a former human rights campaigner and assistant secretary of state under President Barack Obama, said Washington’s ties to Riyadh should be based on interests and values. Over the past two years, Congress has passed several resolutions to push back against Saudi Arabia, including measures to end U.S. support for the kingdom’s war in Yemen and halt an arms deal with Riyadh -- bills that

were vetoed by Trump. On Thursday, Malinowski said he is confident that these measures will become law if Democratic candidate Joe Biden beats Trump next month.

Meanwhile, over in Russia, Nizhny Novgorod, a city of 1.2 million people, about 380 kilometres (235 miles) east of Moscow, the editor of a Russian news website, Irina Slavina, died after setting herself on fire outside a regional police headquarters Friday, a day after officers searched her residence. The nature of the search was uncertain, but, it was reported that she left a message on Facebook saying her death should be blamed on Russian authorities. Slavina had written on social media on Thursday that police and federal guards burst into her flat in an early-morning raid. She said they were searching for evidence of links to Open Russia, an opposition movement funded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky that has been ruled undesirable by the authorities, amid allegations that it funded protests in the city. The site became inaccessible shortly afterwards.

Her death prompted tributes from journalists and activists including rights advocate Pavel Chikov, who wrote on the Telegram messenger that

he had worked with her twice when she was charged with disrespecting the authorities and publishing fake news. Local news website NN.ru reported that people were holding a vigil in Slavina’s memory on a city street, with one man holding a placard saying, “the state kills.”

Across the Asian continent in Islamabad, Pakistan also is consumed with human rights issues and questionable democratic freedom. As per the Associated Press, retired university professor Mohammad Ismail said he has a number of court appearances this month after an anti-terrorism court charged him, his wife and daughter with involvement in two suicide attacks, one in 2013 and one in 2015. His wife and their daughter, who has already fled to America after being targeted by the country’s powerful military for her investigations into human rights abuses by soldiers, also include charges against the 66-year-old Ismail and his family for an allegation by Pakistan’s civilian investigation agencies lodged with an anti-terrorist court in the northwest city of Peshawar.

It alleges that a donation to his daughter’s children’s charity, Aware Girls, was spent on cars that were used as suicide bombs. Aware Girls fights discrimination and abuse of girls

and women. Gulalai Ismail went into hiding and eventually fled the county after Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agency, known by its acronym ISI, accused her of sedition because of a report she and other rights workers published allegations of soldiers sexually harassing women and girls in Pakistan’s tribal regions. Advocacy groups have also been critical of a heavy-handed approach to journalists who write critically of the military, which is widely considered to be the power behind the country’s civilian government. The Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists have issued a number of statements in recent weeks. Most recently the federation was critical of sedition charges against journalists Asad Toor, Bilal Farooqi and Absar Alam “for publishing allegedly ‘objectionable’ and ‘derogatory’ material online. The journalists’ federation called on authorities to “reign [sic] in the broad powers of this Act to ensure no journalists are charged solely for criticising government officials and institutions.”

Back in Guyana, freedom of the press was always subject to discrimination and the democratic rights thwarted under the PNCR government. The national

press, media, TV and radio were all controlled and used by the PNCR government for propaganda advertisements. As recently as March 2020 during the election, reporters and journalists were hassled, their presence was controlled and their autonomy was limited. Back in the Burnhamite days, publications with opposing views were demolished and demoralised. Reporters and journalists feared for their lives and Father Darke, editor for the Catholic newspaper, was murdered by the House of Israel thugs, affiliated to the PNC, in broad daylight.

Importation of papers was reduced and denied and circulation of news was at a risk. Organised thugs by the PNC roamed the streets and venues, ensuring that cameras and recording devices were forcefully taken away and destroyed (in the presence of the police), while many journalists suffered great physical injuries and their presence was not welcomed. Guyanese should ensure that those dark and ugly days never return to visit this land.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Route 44 mini-buses becoming a nuisance Dear Sir,

I TAKE this opportunity to pen this small missive to the police department and also to positive citizens of this country, Guyana. I am calling upon our citizens to report to the police, with photographs and videos, incidents of breach of the stopping procedures by bus drivers, specifically route 44 mini-buses plying the Mahaica/Georgetown route.

I have observed that these drivers have a tendency of stopping abruptly in the traffic lane to pick up passengers or drop them off without pulling closer to the curb or road

shoulder, subsequently causing substantial delays to the other vehicles behind them.

This annoying habit of theirs can also cause severe injuries to passengers embarking and disembarking from these mini-buses and, worse, could lead to death. This issue typically happens mainly between Mahaica and Sparendaam. From there, the mode switches from worst to better towards Georgetown.

Moreover, due to the improper stopping of these buses, the traffic stream decreases and forced lane changes increase. In other words, improper stopping causes vehicles to queue behind stopped buses and more of-

ten than not, forces unsafe overtaking of these buses.

There is always a danger of entering the lane with the oncoming traffic in order to pass someone. Dangers such as: miscalculation of how much time you have to overtake the stopped minibus, or miscalculation of the speed you need to overtake them safely, or failure to see oncoming traffic either from road bends, sunshine, darkness, fog, etc.

Recently, I was travelling up the East Coast of Demerara, in the Unity area, where the exact thing occurred, whereby a young lady could have met her fatal demise if she was not cautious enough

to avoid the apprehending danger. It was this incident, among others, that inspired me to pen this missive.

It is unfortunate that these mini-bus drivers fail to see the risks they are imposing on other drivers and passengers.

They must understand that no person shall stop a vehicle in such a manner as to impede or render dangerous the use of our roadways by others. Failure to adhere to some of the rules that our roads allow may result in head-on collisions that could be fatal.

To overcome this irritant, I am of the opinion that the police should set drastic measures in place to deal with such breaches. Measures

such as: 1. Passengers and the general population should be encouraged to report such instances with photos and videos through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or any medium where such can be easily and effectively communicated.

2. The vehicles can be hauled to the police station, so as to inconvenience the driver and conductor for an entire day, with traffic tickets being issued so as to deter reccurences.

3. The police can send off their press releases and mount serious patrols in the area in marked vehicles to create a fair tactic, and also

unmarked vehicles to capture offenders.

In closing, respected editor, I wish to make it pellucid that I am a Guyanese who genuinely love my country. I have an eye for these things; things that could threaten human lives and circumstances on the highways, canals, drains, and rivers. I write these words not because I want to give mini-bus drivers a tough time, but because I hope for a Guyana where our roads will become much safer for all.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Chaman Lal increased linkage between India and Guyana Dear Editor, I TRAVELLED to India frequently from 1985 onwards. I developed association with countless individuals in India – prime ministers, presidents, ministers, governors, political leaders, and others. One that impressed me the most for his simplicity, helpfulness, and caring for Indians outside of India was none of the above. He was Chaman Lal, a non-politician, who was born in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1920 in what was then united British India.

He helped developed closer links between India and Guyana and other countries.

Chaman Lal truly cared for and had compassion for overseas Indians, the term then used by India for people of Indian descent outside of the country including Indo-Guyanese. (The term Indian diaspora was not in vogue, although it was used by my university colleagues in the early 1980s and later coined and institutionalised by Ravi Dev and myself at a meeting in 1987, when we were part of a group of academics organising the Fourth Conference of Indians overseas to commemorate the 150th anniversary since the arrival of Indians in the Caribbean. That conference, organised by myself and others, was held at Columbia University in July 1988).

This year is Chaman Lalji’s birth centenary and I use it to pay tribute to him. I

never met great figures like Gandhi, Nehru, Mandela, King, etc. I only read about them. I was privileged to meet PMs and presidents of countless countries including Jagan, Panday, Kamla, Lachmon (Suriname), Jugnauth (Mauritius), Chaudhry (Fiji), etc. None was as humble and simple as Chaman Lal-ji.

He was the most remarkable person I have ever met. Every Guyanese, “Trini”, Fijian, Mauritiusian, Surinamese, and African Indian who met Chaman Lal uttered similar remarks about this unsung hero. Even Indians within India said the same about him.

He was held in high esteem

by PMs, presidents, ministers, chief ministers, and others who knew him. Some like Vajpayee and Advani and several others credited him for their rise to high office.

Before I went to India in 1985, I was advised by community activist Dr. Mukund Mody of Staten Island to meet Chaman Lal who was head of an organisation in Delhi. I did. He pulled out a book of names of correspondents and visitors of other Guyanese and “Trinis” and of individuals and organisations in Mauritius, Fiji, Africa, America, etc. Chaman Lal had led a division of an organisation that championed the welfare of overseas Indians and his role was to maintain correspondence with them. He had travelled to several countries but not Caribbean. However, he knew a lot about Indians in the Caribbean and the difficulties of

life in Guyana during the 1970s and 1980s when basic goods were banned, impacting the practices of religious faiths and diet. He called on the Indian government to raise the issue of violation of human rights in Guyana.

Chaman Lal was the top student in graduate school, winning the gold medal as top graduate for his MS in Botany at age 21. He joined the Quit India movement that advocated for India’s independence.

When India became independent in August 1947, he had a falling out with Nehru for formally breaking the link with overseas Indians. Nehru told overseas Indians repeatedly that they must become immersed in the affairs of the nation where they were located. He said that India lacked the resources to address the problems facing overseas Indians. He told them they should not look towards India for help on problems they faced and that they should resolve their own problems.

There was a division in the Congress government camp on Nehru’s policy towards overseas Indians. Many opposed Nehru’s position, but they lost out to Nehru who was head of the government.

Chaman Lal and other Hindu nationalists broke with Nehru and the Congress government’s position on overseas Indians. Chaman Lal was of the view that overseas Indians are children of India and that they supported and stood with those who struggled for

India’s independence. He felt India should treat overseas Indians as citizens and have an open-door policy towards them. He felt India should champion their welfare and interests and speak out against their mistreatment. Chaman Lal held on to his position till his death in 2003. He started a campaign of linkage with overseas Indian organisations and individuals and began advocating for benefits and opportunities for overseas Indians including scholarships for them to study in India. His advocacy led to Guyanese and others having academic scholarships to study in India and cultural groups coming to perform in Guyana. Chaman Lal called for Indian government representatives to be stationed in Guyana and other territories where there were large numbers of Indians to look into their welfare and for cultural exchanges with them.

Although Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Fiji, etc. were still colonial territories, not politically independent, India stationed cultural representatives in several of them or sent commissions to look into the welfare of Indians. Chaman Lal ramped up communications with overseas Indians and encouraged greater linkage and cultural exchanges.

Whenever overseas Indians visited India, he would meet them and tried to provide hospitable treatment. He met Cheddi Jagan in Delhi after he was toppled from office in 1953, and in subsequent trips.

Chaman Lal was largely responsible for establishing a huge centre in old Delhi that accommodated hundreds.

Several Guyanese visited him there beginning in the early 1970s; some stayed at that centre. Ravi Dev, Swami Aksharnand, Pt. Vikash and several other pandits and activists met Chaman Lal. They all lauded his character and behaviour towards overseas Indian visitors. He lived a very frugal and austere life and discouraged wasteful expenditures. He encouraged us to stay at his centre rather than in expensive hotels. He urged use of public transport rather than taxis. He knew virtually how to get anywhere in Delhi, a massive city, with public bus (about one rupee or a couple cents per ride). He shared everything he had with visitors in his office which also served as his bedroom and living room in a building that hosts hundreds that he helped to establish.

Chaman Lal was very articulate in Indian diaspora affairs. He did his work very quietly. He was the man behind the scenes. He never sought public attention or credit for what he did. He loved people, and people loved him. It’s no surprise that when he died, many leading political figures came to pay tribute – among who were the PM (Vajpayee), deputy PM (Advani), and members of the cabinet.

Even at the cremation site, Vajpayee and Advani went to pay last respects to his body

on the burning pyre. Chaman Lal made them who they were. (Once I wanted to meet Advani to discuss an issue pertaining to Guyana. Chaman Lal phoned Advani’s Home Affair’s Ministry and sought an appointment for me but was told Advani was out of town.

Minutes later, Advani, who had gone to Kashmir, phoned back. That is an example of the respect politicians had for Chaman Lal. He got anything he requested. He was very close to Advani and Vajpayee, and he recognised the leadership potential of Narendra Modi supporting his appointment as general-secretary and later as chief minister of Gujarat in 2001.

It was through the quiet work of Chaman Lal that Guyana was able to receive so much assistance from India under the government of Vajpayee in the late 1990s and continuing until this day.

And off course, Guyanese in the diaspora from New York lobbied Chaman Lal, Vajpayee, Advani, and others for increased assistance to Guyana.

Chaman Lal dedicated his life to serving India and overseas Indians and cementing ties between India and diasporic countries.

In death, his memory still inspires many to engage in voluntary service to serve mankind. The institutions he established continue to serve visitors from Guyana.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The Essential Services Act prohibits strikes and lockouts Dear editor, THE Essential Act provides for an Arbitration Tribunal for the settlement of disputes in essential ser-

vices. This act requires the limiting of industrial action in the essential services and prohibits strikes and lockouts in such undertakings and services unless certain procedures are fol-

lowed in trade disputes in essential services as listed in the schedule to the act, including all services in connection with the public hospitals owned and operated by the government;

TRADE DISPUTE PROCEDURE Trade disputes in any essential service are to be reported to the minister by any of the relevant employers’ organisations, employer

or trade union on behalf of workers who are parties to the dispute. The dispute may also be reported to the minister by any other organisation not directly involved in negotiations in which the dispute exists or was apprehended.

The minister may: * if satisfied that there is suitable machinery of negotiation or arbitration for the settlement of the dispute, and that such machinery has not been exhausted, refer the matter for settlement to that machinery, or refer the dispute to the Tribunal, if not settled within 10 days of such reference to such suitable machinery; * take such steps as are expedient to promote the settlement of the dispute or may refer the matter for settlement by the Tribunal within one month from the date on

which the matter was first reported to the Minister of Labour by any other organisation not directly involved in the negotiations.

ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL The Tribunal established under this Act is the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal (the Tribunal) consisting of the following persons appointed by the minister: * three appointed members, one of whom shall be appointed as the chairman; * two other members, one of whom shall be chosen to represent employers and the other to represent employees; * panels of persons chosen to represent employers and employees respectively shall be constituted by the minister after consultations TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Food loss and ...

In many countries a large proportion of produce is lost during transportation. To address this, FAO has introduced improved, sustainable bulk packaging (in the form of stackable and nestable plastic crates), along with good post-harvest management practice, to transport fresh produce in a number of Southern and South-eastern Asian countries. The use of crates during transport has reduced losses of vegetables and fruits by up to 87 per cent.

Where crates replaced single-use plastic bags, this has also brought environmental benefits. (Source SOFA 2019, p. 36) UNEP, together with

high-level coalition Champions 12.3, has developed a Target-Measure-Act approach to food loss and waste reduction. The United Kingdom, a pioneer of this approach, has achieved a 27 percent reduction in post-farm gate food loss and waste per capita by 2018 relative to its 2007 baseline, making it the first country in the world to have advanced more than halfway towards the achievement of SDG 12.3. Good data has helped the UK to make the case for action, together with an effective public-private partnership to facilitate cross supply chain collaboration, leveraging innovation in food promotion, labeling, and

FROM PAGE

design, and a long-standing public behaviour change campaign, with re-doubled efforts and impacts on household food behaviours during the global pandemic.

Several companies including Tesco (Central Europe), Campbell, and Arla Foods have achieved food loss and waste reductions of more than 25 percent-suggesting that achieving the target is possible for companies, too.

A new African Centre of Excellence for sustainable cooling and cold chain based in Rwanda is helping get farmers' produce to market quickly and efficiently - reducing food waste, boosting profits and creating jobs.

Elsewhere, young en-

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trepreneurs like Isaac Sesi who spoke at the event - also fight food loss with innovation. Sesi and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss at Kansas State University are providing farmers in Ghana - Isaac's home country with an affordable moisture meter called GrainMate, which measures the moisture content of maize and other grains, helping farmers ensure the grains are sufficiently dried and tackle the main cause of post-harvest loss in grain - insufficient drying before storage, which creates conditions for fungal growth, contamination and insect infestation.

Food loss and waste - facts and figures * In terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the food that is lost is associated with around 1.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent every year. * UNEP will publish new country level food waste estimates at retail, food service and household level in its Food Waste Index report, early in 2021, and a common methodology for food waste measurement at national level on World Food Day, October 16th 2020. * Studies commissioned by FAO before the pandemic estimate that on-farm losses in sub-Saharan Africa for fruits and vegetables are up to 50 percent, the highest in the world. For cereals and pulses, the on-farm losses are up to 18 percent, equal highest in the world with parts of Asia. * Reducing food loss early in the supply chain - on the farm - in countries with high levels of food insecurity is likely to yield the strongest positive result for greater food security. * Many countries deal with the growing demand for food by increasing agricultural production without reducing food loss and waste, and, thereby, exacerbating pressure on the environment and increasingly scarce natural resources.

Jordan blames Lawrence’s leadership ...

CRITICAL INFORMATION NOT PROVIDED “I maintained an abiding interest in ensuring that the exercise would be concluded speedily. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Critical information was not provided in a timely manner, as MPH staff seemed preoccupied with getting the COVID hospital completed, among other matters. Where information was provided, it was partial and, in some cases, useless to the exercise at hand,” Jordan lamented.

In the absence of these and other critical pieces of information, the package could not be prepared, so Lawrence was unable to present it to “Cabinet” for approval.

It was, however, a little

too late for any action, as the Coalition Government was “booted” from office on August 2, 2020, the same day Jordan said Lawrence committed to coordinating assistance for health workers.

Minister Parag has since pointed out that it was with the change of administration that the new administration, without being approached, allocated $150 million to the frontline workers.

“Due to financial constraints this is what we are able to offer now, we are offering $150 million for frontline workers and when the budget has been passed and released, we can disburse the money to the frontline workers so that they can benefit from that,” Parag noted.

POLITICALLY -INSTIGATED Parag said that she believes the healthcare workers are being politically instigated, given that no action was taken in the past, notwithstanding the union for the healthcare workers, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), having had their requests denied.

“There was no protest action, that is what surprises me so today, because at that time when that was flatly refused, no action was taken whatsoever, no threats were made either. I find it strange that protest action is being brought now by the nurses,” Parag pointed out.

Parag reminded that it has been only just two months since the new administration

The Essential Services Act...

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with the relevant representative organisations.

Members chosen to represent employers and employees at any sitting of the tribunal shall be selected from these panels by the minister; * members of the Tribunal hold office for two years and may be re-appointed; * the secretary of the Tribunal is a public officer appointed by the minister; * the employer and employee representatives and one other member constitute a quorum at any sitting of the tribunal; * where the members of the tribunal are evenly divided in respect of their decision, the matter shall be disposed of as the chairman or other member presiding shall determine.

The tribunal regulates its own proceedings.

Prohibition of Lockouts and Strikes > Strikes and lockouts are prohibited in connection with any trade dispute in the essential services unless: > the dispute has been reported by a person or an organisation not directly involved in the negotiation in which the dispute exists; > one month has elapsed since the date of the report; and > the dispute has not during that time been referred by the minister for settlement by the tribunal.

Terms of Reference and Award > The minister determines the terms of reference for the tribunal, and

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the tribunal enquires into the matters referred to it and reports to the minister. > The tribunal makes its awards and furnishes its advice as the case may be to the minister without delay and where practicable, within 21 days from the date of reference. > Any agreement, decision, or award made under this Act shall be binding on employers and workers, and shall be an implied term of the contract between the employer and workers as applicable.

Yours respectfully, Samuel J. Goolsarran

has taken over Government, and in that time measures have been taken to make circumstances better for the healthcare workers across the country, even as the Government tries to find a way to provide for all Guyanese.

In adding his voice to the issue, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had said: “We are looking at assistance in the housing programme, not only increases in salary… better

working conditions, better add-on benefits… nurses with children would benefit from the cash incentive, the cash grants, they will benefit from the uniform allowance, and the removal of VAT on electricity and water.”

Government, in the recently-presented 2020 Budget has allocated some $150 million for frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The President said he understands that every category of worker wants more, and wants better.

And, he assured that the government has better to deliver, and that the authorities are committed to ensuring that all categories of workers have a better standard of living, better opportunities, and greater prospects in the future.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Life returns to Skeldon Estate

–– 61 retrenched workers rehired, fields being cleared, machines being made operable

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur WITH funding made available from Central Government to facilitate the re-opening of the closed sugar estates, some 61 persons have been rehired so far at the Skeldon Estate, while another 400plus have registered to be re-employed as of last Wednesday.

This is according to Estate Manager Vishnu Panday, who has been tasked with re-opening and making the Skeldon Estate, which was once considered the single largest investment in the country, profitable.

Panday, who has a wealth of experience in various departments of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), having served as general manager, consultant and board member, is optimistic that the Skeldon Estate can

fulfill its initial objective of producing 100,000 tonnes of sugar.

“I know the estate; I know what is required to be done. I have been fortunate to serve in many locations in GuySuCo; I know what has to be done here with regards to re-establishing canes in the cultivation... I believe we have the support and cooperation of not only the Government but the employees,” he said. “We need a national conviction; if we have a common desire and goal, we can make it successful. I am confident and optimistic that we can turn this around,” he added.

According to Panday, everyone has to believe and take ownership of their roles, noting that there must be no segregation or divisiveness, but all working towards a common goal of making the estate and, by extension, the

industry profitable, since their livelihood depends on its success.

The estate, when operational, will require no less than 1,500 employees, Panday said, as given its size, 70 per cent of the cane required for the factory will come from the 9,000 hectares under its control, and another 5,000 hectares from private farmers.

Currently, persons are being hired on a needs basis, with priority given to retrenched workers.

Arjune Latchman

Skeldon Estate General Manager, Vishnu Panday

NEEDS BASIS Seven persons have been hired to function at the level of management. All of them were retrenched under the former administration. The other persons that have been recruited are skilled persons and labourers.

When this publication visited the Skeldon Estate,

A tractor clearing a field of burnt sugar cane at Spring Garden, Field One, at the Skeldon Estate

punts that had sunk to the bottom of the canals were being lifted, while the fields with wild canes and vegetation were being burnt.

In addition, bridges, aqueducts, sluices and dams in the cultivation were being accessed and fixed to make them ready as the initial phases of the re-opening works commences.

Over at the factory, the punt dumpers and the front end of the factory are being assessed by a technical team to help accommodate the 350 tonnes of cane per hour the factory was designed to accommodate for maximum performance.

These, in addition to the boilers and the diffusers, are being carefully inspected to be in a state of readiness when the estate restarts production.

The Skeldon Estate is the only sugar factory in Guyana with a diffuser technology that allows for automation.

Based on past results, the factory peaked at 86 per cent efficiency on automation, and the team headed by Panday is

hoping to push this number higher to ensure the factory realises its true potential.

UPGRADED TECHNOLOGY However, for this to happen, the factory will be hard-pressed to make use of upgraded technology in its operations. This, he noted, is not about cutting back on human resources.

“We will have to operate 24 hours, and machines will be harvesting the canes in the night. But we need, on each machine, at least two persons. In addition, there is a need to have staff throughout the night. We are not getting rid of employees, but rather we need people around-the-clock to man the machines, as well as subsidise the mechanical aspect.

In order for our production to be cost-ffective and generate a profit, we have to embrace technology, while at the same time guarantee jobs for our workers or employees by training them,” he said.

The future plans of the estate include engaging in

value-added on sugar, and supplying Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with reliable power.

Meanwhile, Arjune Latchman, 61, who served the estate for 29 years before he was given a severance letter a few years ago, has been rehired.

“I want to say thank God the incumbent government fulfilled their promise. The re-opening of this estate has brought joy and happiness and hope; basically a second chance to people,” Latchman said, adding: “What I noticed is that the people that are rehired, they are putting their shoulders to the wheel to work in unity and restore this place, because it means a lot to this community.”

The Skeldon Estate is expected to commence production in 2022. Meanwhile, at the Rose Hall Canje Estate, a total of 105 persons were hired, as work for the re-opening has started. Some 500 severed workers have also registered for re-employment.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Moruca students get ‘tablets’ from Education Ministry

The ‘tablets’ and some of the print material distributed to the children of Region One (DPI photo)

MINISTER of Housing and Water, Collin Croal distributed two dozen ‘tablets’ in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (BarimiWaini) on Monday, as the Ministry of Education’s programme to ensure that students across Guyana access education during COVID-19 moves apace.

Minister Croal, who holds Parliamentary responsibility for the region, was there for the swearing-in of the Regional Democratic Council.

During the distribution exercise, the minister urged education officials to ensure that the devices are used for their intended purpose, as students have had limited traditional schooling this year due to the pandemic.

“This [distribution] is important, because our children, for the most part of this year, have not been able to access the type of education delivery required. Many of them are home, and their minds have been deactivated from the classroom. So, we want to start that process of re-engaging their minds; their ability to start looking at things objectively, and to start thinking,” he said.

Meanwhile, District Education Officer Cliva Joseph said education has not been static in the region, despite the pandemic. “We had started working, and we know that given the privilege; giv-

en the resources; given everything that the persons in the city would have, we are going to make it happen,” she said.

Grades 10 and 11 students writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, and those pupils writing the National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA), will be prioritised in how the learning aides will be distributed.

Joseph said the ‘tablets’ will ensure these learners receive instruction. The CSEC matriculation has doubled, and educators have been longing to receive equipment to keep students engaged, she said.

Over the past week, teachers and students received hundreds of print packages in Region One, following a visit from Minister of Education Priya Manickchand over the weekend.

Moruca schools have received their quota, and have since put systems in place to have them distributed to pupils and their parents/guardians, Ms. Joseph said.

“We are thankful to the Ministry of Education, and those who would have kept ther promise and fulfilled it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Education Officer Marti DeSouza said despite limited Internet connectivity and other challenges since schools closed in March, teachers have not shirked their responsibilities.

“Many people feel that because we are in the hinterland, we cannot join the bandwagon, with regards to e-learning,” DeSouza said.

Many teachers engaged students with booklets, and through the use of electronic media, he explained, adding that fruitful discussions have been held with Digicel to cut Internet costs for over 60 CSEC teachers.

The ‘tablet’ distribution falls under a budgeted allocation to the Region One Department of Education.

Plans are also in place to ensure the sub-regions of Mabaruma and Matarkai benefit. Additionally, an Online symposium was hosted with teachers across all the sub-regions, including Mabaruma and Matarkai.

Since the PPP/C administration came into office, Minister Manickchand has put a comprehensive plan into action to ensure that students countrywide can access online education. They are also provided with worksheets and other learning resources to complete the schools’ curriculum.

Information and communication technology training has also been provided to teachers to ensure they can provide e-learning across several platforms. (DPI)

No intention to withdraw luxury vehicle from Granger VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has said the PPP/C Government has no intention of withdrawing the $35.2M Lexus vehicle issued by the State that is being used by former President, David Granger.

The Vice-President noted that the government has accorded and intends to accord to Mr. Granger the respect befitting of a former President but reminded that the APNU+AFC Government never treated former presidents with similar respect.

Dr. Jagdeo's reference to the vehicle being used by Mr. Granger was made against the backdrop of Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon's, criticism of the government's budgetary allocation for the purchase of vehicles.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, October 4, 2020

Understanding Energy

Produced Water 101

THERE seems to be a heightened sense of concern for the environment in Guyana with the production of oil and gas -- understand-

able for a country largely focused on sustainable development.

Safe and responsible development of Guyana’s off-

shore oil and gas resources requires careful analysis of processes that are new to the country. The matter of produced water comes to mind.

However, this does not appear to have been lost on regulators and international consultants in considering environmental impact assessment (EIA) and

production licences for offshore development projects.

For as long as the pages allow, let us examine the concept of produced water; a 101 of sorts.

Simply put, produced water is water trapped in underground formations that is brought to the surface along with the oil and gas during production. As the oil, gas and water enter a floating production offloading and storage (FPSO) vessel offshore, they are separated and used for different purposes. The oil is stored on the FPSO and later offloaded to tankers to be sold on world markets, and the associated gas is either used on the FPSO to generate power, re-injected into the reservoir to maintain pressure or brought to shore if the necessary facilities exist. Produced water, in contrast, is either treated and discharged overboard, re-injected into reservoirs or injected through a dedicated well.

According to experts, there are several environmental, technical and economic factors that determine how produced water is handled. Environmentally, produced water has higher levels of oil, grease, barite and calcite compared to surface water. As a result, most onshore oil and gas operations utilize reinjection of produced water into wells to avoid potential mixing with groundwater. The risks are much lower offshore, and Australia, Canada, Trinidad, and the United States Environmental Protection Agencies allow projects to discharge produced water to the ocean after appropriate treatment. Globally, nearly all offshore produced water is managed this way, and the Liza Destiny also began utilizing this method after production began.

Treatment of produced water prior to discharge is a critical technical step in this process. Treatments onboard an FPSO separates and col-

lects most oil and grease prior to discharge and enables continuous monitoring for compliance with regulatory limits. If levels are above limits, produced water is routed to storage tanks on the FPSO for further treatment. After this process, the environmental effects of produced water discharge are considered negligible.

Economic considerations of handling produced water are linked to environmental and technical factors.

Treatment of these non-toxic compounds is technically challenging and economically costly, and re-injection leads to build-up of barite and calcite that can damage wells and reduce production.

Additional maintenance is required, and drilling new wells is sometimes necessary. Ultimately, re-injecting produced water leads to additional air emissions and can lead to significant quantities of filter waste to handle barite and calcite.

Because these compounds are already widespread in ocean environments, overboard discharge is safe and common.

Considering the environmental, technical and economic factors, it’s not surprising that only 3 out of 62 FPSOs projects started by the two largest contractors in the past decade use re-injection as the sole method for managing produced water. An additional 12 FPSOs use re-injection as a complement or back-up to discharge overboard.

Like many complex processes in the offshore oil and gas sector, new studies about the environmental factors are always taking place. New technologies are developed and economic considerations sometimes change. Regulators and operators must therefore regularly review oil and gas processes to ensure that Guyana’s natural resources are developed safely and responsibly.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

GPF, GDF collaborate to fight COVID-19 THE Government has launched ‘Operation CoviCurb’ across the country to promote adherence to the safety protocols aimed at reducing transmission of the COVID-19 disease.

Officers from the Guyana Defence Force

(GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) fanned out across the country for a mask distribution and sensitisation exercise on Friday and Saturday.

The following are a few photographs from those interactions: See page 14

COVID-19 is everybody’s business! This officer distributes masks, even as he advises these young men to adhere to the COVID-19 safety measures

A Guyana Police Force rank distributes masks to these men, even as he advises the boys of the importance of preventing the spread of COVID-19

These army ranks at Timehri provide guidance, as this elderly man adjusts his mask

Guyana Defence Force ranks engaging with residents in Timehri, East Bank Demerara

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

GPF, GDF collaborate ...

From page 13

A Guyana Defence Force rank helps this woman ensure that a child’s mask is properly fitted

A Police rank educates this man on the proper use of a mask, and the importance of wearing it to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Stopping traffic to ensure citizens are protected from COVID-19

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

GPF, GDF collaborate ...

From page 14

A Guyana Police Force rank gives a passenger in this minibus a face mask

A Guyana Defence Force rank gives this young man a quantity of masks, and a small hamper during the sensitisation exercise in New Amsterdam, Berbice

A GDF rank presents a small hamper to this senior citizen, while telling him of the importance of protecting himself against COVID-19

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

Reduced ‘gas’ prices must benefit average Guyanese

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), Manniram Prashad has said that the reduced prices for gasoline and kerosene must benefit the average Guyanese, whether through a reduction in transportation costs or through direct means.

The price for Gasoline at GUYOIL service stations is down to $155 per litre while kerosene is retailed at $90 per litre.

“We welcome the move by Government to reduce the price of gas at the pump and the price for kerosene… naturally, when the acquisition cost drops, Government would bring down the prices so that Guyanese could benefit,” said Prashad.

He said transportation services would often threaten to increase prices, so a reduction would be appropriate at this time.

sulfur diesel and kerosene and is effective at all of the company’s service stations across the country.

“As a national entity GUYOIL is always committed to its strate-

GOGEC President, Manniram Prashad “We are also hoping that the benefit of these costs of fuel will be passed onto consumers, as it is important they benefit from the reduction,” said the GOGEC president.

Notwithstanding no reduction in the acquisition price, GUYOIL had said it is cognisant of the economic challenges faced by customers, as the country continues to battle with the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The reduction covers its mogas (Super 95) gasoil, ultra-low

gic objective of being the price stabiliser for the nation,” the company said in a statement earlier this week.

The statement added: “Though the company saw no reduc-

tion in acquisition cost, GUYOIL is aware of the economic challenges being faced by customers and businesses, as the nation continues to battle COVID-19.

“The company

hopes the reduction will bring significant ease to its customers and assures the nation that it will continue to provide its products and services at competitive prices.”

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COVID-19 death toll climbs to 86 THE novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the life of 74-year-old, Berl Macey, taking the death toll to 86.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the victim was a patient of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she died while receiving treatment on Saturday morning.

The Ministry of Health expressed condolences to the family of the victim, and pledged to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.

Officials of the ministry have since contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who might have been exposed to the victim.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate

symptoms, and recover without special treatment.

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

In Guyana, health authorities have so far tested 14,613 persons, with 11,552 proving negative, and 3,005 positive. Some 37 new cases were recorded within the past 24 hours alone.

While 1,907 persons have recovered from this disease, 86 persons have died and there are 1,107 active cases which include 144 persons in institutional isolation, 851 in home isolation, and 18 in the COVID-19 ICU. Considering these numbers, persons were encouraged to take extra precaution because there is no approved cure or specific treatment for the disease. Guyanese were also reminded to observe the protocols established in the COVID-19 emergency measures.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

Grading officers to be stationed at all mills –– Minister Mustapha tells Region Five farmers FOLLOWING several complaints from rice farmers across the coast about inconsistencies in the grading of rice at mills, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has instructed officials from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to put systems in place to ensure grading personnel are employed

“It’s a short but very detailed exercise. The RPA has identified a number of persons to undergo training, and once completed, these persons will be stationed at the various mills to ensure an appropriate grade of rice for both farmers and millers,” Hassan said.

Farmers also complained about inconsistencies in the

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha addressing Mahaica Creek farmers and stationed at all mills.

“We will work along with the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), which is the primary body that looks after the interests of farmers, to have the necessary personnel trained by the GRDB and placed at all rice mills in the country. This will ensure rice farmers are treated fairly during the grading process,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister also informed the gathering that the government will resume allocating subventions to the RPA to ensure it has the necessary resources to make representation for farmers.

GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan informed the farmers that arrangements have already been made with officials from the RPA, and training is expected to commence in the coming week.

scales at mills, and asked the minister to look into the matter.

Minister Mustapha committed to making contact with officials from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to have their officers conduct verification checks at the various rice mills.

The minister also made other immediate interventions that resulted in a machine being deployed to the region to carry out the clearing of some critical drainage canals. Farmers from the Mahaica area also expressed the desire to have phone lines, and repairs done to several sections of their roadways.

Minister Mustapha informed the residents that he’s already made contact with the Minister of Public Works, and that he will

be visiting the community today to listen to their concerns, and put systems in place to ensure their issues are addressed.

CRITICAL WORKS The subject minister also informed residents that budgetary allocations were made in the emergency budget to carry out critical works on the farmto-market access road on the right bank of the Mahaicony River.

He informed the farmers, too, that other major works will be budgeted for in subsequent budgets, as the just-concluded one was for emergency purposes so as to address urgent issues.

Rice farmers from the Mahaicony Creek also complained about the inadequate drainage in the area.

Ramchan Bholagosien, a rice farmer, informed Minister Mustapha that he lost three rice crops because of the lack of drainage.

“It was very hard for me; I reached out to the Region and the NDIA, and by the time they came, it was too late,” Bholagosien said.

The minister, in responding to the farmer, said he regards farmers as one of the most important members of society.

“Comrade, I hear you, and I understand; farmers were not treated well over last five years,” Minister Mustapha said, adding: “You are responsible for feeding the nation, and if in the past you were not seen as important, today, I am here to let you know that I see you as important.”

The subject minister also mentioned that the government is in the process of developing a new land-use policy to address the issue of regularising lands across the country.

Farmers also had queries about land-rental payments.

In 2017, the previous govern-

A section of the gathering at Mahaica Creek

ment passed a Bill that saw heavy increases in land-rental fees and drainage and irrigation charges.

The new administration, immediately after taking office, made good on its campaign promise to have the charges reversed to what it

was before the previous government took office.

“When we were in Opposition, we advised farmers not to pay these steep increases. We have to meet and decide, at the level of Cabinet, on whether we will make the reversal of pay-

ments retroactive,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha is expected to conduct a number of other outreaches to various farming communities during the course of the month.

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Hinterland pupils Gomez, Nasario did well at NGSA –– despite setbacks due to limited Internet access and COVID-19

By Naomi Parris THIS year, the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) was held under unusual circumstances, as pupils were forced to quickly adapt to Online learning given the troubling situation that came after Guyana recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in March of this year.

Soon after, schools in Guyana were forced to close abruptly to protect the children, teachers and other educators from contracting the disease and limiting the spread of the virus. This measure was particularly difficult for those pupils who were preparing to sit the NGSA in April.

Having to quickly Sisson Nasario, 11, of Paruima Village adjust to the “new normal”, pupils quickly became acquainted with Online classes and lessons to prepare themselves for the upcoming examination, along with some uncertainties of when and how they will be able to sit their examinations without having fear of contracting the virus.

Sisson Nasario, 11, of Paruima, a village along the KamaEmelda Gomez, 12, also rang River, noted that of Paruima (Photos by having to adjust to Chris Elliman) the ‘new normal’ was difficult for him, and as such he was not able to perform to the best of his ability.

The little lad noted that after schools were closed abruptly to contain the virus in the region, he was not able to complete the school’s curriculum, and go over notes with his teachers. And given the limited resources and partial access to the Internet, he said, it was even harder for him to properly prepare for the examinations.

However, with the help of his parents and a few relatives, he was still able to obtain 470 marks.

“Well, the challenges that I faced was the pandemic, which affected me; the mask that I wore was making me uncomfortable. I want to thank my aunty, who sent books for me to study, but if I had the device through the Internet, I would have done better,” he said.

Expressing similar sentiments was 12-year-old Emelda Gomez, who noted that she, too, was unable to perform to the best of her ability due to the adverse impact COVID-19 had on the education system in her village.

She said that after schools were forced to See page 23

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New rice variety can yield 60 bags per acre –– GRDB chief scientist THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), on Friday, presented its newest candidate variety which, once given approval for release, has the potential to yield 60 bags per acre.

While making his presentation to the gathering, GRDB Chief Scientist, Dr. Mahendra Persaud, alluded to the fact that this variety stands to produce 60 plus bags per acre if good management practices are adopted.

“This is quite a high benchmark for us to achieve.

It shows that the variety has the potential to perform 55 to 60 bags per acre, which is about nine tonnes per hectare. Our research has shown that it can perform and perform well. If you would’ve asked farmers 15 years ago, one would not think that rice in Guyana could yield this much. Our next job now is not only to achieve it, but to sustain it,” Dr. Persaud said.

He further stated that the research station was able to achieve these characteristics through a number of studies and trials.

The data, he added, also suggests that this candidate variety has an excellent ability to emerge from standing water.

“Rice farmers can attest that this is a very desirable characteristic because we have a challenged drainage system. Sometimes we are not able to drain the fields as early as we would like to, so the rice would have to come through standing water. We’ve seen that this candidate variety has proven well, coming through up to nine inches of water. It also has a strong plant which maintains its greenness throughout the crop and the stems are very strong so it doesn’t lodge as fast as other varieties,” Dr. Persaud said.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, while delivering remarks, expressed his satisfaction with the characteristics of the new candidate variety.

TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT “I was just talking to my colleague and he was telling me that from looking at the plants you can see that it will achieve

about 50 to 56 bags per acre or more when reaping.

That is a tremendous achievement for us. I am very happy that we are in this process when we are developing varieties that can withstand the conditions in our country. This demonstration today is a step in the right direction as we have to ensure we advance in farming. Gone are the days when we used to do farming just to sell the produce to maintain our families. Agriculture is now a trade and it is one of the most important sectors and income earners for the country. This is why Government continues to invest heavily in the agriculture sector. As a Government, we made a lot of commitments while campaigning to invest in the sector and rest assured that all those commitments will be kept by this PPP/C Government,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister added that, based on what was presented, it is only a matter of time before the candidate variety is adopted as an official variety in the country, and he is optimistic Cabinet will give its full support and approval for its release.

The research of GRDB’s Burma Rice Research Station has also proven that this candidate variety can also work well against the paddy bug infestation because the grains are almost at the top of the plant. This gives farmers a great opportunity, when spraying, to have effective control of the pests.

Ganga Persaud, a rice farmer who has been working with the research arm of the GRDB for many years by making his fields available for research purposes, commended the board for its achievements.

EXCELLENT JOB “I recognise the efforts of Dr. Mahendra. He has done an excellent job.

However, there is need for more resources to be put into research and extension.

I’m saying extension because without the extension, we will not be able to share the technology. I am happy that you are here

minister. To have a minister come and see our field, it has never happened. We would see senior officer but never the minister. You came and you’ve left your footprints with us and we are prepared to walk in them,” Persaud said.

Dr. Persaud also pointed out that the candidate variety has the ability to withstand delayed harvesting.

“Two days ago, we were in the fields and there was water. Today, there is still

water and if rain continues that will result in delayed harvesting. That has been the problem for many farmers. If we can have a variety that can withstand delayed harvesting for up to 15 days without losing grain yield or quality, that would be very good for the sector.

Furthermore, our investigations indicated that this candidate variety has one of the heaviest grains. It is about eight per cent more grain density when compared to

the GRDB 15.

The milling quality is as important as anything else.

This candidate variety has proven that it is 58 per cent head rice recovery from paddy and it has the ability to get to 60 per cent. In terms of what we refer to as ‘brown rice’, it is way in the late 80s (percentage) and 90 per cent is perfection because 10 per cent is basically the bran. So, it is a good opportunity for us once it is milled well and treated

GRDB Chief Scientist, Dr. Mahendra Persaud well,” Dr. Persaud said.

While in the region, Minister Mustapha also met other cash crop farmers to listen to some of their concerns. He is expected to host several other meetings with farmers’ groups across the Region in the following weeks.

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Essential workers prohibited from strikes, lockouts –– labour consultant points to Essential Services Act

–– AG describes ‘politically-instigated’ nurses’ strikes as inhumane THE Essential Services Act under which nurses and frontline worker fall requires the limitation of industrial action and prohibits strikes and lockouts unless certain procedures are followed in trade disputes.

This is according to Labour Management Consultant, Samuel Goolsarran, who in a letter to the press, pointed out that

trade disputes in any essential service are to be reported to the minister by any of the relevant employers’ organisation, employer or trade union on behalf of workers who are parties to the dispute.

“The dispute may also be reported to the minister by any other organisation not directly involved in negotiations in which the dispute exists or was ap-

prehended,” he said.

His comments came in wake of a threat by Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) President, Patrick Yarde, that frontline workers will go on a countrywide strike if they are not properly remunerated.

Yarde, on Thursday, said the union is looking for a “positive response” from the minister by October 6 if not it will begin

to mobilise and support countrywide protest actions.

“Unless these concerns are addressed the union will not only support the nurses protest action but will work towards it being intensified,” Yarde had stated.

The commencement of the nurses’ protest, according to Yarde, was based on the frustration Guyana’s

frontline workers have faced for several years.

He added that the issue being raised and the protest actions that followed are not in isolation, explaining that there were two past ultimatums issued on previous Health Minister, Volda Lawrence, and the CEO of the GPHC. He claimed that following consultations with the then Coalition

Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall action illegal, Nandlall wrote: “In the circumstances, you must appreciate that you are forcing the Government to resort to certain options which the Government at this stage, would prefer to avoid. However, unless these protest actions cease immediately and

GPSU President, Patrick Yarde Government, the ultimatums were put on hold.

SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES On Friday, Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister (AG), Anil Nandlall, had warned that illegal strike action by nurses and other frontline workers will have serious consequences, including the termination of services and criminal charges if it continues.

Citing the law in a letter sent to Yarde, Nandlall explained that the Essential Services Arbitration Act Chapter 54:01 provides for settlement of disputes in public utility undertakings and in certain services, and prohibits strikes and lockouts in such undertakings or services.

He explained that it is cruel and inhumane to take industrial action when the country and the world are facing a global pandemic.

“Citizens may die as a result of the GPSU’s actions,” the Attorney-General told Yarde.

After citing the laws that make the protest

Labour Management Consultant, Samuel Goolsarran the procedures outlined by the law are invoked, the Government will have no alternative but to consider certain options, including but not limited to, the institution of criminal charges, dismissal, termination of contracts of employment, suspension of the collective labour agreement with the GPSU and the suspension of the deduction of union dues for and on behalf of the union.”

He also warned that the government will not bargain under threat.

Nandlall underscored that the Public Utility Undertakings and Public Health Services Act set out procedures for the See page 23

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Hinterland pupils Gomez, Nasario ...

From page 20 close, she was unable to interact with her teacher as she once did in the classroom setting, which was a struggle for her, as she had to quickly adjust to an unfamiliar learning environment.

Gomez also disclosed that she was unable to concentrate solely on her examinations, as her thoughts of anxiety and the pandemic clouded her mind.

“Due to the circumstances of the COVID-19, to wear the masks was a problem for me; I was having a hard time breathing, and my head was hurting. I could have done better, but the mask was hurting my head, so I couldn’t concentrate,” she said.

Gomez, who, like Sisson, also obtained 470 marks at the examinations, noted that she, too, had some challenges studying due to the limited access to study material and the Internet.

Nevertheless, with the help of her family and her teachers, she was still able to obtain satisfactory results in the examinations.

Both Gomez and Nasario will be starting their secondary education at the Paruima Mission Academy in the new school term.

Essential workers prohibited ...

From page 22 settlement of disputes with respect to essential services such as health care.

NO EVIDENCE “From the instructions that I have received and the documents examined, there is no evidence that the procedure outlined in the Act was activated even in part, or at all, by or on behalf of frontline health workers and consequently, the protest actions which they have embarked upon …. are absolutely unlawful and illegal. Indeed, every person engaged in strike action contrary to the Act, commits a criminal offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or imprisonment,” the Attorney-General stated in the letter.

He said the GPSU has failed to disclose to the workers the true, legal and acceptable industrial course of action on this matter and had chosen to mislead them into committing violations of the law.

There have been sporadic protests over the past week by health workers on the frontlines of COVID-19 seeking various concessions from the authorities. Government, in the recently-presented 2020 Budget has allocated some $150 million for frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are looking at assistance in the housing programme, not only increases in salary… better working conditions, better add-on benefits… nurses with children would benefit from the cash incentive, the cash grants, they will benefit from the uniform allowance, and the removal of VAT on electricity and water,” President, Dr Irfaan Ali had recently said.

The GPSU actions have been seen as politically-motivated since the Government has only been in office from August 2, 2020 and, over the past five years, their demands were never honoured by the APNU+AFC Government.

Motorcyclist dies after triple collision A 21-year-old motorcyclist died on the Friendship Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), following a collision, Thursday night, involving three motorcycles.

Dead is Joshua Persaud, of lot 73 Strathspey, ECD. Reports indicated that a 24-year-old female police constable, riding motorcycle CJ 3521, was proceeding east along the northern side of the Friendship Railway Embankment, ECD, when she stopped and put on her right-side trafficator to turn

south into Friendship Access Road.

Before turning, she allegedly felt an impact on the rear of the motor cycle which caused her to fall on to the roadway.

Upon getting up, she observed a red motor cycle with registration CF 2481 lying on the roadway, along with a black motor cycle with registration CG 9899 next to it and Persaud was also seen lying in an unconscious condition on the roadway.

He was subsequently

picked up by public-spirited persons and placed into a vehicle and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was seen and examined by a doctor and admitted as a patient suffering from head injuries.

He died Thursday evening.

When contacted, police said another motorcyclist was seen running away from the scene after the accident.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the female motorcyclist which indi-

Dead: Joshua Persaud cated that she was not intoxicated. Police continue their investigations into the incident.

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Computer shortages force STARR to enhance production

By Rabindra Rooplall WITH a global computer supply shortage in the aftermath of COVID-19 and homeschooling, STARR Computer has teamed-up with Intel to produce its affordable STARR Essen-

tial PC systems for low Income families in Guyana.

The models will be launched on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Intel is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Santa

Clara, California, in Silicon Valley STARR Computer Inc President, Mike Mohan, said from the start of COVID-19, there had been a major rush by the public and private sectors worldwide to acquire computers for their employ-

ees and families to work and study from home.

In addition, Mohan explained that many developed countries including the US and Europe began purchasing laptops in huge quantities for their home-school and online educational pro-

grammes.

Simultaneously, he said many eastern countries affected earlier by Coronavirus where most brand computers are manufactured, quickly began shutting down their production plants to protect their employees.

Thereafter, the side effect of zero production and massive demand created significant PC shortages and price increases worldwide.

For several years, STARR Computer, Mohan said, distributed and serviced HP and Lenovo computers in Guyana. However, shortages of components had affected the production of affordable systems.

And these and other major manufacturers had opted to focus their limited components on the higher value and priced systems.

“Since five months ago, STARR Computer had placed forecasted orders for over 4,000 affordable branded computers and only 1,250 were received to date in Guyana. And as these brand systems continued to trickle in below its demand curve, STARR, in its capacity as an authorised Intel Technology Provider (ITP) has now decided to teamup with Intel to accelerate its desktop production in Guyana,” the tech specialist said.

He continued: “On Monday, October 5th, STARR will be launching its affordable STARR Essential PC Systems to cater for its low-income families. HP and Kingston had also joined in to create an eco-solution bundle. STARR desktop with Kingston memory storage along with HP 21.5” high resolution Monitor along with a colour Inkjet printer created a very robust solution. And within days we will see two upcoming versions of an advanced STARR Academic PC and STARR Office PC Solutions.”

In addition, he said for all customers who purchase these systems, STARR will be offering a limited time special discounted coupon for purchase of accessories, peripherals and supplies.

The STARR Essential PC allows families to browse the Internet, access data information and social media and a host of other

STARR Computer Inc President, Mike Mohan options.

STARR Academic PC targets advanced students involved in major research activities along with video conferencing and advanced student requirements, while the STARR Office PC will be targeting more robust office operations. All models come with one-year warranty and are fully upgradable.

STARR will also continue to carry the two major brands of HP and Lenovo computers in Guyana.

Prior to COVID-19, STARR Computer, he said anticipated potential price increases in branded computers and other supplies due to its tariff challenges in the USA along with possibility of a future booming economy in Guyana.

Hopefully, Mohan said the demand and supply situation will level off and get better soon for all. However, if the pandemic hits a second wave, prices can become a greater national challenge for Guyanese.

In the meantime, Mohan urges Government and corporations to purchase its technology equipment from legally established local partners as they are helping to create local employment and boosting the local economy.

“It also boosts the local authorised service centres for branded technology equipment to earn revenue from international suppliers for repair services rendered on their brands during warranty period.

This adds revenue to the local economy and enhance the cost of ownership for equipment purchased,” he explained.

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Housing operations in Reg. 2 to be revamped HOUSING and Water Minister, Collin Croal has committed to implementing better policy measures that are geared to ensuring improved services that are offered by agencies that fall under his ministry.

The minister made this commitment as he engaged residents of the Essequibo Coast during his first ministerial visit to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The minister conduct-

ed a series of community meetings in villages on the Essequibo Coast, where he outlined the government’s programmes and policies for the development of the region and country at large.

Meetings were held at Charity, Anna Regina, and Onderneeming, Sand Pit/ Red Village. During his first meeting, which was held with regional officials, programme heads, and heads of government agencies at State

House, Anna Regina, the call for better government services in the region was made.

Leading the list of complaints was the long wait for house lot allocation, titles, and a number of irregularities in the application process. Squatting in some schemes along the coast also remains a bugbear for legitimate residents of these communities.

Speaking to the housing sector, Minister Croal an-

nounced that there will be a complete revamping of the housing operations in Region Two, which will see the establishment of a fully staffed and equipped regional housing office.

This, the minister said, is needed to ensure that a higher level of service is rendered to citizens.

To this end, the minister said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has already opted to make a build-

Minister Croal addressing the residents of Charity ing available to facilitate the operations of the Housing Ministry. Minister Croal also used the opportunity to warn against squatting, as he called on the regional officials to aid the ministry in fighting against this illegal practice.

Reiterating the ministry’s zero-tolerance approach to squatting, the minister reminded citizens that applying to the Ministry of Housing is the only legal pathway to access a residential house lot from the government.

Persons were told of the Government’s plan to develop some 22 areas across the country for new housing developments. In addition to the distribution of 10,000 allocations annually, the minister spoke of the Public-Private Partnerships which will enhance the Government’s housing drive.

Citing projects which were catered for in the 2020 National Budget, Minis-

ter Croal said these funds will kick-start the long-term housing drive. The monies, he said, will be used for the clearing of new lands, and the construction of access bridges. In the new year, work will commence on infrastructure development in these areas.

Speaking to issues in the water sector, the minister spoke of long and short-term interventions which will be completed in the coming months.

In his response to the poor quality of water, the minister made mention of the GWI’s plans to ensure there is frequent flushing of water systems, which, he said will aid in improving the quality of water.

Additionally, plans are in train for the digging of water wells, the rehabilitation of existing ones, and the construction of new pump stations in unserved areas.

At the recent community meeting at Charity with Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Collin Croal

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‘GuyanaWorx’ connecting job seekers with employers

By Rabindra Rooplall AN online employment marketplace that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered by smart matching technology to actively connect employers and job seekers has been launched in the form of “GuyanaWorx”.

Chief Executive Office of GuyanaWorx, Salaudeen Nausrdeen, said the website will attract skilled and experienced professionals to supply the human capital that is required to nourish Guyana’s economic prosperity.

“With the discovery of oil and gas and the recommitment to traditional industries by the private sector and government, the Guyana economy is projected to grow significantly, in excess of 50 per cent over the next decade,” he explained.

Such growth, he said, is unprecedented and will precipitate a massive transformation of the country and its economy.

Nausrdeen said the extraordinary growth will demand thousands of skilled and professional personnel that Guyana’s current workforce is unable to supply.

Adding that the private enterprise and government leaders will always seek qualified and skilled staff to execute various duties, he said GuyanaWorx seeks to directly eliminate the gap and create a pool or persons to interact with.

“It is intended to assist the transformation of Guyana by addressing the human capital needs that are as critical as financial capital. GuyanaWorx is a career bridge connecting employers in Guyana with job seekers around the world, especially the skilled and experienced Guyanese diaspora population in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and

Salaudeen lives in Florida and manages PositivePlans (www.Positiveplans.

GuyanaWorx CEO, Salaudeen Nausrdeen further afield,” Nausrdeen explained.

GuyanaWorx, he said, is an easy-to-use career platform built to help companies find the right talent and professionals that would enable their smooth operation and success in the growing economy.

To ensure maximum exposure to both employer and jobseeker, Nausrdeen said GuyanaWorx will actively promote and partner globally by being ahead of the developmental trajectory on which Guyana has embarked.

“Government is also investing heavily in infrastructure and agriculture and this will require thousands of skilled and experienced people. It is estimated that Guyana will need to fill 50,000 or more skilled positions in the next few years. GuyanaWorx seeks to provide a comprehensive platform to connect companies in Guyana with a pool of skilled professionals from across the world and within Guyana,” he explained.

The website can be accessed at https://guyanaworx.com/.

Nausrdeen is a marketing and business development executive with over 15 years of experience successfully implementing fresh ideas and opportunities to companies eager to grow.

com), a marketing and business development consulting service.

He has extensive experience working in Guyana and the USA.

He has a passion for the social and economic development of Guyana.

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Delhi Capitals beat KKR to go top of IPL points table

DELHI Capitals (DC) climbed to the top of the IPL 2020 points table after they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 18 runs in the match No. 16 of Indian Premier League (IPL).

After sent to bat first, DC rode on skipper Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 88 and Prithvi Shaw’s 66 to score 228-4 in their allotted 20 overs.

KKR, on the other hand, failed to cross the finish line as they were restricted to 210-8.

DC have now won three of their four games and have 6 points in their bag. They have an economy rate of +0.588.

Delhi are followed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who won against Rajasthan Royals earlier in the day to register their third win in the tournament. They currently have six points and

a net run rate of -0.954.

Meanwhile, defending champions Mumbai Indians are now at third place in the IPL 2020 points table with 4 points.

Talking about the Orange Cap list then, Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal smashed 63 off 45 balls against Rajasthan Royals yesterday to become the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL 2020 so far. He smashed 6 fours and 1 six during his innings.

In the process, Padikkal became the first player in the IPL history to hit three 50+ scores in first four matches of the tournament.

The 20-year-old batsman, who made his IPL debut this season, has so far accumulated 174 runs in four games including three half-centuries. His

average is 43.50.

Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab batsman Mayank Agarwal continues to lead the Orange Cap chart, while his skipper KL Rahul is second on the list.

CSK’s Faf du Plessis stays at No.3 with 195 runs followed by new entrant Devdutt Padikkal, while RR’s Sanju Samson remains at fifth place in the Orange Cap table having scored 171 runs in four matches.

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Yuzvendra Chahal became the latest Purple Cap holder yesterday as he bagged three wickets against Rajasthan Royals in the match No.15 of IPL 2020.

Chahal dismissed RR batsmen Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa and Mahipal Lomror in his allotted four overs of

the game.

Overall, the wrist-spinner has bagged 8 wickets in four matches of IPL 2020 and he is on top of the Purple Cap holder list with an economy of 7.18.

Chahal is followed by Kings XI Punjab pacer Mohammad Shami who also has 8 wickets in his kitty and an economy rate of 7.86.

Delhi Capitals pacer Kagiso Rabada is third on the list with 8 wickets to his name, while Mumbai Indians spinner Rahul Chahar and KXIP pacer Sheldon Cottrell are fourth and fifth on the list respectively.

Mumbai Indians will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Kings XI Punjab will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings today at 15:30hrs IST and 16:30hrs IST respectively.

BCB, Adana Homes honour outstanding CSEC students

THE pro-active Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under the leadership of its president, Hilbert Foster, continues to break new ground even as most sports organisations remain inactive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BCB last Thursday hosted a simple presentation ceremony for its first-ever Adana Homes Tribute to Outstanding Students Award programme. Six cricketers who performed well at the recent CSEC each received a financial stipend of $10 000..

The players, who were all present at the ceremony, were Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Lucas Arthur, Anthony Sukhra, Ab-

dul Ramsammy and Ashmini Munisar.

BCB president Hilbert Foster, speaking at the ceremony, noted that the board strongly believes in the importance of an educational background and as such has always invested heavily in assisting cricketers as much as possible.

Foster urged the players to remain humble, but to develop a culture of always striving for excellence. He also advised the awardees to look into other paths such as the University of Guyana and Technical institutions to further their education.

Foster pledged that under his leadership the BCB would continue to support cricketers who place emphasis on their education.

Foster challenged cricket clubs and cricket officials in Guyana to sit down with all

youth cricketers and discuss the importance of education.

Using his club, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS as an example, Foster stated that management makes sure that each member is aware of the value of an educational background and also assists them to achieve such.

Education, he stated assists youths to think on their feet and this is one of the main reasons why the club is so successful on the cricket field.

The idea for the award programme was mooted when the BCB was informed of the success of the players.

Foster immediately contacted his close friend and former BCB president Anil Beharry to discuss rewarding the six players.

Beharry immediately contacted Mr Satishwar Persaud, CEO of Adana Homes who

agreed to come on board as the sponsor.

Adana Homes is a Canada-based real estate company and Persaud is also a sponsor of cricket in Canada, where he owns a team.

Foster expressed gratitude to both Beharry and Persaud for their continued support of Berbice Cricket. Persaud, a Berbician by birth, stated that he was impressed by the work of the BCB and committed himself to working with the board in the future. He also stated that he would sponsor the educational award on an annual basis.

Jonathan Rampersaud, who topped the list of awardees with eleven subjects including nine Grade One, expressed thanks to the BCB, Beharry and Persaud for honouring them and committed the group to making the country proud in the future.

Bristol ready to stage ‘Return of the Dragon’

CHIEF Executive Officer of Bris O Promotions, Seon Bristol, has confirmed that he has commenced work to realise the `Return of the Dragon’ boxing card that will be highlighted by a fight between USA-based Elton Dharry and Dexter Marques.

“I have spoken to both parties and can categorically state that the realisation of such a project is a priority.

I cannot definitively state when such will be staged as we have to take into account COVID-19, but I wish to assure that Bris O Promotions is ready and waiting for that door to be opened,” Bristol said in a telephone interviews with Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Last month Marques had called out Dharry for a rematch and had reached out to promoter Bristol to make the fight a reality.

Although he has not

stepped into the ring since January of 2018, Marques is confident that within a few months he can be ring-ready to gain revenge on Dharry.

Marques had stated that two of his biggest blemishes on his record were the defeats

by Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore in 2009 and Dharry in 2011. He was TKOed by Moore and was stopped in the seventh round by Dharry.

To date his professional record stands at 19 bouts, with five knockouts two defeats. Moore has since retired, so Marques’ focus is now solely on the Brooklyn-based Dharry.

In a recent comment to Chronicle Sport, he said that he has grown in terms of experience and would approach his bout differently with Dharry if given a chance.

“Dharry is currently active and fair game. I did a lot of wrong things in our previous fight and I now

better understand the way to take care of this youngster once he has the guts to get back into the ring,” Marques had stated.

Dharry, who is just a few months younger than the 35-year-old Marques, is also confident if a bout materialises.

“I was supposed to fight in Panama, but I’m not sure if that will happen due to coronavirus restrictions. I have other goals, but if Dexter wants a rematch, we can do it. I’ll fight whichever fight comes first,” Dharry had said.

According to Bristol, he and his team have already started preparatory work on staging the fight.

“It is my view that mid2021 may be a good time to host such an event. We know where professional boxing has been in Guyana for some time and hopefully this card may be a renaissance.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

LeBron, Davis lead Lakers charge in Game 2 win over Heat

By Amy Tennery (REUTERS) - LeBron James took another step toward his fourth championship title on Friday, as the dominant Los Angeles Lakers clinched Game 2 over Miami Heat 124-114 to extend their lead to 2-0 in the NBA Finals.

Lakers seized the early momentum and put up nine three-pointers in the first two quarters for a 14-point head start at halftime, as Miami struggled to fill the void left by two of their biggest playmakers, point guard Goran Dragic and forward Bam Adebayo, who left Game 1 of the best-of-seven series with injuries and were not able to play on Friday.

Sixteen-time All-Star James, the night’s leading scorer, put up 33 points with nine rebounds nine assists, while teammate Anthony Davis continued his stellar run in his first-ever NBA Finals, rolling over Miami’s defence

ginning of this thing, we got to play damn near perfect in order to beat those guys over there,” he told reporters.

“We have yet to do it and if we don’t do it soon, it’s not going to be pretty.”

LeBron James took another step toward his fourth championship title with 33 points on Friday night (Source: Twitter/NBA)

for 32 points 14 rebounds.

“Sometimes (James and Davis) are feeding each other. Sometimes they are destroying their own man, and sometimes they are making

the extra pass to the open man. Both have that elite ability to score and to read defence,” Lakers head coach Frank Vogel told reporters.

“Those two were huge to-

night and a big reason for the win.”

Heat’s All-Star forward Jimmy Butler, who had 25 points 13 assists, said his teammates “believe in

what we do every day,” despite the uphill battle they face in closing a two-game deficit in the best-of-seven series.

“Like I said at the be-

HONOURING KOBE Lakers wore their custom ‘Black Mamba’ jerseys in honour of Kobe Bryant, the five-time champion Lakers legend who helped define the franchise and died suddenly in a helicopter crash in January.

“It’s always special to be able to represent someone that meant so much - not only to the game but also obviously to the Lakers organisation for 20-plus years,” James said in an on-court interview. “For us to honour him, being on the floor – this is what it’s all about.”

Lakers face Heat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals inside the league’s quarantined ‘bubble’ at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, today.

Semenya lawyer prepares testosterone rule challenge in European court

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) - The lawyer of South Africa’s Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya, barred from certain races unless she takes hormone suppressants, has told AFP he is preparing to approach the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the ban.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Semenya has differences of sexual development (DSD), a condition that causes her body to produce elevated testosterone levels.

The World Athletics governing body in 2018 banned Semenya and other DSD athletes from races between 400 metres and a mile unless they take hormone-suppressing drugs.

Semenya, 29, unsuccessfully challenged those rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

She then turned to Switzerland’s Supreme Court, which dismissed the appeal last month.

“It didn’t come as a complete surprise,” Semenya’s lawyer Gregory Nott said in an interview on Wednesday, noting that Swiss federal court cases were “very difficult to win”.

“As usual in Caster’s being, she took it very strongly and very well,” he recalled.

“She is also up for further

fighting.”

Nott said a legal team was preparing the paperwork to take the case before the European court (ECHR) - a process that would take “a few more months”.

Semenya would then decide whether to proceed or not, he added.

“We are merely the horse and she is the jockey, so we listen to what Caster has to say,” said Nott. “She has a mind of her own.”

In its judgement, the Swiss court concluded that the CAS decision “cannot be challenged”.

“Fairness in sport is a legitimate concern,” the court said, adding that the ECHR also attached “particular importance to the aspect of fair competition”.

CONSERVATIVE THINKING Nott has represented Semenya since she was forced to undergo gender verification testing to compete against women in the 2009 Berlin World Championships.

She won gold in the 800m, aged 18, and was subsequently put on medication to reduce her testosterone levels - spending

six months sidelined by World Athletics before returning to competition.

“I see her almost as part of the family,” Nott said. “She means an enormous amount to me ... and her cause means a lot, not only for herself but also to other runners like her.”

Semenya was raised

as a woman, identifies as a woman and races as a woman.

But World Athletics say female runners with some masculine attributes like Semenya have an unfair advantage in certain races.

“World Athletics has always maintained that its regulations are lawful and legiti-

mate ... and (are a) proportionate means of ensuring the rights of all female athletes to participate on fair and equal terms,” the international federation said in a statement.

Nott, however, argued restrictions and court rulings against Semenya were disconnected from global calls for greater recognition of marginalised groups.

“If you look at the moment in history in which Caster is running ... you see other progressive movements ... like Black Lives Matter,” Nott noted.

“These courts are steeped in traditional and, to be quite frank, conservative thinking,” he said, adding that public support for Semenya had “swelled” over the past decade.

EYES ON TOKYO While Semenya’s lawyers prepare for South Africa’s Caster Semenya celebrates with her national flag after another legal winning the women’s 800m of the African Athletics Championships battle, the athat the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, in midwestern lete herself still Nigeria in this August 5, 2018 file photo (Photo: AFP) has her eyes

set on the Tokyo Olympics, postponed to 2021 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Nott said his client had continued to train diligently, even during court proceedings, waking up before dawn to run through the freezing streets of mid-winter Lausanne before hearings.

“The fight hasn’t gone out of Caster,” he assured.

“She is a true athlete ... and certainly reckons to be in the Olympic squad when it goes ... to Japan.”

Nott added that Semenya, should she qualify, would take part in the Games “notwithstanding any awaited” court case.

He said she was also “thinking strategically” about her racing options in Tokyo and “considering other events” that may not require hormone therapy.

Semenya had already decided to compete in the 200m before the Olympics were postponed. She has not yet announced her intentions for 2021.

Nott admitted he draws “a lot of strength ... from this young woman. “She is very courageous and very strong.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

49

Dean Jones will always be famous for Madras

By Ian Chappell

(Former Australia captain)

DEAN Jones’ name will forever be linked with the south Indian city of Chennai.

Known as Madras in 1986, conditions were typically hot and humid when Jones amassed a double-century of immense skill, willpower and human endurance.

This was the innings of a man with a big heart. Unfortunately, that same heart failed the man affectionately known as ‘Deano’, when Jones died in Mumbai after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Jones’ double-century in Madras contained everything a young man playing only his fifth Test innings would want.

There was a wide range of shots, producing runs at an excellent strike rate and a score that guaranteed his place in the side for a good while to come.

Originally entrusted with the crucial No.3 spot by Allan Border, he was then goaded by ‘Captain Grumpy’ when he asked to retire hurt because of exhaustion. “We’ll get a real Australian, a Queenslander,

Greg Ritchie,” taunted Border, “if you’re not up to the job.”

Jones’ request was justified when he was out not long after. He was immediately whisked off to hospital

for asking Curtly Ambrose to remove his white wristband (because it was the same colour as the ball); and for a reputation as an innovative and successful ODI batsman.

MY IMPRESSION? Any man, prepared to pay his own airfare to get ahead in his career at a time when cricketers weren’t well remunerated, has the determination and dedication to succeed at in-

Dean Jones popularly known as ‘The Professor’ passed away last Thursday after cardiac arrest in Mumbai

Dean Jones rushes to embrace Allan Border after Australia win the 1987 World Cup in Calcutta (Liu Heung)

where he was put on a saline drip as his body threatened to shut down. That innings was to take on a greater level of importance when the Test finished in only the second tie in the game’s history.

Jones will be remembered for many other exploits - another Test double-century; being a member of Australia’s first World Cup-winning side;

But nothing to quite match his Madras magnificence!

I was not altogether surprised by Jones’ sudden rise to stardom in India following a slow start to his Test career. Before the tour, he visited me in Sydney, where he discussed batting at No.3 and anything else that might assist him in his career.

ternational level. That instance was not uncommon.

During his career and in his life after cricket, Deano eagerly sought information and used it to enhance other cricketers’ performances.

He was widely respected in India not only for his heroic deeds in Madras but also for his commentating role as ‘The Professor’. Wearing a robe and mortar board, he would accentuate his theories by pointing at

Aussie women extend ODI winning streak A CAPTAIN’S knock by Meg Lanning has helped the Australian women’s cricket team move a step closer to setting a record-breaking winning streak.

Lanning struck an unbeaten 62 off 70 balls, hitting a six to bring up Australia’s seven-wicket win over New Zealand in their three-game ODI series opener in Brisbane yesterday for Australia’s 19th straight victory.

After White Ferns were bowled out for 180, Lanning helped Australia cruise to 181-3 in just the 34th over at Allan Border Field.

Australia are now on track to equal the ODI record of 21 consecutive victories held by Ricky Ponting’s side in 2003.

They are also out to retain the Rose Bowl trophy the trans-Tasman ODI series crown - which they have held since 2000.

Australia can seal yet another series win in game two tomorrow.

Australian Women began their stellar ODI run back in March 2018.

They have already shattered the women’s mark of 17 straight ODI wins set by Belinda Clark’s Australian team in the late 1990s.

special moment for this team but it is not something in the front of our minds at the moment,” she said.

Lanning led the way yesterday, sharing a 65-run second-wicket stand with vice-captain Rachael Haynes

Aussie Women captain Lanning struck an unbeaten 62 off 70 balls

The Aussie women now have a chance to re-write the record books again but yesterday’s player-of-thematch - leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (2-23 off 10 overs) - said they were not losing sleep over a shot at history.

“We are not focussing on that (record). If we get to that point it would be a really

(44 off 62 balls).

Earlier White Ferns were bowled out in 49.1 overs after being sent in, wilting under sustained pressure from spinners Wareham, Sophie Molineux (2-28 off 10) and Jessica Jonassen (2-29) with the trio bowling a total of 125 dot balls.

New Zealand slumped to

a blackboard with a cane.

His advice, especially on batting in ODIs, was regularly sought, and Jones was happy to pass on his knowledge. That also gained him employment as a coach, often

83-6 in the 28th over before Maddy Green (35 off 49 balls) and Katie Perkins (32 off 51) combined for a 62run stand to save blushes for the visitors.

“We let Australia bowl at us (with) too many dot balls in an ODI. It took Maddy Green and Katie Perkins down the order to show a bit of intent,” New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said.

Both teams had injury scares.

In-form Australian batter Ashleigh Gardner, who took three catches yesterday, is believed to have been cleared of a fractured finger while New Zealand’s Suzie Bates will undergo scans after injuring her shoulder while fielding.

Meanwhile, teenager Annabel Sutherland (1-33) yesterday replaced Delissa Kimmince (hamstring) to make her ODI debut for Australia with her father, ex-Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland, watching from the stands.

in places where others feared to tread, like Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This fearless approach is not surprising when you consider his upbringing. He was the son of Barney Jones, a highly competitive Carlton club cricketer, who was rumoured to once have helped place ice blocks on a good length the night before a semi-final where University were chasing victory.

Dean inherited Barney’s competitive instincts and they were honed under the watchful eye of former Australia batsman Keith Stackpole.

Jones arrived at Carlton as a precocious young lad with abundant energy. Stackpole remembers his enthusiasm: “He would chase everything in the field, and he always wanted to bowl his own way, usually short.”

That was a hallmark of Jones’ cricket - especially his one-day batting - he did things his own way. In doing so, he finished with an excellent average and a particularly good strike rate for his era.

Sometimes his enthusiasm got the better of him, especially when he asked to have Ambrose’s wristband removed during a 1993 ODI. That was one of his few regrets. “It probably wasn’t a wise idea,” chuckled Jones, “seeing Curtly took 5 for 32.”

Nevertheless Jones had a lot of good ideas and that’s how it all ended, expressing his opinions on television in Mumbai, not a million miles from Chennai. (Cricinfo)

Jabeur becomes first Arab woman to reach French Open last 16 PARIS, France (Reuters) - Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the fourth round of the French Open as she beat eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(7), 2-6, 6-3 yesterday.

The 30th seed displayed her trademark court craft to undermine Sabalenka’s raw power as she surpassed her previous best third-round showing at Roland Garros in 2017.

“She’s such an aggressive player. But then I had to still do a lot of slices, drop shots, mix it up. I knew that could bother her a lot. I’m so happy that my game really worked today,” Jabeur, who won the Roland Garros junior title in 2011, said.

Sabalenka saved three set points at 5-6 in the first set then led 5-1 in tiebreak, but a series of unforced errors allowed 26-year-old Jabeur to snatch it.

Jabeur’s level dipped in the face of some fierce Sabalenka hitting as the second set slipped away in little over 20 minutes.

But the Tunisian, who became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final in Australia this year, re-grouped and forged 3-0 ahead in the deciding set.

She also had points for a 4-0 lead, but Belarusian Sabalenka upped her intensity and the decibels to keep herself in contention.

Sabalenka saved three match points at 2-5 then had a break point in the next game. But Jabeur remained composed as she brought up a match point and showed great touch to angle away a short forehand then sealed the win with a first serve.

Jabeur, who made her debut in the world’s top 50 this year, said the key to her win was staying calm and weathering the storm.

“Today was about staying calm, to be honest. She was screaming, like fighting every point, screaming in some very important points. Especially when she got back at 6-6,” the Tunisian said.

“Before, maybe I gave up too early. Even like today at 5-1 (down in the tiebreak), probably the old me would have given that up. I’m progressing, I’m growing up as a person.”

50

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

French Open 2020:

Djokovic eases through; Altmaier stuns Matteo Berrettini

WORLD number one Novak Djokovic put in another assured performance to beat Daniel Elahi Galan and reach the French Open fourth round.

The 33-year-old Serb, bidding for his 18th Grand Slam title, beat the Colombian qualifier 6-0, 6-3, 6-2.

Djokovic, who took the first set in 25 minutes, has lost just 15 games in his opening three matches.

He will face 15th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia for a place in the quarter-finals in Paris.

“I felt I played OK. Played some fine shots, played OK at the baseline,” said Djokovic.

It is the 11th consecutive year that he has reached the last 16 at Roland Garros.

Aiming for a second French Open title, Djokovic barely looked troubled against the world number 153.

Galan got the biggest cheer of the day when he finally got on the board after losing the first eight games.

There were moments for Galan - he had two opportunities to break an increasingly frustrated Djokovic at 4-2 in the third set - but the 2016 champion was able to shut him down.

Djokovic finished with

37 winners and saved all five break points he faced, with his drop shot working to particularly good effect.

Djokovic also stepped in when his opponent slipped as it rained heavily.

Play initially continued while the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier was closing, causing Galan to slip on a muddy patch of clay mid-rally.

him in the Paris Masters final two years ago.

Khachanov beat 20th seed Christian Garin of Chile 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

ALTMAIER STUNS BERRETTINI Earlier, qualifier Daniel Altmaier delivered a surprise straight-set victory over seventh seed Matteo Berrettini.

The German world

Novak Djokovic helped clear the court of water after it rained heavily in Pari

Djokovic stopped and took his seat, allowing the roof to fully close and the staff to dry the court before play resumed.

He was surprised the roof had not been closed earlier.

“I saw the forecast and it didn’t look good at all,” Djokovic said. “If you have a roof, why not use it? I thought we lost quite a bit of time.”

He will face a tougher test against Khachanov, who beat

number 186, making his first Grand Slam main draw appearance after injury problems, beat the Italian 6-2, 7-6(7-5), 6-4.

He joins Sebastian Korda in the last 16 as the first qualifiers to reach that stage at Roland Garros in nine years.

Altmaier has yet to drop a set in the tournament and will face 17th seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the last 16.

The U.S. Open semi-fi-

nalist was the winner of an all-Spanish meeting with 10th seed Roberto Bautista Agut, seeing off his compatriot 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Carreno Busta, who was a break down in the fourth set, hit 65 winners to make it through in three hours 22 minutes.

Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, 22, was racing into the next round when Slovenian opponent Aljaz Bedene was forced to retire at 6-1, 6-2, 3-1 with an ankle problem.

Tsitsipas will play Grigor Dimitrov after Roberto Carballes Baena retired when the Bulgarian 18th seed was leading 6-1, 6-3.

Russian 13th seed Andrey Rublev breezed past Kevin Anderson to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.

Rublev hit 27 winners and did not face a single break point as he dominated the South African to win 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

The 22-year-old, who had never won a French Open match before this week, will play Marton Fucsovics for a place in the quarter-finals.

Hungarian Fucsovics beat Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 7-5, 6-1, 6-3.

(BBC Sport)

Rain forces T20 Blast Finals Day postponement until today

Only Gloucestershire among the four semi-finalists have yet to win the T20 trophy

PERSISTENT rain at Edgbaston has forced T20 Blast Finals Day to be put back to today for the first time in the competition’s history.

The decision was taken at 18:00 BST, seven hours after the scheduled start of play in the first semi-final.

Gloucestershire are to play Surrey followed by Lancashire Lightning against Notts Outlaws, with the winners to meet in the final.

If no play is possible today, the teams will try again on Wednesday.

Organisers say they will do everything possible to play three games on Sunday - each of a minimum of five overs per innings.

However, should one semi-final be completed and then further rain makes it impossible to finish the second game and/or final, they will be decided by bowl-outs.

The Edgbaston outfield was left saturated by heavy overnight rain and an 11:00 inspection was cancelled with no sign of an improvement in the weather.

The umpiring panel in charge is Martin Saggers, Michael Burns, Alex Wharf, David Millns and Stuart Cummings.

Finals Day was scheduled for October for the first time in the hope that a limited number of spectators would be allowed to attend.

However, the tightening of coronavirus restrictions by the government late last month means no crowd will be present.

If Finals Day does have to be moved to Wednesday, there will be no reserve day, and bowl-outs will, if necessary, decide which team lifts the trophy. (BBC Sport)

‘Destructive Gayle will still make impact for Kings XI’ - insists opener Rahul KINGS IX Punjab opener KL Rahul is confident that Windies star Chris Gayle will be ready and capable when called on to deliver for the team.

So far, the big West Indian has been left view-

ing from the bench in this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL). In the meantime, Kings IX have struggled to one win and three losses.

The reasons for Gayle’s but breaking into the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

line-up is not as easy as it seems. Despite his absence, KXIP has managed to put 200+ totals on the board in two of the four matches they have played.

With the likes of Rahul and Mayank Agarwal at the top, Punjab has

both the centurions of this IPL at their disposal, and hence the need to have Gayle in the team hasn’t really been felt.

The only player Gayle can come in the team for, at the moment, is his countryman Nicholas Pooran who

has been batting at the No. 3 spot. Pooran’s fielding exploits, however, make it hard for the KXIP management to remove him from the team. Rahul, however, remains convinced the West Indies will make an impact.

Sunday, October 4, 2020 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) (2)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

Yogesh Takawale-11 dismissals: 10 catches; 1 stumping (MI) 155* – first wicket (Adam Gilchrist & VVS Laxman (Deccan Chargers)

TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who has the distinction of hitting the first century in IPL 2020?

(2) Who is the first bowler to claim a four-wicket haul in IPL 2020?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

KL Rahul is confident Chris Gayle (at right) will be ready when called upon

“It’s been a lot of fun playing with Chris. Not just (that) I have played two seasons with him at KXIP, I have played with him at RCB as well.

I have known him for a good 6-7 years. As a youngster, I did speak with him a lot and I was looking at him as an opening batsman. How destructive, powerful, and how intimidating he is,” Rahul told Times of India.

“I try to learn a lot from him (Gayle). We share a good friendship and that’s what came out in the middle in the last two seasons.

He is somebody who is such an impact player, such a match-winner for whatever team he has played.

Like I said he is very intimidating and takes down the opposition on a given day. He can destroy any bowling attack.”(Sportsmax)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 4, 2020

51

Fast bowler Jeremy Gordon draws inspiration from Ian Bishop … assures pandemic has no effect on his training

By Frederick Halley INSPIRING words from former West Indies fast bowler and renowned commentator Ian Bishop have had a profound effect on former Guyana fast bowler Jeremy Gordon, who at 33, has no intention of “throwing in the towel” any time soon.

During last year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup Qualifiers, played in Dubai, Gordon, who now represents Canada, was credited with bowling the fastest delivery of the tournament, clocking 147 kilometres.

Gordon, who bowled consistently in the 140s, earned accolades from Bishop who was astonished that the-then 32-year-old was able to “manufacture” that amount of pace.

The lanky Gordon is, however, still peeved that Canada didn’t qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which was scheduled to be staged in Australia this year but has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He pointed out that Canada started well by winning their first three games, including a decisive victory over Ireland but lost momentum in their remaining three matches.

Gordon is still hopeful that Canada will qualify for the T20 World Cup which follows and which is scheduled for 2021. Towards this

end, he’s looking forward to the Qualifiers which are scheduled to be held prior to the staging of that tournament.

Boasting that he’s “fit as a

Guyana–born Jeremy Gordon

fiddle,” Gordon told Chronicle Sport that the coronavirus pandemic has had no effect on his preparation for possible club cricket or once he’s chosen to represent his adopted country.

He explained that he has been doing his usual workouts

Premier League…

By Peter Hall LEEDS, England (Reuters) A second-half equaliser from Rodrigo Moreno earned Leeds United a 1-1 draw with Manchester City while a James Rodriguez double helped Everton beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 and maintain their 100% record at the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Everton’s fourth win out of four keeps them top on 12 points, three points clear of Leicester City and Liverpool, who each have a game in hand while Leeds now sit fifth in the table on seven points, with Manchester City an unaccustomed 11th.

In the day’s early kickoff, Chelsea settled their stuttering start to the season to move up to fourth with debutant Ben Chilwell scoring in a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace.

All eyes, though were on the match of the day in the pouring Yorkshire rain at Elland Road as Rodrigo’s first goal for Leeds denied visiting Pep Guardiola victory against one of the men who inspired him to be a coach, Marcelo Bielsa.

Guardiola has always laud-

and even trains during his lunch breaks since he’s working from home. “I have been a vegan since 2013 and this definitely helps me in being

ed Leeds’ Argentine coach, the man he took advice from before going into management at Barcelona, and the first duel in England between the two coaching maestros served up the treat everyone had hoped for.

City were dominant early on as they looked to quickly forget their shock 5-2 home defeat by Leicester City last time out, with Kevin De Bruyne’s clever free kick striking the post in the third minute.

Raheem Sterling then darted inside before firing home his first league goal of the season into the bottom corner in the 17th minute to underline City’s domination.

City had 12 shots at goal in the first half but Leeds improved dramatically after the break, with Rodrigo pouncing on a mistake from City goalkeeper Ederson to equalise in the 59th minute.

Leeds even had chances to win, with Ederson tipping a goal-bound Rodrigo header onto the bar, but City weathered the storm.

“That was good, huh?,” Guardiola said. “When both teams want to attack, it’s a good game. We made an incredible first 30 minutes

energised,” he pointed out.

Prior to the 2019 ICC World Cup Qualifiers, Gordon participated in the 2015 qualifiers in Scotland where Canada also failed to advance.

A self-imposed break between 2016 and 2018, which

Gordon said was done mainly for family reasons, including marriage, saw a refreshed fast bowler donning colours for the Chris Gayle-led Vancouver Knights, the eventual winners of the inaugural Global T20 Canada tournament in 2018. He was however limited to one game.

Last year saw Gordon turn out for Toronto Nationals who managed to make the playoffs.

His seven wickets earned him a spot among the top seven bowlers in the tournament.

In the meantime, he has been creating havoc in the Toronto & District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Super 9, representing Vikings (a predominantly Guyanese side), grabbing 30 wickets for his title-winning team - the most by any bowler in the 2019 tournament.

In 2014, Gordon still harboured dreams of representing Guyana but was peeved at the way he was treated by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) selectors during a visit to his native land in December 2013.

Back then, Gordon, who also represented Guyana at the Under-19 level in 20052006, described his interaction with chairman of the GCB selectors, “as a royal round around.”

Then 27 years old, Gordon, who migrated to Canada in 2006,, pointed out that he still had a burning desire to play for Guyana but felt that this hope faded rapidly after the GCB se-

lectors ignored his wishes.

According to Gordon, despite playing in Canada, he returned periodically to play first division cricket in Guyana and had intimated his desire to represent the country of his birth, also in 2012, He claimed that he also spoke to officials of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) about his intentions.

Gordon said he was told that he “needed to play cricket in Guyana before he could be considered for national selection”. Acknowledging that he had no problem with the directive, Gordon said, “I explained to them that I am a regular member of the Canadian national team and I work full time and it will be tough but I will make every effort.”

Gordon, who made his Guyana first class debut at Albion Community Centre ground against the Leeward Islands in January 2007 and has played two other matches for his homeland, said that in 2013 he was advised by the chairman of selectors to return for the Inter-county tournament and he would be included in the Rest (President’s XI) side.

There was further frustration for an expectant Gordon when he arrived in Guyana, as, according to him, the chairman of selectors informed him that he hasn’t seen him bowl and so couldn’t include him in the squad.

Boasting that he had a

“pretty good summer”, Gordon said he was still hopeful “that things could have changed as, getting another opportunity to expose his cricketing ability at the highest level was something for which he had worked over the last few years.

“It was a great privilege to represent Guyana and I still have ambition of rekindling my games for them.”

Gordon is of the opinion that cricket in the North American country is very competitive, since there is a large number of expatriate players from cricket-playing nations featuring on an annual basis.

The New Amsterdam-born cricketer feels the game keeps improving at a rapid pace since there are players from different parts of the world plying their trade and also improving their skills, “and that has given us the encouragement to work harder on our cricket all-round.”

Gordon made his ODI debut for Canada against Scotland in July 2012 and played his first T20 game versus Ireland in Abu Dhabi in November 2013.

His maiden first class game was against Netherlands at the Maple Leaf ground in Toronto in August, 2013.

Gordon has captured 23 wickets in five first-class matches at an average of 21.08 with six for 43 being his best. He has also taken six scalps in five ODIs, his best being three for 26.

Leeds hold City to entertaining draw, Everton maintain perfect start

when we could have scored the goals we needed.

“It’s not easy to play against them. They’ve showed how good they are.”

CLINICAL CALVERT-LEWIN Earlier, Dominic Calvert-Lewin became the first Everton player to score in the opening four matches

of a Premier League season when he headed home a Gylfi Sigurdsson cross in the 16th minute to open the scoring at Goodison.

“I think it’s about self-belief,” Calvert-Lewin told BT Sport. “I always believed that I could get here. Sometimes it’s about age and maturity. I’ve been patient, now

I’m reaping my rewards.”

Neil Maupay equalised in the 41st minute only for Yerry Mina to restore the home side’s lead on the stroke of halftime, before good work from substitute Alex Iwobi presented Colombian Rodriguez with a second-half brace.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma then pulled out a dazzling

Leeds United’s Rodrigo celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates v Manchester City - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain yesterday (Pool via REUTERS/Catherine Ivill)

late consolation strike for the visitors.

“The performance was complete and this was the reason we deserved to win,” said Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti, who appears to be fashioning yet another of his excellent teams.

Chelsea’s goals all came in the second half, with summer-signing Chilwell impressing on his first league start since joining from Leicester City.

He scored from close range in the 50th minute, with Chelsea doubling their lead in the 66th when Palace failed to clear a corner and Zouma headed home Chilwell’s cross.

Jorginho made sure of the win when he converted two penalties in the space of five minutes late in the game.

“I thought Ben Chilwell was fantastic in his contribution in all senses,” manager Frank Lampard said.

“He gets his goal, he gets an assist and he was always ready to join in. He looked like he’d played for us for a long time.”

Delhi Capitals beat KKR to go top of IPL points table

PAGE 47

Skipper Shreyas Iyer hammered 88* off 38 balls as Delhi Capitals beat Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday

BCB, Adana Homes honour Bristol ready to outstanding CSEC students stage ‘Return of the Dragon’

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PAGE 47

The six awardees pose with executives of BCB after the presentation

SEE PAGE 49

Ons Jabeur

Chief Executive Officer of Bris O Promotions, Seon Bristol

Jabeur becomes first Arab woman to reach French Open last 16

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2020