Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12-08-2020

WEDNESDAY 12th August, 2020

’ No. 106089

Cash-strapped GFC requests $581M bailout PAGE

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–– proposal being examined by the President, says natural resources minister

A representative of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) (right), on Tuesday, presents a hamper to a resident affected by recent floods that hit Numbers 53 to 58 villages, East Berbice Corentyne (DPI photo)

Mingo and Lawrence dodging prosecutor 17 PAGE

NGSA results to be released in September 02 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Harmon, Broomes enter PNCR executive committee New PNCR member on the CEC, Joseph Harmon

THE Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Monday co-opted Joseph Harmon and Simona Broomes to serve on the committee.

The meeting was convened by PNCR Chairman, Volda Lawrence.

At the party’s Sophia headquarters, Congress Place, where the decision was made, Party leader Brigadier David Granger addressed members of the CEC on the recently-concluded General and Regional Elections, the current political situation,

and the way forward.

According to a press statement, “In accordance with Section 17 (1) (f) of the Constitution of the People’s National Congress, Mr. Joseph Harmon and Ms. Simona Broomes were co-opted by the Leader of the Party to serve as members of the Central Executive Committee of the PNCR,

with effect from Saturday 1, August 2020. Mr. Harmon and Ms. Broomes were formally and warmly welcomed to the Executive Committee.”

Harmon, who served as Election Agent for the APNU+AFC, gave a detailed elections update and a summary of the Coalition’s performance.

The Central Executive

Committee was also given a brief on pending legal matters by Basil Williams.

The CEC deliberated on matters arising from the Leader’s address, and the APNU+AFC’s performance at the General and Regional Elections.

Two motions thanking the Party’s leaders, members, Coalition

New PNCR member on the CEC, Simona Broomes

partners, supporters, the diaspora and donors who worked and gave of their time and their treasure to the Coalition’s 2020 election campaign were passed unanimously.

Former magistrates among six charged with COVID- 19 breaches

FORMER Magistrates Chandra Sohan and Charlyn Artiga, along with New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor, Wainwright Mc Intosh, are among six persons charged for breaching social activities’ restriction when they attended a private party on July 29, at Number Two Village, East Canje.

Also charged were Kris Jagdeo, a contractor of Number 1 Road, Corentyne, Attor-

ney-at-law, Ramesh Rajkumar and the alleged host, Rafeek Kassim, a civil engineer of Lot 181 Number Two Village, East Canje.

According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Winston Poliah, on Wednesday, July 29, Rafeek Kassim hosted a private party at his residence and had invited several persons, including those charged.

The defendants, who were represented by Attor-

Charged: Rafik Kassim Charged: Former Magistrate, Charlyn Artiga

Charged: Kris Jagdeo

Former Magistrate, Chandra Sohan

ney-at-law, Horatio Edmondson, were charged separately with breach of restriction to home and breach of restriction on social activities respectively.

They all pleaded not guilty to the offences and were released on self-bail by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the New Amsterdam Court. They are expected to return to court on August 20.

Reports revealed that although the curfew for business had been lifted, the restrictions with respect to social gathering are still in effect.

This newspaper was reliably informed that the charges stemmed from a video that was leaked to the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force. As a result, the squad of the COVID-19 Task Force was informed and the arrests were made.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Cash-strapped GFC requests $581M bailout

–– proposal being examined by the President, says natural resources minister

By Navendra Seoraj A ONCE flourishing agency and major revenue earner for Guyana, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), is at its wits end, and has been forced to request a bailout from government in order to stay afloat.

The Commission, which is responsible for the administration and management of all state-owned forest land, had descended into a state of bankruptcy over the past five years, despite having a surplus of more than $4 billion at the end of 2015.

“Forestry is in a mess; staff are not paid.

They owe GPL over $70M, and they also have outstanding sums for NIS and GRA,” said Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday.

As a result of its financial standing, the GFC has asked for a bailout of $581M, which sum the Commission believes would be able to offset its debts and sustain them for seven months.

“They think in that time, they can go back to their normal footing, and sustain themselves effectively after that, and hopefully become an annual revenue earner,” said Minister Bharrat, as he recalled the days when the forest sector would make “a lot of money” and do a lot of things.

The forest sector had accounted for about three per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2011 and 2015, and according to the GFC’s 2015 report, total revenue earned from the export of forest products was over US$54M in 2014.

There was, however, a 15.8 per cent decrease

in revenue in 2015, when exports totaled US$45.6M. Reports following 2015 all showed a consistent decline in revenue earned by the forest sector.

For instance, the country had earned US$39.1 million in 2017, and within the space of a year, earnings had dipped to US$37.9 million.

HOW DECLINE STARTED “The sector’s decline started when the previous administration (APNU+AFC) took back lands from Barama and Baishanlin, which were both big concessionaires,” Minister Bharrat lamented, noting that those companies worked six to seven million hectares of land during their years of operation here.

Both companies ended their logging operations here in 2016. The country’s biggest forestry operator, Barama Company Limited (BCL), had initially announced plans to cut back operations, but eventually closed its forestry operations altogether, and focused mainly on plywood and veneer manufacturing. During its 25 years of operation, the company invested approximately $45B into the development of Guyana’s forest industry.

Baishanlin, which, along with its partners had exported over 50,000 cubic metres of logs between 2007 and 2015, also “shut shop” entirely.

“Those lands have since been given to small concessionaires, and while I have no problem with that,” Minister Bharrat said, “you have to look at their capacity to work the land… We end up with a problem where you have 70 per cent of these concessionaires

working; meaning that ten persons get the land, but only seven working.

“And the seven persons are only working the land up to 30 per cent, because they do not have the capacity to work it to 80 or 90 per cent… That is why they cannot generate the kind of revenue they got before.”

MISMANAGEMENT The reduction in revenue and mismanagement, to some extent, were blamed for the “sad” situation in which the GFC finds itself.

“It is really sad, because we have to bail them out; they have asked for a bail-out, and I took the proposal to Cabinet last Friday, because our interest is that people should get paid,” Minister Bharrat said, adding: “The President will look into the matter; he has promised to look at it by the end of this week.”

During a media briefing last Friday, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira had revealed that the GFC had not paid its staff for the month of July. The Commission has approximately 400 staff members, and faced similar issues since last year April.

Teixeira said, however, that that was not the case when the APNU+AFC took over government in 2015 “When we left office in 2015,” she said, “the GFC had a $4 billion surplus. Today it is bankrupt; it cannot pay the staff. It did not pay the staff in July, because it did not have money. There’s hundreds of millions of dollars in debt… How could $4 billion disappear in a ministry which brings in revenue

NGSA results to be released in September THE Ministry of Education (MoE), on Tuesday, informed that the results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), which was written on July 1 – 2, will be released on or before September 25.

Covering examinations in Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science, some 14,730 pupils were scheduled to write the nationwide assessment, and the students and their parents are eagerly awaiting the results as it will determine placement of the pupils to secondary schools.

Customarily written annually in April, with the results released in July, this year the NGSA faced special circumstances and had to be re-scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and

the closure of schools since March.

Following the recording of the country’s first case of the COVID-19 virus on March 11, schools were closed indefinitely and the NGSA as well as the annual Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations were all postponed. However, after the CXC took the decision to move forward with their examination, the MoE took the decision to also move forward with the NGSA. Prior to the examinations, schools were partially reopened to NGSA students on June 8 to cater for the preparation of the students and subsequently the holding of the exams.

An official Examinations Order was gazetted and published, which

addressed the public health protocols which were implemented for the examinations.

The measures outlined catered for appropriate sanitation stations, including adequate water and soap, and bins with covers; adequate sanitation supplies such as bleach, soap powder and alcohol-based sanitisers; floor signage, or markings indicating a physical distance of approximately six-feet apart, and a designated sickbay or quarantine area that is well-ventilated and equipped with a bed; first aid kit and personal protective gear to accommodate any student that is suspected to be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat all the time?”

The GFC has been facing financial woes for some time now, notwithstanding last year the government’s half-year economic report showing that there had been upward movement in the forestry sub-sector. The estimated growth was 7.8 per cent above the level achieved at the end of June 2018, making growth in the first half of 2019 8.5 per cent.

However, former GFC Chairperson, Jocelyn Dow had revealed last year that the GFC was falling short by up to $1 billion annually, to effectively carry out its function.

This was largely due to the falling exports of logs compounded by increased activities at the Commission, relating to the conservation efforts brought on by the Norway US$250 million deal to conserve the forests.

Police Public Relations Office under new leadership

ASSISTANT Commissioner, Royston Andries-Junor, has assumed full command of the Public Relations Office (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force.

He is taking over from Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan. Ramlakhan is expected to take up the post of commander of Region One, after Senior Superintendent, Wendell Blanum, returns to Georgetown as Crime Chief.

The new PRO brings to the department a vast array of experience and technical skills and is known as a people-friendly individual.

Assistant Commissioner, Royston Andries-Junor

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Biden VP pick: Kamala Harris chosen as running mate

(BBC) Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has named Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.

She is the first black woman to serve in the role.

Once a rival for the top job, the California senator of Indian-Jamaican heritage had long been considered the front-runner for the position.

The former California attorney-general has been urging police reform amid anti-racism protests.

Mr Biden will face President Donald Trump in the election on 3 November.

Vice-President Mike Pence remains the Republican incumbent’s running mate.

Only two other women have been nominated as vice-presidential candidates Sarah Palin by the Republican party in 2008 and Geraldine Ferraro by the Democrats in 1984. Neither made it to the White House.

A woman of colour has never been appointed to a presidential ticket by either of the two main American political parties. No woman has won the US presidency either.

WHAT DID BIDEN SAY? Mr Biden tweeted that he

had “the great honour” to name Ms Harris as his number two.

He described her as “a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants”.

ington, Delaware, on Wednesday afternoon on “working together to restore the soul of the nation and fight for working families to move the country forward”.

Kamala Harris

He noted how she had worked closely with his late son, Beau, when she was California’s attorney general.

“I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse,” he tweeted.

“I was proud then, and I’m proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign.”

The campaign announced that Mr Biden and Ms Harris will deliver remarks in Wilm-

WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST ― 11:30hrs - 13:00hrs

WHO IS KAMALA HARRIS? Ms Harris, 55, dropped out of the presidential race in December.

She repeatedly clashed with Mr Biden during the primary election debates, most notably criticising his praise for the “civil” working relationship he had with former senators who favoured racial segregation.

The Democrat was born in Oakland, California to two immigrant parents: an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father.

She went on to attend Howard University, one of the nation’s preeminent historically black colleges and universities. She has described her time there as among the most formative experiences of her life.

Ms Harris says she’s always been comfortable with her identity and simply describes herself as “an American”.

In 2019, she told the Washington Post that politicians should not have to fit into compartments because of their colour or background. “My point was: I am who I am. I’m good with it. You might need to figure it out, but I’m fine with it,” she said.

WHAT IS HER RECORD? After four years at Howard, Ms Harris went on to earn her law degree at the University of California, Hastings, and began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

She became the district attorney - the top prosecutor - for San Francisco in 2003, before being elected the first woman and the first African American to serve as California’s attorney general, the top lawyer and law enforcement official in America’s most

populous state.

In her nearly two terms in office as attorney general, Ms Harris gained a reputation as one of the Democratic party’s rising stars, using this momentum to propel her election as California’s junior US senator in 2017.

She launched her candidacy for president to a crowd of more than 20,000 in Oakland at the beginning of last year.

But the senator failed to articulate a clear rationale for her campaign, and gave muddled answers to questions in key policy areas like healthcare.

She was also unable to capitalise on the clear high point of her candidacy: debate performances that showed off her prosecutorial skills, often placing Mr Biden in the line of attack.

The self-described “progressive prosecutor” tried to emphasise more left-leaning parts of her legacy - requiring body cameras for some special agents at the California Department of Justice, the first state agency to adopt them, and launching a database that provided public access to crime statistics, though she failed to gain traction.

“Kamala is a cop” became a common refrain on the campaign trail, spoiling her attempts to win over the more liberal Democratic base during the primaries. Those same law enforcement credentials could, however, prove beneficial in the general election when Democrats need to win over more moderate voters and independents.

WHAT’S THE REACTION? The Trump campaign said the choice of running mate was proof that Mr Biden is “an empty shell being filled with the extreme agenda of the radicals on the left”.

“Not long ago, Kamala Harris called Joe Biden a racist and asked for an apology she never received,” the campaign said.

“Clearly, Phony Kamala will abandon her own morals, as well as try to bury her record as a prosecutor, in order to appease the anti-police extremists controlling the Democrat Party.

“In her failed attempt at running for president, Kamala Harris gleefully embraced the left’s radical manifesto, calling for trillions of dollars in new taxes and backing Bernie Sanders’ government takeover of healthcare.”

Earlier on Tuesday, President Trump said in an interview with Fox Sports Radio that some men might feel “insulted” by Mr Biden’s commitment to pick a woman as his vice-presidential candidate.

Mr Biden pledged in March to name a woman on the ticket.

Susan Rice, the Obama-era White House national security adviser who was also on the vice-presidential shortlist, was among the first to congratulate Ms Harris.

“Senator Harris is a tenacious and trailblazing leader who will make a great partner on the campaign trail,” said the former diplomat.

“I am confident that Biden-Harris will prove to be a winning ticket.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

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French activist St Lucia’s PM congratulates PNM on victory at the polls who worked with Guatemala indigenous people shot dead (LOOPTT) St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has congratulated Prime Minister-elect Dr Keith Rowley and the People’s National Movement (PNM) on their victory at the polls last night.

Chastanet said: ‘Congratulations to Dr Keith Rowley and the People’s National Movement on their new mandate to continue serving Trinidad & Tobago for five more years.

‘We wish you, your team, and the people of T&T great

success throughout this new term and we look forward to

working together to build a more united and prosperous

T&T Prime Minister-elect Dr Keith Rowley

St Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

region.’

The PNM defeated the United National Congress (UNC), led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, 22-19 seats during the 2020 General Election.

During his victory speech, Rowley declared: ‘Given the course that we have travelled, given the obstacles that we’ve had to overcome from 2015 to 2020, I tonight want to say that this result confirms my faith in the people of Trinidad and Tobago.’

PAHO director: COVID-19 threatening fight against HIV, TB

Benoît Maria helped indigenous people in Guatemala for more than 20 years

(BBC) A French human rights worker who helped indigenous people in Guatemala has been shot dead.

Benoît Maria, who headed a farming NGO, was killed while driving though an indigenous area about 160km (100 miles) north-west of Guatemala city on Monday.

It is unclear who killed him or why. His group, Agronomes et Veterinaires Sans Frontieres (AVSF), said it was a “cowardly” attack.

The French embassy urged officials to ensure “justice can be done quickly”.

“It is with great sadness that we confirm the death last night of our colleague Benoit Maria,” AVSF said in a statement.

“He was murdered... while on his way to his workplace in indigenous communities. For more than 20 years [he] had been in charge of... defending the rights of peasants and indigenous communities.”

Mr Maria was driving a van near the indigenous village of San Antonio Ilotenango when he was attacked.

In a statement, the French embassy in Guatemala said it was in contact

with local authorities to “ensure that this crime is solved”.

“Well-known in the French embassy, Mr Maria worked to improve the lot of the most disadvantaged people in the west of the country,” the statement added.

Indigenous Maya people make up about half of Guatemala’s population, but rights campaigners say they face enduring inequality and discrimination.

(NATIONNEWS) Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Dr Carissa F. Etienne has warned that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is threatening to set the region back in its fight against diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis (TB) and mosquito-borne diseases.

In a webinar media briefing on Tuesday, Etienne said just as the region was making significant progress against neglected tropical diseases, the pandemic “interrupted the mass drug administration campaigns that are vital to the elimination efforts”.

She said such disruptions were likely to drive infection rates up in the coming months and predicted that: “In the short term this means that more people will die from preventable and treatable

conditions and in the long term, the progress that we have made in recent decades could be lost in a few months.

Yet she said all was not lost as it was ‘not too late to prevent these outcomes’.”

treatment and cautioned that patients who skipped doses or interrupted their treatment, were in danger of a manageable condition “quickly turning into an active infection that threatens not only the

Dr Carissa F. Etienne (FILE)

Etienne said over 80 per cent of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were reporting challenges in the delivery of tuberculosis

patient, but also their family and close acquaintances”.

Etienne said while the region had managed to effectively treat HIV and several

countries had successfully eliminated HIV transmission from mothers to their newborns, PAHO’s data indicated that 30 per cent of people living with HIV were avoiding seeking care during the pandemic, while at the same time, countries had limited supplies of antiretroviral drugs.

“This is worrisome indeed, since without continued care and consistent medications, people living with HIV are more likely to become ill and to pass on HIV to their partners,” she said.

The health expert also sent a strong message to the region’s young people, warning that “young people do not have special powers against COVID-19”.

Instead she said they were also at risk for “severe sickness, hospitalisation and even death”. (GC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

(ag)

Cleaning house

CORRUPTION in and by the coalition government was rife and systemic but the magnitude of their perfidious rape of the nation’s monetary and other resources is mind-boggling and mind-numbing, as the newly-installed PPP/C Government is discovering, even as the Auditor-General is having to grapple with the consequences of thefts on such a scale that would test the endurance of his staff to the limit.

Any new government, faced with a myriad challenges to its administration, would obviously want trusted and competent aides to implement and manage its policies and programs for catalysation of a recovery of its macro-economic paradigm and social development synergies; especially within a construct of near-collapse of every sector that generates job and wealth-creation; and a demoralised private sector that has experienced entrepreneurial retrogression that ensued in many businesses collapsing in recent times, with some barely surviving this nation’s economic downturn, caused by many factors, but mainly by the decreased spending powers of the citizens of the land who were, in a multiplicity of ways, taking a battering from the coalition government – increased taxation, job losses, contracted opportunities for employment or wealth-creation in any sphere, among others.

It is unfathomable how, within a fiveyear period, even with increased taxation that added billions to national revenues annually, that Guyana’s treasury could be empty, with the country becoming highly-indebted since 2016, because of borrowing of massive amounts to fund profligacy on an unimaginable scale, mostly on non-productive programmes and pageantry. The cost of debt service has been rising rapidly and, in 2018 the Debt Service to Revenue (DSR) ratio was 8.2 per cent of the taxes collected and is expected to climb even more in 2019 to 8.8 per cent.

Speaking to the New York Guyanese

Diaspora in December last year, former President and current Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, asserted that the coalition government’s economic philosophy is debilitating.

Dr. Jagdeo elucidated further, explaining that the APNU+AFC government has spent in excess of $1.1 trillion, even while increasing tax collection by approximately $88 billion in just over four years.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, when the PPP/C demitted office the total debt collection after 23 years in office was $135 billion. After about four years of coalition governance taxation reached about $230 billion, which is nearly 70 per cent increase in overall taxation. This has consequently reduced the disposable income of wage-earners.

He also informed his audience that the previous government had, in a space of four years, borrowed some $900 million.

The accrual cost of servicing this debt burden will be humongous, even after the coalition government inherited billions in the treasury and sound foreign reserves from the PPP/C Government when they demitted office in 2915. They obviously have nothing much to show for such massive output of state funds and borrowed monies; especially since the few projects they implemented were foreign-funded.

Every sector has been denuded of funds; as an instance, Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) continues to struggle to pay its staff and other debts, as has been revealed by Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira. The commission is in a current state of bankruptcy to the extent that it cannot pay its staff, when it had a surplus of $4 billion at the end of 2015.

But the main causative factor of this profligacy is emerging and angering the national psyche, even the coalition supporters are disgusted at this blatant disregard of their welfare and the betrayal of their trust;

pervasive cronyism, sinecure positions that has provided – not just a good life; but a luxurious life for a chosen few; even while children were going hungry and a pandemic was sweeping unchecked across the land, causing loss of precious Guyanese lives.

The headlines are screaming: “APNU+AFC paid 23 political appointees over $7.7M monthly, with no evidence of work” – Guyana Times; “Hundreds of millions paid to ministry advisors, community officers without evidence of performance” – Stabroek News; “56 employees drawdown $800M — with no evidence of work under Bulkan’s watch” – Guyana Chronicle; “Min. of Communities paid hundreds of millions to over 50 contract workers – No proof of work done” – Kaieteur News. That was from merely one ministry.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has four communication Officers, when one competent Press Officer would suffice for information dissemination.

Then there are the multiplicity of advisers and other fat cats merely occupying space in government ministries- and not even occupying the spaces because some of them are not even domiciled in Guyana; the Director of Parks, for instance; thousands of persons holding sinecure positions that provided them with hefty salaries and a plethora of benefits, with no or little service provision; but Guyana’s children were denied a $10,000 cash grant and enabling programmes that benefitted the vulnerable in society were dismantled – water and electricity subsidies; efficient and effective healthcare; a multitude of social ills that were not being addressed; while billionaires were being awarded even more billions and other resources that denuded the State of income and provisions to implement wealth and job-creational initiatives. A case in point is the dismantling and sale of the operational parts of the sugar-producing factories, gifts of lands that were slated for major national

projects, such as the deep-water harbor in Berbice, among others.

The PPP/C Government has one mantra – development with a human face. Cabinet is preparing the annual budget; but is forced to contract its planned developmental programmes because of the fiscal deficiencies; so it is imperative for a prioritising of its spending that would benefit the Guyanese people.

PPP/C Government is not witch-hunting anyone because of ethnic bias or political affiliation; otherwise they would fire almost the entire public service.

However, the parasites who have sucked the blood from this nation’s taxpayers spanning a five-year period, to the tune of billions of dollars and other resources that could and should have afforded the Guyanese working-class people the promised “good life for all” have amassed enough to provide for their generations and those revenues have to be diverted to social programmes that would eventually provide every citizen of the land a life full of promise and a fructification of a truly good life for all.

PPP/C Government has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it intends to retain the services of anyone who is competent and can deliver requisite service to the nation; as has been proven by its retention of Carl Greenidge for continuation of its good officer process between Guyana and Venezuela, among hundreds of other technocrats and the inherited staffing component of the various sectors; as well as its consultations on policies with the various stakeholders in the land.

The Irfaan Ali Government is not on a witch-hunt; but is resolute in pursuit of transparency and accountability in expending the nation’s resources for the benefit of all Guyanese. Ridding the nation of fat-cats who are holding sinecure positions is merely one of many interventions needed to effect this.

Monumental decision to open schools requires consultation with all stakeholders Dear Editor: OUR Senior Minister Manickchand is off and running at full speed in addressing the big issue of when and how to reopen our public schools.

This is a complex decision that requires the voices of all stakeholders – including the health agencies and COVID-19 task force, the teachers and the Guyana Teachers Union, the parents and their school boards, the students, the school administrators, the ministry’s curriculum staff and senior administrators, GTT, Digicel, Guyana Learning Channel Trust and Education Television Broadcasting Services (ETBS), and the media.

Equally important is dialogue with the public transportation associations, water

systems and food service suppliers and workers, the business community, and employees involved in school sanitation duties.

My own opinion is that in the regions where the incidence of COVID-19 is low or nonexistent such as Region Six, with great vigilance, it is relatively safe to open schools, with proper supporting services and protocols in place. For high-risk regions, a mixed model of face-to-face (using a shift system as may be necessary), remote learning using on-line methods and mailings of materials may be necessary. These are local control decisions. In the USA, remote learning as a widespread option is feasible because of the universal availability of internet connectivity, the abundance of digital tablets and computers, school staff with digital

competencies, or the availability of coaches and professional development resources to bring staff up to speed in facilitating remote learning. Guyana does not have such capabilities at this point, and getting there will not be quick and easy. The PPP/C’s ‘one laptop per family’ initiative should be restarted urgently.

The ministry’s challenges require seasoned education practitioners and experts to help the ministry design a remote learning plan. The power is in the design and the ability of the ministry to do a rapid deployment.

Remote learning is not merely the random mailing out of a few pieces of handouts just to say you have done something, if anybody asks what you are doing. It requires a more thoughtful, intentional, well-designed pro-

cess. For a ministry that has no current updated National Education Plan, this is not assuring to the nation, and the public should now be asking the ministry a tonne of questions about these matters. If we don’t ask these questions now, our children’s education and nation’s future would be in great jeopardy.

The opening of schools in the high-incidence, high-risk areas, such as Regions One, Four and Region Seven, is more problematic. Assuming that schools have adequate equipment for temperature screenings, supplies of face masks, PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), social distancing markers and plans, management of available space, training See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Only the tip of the iceberg Dear Editor,

WHAT is the temperature on the ground?

Only a week ago, the ruling government was still knocking on the closed door of justice, democracy tightly locked down by a caretaker administration in the midst of a deadly pandemic and, a sympathetic international community vigorously pursuing an agenda to pressure a rogue team to consent and concede to CARICOM’s creditable election recount result.

A perturbed nation struggled to survive with its citizens daily attempting to stay alive by scraping the bottom of the pot, saved by nature’s abundance and preserved through a treasured grace. Hope was slowly dying an unnatural death by a diminishing candle refusing to give up, but, undaunted, provided the weakest brightness with each fading second failing to rekindle in strength. The life span of a green light suddenly froze and its malfunction produced a sudden stop. Amber never had a chance to effectuate its yellow role because, red aggressively jumped ahead and firmly established its long awaited presence that was abated by a freak control delayed mechanism. A free-for-all traffic that continuously flowed profusely, it had no respect for the overburdened surface that was crumbling due to the wear and tear and no care for its much-needed maintenance. Sitting in traffic on the opposite side produced a sweating effect and a tolerance that was wearing thin with patience by this solid red of annoying stubbornness that was determined to agitate and aggravate the test of provocation. But the timely intervention by the saving hand

of fate played a pivotal role to appease a tempered rationality and changed the direction of a one-way route to a two-way transit.

The ambience of relief immediately pervaded. The loud roar of exuberance acerbated an exhausted defiance to rapidly renege any transgression. Progress forwarded with the modesty of humility to establish a controlled functionality. Only now, the tide has changed and a reverse situation has provided an air of splendor and fervor, occupying a space of anticipation and attracting a pulse for activation.

An iceberg is a large piece of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or an ice shelf and is floating freely in open (salt) water. Small bits of disintegrating icebergs are called “growlers” or “bergy bits”. Because the density of pure ice is about 920 kg/m3, and that of seawater about 1025 kg/m3, typically about one-tenth of the volume of an iceberg is above water (which follows from Archimede’s Principle of buoyancy). In April 1912, the majestic RMS “Titanic “ made its maiden voyage sailing from Southampton to New York with 2224 passengers and crew. Unfortunately, in the wee hours of the morning of the 15th, it hit an iceberg and sank with over 1500 people losing their lives. The captain of the ship stood his ground, did not desert his post and sank with the ship. Many of the world’s wealthiest people were on board along with a number of immigrants. The ship was carrying life boats for only half of the amount of people on board. The new Guyana government in its infancy stage and maiden 100 days voyage has already run smack into an iceberg. As was forewarned

Monumental decision ...

From page 6 of all staff to implement proper handwashing and sanitisation protocols, we have to contend with the issue of our students and staff using public transportation to get to and from school.

This poses a great risk for infection.

Similarly, there is the whole area of school breakfast/ nutrition program, our water systems, road side vendors around the school yard selling snacks, and adding positions to each school to do the additional ongoing sanitisation that would be required. Restricting visitors to schools is an easier fix. Students leaving campus during lunch time need to be restricted, and vendors may need to be restricted too. In the absence of nurses in every school, the ministry should consider special training of people in the community to do screenings and school sanitisation. This keeps students and schools safe and create additional jobs for community people. The national budget must allocate additional funds for the COVID-19 response by schools.

I suggest that the government should consider getting out of the newspaper business and use the Chronicle as a “Newspaper in Education” initiative to provide learning materials for education. The redirection of the Chronicle in this manner can be a big boost to the Education Ministry. Guyana has enough good daily newspapers and the Chronicle can be repurposed to be of much use to the country.

Even the bulk of the services of NCN and the community radio stations can be deployed to help the ministry’s COVID-19 response to deliver an equitable and high-quality education at such a time as this. As the minister reminded us, the Constitution requires this.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

and anticipated, all the red flags were up, but the sudden shift of the wind propelled the new government to the front and the caretaker to the back with a swift current that unavoidably dragged the ship to a sea of stumbling blocks. A preliminary medical checkup for basic health fitness is already unravelling the soundness of unhealthy records that are contaminated with diseases, disastrous and dangerous for environmental safety. No wonder the reluctance of the de facto administration to demit office and their recalcitrant behaviour to retain longevity and permanency in power. Stalling for time was so essential so that the rogues can go on a cleanup campaign. Stalling for time was instrumental so that the expense sheets were well padded for last minute adjustment, beneficial to the outgoing incumbent. But, more so, stalling for time was essential for payment deferrals so that the incoming occupiers will be saddle with this responsibility and the outgoing squatters will not inherit these liabilities. Playing for time is such an effective and strategic application tool.

As the enquiries are slowly unfolding with time and sketchy details, Guyana is being bombarded with the most horrendous, horrific and horrible discoveries that are so scary. No wonder the devastating state of the economy, the bankruptcy, the splurging of wasteful spending, the depleted Treasury, the corruption and collusions, the humongous irregularities, the in-transparencies, the hidden contracts, the secret agreements, the illegitimate arrangements, the tremendous cover-ups, the illegal transactions, the phantom workers, the exorbitant salaries and allowances, the

PNCR congratulates Dr Rowley on elections victory THE Central Executive Committee, members and the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley and the members and supporters of the People’s National Movement (PNM) on your victory at the General Elections in Trinidad and Tobago on the August 10, 2020.

The PNCR looks forward to continuing fraternal relations with your party, the PNM. Sincerely, People’s National Congress Reform

slimy perks, the control freaks, the broken systems, the vacuum for rules and regulations, the disregard for law and order, the convenience of intellectual avoidance, the advantage of state machinery, the aggravation of intimidation, the warped role of bullies, the use of distortions, the unhealthiness of twisted tales, the dangerous forked tongues, the incriminating lies and deceits, the scandalous deliberations, the fraud, the barefacedness and the yet to be revealed issues. Are the current announcements a reason for Guyanese to start weeping again or encore the “shame, shame” tune? Perhaps, this is only the tip of the iceberg, or worse, only the top of the tip of the iceberg!

The submerged unknown will soon surface to welcome “Jaws.”

Now tax payers know where their hard earned dollars went, who benefitted and why the small man never had a chance to be a real man.

The good life was not meant for you and I because of the dictators who ensured that the depressed remained the oppressed!

Regardless of political persuasion and infatuation, are you happy with what you are now finding out? Are you satisfied that your vote was for a good cause? Are you entertaining a thought of being used and abused? Are you experiencing a sense of guilty conscience? How do you feel after one week has elapsed?

Sleepless nights will torment not the “big ones” but the innocent “small ones.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Cash grants for students to resume THOUGH the logistics are still to be worked out, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), very much plans to honour its promise for the return of the $10,000 per child cash grant for children in public schools while contemplation is ongoing to have the programme extended to private school children as well.

This is according to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, who, last Tuesday, noted that the broke state in which the previous administration has left the national treasury, as well as the current social gathering restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the challenges affecting the moving forward of the project.

Nonetheless, citizens can be reassured that in time the

project will resume.

“That is a commitment we made as a political party on the campaign trail. The PPP/C has always honoured its commitment and it’s one we intend to honour. How we do that is [still being worked out]. We are in a very tight spot economically.

We are talking at the cabinet level about submissions for the budget,” the minister explained.

With the new government only recently having been installed following a long five-month elections process, the country has been without a national budget thus far, and the new government is now in the process of creating one.

However, with approximately 187,000 students in the system, the programme will require a $1.87 billion cash injection, and the na-

tional purse may not be able to handle the demand just yet.

Aside from the issue of working out the finances, Manickchand highlighted that finding an appropriate means of distribution, in light of the COVID-19 situation, would also provide challenges. Like many countries, Guyana currently has in effect social gathering restrictions as part of the measures to curb the spread of the virus. “[It] requires a distribution to people that sometimes could require a gathering or several gatherings and that is something we are trying to shut down right now. We [would] have to consult with health, unless we have means of getting the cash grant to parents without them in anyway gathering. So those are some of the issues we have

to examine,” she noted.

Called the “Because We Care” project, in 2014, the PPPC initiated the programme which issued to parents cash grants of $10,000 per child in the public school system. The programme was implemented with the aim of providing support to parents with school-age children and increase their disposable income, with a view to raising enrollment and attendance rates.

When the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) took over government in 2015, the party discontinued the grant. During the lead up to the March 2 elections, the

PPP/C had promised to reinstate the programme.

During its roll out, however, some parents with children in private schools had lobbied that if continued, the programme should extend to children in private schools. Manickchand last Tuesday, agreed that a child being in a private school is not necessarily an indication that the parents are not in need of financial aid, and so thought will be given to those children to also be recipients when the project re-commences.

“I see every student whether private or public as a student that we have to have as our primal concern their

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand interest and so it is not off the cards, it is something that was raised even the last time.

Like I said we are very new so some of these things are still being ironed out.

These things are always budgetary consideration and we have a heavily-taxed and by that I mean broke country,” she said.

GPL chairman Rawle Lucas resigns FORMER Chairman of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Rawle Lucas, has resigned.

Sources confirmed that he stepped down from the post on August 7. Lucas was appointed chairman of GPL in May 2019 by the former A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

At the time, however, the government was in a caretaker status, having lost a no- confidence motion in December 2018. As such, it was not supposed to be engaged in political appointments or the signing of new contracts.

Lucas is a well-known financial analyst.

Rawle Lucas

Seven REOs receive termination letters RGIONAL Executive Officers (REOs) for regions One, Two, Three, Five, Six, Nine and 10, on Tuesday, received their termination letters from Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Emil Mc Garrell.

This was confirmed by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

In chronological order,

the REOs were identified as Randolph Storm, Denis Jaikarran, Faye Mc Dougal, Ovid Morrison, Kim Stephen-Williams, Carl Parker and Orrin Gordon.

“The ministry lost confidence in their ability to perform.

Their deportment was inimical to the effective and efficient functioning of the regions they managed.

Moreover, they practised heavy partisan politics…

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall they were void of professionalism and impartiality,” Minister Dharamlall said in an invited comment.

An audit should be carried out at GPHC

THIS letter is a request for your newspaper to publish and the relevant agencies to which copies of this letter will be sent to for a forensic audit to be carried out on the affairs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

After assuming office in 2015, a witch hunt disguised as a forensic audit was car-

ried out at that institution with the aim of exposing grand corruption and theft but low and behold nothing was discovered because the then management ran a clean house.

Today the same cannot be said since we have a Chairman and CEO who seems clueless as to what has been taking place in the Finance

Department and the Facilities Management Division.

Without further lamenting I am kindly calling on the Audit Office to launch an investigation into the financial transactions at the GPHC over the last five years.

Regards, Whistleblower

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

‘A cry for public attention’ –– Hanoman reacts to move by Hughes to have charges against Lowenfield withdrawn

PROMINENT Attorney-at-law, Glen Hanoman, has said that the action of Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, to have his attorney write the Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar Ali-Hack, to have all of the criminal charges withdrawn, is a cry for public attention.

On Monday, August 10, 2020, Lowenfield’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, wrote to the DPP requesting that the three criminal charges of alleged fraud and misconduct against his client be withdrawn. The DPP has not issued a reply.

In a comment given to this publication, on Monday, Hughes explained that he does not believe that the private prosecutor attached to the case has sufficient evidence against his client.

The attorney is hopeful that the DPP will take a similar course, as she did last week, when she exercised her legal powers and discontinued the private criminal charges, for alleged malfeasance in public office, filed against Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

The private prosecutor, Glen Hanoman, described the move by Lowenfield and his attorney as a “public gimmick.”

Hanoman stressed that there was a lot of evidence against Lowenfield but statements have not yet been filed.

Additionally, Hanoman also argued that the defence has not had the chance to peruse the statements in the case, but was calling for

it to be dropped by the DPP. In July, Lowenfield appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to three private criminal charges brought against him for alleged fraud and misconduct.

He was not required to plead to the charges and was released on $450,000 bail and is expected to appear in court on August 14, 2020.

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

In his private criminal charge, Kanhai is alleging that Lowenfield, between March 5 and June 23, 2020, at Georgetown, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, County of Demerara, State of Guyana, conspired with person(s) unknown to commit the common law offence of fraud, to wit, by representing to the Guyana Elections Commission, that tables attached to his Election Report dated June 23, 2020, accurately reflected the true results of the said election, in order to materially alter the results of the said election, with intent to defraud, knowing the said tabulation to be false.

Morian is also alleging that Lowenfield, between March 5, 2020, and June 29, 2020, while performing his duty as the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, without lawful excuse or justification, wilfully miscon-

ECLAC meeting discusses data protection, privacy rights, and e-government in Caribbean COUNTRIES across the Caribbean are preparing to adopt or strengthen their data protection legislation in order to guarantee individual privacy rights and safeguard personal data, while creating an enabling environment for data sharing and e-government in the sub-region.

The benefits of implementing internationally-aligned data protection and sharing legislation were discussed during a virtual expert group meeting (EGM) convened by ECLAC Caribbean on July 15, 2020. The EGM was based on an upcoming study that reviews the data protection legislation of select Caribbean countries to assess the extent to which these laws are aligned with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as well as international best practice in the area of data sharing.

The study, entitled `Creating an enabling environment for e-government in the Caribbean: A review of data protection and sharing legislation for alignment with the GDPR’, will make targeted recommendations for revision of existing legislation or adoption of new legislation in order to bring it into compliance with regional and international standards and protect the right to privacy in light of technological developments that have increased government surveillance capabilities and enabled private organisations to conduct targeted advertising and profiling.

Addressing the participants, ECLAC Caribbean Director, Diane Quarless, stated that providing a level of data protection for

personal data essentially equivalent to that provided for in the GDPR can ensure a continuous flow of information to and from the Caribbean with significant economic value for countries in the sub-region.

“Global e-commerce offers new opportunities for Caribbean organisations to operate in international markets. Since organisations processing the personal data of EU citizens outside the EU are also liable for fines under the GDPR, aligning national regimes with the GDPR will also reduce the risk of financial penalties for Caribbean organisations,” she asserted.

Among other things, ECLAC’s study will also make recommendations on facilitating cross-border transfers of data, incentivising public and private sector information sharing, balancing freedom of expression with privacy rights, and enabling the effective enforcement of data protection laws through adequate resourcing of and cooperation between supervisory authorities.

Representatives of government ministries, departments and supervisory authorities responsible for data protection, information sharing and e-government from participating Caribbean countries, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands and Jamaica participated, along with representatives of Caribbean and European Union organisations with data protection and e-government mandates, and legal professionals with regional data protection expertise.

(from left) Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, Senior Counsel Neil Boston and Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield making their way to Court (Photo by Department of Public Information) ducted himself at Georgetown, a county of Demerara, State of Guyana, a place within the Georgetown Magisterial District by ascertaining results of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections for Guyana, knowing the said results to be false, the said wilful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust in the Office of the Chief

Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The second charge which was filed by Morian against Lowenfield claimed that he allegedly conspired with Region Four District Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, to alter results that had been declared in March for that district.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Disability community looks forward –– wants disability grant to working with gov’t to replace assistance THE Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) has said that it is looking forward to working along

with the new Irfaan Ali-led government, so far as implementing the contents of the Guyana Disability Act is concerned.

The Council has, sometime ago, drafted a document that details the kind of changes that it would like to see for the approximately

49,000 persons living with disabilities across Guyana.

The document is now being forwarded to various authorities for consideration.

“For too long, people with disabilities have been forced to live in poverty and depend on charity for their survival. We want that to change,” GCOPD Programme Coordinator Ganesh Singh said on Tuesday.

Speaking during an interview with Guyana Chronicle, Singh said there were some very specific things, in the Disability Act, that the Council wants to see implemented for the benefit of all those living with disabilities.

For one thing, there is the establishment of the disability grant, which would seek to replace public assistance, and would be guided by a policy that is disability specific. “This is something that we will push for; to ensure that all persons with disabilities who qualify get this financial assistance every month, because as it is right now, we only get $9,000 which is not adequate to live on,” Singh pointed out.

The Council is also hoping to see improvements in the scale of special education needs, so that children with disabilities would have more opportunities to gain a meaningful education.

According to Singh, the

body would further like to see the provision of low income house lots for persons with disabilities, and a small percentage of all government jobs being given to such persons who are qualified or skilled. “We want them to have employment, or they should be given a disability grant monthly so that they may be able to live a much better life.”

Towards a more independent life, Singh said buildings should become more accessible, whether in the form of wheelchair ramps, elevators and lifts, so that those in wheelchairs can conduct their business without having to depend on others.

More importantly, the Council will be targeting amendment to existing legislation to ensure that persons with disabilities, especially those who are blind, can be able to vote independently using templates or whatever provisions available.

“We know all is not going to happen immediately, but we are willing to strategise with those in authority on a way forward,” Singh offered.

Meanwhile, the GCOPD has a STEM Robotics Programme in four special needs school in the country which had to be put on hold due to the closure of school.

GCOPD Programme Coordinator, Ganesh Singh The programme, funded by ExxonMobil, is expected to restart once schools re-open.

The Council is also looking to restart the skills-training programme that it does in partnership with the Board of Industrial Training. This is done annually, and should resume within another few weeks.

“The Council would like to congratulate Dr. Irfaan and his government on their ascension to office.

We do look forward to having a productive, positive relationship with the new government in order to ensure that the contents of the Guyana Disability Act are implemented,” Singh remarked.

Coalition strongman in Region Two, Denis Jaikarran, sent packing THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development sent Region Two Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran, packing on Tuesday.

His termination came amid claims that he was a “dictator” in the region under the Coalition Government as opposed to a leader.

Jaikarran was asked by Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Permanent Secretary, Emil Mc Garrel, to immediately proceed on administrative leave until his contract comes to an end on October 27, 2020.

The letter was copied to Local Government and Regional Development Ministers, Nigel Dharamlall and Anand Persaud, and Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt.

Denis Jaikarran was posted in the region by the Granger-led coalition gov-

Fired: Denis Jaikarran ernment on January 2, 2019 to serve as Regional Executive Officer. He had replaced Rupert Hopkinson after the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) was of the belief that he was only interested in building parks.

Jaikarran, prior to 2015, had served as Regional Edu-

cation Officer and when he was posted many residents thought he would have performed to his best given the fact that he had knowledge of the region.

He completely shut out the PPP/C Regional Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt and Regional Vice-Chairman, Nandranie Coonjah, from their offices and from engagement that dealt with development. He even put out the Regional Vice Chairman out of her office and took away her vehicle.

He formed many committees where he promoted himself and used his personal media to promote his work. The media was shut out on many occasions from his meetings. Contractors had also alleged that they had to pay him to get a contract under his tenure.

Some women have also claimed that he sexually harassed them.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

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Min. Mustapha promises more youth involvement in agriculture sector – sees ‘millennials’ as the bedrock of a country’s economy

By Naomi Parris

NEWLY-appointed Minister of Agriculture Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, who is an agriculturist at heart, has vowed to create programmes for more youth involvement in the agriculture sector.

Describing himself as “a field man”, the minister told the Guyana Chronicle on Monday that his mission is to serve the people of Guyana to the best of his ability, and to have a hands-on approach to addressing the issues of those who work in and depend on the Agriculture sector for their livelihoods.

“I want to inform the Guyanese population that I am here to serve Guyanese; I’m here to ensure that we improve the agriculture sector, and I want to form a partnership with the people of our country so that we can improve agriculture,” he said.

A veritable new kid on the block where holding a ministerial post is concerned, Minister Mustapha stressed that he is dedicated to the execution of his duties to serve the people of Guyana, especially the youths, who he believes are pivotal to taking agriculture in Guyana to the next level.

Noting that he is in the process of setting up the infrastructure and engaging with the relevant stakeholders to have several sensitisation programmes put in place within the Ministry to encourage more youth involvement in the sector, he said: “We need programmes that will encourage people; we have to give incentive. If you look in the PPP/C Manifesto, those are some of the things we planned. We will give incentive and reduce land rental; we will give farming equipment, and we will give tools.”

The programmes of which he speaks, the minister said, will serve to encourage young people to be more proactive in the agriculture sector.

BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED In sharing his optimism, the Minister noted that when the younger populace sees the benefits which they can reap from such programmes and the agriculture sector, the government will definitely see more youth involvement.

“As long as people see that the agriculture sector is moving, and there are incentives, and see that there is money that they can make there, the young people will eventually gravitate towards that sector,” Minister Mustapha said.

He also noted that he has met with the heads of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to discuss the way forward as it relates to agro-processing, and having more local products on the shelves of every local super-

New Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha market, the minister said: “We are importing a lot of foodstuff that we are producing in our country; if we could promote those, and people can buy into it, then we will have less to import, and that will benefit our country, because the local producer will get market for their produce.”

He added, “The PPP/C government is centered around the people; people must benefit.

We must make the lives of the people better.

That is the whole objective and philosophy of the PPP/C government; to improve the lives of the people of this country.”

In terms of the projects that would have been implemented under the previous administration, Mustafa said he is yet to assess them to determine whether those projects or programmes were beneficial to the people of Guyana.

“I am open to any project that will benefit the Guyanese people,” he said, adding: “We should not say that because this is a project, we must just embrace it just like that; We have to see what benefits the people can get from that.”

With regard to the kitchen garden project that was launched amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Minister Mustafa noted that he will soon be revisiting it to determine whether it should be continued or how it can be improved.

“There was a kitchen garden project that was started by the previous minister. If that project is benefiting people, well then of course, I will continue with it; I’ll have to do a review of it to see what benefits people are getting from this project, if not, we will have to improve it to make it better, so that people can,” he said.

Pork knocker reportedly drowned

POLICE are currently investigating the suspected drowning of a 28-yearold pork knocker, which occurred on Monday, August 10, 2020, at Blackwater, Backdam.

Dead is Owen Charles of Block 22 Wismar, Linden.

A search has been launched for the recovery of his body.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

GNBS monitors to ensure quality of products

THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) continues to be at the forefront of ensuring that consumers receive the best possible products on the market, and that retailers adhere to the standards set to guarantee quality.

The Standards body says it is monitoring 15 more products at Guyana‘s ports of entry.

Such products are for commercial use and include tyres, footwear products and domestic appliances, inclusive of microwaves, safety

matches, safety helmets, gas stoves.

In an interview with the head of the Compliance Services Department, Quincy Troyer, Guyana Chronicle was told that the body will work in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor plastic products.

“But we would have developed a standard for it (monitoring of plastic products) and that system is still in the implentation stage. It has not gone to Cabinet as yet for approval,” Troy-

er told Chronicle.

The Compliance Department of the Bureau of Standards has been working on a standard act during the tenure of the previous administration but, with the new Government in place, efforts will be in place to ensure that the standard and environmental acts are passed in the National Assembly.

In Guyana, consumer protection laws include the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011 and the Competition and Fair Trading Act Chapter

90:07. There is also legislation related to financial institutions such as the Dealers in Foreign Currency (Licensing) Act No.19 of 1989; Credit Reporting Act No. 9 of 2010; the Insurance Act; National Payments Systems Act. Some of Guyana’s consumer laws are enforced by the CCAC, which comes under the Ministry of Business.

There is also the Department of Consumer Affairs which focuses on consumer awareness and educational programmes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Budgetary allocations to NDCs to increase –– says Minister Dharamlall

THE 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs) and 10 municipalities across Guyana are expected to receive greater support, including increase in budgetary allocations, as the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MoLGRD) rolls out its developmental agenda.

Speaking at their first press briefing, last Monday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, newly-appointed Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and Anand Persaud said the new government will also be putting more focus on infrastructural developments within the various local government organs.

The strengthening will include the continuation of local government elections and the establishment of information systems at each organ that will include an “issues log register”, which will record the grievances of citizens to ensure problems are properly documented.

An Inter-Ministerial Task Force, involving the MoLGRD collaborating with

the ministries of Public Works, Education, Health, and Amerindian Affairs is also on the cards.

“The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) manifesto speaks heavily to local governance where citizens take ownership of leadership within their communities.

We will enhance the skillset and provide support to residents within local bodies so that they can be core leaders at the local level,” Dharamlall, declared.

Dharamlall highlighted that local government and regional development play critical roles in enhancing people’s lives and the MoLGRD will work vigorously to strengthen local organs to ensure they become more efficient and effective in their relationship with citizens.

“Safe and secure communities are imperative to a wholesome life and are important to national wellbeing. We will continue to strengthen the capacity of our local organs. It is the mandate of President Irfaan Ali that local government elections continue,” Dharamlall established.

In Guyana, local government is the

Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall (left) and Anand Persaud at their press briefing on Monday (Delano Williams photo) third tier of governance in Guyana, coming under the national governance headed by the National Assembly and the regional governance comprising the 10 Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).

Local government is provided for by the Municipal and District Councils Act

1988 and Local Government Act 1998 and is enshrined in the Constitution.

Aside from the NDCs and municipalities, there are also a number of Amerindian village councils.

The local government organs are See page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

CARDI head, agri minister discuss sector development

HEAD of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Jhaman Kundun, and Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, have discussed plans to advance the agriculture sector, during a brief meeting on Monday.

Noting CARDI’s continued support for agricultural development in Guyana, Minister Mustapha said he looks forward to future collaboration between the ministry and CARDI to further develop the sector.

The CARDI head said the institute plans to continue to offer technical support to the relevant authorities within the agriculture sector, especially with dealing with COVID-19.

Minister Mustapha

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, during his meeting with CARDI head, Jhaman Kundun (seated left), Lionel Wordsworth and Madanlall Ramraj (at Minister Mustapha’s immediate right) welcomed all areas for collaboration, noting the negative impact the current global pandemic can have on Guyana’s agriculture sector.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the

agriculture value chains across the Caribbean, threatening food security and upending livelihoods of millions of people around the globe. We plan to continue working with CARDI and all our

International partners to ensure Guyana remains food secure and our citizens have continued access to healthy fruits and vegetables,” Minister Mustapha said.

While food supplies

in Guyana are presently stable, an extended period of this crisis, coupled with climate change, can put Guyana’s food supply chains on a precarious footing.

With this in mind, the

minister noted that the Agriculture Ministry, in exercising its mandate, will continue to promote healthy food consumption, more responsible agricultural systems and improved capacity building among farmers.

Guyana’s agriculture base, which is located on the coast, is constantly under threat, given the fact that it is below sea level.

Minister Mustapha said he intends to work towards strengthening the sector, while collaborating with other government ministries and agencies to improve agricultural systems across the country.

Also present at the meeting were Minister Mustapha’s ministerial advisors, Lionel Wordsworth and Madanlall Ramraj.

21 traffic lights solar panels stolen THE Ministry of Public Works has recorded the theft of 21 traffic lights solar panels within a period of two days.

According to the ministry, 12 are missing from Regent and Cummings Street, while seven solar panels are missing from Brickdam and Brummell Place, and two from Cummings Street and South Road.

The ministry is once again pleading with public-spirited citizens to report

Missing solar panels from the traffic light at Cummings and South Road

The missing traffic light solar panel at Regent and Cummings Street

any suspicious acts and/or theft of traffic lights components to the nearest police station or the Ministry of Public Works Public Relations Department via telephone on 592227-0799 or Facebook at Ministry of Public Works or via email at mopiguyana@gmail.com.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali greets India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa during a courtesy call at the Office of the President on Tuesday (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Breaking a generational cycle –– Nateica Garraway shares her story on breaking the cycle of illiteracy in her family –– says the same can be done in families with negative history

By Gabriella Chapman

THERE is a popular saying ‘you are the product of your environment’, which often leads to the belief that your family/generational history will be a recurring cycle that will affect you and generations after you.

However, 27-year-old Nateica Garraway, fondly known as “Sheri”, believes that it is possible to break generational cycles when one realises that they are the master of their own thoughts and attitudes and can tailor same in a positive direction.

This, she confirms with her personal story of breaking the cycle of illiteracy in her family.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle, Garraway said she was born in Essequibo but grew up in Buxton.

She was raised by a single mom, who was forced to drop out of school because tending to the family was valued far above having an education back then.

This in turn inherited the consequence of not having a sound education. However, the young woman said she was adamant that history must not repeat itself.

“I developed a love for reading and learning on my own from a tender age. This became

Nateica Garraway

Contractor accused of being ‘sweetman’ shot dead A FATHER of two of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice, succumbed to injuries early Tuesday morning after he was shot in the chest on Monday evening.

The dead man has been identified as Winston Robertson called “Highrollers” or “Redman”, a contractor and Fisherman of Lot two, Cotton Tree Village.

According to information received, at around 19:30 hours, Robertson, who was in front of the yard at a wash bay, was confronted and shot by a male, who allegedly accused him of having an affair with his wife.

An eyewitness told the media that Robertson was standing with a female friend when her husband armed with a handgun approached from behind. He gained access to the yard by scaling the back fence.

Guyana Chronicle understands that on Sunday evening, the suspect physically abused his wife but

she managed to escape and sought refuge at a friend’s house.

It is alleged that on Monday while at the friend, her husband found out she was there with Robertson and immediately came up with the plan finish him.

After firing at Robertson, the enraged man went after his wife who ran to seek refuge in the upstairs of the friend’s house, but the suspect ran behind her, grabbed her by the hair, beat her and dragged her down the stairs and unto the road. After beating her mercilessly, the man quickly made good his escape.

Robertson, after being shot, attempted to drive himself to hospital but instead crashed his car in the process. He was subsequently rescued and taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

The victim’s wife, Diana Robertson, said he left home at around 16:00 hours on Monday with an uncle but did not indicate

the foundation from which my academics were built. Knowing my generational background, I told myself I would push through with my studies to break the cycle of illiteracy within my family because it ends with me paving the way for my future generation to do even greater things,” Garraway said.

She said she stands by three principles that guide her life: in life, the choice is yours to be either a positive statistic or a negative one; be who you needed when you were younger; to be different you have to do different. And these steered her life in the right direction, allowing her to now become the best version of herself, with a plethora of achievements.

Because she is a nature and animal lover who is intrigued by science, Garraway pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in General Biology at the University of Guyana.

In addition to her academics, she said she loves being creative, “whether reading, writing, cooking, baking or sharing my insights. That’s why, to date, I have co-authored one book by Sonia Noel: Women Across Borders and Rising from the Ashes with chapter entitled ‘Youth With a Vision: Breaking Barriers’. I started a home-based cake decorating service called Rafiki’s Cake House; and I also started a blog page called ‘Sheri’s Insights’.

Volunteerism is also a strong passion of the young woman. “I love helping others and creating change that’s why I

entered volunteerism since 2014 and am still active. Mainly I’ve volunteered as a Zoo Education Officer at the Guyana Zoo; volunteered at the Association of Young Africans (AYA) because I have a great interest in afro-centric empowerment, and lastly SRHR adventures that promotes sexual and reproductive health with a special focus on contraception/ family planning in Guyana of which I am still a part of today.

I’ve undergone local and international training on youth leadership by Ministry of the Presidency Youth Leadership training and the Kectil Programme, of which I am the 2020 regional coordinator for the Caribbean and South America Region. I recently got accepted into the 2020 Women Deliver Young Leader Programme,” she shared.

Based on her successful journey of becoming who she is today, Garraway said that she will keep using her voice in the world of volunteerism and build her generational legacy.

“My advice to fellow youths is to not wear labels thrown at you based on your environment, family background, etc. But rather create who and what you wish to become. If like me, you have the desire to be more than one of anything, then strive for all at your own pace; don’t let anyone limit your ability because of theirs.

If you think and believe it, then you can manifest it,” the young woman said.

German officials intercept US$350M cocaine-in-rice shipment from Guyana Dead: Winston Robertson where he was going. Diana said she was informed at around 20:00 hours that her husband was shot and requested that she visits him at the hospital.

The woman related as she made her way to the hospital, she received a call that her husband was being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

“We stopped at the scene and just watched as the ambulance was passing with him,” she said in tears.

Diane is hoping that the police find the perpetrator and bring him to justice.

“I love my husband and it is sad for all my children to lose their father. I hope whoever is responsible will face the penalty of the law.

It is devastating.

He was a caring and hardworking person,” she said.

Up to press time the suspect was not apprehended.

CUSTOMS officials in the port of Hamburg, Germany, recently made one of the port’s largest drug busts.

They discovered more than 1.5 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a container of rice arriving aboard a ship from Guyana.

The investigators estimated the value of the cocaine at more than US$350 million. They assumed that, after reaching Poland, the drugs would have been sold in bulk and ultimately be on the streets across Europe.

The police reported that the container had arrived aboard the CMA CGM Jean Gabriel. After being offloaded in Hamburg, the container was being stored in a container yard. It had been scheduled to be transshipped to Poland.

German investigators reportedly received a confidential tip about the drug smuggling operation and began a thorough search of the container yard.

When the container was examined at the city’s customs office, investigators revealed that they discovered 47 large packages of cocaine hidden between sacks of rice coming from Guyana.

Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster, reported that it was

The port of Hamburg among the largest quantities of cocaine ever seized in Hamburg.

They reported that customs officers seized 4.5 tonnes of cocaine, a year ago, in another container in the port; and that originated in Uruguay and was destined for Antwerp.

The customs officials said that the recent discovery was proof that the illegal narcotics business was continuing, despite all the restrictions, due to the global pandemic.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Mingo and Lawrence dodging prosecutor

IT has been five months since attorney-at-law and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member, Charles Ramson Jr., had filed private criminal charges against the Returning Officer (RO) for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo, and Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the special prosecutor in the case, Glenn Hanoman, explained that he had made several attempts to try to serve the charges on the two defendants but their locations were unknown.

Hanoman stressed that he had tried to serve the charges on Lawrence while she was at a PNCR meeting

Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Volda Lawrence, and Returning Officer (RO) for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo. at Congress Place, Sophia but he was barred by security officials. He also tried serving the documents at several other addresses for her, but all proved futile.

Additionally, Mingo’s whereabouts were unknown and the court case against the duo is expected to be called on Friday, August 14, 2020, at the Georgetown Magis-

Financial guru launches novel multipurpose NGO –– to help families cope with COVID-19 financial fallout FINANCIAL intelligence adviser and author, Gary Thompson has embarked on a new project with the launching of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Family Planning Institute, to address the struggles of family and finances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Thompson disclosed that the organisation will target the youths of Guyana, offering them programmes in four pillars, namely: Psychology & human resources; leadership-emotional intelligence; financial intelligence; and business psychology.

Thompson noted that the aim of the organisation is to provide Guyanese, especially the youths, with a sense of direction as they enter the world of adulthood and family life.

“The chief focus is to speak to issues that will help individuals gain a sense of self, and to gain a sense of direction with their lives.

We believe that poverty is a mindset, and wealth is a mindset, so one of our first tasks is to get people to have a positive sense of self,” he said.

Thompson further explained that with the leadership-emotional intelligence programme, the organisation will be offering mentorship in various leadership roles, as well as family planning skills to provide for a household.

“We have persons that will work with young people on developing their personal life plan; we have persons that can work with you in developing your family life master plan and professional plan,” Thompson said.

He noted that in most cases when one thinks of starting a family, it’s based on emotions, however while emotional support is a must financial support is equally needed and important to sustain a family.

“What we see very often, people start a family, and that is an emotional decision. But you cannot carry emotions to the bank; you cannot carry emotions to the market. You need more than just emotional involvement to sustain a healthy family relationship,” Thompson explained.

He noted that the leadership programme helps one to think ahead and take action, as

Financial intelligence adviser, Gary Thompson well as plan financially to start a family. “In your life, you want to be able to think ahead; and you must have a game-plan to make it happen.”

The third programme, Financial Intelligence, he stated, will see persons who wish to participate in the programme learning of passive income cash flow, multiple strings of income, and smart investment strategies.

He stated that in this day and age, there are many young people who are unaware of bank operations and the various requirements needed to receive assistance when seeking help from a financial organisation hence he stated that the programme will also offer teachings on the commercial financial sector and how to pre-qualify for a back loan.

The fourth and final programme, Business Psychology, Thompson noted, will focus on entrepreneurs and family businesses, offering skills in business management.

Thompson, who is also a business consultant heading the firm, Global Branding and Marketing, noted that research has shown that that over 70 per cent of small businesses that are birthed failed within the first five years of start-up, thus making it difficult for entrepreneurs to maintain a sustainable business venture as such the business programme will address such issues also.

trates’ Court.

In March, the now Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ramson Jr, filed criminal charges, contending that Mingo and Lawrence uttered a forged document with the intent to defraud the public, contrary to section 278 of the criminal law Offences Act Chapter 8:01.

Particulars of the offence stated that Mingo, having been procured by the accused Lawrence, on or about March 5, 2020, at Hadfield and High

Street, Georgetown, uttered to the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, a Form 24 Representation of the People Act Regional Elections Election Return dated March 5, 2020, knowing same to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of the State of Guyana.

The charges alleged that Mingo and Minster Lawrence colluded with each other to forge that Form 24

document. Lawrence’s signature was affixed to the said document, which had shown a win for the A Partnership for National Unity plus the Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC.) However, when the PPP/C counted from the SOPs in its possession, it showed otherwise, while the international and local observers deemed the count not credible, and eventually a recount was done which declared PPP/C the winner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Restoration of Georgetown high on agenda – Minister Dharamlall

MINISTERS of Local Government and Regional Development (LGRD), Nigel Dharamlall, and Anand Persaud, on Monday, met with Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, to establish a good working relation with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Speaking about the visit at a subsequent press conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Dharamlall established that the development of the City is at the forefront of the ministry’s plans going forward.

“It is part of the mandate of the government that we would have to elevate Georgetown to a higher level and very soon the Ministry of LGRD will establish an inter-ministerial committee to work closely with the residents of Georgetown, to ensure that elevation happens very soon and in the best interest of national de-

velopment,” Dharamlall declared.

Also present during the courtesy call was Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore.

With the ministry needing to work closely with the Council for the development of the city, the two sides discussed renewed relationships.

“We had a very cordial meeting. We discussed generally how we would like to work more closely with the residents of Georgetown and what is our modus operandi in collaborating with the Georgetown M&CC and what is our modus operandi in the reverse where the City Council operates with Central Government,” he related.

Dharamlall sees the collaboration as the beginning of a process which will ensure all is well in the future.

“We hope whatever decisions are taken that those decisions will be done col-

Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall (left) and Anand Persaud (second from right) with Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine (second from left) and Deputy Mayor, Alfred Mentore (DPI photo) laboratively; that those Dharamlall also said. ing and training for councilNarine said he is looking decisions will be done Narine took the opportu- lors; garbage collection; val- forward to the establishin the best interest of the nity to brief the ministers of uation of property for rating ment of the Inter-ministerial citizens, and as councillors several projects and issues purposes; debt collection; Committee and looks forand government, it is our ongoing at the municipality. the annual subvention from ward to working along with duty to serve our people,” “We discussed a few Central Government; and the ministry. matters such as the George- the continuation of works “I gave my committown $75 million restoration on Kitty and Bourda mar- ment to work along with project; construction of the kets, as well as policies and the ministry and ministers admin building and rehabil- by laws, and new areas for for the betterment of our itation of City Hall. We also revenue generation,” Narine people and development talked about capacity build- shared when contacted. of the City,” Narine said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

MoE working on delivering effective, efficient education virtually INCOMING Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Monday met with the Ministry of Education’s Management of Information Systems Unit (MISU) to brainstorm a novel approach to education delivery.

In a nutshell, the pur-

to close schools, effective March 16, to help slow the spread of the virus. Similar closures and other measures were also effected all across the Caribbean and other parts of the world, and in its attempt to mitigate the pressure those measures were putting on

Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand during the meeting with MISU officials on Monday pose of the meeting was to essentially come up with strategies to effectively and efficiently deliver education virtually in light of the current COVID-19 situation.

Among those in attendance were: MISU Head, Mr. Indar Singh; Systems Development Coordinator, Mr. Godfrey Munroe; Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Ms. Nicola Johnson; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Nursery), Ms. Samantha Williams; Systems Development Coordinator, Mr. Imran Mohamed; and Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Ms. Jennifer Cumberbatch. Notably, ever since Guyana recorded its first case of the coronavirus on March 11, 2020 the MOE, under the previous administration, took a decision

the delivery of education, the MoE has been providing interactive learning via television, the Learning Channel; on radio; and on its website.

Here in Guyana, the closing of schools was effective until April 3, which marked the end of the Easter school term, leading straight into the two-week Easter vacation. As such, students and teachers were expected to return to school for scheduled reopening on April 20.

However, over that period of time , the COVID-19 situation in Guyana and the rest of the world had escalated significantly, resulting in even more stringent measures being implemented, requiring persons to remain at home as much and as long as is practicable.

Meeting in progress

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Budgetary allocations ...

From page 14

meant to be a way of taking governance to the people and putting them in charge of their own communities.

To carry out their mandates, the municipalities and NDCs are provided annually with finances through government subventions.

SEMI-AUTONOMOUS However, the organs are ultimately expected to be semi-autonomous bodies that gain their own income through the collection of taxes and charging for services provided in the communities they serve.

However, over the years, the system has faced its challenges.

In the 2019 budget, subventions for the NDCs were increased to $5 million from $3 million while subventions for the municipalities were increased to $18 million from $15 million. However, many of the organs still struggled to get many projects in their communities completed.

“Local government organs require substantial financial support… we intend to pursue very quickly subventions to NDCs and municipalities… and we will be increasing their subvention and supporting our local government organs to manage resources and take on greater responsibility where infrastructure is concerned,” Dharamlall said.

Minister Dharamlall further noted that even as the financial support to the organs increase, so will the expectations of accountability and transparency.

“We have to vigorously pursue and strengthen planning and budgeting of our local government organs, so that they can become more transparent and accountable to citizens they serve,” he said.

Minister Persaud, during his address, noted that the ministers will soon be assessing the situation across the various NDCs. “Very shortly, myself and Minister Dharamlall will start making field visits to the 10 administrative regions, to listen to citizens and see how best we can assist them in the next five years,” Persaud said.

Dharamlall said the ministry will adopt a partnership approach to governance.

“We want residents and citizens to work handin-hand with us to bridge that gap between government and citizens, making decisions together, making policies together. We will rebuild economic structure in regions and by that we mean every region and all of this being done with their support and collaboration,” Dharamlall said.

Feedback, he said, will also play a vital role in the structure that the new ministry will be looking to establish.

“We will establish, in every single part of the structure, an information system that provides feedback. Every RDC, NDC, and municipality, including Georgetown will have an ‘issues log register’.

Whether physical or virtual register, we expect that our citizens will have access to these offices and bodies where services can be provided. We will have allocated from MoLGRD officers who will respond and react immediately to all of these registers,” he said.

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Sport Minister engages Sport Associations RECENTLY appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, yesterday began his weeklong interaction and meetings with a number of sport associations and federations, not only to introduce himself but also to hear their needs and what should take priority by his Government.

Cricket, basketball and football, the three mostplayed sports locally, met with Ramson at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, where he noted that under his tenure as the Minister of Sport, they will all flourish, He highlighted the PPP/C’s Government interest in ensuring that the facilities are available.

In his meeting with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), it was said that discussions sought to remedy the current difficulties and constraints faced by the Board in the execution of its mandate to advance the sport of cricket in Guyana resulting in a number of collaborative efforts being advanced.

Ramson, known for his passion for basketball, met

with president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Michael Singh and his executives, as well as president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Jermaine Slater and his team.

The basketball fraternity received Ramson’s fullest support as he reminded that he more than dabbled in the sport.

Details regarding the meeting between the Minister and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) were not known at this time.

After taking his Oath of Office from Head of State, Dr Irfaan Ali, Ramson, speaking to the media, had called the approach to sports in Guyana “ad hoc”. Ramson is also hoping to use his far-reaching network to help transform the sport sector.

“In order to create a sustainable sport development programme that is a sport economy as well, because sport is a business too, we need a system that is sustainable and that can only be done through organised stakeholders and people that are connected to the overall development trajectory of the country,” the Sport Minister said.

Ramson was adamant that “sport is more than just hobbies and staying fit; it is far bigger than that. It is one of the largest sectors in the world and it could very well be transformational for the country as well, by being able to draw on our human capital and our talents as young people.”

Having graduated with a Master’s of Science degree in Oil and Gas Engineering from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, Ramson, who is an Attorney-at-Law, was asked about being in a sector that is the totally opposite of his area of expertise.

In response, the avid cricket and basketball fan explained “the President recognises that over 60% of the population of Guyana is below the age of 35. For the last five years, this country has had a lack of strong youth leadership and an absence of sport leadership.”

“The President, as well as the party, also believes that all three areas require strong leadership. It requires us to get organised so that we could help to transform the country and also to unify the country, and it is a critical component of who we are as a people and part of the healing process,” Ramson reasoned.

According to Ramson, “Most of you know that I have a very strong sports background even though I was doing Oil and Gas and was speaking regularly on Oil and Gas subjects, I have always been doing sports-related issues and sports-related programmes. “ The minister said as far as providing the young leadership in Guyana for which there is a strong voice, both the President and the party felt that he would better serve in the area of Culture, Youth and Sport.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

NBA Roundup…

Kuzma’s 3-pointer carries Lakers past Nuggets

KYLE Kuzma’s 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left lifted Los Angeles Lakers to a 124121 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night near Orlando.

LeBron James had 29 points 12 assists for the Lakers, who snapped a threegame losing streak. Anthony Davis finished with 27 points, and Kuzma contributed 25.

Reserve guard PJ Dozier had 18 points to lead the Nuggets, who had eight players reach double figures.

Michael Porter Jr had 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting, in-

cluding 3-of-3 on 3-pointers.

Jamal Murray had 14 points, Paul Millsap scored 13 and Nikola Jokic chipped in 12 for Denver.

The Nuggets rested their starters for much of the fourth quarter, and the loss left them 1-1/2 games back of Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with two games remaining. The two teams meet today.

TORONTO RAPTORS 114 - MILWAUKEE BUCKS 106

Chris Boucher had a career-best 25 points to go with 11 rebounds, and Toronto defeated Milwaukee for the first time this season as both teams played without key players.

Matt Thomas added a career-best 22 points for Raptors and Norman Powell had 21 points and eight rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 14 points for Toronto.

K y l e K o r v e r s c o re d 19 points for Milwaukee, Khris Middleton had 17, and George Hill netted 14.

PHOENIX SUNS 128 - OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 101 Devin Booker scored 35 points and Phoenix continued its surprising undefeated run through the NBA bubble, cruising past short-handed Oklahoma City.

Booker, who sat out the fourth quarter, notched his 90th career 30-point game and tied Suns legend Walter Davis for most 30-point games in franchise history.

Mikal Bridges and rookie Cameron Johnson added 18 points each for Suns, who have won all six seeding games in the bubble and remain in the thick of the race for a post-season berth.

Darius Bazley’s 22 points and 10 rebounds led Thunder. Oklahoma City, who lost a 15-point lead in the first half and have already clinched a playoff spot and are 3-3 in the bubble.

DALLAS MAVERICKS 122 - UTAH JAZZ 114 Tim Hardaway Jr led Dallas with 27 points and Seth Curry added 22 to lead Mavericks to a victory over Utah.

Boban Marjanovic added 20 points and nine rebounds and J.J. Barea chipped in 18 for Mavericks, who rallied from a 22-point deficit.

Jordan Clarkson scored

18 points to lead Utah.

Rayjon Tucker added a career-high 17 points while Emmanuel Mudiay added 14 and Georges Niang chipped in 13 for Jazz, who blew a late double-digit lead for a second straight game.

MIAMI HEAT 114 INDIANA PACERS 92

been out with a sore right foot. The teams were tied at halftime, but Heat led by as many as 18 points in an explosive third quarter and cruised from there, cooling off Pacers star T.J. Warren along the way.

Warren entered Monday as the league’s top scorer in the restart, averaging an

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma (0) tries to outrun Denver Nuggets’ PJ Dozier (35) on a drive to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. at Advent Health Arena (Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports)

Jimmy Butler, returning from a three-game injury absence, had game-highs with 19 points 11 rebounds four steals, to lead Miami past Indiana and into sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Butler, who also had five assists in 29 minutes, had

impressive 34.8 points on 60.5 percent shooting from the floor and 55.6 percent on 3-point attempts. However, Miami held him to 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting, including 2-for-6 on 3-point attempts. Victor Oladipo led Indiana with 14 points.

(Field Level Media)

Athletes afraid to speak about abuse for fear of losing funding, says Minichiello ATHLETES are afraid to speak out about a culture of abuse because they fear not being selected or losing funding, says coach Toni Minichiello.

Olympic medallist Nile Wilson told BBC Sport on Monday that British gymnasts were treated like “pieces of meat”.

Minichiello, who coached Jessica Ennis-Hill to Olympic heptathlon gold in 2012, says “athletics is the same”.

He added: “Athletes, coaches are afraid to speak out in case it would affect selection or funding.”

On Twitter, Minichiello said the “culture has developed since Lottery funding came in” for elite sport in 1997.

He added: “In life there is a selection of employers and employment rights legislation. In sport, one employer no rights, no protection under the law.

“And in the main we are talking about the abuse of CHILDREN.” UK Athletics (UKA) has acknowledged there is “a lot

more work to be done” regarding safeguarding after an independent review of its policies published last month found a “lack of precision” in lines of responsibility.

The governing body has been given a 12-month timeframe for implementing the recommendations because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

BBC Sport has contacted UKA for a response to Minichiello’s comments.

In July, British Gymnastics announced an independent review would be launched to look into allegations of widespread mistreatment in the sport. But concerns have been raised about the time taken to look into complaints in the past.

The governing body defended its processes after Olympic medallist Amy Tinkler criticised it for a lack of urgency with an investigation into her claims of bullying and abuse.

Former Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford says there is “zero community within track” and the culture in

athletics is “all for one and one for one”.

He tweeted: “The other issue I have is that every time I did speak out I was told by other athletes, commentators and people working in the sport to be quiet and that I was exaggerating ... until they had an issue.”

Former Olympic sprinter Chris Lambert said: “This is absolutely a massive problem. Athletes are easy to pick off because of the individual nature of the sport. And anyone in sport admin is so often only interested when your star is on the rise.

“It’s the way of things, but it’s a lot for young broke athletes to take on.”

Winter Paralympic gold medallist Kelly Gallagher said: “Same with most sports I guess. Sometimes I think to myself that it is strange how athletes are so downtrodden when the sport is supposedly about us, athletes.”

(BBC Sport)

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Domestic 50-over competition named Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

THIS season’s women’s 50over domestic competition will be named the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in honour of England’s World Cup-winning captain.

Baroness Heyhoe Flint led England to the World Cup in 1973 and is regarded as a trailblazer for women’s cricket.

The month-long competition will begin on August Bank Holiday weekend with the final on Saturday, September 26.

The fixtures for the eight-team competition will be released today.

The competition has been created for this summer only, to ensure women’s domestic cricket is played despite the

challenges of COVID-19.

ECB managing director of women’s cricket, Clare Connor, said: “I’m delighted that, despite the obvious challenges of COVID-19, we have been able to continue to build the new women’s elite domestic structure to the point that we’ll see the eight regions play 50-over cricket this summer.

“Rachael Heyhoe Flint would have been proud to witness the professionalisation of the domestic women’s game. She did so much for our sport and without her work, passion and dedication we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

The eight regional teams will be split into two groups

Rachel Heyhoe Flint played 22 Tests and 23 one-day internationals during a 19-year England career

with the winners of each group meeting in the final.

The availability of England Women’s centrally contracted players will be known once the international schedule has been confirmed.

Heyhoe Flint, who captained England between 1966 and 1978 and was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2010, passed away in 2017.

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy groups North: Central Sparks, Lightning, Northern Diamonds, Thunder South: South East Stars, Southern Vipers, Sunrisers, Western Storm.

(BBC Sport)

England’s Anderson quashes retirement talk as he eyes return to form

By Arvind Sriram

(REUTERS) - England’s most successful bowler James Anderson says he is not pondering his test retirement but conceded the decision to step away could be taken out of his hands if he continues to underwhelm.

ing up his boots had never crossed his mind.

“There’s no truth to that. It’s been a frustrating week personally, I felt out of rhythm and probably for the first time in 10 years I got emotional on the field and let that get to me,” Anderson told reporters on Monday.

Australia.

“I want to play as long as I possibly can. If I keep bowling the way I did this week, the opportunity to retire will be taken out of my hands. It will be a selection issue. But, for me, I’m still hungry,” he said.

Anderson is on the brink of becoming the first pacer

James Anderson has picked up 590 Test wickets

The 38-year-old has endured a frustrating summer, managing just six wickets in his last three tests, fuelling speculation that his 17-year Test career could be drawing to a close.

Anderson struggled for rhythm in England’s three-wicket win over Pakistan in the first test at Manchester but the Lancashire pacer confirmed that while he was disappointed with his effort, the thought of hang-

“I think after one bad game, there are some whispers that go around but I don’t really think that’s fair.

I’ve just got to work hard and hope I get the nod for the next game.”

Anderson, who has picked up 590 Test wickets, said earlier this year that he was hungry to keep playing for England and on Monday he reiterated his desire to carry on until next year’s Ashes series in

to pick up 600 Test wickets but he admitted his focus was not on personal milestones.

“It’s not a huge incentive for me really. I want to be bowling well and contribute to winning,” he said. “If I get 600 wickets then great, if I don’t, I’m happy with what I’ve got.”

The second Test will begin on Thursday at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

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Why can’t the ICC elect a new chairman?

By Nagraj Gollapudi and Osman Samiuddin

NEARLY a month-and-a-half after Shashank Manohar stepped down and the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it would have the process to appoint his successor ready, the organisation’s website still has Manohar’s portrait and profile on its ‘Meet the Chairman’ page.

Not only is the ICC not close to finding a successor, it’s not close to finding a way to appoint the successor.

As a board meeting on Monday revealed, the ICC remains severely divided over what the nomination process to replace Manohar, who was the governing body’s first independent chairman, should be. In the meantime, the ICC’s deputy chairman Imran Khwaja remains the interim chairman.

THE STUMBLING BLOCK Manohar stepped down on June 30. In a media release on July 2, the ICC said: “The process for the Chairperson election is expected to be approved by the ICC Board within the next week.” Instead, members have come unstuck over the election process, unable to decide whether the process should be based on a two-thirds majority of the board or a simple majority, and even how they would vote for the process to be changed.

This status quo has persisted since Manohar entered the final bend of his second term. Despite having another two-year term available, Manohar had alerted key people within the ICC Board well in advance that he would be stepping down when his term ended. Before heading out he attempted to find a consensus for a unanimous choice, but failed.

As per the ICC’s constitution any present or former director who has attended at least one board meeting is eligible to run for chairman. ICC directors are each allowed to nominate one candidate and nominees, with the support of two or more directors, are eligible to contest an election.

The election process itself is determined by the ICC Board

and can vary every election. In 2016, when he took charge for the first time, Manohar was elected through a secret ballot.

Two years later he was the sole nominee and was re-elected unanimously without a vote.

This time, though, the board has yet to find consensus on the process.

majority, which can be done via a show of hands, there is no consensus. One example discussed at one of the meetings was what happens if there is only one nominee: would that need a two-thirds majority or to be elected unopposed by a simple majority? There was a split verdict.

Colin Graves has been touted as a key contender for the post of ICC chairperson (Getty Images)

SHORTAGE OF POPULAR CONTENDERS Manohar was a popular choice and was elected for two terms, but the short group of contenders is finding it hard to earn similar trust from the wider section of the ICC Board.

In addition to Khwaja, outgoing ECB chairperson Colin Graves, Cricket New Zealand chairman Greg Barclay and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly have been touted as key contenders. At one point Graves was a frontrunner and seemed to have the backing of the BCCI, too, but it is understood the support for him on the ICC Board falls short of the majority mark.

Ganguly could gain backing, but has not made a public comment. It is believed he is not keen to give up the BCCI job, which as per the rules expired on July 27. Ganguly’s future at the BCCI is likely to be decided on August 17 when the Supreme Court of India is expected to hear the matter.

NO MORE SECRET BALLOT The constitution also calls for a secret ballot when it comes to electing a chairperson, but at least one board member says the vast majority of the board has rejected this method. With respect to directors’ voting rights, the ICC constitution says any decision taken “shall be decided on a show of hands … unless two or more Voting Board Members present at the meeting request a secret ballot for the voting on a particular Resolution of Directors (in which case a secret ballot shall be held).”

Even in the case of picking a winner on the basis of simple

TWO-THIRDS OR SIMPLE MAJORITY? The board comprises 17 directors: 12 full members, three directors representing the Associates, and the chairman (Khwaja is one of the Associate representatives as well as interim chair, currently), the ICC chief executive officer (Manu Sawhney) and an independent woman director in Indra Nooyi.

The CEO does not have a vote and for any resolution to be approved, the ICC constitution currently requires a two-thirds majority, or a minimum of 11 votes.

Some members on the board, however, want to change to a simple majority both to pass any resolution as well as for the purposes of an election. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Misbah says Pakistan must move on from Old Trafford defeat Ronaldinho set for August 24 release: judicial sources (REUTERS) - Pakistan cannot dwell on their defeat by England in the first Test at Old Trafford, as it would make it tougher for them to respond in the next two matches, coach Misbah-ulHaq has said.

England sealed an unlikely three-wicket victory on Saturday after slumping to 117-5 at one point in their pursuit of 277, as Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 139 runs to turn the tide.

“It was a thrilling Test match and full credit must go to England for the way they

Pakistan cricket coach Misbah-ul-Haq

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ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

fought back, came from behind and took the game away from us,” Misbah wrote in his column on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s website.

“There is disappointment, of course, but we must not keep that feeling in our minds otherwise it will be difficult to come back ... the team believes we can fight back.

“Sometimes luck doesn’t favour you, sometimes the opposition plays well – that’s the beauty of the game.”

Misbah praised opener Shan Masood, who scored 156 in the first innings, as well as pacemen Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah who picked up two wickets each.

“It was a brave decision to bat first against England’s bowling attack in those conditions,” the 46-year-old said.

“Shan Masood batted really well and should be given a lot of credit for his innings. He’s been working so hard ... he’s changed a few things in his setup. He’s a different batsman.

“The bowling was also excellent. It’s a young seam attack, apart from Mohammad Abbas, and both Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah did really well.”

The second Test of the three-match series will begin tomorrow at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AFP) - Brazil great Ronaldinho could be freed on August 24 following five months detention in Paraguay over a forged passport, judicial sources told AFP Monday.

US$1.6 million bail and being released to house arrest at the plush Palmaroga Hotel in the historic centre of the Paraguayan capital Asuncion.

Judge Gustavo Amarilla has set a date of August 24 to hear the case against the

Brazilian retired football player Ronaldinho (C) arrives at Asuncion’s Justice Palace to testify about his irregular entry to the country, in Asuncion, on March 6, 2020 (Photo: AFP)

The former Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain star was detained alongside his brother Roberto de Assis Moreira on March 6, accused of entering Paraguay in possession of false passports.

They spent a month behind bars before paying a

brothers.

Prosecutors have submitted a proposal to the judge that would see Ronaldinho, 40, pay a US$90 000 fine “to repair social damage”, but be allowed to return home to Brazil where he would have to appear before a judge every three

months for a year.

Ronaldinho denies having any knowledge the passports were fake.

His brother - who allegedly knew about the false passports - would have to pay a US$110 000 fine and appear before a judge every three months for two years.

Prosecutors also asked for a two-year suspended prison sentence for Roberto de Assis Moreira, who is also Ronaldinho’s business manager.

The brothers arrived in Paraguay on March 4 without any issues, with Ronaldinho, 2005 Ballon d’Or winner, due to take part in an event in support of disadvantaged children.

However, shortly after their arrival, the pair were taken into police custody, when investigators raided their hotel following the discovery they had fake documents.

The investigation has since expanded into a case of possible money-laundering.

Ronaldinho, considered one of the greatest footballers of all-time, was crucial in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup win.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 12, 2020

31

NZ to host West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh during home season

NEW Zealand (NZ) are set for a full programme of international cricket during their summer with men’s tours by West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh while a visit by the Australia Women’s team is also in the early stages of planning for the gap created by the postponed ODI World Cup in February.

NZC are currently working with the government on the biosecurity measures that will need to be in place for the touring teams with visitors to the country currently required to isolate for 14 days on arrival.

David White, NZC CEO, said they are looking at a model similar to that used by the ECB during their ongoing season, which was the first inter-

national cricket to resume amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are making tremendous progress. I was just on the phone to the West Indies, they’re confirmed, Pakistan is confirmed, Australia and Bangladesh ... so 37 days of international cricket,” White told reporters in Auckland.

“The White Ferns will tour Australia in September and then the Australia Women’s team will tour New Zealand in February. We are just working through the content but probably five ODIs and three T20Is. “We’ll just be held up for a week or two while we work with the government agencies on the managed isolation but they’ve been extremely supportive.”

Under the current Future

Tours programme, West Indies and Pakistan were down to visit for Tests and T20Is with Bangladesh scheduled

NZC CEO David White said they are looking at a model similar to that used by the ECB during their ongoing season (Getty Images)

for ODIs and T20Is and then Australia for T20Is, although the final structure of the seasons remains to be confirmed given the postponement of

Sarwan to miss Jamaica Tallawahs CPL season FORMER West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan will not serve as assistant coach for the Jamaica Tallawahs in this year’s edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after being given leave to return home.

The entirety of this sea-

son’s tournament will take place on the island of Trinidad and Tobago as organisers, like many around the globe, operate with an abundance of caution due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The six CPL franchises and match officials report-

Jamaica Tallawahs assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan

the Men’s T20 World Cup. The Tests against West Indies and Pakistan are part of the World Test Championship.

ed to the twin-island republic a week ago where they have been quarantined at the Hilton Hotel in St Ann’s. The tournament will get under way on August 18.

Tallawahs CEO Jeff Miller confirmed that Sarwan, who was appointed to the post two years ago, was not among that number.

“Mr Sarwan requested leave for personal reasons and that was granted,” Miller said in an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.

“It’s a big loss, Sars (Sarwan) brings a lot to the game - his knowledge, his experience and the way he has dealt with the players over the years, so it is a great loss,” he added.

Sarwan will be replaced by former West Indies spinner Ryan Austin. In April Sarwan was in the news after a public spat with former teammate and then Tallawahs batsman Chris Gayle.

In a Youtube rant Gayle blamed Sarwan after he was released by the team.

Sarwan denied having anything to do with Gayle’s release. (Sportsmax)

The last time the men’s team was in action was in the behind-closed-doors ODI against Australia at the SCG in mid-March shortly before that

tour was called off with New Zealand needing to get home before the borders were closed.

The women’s team are set to be the first back on the field with their trip to Australia in late September that includes three T20Is and three ODIs. The Women’s ODI World Cup, which was due to be staged in February and March next year, was postponed by 12 months earlier this week when it was decided that there would not be sufficient time for teams to qualify and prepare for the tournament.

New Zealand has been one of the most successful countries in combatting COVID-19 and recently marked 100 days without community transmission, but

things have changed a little bit since then.

On Tuesday, local media said four fresh cases of community transmission had been reported in the country, and Auckland would move to Alert Level 3 from Wednesday, with the rest of the country moving to Alert Level 2*.

White was speaking as NZC confirmed a new deal for radio coverage of cricket in New Zealand with MediaWorks Radio. Earlier this year, previous rights holders NZME confirmed they would not be extending their broadcast deal with commentary on Radio Sport, a station which has now been taken off the air.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr (fourth from left) along with executives of GABF and GABA, following their meeting at the National Racquet Centre

Sport Minister engages Sport Associations PAGE 27

Stuart Broad fined by father Chris for using ‘inappropriate language’ during first Test STUART Broad has been docked 15% of his match fee by referee Chris Broad for using “inappropriate language” in the first Test against Pakistan, thus becoming the first player to be fined by his father. As a result, one demerit point was added against him owing to that being a Level 1 offence.

Broad was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

The incident took place in the 46th over of Pakistan’s second innings on the fourth morning of the match, when Broad used inappropriate language after having Yasir Shah caught behind. Broad admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction given, with no need of a formal hearing.

He now has an aggregate of three demerit points in the last 24 months, with the first one levied against India at Trent Bridge in 2018 and the next coming at the Wanderers

SEE PAGE 31

this January.

Before England hosted West Indies in the first Test of the rejigged home summer, Broad had told the Mail on Sunday he remained wary of the fact that his father would be the match referee owing to the travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

from the relevant section.

“There is no emotion in a match referee’s job. From experience - and I’ve played 138 Tests - you only see a match ref if you’re in trouble.

Often they are seated in a different building. You only tend to meet at breakfast in the hotel or on the outfield

... offers Government of Guyana’s fullest support for development

IPL gets government nod for UAE, invites new title sponsor

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - India’s cricket board (BCCI) has received government permission to stage this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates, the league’s chairman Brijesh Patel told Reuters on Monday.

ernment to stage the tournament in the UAE,” Patel said by telephone.

“We have also invited expressions of interest for a new title sponsor,” he added.

The matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi as India continues to grapple with the pandemic with cases surging past 2.2

Stuart Broad’s dad Chris Broad (left) was match referee at Emirates Old Trafford “Sure, if he was an umpire I could understand that because he could have a subconscious influence on decisions that are made on the field,” Broad said.

“No offence to him here but he sits in an office and if I, or anyone else, breaks the code of conduct he simply looks up the regulations in a handbook and determines the appropriate sanction

before the start of play. From a selfish point of view, I’d love the chance to be able to have a coffee and catchup with dad in a bio-secure environment.”

Ironically, it was right under the nose of match referee Chris that Stuart also got his 500th Test wicket in the third Test against West Indies a few weeks back. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Ipl Chairman Brijesh Patel The BCCI had earlier announced the popular Twenty20 competition, which could not begin in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, would be played in the UAE from September 19, subject to government approval.

“Yes, we have received the permission from the gov-

million on Monday and over 44 000 dead.

It is not the first time that the popular competition will be held outside India.

The 2009 edition took place in South Africa as it coincided with India’s elections and the UAE hosted the early matches of the eight-team tour-

nament five years later for the same reason.

IPL 2020 will have a new title sponsor after Vivo, which had secured the 2018-2022 rights for nearly $293 million, pulled out of this year’s edition citing a weak business environment following the pandemic.

Companies with a minimum turnover of about $40 million can send expressions of interest by Friday and final bids would be accepted until August 18, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement later on Monday.

Doubts remain if the BCCI would get anything remotely close to the 4.4 billion rupees (£45 million) it was getting from Chinese smartphone maker Vivo for each edition of the franchise-based league.

Coca-Cola is one of the several names doing the rounds as a potential title sponsor this year.

“At this moment, we are currently observing how the market situation is evolving and we are evaluating the opportunities that are available,” Coca Cola India said in a statement mailed to Reuters.

NZ to host West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh during home season

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020