Guyana Chronicle E-paper 8-16-2020

16th August, 2020

’ No. 106093

Hope for brighter future

–– as gov’t commits to re-opening closed estates –– struggling retrenched workers look forward to returning to work

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Red House intact

–– chief justice shot down Granger’s revocation of lease

centre page

Chief Justice (ag), Roxane Wiltshire-George, ruled that the revocation of the lease for Cheddi Jagan Research Inc (CJRI) known as ‘Red House’ by then President, David Granger, was illegal

Local ‘non-oil economy’ shrunk by 4.9% at mid-year –– gov’t working to reverse the decline, avoid projected -3% yearend growth

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Gov’t willing to reopen Wales Estate as promised –– but that may take some doing, as factory is ‘beyond repair’

By Naomi Parris

WHILE on the campaign trail, the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had committed to revitalizing the sugar industry and reopening those sugar estates across Guyana that had been closed.

Following his appointment, new Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said that the government is committed to fulfilling the promises the Party made in its Manifesto and on the campaign trail while in opposition.

And in keeping with that commitment, he said that the government will be conducting a series of researches and surveys to help guide it on the way forward.

“The reopening of the estates, “ he said, “will depend on when we finish the studies and see what exists in the government, because right now, you have a pandemic in the country, and the world reality is different. But we are committed to these promises that we have in our Manifesto.”

He however warned

that the Wales Estate, a once booming estate back in its prime, will be the most difficult to reopen, since the factory has been dormant for some time and is in a deplorable state.

During a recent visit to the Estate, the Guyana Chronicle was told by the Officer in Charge, Mr. Charles Browne that several former sugar workers have been enquiring about what is to become of the estate, and that while many of them who live in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara)

where the estate is located, would have moved on and taken up various other careers, there are still a few hardy souls who are open to returning to work there, since it is closer to where they live. However, there is not much hope, since the state of the estate’s factory is beyond repair.

He said that in order to restore the estate, it will take a team effort from the workers as well as the government.

“I’m in favour of people going back to work and people getting work,

because all were affected, including myself,” Browne said. “But when they go to work a fair day’s work, some operations require seven days, and there might be problems, because some of the workers might not get work during that time, and it throws your programme back,” he added.

He further stated that given the deplorable state of the factory at the Wales Estate, it is not likely that it can be restored and get back up and running as it once did in its glory days.

targets.”

Browne noted that Wales could have held its own with sister estates in Berbice and Uitvlugt, which were the pillars of the sugar industry in Guyana.

“It was extremely productive by comparison to its sister estate, Uitvlugt, but as time went by, the soils started to become somewhat depleted; come from years of mono-cropping,” Browne said, adding: Some of the problems we had to deal with is that we had to change some of

Officer-in-Charge of the Wales Estate, Charles Browne

the cane varieties at the time.

“The way the factory used to extract was very good; 11 tons of cane to make a ton of sugar…

Wales could have been compared to the Berbice Estates, which were the most productive estates at the time. Sadly though, as the years went by, production started to decline. Part of it had to do with the labour; less and less persons wanted to do manual labour.”

Browne disclosed that the lack of field workers, along with the decline of sugar prices across the country saw the Wales Estate becoming a less

DIVERSIFICATION Nevertheless despite its closure, the estate has been operational, with diversification plans moving apace at the facility, where rice, cashcrops, coconuts, ‘provision’, citrus and animal farming are just a few of the industries that have already been established.

Though activities related to the diversification initiative were slow when the estate first closed back in December 2016, there have since been massive developments.

“The project began in the second half of 2017 with around 200 acres; we were new to the thing then.

We had to convert lands from cane beds to rice beds; we had some problems because of too much soil movement, so we had to modify. W started at 200 acres, but currently we have 510 acres, with some more lands set aside for expansion,” Browne said.

He said that the project has been growing from strength to strength, and the facility has managed to turn that growth into a profit so as to be able to purchase more machinery for ground and water works at the estate.

Wales Sugar Estate He said that unlike Wales, other estates may stand a better chance at restoration and reopening, since they have functioning factories.

THE GLORY DAYS Looking back over the years, Browne said, “Wales, in its glory days…

I can tell you there were incentives that used to be paid according to production, and Wales was way at the top, with a day’s pay, or a weekly incentive in a particular crop.

They may be 20 weeks in the second half; 15 weeks in the first half, and Wales would manage 90% at the time to surpass

profitable venture to many.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Hope for brighter future –– as gov’t commits to re-opening closed estates

–– struggling retrenched workers look forward to returning to work

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur SINCE the closure of the Skeldon and Rose Hall Sugar Estates in 2017 and 2018, the lives of over 4000 retrenched workers in Region Six took a dreadful turn.

Many were forced into despondency, depression and poverty with no income and no available alternative to earn a living.

Many families have been forced to ration their meals and lifestyles in order to cope with the untold hardship and financial drought.

For Manny Ram, 47, a former estate driver and a father of three from Number 77 Village Housing Scheme, his dreams were shattered as he had to abandon the completion of his house when the Skeldon Estate closed its doors.

Standing before the half-completed property, Ram told the Guyana Chronicle that since 2017 to now, he has not been able to find a steady job, but thankfully, he has a kitchen garden that allows him to reap produce to feed his family, along with the once fun fishing trips that have now become a necessity.

Despite the inconvenience of living in an incomplete house, Ram’s main concern is getting a stable job and being able to provide financially for his family.

“Things real tight since the estate close, days go by when me and meh wife would cut down on our meals to ensure the children eat enough.

There is not a day I don’t take my bicycle and go around looking for a work,” the former estate driver said.

Ram’s struggles of putting food on the table for his family are the same for most former sugar workers from the Upper-Corentyne.

“Ghost town” is the most common phrase used by many to describe the effect the closure of the estate has on the once-buzzing Corriverton township to the East of Guy-

Interjeet Arjune ana.

Now that a new government has been sworn in and the President as well as the minister of agriculture have committed to re-opening the estates, former sugar workers are beaming with anticipation and renewed hope that the once apparent bleak future now looks promising.

“While we are still putting together the torn fragments, the picture of the industry appears deeply distressing. Once proud men who worked in the sugar industry from sun-up to sundown, never complaining about the back-breaking nature of their jobs, are today barely scratching a living.

We intend to raise up the industry and to help it, and its workers resume the once proud place in our economy,” President Irfaan Ali said in his inauguration speech.

OPTIMISTIC Many have recognised that the estates would not be opened immediately as there is much to be done but are optimistic that the future of the younger generation is in good hands.

“I know the present government as a working class government and I am now at ease to know that the youths will have a better future and not have to undergo what we

Manny Ram and his wife along with two of his three children stand in front of their incomplete house did recently,” said Intergeet Arjune, 61, a former estate foreman who was also retrenched in 2017.

Arjune has worked at the estate for most of his life, shared stories of relatives whose families separated because the head of the household was unable to provide financially. He noted that the economy of the township and surrounding communities were dependent on the sugar estate and since the closure, their spending power was reduced tremendously and the effects were far-reaching.

“Me ain’t shame fuh tell you, when things start get hard, hard, me wife had to mind we. She lil money that she earned had to go to food and bills until me get one one job somewhere,” said Hemchandra Deonanand.

He said as result of the lack of jobs, retrenched workers were subject to exploitation by many employers.

“Work nah deh nowhere, even construction work, once them know you was a sugar worker them paying you $2,000 or $1,500 a day when you supposed to get a least $3,500 to $4,000 as a labourer. But wait till this open back up, then them gonna want them same workers,” Deonanand said.

The Skeldon, Rose Hall

and East Demerara Sugar Estates were closed by the previous administration in a move they claimed that was important to “revitalise” the industry which facing financial difficulties. More than 7,000 workers lost their jobs.

Some of the workers received severance while others were reassigned to other estates to work under conditions which they were forced to accept.

Many in receipt of the cash payouts have expanded their earnings within the first year. Some like Ashargadu Sammi are looking to put in a few years before they retire so that they could receive a livable pension.

He said when he first heard the news of the new government’s plan to reopen the estates, he felt as though a major burden was lifted from his shoulders.

He now looks forward to a brighter future.

DOUBLE WHAMMY Sammi was employed with the estate for 36 years and noted that when he received his severance letter, he was faced with a double whammy.

He said losing a job was tough but immediately after, his wife suffered a stroke and his inability to provide and

care for her was devastating.

However, with the help of relatives overseas, he managed to get by.

“I’m now 56; I can get another three to four years work before I start get pension. We gon be good. The lil money I received as severance done since the first year. My wife sick and if we didn’t getting money from overseas to help take care of her, I don’t know what we would a do. I really happy how I hear the estate will open back up.

Any work them can get even if is not sugar I glad for because years now I can’t find work,” he said.

Despite promises from the Granger-led government that lands will be provided for the retrenched workers, this did not happen. The Guyana Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU), the union which represents the sugar workers, described the Granger Government’s treatment of the sugar workers as “heartless”.

“Our union is on record in expressing our dismay as it regarded the callous manner in which the former administration cast aside the industry and the several thousand who depended on its operations. It is not to say that the coalition was not warned.

Our union, among others, including President Ali, had

warned of the ramifications of the cold-hearted decision.

But for our chorus of voices, the APNU+AFC simply chose to ignore the obvious and plunge headlong into the minimisation of the industry without even the slightest clue of how it would address the economic and social fallout.

Their actions, which can only be described as heartless, have set back the well-being of thousands,” the union said.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, in a statement, noted the industry will require some $1.6B from now to the end of the year in external funding in order to

Hemchandra Deonanand meet it operational expenses.

Despite this, he said the government recognises the role the industry plays and echoes President Ali’s promise to return the industry to its former glory days.

“The PPP/C Administration will work to revamp the sugar industry and return prosperity to those sugar workers who were sacked by the previous administration,” he said.

The promises of the new government are now what the retrenched workers are holding steadfast to and are hoping that the opening happens sooner than later.

They have been challenged from every end and the COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded their plight.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Minister Bharrat advances process to review Payara contract

THE Ministry of Natural Resources says the review of the Payara contract will be undertaken by a team of international experts headed Canadian Queen’s Counsel, Alison Redford, QC, with the aim of ensuring the interests of all Guyanese are protected.

The Ministry had recently announced the review of the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s (EEPGL) Payara contract. In a release late Saturday, the ministry said the current review has been undertaken by the Energy Department for more than seven months.

The release noted that the department contracted Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants at a sum of US$386,830 which commenced on December 27, 2019.

It noted that there was a first contract extension (no cost) to July 27, 2020 and a second contract extension to September 27, 2020 with a revised contract sum of US$429,382, which represents an 11 per cent increase.

This review by Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants will be completed shortly.

“The PPP/C Government has decided to review the work already undertaken by the Department of Energy so that the interest of all Guyanese is protected and in keeping with international transparency and accountability standards prior to approval being given.

Saturday, August 16, 02:30hrs - 04:00hrs

“It will be important to have a team of technical experts to assess progress to date and to assist the ministry, where necessary, to successfully conclude the permitting exercise. This will require coordination on ensuring that regulations are complied with and that they can be enforced. This will include environmental standards and reservoir management which is about managing how resources are developed to ensure that the interests of the people of Guyana and their resources are developed in a sustainable and responsible manner to the benefit of the country,” the release said.

On that score, the ministry said Bayphase Oil and Gas review will be re-examined by a team to be headed by Ms. Alison Redford, QC, and will include the former Deputy Minister of Energy in Newfoundland, Canada, senior international reservoir engineers and Mr. Jay Park, QC, Managing Partner of Park Energy Law, based in Canada and the United Kingdom. Ms. Redford has also worked with other groups around the world to conduct similar reviews in nature.

Ms. Redford has served as a World Bank Adviser on Gas Sector Reform in Pakistan and Afghanistan and in other jurisdictions, as they develop new approaches to upstream regulation, transparency and accountability, inclusive of community engagement. As Premier of Alberta, she introduced the Responsible Energy Development Act, which created the Alberta Energy Regulator. The Act sets out rigorous regulation, compliance and enforcement provisions on all aspects of oil and gas production, including permits and licences.

Further, she also developed the Canadian Energy Strategy for Canadian First Ministers and the Transition Energy Initiative for the Conference Board of Canada.

As mentioned above, Ms. Redford served as Attorney-General of Alberta from 2008 to 2011 and as Premier from 2011 to 2014, overseeing the legislative, policy, political and financial operations of the Province with a $40 Billion CDN (balanced) budget,

including oversight of the Province’s sovereign wealth fund, international trade and pipeline policy (particularly with Washington, China and India), environmental sustainability (including climate change policy in the conventional and unconventional energy sectors, renewable energy strategies and the development of green energy sources to contribute to international climate goals and priorities.

She has worked on several bilateral and multilateral projects, particularly in the energy sector regulation and has worked in multiple countries on behalf of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the European Union.

Ms. Redford, through a World Bank project, supported Pakistan Upstream Regulatory Reform as Adviser to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on efficiencies in the gas sector, including regulatory and infrastructure reform and review of investment strategies for International Oil Companies, and worked with a team to draft the Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Regulatory Authority legislation.

As attorney-general, she was responsible for oversight on all energy sector transactions including conventional oil and gas production and the oil sands, including leading the renegotiation of the Great Canadian Oil Sands/Syncrude Agreement on behalf of the Government of Alberta while simultaneously advocated for integrated community engagement and stakeholder development in regulated industries, particularly in the context of climate change policy addressing both economic and social policy to mitigate long term technical risk in volatile policy environments.

“Meanwhile, it must be emphasised that while this is a limited reflection of Ms. Redford and her team’s skills and capacity building abilities, they also have vast knowledge in the field of policies and legal framework that supports accountability and transparency within the petroleum sector,” the release concluded.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Closed again! PM announces significant restrictions amid COVID rise (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has announced new restrictions that will last for at least 28 days as the country continues to face the rise in coronavirus cases.

It comes on a day in which the Ministry of Health announced 48 new cases from batch testing, taking the number of positive cases in T&T since the start of the virus, to 474.

Ten people have died.

Beginning Monday morning, all in-house dining in restaurants and bars will cease, including at food courts and malls. This will include the precincts of those establishments.

Take-away services, however, will be allowed to continue.

Beaches and rivers will close.

All places of worship will also close.

All gyms will close.

All contact sports will cease.

Waterparks will close.

Casinos and members clubs will remain closed.

Cinemas will be closed.

Authorised gatherings of people outside of homes will not be more than 5 people.

Weddings, funerals, christenings and so on will be allowed with no more than 10 people.

Maxis and taxis will operate at 50 per cent capacity.

Air and sea-bridge transportation to and from Tobago will be restricted to essential people.

All teaching institutions will remain closed until this phase is over. The prime minister said it appears at this stage the Government will likely have to shut down schools for the rest of the year.

SEA examinations will continue on August 20 but students must not congregate.

Barbershops and hairdressing salons will be allowed to stay open once COVID guidelines are complied with. He said this is an area in which compliance has been very good.

Dr Rowley said the government is consulting with the Attorney General at the moment and will indicate in 48 hours what action

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is necessary for mandatory use of facemasks.

He said it’s likely that action will be taken against people who insist on not wearing masks in public and the government will

cease to rely on suasion and make it an offence.

The prime minister said if these actions are not taken then the numbers we are reporting now will be small to what can occur in a fortnight.

“We are now in a position where we have to act so as not to get sucked into an action that is far worst,” he said.

He called on all to work together to fight the virus, saying that any further lock-down of the economy will have a major impact on the economy, affecting all.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram said that the country has moved from Local Spread to Community Spread.

Technical Director, Epidemiology Division at the Ministry of Health, Dr Avery Hinds added that people are now being affected by people who they do not know.

He reinforced the need for people to stay home from work when ill. He said there are no specific places where cases are turning up more than others.

GOV’T FACING $220M LAWSUIT - Party Promoter Claims Accounts Maliciously Frozen (JAMAICA GLEANER) A popular party promoter who had his bank accounts frozen for almost two months amid a probe by the Financial Investigations Division (FID) has filed a more than $220-million lawsuit against the Government.

The lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday by lawyers for Andrew Wright, more popularly known as ‘Andrew French’, promoter of the Chug It and French Connection parties.

Wright was barred from accessing his accounts on May 7 this year after the FID, through the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), went to court and obtained a restraint order on his finances on the basis that it had commenced criminal investigations against several individuals, including the well-known promoter.

The businessman, through his attorneys Peter Champagnie, QC, and Neco Pagon, challenged the restraint order and had it lifted

by the Supreme Court on July 6, despite strong opposition by the FID. In the lawsuit, which seeks damages in excess of $223 million, he charged that the restraint order was obtained “for an improper purpose without any substantial foundation”.

This includes damage to his entertainment business, the suit claims.

He asserted, too, that the actions of the ARA were “malicious and an abuse of process”.

Champagnie offered no details about the lawsuit, but suggested that it may be the first time an individual has challenged the basis on which an entity of the State obtained a restraint order.

“Normally, the individual would be satisfied with the order being lifted. But in this case, it is being taken one step further in that he is seeking to recover damages for what he considers a malicious action,” he told The Gleaner on Thursday.

“It is a matter that will be interesting for our jurisprudence.”

Angola orders Brazil evangelical churches to close (BBC) Prosecutors in Angola have ordered the closure of places of worship belonging to one of Brazil’s biggest churches, accusing it of corruption.

At least seven buildings belonging to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) have been seized in the capital, Luanda.

Prosecutors said the evangelical church had been involved in tax fraud and other fiscal crimes.

UCKG officials have previously strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Last year about 300 Angolan UCKG bishops broke away from the Brazilian leadership, accusing it of mismanagement and not being African enough. UCKG officials described the

accusations as “defamatory”.

The UCKG claims to have about eight million members in Brazil and branches in several African countries. It promotes “prosperity theology”, whereby believers are told their faith and donations to the Church will lead to material wealth.

The row started last year when Angolan bishops broke away from the Brazilian Church, accusing it of “fiscal evasion” and of practices contrary to the “African and Angolan reality”.

In December, Angolan authorities opened an investigation and on Friday prosecutor-general Alvaro Da Silva Joao announced the seizure of seven UCKG temples.

“These apprehensions result from the fact that in the records there are enough indications of the practice of crimes of criminal association, tax fraud, illicit export of capital, abuse of trust and other... illegal acts,” he said in a statement.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

(ag)

A better Georgetown

WE are heartened by the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee, tasked by His Excellency the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali to devise a plan to enhance the quality of life in the City of Georgetown. This decision by the President was not a surprise to anyone who has listened to his messages over the years.

It was always focused on ONE GUYANA, where he continues to state that he shall be the President of all of Guyana; all of the time.

The rut in the City of Georgetown is widespread, and must be tackled urgently, in light of a dysfunctional Mayor & City Council. Ostensibly, it is becoming more evident every day that City Hall is inefficient and ineffective at fulfilling its mandate, and in many cases has its priorities all wrong. Basic infrastructure repairs go unattended for months at a time, at great inconvenience to the taxpaying citizens of the City, with no recourse to a solution.

For example, for months now, there were several potholes in the main thoroughfare that connects the East Bank of Demerara and the West Coast at the corner of Broad and Saffon Streets.

But City Hall was absolutely blind to this impediment to a smooth flow of the traffic on this main artery out of Georgetown. Within days of coming into office, Minister Deodat Indar instructed his team to sort it out, and it was done within hours. Why does such a little project have to wait on a minister to be resolved? What is City Hall doing with the billions in revenue they have collected from the citizens of the City?

So this collaborative national intervention to fix some of the challenges facing Georgetown to make it less unsightly and more hygienic is most welcomed. It would be recommended that the rehabilitation of Georgetown must be done in phases, and a great starting point could be the ward of Cummingsburg, with its pavement and beautiful roadside trees just waiting for an opportunity to exhale and to return to the yesteryears, when Georgetown was the Garden City of the Caribbean.

But, more importantly, the traffic situation in some main streets of Georgetown, especially Regent and Camp Streets, remains a colossal disaster.

Why not make Camp Street a one-way from North Road to South Road, flowing

northward in the morning, and southward in the afternoons? Why not divert all minibus traffic away from Regent Street? Why not re-open the project to build a flyover on Charlotte Street over the Bourda Cemetery to connect the eastern end of the street to the western end to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic into the city?

We are encouraged by our policymakers in this latest attempt to emancipate themselves to a mental position where only a positive attitude of mind is acceptable. The businesses should not have to contend any longer with traffic blockages at these main points of ingress and egress to and from the City.

Georgetown Mayor Yubraj Narine and his councillors have made many bold statements concerning the affairs of the City, but there has been very little action behind those statements. It is time for the M&CC to show the citizens some action. The state of mind, going forward, from all stakeholders must be one that is geared to come up with a better solution to take the city forward.

All over the City today, there are signs and an air of rejuvenation, and it is time to back that positive feeling, under

a youthful and energetic President, with some real deliverables within the City.

The citizens of Georgetown deserve a more functional City with surrounding amenities such as leisurely public and open-air eating zones, shops, and restaurants catering to the needs of City dwellers.

On a final note, the state of the homeless in Georgetown is an abomination and a national shame. It is hoped that as part of this Inter-Ministerial Committee, there is a social element geared to providing appropriate shelters for street dwellers.

At the end of the day, all will be happier with a safer and neater City. Unless we all work together as lovers of Guyana and put aside our political biases, we can end up with another talk shop with no progress, come 2025.

Someone must break that cycle of mental poverty, and there is no better person than His Excellency to be the motivator to get an APNU+AFC-led Council to work with a PPP/C-led government alongside civil society, to make the City of Georgetown a better space for all. It is time to make Georgetown beautiful again.

Spare no one the rod for no one is above the law Dear Editor,

THE newly-elected president of the Dutch-speaking Eastern neighbouring country, President Chandrikapersaud Santoki, hit the nail on the head when he called on our own contributing companies to invest in the economy rather than foreigners.

An essential point to note that is idealistically outstanding is that he was referring to his CARICOM sisters and brothers, especially from Guyana, as “our own” and did not categorise them as foreigners. How sentimental and pertinent is this underlying statement when we reflect back on how a handful of some confused cabals got their politics and policies all mixed up when differentiating between domestic and foreign relationship. As usual, we in Guyana always need someone from outside of our land to teach us when we unnecessarily debate about basic affairs by losing sight of the identity of oneness and unable to pinpoint the demarcation of where the boundary of our border truly ends in any given field. His idea is multi-fold with economic, social and diplomatic benefits with a main stream of keeping the wealth within the extended family. It opens up opportunities to secure priority with multinational companies, increasing domestic cash flow and investing money lying idle. Socially,

it broadens the horizon and allow more and better interaction with people and increase and strengthen the relationship between neighbours.

With strong and close family bonds, in event of any problems, the matter can be dealt with efficiently, expeditiously and effectively from inception and be resolved quickly and amicably before it gets out of hand and escalates in any volcanic repercussion. Trading opportunities may be potentially unlimited from a wider exposure and the appreciation of diversified culture forges better understanding and acceptance of other ethnicity. Thinking outside of the box and reneging on “to each his own,” solidifies the Trade Winds lyrics, “the more we are together, the merrier we will be,” and adds another flavor and dimension to Sparrow’s “open de door let the man come in, all awe a one family.”

President Santoki’s call is welcoming and timely, especially coming immediately from his return visit to Guyana to grace the occasion of President Ali’s inauguration in the heat of COVID-19 exposure. But above socialising and politicising is the sensitive issue of the bigger picture of Suriname’s economic development enhancing its offshore oil exploration on the border of Guyana and Suriname. The companies granted concession are Apache and Total and, so far, they have discovered three major fields that are not too far behind Guyana’s ca-

pacity and well within range of Guyana’s interest also. Sharing common location within close approximation is another valid reason why the two neighboring countries should consolidate cooperation for closer deliberation so that they may avoid future potential altercation. Luckily, the two friendly states do not endure any type of “cold war,” despite a reserved border indifference that is being diplomatically shelved in the background and is not an area of public conflict or immediate concern that can provoke a degree of animosity. With a new president in each country, they can forge a relationship based on brotherhood because neither bear any baggage on either and both are visionary with open minds and modern thoughts for future development for their respective country, desiring to work in the real interest of the people and not in their personal interest. What a difference in bargaining and negotiating skills displayed by these two oil green nations. Both are relatively new to oil exploration and are dependent on outside sources to conduct and guide them in managing the oil industry. Whose interests are prioritised was never a question for Suriname and they put people and economy over party and politics. Not surprisingly, they were successful and instrumental in capturing maximum returns for their country’s resources. They captured US$100M signing bonus and raked in 36

per cent of the revenue share. Still wondering and pondering on Guyana’s take? Why not haul the legendary legal luminary, the talented and specialist Trotman, to walk barefoot over a hot, burning field of coal, enflamed with suspicion, conspiracy, collusion and contradiction. With lowered eyes and hidden pockets, feasted from a fiesta, he ignored the professional advice and sold the birthright of an impoverished nation while remaining dumb struck and aloof, hiding behind secrecy and mystery. Guyana needs answers and answers Guyanese must have. No one should be spared the rod, no one is above the law and this government must not settle for less nor take matters lying down from all the past performers. Contracts must be renegotiated and future signing agreements must incorporate remedial and recovery contents as a recourse for compensation.

This PPP/C government really has its work cut out and have to be intricately involved in so much “damage control” in order to remove shame from the face of Guyana, painted in a tainted color and besmirched by the callous and ruthless previous government. Guyanese must now remain vigilant at all times.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Granger is in no position, nor has any credibility to threaten the PPP/C Dear Editor, THE last five months leading up to the declaration of the elections results have tested both the patience and the grit of the Guyanese people, and in a strange way, have united our people in ways that could not have been imagined before.

Efforts by the PNC to marginalise and divide our people through lies and misinformation had backfired, giving the PPP/C more goodwill and the mandate to deliver upon our manifesto commitment. I feel proud and encouraged that in the end, so many PNC/APNU supporters ignored the many inciting and divisive statements made

by Rickford Burke, Mark Benschop, Joseph Harmon, James Bond, Volda Lawrence and others, and stayed away from protest actions and violence in support of our democracy, our constitution, and the rule of law. We will also be forever grateful to the International community and to CARICOM for their unwavering support in combating this evil regime.

Not since the second world war had so many leaders of the free world rise up in unison against a dictator and were able to save Guyana from anarchy.

With the exception of a few gullible supporters who remained loyal to the end, it was an embarrassing experience for the others to have witness the leaders they once respected, reduced themselves to common criminals who had perfected the uncanny ability to shamelessly lie to the world with a straight face.

Throughout these elections ordeal, many questioned the leadership and integrity of a man they once admired -- David Granger.

Was he in charge of his government? Was he muzzled by a few PNC hardliners who were willing to risk the threat and the wrath of sanctions to remain in power? Or was he the grandmaster hiding behind the scene, who was willing to sacrifice a few pawns to gain strategic advantage in the crucial battle for ultimate power. No one knew for sure until the Court of Appeal drove the final nail in the coffin of the Coalition with the unanimous decision by the Judges who dismissed the case filed by Misenga Jones which tried to invalidate the national elections recount.

By then, the only option left available was one that the PNC dare not take.

Going back to the CCJ would have been disastrous and too embarrassing even for the eccentric Basil Williams.

So, five months after Guyanese went to the polls, Granger finally gave up after sanctions were unleashed on himself and the rigging cabal by the US State Department. Now he’s claiming that the PNC acted responsibly at all times during the elections process. This man must be delusional.

He even warned against any witch-hunting

by the newly elected PPP/C government.

According to a Kaieteur News article (August 8, 2020), “The former President has condemned what he determines to be an atmosphere of loathing and fear being facilitated by the new PPP/C government, through its move to quickly evict former ministers from government housing. There have also been reports of public servants being locked out of their offices and/or being asked to resign. Granger said the PPP/C should not pursue any dangerous pattern of aggression and that it will bear responsibility for the consequences of its conduct.”

Editor, the late Malcolm X, a courageous advocate for the rights of Black Americans, once said, “I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he’s wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil.”

David Granger is in no position, nor has he any credibility to threaten the People’s Progressive Party. The arrogance he now publicly displays proves that he was indeed the mastermind behind Mingo’s rigging attempts and Lowenfields manipulation of the ‘valid’ votes. He lied when he stated he had never seen his party’s SOPs. Would anyone have believed Jagdeo if he had said the same? I doubt it! David Granger was the President, the leader of his party and the head of the APNU+AFC List of Candidates. He knew he had lost the elections since the polls closed on March 2. Why do you think to date, despite tremendous pressure for him to do so, he has not made public the APNU+AFC copy of the Statements of Polls (SOPs) in his possession?

He can’t do so because you would see they are exact copies of those published by the PPP/C, and that would have exposed his wicked intention to rig; something I’m sure he’s quite familiar with.

Over the years, I had repeatedly demanded that David Granger account for his role in the 1973 rigged elections which gave the PNC a two-third majority in Parliament. To date, he has never fully explained his involvement in the seizure of ballot boxes by the GDF, although he was at the time a political liaison officer to Forbes Burnham. Surely, in his capacity as a senior officer in the army, he would have known and may have facilitated the PNC’s plan to rig that election. After all, Burnham would have relied on Granger’s support and authority to subvert the army.

According to leaked confidential diplomatic cables sent on July 19, 1973 by the US Embassy in Georgetown to US Missions in Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, the US expressed amazement at the level of bare-faced, blatant rigging that took place during the 1973 General Election. It read in part, “In attempting its forecast of this election (Ref A), Embassy had not really

expected PNC to abandon all pretense of honest election. In event, however, this is what appears to have happened. Whether out of fear, confusion, inefficiency, exuberance or sheer lack of coordination, rigging does seem to have gotten out of hand.”

“From all reports, ballot boxes were delivered by a variety of means Monday night to Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Headquarters in Georgetown where they remained under armed guard for upwards of 10 hours before vote counting began.

PPP evidently succeeded only too well in alarming PNC by its last minute exhortations to its followers to prevent removal of ballot boxes to three central counting locations. (Evidently), plans to engage in ballot-box stuffing and switching while boxes being delivered, as had apparently been the original intention, were abandoned and stuffing and switching seems to have taken place while the boxes (were) held at GDF Headquarters before delivery to three counting locations.” Two unarmed PPP supporters were shot and killed that day by the Guyana Defence Force.

Granger later defended the killings by his GDF squaddies in a March 18, 2011 article in the Guyana Chronicle captioned, “Granger endorsed the soldiers’ actions on elections day 1973”. This article prompted the following response from the Chronicle: “How can shooting and then allowing two men to bleed to death simply because they demanded that the ballots be counted at the place of polls rather than taken away by the GDF be endorsed as “splendid” and “discretionary” behaviour?

It is ironic that on June 27, 1974, a US diplomatic cable on the Guyana National Service described the then GDF Major David Granger as having the reputation of being an ideologue and “anti-East Indian racist.”

After David Granger was sworn-in as President in May 2015, all PPP/C former ministers and political appointees walked.

They didn’t have to be told to leave office or vacate the government properties they occupied. Like ambassadors, all political appointees serve at the pleasure of the President. When the President gets kicked out of office, the decent thing for those political appointees to do is to resign.

In 2015, thousands of government employees perceived to be PPP supporters were fired in a massive witch-hunt by the newly elected administration. Granger was severely criticized and ridiculed for this vindictive act. So to make the PPP/C look bad this time around, instructions were given to the APNU+AFC political appointees not to resign as they are required to do, but to remain in office so that the PNC can claim victimization and witch-hunting when the services of those political appointees are finally terminated by the new PPP/C administration.

Sadly, this was not the only provocative action taken. Although they knew they had lost the elections, the illegal cabal renewed the contracts for some of the most controversial and politically active employees, setting the stage for direct confrontation with the new administration. The former Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, had his contract renewed on March 31, several weeks after the elections. Instead of doing the work he was paid $497,000 + benefits to do, he spent the entire duration of the recount, co-hosting the ‘Lampy and Pampy Show’ with Sherod Duncan, spewing lies and propaganda and cussing down the PPP/C. Months earlier, Sherod Duncan had been fired as General Manager of the Guyana Chronicle after he failed to account for $5 million he had allegedly taken from that entity, and then later re-employed. They were both fired. Even Joseph Harmon, Carol Smith-Joseph, Ovid Morrison, Geeta Chandan-Edmon, Ronald Backer, and Imran Khan had not resigned and had to be fired. Was this witch-hunting? Or were these dismissals justified, you decide!

Also, a number of political appointees were reluctant to give up the government residences they lived in. These include Imran Khan and Ganesh Mahipaul; both earned massive salaries as public officials while campaigning for the PNC. Then they were former APNU+AFC ministers, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood; Khemraj Rajkumar, and Dr. Karen Cummings, who had to be given notices of eviction five months after they all knew they had lost the elections.

But to best illustrate the mindset of the PNC, we have to examine the notorious Simona Broomes, who is in the habit of embarrassing herself.

The former minister Broomes rented a mansion from my friend and colleague, Peter Ramsaroop for the negotiated price of $800,000 monthly. When this was leaked to the press, the contract amount was reduced to $500,000. After a public outcry, she vacated that mansion and rented another house that she still lives in. After the PPP/C was sworn in to government, Broomes was asked to give up the rented property to allow a PPP/C minister to move in as she was no longer a minister of government. To our surprise, Broomes advised the Parliament that all they needed to do was to stop the monthly payment of $500,000 as the house she is living in is in fact her own property.

This is appalling and downright dishonest. But it illustrates just how unscrupulous some members of the former administration are, even those who portray themselves as ‘God-fearing’ and sanctimonious.

Yours sincerely HARRY GILL

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Understanding Energy

Time to get it right WHEN ExxonMobil discovered oil in Guyana in 2015, there was an understandable excitement among Guyanese.

There was optimism for some, concern for others and even a few saw it as a curse or bad for the environment— very natural reactions to such big news.

The truth of the matter is, oil hasn’t been all good for every country and so success here depends on a number of factors. The good news is that this new government is well positioned to put in place thoughtful and appropriate safeguards to ensure Guyana wins.

Admittedly, the following recommendations will be very high-level, given the limitation of space, but there isn’t a better time to get an ear, or in this case the eyes, of a new administration.

At this point there is little merit discussing the Exxon deal and how much the country might have gotten. Guyana is already producing oil and the country has undoubtedly seen some benefit as indicated in the news earlier this week regarding local content growth. It would be a chilling signal to foreign investors if we changed rules in the middle of the game, especially at a time of one of the

most challenging oil markets in decades.

Perhaps time is better spent on the systems and policies that are needed to better manage these resources for the benefit of Guyanese and future generations. The government needs to familiarise itself with the activities of the past five years and boost knowledge of the industry. There has been positive steps in the right direction: seeking out experts to review projects such as the Payara field development plan and the local content policy. But in this context, it is important to ensure that while the experiences of other countries are useful, whatever is implemented locally must be specifically tailored for Guyana— the local content policy/ legislation for instance.

While these often have noble intent by mandating a policy of working with local companies and using local goods and services to create jobs and spur economic growth, they require close and continuous dialogue among stakeholders to achieve the type of inclusive growth envisioned.

Often, there can be a mismatch between an industry’s demands and the constraints of a local market, especially

for countries with emerging industries like Guyana. Investing in education to build the capacity of locals interested in key roles in the industry and other parts of the economy, as well as ensuring that businesses are able to compete for opportunities, are important prerequisites.

And there have been some promising developments with the establishment of the Center for Local Business Development and engagements with technical training institutes.

Of course, this should be part of a comprehensive national development strategy—a plan that also recognises the country’s advancement will depend on investments in other sectors, thereby avoiding the dreaded “resource curse” by an otherwise overly eager reliance on oil.

Guyana, over the years, regardless of the government, has established itself as a country investing in a low carbon/green economy. There ought not to be trade-off between sustainable development and oil production. In fact, research has shown that despite the investments in renewable energy, oil and gas remain a big part of global energy demand for decades to come.

The country can strategically and responsibly develop its resources while seeking out complimentary, cleaner sources of energy to advance its low carbon development agenda; and at the same time plan for future generations via a sovereign wealth fund.

Moreover, laws governing the industry desperately need to be updated and the regulatory agencies must increase training of key personnel and other resources to effectively carry out their mandate. Corruption and the lack of accountability and transparency are too often part of the story of failed oil and gas economies, and, if Guyana is serious about its success, proper safeguards need to be implemented.

The cliché “Guyana is rich in natural resources” tells us that tangible development hinges on proper management of the oil and gas industry - accountability and transparency, an inclusive national development strategy that considers the importance of a diversified economy, and sovereign wealth fund to protect the country’s patronage for future generations are all critical.

President Ali, India’s high commissioner discuss COVID-19 assistance THE President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Friday met with the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, at State House.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, was also part of the meeting, which was held to streamline assistance from India to Guyana, in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease.

Earlier this week, President Ali had told reporters that the government is in talks with the Indian Government and other stakeholders to mobilise resources in the fight against the pandemic. (DPI)

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa, and Tarchand Balgobin from the Ministry of Finance in discussion at State House on Friday (DPI photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Local ‘non-oil economy’ shrunk by 4.9% at mid-year –– gov’t working to reverse the decline, avoid projected -3% yearend growth

By Navendra Seoraj

GUYANA’S ‘non-oil’ economy was unable to withstand external and internal shocks caused by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and a protracted electoral process, but the newly-elected People’s Progress Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government is looking to mitigate the potential impacts and reverse the decline of 4.9 per cent, which was recorded at mid-year.

Coming off of a good run in 2019, with recorded economic growth of 4.7 per cent, Guyana’s continued progression and transformation was inevitably halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected about 674 persons and killed 22 locally.

The necessary restrictions in place to curtail the spread of the disease, as seen in countries across the world, has “slowed down” the economy because businesses either reduced their productive hours or are closed indefinitely, and the public sector has also scaled down its operations for the time being.

Unlike other countries, Guyana was faced with the effects of a protracted electoral process which started on March 2, 2020 and ended only on August 2, 2020.

In presenting quantitative data on the performance of the country, VicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo, said the oil economy grew by 45.9 per cent, but the non-oil economy, which comprises the traditional, labour intensive sectors, shrunk by 4.9 per cent in the first half of the year.

“If you take out oil and gas, economic activities shrunk by nearly five per cent for the first half of the year… this shows that these sectors require a lot of help, in order to resume positive growth,” said Jagdeo during a press briefing on Friday.

The sectors, which were affected, have the greatest linkages to other sectors and they are labour intensive, said the vice-president.

In disaggregating the impact on the various sectors, he said wholesale and retail trade shrunk by 14 per cent; transport shrunk by 25 per cent; accommodation, 33 per cent; bauxite, 42 per cent; and other mining, 57 per cent. Other sectors such as forestry and fisheries also registered a significant decline, in the first half of the year.

On the positive side, it was reported that there was a 13 per cent increase in export of non-traditional agricultural commodities in the first half of 2020 when compared to its corresponding period January to June 2019, amidst the COIVD -19 pandemic.

For the period January to June 2020, a total of 5,160 metric tonnes of non-traditional agricultural commodities valued at GY$1.3 billion or US$6 million were exported from Guyana.

This represents a 13 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2019.

NOT ENOUGH This, however, was not enough to cushion the external and internal shocks, which affected other aspects of the non-oil economy.

“We are working to stop this decline and even reverse it in the non-oil economy,” said Jagdeo, adding that government is examining a number of measures, which could be employed to reverse the decline.

Among the measures being considered is the increase of working capital for banks and businesses, and other direct help to the private sector, as well as a stimulus for the economy.

“This is the reality right now, and as you can see, it would require a series of measures in the new budget to see these sectors resume growth,” said Jagdeo.

Guyana is already eight months into 2020, but the protracted electoral process had restricted the country from having a budget and a clear plan for the year, something which the newly-elected government is working to fix in just 21 days.

Crafting a national budget usually takes 179 days; however, extraordinary circumstances have forced government to condense this process and present a budget in 21 days, said Jagdeo.

“It takes 179 days to prepare a budget from the date the circular goes out to the date of presentation in Parliament… but we want the budget prepared and we are working towards preparing a budget in 21 days,” said Jagdeo, adding that the budget needs to be crafted urgently.

Jagdeo said government is working overtime to get the budget ready within this short space of time, as a speedy completion is important because of the existing socio-economic challenges caused

by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As it is now, Guyana is projected to record -3 per cent economic growth at the end of the year, but Jagdeo said government has to work through the numbers because the growth rate is sensitive to policies.

“Therefore, policy measures and the lag between policy and response will have an implication on the final number… but, by budget time that number should be finalised,” said Jagdeo.

The urgent need for the passage of a budget was recently highlighted by Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Guyana, Sydney Armstrong, who believes that the swift passage of a national budget would create some traction and stability for the economy.

“There is the need for President Ali and his team to swiftly pass a budget for 2020 so as to create some traction for this economy in this difficult time, and at the same time think about Budget 2021,” the economist told the Guyana Chronicle, in a recent interview.

PEOPLE-FOCUSED Armstrong strongly advised that the proposed budget be “people-focused”, and especially give priority to vulnerable groups.

He feels that essentially, it should focus on such key sectors as health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and industries, all of which should be inextricably linked to the new Oil-and-Gas Sector, which should be its central feature.

“As a nation, we are at a defining moment, given the development of our Oiland-Gas Sector,” Armstrong said, “but it is also important to note that the road up ahead is still going to be challenging, given that we are still in a global pandemic.”

Considering the economic situation and the instability caused by COVID-19, the economist said there is need for a “stimulus package”, as this would ease the “economic hardship” faced by vulnerable groups in society.

But, the new administration has “hit the ground running” and, according to newly-elected President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, his government is working to secure $4.5B as emergency response to help at the household level.

“We have reached out to several mul-

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo tilateral and bilateral sources with a view to urgently mobilise financial resources of the magnitude that is necessary to overcome the effects of this pandemic. I must say the response has been encouraging,” said Dr. Ali. To further ease the strain on persons, government had met with the governor of the Central Bank and directed him to extend regulatory permission so as to allow for bankers to continue extending moratoriums.

Government has also looked at the possibility of adjusting the “reserve requirement” which will allow the banks to have more disposable resources and tie that adjustment with lower interest rates.

“We have started to examine, from a fiscal perspective, what support we can give to the private sector and other groups all with the view of supporting a resumption of the economic activities and putting people back to work.

“Every life in our nation matters and my Government will ensure that every life is protected from harm.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed too many lives. Everything possible must be done to protect our people from this dreaded and dreadful disease,” said President Ali.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Local content legislation on front burner –– natural resources minister says policy alone won’t cut it

By Navendra Seoraj

GUYANESE have enjoyed immense benefits from its traditional economic sectors over the years, but a new entrant, in the form of oil and gas, presents new benefits, which Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, believes could be better accessed once there is proper local content legislation.

The lucrative oil and gas sector, which officially came on stream in 2015, has been productive, but there has been no regulatory/legal framework in place to guide the utilisation of local content in the sector.

The former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had created a local content policy, after many consultations with various stakeholders.

It was reported that the policy framework recognises the broader goal of the previous administration to optimise national income from development of the country’s sovereign hydrocarbon resources and prudently invest these revenues to transform the economy to the benefit of all Guyanese, now and in the future.

The policy was designed

to deliver both short-term opportunities for Guyanese citizens and Guyanese suppliers and longer-term capacity building by raising the standards of Guyanese industries to be internationally competitive.

Despite the aims and objectives of the policy, Minister Bharrat was of the firm view that a policy is not enough.

“The previous administration spoke about first oil; oil and gas, and all this talk about the industry and there is no local content legislation, no draft of it…. there is a local content policy but you need a legal framework to ensure that things happen,” said the minister during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, on Thursday.

He said a policy is not enough to hold a major player or any player in the oil and gas sector accountable, as there is nothing binding or regulating their operations.

In further outlining his concerns, Minister Bharrat said: “We cannot go and tell the oil company ‘you supposed to give 10-20 per cent business to Guyanese companies….’ What is binding them to do that? There is nothing, there is no local content legislation, so we

need to start working on that immediately.”

In the absence of a legal framework, there is no guarantee that Guyanese will enjoy the full benefits of the sector.

“Oil companies do not create big employment, they are big revenue earners, but the employment is not as big as the logging industry or GuySuCo… they do not employ that amount of people,” said Minister Bharrat, noting, however, that the employment comes from the spinoffs or subsidiary industries.

MUST BE IMPLEMENTED Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during his days as Leader of the Opposition, had said for Guyanese to truly benefit from the oil and gas sector, legislation must be implemented to effect mandatory local involvement, not a policy.

He was reported as saying: “We have to have legislation. The legislation is what matters, not the policy. People can ignore that because it has no effect of law. When you pass the legislation – and we’re going to do it – you have to simplify it: what is it that we’re looking for from these oil companies to do?

First of all, to make sure that they spend more in Guyana, using Guyanese labour and using Guyanese businesses.

More business has to flow to our people that are the purpose of local content policy.

It’s a simple thing,” Jagdeo said that in order to craft a robust piece of legislation, the government must bring all the “local people” together and examine where there is the capacity and where there is none. By examining which sectors lack the capacity, only then can the government be “liberal” in allowing foreign investors to operate.

To this end, Jagdeo, at a press briefing on Friday, said President Irfaan Ali will be engaging persons from across the country, on local content and how it could benefit them.

WELCOMED MOVE The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) have since welcomed government’s position on local content and looks forward to the establishment of a framework to maximise opportunities for Guyanese businesses in the oil and gas sector.

GCCI and GMSA said

they look forward to working with government in the development of the framework which will benefit Guyanese businesses and aid in the development of the private sector of Guyana.

Although there is no local content legislation, one of the key players in the sector, ExxonMobil, was reported to have spent over G$14 billion in the first half of 2020, and has utilised more than 600 Guyanese suppliers for services ranging from foodstuff to engineering.

Guyana Chronicle reported that ExxonMobil trained more than 50 Guyanese in countries such as Brazil, Canada, Singapore, Trinidad, United Arab Emirates and the United States, to gain handson oil and gas experience to leverage in Guyana.

According to ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Adviser, Janelle Persaud, more than 2,000 Guyanese are supporting ExxonMobil Guyana’s operations, representing 55 per cent of the total workforce.

ExxonMobil Guyana’s direct workforce now stands at 155, more than 50 per cent of which are Guyanese.

She noted that capacity building is an ongoing process for ExxonMobil Guyana and its direct contrac-

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat tors, with more than 100,000 hours of training provided to Guyanese staff as of the first half of 2020.

Persaud said approximately 80 per cent was in the areas of professional/technical and craft/trade training.

ExxonMobil is now firmly established in Guyana, operating an office in Georgetown, with numerous ongoing exploration and development operations offshore. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 16 discoveries since May 2015 and began production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase 1 development project.

Gov’t mulls using COVID-19 hospital for quarantining purposes –– Vice-President Jagdeo says $1.6B can’t be wasted, but project will be investigated

By Navendra Seoraj THE controversial $1.6 billion Infectious Diseases Hospital, which was commissioned by the former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, has glaring inefficiencies, but Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, said taxpayers’ money cannot be wasted, so government is looking to use it for quarantining purposes.

The former government had said the new facility, which was established at the site of the former Ocean View Hotel, will serve as the first all-inclusive infectious diseases facility, and would eventually remove the constraints from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the regional and district

hospitals.

It was reported that the facility has a capacity for 190 beds and also caters for laboratories, a pharmacy, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an operating theatre and even a mortuary. A section of the facility was also set to house the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), a surveillance centre, a research centre and administrative offices.

A closer examination of the facility by the new People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government revealed major inefficiencies in not just the physical aspect of the project, but also the deal between the former government and the owner of the former hotel, Jacob Rambarran.

In highlighting some of those A frontal view of the sanatorium (Elvin Croker photo)

See page 11

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

‘Live up to your promises’ –– Young Guyanese urge, as they bid a fairly youthful PPP/C Cabinet a warm welcome

By Naomi Parris

AFTER five long months of waiting, which some say felt like light-years, Guyana has finally sworn in its ninth Executive President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who has since gone on to appoint a relatively youthful cabinet to serve the People of Guyana.

This decision of the newly-appointed President has elicited a positive response from the populace, especially the youths. Young Trevon Johnson, who is a sports enthusiast, told the Guyana Chronicle that despite not knowing much about politics, he cast his ballot for the first time at the March 2, 2020 polls, but was disappointed at the inordinately long time it took to know the results, and to appoint appoint a government.

Nevertheless, the 19-year-old said that all he is hoping is that the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government lives up to its campaign promises.

He said, too, that he is particularly pleased with the new president’s initiative to appoint several young persons as ministers. “That was a good decision; putting a young person,” he said, “because they will think like the youths, and be able to relate to us more.”

Johnson said he is hoping that the new government will see the wisdom of investing in more recreational facilities for young men like himself, so as to help them stay out of trouble, and be more proactive, whether it’s at sports and other activities.

“As a cricketer… I hope that they build more facilities for us sports-

Dino Bouters men; for example more cricket grounds and those stuff. I also hope that they better the country and lower the crime rate,” he said.

Sharing similar views was Dino Bouters, who, like Trevon, also voted for the first time. A huge fan of basketball, he said that while he does enjoy a little game of cricket every now and then, he

hopes that the new administration makes more provision for other sporting activities and events in the country to occupy the youths.

“They said that they are going to do better for the country,” Dino said, adding: “So we just have to hope and see… I’d like to see more development in sports; we hardly have enough sports, especially in basketball. It’s mainly cricket.”

He had made mention of the new Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, 36-year-old Charles Ramson, who, because of his age, he believes will be better able to relate to the youths of Guyana.

Sadna Boodhanlall, on the other hand, noted that though the electoral process was long and frustrating, she is pleased that it has finally come to an end. “For me, the long

Sadna Boodhanlall five-month wait was very frustrating for me and my family, because we felt like we were being held back,” Sadna said. “But apart from that, I’m quite happy that everything has come to an end now,” she added.

She said she is now looking forward to seeing the government and its ministers uphold the promises they made in

their Manifesto, as well as while they were on the campaign trail.

“I’m looking forward for this new government to now do what they said they will do for us; work on their Manifesto. I heard some of the newly-appointed ministers saying that they are reviewing their Manifesto, and I’m hoping they are working on that,” she said.

She also noted that she is very concerned about what the government plans doing as it relates to health and education, given the current situation with the coronavirus.

But, being a young professional herself, she said she is optimistic that the new Cabinet members will acquit themselves well, and serve the people of Guyana in such a way as to see greater development in the near future.

Gov’t mulls using COVID-19 hospital ...

From page 10

inefficiencies, Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, said there is no flow of air in the facility, so there is a possibility of everyone becoming infected.

There is also no provision for oxygen in the wall, and the Audit Office, in a past inspection, had found mold in the building.

“If you put people in the ICU and that happens (mold), they may die,” said Jagdeo during a press briefing, on Friday.

“The government (APNU+AFC) spent $1.6 billion of taxpayers’ money, so we have to put the building to use, even if not for the type of purpose they intend,” said the vice-president.

The idea being considered right now is the possibility of using the facility for quarantining purposes.

Only persons, who test positive for COVID-19, would be quarantined there, providing that government goes ahead with their idea.

When asked about staffing, Jagdeo said they do not have enough

medical personnel to man the hospital, but if it is used for quarantining purposes, they will just need non-medical persons and a few medical professionals.

CANNOT JUST WALK AWAY “We need to do something… you cannot expect to spend so much money and just walk away from it,” said the vice-president, noting, however, that there are plans to investigate the project, including the deal between the former government and Rambarran.

Rambarran, after the change of government on August 2, 2020, had issued a demand for G$65 million in rent for the past five months, in keeping with a lease, as he claimed that the gazetted order for compulsory acquisition has no force. He asked the government to vacate the building if it would not pay the rent of $13 million per month.

“The individual, who claims he owns the land, stayed quiet while the

media was questioning the project, and suddenly he sent a lawyer’s letter to be paid millions.”

“He will have a long wait because a lot of irregularities and illegalities took place through this deal, and those will be fully investigated,” said Jagdeo.

Even as government prepares to launch an investigation into the deal, information has already surfaced that the land might have been in receivership, so Rambarran did not own it.

“How can you demand payment and you do not have a formal lease agreement… there are lots of things that do not meet the eye… it is looking like an incestuous arrangement, so they would have to answer a lot of questions,” said Jagdeo.

The idea to establish a special COVID-19 facility was put to government by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) after a new study found that Guyana could have as many as 20,000 COVID-19 cases

in a month.

The Ministry of Public Health, using the PAHO/WHO method, had initially projected 1,400 cases, but a recent study done by PAHO/WHO found that with every case, another 2.5 persons will be affected within five days if there is no partial lockdown, and if persons do not exercise effective social distancing.

“That 2.5, if I infect you, you infect 2.5 others and they infect another 2.5. Within a month we will get over 20,000; it’s a simple model but it makes a lot of sense,” said PAHO/ WHO Resident Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, in a previous News Room report.

And should this happen, Dr. AduKrow said five per cent or 1000 of those infected would need intensive care, and Guyana simply does not have the capacity for this.

Guyana has so far recorded 674 cases of COVID- 19, with the deaths related to COVID-19 remaining at 22.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Young Guyanese talks post-partum depression –– founds ‘Ella Caribbean’, a support group for mothers with the same disorder

By Gabriella Chapman

A YOUNG Guyanese mother who battled and conquered postpartum depression has started a Caribbean network organisation to foster support for mothers in the Caribbean region who may have difficulty overcoming ‘the baby blues’.

Twenty-six-year-old Amarcia Clarke shared her remarkable story with the Guyana Chronicle, telling of how she intends to use it and her newly-founded organisation to be a pillar of strength to mothers.

Clarke, who graduated in 2017 from the University of the Southern Caribbean with a BSc in Psychology, defines postpartum depression as a mood disorder, where mothers experience feelings of extreme fatigue, sadness, and anxiety.

“These feelings will eventually prevent or make it difficult for them to take care of the baby, do household chores, or even taking care of themselves,” Clarke said.

“Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, it can be severe enough to put the mother and baby’s health at risk.

Postpartum depression can go on for years if left untreated.”

Further research, she said, suggests that the condition is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

“An example of environmental factors will be a lack of support from your loved ones,” she said, adding: “Another is feeling pressured to return to your pre-pregnancy body, which can be quite overwhelming.

This can then lead you to turn against the baby, blaming him or her for your new extra skin. An example of a genetic factor is having a predisposition to depression and anxiety before falling pregnant, which is in my case.”

As the young mother went on to explain, “Pregnancy can trigger your depression or anxiety that you once had under control.”

Delving deep into her personal experience, Clarke said that having a baby was never in her vocabulary to begin with.

“Not that I don’t love babies,” she said.

“I always love babies; just that I thought they were never for me. One reason I thought they were never for me was that I knew I had an anxiety and depression issue. Also, I enjoyed the path I was on career-wise. Some may ask, ‘So why did you choose to make a baby?’ Well, the last thing I was told by my doctors is that I can’t make a baby, which was good; after all, I was never interested.

After finding out I was pregnant, I was so anxious, my what-if questions started the moment the test read positive.

My questions included, ‘What if I don’t know how to be a good mom? What if I can never get back on track with my career? What if I harm him because of my history with self-harm?’ My mind never stopped with the worrying and

mother pushed for me to start breastfeeding.

During breastfeeding, I started to have these negative thoughts; I was exhausted and really tired. On some occasions, the thoughts were even directed towards my baby. I thought he was so unfair; I was like, ‘Hey dude! I just returned from being halfway dead! I need time to heal, and here you are sucking the life out of me!’ Sometimes I was so angry that I wanted to throw him away. On some occasions, I even thought of putting him up for adoption. I think my mother realised what was going on after a time; she decided to keep the baby away from me, and only bring him when it’s time to feed. Back then, she would even stay around me while I was with him. After she Meet Amarcia Clarke, the young mom left at five months, my partner stepped in. who fought and conquered postpartum When he comes from work, he will have depression dinner and prepare for bed early, and wake the thinking, and being scared of the up at 12 am to be with the baby, and botthoughts I was thinking. Like if the what- tle-feed him while I sleep,” Clarked shared. if questions were not enough, I had the She said that she battled the thoughts most traumatising birth ever,” Clarke for about six months, before she discovered narrated. what it was that she was going through.

“At around six months,” she said, “I TRAUMATIC DELIVERY finally found out what I was going through She said that her delivery was accom- by researching and returning to my textplished with the aid of forceps, which book from university. That’s when I thought turned out to be an excruciating expe- it’s time to at least attempt to control this rience. new depression. So I began my research.

As she recalled: “I was not supposed to During my research, I found out I was transeven give birth the time I did. I went to the ferring my negative emotions to my baby clinic and was admitted because of some via breastfeeding. So I quit breastfeeding, mixed-up reason that I don’t even under- with the help of my partner and the support stand to this day. When I got admitted, I was of my mom, because they both realised it told I needed blood. I collected the blood, was doing more bad than good. Secondly, which paralysed the left side of my body for I found out babies do well with routine; a few hours, and in the process of collect- coincidentally, I also do well with routine. ing the blood, the inducement started. To I drafted a routine for both the baby and me, deliver, it took a second-degree tear, an epi- which also included his father. This routine siotomy, and forceps. I thought to myself, included meal prepping every Sunday, and ‘Am I even going to be allowed to urinate laying out our activities for the week. normally again?’ By now, you should know By the time his six months ended, he the type of birth will also decide if you will was sleeping through the night, and this trouble from postpartum depression.” mama was finally finding time to sleep, Clarke said that by this time, she was in bathe, and do her hair.” a very dark, lonely place, and that was not the end of the painful birth process.

THE BREAKTHROUGH “After I was discharged from the hosFollowing through with her coordipital, four days later, I was hospitalised nated routine with her family support again! My gosh! Pregnancy was not for system, Clarke eventually pulled through me! Thankfully, my mother and partner the phase of harmful thinking towards were with me all the way. While I was herself and baby. hospitalised, my baby was home with his She said that from her knowledge and grandmother and father. For the first few research, there are no preventative meaweeks of his life, I was not there. sures that can be taken against postpartum I tried to ‘pump’ at the hospital and depression, since there is no definite way of send breast milk for him; it was really knowing how a woman’s body will respond painful. At this moment, I still had no to childbirth. idea what I was experiencing. I thought “I believe research also backs up my it was normal depression and anxiety claim, because I was like an owl on the kicking in.

Internet, and in books searching for preventative measures but failed in finding SCARY THOUGHTS any. What I did come across are a few “After I got discharged for the second things a woman and her family can do time and joined my baby at home, my during pregnancy that will lessen her

chances of postpartum depression and anxiety, or may even reduce the symptoms. These things include nourishment, exercise, adequate sleep, support, understanding and awareness, and stress reduction,” she said.

Because of her experience with this depression common among young mothers, Clarke decided to create a Caribbean network organisation for mothers, which she named, ‘Ella Caribbean’.

She said that she met a mother who went through a similar experience, but that mother went as far and burning her child.

Clarke said: “The mother explained that with the help of her husband, she found out what was happening to her and decided to seek help from her pastor at church, which was one of the reasons her baby was never taken away. Both the pastor and her husband vouched for her. And I thought to myself, ‘What happens to all the other mothers who do not have anyone to vouch for them, or even the mothers who do not understand what they are going through?’ So I decided right there and then that I can be the one to vouch for them. But I thought I needed to complete my Master’s first.

However, a few weeks ago, I said to myself, ‘I don’t need my Master’s to start helping other mothers with similar experiences like myself; I can do so by sharing my experience and the experience of others to bring awareness to the issue.’

I thought that I can also do so by sharing encouragement in simple quotes, and I’m positive it will reach someone that’s in need of help.

‘ELLA’ TO THE RESCUE So ELLA was born. The name Ella stands for goddess and beautiful in Hebrew. What a beautiful way to describe mothers! Right? Caribbean was added because I hope to cover the entire region in the near future.”

She further detailed that Ella Caribbean aim is to let mothers know they are stronger together.

“Since ‘Ella Caribbean’ is still at the newborn stage, I can just list a few objectives that are currently on paper. These include: To create an atmosphere where mothers can freely describe their emotions without being judged, to be able to help mothers get back on track by creating a routine for both the babies and mothers that suit their schedules, to be able to lend emotional support and to be able to prove that we can have the best of both worlds, career, and a baby or babies. As we grow, I know we will have more exciting things in the future.

With this being said, I hope that ‘Ella Caribbean’ proves to society that despite a mother may have negative feelings towards her baby, it doesn’t mean that she hates her baby,” Clarke said.

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Mobile scanners from China to vastly improve GRA operations

MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, and the Minister within the Ministry, Deodat Indar, on Friday, received “NUCTECH” Mobile Scanners from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana.

Minister Edghill, in his remarks, said this donation bears testimony to the relationship between the Government of China and Guyana.

He noted that the installation and operationalisation of the equipment donated is another step to enhancing Guyana’s overall developmental objectives envisioned by the PPP/C Government.

“Let’s get to work and let’s get these containers moving and get things happening in Guyana. We want

to ensure that Guyana is open for business and is a safe place to do business. We want to ensure every opportunity for business in Guyana is optimised,” Minister Edghill said.

The public works minister assured that the new PPP/C Government will ensure that people view Guyana as a place they would want to visit.

“Guyana must benefit from those arrangements… we look forward to a robust Guyana Revenue Authority, Custom/Narcotic operation and monitoring of safety across our border and international market,” he said.

He noted that training of the handlers and operators in the management and maintenance of the equipment will

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill (second from left); Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodar Indar (centre) and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun (second from right) along with officials from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana be a priority.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, said the donation will assist the country in its preparation for the future expansion of the international market.

Citing the long-standing relationship between the two counties – since 1972-- he emphasised the importance of future partnerships.

GRA’s Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia, expressed gratitude to the ambassador,

The relocatable container scanning equipment

Miner’s decomposed body fished out of Kuribrong River THE decomposed body of a miner, who reportedly drowned on Monday, was fished out from the Blackwater Backdam, Kuribrong River, Region Eight, on Friday morning.

Dead is 26-year-old Owen Charles, a miner of One Mile, Wismar, Linden.

Reports indicate that he died around 16:00hrs

on Monday at Blackwater Backdam, Kuribrong, and it was not until Friday persons recovered his body.

Charles’ body was escorted to a funeral home in Linden where it is waiting to be transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for post- mortem.

Police are investigating the incident.

Dead: Owen Charles

noting that the donated scanners will reduce congestion of the agency’s operation.

The scanning equipment comprises one relocatable container/ vehicle inspection system, one container code recognition system, one radioactivity monitor and two sets of X-ray inspection system.

The scanners will complement the mobile scanner, which is currently being used.

It will allow for the uninterrupted operation of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) scanning facility, and will ensure a high level of reliability which, in turn, will ensure improved security and safety and a reduction in trade transaction costs.

Statia also disclosed that the agency will soon benefit from the donation of two barrel scanners in time for the Christmas season.

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Red House inta SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

–– chief justice shot down Granger’s revocation o

CHIEF Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire, on Friday, ruled that the revocation of the lease for the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc (CJRI), known as “Red House” by then President, David Granger, was illegal.

The proceedings were filed by Attorney, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, after Mr Granger ordered, on December 29, 2016, that the lease for the building be revoked and the occupants vacate the property before December 31, 2016.

As a result, a group of staff from the then Ministry of the Presidency descended onto the building and attempted to take possession of it.

On December 30, 2016, an order was made by the

then Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards preserving the occupation of the CJRI until the hearing and determination of the case.

The court has since issued a permanent conservatory order against the defendants not to remove items of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre unless compensation is made, while the court did not award any constitutional relief because the Conservatory Orders granted were adequate.

In the Writ of Summons filed, the CJRI through its attorney, Nandlall, claimed a number of reliefs, including that its 99 years lease, from January 1, 2012, from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, is bind-

Flashback: Senior People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) leaders Neil Kumar; Irfaan Ali (now President); former Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall; former Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn and former President Bharrat Jagdeo protesting the revocation of the Red House lease ing and in force and that the purported revocation by

President Granger was illegal, unlawful, and contrary

to the plaintiff’s fundamental rights and freedom not to

be unlawfully deprived of its property, guaranteed by Article 142 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The then Attorney-General, Basil Williams, appeared for the respondents.

After the relevant affidavits were filed, written legal submissions were ordered and done in 2018. The matter then awaited ruling.

On Friday, Chief Justice George ruled in favour of the applicant/plaintiff, Cheddi Jagan Research Inc. and awarded costs against the respondents in the sum of $150,000.

In upholding Nandlall’s submissions, the court noted that the ‘Red House’ was vested in the National Trust, the centre was not properly registered in

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of lease

accordance with section 15 of the National Trust Act and as such could not be categorised as a National Monument.

Further, the court accepted the word of former President, Donald Ramotar, that the lease was granted by him, and as such, the lease was not properly revoked by the then President, David Granger, and could only have been revoked for cause. There was no evidence as to the breach of the lease by the lessee.

Additionally, the court underscored that the lease for 99 years was created property and could not be easily terminated, and as a consequence created property under the Constitution.

Flashback: Supporters of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), at a vigil, after then president, David Granger, on December 29, 2016, revoked the lease for the Cheddi Jagan Research Inc

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Joint Services should implement feedback mechanisms – Minister Benn THE Joint Services need to implement a mechanism that allows feedback from members of the public on their perception of the quality of service offered, especially by the Guyana Police Force.

This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who gave remarks on Saturday at a brief at

sistent individual improvement through introspection and appropriate corrective action.

Additionally, Minister Benn said the treatment of prisoners in police custody needs improvement while errant ranks need to be retrained in behavioural correction as a first step.

He added that ranks should, at all

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, at the briefing the Police Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.

The main purpose of the minister’s brief was to outline his policy for the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service, with emphasis on the Guyana Police Force.

In his outline, the minister said there is need for the Guyana Police Force to improve and to always gain the confidence of the public.

Minister Benn noted the posture and conduct of the Police Force during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasised the need for ranks to exercise consideration in dealing with the public at all times while simultaneously protecting themselves and citizens from the virus.

The home affairs minister further said that there is need for police to exercise impartiality and sensitivity in the execution of their duties, noting that Guyana is made of people from diverse religious, social and racial background.

Minister Benn charged that all, without exception, be treated fairly and equally - embracing Guyana’s motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

Adding that there is also a need for police to continuously re-assess their performance and set targets to consistently improve their output and effectiveness, Minister Benn said a 10-point improvement strategy should be implemented for all divisions, branches and departments within the three services.

Minister Benn also urged that the strategy be cascaded to every station and every section within the three services.

He noted that there should be con-

times, be equipped with the appropriate tools and training when responding to scenes of accidents and incidents.

The minister reassured the officers of government’s commitment to equipping the organisations under his ministry with the right tools and targeted training to guarantee improved service delivery to all Guyana.

In response to the minister’s charge and policy outline for the organisations present, Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, on behalf of the officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service, thanked the minister for his attendance and sought to assure him that his brief has been noted and very much appreciated.

Hoppie went on to indicate to Minister Benn that as early as the new week, he and his team will craft an action plan for operationalisation of the policies set out by him and his ministry.

These policies, according to Commissioner of Police (ag), will certainly boost the Force’s five-point strategy of Operations Improvement, People and Infrastructural Development, Improved and Increased Partnership and Performance Evaluation as set out in the strategic plan of 2019 – 2021.

Also present at the briefing were Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels; Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Kalamdeen Edoo; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams; Deputy Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, (ag); Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’, along with divisional/branch commanders and other senior and junior officers drawn from the three organisations first mentioned.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

From ‘hovel’ to haven –– ‘Aunty Shirley’ still can’t believe her good fortune

By Naomi Parris

“I NEVER thought my

suffering would end,” said 47-year-old mother of four, Sharda Arjune,

also known as ‘Aunty Shirley’ on Wednesday when she received the

keys to her spanking new home.

It was a dream come true when Ms. Arjune and her husband Jagdesh Jaggernauth, of Moleson Creek, Corentyne, made their way up the stairs of her new home after living more than 15 years in a shack.

Arjune noted that her family suffered a financial depression after her husband developed a mental disorder, forcing him to remain at home, and her children to have to to seek employment to help make ends meet.

The couple’s youngest son, who is just 14-yearsold, has been working as a cattle rancher right in Moleson Creek, where they live, to earn an honest dollar and support his parents. Ms Arjune, on the other hand, would take up a few odd jobs to make ends meet, but most of her time she would spend at home, caring for her husband.

Finding funding for the family’s new fully-furnished home was spearheaded by Rozanna

The ‘shack’ in which ‘Aunty Shirley’ and her family once lived Mohamed, founder of the light when Mohamed Rose for Relief Founda- was distributing hamtion, with the aid of sever- pers to single mothers and the elderly, who, in al generous donors.

The story of ‘Aunty See page 19 Shirley’ first came to

Ms. Rozanna Mohamed, founder of the ‘Rose for Relief Foundation’ with ‘Aunty Shirley’ and her hubby, Mr. Jagdesh Jaggernauth outside of their new home

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From ‘hovel’ to ...

From page 18

her opinion, were the most affected by the COVID-19 fallout.

One of her recipients was the very ‘Aunty Shirley’, and when she saw the conditions under which the family was living, Ms. Mohamed was so shocked she was moved to tears.

Realising that time was of the essence, she immediately sprang into action and started a campaign to rebuild Aunty Shirley’s house, and with the support of kind friends, families and local businesses, she and her team of helpers were able to get the job done within three weeks of discovering the family’s plight.

“We had to get the resources and build as fast as we can, because Aunty Shirley’s living condition was indeed unlivable, and very, very undignified.

I wish we could have done this faster,” Ms. Mohamed said.

Her NGO’s mandate, she explained, is to provide a caring and dignified living for those who are in unfortunate situations, and building ‘Aunty Shir-

ley’ a new home, which was their first ever project, is testimony to that.

While speaking the Guyana Chronicle, Ms. Mohamed seized the opportunity to thank all her donors, both here and in the diaspora, as well as local businesses and those volunteers who stepped forward to make the project possible. “This is not the end, but the beginning of building a more caring and dignified Guyana,” she said, adding: “I was proud to be inspired by ‘Aunty Shirley’.”

Since the birth of ‘Rose for Relief’, Mohamed has received tons of requests for help from all across the country, from medical cases, to needing food, to rebuilding houses, to helping small businesses, children’s needs and more.

“There is very little or no help and opportunities for poor and vulnerable people in Guyana, and the need is enormous and getting bigger every day,” she said, adding: “And I plan on changing that.”

Aunty Shirley’s new house

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE August 16, 2020

Parliament to be held at Arthur Chung Conference Centre

– Minister Teixeira AS a result of COVID-19, Parliament will now be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira confirmed.

Teixeira explained that to minimise the risk of infection, the Parliament will also reduce the number of staff and invitees during the sitting while ministers

and MPs will be seated in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.

The parliamentary affairs minister noted that the first sitting is yet to be decided, but as part of the coronavirus regime, a number of restrictions and measures will be in place.

The Conference Centre was established to host major deliberations for the public and private sectors and

to provide quality service to organisations and entities desirous of hosting meetings, seminars, symposia, AGMs, press conferences and workshops.

In many countries, meetings of the Parliament are reduced and in some countries meetings are held through a combination of remote and face-to-face meetings.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Friday, announced that a national emergency budget is likely to be presented in three

weeks. The budget is debated and approved by Parliament. According to Jagdeo, in the emergency budget, significant focus will be placed on expenditure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana.

He explained that the normal budget cycle is 179 days from the day the circular goes out to the various agencies to the date of presentation in Parliament.

“But we have made it clear that we want the budget prepared and we’re working

towards preparing a budget in three weeks – 21 days. So the 179 days in the normal cycle will have to come down to about three weeks,” Jagdeo stated.

The vice-president said that the circular went out recently, which means that the budget could be ready early next month.

According to Jagdeo, while the budget will include funding for critical areas to keep the country afloat, funds to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic is a

Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira top priority.

In fact, he disclosed that frontline workers, especially those in the medical field, can look forward to being adequately rewarded.

Government reduces time for national curfew

–– restricts unauthorised travel to Regions Seven, Eight and Nine

By Navendra Seoraj GOVERNMENT, in extending the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) control measures, has amended a few of

those measures, and this includes the reduction of the time for the national curfew.

According to an order published in the official Gazette, the curfew is now

21:00hrs to 05:00hrs, a change from the previous 20:00hrs to 6:00hrs curfew.

Part of the amended measures also includes a restriction on unauthorised travel to Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Those regions were classified as “COVID-19 hotspots” because of the high rates of infection there.

The adjusted measures come at a time when the country continues to record a consistent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, with some 25 new cases being recorded in the past 24 hours.

The country has recorded 674 cases to date, but 310 of those persons have recovered and 22 persons have lost their lives. Authorities have said that seven of the remaining cases are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the others are in institutional isolation.

Region One has 104 cases; Region Two has eight; Region Three has nine; Region Four recorded 190 cases; one case in Region Six; 155 cases in Region Seven;10 in Region Eight; 138 in Region Nine; and 39 cases in Region 10. These figures have influenced the extension and adjustment of the control measures.

The COVID-19 emergency measures, which were set to expire on Saturday, have been extended to August 31, 2020.

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

According to health authorities, the

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

The Government of Guyana has since done a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has found that it was fragmented and incapable of administering the public health, economic and social measures needed to keep the population safe.

“The Government of Guyana has initiated a complete overhaul of the current public health response. Government has looked at the approach used in other territories, especially in the Caribbean, and has resolved that a multi-sector and multi-faceted approach has been the most successful model, with an aggressive policy of detection, contact tracing and, if positive, isolation,” said authorities.

Over the last week, government engaged various sectors to develop clear guidelines on epidemiological, social and economic conditions to keep people safe, and put measures in place to support business and households.

“These current regulations would be extended for a limited period, to allow for further assessments and consultations as we develop updated protocols, leading to the eventual and systemic opening up of the economy,” said authorities.

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

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My ministry will not ....

FROM BACKPAGE

administration.

“Sports is not just a hobby or a pastime, it’s a business” Regarding the current role of sports in Guyana, the minister believed that the evolution had already begun and had eclipsed being just a way to pass the time or just a fad for some. Rather, Ramson was firm on Sports playing a huge role in the business world here locally with the possibility of going international.

“Sports is not a hobby or a pastime it’s a business, it’s also an antisocial deterrent. Big money that comes from sports is sponsorships. We have to become an event-driven ministry. We need to have mass engagement and in order to change the trajectory of sports we have to give sponsorship avenues to local and overseas sponsors.”

Social Media was also identified by the minister as a key platform of boosting the level of sports locally. He believed that the government along with associations should team up and have a social media outlet where they can properly and transparently market themselves for sponsorship, but on a much larger scale.

SPORTS POLICY AND MORE CULTURAL INVOLVEMENT With regard to the Sports Policy which has been on the table for a number of years under all the previous administrations, Minister Ramson was adamant that the policy was crucial and revealed that the draft will be shared in the near future with the media - something he said will help to make better decisions for the future of sports in Guyana.

Speaking on the other responsibilities of the ministry, Ramson said, “It’s not just sports we will be dealing with, it is culture, youth and sports. It’s a cross pollination of all sector heads, we want to tap into the cultural aspects along with sports. It’s a good fusion to create and one which will entertain Guyanese and help up appreciate each other and relish in our country’s diversity”.

SHORT-TERM GOALS As for plans leading up to the weeks to come, the minister noted that he will have his hands full tackling a number of sports-related issues as he looks to fully get himself acquainted with what has been happening in Guyana’s sport world.

“We are in discussions with all sports associations to see how their facilities are and how they can be used in the best optimal way. We also want to examine which sports can and cannot be played amidst the pandemic,” he stated.

Minister Ramson further revealed that the identity of the new Director of Sport will be confirmed in the weeks to come as they are currently in the process of interviewing persons.

Plans to meet with media personnel at least twice a year in order to strengthen ties were also part of the new administration’s short-term policies.

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NBA roundup: Pacers top Heat to claim No. 4 in East INDIANA Pacers earned the right to be the “home” team to begin their firstround Eastern Conference playoff series against Heat by beating Miami 109-92 on Friday in both teams’ regular-season finale near Orlando.

Pacers and Heat will next play in a best-of-seven playoff series, beginning Tuesday. Indiana will enter the postseason as the fourth seed in the East, while Miami will be No. 5.

With a majority of the teams’ best players sitting the game out - including the Pacers’ T.J. Warren and Domantas Sabonis, and

Heat’s Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo - the loosely played game saw Indiana’s Doug McDermott and Miami’s Kendrick Nunn share game-high honours with 23 points.

The scary moment occurred when Heat swingman Derrick Jones Jr took a hard fall in the third quarter and had to be attended to on the court for several minutes.

Fearing a neck injury, he was taken off the floor on a stretcher. Jones was diagnosed with a strained neck.

Philadelphia 76ers 134 Houston Rockets 96 Tobias Harris paired 18

points with seven rebounds in 24 minutes while Joel Embiid added 14 points and six rebounds in limited action as Philadelphia turned a blistering first-half shooting display into a runaway victory over Houston.

The 76ers shot 60 percent prior to the intermission, including a robust 10 of 16 on 3-pointers, in cruising to a 24-point halftime lead.

James Harden recorded his 22nd double-double for Rockets, posting gamehighs in points (27) and assists (10). With a pair of free throws at the 5:39 mark of the first quarter, Harden passed Hall of Famer centre

Walt Bellamy (20,941 points) for 36th in NBA career scoring.

Toronto Raptors 117 Denver Nuggets 109 Stanley Johnson scored a season-best 23 points to lift Toronto past Denver in the final regular-season game for both teams.

Several regulars either did not play or had limited minutes for Raptors, who went 7-1 since the restart and have the second-best overall record in the NBA and begin the postseason next week as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Paul Watson added 22

points for Toronto, who rested Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka were out with knee injuries.

P.J. Dozier scored 20 points and Monte Morris added 16 for Denver, who are slotted as the fourth seed in the West. Top players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both played less than 11 minutes.

Los Angeles Clippers 107 - Oklahoma City Thunder 103 (OT) Terance Mann recorded career bests of 25 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, and Los Angeles defeated

Oklahoma City in overtime in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Amir Coffey scored a career-high 21 points before fouling out with 6.7 seconds left for Clippers. Patrick Patterson had 17 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, while JaMychal Green added 13 points and eight rebounds for Los Angeles.

Hamidou Diallo led Thunder with a career-high 27 points, while Dennis Schroder contributed 17.

Schroder, who recently returned to the bubble after the birth of his second child, played in his first game since August 1.

‘Historic humiliation’: Spanish media flay Barca after Bayern debacle BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - The Spanish media showed no mercy to Barcelona after their epic 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, calling for huge changes at the club after a night that will be difficult to erase from their memory.‘Historic humiliation’, cried the cover of Barcelona-based newspaper Sport, adding: ‘A ridiculous Barca suffered its biggest defeat in Europe, ending a lamentable season without a trophy for the first time in 12 years.’

Daily Mundo Deportivo described the defeat on its

cover as ‘A shameful end to an era’, also declaring that coach Quique Setien would be immediately sacked as coach and that president Josep Maria Bartomeu would call an election imminently.

National newspaper AS used the same headline as Sport, adding: ‘The disaster against Bayern opens up a crisis with far-reaching consequences at every level of the club.’

Marca used the word ‘shame’ on its cover, adding that Setien, who was hired in January to try and restore some style and flair to the team, had ‘one foot and a half

out of the door’.

Sport gave defender Nelson Semedo a rating of one out of 10 after he was tormented by Alphonso Davies in the build-up to the fifth goal scored by Joshua Kimmich. It gave Setien a rating of zero, adding: ‘He cannot spend one more day in Barca’s dugout.’

AS also said Setien’s days at the club were numbered, adding that former Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino was waiting in the wings, despite previously saying he would never coach Barca due to his loyalty to former club Espanyol.

Bayern Munich’s Philippe Coutinho scores their eighth goal, as play resumes behind closed doors v Bayern Munich - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - August 14, 2020, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Manu Fernandez/Pool via REUTERS)

Australia confirms England tour, Maxwell returns to squad

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Australia confirmed on Friday next month’s limited-overs tour of England, boosting the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) bid to navigate past a financial crisis brought by the novel coronavirus.

Beginning on September 4, Australia will play three Twenty20 Internationals in Southampton before moving to another bio-secure venue in Manchester for an equal number of one-dayers, all of which were scheduled to take place in July.

“We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the players, staff and administrators of Cricket Australia (CA) for their efforts in getting this tour underway,” ECB chief

executive Tom Harrison said in a statement.

“It will also provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket in England and Wales as we work through the challenges in front of us.”

The tour would allow ECB to complete all 18 international fixtures it had scheduled before the pandemic struck.

The Australian government on Wednesday granted travel exemptions for Aaron Finch and his men, CA said, while announcing a 21-member squad for the team’s first international tour since the coronavirus outbreak began.

“It’s vital for cricket that we do everything we can to keep the game going in these tough times,” Australia coach Justin Langer said.

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell edges a shot past England’s Joe Root in ICC Cricket World Cup Semifinal v England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - July 11, 2019. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

“I am delighted with how the players have returned to their states from the break back in March. The whole squad has come back fitter and stronger, which is great testament to each of them.”

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who took a break last year to address mental health issues, returned to the side having recovered from an elbow injury.

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE , August 16, 2020

Dembele’s late double knocks Man City out of Champions League MANCHESTER City’s Champions League ambitions are in ruins once more after Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola’s side in the quarter-final in Lisbon.

City started as firm favourites but came out second best against a fiercely determined Lyon in a game that swung on controversy and uncharacteristic errors in the closing stages.

Lyon went ahead in the 24th minute with Maxwel Cornet’s smart finish but City, lifeless as Guardiola chose to play a threeman central defence, looked to have been revived by Kevin de Bruyne’s precise strike from Raheem Sterling’s pass after 69 minutes.

Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, on as a substitute, restored Lyon’s lead in contentious circumstances 11 minutes from time, the video assistant referee (VAR) ignoring what appeared to be an obvious foul by the goal-

pensive as seconds later Lyon set up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich when Dembele scored his second after Ederson fumbled a shot from Houssem Aouar’s routine shot.

Olympique Lyonnais’ Moussa Dembele celebrates with teammates, August 15, 2020 at Jose Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, after scoring their second goal v Manchester City, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Miguel A. Lopes/Pool via REUTERS) scorer before he ran on to beat Ederson.

City pressed for the equal-

iser but Sterling was guilty of an atrocious miss, somehow sending his finish over the top

of an open goal from Gabriel Jesus’ pass.

It proved to be hugely ex-

GUARDIOLA MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY Guardiola has rightly been showered in plaudits for the wonderful football and success he has brought to Manchester City - but his biggest target remains elusive and this was a miserable night for the manager.

Guardiola, who has been accused of over-thinking his approach in the Champion League before, adopted a three-man central defensive system and chose to leave many of City’s creators and manipulators on the bench.

Lyon deserved respect after eliminating Juventus but this was a ploy that took it too far and resulted in a stuttering City

lacking urgency and creativity.

He eventually introduced Riyad Mahrez after the break to some effect but Lyon were offered hope and encouragement by Guardiola’s approach and showed magnificent grit and resilience to secure the win.

City will rightly claim an injustice over the VAR decision that did not penalise what appeared to be a foul on Aymeric Laporte by Dembele but the team defending for the second goal was horrific, with every City player bar keeper Ederson in the Lyon half when the goal was created when the game was finely balanced at 1-1.

City and Guardiola have suffered Champions League disappointment before but this may hurt more than any other - and make no mistake, the much-feted Catalan must take his full share of responsibility for a flawed game. (BBC Sport).

Bad weather wipes out Jonhatan Singh grabs five for 21 third day in second Test as Scarborough Blues triumph

SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - Bad weather continued to dog the second Test between England and Pakistan yesterday as a combination of bad light and drizzle wiped out the whole of the third day at the Rose Bowl.

Although the weather appeared to improve in the afternoon, two inspections found that the outfield was still too wet and play was finally abandoned for the day after the umpires had a third look in deteriorating light.

Only 86 of a possible 180

overs were bowled on the first two days as Pakistan, batting first, reached 223-9 with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 60. With more bad weather forecasts, a draw seems to be the most likely result.

Pakistan, who trail 1-0 after England’s dramatic victory in the first Test, need to win to give themselves any chance of taking the three-match series.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said the situation had not been handled well, especially given the effort to stage

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN 1st innings

Shan Masood lbw James Anderson 1 Abid Ali c Rory Burns b Sam Curran 60 Azhar Ali c Rory Burns b James Anderson 20 Babar Azam c Jos Buttler b Stuart Broad 47 Asad Shafiq c Dominic Sibley b Stuart Broad 5 Fawad Alam lbw Chris Woakes 0 Mohammad Rizwan not out 60 Yasir Shah c Jos Buttler b James Anderson 5

Shaheen Afridi run-out Dominic Sibley 0 Mohammad Abbas lbw Stuart Broad 2 Naseem Shah not out 1 Extras: (b-9, lb-11, nb-1, w-1) 22 Total: (nine wkts, 86.0 overs) 223 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-78, 3-102, 4-117, 5-120, 6-158, 7-171, 8-176, 9-215.

Bowling: James Anderson 24-5-48-3 (nb-1), Stuart Broad 25-7-56-3, Sam Curran 18-3-44-1, Chris Woakes 19-3-55-1 (w-1).

Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan is unbeaten on 60.

the series amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

“It is frustrating for everyone,” he told the BBC. “I don’t think there has been any urgency. You think of the amount of time and cost that everyone has put in for this series to happen.

“Over the three days there have been times when it has been raining, and you can’t play in the rain, but there have been 60 or 70 overs when we could have been playing.”

TORONTO, Canada – Leg-spinner Jonhatan Singh grabbed five for 21 as Scarborough Blues defeated Actionzone by 23 runs in their feature Juniors 40-over clash, played at the L’Amoreaux ground, Scarborough here last Thursday.

The 17-year-old Singh, son of former Guyana Chronicle Finance Controller, Mohan Singh, exhibited immaculate control as he spun webs around his Actionzone counterparts, bowling eight overs on the trot to tilt the game in Scarborough Blues’ favour.

Set 145 for victory after limiting Scarborough Blues to 144 for eight in their allotted 40 overs, Actionzone were given a fine start of 46 in nine overs between Canadian Under-19 player Mihir Patel (29) and Dheer Desai (22) but once medium-pacer Kyle Karran broke the partnership it paved the way for Singh to perform his heroics.

Skipper Patel, who had the distinction of scoring an impressive 90 in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year, hit three fours before succumbing to Karran.

A r j u n D h u r a i s i n g a m, son of former Canadian fast bowler Sanjay Dhuraisingam, shored up the middle-order

Match-winners: From left are Jonhatan Singh, Raquib Shamshundeen and Kyle Karran. with a stubborn undefeated 25 but failed to get the desired support after batting at number eight.

Karran supported Singh with three for 23 in seven overs while left-arm spinner Raquib Shamshundeen, who also represented Canada in the Under-19 World Cup, bowled economically to claim one for 18 from 7.3 overs.

Earlier, SCA Blues found the going tough after winning the toss and opting to take first strike on the heavy outfield. It took a flamboyant unbeaten 59 from Shamshundeen and 26 from

Ethan Gibson to propel them to what eventually turned out to be a winning total. Shamshundeen struck three fours while Gibson hit a solitary boundary. Shamsundeen dominated an unbeaten 25-run ninth-wicket partnership with Singh whose contribution was a mere four.

Anindya Dass finished with two for 12, Rohan Garg two for 15 and Patel two for 22.

SCA Junior Coordinator Vish Jafunauth managed the SCA Blues while Dhuraisingam was in charge of Action Zone. (Frederick Halley)

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE , August 16, 2020

TTFA in danger of FIFA sanction, cautions Harris

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Caribbean Football Union boss, Randy Harris, believes Trinidad and Tobago Football Association will face sanction from FIFA, following the landmark decision handed down in the High Court here this week against the powerful world governing body.

While stressing that he did not speak on the behalf of the Zurich-based organisation, Barbadian Harris indicated that there was precedent for action against the TTFA, as FIFA often tried to discourage member associations from legal disputes.

“I can’t really speak for FIFA but normally that would be the case – suspension of the member association,” said Harris, also a vice-president of continental governing body, CONCACAF.

“FIFA can make that decision of suspension but it is up to the congress to decide if they would agree with that suspension or not. But I believe that some action will be taken against Trinidad and Tobago.

“I’m hoping that won’t be the case because this is the first time such a decision has been made in the football world and we will all await to see how FIFA deals with the matter.”

In a landmark 24-page ruling this week, Madam Justice Carol Gobin concluded that arbitration was not the “appropriate forum” for the settlement of the ongoing dispute.

The ruling was a blow to FIFA’s bid to have the dispute with the TTFA heard by the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“This is a matter which falls squarely within the jurisdiction of the High Court of this country. This is not a matter for the Court of Arbitration for Sports,” the court said.

Harris, the president of the Barbados Football Association, told i95FM Sports the ruling would resonate among member associations especially since it impacted the established system of governance enforced by FIFA. “But I can tell you, this is a big big decision in the football world because all of the MAs (member associations) affiliated to FIFA, are at this time believing they play under the FIFA statutes and their governance,” Harris explained.

“And this plays a different tune so we will wait and see what FIFA has to say

about and of course I hope that everything runs well for Trinidad and Tobago.”

He continued: “This decision really turns this over on their heads because all the MAs in FIFA are of the opinion that we follow the FIFA statutes and abide by the rules and regulations of FIFA. FIFA is the world football [governing] body but of course we are independent nations.

“I have not read the full judgement but I will await and see how this pans out now for the other MAs playing under FIFA’s jurisdiction.”

The dispute was triggered last March after FIFA swooped down to disband the TTFA executive and appoint a normalisation committee to run the association.

Ousted president Wil-

CFU president, Randy Harris.

liam Wallace and his three vice-presidents attempted to challenge the decision before CAS but withdrew their case after contending that FIFA was thwarting the process.

Harris said because of the landmark nature of the ruling, the response of FIFA would now be a critical turning point in the matter.

“I wouldn’t look at it as weakening FIFA because FIFA can never be bigger than the governance of a country,” Harris pointed out.

“I think this matter of not taking [footballing] matters to the ordinary courts is a situation that FIFA introduced to prevent the going and fro-ing of court action and I think that they were satisfied that they have the regulations in form to deal with matters where they are disputes.

“This, as I say, is the first time that the statutes have been challenged in this way and we should await and see what FIFA’s reaction to it will be.”

BCA legal minds planning ‘surgery’ on Wehby governance report

BCA president Conde Riley BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) president, Conde Riley, said Thursday

the local governing body had established a “high-powered” committee to examine the recommendations put forward recently by the Independent Task Force for Corporate Governance Reform.

Riley, a prominent Cricket West Indies (CWI) director, told a media conference here the committee would carry out “surgery” on the 36-page governance report with a sense of “urgency” and expect to be able to submit its findings within a month.

“We are in the process as a board of putting together a group to do a surgery on the proposals,” Riley said.

“Our committee that we have put together will look at it, come back to the board and then we will make our submission.

“I remember the last report was the Barriteau Report which said they would dissolve Cricket West Indies – it cannot

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be done in law. I’m not a lawyer … but I know you cannot take over a company.

“The only body that can do that would be the shareholders and all six shareholders would have to agree to that. If one says no, it’s over.

“But we will report to our membership and the people of Barbados in due course once that committee does its surgery on this report.”

The BCA is one of six constituent boards of CWI currently mulling over the report which was submitted last week by task force chairman, Jamaican businessman and senator Don Wehby.

Among the recommendations is a reduction in the size of the board from its current total of 18 members to 12, and the inclusion of at least two women to reflect diversity.

The report also calls for a decrease in

committees from 12 to five and a redefining of the roles of the president and vice-president in order to strengthen their non-executive nature.

Riley, who has often been at odds with the current Ricky Skerritt-led administration, said he had no issues with reducing the size of the board once the executive functions were carried out efficiently.

“If they say – and again the shareholders would have to agree to this – you reduce the board instead of having two directors per shareholder you have one, once you have the executive arm functioning properly I have no difficulty with that,” Riley explained.

“But as I said, we’re going to deal with it as a board, take the advice of the committee which we’ve put together and the committee is a fairly high-powered one.

“We have asked that this thing be dealt with ASAP so I hope that within a month, we will have a report if not sooner.”

The task force was commissioned by Skerritt, following his unseating of three-term incumbent Dave Cameron last year, making good on a campaign promise to review the governance structure of CWI once elected.

Wehby’s committee comprised an eminent group of Caribbean personalities with University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles; West Indies vice-captain Deryck Murray; Jamaican businessman, OK Melhado and prominent Caribbean lawyer Charles Wilkin QC, all helping pen the report.

Skerritt said CWI was determined to “do all we can to ensure the implementation of this report.”

Rogers stuns Serena at Top Seed Open

(REUTERS) - Shelby Rogers pulled off one of the biggest wins of her career when she toppled Serena Williams 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in the quarter-finals of the Top Seed Open in Lexington on Friday.

It looked like the top seed would make quick work of Rogers in the rain-delayed encounter after romping through the first set in 26 minutes.

But world number 116 Rogers kept her composure and got the better of Williams as the first meeting between the two

big hitting Americans turned into a slugfest.

Rogers sealed the win when Williams sent a backhand long on match point.

“It’s every kid’s dream when growing up watching her (Serena) play, and to be able to do something like that …,” said Rogers, who has yet to get used to the unfamiliar surroundings as the event is being played without any fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Weird circumstances,

weird setting, but a win is a win. I know we’re all just happy to be playing.”

Next up for Rogers will be Switzerland’s Jil Teichman.

Williams was hoping the tournament would help her to get into top form for the U.S. Open, which starts on August 31.

But having been stretched to three sets in all three of her matches this week, the 38-yearold American knows she has plenty of work to do if she is to

fulfil her dream of winning that elusive 24th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.

“I could play a lot better, I think that’s the main thing I can take from this match,” Williams said.

“I made it difficult on myself by making a plethora of unforced errors.”

In the other quarter-final of the day, 16-year-old Coco Gauff battled back to defeat Tunisian Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and will next face fellow American Jennifer Brady.

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE , August 16, 2020

Tendulkar leads tributes to retiring Dhoni: Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense

SACHIN Tendulkar hailed the “immense contribution” MS Dhoni has made to Indian cricket and described winning the Cricket World Cup alongside his former team-mate as the best moment of his life.

Modern-day great Dhoni

of international cricket.

“To have a player like him, Mission Impossible …

Players will come and go but there won’t be a calmer man like him,” Sehwag wrote.

“Dhoni with his connect (sic) with people having aspirations was like a fam-

MS Dhoni led India to ODI World Cup glory in 2011, ending the country’s 28-year long title drought.

posted on Instagram yesterday: “consider me retired”, along with a video montage of his India appearances over the years, though he did not specify whether his announcement refers to all cricket or just the international arena.

India legend Tendulkar, who scored 15 921 Test runs and a further 18 426 in ODI cricket, led the tributes to Dhoni, who captained his country to World Cup glory on home soil nine years ago.

“Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni,” Tendulkar posted on Twitter.

“Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings.”

Fellow India great Virender Sehwag highlighted Dhoni’s coolness under pressure as crucial to his longevity at the top

ily member to many cricket-lovers.”

Suresh Raina, 33, added his own tribute on Instagram, in a post in which he confirmed he too is stepping away from international cricket.

“It was nothing but lovely playing with you, @ mahi7781. With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey. Thank you India,” he wrote.

India batsman Shikhar Dhawan added simply: “Captain. Leader. Legend.

Thanks Mahi bhai for everything you have done for the country!”

Ravichandran Ashwin said the memories of his triumphs alongside Dhoni will forever stay with him.

He wrote: “The legend retires in his own style as always, @msdhoni bhai you have given it all for the country.

“The champions trophy triumph, 2011 World Cup and the glorious @

ChennaiIPL triumphs will always be etched in my memory. Good luck for all your future endeavours.

#MSDhoni.”

Dhoni, an explosive batsman and quality wicketkeeper, also won the World Twen-

ty20 in 2007 and helped his team ascend to the top of the Test rankings.

He last played for his

country in the July 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand at Old Trafford. (Sportsmax)

By Clifton Ross MINISTER of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, has promised a bright future for athletes and media operatives as his new administration plans to holistically reshape sports, thus broadening Guyana’s spectrum for the future.

Yesterday’s media debriefing held at Duke Lodge in Kingston was the first of its kind in recent history as the recently appointed Sport Minister sought to familiarise himself with the senior core of Guyana’s sport media faction.

The highly interactive session touched on a wide range of topics, including those plaguing sports as well as endeavours, future objectives and short-term plans to reshape

Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports (MCYS) Charles Ramson Jr engaged in a highly-interactive session with local Sports Media operatives yesterday at Duke Lodge (Delano Williams photo)

My ministry will not operate in a vacuum: - Sport Minister Ramson

“I have to meet with more associations, because sports is not in good shape, it’s very disorganised,” said the minister who admitted that he had been trying to make assessments from the outside looking in, but his reality was confirmed following taking up his new post as Head of Sports in Guyana.

He stated that ‘talented persons’ are needed to take things into the international level and as such he plans to do a full assessment of sports and organisations while calling for those bodies to further share in the responsibility as it is now time for all stakeholders to be heavily involved in the affairs of the sports sector.

Minister Ramson also assured associations that no form of mistreatment will be handed out, referring to admittance by some about being treated unfairly in the past by the previous

… Tackling Sports Policy key criteria under new administration the totality of how sports is run in Guyana for the next few years going forward.

Meeting with Sports Associations Minister Ramson, who grew up as an avid cricketer

playing for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), took off his ministerial cap, as he recently met with a number

of local sport bodies to have an idea of the current state of things and potential progressive ways forward.

SEE PAGE 23

India’s Dhoni quits international cricket, to play IPL FLASHBACK: India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifts the trophy at the Taj hotel the day after India defeated Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai April 3, 2011.

(REUTERS/Philip Brown)

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni quit international cricket yesterday, drawing curtain on an illustrious, trophy-laden career with a cryptic Instagram message.

“Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout. From 19:29hrs consider me as Retired,” he wrote on Instagram here with a video montage which had images from his 15-year international career.

The message ended speculation around the international future of the enigmatic 39-year-old, who quit Test cricket in 2014 and has not played for India since the team’s semi-final exit at the 50-overs World Cup in July last year.

“It is the end of an era,” Indian cricket board (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly said in a statement.

“His leadership qualities have been something which will be hard to match, especially in the shorter format of the game.

“Every good thing comes to an end and this has been an absolutely brilliant one,” added Ganguly, himself a former India captain.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah called Dhoni “one of the greats of the modern era”.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

“I wish him all the very best for IPL and his future endeavours,” Shah said, suggesting Dhoni would play in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates from September 19.

Dhoni burst onto the international scene in a one-dayer against Bangladesh in late 2004 as a long-haired wicketkeeper with spectacular power-hitting prowess.

He went on to become statistically India’s most successful captain, leading them to World Cup triumphs in 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI), while they also became the top ranked Test team under him in 2009.

As a batsman, Dhoni also transformed himself into one of the best finishers of the game, famously illustrating it by securing India’s 2011 World Cup victory by hitting a six in the final against Sri Lanka.

The immensely popular cricketer ends his ODI career having played 350 matches, scoring 10 773 runs and effecting 444 dismissals.

He holds the record for most dismissals in T20 internationals with 91 in 98 matches.

Overall, Dhoni has amassed 17 000 international runs across formats, including 16 centuries and more than 800 victims as wicketkeeper.

SUNDAY,AUGUST 16, 2020