Guyana Chronicle E-paper 8-26-2020

WEDNESDAY 26th August, 2020

’ No. 106103

Mingo, two assistants arrested PAGE

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Controversial Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, was, on Tuesday afternoon, arrested at his sister’s residence, at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara

–– questioned on electoral fraud

First batch of 21 Exxon-trained Guyanese return PAGE

Guyana’s third crude lift by November 27 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

31 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

By Navendra Seoraj

GUYANA continues to record a consistent rise in the number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with 31 new cases being recorded within the past 24 hours.

With no end to the pandemic in sight, authorities have ‘ramped up’ testing in order to identify the ‘hotspot’ areas and contain the spread of the disease.

Authorities have so far tested 7,373 persons, with 6,313 being negative and 1,060 positive. Of the positive cases, 523 have

recovered and 31 persons have lost their lives, while the remaining cases are being monitored by authorities.

According to recent statistics, 80 persons are in institutional isolation, 387 are in home isolation and eight persons are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The steady rise has caused panic in some cases, but there are persons who remain nonchalant and unbothered by the spread. Authorities, however, continue to adjust control measures in order to mitigate the spread of

the disease.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, is of the opinion that some measure of control can be placed on the rapid spread of the virus through contact tracing.

Dr. Boyle, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), explained that contact tracing is used by health departments to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

She added that contact tracing involves identifying persons who would have come into contact with someone who tested

positive for the virus.

But for the process to be successful, she said, persons who would have tested positive for the virus must be cooperative with health officials in detailing their movements, and who they would have been in contact with prior to testing positive for COVID-19.

She warned that if positive cases are not forthcoming with information, the lives and well-being of many others may be at risk.

“Anything that prevents you from identifying all contacts, communicating to them their risk and

isolating those persons means you are going to be less effective in controlling the epidemic,” Dr. Boyle said.

She further explained that once the contacts have been identified, they are quarantined, and at the end of a 14-day (two-week) period, they are tested for the virus.

While the process may appear to be simple, Dr. Boyle noted that it is not without its challenges, as the fear and sheer anxiety surrounding the virus, as well as the nonchalant and dishonest attitude of many individuals have made it

difficult for the relevant health officials to do their jobs effectively.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus. Most people, who fall sick with COVID-19, will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.

There are, however, vulnerable groups such as persons with underlying conditions and elderly patients, who may develop severe forms of the disease.

Brazil desires strengthened co-operation with Guyana

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has received a congratulatory letter from President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, who

expressed his desire to see strengthened co-operation between the two nations.

In his letter, President Bolsonaro said, “At this moment in which the perspec-

tive of ample and important transformations is presented to Guyana, I affirm the priority attributed by Brazil to the bilateral relationship.

I am ready to work with

President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro

Your Excellency in continuing strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries, with the view of the well-being and prosperity of Brazilian and Guyanese peoples.”

President Bolsonaro noted, too, that the conclusion of the electoral process “ratifies the commitment [to] democracy that must continue to guide our whole region”.

President Bolsonaro also extended best wishes to President Ali for success in the exercise of his mandate.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Man robbed $4.4M at home A “DETECTOR OPERATOR”, who works in the Chi-Chi Backdam goldfields, North West District, was robbed $4.4M Monday night by two gunmen who invaded his home at Nismes, West Bank Demerara.

The man told investigators that he returned from the interior about two months ago with a large amount of money which he normally keeps at home.

Reports indicate that around 23:30 hours, the man was relaxing in a chair watching television and later fell asleep, when he was awakened by an armed gunman who demanded that he hand over the money.

He was then ordered to lie face

downwards and claimed that as he was about to turn his face down, the second armed suspect whose face was covered with white cloth, armed with a black handgun, entered the living room, placed a jersey over his head, and tied his feet and hands to the back.

The victim further reported that after constant demands and threats with the handgun for the money, he became fearful for his life and pointed to the location where the money was kept.

The man said shortly after, they exited the house and made good their escape in a waiting car.

The victim managed to untie himself and raised an alarm.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Mingo, two assistants arrested – questioned on electoral fraud

By Rabindra Rooplall

CONTROVERSIAL Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo was on Tuesday afternoon arrested at his sister’s residence at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force arrested Mingo in connection with alleged electoral fraud.

When contacted, Crime Chief Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum confirmed that Mingo, along with two of his assistants were arrested.

The employees worked directly with Mingo on Elections Day, and in the aftermath that led to the five-month delay of the March 2, 2020 elections result.

Mingo was arrested days after the Police Force announced that it was launching a comprehensive investigation into reports of electoral fraud, as advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Force’s Legal Adviser.

Court Marshalls have been looking for Mingo to serve him with a warrant for his arrest on criminal charges, which were filed by a private citizen but were unable to locate him for several weeks.

The charges were filed in March by Charles Ramson Jr against Mingo, and PNCR Chair, Volda Lawrence in relation to the controversial results for District Four.

Mingo’s attorney, Darren Wade said after his client was arrested, he was given an opportunity, after much delay, to speak with him at CID headquarters.

“I was able to speak with him; I was

The charge against Lawrence states that she conspired with persons to forge 24 documents to show a fraudulent win.

Lawrence is also charged with procuring Mingo to, on or about March 4, 2020 at Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown undertake this task.

She is also charged with uttering to the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, a Form 24 Representation of the People Act Regional Elections Return dated March 5, 2020, knowing same to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of the State of Guyana.

Lawrence is expected to return to court on September 11. Mingo is also expected to attend court on the date that has been fixed.

Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo told the police asked him several questions, and they have since seized his phone. But I am unable to meet with the policemen to understand what is transpiring, and to have an understanding from the State as to why they are holding Mr. Mingo,” the attorney said.

Further, the lawyer said that the issue of bail was also not up for discussion with the police.

On Monday, Mingo was absent from a court appearance, while Volda Lawrence was placed on $100,000 bail after appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on private criminal charges, including conspiring to forge documents to show a win for APNU+AFC at the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections.

CHAOS Mingo had created chaos at the Ashmin’s building on High Street on March 5, after he used a spreadsheet to declare the APNU+AFC coalition the winner of District Four, though his numbers were later proven to be false.

He persisted with the false numbers, even after the Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George- Wiltshire had thrown out the declaration, saying the tabulation was not done in accordance with the law.

This led to a national vote recount, which clearly established that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was the winner of the elections.

The elections’ results were finally announced on August 2, after a five-month delay.

Meanwhile, the charges against Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield were

filed on June 30 by Desmond Morian and Daniel Josh Kanhai, relating to fraud, misconduct in office, and breach of the public’s trust by providing results of the March 2, 2020 elections which he knows to be false.

Lowenfield first appeared in court on July 24, 2020, where he was granted bail in the sum of $450,000, or $150,000 bail on each charge.

In charges filed against the CEO, it is alleged that between March 5, 2020 and June 23, 2020, Lowenfield conspired with person(s) unknown to commit a commonlaw fraud.

The court document states: “The accused, between March 5, 2020 and June 29, 2020 while performing his duty as the chief elections officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, without lawful excuse or justification, willfully misconducted himself at Georgetown… a place within the Georgetown Magisterial District by ascertaining results of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections for Guyana, knowing the said results to be false, the said willful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust in the Office of the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.”

Despite his name being thrusted into the spotlight and his being highlighted in the various observer’s reports, Mingo has remained silent.

Reports indicate that Mingo is still in the employ of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), but has not shown up for work at the headquarters in months.

UG takes novel approach to helping students fund studies WITH the financial, academic and social well-being of students being the first priority at the University of Guyana, newly- elected Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed, during a recent Zoom interview spoke of her concerns about those students who are worried about being able to afford furthering their studies, given the economic constraints occasioned by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Conveying that the University of Guyana has systems in place to assist

with the foregoing issue, Dr. Mohamed said, “Those students who are thinking about attending the University, especially those who are out of town who think they can’t afford to come to the University because they don’t know where they’ll find money, the loan agency can provide support for you.

And we also have limited amounts of scholarships that are available to students as well.”

The Vice-Chancellor further said that due to the global pandemic, the university has removed all fees

that were attached to late applications, reduced summer rates by 30 per cent, and relaxed the due dates for payment of fees, with the aim of providing support for current and prospective students.

In May of this year, University students from both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses were earmarked to receive assistance through care packages that were expected to be distributed through a special committee that was established within the University’s student society (UGSS), with the intend of assisting students

who are having trouble accessing the Internet for academic purposes along with other financial difficulties.

‘UG Cares’ is also another branch of the University that is providing care packages and psychological support for students, alumni, staff and pensioners.

Registration for the new academic year 2020/2021 is expected to commence on August 31, whereas the University is expected to recommence classes for the upcoming academic year on October 5, with 75 per cent of the university’s

courses being conducted Online, and the remaining 25 per cent being executed through blended modes of

presentations to facilitate students with courses that include practical assessments.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Jacob Blake: Father says man shot in Wisconsin is ‘paralysed’ (BBC) The black man shot many times in the back by Wisconsin police officers is paralysed from the waist down, his father has said.

Jacob Blake, 29, was shot several times as he went to a car and opened its door in the city of Kenosha on Sunday.

The shooting sparked two nights of protests in the city, with buildings and cars set alight.

His father has now told a US newspaper that his son is paralysed - although doctors do not know if it is permanent.

Jacob Blake Snr told the Chicago Sun Times his son had “eight holes” in his body.

“What justified all those shots?” his father asked.

“What justified doing that in front of my grandsons?

What are we doing?”

Video footage of Mr Blake’s shooting, taken from across the street and shared on social media,

shows the father-of-three leaning into the car and an officer grabbing his shirt, with seven shots heard.

Within hours of Mr Blake’s shooting, hundreds of people had marched on Kenosha’s police headquarters. Cars were later set alight, and police urged 24hour businesses to consider closing because of “numerous” calls about armed robberies and shots being fired.

On Monday, Governor Tony Evers called up the National Guard to aid local police, with a curfew imposed on the city of about 100,000 on the south-western shore of Lake Michigan from 20:00 local time (01:00 GMT) until 07:00 on Tuesday.

But some ignored the curfew, and police used tear gas to try to force protesters - some of whom were throwing water bottles - to disperse. Officers, who were backed up by the National Guard, also used rubber

bullets and smoke bombs, protesters said.

Some demonstrators were seen attacking cars and property with baseball bats, news agency Reuters reported, while others set cars alight.

CNN that before he began taking it, he saw police wrestle, punch and Taser Mr Blake.

It was then he started recording. Mr Blake is shown walking around the front of the SUV. The two officers

Jacob Blake (left) was shot several times in the back by police

On Tuesday, Mr Evers said he would send more National Guard troops to Kenosha to protect state buildings and support first responders and firefighters.

Protests have also spread to a number of other cities, including Portland and Minneapolis.

What do we know about the shooting?

Kenosha Police Depart-

WED, AUG. 26, 2020 ― 10:30hrs - 12:00hrs

ment said the “officer involved shooting” happened shortly after 17:00 on Sunday.

Police said they were responding to a domestic incident, but so far it is so unclear who called the

police and how many officers were involved, and what happened before the shooting. Police in Kenosha do not have body cameras, although they do have microphones.

Lawyers for Mr Blake said he had been trying to “de-escalate a domestic incident” when police drew their weapons.

The person who shot the video, Raysean White, told

closest to Mr Blake at this point on the video are white males.

As Mr Blake opens the door and leans into the car, one officer can be seen grabbing his shirt and opening fire. Seven shots can be heard in the video, as witnesses shout and scream.

Mr Blake’s fiancée Laquisha Booker, described how the children - who witnessed everything as they sat in the back of the car - were screaming as their father was shot.

Speaking to a local NBC channel, she asked why the police would shoot someone “who’s not armed, not giving you no problems”.

“I’ve been yelling that the whole time, let me get my kids. So that’s not important to y’all. What’s important is killing somebody,” she added.

Police said that officers had provided “immediate aid” to Mr Blake, who was taken to a hospital in Milwaukee in serious condition.

What has the reaction been?

Wisconsin’s Department of Justice is investigating the incident in Kenosha, while the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. A petition calling for them to be charged has garnered tens of thousands of signatures.

Governor Evers, who is a Democrat, has said there will be a special session of the state legislature on 31 August to discuss a package of laws announced earlier this year on accountability and transparency of the police following the police killing of George Floyd.

Lawmakers had “failed to act” in the two months since he announced the “commonsense policies”, the governor tweeted.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Monday released a statement calling for a “full and transparent investigation” of the shooting.

What is the significance of this incident?

Mr Blake’s shooting comes as the US grapples with the treatment of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement, as well as wider questions about racism in society.

Debates were triggered by the death in police custody in Minneapolis of another black man, George Floyd, in May. Mr Floyd’s death sparked protests around the country, and abroad, and has ignited calls for police reform in the US.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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10-month baby, entire family COVID-positive

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The 10-month-old daughter of a Freeport woman who works at a private medical facility is one of the nation’s newest cases of COVID-19.

According to reports, the baby’ mother, father, sevenyear-old sister and three other family members have all tested positive for the virus There have been several other toddlers who have tested positive for the virus since the virus hit T&T’s shores.

In its updates yesterday, the Ministry of Health confirmed 92 more cases of the virus, bringing the overall total number of positive tests in the country since March 12 to 1,099. Some 919 of these patients are active cases. There was also an additional death,

an elderly man with pre-existing medical conditions, yesterday, taking the total number

Ministry of Health Epidemiology Technical Director Dr Avery Hinds

of fatalities up to 15. There have been 960 cases and seven deaths recorded since phase two of the pandemic began on July 20 with case 139.

But speaking during yesterday’s Ministry of Health update, Epidemiology Technical Director Dr Avery Hinds said despite anticipating a spike in cases following General Election activity, they had not been able to link any of the over 700 cases and seven deaths which followed the August 10 event through contact tracing exercises.

Hinds said that no patient has yet indicated their presence at a gathering associated with the election but noted this “does not mean they weren’t there.”

“But the information that

is shared with us as healthcare professionals is the only information that we can document. It’s not going to be easy or perhaps even possible to determine how many of those persons that have been contacts, that have been positive were at a gathering of any kind without the information being provided to us,” Hinds said.

However, over the last week, two people who were seen on the campaign trail, former minister and MP Tim Gopeesingh and a political activist, tested positive.

On the evening of the General Election 15 days ago, there were a total of 281 cases of COVID-19 in the country.

As of 6 pm yesterday, that number had grown to 1,099.

Since the date of the election, the country’s transmission classification has also been upgraded from “sporadic” to “community” and has led to a number of changes to procedures which were once lauded as “the tried and proven” during the first phase of infections in the country between March 12 and April 2020.

But Hinds said the rapid increase in cases now being witnessed was not an uncommon occurrence.

“The early part of any epidemic is the phase and the stage in which you do see rapid increases in the number of cases diagnosed. That’s the stage we’re at, that’s the pattern we’re seeing,” Hinds said.

But Hinds said the in-

crease could be slowed as a result of the partial lockdown measures implemented on August 17. However, he underscored that in order for it to work citizens need to adhere to the regulations outlined.

“The measures that we implement would take some time to work. We are now one week out from the implementation of the restrictions and while we’re still seeing an increase - this is what is expected - but we need to hold fast to the measures,” he said.

“Numbers would continue to increase for a while but if we hold fast to the measures, that speed at which it increases would eventually level off and we’d see fewer numbers, but only if everyone is adherent.”

Growth & Jobs | Data Protection Act Will Protect J’cans, Experts Insist (JAMAICA GLEANER) Twenty-four-year-old Shirley Jackson (not her real name) was recently diagnosed with COVID-19. She contracted the disease while working at a business process outsourcing (BPO) centre in Jamaica.

The former customer service agent has since recovered from the disease after almost two months in a government-run quarantine facility.

Now in better health, she is job hunting, and she is worried that her recent health challenges may pose a threat to future employment given the stigma associated with the virus.

Once the Jamaica Data Protection Act (JDPA) (2020), which was recently passed by the Houses of Parliament, is gazetted and has undergone its two years transitional period, Karen and many persons in a similar situation will not have to worry about their personal health records affecting future employment as the Act will protect their privacy.

Dr Sean Thorpe, professor and head of the School of Computing and Information Technology at the University of Technology, Jamaica said that while it is essential to make it clear that data protection can in no way be an obstacle to saving human lives, it is equally crucial to reaffirm that the exercise of human rights, and, notably, the rights to data privacy and protection, are still applicable.

“Arguably, this violation of a person’s basic right to privacy under these circumstances, is [protected] under the Data Protection Act,” he said.

BENEFIT FOR PUBLIC Anthony Robinson, a certified information privacy manager and group data protection officer (DPO) at The Jamaica National Group, pointed out that members of the public

stand to benefit greatly from the legislation.

He explained that the legislation defines the general principles for the processing of the personal data of an individual, provides for transparent oversight, and enables entities in the public and private sectors to strengthen their protection of personal data.

Anthony Robinson, a certified information privacy manager and Group Data Protection Officer at The Jamaica National Group

Robinson posits that this is based on two core aspects of the JDPA (2020). They are the legal rights over their personal data that persons will enjoy and the principles on how personal data is to be used or processed by organisations.

“The JDPA (2020) benefits us by creating a legal environment that protects how personal data is used by organisations,” he said. “[The] JDPA will provide each person in Jamaica with specific rights that allow them to understand and determine how their personal data is used by organisations. This is the first time that individuals in Jamaica will have specific legal rights related to their personal

data and how that data is used by organisations,” he said.

Robinson said that persons may choose at any time to exercise their rights and that organisations will have a specific time within which to respond. However, if organisations fail to respond in time, or if the individual is not satisfied with their responses, then they may express their concerns to the DPO at the relevant organisation or to the appointed information commissioner, the regulator for the JDPA. Turning to the clause of the legislation, which speaks to the principles that govern how personal data is processed by organisations, Robinson said that the JDPA clearly defines eight standards or principles on which processing of personal data is to be based.

“Organisations must follow those standards to lawfully process personal data.These new legal rights and standards now provide the public with a significant degree of information and control over how their personal data is processed by organisations. This is all new in Jamaica,” Robinson said.

ENSURE OBEDIENCE TO LAW He pointed out that the JDPA requires organisations that process personal data to ensure that they obey the law.

“The JDPA also makes it much easier for us to find out what organisations do with our personal data. We now have a legal right to know. We simply need to ask the organisation for that information. Data protection international best practice suggests that some of that information should be made available on the organisations’ websites,” he said.

Robinson explained that while an individual’s consent is required for the legal

processing of personal data, the JDPA, like other modern data-protection laws, provides for exceptions so that organisations may process personal data where it is reasonable to expect that they should do so.

Those exceptions, he said, are clearly defined. In

that way, the JDPA seeks to strike a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of society to have organisations operating smoothly yet within the law.

“The Jamaica National Group is committed to increased accountability to our customers and employ-

ees,” said Robinson. “That increased accountability includes how we process personal data. Accordingly, we embrace data protection and the JDPA as being consistent with our ongoing commitment to our customers and employees.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Empowering women

I

N December 1942, Janet Rosenberg, aged 22, while working as a student nurse at Cook County Hospital, met Cheddi Jagan, an Indo-Guyanese dentistry student at Northwestern University. They married on August 5, 1943, and in December that year she moved with him to Guyana, where he set up his dental practice, with her as his nursing assistant.

This union precipitated a crusade for human and women’s rights in then British Guiana.

One cannot speak about women empowerment in Guyana without recognising the valiant struggles of our female freedom fighters, foremost of whom was former President, late Mrs. Janet Jagan.

Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P. and General-Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association, posited: “If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse - in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan.”

Before their advent into politics in then British Guyana, local women were treated as less than their dogs by the Colonial overlords. Women could not work in Public Service after marriage and they certainly could not vote: But she took part in labor activism, along with her husband, and joined the British Guiana Labor Union, simultaneously working in her husband’s dental clinic as a nurse for 10 years. In 1946, she founded

the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation (WPEO), forerunner of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO); and co-founded the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), forerunner of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which heralded a dynamic struggle for human and women’s rights.

Over the years, she was joined by intrepid women such as Mrs. Shirley Edwards, Mrs. Philomena (Fireball) Shury, President Ali’s grandmother, Mrs. Sakina Mohamed, Indra Chanderpal and countless others.

And who can forget the heroic martyr, Kowsilla?

A humble housewife and an active member of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO). On March 06, 1964, outside the Leonora factory gate, Kowsilla squatted with striking sugar workers who were protesting against their being denied work, and at the same time highlighting their call for the recognition of GAWU. The then General Manager of the Estate instructed a “scab”, who was driving a tractor at the time, to drive over the bridge where the workers were squatting. He did so, in the process running over the striking workers, thereby causing Kowsilla’s death and serious injury to 14 others.

Her death and the sacrifice of the others did not go in vain, for that tragedy catalysed eventual recognition of GAWU as the bargaining union for sugar workers and heralded many human rights changes in the sugar industry.

Over time women were permitted greater freedoms in the socio-political dynamics of the nation; and today women proliferate in leadership roles in every sphere of activity in the nation.

Yet there are still great numbers of women with leadership skills and business

acumen who are constrained by diverse circumstances from optimising their potential for wealth and job creation.

Under the administration of the former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s Ministry of Social Protection, in collaboration with the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI), launched the “Women of Worth” (WOW) loan programme, which helped single parent women start and/or expand their businesses. This initiative was driven by then subject minister, Priya Manickchand.

With loans provided by GBTI, the initiative catered for single parent women, helping them access funding for their small businesses. Business ventures supported by GOG/GBTI’s Women of Worth programme included hairdressing, fabric design, floral arranging, dress making, childcare, craft and novelty making, and poultry rearing.

The programme’s main aim was to provide low-interest loans to single parents women who wanted to establish, upgrade, or expand a small business. This was accomplished by providing the funding women entrepreneurs and potential businesswomen needed to start and grow their ventures, consequently empowering themselves through enhancing their income-generation and solidifying their livelihoods.

Through initiatives like Women of Worth, government, in partnership with institutions like GBTI, has proven that providing enabling mechanisms can make a tangible impact on the lives of vulnerable women and, consequently, their children. By removing financial obstacles, the partnership with GBTI helped women realise their true potential through building businesses.

Through the WOW initiative, women used their acumen to grow local communities,

A disrespectful act Dear Editor, THERE is video circulating of some form of occult engagement on one DJ Magnum, wherein the occult performer is seen taking out a snake from the individual.

In that video, images of Hindu dieties can be seen; more

clearly the image of Goddess Lakshmi. I take utter umbrage of this, and vehemently condemn the presence of the Goddess’s benign image in the video.

Goddess Lakshmi, in the Hindu teachings, represents all the noble qualities of God, such as purity, light, wisdom, humility, prosperity and the likes.

build wealth, and ultimately contributed to making Guyana better as a whole.

Recently, the Critchlow Labour College, in collaboration with the Mitsubishi Corporation, launched its strengthening micro-entrepreneurship training programme for disadvantaged women and youth in Region Four.

Principal of Critchlow Labour College, Ivor B. English, in his address at the launch held in the college’s boardroom, said: “We believe in empowering people and one of the best ways by which you can empower individuals is to give them an appropriate education. The focus is on disadvantaged women and youths; we believe that women can play an important role just as equal as men, in developing our communities and by extension developing our society… each person deserves an opportunity, therefore, this course will seek to empower the women that we have identified to create behavioural change, to engage in financial management as well as having an understanding of business management.”

President of Mitsubishi Corporation Caribbean branch, Yohei Sasagawaa, said, inter alia: “Mitsubishi is pleased to have worked along with Critchlow Labour College to successfully develop yet another project which will aid in the development of Guyana and her people.”

The fledgling President Ali’s administration is off to a great start in addressing pressing social issues and, hopefully, more projects slated to empower women in the society are in the works.

It is these kinds of activities which misrepresent Hinduism in the eyes of the ignorant, and for which the Hindu endures much abuse and criticism.

Everyone is free to practise any types of beliefs, but they must do so without dragging the sublime and great Hindu ideals into their occult.

I call on all Hindus and all right-thinking people to condemn this act of misrepresenting our glorious Sanatan Dharma!

Yours Sincerely, Pt. Charranlall Nandalall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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Guiding the success of Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Dear Editor,

LAST week, the Democratic National Convention ended with Joe Biden accepting nomination as their Presidential candidate and Kamla Harris as his running mate, challenging Donald Trump as the next USA president. There were many takeaways from the convention which were previously highlighted, and today there is a focus, zoning in on the requirements of what are expected to mold the president as enumerated by the former First Lady, Michelle Obama, and relevant to guiding the success of Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali also.

She said, “The job is hard; it requires clearheaded judgement, a mastery of complex and competing issues, a devotion to facts and history, a moral compass and an ability to listen. And an abiding belief that each of the 330 million lives in this country has meaning and worth. A president’s words have the power to move markets. They can start wars or broker peace. They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts.

You must display a total and utter placement of empathy.

You simply cannot fake your

way through this job.”

Indeed, Dr. Irfaan Ali has an uphill task to preside over a diversified nation that is carrying a scar from racial imbalances and discrimination, fueled and fertilised by the previous administration, and compounded by a bankrupt Treasury. The task is far from being easy, especially embroiled with COVID-19, and he must remain soberheaded to exercise impartial judgement to unite a divided people, and resolve the economic woes that are so challenging and humongous.

His performance always has to scrutinise a bitter past, flavoured with criminal activity in the society, bearing in mind that his predecessors have been branded with so many corruptions, and their ability to lie their way was detrimental to the health of the nation. And today, they are an emblem of dishonesty. He will be well advised to remain in touch with the grassroots who are suffering with poverty, and to have an open mind while paying attention to feedbacks from the man-in-the- street.

His inauguration speech did endorse the value of each Guyanese, requesting each person to come on board for nation building, to give each

person a chance to grow from a small man to a real man, and really live the good life that was denied them by the APNU+AFC Party. The First Lady and the President himself have the characteristics to touch the soul of everyone.

Their words can move mountains, and remove stumbling blocks. From both sides of the fence, they are thought of as fair, and desiring only what is best for the entire Guyana; treating all equally, and their compassion resonate with sincerity. The president’s stature demands that he stands firm and resolute, compact as a rock on the surface, and delicate as a flower inwardly. The First Lady’s job is inclusive of maintaining the equilibrium that will balance the scale of demand and supply in a justified way.

Michelle Obama was right when she said that getting the message across is difficult because of the hate mongers.

Many tried to penetrate racial strife within a peaceful nation, and wanted to instigate violence as a consequence of being unable to attain power illegitimately. Those perpetrators must be seen as permanent outcasts to our society, and must never be allowed to contaminate the purity of in-

These days it is nonsensical to attempt to lead from behind Dear Editor, I AM a dyed-in-the-wool PNC supporter, and I am bold enough to write the media, in an effort to have my justified or unjustified concerns satisfactorily addressed.

I refer to the Coalition’s nominees to represent us in Parliament.

I appreciate the effort made by the Leader to get gender, age balance, etc, however, in a crisis situation, the party needs our battle-worn warriors to be upfront. They got the guts, and most of all, the commitment and experience.

We all agree that we need open opportunities to give the young people a chance, but not necessarily in the Parliament, and for me, they must produce results working in the trenches before they can get to Parliament.

I cannot understand why the leader opted not to lead the team in Parliament.

These days, it is nonsensical to attempt to lead from behind; and we need to hear more about this unusual occurrence.

Furthermore, my own personal experience is that for many years, the two persons that many of us can reach easily, and who return calls were Comrades Amna Ally, Basil Williams and to a lesser extent Winston Felix.

One of the problems we have had is a concern that while holding ministerial positions, some ministers are difficult to reach.

My experience is shared by many comrades I have spoken to.

A concern I have is that I am bewildered by the inclusion of the likes of Nicolette Henry on our Parliamentary list.

Which area was she assigned to? And do the results indicate she has done strenuous political work? I stress strenuous political work.

This young lady made a mess of the Golden Jubilee Independence Celebration in 2016.

Every event was poorly executed; the worst of course being the State Dinner, where if you go the cheapest restaurant or cook-shop, you will be served warm food, and cutlery that didn’t seem

to come from a poor-shop.

Imagine a State Dinner with cheap plastic knives, forks and spoons, with the Diplomatic Community sniggering.

Why should we be surprised when these people treated us with such disdain?

I hope that corrective measures and a constant flow of acceptable information is passed on to supporters like myself, so that we can face a country and the arch-enemies with our heads held high.

Finally, the Party needs to find folks who can demand respect from friend and foe, as we did in the 60s, when Congress Place was like a formidable outpost.

We need to encourage the likes of Aubrey Norton, Christopher Jones, Randolph Critchlow, Ganesh Mahipal, Kevon Lorrimer, etc. who displayed great courage and sacrifice pre and post-Election Day 2020.

The late Lorry Alexander would have quipped, “Ting na regula!”

Yours sincerely, Eric Moseley, MS

nocent ones who are fragile to adulterated convolution. Such volatility must be curbed and extinguished from inception, and a safe-net measure must be cast to prevent its repetition. Guyanese from all walks of life must be cognizant of future mischief, and remain alert to recognise any such birth, discouraging and refusing its spread. The ERC has to awaken from its slumber with a more meaningful perspective, while being more aggressive, vigilant and assertive in its role, so that discrimination can be eliminated in a faster and effective approach. Any “laid back” attitude has to be revolutionized; its function has to be more proactive; its critique has to be vociferous and exercised with initiative.

Guyanese are basically a God

fearing people, and have to be honest with themselves. They can no longer feign pretense, and have to admit to the facts being established daily, confirming in a convincing way the monstrosities that deprived the poor Guyanese of a decent way of life. It is glaringly obvious that the minute the APNU+AFC Party took office in 2015, they established a clear track that is punctuated with embezzlements and misappropriations that suited their personal agenda, and completely left out the interest of the struggling man-in-the-street.

This was a routine procedure up until the last minute when they demitted office.

If there is one message that Guyanese can grasp from Michelle Obama’s speech, it is that Guyanese must now

act in a way as if their life depends on each of their personal action. That is so true, because, by doing only what is right, they can be saved from the pandemic. They can unite Guyana from ethnic indifferences; their children can be saved from becoming criminals; the children can be educated; lawlessness and vulgarity can be eliminated; Guyana’s development can be bigger, better and faster.

Guyanese will not be fooled again; violence will not be condoned, and peace will prevail for a united nation, and progress will attribute to a profitable and equitable distribution for all to enjoy.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Three guns seized from Corentyne home – taxi driver and wife in custody

POLICE, acting on intelligence on Tuesday conducted a raid at #78 Village, Springlands, Corentyne and seized three firearms and a quantity of ammunition.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the operation was led by a senior rank in the division at around 13:13 hrs, and recovered one 12-gauge shotgun that was wrapped in a taped black plastic; one 9mm Powerline air gun with gas and pellets; one 9mm Polymer pistol; one magazine containing four live rounds; and an SA Outdoor Gear bowand- arrow from the house.

The items were found in a house occupied by a 27-year-old taxi driver, his wife and five-year-old daughter who all lived on

the upper flat of a two-storey premises.

The lower flat was

occupied by his wife’s grandparents, aged 76 and 72, who are said to be the

owners of the property.

Police had initially detained all four adults for

questioning, as well as a friend of the taxi driver who was present during

the search, but the pensioners were released, while the taxi driver, his wife and friend remain in custody.

Following the discovery, ranks descended on another property owned by the taxi driver, at around 15:00hrs, in #76 Village, also on the Corentyne, and found a pistol- cleaning kit and two holsters.

Up until press time, the three adults were still in custody assisting police with their investigations. Despite the COVID-19 protocols in place, ‘B’ Division police have been on the ball, making arrests and seizing illegal weapons and drugs. In photos are the items seized by the police.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Agri Ministry partnering with RPA to advance sector THE Agriculture Ministry and the Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) have agreed to collaborate to further develop the sector, as support is an essential ingredient.

This was disclosed when Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) President, Leakha Rambrich, paid a courtesy call to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, at his Regent Street office on Monday.

Accompanying Rambrich was RPA General-Secretary, Dharamkumar Seeraj.

During the meeting, the officials pledged their support for the minister in his efforts to advance the sector.

Minister Mustapha in-

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha with the RPA’s President, Leakha Rambrich; General Secretary, Dharamkumar Seeraj and MoA Director-General, Madanlall Ramraj formed the delegation that his ministry welcomes the support and corporation of the RPA and looks forward to stronger collaboration in the future.

“I know that the RPA has a vested interest in Guyana’s rice industry.

This is why I want to take this opportunity to invite you to play a more active

role in terms of collaborating to better the sector and offer our rice farmers a better way of life. I plan to work closely with the RPA to improve the way

we resolve issues faced by our farmers. As the body selected to make representation for our rice farmers, feel free to contact me so that we can work together

to handle the issues and achieve timely resolutions,” Minister Mustapha said.

The minister also invited the RPA officials to participate in future ministerial outreaches to rice producing regions.

Rambrich welcomed the invitation to strengthen ties and collaborate with the ministry to better execute the RPA’s mandate, which is to play a pivotal role in agitating for the rights of the rice farmers as these individuals have always contributed to the economic, human and social development of Guyana.

Also present at the meeting was the ministry’s Director-General, Madanlall Ramraj.

President Ali meets with stakeholders on COVID-19 response strategy PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, met with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including the private sector, small political parties and the media to garner views on how the government’s response to COVID-19 can be more effective.

Also participating in the virtual discussion were regional officials, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka, representatives from the mining sector among others. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, lent technical support to the discussions.

In his remarks, President Ali said he is responsible for “running point” on addressing the COVID-19 issue nationally and this charge must be supported by a wide cross-section of the Guyanese population. As such stakeholders will play a role and going forward more engagements

such as today’s virtual discussion will be held.

“It has nothing to do with politics, it has nothing to do with a particular view or a government view, this has to be a national view and that is why I thought this approach is very important at this point.” President Ali said.

The Head of State noted that since assuming office, much has been happening in response to COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have had bilateral conversations with the Islamic Development Bank, I have had conversations with India and I know PAHO is also having conversations on our behalf concerning a possible vaccine and how we can be [placed] on an early list for that. We have also been having conversations with CARICOM,” the President outlined.

He also reminded the media operatives participating in the discussion of

their crucial role, keeping the general populace informed. The goal, President Ali said, is to develop a national COVID-19 response strategy essentially geared at protecting the Guyanese people.

Among concerns raised by stakeholders was the country’s preparedness to deal with a large volume of potentially imported COVID-19 cases; schools (and the Ministry of Education’s) plan to roll out an education programme; properly equipping schools if children must return and provisions for frontline healthcare workers protecting them from being exposed.

The subject of public compliance and how this can determine the reopening of the country was also discussed.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, explained that while compliance is being advocated, it is the responsibility of the Guyanese people to play their part

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in ensuring that the spread of the virus is contained.

President Ali noted that a balance needs to be found as the country battles a pandemic, while considering the livelihoods of thousands of Guyanese. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

No salary cut for teachers and cleaners THE Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that a decision has been made to cut salaries of teachers and cleaners at public schools as completely false.

“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that misinformation is being peddled in the public domain that there is an intention to cut the salaries of teachers and cleaners. Any discussion regarding the salaries of teachers and cleaners will be towards the enhancement of their

remuneration and not the opposite,” the ministry said in a statement.

The authors of the rumour are unknown; however, the ministry cautioned persons to refrain from focusing on rumours and instead focus on development.

“The ministry encourages all to dedicate themselves towards the development and safety of our children and teachers during this pandemic and to refrain from causing confusion in any way,” the ministry said.

Stainless Steel Koker to be built in Diamond /Grove Community RESIDENTS of the Diamond /Grove Community, East Bank Demerara, will benefit from the construction of a Stainless Steel Koker by next weekend (August 28 -30, 2020).

This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, during a visit to the area on Sunday (August 23, 2020).

Minister Mustapha noted that the new structure will allow a lifespan of 40 years, whereas the usual greenheart gates which are used across the country would usually last six to eight years.

This new structure will prevent the kind of disasters that are usually experienced by timber sluice doors.

Minister Mustapha further explained that Government has plans to have all sluice doors countrywide

converted into steel, in approximately 20 years.

On August 19, 2020, at approximately 17:30 hours, the sluice door at Market Street in the Diamond /Grove Community, on the East Bank Demerara, broke, thus causing flooding in the surrounding areas.

However, two temporary doors were installed to prevent further flooding in the area, as a result of high tide on August 20, 2020.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) led by its Director, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, had provided sanitising and other relief supplies to affected households and residents who were temporarily housed at the Diamond Secondary School, on the night of August 19, 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

AG offers to allow ‘Accelerated’ to re-open bank account

ATTORNEY General (AG) Anil Nandlall has written to attorney for Accelerated Capital Firm Inc (ACFI), Glen Hanoman, informing him that the government is willing to facilitate the re-opening of a bank account for the company so that it can pay out monies to clients.

The company on Tuesday issued a statement affirming that “the funds necessary to refund [their] clients are ready to be disbursed”.

ACFI Principals, Yuri Garcia Dominquez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael, have been in police custody since last Thursday, as investigations continue into the company which authorities allege has been running a “Ponzi Scheme”.

ACFI, in frequent posts on its Facebook page, has been vehemently denying that it is a “Ponzi Scheme”, saying that it does have all the funds necessary to reimburse all of its customers.

A Ponzi Scheme is a form of fraud in which investors are made to believe in the success of a non-existent enterprise, and encouraged to invest because of the payment of quick returns.

However, the first investors are only being paid from money invested by successive investors.

ACFI has been attributing its failure to remit payments to clients as being due to their lack of a bank account. Several local commercial banks have closed accounts for Dominquez and

Ishmael and their business over the past few months.

The company, in its latest press statement issued on Tuesday, pleaded with the authorities to release Dominguez and Ishmael so that payments to client could resume, and for investigators to allow Dominguez to explain “how the company is structured”.

The company said that the funds are “successfully secured in three physical ‘Bitcoin’ wallets, inaccessible to outside interference and protected”, and is asking that the authorities “facilitate the opening of a bank account on behalf of ACFI in order to be able to transfer the funds from our Bitcoin Wallets into the Bank which will be used to repay ALL investors in Guyana”.

Nandlall said that the government’s main concern is that Guyanese who handed over their monies to the company get back their cash; and as such the government is willing to facilitate the bank account’s reopening.

“I have publicly committed that the State is prepared to do everything that is lawfully possible to facilitate the return to Guyana of the funds which your client claims are in disparate foreign jurisdiction. Unfortunately, all efforts thus far to locate those funds in those jurisdictions have been futile,” Nandalall said in the missive to Hanoman.

The AG’s letter now puts the ball back in ACFI’s court, as it has been pleading to be allowed to remit monies back to its customers.

“We are kindly asking the authorities to allow the clients receive (sic) their funds at a corporate level as indicated by the company policies, taking into consideration the confidentiality agreement as indicated in every client’s contract.

Protecting our clients is the company’s main priority,’ the company communicated in its press release on Tuesday.

‘NOT SO FAST’ The company said that as a result of Dominguez and Ishmael’s arrest, no clients have been paid in the last five days.

However, on the question of the release of Dominguez and Ishmael, Nandalall said, “Not so fast.”

“You are free to inform me of any other measures, excepting the release of your client from police custody during the investigations, which may assist in the return of the funds to the jurisdiction,” the letter said.

The AG noted that Dominguez and Ishmael cannot be released from custody, as they pose a grave flight risk.

“Your client has received over US$20M in alleged deposits and investments; and your client and its principals comparatively, have little or no assets in the jurisdiction. In the consequence thereof, they both remain grave flight risks,” Nandlall said.

According to reports from Nandalall, approximately 17, 000 Guyanese are said to have invested in the company during its time here. The company is said to have been operating in Guyana from as far back as 2017.

However, it has never been licensed by the Guyana Securities Council (GSC) to conduct securities business in Guyana, or to solicit investments from the public.

Many of those who handed over monies are wondering where the cash is.

Single mother, Mary (not her real name) is wondering where is the $200,000

ACFI Financial Adviser, Yuri Garcia Dominguez and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael that she handed over to the company in June.

‘WANT MY MONEY BACK’ “It would have been great to receive some extra cash every month, but now that it’s discovered it’s a fraud, I’d just like to have my $200, 000 back,” Mary conveyed.

Mary said she was one among a group of four friends who decided to give investing a try, after she was hoodwinked into believing it was profitable.

“My colleague is a marketer, and she was sharing the good news of how she made back her money plus receiving profits, so myself and a few others got excited about it and thought why not. It is after a few weeks I learnt that she did not receive payments for, I think, months. I think that was so dishonest of her to not share this ‘info’ with me,” Mary noted, adding: “I believe she was trying to get more people to join, because they promised her a commission.”

Mary said while two of the persons she joined with received $40,000 payments, she and the other person have since seen no returns from their investment, but have been given a host of excuses from the company as to why accessing their money has been difficult.

“They said that the banks are giving them a hard time due to the volume of money that is coming in; and they also said the elections caused that, as there is no valid minister of finance, and that when they declare a new government, things will be normal. I have no idea what the company has to do with the minister of finance,” Mary said.

She added: “They said the money is in the Central Bank; then the marketer said that Yuri wanted to open a bank.”

According to Mary, in her last interaction with the company, she was told to return for her money on August 17.

“They took a copy of my ID and said they’re giving priority to first-timers, and that my money would be ready on August 17. I went on the 17th but I was not allowed up into the office. My conversation to them was through their security; I would ask my questions, and he would relate it to them through his earpiece,” she explained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Michael George, former UG valedictorian drowns

A FORMER University of Guyana valedictorian drowned last Sunday at the “Parika Back”, just two days shy of his 32nd birthday. His family members are contending that all is not adding up in the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.

Dead is Michael George, a father of two from La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD), who went to the waterside last Sunday with three other friends for a pre-birthday hang. George is said to have drowned between 16:00 hours and 17:00 hours, after taking off his clothes, walking into the water, and going under.

Condolences have since been pouring in on social media as persons mourned George’s passing, as he was remembered as a bright young mind. George was described as an academic trailblazer, graduating as valedictorian of the West Demerara Secondary School class of 2005, before going on to graduate as valedictorian for the UG class of 2010, where he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. He graduated with distinction and earned the President’s Medal.

George also has a PhD in Biochemistry Engineering from the University of Alberta and was working as a lecturer at the Texila American University and also taught fifth and Sixth Form classes at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan School.

“He was an awesome person, a very kind hearted, diligent, compassionate person. He was always willing to help, since he returned from Canada he would always be trying to help someone in whatever way. He’s a humble young man,” conveyed George’s brother, Christopher George.

Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, Christopher said that he was at his home in Canal Number Two when he got the call informing him of his brother’s demise. He said news of his brother’s death was a shock to him, as his last conversation with his brother was actually one where he cautioned him against going into the water at the very spot where he

Dead: Michael George died.

Christopher said he had last spoken to his brother last Friday when the subject of drinking came up and his brother mentioned that he frequents the Parika spot with friends since the closure of most hang out spots due to the COVID-19 measures.

FEW DRINKS “He told me that he would normally go to Parika Back and he and them guys would have a few drinks there; that is when I know about it.

I asked him if he normally go in and swim in that water and he says no he don’t swim, he can’t swim,” Christopher said, He added: “I told him be very careful with that water and when you go there because it’s a lonely place and it’s not some place nice to be going and just be very careful, and that’s the last time I actually spoke to my brother, is a warning I give him before he died.”

Regional Commander, Errol Watts, said that the drowning was reported to the police who have since inspected the body and no marks of violence were evident; however, out of an abundance of caution, the police are awaiting the results of the post mortem before deciding how to proceed with the situation.

NO INDICATION OF FOUL PLAY

“I would not want to preempt anything at this point but we have not seen any indication of foul play.

There were not seen any marks of violence and the entire body was checked.

Notwithstanding that I want to be very careful so we’re waiting until the PM is done so that a qualified medical pathologist can give us his opinion as to the internal aspects of the body,” Watts related.

The post mortem is scheduled to be performed on the body today.

The commander said according to reports from those present, they searched the water immediately after George was observed to have disappeared and CPR efforts were performed but could not save the young man.

“They said he changed off his clothes down to his underwear, walked into the water but disappeared because the place was deep, they went to search for him but they found him until five-ten minutes after. They tried to perform mouth-tomouth resuscitation but he did not make it and then they made the report to the police. He didn’t plunge in, I asked them specifically if he plunged in, they said no he walked into the water with his underwear,” Commander Watts explained.

George’s family, however, is not entirely settled with what is being said of the circumstances, and are also awaiting the results of the post mortem to decide if to make an official report with the police about their suspicions.

NOT ADDING UP “One and one isn’t adding up to two to me here.

This thing is killing me,” Christopher expressed.

“I went to the area and saw the area, I mean if you’re on an outing with your friends if you go in that water they would have a knowledge of you being in that water. How can you not see that an individual is drowning? It is very, very suspicious on my part, and I have a lot of questions.”

Christopher said he is finding the circumstances all

the more hard to believe as George spoke with his wife shortly before 16:00 hours, and said he was not drunk, and would be home shortly.

“When I got his phone,

I checked it, he called his wife at 15:43hrs. He called her at 3:43pm, got a call at 17:00hrs that my brother is dead, that is an hour and 17 minutes after that my

brother is dead.

Why are you going into the water if you called your wife to tell her you are going to be home shortly,” he questioned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Protected Areas Commission Strategic Plan

IN its previous article, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) spoke to the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) and the intention to strengthen its management.

This week the focus is on the PAC’s Strategic Plan which guides its work in managing the National Protected Areas System. The work of formulating the plan began in December of 2014 and gave birth to ‘Protected Areas Commission Guyana – Strategic Plan 2016 to 2020’.

The strategic plan serves as a guide or a road map for PAC to carry out its mission of effectively managing our National Protected Areas while ensuring that they continue to add value to the lives of present and future generations and to achieve its ambitious vision of a world class National Protected Areas System in Guyana that protects nature and improves lives. The Protected Areas System contributes towards conservation of Guyana’s natural heritage.

This plan, which has guided the work of the PAC over the past six years, is due to be reviewed and updated in keeping with more recent developments and any new National policies developed but will continue to guide PAC’s work until it is replaced.

The current strategic plan sets out the four key strategic areas of work: Administration and Management; Finances; Stakeholder Involvement and Benefits; and Awareness, Education and Outreach.

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT is, of course, crucial for managing the national protected areas system. Key activities in this area include meeting staffing needs, improving administrative systems. Also key is conducting research and ecological monitoring to inform management of the protected areas. Ecological monitoring programmes have been developed for all of the hinterland protected areas. Planning and adaptive management is also important and related to this is developing various plans such as tourism and infrastructure plans as well as monitoring the effectiveness of National Protected Areas System management activities.

The establishment of Infrastructure and Procurement of equipment are all necessary for effective management of the Protected Areas System. Human resources are also of a major area high-

lighted in the Strategic Plan and PAC has fully undertaken this task; hiring and training staff, improving administration systems through updating Human Resource policies, improving planning and reporting systems and most important, improving staff working conditions, motivating staff and building morale.

FINANCES are a major area of focus in our strategy as the plan could not be implemented without the necessary funding. Improving financial management systems and procedures as well as mobilising resources are important for ensuring financial sustainability of our National Protected Areas System - the newest system in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. While the Commission seeks funding from other partners to implement important measures and projects, Government’s funding of the Commission’s operating costs continues to be crucial. The Commission is currently implementing a project funded by German Government through the German Development Bank (KfW) that will see the construction of key infrastructure in three of the protected areas: Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA); Kaieteur National Park and Shell Beach Protected Area as well as the procurement of important equipment. The establishment of Infrastructure and Procurement of equipment are all necessary for effec-

tive management of the Protected Areas System.

BENEFITS AND PARTNERSHIPS are imperative in successfully achieving our mandate and vision. The objective of this strategic area is to encourage stakeholder support for management of the National Protected Area System while improving benefits for present and future generations. In this regard, the Commission has been building relationships with state and other agencies and engaging stakeholder communities around the Protected Areas. The Commission has also been working on initiatives to support livelihood development in the communities. Site level Committees that include representation from the stakeholder communities have been established but their first meetings have been constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic. In another article we will focus on our partners which are many.

AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH is another important area of PAC’s strategy and work. Public education efforts have been on-going with nature camps, school tours, the development of awareness and education material such as brochures and posters and even this ‘It’s in our nature’ column, all towards enhancing public knowledge and increasing national pride in Guyana’s

protected areas.

As we conclude this week’s column, we would like to share with you our core values: TRANSPARENCY: We promote an open organization that is accountable to its stakeholders COMMITMENT: We guarantee to continue undertaking activities demonstrating passion, pride and dedication at all times Inclusiveness: We value and respect diversity and contributions from all stakeholder, and will treat each person in a professional manner that reflects our values Innovation: We seek to develop novel ideas using international best practices to respond to changing environments and stakeholder needs INTEGRITY: We act morally, ethically and with honesty at all times RESULTS: We work proactively to produce prompt and effective results These are the values that guide how we do our work as seek to manage, maintain, promote and expand our Nation’s National Protected Areas System ARTICLES FOR THE ‘IT’S IN OUR NATURE’ COLUMN ARE PRODUCED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENTS OF THE PROTECTED AREAS COMMISSION.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Regions join in seeking COVID relief for tourism sector MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, and Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, met virtually with representatives from Regional Tourism Committees in Guyana on Tuesday.

The meeting was held to assess the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on tourism in all administrative regions and to craft comprehensive solutions on the way forward.

Region Two tourism representatives, Maria Lord-Lewis and Hugh Peru, reported that occupancies of the hotels, resorts and guest houses have significantly declined. Only 25-30 per cent Tourism, Industry and has been occupied, compared Commerce Minister, to 90 per cent occupancy in Oneidge Walrond July 2019.

Region 10, which has gust 15, reported to the mina total of 32 confirmed ister and other stakeholders, COVID-19 cases as of Au- that the tourism sector em-

ploys 169 employees in the region, of that about one third, have been laid off, since the pandemic.

“A total of 52 employees were laid off by service providers due to restrictions and reduced customers,” General Secretary of Region 10 Tourism Committee, Adrian Boston said.

While several businesses in Region Four have sought to keep their employees on board, Chairperson of the East Bank Demerara Tourism Working Group, Carol Webster, said having to invest monies for COVID-19 sanitisation protocols, while customers have decreased has only led to more loss in revenue.

“Businesses indicated that they were in the red for two to three months because they opted to keep their staff. That was the biggest concern, not letting your staff go,” Web-

Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair ster said.

She added that, “a major source of that revenue has been curtailed, while the cost

has significantly increased, in terms of the masks, the [hand] washing stations, sanitising [and] the most frequent disinfecting. Because even though patrons are not staying-because their taking away-you still have to maintain the sanitising for the areas for them to place their order.”

Other Regional representatives also reported low occupancy levels, revenue decline and staff dismissal, as well as, cancellation of events due to the pandemic.

They joined in calling for relief and waivers of some taxes and water and electricity relief for tourism services, in hopes that the ministry fulfils the promises that the APNU+AFC Administration failed to deliver.

Minster Waldron told representatives that the meeting was a very important step in assessing the situation and providing sound and inclusive

plans to move forward. She also assured the stakeholders that the administration is committed to assisting.

“This government is committed to supporting your response and recovery from the pandemic with tangible assistance, which includes financial help,” Minister Walrond said.

“I can assure you that this will be significantly considered, as government finalises its plans for a national response to the recovery and development of the sector,” she further assured.

Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, added that the ministry is currently formulating a collaborative strategy, with the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), and several other stakeholders. (DPI)

Longest-serving Speaker of National Assembly, Sase Narain, dies GUYANA’S longest-serving Speaker of the National Assembly, Sase Narain, S.C. passed away on Tuesday. He is likely to be cremated on Wednesday. The Senior Counsel served as Speaker from 1971 to 1992.

After leaving his post in 1992, Narain resumed a full-time relationship with his law practice and retired 14 years ago. But even after all those years, law was his passion.

Narain, who was Guyana’s sixth House Speaker, received notable awards such as this country’s second highest, the Order of Roraima, and the Order of St. Michael and St. George from Queen Elizabeth II, an award that is given to persons who have delivered extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country.

The award can also be conferred for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

The father of five acquired his legal education from the City Law School in Chancery Lane, London and returned to Guyana to practice law in 1957.

He was deputy chairman to the Public Service Commission and the Po-

lice Service Commission during the then People’s National Congress (PNC) administration in the late 1960s.

He was a widower at the time of his death.

In reflecting on the life of Sase Narain, Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall said Narain was a solicitor, a Hindu leader, a politician and Speaker of the National Assembly.

As a solicitor, the AG said Narain would have been one of Guyana’s first local solicitors admitted to practise in the colony of British Guiana. In the early years, he was associated with Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“He once told me that in those early years he earned handsome fees for drafting the first set of leases that were issued to residents and farmers of the Black Bush Polder Scheme and Canals Numbers One and Two Polder, two early agricultural schemes established under the 1957-1962 PPP Government. It may have been during this very period that he founded the Maha Sabha, a Hindu organisation and assumed its leadership. He was president of this organisation for

decades,” Nandlall said.

Narain, he noted switched political loyalty and joined the PNC and was quickly appointed Speaker of the National Assembly in the year 1971.

UNIQUE DISTINCTION Nandlall said that Narain’s tenure ended with the defeat of the PNC after free and fair elections were restored in October 1992. His 21 years of uninterrupted tenure as Speaker would easily qualify him as one of, if not the longest-serving Speaker in the entire Commonwealth, if not the world.

“Any one knowing Mr. Narain would know that he was very candid and most outspoken. He never attempted to obscure or deny his past. It is in this vain that I say that he presided over a repressive Parliament under a political dictatorship. It was during this period that he banned Dr. Jagan as Opposition Leader from speaking in the National Assembly for over five years. He also suspended PPP Parliamentarian Ishahack Bashir for ‘misbehavior’ in the House,” Nandlall reflect-

Dead: Senior Counsel, Sase Narain ed, adding that “I have had many discussions with him on these issues. He always maintained that he was right.”

As a solicitor, the AG said he worked for many commercial institutions in Guyana, including, the banks and chaired the board of directors of the National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited for a number of years.

“He operated his law practice out of a property, which he owned at 217 South Street, Lacytown, Georgetown that I eventually bought when he retired. Mr. Narain was conferred with the honour of Silk for his contributions to the legal profession. He lived a long and enduring life. I extend my

condolences to his children, grandchildren and other relatives,” Nandlall noted.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green in a letter to the press stated Narain was his friend whose advice he sought on many occasions.

He extended condolences to the bereaved family and ask them to take comfort, in the fact, that Narain served his country with great distinction.

“His interpretation of miscellany of matters, mostly political and social were always useful.

In our last conversation, several weeks ago, we reminisced, paying attention to what Parliament was, when he presided over that important law making institution,” Green said, adding that “We have lost a great son of the soil, who mixed with people of every walk of life, gaining their affection and respect.

I miss his candor and his wisdom.”

SADDENED People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader, Brigadier David Granger, said the party is saddened at the death of Narain.

Sase Narain was the son of the late Oudit and Soukhai Narain. The future Speaker grew up at Pouderoyen on the West Bank Demerara. Sase attended Malgre Tout Primary School, where he completed his School Leaving and Junior Cambridge Examinations. He then attended the Modern Educational Institute in Georgetown, where he completed his Senior Cambridge Examination.

Sase Narain then travelled to the United Kingdom to pursue legal studies. In 1957 upon completion of his Solicitors Examination at the City Law School in Chancery Lane, London, Sase Narain returned to Guyana.

On January 4, 1971, the party said Narain was appointed Speaker of the National Assembly and served in that capacity until 1992. For his outstanding service to Guyana, he was awarded the Order of Roraima.

“The leader, Central Executive Committee and members of the PNCR express our deepest sympathy to the relatives of Mr. Sase Narain OR, SC, CMG,” a statement from the party concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Solid Waste Management Bill back on agenda

LOCAL Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, on Tuesday, led discussions on the pending Solid Waste Management Bill and the pace of implementation of works at the Haags Bosch Landfill Site with his staffers of the Sanitation Management Unit.

Sanitation Management Unit is headed by Gordon Gilkes who is supported by a team of engineers.

The general purpose of the meeting was

to apprise the staffers of any change in policy directives and to provide guidance on current challenges.

“The minister said that he was looking forward to site visits to all regions with a view to identifying possible landfill sites and where these exist to improve their capacity.

The team was instructed to include proposals for the disposal of derelict vehicles into their sector report to the minister,” a release from the ministry said.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister meets members of the Sanitation Management Unit of his ministry

Awarding of scholarships was ‘heavily flawed under APNU+AFC’ – public service minister PUBLIC Service Minister, Sonia Parag has said that the vetting for scholarships over the past few years has been “heavily flawed”.

She was at the time responding to questions of a case where a doctor recently revealed that he was side-stepped for public service scholarship opportunities six times since 2016.

Parag was at the time speaking at a virtual press briefing, her first since taking up the ministerial post on August 5, following the changeover of government.

Though she said she would not go into details of the situation, the minister insinuated that during the period of the APNU+AFC government, all was not above board in how scholarships were awarded, explaining that she plans to review and change what she has observed.

“What I have found is that the system that we have for vetting scholarships, that system was heavily flawed. It is skewed to one demographic and geographic in Guyana, and that has been going on for the last five years.

This government has always said it will be fair and it will be transparent to all Guyanese, and that is what we plan to be,” Parag said as she responded to questions.

Last Friday, General Physician Jason Ramcharan took to social media to reveal that he’d applied and was denied six times by the then Department of Public Service for a scholarship to pursue post graduate studies in clinical neurology.

In a few of the cases, Ramcharan received letters informing him that his request was denied due to “budgetary constraints”.

Ramcharan did not mince words in blaming the previous administration.

“Under the last administration, I was deliberately robbed; denied of my scholarship opportunity. I would have been interviewed, shortlisted and never called for whatever

reasons; for reasons unknown only the general public could assume,” Ramcharan commented.

Ramcharan has since been approached by the current administration to re-apply for his scholarship.

Parag noted that while he is not guaranteed a scholarship, Ramcharan and others like him can re-apply, and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

The minister noted that going forward under the new dispensation, scholarships will be a crucial, fundamental area in the ministry.

“A huge amount of the budget goes to funding scholarships. We don’t have capital expenditure, so scholarships and training is what we will be looking at in terms of our budget, to see where we can increase scholarships; to see where we can increase training programmes to suit the priority needs of the public service,” she noted.

Over the past weekend, the ministry began advertising scholarship opportunities in a number of areas, with applications closing on September 11.

During the press conference, Parag noted that the ministry will also be putting in place a number of measures to better monitor scholarships and awardees, noting that the ministry will also be looking into those cases where scholarship awardees do not fulfill their work obligations after completing their studies.

Persons who are awarded government scholarships are expected to work for the government for a stipulated period following the completion of their studies, as part of the contract that they sign on to.

Parag also noted that she will be examining those persons who would have also completed their scholarships, but have not yet been placed in a job position by the government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

World Bank looks forward to working closely with Guyana PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has received a congratulatory letter from World Bank - Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Director Tahseen Sayed, who said she is looking forward “to further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Guyana and the World Bank.”

World Bank - Latin America and the Caribbean Region, Director, Tahseen Sayed

In her letter, Director Sayed said, “On behalf of the World Bank, I offer our support as you tackle the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and address the country’s development challenges.”

The director also recalled her previous meeting with President Ali, adding that she “very much appreciated the op-

portunity for the exchange of views on the country’s socioeconomic challenges and your development priorities.”

Further, she said she was looking forward to meet again with President Ali at his earliest convenience, “to advance discussions on the World Bank’s engagement in Guyana” and expressed

that she would “be pleased to present recent analytical work undertaken by the World Bank Group focusing on Guyana’s opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth at this pivotal moment of the country’s history.”

Director Sayed also wished President Ali success in his new mandate and assured him of the

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali World Bank’s “strong partnership in support of Guyana’s progress and prosperity”. (DPI)

Local life coach launches programmes to tackle COVID-19 WELL-KNOWN life coach, Sharmin Prince, has embarked on a new project with the launching of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), ‘Eagles Empowered to Soar, Guyana’, which seeks to provide group counselling and positive self-development.

Additionally, Prince launched another arm of the self-development programme to render some form of relief to vulnerable individuals who are not fortunate to have a formal shelter during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Prince disclosed that the project will be more than just a group of volunteers sharing food to the homeless and needy as she intends to extend her works further to address several other pressing issues in Guyana relating to the homeless population.

Having 19 years of experience in social services working in the United States, Prince said, “With

Sharmin Prince this background, I have a wealth of experience, exposure and knowledge about social service/human services. I know of policies, funding, budgeting, regulations, day to day management, importance of community collaboration and building from the ground up. Therefore, I am highly ambitious, and my goal is to collaborate with investors and funders to open

the first specialized Single Room Occupancy (SRO) for homeless men and one for women,” she said.

Prince added that she intends to help persons overcome the trauma of poverty, reconnect with their dreams and be re-integrated into society.

“I would like to approach the government with a subsidising housing plan for low-income individuals in our programmes. Guyana also needs substance-abuse treatment centres. However, what I have in mind is non-traditional,” she said.

The humanitarian disclosed that she also intends to work closely with women who would have suffered or gone through some form of trauma since she believes that, “When women are healed, the homes become healthy and so communities are less fractured and the society reaps the benefits.”

Prince related that she had always had the initiative to launch a self-discovery programme as well as a relief project in the back of her mind for some

Scenes from Prince’s community service project which saw some 300 homeless persons receiving meals

time. However, the initiative came to life after she was stuck in Guyana and was unable to return to the USA where she resides, due to the partial lockdown.

“Then, the shutdown occurred and I was unable to return to the US. To avoid psychological and social

decline, I created “The Self – Discovery (SD) Journey” which combined my personal, professional and therapeutic experiences,” she said.

Prince disclosed that she was hesitant to launch the programme because of the barriers and biases of the

Guyanese culture in relation to seeking therapy.

Eventually, she decided to go ahead with the projects, which, to date, have seen 27 participants and almost 300 homeless persons across central Georgetown receiving breakfast and lunch.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Guyana to receive three mobile pumps from India –– technical assistance to be given to improve rice and sugar sectors

GUYANA is expected to receive three additional mobile pumps, by late October, to assist with its drainage capabilities, ahead of the next rainy season.

This was disclosed by India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, during a courtesy call to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, at his Regent Street office, on Tuesday.

“The pumps, I believe they will be used for irrigation, should be here by October. They have already left India. As it is now, we have some specialists that are expected to come to Guyana to assist with the installation of the pumps. We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Guyana’s High Commission in India to assist

with visas and other logistical support to the officers,” High Commissioner, Dr. Srinivasa said.

During their dialogue, Minister Mustapha mentioned several opportunities for meaningful collaboration, as he outlined a number of challenges that the agriculture sector is currently facing.

“Right now, in Guyana, the challenges faced in the agriculture sector are climate change, financing, expertise in terms of personnel and also the numerous pests and diseases affecting our crops.

I know India has very strong technical capabilities and resources to effectively deal with some of the challenges we are facing. I am looking forward to close collabora-

tion with the Indian Government, through your office, to help us overcome some of these challenges,” Minister Mustapha said.

The two officials also discussed partnering to diversify the sugar industry.

Minister Mustapha reiterated government’s commitment to reopening the sugar industry, in a way that is profitable.

“In order to make sugar profitable, we have to diversify. We have to first make the cost of production less than the price of sugar on the world market. This governmentMasecimo understands the importanceHartman of the industry.

When the previous administration closed those estates, there was a ripple effect that saw entire communities suffering. As a government,

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, receives a token of appreciation from India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa profits shouldn’t be your main motivator. You should work to improve the lives of your people.

If you have to take some money from the treasury to help your people, there is nothing wrong with doing that,” Minister Mustapha said.

WORK COMMENCED Minister also indicated that he has commenced working with the senior and technical officers at the ministry to get things moving as it relates to re-opening the sugar industry.

“Given India’s output on the world stage, I know that Guyana can take a lot of guidance from India. I know for a fact that your Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed an interest to help us with the sugar industry and right now that is one of the main issues for me as minister. I’ve started to do some ground work and gather some information on the way forward as it pertains to achieving our manifesto promise of re-opening the sugar industry. I hope we can tap into some resources and technical assistance from your government in that

regard,” Minister Mustapha said.

Technology transfer between the two nations to improve Guyana’s rice industry was also discussed as Ambassador Srinivasa indicated that the Indian government is committed to working with Guyana to improve the yields of farmers across the country.

Minister Mustapha informed the high commissioner that India had previously assisted Guyana’s rice industry by having a rice specialist work with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), which saw yields per acre increasing tremendously, and that he was looking forward to the same kind of collaboration to boost the industry.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES The high commissioner also informed the minister that several training opportunities are also available for persons involved in agriculture.

“Over the years, we’ve offered a number of training opportunities in several areas. These opportunities

are not only open to your agriculture officers. If you have farmers or other persons involved in the sector that require training, we can facilitate them. The programmes are short-term but very intense so these individuals would return well-equipped to advance the sector,” Ambassador Srinivasa said.

Other areas for collaborations discussed were training and technical support in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, cash crops development, pest and disease control mechanisms and agro-processing.

Ambassador Srinivasa also mentioned that India has been in talks with CARICOM, and an aquaculture specialist will soon be in the region to assi-st CARICOM States in that regard. He assured Minister Mustapha that Guyana will benefit from that venture.

Both parties indicated that their governments remain committed to strengthening bilateral relations.

Also present at the meeting was MoA’s Director-General, Madanlall Ramraj.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Saul gets marching orders –– replacement yet to be identified, says Minister Rodrigues

By Navendra Seoraj THE Ministry of Housing and Water has parted ways with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Lelon Saul.

Saul’s dismissal was confirmed by Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues.

The minister told this publication that a replacement for Saul has not yet been identified, but other reliable sources confirmed that someone will soon be appointed to act in the position.

The CH&PA of Guyana was created in 1948 to address the housing needs of the working class of Guyana.

Saul, a former Lieutenant Colonel of the Guyana Defence Force, was hired to be CEO for the authority by the former Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, in 2017. He replaced Myrna Pitt, who had stepped down as the CEO of CH&PA, in June 2016.

In speaking about his dismissal, Saul told this publication that he received

a letter notifying him that his service was terminated with effect from August 25, 2020.

“Notwithstanding the termination date, it states that I must proceed on leave until September 23, 2020…

I find that to be confusing because if my service is terminated with effect from today (Tuesday), then I have to assume anything after that does not make sense because I am no longer employed,” said the former CEO. When asked if he will be seeking redress, Saul said he has not contemplated it, but will be moving forward positively.

“I have life and tomorrow morning when the sun rises I must be there to see it…Today (Tuesday) is my birthday, I do not have time with that, it is a day to celebrate and be merry,” said the former CEO. Saul had taken over the CH&PA at a time when the authority was getting ready to implement its 2017 housing projects, which included the delivery and construction of 758 housing units in the form of either town houses or duplexes in Regions Two (Pomer-

oon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

SEVERAL ISSUES Despite the work done over the past five years, Minister Rodrigues said the new administration inherited several issues that must be resolved concerning the allocation and infrastructure of house lots.

“Persons received letters saying they were allocated house lots in certain areas.

The difficulty we have is that in those areas that persons were allocated, most have no infrastructure or they lack even basic infrastructure,” Minister Rodrigues told DPI in an interview on Monday.

She pointed out that this means the ministry will have to embark on massive infrastructure to create these house lots. This, Minister Rodrigues said is adding to the backlog in the system.

“Let me say, that house lots do not exist! There are

just muddy plots of land that do not have any infrastructure….To compound this, many of the areas that have been allocated, the transaction, the transfer of those lands has not been made to CH&PA. So, that

Former CEO of CH&PA, Lelon Saul is contributing to the backlog and unless we properly acquire those lands, do the infrastructural work which we are mandated to do and then properly allocate them, that’s the only way we can start to roll out our programme,” said the minister.

Basic infrastructure, such as water, electricity

and roads to create access to those plots of land will have to be installed.

UP AND RUNNING Just recently, several key housing and water services, which were put on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak, are now back up and running.

Among those services which were affected, due to the many restrictions that had to be implemented in a bid to stop the deadly novel coronavirus in its tracks were: land allocation; updates of names to applications; processing of agreement of sale and title; interviews for new applications; and all outdoor activities.

“I am pleased to announce that under strict COVID-19 safety measure guidelines, some of our services under CH&PA have resumed,” Minister Rodrigues said, adding: “These services include ranger’s patrol, residential house lot payment; surveying of lots with one person allowed on that visit; and visits for planning permission.”

In an effort to ensure that all Guyanese have access to water, which is a much-needed commodity in

Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues the fight against COVID-19, all water-related services have been resumed. She also used the opportunity to reassure consumers that the ministry has no intention of going back on its promise to not carry out disconnections until further notice.

She also said that in an effort to comply with the guidelines governing social distancing, and to further promote the safety of the members of staff of the ministry and all citizens, some additional measures have been put in place as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

153 small businesses receive SBB grants –– 68 more pending

UNDER the Small Business Bureau (SBB) Fund, 153 grants have been awarded to small businesses in Guyana, amounting to $30.6M. There are 68 more of

these grants, capped at $200,000, pending approval for disbursal.

SBB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Lowell Porter told the Guyana Chronicle that these grants

were processed between late 2019 and present-day.

These funds are separate from the 91 COVID-19 relief grants disbursed by the SBB, and the 30 more pending.

To be eligible for an SBB grant, those who apply must be owner(s) of a business, or seeking to start a business; registered client(s) of the Small Business Bureau, and must submit a

string of documents related to their business registration, National Identification Card, certificate of Tax Identification Number and more.

On the SBB’s part, several checks made, such as a site visit of the business, monitoring and evaluation visits of business and the applications are submitted to the Grants Committee for review and approval. Added to this, client(s) must submit receipts of items purchased with grant funding.

Meanwhile, Dr. Porter updated that the public can expect to hear the names of the businesses shortlisted for the Green Business Technology Fund by the end of this week.

“We’ve just looked at some of the submissions last week, and the committee is still [developing] a shortlist, and then we’re going to see who are the clients that have met the requirements,” the SBB CEO said.

He last told the newspaper that a total of 27 businesses have submitted proposals to become possible million-dollar winners of the fund set up by the SBB. The fund, for which submissions closed on July 30, invited small start-up and existing businesses

with innovative ‘green’ business ideas and solutions to apply to be one of 12 lucky winners awarded up to $1 million to assist with the development of their business.

To apply, applicants had to submit a typed business proposal of not more than 20 pages, detailing their idea, a development plan of the solution, implementation strategy and outreach strategy, among other criteria.

The submissions will now be reviewed and sent to a panel of judges, who will further select the lucky 12. However, applicants will be required to make an in-person pitch before the judges. The proposals will primarily be judged on innovation, strategy and potential growth to a sustainable business enterprise.

The SSB is a semi-autonomous agency established under the Ministry of Business, based on the Small Business Act of 2004.

It was established in 2010, and became operational in 2013, with funding from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), for the ‘Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED Programme).

Kissoon’s Furniture donates face masks to Local Gov’t Ministry THE Local Government and Regional Development Ministry was on Tuesday the recipient of 500 face masks, courtesy of Kissoon’s Furniture Store.

Community Development Officer (CDO) David Williams accepted the donation on behalf of the ministry.

The items were handed over by a representative of Kissoon’s Furniture, Ms. Christine Dhaneshwar, who stated that the face masks were intended to assist the ministry with its response to COVID-19 in the hinterland communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

First batch of Exxon-trained Guyanese return

THE first group of Guyanese operations and maintenance trainees recently returned home after an extensive 18-month training programme in Canada organised by ExxonMobil Guyana.

They will soon be deployed to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSO) Liza Destiny, where they will be employed

by Destiny operator SBM Offshore, in support of ExxonMobil and partners to produce Guyana’s oil and gas.

Next month, the trainees will transition from the classroom to the on-the-job training component to become offshore operations and maintenance technicians.

“We are delighted with the commitment and progress of the trainees during the programme in Canada, and pleased to have more Guyanese joining the offshore oil and gas operations in such highly-skilled roles.

–– to become offshore operations, maintenance technicians

The first group of Guyanese operations and maintenance trainees Growing local content, and pro- Alistair Routledge said. commitment to ensuring that to our team in Guyana. We viding meaningful employment SBM Offshore Country Guyanese are meaningfully are happy to see them join opportunities for Guyanese Manager, Herve Laurioux engaged in every aspect of our Guyanese workforce, and and Guyanese companies is believes that the programme their work in the country. proud to see them participate a priority for ExxonMobil,” demonstrates SBM Off“SBM Offshore wel- in our long-term commitment ExxonMobil Guyana President, shore’s and ExxonMobil’s comes the new technicians to the country,” Laurioux

said.

Initially, the trainees were introduced to basic systems training in four disciplines: Electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and operations. This was followed by hands-on work in a classroom setting, and now they will put their training to work on the FPSO, where they will be mentored by experienced experts from SBM Offshore and other business partners.

The development model for operations and maintenance employees is designed for trainees to advance from trainee technician to fully-qualified technician over a period of time, with certification and validation checkpoints along the way. They will replace experienced international workers over the coming years.

More than 2,000 Guyanese are working on ExxonMobil activities in Guyana, which represents 55 per cent of the total workforce.

Man feared dead in Mazaruni boat mishap A WEST RUIMVELDT resident is feared dead, following a boat mishap at Gatie Falls, Semang Creek, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

He was identified as 63-year-old Clement

Morgan of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Reports indicated that Morgan joined the boat at around 10:00hrs. The vessel, captained by a 49-year-old, had another occupant who was heading to the Office of the Guyana Geology

and Mines Commission (GGMC) at Issano.

They left the GGMC Office at around 15:30hrs and were en-route to Semang Backdam. At around 20:30hrs, whilst navigating through Gatie Falls, the outboard engine had

cut off and the boat sank.

The captain and the other occupant were able to swim to safety.

However, Morgan was not found and is feared dead.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

UG entrance ‘exam’ to be facilitated on-line

AMID concerns following the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in Guyana, the University Of Guyana’s physical campus remains closed, while classes and examinations for this semester were held through varying Online platforms to ensure that academic guidelines are met, while students and staff adhere to the COVID-19 preventative measures.

However, on Tuesday, the University announced their plans to conduct the Uni-

versity of Guyana Entrance Examination Online (UGEE) as well, for the 2020/2021 Academic Year. The Examination is scheduled to be held from September 14 to 18, 2020, while tutorials for the varying subject areas will be offered Online, through the University’s Moodle platform from August 31, to September 4, 2020 for applicants from both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses, irrespective of their geographical location. This examination

targets applicants who do not have the general admission requirements for entry to the University of Guyana.

The eligibility requirements to qualify for the examination range from an applicant under the Mature Student Category (26 years and older) who has work experience in the required field of study; an applicant who does not have the relevant CSEC/GCE passes, but has a Diploma from either the Burrowes School of Art or Critchlow Labour College; a Registered Nurse who does not have the relevant CSEC/GCE passes in Mathematics, English Language and a Science subject. It is important to note that a pass at this examination will be valid for entry into the University of Guyana for a period of two (2) years.

With the current enrollment of some 8,000 students, the University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 20,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally and interna-

tionally. The University is also a major contributor to the national economy, and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part-time basis with shared space at Queens College, the University of Guyana moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970, and expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 120 Under-graduate and Post-graduate Programmes, including the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Management, Tourism Studies, Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Several Online programmes are available, and The UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

The UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Convicted murderer appeals severity of sentence SELF-CONFESSED murder convict, Shivanand Roopnarine, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, is moving to the Court of Appeal to challenge the severity of his sentence.

Roopnarine, 26, of School Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court, in January 2020.

He had opted to plead

Shivanand Roopnarine and Allisa McPherson

Man convicted of manslaughter files appeal A 34-year-old man, who is currently serving a 15-year sentence for killing another, has filed an appeal, challenging his conviction and sentence.

Rajen Dindial, called ‘Eric’, a former resident of Section ‘C’ Block Y, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for the killing of Aliston Henry. Henry was beaten to death at a ‘wedding house’ at Grove, in 2017.

Dindial was charged for the capital offence of murder, but was found not guilty by the jury.

However, the jury found him guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter.

Justice Barlow ordered that two years, two months and 13 days be deducted Rajen Dindial, from Dindial’s prison sencalled ‘Eric’ tence since that was the period of time he spent in pre-trial custody on remand. The judge also deducted one year from Dindial’s sentence for him not having a criminal record.

Dindial’s attorney, Nigel Hughes, had moved to the Appeal Court to challenge his client’s conviction and sentence.

A date is yet to be set for the appeal hearing.

According to reports, on September 3, 2017, at Sarran Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, while at the wedding celebration, Henry had a misunderstanding with Dindial and pushed down a portable toilet which was nearby. Consequently, Dindial became annoyed and dealt Henry several lashes with a wooden paddle.

The injured Henry was then taken home by public-spirited citizens and, subsequently, to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries several days later.

guilty and confessed that, on April 19, 2015, he murdered his 19-year-old girlfriend, Allisa McPherson, at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Justice Kissoon sentenced Roopnarine to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 20 years.

According to reports, on April 18, 2015, McPherson left her home and went to a

party in Sophia with a male friend.

While at the party McPherson was confronted

by Roopnarine who accused her of infidelity.

McPherson denied the accusation, subsequent to which Roopnarine took her to the back of the yard, drew a black object from the waist of his pants and stabbed her.

McPherson was discovered in the toilet area with stab wounds and she was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

A post-mortem report revealed that McPherson was stabbed 41 times about her body.

Roopnarine fled the murder scene but was arrested in March 2016 at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Roopnarine confessed and told investigators that

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Shivanand Roopnarine he had felt betrayed by McPherson. He claimed that during the commission of the crime he was under the influence of alcohol and was sorry for what he did.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Businesses warned against ‘no refund-no return’ policy

By Lisa Hamilton

THE Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is mulling the publication of the names of businesses

promoting a “no-refund-no-return” policy, which is an offence according to the Consumer Affairs Act. In 2019, the CCAC embarked on a countrywide campaign to places such as Lethem,

Essequibo, Bartica, Mabura and Georgetown, increasing awareness on the illegality of businesses displaying “no refund/no return” notices in stores.

However, speaking with the Guyana Chronicle recently, CCAC Director Dawn Cush said that some businesses are still shirking the law. She intends to raise the matter with new Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond Allicock to receive support to take matters a step further.

“We’re planning to publish a list of the businesses who are non-compliant; that’s what we hope to do, so that people can be guided in terms of where are the better options to shop,” she said, adding: “We do inspections, and they’re given warning; and after a certain amount of warnings, there must be some deterrent.”

According to the Consumer Affairs Act, a consumer may return a good providing that the purpose for which the good(s) were bought have changed or ceased to exist immediately after the purchase.

Consumers have up to seven days to return the product unused, not tampered with, and in its original package. Consumers can

be charged up to a 10 per cent restocking fee and no more.

However, in order to receive a refund, or to return the said good, the consumer must possess the requisite receipt. After a purchase of a good or server, the consumer must be provided with a receipt detailing the purchase price, inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT) separately; the date of purchase and a description of the good or service.

Cush told the newspaper that some consumers fall short in this area, which therefore affects their access to refunds or returns.

She said: “A lot of people offer it [goods or services] at a cheaper price, not to pay VAT. So, they don’t get a receipt. So, when they come to us now, [they don’t have it]…

The receipt is the proof of purchase; they admit that they didn’t get a receipt because they didn’t pay VAT.” The director also pointed out that there are still challenges with businesses and their issuance of warranties. The Act notes that every product purchased should have at least a sixmonth warranty. The Act, however, does have a few grey areas, as there is no minimum time limit that businesses can offer on warranties, when they are explicit.

A warranty is an assurance or commitment by the supplier or manufacturer that in the event the product becomes defective, a form of redress is offered during the warranty period. The warranty is not supposed to cover damage caused to the item by the consumer’s own carelessness.

Cush said that though the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the in-person inspection of the CCAC into these and other regards, inspection officers are usually swift in their dealings with such matters.

It is hoped, however, that all businesses will eventually come under compliance.

No decision yet on Bertram Collins College PUBLIC Service Minister Sonia Parag said a decision has not been made as yet on the way forward for the Bertram Collins College for Public Service (BCCPS), which was established in November 2016 as a learning institute for public servants.

The College, named after an international scholar and writer, Guyanese-born Dr. Bertram Collins, facilitates a one-year training programme for the students, and was established following the Harold Lutchman report on the Commission of Inquiry into Guyana’s Public Service.

Over the years, the College has been accused of

skewed bias in the intake of students.

“It is something we are examining as well; we have not made a decision in relations to that as yet, so the public and media will be informed, if and when we do as it relates to any decision,” Minister Parag said on Monday.

The Bertram Collins College of the Public Service was established at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, where the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was once headquartered.

A permanent, state-ofthe-art structure was scheduled to be erected to house the institution at Ogle, and was to have been funded

Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag by a US$10M grant from the People’s Republic of China.

The College, the brainchild of then President David Granger, was expected to provide training for current public servants, as well as catering to school-leavers who are interested in pursuing a career in the Public Service.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Guyana’s third crude lift by November –– Minister Bharrat says new crude marketing firm by October

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANA could expect its fourth shipment of crude in November 2020, as the Ministry of Natural Resources is working to secure a suitable firm to market Guyana’s crude by October.

The country secured its third crude lift in August 2020. Though payment for this shipment is yet to be processed, Guyana already has over US$90M in its Natural Resource Fund (NRF) from previous shipments, royalties and interest.

Guyana’s first three mil-

lion-barrel cargoes of crude were contracted to Shell Western Supply and Trading.

Recently, the government decided to retender the Request For Proposal (RFP) for companies to market Guyana’s crude, with the aim of correcting bids made under the then “illegal” APNU+AFC Government. Previously, 34 large oil traders had submitted proposals, and 19 were shortlisted. It is likely that many of these companies or more will re-submit proposals.

“We’re trying to wrap up this process sometime early October; the process

of selecting the company, because the next lift will be some time in November, so we need to give the company some time to be ready,” Minister Vickram Bharrat said.

Guyana is entitled to five crude cargoes for this year as part of its profit share with ExxonMobil and its Joint-Venture (JV) partners. This means that with Shell having received its three cargoes, the country can market its crude to another company or location.

This will be in addition to a two per cent royalty on all crude produced at the Liza Phase

1 Development; 12.5 per cent profit oil; withholding taxes; foreign direct investments and benefits from JV initiatives, employment and jobs for service suppliers.

As ExxonMobil liquidates its costs, by 2025, 50 per cent of all Guyana’s oil sold will come to Guyana, rising up to 52 per cent return on every barrel of oil sold.

Director of the Department of Energy (DE), Dr. Mark Bynoe has confirmed to this newspaper that an invoice has not yet been issued for payment for Guyana’s third shipment under Shell.

“The period for calculating crude price is still active/[in] process,” Dr. Bynoe said. “Once the price is determined, an invoice will be issued for payments,” he added.

Minister Bharrat also agreed that Guyana will be receiving this payment “shortly”, which will be followed by public disclosure.

Guyana, new to the oil-and-gas sector, sold its first million-barrel of crude on February 19, 2020, raking in nearly US$55M. In its second million-barrel sale, the country received US$35M. Along with

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat the US$4.9M in royalties received from first quarter gross production and interest, Guyana has over US$90M in its NRF.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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Tallawahs finish the job this time around; beat Amazon Warriors by five wickets

LIGHTNING did not strike twice in Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020, as the Jamaica Tallawahs got over the line with time to spare last night having again restricted the Guyana Amazon Warriors to a paltry total.

Pacer Fidel Edwards was superb at the top and the death, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Sandeep Lamichhane combined beautifully for 4/23, and while the chase was not straightforward a series of cameos was enough.

(Scores:Jamaica Tallawahs 113/5 (Bonner 30*, Phillips 26, Russell 23*, Blackwood 23; Naveen 2/35, Paul 1/16, Nedd 1/17, Tahir 1/23) beat Guyana Amazon Warriors 108/9 (Taylor 25, Naveen 20*, Pooran 15; Mujeeb 3/11, Edwards 3/30, Lamichhane 1/12, Russell 1/17) by 5 wickets) Having elected to bowl first, Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell could not have hoped for better than the Edwards yorker which bowled Brandon King first ball of the match. Anthony Bramble, playing his first Hero CPL game since 2016, survived LBW shouts from both Edwards and Mujeeb, but Shimron Hetmyer was not so lucky off the Afghan spinner.

Bramble was unable to settle, playing out eight straight dot balls including a Mujeeb maiden before pulling Edwards straight to the captain on the fence. Only Ross Taylor clubbing Andre Russell for a Hero Maximum then pulling him for four got the Amazon Warriors as far as 30/3 off the Powerplay.

Taylor hammered Powell for four, but Carlos Brathwaite conceded just 10 off his two overs, and Lamichhane started beautifully. At halfway the Warriors had crawled to 53/3, and it was only to get worse against the Tallawahs’ highclass spinners.

Mujeeb turned a carrom ball to bowl Nicholas Pooran, whose only boundary in his 17 ball innings was an edge past the keeper, and Lamichhane’s googly deceived Sherfane Rutherford into giving up an easy catch to Asif Ali at cover.

Russell chipped in with an inswinger to trap Taylor LBW, and Mujeeb got captain Chris Green with a beauty that Green edged to his opposite number at slip. Mujeeb was unplayable, as evidenced not just by his 3/11 but by 18 of his 24 deliveries being dot balls.

The Amazon Warriors became frantic, and only a full-length dive saved Keemo Paul from being run

out. Lamichhane’s last over was just as good as his first three, and even his outstanding figures of 1/12 might have been a little harsh on him.

Five wides from Edwards were the Amazon Warriors’ first ‘boundary’ in 58 balls, and the first off the bat took another 12 after that. It was a fine straight hit from Naveen for a Hero Maximum, but it did come after Edwards picked up Paul LBW with another big inswinger. A farcical run out involving four separate fielders off the last ball was a fitting reflection of the Amazon Warriors’ innings.

Where King had been bowled first ball of the Amazon Warriors’ innings, Phillips smacked the first of the Tallawahs’ for four. Walton however was bowled by a Tahir googly, which the South African again celebrated by taking the knee.

Jermaine Blackwood, playing his first Hero CPL in five years, hammered his first ball for four but his second almost bowled him, ending a dramatic over.

Tahir caused havoc in his second over too, but Blackwood drove Ashmead Nedd for four and Phillips swept Green over square leg for a Hero Maximum to keep things moving against the spinners.

But while Phillips took Naveen for a straight six and a four through point, the Afghan fast bowler got his own back when the New Zealander sliced to Paul at point.

The Tallawahs reached 40/2 off the Powerplay, and the required run rate was now under 5 RPO. Asif, trying to fulfil his role as a power-hitter, was brilliantly caught off Paul by a diving Green coming in from long-off.

Green then took a fine catch off Nedd too, this time above his head inches from the rope, to send back Powell just as Powell had caught him earlier.

Nkrumah Bonner came in above Brathwaite and Russell, and the Tallawahs plodded to 58/4 after 10 overs.

Blackwood sweetly drove Naveen for four first ball after the drinks break, but under-edged the second to keeper Pooran who took a smart low catch. That brought Russell to the crease, which in turn prompted Green to bring back Tahir. Russell and Bonner decided to play out the veteran, and thus the over went for just three.

Bonner ensured Paul’s over would beat that total with a classy glide past point off the first ball, but with 7 overs to go the game was still far more tense than 37 needed off 42 balls would suggest. Nedd continued to impress, his final over going for just two.

The Tallawahs struggled again to rotate the strike, and Bonner was lucky not to edge a wild hack off Naveen. Remarkably given the target, the Tallwahs went into the last five overs needing over a run a ball.

That, however, was as close as it got. Russell sent Tahir clean over the roof and then Paul hard and flat into the stands, Bonner almost took out the umpire with a straight drive off Paul, and when Naveen returned Russell somehow poked a wide ball through point for four and Bonner finished in style with ten off two balls. Unlike on Saturday, this time Russell didn’t have to do it by himself, and the win was in the end a formality. (CPL)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Matthew Nandu cops MVP award at Cricket Ontario championships … West, South win respective regions

By Frederick Halley MATTHEW Nandu enhanced his growing reputation as one of the top young cricketers in Canada with another brilliant all-round performance as Cricket Ontario Region-

al Under-18 and Under-16 championships climaxed at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club ground, King City on Thursday, August 20.

The 17-year-old Nandu, son of former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 leg-spinner

Arjune Nandu, copped the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the Under-18 category after totalling 220 runs (averaging 89.43) and capturing eight wickets at 10.25 runs apiece in the four-day tournament. His four for 18 in the final proved

also to be the best figures in a match while the 125 was good enough for the Player-of-theMatch trophy.

The left-handed Nandu’s unbeaten 125 for East Region versus South was also the highest individual score of the tournament. His only disappointment came in the final as East had to settle for the runners-up spot to Mihir Patel’s South, going down by 28 runs.

eight wickets each while Sid Nagpal’s four for 38 versus was the best bowling figures in the category.

Players-of-the-match prizes went to Rithik Singh (West), Yuvraj Samra (South), Harikesan Bala (East), Miguel Nandu, Tarandeep Singh, (North -two), Nigel Ramsaroop (South) and Mondkar while Jay Peshwa’s 12 catches were the most by a player.

first, South reached a formidable 235 for seven in their allotted 40 overs with Ramsaroop clouting six fours and an equal number of sixes before he was left high and dry one run short of a well-deserved century.

Yuvraj Samra supported with 39 (five fours) while Dev Patel took three for 45.

East were restricted to 168 for nine when their overs expired with Miguel Nandu (48

Matthew Nandu (centre) receives his MVP award from Cricket Ontario president Sha Saleem Zafar (right) and vice-president Praim Persaud

South’s Jash Sawh, who has shown remarkable improvement over the last year, was also outstanding, topping the aggregate with 279 runs which included a fine 104 versus North in the thirdplaced playoff where he was adjudged the Player-of-theMatch.

Among the other notable batting performers were Ethan Gibson who smashed 104 for North against South, placing third in the overall aggregate with 178 runs, West’s Jeevanand Nauth who hit 77 and South’s Siddh Lad (75) in a tally of 170. These performances enabled these players plus Mihir Patel to cart off Playersof-the-Match awards.

Kairav Sharma of East was the top wicket-taker with 11 scalps (average 13.36) while Arjun Thuraisingam (North) ended with eight (average 13.38).

Yash Mondkar (West) took the MVP honours in the Under-16 category. His 207, including a top-score of 108, the lone century in the group, earned them third place after thrashing North by 49 runs.

Tw o p l a y e r s , K e y u r Padhiar (South) and Miguel Nandu (East) finished with

The Under-18 final saw West defeating East by 28 runs. Set 184 for victory, after limiting West to 183 all out in 38.2 overs, East were dismissed for 155 in 38.3 overs with Ramanvir Dhaliwal hitting a top-score of 40 (five fours) and Arjune Nandu 38 with two fours and a six.

Kairav Sharma finished with three for 24, skipper Mihir Patel three for 19 and leg-spinner Jonhatan Singh two for 18, including the key scalp of Nandu.

Earlier, West looked well set for a score in excess of 250 but lost their last five wickets for 11 runs, slipping from 172 for five to 183 all out, following an opening stand of 107 in 22.1 overs Siddh Lad (65) and Mihir Patel (46).

The collapse was engineered by Aditya Manjrekar, whose three for 11 from three overs included the only hattrick of the tournament. Nandu bagged four for 18 from 7.2 overs.

South recorded a lop-sided victory over East in their Under-16 clash, winning by 67 runs following a boundary-studded unbeaten 99 from Nigel Ramsaroop. Batting

with five fours) being the main scorer. Keyur Padhiar claimed three for 15 and Kishan Missir two for 15.

At Thursday’s presentation, which saw Cricket Ontario president Sha Saleem Zafar, vice-president Prain Persaud and delegate of Cricket Canada, Ranjit Chaudri, among the executives in attendance, the consensus was it was an amazing week of excellent cricket and brilliant performances by the young stars of the future.

According to Persaud, “It all came to a rewarding end for both the players and Cricket Ontario for a very well organised and executed event.

Special thanks were extended to the parents and offspring for their dedication and support, as well as the coaches and organising committee for their contributions in the planning and execution.

“We thank all of our sponsors and the staff of Maple Leaf Cricket Club for their part in making this a very successful event and setting the ‘bar’ for future events to come. Despite COVID-19 we managed to stage an event of this calibre for our youths.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Ronaldinho flies home to Brazil after Paraguayan judge frees him

By Daniela Desantis ASUNCION, Paraguay (Reuters) - Former world soccer star Ronaldinho Gaucho left Paraguay yesterday, hours after a judge liberated him from five months of house arrest over an adulterated passport.

Ronaldinho left the hotel where he had been staying since April in the capital, Asuncion, for Rio de Janeiro on a private flight with his brother Roberto, Paraguayan authorities said.

Hours beforehand on his Instagram account, he thanked his Brazilian lawyer and the team of professionals who advised him in Paraguay, as well as some fans who gave him gifts. He also published a photo with the former defender of the Paraguayan team, Carlos Gamarra.

The departure closes a turbulent chapter in the life of the charismatic striker, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup. He was arrested on March 6 with his brother and business manager Roberto Assis when they tried to enter Paraguay with adulter-

ated Paraguayan passports.

They spent 32 days held in a police station along with drug traffickers, policemen

charges, effectively clearing the player of any responsibility for the crime. But he ordered him to pay $90 000

judge found he requested the fraudulent documents.

The judge said that Ronaldinho, 40, who also

Brazil footballer Ronaldinho flies to Brazil after spending five months in detention in Paraguay

and corrupt politicians before paying $1.6 million in bail to be detained instead in a hotel.

Judge Gustavo Amarilla on Monday agreed to a “conditional suspension” of

in costs, which would be given to charitable organisations.

Ronaldinho’s brother received a suspended two-year sentence after the

played for PSG and AC Milan, could move freely around the world and only had to notify the court if he changed his fixed address in Rio de Janeiro.

Barcelona in new turmoil after Messi tel s club he wants to leave BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Captain Lionel Messi has told Barcelona he wishes to leave the club immediately, a source confirmed yesterday, deepening the turmoil within the Catalan side less than two weeks after their humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich The club source said Messi, who has spent his entire career at Barca, informed the club about his desire to leave by sending a burofax, a service used in Spain to urgently dispatch a document that requires proof to third parties.

A second source added that the burofax referred to a clause in the last contract the 33-year-old Argentine signed with the club which allowed him to leave for free, a clause that expired on June 10 this year.

Under the terms of the contract which expires in 2021, the only way Messi can leave without the club’s consent is if a rival side pays his release clause of 700 million euros (£629.7 million).

The second source said the player’s lawyers had informed the club that Messi wished to unilaterally rescind his contract in line with a clause in his contract.

Lionel Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona

“The club considers that the contract is fully binding until June 30 2021,” added the second source.

The Argentine’s request to leave Barca comes a day after Spanish media reported that new coach Ronald Koe-

man told Messi’s close friend and strike partner, Luis Suarez, that he does not wish the Uruguayan to stay at the club.

Barca are in the midst of overhauling their squad following the 8-2 defeat by Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals earlier this month, which condemned the club to a trophy-less season for the first time in 12 years.

Messi, who has been named World Player-ofthe-Year a record six times, has grown increasingly unhappy in the last 12 months with how the club is being run.

In February, he lashed out at then sporting director Eric Abidal on social media and a couple of months later turned his anger on the club hierarchy for the way in which players were forced to take a pay cut to cope with the financial hit of the coronanvirus pandemic.

After Barca surrendered the La Liga title to Real Madrid in July, Messi slammed the team as being

“weak” and “vulnerable” during an uncharacteristically fiery post-match interview.

Former Barca captain Carles Puyol backed Messi’s wish to leave the club by writing on Twitter: “Respect and admiration, Leo. You have all my support, friend.”

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Anderson becomes first fast bowler to 600 Test wickets

By Stephan Shemilt ENGLAND’S James Anderson has become the first fast bowler to reach 600 Test wickets. The 38-year-old achieved the milestone by having Azhar Ali caught at first slip on the fifth day of the final Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

The Lancashire man made his Test debut in 2003 and has earned 156 caps.

He is fourth on the alltime list of Test wicket-takers, behind spinners Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble.

Anderson began the third Test in Southampton on 593 wickets and bowled beautifully, exhibiting his mastery of swing and seam.

After taking 5-56 in the first innings and trapping Abid Ali lbw in Pakistan’s second innings, Anderson faced an anxious wait while stranded on 599.

Bad light and rain ended play early on day four, with further wet weather preventing any action until 16:15 BST yesterday.

The frustration was compounded by the fact Anderson had seen four catches dropped off his bowling during the match.

However, with his 14th delivery of the day, he found some extra bounce, with Azhar fending to Joe Root.

The performance in the third Test is the best of what has been a difficult year for Anderson. Injuries meant he was only able to bowl four overs in last summer’s Ashes series, then he was forced home early from England’s tour of South Africa.

Following the first Test against Pakistan, when he was below his best in returning match figures of 1-97, Anderson reiterated his desire to continue playing for England, saying he was still “hungry”.

Now he has achieved something that no bowler of his kind has done before, as well as joining one of cricket’s most exclusive clubs.

His milestone comes in the

same summer that his long-term new-ball partner Stuart Broad took his 500th Test wicket.

“It’s just a phenomenal achievement,” Broad told BBC Sport. “He has got better with age and is someone who has inspired me throughout my career.

“He’s a role model to follow for every English cricketer and young cricketer coming through.

“He’s always searching to be better and better and 600 won’t be the stopping of him.”

Anderson made his Test debut against Zimbabwe 17 years ago and has played under eight different captains, as well as being part of four Ashes-winning teams.

“We are witnessing true greatness,” said Michael Vaughan, who captained Anderson in 21 Tests.

“I’d be lying if I said we thought we had a bowler that would get this many wickets.

We thought we had a bowler of great promise and skill.

“I never in my wildest dreams thought 17 years later we’d be talking about him getting to 600.”

Australian legend Glenn McGrath previously held the record for most wickets taken by a fast bowler with 563, a mark Anderson passed in 2018.

“I didn’t have the skill level that Jimmy has,” said McGrath. “When he’s swinging that ball, both ways, in control, there’s no one better.”

McGrath also compared Anderson to India legend Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer in Test cricket.

“He’s set the bar a bit like Sachin has,” said McGrath.

“No one is ever going to catch Sachin in Test cricket for the amount of runs he’s scored and the matches he’s played.

“Jimmy’s done the same for fast bowling.”

Anderson has also played 194 one-day internationals and 19 Twenty20s for England. Overall, he has taken 887 international wickets across the three formats, which is sixth on the all-time list. (BBC Sport)

FIFA relaxes rules on release of players for internationals PARIS, France (AFP) FIFA yesterday relaxed the rules on the release of players for the upcoming international window “in light of the recent evolution of the coronavirus pandemic”.

Clubs are usually obliged to release players to national teams during those parts of the calendar reserved for international games. However quarantine rules in many countries will make travel impractical, FIFA said in a statement.

“Many national governments have again implemented travel and immigration restrictions due to a renewed increase in COVID-19 infections. Some of these measures directly impact international competition, such as mandatory periods of quarantine or self-isolation and travel restrictions,” the statement explained.

Clubs will not be obliged to release their players if there is a mandatory quarantine in the country where the club is

based, in the country where the international game will take place or when there are travel restrictions between the two locations and there are no specific exemptions for the players.

The ruling applies to the men’s international window from August 31 to September 8 and the women’s window from September 14 to 22.

FiIFA had already decided that international matches in those slots could only take place in Europe.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

West Indies women to tour England for five T20s in September

ENGLAND women will host West Indies for five Twenty20s in Derby in September, with one of the matches to be shown live on BBC TV. There had been fears England would not play international cricket this summer after South Africa withdrew from their tour over travel restrictions.

However, West Indies will feature in the behind-closeddoors matches at The Incora County Ground.

The series begins on September 21, with the third T20 live on BBC TV. That match, on September 26, will be the first time international women’s cricket will be on free-to-air television since the 1993 Women’s World Cup. “The direction of travel in the women’s game in England and Wales has been relentlessly positive over the last few years,” Tom Harrison, the England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive, said.

“That momentum must continue despite the challenges of COVID-19, and we do not underestimate our role in driving that.”

England beat West Indies by 46 runs to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals in March, in what was both

teams’ last competitive outing.

Earlier this summer, West Indies men became the first international sports team to play in the UK since lockdown when they played a three-Test series against England.

will give any less focus to the women’s and girls’ game and we’re totally committed to continuing our ambitions in that area.”

The final of the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy has

England v West Indies schedule All matches to be played at the County Ground, Derby Monday, September 21: First T20 Wednesday, September 23:

when they met at the T20 World Cup in March

“We’re all still adapting and will need to continue to adapt to the sporting landscape left by COVID-19,” ECB managing director of women’s cricket Clare Connor said.

“That does not mean we

suring the draw that left England with a 1-0 series win.

There was still the opportunity for Anderson’s moment of history, which came from his 14th delivery of the day when he had Azhar Ali caught by Joe Root at first slip.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wednesday, August 26, 2020 COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: (1) Brandon King (Warriors) (2) Naveem-ul-Haq (Warriors) (1) (2)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Fast bowling icon Michael Holding has not held out much hope for the implementation of some of the major recommendations arising from the recent Wehby Governance Report.

The 66-year-old, now a well-respected international television analyst, said while he was happy with the review of the governance of West Indies cricket, he was worried the Cricket West Indies (CWI) board of directors would be reticent about adopting the proposals, especially those which threatened their own existence.

Holding argued that if directors had the success of West Indies cricket at heart, they would be motivated to put the development of the game before their own well-being.

FLASHBACK: England beat West Indies by 46 runs been moved to September 27.

All 24 of the players in England’s training group will be available for the first two rounds of the competition, before the squad for the Windies series is selected.

Second T20 Saturday, September 26: Third T20 (simulcast live on BBC and Sky Sports) Monday, September 28: Fourth T20 Wednesday, September 30: Fifth T20 (BBC Sport)

Third Test drawn on James Anderson’s historic day ENGLAND had to settle for a draw in the final Test against Pakistan on the day James Anderson became the first fast bowler to reach 600 Test wickets.

Torrential rain prevented any play until 16:15 BST at the Ageas Bowl, all but en-

Holding sceptical CWI directors will endorse Wehby Report

TODAY’S QUIZ: Who struck most sixes in last season’s Hero CPL? Which franchise won the CPL title in 2014?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Root himself also had Asad Shafiq held at short leg, Pakistan closing on 187-4 following-on in their second innings, 123 runs behind.

The players shook hands just after the last hour began, confirming the second successive weather-affected draw in Southampton.

England still record their first series victory over Pakistan in 10 years, but remain third in the World Test

Championship behind India and Australia.

Even if that new competition overcomes the obstacles of the coronavirus pandemic, England face a huge battle to reach the final.

In the meantime, the bio-secure summer continues when an entirely different England squad will take on Pakistan in a three-match Twenty20 series in Manchester, beginning on Friday.

(BBC Sport)

SCORECARD

ENGLAND 1st innings 583-8 decl.

PAKISTAN 1st innings 273 PAKISTAN 2nd innings o/n 100-2 Shan Masood lbw Stuart Broad

18 Abid Ali lbw James Anderson

42 Azhar Ali c Joe Root b James Anderson 31 Babar Azam not out

63 Asad Shafiq c (sub.) b Joe Root

21 Fawad Alam not out

0 EXTRAS: (lb-9, nb-3)

12 TOTAL: (four wkts, 83.1 overs)

187 Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-88, 3-109, 4-172.

Bowling: James Anderson 19-3-45-2, Stuart Broad 14.1-5-271, Chris Woakes 8-2-14-0, Jofra Archer 14-8-14-0, Dom Bess 21-4-54-0, Joe Root 6-0-17-1.

Former West Indies bowling icon Michael Holding

“I have absolutely no problem with the recommendations that are coming from these committees,” Holding said during an interview on i95FM Radio here.

“I’ve seen them on so many occasions but my question always is: are they going to be taken on board?

Are the board members going to vote for some of [themselves] to stay home?

“I doubt it very much because a lot of those people in my opinion are not there to help West Indies cricket; there are there because they think it’s a big deal to be a part of the West Indies cricket board.

“If you’re not offering anything, if the board is not functioning as well as it should, you should be able to look at yourself and say ‘listen, we need to change this’. Even if I am one of the people that have to stay home, if this is going to produce something better [that should be the approach].

“That’s what they should be there for, to look at things that will produce something better, not to be worried about whether I won’t go to the next meeting or if I won’t be part of the board.

“But every time these recommendations come forward I get the impression that’s what people are thinking.”

An independent task force, headed by Jamaican businessman Don Wehby, was charged by Cricket West Indies with reviewing the governance structure of the regional body, and recently put forward several proposals aimed at “improving the governance of CWI”.

Among the recommendations was a significant downsising of the current CWI board of directors from 18 to 12, and the inclusion of at least two women.

In another potential blow to the CWI bureaucracy, the task force also proposed the reduction in the number of CWI committees from 12 to five.

The outspoken Holding questioned the rationale of having two directors from each territorial board, pointing out the system did not allow for proper representation to take place.

“You have a ridiculous situation – you have two people coming from a region and there’s an issue on which to vote at the board level,” Holding pointed out.

“Now if you’re representing Jamaica or Barbados or Trinidad or anywhere, you are supposed to be taking a mandate from the people in your country.

You are not supposed to be going in there with your own impressions and your own thoughts and your own thinking about this thing.

“Both members are supposed to go to that board meeting and vote for what the mandate is from their board and I know on many occasions you have people that will go to a meeting to vote on an issue and one will vote ‘A’ and one will vote ‘B’. How does that make sense?”

CWI president Ricky Skerritt said last week the Wehby Report was currently in the hands of directors and hoped it could be approved and implemented.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 26, 2020

35

Lewis fireworks land Patriots maiden win

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Evin Lewis dazzled with a 14th Caribbean Premier League (CPL) half-century but it was Australian Ben Dunk who emerged the hero, slamming successive sixes off teenaged seamer Nyeem Young in the final over to earn St Kitts and Nevis Patriots their first points with a dramatic six-wicket victory over Barbados Tridents here yesterday.

Chasing 152 in the first match of the tournament staged at Queen’s Park Oval, Patriots looked favourites throughout the run chase thanks to the left-handed Lewis’s superb 89 off 60 deliveries.

When he holed out on the ropes at long off in the penultimate over, however, Patriots still required 20 from eight deliveries and the momentum instantly shifted back to Tridents.

Dunk then scrambled seven runs from the last three balls of the over setting up a tense finish with Patriots now needing 13 from the last six balls of the match.

Inexplicably saddled with the burden of the last over in his first match of the tournament, Young conceded a wide off the first ball and a dot ball off the next delivery but then watched as Dunk

smashed back-to-back sixes on either side of the wicket, to get Patriots over the line with three balls to spare.

sent in, producing yet another haphazard batting effort to post 151 for seven off their 20 overs.

in with 25 from 17 balls and opener Johnson Charles, a run-a-ball 24.

For the second straight

deliveries.

The left-handed Anderson, with scores of 0, 2 and 2 in his previous innings, then clobbered three sixes in a 56-run, fifth-wicket stand with Nurse to ensure Tridents made a recovery of sorts.

Patriots stumbled at the start of their run chase when Australian Chris Lynn (16) and Joshua DaSilva (1) both fell cheaply but Lewis then treated all to a masterclass that formed the foundation of a 78-run, third-wicket

stand with Denesh Ramdin (20).

Lewis belted two fours and nine sixes – three of which came in succession at the start of the ninth over from leg-spinner Hayden Walsh and raised his fifty of 28 balls.

He lost Ramdin in the 17th over to a catch in the deep off medium pacer Kyle Mayers before perishing in Mayers’ next over, with the result still in the balance but Dunk arrived to put on the finishing touches.

Leading wicket-takers in Test matches

Left-hander Evin Lewis hits out en route to his top score of 89

The left-handed Dunk finished unbeaten on 22 off 11 balls with a four and two sixes, his innings helping to deal the reigning champions their third defeat in four matches in what has been a less than stellar start to their title defence.

Tridents had only themselves to blame after being

They were going nowhere at 79 for four in the 14th over until New Zealander Corey Anderson stepped up to stroke a 19-ball 31 and galvanise the innings.

Not for the first time, opener Shai Hope batted slowly and his 29 needed 30 deliveries while Ashley Nurse chipped

game, Johnson and Hope staged a half-century stand with exactly 50 off 45 balls for the first wicket.

However, once Charles was hit in front, by off-spinner Jon-Russ Jaggesar (217), Tridents declined quickly, losing four wickets for 29 runs in the space of 32

(REUTERS) - The 10 leading Test wicket-takers, after England’s James Anderson claimed his 600th victim yesterday. ► Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) - 800 wickets in 133 matches ► Shane Warne (Australia) - 708 wickets in 145 matches ► Anil Kumble (India) - 619 wickets in 132 matches ► James Anderson (England) - 600 wickets in 156 matches ► Glenn McGrath (Australia) - 563 wickets in 124 matches ► Courtney Walsh (West Indies) - 519 wickets in 132 matches ► Stuart Broad (England) - 514 wickets in 143 matches ► Dale Steyn (South Africa) - 439 wickets in 93 matches ► Kapil Dev (India) - 434 wickets in 131 matches ► Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) - 433 wickets in 93 matches

Pacer Fidel Edwards at left is congratulated by teammates after bowling Warriors opener Brandon King with the first ball of the match (CPL photo)

Tallawahs finish the job this time around; beat

PAGE 31

Amazon Warriors by five wickets

Lewis fireworks land Patriots maiden win

England’s James Anderson celebrates with teammates after claiming his 600th Test wicket. Anderson dismissed Pakistan’s captain Azhar Ali during the fifth day of the third cricket Test match yesterday

PAGE 35

Anderson becomes first fast bowler to 600 Test wickets PAGE 33

… sets the bar like Sachin - Glenn McGrath SEE PAGE 34

Left-hander Evin Lewis

Holding sceptical CWI directors will endorse Wehby Report

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2020