Guyana Chronicle E-paper 9-21-2020

MONDAY 21st September, 2020

' No.106129

EU ready to share expertise SEE PAGE 03

–– Ambassador Canto urges Guyana not to depend solely on oil, shift to renewable energy

Young father seeks help

–– survives chopping in West Berbice protest

Mahendra Persaud, 29, a father of two has been rendered helpless after he was severely beaten and chopped, during the West Coast Berbice protest

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35 arrested for breaching 02 COVID-19 orders PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

35 arrested for breaching COVID-19 orders REGION One Police Commander, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, and a team, on Saturday, carried out a COVID-19 enforcement campaign at the Kumaka Water Front, North West District (NWD), and 35 persons were arrested and charged with breaching of the restriction orders.

They are scheduled to appear via Skype at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 24, 2020.

During the campaign,

and several neighbouring villages.

He also pointed out and explained some of the restrictive orders to those persons who claimed to have no prior knowledge of such measures.

The commander said the aim was to sensitise persons, including owners and operators of businesses who are continuously failing to adhere to the emergency guidelines.

Additionally, on Saturday, the commander and team formed a station man-

On a recent visit to Baramita, Commander Ramlakhan, as part of his initiative to have better police/community relationship in the region, held a meeting with several persons in the community and formed a Station Management Committee there too.

He explained the goal is to have the community work in collaboration with Baramita Police to reduce crimes, social threats and, where possible, address the structural and equipment needs of the Barami-

Commander Ramlakhan printed hundreds of copies of the current gazetted COVID-19 emergency measures and distributed them to residents and the business community of Region One

101 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

Commander Ramlakhan with the members of the recently-formed Baramita Station Management Committee. the commander distributed printed copies of the current gazetted COVID-19 emergency measures to businesses and persons within the Kumaka District

agement committee in Acquero (Santa Rosa Village).

This is only one of several formed since he took command of the region earlier this year.

ta Police Station, through fund-raising events.

With donations from miners and others coming in, a freezer will be bought along with a generator and it will be handed over to the Baramita Police on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 before a fundraising event to develop the committee.

GUYANA continues to record a consistent rise in the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with recent statistics showing that the country recorded 101 new cases within the past 24 hours.

Health authorities have so far tested 12,092 persons, with 9,823 being negative, and 2,269 positive. Of the positive cases, 1,339 persons have recovered, and 65 have lost their lives. The remaining cases include 83 persons in institutional

–– death toll climbs to 65 isolation, 767 in home isolation, and 16 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The latest victim of COVID-19 was identified as a 51-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Authorities said the man died while receiving care at a local medical facility.

Authorities have expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, and promised to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.

Officials of the Ministry of Health have also confirmed that they contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who might have been exposed to the victim.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus.

Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms, and recover without special treatment.

The WHO had said that 81 per cent of the persons who contracted COVID-19 will

have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and five per cent will need intensive care.

But the COVID-19 disease has proven to be “a real killer,” especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension among other ailments.

Persons were encouraged to take extra precautions because there is no approved cure or specific treatment for the disease. Guyanese were also reminded to observe the protocols established in the COVID-19 emergency measures.

Anyone who displays any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, can contact the COVID-19 Emergency numbers: 231 1166, 226 7480 or 624 6674 immediately, or visit the ministry’s website at www. health.gov.gy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

EU ready to share expertise

President Ali addresses UN General Assembly today

-- Ambassador Canto urges Guyana not to depend solely on oil, shift to renewable energy

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA has already raked in US$150 million through its fledgling oil and gas sector and this figure is expected to grow tremendously in the coming years.

This wealth that would be generated from oil and gas sector should reach every citizen of this nation, said Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto.

The country officially started pumping oil late 2019, paving the way for new opportunities and wealth which could benefit everyone for years to come.

“It is very good that Guyana has the historical opportunity to increase prosperity, but it is important that this increase benefits the citizens and cascades down to everyone, so that wealth is not concentrated in a few places,” said Ambassador Canto in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday.

Several member states of the EU are oil producing nations including Italy and Germany, so the bloc has garnered a wealth of knowledge in this area, knowledge and experience which the bloc is ready to share with Guyana, said the ambassador.

To this end, the ambassador said it is fundamental for there to be inclusiveness, in the sense that wealth should reach citizens; otherwise, the country could experience what is known as the “natural resource curse”.

“This (the curse) is a major risk and everything that can be done to avoid that would be extremely important, and we are here

and ready to exchange best practices,” said Ambassador Canto, adding: “We made a

non-oil economy recorded a decline in performance in the first half of this year.

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto

few mistakes ourselves, but hopefully man learns and we can exchange and dialogue in a way that we can learn from the good things you are doing as well.”

The ambassador said another key focus of the government should be a diversified economy, as the EU itself has a motto, “united in diversity”, which emphasises the importance of promoting diversification and not being dependent on one resource or sector.

“We do not depend on only one resource because it is a recipe for problems,” said Ambassador Canto, noting that diversification, once practiced, must cover everything from internal diversity to diversification of economic sectors. By being diverse, the country would be able to avoid the trap of economic dependence,” said the ambassador.

DECLINE Guyana’s economy is diverse in outlook but the

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

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

Coming off of a good run in 2019, with recorded economic growth of 4.7 per cent, Guyana’s continued progression and transformation was inevitably halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected 2,269 persons and caused 65 deaths.

The necessary restrictions in place to curtail the spread of the disease, as seen in countries across the world,

Young father seeks help –– survives chopping in West Berbice protest A FATHER of two who has been rendered helpless after he was severely beaten and chopped during the West Coast Berbice protest is seeking help to get back on his feet again.

Mahendra Persaud, 29, a labourer of Crabwood Creek, East Berbice, Corentyne, related that he and his father were making their way home, after working a week in Parika, East Bank Essequibo, when they were attacked in

Stitches Persaud received for a chop to the neck during the protest

the Mahaicony area.

Their vehicle was stopped

and several protesters began pulling them out.

His father, Dewan Dwarka, 53, said he was stripped and chopped in the process.

He and his son were also relieved of their pay, clothes and documents.

“They said take off my clothes and they start firing chop, so by time they fire more I run, I run for my life,” Dwarka told the Guyana Chronicle.

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has “slowed down” the economy because businesses either reduced their productive hours or are closed indefinitely, and the public sector has also scaled down its operations for the time being.

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

But even as the country looks to “bounce back” and focus on rebuilding its economy, using oil wealth and other resources, Ambassador Canto advised government to prepare for the imminent shift to renewable energy, as the world is slowly moving away from the dependence on fossil fuel.

“We are in a moment of climate emergency… you (Guyana) have to move and make sure you continue towards environmental objectives we share… I am encouraged by what I have heard from Guyanese interlocutors that the country will stick to the Paris agreement,” said the ambassador.

Recently, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a State of the Union speech, said the EU is committed to reducing more than half of its carbon emissions within the next few years.

Ambassador Canto believes that Guyana, while benefitting from new-found oil wealth, should also join the effort and promote the use of cleaner energy.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

P R E S I D E N T D r . M ohamed Irfaan Ali is expected to deliver his inaugural national address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today.

Guyana is listed as the second nation to make its presentation during the 75th UNGA, and will be doing so on behalf of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China.

The 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 75) opened on September 15, 2020, with the high-level General Debate slated to commence tomorrow.

Guyana was admitted to membership in the United Nations by resolution on September 20, 1966, during the 21st regular session of the General Assembly. Since then, the country has main-

tained an active presence and visible profile in the organisation.

President Ali has praised the UN for its commitment to ensuring democracy prevails in Guyana.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd had delivered the keynote address at the 49th Meeting of the Chairpersons of the G-77 Chapters on September 15. Minister Todd stated that Guyana was proud to be leading the group, for the second time, in its efforts to advance the cause of sustainable development by shaping international cooperation, and defining critical aspects of multilateral normative and legal frameworks. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

FinCEN Files: HSBC moved Ponzi scheme millions despite warning

(BBC) HSBC allowed fraudsters to transfer millions of dollars around the world even after it had learned of their scam, leaked secret files show.

Britain's biggest bank moved the money through its US business to HSBC accounts in Hong Kong in 2013 and 2014.

Its role in the $80m (£62m) fraud is detailed in a leak of documents - banks' "suspicious activity reports" - that have been called the FinCEN Files.

HSBC says it has always met its legal duties on reporting such activity.

The files show the investment scam, known as a Ponzi scheme, started soon after the bank was fined $1.9bn (£1.4bn) in the US over money laundering. It had promised to clamp down on these sorts of practices.

Lawyers for duped investors say the bank should have acted sooner to close the fraudsters' accounts.

The documents leak in-

cludes a series of other revelations - such as the suggestion one of the biggest banks in the US may have helped a notorious mobster to move more than $1bn.

WHAT ARE THE FINCEN FILES? The FinCEN Files are a leak of 2,657 documents, at the heart of which are 2,100 suspicious activity reports, or SARs. SARs are not evidence of wrongdoing - banks send them to the authorities if they suspect customers could be up to no good.

By law, they have to know who their clients are it's not enough to file SARs and keep taking dirty money from clients while expecting enforcers to deal with the problem. If they have evidence of criminal activity, they should stop moving the cash.

The leak shows how money was laundered through some of the world's biggest banks and how crim-

Monday, September 21, 2020 -- 5:00 HRS

inals used anonymous British companies to hide their money.

The SARs were leaked

$3,000. That led to the killing by men hired to kidnap him.

"He literally was trying to… make people's lives

Exchange Commission filed charges, that the WCM777 accounts at HSBC in Hong Kong were shut.

to the Buzzfeed website and shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). Panorama led the research for the BBC as part of a global probe. The ICIJ led the reporting of the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers leaks - secret files detailing the offshore activities of the wealthy and the famous.

Fergus Shiel, from the consortium, said the FinCEN Files are an "insight into what banks know about the vast flows of dirty money across the globe… [The] system that is meant to regulate the flows of tainted money is broken".

The leaked SARs had been submitted to the US Financial Crimes Investigation Network, or FinCEN between 2000 and 2017 and cover transactions worth about $2 trillion.

FinCEN said the leak could impact US national security, risk investigations, and threaten the safety of those who file the reports.

But last week it announced proposals to overhaul its anti-money laundering programmes.

The UK also unveiled plans to reform its register of company information to clamp down on fraud and money laundering.

better, and he himself was scammed, and conned, and he unfortunately paid for it with his life," said Sgt Chris Pacheco (no relation), one of the officers who investigated the killing.

Reynaldo, he said, "was murdered for being a victim in a Ponzi scheme".

By that time there was nearly nothing left in them.

WHAT WAS THE PONZI SCAM? The investment scam that HSBC was warned about was called WCM777. It led to the death of investor Reynaldo Pacheco, who was found under water on a wine estate in Napa, California, in April 2014.

Police say he had been bludgeoned with rocks.

He signed up to the scheme and was expected to recruit other investors. The promise was everyone would get rich.

A woman Mr Pacheco, 44, introduced lost about

WHAT DID THE SCAM PROMISE? The scheme was started

by Chinese national Ming Xu. Little is known about how he came to be living in the US, although he claims to have studied for an MA in California.

Basing himself in the Los Angeles area, Xu - or "Dr Phil" as he styled himself acted as a pastor at evangelical churches.

Xu said he was operating a global investment bank, World Capital Market, that would pay out 100% profit in a 100 days. In reality, he was running the WCM777 Ponzi scheme.

Through travelling seminars, Facebook and webinars on YouTube, it raised $80m selling supposed investment opportunities in cloud computing.

Thousands of people from the Asian and Latino communities were taken in.

The fraudsters used Christian imagery and targeted poor communities in the US, Colombia and Peru. There were also victims in other countries, including the UK. Regulators in California told HSBC it was investigating WCM777 as early as September 2013 - and alerted its residents to the fraud.

And California, along with Colorado and Massachusetts, took action against WCM for selling unregistered investments.

HSBC did spot suspicious transactions going through its systems. But it was not until April 2014, after US financial regulator the Securities and

WHAT DO THE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORTS SHOW? HSBC filed its first SAR about the scam on 29 October 2013 relating to more than $6m sent to the fraudsters' accounts in Hong Kong.

Bank officials said there was "no apparent economic, business, or lawful purpose" for the transactions - and noted allegations of "Ponzi scheme activities".

A second SAR in February 2014 identified $15.4m in suspicious transactions, and a "Potential Ponzi scheme".

A third report in March related to a company associated with WCM777 and nearly $9.2m, and noted the regulatory moves by US states and an investigation ordered

by Colombia's president.

WHAT DID HSBC DO? The WCM777 scheme emerged months after HSBC avoided a US criminal prosecution over money laundering by Mexican drug barons.

It did so by agreeing to improve procedures.

Analysis by the ICIJ shows that between 2011 and 2017 HSBC identified suspicious transactions moving through accounts in Hong Kong of more than $1.5bn - about $900m linked to overall criminal activity.

But the reports failed to include key facts about customers, including the ultimate beneficial owners of accounts and where the money came from.

Banks are not allowed to talk about suspicious activity reports.

HSBC said: "Starting in 2012, HSBC embarked on a multi-year journey to overhaul its ability to combat financial crime across more than 60 jurisdictions…

HSBC is a much safer insti-

tution than it was in 2012."

The bank added the US authorities had determined that it "met all of its obligations under the [agreement struck with US prosecutors]".

Xu was eventually arrested by the Chinese authorities in 2017 and jailed for three years over the scam.

Speaking to the ICIJ from China, Xu said HSBC had not contacted him about his business.

He denied WCM777 was a Ponzi scheme, saying it was wrongly targeted by the SEC and his aim had been to build a religious community in California on more than 400 acres of land.

WHAT IS A PONZI SCHEME? A Ponzi scheme - named after early 20th Century conman Charles Ponzi does not generate profits from the cash it raises. Instead investors are paid a return from money coming in from other new investors.

More and more investors are needed to cover these payments. Meanwhile, the owners of the scheme move money into their own accounts.

A Ponzi scheme will collapse if it cannot find enough new investors.

WHAT ELSE DID THE LEAK FIND? The FinCEN Files also show how multinational bank JP Morgan may have helped a man known as the Russian mafia's boss of bosses to move more than a $1bn through the financial system.

Semion Mogilevich has been accused of crimes including gun running, drug trafficking and murder.

He should not be allowed to use the financial system, but a SAR filed by JP Morgan in 2015 after the account was closed, reveals how the bank's London office may have moved some of the cash.

It details how JP Morgan, provided banking services to a secretive offshore company called ABSI Enterprises between 2002 and 2013, even though the firm's ownership was not clear from the bank's records.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Barbados: New digital bank, legislation to come (BARBADOS ADVOCATE) With the thrust towards the digital transformation of the country, it has been announced that the Government will work with strategic partners to create a new digital banking institution in this country.

That’s the word from Governor General Dame Sandra Mason. On Tuesday morning as she delivered The Throne Speech to open the second session of the Parliament of 2018-2023, Dame Sandra indicated that such would be made possible through a Public-Private Partnership with the Barbados Postal Service and the local credit unions. She explained that the aim of the digital bank would be to improve the choices of financial institutions that Barbadians currently have in the mar-

ketplace. Dame Sandra made the point, while noting that the formation of this banking institution will provide for a domestically-owned banking institution whilst leveraging the existing assets and infrastructure of the Post Office to reach every community across the island.

Meanwhile, Barbadians were also told of the intention to develop a new suite of legislation and reforms that are intended to improve the ease of doing business. Dame Sandra said that through the Ministry of Finance, the Government will embark on an “accelerated series of reforms and initiatives”, all with the goal of addressing the underlying cost structure of doing business in this country.

Among the steps to be taken, she indicated will be to pass the National Payments Sys-

tems Act to make it easier for citizens to conduct business of any type, whether with the private or public sector.

This, she said, will achieve the Government’s objective of greater financial inclusion across the economy.

“The ability to pay for any good or service digitally will allow all financial institutions to better know their customers, thereby closing the access to credit gap that has plagued too many small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs. Paying the coconut vendor on Sundays after church, using your mobile phone is an example of the kind of digital payments transformation my Government is seeking to achieve; so that no matter how small the transaction, it can be done easily and efficiently,” she stated.

She went on to say that the Mia Amor Mottley led Administration will also pass the Fair Credit Reporting Act to complement the National Payments Systems Act. She explained that the former piece of proposed legislation is intended to transform the process of credit adjudication in the economy.

“Bajans by nature pay their bills. This new credit reporting system, backed by the digital payments system, will unlock the longstanding barrier to getting credit that has hindered the economic development of the small business sector for too long,” she affirmed.

Dame Sandra further stated that a new Bill for the Central Bank of Barbados will also be enacted to provide an enhanced governance structure, which will include

the responsibility for overseeing the regulation of the payments credit reporting systems. Her comments came as she indicated that plans are on stream to establish a Financial Services Tribunal to provide consumers in Barbados an avenue to resolve disputes with financial institutions. She spoke to this while noting that people often feel intimidated, powerless and overwhelmed when in disputes with large financial institutions. She stated that the proposed Tribunal will help address this imbalance in power relations.

She added that following on from the successful implementation of ASYCUDA World last year, the Government will also introduce modern legislation to govern the Customs and Excise Department. The Governor Gen-

eral stated that the new legislation will further enhance the revenue collection at the country’s ports of entry, and significantly improve business and trade facilitation.

“Modernisation of government procurement procedures, will also form an important part of improving the transparency and accountability across central government and its various state owned enterprises. It is also intended that there will be new legislation which will deliver affirmative action provisions for businesses owned by young people, Persons with Disabilities or any other vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. This measure will form part of the economic enfranchisement of our people,” she indicated.

T&T: Three more COVID-19 deaths push national toll to 64 been discharged from public health facilities * There have been 52 recovered community cases.

Recovered community cases refer to persons who were

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Three more COVID-19 patients have succumbed to the disease, bringing the national death toll to 64.

This according to the latest COVID-19 update from the Ministry of Health.

According to the Ministry, the persons are one elderly male and two elderly females, all with pre-existing health conditions.

In other highlights from the Ministry of Health update: *13 additional persons

have tested positive for COVID -19. They will be processed for admission at the discretion of the CMOHs. * The total number of active COVID-19 cases is now at 2,049. * Six (6) persons have

FinCEN Files: HSBC moved Ponzi scheme ...

Over one five-year period, JP Morgan sent and received wire transfers totalling $1.02bn, the bank said.

The SAR noted ABSI's parent company "might be associated with Semion Mogilevich - an individual who was on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list".

In a statement, JP Morgan said: "We follow all laws and regulations in support

of the government's work to combat financial crimes. We devote thousands of people and hundreds of millions of dollars to this important work."

The FinCen Files is a leak of secret documents which reveal how major banks have allowed criminals to move dirty money around the world. They also show how the UK is often the weak link

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in the financial system and how London is awash with Russian cash.

The files were obtained

by BuzzFeed News which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and 400 journalists around the world. Panorama has led research for the BBC.

previously COVID-19 positive and in self-isolation at home, and subsequently met the discharge criteria and were released from self-isolation. * Some 81 COVID-19

positive patients are still in hospital. * 131 COVID-19 positive patients are in step-down / transition facilities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

International Day of Peace THE International Day of Peace is observed around the world today, September 21.

The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefire. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. A UN message states, inter alia: “This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security and very way of life.

COVID-19 has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere. “In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and focus on the battle against this unprecedented global pandemic. While the message is intended for armed parties, solidarity and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations are also needed to win this new fight against the

worst public health crisis of our time. To mark its 75th anniversary, the UN has invited global communities to join UN75 in a global conversation on building the peaceful and prosperous future that peace-loving people want. As conflagration engulfs countries around the world, creating an endless stream of hopeless, homeless refugees, creating orphans and widows by the billions, and destroying capacities for development in nation-states, one is forced to recognise that man’s inhumanity to man is an ever-evolving phenomenon with expanding parameters of conflict locations, putting at peril the survival of mankind on Planet Earth.

The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres posited in 2017, “In times of insecurity, communities that look different become convenient scapegoats.

We must resist cynical efforts to divide communities and portray neighbours as ‘the other.’

Discrimination diminishes us

all. It prevents people — and societies -- from achieving their full potential.”

He added, “Together, let us stand up against bigotry and for human rights. Together, let us build bridges. Together, let us transform fear into hope.”

The United Nations, comprising 193 member states, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens have all bonded in a global partnership, initiated during the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on September 19, 2016, with the goal of bringing people, especially the oppressed, disadvantaged and vulnerable, together as members of the human family.

This concept, identifying the world as one global human village, was propagated by Guyana’s Executive President the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in his UN-adopted “New Global Human Order.” His fulminations espoused the formulation and implementation of a new world dispensation, where access to the world’s bounties should be shared in equal measure so that all mankind could be provided enough resources to ensure pov-

erty and want could eventually be eradicated from the world. In Guyana, the Guyana Peace Council (GPC), established by the former PPP/C administration, urged, in its message to commemorate the 2017 UN ‘International Day of Peace, that all peace-loving forces in Guyana and the world at large to recommit themselves to the cause of peace and disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament. The council iterated: “We are living in dangerous times made even worse by the build-up of military hardware and weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. Such military build-up puts the whole of humanity at risk and could potentially bring an end to human civilisation. The true cost of military build-ups is not simply the actual money spent on them, but the sacrificed alternative in terms of human development and the elimination of poverty, hunger and ignorance among a significant segment of the world's population. The only beneficiaries of wars and conflicts are the military-industrial complex, which rakes in billions in profits at the expense of human misery.”

Peace is a natural prerequi-

site to human development that leads to the economic growth of nations and, if the leadership is grounded in democratic principles, eventual individual, societal and national prosperity. Guyana is in a state of flux and our nation can self-destruct through our human engagements, or lack of same. We no longer, in large measure, trust each other as our foreparents once did and unless, as a nation we begin to live by and honour the concepts enshrined in our national motto, we will forever exist on the precipice of national conflagration. God gifted to us a paradise, where we can live free from fear of natural devastating occurrences such as tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanoes, tornadoes et al. Yet we are squandering our blessings with rancorous behaviour towards each other. It is time to commit ourselves to the greater good and espouse unity and humanity, as opposed to all that divides us. This is the only recipe for our personal and national growth and upward mobility in the world map.

Roadblocks and curfew

Dear editor,

PLEASE let me say from the beginning that I am no expert on law enforcement, but would like to think that I have a reasonable amount of common sense.

I do not live in close proximity to any of the major public roads, but know persons who do, and from whom I have heard persistent reports of vehicular traffic, traversing

these roadways, “outside of the curfew hours”, between 6pm and 6am.

I have read reports of vehicular accidents occurring during these hours of curfew and only today (Sunday), read a report of such a “hit-and-run” accident resulting in the death of a person. The victim had just celebrated his birthday, had arguments with his wife and others and was allegedly not on his best behaviour. Even

if that were so, it is no reason for his life to be snuffed out in that manner.

My plea is that the police set up roadblocks, possibly at intervals at five/ 10 miles on the major roads, in all three counties, as well as in Georgetown, at strategic points within an hour of the curfew starting and ending (7pm and 5am).

These roadblocks can be manned by one policeman and one or two community/ neigh-

bourhood police person(s), (where these exist) or, in their absence, by a member of the RDC/NDC. I would also hope that systems be instituted to avoid “enhancements” being “worked out” to avoid prosecutions.

Should these attempts still not work, sterner measures can be attempted.

Naturally, persons deemed to be essential workers, such as medical personnel on duty, or

emergency situations (persons being taken to and from medical facilities) can be exempted.

Another situation which caused me to be doubtful if strict adherence and enforcement are being paid to the curfew is the loud music from known “hang out” bars, wash bays and even houses and places of entertainment. Many such places are in close proximity to police stations and if resi-

dents can “enjoy” the sounds a mile away, surely the police at these stations do so too. I strongly urge those responsible to consider these suggestions and observations, in order to avoid “blame” for the rise in COVID 19 cases being unfairly thrown at them.

Regards, H N Nawbatt

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Follow the footsteps of the First Lady

Dear editor,

U.S. Secretary of State Mr. Michael Pompeo has completed the Guyana leg of his Western Hemisphere tour, having arrived last Thursday and departed on Saturday to complete the remaining portion of his journey. Guyana thanks him for his gracious arrival, his meaningful but short stay, his respectful departure and, as the smoke from his jumbo jet vaporised with the clouds, we bid him “au revoir,” wishing him well and not to forget the continued struggle of Guyanese against the mindset destabilisers, still fretting and fuming but, wiping the sweat of relief from their foreheads, at least, momentarily. It was a business-oriented visit and there was no time for sightseeing. His official engagement came in the wake of Guyana still suffering from the shock of the Henry cousins’ barbaric murders with unknown motive/s, the slaying of Haresh Singh as a perceived retaliatory crime and the brutal death of Prettipaul Hargobin as a

victimised murder. Last Sunday the Henry boys were buried and yesterday Haresh Singh was buried.

During the course of Secretary Pompeo’s stay, Guyana did not fail to impress him with all the gruesome vicissitudes, including robbery, attacks, accidents, prison upheaval, damaged koker, food-hamper distribution, our parliamentary showtime fracas, APNU/ AFC government exposed corruption and sadly, more deaths due to COVID-19.

Even though the murderers of Joel and Isaiah Henry are still at large, a 75-man team consisting of police, soldiers, doctors and other investigators continue to comb and search the Berbice areas for clues, leads and evidence and interrogating residents, seeking all pertinent and material information that may help them to solve this case. Guyana and Guyanese suffered tremendously from those four deaths, property and personal damage and injuries, cash and jewellery losses, harassment, shock and trauma. Most Guyanese are of the mutual opinion that this unfortunate and regrettable incident could have

been avoided, were it not for the racial insinuations and strife as perpetrated by the ruthless leaders of the APNU+AFC party and their irresponsible remarks to the gatherings in West Coast Berbice. The country was slowly recovering from the racial innuendos and the political divide from that long, drawn-out election fracas, where the APNN+AFC and the rebels were holding Guyana and its people under siege for some five brutal months. They were holding the country at ransom for a hefty price which included rigging the elections, dragging their feet on court issues and wanting to gain power through the back door. Guyana was lucky because the national and international community retaliated and supported the people for their rights. Eventually, it was the visa-restriction sanction by the United States through the instrumentality of Secretary of State Michael Pompeo that finally pressured Granger and cabal to accept the CARICOM legitimate recount election results and allow GECOM to swear in Dr. Irfaan Ali as the legal president and the PPP/C as

government.

As per the First Lady’s commitment to the people of Guyana from the time of the President’s inauguration, Lady Arya Ali has been championing a fight to be in touch with the communities and to work with the people of Guyana to forge unity among them and bridge that broken relationship that was seeded by the thwarters of democracy by the PNC. Lady Ali was seen in the Tiger Bay area distributing hampers in many communities, meeting and listening to the plights of villagers and urban areas, working with other organisations regarding many social issues and over the weekend, she was again involved with another image promotion for Guyana’s fractured harmony. This time, it was the unveiling of a “One Guyana” project installation at Kingston, Georgetown, with several parents and children coming together from many city wards. The installation of a map of Guyana made up of puzzle pieces, that is intended to promote the virtues of friendship, love and brotherhood among all Guyanese. The words por-

Down with racism

Dear editor,

GUYANESE are masters at masking their racial inclinations. Maybe, but not surprisingly, in an attempt to deflect people’s perception of their actions, they seek to paint a picture of themselves growing up amongst people of another race and mixing feely with them. However, the words and actions of these very persons paint a very different story; it reveals who they truly are in the depths of their innermost beings – pretenders.

During the intervening periods of national elections in Guyana, the outward expressions of racism lies dormant with cleverly worn masks, but as soon as the election season sets in, it is a different kettle of fish – the racial rants and writings come to the fore. Then the true colours of the ‘real’ person are revealed. Suggesting perhaps, that some persons patiently wait for the opportunity to erupt/exhale/speak their minds. Interestingly, many of the persons who spew race hate have to interact with persons of the very race at whom the racism is directed. E.g. Travel on the same bus; sit in the same office; receive service at their hands; attend the same places of worship and live in the same neighbourhood.

Any objective observer will admit that race relations in Guyana is taking a beating. Guyana just does not seem to be able to get this monkey off its back. It has followed us like a shadow since the split of the first political party in the country during the colonial era. Why is it that Guyana has

not been able to make admirable strides in race relations since attaining independence status? Our history tells us that our colonial masters pitted one race against another for their gain. But Guyana has shaken off the shackles of colonialism, or have we? Have we truly been emancipated?

The events following the March 02, 2020 national and regional elections have proven, yet again, that race relations in Guyana is not at a healthy place. It is sour. It should give no comfort to anyone to point out that poor race relations are not a Guyanese-only thing. Surely, it existed thousands of years ago and you can put your pot on the fire that it will exist until the end of time. Wars were fought because of race; slavery existed because of race; millions were sent to the gas chambers because of race, ... ‘Race hate mashing up the world’ [Guyana] - Eddy Grant.

The price that Guyana has paid for its fractured race relations is enormous. It includes, but is not limited to: billions of dollars in losses to buildings and infrastructure.

I. Scores of lives lost and injuries sustained.

II. Damage to vehicles.

III. Psychological trauma.

IV. Distrust and hatred for those of another race.

V. Forced migration.

VI. Marginalisation.

VII. Disapproval of inter-racial marriages.

VIII. Harbouring negative images of another race.

IX. Racial tensions and a climate of fear in the country.

trayed on the map include, respect, unity, strength, gratitude, love, humanity, happiness, friendship, peace and togetherness. It is highly commendable that the First Lady has embarked on this timely and good-intentioned project, especially with a fragmented society being driven further apart by the heartless, ruthless, callous and irresponsible leaders of the APNU+AFC, who are self-bent on destroying the peace of mind of Guyanese and encouraging violence and mayhem so that they can achieve their devious goal with their devilish agenda by prying and playing on the emotions of innocent Guyanese.

Discrimination has no place in Guyana and this society that clamours for peace, justice, unity and equality, will not tolerate, abide by, propagate, institute nor encourage any form of indifference and differences, whether through the medium of class distinctions, looks by colour, religious creed, ethnic inheritance, gender distinction, age differences, physical appearances, religious practices, marital

status, political persuasion or professional attributes; nor by any contributing element factored in a biased approach to influence persuasion of choice. The conceited days of being prejudiced, marginalised or of practising unilateralism cannot survive for the economy of Guyana to fully develop, so that the people can share in equitable distribution and live side by side in peace, harmony, unity and love.

Guyanese are urged to remain cognisant of all the projectors of violence, racism, lies, deceit and corruption and denounce all the tongue twisters who are only greedy for financial and political power for selfish reasons. Guyanese are once again urged to follow the footsteps of the First Lady and to encourage their neighbours to participate and organise more activities in all the communities to promote “One Guyana.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Maybe you are disgusted with the foregoing. Maybe you are asking how many more have to suffer at the hands of racism. Maybe you are asking if there is an antidote for the poisoned racist mind. Without a doubt, you would want to would want to give “nuff respect” to those who, by their influence/leadership, helped to pull us back from the brink in the recent West Berbice flare-up. Maybe you are asking what needs to be done to remedy this scourge.

At the national level, several interventions and suggestions have been made to forge national unity. These include: I. Teaching National Policy in schools.

II. Teaching Civics and Social Studies in schools.

III. Establishing the Guyana National Service.

IV. Establishing The Ethnic Relations Commission.

V. Establishing Inter Religious Organisations.

VI. The call for coalition politics and Shared Governance.

VII. Establishing Commissions of Inquiry.

VIII. The establishment of a Ministry of Social Cohesion IX. The call for Constitutional Reform.

Where should we begin? At a personal level, we can all agree that we were all made in the image and likeness of God. We are all God’s creation. We are all part of the family of God. It is God who placed us in this nation. Let us honour God by loving each other and if we love each other we will not hurt each other. In addition, let us live our National Pledge and our National Motto. Down with racism. Guyana deserves nothing less. One love brethren.

Yours sincerely, Bernel L.H. Wickham

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Peace advocates pray for Guyana

THE Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Guyana Chapter, on Saturday, hosted a multi-faith prayer activity for Guyana which saw attendance from political, religious and civic leaders in Guyana, most of whom are ambassadors for peace of the local chapter.

The activity was conceptualised by UPF National Chairman, Hajji, Dr. Roshan Khan and supported by UPF General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Ronald Mc Garrell, in light of the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic, and the post-elections trauma, which led to deaths and some violence here in Guyana.

The master of ceremonies, Juan Edghill Jr., who is also an ambassador for peace, welcomed the diverse gathering and delivered a few remarks regarding the core values of the UPF. These are service to others as the foundation of a good society and peace comes through dialogue, cooperation and principled action. Christian, Islamic, Hindi/Sanatan, and Arya Samaj prayers were done

worldwide aimed at bringing universal, spiritual principles to the task of resolving conflict and reconciling the divided human family.

Some named ambassadors for peace in Guyana include Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; former Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin; PNC General Secretary, Amna Ally; Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan; Members of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Guyana Chapter who participated in the prayer ceremony on Saturday

by Pastor Diego Alphonso, Mansoor Baksh, His Worship Mayor Ubraj Narine, and Pandita Dhanrajie Haimraj respectively.

Importantly, the UPF Guyana Chapter, at the activity Saturday, made six new appointments of Ambassadors for Peace; they are: Dr. Vishnu Bandhu, Leader of the United Repub-

lican Party; Rawle Dexter Aaron; Pandita Dhanrajie Haimraj; Telford Layne; Mansoor Baksh 6; and Nazir Khan.

In giving the charge to the new ambassadors for peace, Dr. Hajji Roshan Khan said the job of these new ambassadors is to simply continue doing what they have been doing all along,

that is, promoting peace in their communities, encouraging harmony and goodwill in their places of worship and workplaces and, simply, speaking words of unity and love.

The activity was held ahead of the United Nations International Day of Peace, today. In previous years, the UPF Guyana Chapter would

have held peace walks, peace ceremonies and activities involving all its stakeholders, but, due to the pandemic, it was announced that this year, the celebration would take a different form which will be announced by the local chapter shortly.

The UPF is a global network of ambassadors for peace from 180 countries

Selywn Collins, and Ambassador, Dr. Clyde Rivers. A future project of the UPF Guyana Chapter is to establish the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) which already exists in over 100 countries around the world, including several in the Caribbean.

Former MP Matheson Williams passes on MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and staff of the ministry have extended their sincere condolences to the family and friends of former Paramakotoi Toshao Matheson Williams, who died on Sunday evening.

Williams was also a Community Development Officer (CDO) attached to the Ministry and a former Member of Parliament (MP).

EARLY YEARS Born in August 1956, Williams was one of the first children in the community to go to school. His family members were humble but progressive, and collectively were among the earliest to petition the then Interior Governor Robinson Williams to build a school in the emerging community.

The young Williams, who had no knowledge of the English Language during that time, attended the Pilgrim Holiness School which was rn by the church. There, he was beaten for being absent or late. Although he initially struggled, he was still one of four chosen to write the community’s inaugural Common

Entrance examination.

The complete failure of the four students did not deter Matheson; instead, it aroused a desire for knowledge and education and an awareness of the vast disparity of learning opportunities for children in indigenous communities.

His quest to control his fate and destiny propelled him to become a lifelong book reader.

After secondary studies, Williams applied to the Guyana School of Agriculture but was drafted into a para-military organisation, the Guyana Youth Corps, where he served for one year before it was absorbed the Guyana National Service and learnt several trades.

Still pursuing his education, he then started classes at the Burrowes School of Art, while working at the Materials Production Unit as a graphic artist.

Financial difficulties forced him to quit his studies and soon he returned home, where he met and later married his wife, who eventually bore him four children.

As a married man, Matheson settled into a more structured lifestyle and soon he

Matheson Williams

became integrally involved in the council. Many times he left his wife and children for days while doing voluntary work.

Matheson had impressed then headmaster of the Paramakatoi Community School, Stanley Singh, and he was awarded a position at the school to teach first-year students. However, that job was short-lived.

POLITICAL LIFE At the age of 35, Matheson embarked on a quest that led him into the national

political arena.

At that time, the sub-region was cut off from the rest of the region and the capital.

The airstrip in the village was closed, malaria was rampant and there was a serious food shortage.

It was then that Williams and Toshao Peberty Kemfune decided to do all in their power to make a change.

They were initially going to walk to Georgetown, but were helped partially along the way. It still took them a week to reach the city. At first, it was difficult for them to get assistance, but Eusi Kwayana and other members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) came to their assistance.

Soon Williams began campaigning for the WPA leading up to the 1992 general and regional elections.

In 1993, as an MP he tabled a motion in Parliament with the assistance of the WPA to repeal the Amerindian Act (29:01), which was unanimously passed by the House and became law 13 years later in 2006 under then Minister Carolyn Rodrigues.

Having the motion passed was the highpoint of Wil-

liams’s national political career.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Although Williams left national politics, he was still integrally involved at the local level, but after serving on the Regional Democratic Council, he returned home to serve, first as an acting toshao before he was elected toshao.

During his stint as toshao, he was elected as vice-chairman of the Area Council.

During this time he and his fellow toshaos created history when they decided to protest against the government to amend the Kaieteur National Park Act, which they felt was counterproductive to the indigenous way of life.

Williams was tasked with presenting the toshaos’ case to Prince Charles who was visiting the area. He had to manoeuvre around police restrictions to seek an audience with the prince. When he did, it was impactful, since the BBC broadcasted the toshaos’ concerns all over the world, which forced an amendment to the Act. Although it was not in line with

what the natives wanted, it was better than before.

Even though Williams played his part he had opposition and at one time they managed to turn a number of villagers against him by peddling the notion that he had sold land in the area.

Despite the negativity, Williams continued to serve in his position and was able to re-open and improve the airstrip and secure a tractor, among several other significant ventures.

With persons still opposing him despite his efforts to develop the community, Williams resigned from his post in February 2000. He then decided to take up the post of Community Development Officer with the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. He continued to serve in that capacity, even though he had lost a child in an accident in 2010, which resulted in him falling ill.

Although he has worked alongside several ministers and toshaos, Williams’s top priority was always the development of his community and the upward mobility of its people.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Teixeira tells House…

LCDS back in play, with even more scope

–– to help diversify economy, create more jobs among other positive developmental goals

By Tamica Garnett THE Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will be resuscitated as part of Guyana’s national developmental agenda, one in a number of measures that cater to the country’s plan to work towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The visionary strategy through which Guyana was able to earn over US$200 million for the preservation of its forests was discontinued by the Coalition government.

Among plans for the reinstated LCDS are the strengthening of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Act, as well as improved measures for the National Protected Areas System (NPAS).

This was highlighted by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira on Friday as she spoke in support of the 2020 Budget when the budget debates continued before the National Assembly.

Teixeira said that notwithstanding the Opposition’s objections to the budget, it contains several measures that will help position the country on a path to sustainable development.

“We will reinstate the LCDS to help achieve prosperity for our people, by applying earnings from forest service to diversifying the

economy and create more jobs and opportunities, using non-carbon-intensive path-

also gaining financial and other support for doing so.

To that effect, Guyana,

IN LINE WITH SDGs In her more than 30-minute address to the

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Ms. Gail Teixeira

ways,” Minister Teixeira said, adding: “The LCDS was broadened to include wider environment services, including integrated water resources management and climate resistance.”

Launched in 2009, the LCDS was intended to place Guyana’s economy on a low-carbon, sustainable development trajectory, while simultaneously combatting climate change.

The integrated strategy examined how Guyana could deploy its forests in mitigating climate change, while

in the said 2009, signed a multi-year Forest Protection Agreement with Norway, which saw the Norwegian government committing to providing Guyana with up to US$250M by 2015 for avoiding deforestation, once certain performance indicators were met.

With the change of administration in 2015, however, the incoming APNU+AFC government discontinued the initiative, and replaced it with its own Green State Development Strategy.

House, Minister Teixeira noted that several measures in the budget are aligned with a number of issues that were brought up by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in an earlier meeting with herself and Prime Minister Mark Phillips, where the SDGs were discussed.

“There are three important things he talks about: One is that the political will is needed for inclusive governance; two, you need transformative changes to change the way the world deals with the gaps between

Young father seeks ...

He recalled that his son was not so lucky to get away as he was caught up in the commotion.

“They beat him and chop him up. I begged them to leave him alone but it didn’t matter,” the father said. After running to safety, he stopped and turned back to help his son who was soaked in blood.

“I see he managed to free himself, so I shouted, shouted run buddy! Run! We were assisted and taken to the Mahaicony Hospital where we sleep the night. The next day, after we were treated at the hospital and after

spending the night we were escorted to the bridge the next day,” Dwarka said.

Persaud was chopped to his neck, shoulder, head, back and also received injuries to the eye.

“Right now I can’t sleep, I keep having nightmares. While I’m getting some help from relatives, it hurt me that I can’t provide and I really need some help at this point. I got stitches to my neck and shoulder,” he told this publication.

Persaud also related that he felt he was going to die when he was surrounded by

FROM PAGE

the rich and the poor. And thirdly, climate resilience; the effort of using alternative means to having development,” Teixeira said.

The SDGs, of which there are 17, are a number of goals intended to end global poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for everyone by 2030.

“When we listen to the UN meeting,” Minister Teixeira said, “what became clear is that what we are talking about in this budget is congruent with what the SDGs talk about: Relief for single mothers, assistance to health workers, using technology to teach children in the situation, to make sure that children have equitable access to education. It talks about housing and having better water; everything to do with the SDGs is reflected here. We as a government have not departed from the goals we have to reach.”

Besides listing a menu of tax reduction measures in the budget that will benefit Guyanese across the board, she noted that not only is it simple and uncomplicated, but it’s also designed to put the country back on a positive path.

“This budget explains, very simply, a couple of principles upon which the PPP/C government is based,” she said, adding: “I’ve listened to the different presenters on the Opposition side saying the budget

is clueless and visionless.

I’m not really surprised!

You were clueless and visionless when you were in government, and nothing has changed since you became the opposition!”

Taking the Opposition to task for their handling of a number of situations during their time in office over the past five years, among those that readily came to mind were their imposing themselves upon the Public Service and Police Service Commissions, and Guyana Elections Commission, in contravention of the Constitution during their time in office. In those instances, the APNU+AFC was taken to court, where it was reaffirmed that the then government was overstepping its boundaries.

As a parting shot, she told her colleagues on the opposite side of the House, “Your credibility has been destroyed over the last five years, and moreso over the last five months. The legacy you have left this country is one of a government that was inaccessible; invisible. You didn’t go down and talk to the people. I could name village after village where they say no ministers for five years; for three years.”

3

the angry protesters, recalling that one of his attackers said, “Let’s take him in the backdam”.

Persaud is a father of a three-year-old and a five-year-old.

Following the brutal killings of the Henry cousins, Isaiah and Joel, protests erupted across several West Coast Berbice communities, calling for justice for the young men.

Persons desirous of helping Persaud can contact his family on telephone number +592 630 6802.

Persaud also received an injury to the eye, among other injuries during the attack

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Parents need to be self- aware

SOME parents have a way of embarrassing or belittling their children.

They use it sometimes as a form of discipline or out of frustration on occasions to hurt their feelings. Many adults believe they have the right to say what they like to children because they ‘made’ them. They do not understand the impact verbal abuse can have on a child. Calling children names, such as ‘cross’, good for nothing, useless, stupid, big fool, and saying derogatory things about them, is wrong.

When parents get a reaction; e.g. the child may ‘long out their mouth’ or a more sensitive child might cry, they would have fulfilled their goal and might retort, ‘What you crying for? I never beat you, I gan give you something to cry for’, or ‘you best fix your face before I box it into shape.’

The child reacts because he feels bad; he may experience emotions, such as worthlessness, inadequacy, bitterness or revenge. These emotions are stored in the body’s mind and cells; they will surface again the next time he is belittled, regardless

by whom.

It takes a certain amount of self-awareness (consciousness) for a parent to realise they are at fault; they should not tarnish children in this way. The damage is unseen to the naked eye but mentally, unbeknown sometimes, even to the child; the negative words affect them.

Embarrassing or belittling children is a crude way of parenting. Why would any parent deliberately choose to make such a negative impression on a child? It is more cruel when adults do this in earshot of others, so people are aware of the insults and ridicule bestowed upon the child; marring the child’s confidence and self-esteem even more.

Children also find it embarrassing and belittling when parents discuss them and their ‘personal issues’ with others, while they are right there, either listening to the discourse or cowering in shame. The conversation can be between adults or worse still, between the parent and the child’s friend. It sounds insensitive to think that an adult would discuss their child with his school friend, but some adults do. They

also make comparisons to shame their child into being more like his friend, or to curb some other undesirable behaviour.

Adults can behave as if children have no feelings, and should not feel humiliated when they are the centre of discussion. Showing little regard for the intellectual and emotional development of children is a subconscious attempt to keep them subdued, so they do not get ‘ideas beyond their station’. It is demeaning to treat growing children this way. Parents need to evaluate their behaviour.

Between the ages of twothree years old, children develop a sense of self. They begin to reflect on themselves from the perspective of someone else. Parents can help them become confident as they grow, by building their self-awareness; and through encouragement and praise. Belittling children brings negative aspects to their childhood. They may feel unloved and unsure of their relationship with their parents, therefore, hindering their socio-emotional growth.

Self-awareness is the ability to tune into your ac-

tions, thoughts and feelings and to recognise how other people see you and how you affect them. Adults have either a negative or positive influence on children through their words and behaviour.

Examining self-awareness will enable adults to reflect on their actions and find more desirable methods of parenting.

The more skills you have, the better you can function at home, school, or work.

We all possess amounts of self-awareness, but some people are more tuned in to the effect they have on people around them, and can adjust accordingly, showing empathy and understanding to children, colleagues, relatives and friends.

Self-awareness is one of the ‘10 core life skills’ highlighted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is an important skill to hone, regardless of age, resulting in better communication in relationships.

Some parents who lack self-awareness may think it is okay to ask their child to lie for them, even to an adult.

They may bribe the child with money or ice cream.

The child will comply out

of respect, unaware that he is being taught a terrible and devious habit and regardless of how embarrassed he feels.

This example shows how a negative trait is passed down to children. If parents do not possess enough self-awareness, how will they teach it to their children?

To improve self-awareness, you must look at the way you think; your reasoning and emotions. Get to know your, strengths and weaknesses, your desires in life and your short-comings.

Why did I react like that?

Why do I always think that way? How can I dismiss negative thoughts, and think more positively? Am I fair or being selfish? How can I control my frustration?

People seldom take the time to monitor their emotions and reactions, but in doing so, we can learn about the impact or impression we make on our children and others, and therefore, build constructive, more progressive relationships.

This week is CHILD PROTECTION WEEK. The Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of

Human Services and Social Security will commemorate this event under the theme ‘PROTECTING CHILDREN AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES TO COPE WITH THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC’.

Join our virtual rally, BREAKING THE SILENCE ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 13.00 hours. Streaming simultaneously on the Ministry’s and CPA’s Facebook page or tune into the National Communications Network (NCN) for coverage @13.00 hours If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Guyanese killed in Brooklyn freak accident Pregnant women must be extra cautious A FORTY-SEVEN-yearold Guyanese man, who was waiting at a Brooklyn bus stop, was killed when a car wash worker lost control of an SUV, jumped the curb and pinned him to a building in Brooklyn, New York (NY), according to Daily News.

Dead is Omesh Persaud also called “Fatman” of Jamaica Queens, New York.

The crash happened on Atlantic Ave. and Milford St. in East New York on Friday last.

Persaud died at the scene.

The driver was taken by medics to the Jamaica Hospital and is in stable condition.

According to Daily News, the 64-year-old car wash worker was in the driver’s seat of a Jeep Liberty Commander as it was being scrubbed in a drive-through car wash.

After the car was scrubbed clean, the car wash

Dead: Omesh Persaud also called “Fatman”

worker peeled out of the business.

The car hit the man at the bus stop, pinning him to a building that houses a furniture store, police said.

The owner of the Jeep told the Daily News she and her husband frequent the car wash where an employee sits in the vehicle while it is moved forward by a track system.

After a car is scrubbed clean, the car wash employees are supposed to exit the

vehicles in the parking lot.

This time, the woman received a call from her husband that there had been a horrible accident, her car was totaled and a man was dead.

“I got here and I was just like, that is my car,” the bewildered woman said, pointing at her destroyed car surrounded by NYPD tarps designed to shield deceased accident victims. “Even if it wasn’t totaled I wouldn’t drive it after this.”

The car has a Chrysler Hemi engine which provides more power than a conventional engine, the owner said.

She said the car wash worker might not have realised how much power the engine has.

“He must have lost control and he just tried to turn and he hit the man,” she said.

“It’s a powerful car.”

The NYPD collision investigation squad is still investigating the accident.

–– special COVID-19 measures implemented at hospitals MATERNAL and Child Health Officer Dr. Oneka Scott, on Thursday, appealed to pregnant women to take extra precautionary measures during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to safeguard themselves and unborn child or children.

The appeal was made during a virtual seminar in commemoration of World Patient Day, where Dr. Scott disclosed that 11 pregnant women were among the 1,958 COVID-19 cases registered in Guyana up to that point.

Dr. Scott stated that, because contracting COVID-19 could result in premature deliveries, the Ministry of Health is advising pregnant women to exercise extreme caution and to keep away from crowds to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

Maternal and Child Health Officer, Dr. Oneka Scott

To date, Guyana has not recorded any early deliveries among those affected, and Dr. Scott attributed this to many pregnant patients being asymptomatic.

However, a COVID-19 maternity patient who had underlying health conditions died in August, while another is currently in the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Guyana has been pro-

active in finding alternative measures to care for pregnant women through protocols outlined by the Maternal and Child Health Department.

They are expected to reduce risks and prevent transmission of the virus while ensuring a safe delivery for mother and child.

After birth, parents are also informed of special procedures that set out breastfeeding measures and infant care, especially since infants have also been diagnosed with the disease.

In addition to various channels for patient education, select areas have been identified for pregnant women at hospitals.

A special wing in the bottom flat of the Infectious Diseases Hospital has also been set up with 40 beds for obstetrics. (DPI)

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Doctor who loves cooking joins battle against COVID-19

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric “I am not afraid of COVID 19,” said Dr Javid Aziz, contending: “I am afraid for my parents, grandparents and persons out there who are susceptible, which is why we need to protect ourselves and loved ones.”

Dr Aziz is a member of the COVID-19 Task Force in Region Six, East Berbice/ Corentyne.

When the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Guyana in March, “Aziz”, as he is popularly called, was a permanent government medical officer within the Department of Internal Medicine.

He had just started working along with the Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency (TB and HIV) clinics at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

But following the announcement of the advent of the disease, each region was ordered to establish a COVID-19 Taskforce and Dr Aziz, though initially nervous to join the team, quickly reminded himself of the Hippocratic Oath which he swore to uphold, that is, to serve and heal with pride and dignity.

Since the Region Six task force came into being, Dr Aziz has been tasked with checking patients, conducting COVID-19 surveillance and swabbing persons who visit the clinic.

He is on call any hour of the day.

The task force is made up of a team of dedicated workers who labour tirelessly, sometimes jumping out of their beds or leaving behind whatever they are doing, just to serve humanity.

Dr Aziz was also quick to note that labo-

Aziz has a passion for cooking.

THERAPEUTIC “For me, cooking is therapeutic, especially when I am not on the frontlines.

I see cooking as an art. It helps ease my mind and take me away from a stressful environment.

I am also passionate about philanthropy. I like to help the poor and the unfortunate, as I feel they too need free and fair opportunities, especially to an education. I came from hardship and I did not grow up with everything.

I know how it feels to have someone look down on you.... We must never forget where we came from,” he said.

Dr Aziz was ushered into the world through the skillful hands of now retired Nurse/Midwife, Adams (only name) on December 23, 1992 at the Rampoor, Corriverton home of his paternal grandparents, Faizoon and Abdul Aziz called “Slab”.

His mother, Deowattie, a housewife, and Dr Javid Aziz his father, Abdul Aziz, a hire car driver, were ratory staff, cleaners and janitors are also as elated at the birth of their first born. His sister, committed to their work as frontline workers. Arifa, soon followed.

Life was not perfect but the doctor credits Though assigned to Region Six, his parents for the sacrifices which afforded recently he had travelled to Region him the opportunity to attend the Springlands One (Barima- Waini), which had beNursery and Corriverton Primary School, come the epicentre for the coronavirus where he graduated as the valedictorian in in Guyana. There, he served for three 2004.

Five years after, he again graduated weeks during the July/ August period, as the top student at his alma mater, Skeldon assisting the region in the fight against Line Path Secondary School. the pandemic.

Dr Aziz’s love for medicine started since He was also part of outreaches to other in his boyhood days when he would strip his communities across the country, including toys and teddy bears just to have a peek inMabaruma. side just to see how they function.

He would Apart from service to humanity, Dr

also place his grandmother’s blood pressure apparatus cuff around the family cat to test the pressure of the animal.

After completing high school, he shared his aspirations of becoming a doctor to family and friends but was greeted with “You will never become a doctor”.

STEPPING STONE Dr Aziz used the criticism as a stepping stone to make his dream a reality.

“Not willing to dwell in the negativity, I successfully applied for a scholarship to study medicine in Cuba at the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina in Havana and subsequently the University of Juan Gutierrez Xener in Matanzas, Cuba,” he told this publication, adding: “Studying was tough. It required dedication and sleepless nights. Depression grabbed me. Finances were an issue. I had thoughts of returning home. But it was not an option. I did not have another career choice.”

However, a wind of change brought many persons in his life, resulting in him appreciating the many cultures and lifestyles.

On completing studies in 2017, Dr Aziz served his internship under the Cuban Brigade at Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast and at the New Amsterdam and Port Mourant hospitals in the Berbice County.

Thereafter, he was appointed a government medical officer with attachment at Skeldon Hospital before being assigned to the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

With the spike in COVID-19 cases, Dr Aziz is pleading with all and sundry to stay at home and adhere to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines to flatten the curve.

COVID-19 results now available in 24-48hrs WITH the backlog of COVID-19 tests now cleared, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has revealed that the processing of samples will now be completed within two days.

The Minister made the disclosure, last Friday, while updating the Department of Public Information (DPI) on the newest measures adopted to counter the pandemic.

“Right now, we have a manageable set of samples that come in every day and we are able to process these in a timely manner. In 24 to 48 hours, we are able to get those samples out,” he said.

Dr. Anthony owes this to several interventions undertaken by the Government to widen and improve the testing capacity of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, inclusive of training more medical technologists to conduct the test and the implementation of a three-shift system, so the laboratory can operate on a 24-hour basis.

“All three shifts work. If there is a heavy load and if there is a lighter work load, then the shifts are reduced depending on the samples,” the Minister said.

In August, when there was a backlog of samples, the Ministry had restricted testing to symptomatic persons and those who might have been in contact or exposed to a person who tested positive for the disease. Walk-in patients were urged to follow preventative guidelines and to self-quarantine until a period of time had elapsed and they showed no severe signs or symptoms.

Hospitalised persons who were never tested for COVID-19 were given priority to undergo testing and obtain their results.

Additionally, frontline workers are being prioritised for tests and results as they are among those likely to have been exposed to positive cases.

Meanwhile, the Minister said last Wednesday, during his contribution to the 2020 Budget debate, that he owed the new developments in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to the Government’s frontal approach.

According to the Minister, since taking up office less than two months ago, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has engaged several international agencies, including

PAHO/WHO, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, and CARICOM, to secure supplies of critical gear and equipment.

“The People’s Progressive Party Government took aggressive steps to strengthen the response, ensuring there was an aggressive laboratory testing programme, expanding contact tracing, providing exposed persons with testing and counselling, and providing for adequate hospital treatment and care for the critically ill,” Minister Anthony said.

The Government also boosted capacity for testing and the treatment and care of COVID-19 patients. More medical technologists were trained, and a 24-hour shift system which was implemented has increased the number of tests performed. Additionally, more polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines were acquired and soon the National Public Health Reference Laboratory will receive an automated testing machine which could process 96 samples in two hours.

To boost treatment capacity at regional hospitals, the Government trained doctors and procured ventilators to ensure those services were available there. Additionally,

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (Photo Courtesy DPI) the drug Remdesivir has been added to the Ministry’s inventory as an effective treatment method for COVID-19.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Greener cities, resilient food systems YOU would hardly call most urban areas ‘green’, either in looks or in actions, but FAO is partnering with cities around the world, in a new Green Cities initiative, to make them so.

The market workers now upload photos and details of the catch to the online platform, where wholesalers, retailers and restaurants can view the daily offer and place their orders through an online auc-

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

Coconut, part of diversification agenda SOME $1.25 billion will be injected into the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to boost its agricultural diversification agenda with focus on coconut and horticulture, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, has reported.

The Hope Coconut Estate is also expected to benefit from the initiative.

Minister Mustapha told the National Assembly on Thursday, that the previous administration mismanaged and under-resourced the agriculture sector, particularly NAREI, one of the country’s leading research institutions.

The minister added that the Hope Coconut Estate was found to be in a poor financial position with less than $120,000 in its bank account compared to what was left in 2014 by the PPP/C government.

“Coconut is the third most important crop and as such, the coconut industry will be given importance by (the government) – promoting expansion in acreages, inter-cropping, utilisation of coconut by-products, [and] increasing production/productivity,” the agriculture minister told the House.

To increase access and reduce the cost of coconut planting material, the ministry intends to establish two coconut nurseries at Charity and Kairuni. This will allow for 25,000 additional seedings to be produced annually.

In addition to NAREI and the Hope Estate providing planting materials, the minister said that farmers would also be trained to establish their nurseries.

“Technical support would also be provided to farmers in the management of pests and disease, especially the Red Palm Mite. NAREI will wean the first batch of 50 in vitro coconut plantlets. This new initiative will allow farmers to have access to clean planting materials to achieve such.”

(DPI)

sources that go into making it.

Through promoting responsible food purchasing behaviour, creating efficient ways of distributing food and using innovative solutions, we can reduce food loss and waste.

The municipality of Chía in Colombia, for example, found a digital solution to food waste during the COVID-19 pandemic. They created an online platform for those wanting to donate non-perishable food, connecting products with people, without leaving their homes.

4) STRENGTHEN AGRIFOOD BUSINESSES Strengthening the links with the private sector along food value chains can help create sustainable business models and boost cooperation, increasing the resilience of the sector.

In Milan, the municipal government worked with the private sector

tices can make a big difference in reducing the carbon footprint of the agri-food sector, particular urban food systems.

Some cities have already begun investing in these changes by transforming their ports into “Blue Ports”. This initiative focuses on conserving marine resources and the environment, while also improving the labour conditions and livelihoods of those who depend on the port. Vigo, Spain is one of the cities that has adopted and invested in this initiative. FAO is working with other ports around the world to promote this practice.

6) IMPROVING POLICY Food governance and policies are vital at all levels, from local to international. This is why FAO’s Green Cities Initiative is working with mayors from around the world to encourage the sharing of ideas and strategies, ultimately

The recovery from the pandemic is the opportunity to transform our food systems and ‘green’ our cities (FAO photo)

The world’s cities are growing rapidly. Today, 55 per cent of the global population lives in urban areas, and this number is expected to rise to 68 per cent by 2050. Cities already use almost 80 per cent of the total energy produced in the world and consume up to 70 per cent of the food supply.

It is clear why meeting the nutritional needs of these growing urban populations is more and more difficult – and this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder. Cities have had to meet new challenges including ensuring access to safe, nutritious and affordable food even with restricted movements and closed markets.

However, disruptions to the norm also create room for opportunities and longer-term transformation. FAO’s Green Cities initiative supports local and national governments, building their capacities to create sustainable cities and food systems. The aim is to strengthen the resilience of urban food systems and promote healthy diets in at least 100 cities, improving the livelihoods and well-being of urban and peri-urban populations.

So how can we strengthen the resilience of food systems in cities?

1) USE DIGITAL INNOVATION TO IMPROVE FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS Innovation is a powerful force, and resilient food systems must harness it. This means adopting digital solutions, such as online platforms for e-commerce or delivery services.

In Muscat, Oman, social distancing due to COVID-19 forced their Central Fish Market to innovate. Vendors created an online platform to allow fisherfolk and wholesalers to maintain an income even when markets were closed.

tion. Young agripreneurs around the world have also creatively taken advantage of digital innovation, by switching to online orders, marketing through social media and accepting mobile payments.

The pandemic has forced people to reconceptualise the way they run their businesses, but these greener, digital solutions can offer longer-term benefits.

2) ENSURE FOOD SAFETY AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF DIETS Nutrition in cities often takes a back seat to pace of life and convenience. Obesity is on the rise all over the world, but tackling it in our growing cities is crucial. The issue needs to be addressed from multiple angles, including providing nutrition education to consumers but equally important, building the capacity of supply chains to deliver more nutritious, safe foods.

One city addressing this challenge of getting nutritious foods to cities during the pandemic is Montevideo, Uruguay, where citizens and local organisations have implemented ollas populares, a traditional model of home deliveries of food, fruits and vegetables often directly from producers to consumers. In another case, farmers in Peru sent nutritious, traditional food to loved ones living in the country’s largest cities. Reinforcing these rural-urban linkages is important to making cities truly ‘green’.

3) REDUCE FOOD LOSS AND WASTE Cities produce the vast majority of global waste: 70 per cent in fact.

Food loss and waste is particularly concerning as it entails a waste not only of viable source of nutrition, it is also a waste of the natural re-

In Santiago, Chile, the main wholesale market has adapted to the pandemic’s restrictions and is working to keep stallholders and buyers safe (FAO photo)

as well as a non-governmental organisation during the pandemic to develop a “Food Aid System” that ensured elderly and vulnerable people had continued access to fresh food during lockdown. The service used the logistics centre of the Banco Alimentare della Lombardia and Italian Red Cross to store food, before distributing it weekly to 10 local hubs in Milan.

Volunteers then prepared food parcels for over 4900 families in need. These alliances build off of the respective strengths of various entities to produce better results.

5) ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN GREEN FOOD VALUE CHAINS A good place to start in making our urban food systems more sustainable is ‘greening’ food value chains and encouraging related investments. For example, offering financial tools that incentivise the adoption of sustainable practices, energy efficient technology or training on climate-resilient prac-

informing policy decisions. At the launch event on 18 September, mayors from six cities will give testimonials on what has worked in their municipalities. In this way, cities from around the world can learn from each other as we move towards a globally ‘green’ society.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect on many cities across the world and the people living in them. In a matter of weeks, the availability, accessibility and affordability of basic foods changed drastically – strongly impacting the food security and nutrition of urban populations. The Green Cities initiative is just one element of the FAO COVID-19 recovery and response programme, helping to ensure that our food systems, particularly urban ones, are stronger and more resilient to other shocks. The recovery from the pandemic is the opportunity to transform our food systems and ‘green’ our cities – building back better for the future. (FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

First Lady Arya Ali and some of the children at the unveiling of the One Guyana Map in Kingston (DPI photo) First Lady, Arya Ali, shares a photo moment with children at the unveiling of the latest installation in the “One Guyana” project in Kingston, Georgetown.

The latest installation of the One Guyana Project is a life-sized map of Guyana, which is made up of puzzle pieces that promote the virtues of friendship, love and brotherhood (DPI photo)

Love and unity must reign –– First Lady urges parents to take lead role

FIRST Lady, Arya Ali, on Saturday, appealed to the Guyanese population to centre their energies on fostering unity and cultivating a deeper appreciation for our national identity.

She made this plea while addressing children from several city wards and their parents at the unveiling of a large Map of Guyana, which is the latest installation in the “One Guyana” project.

Several puzzle pieces that promote the virtues of friendship, love, and brotherhood are fitted together to form the map.

A simple unveiling ceremony was held at the ‘I Love Guyana’ sign in Kingston, Georgetown.

In her remarks, the First Lady urged the older population, particularly parents and grandparents, to teach their children and grandchildren the importance of living in love and unity.

“To the parents and adults, the children present here today are a representation of us moving towards a more unified Guyana, because our children are our future. It is my humble request that today, and all the days that follow, we continue to instill within ourselves and

our children the importance of living in unity,” she said.

Further, she noted that though Guyana is a nation of six peoples which has resulted in a rich and diverse culture, “We are one Guyana” in keeping with the country’s national motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

The First Lady used the opportunity to also urge Guyanese to teach their children to celebrate their unique diversities in a unified manner that will promote only peace and harmony.

“Our children are good examples of what it means to be humble and respect and love each other. If we allow people and things to divide us, it will rob us of valuable and special friendships we have with each other. Don’t let that happen. Let us open our hearts wide and stay true to our motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny,” she said.

The First Lady is committed to working to eradicate social and cultural inequalities across the country and will work closely with the “One Guyana” platform to promote our shared culture and to offer support to vulnerable people and groups.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Radio Paiwomak celebrates 20th anniversary

RADIO Paiwomak, Guyana’s first community radio station, set up through voluntary services, celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday, with the hard-working staff vowing to continue serving in the interest of the North Rupununi people.

The station was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the then Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and the Iwokrama Rain Forest.

Radio Paiwomak 97.1 BINA FM, which serves thousands of people in approximately 20 indigenous communities across Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), is managed by the National Communications Network (NCN), in collaboration with the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB).

Broadcasting from 06:00hrs to 21:00 hrs, Monday through Friday, from Annai Village, the radio station operates with a core of five volunteers.

“The programmes reflect

the involvement of the community, with most of them allowing the interviews and writing of the people in the community,” explained Virgil Harding, who serves as coordinator for the radio station.

According to him, the word ‘Paiwomak’ is an acronym drawn from the names of three mountain ranges that dominate the North Rupununi - Pakaraima, Iwokrama, and Makarapan.

Newly-installed NCN Chief Executive Officer, Michella Abraham Ali, offered that the radio station has stood the test of time as it continues

Michella Abraham Ali

Rocky Vanlong

Nadira Pedro

to serve the people of North Rupununi, despite all of the

Virgil Harding

Michael Williams

odds.

She pointed out how it has been disseminating COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) messages, and other programmes, in the Macushi language, spoken by the Carib-speaking people.

Michael Williams, one of the volunteers at the station over the past 15 years, spoke about how rewarding the experience has been for him. He said he saw the need to help out in providing much-needed information to the indigenous communities in the region.

While there was a shortage of volunteers due to the lack of a stipend, Williams said he has witnessed the great support that the station has received over the years.

Nadira Pedro is now in her second year of volunteering her services and she explained how her interest grew after beginning to expe-

rience the skill of speaking. “I started to think of how I can help them (the indigenous peoples) to be more knowledgeable through this radio,” she said. She has since been working on environmental programmes and school-related matters.

Another volunteer, Rocky Vanlong, has been volunteering since the station’s beginning 20 years ago. As a young school leaver at the time, he heard that the station was soon coming on board.

“Having our little radio at home, I used to catch a few Brazilian stations but I was more than anxious to hear what it would sound like so I glued myself to my little transmitter radio to catch the first bounce of the sound wave coming out of the station.”

Two arrested for breaking into businessman’s stall TWO persons are in police custody at the Anna Regina Police Station, Region Two, assisting with investigations into the breaking and entering of a stall owned

by Frederick Jones at the Anna Regina Market.

The men were on the run for almost one week and reportedly carted off an undisclosed amount of cash.

The men were nabbed by the police Saturday night at Affiance village and one of them reportedly confessed to the robbery.

According to Jones, he secured his stall and went home on September 13.

When he returned to the stall September 14, he noticed the

padlocks on the shutter doors were broken. It was then he realised that he was robbed and immediately went and checked for his cash canister in which he had stored all the proceeds from sales on Friday and Saturday. The canister was nowhere to be found.

He therefore assumed that the robbery happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The businessman immediately made a report to the Anna Regina Police station and officers visited the scene.

The CCTV camera was checked and the males arrested were positively identified.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Better roads, drainage and lights for Corentyne villages

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal interacting with residents of Region Six

RESIDENTS of several villages in East Berbice, Corentyne, Region Six, can expect relief within the coming months to issues that have been causing hardship to their daily lives when it comes to basic services under the Housing and Water Ministry.

During an outreach to the region on Saturday last, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal committed to a number of long, short and medium-term interventions for issued raised by residents.

The meetings were held at West and East Canje and continued in the villages of Kilcoy and Belvedere.

Later that day, the minister engaged residents of Lesbeholden, Ankerville, Mibicuri, Yakusar, and Numbers 64 and 76 villages.

Topping the list of complains levelled to the minister were the need for residential house lots, the level of service provided by Guyana Water Inc., prolonged wait for titles and transports, deplorable roads, drainage infrastructure and the lack of street lighting.

Speaking to the issue which falls under his ministry, Minister Croal committed to having these issues fixed within the shortest possible time.

In the coming weeks, the local neighbourhood democratic councils (NDCs) will be compiling information on leakages to GWI mains, to have repair works commence. In instances where some of these communities are experiencing low level of services, assessments will be done to find the cause and possible solutions. In the long-term, the villages Fyrish, Chesney, Belvedere, Ankerville and Lesbeholden Black Bush Polder can expect new water-well and distribution network.

The minister also assured residents that the new management of the water com-

pany will be looking at ways to improve the customer relations response time in an effort to bring better service.

Speaking directly to housing, the minister cited several deficiencies in the current system, all of which are being examined. Minister Croal also spoke of the ministry’s aggressive housing drive which will see 10,000 serviced lots being distributed annually and the plan to distribute more than 2,000 titles in the coming months.

Again, the minister reiterated the ministry’s zero tolerance policy for squatting, having been met with dozens of complaints about the issue in existing housing schemes and government reserves in the communities visited.

“The only way to be assured of getting a house lot from the ministry is to apply, we will not be forced into regularising lands or giving a house lot because of squatting,” the minister lamented.

He further assured that based on the scope of the new housing drive, every citizen, who has active application in the system will be served according to the year they applied.

Meanwhile, for the issues raised that are outside of the Housing and Water sector, the minster referred to the budget measures which speaks directly to these issues.

The minister outlined that there is provision in the budget for the rehabilitation of road network across the country as well as allocation for solar street lights. In the agriculture sector, a number of measures are in place to address issues affecting farmers.

The minister’s visit came as a follow up to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha’s visit to the region where a number of housing and water issues were raised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Pogacar confirms Tour de France victory (BBC) - Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar confirmed his victory as the second youngest Tour de France champion in history after Sam Bennett won the final sprint in Paris.

Pogacar, 21, overhauled long-term race leader Primoz Roglic with a stunning time trial win on Saturday to claim the yellow jersey on his Tour debut.

With the race leader not challenged on the final stage, Pogacar finished comfortably in the peloton.

A jubilant Bennett crossed the line ahead of World Champion Mads Pedersen.

Bennett secured victory in the points classification to become only the second Irishman to win the green jersey, Sean Kelly winning four from 1982 to ‘89.

Roglic, 30, finished 59 seconds back in second after having held the yellow jersey for 13 days, while Australia’s Richie Porte, 35, claimed his first Grand Tour podium finish in third, three minutes 30 seconds down.

Britain’s Adam Yates, who held the yellow jersey for four days before Roglic took it on stage nine, ended ninth overall, 9mins 25secs behind.

“This is incredible, standing here in Paris on the top step of the podium,” said Pogacar, draped in the Slovenian flag as his parents watched on.

“I never thought I would be here. It’s been an amazing three-week adventure.

“I have to thank everyone who’s been involved in the preparation for the race, everyone in my team and my family.”

Pogacar, who is the first Slovenian winner and first champion on debut since Laurent Fignon in 1983, won three stages in total and also won the polka dot jersey as king of the mountains and the white jersey as the best young rider.

The legendary Eddy Merckx, who won a joint-record five titles, is the only other rider to win three jerseys in the same Tour. Merckx won the yellow, green and combination jerseys in 1969, before the polka dot and white jerseys were introduced.

Pogacar, who turns 22 on Monday, is the youngest Tour champion since France’s Henri Cornet was controversially awarded the second ever title in 1904 at the age of 19 after the initial top four riders were disqualified.

It is a first Tour win for UAE Team Emirates, in either their current guise or as former outfit Lampre, and ends a run of five straight titles for British team Ineos, four of which were as Team Sky. POGACAR DELIVERS ON EARLY PROMISE Pogacar may have been unfamiliar to casual cycling fans before this Tour but he has been a huge talent since junior level, winning the 2018 Tour de l’Avenir - a prestigious under-23 race whose winners regularly go on to Grand Tour success.

After turning professional in 2019, he won the Tour of California to become the youngest winner of a World Tour stage race before winning three stages and claiming third overall at last year’s Vuelta a Espana, which was won by Roglic.

Even so, Pogacar was seen as an outside bet to challenge favourites Roglic and 2019 champion Egan Bernal for the delayed 2020 Tour, especially with a weaker team compared to Jumbo-Visma and Ineos Grenadiers.

His team was weakened further after former Vuelta winner Fabio Aru and Davide Formolo abandoned, meaning Pogacar had only David de la Cruz for support in the mountains and was often isolated. However, he rode a courageous and canny race to surpass his rivals.

He lost over a minute to Roglic after being caught out in the crosswinds on stage seven but responded the next day to take 40 seconds back, before superbly winning stages nine and 15 just ahead of Roglic to take bonus seconds that reduced the gap to 40 seconds.

Bernal cracked on stage 15 to drop out of contention - later abandoning before stage 17 - to leave the two Slovenians to battle for the title.

Roglic, supported by an all-star team including former

Giro d’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin, Sepp Kuss and Wout van Aert, expertly controlled the race and seemed to have made a decisive blow on stage 17 as he distanced Pogacar.

Pogacar did not panic and limited his losses to 17 seconds, but, after failing to cut the deficit in the remaining mountain stages, seemed to have left too much to do in the time trial to overtake Roglic, a former world time trial silver medallist.

Yet Roglic had his worst day on the worst day possible and Pogacar produced his greatest to triumph in one of the most astonishing finishes to any Tour.

BENNETT ENDS SAGAN’S GREEN DOMINANCE Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider Bennett, 29, is the first Irishman to win a Tour jersey since the great Kelly won the last of his four green jerseys in 1989.

Bennett, riding his first Tour since 2016, left Sagan’s team Bora-Hansgrohe at the end of last year partly out of frustration at being overlooked for the Tour squad as they focused on Sagan.

Sagan has dominated the points classification since his debut in 2012, winning every year except 2017 when he was disqualified for his part in a crash involving Mark Cavendish.

But it was soon clear an out-of-form Sagan would struggle to win for a record-extending eighth time this year, with the Slovak unable to match the fastest sprinters in bunch finishes and lacking opportunities to get up the road to take points his rivals could not.

After Sagan and Bennett exchanged the jersey in the first week, Bennett took it back with his first Tour stage win on stage 10, before Sagan lost crucial points by being relegated for a collision with Van Aert on stage 11.

Sagan dropped Bennett on stage 14 to cut the gap, but Bennett rode superbly in the final week, marking Sagan and using his superior speed to beat him at most intermediate sprints and stage finishes.

Bennett led by 55 points going into the final stage and took 11 more unopposed by Sagan at the intermediate sprint to establish an insurmountable lead before extending his final advantage to 96 points at the finish with his second stage win, as Sagan finished third.

“I never thought I’d ever be able to win this stage and to do it in green is so special,” said Bennett.

“It’s so amazing this feeling, I just can’t thank everyone enough. All the suffering through the mountains was so worth it as were all the years trying to make it, it took me so long to get here.”

FINAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 87hrs 20mins 05secs 2. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) +59secs 3. Richie Porte (Aus/Trek-Segafredo) +3mins 30secs 4. Mikel Landa (Spa/Bahrain McLaren) +5mins 58secs 5. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) +6mins 07secs 6. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +6mins 47secs 7. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) +7mins 48secs 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Pro Cycling) +8mins 02secs 9. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) +9mins 25secs 10. Damiano Caruso (Ita/Bahrain McLaren) +14mins 03secs Stage 21 result 1. Sam Bennett (Ire/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) 2hrs 53mins 32secs 2. Mads Pedersen (Den/Trek-Segafredo) Same time 3. Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora-Hansgrohe) 4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor/UAE Team Emirates) 5. Elia Viviani (Ita/Cofidis) 6. Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) 7. Caleb Ewan (Aus/Lotto Soudal) 8. Hugo Hofstetter (Fra/Israel Start-Up Nation) 9. Bryan Coquard (Fra/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) 10. Max Walscheid (Ger/NTT Pro)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Capitals win super-over thriller against Kings XI

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Seam movement and bounce with the new ball. A 20ball half-century that came out of nowhere.

A two-wicket over ending with a nasty-looking injury. A slow-burning, calculated rescue act that all but aced a tricky chase. A short run that wasn’t. Then, with one run required from three balls, somehow, Marcus Stoinis, who had also been the Capitals’ gamechanger with the bat, produced a dot and two wickets.

The second match of IPL 2020 contained pretty much everything, until an anticlimactic Super Over handed two points to the Delhi Capitals and heartbreak to the Kings XI Punjab, particularly to Mayank Agarwal whose 89 off 60 balls had rescued them from an abject 55 for 5 in their chase of 158.

Just as he was against the Kolkata Knight Riders last season, Kagiso Rabada was the Capitals’ Super Over hero. He took out KL Rahul with a well-directed bouncer, which followed

the batsman’s premeditated movement towards the leg side, and bowled Nicholas Pooran next ball. Pooran’s slog across the line wouldn’t have been cause for too much censure in the regular part of a T20 game, but it was an unwise shot off the third ball of a Super Over, in which teams are only allowed two wickets.

That left the Capitals just three runs to get, and they completed the job with no additions to the day’s quota of twists and turns.

A FAST BOWLERS’ PITCH With only three venues hosting this tournament, the pitches will, at some point, slow down and offer plenty of assistance to the spinners.

For now, though, they’re keeping the fast bowlers interested. Saturday’s surface in Abu Dhabi had a healthy covering of grass. Today’s pitch in Dubai was wellgrassed too, and offered seam movement and plenty of bounce. Both teams filled

two of their overseas slots with fast bowlers.

It was an Indian quick, however, who made the most of the early help. Delivering with his trademark upright seam, Mohammed Shami nipped the ball around, got it to spring off the pitch, and sent back Prithvi Shaw and Shimron Hetmyer in his second over.

He had two catches dropped in his first over too, but one of them - Rahul putting Shikhar Dhawan down off a gloved hook - turned into a runout.

A RECOVERY, AND AN EYE-CATCHING DEBUT From 13 for 3 at the four-over mark, there was a bit of rebuilding to be done for the Capitals.

Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant ensured they wouldn’t lose another wicket for another 10 overs, but the Capitals’ run rate remained in check. Staying below 6 an over even at the 12-over mark.

One of the main rea-

sons for this was the performance of Ravi Bishnoi, the 20-year-old legspinner, who performed the difficult act of keeping Pant quiet despite being the left-hander’s obvious target to go after. He did this by slanting the ball across Pant from over the wicket, and almost exclusively bowling sliders and wrong ‘uns that veered away from his hitting arc. He exhibited impressive control over his lengths as well, and only conceded 13 runs to Pant off 12 balls, ending their skirmish by bowling him off the inside edge.

Iyer had a better time against his designated target, hitting the offspinner K Gowtham for three towering sixes.

Ever since his India return late last year, Iyer has shown he’s become a ruthless hitter against spin, and this ability should come in handy for the Capitals right through this season.

STOINIS GOES BERSERK Just when Iyer was looking dangerous, Shami

Ronaldo scores as Juve start Pirlo’s campaign bright (BBC) - Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Juventus marked Andrea Pirlo’s first match as head coach with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sampdoria in Serie A. Sweden winger Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring on his debut, with a calm finish into the bottom left corner.

And Leonardo Bonucci prodded in the second for Juve, who are chasing a 10th successive Scudetto.

Ronaldo, who had earlier hit the crossbar, rounded off the scoring late on from Aaron Ramsey’s pass.

Like Sunday’s other Serie A matches, a small number of supporters were at the season opener after the Italian government allowed up to 1,000 fans to attend matches for the first time since March.

Former Milan and Juventus midfielder Pirlo had no senior coaching experience before he was chosen to replace Maurizio Sarri in August, and

returned to the attack in the 15th over and dismissed him with a well-disguised knuckle ball.

There were no boundaries in that over, or the next one from Bishnoi, or the one after that from Sheldon Cottrell. After 17 overs, the Capitals were 100 for 6 and looking at a total in the region of 130.

They ended up with 158, thanks to one of the most remarkable slog-overs efforts the IPL has ever seen.

The bowling wasn’t great - Chris Jordan and Cottrell didn’t vary their pace all that much, and kept missing their length while going for yorkers, both wide and straight - but Stoinis’ hitting was magnificent. He took guard on off stump to get closer to the line if the bowlers went wide, and that also allowed him to put away straighter deliveries behind square on the leg side. From there, it was all still head and stable base, and the last three overs brought the Capitals 13, 14, and an eye-watering 30 runs respectively.

Stoinis ransacked 49 runs in the last three overs of the Capitals’ innings.

Only Virat Kohli and Andre Russell have scored more in that part of an IPL innings.

ASHWIN’S TWO-WAY IMPACT Just as in the first innings, the new ball did a bit in the second too.

Kings XI expected this, and also had a not-particularly-steep target to chase, so their top order played out this phase with a little more caution than Shaw and Hetmyer in particular had done for the Capitals.

Rahul muscled a Mohit Sharma free-hit for a monstrous leg-side six but was otherwise circumspect until he was bowled by an inducker from Sharma in the fifth over. Agarwal was even more circumspect: he was on 4 off 10 at the end of the fifth over.

Ashwin came on for the sixth over, and took a wicket with his first ever ball for the Capitals, against the team he captained last season; Karun Nair was the victim, falling to a topedged sweep. Four balls later, Ashwin burst through Pooran’s defences with an arm ball from around the wicket. Kings XI were 34 for 3, and were looking at negotiating 19 more balls from Ashwin, but in an attempt to dive and save a single down the ground, he damaged his left shoulder and left the field in what appeared to be intense pain.

Glenn Maxwell fell in the next over, miscuing Rabada to mid-off, but Kings XI had a bit of a lifeline. With Ashwin unable to bowl any further, targets could be found among the other five bowlers.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday September 21, 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 Saturday’s quiz:

(1) AUST 2; ENG 1) (2) Glen Maxwell (AUST) Juventus have won their first game in their last five Serie A campaigns only received his coaching badge last week.

However, this was a relatively

comfortable introduction to his new role, with his side easing to victory against Claudio Ranieri’s team.

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who are the defending IPL Champions?

(2) Who were the losing 2019 IPL finalist?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

Liverpool start strong with drubbing of Chelsea (BBC) - Liverpool delivered a powerful statement of intent about their desire to retain the Premier League title with a comfortable dismissal of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on another nightmare day for keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Jurgen Klopp’s champions were already in complete control even before Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen was correctly shown a red card on the stroke of half-time.

Referee Paul Tierney initially opted for a yellow card but reviewed Christensen’s desperate challenge on Sadio Mane as he raced on to Jordan Henderson’s pass.

Mane then punished Chelsea with two swift goals after the break to confirm Liverpool’s vast superiority, the second of which was the result of another calamity for Kepa.

Mane headed in Roberto Firmino’s cross after 50 minutes then chased down Kepa, whose botched clearance gave the forward the simplest of finishes.

Chelsea’s day of misery was complete when Jorginho, normally so reliable

Mane’s first goal was a superb header but in many ways he summed up what makes him the complete attacker with his second, reacting with fury at giving the ball away before chasing down Kepa.

The Senegal forward’s pace forced the error from a goalkeeper who does not necessarily need forcing into errors and effectively finished the contest with Liverpool’s second.

It was all so easy for Liverpool after that, Thiago easing his way in as a substitute although there will be a concern about yet another injury for captain Henderson, who went off at half-time.

Sadio Mane is only the third Liverpool player to score a Premier League double at Stamford Bridge, after Steve McManaman in December 1995 and Philippe Coutinho in October 2015 from the spot, saw his penalty saved by Alisson after Liverpool’s new £20m signing Thiago Alcantara, on as a half-time substitute, brought down Timo Werner.

LIVERPOOL SEND OMINOUS MESSAGE Liverpool were helped

by Christensen’s moment of sheer panic that reduced Chelsea to 10 men right on the break - but they were head and shoulders ahead of a negative home team even before that crucial moment.

The champions dominated from the first whistle and it seemed only a matter

of time before they scored, pinning Chelsea back in their own territory and probing for openings at will.

And when the breakthrough came, no-one deserved it more than Mane, now comfortable in worldclass and willing to do the dirty work as well as apply the finishing touches.

CHELSEA PAY FOR CAUTIOUS APPROACH This was a brutal reality check for Chelsea after a summer of big spending by manager Frank Lampard - and surely the final flawed contribution from error-ridden keeper Kepa.

Chelsea’s gameplan appeared to be to sit back and attempt to catch Liverpool on the break with Werner’s pace but in the end it was

all too passive, the home team resembling a side that would have been happy with a point.

Werner showed the odd flashes of what he will undoubtedly bring to Chelsea but he was feeding off scraps at best here and his struggles reflected a surprisingly conservative approach.

As for Kepa, the £71m keeper who has never lived up to his lavish price tag, this must surely be the final straw for Lampard, who dropped the goalkeeper last season and is now pursuing Rennes’ keeper Edouard Mendy in a £20m deal.

Kepa had already had a couple of near misses before he cleared the ball straight to Mane, who induced panic in the keeper and scored the visitors’ second.

Lampard’s side will have better days and patience will be required with such an influx of new faces, the likes of Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech yet to be involved, but this will have been a real disappointment and is a missed opportunity to make a statement of their own.

Madird held to goal-less draw at Sociedad

(BBC) - Champions Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw at Real Sociedad in their opening game of the new La Liga season.

Zinedine Zidane’s side started their campaign a week later than other teams, having been in European action last month but looked short of their best.

They created very few clear-cut chances, Karim Benzema’s low strike pushed away by goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Ex-Manchester City midfielder David Silva made his Sociedad debut but was unable to create a goal.

The hosts had the better of the chances but Alexander Isak’s low strike was kept out

by Thibaut Courtois and Ander Barrenetxea side-footed a volley narrowly wide.

Real were without the injured Eden Haz-

ard who was out with an ankle injury, while Welshman Gareth Bale left the club this week to re-join Tottenham on a season-long loan deal.

Brazilian youngsters Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo failed to make an impact on the game, while Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard - who impressed last season while on loan at Sociedad - was steady in the middle of the park.

Dani Carvajal’s long-range strike was straight at Sociedad keeper Remiro, who also kept out Toni Kroos’ curling strike to leave the visitors frustrated on their return to action.

Meanwhile, Real gave a second half debut to midfielder Marvin Park, who spent three years as a junior at Tranmere Rovers.

Real Madrid have now failed to win their opening match in five of the last eight La Liga campaigns

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 21, 2020

DRS to be used during England West Indies Women series (BBC) - The Decision Review System (DRS) will be available in a women’s bilateral series for the first time during West Indies’ T20I tour of England, starting Monday.

The technology was available throughout the last two T20 World Cups, and in the ten televised games in the 50-over World Cup in 2017, but has never previously been used outside of them in women’s international cricket.

Last summer, both teams in the women’s Ashes called for DRS to be introduced in bilateral internationals after England batter Fran Wilson was incorrectly given out lbw in the first ODI, with replays showing that the ball had hit her glove rather than her pad.

“You always want the best as players, and DRS is the best,” Heather Knight, England’s captain, said. “I’d imagine the reason, as usual in women’s cricket, is money, as to why we

don’t have it.

“I think potentially not having it affects the spectacle of the game.

Sometimes decisions go your way and it’s obviously the same for both sides but in an ideal world we would have DRS.” Matthew Mott, the Australia coach, said, “I must admit I think if you’ve got the technology there and you’ve got enough cameras, it should come in. It certainly makes sense for me to

have it if we can.”

Under the ICC’s playing conditions, the use of DRS in women’s internationals is at the discretion of the participating boards, as is the case in men’s internationals.

England’s series against West Indies begins on Monday, with all five T20Is being played behind closed doors at Derby. Both sides will have two reviews available per innings, in all five matches.

Dottin, Matthews feared for return of women’s cricket (ESPNCRICINFO) - West Indies allrounders Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews believe that having a “strong mindset” proved pivotal in keeping themselves motivated through the Covid-19 pandemic-induced off season. It helped them overcome fears that “we wouldn’t have any women’s cricket for the rest of the year” after the T20 World Cup in Australia ended in early March.

The 2021 Women’s World Cup has been postponed by a year. That along with the cancellation of several bilateral women’s series, even after international men’s cricket resumed in July, threatened to leave the women’s calendar vacant for the rest of 2020, outside of Australia’s home series against New Zealand which begins September 26.

However, the ECB successfully drew up contingency plans to make up for India and South Africa’s withdrawal for tours in July-August by inviting West Indies. Their first T20I against England in Derby on Monday is set to mark the return of top-level women’s international cricket 196 days on from the T20 World Cup final at the MCG. “The whole time in the pandemic I just thought that that was it for the year for women’s cricket,” Dottin, the West Indies vice-captain, told ESPNcricinfo. “I think this pandemic [has taught] that mentally you’ve got to be strong. You’ve got to have a strong mindset. It [is] something that you can’t easily give up.

“I actually thought we wouldn’t have any women’s cricket for the rest of the year. I just kept training and doing things here and there and kept motivating myself in all ways.

I started playing cricket with my cousins, the boys, just to keep active and keep that work up: of playing cricket.”

Matthews echoed her team-mate’s apprehensions. She was, like Dottin, part of West Indies’ 2016 T20 World Cup-winning side.

Deandra Dottin and West Indies Women are looking to bounce back on the tour of England (Getty Images) She has also been a sought-after name in domestic T20 competitions, plying her trade in the WBBL, the now-defunct KSL and the Women’s T20 Challenge.

“It’s obviously something very challenging,” said Matthews, who will play for the Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL later this year. “You have to have a strong mentality to go out there, still be training, and putting in all the hard work, not knowing if you’re going to be able to be playing again this year.

I’m just really glad we are able to get back over again and that Cricket West Indies and ECB have [made that possible] for us to play.

“We also see the Women’s Big Bash League; it seems it’s going to come off as well. It’s really good to see these boards are stepping up at this point and get cricket played - not only for the men’s sides but the women’s sides as well.”

West Indies have lost (19) more times than they’ve won (17) in their 37 T20Is

since their 2016 T20 World Cup victory.

Like the side, Matthews, the Player of the final in that tournament, too, has struggled to replicate the abandon that became a hallmark of the side’s maiden world title triumph four years ago. In her last 15 T20I innings, she has reached 30 only thrice, her maiden T20I hundred in May last year included.

In the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Matthews, who opens for the side, made only 26 runs in three innings as eventual semi-finalists England knocked West Indies out in the league stage with a game to go.

Their poor performance prompted then head coach Gus Logie to describe their performance in the world tournament as “timid” and possessing a “fear factor”.

Matthews, however, was hopeful the upcoming five-T20I series against England could be a starting point for West Indies to make up lost ground.

“Probably of late, the pressure [on us] has

eased off a bit,” Matthews said. “If you look at our performances [from the recent past], because they probably weren’t the best, the expectations from us for a lot of people aren’t as high.

“I don’t necessarily say that as a bad thing, though. Coming back after the pandemic and being given the opportunity to start afresh, especially against a team like England, we’re going out there knowing we’re the underdogs. I think it kind of gives us that freedom to really be able to go out there and play our natural game and play freely and express ourselves as players and as a team as well.”

With Logie’s tenure having ended with the T20 World Cup, Andre Coley, who was West Indies women’s head coach in 2012, has stepped in an interim capacity. He’s overseeing the tourists’ 18-member squad, which will be based in a biosecure environment in Derby throughout the tour and is without Anisa Mohammed, the veteran offspinner who declined the invitation to tour, with uncapped Guyanese left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz included.

Matthews, 22, underlined that the opposition’s lack of familiarity with the West Indian rookies could hold them in good stead as would the experience of the seasoned campaigners in the likes of captain Stafanie Taylor, legspinner Afy Fletcher, Dottin and herself.

“We have a lot of versatility,” Matthews said. “We have a lot of different players that have stepped in, including the new players.

Obviously, there wouldn’t have been much footage on them out there and stuff, so it definitely brings something new to the table when we face up against England.

“We also have a lot of experience within the team: people have been playing for the last five, ten years now, so that makes our combination pretty good, and hopefully it will win us some games as well.”

Kagiso Rabada and Marcus Stoinis have plenty to smile about © BCCI

Capitals win super-over thriller against Kings XI

See story on page 21

DRS to be used during England West Indies Women series

Pogacar confirms Tour de France victory

DRS will be available for the five T20Is between England and West Indies Getty Images

Tadej Pogacar (centre), Primoz Roglic (left) and Richie Porte (right) finished on the 2020 podium

See story on page 23

See story on page 20

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020