Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_08_10_2020

MONDAY 10th August, 2020

’ No. 106086

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, and Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi in deep discussion on Sunday following their meeting at State House

Guyana, Suriname eager to strengthen relations 03 PAGE

–– engage more meaningfully in areas such as O&G, COVID-19, bridging the Corentyne River

Gov’t, Opposition hold one head on 11 Guyana/Venezuela case PAGE

–– Greenidge remains on team

PPP/C returns to Guyana COVID-19 a bankrupt GFC 02 cases up by 14 09 PAGE

–– after leaving $4B in ‘the kitty’

PAGE

–– four patients now in ICU

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

US pledges support to new PPP/C gov’t –– during courtesy call on President Ali

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch last week paid a courtesy call on recently sworn-in President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It was noted that areas of mutual interest were discussed.

President Ali took the Oath of Office last Sunday, August 2, and was officially inaugurated on Saturday, August 8.

According to a report, US Ambassador to Guyana, Ms Sarah-Ann Lynch in conversation with President which was shared on the Irfaan Ali at his office recently Facebook Page of the ing with the new People’s gratitude to the US and General and Regional US Embassy Guyana, Progressive Party Civic other international and Elections.

Ambassador Lynch has (PPP/C) government. regional countries for the “Some of those who recommitted to furthering During his inaugura- role they played in restor- s t a y e d a l e r t w i t h u s the development of Guy- tion speech on Saturday, ing democracy in Guyana through those dark days ana and to continue work- President Ali expressed following the March 2 are with us as a new dawn

dispels the darkness of despair, and shines a light of unbounded expectation on us today,” the President said, adding: “I take this opportunity to acknowledge the resident Diplomatic Corps from the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, and the United States who so fearlessly defended our people’s political rights.

Thank you. Other organisations stood up with us, among them the Organisation of American States, the Carter Center, and the Commonwealth Group of Nations. They were each outstanding in their own way, and in time their names will form a lexicon of heroes of our nation.”

Additionally, in a congratulatory message to Guyanese and the PPP/C, Ambassador Lynch said the US, like other ABCE countries, looks forward to working with the new government.

“As friends of Guyana, we look forward to working with all to continue to support Guyana’s development for the benefit of all its people,” the US envoy said in her message.

Ambassador Lynch officially took office in Guyana on March 13, 2019.

Guyana and the United States have been enjoying diplomatic relations for over 50 years.

PPP/C returns to a bankrupt GFC –– after leaving $4B in ‘the kitty’ AS the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) continues to struggle to pay its staff and other debts, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira, is questioning how the Commission could have descended to its state of bankruptcy, when it had a surplus of $4 billion at the end of 2015.

During a media briefing last Friday, Teixeira, reveal that the GFC had not paid its staff for the month of July.

The Commission has approximately 400 staff members, and faced similar issues since last year April.

Teixeira said however, that was not the case when the APNU+AFC took over government in 2015

“When we left office in 2015 the GFC had $4 billion surplus, today it is bankrupt… it cannot pay the staff… it did not pay the staff in July because it did not have money. There’s hundreds of millions of dollars in debt… How could $4 billion disappear in a Ministry which brings in revenue all the time?” she questioned.

The Forestry Commission is responsible for the administration and management of all State Forest land, and is supposed to be a semi-autonomous government agency, meaning it generates its own income.

Teixeira’s declarations came one day after newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat met with heads of agencies in the natural resources sector.

The agencies provided a grim report which points to gross mismanagement of the sector under the previous administration, and the Minister is expected to meet with the management team and staff of these agencies shortly. Included in those in attendance was Commis-

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira sioner (Ag) of the Guyana Forestry Commission Gavin Agard.

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

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

exports of logs compounded by increased activities at the Commission, relating to the conservation efforts brought on by the Norway US$250M deal to conserve the forests.

The GFC falls under the purview of the MNR, which last year April had established a Task Force to look into the reorganizing and restructuring of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The outcome of this task force was never made known.

Tapping into the Norwegian Fund and the possible sale of the High Street (former Radio Station) building are among the options that were being considered as solutions to the financial challenges facing the Commission.

Last year when the Commission’s financial standing was revealed, after the Commission was struggled to pay staffers, blame for the situation was attributed on a decision that was taken to have the GFC invest $600 million in the construction of the still unoccupied High and Princes Streets property, that formerly housed the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat The property was constructed in 2007, but had been earmarked to be torn down since it was structurally unsound.

President Irfaan Ali, however last year, in a different section of the media, had noted that the woes of the Commission were as “a direct result of the contraction of the industry” as a consequence of the previous administrations actions.

The GFC is among a list of government agencies that the President has since ordered forensic audits for, after the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) won the March 2 elections and government changed hands.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Guyana, Suriname eager to strengthen relations

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–– engage more meaningfully in areas such as O&G, COVID-19, bridging the Corentyne River

By Lisa Hamilton THE construction of a bridge linking Guyana and Suriname, the sharing of oil- and-gas expertise, and joint efforts to fight COVID-19 are just some of the areas Guyana and Suriname will immediately commence working towards, following discussions between the countries’ two Presidents.

During the engagement, which occurred at a working breakfast hosted

by President Irfaan Ali at State House on Sunday, it was emphasised that both Presidents are interested in immediate action, and will therefore hold themselves to a goal-oriented timeline.

The discussions involved the President of Guyana and his Surinamese counterpart, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and members of the local Private Sector Commission (PSC) and representatives of both governments.

Also in attendance were US Ambassador to Guyana Ms. Sarah-Ann Lynch; Canadian High Commissioner Ms. Lillian Chatterjee; and British High Commissioner Mr. Greg Quinn.

Representing Guyana and Suriname on behalf of their governments were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana Mr. Hugh Todd, and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Suriname, Mr.

Albert Ramdin; along with Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, and Minister of Tourism Oneidge Waldron.

In his remarks to the media, President Ali said that within 24-hours, Guyana and Suriname were able to agree to collaborate in a number of thematic areas. These include, but are not limited to oil and gas, infrastructure, border and maritime security, COVID-19, mining, technology, agriculture, the ‘green’ economy initiative, and joint engagement on local content.

President Ali said the aim of the engagement was to support bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries; to open up new areas for cooperation from emerging sectors, and to develop infrastructure linkages beneficial to both countries.

“We recognise that our countries share similar challenges, circumstances and opportunities at this moment and it is very critical and important for us to work together to find common solutions,” President Ali said, adding: “We need to set out an agenda that’s proactive, an agenda with deadlines, an agenda with greater involvement of stakeholders in the society of both countries, especially the private sector.”

Meanwhile, President

From left are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd; Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali; President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname; and Suriname Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Ramdin Santokhi said in his remarks: “Yes, there is a historical cooperation with Suriname and Guyana, but from this moment, with these two leaders, there will be a value-added to that cooperation…We’re not here only to discuss, but we’re here to act.”

A Working Committee will be set up at the policy and technical levels to advance discussions and to determine a timetable of action. “We’re not talking about months; we’re talking

about weeks,” President Santokhi explained.

It was noted that the cooperation between the two countries will be at the level of the two Presidents, and will also facilitate involvement with their private sectors, communities and the region.

The Surinamese President also announced that soon, a written agreement will be formalised to back the plans.

On the matter of private sector involvement, it was announced that a joint chamber of commerce would be established between the two countries for mutual benefit.

In the area of oil and gas, the Apache Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company in Suriname, in recent years has discovered major finds offshore Suriname, proving even more fertile the Guiana basin.

President Santokhi said that with his country’s years of experience in the sector, it sees itself as an asset to Guyana in the area of training.

Meanwhile, regarding Some of those who attended the working breakfast hosted at State House with a bridge to Suriname over the President (DPI Photos) the Corentyne River, Pres-

ident Ali said: “That is high up on the agenda, but, of course, we now have to put that in a technical working group.”

Discussing border security, even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidents said that discussions have commenced on how the two countries should deal with back-tracking, the movement of goods, repatriation and improving on their health policies.

On the topic of maritime security, they both spoke passionately about addressing piracy attacks offshore the two countries which have caused many fishermen to perish.

“We’ve both agreed that we’ll aggressively move forward; we’ll aggressively pursue an agenda of action,” President Ali said, adding: “I want to assure you that these are not just discussion and timelines; we have already established a timetable of meetings, and you will see, within weeks, an action plan leading to the accomplishment of some of these goals.”

Also speaking briefly to the media, Minister Todd iterated that the two recent-

ly-elected Presidents have realised the opportunities which await their countries, if only they would work together more actively.

He said that the leaders have decided to do just that, and though they are both small countries, they both have the same prospects for development, especially in the areas of oil and gas and agriculture.

“We’ve recognised that if we work closer together, we’ll be able to improve the lives and the standard of living of both of our peoples,” Minister Todd said.

Meanwhile, Minister Ramdin highlighted: “Suriname and Guyana are almost 75 per cent of the geographic area of the Caribbean, two of the 15 members.

That, in itself, should say something about the potential these two countries have to serve the Region.”

In mid-September, the two countries will re-evaluate existing programmes between their two Ministries for improvement. At the policy level, there will be at least two meetings yearly, but, at the technical level, there will be multiple meetings in the near future.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Coronavirus: Trump signs relief order after talks at Congress collapse

(BBC) US President Donald Trump has taken executive action to provide economic aid to millions of Americans hit by the pandemic, saying he was forced to do so after talks at Congress broke down.

The directives include measures to support the unemployed, suspend payroll tax and extend student loans.

Some of them are likely to face legal challenges given that Congress controls federal spending, not the president.

Democratic rival Joe Biden said they were “a series of half-baked measures”.

It is not known whether the move will mean the end of talks between senior government officials and top Democrats for a stimulus package. Negotiations broke down on Friday after two weeks.

Mr Trump said the measures would provide up to $400 (£306) per week in supplemental unemployment benefits to tens of millions of jobless Americans. This is less than the $600 people had been receiving until 31 July, when the benefit expired.

The president also said states would cover 25% of the

new payments - the previous benefit was fully funded by the federal government. He is seeking to divert money from a previously approved disaster aid to states.

end up amounting only to $300 a week.

“This is the money they need, this is the money they want, this gives them an incentive to go back to work,”

The president spoke to reporters on Saturday from his golf club in New Jersey

Mr Trump said it would be up to the states, which already face huge budget shortfalls due to the pandemic, to determine how much to be used from that fund to pay for the benefit. This means that the extra payment may

President Trump said of the lower payments during a news conference on Saturday from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The measures also included a suspension of the collection of payroll taxes - which pay for Social Security and other federal programmes - through to the end of this year, a suspension of federal student loan payments, and efforts to minimise evictions but not a moratorium.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives had approved a $3.5 trillion package which was rejected by the Republican-held Senate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful elected Democrat, said they

lowered the figure in talks to $2tn but Republicans had proposed a $1tn plan.

Mrs Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the president’s actions as “meagre”, saying they were “unworkable, weak and narrow policy announcements” in the face of the economic and health crises.

Mr Biden, President Trump’s rival in the November election, accused him of putting Social Security “at grave risk” by delaying the collection of payroll taxes, and called the measures “another cynical ploy designed to deflect responsibility”.

But Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he supported the president “exploring his options to get unemployment benefits and other relief to the people who need them the most.”

The US unemployment rate continued to fall in July, but it was a much lower decrease than in May and June, denting hopes of an economic revival.

The country’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed 160,000. The US has far more Covid-19 cases by volume than any other country - nearly five million - and its rate of infection has risen steadily throughout the summer.

Congress has already allocated some $3tn for pandemic relief so far.

Some Republicans in Congress do not wish to spend any more, and nearly half of Republican senators say they would oppose any new relief bill at all.

Belarus election:

President Lukashenko set to claim landslide win

An exit poll, conducted by a pro-government organisation, has predicted a landslide victory for Mr Lukashenko

(BBC) The long-time leader of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko, appears set to declare a landslide victory in an election that saw his toughest opposition challenge in years.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 37, entered in place of her jailed husband and went on to lead large opposition rallies.

But a state TV exit poll showed Mr Lukashenko winning 79.7% of the vote.

The opposition had said it expected the vote to be rigged. Protesters have already clashed with police.

Squares and streets in the capital Minsk were earlier sealed off by police as Mr Lukashenko vowed that the situation would remain “under control”.

The lead-up to the election saw a crackdown on activists and journalists amid the country’s biggest opposition demonstrations in years.

After voting on Sunday, Mr Lukashenko said he did not see Ms Tikhanovskaya as a threat, and denied imposing repressive measures on the opposition.

“They are not worth enough to carry out any repression against them,” he said.

Ms Tikhanovskaya was greeted by an excited crowd chanting her name when she cast her ballot in Minsk earlier on Sunday.

Voting was extended at some polling stations due to long queues.

The exit poll reported on television, which was conducted by a pro-government organisation, showed Ms Tikhanovskaya receiving just 6.8% of the vote.

In a news conference on Sunday evening, Ms Tikhanovskaya said she did not trust that Mr Lukashenko had really won the election.

“I believe my eyes, and I see that the majority is with us,” she said.

Protests erupted following the exit poll, with people detained in the capital and other cities across the country, according to media reports.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said connectivity had been “significantly disrupted”, with the situation worsening throughout the day and creating an “information vacuum”.

The head of the election commission, Lidia Yermoshina, urged Ms Tikhanovskaya to accept defeat calmly.

The first official results are expected on Sunday night. The opposition said it would keep an alternative count.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

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50 more test positive for COVID-19 (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The Ministry of Health confirmed 50 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday bringing the total number in T&T to 275—the biggest one day increase since the first case was detected in March.

However, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram said there is no need to be worried as the increases over the last few days are not necessarily represent a lag in cases that are now being reported. He called it an “artificial spike”.

In its morning update yesterday, the Ministry of Health said there were 18 new cases but only one of those positive case came from samples taken between Friday and yesterday. However, the evening showed another 32 cases from the samples taken during that period, which is not representative of the positive cases over the last 24 hours.

The reason for this is a lag in the reporting of cases, Parasram explained.

“From the beginning of the set up of the University

of the West Indies (UWI) Lab, we had agreed for quality control that any positives would be sent to the Trinidad public Health Lab and after to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for confirmation. The reporting for the last five to seven days has also been batched, unfortunately. So there has been a change in the way the reporting has occurred from the Trinidad Public Health Lab,” he explained.

Parasram said there has been a change in demographics in the second phase of the virus, which started on April 27, with 58.1 per cent of positive cases now males and 41.9 per cent women. Younger persons are being infected, he added.

However, the CMO maintained that the number of new cases is not a reason for the country to return to lockdown.

He said: “We continue to make recommendations as needed. The primary goal at this time is to get persons to take personal responsibility for their behaviour. We cannot be punitive every time we see a few cases come up here,

there are everywhere and close everything in society. It has to be measured.”

Principal Medical Officer, Institutions, Ministry of Health, Dr Maryam Richards, said there are 356 patients in the parallel healthcare system and a cohort of 102 nationals who were due to arrive from the United States yesterday will be quarantined at Paria Suites in Claxton Bay. Dr Sayeed Rahaman, Director of Veterinary Public Health, said many of the gains made during the early phase of the COVID-19 have been eroded and the low number of cases registered in the first phase, April 7 to June 13, lulled the country into a sense of false security.

He said the country’s largest strategic weapon to defeat the virus is people’s behaviour and he urged businesses to ensure their employees engage in frequent hand washing, use face masks and practice social distancing.

He added that businesses should adhere to the established protocols to ensure that they remain “afloat.”

JLP Candidates Instructed To Have COVID-19 Protocol Officer In Place (JAMAICA GLEANER) The Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) 63 candidates for the upcoming general election will each be expected to have a protocol officer in place to maintain COVID-19 prevention rules during their campaigning activities leading up to election day.

JLP Chairman Robert Montague and General Secretary Dr Horace Chang made the announcement at a press briefing that followed today’s meeting of the party’s central executive at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James, to unveil the JLP’s 63 candidates for the election.

A date for the election has not yet been announced by the prime minister.

The country’s positive COVID-19 cases have now surpassed 1,000 infections, with 120 new cases last week pushing the total to 1,003. There were also three deaths, which have i n - creased the number o f fatalities to 13. “ T h e central

executive, led by the party leader [Prime Minister Andrew Holness], encouraged each candidate in their campaign team to appoint a COVID-19 protocol officer. That person’s job is to ensure that the protocols are observed at all aspects of the campaign,” said Montague.

“Whether you are doing house-to-house visits; whether it is a church visit, or whether you are doing a walk [in a community], whatever activity is being done, it must be done according to the protocols established by the Ministry of Health,” Montague added.

Chang noted that the guidelines by the Ministry of Health will be printed and distributed to candidates and their teams.

“There is a full protocol being put out by the Ministry of Health, and we will publish that very soon. We are going to do a booklet on it and circulate it to

our candi dates,” said Chang.

“COVID-19 has been here for some time, and this election will be run under COVID-19. But protocols will be clearly articulated so that the constituencies can maintain them,” the general secretary added.

“We know it will be a challenge, as the tradition of Jamaican politics is that it is highly emotional and highly engaging, but we are encouraging all candidates to have their organisations prepared to deal with COVID-19.”

Chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party, Robert Montague (file photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Guyana clears the first hurdle

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FTER the long battles that followed their contentious elections, there has been a peaceful transfer of power in Guyana. On Sunday, August 2, 2020, Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as the country’s president.

In other words, the rule of law and constitutional order have prevailed.

That is good for Guyana’s democracy.

It bolsters, too, the democratic credentials of this region, in particular the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Guyana is a member. Perhaps those Caribbean leaders who, either directly or implicitly, proposed short-circuiting the legal processes, or those of us who were frustrated with the insubordination of the chief electoral officer, Keith Lowenfield, when he failed to report election results in accordance with the recounted votes, should, in retrospect, applaud the patience of the Guyana Electoral Commission (GECOM) and the leadership of its chairman, the retired

judge, Claudette Singh. Had Justice Singh been less tolerant, and far more aggressive, the underlying, and always simmering, ethnic tensions in Guyana might have erupted into violence, making it difficult for President Ali and his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) alliance to govern.

The election episode, though, is a reminder of the urgent work to be done on strengthening the political and governance frameworks, and critically, race relations in Guyana. But in this scenario, this effort will be complicated by two separate and distinct factors that may cause their own tensions.

First, while power has been constitutionally transferred from President David Granger and his A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, the legal contestations are not over. What, so far, has been settled by the courts was the GECOM’s authority to declare who won the presidency, and the make-up of the national assembly, on

the basis of the recounted votes from the March 2 elections.

INITIAL REPORTS After the election, it was initially reported, though not officially declared, that Mr. Granger’s coalition had won a narrow victory, having, in its urban strongholds, where its mostly Afro-Guyanese backers live, gained sufficient votes to overcome a substantial lead by PPP/C in the regions where ethnic Indians, who primarily support the PPP/C, reside. In the midst of a controversy, the parties agreed to a recount monitored by CARICOM observers. That exercise gave PPP/C a narrow victory.

However, the chief election officer, Mr. Lowenfield, refused to endorse the numbers, arguing that significant levels of fraud discovered during the process meant that the election could not have been characterised as free and fair. His discounting of upwards of 100,000 ballots gave APNU+AFC victory by 15,000 votes.

The courts, having settled a number of jurisdictional questions, ruled that Mr. Lowenfield could not institute his own numbers and was bound to follow the instruction of the GECOM and report the election’s outcome on the basis of the recounted ballots. Mr. Granger has already promised that his party “will challenge the declared results lawfully, peacefully, and purposefully”, this time, on the basis of the procedures that the courts have ruled are open to it.

Hopefully, Guyana, its political parties and civil-society leadership, can move at multiple tracks at the same time. For as this newspaper has said several times, Guyanese cannot put off a serious conversation on the state of ethnic relations and of what is required to build bridges between Afro- and Indo-Guyanese. This cannot await court rulings on the election petitions or the internal dynamics of political parties.

(Reprinted from the Jamaica Gleaner)

The best inauguration speech ever

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Dear Editor,

RESIDENT Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s inauguration on Saturday August 8, 2020 will be remembered as one the most emotionally charged event in our history if not the most, since it heralded a new era full of hope and aspirations to a nation which have been held hostage for 5 months after the fair and credible 2020 Elections would have shown the PPP/C as the winner by a clear majority. It heralded the return of democracy, the rule of law and justice which have been crippled by the many diabolical attempts by Granger and his PNCites to rig the Elections and become the next dictatorial ruler of Guyana.

Moreover, it also heralded the advent of a young, dynamic and competent President whose ‘from the heart’ inaugural speech chartered the course of action his Government will embark on to bring Guyana back on the road to progress and prosperity. President Irfaan Ali’s masterly speech was honest and clean and is comprehensively and realistically deliverable and all those who have listened would be not be convinced otherwise. The PPP/C Government has the experience and competence to deliver on its Manifesto as highlighted by the President, and had taken Guyana in 1992 from utter bankruptcy and devastation back to prosperity, thanks to Jagan and Jagdeo.

The inauguration itself was without the ostentatious and offensive displays which had characteried that of the previous President, and is symbolic of what decency, honest and social cohesiveness should be. It tells a lot of what to expect from the President and his Government. The President promised unity,

and stated categorically that, “I promise one and all; those who supported me and those who didn’t, that I will be the President for all the people of Guyana, and I will serve each of you with affection, without discrimination, and with every attention to fairness and equity… I will not see a nation divided by ethnicity; I will see a nation cemented in unity. Every citizen is equal, and will be treated equally.” He then outlined the economic and social policies his Government will embark on.

In retrospect, in 2015, the former President Granger had promised, “to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred,” and guaranteed that he will be the President of all the people. I shall be a good President for all the people’. It is now history what he did to the Guyanese people, he made numerous Guyanese beggars, he created fear and divisiveness and his party’s Chairwoman had no qualms in declaring that, ‘ The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gun give wuk to is PNC…’ During the Coalition’s tenure in government Guyanese saw cronyism and corruption being taken to unprecedented heights and instead of ‘inclusionary democracy’ we saw democracy being ripped to shreds by Granger and his cabal. This resulted in a successful NCM in 2018. Karma is a bitch, they say. In the end the Coalition became the ‘real enemy’ to democracy and Granger’s Coalition became the horsemen of Guyana’s Apocalypse which he analogized in his 2015 inauguration speech. And instead of 2015 being the ‘Year of Democratic Renewal’ as he claimed, it was the beginning of the Guyana’s democratic upheaval. His inauguration speech was hollow and lacked content and it was more politicized than warranted. A complete contrast to President Ali’s 2020 Inauguration speech.

The Irfaan Ali’s Inauguration ceremony brought tears to

many, even to those who saw this great event unfolding in their living room. It marked the culmination of the long and hard battles fought since 2011 when the PPP/C became a minority Government and had to face the growing coalescing between the APNU and the AFC to derail the Government and made the country ungovernable, ‘scissoring’ budget after budget. But the greatest battle began when the Coalition was ousted by the No Confidence Motion in December 2018. The Inauguration of President Ali brought a finality and relief to democratic people not only locally but across the world. We exhaled at last!

It was a personal war for me which lasted from 2012 to 2020 during which I wrote several hundred letters, host several TV programs, have my life threatened and livelihood taken away, my family traumatized and suffered many personal attacks yet I persevered. I cried unashamedly with relief as I sat with my wife and watched he inauguration. I have achieved my goal. I was called a ‘rogue AFC councilor’ by Khemraj Ramjattan in 2012 and was expelled from the AFC for speaking the truth.

I recalled what I told my attackers in one of my TV programs quoting the great Mahatma Gandhi, ‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win’. Guyanese have won today, let us cherish our democracy and unite our people! With President Irfaan Ali and his Government, we can achieve greatness and dignity!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

A thirst to satiate the taste of the good life

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Dear Editor,

OMETIMES, life is attributable to luck and chance and the idea of something happening or not happening may be contingent upon fate with a certain date, referred to by some as “karma” (action).

Simply put, what you sow, so shall you reap. Don’t plant weed and expect to get rice. If you sow the seed of lemon you would not be able to reap sapodilla. The consent to dissent in March did lent an accent to augment an argument that sent an obnoxious scent, one that did prevent the then caretaker president to be present and represent, rather than lament and torment with his comment! This one time gent should relent, find the nearest convent and repent. The writing was on the wall the minute the NCM was moved in December 2018 and even the smallest child knew that 33 is greater than 32. To be further slapped in the face by the CCJ’s confirmation, this only helped to rub salt in the wound. The CCJ advised and warned that “ you are in a caretaker mood.” Precaution should have been exercised there and then for the prevention of any of today’s cure. The unhealed wound was reopened on March 02 when the PNC Party ( forget coalition) knew from their SOP’s that they had lost the election and the endless tears flowed to flood Lamaha Street. The 911 call for help was shrilled and chilled. “Noah’s Ark” came to rescue Moses with a frantic, false, frail and faint fantasy, proclaiming, “we won, let’s fool them!” Immediately, preparation should have been a commotion in motion not to omit but to permit an inevitable exit, not an enviable eventuality. But foresight is always hindsight for those with a blind sight to fight what is forever right!

Seems as if every time Guyana is on the road to recovery, “ the goat bite curse” steps in. The 28 years prior to 1992, Guyana registered a downward economic trend that saw migration at its peak and as a source of recourse from stagnation, frustration and confrontation. There was a rekindling of the old firewood from 1992 to 2014 when Guyana went through a metamorphosis of economic transformation and development that was evident as confirmed by the achievements of the nation as a whole. But that was again curtailed

in 2015 when complacency, underestimation and flagrant pronouncements contributed to a sudden halt to an upward advancement and, power hunger, selfishness and greed pervaded to contaminate and eradicate the state of prosperity. Not only were all gains exterminated, but further debts transgressed to devastate the immediate future of the nation. Fast forward to 2020, the hope of progress once again stepped on to the stage but to collide and share a platform dominated with the repercussions of a pandemic. How luckless can the optimists be! With the richness of an empty coffer, COVID or one hand and David on the other, crime teamed up with a famine to further enhance the inglorious attributes of starvation and poverty. The agitators of democracy was welcomed with open arms to relieve the burdens of the oppressors. The suppressors gladly jumped to the opportunity of taking the back seat and allowed the “die hard” fighters to do what they couldn’t do! Meanwhile, the depressors continue to suffer and have little choice but to play the waiting game.

Ole people say, “use lime and lemon juice with a touch of honey mixed with warm water, and, it does wonders for the throat.” The voice of the wrong became strong overnight.

Ole people are always right. Fanning the fire of an assumed key point is nothing more than a sore point to bark up the wrong tree! It was the Grinch who stole the last two Christmas and a new Santa will be in town to share gifts this Christmas. Guyanese are tired and fed up with lies and deceits and want to alienate themselves from the broken record that sang the same old tune. Making soundless empty threats is a voiceless and toothless lone wolf who is baseless and without a pack. The call for a presentation of the “state of the union” for 19 public utilities should not send any shrill and chill up the spine of any one’s back but a thrill to see what will spill from the pack. Who was minding the store only had self- interest but now is the time to share and care. The business of “ compare and contrast” will occupy a permanent seat in the amphitheater, playing to a packed audience for many moons to come. It will remain a haunted house on a lonely, dark street at a juncture that will stick out like a sore thumb.

The Pandora’s Box will spring the comfort of uncomfortableness that will cause ranting and roving, chaos and confusion, sending many in an early packing mood to dodge the bullet.

Patience is a waiting game and many will be advised to wisely lay their cards on the table before it becomes too late.

Guyanese woke up yesterday to the sweet sound of music , a mixture of the Congo and Tassa drums. There was no hem and haw when the new President was inaugurated and the announcement was as clear as crystal that there will be the setting aside of $4.5B to aid at the household level those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and also consideration will be given to what help can be extended to the private sector. A President that is one for all, Dr. Ali extended his hands of friendship and cooperation to chart a future together making many promises that all Guyana will hold him to and also promising to hold

accountable all perverting the electoral process. President Irfaan Ali stressed the equality of all Guyanese and that Guyanese must not be second class or third class citizens and above all, all lives matter. Sitting on the dock of the bay, the ship has finally reached shore from a long and brutal five months journey, encountering challenging weather and a rough tide. There is hope that things will not be the same but many changes are envisaged through the vision of youth. Will Guyanese at the grass root level finally quench their thirst and satiate the eventuality to get a taste of enjoying the good life?

Respectfully, Jai Lall

The developmental needs of Region 8

I

Dear Editor,

HOPE this letter finds you and the readers well. I take this time to wish our new Head of State, President M.I. Ali and his administration the best in all endeavours engaged in for the variety of benefits deserved by the Guyanese people. The purpose of this letter is to highlight some of the developmental services needed in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). To date, neither of the two Sub-Regions of the Potaro Siparuni district have either of the following: - A Lands and Survey Office - a bank - a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)office - a sport complex - a technical institute/trade school - an Adult Learner’s Education College - a library - nor a Business Registration Office.

With regards to infrastructural developments, in addition to the construction of the road which has commenced, and the need for more bridges, a bridge at Mango Landing, on the Essequibo River is also required.

As it relates to employment, it is public knowledge that neither of the two national mining companies of Guyana are truly owned by Guyana, given the balance of shares, hence the following proposal: In each of Guyana’s rich mining districts, we can and should establish national mining operations for the categories of minerals found in the districts, thereby creating employment for hundreds of miners, cooks, property protection personnel, technical support officers, drivers and operators of heavy duty machinery (who will then become public servants) interdependent upon a range of good and services provided locally and abroad. Bearing in mind that Rome wasn’t built in a day, we do not expect an immediate manifestation of the aforementioned, but President M.I. Ali and his administration, upon their visit(s) to Region #8 should hear similar sentiments mixed with others on their inaugural and every other visit to the Region, which should cement our dire need for these things.

May the Almighty bless Guyana, all of our leaders and last but not least, the people they serve, forevermore.

Regards, A young resident of the Municipality of Mahdia

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Guyanese stuck in Caribbean desperate to come home WHEN Lona Bowen left Guyana in March to visit her new baby grand-daughter in Antigua, it was supposed to be just a one-week vacation; so she left her two younger sons behind, but it has now been over five months and Bowen is stuck in Antigua, yearning to get back home to her children.

Bowen is among dozens of Guyanese in Antigua and other Eastern Caribbean islands who were caught overseas when mass airport closures across the Caribbean were effected, beginning in March, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facing a variety of hardships, the Guyanese are now desperate to get back home to their country.

Some are facing financial difficulties; many were on annual vacation leave and are worried about how their lengthy absence will affect their jobs, going forward.

“I’m just praying to get home because my children are going through a lot, every time I talk to them they cry. Even if they don’t open the airport we just want to get home,” Bowen shared.

Her sons, 10 and 11-years-old, are not Guyanese by birth and have only been living in Guyana for a year, after Bowen re-migrated back to Guyana last year. The boys are currently staying with a family member.

“It’s hard to be away from them, given they don’t even know much about Guyana.

I just want to get home, I’m trying so hard to get home,” Bowen cried, as she shared her

situation in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Also sharing her heartbreaking story is Yonette Vankenie-White, whose delay in Antigua became all the more agonising when her son was murdered in July. Vankenie-White is desperate to get home to lay her son to rest, as the funeral has been delayed pending her return.

to hold onto hope that she can return to her country soon.

“All I need is a repatriation flight so I can get home to bury my son; it’s been too long and every day is $2500 at the funeral parlour to keep his body,” she lamented.

After Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 11, airports in Guyana have been closed to interna-

nual leave in March. She had arrived in Antigua on March 16 and was scheduled to leave March 27. She has reached out and explained her situation to her employer.

“A letter was sent from the Consulate [in Antigua] to them [employer] at March month end and I continue to report to my supervisor on a regular basis to inform her of my delay,”

is grateful that he has had a kind response from his employer as well.

“They’re aware that it’s a situation b e yond m y control and they just asked me to keep safe for the time, while at the same time try and make ef- forts to re-

Vaughn Trapp was scheduled to return to work since March 30, but has been stuck in Antigua due to airport closures Lona Bowen (left) with her two sons who are in Guyana while she has been stuck in Antigua for the past five months

“I can’t even express myself right now, I am hurt, devastated, sad and confused,” she conveyed.

Vankenie-White had travelled to Antigua in March to celebrate her wedding anniversary. Her husband who lives in the UK has already returned to his country, and she continues

tional flights since midnight of March 18, blindsiding many Guyanese, some who had left just days before the airport was closed.

A staff nurse/ midwife from Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, Kim Jordan had been scheduled to turn out back to work from her an-

Jordan related.

Stuck in Montserrat is Timitra Lord, a Secretary at the University Of Guyana (UG). Lord was supposed to turn out back to work on March 30, after travelling to Montserrat since March 12.

turn,” he shared.

Though the airports in Guyana are closed, chartered repatriation flights are being allowed; however, because of the arrangements, many of the flights are expensive.

Guyana’s Honorary Consul to Antigua and Barbuda, Robert Reis, has been working assiduously to help those stranded get home, but, he says, there are challenges.

“The major problem is that

Yonette Vankenie-White (right), pictured with her late son who was murdered last month, hopes she can get back to Guyana to bury him

She is grateful that her employer understands the situation. She has been able to do some of her work virtually over the internet, and has been assured that she can return to work once she makes it back to Guyana.

Va u g h n Tr a p p , w h o works at the Supreme Court Sub-Registry in Berbice, was also supposed to have returned to work since March 30. He

having been stranded since March, most of our people have used up all their money.

People are very depressed and desperate. We are doing all we can, but unless the airports in Guyana reopen, the only option is very expensive charters,” Reis explained.

Some of the one-way flights cost as much as US$900. Though the Guyanese are willing to pay for

their flight, many say they are unable to afford to pay so much.

“I’m here since December and I got six months. So I got a ticket to return on March 20, then the airport closed and now my time is up, but I’m out of funds. I’m just feeling down because it’s nine months since I’m here,” shared Tomeca Shepherd.

Aside from the cost of the flights, if permission to return is secured, the Guyanese will also have to pay for a COVID-19 test. In Antigua the test is US$115, and once taken the test is valid for only seven days.

Reis said there are approximately 40 Guyanese stuck in Antigua, while there are others in nearby islands and a number of options are being explored.

“I have been working on three flights. The first one was a link-up with Guyanese in St Maarten to combine the numbers to make it economically viable and affordable.

Then I heard of a charter from Tortola, BVI, to Guyana and I contacted the company. They offered 15 seats, and it was expensive, but I was able to find 15 Guyanese here. The third option is being examined

by Foreign Affairs with Caribbean Airlines to serve Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Maarten,” Reis explained.

Since the closure there have been a number of dates that were considered for reopening of the airports in Guyana; however, as COVID-19 cases in the country grew, the date was continuously postponed.

Last month it was announced that August 1 would be looked at as a possible date for the reopening; however, the country has since changed governments and the new government is currently assessing the situation to develop their plans, going forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Retired probation officer turns entrepreneur ... aims to restore confidence in local market

AS he watched his cattle graze for several hours in the backlands of Lightown Village, East Bank Berbice, in 1982, Mitford Ward recognised that the time spent restricted the amount of work he could have done to gain an income . Subsequently, he resorted to farming, producing corn and plantain, thereafter adding value to the raw agricultural material through product transformation:postharvest grading, sorting, washing, packaging, storage and distribution.

“Back then, the economy was not doing too well. I had worked at Transport and Harbours Department, but left.

Salaries could not afford you a reasonable standard of living, so I resorted to farming.

Watching the cows robbed me

of working time and income.

I thought of something I can do in the evening. I thought of milling, as the term ‘agro processing’ was not known back then”.

Ward, fondly referred to as ‘Wardy’, started on a small scale, milling corn and plantain flour, and, with support from other farmers , the businesses thrived, moreso, during the PL480 arrangements, when Guyanese had to revert to local flours, due to restriction on the wheat products.

After the death of Guyana’s first Executive President, Forbes Burnham, in 1985, President Desmond Hoyte, on ascending to office, lifted the restriction on wheatened flour. As a result, the local market almost came to a halt.

The varying labels for products on display.

However, prior to the decline in business back then, Ward saw the need of having his first mill, after viewing one in the showroom of the once popular Guyana Stores.

“I visited the store, just to observe the mill. It was expensive. I just could not afford it. I decided to have it fabricated. I sketched the mill at the now defunct ‘ Barry’ workshop. The fabricator named Thomo looked at the sketch and said, “if it don’t work, don’t blame me” .... After its completion, my mother’s land tiller gasolene engine was added . Several trial runs lead to the successful milling of the agricultural products.... The business got bigger than anticipated. Back then persons would travel by Tata buses, from across the country bringing with them bags of corn which I would mill, thereby supplementing my income.”.

It was after wheatened flour was allowed back into our country in 1985, that the business got slow. As a result, Ward moved his mill from Lightown, East Bank Berbice, to the now defunct Bristol’s bakery at Pitt Street, in New Amsterdam. At the new location, he continued the processing on a smaller scale until 1993. For the next nine years, he shifted his means of income, and became a hire car driver, even while attending classes at the University of Guyana. In 2013, after working with the Probation and Social Services, Warde retired as a Probation Officer.

However, his retirement was not for relaxation, as he returned to agro processing, with a wider knowledge, exposure and ideas.

“I am at my own home now at Lot 1354 Glasgow Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, and I am able to produce a variety of flours, inclusive of barley, split peas, channa, eddo, cassava, rice, sweet potato and moringa powder. I have dryers. I have set up the business according to Food and Drug requirements.’

But, although the business has its gains, like any venture, there are challenges, especially when drying products during a rainy season.

However, with a subsequent implemented method, products can now be dried within two to three days.

“As an agro processor, having equipment such as dryers at a reasonable cost will assist in boosting one’s business. We need duty free, loans and grants to be more accessible to all.”

“Another challenge is labelling and packaging . Plastic factories are not catering for small businesses. The minimum printing is 30,000. There must be a plate (mould) for each product which is bordered overseas. ...The final cost catapults into millions. ...The small man has to revert to paper.’”

Other challenges include the accessibility of raw materials. In Guyana, the supply fluctuates. When there is a glut, the cost is cheap, but, when it’s scarce, its expen-

Mr Mitford Ward prepares to take his products to supermarkets and shops in Berbice. sive. There is a stiff competition with the cornmeal coming from Barbados and Canada, and their prices are consistent because of storage facilities.

“Brazil is a leading producer of corn . It’s cheaper, less than half the price our farmers are asking, but, our cornmeal is richer, as farmers often-times would plant on virgin lands, void of fertilizers.

For us in Guyana, there is a storage problem. If corn is not stored properly, it becomes infested with weevil. It will not taste good nor would it be hygienic. “However, I have overcome that challenge, by storing in plastic barrels and sealing with sponge.

Also, I have a 450 gallon silo bin for storage.

Prior to storage, the various products which are bought

from farmers countrywide, are washed and heated in an oven so as to kill any organisms or eggs, as infestations can affect quality of product” “My desire is to provide wholesome food, as I recognise that the segment of the population which uses most of these products are children and babies whose immune system is now developing.

So, I focus on the products being prepared in a hygienic manner.”

That aside, Mr Ward envisage a future of expansion, where high protrin porridge mix, along with Dandelion teas, among others, will be added to his wide range of products which can be found in local supernarkets around Demerara, inclusive of Linden, and the Guyana Shop at Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown.

Guyana records 14 new COVID-19 cases –– four now in ICU

GUYANA’s COVID-19 cases have increased to 568 as of Sunday, with the addition of 14 new cases. Meanwhile, another patient has been added to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) thereby increasing the number of ICU patients to four, according to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health last Sunday.

The number of active cases has now increased to 357, while the number of persons in institutional quarantine has

increased to 47, up from 38 the previous day. The active COVID-19 cases are in institutional isolation.

The number of recovered cases remain at 189, while the number of deaths remain at 22.

Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo; Potaro-Siparuni Region Eight), Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) and Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) continue to account for the new COVID-19 cases, and were the only regions to report new cases.

Chief Medical Officer Shamdeo Persaud, last Friday, noted that hinterland regions in Guyana continue to feel “the brunt of the viral presence”, and pleaded with all to take safety measures seriously and dispel myths about the virus.

Of the 35 new cases of COVID-19 that were recorded from August 3 – 5, only eight per cent were from the capital city, Georgetown, while Region Seven accounted for 48 percent of that number; Region Nine accounted for 33 percent

and Region Eight six per cent.

The positive cases accounted for approximately 21 per cent of the 164 persons that were tested across that period.

“Heightened efforts to control the spread of the disease must be a priority,” Persaud said, while delivering the daily update via video posted on the MoPH website last Friday.

He added that: “I urge you to listen attentively to the health authority and follow the guidelines. They are trained to protect you not put you at risk.

Let us all educate ourselves and dispel myths. Wearing a mask helps to prevent the dis-

ease. Let us spread the correct message even in the remote communities and support all our health departments. This will certainly save lives.”

With the country having recently celebrated Breastfeeding Week, Persaud took the opportunity to call on mothers of newborns and young babies to take particular caution in ensuring their adhere to safety measures to protect the babies as much as possible from the being infected with the virus.

“During the period of the COVID-19 all mothers must make the adjustment and take precautions to protect them-

selves. Wipe surfaces, handwashing too is important and must be prioritised. Wearing mask in public domain should be adhered to. You are coming home to baby who you want to protect,” Persaud noted.

Persaud also called on repatriated of nationals not to disregard the guidelines that they agreed to prior to returning home to Guyana you agreed to before you returned; he also applauded the work of frontline medical officials who have been conducting contact tracing as well as those functioning in the COVID-19 testing labs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Is your child seven years old or under?

THE Greek philosopher Aristotle once said “Give me a child until he is seven and I will show you the man.”

This quote means that a child’s character is formed between birth and the age of seven.

If you have a young daughter or son, you should ask yourself, ‘What kind of person would I like my child to become?’ and then work towards this notion.

Children do not develop good morals, manners and values by chance; they are instilled in them along the way by their parents and other family members who take the time to teach positive virtues.

The relationship you have with your child is one of the most important influences in his/ her learning and development. Although it might not be apparent, your child depends on you to teach him skills and behaviours that will help him navigate life and his way in the world, positively.

Parents do not set out to raise a thief nor a criminal, and which parent would like to know that their cute son grows up to be a wife-beater, or their daughter the victim of domestic violence? Children learn good and bad traits from the people around them and the environment in which they are raised.

Whether they come from a wealthy, middle-class or poor background, children can still learn and grow in the right way as long as

they have a healthy, loving and secure environment. Where they do not have to be afraid to ask questions or express themselves around parent/carers who love and respect them.

If adults are fair, level-headed, and hard-working, they are good role models for children. If they are quarrelsome, problematic misfits who always have negative things to say and negative experiences to share, this will be the child’s outlook on the world and life in general.

Children have little say over the environments they are born into; they are reliant on the grown-ups around them to provide the best homes in which they can strive and develop holistically. Once parents understand the needs of children, they cannot sit back on their laurels in the hope that raising children will just fall into place. Parenting is a work in progress and the first seven years are the most contributing factors to the adult the child will become.

If you want to give your offspring the best start in life and be proud of the person they become, you must work towards the intended goal and not be distracted or side-tracked from the bigger picture; their future is your responsibility.

There are many attributes that parents, grown-ups, and carers impart to children during their formative years (and beyond);

some of which they are aware and others to which they are oblivious. Children, however, are as absorbent as sponges during this time, they are learning from adults and older siblings every day. They can learn to master the art of deception and tell a lie without a pang of guilt. They can also learn how to manipulate people and situations to their advantage.

Although these are not qualities to be encouraged, they are characteristics of mankind.

Therefore, children need to be monitored and reprimanded appropriately so that negative behaviours do not get out of hand. Parents need to cultivate and encourage the positive qualities in children and create incentives for children to strive towards goals.

Here are two more things that parents can do to support their child in their formative years and beyond. If your relationship with your wife, husband or boyfriend falls apart, do not involve your child or children in the aftermath. Regardless of how much of a broken heart, you may be nursing or the resentment you might feel towards the other person, LEAVE CHILDREN out of the mess to the best of your ability.

Keep up good relations with your child’s other parent, let the child see the two of you talking amicably and sensibly. So he/she will feel the love that both parents can give, even if apart. You need to love your child more

than you dislike your ex. to do this. DO NOT put the child in a position where he/she needs to choose between parents and never say derogatory things about the other parent to the child or for the child to hear. DO NOT cuss, swear, shout or fight with your ex in front of the child. That type of negative behaviour can hurt a child, and even if you cover it with ice cream and gifts, the damage would still exist.

Lastly, you must empower your child.

Empowering children builds their confidence and helps them to grow into resilient, welladjusted, respectful teenagers and adults.

You can do this by listening to your child and allowing him to express his thoughts and opinions. Where and when necessary, give your child a choice, do not choose or judge for him/her. Teach your child about body safety and how to get out of tricky situations.

Allow your child to take sensible, reasonable, calculated risks.

Be supportive and encourage your child to follow his/her interests and always use your words towards your child, thoughtfully and wisely.

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 SOCIAL PROTECTION

Private Sector to be more involved

By Lisa Hamilton GUYANESE can look forward to a greater involvement of the Private Sector under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration which will help to boost the development of Guyana and broaden areas of international cooperation.

This promise of the PPP/C Government is already being fulfilled with talks commencing with the business community, just two days after President Irfaan Ali took the Oath of Office on August 2, 2020.

The President and Transition Team met with scores from the sector where areas of mutual interest were discussed. Then, on August 8, at his inauguration at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), President Ali said that his government looks forward to fostering a collaborative and consultative relationship with the private sector which was also active in the fight for democracy during the elections.

“The private sector showed, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that it cares about the political and social stability of our country and its prospects for economic prosperity. My Government will work in partnership with the private sector to make Guyana a center for economic activity that will radiate throughout this hemisphere and beyond,” he said.

When the COVID-19 pandemic made its way to Guyana in March, 2020, it placed many working within the private sector out of jobs, crippled some establishments that were forced to close their doors and ran many other

doing business. Guyana was ranked 134 in World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 Report out of 190 countries which is not favourable.

President Ali said that the Single-Window Clearance System will make it easier for local and foreign investors to start-up and establish businesses in the economy which is forecast to grow by 52.8 per cent this year.

Immediately after his inauguration, discussions commenced with new President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi for areas of collaboration with the Guyanese government, along with the private sector, marking another avenue for involvement for the business community.

The meeting was held at State House on Sunday, August 9, and saw scores of representatives from the business community.

In a brief address to the gathering, President Ali iterated: “One of the priorities of President Irfaan Ali introduces President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President Santokhi is not only to have a to members of the business community in Guyana, at State House, on Sunday strengthened relationship at the government level but also to have strengthened relationbusinesses into debt. ernment intends to address these needs swiftly ship at the private sector level.”

Due to the prolonged elections from to see the Guyanese populace back on its feet.

Plans are now being set in motion for the March 2 to August 2 which prevented the “We have already started to examine, establishment of a joint Private Sector Compassage of a 2020 Budget, Guyanese were from a fiscal perspective, the extent of support mission between the neighbouring countries made aware that governmental support in the we can give to the private sector to stimulate a for joint ventures in areas of common interest. form of stimulus packages would be stalled. resumption of their economic activities, espe- As such, at the event, President Ali urged While hampers were distributed by the Civil cially putting back to work people who have the local private sector to make use of the Defence Commission (CDC), the private been dislodged because of the COVID-19 valuable time of President Santokhi in putting sector and civil society, many Guyanese still pandemic,” he said. forward their ideas. decried a lack of sufficient support.

Immediate focus is being placed on the It is expected that many more such President Ali said, on Saturday, that, with establishment of a Single-Window Clearance engagements will be had with the strategic the help of the business community, his gov- System to reduce bureaucracy and the cost of international partners of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Gov’t, Opposition holdone head on Guyana/Venezuela case … Greenidge remains on the team

By Lisa Hamilton

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, said, on Sunday, that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will continue to work with the APNU+AFC Opposition in the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy as the matter supersedes political disagreements.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on the sidelines of an event at State House, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that Guyanese can look forward to still seeing the representation of the country’s Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge, along with members of the new government.

Greenidge is the Agent of Guyana in the case before

the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a photograph in June 2020, lauded by many, current Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, and the Foreign Secretary were seen virtually participating in the public hearing on the question of the Court’s jurisdiction in the case.

Minster Todd said that the interest in Guyana’s territorial sovereignty is shared by both the Government and Opposition which are committed to working towards resolving the issue created by the neighbouring country. He said that Greenidge had already briefed him on his role and the achievements thus far, efforts which the government is pleased with.

While some have la-

belled the government as having ill-intention to make agreements with Venezuela that could compromise Guyana’s territory, Todd said that such opinions are false and destructive.

“That’s a wild rumour.

I don’t think that anyone will take a comment that the PPP/C wants to give away Guyana seriously,” he said. “We have a very competent team and we’re optimistic that we’ll have a solution that is consistent with international law and practice and we’re awaiting a decision. I believe we’re in a good position. We’ve always held that that matter was already resolved.”

Furthermore, in his address on August 8, at his inauguration ceremony, President Irfaan Ali said that it was the PPP/C Government

Representative of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Gail Teixeira; Foreign Secretary and Agent of Guyana in the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Carl B. Greenidge, viewing the hearing at the ICJ.

President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, during the swearing-in of Ministers on August 5, 2020. that ended the interminable ‘good offices’ dialogue with Venezuela in 2014 because it had become, for Venezuela, a strategy of prolonging contention rather than of seeking solution.

Then, in his first year in office in 2015, former President Granger sought meetings with former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki-moon and, subsequently, current Secretary-General, António Guterres, to bring a favourable closure to the territorial issue. The former President was pleased that Guterres decided to refer the matter to the ICJ for a final ruling.

At his inauguration ceremony on Saturday, President Ali said: “…the PPP/C gave full support to the former administration when, as initiated by us, they submitted the Venezuela con-

tention to the International Court of Justice. In doing so, as a united people, Guyanese went to the top of the mountain of peace. We shall not descend. The sovereignty of our State, the integrity of our territory - of both land and sea – is a sacred trust.”

On June 30, Guyana, in its virtual presentation in the Arbitral Award of October 1899 (Guyana v. Venezuela) case said that, not only is Venezuela’s current interpretation of the Geneva Agreement illogical and erroneous, but it is in stark contrast to the interpretation the Spanish-speaking country had when it signed the very agreement in February, 1966.

Represented by a battery of international lawyers, Guyana said that the Agreement, in unambigu-

ous terms, empowered the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General to determine an appropriate dispute resolution mechanism to enable a peaceful settlement, which is the ICJ. Distinguished Guyanese Diplomat and Co-Agent, Sir Shridath Ramphal, in leading the arguments before the ICJ said the case was of significant importance to the people of Guyana, who are united in defence of their sovereignty and territorial integrity of their homeland.

Guyana is seeking to obtain a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela.

Gov’t to set up petroleum commission

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali said on Saturday that his government has plans to set up a petroleum commission to insulate the oil-and-gas sector from political interference.

He made the announcement during his keynote address at his inauguration ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

The President said that Guyanese must not be fearful or doubtful about how their natural resources will be managed and his government will put the necessary oversight bodies in place to ensure transparency.

“Our legislative agenda will create a regulatory framework to enhance sustainable productivity, but with a human face and in an environmentally friendly atmosphere. We will also establish a petroleum

commission to ensure that the oil-and-gas sector is not subjected to undue political interference. More importantly, we will ensure that every cent of the revenues from the sector is accounted for, as well as every cent of it that is spent. There must be no doubt in the minds of our people that our country, our nation, our people are the beneficiaries of the oil-andgas industry,” he assured citizens.

In 2017, former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman tabled the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill 2017 during the 64th sitting of the 11th Parliament.

The Bill, which is the legislative architecture for the Petroleum Commission of Guyana, was to be taken to a Special Select Committee at a later sitting of

the National Assembly after its second reading. However, to date, it has not yet been passed.

The passage of the Bill should have seen the creation of the Petroleum Commission of Guyana, which would have overseen and managed Guyana’s fledgling oil-and-gas industry.

It would have had the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring compliance with the policies, laws and agreements for petroleum operations, as well as for ensuring compliance with health, safety and environmental standards and local-content participation.

New Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, told the media that he has plans to table the bill once again as a priority, once his government gets back

to Parliament.

President Ali has also stated: “This huge projected growth is a bounty of our considerable oil-and-gas finds that promise recoverable petroleum resources estimated at more than eight billion barrels.

We are conscious that the proceeds of this bounty must be managed in a transparent way that will assure the people of Guyana that they will be the beneficiaries in a fair and equitable manner.”

As a result, he has pledged that his government will also establish legal and regulatory foundations for the building of a new and modern economy, which will strike a vital balance between Guyana’s traditional sectors and its emerging industries of oil and gas, technology and communications.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Livestock and crop development active in Rupununi administered to reduce the number of times agriculture workers must travel to the remote areas.

On a weekly basis, workers of the GLDA visit about 45 farmers in villages stretched across the five sub-districts of Deep South Rupununi, South Central Rupununi, Central Rupununi, North Rupununi and South Pakaraimas.

Meanwhile, the GLDA, upon the request of farmers, also conducts castrations and minor surgeries in cases of dystocia --- challenges related to an abnormal or difficult birth.

A staff of GLDA deworms

THE BLACK GIANT CHICKEN One opportunity that farmers in the Region are actively making use of is the Black Giant Chicken. It is a large dual-purpose bird, which has the ability to produce up to 200 eggs annually and about 4.5 kilograms of meat.

GLDA staff, Carlos Rahaman, (first left) restrains cattle for vaccination, with the help of villagers

By Lisa Hamilton THOUGH Region Nine has its geographical challenges, workers of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) are withstanding even the odds of COVID-19 to bring crop and livestock support to Guyanese.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Agriculture Programme Coordinator of Region Nine and Regional Coordinator of the GLDA, Dr. Darren Halley, detailed the challenges faced by the two agencies as well as their efforts to ensure the productivity.

WITHSTANDING CHALLENGES He said that, under the constraints of COVID-19, workers of the GLDA and NAREI have had to adhere to reduced contact with villagers. They are working based on rotation and observe physical distancing while at work, whether internally or out on visitation.

Due to the construction of gates at many indigenous villages, for the monitoring of entry, visits by the agencies must be scheduled a week in advance while emergency cases are catered for, as they arise, with the help of Village Toshaos.

However, agriculture workers must also grapple with a number of transportation challenges, regularly, when it comes to providing services to the Region. They include challenges in reaching far-flung villages due to bad weather and poor road conditions. On many occasions, workers also have to prepare themselves to travel the long distance to farms even after arriving at the residence of the villager in need.

Dr. Halley noted that workers need to be agile on their feet in order to restrain wild livestock for inspection or medication.

Through the government, the GLDA is the only agency providing these services to the Region, but groups working privately, such as the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA), sometimes assist.

DISEASE, PESTS AND PARASITES When it comes to assisting livestock farmers with disease or parasite control, Dr. Halley said that the GLDA relies on a vaccination schedule. The animals are inspected and vaccinated for rabies, blackleg and botulism. The latter two are common in the rainy season and can lead to high mortality rates.

Livestock are also inspected and treated for internal and external parasites. The animals are vaccinated for common parasites like worms and the necessary vitamins are simultaneously

ACTIVE KITCHEN GARDENING In the area of crop management, it was noted that, on a weekly basis, approximately 100 visits are conducted by workers of NAREI. There are presently 7 extension staff in the Region and one each is assigned to Central Rupununi, Karasabai Sub District, Aishalton Sub District, Annai Sub District, Sand Creek Sub District and Shulinab.

What workers of NAREI have noticed is that farmers throughout the Region are being affected by a wide variety of insect pest and diseases and are finding it difficult to control these because of the unavailability of different insecticides.

The most common insecticide available to farmers is Fastac, but, with constant use, some insects are becoming resistant to the chemical. As such, farmers have been advised

A GLDA worker, along with a resident of the Rupununi, and her Black Giant Chickens

These birds have the ability to graze, forage and eat leftovers from the kitchen while still producing reasonably well.

Given these qualities, the government decided, back in 2017, that the bird is well-suited to hinterland regions.

It was in that year that the GLDA launched the Hinterland Development Black Giant Poultry Programme, commencing with the handing over of 100 Black Giant chickens along with the requisite start-up feed and other supplies to Mahdia Secondary School in Region 8.

Dr. Halley reported that, in Region 9, the programme is performing exceptionally as many farmers are interested in purchasing the birds and are benefitting. They are present in all five sub-districts of the Region.

When representatives of the GLDA visit residents who own the birds, they check for progress such as weight gain, the number of eggs laid, the hatchability of eggs laid and the type of feed being used.

to try home remedies to control aphids which are commonly found in kitchen gardens.

Farmers have also been advised to keep their gardens free from weed and to properly dispose of infected plant parts.

Dr. Halley said that a number of residents in the Region are also growing their own kitchen gardens and have participated in the Agriculture Ministry’s Kitchen Garden competition.

With the emergency of COVID-19, farmers have the ability to spend more time grooming their kitchen garden from home. They are also spending time processing cassava roots into farine and making other edible byproducts.

Much emphasis is being placed on new farming techniques and farmers are being encouraged by NAREI to transform their method of farming from a subsistence level to a commercial level.

The kitchen garden of Panchan Singh, the first-place winner of the Kitchen Garden competition in Region 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

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‘I will not sit in the office and send instructions’ ―‘Agri’ Minister reassures residents of flood-hit Corentyne

Minister Mustapha and team make their way to assess the drainage issue in Number 53 Village

By Nafeeza Yahya “I WILL not only sit in the office and send instructions, as a minister I plan to visit all areas that are affected.

We are trying to deliver from the manifesto and as the President reiterated yesterday, that the PPP will be a government for all the people, for every Guyanese,” were the words of newly appointed Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha as he addressed residents and the media in his firstfield visit.

The minister along with a high-level delegation, including Ministerof Local Government Nigel Dharmanlall; Chief Executive Officer,NationalDrainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Fredrick Flatts and other senior officialsof the NDIA; Deputy CEO, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Dr.DwightWalrond; Region Six Chairman David Armogan and other regional officialsvisited the flood-affected communities of #53/Union, #57 and # 58villages in East Berbice-Corentyne on Sunday. The objective of the visit was to assess the damageand find solutions that can bring immediate relief; it is also intended to devise a long-term solution to prevent a recurrence of the flash floods that have left millions of dollars in damage.

As part of the immediate solution, the minister explained that he hasalready deployed three excavators to the area between Saturday and Sunday, and also requested that another one join the three on Monday to clear the canals.

“This is the largest NDC in the country and it seems that a lot of canals need to be cleaned; residents are complaining that the RDC, NDC,NDIA have not been clean-

ing these canals for years.

What I understood from the NDC [is that] they have been requesting the machines, the excavator and the NDIA machines, but they have not been getting the machines coming to the area. When I heard of it I instructed that our engineer come to the areas and immediately two machines were dispatched to the area.”

He continued that while there are several agencies with similar responsibilities, they have not been working together and this has been counter-productive which he intends to fix by having a committee with representatives from each. To this end, a committee will be formed as early as Monday.

“I have also asked that the NDIA,RDC,NDC and Water Users [Associations] form a committee to look at sluice operators and the operators operating these machines, so that we can have a collaborative effort with these working entities. It seems there was a breakdown in communication with these bodies; I will set up back these bodies in all these areas so that they can work cohesively.”

Mustapha, who hails from Bloomfield on the Corentyne, is a former Regional Chairman for Region Six and has a wealth of knowledge in the operations and layouts of the various canals, sluices and pump stations within the region. This gives him a unique advantage over his predecessors.

During the visit he used the opportunity to check on the outfalls at Adventure, Eversham, #43 and #52 villages. The outfalls he noted are critical to drainage in the East Berbice region and he wanted a first-hand look to put measures in place, so that a similar situation is not repeated.

While meeting with the

residents he listened to their concerns and has asked that his team assess the claims made by the residents and farmers, so that he can make a decision on how his ministry can assist.

While addressing the Latiffs who suffered millions of dollars in damage after thousands of chickens perished in the floodwaters, the minister said, “We have to get the report first and we will try to see what we can help with; we will be also speaking with the CDC, but I am optimistic that we will be able to give them some help, but I want to see that report first and will then make the final decision.”

Cash-crop farmers,poultry farmers,rice farmers and residents were affected after floodwaters in the wee hours of Saturday invaded their respective quarters, thereby causing severe damage.

Meanwhile, residents of Number 53/Union who aired their concerns about poor drainage were assured that immediate action will be taken.

The residents invited the minister and his team to witness firsthand the impact of the flooding. As a result, a machine will be deployed to begin clearing the canals.

“Within the 52/74 NDC there will be four machines that will be working to alleviate the flooding. That will be able to clear the interlocking drains and major canals, so that you will be able to get effective drainage, so you won’t have a recurrence of this problem,” Mustapha said.

A resident of Number 53 Village, Ingrid Harvey, 63, said she is thankful for the first-hand approach and the visit to the communit, while noting that while many are affected it is important that everyone works together to bring relief and assistance to the communities.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha; Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Livestock Development Authority, Dr.Dwight Walrond and other officials speak with poultry farmer Bibi Shaheeda Latif

The minister and his team listen as residents air their concerns

An inundated yard

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Iwokrama NRDDB team up to fight COVID-19 in celebration of World Indigenous People’s Day ―honour several Indigenous Leaders

IN celebration of World Indigenous People’s Day, 2020, Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) recognised a few phenomenal stalwarts in the Amerindian community, who have been resilient in their work for development and the fight to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Like many countries, several of Guyana’s indigenous communities have been hit by the pandemic and many have since been putting systems in place to deal with the rapid spread of the virus. Cognizant of such, this year’s theme is “COVID-19 and Indigenous People’s Resilience” which focuses on traditional knowledge and practices to deal with such health pandemics.

Since 1996, Iwokrama and the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), which comprises leaders of the indigenous communities (currently 20), are linked to the one million acre Iwokrama Forest. The organisations have cemented a firm relationship via a collaborative management agreement which ensures that the communities have a say in how the Iwokrama Protected Areas are managed.

The two organisations have been working together to support as many communities as possible during the outbreak of the virus in the hinterland regions. The organisations have managed to provide information, face masks, sanitation supplies etc. through the kind contributions of the Rotary Club and ExxonMobil.

Current Chair of NRDDB and Toshao of Surama Village, Jacqueline Allicock, shared that the key to a successful containment of the virus includes communities to buy in and support the organisations, education awareness on a house-to-house basis and also honesty and personal responsibility.

Since March, Surama has put systems in place to deal with the pandemic and has also worked with the Ministry of Public Health for advice in installing a community Task Force and

Community Policing Group.

Surama Village is a top destination for community tourism and this business has been hard hit. However, Ms. Allicock feels that the relevant authorities must ensure that Guyana is safe before the decision to open up the country’s borders for tourism purposes.

From an NRDDB perspective, Allicock noted that she would like to see stronger support for strategic checkpoints set up and active in Lethem and along the road by Toka Village, Annai and Kurupukari (in Iwokrama).

She added that the NRDDB remains concerned about the porous borders, and, like Iwokrama, feels that, if this is not controlled, it will continue to give access to this disease coming into the region. Nevertheless, she stated that Surama Village’s strict protocols allow it to remain COVID-19 free.

Meanwhile, former Toshao of Annai and former Chair of NRDDB, Michael Williams, who is a radio announcer on Radio Paiwokak noted that the celebration of World Indigenous day this year sees a special representation of the use of a number of indigenous languages as a means of communication to spread the word of COVID-19 guidelines.

Information is provided in Makushi, Patamona, Arecuna, Wapichan languages on Guyana’s first community radio station Radio Paiwomak, located in Annai.

Iwokrama’s Assistant Operations Manager, Bradford Allicock, who is also the former Toshao of Fair View Village, noted that many of the villagers have been making use of their naturally-grown medicines to strengthen their immune systems including a concoction of broad thyme leaf, lemon grass, lime and ginger. He added that there is also a native

plant used to deal with ‘mucous build up’.

He noted that, since the outbreak of the virus in the hinterland regions, the village has established a Task Force and Policing Group. The entrance gate of the village is also being monitored by community persons and the Community Health Worker, which makes him proud to say that, to date, Fair View has recorded no cases of COVID-19.

Meanwhile in Toka Village, Iwokrama’s Operations Manager (Forestry) and former Toshao, Michael DeMendonca, indicated that the e-governance wifi set up in the village has been helpful in updating and informing villagers about the virus.

He noted that Toka Village also established a Task Force and implemented, at one point, a 14-day lockdown for the entire village, when it was realised that there might have been access by persons coming from border areas. A quarantine system was also put in place.

DeMendonca said, “What is crucial now is how do we move on from here as it is going into six months dealing with this situation. This pandemic has also impacted our economic ability as one of our key 2020 projects will have to be put on hold and that is the launching of our Toka Eco-Tourism business.”

In sharing a recommendation, he noted that an outreach exercise with key stakeholders and Government is needed to plan the way forward.

Nevertheless, he noted that, despite the challenges and the growing number of cases, Toka Village remains COVID-19 free.

International Day of World Indigenous Peoples is held on August 9 annually. It gives the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our indigenous peoples globally. Comprising six percent of the world’s global population and spaces that occupy a major share of the world’s global biodiversity, Indigenous peoples’ contributions have been immense, especially in areas of conservation, natural resource use, traditional knowledge innovations, local medicines and architecture, rich cultural heritage to name a few.

Former Toshao of Annai and Former Chair of NRDDB, Michael Williams, on Radio Paiwomak

Iwokrama’s Operations Manager (Forestry) and former Toshao, Michael DeMendonca, on Radio Paiwomak

Iwokrama’s Assistant Operations Manager, Bradford Allicock, with Director of Iwokrama, Dr Raquel Thomas

Jacqueline Allicock during an interview, in Surama, before the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

We will ‘raise up’ the sugar industry and its workers –– says President Ali as he reassures the country of the re-opening of sugar estates “THE people of this country must not be second- and third-class citizens in their own land,” were the words of Guyana’s ninth executive President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, as he addressed the population during his inauguration ceremony on Saturday.

The statement which he made related to the re-assurance that the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government is dedicated

Guyana’s ninth Executive President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali to the reformation and re-opening of the sugar estates that were closed under the previous government.

“On this point, the workers of this country – the bedrock of our nation – have been made to suffer untold hardship. Once proud men who worked in the sugar industry from sunup to sundown, never complaining about the back-breaking nature of their jobs, are today barely scratching a living,” President Ali said.

He stated that the rash decision by the previous administration has placed an anguish on almost 7,500 workers to earn a decent wage as well as feed their families, plunging many households into a finical depression. Such the President noted was not the reflection of the Guyana he grew up in and it will not be the future he wishes to see for his country.

“The sugar industry has virtually been abandoned in the past five years, and the workers have been deserted,” the President said.

He added that no attempts were made to seek a new path by which aspects of the industry could be salvaged for the production of profitable sugar-based niche products, that would maintain jobs, and by doing so maintain the dignity of labour. The assets of GuySuCo seem to have been stripped by the National Industrial & Commercial Investments limited (NICIL).

Nevertheless, President Ali noted his government will fulfill its promises and will do everything in its power to restore what he described as ‘deeply distressing’ of what is

left of the sugar industry.

“While we are still putting together the torn fragments …we intend to raise up the industry and to help it, and its workers, to resume the once proud place in our economy,” he said.

Sadly, the President noted that the sugar estate is not the only sector in Guyana’s economy which suffered from the poor policies of the previous administration to which the workers bore the brunt of its incompetence, inefficiency and irresponsibility.

Such Ali said, will see the PPP/C government demolishing the polices of the previous government to ensure that the people and workers of Guyana are first priority.

“My Government will dismantle the policies of the previous administration that created an environment completely unfavorable to workers. The people of this country must not be second- and third-class citizens in their own land,” said President Ali. He added that, “The rights of workers across the country and entitlements must be protected, or the struggle of our great labour leaders Jung Bahadur Singh, J.A. Nicholson, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and Ashton Chase would have been in vain.”

With the introduction of the new Ministry of Labour, President Ali stated that the entity will be tasked with the undertaking of creating nobility in work, of rewarding labour with adequate wages, and of respecting the rights of workers in every sector, every industry, and every business.

“We intend to give workers the place of pride they deserve and the rewards that they merit. This land is our land – every Guyanese has a right to live in it, work in it and thrive in it,” Ali said.

It was in January of last year that Ali had first made a public pledge to reopen the estates, during the days of his campaign leading up the March 2020 elections. He had stated that the PPP/C government intended to bring back the lost jobs of the workers who had suffered a gravely due to the closer of the estates.

Following Ali’s revelation and position on the sugar industry, the then Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had criticised Ali’s position and stated that it was only a ploy to toy with the emotions of voters in the sugar belt.

Ramjattan, in sections of the media, had said that the PPP/C government was not being honest with the people of Guyana and that the sugar industry was a huge financial burden to the state and could not be sustained due to the poor management.

Nevertheless, President Ali who was still on the campaign trail at the time stated that the PPP/C’s decision to reopen the sugar estate was not a political one but rather a human interest one to restore the lives of the sugar workers.

It was then he vowed that he and his government will do everything in their power to resurrect the sugar industry and estates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Green fined for breaking antitampering rule

Devin Booker (left) scored 113 points in four games against Golden State this season

(BBC) - Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been fined $50,000 (£38,300) by the NBA under anti-tampering rules for remarks about Phoenix Suns guard, Devin Booker.

During an appearance as an analyst on TNT on Friday, Green, 30, suggested Booker should leave Phoenix.

NBA rules prevent teams or players attempting to persuade other players to leave their contracted team.

“It’s not good for him, it’s not good for his career,” said Green of Booker.

“They gotta get Book out of Phoenix. I need my man to go somewhere where he can play great basketball all the time and win, because he’s that type of player.”

When asked by TNT

host Ernie Johnson if his comments were tampering, Green said: “Maybe.”

At the start of the season the NBA said it would more strictly enforce its anti-tampering rules.

The Suns have won all five of their games since the NBA season restarted in Orlando in July and are now 10th in the Western Conference.

They are two games behind the Memphis Grizzlies in the eighth and final play-

off spot, with three games left to play.

Booker, 23, is Phoenix’s highest scorer with 26.4 points per game this season and is under contract there until the end of the 2023-24 season after signing a fiveyear extension in 2018.

The Warriors, who have won three of the past five NBA titles, were already eliminated from play-off contention before the restart after an injury-hit season.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz (1) Barbados Tridents Ben Stokes-363 runs (2) Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight

Riders

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many games are slated to be played in

CPL 2020?

(2When and where is the final game of CPL 2020

scheduled to be played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

IKO congratulates H.E Alli on becoming ninth executive President

THE International Karate-Do Organisation Academy of Guyana (IKO) has congratulated His Excellency, Irfaan Alli, on becoming Guyana’s Ninth executive President.

In a release, the body, through its chairman, Shihan Jeffrey Wong, said, “Please permit me this opportunity to congratulate you on your recent swearing in as the Ninth Executive President of the Coop-

erative Republic and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its electoral triumph.”

“We wish you every success in your mandate. We are confident in your astute leadership to lead all the

people of Guyana to progress and prosperity.”

“Esteemed Excellency, the IKD Academy of Guyana stands ready to support you and your government, as we firmly believe

that sport has a huge role to play when it comes to nation-building, as it helps in elevating the qualities of discipline, determination, teamwork and a passion for fitness in the psyche of a nation.”

Verstappen dominant as Mercedes crumble (BBC) - Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took a sensational surprise victory in the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix to bring Mercedes’ domination to an end.

Verstappen’s win was founded on his car being kinder to its tyres than the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, and the Dutchman capitalised brilliantly.

Hamilton fought back from early struggles to catch and pass Bottas for second place with two laps to go.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was outstanding in taking fourth on a one-stop strategy.

It was an unexpectedly thrilling race, a fitting testament to the occasion as F1 celebrated 70 years since the F1 championship started at Silverstone in 1950.

Verstappen’s victory was a major upset and it was helped by a decision to use the hard tyres for the start of the race.

But the fact was that their car was simply faster than the Mercedes for the first time this season in the specific conditions created by the deliberate

supply of a soft tyre range on a warm day around one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Verstappen said afterwards.

The Mercedes had produced their usual dominant performance in qualifying, a second clear of the field, but Verstappen, choosing the hardest tyre for the start of the race, found he was able to follow them comfortably after he passed Racing Point’s Nico Hulkenberg at the start from his fourth place on the grid.

Bottas led Hamilton away from pole and, while Verstappen tracked the Mercedes, the black cars, on the softer ‘medium’ tyres at the start, began to struggle.

By 10 laps into the race, the Red Bull was on Hamilton’s tail and it was clear the Mercedes had a real race on their hands.

Bottas and Hamilton stopped within a lap of each other on laps 13 and 14, and fitted the hard tyres, but they continued to struggle.

Verstappen motored on

out front and, surprisingly, despite older tyres, extended his lead as the Mercedes ran into problems with tyre blistering.

Verstappen pitted on lap 26 for medium tyres, rejoining right behind Bottas, whom he passed immediately around the outside of Luffield corner.

Once back in the lead, Verstappen was again able to hold the Mercedes, with Bottas about two seconds behind.

Verstappen then stopped again six laps later to switch back to the hard tyre, and Bottas followed him in, the Finn’s hopes of victory now over.

Hamilton, though, stayed out for another nine laps. His tyres were blistered badly but he drove well to maintain a gap of around 10 seconds over Verstappen and Bottas.

That meant when he finally came in on lap 41, with 11 to go, he had an abundance of grip compared to the cars in front.

He quickly passed Leclerc and then closed in on Bottas, passing him into Brooklands corner with two laps to go.

The result, with fastest

Verstappen told his engineer he was not going to sit back behind the Mercedes “like a grandma”

lap for Hamilton, means he extends his championship lead over Bottas to 34 points, and Verstappen has slipped ahead of the Finn into second place, 30 behind the leader.

Leclerc took a superb third in the uncompetitive Ferrari last weekend at the British Grand Prix and he continued his excellent form this weekend.

Qualifying did not go so well for the 22-year-old - he could manage only eighth on the grid compared to fourth last time, but his race drive was every bit as good.

The Ferrari was running

low downforce to try to off-set its straight-line speed disadvantage, so to make a one-stop strategy work was a remarkable achievement.

His team-mate Sebastian Vettel had a difficult day, almost losing control of his car at the first corner and lucky not to be tagged as he fish-tailed left and right in yet another unforced error from the German, and struggling to 12th place.

Red Bull’s Alex Albon drove well to take fifth, a drive that featured a number of bold overtaking moves, ahead of the Racing Points of Lance

Stroll and Hulkenberg.

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo faded after a strong qualifying in fifth place, not helped by a spin between Turns Three and Four while battling with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, and ended up 14th.

Lando Norris took ninth for McLaren, while George Russell was 18th in the Williams.

What happens next?

Another weekend, another race. This time in Spain, despite the rise in coronavirus cases there. A hot summer in Barcelona. Could Mercedes struggle again?

Liverpool interested in Kostas Tsimikas

(BBC) - Liverpool could turn their attention to Olympiakos left-back Kostas Tsimikas after their initial attempt to sign Norwich’s Jamal Lewis failed.

The Reds had a £10m bid for 22-year-old Lewis, which included a substantial sell-on clause, rejected.

It is understood they were prepared to go to £12m but the Canaries wanted significantly more.

Liverpool, seeking cover

for Scotland captain Andy Robertson, have also been monitoring Tsimikas, 24.

The Greece international played for Olympiakos in a 1-0 defeat by Wolves in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie this week as his side went out 2-1 on aggregate.

He also played for them in their six Champions League group games earlier on in the campaign

Tsimikas (left) played for Olympiakos in their Europa League defeat by Wolves

as they finished third behind Bayern Munich and Tottenham.

After Olympiakos dropped down into the Europa League, he put in an impressive performance as his side won 2-1 at Arsenal and knocked the Gunners out of the competition at the last-32 stage.

Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon, 23, was also an option looked at

by Liverpool.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Stokes to miss rest of England series

(ESPNCricinfo) - Ben Stokes will miss the rest of England’s Test series against Pakistan after withdrawing from the squad for family reasons. He is set to travel to New Zealand, where his parents live, next week and will not be available for the two behind-closeddoors Tests in Southampton.

Stokes’ father, Ged, was hospitalised ahead of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa during England’s winter tour, and has since been recuperating back home in New Zealand.

“The England and Wales

Cricket Board, along with the Stokes family, requests that all media respects the family’s privacy at this time,” an ECB statement said.

England’s Test vice-captain, Stokes has played a central role in the summer so far. He led the team in Joe Root’s absence for the opening Test against West Indies, scored a century and a fifty in the second, and has chipped in with 11 wickets despite more recently playing as a specialist batsman.

His absence will likely add to England’s selection headaches for the rest of the series. In order

to compensate for the loss of his bowling, after he experienced a sore quad during the second West Indies Test, England have fielded a five-man attack in the last two games, with Stokes batting at No. 4.

Although he scored 0 and 9 in the first Test against Pakistan, he again demonstrated his allround value by coming on to bowl in the second innings and picking up 2 for 11, as England came back from conceding a 107-run deficit to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Zak Crawley is the likeliest

candidate to come into the top order, potentially returning at No. 3 and allowing Root to drop back down a place. The return to form of both Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes, whose 139-run partnership was pivotal in securing victory against Pakistan, may also help compensate for Stokes’ absence, with the all-rounder understood to have told his team-mates of his decision after the conclusion of the Test on Saturday.

Buttler, whose form with bat and gloves had been under scrutiny, was also playing despite a

health scare for his father, who went into hospital on Friday but was well enough to return home on Saturday.

England have called up Sussex seamer, Ollie Robinson, to add to their options ahead of the second Test against Pakistan, which begins at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday. By the end of August, England will have played six Tests in seven weeks, all under strict bio-security protocols as part of ECB efforts to combat the effect of Covid-19, with only a short break in between the two series.

Vivo’s exit from IPL not financial crisis - Ganguly (ESPNCRICINFO) The exit of the Vivo as IPL’s title sponsor for the 2020 season is a “blip” according to BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly, and not a “financial crisis”.

The title sponsorship is a significant part of the IPL’s commercial revenue, part of which is shared by the eight

franchises. In 2015, Vivo replaced Pepsico, who pulled out as IPL’s title sponsors two years before the contract ended. In 2017 Vivo formally bagged the IPL title sponsorship until the end of the 2022 season, paying nearly USD 241 million.

While the BCCI is yet to announce how it would find a

replacement for Vivo for the 2020 IPL which begins on September 19, Ganguly said the board was well prepared to handle the situation.

“I wouldn’t call it as a financial crisis,” Ganguly said while speaking during a webinar on Saturday, organised

by Learnflix, an education app in India. “It’s just a little

bit of a blip. And the only way you can do it is by being professionally strong over a period of time. Big things don’t come overnight. And big things don’t go away overnight. Your preparation for a long period of time gets (you) ready for losses, gets you ready for successes.

“You keep your other

options open. It is like Plan A and Plan B. Sensible people do it. Sensible brands do it. Sensible corporates do it.

BCCI, it’s a very a strong foundation - the game, the players, the administrators in the past have made this game so strong that BCCI is able to handle all these blips.”

Ganguly also touched

briefly on the ICC’s decision on Friday to retain India as hosts for the 2021 men’s T20 World Cup. “India was designated (to host) the 2021 and 2023 World Cups, so there is not a big change in that. Yes, the Covid situation had kept everybody alarmed, but that’s the way it is.”

Willian confirms Chelsea exit (BBC) - Brazil winger, Willian, has confirmed he has left Chelsea after seven years at the club.

Willian, 32, missed Chelsea’s Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich on Saturday with an ankle injury and is now out of contract.

BBC Sport reported last week that Arsenal were closing in on a deal for the midfielder.

“The time has now come to move on,” Willian wrote in an open letter to Chelsea fans.

“I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here and always did my best in a

Willian missed Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat and their Champions League exit through injury.

Chelsea shirt.”

He made 339 appearances for the club after signing from Russian side, Anzhi Makhachkala, for £30m in 2013, becoming one of the most popular players at Stamford Bridge in the process.

He has won five major honours with the Blues, including two Premier League titles and the Europa League, and won the club’s players’ player of the year award twice.

“There were so many happy times, some sad, there were trophies and it was always very intence,” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Neutral venues, no ‘home field’ advantage could make for exciting 2020 CPL -Regional stars expected to shine at ‘Bubble’ venues

By Clifton Ross WITH this season’s Hero Caribbean Premier League to be played inside a ‘Bubble’, no home-field advantage will see franchises duking it out in a neutral environment, with the West Indian players entering with the clear cut edge.

Action gets underway in nine days as the 33-match season will be hosted this year under strict biosecurity rules due to COVID-19.

Travelling has been a major part of the tournament’s identity over the years, as fans and the party-like fanfare have been a key part of CPL. No fans and restrictions to players and staff now means that this season will be pretty one dimensional with regard to teams looking to gain the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd.

Trinidad & Tobago, who has been privileged with hosting the finals every season, is now tasked with hosting one of the most difficult and delicate CPL’s in history.

Keeping the parameters, organisers have gone with keeping

the matches at two venues, The Brian Lara Cricket Academy, located in Tarouba, and at the famous Queen’s Park Oval.

Tarouba will host the lion’s share of the games with a total of 23 matches set to be hosted at the venue, which has been a favourite during the Regional Senior season.

The internationally recognized Port-of-Spain-located Queen’s Park will host the other 10 games, arguably the more important round of matches.

Such familiarity with the playing conditions could result in an evenly poised tournament, as no team or player except for former champs, Trinbago Knight Riders, and cricketers, who either play their club cricket or are of Trinidadian nationality, should have the playing edge over any other side.

More so, with all the matches centralized into basically one hub, teams will have more time to adapt and further strategize for rematches against opponents they may have succumbed to in previous encounters.

Also, batsmen and bowl-

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy ers will have ample time to acclimatise themselves with the conditions, mainly the pitches which will be used as well as the outfield.

Much like the batsmen, the bowlers will ideally relish playing all of their games between

two venues, adding to their already existing knowledge of the grounds due to Regional cricket.

Due to the shortened encampment period because of the pandemic, the gelling and training process will be crucial more than

ever for players and teams alike.

Coaches too might favour the limited travelling as it reduces the exhaustion and fatigue from their cricketers.

Refreshed, focused players engaging in battle within a des-

ignated environment is a recipe for high levels of intense cricket.

Most of the upcoming days will see teams looking to get themselves familiar with the CPL ‘Bubble’, its biosecurity rules and the two battlegrounds.

Also, with the isolated structure of the ‘Bubble’, the mental approach to this season will be key for the players. However, the Trinidadian players will have a bit of an edge, having played most of their cricket all year round across the Twin Island Republic.

The Dwayne Bravos, Sunil Narines, Kieron Pollards, Lendl Simmons and other other ‘Trini’ stars of the cricket world, will be on display given their records at home and with the two venues, most notably Queen’s Park Oval, basically serving as home clubs for those players.

With a number of Trinidadian cricketers scattered across the respective franchises, those familiar with the conditions, whether team or individually, will certainly headline the ‘Bubble’, come the next few days when the quest for the crown begins.

Richard Ishmael Secondary presented with Commercial Copier by ‘Class of 88’ THE students and teachers of the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, located on Woolford Avenue in the City, was, on Tuesday last, presented with a Commercial Copier, accessories and printing paper to the value of 1.1 million GYD by 21 students who graduated from the school in 1988.

The timely gesture, which would boost the efficiency of the school with regards to providing a convenient service for its students and the school, which would enhance their ability to learn, was lauded by Deputy Head Mistress, Miss Khan.

Three of the students from the Class of 88: Hemant Narine, Yasmin Bowman and John Tularam were on hand to present the items (Canon 2630 Image Runner, 5 boxes each of letter and legal size paper extra toner and replaceable drum unit) to Miss Khan in the presence of some teachers and two female students, Beauty Razack and Nicole Gomes.

Bowman presented a commemorative plaque to Ms. Khan to celebrate and remember the moment while Narine gave a brief overview of how the initiative came into being.

He informed that back in 2018, a group of students from the Class of 88 met in New York and started discussions to host a reunion, which came off later that year in the summer and was attended by 51 persons.

It was at this reunion that students discussed what they can do for the school; the suggestion of

a photocopier was then floated.

“Subsequently, Ms. Pam Walker contacted the HM, Ms. Melanie Jones, who said they needed a heavy duty copier. In 2019 when the school was celebrating its 75th anniversary, one student from the Class of 88 went by and he commenced discussions with HM Jones.”

Class of 88 rep, Hemant Narine (left), Yasmin Bowman and John Tularam (right), Deputy HM Ms. Khan (4th right), along with teachers and students pose following the presentation.

Deputy HM of Richard Ishmael Secondary School, Ms. Khan (right), receives the plaque from Class of 88 student, Ms. Yasmin Bowman.

The importance of the donation was underscored and the students commenced a robust fundraising drive towards purchasing the copier, which was achieved.

Deputy HM Khan, who started duties at the school last September, showered the Class of 88 with praise for their wonderful gesture even in the midst of the pandemic.

“We are truly blessed this

afternoon, thankful and happy to be the recipients of this generous donation which would boost the schools ability to deliver a quality service to our students.

We look forward to your continued support in whatever way which would be appreciated.

It’s always nice when old students can give back; so thank you very much, it’s a pleasure.

The names of the 21 students

are Gavin Thorne, Marc Joseph, Sunil Lakeraj, Parsaram Rajaram, Virgil Granger, Kumar Boddhoo, Rajesh Pritipaul, John Tularam, Jagivan Heeralall, Hemant Narine, Bibi S. Khan, Pam Walker, Dienne Baird, Lizette Stephens, Lakshmi Ramsahoi, Nanette Edwards, Nicole Lowe, Rajshri Beharry, Rhetta Jack, Yasmin Bowman and Shondelle Rodney.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 10, 2020

Morrell Jr ‘dulls’ ‘Too Sharp’ Allen Grimmond captivated by Academy in WBA Super Middleweight clash players’ dedication to training

“I just had a night off and it was his night. I will go back to the drawing board and with my team, we’ll take it from there,” Guyana’s Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview, following his Unanimous Decision defeat-- the first of his career-- against David Morrell Jr. The two undefeated fighters met for the first time and at stake was the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight interim title.

The former amateur star from Cuba put the super middleweight division on notice following a one-sided unanimous decision win over Allen who is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Judges Dr. Lou Moret (120-108), Fernando Villareal (119-109) and Steve Morrow (118-110) all scored the bout heavily in favour of Morrell in the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Fox televised opener Saturday evening at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Morrell—who defected from Cuba to Mexico in 2017 and now resides in Minneapolis—estab-

hook and straight lefts upstairs. The trend continued in round six, with Morrell doubling up Allen in landed punches (88 to 43) by the end of the frame.

It wasn’t all clean, however, as frequent head butts on the inside prompted referee Jerry Cantu to warn both boxers prior to the start of round seven.

Morrell continued to be the far busier of the two, mixing in his overhand left while never abandoning his right hook. Allen struggled to re-establish his jab, forced to play defense and reach with his punches which Morrell easily evaded.

The bout never changed course from that point. Allen’s punch output dwindled as Morrell continued to ooze confidence. As the unbeaten contender was piling up rounds, there came the demand from head trainer, Sankara Frazier, to pick up the pace and close the show.

Morrell went for it in round ten, rocking Allen with a right hook and continuing to score with straight lefts. Allen did his best to guard against the incoming, showing heart in taking the shots and remaining upright, but also unable to position him-

Part of the action between Guyana’s Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen (right) and Cuban David Morrell Jr for the WBA Super Middleweight title. lished, in the opening round, the reason for his advancing to the contender stage in the infancy of his career.

The Cuban southpaw was able to get the better of most of the exchanges, twice pinning Allen—a Brooklyn-based Guyanese southpaw—on the ropes where he was able to slam home a left hook.

Morrell didn’t pardon the body, landing with left hands downstairs. Allen was at his most effective when able to double up on his jab, following up with straight lefts. Allen let his hands go in round two, connecting with body shots and left hands upstairs.

Morrell was still effective with his right hook but chose to be more economical with his punches after a quick start. Allen enjoyed his best moment of the fight midway through the round, connecting at close quarters with Morrell briefly losing his footing as the two became entangled.

Action picked up in round three, the first time Morrell has been extended that far in his young pro career. The 22-year-old super middleweight picked up the pace and continued to land more and at a higher percentage. However, it was Allen who enjoyed the best moment of the round, riding out an uppercut to connect with a right hook.

The round also left Allen with a cut just over his right eyelid, caused by a clash of heads. It didn’t appear to affect his performance, although the brief momentum shift was convincing enough for Morrell to regroup and surge ahead in round.

Morrell was able to mix in defense to considerably cut down the number of punches Allen was able to land.

The shift carried over in round five, where Morrell dominated the action at center ring. Allen was thrown off rhythm, getting caught with a right

self to land the type of punch that would change the tide; at least not until the championship rounds.

Allen temporarily quieted Morrell, who opened round 11 by shuffling his feet but was forced to compose himself after taking a clean shot upstairs. It was Allen’s best punch since round three, but also reduced to a singular moment.

Morrell resumed control, landing in combination and driving Allen to the ropes toward the end of the frame.

Morrell landed more than 200 punches on the night, though the only time he was able to take Allen off his feet was literally lifting him up early in round 12. An exchange left the two briefly tangled, prompting Morrell to drape Allen over his shoulder and hoist him in the air. Allen was able to connect with a couple of clean shots upstairs once action resumed, but the fight ended with Morrell landing the more telling blows and putting an exclamation point on a near-complete performance.

The lop-sided loss leaves Allen with a record of 22-1-1 (14KOs), suffering his first defeat in a pro career marred by inactivity.

Morrell advances to 3-0 (2KOs) with the win, earning an interim version of a super middleweight title whose true claimant is England’s Callum Smith. With more performances like this one, there’s no reason to suggest that Morrell isn’t well on his way to one day joining the division’s elite level.

The bout served in supporting capacity to a scheduled 12-round welterweight bout between Minneapolis’ Jamal James (26-1, 12KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Thomas Dulorme (25-3-1, 16KOs). Morrell and James both train together at Circle of Discipline Gym in Minneapolis.

-cricketers to wear masks, continue following safety guidelines upon resumption of training

By Clifton Ross GUYANA Jaguars Academy Coach, Clive Grimond, is highly impressed by the dedication shown by the local cricketers over the last 5 months as they overcame a number of challenges to ensure they remained in peak condition following countrywide lockdown.

Grimmond, who is a veteran coach in the Guyana mix-up, dating back to the Stanford T20 tournament, is also one of the academy’s premier coaches and a part of the Guyana Jaguars senior coaching staff. The veteran coach told Chronicle Sport, on Monday, that what he has been observing since the beginning of March was heartwarming as the local cricketers were determined to stay in shape through the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) virtual training sessions while doing their best to keep the camaraderie going despite social-distancing.

“It was a big challenge over the past few months.

However, we have the Zoom training program where the players get 45 minutes to an hour daily, so it was effective and the guys also have their own guidelines as it relates to their personal training. So far so good; also some of the guys took up their own responsibilities and did work at home like weight training, skipping, push-ups and the basic things we would have been doing together as a team”, Grimmond outlined.

The Academy has been a reservoir for talent over the last 5 years, as a number of players including Ashmead Nedd, Kevin Sinclair, Joshua Persaud, Kevlon Anderson, Niall Smith and others have either gone on to play for Guyana or the West Indies, at some level or capacity.

Speaking on some of the things current young

Guyana Jaguars Academy Coach, Clive Grimond

players in the academy did during quarantine as they sought to keep fit, the coach said while activities were very limited, he was pleased to see the fledgling players showing the hunger and dedication to put in that hard work in their own personal spaces.

“Some of the training the guys did was more physical because bat and ball would have been tough.

Some of the players may not have a bowling machine at their homes but they would not let that stop them, as many have been doing throw-downs with relatives while two or three players may even put in some net sessions by friends if possible”. He said.

While grueling, Grimmond said the recent state of things have also helped players to mature mentally as records of participation and training during lockdown were kept as to better place players in a responsible working environment.

But with September being earmarked for the local cricket fraternity to return to some semblance of normalcy, Grimmond pointed out that it was important

to gradually ease the cricketers back into real-time training and action.

“The first challenge is social distancing; when we return to training at the LBI facility our players will be wearing masks and one of our challenges will be to gradually get them back into catching a few balls, running in the sun and so on, because five or six months not training in the sun could cause a burnout”.

Grimmond added.

In all, when thigs get back to normal, Grimmond and the other coaches will have their hands filled with caring for the next generation of Guyana’s cricket ambassadors and the senior trainer was adamant that the academy will continue to reach newer heights and produce quality stars for Guyana and the West Indies.

“The academy has done a great job and it has been effective for the last five to six years. We were hoping that these guys, because of the pandemic, didn’t fall apart, but they didn’t.

People had mixed thoughts about the academy and eventually most of the men did well in IPL, CPL, Guyana and West Indies”.

“It’s a success story; it’s a good base for players fighting for a spot in the national team because our academy is like a second Guyana team. We played competitive matches in the past against the senior’s guys and we did well, so I’m really impressed with what I have seen. It’s also great to see Smithy (Niall) now with the Jags in the fast bowling; he was also a part of the academy and we know one day the senior guys will hang it up and the youths are going to be the ones who will replace the older guys”, Grimmond ended.

Guyana’s Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen told Chronicle Sport that he will go back to the drawing board and with his team after losing to David Morrell Jr

….Guyanese loses by Unanimous Decision for first career loss

Morrell Jr ‘dulls’ ‘Too Sharp’ Allen in WBA Super Middleweight clash 23 PAGE

Neutral venues, no ‘home field’ advantage could make for exciting 2020 CPL PAGE

22

-Regional stars expected to shine at ‘Bubble’ venues The Queen’s Park Oval ground

IKO congratulates

H.E Alli on becoming ninth executive President 20 PAGE

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MONDAY,AUGUST 10, 2020