Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_09_08_2020

TUESDAY 8th September, 2020

' No.106116

$20B in pockets of Guyanese

Measures in $330B budget on Wednesday * * * * * * * * * * * *

VAT on electricity and water will be reversed

See stories on pages 9, 10 & 13

Reversal of VAT and duties on machines and equipment Reversal of VAT on all exports Removal of VAT on building and construction material Removal of VAT on pesticides and agro-chemicals Reverting of poultry industry to zero rate status Removal of VAT on all medical supplies $1.5 billion for hinterland and urban roads $150M for frontline workers $5 billion budgetary support for GuySuCo Effective from January 2020, $15,000 school cash grant for children Free water for pensioners

Businessman, son among five in custody for murder of teens 14 PAGE

–– as government announces sweeping incentives, revised tax measures

SEE PAGE 03

Investigation intensifies into killing of teens * Parents say killing not about race, politics * Demand justice for slain sons * Boys remembered as easygoing, kind and helpful * President Ali condemns slaying * Urges calm, unity and moving away from divisive rhetoric * Pledges swift justice for slain teens * Opposition Leader calls for thorough police investigation * Says perpetrators must be brought to justice See stories on pages 2,4,12 &15

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Heinous and Barbaric

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

–– say President, Opposition Leader, want killers of teens swiftly brought to justice

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has described the murders of the Berbice teens as barbaric and is awaiting the completion of the investigation by the Guyana Police Force.

“Those persons who are responsible for this are barbaric criminals. I can’t see them being humans,” the President said during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

brought to justice.

“I offered to support the police with all the resources required in terms of the investigation, and getting the investigation completed in a swift manner; the police will determine the matter,” President Ali said.

Residents of Number 5 and several other West Coast Berbice villages have held unlawful and irresponsible street demonstrations over

a proper and professional investigation, which will ensure the perpetrators face the full force of the law.

Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, has extended condolences to the parents, siblings and relatives of the murdered teens.

“The APNU+AFC coalition calls for an immediate, full and thorough police investigation into this heinous crime and the apprehension of the killers without any de-

coalition plans to assist the families with funeral costs.

“We ask that if there is any member of the public with information which could lead to the solving of this crime to provide such information to the police as soon as possible,” Harmon said.

The US Embassy has also condemned the killings of the boys. “We express condolences to the family

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

on Monday.

He also called for the perpetrators to be swiftly

the killings.

“Whilst we await the swift work of the police

to bring those responsible to justice, I urge residents from the communities to be patient and support the police in ensuring justice is served,” the President urged.

The bodies of the two cousins, Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19, both of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) were found three villages away in the backlands on Sunday, after they were reported missing on Saturday last.

Three persons have been arrested in connection with the killing and mutilation of the two youths who left home to pick coconuts.

Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, has also condemned the brutal slaying of Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry, in the backlands of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

“To their parents and grieving relatives, I offer my deepest condolences. To the villagers of the deceased and, indeed, all those who are enraged by this horrible tragedy and justifiably so, I appreciate your pain and anguish,” Nandlall noted.

HIGHEST PRIORITY From all indications, the legal affairs minister said the Police Force is making the investigation its highest priority and the legal process will take its natural course.

“Precipitous and reckless actions, inclusive of damaging public property, blocking public roadways, inconveniencing and denying innocent citizens their right to use the public roadways cannot and will not be a solution in any form or fashion,” the attorney-general said.

Indeed, he said such actions will only result in unnecessary and unwanted tension and anger and will distract attention from

Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon

lay. We commit to doing everything necessary to ensure that justice is served in this matter to the fullest extent of the law,” Harmon said.

ALLOW POLICE TO DO THEIR WORK He continued: “We recognise and understand the pain, anger and anguish the relatives and villagers of No. 3 Village (where the boys are from) are experiencing at this time. I call on them to remain vigilant but to allow the police to conduct their investigation in a timely manner.”

Harmon also called on Guyanese to observe two days of mourning for the loss of the boys and said the

members and the Cotton Tree community,” the US embassy said in a statement.

The Private Sector Commission in a statement contended that the murder of the two teenaged cousins has left a sense of utter revulsion.

“We join the voices of the private sector and, we would like to think, the entire country, in calling upon the nation to remain calm while the police do their job to bring the perpetrators to justice, while we condemn this brutal heinous act. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the grieving families,” the PSC said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

$20B in pockets of Guyanese

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–– as government announces sweeping incentives, revised tax measures –– $330B budget to be tabled Wednesday

By Navendra Seoraj AFTER re-prioritising and re-programming fiscal measures, the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has managed to add $20 billion in relief to the “pockets” of Guyanese, at a time when the nation is faced with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the recently-concluded protracted electoral process.

The conduits of relief include revised tax measures and sweeping incentives, which were announced

by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, during a press briefing on Monday.

The broad objectives of those measures, which will feature in government’s emergency budget, are to stimulate economic activity; get persons back to work; increase Guyana’s productive capacity; reduce the cost of doing business; improve efficiency; and facilitate growth and development of businesses.

“These measures will have an immense impact on people’s welfare and well-being… as these measures would also address directly, issues of cost of living and living standards,” said President Ali. Guyanese, between now and December 31, 2020, stand to benefit from over $20 billion in relief through direct transfers and reduction in taxes, said Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

The PPP/C, during its campaign prior to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, had promised to make life easier for Guyanese of all walks of life, by crafting a coherent economic policy, something which the new government said was absent under the former APNU+AFC administration.

Notwithstanding the “unstable” global and domestic economic climate, the new government, since taking office on August 2, 2020, was able to do a rapid assessment of the situation in the economy and establish measures which would initiate the process of getting the economy back on stream.

“To realise a number of these measures, it required re-prioritising resources and re-programming, to ensure that the priority of government and the priority of the emergency budget are to address people’s issues; issues that affect communities,

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, at their press briefing on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

businesses and the economy,” said Dr. Ali. The new government, while in opposition, had said that the former administration extracted some $300 billion more in additional taxes over the past five years.

Some persons even argued that tax measures, instituted by the past administration, were cumbersome.

Additional taxes included Value Added Tax (VAT) on utilities and reducing the list of zero-rated items. In economics, zero-rated supply refers to items subject to a 0 per cent VAT on their input supplies.

“In terms of VAT, we will immediately see a reversal of VAT on electricity and water. This of course would bring tremendous benefit to all aspects of the economy.

It will reduce the cost of operations for manufacturing, help the poultry industry... and every aspect of economic life, and put back more money in people’s pockets,” said President Ali. The president also announced the removal of VAT and duties on machinery and equipment to allow for the recapitalisation of key sectors such as mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing.

Government also decided on granting tax concessions on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) for those key sectors.

“This is another major initiative and commitment in terms of the manifesto that would bring immediate relief to mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing, all of which have been underperforming and faced with tremendous difficulties.

“It is estimated that 65 per cent of productive capacity in the mining sector has

been lost…so these measures will help to recapitalise the sector, and bring back all the medium and small miners into productive capacity and operation, create job, wealth and have the trickle-down effect,” said President Ali. To further help the mining sector, government will be removing the requirement to register and “take out” road licences for mining equipment, and will remove the requirement for miners to have a police clearance to transport fuel in their own vehicles.

Additional help for the productive sector includes reversal of “land lease fees” which were said to have been raised by 1,350 per cent from 2015 to now. The fees were reversed to what it was in 2014.

President Ali also announced the removal of VAT on fertilisers, agro-chemicals and pesticides for the entire agriculture sector. Added to that, government has agreed to revert the poultry industry to zero-rated VAT status, a move which will promote investment in the industry, as production costs will be reduced.

Also on poultry, the government will be offering special incentives, inclusive of land, for planting of corn and soya bean to satisfy the local and regional feed-mill demands. Government will also be granting concessions on investment in agro-processing facilities, cold storage and packaging.

SUPPORT FOR FARMERS Additional support for the agriculture sector, and, by extension, farmers, will be the reversal of increased charges

for drainage and irrigation in agricultural areas. The president announced that funds will also go towards the construction of farm-to-market roads, to allow for improved

access and the opening of new lands for production.

Sugar will be given an opportunity to grow with other aspects of the agriculture sector, as President Ali announced that government will be setting aside $5 billion for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

In the area of manufacturing, President Ali announced the reversal of VAT on all exports, a move which is expected to help the manufacturing sector and help exporters to become more competitive.

“We expect these measures would stimulate expansion, create jobs and open new opportunities,” said the president, adding that government will also change the export policy to allow saw millers to export logs.

President Ali also announced the removal of VAT on hinterland travel, something which businesses, air

operators, and stakeholders in the tourism sector called for, as it presented a tremendous burden to hinterland communities.

Government also plans to help hinterland communities by promoting development and returning jobs lost, through the reintroduction of the Community Support Officers (CSOs). Some $800 million has been set aside for the Amerindian Development Fund.

The government, in keeping with its commitment to ensuring that households benefit from access to electricity and energy, will be providing 25,000 solar units to hinterland communities.

There will also be improved communication, access and link to communities, as government will be setting aside $1.5B for hinterland, urban and rural roads.

TURN TO PAGE

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Ministry of Health Daily Health Tip 1. WHO SHOULD WEAR A FACE MASK? * All persons 2 years of age and older should wear their mask in public spaces as required. * People who know or think they might have COVID-19. * Caregivers of people with COVID-19.

2. WHAT TO DO BEFORE PUTTING ON THE FACE MASK? * Before putting on a face mask, wash hands with clean water and soap or lather with alcohol-based hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds.

3. HOW TO REMOVE THE FACE MASK? * Remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask). * Discard immediately in closed bin. * Clean hands with water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

4. WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS? * After coughing or sneezing. * When caring for the sick. * When hands are visibly dirty.

* After toilet use. * Before eating. * Before, during and after you prepare food. * After handling animals or animal waste.

5. EXERCISE & STAY HEALTHY DURING COVID-19.

Exercise reduces stress and promotes healing. * Physical activities include walking, jogging, dancing, gardening, swimming, cycling etc. * Adults 18-64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity throughout the week.

6. A ‘how to’ guide for PHYISCAL DISTANCING Stay safe if you need to leave your home for an essential purpose, like grocery shopping or to visit the pharmacy: * If possible, limit your trips or try online options. * Visit a few different places as possible. * Purchase a supply for at least one week- leave some for others. * Keep at least 6m distance from others. * Wash your hands before and after.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Slain teens were easygoing, kind and helpful –– parents say as they contend killings not about race and demand justice

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur The brutal slaying of two teenagers on Saturday in the quiet farming community of Number Three village, West Coast Berbice has spurred protest actions across several villages in both East and West Berbice.

Protesters have taken to the streets to vent their frustration and outrage at the gruesome manner in which the two teenage cousins met their demise.

While there are some reports of robberies on citizens and vandalism of vehicles committed by the protesters, the immediate families of the boys have maintained that the protest actions are about justice and not meant to spur hatred or violence.

Gail Johnson, the mother of Joel Henry, 19, amid tears recalled that her son was a very hardworking individual

and when he did not show up on Saturday night, she thought he had gone to work at the estate in the night shift as he had told her earlier.

“He said ‘mommy I gun work the night shift cause the money small’. But I tell he ‘I don’t like it when he working in the nights’... when he didn’t come home on Saturday I stayed up whole night thinking he went to work but the next morning Isaiah mother came and started crying asking if Joel didn’t come home too last night.”

Joel was attached to the GuySuCo’s Blairmont Estate working in the packaging department with responsibilities for ‘bagging sugar’.

VERY SUPPORTIVE According to his mother, Joel was very supportive of her and his seven siblings.

Johnson, a single parent sold fried plantain chips and crabs at the Berbice Bridge and had

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 –––09:00 HRS

Gladston Henry

a stint as a security guard all in a bid to provide for her family.

A sibling of Joel still sells chips by the bridge as they support their mother and each other financially.

The trip to the backdam, according to his sibling was his second and he was looking forward to returning home early to get to work.

Joel’s body was found in a ditch in a patch of bushes face down with his haversack still on his back. His back appeared broken, his neck displaced and his chest was reportedly cut open.

His cousin, Isaiah Henry,

16, was found a short distance away with his throat slashed, chops to the face and an ‘X’ carved on his face.

Gladston Henry, Isaiah’s father questioned why the killers had to take the life of his son in such a manner.

NOT ABOUT RACE “This is not about race or religion or political things.

I am talking on my own behalf, this is not about those things but this here is about justice. Why they didn’t ‘beat them or punish them? Why the didn’t bring them to the police station if they did something wrong? His cous-

Gail Johnson

in whole body break up, and why them mark me son with an X? We want justice for these youths these little boys that get them whole life ahead of them.”

With his voice breaking, Gladston stated that his son grew up in a Christian home and was a very jovial lad who had a passion for fixing things and wanted to become a mechanic. Gladstone recalled his son telling him on Friday evening that he was heading to the backdam early Saturday.

“We have a place in the backdam that we does pick coconuts and mangoes and stuff but I didn’t know exactly where they were going.

When I come home his mother told me they did not come home and the next morning I didn’t go to work. I went to the estate and get help and we start searching.”

Gladston said he grew his son to be God-fearing and

would always encourage him to go to church.

“He grow up in church, I taught him the way of the Lord and Sunday school right on to this age. He was a very nice and quiet boy,” the grieving father said.

“We need to see justice that is why the communities come together and the villages come together that we can receive justice.

I feel that if the leaders, they ain’t come and do the right thing, honestly in their mind that they know they have children. I have nothing against no religion.

I am not a politician; I am not into politics because I am a Christian,” he said, adding: “I believe in Jesus Christ but whosoever rule I will support them. Irfaan Ali if you hear this I pray that you please help us to find justice for our sons.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Elderly Rupununi man is latest COVID-19 victim

–– 359 samples processed by CARPHA A 79-year-old male from Region Nine has lost his life to the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the death toll to 47.

Health authorities said the man died while receiving care at a local medical facility. The test sample was collected from the patient at the time of admission and he tested positive for COVID-19 subsequently.

The Ministry of Health expressed sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased and committed to making every effort to provide all the necessary support, during this difficult time.

Officials of the ministry have since contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid

assistance to everyone who might have been exposed to the deceased. The ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and his family and to allow them to mourn their tragic

loss in peace.

Authorities have so far tested 9,762 persons for COVID-19 to date. The total includes a portion of tests sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on August 31, to help clear

some of the existing backlog of samples, which were accumulated over the past several weeks.

Last week, 500 COVID-19 test samples were dispatched to the CARPHA Medical Microbiolo-

$20B in pockets of ...

Zeroing in on Region One (Barima-Waini), President Ali said government will be working to acquire a new ferry for the North West. The ferry will provide cold storage to farmers.

On a macro level, measures to improve the livelihood of all Guyanese include the removal of VAT on medical supplies, building material and cell phones.

SCHOOL CHILDREN President Ali also announced the introduction of a $15,000 cash grant for school children and said that government will be doubling the $2,000 uniform voucher.

The elderly population will also benefit, as the president announced that pensioners will be receiving $25,000 as old age pension and will access free water.

Every household will also benefit from a direct cash transfer of $25,000, as the economy continues to face the effects of COVID-19. The Joint Services will also receive a two-week, tax-free bonus, and $150 million has been set aside for frontline workers, who continue to be at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19.

As a result of COVID-19, and in keeping with its plan and programme to expand e-learning to help during this period, government will also be setting aside $200 million to expand Guyana Learning Channel.

Health sector improvements, among other measures, are also in the pipeline, and will be elaborated

further when government presents is $330 billion budget on Wednesday.

“Apart from these immediate measures, in an emergency budget produced in a very short period, are the most significant measures and the largest number of measures in any budget I have ever seen…even for budgets that have duration for the entire fiscal period,” said Vice-President Jagdeo.

“In fact, although this is an emergency budget, we have substantively addressed most tax measures we promised to deal with in the new government,” said the vice-president.

The budget, he said, has substantially returned an incentive framework to the productive sectors, through the reduction of land rental charges, licensing fees, water and electricity, removal of VAT on inputs, assistance to the productive sectors to cre-

ate more wealth and generate employment for more people.

The vice-president said the economy was having a hard time because of the lack of incentives even before COVId-19, and after the ‘arrival’ of COVID-19 the economy went into a tailspin.

DECLINE Despite the new measures, Jagdeo said many sectors are expected to decline.

In a breakdown, he said agriculture, forestry and fisheries are expected to decline by over two per cent; bauxite by 40-50 per cent; gold mining by 0.2 per cent; wholesale and retail by 14 per cent; accommodation and food by 32 per cent; entertainment by 46 per cent and other services by 51 per cent.

Apart from this, a significant number of public enterprises are also in decline or posting a deficit. Among those enterprises are GuySu-

Co, GWI, GPL, MMA, and others. Central government revenue has also been reduced by $14 billion or 5.9 per cent since 2019.

The government will be looking to initiate the rejuvenation of the economy through its $330 billion budget, which represents an increase of about $28 billion or 9.6 per cent compared to the 2019 budget presented by the former administration.

For capital expenditure, local expenditure totals $49

gy Laboratory (CMML) to help Guyana speed up the delivery of COVID-19 test results. Out of the 500 samples sent to CARPHA, 359 test results were processed thus far and the results were made available to local authorities over the weekend.

At present, samples can be sent to CARPHA only from the NPHRL in Guyana.

Once a sample is sent to CMML, CARPHA issues the results to the Chief Medical Officers at the respective Ministries of Health in the region, who are responsible for the dissemination of those results.

The CMML currently tests all suspected cases of COVID-19, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) case definition, provided by the WHO Global surveillance for COVID-19 caused

FROM PAGE

by human infection with COVID-19 virus.

The CMML uses the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, which is recommended by the WHO. This method remains the gold standard for COVID-19 laboratory diagnosis, as the sensitivity and specificity of such tests are nearly 99.99 per cent accurate.

The CMML ensures appropriate quality control measures are followed to guarantee the accuracy of all results.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has expressed appreciation to CARPHA for its continued technical support and assistance to Guyana during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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billion, but $27 billion has already been spent by the past administration. “…$27B has already been spent based on roll over from 2019 when APNU+AFC went on a spending spree with money it did not have, when it gave out large contracts in 2019…that roll over plus releases of money on the capital side which is illegal since there was no budget,” said Jagdeo, adding that the new government only had room in its budget

to programme $22 billion for initiatives.

A similar picture is painted on the recurrent side of the budget, with a lot of money going to goods and services, among other things.

The spending by the previous administration stymied some potential initiatives, but Vice-President Jagdeo believes that the measures will do a lot for the economy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Alternative energy for oil-rich Guyana

CHEAPER alternative energy to fossil fuels is an imperative in a nation’s development paradigm – in both domestic and economic terms.

Cheaper energy would of course result in larger disposable incomes in households and drive the cost of overheads in the private sector downwards, with all the related benefits to the industrial and entrepreneurial worlds.

Head of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr. Odho Homeauth, in a well-researched thesis, posits: “Agro-energy and the production of biofuels constitute a technologically proven alternative that would enable countries like Guyana to promote the modernisation of agriculture, offering producers new options with a guaranteed market.

“The rationale for advocating that greater attention be attached to agro-energy is that this activity builds the economic resilience of countries when the forecast is for continued high and rising oil prices. In the case of the EU, for example, it has been agreed to target 10% biofuels in its fuel use by 2020.

“Guyana is highly dependent for its energy on imported fossil fuels for both power generation and transport. The country has only a very modest degree of industrialisation and primary products in agriculture, forest products and

minerals contribute to a significant proportion (40%) of GDP. Petroleum imports amount to more than 500,000 tonnes annually, valued at in excess of US$220 M or 29% of the country’s import bill.

These data have been summarised in a recent study conducted by Horta and Coviello (2007) on behalf of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) for the Government of Guyana. Currently, about 36% of the country’s GDP is expended on the importation of fuels.

The scientist continued: “Diesel fuel and gasoline account for 66% and 22% respectively of petroleum product imports. Both of these could be substituted for by bio-fuels in the form of ethanol for gasoline, bio-diesel for diesel transport fuels and agriculture and wood wastes for thermoelectric power generation now met mainly by diesel plants.”

Guyana’s participation in the agro-energy sector has the potential to have a significant impact on poverty reduction, industrialisation and diversification of the traditional pillars of agriculture; sugar and rice. Such microeconomic benefits would also be mirrored by significant macroeconomic benefits. Clearly, any reduction in the alarming percentage of fossil-fuel consumption will allow significant foreign

FITUG condemns brutal slaying of teens

Dear editor,

THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins with many Guyanese in expressing our deep concern over the brutal murder of Joel and Isaiah Henry, whose lifeless bodies were discovered in the backlands of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice.

The horrific killing of these young men, who ventured to the backlands to obtain coconuts, a task they have reportedly done on sever-

al occasions, is uncalled for, and is, undoubtedly, the product of a depraved mind.

The shocking discovery has sent a thunderbolt of anger through several communities, as people are understandably upset. Inasmuch as we recognise the deep-seated sentiments harboured, we urge that protests be peaceful, and do not bring harm to people nor property.

We have seen reports about one person being held to assist the investigations, and we urge the Guyana Police

Force to ensure that justice is swift, and those culpable are made to answer for their horrific deeds.

At this time, the FITUG extends its sincerest condolences to the families and friends of Joel and Isaiah Henry. Our prayers are with the family in this difficult period, as we share in their grief and pain.

Yours sincerely, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

currency savings, which, rather than representing a drain on the country’s resources, would have been re-invested into the economy.

The potential for a cushioning of price fluctuations of crude, and the corresponding security derived from a domestic fuel supply will have significant impacts on the country’s growing and still fragile economy. Furthermore, within a context of global and regional concerns regarding climate change abatement, Guyana’s participation in the agro-energy sector could have significant impacts on the reduction of greenhouse gases and criteria air contaminants through the use of cleaner bio-fuels and wastes.

The foregoing was from a study conducted several years ago, and figures may have changed, but the concept remains applicable – that agro-energy is a better alternative to fossil fuels, even in view of the discovery of oil in Guyana.

The Irfaan Ali-led administration has reiterated its promise to pursue the Amaila Falls hydro project that had been aborted by the coalition government, as well as other alternative sources of bio and/or wind energy.

Oil-rich Guyana would not, in the near future, ever again be dependent solely on fossil fuel for its commercial and consumer consumption.

Call for unity, harmony and tolerance to prevail

Dear editor,

cannot begin to grasp the pain that their parents, siblings, and WE, the Guyana Islamic community are experiencing Forum for Education, Peace right now. and Religious Soliditary, the It is our sincere hope that Electric Mosque’s Presenta- the highest possible penalties tion of the Teachings of Is- will be taken against the perlam, in association with the petrators of these senseless Universal Peace Federation murders. We are also appeal– Guyana strongly condemn ing to our fellow citizens to the brutal attacks on the two remain calm while the law teenage boys, Joel and Isa- takes its course. We also apiah Henry of Cotton Tree, peal to those in authority to reWest Coast Berbice, whose frain from using this incident lifeless bodies were found on to fuel ethnic and/or political Sunday, September 6, 2020. hatred. Instead, we urge you As we mourn the sense- to call for unity, harmony, and less loss of these young souls, tolerance to prevail, because our thoughts and prayers are we, as Guyanese, are more with them and their families together than divided. during this terrible and testing During this time of untime. This horrific tragedy is imaginable suffering, sorcompletely gut-wrenching row and trauma, we as a and devastating to us all; we nation must stand up for

justice, but continue to live as one human family under God. Let us remember that although we cannot undo this disturbing act, we can control how we respond to it. With this in mind, we beseech you to be supportive and responsible for one another. Let us remember, as Guyanese, that injury to one of us is injury to all.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan The Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Soliditary The Electric Mosque’s Presentation of the Teachings of Islam Universal Peace Federation - Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

APNU+AFC own members New Parliament must who are ‘giving ‘em hell’ pass law against blocking

Dear editor,

THE energetic PPP/C has been in office for five weeks, and has amassed a number of achievements in an accomplished manner.

Since the opening of the 12th sitting for Parliament last Tuesday, they did not hesitate but went straight to work, undaunted by the irresponsible walkout by the APNU+AFC elected National Assembly members. The House went ahead and approved a total of $11.2B for 16 constitutional agencies for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year. In all the ministries, there were buzzing activities that portrayed a commitment to provide working solutions to the country’s immense problems created by the reckless past administration. More findings are revealing an abandonment from the economy, and the APNU+AFC deserting the suffering Guyanese, but, ensuring that they took care of themselves.

COVID-19 continues to steal the Number One priority, and the Ministry of Health along with the new Task Force is hard pressed for control of this pandemic that has seen a double jump in the alarming death rate.

Now that the PPP/C has legitimately secured governance, help has begun to pour in from the international community. Yet Guyanese continue to shun their responsibilities, and can be found flauting the COVID-19 regulations. If only all can understand that

the protocols must be adhered to in a strict manner, that will be the key solution to this challenging virus, and adopting preventative methods will substantially contribute to the disease being unable to spread rapidly.

Past President David Granger continues with his careless and unabashed statements, and now making pronouncements over the past five weeks more than what he did in the past five years. This time he singled out the present COVID-19 Task Force.

Granger said, “I supplemented that task force with an Executive Task Force.

All of this… people seem to underestimate the danger that COVID has put into this country. We were conscious of that danger, and we put all of our resources to prevent the spread of the disease. And now that prevention mechanism had been dismantled and the disease is spreading.”

Really? How conscious can he be when his party called on Guyanese to gather in front of Parliament Building to listen to his tongue twisters, and fooling the APNU+AFC supporters about the election recount result? How irresponsible was he when he allowed large masses to gather in front of the courts on numerous occasions to picket? How heartless can he be when he encouraged people to come out on his propaganda meet-the-people tour to discuss the acclaimed election “irregularities”? Wasn’t he and his party endangering the

lives of gullible Guyanese when Harmon summoned Guyanese to come out in large amounts to protest Mingo/Lowenfield/ Lawrence court charges? How about instigating crowds to picket the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, and jeopardising their lives?

Then again, master-minding the orchestration of protesters to gather and block traffic for days in Belladrum was a clear violation, and demonstrated lack of proper leadership by Granger and his party. Clearly, the cyclic effect can endanger tens of thousands of innocent Guyanese. Now, who broke the law and dismantled the discipline of rules and regulations? Who is the chief mischief-maker who doesn’t give a damn about the lives of the man-in-thestreet, and deliberately and definitely exposing families to this deadly virus? It is the APNU+AFC that is adept at the devious spreading of this pandemic, knowingly and callously. Opposition members Chris Jones and Sherod Duncan both tested positive for COVID-19, yet they presumptuously presented themselves and attended the 12th sitting of Parliament. How injudicious and inappropriate can they be, realising that you cannot take any chance in this precarious situation?

But, this is the indiscreet APNU+AFC we have to deal with and their imprudent considerations. How do you expect to win the hearts of people when you are setting a death trap for your very own supporters,

their children and their relatives, friends and neighbours? At this rate, who is going to want to vote for someone who just doesn’t have your interest at heart?

The APNU+AFC continues to shoot themselves on the foot, and to expose their fragility and diabolic characteristics.

Wobbling from the election loss, the APNU+AFC is unable to jump this hurdle, and continues to play the blame game and look for excuses. They fooled their supporters and lied to them, telling the people that they won the election from Day One, and now, they have no choice but to continue the same trend in order to save face.

They cannot tell the truth, and so they have to insist on peddling lies perpetually. Gradually, Guyanese are discovering for themselves how deceitful the APNU+AFC is, and are distancing themselves from them for their tactless and tasteless behaviour. No wonder the WPA has relinquished their relationship from the APNU, and now the JFAP has severed ties with them also. The PNC is drifting further as a representation of the wide Guyanese spectrum, and the AFC continues to lose their key members also. It is APNU+AFC own members who are “giving ‘em hell.” The PNC is afflicted and affected by their back door to hell.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

of roads during protests

Dear Editor, RECENT events have brought us to a point where we must consider making it illegal to block public roadways during social or political protests. It’s okay to lawfully protest, but such action must not pose a danger to the life of others who want to carry on with their life and business.

In Guyana, in most places, we have only one main road which everyone has to use, and all traffic has to traverse on. We are not like the USA which has millions of miles of roads, and if there is a protest in one area, you can avoid that area, as there are many alternative roads and by-pass routes you can take. In Guyana, when a road is blocked and people are burning tyres and things, and creating a hostile and explosive environment, especially when race is invoked and politicians show up and stoke racial fires to gain political mileage, it is bad for everyone. It diminishes us all.

So nation, if the only road we have is blocked, and you are on your way in a car taking your little baby suffering from shortage of breath or other ailment to the hospital, or taking your pregnant wife about to deliver, or taking your elderly grandmother showing symptoms of the coronavirus, what do you do if the road up ahead is blocked with debris and burning things, and you cannot pass? Do these lives matter? Can these people die too? Or suppose a fire truck is on its way to put out a raging fire where many people are

trapped in the building, but the road is blocked by road fires and obstructions placed on the road, do those lives matter too?

Or suppose, you are heading to the airport, to a job or business appointment, and the only one road we have is blocked, what do you do? Or suppose it’s an ambulance racing to the hospital with a patient in an emergency situation? Nation, is it fair to the rest of us, in a one-road situation, that we should be allowed to express the right to protest by blocking the only one road we have?

All lives matter! Exercising the right to protest should not trample on the rights of those who want to protect their own security and safety, and carry on their business, as in the examples I have given. Parliament must act this time around to enact a law stipulating severe penalties for blocking the main highway. I applaud President Ali, Minister Benn, AG Nandlall and the Police authorities for their statements and actions in our current Berbice problem.

There have been too many murders lately. A security guard was killed this week, and another person in Berbice was killed. Some of these murders have been solved, and some are unsolved, such as that of Sheema Mangar who was killed at a busy city car park and no one came forward to help the Police solve that crime. Crime diminishes us all. Parliament must act now.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Ms. Baksh’s conviction is the subject of an appeal Dear editor, I REFER to the very comprehensive coverage of a meeting I had with the Guyana Bar Association in an article published on Page 14 and continued on Page 21 of Sunday’s Stabroek, which bore the bold caption, “Convicted Registrar of Deeds expected to resume duties”.

The caption as well as the words attributed to me in the article in relation to the caption are misleading.

Admittedly, I may have contributed to the apparent error, because I did not issue a press release, as I

normally do, detailing the matters discussed at the meeting. For this omission, I accept responsibility.

Ms. Azeena Baksh was appointed Registrar of Deeds in 2012 by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), pursuant to Article 199 (3) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. To date, that appointment has not been rescinded or revoked by the JSC. The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs has no powers of appointment, discipline or dismissal in relation to the office of the Registrar of Deeds.

I am aware that Ms. Baksh was unfortunately charged and convicted. In my humble view, the decision to charge Ms. Baksh was a politically-driven one by my predecessor. Ms. Baksh was charged for simply receiving her salary from the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority, an Authority established by the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority Act, which authorised the transfer of all staff from the Deeds Registry, and converted them into employees of the Authority, inclusive of the Registrar of Deeds. In my respectful view, there is nothing wrong with a per-

son being appointed by one agency, and paid by another. If that person received two sets of remuneration, it would have been a different matter. That is not the case. The Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority Act authorizes the payment of all staff of the Authority, inclusive of the Registrar of Deeds.

At the meeting with the Guyana Bar Association, Ms. Baksh’s resumption of office was raised.

I informed the meeting that Ms. Baksh’s conviction is the subject of an appeal, and if that conviction is quashed or set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction, then the

Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registry will address the issue of Ms. Baksh’s resumption, since, for all intent and purpose, she remains the Registrar of Deeds, not having been dis-appointed by the JSC. The above notwithstanding, I wish to thank Stabroek News for their elaborate and otherwise accurate press report of my meeting with the Guyana Bar Association.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Pressure mounts against ‘Ponzi’ couple –– with 14 more victims and counting coming forward to levy fraud-related charges

By Clestine Juan ACCELERATED Capital Firm Inc (ACFI)’s Yuri Garcia Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael were on Monday, September 7, 2020, hauled before the courts again to answer 14 more fraud-related charges.

This time around, the pair appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where they were charged jointly but not required to plead to allegations that between May and July, 2020, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired, with persons known and unknown, to obtain a total of over $9M from 14 victims of their alleged ‘scam’ under false pretence.

The Cuban national and his Guyanese wife, who are represented by Attorneys-at-Law Glen Hanoman and Dexter Todd, were released on $800,000 bail each, and the case adjourned until November 7, 2020.

On September 2, the pair had appeared before City Magistrate Dylon Bess, where they were charged

jointly but not required to plead to allegations that between May and July 2020, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total of over $75M from 11 victims of their alleged ‘scam’ under false pretence. On that occasion, they were released on $3.3M bail each.

Just the day before, Tuesday, September 1, 2020, the couple had appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where they were charged jointly, but not required to plead, to the allegation that between May and July, 2020, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total of over $30M from 12 persons, again under false pretence.

They were released on $3.6M bail each, and that particular matter has been adjourned until September 21.

When they were arraigned before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 31, 2020, it

ACFI Financial Adviser, Yuri Garcia Dominguez

was to answer to 10 charges, the particulars of which state that between the months of May and July 2020, they, with intent to commit a felony, conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total sum of over $60M from 10 victims under false pretence. They were released on $1M bail each, and the case was adjourned until October 5, 2020.

FIRST COURT APPERANCE The couple had first appeared on Thursday August 27, 2020 before Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer at the

Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where the charges against them were that between May and July 2020, they, with intent to commit fraud, obtained a total of $24.7M from 13 persons by false pretence.

At the time, the couple was not required to plead to the charges, and was granted $3.9 million bail each. That matter was adjourned until September 18, 2020.

The couple had also made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where a total of six similar charges were read against them, alleging that

they’d obtained in excess of $1M unlawfully.

For those charges, the couple was remanded to prison until September 21, 2020.

Thus far, a total of 57 persons have come forward and lodged complaints against them with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), claiming to have invested millions of dollars in ACFI, and not seeing a blind cent in return, as they’d been promised.

The duo was first held by the police a little over a week ago following an investigation into widespread rumours that they were running a “Ponzi Scheme”.

A Ponzi Scheme is a form of fraud in which investors are made to believe in the success of a non-existent enterprise, and encouraged to invest because of the payment of quick returns. However, the first investors are only being paid from money invested by successive investors, a charge that both Dominguez and Ishmael have since vehemently denied, via a statement, saying: “The funds necessary to refund our clients are ready to be

disbursed.”

The police here have listed Dominguez, a naturalised Guyanese of Cuban origin, and his wife, who’s Guyanese by birth, as grave flight risks, given that they have no assets in the country.

The pair is said to have been operating their investment company, ACFI, here in Guyana from as far back as 2017, but have never been licensed to do so by the Guyana Securities Council (GSC) as is required.

According to reports, some 17,000 Guyanese are said to have collectively invested approximately US$20 million in the company, which first came to the limelight earlier this month, when several persons came forward, claiming to have not received any returns as promised.

ACFI has been attributing its failure to remit payments to clients to its lack of a bank account, as several local commercial banks have closed whatever accounts they’d held with them.

Suspect admits to killing Corentyne man ONE of the two suspects who were held for the murder of Orlando Jonas, 27, of Number One Road, East Berbice, Corentyne, has admitted to the killing.

The suspects, who hail from Tain, told investigators that Jonas and his friend Mahendra Ramnarine attempted to rob them. The suspect in a detailed confession statement revealed that they tried to defend themselves and in the process stabbed Jonas to the jaw and abdomen.

Ramnarine also received injuries to his face during the attack. They also threw the bicycle on Jonas. Police said the incident was captured on surveillance footage.

However, though the motive is still not clear, investigators believe that it may have been on old grievance the suspect and the victim may have had, since they ruled out robbery as a motive on both sides.

On Saturday evening at approximately 19:45hrs, Jonas and Ramnarine, both construction workers, were

riding their bicycles on the Albion Public Road making their way home when Jonas suddenly turned around his bicycle.

Ramnarine was riding in front and he believes the two men uttered remarks to Jonas when he passed. He also had refuted claims that he had tried to rob the suspects.

The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to face charges soon.

On Monday, Commander of ‘B’ Division Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles and Deputy Commander Superintendent Mahendra Singh, along with investigating ranks and members from the Cops and Faith Network visited Jonas’s family and expressed their sympathy and at the same time committed to ensure that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

Dead: Orlando Jonas

Commander of ‘B’ Division Senior Superintendent, Linden Isles; Deputy Commander, Superintendent, Mahendra Singh and other officers and members from Cops and Faith during a visit to Jonas’s family on Monday

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

$150M to frontline health workers hailed as timely

By Lisa Hamilton FRONTLINE health workers in Guyana will soon benefit from $150 million worth of monetary support through the 2020 Budget, as a means of encouragement in their daily efforts to care for and protect those at risk of the coronavirus.

“We understand and appreciate the tremendous work that our health and frontline workers are doing, the sacrifices they are making in ensuring that we remain safe and protected as a result, given the work they have done for COVID-19 and continue to [do],” President Dr. Irfaan Ali said after making the announcement on Monday.

Speaking later with Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, he noted that, while the specifics of the monetary support have not yet been finalised, frontline workers can look forward to the promised support, following the passage of the Budget.

He assured: “……. the Ministry of Health, they will work with the frontline workers and the doctors to come up with a proposal.”

The newspaper also spoke with Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle, who said that submissions have been for nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers and more categories of workers to receive support, but the fine details are still to

Junior Physiotherapist, Taslikyah Jones

be finalised.

“If it will be a risk allowance then it will include all those persons who have been exposing themselves to working with COVID-19 patients, but if it’s overtime it will go to overtime…there are some workers who have been working 12 hours every day since March,” she said.

Reaching out to a few frontline workers who come into contact with COVID-19 patients, the Guyana Chronicle learned that the announcement, made by the President, was seen as timely.

“I think that the announcement was a very timely one because, as persons around the world can see,

Junior Physiotherapist, Riet Amsterdam

healthcare workers are actually putting their lives and the lives of their families at risk, to be on the frontline, to provide care for not only patients that are COVID-19 positive but also other persons that come to the hospital with other conditions,” said Senior Nursing Assistant attached to the Male High Dependency Unit, Kevin Samaroo.

Apart from the monetary support announced, he lobbied for a raise of pay for health workers and duty-free concessions for nurses. He also recommended that cafeterias be installed in all hospitals so that health workers can have a designated place to take their lunch and relax.

Senior Nursing Assistant attached to the Male High Dependency Unit, 25-year-old Kevin Samaroo

Meanwhile, Junior Physiotherapist, Riet Amsterdam, said: “The numbers are climbing daily and, as health workers, we are placed at risk every day so it’s about time that health workers are thought about.”

Amsterdam works to provide physical therapy and chest therapy to patients who are COVID-19 positive.

Chest therapy helps to get patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) off the ventilator and maintains lung capacity in those not in need of the ventilator.

Regarding physical therapy, she ensures that patients stay active which helps

them to speedily recover and strengthens the muscles of the lungs. She hopes that the sum allotted to frontline workers will help to transport them to and from the hospital free of cost; provide risk allowances and allow for more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be procured.

All the way at the Lethem Public Hospital is Registered Nurse and midwife, Shelly Toney-Landry. She assists with screening, contact tracing and taking samples. She told the newspaper that she hopes the funds will address an increase in monthly risk allowance for doctors and nurses and ensure more sa-

nitisers and disinfectants for health workers.

Though she looks forward to being a beneficiary of portions of the sum, she advised that the Government or State should always have emergency funds it can dip into in such time of global crises.

Also working to provide chest and limb therapy to COVID-19 patients is Taslikyah Jones, a Junior Physiotherapist. She wants the $150M to be used to provide bonuses to frontline workers so that they can afford to buy more immune boosting foods and vitamins to keep themselves strong.

She added: “It can also help them with their passage in terms of taking private transportation instead of public transportation [and] it can also help us with more masks…last month we’ve seen the most numbers in Guyana so it is critical now that we get the aid so that we can function to the best of our abilities.”

Since March 2020, frontline workers have been going above and beyond the call of duty, working at their own risk to save the lives of others. President Ali said that this has not gone unnoticed and, as more funding and materials are made available, the Government will work to better equip the health sector to meet the challenge.

Jan. ‘21 can’t come soon enough for OAPs –– with pension pegged at 25,000 p/m, water bill already taken care of

EFFECTIVE January 2021, old–age pensioners will receive $25,000, which is a $4500 increase on what currently obtains, while their water bill will be taken care of, as was the custom years ago, according to new measures outlined in the 2020 Emergency Budget.

The measures were among a host of other budgetary measures announced on Monday by President Irfaan Ali during a press conference held at the Aurthur Chung Convention Centre.

“The pension for old age

pensioners will be $25,000 per month… [and] to reduce the cost of living and put money in pensioners’ pockets, we will revert to free water for pensioners,” President Ali said.

There are currently 59, 406 persons receiving government-provided pensions.

Paid out by the government, and covered under the “Old Age Pensions Act”, old age pension is paid to all Guyanese who have attained the age of 65 years, and have been a citizen of Guyana for at least ten years preceding their claim for pension.

Old age pension was last increased by $1000 in the 2019 Budget, when it moved from $19,500 to $20,500.

Seventy-year-old Patricia Gould, from Patentia Housing Scheme, shared with the Guyana Chronicle that she is contented with the increase, and is grateful for whatever is provided to make the lives of the country’s senior citizens a little better.

“Whatsoever I get, I’m contented; if I get more, I am grateful for it,” Mrs. Gould said, adding: “I am always contented; I go to church,

and I believe in God. I don’t have a husband; my husband died six years ago, and I thank God I am making out.

I have two children that are big. I don’t depend on them; they have their own responsibility.”

A former schooleacher, Mrs. Gould says she also receives NIS, which helps to supplement her income, as she tries her best to live an independent life. She is also grateful for the restoration of free water for pensioners.

Granted yearly by the government, through the Ministry of Human Services

and Social Security, recipients of government’s Old Age Pension were beneficiaries of subsidies on their water bill, which saw the government covering the cost of water for that age group.

However, the subsidy was removed by the previous administration, when they took office back in 2015.

During it’s time in opposition, the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had continually lobbied for the previous government to restore the

subsidy.

Announcement of the new measures for the pensioners comes just weeks after Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud announced additional measures to make life better for senior citizens, which included home delivery of pensions to home-bound pensioners. She had also noted that the Ministry was looking to partner with MoneyGram and Western Union, for those businesses to be an alternative for pension payments.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Announcement of tax breaks, other financial incentives a hit with parents –– particularly significant increase in education cash grants, uniform vouchers

By Tamica Garnett FATHER of three, Heimat Ram estimates that he spends over $60,000 when shopping for his children at the beginning of each school year, so, like many parents across the country, he welcomes Monday’s announcement that the government will be issuing $15,000 cash grants per student, in addition to doubling the uniform voucher per child to $4000.

Desmond Garnett, of Belle West, West Bank Demerara, who also has three children, is elated about the initiative, and is looking forward to the assistance, given the weight of expenses parents face in sending each child to school.

“It’s a good move to help people, because, in this time, people need a lot of help; especially the parents,” Garnett said, adding: “Each child $19,000! You making joke! I welcome it, man!”

A former GuySuCo employee at the now shuttered Wales Estate, Garnett says that sending children to school is a necessary but costly venture.

“Buying school supplies is very expensive; you have to buy boots for each one of them, and a bag.

And you have to talk about school clothes, “Garnett said. “Then, if you look at how much you spend for a month in passage and things for them to eat, it’s over $20,000 you spend for one child. And I have three sons

in school, so it’s very expensive to send them to school.”

BECAUSE WE CARE Initiated in 2014 under the previous PPP/C administration, and called the “Because We Care” project, cash grants of $10,000 per each child in public school were issued to parents, with the aim of providing them with support, and increasing their disposable income, with a view to raising enrollment and attendance rates.

The initiative was discontinued in 2015, when the government changed, however, the PPP/C had campaigned

finances go, it was particularly hard on his family’s budget during last year, as his daughter was preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

“I remember one day alone we went in town and buy about four books, and it come up to about $16,000 to $17, 000, because we had to buy brand new ones from Austin’s, because some of the places didn’t had it,” he noted.

CUTTING CORNERS Ram shared that notwithstanding the high prices, trying to cut corners meant sac-

President Irfaan Ali

Desmond Garnett (right) and one of his three boys

to restore the grants while on the 2020 Elections campaign trail.

The new financial measures to assist parents was announced by President Irfaan Ali on Monday, during a press conference held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), where

it was also announced that the corporate tax for private education was also being removed. Additionally, in initiatives geared towards the education sector, the President announced that some $200M has been allocated to expanding the Guyana Learning Channel.

These measures are all

Heimant Ram and his family

part of the $330B Emergency Budget for 2020, that is scheduled to be revealed in its entirety tomorrow. For most parents, however, it is the cash grants that they’re interested in the most.

President Ali said the cash grants will be issued at the beginning of January 2021.

“It would help us a lot with buying school things, because you wouldn’t really have to go into your savings; you could work with your normal budget,” commented Ram, who has two daughters and a son.

“With my son and my older daughter,” he said, “between dem two, it comes up to $50,000 to $60,000 on items alone. For the small one, I would say she own is about $15,000 to $20,000.”

A Graphic Designer by profession, Ram said as

rificing quality, which did not work out in the end. So, over the years, the school bills for the children has been increasing.

“You does have to buy dem expensive things for them, because they does eat out dem cheap things like dem book bag and shoes,” he said, adding: “During the ‘Common Entrance’ year, she run through about three or four bags, ‘til we just end up buying one of them expensive bags fuh she.

And we does have to buy Skechers boots, because dem children does break up dem other things.”

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand shared that she, too, is delighted that the cash grant was considered and included in this year’s Budget, as she understands what it means for

many parents who struggle to source adequate finances to send their children to school.

“I am very happy; I know persons are looking forward to it,” Minister Manickchand said, adding: “You would be surprised at how many persons find it a big help for them, so I am very glad that it’s happening. It is a promise that we made, not in a vacuum, but based on what people said they wanted.

And I am glad that we were able to deliver that.”

She noted that while the initiative has officially been announced, the specifics of the project is still being worked out, so a method of distribution has not yet been decided upon.

“I know the last time we gave vouchers that were encashed at Western Union, while in the hinterland, we gave cash. So, we do have to work on how we’re going to do this,” the Minister noted.

In an earlier interview last month, Minister Manickchand had noted that while the PPP/C did intend to honour its promise of restoring the grant, finding an appropriate means of distribution, in light of the COVID-19 situation, would provide some challenges.

The Minister noted that she also could not say just yet if private-school students would be included in the initiative. During its roll- out in 2014, parents with children in private schools had lobbied for the programme to be extended to include their kids too.

Minister Manickchand, in the interview last month agreed that a child being in a private school is not necessarily an indication that the parents are not in need of financial aid, and so thought will be given to those children to also be recipients, when the project re-commences. However, whether that could be afforded at this time would depend on the budgetary allocation that the project gets, and how the specifics are worked out, given the magnitude of students there are.

There are currently approximately 170,000 students in the public-school system.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Physiotherapists adapting to COVID-19 limitations

By Lisa Hamilton

PHYSIOTHERAPY is a hands-on job. However, the emergence of COVID-19 has changed the way that physiotherapists in Guyana bring needed rehabilitation to patients countrywide.

Today, the world celebrates World Physiotherapy Day amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the Guyana Chronicle visited the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to get a first-hand view of how things have changed.

“In the Department, the load is not as before because, due to the COVID-19, patients are afraid to come to the hospital if they’re getting a little knee pain or a little back pain. So, we’ve divided up these patients who are

on an exercise sheet and then we use the telephone whereby we call and check to ensure that they do the exercises and encourage them,” she said.

Seated next to Seckle during the interview was Principal Physiotherapist (ag), Beverly Nelson. She pointed out that while physiotherapists are accustomed to being close to patients as they assist with their exercises, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) now ensures a needed barrier in between.

“Before COVID-19, we just came to work. We just did everything we had to do, maybe at times we would use a glove. But now we have to be so careful that we have to use all the PPE available, from headcovers, facemasks, face shields, gowns,

wards and out-patients who come in with trauma injuries.

In August, they dealt with some 500 in-patients referred

Senior Physiotherapist, Simone Seckle (left) and Principal Physiotherapist (ag), Beverly Nelson (Samuel Maughn photo)

Standing from left are: Junior Physiotherapist, Belicia Boodram; Senior Physiotherapist, Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez; Junior Physiotherapist, Stephanie Pires and Junior Physiotherapist, Junior Physiotherapist (Samuel Maughn photo)

afraid to come and we do telemedicine where we send pictures to them, showing them exercises. Those who want to come into us – maybe their case is more complex and can’t be managed through telemedicine – [can do so],” Senior Physiotherapist, Simone Seckle said.

However, with telemedicine comes the challenge of dealing with connectivity issues, patients’ limited access to the internet and the elderly who may not be tech-savvy.

Seckle said that while, in other countries, telemedicine is mainly practised through video calls, Guyana’s effort has been somewhat tweaked to suit its challenges.

“What we do is, instead, is send pictures via Whatsapp showing them the exercises

gloves and shoe covers in the wards. [In the Department] we would use a face mask, a face shield and glove,” Seckle said.

Before a physiotherapy patients visit the hospital, they are subjected to a questionnaire on whether they are experiencing any of the symptoms of the virus, whether they have recently been to high-risk areas and whether they have been in contact with anyone with the virus. When this is complete, a date is given for them to visit the hospital and, upon their arrival, screening is done.

The women noted that the number of persons visiting the department was “significantly less”. The Department deals with in-patients from all

among several others working with many bed-ridden patients who cannot move and breathe well. When dealing

for physiotherapy. In general, they see mainly the elderly and the middle-aged.

TAKING ALL PRECAUTION Since May 6, 2020, the Physiotherapy Department was tasked with going into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and has seen over 56 new patients. Patients in the ICU, showing severely worsened conditions, are usually on a ventilator or an oxygen mask. Seckle outlined: “In this Unit we do mainly respiratory physiotherapy and we will also ensure that they would be mobile. Even though they’re in bed, we do a lot of mobilization exercises.”

Junior Physiotherapist at the GPHC, Stephanie Pires, is

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS TOO In her work in the Department, Nelson deals with more complex cases related to post-surgery patients with many coming in in need of shoulder-related rehabilitation, rotator cuff injuries and tears. It involves a lot of exercise and patients usually require a lot of encouragement to get through it.

“It’s not a case of just telling them to do their exercise and just leaving them, you actually have to see them go through the exercise, encourage them and motivate them,” she said, noting that some patients can even go into depression. The Principal Physiotherapist (ag) recommended that a clinical psychologist be placed in the department as most physio-

hospital making more beds available to sick patients and can speed up the healing process. She recommends that an extension be made to the Department to cater for new physiotherapists and more patients.

Riet Amsterdam, another junior physiotherapist, said that she feels happiest on the job when she can see the end result of patients who have successfully passed through physiotherapy. Telling of a patient experience, she said: “For the first time when I saw the patient he was just on the bed, he couldn’t do anything for himself and then, of recent, I was in another ward and then I saw him he was like ‘you know I’m getting discharged today!’

He’s now walking and he’s

Principal Physiotherapist (ag), Beverly Nelson, assists a physiotherapy patient with his exercises (Samuel Maughn photo)

with patients she understands the need for precaution. “We treat every patient as a possible COVID-19 patient. There are a lot of patients now with coughing and fevers so we have to be very careful when we’re working with each patient because this is a very hands-on profession,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez, Senior Physiotherapist and Supervisor at the GPHC said that physiotherapists were trying their best to work at the side of or behind patients displaying symptoms. “Sometimes we take the patients to get sunlight which is very important for a patient with COVID-19.

We are here as healthcare professionals so we try to save lives,” he said.

therapists are not trained or certified in the area.

When it comes to dealing with children, who usually come in for a fractured arm or leg, physiotherapists must be more engaging to keep their attention. Asked what makes physiotherapy important, Nelson said: “…it helps that individual to get back to his/ her previous level of functioning based on what his/ her condition is. I think we don’t realise how important it is until there is an injury to an arm or leg and then we realise how important each part of the body is.”

IT’S A FULFILLING JOB Meanwhile, Seckle said that physiotherapy helps to speed up discharges from the

doing things for himself, so that brought a joy and a zest in me.”

Adding her input, Junior Physiotherapist, Belicia Boodram, said that Guyana needs more physiotherapists to help more Guyanese to regain their independence.

World Physiotherapy Day is celebrated annually on September 8. This day serves as an occasion for physiotherapists around the world to stand together in cohesion and solidarity to raise awareness about the profession and the impact it has on helping people achieve optimum functionality. The theme for World Physiotherapy Day 2020 is ‘Rehabilitation After COVID-19’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

President Ali pledges swift justice for slain teens –– assures families of support

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Monday assured the families of slain West Coast Berbice teenagers Isaiah and Joel Henry that he will work with law enforcement to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to swift justice.

The President made this commitment to the families during a telephone call on Monday morning to Gladston Henry, the father of Master Isaiah Henry and Gail Johnson, the mother of Master Joel Henry, to express his condolences.

"This morning I had the

unfortunate task of speaking with the father of Isaiah and the mother of Joel. It is unfortunate because of the tragic way that these young men met their death.

On behalf of the people of Guyana and my own behalf and that of my family and government, I express our

condolences to the family, to the parents," President Ali said.

The President said the murders are particularly heinous and reiterated his government’s commitment to bring those responsible to justice.

"I assure you that as President, I will work very, very hard to ensure those criminals are brought to justice…. We have to work on ensuring that crimes like these do not reoccur,” President Ali said.

The President also called on the nation and Berbicians in particular to stand in solidarity during this tragic time and to offer their support to the teenagers’ grieving parents, relatives and community.

"I want to ask all Guyanese not to use this moment to divide us or to separate us, but for us to be conscious of the implications that our statements, comments and posts can have, especially on social media… I can tell you, the parents of these two young men are sincere; they are humble people, and as they go through this moment of loss, as they grieve in these moments, communities from which these young men came… what we can

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

do as a people, as a country, as Guyanese is to strengthen our resolve, strengthen our commitment, strengthen our sense of purpose to our communities, to our neighbours, to our friends, to each other in ensuring that our society… our communities do not have to go through these painful moments,” President Ali said.

The President also called on the public to exercise patience and to allow the Guyana Police Force to conduct

its investigations.

“I ask that you give them an opportunity to complete their work, to support them as they seek to aggressively bring the perpetrators to justice; that whatever we do in demonstrating our emotions, I appeal to you to do so in a peaceful manner, to do so in a respectful manner, to do so in a lawful manner,” President Ali said. (Office of the President)

Convicted child rapist cries foul –– seeks recourse in Appeal Court

FORTY-five-year-old Selwyn Lancaster, who is currently serving 15 years in prison for raping a sixyear-old girl in 2018, and also engaging in sexual activity with her has filed an appeal to challenge his conviction and sentence.

On October 29, 2019, Lancaster was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, at the Sexual Offenders Court at the High Court, for rape of a child under the age of 16 and sexual activity.

The first charge stated that on October 6, 2018, in Linden, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16, while the second alleges that on November 6, 2018, he engaged

Selwyn Lancaster

in sexual activity with said child by touching her vagina.

He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on the first charge, and seven for the second, with Justice Morris-Ramlall ordering that they run concurrently.

Lancaster’s attorneys, Gordon Gilhuys and Yondessa Welcome-Mercurius, have since moved to the Appeal Court to challenge their client’s conviction and sentence, on the grounds that (a) Justice Morris-Ramlall had made an error in summing up the evidence to the jury, and (b), that the trial judge had misdirected the jury when she proposed that she would not read all the evidence while summing up.

Further, Lancaster’s attorneys are arguing that the Judge’s ‘summing up’ was not balanced and did not find favour with the prosecution.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Region Two farmers breathe sigh of relief –– with announcement of removal of VAT on agro-chemicals, pesticides and machinery

SCORES of Region Two rice farmers have breathed a sigh of relief after they heard that Value Added Tax (VAT) has been removed from agro-chemicals and pesticides. According to them, this means that they will incur less overhead expenses come next crop.

During the crop, rice farmers usually have to expend monies to purchase chemicals and pesticides, in an effort to reap a high yield.

With the announcement made by Government on Monday, on the removal of taxes, rice farmers said it was a positive move for the industry and thanked President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and his Cabinet for the timely intervention.

According to Kishore Singh, a rice farmer from Golden Fleece who owns a 10-acre rice plot, on average, he spends approximately $30,000 on chemicals.

These expenses, he said, will now be lower.

“It is good when these things happen. With the removal, we farmers can be able to reap the benefits by achieving a lower cost of production,” Singh said.

Safeek Khan, another farmer from Aberdeen, who rents land to cultivate rice and other crops, has been running at a loss due to high overhead expenses. Khan is hopeful that, with the removal of VAT on agro-chemicals and pesticides, he can return to making a profit.

Other farmers were also satisfied with the removal of VAT on agricultural machinery. Mohammed Khan, a large-scale farmer from Vilvordeen said he was most satisfied, having heard about the removal of VAT on agricultural machinery as it will benefit farmers like him.

He said due to the number of lands he cultivates, he often has to purchase machinery to help in the drainage network system.

Now, he said he would be able to do his drainage work at less cost.

The removal of VAT on agro-chemicals and pesticides by the government will benefit thousands of farmers in Region Two and throughout the country.

Region Two rice farmers say the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on agro-chemicals and pesticides will see them incurring less overhead expenses come next crop

Region Two has 33,000 rice lands under cultivation and, under the APNU+AFC

government, many farmers were forced to diversify or stop cultivating due a

drying up of markets and heavy taxation on agriculture essentials.

Breached koker in Lower Pomeroon quickly sealed RESIDENTS living in the grant, Albion, Jacklow, Lower Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were on Sunday evening affected by flooding due to a breach in a drainage structure there.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that high tides breached the door of the koker, which resulted in flooding in the community. The Roberts family, including two pensioners, was among those affected, but not

for long, as the Region Two administration through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) responded promptly and sealed the breach.

Regional Executive Officer Devanand Ramdatt said machinery was mobilised on Sunday evening and a team was also dispatched on Monday to assess the situation and damage, as well as find a remedy for the situation.

Ramdatt said some of the immediate interventions

An area in Lower Pomeroon affected by the flooding

that were made includes the sealing of the breach and mobilisation of materials on the site. The machinery remains in the affected area to assist in improving the drainage network system.

According to Roberts, (the only name given), his family woke up to kneehigh water and most of their household items were damaged.

“I live with my family and two pensioners also; we all live here for quite some

Roberts in the water

time but never experience the same. The breach along with the heavy rainfall resulted in

the massive flooding,” Roberts said.

Roberts praised the

regional team for their prompt action in bringing the situation under control.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Businessman, son among five in custody for teens murder

By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur

A BUSINESSMAN, his son, a handy man and two others are in police custody as the investigation into the gruesome murder of the two teenagers from Number 3 Village, West Coast Berbice, continues amid widespread protests from residents demanding justice for the boys.

According to information received, the businessman from Cotton Tree village, who is also a rice farmer, was taken into custody late Sunday evening along with his son, after the bodies of the Henry cousins were found on land belonging to him.

On Monday morning, a handyman under his employ was also taken into custody, while two other persons were arrested late Monday afternoon as the Major Crimes Unit in Georgetown took over the investigations.

The butchered bodies of Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19, both of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) were found in the Cotton Tree backlands at around 15:00hrs on Sunday. They had left on Saturday morning to pick coconuts in the backdam but never returned home.

Their bodies bore several chop wounds.

Isaiah had the letter ‘X’ carved on the back of his head and forehead, while Joel’s chest was cut open, exposing his organs and also suffered several broken bones.

The manner in which the youths met their demise has sent the closely knit community in a state of shock and anger. Residents took to the streets from Sunday night in protest, burning tyres and blocking the roads, demanding justice for the lads.

Several other communities across the country joined the protest for the boys on Monday, bringing traffic to a halt on West Coast Berbice.

President Irfaan Ali has called for swift justice for the grieving families of the slain teens, while asking residents to allow the law-enforcement officials to do their jobs.

“I assure you that as President, I will work very, very hard to ensure those criminals are brought to justice…. We have to work on ensuring that crimes like these do not reoccur….

I ask that you give them an opportunity to complete their work, to support them as they seek to aggressively bring the perpetrators to justice; that whatever we do in demonstrating our emotions, I appeal to you to do so in a peaceful manner, to do so in a respectful manner, to do so in a lawful manner,” President Ali said.

He also called on persons to be mindful of statements and actions that can add fuel to an already charged situation and to stand in support with the grieving Henry family.

DO NOT DIVIDE “I want to ask all Guyanese not to use this moment to divide us or to separate us, but for us to be conscious of the implications that our statements, comments and posts can have, especially on social media…. I can tell you the parents of these two young men are

Dead: Joel Henry

Dead: Isaiah Henry

Riot police attempting to clear the roadway

Protesters blocked off the roads and set fire to debris at Number 5 Village on Monday

sincere; they are humble people and as they go through this moment of loss, as they grieve in these moments, communities from which these young men came… what we can do as a people, as a country, as Guyanese is to strengthen our resolve, strengthen our commitment, strengthen our sense of

purpose to our communities, to our neighbours, to our friends, to each other in ensuring that our society… our communities do not have to go through these painful moments.”

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, speaking at a press conference on Monday, said the Guyana Police Force has been mandated

to not spare any lawful effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice, while demanding a complete and thorough investigation.

He also called for patience and to allow the police to conduct their investigations and asked that residents desist from blocking the roadways.

“I share the shock, hurt and anger at this gruesome event and particularly, the grief of the families and friends of these youths of all of the Berbice communities. The countrywide distress, abhorrence and condemnation are noteworthy and very keenly felt.... There are reports of a resumption of blockages of roads and associated bridges on the West Coast Berbice Highway. This activity will not aid, but will surely hamper, the overriding issue of resolving this crime expeditiously. The efforts of some agitators will, also, have a similar effect and lead to a general breakdown in public safety and security. I wish to urge all residents of the local communities to act in a manner that is lawful and helpful to the police in aiding their work and in preserving the peace across and between all communities,” the minister urged.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has also echoed similar sentiments while reminding the protesters that they will take appropriate actions against rouge elements who break the laws.

EXERCISE CALM “While the force is aware of the origin of this protest, and by extension the state of emotions of protestors from the affected villages, the administration of the force wish to urge persons engaged in protest action to exercise calm while we continue with intensity to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. The force is also in receipt of several reports of robberies being perpetrated on several innocent citizens, acts which the force takes seriously,” the force said in a statement.

The GPF also said that when protest action degenerates into unlawful acts, infringing on the rights of other citizens and putting the protection of life and the safeguard of property at risk, it will take the appropriate action against perpetrators.

Meanwhile, former President David Granger, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and former ministers Nicolette Henry and Simona Broomes and other representatives of the coalition visited the relatives of the murdered teens. They also pledged to take care of the funeral expenses of the boys and called for an independent and through investigations in the murder.

As night closed in on Monday and protesters did no one showed no sign of leaving, police had no alternative but to using tear gas and rubber bullets to get the residents off the roadways but protests in East Berbice Corentyne erupted as well.

Residents of Fyrish/Gibraltar and Number 53/Union villages, Corentyne also took to the roadways in solidarity with residents of West Coast Berbice demanding justice for the slain teens.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Everyone must play role in improving race relations –– President Ali PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said his government will play its part in addressing race relations but noted that such issues require a collective effort and a level of maturity and responsibility from every stakeholder.

Speaking at a press conference with Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali, in response to a question, said, “Yes, as a government, we will address the issue through policies and programmes.”

The government, he said has a responsibility of charting policies and programmes that reflect the needs and aspirations of all Guyanese.

“In terms of public policy

and programming, we have to ensure that our public policy and programmes are designed for all the people of our country and that is a great responsibility of the government and that is what you will see in the way we craft our policy,” Dr. Ali said.

Adding that mainstream media have an important role to play, President Ali said how headlines are captured can be the difference in how people react.

“I have had over a thousand, and this is no exaggeration, Facebook posts, sent to me in the last 24 hours, some from people, who I would have great respect for their intellect, their level of education, but their posting is not only damaging and

insensitive, but their posting borders on criminality itself, and as your President, I want to say that we have to address these issues frontally,” he said.

Emphasising that strong monitoring and actions will have to be taken on social media, the President said the amount of hate posts and speeches on social media are damaging and have serious implications.

Noting that his administration intends to create a Youth Advisory Council, Dr. Ali said a major component will be to work on race relations to create a new culture, environment and sense of purpose.

“We need to go out there in at-risk communities and develop a framework of action, that the government can

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, at the press briefing on Monday (Adrian Narine photo)

pursue, to help at-risk communities, but this requires all of us to play a part and we are committed to it,” the President emphasised, Guyana is an ethnically diverse nation and during March to August 2020, it survived an attempt to derail

democracy. Attempts by activists of the coalition government to fan the flames of racial animosity also failed.

In this light, Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, said the killers of Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19, must be brought to justice.

“We hope the perpetrators are caught and punished severely for what they did,” he said while noting that those who strive to divide Guyanese must also face the law.

ERC, civil society condemn ‘senseless’ killing of Berbice teens –– call for calm, while police take ‘swift action’ to apprehend those responsible

The slain teens, 19-year-old Joel Henry and 16-year-old Isaiah Henry

THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), along with several societal organisations on Monday condemned what they’ve fittingly described as “senseless”, the killing over the weekend of 19-year-old Joel Henry, and his 16-yearold cousin, Isaiah Henry at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

The Commission, by way of a press statement, is calling for swift action to be taken by the police to apprehend those responsible, while at the same time urging the nation to remain calm in the face of the pockets of unrest that have erupted following the boys’ death.

“The Commission is pleading with Guyanese, especially those residing in the West Coast Berbice and nearby communities, to remain calm and allow the Police to do their work,” the race rela-

tions watchdog said, adding: “The ERC remains firm that, first and foremost, the law must take its course. The Commission, therefore, appeals to Guyanese to desist from any activity which can contribute to unnecessary tension, as it is hopeful that those responsible will be brought to justice.”

It also seized the opportunity to extend its condolences to the relatives and friends of the two teens, whose lives were so senselessly cut short while they were still in their prime.

Weighing in also on the matter was the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which, via a press statement also issued on Monday, said that it was “with a sense of utter revulsion” that it learnt of the murder of the two teenaged cousins.

“We join the voices of the private sector, and, we would

like to think, the entire country, in calling upon the nation to remain calm, while the police do their job to bring the perpetrators to justice, while we condemn this brutal heinous act,” the PSC said, adding: “Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the grieving families.”

Lending its voice also to the conversation was the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), which noted that the brutal killings of the teen boys must not go unpunished.

“The horrific killing of these young men, who ventured to the backlands to obtain coconuts, a task they reportedly have done on several occasions, is uncalled for, and is, undoubtedly, the product of depraved minds,” the organisation said, adding: “The shocking discovery has sent a thunderbolt of anger through several communities, as people are understandably upset. Inasmuch as we recognise the deep-seated sentiments harboured, we urge that protests be peaceful, and do not bring harm to people nor property.”

In sharing similar sentiments, the Black Lives Matter-Guyana movement said: “…We strongly urge the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to not relent in doing a thorough investigation into what may appear to be a hate crime.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Guyanese academician eager to serve his country ROLE models for the young are invariably those in the media: tabloid, film and TV celebrities. But it is the young people who evolved their challenger mindset from an early age, fostered in the home, or at school, and throughout their university lives, who can change society or the fortunes of a country for the better, are those who should truly be acknowledged. Here is one of these revolutionary young Guyanese high achievers whose inspirational life and considerable accomplishments are not yet well known in his homeland, because since 2013, this proud native of Guyana has been conquering challenges and attaining great successes in the Russian port city of Yakutsk.

John Llewelyn Anderson hails from Goed Fortuin, a small village located on the West Bank of Demerara just two miles south of Vreeden-hoop and so named by the Dutch during the colonial days.

Incidentally, he lived just opposite the Goed Fortuin Primary School which he first attended to obtain his elementary education. Upon the successful completion of the National Grade Six Assessment, he gained a place at the West Demerara Secondary, where again he was a high achiever, eventually obtaining 11 Grade One passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC), thereby topping his school.

Anderson then attended ‘Nations’ School Inc, a leading education provider in Guyana after its Principal Dr Brian O’Toole, impressed with his academic credentials, awarded him a scholarship and he pursued studies in an accelerated pre-law programme.

But it was when he was 18 years old that his tertiary academic journey took off

when he was granted a Russian University scholarship to the coldest city on earth, Yakutsk, the capital of Sakha Republic (Yakutia), in the far

in Geology, Exploration and Development of Minerals at the university.

John, who fluently speaks four languages: English, Rus-

John Llewelyn Anderson

north-eastern part of Russia, on the Lena River, where he attended the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, obtaining a Bachelor of Sciences Degree summa cum laude in World Economics. At the same time he also successfully read for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Northern Studies from the University of Tromso in Tromso, Norway, becoming a dual degree holder with high distinction.

Young Anderson was then awarded another Russian University scholarship to undertake post-graduate studies, reading for a Master of Science Degree in International Business, again at the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, which he successfully obtained after graduating magna cum laude in 2019.

OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR Still not finished in his meritorious tertiary achievements, he is now the first Guyanese to have been awarded a third Russian scholarship at this university, this time to read for a Doctor of Philosophy [PhD]

sian, Chinese [Mandarin] and Sakha, during his time in Yakutsk, served as the President of Nefu International [The International Organisation of the North-Eastern Federal University where he was responsible for protecting the interests of foreigners studying and working at the university, assisting, advising and representing them in matters of common welfare and concern.

He also served as an intern at AEB IT LLC, an IT outsourcing company, worked as a financial analyst for the KFENIYA Private Limited Company, a software production company and as an oil-and-gas researcher with the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Factors that probably contributed to his drive and focus may include his background of very modest means; an education of strict discipline resulting in top grades; the value of his goals and respect of the elders in his family, including his two grandmothers, Doreen Etwaroo and Norma Anderson.

He also has a strong sense of belonging to the Goed Fortuin community.

Miner killed at Puruni River POLICE are investigating the alleged murder of a miner which occurred sometime between September 1 and September 6, 2020, at Thomas Island, Puruni River, Region Seven.

Dead is Tyrone Thomas of Charity, Essequibo Coast. He was working on a land dredge at Puruni River, at the time of his death.

The owner of the land dredge, a 25-year-old resident of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD) told investigators

that he left Thomas, on August 16, 2020, and another worker – a Brazilian National – in the camp.

About one week ago, the owner said Thomas called and informed him that the Brazilian had left the camp.

On Saturday last, the dredge owner said he and two new workers travelled to the camp at Puruni River and, upon arrival, they did not see Thomas.

However, the man said that, on Sunday, at about 07:00 hours, he got a foul smell from the Pu-

runi River close by his camp and went to investigate it. There, he found Thomas’ body wrapped in a multi-coloured hammock stuck beside a tree in the river.

Police ranks, upon visiting the scene, observed that the hands and legs of the victim were bound and a gaping wound was found above the right eye.

The body is at the Bartica Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting an autopsy as investigations continue.

Unlike many Guyanese scholars who relinquish their sense of patriotism to home and country to pledge allegiance to foreign nations, usually spending decades utilising their expertise in the development and progress of European, North American and Asian continents and other countries around the world, while Guyana sits bereft of human capital, Anderson is different.

He is a dynamic, self-confident young man with ideas, creativity and great energy to shape a better Guyana, has rejected a number of career opportunities that were offered to him in Singapore and elsewhere, in order to

return home very soon to make available and utilise his great potential, in service to his beloved country, Guyana.

HOT BED With Guyana becoming a hotbed for oil-and-gas production, Anderson is full of hope that through innovation and imagination, that he can be a problem-solver to the government and help to see the great potential of oil and gas generate a positive change in Guyana.

Lots of people have opinions about what it takes to be happy and successful, including being rich and powerful, but for Anderson, he is more concerned about

relationships, well-being, societal impact in his country and personal fulfilment.

As someone who stands firm in his allegiance to God, he believes that life is a blessing from God and he is the one who deserves all the praises.

His mother Savitry and father Patrick Anderson are happy that their eldest child could have made this journey on his own for the first time to this distant land and achieve such success. They are particularly pleased with his intention to return to serve his homeland and the people of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Animals bearing the brunt of COVID-19 too –– they’re just as vulnerable as humans; only they cannot speak, says animal rights activist

By Naomi Parris DESPITE not being directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, animals across the country are still at its mercy, albeit indirectly, as undue worry about the disease has seemingly caused them to be abused and tormented even more by unkind souls.

And this is precisely

what may have driven animal rights activist Donna Lam to call on the relevant authorities to reform the laws of Guyana to see the enforcement of stricter punishment on persons who inflict pain and emotional turmoil on animals.

Lam, who is also founder of the Rosewood Foundation, a volunteer-based animal welfare organisation that

advocates for the protection of animals through education, rescue and care, told the Guyana Chronicle that since the onset of COVID-19 here, her group has seen a whopping increase in cases of cruelty to animals.

JUST AS BAD AS RACISM “For too long, this has been the norm; we cannot

move forward until we accept this,” Lam said, adding: “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong in the world. Speciesism (the notion that animals are inferior to humans without logical basis) is linked to other prejudices like racism.”

Lam also noted that animals should be treated with the same respect as human beings, since it is morally

Animal Rights activist, Donna Lam

wrong and illegal for persons to inflict bodily harm or emotional turmoil on another being, human or otherwise.

“If you disrespect animals, you’re more likely to disrespect other human beings,” Lam said, adding: “Many people justify this attitude that animals are inferior, by asserting that humans are ‘more intelligent’… We use animals’ lack of language to justify their mistreatment, but animals can communicate with one another in incredibly sophisticated ways. To deny them agency because they cannot reason with us is extraordinarily arrogant.”

She noted that while animals may not be able to speak for themselves, they are still deserving of rights like every other living organism.

“Even if you don’t think this makes us all equal, it means we are all deserving of respect and rights. So while animals do not need or want the same rights as people, they do require their own rights freedom from torture,” she said.

Just recently, Lam and her team rescued a stray cat that was severely burnt by someone, and they are now seeking assistance for the cat to receive treatment.

“This cat is a stray; someone threw hot water on her. Her four kittens died because she was in so

The rescued ‘stray’

much pain, she was unable to breastfeed them,” an incensed Lam said, adding: “We got her to town and to a vet to get medical help; she needs daily treatment for at least a month.”

Lam noted that in cases of extreme cruelty such as this, the police are notified about the incident, but precious little ever come of it, since most of the animals are strays.

She said there is very little support here in Guyana for animals’ rights.

“Animals are vulnerable because they are voiceless and denied agency in our society. I need the government to amend the animal cruelty laws in this country,” she said. We need higher fines.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

GFF donates equipment to Beacon FC on 35th Anniversary THE leadership of the Beacon Football Club (BFC) has been commended by president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde for its persistence in providing an avenue of hope, especially for youth players as the club celebrates its 35th Anniversary as an entity.

Forde, who on behalf of the GFF made a donation of football equipment to the club last Saturday at Burnham Court, commended former National captain Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Brathwaite for sticking with the club through the years since its formation.

Joining the officials and a few former senior players for BFC at the simple but significant activity was proprietor of Beacon Café Ramdeo Kumar who has also committed to working towards seeing a transformation of the club.

Whilst noting that quite often in Guyana’s football leadership is not necessarily found in the Executive Committee, Forde said it is rather found in the commitment to the goals of the game.

“And the goals of football are service to mankind, development of community, improvement of brotherly love and relationship and that

leadership is embodied in Gordon Brathwaite. He has been a punctuation mark in the journey of this club. He has given unselfishly and I want to commend him as a brother in football for what he has done,” the GFF president said.

The former national defender, captain and coach has been the main pillar of the club since its birth and continues to play a pivotal role in its continued existence. Brathwaite was encouraged by president Forde to never give up and to continue working with the club and its youths.

The players who would have contributed to the club over the years were commended by Forde. They include current National coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover, Andre Trotz, Nigel Denny and Julian ‘Beater’ Masdammer as well as the new generation of players who will carry the flag for years to come.

Kumar, in commending the club on its anniversary, informed that he has been a silent supporter of the club for quite some time and his vision is to ensure that the youths in the Independence Park (Parade Ground) area play the game more consistently, noting that COVID-19 is the current challenge.

Kumar stated that he is a product of Alexander Village/West Ruimveldt area and even spent some of his formative years in Albouystown; so he can identify with some of the challenges faced by youths of the ghetto.

President Forde committed the GFF and himself towards meeting with the leadership and executive of the BFC to help reshape and repurpose the club. He noted that apart from handing out equipment, much more can be done.

Meanwhile, Brathwaite expressed gratitude to the GFF, president and Kumar for their support, noting that Beacon will once again be that guiding light for others to follow.

“I am proud today to know that we are thirty-five years old as a club and I am looking forward to our 70th anniversary. I can assure you, Mr President, and everybody around here that these players will make sure we are one of the best clubs.

“We give all the thanks to God for being here because God is the light of the club - the light of life - and without God none of this would have been possible,” Brathwaite said.

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Messi back training with Barca after ending departure saga

Lionel Messi and Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona during a training session (Getty Images) BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) The Argentine claimed in an offi- Barcelona captain Lionel Messi cial letter that he was free to leave the reported for training yesterday for club unilaterally and without a transfer the first time since requesting to fee owing to the clause. leave the club last month.

But Barca and the league’s organMessi had failed to turn up to ising body responded by saying the the club’s tests for COVID-19 eight clause was no longer valid and that the days ago and was absent from all only way to free him from his contract subsequent sessions ahead of the new was by paying a release clause of 700 campaign after giving the club an million euros ($827.68M). official notice that he wished to leave.

Messi, however, will be free to But the club’s all-time top scorer leave free of charge next June unless finally appeared at the Joan Gamper he pens a new deal with Barca. training ground ahead of an evening Barca, who will be looking to session, his first under new coach reclaim La Liga title after surrenderRonald Koeman, after taking a test ing it to Real Madrid last season, are for the novel coronavirus at his home sitting out the first two weeks of the on Sunday. new campaign which begins on Friday Messi, 33, revealed last Friday due to reaching the Champions League in an interview with Goal.com that quarter-finals. he was staying at Barca for the Koeman’s side will instead play coming season as he did not wish pre-season friendlies against Gimto face a court case with the club nastic de Tarragona on Saturday where he has spent his entire career and Girona on September 16 before over a disputed release clause in his their first league game at home to contract.

Villarreal on September 27.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Lakers hold off Rockets to level series 1-1 LeBRON James and Anthony Davis combined for 62 points 21 rebounds, and Los Angeles Lakers needed to hold off fourth-seeded Rockets’ second-half rally to win 117-109 Sunday night, to even their Western Conference semifinals series 1-1 at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.

James narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing with 28 points 11 rebounds nine assists.

What began as a Lakers’ blowout turned tight in the second half. Lakers led by as many as 21 points early in the second quarter, but needed to survive the Rockets’ surge after intermission.

Lakers outscored Rockets 27-17 in the fourth quarter, flipping a 92-90 deficit into an eight-point win. A James turnaround jumper to give Lakers a 117-109 lead with 32.3 seconds to play all but sealed the win.

Sunday’s fourth quarter was a turnaround from Friday’s Game 1, when Rockets pulled away in the final period to clinch a double-digit victory.

Rockets’ third-quarter surge was, predictably, sparked by the 3-point shot.

Houston went 9-of-13 from deep in the third quarter alone. That included a fourpoint play by Robert Covington to cut Lakers’ lead

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during warmups before game two of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against Los Angeles Lakers at AdventHealth Arena. (Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

to 80-79 with 5:07 left in the period, and another 3 by Covington to give Rockets an 82-80 lead.

Overall, Houston outscored Lakers 41-23 in the third quarter, and led by as many as five points.

But James started the fourth quarter with a driving dunk to tie the score at 92.

Less than two minutes later, a Rajon Rondo pull-up gave Lakers a 96-94 advantage, before Alex Caruso found James for a one-handed, alley-oop slam. The run extended to 23-9, with a Davis driving finish giving Lakers a 113-101 lead with less than four minutes to play.

James said, following Game 1, that his team had needed live action to adjust to Rockets’ speed. Early Sunday night, Lakers were the team dashing through the open court for 16 fastbreak points in the first quarter.

Lakers were much more successful Sunday against a Rockets defence that entered Sunday as the NBA’s best in the playoffs. Lakers shot 56.6 per cent from the field and scored 54 points in the paint. They also scored 27 points off 17 Rockets turnovers.

Davis took advantage of Rockets’ ‘micro-ball’

style throughout, scoring 34 points in a variety of ways on 15-of-24 shooting.

Markieff Morris scored 16 points off the bench.

James Harden finished with 27 points seven assists. Eric Gordon scored 24 points, including a 6-of-12 mark from 3-point range, and P.J. Tucker totalled 18 points 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook struggled, making just four of 15 shots and committing seven turnovers.

Lakers built a 16-point first-quarter lead by holding Rockets to a 3-of-15 start from the floor and forcing five turnovers. They also got a massive jolt from their bench in the period. Morris went 4-of-4 from 3-point range to score 12 points in three minutes, and Rondo dished out six assists in six minutes.

Lakers’ advantage grew to 21 on a James dunk early in the second quarter.

Houston trimmed that gap to 51-42 on a Danuel House layup with less than five minutes to play, but Lakers finished the half on a 16-9 run to take a 67-51 lead into the locker room.

Lakers starting centre JaVale McGee went to the locker room with left ankle pain late in the third quarter and did not return. He played eight minutes and did not score.

(Field Level Media)

Stage set for new Hero CPL champions, as semi-finals bowl off today

By Clifton Ross

THE stage has been set for the final four teams, arguably the best of the best who, for the last time, will face off against one another in a bid to secure the two final-place spots and secure this year’s Hero CPL title.

Penultimate rounds of any tournament are perhaps the most tense and crucial stages prior to the final This season, the bubble saw the best four franchises clawing and battling their way to the semis, with tournament hosts Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) destroying the competition by winning all 10 of their preliminary matches; with relative ease.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), the most popular franchise in CPL history to not win a championship, had a mixed start to the tournament before turning up the heat in the latter stages; even being responsible for knocking out the-then defending champs, Barbados Tridents.

Darren Sammy’s comeback to competitive cricket has been excep-

tional from a team’s perspective as St Lucia Zouks have played with much bravery and success this year, maintaining a solid position on the points table throughout the initial rounds, although minus ‘T20 Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle.

Jamaica Tallawahs, led by Rovman Powell will want to enjoy the tag of once again being called CPL champions and their fighting-spirt will once again be tested come today when the most important battle gets underway.

ZOUKS VS WARRIORS This match will most certainly be the tie-breaker, as both sides have managed to secure victories during the early stages, with GAW winning the last encounter handsomely by 7 wickets. GAW will be keen on utilising the form of their bowlers who have been instrumental in their success during crunch stages of a match.

Imran Tahir will be the key for Warriors as Tallawahs in their last game against Zouks, unleashed their spin barrage to upset Powell and company.

Class spinners like Mohammad Nabi, Zahir Khan, 22-yearold Javelle Glenn, who has been quietly becoming a menace, even grabbing 3-16 in the last game; will be responsible for at least 12 of the overs.

Veterans like Kesrick Williams and Obed McCoy will also have their role on the big stage in the seam bowling department.

Tahir, Naveen ul Haq, skipper Chris Green and the dynamic Kevin Sinclair (who should play again), along with Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd, will be a lot for the scratchy Zouks batting order.

The batting on both sides has been circumspect if not questionable at times. Warriors have recovered tremendously from their batting woes thanks to Shimron Hetmyer, the tourney’s leading run-scorer and they have managed to see some fireworks from the enforcer Nick Pooran who blasted the tourney’s fastest ton.

Ross Taylor has yet to reach 30 so far, but his contributions of 20-odd scores which he has been providing have played a big part in

Warriors getting over the line.

All eyes will be on Brandon King and Chandrapaul Hemraj, two West Indies batsmen who have had mixed fortunes this season, with the left-hander Hemraj having more to prove come today.

Rakeem Cornwall and Andre Fletcher have also been victims of international misfortune.

As Zouks openers they have yet to use their West Indies experience to fully get things going, but could pick today to go berserk.

The main weapon for Sammy is Afghan power-hitter Najibullah Zadran, who has been the X-factor down the order as well as his countryman Nabi, another decorated lower-order power-hitter.

Sammy himself has been cold but his reputation as a late-hitting game-changer might be put to the test today in this must-win encounter.

TKR vs TALLAWAHS While the unbeaten hosts will not be taking the Tallawahs lightly, they will, however, fancy this encounter today, especially after the Zouks’ spin attack bamboozled

them a few days ago.

Kieron Pollard has been the best captain on show this season and his T20 know-how has rubbed off on his teammates, as they have been phenomenal this year.

Apart from their highly-volatile batting order which consists of Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Colin Munro, Tion Webster, Sunil Narine and Pollard, all who have been in cracking form this season, Powell and company will have to contend with the Riders’ bowling unit.

Led by Fawad Ahmed, their leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps, TKR have been beating teams by utilising their wide-array of bowling options, both spin and pace. Narine, Akeal Hosein. Kharry Pierre, Zimbabwean Sikandar Raza and other pieces have been overworking the opposition batsman.

Seamers Ali Khan and Anderson Phillips, along with the veterans Pollard and Bravo, have been decent but deprived of wickets thanks to the spinners.

Tallawahs have a shot to upset TKR and put an end to all their

hard work, should they check all the boxes. Glenn Phillips maintained his spot in the top 3 run-getters charts and will play a big role today along with Andre Russell.

TKR will be weary of him.

Powell, Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner will have important roles with the bat come today while all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite will have to double his responsibility. Should Tallawahs use their bowlers wisely, the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, (2nd on the wicket-taker’s list behind Tahir), Sandeep Lamichhane and Veerasammy Permaul have important spells on their hands.

Rearguard Fidel Edwards and the young bullish Oshane Thomas, along with Brathwaite will lead the pace attack against familiar names on the TKR batting line-up.

Regardless of the outcome, today’s semi-final double-header at Brian Lara Academy, which bowls off with TKR versus Tallawahs starting at 10:00hrs followed by the Warriors/Zouks clash under lights, will set the stage for new champions come Thursday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

U.S. threat to pull WADA funding could leave Americans out of Olympics

By Steve Keating TORONTO, (Reuters) - America’s top athletes could be banned from the Olympics and other major international sporting events if the United States follows through on its threat to withdraw funding from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), anti-doping leaders told Reuters.

The U.S. threat has sent shockwaves through the anti-doping community and prompted several governments to urge WADA to introduce legislation that would find the U.S. non-compliant with the WADA Code, effectively barring American athletes from international competition.

“The consequences of a withdrawal of WADA funding by the U.S. could be more severe and far reaching for American athletes,” WADA president Witold Banka told Reuters.

“We have been approached by a number of governments of the world that were shocked by the threats from the U.S. government supported by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency).

“These governments want us to consider an amendment to the compliance standard meaning that non-payment by a government of its WADA contribution could lead directly to that

country’s NADO (National Anti-Doping Organisation) being declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.

“Inevitably this could have serious repercussions for athletes from that country including their participation in major international sporting events.”

The Tokyo Olympics have been delayed by a year until July 23 to August 8, 2021, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules stipulate there needs to be WADA compliance to allow Games participation.

All Olympic Games’ participants must comply with the IOC Executive Board’s entry process, including the signing of the entry form, which includes an obligation to comply with the Olympic Charter and World Anti-Doping Code and submit disputes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s jurisdiction.

USADA president Travis Tygart fired back by labelling the WADA threat empty and illegal.

“To threaten one country’s athletes over WADA’s failed governance model is pretty remarkable and disappointing,” Tygart told Reuters. “WADA is very threatened and rattled but to illegally threaten U.S. athletes is shameful.

“They ought to spend the

WADA president Witold Banka time trying to fix and make WADA what the world wants it to be which is a strong independent WADA. “There’s something wrong when the global regulator attacks one of its key partners that is doing everything to uphold the rules, yet they turn a blind eye to a country like Russia that runs a state-sponsored doping programme.

“The hypocrisy here is incredulous.”

Russian authorities have always denied the existence of state-backed doping in the country.

CRITICAL REPORT A report by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), presented to the U.S. Congress in June and seen by Reuters, was highly critical of WADA demanding that it should implement immediate reforms.

The report also suggested that the U.S. withhold funding unless it was given greater representation on WADA boards and committees and “a proportionate voice in decision-making.”

The U.S. is the largest single contributor to WADA, paying over $2.7 million into the 2020

budget of $37.4 million, half of which comes from the IOC. If the U.S. government were to cut funding it would also lose its spot on the WADA Foundation Board and seats on all committees, WADA says.

“It is surprising WADA would threaten illegal retaliation against the U.S.,” said Tygart.

“There is no rule.

“If the U.S. government stops paying the only consequence specified in the WADA rules and UNESCO treaty is that the U.S. could no longer sit on any WADA committees.

“You can trust the federal government looked at the legal ramifications in the event they stopped paying.

“When they realised all it meant was they were off the Foundation board, they went big deal.

“That means nothing to us, it has no power, it is ceremonial.

“There is anti-American bias.”

CLEAN RECORD Even without an amendment to WADA rules, an unprecedented move by the U.S. to cut funding could trigger a messy non-compliance issue and leave American athletes in limbo.

U.S. athletes aiming to qualify for major competitions would have problems because, even if they were not directly sanctioned

by USADA’s compliance status, they could have difficulty demonstrating a clean record.

“It would be very bad,” Jorge Leyva, CEO of the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO), told Reuters.

“If the U.S. were to pull its share of the funding to WADA then the consequences for USADA - they quite simply would be outside the system and it would be a non-compliance issue working with the Olympic Games and things like that.

“That would simply be a catastrophe for American athletes and the anti-doping system.

“When declared non-compliant, testing gaps are definitely created and then it becomes an arduous logistical challenge to close them.”

WADA has accused USADA of engaging in a risky powerplay to seize control of sport’s global anti-doping effort, calling the U.S. threat political blackmail.

“This is a critical time for anti-doping, we need unity not division,” said Banka. “I can underline under my leadership I will not let WADA become part of a political game.

“If WADA made past mistakes I can say it, of course, but I will never let WADA be blackmailed and undermine our position as the global regulator.”

Pogacar leads charge of fearless new generation

By Julien Pretot

A ROCHELLE, France (Reuters) - Tadej Pogacar has lit up Tour de France in the first two mountain stages over the weekend, leading the charge of a fearless new generation ready to complete a takeover on the grand tours.

While 30-year-old Primoz Roglic leads the Tour after the first bloc of racing and remains the odds-on favourite to prevail in Paris, defending champion Egan Bernal, 23, and Pogacar, 21, are just behind.

Colombian Bernal, who last year became the youngest rider to win the Tour in 110 years, is second overall, 21 seconds behind Roglic, and Slovenian Pogacar is seventh, 44 seconds off the pace.

Pogacar won the ninth stage on Sunday after being on the attack on the brutal ascent to the Col de Marie Blanque, one day after gaining some 40 seconds on the top favourites following a bold move in the Col de Peyresourde.

“There’s a generation of 20, 21, 22-yearolds who already win everything. The pace is higher than before. We’re breaking all climbing records in the ascents on the Tour de France,” Frenchman Romain Bardet, 29, told reporters on the first rest day yesterday.

Bardet finished second overall in 2016, but he is now finding it hard to stay among the top.

“We have to hang in there,” he said.

Pogacar is impatient and even if he respects compatriot Roglic, he will pounce whenever he has the possibility.

“I have always had a lot of respect for him, and besides, I respect everyone,” the Team UAE Emirates rider told reporters.

“But it’s a cycling race and if I have the legs I attack. A new generation is here, and I have my own style. If I don’t attack, it’s because I don’t have the legs.”

Swiss Marc Hirschi, 22, applied the same tactics and even if he failed to win a stage, the former Under-23 world champion came close twice.

UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia wins Stage 9, September 6, 2020.

(Pool via REUTERS/Thibault Camus)

He finished second in the second stage behind Julian Alaphilippe, and ended up third on Sunday in a five-man sprint after being caught with a couple kilometres left

by Pogacar and other top contenders.

Pogacar and Bernal, however, might be well inspired to win the Tour this year since another prodigy, Belgian Remco Evene-

poel, could make his grand tour debut next season.

The 20-year-old, whose season ended in a freak crash at the Giro di Lombardia last month, had won all four stage races he had entered - the Tour of San Juan, the Tour of Algarve, The Tour of Burgos and the Tour of Poland.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Djokovic apologises after ball hits line judge at U.S. Open NOVAK Djokovic has apologised for ball hitting a line judge at the US Open, saying he is “extremely sorry for causing her such stress”.

The world number one was disqualified from his fourth-round match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

The Serb, 33, who had just had his serve broken, took a ball out of his pocket and hit it behind him, striking the woman in her throat.

“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,” said Djokovic.

“I checked on the linesperson and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling OK. “I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.”

After a lengthy discussion, Djokovic was defaulted by tournament officials at Flushing Meadows.

He will lose all ranking points earned at the U.S. Open and will

forfeit the prize money he had won at the tournament. He could also be fined for the incident.

“As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being,” Djokovic added in a statement on Instagram.

“I apologise to the U.S. Open tournament and everyone associated for my behaviour.

I’m very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me.

“Thank you and I’m so sorry.”

His exit ended his hopes of winning an 18th Grand Slam title and narrowing the gap on Rafael Nadal (19) and Roger Federer (20) in the race to finish with the most men’s major wins.

WHAT HAPPENED? Djokovic showed his frustration after losing serve to trail 6-5 against Carreno Busta in the first set.

He also had shown a flash of

Novak Djokovic checked on the line judge after hitting her with a ball when he was 6-5 down in the first set. temper two games earlier at 5-4 - whacking a ball into an advertising board after the Spaniard saved three set points.

Leon Smith, Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain, said he was “surprised” Djokovic did not get

a warning for that incident, and felt one might have prevented the controversy which followed.

After Djokovic was defaulted, Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: “There has to be consistency, if someone hits a

ball with that much venom and temper, call a warning.

“The second one can be dangerous and so it proved to be.”

Djokovic pleaded his case with tournament referee Soeren Friemel and Grand Slam super-

visor Andreas Egli during a long conversation at the net.

Eventually, however, he accepted his fate and shook hands with Carreno Busta, who looked shocked by what had happened as he waited in his chair for a decision.

Friemel said that there was not “any chance of any opportunity of any other decision other than defaulting Novak because the facts were so clear, so obvious” and that there was “no discretion involved”.

The tournament referee added: “His point was that he didn’t hit the line umpire intentionally.

He said ‘yes, I was angry, I hit the ball, I hit the line umpire, the facts are very clear, but it wasn’t my intent, I didn’t do it on purpose, so I shouldn’t be defaulted for that’.

“We all agreed that he didn’t do it on purpose but the facts are still that he hit the line umpire and that the line umpire was clearly hurt.”

Djokovic left Flushing Meadows without doing his news conference. (BBC Sport)

Government to build multipurpose sports facilities in Regions 2, 6 and 10

IN keeping with a promise made during his campaign, Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali, announced yesterday, during a press conference, that the PPP/C Government will be building multipurpose sport facilities in Regions 2, 6 and 10.

President Ali said the move comes as his administration looks to “continue to continue to support the growth and development of our young people and our sport men and women and finding new talent, while supporting every region of our country.”

According to President Ali, who dabbled in the sport of cricket, “these are some of the investment measures and policies that we President Dr Irfaan Ali

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will pursue in this emergency budget and in January, to bring relief, to create opportunities and to improve the welfare and wellbeing of all the people of our country.”

The President was not available to give further details as it relates to how much will be allocated towards the facilities, or if there has been any studies done within the specific regions to ascertain where the facilities will be constructed.

In their manifesto, which will guide government’s Policy, the PPP/C Government also said they will provide a special fund for upgrading of sports and cultural facilities, as well as building Sport Academies in all

regions.

Plans, according to the manifesto, will be in place to provide incentive packages for businesses that provide sponsorships or employment opportunities for sports persons.

The Government also intends to upgrade the South Dakota Circuit, the country’s lone motor racing track, to international standards.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, has reiterated that under President Ali, sports will not be left behind and the country’s sportsmen and women can rest easy knowing that they now have an administration that will cater to their needs.(Rawle Toney)

Serena battles through tensionfilled U.S. Open fourth round

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Sunil Narine-TKR (Match #1 & 6)

(2)Christopher Barnwell-543 runs (HS: 37)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who are the first two captains to lead their teams in a CPL game?

(2) What is the highest individual score made by a Patriots batsman against the Warriors?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The win was Serena Williams’ 100th on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

NEW YORK, NY (Reuters) - over Greece’s Maria Sakkari ond-set tiebreak, with her power Serena Williams NYSE:WMB) yesterday. serve abandoning her when she advanced to the U.S. Open The 23-time Grand Slam needed it most. quarter-finals after a gritty, ten- winner came up short in the secSakkari carried the momension-soaked 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 win

tum into the third set as she started the decider with a break.

But the 38-year-old American once again showed the battling instincts that have made her one of the all-time greats. She broke back to level for 2-2 as Sakkari’s forehand started to misfire.

The six-time Flushing Meadows champion marked her 100th win on Arthur Ashe Stadium with a roar that could be heard all around the grounds.

“I just kept fighting,” said Williams, who lost to Sakkari two weeks ago in the Western & Southern Open.

“She was doing so well; she was being so aggressive.

“I knew I needed to do the same thing.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Minister Ramson gets first tour of first ‘home of football’ MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, was high in praise for the work of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) under the Presidency of Wayne Forde following a community outreach to Tiger Bay as well as an official visit to the

pressed overall with the pace of the work and also the quality of the work being done here by the GFF and the leadership of Wayne Forde.”

“It shows the level of commitment the GFF is willing to pursue and the effort that they are willing to advance in the development

GFF president Wayne Forde (2nd left) observes as Minister Ramson gets a feel of the turf at the GFF National Training Facility. (GFF photo) GFF National Training Centre at Providence, on Saturday.

At the GFF’s FIFA-funded facility, which is still under phase one of construction, the minister and team were taken on a guided tour including the state-of-the-art artificial turf and the building (new and refurbished), which will house a players dorm, football-specific gym, viewing area, and kitchen, among other amenities.

Minister Ramson expressed satisfaction with what he saw during his inaugural visit to the facility, telling reporters: “I’m pretty im-

of young talent, young Guyanese talent. I’m happy also to say that we are going to be working on a number of projects together,” Ramson said.

Forde, while welcoming and expressing thanks to Minister Ramson on his first visit to the National Training Centre, said he is quite confident that it is the first of many that would be made in the coming months and years.

Meanwhile, during the visit to Tiger Bay, footballs and other gear were handed over to the community

by Forde and Minister Ramson,

who also had his staff distribute face masks to residents to assist with containing the spread of the COVID-19.

According to the minister, the Tiger Bay visit was a follow-up to the visit and commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Holligan and Shawn ‘Fatso’ Bishop, all deceased, as well as current players including King Solomon Austin and Deon Alfred who were present at Saturday’s outreach.

Minister Ramson alluded to the fact that one’s circumstances do not preclude them from having

GFF president Wayne Forde and Minister Ramson look at the designated gym area, which is still under construction. (DPI photo) Also attending Saturday’s outreach were GFF Executive Committee Member Dion Inniss, Georgetown Football Association president Otis James and National Security Adviser, Gerald Gouveia, among others.

Minister Ramson also engaged members of the community on the possibility of clearing a designated area to make it easier for the youths to be engaged in playing sports.

The Tiger Bay area has produced a number of national footballers over the years, including the likes of Orin Accra, Leslie ‘Fatman’

opportunities for their advancement in life, adding that “presenting that ball, while it may just be a ball, it is a symbol of what your life could become too.”

“In addition to that, it’s some life-changing lessons that you learn when you are doing sport; team work, competitiveness, being able to have the discipline, setting your goals and working towards your goals all those are things that I developed by playing competitive sport, which I had just transported into my personal life,” Ramson reasoned.

Teenager Josh deCaires with Caribbean roots signs contract with Middlesex

LONDON, England (CMC) – Highly-rated teenager Josh de Caires, the great-grandson of a former West Indies Test player and son of an ex-England captain, has signed a three-year contract with English county side Middlesex.

The 18-year-old de Caires is the son of former England captain Michael Atherton, now a commentator and chief cricket correspondent of The Times of London, whose wife Isabelle is the great granddaughter of Frank de Caires, who was born in what was then British Guiana – now Guyana – in 1909.

“Josh is a very talented top-order batsman with good pedigree,” Middlesex head coach Stuart Law said.

“We look forward to working with him over the coming years and helping in his development as a player and a young man,” added Law, an Australian, who formerly coached West Indies.

Josh’s great-grandfather Frank was a right-handed middle-order batsman, who made 80 and 70 in the first Test played in the Caribbean, when England were the visitors to Barbados in 1929-30, but he played only three Tests, however, the last of them in Jamaica in the same series. de Caires toured Australia later that year but did not play in any of the Tests. In all, he made 232 Test runs.

The new contract will see young de Caires remain a Mid-

dlesex player until at least the end of the 2023 season and through his time at university.

A product of the Middlesex Academy, de Caires first represented Middlesex at Under-14 level, hitting an unbeaten 90 on debut against Essex Under-14s in 2015. He made his second XI debut in 2017 at the age of 15 and last year scored a Second XI Championship century against Hampshire.

His father, Atherton, now 52, played 115 Tests for England before retiring in 2001, having compiled 7 728 runs and finishing with an average of 37.69.

Having replaced Graham Gooch as England captain after the fourth Test of a home series in 1993 against Australia, Atherton’s first tour as captain, to the West Indies in the winter of 1993–94, was not a success as England lost 3-1.

It proved to be a series of highs and lows for England.

England were bowled out for 46 in the second innings in Trinidad but then roared back to win the fourth Test in Barbados, thanks to two centuries from Alec Stewart, before Trinidadian Brian Lara compiled a world-record 375 against them in the drawn fifth Test at the Recreation Ground in Antigua,.

For his part, Atherton was the leading English batsman on the tour, scoring 510 runs – including two centuries – at an average of 56.67.

Rovman Powel Chris Green

Kieron Pollard

Darren Sammy

Stage set for new Hero CPL champions, as … Rested Warriors semi-finals bowl off today favourites to reach finals PAGE

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GFF president Wayne Forde (left) and Ramdeo Kumar (right) with former and current players of Beacon FC following the presentation of gear.

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GFF donates equipment to Beacon FC on 35th Anniversary .... Beacon Café owner Ramdeo Kumar promises to support Government to build multipurpose sports facilities in Regions 2, 6 and 10 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER 8, 2020