Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_09_10_2020

THURSDAY 10th September, 2020

' No.106118

Economy projected to grow 51.2 per cent

–– as gov’t moves to cushion effects of COVID-19, revitalise productive sectors

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03

Highlights * President mourns deaths in protests – Calls on ERC to investigate Harmon’s statement * Isaiah’s father calls out rogue protesters – Laments violence against East Indians, calls for peace, swift justice for his son * Granger, Harmon responsible for violent protests, says Benn * PNC/R chair, James Bond condemn violence, blockage of roadways * Autopsy indicates Henry boys died from haemorrhage, shock * PM Phillips visits relatives of slain Henry teens – Calls for calm as police conduct investigation

West Berbice protests: Singh, Hargobin beaten to death

* Gov’t seeks UK help to investigate Berbice murders – Explores UN systems to address racial strife, mulls CoI into unrest

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09

Dead: Naresh Singh

Dead: Prittipaul Hargobin

See stories on pages 2,4,10,15 &16

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Isaiah’s father calls out rogue protesters –– laments violence against East Indians, calls for peace, swift justice for his son GLADSTON HENRY, the father of Isaiah Henry, moments after witnessing the post mortem of his son, apologised to the residents who were hurt as a result of the rogue protesters who have unleashed violence on innocent citizens.

Henry was at the time speaking with the media about the post mortem and used the opportunity to declare that he was not responsible for the state of affairs in the country presently, since, as a Christian, he is supportive of all races and partakes in activities of other religions as a Guyanese.

His son, he said, was no different.

“I want to say I am not a racial person; I born in Number Three, the community I live in. I live among Indian people. We eat together, we sleep together, we live together. The majority of my friends that I move with are Indian friends, we live like brothers... and this same son that died, the majority of his friends are Indians. This same area where he get killed, he dwell among people in that community and he get Indian friends and they call him a nickname ‘Blackboy’ too,” Gladston related.

The father made it clear that he is simply seeking justice for his son and condemned the actions of the violent protesters. Elements in the protest have focused their attacks on East Indians.

“What I’m saying, I won’t hold any other person responsible and again, I am not racist. I love my Indian brothers and sisters, I am not supporting un-moral protesting because I went out in Number Five (Village) and tell them straight ‘if you want to protest, is our right, let we do it peacefully’, you understand.

And doing it peacefully, the nation cannot be fighting against one another because this is going on too long, let we don’t see this thing as Black or White or Chiney or Portuguese ... because if a Blackman or a Chiney man or any other man did do

Gladston Henry

this, even if is not me child, I swear in me heart, he would have had to pay the penalty, not any other man that look like him or have the same texture hair as him, but the person that committed the act, you understand.”

The senior Henry called for unity and an end to the race-baiting.

“We should not condone people because of the race doing these things, let this thing don’t look political or racial or anything... I have friends in Bath Settlement that work with me and I am sorry for anything that people hold against me. I am mango man, you know me...

I was in there election time and a few people tried to harass me but a few big ones scold them that I was selling mango in the community since I was a little kid and I grow up in the community.

I go to the Muslim mosque, I go to the Hindu temple, I play Phagwah... I just want to seek justice for my son which any mother or father anybody would like to see for them family or son or daughter,” he said.

Meanwhile, an elder sibling of Joel Henry, Colwyn Henry is calling for swift justice for his brother and cousin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Economy projected to grow 51.2 per cent –– as gov’t moves to cushion effects of COVID-19, revitalise productive sectors

By Navendra Seoraj AS the world faces an uncertain future because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and other global events, Guyana is better poised to emerge from the crisis rapidly with a more resilient economic base, said Minister of Public Infrastructure Juan Edghill, as he presented government’s $329.5B budget to the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The country, though faced with the challenges associated with the pandemic and a recently concluded protracted electoral process, is poised to grow by between 48.4 per cent and 51.2 per cent by the end of this year.

Guyana had recorded an estimated growth of 45.6 per cent in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at mid-year. This growth was driven mainly by the country’s petroleum sector, as the non-oil economy contracted by 4.9 per cent due to significant declines recorded across many major industries.

“This was, in part, due to the protracted General and Regional Elections, but was also a result of the significant reduction in economic activity after the introduction of several emergency measures in the second quarter to curb the spread of COVID-19,” said Minister Edghill.

These measures saw restrictions being imposed on the movement of persons and operation of non-essential businesses, which, in turn, led to a reduction in household incomes.

While there was a phased relaxation of measures in the third quarter of the year, a surge in COVID-19 cases in August has necessitated the reintroduction of more stringent measures. The need to constantly monitor and readjust emergency measures in response to the spread of COVID-19 increased uncertainty surrounding the economic performance of various industries for the remainder of this year, said the minister.

To this end, a few different scenarios were considered in forecasting growth and other macroeconomic indicators for 2020. And, while real GDP growth could reach 51.2 per cent, the non-oil economy is expected to contract by between 1.4 per cent and 4.3

per cent.

Speaking about the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, Minister Edghill said they contracted by 4.1 per cent in the first half of the year as a result of lower production in the “other crops,” livestock, forestry and fishing industries. Those industries are projected to decline further by between 0.1 per cent and 2.3 per cent by the end of this year.

Turning to specific industries, sugar, which expanded by 10.4 per cent at the half-year, is expected to grow by between 10 per cent and 15.4 per cent. Expansion is also expected in rice production, with forecasts for second-crop production anticipated to result in growth of between 2 and 3.5 per cent.

The livestock industry, which contracted by 2.3 per cent at the half-year, is expected to rebound in the second half, to realise growth of between 0 per cent and 2.4 per cent in 2020.

The mining and quarrying industries, which expanded by a mammoth 343.7 per cent by mid-year due to petroleum and by a lesser extent gold, are expected to expand by between 320.6 per cent and 324.3 per cent by year-end.

The gold-mining industry, which expanded by 2.1 per cent at half-year, also experienced some setbacks, particularly with the two large-scale companies, who together reported a 36 per cent decline in production, when compared with the same period in 2019.

While large-scale production is expected to continue to dwindle in the second half, the output of small and medium-scale miners, in response to higher prices, is expected to bolster production, pushing growth to fall between 2 per cent and 0.7 per cent.

“The bauxite industry continues to face reduced global demand for its output, which, in addition to the stoppage of mining by one company, resulted in a contraction of 42.3 per cent at the half-year.

“This industry is expected to contract by between 40 and 51 per cent in 2020. Similarly, the other mining industries also saw a significant contraction at the half-year, by 56.8 per cent, as a result of lower demand. However, the resumption of construction activities is expected to see

improved output in the second half, resulting in a less severe contraction of between 20 per cent and 30 per cent in this industry,” said Minister Edghill.

and an expectation of improved performance in some of the service industries, the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to dampen any recovery.

Public Infrastructure Minister Juan Edghill during the budget presentation on Wednesday (Adrian Narine photo)

The construction industry contracted by 5.6 per cent at mid-year, despite the emergency measures gazetted in April which were expected to result in a more severe decline. While the formal easing of restrictions on construction activities in the second half of the year, and the resumption of public-sector construction should not result in a significant decline in the industry, it is still expected to contract by between 4 and 7 per cent in 2020.

CONTRACTIONS Similarly, the service industries which are expected to be worst hit by the emergency measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, contracted by 3.8 per cent in the first half of the year, with most industries suffering severe contractions.

Wholesale and retail trade and repairs contracted by 14.7 per cent; transport and storage by 25 per cent; accommodation and food services by 32.9 per cent; professional, scientific and technical services by 20.7 per cent; administrative and support services by 5.3 per cent; arts, entertainment and recreation by 45.8 per cent; and other services by 51.2 per cent.

While the conclusion of the elections has led to improved consumer sentiment

As such, service industries are forecasted to contract by between 0.7 per cent and 3.5 per cent, in 2020.

Minister Edghill further said the manufacturing industries contracted by 0.2 per cent in the first half of the year, despite expansions in sugar and rice manufacturing, by 14.2 per cent and 7.2 per cent respectively.

This was due to a significant contraction, of 5.7 per cent in the “other manufacturing” industries. While the output of these industries is expected to improve in the second half amidst growing demand, “other manufacturing” is still expected to contract by between 1 per cent and 5 per cent in 2020.

Overall, the performance of the manufacturing industry in 2020 is projected to fall between a contraction of 1.4 per cent and an expansion of 1.9 per cent.

EXPORT EARNINGS On a more positive note, Minister Edghill said export earnings are projected to increase by 58.4 per cent to US$2.5 billion, supported by the exports of crude oil in 2020. Guyana has already earned over US$140 million from the sale of crude.

Continued growth is projected in the export earnings of rice, paddy, and gold, of 10 per cent and 15.8 per cent,

respectively. These are expected to offset an anticipated decline in export earnings from the other sectors.

Central government’s current revenue is, however, estimated at $226.5 billion, 5.9 per cent or $14.1 billion, below 2019 collections, as a result of lower anticipated collections from both tax and non-tax revenue sources.

Tax revenue in 2020 is estimated at $214.5 billion, $11.4 billion less than the $226 billion collected in 2019. This is on account of reduced economic activity and the introduction of measures by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), to reduce the burden on both businesses and individuals, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While this budget (budget 2020) will focus primarily on addressing the health and economic crises resulting from the pandemic, in the medium-term, investments will focus on creating the conditions to catapult Guyana towards prosperity, such that all of our people reap the benefits of the petroleum revenue windfall,” said Minister Edghill.

These investments, he said, will be grounded in the tenets of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) – low-deforestation, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. In this regard, budget agencies will over the coming months review and update medium-term strategies to ensure that Guyana is able to deliver transformative development.

“We are also mindful of the volatility inherent in petroleum revenues, as well as the risk of overheating the economy by spending too much too quickly. As such, the medium-term fiscal framework will see a paced and conservative ramp up in spending, financed by the prudent use of petroleum revenues and decreasing reliance on debt,” Minister Edghill explained.

Budget 2020 is being presented near the end of the third quarter of the year so expenditure would have been accumulated in the first half of the year to ensure the continuation of multi-year projects and programmes, and provision of public services in the middle of the pandemic. The size of Budget 2020 is $329.5 billion, which is 9.6 per cent, or $28.8 bil-

lion above that of 2019.

“The year 2020 has been a complicated and difficult one for us as Guyanese. We have gone through testing times as a nation, given our own internal struggles of living together as one people; but it is clear that we have one destiny. As Guyanese, we must all make every effort to heal and to move forward together, as we consolidate our national position in order to achieve our development trajectory ahead,” said Minister Edghill.

ADDITIONAL CRISIS The pandemic presents an additional crisis that will continue to affect all spheres of life; and, as the country adapts to this new normal, Minister Edghill said one lesson rings true, “how we act as individuals will ultimately impact the lives of those around us, whether we apply that to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, or to our engagement as mutual respecting citizens of our beloved country.”

The minister believes that budget 2020 offers hope and relief in its measures, and programmes and projects. It reflects government’s fierce dedication to ensuring a better quality of life for all Guyanese.

“Our government will continue to fiercely defend our cherished democracy as we have recently done, and we will always champion upholding the rule of law.

“We will continue, as always, to secure working partnerships with our private sector -- from the fruit vendors to the rum producers, farmers to fishers, miners to millers, air service providers to minibus drivers. We will work within the public sector with all diligent public servants, including soldiers, police, educators, and health workers – especially those who are on the frontline – to ensure effective delivery of public services to all Guyanese, particularly at this crucial time,” said Minister Edghill.

Government’s “plan for prosperity,” despite the challenges, has taken root in this emergency budget, and Budget 2021 will outline the transformative agenda for the medium-term; one that is inclusionary and participatory in its architecture and implementation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

President mourns death of another teen -- calls on ERC to investigate Harmon’s statement

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali has condemned another barbaric act which snuffed the life out of 17-year- old Haresh Singh, while calling on the Ethnic Relations Committee (ERC) to investigate the statement made by Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon.

Singh was killed Wednesday morning at Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice, while he was on his way to his farm, police said.

His motorcycle was also discovered burnt.

The President, on Wednesday, said recent statements by Harmon during a visit to the grieving Henry families were inciteful and filled with hate.

“This is not the type of leadership our country needs

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

at this time when we are trying to heal and bring communities together,” the head of state noted.

As President, he said it is painful to address fellow

Guyanese on the brutal murders of the three young men.

Subsequent to the President’s statement, Prittipaul Hargobin, 34, known as “Roy”, a resident of Block BI Bath Settlement, was also beaten to death by angry protesters.

“The murders and barbaric individuals, not worth to be classified as humans, must be brought to justice in all three instances and will be brought to justice. And those who are causing chaos and havoc on the streets, criminals disguising in protest, robbing people, beating people, burning property,

you are acting unlawfully and the police has assured me, the Joint Services have assured me that they are not going to tolerate this type of behaviour,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

Noting that it is in the interest of all Guyanese that the criminals are brought to justice swiftly, President Ali said he had the unfortunate task of speaking to the grandmother and brother-in-law of Haresh Singh.

“Just as I spoke to the parents of Isaiah and Joel, and the pain is immense, the pain, and the grief, is im-

Dead: Haresh Singh

mense,” Dr. Ali said.

“The criminals who are robbing people, the criminals who are beating people, the criminals who are chopping people, need to be brought to justice also. There is no other way to describe this. It is criminality; it has nothing to do with standing up for justice.”

The President said he spoke to many families who were beaten, robbed, traumatised, had their property destroyed.

RICE FIELD BURNT On Wednesday, farmers’ rice fields were burnt.

The Head of State said no leader can condone this type of behaviour and he finds the statements by Harmon unhelpful to the situation.

“Calling this a struggle against a fraudulent government and oppression tells you the extent to which Mr. Harmon is trying to misuse the circumstances that surround us as a nation,” Dr. Ali said.

The President said that the deaths of the young men have nothing to do with oppression of anything about the government.

“This is not a struggle against a fraudulent government. We respect the rights of every single Guyanese to peacefully demonstrate, to peacefully let their feelings and thoughts be heard, that is our fundamental right that this government supports,” the President said.

As Guyanese, Dr. Ali

said this is the time for citizens to act in a responsible manner and leaders must not misuse the circumstances.

“They must not use this as a tool to achieve selfish desires. They must not see this as an opportunity to whip up trouble in our country. I call upon all the leaders of this country, I call upon all the democratic institutions to condemn what is taking place, to condemn the actions of the criminals, the murderers and those who are creating havoc in the communities by beating, chopping robbing and raping people,” the President emphasised.

The President said he will be in every community across this country to bring healing, to talk to residents and to work on their priorities, but he called on all Guyanese to be responsible and peaceful.

“Let the police conduct their investigations, let the police conduct their work, allow them to act professionally, allow them to get effectively and efficiently to the bottom of this all,” the President said. He added: “You cannot continue to block the roadways; you cannot allow persons to inflict harm on others and destroy their property.”

The President called for healing, unity and to allow the hurt and the families who are dealing with the grief, hurt and pain to allow them to be respected in this difficult time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

House, barbershop set ablaze by protesters

The house owned by the Heralals engulfed in flames

A HOUSE and a barbershop in West Coast Berbice were torched by protesters on Tuesday night as they continued their action, calling for justice for the Henry cousins.

The house at reference, which belonged to the Heralals, of Number 22 Village Bel Air, West Coast Berbice, was set alight at around 20:45hrs by protesters.

According to a relative of theirs, Sharon Harilall, the house was occupied by her family for over three generations, and luckily for her brother, who usually stays there, he was not home at the time.

The two-bedroom house was razed to the ground, taking everything inside with it.

Meanwhile, in Number 28 village, a barbershop that has been in the community for the past seven years was also set alight and com-

The barbershop owned by Kevin Pitham on fire

pletely destroyed, leaving a 30-year-old barber almost in tears.

Kevin Pitham said he was saddened at the loss, since it was his only source

of income. Noting that he’s always maintained a good relationship with everyone in the community, he’s still at a loss as to why anyone would want to take bread out of his

mouth, as he doesn’t have any quarrel with anyone in the community.

Protesters continued to block roads by setting old tyres and other debris on fire, despite their being cleared by the police and other Joint Services ranks. Their actions have caused the entire WCB road to be shut down, leaving many commuters stranded on both sides of the Berbice crossing.

The protest started on Sunday night, and has not abated since the discovery of the battered bodies of two teenage cousins from Number 3 Village in the Cotton Tree Backdam.

Many persons have been robbed and beaten, and had their vehicles damaged as a result of the protests, while two persons have also been murdered, causing widespread fear and panic.

Children medivacked to Georgetown

TWO patients of the Pediatric Unit of the New Amsterdam Hospital were medivacked to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, after their health deteriorated rapidly, requiring the need for urgent medical care.

Regional Chairman, Permaul David Armogan, told reporters that due to the protest action, which resulted in road blockage along the West Coast of Berbice, an alternative mode of transportation had to be used for the children aged 6 and 12.

“They have certain diseases that we could not treat here and there was need for them to be transported to the Georgetown Hospital. We were hoping that the road would have been cleared, so we would have been able to take them by road with the ambulance. Unfortunately, the road was still blocked... the children were deteriorating. Doctor Sharma

made a call to someone she knew... I want to thank Mr Gouveia of Air Services for getting the medivac to come at Rose Hall (East Canje) aback the defunct sugar estate to assist in transporting the children,” the chairman said.

Since it was night and East Canje area had no runway lights to guide the aircraft, the residents had to come up with a creative solution.

They assembled several vehicles and switched on the lights to illuminate the runway so that the helicopter could land and take the children away.

Recently-appointed Regional Health Officer, Dr Vishalya Sharma, expressed gratitude to Michael Gouveia, Dr. Nigel Langhorne, Emil Jahan, the Management and staff of the Albion and Rose Hall estates, Dr. Vassana Henry and team and members of the public for their support during this process.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Convenient support JOEL and Isaiah Henry were teenagers on the cusp of manhood. On Saturday, September 5, they took a fatal decision to go to the backlands of Cotton Tree in Region Five to pick coconuts. They never returned home – at least, not the way they left, on their own feet, healthy and strong. Instead, their lifeless bodies were discovered in the bushy backlands by family and friends.

The nation is outraged and grieving: nothing justifies such brutal slaying of another human being, especially not teenagers who are helpless.

This is not the Guyana of yore, when erring children of neighbours were literally and figuratively taken by the ear to parents, who would severely chastise them.

This is a Guyana where material things seem to be valued more than lives. The police are

investigating, treating this case as a priority, searching for the perpetrators and the motive for such a heinous act.

But once again politicians are exacerbating a tense situation in an already problem-plagued community, using this appalling tragedy as an impetus to creating divisions and riotous behaviour, seemingly in attempts to make the country ungovernable under a PPP/C administration.

In all of this, it is interesting to note that the PNC leaders who never once reached out with help to their supporters during this deadly COVID-19 pandemic have somehow found it convenient to offer support to those who are acting against the law and their own safety and, to the angst and inconvenience of law-abiding citizens, blocking roadways and destroying vehicles of the consequently stranded commuters.

PPP/C leaders are denouncing this monstrous act, condoling the bereaved and imploring citizens to let the police do their work undisturbed, while adjuring law enforcement to act quickly and condignly to solve this case. President Irfaan Ali has promised that every effort would be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The President is urging calm in the nation and has reiterated the PPP/C’s pre-election promise to work in the interest of all Guyanese.

The entire nation is bonding in denouncing this brutality that is a crime perpetrated by beasts in human form – not a politically or racially motivated act.

Persons should also take cognisance that the new administration is one that cares for all Guyanese and violence, race-baiting and destroying the infrastructure in their communities are count-

er-productive to their own development, well-being and progress.

There is a wave of change in the land. Peace should prevail and the tenets of the law upheld. The police force is being re-capitalised and the nation should place its trust in the GPF, because they have signalled their commitment to pursue lawbreakers and perpetrators of criminal acts with renewed vigour.

The grieving parents said: “This is not about race or religion or political things. I am talking on my own behalf; this is not about all these things, but this is for justice for my son’s innocent life.

“I am not political… Irfaan Ali if you hear this I ask you please to help us to find justice for my son and I know you’re a Muslim man and believe in Allah and you will do something,” he appealed.

AG Anil Nandlall has also expressed what all Guyanese feel

today: “I join with His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Joseph Harmon and indeed, every right-thinking member of our society, in condemning 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.”

From all indications the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is according this investigation its highest priority and the investigations are ongoing. We must allow these investigations to conclude and for the legal process to take its natural course.

Doubtful whether PNC leadership wants murderers found and punished Dear Editor, TWO young Guyanese boys, Joel and Isaiah Henry, 19 and 16 years old, were murdered, brutally attacked by persons yet unknown, their bodies mutilated, with the obvious intention of conveying a political message. Their bodies were dumped on the land of a rice farmer with the intent of putting the blame where it did not belong.

Immediately, Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon, issues a statement decrying the murder, ensuring that he emphasised that these

were “black” boys and with the deliberate intention of inciting racially driven protests.

With the precision of a planned military exercise, PNC supporters took to the streets in Berbice blocking roads and attacking and robbing anyone who dared to cross.

President Ali immediately condemned this horrendous crime and directed the commissioner of police to place all resources at his disposal to investigate the crime and bring to justice, those responsible.

The President’s statement fell on deaf ears as far as Granger and Harmon were

concerned. The PNC were determined to use these tragic deaths for political purpose.

In the name of protest, labelled as “solidarity” with the families of the murdered boys, the protesters have resorted to violence, disrupting traffic, setting fire to two trucks loaded with farmers paddy, destroying property and physically confronting the police attempting to clear the roads, resulting in the Guyana Defence Force being called out to provide assistance.

Not a word from Granger condemning the violence.

To the contrary, in effect, justifying the violence, Har-

mon is on record calling the protest “a struggle against oppression, a struggle against a fraudulent government.”

He claims that “we do not agree that there should be any Black and Indian fighting,” but Harmon speaks with a forked tongue. He then goes on to claim, without evidence, “too many black youths are vanishing in the same way that cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry were killed and mutilated.”

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has pointed out that the PNC’s determination to promote civil unrest is preventing the police from investigating the murders, but it

is doubtful whether the PNC leadership, in fact, wants the murderers to be found and punished. The PNC clearly have an entirely different agenda in mind.

Now that the PNC advocates for the struggle against oppression have defined it in their supporters’ minds as the oppression of Guyanese Africans by a Guyanese Indian government, Guyanese Indians are being targeted and a 17-year-old boy was attacked and murdered.

Granger and Harmon have become so besotted with hanging on to power, having tried and failed to impose a rigged election results on the

country, now resort to breaking up the country, using racial division as a weapon of destruction.

The legally elected President Irfaan Ali, faced with this ugly and, ultimately, criminal enterprise to force widespread civil unrest on the country, must act condignly and without hesitation. President Ali must call out Granger and Harmon, hold them responsible for what they are doing and treat with them and those who blindly follow them accordingly under the law.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

We were all created equally in the image of God Dear editor, THE more I read the social media posts

by Guyanese following the brutal murder of the Henry boys, the more it pains me to see a Guyana divided in a war of US vs THEM. To be clear, this is a war generally featuring persons of African descent (Afro-Guyanese) on one side and persons of Indian descent (Indo-Guyanese) on the other.

The Call for Justice for the Henry boys has not come only from Afro-Guyanese. This might be a good point to be reminded that Guyana is not made up of only two races, but of at least six with unique histories and with a large percentage of the population actually being a mixture of two or more of those races. There are actually many Afro-Guyanese married to or in relationships with Indo-Guyanese, and this is really not an odd situation today, even though it would have been in an earlier time.

Yet many (how many I do not know, but even one would be too much) Indo-Guyanese have posted/said some terrible things in response to those murders. I will not repeat those things here, but they have not only argued that the Henry boys were stealing coconuts and that the owners had a right to stop them from doing that (though this has not been established as the reason why the boys were murdered and cannot justify their killings even if it were), but they have gone on to reduce the boys to descriptions that are less than human, to say the least, and have further said that persons like them (it doesn’t take much to see that they mean Afro-Guyanese) deserve to be slaughtered in the way those boys were.

This has rapidly driven up the tempera-

ture of the atmosphere, not only figuratively but literally, as persons have even started setting fires in protest against the murders and of such attitudes towards Afro-Guyanese.

Now there is condemnation of the murders by one side and condemnation of the protests by the other, and those who are silent or disagree with one are automatically branded as enemy agents. The call on the Afro-Guyanese side is now an even stronger push for black solidarity, where Afro-Guyanese will support each other and build each other up.

This may be good and necessary, especially at a time when black lives are painfully and tragically being ended without cause and with impunity, not just in Guyana but in the U.S. and other parts of the world. But is that the entirety of the world we desire to live in? Where Afro-Guyanese only support each other and where only Afro-Guyanese support Afro-Guyanese?

Looking locally, do we want a Guyana where Afro-Guyanese only support and stand up for each other, whether in terms of security or the economy or otherwise? Do we want a Guyana where Afro-Guyanese children are brought up to only care, look out, stand up for and support those who look like them? Do we want a Guyana where they can only expect care, support and assistance from those who look like them? Where will that leave us as a society? What kind of Guyana will that be? Wouldn’t Indo-Guyanese then be justified in similarly teaching their children to unite only within their own race/ community? Ditto the Indigenous people of Guyana. And the Chinese. What about those like me, who are of mixed race? Particularly those who are mixed with Indian and African racesm. Where would we stand? Who would support us and whom should we support?

‘All lives matter, all deaths matter’ Dear editor, THE gruesome killings of our two Guyanese youths Isaiah Henry and his 19-year-old cousin, Joel Henry, in West Coast Berbice, has caused me to think that “All lives matter,” and “all deaths matter” too. Guyana is a sad place, a “shole” country, where people will brutally kill you for a cell phone or G$300 (US$1.50). As a society, are we not ashamed of things like these? This is a reflection of our poverty and is a good reason why we must vigorously support the government as it seeks to gain more oil revenues for the country from renegotiation with Exxon, to improve our overall well-being, so we don’t kill for a cellphone.

The class act in this sad situation is the Christian response of the Henry family. The father of Isaiah (Gladson Henry) reportedly said: “This is not about

race or religion or political things...I don’t want the people to say this is racial, it is not about race… I am a Christian and I don’t want violence to happen in this community...”

Crime Chief Blanhum said this is clearly not a political crime.

The most shameless act is the PNC’s top leaders weaponising the pain and grief of these poor families to promote their “resistance” movement against a new, legally elected government. What they could not do at the ballot box, they want to do through violent street action. Gleeful at the protests and the pressure it puts on the police/military resources, the PNC leadership has been silent and has not called on its supporters to stop the terrorism against innocent people. One blog on Facebook by Patrick Findlay, said, “You cannot demand justice for an atrocity whilst at the same time perpetuating [sic] an

atrocity on others.” The wily dictator Burnham used to say, “He who owns the dogs, can call off the dogs.”

The other shameful thing in the current racial attacks of stopping, beating, burning, robbing, and stripping of Indians trying to pass the blockages on the roads, is the continued silence of the churches. There is breaking news of a 17-year-old Haresh Singh killed today as protests escalate. We have not heard from the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship, the Georgetown Minsters Fellowship, the Zadok Ministries, East Berbice Corentyne Ministers, the Guyana Council of Churches, Assembly of God, Full GospelFellowship, or Lifespring Ministries, etc.

Why is the church silent at such a time as this, when one party is using two families’ tragedies to stoke racial strife? Loyalty to a party should not cause us to lose our conscience.

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How many ‘Guyanas’ would Guyana then be divided into?

I have even heard it said that our motto, One People, One Nation, One Destiny is a joke, because that’s not who we are; that we have always been and continue to be divided.

While there may be some truth to that, is that the way we want it to continue to be? Is that the Guyana we want to continue living in?

Is that even Guyana?

Lifting up the virtues of being One should not mean that any individual component of that One is diminished or devalued.

On the contrary, it should mean that if one part suffers, the whole suffers with it (in this case them) and works to remedy the suffering. When Jesus said that, to inherit eternal life, we should Love the Lord Our God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind and Love Our Neighbours as ourselves, he was asked, ‘Who is my neighbour’? He answered by telling the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’. Instead of putting limits on who is our neighbour, he used persons of different ‘races’ to teach that we should be a neighbour to everyone (Luke 10:25-37). All Guyanese should therefore be seen as our neighbours.

Right now, Afro-Guyanese are suffering and therefore All Guyana should feel their pain.

And All Guyana should be working together to address the source of that pain and ease the suffering. If or when Indo-Guyanese are suffering, all Guyana should feel their pain, and All Guyana should work together to address the source and ease that pain. Ditto every race.

We were all created equally in the image of God, and each of our lives are equally valuable. And, if one life is in danger, as in the ‘Parable of the Lost Sheep’ (Matthew 18:12-14), we must focus on saving that life.

All Guyanese Lives matter. But, right now, it is black lives that are under threat, so we emphasise that #BlackLivesMatter. If Indian lives are under threat, we should emphasise that #IndianLivesMatter. If mixed persons’ lives are under threat, we should emphasise that #MixedLivesMatter.

Therefore, in this current situation, we must all Stand Up For Justice for the Henry boys. And we must seek to understand and comfort all Afro-Guyanese, our fellow Guyanese, who are not only pained by the loss of those boys’ lives, but who also are Living In Fear for their lives and that of their children.

But we do not do this by using this situation to bring pain to other Guyanese by harming them or destroying their property. We do it by finding those responsible for the pain and dealing with them appropriately in accordance with the law. And further by dealing with the underlying factors that created an atmosphere that was conducive to the commission of such acts. We do not sweep any of it under the rug, but we also do not destroy the entire house because part of it is dirty.

It is Time To Clean our house, Guyana.

But let us not destroy it in the process.

It is my hope, my prayer, that this situation will not drive us to create a house divided. Instead, I pray that out of this we will truly be able to have a #UnitedGuyana.

One Guyana. A Guyana where our motto is no joke but is a true reflection of who we are and how we all Value Each Other.

A Guyana of One People, forming One Nation, working together toward One Destiny.

Sincerely, Kurt Da Silva

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Guyana scores silver and bronze

–– at International Youth Robotics competition in Korea GUYANESE, on Wednesday, awoke to a bit of good national news. Three of the seven teams that participated in the International Youth Robotics Competition in Korea were awarded silver and bronze medals.

Guyana’s participation was questionable because of the COVID-19 crisis and financial constraints, but members of the Guyana diaspora who were determined to ensure that Guyanese junior youth would have an opportunity to showcase their talents globally for the first time, sponsored the participation of all the 2020 teams.

According to a release, the 2020 challenge required junior and senior teams to identify a challenge affecting their community and to create a robot solution to address the challenge.

More than 540 students, comprising 182 teams from 29 countries participated in the competition. This year was the first time junior teams (8yrs to 13yrs) were prepared for international competition.

Team Lunar earned the silver medal in the junior category. The team created

a sanitising robot which used UV lights to kill the

querors. Team Conquerors designed and built a robot

by STEMGuyana member, Kenita Roberts.

global competition by the STEMGuyana organisation

Team Power Thinkers: Rajeshwar Meghbaran and Emelio Persaud and coaches Stephanie Simon and Joshua Reece

COVID-19 virus on the surface of equipment.

The young team members were Naliah Fordyce, Michael Blake and Tushaant Sanichara, all of whom being between 10 and 12 years of age. Team Lunar was coached by STEMGuyana member Immanual Meusa.

Bringing home the bronze medal in the junior category was Team Con-

called the All Terrain Rescuer. The robot is able to navigate any weather condition to deliver food and medical supplies to a community.

It also serves as an information robot which provides information about the Coronavirus to the villagers.

Team Conquerors members were On Beaton, Lucas Simpson and Rashad Quinti. The team was coached

In the senior category, Team Power Thinkers won the silver medal. The team included Rajeshwar Meghbaran and Emelio Persaud and was coached by STEMGuyana members Stephanie Simon and Joshua Reece.

The team created an automated mask distribution and sanitising robot.

For the fourth year, teams were prepared for

which has a working robotics lab at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The current laboratory is sponsored by the Department of Youth and The Office of the Prime Minister, which ensure a secure location and Internet connectivity for the work of the organisation.

International Youth Robot Competition (IYRC) is an annual youth competition

‘All lives matter, all deaths ...

This gruesome killing of the Henrys, and the call for swift justice, also brings to the fore, other similar murders in Guyana. Many were murdered and they were instantly forgotten by the public. There were no protests, nobody tried to burn and block traffic, and no politicians came, probably because there was no political mileage to gain.

People simply buried their dead, suffered in silence, and hoped that the police would find the killers. Many cases went unsolved and there was no justice. I say, the same way, “All lives matter,” that “All deaths matter” too. We know all cases would not

be solved, but victims like to know that the police did their best.

I remember the May 2001 case of a father, Bemchand Barran, and his 10-yrold son Mervyn Barran from Enterprise, who were executed in the backdam where they went to catch shrimp.

This case was never solved.

Similarly, September 11 would be the 10th anniversary of 21-year-old Sheema Mangar’s murder, like many others, that have ended up in the cold case cabinet. Sheema from Mon Repos, a bank employee, whose dream was to be a certified accountant, was killed for her cellphone in broad daylight at a city car

park area in the presence of many at rush hour. Sheema Mangar’s family has refused to give up their quest for justice.

Then there is the recent case in July 2020 of 21-year-old Navindra Samaroo, who was a Marketing Agent, killed by motor bike bandits as his car slowed down at a pothole at Middle Road, La Penitence. They shot him and grabbed his bag. All they got was his lunch in the bag. Samaroo’s wife was pregnant and he did not live to see the birth of his first child. To his mother Valini Shivcharran, he was a “precious jewel,” to his boss Etwaroo, he was a

“willing and hard-working” employee. Dwayne Castello, known as ‘Top Cat,’ has been charged for his murder.

Other youngsters have lost their lives with no justice in sight: Alicea Foster, Trevor Rose, Ricky Jainarine who was just 10 years old. The body of Monica Reece was dumped from a pickup back in April 1993.

Then there were the September 2012 Anna Catherina home-invasion murders when Abishai Caesar allegedly slit the throats of 41-year-old liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her two children, six-yearold Afridi Bacchus, and 18-month-old Jadon Ernest.

Caesar reportedly said that Persaud’s elder son woke up during the robbery and saw his face and he decided to slit his throat. The sixyear-old screamed when his throat was slit and the baby woke up. When the alleged killer noticed that the baby was awake, he killed the 18-month-old. Caesar had initially evaded justice until April 2016. when investigators were able to arrest him after his reputed wife went and reported that he murdered Persaud and her sons during the home invasion.

The box stolen contained only $3,000 (US$15).

In August 2020, Ryan Mohamed, 27, a taxi driver

in robotics, programming and digital technologies, organised by the International Youth Robot Association (IYRA). Previous competitions were held in Korea, Thailand, China, and Malaysia.

The International Youth Robotics Association organises the annual event which consists of 28 states including the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, South Korea, China, USA, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia.

This was the first year Guyana participated.

Guyana is also fielding another senior team currently in competition at the First Global Robotics competition of 180 countries in the world. Team Guyana 2020 is currently tracking 32nd place out of 182 teams with opportunities to raise its ranking before the end of the competition in October. Team Guyana won the gold Albert Einstein medal in 2019.

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of Wash Clothes, Mahaicony, was attacked and stabbed in the neck while standing at a milkshake stand. There was a dispute over a $300 overcharged fare. Marlon Estriado is wanted in connection with that murder.

The brutal deaths of loved ones diminishes us all, and broken hearts are left behind to suffer in silence. We must care equally about all those innocent victims, and support all victims’ families.

“All lives matter,” and “All deaths matter” too.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Singh, Hargobin beaten to death

–– as West Berbice protest 'turns deadly'

Dead: Naresh Singh

TWO persons, including a teenager lost their lives as protest action in West Coast Berbice continued amid calls for justice for the Henry cousins.

Prittipaul Hargobin, 34 of Block B1, Bath Settlement Public Road and Naresh Singh, 17, of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) died in separate incidents on Wednesday at the hands of violent protesters.

Singh was discovered in a pool of blood by his 12-year-old brother on the Number Three Dam, WCB, along the way to their farm.

He was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital but succumbed while on the way.

The grandmother of Haresh, Basmattie Singh, amid tears, related that her grandson left on his motorcycle to go to the backlands without having breakfast at around 06:00hrs to water their gardens, with the intention of returning early, but was joined later by other relatives who decided to clear the lands.

The teen returned home to take two containers of water for his relatives who were working and was heading back to the backdam when he was attacked, beaten and left in a pool of blood by a group of protesters who went after him.

The teenager never made it to take the water to his uncles as his motorcycle was burnt and he was discovered in a pool of blood in the rice fields by his 12-yearold brother who was asked to go check on him by his grandmother, after they saw smoke, shortly after a group of protesters went in his

Dead: Prittipaul Hargobin

direction.

“He come back and nah eat nothing and he say wan lil piece more left to clear so them go clear it and come home and he hurry gone with the motor bike to carry the water for he uncle them.

Little bit after he gone, I ain’t hear the bike cause meh been ah listen for it and then we see smoke so meh send he brother to check on he...”

The grandmother added: “He (brother) see a motorbike bun up and deh on the dam so he start fuh look for Naresh but he nah find am and went to the farm but them nah see he too and when he a walk back he find am in wan pool blood in the field... them beat am and lef am fuh dead, bare blood.”

The teen was picked up and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital but died before reaching. Singh received severe head injuries and was bleeding from his mouth and ear when he was found.

The elderly woman, unable to control her emotions, said her grandson was killed innocently because his grandfather and uncle were arrested in connection with the death of the Henry boys.

SALT AND RICE “Me lil grandson that me raise from wan boy now dead, me grown them with lil salt and rice because them father dead and them mother lef them. Them police only arrest he grandfather and me son because them see when them boys did going in the backdam. Them nah know nothing, them nah do nothing, them innocent. Then them police come search up the house and nah find nothing but still keep them in

lockup, me nah even know when them deh right now.”

Meanwhile, Hargobin, according to police reports, exited from his motor vehicle and fired four rounds from a shot gun, one in the air and three towards a group of protesters some 60 yards away in Bath Settlement, at around 15:45 hrs, on Wednesday afternoon.

The statement noted that, as a result of his actions, the protesters attacked him and he was beaten. Police ranks in the area noticed the commotion and rushed to the scene where they found him motionless on the ground, with several injuries about his body. He was picked up and taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

However, according to the sister, Renata Hargobin, her brother was on the roadway in his pickup and approached her and some other people asking if anyone saw someone on a blue motor cycle. He was told that the person went further up the road. She joined him and they went to an area where a group of protesters were and enquired but were attacked almost instantly.

HIT WITH A STICK “When we reached the group of protesters and he jumped out asking if they see anyone on a blue motor cycle pass, they said nobody passed and wanted to know who he was; he was struck instantly with a stick on the neck by one of the protesters and then another cuffed him.

I jumped out and hugged him to stop them from hurting him more but they continued and he started to cry

and I begged him to let us go home. I begged the protesters and he drove off and I went back home.”

The distraught woman continued that as she reached halfway in the street, she heard what appeared to be gunshots and a mob charging past the street.

She went back out to find her brother’s vehicle badly damaged and saw the mob beating him and chopping

him.

“I begged them to leave him alone and he was badly beaten and they left him. I run home to get the car and fell down several time in the street but I called the police and by time I get back out the police picked him up and carry he away to the hospital.”

Renata said her brother was chopped and badly beaten and died before he could

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make it to the hospital.

“I was right there and could not do anything for him, if they had just left him we won’t have said anything to anyone but now he is dead, we want justice for him.”

Hargobin was a father of two and was self-employed.

Investigations into the two murders are ongoing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

PM Phillips visits relatives of slain teens

–– calls for calm as police conduct investigation PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, and his delegation, on Tuesday, visited the bereaved families of murdered teenagers, Isaiah and Joel Henry and assured them that justice will prevail.

Also on the visiting team were Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister of Human Services and

Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Adviser on National Security to the Minister of Home Affairs, Harry Gill.

During the team’s visit in Number Three Village, Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five), the prime minister extended condolences and reassured the family that the police were working swiftly to bring

the perpetrators to justice.

“I feel for the families.

I have grandchildren around the same age and it’s a great loss for the village,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

During the visit, protesting villagers erected several blockages along the West Coast Berbice roadway.

The delegation, during engagements with them,

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, along with Ministers Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Robeson Benn, interact with Patricia Henry, mother of Isaiah Henry, who was killed recently along with his cousin

urged them to desist from doing same as the barriers were hampering the police’s ability to properly conduct their investigations.

The blockages were also obstructing persons from traversing the only access road to Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) and East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six. “We understand how you feel [and] we understand that you are angry, but we call upon everyone here to just calm down, be a bit patient and allow the law to take its course…. What is important is that the police have started their investigation and we need to allow the police to finish their work. The police, I am confident, will get to the bottom of this issue.

They will find out eventually who committed this criminal act against these two young men that resulted in the loss of their lives but we need to give the police space,” the prime minister said.

On Tuesday, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said that seeking justice for the Henry cousins cannot be associated with criminality.

“This behaviour is an injustice to the case of these two victims,” President Ali said in a statement.

The President also noted that the Police Force had briefed him on the progress of its investigation and had assured him that it would leave no stone unturned in ensuring there was justice for the teens.

President Ali condemned the brutal murders and reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, Minister Benn assured protesters that there will be no “cover up”.

He said the Police had arrested seven persons and their investigations were continuing.

“We will ensure that the matter will be resolved without fear or favour, but we cannot allow a situation, which will allow continued law breaking. We have to ensure peace in the country and good relations between the communities,” he said.

Henry boys died from haemorrhage, shock –– due to multiple wounds, autopsy indicates AN autopsy conducted on the bodies of teen cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry on Wednesday showed that they died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised injuries.

The post-mortem was conducted by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, at the Memorial Gardens, Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown.

It was noted that the boys died approximately 36 hours prior to their discovery.

In the case of 18-year-old Joel Henry, it was found that he sustained 18 wounds to various parts of his body.

He was chopped several times to the head and there were injuries to his two hands that made it appear that he was trying to block the attacks.

Joel Henry

Isaiah Henry

For 16-year-old Isaiah Henry, he was also chopped multiple times to the body which resulted in a severed spine, along with other chops to the head and back of the neck.

Reports indicate that entire autopsy was recorded via video and witnessed by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes,

relatives and police.

Seven persons remain in custody over the brutal murders. The mutilated bodies of the boys were discovered on Sunday last in Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

Both bodies were handed over to their respective relatives for burial.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Education gets lion’s share of 2020 Budget –– in the sum of a whopping $52B, to fund, inter alia, a robust COVID-19 project, the construction and rehabilitation of schools during this time and beyond.”

As pertains to the expansion of the Learning Channel, Minister Edghill noted that the Channel, in its current state, fails to meet needs across the country, and as such an upgrade was deemed necessary.

“We will expand and upgrade so that six (6) channels can run concurrently. This upgrade will also permit for hinterland communities that are currently unserved to be catered for,” he said. “In conjunction with this channel, we have provided funds

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill speaking on this year’s budgetary allocation to the education sector on Tuesday

By Tamica Garnett THE education sector has been allocated a whopping $52 billion under the National 2020 Budget, and among some of the top provisions accounted for in the budget are the construction and rehabilitation of schools countrywide to the tune of $1.7B; the funding of a ‘COVID-19 Accelerated Programme’ in the sum of $500M; and $3 billion allocated to the University Of Guyana (UG).

Other measures under the budget include plans for the establishment of a “Learning Radio station” to work in conjunction with the expanded and improved Learning Channel, as the Ministry of Education (MoE) looks towards finding alternative options of education delivery during the COVID-19 situation, where schools are closed.

For yet another year, education has been allotted the largest share of the national budget, with the $52 million accounting for some 15.8 per cent of the overall $330 billion budgeted for this year.

The amount is almost on par with the $52.2 billion that

was allocated to the sector in the 2019 Budget, when it had accounted for 17.4 per cent of that year’s budgetary allocations.

The education allocation was unveiled by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill who presented the National 2020 Budget on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC).

With public schools being closed for most of the year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic which first hit Guyana in March, as was only to be expected, much of the education budget focuses on measures of providing alternative education delivery to students.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in the world and in our own country,” Minister Edghill said, adding: “[Though] we will not be reopening schools in a traditional sense, we will deliver education safely and effectively, using innovative methods; assessing the specific needs of students by levels, grades, regions and situations. Over $300 million is allocated to these blended learning options.”

CAPITAL PROJECTS For capital projects, the $500 million allocated to the “COVID-19 Accelerated Programme” is expected to cater for development and learning packages for the students, as well as for the provision of interactive radio, television and web-based lessons, a sensitization programme, and psychosocial support.

This allocation is accompanied by another $325.019 million that has been allocated to the “Resource Development Centre” project, which caters for the provision of new learning channels, utilising digital platform.

“Throughout the levels, grades and regions,” the minister said, “government has embarked on instruction in different ways to deliver to our learners. The nursery students will be given individual home-based packages containing print material, manipulatives and other appropriate resources. The primary and secondary students will each receive workbooks and the core text books in Math, English, Social Studies and Science, which they will use

in this Budget to establish a radio station which will be dedicated to delivering education,” he added.

Under the “COVID-19 Accelerated Programme” project, provision for training is also covered. During his speech, Minister Edghill noted that the MoE is rolling out several development programmes to improve the capacity of teachers, particularly in upgrading their ability to deliver education virtually.

MASS TEACHER TRAINING

“The MOE launched, recently, a mass teacher training exercise, which will see all teachers across the country being trained in the delivery of education, using ICT effectively. Provision is [also] made in this Budget for the Cyril Potter College of Education to facilitate learning continuity in hinterland centres of teacher education, and to facilitate the virtual teacher education programme,” Edghill noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

New harbour bridge on the cards

A replica of the Demerara Harbour Bridge that was previously proposed

WORK is currently being done to put arrangements in place for the construction of a new Demerara River crossing as expressions of interest (EoI) for

the design, construction and financing options for a four-lane high-span bridge are being addressed.

This was according to Minister of Public Works,

Bishop Edghill, during the presentation of Budget 2020 on Wednesday.

“Mr. Speaker, we speak of the lamentable and pedantic efforts by the past regime

to conclude any arrangement for the construction of the new Demerara River crossing. This Honourable House will recall the impropriety surrounding the conduct of the feasibility study for the bridge and the feeble effort to launch an Expression of Interest (EOI), which was a phenomenal adventure in incompetence. Within the last few weeks we have re-kindled huge interest in this project,” Minister Edghill said.

The APNU+AFC administration, after it assumed office in 2015, said that it would be feasible to have the existing bridge untouched and to construct another link somewhere in the vicinity of

the 42-year-old link.

The former government had commissioned a feasibility study, which was awarded to Dutch Company, LivenseCSO. The awarding of that contract was marred in controversy, with Auditor General, Deodat Sharma flagging major breaches of Guyana’s financial laws.

The move by the Audit Office to “investigate” the project came after the completion of an investigation by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in 2018.

The PPC report made clear that there were indeed deviations from standard procurement procedures.

It was noted that several

companies had submitted bids for the project, with 12 companies being shortlisted.

The report added that only two of the 12 companies made proposals. As a consequence, the bidding process was annulled.

In November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered, but that was not done. The company ultimately got the contract with cabinet’s blessings.

The New Demerara River Bridge is expected to connect Houston on the East Bank of Demerara and Versailles on the West Bank.

Education gets lion’s share ...

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$3 billion has been allocated to the University of Guyana

The undertakings of the “COVID-19 Accelerated Programme” is being funded through a $735 million financial provision by the UNICEF. Even as the Ministry of Education focuses on putting in place measures to mitigate the effects of school closures, Edghill noted that plans are still afoot to prepare the school buildings for eventual reopening, with monies set aside to ensure the implementation of safety measures at the school facilities.

“The safety and well-being of our people is paramount. In anticipation of an eventual school reopening, provisions have been made for schools to be retrofitted with the necessary infrastructure to exist in a COVID-19 world. Sinks with running water, proper ventilation, working toilets, the delivery of masks to our teachers, students and ancillary staff, and adequate signage to promote safe behaviour in all learning institutions, and in all schools are catered for in this Budget,” he noted.

In allocations to the various school levels, nursery schools have been apportioned $41.653 million that includes the construction of

buildings at Starters and Martyrsville Nursery Schools; primary schools were given $66.754 million for projects that include construction at the David Rose Special School, and the establishment of Information Technology (IT) labs at varying schools.

Secondary schools, on the other hand, have been collectively allocated $291 million, which includes provisions for the establishment of science laboratories and smart classrooms; construction of a sanitary block at the West Ruimveldt Secondary School; and construction at the Yarrowkabra Secondary and St Rose’s High School.

Another $29.395 million has been allocated to President’s College for various measures, including upgrades to that school’s ICT infrastructure.

IMPROVING SECONDARY EDUCATION Under the “Secondary Education Improvement Project”, some $750 million has been allotted to continue construction on the La Parfaite Harmonie/Westminster and Good Hope Secondary Schools, as well as for the capacity strengthening of

secondary school mathematics teachers.

Under the “Skills Development and Employability Project (SDEP)”, which includes undertakings such as the hospitality institute and revision of the technical vocational curriculum, some $217 million has been allocated.

At the tertiary level, there are several projects scheduled for UG. “To support our tertiary institution, government has allocated $3 billion to the University of Guyana. Of this amount, $221.3 million is allocated to complete and advance several roll-over projects across both campuses, including the new sewer system, the human resources and bursary building, the pump house, teaching learning centre, and electrical upgrade projects,” Edghill shared during his address.

Within the $3 billion, some $213.256 million is allocated for works at the University’s Turkeyen campus; $8 million is earmarked for the Berbice campus, and $16.8 million has been set aside for the construction of a state-ofthe-art library facility at Turkeyen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Targeted cash transfers, job creation

–– among areas where oil revenues will be used

Flashback: The fuel hose leads from the Liza Destiny to the Cap Philippe for the transfer of Guyana’s first million barrels of crude (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

By Lisa Hamilton THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has pledged that it will prudently use Guyana’s oil revenues to develop various sectors, advance access to quality services and create more opportunities for all citizens to make a living.

Some of the plans to which Guyanese can look

forward are targeted cash transfers, contract renegotiation with oil companies, rapid infrastructural development and job creation.

This was the message of Minister of Public Works with responsibility for Finance, Juan Edghill, at the presentation of Guyana’s 2020 Budget in Parliament today. The Second sitting of the 12th Parliament is being

held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Minister Edghill said that while the pandemic has dampened the overall look for oil prices, Guyana, new to the industry, still stands to benefit from the sector which could eventually regain its footing with solid oil prices.

Already, Guyana has re-

ceived over US$150M from its three completed million-barrel lifts and royalties received, while it expects its fourth lift by November.

Through a well-managed oil-and-gas sector, Minister Edghill said that the next generation of Guyanese will be guaranteed a brighter and better future. He assured the nation that the government will employ a strategy for the

sector which deals with the critical areas of a framework for proper management of the resource, transparency and accountability and securing benefits for Guyanese.

Meanwhile, to ensure that the oil resources are managed well, the PPP/C will immediately engage the oil-and-gas companies in better contract administration/renegotiation; establish an arm’s-length Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) insulated from political interference and define, by legislation, how funds will flow from the SWF into the budget, and the purpose for which they will be used.

The government will also ensure that expenditures are transparently determined and go through the parliamentary process; establish a model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) based on industry-wide standards and best practices and train thousands of Guyanese at every level to create a national core of managers and a skilled workforce.

To ensure transparency, the government intends to uphold the Santiago Principles of transparency and accountability and Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); criminalise non-disclosure of receipt of funds from oil revenues; ensure annual reports from the government are laid in the National Assembly detailing oil revenues and expenditures; ensure there are regular audits and involve civil society in the monitoring of compliance and accountability.

When it comes to where Guyanese can expect to see the oil resources directed, the minister named these areas as education and health care; social and economic infrastructure, targeted cash transfers, particularly to the elderly, children, poor and other vulnerable groups; tax reductions for Guyanese business and individuals and job creation.

Minister Edghill said: “We will ensure that oil revenue works for all Guyanese, and is spent on improving people’s lives and in support of job creation.”

He noted too that the government will implement policies to strengthen and grow the workforce in the tourism sector to cater to the influx of visitors expected as a result of the oil-and-gas sector. The soon-to-be constructed Hospitality Training Institute, he added, will help to prepare Guyanese to secure the many new jobs which will spring up in the sector.

On the other hand, the non-oil economy contracted by 4.9 per cent with significant declines recorded across many major industries. This was in part due to the protracted General and Regional Elections, but was also a result of the significant reduction in economic activities after the introduction of several emergency measures in the second quarter to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Phased reopening for Enmore, APNU Region Two chairman Rose Hall and Skeldon estates charged for cyber bullying GOVERNMENT will be reopening the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates in a phased approach, Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill announced on Wednesday.

Edghill, who presented the national budget, said a viable and sustainable sugar industry is the government’s longterm goal and it will work to solve the problems of the industry holistically.

He noted that the government since assuming office has been doing an assessment on the state of the assets and the level of reinvestment to be done, starting with an initial allocation of $3 billion in 2020 for critical works, with an additional $2 billion being made available should works progress.

As for the Wales Estate, he said works have commenced to create opportunities and employment under the newly established Wales Development Authority.

“The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will concentrate its efforts to ensure it achieves, in the short-term,

a break-even status. We will ensure better management by appointing a new, competent and skilled Board of Directors. We will ensure greater efficiency through the necessary re-tooling, product diversification and retraining where necessary,” he told the House.

With regard to rice, he informed the House that the previous administration neglected rice farmers, under the premise of “rice is a private business.”

“For us in the PPP/C government, rice is a Guyanese business. Our government will support the farmers and millers with a view of expanding the rice industry. Action will be taken to ensure the reversing of the draconian fees for land rents, drainage and irrigation, and restoring adequate budgetary support for the maintenance of drainage and irrigation systems, as well as farm-to-market roads, which will benefit rice farmers, including those involved in the cultivation of other crops,” he said.

“To this end, this government has taken the decision to reverse increases

in land lease fees for lands under cultivation, and land taxes and drainage and irrigation charges, back to their 2014 position. Further, the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary-Agricultural Development Authority has been provided with a capital injection of $112.9 million to undertake critical drainage and irrigation works within the area, which will see improvements for farmers, and will also bring additional lands to a usable state.

Minister Edghill also noted that the Guyana Rice Development Board will continue to expand and secure new markets for paddy and other by-products; increase productivity through research and development into new strains, and robust pest-control measures; continue seed paddy production with enhanced extension and quality control; and, involve all stakeholders working together to increase productivity.

THE chairman of the A partnership for National Unity (ANPU) in Region Two was slapped with a cyber-bullying charge when he appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The accused, Prince Holder, was charged with using a computer system to humiliate a person, contrary to section 19 (5) (a) of the cyber-crime act No.16 of 2018.

The charge, which was read to him by Magistrate Dylon Bess, via a whatsapp video call, stated that, on June 7, 2020, at Henrietta, in the Essequibo Magisterial District, he used a computer system to publish or transmit electronic data of Tamesh Jagmohan that was obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious or indecent, with

Prince Holder

intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to the said Tamesh Jagmohan.

Holder, who was represented by Attorney Haimraj Rajkumar, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was subsequently placed on $10,000 bail.

The case has been postponed to September 16 for disclosure.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

‘Human Services’ budget allocation caters for the most vulnerable

-Survivor’s advocacy programme, special intervention for DV victims UNDER the National 2020 Budget, there will be increased focus on human services programmes to address issues such homelessness, domestic violence, and improving the lives of children, senior citizens and persons living with disabilities.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has noted that though the budgetary allocation to her Ministry has not yet been revealed, the projects expected to be covered are wide- ranging, and cater for many of the country’s most vulnerable groups.

“There are a number of new initiatives, and it does mean quite a lot for the most vulnerable. We were able, in an emergency budget with limited fiscal space, to provide for the extremely vulnerable. This Budget allows us to work on alternate pension delivery; especially direct pension delivery. It allows us to focus on extremely vulnerable populations like children, where we are working to expand our child advocacy centres; we are also looking at domestic violence, gender-based violence. Because of COVID-19, there are a lot of measures put in place to target this,” the Minister pointed out.

Dr. Persaud noted that chief among the programmes is the “Survivor’s Advocacy Programme”, which will be aiming to create a more compassionate environment for victims of domestic violence in Guyana.

“It’s a very special intervention; the “Survivor Advocacy Programme” will be where persons affected by domestic violence will have a support system to

Other highlights of the National 2020 Budget that will target human services initiatives were shared by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, when he presented the National 2020 Budget on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC).

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

get them through the various channels, starting from the point of reporting to conclusion of their matters. There are services, but they can be difficult to navigate, so we want to have that support system for them, in addition to psychosocial intervention and welfare,” Minister Persaud explained.

She also noted that previously-announced measures targeting senior citizens, such as the increase in old age pension, and the restoration of free water for pensioners are measures that she looks forward to seeing being implemented.

The Minister was recently commended for the programme, when she presented it at a Commonwealth Inter-Ministerial Meeting, where it was highlighted as a programme other countries could pattern themselves after.

MUCH TO BE DESIRED During the presentation, Minister Edghill noted that the state in which the new administration met human services when it took office last month leaves much to be desired.

“We have found that over the last five years, human services were badly managed and poorly executed.

There was a common theme of unaccountability in the implementation of programmes. On the legislative aspect, there was an incessant neglect of policies and recommendations that would have addressed issues such as sexual offences, trafficking in persons and domestic violence,” Minister Edghill said, adding: “This PPP/C administration is committed to the welfare and well-being of all Guyanese. We will continue to deliver key services to the most vulnerable groups, including women and children, disadvantaged families, the elderly, the differently-abled and those who are at risk of being trafficked.”

IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE Edghill noted that there are several programmes under the $330B Budget 2020 that looks at improving the lives of the country’s most vulnerable, particularly given the COVID-19 situation the

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

country is currently facing.

“As part of our commitment, we will continue to partner with all stakeholders in Guyana to assist in the delivery of hampers and other forms of assistance to our underprivileged and vulnerable groups, including as part of our COVID-19 relief measures.

A focused programme to address the issue of homelessness and indigence is anticipated to be operationalised in the last quarter of 2020,” he said.

Edghill noted that the government is building stronger ties with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), particularly those working with domestic violence victims, and persons with disabilities.

“We have expanded our partnership with Eye Care Guyana, which will also complement the 13 new optometrists

who entered the system this year. This partnership will expand the number of glasses that can be provided to persons in need to 1,500. We hope to increase this number to 5,000 annually, in the coming years. Additionally, our disabilities programme has also partnered with Starkey Hearing Foundation to screen, assess and fit over 1,000 persons with hearing aids in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) this year,” he declared.

In the area of domestic violence, aside from partnering with organisations, Minister Edghill noted that improvement of services offered at the police stations will also be implemented.

“Domestic violence continues to be a plague that afflicts our citizens, particularly women and youth. Government will continue to support programmes to enhance the physical infrastructure at police stations, and also enhance the capacity of law enforcement officers and prosecutors to better deal with these issues. However, we recognise that this scourge is something that cannot be tackled by Government alone, so we continue to encourage civil society organisations to partner with government,” he said.

There will also be increased budgetary allocations to the organisations.

“Budget 2020 has recorded increased allocations to several such organisations to help strengthen their ability to respond to this uncivilised, inhuman behaviour, for which there should be zero tolerance,” he said.

Work on Providence football stadium picking up steam --much to the delight of Min. of Culture, Youth & Sport OVER the weekend, Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Mr. Charles Ramson Jr. paid a visit, as promised, to the site of the proposed football stadium currently being developed at Providence, East Bank Demerara, to assess what work that has been done so far on the facility.

And, having liked what he saw, the minister couldn’t help but say how pleased he was with the way the project was coming along.

“I’m pretty impressed overall with the pace of the work, and also the quality of the work being done here by the Guyana Football Federation, and under the leadership of Wayne Forde,” the Minister said.

Giving a background as to how the project came about, Minister Ramson disclosed that the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was able to obtain a lease from the Providence Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in 2015, and that was where it all started.

He said that with sport

being an important aspect of youth development and discipline, a project such as this is crucial.

As the building and renovations continue, GFF Presi-

been equipped with dormitories for players, an entertainment section, supervisor’s quarters, private washrooms, a bar, gymnasium, storage facility and kitchen, among other desig-

Grove, on the East Coast Demerara, and in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

“We have identified the Ann’s Grove Community Ground, and we’ve been in

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr. (Photos by DPI)

The football stadium under construction at the Providence, East Bank Demerara

dent Wayne Forde announced that the project is now moving into Phase Two, which is the installation of lights.

The facility has already

nated spaces, and will be fully powered by solar energy upon completion.

Additionally, the GFF is expanding the project to Ann’s

discussion with the community there about an MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] that will give the Federation and its members some rights to the

venue, and that is progressing very well,” Forde said.

Both the Ann’s Grove and New Amsterdam projects will each receive a $10Million allocation, Forde said, adding that the Federation is also focused on the strategic development of women’s football here.

In addition, the GFF also has “big plans” in store for D’Urban Park. “D’Urban Park, where it’s a 7.6 acres land,” Forde said, “we signed a lease about a year ago or so. It is going to be developed as the international football venue

for Guyana. We’re getting support from our counterparts in Denmark for the engineering services, and in a few weeks, you will see work starting on the clearing of the ground.”

As part of the MOU, the GFF will be regularly engaging with the Government and sharing project designs.

A key concept of the project for GFF is community involvement, as they aim to develop each community in which the programmes are implemented.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Granger, Harmon responsible for violent protests, says Benn -- PNC/R chair, James Bond condemn violence, blockage of roadways

FORMER President, David Granger, and Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, in their recent visit to West Coast Berbice (WCB), created an atmosphere of suspicions leading to racial polarisation, attacks, loss of lives and damage to property, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn said.

Minister Benn made the comments on the deteriorating situation on WCB in a statement on Wednesday. He said the escalation in violence rest squarely at the doors of the two known APNU leaders.

“The emergence of these political vultures and associated criminal opportunists have led to a deteriorating spiral in safety and security in the areas. Granger and Harmon bear the prime responsibility for the escalation in violence, injuries and death,” the home affairs minister said.

The Guyana Police Force, he said, is working hard to resolve what is clearly a criminal matter.

“The Joint Services are increasing their efforts to restore calm to the affected areas.

Only emergency and essential travel is recommended and that with the support of the police,” he said.

Minister Benn also said that the murder and mutilation of Isiah and Joel Henry remain a heinous crime which has been condemned all across Guyana.

The father of the murdered youths has repeatedly said that he will not support attacks on people of other races, among whom he has blood relations and friends, but wants the police to provide justice for his family.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Volda

PNC/R member, James Bond

PNC/R Chairman, Volda Lawrence

Lawrence, on Wednesday, condemned the murder of 17-year-old Haresh Singh.

Singh was killed as protests escalated over the murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry.

The former minister said the killings are “gruesome and barbaric” and she is hurt and angry over what has happened.

“I learnt of the death of a 17-year-old, not so long ago and it is claimed that he is associated with the person in custody. I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family. We’re not a people who kill our children, we’re not a people who maim each other, we’re not barbarians, we’re Guyanese,” Lawrence said in a live video posted on Facebook.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, interact with a relative of Joel Henry recently

UNACCEPTABLE The former health minister said she will not support or condone the blocking off of roadways during protest

action.

“We are hurting each other as a people, we are hurting each other as neighbours and friends and we are turning on each other as though we don’t know each other and as a leader, we have to call a spade a spade. We’re asking for justice, we’re also asking for peace, pull away the things from in the middle of the road, we can do things differently, we can send our message differently,” she said.

Lawrence issued a call for “every single member of the People’s National Congress Reform, irrespective of your status” to stop the carnage since “we certainly can display our grief in a different manner. Stop, stop, this is hurting us… this will not solve our problems, our problems will get deeper and wider and we still will not solve it.”

The PNC/R chairman also called on religious leaders to

stand up and assist in calling for peace and justice.

Lawrence said justice is needed for all three of the teens who were murdered.

Subsequent to Lawrence’s Facebook post, Prittipaul Hargobin, 34, known as “Roy”, a resident of Block BI Bath Settlement, was also beaten to death during a confrontation with protesters blocking the roadway.

PNC/R member, James Bond, in a Facebook Live condemned the violence, assault and burning of property.

“Persons who are doing these acts are not doing justice to the memory and lives of the four black men that lost their lives within a month, you are absolutely not representing the cause, we can protest, but let us bring an end to the violence that is happening on the roadways and communities,” Bond said.

‘Showtime’ today for --on popular D’Urban St. businessman ex-cops named in ‘hit’ THE Preliminary Inquiry against two ex-police officers, who are jointly charged for the murder of 64-year-old Godfrey Scipio, called ‘Saga’, a popular D’Urban Street, Georgetown businessman is expected to come to an end today.

Former Detective Corporal Derwin Eastman and former Constable Jameson Williams are before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the capital offence. The

Magistrate had set September 10, 2020 for her ruling in the PI. It is alleged that the duo, on October 12, 2017 at Kitty, murdered Scipio during the course of a robbery.

Ranks from the Police Major Crime Unit were able to arrest the then serving cops days after the alleged ‘trigger-man’, Aubrey Bobb, was charged for Scipio’s murder.

Bobb is alleging that Eastman

was the mastermind behind the businessman’s murder, and even went as far as providing him with the gun to do the hit.

According to information received, the police managed to arrest Bobb a day after reviewing CCTV footage from the Kitty hotel where Scipio was shot and robbed.

Bobb was recently released from prison, after serving time for a previous robbery charge.

The gold jewellery that was stolen from Scipio during the robbery has not been recovered.

Bobb had allegedly confessed that he had borrowed a gun to commit the crime.

Scipio was shot once, just after being attacked and robbed by a lone gunman outside a Kitty hotel.

He was reportedly leaving the hotel in the company of a female friend, and was about to enter his car, which was parked in front of

the building when he was accosted by the gunman.

According to the Police, investigations revealed that the suspect “discharged a round, hitting Scipio in the abdomen, relieved him of his jewellery, and escaped on foot in a northern direction.”

Scipio was rushed to a private city hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Bobb, is currently awaiting trial at the High Court for the crime.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Gov’t seeks UK help to investigate Berbice murders

–– explores UN systems to address racial strife, mulls CoI into unrest PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali announced that he reached out to the British Government and the Regional Security System (RSS) to visit Guyana and support the Guyana Police Force’s in-

vestigative capacity into the recent murders.

The head of state said he will also explore all systems and protocols available within the United Nations (UN) system to deal with persons

who spread hate and racial strife in speech and in action.

“We need to understand who instigated, what was instigated and as a result, I am exploring the commissioning

of an International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to look at every aspect of this situation, to look beyond what took place on the ground, to look at the behaviours

President Irfaan Ali

that came about as a result of statements made. The CoI is important for us to have a comprehensive understanding as to what took place,” the President said in taking national interventions to address the West Coast Berbice (WCB) murders and the ensuing unrest.

The President thanked the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force for the tireless work that they have been doing.

“I am confident that they will bring the situation to order. They have assured me that they will be using all available resources and laws, in keeping with the protocols and guidelines, to ensure that the situation does not escalate. I call upon all Guyanese to refrain from endangering each other’s life, as I assure you that this government will work to bring justice to every single person who has been affected in these circumstances,” the head of state explained.

The President said that the authorities must get to the bottom of the incident, and, whatever support is needed, he will reach towards that support.

He reflected that the events surrounding these horrific and barbaric acts of murder and the criminality that saw the loss of property, that saw even the loss of lives, people being chopped, robbed and brutally assaulted, require a more comprehensive and holistic review

and as such, we need to get to the bottom of this.

“I have asked the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to explore, within the United Nations system, all means available to hold to account, all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife,” the President added.

The commander-in-chief said that the time has come for government to deal with this issue very frontally.

“The time has come for us to deal with it very seriously and no one must believe that they can use situations like these for any political gain. There is no gain whether politically, socially, economically, morally or culturally. There is no gain that you can get out of this. The only persons who lose are the families who are suffering, the people who received and who were inflicted with blows and loss of property and the country; the credibility and image of our country suffer greatly,” the President explained.

Underscoring that Guyana must not leave these things unanswered, Dr. Ali said he cannot leave them unanswered, and, as President, he decided to proceed with the steps mentioned, and bring, swiftly to justice, all those who were part of the horrific acts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

$38.9 billion to reform national security –– upgrades for prison, police and fire service GOVERNMENT has allocated $38.9 billion, in the 2020 Emergency Budget, to commence the reformation of national security.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who was given the responsibility

by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to present the national budget, said this sum will improve the prison systems, police stations and the fire service.

He said the prison system will undergo improved conditions, while compulsory training and educational opportunities for prisoners, along with the security and safety of prison officers will be ensured.

In the area of prison reform and improvement, the minister said government will continue to invest in the provision of training opportunities for both inmates and prison management staff as those are crucial to the health and rehabilitation of inmates.

Government, he said will continue to work on the Mazaruni and Georgetown prisons, and will commence reconstruction of Lusignan prison, which is allocated $200M in the budget.

Overall, Minister Edghill said government has planned to expend $2 billion on the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of prison facilities countrywide.

Further, he said government intends to strengthen the security forces as resources will be deployed to improve investigative and forensic capabilities of law enforcement while providing equipment, facilities and training for law enforcement officers.

Noting that every Guyanese citizen is entitled to safer communities, where life can flourish unhindered, Minister Edghill said crimes in communities are detrimental to the quality of citizens lives and take a toll on the development of businesses.

“Historically, PPP/C administrations have taken

measures to reduce crime and support safer communities. Unfortunately, under the APNU-AFC administration crime has been on the increase across our nation, no rehabilitation of our prison system was undertaken, and there exists a backlog of cases in our court system,” the minister said.

As such, he said government has allocated over $1 billion for ongoing works on police stations and divisional headquarters to align the police’s boundaries with Guyana’s administrative regional boundaries.

These stations include headquarters at Anna Regina, Fort Wellington, Mabaruma, Golden Grove and Mahdia.

In addition, police stations will be constructed at Cove and John, Brickdam, Matthew’s Ridge, Leonora, Lethem, Whim, Albion, Parika, Wismar and Mahdia.

Government, he said has also set aside $428.1M for the procurement of 50 vehicles to ensure our police officers are adequately equipped to fight crime.

“Mr. Speaker, as with the Police Force, Government has allocated sums to provide more equipment and better facilities for the Guyana Fire Service. Approximately $63M is allocated to procure two water tenders for Linden and Bartica, as well as to upgrade the facilities at Mahdia. Additional vehicles, tools and equipment will also be procured to aid in firefighting,” Minister Edghill said.

Further, Minister Edghill said government will also focus on expanding the use of ICT in the fight against crime, providing better remuneration and conditions for the officers in the security forces and ensuring greater accountability by the Police Force for solving crime.

An aerial view of the Lusignan Prison. Some $200M has been allocated in the budget for reconstruction of this prison

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Gov’t injects $5.2 billion in ICT

–– $65.6M to complete Linden Call Centre; 200 jobs to be created THROUGH the 2020 Budget, education, health, industry and agriculture will be modernised with the help of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for which $5.2 billion has been allocated in the 2020 Budget.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, who presented the budget on Wednesday said government’s goal is

to ensure the benefits of enhanced ICT infrastructure for all Guyanese, no matter where they reside. He outlined the means though which the sum will be used at his budget presentation at Parliament.

According to Edghill, government will work to liberalise the telecommunications sector and increase access to cheap data and

bandwidth to ensure improved access to the internet, increased ICT literacy, and expanded e-Government.

Schools can look forward to being outfitted with adequate equipment and software, and curricula will be reformed so that ICT proficiencies can be developed nationwide.

Though the pandemic has affected educational systems

globally, leading to the closure of educational institutions at all levels, the Internet has made it possible for past papers, electronic workbooks and other reference materials to be accessed.

Hoping to boost this further, an additional $200 million will be invested to expand the Learning Channel to ensure that children continue to have access to academic resources as the Ministry of Education prepares for the safe re-opening of schools.

Meanwhile, the government will continue to provide internet access through the e-Government network to ensure government ministries and agencies, schools and other educational institutions are connected. It will also continue to invest in ICT hotspots and hubs, particularly in hinterland communities.

“To this end, the National Data Management Authority will receive an increased subvention of $2 billion to ensure the bandwidth expansion and continued connectivity,” Minister Edghill announced.

He stressed that ICT in Guyana must be an enabler for job creation and development and the government will continue to support the sector with capital inputs,

policy initiatives, training and increased employment opportunities for all in the field.

To realise this, in 2020, government has allocated $65.6 million for the completion of a call center in Linden, which will then be operated by a private company, generating more than 200 jobs for our people.

“ICT grants us the opportunity to reduce transaction costs, improve effectiveness and efficiency, as well as enhance overall productivity. Our Government’s goal is to ensure that the benefits of enhanced ICT infrastructure reach every Guyanese in every community, and we will pursue this in partnership with the private sector, as no Guyanese should be left behind,” Minister Edghill said.

‘Curlup’, ‘Damo’ to know their fate Sept. 17 --as PI into Norton St. taxi driver’s murder winds down THE preliminary inquiry into the murder of Marlon Rodney, also known as ‘George’, who was killed during a dispute in April 2019, is expected to come to an end on September 17, 2020, before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

On remand for Rodney’s murder are 26-yearold Osaffo Grundall, called “Curlup”, of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, and James Fraser, called “Damo”, of Garnett Street, Campbellville.

Particulars of the case allege that between April 25, 2019 and April 30, 2019, the pair murdered Rodney on Norton Street,

Lodge.

Come September 17, Magistrate McGusty is expected to make her ruling on whether there is sufficient evidence for the duo to stand trial at the High Court, or be freed.

According to reports, Rodney, 35, a known taxi driver of Norton Street, Lodge was in a heated argument with the pair on the day in question, when one of them pulled a gun and fired several rounds at him, hitting him in the leg.

Though Rodney was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), he would later succumb.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

A shot of adrenaline for Guyana’s economy

–– Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association commends Budget 2020 THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has welcomed the relief measures announced by the government on Monday in its emergency budget.

The GGDMA, in a release, said specifically, among the measures which will lend to the development and sustaining of the mining sector are: tax concessions for recapitalisation, reversal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on heavy-duty equipment/ machines, the abrogation of certain unnecessarily bur-

densome requirements related to the licensing of equipment and the transportation of fuel as well as hinterland infrastructural development.

The GGDMA noted that the government had proposed, in its manifesto for mining, the implementation of these and other measures over the years and it is satisfied with the partial fulfilment of the promises while it was in opposition last year.

The GGDMA believes that the overall measures are exactly what the country

GTT connects COVID-19 mothers to newborns

GTT's PR Manager, Jasmin Harris hands over SIMs to GPHC's Strategic Planning and Communications Manager, Chelauna Providence

THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), has made provision for COVID-19 mothers, who recently gave birth, to be able to see their children through technology.

With the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19 mothers who recently delivered at the institution were unable to bond with their babies, due to the risks associated with contact.

“With the provision of these SIMs, we have created the opportunity for mothers to be able to at least see their newborns,” said GTT’s Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris.

“This pandemic has affected us, maybe in different ways, but it has definitely impacted us all. We are committed to assist where we can, acknowledging that we are in this together,” Harris added.

GTT will provide data to two SIMs until December 2020. Harris said “We will donate 40GB of data per month until December 2020, to ensure mothers are able to connect with their newborns.

Should the need continue beyond December 2020, we will provide ongoing service to our mothers.”

Strategic Planning and Communications Manager at GPHC, Chelauna Providence, received the SIMs on behalf of the hospital.

“GPHC is pleased to accept this generous donation from GTT which is an extension of the support that GTT has given to our healthcare workers from the inception of our Covid-19 response in Guyana,” she shared.

Providence added that the donation was special to the hospital as it would allow mothers in the Covid-19 maternity unit to be able to connect with their newborns through technology.

needs at this time as they are pro-business and pro-development for the benefit of Guyanese at all levels.

“The GGDMA is heartened that despite the fact that the new administration is facing much harsher times amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, a struggling economy and a number

of other issues of national importance that are not typically faced by a new administration, the resolve shown through their actions to keep their promises is one that must be recognised and deserves much approbation.”

“The GGDMA wishes to thank His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali for taking the

time, despite the numerous tribulations that our country is currently facing, to meet personally with our executive to discuss matters of importance to our sector within the first month of his ascension to the highest office in the land. Through our frank discussions, he has filled us with renewed hope

for the future with a collaborative approach that includes meaningful dialogue and consultation,” the GGDMA said.

It also looks forward to working closely with Minister Vickram Bharrat, on matters relating to the development of the sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Sport gets $805.3M...

FROM PAGE 27

ly. We’re still formulating the proposal at the moment so we’ll know exactly what will be allocated for each of those facilities.

“But this will be one of the largest investments that will happen, or has happened in any region in the last five years and it’s going to be something that we all should be proud about,” Ramson said.

The PPP/C Government in its manifesto also saud it will provide a special fund for upgrading of sports and cultural facilities, as well as build 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 sportspersons.

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Perez to leave Racing Point at season’s end

(BBC) - Sergio Perez will leave Racing Point at the end of the season, paving the way for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to join from Ferrari.

Vettel’s arrival has not been confirmed but it is known that Racing Point, which will become Aston Martin in 2021, offered him a contract.

Perez, 30, had previously insisted he was not leaving, pointing out that he had a contract running until

2022.

“It hurts a bit as I bet on the team during very rough times,” Perez said.

The Mexican played a key role in preventing the team going out of business when it was known as Force India in 2018.

“We managed to overcome obstacles and I am very proud of saving the jobs of several of my team-mates,”

Sergio Perez missed two Formula 1 races earlier this season after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Perez added.

“I’ll keep the memories of the great moments lived together, the friendships and the satisfaction of always giving my all.”

He added, “To the current administration, led by Lawrence Stroll, I wish nothing but the best in the future, especially with the upcoming Aston Martin project.

“I don’t have a plan B. My intention is to continue

racing here (in F1) but that would depend on finding a project that motivates me to continue giving my 100% each lap.”

Perez has been linked with both the Haas and Alfa Romeo teams in recent weeks.

German Vettel, 33, joining the team is expected to be announced in the coming days, with the Tuscan Grand Prix weekend at Italy’s Mugello circuit starting today.

Hetmyer, Pooran...

FROM PAGE 27

All-rounder Keemo Paul and Zouks seamer Scott Kuggeleijn; who both operated with much skill in the fast-bowling department, earned their selection.

Meanwhile, former Australian all-rounder and CPL’s Director of International Cricket, Moody, said: “After

healthy discussion and debate the commentators have finalised what they believe is a power-packed all-star XI from Hero CPL 2020.”

“With a tournament dominated by world-class spinners, there was an abundance of riches. Tahir again proved a challenge to all who came

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Patriots vs TKR, 2017 (2)Keemo Paul (vs Patriots, Match #4) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Warriors players contested all 10 preliminary games in Hero CPL 2020?

(2)Name the teams Ross Taylor has never represented in CPL cricket to date.

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

his way. Pollard’s all-round skills again brought some eye-catching performances. It was an easy decision to make him the captain after a flawless league stage,” said Moody.

The Hero CPL Team-of-theTournament Glenn Phillips (wkp.) – Jamaica Tallawahs Sunil Narine – Trinbago Knight Riders Shimron Hetmyer – Guyana Amazon Warriors Nicholas Pooran – Guyana Amazon Warriors Darren Bravo – Trinbago Knight Riders Kieron Pollard (captain) – Trinbago Knight Riders Mohammad Nabi – St Lucia Zouks Jason Holder – Barbados Tridents Rayad Emrit – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Imran Tahir – Guyana Amazon Warriors Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Jamaica Tallawahs Scott Kuggelejin – St Lucia Zouks Keemo Paul – Guyana Amazon Warriors

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Williams keeps U.S. Open hopes alive with comeback win Serena Williams last won a Grand Slam when she triumphed at the Australian Open in 2017.

(BBC) - Serena Williams kept alive her hopes of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Tsvetana Pironkova in the U.S. Open quarter-finals.

The American six-time champion, 38, struggled early on with the variety of shots from the unranked player who was in her first tournament in three years.

The Bulgarian, 32, broke in the fifth game en route to taking the first set.

Pironkova tired, as Williams took the second and broke twice in the third.

The veteran will now play former world number one Victoria Azarenka or Belgian 16th seed Elise Mertens.

Like in her third-round match against Sloane Stephens, Williams made a slow start which Pironkova exploited on longer rallies and with her dangerous sliced forehand. The break seemed inevitable and came in the fifth game when the Bulgarian - a semi-finalist at Wimbledon in 2010 - hit a great double-handed backhand winner.

There were signs Williams was improving towards the end of that set, and although she did go a break down early in the second set, the American levelled immediately then had break point in the following Pironkova service game.

That was saved, but the former world number 31 lost

her serve again when she was out-thought and outplayed in the eighth game. - decided by an error following a phenomenal 26-shot rally. Her more decorated opponent raised her arm and let out a cry of celebration and relief inside the near empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.

By this stage, Pironkova’s points won on her first and second serves had dropped from 87% and 70%, respectively, down to 47% and 55% and the unforced errors were up from five to 10.

It seemed the exertions of the near three-hour three-set match against Alize Cornet in the previous round were beginning to take their toll.

Williams also experienced a three-set contest in her last-16 match, but her stamina appeared to increase as this match went on. She broke twice more in the third set and booked her place in the semi-final with a game to love, which contained her 20th ace.

Defeat brought an end to the fairytale return for the player from Plovdiv, who, following a shoulder injury in 2017 decided to start a family and took time out from the sport.

Pironkova chose the Flushing Meadows tournament to mark her comeback and entered at the firstround stage, courtesy of a protected ranking of 123rd - the position she occupied when she last played.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Shennel Daniels joins Bryant and Stratton College on part scholarship

... GFF makes monetary donation to assist with studies FEMALE footballer and coach Shennel Daniels, says she is grateful for the financial assistance given by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), towards her pursuit of a Bachelor in Business Administration and Management at Bryant and Stratton College in the USA, where she was given a partial football scholarship.

“I feel great about the contribution from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) because throughout my football career I have been supported by GFF and it’s an honour to have the organisation now help me to further my education and my football ambitions. It’s overwhelming,” Daniels said.

President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, who made the presentation to Daniels at the Secretariat’s Boardroom on Monday, reasoned that “one of the key pillars of the plan is to open new opportunities for all of our young players, both male and female. At

President Wayne Forde (R) makes a monetary contribution to female footballer Shennel Daniels.

the moment we have four young footballers pursuing higher education at colleges within the United States of

America.”

According to Forde, “Compared to when my executive committee started

this journey in November 2015, I think it’s a significant achievement - one that we are very proud of.

“We continue to offer as much support as the FIFA regulations and our own lobbying efforts could, with

sponsors and through other partnerships such as the one we have with the International Support Group, to ensure that our student athletes are given the best level of support during their journey at these higher education institutions.”

Daniels, who plays for Fruta Conquerors football club, has been playing competitive football for approximately 16 years and said she will represent her college on the field as part of the scholarship, which was facilitated by former national player Kevin Beaton.

“We want to wish those that are studying and those that are about to join them every success and we will continue to support in the months and years to come,” Forde added.

Daniels departed Guyana yesterday and is scheduled to begin class on September 19.

Carib Beer’s CPL ‘PLAY AT HOME’ winners awarded prizes ahead of final

By Clifton Ross

CARIB Beer Guyana yesterday, presented winners of the 2020 HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) ‘PLAY AT HOME’ promotion with their hampers, ahead of today’s final between St Lucia Zouks and Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR).

Held at the TWEE Duty Free Guyana Ltd Shop, located at Giftland Mall, Carib

Beer Guyana Brand Manager, Ravi Ganace, along with representatives of the company, yesterday presented the prizes to the six respective winners.

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, fans became eligible to win prizes based on purchases of Carib Beer. Each prize winner was awarded a full CPL VIP party, which will be kept in the convenience of their home, for the benefit of the winner and three

friends.

The respective winners received their prizes yesterday during the presentation at the Giftland Mall. As part of the all-expenses paid incentive, fans received CPL hampers which included Carib-branded hats, flash drives, T-shirts among other things.

Ganace thanked the fans for being a part of the promotion, which he said helped to bring Guyanese closer to CPL action this

year amidst the pandemic. Ganace also believed that the concept helped to keep Guyanese in touch with their favourite sport despite not being present at this year’s event.

Meanwhile, organisers noted that they were pleased to give back to the cricket fraternity and sports overall, especially during this tense time of an ongoing pandemic, which requires more support and attention.

Newcastle considering options after failed buyout

(BBC) - Newcastle United say they are “considering all relevant options” after claiming the Premier League did not act “appropriately” in its handling of a failed takeover by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium.

In July the group, which included Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, said it had backed out of the deal.

The league wanted clarification

of the links between PIF and the Saudi state.

But yesterday, Newcastle said the Premier League had rejected the bid. “(Owner) Mike Ashley understands fans’ frustrations,” the club said, adding the rejection had been based on the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test.

The consortium, which also included PCP Capital Partners and

Reuben Brothers, had agreed a £300M deal to buy the club from Ashley in April.

In a statement, Newcastle added: “The club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately in relation to this matter and will be considering all relevant options available to them.

“This conclusion has been reached despite the club providing the Premier League with overwhelming evidence and legal opinions that PIF is independent and autonomous of the Saudi Arabian government.”

BBC Sport has contacted the Premier League for comment.

Speaking to BBC Sport earlier yesterday, Masters said he had “sympathy” for Magpies fans be-

cause of the lack of information they received.

“I think there is a reasonable expectation on all the parties involved for confidentiality, I think that’s what we were trying to respect,” said Masters.

Masters also said the Premier League would “look again” at the “issues and specifics” of its owners’ and directors’ test.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, September 10, 2020

Hetmyer, Pooran, Tahir among stars named in CPL 2020 Team-of-the-Tournament

… Warriors, TKR players lead list of selectees

By Clifton Ross

DESPITE a disappointing end to their 2020 Hero CPL campaign, Guyana Amazon Warriors managed to save some face, as a number of their stars were named in this season’s Team-of-the-Tournament.

The squad consists of this year’s top performers; batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders. The panel of cricket experts, which included the tournament’s comKeemo Paul mentary team; Tom Moody, Ian Bishop, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Samuel Badree, did a good job in selecting the sentation by two players with a best of the best.

Bubble’ hosts’ Trinbago Knight Riders player each from Zouks, St Kitts (TKR) who play St Lucia Zouks in today’s final, & Nevis Patriots and former along with members of the Warriors squad, dom- champions Barbados Tridents, inated the team, with the Warriors having four rounding off the side.

Among those TKR players to of their stars featured in the team, while TKR be featured in the team are: skipmanaged three.

The spirited Jamaica Tallawahs had repre- per Kieron Pollard, all-rounder

Sunil Narine and left-hander Darren Bravo; Warriors, who had one of the most unceremonious exits in CPL’s semi-final history, being knocked over for a record low 55; got their consolation prize, compliments of some good individual performances by four of their key

Imran Tahir

Shimron Hetmyer

Nicholas Pooran

Sport gets $805.3M allocation from National Budget

announced 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 support the growth and development of our young people and our sportsmen 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 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.”

Speaking on the President’s announcement, Ramson said the project can provide

vast employment opportunities within the respective communities where the facilities will be constructed, while adding, “think procurement opportunities that are going to be created and just the overall economic activities in those regions as a result”.

“We’re talking hundreds of millions of dollars, and potentially over a billion dollars on each one of those potential-

TURN TO PAGE 23

players.

Leading spinner Imran Tahir, Nicholas Pooran who had the only century for the team this season and leading run-scorer Shimron Hetmyer were the primary factors behind the Warriors’ semi-success this season.

Guyana managed to gain the edge over TKR after selectors decided to pick one Caribbean and one overseas 12th man in a bid to round off the squad.

Turn to Page 24

By Rawle Toney

MINISTER with responsibility for Finance, Juan Edghill, during the presentation of the country’s National Budget, highlighted that $805.3M will be allocated to sport in Guyana.

Edghill told Parliament that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government’s vision for embracing diversity and exploring the talents of Guyanese has always been their focus, and as such, “$2.7B has been allocated for Culture, Youth and Sport, for which $805.3M is for sport.”

The allocation represents one of the largest the sport sector in Guyana has seen in almost a decade.

Edghill said as his government looks to revitalise the national sports programmes, while simultaneously reconfiguring how we

The Linden synthetic track is one of the projects which the Budget will address.

undertake them in the context of the pandemic. “This year we are going to be undertaking initial work on mini sports stadiums – in Regions 2, 6 and 10, and the Guyana-China friendship park.”

Edghill, who also serves as Minister of Public Works, said, “Additionally, $185M has been allocated for the National Sports Commission to accelerate works on the synthetic tracks in Regions 6 and 10, as well as the purchase of sports gear and ground enhancements.”

Meanwhile, Speaking to Chronicle Sport on the sidelines of the Budget presentation, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, reasoned that while the budget is only for the next four months, everyone involved in sport should be excited, especially the people who are living in Regions 2, 6 and 10.

In keeping with a promise made during his campaign, Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Monday, had

SEE PAGE 27

Sport gets $805.3M allocation from National Budget

.... National Sports

Commission to receive $185M

Winners of this year’s ‘PLAY AT HOME’ promotion, sponsored by Carib, receive part of their prizes during yesterday’s presentation.

Carib Beer’s CPL ‘PLAY AT HOME’ 26 winners awarded prizes ahead of final PAGE

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THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 10, 2020