Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_09_12_2020

SATURDAY 12th September, 2020

'

Justice will be served

No.106120

–– President Ali assured relatives of slain teens 03 –– communities urged to shun division, work with police to restore peace PAGE

President Ali speaks with Gladston Henry, the father of Isaiah Henry, at the family's home

President Ali expressing his condolences to Gail Johnson, the mother of Joel Henry

President Ali speaks with relatives of Prittipaul Hargobin at their Bath Settlement residence

Granger, Harmon should apologise for West Berbice chaos 02 PAGE

–– Heal Guyana founder, Sharon Lalljee-Richard

PNCR chair lauds return to peace following deadly protests PAGE

03

President Ali speaks to Basmattie Singh, the grandmother of Haresh Singh at her home

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Granger, Harmon should apologise for West Berbice chaos –– Heal Guyana founder, Sharon Lalljee-Richard FOUNDER of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richard, has called out former president, David Granger, and now Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, for demonstrating what it calls “duplicitous behaviour.”

Heal Guyana is a non-profit local organisation aimed at promoting peace and goodwill across the country and often lends its voices to various social and other issues affecting the populace.

“Double standards are unacceptable when it comes to race relations and violence in Guyana. After one electoral term of passionately promoting social cohesion during his presidency, David Arthur Granger and the now Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon visited the grieving relatives of the Henry family, and, during that occasion, took it upon themselves to utter irresponsible words which served to instigate an outburst of violence among

protesters who were demonstrating their discontent over the brutal murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry,” Lalljee-Richard told Guyana Chronicle on Friday.

Lalljee-Richard, passionate about human rights, equality, and the like, feels that there must be no tolerance for “such hypocrisy” among politicians when it comes to race relations and violence in Guyana.

“This unfortunate incident which compounded the already painful loss of the Henry boys, a tragedy which rippled all across Guyana, is a vivid example of how duplicitous behaviour in public office can cost us dearly as a nation,” she expressed.

UNWARANTED The unwarranted loss of additional lives and the destruction to property which occurred in Berbice as a consequence of Granger’s and Harmon’s political interference in a family’s misfortune

could have been avoided, had they stayed true to their platform of unity; a premise upon which they previously campaigned to rise to political power during the 2015 Election, she noted.

“Within the wider context of our local politics, insincerity and double standards, for too long, have been accommodated as a norm.

Politicians constantly make promises they seldom keep and the absence of public accountability slowly erodes into becoming a fabric of our culture while we helplessly struggle toward development we could never seem to fully achieve.

“Our first misstep is to assume, without the benefit of a proper investigation, that the murders of the Henry boys were racially motivated. We simply do not know enough as yet to jump to that conclusion. The second misstep we seem to be making is to assume that all Indo-Guyanese, especially in

Founder of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richard

Berbice, are racist. Indo and Afro Guyanese in Berbice live and work together in harmony every day of their lives which made the vile and reckless attacks on this select ethnic group, not only misguided and unjust but

also very revealing of the inherent race-hate we carry in our hearts,” Lalljee-Richard added.

NEW CULTURE She said the only solution out of this dilemma is genuine reform of all politicians toward a new culture where no hypocrisy, in any sphere of public office, is tolerated by the citizenry. Matters of race-relations are particularly important in this regard, she noted, as it can quickly accelerate into civil unrest and the senseless loss of life.

“With the current charges of electoral fraud still engaging the courts in which Former Health Minister Volda Lawrence appears to have played a critical enabling part by affixing her signature to a declaration document, coupled with her speech given in her capacity as a government Minister, as she then was, in declaring ‘The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC…’, her recent call for peace, though surprising but welcomed, is perhaps

the testimony of the fact that a political leader can maybe move from being culpable to taking the lead on restoring peace in times of unrest,” Lalljee-Richard observed.

This initiative should have been equally taken by Mr. Granger and Mr. Harmon, considering that it was their irresponsible utterances which exacerbated the mayhem which resulted in the protest accelerating to violence, Lalljee-Richard said.

“As a people, we must do better to promote reconciliation and healing as a priority within our country. As leaders, we must remain cognizant and responsible as we manage our followers, as well as ourselves. We can't only be advocates for peace, unity and non-violence when we are the ones in power. All Guyanese are deserving of peace, unity and non-violence, every single day of their lives, regardless of who leads. Anything less would be grossly hypocritical and insincere.”

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Justice will be served –– President Ali assured relatives of slain teens –– communities urged to shun division, work with police to restore peace

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali has assured the families of the slain West Coast Berbice (WCB) teens, Isaiah and Joel Henry and Haresh Singh that justice will be served even as he urged residents to work with the security forces to restore order in their communities.

The Head of State made this disclosure, on Friday, after visiting the homes of the teens to personally express his condolences and to assure them of his government’s support in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

He assured the relatives that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that those responsible for the heinous acts are brought to justice and made to answer for their crimes.

"On behalf of the people of Guyana and my own behalf and that of my family and government, I want to again express my condolences to you and your family,” President Ali said.

During his visit with each of the families, the President also pledged to work tirelessly to ensure that the resolution of the investigation is given the highest priority.

"I will work day and night to get to the bottom of what happened to those teens," President Ali vowed.

He also used the opportunity to urge all residents and community members present to work with the members of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force, who are stationed in the communities, to restore peace and stability.

"Safety and security in all of the communities remain a top priority. As you can see, there is more visibility on the ground, more resources on the ground," the Head of State said.

The President urged the communities to come together and not to allow themselves to be divided.

He also asked the residents to cooperate with the police, who are working to not only conduct their investigations, but to also bring peace to the communities along the WCB corridor. This, he stressed, can be achieved through cooperation and the sharing of critical information, which can assist the investigators.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved relatives all expressed their hope that justice will be served

NO TOLERANCE FOR CRIMINALITY The Head of State reiterated that no forms of criminality will be tolerated.

"We cannot tolerate lawlessness and criminality. We have to fix what went wrong and move forward," President Ali stated.

swiftly and that all leads will be pursued. They expressed too, their appreciation for the President's visit and his commitment to ensuring that all steps are taken towards achieving justice for the boys.

During his visit, President Ali also met with the family of Prittipaul Hargobin from

Bath Settlement, who was also killed, to offer his support and condolences.

President, Irfaan Ali

The West Coast of Berbice (WCB) which for the past four days has seen deaths, violence, arson, robberies and intense protest action, is returning to some semblance of normalcy.

The Joint Service ranks from the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Fire Service

were able to get protesters off the roads and remove the numerous impediments that kept traffic at a standstill over the past four days.

The situation had left hundreds stranded on both sides of WCB. The protests started following the discovery of the mutilated bodies of two teen cousins in the Cotton Tree Backdam, last Sunday afternoon.

Initially, protesters blocked the streets and demanded justice for the Henry boys on Sunday night but, by Monday, the protests turned violent, with persons being attacked as they attempted to pass the blockades in Number Five Village and other areas.

By Monday night, several other West Coast villages joined the protest action and things took a turn for the worse.

RAMPAGE Innocent citizens were beaten and robbed at almost all the locations where the protests were being held, and, on Tuesday, trucks and minibuses were burnt, in addition to a house and barber shop.

Things took a turn for the worse on Thursday morning when 17-year-old, Haresh Singh, from Number Three Village, was beaten to death,

allegedly at the hands of protesters.

President Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, announced that he had reached out to the British Government and the Regional Security System (RSS) to visit Guyana and support the Guyana Police Force’s investigative capacity into the recent murders.

The President 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 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.

PNCR chair lauds return to peace following deadly protests PEOPLE's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairman, Volda Lawrence, has lauded the heeding of her call for peace following the deadly and destructive protests in the past few days in light of the murder of the Henry cousins.

“My brothers and sisters from the Upper East Coast of Demerara and the West Coast of Berbice, I am pleased that you have answered my call for peace and calm during this time,” Lawrence said in a press statement.

She continued: “I stand with you in your call and protest for justice, for our fallen sons of the soil, namely: Orlando Jonas, Joel Henry,

Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh. As we stand up for what is right, we must not find ourselves on the wrong side of the law, lest our message is lost, and our cause is undermined.”

Considering all that has transpired, the PNCR chair called on the government and the Guyana Police Force to act with urgency to bring the perpetrators of the gruesome murders to justice.

PERPETRATORS MUST FACE THE LAW Adding that the families of the victims need closure along with their communities and by extension the country, Lawrence said the opportunity to deliver justice should

Chairman of PNCR, Volda Lawrence

not be squandered and those guilty should face the full brunt of the law.

“I need closure and Guyana needs to heal. The people will not accept any outcome that is void of justice and we, the people, wish to make this very pellucid,” she said.

The main opposition’s chairperson said the protest must be solution-oriented and not driven by chaos, violence, and destruction.

She called on all supporters to refrain from such acts as justice is being sought and breaking the law will not serve such a purpose.

“My brothers and sisters, our protest must not end until justice is served. I am resolute in my stance to go the

full mile with you, until we achieve our desired outcome, justice. But we must protest in a peaceful and civil manner, doing so with respect for human life, dignity, and property,” the PNCR official said.

SERIOUS INTROSPECTION Underscoring that Guyanese will have some serious introspection to do in order to bridge the existing divide in the country, Lawrence said racism cannot be solved with more racism.

At the end of the day, she said “we all are sons and daughters of Guyana; we have to live with each other, we still have to travel together, go to school together and

work together. And believe it or not we all want the same thing, and that is a better Guyana for all, young and old, rich and poor. We can only achieve this if we do it as one people, united in our vision for Guyana. We all belong to one race, and that is the human race. This is my call for unity.”

The protests started following the discovery of the mutilated bodies of two teen cousins, Isaiah and Joel Henry of Number Four Village, in the Cotton Tree Backdam, last Sunday afternoon.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Education ministry steps ahead –– online training for teachers to begin from Monday THE Ministry of Education (MoE) is expected to begin engaging teachers in a training programme to better enable them to deliver teaching via virtual platforms, as has become necessary in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was revealed by Minister of Education (MoE), Ms. Priya Manickchand during a virtual press conference held on Friday.

“We are about to launch, on Monday, a mass teacher training programme, where our teachers can be trained about

use of ICT in the classroom.

It’s a 100-hour programme; it’s being done on the teachers’ own time. We have contacted teachers, and we have more than 1000 teachers who have registered, and have begun the training,” the Minister explained.

“It’s a beautiful programme from the OAS [Organisation of American States], partnering with ProFuturo. And once we begin, we expect all of our teachers to be trained,” she added.

That project had involved a number of schools receiving

electronic teaching equipment, and teachers being trained in administering lessons to their pupils, using the electronic devices which came preloaded with teaching content from ProFuturo, specific to each grade level.

For the training of teachers, beginning on Monday, Minister Manickchand noted that in cases where teachers do

not have access to the Internet, printed materials will be sent to those them.

“Our teachers in the hinterland without connectivity, we’re printing modules right now, as we speak, to get into those villages so that the theory can be done, and then make arrangements for the practical to be done later,” the Minister said.

$100M to small business development –– as gov’t moves to rebuild ‘investor confidence’ amidst COVID-19 pandemic

By Navendra Seoraj

lifeblood of any economy because they give entrepre-

SMALL businesses are

neurs the opportunity to

often referred to as the

create meaningful jobs and

Saturday, September 12, 2020 -- 13:30 HRS

foster local economies, allowing money to stay closer to communities.

In recognising the importance of this aspect of the commercial sector, government has allocated $100 million to the Small Business Development Fund, which is managed by the Small Business Bureau.

The bureau already has approximately 10,000 businesses in its database, and the development fund will create an opportunity for prospective small business owners to access loans and grants.

“We believe that it is long overdue to examine the feasibility of expanding the grant programme to a level above

the current $200,000 ceiling,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure, Juan Edghill while presenting government’s $329.5 billion budget to the National Assembly, on Wednesday.

A further $212.1 million has been allocated to the Small Business Bureau, which includes funds to equip and operationalise the business incubators at Lethem and Belvedere.

Government, he said, will also be examining the possibility of creating a national entrepreneurship and innovation body to stimulate business development.

“Additionally, we have allocated $105 million to the

Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development programme, which is being redesigned to ensure that the intended outcomes of small and micro business development and livelihood improvements are being demonstrably achieved,” said Minister Edghill.

The new government has already announced a suite of measures that will benefit not just households, but also small businesses.

In outlining some of those measures, the minister said: “We have reversed the VAT on electricity, water, machinery and equipment, exports, and materials for the construction sector, among others. These measures will surely improve the viability of small business start-ups and the sustainability of existing businesses.”

Government’s intervention is seen as timely because there was a decline in investment interest during the first half of 2020. And, this was due mainly to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and Guyana’s protracted electoral process, which concluded only on August 2, 2020.

According to Minister Edghill, there was a total projected value of facilitated investment of $29 billion and

1,115 projected jobs created, but only a total of five investment agreements, valued at $12.3 billion, were executed during the reporting period.

The worldwide travel bans caused by COVID-19 severely affected investors’ access to Guyana. This, Edghill said, resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of meetings and promotional activities facilitated by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

Additionally, the available investment capital was redirected, as many businesses were forced to suspend operations or operate within the confines of the curfew and also with reduced staff complements in order to comply with emergency public health measures implemented to minimise the impact of COVID-19.

Government, with the support of a development partner, is however reviewing recommendations for the re-organisation of GO-Invest, in order to make the agency more efficient and effective in investment promotion, while at the same time implementing new policies and initiatives to drive international exports.

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Purveyors of hate speech on social media to come under scrutiny GOVERNMENT will be addressing social media and hate speech as President Irfaan Ali has tasked the Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, to enforce legislation under the Racial Hostility Act. The President, in a statement Friday, said he is unequivocally committed to governing the country and its people, regardless of political affiliation or ethnic origin.

“It deeply grieves me, therefore, when I see almost every day on social media, the degree of race-baiting, racial hate and racial hostility which pervades the social media platforms. I want you to know that it is my determination to do everything within my power and to use all the laws at my disposal, to put an end to this behaviour, which can only result in dividing our country and our people,” the Head of State explained.

The use of social media, he said, for the promotion of

racial hate for political purpose was wholly unacceptable

President, Irfaan Ali

and would not be tolerated by the government.

President Ali has since directed Attorney-General Nandlall to ensure that the full force of the law is employed and applied to those who pur-

sue such criminal behaviour.

“I remind those persons guilty of this abuse of social media that freedom of expression guaranteed by our Constitution, as a fundamental right and freedom, does not relate nor extend to hate speeches or other expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility or ill-will against any person or class of persons,” the President said.

He continued: “I further remind that such conduct, publications and utterances constitute grievous criminal offences under the Racial Hostilities, Cybercrime and other similar penal legislation and the State will not hesitate to resort to these provisions in our laws in appropriate circumstances.”

Meanwhile, the 2002 amended Racial Hostility Act 1964, Cap 23:01, makes it a criminal offence to excite hostility or ill-will against persons by reason of their race and prohibits incitement to ra-

cial hatred, punishable if one wilfully excites or attempts to excite hostility or ill-will against any section of the public or against any person on the ground of their race.

This can include words spoken, written, or published.

Upon conviction, a person is not eligible to stand for public office for a period of five years commending from the date of conviction.

Anyone found guilty under the Racial Hostility Act, Chapter 23:01 (as amended in the Racial Hostility Amendment Act of 2002), shall be liable on summary conviction - a fine of $250,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Autopsy: Haresh Singh died of compression of neck, brain haemorrhage AN autopsy conducted on 17-year-old Haresh Singh found that he died from brain haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck.

The post mortem was done by government pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.

Singh’s body was handed over to relatives for burial.

His grandfather and two of his uncles were arrested in relation to the murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry and his killing on Wednesday was seen as an act of reprisal.

No arrest has been made as yet in relation to his death.

The teen of Number Three Village was found dead in the Number Two Village backdam.

He had gone on an errand to transport water. His motorcycle was also torched.

Family members of the teen said they have been receiving threats since the killing of the Henry cousins

Dead: Haresh Singh

and have been fearful for their lives ever since.

According to the police, Singh had left home on his motorcycle to visit his farm in the Backdam of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice; sometime after his relatives saw smoke from the area he visited.

Upon inquiry, relatives discovered his body lying motionless, bleeding from the nose.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

(ag)

Overhaul sentencing guidelines ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has signalled a pending overhaul of the justice system in Guyana, especially as it relates to sentencing of those convicted of crimes.

He has often deplored, as has many Guyanese, the unequal sentencing imposed by magistrates and judges on those convicted of criminal offences.

The general public has, time and again, expressed disgust at rulings by officers of the court, where in most instances, the punishment is either too severe for a mere misdemeanor; or not severe enough, especially in instances of armed robbery, home invasions, rapes and sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, and even murder in some instances.

On July 17, 2014, this newspaper reported that a mason was sentenced to three years for two gunpoint carjackings.

Quoting from the Chronicle report,

“Convicted gunpoint carjacker, Akeiron Cummings was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment on two robberies under arms charges after changing his plea.

The sentences will now run concurrently after the twenty-four-year-old mason accepted the facts against him.

On March 10 he approached taxi driver Colin Williams at the Stabroek Market bus park and requested to be taken to Guyhoc Park. Cummings, upon arrival at his destination, brandished a gun and demanded the man’s valuables. He managed to relieve Williams of $3.1M in items, including his $2M car.”

“And on March 5, 2014, at Diamond Housing Scheme, taxi driver, Lionel Seenarine, was approached by Cummings for a lift to Durban Backlands in the city. The taxi driver accepted, but upon arrival at the destination, the accused pointed a gun at his head and escaped with the man’s car.

Before handing down the sentence, the chief magistrate took into consideration the seriousness of the offence, the convict’s plea, the saving of the court’s time, and the other pending matters of a similar nature.

The two-year imprisonment will run concurrently with the other jail term.”

Cummings has other pending matters of a similar nature. What punishment befitting the crimes or deterrent to a return to this type of crime is this sentence by the chief magistrate?

Newspaper archives are replete with horror stories of carjackings and tragic aftermaths, where bodies of owners/ drivers were found subsequent to the theft of their vehicles, or disappeared altogether if they were not lucky enough to escape from the carjacker, while the vehicles vanished as though by magic, right into the maws of unscrupulous mechanic shop owners.

The carjackers – and potential murderers, if they have not as yet committed

the ultimate crime, then enjoy, along with their relatives and friends, a short time of living well – even luxuriously, off their spoils before they embark on another foray to wrest someone’s property; and probably their life, away from them.

After all, no matter how many crimes of a similar nature (with the consequential destruction of lives and livings of their victims and their families), their sentences could be reduced to serving minimal time for only one criminal offence, with sentences running concurrently.

As for the dealers who purchase the stolen vehicles, they get off without any sanction whatsoever, because they are often given ‘deals’ and not prosecuted at all.

It would be useful that sentencing these persons serve as a deterrent for them and others inclined on preying on society, the innocent and hard-working citizens.

A forensic investigation of the WCB murders would contribute to ethnic reconciliation Dear Editor, THE Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has approached the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana with a view to having international forensic experts investigate the recent heinous murders of young men in West Coast Berbice.

The UN is currently reviewing the request and the logistical implications of it.

The GHRA is concerned that Guyanese across the society understand the purpose of this initiative which can be viewed as both an event and a process along with the conditionalities required to bring it to fruition.

The chief purpose of the initiative is to provide the families and the society as a whole with a trustworthy version of the events surrounding the murders in order to counter the problem that every political incident in Guyana generates two narratives.

Without an impartial version of the truth, acceptable to all right-minded Guyanese, these events will inevitably join the catalogue of unresolved atrocities embedded in Guyanese ethnic folklore. Such events are never allowed

to be conclusively buried. They survive in a mythical realm leaving the listener unsure whether the event had occurred in the 1960s, 1997, 2003 and so on.

Secondly, the forensic investigation aims to bring the society to recognise how close to the precipice we, as a society, have brought ourselves. While instinctive horror at the murders is widespread across ethnic divide, no one, particularly the political leaderships, can claim to be really shocked. All thinking Guyanese have spent the last five months fearful that reckless political rhetoric, inflamed by the pernicious use of social media, would ignite this tit-for-tat vigilante justice – our modern-day version of “lynching”.

Thirdly, an initiative of this nature would serve as a confidence-building measure to re-assure ourselves that we can bring crises of this nature to a peaceful resolution.

A fourth aim of this initiative is the great assistance it would provide to the Guyana Police Service (Force) to have the back-up of independent international expertise to ascertain the circumstances of the murders and to facilitate

the implementation of the process of justice.

A fifth aim is preventative. The visit of this nature would inject an impartial international element into the situation deterring any momentum towards a greater national crisis.

A number of conditionalities have to be met for a visit of this nature to occur. Some are specific to United Nations involvement (since Guyana is a member State of the United Nations), other requirements would apply to experts from any source.

These include authorisation by the government, access to medical records, authorisation to conduct an independent autopsy which requires: access to a medical lab and all that goes with it and permission from the family; security assessment for possible need to protect the expert; coordination with the police and Judiciary; collaboration from local legal and medical actors; access to any independent local investigation; cooperation from relevant civil society actors; and responsible support from mainstream press and social media.

The range of sectors and skills suggest the potential for reconciliation implicit for a

successful forensic investigation exercise. The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) encourages all civic, professional, religious, trade union organisations and community groups to reflect on how a reconciling & caring dynamic can be nurtured to replace the adamant certainties proliferated by political or criminal agitators.

These clamorouring voices contrast sharply with the courageous and dignified sentiments expressed by one of the bereaved Afro-Guyanese fathers, Gladstone Henry, who yet again spoke openly to the media yesterday of the warm and close relations his family has always enjoyed with Indo-Guyanese families, who also joined in the day-and-night backdam search for the two cousins.

Beginning with the phrase “I am not a racist”, he went on to say “…if you want to protest is our right, let we do it peacefully… we the nation cannot be against one another, because this is going on too long….”

Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

A lesson for all, especially the PNC/R leaders to learn from Gladstone Henry’s humility Dear Editor, GLADSTONE Henry, father of the late Isaiah Henry, who was murdered in a gruesome manner with his cousin Joel, stood like the Gibraltar Rock and accepted his loss like a real man, in the true spirit of altruistic brotherhood and as a magnanimous Guyanese.

He wept but did not wimp like the cowards who, a while ago, weaseled their way into the Henry’s home and wrenched their wretched garbage to weaponise the crowd, disappearing in the still of the night, leaving behind, the worked-up women and men to wreak havoc with their own neighbors. He imploringly appealed to the rest of the nation and called for a cessation of the violent acts that have unraveled a racial biasness because of the devious agenda from the visiting PNC politicians. The sincerity of Mr. Henry overflowed when he declared, “I am not a racist. I still love my Indian brothers and sisters. I am not supporting unmoral protesting because I went out in Number Five Village and I told them straight: ‘if you want to protest is our right, let we do it peacefully.’” What a lesson for all, especially the leaders of the PNC/R to learn! Had they adopted Mr. Henry’s humble attitude and honestly broached the matter in the same natural vein, this blazing inferno may have been completely avoided and all the horrible damage might not have occurred. The men in disguise planted the diseased seed of conflict, not peace.

As a true Guyanese, the mourning father

blurted out, “I am not a racial person. I born in Number Three (Village). The community I live in, I live among Indian people. We eat together, we sleep together. The majority of my friends that I move with are Indian. We move like brothers, big men, older men than me and because of how I was moving with them they give me a nickname “Geera” and “Geera” is because it have to go in the dhal seeing that me is the only black one that living in there.” This is what “One People” means, coming from a similar background landscaped with a friendly and brotherly relationship, knitted and bonded with mutual respect, sharing a comradery that embraces love and caring for each other’s welfare. The likes of Granger and Harmon cannot speak such simple language explicitly because their roots are grounded in Burnham’s fascism that condones preferential, ethnic differences.

Harmon’s seeing “eyeball to eyeball” meant, “an eye for an eye.”

A conscientious advocate for peace, Mr. Henry further painfully pointed out, “We the nation cannot be fighting against one another, because this is going on too long.” Hitting the nail on the head, he has unabashedly demonstrated with such simplicity what the acclaimed intelligent city technocrats failed to realise. As a humble, rural civilian, ha can mentor those anointed in their high seats with selfishness as foresight and falsity as hindsight. The PNC/R has always placed their troubled party, paramount to the nation and “politricks,” above people. The policies of the party have inculcated a culture that

accommodates greed and vindictiveness as its base and purports to divide and rule as its instrument. No wonder their followers are misguided with their lies and brainwashed with their deceitful deceptions. As a result, this has chastised the mass for their misbehavior and castigated them for undue consequences.

Granger and cabal are committed to breaking and not making.

The language of a tiring Gladstone Henry is neither flavoured nor favoured. He unapologetically admonished that, “Let we not see this thing as black, white, Chinese or putagee (Portuguese) because if blackman did do this or a Chinese man did do this or any man did do this and if is not my family, I believe that he will have to pay the penalty and not no other people who looked like him and get the texture of hair like him, but the person who committed the act should pay for the crime.”

Mr. Henry is the gentleman who is involved in this disrupted fracas and has lost his son but yet, he is tempered and still wishes for justice but in a free and fair environment, not an atmosphere side tracked with prejudice and contaminated with convoluted corruptions.

He has a 20-20 vision and is not obscured with any enshrouded clarity. He is not disoriented with illusions nor can he be befuddled with thwarted perplexities. The police should be allowed to perform their duties unhindered by political interferences so that justice may prevail. The PNC/R Party finds it difficult to call a “spade a spade” and to allow the law to “run its course.”

It is most interesting to see how Granger

has awakened from a slumber, availed himself conveniently, all of a sudden made his presence known in a scandalous manner, mudded his feet and mouth in dirty water and then departed again to hibernate. Walking with a knee strengthened with discrimination, he is kneeling on the voice of conscience. Harmon has spoken with the forked tongue and poisoned the twisted minds of the community.

Volda Lawrence, perfecting a performance, has polluted the ambience with her self-interest, popularised a promotion, performed an act of pretense, declared power flexing and populated only her vanity. In a press statement issued by the Minister of Home Affairs, Robertson Benn, he was right on target with a bullseye stating, “This escalation in violence rest squarely at the doors of these two gentlemen and specific known political agitators of their ilk! 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.”

This sentiment is echoed by many Guyanese and reverberated in every nook and cranny in Guyana. All lives matter and as we mourn the loss of all lives, let us contemplate on the words of Jane Elliot, “We learn to be racist, therefore we can learn not to be racist. Racism is not genetic.

It has everything to do with power.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

The words of Jesus must be a guide for the protection of all Dear Editor, THE nation has been rocked by the tragic and senseless deaths of Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry in Region Five - and the aftershocks of the deaths of others.

No one would be more shaken than the parents and families of the victims by the sudden separation from their loved ones compound by the gruesome means by which they met their demise. First and foremost our prayers, condolences and

empathy go out to these families.

The nation ought to be very troubled by these events and we have seen a widely-shared consternation and indignation.

Some of this has been channeled into peaceful expressions of protestation, grief and solidarity with the families. But we have also seen, and sadly so, responses that have been violent, irresponsible, divisive and exploitative.

When the disciples were arguing about whom among them was the greatest, Jesus intervened and said emphatically “This

must not happen to you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves,” (Lk 22:26). While what has been happening over the last few days has had elements of persons or groups motivated to dominate, the words of Jesus falls on the whole nation to call on attitudes and actions that would express protection and care affirmation for each other.

In many of the responses to the recent events, I have heard reference to times past when good relations, neighbourly

gestures and care in community were very present and a lament that such ways of being seem now to be sparse. This must not happen to us.

The tenets or our many faiths speak eloquently of our common humanity; its sanctity and dignity, and it is the people of faith who are called upon to give life to these tenets.

Yours sincerely, Roman Catholic Bishop, Francis Alleyne

ERC distances itself from statements made by Roshan Khan Dear Editor, THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) wishes to disassociate itself from

social media posts made by ERC Commissioner, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan sr. and reported to the ERC, that do not coincide with its mandate to promote “harmony and

good relations”.

The views expressed in the posts are not those expected of an ERC commissioner and therefore contradict the role

and functions of the ERC. Yours sincerely, Ethnic Relations Commission

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Students to be re-engaged at home from Monday –– through multi-faceted approach; TV, Internet, radio, workbooks on cards

By Tamica Garnett ALTHOUGH schools will remain closed, the Ministry of Education (MoE) will begin re-engaging learners in public schools commencing Monday, September 14, using a “blended multi-faceted approach” that will incorporate teaching via various internet platforms, the learning channel, radio and print material that will be distributed to all learners.

The Ministry is also considering the possibility of partially re-opening the secondary schools for students at the Grade 10 – 11 levels, even as the Ministry is currently wrapping up a physical assessment of school buildings to analyse their preparedness for re-opening eventually.

“Following consultations, the government of Guyana and the MoE are cognizant that there cannot be a single approach to providing regular and effective learning opportunities across the regions and grades. The Ministry has been working hard to develop relevant curriculum content for delivery using all available platforms,” Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand noted as she explained the plan going forward.

The Minister was at the time speaking at a virtual press conference held last Friday. Stakeholders all across the board have continually been apprehensive about the way forward for schools which have been closed indefinitely since March 16, due to the spread

of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The challenge has been with finding a strategy that provides education to the learners, while adhering to safety measures needed to curb the spread of the virus. In August, the Minister announced that the schools would remain closed.

“The inability to reopen schools does not mean that education would not be delivered to the nation’s children.

A balance has to be found where there is a structured balanced approach to deliver-

WORKSHEETS “We have prepared at least one month’s worth of worksheets for most of the grades. Don’t be concerned about the one month, as we proceed we will continue to produce for the second month, and third month as is needed,” the Minister revealed, “We’ve developed and continue to develop curriculum content for delivery on the Learning Channel. On the learning channel for all the grades we have a sched-

currently down, we are working, as we speak, to get those channels up and running latest by next week. The Essequibo coast was without the Learning Channel for two years and last week we got that fixed,” the Minister shared.

Programming for the nursery children is set to be aired from 08:00hrs – 10:00hrs beginning on Monday. With some 27,000 children at the nursery level, the Minister noted that some components of the packages for the nursery children have to be brought in from overseas due to insufficient quantities locally. However, in the meantime, the children will be receiving worksheets and workbooks to remain engaged at home.

“The students will be receiving home-based kits that are presently being procured; these include print material, workbooks, story books, manipulatives, relevant and appropriate toys,” Minister Manickchand related.

Although schools will remain closed the MoE will With the primary and begin re-engaging learners from September 14 secondary school learners, focus will be on material ing education while keeping uled time table. And that will pertaining to the four core our children and teachers be published in the press areas of Mathematics, Social and their families safe,” the very soon and that schedule Studies, Science and English, reflects lessons that would with worksheets and multiple Minister said The Minister noted be taught ordinarily in the choice papers with over 1000 that, beginning from Mon- classroom in accordance with questions per subject being day, the Learning Chan- the day and week it would be sent for pupils from Grades nel will be broadcasting taught.”

One to Six. The Minister noted that from a scheduled timeta“Additionally students ble, instruction for nurs- efforts were being made to in Grades Five and Six will ery to grade 9, and the ensure the channel has wider be getting notes for sciprogrammes will be sup- geographical reach including ence and social studies that plemented with printed collaborating with private would have been delivered material that will be sent to cable providers to carry the to them were they in the channel on their system. those learners. classroom. Each learner “Where the channel is will have the textbooks

for the core subjects. On the radio, in a pre-scheduled timetable, there will be broadcast of school programmes in these core areas for Grades Two to Five,” the Minister noted.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL For secondary schools, the older Grades 10 and 11 students will additionally receive material in physics, chemistry and biology. The printed material is expected to be sent to the respective schools which will assist in distribution to the students.

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students will be engaged in online platforms, and students who cannot use those platforms will get print material and hardware, such as flash drives, so that they can continue learning Special education needs learners also have their own specific plan that has begun to be rolled out where all the learners are being engaged either online or with print material packages. Some of the learners are also being given tablets with pre-loaded material. Sign language classes are being conducted for parents with children who have hearing loss.

The Minister reminded that even as the country continues to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and put safety first, the learning loss of students cannot be ignored, and while the measures may not be perfect, in the absence of being able to go back into the classroom, it’s a start to getting the learn-

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand ers back in the learning seat.

“The particular outcome we’re looking for is to minimize as much as we can any type of learning loss, to keep our children engaged. There have been studies done across the world about the effects of being out of school for large amounts of time and retention of learning,” she noted She appealed to parents to ensure that they play their part in helping the students to continue their learning.

“It’s an abnormal time, an imperfect time - we have to improvise,” she said.

The teachers are also expected to play their helping roles wherever possible.

“The teachers are expected to be fully involved. We expect the teaching service to be fully on board with the programme. I am very pleased to say most teachers have done this themselves.

Our teachers, for the most part, have stepped up.

I am very pleased with the efforts the teachers have put in so far,” the Minister said

SOCU wins case against Guyanese-born ‘back-tracker’ –– Court awards $6M worth of foreign currency he was carrying to the State

THE sum of $6M was on Friday ordered to be forfeited to the State after the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) won a civil case against a man who was busted with the money hidden in cans of paint at the Springlands, Berbice crossing.

Michael Bagot, a Guyanese national, was intercepted on March 12, 2020 while coming from Suriname, and having in his possession €24, 530.00 (the equivalent of G$6M) concealed in cans of paint.

The Springlands-Berbice Crossing at reference is not the officially designated point of entry between Guyana and neighbouring Suriname.

Bagot was arrested by the police for failing to present himself to the Immigration Authorities, and to declare whatever foreign currency he had on him that was over the prescribed limit set out by the Foreign Exchange (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 86:01, Laws of Guyana.

Subsequent to his arrest, the SOCU approached the

Supreme Court for an interim order to confiscate the sum of €24, 530.00, in accordance with Section 37 (2) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Chapter 10: 11, Laws of Guyana.

The learned Chief Justice, Madame Roxane George, SC, granted the detention order for the Police to lawfully detain the currency on March 17, 2020; said Order was further extended on June 12, 2020 for three (3) months, pending the hearing and determination of the

Fixed-Date Application.

The Commissioner of Police, through the Chambers of the Attorney-General, commenced legal proceedings for the civil forfeiture of the said sum, whereby written submissions were made before Madame Justice JoAnn Barlow.

The Court eventually found that, based on the manner of concealment of the monies in paint cans, it could be inferred that said monies came from unspecified criminal conduct.

It was also found that

The forfeited money Bagot failed to provide information disclosing the source of said concealed monies, and that on previous occasions, he had left the jurisdiction from the designated immigration point of entry and exit, but when he re-en-

tered Guyana, it was through the ‘back-track’ route.

In light of the foregoing, the Court ruled that the sum of €24, 530.00 would be forfeited to the State. There was no Order as to Costs.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Mingo released on self-bail –– matter adjourned to Nov. 16

EMBATTLED Region Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo was on Friday released on self-bail for uttering

cer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, a Form 24 Representation of the People Act Regional Elections Elec-

ment, in that Lawrence’s signature was affixed to the said document, which had shown a win for the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance

Embattled Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo leaving court on Friday

a forged document to defraud the public in relation to the March 2, 2020 elections, while hearing into the matter has been adjourned until November 16.

Mingo, 69, of Calcutta, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and was not required to plead to the charge, which alleges that he, having been ‘procured’ by former government minister Ms. Volda Lawrence, on or about March 5, 2020, at Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown, uttered to the Chief Elections Offi-

tion Return, dated March 5, 2020, knowing same to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of the State of Guyana.

Mingo is charged jointly with former government Minister and chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Ms. Volda Lawrence.

He is represented by Attorneys-at-law Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels and Darren Wade, and Ms. Lawrence

by Mr. Hughes and Attorney-at-Law, Mr. James Bond.

The charges against the pair allege that they colluded to forge the Form 24 docu-

for Change (APNU+AFC).

On August 25, Lawrence had appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was released on $100,000 bail.

Back in March, the present Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Charles Ramson Jr., filed criminal charges, contending that Mingo and Lawrence had uttered a forged document with the intent of defrauding the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01.

Particulars of those

charges state that Mingo, having been ‘procured’ by Lawrence, on or about March 5, 2020, at Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown, uttered to the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, a Form 24

SOPs in its possession, it proved otherwise, causing both international and local observers to deem the tally done by Mingo et al not credible, and a recount eventually being done which declared the PPP/C the winner.

Last month, Mingo had

tal votes cast in favour of each list in the said District Four Regional and General Election.

The case against him is that he failed to add up the votes recorded in favour of each List, in accordance with the Statements of Poll,

Former Government Minister and PNCR chairperson, Ms. Volda Lawrence and her attorney, Mr. James Bond outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court

Representation of the People Act Regional Elections Election Return, dated March 5, 2020, knowing same to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of the State of Guyana.

It is also alleged that in the course of Mingo and Lawrence colluding to forge the Form 24 document, the latter’s signature was affixed to the said document, which had shown a win for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC).

However, when the PPP/C counted from the

appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the said Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on four electoral fraud charges, which were again allegedly committed during the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, and was released on $600, 000 bail.

The first two charges against him allege that on March 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, while being a public officer, he willfully misconducted himself by declaring a result for District Four, without ascertaining the to-

which, in the eyes of the Law, amounts to a breach of the public’s trust… without any reasonable excuse or justification.

The last two charges against him allege that Mingo again committed the same offences, this time round on March 13, 2020, at the same GECOM High and Cowan Streets, Kingston Head Office, when he wilfully misconducted himself by declaring a result for District Four in the Regional Election of the said March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

13 new COVID-19 cases recorded THERE continues to be a consistent rise in cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), with authorities recording 13 new cases within the past 24 hours.

Guyana has so far recorded 1,763. But 1,144 of those persons have since recovered while 52 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 46 persons are in institutional isolation and 508 are in home isolation, while 13 persons

are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

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

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

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

The emergence of asymptomatic cases had prompted authorities to distribute more sample kits across the country, especially to regions where the infection rate is high. Most of the cases have so far been recorded in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and

Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

“We are sending out more kits, so there will be an increase in sample collection… the testing itself has components… one is sample collection and then there is the processing of samples,” Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony had said.

To this end, sample-taking sites have been established across the country, especially in ‘hotspot’ areas.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Lowenfield matter adjourned –– at behest of special prosecutor to Oct. 9 THE case against Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield has been adjourned until October 9, 2020, for the filing of further statements by the special prosecutor, Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman.

The case in question has to do with charges filed by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) member, Desmond Morian, and general secretary of The New Movement (TNM), Daniel Kanhai on June 30, 2020.

On Friday, September 11, when the case was called before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the prosecutor just filed three statements, and requested a month’s adjournment.

Although the date in question had been set so that Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Ms. Shalimar Ali-Hack could give her decision on the way forward in the matter after carefully reviewing it, there was no representative from her chambers present in the court that day.

To back up a bit, it was Lowenfield’s attorney, Mr. Nigel Hughes who had written the DPP, requesting that the three criminal charges of alleged fraud and misconduct against his client be withdrawn.

The DPP had taken over the case from Hanoman, and vowed to review the evidence at hand, so as to decide whether to continue against Lowenfield or to withdraw.

The charges filed by Morian have been adjourned until October 26, when the trial is expected to commence, while the trial into the one laid by Kanhai is expected to

GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr. Keith Lowenfield leaving court on Friday (Adrian Narine Photo) commence on the following day, this being October 27.

Back in July, Lowenfield, who’s represented by Hughes and Senior Counsel Neil Boston, had appeared before Magistrate McGusty to answer to three private criminal charges brought against him for alleged fraud and misconduct. He was not required to plead to the charges, and was released on $450,000 bail.

By way of those charges, Kanhai is alleging that Lowenfield, between March 5 and June 23, 2020, at Georgetown, in the

Georgetown Magisterial District, County of Demerara, State of Guyana, conspired with person(s) unknown to commit the common-law offence of fraud, to wit, by representing to the Guyana Elections Commission, that tables attached to his Election Report, dated June 23, 2020, accurately reflected the true results of the said election, in order to materially alter the results of the said election, with intent to defraud, knowing the said tabulation to be false.

Morian is also alleging that Lowenfield, between March 5, 2020, and June 29, 2020, while performing his duty as the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, without lawful excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself at Georgetown, within the Georgetown Magisterial District, by ascertaining results of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections for Guyana, knowing the said results to be false, the said wilful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust in the Office of the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The second charge filed by Morian against Lowenfield claims that, in collusion with Region Four District Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, he altered results that had been declared in March for that district.

COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION Just recently, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) launched a “comprehensive” investigation against the Chief Elections Officer

and the Returning Officer for Region Four, after it received formal reports of alleged criminal misconduct by the duo.

The police, in a statement, noted that formal reports allege criminal conduct by Mr. Keith Lowenfield and Mr. Clairmont Mingo and others in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and events subsequent thereto.

As a result, Police Headquarters noted that legal advice was obtained from the DPP, and the GPF was advised to launch a comprehensive investigation into these allegations in accordance with its mandate.

“The DPP has further indicated that in the exercise of powers vested in her, under Article 187 of the Constitution, she will take over the private criminal charges currently pending in the Magistrates’ Court in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and its aftermath,” police stated.

As the country’s Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Lowenfield had presented results for the March 02, 2020 elections, with the exact inflated figures for the APNU/AFC Coalition as declared by District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, which was widely protested as being fraudulent.

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

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

Agriculture, race relations, community development –– among issues raised by West Berbice residents during meeting with President Ali

AGRICULTURAL activities, race relations, issues of youth and community development were raised with President, Dr Irfaan Ali, when he met with residents of Paradise/Belladrum, West Coast Berbice on Friday.

The engagement follows a meeting held with a community group Thursday evening, where several issues affecting the community were raised.

The Head of State thanked the residents for engaging his office and for their openness in sharing their concerns relating to their community.

“I am a President for all Guyana and I want to work with every community. I have asked the group to come together, representing the community, so that we can have continuous dialogue. This must not be a one-off dialogue. We have to see how we can work with the community to improve community life, community relations and to ensure that all our Guyanese brothers and sisters, everyone, has a better standard of living, a better way of living. I am here to support that. We want to build relationships and we want to build on programmes and policies that touch the lives of all Guyanese,” President Ali said.

He pointed to the importance of con-

President Ali meets residents of Belladrum tinued dialogue to the success of any meeting with communities, listening to intervention within the community and communities. At the end of the day, we encouraged those present to form work- have to build a strong country, a resilient ing groups to ensure that more will be country, a country that is unified and one achieved in a structured manner. that represents the interest of all GuyaHe also reminded of the measures nese, through the implementation of poliprovided in the Emergency Budget that cies and programmes,” President Ali said. will bring even more benefits to Guyanese The residents also raised concerns families. over the inciteful comments on social The residents raised concerns about the media that foster division and which they support of agricultural activities, including view as “disgusting and distasteful” and rice cultivation and issues of youth and which only serve to create tension in the community development. communities.

“This approach by the government is President Ali reminded of his stance on one that will see continuous engagement, this issue and pointed to his recent, public

statement, condemning such acts.

He said: “I addressed racist statements on social media and I just came from other communities which have the same fear. If we all have the same fear then we should all work on the same solution.

That is why I said in my statement that we will address very sternly, using all the laws, those who are using social media to spread hate, those who are using social media to spread racism and those who are using social media to divide us. That is why I also said, through the international Commission of Inquiry (CoI), we have to examine all these statements. It does not help you, it does not help me, it does not help the community; it does not help the country. That is why I am out here today, to tell you that as President, I am leading a government that wants to work with everybody.”

President Ali’s meeting with the Paradise/Belladrum community followed his visit to the relatives of slain teenagers Haresh Singh, Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry in Number Three Village and the family of Prittipaul Hargobin who was also killed during the protest action that erupted along the West Coast Berbice corridor.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Guyanese remembered during 9/11 Memorial

GUYANESE were among those honoured, yesterday, at a National Memorial and Museum Ceremony in New York City, commemorating the lives of those who perished in the deadly September 11, 2001 attacks.

A total of 25 Guyanese lost their lives while 2,983 people were killed in the hor-

Rudy Bacchus, born May 20, 1953 who was a Floor Broker attending a breakfast Risk Water Conference at Windows on the World Restaurant on 107th Floor and Pamela Boyce, Assistant Vice President of Carr Futures who was on the 92nd Floor.

Annette Dataram, born January 20, 1976, worked as accountant at the time on

Lennan Inc. – 98th Floor; Sita Sewnarine who worked for Fiduciary Trust Company International - 97th Floor; Kamini Singh who worked for Windows on the World – 107th Floor; Ronald Singh who worked for Windows on the World – 107th Floor; Astrid Sohan, Assistant Vice President for Marsh and McLennan – 95th Floor; and

has been created where persons can visit to look for the placement of the names of their loved ones.

The September 11 attacks, also called 9/11 attacks, is associated with airline hijackings and suicide attacks committed in 2001 by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda against

Some of the Guyanese who perished in the 9/11 attacks rific attacks altogether. At the ceremony, loved ones were allowed to bring roses, flags and other memorabilia to place near the museum which bears the name of each victim.

In line with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, family members were not required to read the names of victims in person on a stage but recorded readings were instead played.

The Guyanese who died include Patrick Adams, born December 20, 1939, who was a Security Officer at the World Trade Center (WTC) working on the 80th Floor;

107th Floor; Sabita Guman, a Computer Specialist at Fiduciary Trust Company International, worked on the 97th Floor; Nizam Hafiz was employed at Worked for ReSolutions on the 94th Floor; Ricknauth Jaggernauth, worked for Worked for NTX Interiors – 104th Floor and Sarah Khan who worked for Forte Foods/Cantor Fitzgerald on the 101st Floor.

Others include Shevonne Mentis who worked for Marsh Enterprises – 93rd Floor; Hardai Parbhu employed by Marsh and Maskan Insurance – 98th Floor; Ameenia Rasool who worked for Marsh and Mc-

Scenes from Memorial and Museum Ceremony

Vanava Thompson who worked for ABM - 73rd Floor.

The lone Guyanese at the Pentagon at the time who died was 23-year-old Kris Romeo Bishundat, a Navy Information Systems Technician. Charles Gregory John, Bhowanie Devi Khemraj, Marcus Neblett, Amarnauth Latchman, Patricia Stanton, Joyce Stanton, Vishnu Ramsaroop and Shiv Shankar also lost their lives in the attack.

At intervals, after the reading of the names, a bell was rung three times. For those unable to visit the museum, a website

targets in the United States. It was the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in U.S. history.

Two of the planes hijacked were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The attacks against New York City and Washington, D.C., caused extensive death and destruction and triggered an enormous U.S. effort to combat terrorism.

Roses placed near the names of the victims

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

Region Six ran short of bread, oxygen during road block THE West Coast Berbice street protest impacted medical supplies and created shortages of food and other essentials, Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association President, Ryan Alexander reported on Friday.

Berbice is a hub for wholesale/retail trade and lots of products and services are moved from Georgetown to Berbice on any given day.

However, because of the blockages and disruptions along the West Coast Berbice thoroughfare, reserves in the region ran low and perishable products such as bread and dairy products could not have reached East Berbice.

velopment Association is encouraged by efforts of the authorities to address the situation and is hoping that things will return to normalcy soon.

From Monday to Wednesday, newspaper

Regional Health Officer Dr Vishalya Sharma

Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association President, Ryan Alexander “That market has been affected from a consumer perspective and a manufacturing and distribution perspective,’ Alexander told the Guyana Chronicle.

A joint meeting was recently held with the sister chambers of Region Six and at that forum the issue of the unrest was raised, as well as its impact on the region.

The Berbice Chamber of Commerce and De-

vendors were unable to access dailies for resale, but resume doing so on Thursday. Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s editions were sold on Thursday.

Unofficial reports suggest that due to the protest, services at Scotia and Republic Bank branches in the region were affected.

Persons told the Guyana Chronicle that they visited the branches along Strand, New Amsterdam on Wednesday and Thursday and saw closed doors.

The security officers were unable to say the reason for the closure.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer Dr Vishalya Sharma confirmed that there was a shortage of oxygen and blood supply in the region as a result of the West Berbice thoroughfare being blocked with derelict vehicles, buildings and trees before being set ablaze.

Most of the liquid gas and screened blood comes from Georgetown, which is about 60 miles away.

“There were some shortages... there were urgent needs.... we had

to seek alternative ways to source the oxygen and blood as we could not put our drivers nor our vehicles at risk,” Dr Sharma said.

Critical patients had to be medevacked to Georgetown, since even emergency vehicles were blocked from traversing the affect-

ed roadways.

The protests started following the discovery of the mutilated bodies of two teen cousins,

Isaiah and Joel Henry of Number Four Village, in the Cotton Tree backlands, last Sunday afternoon

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

and the pressure told.

Joe Root edged Hazlewood behind, Eoin Morgan hoicked Zampa to cover and Jos Buttler skied the same bowler to a diving Marnus Labuschagne at long-off to leave England reeling.

Bairstow was shackled at the start of the innings but persevered, making the slowest half-century of his career, before holing out to long-on off Zampa.

Billings started scratchily - at one stage he was four from 20 balls - but the way he manipulated the field, jumped on loose deliveries in the closing overs and adapted to the game situation showed a real maturity.

He reached a 101-ball century with a powerfully-swept four and, although it was ultimately in vain, his performance bodes well for England’s long-term future.

MAXWELL & MARSH STAR FOR AUSTRALIA Without Smith, a mainstay for Australia at number three, and a longer tail to accommodate more bowlers, the tourists’ batting appeared creakier than usual.

David Warner’s lean tour

continued as he was bowled by a beautiful 90mph delivery from Archer, before captain Aaron Finch edged Mark Wood’s first ball behind.

The top order floundered against leg-spinner Adil Rashid, unable to read his variations. Labuschagne was trapped plumb lbw and wasted a review on the decision, before Alex Carey top-edged a sweep to Billings at square leg.

It took the dogged determination of Marsh and Maxwell’s flamboyancy to dig Australia out of a hole. Marsh manoeuvred the ball well, finding the singles, while Maxwell went on the attack with four sixes, including back-to-back swipes off Archer.

Although Maxwell fell to the next ball, under-edging Archer onto his stumps, Australia were able to scramble the singles and occasionally punch the ball to the boundary.

As England found out themselves this was not an easy pitch to time shots on and ultimately, Australia’s late surge from Maxwell and Marsh proved to be enough.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

(BBC) - Primoz Roglic extended his lead in the yellow jersey on the Tour de France after Daniel Martinez claimed a superb win on stage 13.

Roglic and fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar dropped all of their rivals on a gruelling final climb to Puy Mary.

Defending champion Egan Bernal slipped to third overall, with Roglic now leading Pogacar by 44 seconds.

EF Pro Cycling’s Martinez punched clear of Lennard Kamna in the final metres to take his first Tour stage victory.

Fellow Colombian Bernal, who had trailed Roglic by 21 seconds after stage 12, struggled on the brutal summit finish and is now 59 seconds back on Roglic and 15 seconds down on Pogacar.

Frenchmen Guillaume Martin and Romain Bardet, who started the stage third and fourth overall respectively, also cracked and are out of the top 10.

“I see this as a Slovenian day, not a Colombian day,” said Roglic.

“I’m super happy with how it went but here’s still a lot of road ahead of us and next week there’ll be different scenarios with different riders.”

When the day began, the top 10 on general classification was the closest it had been at this stage of any Tour since 1947, but the race ripped apart on the two final climbs.

Ineos Grenadiers set a high pace on the penultimate climb of the Col de Neronne, dropping Britain’s Adam Yates as well as Martin and Bardet, who crashed earlier in the stage.

Pavel Sivakov had sat up from the breakaway to work for Bernal, who initially also had Richard Car-

apaz in support, suggesting the defending champion could look to attack.

But Roglic’s Jumbo-Visma again displayed they are the strongest team in the race, with Sepp Kuss and Tom Dumoulin taking up the pace-setting and isolating Bernal.

When Pogacar sought to animate the race once again by attacking, only Roglic could go with his friend and compatriot, with Bernal distanced.

Richie Porte, Mikel Landa and Miguel Angel Lopez did well to limit their losses and all move up on GC, but a visibly suffering Bernal came in 38 seconds down on Roglic, who had only led the Colombian on bonus seconds before this stage.

Yates, who is now seventh overall, recovered well to finish alongside Nairo Quitana and two seconds back on Bernal and Rigoberto Uran.

Martinez, who won this year’s Criterium du Dauphine after Roglic pulled out, while leading, proved to be the strongest rider from a 17-man breakaway that finally established after a frenetic start to the stage.

His team-mates Hugh Carthy and Neilson Powless both attacked first but were each brought back before Max Schachmann dropped Powless to begin the final climb alone.

When Martinez countered, Schachmann’s Bora-Hansgrohe team-mate Kamna jumped on his wheel and let the Colombian do all the work to reel in the German.

Kamna twice tried to kick clear of Martinez in the final 2km with sections of 15% gradient after Schachmann was dropped, but Martinez responded

each time before making his own decisive move late on.

Yesterday’s 14th stage is a 194km route from Clermont-Ferrand to Lyon.

Top 10 on stage 13 1. Daniel Martinez (Col/EF Pro Cycling) 5hrs 01min 47secs 2. Lennard Kamna (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe) +4secs 3. Max Schachmann (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe) +51secs 4. Valentin Madouas (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +1min 33secs 5. Pierre Rolland (Fra/ B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) +1min 42secs 6. Nicolas Edet (Fra/ Cofidis) +1min 53secs 7. Simon Geschke (Ger/ CCC Team) +2mins 35secs 8. Marc Soler (Spa/ Movistar) +2mins 43secs 9. Hugh Carthy (GB/EF Pro Cycling) +3min 18secs 10. David de la Cruz (Spa/UAE Team Emirates) +3mins 52secs General classification after stage 13 1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/ Jumbo-Visma) 56hrs 34mins 35secs 2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/ U A E Team Emirates ) +44secs 3. Egan Bernal (Col/ Ineos Grenadiers) +59secs 4. Rigoberto Uran (Col/ EF Pro Cycling) +1min 10secs 5. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Arkea-Samsic) +1min 12secs 6. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +1min 31secs 7. Adam Yates (GB/ Mitchelton-Scott) +1min 42secs 8. Mikel Landa (Spa/ Bahrain McLaren) +1min 55secs 9. Richie Porte (Aus/ Trek-Segafredo) +2mins 06secs 10. Enric Mas (Spa/ Movistar) +2mins 54secs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

(BBC) - Serena Williams feels her level was closer to a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam at this U.S. Open than it was in her four most recent major final defeats.

The American was outstanding in the opening set of her semi-final against Victoria Azarenka before losing 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 at Flushing Meadows in New York.

She needed a medical timeout for an Achilles injury in the deciding set.

“I feel like other times I’ve been close, I could have done better. Today I felt like I gave a lot,” she said.

Williams, who turns 39 later this month, has not won a major since the 2017 Australian Open when she was eight weeks pregnant.

Since returning to the tour after having her daughter Olympia she has lost four Grand Slam finals - Wimbledon and the U,S, Open in 2018 and 2019.

She lost those finals in straight sets, seemingly burdened by the weight of expectation at the final hurdle having put in some dominant performances in previous rounds.

And she was denied another chance to equal Australian Margaret Court’s long-standing record as 31-year-old Azarenka impressively fought back to reach her first major final in seven years.

However, Williams will have another attempt at the French Open later this month after confirming she will “definitely” play on the Roland Garros clay.

Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka, meanwhile, has a more immediate opportunity of her own to win another Grand Slam title when she plays Japanese fourth seed Naomi Osaka in yesterday’s final.

The Belarusian was one of Williams’ great rivals in the first part of the last decade before also taking time off to have a child.

Azarenka gave birth to son Leo in December 2017 and her career continued to be stalled by a lengthy custody battle.

“I don’t know how she stayed positive, to be honest,” Williams said.

“That’s a good lesson for all of us.

No matter what, you just got to keep going. Hopefully she keeps living her dream.”

21

22

(BBC) - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says it remains “committed” to diversity and equality after West Indies legend Michael Holding criticised the decision for players to stop taking a knee.

England and West Indies players and staff took a knee before each of the three Tests in July, and players wore a Black Lives Matter logo on their shirts.

But that did not continue into the Pakistan series, or the current Australia limited-overs matches.

Former fast bowler and current Sky Sports commentator Holding, 66, described the reasoning for the decision as “lame” and said the “excuses” given

by England and Australia were “a bit flimsy”.

An ECB statement on Thursday read: “Our response to the Black Lives Matter debate has been to view the issue alongside the whole inclusion and diversity space, to ensure that long-term and sustainable change happens for all communities who are not treated equally.

“Our refreshed inclusion and diversity strategy, published at the start of the West Indies series, commits to several comprehensive initiatives that focus on eliminating discrimination from all areas of cricket.

“England’s men’s and

(BBC) - England fell to a 19-run defeat against Australia despite Sam Billings’ maiden century in the first one-day international at Old Trafford.

Chasing 295, England were quickly reduced to 57-4 after a fine opening spell from pace bowler Josh Hazlewood.

Billings’ 118 and 88 from Jonny Bairstow gave England hope, but the hosts could not get on top of the

By Clifton Ross GUYANA’S present and future sportspersons are set to benefit tremendously, following the announcement made on Monday

by Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali; who pledged the construction of 3 new multi-purpose mini sports stadiums in Regions 2, 6 and 10.

The country’s ever-developing sports economy, which had been patiently waiting for signs of future developmental plans outside of the city, got some good news recently as the President nominated Region 2 Pomeroon-Supenaam; Region

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

women’s players all remain committed to using their reach and influence to keep promoting inclusion and diversity in perpetuity, for the betterment of cricket and sport.

“We understand the importance of symbolism, and

creeping run-rate and finished on 275-9.

Australia had earlier recovered from 123-5 to post 294-9 from their 50 overs, largely thanks to a superb 126-run partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.

England will be pleased with the maturity Billings - who is not a regular in this one-day side - showed to help them recover from their poor start.

6 East Berbice/Corentyne and Region 10 Upper Demerara-Berbice as beneficiaries of the future project.

With most of the facilities being centralised within Region 4, a number of other top athletes, most notably, in cricket, athletics and those in the making, in the past have been forced to either relocate in order to maintain their training while others simply are less fortunate in that regard.

To this end $2.7B has been allocated for Culture, Youth and Sport, with $805.3M going directly towards the development of sports.

More so, some $185M has been

its power to keep an issue high on the agenda. Our goal is to ensure we deliver both reach and change.”

Asked about racism before the current Australia series, England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan said: “It shouldn’t exist. There’s

However, the Kent batsman was left with too much work to do with the tail and Australia capitalised, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa taking 4-55 and Hazlewood a brilliant 3-26.

Australia were without Steve Smith, who withdrew from the match after being struck on the head in a net session on Friday.

Smith passed a concussion test but opted against playing, and will need to pass another if he is to play

allocated for the National Sports Commission (NSC) to further speed up works on the synthetic tracks in Regions 6 and 10, as well as the purchase of sports gear and ground enhancements.

However, plans to erect three new all-purpose multiplexes outside of the Region 4 demographic could mean a tremendous boost for those out-of-towners.

Guyana’s premier brand of sport is cricket and with majority of the action again being kept within the confines of the city, having more sports complexes scattered across the regions is a brilliant way to unearth new talent for the

no place for it in society.

“And when people talk about it they should feel comfortable in talking about it and coming out. And we want everybody to know that.”

Australia captain Aaron Finch said: “The education

in the next match today.

THE ASHES 2.0 This felt like a flashback to last summer’s Ashes series, with Hazlewood and Pat Cummins tormenting England with pinpoint accuracy.

Billings was able to weather the Australian bowlers, starting slowly and reaping the rewards for his patience, but England’s top order endured a torrid time.

booming Jaguars Academy; while providing the necessary atmosphere needed for the production of international cricketers.

This move not only provides a structured based for cricketers and soccer players to train and enhance their trades, but also cuts cost on accommodation as teams in the past have felt the brunt of poor housing woes.

For example, athletes in the past, especially for Nationals, have been known to travel and overlay to different districts in a bid to represent their own. Having these facilities could provide free, comfortable housing in the future

around it is more important than the protest.

“Cricket is a game for everyone and I am really proud about that.. It doesn’t matter what race, what religion, what nationality you are from.”

Holding, who took 249 wickets in 60 Tests between 1975 and 1987 and was part of arguably the greatest side in cricket history, was widely praised after speaking eloquently about racism following the death of American George Floyd in police custody in May. Holding told Sky Sports on Thursday: “The ECB came out with a pretty lame statement. I didn’t hear anything from Pakistan - neither the players nor the board.

“Now Australia come here and I see another lame statement from the Australia captain. They need to come forward with something better than that.”

Cricket Australia said it “plays a vital role in respectfully engaging with communities and stakeholders of many diverse cultural backgrounds right across Australia”.

Jason Roy, returning from a side strain, could barely lay bat on ball and the first shot that found the middle of the bat ended with the ball nestled in Hazlewood’s hand as he took a superb one-handed catch in his follow-through.

Hazlewood suffocated England, bowling three maidens in his opening eight-over spell,

should teams have to travel out of region for competitions.

Another huge plus is having a variety of venues to access for training and practice purposes, as it allows players to become more integrated with conditions outside of the regular, less state-of-the-art city venues.

These designated areas will also be expected to see a significant boost in the number of new athletes, as the facilities, once constructed, will be properly suited for the development of Guyana’s future sportsmen/women.

President Ali himself noted that the projects were geared to-

SEE PAGE 19

wards ensuring Guyana’s future crop of talented athletes are put at the forefront of the government’s developmental plan, while unearthing new stars in the process.

Also, Guyana’s recent announcement about their upcoming international Golf and Country Club project, to be constructed in Mahaica; could improve the sporting landscape of the country and become 5-star with the addition of these new complexes; which will inevitably preserve the rich history while buffing Guyana’s reputation on the international sports scene going forward.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 12, 2020

(BBC) - Valtteri Bottas headed Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in Friday practice at the Tuscan Grand Prix as Lando Norris crashed his McLaren.

Norris put a wheel in the gravel on the exit of Turn Three, Poggio Secco, and spun into the wall. He was unhurt but the incident ended his session.

Bottas was 0.207 seconds ahead of Hamilton in second practice and was ahead in both Friday sessions.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third fastest, 0.039secs behind Bottas.

Norris’ incident led to one red-flag period, and there was a second for a collision between Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen.

Perez was coming out of the pits and did not see Raikkonen on a flying lap on his outside, and as the Finn turned into the first corner his right rear wheel clipped the front right of Perez’s car.

Perez has been given a one-place grid penalty by stewards.

Hamilton said he was not driving well and had a lot of improvements to make for the weekend.

“I was just trying to fo-

cus on improving my driving,” he said. “There are not a huge amount of changes I need to make to the car.

“There are times as a racing driver there is no point changing the car because you are not driving well enough. There are areas I need to make a change but I will do that overnight and hopefully improve it tomorrow.

“I am trying to push it to the limit but there are sections - the last sector I have got that sorted. The first and second sectors are a little bit

weak for me, particularly the first sector, and there is plenty to come there.”

It was a difficult day for Ferrari, celebrating their 1,000th Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc had a spin early in second practice at Turn 12 and ended up 10th fastest, while team-mate Sebastian Vettel was 12th fastest and ground to a halt out on track at the end of the session with an engine problem.

The Ferraris are painted in a darker shade of red, mirroring the colour used by Ferrari’s first F1 car in 1950.

After Red Bull’s surpris-

ingly uncompetitive performance a week ago in Monza, the competitive order was more as expected at Mugello, which is hosting F1 for the first time.

Verstappen’s team-mate Alex Albon was fourth quickest, albeit more than 0.7secs slower than the Dutchman, and ahead of the Renaults of Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon, Perez and the Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly, who won took his maiden F1 victory at the Italian Grand Prix last weekend.

Mugello lived up to its reputation as a fast and chal-

lenging track full of demanding corners. The drivers were taking the famous Arrabbiata right-handers flat out at more than 170mph on their qualifying simulation runs in second practice and it seems as if the fast left-right preceding them may also be flat come qualifying.

Hamilton added: “I love it; it’s fast. It’s a real challenge. I’m not that great at it yet - still working at it. “(Arrabbiata) almost feels like Turkey, the double-left hander there, or

triple whatever it is. It’s incredibly fast through Six, Seven, Eight, Nine. It’s pretty intense. It’s amazing to experience it.

“It’s a very serious track.

You don’t go lower than fourth gear. It is so quick and there is not a lot of run-off area, particularly through Eight and Nine. The speeds we’re going; I’m just praying the tyres hold together and everyone stays safe.”

For the first time in this coronavirus-affected season, spectators are being allowed into the grandstands. Mugello has sold 2 800 tickets for each day.

“I’m a little bit frustrated,” said Norris. “A small mistake but a big mistake at the end of the day. The car is OK. A little bit of damage.

It has definitely set me back a bit.

“The one track I didn’t really want to make any big mistakes. I didn’t get the high fuel running in. Not ideal but I missed it last weekend in Monza as well and still recovered well. Not perfect, but I don’t feel I am too disadvantaged.

“The car felt trickier than we were expecting.

We just seem to be struggling with a bit of all-round grip.”

By Rawle Toney GUYANA’S Matthew Briggs inked a two-year deal with one of Denmark’s most successful clubs, Vejle Boldklub FC. The move will see Briggs, who up to last season, held the record for being the youngest player to ever feature in the English Premier League with Fulham FC,

competing in the Danish Superliga, the top pro-league in Denmark.

Briggs, 29, played for England at the

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

U-16, U-17, U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels and made his debut for Guyana in 2015.

He has since been a solid part of the Golden Jaguars’ squad.

This is not the defender’s first time in Denmark, having played for the Copenhagen-based HB Køge last season.

In an interview on the team’s website, Manager Jacob Krüger said he was impressed

SATURDAY,SEPTEMBER 12, 2020