Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_09_19_2020

SATURDAY 19th September, 2020

’ No. 106127

Guyana, US solidify relations – sign key agreements to tackle narco-trafficking, facilitate growth and development 03 PAGE

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd and US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, exchange copies of the Shiprider Agreement signed at the Baridi Benab, State House on Friday (Adrian Narine photo)

No let-off for fraudsters under Coalition gov’t 04 PAGE

–– Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo

International jurists to investigate 10 Henry boys’ murder PAGE

–– Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Pompeo pledges US$5M to help with Venezuelan refugees in Guyana –– says democracy, freedom and rule of law important in hemisphere

By Rabindra Rooplall US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, has pledged US$5M in relief to help Venezuelans who fled to Guyana due to the political and socio-economic crisis in the Bolivarian Republic.

Pompeo made the announcement, Friday morning, during a joint press conference with President, Dr Irfaan Ali, at State House.

The Secretary of State expressed his wish that the co-operation between Guyana and the US will continue on the on-going crisis in

Venezuela.

He also commended Guyana for its humanitarian efforts toward the Venezuelan migrants.

Commenting on Venezuela, Pompeo said two things are known.

“We know that the Maduro regime has decimated the people of Venezuela and that Maduro himself is an indicted narcotics trafficker. This means he has to leave. For the people of Venezuela to have the democracy that they need, the Cuban security forces must go and Maduro must leave.”

Pompeo continued: “And so the efforts to do that, to put diplomatic pressure and to support the Venezuelan people who desperately want that same objective, are the aims of the Contact Group of the EU, the Lima Group, the OAS, the United States, dozens of countries that have made clear that Juan Guaido is the duly-elected leader of Venezuela. This is the objective. We want democracy and freedom and the rule of law. Just in the same way we fought for you all to achieve that for yourselves, we want to fight for that to be achieved by the people of Venezuela as well.”

In March of this year, the US government formally indicted the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro on

President Irfaan Ali and US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, sharing a light moment (Adrian Narine photo)

narcotics trafficking charges and issued a wanted bulletin for his arrest.

Meanwhile, Pompeo also pledged US$4.5M in financial support to bolster Guyana’s governance and democracy initiatives.

The Secretary of State said the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) would finance the initiatives through a locally-led programme.

Within that programme, he said US$3 million will be set aside for citizens’ involvement in governance and US$1.5 million for youth participation in democracy.

PROUD TO SUPPORT “We know that Guyanese people cherish democracy, freedom and value free, fair and transparent elections just as Americans do, just as all people do. I was proud to support the Guyanese people in their quest to have the results of the elections respected, the results certainly took longer than any of us would have wished or hoped, but it was worth fighting for and it was worth fighting to honour the people’s sovereign position,” Pompeo said.

President Ali reiterated that Guyana remains committed to the principles that

guide its involvement in the Lima Group, particularly with concerns about the ongoing and protracted humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

“We support and respect the need for free and fair elections in our hemisphere.

With urgency, we believe the democratic values and principles should be respected in Venezuela as well,” President Ali said.

The Head of State conveyed his appreciation to US, noting that Pompeo reiterated his support and that of the US for Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and its call for a timely resolution to the controversy with Venezuela and respect for the 1899 Arbitral Award.

“I thanked Secretary Pompeo for his visit and for reaffirming his commitment and that of the US to our friendship and the fundamental values shared by the two countries, as well as the United States’ unwavering support to consolidate the democratic process and prosperity of Guyana.

I assured him that his visit ushers in a new chapter in our bilateral relations,” the President said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Guyana, U.S. solidify relations

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–– sign key agreements to tackle narco-trafficking, facilitate growth and development

By Rabindra Rooplall GUYANA is looking forward to partner with the U.S. to strengthen border control, anti-terrorism, cyber security, technology transfer and anti-corruption measures, said President Dr Irfaan Ali. During a joint press conference on Friday morning at State House with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, the President said he also discussed with Secretary Pompeo collaboration on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and lifting the economy out of the economic downturn.

“I am grateful for the U.S. support to Guyana, in helping us to fight the pandemic. I am confident that there will be more targeted assistance for our health sector, as well as support for our traditional, emerging, and attractive sectors,” the President said.

The President noted that Secretary Michael Pompeo’s historic visit sends a powerful signal that Guyana is regarded as a responsible member of the hemispheric and international communities, as a sovereign nation firmly rooted in democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights and the pursuit of sustainable and equitable development.

Adding that his government is grateful to the U.S. Government and, in particular, to Secretary Pompeo, President Ali noted that the U.S.’ unwavering support for democracy and constitutional order in Guyana

President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, greet each other before joint press conference, on Friday, at State House during the recent political and electoral crisis in the country is testimony to that support.

He explained that Secretary Pompeo’s visit serves to remind Guyanese that the U.S. will continue to be a steadfast partner as stakeholders work to consolidate democracy, strengthen institutions and pursue a path of unprecedented economic growth and development.

Secretary Pompeo’s visit, moreover, he said, solidifies the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the U.S. and sets the stage for expanding and deepening U.S. cooperation with Guyana.

“I am, therefore, pleased to announce the signing this [Friday] morning of a framework agreement between the U.S. Government and the Government of Guyana, to strengthen energy and infrastructure finance and market-building cooperation, in the context of the Growth in

the Americas Initiative,” the President said.

This agreement, the President said, will boost the business environment for U.S. private sector investment in Guyana, particularly in the fields of energy, both non-renewables and renewables, along with infrastructure.

Further, he said the agreement will also pave the way for the U.S. private sector to expand their investment portfolio and partner with Guyana’s private sector.

President Ali said these partnerships will help to meet Guyana’s broader infrastructural and downstream development needs and by extension drive economic growth and development as well as job creation.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Notably, he said more opportunities will be avail-

able for firms to explore investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector, ICT and food production, among others.

“I am also pleased to announce that Guyana and the U.S. will deepen cooperation in the area of security, with specific attention to maritime security and joint patrols, to interdict narcotics trafficking. This will also allow us to improve our technical and human capabilities in monitoring Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone,” the President said.

He said that this will augur well for stronger collaboration and broader technical assistance to help combat both domestic and transnational organised criminal networks.

The President noted that Guyana is also mindful that the largest bloc of its diaspora resides in the U.S. and government remains committed to leveraging the skills and investment poten-

tial of the diaspora.

“I raised with Secretary Pompeo the need to revisit the current export restriction placed on wild-caught catfish, a product which is a great demand in the Guyanese diaspora. This market is very important not only for our export earning, but also for the sustenance of the livelihood of the fishing communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that the U.S. and Guyana have been friends for over five decades, but this is the first official visit from an American Secretary of State.

“Now is the time to move forward with even closer ties….We know the Guyanese people cherish democracy, they cherish freedom, they value free, fair, and transparent elections, just as Americans do, just as all people do.

I was proud to publicly support the Guyanese people in their quest to have the results of the election respected. The results certainly took longer than any of us would have wished or hoped, but it was worth fighting for. It was worth fighting to honour the people’s sovereign decision.

That’s indeed what democracy is all about,” Pompeo said, while congratulating President Ali. The Secretary of State said the U.S. is ready to partner with Guyana, especially when big decisions are faced on moving forward in future prosperity.

“That’s how Americans will help produce local jobs and sustainable growth for the people of your coun-

try. You should know that the United States AID that works as part of the State Department is on the same page too.

I’m proud to announce this morning that the agency has committed $3M for a locally led programme for citizens’ involvement in their government, and a million and a half so that the youth of Guyana will be involved in democracy as well,” he explained.

Adding that Guyanese are leading their nation’s journey to self-reliance, Pompeo said Guyana is the second Caribbean country to sign a new agreement under the Growth in the Americas initiative.

“It demonstrates that the United States wants to model the private sector, not state-owned enterprises, because that model, that investment model is superior; it will deliver real, good things for the people of your country. It’ll bring both those jobs – frankly, jobs to America as well – and it’ll increase cooperation on environmental issues, just like potential spill responses.”

The last economic piece the two governments are working on, Pompeo said, is to increase trade and foreign direct investment here.

“There’s a lot of places where we had the chance where we’ll work hand in hand. Our new security agreement to counter narcotics trafficking, something that has decimated so many nations all across the world will enter into force on Monday.”

Barbina gets water via GWI for very first time SIXTY-five residents of Barabina, a community in the Region One (Barima-Waini) Mabaruma Sub-District, now have access to potable water to their homes for the first time.

The offer of this essential service to the community comes just one month after the new Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Collin Croal would have met with residents, and having learnt about the water situation there, promised to remedy it “within a short period of time”.

As a result of the minister’s intervention, and based on the advice of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI)’s engineers, it was found that the existing Barabina Pump Station and distribution network could have facilitated extension to serve the households in need. Work on the extension commenced almost immediately, and as of Monday, September 14, 2020, residents were accessing water at their homes.

Work on the extension was done by

GWI staff, with the aid the Barabina Village Council and the Regional Democratic Council.

The intervention will greatly assist residents, who, in the past were forced to walk miles on end just to get a little “drinking water”, particularly during the long dry season, since their main source of accessing the commodity was either by harvesting rainwater, or fetching it from fresh-water streams miles away from where they live.

Over the past few weeks, GWI staff have been assessing the needs of residents within the Mabaruma, Moruca, and Port Kaituma Sub-districts, and finding solutions to their water woes. Minister Croal has committed to continue making interventions to ensure better service delivery of potable water to all hinterland regions.

In the coming weeks, the Minister is expected to visit other hinterland regions across the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

No let-off for fraudsters under Coalition gov’t –– Vice-president says corruption under past administration will be exposed

By Navendra Seoraj PENDING investigations will soon reveal the high level of fraudulence during the past five years, said Vice-president, Bharrat Jagdeo, as he issued a stern warning to the “purveyors of untruth” during the final day of the Budget 2020 debate.

“Over the next year there shall be a number of investigations and the country will be shocked by the revelation of high fraudulence involving high-level officials of the past administration,” said Jagdeo, while responding to claims of fraud by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Roysdale Forde.

Forde had started a chant of “fraud is fraud” on the opposition side of the National Assembly, as he sought to label the new People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) government as one which was elected through fraudulent means.

But Vice-president Jagdeo quickly “turned the tables” on Forde, noting that it was the former APNU+AFC administration that ‘refused’ to comply with the constitution and even sought to use the judiciary as a means of staying in office ‘illegally.’

On December 21, 2018, the then parliamentary opposition PPP/C, by way of a no-confidence motion, toppled the APNU+AFC government.

The opposition had secured the support of then government Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud to get an edge over the government in the House. But for months after the passage of the motion by the National Assembly, the matter had engaged all the local courts and even the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Saturday, September 19, 05:30hrs - 07:00hrs

“The CCJ wiped the floor with APNU+AFC… international pressure and the fight of the people got the elections held and finally democracy prevailed,” said Jagdeo.

Even though the General and Regional Elections were held on March 2, 2020, the country was faced with a five-month impasse due to a slew of legal challenges.

“We are familiar with the saga of how they [APNU+AFC] attempted to steal the elections and use the court to endorse it,” said Jagdeo, further arguing that the “entire world” recognised the PPP/C as the legitimate government and not a single country recognised APNU+AFC’s claims that they had won the elections.

He said officials of the former administration who are now MPs on the opposition side of the House, were ‘sanctioned’ by other countries and could even face further sanctions for trying to “steal an election.”

Additionally, the vice-president said persons have been placed before the court and others will face the same fate for trying to “steal the elections.”

But Jagdeo argued that

this is not the only “case of fraud” which will be dealt with, as there are a number of issues which will soon be revealed.

In highlighting a few of those cases, the vice-president said over at the Gaming Authority, which was headed

by Forde, there were a lot of fraudulent transactions which included requests for bribes to issue licences.

Additionally, Jagdeo said government is still assessing the magnitude of ‘fraud’ related to fuelsmuggling. He claimed that billions were stolen because of widespread ‘fraud’ involving a number of officials from the former regime.

“The army’s internal audit pointed out that $300 million of fraud has happened through Guyoil… fraud and fueling [sic] smuggling will be exposed,” said the vice-president, adding: “What is well-known now as a key feature, a defining feature of the APNU, is tampering, illegal approval of contracts, hiring friends and families and giving out large sums of money.”

He told the National Assembly that persons will soon see the large-scale,

“criminal transfer” of resources from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). The vice-president argued that billions of dollars in land was vested but not a cent was paid to NICIL. Following the vice-president’s presentation, Oppositiona Leader Joseph Harmon said the new government should

place less focus on investigations and more on governing the country. But, Jagdeo, in his prior presentation, defended the need for investigations.

The vice-president was adamant that there was criminality of the highest extent under the past administration and those acts will soon be exposed, once investigations are completed.

COVID-19 claims two more lives THE dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of two persons within the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 64.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the victims were 71-year-old Augustine Lewis and 63-yearold Dhanpaul Jaigobin.

Both Lewis and Jaigobin were said to be patients of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where they succumbed while receiving treatment on Friday.

This publication understands that the victims had underlying medical conditions which exacerbated the effects of the dreaded disease.

Guyana has so far recorded 2,102 cases of COVID-19 with 75 of those cases being recorded in the past 24 hours.

But 1,314 persons have since recovered while 64 persons have lost their lives. Of the remaining cases, 66 persons are in institutional isolation and 644 are in home isolation, while 16 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.

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

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

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

‘I’m happy to be back and ready to roll’ –– Marcel Hutson on reinstatement as Chief Education Officer

MINISTER of Education Priya Manickchand on Friday opened her address in the 2020 Budget by announcing that Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr. Marcel Hutson was being reinstated to his position at the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on his reinstatement, Hutson said he is not looking to focus on what caused his removal from the Ministry, but rather what he plans doing now that he’s back.

“I am back, and I’m happy to be back, and I think that is what is most important to me, and what should be most important to the nation,” he said, adding: “What has happened in the past that has gone; this is a new dispensation, and the Honourable Minister, Priya Manickchand and myself, we are ready to roll. That is as much as I would say.”

There was much spec-

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand ulation over Hutson’s removal from the post since December, 2019, and as word got around, the MoE, which at the time was under the authority of then Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, issued a press release saying that he was “statutorily expected to retire on September 1, 2020,” and had to his credit 230 days of annual-

ised leave, which he was, therefore, required to take.

As such, he was made to proceed on early retirement leave to enjoy all of his outstanding leave and benefits. The Ministry had further noted in that release that by the time Hutson’s leave was up, “he would have attained the requisite statutory age of retirement in accordance with the Public Service rules”.

The release had said that Hutson had initiated his retirement process in August 2019, and that during his absence, Ms. Ingrid Trotman would assume the role of Acting CEO. To his credit, Hutson has never commented on the issue, nor offered any explanation as to why he was sent on leave, a stance he continued to take when asked about it on Friday.

His full response was, “The answer to everything is that I am back, and I am happy to be back, and

made effective, and if his reinstatement is a re-appointment, or a cancellation of previous retirement proceedings. Efforts made to contact Minister Manickchand on Friday for further queries on the issue proved futile.

When she made the announcement of Hutson’s reinstatement on Friday, she was at the time responding to political opposition’s continuous harping over the dismissal of several political appointees, whom they insist upon referring to Chief Education Officer, as public servants.

Marcel Hutson As the Budget debates I will serve this nation continue, the governing diligently, as I have done People’s Progressive Party for the past 32 years. That Civic (PPP/C) has been is what is important right calling out the Opposition now; that is news. I don’t for their hypocrisy, given want to get into the issues. the many persons they had This is a new dispensa- fired throughout the years tion; a new season. Old without merit. things have passed away; “I want to welcome this is a new season for back Marcel Hutson; he me.” was one of those persons What’s not clear to who suffered at the hands this day is whether Hut- of the APNU+AFC. I can son’s termination was ever give a list from the MoE

of people who were fired unceremoniously, who had no party loyalty; sent home simply because they were doing their job,” Minister Manickchand shot back at the Opposition benches as she delivered before the National Assembly.

Since being appointed to the Ministerial position last month, Minister Manickchand has continuously lashed out at the previous government for leaving the Ministry without leadership or direction during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw schools being closed since March 16.

Students went without learning until earlier this month, when the Ministry began to re-engage them through a “multifaceted learning approach”, utilising such facilities as the Learning Channel, the Internet, and printed materials, which they have been distributing free of charge.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Re-structuring the Police Force

A SAD reality in Guyana is the distrust citizens generally have for police ranks, seemingly with great justification.

This was highlighted in the address to the National Assembly during Budget Debates 2020 by Home Affairs Minister Benn, who asserted: “… police corruption is a major problem.”

The general public’s perception of police ranks at every level, with very few exceptions, is that they take bribes. Police have been accused, rightly or wrongly, of loaning their guns to bandits and of setting free dangerous prisoners who were captured with great effort and at great risk to their professional fellow officers, to commit crimes then returning to their holding cells, for a percentage of the spoils.

The incarceration of the perpetrator is the alibi they use in the event they are recognised and accused of committing the crime.

They have even been accused of perpetrating criminal pursuits

themselves; and it is only just that, when rogue cops are caught, they should be disciplined in more punitive ways than the penalties meted to civilians, because they are supposed to be guardians of the laws of the land and protector of the society, so their felonious actions are tantamount to crimes against the State, and therefore treasonous.

They disgrace their uniform, and the organisation to which they belong. They bring disrepute to the entire force with their criminal actions and should be dealt with condignly by their own counterparts in the service, as in a well-publicised case where one policeman nabbed three colleagues taking bribes.

Minibus conductors know all the traffic policemen who take bribes and their stories of persecution by those delegated to protect travellers from lawless road-users who commit traffic violations that endanger lives are many. Amnesty should be offered to those who were coerced into paying bribes

by the disreputable brigade of lawmen.

One minibus conductor complained of being threatened with being arrested for driving without a driver’s licence when he was merely sitting in the driver’s seat of a properly-parked vehicle while fixing a loose wire in the dashboard. He alleged that he had to pay the police $15,000 before he was released from custody and his impounded bus was returned to him.

The law banning music from minibuses is constantly being flouted, within hearing of police ranks, who most often ignore the cacophony because they themselves feel that music in minibuses is enjoyable and should be tolerated by those who object, so they abdicate their responsibility to the public of being guardians and/or enforcers of the law, despite their personal preferences.

The travelling public is still being held to ransom by the lawless minibus operators, and the noise levels keep rising higher

and higher, even while the police are present (blithely ignoring the cacophonous and often vulgar sounds). Police have, themselves, been observed gyrating, even while in uniform, to the lewd, deafening sounds emanating from boom boxes installed in minibuses and taxis; and/or private cars operating with impunity as taxis, disturbing residents as well as passengers, but caring not a whit because they know that they would not be held accountable for their actions.

The rogues have to be weeded out by loyal and honest members of the force themselves in sting operations, bearing in mind that the disgrace falls not merely on the renegades, but that it filters down to every officer, even those proven to be heroes, who had given service to their country beyond the call of duty.

There have been heroic members of the disciplined forces, who have put their lives in jeopardy to protect and serve the citizens of this nation, and their reputations

should not be tarnished because of a greedy, lawless few, so these professional police men and women should be adjured not to turn a blind eye to the wrongdoings of their colleagues, because inaction in instances of wrongdoing of rogue officers impact the reputation of the entire police force and engenders an ineradicable distrust in the minds of law-abiding citizens for members, barring none, of the Guyana Police Force.

Minister Benn’s professed intention to take steps to professionalise the police force may, hopefully in the near future, restore a relationship where citizens of the land can, with great confidence, appeal to police officers for service and protection, with the absolute conviction that their police officers are trustworthy and can be expected “to protect and serve” the law-abiding citizens of the land.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down Dear editor,

THIS year, Rosh Hashanah began at sunset Friday and ends at sunset on Sunday.

It’s the start of the Jewish month of Tishrei, or Tishri, which falls in September or October, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and is filled with shared meals and prayer among loved ones. Celebrations include special treats such as apples or challah bread dipped in honey; prayer services and Torah readings on both mornings;

and the lighting of candles in the evenings with appropriate blessings. Happy Rosh Hashanah.

Laying down the law in the movie, “Animal House,” (1978), Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon) expostulated, “The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.”

That is exactly the type of decision Guyana needed to catapult it from a state of despair to a state of exaltation. That is exactly what Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo did when the cabal, led by the “sanctimonious gangster,” David Granger,

refused to allow GECOM to conduct its business without interference by engaging the services of Mingo and his rigging and, Lowenfield and his mathematical fabrication to obstruct the operation of arriving at an election recount result in a legitimate process. Guyana, Guyanese, PPP/C Party, the other opposition parties and the national and international community proclaimed, “Enough is enough.” They were over their heads with the preposterousness of the bullies who were thwarting democracy in Guyana and undermining law and order to be exercised by

flaunting the rules and regulations that governed the constitutional rights of society.

Granger and his syndicate of rebels proved to be an affront to the welfare of this nation and they were progressing on a course to seize financial and political power by establishing a state of pariah and govern the country by illegitimately seizing control. Luckily, in the nick of time, the combined outcry from the outer world and the guardian of justice prevented the establishment of dictatorship by Granger and his villainous members. This was all possible because of

the direct impetus of Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who was expertly guided by US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch. The combination of her diplomatic and aggressive sagacity in the forefront fight for the rights of Guyanese will long be remembered along with the selfless sacrifices from the other diplomats from the ABCEU and CARICOM. Had it not been for the blunt and effective implementation of immediate sanctions by Secretary Mike Pompeo, incorporating visa restrictions for all who usurp justice and undermine GECOM’s func-

tion and thwart democracy, Guyana could have been in a state of siege still and held ransom by the dictates of Granger and his band of merry-men. The entire country is thankful to Secretary Pompeo and his associates for saving Guyana from the state of doom and gloom and the people of Guyana cannot register their heart-felt thanks enough, to express their sincere appreciation for his help. It is a relief to note that Secretary Pompeo has included governance and citizen security on his agenda.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

A CoI should be held into the elections rigging and instigation of racial strife Dear editor, A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD girl from the Corentyne Coast, along with her grandmother, a friend who drove the car and a family friend, left for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for a flight to the US in the midst of the violence promoted by David Granger and Joseph Harmon on the West Coast Berbice, believing that they would be safe, protected by the police.

She has described the terrible experience in a letter to the Stabroek News in simple, straightforward but graphic detail of the horror of a victim, of the ugliness of racial hate and ignorance promoted for political purpose.

I read the letter as so many others, I hope, have done, wanting to weep for my country and for that young girl and her family.

They first encountered the road blocked at No. 1 Village where they waited for almost three hours before the police were able to clear the road.

She writes: “the police force could not stop the riot and so, the Guyana Defence Force was sent to deal with the situation.” It begs the question, why not? A question which needs to be answered going forward.

Having crossed the Berbice River Bridge, arriving at No. 5 Village, confronted with more trouble, they were forced to hide, first in a gas station, but then went on thinking it was a peaceful protest, passing through Bath Settlement under GDF control, until they arrived at Hopetown Village.

At Hopetown they encountered both soldiers and police clearing the road from the two trucks that the rioters had set on fire. There, they got trapped. “Suddenly our car and a pickup truck were attacked,” she writes, “by a large number of rioters”.

Their car was surrounded. “We couldn’t go

anywhere and couldn’t do anything; we were a car of Indo Guyanese. The rioters showed us little mercy.”

This young girl, the absolute horror and fear of this moment forever inscribed in her mind, tells that, “all we could see were their eyes full of rage,” as the attackers smashed at the windscreen of their car, got into the car and then dragged them out.

“I clearly remember the first thing they did as they entered the car. One of the men ripped my cross from off my neck, which I wore for safety all my life.”

This young girl remembers seeing her grandmother being dragged out of the car and robbed of everything she had. The “protestors”, in turn took her bag with her phone, wallet, passport and Green Card. They then beat up the driver who refused to give up the car keys.

It was a young black Guyanese man who came to their rescue. She describes him as “our guardian angel”.

The young man managed to get them safely back into their car when, luckily for them, the GDF arrived on the scene. But, they were trapped in Hopetown, unable to escape going forward or going back, as she writes, the GDF were failing to control the rioters. Again, it begs the question, why?

Again, they were rescued, this time by “a young mixed race couple”, who led them into and hid them and their car in their yard.

They remained trapped there for a further five hours. They had been robbed of their phones and money but had recovered their passport and Green Card which had been thrown on the ground by the “protestors”.

They were sheltered and cared for throughout the night by the young couple who lent them their phone to call their family and gave them $3,000. They were finally able to leave for home in the morning when the rioters had

been dispersed by the army, even then, on their way out, bottles were being thrown at their car.

At the Berbice Bridge they joined dozens of other cars with families who had been similarly attacked. She writes: “some were kissing the ground and thanking God that they were alive”.

In concluding her letter, this young Guyanese girl gives thanks to the “Afro-Guyanese man” who rescued them and the “mixed neighbour” who harboured them. “You are good people,” she wrote.

She and her family, her grandmother who became sick after her terrible experience and countless others like them who have kept their silence, remain haunted and traumatised, unbelieving that fellow Guyanese would do this to them, but remembering, still, that other Guyanese of the same ethnic origin of those who attacked them came to save them.

Who, I ask, must bear responsibility and take the blame for organising and directing this deliberate attempt to use race hate as a means of destabilising the entire country, if not David Granger and Joseph Harmon?

Innocent, ordinary Guyanese who happened to be of Indian descent were brutally attacked and robbed by other Guyanese who happened to be of African descent, all of whom were living, working and playing together, until the politics of race was used as a political weapon to drive them apart by the leaders of a party unwilling to accept electoral defeat.

But there are others, too, in our country, who must bear responsibility for keeping silent when their voices would have made a critical difference when these same men and women sought to steal an election. Freddie Kissoon, in his unique style, put it best when he asked the question, where were the voices of TGI and the Red Thread when “the most blatant electoral frauds seen anywhere in the world,” was taking

The time has come for someone to ...

The destabilisers are still engaged with their heinous activities and there is still more need to curb their appetite. When the safe security of this nation is under attack by internal perpetrators, the safe security of the American and other diplomats is also under attack. Again we say, welcome to you sir and your entourage. We hope your stay will be a pleasant and memorable one so that the beauty of Guyana and its people will leave an indelible print in your diary.

Guyana is now progressing on a new adventure with the freshness of an innovate and articulate leader, one who has the support cast of experienced intellectuals, ready, willing and capable to overcome the many hurdles that were planted in their direction by the reckless and irresponsible misman-

agement of a past carefree administration. This youthful government has the colossal task of bridging many wide gaps and breaking dangerous barriers that were planted like mines on a desolate beach. A suppressed nation for the past five years have further gravitated into the waiting hands of corrupt politicians and have seen the rights of this nation being sold out by those in charge of managing its affairs. Faith and trust have been eroded by greed and greasy hands.

It is unfortunate that the oil and gas contracts were signed without the knowledge of Guyanese and some US$55B were left behind on the table, thanks to a lousy two per cent royalty agreement, signed by Trotman.

Isn’t this surmountable to be classified as high treason?

Trotman now has the sagac-

ity to speak in Parliament about, “We do not lose our dignity and self-respect and trade our sovereignty?” He is hurting all sides of the political divide, especially the small man in the street who is struggling to be a real man so that he can provide for his family and give them the good life to live. In comparison to international standards and other oil agreements agreed upon by ExxonMobil in other countries, this remains incomparable. Our neighbor Suriname has a 6.5 per cent agreement.

Guyana calls on the goodly gentleman who represents fairness, impartiality and justice, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to meditate and mediate, using his good office to ensure that the plight of the poor Guyanese is not taken for granted and the American company does not exploit the

disadvantages of this nation.

In this respect, Guyana can be self-sustainable, self-sufficient and there may only be minimal leveraging of her wealth from her natural resources to provide for her future. America is in no mood to tolerate any form of dictatorship in any part of the world and as such, the Secretary’s presence serves to underscore the assurance for the safety and security of the visiting nations.

As such, Guyana’s defence remains fragile and vulnerable to potential invasion from more powerful sources, especially in the wake of its oil resources.

In the interest of both countries, America needs to be the “Big Brother” and watch over Guyana’s sovereignty. Secretary of State, mike Pompeo’s commitment to this effect is most welcomed. It is noteworthy

place, but who now are suddenly calling for unity but are unwilling “to identify Granger and Harmon as the culprits”?

The founder of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richards, has, importantly, added her organisation’s voice to placing the responsibility for the injury and the trauma suffered by so many others, like this young 16-year-old girl, when she points out that David Granger and Joseph Harmon, when they “visited the grieving relatives of the Henry family…took it upon themselves to utter irresponsible words which served to instigate an outburst of violence among protestors who were demonstrating their discontent over the brutal murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry.”

Clearly, it would be insufficient now for our government to rely solely upon the results of the police investigation into these murders to provide a solution to what has occurred over these past six months.

President Irfaan Ali must now direct the holding of a Commission of Inquiry, bodied with internationally respected jurists, to ensure that all of those persons responsible for attempting to steal the results of the March 2 elections and all of those persons responsible for promoting and directing the racial violence which has followed, are brought to justice.

Perhaps, our people may then grasp the fact that only a cohesive country can progress and prosper and that no matter from where we originated, Guyana is our country and that those dedicated to the politics of race hate and division will be duly punished for the criminal enterprise which they practice.

FROM PAGE

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

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that the destabilisers, the thwarters of freedom, the democracy busters, the racial inciters, tongue twisters, the liars and deceivers, election riggers, fraudsters, cheaters, mathematical geniuses, the vulgar displayers, the abusers, propagandists, contract swindlers, corrupters, schemers, land thieves, financial abusers and all the other unscrupulous dealers, were ignored and momentarily cast in abeyance as a censure for reprimand to follow. From the movie “Animal House,” there was one last warning from Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon): “You’re not walking out of this one, mister! You’re finished! No more Delta! You’ve bought it this time, buster! I will call your national office! I will revoke your charter! And if you wise guys try one more

thing, I am kicking you out of this college! No more fun of any kind!”

Thank you Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo and entourage for your courteous visit. We appreciate all your good gestures and commitments. Guyana looks forward to solidifying the two countries’ relationship for mutual development and taking care of each other’s interest. We hope your stay was enjoyable and the people of Guyana wish you and your family well.

We hope to welcome you again in the future, perhaps in a higher portfolio then.

May God bless you and do enjoy the rest of your trip as you return safely to the land where dreams become a reality.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

We must accept the fact that we have nowhere else to go but Guyana Dear editor, AS a patriot and lover of Guyana; the country of my birth, the country of great potential, great expectations, the country most prosperous in resources in the Caribbean and South America, the matter that pains my heart most as I write and reflect is the unnecessary extremism in racial hostility that the recent election of March 2, 2020 brought.

Guyana is on the throes of greatness and we the citizens of Guyana must grow and mature to protect that greatness. The recent election of March 2, 2020 was the worst experience of my life since pre-independence and

post-independence that I am aware of; Guyanese are fragmented. We have seen where the opposition is still saying to their supporters that they have an illegal government when the entire world, which includes the United Nations, The United States of America, the European Union, the Caribbean, and Pacific Nations, the Mandela’s Elders Group of South Africa and South American governments, and CARICOM which was touted as the most legitimate interlocutor and then demonized, have recognised this government as legitimate. This kind of untruth coming from certain personalities of political power does not augur well for peace. It fires hate and

discrimination in the hearts of the supporters of these politicians.

The undersigned, as a Guyanese, truly believes in national cohesion and human coexistence in which resources, benefits, and facilities are shared. Where people can live their lives in dignity, love, and even have interracial marriages, built in harmonious families. Every citizen must have their right to survive in dignity according to their talents, skills, and abilities.

How can we heal? We heal and show love by embracing, eating, and praying together. We heal by caring and sharing. We heal by offering protection to others, especially the minority in a

community. We heal when we realise we carry the spirit of the one God in us and that we truly comprise of one human family under God. Sadly, in my opinion, the pronouncements made by the opposition leader shows he does not intend to cooperate with the government. Once he does that, his supporters will follow the leaders’ style.

The President and the Leader of the Opposition need to cut tracts of peace, consideration, and positive thoughts.

Without consideration and positive thoughts for our citizens and country, Guyana will forever be on a steer of mayhem, hate, and destruction particularly every five years at election time.

I had recommended to

the Chairman and Ethnic Relations Commission, the honorable Reverend General Bishop, Dr. John Oswald Smith, to broker a meeting between the President and the Opposition leader, or the Vice-President and the Opposition leader, to create the atmosphere for talks for positivity for our humanity.

I recall a number of years ago when Mr. Robert Corbin invited me to witness and share in his inauguration as leader of the People’s Progressive Party. I was always a regular invitee and if I may say, he was a man I looked up to and believed he could have created great progress and change in Guyana if he could have won the general elections then. We still have mutual respect.

At the event, he called for a National Truth and Reconciliation Committee and con-

ference where we as a people can open our chest and accept mutual wrongs and responsibilities, shed a tear, hug, kiss, and make-up to build a strong and prosperous Guyana. With the above said, I truly believe the problems we have that make us look bad in the world scene can be easily overcome and Guyana can be on the high road of success.

We have to learn to trust, have faith, and accept the fact that we have nowhere else to go but Guyana.

Yes, friends! Fellow Guyanese, our country bequeath in love by God as a favour and virtue, with wealth, and sunshine galore.

Together, let us as one people hold our hands and walk through the troubled waters.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan

PNC has a very unique record in the Caribbean

Dear editor,

FIRST of all I would like to congratulate the People Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for winning the 2020 general and regional elections. I would also like to congratulate, Dr. Ifraan Ali becoming President of Guyana and wish him a good and prosperous term in office.

It has become the habit of the People’s National Congress now branded as A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) not to accept elections results when the party knows that it is losing. It started in 1992 when results from the general elections showed that the PNC was losing and the PPP/C was winning.

The PNC supporters took to the streets of Georgetown marching, beating Indo-Guyanese who were deemed to be supporters of the PPP/C. Fires were set to some Indian stores and mobs took to the streets.

Previously, things were calm in Georgetown when Forbes Burnham and later Desmond Hoyte rigged elections.

After over 50 years of independence, Guyana is yet to get over free and fair elections as in other West Indian islands. It has been a shame and disgrace in the British Commonwealth and

British Caribbean territories that PNC plus AFC were still in the habit of stealing elections. No other country in the British Caribbean faces the problem. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Bermuda, St. Kitts Nevis, Dominica, Bermuda, Belize, etc., do not face this problem. It is only happening in Guyana.

It has been a shame and disgrace to see the ABC and European countries putting sanctions on APNU+AFC to accept free and fair elections.

It is shame to see Guyana’s general elections had to go to the courts in Guyana and finally to the Caribbean Court of Justice for the recount to be accepted.

It was a shame that after four months of the general and regional elections a winner was yet to be announced.

Will the shameful and disgraceful practice continue in the future if the APNU+AFC continues to lose elections?

The APNU+AFC wants to be in government by any crocked means and …. Whether the coalition parties will change its ways or not will be seen in the future.

Yours sincerely, Baldeo Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Foreign Minister, Pompeo sign Shiprider Agreement, growth MoU

By Rabindra Rooplall GUYANA and the US signed two bilateral co-operation agreements to suppress illicit traffic by sea and air and to boost economic collaboration between the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd, and US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on Friday, signed the Shiprider Agreement and the MoU for the Growth in the Americas Initiative under the Baridi Benab at State House.

Jamaica is the first country in the hemisphere to sign the Shiprider Agreement.

Pompeo’s trip to Guyana aims to highlight his country’s commitment to defending democracy, combating COVID-19 while revitalising economies in wake of the pandemic and strengthening security against regional threats.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, and US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on Friday, exchanged signed copies of the Shiprider Agreement at the Baridi Benab at State House (Adrian Narine photo) He is currently in Boa Vista, Brazil after he left Guyana on Friday afternoon.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, welcomed the Americas Initiative saying that it would catalyse investment.

“This agreement will

stimulate the enhancement of the business environment for US private sector investment in Guyana, particularly in the fields of energy. The agreement will also pave the way for US private sector to expand its investment

portfolio and partner with local private sector entities,” President Ali said.

The partnership will help the country meet its broader infrastructure and downstream development needs and by extension, drive

economic growth and development, the President explained.

Meanwhile, Secretary Pompeo said the agreement demonstrates that the US wants “to model the private sector, not state-owned enterprises because that model will deliver real good things for the people.”

He added: “There is lots of conversation about more foreign direct investment, the United States model is to bring out the best things about your country, and we don’t do so with political strings tied to them or engage in activities that are corrupt.”

The Shiprider Agreement will enable joint maritime and airspace patrols to interdict narcotics. It will provide mechanisms to streamline communications between law enforcement officials of Guyana and the US to conduct operations at sea and expedite overflight clearances

for law enforcement aircraft when combating drug trafficking.

It was noted that operations would not be carried out in Guyana’s waters unless the Government of Guyana first grants permission. The agreement will come into effect as early as Monday.

The framework agreement to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the Growth in the Americas Initiative is expected to help them to identify specific ways to advance their joint interest.

The MoU aims to provide a platform for US private sector investment to build Guyana’s physical infrastructure, energy sector, and digital economy transparently.

Guyana is the second Caribbean country to sign the MoU, joining Jamaica.

Guyana, Barbados take steps to foster closer trade ties –– by agreeing landmark ‘merger legislation’ between their respective consumer protection agencies

By Tamica Garnett NOTING how collaborations with Barbados has helped highlight the need for stronger “merger legislation” here, Director of Guyana’s Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), Dawn Cush has praised an arrangement reached between her agency and the Barbados Fair Trading Commission (BFTC).

The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was signed on Friday by Cush and her Barbadian counterpart, BFTC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandra Sealy. The CCAC and BFTC are consumer protection agencies for their respective nations, established by respective laws in each country.

Cush described the signing of the MoU as an important step between the two Commissions in concretising their co-operation ties.

“These two Commissions will continue to enforce the Competition Laws, and work together when necessary to ensure a level playing field. We are bound by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which, at Article170, seeks to establish and maintain institutional arrangements and administration procedures to enforce competition laws,” Cush noted.

Among those from BFTC who were also present at Friday’s event were Director of the Competition Unit, Antonio Thomspon; Senior Economist, Dr. Troy Waterman, and Senior Legal Advisor, Cherie-Ann Jones. Present for the CCAC, apart from Cush, were Competition Policy Officer, Anil Sukhdeo; Consumer

Affairs Officer, Feyona Austin-Paul, and Communications Officer, Alison Parker.

According to Dr. Waterman, the signing of the agreement formalises cooperation between the two entities as they unite to achieve their respective functions.

“The cooperation agreement allows us to collaborate in the exchange of information and expertise, so we would be able to help facilitate each other’s mandate in terms of exploring and monitoring businesses and activities within our respective jurisdictions, to ensure that there really is free, fair and better competition,” he said. “This agreement allows us to essentially formalise the arrangement in pursuing our respective mandates,” he added.

Discussions for the bilateral MoU had started last year, with the seeds having first been sown following a work exchange programme between the two nations in 2017.

“It may be because of the strong familial roots between our two countries, and the bond developed over the years, in particular when the Competition Policy Officer spent two weeks with the BFTC in what could only be described as an effective work exchange,” Cush related.

It was during the work exchange that Guyana was involved in the BFTC’s oversight of the Sol Group’s attempt to acquire the Barbados National Terminal Company Ltd. (BNTCL). The application for acquisition was denied by the BFTC, as some of the terms in the acquisition gave Sol a big advantage in that market.

Playing a role in that event, Cush said, is

what caused the CCAC to recognise that there was need for stronger merger legislation to govern transactions on Guyana’s soil, which is exactly what was being addressed by the MOU. “It reinforced the point for CCAC of the need for urgent Merger Legislation, which we are at the stage of having consultation with the relevant parties in Guyana,” Cush noted during her remarks.

It was just last year that Guyana had a similar merger situation, when Central Bank, the Bank of Guyana (BOG), had cause to block the sale of Scotia Bank’s assets to Republic Bank Financial Holdings (RBFH), due to the high level of concentration of the banking system, which, had the sale gone forward, would have seen Republic Bank having over 50% assets and deposits in the local sector.

As pertains to other consumer-related issues, Guyana has long since been cited as being in need of stronger consumer legislation in a number of areas to better protect consumers. Outside of banking, hire purchase is another area often highlighted.

Aside from laws, enforcement of existing laws surrounding areas such as refunds and warranties have also been noted.

At Friday’s event, Cush extended her gratitude to all those who played a part in helping to bring about the instituting of the MoU. “The CCAC welcomes this initiative, and wishes to say a big thank you to the BFTC. Mrs. Sealey, you have charted the course between our agencies. Thank you; Dr. Troy Waterman is a Man for all Seasons, and an as-

set to the BFTC. Thank you; without the staff of the Competition Department of the BFTC and CCAC’s Mr. Anil Sukhdeo, this would not be happening today. Ms. Allison Parker, as usual, with her commitment to excellence and willingness to do what it takes to make any activity a success, thank you,” Cush said.

Cush identified Barbados as one of two agencies in the Caribbean region that are the mature competition authorities, the other being Jamaica.

In Barbados, the FTC was established in January 2001, through that country’s Fair Trading Commission Act, as a successor of the Public Utilities Board, which was responsible for regulating public utilities, after it was realised that there was need for a new body with a broader mandate to deal with other areas.

The entity is tasked with the responsibility of monitoring general business conduct; investigating possible breaches of the Acts administered by the FTC; businesses and consumer education; and taking enforcement action wherever needed.

In Guyana, the CCAC was established in 2006, under the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA), originally the Agency was named Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

However, the National Competitiveness Council suggested that the Agency be renamed to Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), so as to encompass a broader scope and maintain regional and international standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

International jurists to investigate Henry boys’ murder –– Attorney General

THE Legal Affairs Ministry will establish a tribunal comprising international jurists to investigate the murders of teens, Isaiah Henry, and his cousin, Joel Henry, who were brutally murdered on September 6, 2020 at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

This was revealed by Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, during his contribution to the 2020 Budget debates on Friday.

Sixteen-year-old Isaiah Henry and 18-year-old Joel Henry were brutally murdered somewhere else and then dumped in the backlands of Cotton Tree, WCB. The mutilated bodies of the teen cousins were found with several chop

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall wounds.

Nandlall said the President has promised a Commission of Inquiry into the unfortunate events at West Coast Berbice as part of the government’s effort to pursue truth and justice in that mayhem.

Meanwhile, detectives of the Major Crimes Unit continue to come up emp-

ty-handed as they try to figure out where the teens were killed and who might have done it and why.

A total of 75 ranks drawn from Region Five, the Major Crimes Unit and the Guyana Defence Force led by Region Five Divisional Commander and a Lt Colonel, along with Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, combed the backlands of Number Two and Three Villages on the West Coast of Berbice on Thursday with the hope of finding the area where the teen cousins were killed.

Ranks on the ground also received aerial support via a helicopter from the Guyana Defence Force.

Police noted that the “methodical search” was conducted between 07:00 hours and 14:00 hours but

“nothing of evidential value was found”.

Last week, investigators determined that the teenagers were murdered somewhere else and then dumped in the backlands of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB) and with no solid case against the suspects, all of them were released and placed on station bail.

Police had said that the primary crime scene “would greatly assist in the probe as the primary crime scene will have an abundance of evidence linking the perpetrators to the crime”.

The police are calling on the public to come forward with any information which can assist investigators in finding the crime scene.

Despite reaching a ‘dead end’ with the in-

Dead: Isaiah Henry vestigation, the police noted that it continues to pursue two suspects and will “pursue to exhaust all leads” in the case.

The gruesome murder of the teen boys sparked protests across the country.

An autopsy found that they both died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised injuries

Dead: Joel Henry including severed spines.

The killers carved out a huge ‘X’ on Isaiah’s head while they cut open Joel’s chest.

They had left their Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice home to go into the backdam to pick coconuts on September 5 and that was the last time they were seen alive.

Foreigners remanded for illegal entry –– injured co-accused to appear in court after hospital release TWO foreigners, on Friday, appeared before Magistrate Crystel Lambert at Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court charged with entering Guyana illegally.

The accused, Juan Ivan Fortool and Manoel Edson Pinheiro Costa were arrested by police on September 13, shortly after the Cessna aircraft they were travelling in crash-landed at 9 Miles Airstrip, Issano, Middle Mazaruni.

Aided by an interpreter, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that, on September 13, at 9 Miles Airstrip, they entered Guyana by air and not at a port of entry.

They were remanded to prison until September 30.

A third foreign national, who was injured during the plane crash, underwent surgery on Thursday and remains hospitalised under police guard. It is expected that, when he recovers, the police will charge and place him before the court.

Reports indicated that police, acting on information received, visited the airstrip where they discovered a red and white Cessna aircraft with the three foreign na-

tionals inside.

Using google translator, police were told that the plane and another were heading to Suriname when one of them developed mechanical problems, causing it to crash-land.

“As a result of the observation, the pilot crashed-landed the aircraft at Nine Miles which caused one of the occupants to sustain a fractured right arm and minor bruises about his face which he confirmed he received from the sudden impact. The other aircraft crashed, and the body of a man was discovered,” police had said in a statement.

Reports indicated that the aircraft which crash-landed on the airstrip was examined, but no visible damage seen. Police also conducted searches on the aircraft in the presence of the three passengers and on their person, but nothing illegal was found.

A second aircraft, a blue and white Beechcraft was discovered some 600 yards away from the 9 Miles location. Inside was the lifeless body of 49-year-old Brazilian national, Alessandro Eduardo Petravicies, along with 390 kilograms of cocaine.

The three foreign nationals

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Stigma, discrimination against COVID-19 ‘heroes’ continue

– Health Minster urges attitude change, compassion DESPITE putting their lives at risk, and working long hours away from their families, during the fight to slow the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), nurses and other healthcare workers are being stigmatised and discriminated against by the general public.

This has prompted the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, to urge members of the public to be mindful and compassionate towards the heroes of the day, who are continuously risking their lives to contain the virus.

Dr. Anthony, during an interview with the Department of Public Information, informed that all medical staff undergo sanitisation before they enter and when leaving health facilities.

Additionally, the medical personnel involved in the screening, testing, or treatment of patients exposed to or suffering from COVID-19 have been trained and are clad in personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.

“When they leave that environment, they would dispose of those PPE. So, when they leave the environment, they are not transmitting anything. Nurses and other medical personnel who work in these environments will not put anybody at risk, and we want the public to understand that,” Minister Anthony assured.

He called on the public and transportation providers, in particular, to treat medical professionals and other frontline workers with respect and consideration.

Having received reports of discrimination worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on Governments to address this issue as it threatens the health and safety of health workers and patients.

This call was reiterated on Thursday, September 17, 2020, when World Patient Day was globally celebrated.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No country, hospital or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. WHO’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve,” Dr.Ghebreyesus added.

The pandemic has highlighted the extent to which protecting health workers is key to ensuring a functioning health system and society.

Further, the Manager/Head of Strategic Planning and Communication at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Chelauna Providence, in addressing a number of complaints had stated, “We have been receiving reports from nurses and doctors that taxi services have refused to pick them up and bring them to work; supermarkets have asked them to leave when they are in uniform or have their badges on. We basically want to let the public know that nurses especially, are frontline workers when it comes to responding to COVID-19.”

Providence explained on that occasion that nurses were working overtime to slow the spread of disease in Guyana and were deserving of respect during this critical period. “Our nurses and our doctors are continuously preparing for any possible situation in Guyana and they have been working hard and overtime to do so, so we want people to extend the same courtesies that they would to everyone else… additionally, people should be a bit more accommodating to healthcare workers, because if you should get sick or if you should need healthcare, the healthcare workers are going to be the ones to take care of you,” she stated.

Additionally, Providence stated that the

Daylight gun-toting robber granted bail

AN 18-year-old welder, who was caught on CCTV carrying out a brazen daylight robbery on a Merriman’s Mall businesswoman, was, on Friday, released on 150,000 bail.

Seon Benjamin of ‘D’ Field, Sophia, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that Benjamin, on September 5, 2020, at Merriman’s Mall, Bourda, while being in the company of another, and armed with a gun, robbed Tifilesha Bond of a cell phone, along with gold jewellery valued $1,050,000.

According to the evidence presented by Prosecutor Christopher Morris, on the day in question, around 07:50 hours, Bond and her husband were at Merriman’s Mall between Church Street and North Road and were about to open their store when two men on a motorcycle rode up.

Benjamin reportedly stayed on the motorcycle, while his pillion rider dismounted. It is alleged that Benjamin pulled out a firearm

from his waist and handed it to his accomplice.

The accomplice then pointed the firearm at Bond and demanded that she handed over her valuables. After collecting the items, the man jumped back onto the motorcycle which sped away.

Bond reported the matter to the police and an investigation was launched.

After reviewing footage from CCTV cameras in the area, the police were able to identify Benjamin, who, at the time, was being sought for a similar crime.

The police arrested Benjamin and he reportedly confessed to the crime under caution.

Benjamin was also placed on an identification parade and he was positively pointed out.

The prosecutor objected to Benjamin being released on bail on the grounds that the defendant was a known character to the police and had pending cases before the court.

Despite the prosecutor’s objection, the Magistrate released Benjamin on $150,000 bail and adjourned the case to October 9.

Healthcare workers gathered at a recent event before the coronavirus pandemic stigma that was being displayed was due to the lack of knowledge and persons should educate themselves and adhere to the precautionary measures set out by the healthcare system.

“With the COVID-19, the threat is basically to anyone. It’s not just doctors and

nurses that people need to be concerned about, and so we also want to reinforce that people should take the necessary precautions as they are advised by the health authorities, practise their handwashing, social distancing, respiratory etiquette,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Dr Anthony: Budget 2020 will resuscitate the health sector

HEALTH MINISTER, Dr. Frank Anthony, has stated that Guyana’s health sector was perhaps the most neglected sector under the APNU+AFC Administration and budget 2020 is the first step towards ensuring Guyanese no longer have to risk their lives at the hands of a failing system.

The government has allocated $51.7 billion or 15.7 per cent of the total budget for the health sector for 2020. Of this amount, $14.3 billion is budgeted for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies, and $3.2 billion will go to the procurement of emergency drugs and medical supplies, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The health minister lobbied in Parliament, on Thursday, for the approval of the sum which he said is needed for the resuscitation of the health sector.

Speaking to the House, Dr. Anthony lambasted the former government for its shortcomings and assured the public that the issue of constant shortages of drugs and supplies will be a thing of the past.

“There were 156 items of drugs with zero stock level, put a different way, Mr. Speaker, it meant that the APNU+AFC Government did not buy medicines for the people with high blood pressure in this country. It meant that the APNU+AFC did not buy medicines for the people who had heart problems in this country; it meant that the APNU+AFC did not buy medicines for the diabetic

Yet, Mr. Speaker, His Excellency, the [then] President [David Granger] went there July 30 and he unveiled a plaque and he told the world ‘here is the hospital that is going to rescue this country’.”

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony patients of this country,” he said.

The minister also responded to criticisms levied by the Opposition of the government’s plan for COVID-19 mitigation. Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, who spoke prior, had criticised the budget as being void of a COVID-19 Recovery Plan. He said that the budget does not detail how Guyanese will emerge from the global pandemic.

“It appears as though the minister of health has been excommunicated, shut out from the budget. No input from him in terms of a COVID-19 Recovery Plan can be detected, but that is not surprising,” he said.

Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones However, Dr. Anthony rebutted that it was the coalition government which had no COVID-19 plan, because, when he took over the ministry, the $1.6 billion ‘COVID hospital’ was incomplete with no beds, no water, missing medical equipment, no sewerage system, ineffective ventilators and a host of other shortcomings.

“They did not have any plan!” he said. “This hospital that is supposed to rescue this country from COVID-19, there was supposed to be staff for this hospital; when we took it over there was not a single staff assigned to that facility.

COVID-19 TESTING The health minister informed the House that it was only because the former Public Health Ministry had very few testing kits, to the point that they were rationing them to the various regions, that Guyana did not record realistic COVID-19 numbers.

He also stated that the administration intentionally did not test persons who recently died of suspected COVID-19 contraction, simply to keep its numbers low.

On the other hand, he said that the PPP/C Administration has already taken steps to strengthen its response, such as an aggressive laboratory testing programme; expanding contact tracing; providing exposed persons with testing and counselling; providing effective hospital treatment and care programme for the critically ill; and engaging international partners for assistance.

Dr. Anthony said that throughout the debates, negativity has been oozing from the Opposition about budget 2020 but it has proven itself superior to the past budgets under the Opposition and has benefits for all Guyanese.

‘The gravy train has come to an end’ –– Vice President says new government will return money to the people

ANTI-growth policies were the order of the day under the former APNU+AFC administration, said Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, as he argued that the former administration had no welfare policy or agenda to drive economic growth.

Jagdeo’s contention was that the former administration had policies which were based on taxation and consumption.

“APNU had no economic policy and therefore they were always floundering in the wet… they had a disjointed approach to economic development,” said the Vice President during his presentation on the final day of the Budget 2020 debates.

The new government’s belief is that creating jobs and focusing on the welfare of the people is the right path to economic growth as opposed to the collection of

taxes which was seen as progress under the past administration.

Jagdeo criticised the former administration for casting aside the welfare of workers and focusing on what he described as “anti-growth” policies.

“You could not have a welfare policy and send home 7,000 sugar workers or take away $1.6 billion from children through cash grants…take away $600 million from pensioners through the removal of the subsidy on water and electricity,” said the Vice President.

He also called out the past administration for taxing medicine and hinterland travel while also increasing fees by 500 per cent.

In giving an example, he said a vendor who plies their trade with a van or truck would have paid a fee of $12,500 in 2014, but this was raised to $65,000 under the APNU+AFC administration.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo “That is how you help poor people?” he asked, adding: “the large sums of

money collected from taxes and fees went to employment of cronies, families and friends.”

Jagdeo said the public service grew by more than 10,000 persons from 2015 to 2020, as institutions were created by the past administration to spend billions of dollars.

“They were looking after the welfare for themselves while the ordinary man had to contend with higher taxes and higher licensing fees,” the Vice President argued.

He, however, assured that the “gravy train” has come to end and the new government will ensure that money goes back to the people and stays with them.

Jagdeo promised that the new government will focus on the people through the creation of jobs and investments in the productive sectors, among other things.

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Four remanded for murder of West Berbice taxi driver

FOUR men were, on Friday, charged with the murder of Mohamed Haniff and re-

manded to prison when they appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, at

the Fort Wellington Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Ivan Lindo, 21, a security

Remanded: Devon Mc Calmon guard and labourer of Lot 256 Waterloo, Bath Settlement; Royston Dowden called “Sakie” or “Killa”, 29, a labourer from Bath Settlement; Devon Mc Calmon, 52, also a labourer of Number 28 Village and Sarju Mattadin, 56, called “Son”, a cash crop farmer of Lot A2, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, were all charged with the capital offence and remanded to prison until October 2, 2020.

The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that, on September 12, at Experiment, West Coast Berbice, they murdered Haniff, a 47-year-old taxi driver.

During the court proceedings, Attorney-at-law, Bernard Da Silva, who rep-

Remanded: Sarju Mattadin resented Sarju Mattadin, requested from the magistrate medical attention for his client, after he told the court Mattadin was beaten by the police while in their custody at New Amsterdam and at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary. The magistrate acceded to the request made by the attorney.

According to the police, at approximately 21:00hrs, Haniff and his wife were at home when three unidentified men, armed with a gun, cutlass and an iron bar, pounced on them.

During the attack, one of the men threw several chops at Haniff’s head then demanded cash and valuables. However, when the man responded that he had

Remanded: Royston Dowdin none, the men escaped empty-handed.

The injured man was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed a few hours later.

The Major Crimes Unit, during its initial investigation, had detained the wife of the deceased, after her recollections of the incident were inconsistent. The couple’s son was also arrested but both were subsequently released on station bail.

Haniff arrived in the country on September 11 and, reportedly, had in his possession some US$8,000 and a quantity of jewellery that he did not disclose to his wife.

The men will return to court on October 2 for their second appearance.

‘Curlup’ committed for manslaughter, co-accused freed MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Friday, committed Osaffo Grundall called “Curlup” to stand trial in the High Court for manslaughter, while his co-accused was freed, due to insufficient evidence.

Grundall, 26, of Freeman Street, East La Penitence and his co-accused, James Fraser, called “Damo”, of Garnett Street, Campbellville, were initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, for which a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was held at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

The duo was jointly charged for murdering Marlon Rodney, known as “George” between April 25 and April 30, 2019, at Norton Street, Georgetown.

On Friday, Magistrate McGusty ruled that, based on the evidence presented during the PI, a case of manslaughter was made out against Grundall. He was committed to stand trial in the High Court at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Further, Magistrate ruled that with regards to Fraser, no evidence was produced by the Prosecutor to prove the essential elements of the offence. He was therefore freed.

Osaffo Grundall called ‘Curlup” According to reports, on April 25, 2019, Rodney, 35, a taxi driver of Norton Street, Lodge was in a heated argument with the duo when he was allegedly shot by one of the men.

Rodney was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment.

He succumbed to his injuries on April 30.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Lands commissioner sent on leave COMMISSIONER of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn, has been instructed to proceed on 42 days of annualised vacation, from today, and to hand over to Enrique Monize, who will be acting in the position.

This is according to a letter issued by Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President, Abena Moore.

“Please be advised that the administration has taken a decision for you to proceed on your 42- day annualised vacation leave that is due to you with effect from September 18, 2020,” the letter stated.

It also instructed Benn to document the status of all matters pending, or in progress, for President, Dr Irfaan Commissioner of GL&SC, Trevor Benn Ali. Benn’s current contract comes to an end in March 2022.

The decision to send Benn on leave comes on the heels of government recently announcing that the powers delegated to the GL&SC by former President, David Granger, to allow for the “sanctioning of renting and granting of leases, licences and permission of occupancy of all lands” had been revoked by President Ali. That announcement was made on August 7 when the government also announced that all public land deals made by the APNU+AFC administration since December 21, 2018, when a no-confidence motion was passed against it, are to be reviewed.

Block-maker granted bail for alleged motor cycle theft MAGISTRATE Leron Daly, on Friday, released a 31-year-old block-maker on $85,000 bail for a simple larceny charge.

Carlos Grimes of East Ruimveldt appeared before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to stealing a motorcycle.

It is alleged that, between September 13 and September 14, 2020, at Meadow Brook Gardens, he stole a Tekken motorcycle valued $437,000, property of Samuel Ellis.

The facts presented by Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris, were that, on September 13, Ellis loaned his motorcycle to his step-son, who later returned same and parked it on the bridge at their home, around 18:00 hours.

Ellis reported to police that when he woke the next day, around 06:00 hours, his motorcycle was missing.

The matter was reported to the Police, who later arrested Grimes, allegedly riding the stolen motorcycle in the East Ruimveldt area. Under caution he allegedly admitted to the offence.

With no objections raised by the prosecutor, Grimes was released on bail and the case adjourned to October 30.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

2020 IPL opens today ONE of the truest clichĂŠs of the IPL is that each edition is more open than the last one.

For example, the playoffs spots in the last four seasons were determined only on the last day of the league phase.

But in 2020, a new twist in the form of a pandemic has made this most lucrative of tournaments even more unpredictable.

The majority of players in each franchise haven't played competitive cricket since March. The tournament itself is being played at three neutral venues, nullifying the players' familiarity with Indian conditions. The absence of crowds, a natural source of energy in sport, will be deafening in the empty desert bowls of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Cocooned inside the bubble for more than a month now, the players have been restless to play.

Franchise owners are banking on this being the most-watched IPL ever.

It is being sold with the promise of being a panacea for the pain caused

by COVID-19. Under the

gaze of millions of eyeballs, can this IPL deliver on that promise?

Neutral venues = Level playing field Stephen Fleming admits there is no home game this time. Every match, Chennai Super Kings head coach says, will be like an "away game". While franchises say they've never had a say in pitch-making in the IPL in any case, teams have had some influence on the nature of tracks, which created a home advantage.

One crucial factor behind the Super Kings' success three-time champions and the only team to make the playoffs in every edition they've played in - has been their ability to extract home advantage at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The same goes for four-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

In unfamiliar conditions in the UAE, adaptability will become key. For the coaching staff and captains, the challenge will be to keep players mentally sharp while remaining flexible with selections dictated by the conditions - pitch and weather.

Adding to the unpredictability will be the fact that no cricket has been played on any of the three grounds for several months. Also, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are each scheduled to host a high volume of matches, which they are not used to. The pitch behaviour, an intangible, is likely to keep teams on their toes.

Five franchises have overhauled their coaching set-ups since IPL 2019. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum as their head coach. Trevor Bayliss, who led the KKR to their two IPL titles, in 2012 and 2014, is now head coach at Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Mike Hesson, who was New Zealand's head coach when McCullum was captain, is the team director at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), one of the three teams without an IPL crown.

This is Hesson's second stint in the IPL after serving as team director at Kings XI

Punjab last year. Assisting him is the former Australia batsman Simon Katich, who will be serving as head coach for the first time, having performed assistant-coach duties at KKR for a few seasons.

There is only one Indian head coach in the IPL, the former India captain and coach Anil Kumble, who is both the head of cricket and coaching staff at Kings XI, another team never to have won the title. Andrew McDonald, the former Australia all-rounder, will take charge as head coach at Rajasthan Royals.

New coaches mean new philosophies and fresh ideas. But franchises always talk about retaining a core of players. Can they give coaches the same leeway to build on their ideas instead of overhauling their structures time and again?

The biggest challenge coaches are likely to face this IPL could be niggles and injuries, considering a majority of players are coming off a long break with limited practice. There will be no air travel involved, but the oppressive heat and dry conditions in the UAE will remain a challenge throughout the tournament.

There may be situations when workloads need to be managed or there could be more injuries than normal.

This puts an emphasis on the depth of each squad. The reserves and back-ups for each role need to be ready. This may be an edition where we see the maximum players used by each franchise.

With just three venues, pitches are bound to become slower as the tournament progresses. Fresh, lively pitches could be expected in the first couple of weeks, but bowlers will be dominant as the pitches slow down.

Teams that have the arsenal to adapt and play a different brand of cricket over both halves will be in a good position to make the playoffs.

Good players of spin, T20 anchors, bowlers with variations, reverse-swing specialists and spinners will be the impact players. Do not be surprised if you see teams playing certain types of players in the first half and

a different set in the second half.

Go-to bowlers: those with variations As the pitches become slower, variation bowlers will become more effective.

Knuckle balls, leg-cutters and off-cutters are already used by fast bowlers in T20 cricket, but these will become the go-to deliveries on slower surfaces. Taking pace off the ball and varying speeds will be valuable, as was witnessed recently in CPL T20.

The highest wicket-taker there was a fast bowler Scott Kuggeleijn - who started the tournament bowling fast but quickly adapted to take pace off the ball.

In the last three seasons of IPL, off-cutters and leg-cutters have been the

most successful deliveries. Bowlers have taken a wicket once every nine balls with the leg-cutter while the off-cutter has resulted in a wicket once every 11 balls.

While the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Dwayne Bravo and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will continue to be the key bowlers for their teams, Keemo Paul, Daniel Sams and Jayadev Unadkat - who all have good slower balls - could play an equally dominant hand.

A new viewing experience One of IPL's unique selling points and a visible part of its success has been the sellout crowds. They have thronged to witness not just the cricket but also participate in and enjoy the party-like atmosphere, enhanced

by the presence of Bollywood personalities along with the rich and the famous.

For the fan, IPL has become an 'I-was-there' moment.

The fans' enthusiasm didn't just add to the buzz of the IPL, it also energised players. Katich acknowledged that some international players who get an adrenaline rush in key moments from the crowd noise could be impacted. However, Katich also pointed out that younger players could take advantage of the absence of crowds and play without any external pressure.

However players from Hardik Pandya to Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma have said that although it would be a different experience, cricket will be making all the noise this time.

Andersen claims stage...

From Page 20

tried to keep the race together for their sprinter Cees Bol by using Kragh Andersen and Nikias Arndt to mark any attacks.

But once it became clear the peloton would not catch the lead group, they adjusted superbly, with Kragh Andersen catching out and riding away from fine oneday riders such as Greg van Avermaet, Oliver Naesen and Sagan.

The group could not get organised behind and

when Britain's Luke Rowe launched a late counter-attack, it was already in vain, with the Ineos Grenadiers rider eventually coming home seventh.

Bennett appeared content to mark record, seven-time green jersey winner Sagan instead of chasing his second stage win of the race.

The Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider beat the Slovak at both the intermediate sprint and at the finish to add three points to his lead in the points classification.

There is a maximum of 90 points on offer remaining in the race, although it is highly unlikely Sagan or Bennett will take any points in today's time trial by finishing in the top 15 on the stage.

That leaves 70 points on the final stage and even if Sagan were to win maximum points, Bennett just needs to collect 16 - the equivalent of finishing fifth on the stage - to ensure he becomes only the second Irishman after Sean Kelly to win the green jersey.

STAGE 19 RESULTS: 1. Soren Kragh Andersen (Den/Team Sunweb) 5hrs 36mins 33secs 2. Luka Mezgec (Slo/Mitchelton-Scott) +53secs 3. Jasper Stuyven (Bel/Trek-Segafredo) Same time 4. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/CCC Team) 5. Oliver Naesen (Bel/AG2R La Mondiale) 6. Nikias Arndt (Ger/Team Sunweb) 7. Luke Rowe (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +59secs 8. Sam Bennett (Ire/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +1min 02secs 9. Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time 10. Matteo Trentin (Ita/CCC Team) General classification after stage 19 1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) 83hrs 29mins 41secs 2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +57secs 3. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +1mins 27secs 4. Richie Porte (Aus/Trek-Segafredo) +3mins 06secs 5. Mikel Landa (Spa/Bahrain McLaren) +3mins 28secs 6. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) +4mins 19secs 7. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) +5mins 55secs 8. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Pro Cycling) +6mins 05secs 9. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Jumbo-Visma) +7mins 24secs 10. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +12mins 12secs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Antetokounmpo named MVP (BBC) - Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the second successive season.

He becomes only the third player, after Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon, to earn the MVP and Defensive Player-of-the-Year award in the same season.

Antetokounmpo, 25, averaged 29.5 points 13.6 rebounds 5.6 assists in 63 regular-season games in 2019-20.

In nine play-off games he averaged 26.7 points 13.8 rebounds 5.7 assists.

Antetokounmpo was born in Greece and is nicknamed the 'The Greek Freak'.

Andersen claims stage 19 of Tour de France

Sunweb have won three stages in the 2020 Tour de France.

(BBC) - Soren Kragh Andersen claimed his second win on the Tour de France with another shrewd late solo attack on stage 19.

Team Sunweb's Andersen, 26, attacked from a break 16km out and powered to the line in Champagnole, 53 seconds ahead of Luka Mezgec in second.

Ireland's Sam Bennett won his duel with Peter Sagan and looks set to take the green jersey, leading by 55 points with two stages remaining.

Primoz Roglic comfortably retained his 57-second lead in the yellow jersey.

The Slovenian will win his first Tour title should he remain in the lead following today's mountain time trial, with tradition dictating the

yellow jersey is not attacked on the final, processional stage into Paris tomorrow.

Having won stage 14 with a similar solo move, Kragh Andersen is the fourth rider in this year's Tour to win two stages after Wout van Aert, Caleb Ewan and Tadej Pogacar who remains second overall.

The Dane never looked back after kicking away from an elite 12-man group that included Bennett and Sagan, only letting up inside the final kilometre after screaming at a TV motorbike for a time check to ensure his lead was insurmountable.

"I have to say that, in the last kilometres, I was screaming in pure disbelief," he said.

"I've got two stage wins

on the same Tour de France - it's incredible. I'm speechless.

"I was in the mix with some of the best riders of the world for this type of race and I honestly didn't know how to beat them as I was on my limit too.

"But then I realised that, if I managed somehow to get a small gap, it may enable me to pull it off and that's exactly what happened. This is a memory I will carry in my mind for the rest of my life."

It was another impressive tactical display by Sunweb, who have now won three stages in this Tour.

After the breakaway was caught at 35km to go, the German team initially See Page 20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

Liverpool sign Thiago from Bayern (BBC) - Liverpool have signed midfielder Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich on a four-year deal for £20M. The fee for the Spain international, 29, could eventually rise to £25M with bonuses.

"It's an amazing feeling.

I was waiting for this moment for a long time and I am very happy to be here," he said.

Thiago will wear the number six shirt at Anfield and become the club's second summer signing after Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

He will be eligible to play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Thiago won La Liga twice with Barcelona before a 2013 move to Bayern, where he won the Bundesliga seven times and the Champions League in August.

His arrival at Anfield ends weeks of speculation about whether the Premier League champions would make a stand-out summer signing.

The £20M fee will be paid in instalments over the length of the deal, and up to an additional £5M will be paid based on the Reds' success in the Premier League and Champions League

as well as any individual awards earned by Thiago.

"Absolutely great - I'm really happy that it finally worked out and we could just do it," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

"I know all the people at Bayern wanted to keep him desperately. That's normal and understandable because he played an important role, in the last season as well.

"He just was ready for a new challenge and he decided for us."

Thiago added: "I must adapt to the team as fast as I can in the situation and the context that we are living right now.

"Everything is more compact and we started a little bit later, but still it is football and I think we have to mix all the big things up, all the good things we have.

"I will help the team in a defensive and offensive (way) and also in a mental aspect."

Klopp said: "When we spoke about all the players, he respects them all massively. He admires them.

"We played against him when we played Munich in the Champions League two years ago (Liverpool won 3-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie after a 0-0 draw at Anfield), so he knows what kind of machine we can be

and he wanted to be part of that."

Meanwhile, Liverpool have targeted another addition in Wolves forward Diogo Jota, who was a surprise omission from his side's Carabao Cup defeat by Stoke on Thursday.

After the game, Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo repeatedly refused to state the reason for the Portuguese's absence.

Now it has emerged the 23-year-old former Porto and Atletico Madrid player is being targeted by Klopp's side in a deal that could be worth up to £35M. Jota joined Wolves on loan in their 2017-18 Championship-winning campaign, making a £12.8M permanent switch in 2018. He has made 131 appearances, scoring 44 goals, including hat-tricks in last season's Europa League victories against Besiktas and Espanyol.

Any deal, which would represent a record transfer sale for Wolves, is likely to see full-back Ki-Jana Hoever move the other way.

The 18-year-old Dutchman can play either as a full-back or in central defence and fits Wolves' recent quest to bring in younger players they can develop.

Djokovic reaches Italian Open quarter-finals

Djokovic improved in the second set against Krajinovic.

(BBC) - Novak Djokovic battled to a straight-sets win over Filip Krajinovic to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open for the 14th year in a row.

Djokovic saved five break points on his way to a 7-6, 6-3 win over his fellow Serb in a match lasting over two

hours. Djokovic trailed 4-1 in the first-set tie break and needed five set points, before improving in the second set.

The 33-year-old will now face Italian Lorenzo Musetti or Dominik Koepfer of Germany in the last eight.

World number one Djokovic is playing in his

first tournament since being disqualified for accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball at the U.S. Open.

At last year's Italian Open he lost in the final to Rafael Nadal, who plays Dusan Lajovic for a place in the quarter-finals later yesterday.

Thiago has won 39 caps for Spain.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

West Indies Women ready to face England THE West Indies Women will make their long-awaited return to competitive international cricket and will take to the field in a five-match T20I series against England, with all games being played at the County Ground in Derby.

This will be the first international women’s cricket match since the ICC Women’s World T20 concluded in March.

The 18-strong squad, captained by Stafanie Taylor, will feature 14 of the 15 who travelled to the ICC Women’s World T20, with the additions of Shabika Gajnabi, Natasha McClean, Karishma Ramharack and uncapped left-arm seamer Kaysia Schultz.

The Windies have a 50% win record when playing T20 cricket in England, winning five of their ten

Infantino speaks of forces wanting to drag FIFA into the darkness FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the subject of criminal proceedings in Switzerland, spoke of forces which he said wanted to drag the global soccer body into the “darkness

President Gianni Infantino speaks during a press conference after the virtual FIFA Council Meeting on June 25, 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland. The virtual meeting, held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ben Moreau/FIFA via Getty Images) of the past” as he defended himself at the annual Congress yesterday.

The Congress, usually a lavish event in which the representatives of FIFA’s 211 member associations enjoy firstclass travel and luxury hotels, was held by video conference from FIFA headquarters in Zurich due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It lasted around 90 minutes.

The proceedings against Infantino were launched by a special prosecutor looking into meetings that he had with former Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber.

The AB-BA watchdog, which oversees the Attorney General’s office, said that special prosecutor Stefan Keller had found indications of criminal conduct related to their meetings. Infantino and Lauber have denied wrongdoing.

Infantino, elected in 2016 to clean up FIFA after it became embroiled in a scandal, has argued it is perfectly natural for him to meet law enforcement agencies.

“Why was I meeting the Attorney-General? Because it was my duty, my duty as FIFA president, because I want to liberate FIFA from those old toxic values,” he said.

matches there over the last 11 years, and have never played a competitive T20 at Derby. The Windies have also lost their last two T20 meetings against England, which included a fairly comprehensive 46-run defeat in the recent World T20 in Australia.

Captain Stafanie Taylor will be looking to build on her impressive form from the WWT20, where

she was the Windies leading run-scorer with 84 runs, while only being dismissed once.

During the tournament she had a false shot percentage of just 14.4%. In this series she will continue to look to bat for long periods of time, allowing herself to be the foundation around which the rest of the team can build.

Since the start of 2016 in

T20 internationals, Taylor faces on average 40.3 balls per dismissal, partly due to her low false shot percentage of 18.2. Only Meg Lanning has faced more deliveries per dismissal with a lower percentage of false shots in that time period.

Veteran Deandra Dottin has a fantastic record with the ball against England in T20 cricket, and will be hoping to add to her current

wicket tally of 9 throughout the series.

Another intriguing matchup throughout the course of the series will be between leg-spin bowler Affy Fletcher and English batter Tammy Beaumont.

In T20 cricket Fletcher has only bowled seven balls to Beaumont, but has dismissed her on three occasions, conceding just three runs in the process.

Azarenka lends tearful Kasatkina helping hand after injury in Rome (REUTERS) - Victoria Azarenka moved into the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome yesterday when her opponent Daria Kasatkina injured her ankle and retired, but not before the Belarusian comforted her and offered words of encouragement.

With the match evenly poised at 6-6 in the opening set, Kasatkina rolled her right ankle while chasing a ball in the tiebreak, with Azarenka immediately rushing to her side to offer assistance.

Azarenka, 31, b r o u g h t h e r a n i c e Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Sofia Kenin of the United States interact at the pack and a towel be- net after their round two match during day four of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia at Foro Italico on September 17, 2020 in Rome, Italy. fore helping the Rus(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) sian qualifier, who very uncomfortable situaburst into tears, to her chair where she received tions where I had to really CRICKET QUIZ CORNER push myself.” treatment.

(Saturday September 19, 2020) Azarenka even helped “I’m really sad for Daria, because we were playing pack her opponent’s bag and COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – such great tennis. I felt that kissed Kasatkina on her foreSTABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) it was such a great fight,” head after a long chat before Azarenka told reporters after the tearful 23-year-old held CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 the match which had eight her hand and spoke to her at Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: length. breaks of serve.

225-6158) “She was very gracious.

“She’s such a talented Answers to yesterday’s quiz: player that I felt like is al- She said that my comeback ways on the verge of kind inspired her,” Azarenka add(1) Lendl Simmons-2436 runs of that breakthrough where ed. “I told her that, ‘Just keep she’s going to pick it up. I felt going. Never think it’s over.

(2) Dwayne Bravo – 106 wickets like this was maybe closer to You can always try harder. be her moment, so it’s very Just do the best out of the Today’s Quiz: unfortunate that she has an situation’.

“And I think she will. injury.

(1) What was the result of the recent ENG/ “I offered her my help She’s a strong girl. She has

AUST 3-match ODI series? and my team’s help if she big personality; I think she’ll (2) Who was declared Man of the Series? needs it. I really hope she be fine.”

Azarenka will next face recovers. She’s been playAnswers in tomorrow’s issue ing so beautifully, so smart ninth seed Garbine Muon the court, putting me in guruz.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 19, 2020

GVF president in fear of COVID-19 ruining rest of 2020

By Clifton Ross PRESIDENT of Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Levi Nedd is in fear of COVID-19 sullying the balance of 2020 and as a result the fraternity’s proposed calendar of activities and programmes.

Nedd has been optimistic about action returning some time this month, following a month’s lockdown. He told Chronicle Sport, Friday, that

his hopes were dangling in the balance following the extension of the curfew and the country’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Guyana has yet to even reopen their local gyms, yet alone stadiums, grounds and indoor facilities, since March and Nedd was hopeful of something positive happening following the pandemic’s aftermath. He said things are currently quiet within the community due to the exten-

sion of lockdown.

“Nothing is going on at the moment in the volleyball fraternity. We are all hoping for this pandemic to subside and maybe be controlled, because our team and players haven’t done anything as of late,” stated the senior national coach.

Cases continue to climb worldwide and Guyana has not been exempted from that as the death rate is on a low but continuous spike.

Looking at the possibilities of anything meagre even occurring within his sport’s guild sometime in the near future, Nedd explained that it is all based on the outcome of the lockdown regulations and if venues or live sports are allowed to return.

“We are awaiting certain decisions to be made and once that is up and running we will have an idea on what we can do going forward.

In the meantime, we are

keeping in steady contact with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) as we’ll all go through this and await things to return to normal,” he added.

The GVF president also added that once all of the federation’s plans are streamlined and the future is known, he would like to have an audience with the Minister of Sport post-COVID-19; as to further map a way forward to develop the sport.

For now, Nedd said the local players remain in high spirits despite not being able to group or play together. He noted that he, the players and coaches have been keeping close since the pandemic broke.

He was pleased to know that his ballers were vigorously training and working on their power and jumping techniques, keeping their form while they await some good news.

Essequibo Eagles cricket club gets visit from Indian High Commission CRICKET in the Cinderella County received a major boost with the support given by the Indian High Commission to the newly formed Essequibo Eagles U-15 side.

A product of the Mahadeo Foundation and Harrischand Ramballi, the club which was formed last year has been growing from strength to strength.

Last Sunday, the team was the beneficiary of a visit from H.E. Dr. K. J. Srinivasa who donated gear and spoke to the young cricketers.

The high commissioner encouraged the youngsters to focus equally on academics and sport when approaching life, adding that they should focus as well on developing their talent.

He was entertained during a small ceremony with dancing and singing before he interacted with the players.

Ramballi, who spoke to Chronicle Sport, recounted the club started shortly after a tournament by the Guyana Cricket Board last year.

From then to now, the club has gained some 31 members and has had two players selected for the National U-15 team, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament never got going.

Denesh Joseph, a former cricketer, has dedicated his time and energies as the coach of the team and according to Ramballi, there is more in store for the club.

“We’ve had some senior players approach us to ask if we are interested in forming a senior team and we said yes; so as soon as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted we will have that senior team.”

Some of the players of the Essequibo Eagles cricket team

Bale arrives at Tottenham training ground (BBC) - Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has arrived at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground

as he nears a return to the club.

Wales international Bale, 31, is expected to rejoin

Spurs on loan. He flew into Luton Airport yesterday before travelling to the training ground in Enfield, North

Wales international Bale, 31, is expected to rejoin Spurs on loan.

London.

Bale originally joined Spurs from Southampton in 2007 before moving to the Spanish giants for a then world record £85M in 2013.

He has gone on to score more than 100 goals for Real and won four Champions Leagues.

"Until I'm told Bale is a Tottenham player, I still think and feel and respect the fact he's a Real Madrid player," said Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.

It is also anticipated Real Madrid full-back Sergio Reguilon will complete his transfer to Tottenham on Friday. The 23-year-old

Spain international played last season on loan at Sevilla, winning the Europa League.

Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told BBC Wales Sport on Wednesday that talks over a move were "slowly progressing".

Barnett said: "Gareth is closer to leaving Madrid than at any time in the last seven years. We are still negotiating. We shall see how it goes."

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho refused to speculate on the discussions, saying, "He is a Real Madrid player and I don't comment on players from other clubs. I have to respect that. It's better not

to speak.

"I tried to sign him for Real Madrid, which was not possible to do during my time there. But the president followed my instinct and my knowledge and the season I left he brought Gareth to the club. It's not a secret, even Gareth knows that."

In July 2019, Real cancelled a deal for Bale to join Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning, and he played 20 times for the Spanish champions last season.

Tottenham were beaten 1-0 at home by Everton in their first game of the new Premier League campaign on Sunday.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 21

The refurbished Sharjah Cricket Stadium gears up for IPL 2020. (Sharjah Cricket Council)

See Story on Page 23

West Indies Women ready to face England

See Story on Page 22

GVF president Levi Nedd is keeping fingers crossed regarding the rest of 2020 for his fraternity.

West Indies Women begin their series against England tomorrow.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020