Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_01_2020

THURSDAY 1st October, 2020

' No.106139

US$9B Payara project gets ‘green light’

–– prohibition of routine flaring, US$400,000 for auditing, update of base design for water injection agreed to

–– production at ExxonMobil’s Payara field to commence in 2024 –– to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day

SEE PAGES 03 & 08

President of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge, and Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, along with Anand Gohil of CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (left), and Timothy Christian, Director and Vice President of Hess Guyana Exploration (right), display copies of the signed agreement

Evidence from Berbice teens’ murder sent to St. Lucia for analysis PAGE

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VAT on exports reversed, over Man celebrates after ‘burning down’ house 100 licence fees reduced PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

US$9B Payara project gets ‘green light’

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–– prohibition of routine flaring, US$400,000 for auditing, update of base design for water injection agreed to

The official signing of the Payara agreement

By Navendra Seoraj AFTER weeks of intense consultations and negotiations, the Government of Guyana has granted approval for global oil giants, ExxonMobil to commence its US$9 billion Payara Development Project, offshore Guyana.

The Government of Guyana officially issued the licence for the project, which was signed by both parties, on Wednesday.

The project located in the Stabroek Block, is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after startup in 2024, using the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The US $9 billion Payara development will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels and the largest single investment in the history of Guyana.

A review of the Payara Development Project, which is the company’s third field

development in the Stabroek Block, was previously conducted by the Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants contracted by the Department of Energy (DoE) under the previous administration.

The new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, however, decided to review the work already undertaken by the DoE to ensure that the interests of all Guyanese are protected and are in keeping with international transparency and accountability standards. The current review is being done by a team of international experts, headed by Canadian Queen’s Counsel Alison Redford.

From the onset of the review, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, had said government wants to strike a balance by ensuring the country gets more for local content, brings natural gas to shore, protect the environment and ensure the lives of all Guyanese are improved significantly.

Judging from the history of previous contracts, which

critics believe shortchanged Guyana, it was imperative that a better contract be negotiated so that the country can derive the full or adequate benefits for its valuable resource.

Redford and other experts assessed the project to ensure that all relevant regulations are complied with and that they can be enforced.

The assessment included a review of the environmental standards and reservoir management to safeguard the interests of the people of Guyana, and ensure that their resources are developed in a sustainable and responsible manner to the benefit of the country.

STRICTLY PROHIBITED In the licencing agreement, the government has insisted that routine flaring is strictly prohibited without the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It is stated that flaring to maintain oil production will not be permitted. And, the

company will pay the government for the cost of gas wasted during flaring and will also be subject to fines under the EPA related to emissions from flaring.

The fine will be calculated by applying the government’s profit gas and royalty percentage share for a given month to the flared volumes, multiplied by the lower of the following: Inside FERC Henry Hub Index price as published by Platts- a Crude Oil Marketwire- each month; or the sales price agreed for gas from the Stabroek Block.

According to the agreement, ExxonMobil is also required to update its “base design” for the project to include “tie-in points” and space for produced water injection equipment.

Within 30 days of the date of the environmental permit, the company will submit to the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and the EPA for approval, terms of reference for a study detailing the costs, benefits and feasibility of

implementing a system for the re-injection of produced water.

Minister Bharrat is also expected to supervise a study conducted by the company to examine the safe and efficient re-injection of produced water, including the effects on the reservoir. This process is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021.

Also, 60 days prior to the beginning of the new year, the company will have to submit a local content plan which shall detail its objectives.

ANNUAL AUDITS Additionally, ExxonMobil will have to facilitate and fully cooperate with annual audits of safety critical drilling and production operations, including waste management and compliance conducted by a “chief inspector”.

“Within 30 days of the licence and annually, on such date thereafter, for a total of five consecutive years, the company shall pay to an account controlled by

the government, the amount US$400,000 to be used by the government for the procurement of the third party auditors to supplement the chief inspector’s resources and development institutional capacity for the ongoing conduct of audits under this paragraph,” said government in its agreement with ExxonMobil.

The company’s expenditures and operations are, however, still to be fully audited, and Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo, had said government will aggressively pursue costs incurred by the company.

“Exploration costs up to 2017 are now being audited, so there are large opportunities to agree or disagree with cost…We see areas where we do not believe that expenditure made now or before is part of cost oil and should not be there,” he said.

Jagdeo had promised that government will remain aggressive in its negotiations with any company, especially ExxonMobil.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Effects of COVID-19 worsening degradation of biodiversity –– President Ali calls for increased mobilisation of resources to halt biodiversity loss

THE degradation of the earth’s biodiversity is being exacerbated by the effects of the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and this is resulting in a substantial increase in global poverty, said President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. President Ali while speaking on behalf of the Group 77 and China at a United Nations (UN) Summit on Biodiversity, said: “The Group is deeply concerned that our already daunting development challenges have been gravely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its

impacts are certain to go well beyond 2020, eroding the development gains achieved over many decades and could hinder efforts to halt global biodiversity loss.”

The increase in biodiversity loss continues to and will further hinder the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, resulting in adverse impacts on people and planet. Likewise, poverty and the insufficient results in the achievement of many sustainable development goals place additional burden on the environment and on any process to halt

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Thursday, October 1, 2020 -- 04:30 & 14:30 HRS

biodiversity loss.

“Therefore, we call for a commitment to increase the mobilisation of resources to allow for the actions needed to halt biodiversity loss. This will involve developed countries substantially increasing their financial commitment to the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework in developing countries,” said President Ali. He said the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised the importance of the relationship between people and nature. And, the President believes that this recognition must increase awareness of the need to ensure a harmonious balance between human activity and nature.

“We must emphasise the importance of biological diversity to present and future generations,” said President Ali, adding that the Group is ready to work for a successful 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, under the theme “Ecological civilization: building a shared future for all life on Earth.”

The Group of 77 and China is convinced that urgent and significant actions are needed to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt biodiversity loss, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

“We are deeply concerned that up to one million species currently face the threat of extinction, more than at any other time in human history. And we deeply regret the potentially high number of species that disappeared in the past centuries, most of which have gone unaccounted for.

“We urge the international community to strengthen its efforts to counter these trends and protect the ecosystems, including the restoration of degraded forests, and to substantially increase

afforestation, reforestation and conservation globally, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,” said President Ali. Halting biodiversity loss is a common goal of humanity. Every country should be engaged in this endeavor to the best of its capability.

With respect to the oceans, the group believes that countries must remain steadfast in deliberations, with a view to concluding the negotiations for an international legally-binding instrument, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Ali told the summit that since ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994, Guyana has made progress in mainstreaming biodiversity in priority sectors such as agriculture, mining and ecotourism. Guided by the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the SDGs, the country has improved surveillance and inspections of mining and logging operations.

The country has maintained a low deforestation rate and undertaken other measures, aimed at protecting the physical environment.

The president said Guyana’s biodiversity vision is to ensure that by 2030, the country’s biodiversity is sustainably utilised, managed and mainstreamed in all sectors, contributing to the advancement of the country’s bio-security, and socio-economic development along a low carbon development trajectory.

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 82 THE novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of two persons within the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 82.

Authorities said the recent victims are a 60-yearold man from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West

Demerara) and a 61-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). Both persons died while receiving treatment at a local health facility on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health expressed condolences to the families of these persons and

pledged to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.

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

Bartica cop under close arrest following `serious’ accident POLICE in Bartica are investigating a serious accident which occurred at Fifth Street and Third Avenue on Tuesday night, involving a hire car and a vehicle driven by a police constable.

According to police reports, around 21:25 hours the 22-year-old policeman, who is stationed at the Bartica Police Station and is a resident of Heatburn, East Bank Berbice, was proceeding west along the southern side of Fifth Street. While approaching the Third Avenue intersection, the hire car driven by a 54-year-old resident of Bell West Canal Number 2, West

Bank Demerara and which was proceeding south along the eastern side of Third Avenue, failed to come to a halt at the `STOP’ sign.

As a result, the front portion of the private car collided with the rear left portion of the hire car, pushing same into a concrete culvert which is located on the western corner of the southern half of Third Avenue. This caused the hire car to turn turtle. The private motor car ended up on the southern side of Fifth Avenue.

With the assistance of public spirited persons, the hire car driver and his passengers, a 9-year-old female of Dagg Point, Bartica and

a 28-year-old resident of Haslington, East Coast Demerara, exited the vehicle and were taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital where they were seen and examined by a doctor on duty. They sustained abrasions about their bodies and are in a stable condition.

The police did not sustain any visible injuries.

Breathalyser tests administered to both drivers found that they were below the prescribed 0.00 micrograms limit. However, the police constable was placed under close arrest pending investigations into the matter.

might have been exposed to the victims.

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 the 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.

Health authorities have so far tested 14,082 persons, with 11,049 proving negative, and 2,894 positive.

Some 48 of those cases were recorded within the past 24 hours.

While 1,680 persons have recovered from this disease, there are 1,134 active cases

which include 185 persons in institutional isolation, 938 in home isolation, and 11 in the COVID-19 ICU. Authorities have said that cases are being detected because more tests are being done. Sample taking was also increased across the country because the authorities believed that many cases were going “under the radar”.

This suspicion had prompted the authorities to distribute more sample kits across the country, especially to regions where the infection rate is high.

Most of the cases have so far been recorded in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

“We are sending out more kits, so there will be an increase in sample collection…. the testing itself has

components; one is sample collection, and then there is the processing of samples,” said Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony in a recent report.

The actual testing will be done centrally at the National Reference Laboratory, because regional facilities lack the capacity and technical skills needed to get it done.

While the government hopes to improve capacity in those regions, the immediate need for sample-testing takes precedence, especially with the high number of asymptomatic cases.

Persons were encouraged to take extra precautions 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

CORONAVIRUS

IN Guyana, coronavirus cases have reportedly reached 2,772 with deaths totalling 80. Those who are reported to have recovered have increased to 1,564.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony has disclosed that the health ministry is revamping the country’s COVID-19 response, and that one of his immediate actions is to implement a new structure for the government’s national response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Minister Anthony further revealed that an assessment was done on the national response of the previous government and there were several issues identified that need to be addressed.

The minister explained: “When I asked what are the plans? how we are doing and what we are doing and so forth, I found different agencies had different plans; nothing was in sync, they were not coordinated” ; he added: “One of the things that we will have to look at is how we are go-

ing to bring a new structure that is more responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic and to make sure that there is participation from various ministries and sectors who want to get involved with the response to the epidemic and the country as a whole.”

Additionally, as part of revamping the national response, Dr. Anthony said they will also be looking to ensure that frontline workers in the health sector are adequately supplied with personal prodective equipment as these were found to be in limited supply.

Testing kits are also being procured for more widespread testing to be conducted.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Mark Phillips met with officials to establish an inter-agency task force aimed at strengthening government’s response to COVID-19, especially in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

The government’s priority is to sensitise citizens in those and

other areas on measures for countering the spread of the disease, while increasing testing and tracing through medical interventions.

These regions have recorded increasing COVID-19 cases, hence they received primary attention, also because they share borders with Brazil, which has the second-largest number of COVID-19 deaths in the world, surpassing more than 100,000; and Venezuela, which currently has more than 25,000 deaths.

Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, which include, inter alia, a range from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: fever or

chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion; inability to wake or stay awake; bluish lips or face.

This list does not include all possible symptoms, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updates the list as researchers learn more about COVID-19.

It is recommended that suspected cases seek prompt emergency medical attention because COVID-19 is a deadly disease.

Caring for yourself or others include the following, but these are not exhaustive: avoiding people who are sick; trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and disinfectingb the objects and

surfaces you touch.

According to the World Health Organisation, coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to data provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The WHO warns that for those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there's a chance the virus could cause a lower and much more serious respiratory tract illness such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health is working on a vaccine against the new virus, but it will be months until clinical trials get underway and more than a year until it becomes available.

Chronicle editorial team comes in for praise

Dear Editor,

I WRITE to compliment the editor (in chief) and the editorial department as well as publication management of the Chronicle for the marked improvement in the quality of reporting, the editorials, and reporting in the newspaper since early August with the change in administration.

During the previous five years, the management of the paper behaved like a propagandistic arm of the previous regime. Balance

and professionalism were scarce qualities.

Under previous management, letters from certain individuals, including those who are professional and unaligned, were excluded. I penned several letters, all non-political and non-critical of the then regime. Some were about the diaspora and U.S.-Guyana relations and they were all impartial.

None were carried, not even those announcing Indo Guyanese conferences in America or celebrations of Eid, Phagwah, and Christmas,

among other festivals. I have been writing since 1977 and my reports and commentaries were carried in various publications worldwide.

For inexplicable reasons, or should I say for political reasons, my viewpoints and reports on activities in the diaspora were not carried in the Chronicle. Guyanese living in Queens and the Bronx hardly got mentioned in the paper.

Also, during the preceding five years, diversity was sorely missing in the state publication. The paper focused primarily on one ethnic

group. Today, I notice balance in which every group gets fair representation and there is a wide variety of articles and viewpoints.

The paper provides relatively fair representation of the diversity of the nation. The Amerindian community gets a balanced and fair coverage of events unlike during the previous five years. And no person is excluded from making a contribution in the paper on account of ethnicity or political affiliation.

The paper now seems professionally managed. Quality has

improved significantly. There is journalistic integrity. And there is no personal attack on anyone, not even on those who are critical of the paper and the government. There is accuracy, balance, objectivity, and fairness in reporting and editorialising – hallmarks of good journalism.

Thank you editor, management, and editorial staff for a job well done. Please continue elevating professional standards.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

The former Public Service Minister should not throw stones at glass ceilings Dear editor, PLEASE permit me to respond to a statement from the former Minister of the Public Service dated September 30, 2020.

The former minister lamented the government’s decision for the return of a singular, most important centre of any government, the Office of the President, to full-time work as “irresponsible.”

The duplicity and hypocrisy of this woman enhance our doubt again and again that this bunch of people should never, ever get to handle the affairs of the Guyanese people again.

However, I should start by defining what irresponsibility is. To the gentle lady, irresponsibility is when positive COVID-19 victims have to wait for their results to get confirmation from Ms. Lawrence before they could get to know their status. Irresponsibility is you putting in place a criterion that Guyanese must be symptomatic and not

asymptomatic, before they could be tested, despite Mr. and Mrs. Granger being asymptomatic and getting their tests done.

Irresponsibility is when you have a COVID-19 testing machine on the wharf for months. Irresponsibly is when you appoint a politically motivated taskforce rather than consult with technical expertise. Irresponsibility is when you could not have lobbied vaccination companies to prioritise your country’s vaccination against the virus.

Irresponsibility is when you can only do approximately 50 to 70 tests per day, as compared to 300 plus tests per day, merely because you lacked the ability to negotiate with foreign countries for additional testing kits.

Irresponsibility is when you mold people to protest every single week despite COVID-19; you molded people for protesting for Mingo, Lawrence, Lowenfield, Election Petition one (1), and in the coming days you are now molding for Carol Smith and

when the numbers skyrocketed you will dare say “irresponsible.” Irresponsibility is when you instructed the pathology teams not to test the dead for COVID-19 because you don’t want your numbers to show ‘big.’ Probably, the former minister should sympathise with those families who are under the impression that their family members died of some other disease rather than COVID-19. Editor, I could go on to list even more irresponsibilities by the previous regime, but let me leave it here for the honourable lady to contemplate before she speaks.

Editor, Guyana is maybe the first country to allow only one office to return full-time to work as compared to other countries. I shall draft a number of examples: 1. “The Australian Public Service Commission has directed public servants back to the office where it’s safe to do so in a move that could reset workplace standards, boost the economic recovery ...”(Financial Review, 2020)

2. “... after the government urged companies to bring millions of white-collar workers back to their desks, in part to help revive city centre economies...” (The Guardian, 2020) 3. “Schools re-open Monday amid Covid-19 fears” (TheVoice, 2020) The government merely got this particular office reopened and we got termed “irresponsible” by a woman who still can’t tell the nation which political party she represents in Parliament.

The gentle lady went on further to state: “Staff even though not physically present were significantly more productive and got work done faster,” when every Guyanese could attest to the state their children were left in after the start of the pandemic; there was no plan or policies to teach the children, the scholarship department did no social media campaign on their scholarship availability and more unproductive behaviour surfaced and whose fault is this? It is the

ministers, our public servant was most ready to work and serve from home, but the government then, didn’t have any agenda to achieve, and as such we all, as citizens felt the squeeze.

In addition, the former minister stated that “... the Public Service shifted to the rotation where no more than 50 per cent of staff should be in any government building...” while this is true, we saw the then government molding 100 per cent of Guyanese onto the streets. This makes one question whether the attempt to get them out of the government building was merely to protect themselves from the virus or was it truly a COVID-19 precautionary measure?

Further, the former minister said she was considering a substantial $100,000 allowances for the health care workers. In response, I would say to any Guyanese who believes this then something is particularly wrong with you.

These people are yet to fulfil their 90-day promise as they

had so ‘considered.’ Also, one should not forget the teachers who had to protest for their allowances while their minister chose rather than to give the teachers their money, she sent unexpended sums of monies back to the treasury. So I would guess, editor, just as they are under the misapprehension of their term “irresponsible”, they also misunderstand the difference between ‘considering’ and ‘fulfilling’. The PPP considered the $150 million and fulfilled. The PNC considered and said, “Let Guyanese suffer more.”

In conclusion, Editor, before this gentle lady could speak about the health of Guyanese, she should consider to stop molding citizens every single day onto the streets for their political charade.

Regards, Concerned Guyanese

APNU+AFC enjoyed the pocket revenue Dear editor,

THE first of three U.S. presidential debates was aired Tuesday night and was moderated by Chris Wallace who had little control over the participants, especially the wild and robust President Trump. It was more of a boxing match with insults without results, involving wrestling with arrogance and a shoot-out with dominance. America was once again put to shame by a leader who had scant respect for protocol and procedure and who glowed in profanities and obscenities. The chaotic debate was a flurry of falsehoods and reflected no hits but numerous misses, mostly by Trump and only one notable by Biden. In the words of Chris Wallace, “Look, no one -- and I mean not any person currently alive on Earth -- could have effectively handled this debate.

“Trump is like a rhetorical pile driver -- he just talks and talks and talks. He has zero regard for rules, or other people, or politeness, or answering questions. You get the idea.” Trump, termed a “white supremacist,” even urged a violent, far-right group to “stand back and stand by” during a heated exchange

over race relations in America.

According to America’s allies, they look to the USA to set the standard and what they witnessed was not a good thing and “the beacon of democracy was shrouded,” leaving no clear winner.

Hillary Clinton commented that she felt like telling Trump to “shut up” and she felt him crawling over her. No wonder the Democrats are selling T-shirts with a “shut-up” slogan from yesterday.

Guyana’s infectious disease created from the PNCR’s origin continues to spread across the world.

According to a release this week from The Associated Press, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions Tuesday on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and other senior government officials, following the country’s disputed presidential election and a violent crackdown on protesters in Belarus. The election was an acclaimed rigging exercise. As per UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, “The sanctions were part of a coordinated approach with Canada, in a bid to uphold democratic values and put pressure on those responsible for repression.” President Alexander

Lukashenko, Europe’s longest-serving ruler, is facing unprecedented opposition to his power with massive protests. Mr. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, with an authoritarian style reminiscent of the Soviet era, controlling the main media channels, harassing and jailing political opponents and marginalising independent voices.

It is heartening to note that there are civic-minded Guyanese in the society who are patriotic and want to do what is right for the country, even if it means relinquishing any illegitimate gains accumulated during the illegal stay in power by the PNCR. It simply reflects honesty and decency by the concerned parties and the willingness to put country before personal concern, thereby gaining the respect of the Guyanese public. Corum Group Inc, the developer with plans to construct a Holiday Inn hotel at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, has relinquished the five acres of prime lands allocated to it in what is being dubbed ‘a mad-rush’ deal by the previous APNU+AFC administration. The company is now the third developer that has opted to return lands to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to allow for a cleaner and more transparent process after it

was discovered that the previous regime, through former Finance Minister Winston Jordan, vested the lands without due process. Navigant Builders Inc, a subsidiary of Windsor Estates and Cardiology Services Incorporated are the other two companies that initially relinquished their lands. Cardiologist Dr. Mahendra Carpen, Managing Director of Cardiology Services Inc., had secured the lands for construction of a state-of-the-art private hospital. The owners of these companies must be commended for their selfless acts and for abiding by the laws of the land. Will the other companies follow suit shortly to allow transparency and proper accountability to be the norm?

Weight is a heavy load to fetch and debt can lead you to death.

The faster you can get rid of it, the better for you and your poor back and shoulders. Ole people always say, “Don’t do anything that gun make you regret later!”

When APNU+AFC was in power and ruling the roost for five long, stressful years, Guyana witnessed how they plundered and devastated the economy at the expense of the poor, working- class people.

The man in the street was used and abused from over taxation and low pay and benefits, while

the upper echelons enjoyed the luxuries with duty-free concessions and humongous allowances. From the sweat and blood of the poor, the rich APNU+AFC politicians profiteered and benefited, living the good life. Now that the PPP/C is in government and removing the depression and suppression of the struggling class of people, the APNU+AFC cannot look “eyeball to eyeball.” No wonder like cowards hiding from any wrongdoing fumigated with mischief, the APNU+AFC members cannot come face to face and look those in the eyes who have always been championing the plight of the little man and woman. The PPP/C government initiated Bills to reverse those taxes and licence fees which were a burden to both sides of the political divide. Putting real money back in people’s hands will increase their spending power and create the rippling economic effect in society. How can that be regarded as a loss in revenue? APNU+AFC enjoyed the pocket revenue! Yes, it is a sad loss now. The PPP/C has demonstrated once again how to make the “small man the real man.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Production at ExxonMobil’s Payara field to commence in 2024 -- to produce up to 220,000 barrels per day EXXONMOBIL, following an agreement with the Government of Guyana, has decided to proceed with the Payara field development offshore Guyana.

Payara is the company’s third project in the Stabroek Block and is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day after start-up in 2024, using the Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The $9 billion development will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels.

Ten drill centres are planned, along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production and 21 injection wells.

“ExxonMobil is committed to building on the capabilities from our Liza

Phases 1 and 2 offshore oil developments as we sanction the Payara field and responsibly develop Guyana’s natural resources,” said Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Oil & Gas Company, adding: “We continue to prioritise high-potential prospects in close proximity to discoveries and maximise value for our partners, which include the people of Guyana.”

ExxonMobil’s first offshore Guyana project, Liza Phase 1, began producing in late 2019 well ahead of the industry average for development time. Liza Phase 2 remains on track to begin producing oil by early 2022.

Liza Phase 2 will produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates, using the Liza Unity FPSO, which

is under construction in Singapore.

FIVE DRILLSHIPS According to a press statement, ExxonMobil is evaluating additional development opportunities in the Stabroek Block, including Redtail, Yellowtail, Mako and Uaru resources, and plans to have five ‘drillships’ operating offshore Guyana by the end of this year.

As new projects proceed, investment in the Guyana economy increases, said the company. More than 2,000 Guyanese are now supporting project activities on and offshore, a 50 per cent increase since 2019.

ExxonMobil and its prime contractors have spent over $300 million

with more than 700 local companies since 2015. More than 2,500 Guyanese companies are registered with the Centre for Local Business Development, which was founded by ExxonMobil and its co-venturers in 2017, to build local business capacity to support global competitiveness.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres) with current discovered recoverable resources estimated at more than eight billion oil-equivalent barrels. The 18 discoveries on the block to date have established the potential for at least five FPSO vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2026.

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is an operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Ex-

ploration Ltd. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

Bloomberg had reported recently that ExxonMobil, Pfizer and Raytheon Technologies were kicked out of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, as part of the stock benchmark’s biggest reshuffling in seven years.

According to the report, while any change to the Dow is notable, the ejection of ExxonMobil — the world’s biggest company as recently as 2011 — marks a particularly stunning fall from grace, reflecting the decline of commodity companies in the American economy.

Worth $525 billion in 2007 and more than $450 billion as recently 2014, the stock had fallen in four of six years before 2020 and is down another 40 per cent since

January.

Despite those constraints, Guyana has already received US$140 million from the sale of crude, which is being produced by ExxonMobil’s Liza phase one development.

ExxonMobil is now firmly established in Guyana, operating an office in Georgetown with numerous ongoing exploration and development operations offshore. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 18 discoveries since May 2015 and began production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase one development project.

The company is the operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks offshore Guyana. Since 2015, ExxonMobil has increased its estimated recoverable resource base in Guyana to more than eight billion oil-equivalent barrels.

Cop injured in Lusignan accident A 25-year-old police constable, on Tuesday, sustained injuries to his right knee after he was allegedly struck from his motorcycle by a motor lorry on the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Londale Todd of Friendship, ECD who is stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in a stable condition.

Police, in a press release issued on Wednesday, said the driver of the motor lorry is in custody at the Vigilance Police Station.

According to the police, around11:45 hours, Todd was proceeding west along the northern driving lane of the southern carriageway of the roadway, when the motor lorry, driven by a 26-year-old resident of Beterverwagting, ECD, collided with the rear of his motor cycle. As a result

of the collision which occurred in the vicinity of S&S supermarket, Todd fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body.

He was picked up by public-spirited citizens in a conscious condition, placed into a vehicle and transported to the GPHC where he was examined by the doctor on duty and later admitted.

Police investigations into the accident are in progress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

SuperBet, Metro, Fibre Tech reward NGSA top performers

By Tamica Garnett IN a good showing of social corporate responsibility, SuperBet, Metro Office and Computer Supplies and Fibre Tech Plastics have all come onboard to tangibly reward the 12 top performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

SuperBet and Metro have partnered to offer the pupils stationery supply grants. The two top pupils will receive grants valuing $35,000 each while the others will receive $25,000 each. Fibre Tech has also presented each of the two pupils with a new chair and desk combination.

The pupils were presented with their items on Wednesday at a small presentation ceremony held at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston, Georgetown.

Minister Manickchand commended the companies for coming onboard to reward

will need even more advanced equipment such as electronic devices.

to strive for excellence in their future, but went on to also note that even as the top

The top NGSA pupils on Wednesday received grants as reward for their hard work

Flanked by representatives from Fibre Tech Plastics, are the two top performing pupils at the 2020 NGSA, Samuel Barkoye (left) and Rovin Lall (right) with their new desk and chair combinations

“I’m elated to see my hard work pay off by getting the results that I wanted and now these gifts. I really appreciate the gestures and want to thank everyone who helped to make this happen,” commented young Samuel Barkoye, one of the two 2020 top NGSA performers.

Barkoye, who wrote his NGSA at North Georgetown Primary, shares the top spot with Rovin Lall, who hails from Stella Maris Primary. They both attained 525 marks out of the maximum 528 marks and were awarded spots at Queen’s College.

“I am very happy to receive the gifts and I’m so happy that the work paid off from all those hard working nights.

I want to thank the sponsors who gave us the gifts,” Lall said of the kind gestures.

Also at the presentation were Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson.

said.

He encouraged the top performing pupils to continue

the pupils for their hard work and celebrate their achievements. She also expressed the hope that other corporate entities would be inspired to follow suit.

“This is a good example of how partnership with public and private sectors can work to make sure we not only celebrate you [the pupils] but give you useful tools going forward. We expect and hope that others will get on board,” the minister said “To SuperBet, Fibre Tech and Metro, we thank you for taking the time to make the effort. For me, it shows what we can do together; it shows us that we are not in this education journey alone and I thank you for this effort.”

USE WISELY She charged the students to use their grant wisely, particularly given how education delivery in Guyana will be of a more advanced nature going forward and learners

She also reminded that even as they receive their grants from the businesses, the $15,000 cash grant per learner is still imminent and charge them to also use that wisely.

“Make sure you collaborate with your parents to make sure you prepare for post COVID-19 activities because there will be a certain level of online engagement,” the minister noted.

Also making remarks at the ceremony was Dr. Hutson, who highlighted the importance of celebrating achievement. He also commended the businesses for taking the step to reward the pupils.

“That which we do not recognise will exit our lives, so it is always good to celebrate people and their achievements. I want to commend those who decided to come alongside the education system and ensure that our students receive what is rightly due to them,” Dr. Hutson

performing pupils are celebrated, acclamation should also be considered for pupils who persevere above hard struggles and do well.

“In the near future we will not be looking at the top 10 but at the students of promise,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of SuperBet, Head of Marketing, Nickoli Primo praised the pupils for being stellar illustrations of hard work paying off.

“You would have shown what the outcome can be when you’re willing to overcome, of when you buckle down, ignore obstacles and work. We take you as examples of what can happen when you focus,” he said, adding: “We hope that this incentive goes somewhere in helping you in your future.

With hard work and dedication, there are always great things ahead.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

President Ali congratulates China on 71st republic anniversary

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has extended congratulations to President Xi Jinping, and his government and

people, on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

President Ali said that

though he regrets that circumstances do not permit for them to meet to commemorate the auspicious event physically, it should not de-

tract from the significance of the anniversary.

"The establishment of the People's Republic of China has both allowed for progress and prosperity. China's advances have been phenomenal.

It has emerged as a major global economic power.

The economic, scientific and technological success, particularly over the past three decades, have been impressive," the Head of State said.

He highlighted that in the next two years, Guyana and China would be commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations, which have been manifested through cooperation that has been mutually beneficial to the two countries.

President Ali stressed that the government looks forward to strengthening its relations with the People's Republic of China.

"We have never been opposed to Chinese foreign direct investment. We assure Chinese nationals, living in Guyana, of our respect and regard," President Ali emphasised.

The Head of State further stated that the occasion allows the opportunity to re-examine how best the two states can continue to cooperate and collaborate at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

Against the backdrop of the promise of enhanced relations, President Ali

President Irfaan Ali

said that he is pleased to congratulate President Xi Jinping on the occasion of China's National Day, "and to reaffirm the deepening and strengthening of its relations with the People's Republic of China in the years ahead".

The Head of State added that during the last 48 years, Guyana and the People's Republic of China have enjoyed excellent economic, political and social relations and assured that the friendship remains intact.

"Economic cooperation between Guyana and China has delivered tangible benefits to our people. China's contributions to the transformation of Guyana's physical

infrastructure are evident," President Ali said.

He also added that China's support for teacher-training and its offer of scholarships to Guyanese students are helping to develop Guyana's human resource.

"Health professionals from China are working in our public health system.

Chinese companies are generating wealth and providing goods and services to our people, including in the areas of natural resources, commercial and construction sector," the Head of State said.

The People's Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Evidence from Berbice teens’ murder sent to St. Lucia for analysis

By Rabindra Rooplall EVIDENCE gathered from the investigations into the murders of West Coast Berbice teenagers Isaiah Henry, Joel Henry and Haresh Singh, has been sent to St. Lucia for analysis, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has revealed.

During an interview with media personnel at his office, the President said: “We have a team that has left for St. Lucia with some of the evidence to do more detailed analysis, so that is going on at the same time. For confidentiality reasons, the regional body has asked to have certain things respected from their perspective and we are sticking to that. There are components of the MoU that can’t be made public.”

While noting that there is a cost attached to the support Guyana is receiving from the regional body, he added that

Dead: Isaiah Henry

Dead: Joel Henry

Dead: Haresh Singh

the matter of cost “is a small issue in relation to what we hope to achieve and that is bringing these people (perpetrators) to justice.”

The five-member team of investigators from the Regional Security System (RSS) has commenced their inves-

tigations to assist the Guyana Police Force (GFP) with the three high-profile murders in Berbice on Tuesday.

The team, which is led by an assistant commissioner of police, comprises officials from countries within the Regional Investigative Manage-

ment Systems (RIMS).

Their visit is within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Guyana and The Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS). It follows

a decision by President Dr. Irfaan Ali to seek regional assistance to investigate the West Berbice murders.

Police Press Officer Assistant Commissioner, Royston Andries-Junor said the visiting team will be assisting with the investigation and has been given scope to review and explore all avenues necessary to find answers relating to the murders.

On September 6, the bodies of teen cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry were found in the backlands of Cotton Tree, WCB, almost one day after they were reported missing.

They had left their Number Three Village, WCB home to pick coconuts in the backlands, but did not return home. Their butchered bodies were found in clumps of bushes partially covered in mud, after relatives went in search of them.

The news of their deaths sparked protests across several

villages along the West Coast Berbice corridor and commuters were beaten and robbed.

With blocked roads, some vehicles were also torched.

And then, on September 9, Haresh Singh, 17, was found murdered in the Number Three Village backlands. It is suspected that his death was in retaliation for the murders of Isaiah and Joel, since he is related to one of the persons initially held by the police.

Meanwhile, several persons who were arrested for the murder of the Henry teens were released on station bail but no arrest has been made in relation to Singh’s murder.

Police had explained that the location where the bodies of the Henry boys were found was not the primary crime scene; that is, it was not the location where the young men were killed.

'Little' wanted for CH&PA forgery POLICE are currently on the hunt for 35-year-old Alfred Grey called ‘Little’, who is wanted for questioning in relation to forgery committed on the Central Housing

and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Grey of Lot 54 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, is wanted for the offence which was committed on the housing authority

on January 03, 2020 at D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Grey is asked to contact the police on tele-

phone numbers 226-2870, 229-2655, 229-2289, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

WANTED Alfred Grey called ‘Little’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Good life returning to ‘small man’

–– cost of Huckster’s Licence slashed by 50 per cent GOVERNMENT, with effect from today, has reduced the cost of the Huckster’s Licence by 50 per cent since it was a burden imposed by the former APNU+AFC Administration on Guyanese.

This is according to Prime Minister (PM), Mark Philips during his comments on the Hucksters Licensing and Control (amendment) Bill 2020, Bill Number Four of 2020, in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

A Huckster’s Licence is paid for by persons who use a horse cart or motor vehicle for carrying on the business of selling goods, wares, merchandise or provisions.

The amended Act will see the vendor who is travelling on foot or with a man-propelled vehicle only

paying $2,030. Those who travel by horse cart or other beast-bearing or drawing burden will pay $7,250 while those using a motor vehicle, $36,350.

Adding that the reduction in fees is in keeping with government’s promise to put more money in their pockets, PM Phillips said the former administration which preached about ‘The Good Life For All’, thought an increase of licence fees was promoting their version of what a good life is.

“The ordinary man trying to make an honest living, especially those with very small incomes on which they have to survive, could barely see any profits after all of the ways in which the previous government found to take money out of poor people’s

pockets. The ridiculous fees that these people were asked to pay just for them to be able to operate their small businesses is highly absurd,” the Prime Minister told the House.

With the reduction of these licence fees, the Prime Minister said these small businessmen and businesswomen will be able to do so much more and enjoy a better standard of living.

He said government is creating opportunities for citizens to have more disposable income to increase their spending power.

“Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the sufferings of people all across this nation and in urgently addressing their issues, it is critical that we make these changes as early as possible. The re-

lief that will be brought to hucksters all across Guyana by this bill is a testament to our Government’s commitment to delivering on our promises in our manifesto and creating the pathway to prosperity for all Guyanese,” PM Phillips said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, said this measure would be a welcome relief to hucksters.

He added that the previous administration burdened the population with taxes, even targeting the ‘small man’.

“The increase to $62,500 to license hucksters not only led to tax evasion… men started dropping under GRA’s radar; it almost encouraged non-compliance and

Prime Minister Mark Philips

non-licensing. People who wanted to walk on the straight and narrow path, ensuring that they are in

keeping with what needs to be done, started hiding,” he explained.

Two hospitalised from gunshots of mysterious shooter

Injured: Cordell Grinds

Injured: Reeaz Khan

TWO men from the Essequibo Coast are currently hospitalised at the Suddie Public Hospital, Region Two, after they were shot by a mysterious shooter on Tuesday evening.

Reeaz Khan, 21, of Pomona Housing Scheme, is currently a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while Cordell Grinds, 25, of Adventure, is in ward two at the said hospital.

Khan’s condition was listed as critical while Grinds is in stable condition.

According to information, both Khan and Grinds went to Aurora to pay Sahiza Khan, the owner of Gold Hotel, some

The car that was shot at on Tuesday

money that they owed her.

They travelled using a Mazda motor car, PRR 1219. After conducting their transaction, they drove off when they heard two gunshots and became scared.

Grinds, who was the driver, drove off with speed when he heard the shots; however, when he looked to the passenger’s side of the car where Reeaz Khan was, he noticed that Khan was shot in the face between his nose and left eye.

Grinds was shot to his left arm and palm area.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at around 19:30 hrs.

Grinds continued to drive and

took his friend to the Suddie Public Hospital where both of them were admitted to the hospital. The matter was also reported to the Suddie Police Station where investigators visited the area.

No one has been held thus far and the two men have no suspect in mind. Police have observed two holes on the car doors, one on the driver side and the other on the front passenger’s side. One .32 spent shell was found in the front passenger seat on the floor.

Police are continuing their investigations.

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Land-allocation process begins today

By Naomi Parris PERSONS occupying lands south of the railway embankment in Vryheid’s Lust, Success and Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, have been invited to initiate the process for land allocation.

The Ministry of Housing and Water in a release said it will be hosting an exercise today at the Chateau Margot Primary School geared at assisting these families in their quest for lawful homeownership.

“Persons are invited to visit the venue from 08:00hrs and walk with a valid form of identification (passport or national identification card), proof or affidavit of income, TIN certificate, and marriage certificate, if applicable. For persons with children below

the age of 18, copies of their birth certificates are required.

Applications forms will also be available at the venue.

“The ministry is committed to facilitating this process, as it is the first step in the direction of legally owning a plot of land from the agency.

“For persons who have an existing application in the ministry, if there is a need for updated information to be added, this will be facilitated as well.

“The ministry wishes to assure that all applications will be dealt with in due process as we recognise the demand and the need for adequate housing as a basic human right,” the ministry said in a release.

PROTEST Just after lunch on

One resident who shared his name as “Foots”

-- after squatters on GuySuCo’s land clash with police Wednesday pandemonium broke out when squatters occupying GuySuCo’s lands at Vryheid’s Lust, Success and Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, got word of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited’s (NICIL) action to remove an access bridge and take over the said area.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the scene several persons were stranded, as the main access bridge to the squatting area was destroyed, preventing persons from leaving or entering the area.

Sharon Glasgow, who took up home in the said area, told this newspaper that residents began to protest after ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and officials of NICIL arrived at their dwelling place and sought to remove the only access to the lands.

She noted that persons who settled in the area stood on the bridge and staged a protest, insisting that they would not be moved.

Glasgow claimed that she had applied for a house lot in 1992 and governments, including the coalition government, did not honour her request. A perusal of her document indicated that she is qualified for a middle-income lot.

Another woman claimed that she too had applied for a house lot some time ago but did not receive word from the authorities.

One man who shared his name as “Foots,” disclosed that he was not at home

when the protest started but after receiving the news, he quickly returned home.

“When I got here, they already breaking the bridge and when the people them there stand for them to don’t break the bridge, they start firing tear gas and pellets… a lot of people get hit with pellets,” “Foots” related.

The man, who is an amputee, noted that he has been occupying a piece of land in the area for some six months now with his family.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said government would provide some 50,000 house lots in the next five years.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) in a press statement following the protest confirmed its ownership of the lands at Vryheid’s Lust, Success and Chateau Margot on the East Coast of Demerara.

“These lands are the property of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s East Demerara cultivation (Enmore Estate) and hereby advise these persons to immediately desist from such occupation,” the statement said.

The corporation also noted that it is in the process of reviving operations at East Demerara and squatting on the said lands is hindering the land-preparation process.

VANDALISATION “A number of fields in the cultivation house the corporation’s germplasm collection which is

Sharon Glasgow displays a document purportedly from the Central Housing and Planning Authority which shows when she had first applied for a house lot

vital for the corporation’s cane-breeding programme.

Some of these fields have been vandalised by the squatting activities, resulting in the destruction and/or loss of material developed over a decade of scientific research in variety improvement, therefore setting back the development of better-yielding varieties by a number of years,” GuySuCo said.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force in a press statement noted that following several attempts to maintain the peace in the area, persons were asked to desist from protest action; however, they responded aggressively, forcing ranks to take immediate action.

“During this engagement, persons became aggressive and hostile towards the officials and the police ranks and began throwing a bombardment of missiles at them. This continued despite the police calling on the citizens to desist from such activities. As a result the police resorted to the use of tear smoke and rubber bullets to maintain law and order,” the release stated.

Subsequent to the shots, the crowd brought forward a male who was injured by the rubber bullets. He was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he is receiving medical attention. His injuries are not regarded as life-threatening.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

34 million jobs lost in Latin America, Caribbean

–– through to COVID-19, ILO reports THE International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned of the need to adopt immediate strategies to face the labour crisis caused by COVID-19, which has led to the loss of at least 34 million jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean. The situation could generate an amplification of inequalities in the region even as early indications of recovery have been observed in recent weeks.

“We face an unprecedented challenge, that of rebuilding the region's labour markets, which implies

facing structural failures that have worsened with the pandemic, such as low productivity, high informality, and inequality of income and opportunities of decent work,” said Vinícius Pinheiro, Director of the ILO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

During a press conference on Wednesday, the ILO released the second edition of its "Labour Overview in times of COVID-19: Impacts on the labour market and income in Latin America and the Caribbean" in which it warns of "the drastic contrac-

tion of employment, hours worked and income.”

The report also highlights that as of the third quarter of 2020, a recovery in the levels of economic activity is detected and the first data reveal a beginning of recovery in employment and a return to the labour force.

“Preliminary signs of recovery are positive news, but the impact of COVID-19 on work and business was enormous, and the road ahead is long. It is essential to re-launch the bases for the reactivation of the economy with health security, ensuring

favourable conditions for the operation of businesses and for the creation of more and better jobs,” said Pinheiro.

The Labour Overview says that during this crisis "34 million workers lost their jobs (some temporarily)", according to available information from nine countries that represent more than 80 per cent of the economically-active population of the region. The employment rate reached 51.1 per cent in the first quarter, representing a strong reduction of 5.4 percentage points compared to the data for the same period of the previous year, which represents "a historical minimum value".

But the ILO analysis also warns that "declines in employment were not fully reflected in increases in the unemployment rate due to massive departures from the labour force".

UNPRECEDENTED DROP These exits from the workforce or transitions to inactivity were reflected in the fact that the labour participation rate also registered an unprecedented drop, falling from 61.3 per cent to 52.6 per cent between the first and second quarters of this year.

This meant that 32 million people stopped being economically active.

Regarding the unemployment rate, the report says that this average indicator for nine countries with available information was 11.5 per cent during the second quarter, 2.2 percentage points higher than in the first quarter of this year. This implies that around two million additional people lost their jobs and continued looking for employment.

Net outflows of the workforce to inactivity account for 94 per cent of the total job losses from the COVID-19 crisis. The remaining six per cent translates into increases in the volume of unemployed people.

"If the persons that lost their jobs had remained within the labour force (as unemployed), the impact on the unemployment rate would have been significantly higher," says the ILO report. The same has happened with informality, which according to available data, has decreased

in some countries, because people go into a situation of inactivity due to difficulties in finding work.

But both the unemployment rate and the informality rate could rise as the reopening of activities takes place and demand reactivates.

Those who left the workforce due to COVID-19 constitute a "potential labour force that will surely return to seek employment".

On the other hand, the report has warned about the possibility that in this recovery scenario, the gaps will increase. "The deficit of formal work will become more evident for certain groups of workers such as young people, women and adults with lower qualifications," the ILO highlighted during Wednesday’s press conference.

The ILO report also says that other indicators help to measure the impact of the labour crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The latest estimates show that Latin America and the Caribbean is the region with the greatest contraction in working hours in the world, with an estimated loss of around 20.9 per cent for the first three quarters of 2020. This figure is almost double the global estimate of 11.7 per cent.

On the other hand, "income from work contracted by 19.3 per cent", well above the world rate of 10.7 per cent.

adults, have suffered in relative terms, a loss of employment with greater intensity."

The Labour Overview warns that "this crisis would be exacerbating the high levels of inequality that existed before the outbreak of the pandemic." The workers most affected by the crisis are among the poorest sectors of the population, with informal jobs or in a situation of disadvantage and vulnerability.

The report highlights that countries in the region have adopted combinations of measures aimed at protecting jobs, income and companies after the COVID-19 crisis broke out. But at the same time it reminds of the unprecedented magnitude of the economic recession being faced with an extension that will necessitate a virtual reconstruction of the labour markets.

"The early adoption of strategies that continue to mitigate these impacts and that underpin the recovery will be key. It is also essential to strengthen labour institutions, particularly with regard to active labour market policies," said the report.

And it highlights that "the crisis opens the opportunity to restructure labour and social protection institutions", as well as "structuring a comprehensive employment policy that accompanies or is part of the economic recovery strategy."

INEQUALITY "It is essential to strength"An inequality that has en the mechanisms of social worsened in this crisis is bedialogue for the conclusion tween those people and families that continue to receive of national pacts or agreeall or part of their income ments that point towards a reand those that do not," says covery with productive transformation, formalisation, the ILO. "Given that labour in- universalisation of social come represents, on average, protection and just transition between 70 per cent and towards more sustainable and 90 per cent of total family inclusive development modincome, these reductions els," added Vinícius Pinheiro. lead to strong losses in monThis month, the ILO etary resources obtained by Regional Office for Latin households with significant America and the Caribbean impacts on poverty levels," began publishing a "Labour the report adds.

Overview in the Times of "The contractions in employment have not been of COVID-19" that covers equal magnitude for different both the analysis of the repopulation groups," says gional situation and studies the report. "In all cases, it is on the impact of the crisis observed that more women in specific sectors, as well than men, and more young as national documents or people (up to 24 years) than “Technical Country Notes”.

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US$1 billion committed to end COVID-19

THE United Nations and its partners, on Wednesday, welcomed a monumental show of solidarity as governments, private sector, civil society and international organisations committed support to the Access to COVID-19 Tools(ACT) Accelerator initiative launched by the World Health Organisation, alongside international partners.

Today, nearly US$1 billion in new financing has been committed to the initiative - the world’s most comprehensive multilateral end-to-end solution to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACT-Accelerator, which was co-launched by the World Health Organization, European Commission, France and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation just five months ago, needs an additional US$35 billion to realise its goals of producing two billion vaccine doses, 245 million treatments and 500 million tests.

The new commitments to the initiative are welcome and will be leveraged to catalyse further funding to continue the ACT-Accelerator’s groundbreaking work.

Most urgently, the ACT-Accelerator requires US$15 billion to support immediate capacity-building—for research and development, manufacturing, procurement and delivery systems—by the end of the year.

Convening a high-level

event at the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly to urgently mobilize support for the ACT-Accelerator, Secretary-General António Guterres commented on the “extraordinary international effort to address a human crisis like no other in our lifetimes,” adding that more efforts must be made to further “deepen” the remarkable progress so far.

“It is in every country’s national and economic self-interest to work together to massively expand access to tests and treatments, and to support a vaccine as a global public good—a “people’s vaccine” available and affordable for everyone, everywhere.” ”The ACT-Accelerator—including its COVAX Facility—is the vehicle to get us there. Investing in the ACT-Accelerator will accelerate every country’s own recovery,” said Guterres, who co-hosted the event with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab; South Africa’s Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize; and the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL COLLABORATION The ACT-Accelerator, which was launched just five months ago, is an unprecedented global collaboration of the world’s top international health organi-

sations working together to accelerate the development, production, and equitable delivery of COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

“We have a duty to ensure vaccines, treatments and tests for COVID-19 are available to all—stopping the global spread of the pandemic protects the British people and will put humanity on the road to recovery. Collaboration through the ACT-Accelerator is critical to promoting development, production and access for all countries,” said UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab.

The United Kingdom recently committed up to £571m (approximately US$ 732m) for COVAX. This includes up to £500m for the Gavi Advanced Market Commitment for COVID-19 (COVAX AMC) vaccines—a financing instrument that incentivises vaccine manufacturers to produce sufficient COVID-19 vaccines to ensure access for developing countries.

Today, the UK Foreign Secretary called for more support, pledging that this £500m commitment would include £1 (IS$ 1.29) in matched funding for every US$4 committed by others for up to £250m (approximately US$ 321m).

Germany, Canada and Sweden have also made new commitments to the COVAX AMC of Euro 100 million, CAD$220 million and US$10 million respectively. These are eligible for matching

with today’s UK matching commitment. ”Science is giving us solutions, in the form of new tests, therapeutics and, hopefully, a vaccine. But science and solutions will be ineffective without solidarity,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

GENEROUS “I am grateful for the generous financial commitments made today, but we still have a significant funding gap to close. Fully financing the ACT Accelerator will help to control the pandemic, restore confidence and stimulate the global recovery. Frankly, this is not a financial challenge, it’s a test of solidarity. This is a moment for saying no to nationalism and yes to our shared humanity. Because ultimately, the ACT Accelerator is not delivering merely vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics; it’s delivering something far more important—hope.”

“We must confront this health crisis as a global challenge, together in solidarity and cooperation with one another, working toward a global solution. We have to generate the key tests, treatments and vaccines that we all need, and make sure they are distributed equitably to people who most need them, regardless of where they live and whether their country is wealthy or not,” said South Africa’s Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize,

adding that large parts of the population, especially in developing countries, remain “vulnerable and marginalized during this pandemic.”

Today’s event highlighted the substantial results achieved by the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator initiative since its launch: the availability of 120 million affordable and high-quality rapid tests for low- and middle-income countries; a breakthrough in trials with, and a rapid rollout of, Dexamethasone—the only drug found to make a significant difference to patient mortality; the creation of the COVAX Facility – the global mechanism to ensure equitable access to eventual COVID-19 vaccines regardless of income, comprising 168 economies and the largest and most diverse vaccine portfolio in the world, with nine candidate vaccines under evaluation, eight of them in clinical trials.

In another significant show of support, a coalition of 16 pharmaceutical companies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, signed an agreement to cooperate on vaccine manufacturing and to scale up production at an unprecedented speed, ensuring that approved vaccines are more broadly accessible and distributed as early as possible.

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said “One thing I've learned studying the history of pandemics is that they

create a surprising dynamic when it comes to self-interest and altruism. Pandemics are rare cases where a country’s instinct to help itself is tightly aligned with its instinct to help others. The self-interested thing and the altruistic thing–making sure poor nations have access to vaccines–are one and the same.”

“A number of countries, most recently the United Kingdom and Canada, are good models for what other wealthy nations should do.

They have donated enough money for COVAX, the vaccine pillar of the ACT-Accelerator, to procure, probably, hundreds of millions of vaccine doses for poor countries.

But more will be needed and I hope wealthy nations will continue to be generous.”

The World Bank unveiled plans this week for a significant financial commitment to support developing countries to purchase COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are available.

World Bank President, David Malpass, said that once the plans are ratified by stakeholders, “having up to US$12 billion available in finance will be a game changer because once a safe and effective vaccine is available, it will allow people to resume their lives with confidence.”

VAT on exports reversed, over 100 licence fees reduced THE Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and several others passed in the National Assembly on Monday will bring financial relief to Guyanese in keeping with the PPP/C Government Manifesto promise.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said the Government intends to bring about change by providing immediate support and stimulus for the manufacturing and export sectors.

“On this particular initiative, I can say we offer no apology for stimulating the private sector because the jobs that we are talking about, we have to be able to see the private sector grow so that our young people could [have] real jobs, where people are earning significant sums and manufacturing presents such opportunity,” Minister Edghill said.

The amendment to the VAT Act also removes water and electricity from the schedule of items attracting the tax. The APNU+AFC Government had added the utilities to the schedule in 2016.

Further, the passage of the Tax (Amendment) Bill 2020 will see the reversal of over 100 licence fees by 50 per cent of whatever sum they were increased by the APNU+AFC Government.

This will see the reduction of licence fees

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn

for persons operating a range of businesses including those selling aerated drinks and mineral water; the operation of video rental stores and insurance companies. The trader,

druggist, butcher shop, and pawnbrokers will also see their licence fees reduced.

“We are not a Government that sees people prospering and think we have to get more

taxes from them. We see people prospering and we create an environment for them to be able to prosper more, employ more people, so we are taking the necessary step,” Minister Edghill said.

The Motor Vehicles and Road traffic Amendment Bill 2020 was also passed. This provides exemption from the requirement to register and pay licence fees for excavators, bulldozers and other vehicles used in the mining industry.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who presented the bill, said the amendment made by the previous administration hindered the growth of medium and small miners.

“The removal or the exemption of this requirement will remove a great burden in respect of the licence fees, the running around, the harassment, jumping hurdles and doing the limbo in respect of getting work done in the interior of our country in relation to our miners and operators,” he said.

Additionally, the Miscellaneous Licences Amendment Bill 2020 was also passed. The passage of the Bill sees the amendment of Section Six of the Act, which will see the reduction of the cost to replace a lost licence from $1500 to $850. (DPI)

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Virtual Heritage Month celebration ends with drive-through cuisine event

By Naomi Parris BRINGING the curtains down on this year’s celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, on Wednesday, held its final cuisine drive-through event at its Quamina and Thomas Streets location.

Members of the public gathered to grab a bite of the numerous Amerindian delicacies that were available.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, in her remarks noted that while the celebrations have ended, there is a lot more in store for the Indigenous communities across Guyana.

“For the rest the year, we will be supporting Amerindian development in various forms and fashion

year’s celebration was the cuisine drive-through which saw hundreds of Guyanese supporting the local Amerindian chefs, who had prepared a number of Indigenous cuisines throughout the month.

WAY OF LIFE

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai

to ensure that their investment funds are dispersed before the end of the year so that they can have some investments in their communities that will be able to provide some level of economic advancement before the end of the year,” she said.

Scenes from Wednesday’s final cuisine drive-through held in the compound of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month 2020

Further, the Minister reiterated her commitment to land titling and self-development among women, children and farmers in hinterland communities.

“We are going to support the provision of land and water transport that will help many children in the riverine communities to start their new school term not paddling …over the years many riverine communities have been neglected where they were no gas and fuel and they had to revert back to paddling,” she said.

Minister Sukhai disclosed that some 40 communities will be re-introduced to the Community Service Officer (CSO) Programme while 26 communities will benefit from the establishment of ICT hubs.

“At this time, they will be getting computer equipment so that they will be

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lennox Shuman, joins the staff of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in the distribution of meals to members of the public during the drive-through event.

(Photos by Carl Croker)

able to connect; currently there are communities with connectivity that can’t connect because they don’t have smartphones, neither they don’t have computers or tablets; so we are going to work to ensure that before the end of the year, that development support begin flow in a much more aggressive way to the communities,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

PACKED PROGRAMME Although this year’s celebrations was jolted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry had a rich, colorful and fun-filled virtual programme to celebrate Guyana’s first people.

“Well, first of all, today

is the final day of Heritage [Month] and for this year’s heritage, we had a different form of recognizing, celebrating the work of the Indigenous people and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, what we did was prepare a virtual programme,” she explained.

“We did quite a lot during the month in terms of showing Amerindian heritage.

There were some live performances that were recorded and shown on different media [platforms]; we had lectures on various topics …youth and sports, on heritage and culture, we had [lectures] on different developmental topics and an event on remembering Stephen Campbell,” Minister Sukhai added.

The highlight of this

This year’s Heritage Month was celebrated under the theme “Fostering traditional practices for a safe environment” which the Minister noted was coined around the coronavirus pandemic.

She noted that this year’s theme speaks to the significance of the traditional way of life practised by the Indigenous people to achieve desirable outcomes for social and economic balance through the appropriate use of natural resources and the environment.

“Many times, what has happened is that we tend to forget, generally, the population tends to forget the Amerindians have been more or less the steward of our environment. Despite we live in the hinterland where there is a lot of resources, the Amerindians have not generally exploited [it] to the extent whereby it is being depleted. In fact, they recognize that our resources are expected to be shared with the new and coming generations,” the Minister said.

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Health, education, youth development big on RDC chairs’ agendas

By Tamica Garnett IMPROVED health, education, economic development and youth development are among key areas on which the recently elected regional chairpersons for the various Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) plan to place their focus as they strive to develop their respective regions, going forward.

Nine of the 10 RDCs across the country elected the new chairpersons on Monday, with Regions One, Five, Six and Nine seeing re-election of their previous chairpersons, while Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven and 10 saw the injection of new blood.

At 30-years-old Daniel Seeram is possibly the youngest chairman elected on Monday, taking over from Genevieve Allen as the head of the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) RDC. Representing the youthful side, Seeram said he hopes he does the job justice and stands as an inspiration to other young people to take up leading roles in society.

“I feel very honoured and privilege to serve the Guyanese people. I am very proud of all my councillors and am willing to serve with all of them,” Seeram said of his ascension to the post, when he spoke with the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday.

“Things will be different, myself, along with many of the other councillors, we bring a new breed to the region and we plan to be exuberant, enthusiastic and we will work feverishly over the next couple of years,” he further pledged.

With 35 seats, Seeram will be heading the largest Council of the 10 regions and when it comes to this region, health, social cohesion, economic stability and education are the areas he will be targeting as he leads the region for the next five years.

“In health, what I want to do is focus on the relief of the general public in all sectors. A lot of people were put out of business in this pandemic, even with the $25,000 we at the RDC will need to see what we can do to further boost and buffer the man on the ground and assist them within their situation,” Seeram said He added: “One of the major issues that I want to deal with is curbing the COVID-19 pandemic; we also want to foster social cohesion and to establish economic stability in the region; in education, for the region,

we want to ensure that we get education to everyone that needs it.”

It is the function of the RDCs to administer services such as health, education, and public works in the region; in addition to coordinating activities with the local democratic councils; and identifying economic projects and assisting central government in executing works necessary for the development of the respective regions.

In Region Nine, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Bryan Allicock said he is grateful to his councillors for re-electing him to the post and giving him another term to serve the people of the region.

YOUNG BLOOD “The people know me and I know the people. We have a beautiful team with a lot of youngsters and I am happy that we have a lot of young brains coming in, because these are the ones that are going to take over from us older ones someday. I love to have the youths on board; they have a lot of energy,” Allicock said.

Allicock will be heading a council which has 15 seats, of which six seats were won by the APNU+AFC and the remaining nine were won by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Himself a PPP/C candidate, Allicock stressed that he is looking forward to working along with all of the councillors and seeing the councillors from the various parties unite to put the development of the region first.

He further highlighted the importance of the input of youths in regional development, noting that focus on youths is among the areas on which he plans to concentrate in the region.

“Every single one of my councillors noted that we need unity to develop the region and Guyana as a whole.

We will be concentrating on developing our youths, while other aspects we will be concentrating on include our tourism, and agriculture,” Allicock said.

Allicock noted that several infrastructural works are on the schedule for the region and with just three months remaining in the year, he hopes to hit the ground running.

“We have some of the major renovations of buildings and bridges. We have road constructions, especially the farm-to-market road in

certain villages, so that the residents can have access to it. We need to get access to the villages, whether rain or sun, so we need to get those done,” he noted.

Over in Region Seven, businessman, Kenneth Williams will head that region’s RDC, and though he is the new to role of an RDC councillor, the father of two has already racked up a few years of life in politics, being a current municipality coun-

cillor for the Bartica township, a position in which he has served for the past four years.

GRATEFUL “I am grateful to God and to the RDC councillors who put their confidence in me,” Williams said of his election.

He shared that it was his time serving on the Bartica Council and watching the development that the town

was able to achieve over the past few years, which motivated him to take it to the next level.

“We would have seen tremendous growth over the last couple of years at the town council, so based on that experience I would have gotten the passion to serve even higher. I would have recognised that more was needed in the region Region Seven is not just Bartica,” Williams conveyed.

“I have that drive to see the improvement in the life of the people; there is a drive for development, to see education, business, and sporting facilities all across the region being improved.

There’s a drive all around and because of that drive I decided to do it,” he further added.

He said in that region he will be placing emphasis on education and youths as well.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Man celebrates after burning down house THE police have arrested an East Canje man after he burned his rented residence to the ground on Tuesday night, leaving some $3M in damage.

The man, identified as Davendra Samru, 29, was allegedly intoxicated at the time and was arguing with his wife from whom he recently separated, when he threatened to burn the house down in the presence of police officers. Samru is a taxi driver by occupation.

According to neighbours at around 22:00hrs, the man made good on his promise, lit a white cloth and set the two-storey wooden and concrete building on fire.

He then calmly left.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Samru and his now ex-wife have been renting the Lot 35 Raghubir Street, Reliance Abandon house for the past two years. The couple separated, but the woman continued to occupy the house while the suspect lived at East Canje.

Eyewitnesses recalled that Samru arrived at the

The remains of the two-storey house that was set alight by Davendra Samru

property in a drunken state and began hurling expletives and calling out his ex-wife.

After not getting an answer since the woman was not at home, he used a cutlass to break the locks. He then entered the house and damaged several items.

Neighbours notified the woman who arrived shortly with two uniformed officers to confront Samru and get him to leave, but he threatened to chop anyone who dared enter the yard.

“He come out from the veranda and start cuss up

say he guh kill everybody.

He go inside and come out back with a laptop and say ‘you a laptop? You name lap top eh?’ And pitch it to the ground and it bruck up. He come back out with a glass table and fling it outside and it buss up to pieces and start

go on bad that he gun burn down the house,” a neighbour related.

The laptop, this publication understands, belonged to the child of his ex-wife who recently sat the NGSA examinations. The two police officers reportedly then left to

get back-up.

After the police left, the man came out of the house, lit a white cloth and went back inside.

“He start dance and sing fire, fire, then next thing the fire get big and he start walk out,” the neighbour recalled.

The man walked into the arms of the police who arrived in a patrol vehicle, but by that time the fire had become intense and was raging uncontrollably, thereby preventing residents from saving anything from the house.

By the time the fire service arrived, the damage was already done and the house was reduced to rubble. The firefighters had to concentrate their efforts on containing the blaze from spreading to nearby houses.

Residents noted that were the man not armed with the cutlass, they may have been able to apprehend him or even extinguish the blaze.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Bandits rob police constable of motorcycle A 26-year-old police constable, stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) was, on Tuesday evening, robbed of his motorcycle by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

Prince Bagot, 26, was at his father’s residence at David Rose Street, Bagotville, West Bank Demerara (WBD) when the incident occurred at around 19:00hrs.

The motorcycle, bearing registration number CK 2202, is red, white and black in colour.

Reports indicate that the police constable was on his motorcycle in front of his father’s house when the two perpetrators approached from behind and held him at gunpoint.

The bandits told the police constable “not to move and to keep quiet”.

They then relieved him of the motorcycle valued some $435,000 and made good their escape on the motorcycle. The robbery was reported to the district police station as investigations continue.

Truck driver charged 4 months after fatal accident

DEAD: Terry Danraj

Eric Kennedy

FOUR months after 23-year-old Terry Danraj was killed following a fatal accident at Saffon and Sussex Streets, Georgetown, a 22-year-old truck driver was, on Wednesday, arraigned.

Eric Kennedy of West Ruimveldt appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that Kennedy, on May 25, while being the driver of a motor truck with a trailer, drove in a dangerous manner which caused the death of Danraj.

Kennedy, who was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSliva, was released on $300,000 bail and the case adjourned to October 7.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that on May 25, 2020, around 21:00 hours, Danraj was a passenger in motor car PSS 1314, which was being driven by a 26-year-old resident of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

The vehicle was reportedly proceeding north at a fast rate when it collided with the trailer of a container truck at the intersection of Sussex and Saffon Streets.

The front of the motor car was pinned under the trailer. Danraj was also pinned down.

Danraj, who was unconscious, along with the motor car driver, were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

They were both admitted.

However, around 13:30 on May 26, Danraj succumbed to his injuries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

England batsman Bairstow ...

From Page 28 (Warwickshire) Test contracts: James Anderson (Lancashire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire) White-ball contracts: Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham). Incremental contracts: Dom Bess (Yorkshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire) Pace bowling developmental contracts: Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Olly Stone (Warwickshire). (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Windies lose final T20I..

England batsman Bairstow loses Test central contract for 2020-21 WICKETKEEPER batsman Jonny Bairstow has not been given an England central contract for Test

cricket in 2020-21.

Yorkshire's Bairstow, 31, who was not selected for the summer's Test series with

West Indies and Pakistan, remains contracted for limited-overs cricket.

Batsmen Zak Crawley,

Jonny Bairstow made his England debut in a one-day international in 2011, and his Test debut the following year.

Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley all receive a Test central contract for the first time.

All-rounder Tom Curran has been given a white-ball contract, while Kent batsman Joe Denly misses out altogether.

Denly had previously held a limited-overs contract.

Meanwhile, spinner Dom Bess, seamer Chris Jordan and batsman Dawid Malan - previously uncontracted - will receive incremental deals.

The contracts, handed to a total of 23 players, start on October 1 and run for 12 months.

Players on the Test and white-ball contracts will have their salaries, which are calculated by a ranking system based on performance, fitness and other factors, paid in full by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

However, ECB says there could be an impact on how much players are paid as a result of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with levels of remuneration currently being finalised.

'Bairstow omission was inevitable' – Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent This announcement comes with the backdrop of a £1M deficit and the likelihood of the same shortfall next year.

And while ECB has recognised that it must reduce its staff by 20% - that's 62 jobs - the playing side remains unaffected.

Having lost his Test place and now arguably the thirdchoice wicketkeeper behind Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes it was inevitable that Bairstow should lose his Test central contract, with Crawley, Pope and Sibley all attaining that status for the first time.

Test and white-ball contracts: Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes See page 27

From Backpage DERBY, England, (CMC) second 5-0 whitewash fol– Fast bowler Shakera Sel- lowing their hammering at man sent down consecutive the hands of Australia last no-balls off the last two November, and they have balls of the game to hand now lost all of their last 13 England Women an an- T20 Internationals. ticlimactic three-wicket Playing amid frigid 10 victory in a five-over affair, degree Celsius temperatures, as West Indies slumped West Indies got a bright start to their third consecutive when Deandra Dottin (11) series whitewash in Twen- blasted a four and a six off ty20 Internationals here the first over from seamer Wednesday.

Freya Davies before skying After rain delayed the to mid on. start of the contest at County West Indies then went Ground by 2-½ hours, West without a single boundary Indies scraped 41 for three from the next two overs until off their reduced overs with Taylor gathered two streaky captain Stafanie Taylor hit- back-to-back fours off the ting two fours in an unbeaten last two balls of the pen15 from 14 balls. ultimate over from seamer In reply, fast bowler Sha- Katherine Brunt. milia Connell snatched three And the final over from for 14 from two overs to left-arm spinner Ecclestone earn Player-of-the-Match was a tight one until Natasha honours, an effort that left McLean blasted the final England with seven runs to delivery for an enormous six get off the last six balls of over mid-wicket. the game.

West Indies had their Sarah Glenn (8) scam- sights on a possible victory pered two of the first ball but when Connell knocked over she and Fran Wilson (1) then captain Heather Knight (4) perished via the run out route and Amy Jones (0) in the off the next two deliveries, opening over, while concedsetting the game up for a ing only five runs. tantalizing finish.

But Selman released the But Selman then sent pressure in the second over, down a front-foot no-ball – giving up two boundaries her second of the innings – as and a no-ball and though she Sophie Ecclestone (1 not out) prised out Tammy Beaumont sprinted a quick single. And for nine, the over still leaked with one run required from 13 runs. the last three balls, Selman Two wickets tumbled in shockingly bowled a high the third over from Connell full toss to put England over – Natalie Sciver run out the line. for seven and Katherine The manner of defeat Brunt (2) brilliantly taken summed up West Indies’ at cover by Taylor diving to wretched campaign where her left – and when Dottin they lost all five T20 In- conceded eight from the ternationals by significant penultimate over, it meant margins.

England were in pole posiFor the Caribbean side, tion for the win. the series defeat was their

Gill, pacers inflict...

From page 31 inside-edged the delivery and was caught behind.

Mavi was put under pressure by Buttler but continued to impress with his skills. He was a touch lucky with the dismissal of Buttler was took out Samson to leave RR gasping.

SHOULD RR HAVE BATTED FIRST? Probably. All six games in Dubai so far have been won by the side batting first. RR probably were guilty of taking the conservative approach and hoping for dew to settle in in the second innings. The RR top-order was dismantled way too quickly during the chase for the dew to give any scares to KKR on the night.

RR will play Royal Challengers Bangalore in Abu Dhabi on October 3 in the first afternoon encounter of the tournament. KKR will play the second game that day - against Delhi Capitals - in Sharjah.

(Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 174-6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 47, Eoin Morgan 34*; Jofra Archer 2-18) beat Rajasthan Royals 137/9 in 20 overs (Kamlesh Nagarkoti 2-13, Shivam Mavi 2-20) by 37 runs).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

GFF president makes presentation to Coomacka United Football Club ... pledges support towards development of game in area IN observance of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde, last Sunday paid a historic visit to the village of Coomacka, some 15 miles from Linden, and presented football equipment including footballs, boots, bibs and cones to the Coomacka United Football Club.

Welcoming the president and team, which included president of Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Terrence Mitchell, former National coach Jimmy McLean, former Golden Jaguars’ Anthony 'Awo' Abrams, current Assistant Senior National coach Charles 'Lily' Pollard and GFF Youth Development Officer and former national player, Bryan 'Joe Boy' Joseph, was president of Coomacka United Football Club (CUFC), Renison ‘Suki’ Rawlins.

During the visit, Forde commended the club for their spirited performances on the field of play and their strong showing in tournaments organised by the UDFA. The president and executive committee were also lauded for the outstanding job they have been doing in advancing the fortunes of the club as well as being able to mobilise great fan support for the team.

In thanking the club and community for their warm welcome, Forde underscored

GFF president Wayne Forde is flanked by his counterparts from UDFA Terrence Mitchell (left) and Coomacka United Football Club, Renison Rawlins.

the role of GFF, telling the gathering that his federation's "core purpose is to serve football and to serve the stakeholders of football.

We’re here to listen and to see the opportunity where we can intervene and improve things. To improve a situation from where it might be to where it can be”.

Forde, reminiscing on the semi-finals of the last UDFA year-end tournament, said he had witnessed one of the most electrifying atmospheres he would have experienced in recent years.

“The excitement and the involvement of the community into the game was a very memorable experience and I was immediately moved by it and I started to make some enquiries as to what is responsible for this club, which seems to be in a bit of a community bubble but yet to keep coming out and competing as well as they

did against some of the more established clubs in Linden,” the GFF president said.

The passionate Forde stated that the donated equipment would serve to further enhance and develop the game in the community whilst seeking to bring new players on board by motivating them to play.

UDFA president Mitchell, in stating how proud he is of the CUFC and their exploits to date said he was very privileged to be visiting the community. He noted that the club registered with UDFA just over two years ago even though they were around longer.

After a quiet start to competitive play under the umbrella of the UDFA, CUFA team have been coming on strong, qualifying for the last two finals of tournaments held including the Mash Cup 2020.

“Linden started to see

a new talented team in the form of Coomacka United Football Club; we saw young men with speed and fans very animated and vocal. So Coomacka made that impact into football in a short space of time and what we saw - we see a long future of football in the area,” Mitchell said.

UDFA president also commended the Coomacka fans for their support of the team, noting that the CUFC has a dynamic support cast.

Meanwhile, Rawlins in his remarks thanked the GFF for showing great interest in the club even at this time noting that the club have been putting in a lot of work to reach where they are at present.

“Our club is doing good. so far, and we will try our best with the inputs into our club, so that we can climb higher and reach the number one spot in Linden. That’s what we are aiming for,” Rawlins noted.

Following the presentation of equipment, stakeholders engaged President Forde in a brief question and answer segment where they posed questions that were answered about further plans for their development.

Treasurer of CUFC, Stacey-Ann Williams delivered the vote of thanks, pledging that the Club will work closely with UDFA and GFF to realise the dreams of the youths in the community.

This date in boxing history: USA-BASED Guyanese Tony Marshall won a Unanimous Points-decision over Texan Steve Martinez on September 30, 1997. The victory allowed Marshall to win the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title.

Marshall, a junior middleweight (super welterweight) had won almost every round in the contest with Judge Elmo Adolph scoring it 118-110 while C.D. Jenkins and Gary Ritter saw the fight 120-110 and 120-107 respectively. The orthodox boxer left Guyana as a boy and lived in Albany, New York.

He turned pro in April 1991 and won a Unanimous Decision against Donald Wallace in his first fight. Marshall returned home in 1995 to provide glove work for Anthony `The Pearl’ Andrews, who was preparing for a world title clash against Jorge Castro.

Marshall made two unsuccessful challenges for world titles. The first occurred in November 1994 when `The Tiger’ tackled Argentine Julio Cesar Vasquez for the World Boxing Association (WBA) version of the crown. After 12 rounds Vasquez was adjudged the winner via Unanimous Decision.

Marshall’s second attempt ended in similar manner.

Tony Marshall (right) will celebrate his 50th birth anniversary on October 20.

The Guyanese travelled to Madrid, Spain in July 2000 to do battle with World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Javier Castillejo. He last fought in October 2005. Marshall will turn 50 on October 20.

Matthew Nandu ends SCA season on high note

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Seventeen-year-old Matthew Nandu ended the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) season on a high note despite his team Kaieteur International B losing their final First Division game to United Titans at the Ashtonbee Number Two ground here last Sunday.

The prolific left-hander, who enjoyed a dream season

Indies Under-19 leg-spinner Arjune Nandu, finished the season with the most runs, his 318 being 43 more than Toronto Rhino’s Aamir Khan who totalled 275 from eight matches. Abhishek Basin (Toronto Rhinos) was third in the aggregate, scoring 205 from six matches, including 119 in last Saturday’s decisive encounter versus Durham United.

Nandu’s 146 in the first match of the season was also the highest in the division

Matthew Nandu (right) with Cricket Ontario Junior Coordinator, Vish Jadunauth (centre). At left is Kaieteur International B teammate Navin Nauth.

in both the SCA and Brampton-Etobicoke & District Cricket League (BEDCL) slammed 11 fours and a six in a brilliant innings of 80 as Kaieteur International B were bowled out for 215 in 42 overs in the reduced 45over affair.

United Titans, who like Kaieteur had no chance of winning the First Division crown, reached the required target in 42.2 overs, losing seven wickets in the process.

Asked to take first strike, Kaieteur International B were heavily indebted to Nandu with Navin Nauth and Jordan Pirali supporting with 33 and 30 respectively. Nauth struck four fours while Pirali’s innings included three boundaries.

Bowling for United Titans, Ali Hassan claimed four for 44 from eight overs while Roshan Ali Hemani took three for 36 from nine.

Hemani crowned a fine all-round performance, hitting a fine 52 off 45 balls which included six fours and three sixes and received admirable support from Bilal Chaudhry and Mohamed Chaviwala with 39 and 30 respectively. Trushil Patel ended with three for 26 from eight overs and Devindra Nauth two for 38 from seven.

Despite playing only four matches in the SCA First Division, Nandu, the son of former Guyana and West

while he also struck two half-centuries for an average of 106 and a strike rate of 91.38.

Meanwhile, Nandu’s Kaieteur Cricket Club (KCC) are going all out to claim top honours in the EBDCL Premiere League, having already secured a playoff berth with one game remaining on Saturday. The playoffs start on October 11.

KCC have won six of their eight games, including a huge 133-run victory over Hurricanes in their last encounter, played last Saturday in Waterloo.

Arjune Nandu, who is still active, turned back the years with an attractive unbeaten 50 off 65 balls and, along with Theron Ramlal who scored his third consecutive half-century (67), ensured KCC reached 241 for seven in 47 overs.

Hurricanes were bowled out for 108 with Raqib Shamsudeen (three for 21), Daniel Arjunen (three for 23) and Ramlal (two for 32) being the chief wicket-takers.

Matthew Nandu, who had the unique distinction of being the youngest player to be drafted in last year’s Global T20 Canada, has compiled 583 runs to date from seven innings with an incredible average of 97.1. His three centuries include 123 not out while he also registered scores of 167, 126, 84 and 51.

30

guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

BCB seeks government input for expansion I may not always get it right, says Hamilton of practice facilities across Berbice … Coaching sessions to restart under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has kept itself busy over the last six months despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and continues to make a positive impact on the development of the game in the Ancient County.

Dozens of clubs and junior cricketers have benefited from donations of cricket gear, cricket balls, stumps, scorebooks, and food hampers. The BCB also joined hands with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club to distribute over five thousand food hampers and other items such as medical supplies, cleaning detergents and household items to less fortunate families and public institutions.

Additionally, BCB has hosted several programmes such as Father-of-the-Year, Mother-of-the-Year, Basil Butcher Cricket Development Programme and Youth Information booklet.

BCB president Hilbert Foster and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, (right), share a moment during the minister’s visit.

As part of its developmental programme, the BCB also extended an invitation to the Head of a regional Caribbean Cricket Board to visit Berbice. The head has since accepted the invitation to visit after the pandemic after which a BCB delegation will make a return trip.

BCB is also in discussion with numerous sponsors so that Berbice Cricket will hit

the ground running when the permission is given to restart.

Support for a second twoday tournament has already been secured for 2021. The board’s dream of having its own cricket pitch covers was achieved with the cooperation of former president Anil Beharry.

BCB president Hilbert Foster has also been very busy and over the last month

The schedule for the Coaching Programme is as follow – Date - Venue - Time Saturday October 3, Port Mourant, 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs.

Sunday October 4, Albion, 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs Wednesday October 7, Rose Hall Town Area ‘H’ Ground, 15:00hrs to 17:00hrs Saturday October 10, Rose Hall Canje Cricket Ground, 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs Sunday October 11, Edinburgh CC, Saturday October 18, Blairmont Cricket Ground, 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs Saturday October 18, Achievers Cricket Ground, 13:00hrs to 15:00hrs Sunday October 19, No73 Cricket Ground, 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs Sunday October 19, Scottsburg Cricket Ground, 13:00hrs to 15:00hrs Saturday October 26, Tucber Park CC, 10:00hts to 12:00hrs Sunday October 27, Kendall’s Union Cricket Ground, 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs Wednesday October 14, Area ‘H’ Ground, 15:00hrs to 17:00hrs

has had official discussions with Region Six Chairman David Armogan, Regional Executive Officer Navindra Persaud and Minster of Agriculture Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha.

The BCB president is expected to meet shortly with officials of Region Five’s RDC and Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr. Foster stated that BCB is seeking to have an all-weather indoor cricket practice facility constructed in Regions Five and Six. Minster Mustapha, who is also the Member of Parliament for Region Six, congratulated BCB on its outstanding work and committed to find funding for at least one of the facilities.

Proposals are currently being prepared for submission to the relevant authorities. The board would also be pushing the regional bodies to invest in some of the major cricket grounds in the county.

Meanwhile the BCB/Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme will restart on Saturday October 3 with strict COVID-19 guidelines.

A maximum of ten Under-15 cricketers would be involved in each session.

Players would be required to wear masks, practise social distancing, sanitise their hands regularly and walk with their gear for the two-hour sessions.

Kerr stars as New Zealand beat Australia in third Women's T20I AMELIA Kerr displayed an all-round performance as New Zealand Women defeated Australia by five wickets in the third T20I of the three-match series at the Allan Border Field yesterday.

Kerr took two wickets and then scored an unbeaten 18 runs to take the side over the line. Australia had earlier sealed the three-match T20I series after winning the first two games.

With this win, New Zealand were able to gain a consolation win and end the series 2-1 in favour of Australia. Both sides will now lock horns in the three-match ODI series. The first match will be played on Saturday, October 3.

Chasing 124, New Zealand openers Maddy Green and Sophie Devine put on 27 runs for the first wicket, but their vigil at the crease was cut short by Delissa Kimmince as she dismissed Green (10) in the fifth over.

Soon after, Devine (25) was sent back to the pavilion by Georgia Wareham in the eighth over. Devine was stumped by Alyssa Healy off the bowling of Wareham.

Two balls later, Suzie Bates (3) was run-out by Rachael Haynes, reducing New Zealand to 44-3 after eight overs.

Amy Satterthwaite and Katey Martin then retrieved the innings for the White Ferns as the duo put on 52 runs for the fourth wicket, but with 28 runs away from the

target, New Zealand lost the wicket of Martin (23) in the 16th over as she was cleanbowled by Wareham.

New Zealand were given another big blow in the 17th over as Satterthwaite (30) was clean-bowled by Jess Jonassen, reducing the side to 98-5.

In the end, Hayley Jensen and Amelia Kerr took New Zealand over the line by five wickets with three balls to spare. Kerr and Jensen remained unbeaten on 18 and 10 respectively.

Earlier, a spirited bowling performance helped New Zealand restrict Australia to 123/7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Put in to bat first, Australia got off to a bad start as the side was restricted to

57-4 after the conclusion of ten overs. Beth Mooney (11), Alyssa Healy (8), Rachael Haynes (3), and Meg Lanning (21) lost their wickets cheaply yo put New Zealand ahead in the match.

Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Molineux then put on a brief stand of 27 runs, but their partnership was broken in the 14th over as Gardner (29) was sent back to the pavilion by Hayley Jensen.

Soon after, Molineux (18) was dismissed by Maddy Green, reducing Australia to 100-6 in the 17th over.

New Zealand were able to restrict the flow of runs in the death overs and as a result, Australia were unable to go past the 125run mark.

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, who accused stewards of seeking to stop him winning at last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, said on Tuesday that he was “only human” and would continue to learn.

In what read like a veiled apology, but did not refer directly to the race in Sochi or the stewards, the Mercedes driver posted a message on Instagram thanking his fans for their support.

“I may not always get it right in the face of adversity,” wrote the Briton, who is one win from equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record 91.

“I may not always react the way you want me to when

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during a press conference after he finished in third place in the race, Russian Grand Prix - Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia - September 27, 2020.

(FIA/Handout via REUTERS) tensions are high, but I am only human after all and I am passionate about what I do.

“I’m learning and growing every day, and I’ll take my lessons and keep fighting on to the next one. Thank you to those who continue to support and are right there fighting with me.”

Hamilton, a six-time world champion, finished third in Sochi after starting on pole position.

He collected two penalties, totalling 10 seconds, for practising starts in the wrong place before the race had started.

Asked if the punishment seemed excessive, he told Sky Sports: “Of course it is. But it’s to be expected. They’re trying to stop me, aren’t they?”

Race director Michael Masi rejected the accusations after the race.

“If Lewis wants to raise something, as I have said to him before ... the door is always open,” he said.

“We have the stewards as an independent judiciary to adjudicate ... there was an infringement and it doesn’t matter if it was Lewis Hamilton or any other one of the 19 drivers.”

Formula One’s managing director for motorsport Ross Brawn said on Monday that Hamilton should lick his wounds and learn from his mistakes.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday October 01, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shaun Marsh-616 runs (King’s XI) (2) Sohail Tanvir-22 wickets (RR) Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest individual score made in IPL 2008?

(2) What were the best bowling figures in a single game in IPL 2008?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 1, 2020

Playing in ‘bubble’ likeliest option for local cricketers

… 2020 Jaguars Franchise League perfect chance to test theory

By Clifton Ross THE emergence of the ‘bubble’ has proved to be a very unique way of ensuring that live action is played amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic - virtually minimising any chances of those inside contracting the virus once the protocols are followed.

The first successful experiment of the invisible bubble was hosted by the National Basketball Association (NBA), which is currently in its final stages and has yet to have any known positive case or remotely anything close to an outbreak, since restarting in July.

Cricket then adapted the idea, hosting the first-ever bio-secure series in England as the home team entertained the West Indies and Pakistan.

Both series were very successful, as players and staff adhered to the necessary protocols, thus ensuring that the series ended without any hiccups, that is; COVID19-wise. The next successful attempt was done by the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) organisers, who were tasked with removing the tournament’s party-like identity and replacing it with a flair-less more somber-like state, with no fans or regional touring for their 2020 edition.

Despite their first attempt, Hero CPL organisers managed to keep their poise while the players were utterly responsible during the time spent inside the Trinidad & Tobago bubble.

The collective exhibition of

accountability demonstrated by those inside capped off a historical edition, depicted by competiveness and maturity shown by those within the bubble’s confines.

Now, franchise T20 cricket’s marquee event, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently being hosted in the UAE, with players again having to adapt and learn from the previous tourney’s

facilities and venues remained closed until further notice, making life for the local batch of cricketers extremely difficult both mentally and financially.

Recently Cricket West Indies (CWI) VP Kishore Shallow, on a weekly cricket show, said that the 2020-21 Regional season was in a slight limbo as he projected December as the next possi-

portantly a newer alternative with floodlights to go along with the Providence facility.

If CGI could somehow use its new facility as a bubble, then it is likely that at least the Jaguars Franchise League 50 Overs and 3-Day tourneys could be hosted before 2020 is out.

Also, with the local batch of players - some already being familiar with playing

Gill, pacers inflict first defeat on Rajasthan Royals KOLKATA Knight Riders (KKR) handed Rajasthan Royals (RR) their first loss in IPL 2020 as Steve Smith's men fell short by 37 in a chase of 174.

Shubman Gill and Eoin Morgan helped Knight Riders build a strong total before Pat Cummins and Shivam Mavi landed blow after blow to leave Royals in a hole.

PACE LIKE FIRE Even before KKR got going, Jofra Archer bowled absolute bullets at Gill and Sunil Narine in the first over. In the opening over, he bowled three deliveries over 150 kph and the lowest speed he hit was 147 kph. In his first three overs, he had figures of 3-0-4-2 but Morgan and Cummins hit a six and a four in Archer's last over to spoil his figures a bit. Despite leaking 14 in his final over, he ended with 4-0-18-2 to keep KKR to a par score.

SO HOW DID KKR GET 174?

This year’s Jaguars Franchise League tournament should be played inside a ‘bubble’ once the pandemic persists. held in a bubble-like setting.

So far things have been running smoothly and should those inside continue to follow the blueprint for staying safe; it is likely that all cricket could possibly be played in a similar scenario even if the pandemic persists.

The local cricket system has been enduring time-off due to COVID-19, going back to earlier in the year when the virus forced the stoppage of the 2019-2020 Regional 4-Day tournament.

Fast-forward to more than 6 months later and action has yet to even peak anywhere in the country.

As a result of the pandemic’s continued spread,

ble timeframe for any action to return.

With that being said, the local system could possibly lean towards creating a bubble of their own as they prepare to get players reintegrated into live cricket slowly. Such a move is possible as Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) could easily transform a few of the local venues into restricted bio-secure venues.

CGI will be unveiling its new mini-stadium complex at LBI. The venue has been under rehabilitation and is expected to open its doors to the national team Guyana Jaguars and their Academy as their new home of training, practice and most im-

in a bubble - the chances of all players quickly adapting and following safety rules could eventually end up being widespread.

Such a ripple effect could affect a cricket-vibrant county like Berbice - with a number of venues scattered across the various villages - whose organisers could transform into secure havens for live action.

In all, the only surefire chance of live cricket returning in a hurry is by playing or even attempting to practise as a team inside the confined setting, once the green light is given by the government’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Wimbledon to take place in 2021 even without fans: Times LONDON, England (Reuters) - Next year’s Wimbledon Championships will take place as scheduled even if spectators cannot attend the grasscourt Grand Slam tournament amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Times reported.

Wimbledon was cancelled this year for the first time since World War Two due to the coronavirus, which has killed more than 42 000 people in the United Kingdom.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), organisers of the tournament, was reluctant to stage Wimbledon without fans this year but the success of the U.S. Open and other sporting events have changed their opinion, the paper said.

“We are actively engaged in planning for next year’s Championships and are considering multiple scenarios at this point in time, given that The Championships is still many

months away,” organisers said in a statement.

However, they added it was too early to elaborate on the scenario planning.

Wimbledon had an insurance policy in place for the pandemic this year but will not have similar cover next year which means another cancellation would have a major financial impact on British tennis.

British player Andy Murray, twice Wimbledon champion, has called for the tournament to be held next year with or without fans, and the former world number one’s view is believed to carry weight with organisers, the report said.

Next year’s Wimbledon is scheduled to begin on June 28.

Mavi picked up Player-of-the-Match for his 2-20 from four overs. (BCCI)

Gill continued to impress and even with Narine struggling from the other end, there were no unnecessary risks from the right-hander. Narine made 15 off 14 as the opening partnership fetched the team 36. KKR were well placed after ten overs with 82 on the board with two wickets down.

Gill had moved to 47 off 34 but fell to Archer.

Andre Russell had more than ten overs to face and showed plenty of promise. He hit three mighty sixes to race to 24 off 13 but fell trying to go for more. KKR were in a tricky situation but Morgan steadied things a bit and took it deep. KKR were 127 for 5 after 16 overs and then hit 47 in the last four overs. Morgan went from 6 off 10 to end with 34 off 23 to give the bowlers a fighting chance.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR RR THEN? Sharjah hangover? The RR top-order seemed in a hurry.

Steven Smith looked ungainly and played ugly swipes on five of the seven deliveries he faced Sanju Samson looked sublime during his nine-ball stay but threw his wicket away trying to pull Mavi. Buttler decided against taking the conservative approach and fell trying to chase a wide one from Mavi. At 39 for 3 in 6.1 overs, RR middle-order was under too much pressure.

Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag crumbled under pressure while Rahul Tewatia tried but failed to repeat his Sharjah heroics. RR were 67 for 6 after 11 overs and already out of the contest by then.

WAS THERE A STANDOUT PERFORMER? Two actually Cummins and Mavi. If Archer was on fire, Cummins was absolutely sublime. Smith tried to put the Australia pacer under pressure and tried to hit him off his length. Cummins, however, stuck to his Test match lengths, continued to ask questions and created three opportunities. On the third, Smith eventually See page 28

Minister of Sport to push for revision of Cricket Administration Act

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport - Charles Ramson Jr

By Rawle Toney

I

T has been exactly six years four months since the country's first Cricket Administration Act was drafted and passed in the National Assembly.

Since then, there has been a series of events surrounding the Act's implementation which also led to a number of court action between the Government of Guyana and

the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

Behind Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, Government won an appeal against a High Court injunction at the Appellate Court, which now paves the way for the restoration of the Cricket Administration Act. However, Minister Ramson told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of

Serena Williams pulls out of French Open with injured Achilles THREE-time champion Serena Williams has withdrawn from the French Open because of an Achilles injury.

The 39-year-old had been scheduled to play her second-round match against Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova yesterday.

The American has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and was aiming to equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24.

"I think I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing," Williams told a news conference.

"I have been struggling to walk so that's a telltale sign that I should try to recover.

"Achilles is an injury you don't want to play with - I think it was one of the worst, don't want to get to that point, I want it to get better."

Williams picked up the Achilles problem during her U.S. Open semi-final defeat by Victoria Azarenka earlier this month,

the National Assembly on Monday, that given the time the Act would've taken to be functional, he believes that it should be revised, taking into consideration the evolution of cricket and the administering of the sport over the last six years.

"At some point, we all will have to review the Cricket Administration Act because it hasn't been in operation over the last few years," Minister Ramson reasoned, while also noting, "You've had the suspension of the provisions just a couple of years ago, which is something not only prescribes to have the Act functioning and for persons for to have the ability to assess it. The fact that it was done by a Court Order, is something that is irregular."

Minister Ramson said that though he's happy

the matter was brought to closure following the Court of Appeal's ruling, it is now time for Cricket stakeholders to "quickly advance the process" of having the Act revised.

Meanwhile, Minister Ramson, an Attorney-at-Law by profession, reiterated, that as Minister of Sport, he intends to work with all stakeholders of the 'Gentleman's Game', in an effort to preserve the rich history of Cricket in Guyana, and safeguard the future of the sport.

"I want the public to be assured that I'm not working in isolation from all the bodies involved. So I'm in communication with all the relevant stakeholders and I've said to them that I don't have a dog in the race. My function is to make sure that everybody is compliant, and everyone is operating according to

the law," said Minister Ramson.

According to the minister, it is not for him to "cherry-pick individuals who would represent Guyana's interest, it is the process that is important to me. I've said that to all of the stakeholders and that is what I intend to stick by."

Based on the Act, the first elections of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) by law should be called by the Minister of Sport in consultation with the West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies).

Under former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony (now Minister of Health), the Act was tabled in 2014 and sought to firstly make it legal for GCB to be established as a corporate body

comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice cricket boards, all of which will also be made corporate entities.

A section of the Act also addressed the issue of phantom voting for the election of persons for administrative positions and at the same time will give limited power to the Minister of Sport.

The role of the minister under the legislation will be only to appoint the Ombudsman and his/her role ceases.

The Act, as a previous article in Chronicle Sport had pointed out, also provides for better financial accountability with the cricket board being required to present timely audited financial reports to the National Assembly, as well as the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Windies lose final T20I to suffer third straight whitewash See Story on 28

Serena Williams withdrew from the French Open yesterday morning.

(Corbis via Getty Images)

On Monday, she beat fellow American Kristie Ahn 7-6(7-2), 6-0 in the first round at Roland Garros, but said she was struggling physically.

"In the second set I felt I needed to walk with a limp," Williams added. "I had to focus on walking straight so I wasn't limping. I tried and always give 100%, I take solace in that.

"I'm not sure I will play another tournament this year. It is not an acute injury, it is a nagging injury. I ran into bad timing and bad luck really."

Williams won the French Open in 2002, 2013 and 2015 and is currently ranked ninth in the world.

Unseeded Pironkova, 33, moves into the third round of the French Open for only the third time in her career and will play either 32nd seed Barbora Strycova or Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic. (BBC Sport)

Fast bowler Shamilia Connell celebrates one of her three wickets during Wednesday’s fifth T20 International

Playing in ‘bubble’ likeliest option for local cricketers Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020