Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_19_2020

MONDAY 19th October, 2020

' No.106157

Economy to grow 26.2% –– despite COVID-19, only country in the Caribbean & Latin America with positive growth, IMF says

SEE STORY ON PAGE 3 ►

‘Parika-backdam’ residents to get electricity by Christmas SEE PAGE 08

–– but only if the lands are transferred to residents, Min. Indar says

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar listens attentively as a resident of Washington Scheme expresses his concerns (Adrian Narine photo)

Revisit execution attempt

–– Dr. O’Toole urges police

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Shelter at Graham’s Hall Primary for 14 Success squatters PAGE

CXC extends review period, slashes fees

SEE STORY ON PAGE 9 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

‘Gaza’ gunned down in Sophia –– was shot by suspects in May

POLICE are on the hunt for two men who shot and killed 27-year-old Seon London, also known as ‘Gaza’, execution style, in ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown on Saturday night.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that London

of D'Andrade Street Newtown Kitty, Georgetown, and his wife were visiting a friend in ‘C’ Field; the wife left to purchase barbeque while London and the friend sat on a bench in front of the friend’s yard.

The Police report noted that at about 18:35h, two

men approached on foot and at a short distance from London and his friend, they both pulled out handguns and discharged several rounds towards London.

The friend told Police that Laondon was hit and so he collapsed, while he (the friend) threw himself on the

ground and waited until the gunmen left. The friend did not sustain any injuries.

After shooting the victim, the two suspects then ran west on the said street and escaped. The victim's wife returned shortly after to the scene and, with the help of residents, they rushed London to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said the victim re-

ceived five gunshot wounds to the head, arm and other parts of the body; his corpse is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem Examination.

Meanwhile, Police also noted that on May 1, one of the suspects, along with 20-year-old Kevin McAdam of 'E' Field Cummings Park, had shot London in the said Cummings Park area. London was hospitalised at the

Georgetown Public Hospital and was subsequently discharged.

Police said McAdam was arrested and charged with attempt to commit murder and is presently on bail, but the other suspect was never arrested. This matter is presently pending at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

Investigations are ongoing into Saturday night’s murder.

Revisit execution attempt –– Dr O’Toole urges police

By Tajeram Mohabir SOME 18 months after Nations’ Principal, Dr Brian O’Toole, survived an execution attempt by a boy in the dead of night as he was about to enter his home, police are yet to make any headway in the case even as the academic appeals for justice to be served.

Dr O’Toole told the Guyana Chronicle that, from all appearances, the police seem to have closed the case, but he would want to see them revisit the matter and individuals, who have been clearly identified on repeated occasions, interviewed with the aim of prosecution.

On January 27, 2019, Dr O’Toole, a UK-trained psychologist, who has been living in Guyana for 42 years peacefully, had a near-death experience, when a boy ambushed and shot him three times at point blank range in the yard of his Bel Air home.

Prior to the shooting, a student was expelled from

the New Market Street school after issuing a terrorist threat to students in a WhatsApp message, that had caused great unease among parents and the wider school community.

On the very day of the threat, Dr O’Toole met with scores of concerned parents and assured them that systems will be put in place to ensure students’ and teachers’ safety in a bid to allay their fears.

Following the meeting, the veteran educator drove to the Marriott where he spent a few hours over dinner and conversation with friends, including a scholar from the University of Bedfordshire, who was on a visit to Guyana. The night was going well until the Nations’ principal left the Marriott.

He drove home, entered his yard and locked the gate.

It was around 21:30hrs and as he was about to enter his home, the unthinkable happened.

“A young man, thin in

Dr O’Toole in a New York City hospital following the January 2019 shooting (file photograph)

size, brandishing a gun appeared from nowhere. He came to within about five feet of me and without warning or utterance, began to fire at me. His hand was trembling. He jumped in the air and his gun was pointed down. I thought it was a prank. It was bizarre. It looks like someone trying to do something he saw in an action movie,” Dr O’ Toole told this publication in an interview on February 3, 2019.

STILL PARALYZED On Saturday, the Nations’ principal told the Guyana Chronicle that since the shooting, he underwent seven operations but his left hand is still paralyzed and pains continuously.

“18 months ago, we expelled a boy at Nations for selling drugs in six schools.

He did not deny the allegation, nor did his father who, incidentally, had only recently pleaded with us to accept the boy, following his expulsion from another school. Yes – very bad decision on my part.

“A group of well-meaning, but poorly-informed, students took up the defence

of the boy who was expelled.

A far, far more militant approach however was adopted by a boy who has been based in Florida for more than a decade who blazed social media saying he would blow up the school. Hundreds and hundreds of persons in Guyana know the identity of this boy. I provided all information on this boy to the police two days after the shooting. Four hours after this evil post more than 400 parents gathered for a meeting at the school to see how to respond. A further four hours later a boy came to our home to shoot me,” Dr O’Toole related.

According to Dr O’Toole, two days after the shooting, police visited him at a City hospital where he was admitted and he informed them of his idea who the shooter was.

When he was discharged, he later met with then Police Commissioner, Leslie James, and related to the Guyana Chronicle that he again identified the person who he thought was the shooter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Economy to grow 26.2% despite COVID-19

–– only country in Caribbean & Latin America with positive growth

By Vishani Ragobeer GUYANA is the only country in the Caribbean and Latin America region projected to have positive real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, pegged at 26.2 per cent, in spite of the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The World Economic Outlook Report (WEO), published by the IMF and released this month, states that Guyana’s GDP is expected to grow by 26. 2 per cent for 2020. Additionally, this report also projects that Guyana’s economy will grow by 8.1 per cent in 2021. In 2019, Guyana’s real GDP grew by 5.4 per cent.

The Real GDP is an inflation-adjusted measure that reflects the value of all goods and services produced by an economy (in this case, Guyana’s economy) in a given year. In simpler terms, the real GDP measures a country’s total economic output, adjusted for price changes.

In April, Guyana’s economy was projected to grow by 52.8 per cent, a revision to the pre-pandemic 86 per cent growth projection. That revision came about as a result of the less-than-usual global demand for oil due to pandemic and the oil-price war between Russia and Saudia Arabia.

Guyana’s growth is largely attributed to its nascent oil and gas sector.

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo at a pre-budget press conference in August said that Guyana’s oil economy grew by 45.9 per cent, but

the non-oil economy, which comprises the traditional, labour-intensive sectors, shrunk by 4.9 per cent in the first half of the year.

Though Guyana’s 26.2 percent is lower than the previous GDP growth projections for Guyana, the country is the only nation in the Caribbean and Latin America which is projected to record positive growth, despite the wide-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The entire Caribbean and Latin America region is projected to grow by -8.1 per cent, but this contraction is an upward revision of the previous projection of -9.4 per cent in June.

Caribbean countries have been particularly hardhit by the pandemic as the tourism sector, the main income earner for these countries, has been devastated.

Major travel restrictions have been imposed worldwide to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, and many Caribbean countries have been cautiously reopening their borders.

This October WEO states that global growth is projected to be -4.4 per cent, a negative figure but also an 0.8 per cent upward revision compared to the projected figures released in the June WEO. “This upgrade owes to somewhat less dire outcomes in the second quarter, as well as signs of a stronger recovery in the third quarter, offset partly by downgrades in some emerging and developing economies,” the IMF noted.

Global growth in 2021 is projected to rebound to 5.2 per cent, but this is 0.2

per cent below the June projection.

Currently, the global health sector has been working expeditiously towards developing a COVID-19 vaccine. It is estimated that if medical solutions can be made widely available at a faster rate, all economies could potentially benefit from a cumulative increase in their income. At a press briefing following the release of the October report,

Revisit execution ...

Commissioner James, he said, produced the departure card of the boy suggesting the boy was out of the country at the time of the shooting but Dr O’ Toole said persons told him that they had seen the same boy in Guyana at the time of the shooting.

“As soon as I saw the form, I told the Police Commissioner that this was not written by the student – we have copies of his handwriting at our school. The Police Commissioner therefore promised to provide proof from Canada that the boy was indeed out of the country at

the time – he never provided that proof. It is entirely possible that I am incorrect about the identity of the shooter – however my ‘story’ to the police has never changed in this respect. Following the shooting the Florida boy – whose identity was shared with the police – begged for protection on social media in return he would share ‘what he knew,’” the Nations Principal related.

SELLING OF ECSTASY He said that a few months after the shooting, a student came to him and informed

him that his alleged shooter was still selling ecstasy in six Georgetown school. This information, Dr O’Toole said was shared with Commissioner James but soon after the student received a call from his alleged shooter, threating to take out one of her family members. Subsequently, the mother of the student called and informed him that she will deny her daughter made any report to him.

Sadly also, he said, the head of a leading school visited him in hospital just after the shooting and said to him

the IMF’s Chief Economist and Director of the Research Department, Gita Gopinath, stressed that good management of local economies is now more crucial than ever.

“Policies must focus aggressively on limiting persistent economic damage from this crisis. Governments should continue to provide income support to households and work to (prevent) rising bankruptcies and job destruction

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through supporting vulnerable but viable firms,” she said.

Speaking on the post-pandemic recovery trajectory, she said that policies should shift towards facilitating a reallocation of resources towards growing sectors such as e-commerce.

Focus should also be on green and sustainable development.

Emerging markets and developing economies, like

those in the Caribbean and Latin America region, were also a cause for concern for Gopinath. She said that while these countries have to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications with far fewer resources, they will need continued support in the form of international grants, concessional aid, and in several cases, debt relief.

Florida, it was hand delivered to the American Ambassador in Guyana. There was no response from the former PC. The American Ambassador invited me to the Embassy to meet with the Deputy Head of Mission and the Head of Security. Three times in that meeting they informed me, ‘This is a Guyanese matter not an American matter.’ I was astonished by this and asked if the threat had been made against an American operation in Guyana would they still say that,” he said.

Dr O’Toole, who has received national awards from

the Guyana and UK governments for his outstanding work in education, said he has no appetite for revenge against the “sad little boy” who presumably was pressurized by others to try and kill him.

“Indeed, if the law allows, I would ask them to drop the ‘charges’ if it gave the opportunity to meet him and understand the forces that moved him to do what he did and to live with that on his conscience,” the Nations Principal said.

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that he would turn a blind eye on drugs in his school as he had no appetite for getting shot.

“At about this time also the mother of a student gave me a secret recording taken from a dark media site. In the recording the boy from Florida who threatened to blow up the school is heard clearly saying, “Ain’t it cool that the man that shot the man did the dance– how cool is that’ he then starts to laugh uncontrollably. The recording was given to the Police Commissioner and, because the boy is based in

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

No pre-registration required for COVID-19 cash grant THE Government is advising residents that there is no pre-registration requirement to access the COVID-19 $25,000 relief grant.

According to the Government, in a public advisory, clearly iden-

tified distribution clerks, under the supervision of officials from the Ministry of Finance, will visit each household, ascertain the credentials of the householder after which distribution will be done on a house-

to-house basis.

“In cases of where there are multiple households in a home, only the principal householder will receive the cash grant in the first instance. The other households

in these cases will be required to provide their information on a pink form. After the information is verified, those households will receive their $25,000 cash grant,” the advisor said.

Meanwhile, the distribution of the $25,000 household grant commenced in Regions One and Nine and is currently being rolled out in the other regions across the country.

Italy tightens rules after coronavirus cases surge (BBC) - Italy has announced a new raft of measures to tighten restrictions amid a surge in coronavirus cases. A mask-wearing PM Giuseppe Conte said the measures were needed "to avoid a new lockdown".

Mayors will get powers to close public areas after 21:00 and the opening times of restaurants and the size of groups allowed will tighten.

The moves came as Italy recorded its highest daily infection rate for the second day in a row.

Another 11,705 new cases were announced on Sunday, beating the previous record, which came a

day earlier on Saturday, of 10,925. Italy was the European nation hardest hit at the start of the pandemic. It has now recorded 414,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. Its 36,500 deaths place it second to only the UK in Europe.

The prime minister said in a televised address on Sunday evening: "We cannot waste time, we must put in place measures to avoid a generalised lockdown, which could severely compromise the economy.

"The government is here but everyone has to do their part."

He added: "The most effective measures remain the basic precautions: mask,

Monday, October 19, 2020 -- 05:00 HRS

distance and hand hygiene.

We must pay attention to situations where we let our guard down - with relatives and friends. In these situations, the maximum precaution is required."

How is Europe coping with a surge in cases?

A number of nations have strengthened their approach to coronavirus as the so-called "second wave" of infections continues to increase. France saw a record number of new cases on Saturday at 32,427 and there

was close to another 30,000 on Sunday.

However, the rise in confirmed cases in Europe has to be set against the vastly increased testing that is now taking place compared to the first big wave back in March.

Nine major French cities, including the capital Paris, are under a 21:00 to 06:00 curfew for at least a month.

Anyone out then must have a valid reason or could be fined €135 ($158; £123).

Switzerland on Sunday reacted to a sharp increase

in infections by making the wearing of face-coverings in indoor public spaces compulsory from Monday.

Gatherings of more than 15 people in public are also banned.

The Czech Republic said on Sunday it would wait two weeks before deciding on whether a full lockdown was needed. The country currently has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Europe and has closed most of the hospitality sector and moved schools to distance-learning.

Ireland is set to announce tighter restrictions on Monday. A minister said a localised policy had not been sufficient and implied the cabinet was looking at

a "level four" approach that would close all non-essential businesses.

Germany hit a daily record of new infections on Saturday and Chancellor Angela Merkel urged people to stay at home and avoid travel where possible. In the Netherlands, PM Mark Rutte admitted he should have given better advice to the royal family after they cut short a trip to Greece amid public anger that they were holidaying shortly after the government had introduced a partial lockdown.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Improved water service for Mabaruma communities — pump systems fromMabaruma to Wauna to be linked — increased water volume for Wanaina

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, during his outreach to Mabaruma, Region One

AN improved water distribution system in the Mabaruma Sub-region, Region One, will see residents in Wauna village enjoying a better supply even as a short-term solution is being pursued.

This was disclosed by Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, following a meeting with residents of the area, over the past weekend where the issue of inadequate

water supply was raised.

Wauna is currently receiving water from a pump station at Wanaina, another community in the region, after its pump system was condemned and replaced with a hand pump, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

In 2021, when the water rigging system moves into the region, the ministry will be exploring a well in the

area to restore water to Wauna and its environs. In the meantime, a plan is set to be rolled out with the passage of Budget 2020.

“The intention in Mabaruma is to link all of the pumping systems from Mabaruma going all the way to Wauna. So, that is why in this year’s programme, in the 2020 capital [expenditure], there is a concentration to increase the reservoirs [and]

Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal and Regional Executive Officer (REO), Teka Bissessar, visit a water pump

the catchment area in Wanaina,” the minister was quoted as saying by DPI. He added this will in turn increase the pumping hours in Mabaruma. For the regional hospital and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound, several large black tanks will be added to the single tank being utilised.

“It is intended to fill those large tanks and there is a scaffold there. So, all that is

needed is some repair work and repainting and then there will be a constant reliable supply for the Northwest Secondary, for the regional compound and the hospital.”

Minister Croal noted that while school is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northwest Secondary School has a usually occupied dormitory and therefore a constant water supply is needed.

Some $130 million has

been allocated in the 2020 Budget for hinterland water service expansion and management.

In the long-term, a study will be done in the Hosororo catchment area to examine whether it can be used as a reliable water distribution source for Mabaruma. Minister Croal said that once successful, it will solve water distribution issues in Mabaruma.

Juvenile detainees must be treated properly –– says Child Protection Director

DIRECTOR of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene has said measures will be put in place to ensure children who commit criminal offences are properly detained by the Guyana Police Force.

Greene was speaking on a recent television programme, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.

“There is a Juvenile Justice Act, and it says that a child is criminally responsible at the age of 14, but it does not say that a child under the age of 14 cannot be charged,” Greene said.

“However, our mandate at the Childcare and Protection Agency is to work along with the Guyana Police Force to establish processing centres to properly handle juvenile matters, rather than to place a minor into a jail cell,” she added.

When a child is picked up by the police, the processing centres will provide an opportunity for the social worker and police officer to

CPA Director, Ms. Ann Greene

carry out a thorough investigation to prepare a precharge report.

“A juvenile must be held accountable for an act, and when encountered by the police, they must be placed in a system where rehabilitation can be administered immediately. Also, the holding area must be child-friendly,” Greene stated, according to the DPI. Once in the processing centres, she said, juveniles will undergo psychological

evaluation to establish the reason(s) for their actions.

“We need to know their education level, their living condition, and also acquire information to reach out to parents or guardians. This will be enough time to assess cases and get an understanding when the matter is put before the court,” Director Greene said.

Another area of concern To the CPA, the Director pointed out, is the removal of children who are begging on the streets, specifically at stop lights around Georgetown, and as such is urging parents and the public to ensure that children are off the streets and kept in their homes.

“We are holding the parents accountable; they must keep their children off the streets. The children are being exposed and exploited; persons are saying all manner of things to them. People can also take them away; it’s a risk being at street corners begging,” she warned.

Greene disclosed that an exercise to remove children

off the streets was conduct-

were placed at the Agency’s

workers contacted their

ed last Friday. The children

head office, while social

parents and guardians.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

(ag)

The cost of recklessness THE Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) has become a microcosm of the country’s economic distress – victims of the former Coalition Government’s mismanagement, irresponsibility and overt and covert corrupt practices.

The consequences of the foregoing redounding to the detriment of the media entity is over $6 billion in lawsuits filed against the newspapers for libellous news items published under the auspices of the APNU+AFC Government-appointed, unprofessional management team and the oversight of the Coalition’s board of directors.

The PPP/C-appointed board, post-elections of August 2, 2020 and chaired by Dr Yog Mahadeo, reported to the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, that the GNNL was in a financial deficit with a non-operating cash flow to meet immediate needs.

According to Minister McCoy, “These lawsuits all relate to irresponsible reporting, reckless and careless directions from the former board members, general managers and Editor-in-Chief. Not only are we faced with these lawsuits, we are also faced with the additional costs of legal representation as these matters go to court.”

Minister McCoy, the minister in charge of information posited that former Coalition government-appointed general-managers, namely Ganesh Mahipaul and Sherod Duncan, have endangered not only the viability of the company, but also the livelihoods of its employees.

Since the appointment of the new management team and board of directors, their primary focus is on strategising on cost-recovery initiatives in efforts to restore viability to the company.

However, the lawsuits have severely impacted the fiscal dynamics of the GNNL and the board and management have been forced to evaluate the editorial personnel in an effort to restore professionalism to the team of reporters, so as to make the newspaper more balanced and credible in its news coverage and consequently more marketable to advertisers, while rendering its mandatory service to the people of Guyana - credible information dissemination.

The award by Justice Sandil Kissoon last Friday of $27.5M to the owner of SleepIn Group of Hotels, Clifton Bacchus, for a defamation of character lawsuit filed against former Guyana Chronicle Editor-in-Chief (EiC), Nigel Williams and GNNL; and

Pasha Global Inc. and Yokohama Trading Guyana Inc., who were each awarded $12.5M in damages, is merely a forerunner of more libel suits filed against GNNL The lawsuits brought against GNNL – printers and publishers of the Guyana Chronicle -- and Williams by Bacchus, together with Pasha Global Inc. and Yokohama Trading Guyana Inc. were for the publication of an article on August 15, 2017.

Deemed offensive, the front-page headline screamed in bold letters: “Tracking the money… Sleepin boss, associate snared in money laundering probe… SOCU tells Gaming Authority investigation on since 2016.”

Subsequently, in an ongoing attack denouncing the operations of the business entities and the persons identified therein as criminal, in pages two and eight of the August 17, 2017 edition of the newspaper, Williams is accused of publishing, or causing to be published an article boldly headlined, “The Dutch Connection… Sleepin Casino Surinamese partner was jailed for money laundering… Bacchus quizzed about permission to import slot machines.”

It was no surprise that Williams, according to a memo, received millions in a

payout toward a retroactive gratuity that was signed off and approved by the then subject Minister Moses Nagamootoo post the no-confidence motion that toppled the APNU+AFC Government.

Sherod Duncan as acting general manager, also acted in contravention of tender board regulations of the corporation and spent, or illegally authorised spending of in excess of $5 million.

Duncan also received cash advances for overseas and local travel and related expenses for which he has not provided supporting documents to verify large expenditure. He is also being accused of honouring in the breach the company’s personnel policy and procedures manual in the recruitment, termination and dismissal of several employees.

Duncan has also allegedly made payouts to persons with no proper invoicing nor provision of receipts.

Given all of the foregoing, it would be worthy to examine the payout to Williams and the sums allegedly misappropriated by Sherod Duncan.

A recovery of the funds will go toward settlement of the law suits – those already awarded; and the impending ones for which they are culpable.

Sharada Navratri (Part 2 of 2) (cont’d from Oct. 18) Dear editor, MANTRA: Siddh Gandharv Yagyahair Surair Marairapi Sevyamana Sada Bhootyaat Siddhida Siddhi Dayanee AS the warrior-form of Goddess Parvati, she was transformed into Durga by combining the power and divine energies of all the Gods. These divine powers and energies of all the Gods are represented by the different weapons held by Goddess Durga. Not only the weapons, but each and everything related to Goddess Durga symbolises some or the other divine things as noted below.

1. Lion: The lion of Goddess Durga symbolises courage and the uncontrolled materialistic desires and tendencies such as greed, jealousy, selfishness, arrogance, etc.

Goddess Durga sitting on a lion symbolises that we need to control our materialistic desires, needs and emotions and face our problems with courage.

2. Red Saree: Goddess Durga is usually seen wearing a red saree with gold ornaments. The red saree symbolises passion.

It also represents her way of protecting mankind against evil and bad.

3. Conch: The conch was given to her

by Varuna. She is often seen holding a

conch shell in one of her upper hands. The conch shell in her upper hand represents happiness and dedication for fulfilling our responsibilities happily. It gives us a lesson that one must perform his/her duties with contentment and not with resentment.

4. Sword: The sword in her hand was given to her by Kala and signifies the importance of distinguishing and eradicating our negative and evil qualities. It shows that one must be ready to quit his/her bad habits and embrace good habits. Also, one should raise one’s voice against unjust and mean actions.

5. Chakra: The chakra in one of the hands of Goddess Durga was given to her by Vishnu and symbolises duty and righteousness. It shows the importance of acknowledging our duties and responsibilities and fulfilling them to achieve our goals in life.

6. Lotus Flower: The lotus flower in the hands of Goddess Durga was given to her by Brahma and symbolises austerity, purity, and detachment from the materialistic world. It gives us a lesson that despite staying in the mud water, the lotus water remains pure, lively and full of colours.

Similarly, we humans too should try to reflect the good in bad; we are humble souls even during the toughest of times, never being impudent.

7. Trident: The trident or trishul in the left hand of Goddess Durga was given to her by Shiva and symbolises courage and bravery. It tells us that no matter how grave the situation, we should never lose our hope.

Instead of running away from the problems in our lives, we should stand strong and face our problems with full courage, hope and determination.

8. Forgiveness: The right hand of Goddess Durga always stays in the forgiving and blessing position. The forgiving mudra (positions) symbolise the need of forgiving others. There’s no good in holding on to grudges. We should always forgive others and seek forgiveness from those whom we have hurt. In addition to this, we must not say rude things to others or hurt others for our pleasure and selfish needs.

9. Club: Goddess Durga usually holds a club in her right lower hand. The club in her hand was given to her by Kuvera and symbolises devotion and bravery. We must accept whatever the Almighty sends to us.

Whether it is happiness or sorrow, we must accept whatever comes in our way and face it with bravery.

10. Bow and Arrow: The bow, given

by Vayu, and arrow, given by Surya in the hands of Goddess Durga, symbolises perse-

verance. No matter what problems come in our lives, we need to persevere and always stick to the truth. We must not lose our characters or make wrong decisions.

11. Snake: The snake in the hands of Goddess Durga represents the beauty and truth of destructive times. Those who are living on this earth, will have to die and their soul will take a new form in the next life. It also symbolises goodness in the darkest times.

As Guyanese revere the auspiciousness of this significant period, let us pray that COVID-19 can dissipate and a healing process can materialise from the eradication of evil, suffering and unhappiness. Let us pray that all leaders will overcome any ignorance and allow wisdom to prevail, so that light will replace darkness.

As we pray for the protection from any form of negativity, let us envelop the love for our fellow mankind in our bosom and sanctify our hearts with purity and peace. A new dawn awaits a united Guyana if only we can bid farewell to greed, anger, lust, jealousy and animosity with the passing of dusk. Shubh Navratri.

Respectfully, Jai Lall.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

La Grange man chopped by drug addict POLICE are on the hunt for a “known drug addict” who reportedly chopped a 50-year-old Labourer on Saturday at his Independence Street,

La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home.

A Police report noted that the suspect invaded the home of Mohanram

Narine, confronted him and dealt him several chops about the body with a cutlass.

Police said the suspect escaped

while the victim is a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he is being treated for several chop wounds.

The dangers of parading with large weapons

Dear editor,

I AM writing this letter in particular to the Government of Guyana, the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs and his ministry, law enforcement agencies, security firms, and weapon lovers on the dangers and risks of weapons if they are not properly used.

While I am the founder of one of Guyana’s long-standing security firms (since 1979), it is well known that I am not a gun lover. I have always been of the view that they can be dangerous in the hands of people who operate them. Guns, within seconds, can take a life and/or severely hurt and injure people while damaging their lives forever. I know this is difficult, but I wish we could have a world where we could exist without the need for these killing apparatuses.

I write this missive because it is of great concern to me that many guns have been recently stolen from security personnel, householders, and even from Guyana’s law enforcement officers. Several AK-47 and other high-powered weapons have also disappeared from the headquarters of the Guyana Defence Force and other locations in Guyana. Most recently, a weapon was stolen from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) security guard in Success and the Eugo Supermarket in Melanie, East Coast Demerara. I must say that this is not a new phenomenon. Even my own company has suffered such losses in the past, and as far as I know, all security agencies have experienced some of this. Before I dilate more on this topic of firearms and the dangers of them, I would like to give a piece of friendly advice to GuySuCo: it is my opinion that they are using the wrong form of generator/pump and should have used an enclosed generator that is not easy to get into the mechanics of the generator. Knowing GuySuCo as I do, it is very easy for them to make an enclosure very quickly.

Personally, I believe that at no time should a security guard be put with a firearm at that spot. As a matter of fact, security guards should not be in any location where a firearm is exposed to the public.

I wrote letters in the media and expressed concern on Facebook of the latest trend

in Guyana whereby since 2015, security personnel have been parading with largescale weapons, including rapid-fire rifles and shotguns. Oftentimes, these weapons are exposed to public eyes, especially to criminals with malicious motives and who at the same time, if used incorrectly, can harm and kill innocent bystanders.

Some of these security operatives had firearms issued to them for their goldmines. However, as with common greed and in an underground partnership with certain elements of the previous government, they began to bring these weapons to supermarkets, bars, shops, and malls to build fear and terror in the hearts of criminals. Little do they know that it only enriches the illicit arsenals of criminal elements, better known as bandits! In my view, the idea of using such weapons in supermarkets, restaurants, shops, and malls is very ill-advised and demonstrates a lack of understanding of security. It is a misguided concept that these weapons would create terror.

Instead, as I said above, these weapons attract the eyes of the criminals who will steal these weapons.

Security guards are human beings and they will always have a vulnerable moment. I believe that some security personnel and businessmen cannot grasp the reality of criminal culture in our society as it relates to weapons and firearms theft.

They also underestimate the reality of the criminal mind. Some of these criminals may be the staff of their own and even the security personnel themselves.

Businesses who employ security services to make a show of these large guns make the criminals laugh. These security firms lack awareness and they do not know and criminals have an ‘element of surprise.’ I do not want to give the criminals ideas on how to undermine any security firm, a business agency, and/or how to disarm the security guard. So, I do not want to dilate a lot on this unless these businesses desire to contact me to ask what I mean. Therefore, I say no further.

(If companies wish to speak to me i can be easily contacted) In India, security guards are in major places with large weapons (five and sixfoot long double-barrel shotguns, which are famous in India) and when a security

guard or big landlord picks up these weapons, people run for their lives. On the contrary, in Guyana, since the weapons are so long and bulky, the Guyanese criminals find strategies and ways to easily disarm the security personnel and use the stolen weapon against the business or personnel themselves. It is obvious that at the GuySuCo pump, the ‘element of surprise’ was used when the criminals held the cutlass at the neck of the security guard. This should be a wake-up call to the security agencies who are knowingly taking these contracts and putting the guards and guns at risk while subsequently enriching the criminals’ arsenals.

I have refused security contracts when large arms are unnecessarily demanded at such places, as it was not prudent to use such a weapon in such a location where there are movements of people in large numbers, be it shoppers or pedestrians. Most of these shotguns have pellets, and when fired, cone out thereby endangering the lives of many innocent people who could be wounded and maybe even killed. If a slug is used, the slug could move through one person and hit another, and could even be so destructive that it could take off an arm, crack open the chest, etc. of an individual. So, just imagine, dear readers, if a rapid-fire rifle with bullets had to be used in a store or a mall, just imagine the dangers it might cause.

With this in mind, I wrote a letter and visited the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who listened very intently and showed much concern as I explained to him that these guns are suitable for large compounds that are heavily fenced, or as I said above, in gold-mining areas. I also indicated to him that these weapons should be specially placed, so that innocent citizens cannot be injured if they are used.

I wish to emphasise that we are not in a war zone or patrolling a border with heavy narco-traffickers. We are not fighting the ‘Sindicato’ of Venezuela or protecting an illicit gold mine. Therefore, these weapons should not be used in malls, shops, restaurants, and supermarkets. I am of the view that some security companies and security personnel like to create a show by putting the weapon

by their knees in a special holster, which makes them look dangerous. However, in my opinion, it makes them extremely vulnerable and attractive to the bandits.

As such, it is my view that the Government of Guyana should implement the following measures in an effort to curb such acts: 1. No high-powered weapons should be permitted in any supermarket or store.

They should only be used for large-scale factory compounds or goldmines and identified positions where there can be no threat to innocent citizens, or nowhere where the bandit can easily make contact with the security personnel.

2. Firearms should be concealed and not exposed to the public eyes.

3. We must recognise that human life is precious and that it is a gift from God. It is advisable for certain businesses to set up security guards who are trained to use batons as lethal weapons along with other self-defence methods without the use of firearms. They should bear in mind that if there are losses, those losses can never compensate for the loss of human life.

4. They can create particular areas and places where the security guard, with such huge weapons, is in a concealed area and can fire at a target without being personally exposed at the front of a store or within the store.

Furthermore, it is human nature that the security personnel would have to use the washroom, eat, smoke, and/or be compelled to go on their mobile phones. In particular, the males like to forget their weapons and look at the females walking by the road or entering the stores. I will ask the Honourable Minister and Government of Guyana to note that most of the security services that use these exposed, large weapons are newly established security services, not older experienced security firms in Guyana. As such, they should be advised of the dangers of using enormous weapons carelessly.

My aim is to make Guyana a better and safer place to live for all citizens.

And so I pen this missive with great concern.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Parika backdam residents to get electricity by Christmas –– but only if the lands are transferred to residents – Minister Indar

By Jared Liddell ONE hundred and fifty households in Washington Scheme, located at Parika backdam, East Bank Essequibo, are slated to receive electricity by Christmas, while the main access road will also be repaired within three months, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, has promised.

But this will only be made possible if the lands are legally transferred in the names of the residents.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Washington Scheme is owned by a private citizen who decided to make his lands available to the residents, after they were removed from the seaside in 2005. The residents have not had access to water and electricity since.

There is said to be an agreement between the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the residents and the private owner of the land to allow the citizens to reside there.

As such, Minister Indar, in providing clarification to this newspaper, said that he has asked the concerned parties to ensure that the agreement is legally binding before he moves ahead with introducing electricity and repairing the roads in the community.

According to Minister Indar, the owner of lands has not granted full authority to the residents. As such, Minister Indar made it clear, “we will not spend a cent of taxpayers’ money if he doesn’t transfer these lands into the names of the residents…we will not spend one cent in that area.”

The junior Public Works Minister said he was emphatically clear during a meeting with the Chairman, Vice

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, reviewing the Washington Scheme’s plans with one of the residents.

Chairman, the Regional Executive Officer and the land owner that the agreement needs to be legal and the transfer needs to take place soon.

“I told him that I don’t want that if something is wrong with you and your estate is transferred to somebody else and they go and put out the people, and call all sorts of money for the land and put the people at a disadvantage…I want y’all to at least give the people ownership of the land or a document to say they own the land or they have rights to the land.

“How long that is not happening, I won’t do any work in this area. I made sure I told him that and he is to sit down with the regional team and come up with a solution to that,” Minister Indar told the Guyana Chronicle Sunday.

Minister Indar said he has also requested the assistance of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission and the Ministry of Housing and Water to look into the interests of the residents.

During an outreach to

A section of the Washington community

the community on Sunday, Minister Indar reminded the residents of the government’s commitment to providing all citizens with a better quality of life; he said it is with this in mind that he decided to intervene and provide the residents with electricity.

“You have been without electricity since this scheme was established, and as a government we want to ensure that that is looked into and that all Guyanese have access to the basic resources such as water and light, so we have decided to undertake this initiative,” Minister Indar told the residents.

Meanwhile, Chairman of

Region Three, Ishan Ayube, believes the initiative is both timely and important, noting that the community has been in existence for 15 years without access to electricity and running water.

He explained that the electricity is coming at an opportune time given the fact that schools are closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and classes are being done online.

RESIDENTS HAPPY Following Minister Indar’s promise, many residents expressed relief and gratitude.

"I glad cause I get my

Residents turned out in their numbers to meet with Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and his team.

A car traverses the deplorable road in the community (Adrian Narine photos)

granddaughter that lives here with me, she’s now going into Form One and she [will] need the internet to get class and to get information for assignments and so," said Noreen Aziman.

Another resident, Michael Calvan, said, "I'm glad they came in here today. I've been watching the things the government has been doing and I see they're keeping the promises they’re making to the residents so I'm glad because I know now that we would actually get the electricity and get the road fixed.”

Calvan has three children and another one on the way;

he and his family has been living in the community for some three years.

Another resident of the area, Jessie Poole, lauded the initiative.

“I know everybody will appreciate it. We all like living here but in the rainy season it’s hard; sometimes the road is so bad I have to lift both of my children and bring them out because I don’t want them to have to walk through all that water and mud. So I would really appreciate it when the roads are done,” said Poole.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

CXC extends review period, slashes fees –– recommendation made for examination body to moderate all SBAs, IAs

By Tamica Garnett THE Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Sunday boldly committed to a review and revamping in the coordination of the processes that go into the administering and grading of its examinations.

A draft report from a recent review of the council’s 2020 examinations contains some 23 recommendations.

Among the recommendations is that CXC consider permanently moderating 100 per cent of the assessments, particularly the School Based Assessments (SBAs) and Internal Assessments (IAs). It was also recommended that there should be training and workshops for better coordination and communication between teachers and other stakeholders involved in the process.

“The relationship within the system must now be made more efficient,” said CXC chairman Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, commenting on the findings of the report during a virtual press conference on Sunday.

“We must be conscious that the CXC is but the apex of a complex eco system. The public in general has become accustomed to describing the entire system as CXC, though CXC is but a part. It is necessary for the eco system to undergo an audit review.

That is all of the parts of the system of which CXC is a component. The relations of all of these components must be audited, reviewed and enhanced.”

Professor Beckles confirmed that the council received the draft report from the review team on Friday and shared that the council held a meeting on Saturday to discuss the findings. He disclosed that the council is now expected to meet with Ministers of Education from across the Caribbean on Monday and has committed to releasing a copy of the report to the public on Tuesday.

After the meetings,

of ungraded being reported,” Dr. Wesley related.

CXC Chairman Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

CXC will be looking to “roll out a public-engagement strategy to begin the healing process,” Professor Beckles said.

“We are working feverishly to have that final report of the review team available to the public.

These meetings will enable the review team to have the opportunity to finalise its report which we are mindful to release to the public on Tuesday,” Professor Beckles declared.

IMMEDIACY Several of the recommendations in the report are expected to be implemented immediatey, including an increase in the personnel capacity at the council, particularly as it pertains to the handling of incoming queries and requests for reviews from students, to enable faster resolutions.

The closing date for submission of queries and review requests has been extended from October 23 to November 6, while the council has also taken the decision to slash their review fee by half, from US$30 to US$15. Persons who have already paid the full fee for previous reviews will be refunded their reductions.

The rule for a full refund in cases where the student receives an improved grade will still apply.

However, also as a new feature, there will be no reduction of any grade already awarded. Customarily, a review of a grade could result in a student’s grade remaining the same, being improved or being reduced.

The council is also expected to set up a virtual portal, whereby students will be able to submit their queries and review requests directly to CXC as opposed to previously having to go through their country’s Ministry of Education (MoE).

Professor Beckles was joined at Sunday’s press conference by CXC Registrar, Dr. Wayne Wesley.

In the over two hours engagement, the pair were extensively grilled by journalists from all across the Region, for answers on what lead to the unprecedented backlash that the council saw over results allocated to students in its 2020 exams, particularly the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION They offered that much of the situation that developed involved a breakdown in communication and coordination of the SBAs/ IAs, given changes that

CXC Registrar Dr. Wayne Wesley

were made for the 2020 examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The communication of the various elements of the system could have been more effective, given the structural change and assessment. There remains a measure of misunderstanding of the nature of the changes, particularly within the school setting.

These misunderstandings contributed to a high measure of anxiety in respect to performance by students,” Professor Beckles noted.

Variances between the SBA/IA grades awarded by teachers and the grade awarded by CXC after moderation were said to have largely contributed to the high reports of less than expected grades that many students experienced this year; while breakdowns over the SBA submission contributed to the heightened “ungraded” results that were seen.

Noting that “it makes no sense to point fingers in terms of who is responsible,” Professor Beckles said that going forward will require that all stakeholders “take collective responsibility to identify and rectify the challenges for the mutual well-being of the entire structure.”

For the 2020 exams due to modifications, CXC opted to review 100 per cent of the SBAs/IAs done by

students, whereas customarily only selected samples are moderated. The SBAs are usually marked by the teachers in each respective country and the complete list of scores, along with the samples are sent to CXC. Dr. Wesley shared that this year the moderation saw some 66 per cent of the SBA/IA grades awarded by teachers being changed after moderation by CXC; comparatively, 63 per cent were changed last year.

“It is important for us to understand that with the assessments the grade awarded by teachers within the school system would not necessarily be the final grade, such grade would be finalised after the modification process. I understand and appreciate the concerns of candidates who would have been using their SBA grade by teacher as their final grade,” Dr. Wesley noted.

The CXC exams were administered across 20 countries, and though it was not revealed how many out of the 20 countries were affected by the situation, Dr. Wesley confirmed that the situation was widespread, which could have contributed to the unprecedented nature of the situation.

“It gave the regional flavour because in all territories there were instances

INCREASE According to Dr. Wesley, though this year saw an increase of reports for queries and requests for reviews, it still accounted for less than two per cent of the overall grades awarded across the Region.

According to Dr. Wesley’s statistics, for 2020, CXC has thus far received 2353 requests for reviews for CAPE representing 1.97 per cent of the grades awarded. However, that is more than double the 1073 review requests that were received last year, but is closer to the 2173 requests received in 2018.

For 2018 and 2019, the review requests accounted for 0.02 per cent and 0.88 per cent respectively.

However, there was an over 300 per cent increase in the ungraded results as compared to last year with 757 ungraded in 2019, but 2296 ungraded in 2020.

Statistics were not provided for 2018.

In terms of queries, for CAPE there was also an unprecedented increase, though only 659 queries have been received so far, which represents 0.55 of the cohort, it represents an over 1800 per cent increase over the 36 queries (0.03 per cent) received last year, and still some distance away from the 71 queries (0.001 per cent) received in 2018.

For CSEC, the 2550 review requests that the council has received thus far for this year accounts for 0.46 per cent, but represents an increase of over 350 per cent from the 720 requests (0.13 per cent) received last year. However, it does not supersede 2813 review requests (0.01 per cent) received in 2018.

This year, CSEC experienced the absence of 30, 108 students, whereas last year there were 35, 958 absentees recorded.

The “ungraded” results saw an increase, moving from 8062 in 2019 to 11, 578 in 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Child Development Quiz IF you have children, or work with or around them, how much do you know about their development? Apart from the obvious, they grow and eventually learn to do things for themselves; there is so much more going on, that if we blink, we are likely to miss something.

Try our quiz and see how many questions you answer correctly, and then read what your score indicates about your knowledge.

1. A newborn baby’s stomach at birth can hold: a) 3 oz. of fluid b) A saucer full of fluid c) A marble-size amount of fluid 2. Babies appear to have cold hands and feet during the first few weeks of birth because: a) Their circulation is poor b) Because they need socks and some warm gloves c) They are used to the warmth of the womb 3. At what age can children regulate their emotions and talk about their feelings? a) From 18 months onwards b) Between 2-3 years’ old c) Between 4 -5 years’ old

4. Children can develop a healthy self-esteem even before they can talk based on: a) The number of toys and presents they receive b) How often their siblings play with them c) The positive things that parents tell them 5. What is the earliest age that a girl or boy can start puberty? a) Aged 6 for the girl and 8 for the boy b) Aged 8 for the girl and 9 for the boy c) Aged 9 for the girl and 10 for the boy 6. During pre-adolescence (age 9-14) why should parents work to keep channels of communication open? a) So their children would continue to confide in them during adolescence b) So children can hear stories of when they were young c) So children will realise parents come first 7. It is natural for adolescents to spend more time with their friends than their parents because: a) Parents have different interests to children b) Friends are more exciting than parents c) Adolescents are transitioning into adults 8. Children gain more from watching TV programmes with adults because: a) Parents can use programme content as teaching opportunities b) Children tend to watch less TV when adults are present c) Children talk to adults during the programme when they are present 9. Young people become very self-conscious between the ages of 13-15 because: a) They think everyone is looking at them b) Their hormones make them self-conscious c) Increased oxytocin in the brain makes them self-conscious 10. Adolescents are more emotional than adults because: a) Adults have forgotten how to be emotional b) Adults use a different part of their brain to adolescents c) Adults don’t understand what it’s like to be young

11. Children WILL discuss sexual development with their peers because: a) They need to get all the facts first-hand b) Curiosity is a natural part of their development c) They rely on their peers for accurate information 12. At what age is the rational part of a teenage brain fully developed? a) 15 - 17 years’ old b) 19 - 20 years’ old c) 25 - 26 years’ old

ANSWERS: 1 (C) Babies stomachs are small at birth but expand to the size of an egg by the 10th day. 2 (A) Babies have poor circulation at birth, but as they start moving around, they warm up naturally. 3 (B) From 4 - 5 years old a child can describe the way he is feeling, and recognise his emotions, such as happy, angry or sad. 4 (C) Parents can help to build children’s self-esteem from very young. ‘that’s a good boy’ ‘you’re doing very well, keep going, you can do it’. Words of encouragement, and a show of appreciation, whether the child succeeds or not, can be supportive.

5 (B) The average age that puberty starts are 11 years old for a girl and 12 years old for a boy, but some girls start puberty before the age of 8 and some boys before the age of 9. When children start puberty so early, it is called ‘precocious puberty’. 6 (A) Parents need to stay close and develop a trusting relationship with their pre-adolescent child. A smooth transition into adolescence should follow. The child should have a safe place to return to, whatever the world throws at him.

7 (C) Children share more intimate details with their peers and become more secretive as they become adolescent. It is all part of becoming an adult. 8 (A) Children learn more from the TV when a parent or adult is there to help them understand and put into perspective what they are seeing and learning. 9 (C) Teenagers (13 – 15 years old) become self-centred when oxytocin is increased in the brain. 10 (B) Adolescents use the emotional part of their brain (limbic system) while adults use the more rational part (prefrontal cortex). 11 (B) Parents should discuss sexual development with their children, so they receive accurate information. 12 (C) The rational part of an adolescent’s brain is not considered fully developed until the age of 25.

SCORE: 12 - 12 Brilliant! You have a varied knowledge of child development 10 – 8 Well done! But you need to brush up on our skills 7 -5 Good Try! You have learnt more information today Less than 5 - Try again, see if you can get all the answers right this time.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

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Major deterioration of equipment found at shuttered estates

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

–– substantial sums to be spent because of ‘neglect’, says Agri. Minister

By Navendra Seoraj SUGAR, an industry once heralded as the ‘back bone’ of Guyana’s economy, was neglected and downsized by the former APNU+AFC administration to the detriment of not just thou-

sands of sugar workers, but the equipment which will now cost the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government large sums of money to replace and reconfigure.

In 2017, the former coalition government had an-

nounced the closure of four sugar estates - Rose Hall, Skeldon, Enmore and Wales - leaving close to 7,000 persons without a job or source of income.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), “in its glory days,” was referred to as

The Skeldon Sugar Estate which was left to deteriorate (Adrian Narine photo) the backbone of Guyana’s government. economy, as the company “The estates were ruemployed roughly 16,000 ined…Enmore is in the persons; it was a major most serious state than source of foreign currency, all, then Skeldon…they and a provider of communi- allowed Skeldon to deterioty healthcare, drainage ser- rate because of weather and vices, and welfare facilities. the general abandonment of The industry has since this estate without protecbeen reduced to a level of tion,” said Minister of Agriinsolvency and instability, culture, Zulfikar Mustapha, but the new government during a recent telephone believes there is still hope, interview with the Guyana although there are produc- Chronicle. tion challenges relating to The general perception low productivity, high cost was that the sugar industry of production, lack of com- was neglected and left to petitiveness and poor man- ‘rot’ because it employs agement. mainly supporters of the In the next five years, PPP/C, something which starting with Budget 2020, was deemed spurious by the government plans to authorities. implement measures to proMinister Mustapha, mote a diversified agricul- however, said this percepture-based economy, create tion was no excuse to leave more jobs, and increase the those estates in the state income of farmers. they are in.

The task ahead is no At the Skeldon Estate, easy one for the current ad- an expensive diffuser sysministration, as millions of tem and the punt dumper dollars in equipment were were left to deteriorate; left to deteriorate, rendering these pieces of equipment them inoperable or in some are said to be costly to recases repairable, but at a place. ‘hefty’ cost.

Speaking specifically During a recent walk- about the diffuser system, about at some of the shut- Minister Mustapha said: tered estates in Region Six “It was the only one in the (East Berbice-Corentyne), country…it was new techthe Guyana Chronicle ob- nology used like what is served rusted equipment, being used in South Africa boxes accumulating dust and the technology gave and inoperable machines, us good returns in terms of which authorities said, are tonnes cane to tonnes sugar. only suited for a “scrapy“It was neglected by the ard.” last administration…they In some cases where allowed it to deteriorate… machines could be fixed or it was in a very advanced replaced, it would cost mil- stage of damage from what lions of dollars. These costs we observed recently.” include the replacment of a He further added: “So boiler at the shuttered Rose I think that now as we are Hall Sugar Estate, which going through, we are findrecently started preparation ing a lot of faults and a lot for the cultivation of sug- of problems and we have arcane. to replace a lot of parts…a While the estate has number of parts will have to already rehired close to be replaced, like the carrier, 170 persons, there are in- the boiler, important comfrastructural issues such as ponents in the factories… a leaking roof, dilapidated we have to replace those platforms and inoperable things and replace compochimneys and molasses nents in the factory.” tanks and factory pumps, The resuscitation of which need to be replaced, those estates will cost a said Engineer attached to substantial amount, and GuySuCo, Vijay Goberdan, while the Minister did not in a recent report. reveal a figure, he said it is This is just a microcosm a tall task. of the amount of work needThe Government has ed on not just Rose Hall, but already released $3B to the two other estates which bail out GuySuCo, of are being reopened by the See page 13

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

‘COVID-19 hospital’ being equipped to deal with ICU patients

MINISTER of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the government is moving to expand services at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, located at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, which is currently only treating mild COVID-19 cases.

Guyana received 26 ventilators in recent weeks from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) and the Indian Government.

“The idea is to make sure we have all levels of care here, and with the installation of the ventilators and the setting up of this ICU, we would be able to provide all levels of care that is required for COVID-19 patients,” Dr. Anthony was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

He added that the ventilators received are enough to provide care at both the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Some will also be sent to regional hospitals to expand their capacities to treat COVID-19 cases.

Consultant Emergency Medicine Specialist at the facility, Dr. Tracey Bovell, said the ICU will cater for 27 patients at once.

Currently, steel pipes for oxygen and other medical gases are being installed in the ICU, the DPI reported.

Dr. Bovell explained that as a patient is triaged, they will go into the transition area where further care will be rendered. Based on assessment, if there is a need for further attention, the patient will then be transitioned into the ICU. “In the ICU, we will be getting our ventilators, oxygen and other medical gases with appropriate beds and staffing,” Dr. Bovell highlighted.

Further, Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, disclosed that an ICU facility is vital especially in the management of COVID-19, since many of those who contract the disease suffer from respiratory distress (shortness of breath).

“The management of patients who have

Major deterioration of equipment ...

From page 12

An inside look at the condition of the shuttered Rose Hall Sugar Estate (Adrian Narine photo)

which $2.2B will be used for the re-opening of the three estates and the remaining $0.8B will be used to re-capitalise the current assets to help achieve outlined objectives.

It was reported that the Rose Hall Estate will be the first of the three estates to be reopened and is expected to begin grinding in 2022.

Chief Executive Officer (ag), Sasenarine Singh, was reported recently as saying: “GuySuCo is on a change plan.

We have refashioned the way we are doing things. We have re-engineered the way we are thinking at GuySuCo. “The whole vision at GuySuCo right now is to move up the value chain as fast

as we can within the constraints of finances, and, in addition to that, we are opening three estates so it’s going up and it’s going broader.”

The short-term plan, he explained is seeking to move up the value chain by moving towards more value-added products such as packaged sugar while the medium-term plans are to engage in private/public partnerships to enhance the value-added content.

Word of the estate’s reopening and intended innovation has already “bred new hope” into residents of nearby communities, who were once gainfully employed by the facility or benefitted indirectly through small businesses.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and other hospital officials at the Infectious Diseases Hospital to be on ventilators is being done at the Georgetown Public Hospital where we have a 14-bed Infectious Intensive Care Unit. But the Georgetown Hospital is overwhelmed because we have other things to take care of

at that location,” Dr. Jeffrey said.

Once the ICU at the Infectious Diseases Hospital is up and running, the city hospital can continue its mandated duties, he said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Shelter at Graham’s Hall Primary for Success Squatters

By Vishani Ragobeer THE Graham’s Hall Primary school will be used

as a shelter for the squatters occupying GuySuCo’s lands at Success on the East Coast of Demerara

(ECD), according to Senior Response Officer of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Captain Salim Oc-

tober.

On Sunday, officers of the CDC visited the Success squatting area to conduct a

An officer of the Civil Defence Commissio

A superintendent of the Civil Defence Commi

A classroom of the Graham’s Hall Primary School o

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

on (CDC) engaging a squatter at Success

ission (CDC) engaging a squatter at Success

on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) being prepared

Senior Response Officer of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Captain Salim October (Elvin Crocker photos)

registration and verification exercise, aiming to provide some assistance to the squatters. There, squatters have been occupying the Success lands that belong to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for months. Recently, however, the corporation has begun flooding the lands to prepare for the resumption of cultivation after years of dormancy.

“Though the flood here has been man-induced, we still have a responsibility to ensure that residents remain safe and some of their needs

are addressed,” Captain October told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment.

He explained that a temporary shelter at the Graham’s Hall Primary School, on the ECD, has been prepared for squatters to move into.

The shelter has been prepared for those squatters who are in a “vulnerable” situation, with no clear housing alternative currently. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, said recently that squatting at Success is a “no-no” but many squatters have been lamenting that

they have nowhere else to go because of the harsh economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, as part of plans to revitalise the sugar industry and restart production at the Enmore Estate, GuySuCo officials said that cultivation at Success is necessary. And as such, the land has been flooded as part of the preparation for cultivation.

Captain October highlighted that by staying in the inundated area, persons are susceptible to water-borne diseases and other safety concerns. As such, he emphasised that this shelter is a good option for them.

“Once we house persons within the shelter arrangement, it becomes the responsibility of the CDC and other collaborative arrangements to ensure that a 360 degrees care package is provided to all squatters,” he affirmed.

As such, the shelter will be equipped with adequate sanitisation facilities to protect the squatters against COVID-19. Adequate spacing for individuals and families is also a consideration.

And, Captain October highlighted that meals will be provided. The assistance will

be provided through collaboration with the respective ministries and agencies.

PROACTIVE On Saturday, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, met with the squatters at Success and offered to set up a temporary shelter nearby for them but this offer was not met with a favourable response.

While Captain October could not say whether any of the squatters would be going to the shelter, he indicated that the CDC is proactive.

“We do not wait until there is an escalation of a problem then to put the necessary and appropriate facilities in place. What we’re doing is anticipating that if the conditions worsen and people don’t have anywhere else to go, we do have a facility that would be ready by the end of (Sunday) for persons who need to be housed in a shelter,” he said.

Additionally, October could not definitively say how long persons will be able to stay in the shelter but related instead that the use of this shelter is contingent upon the actions other ministries or bodies may take to assist the squatters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Guyanese fishermen being exploited by Surinamese

…to acquire licence to fish, says Fishermen’s Co-op Society

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANESE fishermen, who ply their trade in Suriname waters, have complained consistently about the exploitative system in place to acquire a licence to operate in that country, a complaint which has since reached local authorities, who are actively engaging Surinamese officials on the issue.

The Guyana Chron icle, during a recent visit to the Upper Corentyne

Fishermen’s Co-op Society (UCFCS) at the Number 66 Village, learnt that the cost of a licence to operate in Suriname has quadrupled over the past few years.

“We have been fishing in Suriname waters for years, but the cost of the licence is too much…we are being exploited by the Surinamese middlemen who take out the licence and rent it to us,” said Chairman of UCFCS, Pameshwar Jainarine during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

This arrangement is said to be more traditional than official because it has been ongoing for decades, and has been the only alternative for locals, given their inability access licences directly from authorities in Suriname.

It was reported in the past that Suriname was reluctant to distribute licences to Guyanese because it would not leave room for Surinamese fishermen.

In the absence of an official arrangement between Guyana and Suriname, fishermen, who rely heavily on their trade to earn a living, have been subjected to not only high fees, but also various conditions which were created conveniently by the ‘retailer’ of the licences.

“It was going good for quite some time until they started attaching conditions, like saying that you have to load ice in Suriname…by

doing this, it killed the Coop’s ice-making business… also when we land the catch in Suriname, they pay us what they want and do not even pay for everything,” said Jainarine.

Practically, fishermen, through this arrangement, have to sell some of their ‘catch’ in Suriname and then sell the remainder in Guyana.

In a case where there is a ‘trust-based’ arrangement with customers in Suriname, Guyanese boat owners would have to travel to that country to uplift their payment, a system which Jainarine said is “very risky.”

There have been many reports in the past about Guyanese fishermen being victims of piracy, losing not only their ‘catch’ and equipment, but, in some cases, their lives.

“We need to have a better arrangement…we have asked

the Foreign Affairs people to work out an arrangement where Guyanese and Suriname Government can sit together and grant licences accordingly…this system existed about 15 years ago, and through it this Co-op had 50 licences,” said Jainarine.

Through the previous official arrangement, fishermen in Guyana would have to land one catch in Suriname and one in Guyana, a system which fishermen are willing to go back to once they are able to access the licence.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha has since confirmed that this issue was raised with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, who met recently with his counterpart from Suriname, Albert Ramdin.

“This issue is causing serious concerns for us, so I raised it with the Minis-

Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Co-op Society (UCFCS), Pameshwar Jainarine

ter (Todd) and hopefully it could be resolved shorty,” said Minister Mustapha in an invited comment.

Guyana’s fishing industry has been a key contributor to the local economy, valuing approximately $8.3 billion of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing over 15,000 persons directly and indirectly.

A file photo of Guyanese fishermen arriving at the Number 66 wharf after plying their trade in Surinamese waters

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Two males die from COVID-19 –– 24 new cases recorded

Pensioner beaten, robbed of BLU cellphone

POLICE are investigating the robbery of 70-year-old Abel Vernon who was beaten for his BLU cellphone, on Saturday, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that Vernon, a pensioner of Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara, was heading home when the two suspects accosted him.

He was cuffed to his face and body during which the thieves stole the cellphone.

Police said one of the suspects – a 35-year-old male of Crane, WCD - was caught in the vicinity of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH); the hunt is on for the other suspect, said to be 26 years old.

The victim was admitted to the WDRH where he is being treated for his injuries.

Thieves break into home of policewoman

THE home of a 28-year-old Special Constable at West Minster, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was broken into and robbed on Saturday.

A Police report noted that 28-year-old Special Constable, Erita Roberts, returned home from work and discovered that her eastern window was broken and her front door was wide open.

Upon entering, she discovered her television set, valued G$80,000, was missing from her bedroom. No one has been arrested as Police continue their investigation.

Labourer stabbed to death during fight over alcohol AN argument over alcohol, on Saturday night, led to the fatal stabbing of a 33-year-old labourer of Grant Enterprise, Lower Pomeroon River.

Dead is Elton Benjamin, known as ‘buckman’, also of Grant Enterprise, Lower Pomeroon River. Police Headquarters, in a statement, noted that the 21-year-old suspect who resided in the same area, was arrested and, reportedly, confessed to the crime.

According to the Police report, Benjamin, the sus-

pect and other friends were imbibing at a shop at around 23:00h when an argument erupted between the two over the alcohol they were drinking.

It is alleged that Benjamin left the shop but returned with a cutlass which he used to chop and beat the suspect. Police said the suspect then took out a knife from the waist of his pants and stabbed Benjamin twice to the right side rib area.

Benjamin collapsed on the ground and the suspect escaped; the victim was sub-

sequently taken to the Charity Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The suspect was contacted by the Police and told of the allegations to which he admitted and was arrested and escorted to the Charity Police Station whereafter he was taken to the Charity Public hospital, to seek medical attention,” Police said in their statement.

Investigations are ongoing.

THE novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of two more males within the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 111.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the most recent victims are 56-year-old Seepersaud Narine and 78-year-old Ruben Francis, both patients of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); they died on Sunday.

This newspaper understands that Narine was hypertensive and diabetic, while Francis had no known underlying condition. They were both residents of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The latest deaths mean a total of 29 persons have died

for the month thus far.

It was reported recently that persons continue to take COVID-19 for granted, although it has proven to be a “real killer,” especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities.

In medicine, co-morbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, comorbidity is each additional condition.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 81 per cent of persons who contract the virus will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and another five per cent will need intensive care.

Meanwhile, Guyana on Sunday recorded 24 new cases, taking the overall known cases in the country to 3,734.

There are 78 persons in institutional isolation, 880 in home isolation and 13 persons in the COVID-19 ICU. Of the positive cases, 2,654 persons have recovered, while 44 are in institutional quarantine. A total of 16,865 persons have been tested thus far.

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

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday October 19, 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) RCB 263/5 vs Warriors, 2013 (2) Rohit Sharma (MI); M S Dhoni (CSK)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the IPL 2011 Champions?

(2) Which team lost the final in IPL 2011?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

KKR register super-over win against SRH (ESPNCRICINFO) - Two mid-table sides separated by just two points.

Two misfiring middle orders. Two squads unable to use their reserve overseas players in the best possible way.

Two teams that were neck and neck with three wins each against each other since 2018. What happened when they met on Sunday evening? A Super Over, of course.

Lockie Ferguson made that one-over face-off a one-sided affair though. Playing his first match in over seven months, Ferguson, in the space of three balls, first removed David Warner’s off stump to hand him a golden duck and then hit the base of Abdul Samad’s middle stump with a full and slower delivery, with only two runs allowed in between.

A single from Eoin Morgan and two leg-byes off Dinesh Karthik’s pads with a fumble at short-fine leg gave the Kolkata Knight Riders two points from the third Super Over of the season to keep them in fourth place on the points table.

Ferguson had earlier dented the Sunrisers Hyderabad chase of 164 with a spectacular spell of fast bowling that read 4-0-3-15 without conceding a single boundary. Ferguson did the damage against a tweaked Sunrisers line-up that saw Kane Williamson open with Jonny Bairstow, and Warner push himself down to No. 4. He allowed just seven in the 18th over when the Sunrisers needed 37 from 18. With 30 to win from 12, Samad and Warner targeted Shivam Mavi on the off side for two fours before the former fell off the last ball of the over - another dismissal that featured Ferguson. Samad had clubbed a full toss to deep midwicket where Ferguson pouched the ball right inside the rope before carefully lobbing it to Shubman Gill when he lost balance.

Warner had struck only two fours in his 28-ball 33 when the last over started with Andre Russell bowling a big wide outside off to Rashid Khan from around the wicket which was later called a noball. Once Warner got strike, he first found the cow-corner boundary, then hammered a length delivery past the bowler and then whipped an innocuous-looking leg-stump delivery for the third four in a row.

With four to get off two, Warner took a double but couldn’t get bat on the last ball and settled for one leg-bye when Russell nipped the ball

into his pads. It was time for a Super Over.

SUNRISERS’ WILLIAMSON EXPERIMENT Slow starts, an inexperienced middle order, and Warner not looking at his best, made the Sunrisers change their line-up.

Williamson, who was carrying a hamstring niggle, took charge at the top with fluent strokeplay, hitting consecutive fours off Mavi, while Bairstow muscled Varun Chakravarthy off the back foot. The duo also attacked Russell and Pat Cummins together to finish the sixth over on 58, of which 46 came in boundaries, and was the Knight Riders’ fourth consecutive powerplay without a wicket.

But then came Ferguson in the seventh over. Williamson upper cut his first ball to third man to end an enterprising 19-ball 29 that saw Priyam Garg come in at No. 3. Garg couldn’t last more than seven balls as Ferguson’s slower delivery rammed into his stumps and, four balls later, Bairstow found long-off against Chakravarthy.

The Warner you haven’t seen Warner has been struggling by his standards this IPL and on Sunday he got a life on the first ball he faced from Kuldeep Yadav when Karthik missed a stumping after a loopy delivery deflected off the batman’s pad. With his team three down and half the innings left, an uncharacteristically watchful Warner relied on ones and two.

At the other end, Manish Pandey was removed by a 148kmh Ferguson yorker. On one hand was Ferguson’s express pace, and on the other was Yadav taking pace off the ball - the duo combined for 18 dots from their seven overs together, which featured no boundaries.

Warner saw them off and saved his boundaries for the end, which eventually tied the scores.

KNIGHT RIDERS SLOW OFF THE BLOCKS In what was a start-stop-start innings, the Knight Riders struggled to get going properly because Shubman Gill couldn’t find the gaps and ate up 17 dots in his 37-ball 36. Apart from his three consecutive fours off Basil Thampi in the fifth over that helped the Knight Riders register their best opening stand this IPL, it was mainly Rahul Tripathi’s attacking strokes

that relatively drove up the run rate.

However, Tripathi’s dismissal on the last ball of the powerplay, for 23 off 16, slowed them down again as Rashid Khan came on in the eighth over.

Vijay Shankar bowls four for the first time in IPL Before Khan, though, the seventh over was given to Vijay Shankar, who dried up the runs further with his clever use of length and pace variations. The fifth bowler has been an issue for the Sunrisers and this time they used him smartly - bowling from the seventh over onwards, they got three out of him by the 11th over, for just 15 runs. But it was neither Khan nor Shankar who pushed the Knight Riders back as much as Garg.

Two excellent running catches - one at the long-off boundary to remove Gill in the 12th over and the other running in from deep midwicket inside the circle when Nitish Rana top-edged Shankar three balls later, left them on 88 for 3 with just under eight overs left.

DK AND MORGAN SHOW Russell’s poor run with the bat continued.

With plenty of overs left on a slow pitch, his short stay ended when he holed out to deep midwicket for 8 against T Natarajan. Khan’s quota was done by then but the slow and dipping yorkers and full tosses of Sandeep Sharma and Natarajan were still not letting the batsmen score freely. Karthik - like he did against the Kings XI Punjab with a half-century - gave his team a late push with deft footwork. He used the crease better than anyone: he first walked down to sweep a low Sharma full toss for six, then stayed back for a Natarajan yorker to drill it down the ground for four, and then went back again to dispatch another Natarajan delivery for a six over long-on.

After 19 overs, the Knight Riders were 147 for 4 with Morgan on 18 off 17 and Karthik 29 off 14.

Morgan faced the entire last over from Thampi who kept missing his yorkers. Morgan hit him down the ground, smashed him over square leg for a six and ran three doubles before handing a catch to long-off to collect 16 off the over. Knight Riders had taken 52 from the last four to post a challenging total. It proved to be just enough.

Two super-overs needed as Mumbai win against KIXP (ESPNCRICINFO) - About three inches. That’s all that stood between the Kings XI Punjab (KIXP) and an outright victory over the Mumbai Indians. But they eventually got there. After two Super Overs.

A see-sawing game came down to the last ball. Chris Jordan dug out a yorker to long-on and sensed the opportunity to get the two runs he needed to end the game.

But he turned in a giant circle, adding to the distance he needed to cover; distance on which this entire game was riding on. In the end, he was about three inches short.

Jasprit Bumrah allowed only five runs off his bowling to set up a seemingly straightforward Super-Over chase, but Mohammed Shami had other ideas. With a nothing target behind him, he nailed yorker after yorker after yorker, to push this obscene match into a second Super Over; and three for the day in total. A piece of KL Rahul brilliance kept Quinton de Kock from completing the match-winning run.

Then it was Mayank Agarwal’s turn in the spotlight, leaping high on the edge of the midwicket boundary, he saved a definite six to bring down the Kings XI’s target from 16 to 12 in the second Super Over. As if he had massive FOMO, he even walked out and helped chase it down - poor Trent Boult, these tie-breakers never seem to work out for him - as one of the most memorable nights in the IPL came to a close. No one - at least from the Kings XI’s camp - is gonna’ be sleeping much though.

Powerplay and counter Kings XI’s fast bowlers found the tiniest bit of movement off the pitch and stayed disciplined enough to make it count. Arshdeep Singh had Rohit Sharma playing onto his stumps and Ishan Kishan caught at third man. Shami took care of Suryakumar Yadav. For the first time this IPL, Mumbai lost three wickets inside the powerplay (43 for 3).

So Quinton de Kock, the set batsman, throttled down. His job now was to last the 20 overs. The new batsman, Krunal Pandya, had a trickier role. He couldn’t get out, but he also had to keep the scoreboard moving, and he did that while exhibiting some glorious off-side strokeplay, including an on-the-up cover drive for six to a Chris Jordan short ball.

Big wickets and counter That handy 58-run partnership was broken in the 14th over, which seemed like a good thing for Mumbai, especially when Hardik Pandya walked in and thumped a six off his first ball. They were 102 for 4 with 36 balls left for their big-hitters to impose themselves on the game.

The only problem was, one of those balls was too short, too fast, and too good for Hardik. The wicket-taker, Shami, had established a fine blueprint for his team-mates to follow in the death. Do NOT land it in their half.

But Arshdeep did, and not only was he hit for 22 runs in the 18th over, he got Kieron Pollard going. With the West Indian in full flow, Mumbai amassed 54 runs off the last 18 balls to finish with 176 for 6.

Hard-hitting goodness Rahul was a little different today. After losing the toss, he said it didn’t matter at this stage of the tournament. It looked like he was a man standing on the edge and capable of doing anything.

And it showed in his batting. He did away with his inhibitions and started hitting from the get-go. At the end of the powerplay, he was 32 off 17 with four fours and two sixes. Kings XI were 51 for 1. Mumbai were nervous at least.

Chris Gayle (24 off 21) offered support. Nicholas Pooran (24 off 12) offered relief. But in the end, it was simply Rahul vs Mumbai. Kings XI needed 52 off their last five overs. He brought it down to 24 off 16. And then it happened.

A 149 kph yorker. It was too quick for Rahul. A set Rahul. A Rahul determined to do anything to win this game. Bumrah found a way through that resolve and gave his team hope.

But for once, Kings XI chose not to settle for second best and succeeded (with help from two dropped catches and an inside edge for four in the last two overs, and some spectacular Super-Over heroics).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

West Ham come from behind to draw with Tottenham (BBC) - West Ham came back from three goals down with under 10 minutes to go to rescue a point in an astonishing comeback against Tottenham.

Manuel Lanzini’s brilliant long-range strike in injury time levelled the scores after Spurs had taken complete control in the opening 16 minutes through two goals from Harry Kane and one from Son Heung-min.

Fabian Balbuena’s header began West Ham’s fightback, with Davinson Sanchez’s own goal giving even more hope with five minutes to go.

Gareth Bale, on as a substitute in his first appearance since his return to Spurs from Real Madrid, missed a great chance in stoppage time before Lanzini lashed the ball in off goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ fingertips to cap an incredible climax.

West Ham improved markedly in the second half, but when Kane hit the post with 12 minutes to go there was no sign that the final result would be anything other than another win for Spurs.

The result sees Spurs remain in sixth place, while West Ham move up two places into eighth.

Spurs go from sublime to ridiculous Spurs looked irresistible in the opening

stages, carrying on in the same vein from their 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Kane’s sublime pass from inside his own half set up Son’s opener after only 45 seconds when the South Korean bent his shot around Balbuena and into the bottom corner.

Son then assisted Kane for the second after just eight minutes, the Spurs skipper’s excellent close control being followed up by a shot lashed past Lukasz Fabianski.

And when Kane then nodded in from a nicely floated cross by Sergio Reguilon, the hosts looked set to move up into second place ahead of the Sunday night Leicester v Aston Villa match.

The impressive Kane was even heavily involved at the other end, making an excellent block to deny Vladimir Coufal’s shot just before half-time.

But Spurs looked to ease off in the second half, and the introduction of Bale with 18 minutes left should have injected some much-needed urgency.

However the Spurs defence, barely tested before the break, creaked and then collapsed when it finally came under pressure at the crunch.

All Blacks thump Australia in Bledisloe Cup match A superb second-half display gave New Zealand at 27-7 win over Australia in their second Bledisloe Cup match at a near sold-out Eden Park in Auckland.

After a dramatic draw in the opening game last week, the All Blacks led 10-7 at half-time and scored three quick tries after the restart to run away with the game.

Victory maintains New Zealand’s impressive record at Eden Park, where they have not lost in 44 Tests since 1994 and where Australia have not won since 1986.

The All Blacks now need to win only one of the two remaining games in the Bledisloe series, which will be played in Australia as part of the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament, to retain the trophy they have held since 2003.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 46,049 after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted earlier this month.

Richie Mo’unga converted a 19th-minute penalty to open the scoring before scrum-half Aaron Smith went over for the first try minutes later after an attacking scrum.

The Wallabies bounced back when winger Marika Koroibete crossed after a turnover and James O’Con-

Winger Caleb Clarke, who made his first Test start on Sunday, has been compared to All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu nor’s conversion narrowed J Barrett, Lienert-Brown, the gap to 10-7.

Goodhue, Clarke; Mo’unga, All Black winger Caleb Smith; Savea, Cane (capt), Clarke, making his first start, Frizell; Vaa’i, Tuipulotu; then created tries within the Tuungafasi, Coles, Moody. space of three second-half Replacements: Taylor, minutes for Beauden Barrett Hodgman, Laulala, Scott and Ardie Savea with two Barrett, Sotutu, Perenara, powerful runs, the second Umaga-Jensen, McKenzie. where he bounced out of Australia: Banks; Dauseveral tackles. gunu, Paisami, To’omua, That put the home side Koroibete; O’Connor, 20-7 up and, after Aus- White; Wilson, Hooper t r a l i a h o o k e r B r a n d o n (capt), Hanigan; Philip, Paenga-Amosa had a try Salakaia-Loto; Tupou, overturned by referee Angus Paenga-Amosa, Slipper.

Gardner, New Zealand capReplacements: Uelese, tain Sam Cane completed Sio, Alaalatoa, Simmons, the scoring 90 seconds later Wright, Gordon, Petaia, to finish a sweeping move.

Hodge.

Teams Referee: Angus GardNew Zealand: B Barrett; ner (Australia)

Lanzini’s strike, his first goal since May 2019, sparked wild West Ham celebrations at White Hart Lane

Lopez beats Lomachenko by unanimous points decision (BBC) - Teofimo Lopez beat Vasyl Lomachenko by a unanimous points decision in Las Vegas to become the undisputed world lightweight champion.

The American’s win over the Ukrainian means he now adds the WBA, WBO and WBC ‘Franchise’ titles to his IBF belt.

Lopez, 23, dominated the first half of the fight and, despite a late rally by Lomachenko, was awarded a 116-112, 119-109, 117-111 win by the judges.

“I am ready to take over the world,” Lopez said.

The result means he is the youngest fighter to become a four-belt undisputed champion and he maintains his unbeaten record with 16 wins from 16 bouts.

The fight between the two rivals had been eagerly awaited but took place without any fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lomachenko, 32, was kept quiet early on and, although he put in a strong effort in the later rounds, it was not enough to stop him suffering a second defeat from his 15 fights.

“I think I won the fight,” Lomachenko said after his first loss in six years. “But I am not going to argue it now.

“In the first half of the

Lopez (right) remains undefeated after beating Lomachenko fight he won more rounds. low-scoring first half of the fight In the second half I took it - and against a fleet-footed oppoover. I don’t agree with the nent - Lopez used single jabs and scorecards.” stiff right hands to the body to A n a l y s i s f r o m M i k e gain control, waiting patiently for Costello, BBC 5 Live boxing opportunities in building a lead correspondent on the scorecards. Lomachenko Boxing has a new star and was forced to increase his work the story of Teofimo Lopez rate in the second half and Lopez might only be starting, in showed impressive maturity, at terms of wider appreciation.

23, in managing a potentially For two years, his father turbulent spell. and trainer Teofimo Sr has I scored it 116-112 (eight been predicting what we saw rounds to four) in favour of last night. Forget the narrative Lopez and it’s the mark of a of ‘Loma the boxer against special fighter that when the Lopez the puncher’, he would momentum appeared to be insist, one of the all-time swaying against him late on, greats of the sport would be Lopez responded by producout-thought and out-fought. ing a glorious final round.

And so it was.

All in all, a performance The contention that Lo- to match Tyson Fury’s machenko started too slowly and against Deontay Wilder as conceded the early rounds too the best of the boxing year readily is a slight on Lopez. In a so far.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Look Loy Jamaica Scorpions unfazed

by COVID-19 Challenge leaves TTFA (Sportsmax.tv) - Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member and technical committee chairman, Keith Look Loy, has announced his retirement from football administration.

Look Loy, a former

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) board member and technical committee chairman Keith Look Loy T&T national youth player, has amassed a long and distinguished career in football administration, serving in various capacities. In the past several months, however, he has been at the centre of the battle as part of a William Wallace-led association that was replaced with a normalisation committee by FIFA. The association, officially registered as the United TTFA, recently scored a victory as the Trinidad and Tobago High Court ruled the normalisation committee implemented by FIFA was illegal.

The country was, however, suspended for violating the global football body’s statues. It seems the contentious battle has taken its toll.

“Now that the central issue of the legality of Fifa’s actions has been adjudicated, it is time for TTFA’s membership to decide the immediate political direction of the Association,” Look Loy said in a release post in full on Wired868.

“For my part, I have run my race—not only in this matter but in football as a whole. In the aftermath of the seven-month battle between United TTFA and Fifa, with conflicting emotions. I resign the positions of TTSL president, TTFA Board member, and TTFA technical committee chairman. These resignations are effective immediately,” he added.

Though supported in some quarters, the action by the TTFA against FIFA and the subsequent suspension was not seen in a favourable light by everyone, including many fans. President of T&T Keith Rowley called the executive’s victory in court a pyrrhic one and the majority of the TTFA had voted to withdraw the case before the court following an emergency meeting.

Another meeting will be held next week to decide the fate of the association.

“I was born in 1953 under British colonial rule, which our people historically resisted. I am old enough to remember the raising of ‘the red, white and black’ at the magical midnight on 31 August 1962, under the watchful eye of Dr. Eric Williams,” he added.

“Football has been my lifelong love and labour. I participated in and represented Trinidad and Tobago football, on and off the field, for more than 50 years. Never did I think the day would come when a foreign entity would attempt to seize control of our football. To see many fellow citizens hysterically rationalise, aid, and abet this is unbearable.”

CMC – Jamaica Scorpions are pressing ahead with their preparation for next year’s start of the Regional four-day season, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though Cricket West Indies are yet to confirm the date for the start of the new season, Scorpions began training last Wednesday and are expected to continue four days per week until year end, under social distancing protocols.

“They have to train because they are professionals, so it is only right for them to keep healthy and to keep fit,” the Gleaner newspaper here quoted Jamaica Cricket Association chief executive, Courtney Francis, as saying.

“It is also a part of their mental preparedness. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, everybody is stressed out.

“Their livelihood depends on it, and they have family members who are depending on them. We have talked to the players that when February comes around, our players will be fit and in order to play.

“They are training Monday through to Thursday, but it is not everybody ev-

Jamaica Scorpions have kicked off training for next year’s regional domestic season.

ery day because the numbers are minimal, so most of it is one-on-one training, and we will be going right through to December.”

Jamaica has been heavily impacted by COVID-19 with health authorities confirming 8 195 cases and 168 deaths. There are currently 4 265 active cases, with 63 recorded on Friday alone.

Special curfew restrictions exist in areas where outbreaks have been de-

tected.

Francis said the players were cognisant of the challenges presented by the pandemic but were going about their business professionally.

“They are not feeling any way about training in this COVID-19 pandemic because they know what is required of them if they are going to be successful,” Francis said.

“I think that any tourna-

ment that [CWI] comes up with now, I know that they will be ready for it.”

Last year’s four-day tournament was cut short after the eighth round last March due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the region.

Scorpions finished third in the six-team championship on 91.8 points, with Barbados Pride declared winners after topping the standings on 134.8 points.

Liverpool sweat lengthy Van Dijk layoff for knee surgery (BBC) - Liverpool centre-back, Virgil van Dijk, needs surgery on a knee ligament injury sustained in the 2-2 draw at Everton on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Netherlands defender was unable to continue following a rash challenge by Toffees keeper, Jordan Pickford, in the first half.

It is unclear how long he will be out for with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

He went for a scan before a specialist confirmed the extent of the damage.

Returning to action after ACL surgery can take many months and Liverpool will not specify how long the Dutchman will be out for until after his operation.

Surgery will not be immediate and the operation has yet to be arranged.

Club sources are reluctant to rule out a return to action this season, as much will depend on his rehabilitation.

fill that void. He is such a big player for them,” he said.

Van Dijk’s absence will leave manager Jurgen Klopp with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as his main centre-backs as well as the inexperienced Nathaniel Phillips, Rhys Williams and Sepp van den Berg.

Gomez and Matip have never started a match together as centre-backs for Liverpool. Before SaturVirgil van Dijk could not continue after Pickford’s day’s Merseyside derby, the challenge on him in the first half of the Merseyside last time they both played derby in that position for any part of a game was the last Van Dijk has been a key World Cup later that year. figure for Liverpool since He had played seven hour of the 4-1 defeat by signing for them in January times for the Reds this season Tottenham in October 2017 2018 for £75m. prior to the Merseyside derby. at Wembley Midfielder Fabinho depuHe has played every The injury will have league game for the club “massive implications” for tised at centre-back in the win in the past two seasons as Liverpool’s season, accord- at Chelsea earlier this season.

“We won’t know until the Liverpool finished second in ing to BBC pundit Chris 2018-19 before winning their Sutton, who won the Pre- end of the season how much first top-flight title in 30 years mier League as a striker for impact it will have on the Liverpool squad. There will in 2019-20.

Blackburn in 1994.

The Dutchman was also “He is their rock at the be a sense of togetherness. a leading figure for the side back, their organiser. Simply It will definitely hinder their as they won the Champions put, he is irreplaceable. They defence of the title,” said League in 2019 and Club are going to have to somehow former Liverpool defender

Stephen Warnock on BBC Radio 5 live.

“It’s that old cliche: ‘Let’s win it for Virgil and make sure we have something to celebrate at the end of the season.’

“But when you are in the changing room, you look across and you haven’t got Virgil van Dijk - this big colossus of a player. Defensively when things are going well and you turn back and see Van Dijk, it’s okay. Now you turn back and he’s not there.

“It’s not being disrespectful to the players that are in there but he is their number one centre-back - someone who has performed to such a high level since he has come into the football club.”

In addition to Liverpool, the Netherlands will be keeping their fingers crossed he will be fit to take part in the postponed Euro 2020, which is now set to take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 19, 2020

Sunil Narine

Narine Junior chess players enthusiastic about higher cleared level of coaching from International Master to bowl, a sigh of relief for Windies

–– As door for international selection remains open TROUBLED West Indies mystery spinner, Sunil Narine, has been given the green light to resume bowling in the ongoing IPL, while further ensuring his international future remains in a safe place.

The all-rounder was recently cleared by a review panel for yet another time in his illustrious career after being called during one of KKR’s matches, for having a suspect bowling action.

On-field umpires, Ulhas Gandhe and Chris Gaffaney, called the off-spinner after he produced a delivery during the final over of the match which the Knight Riders eventually won by 2 runs.

Narine was then placed on the warning list after the Kings XI Punjab encounter. But in a breaking statement on Sunday, released by IPL, it was noted that the Windies spinner’s action was assessed by the tournament’s Suspect Bowling Action Committee (SBAC) which concluded that Narine was within the legal bowling limits.

“The Committee carefully reviewed all the deliveries of action footage sent of Mr. Narine with the naked eye and has come to the conclusion that the elbow-bend appears to be within the

range of permissible limits,” the IPL statement said.

This news comes as a good sign for Narine, days after Cricket West Indies (CWI) head selector, Roger Harper, said during a press conference, that the board was in full support of the spinner and were carefully monitoring his situation.

“Sunil is an experienced cricketer, he is a world-class performer and he understands the challenges because he has done it in the past and we all know what Sunil can do. As we build-up to the T20 World Cup and Sunil is ready, available, and fully fit, he will be considered. You don’t do much analysis or assessment of Sunil Narine’s form or quality, we know what he is capable of.” Harper said last week.

Regarding the spinner’s possible selection in the future, especially with the proposed New Zealand tour which features 3 T20s set for next month being a good tour to get his legs back going internationally; Harper further said he will be kept on the radar.

“Once he’s available and everything is in order, we move forward and we will look at him and see whether he is available and ready to be drafted into the squad.”

SOME of Guyana’s top junior chess players are ready to take their game to the next level with the help of Indian International Master, Atanu Lahiri.

Coach Lahiri is a former Commonwealth chess champion, who had stints as head coach of Nepal (2005) and Bhutan (2014) before he took charge of the Indian Youth, Junior and Cadet teams.

He has also coached and mentored national and international chess players who have won major Indian Tournament as well as World Championships in various categories.

The most notable among those players is Grandmaster, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, who won the Indian Championship for six consecutive years.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is hoping that the veteran coach

would be able to take our young players to the next level.

According to Coordinator of the GCF Chess-in-Schools initiative, Anand Raghunauth, the players have shown a renewed enthusiasm since starting the online classes earlier this month.

“After two weeks, the juniors are once again excited about playing chess.” He noted that the players have displayed new confidence in understanding certain theories on development and strategy early in the game.

“It may be too soon to assess improvement, but the enthusiasm level has risen and it is expected to grow from strength to strength.”

The training consultant Lahiri is currently teaching our U20s and U16s (which include some strong U12 play-

ers) once each per week.

Raghunauth noted that some 40 juniors are in the first batch. “The training will be for an initial three months; it will then be evaluated and possibly extended for at least one full year.”

During that time, the International Master would constantly monitor the progress of the players, while the federation would hold monthly competitions to keep them active. The GCF coordinator noted that “This is the first time there is sustained training from such a high level coach in the history of local chess”.

Some of the notable players in the training programme are junior champions Joshua Gopaul, Ranjiv Lee, Sameria Gobin and under 12 champion Kyle Couchman.

Trophy stall, MACORP, Assuria among new faces for GGA Breast Cancer fundraiser AHEAD of their upcoming ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ fundraising tourney, the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) gained added sponsorship in their overall fight against the disease.

Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, Trophy Stall, Guyana Beverages Inc. were a few of the latest corporate sponsors to join Survival and CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Resort along with the GGA in their upcoming event.

Going by the slogan, “Play Golf, Fight Cancer” the one day event will feature a number of seasoned and novice golfers at the Scouts Association of Guyana ground, Woolford Avenue, where they will attempt to raise both awareness and funds which will go towards the ongoing battle against cancer.

Prizes include spa treatments, hampers, beverages and trophies, along with a grand prize of $50,000 cash. GTT phone credit will also be up for grabs as the event is designed for players of all levels to have fun and display their skills.

“Many Guyanese have suffered personal losses or fight a daily battle with cancer, especially women who are our mothers, sisters, wives, and nurturers of our nation. We cannot simply sit back and let this disease win! Just like we cannot let Covid beat us,” said GGA president, Aleem Hussain.

“Every year since 2017, our golfing community and corporate supporters have been active in the fight against cancer, usually with a tournament to raise funds and awareness.

Last year, Banks DIH and Citizens Bank were the main sponsors of the Golf charity event but, this year, due

to Covid guidelines, we had to modify the event.” He continued.

As a result, the format is as follows: participants can visit the Academy & Driving Range any day from Monday 19th to Saturday 24th (3-7pm to qualify) with the top 8 players from the women’s, men beginners and men professionals categories scheduled to battle for the top prize of $50,000 cash or gtt phone credit on Sunday 25th at 4 pm.

Players will each hit 10 balls, and based on skill level, they will have different distances (50, 75 and 100 yards) to score points based on where in large circles the ball lands. “This is a test of skill and ability to have fun, whilst supporting a great cause,” said Rudy Ramalingum, Director of the Nexgen Golf Academy.

“The top two finishers in each category will receive a trophy from Trophy Stall,” according to owner, Ramesh Sunich. Trophy Stall, with locations all over the country, has been a strong supporter of all sports in Guyana for many years and owners, Ramesh and Devi Sunich, have come to love the sport of golf.

Owner of Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, Karan Mehra said “Vivaanta is a part of Guyana and we are pleased to support the fight against cancer and continue our support for golfing, something we started with Mr. Hussain a few years ago. We hope that many players participate and support and also win a chance to experience our services at the spa.”

Assuria General, CIMGRO Maraiko Bay Golf Resort, AR Printery, Vivaanta Ayurvedic Spa & Hair Salon, New Trend Auto, Mings Products and Services, Nexgen

Global Realty, Guyana Beverages, Karibe Rice, Macorp and Gtt are all strong supporters of Golf and the fight against cancer and have been an integral part of the growth of the game in recent years.

The Guyana Golf Association has been active in the promotion of awareness for a variety of charitable events through sports and will continue to use golf as a means of improving the lives of Guyanese.

“We hope that members of both the local and expat communities will participate in the events since the Golf Academy & Driving Range is designed to conform with social distancing guidelines and it is for a cause that affects all of us,” said Hussain.

Partnerships with the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union has made the creation of a facility in the heart of Georgetown a reality so that more people can access the game without having to purchase equipment to travel long distances.

With golf a recognized CAPE subject, the GGA President plans to promote the sport to schools all over the country, hoping to have at least 3,000 players within the next few years and a long time goal of fielding an Olympic team realized!

The contest is open to everyone who has played Golf or wanted to try and the Golf Academy will give everyone a free lesson and one hour free play just for participating in the event!

Simply call 645 0944, visit the Nexgen Golf Academy facebook page or stop by the facility located on Woolford Avenue, just minutes away from Marriott and Pegasus hotels.

(Clifton Ross)

Two super-overs needed as Mumbai win against KIXP See story on page 24

KKR players gather around Lockie Ferguson after he removed Kane Williamson with his first ball of the tournament © BCCI

KKR register super-over win against SRH

See story on page 24

KL Rahul runs Quinton de Kock out © BCCI

Jamaica Scorpions unfazed

by COVID-19 Challenge onSeepagestory26

Junior chess players enthusiastic about higher See story level of coaching from International Master on page 27

U16 players during a recent online session.

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020