Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_22_2020

THURSDAY 22nd October, 2020

' No.106160

Four attack

SEE PAGE 03

Chief Justice’s residence

–– day before case management for elections petition filed by Coalition –– Coalition comes into spotlight following attack, gov’t condemns intimidation

Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire

“The Judiciary of Guyana views, with deep concern and dismay, the recent intrusion and attack on the security and home of the Chief Justice of Guyana. Such attacks on any citizen cannot be condoned. We understand that this matter is under investigation and has seized the attention of the highest level of the Police Force. The Judiciary looks forward to a speedy resolution of the investigation, even as it continues to discharge its functions and uphold the rule of law,”-- Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Cummings-Edwards

Charrandass ready to give six ‘yeses’ –– had he to vote again against Coalition

More electoral fraud charges –– Lawrence, Joseph, Mingo and others make court appearances

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PNC activist, Carol Joseph; PNC Chairman, Volda Lawrence and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Carl Croker photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Charrandass ready to give six ‘yeses’ –– had he to vote again against Coalition FORMER Alliance For Change (AFC) member and Attorney-at-Law Charrandass Persaud has affirmed that if given the opportunity to vote again in the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion (NCM) against the Coalition he would say ‘yes’ six times instead of three.

Persaud, who returned to Guyana Friday last after 22 months of self-exile made a brief appearance on Kaieteur Radio where he related to listeners that he was overjoyed to return home, especially in time for his sister’s 75th birth anniversary.

“If I have to do it again, instead of three yesses this time, I would do six. You know why? I saw everything

and now knowing what you know, who is Larry London to be printing birth certificates, is it not obvious that they were trying to put names on birth certificates and they wanted house-to-house registration, and a new list, because they have to add these people to the voters list; that was how they had planned to rig the elections and that was stopped dead in its tracks with the no-confidence to begin with,” Persaud explained He explained that a lot of people along with high-ranking officials are concerned for his safety, since many are of the view that people will still come after him.

“I don’t want to waste my life away; that night I could have given it up, but now that

I am granted a new lease on life I want to preserve it now; and so I have to be extremely careful, my friends are still watching my back,” he said.

Noting that he has not returned to Guyana to live in hiding, Charandass said he will soon be regularly out in the streets again.

Former People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) parliamentarians were bold in their death threats, he said, and thousands prayed for him during his 22-month self-exile.

“I am happy to be back here and I still want to contribute towards the development of not just Guyana, but the lives of people in this country and that was what was lacking; and what I saw

lacking in the government that I was part of and so I did my best to change it,” he said.

Persaud maintained that he has not been offered a job by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, or any other institution for that matter.

“I am back here to see how I can contribute and if it means that the PPP offers me a job that will help me to serve the people better than I could as a lawyer, I might consider that too, but for now I am still here literally trying to get accustomed to everything,” he said.

SWALLOWED UP The former parliamentarian reflected that the reason he joined the AFC was to bridge the gap between the ethnic divide, but it did not happen because the AFC was swallowed up by the PNC. This he contended was a deviation from the AFC’s agenda. The former parliamentarian pointed out that a number of high-ranking officials in the PPP/C are not of one race and its leadership reflects the ethnic groups of Guyana.

“We are not Afro-Guyanese or Indo-Guyanese, we have to be Guyanese because we are not going to go anywhere and that racial divide will not be bridged; and so we need to work on preserving the Guyanese culture which is a mixture of

Charrandass Persaud

a variety of lifestyles, religious practices and different cultural behaviour,” he said.

Persaud said the racial divide must be bridged for Guyana to be fully developed.

“It takes courage to do a wrong, but a greater courage and of a nobler sort to admit the wrongs and I even challenged David Granger and Joe Harmon to admit that they were wrong to the people they lied to, because the Statements of Polls were clear, very clear, that they lost the elections; the only thing they have to do now is to admit to the people,” he asserted.

This he said is the kind of courage that is lacking, not just for party supporters but to the nation.

“They cannot be a part of the development of Guyana, of the social bridging of Guyana; they cannot claim that they have contributed to the progress of young people unless they admit to the lies they committed, the lies that caused this country to be tortured for at least 22 months,” Persaud said.

STUBBORN DEFIANCE He explained that the no-confidence motion was enough to remove the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) from office, but the Coalition fought tooth and nail to defy the law and the will of the people.

“When I came out of Parliament I had nothing on me except my briefcase, but between the time I exited Parliament and the time I entered a plane I managed to grab a few pieces of clothes

somewhere,” he said.

He added: “I can tell you that I am not worried about my safety, but I am very concerned about my safety because I honestly think with $50,000 in a pocket and a gun in a hand, somebody may want to blow me away.

I honestly believe that there are people that are so shallow in their thinking that a man exercises his constitutional right, but it has offended and caused some of them grief by way of losing jobs and the high life, but they did not pay attention to the fact that they caused thousands of people to lose their jobs and live below poverty, hand to mouth as we would say in Guyana; they didn’t stop to think of that at all, they did that to people.”

Persaud, who was expelled from his party because of his vote, said he was motivated to remove the APNU+AFC administration because of the rampant corruption and lack of care it showed in their decision-making.

“All I did was to try to remove the corruption I saw and the fact that they were cheating the very people who put them there, and that was what I did and that was what I wanted to happen, and that is what happened.

Now they feel exactly how the cane-cutter and sugar workers felt and that was the basis of my fight against the AFC,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Four attack Chief Justice’s residence

–– Coalition comes into spotlight, gov’t condemns intimidation THE Government has expressed strong condemnation of the attack on the residence of Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire by four suspects, two of whom entered her yard, one armed with an air pistol and confronted two police ranks on duty on Wednesday.

The attack comes one day before Justice George-Wiltshire is set to hear the case management conference (CMC) for the hearing of the election petitions filed by the main Opposition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), challenging the results of the March 2 polls.

“The government condemns the said attempted attack in the strongest possible terms and views this as the latest assault on democracy in our country of which the Judiciary forms one of its cornerstones.

Such actions can only emanate from those who are fearful of the Constitution, the rule of law and sound rulings from the Judiciary,” the government said in a statement.

Police have already commenced their investigations into the attack and the government has already advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to ensure that the Chief Justice is provided with all the necessary security for the protection of her person, family and property.

Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, on Wednesday night, confirmed that the investigations will be spearheaded by the Major Crimes Investigation Unit “We have ranks on the scene, they have already interviewed the two police ranks who were on the scene when four suspects, two of whom entered the Chief Justice’s yard and held the guard at gunpoint,” said the Crime Chief.

He added: “The guard raised an alarm and her colleague went to her assistance, during which the two suspects fled the yard and in the process, the suspect, who was armed, dropped the weapon.”

Blanhum said that the cop gave chase and two other cops who were in the area on patrol

also give chase but the suspects managed to escape. Blanhum confirmed that the weapon the men showed up at the Chief justice’s home with was indeed an air pistol.

WENT TO WASHROOM The incident occurred around 14:00 hours. At the time one of the guards, a female, had left the hut and went to the washroom where she was confronted by a man with a white jersey tied around his face and armed with what appeared to be a black handgun.

“The said male approached the rank and pointed the object at her and fired a punch at her but missed her; she then called out for the other rank who was in the garage of the building and armed with a .38 revolver,” police said earlier in a statement.

The policeman, having heard the call for help, went out to see who it was, when the intruder pointed the toy gun at him, causing the policeman to take cover.

“The intruder then dropped

Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum

the object, ran in a northern direction, jumped over a fence and made good his escape. No shots were fired and no one was injured,” the police said.

Following the attack, the APNU+AFC, which lost the 2020 elections and only gave up power due to mounting pressure from the international community, said it is alarmed by the incident, blamed the PPP/C Government for it and said it expects the Election Petitions to be heard without any delay.

“This is an extremely troubling development and it appears as though the challenged PPP/C regime has upped the

ante to engage in criminal conduct in their quest to thwart the Elections Petitions being heard. The PPP/C regime is the only party that is desperate for the hearing of the Elections Petitions to be delayed and thus has ample motive for executing such a vile and intimidatory act on the eve of the case management hearing,” the Coalition said in a statement.

TRAGIC BUT UNSURPRISING The government, in response, said it is as tragic as it is unsurprising that the Opposition APNU+AFC would use such a grave matter as an attack on the Chief Justice as a platform to play their petty and devious politics by implicating the PPP/C in such a dastardly design without a scintilla or shred of evidence.

“It is only a demented mind that can produce such depraved thinking. It shows the level of desperation and low depths to which the APNU+AFC is prepared to descend. But then again, the world saw their vulgarity showcased for five long months from 2nd March, 2020, to 2nd August, 2020, as they attempted to disgracefully steal

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the 2020 General and Regional Elections.”

“Perhaps it is opportune that the world be reminded that violence has long been a permanent weapon in the political repertoire of the PNC from its birth. It may also be apposite to remind that the PPP/C filed a petition in 2015, which was never heard and determined without a single allegation of a sinister type ever surfacing in the public domain,” the government pointed out.

The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) said it has a long record of respecting the Constitution and resorting to litigation, as well as obeying Orders and Judgements emanating therefrom and the record of the APNU+AFC on this latter issue is notoriously well-known.

“For the record, the PPP/C Government has nothing to fear from either of the two Election Petitions filed and we have already stated that they are frivolous, vexatious and as without merit as every other legal proceedings APNU+AFC have filed in recent times,” the government said.

Unfavourable policies drove away investors –– no major investment in past five years, says GO-Invest CEO –– gov’t moving to fix situation, GO-Invest to be proactive

By Navendra Seoraj GUYANA’S ability to attract investors was limited over the past five years and this was due mainly to the ‘unfavourable’ policies implemented by the former APNU+AFC administration, said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop.

“Under the previous government, there were zero investment opportunities because of the taxation they did in the early stages… they expanded land fees, irrigation fees, licensing fees and there were tax implications for businesses,” said Dr. Ramsaroop during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday.

The new government, while in Opposition, had said that the former administration extracted some $300 billion more in additional taxes over the past five years. Some persons even argued that tax measures, instituted by the past administration, were cumbersome.

Additional taxes included Value-Added Tax (VAT) on utilities and reducing the list of zero-rated items. In economics, zero-rated supply refers to items subject to a 0

per cent VAT on their input supplies.

“It was not a conducive environment for investors to come in, both local and foreign investors… They actually chased away investors,” Dr. Ramsaroop lamented.

This, he said, is evidenced by the lack of major investments over the past five years.

And, in his view, there were zero major investments.

“There were small investments, like people looking to build hotels and so, but none of those came into fruition… it was a minimal number and none of those investments created jobs… my measure of investment is if it creates jobs for Guyanese,” said Dr. Ramsaroop.

Past reports show that some 30,000 persons were unemployed, including over 7,000 sugar workers who were ‘stripped’ of a job when the former administration closed four sugar estates.

The ‘small’ investments, as described by Dr. Ramsaroop, did not change the local situation or improve the trajectory of the local economy, which has further suffered because of a protracted electoral process and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Although not denying that there were opportunities

CEO of GO-Invest, Peter Ramsaroop

where Guyana could have attracted and facilitated major investments, he said the policies and lack of initiatives discouraged investors from putting their money into any local project.

NO MISSED OPPORTUNITIES Unlike what obtained over the past five years, Dr. Ramsaroop was confident that there will be no missed opportunities going forward.

“Guyana is open for business…we are attractive now from an investment perspective and I see that growing,”

said the CEO. Prior to the passage of Budget 2020, it was reported that after re-prioritising and re-programming fiscal measures, the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has managed to add $20 billion in relief to the “pockets” of Guyanese.

The conduits of relief include revised tax measures and sweeping incentives, which were announced by President, Dr Irfaan Ali. Among these measures are the removal of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on electricity and water, all exports, pesticides and agro-chemicals, and building and construction materials, among other things.

The broad objectives of those measures, which feature in Government’s emergency budget, are aimed at stimulating economic activity; getting persons back to work; increasing Guyana’s productive capacity; reducing the cost of doing business; improving efficiency; and facilitating growth and development of businesses.

With more disposable income in the local economy and business-friendly policies, it is anticipated that the economy will flourish and attract major investments.

In the October edition of its World Economic Out-

look (WEO) report, the IMF projected that Guyana’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would increase by 26.2 per cent.

LINING UP “Investors are already lining up to be part of our growth… we have lots of companies expressing interest in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, oil and gas, and other areas,” said Dr. Ramsaroop.

President Ali recently said that progress is expected on all fronts in 2021, a year pegged to be the year of investments and development.

“What you will see next year is a flurry of development… there will be active work on the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, the new four-lane road, new hotels and the creation of 50,000 homes,” said the President.

He said too that work will commence on the construction and rehabilitation of

roads in hundreds of communities; new infrastructure will be created; and there will be major developments in every sector.

Additionally, private-sector investments are expected to increase, stretching from the construction of new shore bases to service the oiland-gas sector, to new office complexes and other private development projects.

“There are many investment opportunities, so we will be positioning ourselves to facilitate those investments,” said Dr. Ramsaroop, adding that GO-Invest will not be reactive.

The agency has already started crafting sectoral investment profiles, which will be used to identify Guyana’s needs, investment incentives and even help investors to determine their rate of return. Those sectoral profiles will also be used to market Guyana regionally and internationally.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Limitations in grading model, SBA grade disparities led to low grades

–– CXC independent review finds AN independent review of this year’s CXC examinations has concluded that limitations in the grading model which affected grade distribution and disparities between grades awarded by the teacher and the moderator for School Based Assessments (SBAs), may have contributed to lower than expected final grades.

CXC was forced to appoint an independent review team following multiple rejections of the final grades awarded to students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The team led by UWI Open Campus Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor, Hazel Simmons-McDonald, conducted a “Review of the Administration of the 2020 CSEC and CAPE Examinations”.

The review was done over a

two-week period.

In its report, which was submitted to CXC, on Friday, the team noted that a simulation exercise analysing cases “with and without a Paper Two”, using data from previous years, picked up limitations in the model which caused “shifting in the distribution of grades”.

The result was a reduction in Grades I to IV. “At the technical level, the limitations of the grading model and the extensive moderation used in the SBAs could have resulted in less than expected performance in some subjects at both CAPE and CSEC levels,” the team reported.

Nonetheless, the report concluded that “the use of Papers 1 and 3 was adequate to assess the profiles/modules in the various subjects”. The report explains that the removal of the Paper Two component effected the need for a shift in the boundaries for

Thursday, October 22, 2020 -- 09:00 HRS

the various grades awarded.

“The weights assigned to the Papers would not change from past years. By deleting Paper 2 the overall mark would change, hence new ‘cut [off] points’ for the grades would be needed,” the Executive Summary of the report said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council delayed its customary May/ June examinations for 2020 to July/August and modified the CSEC and CAPE examinations to exclude the regular Paper Two component.

Customarily, students are scored in the examinations based on their performance in a multiple-choice Paper One, the Paper Two, and pre-exam SBAs or Internal Assessments (IAs).

In the report, the SBA was referred to as Paper 3.

Additionally, the Council opted to moderate 100 per cent of the SBAs/IAs done by students, whereas routinely the SBAs are marked by the teachers in each respective country and the complete list of scores, and only selected samples are moderated.

The expanded moderation of the SBA/IA unearthed “weak correlation” between the grades awarded by teachers and the scores awarded by the moderators, with 66 percent of the grades not correlating. This was compared with 63 percent

UWI Open Campus Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald, headed the independent team that was set up to review the CXC 2020 examinations

of Grades not correlating in 2019, and 42 percent in 2018 and 49 percent in 2017.

“The Committee is of the view that the requirement to moderate all Paper 3s from all schools and for all subjects served to increase the thoroughness and improve the reliability of the process in 2020 compared to previous years,” the report said.

However, the report underscores that “the processes which CXC proposed to use for grading and moderation could have been better explained to its stakeholders”, noting that the increased moderation enabled the identification of “several school-related issues and some internal CXC issues”.

NO COMMUNICATION The change of the SBA/

CXC Chairman, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles

IA grades was never communicated to students, who had estimated their overall grades based on the teacher awarded SBA/IA grades.

Following the September 22, 2020 release of the results, the Council saw unprecedented backlash as several students, schools and countries challenged the grades issued. Complainants blamed the modified approach that was used.

As pressure mounted, CXC Chairman, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, convened the independent team, which set out to determine if the adoption of the “modified approach” and the administration of the examination affected student performance; if the full moderation of SBAs in 2020 affected the results of candidates on the Paper 3; if the adjusted grading model used for determining the profile and subject grades affected the overall subject grades of candidates; and if there were any other factors that might have affected the performance of candidates in the examinations.

SUFFICIENT The team concluded that the modified approach was

sufficient.

“For the 2020 examinations, CXC assumed that Papers 1 and 3 contained sufficient dimensions of the profiles for approximately 80 percent of the subjects at the CSEC and CAPE levels and that the weights for the Papers in the determination of the final grades would remain the same as in previous years, while the “cut [off] points” (marks) for the grades would be adjusted,” the report said.

Explaining the grading system, the report noted that CXC system issues an overall subject grade, which is further based on the profile grades in keeping with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for each subject.

The subject grades assigned are numerical, ranging from Grades 1 – 7 for highest to lowest, while the profile grades are alphabetical ranging from A – G, from highest to lowest.

Each component in which a student is assessed, that is Paper 1, 2 and 3, contains components that contribute to each of the varying grade profiles.

CXC emphasized that subject grades are “not awarded for a particular score but for the demonstration of the levels of competencies, abilities and skills required for a particular grade”, with the “cut [off] points” for each grade determined by pre-set standards.

In the awarding of a final grade to a student for his/her performance in a subject, three committees are involved in the process. They are the Subject Awards Committee (SAC), the Technical Advisory Committee and the Final Awards Committee (FAC).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Three murder accused escape from Lusignan Prison POLICE are hunting three men accused of murder who escaped from the Lusignan Prison after they jumped the south eastern fence of the facility on Wednesday morning.

The wanted men were identified as Alex Matthias of Good Hope, Essequibo Coast; Arnold Kennedy of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo and Mark Rafino of Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara.

Police said the men escaped sometime between 17:30hrs Tuesday and 06:00hrs Wednesday.

Reports indicated that the three inmates were inside the prison when prison guards did their regular checks at 17:00hrs Tuesday.

However, at about 23:00hrs, the Joint Services ranks on the ground received information that prisoners had escaped. An alarm was

raised but searches came up empty-handed.

However, it was not until 06:00hrs Wednesday when a head count was made that the prison authorities realised the men were missing.

Alex Matthias is accused of the murder of a man at Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast in December 2018. He was committed to stand trial in the High Court.

Mark Rafino was committed to stand trial in the High Court for attempted murder of a barber at Richmond, Essequibo Coast. He was granted bail and he was also on trial for the East Coast robbery of a money changer and his daughter.

Kennedy and others were accused of the murder of Alvin Seenarine called “Chockoloo”, of 820 ‘G’ Zeelugt North, East Bank

Wanted: Alex Matthias

Essequibo, in July 2019.

The public is asked to

Wanted: Arnold Kennedy

report any suspicious individuals or activities to the

nearest police station or 225-6411. All information

Wanted: Mark Rafino

will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Success squatters hopeful for permanent solution

By Vishani Ragobeer THE squatters occupying lands at Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD) are hopeful for a permanent solution to their woes as they continue to occupy the lands which will be used by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Squatters have been occupying the Success lands that belong to GuySuCo for months. The corporation has begun flooding the lands to prepare for the resumption of cultivation after years of dormancy, and it has

been emphasised that these persons cannot stay on the lands.

On Wednesday, a large group of squatters attempted to stop an excavator sent to fill a canal before GuySuCo’s land preparation could continue. Though the squatters were unable to stop that from occurring, they used the opportunity to once again highlight their grievances.

Junior (only name given) is a young man who does carpentry. He applied for a house lot in 2015 after the previous government

was sworn in, hoping that he would be successful.

He has not been able to secure a house lot, and with the loss of work due to the COVID-19 epidemic, he said he was forced to find somewhere to squat.

“I just want me own place to live when the day done, I don’t care if it’s (at) Success or anywhere here. I really just want somewhere to live,” he said.

Though the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has prepared a temporary shelter at the Graham’s Hall Primary School -- replete

with meals and amenities -- Junior does not want to go there. He said the environment is not dignifying to him.

Another squatter, Abeena (only name given), also highlighted that she too was hesitant to occupy the shelter since she sees it as a “short-term thing” and not a long-term solution to her grievance; she has applied for a house lot for a number of years as well.

Sybil, another squatter, highlighted that the vulnerable squatters were not trying to stir up trouble for

political actors. Instead, she highlighted that many of the squatters like herself believe that they are left with no alternative.

“Whoever help we, they gon get we votes,” she said seriously.

Recently, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo told the Guyana Chronicle that the government will provide assistance to some of the squatters. This assistance, he added, would be getting them land to live on.

Recently, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) be-

gan streamlining the land applications of squatters occupying those lands unlawfully, in an attempt to provide some redress.

The CEO of the CH&PA, Sherywn Greaves, in an invited comment said the authority was doing all that it could to assist those persons, but that it is still distributing lands in a structured manner — giving lands to persons with the oldest applications first.

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Could we dare to dream?

THE government is struggling on all fronts, despite a bankrupted economy and billions in debt, to keep its manifesto promises that would ensue in a land of progressive prosperity for all, despite the machinations of negative and destructive protagonists to stymie and derail developmental initiatives.

“Development with a human face” is a mantra that was coined by Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who recognised all the imperatives of taking people’s empowerment into consideration when planning developmental strategies.

This is reflected in all the successive PPP/C manifestos, and was the prime motivator for Dr. Jagan’s tasking then Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo with the formulation of a development strategy

simultaneously with a poverty-reduction strategy, with neither being extraneous to the other.

In 1992 the PPP/C inherited a devastated country, a demoralised nation, and a bankrupted economy. Prior to this, former President Desmond Hoyte had mortgaged this country and its people to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for generations to come. Former PPP/C President, current Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has interesting theories about the IMF and the World Bank – the Bretton Woods Institutions, and they are anything but complimentary in the way they treat with developing countries.

The Hoyte-driven Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), which was part of IMF conditionalities for res-

toration of funding to Guyana after the country had become bankrupt, had consequences of even greater hardship for Guyanese, among which was freezing public servants wages at $2,000. Dr. Jagan inherited those economic conditions in 1992 but refused to accede to the IMF’s draconian menu of measures that would have ensued in further funding for this then debt-ridden country from that financial institution, but place greater hardship on the shoulders of the common man.

Only the indomitable will and the famed courage of a leader like then President Dr. Cheddi Jagan could have prevailed over such a powerful institution, especially given the vulnerability of his debt-ridden country, because he overturned Hoyte’s edict and restored bargaining

powers to the trade unions, which, during the PNC administration, had been reduced to toothless poodles.

Dr. Jagan recognised that the ‘fiscal cliff’ of the Guyana of 1992 could have been the suicide point for the nation; but he refused to sacrifice the Guyanese people to the then extant financial paradigm. History has recorded the unrelenting struggle by Dr. Jagan and his Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo to bring the debt burden to manageable proportions, so that the ordinary citizens of the land could once more dream of a better life for themselves and their offspring.

Of course, the then opposition collective and their satellites carped, criticised and condemned the two PPP/C leaders for their travels as they sought to alleviate Guy-

ana’s debt burden though debt reduction and/or writeoffs, calling them beggars and other derogatory names; but their efforts subsequently paid off and those same naysayers and doomsayers benefited greatly from the consequential upswing of Guyana’s fortunes, but they continue to carp, criticise and condemn.

Any leader of a nation who recognises the needs of its people and creates the nation’s development trajectory to move in tandem with the people’s needs, without fear or favour, but through prioritising of those more pressing areas of needs should be given support. Instead, as happened under various PPP/C administrations, Guyana’s opposition cabal is fighting the plans of the Irfaan Ali-led administration

which inherited, as in 1992, a bankrupted economy, but this time with debts running into the stratosphere, to restore the nation’s creditworthiness simultaneously with the sugar and other sectors, with all its implications for the poor and vulnerable. In 2018, www.statista.com/statistics/531603/ declared the national debt of Guyana amounted to around 2.05 billion U.S. dollars.

Could one dare to dream that one day Guyana’s opposition political parties will see Guyanese, not as ‘collateral damage’ in their climb to power, but as human beings and fellow Guyanese and stop their race-baiting, divisive rhetoric and actions, but instead join with government in its continued drive for development with a human face?

Coalition destroyed sugar then dangled oil money before residents to keep them quiet Dear editor, AFTER the 2015 elections, the APNU+AFC embarked on an unparalleled egocentric course which even thrust its own supporters and members into a state of oblivion and total abandonment when it came to implementing social and economic policies to rescue them from a dire state of poverty and social ills.

This state of affairs does not surprise in the least since I lived near Fyrish Village and had witnessed many excursion trips from the Coalition; and yet the people’s condition there had not been alleviated at all. In April 2016, former President Granger visited the village for a second time and in what had become his trademark ‘bowl’ delivery, he urged the residents to strengthen

the pillars: the church, the school, the home and the farm, to ensure the revival of the fortunes of the village which once stood as an agricultural powerhouse and the ‘fruit-bowl’ of the Corentyne.

It should be recalled that he had baptised Region Six the ‘sugar bowl’ and ‘rice bowl’ on some of his ‘outreaches.’ Unfortunately, the only ‘bowl’ he succeeded in delivering to Region Six was the ‘begging bowl.’ It is instructive to note that over one year after Granger’s ‘pillarand-fruit-bowl’ speech at the Village Day, the entire Fyrish farmland was inundated by floodwaters and all the fruit trees and plantain trees were laid waste.

On 17th October, the Minister of Agriculture Mr Zulfikar Mustapha and his team held a well-attended meeting with residents and

farmers at the Fyrish Primary School; and I had expected that after Granger and Harmon visited the village on numerous occasions that the residents would have had most of their problems resolved, but that was wishful thinking. In fact, the minister was bombarded with multiple problems which should have been resolved.

It was clear that Granger’s government had neglected the very ‘pillars’ which he had philosophised about in 2016. The visibly disappointed residents complained bitterly about truckloads of garbage blocking most of the drains, sanitation issues and drainage and irrigation problems. It simply cannot be that all these problems just materialised after August 2, 2020. It was evident that the ‘farm’ pillar was not properly erected and was not given the

transformative boost needed.

It was clear that there will not be any plantains to manufacture the famous plantain chips and the attempts to grow non-traditional crops suffered many setbacks.

Fortunately, the minister did not walk alone since he was not on an ‘excursion’ trip. Minister Zulfikar upon listening to these myriad of problems immediately instructed the various members of his team to set upon the issues raised and resolve them as a matter of great urgency. The team comprised Dr Homenauth from NAREI, Nizam Hassan from the GRDB, Mr Flatts from the NDIA, the regional chairman vice-chairman and others. In addition, residents raised the issue of an excavator being used as the personal asset of an APNU member and the illegal distribution of over

800 acres to another. Immediately, the excavator was transferred to the region and the land issue came under investigation.

I am sure that the Fyrish story is another replica of what had manifested itself in various other villages which had strongly supported the Coalition. It was evident that Granger and his ministers just visited these villages to have fun unlimited. They never cared to uplift the residents from the social and economic quagmire which engulfed and threatened their livelihoods, that became widespread after 2015. They fooled and deceived them. They destroyed sugar and were in the process of doing so with rice and then they placated the situation by dangling the ‘oil money’ in front of them.

The residents were clearly happy that the closed estates

are being reopened and that Albion Estate, which provided employment to many residents from the village was saved from the Coalition’s guillotine. This minister has already made a tremendous difference to the agriculture sector.

The Coalition never cared to put monies ino the pockets of the people.

Today, Santa Claus has arrived early from the North Pole and each household is being given $25,000 to assist them during the pandemic and a timely boost after the Coalition’s Grinch stole Christmas from them since 2015. In addition, the 2020 Budget has ensured $20 billion back into the pockets of our people.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

7

guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Success squatters and squatters in general THERE has been a lot of talk on squatting, especially in recent times as it relates to the Success squatters.

It is not surprising that those who have lost politically are attempting to use this incident, as with every other situation, to send out their scouts of evil to excite people to misbehave and cause pandemonium. One can clearly see how obvious their aim is to poison the minds of citizens, so as to harbour hate for the government of the day.

However, little do these evil scouts and supporters know that their targets may very well have a change of heart and, in the long run, the brilliance of the government, especially in the manner in which I see them working, will easily win these people over. With this, I wish to highlight the fact that the

government is doing everything they can to pacify the squatters, and at the same time to save billions of dollars in experimental sugar cane, having already lost more than two billion dollars.

People must realise that there is something called law.

The law cannot be modified just because a person thinks that they want a piece of land or that they are in a state of poverty, therefore they can violate the law. This writer is of the view that we need to create strategies and put things in place to try to uphold law and order. Because of this, I was initially of the opinion that charges should have been brought against these people who started squatting, simply because they ruined more than two billion dollars of investment in experimental sugar cane.

However, the government,

with love for its citizens, seems to have sidelined what I thought would have been done. I admire them for this, as I know, some other government might have prosecuted these people.

Further, the government began to put things in order with the intervention of His Excellency the President himself. Our President is a man who, along with human development, understands housing, property, and distribution as it relates to human needs, and he works most assiduously to bring relief.

However, Guyanese must realise that the government and the President are not magicians. They cannot wave a wand or point a finger, and, like God, bring instant happiness to everyone who wants immediate satisfaction and gratification. The President and his government are

U.S. census closure undercounts Guyanese diaspora

Dear editor,

THE U.S. census count was supposed to formally end on October 31, but the Trump administration sought the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention to overturn a lower court order that allowed an extension of the count . Trump wanted to discontinue the process a month ago. The court ruled earlier this week in Trump’s favour ending it now and its ruling cannot be appealed.

That brings the curtain down on U.S. Census 2020 except for adjustment of numbers as a result of miscounting or some last-minute estimates of errors. In the process, the Guyanese diaspora in New York have been severely undercounted.

Politicians and Guyanese closely involved in the census told this writer that just about half of the Indo-Guyanese or Indo-Caribbean population of New York has been counted. Over half of Afro Guyanese have been counted; their response rate seems higher because of elected representatives’ determined effort to count them. Their legislative seat numbers depend on an accurate and full count. The

higher the count, the more seats they get. Indo Guyanese have no elected representation in any influential government in America, and thus virtually no one in government circles to champion their interests.

Sections of Queens where most Guyanese,--Indo-Guyanese in particular -- are settled are severely undercounted. Afro Guyanese gravitate towards Brooklyn where 63 per cent of the census has been completed. The response rate was very low – just under 50 per cent — for Richmond Hill, dubbed Little Indo Guyana.

Hundreds of thousands of Indo-Guyanese have been missed in the count. Afros have also been undercounted. Among those excluded from the census are renters, those living in illegal apartments (basements, attics, divided apartments), and undocumented immigrants.

Thousands of Indo and Afro Guyanese live in illegal apartments. Undocumented immigrants numbering some 11M are afraid to fill out the census forms and as such are undercounted. Guyanese are estimated at about three per cent of the undocumented or a total of over 30,000. One of three Indo-Guyanese fam-

ilies owns a home in greater Queens or about 70K homes.

Of these, one of three homes has an illegal apartment in which reside between two and three individuals. That would total over 20K illegal apartments in which are an estimated 45K undercounted residents. Some half of the Indo-Guyanese population who are citizens or residents did not complete the census.

So some 75K Guyanese are not counted as a result of their immigration status and/ or living in illegal dwelling units. And a further 150K are not counted because the head of households don’t see any benefits from completing the census.

“How meh guh benefit from dah”, they comment.

So at least 200K Indo-Guyanese are not counted in the census. Afro Guyanese undercounting is being estimated by their community leaders. At $7K per person, the Indo Guyanese community stands to be deprived of $1.4B annually over the next decade and that is only in the greater Queens area. Statewide and country-wide, the amount would exceed $2B annually. The count of GuyaSee page 8

moving wisely, and we can see that Guyana will be on the high road for continued growth and progress in a few years.

Additionally, the Honourable Prime Minister went up with his team to speak to the people about temporary shelter in the school. How brilliant, sir! How really caring! The idea to provide some temporary housing instead of the lopsided squatter settlements they were trying to build was totally applaudable. He explained to them that they should apply and the government will try to fast track their applications.

The Honourable Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Collin Croal, and the Honourable Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, all visited and tried to make people go through the normal process.

What is unfortunate is that some people just want to be given things just like that. They do not want to go through the process. They need to realise that streets, water, electricity, etc. are all needed. We do not want to build small pieces of ugly shanty towns without garbage collection, village management or NDC control.

The Honourable Prime Minister Mark Phillips must be

given kudos for encouraging the idea of using temporary shelter when the government is trying to rapidly fast track these squatters. However, it is my opinion that the government made a mistake by announcing they were going to give these people cash. I assume that this would attract a lot of people, many of whom already have houses and families in which they live. This I believe, will make some people behave as though they do not already own these things, just so as to get some extra cash and maybe a piece of land.

As far as lands and properties are concerned, I remember the days of Bookers when workers were given a piece of land and a loan to help them build their houses.

It was a glorious thing. GuySuCo followed suit but was unable to help fund the building of houses. Then came the false notion that people could just walk in and take over the property of a company, assuming that political desperados would defend them and that they would be able to get their way.

All in all, I believe that these people who are in need must be able to support themselves. I am also of the belief that if one wants a house and land, they must sacrifice as is

done in America and around the world, where people pursue double shifts just so they can live. This is how most of us who have homes do it; by not just expecting the government to just give us everything all the time.

We work a double shift, a triple shift, we use our sense to buy and sell and try to grow our own food to make ends meet. That is how most people in this country own a piece of property. Not just by going out and harassing and trying to take advantage of the situation. As the Holy Quran teaches us: “Laisa lil insana illa ma sa’a,” meaning “there is nothing for man except what he strives for” (Quran 53:39). This verse is the secret to human achievement. No one will achieve success without struggle and hard work. It instills in us that sitting idle will not reap any rewards.

Lastly, as I said above, our President and government do not have magic wands nor are they Gods.

People need to learn to trust the process and with time, the government will surely win the hearts and minds of their naysayers.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr

8

guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

U.S. census closure ...

From page 7

nese in other states such as New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, and Illinois are not known.

Southern states such as Texas, Georgia, and Florida, where Guyanese are also clustered tend to have a higher count than in the northeast.

The undercounting of Indo-Guyanese or Indo Caribbeans in Queens is approximately 50 per cent. The undercounting of Afro-Guyanese is less. Less Afros live in illegal dwellings and therefore are less likely to be undercounted. African Americans’ completion rate is about 60 per cent. The completion rate for Flatbush where many Afro Guyanese reside is 60 per cent. In some middle-class neighbourhoods where Afro Guyanese cluster in Brooklyn and Queens is

also around 60 per cent in line with city trends . Community outreach Ashook Ramsaran, who is co-chair of Queens Complete Count Committee, said a valiant effort was made to get Guyanese to fill out the census forms, but the success rate and interest in filling out the form were very low.

Much persistent effort was put into getting Guyanese to complete the census. It has been a problem every 10 years with Guyanese showing disinterest in filing out government-issued forms. This year, aside from Ramsaran, community advocates Vishnu Mahadeo, Aminta Kilawan Narine, Annetta Seecharran, and a few others were involved in voluntary outreach efforts to convince Indo Caribbean-owned families in Queens to complete the

forms. They also worked assiduously on the streets to encourage adults to complete and return the forms.

Jamal Baksh was on the census payroll to boost turnout in the Caribbean community; he liaised with city officials to boost numbers.

Virtually no one worked harder than Vishnu Mahadeo moving around the South Asian, Afro Guyanese and Indo Caribbean communities to sensitise them on the importance of completing the census. He organised seminars and several social functions with social distancing to boost the count. He worked feverishly, engaging grassroots efforts and strategies to increase the count.

This writer also chipped in to sensitise the public about the census, appealing to the public in writings and to organisations to encourage their

membership to complete the process. The Arya Spiritual Center and a few other Guyanese organisations donated foods to promote census completion.

But “Wha meh guh get out a dah”, or “what dah guh do fuh me” was a typical response among Indo Guyanese. Even educated Guyanese were resistant to completing the census forms.

They are fearful of government obtaining information on them, reminiscent of the days of Burnham and Hoyte on filling out forms during the 1980s. Indo Caribbeans worry that government would become familiar with their financial worth and tax them. Some say that criminals would prey on them.

Some Guyanese reminisced of what happened during the Burnham/Hoyte kick-downdoor era, when the dictatorship encouraged criminals and paroled prisoners to target them during the night, for robberies using the dreaded kick-down-door approach by men heavily armed with weapons. Guyanese or others need not be afraid of providing information on the census.

The census cannot be used against anyone, not even undocumented immigrants and it is required by

the constitution. The U.S. constitution may be the only one in the world to mandate a census at the start of every decade to reapportion seats to a legislature.

The census also determines the amount of resources and services, including hospitals, schools, colleges, public housing, etc. a community gets. “Regrettably, Guyanese Americans can’t see beyond their immediate personal benefits”, lamented an activist deeply involved in the effort to boost the count among Indo-Caribbean people. The entire community and the city and state benefit when people complete the census.

The undercounting will deprive the community of much-needed resources and electoral representation in all branches of the U.S. legislature – City Council, State Senate and State Assembly, and the U.S. House of Representatives. A community gets approximately US$7K per each counted person. It is estimated that the Indo-Guyanese undercounting in the greater Queens area would be about 200K, which would mean a loss of US$1.4 billion per annum. That money would probably end up going to other communities that are properly counted. Afro Guy-

anese are also undercounted in the census and also stand to lose money, though their undercounting is lower than that of Indians.

In the city, just under 63 per cent completed the forms. In Richmond Hill, it is about 48 per cent. In Flatbush and other Afro Caribbean communities, it is in the 50s percentage. This means that the community could be deprived of a lot of federal government money.

The census- completion rate for other parts of NYC, NY state and other states are not known. Rural states and rural and suburban communities seem to have a higher census-response rate. Whites have a higher response rate than non-Whites. Jewish Americans have the highest response rate among all ethnic groups.

Aside from monetary value, undercounting also means that a community would lose political power and House representation that would protect their interests, as well as crucial funding for schools, hospitals, roads, Medicaid, and other programmes. It will be a rough decade for the diaspora in America.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

9

guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Street children high-risk for COVID-19 -CPA Director says measures are in place to protect them

THE Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) has assured the public that systems have been put in place to ensure the protection of street children and child beggars from coronavirus (COVID-19).

The new measures include check-ups by doctors once they are picked up by the agency and the establishment of isolation rooms to minimise any potential spread.

Director of the CPA, Ann Green in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle explained that during this present period street children are especially at risk.

While noting that the main aim of the CPA is the protection of children, she stressed that their protection against COVID-19 is high on the agenda.

So far no child in the protection of the CPA has tested positive for the deadly virus.

“We are aware of the COVID-19 virus and the threat it poses, and although we have always had systems geared to ensuring the children we pick up are in good

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Green

health, we have implemented new systems. Each child, through our collaboration with the Ministry of Health is examined by a doctor at their arrival here,” Green explained.

She added that systems have also been put in place to ensure that if any child has possibly been in contact with someone who has the virus, they do not spread it to the other children in the care of the CPA. “We want to ensure that none of the children that we have here have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, so

following them being examined by a doctor we have also moved to allocate space to be used for isolation in the eventuality that they may have been exposed to the virus,” Green stated.

Further, the CPA Director told this publication that since the epidemic began there has been a decline in the number of street children.

She added that while this cannot be solely attributed to many more parents being at home and being able to keep a closer eye on their children, it is still a major contributor.

She further disclosed that

Three males from Region One die from COVID-19 THREE persons have lost their lives to the dreaded n ovel coron aviru s (COVID-19) within the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 117.

The Ministry of Health has identified the recent victims as being three males, ages 68, 79 and 80 years old, all from Region One (Barima-Waini). The men were said to be receiving treatment at a local health facility, but died despite attempts by doctors to save their lives.

The Ministry of Health expressed condolences to the families of these victims and pledged to make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time.

Region One has so far recorded 626 cases of COVID-19, following closely behind Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) which has the highest

number of cases, 1,798.

On a national level, health authorities have so far tested 17,482 persons, with 13,632 being negative and 3,850 positive.

Some 54 of those positive cases were recorded within the past 24 hours alone. And while 2,839 persons have recovered from this scourge, 117 persons have lost their lives, and there are still 895 active cases. Of those active cases, 64 persons are in institutional isolation, 815 in home isolation, and 16 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

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

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

The WHO had said that 81 per cent of the persons who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and five per cent will need intensive care.

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.

the CPA has been working closely along with the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Social Protection (Ministry of Human Services), which has been assisting with some safety-net programmes for children who are in vulnerable living situations.

The director stated that to date the CPA has a number of housing facilities. There are 36 children who are currently being housed at the recently constructed Children and Family Care Centre in Georgetown.

Additionally, Green said that the CPA is also working to have juvenile-processing centres set up at police sta-

tions. She explained that this is to ensure that in the event children are picked up by the police, there is a child-friendly environment for them to be kept until a parent or a CPA official arrives.

Green used the opportunity to urge the public to desist from giving money to child beggars.

“We want them to stop.

To the children it may feel like an encouragement for them, for them to go out there every day, because they will get money every day whether they are doing it on their own or their parents are sending them out. So persons shouldn’t encourage them; and if you see a child

beggar contact us and let us know so we can go out and help them.”

Green noted that the CPA is prepared to assist these families and urged those individuals to make contact with the CPA. The CPA Director disclosed that the agency has teams in all administrative regions monitoring and responding to calls of children begging and vending on the roadways. She noted that in such cases, the respective teams would try to find a foster home to house the child/ children or they would be accommodated at the Georgetown care centre.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Opening, maintenance of bank accounts being simplified

By Navendra Seoraj

IDENTIFICATION requirements are being

simplified by the Bank of Guyana (BoG) for the opening and maintenance of customer accounts at

Licenced Financial Institutions (LFIs).

This is being done through modification of pre-

viously issued stipulation on Supervision Guideline No. 13 on “know your customer (kyc) and customer due diligence requirements (cdd)”.

According to a press statement from the BoG, the amended guidance is intended to specify simplified due diligence measures for customers who are categorised as ‘low-risk.’

These simplified measures would include the acceptance of one form of identification document, an individual’s national identification card, passport, or a driver’s licence.

In instances where the identity document contains the details of a customers’ address, such document may also be acceptable for proof of address and there will be no requirement for annual submission of these documents to the LFIs. In addition, the bank said the requirements for medium and high-risk customers will also be revisited with a view of enhancing the risk-rating framework for these categories.

These measures, which will confirm to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, are intended to reduce the burden on individuals who had previously faced challenges in securing

the requisite documentary requirements for the opening and operating of accounts at LFIs. “Further, the bank has always strived to foster greater financial inclusion as is evident by these and other measures including the issuance of Circular No. 53/2018 which provided for reduced due diligence measures for small savers which are natural persons with monthly deposits up to $500, 000,” said the Central Bank.

These amendments come at a time when President Irfaan Ali has signalled his Government’s intention to enhance the ease of doing business.

President Ali, in his inaugural speech, had highlighted the Government’s intention to create a Single-Window Clearance System, geared at reducing bureaucracy and the cost of doing business.

He explained that this new system will make it easier for local and foreign investors to start-up and establish businesses in Guyana.

“Doing business in Guyana is way, way too difficult in terms of the international comparison or even in terms of the Caribbean comparison,” Trinidadian Senior Economist, Dr. Roger Hosein, lamented, in a recent

interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Dr. Hosein explained that Guyana must do its “homework” on how to improve the ease of doing business here; if the country is successful in this bid, greater private capital injection and foreign capital injection will be facilitated.

Moreover, the country would be better positioned to target its diaspora to help boost economic activity by direct participation, human capital formation, or financial capital flows.

A country’s ease of doing business is determined through the use of numerous indicators. These include starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

Each country is given a score for each indicator, and then, an overall ease of doing business ranking.

According to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report for 2020, Guyana was rated 134 out of 190 countries in terms of the ease of doing business.

Jamaica’s leading tradeshow goes virtual for first time FOR the first time in its 30 years, the 2020 edition of Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) will be held virtually. On November 9-10, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will engage the travel trade partners, providing a distinct forum for leading suppliers of the Jamaican tourism product to meet with travel wholesalers and tour operators from all over the world.

Dubbed JAPEX Live 2020, this year’s interactive virtual platform will bring JAPEX to larger audiences than ever before. Attendees will have the chance to explore the destination’s tourism regions from afar; drop into an exclusive networking lounge and participate in online live chats while immersing themselves in destination news and information. A Prize Centre designed to surprise and delight attendees

with regular giveaways will round out the experience.

“JAPEX has always been a marquee event on Jamai-

ca’s tourism calendar and we’re looking forward to another successful show,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.

“While we are unable to meet in-person this year, we have an exciting opportunity to engage virtually, providing access for our delegates to learn about new destination offerings, hear about how our protocols have been implemented to keep residents and visitors safe, as well as secure new deals, positively impacting and strengthening our tourist industry.”

There will be elements of a traditional tradeshow including a launch with keynote presentation by Jamai-

ca’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. Attendees can virtually explore the tradeshow floor using an interactive Google map that will take them to the resort areas of Negril, South Coast, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Kingston and Port Antonio. Videos will auto-play to engage attendees, and exhibitor booths will be interactive, offering sharable content and chat functionality.

Other activities will include breakout and training sessions and one-on-one pre-scheduled video meetings with travel partners. The innovative scheduling software includes Instant Scheduler where users can book meetings instantly on suppliers’ calendar as well as the Auto Scheduler showing available times in both parties’ calendars. The meeting rooms are powered by ZOOM with all the functionalities including video, screen share and live messaging.

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11

guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Russia, Guyana discuss investment opportunities PRIME Minister Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips, said Guyana and Russia will look to improve their relationship by way of a multi-sectoral approach to business and development.

The Prime Minister made these remarks after he received a courtesy visit from Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Alexander Kurmaz, on Wednesday.

The two senior officials discussed mutually beneficial investment opportunities.

“Guyana is open for investment and Russian companies are free to approach us and invest in Guyana, whether it be in

ICT, mining, or oil and gas.

There are a lot of possibilities for investment from Russian companies,” the Prime Minister noted.

With regards to education, he stated that, “Russia has always been a source of training for many Guyanese,” and that the partnership will continue to grow.

Kurmaz said that among the areas discussed were scholarships and cooperation between universities in agriculture and other sectors.

The ambassador added that he expects the existing relationship to improve in the coming years. “… It’s necessary to

think about your children and future generations and we have discussed also, opportunities to boost the relations and have a multi-sectoral cooperation between the two countries,” he said.

A visa free agreement between Guyana and Russia was signed five years ago.

Since taking office, the Prime Minister has met with several diplomatic heads to encourage productive relationships. He has also lobbied for investment in Guyana, especially in the telecommunications sector, which was liberalised this month. (Office of the Prime Minister).

Major D&I works underway in Belle East/Belle West

SEVERAL canals in Belle -following Minister Mustapha’s visit East/Belle West, West Bank of Demerara are ing as a result of the silted there has been a drainage currently being cleared canal and drains. I made a and irrigation issue in Reand desilted in an effort to commitment to the residents gion Three which is one of alleviate the drainage and that I will ensure the canal is the country’s largest agriirrigation issues residents cleared.” culture producing regions. are facing.

He added that following This situation has not just This comes following his first visit he moved with affected agriculture, but in the intervention of Minister urgency to contact the Na- some instances the lives of of Agriculture, Zuthe residents, he said. lfikar Mustapha.

Minister Mustapha One of the said that, in 2018, heavy main economic rainfall led to the floodactivities of Reing of several low-lying gion Three is agareas in Region Three, riculture, and, as including Canal Number such, the need for One, West Bank Deadequate drainage merara. Prior to that, in and irrigation is 2017, over 200 families important. It was saw their homes being with this in mind under water as a result that the minister of flooding, due to heavy Works currently being undertaken took the decision rainfall and the lack of at Belle East on West Bank of Demerara, proper drainage systems. to intervene.

Region Three. - Dpi Photo.

Minister MusFurther, the minister tapha, who visited said that for years resithe area recently, stated that tional Drainage and Irriga- dents have been requesting there was an urgent need for tion Authority (NDIA) to that additional drains be dug critical works to be carried get the matter addressed. and those already in place out on the main canal in the “NDIA officials were there be cleared regularly. He said area. He emphasized that, and I immediately instruct- that he intends to address and as Minister of Agriculture, ed the Regional Engineer rectify the issue with urgenhe would ensure his visits to commence works to get cy and efficiency. to communities bear fruit the canal cleared. Within a Adequate drainage and and that issues raised are few days, we were able to irrigation, coupled with addressed with extreme ur- do what the previous Gov- regular maintenance of gency. ernment failed to do in five canals and drains, will be “When I visited the vil- years – deliver on promis- considered a top priorlage, while driving along es made to the Guyanese ity under the work prothe main access road, I was people. This is just one of grammes of the NDIA. somewhat disappointed the many projects of this The NDIA is currently with the state of the main nature that my Ministry carrying out similar works canal. During the meeting will undertake within the in a number of farming with farmers and residents, coming months,” Minister communities in several a number of persons com- Mustapha said.

Regions across the Coast. plained of instances of floodHe added that for years

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips and Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Alexander Kurmaz, greet each other on Wednesday

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

More electoral fraud charges

–– Lawrence, Joseph, Mingo and others make court appearances FIVE persons, including Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Volda Lawrence; opposition activist, Carol Joseph and Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, were, on Wednesday, hauled before the court on electoral fraud charges.

Lawrence, a former Health Minister; Joseph, Mingo and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) clerks, Michelle Miller and Denise Bob-Cummings, were all arraigned separately before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Mingo and Lawrence were charged jointly. It is alleged that on March 5, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document, that is to say, a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2 General and Regional Elections, knowing same to be forged.

They were each released on $30,000 bail.

Mingo and Joseph were also jointly charged. It is alleged that on March 13, 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public,

GECOM Clerk, Michelle Miller

they uttered a certain forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the elections, knowing same to be forged.

They were both released on $30,000 bail.

Meanwhile, Joseph was slapped with two other charges which alleged that on March 13, at High and Hadfield Street, Georgetown, she conspired with Mingo and others, to declare a fraudulent account of votes for District Four in the March 2 elections. She was released on a total of $60,000 bail.

Miller was also slapped with two charges. It is alleged that between March 3 and March 5, at High and Hadfield Street, together and with others, with intent to defraud

Opposition activist, Carol Joseph; former minister, Volda Lawrence; Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, and attorney-at-law, Darren Wade

the people of Guyana, being appointed as a Clerk for District Four by GECOM for the purpose of the elections, in assisting Mingo, she did not use the figures from the Statements of Poll for the purpose of ascertaining the figures to make the declaration of the results for the said elections as is required by law, thereby resulting in a false declaration being made for the said District Four.

She was released on a total

of $60,000 bail.

Further, Cummings was charged with two similar offences which were allegedly committed on March 13 at GECOM Headquarters, High and Cowan Street, Kingston.

She too was released on a total of $60,000 bail.

The defendants were represented by a team of prominent attorneys which included Nigel Hughes, Eusi Anderson and Darren Wade.

The State was represented

by prosecutor, Teriq Mohammed, from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chambers.

The cases were adjourned to October 28.

Over the last few weeks, Lawrence, Mingo and Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, have made court appearances and were charged with playing a role in the alleged commission of electoral fraud.

Last week, Lawrence appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, and was released on $100,000 bail for two counts of conspiracy.

The charges alleged that on March 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, she conspired with GECOM’s Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, and others, to declare a fraudulent account of votes for District Four in the March 2 elections.

On August 24, 2020, she was placed on $100,000 bail

by Magistrate McLennan in relation to a private criminal charge filed against her for the alleged fraudulent elections declaration of March 5, 2020. She was jointly charged with Mingo, who was released on self-bail for the indictment.

That charge was filed given that their signatures were on said declaration. A national vote recount which was done subsequently found that the numbers on the declaration were inflated in favour of the APNU+AFC. Mingo is also before

the court on several fraud charges, including uttering a forged document with intent to defraud the public, contrary to Section 278 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. He was granted $600,000 bail on those charges and the case adjourned to November 16, to allow the prosecution time to complete the filing of statements.

Two Fridays ago, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, was released on $300,000 bail, after pleading not guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office, when she appeared before the Chief Magistrate. Hughes and Ronald Daniels are her attorneys.

Additionally, Lowenfield is before the court on three private criminal fraud charges and is expected to go on trial next month.

Magistrate Faith McGusty, who is presiding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, is hearing those matters which were filed by People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) member, Desmond Morian, and General Secretary of The New Movement (TNM), Daniel Kanhai, on June 30, 2020.

Lowenfield has been accused of presenting elections results with the exact inflated figures in favour of the APNU+AFC. Those same figures were declared by Mingo.

He was not required to plead and was released on $450,000 bail

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Manickchand assesses readiness to reopen schools EDUCATION Minister, Priya Manickchand, has met with Regional Executive Officers (REOs), Regional Education Officers (REDOs) and District Education Officers (DEOs) to discuss the various regions’ level of preparedness for the eventual re-opening of schools.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) continues ongoing works at schools across the country to bring them up to scratch with safety regulations. Sinks are being installed as well as the setting up of COVID-19 guidelines signs at the entrances and within the schools.

Toilets are also being built while weeding and cleaning of school compounds are ongoing.

“It was the consensus of the officials that ongoing work had to be accelerated and efficiently managed to ensure the safety of students, teachers and other stake-

holders and this will also be addressed. Discussions were also held on ensuring adequate staffing and textbooks for schools in light of the pandemic which will ensure certain restrictions are not infringed,” a statement from the Ministry of Education (MoE) said.

Also participating in the meeting on Saturday was Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Hutson; MoE Permanent Secretary, Alfred King; assistant chief education officers for nursery, primary and secondary, and the Chief Planning Officer, Nicola Johnson.

According to the statement, the minister indicated the need to get an understanding as to whether the regions level of preparedness on the ground correlates with the level of preparedness the MoE has on record.

“With schools closed since March this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand (right) speaking with contractors carrying out works at the Bishops’ High School on Tuesday

Minister Manickchand told the officials that it was important that every school be fully prepared to receive both students and teachers in the safest of environments when schools are approved for re-opening by the Ministry of

Health,” the statement said.

It added: “With grades 10 and 11 students needing critical time in the classroom to complete School-Based Assessments (SBA) in the lead-up to CXC and CAPE 2021; consideration is being

given for this group of students to return to the classrooms first.”

Earlier this month, the Guyana Chronicle had reported that several teachers who oversee students preparing to write the 2021 Carib-

Jamaica’s leading tradeshow goes virtual ...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.??

This year, the JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards

(WTA) for the 13th consecutive year and Jamaica was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the 15th consecutive year. Jamaica also earned the WTA award for the World’s Leading Cruise Destination and Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Most recently, Jamaica was named as one of the “Best Places to Go in 2020” according to CNN, Bloomberg and Forbes. Ja-

maica was awarded three gold 2020 Travvy Awards including Best Culinary Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas; Best Tourism Board Overall and Best Tourism Board, Caribbean/Bahamas.

In 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the number one Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World. In 2018, the International Council of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the Destination of the Year

FROM PAGE

bean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations, have officially written to the Ministry of Education (MoE) seeking permission to return to schools, and the ministry is actively considering the requests.

“It is against this background that Minister Manickchand stressed the importance of certain amenities such as running water, adequate toilets and other related features that each school should have. She acknowledged that such an undertaking is a costly exercise. However, it was noted the national budget caters for this blended participatory approach in addressing the current situation,” the statement noted.

Saturday’s meeting also looked at how students at schools with dormitories will be adequately facilitated while still observing the COVID-19 social distancing guideline.

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and TravAlliance Media named JTB Best Tourism Board, and Jamaica as Best Culinary Destination, Best Wedding Destination and Best Honeymoon Destination. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition.

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guyana CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Help for underserved children affected by COVID-19 -- thanks to efforts from several woman-led organisations GUYANESE-OWNED and woman-led organisations, SURE GIG and PAS PAK, have embarked on a mission to elevate the position of underserved children whose learning possibilities have been severely hindered due to COVID-19 and its effects on the education system.

SURE GIG, PASPAK Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Filisha Duke, is appealing to companies to “come together” and provide laptop computers to primary and secondary school students across Guyana, through her initiative “Creating Champions”.

The aim of the project is to acquire at least

100 laptop computers, through corporate partnerships, and distribute them through a competition process. Students will be required to upload short videos to whatsapp and answering simple questions.

The submissions will be judged on, clarity of expression, organisation of ideas and relevance to the topic.

The panel of judges will be selected from donor organisations and will review videos which are shortlisted

by SURE GIG and PASPAK team.

“Although we recognise that all children are facing challenges at this time, we would like to ensure that they are reaching those in

the greatest need, and who would not have an opportunity otherwise to acquire a device,” Duke said, adding: “We are kindly asking private and other entities to consider joining us on this noble journey that will impact and change the lives of many households and children of our nation.”

SURE GIG and PAS PAK plan to engage in an extensive online and offline campaign to reach as many young people as possible and build the goodwill of their donor companies. The competition will be officially launched LIVE on both company Facebook pages and in various media on Friday October 23 from 14:00 hours.

The closing date will be November 15, and winners will be announced on November 30. There will be a small ceremony and laptops will be presented to children December 18, 2020.

Current partnering companies are Stenna Drilling, AOSI, Global EDGE, Sparkly Fresh, EMTEC, Co-Grow and MBW Energy Support Services. The initiative has met about 40 per cent of its goal.

For a detailed proposal, interested organisations can contact the company’s marketing representative, Ms. Alyssa Gibson, on +592 665 8242 or send an email to alyssa@suregiggy. com.

SURE GIG, PAS PAK CEO, Filisha Duke

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

Labour Ministry warns security companies exploiting employees

THE Labour Ministry announced on Wednesday that it will be forced to publish the names of security companies, their directors or businesses and their proprietors who are involved in flouting Guyana’s labour laws.

According to the ministry, it will be addressing numerous complaints filed against security firms that are taking advantage of Guyanese and non-nationals involved in providing security details countrywide.

The ministry reminded employees, and more so employers, of the rights and entitlements of security guards, whether or not they are nationals of Guyana.

The following sections of the Employment Legislations

are the most prominently violated in the security sector; they are listed to shed some light on a seemingly dark area.

“Firstly, Section Three of the ‘Leave with Pay Act Cap 99:02’ states that every worker is entitled to leave and further elucidates how leave is to be computed. Section Four of the said Act mandates that no employer shall require a worker to take his/her leave with pay in a period less than six consecutive days; provided that any of the days which are Sundays or Public Holidays shall not be computed as leave with pay. Additionally, the rate at which leave is calculated is at an employee’s current daily wage: Section 5(1),” the Labour Ministry stated.

Further, the ministry noted that any provision in any agreement between an employer and a worker, whereby the worker purports to contract himself at variance with the provisions of the Leave with Pay Act, or whereby the worker undertakes to receive any less benefit than he/she is entitled to under the said Act shall be of no effect.

Additionally, the Labour Ministry emphasised that Section 12 of the Labour Act Cap 98:01 provides that an employer shall pay wages either agreed between employer and employee or prescribed by law.

“The prescribed wages for security guards as set out in the National Minimum Wage Order No. 15 of 2016 is $255 per hour. The order also stipulates that the set hours

of work are 40 hours which shall not exceed five days per week and any hours of work beyond the normal period shall attract overtime rate,” the Labour Ministry stated.

The ministry said it was also made aware of employers who constantly engage in the act of part payment of wages at the end of the pay period after the workers would have worked the full period.

Employers who engage in such acts should cease and desist immediately, the Labour Ministry noted as it publicly condemns the actions of employers who have contravened the abovementioned sections of Guyana’s Labour Laws.

“In an attempt to fulfill our mandate of ‘protection of the rights of workers’, the ministry will prosecute said offenders to the full extent of the law upon receipt of any formal complaint. This notice serves to edify those who may not have been aware and also to warn the proprietors and directors of security firms currently in breach of the aforementioned provisions. Entities not in compliance should take active and immediate steps to conform with the various legislations governing employment relations; failing which, the ministry will be forced to publish the names of companies in default, along with all directors or the names of the businesses and their proprietors,” the ministry noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 22, 2020

GRC helps 113 fire victims THE Guyana Relief Council (GRC) has provided assistance to 113 persons affected by fire and helped in five welfare cases in Regions Three, Four and Seven during the period May 1 and September 30, 2020.

GRC is a charitable non-governmental organisation, which renders assistance to any person/family whose life becomes disrupted by any form of disaster – natural or man-made, wherever it occurs throughout the 10 regions of Guyana.

The GRC has been providing almost 100 per cent coverage for all fires occurring in the country and providing much-needed assistance to persons irrespective of colour, creed, religious background or political affiliation.

According to a release, the council has been grappling with limited resources but continues to provide essential assistance to persons/families whose lives were disrupted because of disaster.

With the COVID-19 virus disrupting the lives of millions globally, the council worked to continue operations in a limited capacity due to lesser resources.

“It remained true to its commitment to practicing its motto of ‘Caring and Sharing’” in whatever way possible. This was fulfilled

only by the ardent support and generosity of donors who stood by us and continue to do so in these most challenging and unprecedented times,” The council said in a release.

The GRC thanks Beharry Group of Companies, Tesouro Resources, New Building Society, Food for the Poor, Guyana Rice Development Board, John Lewis Styles, National Milling Company and Sterling Products Limited for their generous support.

“During this period, there were several individuals who also donated many essential items needed by fire victims.

We wish to thank you equally. The act of kindness is in no way measured when the need is great. The council needs your help to continue this service to humanity.

Your generosity enables the GRC to provide timely and relevant relief to persons who suffer disasters in Guyana.”

“Please send your donation of cash or kind to our office at Lot X West of Public Road, Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. We can also be reached by Telephone # 2253081 or 225-2874 and email: guyanareliefcouncil@yahoo. com. No donation is too small and is accepted with much gratitude,” the GRC said.

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Ex-cop Murder accused pleads granted guilty to manslaughter bail on firearm-related –– to know fate on Nov. 24 SIXTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Les Charles Critchlow, who charges is on trial for the 2016 murAN ex-policeman, on Wednesday, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs - Marcus on two firearm-related charges and was released on $140, 000 bail.

Tony Williams of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to having an unlicensed firearm and several live rounds in his possession.

He was granted $70,000 bail for each offence.

It is alleged that on Thursday at Laing Avenue, Georgetown, Williams had in his possession a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol, without being the holder of a valid firearm licence at the time.

On the same date, it is also alleged that he had in his possession 15 live rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a valid ammunition licence.

The matter was adjourned to October 28 and transferred to Court 1.

der of his brother-in-law, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

When he appeared before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court for the continuation of his trial, he threw himself at the mercy of the court and opted to plead guilty to manslaughter. Six witnesses had already testified.

The charge was re-read to him and he confessed that on May 12, 2016, at Haslington, he stabbed Terrence Adams, called “Uncle Terry” or “Sleepy”, to death during an argument.

The case is adjourned to November 24 when a probation report in favour of Critchlow will be presented before the sentence is handed

Les Charles Critchlow

DEAD: Terrence Adams

down.

The accused was represented by Attorney-at-Law Max McKay, while prosecutors Tiffani Lyken and Nafeeza Baig entered an appearance on behalf of the State.

According to reports Adams, 56, of North Haslington, was found around 20:15 hours on the day in question on the roadway in the village with stab wounds about his body.

Adams had been stabbed

to the left and right side chest, and his neck was partially slashed. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to reports, Adams had made a derogatory remark to Critchlow, and a subsequent altercation turned deadly.

Adams had reportedly said, “You don’t even wuk no more, and can’t maintain my sister.” Critchlow reportedly became outraged and stabbed him repeatedly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 22, 2020

Harper believes Hetmyer can be ‘world class’

CMC – Convener of selectors, Roger Harper, believes Shimron Hetmyer has the potential to be world class and has urged him to make up for the missed tour of England by scoring heavily in the upcoming New Zealand series.

The left-hander was recently selected for the twoTest tour of New Zealand in December, returning to the squad after declining selection for last July’s three-Test series against England due to concerns over the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to think that having missed the tour [of England] he’s hungry to get back and anxious to show what a quality player he is in all formats of the game, especially in Test

cricket,” Harper said.

“I personally think Hetmyer has the ability to be one of the best batsmen in the world, in Test cricket as well.

“As he gets to understand the rhythm of Test cricket and the approach needed, I think he’ll show that; so this is an opportunity for him to showcase his skill and talent, and help the team to build big totals.”

The 23-year-old Hetmyer averages nearly 28 from 16 Tests since making his debut three years ago, and has managed just five half-centuries with a highest score of 93.

Both he and fellow lefthander, Darren Bravo, opted out of the England tour and were sorely missed, as West Indies’ batting struggled badly – especially in the last two Tests – resulting in a 2-1 series defeat.

Meanwhile, Harper confirmed that aggressive lefthander, Nicholas Pooran, came under serious consideration for the Test series, despite having only played international white-ball cricket.

The 25-year-old also played the last of his three first class matches six years ago but his excellent whiteball form has triggered calls

for his selection to the Test unit.

Pooran averages 49 from 25 OneDay Internationals and while several pundits have urged his selection on this basis, Harper said selectors had opted to monitor the Trinidadian’s development, especially on the fourday games on the New Zealand tour.

“There was a lot of consideration given to Nicholas Pooran and we’re still looking at it,” Harper explained.

“But as we go forward, I’m sure Pooran will have opportunities … but we thought this was the best way to go.

“Nicholas will have an opportunity to play those four-day games, and we’ll have an opportunity to see him in [those] and then we’ll decide.

“There’s no absolute rule that he has to [play four-day cricket before Test selection] but this is the decision that the panel made.”

Pooran will feature in the three Twenty20 Internationals which form part of the New Zealand tour which runs from November 27 to December 15.

Shimron Hetmyer

City thumps Porto as champions League Returns (BBC) - Manchester City made a winning start to their 10th attempt at winning the Champions League after fighting back to beat Porto.

The Portuguese champions took a surprise early lead but Sergio Aguero quickly levelled from the spot and second-half goals from Ilkay Gundogan and substitute, Ferran Torres, gave City victory.

This was not a vintage performance from Pep Guardiola’s side, who were sloppy in possession in dangerous positions, especially early on, but they were in full control by the time their opening game in Group C was over.

City had not even managed a shot at goal when they fell behind in the 14th minute, after a poor pass by Ruben Dias allowed Matheus Uribe to start a Porto attack.

Uribe found Colombian forward Luis Diaz, who was allowed to cut inside from the left and run virtually un-

challenged into the City box before beating Ederson with a low shot.

City were not behind for long, however, with Aguero given the chance to equalise from the spot after Gundogan hit the post and Pepe clumsily took out Raheem Sterling as he chased the rebound.

Porto were unhappy with the decision, claiming Gundogan had stepped on goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin in the build-up, but the penalty stood and Aguero blasted home his 40th Champions League goal.

There were further chances for the visitors before the break, with Kyle Walker having to clear Sergio Oliveira’s shot off the line.

But they were much less of a threat in the second half, which was when City began to exert some authority in midfield.

The chances were hardly flowing for Guardiola’s men either, but Gundogan showed

a touch of class to bend in his free-kick over the wall from the edge of the area and give his side the lead.

By now City were on top and Torres made certain of victory seconds after replacing Aguero, playing a neat one-two with fellow substitute Phil Foden and curling his shot home.

Guyanese all-rounder Shepherd to replace Bravo in Windies squad Injured all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, will be replaced by Guyanese all-rounder, Romario Shepherd, according to a release from Cricket West Indies.

In a release dispatched on Wendesday, the Guyanese was confirmed as the replacement for Bravo for the Maroon side’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Bravo has a groin injury.

The experienced 37-year-old sustained the injury on Saturday whilst playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Bravo, the two-time T20 World Cup winner, will now return to Trinidad to continue his rehabilitation. He will be replaced by Romario Shepherd, the 25-year-old all-rounder, who made his international debut last year against Afghanistan. He has so far played five One-Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals (T20Is).

The defending ICC T20 World Cup champions will visit New Zealand from November 27 to December 15. They will start the tour with three T20Is, followed by two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship.

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(1) What was the highest individual score made in IPL 2011?

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ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

Bravo said: “I was really looking forward to the tour of New Zealand as it has been so many months since I last wore maroon in Sri Lanka back in March, and we are all so excited about building towards defending our T20 World Cup next year. Unfortunately, the injury I sustained on Saturday playing for CSK has not only ruled me out of the IPL but also the tour. I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad over the next few days where I will continue my rehab and treatment.

I’m fully committed to representing the West Indies and I just need to get myself stronger again.”

Shepherd said: “This is a great opportunity for me, and I want to take it with both hands. I was in the team before, last year and earlier this year, so I have a good feel of the game at this level. I’ve been training hard and working at all areas of my game,so I’m ready.”

T20I squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.

Test Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Chemar Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach Test Reserves: Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua DaSilva, Preston McSween, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 22, 2020

Real slump to Shakhtar Donetsk defeat Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane, took responsibility for “a bad night” as the 13time European Cup winners were handed a humiliating defeat by a second-string Shakhtar Donetsk side.

lead at Real’s empty Alfredo di Stefano training ground.

Goals from Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior after the break gave Real hope, but there was no escape for the competition’s most decorated

(Image credit: Manu Fernandez)

The Ukrainian champions arrived in Madrid without 13 first-team players after 19 positive Covid-19 tests throughout the club left them needing to call up youth-team players.

But Luis Castro’s young side were undaunted and swept into an amazing, but thoroughly warranted, 3-0

side despite a dramatic finale.

Federico Valverde thought he had hit a stoppage-time leveller but after a check at the pitchside monitor referee Srdjan Jovanovic disallowed the goal for offside.

The defeat follows a shock 1-0 home defeat newly-pro-

moted Cadiz in La Liga on Saturday.

“I did not see the team as I wanted and when you do not see the team as you wanted it is your fault,” Zidane said.

“It’s a bad game, a bad night. I’m the coach and it’s up to me to find the solution.

“We deserve the criticism, all of us, and me first.

Luckily we had a reaction in the second half because they don’t deserve that, they are champions and it bothers me.

“I am responsible and I have to look for solutions because that cannot happen.”

Club legend Zidane won the Champions League in each of his first three seasons in charge of Real, but his decision to rest players with next Saturday’s El Clasico against Barcelona in mind was a rare, and huge, aberration.

Without captain Sergio Ramos - left in the stands with a knee injury - Real’s defence was a mess and could do little to prevent Mateus Tete and Manor Solomon scoring either side of a Raphael Varane own goal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 22, 2020

Wallace blasts CWI for Campbell inclusion in Test Squad CMC – Former West Indies opener, Philo Wallace, has branded as “weak” the Test team chosen for the New Zealand tour, and has especially blasted the inclusion of failing opener John Campbell in the 15-man squad.

The outspoken Wallace, who played seven Tests and 33 One-Day Internationals between 1991 and 2000, said selectors had rewarded players for their mediocrity, especially on the recent tour of England, and had not made the necessary changes in order to challenge the Black Caps.

“I think the [team] selection is weak. We picked the same batsmen that came here to England and we’re sending them to New Zealand and we’re saying that New Zealand is going to be a bit tougher,” Wallace told StarCom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket show from

London.

“Now, how are we going to get these guys to perform.

These guys have no confidence and the selection panel has

John Campbell struggled on the tour of England earlier this year

gone back with the same guys tried and tested.

“John Campbell came back from a tour of England and said he was at bits and pieces with (James) Anderson. Now if you were at bits and pieces with Anderson and … you have not taken a third opener … how are these guys being selected?

On performances or stats?

Because you have to dig deep sometimes and make hard core decisions on West Indies cricket.

“There are some players out there who are biting at the bit to get a play and you are rewarding men for mediocre performances. They failed in England.

“They had all the opportunities in England. The board (Cricket West Indies) sent them up there a month before, they played wonderfully well in the first Test

Windies could host tours next year – Skerritt (CMC) - Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt, says international cricket could return to the Caribbean as soon as the first quarter of next year, but the challenge remains the creation of safe bio-secure “bubbles” at Caribbean venues.

He revealed that CWI had, only last week, produced a draft schedule for 2021 for board approval and were still in the stages of finalising venues and other logistical details, especially in light of the new COVID-19 pandemic environment.

However, he confirmed Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia were all expected to tour the region, the series spread over the first half of the year.

Skerritt also said the resumption of regional domestic cricket would start with the Super50 limited overs tournament which was being pencilled in for January-February of next year.

“The first regional cricket we’re proposing is the Super50 at the end of January next year,” Skerritt told SportsMax TV. “We’re not hosting any international cricket before Sri Lanka, which will be around February.

“We go to Bangladesh in January-February and then we have three teams coming, spread more towards the summer rather than the early part of the year – Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia.”

CWI has not staged an international home series since last January when Ireland toured for three One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals.

In fact, the year was expected to be a busy one but the home itinerary was cancelled following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Africa’sWomen’s team had been scheduled to play a five-match ODI series in Jamaica and Trinidad last May/ June while South Africa A had been

carded for five one-dayers and three four-day “Tests” in Antigua and Barbados last June/July.

The senior men’s tours were also scrapped, New Zealand having been expected to play three ODIs and T20s in Antigua, Dominica and Guyana last July and South Africa down to play two Tests and five T20s in Trinidad, St Lucia, Jamaica and the United States in July/August.

West Indies’ historic three-Test tour of England established a template for the safe resumption of cricket, however, and since then England have hosted a couple of home tours while the Caribbean Premier League was successfully staged in Trinidad last August/September.

Skerritt said issues of regional air travel and establishing and implementing safe protocols, first needed to be addressed before tours could be staged.

“Obviously, the problem is where is [best] suited to host [these tours], where can we create the protocols including the bio-secure bubble so a number of options have to be looked at,” he explained.

“In terms of regional air transport and the ability to move players around and deal with the restrictions, that is not something we can look towards, at least until towards the end of the first quarter [of] next year.”

The cancellation of the 2020 itinerary has impacted CWI revenues significantly, forcing the Antigua-based governing body to make reductions in their expenditure.

Last May, CWI announced a “temporary” 50 per cent cut in all salaries and funding of cricket across the region, referencing the “debilitating economic challenges which have resulted from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”, as the rationale for the move.

match and they messed it up in the second and the third and you’re going to reward men for mediocre performances on a tougher tour down to New Zealand.”

Campbell was among several West Indies batsmen who failed badly on the England tour, managing only 84 runs from six innings at an average of 16.

The Jamaican has, however, played only nine Tests since making his debut last year on England’s tour of the Caribbean, and averages 25 overall with a single half-century.

Stroke-maker Shai Hope, who also struggled against England averaging 17, was the only major change as selectors retained the core of the group.

Stressing that the selectors should have “read the riot act” to certain players, Wallace reiterated that

changes should have been made to the squad.

“We need to make some hard decisions in our cricket.

All of these [friendship] picks must stop. These guys need to be read the riot act,” Wallace continued.

“These guys need to understand the responsibility of cricket and West Indies.

John Campbell is a very lucky man; I wish him all the very best but he struggled in England and we’re picking him for another tour to New Zealand. “[The selection panel] has to make some decisions that will benefit West Indies cricket. It hurts to see these kind of decisions being made. Pick horses for courses and send the message loud and clear – changes can be made.”

Wallace argued that the consistency of players needed to be a major factor for

selectors when deliberating over squads.

“Yes, stats come into play but you can’t pick men on stats [only]. You have to pick men on performances and the ability to play at this level,” the Barbadian contended.

“These fellas are showing us that some of them they don’t have the ability. We are crying out for consistency and we’re not getting it, and that’s one of the main ingredients in [the Task Force document on selection] – consistency.”

West Indies leave at month end for two Tests against New Zealand, the first scheduled for Seddon Park in Hamilton from December 3-7 and the second carded for the Basin Reserve in Wellington from December 11-15.

The Caribbean side have not won a Test series on New Zealand soil in 25 years.

RCB praise new ball Siraj

Mohammed Siraj began his night against KKR with two maidens and three wickets, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2020, Abu Dhabi, October 21, 2020

(ESPNCRICINFO) - A devastating spell of new-ball bowling from Mohammed Siraj (4-2-3-8) left Kolkata Knight Riders so far down on the mat it was all they could do to last the 20 overs.

They did so playing out four maidens - an IPL record - two of them to Siraj alone - another IPL record.

They suffered 72 dots in a 120-ball innings - only three shy of another IPL record and put up only 84 on the board - the lowest IPL total for a team batting first and not losing all their wickets.

Royal Challengers Bangalore had little trouble with the chase, completing it with eight wickets and 39 balls to spare and moving to second place on the table.

SUPER SIRAJ All they needed was a

hint. Royal Challengers have been very good with the way they’ve handled their bowlers this season. And in this game as well, as soon as they saw there was some swing on offer, they immediately went to Siraj with the new ball. Even though he was the new man in the XI. Siraj is a natural inswinger. But it was moving the ball the other way that brought him most of his success. He snagged the outside edge of Rahul Tripathi in the second over. One ball later, he burst through Nitish Rana’s defences. That over ended up as a double-wicket maiden.

He also had Tom Banton caught behind before he gave up a single run off his bowling as the Royal Challengers earned the upper hand from start to finish.

Recovering from a powerplay score of 17 for 4 was

never going to be easy and though Eoin Morgan tried, the opposition just had too many resources to mount a counter attack. Yuzvendra Chahal, for so long the only consistent wicket-taking threat for the Royal Challengers, might even have felt weird playing back up as he picked up 2 for 15 and limited Knight Riders to 84 for 8.

THE EASIEST CHASE IN THE IPL? Well not for Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal. They fell for 16 and 25 but with such a tiny target before them, Royal Challengers could always regroup. They did the sensible thing with the batting too and gave one of their less experienced players time in the middle - Gurkeerat Singh making 21 as they sealed victory.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 22, 2020

27

Percival lauds Minister Ramson, Government’s support of Berbice cricket ― Says BCB doing good job amidst pandemic

By Clifton Ross Ex-Guyana all-rounder, Andre Percival, has hailed the efforts of Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson Jr., following his visit to the Ancient County recently, as plans to restore and improve high standards of Berbice cricket are well on the way.

Recognized as arguably the best West Indies Under-19 skipper in his day, the hard-hitting batsman told Chronicle Sport on Monday that with the progress he has been seeing from both the government of Guyana and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB); this could possibly be the relationship which will immensely improve cricket from an infrastructural standpoint and all-round support of the Ancient County players.

“So far, the talks which the government had is very good for Berbice cricket, so we just have to wait and see how things go because, in the past, so many persons came and told us that they were going to do this and that, but nothing never happened. I just want them to keep it up and maintain what they are saying so we can get things

running nicely again. Other than that, it’s great for cricket and once we maintain the protocol with Covid-19 now, things should move well”.

Said the former national women’s coach.

gates with practice sessions and coaching clinics; Percival hailed his former county board for continuing the progress in these trying times.

“Mr. Foster (Hilbert) and the BCB has been doing a

be okay for us, as we look to restart live action slowly in Berbice”. Percival pointed out.

Another huge plus, according to the ex-medium-pacer, of the potential positives shown by

ara Cricket Boards will now have to prepare for elections, thus possibly opening a new chapter in Guyana’s cricket administration hierarchy.

Regarding elections, Percival said he was all for it and

Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson Jr., and the BCB executives during his visit to Berbice recently

Berbice has been no stranger to battling the odds and defying the natural state of things and keeping their track-record clean even during a pandemic, by slowly opening up the

very good job because I think that a lot of our youngsters were cricket starved due to the pandemic. But I think now once we follow the guidelines as I said before, things should

the government, namely Minister Ramson, was the passing of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act (GCAA).

The bill now ensures that both the Guyana and Demer-

was in full support of the Act and all that follows. “Another good thing is that the Minister mentioned stuff about the elections and that’s going to be very good for Guyana’s cricket. I

think we will have free and fair elections when the time comes and we are heading in the right direction”, added Percival.

Wrapping up his interview, the Berbice veteran player turned coach, lauded Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) for investing in the future of all cricketers by virtue of their Jaguars Academy, which he said has been crucial to the sustenance of Guyana and West Indies cricket over the recent years.

Percival also hailed CGI’s new multi-purpose facility at La Bonne Intention (LBI)as a major boost for the national players and those with aspirations of one day representing Guyana or the West Indies.

“I think what they (CGI) are doing is good for cricket because we need more facilities in Guyana and we need more improved facilities.

This will make the players feel much more comfortable around their new environment. At the end of the day, I just want the cricketers to be happy about what they’re going about doing and then I think we will get even better performances going forward”, He ended.

Holder wants BLM to remain on front burner Everest/ACS win NYNCL 25-over cricket competition

CMC – Test captain, Jason Holder, has urged authorities to keep the issues surrounding racial justice at the forefront of sport, after he and West Indies were, this week, honoured with the Peter Smith Award by the Cricket Writers Club for their “trailblazing” tour of England last July.

The three-match series marked the resumption of international cricket following the global lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and also came at the height of global Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the killing of American, George Floyd, by a white police officer in the United States earlier in the year.

Throughout the series, both teams kneeled before the start of each Test as a mark of support for BLM, but Holder said he had been disappointed to see the practice discontinued for England’s subsequent series against Pakistan and Australia.

“I was following a bit of what Mikey Holding was saying,” Holder said in reference to Holding’s recent criticism of England for abandoning the on-field support for the BLM movement.

“It’s difficult to get people to see the importance of it and that’s where the educa-

tion has to continue to filter through.

“I personally was a bit disappointed to see how the Pakistan and Australia tours that went on after ours; that they were not showing their solidarity afterwards.

“It’s a hard challenge and a long hard road. It’s not an overnight fix but the most important thing is we need to come together and see each other as equal human beings.”

Holding, a legendary former West Indies fast bowler who is now a well-respected international television analyst, criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board over the decision not to continue the practice of kneeling.

He said even though the West Indies tour had finished “that doesn’t mean that you still shouldn’t be respecting the message and exactly what it stands for.”

Holder, a late call-up to represent Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing Indian Premier League, said there had also been little mention of the Black Lives Matter movement in the cash-rich tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

“I haven’t had one conversation [in the IPL] around it,” said the world’s topranked Test all-rounder.

“Sometimes it seems it has gone unnoticed, which is a sad thing. I guess it’s for us to re-highlight the importance of it.”

Holder and West Indies received the award from the United Kingdom-based entity for their “outstanding contribution to the presentation of cricket to the public”.

The Cricket Writers Club said not only had the Caribbean side engaged in an historic tour at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but had also added their voices to the global discourse on racial inequality.

“Holder led a trailblazing tour party that flew into the unknown at the height of the COVID-crisis in the UK, from the relative safety of the Caribbean,” the body said.

“As the first sports team to enter a bio-bubble, they showed great forbearance, holed up in two hotels for seven weeks, and were instrumental in rescuing the international summer for cricket lovers and the ECB. “Holder also conducted himself with grace on and off the field, speaking eloquently on race and racism and the need for education and unity, during a period of turbulence precipitated by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.”

EVEREST/ACS registered a 12-run victory against the New York XI in the final of the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) 25-over competition on Saturday last at Baisley Pond.

Both clubs are filled with overseas-based Guyanese players.

New York XI won the toss and opted to bowl first. Former national U-19 cricketer, Chris Patadin and former first division player, Wasim Haslim, however, placed the bowling team on the back foot early, by producing a solid 91run first wicket partnership.

Patadin was the more watchful of the two. His 34 runs came from 38 balls and included three fours and a six.

Haslim on the other hand, belted four sixes and three fours in 34 balls for an even 50.

When the openers fell in consecutive overs, New York XI were able to wrest some amount of control, but eventual Man-of-the-Match Deveshwari Prashad, batting at five, went on to produce an innings high 58 runs. In his 35 balls at the crease, he belted six maximums.

At the other end of the pitch, wickets were tumbling.

Former National Jamaican spinning all-rounder, Damion Jacobs (4), Guyana’s first class

fast bowler, Raun Johnson (1), former U-19 cricketer, Karamchand Ramnarine (0) and Zamin Amin (0) all fell cheaply, but with Prashad staying until the end, Everest/ACS were able to get to 177-8 in 25 overs.

US cricketer, Karan Ganesh and Ryan Girghary picked up two wickets each to lead the bowling attack.

Zamal Khan, came to the crease. Although he played a few shots and batted himself in, his team’s middle and lower order batsmen were not as fortunate and they crumbled against Haslim and Johnson. Haslim spun his way to two wickets and Johnson to one with two run outs, which restricted the run flow.

Everest/ACS were crowned 25-over champions over the weekend

New York XI lost one of their star players, Akshay Homraj (0) in the first over of the chase. The US national cricketer, who played at the U-19 level in Guyana, left them in a spot of bother at 1-1, but fellow opener, Mushin Perkhan and number three batsman, Hemendra Ramdihal, added 87 for the second wicket.

When the two batsmen fell, both to the leg-spin of Jacobs, former Guyana and West Indies U-19 cricketer,

Khan, who struck two sixes and three fours in a 36-ball 46, kept his team in the game until he departed at the end of the 24th over.

New York XI then had a slim chance, if they had gone all guns blazing in the last over, since it came down to 23 runs from six balls, but it was not to be and they ended the innings at 165-9.

On Sunday Everest/ASC lost the 30-over final to Richmond Hill Liberty CC.

Guyanese all-rounder Shepherd to replace Bravo in Windies squad

SEE PAGE 24

Romario Shepherd

West Indies captain Jason Holder

SEE PAGE 24

Harper believes Hetmyer can be ‘world class’

SEE PAGE 27

Holder wants BLM to remain on front burner

Shimron Hetmyer tucks the ball into the leg side

SEE PAGE 26

Windies could host tours next year – Skerritt

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020