Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_11_20_2020

FRIDAY 20th November, 2020

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Major sectors take centre stage No.106189

SEE PAGE 03

–– as high-level UAE delegation engages gov’t

President Dr. Irfaan Ali (third right) and his team of ministers meeting with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum (fourth left) and his delegation from the UAE at the Office of the President (Office of the President photograph)

Over 700 local 10 businesses secure work in O&G sector PAGE

World Bank approves additional US$26M to mitigate flooding in Guyana 11 PAGE

Constitutional reform meaningless without 02 constitutional compliance PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Constitutional reform meaningless without constitutional compliance

–– says Attorney-General

By Richard Bhainie WITH plans for constitutional reform in the pipeline, Attorney-General Anil Nandlall is urging that adherence to the Constitution is of equal importance as the reform itself.

During an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, the Attorney-General explained that in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C)’s 2020 Election Manifesto, constitutional reform is of utmost importance to the Government, and works are underway to facilitate those changes.

“Constitutional reform is always necessary, like every other aspect of law reform, to ensure that the law is changed at various intervals, so that it is always in sync with the evolutionary changes in a society, and so that the law does not become Attorney-General, Mr. Anil Nandlall

abstract and archaic, but that the law remains dynamic and is changed to meet the exigencies of an evolving society,” he explained.

To commence the process, the Management Committee of Parliament met on Wednesday, with regards to the agenda of the Parliamentary Standing Committees, including the Constitutional Reform Committee.

“The Constitutional Reform Committee of the National Assembly will be

the instrumentality through which we will pursue Constitutional Reform,” he explained.

Given the importance of Constitutional Reform, it will not be solely a Government initiative and the Constitutional Reform Committee will be the principal Committee to execute the mandate.

The committee is comprised of the Government as well as the opposition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Major sectors take centre stage

3

–– as high-level UAE delegation engages gov’t

By Navendra Seoraj A PLETHORA of investment opportunities, across all the major sectors in Guyana, were examined by a high-level team from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during discussions with the Government of Guyana, on day one of the team’s three-day visit here.

The eight-member delegation, headed by his Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum of the UAE, arrived in Guyana on Thursday and has already met with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and several other high-ranking officials of the Guyana Government.

Among some of the areas of interest discussed during the meeting were oil and gas; infrastructure and agriculture. Individual members of the team were interested in specific sectors, but this newspaper understands that the “key sectors” took “front stage”.

The Guyana Chronicle

understands that the discussion was informative and ‘faithful’ and there was an air of optimism that Guyana will benefit from several investment projects.

Present at the initial meeting with President Ali and the UAE team were Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd; Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat; Housing and Water Minister, Colin Croal and Minister within that Ministry, Susan Rodrigues; Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha; Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill; and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, among others.

The UAE is no stranger to major international investments; in fact, the Sheikh is the founder of a diversified conglomerate, the Africa, Middle East Resource Investment (AMERI) Group.

As the founder and the Chairman of AMERI Group LLC, His Highness established strategic partnerships in many countries to create a better world for the underprivileged.

He has played a path-defining role in extending a helping hand to bring about a positive change in the lives of millions.

The AMERI Group itself has diversified into a conglomerate that develops, invests, co-owns, and operates power plants, energy and infrastructure projects mainly in Africa and the Middle East.

Through AMERI Energy, the group has provided economical, innovative and clean energy solutions. The AMERI Infrastructure division specialises in solutions with a reputable clientele.

Guyana is no stranger to such institutions and countries with a deep interest in international investments.

Within the space of three months, the country has hosted the U.S. Secretary

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, meeting with His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, and other members of the delegation from the UAE

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, engaging His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum at Office of the President of State, Mike Pompeo, and every sector. ing for not just international the President of Suriname, Additionally, private investors, but locals as well.

Chandrikapersad Santokhi, sector investments are exThe new Government and other high-level offi- pected to increase, stretch- has already committed to cials. ing from the construction of building a ‘modern’ GuyThis unprecedented in- new shore bases to service ana with world-class interest in Guyana is due the oil-and-gas sector, to frastructure that improves mainly to the country’s new office complexes and connectivity and unlocks nascent oil and gas sector, other private development the vast potential of the which is expected to ca- projects. economy. talyse development across The President antici“Becoming an oil proall sectors. pates that, with increased ducer presents us with an President Ali has al- construction, there will be opportunity and the means ready said that progress is an increased demand for to improve the well-being expected on all fronts in quarry and construction of the Guyanese people and 2021, which has since been materials and labour. realise the long-standing designated as the Year of The World Bank’s Ease aspirations of the country,” Investments and Develop- of Doing-Business 2020 said Senior Minister with ment. report has showed that responsibility for Finance, “What you will see next Guyana slipped two spaces Dr. Ashni Singh in a recent year is a flurry of develop- in its rankings for 2019, report. ment; there will be active relative to 2014. Among the The aim is to create work on the new Demerara problems identified in the an enabling environment Harbour Bridge, the new report were the processing for business development four-lane road, new hotels, of construction permits, through a seven-point and the creation of 50,000 registration of property and plan which includes prehomes,” said the President. high taxes. serving the rule of law He said work will comBut, with renewed and and democracy; improvmence on the construction increased interest in the ing the ease of doing busiand rehabilitation of roads local economy, Guyana ness; enhancing national in hundreds of communi- has an opportunity to as- competitiveness; facilitatties; new infrastructure will sess its systems and create ing trade and investment; be created, and there will processes which are busi- and supporting small be major developments in ness-friendly and encourag- businesses.

11 test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival at airports ELEVEN persons have since tested positive for COVID-19, upon their arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport since October 12, and are currently in isolation.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday noted that the systems in place at the airports have proven to be effective in reducing the chances of imported cases coming into Guyana.

“If you don’t have a test, that is, within 72 hours, then you’re allowed to travel, but when you come here, you have to take another test. So what this is proving, with the 11 cases that we have found so far, is that the system that we have established that have enabled us to detect those cases that would have otherwise gone without being recognised, means that our systems are working,” the minister stated.

In keeping with international health obligations and agreements, the Govern-

ment has since informed the countries from which the passengers originated, of their status.

Since Guyana reopened its airports to commercial flights on October 12, persons who are not in possession of a PCR test result, which is less than 72–hours old, are required to do a second test upon arrival.

Guyana’s two international airports were closed to incoming commercial, international flights since midnight on March 18, after the country recorded its first

COVID-19 case on March 11.

The airports were initially scheduled to close for a two-week period; however, as COVID-19 cases in the country increased, the closures continued to be extended.

But, growing demand for travel and pressing economic constraints created by this disease and the necessary containment measures, have pushed the country to take decisive action, which, according to international reports, is not unprecedented amidst the pandemic.

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Cops get ‘arrested’ by prisoner THREE cops who allegedly made a transaction with a prisoner in his request for his release, were, on Thursday, granted $50,000 bail each by Magistrate Rondel Weever, when they made an appearance, in relation to the charge, at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

Brian Tappin, Shemroy Meredith and Daniel Lindie, all pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

The charge alleged that between Thursday, October 29, 2020, and Friday, October 30, 2020, at the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost, Georgetown, they, being agents of the Government of Guyana, particularly, police officers of the Guyana Police Force, corruptly obtained from Lawrence Moore, for themselves, $120,000 as an inducement for releasing him on bail, an act in relation to their principal's affairs.

According to information provided, on Thursday, October 29, 2020, Lawrence Moore was arrested and placed in custody at the North Ruimveldt Police Outpost. While in custody, Moore and the three policemen negotiated for his release. The three policemen proposed that Moore pay them each, the sum of $120,000, which Moore had

agreed to and eventually did.

However, upon his release, Moore was asked to provide more money to pay off his remaining debts which referred to him allegedly having other matters reported at the station against him. Moore was reluctant to honour their request but still gave them hope, stating that he will try to get more money. Moore reported the matter to the police.

On Friday, October 30, 2020, one of the defendants contacted Moore to make arrangements to meet with him at the Kingston Seawall.

Unknowing to the defendant, Moore engaged in an organised sting operation with the Criminal Investigation Department at Eve Leary for the purpose of catching the defendant and his accomplices in action. The defendant was caught retrieving money from Moore and the money was found when a search was conducted on his person. Further investigations were executed and the defendant admitted, via video and audio, taking money from Moore and had identified the other defendants to be his accomplices. As a result, they were all charged for the offence.

The matter was adjourned until Monday, December 28, 2020.

Friday November 20, 2020 –– 9:00 HRS

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Constitutional reform meaningless...

“The Government expects that the reform process will be one that will be driven by a commission; that will be comprised of three important stakeholders, the Government, the opposition and the civil society, so it will be a tripartite commission,” Nandlall told this this publication.

WIDE CONSULTATION The Attorney-General noted that the process will not only involve experts, but the Guyanese people at large will play a dominant and fundamental role in the reform process.

“It is expected that the commission will act on a consultative basis, and will consult individually and collectively with stakeholder organisations, as well as citizens of Guyana from all walks of life and all geographic locations,” the Attorney-General pointed out.

He further explained, “The ommission will solicit and enlist recommendations in relation to constitutional change, and that commission will also consult experts who will aid and assist it in the discharge of its functions. It is from those recommendations that the constitutional reform proposals will come, and then we will take it from there.”

While constitutional reform is on the minds of many Guyanese, the reforms are

meaningless unless there is adherence and compliance with the Constitution.

The Guyana Constitution is a ‘written Constitution’, whereby the fundamental laws are separated from the ‘ordinary laws’, and are codified into a single document.

It is referred to as the highest law of the country that is guarded by the Supreme Court, and its provisions are entrenched.

Legal academics such as A.W. Bradley and K.D. Ewing have described the Constitution as “a document having special legal sanctity, which sets out the framework and the principal functions of the organs of Government”.

However, that special legal sanctity did not prevent prominent members of the previous administration, along with others, from completely disregarding and misinterpreting Guyana’s Constitutional provisions.

While recognising the importance of the reforms, Nandlall stressed that adherence to the provisions of the Constitution as equally important.

“Constitutional reform is seen by some as a panacea, but it may not be so. Those who feel that constitutional reform would lead to utopia, that is not, so unless constitutional compliance is of equal, or, in my view, of greater

significance.”

Nandlall explained, “We can put the best Constitution forward, but if you have a culture of non-compliance of the Constitution, then the best Constitution will not work; it will become a sterile document. And I believe that the issue of constitutional compliance for political reasons is not given the prominence and the fundamental importance that it deserves.”

In making his argument, Nandlall alluded to the series of events that occurred under the previous administration which led the country into a constitutional crisis.

EGREGIOUS BREACHES “We saw, and the world saw, constitutional non-compliance at its pellucid and graphic best over the last five years, and in particular the five months which followed the 2020 elections,” the Attorney-General said, adding: “In that period, from 2015 to 2020, you had very clear provisions of the Constitution misread, misinterpreted, simply not read, and the most asinine interpretation attached to clear literal grammatical English words to pervert them in order to pursue a political agenda.”

He vividly recalled the situations, from the passage of the December 2018 no-confidence motion, to the appointment of the GECOM chairperson and the post-election drama.

“For example, the provision that deals with the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission; a provision in the Constitution that is nearly 30 years old, and interpreted uniformly for those 30 years without any ambiguity; with-

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out any controversy,” he said, adding: “Then suddenly, when the time came to appoint a Chairman by President David Granger, this constitutional provision that never posed a problem before, became suddenly a very complex and controversial provision, with all manner of the most outrageous interpretations being placed upon it, that led to an impasse which lasted nearly a year.”

Nandlall explained that not only did prominent members of the previous administration attempt to apply their own interpretation to the Constitution, but a plethora of individuals followed suit.

“Then you had the no-confidence motion, Articles 106(6) and 107 of the Constitution, a primary school child could have read that and understand its clear meaning and its clear significance,” he said.

“Yet half of a nation argued for an entire year that clear literal English Language expressed in that provision meant something else. And I’m speaking about starting with the President, to the Attorney-General, to professors at universities, to lawyers and even to judges,” he pointed out.

Nandlall noted that by the time the budget is presented in the following year, the Government will have a roadmap in place to pursue the constitutional reforms, and the necessary budgetary arrangements will be made to facilitate it.

He stressed that even when the Constitution is reformed to reflect presentday society, individuals at every level has a duty to comply with the provisions, or the reforms will mean nothing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

65 non-violent offenders released –– COVID-19 measures being enhanced in prisons SIXTY-FIVE convicted non-violent offenders were released from prisons to reduce overcrowding in light of COVID-19 measures, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, has confirmed.

The Health Ministry had also deployed a team of doctors and nurses to the facility to complement staff there and to train prison personnel to enhance daily sanitation exercises Samuels told the Guyana Chronicle that the persons released had a nominal amount of time left on their

sentences.

The Guyana Prison Service had received medical and sanitation supplies from the CARICOM security agency, IMPACS, to help protect prisoners from the COVID-19 virus.

The CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), he said had responded to a request from prison authorities here for help to minimise and control the risk of the infection inside their prisons.

With support of the UK, IM-

PACS immediately provided urgent assistance. The donation included medical and sanitation supplies and other COVID-19-related items.

The donation is in accordance with guidelines issued by the WHO for the prevention and control of the pandemic in prisons.

Prisons, he said are generally considered to be amplifiers in the spread of infectious diseases and pose a great challenge for authorities working to prevent and contain COVID-19.

According to the director, a

sudden eruption of COVID-19 in prisons would put intense pressure on the public health care system in Guyana.

In addition to the items provided to lessen the effects of COVID-19 in prisons, IMPACS collaborated with the Caribbean Public Health Agency to provide training sessions to frontline officers on measures to protect themselves in the line of duty.

IMPACS has also partnered with the University of West Indies COVID-19 Task Force with virtual

training on stress management for law enforcement officers.

In October, more than 290 inmates at the Lusignan Prison tested positive for the disease.

Several prison officers were also affected. The affected inmates were isolated and some were relocated to other facilities to ensure adequate spacing among prisoners to stem transmission of the disease.

Teen who allegedly killed businesswoman to know fate today STATE prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy, on Thursday, closed the State’s case in the trial of an 18-year-old, who allegedly killed Mahaicony businesswoman, Bibi Nesha Shairoon, called “Shakeela”, during a robbery at her home in 2016.

The teen appeared before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the High Court. Justice Singh has set today for the summing up of evidence in the matter, following which he will hand the case to the jury to deliberate on a verdict.

According to the murder indictment, the teen, on October 17, 2016, at Lot 4, Novar, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), allegedly killed Shairoon. He is being tried as a juvenile since he was 16 when he was charged

Bibi Nesha Shairoon called “Shakeela”

for the capital offence.

He is represented by Attorney-at-law, Bernard DaSilva.

Last year, co-accused Devanand Rampersaud, called “Juju”, a 27-year-old former fisherman of Berbice, was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years.

He had opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Shairoon’s bound body was discovered in her home on October 17, 2016, by a worried relative who had not seen her in two days.

The woman, who lived alone, had operated a grocery store that also sold garden chemicals, cell-phone cards and cell-phones in the lower flat of her home.

She was found with her feet and hands tied, and with what appeared to be marks of violence about her body, primarily her head.

The intruders had gained access to the house by ripping out a few boards of the wall on the lower flat, and after ransacking the place, carted off a number of valuables, including money and phone

Porter arrested in cannabis, cocaine find

He was subsequently told of the offence, cautioned, arrested, and placed in custody pending charges.

The narcotics that were seized on Thursday

A 25-year-old porter of North East La Penitence, Georgetown, was arrested on Thursday, after the police found six bulky parcels of cannabis and cocaine during the search of a motor lorry at the Itaballi Police Outpost, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The lorry was being driven by a resident of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The items were identified as cannabis, weighing

1.877 kilograms, and cocaine, weighing 7.6 grams respectively.

Reports indicate that at the time of the search, three persons were in the truck, including the driver, the suspect, and a 25-year-old porter of Diamond Housing Scheme.

The bag which contained the suspected narcotics was identified by the driver and the suspect as belonging to the 25-year-old porter, who also claimed ownership of its contents.

cards.

The teenager became a suspect after residents revealed that he used to help

the woman in the shop, and had had an argument with her.

Rampersaud had confessed to beating the woman

in the head with a frying pan, but accused the teen of being the mastermind of the murder and robbery.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

Education key to self-empowerment AT Mae’s graduation of the Class of 2020 on November 14, Valedictorian Madhava Tewari expounded in his speech: “And do remember, making a legacy and achieving greatness is not always about having the deepest pockets, or the most influence, but rather to leave an unforgettable impression of who we were on those who we cross paths with, for it wouldn’t be our popularity or our feats that would be remembered, but the memories we’ve experienced together, and the hearts we’ve touched here at Mae’s, and beyond in the future.”

One can well remember his older brother, Kayshav Tewari, in his valedictorian speech at Queen’s College a few years ago, bringing the house down with a speech that reflected, not merely intellectual brilliance, but a maturity beyond his years.

A Sean Devers feature, published in the Kaieteur News of November 17, 2020 headlined “Poverty forced Joshua Edwards to give up Cricket”, related a

heart-warming story of a young man who faced and conquered great challenges, making compromises and wise choices in prioritising his ultimate goals of pursuing a career in law.

Joshua was constrained to sacrifice what could have been a successful cricketing career to sell pizza to fund his UG tuition fees.

Devers wrote: “Joshua David Edwards was a promising all-rounder who was good enough to be invited to the St. Lucia U-15 trials, but he was forced to give up cricket because he had to choose between school and sports, due to his dire financial situation. Joshua started selling pizzas that were made by his mother to pay his tuition fees at the University of Guyana (UG).”

As Devers went on to explain, “Joshua is a final-year law student at UG, and despite the pandemic, he was still able to get his second-year paid off, and he is now striving to finish paying for the final year.”

He quoted Joshua as saying: “My goal is to become a doctor of

the law; I desire to get my Doctorate in Criminology, so this is just the beginning for me. After UG, is law school, but I would also like to attain my master’s in the legal field, and finally, a Doctorate in Criminology.”

Joshua recently won a laptop computer and $700,000 for his winning essay in the Pastor Amanda Williams Educational Scholarship contest.

“I remember having one pair of shoes for school, church and cricket,” Joshua recalled. “It took a couple of years before I could get a shoe that was not all black, because the school demanded all-black shoes. I began to indoctrinate myself that textbooks were not for me, because I could not afford them,” he related.

He could only afford the fees for nine CSEC subjects, but he passed all nine, with five Ones (three, all As), a Grade Two, and three Grade Threes. He related that there were days on campus when no one knew that the entire day he had nothing to eat, nor money for transportation, so he

would walk. “My message to young people is this,” he said: ‘You can do it! How you start doesn’t have to be how you finish! Do not allow life to cheat you of your greatness; pursue that dream!’”

Conversely, a headline in a news report of November 18, read: “Pensioner robbed, student employee questioned”, with the accompanying story detailing why the allegations of theft were made against him.

Successive PPP/C Governments have devised many innovative initiatives to educate even the underprivileged in society, even in the most remote regions.

The Ministry of Education has begun the distribution of the $4000 uniform, school supplies voucher, as well as the $15,000 cash grant to schoolchildren.

More than 160,000 schoolchildren across the country will now receive a $4000 uniform and school supplies voucher to assist with the purchasing of school supplies and uniforms.

A post on Facebook has re-

vealed: “More good news coming out of President Irfaan Ali's Office following talks on November 5 with UWI's Vice-Chancellor”.

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles has proposed studies for 20,000 Guyanese students over the next five years utilising UWI's Open Campus option. The Vice-Chancellor is reportedly excited by this "grand invitation" to be a part of Guyana's human resource development. The engagement is ongoing, but this is a great sign towards the delivery of yet another Manifesto promise.”

The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has published notices inviting applicants from age 15 upwards to apply for various BIT programmes, giving school dropouts not interested in intellectual studies an opportunity to acquire skills training at a tertiary level to make them employable in industrial fields.

As Joshua Edwards asserted, poverty should not be a constraining factor to dreaming, aspiring and achieving.

Seems like only supplier of biometric marker going smiling to the bank Dear Editor, THE Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) must be commended for its quick-fire review, within 24 hours, on whether fuel smuggling still poses a threat to legitimate dealers.

The GEA has concluded that fuel smuggling continues to be a threat. Now, if they would have stopped short at that statement, I would have said, “After all, they are

the agency in charge of this thing, hence maybe they have more facts than me.”

They, however, proceeded to give statistics about fuel smuggling that has now left me unconvinced. GEA’s fact that fuel smuggling is alive and kicking is the alleged report of two captains of vessels purchasing diesel from Venezuela.

Maritime laws allow vessels to purchase fuel at ports where they trade, but the real

question is, “At what price was it acquired?”

Given the shortage of all fuels in Venezuela, including diesel, and the aggravation in obtaining supplies, I am sure that those two captains only bought supplies for them to reach Guyana, where our ‘Bunker C’ fuel is cheaper.

GEA goes on to state that the cost of marking fuel is minuscule, at G$ 0.60 per liter.

Now, that is looking at the picture in cents. Let us

look at the holistic picture in dollars. The three oil majors (GuyOil, Sol, Rubis) import approximately 60 million liters of all fuel per month.

GEA’s charge for marking that monthly volume is close to $36 million. The oil majors can better utilise this money to improve the salary and safety of their workers, rather than spending it on a threat that might be non-existent. GEA states that marking the fuel

allows for tax collection.

This is purely a function of the Guyana Revenue Authority, and, as a matter of fact, the oil majors have to pay their taxes, even before the fuel is delivered to their terminals, through a system of Pre-Delivery Inspection done by the customs authority. The 50 GEA employees used for the marking of the fuels at the oil majors are really guarding against a dried

up smuggling synonymous like the guard in the House of Commons. They can be better utilised in the wider mandate of the GEA. I am still to be convinced that fuel smuggling is a national threat; it seems that the only one smiling going to the bank is the foreign supplier of the Biometric Marker.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

President-Elect Joe Biden pledges to protect undocumented children

By Chaitram Aklu

DEREK was brought illegally from Guyana into the United States by his mother (who also entered illegally) when he was 11 years old. Caught after crossing the border from Canada, in upstate New York, he was initially placed in a foster home before an aunt secured custody. That was in 2003. Now 19, he is one member of a 650 000-member underclass protected from deportation since 2012. That was until 2017, when the Trump administration ended the programme and announced that it will no longer accept new applications, or applications for renewal of status.

There are over 7, 600 nationals from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, with Jamaica (2, 600), Trinidad and Tobago (1,930), Guyana (960), and Belize (820) ranking the highest, with DACA status.

But there is hope. On November 9, US President– Elect Joe Biden announced that on Day One of his presidency, he will issue an Executive Order to reinstate the 2012 protection for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, which President Donald Trump ended in 2017.

Donald Trump began his presidential campaign at his hotel in New York City on June 16, 2015 with this contentious message to his supporters: “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best; they’re

sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us [sic].”

Fast forward. Four days before the Nov. 3, 2020 general election, Trump delivered a similar but more subtle message in a proclamation declaring November 1 “A National Day of Remembrance for Americans killed

by Illegal Aliens.” He noted, “We pay tribute to the enduring memory of every American killed by illegal aliens.”

The U.S. Border Patrol data on convictions of criminal aliens by type of criminal conduct nationwide, as of September 30, 2020, reveals that there were 208 convictions for assault, battery, domestic violence; three (3) for homicide, manslaughter (an average of less than four (4) over the past five (5) years); 386 for illegal drug possession; and 256 for sexual offenses.

A May 2018 article in Criminology, a Journal devoted to the study of crime and deviant behaviour, examined data on the relationship between undocumented immigration and violence in all 50 States and Washington D.C. from 1990 through 2014. The results of the study (the first of its kind) found that undocumented immigration does not increase violence. Rather, illegal immigration may lead to a reduction of crime. The results of the study is supported by the Cato Institute, which examined crime statistics in Texas and found that legal or illegal immigrants are less likely to be convicted of crimes than

native-born residents.

Undocumented children like Derek, brought to the US illegally by their parents from over 190 countries, now average 26 years of age, and referred to as ‘Dreamers’, were offered protection by President Obama in 2012, through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme. The programme allowed certain unauthorised aliens who arrived in the US as children, to apply for a two-year forbearance of removal. It also allowed them to become eligible to work and receive various other benefits.

To qualify for the programme, individuals must have resided in the US continuously since 2007; was less than 31 years of age in June 2012, and are currently students; have completed high school; are honourably discharged military veterans; have not been convicted of any serious crimes, and are not a threat to national security or public safety. They had to apply for renewal every two years to continue to benefit from the programme.

The action was challenged in the courts, and reached the Supreme Court (SCOTUS), which ruled on June 18, 2020 that the termination of the programme was “done in an arbitrary and capricious manner”. It ordered the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to continue to accept DACA renewal applications from anyone who has DACA status. The ruling by the Chief Justice (CJ) noted, “DHS concluded that these

Commendation for GGMC

Dear Editor,

THE Toshao and villagers of Great Falls Amerindian Village, 58 Miles Mabura, would like to commend the GGMC for its support of the hinterland communities by maintaining the Linden-Lethem Roadway. The current maintenance programme has reduced the time it takes to drive from Linden to 58-Miles, Mabura, from six to one- and-a-half hours, providing great relief for the villagers and road users alike.

We wish to compliment the contractor, MMC, for the excellent work on the road.

Additionally, we wish to note that MMC is always willing to assist Great Falls Village with minor road repairs, and by purchasing timber bridge materials, providing jobs and improving the livelihood of the community.

Sincerely, Nicole Daniels, Village Captain Great Falls Amerindian Village

individuals warrant favourable treatment under the immigration laws, because they “lacked the intent to violate the law, and are “productive” contributors to our society”, and “know no other country as home.” The SCOTUS also ordered the USCIS to “accept applications to determine whether these individuals qualify for work authorization during the period of deferred actions.”

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) notes that as of March 2020, there were 643 560 DACA recipients, and estimates that 1 326 000 could be immediately eligible.

The Supreme Court ruled nearly four decades ago (Plyler v. Doe. 1982)

that undocumented children of alien parents cannot be denied a public education.

They are not responsible for the predicament they are in, because of the action of their parents. Further, the opinion noted, “There is no evidence in the record suggesting that illegal entrants impose any significant burden on the states’ economy….”

Far from being a burden and a drain on the services of the US economy, this particular group of migrants actually contributes to the economy. Ninety-one per cent are employed, with about 29 000 employed as healthcare workers, and 9 000 employed as teachers and teacher’s assistants. Five per cent of DACA recipi-

ents have started businesses, compared to three per cent of Americans, according to the CNN article. They pay $1.7b per year in taxes. Derek, still a student, is one of those employed ‘Dreamers’. On weekends and holidays, he works with a landscaping company, where an uncle works.

Biden’s promise will give ‘Dreamers’ peace of mind, and ‘a fair shot of the American dream’, as he likes to tell it when speaking of the sacrifices made by his own father to support his family, and is sure to bring great hope for their future in the country they call home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Minister McCoy wants modernised National Printers

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, examines this book as a staff member of the Guyana National Printers Limited looks on

MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, on Thurs-

day, charged the Board of the Guyana National Printers Limited (GNPL) to em-

brace modern techniques to execute its mandate.

The GNPL’s Board is

Exercise books being printed at the Guyana National Printers Limited

chaired by Dr. Dexter Phillips, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of School of the Nations. The other directors are Mark Ramotar, Molly Hassan, Edward Layne, Dion Young, Nekeisha Persaud and Sherel Isaacs During discussions there he advised the entity to transition to modern methods to optimise its output.

“I think it is absolutely important, in a business like this, that we examine the modern type of techniques used,” Minister McCoy said.

Further, he expressed confidence in the aptitude of the GNPL’s staff and in the company’s success. To this end, the minister encouraged the Board to plan and execute its mandate with integrity.

“We must be accountable and transparent at all times and not just by the mere use of the words of ‘accountability’ and ‘transparency’, but by our actions at every level in terms of how the company’s business is done,” he said.

Minister McCoy underscored that those principles

should be seen through the actions of the Board in the GNPL’s daily operations.

Meanwhile, he lauded GNPL’s chairman as an exemplary businessman, who, along with the Board, will contribute to the growth and success of the company.

Minister McCoy and the Board of Directors were then taken on a guided tour of the facility to get a first-hand look at its operations.

The GNPL has been conducting business since 1939. (DPI)

UG clarifies difference between certification and issuance of certificates to graduates THE University of Guyana wishes to clarify the technically incorrect headline appearing in a local newspaper dated November 19, 2020, titled, ‘UG fails to certify graduates over a year’.

This is not factual. All UG graduates are generally certified within three months of their final exams.

This confusion stems from the inappropriate use of the word, certify, in the context of the article. The University is, therefore, asking the public to kindly note the difference between certification for a programme of study at UG, and collection of certificates. A student who has successfully satisfied the requirements for a programme of study is certified, and, therefore, deemed

a graduate of the University of Guyana.

Collection of certificates, on the other hand, refers to the issuance of the official document that proves that one is a graduate of the university. In order for a certificate to be issued, clearance must be made with the Faculty, Bursary and Library; graduation fees must be paid, and reading room tickets and graduation gowns returned, if issued.

The graduate should also not be indebted to UG. Thereafter, clearance is automated via the Students Records Management System (SMRS), and certificates can then be generated for release.

There are also other ways for the University to pro-

vide graduates with proof of their competed studies; for example, through the issuance of Transcripts and Letters of Completion. UG, in October 2020, broke with its 57-year-old tradition of handing certificates directly to graduates upon clearance, and began mailing certificates by registered mail. However, graduates must request this service, and verify their mailing addresses in the SRMS, before this can be triggered.

The University is, once again, advising all graduates who require their documents now to use the avenues made available to them, and to allow a 10 to 15 working days for processing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

914 hotline soon for persons suffering domestic abuse THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is launching a 914 hotline for persons who are experiencing domestic abuse.

Subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, told DPI the objective of the initiative is to create a safe space for male and female victims of domestic abuse to seek help.

Through the hotline, professional counselling will be made available via collaboration with the Ministry’s Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency.

“We do not want to lose persons who might reach out for help and somehow or the other, they get lost in the system, so we will train our operators as a way to strengthen our system. It will also be looking at our human resources capacity and improving, increasing and strengthening that to be able to decentralise the services we offer,” Minister Persaud said.

This initiative is part of the Ministry’s upcoming 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, which begins on November 25.

The minister said the Government’s recent agreement with the Spotlight Initiative will help to tighten the gaps in its programmes by examining factors of violence such as triggers, cultural behaviour and others.

To this end, Minister Persaud said she will soon engage with all relevant stakeholders to determine their roles to ensure the programmes are not only effective but accessible. This will include awareness and education exercises, which are important in changing mindsets.

“It would require collaboration with several organisations. We will have to work with the police, legal systems, counselling people so our Survivors’ Advocacy which is a new programme, is going to walk people through the stages of reporting to the conclusion of whatever the case is,” she added.

To advance this initiative, the ministry is hiring 24-hour hotline operators in Regions Three and Four to provide support. Interested persons must possess a diploma in social work, psychology, sociology or a related discipline from a recognised university, plus a minimum of three years experience in social work or a human service setting.

Applications can be sent to sodvpu@gmail.com no later than 16:00h on Saturday, November 21, 2020. More information is also available on the Ministry’s Facebook page.

Comprehensive legal framework for petroleum sector

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–– work on the process already started, says Attorney-General

By Richard Bhainie WITH the advancements anticipated to accompany the oil-andgas sector, preparations are in progress to meet the challenges that will emerge within the legal sector.

According to Attorney-General Mr. Anil Nandlall, by venturing into the oil-and-gas industry, Guyana is entering uncharted territory, and as such the legal sector must be metamorphosed to handle the challenges that would occur.

“The legal system was never fashioned or equipped to deal with this sector, and the country, therefore, must put in place, at every level, the necessary infrastructure, rules, regulations and trained personnel to meet the demands of the sector,” he explained.

The Government foresees a number of issues that they are already working on, including but not limited to legislative framework, dispute resolution, human resources, inclusive of legal personnel, and changes to the commercial landscape.

“We have to refashion or adjust our legal system and the legal sector to meet the demands of this new industry, which requires legislation. Our Petroleum Act,

Attorney-General Mr. Anil Nandlall

for example, was enacted at a time when we were not an oil-producing country, and therefore completely out of sync with the current realities,” the AG said, adding: “Then we have to set up a commission of technical personnel who will have to advise and manage the sector. We have to have a local-content policy in place; all of this requires a legislative framework within which they must operate.”

Apart from the legislative framework that is necessary to transform the sector, the enforcement and administration of the legislation is also of equal impor-

tance.

New legislation would mean a new jurisprudence, and in the event of a violation of the legislation, the judiciary should be properly equipped to deal with such matters.

Judges will be trained to interpret legal principles never embraced before, and new concepts of law never dealt with before.

The adversarial court system is usually a last resort option for the commercial industry, therefore, the Government will be seeking to implement schemes of Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution (ADR), and legislation to facilitate said ADR. “If one is to look at the contracts and the documents emanating from the sector, you will see that there’s a consistent provision for disputes to be resolved by arbitration,” Nandlall explained.

The current legislation to facilitate Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution is the Arbitration Act 1919, with minor amendments.

As a result of this archaic law, investors looking to conduct business in Guyana include clauses in their agreements to expedite the ADR process in foreign nations such as Europe and North

America.

The Attorney-General stressed that it is not conducive to our growth and development when parties are forced to resort to overseas expertise to perform these basic undertakings, and there is a wealth of opportunities associated with this being done locally.

“As a Government, it is our responsibility to ensure that these disputes are resolved here, so that, first of all, it will be quick; secondly, it will be less expensive, and thirdly, there are great benefits which can be derived from the disputes being resolved here. It will provide jobs for people; it will generate income, and it will make Guyana an attractive litigation and arbitration destination,” Nandlall explained.

As consultations are already underway to draft the related legislation, Nandlall explained that it will follow the model legislation prescribed by the International Arbitration Organisation.

The Government will also sign on to all the modern arbitration-related treaties and international arrangements to incorporate such into domestic legislation.

Police, Fire Service collaborate on safety, health training

A section of the class observes ‘social distancing’ during the training

THE Guyana Police Force, Occupational Safety and Health Section (OSHS) collaborated with the Guyana Fire Service and held its second Fire Marshall Training which compliments the Emergency Evacuation Programme (EEP).

The training was held Thurs-

day at the Police Officers' training complex, Camp Street, Georgetown.

The Force’s Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Deputy Superintendent, Dexter Brown, enlightened the ranks of headquarters as to the fundamentals of OSH

hazard analysis and controls and the Osh Act. Chapter 99.06.

The leading fireman, David Paul, went through the use and effects of the fire extinguisher and emergency evacuation procedures.

Ranks were enlightened about the Standard Operational Proce-

dures for the emergency evacuation and were made aware how to effectively evacuate a building.

It was one of three phases of the EEP and will be followed by the safety drills to ensure the desired level of competency is reached.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Over 700 local businesses secure work in O&G sector

–– more businesses gaining international compliance for contracts, other work

By Navendra Seoraj MORE than 700 Guyanese-owned businesses have been able to secure work in Guyana’s nascent oil and gas sector.

In just five years, local investors have been able to position themselves to

absorb opportunities emanating from a sector which, in some cases, was completely alien to them. Prior to ExxonMobil’s discovery of oil, offshore Guyana, indigenous businesses focused primarily on the traditional sectors such as agriculture, gold/ diamond mining, forestry,

tourism and commercial, among others.

Some 18 discoveries have so far been made in the Stabroek Block since 2015, but just three projects have so far been sanctioned – Liza One, Two and Payara. The operator, ExxonMobil, expects this to ramp up to around five

by 2026, generating more than 750,000 barrels of oil per day. ExxonMobil has since increased its estimated recoverable resource base in Guyana to more than nine billion oil-equivalent barrels.

While this development has attracted many foreign ‘eyes,’ Director of the Centre for Local Business Development, Patrick Henry, has said that over 700 Guyanese-owned businesses have received some type of contract, purchase order or other work within the oil and gas sector.

“Guyanese companies are working offshore now… the up-skilling of Guyanese businesses and their ability to work offshore have been phenomenal. Businesses went from no offshore capacity to working offshore on the Liza One development. So, there are Guyanese-owned businesses doing work on the FPSO [Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel],” said Henry during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, on Thursday.

He underscored the ‘massive’ transformation of the local economy and its sectors, noting that businesses, despite this transformation, have been able to stay relevant and take advantage of the opportunities produced by the oil and gas sector.

In further talking about the advancement of local businesses, Henry said: “They are winning work, they are winning work in more and more technical areas… they are offshore… the businesses have adjusted, pivoted and taken advantage of all the opportunities.”

Guyanese businesses have been contributing to the oil and gas supply chain, which includes services such as transportation and even professional services ranging from lawyers, accountants, caterers and even auditors.

Much of this was made possible through the Centre for Local Business Development which was established in 2017

by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd, an affiliate of ExxonMobil, in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) Global, LLC. HELP IN COMPETITIVENESS The aim of the centre is to help Guyanese businesses become more competitive and be able to join the oil and gas sector.

The centre achieves this

in three main ways, with the first being a supplier registration portal, which has over 3,700 companies; about 2,300 of those companies are Guyanese-owned, while the others are foreign-controlled.

Guyanese businesses, registered on the portal, are able to receive information about tenders for the oil and gas sector and updates on the work of the centre.

Henry said the centre also runs a series of oil and gas seminars, which focus on oil and gas; procurement for local suppliers; and health, safety and security in the environment (HSSE).

“We have had about 3,000 attendees in those seminars, which are usually about two hours long. Right now, they are done virtually, so you can be in the comfort of your home and log into the centre. We are running a series, so people can sign up,” said the director.

Those seminars are fashioned in a way to teach businesses how to make smart investment decisions and understand what is required, in order to get into the oil and gas sector.

In addition to the seminars, the centre also offers a series of business courses which run for about four months. Those programmes target specific areas such as businesses and financial management, human resource management and supply chain management. Over 270 businesses have benefitted so far from those specialised programmes.

“We also work with businesses to go through ISO 9001 compliance, which is a quality management programme,” said Henry.

President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM), Zulfikar Ally, was reported as saying that the need for international best practices, compliances and certification cannot be overstated, but they provide a disadvantage to businesses participating in contracts, especially in the oil and gas sectors.

And, it also creates a great deal of frustration for investors who are bound by policies and international best practices to ensure that they only hire firms that are in compliance with those requirements.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS When asked if the centre’s programmes are tailored to address this situation, Henry said: “The

Director of the Centre for Business Development, Patrick Henry -HSE programme and the ISO 9001 are international standards, and the purpose is to help give businesses the opportunity to enter the supply chain and get contracts… specifically to address that issue.”

It is for this reason that the director encouraged businesses to use the resources provided by the centre, to improve their capacity and be ready to participate in the oil and gas sector.

The advancement of local businesses is especially important at this time because Guyana and the U.S. will soon commence the first working group to implement the initiatives outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed recently by President Irfaan Ali and the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

The MoU aims to provide a platform for U.S. private sector investment to build Guyana’s physical infrastructure, energy sector, and digital economy transparently. Guyana is the second Caribbean country to sign the MoU, joining Jamaica.

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

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

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

With renewed and increased interest in the local economy, Guyana has an opportunity to assess its systems and create processes which are business-friendly and encouraging for not just international investors, but locals as well.

The new Government has already committed to building a ‘modern’ Guyana with world-class infrastructure that improves connectivity and unlocks the vast potential of the economy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

World Bank approves additional US$26M to mitigate flooding in Guyana THE World Bank Board of Executive Directors, on Thursday, approved US$26 million in additional financing for Guyana to support the ongoing Guyana Flood Risk Management Project.

These funds will help to improve Guyana’s climate resilience, protect economic

activity, and reduce the impact of natural disasters, a release from the bank said.

“Ninety per cent of Guyana’s inhabitants live on the narrow coastal plain, much of which lies below sea level. Flooding poses a serious and recurrent risk to both the lives of people and

to livelihoods in the agricultural sector. These additional resources will help protect some of the country’s most populous areas and build greater resilience,” said Ozan Sevimli, World Bank Resident Representative for Jamaica and Guyana.

The project aims to

Miner charged with murder of teenage girl A 38-year-old miner of Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Thursday, charged with the murder of a 16-year-old female from Coanna Backdam, Five Star, North West District.

The suspect, Wickroy Mitchell, called “Shatta”, allegedly committed the act between November 14 and 15, 2020.

He made his appearance, via Zoom from the Port Kaituma Police Station, but was not required to plea to the charge, and was remanded to prison until February, 2, 2021 for the Preliminary Inquiry to commence.

The teenager’s motion-

less body was found on November 15, 2020, behind her dwelling quarters.

The police investigations have revealed that the deceased and her mother went to a shop, purchased alcohol, and started to consume in the company of the suspect and others.

The police said both the mother and daughter were intoxicated when they left in the company of the suspect for home. Her mother later returned to the shop alone.

It was not until the next day that the teenager was found lying motionless behind their home.

An autopsy indicates that the teen was strangled.

Coroner’s inquest into Collin Bourne’s death A CORONER’S inquest is expected to commence into the death of 22-year-old Collin Bourne, who was killed during an accident at Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara, on March 31, 2019.

An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, and is held to determine the cause of a person’s death. In Guyana, a sitting magistrate who acts as the coroner empanels a jury, after which the inquest is conducted.

Magistrate Annette Singh will preside over the inquest at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court with a five-member jury to determine whether anyone was criminally responsible for Bourne’s death.

A total of 12 witnesses are expected to be called.

The hearing is expected to commence on November 24, 2020.

The Guyana Chronicle had reported that Bourne, a motorcyclist of Timehri, was killed on the spot when he collided with a minibus and then struck down by another vehicle on the Soesdyke Public Road.

Police Headquarters had reported that, on the day in

Dead: Collin Bourne question, around 22:15hrs, Bourne was riding motorcycle CH 6758 in a southern direction and attempted to overtake minibus BVV 5802 when he collided with another minibus PHH 3467, which was heading in the opposite direction.

As a result of the impact, Bourne fell into the path of minibus BVV 5802 and was struck down.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Both drivers were arrested; they were breathalysed and the driver of PHH 3467 was found above the legal limit, Police headquarters revealed.

Wickroy Mitchell, called “Shatta”

significantly increase flood resilience in the low-lying coastal lands of the East Demerara area, which includes the country’s capital, Georgetown, where much of the population, as well as administrative and commercial activities are concentrated.

The additional financing will include extensive work to improve the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), one of Guyana’s major water storage and flood control facilities. The project will improve the drainage systems that ensure the integrity of the EDWC dams. Water stored in the EDWC dam is used to irrigate agricultural lands, provide water for use in homes, and reduce the risk of flooding, World Bank release said.

The project will include

an update of the Emergency Preparedness Plan, flood modelling, the rehabilitation of small existing irrigation structures, capacity building, communication, and outreach activities to better inform the public.

“These activities are expected to contribute to reducing the outbreaks of infectious illnesses due to

flooding, alleviating the burden on the healthcare system that is currently managing the COVID-19 pandemic,” the bank noted.

Guyana receives interest-free financing from the International Development Association (IDA) with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Hip Hop and Poetry Night – Helping upcoming artists to better their talents FRANALE’s Hip Hop and Poetry Night will be on later this month, promoting the hottest poets, singers and rappers in Guyana and giving all the new and upcoming artists a stage to perform their best.

Franale Holder, who is planning and executing the event, would not just put someone on the stage, but she makes it a point to train them so that they can achieve the very best outcome with their performances.

“Frankly, in the other events similar to mine, there is no vocal training, no on-stage presence, no training of the business aspect of music; there is none of that to help them out, nowhere are they given opportunities to record a song for free, have it mixed and mastered for free. There is none of that.

I also give them vocal lessons,” Franale told the Buzz.

She keeps rigorous rehearsal sessions with the performers and helps them to structure their songs and poems.

“I would enlist the more seasoned artistes and poets who would come in to help others who are now coming up…to give the poem See page 19

Rapper ‘Vizion’ puts on a performance

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Hip Hop and Poetry ...

Organiser Franale Holder

From page 18

Spoken word artist Daniela Araujo

the right feel and put the right words in the right places.”

So when someone turns up to be a part of her events, they will more than likely walk away with more than just some publicity. “I do vocal training, discuss the business aspects of the music industry beyond Guyana, and teach proper stage performances which are based on the piece, from attire to mood and tone.”

Franale has been executing the National Hip Hop and Poetry Slam over the past three years, which is usually sponsored by the Ministry of Education. While this event is held annually, the poetry nights have been held monthly over the past eight years.

The monthly events are held out of Franale’s own pockets because she said she sees the importance of promoting the talents. “I know how talented I am and how talented these artists are. We simply need to be heard and seen and prove that we deserve sponsorship and marketing

Hip Hop musical chairs

because we can compete with the best of them.”

An artist herself, who raps, sings, and writes music, Franale realised that there was no platform for the genre she was interested in. “I then proceeded to approach a few locations to collaborate with me and host the show and South View Tavern was the first location; then I was at 704 Sky Lounge for about five years, and now back to South View Tavern.”

The ‘poetry nights’ also engage the audience by playing fun games and giving out prizes.

Spoken word artist, model, and poet Daniela Araujo will be participating this time around and has expressed her gratitude in being a part of the event. “I personally feel more young creatives should use this at their advantage...because for our last two rehearsals, I’ve been accepting critiques and they have been helping,” she expressed.

Speaking about what she par-

ticularly likes about the event, Daniela said: “I appreciate the fact that there’s this safe space for rappers, singers and poets to express themselves in public, show off their talent whilst bettering their craft.

I mean, where else in Guyana you have creatives like this coming together to do a show with young upcoming creatives? Some of these persons I didn’t even know existed, but they’re so talented. This event is a great opportunity to showcase of local talent.”

Some of the artists who usually perform at the event are Ckush, Disi, Travaun Selman, Darius the Steel Pan Guru, Jmez, Thoni, Ruqayah Boyer, Nite Wolf, Chauntel, Wadiya, Renata Burnet, Julian Amerally, Abel stokes, Randolph Critchlow, Mark Luke-Edwards, Mike Chicago, William Wizdum, Josh Millington, Japheth the Poet, Kas, Omiah Hall, Kenny Hercules, Clinton Duncan and many others.

Anasha Dutchin sings for the audience

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Guyana Restaurant Week returns under strict COVID-19 protocols

–– Delivery, pick-up services available

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

A glimpse of the Guyana Restaurant Week’s website FOOD lovers will once again get the opportunity to indulge in several culinary cuisines for reduced prices at one of Guyana’s most highly anticipated tourism events of the year, Guyana Restaurant Week (GRW).

The event starts today and will continue to November, 29, 2020.

According to the President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Mitra Ramkumar, 15 restaurants will be participating in this year’s event and Guyanese will not miss a beat even with the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “[Guyanese] can look forward to having fine dining experience although it’s going to be outdoor, we are going to make sure that persons have that fine dining experience and as well, we are looking forward to tantalise their taste buds,” he said adding: “Many of the chefs are looking forward for it, they are proud to be using their creative of course using local ingredients and dishing some really fabulous meals.”

Additionally, Ramkumar told the Buzz that all COVID-19 protocols will be observed and dining will be done outdoors. “All of the protocols are out there from the Ministry of Health, PAHO/WHO and the Caribbean Public health agency, our website also speaks about COVID-19.

We have taken the extra step, so that persons can be comfortable and come out and dine in a safe environment,” he stated.

Despite not having the first season earlier in the year, Ramkumar reassured that this season will be perfect since it will be ush-

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Mitra Ramkumar ering the Christmas season.

“It is a good time, it’s the near ending of the year so you are getting into that Christmas spirit it also creates an avenue for you to come out and socialize but socialize in a safe way,” he said.

Given the situation with the pandemic, the THAG president disclosed that GRW has added pick-up and delivery services to its agenda, so persons can still enjoy the excitement of fine dining and delicious meals from the comfort of their homes.

“We have actually employed the services of two delivery service providers…if you can’t come to us we will come to you,” Ramkumar stated. It’s easy, you can go to Guyana’s Restaurant Week’s website and you can explore right there, you can explore the restaurants, you can explore the menus that they have and then you can choose.

You can have different ones on different days and you don’t even have to leave your home.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Defying the odds

–– Male makeup artist changing the beauty standards ROMARIO Williams is one of Guyana’s newest gender bending makeup artist on the scene.

His work is one to be talked about- from the way he “fleeks” eyebrows to the way he sets the foundation, his makeup work is exemplary.

Sharing his journey with this week’s Buzz, Williams disclosed that he had always had an interest in the art form, however with the weight of societal norms on his shoulders, it took him a while to act on his interests.

“My makeup journey has been really challenging but it was for the better I started doing makeup with no one knowing what that I did, not telling anyone because I was afraid of what society might think,” he said. “[I am] living in a country where people dislike males that do fem-

inine activities, however I found joy and comfort doing makeup. Now that I’m certified at just 18 years old is mind blowing.

I never thought I would be successful in the makeup business but I’m well talented when it comes to makeup.”

Williams considers his makeup artistry to be more than just a makeup brush to cheek but rather like a paint brush to canvas.

“I like drawing so I said let me try on skin. Makeup is an art what I believe sets me aside is that Im unique and talented in my own way,” he said.

The young makeup artist recently obtained his certificate as a professional makeup artist while still working a second job.

“I started doing makeup a year and a half ago when I was just in Form Five up until now and I’m

now a certified professional makeup artist,”he explained. “I’m a customer service representative at Qualfon. I’ve been doing that for a bit over a month.

Having two jobs is a bit challenging because they tend to clash.”

He added that his second job sometimes makes it difficult him for him to manage his makeup work.

“Now as a makeup artist my clients have to work around my time because I have a second job and sometimes I would lose clients because I’m not available at that time,” he disclosed.

Speaking on the discrimination he has faced, Williams said, “As a male makeup artist, persons in my street or around where I live would say things or call me names (mostly males)…and on social media persons would say a lot

Some of Williams’ makeup work

of things and have hate towards what I do,” he said.

Sharing advice to other entrepreneurs and males who which to enter the makeup industry, the young man said, “Getting

Romario Williams into this business isn’t easy but you will surely get through it. [You] have to be mentally, emotionally and physically strong when coming into this business, be yourself and

talent doesn’t have an end.”

Williams disclosed to the Buzz that he is currently working to open up a makeup studio of his own.

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Karachi Kings

win COVID-hit Pakistan Super League

KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) — One of the world’s leading batsmen, Babar Azam, knocked a commanding half-century to help Karachi Kings win their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) title with a five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars on Wednesday.

Azam smashed seven boundaries in his 49-ball 63, but it was skipper Imad Wasim who hit the winning boundary to help Kings overhaul a modest 135-run target in 18.4 overs.

The final - one of the most anticipated in the PSL’s short history, given the rivalry between Pakistan’s biggest two cities - failed to live up to the hype as Lahore managed just 134-7 after winning the toss and batting on a flat National Stadium pitch.

Babar Azam plays a shot (Photo: AFP)

With Azam, the world number two batsman in Twenty20 international rankings, on Karachi’s side, it proved an easy chase, despite losing three wickets from 110-2 to 124-5.

Kings will take home a glittering trophy plus a $500 000 purse, while Lahore will receive $200 000.

The fifth edition of Pakistan’s inaugural Twenty20 league started on February 20, but was abandoned after 30 of its 34 matches after England player Alex Hales, playing for Kings, reported symptoms of COVID-19.

It resumed on Saturday behind closed doors, with Kings beating Multan Sultans in the qualifier, while Lahore downed Peshawar Zalmi and Sultans in two eliminators to book a place in the final.

Lahore lost their way after a confident 68-run start in ten overs, provided by Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal (35) and Fakhar Zaman (27).

They lost both of them and Mohammad Hafeez in the space of seven deliveries, with the addition of just two runs, spoiling a solid start.

Iqbal struck four boundaries and a six off 38 balls while Zaman had four boundaries in his 24-ball stay.

Karachi pace trio Umaid Asif (2-18), Waqas Maqsood (2-18) and Arshad Iqbal (226) bowled nagging line and length to keep the flow of runs down.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Right Start Foundation planning first-ever skill thrill freestyle football festival

By Joe Chapman WITH the absence of organised football events across Guyana and globally, compliments of the novel COVID-19 pandemic which has caused most players to become inactive, the Right Start Foundation of Linden is pressing forward to help promote and develop the game of football in Guyana by taking this initiative to host an open freestyle football Festival.

It had chosen the freestyle football which is an art of doing tricks with a football that transcends the sport into an art form. It is not just the fancy moves which will make it unique, according to the oirganisers, as it has its roots of freestyle football as a global phenomenon dated back to the 1980s, when the Argentinian football legend Diego Armando Maradona started performing them in his famous warm-ups.

Entries close this Sunday and all participants must be Guyanese living in Guyana 16 years or older. They are to record and post a video introducing themselves and showing their freestyle juggling skills no more than

three minutes long.

They can visit the Skill Thrill Freestyle Facebook Page for registration and upload videos. The winner will walk away with $100 000 and the runner-up $50 000.

Behind the fact that newly created national and continental tournaments which appeared in the mid-2000 gave freestylers a boost of motivation to train and develop their own style, it was in 2008, that this freestyle football made its definitive step forward thanks to the support of the famous Red Bull energy drink, which organised the first major global competition: ‘Red Bull Street Style’.

Its first champion was the French Sean Garnier, who won the title in Brazil with a unique approach that had never been seen before.

Right Start Foundation believes that starting this new football phenomenon can ultimately evolve into a new brand that all can enjoy especially during this global pandemic.

According to its executive director Colis Gifth, “It is therefore our desired intent to organise an open freestyle football festival with participants from all across Guyana, via a virtual platform, where

there will be predetermined rules.”

He informed Chronicle Sport, “This festival will see participants submit a short video of their freestyle juggling, which will be judged and shortlisted to ten finalists who will then juggle off in the grand finale for coveted prizes.”

He added, “We are very optimistic that this undertaking will receive overwhelming response that can ultimately balloon to standards that could see Guyana being represented at international tournaments.

“With this initiative, it is our ultimate desire to partner with all the relevant stakeholders such as the Government of Guyana (GoG), Guyana Football Federation (GFF), World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) and other corporate entities to establish a local association here in Guyana;.so that freestyle football can be played in an organised environment, where it can enter the mainstream sports, so that it can be developed into the brand we know it can become,” says Mr Gifth on behalf of his organisation which is using as its postal address - 122

GBA expresses condolences to to national lightheavyweight champ Denis Thomas THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has expressed condolences to National light heavyweight champion Dennis Thomas on the passing of his father.

Albert Thomas, 72 died last Sunday following a short period of illness. In a release the GBA said that the elder Thomas was a frequent supporter tournaments and one who assisted in guiding his son towards becoming one of the best boxers in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Dennis Thomas ruled the national middleweight circuit for years before moving up to light heavyweight and has represented Guyana as several major international tournaments including the Commenwealth games.

He is also one of four elite boxers earmarked to commence training for next year’s Olympic Qualifiers.

Albert Thomas will be laid to rest today.

National light heavyweight champion Denis Thomas

Former Sri Lanka bowler Zoysa guilty of match-fixing offences

FORMER Sri Lanka seamer and bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa has been found guilty of match-fixing offences.

Zoysa, 42, was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2018 and has been found guilty of three breaches of the anti-corruption code.

They include being party to an effort to fix an interna-

tional match.

Zoysa, who played 30 Tests and 95 one-day internationals, remains suspended and sanctions will follow in due course, the ICC said.

His other offences were “directly soliciting, inducing, enticing or encouraging a player” to fix or influence the progress of a match, and failing to

disclose approaches to “engage in corrupt conduct”.

Zoysa was Sri Lanka bowling coach from 2015 until his suspension.

In 2019, he was also charged with four anti-corruption breaches in the United Arab Emirates’ T10 League. Those proceedings remain ongoing. (BBC Sport)

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Records shattered as half-a-billion persons watched 2020 Hero CPL

THE Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw an incredible 67 per cent increase in Television, Streaming and Digital viewership in 2020, reaching 523.5 million viewers and passing half a billion for the first time in the tournament’s history.

“The tournament has grown in stature and reputation every year and we are certain that will continue to be the case. We are delighted with the linear television and streaming numbers as well as the fantastic growth we are seeing across our digital channels and we

corners of the globe.

Key drivers include a big linear viewership increase in India of 81 per cent to over 74.9M, growth of 62 per cent in the UK as well as significant increases across the Caribbean, South Africa and in other key markets in Asia.

Trinbago Knight Riders won the CPL title for a record fourth time

The research was independently compiled by YouGov Sport, a division of SMGInsight, one of the world’s largest and most respected research firms.

This was the best possible news for the organisers.

“We are delighted to have seen such a massive jump in viewership for 2020, and passing that 500-million figure is a huge landmark for us as a tournament. The interest in Hero CPL has never been higher and that puts us in a fantastic position moving into 2021 and beyond,” said Hero CPL’s COO, Pete Russell.

are excited about our upcoming plans to make our content even more accessible and engaging.”

The 2020 Hero CPL was the first franchise T20 tournament to take place since the lockdown and travel restrictions resulting from COVID-19, with all 33 matches played in a secure bubble at two venues in Trinidad & Tobago.

Since the tournament’s inception, the Hero CPL has long been regarded as one of the premier events in world cricket and this leap in viewership shows how popular the tournament has become in all

As well as the major broadcast deals in key cricketing markets, games were also shown live on Facebook and YouTube, meaning no matter where you were in the world you could have followed the Hero CPL. The innovative Hero CPL social media channels also helped drive this year’s audience growth with engaging content being produced both during and outside of the tournament with all the major social media platforms showing significant advances in audience engagement levels.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

New FIFA maternity rules praised as ‘an essential step’ NEW maternity cover regulations aimed at protecting women footballers have been praised as “an essential step” for the sport.

FIFA could impose transfer bans on any clubs not meeting the new standards.

Football’s international governing body has for the first time proposed worldwide maternity regulations for female players and coaches.

Players would be entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity cover, on at least two thirds of their salary.

The proposed regulations will require FIFA Council’s approval in December.

FIFA’s chief legal and compliance officer, Emilio Garcia Silvero, said: “The clubs will not be allowed to terminate the contract of a player on the grounds of a player becoming pregnant.

“If this is the case, we are going to impose not only a fine, and compensation to the player, but also a sporting sanction.

“We are going to impose a transfer ban on the club. From now on, female players will be better protected.

“We think these rules are common sense. There are some countries in which these rights are already there, but we are trying to regulate this for 211 different territories. These basic conditions will be man-

datory from January 1, 2021.”

Under the proposals, clubs will be “under an obligation to reintegrate” players to the club and provide “adequate ongoing medical support”.

The regulations also state that: Clubs will be permitted to sign a female player outside of the usual transfer windows in cases where short-term cover is needed to replace a player

U.S. international Alex Morgan

on maternity leave New mothers must be offered the opportunity to breastfeed and/or express milk FIFA’s proposed minimum of 14 weeks cover does not go as far as the statutory amount in many countries, including the United Kingdom, where maternity pay is available for up to 39 weeks.

In the UK, this includes 90% pay for the first six weeks and then £151.20 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings - whichever is lower - for weeks seven to 39.

‘Hopefully this is the beginning’ “This is such an impactful and meaningful addition to our sport,” said England international Jodie Taylor, a member of the global player council of world players’ union Fifpro.

“Women’s footballers need these types of regulations to ensure that we can continue our careers confident that adequate provisions are in place should we decide to have children, which is both reassuring for us as players and reflective of what the professional game needs to keep growing.

“Hopefully this is the beginning of even more progressive and inclusive policies for female players.”

Argentina goalkeeper Gabriela Garton said: “This is a hugely important and essential step for women’s football - for the players and for the sustainable growth of the game.

“We as players need these types of provisions and protections so that nobody has to choose between starting a family and continuing their football career, as some have had to do in the past.”

Fifpro’s general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann added: “This is only a first step, because these regulations represent a minimum set of protections. (BBC Sport)

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

ICC tweaks Test championship Ramdhani appointed rules,, shifts women rules women’’s T20 World Cup head coach for Canadian

DUBAI, UAE (Reuters) Teams will be ranked based on the percentage of points earned from completed matches to determine the finalists of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) next year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

The sport’s global governing body also decided at its board meeting to shift the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup, originally scheduled for 2022 in South Africa, to 2023.

The change in WTC rule, prompted by the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed Australia (82.22%) to leapfrog India (75) to the top of the standings even though Virat Kohli’s men had accumulated more points.

England (60.83) are third, followed by New Zealand

(50).

ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said ranking teams based on points earned from completed matches reflected their performance and “doesn’t

The ICC board also decided against extending the WTC cycle to allow teams complete their quota of matches.

“We explored a whole range of options, but our

ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney

disadvantage teams that have been unable to compete all of their matches through no fault of their own”.

members felt strongly that we should proceed as planned with the first-ever World Test Championship Final in June

next year,” Sawhney said.

Six Test series, including four involving Bangladesh, have been postponed or cancelled because of the pandemic.

The nine top Test teams were originally scheduled to play six series each over two years in the WTC, with the top two making the showcase final in London.

The ICC also decided against putting three major women’s events in 2022, shifting the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa to 2023.

Next year ’s 50-overs World Cup in New Zealand had already been postponed to 2022 following the COVID-19 crisis.

Women’s cricket will also make its Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham in 2022.

CWI says approval for ‘Big Man Cricket’ must come from territorial boards … Local BMC tourney pushed back to 2021 IN wake of the Big Man Cricket (BMC) tournament, Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently outlined that approval for such an event must be given the green light

by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) or in the case of the other territories, permission from their respective boards.

While the tournament has now been pushed back to 2021 due to a number of hurdles, the latest roadblock has come, courtesy of the CWI, who recently stated that while they support all cricket, any such tournaments which fall

outside of the jurisdiction of the territorial board; must be given permission from that governing body.

The Veterans event had been gaining momentum leading up to the proposed November 27 start, but due to a number of obstacles, mainly the lack of approval by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), who had earlier stated that the tournament could likely infringe on their own Veterans tournament.

As a result, BMC-G organisers pulled the plug on things yesterday, stating

that it would be looking at January or February 2021 as a new potential start date, with hopes of good weather and a healthier environment.

CWI also outlined a number of territorial boards across the region, the likes of Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and others to name a few, from which any organisers of the Seniors tourney across the Caribbean will need to get their permission.

In the case locally, CWI

has advised that permission for any competition will need the approval or some form of a No Objection from GCB, citing that CWI usually doesn’t permit any tournament which is not given approval from its territorial board.

Meanwhile, the GCB will be launching its Tropical Springs Over-40 T20 competition today, as they recently restarted their list of activities following the slow reopening of the country’s sports industry under strict COVID-19 mandates.

Stick to Burns over Pucovski as opener, Ponting tells Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Australia should stick with Joe Burns as David Warner’s opening partner for next month’s first Test against India despite Will Pucovski’s strong claims for that role, former captain Ricky Ponting has said.

Victoria’s Pucovski, 22, has broken into Australia’s 17-man squad for the four-Test series having amassed 495 runs in two Sheffield Shield matches.

Burns, who could not manage a fifty in his last five innings, finds himself in an unofficial bat-off with Pucovski to determine who will partner Warner in the day-night Test at Adelaide from December 17.

“Burn s has n’t d one much wrong,” Ponting told the Cricket Australia website here.

“If you go back to last

summer, he played really well in the first Test in Brisbane and I remember saying then to lock

because they haven’t played a Test match for so long, a lot of people are forgetting what

Australia’s Joe Burns in action (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

him in and give him a good go at it for a while.

“We read a lot into what’s happened in the first few rounds of Shield cricket, and

happened last summer.”

Ponting would not be surprised, however, if Pucovski still made his Test debut, even if it meant in the middle order.

“(Opening) is just another string to (Pucovski’s) bow,” the former skipper said.

“I’m sure if a middle-order spot came up and they weren’t thinking about playing an all-rounder, I’d think his name would be mentioned ahead of Cameron Green.”

Coach Justin Langer said uncapped Green’s batting alone is enough to earn him a Baggy Green cap but the 21-year-old’s limited-overs prospects hinged on his allround ability.

“In one-day cricket he’ll only play if he can bowl a few overs because that’s how we’ll set up the team,” Langer said yesterday.

“He hasn’t had the white-ball experience to come in as a pure batsman but if he can bowl a few overs, my gosh, he becomes a good prospect.”

Broncos badminton team

NATIONAL badminton coach and president of the Guyana Bádminton Association (GBA) Gokarn Ramdhani, was recently appointed head coach of Olds College Canadian Bronco team.

Last year Ramdhani was the Technical Broncos where the Broncos Team got 1 silver, 5 bronze at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Provincial Championships and 4th place at Nationals in Mississauga Canada.

“Gokarn brings so much experience and passion for the game of badminton. It was a natural fit for him to move into the head coach role after being the lead technical coach last year under Mary Smith.

The student-athletes will have the opportunity to learn from one of the best,.” said Trina Radcliffe Manager of Olds College.

Speaking on his journey, the GBA president said, “I am happy to have gotten this position as it gives me greater chances for becoming a better coach and it’s always a pleasurable priority to be around badminton and getting players to the highest level possible. This position also gives me a chance to draft international players”.

He continued, “I started in 1983 playing when I attended Queen’s College and made it into the National Team in 1985. It was such a memorable time playing with the

top players and many times I used to ride from Republic Park to Queen’s College so that I could play with the top players from Linden (Nathan Montague, Billy Holder, Elroy Glasgow Mike Brummell).

“In those days training and keeping fit was needed as you had to keep up if you wanted to get selected. My training was waking up in the morning at 05:00hrs and running over Guy bridge and back, weights training three times a week, and practice 5 times in a week.

It was rewarding as my doubles partner Sean Barnwell & I held the most titles during the 80s and 90s. Special Mention to the late Ms Ismay Holder who taught me a lot in becoming a Sports Administrator by putting me on the Executive of the Guyana Badminton Association which I continue to run to this day.

“I am also at the moment the longest-serving Council Member of the Guyana Olympic Association from 1988 to date,” according to the long-serving coach He noted that from a local standpoint, there are future plans to meet with Minister of Sport Charles Ramson, to outline the association’s list of programmes and activities like Shuttle Time for the schools and the launching of the New Outdoor Air Badminton for the parks and rural areas.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Friday, November 20, 2020

COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD – 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) (1) 124 (2) 131

ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ: TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Who has scored nost T20 Int’l runs for the WI to date?

(2) Who has registered most T20 Int’l runs for NZ to date?

ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, November 20, 2020

Can no longer be business as usual, says CWI president BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt said the organisation had spent over US$250M on players, coaches and full-time staff over the past 20 years and had little to show for it.

Skerritt said the poor winto-loss ratio, the numerous panicky team selection changes, the extremely high turnover of coaches and the long list of team captains also tell a sorry story of poor returns on investment for Caribbean cricket’s governing body, CWI. “It also suggests that West Indies cricket administrators need to be more strategic and comprehensive in addressing the growing need for us to change the way we operate and the decisions we make – as producers of the West Indian cricket products,” he said.

“CWI has undoubtedly spent heavily on our teams, without any sustainable improvement in performance.

And in contrast to the relatively poor results we have achieved, we have massively increased expenditure in personnel by more than 600

percent in 20 years.”

He added: “Expenditure was poorly targeted with too much resulting waste.

Altogether CWI handled in excess of US$700M in the past 20 years, including significant income earned from hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 West Indies.

“What do we have to show today, after so much expenditure? Certainly not enough returns on the field of play.”

Skerritt gave the grim assessment this past Monday during the 20th annual Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture, hosted by Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies in Barbados through its Faculty of Sport.

Skerritt said that the directors of CWI and administrators of the game across the Caribbean, now confronted by this data, are more aware of the need for strategic change and governance reform.

“CWI needs reform on all fronts if we are to get good returns on investment on the fields of play,” he said.

“I am clear in my own

mind that pointing accusatory fingers at coaches and moving dozens of new players through our squads has not provided CWI with the level of results that we should all be seeking.”

CWI president Ricky Skerritt

He said: “I did not have this data to hand 1 ½ years ago, when Dr Kishore Shallow and I told CWI voters that we would usher in change. Back then, we listed a 10-point

‘Cricket First’ plan, which was more of a to-do list than a plan.

Action on that list is underway.

“But it has been further developed into the ‘West Indies Cricket First’ philosophy also referred to as ‘Cricket First’. It forms the main substance of (this) speech. ‘Cricket First’ is the player-centric guiding star around which CWI’s values, decisions, strategies and actions must revolve going forward. It is also the foundation on which competence, confidence, continuous learning, self-discipline and high standards are being built.”

Skerritt said the rebuilding of the game in the Caribbean that is required will not happen overnight, but it had already started with a number of internal studies and reviews commissioned to help guide the process.

“It is no secret that several previous governance reform reports were rejected by the CWI Board in the past,” he said.

“You can, therefore, expect that (the Don Wehby Report on corporate governance reform) will face

various obstacles and hurdles within our Board as we attempt to move it forward.

While there is already some resistance, we are doing all we can to ensure that this report does not become another political football.”

He said: “I am confident that this governance report provides more recommendations on which we can agree, than disagree. Interestingly, it points to the relevance of good governance to achieving on-field results.

“In any event, our new ‘Cricket First’ mantra dictates that the only way that we can drive sustainable improvement to our on-field cricket results is with a healthy and focussed supporting balance of organisation-wide creative thinking, governance reform and strategic decision-making.”

Skerritt said the big challenge was to get all concerned to understand that it can no longer be business as usual and reacting to losses and disappointments on the field by taking knee-jerk or short-term decisions off the field is not a sustainable strategy.

FIFA lifts ban on TTFA, clears way for return to int’l football

FIFA has lifted its suspension of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) thus clearing the way for the country to participate in international competition and participate in the draw for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In a letter dated November 19, over the signature of FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and addressed to Robert Hadad, Chairman of the Normalisation Committee that was appointed in March, FIFA informed of the decision to lift the suspension that was imposed in September.

“We write to inform you that the situation of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has been referred to the Bureau of the Council on November 17, 2020,” said the letter that went on to rehash the situation that had

The way is now cleared for T&T to participate in international competition and in the draw for the CONCACAF Gold Cup

unfolded over the last eight months and that concluded with the Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago ruling in favour of football’s world governing body.

“In addition, the Court of Appeal stressed that in accordance with art. 57 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes and art. 67 of the TTFA Statutes, CAS was the only recognised path to resolve such dispute. Additionally, the Bureau was informed that on October 26, 2020, the FIFA administration received the minutes of the TTFA members’ meeting.”

At that meeting members of the TTFA voted overwhelmingly to “fully comply with its obligations as a member of FIFA, recognising the legitimacy of the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee, and; bringing its own statutes in line with the FIFA statutes,

and; to fully cooperate with the Normalisation Committee in the fulfilment of its mandate as stated in FIFA’s letter of March 17, 2020; be it further resolved that all court matters existing between the TTFA and FIFA shall be immediately brought to a stop”.

The move ultimately ended the dispute and cleared the way for a return to normalcy.

“Under these circumstances, the Bureau decided on November 19, 2020 to lift the suspension of the TTFA with immediate effect.

This means that all of TTFA’s membership rights have been reinstated, as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes, with immediate effect,” the letter said.

“Consequently, TTFA’s representative and club teams are again entitled to take part in international competitions. This also means

Ramdhani appointed head coach for Canadian Broncos badminton team

SEE PAGE 26

GBA president Gokarn Ramdhani

SEE PAGE 27

that the TTFA may benefit from development programmes, courses and training provided

by FIFA and/or the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.

“Moreover, FIFA member associations may again enter into sporting contact with the TTFA and/or its teams.”

In March, the ousted William Wallace-administration had taken FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the decision to dissolve the administration that had only been in charge for four months. They subsequently withdrew the dispute from CAS and placed it before the TT High Court of Justice, who ruled that FIFA’s decision was illegal and therefore null and void.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling. (Sportsmax)

Right Start Foundation planning first-ever skill thrill freestyle football festival SEE PAGE 24

Executive Director of Right Start Foundation Colis Gifth

Can no longer be business as usual, says CWI president

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020