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Let all contracts for oil sector be subjected to competitive process - Expert

October 02, 2020 -Vol. 22 No. 38

NEWS

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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ExxonMobil awards over US$1 Billion in Payara development contracts Local content Guyana prepares for airports’ re-opening….

Passengers mandated panel to produce to do second PCR first report test once first exceeds 72 hours by November

Men escape with Den Amstel man accused gunshot wounds of letting brother die in following ambush trench; slapped with manslaughter charge at E’bo hotel KN’s libel suit...

Region 4 chalks Adam Harris takes up two more stand in defence COVID-19 deaths of ‘Dem Boys Seh’

Curfew adjusted 9pm-4am

The PPP/C’s Grand Payara Betrayal

Payara was a masquerade from the beginning. It was an elaborate dog and pony show.

Now that the licence is approved, all the government’s yapping and howling can cease.

The government has deceived the public by its submission to the will of ExxonMobil.

What it promised the people, it did not deliver.

The PPP/C started out on the wrong foot with Payara. It picked the wrong persons to review the contract. The review of the Payara Field Development Plan has not been made public, yet the government has been hasty in inking the deal. It did not see it fit to even consult with the Guyanese people.

The PPP/C is already in overdrive trying to sell us false dreams about the trillions of dollars which we will earn as a result of this deal. They are, however, silent about the US$9B price tag which has to be paid by the people for this plan, and about their abysmal failure to negotiate any substantial improvement in benefits.

Payara was a lost opportunity. The PPP/C squandered the chance of righting past wrongs and rebalancing the oil agreements in the country’s favour.

Instead of the Treasury benefitting from a bonanza, all the people got were empty words.

Payara is a bitter pill for Guyanese. Their hopes have once again been dashed at the hands of their political leaders. It is time for the Guyanese people to let their leaders know how they feel about this grand betrayal.

29 companies submit proposals - 14 tainted, 8 are to market Guyana’s oilnewer applicants Who really owns the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks, do the leaders of this land care to tell the nation?

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Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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ExxonMobil awards over US$1B in Payara development contracts E

xxonMobil has awarded in excess of US$1B in Payara development contracts already, with the project being approved just two days ago by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sharifah Razack.

The contracts were awarded to Dutch firm, SBM Offshore and French company, TechnipFMC. SBM announced early yesterday that ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), awarded it several contracts for the next phase of the

project- to construct, install, then lease and operate the Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for a period up to two years.

After that period, the ownership of the vessel will be transferred to ExxonMobil. The arrangement is similar to the deals for the Liza Destiny and Unity FPSOs. ExxonMobil had contracted SBM late last year for front-end engineering and design (FEED), and completion of the multipurpose hull. The hull was delivered to SBM last month after its completion by Chinese shipbuilder S h a n g h a i Wa i g a o q i a o Shipbuilding (SWS).

The Prosperity FPSO in the making.

The Prosperity FPSO design

Local Content panel to produce first report by November

T

he Ministry of N a t u r a l Resources said that the Local Content Advisory Panel is expected to produce and submit its first report and recommendations by next month.

The panel, chaired by Shyam Nokta, is expected to review all existing initiatives and policies where local content is concerned and guide the development of a new policy and legislation.

Government said that the panel has been meeting regularly, and intends to conduct consultations with key stakeholders, including from the private sector, government and civil society.

Government said that the

Minister emphasized the need for locals to get maximum benefit in the oil and gas sector via the participation of their goods and services.

The panel members comprise Nokta; former Foreign Minister, Carl Greenidge; Trinidadian local content expert, Anthony Paul; former Trinidad energy minister, Kevin Ramnarine; trade unionist, Carvil Duncan, and accountant, Floyd Haynes.

The local content policy currently in place was drafted under the former D a v i d G r a n g e r administration but was controversial because of a glaring absence of provisions to give Guyana more benefits.

It was finalized by ExxonMobil affiliate, Dr. Michael Warner. Warner is the UK consultant that APNU+AFC used to replaced Trinidadian local content expert, Anthony Paul.

Paul has been retained by the Irfaan Ali administration to assist with the revision of the policy and the installation of legislation.

The private sector has criticised the current policy as unfit for purpose, and has expressed that it did not heed the recommendations of the business service organizations. Opposition Member of Parliament and shadow oil minister, David Patterson has challenged the government to set targets for oil companies in its policy.

The Local Content Advisory Panel meets Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

will be largely similar to the Liza Unity, which is also under construction in Singapore.

They are both designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day. Prosperity will have capacity to treat associated gas at 400 million cubic feet per day, as well as water injection capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.

In its permit, Government required ExxonMobil to include tie-in points and space for produced water injection equipment, in its base design, consistent with its commitment to advocate for discharge of produced water at internationally accepted standards.

SBM said that it is looking at executing scope for the fabrication and coating of a portion of the light structural steel for the vessel in Guyana, among other local content considerations.

Te c h n i p F M C a l s o announced that it received a large subsea contract for the Payara development, noting that it considered “large” contracts to be between US$500M-US$1B. The company is expected to manufacture and deliver the subsea production system, including 41 enhanced vertical deep water trees and associated tooling, six flexible risers and ten

manifolds along with associated controls and tie-in equipment.

Exxon had contracted Saipem to construct the subsea facility for the FPSO, last year.

ExxonMobil had pressured Guyana for months to approve the contract so that it could make its Final Investment Decision (FID) which it did immediately after government green-lit the project.

The company said in a recent release that the total development cost for Payara will be US$9B, which is expected to be recovered by ExxonMobil from the sale of the Payara well crude.

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Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Tel:624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Payara: The Latest In A Long Line Of Leadership Failures We did say it before in frequent editorials and FrontPage presentations, what was confirmed by Mr. Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law: “Guyana remains the last positive growth story that Exxon has to sell to investors” (KN, September 7). This is what we said.

ExxonMobil had nowhere to go. He said that Guyana represents Exxon’s oil swan song. Guyana is Exxon’s last oil hurrah. We have been proven right each time because we have said the same forever. Whatever production prospects the fading corporate giant has elsewhere, they fade to a distant second before the proven reserves and the vast potentials still to be found here. ExxonMobil was out on its feet and Guyana formed the sturdy ropes that hold this company upright and gave it plenty to declare in returns to its worried investors. But we gave it a lifeline, through the rushed, questionable, suspect, Payara Field Development review.

Exxon’s unthinking leaders were living on the past performance of its glory days, but today Country Manager, Mr. Alistair Routledge, gets to celebrate and report to Houston: no problems, mission accomplished, Guyana Payara license is in hand: signed and sealed, the celebrations can begin.

It celebrates the perpetuation of the lopsided contract that virtually gives it free money, which the company in its greedy and self-serving state wanted to stay that way, come hell or high water.

It did threaten to throttle Guyana for daring to ask for what is fair, but now it rests easy and counts its profits, the free money coming from Guyana, compliments of feeble and indebted PPP/C leaders.

Now it can exhale and relax, the PPP/C delivered on its American debts. Now Guyanese have more promises on which to live for, to depend on cunning political leaders to deliver. Have they ever done so on the big things, the things that matter? How dumb can we be to continue to believe?

It stands to any reasonableness test that ExxonMobil, using the powerful reach of its influence, encouraged and insisted of Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, that he says not a word about, or went anywhere near to, its embittering contract fallouts with Guyana.

The Payara result confirms all related truths, regardless of the PPP/C pretenses. Payara speaks for itself of the pathetic nature of political leadership in this country.

Though the writing was on the wall and game up for ExxonMobil, President Ali, Vice President Jagdeo, and the relevant ministerial team held more aces than ever before.

They squandered them by doing nothing with those aces.

For the Payara approval indicated a wretched timidness in pressing ExxonMobil to commit to more, give more, and actually deliver more, starting right now, instead of simply the same losing business as usual.

A close study of their actions confirms that when Guyanese leaders should have been cannonballs in dealing with ExxonMobil, they transformed into butterballs and spitballs.

Today, in the aftermath of Payara, it is all jiggery-pokery placed before a divided Guyanese public, of which a part swoons, while the other is severely distressed.

The time had never been riper for Guyanese leaders to insist: Give more or get out. Put up more of what we seek or ship out. Except that the PPP/C did not, after all its loud noises about where the coalition failed. Somebody had to stand up against these guys, draw the line, and hold firm.

Again, the PPP/C did not. It failed Guyanese on oil again, with the same miserly results.

Time and again, we have encouraged this two-monthold government to drive a hard bargain, but to stick to what is reasonable, what is fair. We have urged no taking of a page out of the book of Exxon: do not get greedy. Do not let

The PPP had a golden opportunity to force ExxonMobil to renegotiate the contract for the Stabroek block DEAR EDITOR, There seems to be some confusion around what was actually approved with Payara in recent days, or what it means.

Simply, the approval of the Payara project (or development), which is the third project in the Stabroek block, is not an oil agreement nor an improvement of an oil agreement, and does not improve the share of oil Guyana will receive from its own oil reservoirs.

We will still be losing about 55 billion US dollars, compared to what other countries typically get for this oil.

The widely criticized and unfair production sharing contract or agreement (PSC or PSA), which is between Guyana and ExxonMobil, is for the Stabroek block. This is the oil agreement. This was signed by the PPP in 1999, and then renegotiated and signed again by the Coalition in 2016 (without any material improvements for Guyana).

The Stabroek block covers a huge area of Guyana’s offshore territory which stretches from Venezuela to Suriname. You may recall the size of this oil block, or lease area, was

criticized for being far too large (being comprised of 600 units instead of the legal requirement of 60 units).

The unfair oil contract covers all of the Stabroek block, and Payara is a project within the Stabroek block.

The Payara project covers a relatively small area within the block, as will all the other projects within the block (each covering an area not dissimilar to the footprint of Georgetown).

What the PPP government did recently was to “approve” the third project, Payara, in the Stabroek block.

This approval allows ExxonMobil to start constructing the offshore facilities and start drilling the production wells for the Payara project. This approval comprised two main parts.

The approval of the Field Development Plan (FDP) and the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Payara project.

You may recall the Coalition approved two previous projects in the Stabroek block, the Liza 1 project in 2017 and the Liza 2 project in 2019. There will likely be more projects to develop other oil reservoirs in

the Stabroek block.

Talk of oil contracts or agreements concerns the Stabroek block. And the need for a fair deal for Guyana concerns the need for a renegotiation of the contract for the Stabroek block.

The recent approval of the Payara project by the PPP, without even trying to renegotiate the contract for the Stabroek block, and thereby without even trying to claw-back some of the 55 billion US dollars Guyana is forfeiting to ExxonMobil, is a very sad event for the people of Guyana.

Any concessions the PPP claim they “negotiated” or fixed for Payara, such as regards some environmental requirements, are frankly mundane items which should have been imposed on ExxonMobil anyway. And these “concessions” are immaterial compared to the real prize for Guyana, which is a renegotiation of the contract for the Stabroek block.

Guyana was and still is in a very strong position with respect to ExxonMobil, and the PPP had a golden opportunity to force ExxonMobil to renegotiate the contract for the Stabroek

block by withholding approval of the Payara project. But instead the PPP political elites decided to continue forfeiting 55 billion US dollars which belong to Guyana, and which other countries usually keep for their own people.

The PPP and Coalition political elites do not care about national development nor about improving the lives of Guyanese. They never cared. Why else did we remain a failed nation for the last 50 years, when we could easily have been the equivalent of a Singapore, a very prosperous nation.

And why? Why this complete dereliction of duty by our politicians? Why are they happy to give-away our oil wealth for a fraction of its worth, and happy to let the people remain poor? It is because all these political elites and their friends in the private sector will become filthy rich, even as the people remain poor. And it is because the people of Guyana do not hold their politicians to account, and keep voting for parasitic governments that exploit their own people.

Yours faithfully, Jan Mangal

Strength when in opposition, feebleness when leading DEAR EDITOR, I follow the conclusion of Payara and arrive at this place.

There was an inevitability to expectations. I sensed that matters would pan out in the normal manner. Well, they did again, which tells me, and those who think in this nation, that our prospects peter out when left to weak

and compromised political leaders.

When the PPP was in opposition it was all big talk about what should have been done with our oil, where the PNC failed (it did), and how much better it could and would have done. Big talk when in opposition requires the big walk of that big talk

its wounded position and its limited options ‘full our eye’ as we say in Guyana.

We may be poor and down, but we have pride, which will help carry the day. We also know something about class, and on this let us teach the cheaters and tricksters and bluffers at ExxonMobil, who want to rob us blind.

There is a better way that is not that costly, and one which leaves the bottom line of income statements and balance sheet heavily in black, with all parties getting their fair share.

We would have been satisfied with anything that the territory could have borne, which we say is about expenses sharing, that two percent sharing agreement. That way ExxonMobil still makes good money, more that it makes anywhere else, while Guyana gets something that lifts all citizens up and puts them on the road to certain prosperity for generations to come.

There are a host of expectations surrounding whatever comes from our oil bonanza, and no citizen wants to be left out in the heat with an empty saucepan in hand.

Payara was a golden opportunity for PPP/C leaders, who will not get a convergence of circumstances like this again.

They did not strike on Payara, they sold out.

Now the moment has passed with the same cheapness to share. PPP/C leaders spar with words that fool few. Exxon had nowhere to go, but they let the company off the hook through the usual leadership weaknesses and failures.

For sure, we will get some trickles coming our way eventually, but those would be pennies instead of the dollars that are rightly ours.

when in government. It was time for PPP leaders to deliver on all the big talk about oil in general, and Payara specifically. How it should have been used as leverage.

How PPP leaders could have turned the tables on ExxonMobil and braced it against an unyielding wall that held it to ransom, instead of the company maintaining its unrelenting stranglehold on us.

Give a wee bit more. Ease up on costs. Add some infrastructure and education and commercial (local content, not just for already comfortably aligned and set Guyanese Establishment presences) pluses that point to the promising that comes from genuine partnering.

Together, be innovative on how to go around hard contract provisions and create some financial rooms for Guyana.

Figure out ‘step-ups’ and sweeteners that make for billions in US dollars in addons and give Guyanese hope.

But instead of squeezing Exxon to get some of that, the President was keen and content in telling Guyanese to expect “trillions” in the future (SN, October 1). Trillions definitely have a resonance about them, but on what basis? A review of Payara

that should have occupied many long months by wellqualified people, took a fraction of that time with less than the best representing Guyana’s interests? Whose interests took precedence when this sham of a review was conducted?

The president - relatively young in years, but as old as time in ways not constructive - has manifested before a facility with words that are fulsome but frail in output.

He is about much talk but ‘maaagah deliverables. The Payara signing furnishes powerful proof of his fascination with saying the right thing but representing nothing. He and his sidekick had Exxon by the alleyway, but both failed at nailing it to the wall. They have done well with what must be satisfying to not just Exxon, but the US Ambassador and her bosses in Washington.

No Guyanese should be unclear anymore about who is calling the shots in this beholden country.

Returning to the US Ambassador for a minute, I recognize a tireless worker for her country’s priorities, which is the way it should be.

Where are our leaders doing the same for us? Her Excellency did speak of more (Continued on page 22)

Friday October 02, 2020

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Kaieteur News

The political system is that of Kashif Muhammad for Director of Youth and Sports an inclusionary democracy DEAR EDITOR, President Irfaan Ali is being called on to seriously rethink the position that he will not engage Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, unless the latter recognises the People’s Progressive Party/Civic as “legitimately elected.” The “political system” of the Guyana, according to Article 13 of the Constitution, is that of an “inclusionary democracy.”

Democracy, in our instance, is not left up for interpretation. It has been made clear (described) what type we have and must apply in governing this country. In a society, as ours, prone to ethnic tension and division this is a good starting point for de-escalating and to channel energies in a productive direction.

Nations have gone to war, trading insults at each other, even as their leaders sit at the table and hammer out solutions to their conflicts.

This is borne out of the desire for peace and development, and recognition of the intertwined realities that peace and development of one is hinged to the peace and development of the other. World War I and II were brought to an end out of such recognition. In March 2020 the United States signed a Peace Agreement with the Taliban to move the process forward in ending an almost two decades old war in Afghanistan.

Though our tension and division may be of a lesser scale, continuing to treat the other as enemy, outsider and unequal do society more harm than good. The 2020 Elections, though the results have been declared and a new government sworn in, are not without serious problems.

The Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice Claudette Singh SC, has acknowledged there were grave irregularities unearthed during the recount exercise but said addressing these is the responsibility of the

judiciary. The petitions are before the court. The Court will determine whether the government was legitimately elected or not and the court must be allowed to do its work.

Ali has to accept that this election almost brought this country to the precipice.

When adults no longer see children deserving of their protection and will attack them to vent their grievance over a matter that has no bearing on the children, this country is losing its soul, its basic decency. That incident in Bath Settlement on 6th March where supporters of the government stoned a school bus with children inside, some of whom were injured and had to seek medical attention, will forever mentally scar the affected and this nation. That bus was later set afire in the street. An end has to be brought to this method of ventilating and seeking resolution. The best way still remains respecting the Constitution and the Government must deliver the required leadership.

The children are looking on and adults have to be mindful of this. Ours is the decision to determine what we want our children to grow up and be; what are we going to bequeath them.

It must not be a failed society.

The tendency in this nation to only speak out when physical violence occurs and ignore repeated calls for social, economic and political justice as a result of the daily violence occurring in these spheres must be addressed.

This nation is being reminded when the Trade Union Movement in 1926, under the leadership of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, began the fight for one man, one vote (universal suffrage) and internal self-government this was a fight for all, not some. Ali, who is of East Indian ancestry, is being reminded of Critchlow’s engagement with the then British Guiana East Indian

Association on how this group could play a role in the fight. The Guyana Trades Union Congress retains abiding interest in realising “inclusionary democracy” in voting and day-to-day governing.

It is folly to think any group will be allowed to peacefully govern at the exclusion of others. It is a violation of the Constitution for any government to administrate at the exclusion of others. It is not a requirement of the Constitution that any has to accept any government as being “legitimately elected” in order to execute what one has sworn to i.e. to uphold the Constitution and Laws of Guyana without fear, favour or ill will.

The Muslim community from which Ali comes is being called on, as the media and every other group or individual, to speak out against the desire of some to pursue the path of exclusion when the Constitution mandates inclusion.

Messrs Ali and Harmon are the nation’s two premier political leaders as per our Constitution.

They must start engaging in moving this nation forward in the direction of “inclusionary democracy”. Theirs is not a choice but duty to carry out this explicit mandate of our “political system.” In March 2019 the Guyana Trades Union Congress wrote then President, David Granger, and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, to have engagement to this end.

That charge today is now Ali and Harmon. Society, home and abroad, must demand they do so because we the people deserve no more, no less.

Lincoln Lewis General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

DEAR EDITOR, The urgency of having a competent and dedicated National Director of Youth and Sports cannot be understated. In Kashif Muhammad we have someone that has shown a passion for sports and organizing sporting events that is unequalled in Guyana. It was back in the early 1990s that I went to Linden to watch the finals of the biggest local sporting event in Guyana that was promoted by the Kashif and Shanghai partnership.

During that period, I was a dual National Player in Basketball and Hockey, however my trip to the mining town was to be a spectator to the greatest domestic sporting event in Guyana The National Football Club Championships.

The McKenzie Sports Club had a massive turn out to watch the young Guyanese football stars, the name of one of the players that comes to mind is Collie Hercules, one of the very best footballers that benefited from the National Club Tournament. The Kashif and Shanghai Knockout Tournament is featured in Wikipedia, I think a first for a domestic sports event.

Before the finals commenced, I heard my name being called by the announcer, apparently the announcer was asked to acknowledge the presence of other National Athletes attending the event. This little gesture speaks volumes about the Kashif and Shanghai group and the high esteem and respect they

shower on athletes. Leaders who care and recognize the financial challenges and other resource challenges faced by most of the young to be active and successful in sports!

Cricket, Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball, Badminton, Table Tennis and of course football; take your pick, once you attended feature games for these sports disciplines, you are likely to see Kashif in attendance.

Persons with the passion for multiple sports and proven organizational and marketing skills should not be sidelined when available and when there is an extreme need for someone to lead the National Sports Commission out of its dysfunctional state.

It is easy to go on about the many accomplishments of Kashif; however, what stuck with me over the decades is that the events he managed were well organized, executed and attended. This included the involvement of support staff, the marketing of the event, attention to detail and the consistent and expanding success of the events.

Appointing a rare gem of a sports administrator such as Kashif Muhammad to direct our Sports Commission architecture is obviously the right thing to do.

We underestimate to the detriment to our Youth, especially the underprivileged, the school drop-outs, the young boys and girls that can find a pathway to success through sports, from Regions One thru 10. The talent of the youth surrounds, we have to give our youths through sports,

the opportunity to become responsible, disciplined, confident and productive citizens. Kashif is the man for the job, the leader for the task of upgrading our sports infrastructure.

Ideally, we should have a bias to put persons with a sports background to lead our youth and sports development. From the streets, from the schools, from our rural areas; we have to mobilize a rebirth of well funded and organized sports programmes that coordinates school programmes, clubs and the activities and plans of the various sporting Associations and Federations, along with job opportunities. Let us use the best we ha v e ! L e t u s appoint Kashif Muhammad as our Director of Youth and Sports.

Region 10 is the undisputed resource centre for successful youth athletes and Kashif’s front row seat to see the sacrifice, dedication and needs of our youths will keep motivating him to do great things for the development of youths and sports in Guyana.

Nigel Hinds

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Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

Weight is a heavy load to fetch and debt can lead you to death DEAR EDITOR, The first of three US presidential debates was aired Tuesday night and moderated

by Chris Wallace who had little control over the participants, especially the wild and robust President Trump. It was more of a boxing match with insults without results, involving wrestling with arrogance and a shoot-out with dominance.

America was once again put to shame by a leader who had scant respect for protocol and procedure and who glowed in profanity and obscenity. The chaotic debate was a flurry of falsehoods and reflected no hits but numerous misses, mostly by Trump and only one notable by Biden. In the words of Chris Wallace, “Look, no one — and I mean not any person currently alive on Earth — could have effectively handled this debate. Trump is like a rhetorical pile driver — he just talks and talks and talks. He has zero regard for rules. Or other people. Or politeness. Or answering questions. You get the idea.”

Trump, termed a “white supremacist,” even urged a violent, far-right group to “stand back and stand by” during a heated exchange over race relations in America.

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

Hillary Clinton commented that she felt like telling Trump to “shut up” and she felt him crawling over her. No wonder the Democrats are selling Tshirts with a “shut-up” slogan from yesterday. The debated issues took a back seat and allowed impertinence and promiscuity to occupy front seat so that, Trump can be showcased as a bully and a wild horse to the world. How proud or ashamed was America waking up on Wednesday morning? It was entertainment with a poor taste and at an all-time low.

Trump and the PNCR are in the same tent!

Guyana’s infectious disease created from the PNC/R’s origin,

continues to spread across the world. According to a release this week from The Associated Press, Britain and Canada imposed sanctions Tuesday on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and other senior government officials, following the country’s disputed presidential election and a violent crackdown on protestors in Belarus. The election was an acclaimed rigging exercise.As per U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, “the sanctions were part of a coordinated approach with Canada, in a bid to uphold democratic values and put pressure on those responsible for repression.” President Alexander Lukashenko, Europe’s longest-serving ruler, is facing unprecedented opposition to his power and massive protests. Mr. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, with an authoritarian style reminiscent of the Soviet era, controlling the main media channels, harassing and jailing political opponents and marginalizing independent voices.

It is heartening to note that, there are civic minded Guyanese

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FRIEND SASENARINE SINGH DEAR EDITOR, After two weeks into his new, challenging and perhaps attractive and rewarding position as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the state owned Guyana Sugar Corporation, I want to offer my genuine and heart-felt congratulations to my friend, Sasenarine Singh on his hardearned and well-deserved position.

His appointment to such a lofty and distinguished position is evidence that great things come to people like Sase with the resolve, skills, qualification, talent and the discipline of hard work to achieve their dreams. Sase and I have been friends for a number of years and during that time he has shown the tenacity, will-power, fortitude and creativity to accomplish whatever he decides to do. He is a loyal and sincere friend, an original, judicious and sagacious thinker who is innately ambitious.

That said, I want to congratulate President Dr. Irfaan Ali for choosing Sase to lead and restructure the insolvent GUYSUCO at this critical juncture in the history of the nation and of the sugar industry.

I would also like to thank the President for having tremendous faith, trust and confidence in Sase and I would say without any hesitation that I am confident that he would do an excellent

job. Kudos to President Dr. Ali for making such a courageous and wise decision. And I applaud Sase for accepting the position and the responsibilities that come with it.

Over the years, Sase has been at the forefront in developing a number of strategies/plans as to how to improve sugar production and reduce the overhead expenditures that have made the cost of producing sugar in Guyana twice as expensive as the price on the world market. I am certain that he will utilize some of those strategies/plans in his new role as CEO to re-open three of the four shuttered sugar factories and put GUYSUCO, (the nation’s second largest employer) on the road to recovery. For decades, GUYSUCO has been poorly managed and was unprofitable and had to depend on government subsidies to sustain it. Morale among its workers was very low, which leads me to conclude that the appointment of Sase as the new CEO is critical for the nation and for the future of GUYSUCO and “king sugar” in Guyana.

As a friend of Sase, I want everyone to know that it is in his DNA to resurrect GUYSUCO and make it a viable state agency. Given its enormous problems, being appointed the CEO of GUYSUCO can be

overwhelming, but it could be exciting as well, especially for my friend. Some of us who know Sase could positively conclude that he is capable and competent and will be up to the task no matter what challenges that lie ahead at GUYSUCO. Long before elections were scheduled to take place in Guyana, Sase was longing to return to serve the Guyanese people after living for more than 20 years combined in the United Kingdom and the United States. Thus, the appointment could not have come at a more appropriate time to an incredibly perceptive and worthy person who is equipped and endowed with the knowledge, skills and training to handle the countless problems in the sugar industry.

His appointment did not surprise me and I am delighted, excited and relieved that he was awarded the position.

I am confident that Sase’s passion and desire to lead GUYSUCO and to serve the people and government of Guyana is a dream fulfilled, I wish him well and hope that with the grace and blessings of the Almighty, he will have the strength, wisdom, resilience and grit to accomplish the task that is conferred on him. He is humble, sincere, moral, principled, law-abiding and God fearing. Good luck my good friend, I am very proud of you.

Dr. Asquith Rose

in the society who are patriotic and want to do what is right for the country, even if it means relinquishing any illegitimate gains accumulated during the illegal stay in power by the PNC/ R. It simply reflects honesty and decency by the concerned parties and the willingness to put country before personal concern, thereby gaining the respect of the Guyanese public. Corum Group Inc, the developer with plans to construct a Holiday Inn Hotel at Ogle East Coast Demerara has relinquished the five acres of prime lands allocated to it in what is being dubbed ‘a mad rush’ deal by the previous APNU+AFC administration. The company is now the third developer that has opted to return lands to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to allow for a cleaner and transparent process after it was discovered that the previous regime, through former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, vested the lands without due process. Navigant Builders Inc, a subsidiary of Windsor Estates and Cardiology Services Incorporated, are the other two

companies that initially relinquished their lands. Cardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen, Managing Director of Cardiology Services Inc, had secured the lands for the construction of a state-of-the-art private hospital. The owners of these companies must be commended for their selfless acts and abiding by the laws of the land. Will the other companies follow suit shortly to allow transparency and proper accountability to be the norm?

Weight is a heavy load to fetch and debt can lead you to death. The faster you can get rid of it, the better for you and your poor back and shoulder. Ole people always say, “Don’t do anything that gun make you regret later!”

When APNU+AFC Party was in power and ruling the roaster for five long, stressful years, Guyana witnessed how they plundered and devastated the economy at the expense of the poor, working class people. The man in the street was used and abused from over taxation and low pay and benefits, while, the upper echelons enjoyed the luxuries with duty-free concessions and humongous

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

Respectfully, Jai Lall

In support of visa suspension DEAR EDITOR, This is in reference to your front page news item on Her Excellency’s (US Ambassador Sarah Lynch) statement (Sept.

30) confirming that there were suspensions of multiple visas relating to the attempt to rig the March 2020 elections. It is policy not to reveal the names so as not to embarrass people. Suspension or revocation of visas is an ageold policy of (primarily western) governments to coerce regimes (rulers) to accept and enforce long held worldwide principles of democracy and respect for human rights. Anyone who studies international relations would know that Western governments are known to revoke visas to force obstinate rulers to follow principles of democracy, in particular respect for outcomes of democratic elections. Sanctions were applied on African, Latin American, and even European and Asian leaders or regimes who failed to adhere to rules pertaining to free and fair elections and respecting human rights.

Guyanese in the diaspora and within Guyana that I conversed with fully supported the measures undertaken by the US administration in late September to suspend visas of members of the coalition regime. These measures were called for since early March to get the coalition

APNU+AFC to comply with democratic norms. The regime did not think the US would take the extreme measure of revoking visas if it rigged the elections because the US did not apply sanctions when the predecessor PNC regime rigged elections between 1964 and 1992 to remain in office.

This time the regime was out for a rude awakening as the US had made up its mind that fraudulent election would not be accepted in Guyana or anywhere else in the Americas. The US had rejected the fraudulent election in neighbouring Venezuela.

Some Guyanese are disappointed that the sanctions against Guyanese riggers did not go far enough.

They would have liked for visas of family members, including those studying in the US, and green card holders of those connected with rigging to also be revoked and those individuals to be deported. (Revoking green cards is a complex issue that has to do with violating US laws and oaths, committing crimes, and or lying on applications). They feel anyone, including civilians and GECOM staff, who was supportive of rigging (including the young man who tampered with the computer on the vote numbers) should have had their visas cancelled.

Guyanese also feel that in addition to politicians, the

visas of some judges and their family members and staff at GECOM should also have been suspended; some judges really gave idiotic rulings that were shot down on appeal. Are they not ashamed? These were political judgments that really endorsed rigging and authoritarianism. (Those judges must go, say Guyanese and foreigners who follow Guyanese affairs).

Many Guyanese feel that those who were involved in the violence and robberies in West Berbice should also have their visas and those of family members cancelled. It is well known who gave the instructions to commit those crimes and who were involved. Several Members of Parliament and Regional Councillors were behind the violence. Some also know who were involved in the killing of the three youngsters. The US should be asked to assist with the investigation and those politicians involved in that heinous crime be brought to justice.

The US again saved democracy in Guyana (in 2020) as it did in 1992 against the same riggers, and Guyanese are most grateful to Ambassador Lynch and other diplomats for the consistent position they adopted on respecting the will of the voters.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Friday October 02, 2020

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

Let all contracts for oil sector be subjected to competitive process - expert Keeping corruption at bay…

By Kiana Wilburg

I

f Guyana wants to ensure that the portion of oil revenue set aside for procurement purposes is not at risk for corruption, then it would be wise to ensure the award of contracts is subjected to a competitive process that is underpinned by transparency.

This was recently noted by expert on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies.

The specialist made these and other statements during her first appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s show, ‘Guyana’s Oil and You’.

There, the advisor to the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), was asked about key strategies the fledgling oil producer can employ to keep corruption at bay.

In response, Gillies said: “Competition helps a lot…Whenever there is a valuable business opportunity it should be awarded through a competitive process, and I think that one important

aspect of the oil sector is that the opportunities to make money are not just from the company that holds the exploration or production license.”

She added: “There are other opportunities to make money across the value chain. So whether it is trading oil, providing goods and services; anytime that there is an opportunity to make money, that should be allocated through a competitive process.”

Further to this, Gillies said that local authorities would be wise to keep an eye out for anonymous shell companies as they have appeared in almost every corruption case that she has examined in the last decade.

She warned: “Whenever you see an anonymous shell company as a party to a deal then there’s another area where you should focus scrutiny and ask lots of questions.”

While oil sector procurement is an area that is vulnerable to corruption, Gillies was keen to note that the fight against fraud and crooked deals in this industry

Expert on oil sector corruption, Alexandra Gillies w i l l r e q u i r e e ff e c t i v e institutions across multiple branches of government.

LEARN FROM THE PAST Along with ensuring contracts are subjected to a competitive process, Gillies cautioned that it would be in the nation’s interest to learn from the challenges oil-rich countries have faced in the past. In this regard, the industry expert said: “This concept of resource curse came about for a reason and

it’s because a lot of countries have struggled to manage the scale of oil wealth that

Guyana has. I think that whether it is on corruption or managing volatile revenue or other aspects of the governance negotiating with oil companies- there’re a lot of cautionary tales and I think that they are worth learning. No country is immune from those risks at all and they are so real.”

In looking ahead, her advice to Guyana is that emphasis should be placed on not being shortsighted with the oil resources.

Gillies stressed that the nation’s politicians ought to keep the future in mind as the oil industry is becoming a riskier place because of the global transition to cleaner sources of energy.

The specialist on natural

resource governance and transparency said too that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector, which led to plummeting oil prices, has also exposed that the industry faces numerous risks and “that at any moment, the bottom can fall out on this thing.”

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 02, 2020

Adam Harris takes stand in defence of ‘Dem Boys Seh’ Kaieteur News libel suit…

F

ormer Editor- in Chief of Kaieteur News, Adam Harris, has taken the stand in defence of the contents of a Dem Boys Seh article published in 2014.

Harris is being cross examined in relation to the article which is the subject of a libel suit brought against the newspaper by former head of the state-owned National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington.

NICIL is the company used by government to make investments and manage state projects.

Brassington has a total of 19 lawsuits against the popular Guyanese publication and its former E d i t o r- i n - C h i e f , A d a m Harris, for the contents of the

daily published satirical feature.

According to the claims, Brassington is accusing the Kaieteur News of making s e v e r a l o ff e n s i v e a n d libelous statements in relation to his role in several state projects.

Yesterday, Harris faced a series of questions from attorney for Brassington, Timothy Jonas, as the trial continued before Justice Fidela Corbin –Lincoln.

Even, before the trial commenced, Jonas raised his objections to several aspects of Harris’s witness statement which he categorized as “hearsay and opinion,” evidence.

In turn, lawyer for Kaieteur News, Nigel Hughes, listed his objection to the Jonas’ observation.

However, while Hughes

Lawyer: Timothy Jonas objection was noted by the Court, Justice Corbin Lincoln agreed with Jonas and ruled out several parts of the witness statement.

Among the questions posed to Harris by Jonas was whether he knew who the author of Dem Boys Seh

article was.

“As Editor -of -Chief of Kaieteur News, you were responsible for approving the contents of the newspaper?” Jonas asked.

To w h i c h , H a r r i s responded in the affirmative.

“And Dem Boys Seh is a part of the newspaper?”

Jonas continued.

“Yes,” Harris responded as the lawyer followed up with a query about the author of the column.

To which, the former chief editor told the court that he would sometimes pen the column with input from the publisher, Glenn Lall but there are times, that it was written by external contributors.

Asked specifically if he wrote the article that is the subject of the libel suit, Harris told the court that he could not recall.

Jonas, nonetheless, pressed for a response.

“So can you say who wrote the article, If not you then who wrote it, Mr. Harris?” asked the lawyer.

Before the witness could respond, Hughes objected to the line of question on the ground of relevance.

Jonas responded with an

Kaieteur News’ former Editor-in-Chief, Adam Harris explanation that he is trying to get an understanding from the former Editor-In-Chief, the thinking behind to determine whether there was malice or any other characteristics that constitutes libel.

As such, Harris was asked to answer the question.

He maintained that he could not recall who wrote the particular article.

The lawyer went on to ask Harris whether as Editorin-Chief he had political views which he wanted to use the newspaper to

advance.

“My political views were never part of the newspapers.

I always ensured that my views were excluded,” Harris said in reply.

In further crossexamination of the witness, Jonas questioned Harris on the contents of the article.

“Dem Boys hear dem de watching Guyana fuh a long time. That is how dem buss de mighty Mafia ring that link Guyana to Uncle Sam and Italy. In respect to that sentence, you approved the content of this article?”

“Yes sir,” Harris replied.

The lawyer further sought from Harris of whom the article spoke of when it referenced the mafia.

“I can’t recall,” Harris said.

The lawyer went on to ask Harris who was the ‘Ah kneel’ that was mentioned in paragraph which states “All this time Cliffy smiling and Ah Kneel dat scamp counting de money.

But when de money laundering Act come into place, without all de power wha Ah Kneel want fuh protect demself and jail de ordinary man, dem boys would hope and pray dat de Heff Bee Eye deh fuh watch every dutty move dem mek and hinvestigate dem.”

Mr. Harris explained that the Ah Kneel was not specific to any Anil in particular.

“It could have been Anil Samaroo a player attached to the Demerara Cricket Club,” Harris said adding that there are several sports articles published on Samaroo. “But is he the same Anil who was instrumental in the money laundering Act coming into place?” Jonas enquired.

“I wouldn’t say so,” Harris replied. “And, when (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 02, 2020

PAGE 09

Transparency is lacking in the government’s response to the pandemic Yesterday just after midday there were quite a few persons at the Georgetown Seawall. Of the more than 100 persons who were there, only three had on masks and two of those persons were improperly wearing their masks under chins.

There are a number of vending concessions on the Georgetown Seawall between Camp Road and the roundabout. Some of these vending establishments were being patronized by persons, none of whom were wearing masks and most of whom were sitting close to each other. Most of the vendors were not wearing masks as well.

There were also numerous cars parked on the verges. Mask-less persons were inside of these vehicles.

The situation on the seawall yesterday was just a microcosm of what is taking place in the wider society.

Too many persons are not taking the precautions seriously. And this attitude goes to the heart of the debate as to the responsibility of government in coercing people to do the right thing.

If there were no policemen on the roads, more motorists would be speeding. The presence of traffic police ranks forces persons to slow down.

While it is the responsibility of persons to drive slowly, without legal sanctions and lawful deterrence, persons would flout the laws more frequently.

It is responsible for persons to take security precautions when at home.

But this obligation does not absolve the police from trying to prevent criminal

attacks.

People have their responsibilities, but the government has its duties. It is because the government recognizes the threat to the whole of society and because it knows that it cannot simply rely on voluntary compliance, that it published measures in the Official Gazette prohibiting and limiting certain activities.

Bars ad striptease clubs for example are still not allowed to be reopened.

However, if the government makes no attempt to enforce these measures, people will be doing what they were doing yesterday at the Georgetown Seawall. They are going to flout the regulations because there is no deterrence or sanctions involved.

There are persons who want to only blame the people. And the people are at fault here. But government, past and present, has to be blamed for not enforcing the regulations.

There are many stores which are setting a good example. They are insisting the persons wash their hands before or upon entering the store. They are insisting also that their customers wear a mask.

The government is not stepping up its campaign to ensure that everyone wears a mask in public. The Guyana Defence Force is now going to be involved in a softapproach to ensuring compliance. However, if every mini-bus, every taxi, every business entity, including markets, ensure that persons wear a mask, it will take a great deal of the strain off of the government.

The regional authorities must now also play their part.

A few weeks ago, the government reverted to a 6pm to 6am curfew because of rising cases. Cases are still rising and the government is changing course. The curfew should only have been slackened if the number of cases had fallen.

Region Seven and Region Nine do not have uncontrollable numbers of active cases. Yet, travel restrictions are being imposed on these Regions.

On the other hand, Region Four is a runaway train when it comes to active cases. Yet, there are no travel restriction.

Perhaps the government knows something that it is not telling the public.

Without transparency about the measures being employed to combat the local COVID-19 epidemic, it will be difficult for the government to convince a distrustful public that these measures are based on a scientific assessment of the incidence and spread of the virus.

The government says that the data is usually assessed by a Task Force and based upon this, decisions are made. The public would like to know the members of this Task Force who are making decisions about their lives. Is there an epidemiologist within or who is advising the Task Force?

The average daily testing is not yet up to 300. The public does not know whether same-day results are available. What about the cartridges which were supposed to allow for the activation of the gene-testing machine? What about the costly new testing machine which is supposed to have been procured? Has it

Dem boys seh...

Lawlessness is a national pastime A forty-six (46) year old man is Guyana’s latest COVID-19 victim. Dem boys waiting fuh hear if de authorities can report dat he had underlying conditions.

Dem boys bin argue all de time dat is not only de elderly wah succumbing to dis virus.

Young people dying too.

Dem boys wan laugh when dem hear how de soldier dem gan be involved in helping de police fuh get people fuh wear mask and in ensuring that people nah break de curfew.

Dem boys seh with a 9pm start to de curfew, de police and de army wasting time because most of de people done deh in dem house by then. Dem night rider wah dem pun de road gan find some excuse fuh tell dem police and army.

Dem boys wan know how come de army and police nah bin do this type of thing since

April. In New Zealand, is de police wah help mek a difference because dem bin ensure that people nah break de regulations.

But Guyana is a free-for-all. People does do wah dem please and find reason fuh justify it. A whole set a people decide dat dem gan go and squat pun sugar land. Dem bin think by doing so dem mekkin a Success of themselves.

But dem nah know dat dem gat fuh get electricity and water and road and dem thing.

If yuh squatting de authorities nah gan do them thing if dem want you off de land. But some people using this squatting fuh land grabbing purposes and some people using it fuh political purposes.

Talk half and wait fuh de usual suspects start talk about dispossession and discrimination!

arrived or is it coming in a canoe?

The public should be told who is advising the government and the rationale for the recent decisions to slacken the curfew. It needs to be told about the total number of active cases and the specific areas where they originate.

Fear has always been a

key in stemming pandemics.

When people learn that there are infected persons within their areas, they quickly begin to take precautions.

Instead of fear, people are walking around the country without masks, as if they are invincible. And the government is only now taking action to stop this malpractice.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 02, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Sarabo-Halley, Craig, Patterson: Facing reality

T

he WPA operating in the only format Guyanese have come to know it by - press conference politics – said that it gave the PNC four names from which to choose two parliamentarians to represent it in the House. It so happened, the PNC assigned it one and it was Ta b i t h a S a r a b o - H a l l e y (hereafter refers to as TSH).

The WPA said that even if the PNC chose one, its first preference was a candidate named Ali Majeed who would rotate with TSH during the five years in the House.

The WPA asked for that format to be accepted. The PNC refused. The WPA pulled out of the APNU

combination.

Here is where the story gets absorbing. Once the WPA exited the APNU, then T S H ’s e l i g i b i l i t y f o r parliament lapsed since the WPA could no longer be considered.

TSH then resigned from the WPA. In doing so she then signalled to the PNC that she is eligible to be selected as an APNU+AFC candidate.

The PNC accepted her position.

What interpretation can one put to the direction TSH has gone into? Is she an opportunist or has she seen the dialectical changes in Guyanese politics and she wants to have a role that she feels should not be taken

away from her? There are two assessments one can make. If she is an inflexible WPA ideologue, then, on a matter of principles, she should not hold a seat that the WPA should get and she should show loyalty to the WPA. The other evaluation is that she can justify leaving the WPA because she sees 2020 as finally bringing down the curtain on that anachronism.

Why then should anyone prevent her from embracing activism if that is in her heart?

David Hinds, is the person who speaks through press conference politics for the WPA. Hinds represented a moral confusion. The WPA

was a one-man show from outside of Guyana.

Hinds virtually lives and works and has his existence in the US. With the PNC’s loss of power in the 2020 election, Hinds knows that the future capture of power by the PNC borders on the improbable and impossible. He knows he is not coming back to work and live in Guyana so the final rites of the fictional WPA have been read.

He has formed a brand new organization - Society for Afro-Guyanese Empowerment (SAGE).

This development has justified TSH looking out for her own political future.

Leonard Craig has resigned from all positions of authority in the AFC – executive committee, management committee and deputy General Secretary.

David Patterson has resigned as General Secretary and has tendered his resignation as a parliamentarian.

Up to the time of writing, he has not withdrawn it but the gang of three (formerly the gang of four) inside the AFC has been broaching his replacement with other AFC big-wigs.

The emergency meeting of the AFC on Sunday will put the question as to if the AFC should accept his exit.

Patterson seems strong in his

stance of leaving.

Craig has a doctorate in administration. Patterson did well in his private career as a quantity surveyor. Both men must have asked the question – where does the AFC go from here?

Even a school boy can answer it.

Whatever hopes the AFC had of staying alive after its devastated showing in the 2015 general poll and the 2018 local government election have been completely dissolved by its dismal performance in the 2020 election.

The APNU+AFC lost by 24,000 votes. Those were ballots that were directly r e l a t e d t o A F C constituencies in 2011 that decreased in 2015 then disappeared in 2020.

The PNC knows that its 32 seats came from the majority of African Guyanese with a percentage from mixed voters and the Indigenous communities.

The 2020 election results revealed to the world that the raison d’être of the APNU+AFC coalition no longer is alive.

In parliament, there is no AFC corner. There is one entity named the APNU+AFC. Whatever remnants of feelings people still have for the AFC, those people know that such

Frederick Kissoon expressions cannot be catered for by the AFC because the AFC has to accept the overall direction of the opposition in parliament. Obviously these are questions that Craig and Patterson must have asked themselves.

Craig, with a doctorate, is in his forties. Surely, he knows from the shape of politics to come, his political dreams, if he has any, cannot be realized in a bygone creature named the AFC. Patterson may have used the excuse of the Region Four vice chairman debacle as the opportunity to “call it George.”

I once shared a close friendship with Patterson.

Power intoxication destroyed our camaraderie and Patterson himself. I wish Craig the best in his future plans.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Friday October 02, 2020

Guyana prepares for airport’s re-opening….

Passengers mandated to do second PCR test once first exceeds 72 hrs G

uyana is now preparing for the re-opening of its two international airports to commercial flights from October 12th, following a decision by the Cabinet.

On Wednesday, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, disclosed the Cabinet’s decision to the media, adding that the airports will adopt strict COVID-19 measures.

Guyana’s airports have been closed since March

following the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in Guyana…it was supposed to curb further spread.

However, repatriation flights were scheduled periodically to allow stranded Guyanese to come home.

With the airport now being opened to commercial flights internationally, the government has assured that they are assiduously working to implement strict safety protocols to minimize the

spread.

The Official Gazette order stated that for now the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport shall remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, special authorized flights, medical evacuation flights, and technical stops for fuel. This will last until October 11, according to the Gazette.

Ye s t e r d a y, a p r e s s

conference by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and members of the COVID-19 Task Force, was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Also in attendance was Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who stated that the government considered opening the airports due to a high demand.

Dr. Anthony stated that between now and October 11th, the government will be working to implement all necessary protocols for the airport’s opening on October 12.

In discussing protocols (Continued on page 25)

TSU rank robbed of motorcycle

A

p o l i c e constable, 26, stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), was Tuesday last, robbed of his XR Honda Motorcycle CK 2202.

The rank, identified as Prince Bagot, of Block Y Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was robbed at around 19:00hrs in front of his father’s home located at David Rose

Street, Bagotville, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

According to police reports, Bagot was sitting on his motorcycle when two men armed with a gun ran up from behind and held him at gunpoint.

The men ordered him not to move and told him to remain quiet before they relived him of the bike valued $435,000, and rode away with it.

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Friday October 02, 2020

29 companies submit proposals to market Guyana’s oil -14 tainted, 8 are newer applicants

By Mikaila Prince

W

ith hopes of securing the contract to market Guyana’s crude for the next 12 months, 29 companies and commodity traders have submitted their Requests For Proposals (RFF) to the Department of Energy (DoE).

This, and details of the companies, were revealed on Wednesday by the Ministry of Natural Resources, during the historic signing of the Payara license.

Notably, this is not the first time that Guyanese are reading about this contract, as the former government under the Coalition regime had opened bids for the same in April of this year.

In the first bidding process, 34 companies had submitted proposals- 15 of which were linked to widespread, global corruption and fraud. This was highlighted by Kaieteur

News in a series of articles.

Notwithstanding this and despite not having the power to enter into international contracts, the coalition had shortlisted 19 out of the 34 companies—15 of which were discovered to have had a chequered history.

However, when the PPP/C assumed government in August, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had taken the decision to scrap the contract and retender it.

Jagdeo had said this was executed because the new government wanted to give a fair advantage to those companies who acted “decently”, but did not want to submit bids to an illegal government.

Eight newer companies submit proposals According to the list of 29 companies which have submitted bids, eight of them are newer applications.

These include the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago; Pacific

Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the first oil production ship offshore Guyana.

Energy Incorporated (USA); Dinhor Investment Limited (China); Gemcorp Commodities Trading SA (Switzerland); Anza Investment Group (UAE); Suncor Energy (USA); SacOil Energy Equity Resources Limited (Seychelles, East Africa);

The 29 companies who have submitted proposals for the crude marketer bid.

and ExxonMobil’s partner in the Stabroek Block, Hess Corporation.

Investigations by Kaieteur News show that little data can be found on two traders— Pacific Energy Inc., and Dinhor Investment Limited—as no websites could be found on them.

Another trader, Gemcorp Commodities Trading SA, was established in 2014 and began its investment activities in October that year. Their website states nothing about the company serving as an oil trader. This is concerning, however, considering that one of the mandatory requirements stipulates that applicants must have at least five years’ experience in crude oil marketing and trading, within the last five years, as a company.

What was found?

Public documents show for example that four of the world’s largest commodities trading firms – Trafigura, Vitol SA, Glencore PLC and Mercuria Energy Group have used intermediaries to funnel over US$31 million in bribes to corrupt Petrobras employees, so that they may win big contracts along with acquiring other benefits.

Investigations by the Brazilian government have resulted in convictions and fines that have ensnared senior executives of these companies, while others are still under investigation Another applicant is China Offshore Oil International Pte Ltd. In 2015, this state-owned Chinese company had their former Deputy General Manager, Wu Zhenfang, under criminal investigation for accepting an undisclosed amount in bribes although it is unclear what the outcome of the case was. Another

C h i n e s e c o m p a n y, Sinochem, saw Du Keping, the former Vice President sentenced last December to 11 ½ years in prison for accepting USD $1.8M in bribes.

Russian energy c o m p a n y, L u k o i l O i l Company & Litasco, is currently being criminally investigated by Geneva’s top prosecutor on suspicion of corruption of foreign officials and moneylaundering.

Gunvor Group, one of the world’s top energy traders was found criminally liable for corruption in the Republic of Congo and the Ivory Coast, after failing to avert its employees and agents from bribing public officials. The trader was subsequently ordered to pay almost USD $94 million to the Swiss Attorney General (AG) in October of last year.

According to Reuters, the settlement includes a fine of 4M Swiss francs, out of a maximum of 5M, as well as gross profit plus interest it gained from oil deals in the two West African countries from 2009 to 2011, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Equinor, formerly known as Statoil, a Norwegian company, was in 2018 fined ROK $20M for misconduct and extensive corruption in Iran in 2002/2003 attempting to secure lucrative oil contracts for the company in that country.

The Director for International Operations, Richard John Hubbard was also ordered to pay NOK 200,000 in fines for his involvement in the case. This was mainly achieved by hiring the services of Horton Investments, an Iranian consultancy firm owned by

Mehdi Hashemi Rafsanjani, son of former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani. Horton Investments was paid US$15.2 million by Statoil to influence important political figures in Iran to grant oil contracts to Statoil.

French oil major, Totsa Total Oil Trading SA, was found guilty of corruption in the United Nations’ oil-forfood programme for Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule. In 2016 the Parisian Court of Appeal found the company guilty of corrupting foreign officials and was fined USD $820,863.

According to the Commodity Future Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent government agency in the U.S, British Petroleum Products agreed to pay a total of $303M in sanctions to settle charges of manipulation and attempted manipulation in the propane market in 2003 and 2004.

Adding to the list of infringements, a BBC World Report exposed how BP agreed to pay billions for Petro-Tim, a West African oil company owned by Romanian businessman, Frank Timis.

T h i s We s t A f r i c a n corporation was found to be in the centre of corruption in Senegal. Documents showed that BP knew about the suspicious payments, which totaled to millions to the Senegalese President’s brother, Aliou Sall, and it went ahead with the deal anyway.

In 2015 Jiang Jiemin, the former chairman of PetroChina, International Brazil Trading Limited, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for taking bribes and abuse of power. A report (Continued on page 23)

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 02, 2020

Night Shelter to-tohave triage unit, provide mental health and active kitchen physical wellbeing programme The Night Shelter

T

he Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will soon add a mental health and physical well-being programme to the roster of services it provides at the Night Shelter.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, told the DPI the initiative is a collaboration between her Ministry and the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, N a t i o n a l Tu b e r c u l o s i s Programme Manager, was engaged in the process to enhance the services at the Shelter.

“This area (Night Shelter) will have a triage unit where they (health officials) come, test and monitor persons who would come off the roads so that we can have that level of care for patients as well

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud working towards having onsite nurses and doctors to address the health needs,” Minister Persaud explained.

The Shelter will also be upgraded with the installation of a kitchen, washrooms and other amenities.

“I think having an active kitchen will cater right away, (Continued on page 23)

Men escape with gunshot wounds following ambush at E’bo hotel

Injured: Cordell Grimes

Injured: Reeaz Khan

Two men, on Tuesday last, escape with gunshot wounds after they were ambushed by unknown gunmen, at a hotel and bar, located in Aurora Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Three.

Currently recovering from gunshots are Reeaz Khan, 20, of Pomona Housing Scheme and Cordell Grimes, 25, of Adventure.

Khan was reportedly shot in the face while Grimes received a bullet to his left arm.

According to police reports, the men were attacked 19:30hrs in front of the hotel.Police were told that the men had entered the hotel to pay off a debt. However, as they exited and was about to

enter their car, shots were fired at them.

Grimes, the driver of the car and Khan entered the vehicle immediately and sped off. Investigators said two more shots were fired behind the men as they were driving off.Grimes reportedly told ranks that when he looked over to his friend Khan he noticed that he was bleeding from wounds to the face. He too realized that he was bleeding from his left arm.

Grimes managed to drive the car to Suddie Public Hospital where they were examined and treated by doctors.

Both men could not identify who their attackers were or why they had tried to kill them.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 02, 2020

PAGE 17

Neesa Gopaul appeal case set for October 19th The appeal case in one of the nation’s closely watched murder trial is set for October 19th. Convicted killers, Bibi Shareema Gopaul, and her ex-lover, Jarvis Barry Small, are appealing the conviction and sentence for the murder of Neesa Gopaul.

Neesa was the daughter of Gopaul. The case rocked Guyana after the shocking facts came out.

Back in 2015, Gopaul, was sentenced to serve 106 in years while Small was jailed 96 years by Justice Navindra Singh for killing the 16-year-

A strange sight: This funnel cloud was seen by drivers, commuters and residents on the West Demerara area yesterday. A funnel cloud is described as one that comes from condensed water droplets. They usually appear with a rotating column of air. These extend from the bottom of a cloud that does not touch the ground or a water surface. (Damian Lam photo)

old Queen’s College student.

In their appeal, the two have cited the severity of the punishment, among other things. Yesterday, during a case management conference at the Appeal Court, Gopaul was granted 14 days for her lawyer to lay

over submissions. She indicated to the Court that her attorney is Sanjeev Datadin but he was not present at the hearing. The lawyer for Small is Nigel Hughes. He is expected to lay over submissions by October 5th.The two are serving time

for the murder which is said to have occurred sometime between September 24 and October 2, 2010. According to the facts of the case, the remains of the murdered teen were recovered on October 2, 2010, at a creek along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, days after she was reported missing from her L e o n o r a , We s t C o a s t Demerara residence.

The remains were found in a suitcase, along with a passport and bank card bearing the name Neesa Lalita Gopaul. A red rope was wrapped around the suitcase and attached to dumbbells in an apparent effort to keep the body under

Appealing: Bibi Gopaul

Murdered: Neesa Gopaul w a t e r. S u b s e q u e n t t o investigations, the two persons were arrested and charged for the murder.

The teen was allegedly murdered in a car where both convicted persons were sitting in.

Appealing: Jarvis Small

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Friday October 02, 2020

DDL, Doobay Medical Bartica cop under close to donate 1M masks arrest following a car crash

From Left: DDL’s Chief Production Officer, Shaun Caleb;Chairman, Komal Samaroo; PM Mark Phillips and DDL’s Government Affairs Advisor, Wesley Kirton at the meeting yesterday.

D

rinks giant, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) yesterday pledged a donation of one million ‘N-95’ face masks to the Government and people of Guyana.

The donation is being made in conjunction with the Doobay Medical and Research Center, says DDL’s Government Affairs Advisor, Wesley Kirton, in social media announcement.

The container with the masks will be prepared next week for shipping to Guyana.

The offer of the donation was made when a delegation from DDL, headed by its chairman, Komal Samaroo, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d)

Mark Phillips, at his Colgrain House office.

“The courtesy call was primarily to thank the PM, who on only his second day in office, facilitated the urgently needed approval of a team of specialist technicians to travel to Guyana to install high tech equipment for DDL’s new fruit processing and milk production plant.”

The technicians are currently in Guyana.

“Chairman Samaroo extended an invitation to the PM to visit the project to view the work being done by the visiting technicians.”

DDL chief production officer, Shaun Caleb, was also part of the company’s delegation.

A police constable, 22, was on Tuesday placed under close arrest following his involvement in a car accident at Fifth Street and Third Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven.

According to police reports, the cop was stationed at the Bartica Police Staion and hails from Heathburn, East Bank Berbice (EBB), Region Six. Investigators reported that the constable had collided his vehicle with a hire car which failed to

adhere to the stop sign.

The accident reportedly took place at 21:25hrs.

Ranks were told that the constable was heading west along the southern side of Fifth Street while the hire car was proceeding south on the eastern side of Third Avenue.

However, as the constable was approaching the Third Avenue intersection, he slammed into the rear end of the hire car which was at the said time crossing the intersection.

As a result of the impact,

Scenes from the crash.

the driver of the hire car lost control and crashed into a nearby culvert before turning turtle.

The driver of the hire car and its passengers were injured and trapped.

They were assisted by public spirited citizens and police ranks who rushed them to the Bartica Regional hospital.

There, they were admitted and treated for multiple abrasions about the body.

Both drivers tested negative for alcohol.

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Curfew adjusted Container truck driver who jumped major road, gets 9pm-4am bail for deadly accident

A

-airports closure to continue Government has adjusted the curfew hours to 9pm to 4am, under the new COVID-19 Emergency Measures.

The previous curfew ran from 6pm-6am.

The new protocols were gazetted on September 30, 2020.

While essential services are allowed to operate without any time constraints, several key services have had their operation hours extended between 4am to 8pm daily.

These include markets, supermarkets, beauty salons and barbershops, maintenance services and gas stations, and clothing stores.

Additionally, food and restaurant services are permitted to operate daily within the 4am to 8pm time frame. Those services can continue with accompanied delivery, drive-through, curb-side and takeaway services.

To this end, social distancing must be maintained for outdoor dining. Indoor and buffet dining are prohibited.

In addition to the other measures gazetted, the restriction of non-essential travel to Regions Seven and Nine was also extended to October 31, 2020. Further, gatherings should not exceed five persons and the requisite social distancing measures applied.Mining operations are allowed to continue within the established protocols.

With regard to international travel, the closure of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to commercial flights will continue until October 11, 2020.

The emergency measures will be effective until October 31, 2020 after which subsequent measures may be instituted.

(DPI)

lmost four months after a 23-year-old man was killed in an alleged drag race on Saffon Street, Georgetown, the driver of the container truck that was involved in the accident, on Wednesday released on $300,000, bail for causing death by dangerous driving.

The defendant, Eric Kennedy, 22, a porter of Lot 1 5 3 We s t R u i m v e l d t , Georgetown, was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Kaieteur News had reported that based on video footage seen, the truck driver had jumped a major road causing the deadly crash.

Kennedy is being represented by attorney-atlaw, Bernard Da Silva.

The defendant was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on May 26, 2020, at the intersection of Saffon and Sussex Streets

Dead: Terry Dhanraj Charlestown, Georgetown, he drove in a manner dangerous to the public, hereby causing the death of Terry Dhanraj, 23, of 33 O g l e , R a i l w a y Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

According to a police report, on May 25, 2020, around 17:45hrs, Dhanraj was a passenger of motor vehicle PSS 1314, which

Charged Truck Driver: Eric Kennedy was being driven by Stephon Pearson.

Pearson was proceeding north along Saffon Street allegedly at a fast rate when the container truck which was being driven by Kennedy allegedly intercepted his path.

It was also reported that the car clip the rail of a bridge before slamming into (Continued on page 23)

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

Friday October 02, 2020

Main Street dubbed ‘Avenue of Hope’ by First Lady - as Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicks off

First Lady, Arya Ali, with others at the unveiling of the ‘Avenue of Hope’ yesterday, on Main Street, Georgetown.

To officially usher in Breast Cancer Awareness month, First Lady Arya Ali yesterday made a donation to the Guyana Cancer Foundation shortly after declaring the Main St. avenue, an ‘Avenue of Hope’.

The event, which was hosted by the Office of the First Lady, was supported by the Guyana Cancer Foundation and Impressions Branding. The donation received by the Guyana Cancer Foundation from the First Lady will fund breast cancer testing for 50 women during the course of the next few months. During brief remarks, the First Lady highlighted that although significant strides have been made in research and treatment, health experts are nowhere close to finding a cure. As a result of this, the single most effective tool in the fight against breast cancer remains early detection.

It is for this reason she thought it prudent to lead the charge by providing support for increased testing in the coming months.

Noting that breast cancer statistics remain grim worldwide, particularly in developing countries, she called for “proactive, consistent education programmes, supported by strong screening programmes” and increased support from international financial institutions.

“As resources become available and our country moves to a better financial position, support for screening of every woman at the age of 40 and above, on a continuous basis, should be considered as a preventive and early diagnostic tool in the fight against breast cancer,” she said.

Narrowing in on Guyana, the First Lady drew attention to the number of grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts that have lost their lives to breast cancer. “We must therefore take strength from those among us who, through determination, courage, pain and faith, have survived. It is your stories that must inspire us. It is your stories that create hope and lift up spirits, and we must not be afraid to

share those stories,” she said.

She also used the opportunity to remind every Guyanese woman of how important they are to society.

“I wish to remind each of us that a Guyanese woman is a great woman. Whether she is a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer, or even a stay at home mom. Let us be reminded of how great we are as women. Therefore, we must ensure we protect the life of every Guyanese woman.”

The ‘Avenue of Hope’ now bears a Breast Cancer Awareness arch which serves as a reminder of the victims of breast cancer, and the need for early testing.

Other speakers at the event included Bibi Hassan, President of the Guyana Cancer Foundation; Debbie Persaud, Marketing Manager at Impressions Branding; Ravin Singh, Director of Projects Policy & Public Affairs at the Office of the First Lady; and cancer survivor, Beverly Munesar.

Eleven year old Jarrel Toney recited the poem ‘A bearer of Hope’ to all cancer survivors present at the event.

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

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Kaieteur News

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Den Amstel man accused of letting brother die in trench; slapped with manslaughter charge A 64-year-old construction worker accused of killing his brother was placed on $400,000 bail after slapped with a manslaughter charge.

The defendant, O’Neil Jordan called ‘Owie’, of 66 Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, appeared on live video before Magistrate Zameena Ali Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, West Coast Demerara.

He was not required to plead to the indictable offense which stated that on September 24, 2020, at Back Street, Den Amstel, he allegedly killed his brother, Winston Jordan, 55, of Back Street, Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara.

According to a police report, Jordan’s body was fished out of a trench by two persons who were passing.

This was after the defendant allegedly threw him overboard and refused to render assistance.

The deceased and his brother, it was reported, were imbibing alcohol when the deceased left but the defendant followed and caught up with him a short distance away.

The defendant tried to pull the deceased but he held on to a neighbour’s gate. The defendant then continued to pull his brother and that resulted in the deceased losing grip of the gate and the defendant then allegedly pushed him to the ground.

Jordan reportedly hit his head on the road, losing consciousness and it was then that the defendant dragged his brother across the street and allegedly threw him into the trench. He

Dead: Winston Jordan refused to help get him out.

The man’s motionless body was pulled from the trench by the two persons.

He was later pronounced dead.

His brother was later arrested and subsequently charged for manslaughter.

The defendant is expected to make his next court appearance on January 27, 2021.

Transforming the Pensionable Age in the Public Service DEAR EDITOR, There is no question about the highly published mood of reformation obtaining over the past several weeks, albeit not all of which is realisable.

Indeed one area of constipation over the last two decades is the pensionable age in the Public Service of 55 years (since the colonial past) – which has been the lowest of that in Caricom countries for more than a decade. The others range from at least sixty (60) to more than 65 years.

But even at home the pensionable age of the Public Service does not match that of most, if not all, Public Sector organisations (including Constitutional Agencies) whose formal retirement age is 60 years, for example:

Audit Office of Guyana Guyana Revenue Authority Guyana Sugar Corporation Guyana Geology and Mines Commission GuyOil Guyana National Shipping Corporation Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation – just to name a few; with Guyana Power and Light maintaining a retirement threshold of 65 years ever since it was a Canadian-owned company prior to Independence.

Of course most Private Sector organisations operate schemes with pension eligibility of age 60.

Logic would have suggested that when the National Insurance Scheme (NIS)

was established in 1969 with a qualifying pension benefit at age 60, the appropriate adjustment would have been made – to ensure that members would have made the necessary number of contributions to satisfy eligibility for the benefit.

As it turned out there followed too many stories of persons having to negotiate contribution eligibility gaps with the NIS, consequent upon relatively later ages of recruitment.

The Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service has addressed this issue quite adequately, concluding that this particular reform is long overdue.

One looks forward therefore to urgent action in this regard.

E.B. John

...Strength when in opposition, From page 4 visitors from the US coming here to register presence, interest, and partnership.

Though it is not her place to provide specifics, I step forward to fill the breach and present clarity.

Those coming would include the likes of Bechtel and Schlumberger and the many other big money capitalists that drool uncontrollably over Guyana.

They have plans for us and our oil.

If PPP leaders are not up to the task to deal with Exxon, and clearly they were not, then they do not stand a ghost of a chance with the pirates and

predators from Wall Street, which would include Goldman Sachs and others of that illustrious (or notorious) band of brothers.

I will say this here and now: neither the president nor the Vice President nor the natural resources placeholder can hold their own with those swashbucklers.

The Vice President is Guyana’s best bet, but only if he has Guyana’s best interests at heart. In my opinion that is one hell of a big if.

So, we mosey on with more promises from politicians that rarely deliver (the PNC didn’t) and keep our fingers crossed. As for me, I see

through them, don’t believe them, don’t trust them, big talk and all. And that includes every political presence in this town.

Last, I used to look at Nigeria and Iraq and even Venezuela and shake my head in disagreement at the futility of them all, especially the sectarian and grassroots upheavals.

Not anymore! Not with leaders like those in the PPP and the PNC (which is serenely quiet and distant on oil), who deliver this country on a platter to those so demanding. This is how headless we are on oil.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

Hijacked West Dem taxi found vandalized in Sophia

A

white Toyota Allion, with number plate HD724, which was hijacked last Saturday by two armed passengers, was on Wednesday discovered vandalized and abandoned at ‘A’ Field Sophia, Georgetown.

The car, stolen at Plum Park Sophia, Georgetown, around 15:30hrs from its owner, Aszol Mohamed, 37, a taxi driver of Top Notch Taxi service, located on the West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Police ranks, acting upon information, located the car in a relatively good condition but with its number plate changed and few parts from inside missing.

The car is currently at the Turkeyen Police Station where investigators are conducting the n e c e s s a r y investigations.

The man’s wife had told Kaieteur News that two male passengers had approached Mohamed at his base and hired him to be taken to the location.

Upon arrival, the men pulled out hand guns, beat Mohamed and threatened to shoot him if he did not step out of the car.

Fearful for his life, he obeyed and the men sped off with his car.

Mohamed’s car before it was hijacked

PAGE 23

Region 4 chalks up two more COVID-19 deaths

Region Four has chalked up two more deaths from COVID-19 virus.

The total deaths for the country have now moved to 85.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the latest fatalities are both malesone was 73 while the other 69. Both hail from the Demerara- Mahaica (Region 4) and they would have died while receiving care at a medical facility. Reports of the deaths followed the release of an updated COVID-19 dashboard which showed Guyana recording 35 new COVID-19 cases. The new deaths are not recorded on the dashboard Of the cases, 31 are from Region Four;

three from Region Three while Region Seven has one new case. In the meantime, there are 14 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit with the total number of known cases in the country now at 2,929.

There are 142 persons in institutional isolation and 931 in home isolation.

Thus far, 1,750 persons have recovered while 101 are in institutional quarantine. A total of 14,309 persons have tested.

The Ministry of Health said it has been contacting all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who may have been exposed to the now-dead persons.

The MoH dashboard

Mohamed’s recovered Toyota Allion with the changed number plate and damaged ignition.

Night Shelter to have triage unit, active...

From page 16 for the residents so that they have fresh food since some are elderly persons and others have disability. So, we are looking at them holistically,” the Minister said.

Overall, the Minister said, the goal is to reintegrate indigent persons back into society.

In keeping with this objective, the services at the Shelter will be strengthened to provide broad-based care to help persons in difficult circumstances transition back into society. “This will be an ongoing programme aimed [at getting] people off the street into the shelter, and reintegrate[d] back into the workforce, ensuring that they have skills and are gainfully occupied. Those who are not able to for some reason, maybe physically challenged or other disabilities, we will work with them differently, which will come on stream,” Minister Persaud explained.

These services will all be included in phase one of a much larger project, the Minister said.

She also revealed that

while she is considering requests for similar facilities in other parts of the country, there are currently no plans to open other night shelters.

Meanwhile, Dr. Persaud said people should not abandon their elderly relatives at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation or on the streets but make use of the available services at the Palms Geriatric Home.

“If the need arises that we need to have homes elsewhere, we will partner with other entities to see how we will develop this. I am hoping

that we will have a different sense of caring and responsibility kick in so that people can take care of their elderly, because not only this shelter deals with the elderly but the Palms. Once people are 60 and over, they [can] go to the Palms but even in those instances, [if] people can care for their parents and grandparents then they should,” Dr. Persaud said.

Those who are unable to care for their elderly relatives who suffer from ill-health can contact the Ministry for guidance and support. (DPI)

Container truck driver who...

(From page 19) the trailer of the truck.

Pearson was able to free himself from the wreck but a badly injured Dhanraj remained trapped in the front seat.

Two ambulances arrived shortly after and took both men to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where Dhanraj was said to be in a critical condition.

As was feared, Dhanraj passed away on May 26,

2020, around 13:00hrs due to the extent of his injuries while Pearson was discharged from the hospital with a broken arm and multiple lacerations to the body.

Kaieteur News understands that the driver of the car, Pearson, was also charged for cause of death by dangerous driving.

The Chief Magistrate granted Kennedy bail and the matter was adjourned to October 7th, 2020.

Adam Harris takes stand in defence of...

From page 8 the article says ‘Ah Kneel’ want fuh protect demself and jail de ordinary man, who is the article referring to?” Jonas questioned.

“It could be anybody from the underworld, I really don’t know…I can’t remember, “Harris stated.

Given the connection to the money laundering law, Jonas noted that the article could not be reference to any other person than Attorney General, Anil Nandlall “I am putting it to you that the article refers to Anil Nandlall not Anil Samaroo because nowhere in the article anything about sports mentioned,” posited Jonas.

“When it says dance merenge and sing karaoke …I consider that as sports so, I don’t agree…It could be anybody,” Harris responded.

Jonas asked: “And what about Dem Boys? Who are you referring to?” ”Society,” Harris said.

“So, you purport that the newspaper was speaking on

behalf of society?” Jonas asked. “Yes sir,” said Harris.

Jonas also wanted to know more about reference to investigations. “And the part that says Dem Boys would hope and pray dat de Heff Bee Eye deh fuh watch every dutty move dem mek and

hinvestigate dem…what does that mean? Are you aware of the need of the FBI to investigate activities that are not criminal?”

“Yes I am aware that the FBI investigates non-criminal activities,” Harris responded.

The matter is continuing.

29 companies submit proposals..

From page 14 frstated that authorities also confiscated about 1 million Yuan ($157,600) from Jiang, after he failed to explain where it came from.

Later in 2017, the Chinese court found Liao Yongyuan, the former vice chairman, guilty of corruption and sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment.

According to Reuters, Liao had abused his various positions in the energy industry between 1997 and 2014 for personal gain, and between 2003 and 2015 took 13.4 million Yuan ($1.95 million) in bribes, and was unable to account for the origin

of 21 million Yuan in assets.

Notably, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), which is responsible for selecting the companies, has mandated that applicants must disclose whether they have engaged with an act or fraud or corruption, or whether they are being investigated for the same.

NPTAB can also choose to terminate any proposal for the contract, and/or suspend the crude oil marketing operations and associated services if it is determined at any stage if it finds that the agent is engaged in corruption and/or fraud.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday October 02, 2020

Friday October 02, 2020

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Hundreds apply for lands following Success stand-off Hundreds of residents from Success, Vryheid’s Lust, and Chateau Margot communities yesterday gathered at a housing drive conducted by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The event, at the Chateau Margot Primary School, was aimed to provide them with legal home ownership, the CH&PA said.

The invitation was sent out to residents following a standoff between squatters in the Success, Vryheid’s Lust, and Chateau Margot areas and more.

On Wednesday, squatters, officials of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated (GuySuCo) and police ranks would have reportedly faced off..

It was reported that the officials went to the Success area where it was found that many were squatting on lands owned by NICIL and GuySuCo. The squatters were warned to move or be removed.

Police reports had stated that the residents took a firm stance against moving, and subsequently tear gas and rubber pellets were dispersed after the squatters allegedly attacked ranks.

At the housing drive, the Ministry sought to provide the residents with land application forms and assistance to fill them and they also conducted the interview process on spot.

Further, reports stated that the fees for the application forms were also waived.

The persons waiting at the school yesterday.

Persons who previously applied had their information updated in the Ministry’s database, an action that the Ministry described as being a part of their database cleaning activity.

Present at the drive was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves, who assured the residents that their applications will be processed in a swift manner, starting with old applications.

He said that the authority is working on a “first come first served basis.”

“For those who are now applying, it will be unfair if they are put ahead. However, because of Housing’s mandate and how much houselots we will be giving,

they will be dealt with within a short time also,” the CEO told residents.

He shared the government’s commitment to providing all squatters from the listed areas with lands in Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), which falls under their agenda of distributing 50,000 houselots over the next five years.

He maintained the Ministry’s firm stance against squatting, saying that there is zero tolerance for such actions.

“The way to acquire a house lot is not squatting. It is to visit the Central Housing and Planning Authority and we will be dealing with your applications expeditiously,” Greaves promised.

Central Bank govt.: TT needs more than just devaluation for economic stability NEWSDAY - Devaluation of the TT dollar should not be the only solution to the country’s macroeconomic challenges, Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire said yesterday.

Instead, he said, what is really needed for TT to retain a balance is solutions on a macroeconomic scale that would make businesses in TT more flexible and able to manage on foreign markets.

“It is no secret that there is an imbalance in the foreign exchange market,” Hilaire said during the Central Bank’s financial stability webinar.

“That has been due to the collapse in energy prices; we had some production difficulties, and covid19 didn’t help.

What is really important for stability is an appropriate combination of fiscal, monetary and structural

policy.”

Hilaire said policies are particularly needed to make ease of doing business easier and getting markets in TT to be more flexible, so they could take advantage of opportunities in outside markets.

While depreciation of the dollar is something that may assist in managing T T ’s e c o n o m y i n s o m e scenarios, without the support of policies to give the economy more flexibility the change would be temporary and could have an adverse effect.

He referred to a study done by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which pointed out that in Latin American and Caribbean countries, if the depreciation of the dollar was steep enough, the economy would

eventually level off.

But, Hilaire said that balance would come because of import compression, which means that government would prioritise which items can be imported into the country.

“So there was a huge compression of imports as opposed to exports. That is imperative to note.”

On Monday, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said there would be no useful purpose that could be served by devaluing the TT dollar especially at a time when less foreign exchange is coming into the country.

Imbert said Central Bank models suggested that if the government were to devalue the dollar, government would gain about US$30-40 million, but inflation would immediately increase.

Residents filling out application forms (Sydel Thomas photo)

...Passengers mandatedto do second From page 12 for incoming passengers, Minister Anthony said that persons coming into the country will be required to take a second Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test in Guyana if their first test has exceeded 72 hours.

He explained that incoming passengers are usually required to take a PCR test in their country of origin (the country they are currently in) at least seven days leading up to their flight.

When boarding a flight

these persons are required to show their PCR test results and if it would have exceeded a week, they will not be allowed to board that flight.

Further, he noted that those persons who would have produced their PCR test results that do not exceed 72 hours will not be required to take another test when they arrive in Guyana.

According to Anthony, those persons who will be required to take a second test will be swabbed right at the airport and will receive their

results in a “reasonable time”.

If the person tests negative they will be allowed to freely go about the country but if they test positive they will be confined to isolation.

Additionally, the Minister disclosed that incoming passengers will be allowed to travel to hinterland regions once they test PCR negative. Currently, Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine have special COVID-19 protocols as mandated by the Official Gazette Order.

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Friday October 02, 2020

...Pernille Harder named

...Hero CPL, Sunset + Vine From page 32 producing high class coverage during a pandemic, Sunset+Vine delivered a fantastic broadcast that was both innovative and engaging.

With a camera count of 26, supporting audio and video equipment, more than 300 equipment cases and over nine tons of equipment shipped to the island during a global pandemic getting all of this in place was a massive endeavour. The equipment used during the broadcast, as well as the logistics of getting it in place in Trinidad, was provided by SportsMax productions.

The broadcast also featured innovations to give the viewers the best possible experience, with this being even more

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important with the games played behind closed doors.

SportsMax successfully integrated Zoom viewing parties in partnership with Digicel in an effort to add to the vibe and engagement of fans.

Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s COO, said: “We would like to thank Sunset+Vine for their tireless endeavours which saw a world-class broadcast delivered around the globe in the most difficult of circumstances.

We are also hugely grateful to SportsMax Productions who worked flat out to make sure all the equipment needed to put on a production of this standard was in place and working well. The success of this year ’s tournament would not have been possible without these two key partners.”

From page 35 the main reasons for Wolfsburg’s impressive 201920 Champions League campaign, with her nine goals making her second top-scorer in last year’s competition.

Her tally included four goals in the last-eight tie against Glasgow City. She joined Chelsea for a fee believed to be in excess of £250,000 at the start of last month, after helping Wolfsburg win four consecutive German league and cup doubles since joining them in 2017.

Harder succeeds Bronze as the women’s Player of the Year. The England right-back secured a third straight Champions League title with Lyon in August before returning to Manchester City, who she left in 2017 for the French side.

Friday October 02, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Add spark to your life today.

It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren't challenging yourself enough.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is.

Don't sit and wait for everyone else to go first, Libra.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others.

There's a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, but you may now find that it's time to seek a new platform for your ideas.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't take no for an answer today, Cancer. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There's a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life. Be conscious of the fact that there's a great deal of momentum building in your mind now.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Be a pioneer thinker today.

There's a noble courage in your thoughts, so don't let this quality go to waste. You will be surprised at how cutting edge you can be when you put your mind to it.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Aquarius. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Have faith that whatever you say has the power to come true.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Virgo. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important, and they need to be heard by the people who matter the most.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Move forward with your plan of attack today, Pisces.

There's an anxious rumble within you that's urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need, so don't hesitate any longer.

Renard was at the heart of Lyon’s success last season, captaining the side as they dominated the women’s game. The shortlist of three players was selected by a jury composed of the coaches of the eight clubs which participated in the final tournament of the 2019-20 women’s Champions League and 20 journalists specialising in women’s football.

...Nairobi ready to From page 34 seven months of inactivity.

Just to signal the significance of the Kip Keino Classic, Kenya’s Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta, personally supervised the renovation work at the stadium which he officially opened on 26 September.

Despite the challenges visited by the Coronavirus pandemic, Saturday’s (tomorrow) meet has attracted a good field, especially from host nation Kenya with the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and 3000m steeplechase competitions drawing a decent entry for both men and women.

...Teenager Fati scores From page 30 other player to reach double figures in league goals for Barca before his 18th birthday. Spain international Fati’s 10 goals have come in 26 league games. Messi took 30 matches to reach that figure.

Fati has scored three of Barca’s seven league goals this season, having netted twice in the 4-0 opening-day win over Villarreal. They have benefited from two own goals, with Messi and Roberto their other scorers.

...Suriname celebrates 100 From page 35 are going to face. We have played Jamaica before. They beat us 2-1 in the Nations League [Qualifying] and that was a match we really enjoyed playing,” said Gorre.

For the Gold Cup, Gorre will also have the luxury of relying on some Netherlands-based players who are eligible to play for Suriname.

“Having players from our diaspora will make us stronger. We could actually be a surprise in the tournament with this new team. There’s no Gold Cup experience, but the quality we have will help us. We will enjoy the entire experience,” said Gorre.

The Suriname Football Association was a founding member of Concacaf in 1961.

As the country begins a new century of football, it is Gorre’s hope that the country can soon develop a professional league and enrich their decorated football history. Suriname were champions of the 1978 CFU Championship, and domestic clubs transcended on the international stage, with

Robinhood and Transvaal each reaching five different Concacaf Champions Cups in the 1970s and 1980s, and Transvaal winning the 1973 and 1981 editions.

There is no doubt that the country brims with talent, and Gorre feels like with the proper development, Suriname football can shine on the international stage.

“In the 1970s we had top teams and top players playing for Suriname, with Robinhood and Transvaal.

But there has been a gap and we didn’t grow. Our level is still amateur, so players like myself made ourselves known in the Dutch league.

You can see Surinamese players have quality by past players like Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and current players like Virgil Van Dijk [who represent Holland]. I hope the future will be bright. We put a lot of effort into qualifying for the Gold Cup, and when you put in effort, there is a lot possible. I think with development, football in Suriname has a bright future,” concluded Gorre.

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Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties to reach quarter finals Carabao Cup BBCsport - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes his side took a “step forward” by beating Liverpool on penalties to reach the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup. After a goalless 90 minutes at Anfield, Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno saved two penalties in the shootout before Joe Willock scored the winning spot-kick.

Arsenal lost 3-1 in the Premier League at the Reds four days ago, and Arteta was pleased with his side’s response. “We still have lots to learn but we are on the right path,” the Spaniard said.

“It is the third time in about eight weeks we have played against the best team in Europe, in my opinion, and it is a step forward for my team. “We want to treat every competition as an opportunity to win a trophy, we have to do that for the club we represent and we will do that.”

The teams produced a 5-5 thriller at Anfield before last season’s penalty shootout, won by Liverpool, but this was a considerably less exciting match. Both sides struggled for fluency after making numerous changes from their Premier League meeting on Monday.

But after Divock Origi and Harry Wilson saw efforts

saved by Leno, Willock converted the decisive penalty. Arsenal will now host Manchester City in the last eight, with all ties to be played in the week commencing 21 December.

Mohamed Elneny’s miss earlier in the shootout looked like it was going to be costly, but German goalkeeper Leno salvaged the situation for Arsenal. Leno’s excellence was a theme of the match, particularly once Liverpool who had made nine changes from their win on Monday got to grips with the game towards the end of the first period.

The former Bayer Leverkusen keeper brilliantly parried new signing Diogo Jota’s header and deserved some fortune when Takumi Minamino hit the crossbar with the follow up when he ought to have scored.

While Liverpool did not exactly carve Arsenal open at will, superb stops from Leno prevented both Jota and Virgil van Dijk from finding the left corner of the net after the break. He became the first Arsenal goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at Anfield since Vito Mannone in September 2012.

Arsenal were organised and disciplined in defence and despite Mohamed Salah

Arsenal goalkeeper Leno punches away a ball played into the box in front of his defenders in an excellent performance joining Minamino and Jota in an experienced frontline for Jurgen Klopp’s side, they could not find the breakthrough.

Teenager Fati scores again in Barcelona win at Celta

Ansu Fati pictured putting Barcelona 1-0 ahead in the 12th minute before their cruising victory BBCsport - Ansu Fati became only the second 17year-old to reach 10 La Liga goals for Barcelona as they beat Celta Vigo. Fati opened the scoring with a clever first touch and finish after being picked out by Philippe

Coutinho, his third goal in two games this season.

Ronald Koeman’s Barca went down to 10 men in the first half when Clement Lenglet was sent off for two bookings. Lionel Messi’s cross was then diverted into

his own net by Lucas Olaza and Sergi Roberto smashed in a late third.

Celta went close to pulling one back at 2-0 but Miguel Baeza’s deflected shot hit the crossbar. Bojan is the only (Continued on page 29)

Legend Walsh appointed head coach St John’s, Antigua, CMC – Legendary fast bowler, Courtney Walsh has been appointed head coach of West Indies Women, just 24 hours after they suffered a chastening 5-0 whitewash at the hands of England.

The 57-year-old, a former Bangladesh bowling coach, served as assistant coach for West Indies Women during their Twenty20 World Cup campaign in Australia earlier this year but did not feature as part of the management staff on the recent England tour. Walsh said he expected a smooth transition especially since he had worked with the Caribbean side in the recent past. “This is indeed an honour to be named as the new head coach.

It’s an exciting challenge and I’ve always wanted to give back in any way I can and help with the development of the game in the West Indies,” Walsh said Thursday (yesterday).

“The experience I have, my knowledge of the game, and my overall organisational skills will be key aspects as we try to develop a winning team culture. “I worked with the team at the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia and in the series against India in the Caribbean last year, so I have a very good

Courtney Walsh. understanding of what is required.

“The ability and the talent are there, we have some fantastic players in the West Indies, and it will be my duty and focus to help the women to develop their talents and achieve the goals we are going to be setting together.”

Walsh replaces Jamaican Andre Coley who presided over the recent five-match Twenty20 International series against England. Former West Indies batsman and men’s head coach, Gus Logie, was appointed interim head coach last October and led the Stafanie Taylor-captained unit to the T20 World Cup. Cricket West Indies’ director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, backed Walsh – a former Jamaica and West Indies teammate – to add value

to the women’s programme.

“I am delighted to have Courtney leading our international women’s programme having successfully come through CWI’s recruitment process,” said Adams.

“He will be overseeing the programme initially until the end of the next two ICC Women’s World Cups in 2022 and he will be pivotal in working with CWI’s High Performance Team to move our whole women’s programme forward, as part of our wider strategic plan which has Women’s cricket as a key priority.”

Walsh, the leading wicket-taker in Tests for West Indies with 519 wickets from 132 matches, is also a former senior team selector and Under-19 manager. However, he takes over a women’s side that has struggled in recent years, despite winning the T20 World Cup in India four years ago. Wednesday’s defeat to England was their third straight T20 series whitewash, leaving them with 13 defeats in as many recent outings.

Their One-Day International form has also been wretched with just one series win in the last four years and six wins in their last 20 internationals.

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French Open 2020: Jelena Ostapenko beats Karolina Pliskova to reach third round

Jelena Ostapenko lost in the first round of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon last year.

France’s Clara Burel in action during her second round match against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan REUTERS/Charles Platiau BBCsport - Second seed Karolina Pliskova has been beaten in the second round

by Jelena Ostapenko, who produced a display reminiscent of that which won her the 2017 title in Paris.

Czech Pliskova, 28, was overwhelmed by the ferocious returns of her Latvian opponent, who had been knocked out in the first round the past two years.

Ostapenko made a crucial break in the seventh game of the opening set. Pliskova was then broken twice more as the 23-year-old sealed a 6-4 6-2

win. Ostapenko’s form dipped dramatically after her victory over Simona Halep at Roland Garros in 2017. She has failed to make it past the third round of a Grand Slam since, bar a quarter-final and semi-final appearance at Wimbledon.

The Latvian has pointed to injuries, as well as issues with the psychological side of her game while she has also changed coaches during this period. She had employed 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, but now has Halep’s former coach Thomas Hogstedt in her camp.

Ostapenko, who has only dropped nine games on her way to the 32, said: “In the beginning it was tough because she was serving well. Ostapenko will play Spain’s Paula Badosa after she recorded a shock 6-4 4-6 6-2 win over American 29th seed Sloane Stephens, who was a finalist in 2018.

It was a bad day for the Pliskova family as Krystyna, Karolina’s twin sister, lost 6-3 6-2 to 2016 champion and 11th seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain. Muguruza will next face American Danielle

Collins.

There were no such problems for another Czech player, Petra Kvitova, as the seventh seed saw off Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-3 6-3. The 30year-old will now face promising 18-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who overcame Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 6-4 3-6 6-1.

American fourth seed Sofia Kenin recovered from a first-set blip to defeat Romania’s Ana Bogdan 3-6 63 6-2. The Australian Open champion made 16 unforced errors in the opening set but only 19 in the rest of the match as she booked a third-round match against Romania’s Irina Bara.

Belarusian eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated

Russian Daria Kasatkina to reach the last 32 at Roland Garros for the very first time.

She will now face Tunisian 30th seed Ons Jabeur.

Meanwhile, less than a year ago, Clara Burel was playing tennis with foam balls following a wrist injury, but on Thursday (yesterday) the teenager became the youngest French woman in 12 years to reach the third round at Roland Garros.

The 19-year-old beat Slovenian Kaja Juvan 7-6(6) 6-2, a day after her mixed doubles partner at the Youth Olympic Games, Hugo Gaston, with whom she won the bronze medal, also reached the third round at Roland Garros.

Burel is the youngest

French woman to reach that stage since Alize Cornet, then 18, in 2008. Both could have met for a fourth-round berth but Cornet was knocked out in straight sets by China’s Zhang Shuai.

Burel, who will move up to at least 240 in the WTA rankings from her current position of 357th will be out for more revenge, this time on her third-round opponent Shuai, who beat her in the second round of the Strasbourg International earlier this month. Burel is joined by two other French women in the third round Caroline Garcia and Fiona Ferro, who beat Kazakhstan’s 14th seed Elena Rybakina 6-3 4-6 6-2 on Thursday (yesterday).

French Open 2020: Novak Djokovic reaches third round with ruthless win BBCsport - Novak Djokovic continued his dominant start to the French Open with a ruthless straight-set win against Lithuanian world number 66 Ricardas Berankis in the second round.

The world number one won 6-1 6-2 6-2, meaning he has lost just 10 games in his first two matches.

Djokovic, 33, is one of the favourites to win the tournament and put together an almost flawless performance to triumph in one hour and 23 minutes. “I felt really good,” Djokovic said.

“I hope I can carry on like this.”

The top seed has tough competition for the title in Spain’s 12-time champion Rafael Nadal and Austria’s two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem but he looked focused and in control against Berankis on the Roland Garros clay.

After dropping just five games in his first-round win against Sweden’s Mikael Ymer, the Serb continued his

bid for an 18th Grand Slam title in equally brutal fashion.

Djokovic broke Berankis’s serve in the first game of the match and went on to win the first set in 22 minutes, with the Lithuanian 30-year-old winning just 10 points.

A further two breaks helped Djokovic take the second set and his level continued to rise even higher as Berankis struggled with a back injury.

In total, the world number one served 10 aces, hit 25 winners and won 95% of points on his first serve to claim an easy victory.

“Right from the blocks I want to bring in the intensity,” he told Eurosport. “I managed to do that in the past two matches. It’s exactly how I want to roll into the match.”

Djokovic will face either Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan, who beat American world number 47 Tennys Sandgren, next.

Unbeaten on the court this year, Djokovic’s only defeat in 2020 came when he was defaulted from his US Open

last-16 match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta after hitting a line judge with a ball.

Shock for ninth seed Shapovalov - On Court Suzanne Lenglen, Canadian ninth seed Denis Shapovalov lost a five-hour five-set battle against world number 101 Roberto Carballes Baena.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, who has never reached the third round before, beat his higher-ranked opponent 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 8-6 and now faces Bulgarian 18th seed Grigor Dimitrov.

Dimitrov made light work of Slovakian world number 102 Andrej Martin in a 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 win. Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas had an equally easy time later on Philippe Chatrier, beating Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-1 6-4 6-2.

Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini is also through following a 6-4 4-6 62 6-3 win against Lloyd Harris, as is Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov after beating Jiri Vesely 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-2).

Novak Djokovic has won the French Open once, in 2016. (Getty images)

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Uefa awards: Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski wins men’s Player of the Year BBCsport - Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski has been named Uefa men’s Player of the Year 2019-20. Poland striker Lewandowski, 32, beat Bayern team-mate Manuel Neuer and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne to the award.

Bayern’s Hansi Flick was named men’s coach of the year after leading his side to a sixth European title.

Lewandowski scored 55 goals in 47 games last season as Bayern won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. He scored 16 more goals than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions in 2019-20. Chelsea forward Pernille Harder received the women’s Player of the Year award.

Manchester City playmaker De Bruyne, 29, was named Champions League midfielder of the year - and in doing so prevented a Bayern clean sweep of all the men’s awards. The Belgium midfielder also won the Professional Footballers’ Association men’s Players’ Player of the Year award in September.

Germany’s Neuer, 34, won goalkeeper of the year after recording six clean sheets in the Champions League as Bayern defeated Paris StGermain in August’s final, while team-mate Joshua Kimmich, 25, was named best

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

Robert Lewandowski (right) scored 15 goals and made six assists in 10 Champions League games as Bayern Munich were crowned European champions. (Getty Images) defender.

Flick beat Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp - who guided the club to their first Premier League title in 30 years - and RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann to the coach of the year award. Flick, 55, stepped up from his role as Bayern assistant coach last November following the sacking of Niko Kovac.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was awarded the Uefa President’s Award by Aleksander Ceferin for a “commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch”.

The Uefa awards were announced alongside the Champions League group stage draw in Geneva, although club officials did not attend due to the ongoing

coronavirus pandemic. Player of the year voting was decided by the 80 coaches of the clubs in last season’s European competitions, along with 55 journalists - one from each of Uefa members’ association.

Men’s Uefa awards Player of the year - Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich). Coach of the year Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich).

Goalkeeper of the year Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich). Defender of the year - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich). Midfielder of the year - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City). Forward of the year - Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich).

Lakers dominate Heat for lopsided win in Game 1 of NBA Finals Reuters - Heavy favorites Los Angeles Lakers dismantled the Miami Heat 116-98 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, as their opponent struggled with injuries after making a fast start.

The Heat got a 13-point leg up in the first quarter but the lead was shortlived, as the Lakers drained 11 threepointers to complete a 30point turnaround and close out the first half, while Miami’s defense crumbled inside the NBA’s quarantined Orlando, Florida, campus.

The Lakers kept the pressure up as two of the Heat’s biggest playmakers point guard Goran Dragic and forward Bam Adebayo exited the game with injuries.

Dragic, Miami’s leading scorer in the post-season, suffered a foot injury in the second quarter, while Adebayo left in the third with a shoulder strain after twice colliding with Lakers center Dwight Howard.

“We came out slow,” said Lakers forward Anthony Davis, the night’s leading scorer with 34 points. “(If)we want to win this series and become champions we have to play better from the start.”

Sixteen-time All-Star LeBron James, competing in his 50th NBA Finals game, scored 25 points with 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Barack Obama (centre) and Shaquille O’Neal (left) appeared as ‘virtual’ fans courtside. (EPA) The Heat’s All-Star forward Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle and fell to the ground grabbing his left leg with seconds left on the clock in the second quarter and was seen limping on the court afterward, but managed to finish the game, putting up 23 points. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, 15-time AllStar Shaquille O’Neal and legend Kareem Abdul-Jabar were spotted among the game’s virtual fans in the otherwise empty stands in the biosecure “bubble” at Walt Disney World, where players have been living and competing – isolated from the outside world – since July.

The evening’s event was laced with activism, as players warmed up prior to the game in t-shirts that read “VOTE”

and Obama used the opportunity - from his virtual seat - to thank a group of first-time poll workers who signed up to work on the United States’ Nov. 3 election day.

“I appreciate you and hopefully all NBA fans will appreciate you when they see those shorter lines at the polling places,” Obama said in a video posted to his Twitter account.

Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters Wednesday that he was initially resistant to the idea of the quarantine, which required “extraordinary sacrifices by everyone involved” but was largely a success, with no positive COVID-19 cases among players.

Motor racing: IndyCar to welcome 20,000 fans to Hero CPL, Sunset + Vine season-ending race and SportsMax deliver world-class broadcast

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was broadcasted around the world thanks to TV Production Company Sunset+ Vine and SportsMax Productions who provided the state-of-the-art equipment that was used for the telecast.

With months of planning and many late changes, adjustments and restrictions to both crew and equipment logistics due to the COVID19 pandemic, the Sunset + Vine and SportsMax teams executed and fulfilled their roles as broadcast, technical and production partners on the ground in Trinidad & Tobago.

Over the four weeks of the tournament an uninterrupted

high definition signal was sent to viewers around the world. The Sunset + Vine team have a track record of amazing sports broadcasting and viewers around the globe were provided with the best possible experience. Despite the challenging nature of (Continued on page 29)

Reuters - The St. Petersburg Grand Prix will welcome 20,000 spectators for the IndyCar season finale, organisers said on Thursday (yesterday), as Florida lifts all COVID-19 restrictions on businesses.

Originally scheduled as the IndyCar Series opener in March, the race was moved to Oct. 25 in a reshuffling of the calendar caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

IndyCar has had a handful of spectators at a few tracks but many races have been run in front of empty grandstands, including the series’s crown jewel, the Indianapolis 500.

St. Petersburg city council on Thursday (yesterday) approved a promoters plan to operate the event to spectators under specific health and safety protocols.

Everyone attending the race will be required to wear masks or facial coverings at all times

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be open to 20,000 fans in October. (IndyCar Photo) unless eating or drinking.

“I know that everyone is excited to get back on the track in St. Pete,” said City of St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman, in a statement on the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg website. “I can’t wait for October 23rd.

“I know everyone will embrace this race the St. Pete

Way, adhering to the COVID19 health and safety protocols. Let’s have some great racing in the Sunshine City.”

The decision to open the race to fans comes after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Sept. 25 lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, saying the threat of the coronavirus

pandemic had eased sufficiently to allow the state to enter the final phase of its reopening.

The move comes as the United States is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The pandemic has infected more than 7.2 million Americans and killed over 207,000.

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Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians’ Coomacka United FC bowlers brush past Kings XI Punjab welcome GFF for historic visit

ESPNcricinfo - After Rohit Sharma made his second half-century in his last three innings in IPL 2020, Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya went on a boundaryhitting spree to launch the Mumbai Indians to 191 for 4, which proved to be more than enough in the end.

For the second game in a row, Pollard helped Mumbai ransack 89 off the last five overs, his unbeaten 47 off 20 balls exposing a Kings XI Punjab attack that lacked a death bowler. They had seemingly managed their bowlers so poorly that offspinner K Gowtham, picked ahead of legspinner M Ashwin, bowled the final over in the first innings, leaking four sixes to Pollard and Pandya.

In pursuit of 192, the Kings XI lost Mayank Agarwal in the powerplay and captain KL Rahul laboured to 17 off 19 balls before legspinner Rahul Chahar knocked him over. Nicholas Pooran briefly matched his West Indies captain and mentor Pollard’s ball-striking with 44 off 27 balls, but it wasn’t enough to prick the ballooning asking rate.

Chahar kept dangling legbreaks away from Glenn Maxwell’s reach, and ultimately had him holing out for a painfully slow 11 off 18 balls. Jasprit Bumrah and James Pattinson then closed out a 48-run victory, putting Mumbai on top of the points table.

Cottrell’s comeback After giving up as many as 30 runs to Rahul Tewatia in a frenzied finish on Sunday, Sheldon Cottrell started with a wicket-maiden on Thursday (yesterday) and conceded 20 in his next three.

The left-arm seamer angled a length ball into Quinton de Kock and then got it to curve away to castle the batsman for a duck in the first over. Soon after, Suryakumar Yadav was run out for 10 off seven balls.

Ishan Kishan, who had cracked 99 forcing a Super Over against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, struggled against Cottrell, Mohammed Shami and legspinner Ravi Bishnoi, who kept sliding the ball across the left-hander with his googlies.

Cottrell finished his quota of four overs by the 13th over; Mumbai were 83 for 2.

The storm after the calm - Looking to hit his way out of trouble, Kishan ventured a slog-sweep against Gowtham, but couldn’t clear the longer leg-side boundary, falling for 28 off 32 balls. Pollard,

Federation pledge to advance the game holistically

Kieron Pollard launches a big hit, Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians ©BCCI though, shook up things by planting his front leg and smoking Bishnoi over his head for six.

Sharma, quiet until then, slammed 4, 4, 6, 6 against Jimmy Neesham. The New Zealand allrounder ditched his into-the-pitch legcutters for attempted yorkers, but kept erring with his lengths.

The first four, a ramp that was precisely placed to the right of long leg, brought up his fifty off 40 balls. The pick of that boundary sequence was the final six that was clattered over extra-cover just after the man from that boundary had been whisked off to long-off.

It needed a relay catch at the boundary from Maxwell and Neesham to remove Rohit for 70 off 45 balls. He was on 43 off 37 balls at one point, but accelerated before Pollard and Hardik took over.

Hardik, playing as a specialist batsman as Mumbai have opted against rushing him back into bowling after his back surgery last year, also laid into Neesham, taking 17 off five balls from him. Kings XI, seemingly having miscalculated, asked Gowtham to bowl the last over and Pollard duly finished the innings with a hat-trick of mighty sixes.

Kings XI fade away Agarwal gave Kings XI a jump-start in the chase, attacking the short balls from Trent Boult and James Pattinson, moving to 25 off 15 balls. After Jasprit Bumrah darted in two more short balls, he seamed a full ball in and burst through the defences of Agarwal. In the next over, Karun Nair, who came in at No.3, dragged Krunal Pandya back onto the stumps. Rahul,

who could neither find the boundary nor the gaps, was dismissed by Chahar in the ninth over as the required rate shot past 11. Pooran was particularly strong off the back foot, pulling Chahar and Bumrah for six and four.

Twenty-one of his 44 runs came in front of square on the leg side. His bright innings, though, was cut short when Pattinson pushed a full ball away from his reach and had him edging behind.

Chahar, meanwhile, took a leaf out of Yuzvendra Chahal’s playbook, lobbing slow legbreaks wide of off stump to frustrate Maxwell.

Maxwell eventually played a desperate slogsweep and picked out deep midwicket. Gowtham struck two fours and a six, but the boundaries he had given up earlier in the evening had a greater impact on the result.

Mumbai Indians 191 for 4 (Rohit 70, Pollard 47*, Hardik 30*, Cottrell 1-20) beat Kings XI Punjab 143 for 8 (Pooran 44, Bumrah 2-18, Chahar 2-26) by 48 runs.

In observance of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, on Sunday last paid a historic visit to the village of Coomacka, which is some 15 miles from Linden, and presented football equipment, including footballs, boots, bibs and cones to the Coomacka United Football Club.

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

During the visit, possibly a first for a serving GFF President, Forde commended the club for their spirited performances on the field of play and their strong showing in tournaments organized by the UDFA. The President and executive committee were also lauded for the outstanding job they have been doing in advancing the fortunes of the club as well as being able to mobilise great fan support whenever the team is competing.

In thanking the club and community for their warm welcome, the GFF Head underscored the role of the GFF: “Our core purpose is to serve football and to serve the stakeholders of football.

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

from where it might be to where it can be.”

Forde, reminiscing on the semi-finals of the last UDFA year-end tournament, said he had witnessed one of the most electrifying atmospheres he would have experienced in recent years: “The excitement and the involvement of the community into the game was a very memorable experience and I was immediately moved by it and I started to make some enquires as to what is responsible for this club, which seems to be in a bit of a community bubble but yet kept coming out and competing as well as they did against some of the more established clubs in Linden.”

He went on to disclose that the answer was no surprise to him: “It’s just the spirit that people bring to the game; the spirit and passion that really drive football forward. So we are here today to do exactly what the GFF was conceived to do when it was formed in 1909 and that is to serve the members.”

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

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

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

“Linden started to see a new talented team in the form of the CUFC; we saw young men with speed and fans very animated and vocal. So Coomacka made that impact into football in a short space of time and what we saw, we see a long future of football in the area.”

The UDFA President also commended the Coomacka fans for their support of the team, noting that the CUFC has a dynamic support cast: “When they come out to support at the Mackenzie Sports Club, they take up half the stands and that is good, we love that. So, to the supporters, to the executive, to the players, keep doing what you are doing and do even do more and push to be the number one club in Linden. Don’t stop at Linden, be the number one club in the country.”

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

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

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

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

PAGE 34

Friday October 02, 2020

Kaieteur News

Jamie Murray and Neal Champions League draw: Man Utd drawn alongside Skupski through to men’s Paris St-Germain, RB Leipzig & Istanbul Basaksehir BBCsport - Manchester United will face Paris Stdoubles third round Germain, RB Leipzig and

Neal Skupski and Jamie Murray are playing together at the French Open for the first time. (Getty Images) BBCsport - Britons Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski came from a set down to beat unseeded Manuel Guinard and Arthur Rinderknech and reach the French Open third round. The 13th seeds, US Open quarter-finalists last month, defeated the Frenchmen 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3).

Earlier on Thursday (yesterday) Dan Evans, Britain’s top men’s singles player, lost alongside partner Hubert Hurkacz. Second

seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos beat the duo 6-2 6-2 - and face Murray and Skupski next.

After all six British players went out in the first round of the singles, there are three others left in the doubles with Murray and Skupski. Third seed Joe Salisbury plays with partner Rajeev Ram on Friday (today), as do Cameron Norrie with Marton Fucsovics and Jonny O’Mara with Marcelo Arevalo.

Nairobi ready to unleash fresh African experience at Kip Keino Classic

Beatrice Chepkoech at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 (Getty Images) © Copyright The inaugural Kip Keino Classic on Saturday (tomorrow) will be a groundbreaking experience in many ways. First, it will be Africa’s first romance with the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting series, and, second, it heralds a new dawn for Nairobi’s desire to host more high profile one-day competitions.

And then it also celebrates Kenya’s trailblazing track star, Kipchoge Keino, gold medallist at the 1968 and 1972

Olympic Games. To put the icing on the proberbial cake, the meeting celebrates the reopening of the upgraded Nyayo National Stadium where visiting athletes are already predicting fast times owing to the nature of the track.

Held as Kenya slowly opens up following a lengthy Coronavirus lockdown, the meeting will instill confidence in Kenyan sport and offer both athletes and fans something to celebrate after (Continued on page 29)

Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League group stage this season. Premier League champions Liverpool will have to negotiate a group containing Ajax, Atalanta and Danish side Midtjylland.

Chelsea will play Europa League winners Sevilla, Krasnodar and debutants Rennes. Manchester City are in Group D with Porto, Olympiakos and Marseille.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to face each other after Juventus and Barcelona were drawn in Group G, while holders Bayern Munich will faceAtletico Madrid in Group A. The draw, which also saw Real Madrid and Inter Milan paired in Group A, took place without club officials present because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. And it was a particularly tough draw for Manchester United, who will play last term’s finalists Paris St-Germain, as well as 2020 semi-finalists RB Leipzig.

This year’s group stage begins on Tuesday, 20 October while the final is on Saturday, 29 May 2021 at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul.

Group stage draw in full: Group A: Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Salzburg, Lokomotiv Moscow. Group B: Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Borussia Monchengladbach.

Group C: Porto, Manchester

Manchester United knocked Paris St-Germain out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage in 2018-19. (Getty Images) City, Olympiakos, Marseille.

Group D: Liverpool, Ajax, Atalanta, Midtjylland. Group E: Sevilla, Chelsea, FK Krasnodar, Rennes. Group F: Zenit St Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Lazio, Bruges.

Group G: Juventus, Barcelona, Dynamo Kyiv, Ferencvaros. Group H: Paris St-Germain, Manchester United, RB Leipzig, Istanbul Basaksehir.

Fans to return for big Champions League nights?

Following Thursday’s draw it was announced that fans could make a partial return to Uefa matches for the first time since March - where local laws permit.

Starting during the October international break, fans will be capped at 30% of a stadium’s capacity but away supporters will not be able to attend.

Social distancing will be mandatory and additional precautionary measures such

as mask wearing must be implemented in accordance with local rules.

Uefa’s decision comes after over 15,000 supporters attended a pilot in the Super Cup match between Bayern Munich and Sevilla in Budapest on 24 September. In a statement Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, described the decision as “a sensible first step which puts fans’ health first and respects the laws in each country”.

Formula 1: Imola to allow more than 13,000 fans to attend each day BBCsport - More than 13,000 spectators will be able to attend each day of the Emilio Romagna Grand Prix this year. The race will take place over the weekend of 31 October and 1 November at Italy’s Imola circuit, which last held a Formula 1 race in 2006.

A statement from Imola said it had been “possible to obtain a significant public presence” owing to a “meticulous anti-Covid health security protocol”.

Tickets have been on sale for just over a week and some areas are sold out.

Imola is a historic F1 venue that held a Grand for 27 consecutive years from 1980, first as a one-off standin for Monza as host of the Italian Grand Prix and subsequently as the San Marino Grand Prix.

It is most famous as the track at which Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton

The Tuscan Grand Prix and Russian Grand Prix (pictured) in September were the first races of 2020 to have fans in attendance. (EPA) Senna were killed in highspeed accidents on consecutive days in 1994.

The circuit has been returned to the F1 schedule as the result of the largely Euro-centric calendar constructed by the sport as a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

F1 has introduced a compressed two-day on-track schedule at Imola as an

experiment as it looks to build longer championship seasons moving through the 2020s.

Spectators were kept away from the first eight races of this season, but the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello allowed in 2,800 fans a day over its three-day weekend on 11-13 September.

The Russian Grand Prix last weekend also allowed spectators to attend, and the

forthcoming Eifel Grand Prix at Germany’s Nurburgring on 9-11 October and the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao on 23-25 October will also allow limited numbers of fans.

Britain, meanwhile, has called off plans to allow fans back into football matches, with the government saying the earliest they could return is March next year.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 02, 2020

PAGE 35

Pernille Harder named Suriname celebrates 100 Uefa Player of the Year years of football history BBCsport - Chelsea forward Pernille Harder has been named the Uefa women’s Player of the Year for 2019-2020. The 27-yearold Denmark captain scored nine times as Wolfsburg r e a c h e d l a s t s e a s o n ’s Champions League final before joining the Blues this summer.

She was selected from a shortlist featuring England defender Lucy Bronze and Ly o n c a p t a i n We n d i e Renard. The inaugural coach of the year award went to Lyon’s Jean-Luc Vasseur for a stellar debut season with the club.

The 51-year-old led Lyon to only the second perfect campaign in Uefa women’s club competition to clinch their fifth title in a row and seventh overall, as well as another French double.

He was chosen from a shortlist of three that also

It is the second time Harder has won the award, having also claimed it in 2018. (Getty Images)

included Barcelona’s Lluis Cortes and Wolfsburg’s Stephan Lerch. Lyon’s victory in the 2020 Champions League saw them dominate Uefa’s positional awards, with Sarah Bouhaddi (goalkeeper), Renard (defender) and Dzsenifer

Marozsan (midfielder) all selected.

Harder, named player of the year in 2018, was also named forward of the season.

Harder sees off strong competition - Denmark captain Harder was one of (Continued on page 29)

Miami, Florida – It has been a week to remember for Suriname football. In addition to taking part in the Draw for their first ever Concacaf Gold Cup, the Surinamese Football Association celebrated its centennial on Thursday ( y e s t e r d a y ) , commemorating 100 years since its founding on October 1, 1920.

Despite not being able to have a full celebration due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Suriname Head Coach Dean Gorre says it is nevertheless a very special day in the country.

“It is fantastic to celebrate a 100-year anniversary and it is special.

The president of the country will come; we’ll have a celebration that is within the Covid-19 protocols, but I would have liked it to have been open and free for

everyone to enjoy,” said Gorre in an exclusive i n t e r v i e w w i t h Concacaf.com.

Born in Suriname, Gorre enjoyed great success as a player in the Netherlands and England before ultimately deciding to return home to Suriname to take the reins of the national team for a second time in 2018. Just being a part of its 100-year history fills Gorre with pride.

“Suriname is the country where I was born and two years ago, I made the decision to come and live in

Suriname to prepare these amateur players to qualify for the Gold Cup. The hard work we’ve done in the last two years is something to look back on and say we done it. It’s special. My roots are here and now to reach this Gold Cup with my country where my heart is means a lot. I’ve never seen a group so emotional after our last game to clinch a Gold Cup place. I won cups in leagues in Holland, but that last game was something special,” said Gorre.

Drawn into Group C with Costa Rica and Jamaica for the 2021 Gold Cup, Gorre is looking forward to facing a pair of Concacaf stalwarts in next summer’s tournament.

“I think Costa Rica is a world class team. We have seen them play many times.

It is special to play against Costa Rica for the players we (Continued on page 29)

rt o p S Displaying some of the equipment following the presentation are GFF President Wayne Forde (right) Coomacka United FC President Renison Rawlins and UDFA’s Terrance Mitchell.

Members of the Coomacka United FC, officials and other invitees at Sunday’s event.

Coomacka United FC welcome GFF for historic visit Federation pledge to advance the game holistically

Lakers dominate Heat for lopsided win in Game 1 of NBA Finals

Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians’ bowlers brush past Kings XI Punjab

Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah celebrate Mumbai Indians’ win over Kings XI Punjab ©BCCI.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Jae Crowder (99) and forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the fourth quarter. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Legend Walsh appointed head coach

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