Kaieteur News

K

Trinidad PM says…

If conditions Friday Edition NEWS change dramatically, renegotiation of oil deal is a reasonable demand AIETEUR

October 09, 2020 -Vol. 22 No. 39

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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APNU+AFC may have obstructed SARA’s probe into Canje, Kaieteur awards - Global Witness report

Opposition calls for PPP to regularize Success squatters - says they would have done it in their second term

Four more to testify in Cop who told driver Gary Best dangerous not to return with less driving trial than $5000 busted

Online readership yesterday, 129,268

Poor people snatching phones, politicians snatching oil blocks From top to bottom, Guyanese society is riddled with those who snatch what belongs to others, especially from the poor and the helpless. Snatching is so chronic that this country is now a snatcher’s paradise.

Young men on bicycles in the streets, snatch purses with nothing inside, snatch cheap cellphones, snatch empty shopping bags. Poor citizens are so alarmed that they leave handbags home and walk with an umbrella only. Those are also snatched.

Snatching, though never condoned, allows feeding families, paying the light bill, buying medicines. This is how bad things are in this richest of lands, where the poor are forced to snatch from their fellow poor.

At the top from, comfortable in their duty-free vehicles or their high decisionmaking offices, young and old Guyanese men (and women) join with foreigner exploiters to snatch our gold and timber and bauxite. PPP and PNC ‘leaders’ partner with the outsiders to snatch the biggest prize of all, our fabulous oil wealth. And after these leaders have conspired with foreigners to rob us, they snatched a sweet and rewarding piece of the oil action for themselves. What they snatch will afford them to live like kings for generations to come.

We could be the richest country in the world per person (capita), but here are our hungry brothers forced to snatch the little that we have from us, so that they can survive. What would the right-thinking citizens of any country do with leaders like these, who snatch away birthright and leave us starving and hopeless?

‘Crack’ gets 10 years for Govt. moves to finalise killing of Mahaica rice farmer Electronic Transaction Bill

Local Content Policy must be hinged on realistic assessment of company’s needs vs. what nation can supply - Expert Who really owns the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks, do the leaders of this land care to tell the nation?

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Friday October 09, 2020

Opposition calls for PPP to APNU+AFC may have obstructed SARA’s regularize Success squatters probe into Canje, Kaieteur awards -says they would have done it in their second term

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he A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) opposition is calling on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government to regularize the Success, East Coast Demerara squatters who have been in a clash with the authorities over the past few weeks.

Their call for the regularization was made during a virtual media conference yesterday where the matter of the squatters and housing was thoroughly discussed.

During the media conference, Annette Ferguson, former minister responsible for Housing said that the coalition would have taken note of the situation stemming from the squatters occupying the Success lands belonging to the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo). She described the situation as one that had gotten out of control as a

Former Minister of Communities, Annette Ferguson. result of a “reckless, unconscionable, and heartless approach by the PPP.” She noted that in an attempt to vacate the squatters from the land, the government agencies threatened the flooding of lands, broke down bridges and other structures, and tear-gassed and shot at peaceful citizens, women and young children included.

Ferguson further claimed

that it was the PPP who encouraged these squatters to occupy these lands; yet they are now adamant to have them removed by any m e a n s n e c e s s a r y. T h e residents were faced with an ultimatum demanding that they move by October 5, but they are still occupying the lands, something Ferguson said the opposition is very pleased with.

The coalition came under question about why they had not addressed the issue while in government and Ferguson stated that it was something that was not brought to her attention when she was the minister.

Further, she stated that the coalition would have addressed the issue of squatting in their second term and there was a National Squatter Resettling Commission to be developed to combat homelessness in Guyana.

Ferguson contended that upon taking office in 2015, the PPP left a backlog of just under 30,000 house lot (Continued on page 22)

The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government may have deliberately stonewalled the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) in its probe of the awards of the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks in the weeks leading up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

In a February 2020 report titled Signed Away, Global Witness stated, “According to a source close to the government, one reason why SARA has not been effective is because some officials may have stonewalled investigators’ record requests.” The investigation started in May of 2018. Two years later, SARA has nothing to show for it. While in office, APNU+AFC was in the best position to assist the State investigator to complete the investigation with haste. Yet, even now, its leading officials claim not to know who the true beneficiaries are of the suspicious giveaways.

During an October 2 virtual conference, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon claimed that he did

not know who the real owners of the Canje and Kaieteur Blocks are. He had said that he has some information on the matter, but that he did not want to put out information into the public, which was unverified, as he said this is information, which he received from someone overseas who reached out to him.The Coalition had no need to rely on outside sources to close this case, as the two oil blocks changed hands several times under its tenure. As the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) should have done when it awarded the blocks, every time the blocks changed hands, the Coalition was in a position to determine who the beneficiaries are. The government has to know the hands, which the stakes are leaving, and the hands to which they will go.

Harmon only offered that he would endeavour to find out the information and to relay questions about the matter to the Coalition’s Members of Parliament who carry the portfolio of oil & gas.

- Global Witness report The Kaieteur Block was initially split 50/50 by Ratio Energy and Ratio Guyana (owned by the Israeli company, Ratio Petroleum) on April 28, 2015. As of today, the Kaieteur Block is split among four companies: ExxonMobil (35 percent), Ratio Guyana (25 percent), Cataleya (25 percent) and Hess (15 percent).

The Canje Block was awarded to Mid Atlantic on March 4, 2015. Currently, four companies have stakes in the Canje Block: ExxonMobil (35 percent), Total (35 percent), JHI Associates (17.5 percent) and Mid-Atlantic (12.5 percent).

The Coalition has had its own controversy to deal with, given that its Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman also raised suspicion for signing a lopsided contract with ExxonMobil while on a luxurious trip, which the company paid for, to its Texas headquarters. Both major parties’ stewardship of the petroleum sector has been marked by global standard corruption red flags.

Kaieteur News

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Govt. appoints 8 new Permanent Secretaries

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he Office of the President (OP), yesterday, appointed eight new Permanent Secretaries within several government ministries.

These new appointees include Malcolm Watkins under the Ministry of Health (MoH); Sharon Hicks for Ministry of Amerindian A ff a i r s ( M o A A ) ; M a e Thomas under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA); Vladim Persaid under the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW); Shannielle E. Hoosein-Outar for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSS); Andre Ally for the Ministry of Housing and Water (MoHW); Bishram Kuppen under the Ministry of Labour (MoL); and Sharon Roopchand-Edwards for the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (MoTIC).

According to an OP statement, Watkins holds a Master of Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

He had previously held the position of Procurement Manager at the Ministry of Health, Guyana and is a Certified Supply Chain Professional.

Hicks holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy and a Certificate in Developmental Psychology. She previously held the position of Management Development Officer at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and she also held the position of Auditor as well as Internal Affairs Investigator at the GRA. Mae Thomas holds a Diploma in Accountancy from the University of Guyana and a Certificate in Project Management. She previously served as the Assistant Account at the Office of the President.

Persaud holds a BSc. in Economics, a Graduate Diploma in Development Studies and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Guyana, and is currently pursuing an International Master of Business Administration at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate

Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Thomas

Ministry of Housing and Water, PS Andre Ally

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, PS Shannielle Hoosein-Outar School of Business. He previously served at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards as the Head of the Finance Department and earlier at the Ministry of Finance as an Economic and Financial Analyst II, in the Budget, Fiscal and Monetary Division.

Hoosein-Outar holds a BSc. in Business Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations from the University of Guyana.

She previously served as the Development Manager at Massey Guyana Limited.

Ally holds a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business and several professional IT Certificates.

He served at the CH&PA as the Head of ICT from 2008 to 2017 and at Ansa McAl, as the Country Manager and later its Regional Manager.

Kuppen is a former two-

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, PS Sharon Hicks

term elected Councillor of the Georgetown City Council, and previously served as a Corporate Management Officer at an international company abroad for many years and a Commissioned Officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Roopchand-Edwards is an economist by training and previously held the position of Principal Academic Engagement Officer within the Office of the Deputy ViceChancellor, at the University of Guyana. She previously taught out of the Department of Economics, University of Guyana and also served as a Director on the Board of the Bank of Guyana and a member of its Audit Committee. She also served on a number of other Boards and Committees including the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) among others.

Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins

Ministry of Public Works, PS Vladim Persaud

Ministry of Labour PS, Bishram. S. Kuppen

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, PS Sharon Roopchand-Edwards

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Friday October 09, 2020

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

Sustaining Creativity The news has been filled the past two weeks with nurses in the public health system protesting for allowances and better benefits, considering the critical role they play in fighting COVID-19 and the considerable risk they face in doing so.

Just as the healthcare worker is critical to our physical health during this pandemic, the creative worker is critical to our mental health.

Who can say that they have weathered the lockdown without the considerable help of the products of the creative imagination, whether we are talking about movies or books or music or some other form of art?

Technology has served over the past half year to bring arts and entertainment – products of the creative mind – to us at a time when we would have otherwise been cut off from them. Increasing connectivity, and hopefully soon speed, to the Internet in the past few months has brought home to Guyanese the concerts we could not go to, the movies we would have watched at the cinema, the arts shows we would have visited.

This year has taken a toll on the creative community, both locally and internationally, both incidentally and as a direct result of the pandemic. From the death of legendary Dutch-American guitarist Eddie Van Halen last week from cancer to that of Guyanese master of letters, Michael Gilkes from COVID-19 complications earlier this year, the international creative community has been critically diminished. Moreover, the global creative economy – one which in the pre-COVID era had seen more growth than the petroleum industry – has been harder hit than most sectors.

The new Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson has started off with the relatively solid first step of a virtual concert featuring some of Guyana’s best and brightest musical acts and featuring at least one talented young visual artist, an initiative that he has been reported as saying served the dual purpose of keeping a focus on local creative talent as well as providing some small but necessary economic assistance to the artists involved. As commendable as the gesture is, Minister Ramson has to understand that this is an initiative that has to be properly structured, consulted on and expanded upon for the new budgetary year.

The reality is that the creative community and economy that was stagnated in the pre-2015 era under the previous avatar of the PPP/C in government, began a considerable descent under the APNU+AFC in government, with initiatives like the Guyana Prize for Literature and the National Drama Festival crudely phased out without rationale or excuse. A creative arts grant that was budgeted for in the final year of the Granger government was incompetently executed and has had little or nothing to show in terms of impact on the creative community. And then COVID came and changed everything. The Minister therefore is starting on a deficit when it comes not only to creative arts development but on developing and sustaining the creative community and economy.

The perhaps ironic thing is that at this time when the creative community is harder hit than it has ever been in this country, it has also responded with resilience and, of course, creativity. Charmaine Blackman and Bonny Alves, Guyanese entertainment icons of an admittedly older generation were the first this year to use social media streaming technology to throw a virtual concert that attracted tens of thousands of views in one night. We’ve seen musicians like Poonam Singh, Jackie Jaxx and Samuel Medas turn to the internet to market themselves even more, and creative entrepreneurs like Clinton Duncan use new media to bring out the best of social media’s collaborative potential.

If we are to emerge from this crisis, mentally, physically and economically whole, we cannot do so without focusing, developing and sustaining the creative sector. With strong state sector policy guidance as well as a carefully crafted and sustainable economic stimulus, the creative community in Guyana can and should rightfully take its place in creating the future that our citizens deserve.

Disastrous oil deals for Guyana must be renegotiated – no retreat no surrender DEAR EDITOR, Regardless of which political party is in power, the obnoxious and detestable two percent contract between the Government of G u y a n a a n d E x x o n ’s subsidiary and its partners, is deemed to be un-negotiable by the government.

Irrational and sad! As it is clear to anyone who is intent on negotiating a fair agreement for Guyana, basic common sense and a little courage is needed to repair the sell-out oil agreements, which corner and rip-off the oil resources belonging to the Guyanese people.

Renegotiate the contract for a Royalty of 15 percent, not retreat or surrender or put blinders on to avoid and hide from the disrespectful terms of an amputated and contemptible contract.

Using slippery jargon and promises to hoodwink the people of Guyana does not change the reprehensible terms contained in the Production Sharing Agreement/s.

All the fanfare and twisting and untwisting of words will not change the

underlying and fundamental problem with this parasitic contract, which sucks the livelihood out of our people, especially the poor and extremely poor.

A referendum is not needed to determine that the contract is disadvantageous and an embarrassment to Guyanese. Are we going global to determine whether two percent royalty is acceptable? Having such a referendum will only add insult to injury. It’s like having a referendum to decide if 33 is a majority of 65. Exxon’s abuse of the Guyanese people with this punitive and wicked contract that was literally served on our subservient Cabinet members has not been overtaken by any positive developments for Exxon or Guyana. Instead, it seems the Exxon has received the Dutch Curse:- oil prices fell to record lows, Exxon reported record losses for January to June of 2020, the company has been removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Index of blue chip stocks after 90 plus years, Exxon’s share price is at

record lows, with their market capitalization dropping from over US$300 billion in 2016 to less than $150 billion in 2020. In addition, COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the company’s oil sales.

I recall writing an open letter to Exxon’s CEO, Darren Woods, appealing to his conscience to free Guyana from this ignoble contract (see March 5, 2018 edition of Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Guyana Times and the Oil & Governance Network, among other publications).

The publications carried varying captions: “Remaining Oil Blocks Should be Marketed only after Exxon Contract is Renegotiated/ExxonMobil Agreement Should be Renegotiated Before New Deals With Other Companies.” The letter among other statements, implored Exxon to give Guyana a fair deal, not the two percent pittance, grandly called a royalty.

An extract from the letter is still relevant: “We in Guyana, with a relatively

small and poor population of between 750,000 and 800,000; now appeal for Exxon’s compassion, mercy and kindness to renegotiate the June 27, 2016 agreement, signed three days before Exxon’s June 30, 2016 announcement of 1.4 billion barrels of oil discovered at another Liza Well in the Stabroek Block. Whether, the representatives of Guyana knew of this 1.4 billion barrel find on that fateful day of June 27, 2016, when the Petroleum Agreement was signed, would undoubtedly have made no difference to the contents of the agreement, as our Government has defended the Petroleum Agreement; strenuously, hoarsely and ad nauseam.

M r. D a r r e n Wo o d s , Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, kindly heed the pleas and prayers of the Guyanese people.”We feel no pleasure in seeing Exxon sink from its decades of glory, let us rise together a with fair agreement, by freeing Guyana from this lynch like contract.

Nigel Hinds

Guyana is a de facto one-party State DEAR EDITOR, More and more, it is becoming clearer that what was feared is now confirmed reality. Guyana is a de facto one-party state. There are some sights of and sounds from something working at being a meaningful opposition, but at which it fails most miserably.

These are the facts and situations, as I glean them.

The Leader of the Opposition seems to lack vision, energy, and drive.

He goes through the motions rather dispiritedly and aimlessly. There is neither zeal nor zest; to those I would add lack of the consummate skills to hold his own, in either offensive forays or defensive positions taken against the government. I sense a leader and group from which the ghost has been negotiated.

I also detect a leader and a group all too willing to relinquish the spirit.

Specifically addressing the concerns about the Hon. Leader of the Opposition did promise defiantly and valiantly to give the government a “tough time” (Demerara Waves, August 26). Very specifically, the then newly minted Leader of the Opposition said, “I will

be in the face of the PPP.” I commend Mr. Harmon for his brave words; they are powerfully devoid of supporting actions. If this is giving trouble then I would welcome such, given my own trials.

I say this because if what leader and party have delivered to date is being in the face of the PPP, then it must be delirious with joy.

PPP leaders must be smirking, while shrugging off the powder-puff storms that originated from the coalition and its leader, and which powdery particles the government uses to dust its nose.The second set of realities that confirm Guyana is, for all intents and purposes, a full-fledged oneparty state is evident in the mannerisms, attitudes, and words of the Hon. Vice President.

On carefully selected occasions, the Vice President goes to lengths to speak darkly (and menacingly) about immensely costly depredations of the previous government. Noteworthy is that the Vice President is always alluding to and threatening, but never delivers.

He prefers to hold his political captives suspended

and worried.

The Vice President talks of billions squandered and worse during the tenure of the coalition government.

Though usually not earned because of scant regard for truth, in this instance, I believe that the government leader is on the money. It is something of which he knows much from long experience.

The Vice President is on to something significant, but before going on, I pause for a quick moment.

I am compelled to identify and address the Hon. Vice President, since he is the one in charge and handling the weighty issues.

I respectfully regard His Excellency’s position as that of a trophy spouse: good and convenient for display purposes, and the best hoped for with fingers crossed.

Returning to the Vice President, I think that he has succeeded in doing several things when he mentions money and the many coalition failures, most likely criminality.First, he alerts the Opposition Leader that the government is in a position to give great trouble to the opposition, and not the other way around. Second, the VP holds those troubles

like the Sword of Damocles over the opposition’s head, and not content with that he ties it like an albatross around the opposition’s neck.

The Opposition Leader, even if he wanted to give trouble (which I doubt), is effectively weighed down, hogtied, helpless. He and his group are victims of the creative destruction they fostered, which now has come back to control them.

Third, the Hon. Vice President is well aware of the lure of the fabulous loot associated with Guyana’s oil.

And, given that the loot is so much, there is readiness to engage the opposition offline and make things happen.

I think shared governance is planned; perhaps, already occurring except that it is not in the manner that I envisioned.

I leave things here and make one request of fellow citizens. They must look for themselves-PPP loyalists, PNC insiders, AFC sidekicks-and analyze and decide if this is not where things are.

With the exception of Mr. Timothy Jonas, most of the new party presences are already (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

There is only one way to deal Curfew violators and street cooking with those who are “hard-ears” at night DEAR EDITOR, Guyana has had its fair share of stigma during the election period and its consequential dogma continues. Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had forewarned before the election recount result was declared that, all those involved in contributing to hindering the smooth election process will have to face the necessary penalty. At that time, a number of guilty parties did not pay attention, ignored his advice and continued to be puppets dancing to the whims and fancies of the PNC/R political masters.

Intelligent people have allowed themselves to be used and abused; act against their better judgement; make irrational decisions; failed to accept right over wrong; condone unrighteous actions over righteous actions; deny truth and embrace lies; support evil doings above virtuous tidings and castigated morality to be shaded by an umbrella of immorality.

A sense of false security had prevailed and yet naïve candidates became vulnerable to inauspiciousness and fell prey to manipulation.

When confronted by a national and international community that was determined to uphold free and fair election and defend the CARICOM recount election result in order to protect the will of the people, how did anyone, in a right frame of mind, expect to escape by aiding and abetting, rigging and defrauding the system?

But the strong affluence of devious, devilish and diabolical persuasions created an ambience of corruption that the gullible readily succumbed to, aware of the costly repercussions yet dazed by the false promises of future gains and the immediate, short-lived, frivolous perks.

In hindsight, was the reckless risk worthy of the unrealistic mirage? So foolish is this sad state of unpleasantness that now has to remain a permanent part of an embodiment and now has to suffer the dehumanizing result! It wasn’t a case of

miscalculation or faith and belief in the destabilizers but simply, the green of greed and the callous disrespect for integrity that influenced a regrettable and disastrous behaviour. Now, this sad state of affairs is dragging all those who are ashamed and want to hide from the long arm of the law, but sadly, they all have to face the legal penalty.

Don’t think for a second that this is “witch-hunting” or being spiteful or it’s pay-back time or a combination of retributions. This award is the reward for the sterling efforts that went astray. Is there a bitter lesson learnt? Are there Guyanese who will once again try to repeat such a horrendous ordeal? For sure, there will be reformation before the next election is held. It is unfortunate that there are still many who feel aghast at this outcome and are bitter with pent up feelings.

There are many who harbour no remorse and many who feel betrayed. Are they now willing and capable of experiencing a change of heart? It was the US Secretary of State who had also cautioned that all those who were complicit in undermining democracy in any form or shape and by any degree will certainly feel the wrath of the law.

The US sanction by way of visa restrictions was certainly welcomed as proof of that promise.

Now we have many of the accused facing criminal charges and others who are wary and worried, watching the clock and the front door, fearful of that long awaiting, dreadful knock. Sleepless and troublesome nights are not a thing of the past.

But then, they told you not to do it, but you insist.

So? “Ole” people say, “now face the music.” Will they see clearly now that the rain has gone? Goodbye Johnny Nash, you have left indelible memories. You did help to revolutionize the rhythm of reggae in the Caribbean.

Music lovers have also lost another musical icon, guitarist Eddie Van Halen. His memorable performance with Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”

from the album “Thriller,” that held the #1 top spot on the musical hit chart for three weeks, will long be remembered. Eddie Halen was specifically chosen by Quincy Jones to assist in its recording and playing the guitar. Unknown by Jackson, Eddie Halen changed a number of chords to enhance that song and when Michael Jackson heard it afterwards, he was overjoyed with exuberance and Michael asked Eddie to perform live on stage with him at concerts.

The US Vice-Presidential debate between Kamla Harris and Mike Pence, has happened. A pensive Mike Pence will have to downplay a tenacious Donald Trump but not offend him and, a raving Kamla Harris will be only too eager to defend and support a determined Joe Biden. Meanwhile, in the NY court, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals broadly rejected Trump’s arguments that the subpoena for records was overly broad and issued in bad faith.

The Manhattan District Attorney can obtain President Donald Trump’s tax returns, a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday, dealing the President another setback in his effort to shield his tax returns from investigators but the case is likely to head to the Supreme Court.

His high-handed attitude in dealing with COVID-19 and personally endangering those surrounding him, plus, his perpetual refusal to declare his tax returns to the public, doesn’t sit well with Americans. He is also being accused of preaching and practising racial discrimination. Three strikes and you’re out.

Election is a few weeks away and his rating is falling rapidly behind Joe Biden. Will the royalists and loyalists in Guyana come forward finally and present their statement of assets and liabilities?

Perhaps, the time is ripe for some more court action.

There is only one way to deal with those who are “hardears.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

DEAR EDITOR, The COVID-19 situation is getting worse in Guyana with more deaths reported and many more cases of COVID-positive turning up every day.

But it seems that the COVID restrictions do not apply to some people who openly disregard the curfew and continue as if there is no coronavirus or no laws.

Every night, there are vendors on the road still selling after the curfew time.

You still have food vendors cooking on the road late at night. In Robb Street for

example, many vendors are still out and selling late at night. One with a tent on Robb Street between Camp Street and Alexander is cooking fish or something with a stink smell when you drive by and he has customers with cars parked there while he is frying God knows what.

It is in the open and the Police or Constables of Council are not doing anything about it. Did they bribe someone to be allowed to violate the curfew and food safety and sanitation laws?

Come on Guyana Police Force and City Council do your job. Business people and residents around the area have complained to the City

Council and Councillors on many occasions but the useless Council does not work at night and they do not work in the day also it seems.

Where are the Police Force and City Constables at nights (so that they can enforce the COVID rules and help to save lives)? Take a drive around the city and you will see many little grouping of people at tent shops in the streets, open shops, cooking and so on and nobody is doing anything about it. How are we going to stop the spread of COVID? As some will say, Guyana is not a real place.

Sincerly, Ronald Gravesande

President Ali must focus on rural commitment DEAR EDITOR, I write to applaud President Ali for his commitment to giving fair and balanced distribution of resources to rural and hinterland areas. The previous coalition regime largely neglected and marginalized rural and hinterland communities resulting in a decline in vote representation from 2015 and its defeat at the March 2020 elections. The PPP, on the other hand, saw an increase in the percentage and number of votes from the rural areas or regions over 2015. Without rural and hinterland support, the PPP would have come up short in the election.

In the past, preceding governments gave preference in investment in urban areas. The rural areas, despite contributing the bulk of government revenues, have remained underdeveloped. The rural communities expect a redirection of resources so that there would be equity and balanced development of villages that were heretofore discriminated against by succeeding APNU and PNC led regimes.

The coalition committed a huge amount of resources to its

base of support in urban areas and selected rural villages, its base of support neglecting other rural communities even though voters in some of them voted for the coalition to put it in government in May 2015. Rural and hinterland areas that are known to support the PPP were not even considered for resources for development.

They lack proper roads and other infrastructure problems.

In addition, unemployment is extremely high and have high suicide and diabetes rates, among other problems.

President Ali has indicated that no community would be discriminated against or neglected. If there is one lesson to learn from the elections of 2015 and 2020, rural areas should not be neglected as it resulted in the PPP losing support and power in 2015 and coalition losing support and power in 2020. Rural and hinterland areas should become a priority because the bulk of the population and the nation’s natural resources, the source of its wealth, is rural and hinterland based. Rural and hinterland people are struggling for employment with the highest proportion of unemployment in the country. Tens of thousands

lost their job during the coalition term in office. Over half the adult population in rural and hinterland areas are unemployed and or underemployed.

Some sixty percent of the population is rural and hinterland based, contributing some twothirds of the nation’s revenues for decades. Yet less than a quarter of the national budget is committed to rural and hinterland areas with the rest going to urban development.

The voters of rural areas account for some 60% of the rural electorate which would be equivalent of about 35 seats in parliament. Yet rural dwellers are assigned just about 20 seats. Rural people have been sorely neglected. The people of marginalized rural and hinterland areas say they deserve their fair share. It is pleasing to read that President Ali’s administration has committed to giving all areas their fair share. The rural and hinterland communities deserve a level playing field and are pleased with President Ali’s commitment to provide resources for rapid development in the marginalized and neglected areas.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

PAGE 6

Electoral fraud being investigated by the police and DPP, at this stage, is unlawful DEAR EDITOR, I had decided that I was not going to comment on the alleged electoral fraud matters currently being investigated by the Police, but as a Rule of Law Advisor and Advocate, it would be a disservice to the institution of justice and the principle of fair trial, if I should any longer remain silent.

Firstly, I wish to state that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are conducting an unlawful investigation which must cease with immediate effect. I can no longer remain silent while people are losing their freedom, without the due process.

Secondly, the DPP, according to the law, cannot take over a private criminal charge as occurred in the private criminal charge that was brought against the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield. According to the law, if a private criminal charge of fraud is brought, as in the case against the Chief Elections Officer, the accuser, is required by law, to present the evidence before the court on bringing the charge, failing which the Magistrate’s only option, is to dismiss the matter.

The accuser is free to bring another charge when the evidence is available, hence, the Magistrate erred, by not dismissing the matter.

I would therefore urge that the lawyers for the Chief Elections Officer, return to the Magistrate and forthwith insist that the matter be dismissed for lack of evidence being presented before the court.

Thirdly, it is unlawful for the Director of Public

Friday October 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Prosecutions to take over the matter(s) in the private criminal charge(s) or to be involved in any investigations into electoral fraud at this point of time. It is also unlawful and premature for the Guyana Police Force to be conducting any investigations into allegation of electoral fraud, at this stage.

According to the law, a competent authority must determine that a fraud was committed. For instance, the competent authority would be the Judge who will be hearing the Election Petition case. It is that Judge who would have to determine that electoral fraud was committed. If the Judge determines that fraud was committed, that then provides a lawful base for the Guyana Police Force and the DPP to take over the matter and conduct an investigation.

Therefore, in the absence of the competent authority so determining fraud, the investigations by the Police and the DPP, is unlawful and should be halted immediately.

Fourthly, the District Four Returning Officer was charged with ‘Misconduct in Public Office’, the arrest and charge of Clairmont Mingo, in my view, is also unlawful. Due process requires the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) conducts an investigation and if a breach is determined, that would constitute the offence of Misconduct in Public Office, then GECOM will hand the matter over to the Police.

In relation to the Chief Elections Officer and the Deputy Chief Elections Officer arrests, first of all, as I mentioned above, any investigation at this stage by

the Guyana Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions into electoral fraud, would be unlawful.

Additionally, any question put by the Guyana Police Force to the Chief Elections Officer, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, and staff of the Guyana Elections Commission regarding the Statement of Polls (SOPs), would also be unlawful. The Representation of the People Act Chapter 103 Section 102 (1) clearly states - ‘The returning officer of each district shall, as soon as practicable after making the return required by section 89 (1) (f) make up in one parcel the packets he has received in pursuant of section 83 (10) (b) and the other papers used at the polling places and in his possession and shall seal the parcel so that it cannot be opened without breaking the seals and deliver it to the Chief Elections Officer’.

Section 102 (2) of the Representation of the People’s Act provides that ‘The Chief Elections Officer shall keep all parcels received in pursuance of subsection (1) in safe custody and, subject to the provisions of this Act and any law made under Article 163 of the Constitution, allow no person to have access thereto’. Article 163 of the Constitution states that the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any question’ on electoral matters.

Therefore, according to the law, the Chief Elections Officer has to confirm to the law relative to the Representation of the People Act 103 Section 102 (1) and (2) and Article 163 of the Constitution. It is unlawful for the Guyana Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions to request that the Chief Elections Officer make available the documents, namely the

Statement of Polls, as stated in Section 102 (1) and (2) above, more so to carry out arrests.

Roxanne Meyers, the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, must be released forthwith from police custody, since she cannot be held on a charge of ‘obstruction of justice’ in a case that is premised unlawfully.

There are two lawful course of actions that can be taken at this stage; one, is the hearing of the Elections Petition, and if the Judge finds that fraud was committed, then the Judge should report that to the Speaker of the National Assembly and may also choose to send same to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who can then lawfully commence an investigation into electoral fraud.

The other option would be for the Government to proceed to conduct the electoral reform process based on recommendations in the reports from the various Observer Missions, for example, the CARICOM Report and the Organisation of American States (OAS) Report; and thereafter, make adjustments in GECOM, based on the findings and recommendations from the electoral reform process and report.

The Guyana Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions must at all times uphold the rule of law and ought not to breach the law in the process of fulfilling the law.

Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas Masters of Jurisprudence, Rule of Law for Development Rule of Law Advisor/ Advocate

Great Momentum!

DEAR EDITOR, It was a pleasure to see that the CEO of GuySuco is financially sound and appreciates doing things correctly to turn around the industry. Refocusing on top line growth and rebuilding the portfolio strategy of the industry is the fundamental strategy building block that has been missing for quite some time.

The reengagement of the military’s core of engineers in the development of the country is an excellent decision being made by the current administration.

We are finally putting to better constructive use the talents of the GDF and the strong minds of our young people.

In the global energy sector, a clean energy company has now matched Exxon’s Market Cap. This is a great indication of the shifting momentum towards sustainability and clean energy development. An area where Guyana can still make

the necessary adjustments to ensure we are not left behind as the world embraces the accelerating growth in clean energy. Mega investors from private equity, pension funds and corporate giants such as Amazon and Microsoft are placing huge bets in the clean energy market. Guyana should leverage its increasing budget to do the same.

The future continues to look exciting for the country and its citizens. Excellence in the execution of key strategic initiatives will mark the difference in how well the country does going forward, and the level of corruption will be the determining factor as to whether we are a below to average economic performer or an above average to excellent economic growth engine.

Many of us hope for the latter.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Ryhaan Shah responds to Freddie Kissoon DEAREDITOR, I am hereby replying to Freddie Kissoon’s attempt to smear me as a “racist” in his “Kaieteur News” column of October 8, 2020.

Let me say that I am extremely tired of Guyana and that the likes of Kissoon is allowed by a news outlet to say whatever he likes without any of the responsibility that comes with the freedom of speech granted him by a democracy.

It is very evident that democracy cannot guarantee civil discourse.

I am very proud of my heritage, my ethnicity and my culture, as Kissoon points out. My right to all of it is enshrined in the Guyana Constitution and the UN Human Rights Charter.

Asserting those rights at moments when you and your family are under attack for your ethnicity is not only instinctual to survival but is just and necessary and in no way stands in contradiction to my moral and principled sense of being which has been instilled in me by my religion,

culture, and my familial relationships.

Oppression must be resisted along the lines on which it is being imposed and world history continues to witness the struggles of peoples who stand courageously for their race, culture, or beliefs against oppressors.

By Kissoon’s simpleminded logic, the protestors around the world in the “Black Lives Matter” movement are all racists since they are allowing their race to determine how they see the world.

Kissoon’s column was written to criticise an African Guyanese woman who had written to justify the recent attempts to rig the March general election.

He threw my name into the mix gratuitously to make himself, I suppose, an equal opportunity basher who likes to spew his particular brand of miasma whenever presented with a chance no matter how flimsy and out of context it might be.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

...Guyana is a de facto From page 4 absorbed in the PPP apparatus and made happy. The government, opposition, and fresh faces are happy. Civil society is happy. The Americans are happy. The only unhappy people around are the

Chinese, Venezuelans, and me. I may not matter, but I plan to tell it as I see it and let all the political powers go from there in this one-party Guyana.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Friday October 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 09, 2020

Preliminary assessment completed on infectious diseases hospital - orders already placed for equipment

By Felecia Valenzuela The team tasked with conducting a preliminary assessment on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention at Liliendaal has completed the commission, paving the way for the facility to be outfitted with the relevant medical equipment.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony said the Government is hoping to get the facility up and running as soon as possible. However, most of the equipment

needed would have to be imported.

“We are working with the supplier to be able to bring that into Guyana,” Dr. Anthony told DPI. The Minister said the order has already gone out.

“We want to equip [it] to make sure it functions like a hospital and we have ordered all the equipment to ensure we have diagnostic facilities … that we will be able to set up an ICU. We are looking at 29 ICU beds there. We have a

theatre there that we want to equip as well so that if there is any need for us to operate on anybody, we’ll have the conditions there to do that,” Dr. Anthony said.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e installation of medical gas supply lines which is needed for the ICU, would begin soon.

Apart from this, Dr. Anthony said approximately 21 ventilators should arrive in Guyana by next week.

These machines are specifically for the

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention facility Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit and other regional health facilities.

“We had placed an order to bring in ventilators because one of the big challenges with COVID-19 patients is that they would need ventilation and therefore ventilators become one of the necessities. We will be

adding some more to GPHC and sending the rest t o d i f f e re n t re g i o n a l hospitals. The [Indian Government] had given us US$ 1 million and we used part of the money to buy 21 ventilators,” Dr. Anthony explained.

The first five ventilators which arrived in Guyana early last month were installed at the GPHC. The Government was also

awaiting the arrival of personnel from Canada to certify its biohazard cabinets. These cabinets are the primary containment barriers used when working with infectious agents.

Once the cabinets are certified, the hospital’s testing capacity, especially for COVID-19 will increase tremendously, the Minister said.

(DPI)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 09, 2020

PAGE 09

Protection of reputation vs. suppression of the facts

G

u y a n a ’s l i b e l laws need changing. They are undemocratic. For too long these laws have been used to stifle free expression.

For too long, libel suits have been used as a ruse to suppress the public’s right to information and to prevent the media from exposing corruption and other forms of malfeasance in public office.

Democratic government assumes that governments derive their authority via the consent of the governed. It is for this reason that free and fair elections are held so that the people can give their consent to be ruled.

It is also an essential aspect of government that the people are entitled to know what their government is doing. Without this right, the people would not be able to make informed decisions and therefore give an informed consent to their rulers.

Freedom of expression also guards against possible abuse of power by government officials.

People, however, can only hold their governments in check and accountable to the extent that they enjoy the right to know what their government is doing.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right because it mediates the relationship between the governed and the government.

It is limited, however, in that the right does not enjoy constitutional protections when it is used to unfairly and maliciously disparage the character and reputations of others. However, protection of persons’ reputation cannot be viewed as equal or as primary as the right to free expression. It remains a mere limitation of the protections

enjoyed by virtue of that right.

The right of the media to expose public corruption and wrongdoing is part of the protected right of freedom of expression. The media stands in the vanguard of protecting tyranny and by ensuring that government is held accountable. Without this safeguard, the people would not be able to receive information by which to give their informed consent. As such, the right of the media to expose wrongdoing is linked not only to freedom of expression but to the consent of the governed. It is an essential aspect of democratic government.

Unfortunately, libel actions – done in the name of protecting the reputations of public officials – have become a weapon against exposing public corruption.

No sooner does a public official feel that his or her actions will become liable to public censure or other adverse publicity, that that person files a libel action, not so much to protect his or her reputation but as means of suppressing the public’s right to information.

We have had a long history of such actions in Guyana. Libel actions have killed many a story within the media. No sooner does a story emerges which could question the actions of public officials, that an action is filed in the courts calling for an injunction to be placed in further publication until such time as the libel action is heard. The injunctions neutralize any further revelations of wrongdoing.

In some jurisdictions, notably in the United States, public officials are held to higher standard when it

comes to libel. In cases where public officials are bringing libel actions against others they have to prove that the person making the offending statements did so with knowledge that it was false or was reckless in not determining whether it was true. That is, public officials are required to establish actual malice.

Today, it has become customary for public officials to claim that some publications have impugned their reputation.

But reputation? The claim of harm to one’s reputation should not be entertained when dealing with scoundrels or crooks – white or blue collared. If a public official is engaged in wrongdoing or even misadventure that person ought to be ashamed of seeking refuge in libel.

A person should not be the arbiter of their own reputation.

Your reputation is the beliefs and opinions others hold about you. How then can someone suing determine the extent to which his or her reputation has been impugned?

Public officials who refuse to answer questions from the media should be disqualified from seeking protection under the country’s libel laws. If these officials were more open with the public, then there would be no need for them to sue for libel.

Those suing should be required to establish malice.

It is unreasonable for a defendant to be asked to disprove that what they published was not done out of malice. The burden of proof should be on the claimant. Why is it, if you

Dem boys seh...

Snatch-and-run on the increase A woman borrow G$10,000 yesterday. She put it in her purse and den put de purse in she bag. By de time she reach two corners away, somebody snatch de bag and run.

Dis is wah happening all over de place. Criminals snatching and running. Dem doing to de people wah dem see dem farrin company doing to de government.

Dem farrin company snatching we wealth and running. And leffin we poorer.

Dem nurse bin protest fuh a miserly monthly $5,000 risk allowance. Dem wan be considered as frontline workers even

though nat all ah dem treating COVID patient. But is suh when yuh see yuh mattee get something. When yuh neighbour buy new blinds, you does want change you own to.

Dem nurses protesting de wrong thing. Dah $5,000 wah dem fighting fuh every month can’t even buy a large bottle of sweet drink every day.

Dem should be protesting and asking wah happen to de US$55B wah bin leff pon de negotiating table.

If we bin get dat money, de nurses nah gat to worry about risk allowance. Dem nah even gat to worry about

wukkin. Dem could stay home and receive dem cash grant envelope every month.

We would have been able to hire nurses from outside of Guyana if we bin get dat money.

And all of we could ah kack up we foot and relax all day.

But we fighing fuh de wrong thing. And we fighting de wrong people.

We fighting with each other rather than fighting fuh a better deal from dem farrin company wah snatching and running away with we wealth.

Talk half and hold on tight to yuh bag when yuh walking pon de road.

accuse me of speaking an untruth about you, is it up to me to prove that the statements were true and published without malice?

Without transparency in government, there can be no democracy.

Transparency involves the public right to information, including information about wrongdoing in government.

And without free expression, the public’s right to know is compromised.

The country’s libel laws need reforming so as to promote greater rather than less press freedom. The revision of our libel laws should aim at preventing libel suits from being used to suppress information. It is a time for a debate on revamping Guyana’s libel

laws.

(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 09, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Guerrilla warfare inside the PNC: Jagdeo saves Volda Lawrence

J

oe Harmon and David Granger have suggested that the ruling PPP and the PNC open dialogue on inclusive governance. PPP leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, gave a realpolitik response. Jagdeo contends that he cannot accept dialogue with the PNC because it is questionable that Granger and Harmon are the recipients of majority wish in the PNC. He pointed to the dispute within the PNC with its chairman, Volda Lawrence, who is in fact the elected deputy to Granger and not Harmon.

Harmon told Jagdeo that what goes on inside the PNC is none of his business.

Jagdeo persisted with his realpolitik position that an agenda with inclusive

politics in it with Harmon and Granger could be a leadership ploy. Is Jagdeo’s strategy correct? The answer is yes for one central reason.

If the PNC’s leadership has factions vying for positions that could see the removal of both Granger and Harmon then the inclusive agenda could put Lawrence at a disadvantage.

The anti-Lawrence faction could claim plaudits from PNC constituencies putting them in an advantageous position for when the warfare heats up.

One could go back to the competition for leadership between Granger, Faith Harding and Carl Greenidge in 2010 during Robert Corbin’s captaincy of the PNC. Corbin was promoting books that Granger wrote

and highlighting other things about Granger. Harding took umbrage at Corbin’s attitude because she said it puts Granger in the limelight that could influence the way delegates would vote.

Because of those actions by Corbin and because Granger beat his nearest rival, Carl Greenidge, who lived 20 years out of the country after 1992 by 12 votes, Harding went to her grave contending that the 2010 leadership contest was rigged in favour of Granger.

Jagdeo is not a silly leader. Obviously, he knew how Granger clinched his apex position in 2010 and he probably feels Granger is trying a thing. If Jagdeo had swallowed the bait, Lawrence would have been devoured. Jagdeo’s posits that a PNC leadership contest

is coming anyway and any inclusive pathway should wait until a definitive leader of the PNC emerges.

Lawrence’s demotion as Opposition Leader will surely have consequences.

It has never happened before in Guyanese politics except in one circumstance Desmond Hoyte’s expulsion of Hamilton Green. In the case of Jagdeo’s elevation over long-serving stalwarts, that is not similar to what happened to Green and Lawrence.

In the situation with Jagdeo, it wasn’t PPP leader Janet Jagan that ruled on her own that Jagdeo be made president. A number of stalwarts couldn’t agree among themselves so Jagdeo emerged as the consensus candidate. The confrontation between Green and Hoyte is identical with Granger and Lawrence. Granger may research the stratagems Hoyte used to get rid of Green. I believe the PNC in the coming months will see a replica of the Green/Hoyte war.

Green contended that Hoyte sold out Black people by agreeing to free and fair election through the pressure of a White American - Jimmy

Carter. Green then went around Guyana badmouthing Hoyte with the intention of removing him.

Hoyte used the colossal oneman structure of political parties in Guyana to expel Green.

Lawrence has used the same argument that Green invented against Hoyte. The explicit expression in the PNC and AFC was that they will not demit office despite sanctions and press the international community to secure exigent dialogue for inclusive governance. But on the last day of July, Pompeo called Granger, read the riot act to him, and Granger found himself facing the very book Lawrence had in her hand that Green threw at Hoyte.

What is the difference between the fight between Green and Hoyte and Lawrence and Granger?

Green has used extreme vocabularies over a period of time to denounce Hoyte.

Lawrence has not done that.

Secondly, by the time Hoyte was ready to guillotine Green, the PNC that Green owned and controlled was gone.

From 1986, Hoyte deBurhamized the PNC so

Frederick Kissoon Green had lost all his crude, cruel underlings that did his dirty work for him. This is the opposite in the current PNC. The PNC under Granger is the same PNC that Lawrence had enormous influence in long before 2010.

Granger does not have the reach in the totality of PNC delegates to call a leadership confabulation and oust Lawrence.

On the contrary, if the leadership meeting is called and if it is free and fair, Lawrence is going to beat any PNC big-wig that challenges her including Granger and Harmon.

At the moment, guerrilla warfare is spreading inside the PNC and Lawrence has escaped some snipers on the rooftop because Jagdeo saved her. She lives to fight another day.

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

Friday October 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 09, 2020

Man, 60, starts trial for murdering GPHC dispatcher girlfriend

T

he trial of sixty year- old, Alan Sim commenced yesterday, five years after his alleged dispatcher girlfriend and mother of his child. Sim, nicknamed Cayenne of Paradise Housing Scheme

East Coast Demerara joined the High Court proceedings via zoom from the Lusignan Prison for the 2015 murder of 32 year-old, Melissa Skeete.

Skeete, a dispatcher attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) was allegedly stabbed several times about her body on Carmichael Street in the vicinity of The Bishops’ High School and the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre November 23, 2015. The

incident is said to have occurred in the daytime while children were still at school.

Based on reports, on the day in question, Sim showed up at the woman’s workplace in his motorcar and picked her up. Sometime later, Skeete was found lying on the roadway in the vicinity of Carmichael Street, Georgetown bleeding profusely from several stab wounds. She died while receiving treatment at the GPHC. Sim pleaded not guilty yesterday to the charge before a mixed twelvemember jury and presiding Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court.

His trial commenced with Senior State Counsel, Tuanna Hardy presenting the facts of the case and calling at least three witnesses to the stand including two policemen and a cousin of the deceased.

The first witness, Skeete’s cousin told the Court that she knew both the accused and the victim and that they shared a relationship which resulted in a child. According to the witness, the relationship between her cousin, Melissa and the accused had soured and the couple would end up in constant arguments.

Given her testimony about the relationship the two shared, attorney representing Sim, Adrian Thompson questioned the witness as to whether she had observed any cut marks about Skeete’s body –the woman told the Court that she could not recall seeing

Accused: Alan Sim called ‘Cayenne’. any marks on her cousin.

Another witness, police officer Tyrone Williams, testified to accompanying relatives of the victim to the mortuary where he witnessed the post mortem examination.

He told the Court that he co-signed to the information produced at the conclusion of the autopsy. Michael La Cruz, an amputee security officer attached to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, located on Carmichael Street, Georgetown gave the Court his account of the incident, which occurred in proximity to his place of work.

La Cruz said that he was seated in a security hut not too far from the entrance of the centre when he heard children screaming.

The man said that he looked out his security hut and saw a group of children clad in their uniforms running towards the centre;

Murdered: Melissa Skeete they were students of the other schools located nearby, The Bishops’ and St. George’s High Schools.

He explained that the school had just dismissed and many children, including those with disabilities attached the Ptolemy Reid Centre, were waiting to be picked up.

The witness told the court, “After I heard the screaming, I looked to see what it was…

I saw a lady running from the direction of Church Street. She fell face down in front the lamp post by the gutter near the front of the building.”

La Cruz noted however that he did not venture outside the compound to see what happened to the woman because he was too occupied trying to calm the children with disabilities who were standing outside the centre.

“I couldn’t help her. I had (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Friday October 09, 2020

Bicycle lanes to be implemented to reduce road deaths – Minister Edghill

M

inister of Public Works, Hon. Juan Edghill, said that the government will be allocating funds in the 2021 budget to construct bicycle lanes in order to reduce road deaths among pedal cyclists and pedestrians.

This was revealed on We d n e s d a y d u r i n g a television programme, “Road Safety & You” in commemoration of Road Safety Month.

The observation is usually in November but due to the increase in road fatalities this year when compared to same period in 2019, the launching of Road Safety Month 2020 was brought forward. The launch was hosted by the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

A c c o r d i n g t o information from the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department, for the period January 1, 2020, to October 6, 2020, Guyana recorded a 51% increase in deaths from 37% increase in road accidents, with 103 accidents resulting in the death of 112 persons. During the programme, Minister Edghill stated that as a result

Minister of Public Works, Hon. Juan Edghill of the increase in road deaths, the government has begun to step up its road safety efforts. The Minister further explained that there has been a 17% increase in pedestrian deaths in 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019.

He added, “In the 2021 Budget, we will be allocating funds to allocate bicycle lanes where the space is available, highway lighting, improving the geometry of the critical sections of our roads, in addition (to) traffic signs, traffic signals, and the construction of pedestrian overpasses and walkways.”

According to Minister

Edghill, there are certain areas that need to be addressed; the use of alcohol while driving, speeding, overworked drivers, carelessness, use of cellular phones while driving, playing while driving, lane driving, selling and buying at the road corner, and texting while driving.

“When it comes to road safety, it must not only be the harm it will do to others, we have to start getting the message of what it will do that undisciplined road user,” the Minister stated.

According to the GPF traffic statistics, road fatalities are more prevalent with motorcyclists between ages 17-24, and the highest age range of persons involved in fatal accidents are between 25-42 years old.

Most of these fatalities occurred mainly on Saturdays and Sundays between 18:00hrs and 00:00hrs, and are caused by speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The GPF has called on drivers and motorists to desist from speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol on the roadways and to adhere to all road safety rules and guidelines, to help reduce the high number of road fatalities.

PAGE 13

Local Content Policy must be hinged on realistic assessment of company’s needs vs. what nation can supply – expert

A

s Guyana continues its efforts to develop a robust Local Content Policy, Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Va l e r i e M a r c e l h a s cautioned that the document would not be effective if it is not hinged on a realistic assessment of what the oil companies and its subcontractors need versus what the nation can supply.

During her most recent appearance on Kaieteur R a d i o ’s p r o g r a m m e , ‘Guyana’s Oil and You’, Dr. Marcel said that this step is one that countries do not do diligently.

The industry expert offered that, “There are challenges in doing it because to get a good visibility of what the company will require, the company first has to share that information with the government. Many times the companies don’t; they don’t share a gradual view of precisely how many welders

Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel that they will need by year.”

Dr. Marcel added, “So, i t ’s d i f f i c u l t f o r t h e government to prepare, to tell universities that we will have 300 welders in this year of the project so get them ready with this kind of qualification.”

Even though there may be difficulty in bridging the gap, Dr. Marcel strongly advised that there has to be very good communication

between the company, the vocational centres and the universities while adding that there needs to be a platform of some kind for that to happen.

She has also noted that the assessment for skills in country as well as for the supply chain should not be a one-off activity before the policy is drafted, but, rather, a continuous one. ”I emphasize this,” Dr. Marcel said, “because the situation will be evolving. I think it is an ongoing commitment to having a good picture of what’s available in Guyana, so the government can turn to the companies and say, ‘I think you can do more.’ Or, ‘I understand that this target would have been too ambitious and we’re not quite there yet.’

How can we get there?

How can we bridge that gap?”

The Chatham House fellow said that there needs (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

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Friday October 09, 2020

Four more to testify in Gary ‘Crack’ gets 10 years for killing of Mahaica rice farmer Best dangerous driving trial Former murder accused, Paul James was yesterday sentenced to serve 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Mahaica rice farmer, Hardat Kissoon.

James called ‘Crack’ of Lot 59 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Georgetown was sentenced to jail by Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court after he pleaded guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter for the June 01, 2015 unlawful killing.

According to facts of the case, Kissoon, a Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara rice farmer was shot and killed while he was a passenger in a minibus that was travelling along with the University of Guyana Access Road, Greater Georgetown.

The father of three was reportedly shot dead by a bandit, who was posing as another passenger – Kissoon had just joined the bus after leaving a city bank with $500,000.

It was reported that the bandit had asked the driver to stop so he could get off. He then held Kissoon at

Hardat Kissoon gunpoint and demanded the bag containing the cash. The bandit shot the farmer to his chest before escaping on a CG motorcycle with an accomplice. Kissoon’s body was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was officially pronounced dead.

James has previously admitted that he was the “spotter” and that he alerted his accomplices after spotting Kissoon at the city bank. Two other men,

Sherwin Trotman and Kirk Clarke, were also charged with Kissoon’s murder.

However, both of them died when a fire destroyed the Camp Street Prison back in 2017.

The judge ordered the prison authorities to deduct from the sentence the time James spent on remand from October 2015. The former accused was represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson. His case was presented by State Counsel Tuanna Hardy and Tyra Bakker.

Paul James called crack

F

o u r m o r e witnesses are expected to testify against Former Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Gary Best, in the trial for his dangerous driving charge in relation to the death of national cyclist, Jude Bentley, who was killed in February of this year.

The trial commenced on Tuesday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Rondell Weever.

Yesterday when the matter was called, three witnesses continued their testimony.

The three witnesses are: two police officers and one civilian witness. After the witnesses testified, M a g i s t r a t e We e v e r adjourned the matter to today’s date and October 13, 2020. According to Best’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes, on those dates, the prosecutor is expected to call four more witnesses to testify against his client.

The People’s National Congress (PNC) Executive M e m b e r o f 1 0 8 Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, was slapped with two charges, driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of the national cyclist.

On his first court appearance, he was released on $500,000 bail. He was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which stated that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Georgetown, he drove motor vehicle PRR 8182 in a manner dangerous to the

Dead: National Cyclist, Jude Bentley

Charged: Former Chief-of-Staff, Gary Best

public thereby causing the death of Bentley.

Best was also charged in the traffic court for driving under the influence of alcohol.

He denied the charge, which stated that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Georgetown, he drove motor vehicle PRR 8182 while his blood alcohol level was at 0.85 micrograms.

Best was granted selfbail on that charge and released on his own recognizance.

On a previous hearing of the matter, the court learnt that Best served his country for nearly 35 years and that he also served as a presidential advisor, a member of the Legal Aid Clinic and is the recipient of a Medal of Service.

Kaieteur News has reported that the accident

occurred at around 5:00 am on February 8, 2020. Jude Bentley was struck by a black Land Cruiser which was being driven by Rear Admiral (ret’d) and Former Chief-of-Staff Gary Best.

Reports indicate that Best and Bentley were heading in the eastern direction when the former slammed into the cyclist, taking down a utility pole located on a median at the same time.

According to the facts of the charge, a breathalyzer test was conducted on Best moments after the accident and it revealed that he was over the legal limit of alcohol which is 0.35.

Best was asked to lodge his passport and to report to the Traffic Headquarters once per month at 9am to the Officer-in-Charge until the completion of the matter, as conditions attached to bail.

Friday October 09, 2020

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Bajan vessel busted with 150 pounds of ganja at city wharf The seized marijuana

…six crewmen arrested

The vessel on which the cannabis was found.

A

marine vessel CV 1, registered in Barbados, was on Wednesday busted with over 150 pounds of suspected cannabis at one of the wharfs located in Georgetown.

According to information reaching this media house, the drug bust was made in a joint operation carried out by ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and a foreign investigating body.

The officers have since detained the six crewmen who were found on board.

Sources close to the investigation told this newspaper that two of the detainees are from Guyana, while the others are Barbadian nationals.

In a press release sent out

by CANU, it was stated that the vessel was being loaded at the GNIC wharf, Georgetown

when ranks decided conduct a search.

The CANU statement detailed that during the first search on Tuesday, a cargo of vegetables inclusive of coconuts, pumpkins and plantains were found on board.

On the following day, however, ranks discovered the drugs neatly packed and stashed in a concealed section.

The statement also revealed that the vessel was destined for Barbados but is believed to have been docked at the Georgetown wharf for several weeks for repairs.

Investigators estimate the street value of the marijuana in Barbados to be around US$4,000 per pound. At this price, according to sources, the bust might be worth at least US$600,000.

Man, 60, starts trial for...

From page 12 the children to look out for,” he said.

Further, the security guard told the court that he could not make out what clothes the woman was wearing because it appeared to be covered in blood.

“There was blood from her neck running down,” recalled La Cruz.

Meanwhile police detective, Hamlet Da Silva testified to witnessing the identification parade, which Sim took along with other suspects with similar stature and features. The police witness claimed that during the parade, someone identified Sim as the person responsible for the crime. The trial is continuing.

Local Content Policy must be hinged on ...

From page 13 to be a commitment to an ongoing analysis of supply and demand while finding a way for the company to give key information on its needs. “They may not want to give a very detailed view of what they’ll need if they haven’t yet made the final investment decision; and further, contacted the service companies to find out who can do what. So, they may not want to commit too much information on that. But I think that the more they give, the better it is for the governments,” she concluded.

The detained crew men.

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Friday October 09, 2020

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COVID-19 cases raise by 37, 16 in ICU

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The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 37 new COVID-19 cases yesterday taking the total number of confirmed cases to 3,329. This information was presented in the Ministry’s daily dashboard update which also states that there are currently 16 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Further, the dashboard revealed that 151 persons are in institutional isolation, 896 are in approved home isolation and 66 are in institutional quarantine.

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A Guyana Police Force (GPF) traffic rank attached to the Brickdam Police Station was busted by top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs for allegedly trying to use extortion as means of obtaining money from a minibus driver.

In a press release sent out by the Ministry, the cop had sent the man home to retrieve his fitness and told him not to return with nothing less than $5000. The statement detailed that the rank was patrolling on a motorcycle and

had pulled over the minibus driver on Wednesday, at the Stabroek Market. He reportedly asked the man to inspect his documents and discovered that his vehicle’s fitness was missing.

Kaieteur News was told that the cop then seized to opportunity to make some quick cash. According to the release, the rank’s action was reported to the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn who instructed his senior Ministry officials to carry out a sting operation.

The transaction between the cop and the man was recorded on camera and serial number of the money photographed. After he was lured into the trap, the officials busted the man and escorted him to the Brickdam Station where he was questioned by senior police officers and an investigation launched.

The rank has since been removed from the Traffic Department and is expected to face disciplinary measures.

In its statement, the Ministry assured that it has zero tolerance for corruption in the GPF.

...Opposition calls for PPP to regularize From page 2 applicants, and of this backlog, the coalition managed to clear 7,479 cases. She explained that of the 7,479 cleared - 7,089 persons were given house lots and the remainders were given housing units.

Ferguson expressed that

the APNU+AFC had a fourprong policy for housing that includes reorientation, resources, regularization, and regionalization.

She stated that the reorientation was to give priority to the housing needs of lowincome earners, particularly low-income public servants

desirous of becoming firsttime homeowners.

The resources would have provided for holistic needs like education, electricity, fire protection services, health, worship, human safety, recreation, roads, sanitation, streetlights, and water.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 09, 2020

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If conditions change dramatically, Trinidad renegotiation of oil deal is PM says… a reasonable demand I

t is important to maintain the sanctity of contracts, like Production Sharing Agreements signed by Governments with oil and gas companies.But what is more important is ensuring that the citizens of a country receive value for the exploitation of the resource.

If conditions become so different that the people aren’t benefiting as much they should, then renegotiation is reasonable.

That is the opinion of K e i t h R o w l e y, P r i m e Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

During Spotlight on Energy, a TV programme, the government initiated to discuss energy issues in Trinidad and Tobago, PM Rowley spoke about the country’s plan to engage the shareholders of Atlantic LNG, a liquefied natural gas

p r o d u c i n g c o m p a n y.

His administration had found that there was a need to discuss better terms and conditions for improved revenue for Trinidad and Tobago from LNG sales. ”There’s a role for the government,” which he said, “is ensuring that the people of Trinidad and Tobago, while being participants in this very lucrative business, get more than crumbs that fall off the table.”

The government of Trinidad a n d To b a g o h a d s e e n willingness by those in the industry, according to Rowley, to negotiate.

He said that, “there’s a willingness not to treat contracts as cast in stone.”

When Rowley’s government assumed office, it appointed a Cabinet Standing Committee on Energy, with the responsibility for managing

the energy sector via Government direction and policy.

This committee studied a report that painted a very discomforting picture for T&T. The report shed light on the country’s declining gas reserves, and the loss of value from LNG sales over the years, compared to other gas producing nations.

The administration had concluded that the sector was in crisis.

With a series of issues facing the sector, Rowley decided that it was necessary to seek renegotiation.

The administration appointed a new board to the National Gas Company of T&T (NGC), after which NGC set out to negotiate new gas supply agreements and remedy other issues, which the sector faced.

On June 6, 2019, Rowley

made a statement on his meeting with those energy companies, at a post-Cabinet press conference.

Rowley said that months of challenging negotiations resulted in a new pricing formula that all came down to better revenue for Trinidad and Tobago, and other quite favourable conditions. ” T h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s Empowered Negotiation team over one year has successfully negotiated a complex deal with two major

energy players, BP and Shell.

The parties went into the negotiations with something of value and found a way forward that gives us all the equitable returns that we are entitled to.”He explained in March 2018 that contracts bind the signees to terms and conditions.

But in this regard, he told the conference that if the conditions in question “have changed so drastically and so detrimentally, then the reopening and renegotiation of contracts is a reasonable demand.”In Guyana, there have been calls from certain sections of the public for renegotiations to Production

Sharing Agreements.

A contention by the Transpar e n c y I n s t i t u t e Guyana Initiative (TIGI) is that the PSA Government s i g n e d w i t h E x x o n ’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) for the Stabroek Block, is “illegal, irretrievably flawed” and “either the result of grand corruption or grand incompetence.”

TIGI stated that the PSA is in contravention with the Constitution and the Procurement Act. The Institute also complained about the lack of (Continued on page 25 )

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Kaieteur News

Gov’t moves to finalize Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commence under the new Government of Guyana, has initiated moves to advance the reform and modernization of the business sector. Against this, the Ministry recently revealed that it is proceeding with the finalization of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill of 2019.

This Bill aims at providing for the facilitation and regulation of secure electronic communications and transactions and for their legal recognition; to promote the development of the legal and business infrastructure necessary to implement secure electronic commerce; and to enhance efficient delivery of governance by public authorities by means of reliable electronic records and electronic filing of documents and for related matters.

Further aiming at ensuring that all the necessary stakeholders have a say in the finalization of the Bill, the Business Ministry has invited public comments on the draft.

Notably, the Bill stipulates that it is bound by the State, except as otherwise provided. It stated that nothing in this Act obliges any public authority to generate, send, receive, store or otherwise process any record by electronic means. However, the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that a public authority may receive and process electronic communications relating to the matters specified in the notice.

Under the legal recognition of electronic communications, it stated that it cannot be denied legal effect, validity, admissibility or enforceability solely on the ground that it is rendered an electronic form.

With regards to the legal recognition of electronic records, the Bill stated that it must

PAGE 25

Oasis Café celebrates 15 years

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commence, Oneidge Walrond. be accepted in electronic form only if it does not exist in its written or printed form. These forms included, but are not limited to making an application; filing, making or lodging a claim; giving, sending or serving a notice; filing or lodging a return; making a request or requisition; making a declaration; filing, lodging or issuing a certificate; making, varying or cancelling an option; filing or lodging an objection or reply; or giving a statement of reasons.

Virtual rally to observe Int’l day of the Girl Child The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be observing ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ on Sunday, October 11 with a virtual rally based on the rights of women and girls.

The programme will include cultural items and feature the sharing of stories of girls and young women who broke barriers. It will culminate in an interactive session, led by Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and young girls drawn from across the country. A programme is also in place to ensure that girls in rural areas and those living with disabilities are included.

The observance is in keeping with Guyana’s overall objective to realise the United Nations Sustainable

Development Goal Five, to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

In an interview, Director of the Gender Affairs Bureau, Adel Lilly said this year’s programme continues the theme started last year to create linkages between partners and stakeholders to equip girls with the resources to occupy their space. The Bureau, which falls within the purview of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, will collaborate with the Childcare and Protection Agency and civil society to advance progress for girls through advocacy, communications and public engagement. The Bureau also hosted two design challenges aimed at helping girls to

The popular Georgetown coffee shop, Oasis Café, is celebrating its 15th anniversary today. Proprietor Nisa Walker said that the establishment that started off on “a slice of cake and a prayer” has made it through many

Director of the Gender Affairs Bureau, Adel Lilly. channel their voices through art. Sunday’s virtual rally will be hosted on Zoom and streamed on television, radio and other social media platforms. This year’s theme for International Day of the Girl Child is, ‘My voice, our equal future - girls breaking barriers ’.

...If conditions change dramatically, From page 23 ring-fencing provisions in the contract.

It stated unequivocally that a document, which is “in breach of international practice as well as local laws” would be “invalid, void and of no effect.”

The current APNU+AFC administration is concerned that renegotiating contracts would scare away investors.

But Tom Mitro, Instructor and Co-Director at the University of Houston, told Kaieteur News that negotiation is quite natural.

Mitro stated, quite frankly, “Exxon will not walk away from Guyana, no matter what.”

He had said that the time to renegotiate is now.

(This article was first published by this newspaper on June 12, 2019.)

challenges to the reach the significant milestone. She expressed thanks to her kitchen and frontline staff, and customers especially, for their contribution to the Oasis success story. (Oasis Café)

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Friday October 09, 2020

UK police officers face misconduct probe over stop of two Black athletes

Bianca Williams. Paul Childs/REUTERS

London (Reuters) - The independent police watchdog said on Thursday it had notified five London officers that they are being investigated for misconduct over the treatment of two Black athletes pulled over in their car in July.

British sprinter Bianca Williams, 26, and her partner, Portuguese 400m record holder Ricardo dos Santos, 25, were stopped while driving from training back to their home in Maida Vale west London.

Williams, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was filmed distressed and handcuffed, with the couple’s baby son in the car, and the incident led to accusations of racial profiling after the footage was widely shared on social media.

Friday October 09, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may feel like you desperately need something, Aries, yet you're unsure as to what it is exactly. Someone close to you may be trying to fit the missing puzzle piece into place.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may want to remedy every situation by talking things out or taking some sort of action. Be careful of making any sudden moves before you really understand what you're feeling.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Compliments are apt to feel like gold to you, Gemini.

There's nothing you need more than love and affection on a day like this.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you find that there's tension in a close relationship, you may get the feeling that this isn't the right partner for you, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) When tension builds, your sense of security is likely to falter. You may have a hard time dealing with other people. You could be tempted to turn to food or alcohol for inner nourishment.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You might have difficulty expressing your needs, Virgo. The bottom line is that there's no right or wrong way, although it may be difficult to see this on a day like today. Deep-seated insecurity may make expressing yourself difficult.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Although you may find it hard to express yourself in some ways, Libra, the one avenue that's completely wide open today is art.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might be feeling rather insecure when it comes to your peace of mind. Because of the insecurity, it may seem like your relationships are on the rocks.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may feel more reserved than usual, Sagittarius, especially when it comes to romantic relationships. You may be feeling apprehensive about expressing yourself fully, even in the most intimate situations.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Be careful about being too boisterous and chipper around people who don't exactly feel the same way.

Be sensitive to other people's feelings, and don't make jokes that are too harsh for the occasion.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your mood should be quite good for the most part, but there's apt to be some tension in your relationships.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's a deep longing to be comforted and reassured, Pisces. You may want nothing more than for someone fix you some warm, homemade soup. If this is the case, feel free to call and ask a good friend to come over, if possible.

London’s Metropolitan Police said an initial review indicated there were no actions by the officers which warranted disciplinary action, but later referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of the “significant public interest” in the case.

“After examination of a range of evidence, five Metropolitan Police officers have been advised they are subject to a misconduct investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct for their involvement in a stop and search in west London in July this year,” the watchdog said.

“The five officers will be investigated for potential breaches of police standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force; duties and responsibilities; and authority, respect and courtesy.”

Both the IOPC and the Metropolitan Police said the investigation did not mean that misconduct proceedings would follow. The officers have not been suspended or put on restricted duties. The incident occurred at a time when tens of thousands of people were demonstrating at Black Lives Matter protests in Britain following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

...Pacquiao ‘at risk’ of being From page 29 cannot fulfill the role of challenger. He is unranked and his boxing record is one fight and one defeat, after he took on Floyd Mayweather in a money spinning bout in August 2017. Pacquiao and McGregor are two of the biggest fighting stars worldwide with ‘Pacman’ an eightweight world boxing champion and ‘Notorious’ the first ever UFC champion to hold two belts in different divisions simultaneously.

If the fight goes ahead, Pacquiao, who is now a Senator in the Philippines, has already confirmed he will donate his earnings to victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

News of the potential impediment to the contest has emerged as McGregor took a break from his holiday in Italy to do a little sparring at La Spezia in the Round Zero boxing gym, posing for pictures with the owner. Meanwhile, Cuban Yordenis Ugas, 34, will be looking on with interest.

He is waiting for his shot at Pacquiao’s title and should the Filipino fighter not face him, he could take the belt without a punch being thrown.

...Mercedes confirm team member has tested positive From page 31 spokesperson has said: ‘We can confirm that a team member has tested positive.

‘This has been handled and is being handled in line with FIA protocols, working closely with the FIA. ‘We ask for your understanding that we won’t be offering additional details.’

The individual in question is not a ‘known individual’ according to the FIA. This term is generally used to refer to public figures in the team, such as a driver, team principal, race engineer, technical director, chief strategist, chief engineer or sporting director.

The F1 season resumed in July with a set of protocols in place to minimise the risk of infection.

Staff are required to test every five days, maintain social distancing using a se-

ries of ‘bubbles’ and wear a face mask while on the premises.

Should an individual contract the virus, they are immediately placed into self isolation with those they have come into contact with.

All parties will be kept in isolation until they test again.

Last week saw F1 announce their highest number of positive tests in a week as 10 individuals contracted the virus following the Russian Grand Prix.

However, those that tested positive were said to be among ancillary personnel rather than those involved in the teams. Racing Point’s Sergio Perez was the last person to have tested positive inside the paddock, returning two positive tests.

As a result he missed the two grand prix at Silverstone in August.

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Kaieteur News

Bairstow 97 seals Sunrisers victory as Pooran’s 77 goes in vain ESPNcricinfo - Support acts. They’re not talked about often in an IPL game. But that was the difference between the two teams in Dubai.

Jonny Bairstow walloped 97 off 55 balls, with his opening partner David Warner chipping in with 52 off 40 himself, to lift the Sunrisers Hyderabad to 201 for 6.

The Kings XI Punjab had Nicholas Pooran in breathtaking form, but his 77 off 36 was an aberration on the scorecard… because their next highest score was 11.

Sunrisers’ bowling was just too good for them.

The domino effect - The Kings XI had a good plan.

Load up on powerplay specialists to attack a topheavy opposition. If only their execution was as good. There were five wides in the first over. Full tosses caressed for four in the second.

Worst of all, they gave

Nicholas Pooran swats one away towards long leg ©BCCI Warner room early in his innings. The Sunrisers captain hit five boundaries

from his first 14 balls and cruised to his 50th IPL fifty.

He brings up one of those

every 2.64 (!) innings.

Heeeeeeere’s Jonny Power. Bairstow has so much of it that it sometimes doesn’t matter what you bowl. The Kings XI tried to use Sheldon Cottrell’s left-arm angle to snag the outside edge, but all that did was offer room to be whacked over the off side.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s mystery spin didn’t work because the batsman played him like a medium-pacer, sitting back in his crease and cross-batting him away. Ravi Bishnoi was hit for 6, 4, 6 in his first over.

Bairstow went to fifty shortly after that, celebrated it by thumping Maxwell for 4, 6, 6 and showed no sign of stopping. Perhaps the best illustration of his form tonight is that he went from 29 to 81 in the time Warner went from 29 to 50. Sure, he had more of the strike but that too was a recognition of his quality. It takes a lot to make Warner play second fiddle.

The redemption of Kings

XI - Before taking their first wicket in this game, Kings XI had gone 219 balls without one. In that time, they’d also carefully gift-wrapped 408 runs to the opposition. Most worryingly, their death bowling has been awful this season, giving up 15 runs an over in the last four.

But as soon as Warner fell everything changed. It felt like there was too little time for even a team like Sunrisers with such a brittle middle order to mess up, but they lost five wickets in four overs to two uncapped Indians legspinner Bishnoi (3-29) and left-arm yorker specialist Arshdeep Singh (2-33).

After being 160 for 0, in the 16th over, Sunrisers finished 201 for 6, with only five boundaries in the last 38 balls.

King of Kings - When Pooran sent the 17th ball he faced into the second tier in Dubai, he brought up the fastest fifty of this season’s IPL. And the coolest thing

about that is, he had told everyone it was coming even before IPL 2020 began.

Pooran got to his landmark as he hit legspinbowling allrounder Abdul Samad for 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, 0. At the time, he had a strike-rate of nearly 300. The rest of his team, meanwhile, managed 33 runs off 35 balls at a strikerate of 94.

How long can one man resist a whole team though, especially one working double-time to win? Priyam Garg had one stump to aim at to run Glenn Maxwell out and he nailed it.

Rashid Khan was stringing together overs that cost no more than three each.

Plus, his googly may well be cricket’s version of a hieroglyph. Very very few are capable of reading it. It earned him a double-wicket maiden in the 15th over. Kings XI slipped from 91 for 3 in the ninth over to 126 for 6 in the 14th. There was no recovering from that.

IOC’s Bach is hopeful overseas fans WILL be able to attend the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year despite the coronavirus pandemic MailOnline - Olympic Games organisers are still working on the basis that overseas spectators will be able to attend the event in Tokyo next summer, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has said.

The Games were postponed by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic and are now scheduled to get under way on July 23 next year. There remains a great deal of uncertainty around how many if any - spectators will be able to watch the action in person due to social distancing measures, but Bach struck a confident tone in a press conference following the IOC’s executive board meeting on Wednesday.

‘We are working on the basis there will be international spectators,’ he said. ‘Again, what we do not know is whether we can fill venues to full capacity or whether other measures would have to be applied.

‘We saw a very encouraging start of some of the sports leagues in Japan with a good number of spectators and then we will have to see again with the additional tools we will have at our disposal next year how we can fill the stadia and how much we can fill the stadia.’

Bach was not prepared to speculate on the prospect of the Games taking place behind closed doors, and pointed to the

success of staging major sports events even amid growing evidence of a second wave of coronavirus infections worldwide.

‘We will not speculate about what will be in 10 months from now, a third or fourth wave or fifth wave, whatever,’ he said.

‘We are seeing that in the last couple of weeks, during this second wave which is obviously under way, that you can organise big and complex sporting events.

‘We are always more confident that at the beginning of next year we can add to the tools for the Covid-19 countermeasures which we will have available. ‘We can add new and even more reliable rapid tests and also a vaccine or vaccines may be available. And this makes both the organising committee and the IOC very, very confident about the opening ceremony on July 23 next year.’

Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said there was no deadline for a decision on whether overseas spectators could attend but said there would be more clarity by December. More than 50 ‘simplification’ measures have been taken to reduce the costs associated with the Games, with Tokyo 2020 organising committee chief executive Toshiro Muto saying they had so far worked out 30 billion Yen (just under

£220million). The format of the opening ceremony will not be touched though, Bach said.

‘It is the showcase for the host country to show its perception of Olympic values and it is the opportunity for the athletes to march in the opening ceremony, belonging to their Olympic team,’ the German added.

‘They are normally followed by more than one billion people around the world and that led to the joint decision with the organising committee that we should maintain the format of the ceremony, while the content may be adjusted one way or the other.

This is first of all in the hands of the artistic director.

‘We may have got a hint in the One Year To Go ceremony which was a very sober but still very emotional ceremony which was very well appreciated. If I was the artistic director I would look into this matter, but I should not give advice over the media.’

The executive board rubberstamped the timescales for the next IOC presidential election.

The new president will be chosen at the 137th IOC Session in spring next year, with the candidature deadline set for November 30, 2020.

The new presidential term will start the day after the closing ceremony of Tokyo 2020, the IOC confirmed.

Friday October 09, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Sofia Kenin to meet Iga Swiatek in French Open final showdown MailOnline - Sofia Kenin will bid for her second grand slam title of 2020 after beating Petra Kvitova to reach the French Open final. The 21year-old was a surprise winner of the Australian Open in January but has already shown that was no fluke with her run here.

She played a hugely intelligent match to defeat seventh seed Kvitova 6-4 7-5 and will take on 19-year-old Iga Swiatek in the trophy decider on Saturday (tomorrow).

Kvitova had hoped to reach her first French Open final three years after making her comeback to the sport in Paris following the horrific stabbing she experienced in her home in December 2016.

She became emotional on reaching the quarter-finals as the enormity of the journey she has been on sunk in and she had not dropped a set prior to this match but struggled in windy conditions.

The Czech was quickly 41 down and, although she improved, she was unable to prevent Kenin winning the opening set. Kvitova, by far the most experienced of the four semi-finalists, put Kenin under pressure early in the

Sofia Kenin is through to her first French Open final after dismantling rival Petra Kvitova @ AP second set but could not find the consistency she needed to break serve.

It was Kenin who forged ahead with a break for 3-2, and she then saved four break points as Kvitova looked to hit back immediately. Kenin had shown grit as well as

New Zealand domestic season to begin on October 19 with Plunket Shield ESPNcricinfo - The New Zealand domestic season will begin on October 19 with the first round of the Plunket Shield followed by men’s and women’s one-day competitions starting in late November.

Four rounds of the Plunket Shield will be played until midNovember then the tournament resumes in mid-March with the last round taking place in the first week ofApril. Other than the New Zealand players involved at the IPL all centrally contracted names are set to be involved in the opening rounds of the Plunket Shield.

The Ford Trophy, the men’s one-day competition, will involve six rounds before the T20 Super Smash starts in December and then resume in February with the final on March 5. The women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield will also include six rounds before the Super Smash with the final slated for March 28.

All the domestic tournaments will follow Covid19 protocols which have been established around the world including a ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball and the umpires not holding players’ caps and sweaters.

“The new rules also allow for the replacement of players

displaying symptoms of Covid19 during a match, with the option for the player to return to the game following a negative result,” NZC head of cricket operations Richard Brewer said.

“These measures will be overseen by the match referee and match officials, and have already been successfully piloted in pre-season warm-up fixtures between domestic men’s sides. “After the impact of Covid19 on the back end of last season, I think we all feel truly grateful to be able to play sport and offer New Zealanders the chance to see so many quality players and matches this summer.

The New Zealand international season is due to begin on November 27 with the first of three T20Is against West Indies which will be followed by two Tests. So far, NZC has been granted government approval for tours by West Indies and Pakistan while they have also announced men’s fixtures against Bangladesh and Australia next year which they are confident will be given the green light.

There is also set to be a visit by the England women’s team in February with the hope that Australia will be able to join to make a tri-series.

guile but suddenly faltered trying to serve out the match, allowing Kvitova to level at 5-5.

She swiftly recovered from the disappointment, though, to earn herself another chance and this time she took it. Kenin is looking

to become the first woman to win more than one slam title in a season since Angelique Kerber won in Melbourne and New York in 2016.

Meanwhile, Polish teenager Iga Swiatek became the youngest player to reach the French Open women’s final in 19 years when she powered past Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 62, 6-1 on Thursday (yesterday).

World number 131 Podoroska, who was looking to become the first qualifier to reach a final at a major in either the men’s or women’s singles draw, had no answer to Swiatek’s powerful groundstrokes and sleek movement on court.

Swiatek had broken serve 27 times en route to the last four stage and added five more to that count before finishing off the one-sided contest on Court PhilippeChatrier in 69 minutes.

Swiatek, the youngest player to reach the women’s final at Roland Garros since Kim Clijsters in 2001, looked to impose herself on the match early and jumped to a 3-0 lead.

She managed to hit through the court well, both off the forehand and backhand, and painted the red clay with

Teenager Iga Swiatek has lost just 23 games en route to her first Grand Slam singles final. (Getty Images) winners. Unable to put up much resistance, Podoroska decided to show more aggression and started coming forward more to cut down the time for Swiatek to hit her big shots. That helped her hold two service games but was not enough to derail Swiatek, who faced just a single break point in the opening set.

Podoroska, who has earned more by reaching the semi-finals in Paris than she had made in her entire career before this tournament,

would have hoped for the tide to turn in the second set, but there was no respite. Swiatek, who will also play the doubles semi-final on Friday (today), kept up the tempo and raced to a 4-0 lead before some nervous errors allowed Podoroska to avoid a secondset bagel with a break of serve.

Yet the Pole, who has lost only 23 games in six matches, broke back immediately and ended Podoroska’s ordeal on the first match point with an unreturned serve.

French Open semi-finals

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman aim to shock Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Stefanos Tsitsipas

Rafael Nadal.

(Getty Images) BBCsport - Stefanos Tsitsipas will attempt to strike another blow for the next generation when he plays world number one Novak D j o k o v i c i n F r i d a y ’s (today) French Open semifinals at Roland Garros.

The Greek, 22, would be the youngest man to reach a Grand Slam final in 11 years if he makes Sunday’s s h o w p i e c e . A rg e n t i n e Diego Schwartzman, 28, faces 12-time champion Rafael Nadal in the first semi-final. Victory would make Schwartzman only the third man to beat Nadal at the event.

Nadal lost to Sweden’s Robin Soderling and Serb Djokovic in 2009 and 2015 respectively, and withdrew

prior to his third-round match in 2016 with a wrist injury. Each of the 34-yearo l d S p a n i a r d ’s o t h e r campaigns, dating back to 2005, has ended with him lifting the trophy.

However, Schwartzman beat Nadal in straight sets on the clay in Rome last month, a result that both admit could have a bearing on today’s contest.

To p s e e d D j o k o v i c , who has won 17 Grand Slam titles, has lost only one of his 37 matches in 2020. That solitary defeat was via disqualification in the last 16 of the US Open when the 33-year-old accidentally struck a line judge with a ball hit in frustration.

That loss apart he was won titles in Dubai, Cincinnati and Rome in the wake of his Australian Open victory. His victory in the United Arab Emirates came via a 6-3 6-4 defeat of Tsitsipas in the final.

Djokovic called for medical assistance in his quarter-final win over Pablo Carreno Busta in Paris, but his Spanish opponent later questioned whether he was actually physically hurt. Tsitsipas insists he is going into the match presuming Djokovic is at full fitness.

Should he win, Ts i t s i p a s w o u l d b e t h e

youngest player to feature in a Grand Slam final since a 20-year-old Juan Martin del Potro won in New York in 2009. The 40 Grand Slam titles in the decade following Del Potro’s win were shared between five men - Djokovic, Nadal, R o g e r F e d e r e r, A n d y Murray and Stan Wawrinka.

H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e signs that the older generation’s stranglehold on the game may be weakening with 27-yearold Dominic Thiem beating 2 3 - y e ar-old Alexander Zverev to win his first Grand Slam last month.

PAGE 32

Friday October 09, 2020

Kaieteur News

Determination and hard work has paid off for Jonathan Fagundes Following a slow and disappointing start to his 2019 season, athlete Jonathan Fagundes recovered well to be crowned champion at the University of Guyana Rotaract Club 5km road race before closing off that season with second place in the annual Aquatic Stars 10km road race.

Fagundes continued his fine from in 2020 with victory in the AAG’s 8km Cross Country race which was held in the National Park, but the season was cut short due to the current pandemic.

However, the experienced Fagundes is eager to get back on track to add to his continuously bulging collection of prizes. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Fagundes, also a former cyclist, recalled how he managed to recover from a disappointing start in 2019 to finish the year on a high.

“My 2019 performance got off to a slow and disappointing start when I placed 5th in the 500metres race at the senior championships and 6th at the Independence Anniversary 10km race. I was shaken by my performances to the point where tears were flowing. I suffered a mental break down; I even wanted to call it quits, but my father being the great mentor that he is, along with my friends and coaches, not forgetting my spiritual advisors gave me fresh inspiration, causing me to go back to the drawing board.”

The motivation he received prompted a spirited return to the track for the multitalented athlete.

“In the latter part of the second quarter of 2019, I was bubbling with enthusiasm.

The Police Sports Club had their time trials for the 5000m and 1500m.

I placed third in both races amongst a field of fierce competitors. My performance at the trials assured me that I

Jonathan Fagundes

got what it takes to be in action with the top distance runners in Guyana, and even regionally. The Suriname leg of the South American 10k was approaching and I decided to travel to Suriname to test my mettle,’’ he stated.

With support from Ambassador Transportation Service, Prims Electrical Service, Shaikan Hotel, Rick’s and Sari, Tiny D’s Clothing and Restaurant, Keman, Key Shop, The Water Store, Hot and Spicy and Juice Power the trip was made possible.

“My venture to Suriname was fruitful, I was the third Guyanese to cross the line and third overall amongst a field with top regional and international distance athletes,” he informed.

Following that event, Fagundes reaped more rewards when he took the runner-up spot in second leg of the South American 10k which was contested in Guyana, a feat that made him ecstatic.

On the heels of the South American Championships

...Lakers to wear Bryant-designed From page 29 COVID-19 hiatus. The uniforms were introduced during the 2017-18 season. Bryant, one of the greatest players of his generation who won five NBA titles during a 20-year career with the Lakers, was killed along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in January.

In addition to the original jersey design, the uniforms also feature a patch bearing the number two, Gianna’s jersey number, inside a white heart. Bryant’s

widow went on Instagram to express her excitement over the jersey choice for the potential series clincher.

“Mamba and Mambacita jerseys approved for game 5,” Vanessa Bryant wrote in post on Wednesday night.

“Let’s go @lakers.”

Should the Lakers win the championship this year it would be the franchise’s first since Bryant led the team to the second of back-to-back titles in 2010 and tie them with the Boston Celtics for most championships in NBA history.

was the Schools National Championships where he shattered the 800m and 1500m Teachers Under-31 National records; the 800m race was done in a time of 1:59:00 and the 1500m event was completed in 4:15:00 which was his seasons’ best.

Meanwhile, Fagundes has extended congratulations to Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr. on his appointment and is looking forward to him working along with the Athletics Association of Guyana.

“I would like to see the young athletes being given an opportunity to voice their concerns about the challenges they face going forward.

I am hoping that the AAG can implement the Masters’ programme so that the younger athletes can look up to the experienced athletes for motivation. The former athletes should be recognised for their achievements.

I would like to encourage Youths to stay in school and to remind them that the sky is the limit.”

He has expressed gratitude to his 77 year-old father Morris Fagundes who is still running and his Mother, Mrs. Riosita Fagundes, Fiancée Malika Thomas, children Leonardo and Layla, the Guyana Police Force Sports Club as well as mentors, Christopher Chin and Amanda Ally.

Fagundes is a Physical Education Teacher attached to the Business School and is also a Personal Trainer. He can be contacted on 642 4714.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 09, 2020

PAGE 33

Lakers to wear Bryant-designed Pacquiao ‘at risk’ of being stripped jerseys for potential title clincher of his WBA welterweight title if he fights McGregor

File Photo: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Danny Green (14) against the Miami Heat in game two of the 2020 NBA Finals. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Reuters - The Los Angeles Lakers will switch to their “Black Mamba” jerseys in honor of the late Kobe Bryant when they seek a record-tying 17th NBA championship on Friday (today).

The Lakers, who lead the Miami Heat 3-1 in the bestof-seven NBA Finals, are 4-0 this postseason when wearing the Bryant-designed

alternate jerseys, which are black with gold trim and feature a subtle snakeskin pattern. Bryant’s nickname was “Black Mamba”.

“It’s always special to represent someone that meant so much, not only to the game but also to the Lakers organization for 20plus years,” Lakers forward LeBron James said after his team wore the jerseys in

Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor have been planning to enter the ring in an eagerly awaited contest, which would also raise money for victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

Game Two of the NBA Finals. “For us to honor him, being on the floor, this is what it’s all about.”

The Lakers had originally planned to wear the jerseys for a potential Game Seven but decided move it up for Friday’s game at Disney World in Florida, where the season resumed in July after a four-month (Continued on page 28)

MailOnline - Manny Pacquiao risks being stripped of his WBA world tile if he goes ahead with plans to fight UFC star Conor McGregor. The eagerly-awaited contest between the legendary fighters has been under discussion since last year and now looks set to proceed in the Middle East, with Pacquiao’s trainer claiming his man will knock McGregor out inside two rounds.

However, according World Boxing News, Pacquiao could lose his welterweight title if he steps into the ring with the UFC fighter for the mouth-watering encounter.

The legendary boxer, 41, won his WBA

welterweight title in July 2019, defeating Keith Thurman, 31, in Las Vegas, but he has been unable to defend the belt since because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The governing body is understood to want Pacquiao to mount a defence within six months, and certainly in 2021, against a ranked challenger, but a bout with McGregor may make that impossible.

McGregor, 32, who obliterated American Donald Cerrone, 37, in his comeback UFC fight in January before announcing his second retirement from the sport in June, (Continued on page 25)

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Giroud overtakes Platini to go second on France scorers list

Friday October 09, 2020

French champion Arnaud Demare also won stage four of the Giro. (Getty Images)

Giroud surpassed Michel Platini to go second on France’s goal scoring list.

Giro d’Italia:

BBCsport - Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud became France’s second-highest goalscorer of all time - surpassing Michel Platini - in a friendly hammering of Ukraine. Giroud, 34, scored twice in the first half to take his tally to 42 on his 100th international appearance, nine adrift of Thierry Henry’s record.

Teenager Eduardo Camavinga, 17, netted the opener on his full debut to become France’s second-youngest scorer. Corentin Tolisso, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann all found the net.

Didier Deschamps’ side also benefited from Vitaliy Mykolenko’s own goal and

although Viktor Tsygankov pulled a goal back for 4-1, the visitors were outclassed in Paris. The thrashing marked the worst defeat in Ukraine’s history, with the side now managed by former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Results from other matches played yesterday: Cyprus 1 Czech Rep 2, Denmark 4 Faroe Islands 0, Estonia 1 Lithuania 3, Malta 2 Gibraltar 0, Montenegro 1 Latvia 1, Luxembourg 1 Liechtenstein 2, Austria 2 Greece 1, Andorra 1 Cape Verde 2, Germany 3 Turkey 3, Italy 6 Moldova 0, Netherlands 0 Mexico 1, Poland 5 Finland 1.

Arnaud Demare wins stage six in sprint finish BBCsport - Arnaud Demare won stage six of the Giro d’Italia in a sprint finish for his second victory of the 2020 race. French Groupama-FDJ rider Demare powered away from Team Sunweb’s Michael Matthews and Astana’s Fabio Felline to win in Matera at the end of the 188km ride from Castrovillari.

D e c e u n i n c k QuickStep’s Joao Almeida remains in the leader’s pink jersey. Britain’s Simon Yates finished in the peloton and remains nearly four minutes behind Almeida. But the

Mitchelton-Scott rider, who lost time on stage three, could narrow that gap, with plenty of climbing in the Italian Alps to come.

Demare, who also won stage four, was one of a reduced bunch after a short but steep climb near the finish. Peter Sagan found himself boxed in and when Demare kicked, the 29-yearold rapidly gapped Matthews and Felline to win comfortably on the uphill finish.

Maglia rosa holder Almeida, who remains 43 seconds ahead of BahrainMcLaren’s Pello Bilbao in

the overall standings, was forced to temporarily stop with 37km to after issues with his radio.

While standing at the side of the road he was then hit by another rider and was knocked to the ground, but was able to remount and appeared to finish the stage without difficulty.

Four riders had earlier f o r m e d a b r e a k a w a y, opening up a 10-minute gap on the peloton, before being caught with about 14km remaining. Friday’s (today) seventh stage is a 143km route from Matera to Brindisi.

Kaieteur News

Friday October 09, 2020

PAGE 35

Lewis Hamilton against plan to build new Rio track in Camboata Forest BBCsport ritain’s Lewis H a m i l t o n opposes plans to hold the Brazilian Grand Prix at a new track in Rio De Janeiro to be built on land that is currently forest.

The Deodoro circuit has agreements with F1 to hold the race but the track has not been built and its construction is facing environmental opposition.

Six-time world

B

champion Hamilton said: “I heard it is potentially going to be a sustainable race.

“But the most sustainable thing you can do is not tear down any trees.”

He added: “I don’t think it’s a smart move. There is a global crisis with deforestation.”

The Brazilian Grand Prix has been held at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit since 1990 but its contract ended this year. Its race has been

cancelled in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus crisis, in which Brazil has been one of the most badly affected countries.

The promoter at Interlagos does not have a good relationship with the new bosses of the sport, the US Group Liberty Media, who are determined not to return to the track.

The Deodoro project, which involves building in the Camboata Forest, has

been backed by Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro but its construction would involve the felling of thousands of trees and requires the approval of environmental authorities.

Bolsonaro’s actions as president have sparked opposition from environmental groups on other matters, particularly what they say is his failure to prevent fires in the worldfamous wilderness areas of

Mercedes confirm team member has tested positive for coronavirus just days before the Eifel Grand Prix MaiOnline - Mercedes have confirmed that a member of their team has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of this weekend’s Eifel Grand Prix.

Mercedes have not revealed the identity of the positive member of their team but it is understood that the case does not involve either Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas.

F1’s world champions say they are following the sport’s protocols and are working closely with the

FIA in the wake of the positive test. Mercedes are also working hard to ensure the positive test will not disrupt Hamilton’s bid to e q u a l M i c h a e l Schumacher’s record of 91 victories.

A Mercedes (Continued on page 25)

Lewis Hamilton. (Getty Images) the Amazon and Pantanal, and the wider clearing of the Amazon rainforest for farmland.

Bolsonaro has described the criticisms as “disproportionate”.

The organisers of the Rio race say they plan to remove and replant most of the trees and plants and add many more at the site itself and other places in the city.

They also intend to make Deodoro the first zerocarbon circuit on the

calendar and claim that the plans would create a new and improved environment area and that they also will develop a sustainability and environmental protection centre to educate the population.

Hamilton, who has backed a number of environmental causes in recent years, said: “My personal opinion is the world doesn’t need a new circuit.

There are plenty of circuits that are great and I love Interlagos.”

Fagundes at the GTT Pinktober run in 2018

rt Spo Jonathan Fagundes recognising his supporters on his way to breaking the 800m record in the Teachers race at the Schools National Championships in 2019.

Determination and hard work has paid off for Jonathan Fagundes Jonny Bairstow and David Warner took 160 runs off the first 15 overs ©BCCI

@AP

IOC president Thomas Bach struck a confident tone in a press conference on Wednesday.

(REUTERS)

Bairstow 97 seals Sunrisers victory as Pooran’s 77 goes in vain

IOC’s Bach is hopeful overseas fans WILL be able to attend the Sofia Kenin to Lewis Hamilton against plan to build meet Iga Swiatek Olympic Games in Tokyo next year despite the in French Open new Rio track in Camboata Forest final showdown coronavirus pandemic Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.