Kaieteur News

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Man with NEWS ‘toy gun’ storms Chief Justice’s premises

Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

October 22, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 42 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday 104,529

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

“The fleecing of Guyana” Series

Canje owners - contract by will pay signed Ramotar

no taxes Ex-cop, who

Additional Three murder used uniform fraud charge for suspects to rob teen, Volda Lawrence escape from Lusignan Prison remanded - Carol Smith-Joseph makes first court appearance

Labour Ministry Thief trapped issues warning inside house, to unscrupulous security firms surrenders to over treatment police with of workers hands in air

Haslington murder accused changes plea to guilty for killing brother-in-law

US$150M and counting CJIA renovation…

Chinese contractor yet to submit revised work plan - was given five-day deadline since August

The prodigal son has returned Former Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, is back.

The PPP’s prodigal son has returned and has been gifted the specially created position of Foreign Secretary.

The nation must ask: why was it necessary for Persaud to be placed as Foreign Secretary?

Guyana now knows that Persaud, the former Minister of Natural Resources, was a key player, decision-maker, and playmaker in the giveaway of the rich Canje and Kaieteur oil blocks.

Citizens are still awaiting answers on the process used, the owners selected, and the reasons for the free giveaways of the two blocks.

What started in secrecy and mystery must now be completed.

The post of Foreign Secretary provides Persaud with the role of international gatekeeper for agreements between Guyana and other countries in the world, including investment protection and trade.

If Persaud’s role in the giveaway of the Canje and Kaieteur blocks is a gauge of what is to come, then all Guyanese should be worried as to the intersection of the responsibilities of Foreign Secretary with agreements which can further insulate and isolate the oil agreements from being renegotiated to Guyana’s benefit.

Guyanese: No more ‘Nancy stories’ from our leaders; DEMAND that they tell ALL about our wealth!

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

PAGE 03

Canje owners will pay no taxes - Contract signed by Ramotar W

hen former President and Minister of Petroleum, Donald Ramotar, awarded the Canje licence on March 4, 2015 to MidAtlantic Oil and Gas Incorporated, he granted the company an effective waiver of all taxes, duties and other c h a rg e s d e r i v e d f r o m petroleum operations.

The Canje contract states in Article 15 that “no tax, value added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or other impost shall be levied… on the Contractor or Affiliated Companies in respect of income derived from Petroleum Operations or in respect of any property held, transactions undertaken or activities performed for any purpose authorized or contemplated hereunder…”

The provision goes on to list a few exceptions to this stipulation including a few taxes, charges and fees.

However, the contract later notes that any and “all rentals, taxes, levies, charges, fees, contributions and any other assessments and charges levied by the Government in connection with the Petroleum Operations and paid directly by the Contractor” are cost recoverable, meaning Guyana has to repay every cent.

As explained in the contractual provision, the exemptions will be, not only for the owner of the Canje block, which has now moved from one company to four.

The exemptions will also apply to the contractor’s subcontractors and affiliate companies.

Even their employees will effectively be exempt from footing the cost of their own personal income taxes.

Every vehicle or piece of equipment brought in to the country will be brought in duty free.

Every excise tax on manufactured goods will be effectively waived for these companies. Every fee that local companies and ordinary Guyanese are expected to pay, the Canje block owners are exempt from, and will be exempt

Former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud. from until the contract comes to an end. Even the rental fees the contractor is expected to pay to retain the Canje licence has to be repaid.

If you are hopeful that this can easily be changed, and that the government would impose taxes, you are in for a rude awakening. The contract has a rigid stabilization clause which prevents Guyana from imposing any new tax or other charge on MidAtlantic and its partners, Exxon, Total and JHI Associates.

Ramotar signed off on the provision which states “the Government shall not increase the economic burdens of Contractor under this Agreement by applying to this Agreement or the operations conducted thereunder any increase of or any new taxes whatsoever, any new royalty, duties, fees, charges, value-added tax (VAT) or other imposts…”

The stabilization provision of the contract states that if the Government is ever to make a legislative change, or an amendment to its customs code or tax code, in a manner that changes the economic benefits of the contractor under the agreement, the government

Mid-Atlantic’s sole shareholder, Edris Kamal Dookie.

must take action to restore the losses so that the contractor gains as much as it would if the amendments were not made. This means that if the Government updates legislation in a manner that affects the economics of the contract, it would have to find a way to give the Canje block companies special exemptions. When Ramotar signed the contract, he agreed that Guyana would be held to such obligations.

This is just one of several sub-standard provisions in the contract which severely devastate Guyana’s chances of using future oil production in this block to bring prosperity for the Guyanese people, as Government has promised to do.

The contract was signed away, with no signing bonus.

Ramotar gave Mid-Atlantic

the right to explore despite the company having no insurance to foot the disasters which occur in this industry. He also agreed to indebt Guyana GY$100M in pre-contract costs to the c o m p a n y, w i t h n o explanation what the money is for.

He also agreed that Guyana would repay every cent of the one percent royalty rate, ensuring that Guyana would not get any money from royalties – a

Former President, Donald Ramotar. stream oil-producing nations depend heavily on for revenues.

The former President handed the licence to MidAtlantic just weeks before the 2015 General and Regional Elections, and weeks before ExxonMobil went public with its first discovery in the nearby Stabroek block. He handed the block to an inexperienced company with no capability to acquire and develop the ultra

deepwater block, on the advice of Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud.

The award and its subsequent farm-ins are wrought with red flags which anti-corruption experts say warrant investigation.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 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

War declared on Guyanese and they don’t care Exxon, its contingent of foreign partners, and collaborating Guyanese political leaders, have declared the equivalent of war on Guyanese. Most astonishingly, they still do not care, so unmoved they have been by the financial depredations that we disclose daily. The future prospects of generations of Guyanese - present and as yet unborn are under threat and our peoples remain untroubled.

For the purposes of this writing, the affected Guyanese people do not include those from longstanding establishment circles, or conniving professional and civic elites, or sellouts that we have for political stewards and presences from the major and minor groups. Those either have positioned themselves well or have been actively recruited to betray the interests of this country with the pursuit of their self-interests paramount. From all indications these Guyanese have done well.

Other from polite and empty gibberish, they represent nothing, project nothing, mean nothing, and can be trusted to do nothing that challenges Exxon and its foreign associates, or that which gets in the faces of local political traitors, make them run for cover, and damn them to hell.

No negatively impacted Guyanese citizen can continue to be casual and unconcerned while bread is snatched from their children’s mouth and their own, too. How dumb can poor Guyanese be? And it is of this massed and diverse group from across this country’s demographics of which we speak and who we target.

Things cannot get worse than this, or lower than this, relative to our oil and still Guyanese poor sit contentedly, while concerted actions are in motion to fetch away their oil wealth, leaving them with nothing but the impoverishments that they have known from one lifetime after another. The dream is under attack and Guyanese snore in baby-like peacefulness and smile when awake with the silliest grins on their lips.

Compare this to over a hundred years ago with what happened in civilized England at the beginning of the First World War. Anything and anybody with a German sounding name were fair game for ruthless and reckless attention and action. Things got so bad that there was a general purge in the British Isles of German literature and German music; and really bad, when even dachshunds became the conveniently available victims of many a witless and vicious kick in the streets of London. Yes, the English were so upset that they vented their fury on dogs of German origins and Germanic sounding names.

To be very clear, there is no recommendation that similar extremes happen here with regards to Exxon and its cadre of fellow rapacious plunderers. But poor Guyanese must do more than they are doing today. They are the ones, who stand to bear the brunt of the hurts through dashed expectations from Exxon’s financial vandalisms made possible with covering help from local political protectors and contributors. Sustained and the severest pressures must be brought to bear on the Guyanese political machinery.

This cuts across the divide and targets all those who conspired with outsiders to cheat us out of birthright and future promise. They must be made to disclose, through holding their feet to the fiercest fires and rubbing their faces deep into the ground. There can be no partisanship on this one; on everything else, but not when our oil potential and individual futures are at stake.

When the local bigshots - who we consider criminally inclined and contaminated - are made to feel the heat, then something will have to give. The Guyanese political aiders and abettors (sellouts) on our oil will be compelled to move to their American partners and get down on their knees to get something more for us. It is that or they face the rising volume of stormy music that conveys the rage of a people jilted. Poor Guyanese with such a generational history have nothing to lose, which could - and should - transform them into a most formidable force. Guyanese political leaders have no stomach for this. Exxon’s people shudder to contemplate the implications of all of the material significances of what could put a damper on its presence and its projections. Guyanese need to get a clear sense of where they are and what they must do. If not, they are their own worst betrayers.

Granger’s Government had neglected the very ‘pillars’ which he philosophized about in 2016 Dear Editor, After the 2015 Elections, the APNU+AFC embarked on an unparalleled egocentric course which even thrusted its own supporters and members into a state of oblivion and total abandonment when it comes to implement social and economic policies to rescue them from a dire state of poverty and social ills.

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

delivery he urged the residents to strengthen the pillars: the church, the school, the home and the farm, to ensure the revival of the fortunes of the village which once stood as an agriculture powerhouse and the ‘fruitbowl’ of the Corentyne. It should be recalled that he had baptized Region Six the ‘sugar bowl’ and ‘rice bowl’ on some of his ‘outreaches’.

Unfortunately, the only ‘bowl’ he succeeded in delivering to Region 6 was the ‘begging bowl’. It is instructive to note that over one year after Granger’s ‘pillar and fruit bowl’ speech at the Village Day, the entire Fyrish farmland was inundated by flood waters and all the fruit trees and plantain trees were laid waste.

On 17th October, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Zulfikar Mustapha and his team held a well-attended meeting with residents and farmers at the Fyrish Primary School and I had expected that after Granger and Harmon would have visited the village on numerous occasions that the residents would have had most of their problems resolved, but that was wishful thinking. In fact, the Minister was bombarded with multiple problems which should have been resolved. It was clear that Granger’s Government had neglected the very ‘pillars’ which he philosophized about in 2016.

The visibly disappointed residents complained bitterly about truckloads of garbage blocking most of the drains,

sanitation issues and drainage and irrigation problems. It simply cannot be that all these problems just materialized after 2nd August 2020. It was evident that the ‘farm’ pillar was not properly erected and were not given the transformative boost needed. It was clear that there will not be any plantains to manufacture the famous plantain chips and the attempts to grow nontraditional crops suffered many setbacks.

Fortunately, the Minister did not walk alone since he was not on an ‘excursion’ trip.

Minister Zulfikar, upon listening to these myriads of problems immediately instructed the various members of his team to set (Continued on page 5)

The law cannot be modified just because a person thinks that they want a piece of land Dear Editor, There has been a lot of talk on squatting, especially, in recent times as it relates to the Success squatters. It is not surprising that those who have lost, politically, are attempting to use this incident, as with every other situation, to send out their scouts of evil to excite people to misbehave and cause pandemonium. One can clearly see how obvious their aim is to poison the minds of citizens so as to harbor hate for the government of the day.

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

With this, I wish to highlight the fact that the government is doing everything they can to pacify the squatters, and at the same time, to save billions of dollars in experimental sugar cane, having already lost more than 2 billion dollars.

People must realize that there is something called law.

The law cannot be modified just because a person thinks that they want a piece of land or that they are in a state of poverty therefore they can violate the law. This writer is of the view that we need to create strategies and put things in place to try to uphold law and order.

Because of this, I was initially of the opinion that charges should have been brought against these people who started squatting simply because they ruined more

than 2 billion dollars of investment in experimental sugar cane. However, the government, with love for its citizens, seems to have sidelined what I thought would have been done. I admire them for this, as I know, some other government might have prosecuted these people.

Further, the government began to put things in order with the intervention of His Excellency the President himself. Our President is a man who, along with human development, understands housing, property, and distribution as it relates to human needs, and he works most assiduously to bring relief. However, Guyanese must realize that the government and the President are not magicians.

They cannot wave a wand or point a finger, and, like God, bring instant happiness to everyone who wants immediate satisfaction and gratification. The President and his government are moving wisely, and we can see that Guyana will be on the high road for continued growth and progress in a few years.

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

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

What is unfortunate is that some people just want to be given things just like that.

They do not want to go through the process. They need to realize that streets, water, electricity, etc. are all needed. We do not want to build small pieces of ugly shanty towns without garbage collection, village management or NDC control.

The Honorable Prime Minister, Mark Phillips must be given kudos for encouraging the idea of using temporary shelter when the government is trying to rapidly fast track these squatters. However, it is my opinion that the government made a mistake by announcing they were going to give these people cash. I assume that this would attract a lot of people, many of whom already have houses and families in which they live.

This I believe, will make some people behave as though they do not already own these things just so as to get some extra cash and maybe a piece of land.

As far as lands and properties are concerned, I remember in the days of the Bookers, when workers were given a piece of land and a loan to help them build their houses. It was a glorious thing. Guysuco followed suit and was unable to help fund the building of houses. Then came the false notion that people could just walk in and

take over the property of a company, assuming that political desperados would defend them and that they would be able to get their way.

All in all, I believe that these people who are in need must be able to support themselves. I am also of the belief that if one wants a house and land, they must sacrifice, as is done in America and around the world, where people pursue double shifts just so they can live. This is how most of us, who have homes do it; by not just expecting the government to just give us everything all the time. We work a double shift, a triple shift, we use our sense to buy and sell and try to grow our own food to make ends meet.

That is how most people in this country own a piece of property.

Not just by going out and harassing and trying to take advantage of the situation.

As the Holy Quran teaches us: “Laisa lil insana illa ma sa’a,” meaning “there is nothing for man except what he strives for” (Quran 53:39).

This verse is the secret to human achievement.

No one will achieve success without struggle and hard work. It instills in us that sitting idle will not reap any rewards.

Lastly, as I said above, our President and government do not have magic wands nor are they Gods. People need to learn to trust the process and with time, the government will surely win the hearts and minds of their naysayers.

Yours truly, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

Thursday October 22, 2020

Guyanese-Americans undercounted in US Census, stand to miss out on benefits Dear Editor, The US census count that was supposed to formally end on October 31, has come to an abrupt end. Trump Administration got the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court order that allowed an extension of the count through the month. Trump wanted to discontinue the process a month ago. The court ruled earlier this week in Trump’s favor ending it now and its ruling cannot be appealed. The Guyanese diaspora in New York and elsewhere are severely undercounted.

Politicians and Guyanese closely involved in the census told this writer that just about half of the IndoGuyanese or Indo-Caribbean population of New York has been counted. Over half Afro Guyanese are counted; their response rate seems higher because of elected representatives determined effort to count them. Their legislative seat numbers depend on an accurate and full count. The higher the count, the more seats they get. Indo Guyanese have no elected representation in any influential government in America, and thus virtually no one in government circles champion their interests.

Sections of Queens where most Guyanese, IndoGuyanese in particular are settled, are severely undercounted.

Afro Guyanese gravitate towards Brooklyn where 63% of census is completed. The response rate was very low – just under 50% — for Richmond Hill, dubbed Little Indo-Guyana.

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

Undocumented immigrants numbering some 11M are afraid to fill out the census and as such are undercounted. Guyanese are estimated at about 3% of the undocumented or a total of over 30,000. One of three Indo-Guyanese families owns a home in the greater Queens or about 70K homes. Of these, one of three homes has an illegal apartment in which reside between two and three individuals. That would total over 20K illegal apartments in which are an estimated 45K undercounted residents.

Some half of the IndoGuyanese population who

are citizens or residents did not complete the census. So some 75K Guyanese are not counted as a result of immigration status and or living in illegal dwelling units.

And a further 150K are not counted because the head of households don’t see any benefits from completing the census. “How meh guh benefit from dah”, they comment. So at least 200K Indo-Guyanese are not counted in the census. Afro Guyanese undercount is being estimated by their community leaders. At $7K per person, the Indo Guyanese community stands to be deprived of $1.4B annually over the next decade and that is only in the greater Queens area. Statewide and country-wide, the amount would exceed $2B annually.

The count of Guyanese in other states like New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, and Illinois are not known. Southern states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida where Guyanese are also clustered tend to have a higher count than in the northeast.

Less Afro-Guyanese live in illegal dwellings and therefore are less likely to be undercounted.

African American completion rate is about 60%. The completion rate for Flatbush where many Afro Guyanese reside is 60%.

In some middle class neighbourhoods where Afro Guyanese cluster in Brooklyn and Queens is also around 60% in line with city trend.

Community outreach organiser Ashook Ramsaran, who is co-chair of Queens Complete Count Committee, said a valiant effort was made to get Guyanese to fill out the census but the success rate and interest in filling out the form was very low. Much persistent effort was put into getting Guyanese to complete the census. It has been a problem every ten years with Guyanese showing disinterest in filing out government issued forms.

This year, aside from Ramsaran, community advocates Vishnu Mahadeo, Aminta Kilawan Narine, Annetta Seecharran, and a

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Kaieteur News

few others were involved in voluntary reach out effort to convince Indo Caribbean owned families in Queens to complete the form. They also worked assiduously on the streets to encourage adults to complete and return the form.

Jamal Baksh was on the census payroll to boost turnout in the Caribbean community; he liaised with city officials to boost numbers. Virtually no one worked harder than Vishnu Mahadeo moving around the South Asian, Afro Guyanese and Indo Caribbean communities to sensitize them on the importance of completing the census. He organized seminars and several social functions with social distancing to boost the count. He worked feverishly engaging grass roots efforts and strategies to increase the count. This writer also chipped in to sensitize the public about the census, appealing to the public in writings and to organizations to encourage their membership to complete the process. The Arya Spiritual Center and a few other Guyanese organizations donated foods to promote census completion.

But ”Wha meh guh get out a dah”, or “what dah guh do fuh me” was a typical response among Indo Guyanese. Even educated Guyanese were resistant to completing the census form. They are fearful of government obtaining information on them reminiscent of the days of Burnham and Hoyte on filling out forms during the 1980s. Indo Caribbeans worry that government would become familiar with their financial worth and tax them.

Some say that criminals would prey on them. Guyanese or others need not be afraid of providing information on the census. The census cannot be used against anyone not even undocumented immigrants and it is required by the Constitution.

The US Constitution may be the only one in the world to mandate a census at the start of every decade to reapportion seats to a legislature. The census also determines the amount of resources and services, including hospitals, schools,

colleges, public housing, etc. a community gets. “Regrettably, Guyanese Americans can’t see beyond their immediate personal benefits”, lamented an activist deeply involved in the effort to boost the count among IndoCaribbean people. The entire community and the city and state benefits when people complete the census.

The undercount would deprive the community of much needed resources and electoral representation in all branches of US legislature – City Council, State Senate and State Assembly, and the US House of Representatives.

That money would probably end up going to other communities that are properly counted. Afro Guyanese are also undercounted in the census and also stand to lose money though their undercount is lower than Indians.

In the city, just under 63% completed the forms. In Richmond Hill, it is about 48%.

In Flatbush and other Afro Caribbean communities, it is in the 50s percentile. This means that the community could be deprived of a lot of federal government money.

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

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

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

My position on the dysfunctionality of elections in Guyana is public record Dear Editor, I once again, and probably for the last time on this matter, crave your indulgence to respond to Freddie Kissoon‘s bile. I empathize with him. I know it is not easy to find material for a daily column.

But, certainly that is no reason for his disingenuousness and intellectual dishonesty. On the last occasion, I did not respond to the content of his column for the simple reason that it was constructed on untruths and slanderous statements. His column of October 20, 2020 is no different. I will on this occasion, once again highlight his dishonesty. I have noted that he never refutes my corrections but

probably hopes that, repeated in Goebbelsian fashion, his untruths will be regarded as facts.

Untruth number one: “Here in Guyana were four prominent Guyanese belonging to organizations that participated in elections, won elections, held crucial policy-making positions in government but when they lost an election suddenly competitive election is irrelevant” (sic). I challenge Kissoon to state which of the organizations/parties I belong to that contested the elections and further which policy-making position I held in the Government.

Untruth number two: “Is (Continued on page 22)

...Granger’s Government From page 4 upon the issues raised and resolve them as a matter of great urgency. The team comprised Dr. Homenauth from NAREI, Nizam Hassan from GRDB, Mr. Flatts from NDIA, the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman and others. In addition, residents raised the issue of an excavator being used as the personal asset of an APNU member and the illegal distribution of over 800 acres to another. Immediately the excavator was transferred to the Region and the land issue came under investigation.

I am sure that the Fyrish story is another replica of what had manifested itself in various other villages which had strongly supported the Coalition. It was evident that Granger and his ministers just visited these villages to have fun unlimited. It was about big celebrations, pomp and pageantry and the next day is growling hungry bellies. They

never cared to uplift the residents from the social and economic quagmire which engulfed and threatened their livelihoods, that which became widespread after 2015. They fooled and deceived them.

They destroyed sugar and was in the process of doing so with rice and then they placated the situation by dangling the ‘oil money’ in front of them. The residents were clearly happy that the closed estates are being reopened and that Albion Estate, which provide employment to many residents from the village was saved from the Coalition’s guillotine. This Minister has already made a tremendous difference to the agriculture sector.

The Coalition never cared to put monies in the pockets of the people, in fact they took monies out.

Yours truly, Haseef Yusuf

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Building a high rise bridge in the Peters Hall area will result in a multitude of problems Dear Editor, The former coalition government’s plan to build the new Demerara river bridge from Houston was a major mistake. Thankfully they were removed by the people of Guyana.

The new PPP government, in what it seems is a decision solely by the current President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, plans to build the bridge in the Peters Hall area slightly south of the current bridge.

By way of this letter, I ask that Dr. Ali change this decision and not build the new bridge there.

Any new bridge across the Demerara river must be built further south somewhere in the Grove or Friendship area.

Building a high rise bridge in the Peters Hall area will result in a multitude of problems: 1. Major disruption in traffic in an area where traffic is already chaotic 2. Major environmental dust and other issues to residence in the area for the rest of their lives during construction and then by

traffic 3. Major damages to hundreds of residential homes in the area since extensive pile driving will be required to build a high rise bridge.

4. Major waste of scare country resources to build such a structure on this threatened part of the coastland.

I strongly recommend that the Irfaan Ali government build the bridge in the Grove/ Friendship area which is further south A. It is at a higher elevation B. It provides the infrastructure to develop that part of the country which can be followed up by a highway to the Essequibo river and then eventually a bridge across the Essequibo river at a point that is not wide like the mouth where Parika is located.

President Ali, please consider this request. I encourage other citizens to voice their views on the location of bridge.

Yours truly, Harrish Singh

Thursday October 22, 2020

Successive governments having failed to deliver a housing plan is an indictment Dear Editor, Converting the Graham Primary School into a shelter for the squatters of Success, East Coast Demerara not only sends a wrong message that the government is treating citizens as refugees, it is unacceptable. The shelter is not as a result of a natural but man-made disaster, created by the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) with full support of the Government. With successive governments having failed the citizens by not establishing a proper national housing plan, that have left persons to fend for themselves by occupying unoccupied state lands, it is an indictment.

Outside of stripping persons of their dignity, which they are trying to preserve by building homes in Success, that hall is a further erosion of privacy and can morph into a super spreader of the coronavirus (COVID-19). When a national newspaper finds a picture, arising out of the squatting situation, to emblazon on its front page as progress that ordinarily would be used by organisations to promote a humanitarian crisis, it suggests the society is losing its moral compass, its sense of decency and respect for its fellowman. I have observed, after the government’s failure to honour its duty to the people, they are now saying that only “genuine” squatters would be allowed to reside at the school.

Persons will now have to prove their bona fides and given the way the government deals with

humanitarian issues this is likely to be another exercise in erosion.

Let me repeat, I do not support squatting for public health reasons and given it’s an illegal act, but neither can be rectified utilising the present approaches. The question is being posed again: How much difference would Success make to the proposed sugar manufacturing which can only survive anyhow with government subsidies?

I happen to know, at least via social media interactions, the present Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Sasenarine Singh.

I ask here today, how can he live with his conscience inflicting this unconscionable act on his fellow citizens? I ask, what lesson is he giving his children and others by participating in an exercise not of national emergency but one of political expediency?

This is not the party of Cheddie Jagan. What is happening here does not represent his values. It represents a government under the leadership of depraved minds that lack the sensitivity and compassion to recognise and differentiate the fundamentals of good human values, of right and wrong, of good and bad. Jagan crusaded the world for a New Global Human Order, and gained international recognition in the pursuit of. Today his party stands in stark contrast to a value he espoused and

considered a foremost factor in development, i.e. putting people first and center.

Some look at the pictures of the squatters and where they see the dominance of a particular ethnic group they rejoice. Some call them lazy and blame their present situation on the previous government. They may not be privy as I am, having visited the area, observed and interacted with people of diverse ethnicities.

Some have been living on the land for more than eight years.

Guyanese are being affected and we all should be concerned. It is unfortunate some would not acknowledge this unless they know who these people are and how long they have been squatting. In short, do they look like me, support my party or were squatting during the period when the party I support was in government? The facts arethey look like all of us and have been squatting since those cane fields were abandoned by GuySuCo, and that abandonment did not start in 2015.

These are fellow citizens who are being flooded out of the abandoned cane fields in similar manner as snakes, rats, raccoons, crocodiles etc. are flooded to prepare the lands for cultivation. Something is wrong with this picture and those who have sanctioned and are participating in this cruel and inhumane act.

Those engaging in this barbarity, lest it be forgotten or some think they were born with a gold spoon in their mouth or have arrived; sugar runs in the veins of most if not all of us. Our forebears were brutalised to ensure its financial returns but they fought against the cruelty, the inhumanity. The modern day architects forget this history as they sit on their perch and inflict on their fellow citizens what our forebears collectively fought against.

We could and must do better than this. Ours is the opportunity to denounce a wrong, regardless of who commits it or is affected by it.

The Success squatting situation is being handled badly. We cannot treat fellow Guyanese as refugees. We cannot put them in an environment that is evidently short term, stripping them of their dignity, and placing them at further risk of public health crises. We can hold off preparing those Success cane fields and direct funding to mitigating the housing crisis for the citizens occupying those lands. We either prioritise, and it must not be at the expense of people, or be able to chew gum and walk at the same time.

Yours truly, Lincoln Lewis

As long as there are unresolved issues on the oil blocks, there will be consequences Dear Editor, As I read more articles about the Canje and Kaieteur blocks saga including the most recent, “Ramotar agreed for Guyana to repay Canje Owners”, KN 21st October; (which means $0 for Guyana), a switch keeps going off in the back of my mind: Something is brewing, Something is in the air. I don’t know exactly what, but something is/will happen. I smell it. This kind of news is unsustainable, without consequences in the long run.

In several articles back, a few contributors have stated that the government shouldn’t take us for

granted. There is a different landscape for 2020, and going forward. If the governing elites in Guyana get so comfortable, they will certainly forget that there is always something that eventually triggers people at some point; that we have had enough of all the oily ”arrangements’ ‘; that tarnish us, and make this country look bad. Obviously, it’s an open secret between the previous regime, (those paying some attention to what is happening around them) and some elite members of the current administration, where it concerns the Canje/

Kaieteur blocks; about who did what, and who knew what, when.!! All these oily “ arrangements”, that clearly are not in the overall best economic interest of Guyana, were spearheaded and orchestrated by us-Guyanese. Isn’t that something.? There are times when we are our own worst enemies, and here with the CanjeKaieteur block news episodesis a perfect example.

Yes, there are a long list of corrective actions that are currently being undertaken by the current administration, to fix the ever long list of mismanaged actions/ inactions of the previous regime (Bravo); however, as long as these lingering unresolved issues of Canje/ Kaieteur/Stabroek blocks and everything in between are still on the radar screen for us to see for days and maybe years to come, granted, there will be consequences, in some form or another.

Watch....

Yours truly, Chi Kansi

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

The owners of the Canje and Kaieteur blocks paid nothing for these oil rich resources.

Guyana got nothing from this transaction.

The owners got concessions which exempt them from all taxes. Guyana got nothing.

The owners then sold 70% of the shares in these oil blocks. They paid no capital gains or other taxes on this transaction. Guyana got nothing.

What kind of morons would make such a deal which fleeces this country of its wealth?

We are asking Donald Ramotar, Bharrat Jagdeo, David Granger and Joseph Harmon what really is going on and how can they sit by and simply allow this unsavoury state of affairs to continue?

Why were charges of malfeasance in public office not filed against the persons involved in handing out these oil blocks, not only below market value, but for free?

Why was this not done over the past five years?

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Thursday October 22, 2020

Additional fraud charge for Volda Lawrence

- Carol Smith-Joseph makes first court appearance

By Renay Sambach s the intense probe continues i n t o t h e allegations of electoral fraud committed during the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, the Chairperson for the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Former Minister of P u b l i c H e a l t h , Vo l d a Lawrence, was yesterday slapped with an additional electoral fraud charge.

Also, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) activist, Carol SmithJoseph, made her first court appearance.

In the company of their attorney, Nigel Hughes, both defendants yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

They were not required to plead to the indictable charges that were read to them. Lawrence was slapped with a forgery charge while three charges were read to Joseph; one count of forgery and two counts of conspiring

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with the Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo to defraud.

The prosecutor made no objection to bail being granted to the defendants and the Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $50,000, on each charge. The matter was then adjourned to Wednesday October 28, 2020, before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

While speaking to reporters outside of the court compound, Hughes stated that, once again charges are being filed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and when the matter reaches to court the prosecution is not ready to proceed.

During an interview with r e p o r t e r s y e s t e r d a y, Lawrence stated that the repeated charges by the GPF have amounted to a level of harassment and that it appears that the Police have to please someone because, “Every other week they have to march us to CID, every other week they have to bring us to court.”

PNC’s Volda Lawrence (right) and APNU+AFC activist, Carol Smith-Joseph.

She added that, she was invited to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, today at 01:00hrs, for questioning.

Just last week, Lawrence appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann

McLennan for two counts of conspiracy to defraud charges. She was released on $100,000, bail and the matter was adjourned to December 9, 2020, for full disclosure of statements.

She was arrested in relation to her involvement in the activities that took

place at the Ashmin B u i l d i n g , G e o rg e t o w n which was, at the time, set up as the command centre for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the March 2, 2020 elections.

She was not required to plead to the charges which allege that she conspired with others to defraud the people of Guyana for the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

According to reports, Lawrence’s signature was on Form 24 for Region Four which had the fraudulent numbers that were allegedly concocted by Mingo, the Region Four Returning Officer, and that Form 24 contained figures intended to assure the APNU+AFC coalition victory in the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

Lawrence is also facing a joint charge with Mingo before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, for the forging of a document that was used for a

fraudulent election declaration on March 5, 2020.

The charge alleges that Mingo, having been procured by Lawrence on or about March 5, 2020, at the command centre for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, uttered to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, the results for Region Four, knowing it to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana.

The charge was filed by P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e Party/Civic (PPP/C) attorney, Charles Ramson, on March 13, 2020. While Lawrence is currently out on $100,000, bail for the offence, Mingo was granted self-bail.

They are expected to make their next court appearance on November 16, 2020.

Police announced in August last that they will be (Continued on page 13)

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

THE ROT IS SPREADING T

here used to be a time in Guyana when persons took pride in taking care of the elderly and destitute. It seems, however, that times are changing, and that the bonds between the elderly and society are being pulled apart, leaving the elderly at the mercy of an increasingly uncaring society.

One of the most disturbing trends of recent in Guyana is the practice of families dumping their aged relatives at the public hospital and elderly institutions. In the case of the hospital, after the patient has been admitted, the relatives are not seen or heard from and the hospital becomes saddled with the responsibility of finding somewhere for the patient to go after the patient would have been discharged.

In one instance, a man refused to be discharged.

And after he left he tried to be readmitted to the hospital because, it would seem, he has nowhere else to go and the hospital serves as a hospice for him.

The man no doubt felt comfortable living in the hospital and did not want to leave.

In other cases, relatives are engaged in the practice of abandoning patients at public institutions. They are washing their hands free of the problem and are dumping their problems on government institutions.

The problem is that in

Dem

boys seh...

Guyana there is no home care service, whereby an elderly person who is sick and requires long-term personalized medical care can be admitted.

The Palms is not such an i n s t i t u t i o n .

The Palms is a home for the indigent. It was not intended to provide an avenue for relatives to avoid their responsibility to take care of those whose circumstances are unfortunate.

Therefore, if someone is living in a home and has relatives, that person should not be allowed entry into the P a l m s .

It is certain, however, that some of the inmates at many of the institutions for the aged in Guyana are of such that they do have relatives who can take care of them, but these relatives are not interested in undertaking this responsibility.

Against this background, it is therefore not unreasonable for an institution such as the Palms to deny admission to anyone, once that institution is concerned that the person is not destitute and has relatives capable, but necessarily willing, to take care of him or her.

It will also be asking too much for an elderly home to take in someone who requires long-term medical care.

This person should be at home and should be visiting the hospital for treatment, but to simply try to place the

sick person at the Palms will burden that institution with a responsibility for which they may not be equipped.

Similarly, there have been situations in the past where children have been taken to the hospital and abandoned.

The hospital is then left with the responsibility of deciding what to do with the abandoned patient.

A few months ago, an incident was highlighted in the media in which the hospital took a discharged patient back to the address he had given, the persons there refused to accept him.

And just a month ago, it was reported that two children had been abandoned by their parents, both of whom were said to be alcoholics.

What we are facing in society is therefore a most disturbing trend, one in which persons are refusing to shoulder the responsibility to take care of the elderly.

While it would be very easy to suggest that the government should recognize an emerging need and take steps to create a new hospice for the elderly and sick, when a society reaches a stage whereby children and the elderly are being abandoned, we have reached a sad state of decline.

But sadder is the case in which after a sick person has died, the family does not seem interested in uplifting the body.

Now when a society reaches the stage where persons can do something

Like dem prison wardens bin asleep pun de wuk

The Lusignan Prison becoming like a big strainer.

Is time dem put de army fuh manage dah prison. Dem prison officers either ain’t able or dem into too much racket fuh keep things under control deh.

When is not riot, is fire.

When is not fire, is COVID19. When is not COVID-19, is escape plan being hatched.

Three prisoners scale a high fence and nat even dem prisoner wardens nah bin know until dem do de count.

Dem boys hope dem count right and not like Nigel or de Bingo man.

Yuh could never tell.

Dem three man could be right deh in dem prison and still counted as missing. Or dem could walk through de prison gate and nobody nah

bin know.

Three murder accused on de lam and nat wan road block was thrown up yesterday. Dem boys seh perhaps de authorities know mo about where dem escapee going dan dem escapee know.

Dis remind dem boys of de time when three death row prisoners escape from de jail and get recapture.

They are sentenced to immediate death by firing squad.

While the three men waited to be executed, they came up with a plan. They decided that just before they are to be shot, each one will yell that some natural disaster or emergency is happening to distract the prison guards and they would be able to escape.

The first prisoner goes up to face the firing squad. He hears the captain counting down to 0 and he yells “TORNADO!” As the guards duck for cover, he scales the wall of the gallows and escapes.

The second prisoner goes and stands in front of the firing squad. As he hears the captain counting down to 0 he yells “EARTHQUAKE!” As the guards duck for cover, he scales the wall of the prison and escapes.

The third prisoner is confident that he too will escape.

As he hears the captain counting down to 0 he yells “FIRE!” Talk half and leh we hope dem police capture dem three murder accused wah escape.

like this, it shows that the rot is not at the head, but is in the body.

(The views expressed in

this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday October 22, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Bank of Guyana waited too long to end an ugly masturbation The Bank of Guyana (BoG) has finally gathered some commonsense, decency and humaneness and intervened to stop the banks harassing poor souls that save their pittance from their days of being employed.

The story of who got the bank to act is one that cannot be told until years from now.

Years from now, I will write it and identify that person.

But not now. He wouldn’t want that. It is a courageous act on the part of that person who earns our admiration.

That person is not from BoG. No one from BoG cared about what these idiotic, asinine financial houses were doing to low risk customers. The BoG is a heartless, incompetent institution.

The UG council terminated my contract in 2011.

I have only received an income since then from Kaieteur News which I utilize to live on. My two accounts have had no deposits since 2011. My pension is paid into my account and that is a pittance.

I am the world’s most low risk customer.

Any sensible bank official looking at my two accounts would see there are no money deposits for several years now. So there can be no suspicion. Yet my family is required often by the Bank of Nova Scotia (BoNS) to produce a ton of documents.

If there is anyone reading this column who knows my daughter and wife could ask

them; we spent almost four hours in the bank to complete that transaction.

I had to raise my voice when they asked me for three pieces of identification.

They insisted that proof of address must carry the post office date stamp.

You had to see how clownish, the then manager, Brian Hackett looked as he poked his eyes wide open to read the obscure date stamp on the soiled envelope.

BoNS has written us again requesting a ton of documents for an account that has not moved since 2012. BoG knows what these commercial banks have been doing for decades now since the anti-money laundering legislation came in. I have researched this violation for years even

contacting the Governor of BoG. I remember in one of the many columns I did on this ugly masturbation by the commercial banks, the Governor called me on my cell when I was driving to inform me on the mistaken requirement of proof of address by the banks. Yet nothing changed since that call. I have been writing on this ugly masturbation over the past eight years now. See my column of Friday, April 13, 2018, “Did Republic Bank CEO misled Dr. Gobin Ganga?”

So we finally got somewhere. My daughter doesn’t have to show proof of address since she has no correspondence from any institution.

Her address on her driver’s license has to be accepted by BoNS now that BoG has stipulated that. In any case, if GWI or GPL requires proof of address from my daughter, she has no proof to produce since the BoNS doesn’t send us paper statements.

Where was BoG when these financial houses were harassing poor customers since the anti-money laundering act came into

e ff e c t ? T h e r e have been hundreds of letters in all the daily newspapers the last decade about cruel Frederick Kissoon harassment by these banks. A man from and is in discussion with Essequibo sent me an email the commercial banks four years ago. about adhering to the AML I asked him if Jose while making banking Ferreira is his real name customer friendly. He said b e c a u s e t h e r e i s a n from what the bank knows internationally famous the envelope request seems person by that name. to be a problem. BoG never He described how the acted.”

Republic Bank at Anna I end with an extract Regina asked him for proof from that column: Senior of address and when he Manager (of BoNS), Petra showed them a statement Allen stressed that her bank with address they sent them, wants to see that the they refused to accept their document in front of the own envelope. teller passed through the post B o G h a s b e e n office system. misleading this nation on the Asked if Scotia will nonsense the commercial a c c e p t a n i m p o r t a n t banks have been doing to document like certificate of poor customers. In my fitness from the Police Force c o l u m n o f T h u r s d a y, that has a person’s address, October 14, 2017 captioned, she responded, “Mr. Kissoon “Bank of Guyana about to how would the bank know if s t o p a G u y a n e s e that is a valid paper?” How stupidity,” I wrote the BoNS will know if my following, “Mr. Lall’s driver’s license is valid? interview had a satisfactory (The views expressed in ending. this article are those of the He informed me that the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Bank of Guyana is aware of necessarily reflect the the envelope controversy opinions of this newspaper.)

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

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Thursday October 22, 2020

Man with ‘toy gun’ storms Chief Justice’s premises Guyana’s law enforcement agencies were placed on high alert yesterday after a man, brandishing what appeared to be a ‘toy gun’, stormed the

residence of Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne GeorgeWilshire and confronted two police ranks stationed there.

The Acting Chief Justice is slated to start the case

management procedures into the March 2020 election petition filed by the main parliamentary opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change

(APNU+AFC), today at the High Court.

Police in a release detailed that around 2pm, the two officers were on duty when one left to use the washroom facilities and the other was pounced on by the suspect.

He was said to be five feet, four inches tall; slim built, dark in complexion and clothed in a black short pants with a white t-shirt tied around his face. In his hand, he held what appeared at the time to be a black handgun.

Police said that the suspect approached the lone rank and pointed the gun in her direction and fired a punch at her but missed.

The officer then called out for her colleague who was in the garage of the building and armed with a .38 revolver.

The rank immediately responded and having seen the male with the suspected handgun now pointed in his

Chief Justice Roxanne George direction, ducked to take cover.

According to police, the suspect then dropped the gun, ran in a northerly direction, and jumped over a fence to make good his escape. The weapon was picked up and discovered to be a mere toy. No shots were fired and no one was injured

during the incident.

It was reported that the Chief Justice’s neighbour is host to an abundance of CCTV cameras, however it is unclear whether footage detailing the incident was obtained.

This publication was able to ascertain whether the Chief Justice was at home at the time.

Meanwhile, the APNU+AFC in a statement, shortly after, deemed the incident a “clear attempt to intimidate the Chief Justice” and implored her to not “bow to such intimidation”.

“We call on the Guyana Police Force and the state to provide heightened 24-hour security for the Chief Justice to ensure her safety and protection and that she is able to proceed with the case management and hearing of the Elections Petitions without hindrance,” the Coalition said in its statement.

The governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) later issued a statement condemning the attack “in the strongest possible terms” and viewed it as the latest assault on “democracy in our country of which the Judiciary forms one of its cornerstones”.

“The Government has already advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to ensure that the Chief Justice is provided with all the necessary security for the protection of her person, family and property,” the PPP/C added.

(Shikema Dey)

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Labour Ministry issues warning to unscrupulous security firms over treatment of workers The Ministry of Labour has issued a warning to unscrupulous security firms across the country over the treatment of their employees.

The warning follows numerous complaints filed at the Labour Ministry by staffers of several known security firms. According to a disseminated statement yesterday, the Ministry has moved to publicly condemn the actions of employers who have contravened sections of Guyana’s Labour Laws.

In an attempt to fulfill its mandate of protection of the rights of workers, the Ministry noted that steps will be taken to prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law upon the receipt of formal complaints.

According to the Ministry, the notice serves to edify those who may not have been aware and also to warn the proprietors and directors of security firms currently in breach of the labour provisions.

The Ministry warned that “Entities not in compliance

Additional fraud charge for ...

From page 8 conducting a comprehensive investigation into the criminal conduct of Lowenfield, Mingo, and others in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and the events that followed.

During the probe, several GECOM officials were arrested and put before the court for electoral fraud charges.

should take active and immediate steps to conform to the various legislations governing employment relations; failing which, the Ministry will be forced to publish the names of companies in default, along with all directors or the names of the businesses and their proprietors.”Further, the Labour Ministry also sought to remind security employers and employees of the rights and entitlements of security guards, whether or not they are nationals of Guyana.

In this regard, the agency highlighted several sections of the employment legislations which are the most prominently violated in the security sector. Among them is Section 12 of the Labour Act Cap 98:01 which states that an employer shall pay wages either agreed

between employer and employee or prescribed by law.

The prescribed wages for security guards as set out in the National Minimum Wage Order No. 15 of 2016 is $255 per hour. According to the statement, that order stipulates that the set hours of work are 40 hours which shall not exceed five days per week and any hours of work beyond the normal period shall attract overtime rate.

To this end, the Ministry noted that it was made aware of employers who constantly engage in paying wages long after pay period has ended.

“Employers who engage in such acts should cease and desist immediately,” the Ministry warned.

Another legal provision which the Labour Ministry highlighted is Section 3 of

the ‘Leave with Pay Act Cap 99:02’ which states that every worker is entitled to leave and further elucidates how leave is to be computed.

“Section 4 of the said Act mandates that no employer shall require a worker to take his/her leave with pay in a period less than six consecutive days; provided that any of the days which are Sundays or Public Holidays shall not be computed as leave with pay.

The rate at which leave is calculated is at an employee’s current daily wage,” the Ministry said in the statement.

Additionally, it was noted that any provision in any agreement between an employer and a worker, where the worker purports to receive any less benefit than he/she is entitled to under the said Act, it shall be of no

effect.

Minister of Labour, Joesph Hamilton

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

Residents submit petition to have Campbelltown’s Toshao, council members removed

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, receiving the petition. (Photo Credit: Ministry of Amerindian Affairs)

O

n Tuesday, a petition with o v e r 1 0 0 signatures was handed over to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, by residents of Campbelltown/Princeville.

The petition is seeking to h a v e To s h a o , M a r b e l Thomas; Deputy Toshao, Samantha John, and council members of the Campbelltown Village Council removed. This was announced by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in an official statement which sought to explain the petition.

Since the petition was received, the Ministry has been working assiduously to address the matter. It was stated that the petition was

made due to the Toshoa’s harsh and abusive behaviour towards residents and she was also restricting them from mining within the village. The village’s main economic activity is mining and farming as it is very close to Mahdia, the prominent mining town in the region.

The Ministry disclosed that in light of receiving the petition, a delegation led by Earl Gildharie, met with Minister Sukhai to further explain the situation affecting their livelihoods and it was discovered that the issue was not recent and had been going on since April 2018.

According to the Ministry, the village had held an election for the

Toshao and Councillors which contained many discrepancies. It was also stated that the villagers brought it to the attention of the former Minister, Sydney Allicock, but despite them asking for his intervention, Allicock failed to address the issue.

Further, it was mentioned that the village recently saw a ‘gold rush’ which was followed by Toshao Thomas giving strict orders which only allowed residents one day per week to work in the gold mines.

Minister Sukhai shared that earlier this month she had met with residents of the area where she received reports from residents that the Toshao has been denying (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

PAGE 15

Thief trapped inside house, surrenders to police with hands in the air The thief being taken into custody.

(Photo Credit: Peter Salick)

By Shervin Belgrave thief was yesterday forced to surrender to police with his hands in the air after he was trapped by residents inside the bottom flat of a two-storey house located at Bushy Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

According to information received by this newspaper, the residents trapped the man at around 07:30hrs.

Kaieteur News was told that the thief reportedly entered the building just after its occupant, a taxi driver, locked his door and left.

However, one of the residents said, it seems as though the thief was totally unaware that the tenant occupying the top floor was still at home.

That tenant reportedly heard noises “coming from downstairs” and ventured out to investigate.

Observing that there was a metal bar lying beside a broken lock, the tenant decided to alert a neighbour who joined him in investigating the “strange noises”.

The resident said that the men saw curtains moving and peeped in only to see the thief in action.

Without raising any alarm, the men contacted police and called other neigbours to surround the house.

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Realizing that he was surrounded, the resident said, the thief resorted to barricading himself inside the house by shutting it tight.

Nevertheless, the residents did not leave but waited until the ranks arrived. Kaieteur News understands that police officers called for him to open up but he ignored. One of the ranks was instructed by his superiors to break down the door. While doing so the man, according to the resident, opened the door, “put on his COVID-19 face mask” and surrendered to the cops with his hands in the air.

The taxi driver, this publication was informed, was notified of the break-in at his apartment and returned. According to reports, he checked home and told investigators that some cash was missing. Police officers proceeded to search the thief in his presence but found nothing. He was then taken away by police and placed in the lock-ups pending charges.

One of the neigbours who helped trapped the thief recalled that around 03:00hrs he heard noises too at his home. He said that his rottweiler dogs were barking frantically as well.

Later that morning, he said that

The thief surrendering to police with his hands in the air. (Photo Credit: Peter Salick) he checked his yard and noticed that a metal bar was missing from his yard. He later saw that metal bar lying next to the broken lock at the house where the thief was caught.

It is believed by residents that the thief might have attempted to burglarize that neighbour’s home as well but aborted because of the man’s dogs.

They further speculated that he probably proceeded to “stash himself in some nearby bush” and waited for the taxi driver to leave before making his move there.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Thursday October 22, 2020

Vendor hospitalised after being chopped by neighbour

By Malisa Playter-Harry heated argument on Tu e s d a y t u r n e d bloody after a meter technician attached to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) dealt several chops to a vendor’s body.

Hospitalised in a serious but stable condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital is Ramkissoon Sukhra called “Budhoo”, 48, of Lot 127 Williamsburgh, Corentyne, Berbice. The suspect Ayodele Hendrax called “Dele”, 39, the neighbour of Sukhra, has since been arrested and is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Reports are that around 21:00hrs on the date mentioned, Sukhra and Hendrax were arguing. It is alleged by police that the victim was accusing the wife of Hendrax of having an affair with a friend of her husband and as a result, Sukhra and family armed themselves with knives and ventured into Hendrax’s yard to attack him.

According to the police, Hendrax then armed himself with a cutlass and proceeded

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Victim: Ramkissoon Sukhra

Driver’s license, passport can now be used as proof of address to open bank accounts

G o B -

Attacker: Ayodele Hendrax to deal several chops to Sukhra’s body causing him to receive injuries to his left side face, left arm and left side chest.

However, the relatives of Sukhra are telling a different story from what was reported by the police.

According to the wife of the victim, Maylene Harrinarine, the suspect had hurled expletives at her sons the night before the chopping incident (Monday) and accused them of stealing his poultry.

“This boy Dele start cuss my two sons dem, dat dem (Continued on page 22)

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Maylene Harrinarine, wife of victim.

he Bank of Guyana on Tuesday revealed that it is currently in the process of modifying the requirements for the opening and maintenance of customer accounts at Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs).

In a statement, it said that the amended guidance is intended to specify simplified due diligence measures for customers who are categorized as “lowrisk”. “These simplified measures,” the Bank said,

“would include the acceptance of one form of identification document, either a national identification card, passport, or a driver ’s license.”

Additionally, in instances where the identity document contains the details of a customer’s address, such document may also be acceptable for proof of address and there will be no requirement for annual submission of these documents to the LFIs. The central bank also (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

Camille’s Academy: The journey that started in a garage

E

ver so often something happens, a scientific breakthrough, an invention, a disaster – that can either create opportunities, test our ability to adapt or destroy us. The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the tourism and entertainment industries for instance as there was hardly room for those businesses to adapt as the customer experience requires physical presence and social interactions which are prohibited.

One sector has managed to adapt fairly quickly to the new normal by leveraging technology, and that is the education sector. Leading the charge in this fast-paced innovation locally is Camille’s Academy, a private education institution that started humbly in October 1996 in a garage, with a few children from the neighbourhood. “I never planned to be a teacher but I was asked to tutor a few of the neighbour’s children after I did well at my exams.

My students did well at their exams and I was encouraged to continue tutoring. My dad built a few desks and chairs and we operated from our garage,” Camille Deokie, D i r e c t o r o f C a m i l l e ’s Academy recounted. The first school was opened at Soesdyke, a village near to Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Over t h e y e a r s , C a m i l l e ’s Academy has expanded to

three additional physical locations – Diamond, East Bank Demerara; Crane, West Coast Demerara and Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. They have also introduced online learning from nursery to high school, following the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the closure of classroom learning.

The challenge with online learning is that a significant number of students – about 40 percent have no or poor internet connectivity. This hurdle was surmounted by offering a self-study option where parents uplift worksheets and return these to be marked.

How does Camille’s Academy benefit customers, the community and country?

It’s not all about the books.

The Director believes her passion for delivering quality education in an environment that promotes ethnic and religious diversity and family results in students becoming well-rounded, disciplined individuals with morals.

Undoubtedly, the world needs more kind, empathetic, emotionally intelligent people and this institution makes a concerted effort to produce students who can contribute meaningfully to the country a n d c o m m u n i t y. F o r example, the school participated in the 2019 Fitness Expo to promote healthy living among

students. During the COVID-19 pandemic students’ participation in culture online was encouraged for Amerindian Heritage Month, celebrated in September.

The Nursery level students took social media by storm with their cute, intelligent presentations celebrating the Amerindian culture. Camille’s Academy is obviously a standout, especially during the current pandemic, and the plan is to become a model school in Guyana and the Caribbean region.

But the growth and achievements envisaged would not have been possible if it weren’t for the support of a business coach.

Often times when we build and nurture something, it’s hard to let it go. But sometimes we have to make tough decisions for the good of the business rather than our ego and emotions.

Surrendering to the guidance

PAGE 17

Camille Deokie and her nursery students.

of a Business Coach was the best decision Deokie took.

Why choose to have a business coach? The charismatic Educator noted that despite having an MBA, she wanted the practical business support from someone who would also hold her accountable.

ActionCOACH has proven to be a blessing, she opined.

“The things we accomplished in a short

period of time – growth, systemizing the business, time management, goal setting, working towards ISO certification – justify the partnership with ActionCOACH,” Deokie pointed out excitedly. When the pandemic hit Guyana around March 2020, like many other business owners, Deokie was worried about how she will survive. But the intellectual capacity and

networking ActionCOACH brought to the table, was the game-changer in these troubling times. “With business support from ActionCOACH we were able to achieve in one year what we had planned for three years - in spite of the pandemic,” she said in amazement.

Deokie is confident that the budding Oil and Gas (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday October 22, 2020

Three murder suspects escape from Lusignan Prison T

hree murder suspects have escaped from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara. The prisoners, according to a police report, escaped between 17:30hrs on Tuesday October 20, 2020 and 06:00hrs on Wednesday October 21, 2020.

According to the police report, the escapees are: Mark Rafino, called ‘Mark’, 25, a labourer of Parika Facade, East Bank Essequibo; Alex Matthias, 20, of Good Hope Dock Yard, Essequibo Coast and Arnold Bruce Kennedy, 19, of 847 Zeeburg Housing S c h e m e , We s t C o a s t Demerara.

It was revealed that the escapees jumped the south eastern fence and made good their escape. The prisoners,

Murder accused: Arnold Bruce Kennedy. it was documented, were checked around 17:00hrs on Tuesday night and around 23:00hrs ranks were informed that some prisoners had escaped.

An alarm was made and

Murder accused: Alex Mathias

the ranks immediately conducted a search around the prison and its nearby environs but they were unable to locate the p r i s o n e r s . H o w e v e r, yesterday morning a head

count was conducted and it revealed that three prisoners were missing, checks were made and the prisoners were identified as Rafino, Matthias and Kennedy.

A n y o n e w i t h

Murder accused: Mark Rafino information on the whereabouts of the three murder accused is asked to contact the nearest police station or 225-6411. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality, according to police.

On January 4, 2019, Matthias was admitted to the prison for the murder of 23year-old Kevin Betancourt, who was stabbed and killed on Monday December 31, 2019, around 21:30hrs at Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.

According to reports, Matthias was involved in a fist fight with a young man from the area mentioned and the deceased was reportedly connected to the person involved in the scuffle with Matthias.

On New Year’s Eve, Matthias who was at the time

intoxicated was confronted by the deceased, who reportedly enquired about the fight with his associate.

This angered Matthias, and he allegedly whipped out a knife and stabbed Betancourt to his left side chest.

Rafino, on the other hand, is one of the five accused in the murders of Better Hope money changer, Aaron Latchman, and his 18year-old daughter, Arianna Latchman, who were killed on July 4, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, during the course or furtherance of a robbery. He was admitted to the prison on July 15, 2019 for that offence.

According to reports, on the day in question, Aaron Latchman arrived home around 15:15hrs and was attempting to park his car in his yard when two gunmen struck. One of the gunmen reportedly entered the house and shot Aaron Latchman’s daughter. The other attacked Aaron Latchman, and the two scuffled which resulted in a bag ending up in a neighbour’s yard.

The gunman who had shot Aaron Latchman’s daughter then exited the house and came to his accomplice’s aid, shooting Latchman as well. After Latchman fell to the ground, the attackers snatched up a bag of cash and fled.

The killers escaped in a car and the moneychanger (Continued on page 22)

Driver’s license, passport...

From page 16 revealed that the requirements for medium and high-risk customers will also be revisited with a view of enhancing the risk-rating framework for these categories.

These measures, which will confirm to the Financial A c t i o n Ta s k F o r c e Recommendations, are intended to reduce the burden on individuals who had

previously faced challenges in securing the requisite documentary requirements for the opening and operating of accounts at LFIs. Further, the Bank said it has always strived to foster greater financial inclusion as is evident by these and other measures including the issuance of Circular No.53/2018 which provided for reduced due diligence measures for small savers.

The journey that ...

From page 17 industry will create lots of opportunities for the economy as well as the education sector as institutions move towards providing training in Oil and Gas and meeting the general education needs of a growing and diverse p o p u l a t i o n . C a m i l l e ’s

Academy is working tirelessly to become ISO certified in the near future, thereby creating history as the first school locally to be dubbed ISO compliant.

What a long way she has come from that garage!

(Submitted by: Jennifer Cipriani, Consultant, Acme Marketing Consultancy)

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Haslington murder accused changes plea to guilty for killing brother-in-law

Dead: Terrence Adams

L

es Charles Critchlow, the Haslington man who is facing a High Court trial for the murder of his brother- in-law, has opted to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Critchlow, who had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, changed his plea during a hearing of the case before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12 mixed-member jury at the Georgetown High Court, yesterday.

Critchlow’s decision to plead guilty comes after

Les Charles Critchlow several witnesses have testified in the trial. He was, however, not sentenced as the Court deferred its judgment to November 24, 2020 to facilitate a probation report.

Critchlow, 65, called “Uncle Les” of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) is currently incarcerated at the Lusignan prisons.

He stood trial before High Court Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a mixed 12-member jury for the May 12, 2016 murder of his brother-in-law, Terence Adams, called “Uncle Terry” or “Sleepy”.

Earlier this week, two witnesses testified that there was a heated disagreement between Charles and his brother-in-law, Adams, mere hours before he (Adams) was stabbed and killed.

The witnesses who testified under oath included Janice Nelson and Shellon Marks; both women were called to the stand by State Counsel, Tiffini Lyken and Nafeeza Baig.

They recalled that Critchlow and Adams had a verbal dispute over some repairs and maintenance work that was to be done to a property.

The witnesses claimed that shortly after the argument, Critchlow went to the upper flat of the house and grabbed a long knife and left the premises hurriedly.

Marks recalled that she was in the yard when Critchlow left in anger with the knife in his possession and she tried to contact Adams who had left to go to a nearby shop.

“I was trying to call Terry to tell him that Uncle Les coming round by the shop but Digicel like had a problem and the phone wasn’t working,” Marks told the court in her testimony.

She revealed to the court that while she is not related to

Critchlow, she has children with his son Les Critchlow Jr. S i m i l a r l y, N e l s o n , Critchlow’s reputed wife, recalled that her husband had grabbed a long reddish handle knife and left.

She said that not long after, a van load of policemen came to her home to inform her, that her brother Terry was stabbed to death.

The witness said that she learnt then that her reputed husband was taken in for

questioning for the killing.

The woman faced several questions as it relates to the description of the knife from defence attorney, Maxwell McKay. She nonetheless, maintained (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday October 22, 2020

Ed. Ministry consideringGovt. reopening halts structure at Charity schools for Grades 10 anderections 11 students

T

he Ministry of Education is considering having Grades 10 and 11 students return to school since they are in dire need of time in the classroom to complete their School Based Assessments (SBAs) for their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) 2021 examination.

This is according to a press release the Ministry issued yesterday.

Schools have been closed from physical classes since early March this year due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, and over the course of months, both teachers and students have raised concerns over

efficiently completing SBAs virtually.

Additionally, partial physical classes have been under review since the month of August, but due to concerns of parents and other educational stakeholders, the Ministry sought to use online schooling for this part of the school year.

Reporters from this newspaper would have spoken to scores of students, with most contending that doing SBAs virtually has been one of the hardest challenges with online learning. They shared that unlike the physical classes, virtual classes have been hampering their

River Defence until appointment of new board

communication severely, which can pose a serious risk later.

A fifth form student of the North Georgetown Secondary School said, “What is difficult is that our teachers are trying to talk to everybody on one Zoom call and it can be hard. From getting paired in groups, to people who don’t have proper internet connection, plus Zoom calls do not allow you to ask in depth questions because of time. I miss being in class where I can stay back and ask many questions about things I don’t understand. On Zoom we cannot do it.”

The announcement of the Ministry’s consideration

Works and maintenance being conducted at schools.

(Photo Credit: Ministry of Education)

was made during Education Minister, Priya Manickchand’s virtual meeting with Regional Executive Officers and Regional Education Officers on Monday where she

discussed plans for the eventual re-opening of schools and each region’s preparedness.

The Minister stressed the importance of schools being fully prepared to

accommodate both students and teachers in the safest of environments when they are finally approved for reopening by the Ministry of Health. Manickchand said (Continued on page 22)

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

...Ed. Ministry considering reopening

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From page 20 too that amenities such as running water, proper lavatories and other necessary school amenities are imperative for reopening, which will be catered for with funds from the national budget.

She also spoke of closely looking at ventilation and spacing within classrooms to avoid the potential spread of the virus, and the need to enforce social distancing.

According to the Ministry, works are currently being done at schools all around the country, where s i n k s a t school entrances and around the school are being installed. More toilets are also being constructed and COVID-19 guidelines in the form of posters are being mounted all around the schools so that students can be guided while on school grounds at all times.

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...My position on the From page 5 it safe to say that Alexander shouted “eureka, election kyaaan wuk” when he found out his party lost the 2020 poll?”. Freddie knows, as much as anyone else, having been told by me personally, for decades now what is my position on the dysfunctionality of elections in Guyana, irrespective of who wins. It is public record.

Check what I said at the UKfunded public symposium on constitutional reform over three years ago or what I said on the State of the Nation or

Walter Rodney Groundings television programmes, in addition to making other public statements long before the elections.

The records are there to `skinup’ Freddie’s ignorance or maliciousness. Freddie’s trait of creating fables to justify his conclusions is a major indictment against him as an academic and ‘so-called’ journalist. It is not for me to speak for Hinds or Philips but I am quite aware that both of them have been advocates of Power Sharing or Inclusive Governance or Unity

Government for the longest while and that that is public knowledge.

Why is Kissoon so bent on misleading the public with untruths and creating false and baseless conclusions.

Freddie may feel that he is speaking for himself but everyone of his concocted columns, while being colourful fiction, brings his alma mater and former place of employ into disrepute because of his despicable intellectual conduct.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander

...Three murder suspects escape from From page 18 and his daughter were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where they were both pronounced dead on arrival.

On July 24, 2019, murder accused Kennedy, was admitted to the Lusignan Prison. He is among three fishermen who are jointly charged with the murder of

a fellow fisherman. It is alleged that on July 18, 2019 at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, Kennedy and two others murdered 20year-old Alvin Seenarine called ‘Chockoloo’, of 820 ‘G’ Zeelugt North, East Bank Essequibo.

On the day in question, Seenarine and the three accused had a misunderstand-

ing and the men then armed themselves with cutlasses and inflicted several chops on Seenarine.

The victim was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

(Renay Sambach)Three murder suspects escape from Lusignan Prison

...Haslington murder accused changes

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Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

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From page 19 that she had seen her husband leave her kitchen armed with the reddish handle knife.

Additionally, Leyland Nelson, the brother of the deceased, recalled that he was informed of his brother’s

death while he was on his way to the shop.

Nelson recalled too that his brother and Critchlow had “a talking”, earlier that day.

The witness was keen to note that the two men had

what he referred to as a “talking”, and had “no big problems.”

He said that he was shock to find out that his brother had died because he didn’t expect anything to escalate from the matter.

...Residents submit petition to have From page 14 them their right to carry out their mining activities in the area, and “has allowed her friends and family and foreign nationals to operate without consulting them.”

Also highlighted, was the lack of “proper management and accountability by the council.”

Minister Sukhai claimed that correspondence in the Ministry’s possession indicates that the village council has been illegitimately installed.

However, the council will be given the chance to respond to these allegations.

According to the Minister, her ministry will be reviewing the petition and the necessary actions will be taken in accordance with the Amerindian Act of 2006 and hopefully the matter can be resolved as early as the beginning of November.

“The ministry will examine the petition in detail and seek to address it in a manner that provides for natural justice and that is, to en-

sure that the Toshao is notified about the petition and the matters of the petition including the allegation of the council be properly installed, and we will take it from there,” Sukhai said.

The delegation disclosed that over 900 persons were affected by the mining restrictions imposed by the Toshao.

The delegation also explained that the gold finds in the area can contribute to a major economic boost for the village if its miners are allowed to operate.

...Vendor hospitalised after being From page 16 thief he chicken and keep birthday suh me ask he how he can curse dat people thief yuh chicken suh me tell dem boys don’t answer he, but last night again he start cuss again and seh how he go chop,” she said.

According to the woman, she became worried when she heard a commotion outside since the gate to her residence was not yet padlocked.

She said when she checked, Hendrax was on her bridge and was chopping her husband and “then dem boys run

towards he fuh run he from we yard but he claiming that dem boys run in he yard first and that is not true.” She stated that the wife of Hendrax brought a busload of persons armed with pieces of wood and they started run and shout “beat dem, beat dem”. The woman stated that her husband was bleeding profusely when he went to the Rose Hall Town Outpost.

“Last night when we go at the station the man was bleeding out, I had to beg them to take him to the doctor but they said dem na get

patrol vehicle but the suspect wife was cussing us and telling us how we can go where we want because she know all dem police and nobody can’t do them nothing,” the woman said. The injured man had to be transported to the Port Mourant Hospital on a bicycle by a relative because there was no public transportation running.

Sukhra was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted in a serious but stable condition. An investigation is in progress.

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Ex cop, who used uniform to rob teen, remanded The ex-cop, who with uniform had robbed pedal cyclist, Demendra Yussuff, 19, on October 13 at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD) has been remanded, along with his two accomplices.

Former police constable, Joel Semple, 25, of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared at the Leonora Magistrate Court on October 15.

Also appearing alongside Semple were his accomplices: Krishan Daniels, 25, a construction worker of Providence, New Housing Scheme, EBD and

Antonio Albert Paul, 23, a technician of Kaneville, EBD.It is alleged that on October 13, 2020, Semple, Daniels and Paul robbed Yussuff of $18,000 in cash.

The men pleaded not guilty to the offence and are currently behind bars awaiting their next court appearance on November 30, 2020.According to reports, Semple was decked out in a police uniform and was sitting in the front passenger seat of a white motorcar which pulled up alongside Yussuff who was riding his bicycle on the De Kinderen public road.He was

instructed by Semple to pull over. Yussuff obeyed because he believed that Semple was an on-duty police officer. He was further questioned about why he was not wearing a face mask and asked about the contents in his pockets.The youth told them that he was carrying with him nothing else but cash. Semple told him to take out the money and place it on his bicycle seat. Still pretending to be a cop, Semple instructed one of his accomplices to retrieve the cash. The accomplice picked up the cash then attempted to forcefully take away

Yussuff’s cellphone as well.

This was when he became suspicious and fled but not before taking a photo of the car’s license plate number with his cell phone.

He reported the matter to police and ranks trapped Semple and his accomplices at Estate Road, Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara.

Semple, a former lawman, was stationed at the Brickdam Police Station and well known for his presence at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

On one occasion he made headlines for “roughing up” a crime reporter identified as

Leroy Smith”. Smith, who is presently the owner and editor in chief of Big Smith News Watch, was reportedly shoved, chucked, verbally abused and detained by Semple. This incident had occurred right on the Court’s premises.It is unclear as to why Semple was no longer working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Kaieteur News was informed, however, that he was dismissed from the force almost one year ago.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, persons acquainted with Semple said that his decision to “follow bad

Remanded: Joel Semple company” led to his dismissal.

PAGE 24

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

Three more fatalities moves Stand-off continues between COVID-19 death toll to 117 Success squatters and police The deaths of three elderly males from Region One have pushed Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 117, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported yesterday.

The latest fatalities include a 68-year-old, a 70year-old and a 80-year-old males from Region One (Barima-Waini), all who died while receiving care at a medical facility.

Additionally, the MOH released a dashboard which pointed to a discovery of 54 new cases of the disease.

The 54 cases take the nation’s confirmed cases closer to 4,000, with 3,850 confirmed cases. Of the new cases recorded yesterday,

Region One has five, Region two has three; Region Three has seven; Region Four has 31 while Regions Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 each have two cases respectively.

Additionally, the MOH reported that there are currently 16 people in the COVID Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 64 in institutional quarantine, 815 in home isolation, 36 in institutional quarantine and 2,839 have recovered from the illness.

While the MOH in its report expressed “sincerest condolences to the families of the two deceased, they have reminded that Guyanese must observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 9), which are

in effect until October 31st, 2020.”

The order emphasises: “the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet p h y s i c a l distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

Additionally, the Ministry has noted that if anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they should contact the COVID-19 hotlines 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit the Ministry website: www.health.gov.gy.

- Squatters say they will not go to Graham’s Hall Shelter The excavator that was used to block the pathway cleared by squatters.

After having yet another stand-off with police ranks, squatters of the Success area on the East Coast of Demerara have maintained that they will not be moving to the Graham’s Hall Shelter.

Residents of the area told Kaieteur News that the standoff began around 1pm yesterday when ranks of the Guyana Police Force showed up demanding that they vacate the lands immediately.

When this publication arrived at the scene police ranks could be seen telling the squatters that their presence on the land is unlawful as it belongs to the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated/ National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (GuySuCo/NICIL).

The police told the squatters that they have an alternative of seeking shelter at the Graham’s Hall Primary school, which the government has offered to them, but despite this, the residents said that they will not be moving.

Over the weekend the government ordered the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to prepare the school as a shelter after Prime Minister,

Mark Phillips, visited the area promising the squatters to shelter them if they move.

In explaining their stance, the residents told Kaieteur News that the number of squatters in the area is too high and they cannot all fit in the shelter. It was also noted that amid a pandemic, it is nearly impossible to house so many people while enforcing social distancing and other COVID-19 regulations. Many of the residents complained that they have many young children and packing all of their belongings, along with their children, to go into a shelter simply is not wise.

Officials of the CDC were also at the scene trying to persuade residents to go to the shelter but they would not budge. The Director-General of the CDC, Kester Craig, told Kaieteur News that currently there are only five persons at the shelter; three males and two females. Kaieteur News understands that the residents dug a pathway to clear off a blockage and release the water that GuySuCo dispersed to “flood them out”. The squatters were heard pleading with the authorities to release the

Sections of the flooded lands

MOH October 21 COVID 19 dashboard

water because an overbearing “stink” odour was coming from the water, affecting their daily lives.

An excavator was brought to the scene to put back mud in the area that was cleared, reinforcing the blockage and allowing GuySuCo to continue flooding the lands. Police ranks at the scene said that the squatters attempted to intercept the excavator which led to the standoff.

The government has been trying to get the squatters off of the land since September, lamenting that it belongs to GuySuCo/NICIL and is being used to cultivate new cane species since they plan to reopen the Enmore/ La Bonne Intention Estate.

They have claimed that the squatters’ occupation of the lands caused them to lose roughly 17 years of research work worth $2 billion since they burnt the fields to clear land and erect their structures. Despite their efforts, the squatters have shown strong resistance, maintaining that the eagerness to move them is inhumane, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

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Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

Thursday October 22, 2020

...Giro d’Italia: O’Connor wins stage 17 as From page 30 built a six-minute advantage, and then attacked eight kilometres from the finish.

“The second place left me feeling pretty bitter,” said the Australian, who does not have a contract for 2021 and his NTT team are without a sponsor so could yet be forced to fold. “I was able to bounce back and get this success, it’s a dream to get a victory in a Grand Tour.”

Almeida successfully negated an attack from Sunweb to protect his slim general classification advantage over Dutchman Kelderman. Jai Hindley is third, two minutes, 58 seconds adrift, with Geoghagen Hart one second further back.

“It was a hard day, a lot of climbing, but I had the perfect team with me,” said Almeida.

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

...Romario Shepherd replaces injured Bravo in T20 squad From page 31 committed to representing the West Indies and I just need to get myself stronger again.” A knee injury sustained in the Caribbean Premier League kept Bravo out of CSK’s first three matches of the IPL ongoing in the United Arab Emirates but he returned to feature in their next six matches.

Bravo joins a growing list of veteran players who will not feature on the New Zealand tour with Sunil Narine, Chris Gayle, Andre

The stage win is NTT’s first in Italy for three years Thursday’s 18th stage will cover 207km from Pinzolo to Laghi di Cancano for the penultimate mountain stage,

and feature a testing trek up the Passo dello Stelvio.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 restrictions in France have

Thursday October 22, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Demands made by friends, children, or the special person in your life might have you feeling like you're moving in a dozen different directions at once.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A number of deliveries, service people, emails, or phone calls might keep you jumping today, Taurus, right when you're in the mood for a quiet day.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A close friend might pass along some seemingly harmless but nonetheless untrue gossip. Don't accept anything you hear today until you check the facts for yourself.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You don't normally tend toward frugality, Cancer, but today you could go overboard with your spending.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Some failures that you may have experienced over the past few days could have you beating yourself up today, Leo. Perhaps you feel that you were too hasty or too sloppy and could have done things better.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might be able to tune in to the thoughts and feelings of others, Virgo, but you aren't likely to know exactly how to handle the situation. Should you say something or just tailor your own behavior to suit the moods of others?

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Group activities are probably very much on your agenda today, Libra. You could attend an online meeting or lecture and later participate in a group chat with a bunch of friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Too much pressure on the job could have you feeling like chucking it all and going somewhere by yours e l f . Yo u m i g h t b e tempted to go on a spending spree or overindulge in food or drink.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Inner conflict regarding spiritual matters might have you questioning your and others' beliefs. You might doubt just about everything CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Although your financial situation appears to be on the upswing, you still might be feeling pessimistic and indifferent about money and life in general.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A minor and rather silly quarrel with a friend or romantic partner could have you down in the dumps. This is an overreaction, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Pressures on the job may be mounting. You might feel so disgruntled that you want to chuck it all and run away.

Foreign countries and distant states may suddenly seem far more appealing than usual.

forced the organisers to change Saturday’s final mountain stage to Sestriere.

The French town of Briancon has declined to let the race pass through due to sanitary measures.

The race will no longer climb the 2744m-high Colle dell’Agnello and cross into France for the Col d’Izoard, instead climbing to Sestriere three times. The new 181kilometre 20th stage will include around 4,000 metres of climbing instead of the 5,500 vertical metres of the original 198km route.

Russell, Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons all missing for varying reasons.

The three-match series runs from November 27-30 in Auckland and Mount Maunganui.

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

...Second meeting of Concussion Expert Group From page 26 uniform approach is needed, which can operate effectively at all levels of the game. Therefore, the group agreed that applying an “if in doubt, take them out” philosophy would be the best solution to safeguard the health of football players.

The members recommended further consultation, working with the FIFA Medical Subdivision and other stakeholders, to facilitate trials to start from January 2021 for any competition that is interested in taking part.

Clear, scientific and footballbased feedback will be collected to enable The IFAB, FIFA and the expert groups to evaluate the impact of these trials and make appropriate recommendations.

The outcome of this CEG meeting will be discussed at The IFAB’s Football Advisory Panel and Technical Advisory Panel meeting on 23 November 2020; the matter will then be reviewed at The IFAB’s Annual Business Meeting in December so that appropriate decisions can be taken.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

Exclusive: AIBA Presidential candidate linked to potential election rule breach over membership fee payment Insidethegames Concerns have been raised over a possible breach of International Boxing Association (AIBA) election rules after the National Federation which nominated one of the four candidates standing for President tried to pay the membership fee of nine countries so they can vote in the Congress.

The Dominican Republic Boxing Federation (DRBF) – which nominated Domingo Solano for President – transferred a total of $4,800 (£3,700/€4,000) to the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) to cover the dues of nine National Federations, according to documents seen by insidethegames.

AMBC President Osvaldo Bisbal reported the “disturbing case” of the payment in a letter to the heads of the AIBA Disciplinary and Ethics Commissions, which he said was made “without previous approval from our side”.

Bisbal alleges the DRBF told the AMBC the money “was to pay for the membership fees for nine National Federations in order for them to be eligible for the upcoming Congress” on December 12 and 13, where AIBA is due to elect its new President.

The Argentinian, a vicepresident of AIBA, also suggested the DRBF had

asked for the source of the money to be covered up as it “requested AMBC to issue an individual receipt to each National Federation that AMBC pretended to receive each fee from each of these nine National Federations”.

The money was for AIBA’s member federations in Saint Maarten, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Virgin Islands, Dominica, Anguila, Bermuda, Haiti and Suriname, according to the letter.

“I am reporting this to you because I believe that AIBA and AMBC could be affected from an ethical point of view,” Bisbal writes.

“As we are in critical situation to restore our damaged image, I am requesting your proper considerations on this case.”

While Solano is no longer the President of the DRBF – he left in 2016 after 38 years at the helm – the alleged payment from the Dominican body could land the honorary AIBA vice-president in hot water with the Election Committee and the Ethics Commission.

The election rules state candidates “should in no case and under no pretext give presents or offer donations or gifts or grant advantages or benefits of whatever nature to or at the request of any party who will vote in, or who may otherwise influence, an election”.

Candidates should also “not directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or offer any form of remuneration or commission, or any concealed benefit or service of any nature, connected with any AIBA activity or election or appointment to office”.

Solano’s knowledge of the payment is not yet known.

It is also not clear whether the Election Committee or Ethics Commission will take any action against Solano, but insidethegames understands the allegations have caused concern among senior AIBA officials. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended AIBA in June of last year because of issues with its governance, finances and refereeing and judging.

Restoring AIBA’s status with the IOC will be the main task of the winner of the election, set to be contested

by Solano, Asian Boxing Confederation head Anas Al Otaiba, Azerbaijan’s Executive Committee member Suleyman Mikayilov and Dutch Boxing Federation head Boris van der Vorst.

Other candidates, including Russia’s Umar Kremlev, are expected to enter the race prior to the November 2 deadline. AIBA has been without a permanent President for 18 months after Gafur Rakhimov stood down in March 2019 following allegations he was involved

Second meeting of Concussion Expert Group recommends trials of additional permanent substitutions FIFA - Constructive discussions and recommendations concluded yesterday’s second meeting of the Concussion Expert Group (CEG), consisting of medical concussion experts, team doctors, player representatives, coaches, competition organisers and refereeing and Laws of the Game experts.

The meeting was chaired

by Jonathan Ford, the Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales and a member of The IFAB Board of Directors. Meeting via videoconference call, the CEG continued its deliberations on how the Laws of the Game could play a role in the management of suspected or actual concussion incidents during a game, mindful that the Laws are limited to the playing of a match.

©Getty Images

After a review of developments since the first meeting of the CEG on 30 January 2020, the group focused on the main principles of an “additional permanent substitution”

protocol, potential test environments and timelines.

The CEG again emphasised that the protection of players is the main goal and that a clear and (Continued on page 25)

in heroin trafficking.

The organisation has since been led on an interim basis by Morocco’s Mohamed Moustahsane. The IOC suspending AIBA as the Olympic governing body for the sport stripped the organisation of any involvement in the boxing tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. insidethegames has attempted to contact a representative of Solano and has also approached AIBA Ethics Commission chairman Bernhard Welten, who also chairs the Election Committee, for comment.

Domingo Solano

International cricket set to return next year, says Skerritt Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – Cricket West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, says international cricket could return to the Caribbean as soon as the first quarter of next year but the challenge remains the creation of safe bio-secure “bubbles” at Caribbean venues.

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

However, he confirmed Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia were all expected to tour the region, the series spread over the first half of the year. Skerritt also said the resumption of regional domestic cricket would start with the Super50 limited overs tournament which was being pencilled in for JanuaryFebruary of next year.

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

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

CWI has not staged an international home series since last January when Ireland toured for three OneDay Internationals and T20 Internationals. In fact, the year was expected to be a busy one but the home

CWI president Ricky Skerritt. itinerary was cancelled following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Africa Women had been scheduled to play a fivematch ODI series in Jamaica and Trinidad last May/June while South Africa A had been carded for five one-dayers and three four-day “Tests” in Antigua and Barbados last June/July. The senior men’s tours were also scrapped, New Zealand having been expected to play three ODIs and T20s in Antigua, Dominica and Guyana last July and South Africa down to play two Tests and five T20s in Trinidad, St Lucia, Jamaica and the United States in July/August.

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

Skerritt said issues of regional air travel and

establishing and implementing safe protocols, first needed to be addressed before tours could be staged.

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

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

The cancellation of the 2020 itinerary has impacted CWI revenues significantly, forcing the Antigua-based governing body to make reductions in their expenditure. Last May, CWI announced a “temporary” 50 per cent cut in all salaries and funding of cricket across the region, referencing the “debilitating economic challenges which have resulted from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”, as the rationale for the move.

Thursday October 22, 2020

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

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

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

“Now how are we going to get these guys to perform. These guys have no confidence and the selection panel has gone back with the same guys tried and tested.

“John Campbell came back from a tour of England and said he was at bits and pieces with (James) Anderson. Now if you were at bits and pieces with Anderson and … you have not taken a third opener … how are these guys being selected? On performances or stats? Because you have to dig deep sometimes and make hard core decisions on West Indies cricket.

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

“They h a d a l l t h e opportunities in England.

The board (Cricket West Indies) sent them up there a month before, they played wonderfully well in the first Test match and they messed it up in the second and the third and you’re going to reward men for mediocre performances on a tougher tour down to New Zealand.”

Campbell was among s e v e r a l We s t I n d i e s

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Kaieteur News

No roars will leave players in dark at Masters, says Woods Reuters - From the weather to a lack of bustling crowds, much will be different about a Masters forced from April to November by the COVID-19 pandemic, but for Tiger Woods the most unsettling thing will be the absence of that familiar Augusta National soundtrack.

With no phones allowed on course and only a few manually operated scoreboards to provide updates, it is the roars echoing through the Georgia pines that have delivered the news at Augusta National during Masters week. With no fans allowed on site golfers will be operating in the dark.

“There’s no other place like it,” said Woods on Tuesday as he prepared to defend his title at the ZOZO Championships, moved to

Thousand Oaks, California from Japan due to COVID-19.

“It echoes there, it travels.

“When you know the pairings, you know where certain players would be at that particular time and you can figure out who’s doing what, and the roars for certain people are louder than others, and then you hear eagle roars and hole-outs on 16, or whatever it may be.

“It’s unlike any other place in the world.” A trip to Augusta National offers sensory overload from the sweet fragrance of the azaleas to the taste of a Masters pimento cheese sandwich.

But the move from its traditional early April date to Nov. 12-15 will mean warm spring breezes replaced by chilly north winds. With no fans there will be silence where there was buzz. It all adds up to a very unfamiliar

John Campbell … struggled on the tour of England earlier this year. batsmen who failed badly o n t h e E n g l a n d t o u r, managing only 84 runs from six innings at an average of 16.

The Jamaican has, however, played only nine Te s t s s i n c e m a k i n g h i s debut last year on E n g l a n d ’s t o u r o f t h e Caribbean, and averages 25 overall with a single halfcentury.

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

Stressing that the selectors should have “read the riot act” to certain players, Wallace reiterated that changes should have been made to the squad.

“We need to make some hard decisions in our cricket. All of these [friendship] picks must stop. These guys need to be read the riot act,” Wallace continued. “These guys need to understand the responsibility of cricket and West Indies.

John Campbell is a very lucky man; I wish him all the very best but he struggled in England and we’re picking him for another tour to New Zealand.

“[The selection panel] has to make some decisions that will benefit West Indies cricket. It hurts to see these kind of decisions being made.

Pick horses for courses and send the message loud and clear – changes can be made.”

Wallace argued that the consistency of players needed to be a major factor for selectors when deliberating over squads.

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

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

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

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

Tiger Woods driver. Getty

buildup to 2020’s final major, which is usually the year’s first.

“No, you can’t,” said Woods when asked if it is possible replicate his preparations. “It’s not normally this time of year.

“The fact that the Masters will be held in November, it’s unprecedented, never been done before. “I can’t simulate the normal ramp-up that I normally have, and I don’t think anyone else can either.”

Before defending his Masters title Woods will first focus on his ZOZO Championship defence, which might be his one and only warmup event prior to Augusta, where he will chase a 16th major title.

Coming off a disappointing U.S. Open last month where he failed to make the cut at Winged Foot Golf Club, Woods will find himself in more friendly surroundings at Sherwood Country Club, a layout where he has posted five wins.

“My game’s definitely better than it was at the U.S. Open,” said Woods, adding he might consider playing the Houston Open the week before the Masters. “I feel a little bit more prepared, a little bit better and hopefully that translates into playing the golf course. “Some of the redesign that they’ve done here and the redo has made this golf course certainly more member-friendly and I think that the scores will be awfully low this week.”

PAGE 30

Thursday October 22, 2020

Kaieteur News

Birmingham 2022 will be first major multi-sport event to award more medals to women than men The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will make global sport history by becoming the first ever major multi-sport event to award more medals to women than men. The medal event programme, published yesterday, confirms there will be 136 medal events for women and 134 for men.

This will see the Birmingham 2022 Games go one step further than the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, when there were an equal number of medals for women and men.

Birmingham 2022’s sports programme includes T20 cricket for women for the first time at a Commonwealth Games, with eight teams competing at the internationally renowned Edgbaston Stadium.

There will be 13 mixed events, more than ever before, including synchronised 3m springboard diving and synchronised 10m platform diving, swimming relays and para athletics relays. 10km race walks for men and women, which will take place on the track at the redeveloped Alexander Stadium, have also been added to the athletics programme.

This will give athletes like Team England’s Tom Bosworth, who won silver in the 20km road version of the event at the Gold Coast 2018 Games and World Junior

10km race walking champion, Callum Wilkinson, the chance to compete at more than one major championships in the summer of 2022.

The Games will also feature more para sport than any previous Commonwealth Games, with wheelchair basketball 3 x 3 included in the integrated programme for the first time, alongside para athletics, para swimming, para cycling track, para table tennis, para triathlon, para lawn bowls and para powerlifting.

Para athletics events like the 100m T33/34 and para swimming events like the 100m breaststroke SB6 are added for the first time, giving some of Britain’s best known para sport stars, such as Hannah Cockcroft, Kare Adenegan, Maisie Summers-Newton and Ellie Simmonds, the chance to compete at a Commonwealth Games for the first time in their careers.

Para athlete Hannah Cockroft MBE, who has five Paralympic golds and 12 World Championship golds, said: “When I heard that there was going to be an event that I can target at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games I honestly nearly cried.

This is such amazing news as I didn’t think I was going to get this opportunity in my career and it has been the medal missing from my

collection for all of these years. To have the opportunity to go for gold on home soil, and to compete in a Games that will be awarding more medals to women and with the biggest ever para sport programme in history, makes this even more exciting.”

England and Warwickshire cricketer Amy Jones is aiming to compete for Team England in T20 Cricket at Birmingham 2022. She said: “It’s absolutely brilliant that women’s cricket is taking centre stage at my home Games, and I can’t wait to compete for gold at the worldfamous Edgbaston Stadium, which also happens to be my home ground.

“I’m proud that Birmingham 2022 is giving women’s sport such a huge platform, and I have no doubt that it will inspire young girls in the West Midlands and around the world to follow in our footsteps.”

The Birmingham 2022 medals milestone is being marked today (Wednesday 21 October) with a day of special talks entitled “It’s Our Time”, broadcast on the Birmingham 2022 Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and featuring past, present and future stars of British sport.

Hosted by Olympic 400m medallist Katharine Merry, the event brings together several generations of female athletes, including: multi-

event pioneer Lady Mary Peters, who won Commonwealth pentathlon gold in 1970 and Olympic gold in 1972; five-time Paralympic sprint champion Hannah Cockroft; and triple jumper Ashia Hansen, who won Commonwealth gold in 1998 when women’s triple jump was first added to the programme.

Across the day, they will discuss the role of women’s sport in striving for equality, what Birmingham 2022 is doing to advance the profile of women’s and para sport, and what still needs to be done to ensure equal representation in the industry.

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022, said: “Our event programme has been specifically designed to reach new audiences and champion the growth of women’s sport.

I am certain that fans will come in their droves to cheer on the most diverse range of events ever held at a Commonwealth Games, showcasing more female and para athletes than ever before.

“With this programme, we are seizing the opportunity to raise the profile of the Games and the West Midlands and celebrate the diversity that the region and the Commonwealth Games movement is known for.”

Dame Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said: “It is very

special that the Commonwealth Games will be the first major multi-sport event in history with more medals for women than men.

“It will also be the largest ever integrated para sport programme which will ensure that Birmingham 2022 will be a truly historic, inclusive and unforgettable 11 days of sport.

“We remain on track to host one of the world’s greatest sporting competitions and deliver a Games that will leave a lasting legacy for Birmingham, the West Midlands, the country and the Commonwealth.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Birmingham 2022 offers a unique opportunity to profile women’s and para sport as never before. I am very proud that the UK is hosting the first multi-sport event with more medal opportunities for women than for men and Birmingham 2022 will help build on the great progress made in both women’s sport and para sport in recent years.”

Team England Chef De Mission, Mark England OBE, said: “We’re delighted to see the medal event programme unveiled today, a really exciting moment for athletes and teams.

Confirmation that there will be more medals available for women alongside the biggest para athlete programme seen at a Commonwealth Games is fantastic news. We’re confident that we have strength in depth across the event programme allowing more Team England athletes to experience an opportunity of a lifetime and to realise their dreams.”

Cllr Brigid Jones, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Knowing that Birmingham 2022 will be breaking new ground for both women’s and para sport is a source of immense pride. Too often the world of sport is a long way away from parity of esteem, so milestones like this are hugely important.

“The event programme confirms that the significance of the 11 days of sport will transcend who wins in each sport and which nation tops the medals table. “Our programme brings an unprecedented prominence to sport for groups that have been historically underrepresented at major multisport events – setting a standard for other Host Cities to follow, making the Games more relevant than ever before for spectators, also acting as an inspiration for future generations to take part and get involved.”

Chris Froome loses more time as Marc Soler wins stage two of Vuelta a Espana BBCSport - Britain’s Chris Froome lost nearly 20 minutes at the Vuelta a Espana as Marc Soler won the second stage. Froome, 35, fell back from the peloton with 41km to go of the hilly 152km stage from Pamplona to Lukenberri.

Ineos Grenadiers’ Froome is now nearly 30 minutes off the overall lead.

Primoz Roglic of Jumbo-Visma retained the leader’s red jersey as he finished among his rivals, 19 seconds behind Movistar rider Soler.

What will Froome do now? Froome will focus on supporting third-placed Richard Carapaz, something Ineos say was always part of the team’s plans. Froome himself said he had no expectations for this race, but seeing him lose touch with the peloton on consecutive days is still a

surprise for an athlete who won four Tours de France and very rarely lost touch with the pace of any race in which he competed.

Despite losing so much time, Froome will want to race on and rediscover his form in racing conditions, while aiding the team’s objective of trying to win the general classification.

Any thoughts of trying to win a single stage himself will be on hold while Carapaz is in contention.

Carapaz showed plenty of strength and potential during September’s Tour de France, despite losing out on the king of the mountains classification on the penultimate stage to eventual winner Tadej Pogacar following a dramatic time trial up to La Planche des Belles Filles.

Wild horses couldn’t keep him away - Soler broke

away from the main group on the descent to Lukenberri, near the Spanish-French border, with 14km to go following the climb up the category one Alto de San Miguel de Aralar.

As the pack attempted to reel in Soler, a group of five small Asturcon wild horses, local to the northern Spanish Basque region, burst out of roadside trees and into the second chasing group.

Miraculously, no-one was knocked off their bike as riders took evasive action.

Roglic leads the general classification by nine seconds over Martin, with Carapaz 11 seconds down in third and Britain’s Hugh Carthy of EF Pro Cycling 20 seconds further back in sixth.

Thursday’s 166km stage from Lodosa to La Laguna Negra-Vinuesa has a category one summit finish.

Home run: Spaniard Soler, 26, took victory for his team, who are based in Pamplona. (Getty Images)

Thursday October 22, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Mohammed Siraj’s journey from Carlos Petterson-Griffith wants punching bag to heavyweight champ to be World’s Best!

Mohammed Siraj began his night against KKR with two maidens and three wickets ©BCCI ESPNcricinfo - The ball is a lie. Everything about it goes against everything else.

And it fools Nitish Rana. He isn’t ready for it to be pitched up. He is beaten completely by the swing. He hears the wreckage behind him. And for half a second he just stands, suspended in disbelief.

There are wickets that bring great joy to a fast bowler. Most of them involve the stumps being shattered in some form or other.

And while that alone is often enough, the sight of a batsman struggling to comprehend what had happened is bliss.

Especially to a player like Mohammed Siraj. He even admitted it was his favourite of the three wickets he took on Wednesday.

Big beaming smile on his face, soon after he’d bullied Dale Steyn into taking a photo with him.

“Virat (Kohli) bhai’s plan was for me to bowl a bouncer,” Siraj would tell iplt20.com later. “But when I was at the start of my run-up, I thought ‘no let me pitch it up’. I pitched it up, and it came out well and I got a wicket.”

Siraj is terrific in domestic cricket. A warrior, really, for Hyderabad, routinely running through oppositions at that level. In only his second season of Ranji Trophy cricket, he found a way to average nearly five wickets a game.

Performances in the

shorter format came just as naturally. In the 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he line-andlengthed his way to three five-fors in six matches.

He even cracked A-team cricket, single-handedly dismantling an Australian side with eight wickets in an innings. That spell of 8 for 59 came on the back of several other ferocious ones. Two five-fors in the same game against South Africa A. Two four-fors against West Indies A away from home.

Siraj had only begun playing with a cricket ball in 2015. His rise is intoxicating.

And frustrating.

Here was a bowler who was accurate and dangerous and yet every time the IPL rolled around he turned into cannon fodder. Before this game, he had an economy rate of 9.29 - the worst among 92 bowlers with at least 100 overs to their name.

Tons of people watch the IPL. Performances here have led to India call-ups. Even if that doesn’t quite happen, making a good impression of yourself can change your entire life. But do badly and you become a target. You get found out. You get labelled.

And as much as you try, you end up being known for all the wrong things.

In Abu Dhabi, Siraj decided to change the way he is seen. He was given the chance to bowl with the new ball because Royal Challengers Bangalore had

seen that the pitch was offering sideways movement.

So instead of powerplay specialist Washington Sundar, who has been a big part of the team’s success this season, it was the new man in who was asked to set the tone for the innings.

“I have been practising a lot with the new ball,” Siraj said at the presentation. “We hadn’t planned that I will open but when we went out, Virat bhai said Miyan, ready ho jao. [Sir, get ready.].”

Siraj became the first bowler in IPL history to bowl two maidens in a single game.

He had picked up three wickets before he had given up a single run. He finished with the most economical figures this season.

Essentially, he went from punching bag to heavyweight champion. And it looks like this is just the start.

“Last year he had a tough year and a lot of people went quite hard at him,” Kohli said at the presentation. “This time around he worked hard, he was really determined, and in practice as well, he was hitting the right areas, talking to the bowling coach. So look, when you gradually work towards something, you know, there’s a reason why people mention process being so important and he’s worked on the process now and he’s seen a result now but we want him to keep continuing the same way.”

By Calvin Chapman Strongman Carlos Petterson-Griffith is focus personified and his outstanding record in the past three years both locally and internationally speaks volumes about the athlete’s commitment and drive to make his dream of becoming one of the best athletes in the world, reality.

Peterson-Griffith was well on his way to realising his dream in 2018 when he was rated number 10 in the World Classic Powerlifting rankings and has vowed to continue with utmost effort when competition gets back on track.

The 26-year-old has an impressive resume. In the 93kg category he is the current Equipped and Unequipped champion with his 305kg Squat, 165kg Bench Press and 350kg Deadlift, making him the record holder in the Unequipped category.

Internationally, Carlos has added a few titles to this trophy case inclusive of the Pan Am, South American, North American Powerlifting Federation and C o m m o n w e a l t h

championships. The two-time Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) Heavyweight champion (2018 & 2019) pays equal attention to his form and physique and shared with Kaieteur Sport that the Mr. Guyana title is on his to-do list.

During the interview with Kaieteur Sport, Petterson reminded that he is committed to bettering himself every day and he recounted his performances in the Crossfit ‘Strongman’ competitions as a testament to his determination.

In 2017 he finished third, in 2018 he copped second place and it wasn’t until last year that he earned the title as champion in an emphatic performance that lit up the Sports Hall Tarmac with an unofficial record 19 reps in the car lift exercise.

Carlos related that it is very difficult to remain motivated in Guyana especially when it comes to gathering sponsorship which is usually a huge hassle for many athletes. “Although I’m an elite athlete, I still have to work an 8 to 12 hour job. I’m a certified Crane Operator.

Sponsorship is minimum in Guyana and even worse now since we are in a pandemic but I do what I have to do because I have a goal that I am working towards”, Petterson-Griffith divulged.

Currently, he is sponsored

by English Sportswear manufacturers SBD Apparel and he is trusting God for a breakthrough contract extension. Although the ‘Big’ John Edwards coached athlete has not been able to be in the gym during the pandemic he has been innovative with concrete blocks at home and runs on the seawall every day.

In addition, he has been using fishing as a “Coping mechanism” to deal with not being able to be in his element in the gym. He described fishing as an important exercise since it requires patience and, “In this world you have to have patience or else you wouldn’t be able to deal with many people.”

Peterson-Griffith completed a one-year suspension by the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) last May after competing in an unsanctioned event in Barbados and he described the experience as one that he has definitely learnt from.

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

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

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

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

“As he gets to understand the rhythm of Test cricket and the approach needed, I think he’ll show that so this is an

opportunity for him to showcase his skill and talent, and help the team to build big totals.”

The 23-year-old Hetmyer averages nearly 28 from 16 Tests since making his debut three years ago, and has managed just five halfcenturies with a highest score of 93. Both he and fellow lefthander Darren Bravo opted out of the England tour and were sorely missed, as West Indies’ batting struggled badly – especially in the last two Tests – resulting in a 2-1 series defeat.

Meanwhile, Harper confirmed that aggressive left-hander Nicholas Pooran came under serious consideration for the Test series, despite having only played international whiteball cricket. The 25-year-old also played the last of his three first class matches six years ago but his excellent white-ball form has triggered calls for his selection to the Test unit.

Pooran averages 49 from 25 One-Day Internationals

and while several pundits have urged his selection on this basis, Harper said selectors had opted to monitor the Trinidadian’s development, especially on the four-day games on the New Zealand tour.

“There was a lot of consideration given to Nicholas Pooran and we’re still looking at it,” Harper explained. “But as we go forward, I’m sure Pooran will have opportunities … but we thought this was the best way to go.

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

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

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

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

Aguero’s 40th Champions League goal helps Man City fight back to beat Porto BBCsport - Manchester City made a winning start to their 10th attempt at winning the Champions League after fighting back to beat Porto.

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

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

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

Uribe found Colombian forward Luis Diaz, who was allowed to cut inside from the left and run virtually unchallenged into the City box before beating Ederson with a low shot.

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

Porto were unhappy with the decision, claiming Gundogan had stepped on goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin in the build-up, but the penalty stood and Aguero blasted home. There were further chances for the visitors before the break, with Kyle Walker having to clear Sergio Oliveira’s shot off the line.

But they were much less of a threat in the second half,

In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero stepped up and lashed home his penalty to bring City back level. (Ian Hodgson) which was when City began to exert some authority in midfield. The chances were hardly flowing for Guardiola’s men either, but Gundogan showed a touch of class to bend in his free-kick over the wall from the edge of the area and give his side the lead.

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

Own goal gives injury-hit Liverpool win over Ajax Premier League champions Liverpool were helped by an own goal from Nicolas Tagliafico to get off to a winning start in the Champions League against Ajax. Jurgen Klopp’s injuryhit side, who were without talisman Virgil van Dijk, were tested by Ajax but did enough to leave Amsterdam

with a clean sheet.

Tagliafico sliced Sadio Mane’s cross into his own net with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, moments after Liverpool keeper Adrian denied Quincy Promes from close range. Liverpool’s Fabinho then acrobatically cleared Dusan Tadic’s lob off the line, before Davy Klaassen’s powerful effort bounced off the inside of the post in the second half.

The Reds, who also face Atalanta and Midtjylland in Group D, were returning to Europe as English champions for the first time since 198485.

Covid-hit Shakhtarearn famous win over Real Madrid Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane took responsibility for “a bad night” as the 13-time European Cup winners were handed a humiliating defeat

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

But Luis Castro’s young side were undaunted and swept into an amazing, but thoroughly warranted, 3-0 lead at Real’s empty Alfredo di Stefano training ground.

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

Federico Valverde thought he had hit a stoppage-time leveller but after a check at the pitchside monitor referee Srdjan Jovanovic disallowed the goal for offside. The defeat follows a shock 1-0 home defeat newly-promoted Cadiz

in La Liga on Saturday.

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

“It’s a bad game, a bad night.

I’m the coach and it’s up to me to find the solution.

“We deserve the criticism, all of us, and me first. Luckily we had a reaction in the second half because they don’t deserve that, they are champions and it bothers me.

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

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

Without captain Sergio Ramos - left in the stands with a knee injury - Real’s defence was a mess and could do little to prevent Mateus Tete and Manor Solomon scoring

either side of a Raphael Varane own goal.

Tellingly, Real have now lost seven of their last eight Champions League games without Ramos at the heart of their backline. Former Tottenham midfielder Modric hit a stunning long-range strike to bring a ray of hope and, although Vinicius scored within 15 seconds of coming, on Shakhtar held on for a famous result.

“We have a match every three days. But hey, there is no excuse,” Zidane said.

“These are decisions that I have made and I have to find what will lead us to become strong again and win. And I have few days.”

Wednesday’s results: RB Salzburg 2 Lokomotiv Moscow 2, Real Madrid 2 Shakhtar Donetsk 3, Bayern Munich 4 Atl Madrid 0, Inter Milan 2 B Mgladbach 2, Man City 3 FC Porto 1, Olympiakos 1 Marseille 0, Ajax 0 Liverpool 1, FC Midtjylland 0 Atalanta 4.

Giro d’Italia: O’Connor wins stage 17 as Almeida leads

Tagliafico simply couldn’t sort his feet out at the back post as the ball spun off him into the net. (Getty images)

BBCsport Ben O’Connor claimed his first Grand Tour stage win with victory on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia. The NTT Pro Cycling rider broke away from a lead group of 14 riders on the final ascent of the day to win by 31 seconds atop Madonna di Campiglio.

Britian’s Tao Geoghegan Hart remains fourth overall after finishing with the general classification leaders.

Deceuninck-Quick Step’s

Joao Almeida leads Sunweb’s Wilco Kelderman by 17 seconds in the overall standings.

O’Connor had finished runner-up to Jan Tratnik on the previous day’s stage, missing out over the final climb, but atoned on Wednesday’s 203km route, which featured four categorised ascents. The 24year-old was involved with the day’s breakaway, which (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Thursday October 22, 2020

PAGE 33

RHT Metro honours top Grade Six Students - Retired Diplomat Cheryl Miles appointed roving Ambassador

Safiya Thirbowan

Kairon Roopnarine

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Metro Female team on Tuesday last honoured the top three Grade Six National Examinations students for Region Six. The team which is the only Female Cricket team in Guyana hosted the awards programme as part of their annual Personal Developmental Project.

The Metro team is aiming to successfully complete forty programmes before the end of the year.

Club Vice President Mark Papannah handed over the awards to the students, Renace Joseph of All Saints Primary School, Kairon Roopnarine of Cumberland Primary and Safiya Thirbowan of Tain Primary School.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, no ceremony was held but a three member delegation consisting Papannah, Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster and Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu visited the homes of the awardees to hand over the awards.

Foster noted that every y e a r, t h e R H T Y & S C mandates each of its ten cricket teams to undertake a

certain amount of programmes/project under numerous sub-headings such as educational, charity, religious, coaching, anticrime, anti-alcohol, youth development and community development among others. The Metro team has four West Indies female members; Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi. Naidu in brief remarks congratulated the three awardees and urged them to continue concentrating on their studies as an educational foundation means success for the future.

Each of the awardees received a Certificate of Excellence, a Medal of Excellence and a Collection of special gifts compliments of the club, Metro Office S u p p l i e s a n d M i k e ’s

Pharmacy. The top student Renace Joseph also received a trophy. All of the awardees and parents expressed thanks to the Metro Female team.

Meanwhile, the RHTY&SC with great pride announced the appointment of well respected Guyanese Career Diplomat Ms. Cheryl Miles as its roving Ambassador. Ms. Miles who is now retired, represented Guyana in numerous countries including serving terms as Ambassador in Brazil and Venezuela.

She also held several important positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Director-General.

Ms. Miles served as the Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela up to December, 2019 when she retired.

She received numerous accolades for her handling of the Guyana and Venezuela

Border issue and is widely respected in the Diplomatic arena. The highly successful career diplomat attended the Bishop High School from 1955 to 1962 before heading off to the University of the We s t I n d i e s a n d t h e University of London, between 1962 to 1969.

Among the numerous awards she has received are the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 1989, Order of Francisco De Miranda, Green Prize of the Americas and Order of Rio Branco. As the RHTY&SC roving Ambassador, Ms. Miles would promote the work of the club and also assist to make the upcoming Christmas Charity programme a success.

Ms. Miles in accepting the position stated that she was delighted to be associated with the Club as

Ms. Cheryl Miles

she was very impressed with its work especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert

Foster welcomed Ms. Miles to the club and expressed confidence that she would be an asset.

Romario Shepherd replaces injured Bravo in T20 squad

Romario Shepherd

St John’s, Antigua, CMC – Fast-bowling allrounder Romario Shepherd has been called up for the Twenty20 International tour of New Zealand after injury ruled veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo out of the squad.

The 25-year-old Shepherd replaces Bravo who sustained a groin injury playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League last weekend, and will now return home to continue his recovery.

Shepherd, a lively

seamer and hard-hitting lower order batsman, has played five One-Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals, and featured in both formats as recently as last January against Ireland.

“This is a great opportunity for me, and I want to take it with both hands,” the Guyanese said.

“I was in the team before, last year and earlier this year, so I have a good feel of the game at this level. I’ve been training hard and working at all areas of my game so I’m ready.”

For Bravo, the injury

comes as a massive blow, especially since he only returned to West Indies colours for the Ireland tour following a 3-½ year break.

He is the most experienced member of the squad with 512 wickets in 471 Twenty20s, and already with two T20 World Cup titles under his belt.

Bravo, the older brother of Test batsman Darren Bravo, said while the injury was a setback, he was focussed on rebounding again.

“I was really looking forward to the tour of New

Zealand as it has been so many months since I last wore maroon in Sri Lanka back in March and we are all so excited about building towards defending our T20 World Cup next year,” he said. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e injury I sustained on Saturday playing for CSK has not only ruled me out of the IPL but also the tour. I’m making arrangements to return to Trinidad over the next few days where I will continue my rehab and treatment. “I’m fully (Continued on page 25)

rt Spo

Carlos Petterson-Griffith powres through this Squat in December 2018.

Franklin Wilson photo.

Shimron Hetmyer.

Carlos Petterson-Griffith wants to be World’s Best!

Two of Guyana’s Best! Carlos Petterson-Griffith (left) and Vijai Rahim eagerly awaits combat in 2021. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Hetmyer can be best in the world, says Harper Flying high: Mohammed Siraj had a night to remember against KKR ©BCCI

Mohammed Siraj’s journey from punching bag to heavyweight champ

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