Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR Collusion between Saturday Edition October 24, 2020 - Vol. 14 No. 41

Ministry engineers and contractors will not be tolerated - Minister Edghill

NEWS

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

p.

18

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 92,357

“The fleecing of Guyana” Series

Ramotar agreed to repay donations made by Canje owners p.

2

Guyana moves closer Private criminal charges dropped to 4000 mark with 83 against Lowenfield new COVID-19 cases - State charges remain Brazen gunman Eight Success breaks car window squatters injured to rob marketing after tree falls agent in traffic jam GTT must return to detailed paper bills - PUC p.

13

p.

16

p.

12

p.

14

p.

3

ExxonMobil and Govt. move towards real-time p.

3

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

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Ramotar agreed to repay donations made by Canje owners O

n March 4, 2015, former President and Minister of Petroleum, Donald Ramotar, signed away the Canje block to Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas, agreeing that if the owners of the block were ever to make donations or contributions to organizations in country, they can request Guyana to repay every cent.

In Annex C of the Contract, which speaks to Accounting Procedure, it states that “donations and contributions to organizations in Guyana” are “cost recoverable only with Approval of the Minister”.

In effect, for any donation the oil companies make, Guyana is footing the bill. Such donations would fall under a company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), constituted by any charitable and philanthropic giveaways. In this regard, any material donated to an orphanage or school, or

Former President Donald Ramotar Former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud

Guyana is effectively paying for ExxonMobil's and JHI's sponsorship of the Guyana Amazon Warriors' CPL cricket campaigns. funding for local sporting events, such as cricket matches, could be recovered by the companies owning the Canje block.

When Ramotar signed the contract, the award went only to Mid-Atlantic. Since then, ExxonMobil, JHI Associates and Total SA

have also farmed in.

All four of these companies sponsored the Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit

and Exhibition (GIPEX) at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston last year. That sponsorship is recoverable.

ExxonMobil and JHI Associates both sponsored the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the Hero Caribbean Premier League cricket last year, and are sponsors this year as well.

They can request that money be repaid to them by the Government.

The Queen's College (continued on page 13)

Sole shareholder of Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas, Edris Kamal Dookie

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

PAGE 03

ExxonMobil and Govt. move towards real-time monitoring of oil production M

inister of N a t u r a l Resources, Vi c k r a m B h a r r a t , h a s disclosed that the PPP/C Administration is acutely aware of the importance of real-time monitoring of oil production in the Stabroek Block, hence discussions have already started towards this end with American oil giant, ExxonMobil.

The Minister made this revelation during a telephone interview with Kaieteur News yesterday.

During the call, the official was asked to provide an update on the government's progress on

this matter. Minister Bharrat said, “We are moving ahead with this. It entails a fire optic cable coming to shore from the operations so that we can set up a data room for the remote monitoring of the production. I would love to see that coming on board as soon as possible.”

Further to this, Minister Bharrat was asked to say if the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) would still be responsible for bringing the cable for the project as this is what was planned by the previous regime.

Minister Bharrat said he would not be able to speak on that front but what he is

aware of, is that ExxonMobil is responsible for bringing the cable.

When the project gets underway, the official said that Guyanese, especially those connected to the Department of Energy, would be partaking in the process to ensure the transfer of skills as it relates to monitoring the data room.

Quizzed to say who are the parties involved in the current talks and whether there is an international contractor already in play, Minister Bharrat said, “No, for now it is just discussions between the government and ExxonMobil.”

For more than five years, Kaieteur News would have highlighted the importance of real-time monitoring of oil production while

referencing examples of countries around the world that ensure such systems are in place to protect the people's patrimony.

One country which this newspaper has showcased in this regard is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The custodian of the Kingdom's petroleum is the National Oil Company (NOC) of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco.

In a 2008 CBS: 60 M i n u t e s d o c u m e n t a r y, Journalist Lesley Stahl was given a tour of Saudi Aramco's command centre by its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Abdullah Juma'ah.

He described it as the nerve centre of the company's operations; a room with a 220-ft digital

screen, where engineers scrutinize and analyze every aspect of the company's operations.

“Every facility in the Kingdom, every drop of oil that comes from the ground is monitored in real-time in this room, and we have control of each and every facility, each and every pipeline, each and every valve in the pipeline. And therefore, we know exactly what is happening in the system from A to Z,” Juma'ah explains.

In Guyana's case, the need for real-time monitoring with the use of the latest technology has been expressed ad nauseam since the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil for the Stabroek block contains zero

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat provisions regarding the nation's rights to monitor readings of its petroleum and gas. In fact, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said on several occasions that Guyana should invest in (continued on page 14)

GTT must return to detailed paper bills - PUC T

he Public Utilities Commission ( P U C ) i s contending that the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) must revert to giving consumers detailed paper bills instead of the electronic billing format currently being used.

The PUC declined GTT's request to review Order No. 2 of 2019, stating that the new paper bill format lacks key information for consumers and fails to deliver important details. The PUC has, moreover, ordered GTT to issue the old format of bills which has all the relevant information. The decision was signed by PUC Chairman, Attorney-at-Law, Dela Britton.

Last year, the company

GTT customer, Ramon Gaskin started using a new billing format which was omitting necessary information from customers' bills. In addition to that, the company had failed

to notify consumers about the new format change.

Customers were forced to access the information missing from their bills on GTT's online portal which inconvenienced those without internet access.

The PUC had grilled the company for the omission of information and its failure to inform customers. A particular customer, Ramon Gaskin, had filed complaints about changes made to the format of his telephone bill and actively engaged in a rg u m e n t s u rg i n g t h e company to revert.

Kaieteur News understands that the PUC previously made a decision in October based on Order No. 2 of 2019, maintaining that GTT had to switch back to

giving detailed paper bills, however, in June GTT requested that the PUC revise the order following Section 77 of the PUC Act. Following the request for a review, a hearing was conducted in August which saw Gaskin, along with the Guyana Consumers Association, the PUC and GTT engaging in a discussion and each party gave their arguments.

While giving GTT's argument at the hearing, a representative said that the company was allowing customers access to their information with no cost attached via their online portal. The company maintained that it complied with Order No. 2 of 2019 which stated that an option

needs to be provided for customers to opt-out of receiving the new billing format and to receive the detailed paper bills free of cost. The company also stated that in regards to issuing bills, no part of Section 51 of the PUC Act No. 10 of 1999 states that certain formats or content

had to be contained in the bill.

Over 100 applications for detailed paper bills were submitted to the company by customers. GTT submitted that since Order No. 2 of 2019 was enforced, the company had received approximately 120 with 114 already processed to date.

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 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

Where are they today?

Where are they now? Where are the guardians of democracy? The private sector powers now reduced and exposed as self-enrich pretenders? Where are the lawyers and young professionals from both sides of the political chasm that were so engaged for so long about what is right and who was wrong?

We invite looking around and listening. There are few citizens standing up when Guyana needs them to say something about governance, oil, ethics. The political newcomers who sold themselves to the public as fresh and clean, are now revealed to be selling themselves to government under the cover of darkness and sheets. What we have in Guyana for many a long month is a bevy of those who prostitute themselves politically for personal gain.

To PPP agitators and advocates, we say: there is more to democracy than elections and victory. The same is said to coalition detractors and defenders. Both groups had something in common, which was attacking whoever stood in their way to political paradise and the plums of power.

They are there: one side live with paradise lost, with only itself to blame. The other regained it with apparent readiness to go down the same crooked road just like before.

What happened to them - most of those previously loud voices from both sides of the rupture? The partisan politicking may be temporarily over, but where is the national governing? Again, where are they today? Why do they have nothing to say about anything? About leadership oil treachery? This applies in almost equal shares to both the PPP government and the opposition coalition, Guyana’s oil betrayers. One would have thought that the energies manifested over electoral democracy would be similarly brought to bear for oil transparency. Yet both the PPP and coalition - leadership, stalwarts, fanatics, sycophants - stand as monuments in resistance to any accountability relative to the people’s oil.

Nowadays, the once fevered democratic are suddenly tyrannic on disclosures on oil, with the nation’s patrimony reduced to top-secret handling. In short, most of the characters around with honourable before their titles and/ or names stand as the most disgraceful representations of what is dishonourable.

It would be helpful to the unity so easily (meaninglessly) spouted by President Ali, if something nationally healing could be said about people from GECOM and how to handle with the big picture in mind and what pieces could be picked up from our shattered and ragged environment. It may be beneficial to go about in a different way: send messages but demonstrate that seriousness and severity could be tempered with mercy; examples could still be set with limited leniency extended.

There is no need to manufacture martyrs. Rise above the moment, look ahead, look at the world of Guyana through a wider lens, the widest that could be discovered internally.

Because think of this: so they are punished and put away (in whatever fashion), then what? What else and who else?

How many more?

We move to state boards and state lands and state projects, the progress of the state itself. So, the coalition’s people are locked out. Fine! It is psychically treasured in the vindictiveness and malice savoured. But we ask again: then what? This is the stuff, as accumulated by time and events and passions, that leads to those brinks that no one desires to look beyond, save for those who insulate themselves from the ensuing consequences and leave others to face the fires and sweep up the ashes. This has been said before, a one-party state may be thrilling, but it has, uncatered for, disastrous downsides.

The president revels in his assigned role of good cop: soothing and sweetening, and all the while saying the helpful things that he thinks appeals to nobler instincts.

But he must be more of substance and less of saw dust; those nobler instincts must originate from him and be exemplified by him. He cannot be a figurehead (as widely seen and disparaged) but a force for what is positive and good. Though many are the conclusions that he lacks what is required, he can prove all wrong. How he will be remains to be seen. Somebody has to call government out on the many things mishandled. Where are they?

The COVID-19 pandemic has catapulted everyone into an education culture shock Dear Editor, This expression of concern was penned on October 14th after discussion among a small group of parents and chaperones who are grappling with the steep learning curve occasioned by COVID-19 on the formal education scenario. We learnt today (October 22) that the Honorable Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand has since spoken to some of the points raised herein. Nonetheless, we still ask your kindness to publish this attempt highlight pertinent issues and responses from the relevant authorities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has catapulted everyone into an education culture shock, particularly parents and guardians who have suddenly become academic chaperones to children’s education. This new reality has brought to the fore a number of issues that needs to be comprehensively addressed, hence this appeal for a continual dialogue between parents and educators.

Concern #1 - The GTT Wi-Fi fiasco: We are very concerned about the disappointing service being provided by GTT. Those of us living in areas served only by GTT can testify to frequent interruptions and low bandwidth. This poor internet

feed hinders students because the frequent interruption (at both ends) translates to students missing segments of their classes.

This erratic internet service is undermining the future of our children. To add salt to the wound, GTT forces customers to endure eight working days of disorienting inconvenience before faults are investigated or rectified.

GTT has never reduced its charges even when we, customers, get less than half the agreed service. We therefore appeal to the Ministry of Education, The Guyana Teachers’ Union, and all other relevant stakeholders to lobby GTT for a reduction in the cost of internet and an increase in bandwidth so our children can access education. Many of us (parents) are struggling to put food on the table and at the same time find the money to put data into phones to grab a few hours of education for our children.

The present internet rates are unaffordable to those of us living below the poverty line.

Concern #2 - Financial assistance for poor parents Another concern is the expectations and relationship between teachers and parents. As parents we are ever thankful for the support and initiative undertaken by schools and the Ministry of Education. However there is a burning need for

stakeholders to discuss the issues encountered by the new “school-at-home” phenomenon. We air some of our concerns below(and there many more). When and how will lower/lowest income single parent families get financial assistance to purchase computers (phones are helpful but inadequate) and pay for internet services?

Teachers expect a parental presence to chaperone students while classes are in session - what protocols can be worked out to make this feasible in cases where parents must go out to work and no adult is at home to assist? Is there room in the Ministry of Education to discuss these niggling problems with frustrated parents and endangered young people? The final point on teacher/parent/MOE relations is the timeliness of information. Too many last minute request and advice is being imposed on parents.

We need to know well in advance what is required, given that many of us are on reduced income or simply no income. Finally we need to brainstorm how (in these covid times) we can ensure that children whose parents have to be at work do not drop through the cracks. Parents are also concerned about the security issues present with more unsupervised children on the internet. There is urgent need for dialogue (from

the national to neighbourhood sphere) on cyber-bullying, stalking, probing porn sites and protecting children from other internet predators. There is also need to enforce for a code of conduct for persons using the systems.

Concern # 3 Standardize the platform and equipment: We congratulate teachers who have shown initiative and kindness (even at their personal expense) to students by using readily available platforms like Zoom and WhatsApp. However as more students are added and activity picks up, tools like WhatsApp can become cumbersome. To ensure that study materials and assignments are accurately communicated, documented; that timetables are accessible in advance and that grades are properly archived, there is a burning need to standardize the platform.

While not experts on the matter, we have found Google suite to be very useful and a well-integrated platform with its G-mail, Google classroom, Google calendar, Google meet, Google Drive and Google docs seamlessly integrated. Reports floating around tell of students struggling to cope with the variation of tools being used by different teachers in the same school. The equipment (Continued on page 6)

It has been a pleasure to work with the Rupununi Miners Association Dear Editor, I would be appreciative of you publishing my profound gratitude to the membership of the Rupununi Miners Association (RMA) and the entire mining community of Region Nine (9) for allowing me to serve as their president of the RMA. Mr. Editor, over these four years of service, I have had the good fortune of gaining vast invaluable knowledge in the areas of mining regulation and good practices, greater appreciation for our indigenous peoples’ culture, interests and concerns, also the importance the mining sector played and continues to play throughout the various communities and the entire Region.

Most importantly, the fragile nature of social cohesion within the Region.

Please permit me to highlight some of the positives achieved by the RMA during this period of my tenure, which in my humble opinion, have set the

foundation for the association to build upon in order to achieve greater benefits to its members, surrounding communities, Region and by extension, our nation.

The RMA during this period, was able to cultivate an atmosphere of civility, respect and favourable working relationship towards achieving the goals of stakeholders, as opposed to a history of hostility, disdain and distrust.

While this is a work in progress, I must take my hat off to Lt.Col. Ward and team for being key towards this positive achievement, also the Romanex Company and the RMA. The RMA has established itself as a recognised and respected organisation to be reckoned with by stakeholders. Mr. Editor, it would be remiss of me not to recognise the hard work, resources and time invested by the Ministry of Natural Resources and its hard working officers in facilitating

all stakeholders involved on the Marudi issue so as to achieve amicable solutions to contentious issues.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to some of these key players namely, Ms. Watson, Maj (Ret) Derrick Lawrence and former Minister, Raphael Trotman.

Also to the many GGMC officials with whom I’ve had the good fortune to interact with to achieve our successes, however limited.

To the indigenous communities, especially Mr. Nicholas Fredericks and his team from the SRDC for their tolerance, kind and wise words of advice, and most of importantly, their desire to work towards achieving solutions for the benefit of all involved.

Also, to the executives of the Association, I sincerely thank you for your years of strong support and loyalty in the interest of the Association. Particularly, those dedicated individuals (mainly the ladies) who never

cower when that extra effort was required. Thanks to these individuals, the RMA can boast as to where it is today.

It has been my humble approach to conduct my personal, business affairs and the affairs of the RMA without any sentiments of ethnic, social or political bias, hence my parting advice to my fellow brothers and sisters of the RMA. To the Takutu family, and my very own family (wife, mom, sisters and brothers), no words can express the gratitude which I feel for the support extended to me and team unconditionally in my quest to be of service to my fellow brothers and sisters of the Association and Rupununi.

Finally, it is my fervent desire that the relations and positives mentioned above will be developed upon and blossom to benefit all concern under the new leadership.

Yours truly, Marlon Johnson

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kwayana disappointed many on election rigging Dear Editor, Like Freddie Kisoon (KN Oct 21), I am also troubled by Mr. Eusi Kwayana’s duplicitous position during the attempt to rig the election. Mr. Kwayana should have come out clearly and un-ambivalently on the side of free and fair elections as he did during the 1970s to 1992. People who have long considered Eusi as their hero and an icon are disappointed in the position he took after the March 2 election that essentially condoned rigging.

Many who were defenders of Eusi during the dictatorship, who were colleagues of his in and supporters of WPA, now see him in a different light with his behavior being defined by ‘racial solidarity’ that trumps long held principles of integrity and democracy. In fact, people have now dug up aspects of the past of Kwayana, formerly Sydney King, reminiscing about unpleasant activities of his personal . F r e d d i e , a f t e r being a cheerleader of Eusi for decades, himself has also gone back to Eusi’s past. Chris Ram also assailed Eusi for his position on rigging.

Many appalling aspects of Eusi’s political past from the late 1950s and 1960s are being brought to the fore.

People, including myself, had opted to deliberately forget these incidents against Indians in order to move on to build a better nation with the hope of improving race relations.

I was not aware of some revelations now brought to my attention. In one case, it is alleged that during the 1960s Sydney King had all fruit trees chopped down in front of homes on both sides of the public road from BV to Buxton.

People in the area who had their fruit trees felled claimed that King wanted a clear vision of his village of Buxton from miles afar. They claimed he got his way and their trees were chopped down without compensation.

Rural people are accustomed to growing fruit trees in front and at the back of their home; they never forgave King for this act that they described as bullying.

As Freddie himself aptly noted, Eusi’s position on the March 2020 fraud brings back memories of the past of a younger Sydney King on race

relations. He is regrettably being redefined as “Sydney King”, image of an activist that was reviled and long replaced by the one who championed peace, harmonious interethnic relations, d e m o c r a c y, shared governance, and free and fair elections. Several individuals phoned me to query why I have not taken Eusi to task on the rigged election matter given my consistent praiseworthy writings on him. Kwayana indeed has been held in high esteem.

I have had enormous respect for him especially for publicly condemning the banning of goods that impacted heavily on the cultural and religious lifestyle of Indians, kick down door robberies, the anti-Indian violence and policy of the Burnham and Hoyte regimes, among other commendable positions.

I first met Eusi during the 1980s in New York and interacted with him countless times thereafter in Guyana through and sometimes with activist and scholar Ravi Dev. Eusi, as did several other Guyanese and other Caribbean leaders, visited New York several times speaking at City College and at public forums on Guyana; his wife (Tchaiko) also spoke there several times including in classes of courses I took on Black and Latin American Studies.

They were regular visitors at Prof. Samad Margarita Mathias classes. Chuck Mohan, a Jaganite, patriot and freedom fighter, was often an organizer of the lectures as he worked closely with Prof.

Margarita.

The student government, of which I was an elected officer, hosted and or funded some of these lectures.

Separately, Ravi Dev organized and I promoted in the media several talks for Eusi in NY. I also reported on his NY visits for several media outlets.

He pulled good turnouts at his lectures. Indians turned out in numbers in Queens. I interviewed him in NY and in Guyana for several articles I

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

published during the 1980s and 1990s.

I found him to be courteous, pleasant, and a man of principle until APNU came to power in 2015. He was a straight, honest politician who meant what he said and said what he meant. He was careful of being correctly quoted.

His position on the rigged election, claiming ignorance or lack of knowledge, was most shocking. One cannot be on the fence when democracy was being violated. Eusi does not need government’s handouts like some others that would have silenced him to condemn electoral fraud.

He acted nobly in opposing fraud during the Burnham/Hoyte era excoriating the regime for oppressing the nation. His position on 2020 election erased that positive aspect of his contributions to Guyana’s freedom against the dictatorship.

It also came across as providing “racial solidarity” to a government hell bent on violating the basic tenet of democracy and that was widely seen as discriminating against people in account of race. Eusi erred on his position on fraud as well as on the anti-Indian violence in West Berbice; he condemned such racial violence from 1970s onwards.

He should have come forcefully against the violet. Excellent. He should set an example for younger politicians.

It may not be of consequence to him personally by virtue of his age, but his position is highly destructive to the moral fabric of society. He disappointed many who considered him their hero. Kwayana should rethink his position. It is not too late to condemn fraud and violence.

Yours truly Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Trump’s state of denial is of great concern to America and the world Dear Editor, The final US Presidential election debate is over (the second one was cancelled) and the horses are off (election will be on Nov. 3rd).

The winner or loser from last night doesn’t matter, what matters is, will America be better under the next President? It was held at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University, in Nashville, TN, and it was a more subdued affair. Perhaps, the presence and purpose of a “mute” button, did make quite a difference. After walking out on an earlier interview this week with “Sixty Minutes” Lesley Stahl, President Donald Trump behaved much better with the moderator, Kristen Welker, NBC news correspondent, than he did from the first debate with the moderator, Chris Wallace, Fox News anchor. President Trump even praised Welker and Wallace admitted that he was “jealous” of her. This civility displayed by Trump, who lied more but was fluid, allowed Biden to outlay his plans. His interview with “Sixty Minutes” was reminiscent of PNCR’s Volda Lawrence. Trump had told Lesley Stahl that he was not okay with being asked tough questions but she can “bring it on.” Volda Lawrence did use those very words to challenge the PPP/C Party back in 2018 to put the No Confidence Motion (NCM) to a vote. They lost due to Charrandass’ “yes, yes, yes” vote of conscience. Trump further exhibited his condescension and ego when he told Lesley Stahl, “I am President, you’re not!”

Some 21 million viewers from the second debate were anxiously awaiting his answer on the coronavirus pandemic and again, he was cavalier, careless, callous and cold. His answer was, “We’re learning to live with it.” Joe Biden’s retort, “People are learning to die with it.” Joe

Biden, the Democrat Presidential Candidate, had a good parting shot with this slug, “Two hundred twenty thousand Americans dead. If you hear nothing else I say tonight, hear this: Anyone who is responsible for not taking control- in fact, saying I take no responsibility initially- anyone that is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States of America.”

Whenever President Trump is questioned by reporters on what are his plans for his second term if he wins, his answer is always a nonchalant absurdity, dismissive of any concern and mockingly responsive, replying with, “ more of the same.”

It is interesting to note, how the current events unfolding over the past twelve months have made quite a big difference in influencing Americans to vary their opinions on social issues and persuade them to decide on whom they should cast their votes for in the coming election due less than two weeks away. Trump’s initial refusal to acknowledge the COVID-19 presence, dangers and immediate shut-down, is first and foremost on the table. His handling of the situation has resulted in a death toll of over two hundred and twenty thousand lives so far. His late stimulus package and holding another in abeyance has caused tremendous hardship as a relief measure. His state of

denial is of great concern to America and the world.

Trump’s macro and micro economic policies are questionable and unacceptable. His foreign policies and relationship are uncomfortable. The world views him with a sad vision of which, large numbers of Americans are ashamed of.

Trump’s personal business is of much concern to all, especially his astonishing tax revelations. Not paying taxes for many years and only a few hundred for the last couple years, which is less than the average Joe Bloke, is perplexing, confusing and ridiculous to the man in the street. The “Black Lives Matter” movement has caused a huge down turn from all races. The cruel killing of many Blacks by white police has stampeded another revolution throughout America. Trump’s “white supremacy” embracement has contributed to chastising his popularity and his racial insinuations has caused a downward slide in the poll.

Women are being turned away from him because of his non-recognition for women as a challenger, especially non-Caucasian ones.

Trump’s aloofness and bombastic behavior has also attributed to another reason for people leaving his caucus.

His “implications” with the mail-voting system is yet one more turning point. Trump has upset the Hispanic community with his reckless and heartless treatment for (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

...The COVID-19 pandemic has catapulted everyone into an education From page 4 also needs to be standardized as much as possible.

Experience has shown that netbooks are not a good substitute for laptops and that in terms of value for money desktops are much better. We wish to recommend that for the primary and nursery classes the Ministry of Education encourage the use of desktops for homes as these are robust, comparatively cheaper and easier to repair when compared to the pricy (touted as cheap) laptops. Laptops are better suited to upper

secondary and tertiary students.

There is also a need to ensure that all (every single sole) teacher is fully equipped with a computer, too many are relying on cell phones which do not have the required range and versatility to teach and communicate effectively.

There is also need for a public health assessment of the impact that the changes in education delivery will have on the relevant stakeholders.

Concern #4 Involve parents (feedback) We may have missed the opportunities but we have not

seen or heard of significant event/action to involve parents at the community level to contribute to the discussion on the new online education phenomenon.

I appeal to the MOE, The GTU, The Regional Councils, PTA’s and other stakeholders to initiate discussion fora across Guyana to ferret out the issues that can ( and in some cases have already begun to) torpedo the new learning process.

Let us involve every youth and church organizations, let us call on the business community and

other relevant social entities to find ways to rescue those children falling between the cracks and inspire those who are pressing on.

Let us plan and hold meeting in every neighbourhood. Not a child should be left in the cold.

Concern # 5 Innovation and Accountability: Finally, parents, caregivers and education providers/deliverers must recognize that the traditional process needs rewiring. The exam oriented time constrained protocols need revisiting to deal with this

learning shift. The future of the nation - a stable and dependable society - is at stake. Let us join hands and hearts and thwart the dissonance brought in by Covid-19.

Bearing in mind that the student/pupil is not in the physical presence of a teacher and that some parents may have to re-familiarize themselves with subject matters, we recommend that the curriculum be re-timed to give a bit more space for the paced students (and parents) to grasp and master concepts.

Robust policing of the education system is needed as there are reports of teacher’s not delivering the required quantity and quality of tutoring. Greater use should be made of the Learning Channel to deliver live lessons and less of the videos that while being educational does not help those children that have questions and are not as visually aligned.

The direct stakeholders of

the Education system needs to insist that all students are logged (present Miss/Sir) and monitored (remain in class) throughout the school day. Teachers should report to parents as frequent as possible those students who (jack) play truant.

It is our hope that this appeal would reach the hearts and heads of our education leaders and all relevant stakeholder and that we can join hearts and hands, brainstorm, encourage, motivate and reinforce the education service (system) for the benefit of everyone.

God bless every dedicated and altruistic teacher, parent and official.

Yours Truly Michael O.S. Kendall Snr Ronald Julien Bibi Persaud Richard A. James Dennis Hamilton Kevin Persaud William Campbell And others

...Trump’s state of denial From page 5 “immigrants.” Separating children from their parents did not go down well either.

Trump’s conflicting and convoluting response as to whether he will provide a peaceful transfer should he lose, is a “gravy” issue.

Are the afore-mentioned enough to provide a deciding winner? The world has to wait and see, hoping that something uneventful and not anticipated does not occur! Does it make a difference who wins or loses the election to Guyana?

Guyana and the US have already pledged too many commitments and the current US Ambassador, the honourable and impeccable Sarah-Ann Lynch, is perpetually looking for avenues to resolve and assist this nation.

She has a genuine profound interest to help in the upliftment of Guyanese welfare. Will the next US administration make any difference? What’s your take?

Yours truly, Jai Lall

T N U L B . . .

T B N U T L N T B .

U .

L .

L T B .

N .

U .

N U T L N B .

U .

T .

L N T U N B .

N U .

L U L LUNT. B .

T . .

T T N N B U B .

U .

L .

L T B .

B . .

N . . .

T U T L N N T U U L N L B U .

B . .

L . . .

T B T . .

N .

N T U L N LU B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . .

B .

U . .

T L .

N T B . .

U N .

L N T B U N . .

L .

U T L B . .

N B . . .

T U .

L N T B U . .

L .

UN T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L B U UN .BLUNT. . .

L .

T B . .

N .

T U .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . .

L N .

T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU .

T .

N .

N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B .

L .

N .

B T . . .

N T U N N N L U U U B L .

L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

Why did former President, Donald Ramotar, help Canje owners so much?

Why did Mr. Ramotar not show the SAME LOVE for his own people?

Why did then leader, Ramotar, give so much to Canje owners?

Why do PPP leaders today dodge and duck, runaway and hide, on Canje?

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

I WISH I

would love to live to one hundred years.

Beyond that my limbs and joints would have become calcified, cataract surgery would be impossible as my sight declines and even if I could survive the operation, my memory would fade.

That would be the right time for me to go and meet my Maker. But before then, I would love to spend the remaining days of my life in Guyana where the sun shines everyday and where even on the highest mountain peaks, it is bearable.

I would love to live in a new capital, located somewhere on the banks of the Essequibo River. I would love to wake up each morning to the birds chirping, and to see and experience the dew on the grass.

I would love nothing better than to have a window looking out to the rising morning sun and when evening sets to experience that wonderful sunset that can only be found in Guyana.

I would love to be able to swim in the warm creeks until the day I die and to sit all day under a tree, read a good book or find a faithful companion who will not run off - as is the case so often these days - with someone else.

I would love to grow old gracefully and hope that the NIS does not close down before I receive my benefits.

I hope that no new sickness

afflicts me since this would mean my automatic disqualification from benefits from the NIS. I hope to have the privacy to bathe at least once every three months in the rain without the police hauling me over for indecent exposure despite me having on my underpants.

I would love to sit in the evenings and enjoy the cool nights under a lovely starry sky, reminisce on the day gone by and the days long gone.

I would love to do the things that I never had the time to do in my younger days. I would love to collect stamps, to learn the art of barbering and how to finally play the guitar. That surely cannot be asking too much.

I would love to see hydro-electricity come to Guyana, finally. Too many promises have been made, too many dreams have been abandoned. It looks as if we will finally have hydroelectricity, cheap current as they say. I hope that those who will inherit this cheap energy and use it in their homes and factories will be willing to pay for it and not have the GPL running after them.

I hope that I can travel by road all the way to Boa Vista and from there join the transcontinental highway all the way to Argentina. But I hope more than anything else to return to Guyana, where each day there is sunshine and lovely people.

I hope that the new generation of Guyanese people never forget to cook their cultural foods. What would Guyana be without its foods? What would Guyana be without Banks Beer and El Dorado rum?

I would love to see more of the interior of Guyana. I would love to see roads open up this interior to more people so that they can appreciate what they have and stop dreaming of a better life overseas because the best life is here in Guyana.

I would love for those roll-on ferries to begin rolling soon so that I can enjoy a trip up the river. I would love to see that stelling at Supenaam completed so that travel to the Essequibo Coast can be made safer and more enjoyable.

I would love to see the people of Guyana stop fighting around politics. I would love to see politics bring people together rather than divide them. I would love to see everybody being happy.

I would love to see a railway to Lethem. This will be great for travel and tourism. I would love to see a railway line also run along the Corentyne River so as to open up more lands and then veer over the river to link up with Suriname. From there you can travel by good roads all the way to French Guiana.

I would love to see more tourists come to Guyana and create jobs for our people

All is fair in boys love and war! seh...

Dem

S

ome lawyers does talk through dem behind. Imagine one of dem had the temerity fuh seh how prosecutors gat to be fair.

Since Noah build de Ark dem boys bin know that de prosecutors and de defence attorney does gat to tek sides. De prosecutor job is to ensure that the accused is convicted.

De defence attorney job is fuh ensure dat he get he client off, whether de client is guilty or not. So how dem can be fair when dem roles does set fuh dem. Both sides does use all the tricks in the books fuh try fuh win case.

You can't call dat being fair.

Dem boys used to track de court when dem boys bin young. One day at court, dem boys listening to a prosecutor calling he fuss witness who was a woman who like to talk.

The prosecutor started by asking her, "Do you know who I am?"

The old woman replied, "Yes, you're John Kim, and I must say I'm very disappointed in you. You're greedy, you treat others like dirt, and you've been keeping a mistress for years!

Of course I know who you are."

The prosecutor was stunned, but tried to carry on with the proceedings. He

pointed at the defence lawyer and said, "Do you know who he is?"

"Yes, he is Kenneth Skye. And I must say that I'm very disappointed in him too. He is constantly drunk, gambles all the time, and is one of the worst lawyers around! Of course I know who he is."

The Judge immediately called the prosecution and defence to approach the bench.

Once they were close enough, the Judge scowled at the pair and said, "Don't you dare ask her if she knows me?�

Talk half and show me wan lawyer who does be fair when dem fighting case!

and fill the hotel rooms. But I would not like to see more white elephants constructed at great expense to the people of Guyana.

Guyana needs its present hotels to be filled; it does not need any new massive hotel.

I would love to see all those specialty services that are being provided by private hospitals and by some new hospital which is

to be constructed to be done by the public health system so that when my time comes for some major surgery, my little savings do not have to go to private individuals who are going to make a great deal of money if specialist health care is put in the hands of those who already have more money than they can spend.

I would love for the

owners of the Canje and Kaieteur blocks to return them to the country so that all of my wishes can come true.

(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

Saturday October 24, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Is it true that Moses Nagamootoo is ill?

T

he GECOM statements of poll for the 2015 elections showed the rejection of the village for Whim for Nagamootoo where he came from. It was an ignominious rejection.

Then one year after came another devastating blow.

Nagamootoo again was repudiated by Whim in the 2016 local government election (LGE) results.

It was one humiliating result after another. In the 2018 LGE, the knife was tw is ted in w ith mo r e excruciating force; Nagamotoo's sister suffered a most horrifying loss.

Then came the denouement on March 3.

The SOPs for the 2020 election that I saw in the studio of Kaieteur Radio told me that Nagamootoo was g o n e f o r e v e r. T h e APNU+AFC did not capture

even five percent of the votes in Whim where the sitting PM is from.

After Nagamootoo became Prime Minister in 2015, the village of Whim was finished with him. They felt that he was a decorative prime minister.

This attitude of Nagamootoo's home town put a tremendous mental burden on him. You have to be embarrassed as prime minister when you face the population with two realities printed on your shirt sleeve.

You have no real authority to effect far reaching changes as the second most constitutionally powerful person on the land.

Secondly, your home town, including Nagamootoo's own relatives, saw him as a washed up mandarin who was not worthy of their village. Nagamootoo was

never a happy man. He carried a huge guilt complex with him.

Eventually the heart gave way in early 2019 and he spent almost half a year recovering after triple bypass in the US. When he returned to Guyana, Nagamootoo discovered that the AFC was also finished with him.

The AFC wanted Ramjattan to replace him as PM candidate for the 2020 election. Since 2015 Nagamootoo lived his life with the shadows of humiliation following him.

He refused to concede the PM slot and this brought down a ton of bricks on him from the AFC. At the AFC's congress in June in Vryheid's Lust in 2019, only one voice was heard in the room giving support to his candidacy – an AFC youth, Cynthia

Rutherford, who was on his staff. Nagamootoo thought that Trotman would have continued his support for his PM candidacy which he, Trotman announced in February 2019.

At the Vryheid's Lust congress, Trotman said not a word and Nagamootoo mentally collapsed after that.

He sought survival through the PNC. He donned the colours of the PNC on a platform in Bartica at a party rally that merged into a Cabinet retreat in June 2019.

He had signaled his intention as to which party he stood with and it was not the AFC. At that meeting, Joe Harmon endorsed Nagamootoo for the PM slot referring to him as royalty.

But the royalty melted like butter against the sun. The AFC threatened the PNC that if it does not accept Ramjattan as the PM candidate, the APNU+AFC partnership would be dissolved.

Despite relentless lobbying to get the PNC to officially declare him as the PM candidate, the PNC proposed a compromise. It will not endorse him but it will avoid at all times announcing Ramjattan as the

PM candidate. This did not go down well with the man from Whim. Nagamootoo collapsed a second time.

At the Bartica rally, he and Winston Jordan were inciting the crowd. Jordan blurted out, “war break”.

Nagamootoo shouted to the crowd that the youths will

Frederick Kissoon rebel if house to house registration was stopped.

Nagamootoo suffered a third mental collapse when the APNU+AFC held a public meeting in July 2019 in Whim to address the youths.

Nagamootoo almost lost his life when hostile crowds moved menacingly in front of him and the police whisked him away.

It was a stupid strategy in that none of the speakers were from the AFC but all

from the PNC with Nagamootoo wearing the PNC colours.

Since August 2 when the PPP was declared the election winner, Nagamootoo has not been seen. I have asked dozens of persons close to him including former security personnel and they all told me they have not seen him since August 2.

A top insider told me that Nagamootoo collapsed for the fourth time after he read it in the news that Granger had conceded.

When Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, called Granger on July 31, 2020 and warned him about legal consequences in international law for remaining illegally in power, Granger conceded and informed the PNC hierarchy.

Nagamootoo was not contacted and knew the next day like the rest of the nation.

Yesterday, a relative of Nagamootoo told me to pray for him.

I am not religious but deep down in my heart I hope he recovers fully.

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

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Private criminal charges dropped against Lowenfield - State charges remain T

he Director of P u b l i c Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, has withdrawn the private criminal charges that were filed against the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield. This is according to Lowenfield's attorney, Nigel Hughes.

Remaining now are the six electoral fraud charges

that were instituted against Lowenfield last week Monday by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Those six charges are: three counts of misconduct in public office and three c o u n t s o f f o r g e r y.

Lowenfield was released on a total of $300,000, bail for those charges and next month the matter will continue.

Lowenfield yesterday made another appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Principal Magistrate, Faith McGusty, for the continuation of the three private charges that alleged fraud, misconduct in public office and breach of public trust.

While speaking with reporters outside the c o u r t h o u s e y e s t e r d a y,

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C. Hughes stated that the court was informed that the DPP has taken the decision to withdraw the three private criminal charges that were filed against Lowenfield on June 30, 2020 by People's Progressive Party (PPP) member, Desmond Morian, and The New Movement Party (TNM) executive, Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai.

Kaieteur News was informed that the private criminal charges were

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield. withdrawn because the State has instituted similar charges against Lowenfield.

Under Article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the DPP has the power to discontinue the charges against Lowenfield.

According to Article 187:1, “The Director of Public Prosecutions (referred to in this article as 'the Director') shall have power in any case in which he or she considers it

desirable to do so – (a) to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court, other than a court martial, in respect of any offence against the law of Guyana; (b) to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other person or authority; and (c) to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or her or any other person or authority.”

Police had announced last August that they will be conducting a comprehensive investigation into the criminal conduct of Lowenfield; the Returning Officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo; and others in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and the events that followed.

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

Lowenfield's lawyer objects to MP prosecuting matter

A

ttorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes, w h o i s representing the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, who is facing several electoral fraud charges, yesterday made objections in court over a government Member of Parliament (MP), Sanjeev Datadin, prosecuting his client.

Lowenfield yesterday made another appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts for the continuation of the six electoral fraud charges that were instituted against him by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to the ongoing investigation into the allegations of electoral fraud.

The charges allege three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of forgery.

According to Hughes, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, has

Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes

Member of Parliament and attorney-at-law, Sanjeev Datadin

given a fiat to six attorneysat-law; Sanjeev Datadin, Glenn Hanoman, Mark Conway, Ganesh Hera, Arudranauth Gossai and George Thomas to prosecute the matter. “We immediately objected to Mr. Datadin being in charge of the prosecution,” Hughes added.

The lawyer said that the objection was based on

Datadin being a MP for the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and to give him the responsibility to prosecute the matter that is highly political in nature would result in his client not having a fair trial.

As such Hughes asked the court to consider his objection and the Magistrate (continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

PAGE 13

Prime suspect in custody Guyana moves closer to 4000 after attack on CJ's premises mark with 83 new COVID-19 cases

P

olice have arrested the prime suspect in Wednesday's attack on the home of the Chief Justice (ag), Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

Kaieteur News had reported that Guyana's law enforcement agencies were on high alert after a lone suspect brandishing what appeared to be a 'toy gun' stormed the home of the CJ. Officers close to the investigation have since confirmed that four persons had in fact launched the attack. However, it was only one person who entered the premises and accosted the two ranks on duty with the toy gun.

Sources also disclosed that the investigating ranks from the Major Crime Unit (MCU) have taken control of the case as the investigation continues.

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

He was said to be 5 feet, 4 inches tall; slim built, dark in complexion and clothed in a

Chief Justice Roxanne George 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, armed with a .38 revolver.

The rank immediately responded, and after seeing the man with the suspected handgun pointed in his direction, ducked to take cover. According to the police, the suspect then dropped the 'gun', and ran in a northerly direction, jumping over a fence to make good his escape. The weapon was picked up and discovered to be a mere toy.

No one was injured during the incident.

It was reported that the CJ's neighbour hosts an abundance of CCTV cameras; however it is unclear whether footage detailing the ordeal was obtained.

Also, this publication was unable to ascertain whether the CJ was at home at the time.

The incident raised several concerns as it occurred just one day before the Chief Justice was slated to start the case management procedure into the March 2020 election petition filed by the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition.

Ramotar agreed to repay donations made by Canje...

From page 2 2019 Math Institute Summer Camp that Mid-Atlantic sponsored could appear as a line-item for the company to be repaid for, as well.

These mentions make up only fragments of what oil companies spend on CSR. ExxonMobil alone had said mid-2019 that its total donations under CSR in Guyana since 2015 had reached US$3.6M. All of that is recoverable.

Every other line item that oil companies recover under their agreement lessens Guyana's share of the revenues from the sale of its oil.

This adds to the list of poor provisions in the Canje contract which result in severe revenue losses for Guyana. Kaieteur News' coverage in the past week has found that Ramotar agreed that the Canje owners would pay no taxes.

He specifically also agreed to charge them no capital gains tax.

So even though 87.5 percent of the block was sold by the original owner, Guyana did not benefit.

Despite Mid-Atlantic

making a lot of money off its sale of the block, Guyana got no signing bonus when it signed the block away to Mid-Atlantic.

Ramotar gave MidAtlantic 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 precontract costs to the c o m p a n y, w i t h n o explanation of what the money is for.

He also agreed that Guyana would repay every cent of the one percent royalty rate in the contract.

There are many more lopsided provisions in this award, signed away by Ramotar and advised by former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud. Just weeks before the 2015 General and Regional Elections, Ramotar handed the Canje block to an inexperienced company with no capability to acquire and develop the ultra deepwater block.

The award and its subsequent farm-ins are

wrought with red flags, but the government remains silent on the matter, for which its numerous red flags warrant investigation.

G

uyana has recorded 83 new c a s e s o f COVID-19, bringing the total confirmed cases of the disease closer to 4000.

In fact, the number stands at 3,960 as of October

23, 2020 with a death toll of 117. According to the Ministry of Health's dashboard, 13 persons are currently in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 40 are now in institutional quarantine; 112 in

institutional isolation and 795 are in home isolation.

To date, a total of 2,923 persons have recovered from the virus. The numbers were taken from 17,841 tests that have been conducted thus far.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday October 24, 2020

Brazen gunman breaks car window to rob marketing agent in traffic jam

By Shervin Belgrave

A

brazen gunman yesterday robbed a woman in her car just metres away from a police rank who was directing traffic at the intersection of Mandela Avenue and Hunter Street, Ruimveldt.

Romona Spencer, 41, a marketing representative of

Continental Group of Companies was attacked at around 14:46hrs.

According to Spencer she had just transacted business on behalf her company and was heading back to her office located at Industrial Site.

While being stuck in traffic on Hunter Street and awaiting the go ahead signal from the traffic rank,

Spencer said that she noticed a man with a gun banging on her car window.

Realizing that it was a bandit, she attempted to escape. Spencer detailed that she stepped on the gas pedal but ended up colliding with the back of a truck.

Trapped again, she noticed the gunman in her rear view mirror running towards her car.

The marketing representative said that the bandit banged on her car window again and then there was a loud explosion. “I was so afraid, I did not know what happened all I heard was a loud sound and there was glass everywhere,� said Spencer.

Kaieteur News learnt from eyewitnesses that the man had discharged a round shattering the back windscreen of her car window.

The gunman then approached the victim's right side car door and broke the window with the handgun.

Spencer recalled the gun being placed to her head and the man demanding that she hand over her belongings or be killed.

Without hesitation she handed over her purse containing her ATM cards and $25,000 cash.

The gunman, she recounted, demanded that she hand over a bag that was on the floor of the front

Some scenes of the area after the brazen robbery was committed

passenger side of the car.

Spencer said that she tried to convince the bandit that the bag contained useless papers but he

threatened to shoot. She handed over the bag too.

That bag she detailed contained $219,000 in cash (continued on page 16)

ExxonMobil, Govt. move towards...

From page 3 the latest technology that would record accurate measurements of the quantity being extracted and exported by ExxonMobil and its partners. It emphasized that this technology is necessary to ensure proper reconciliation of readings submitted by the oil companies versus what the State has recorded.

Kaieteur News understands that it paves the way for early detection of production loss that could cost the State billions of dollars in revenue.

Furthermore, the IMF had said that if Guyana

makes use of the latest technology, accurate meter reading of the oil can be conveyed to the Guyana Revenue Authority's customs department, therefore eliminating the need for a permanent or regular presence of customs officers during the oil lifting operations.

While the use of the latest technology will bring immense benefits, the IMF stressed that GRA's Customs Department should not relinquish its right to make visits to the Liza Destiny, Guyana's first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

In fact, the international agency said that Customs officers should visit the FPSO from time to time to ensure that agreed procedures are being adhered to by ExxonMobil as well as to assert Guyana's sovereignty over FPSO operations.

The IMF reminded that the FPSO is a significant component of the Liza Phase One development which involves four undersea drill centers with 17 production wells. It has a production capacity up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day and an overall storage volume of 1.6 million barrels.

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

US$200K CT scanner now operational at New Amsterdam Hospital

A

Computerized To m o g r a p h y (CT) scanner that has been in storage for the past few years, is now operational and will be used for patients in need of diagnostic in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

A c c o r d i n g t o information released by the Ministry of Health, the vital piece of medical equipment has been installed and "is ready to use at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital."

The use of the scanner will be free of cost to the public and is expected to bring immeasurable relief to persons. In the past persons were forced to travel out of Berbice to access the radio technology service, however, after a visit to Berbice, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, made a commitment to have it up and running.

Regional Health Officer of Region Six, Dr. Vishalya Sharma, stressed the importance of having the CT scanner operational. He said that such machines are critical in diagnosing illnesses "like muscle and bone disorders, such as bone tumours and fractures. It

pinpoints the location of a tumour, infection, or blood clot to guide doctors for the next procedures".

She disclosed that RADAID International, in 2016, handed over the new CT scanner, valued at approximately US$200,000, to the then Ministry of Public Health but the equipment was never installed and operationalised.

Appreciation was given to the various technical and support teams that worked to ensure that all the necessary specifications were met and that the machine became fully functional. “The Ministry of Health thanks RAD-AID International; Dr. ZulfiKar Bux, Head of Accident and Emergency, and Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, Director of Medical Services [both of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC)], and the Public Works Department of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six. A big thank you also to the team from Radiology Services in G e o rg e t o w n a n d N e w Amsterdam,� said Dr. Sharma.

The scanner was installed and began working on Wednesday.

From left: Dr. Tamesh Algu, Head of the Surgical Unit, NAPH; Dr. Joel Joseph, Radiology Resident, GPHC; Ms. Petal Surujpaul, Physicist at the GPHC; Dr. Vasana Henry, Medical Superintendent, NAPH and Dr. Vishalya Sharma, RHO, Region Six.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Saturday October 24, 2020

Eight Success squatters injured after tree falls T

he Guyana Police Force yesterday reported that eight squatters residing at Success, East Coast Demerara were injured after a tree fell.

According to an official police report at around 2:10 pm yesterday the tree situated on a dam running east-west fell on a group of squatters who were sitting on a “make-shift” structure nearby.

All eight of the injured persons were said to be females.

According to the report, one of the women received serious injuries and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) where she was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit.

The police said that the seven ot h e r s r e c e i v e d minor and serious injuries to the head, feet, arm and other parts of their bodies and were assisted by law enforcement officers and transported to the GPHC. The injured persons are: 25-year- o l d D a l l y a n Donald; 34-year-old Shevon Bell; 33-year-old Pinky Benjamin; a person whose name was given as “Smart”- age unknown; 46year-old Sunita Persaud; Nafeeza Persaud whose age is also unknown; 47-yearold Nalini Lalland and 40-

The fallen tree

year-old Sonia Nazir.

Their conditions are being monitored.

A senior official at the hospital confirmed that eight persons in total were injured and admitted to receive treatment.

However, the official said that none of the persons received serious injuries even though the police report stated that persons were seriously injured.

Further, the police in their report stated that no work was being conducted

in the area by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) when the incident occurred.

The land on which the squatters reside belongs to GuySuCo and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and is being used to

cultivate new cane species in light of the Enmore/ La Bonne Intention Estates set for reopening soon.

Kaieteur News understands the tree was located in one of the fields currently being flooded by GuySuCo to “flush out the squatters”.

Brazen gunman breaks car window to rob marketing agent in traffic jam From page 14 and some cheques belonging to her employer.

Before making his escape, Spencer told Kaieteur News that bandit asked for another bag that was lying on the back seat. “He collected that too but when he searched it and found out that it was only a bag of clothes, he threw it on the ground and ran away,” she said.

Some eyewitnesses who saw when the bandit attacked recalled seeing a man dressed in a grey hoodie with masked face, being dropped off in a vehicle which pulled up not too far away from Spencer's car.

Others who ran out of their houses upon hearing the

loud explosion said that after the robbery, the man ran north and turned on to Water L i l l y S t r e e t , We s t Ruimveldt, where he escaped on a waiting motorcycle.

Believing that she might have been shot, an ambulance along with police ranks were summoned to the scene.

Luckily for the marketing representative she was not struck by a bullet, however, fragments from the shattered windscreen were stuck in her left arm. She had to be taken to the hospital to have them removed. Investigators have since recovered two 9mm spent shells along with a 9mm bullet from Spencer's car.

Saturday October 24, 2020

Rotary continues eradication fight as World Polio Day is observed

T

oday, the Rotary C l u b o f Georgetown Central (RCGC) joins other Rotary Clubs, locally and across the globe, to commemorate World Polio Day under the theme: 'Rotary and its Partners in the fight to eradicate the disease'.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), polio is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under five years of age. The

virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread, mainly through the faecaloral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (e.g. contaminated water or food), and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis.

The RCGC, in a release, stated that rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years and its goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than (continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Businessman donates hand sanitizer machine to GPHC T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was yesterday the recipient of a hand sanitizer machine and a case of gel, all valued at some $75,000.

The donation, compliments of Mr. Benito Lochinvar, the owner of BMA Trading, was made a r o u n d 11 : 0 0 h o u r s outside the hospital's administrative building.

Receiving the items was GPHC's Head of Strategic Planning and Communications, Ms. Chelauna Providence.

When a s k e d w h a t prompted the donation, Mr. Lochinvar stated that his company wo uld normally supply different businesses with sanitizer machines.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that he recognized the need f or such a machine at the hospital.

The accompanying gel, he said, was provided by a friend.

Mr. Benito Lochinvar and family making the donation to GPHC's Chelauna Providence (extreme right)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Saturday October 24, 2020

Collusion between Ministry engineers and contractors will not be tolerated - Minister Edghill

P

u b l i c Wo r k s Minister, Juan Edghill, read the riot act to road contractors and project engineers, making it clear that there will be a zero tolerance policy for collusion between the two parties.

“Collusion between contractors and project engineers and project managers will not be tolerated,” Edghill warned.

The Minister issued this warning on Wednesday during a public engagement with contractors at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC). That meeting also saw the attendance of Junior Public Works Minister, Deodat Indar; Chief Works Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn, along with other technical officers. Explaining government's stance, Minister Edghill said that contractors are known to stall works in one area in an effort to complete other projects for other government ministers.

But such a practice will be halted, he explained, adding that the Public Works Ministry has adapted a new policy of ensuring that

contractors have no outstanding work before being handed another contract. He said, “A contract is not a loan for you to finance other business; a contract and the monies paid in a contract are to get the job done.” He emphasized too the need for the timely implementation of projects.

Not only will the contractors face heat for subpar works, but the project engineers too, as the Ministry will be on high alert for quality control.

“The people can't be suffering all the time; they need proper roads and infrastructure, and with my team on the ground, they will get the job done,” the Minister said.

The Minister also pointed out that a large list of road projects that were signed off since in 2019 by the previous administration, are not yet complete and even worse, have not even commenced.

One such stalled project was the Sherriff/ Mandela Road Expansion project, carrying a cost of US$31 m i l l i o n . I n 2 0 11 , t h e Government expended

A section of the contractors at the meeting

$1.7Billion on the designs for the widening of the flagship project and on preparatory works for the widening of the East Coast Demerara Four Lane Highway between Better Hope and La Bonne Intention, where the latter project is complete.

The project was launched in 2018 but hit delays with the Coalition government threatening to yank the project from the Chinese contractor.

Not only that, the new government was forced to pump another $134 million to

have it completed. Only recently did works recommence there and it is expected that by the end of 2020, the project would come to finality.

Minister Edghill reiterated that if the contractors fail to execute their contract obligations and cannot get the job done, government will have no

choice but to terminate the contract with immediate effect, and pass the works to the staff of the Ministry's Force Account Unit to get it done.

Rotary continues eradication...

From page 17 ever. Rotary highlighted that to continually fight the disease, it has relied on donations and on the support of key partners worldwide.

World Polio Day is commemorated annually on October 24.

The day was established

by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis (polio).

Decades ago, the use of the inactivated poliovirus vaccine and subsequent widespread use of the oral poliovirus vaccine, developed by Albert Sabin, led to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. In 1988, the World Health Assembly adopted the

resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio marking the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

RCGC added that the initiative was a publicprivate partnership spearheaded by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, later joined.

This Global Polio Eradication initiative spread across 200 countries with a pool of 200 million volunteers. The initiative has so far utilized over US$14 Billion and has managed to vaccinate over 2.5 billion

children; with an overall goal of making the world polio free.

WHO, estimates that wild poliovirus cases have decreased by over 99 percent since 1988, from an estimated 350,000 cases in more than 125 endemic countries, then to 175 reported cases last year. As of 2020, wild poliovirus type one continues to affect only two countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to the Rotary Club the most effective way to prevent the disease is to get vaccinated. Immunization against polio is recommended for all the children from three to 18 months of age. Three booster doses should be given to all children up to 12 years.

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

Lowenfield's lawyer objects...

From page 12 invited written submissions for the next hearing of the matter.

During an interview with reporters yesterday Datadin stated that there are five other prosecutors. He said, “The risk that is being complained of is really nothing to do with the reality of what is going on.”

Datadin added, “Being bias does not relate to a prosecutor...the test of bias and the test for the

appearance of bias and the test for whether it would be fair or not really relates to the tribunal, as long as the tribunal is independent…the entire issue is a red herring; it's a 33 is not half of 65.”

In closing, he stated that Hughes is conflating two things, the obligations of a prosecutor and the test of bias which relates to the court and not the prosecutor.

Meanwhile, there was disparity during the hearing of the matter yesterday after

the prosecution asked for summary disposal of the charges against Lowenfield which will allow the Magistrate to handle the entire matter as opposed to the matter remaining indictable and sent before a judge and a jury.

Hughes stated that he objected to the matter being given a summary disposal and the Magistrate invited written submissions that will be presented to the court on the next hearing.

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

PAGE 21

Lawyer sues AG's office over fees owed for special prosecuting, other legal services A

ttorney-at-law, Patrice Henry, is suing the office of the Attorney General (AG) for millions of dollars worth of outstanding fees owed to him for special prosecuting and other legal services he offered the State.

According to a statement claim released to the media yesterday, Henry is asking the Court to grant orders to compensate him for the loss and damages he suffered as result of an agreement he had with the former Attorney General (AG), Basil Williams.

The document stipulates that Henry is requesting special damages to the tune of over $6.4M and general damages for in excess of $100,000.

He wants the Court to grant an order that he be permitted to complete the remaining four matters with full payments including the outstanding retainer attendance fees and legal services generally.

The claimant (Henry) is also seeking an order that he be paid at the hourly rate of $20,000 pursuant to the written and oral agreements for the remaining matters together with the retainer fee of $1.5M each save and except two matters – which he had already received payment for.

The lawyer is also asking that interest be calculated at a monetary judgment at six percent from the time of filing up until judgment and at four percent from the date of the judgment until it is fully paid.

The lawyer noted in the

Lawyer: Patrice Henry

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

Former Attorney General, Basil Williams

document however that he is willing to withdraw the legal proceeding against the AG providing that the sum of $7.5M is paid to him.

According to the details of the lawsuit, Henry claims that his more than two decades of experience as a prosecutor led the former AG to hire him as a special prosecutor for several high profile criminal matters in respect to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism offences, other financial crimes and matters.

Apart from providing prosecuting services, Henry claimed that he was also contracted to provide the AG with legal advice and to appear in Court on behalf of

the State.

He noted that the agreement was filed between him and Williams on June 21, 2017 for matters primarily investigated by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), a department of the Guyana Police Force tasked with investigating and instituting criminal charges for financial offences, including AntiMoney Laundering (AML) offences.

Henry noted that he was among several other prosecutors similarly appointed by the AG; these included Michael Sommersaul, Hewley Griffith, Lawrence Harris and Trenton Lake.

The lawyer explained

that at the initial stage of his contract he was paid a retainer fee of $2M and commenced working in the matters relating to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

The lawyer said that among the matters he worked on were: the one involving former Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President Omar Sharief and others over a failure to comply with production order in keeping with the AML Act; the matter of Madanlall Ramraj and

Jagnarine Singh former GRDB General Manger and Deputy General Manager who were charged for fraudulent appropriation of property and the matter of Bibi Khan and others who were charged for exporting gold without a license Further, the lawyer noted that he was also engaged in the prosecution of the matter against the current Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, who was charged with larceny; former GRDB official Peter Ramcharan for falsification of accounts, and fraudulent appropriation of property and keeping false accounts; Former Head of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, Wi n s t o n B r a s s i n g t o n , former Finance Minister Ashni Singh and Irfaan Ali in his capacity as former Minister of Housing who had several fraud charges.

Henry said that while he was paid for his services in some of the matters, he is suing for the balance owing to a refusal by Williams, the then AG, to pay him his dues despite several reminders and requests.

However, current AG and Minster of legal Affairs, Nandlall, released a

response which accompanied the lawsuit.

In his response, the AG noted that under Article 187 of the Constitution it is the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that is vested with the exclusive authority to institute, or advise the institution of, or prosecute or advise the prosecution of criminal charges.

The Executive, more specifically, the Attorney Ggeneral has no such power or authority.

He stressed however that “During the last Administration a number of politically directed charges were filed against People's Progressive Party (PPP) leaders. Special Prosecutors were, specifically, retained and directed by Attorney General, Basil Williams.”

“This,” Nandlall said, “constitutes a violation of Article 187 of the Constitution, as well as an abrogation of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers.”

“There is no greater evidence of political interference in the criminal justice system than what is expressed in the attached legal proceedings,” he stated.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News WANTED Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles 1.Mechanic, 2.Fitter/ Machinist, 3.Welder Fabricator, 3 years experience, Apply in person.

One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2 Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com Mechanic specialized in 740 caterpillar trucks. Interior location. Call# 223-5180

VACANCY

SERVICES Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600,627-3206 Repairs,Services,Spares to Wa s h i n g M a c h i n e Refridgetor Store, Treadmill, Deepfryer,Cooler, Dryer, Grains mill.Call:#694-9733 (FHL) executive cleaning; sanitizing services, mobile vehicle wash & spa. Contact i n f o r m a t i o n : We b s i t e : fhlexecutiveservices.com , E m a i l :fhlsimeonmoore@gmail.com , Phone:667-5709.

FOR SALE New Pulp egg trays for Sale.Tel:#688-4264 1-10" flex food year & 1-10" gearbox for water dredge.Tel #225 9304 or 675-0587 1 Volks Wagen Touran. Contact 691-1161

Experienced & Creative Social Media Marketers required to Create and Manage various platforms, Call: +592 503 0382.Email:info@tfstraining.gy.

Experienced Trainers/Instructors, wanted for SIAG's new State-of-the-Art, K-9 Training Academy, Call: +592 503 0382 orEmail: hr@siagsecurity,gy.

Vacancy for male / female worker.Serious inquiries only.

Tel#: 615-7784 or 621-6969 Experienced painter. Apply at Alabama Trading, 68 Robb street, Bourda.

Receptionist ages 30-45. Located at 233 South Road.

Call# 225-0195 Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call # 6159132 One live in baby assistant needed. Interested person please contact: Odessa on : 695-5633/622-4576 Precept Officer.Contact: #623-8300 Immediate vacancy exists for male workers to work shifts @ Del Ice Co.Call :#231-1408/ 642-9191 Supervisor at Harish Variety Store. Located at 12 American street. Call# 691-9279 DRIVER/SALESMAN, SECURITY GUARDS PREFERABLY WITH PERSONAL FIREARM, HANDYMAN, LABOURERS. Tel# 613-9218 One (1) Part-time truck driver.

ApplyFOR at: Lens, 136 Sherrif RENT Street, C/Ville. Tel: 227-2486

CAR RENTAL

LAND FOR SALE

AIDAN'S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS,GOOD FOR AIRPORT &FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPESTRATE:#6987807.

Parfaite Harmonie-1.8m to 2.5 m , Tuschen with foundation- 8.5m,Uitvlught-4.8m, Herstelling 2nd bridge-6.5m, Farm-5.5m, Schoonar-6m.

Call#:666-2326

LEARN TO DRIVE N.Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way @ Cuffy Square.Affordable Package.Call#644-5166/6912561/681-2808.

FOR RENT 1 two bedroom apartment located at 158 Regent street, Bourda. Tel# 610-7312 / 2275071.

GR TAXI. CALL: 24 HRS 219-5000 227-2100 225-7878 227- 1982

Two bedroom semi furnished apartment in Campbellville.

For more details call: #6663213, 668-0450

Sales Clerk to work in Georgetown. Age 25-45 .Must have 5 CXC Subjects Call #:225-9026/27 Fuel pump technician. Contact 223-5273/74 Experienced Cashier, Roti/ Puri Cook, Sweet Meat Maker, Kitchen Assistant. Apply Hack's Halaal with application.

Mature experienced female, Should have a Strong knowledge of creole foods, live-in available for babysitter. Tel# 656-9313 / 615-6550 Experienced one handy man needed, to work with family in Montrose, E.C.D. Must have reference. Call #5030359 Female chat agents wanted urgently! Call 667-8684. Email a p p l i c a t i o n s t o nickesha_pburke@yahoo.com Experience Mason/Carpenter; $7,000 daily. Preferable from the Lower East Coast of Demerara. Contact: Jason or Kamal at 643-9861 1 Domestic worker. Call# 6799449 Puri Roti Cooks. Apply at Shanta's, 225 Camp & New Market Sts. PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 -Story Building Located Lot 1488 Parfate Harmany 16M Negotiable Tel#641-3893, 6860522, 609-3777, 697-4557 3- Story Building Located lot 1486 Plot B Herstelling E.B.D Tel#609-3777, 697-4557, 6413893, 686-0522 LEGAL NOTICE **ATTENTION** JULIA DUNDAS of 95 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, Guyana and TESSA DANIELS of 341 Cummings Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana. Please make urgent contact with the Chambers of BERNARD DASILVA,Attorneyat-Law, in relation to Probate matter of MANGRA also known as ARJUNE also known as ARJUNE MANGRA also known as MANGRA MANGRA, where your signatures were witnessed on the Last Will and Testament of ARJUNE also known as MANGRA. Contact the Chambers at 217 South Road, Lacy town, Georgetown, Guyana, or on numbers (592+) 621-6366/ (592+) 226-7023.

Saturday October 24, 2020

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

NPTAB opens over 700 bids (Con’t) Following the passage of the emergency $330B budget, government is now in a rush to expend the remainder of funds on projects before the end of this

fiscal year. As such, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on Tuesday opened -----over 725 bids for 65 major governmental projects at

its Ministry of Finance office on Main and Urquhart Streets.

Below are the companies and their bids.

Transports and Harbours Department (T&HD) Acquisition and supply of spares for vessels

Procurement of field materialsGuyana Prison Service (GPS)

Procurement of vehicle spared - GPS

Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Docking and rehabilitation of MT Aruka

Construction of concrete platform and installation of metal tower at Waini Point

Construction of concrete platform and installation of metal tower at Waini River Mouth

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Upgrading of transmission line on Vlissengen Road between Shelterbelt and Lamaha Street

Installation of 900m of 600mm diameter HDPE pipe from Square of the Revolution to Cemetery Road in two lots

Procurement of electrical items - GPS

Procurement of janitorial and cleaning supplies

Procurement of drugs and medical supplies- GPS

Procurement of new vehicle- GPS

Procurement of print and non-print materials - GPF Ministry of Legal Affairs Extension of the Ministry of Legal Affairs building, Georgetown

Procurement of dietary supplies in four lots - GPS Procurement of office materials - GPF

Ministry of Home Affairs Procurement of mounted branch equipment - Guyana Police Force (GPF)

Procurement of field materials and supplies- GPF Procurement of uniform materials - GPF Procurement of Christmas decorations

To be continued in tomorrow’s edition…

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

Saturday October 24, 2020

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

...Happy 80th birthday to ‘The King’ From page 31 told Mario Zagallo to get in the car because he was the new Seleção coach. Exacting the trust his former team-mate had in him, Pele persuaded Zagallo and team doctor Lidio Toledo to take Tostao, who had suffered a careerthreatening eye injury, to the tournament.

World Cup records - Pele is the youngest scorer, youngest hat-trick scorer, youngest Final player and youngest Final scorer in World Cup history.

- Gunnar Gren, who competed against Brazil in the 1958 decider, made his Sweden debut before Pele was born. Never has such an age gap – 20 years – existed between opponents in a World Cup Final.

- Uwe Seeler, Pele, Miroslav Klose and Cristiano

Ronaldo are the only men to score in four World Cups. The West German pipped the Brazilian to become the first to do so by less than three minutes in 1970.

- Vava, Pele, Paul Breitner and Zinedine Zidane are the only players to have scored in two World Cup Finals.

- Pele registered six assists at Mexico 1970 – a record for one World Cup. Four players managed five: Robert Gadocha at Germany 1974, Pierre Littbarski at Spain 1982, Diego Maradona at Mexico 1986 and Thomas Hassler at USA 1994. Pele also recorded an unprecedented three assist in deciders: one against Sweden in 1958 and two against Italy in ’70.

The Baptist - ‘The Beautiful Game’, a universally-used nickname for football, was coined by

Pele. He also baptized Brazil’s Mexico 1970 champions as ‘The Beautiful Team’, which also stuck.

The King of New York Soccer barely existed in New York in the early 1970s.

Celebrities did. A who’s who of the world’s biggest. But when the New York Cosmos sensationally brought Pele out of retirement in 1975, soccer’s popularity exploded, the Cosmos became the most glamorous club on the planet and ‘The King’ became the VIP of VIPs in NYC. “Absolutely everybody wanted to shake his hand, to get a photo with him,” said Mick Jagger of Pele’s presence at Studio 54.

“Saying you had partied with Pele was the biggest badge of honour going.”

Pele’s presence drew mind-blowing crowds to

Saturday October 24, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Is your workplace upgrading its equipment? Are you in the process of increasing your technology skills? Today's planets show that success and advancement through technology are definitely in the offing for you.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Some close friends could turn you on to a new interest or perhaps a group you might want to join.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Sudden, unexpected news could arrive today, perhaps by mail or phone. You could host a virtual group meeting of some kind. A lot of exciting information and stimulating conversation could take place.

CANCER(June21–July22) Short journeys in your neighborhood, perhaps connected with a group you're associated with, could take up a lot of your time today, Cancer. Fascinating and stimulating emails or calls could arrive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Discoveries made through occult sciences such as astrology or numerology could see you embrace some rather revolutionary ideas about yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Discoveries made through occult sciences such as astrology or numerology could see you embrace some rather revolutionary ideas about yourself, the world, and life.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might feel the desire to break free from your daily routine, Sagittarius, particularly regarding career matters. You might consider developing a business of your own.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) A sudden and unexpected opportunity to take a journey by air could come your way today. This might be something you've wanted for a long time finally manifesting.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Unexpected money developments could brighten your day today, Leo. Perhaps you will get a raise or an increase in some other form of income.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Technology could pave the way for you to greatly increase your income, possibly through new skills or investments. This is likely to be a very positive development, setting the stage for future financial success.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A surprising revelation, either from within or from sources like books, the Internet, or communications from others could set you in an entirely new direction.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The unexpected need to take a journey by air or spend a lot of time working could bring about an inconvenient separation from your partner.

The King rocks NYC © imago images matches, seduced Muhammad Ali, Peter Frampton, Jagger, Elton John, Diane Keaton, Henry Kissinger, Robert Redford, Rod Stewart and Barbra Streisand into being Cosmos fans, coaxed Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and Giorgio Chinaglia to the ‘Big Apple’, and inspired the club to the Soccer Bowl in his swan song.

Television: Escape to Victory - Pele had a lead role in the 1981, John Hustondirected hit film, which also starred Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von Sydow and Bobby Moore, about Allied prisoners of war playing an exhibition football match against the Germans.

The rest - Pele appeared in several Brazilian soap operas, TV series and films, American movie hotshot and British mockumentary Mike Bassett: England Manager.

The Simpsons - “Hey, dad, how come you’ve never taken us to see a soccer game,” Bart asks Homer during The Cartridge Family episode in 1997. The next scene shows the Simpsons at Springfield Stadium to watch Pele initiate a game between Portugal and Mexico.

The likes of David Beckham, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have since appeared on The Simpsons.

Music - Four days before turning 80, Pele released Acredita No Veìio (Listen To The Old Man), a track recorded with 2019 Grammy winners Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Pele has loved music all his life and composed hundreds of tracks since the early 1960s. He famously carried a voice recorder with him everywhere because “a song can some into your head at any time – even at a World Cup.” Celebrity and honours In 1970, Pele was named the most famous person on the planet above John Lennon, Pope Paul VI, Paul McCartney, Muhammad Ali, Paul Newman, Queen Elizabeth II, Neil Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Clint Eastwood, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne and Barbra Streisand.

A few years later, the

brand ‘Pele’ was named the globe’s second-biggest according to a survey – astonishingly bigger than oil and gas supermajors, banks, automotive manufacturers, airlines, telecommunications titans and everything other than Coca-Cola.

Pele, Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson were the only sportspeople to make the much-publicised 1999 Time magazine compilation of The Most Important People of the Century.

That same year, Pele was one of nine sportspeople bestowed by the International Olympic Committee with the ‘Athlete of the Century’ award, despite, amazingly, having never partaken in the Olympic Games. Others included Carl Lewis, Mark Spitz and Nadia Comaneci, three of the most

triumphant athletes in Olympic history, Steffi Graf and Michael Jordan.

Pele was the inaugural recipient of the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.

Obrigado, Rei - FIFA: “Many thanks for taking the trouble to be here, Cafu.”

Cafu: “Wow! Are you saying thank you because I came here to record this for ‘The King’s’ 80th birthday? I thank you!”

Pele, no words will ever do you justice, but the above exchange, and the desire of so many footballing legends, the world over, to go out of their way during these troubling times to honour you, perhaps best illustrates the incalculable amount you mean to football. Thank you for everything, and have a BEAUTIFUL 80th birthday.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

Selectors erred on Paul inclusion over Hope, argues Gray Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Ex-West Indies fast b o w l e r To n y G r a y h a s criticised the selection of Keemo Paul in the Test squad for New Zealand, contending the all-rounder should have been replaced by stroke-maker Shai Hope whom he has labelled a “great talent”.

The 22-year-old Paul was last week named in a 15-man squad for the twoTest series while Hope, 26, was axed following a poor run of form. Gray argued Paul, who has played only three Tests, was not well suited to the longest format as he did not possess the patience required as a seamer.

“The only problem I have [with the squad] is Keemo Paul,” said Gray, whose five Tests and 25 One-Day

Keemo Paul (left) celebrates a wicket with Shai Hope.

Internationals came between 1986 and 1991. “Keemo Paul

to me at this point in time is not suited to play Test cricket.

Campbell hoping to put demons of England tour behind Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – Embattled West Indies opener John Campbell says he has put the torrid tour of England behind him but is braced for a similarly difficult challenge on the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

The left-hander struggled badly during the three-Test England series last July, managing a mediocre 84 runs from six innings, to come away with an average of 16. And with several pundits questioning his inclusion in the 15-man squad, Campbell said he was determined to make amends for his poor recent form.

“I have to show character.

I didn’t have the best of times in England, but that’s history,” the Jamaican told the Observer newspaper here.

“I can’t really dwell on what happened … it was way below my standards and international standards, but it happens. Now it is about how I’m going to come back from it.”

Campbell made his debut last year when England toured the Caribbean, impressing with several good starts in tandem with experienced opening partner Kraigg Brathwaite, but failing to carry on.

He averaged 35 in that series but then struggled with 48 runs in the two-Test series against India in the Caribbean, before gathering his maiden fifty against minnows Afghanistan in the one-off Test in India last November.

Campbell, who averages 25 overall from nine Tests,

[He is] too inconsistent with his bowling, he tries too many things and he cannot work to a game plan and Test cricket is working to a game plan, having the stock deliveries, [being] patient but also having deliveries that will take wickets.

“He has wicket-taking deliveries but the thing about him is that he is not patient.

His batting has declined too.”

Gray, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s chairman of selectors, contended if Hope was excluded from the 15-man

squad, he should have been among the six reserves which formed part of the touring party.

The right-hander has averaged just 19 from 17 Tests inside the last 2-½ years and struggled on the recent tour of England with an average of 17 from six innings. “You have enough seamers there for two Test matches [and] you have (Roston) Chase there who is an efficient bowler [and] gets wickets at Test level,” Gray continued.

“You need to have Shai Hope around. If you’re not picking him in the Test squad, you’ve got to pick him in the reserves. But you’ve got to work with him [because] he’s such a great talent.” West Indies suffered a 2-1 defeat on the tour of England last July, with the poor batting lying at fault for the two defeats in the final matches at Manchester.

And Gray said he was pleased selectors had not responded emotionally by “chopping and changing”, as there was still a need to continue building a team especially with the current limitations on the development of players. “ We h a v e t o b e controlled in our emotions i n l o o k i n g a t t h i s team [because] we need to have continuity. We cannot be chopping and changing,”

Gray told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket show.

“We have to understand too because of the ineptness or low standard of our cricket, that players will take longer to develop. So a player at about 29 is now developing because we’re seeing the deletion of a lot of things that helped West Indies batsmen to develop in their years of dominance [in the past].

“We don’t have County cricket again … to learn the intricacies of batting in different batting conditions, in different weather conditions. “We have deleted the faster pitches here in the West Indies so it’s one type of pitch that we have … so we have to be astute when it comes to selecting players.”

He added: “So you have to give players time to grow or … we’ll continue to chop and c h a n g e p l a y e r s . We ’ r e looking for stars but we’re looking for stars too quickly and this is a period of process-oriented type of attitudes.”

West Indies face New Zealand in the first Test starting December 3 in Hamilton before clashing with the hosts in the second Test in Wellington eight days later.

Rigorous testing on the cards for local Reggae Boyz John Campbell. said it was critical he made the most of the opportunities against the Black Caps. “In international cricket there is no easy opponent. When you get to that level, players have a lot of experience and a lot of skill, so I’m expecting another big challenge,” he said “I know it won’t be easy, but New Zealand is a place where if you spend time at the crease you will score runs. I’m definitely looking to spend time and to score big runs.”

He continued: “I’ve been given another opportunity and I’m definitely looking to make full use of it. I’m just looking to finish off this calendar year well.

“It doesn’t make any sense me being too hard on myself because that will only put more pressure on me, which won’t help.” During the recent England series, Campbell struggled against the moving ball, especially against veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Since his return to the Caribbean, he has been working on his technique with franchise coaches Andre Coley and Nikita Miller and hopes his efforts pay dividends. “I’m pretty confident going into the tour, even though the most recent tour for me wasn’t the best,” he noted.

“I’ve put in some work over the past few weeks on areas that needed to be [fixed].

I’ve been working pretty hard with the coaches, and I’m trusting the process. “It’s basically about watching the ball for as long as possible, and getting in good positions to access the ball. I think I was off balance while I was [batting] in England, so I’ve been working hard getting my balance right and my weight right going into the shots.”

Campbell leaves the island on Sunday for Barbados from where the West Indies touring party will fly to New Zealand later next week.

Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaican Football Federation has confirmed it will carry out extensive COVID-19 testing of locallybased national players, before the squad leaves for next month’s international friendly doubleheader against Saudi Arabia.

Despite the high financial costs, players are scheduled to undergo a minimum of three tests, with JFF general secretary Dalton Wint highlighting the importance of the squad’s health and stressing the current COVID19 environment was not “business as usual”.

Jamaica has been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with 4 186 active cases and 8 638 infections overall.

There have been 182 deaths. “They all have to be tested before we depart the island,” the Gleaner here quoted Wint as saying.

“The local players will be tested before they go into camp, and they will be tested during camp, and they will be tested within three days of

leaving Jamaica for Saudi Arabia. “This will be excellent for us because we want to ensure that all our players will be going there with a clean bill of health.”

He continued: “It is severe times now because it is not business as usual and so it is going to cost us some money for everyone to do the test, but we haven’t worked out the amount of money it would cost.

“This is something new for them but like I have said before, this is an official kickoff for the campaign, and so this is one of the ways in which we are moving forward.” For overseas-based professionals, Wint said the JFF would be relying on the respective clubs to provide testing information but were assured these players were “tested regularly”.

Marquee Reggae Boyz goalkeeper, Andre Blake, who plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, had earlier expressed concern about the JFF travel protocols amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Their clubs will have to

provide us with the scope of their testing within this period, but we know that they are tested regularly,” Wint explained.

“This makes us very happy that we will be able to get through this and to kickstart our (World Cup) campaign and to show the world that we are ready for this and to show that we can co-exist in this pandemic.”

Jamaica are poised to face Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on November 14 and then again three days later, in their first international assignment since the COVID-19 outbreak. Concerns have been heightened over player health and safety especially with infection rates across the globe – especially in Europe and North America – spiking sharply in recent weeks.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo became the most high profile player to contract the virus while on duty with Portugal recently.

Worldwide, the number of infections have climbed to 42.3 million with deaths standings at 1.1 million.

Saturday October 24, 2020

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Bob Marley’s love affair with football BBCsport - “If you want to get to know me, you will have to play football against me and the Wailers.” That’s what Bob Marley once told a journalist. And he meant it.

We know him as singer, a song-writer, a pioneer of Reggae and a cultural icon.

But did you know that football was as important to Bob Marley as music?

BBC Sport has spoken to two of Marley’s close friends, celebrity chef Levi Roots and photographer Dennis Morris, about his love for the sport.

Bob Marley was never far from a football. Whenever he got the chance, he would have a kickabout - whether that was in between studio sessions, before he went on stage, or playing in the park with his friends.

The beautiful game gave him a release from his music, allowing him to tap into the more competitive side of his personality. In an interview in 1980, he said: “I love music before I love football. If I love football first it maybe can be

dangerous. I love music and then football after. Playing football and singing is dangerous because the football gets very violent.

I sing about peace, love and all of that stuff, and something might happen y’know. If a man tackle you hard it bring feelings of war.”

“Watching him play football was magical,” Morris, Marley’s photographer and close friend, told BBC Sport: “I never really took photos of him while he played football because I really just wanted to watch him play. Because it was his joy, and it was the only time he had to relax, so that was really when I would put the camera down.”

Marley was a fan of Brazilian club side Santos FC, but also supported English side Tottenham Hotspur. The Three Little Birds singer was a fan of Spurs’ Argentine midfielder Ossie Ardiles, who played for the club from 1978 for a decade.

Roots describes defending against Marley in

a friendly game at Battersea Park in London in the mid-70s: “He was so focused. With the ball at his feet, running at you and his main aim is to get past you, then to shoot. He was a master. Of both of his passions.”

Marley died in 1981, four years after reportedly discovering a form of skin cancer under a toe during a game of football.

His daughter helped save the women’s Jamaican national team - In 2018 the Jamaican women’s national football team - the ‘Reggae Girlz’ - made history by qualifying for their first women’s football World Cup, held in France.

That was in large part due to the financial backing of Cedella Marley - Bob’s daughter, chief executive officer of her late father’s record label and fashion designer. She became the team’s ambassador in 2014 alongside the Bob Marley foundation and, with the team in major financial trouble,

Mbappe left devastated as eight-year-old ‘little angel’ Lucas loses battle with cancer MailOnline - Kylian Mbappe admitted he ‘is struggling to find the words’ after the Paris Saint-Germain striker was left devastated by news an eight-year-old fan had died from cancer.

Lucas, 8, had struck up a close bond and friendship with Mbappe and the World Cup winner recently showed his support for the youngster by dedicating his goal against Nimes to him in the form of a personalised underlayer revealed in his celebration.

The shirt that day read ‘Courage Lucas, I’m with you.’ Mbappe, who had spent time with Lucas while he was in hospital receiving treatment, put out an open letter on Thursday after it emerged Lucas had lost his battle with cancer.

‘It is with great emotion that I inform you that Lucas has gone to join the star,’ Mbappe said. ‘Very difficult to find the words but it is necessary to pay homage to this boy filled with love, sympathy and above all, courage, who taught me so much and with whom I nurtured a strong bond. ‘I will try to make you proud because you are the real hero.

‘You who deserve all this praise for having fought your disease for more than 10 months without ever

started to invest her own money.

Cedella told BBC Sport in 2018 her father “would probably not be surprised, when I put my foot into something, stuff happens.

He’d be like, ‘that’s my girl’.”

How one of Bob Marley’s most famous songs became an Ajax FC chant - In the summer of 2008, Cardiff City played Ajax FC in their final preseason friendly. After the game, Ajax fans were kept seated in the away stand until the Cardiff fans had left the surrounding area.

The announcer at the now-demolished Ninian Park Stadium, Ali Yassine, was instructed to play music to help keep Ajax fans calm, and being a huge reggae fan, chose “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley.

The story goes that Ajax fans started dancing, clapping, and chanting the songs’ lyrics; and it became Ajax’s anthem.

In 2018, Bob Marley’s son Ky-Mani Marley attended an Ajax game and was given the honour to perform “Three Little Birds” at the Johan Cruyff Arena at half time - with the home crowd fans singing along with

Bob Marley practices his football skills at a soccer field in Paris, France, on May 10, 1977. AP Photo him.

Whenever Marley was off stage he was always dressed like he was ready to pick up a football and start playing right there on the spot.

Constantly seen in photos wearing classic football tracksuits and numerous different football jerseys varying from the Jamaican national team to Brazil’s signature yellow home kit -

Munoz grabs lead, Woods struggles at Zozo Championship Reuters - Sebastian Munoz had an eventful opening round that included two eagles in an eightunder-par 64 that gave him a one-shot lead at the Zozo Championship on Thursday while Tiger Woods’ bid for a record 83rd PGA Tour win got off to a stuttering start.

World number three Justin Thomas got hot on the back nine, finishing eaglebirdie-birdie for a sevenunder 65 to climb into a tie

for second with England’s Tyrrell Hatton.

The tournament is being played at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California instead of Japan due to logistical issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Munoz, coming off a top 10 finish at last week’s CJ Cup, had a shaky start after his tee shot on the first hole found the rough and led to the first of his two front-nine bogeys.

But the Colombian then

Kylian Mbappe and Lucas in happier times @Twitter - Kylian Mbappe complaining. ‘I am extremely proud to have been able to be your friend until your last breaths and believe I will be forever. ‘May God grant you the way to Heaven my little angel. I love you. Kylian.’

In the post, Mbappe

shared two images of the pair of them together in a hospital room. Lucas is seen wearing a PSG home shirt and in one he has his thumbs up. In the other he is seen replicating Mbappe’s trademark arms crossed celebration.

it’s fair to say his love for football shone through in his attire.

You would find him head to toe in cotton sweats when playing in the UK, with his socks tucked into his worn Adidas Copa Mundial signature boots. However, when in Jamaica you would see Marley sporting his classic 70s shorts and T-shirt combo.

Sebastian Munoz

landed four birdies over the next five holes before drilling in his first eagle at the seventh, making the turn at four under.

His rollercoaster round continued on the back nine where he added four more birdies, a double bogey and an eagle after holing out from over 50 yards on 16. “Not a normal round,” said Munoz.

“It happens, and I’ve become better with managing crazy up and downs.”

Defending champion Woods struggled with all parts of his game in a fourover 76, leaving him tied for second to last. A rare bright spot came when he drained an 87-foot putt on the 14th that elicited a broad smile from the American.

Despite world number one Dustin Johnson and Australian Adam Scott being sidelined due to positive COVID-19 tests, the event still boasts a strong lineup including world number two Jon Rahm (68), Justin Rose (67) and PGA Championship winner Collin Morikawa (71).

The field has no cut and will be the last event for many of the players before the rescheduled Masters from Nov. 12-15.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 24, 2020

Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah and Mumbai openers demolish Super Kings to top table ESPNcricinfo - IPL 2020 had begun with the Chennai Super Kings surging to a fivewicket win against the Mumbai Indians. The return fixture between the two with more than two thirds of the league stage gone illustrated how divergently the tournament has gone for each side.

Mumbai demolished the Super Kings by 10 wickets in 12.2 overs, having put up a clinical bowling display and followed it up with a dominant opening stand between Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock.

Mumbai joined the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore on 14 points, but with the best net run rate to top the table.

Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah wrecked the Super Kings top order after putting them in, with high-quality, accurate seam bowling. The Super Kings floundered to 3 for 4 in the third over, the second-lowest score at four wickets down in IPL history.

That was only one of the lows that the Super Kings touched - and there was no coming back from a powerplay score of 24 for 5,

Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock knocked off the runs without fuss ©BCCI the third-most wickets lost in a powerplay ever. Boult and Bumrah were irresistible at the top, and Mumbai didn’t even

feel the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, sitting out with a hamstring strain which gave Kieron Pollard his

Giro d’Italia: Riders take bus after stage 19 protest BBCsport - Riders completed more than half of the Giro d’Italia’s 19th stage on their team buses after a protest over safety.

Concerns were raised over the 258km stage from Morbegno taking part in heavy rain, risking riders’ health.

Organisers eventually agreed with the Professional Cyclists’ Association (CPA) to start the stage 124km from the finish in Asti.

Czech rider Josef Cerny of CCC won the stage, while Britain’s Tao Geoghegan Hart remains third overall.

The CPA said on Friday (yesterday): “The riders’ health is the priority, especially in this Covid period.” It added: “Reducing the stage will not diminish the show, but will allow the immune defences of the riders not to be put at greater risk.”

Competing in heavy rain can cause riders, whose immune systems may already be compromised by excessive exertion, to become unwell as dirt and bacteria from the road is sprayed through the peloton. Many riders were concerned it would increase the risk of contracting coronavirus.

The stage initially took place under heavy rain in the neutral zone before the official start, where riders were stopped and the team’s buses were called back to pick them up. The peloton was eventually dropped off in Abbiategrasso, where, in drying conditions, a breakaway of 14, including Britain’s Alex Dowsett of Israel Start Up Nation, stayed ahead of the peloton for the duration.

Cerny broke clear of the break and held them off to cross the finish line 18 seconds ahead of Belgium’s Victor Campenaerts of NTT and Italian Jacopo Mosca of Trek-Segafredo.

The peloton rolled in 11 minutes later after

second game in charge in the IPL. The Super Kings had made a host of changes, bringing back Ruturaj Gaikwad and N Jagadeesan and handing Imran Tahir his first game of the tournament, but none of those bore much effect. Boult struck in his first two overs, Bumrah took two in two balls in his first over.

Boult would go on to take one more powerplay wicket, and ended the Super Kings innings by getting his fourth for a career-best 4 for 18 in the IPL. Sam Curran - back to No.7 in the batting order - was the lone point of resistance for the Super Kings with a well-compiled 52, but all he could do was ensure the total went into triple figures.

With Sharma absent, Mumbai sent Kishan to partner de Kock at the top and he promptly smashed the bowlers around in his 68* off 37, while de Kock played the ideal supporting role with a 37-ball 46.

Powerplay pandemonium - Boult began by swinging the ball away from Gaikwad, before bringing one back in to rap him on the pads. He successfully convinced Pollard to go for the review, and the decision went the bowler’s way.

Pollard gave Bumrah the new ball to share - something Bumrah has done just once before in IPL 2020 - and he promptly delivered a one-two punch. Ambati Rayudu was caught behind off the glove, the ball getting big on him

after being banged in short.

Jagadeesan got one in the channel that he poked at, to be gobbled up at wide slip.

Boult then struck a crucial blow getting Faf du Plessis to edge behind too with feet cemented to the crease. There was a change of ends for Boult inside the powerplay, but that made no difference to his wicket-taking, with Ravindra Jadeja pulling a short ball straight to short midwicket.

There was nowhere to hide for the Super Kings after that burst, and the rest of the innings was about trying to salvage things and not get bowled out.

Curran’s resistance - He was back at No. 7 but found himself batting in the powerplay nonetheless. With the innings floundering, Curran opted to bat sensibly and try to bat through, reining in his naturally attacking instincts in the shortest format. He found partners who could stick around with him in Shardul Thakur and Tahir, as the Super Kings began the laborious process of padding up the score to whatever extent was possible.

He picked up the boundary where possible as Pollard deployed the spinners and Nathan Coulter-Nile through the middle overs, and at the end, Tahir even ramped Bumrah for a four over the wicketkeeper, but that moment and Curran getting to fifty were the only ones that brought any cheer in the Super

Kings innings.

Rahul Chahar continued his good run too, getting two wickets, including that of first cousin Deepak Chahar - the first time he was bowling to Deepak in the IPL. Kishan, de Kock land devastating blows - What the Super Kings needed up top was tight bowling and quick wickets in the powerplay.

What they got was Kishan’s flashing blade punishing any errors in line or length. de Kock was happy to play the supporting role as Kishan began blazing away from the start, deflating whatever little chance of contest was there in the match.

Kishan’s first ball was crashed through the covers when Josh Hazlewood was short and wide outside off.

In the fifth over, he took Deepak Chahar for 14 runs in three balls. When Tahir came on to bowl, Kishan - who had fallen to him five times earlier - showed no fear, hitting him for a six each straight back in the eighth and tenth overs.

In between, he got to fifty with back-to-back sixes off Jadeja. By then, the match had become a batting exhibition for Mumbai’s openers, and a chance to swell their individual tallies while bumping up the team’s net run rate significantly too.

Mumbai Indians 116 for 0 (Kishan 68*, de Kock 46*) beat Chennai Super Kings 114 for 9 (Curran 52, Boult 418, Bumrah 2-25, Rahul Chahar 2-22) by 10 wickets.

No. 1 seed Goffin ousted by Giron in Antwerp

Riders are being transported on team buses Bora-Hansgrohe called off their attack for Slovak Peter Sagan part way through the stage.

Sunweb’s Dutch rider Wilco Kelderman continues to lead the overall standings by 12 seconds from Australian team-mate Jai Hindley, and 15 seconds from Geoghegan Hart of Ineos Grenadiers.

Meanwhile, Vini Zabu-KTM’s Italian rider Matteo Spreafico has left the Giro, having being suspended by the UCI - cycling’s world governing body - after two adverse analytical findings for the prohibited substance enobosarm.

“The rider has the right to request and attend the analyses of the B samples,” said a UCI statement. “In accordance with the UCI anti-doping rules, the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair.”

American qualifier Marcos Giron pulled off an upset of Belgium’s David Goffin on Thursday at the European Open in Antwerp, Belgium, knocking out No. 1 seed in straight sets. Giron, ranked No. 94, took down the 14th-ranked Goffin 6-3, 7-5 in 1 hour, 40 minutes. The win propelled Giron into the quarterfinals where he will next face No. 8 seed Alex de Minaur.

In other round-of-16 action Thursday, No. 3 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia escaped wildcard Zizou Bergs of Belgium 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

No. 5 seed Canadian Milos Raonic moved past Englishman Cameron Norrie 7-5, 7-6 (4), and qualifier Lloyd Harris of South Africa upset No. 7 seed Taylor Fritz 7-5, 76 (3).

Khachanov will next face Britain’s Daniel Evans in the quarterfinals, Raonic will square off versus Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Harris will

Marcos Giron take on Frenchman Ugo Humbert. bett1HULKS Championship No. 2 seed Diego Schwartzman of Argentina moved into the quarterfinals in Cologne, Germany, with a 6-3, 6-2 sweep of Belgium’s Oscar Otte. Schwartzman won 47 percent of his return points and notched three service breaks in his one-hour, 20minute victory.

Canadian No. 3 seed Denis Shapovalov was upset in three sets by Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. No.

7 seed Jan-Lennard Struff of Belgium was also knocked out Thursday, falling to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3). Italian wildcard Jannik Sinner eased past French qualifier PierreHugues Herbert, 6-3, 6-1.

Schwartzman will take on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in quarterfinal action, while Simon will next face Sinner.

Nishioka will next faceCanadian No. 5 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

(Field Level Media)

Saturday October 24, 2020

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Multi talented Niran Bissu successful in CXC and CAPE Exams - Represents Guyana in Table Tennis and Cricket

By Sean Devers National Junior Table Tennis player and National U17 Leg-spinning all-rounder 17-year-old Niran Bissu has reaped success in his academic pursuits. In another accomplishment story which proves if you really want it and work hard you could excel in sports and academics, the Queens College Student got three 1s and a 2 in his CAPE Exams this year after achieving seven grade 1s, three 2s and two 3s in his CXC Exams last year.

In a technological age, more and more of the young athletes continue to debunk the notion held by many that those who excel in sports are the ‘dunces’ which influence some Teachers to be reluctant

in placing importance in sport as an extra curriculum activity.

“I think education should always be prioritized over sports and as much as I hate to say this sometimes things don’t always work out for the best. So ensuring you have an education before indulging in sports would be like insurance.

You will have your education to rely on if sports don’t work out. Sports to me was like an escape from the routine life of just going to school, going home and doing work. It was like what people would call a happy place for me.

So anyone finding that for themselves would be great. It does not have to be sports….it can be anything”

Niron Bissu at his graduation

Bissu stressed who has already applied to attend the University of Guyana (UG).

He was born on June29, 2003 and is the son of Nigel and Rhiana Bissu and is one three children, Including a girl.

The multi-talented Bissu grew up at Summer Set Court on the East Bank Demerara Village of Herstelling and attended Maes Primary, St Rose’s High School and Queens College. “As a small boy I travelled a lot with my dad who was a cricketer. So most weekends I would go with him to his games and that sparked my interest in cricket” explained Bissu.

He informed that sports was a very big thing at Maes.

While his dad sparked his interest in cricket, the Physical Education Teacher at Maes; 67-year-old Mooniram Persaud ignited his interest in Table Tennis.

“Mr Mooniram is the reason I am where I am in Tennis. I started playing Tennis at Maes and went on to play for Guyana” said Bissu, who disclosed that if he had to choose between cricket and Tennis it would have to be cricket.

Bissu, who was always a leg-spinner at school, learnt the art of leg-spin bowling from his dad who was a legspinner. Bissu joined MYO before moving to Everest where he is presently. He made both his InterCounty debut for Demerara and Guyana at the U-17 level in 2018 after missing out at U-15 level. He played last year for the U17 team in U-19 InterCounty tournament.

Bissu’s best bowling for Demerara is 4-11 while his highest score is an unbeaten 72 on debut.

“My most memorable

Chess Federation receive $300,000 from GAICO Construction On Tuesday last, the Guyana Chess Federation, (GCF) received welcomed financial support from GAICO Construction Company, intensifying the Federation’s efforts without risk in the midst of the pandemic to introduce chess online FREE to more children in partnership with US based c o m p a n y , www.Chesskids.com.

The cheque was handed over to Anand Raghunauth, Chairman of the GCF’s Chessin-Schools Committee who expressed gratitude to the company for the timely

donation.

The funds will be utilised to cover additional fees to Chesskids and expand the GCF’s capability to further spread the learning of the game by young minds.

Champa Maraj, Office Manager of GAICO Construction, remarked at the simple handing-over ceremony at its Georgetown office that the firm is pleased to once again contribute to the GCF in the interest of sport and Guyanese children.

This is not the first time GAICO Construction has collaborated with the GCF in

2019 the GCF signed a deal with the company to sponsor five Chess Grand Prixs. The GCF is aggressively promoting the game free of cost online with its ‘chess is easy to learn’ mantra.

Activities for many sporting disciplines have been tremendously reduced but Chess is experiencing an upswing worldwide on the internet.

Parents or representatives of schools who wish to get children involved in Chess can contact Anand Raghunauth on 681 8771 or Mr. John Lee on 623 0986 for further details.

Bissu has also represented Guyana in Table Tennis match is my inter-county debut because it was my first match and I got the Man-of-the-Match award” disclosed Bissu whose favorite sportsmen are Australian cricketers Shane Wa r n e , B r e t L e e a n d A rg e n t i n e f o o t b a l l e r, Lionel Messi.

“I am able to balance school work and both sports because ever since I was small I was exposed to both worlds and I quickly adapted. It just became a normal part of my routine. My biggest challenge I would say is balancing study time and training because after training I would usually be tired and studying right after or doing assignments was kind of rough” continued Bissu, whose hobbies are watching movies and playing Video games.

Bissu said if he had one wish it would be to become a professional cricketer and to become a role model to the upcoming sports persons. “If I could be anybody for a day I would be Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan” said Bissu, whose favorite food is curried chicken. Bissu spoke about the challenges of playing two sports at the same time.

“It was really hard because I used to train for cricket in the afternoons every day from 3 to 5:30 and train for Tennis from 6

to 9. It was putting a strain on my body physically but I got accustomed to it. It was really tough balancing those two because sometimes tournaments would clash and I would have had to choose which one to play.

I would really like to play both sports for Guyana at the senior level because I grew up loving those two sports. So to get the best of both worlds would be the best thing to happen for me. But I defiantly love cricket more” said Bissu The confident young man revealed that his most memorable moment in tennis would be winning the U-11 Doubles title in the 2013 Caribbean Championships with Terrence Rausch. When asked who is the best Tennis player he had ever opposed?

Bissu responded.

“That would be a tough question as there have been many talented players I have come across in the Countries I have visited.

But I would say my toughest opponent would be a player from Germany I encountered in America.”

Bissu has been playing Table Tennis for six years and has participated in the North American Open Tournament for the last three years in addition to local tournaments. “I don’t think the level of local

Table Tennis is all that high because not many youths find an interest in table tennis. I think what can be done to rectify this issue is to implement table Tennis into PE curriculum in most schools.”

“I would just like to let the upcoming players know or even just the youths, that once you work hard for what you want you will achieve great things in life. Train hard, win easy is what our coach always used to tell us” said Bissu who prefers 50-over cricket over T20s or two innings matches.

Bissu said the biggest set-back for his Sports budding career is the Covid-19 Pandemic.

“Well it has prevented me from going to a table tennis tournament in the United States of America and has put a halt to cricket.

But I am still training at home” concluded Bissu whose favorite shot is the cover drive and his best way of dismissing a batsman is by pitching one on middle and have him bowled or caught behind.

Bissu thanked his parents, coaches and teachers for their continued support and said he was hoping for sports to restart but reminded that he believes that safety of people is more important than the reopening of sports.

PAGE 32

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

Kapil Dev: India cricket legend Selectors “fast-tracking” Seales but Harding not discarded: Harper stable after heart surgery BBCnews - Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has undergone a heart surgery at a hospital in India’s capital Delhi after he complained of chest pain. A statement from the hospital said that Dev, 61 was admitted on Friday, and was in a stable condition now.

Dev captained India’s World Cup winning team in 1983. He was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002.

Wishes have poured in for the former captain from across India.

The former middle-order batsman and fast bowler is regarded as one of the greatest allrounders to play the game. “Wishing you a speedy recovery,” tweeted India batsman Shikar Dhawan. Several other players, including former Test captain Anil Kumble, also wished Dev a speedy recovery.

An all-rounder who was devastating with both bat and ball, Dev took more than 400 wickets and scored more than 5,000 runs in Test cricket. Since retiring, he has coached the Indian side and had various other roles away from cricket, Dev is considered as one of the greatest fast bowlers India has produced. In total, he took a remarkable 434 Test wickets and 253

Kapil Dev. Getty Images one-day international wickets. With the bat, Dev made 5,248 Test runs, including eight centuries and 27 fifties, at an average of 31.05.

He has scored 3,783 ODI runs, including a top score of 175 not out which he hit against Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup.

Portuguese GP: Max Verstappen & Lance Stroll escape punishment; Valtteri Bottas fastest BBCsport Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll escaped punishment following an investigation into a crash during practice at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

The pair collided as Verstappen tried to overtake Stroll after they had raced down the pit straight.

Stewards called both drivers to give evidence and ruled that neither was “wholly or predominantly at fault”.

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was fastest overall in the session from Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton eighth.

Red Bull’s Verstappen swore over the radio immediately after the crash between the two drivers, asking what Stroll, of Racing Point, thought he was doing.

Stroll had passed Verstappen at the final corner of the previous lap. Verstappen attempted to pass back at the start of the next lap, but Stroll turned in.

The stewards’ report said: “Stroll was on a fast lap and was allowed to pass by Verstappen on the lap preceding the incident.

“Given the information from his team and usual practice, Verstappen assumed that Stroll would back off for the

next lap and moved to overtake along the main straight.

“However, Stroll was instructed by his team to go for a second flying lap. Stroll assumed that Verstappen would have backed off to gain a gap between them, also in line with usual practice, and so was not looking for the overtaking Verstappen.

“The drivers agreed in the hearing that the incident was the result of a misunderstanding between them and that with hindsight, both could have contributed to avoid the incident.”

The incident led to one of two red flags in a disrupted session that left teams and drivers with little information on a track that is new to F1. The first stopped was caused when Pierre Gasly’s Alpha Tauri caught fire.

A mandatory Pirelli tyre test on development tyres for 2021 run in the first half-hour of the session further limited useful running and meant the session was unrepresentative of the true competitive order.

Gasly’s problem interrupted Hamilton’s quick lap on the soft tyres, while Bottas managed to complete his before the session was stopped.

Hamilton did manage to get in another lap before the second red flag, but was 1.3 seconds off the pace.

Bottas had earlier topped the first session, 0.339secs

ahead of Hamilton, with Verstappen third. McLaren’s Lando Norris was third fastest, from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and their team-mates Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari have the latest in a series of aerodynamic upgrades, some developments on their floor being introduced in Portugal following changes to the front of the car at the last two races.

Hamilton, who will break Michael Schumacher’s alltime record of victories if he wins on Sunday (tomorrow) said he had enjoyed the Autodromo do Algarve but had had a troubled day.

“Incredibly difficult circuit,” the world champion said.

“Massively challenging. The undulations are incredible.

“A lot of places you can’t see where you’re going - exit of Turn Eight you are looking at the sky for a period of time, also into (Turn) 11 you turn in and you don’t know where you are.

“The surface is very smooth and you see a lot of people sliding and spinning, not an easy day.

“First practice was probably the better session for me even though the car didn’t feel that great and then we made some changes and it was pretty terrible in P2. “I need to take a few steps back and see where we went wrong with the set-up.”

Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Teenager Jayden Seales’s surprise inclusion in the West Indies touring party for the two-Test series in New Zealand was a move aimed at “fast-tracking” the inexperienced fast bowler’s development, convenor of selectors Roger Harper, has said.

The 19-year-old Seales was last week named as one of six reserves who will accompany the 15-man Test squad despite not having played a single first class match or domestic Super50 game.

And even though the more experienced 23-yearold speedster Keon Harding was overlooked by selectors despite travelling with the Test squad on the E n g l a n d t o u r l a s t J u l y, Harper argued it was not a case of Seales being pushed ahead of other players.

“Remember when we went to England we took 10 reserves,” Harper explained.

“Here we have just six reserves and the opportunity here was to include Jayden Seales in an effort to give him some exposure and sort of fasttrack his development, let him have an opportunity to experience what the environment is like at the highest level with a view to fast-tracking his development.

“It’s not a case of him

Jayden Seales necessarily leapfrogging the other players who went to England, and because of the limited number of places that’s why some of the players who went to England missed out as well.”

Seales came to the fore at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa earlier this year when he picked up 10 wickets for West Indies, while producing a couple of quick spells.

However, he has yet to play any senior team cricket, with his only taste of professional action

coming when he turned out in six games for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League which ended last month.

Harding, meanwhile, has taken 54 wickets in 17 first class matches and 34 in 20 List A outings.

Last season, he bowled superbly to take 29 wickets at 23 runs apiece in seven matches, helping Barbados Pride to lift the regional first class title.

And while 25-year-old left-arm seamer Preston McSween, who took 31 first class wickets last season is again among the reserves for New Zealand, no space has been found for Harding.

Harper said he had spoken to Barbadian Harding and explained his nonselection had not been a snub.

“It’s a smaller number of reserves and we sort of tailored it to meet the needs of the team,” said the former West Indies off-spinner. “I think Keon – as I explained to him – is still in the forefront of our minds and there would be other opportunities as well. Harding is not the only one from that tour of reserves that went to England that has missed out.”

Left-arm fast-bowling allrounder, Raymon Reifer, whose only Test came three years ago in New Zealand, joins McSween as the only other seamer among the reserves.

England’s centrally contracted players agree to 15% pay cut for 12 months BBCsport - England’s centrally contracted men’s players have agreed to a 15% pay cut for the next 12 months. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reached an agreement with Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) after the financial implications of Covid-19. Test and white-ball contracts were awarded to 23 players on 1 October. “I would like to thank the players and TEPP for their collaboration,” said Ashley Giles, England men’s cricket managing director.

“The relationship with our men’s players and their representatives is strong, and we need to recognise that our players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, have conducted themselves with great maturity and responsibility throughout this challenging time.”

Richard Bevan, chairman

The 15% pay cut includes all retainers, match fees and win bonuses. (Getty Images) of TEPP, added: “In agreeing to this revised remuneration package, they have shown great responsibility and unity with the wider game.” In September, the ECB announced it was to cut 62

jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive Tom Harrison said the game would lose more than £100m this year, a figure that could rise to £200m next year.

Saturday October 24, 2020

Kaieteur News

Happy 80th birthday to ‘The King’

PAGE 33

King Pele at the Guyana National Stadium Providence at the opening of the 2009 edition of the Kashif & Shanghai tournament. (Franklin Wilson photo)

- yesterday was Pele’s 80th birthday.

‘The King’ left an incomparable legacy in football. FIFA pay tribute to him with tales, trivia and stats The names - Dondinho year-old Pele therefore left Coach Lula heard this, and Celeste named their first home for a kickabout with chuckled, but upon seeing son Edson after Thomas friends.

Pele during his first training Edison, one of the greatest “When I got back I was session immediately handed inventors in history. His d u m b f o u n d e d , ” P e l e him his first-team debut, family nicknamed him recalled. “It was the first which Pele scored on as a 15‘Dico’, but he received the time I saw my father cry. He year-old in 1956. Over the moniker ‘Pele’ in school due was devastated. I promised next 18 years the forward to his mispronunciation of him, ‘One day I will win you propelled Santos to 25 major Brazilian goalkeeper, Bile. the World Cup.’” Pele, who titles, including two Copa Dondinho was a lower- had previously wanted to L i b e r t a d o r e s a n d league footballer. “To this become a pilot, was now Intercontinental Cup crowns day I’m very proud that my determined to become a apiece. father is the only player I footballer.

National treasure know of who scored five T h e e x p l o s i o n - With Inter Milan, Juventus, headers in one game,” Pele Waldemar de Brito, the Manchester United and Real told FIFA. former Brazil striker, was Madrid having all tried to The promise - Dondinho coaching Bauru, now- sign Pele, the Brazilian and his friends, transfixed to defunct state minnows, government, under president a radio, were euphoric – when he discovered a boy Janio Quadros, declared him Brazil had just gone 1-0 up in wonder on their books. He an ‘official national treasure’ a decider against Uruguay took Pele for a trial at Santos, to prohibit him moving Together for Brazil, Pele and they only needed to draw, at boldly proclaiming his o v e r s e a s . P e l e Garrincha played six World the Maracana in 1950, to win protégé would become “the extraordinarily scored 127 Cup matches and several their first World Cup. A nine- best player in the world”. goals for Santos in one Copa America games, faced calendar year: 1959.

Argentina multiple times The chance No10 - Pele and took on European immortalised the No10 heavyweights such as jersey across the globe – but England, France, Portugal, only by chance. Brazil forgot Soviet Union, Spain and to submit their squad We s t G e r m a n y. T h e y numbers to FIFA for Sweden incredibly never lost once.

1958, so they got chosen The man who stopped a randomly. Virtually all made war - Between one and two no positional sense – million people died during goalkeeper Gilmar and centre-back Zozimo were allocated the No3 and No9 respectively – but Pele, who began as a reserve, somehow got the number he duly made the most famous in football.

25 - Brazil goals is what Pele reached in merely 20 caps. No other player in history has reached the quarter-century for international goals while still Muhammad Ali and Pele, photo taken a teenager. in 1977 at the New York Giants Stadium.

Pele & Garrincha -

Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. Astonishingly, a 48-hour ceasefire was called between the Nigerian government and the secessionist state of Biafra in 1969 so they could watch Pele and Santos draw 2-2 with the Nigerian Super Eagles, with ‘The King’ receiving incessant applause and a standing ovation from the home fans.

You can’t dethrone

royalty! - Merely two-anda-half months before Mexico 1970 kicked off, Joao S a l d a n h a , w h o masterminded Brazil’s perfect qualification campaign, unthinkably dropped Pele for a friendly against Chile. A few hours later he was sacked.

CBF officials hurriedly raced to a Botafogo training session, unannounced, and (Continued on page 25)

GCF’s Anand Raghunauth and GAICO’s Representative, Ms. Natasha Lakraj.

rt o p S

Bissu bowls for Guyana

Chess Federation receive $300,000 from GAICO Construction Trent Boult picked up four wickets ©BCCI

Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah and Mumbai openers demolish Chennai Super Kings to top table

Multi talented Niran Bissu - Represents successful in CXC Guyana in Table Tennis and CAPE Exams and Cricket

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.