Kaieteur News

Protest continues K NEWS over gruesome murder of Berbice teens AIETEUR

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

Tuesday Edition September 08, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 36

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Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

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Govt., Exxon not seeing eye to eye on several issues in Payara permit …Jagdeo prefers not to telegraph Govt.’s positions p.

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Farmer, son, handyman and two others in custody Gruesome murder of Berbice teens...

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$330B Nat’l Ponzi schemers p.

16 budget to be slapped with p. presented 15 yet another 14 tomorrow fraud charges p.

Asymptomatic p.2 17 Pres. Irfaan Ali announces string of COVID-19 cases no tax relief measures longer infectious after 13 days - DCMO - no vat on electricity and water Dr. Adams’ expertise World Bank calls on p.8 p.

Govts., development 17 will be used in the institutions to endorse rightful place - Pres. Ali Zero Routine Flaring by 2030

Miner’s bound body found wrapped in hammock

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Kaieteur News

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Tuesday September 08, 2020

Asymptomatic COVID-19 cases no longer infectious after 13 days - DCMO I

n keeping with the guidelines of the Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of Health is declaring asymptomatic persons, who previously tested positive for the COVID-19 disease, no longer infectious after 13 days.

The Ministry's Deputy Chief Medical Officer ( D C M O ) , D r. K a r e n Gordon- Boyle, explained that once an asymptomatic person who shows a positive result for COVID-19 remains in isolation for 13 days but continues to show no symptoms after that period, then that person is cleared of the virus.

D r. G ordon- Boyle explained that the decision to clear asymptomatic cases after 13 days was not taken arbitrarily. She said that the

WHO is continuing research on the transmission of the deadly COVID-19 virus Health Ministry can safely declare those persons noninfectious without retesting them based on WHO recommendations.

“Based on scientific findings of the World Health

Organisation, by collecting data from a myriad of countries around the world, WHO concluded that despite this positive test result, after at least 10 days, these patients are not likely to be

infectious and therefore are unlikely to be able to transmit the virus to another person,” she explained. The DCMO added that “in Guyana, the Ministry has added three days to the 10day period for which asymptomatic persons can be cleared of spreading the disease.”

Asked about retesting asymptomatic persons to confirm their status, the DCMO said that due to the backlog of persons awaiting their test results that is not a feasible option. “It's just not reasonable at this time, since there are still hundreds of people awaiting their test results,” she said.

In addition, the DCMO stressed that though cleared of the disease, asymptomatic persons should still observe the COVID-19 health

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Gordon-Boyle guidelines. “They must observe the guidelines - wear their masks, wash their hands and practice social distancing, “she said.

Global research on COVID-19 continues to be conducted, including how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( S A R S - C o V- 2 ) i s transmitted. Current evidence from WHO suggests that most transmission occurs from symptomatic people through close contact with others.

A c c o r d i n g l y, m o s t recommendations by WHO on personal protective measures (such as use of masks and physical distancing) are based on

controlling transmission from symptomatic patients, including patients with mild symptoms who are not easy to identify early on.

Available evidence from contact tracing reported by countries suggests that asymptomatically infected individuals are much less likely to transmit the virus than those who develop symptoms.

A subset of studies and data shared by some countries on detailed cluster investigations and contact tracing activities have r e p o r t e d t h a t asymptomatically infected individuals are much less likely to transmit the virus than those who develop symptoms.

H o w e v e r , comprehensive studies on transmission from asymptomatic patients are difficult to conduct, as they require testing of large population cohorts and more data is usually needed to better understand and quantify the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2.

In the meantime, WHO is working with countries around the world, and global researchers, to gain better ev id en ce- b as ed understanding of the disease as a whole, including the role of asymptomatic patients in the transmission of the virus.

Miner's bound body found wrapped in hammock

T

& JUSTICE

he bound body of a miner was on Sunday last found wrapped in a multi- coloured hammock and stuck besides a tree in the Puruni River, Region Seven.

The now dead miner has been identified as Tyrone T h o m a s o f C h a r i t y, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. According to a police report, Thomas' decomposing body was discovered at around 07:00hrs by his boss, a dredge owner, whose mining operation is based on Thomas Island, Puruni River.

Reports are that the dredge owner had travelled to Georgetown on August 16 and reportedly left Thomas, a Brazilian national and another employee at the mining camp.

The dredge owner reportedly told investigating ranks that about a week ago he

had received a phone call from Thomas informing him that the Brazilian national had left the camp.

However, on Saturday last when the dredge owner, along with two new workers returned to the camp site, neither Thomas nor the other employee was found.

The man told police that on Sunday there was a foul stench emanating from the Puruni River which is within close proximity to his camp.

Upon investigating, he observed Thomas' body wrapped in a multi-colored hammock and stuck beside a tree. The dredge owner immediately notified police ranks via telephone and they made their way to the scene.

Crime scene investigators said that the miners' hands and legs were bound together. It was also noticed that the corpse bore a gaping wound above the right eye.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

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Govt., Exxon not seeing eye to eye on several issues in Payara permit …Jagdeo prefers not to telegraph Govt.'s positions

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ice President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday informed the press that several issues remain in the Field Development Plan (FDP) for ExxonMobil's Payara project, on which the Government and the company do not see eye to eye, but that negotiations are ongoing and the administration's fulfillment of its promises is a work in progress.

The President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said that he has asked the Vice President, as well as Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat to examine the issues surrounding the Payara project on a daily basis, to advise and inform him.

Dr. Jagdeo and Dr. Ali informed reporters of these developments during a press conference yesterday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The approval of the Payara project, intended for

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

startup in 2023, has been held up partly due to several environmental infractions committed by Exxon, which pervade all of its development projects.

The VP said he was informed that the negotiations have wound down from 40 issues to about

seven or eight.

The company has flared more than 10 billion cubic feet of natural gas at its Liza Phase One operations over the past eight months, though the gas is supposed to be re-injected into the reservoir, blaming the sustained pollution on a

Gruesome murder of Berbice teens...

Farmer, son, handyman and two others in custody

C

rime Chief W e n d e l l Blanhum has confirmed that two more persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of West Coast Berbice teens Isaiah and Joel Henry.

Currently in police custody are a rice farmer, his son, a handyman and two other employees. The Major Crimes Unit took over the case on Sunday last after the bodies of the boys were found butchered in the Cotton Tree backdam. Police had stated that blood stains found on the rice land located in close proximity to the land the boys bodies were found on, had led to the arrest of the rice farmer.

It was during his time in police custody, one of the farmer's sons and his handyman were also picked up and taken in custody.

Members of the Major Crimes Unit arrived in Berbice earlier yesterday but were met by protesters who

blocked the roads and refused to let them pass. It wasn't until former President, David Granger, arrived that the unit managed to pass.

Meanwhile, post mortems are slated to be conducted on the teens' bodies tomorrow.

It was late Sunday afternoon that the bodies of the boys were found with

their throats slashed in the backdam. The t-shirt of one of the boys was pulled over his face, while the other was lying face down.

Their bodies bore visible marks of violence including chop wounds across their heads and faces. The discovery sparked protests throughout West Coast Berbice and some parts of Region Six too.

defective gas compressor.

D r. J a g d e o y e s t e r d a y reiterated the government's position that it is opposed to flaring, though the issue persists. Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon-Martins, worries that it could have a compromising effect on Guyana's environmental development partners who have funded development projects here.

In addition, Exxon is dumping thousands of gallons of produced water into the ocean every day. The produced water, according to the World Bank's advice on the best practice, should be re-injected unless dumping it is found to be completely necessary.

P r e s i d e n t o f ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, had said that the company wants to

continue dumping the liquids into the ocean, making poorly supported claims that it has no effect on the environment.

At this juncture, the extent of the impact of produced water being dumped into the oceans is unknown.

The government does not appear to have a position on whether the water should be re-injected or dumped into the ocean. Jagdeo said yesterday that however it is discharged, the produced water must be treated to international standards.

The issues which persist at Liza Phase One find themselves rooted in loopholes in the permit which have been exploited

by ExxonMobil. These loopholes are also, according to EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams, repeated in the Liza Phase Two and Payara FDPs. Past Director of the National Gas Company of Trinidad & Tobago (NGC), Cathal Singh had duly shed light on the inferiority of the Liza Phase One EIA, when he said that it would not have passed the T&T regulator due to fundamental flaws.

Kaieteur News was only lately informed by I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a w y e r, Melinda Janki, that the Liza1 permit was approved on the very day that Exxon submitted its 1500-page EIA. Though Jagdeo

expressed the government's positions on these environmental matters, he stressed that those positions are “generic” and that he did not want to telegraph what may be the government's final position in the negotiations.

Though he did not admit to budging on the issues, Jagdeo said that the government sees its relationship with Exxon as a continuum and that the “Payara license is not the only opportunity” as “Exxon is not gonna disappear tomorrow.”

He explained that the PPP does intend to deliver on the promises it campaigned on, by ensuring the company and the people benefit, but that Payara is not the “makeor-break” project.

“There are numerous opportunities in this continuum,” he said. “This is not a one-event activity, where Payara will determine all of our relationship or determine all of our negotiating positions or opportunities, because there will be one when we come to talk about local content… and the development of our gas fields… and training opportunities.”

He sought to explain that with the global downfall in the financial positions of several international oil companies, it is important for Guyana to secure investment dollars in the interest of the country.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 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

Well done, keep on delivering He came into office amidst many expectations from the many jaded and resigned residents of the capital city of Georgetown, who had given up hope. But the man has delivered, and he must keep on doing so with every sinew and nerve in his body. Today, we salute Mayor Subraj Narine, for a job well done; that is most encouraging.

We think that Mayor Narine has surpassed expectations, despite encountering many hurdles in the dismal corners of City Hall. As was to be expected, he ran into severe turbulence in his early days.

For men and women had territory to protect and interests to serve. Among too many so-called official servants, those interests were not about the health and wellbeing of the largely forgotten and forsaken populace of the once Garden City. It was heavily and richly of the self-serving, where what was not sold was bought and bartered for in one financial treachery after another that would have made one Judas Iscariot proud and chortling all the way to the bank or ‘box hand’ or the basket of the beauties that dot that disturbed place.

His Lordship Narine has made a difference in a small place that has the largest of reaches. The prevailing mentality was this is how this place is run, so do not get any ideas.

After all, this is the way that things have operated since time immemorial. Garbage is collected in most places and most of the time. A little more rates and taxes is collected and accounted for mostly honestly, since the opposite was part of the culture of the community that was employed to serve the interests of long suffering citizens forced to live with blight and bleakness.

We at this paper are grateful to Mayor Narine for his spirited and untiring efforts to clean things up in a determined and relentless manner. If he gets five officers of the municipality to share his visions for this city, then the capital could get to its feet and on the move. In fact, some of the evidence is present when one looks around some of the streets and marketplaces. More potholed roads are filled.

More drains are cleared. More neighbourhoods have a different feel about them.

Let us be clear: the works have been a long time in coming, for things in government are known to move at a snail’s pace. It can be excruciating and pressuring on the patience of the people, who live in this city. It can be jaw dropping and eye opening, if not nostril flaring and stomach churning, so bad had matters deteriorated. Change come slowly, but Mayor Narine did introduce some measure of change. And for that he ought to be commended.

There is a little more of spirit in the air, a fresh surge of energy. It is interesting what a new face could bring to the table, an honest one for a change.

Everybody screams for change, but nobody wants to change the ways in which they conducted themselves and did business.

They desired to keep on doing business as was the usual, such as not paying rates and taxes, not cleaning up after themselves, and not about doing things, about dealing with things, in an official and above the board basis.

After all the sweetness was too sweet to give up willingly and responsibly. It cut both ways with most collecting their bargains on the sly and in the dark. Like it is said in Guyana: one hand can’t clap. But one hand can give to the other hand that is demanding and expecting, and outstretched and greedy. In this way, the coffers of City Hall got next to nothing, but everything was demanded of it.

Who could exist like that? Which business can manage to get by on such shaky footing? It may not be such a stretch to surmise that if all the monies were cleanly collected by municipal authorities that we would have no need for that oil money.

It is staggering to the contemplation, degrading to the imagination. And this is what Mayor Narine attempts to fix.

We credit him for getting some way, for trying. Well done, sir!

The underlying issue of the Cotton Tree killings must be addressed Dear Editor, My heart beats but yet I don’t feel alive. I walk but I seem not to move. I speak and no one is able to hear me.

Why? I ask. The answer is that no one really cares. No one takes the time to get down to my level. No one feels my suffering and pain anymore. I am left in an eternity of pain and suffering.

But how did I reach here?

Who am I? I am Guyana.

“Country roads take me home, to the place, I belong….” is a line from the famous John Denver hit. All of us Guyanese have at some time or the other, travelled along our very own “country roads”. For those who live in the countryside, we are all family. Speak with those who live on the Corentyne, the West Coast of Berbice, the East Coast of Demerara, the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara, and the Essequibo Coast, their story is the same. We are all one people. We know each other from the village, we know those from the next village and for some the entire coast.

Now #3 Village is not far from Cotton Tree/D’Edward. It is not far from #5 either. I am absolutely certain that most

if not all the villagers from these villages know one another. If not the youths, the adults who have lived there their entire lives. For the majority of our lives, we have no issue with our brothers and sisters of the neighbouring villages. We farm, we sell, we celebrate, and make merry together.

Weddings, birthdays, deaths, religious celebrations etc. are celebrated together in oneness. There is no issue.

However, once every five years a change comes over us. Neighbours stop being friendly.

We find issues which never seemed to matter and bring up a distant past which we never seem to have left behind. What causes this change? Politics and Elections. It brings out the worst in us. It is fueled by our various leaders and is used to maintain that wedge between our peoples.

What is this wedge?

Racism. Our politicians have for over 54 years found a way to appeal to those who look like them, to condemn those who do not support them and instill fear in all that the “other side” will be the end of them.

And we have sheepishly

followed like willing lambs to the slaughterhouse. 2020 was no exception.

If one is to look back at the Election Campaign and the various speeches, one will see this undertone. It might not always be spoken openly but it is there. One will see the pandering by the politicians.

It is as clear as day. You support us, we got your back, especially if you look like us.

The other side will look out for their own.

But who is looking out for Guyana? Who is looking towards the future? A future where racism does not exist?

The recent murder of the two Henry boys is a sad example of a reality we all hide from and have refused to address once and for all. It is the big elephant in the room.

Why were they killed? No, it was not for the theft of a few coconuts.

It was because of this enduring issue which we have never addressed.

Someone or a group of persons, decided to take matters into their own hand and make an example. A sad choice. A poorer example and an act of cowardice which can never be justified with

whatever retribution our justice system decides is just for their actions. How can you kill someone you know?

I’m 100% sure that the perpetrators know the youths or their parents and relatives.

West Coast Berbice is a small place. Are we no longer humans with a conscience?

Have we lowered ourselves to depths even we are unaware of?

I condemn in the strongest of language this dastardly and cowardly act meted out to those two Guyanese youths of West Coast Berbice.

They don’t have to be related to me for I to know that they did not deserve this.

Everyone knows this. At an age when life offers so much, when Guyana offers so much, to have their lives snuffed out in an instant is heart wrenching and hurtful.

I offer my sincerest condolences to their families and hope that they find strength and guidance in god and his scriptures.

No good deed goes unrewarded and no bad deed goes unpunished. I hope that the law enforcement agencies use every resource at their (Continued on page 5)

Review of President Irfaan Ali’s first month in office DEAR EDITOR, Life is best defined by questions but before I address President Irfaan Ali’s first month in office I would like to go back to a promise he made many times during the election campaign and repeated at his inauguration.

He said “I will be a President for all of Guyana.”

This promise was most encouraging and it brings me to the question. What does President Ali mean when he says, “I will be president for all of Guyana”? To me, the answer is obvious, “he will give highest priority to the problem of racial division that has plagued us for decades.

But I must be wrong because we are more divided now than during the campaign and five months of waiting for the declaration of our election results.

In Sunday KN Freddie Kissoon’s caption was “I’m telling President Ali, this is what Guyanese want” and he listed necessary bread and butter issues and other things needed to be addressed and/ or improved. I don’t want to debate Freddie because that will be very dangerous so instead I will simply say that he overlooked the most important thing which is “the urgent need for racial harmony”.

In fact, I think President Ali should have included a ministry for national unity to deal with and destroy this monster that continues to destroy our nation but this ministry must be staffed with those who genuinely love Guyana and are completely committed to racial unity.

During an interview, President Ali’s mother said that “my son is a good person and will make a good president and as a youth he said that he would be the president of Guyana”. This is a very honourable and ambitious goal which he achieved but here again I have a question. Why does Dr. Ali want to be President of Guyana? I am sure that he must have seen the injustice in our country and wants to be given the opportunity to make a difference. Well, Mr. President you have that opportunity and you have five years to bring racial unity to our country. Once you start immediately with a passion to succeed I am sure that this will be achieved and you would have succeeded where all others have failed and will earn another term as president.

Mr. President after slavery was abolished Indians were brought to Guyana and saw Africans for

the first time but could not communicate with them because of a language difference. However, the two races accepted one another and communicated in a heavenly language called “love” but now as educated fools we have chosen to abandon and dismantle love and replace it with sowing and fertilizing seeds of division and are now reaping the fruits of great regrets.

I continue to follow the news daily searching for messages of healing to our wounded nation but our news media is saturated with oil wealth and childish tit for tat taking delight and pleasure in targeting the offender instead of the offence which continues to widen the crack of separation between our two major races. What is so difficult to forgive one another, bury the hatchet and change course? Every journey starts with the first step but we are patiently waiting for our leaders to surrender the past for a better future. Please don’t let us waste another five years to resurrect this monster at our 2025 elections.

Mr. President I realize that correcting what you have inherited is like starting a fire in rain but I want to assure you that this problem

belongs to all of us and we are going to provide the shelter that you need for us to start treating one another with courtesy, dignity and respect. We are going to change our conversation to edify and encourage one another and follow the advice of the wise king Solomon who said “a word well-spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver” - Proverbs 25:11 And may I remind all of us that God has blessed our nation with an abundance of wealth but nothing can be compared to “love” which is His most valuable and precious gift to the human race.

We have rejected this gift for too long and are reaping the consequences to our shame and I will like to ask each one of us start to cherish and love our country and most importantly “love one another” and together we are going repair the damage which we have neglected for decades.

Let me assure you Mr. President that we want healing for our nation and we are committed to supporting you in our prayers and we are going to constantly remind and hold you to your promise which is “I will be president for all of Guyana.”

Harold Beharry

Tuesday September 08, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Government must not compromise on review Guyana is Exxon’s gold of the oil contract Dear Editor, The four-column headline, ”Delays could risk long-term value of Guyana’s oil” in the state-owned paper is wrong-headed. It reads like the work of a clever PRperson, produced and paid for by the oil company. The fact that it is published in the state-owned paper suggests collusion, and worse, a sellout.

The arguments made in the article can be summarized as follows: (1) Demand for Oil will decline in the next few decades – so take whatever little you get now. The average reader can readily recognize the false reasoning here (2) Long-term delays are risky. No guarantee Oil price 10-20 years from now will be higher. False reasoning again.

(3) Foreign anti-oil activists are not agitating in the best interests of Guyana.

Global Witness (GW) is not anti-oil company, nor is it against the best interests of Guyana.

The oil contract is grossly unfair. How does Suriname’s contract match up with Guyana’s: (a) 2% royalty for Guyana vs. 6.25 % for Suriname; (b) Guyana’s Cost Recovery 75% vs. 60% for Suriname (c) Oil Company pays 36% Corporate Income tax to govt of Suriname vs. zero percent for Guyana.

GW’s only interest is to help Guyana get a fair contract, and that is the only reason, albeit a sensible one, why GW urges GoG to put Payara on hold pending a review/ renegotiation of the Oil Contract.

OGGN (Oil and Gas Network) is asking the government of Guyana to formally ask ExxonMobil to come back to the table to review these items of gross unfairness – and for both

parties to try to make it fairer.

What is so wrong with this?

The oil company could wave its contract and say: “Sorry.

We have a signed contract.

Sanctity of Contracts.” The ruling party could then say it tried but did not succeed.

To flatly refuse to even ask the oil company for a review of the contract can only be perceived as a monumental sellout, so soon after receiving a strong mandate from the Guyanese electorate.

Contracts are litigated in court everyday around the world. Many are invalidated due to deficiencies in the contract.

Guyana’s oil contract contains a stability clause prohibiting the parliament from ever passing any tax laws – even for the next 30-years that could potentially impact the company.

Chris Ram has cited an Israeli legal precedent that directly challenges the stability clause. Guyana’s

contract grants 600 oil blocks to the company. This is flatly illegal because the Law limits the number to 60.

The major point of the article in the State-owned paper is “Time is of the essence”. Guyanese people are neither fools nor idiots.

They know that the two parties can gather around the table with their lawyers, accountants and mathematicians and resolve the issues surrounding this unfair contract in a matter of days – so that the Payara approval can still be issued before the end of September.

For the GoG to lack the will to simply ask for a contract review must seem like a terrible betrayal.

Global Witness has cited facts to show that Minister Trotman may have been compromised when he signed the contract. The new Irfaan Ali govt. must not be another kompromat.

Yours truly, Mike Persaud

...The underlying issue of the Cotton Tree From page 4 disposal to bring swift justice to the family and for the perpetrators to pay the heaviest price for their actions.

However, this issue does not end here. The underlying issue must be addressed forthwith. This issue is not a #3 vs Cotton Tree issue. It is a Guyanese issue. Our division by race and the disparities it bring must be addressed. Many have their views on how we can address this problem yet nothing meaningful has been started.

Acceptance by all is the first step.

A little over 20 years ago, Rwanda had a serious genocide which cost the lives of well over a million persons.

One way of addressing the issue was to get all Rwandans to see themselves as Rwandans and not from a particular tribe or ethnic

group. That decree was made law.

I think we as Guyanese should look at that option. By maintaining six or seven races we continue to fuel a divide which has kept us apart, when all we should have is unity.

By referring to ourselves first and foremost as Guyanese we will put to an end the need for us to identify ourselves according to race.

This is just the first step of a long journey. Next, we need to look at the inequality which exists amongst all Guyanese.

Economic Inequality, Social Inequality, Religious Inequality, Educational and Political Inequality just to mention a few. These need to be studied

and we need to find ways to reduce and eliminate them.

This must start now. No one should be a second-class citizen in their own country and especially not because of their race.

All Our leaders need to accept that they have helped to fuel this divide and prolong this issue for way too long.

We need to sit together and plot a course for our country, a course which is free of political and economic domination by one particular group and where the rights of all Guyanese are respected.

We must do this together, in the villages, the regions and at a national level.

Tomorrow is already too late to begin, but begin we must.

Let us take advantage of such a sorrowful event to bring something positive for our country and ensure that there are no more such events.

If we choose not to accept our wrongs as a people and simply brush their deaths under the proverbial carpets, then very soon there may be more martyrs and Guyana will continue to wallow in pain and suffering.

Yours truly, Dr. Mark France.

Dear Editor, Exxon is in serious financial trouble since the collapse of oil prices from $80 to just over $40 today. Exxon was forced to dump its assets on the world market in order to salvage the company.

Exxon Guyana is the giant multinational’s most profitable investment.

Because of Guyana, Exxon is staying afloat.

The company will not sell off its Guyana asset – the profits from Guyana are enormous, the highest for an investor in any part of the globe.

Never in history has a company been given such sweet deal signed by APNU+AFC that burdens Guyanese for generations to come.

The Ali administration is asked to fix this big problem it inherits. How can it be done without violating sanctity of contract? There are ways with breaking the contract. One has to be patient with the government that is reviewing the Payara project.

Since oil price collapsed from US $80 to US$40, Exxon has lost a lot of money.

Guyana ’s cost is about $30 although experts say it may be less if proper auditing and accounting is done.

There are large deposits of oil and gas under the seabed. So Exxon will be making lost of profits for years to come as long as oil trades at above $30 and oil is not expected to dip below $30.

It dipped briefly earlier this year in unusual circumstance of pandemic.

Exxon has no risk

investment in Guyana which is the most profitable exploration for Exxon. It is not costing the company any money because it is recovering the costs very quickly frontloading deduction of expenses..

Guyana’s profit sharing and royalty is 14.5%. Exxon gives Guyana roughly four million barrels oil to cover 14.5%.

Exxon gets 85.5% for its costs and profits. Exxon’s equivalent is 23.6M barrels.

Guyana sold its first three shipment or 3 million barrels for US$135M with the remaining 1 million expected to fetch another $40M. Guyana ’s total income is expected around $175M for the year.

Exxon is expected to collect 23.6 million barrels for its 85.5%. At an average price of oil at $47 a barrel for 2020, Exxon is expected to generate revenues of US $1 billion and 32 million for this year alone.

That is a profit of over US$200M. When production is expected to ramp up to 250K a barrel a day next year, revenues would double.

The company should unilaterally consider increasing royalty and or profit sharing percentage to Guyana.

It must also increase local content to at least 65% to increase contractual services from among Guyanese so that they can also be beneficiaries in employment and contractors can get some revenues.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

I call on the President of Guyana to No side is desirous of stepping strongly speak out against all wrongdoing back, no group wishes to yield

Dear Editor, As many of us reel from the brutal murder and torture of teenagers Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry, while others find cause to exult in or justify their slaying, one of the many directions to which my thoughts have turned is towards that of EMPOWERMENT and the feeling of being EMPOWERED. After President of the United States Donald Trump came into office, there was a rise in hate crimes and harassment directed at black and other non-white people. Some of these crimes and incidents were facilitated by his inflammatory speech, and his open disdain for those who did not look like him, those who did not share his beliefs, and those who did not have his immigration status.

The situation in Guyana is a bit different. I, personally, have never heard of inflammatory speech on the part of our new President – Dr. Irfaan Ali. However,

shortly after his induction into office, I have seen blatant discrimination being directed against some Guyanese, the blatant abuse of power by the Guyana Police Force, and the open flouting of the laws of Guyana. I believe that even though incendiary open remarks and actions have not been initiated by our President, the coming of the People’s Progressive Party into office seems to have emboldened some to flout the law, take the law into their own hands, and discriminate against those who do not look like them or share their political persuasions.

It is these actions that eerily reflect a similarity between the United States and Guyana; in one instance, people are empowered to act callously and lawlessly, and in another instance people feel empowered to act in this manner. In retrospect, these are two sides of the same coin.

I call on the President of Guyana to strongly speak out against all wrongdoing

(including the vicious murder and torture of two young Guyanese – Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry), strongly express his intolerance for racism, discrimination and injustice, and direct and support leadership and actions that ensure equality before the law, protection under the law, and a respect for the dignity of all Guyanese.

It is only as an enabling environment is proactively created for the value of all, the livelihoods of all, and the lives of all that Guyana and Guyanese could ever hope to prosper and live securely.

I decry and condemn the cold-blooded murders of Joel and Isaiah. May the perpetrators of this brutal hate crime be found and swiftly brought to justice, and may the response to this heinous crime serve as a strong testament that wrongdoing and crime will not be tolerated or condoned in Guyana, Yours truly, Loria-Mae Heywood

We ignore incidents of violence at our own peril Dear Editor, In a letter published on March 10, 2020, I requested in the most neutral language possible investigation and documentation of reports in the media of incidents at various places on March 6, 2020. I took care in that letter to avoid any suggestion of partisan involvement. As is well known, I was rewarded with a series of demands that I should denounce the rigging of the votes then being counted. So far as I know, not a single voice supported even the investigation and documentation of the incidents of “humans being brutal to humans” as I described them.

Sunday evening, I received information that incidents had taken place at one of the

places featured in the March 6 events. All I am doing now is to say that incidents like those of March 6 are straws in the wind and that we can choose to ignore them at our peril.

At this stage, I have no further comments on the recent events which are still being reported. We have been told very plainly that the March 2, 2020 victory represents the “triumph of Good over Evil.”

Along with other Guyanese, I anxiously await the response of citizens to the present events. In particular, I am anxious to see the responses of the political camps and their camp followers to the present developments. My sympathy goes out to those who are bereaved and to all the unfortunate people caught up in the tragedy.

Yours truly, Eusi Kwayana

Dear Editor, I am heartened that our two main political leaders have stepped forward very quickly and appealed for calm in the aftermath of the gruesome West Coast Berbice double homicide. As much as I am gladdened that the two of them, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon, have moved rapidly, I am compelled to take this further and call things as I see them and as they should not have been.

When a defining characteristic, a nonnegotiable essence, of our lifelong politics and quinquennial elections is the cultivation and studied maintenance of what I describe (kindly) as the calamitous, then the naked passions and raw tensions ratchet up without so much as the drop of a soft hat.

And when we step forward with alacrity now and call for calm now amounts to well-received timely public pronouncements, and nothing more. On the other hand, it is also an ingenious form of blatant hypocrisy, an exercise in cosmetics. There are no innocents in this; all are guilty.

We nurtured passions, on both sides, mostly without uttering a single inflammatory word at the leadership levels.

It is an indication of how skilled we have become at playing recklessly with dangerous games. I say this in the sharpest, most unsparing terms, and without regard for any side. I say that we did sow the whirlwind, and not just during the last ugly elections season, but via a

slow fuse that has sizzled in plain sight for the longest while. Visions and postures, body language and attitudesagain, on both sides-first harbored, then carefully spoon-fed in just the right doses to keep the furies and the fires burning have done the job all too well.

While we raged about democracy, I spoke of the heaving undercurrents.

When we were fixated and prioritized (not incorrectly) on the victorious endgame and that same outcome, I mentioned that it will not end well. This much can be said right now: elections 2020 is not over, may never ever be.

This is because anything and everything in this country degrades instantly to the racial and the political, and citizens do not even bother to bottle up or conceal underground how they think and feel. As an example, I heard of a Facebook post that spoke in the most disparaging terms of the two deceased, with the barbaric and savaging at the crest of that communication sure to make the rounds.

This is the context in which we exist, there is racial disdain and racial impatience on both sides, and no reaching for the restraints of democratic governance can be adequate should the floodgates burst. During the post no-confidence motion interval and, again, in the post March 2nd elections five month suspended state in which this nation stumbled about blindly and angrily expectations were mismanaged and, to be

candid, false ones were planted. The result has been the pressurized and coiled spring tenseness that has become most ordinary and most accepted on both sides of the racial and political divide.

No side is desirous of stepping back, no group wishes to yield and, if they do, the thinking is that it is only temporary. There were and are great expectations of leaders to pull the plug and let events take their course. I think that we are so depraved and backward that we have no idea of the perils with which we play, and which this society is ill-suited to absorb, maybe even survive. When leaders, the same ones now stepping to front and calling for calm, failed to make a more spirited and sustained effort to denounce or correct or caution or hold in check the excesses of their respective supporters, then the stage was set for where we are today. It is not going away anytime soon and, from my read of things, is certain to intensify and suck in even the so-called moderates, of which there are but few.

I am concerned and troubled by where we are. It is what I had feared, for there is great potential for the extremists to exploit and wreak havoc. However this is saidhanging by a thread, sitting on a powder keg, to name a couple-it only begins to capture the seething resentments, and the simmering emotions raging.

This is most unhealthy.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

How Payara license is handled will determine if we can expect better Dear Editor, From the report in yesterday’s Stabroek News, we learn from Minister Vickram Bharrat that the “review report” of the field development plans review by Bayphase is completed and has been submitted. We are further advised that a draft license for the Payara has been prepared and under discussion; also there are a few environment issues

under discussion together with inclusion of the natural gas project in the Payara license.

In the interest of Transparency, National Cohesion, Patriotism and Good Governance, Minister Bharrat (Government of Guyana), after concluding the discussions should declare that the final approval/signing will occur after the nation gets a chance to see the “review

report” by the Canadian team and the final draft of the Payara License Agreement.

These should be immediately made available.

I don’t think this is too much to ask. It is not the personal interests of the President, Vice President and Minister that are at risk here.

It is the nation’s interest that is at risk. In all fairness, the people need to know before and not after the signing.

How the Payara license is handled will be the test that informs whether we are going to continue on the path established by the previous administration on whether we can expect better.

Yours truly, Sase Shewnarain

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

PAGE 07

Demerara Bridge to allow fuel ship in as supplies run low - speeding truck drivers to be banned

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s part of the Ministry's plan to ensure that the Demerara Harbour Bridge keeps afloat, even as engineers battle to repair the structure's retractor span, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has announced that speeding truck drivers will be banned from utilizing the services of the bridge.

Minister Edghill made the announcement yesterday morning during a meeting with truck drivers at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

His warning came just after the General Manager of the Habour Bridge, Rawlston Adams, appealed to truckers to adhere to the speed limit, as it can cause further damage to the structure.

The bridge, Adams warned, can further deteriorate if truck drivers, especially loaded trucks, speed and apply harsh

Truckers will not be allowed to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge from 08:30hrs to 11:00hrs today brakes.

To this, Minister Edghill said, “If the bridge security catches anybody speeding on the bridge, ban them from using it. If we understand…and I want you to time it, at a certain mile per hour, you're suppose to know how long you will take, and we need to check to see who is exceeding it, and we will ban them. The truck number and everything will be out there so everybody will know that you cannot traverse the bridge.”

The meeting with the truck drivers was geared towards finding solutions for alternative crossing for laden trucks, as the bridge prepares

for repairs to the retractor span.

A proposed solution largely discussed was the introduction of a barge system, where about 15 loaded trucks, will be allowed at once, to transport their goods to Region Three.

Many truck drivers agreed to the barge crossing, while others were concerned about the location of the transit point. One suggestion was also made for truck drivers with load to use the barge to transport their goods on the west side, while empty trucks would use the bridge to return.

To facilitate a muchneeded retraction today,

US$31M Sheriff-Mandela road expansion project to resume

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i t i n g unprecedented delays that have left the Sheriff-Mandela Road Expansion Project at a standstill, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, has confirmed the works are expected to proceed.

“Some of the workers from the contractor were not in the country… Because they left and went back to China, they could not have come back because of the COVID-19 situation,” Minister Indar explained.

The workers' absence resulted in a significant drop in the workforce, resulting in the slow-moving pace of the project.

Now that the country's main international airports are opened to chartered flights, Minister Indar remains optimistic that the project will recommence.

“We are pushing for them to restart the project,” the Public Works Minister added.

In 2011, the Government expended $1.7Billion on the designs for the widening of the flagship Sheriff-Mandela The Sheriff-Mandela project in July, 2019

Road 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 US$31M project was launched in 2018 but hit delays with the Coalition government threatening to yank the project from the Chinese contractor.

The expansion is a major part of a holistic road network link to reduce congestion.

truckers will not be allowed to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge from 08:30hrs to 11:00hrs.

“In the interim we want to ask that we continue at the 18 tonnes, up to this weekend, when we find an alternative, but tomorrow because we want to carry in some fuel, because one of the

depots is running low, we've decided that we have to do another retraction like we did the other day but it wouldn't last that long,” the General Manager explained.

It was announced recently that there were a number of serious structural issues on the bridge that have been lingering for a number

of years now.

The decision was taken to restrict heavy vehicles over the weekend and halt retractions. However, this decision has been pushed back by a day.

The bridge is the main access link between East B a n k a n d We s t B a n k Demerara.

Minister Juan Edghill meets with truck drivers to discuss possible solutions of crossing their load to the West side

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday September 08, 2020

World Bank calls on Governments., development institutions to endorse Zero Routine Flaring by 2030

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ne of Guyana's most significant development partners for the oil sector, the

World Bank, has issued a call for Guyana, other governments across the world, oil companies, and

development institutions, to endorse its 'Zero Routine Flaring by 2030' Initiative.

In its statement, the

financial institution noted that during oil production, associated gas is produced from the reservoir together with the oil. Much of this gas is utilized or conserved because governments and oil companies have made substantial investments to capture it; nevertheless, some of it is flared because of technical or economic constraints.

When this occurs, the World Bank said that thousands of gas flares at oil production sites around the globe burn approximately 140 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, causing more than 300 million tons of Carbon Dioxide and other toxic gases to be emitted into the atmosphere.

Further to this, the World Bank stressed that the flaring of gas contributes to climate change and impacts the environment through the emission of carbon dioxide, black carbon and other pollutants.

It also wastes a valuable e n e r g y resource that could be used to advance t h e sustainable development of producing countries.

Taking this into account, the Bank said it has introduced a “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030” initiative (the Initiative), which brings together governments, oil companies, and development institutions which recognize the flaring situation described above is unsustainable from resource management and environmental perspective, and who agree to cooperate to eliminate routine flaring no later than 2030.

The bank noted that governments that endorse the Initiative would be required to provide a legal, regulatory, investment, and

o p e r a t i n g environment t h a t i s conducive to upstream investments and to the development of viable markets for utilization of the gas and the infrastructure necessary to deliver the gas to these markets.

This will provide companies the confidence and incentive as a basis for investing in flare elimination solutions.

Since December 20, 2019 to now, American oil giant, ExxonMobil, has flared over 10 billion cubic feet of gas due to mechanical issues with the gas compressor system for the Liza Destiny vessel. While the compressor system is still being fixed, ExxonMobil continues to burn over 15 million cubic (continued on page 12)

$5B budgetary support for GuySuCo - Pres. Ali

P

resident Irfaan Ali y e s t e r d a y announced that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is set to receive $5billion from the $330 billion Emergency Budget expected to be announced in Parliament on Wednesday.

Ali during a media briefing at the Arthur Chung Conference Center told the press, “The $5 billion will go into the agriculture aspect for field preparation. And also, for investment in capital…to operationalize the estates.

Some of it will go to direct help for families who would have suffered.”

President Ali recently announced that the new People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration had begun the process of reopening three of the four sugar estates that were shut down by the previous A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government.

The last administration took the decision to shut the Rose Hall, Wales, Skeldon and Enmore sugar factories when they took office in 2015.

Sustaining the seven estates at the time was putting a major dent in the treasury, APNU+AFC had said, and

President Irfaan Ali

later, those four estates were shut down and more than 7,000 workers were laid off.

The PPP/C vowed to resuscitate the sugar industry, providing hope for the thousands of workers who were left without jobs and struggled to maintain their families since the closures.

With President Ali's announcement, that vow may soon become a reality but his plans were not met without concerns as many questioned how the new administration planned to transform the sugar industry into a profitable venture.

The remaining three estates at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt, according to recent reports from the Guyana Agriculture Workers

Union (GAWU), are heading for their worst production “in history”.

Giving context, GAWU said, the sugar company at the beginning of the year said it would produce 114,162 tonnes sugar – 46,475 tonnes in the first crop and 67,687 tonnes in the second crop.

L a t e r, i n a p r e s s statement, GuySuCo said it only managed to produce 37,015 tonnes sugar during the first crop, a deficit of 9,460 tonnes sugar.

With regards to the second crop, a revised target of 69,480 tonnes sugar was set but even this target may not be reachable as, according to estimates, GuySuCo would have a deficit of 24,393 tonnes of sugar.

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Without regard to the crime A

few months ago, CCTV cameras r e c o r d e d footage of a young school girl being robbed by a bandit.

It must have been a terrifying experience for the child.

The incident deeply distressed the public. The comments which followed the posting of the video on social media were not complimentary.

Persons called for extreme forms of extrajudicial justice to be meted out to the perpetrator.

Some asked for an arm and a leg; others for death and others for slow, painful torture.

There is hardly a person who does not rebuke incidents of robbery. It is not about the value of what was taken but the violation that someone feels upon being deprived of what is theirs.

Even when there is an attempt at robbing someone, the sense of indignation is acute.

The public is so outraged by such incidents that they demand extreme punishment for the perpetrators.

They do not realize that the extrajudicial measures they call for, such as “hanging them high”

contributes to the cycle of violence in society.

A few day ago, a video surfaced of an alleged thief being captured by residents.

Just beneath his left eye was swollen to the point where it was oozing blood, Yet, despite this fact, persons could be seen inflicting lashes and kicks to the alleged thief, causing the swelling below the eye to bleed more.

This is the callous violence which is meted out to persons accused of stealing.

And such violence is s u p p o r t e d b y a l a rg e numbers of persons.

The message of this type of violence is that if someone steals or attempts to steal from you, then that person deserves a sound licking.

This sort of philosophy perpetuates the cycle of violence in our society.

It contributes to the high incidence of violence since it is seen countenancing extrajudicial retaliation.

The authorities have not been able to stem this form of extrajudicial violence because they too tend to agree with such actions.

They support licks for thieves.

Notice:

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A few years ago, residents in an area in the city caught a thief. They tied him to a lantern post and beat him mercilessly. He died from his injuries.

There was no public outrage or outcry because the public has little sympathy for thieves and little respect for their human rights.

This is the prime reason why the cycle of violence continues unabated. The condemnation of violence is too selective. When it comes to thieves there are few restraints on the use of violence.

Violence solves nothing.

It only begets more violence.

The cycle of violence must be broken. This can be done only if people accept that human rights apply to everyone and not just to those who are not bandits or larcenists.

To break the cycle of violence - including in the home - a few things can help substantially.

First, outlaw corporal punishment in schools and at home. Flogging school children is an act of violence.

It is uncivilized to institutionalize violence in schools.

Nor should violence be condoned in home. It should be made illegal for children to be struck by anyone, including their parents.

Second, the police should charge any person found beating an alleged thief or bandit. They should be charged along with the suspected criminal.

Thirdly, all those who take to social media, in support of extreme violent retribution on thieves, should be discouraged from

A new Tongue boys Clerk in Town seh... ..........................................................

Dem

D

em boys hear how the city get a new Town Clerk, or rather Tongue Clerk. De man perform de other night.

De performance was so good, dat it became the Talk of de Town. Or rather the Talk of de Tongue.

Dem boys seh this is de man fuh de wuk, This is de best man fuh clean up de town. De man ready fuh all of dem wah wan “wild up” themself. Talk to me, baby!

Talk to me!

Dem boys seh how Lil Joe and Gail nah talking about talking. Lil Joe accuse de government of being illegitimate.

Ye t , h e w a n t representation. In de same illegitimate government.

Dah nah mek no sense, if you seh de government is fraudulent, why you want tie bundle with de same “illegal” government?

Would that not legitimize the same government?

Dem boys seh how people memory nah so shart

to forget who bin trying fuh five months to foist an illegitimate government on the people.

Dem know who bin wan fuh wipe de PPP/C slate clean. Dem know dat Coala-shun gat it own Tongue Clerk.

Even when de man sitting quiet, he tongue does be like snake in he mouth.

No name. No warrant.

But de Raja is still de best.

Talk half and nah ask who bin give who blow!

their endorsement of these measures.

People should not be supporting extreme extrajudicial licks for thieves.

In other words, until

human rights are guaranteed to all without regard to the crime, the violence will not end.

(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

Tuesday September 08, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The 2020 Guyana election: people's power; no dictator T

he five-month election ordeal is over. Inside those five months, were some of the most bizarre moments of human failing, human hypocrisy, human idiocy hardly seen in modern politics since the 19th century.

T h e c o m e d i c dimensions are not that important as the dangerous aspects. Within those five months, Clairmont Mingo a n d K e i t h Lowenfield twisted and corrugated laws and morality that should

have appalled all decent humans yet there were people who in the name of Walter Rodney saw what unelected power can do and embraced Mingo and Lowenfield.

It was an unelected government without an electoral mandate, that didn't give Rodney, a teaching job at UG. An elected government could have done the same vindictive act too but that could have cost it power.

The electorate could have said to itself that such a

brilliant son of the soil, such a globally known academic that has put Guyana on the map, should not be treated that way.

This anger could have made a difference in a country where people have a right to vote.

Rodney was a panAfricanist but that didn't deter him from attempting to change the government of Forbes Burnham.

Rodney understood the nature of the post-colonial state. It is interesting to note that one of Rodney's closest

comrades, Clive Thomas, wrote a book titled: “The Rise of the Authoritarian State in Peripheral Societies.” It was that kind of state Rodney was fighting against in the reign of Burnham.

He understood that the ethnic make-up of the PNC government was of lesser importance than the inherent freedoms that lie in democratic governance. This put in on a confrontation path with Burnham.

If Rodney was essentially driven by the zero sum competition for ethnic domination in Guyana then as a conscious Blackman he would not have opposed Burnham.

But Rodney was more concerned with class politics. He accepted that race had to take secondary place to class structure. It is within this ideological prism, he fought against Burnham.

Rodney understood that permanent autocratic rule breeds dictatorship. This is where the struggle against Burnham in the seventies mirrors what happened on March, 2020 with the Mingo/Lownfield election fraud.

To comprehend the path Guyana was heading towards if the March rigged election was accepted by Guyana and the world, it is important to quote Clive Thomas and in doing so we will see the political bankruptcy of people like Thomas himself, Rupert Roopnaraine, Eusi Kwayana, the remnants of the WPA and their middle class supporters like Dr. Alissa Trotz, Karen de

Souza, etc.

I am quoting Thomas to underscore the importance of free and fair election. In the book, “Walter Rodney: A Promise of Revolution,”

Frederick Kissoon e d i t e db y C l a i r m o n t Chung, here is what Thomas noted about the PPP government; “…state degeneration in many ways is more brutal than what existed in the PNC regime…the Burnham regime was very brutal … it was the epitome of d a r k n e s s b u t n o w, i n retrospect, few of us would still maintain that position, given the current situation.”

From pages 101 to 103, Thomas describes how far more violent and dangerous was the Jagdeo presidency than Burnham's autocracy.

I knew and understood what Thomas described in that book. No one was more repressed by that system in that period than me. I almost lost my life twice. My poor, innocent wife was turned into a victim too.

Thomas made those observations in 2010. In 2015, that authoritarian system was removed by free and fair election; in 2011 then, in 2015. Free and

fair elections made Roopnaraine into a Cabinet Minister. Thomas became the anti-corruption star of the APNU+AFC administration and he employed two WPA leaders to work with him.

Other WPA leaders like Drs. Maurice Odle, David Hinds, Wazir Mohamed secured top jobs with the state.

T h e W P A eventually acquired state power not through revolution but free and fair election.

These very people c a r i c a t u r e d R o d ney when they supported the fraud of Mingo and Lowenfield. I had a choice – invoke what the PPP government did to me that Thomas so vividly described in Chung's book and, like Thomas and Roopnaraine and the WPA bigots, endorse rigged elections to keep the PPP out. Or save my country from fraudulent elections to prevent the permanency of Burnhamism that Rodney gave his life to prevent.

Those, like Thomas and so many others, particularly Desmond Trotman, in supporting the fraud perpetrated upon this nation in March 2020 have literally betrayed Rodney and have spat on his grave.

What would have happened if there was no free and fair poll in March 2020 was simply the return to a system that people like Thomas and Roopnaraine themselves fought against.

How could they have deteriorated so badly?

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

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Passengers, drivers robbed $25,000 per household as and beaten at Hopetown

COVID-19 relief

- vehicles damaged - shots fired by police to disperse crowd

- President Ali

- $150M allocated for frontline workers

A

taxi driver from Bath Settlement was last evening attacked by persons protesting along the Hopetown Public Road. The young man, who requested anonymity, disclosed that he had passengers in his car and was trying to manoeuvre his way pass the protesters when he was attacked by a group of men who assaulted him and robbed his passengers.

According to the 28-yearold man, "they robbed one of my passengers of his phone and wallet and they were trying to rob a female passenger of her bag." He stated that he attempted to intervene to prevent his passengers from being harassed and robbed but was dealt several lashes across his back with an electrical cord by two of the men.

"They lash me three times across my back and I rushed to the car and drove away," he said.

The man said that he was heading back to his taxi base at Bushlot when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, another resident from Fyrish Village, Corentyne, Berbice who was caught in the traffic was reportedly beaten as well. A truck driver of Kiltern Village was also attacked as he was making his way back to Region 6.

Meanwhile, the public relations department of the Guyana Police Force in a

T

Vehicles were damaged and persons assaulted by some protesters yesterday

statement yesterday urged that persons engaged in protest action to exercise calm as efforts are made to "continue with intensity to investigate this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice".

According to the police, they are in receipt of several reports of robberies being perpetrated on several innocent citizens, "acts which the Force takes seriously".

They further stated that "when protest action degenerates into unlawful acts, infringing on the rights of other citizens and putting the protection of life and the safeguard of property at risk, the GPF will consequently

take the appropriate action against perpetrators".

Residents reported that the police fired pellets and

teargas to disperse the crowd at Hopetown after reports of them robbing and harassing drivers and passengers.

The taxi driver after he was hit with the electric cord

World Bank calls on...

From page 8 feet of gas per day.

Kaieteur News, by way of extensive research, would have shown how gas flaring contributes to climate change, which has serious implications for the world.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, was keen to note in one of its studies that gas flaring is actually a major source of greenhouse gases (GHG) contributing to global warming which could accelerate the problem of climatic change and harsh

living conditions on earth, if not checked.

The Department also notes that there are over 250 toxins released from flaring including carcinogens such as benzopyrene, benzene, carbon disulphide (CS2), carbonyl sulphide (COS) and toluene; metals such as m e r c u r y, a r s e n i c a n d chromium; sour gas with Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Carbon dioxide (CO2); and methane (CH4) which contributes to the greenhouse gases.

he COVID-19 pandemic has imposed testing challenges to thousands of families across Guyana.

With the aim of bringing relief to those financiallystruck families, President Irfaan Ali has announced a cash grant of $25,000 per household.

President Ali made this announcement yesterday as one of the measures promised to be captured in the emergency budget for 2020.

This is set to be read at Wednesday's sitting of the National Assembly by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who was present with President Ali at a press engagement yesterday, indicated that the government has encountered a number of challenges on how to swiftly get the money to families, while also taking the necessary precautions against the deadly Coronavirus and ensuring that no corruption or wrongdoings occur during the exercise.

It is with this in mind that the VP highlighted that an extensive form has been developed, which requests the name of the recipients, their identification card number, their date of birth, address and other necessary information.

Recipients will receive vouchers worth of $25,000 with their forms, which will be distributed by a specially allocated team, Jagdeo said.

“These vouchers,” the VP said, “will be in sequential order. Hopefully we have vouchers by each administrative region so that they cannot be duplicated,

and then they (the team) would have to account for each voucher. Members of each household would have to countersign the form and the voucher. Hopefully that will be the accountable way.”

In cases where more than one voucher is needed because there is more than one household in the house, evidence of such will be requested, the VP said.

He also noted that a unit will have to present all expenditure to the Auditor General (AG) when an audit is needed to be conducted.

Meanwhile, some $150M has been set aside for frontline workers in the 2020 national budget. The monetary support was also disclosed yesterday by the President who said that the provision aims to showcase the government's appreciation to health officials in their fight against COVID-19 in Guyana.

“We understand and appreciate the tremendous work that our health and frontline workers are doing, the sacrifices they are making in ensuring that we remain safe and protected as a result given the work they have done for COVID-19 and continues to,” President Ali said.

Recently, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, announced that her ministry will be expanding its Childcare Assistance Programme to provide free childcare to frontline workers.

Minister Persaud, during a virtual press conference on Monday, revealed that assistance will be available to the frontline workers in both the private and public sectors.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

PAGE 13

Gruesome murder of Berbice teens...

Govt. commits all needed resources to bring perpetrators to justice - Opposition leader calls for two days of mourning

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s the nation, more so the county of Berbice, comes to grip with the heinous killing of teenage boys, Isaiah and Joel H e n r y, s t a t e m e n t s o f condemnation and condolences have been many.

The two young men, Isaiah, 16, and Joel, 19, left their Number 3 Village, West Coast Berbice home on Saturday to pick coconuts in the Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, backdam and were not seen alive again.

PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI As police continued their investigation Sunday, after the boys' mutilated bodies were discovered in the Cotton Tree backdam, President Irfaan Ali was among the first to speak out.

He said, “It is with a heavy heart that I was informed of the brutal and senseless murders of Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry of West Coast Berbice. I have since spoken to the Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police urging them to deploy all needed resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The President's statement, though concise, managed to express s y m p a t h y, a p p e a l f o r stability and support, and gave assurance that swift justice will be served.

“We cannot and would not tolerate this type of brutality in our communities a n d c o u n t r y. I c a n understand the pain of the families and community and my prayers and thoughts are with you. Whilst we await the swift work of the police to bring those responsible to justice, I urge residents from the communities to be patient and support the police in ensuring justice is served,” said the President.

He continued, “I ask you to act lawful and responsible in demonstrating your anger and hurt. As President, I can understand the emotions but I ask that the police be given an opportunity to do their job. I also assure all of you

DEAD: Isaiah Henry, 16 that I have asked for a constant update on the progress of the investigation by the police to be shared with the media, community and country.”

HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER Minister of Home Affair, Robeson Benn, in a statement too said, “I am deeply saddened at the discovery of the murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry, and the mutilation of their bodies, today at West Coast Berbice.”

In expressing horror over the daunting state of affairs, the Minister said, “There is no justification for these acts. I share the shock, hurt and anger at this gruesome event, and particularly, the grief of: the families and friends of these youths...the countrywide distress, abhorrence and condemnation are noteworthy and very keenly felt.”

Even then, the Minister said that the police force was vigorously pursuing its investigations into the crime and will spare no lawful effort to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.

“These investigations must be complete and thorough,” the Minister said.

Outraged over the killings, residents retaliated with protest action which was quelled then reignited.

Responding to this, Minister

DEAD: Joel Henry, 19

Benn said, “There are reports of a resumption of blockages of roads and associated bridges on the West Coast Berbice Highway. This activity will not aid, but will surely hamper, the overriding issue of resolving this crime expeditiously. The efforts of some agitators will, also, have a similar effect and lead to a general breakdown in public safety and security.”

Moreover, the Minister said, “I wish to urge all residents of the local communities to act in a manner that is lawful and helpful to the police in aiding their work and in preserving the peace across and between all communities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will fully support all efforts, and source and bring to bear all requisite resources, towards helping the West Coast Berbice communities through this difficult time.”

ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMISSION Strongly condemning what it called the “senseless killings”, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), in a statement of its own, called for swift action by the police to apprehend those responsible. It said, “The Commission is pleading with Guyanese, especially those residing in the West Coast Berbice and nearby communities to

remain calm and allow the police to do their work.”

Remaining firm that, first and foremost the law must take its course, the ERC made an appeal for Guyanese to desist from any activity which can contribute to unnecessary tension as it is hopeful that those responsible will be brought to justice.

“The Commission also strongly urges leaders, both nationally and at the community levels, to

demonstrate responsible behaviour and to not use the pain of this tragedy to heighten racial tension,” it added.

According to the statement, too, the ERC is committed to taking whatever course of action it deems necessary to assist in the de-escalation of tensions and the mending of fractured relations among citizens. As such the ERC reiterated “that investigations by the police must first take precedence before the ERC acts to defuse any unwanted developments resulting from the tragic occurrences a few days ago,” even as it extended condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased young men.

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Sickened by the way the Henrys were “heinously cut down in the prime of their youth,” leader of the opposition, Joseph Harmon, MSM, said, “I continue to be horrified by their gruesome killings. I cannot begin to imagine the state of the barbaric minds that could commit such evil acts.”

He said, “President David Granger and I have conveyed our sympathies to the families and have offered our support.

They require all of our support – the community and all of Guyana as they try to cope with these tragic losses.

We hold up the families and all the relatives in prayer and ask God to give them the strength to carry through and carry on. We share the deep grief, pain and anguish of the families and relatives.”

A proponent of ending such dastardly acts, Harmon said, “The tears and emotions which I have seen in the past 24 hours from all segments of our society, speak to the inhumane and barbaric nature of this crime which has shaken the soul of this country.”

The APNU+AFC Coalition, Harmon said, will assist the families by covering the funeral costs, even as he campaigned for two days of mourning – Tuesday September 8th and Wednesday September 9th – to be observed in honour of the teens.

As he too demanded swift justice, Harmon (continued on page 15)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Protest continues over gruesome murder of Berbice teens

Protest at Number 5, WCB road yesterday morning

Hopetown also saw protest action yesterday

V

illagers from No.3, No.4, No.5, No.28 Village, Belladrum and Hopetown, West Coast Berbice yesterday continued to protest for justice for Isaiah Henry, 16, and Joel Henry, 19, whose butchered bodies were found on a coconut farm in the Cotton Tree backdam Sunday afternoon. Persons who were scheduled to head to Georgetown or return to Berbice were stuck in traffic for miles.

The traffic jam, resulting from the protest action,

started yesterday morning and lasted throughout the day into the night.

During the morning hours, villagers blocked the public road at No.5 Village and burnt debris as a way of stating their displeasure over the killing of the two teenagers. Protesters lined the roadways and intensified their call for justice.

They burnt old machinery parts, wooden planks, abandoned old tyres and other items while the police attempted to quell the situation and clear the roadways for traffic to pass.

That did not work since the people formed human barricades to prevent the police from clearing the road. Road users complained bitterly over the halt in traffic that prevented them from making their way home or to work.

One resident from Region 5 posted on Facebook that her car's windscreen was damaged after some of the angry residents attacked her vehicle Sunday night.

Last evening, a resident stated that “Right now Number 5, Hopetown,

Number 28 and Belladrum, they block the road and burning.” Another resident stated that police were directing vehicles to turn back.

At Hopetown, the riot squad was seen in a stand-off with protesters after they attempted to clear the road for traffic to pass freely. An excavator, intended to help with the removal of encumbrances, was left parked on the roadway as residents shouted at police ranks and refused to allow them to clear the road.

Meanwhile, over in

Region 6, residents from N u m b e r O n e Vi l l a g e , Number 53 (Union) and Skeldon were picketing on the roadways for justice to be served for the Henry boys.

Attempts were made to block the road at No. One Village but that was quickly quelled by a senior officer and ranks on the ground.

Parliamentary opposition members: David Granger, Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry visited the home of the boys grieving relatives.

Granger expressed his sadness over the gruesome tragedy and pledged his party's support.

He told the mother of one of the boys and the other relatives and neighbours

who were gathered that they have to protect their children, women and young people. “ We h a v e t o b i n d ourselves in some selfdefence society and live ordinary lives.

Unless we protect ourselves, nobody is going to protect us, so we must ensure that young people of any race are protected from this type of crime.

They must be able to travel the road, travel in school buses and go to the backdam and live ordinary lives,” said Granger.

Up to press time, protesters were still out on the roadways, blocking traffic and burning whatever they could find.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

PAGE 15

$330B national budget to be presented tomorrow

M

aking good on its vow to prepare an emergency budget within 21 days, the Irfaan Ali-led People's Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C ) administration announced that the 2020 Emergency Budget, estimated at a whopping $330 billion, is ready to be presented to the National Assembly tomorrow.

That budget represents an increase of $29 million or 10% of the 2019 budget.

Yesterday at a media conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that the masses may question why the PPP/C tabled such a large budget with only three months remaining for 2020.

The reason for this, he explained, was because a substantial part has already been expended by the previous David Granger-led A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition administration.

Jagdeo explained that of the $330 billion budget, $72 billion has been allocated for capital expenditure.

With the exclusion of foreign funded capital expenditure, $49 billion of local expenditure remains and it is of that $47 billion that the APNU+AFC

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo expended $27 billion.

A P N U , t h e Vi c e President stated, “went on a spending spree with money they did not have, when they didn't have a budget, when they gave out a large number of contracts, etc.

With that roll over and illegal release of money on the capital side… because they didn't have a budget for 2020, when you combined the two, that's $27 billion of the $49 billion of this year's budget that has already been spent as of 31 July.”

According to Jagdeo, that only left the new administration with room in the budget from local expenditure to programme

$22 billion for new initiatives.

Jagdeo noted that this did put a damper on the many initiatives the PPP/C wanted to introduce but noted, h o w e v e r, t h a t i t s t i l l managed to fulfill many of the promises laid out in its manifesto.

With such a large budget, questions have surfaced as to how it would be financed.

Jagdeo stated that it would be from foreign financing.

“We would have to borrow,” he told the press, “and we would have to continue borrowing given that the revenue shortfall and given what I said that a lot of the expenditure is a roll over expenditure so when we look at the foreign financing, we'd have to continue accessing the domestic market for financing the budget.”

Notwithstanding this, however, the Vice President stated that it is the new administration's hope that it can retire a significant part of Guyana's domestic debt that the coalition took to finance previous budgets.

“So immediately, we will have to continue borrowing from the domestic market and we would have to do so carefully so it doesn't crowd our private sector

Govt. commits all needed...

From page 13 pleaded with members of the public “with information which could lead to the solving of this crime to provide such information to the police as soon as possible.”

HUMANITARIAN MISSION-GUYANA INC. Pandit Suresh Sugrim, the president of the Humanitarian MissionGuyana Inc., said, “My heart goes out to the family of those two young men who lost their lives so horrendously.

The cruelty is beyond understanding, and youthful lives have been ended.

It was with great distress and sadn e s s t h a t w e learned of the ruthless and cold-blooded murder that took the lives of Isaiah and Joel Henry, left so many families, friends (and) our nation in a state of shock.”

“Loss of life is always tragic,” said Surgim, “but

when the lives lost were those of young and youthful individuals due to violence and anger by the hands of another heartless human being, then what we see before us, in the victims and perpetrators, is the gravest breach on the sacredness of human life.”

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMISSION Also weighing in on the dilemma, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said that it learnt with horror of the murder of the two teenaged cousins with a sense of utter revulsion.

“We join the voices of the private sector and, we would like to think, the entire country, in calling upon the nation to remain calm while the police do their job to bring the perpetrators to justice, while we condemn this brutal heinous act.

Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the grieving families.”

GEORGETOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also said that it is deeply saddened by the senseless murders of boys, stating that “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones and communities of Isaiah and Joel. We share in their grief, heartbreak and anger.

The GCCI calls on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to continue their investigation into the matter and we ask that the public allow the investigation process to occur without hindrance.

The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice, and all parties responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Laws of Guyana.”

investment or would not push up interest rates,” he said.

The budget will be presented by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill.

The country has been operating without a 2020 budget after the APNU+AFC administration fell in 2018 after a vote of no confidence.

The five-month delay of a declaration of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections was also a contributing factor to a 2020 budget not being released.

PAGE 16

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Kaieteur News

Ponzi schemers slapped with yet another 14 fraud charges

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Fourteen more fraud charges were yesterday read to alleged Ponzi schemers, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael, bringing the total number of charges against the couple to 66.

Garcia-Dominguez and Ishmael made their appearance before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Vigilance Magistrate's Courts, with their attorneys, Glenn Hanoman and Dexter Todd.

The defendant denied the allegations which stated that between May 2020, and June 2020, they obtained $9M under false pretense.

Magistrate Azore granted the defendant bail in the sum of $800,000, each and the matter was adjourned to November 2, 2020.

Garcia-Dominguez along with his wife appeared before five different Magistrates within the past 12 days. However, the duo was remanded to prison on six fraud charges by one of the Magistrates, when they made their first court appearance.

On Thursday last, the couple was arraigned before Magistrate Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, where 11 fraud charges were read to them.

They denied the allegations which stated that they obtained $75M under false pretense.

Magistrate Bess granted the defendants bail in the sum of $200,000, on each charge and the matter was adjourned to October 7, 2020.

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Alleged Ponzi schemers, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife, Ateeka Ishmael 2020, Garcia-Dominguez and his wife made a virtual appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts where they were made to answer to 10 fraud charges.

They denied the charges which stated that between May and July 2020, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total sum of over $60M from 10 persons under false pretense.

After reading the charges, Magistrate Daly granted the defendants bail in the sum of $1M each and adjourned the matter to October 5, 2020.

On Thursday, August 27, 2020, the defendants made their first court appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Melissa Mittleholzer with their attorneys.

Garcia-Dominguez and Ishmael were slapped with 19 fraud charges appearing before two separate magistrates.

Magistrate Mittleholzer read 13 fraud charges to the defendants, which allege that between May and July 2020 the couple obtained a total sum of $24.7M from 13 victims under false pretense.

Magistrate Mittleholzer granted the defendants bail in the sum of $3.9M each and the matter was adjourned to September 18, 2020.

However, the duo then made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Alisha George of the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court.

Magistrate George read six fraud charges to the duo – those charges allege that they obtained over $1M from the victims under false pretense.

Magistrate George remanded the defendants to prison and the matter was adjourned to September 21, 2020.

The Government recently announced a multi-sectoral investigation against GarciaDominguez and Ishmael, who are officials of Accelerated Capital Firm Inc. The investigation was launched after the authorities said they received a number of complaints against the company.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, recently disclosed that the company has little or no assets in Guyana.

According to a letter from the AG to one of the defendants' lawyers, as a result of multiple complaints received and reports to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), a team of state agencies has been assembled to inquire into the operations of Accelerated.

Reports revealed that over 17,000 Guyanese were in limbo, after investing over US$20M. A number of the persons reportedly sold their properties or gave their life savings to the company.

Authorities said that they found little evidence of money leaving Guyana via the normal channels for overseas.

Accelerated told investors that it was actively involved in the foreign exchange trading and promised as much as 40 percent returns every few weeks.

However, authorities, including the Guyana Securities Council, the Bank of Guyana and the Financial Intelligence Unit had warned about the operations.

In fact, Accelerated had been operating for about two years but only applied for a broker's licence a few weeks ago.

There are details emerging that pastors and other religious leaders were actively involved in recruiting clients or new “investors” for Accelerated.

Tuesday September 08, 2020

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

President Ali announces string of tax relief measures - no vat on electricity and water Just one month after being sworn into government, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) regime has already announced over 42 sweeping measures that will bring significant economic assistance to Guyanese and several sectors.

One particular highlight of this economic assistance includes a list of 22 tax relief measures for both citizens and local business. These were announced yesterday by President Irfaan Ali during an engagement with the media at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal yesterday.

These tax relief measures include reversal of value added tax (VAT) on electricity and water; removal of VAT and duties on machinery and equipment for recapitalization of key sections such as mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing; tax concessions or those aforesaid industries; reversal of land lease fees; removal of VAT on fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural chemicals and key inputs in the poultry sector; reversal of VAT on all exports, hinterland travel, medical supplies, mobile phones, building and construction materials and revert the poultry industry to zero rated VAT status.

President Ali also announced the removal of corporate tax on private education and private

President Irfaan Ali

Some of the measures that will be captured in the emergency budget. healthcare; reversal of policies to allow for the importation of used tyres, for the use of vehicles over eight years old, to allow half-cut vehicles over eight years old to be imported, as well as the reverting of free water for pensioners.

He continued that interests on mortgages will now become income tax deductible; that any license fee that was increased after 2014 will be reduced by 50 percent. He also spoke of the removal of the requirement to register and take out road licenses for miners and the requirement that prohibits miners from transporting fuel in their vehicles.

During his presentation yesterday, President Ali indicated that these tax breaks will stimulate economic activity that will “put people back to work with the aims of increasing productivity, reducing the cost of doing business, improving

efficiency, thereby facilitating growth and development of business.”

Meanwhile, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has stated that the tax breaks will yield over $20B in relief for Guyanese. Jagdeo, who was also present at yesterday’s engagement, said, “If you look at the measures in the new budget and a combination of direct incentives and a reduction of taxes, the Guyanese public will benefit over $20B of relief.”

These promises were crafted in the PPP/C’s manifesto during the run up to the 2020 elections. Now in office, the Vice President added that the government is on a path to fulfill those promises.

With the new tax measures, the VP is confidence that more disposable income will be available to Guyanese as cost of living will now be reduced.

Dr. Adams’ expertise will be used in the rightful place - President Ali President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, yesterday told reporters that Dr. Vincent Adams’ expertise will be utilized by the government in the “rightful place” alluding to his wealth of experience as an energy scientist.

Ali faced questions yesterday about the administration’s abrupt decision to send the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on leave.

The move was seen as a poor decision by several local and international commentators including the Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI), given that it is Dr. Adams who championed the resolution of several environmental issues caused by ExxonMobil as necessary for the approval of the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP).

That project’s review has not been completed, and Dr. Adams’ removal has effectively also removed him from its path to approval.

Energy scientist, Dr. Vincent Adams Ali said that there is no issue with the government’s decision, as the EPA is headed by an interim Head who has years of experience in environmental protection.

Strangely, the President claimed that Dr. Adams is not qualified in the “area of environment” though Dr. Adams told Kaieteur News that he is.

Ali said that Dr. Adams’ skillset is needed for the country, and that the energy scientist has been so informed. The President added that he has great respect for Dr. Adams.

However, he noted that Dr. Adams is a politician, who was part of the APNU+AFC coalition platform, and that anyone criticising the administration’s decision should arm themselves with the facts.

Dr. Adams was appointed Head of the EPA by former President David Granger in late 2018. He has four decades of experience in public and private environmental, petroleum and geological engineering.

He most notably served 30 years with the United States Department of Energy, part of which he was a member of the Senior Executive Service Corps.

He has a PhD in Environmental Engineering, is a PhD Candidate in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, MS in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, MS in Geohydrology, BS in Civil/Public Health Engineering, and Diploma in Executive Leadership and Management from MIT Sloan School of Business.

One death among 92 new COVID-19 cases - Health Minister - Spike in numbers likely due to backlog in results Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that there should be an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases due to a national testing backlog.

During a live-streamed update on Guyana’s effort to contain the spread of the disease yesterday, Dr. Anthony told the media that as efforts are underway to upgrade the national testing capability, there will be a growing number of positive results for COVID-19.

“But don’t be alarmed, this is due to the accumulated tests results for over a number of days and not the last 24 hours,” the Minister posited.

Dr. Anthony noted that the Health Ministry is painfully aware of the backlog

of test results for COVID-19 and has taken steps to address the problem.

As such, he noted that the current partnership with Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the additional shifts of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) will be assisted in helping to yield hundreds of results in a timely manner.

“CARPHA is a lab assisting with 500 tests results and the National Public Health Reference Lab has increased capacity to do about 250-300 samples per day,” he said.

As such, Dr. Anthony added that Guyana is deeply appreciative to CARPHA for its continued technical

support and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s update on the COVID -19 infection provided by the Ministry, pointed to 92 new positive cases and 47 deaths, including one new death—a 79 year-old male from Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo, Region Nine, who died while receiving care.

According to the Ministry, a test sample was collected from the patient at the time of admission and he was found to be COVID-19 positive subsequently.

Yesterday’s results reflect a total of 9,762 persons tested for COVID-19 to date, and includes a portion of tests sent to the CARPHA on August 31 (Continued on page 18)

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

...One death among 92 new From page 17 to help clear some of the existing backlog which had accumulated over the past several weeks.

As such, the Ministry reiterated that it is important to note therefore that the total figures on the dashboard do not represent results from the most recent testing as of yesterday, but over a longer period of time.

According to the Ministry, out of the 500 samples sent to CARPHA last week, 359 test results were processed thus far and the results were made available over the weekend.

It was also revealed that COVID-19 test samples were dispatched to CARPHA to help Guyana speed up the delivery of COVID-19 test results. At present samples can be sent to CARPHA only from the NPHRL. “Once a sample is sent, CARPHA issues the results to the Chief Medical Officers at the respective Ministries of Health in the region, who are responsible for the dissemination of those results…” the Ministry revealed.

CARPHA tests all suspected cases of COVID19, as recommended by the

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

World Health Organisation (WHO) case definition and this, the Ministry said is, “provided by the WHO Global surveillance for COVID-19 caused by human infection with COVID-19 virus.”

The Health Ministry explained further that the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method is used as

recommended by the WHO. “This method remains the gold standard for COVID-19 laboratory diagnosis, as the sensitivity and specificity of such tests are nearly 99.99% accurate,” the Ministry said, adding that CARPHA ensures that “appropriate quality control measures are followed to guarantee the accuracy of all results.”

The MOH dashboard for September 7, 2020.

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Tuesday September 08, 2020

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Bob Willis Trophy match abandoned after Northamptonshire player tests positive for Covid-19 ESPNcricinfo Northamptonshire’s Bob Willis Trophy match at Bristol was abandoned after lunch on the opening day after a player in their squad tested positive for Covid-19.

Gloucestershire had reached 66 for 6 when lunch was taken, but the players did not emerge after the interval and play was called off for the day shortly before 3pm.

Northants have fielded largely different squads in the T20 Blast and Bob Willis Trophy this season, with only two of the team playing this game part of their most recent Blast fixture.

“Although the player was not part of the group that

travelled with the squad to Bristol (and has been selfisolating at home), further members of the Northamptonshire squad have been in contact with the player within 48 hours of the player developing Covid-19 symptoms,” the clubs said in a joint statement “Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and the ECB are unified in the belief that player welfare is paramount and that no risks should be taken with the health and safety of the players, officials and administrators involved in this match.

“The match has now been abandoned and the

Northamptonshire squad will return home to Northamptonshire today.”

The ECB will now assess whom the player has been in contact with recently before deciding upon the next step.

Northants’ next fixture - a Blast game coincidentally also against Gloucestershire - is due to be played on Friday.

County cricket has already seen at least two players miss matches due to enforced self-isolation this summer. Nick Gubbins missed Middlesex’s game against Kent as a precautionary measure after coming into contact with someone who had developed symptoms, while Jordan Cox missed the

Tuesday September 08, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There's an adventurous side to today that you should latch onto. Try not to get weighed down by the little things in your life that don't really matter much.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Express your independence today, Libra, and prove to others that you won't be pushed around anymore. Do things for yourself and have fun while you do it.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Unexpected people and events are likely to crop up today just as you're longing for adventure. Feel free to hop aboard a train to an unknown destination, Taurus.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Things relating to love and romance are in your favor today, Scorpio, although you may find that issues of this nature might be unpredictable.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It's extremely important that you not be too possessive today, especially when it comes to other people. You have important relationships with the people around you.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) - It might feel like there's a hole in your heart today, and you could have a hard time filling it. Remember that you're the one responsible for making sure this void is taken care of.

CANCER(June21–July22) Matters regarding love and romance are in your favor today, Cancer. You'll find that love comes to you when you least expect it.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Realize that you might have to leave some things to chance today, because you probably aren't going to be able to control all that you'd like to under the circumstances, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Things should be going quite well for you today, Virgo, especially in the love and romance department. You'll find that there is a magical, adventuresome spirit when you connect with others. Take advantage of this courageous energy and put it to good use in whatever way you see fit.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Issues regarding love and romance are at a climactic point right now, Capricorn, and you could be rather combative. Your energy in this area may come in waves.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't expect a great deal of sensitivity from others when it comes to issues concerning love and beauty today. People are apt to be in their own little worlds.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There could be people who try to convince you that you're wrong about something, Pisces. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you're inferior just because you don't agree with someone on an issue. Focus on your creativity today.

The County Ground in Bristol. (Getty Images)

same fixture after breaking social-distancing protocols by agreeing to a photo with young fans after his doublehundred against Sussex.

Players have not been asked to spend their time in a biosecure ‘bubble’ in county

cricket, unlike international players. Instead, they have been asked to adhere to a range of protocols to minimise the risks of transmission, including travelling to games alone, regular temperature checks and health

questionnaires, and signing up to a code of behaviour both at venues and when offduty. There is nothing riding on the game, with neither team in contention to qualify for the Bob Willis Trophy final as group winners.

PAGE 22

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Kaieteur News

Re-energised GAW face vastly improving Zouks; unbeaten TKR take on unpredictable Tallwahs in CPL semis today

By Zaheer Mohamed The eight edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is heading for an exciting climax with two exciting semi final matches set for today at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Unbeaten Trinbago Knight Riders will take on unpredictable Jamaica Tallawahs in the first semi final from 10:00hrs while a rejuvenated Guyana Amazon Warriors will face the vastly improving St. Lucia Zouks in the second encounter from 17:30hrs.

Five-time finalists, the Warriors have been peaking at the right time and they are firm favourites to win this encounter, but cannot take Darren Sammy’s men lightly.

Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran appear to be back at their best.

Hetmyer is the leading West Indian run-scorer in the competition so far, with 267, only bettered by New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, Nicholas Pooran’s maiden T20 hundred against Patriots will be remembered for a very long time. The Warriors will be hoping for a decent start from Brandon King and Chandrapaul Hemraj as well as the return to form of Sherfane Rutherford. Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul have done well and will be looking to better their performances today, while Imran Tahir has taken 15 wickets so far.

Andre Fletcher has endured a complex season for the Zouks, making 176 runs in 10 innings; but has shown glimpses of form with scores of 42 against TKR and 46 against St Kitts. The Zouks have rotated their players around a solid core, which is not a bad ploy.

Mark Deyal and Javelle Glenn have done enough to secure their spots while Andre Fletcher has taken 12 catches

Warriors young brigade will look to shine for the next two matches hopefully. (CPL T20 Ltd.) behind the stumps, leaving him with more dismissals.

Teams; Guyana Amazon Warriors- (possible) 1 Brandon King, 2 Chandrapaul Hemraj, 3 Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Keemo Paul, 7 Sherfane Rutherford / Romario Shepherd, 8 Ashmead Nedd / Kevin Sinclair, 9 Chris Green (capt), 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Imran Tahir.

St Lucia Zouks (possible): 1 Rahkeem Cornwall, 2 Mark Deyal, 3 Andre Fletcher (wk), 4 Roston Chase, 5 Mohammad Nabi, 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Javelle Glen, 8 Daren Sammy (capt), 9 Scott Kuggeleijn, 10 Kesrick Williams, 11 Zahir Khan / Obed McCoy TKR vs Tallawahs Knight Riders have played excellent all-round cricket, but will be wary of the fact the Warriors also played unbeaten in last year’s tournament until their defeat to Barbados Tridents in the

final. A bad game at this juncture is the last thing the Knight Riders will be hoping for, while Tallawahs have been unpredictable and cannot be taken for granted.

Apart from their more celebrated players, Knight Riders have shown that they have the bench strength as they have won games comfortably without the likes of Sunil Narine, Ali Khan, Colin Munroe and Dwayne Bravo. Spinners Khary Pierre and Akeal Hosein and opener Tion Webster have been outstanding in filling their roles.

Lendl Simmons has done well at the top of the order and New Zealander Tim Seifert, has acclimatized well. Darren Bravo has been consistent while skipper Kieron Pollard has led by example with support from the experienced Dwayne Bravo.

Sikander Raza has had his moments and with every member of this unit being given an opportunity to

Letter to the Sports Editor

LGC condemns the murders of teenagers Dear Sports Editor, We shall be grateful if the following is released in the press from the Lusignan Golf

Club.

We t h e E x e c u t i v e Committee, Members, Staff and friends of Lusignan Golf Club do condemn in the strongest terms the cruel and untimely deaths meted out to two of our fellow Guyanese Joel and Isaiah Henry.

We strongly demand that justice prevails and that the perpetrators be swiftly dealt with within the confines of the law.

For a bright and promising future for Guyana, there must be zero tolerance for any acts that contribute to the destruction of our people in any form or fashion and so we expect that these dastardly acts will be condemned in the strongest terms by all sectors of society.

Kind regards, Anasha Ally Public Relations Officer (LGC).

TKR would look to maintain their winning run in their year’s tournament and a place in the grand finale. (CPL T20 Ltd.) showcase their skills, the Knight Riders are favourites to make it through.

However, Jamaica Tallawahs, who have sneaked into the semi-finals with just three wins at a superior net run-rate than last year’s champions Barbados Tridents, are capable of toppling their opponents.

While Knight Riders have a balanced unit, it will be interesting to see what measures Pollard’s men adopt in their effort to conquer the world’s best all-rounder Andre Russell.

Russell returned from a knee flare-up with back-toback half-centuries before being dismissed without scoring against the Zouks.

Carlos Brathwaite, Asif Ali,

Rovman Powell and Glenn Phillips are all capable batters while their bowlers have done a fine job, with Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane leading the way.

Glenn Phillips has been reliable, with 314 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 127.64 while Russell has 565 runs in 15 innings at an average of 56.50 and strike rate of 191.52 in addition to 20 wickets against TKR. The pitches for the final week at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy have been more batting-friendly than the ones that were rolled out for the first leg of the tournament.

However, they will still be some assistance for the slower bowlers and with heavy

rain showers in the forecast, dew could be a factor.

Trinbago Knight Riders (probable): 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Tim Seifert (wk), 4 Darren Bravo, 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 DJ Bravo, 7 Sikandar Raza, 8 Fawad Ahmed, 9 Khary Pierre, 10 Akeal Hosein/Ali Khan, 11 Jayden Seales.

Jamaica Tallawahs (probable): 1 Glenn Phillips (wk), 2 Jermaine Blackwood, 3 Chadwick Walton/Nkrumah Bonner/Nicholas Kirton 4 Rovman Powell (capt), 5 Andre Russell, 6 Asif Ali, 7 C a r l o s B r athwaite, 8 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 9 Sandeep Lamichhane, 10 Fidel Edwards, 11 Veerasammy Permaul/Oshane Thomas.

...GFF compliment Beacon FC leadership From page 23 youths in the Parade Ground area play the game more consistently whilst noting that COVID-19 is the current challenge: “We are going to be working closely with the Beacon FC to reorganise this club that has produced some really outstanding players for the country.

We want to help move this club forward, it has been defunct to some extent so we want to now reorganise ourselves and focus towards bringing football back to Tiger Bay and the Kingston areas.”

Kumar noted that he is a product of Alexander Village /West Ruimveldt area and even spent some of his formative years in Albouystown so he can identify with some of the challenges faced by

youths of the ghetto: “I know the challenges of the ghetto and I know you can also rise from the ghetto and football is one of those means; sports in general is a bigger means but our focus in this case is football.”

President Forde committed the GFF and himself towards meeting with the leadership and executive of the BFC to help reshape and repurpose the club.

He noted that apart from handing out the equipment that they have done, much more can be done: “You have my commitment, once the engagement is established I will be willing to participate and to bring whatever support we can to make this facility here (Parade Ground) a permanent home and a wholesome space for football development and

community engagement in the coming months and years.”

Braithwaite expressed gratitude to the GFF, President Forde and Mr. Kumar for their support noting that Beacon will once again be that guiding light for others to follow.

“I am proud today to know that we are thirty-five years old as a club and I am looking forward to our 70th anniversary.

I can assure you Mr. President and everybody around here that these players will make sure we are one of the best clubs. We give all the thanks to God for us being here because God is the light of the club, the light of life and without God none of this would have been possible.”

Tuesday September 08, 2020

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Kaieteur News

I’m pretty impressed with the pace, overall quality of work by the GFF - Minister Ramson - Visit to NTC and Community Outreach to Tiger Bay achieve Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., was high in praise for the work of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) under the Presidency of Wayne Forde following a community outreach to Tiger Bay as well as an official visit to the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, EBD, on Saturday last.

During the visit, footballs and other gears were handed over to the community by Forde and Minister Ramson, who also had his staff distribute face masks to residents to assist with containing the spread of the COVID-19.

According to the Minister, the Tiger Bay visit was a follow up to the visit and commitment made by President Irfaan Ali. Also attending Saturday’s Outreach were GFF Executive Committee Member Mr. Dion Inniss, Georgetown Football Association President Mr. Otis James and National Security Advisor, Mr. Gerald Gouveia, among others.

Minister Ramson also engaged members of the community on the possibility of clearing a designated area to make it easier for the youths to be engaged in playing sports.

The Tiger Bay area has produced a number of national footballers over the years, including the likes of Orin Accra, Leslie ‘Fatman’ Holligan and Shawn ‘Fatso’ Bishop, all deceased, as well as current players including ‘King’ Solomon Austin and Deon Alfred who were present at Saturday’s outreach.

Minister Ramson alluded to the fact that one’s

Minister Ramson and President Forde seen with the Tiger Bay kids and other officials following the presentation of equipment. circumstances do not preclude them from having opportunities for their advancement in life.

“Presenting that ball, while it may just be a ball, it is a symbol of what your life could become too. In addition to that, it’s some life changing lessons that you learn when you are doing sport; team work, competiveness, being able to have the discipline, setting your goals and working towards your goals all those are things that I developed by playing competitive sport, which I had just transposed into my professional life.”

On the Tiger Bay outreach, Forde recalled the expression of excitement and

joy on the faces of the many boys and girls just to hold and own a football.

“I’ve said often times in my public discourse that if sports is given 10% of what the state invests in incarcerating young people they can take that 10% and save almost 100% of those young men that find themselves on the other side of the law.”

He noted that the human development objective that sports is able to achieve is something that cannot be accomplished by any federation alone.

“It has to be a collaboration between national sporting bodies and one of the key stakeholders

in the development of people, which is the Government of Guyana. I am very encouraged by the Minister’s posture from the very first day in office; it was moving to me that the very first engagement I had with him was at his invitation.”

Recognising that Minister Ramson is an actionoriented person given his proactive stance, Forde posited that he is confident that they would have an exceptionally good working relationship.

“I want to commend him for taking the time out to visit the Tiger Bay Community and we’ll be more than willing Minister to participate in other engagements that you

have to other communities and to do whatever we can to enhance the experience of the stakeholders, the young boys and girls in those communities that will ultimately benefit from the engagements.”

At the GFF Training Facility, which is still under phase one of construction, the Minister and team were taken on a guided tour including the state-of-the-art artificial turf and the building (new & refurbished), which will house a players dorm, football-specific gym, viewing area, and kitchen, among other amenities.

Minister Ramson expressed satisfaction with what he saw during his inaugural visit to the facility.

“I’m pretty impressed overall with the pace of the work and also the quality of the work being done here by the GFF and the leadership of Wayne Forde. It shows the level of commitment the GFF is willing to pursue and the effort that they are willing to advance in the development of young talent, young Guyanese talent. I’m happy also to say that we are going to be working on a number of projects together.”

President Forde, while welcoming and expressing thanks to Minister Ramson on his first visit to the National Training Centre, said he is quite confident that it is the first of many that would be made in the coming months and years.

Australian De Minaur beats Pospisil to reach U.S. Open last eight

GFF President Wayne Forde and Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.

(Reuters) - Australian young gun Alex de Minaur tamed Canada’s Vasek Pospisil 7-6(6) 6-3 6-2 at the U.S. Open yesterday to ease into his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

The first Australian to reach the men’s last eight at Flushing Meadows since John Millman in 2018, the 21st seed now awaits the winner of second-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem and Canadian Felix AugerAliassime.

When the U.S. Open started neither promising 21-year-old De Minaur nor 30-yearold Pospisil, who grabbed more attention in recent weeks as Novak Djokovic’s sidekick in starting a new players association, would have been tipped as a major winner.

But with Djokovic disqualified on Sunday after striking a line judge in the throat with a ball, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal not at Flushing Meadows and Andy Murray suffering an early exit, the chances of de

Minaur winning the title have grown.

With the stakes a little higher, the opening set unfolded like the first round of a prize fight with both players probing for openings and neither managing a single break chance.

In the tiebreak it was Pospisil who had looked poised to land the first blow by going up 6-2, but De Minaur sweept the next six points to grab a 1-0 lead.

“That first set was crucial,” said De Minaur. “I think it was just a couple of things going his way and then my way.

“I went down 6-2 but I don’t think I played a bad tiebreak I was just unlucky here and there.

“I just tried to stay calm, do my thing.”

After that effort the 94th ranked Canadian could only muster token resistance, with De Minaur securing an early break in the second and third sets and never allowing Pospisil a chance to get back into the match.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

Serena Williams overcomes Maria Sakkari to reach US Open quarter-finals BBC Sport - Six-time champion Serena Williams battled through a challenging three-set test against Greek 15th seed Maria Sakkari to reach the US Open quarterfinals.

Williams, 38, looked composed as she took the first set in 37 minutes.

The third seed lost a close tie-break in the second and was forced to find her best tennis to come from a break down in the third and win 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 almost two hours later.

“I just kept fighting,” Williams said.

“She was doing so well.

She was being so aggressive and I knew I needed to do the same thing.”

Williams plays French world number 56 Alize Cornet or Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova - playing her first tournament since Wimbledon 2017 - next.

The American is seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles title as she attempts to equal Margaret Court’s record.

Williams had initially looked vulnerable when she went a set down in her thirdround match against Sloane Stephens and again it was Sakkari who had the faster start.

The pair had met two weeks previously in the last 16 of the Western and Southern Open, when

Williams let a set and break lead slip to lose.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion was threatened when Sakkari set up three break points at 2-2 in the first set, but the Greek could not take the early opportunity.

The momentum changed hands as Williams dominated a rally with pacy forehands to break the world number 22’s serve at the third attempt.

And an ace down the middle sealed a hold to love to give the American the first set.

Sakkari raises level to meet Williams’ power Williams’ serve saved her on several occasions, reaching 124mph at one point.

Sakkari had a chance to break at 3-2 and 40-40 in the second set, but Williams slammed the door shut with two aces.

And the seven-time Australian Open champion was just as powerful from the baseline, with an incredible forehand overwhelming Sakkari and switching the momentum in the seventh game.

The Greek upped her intensity to meet Williams’ level and a net cord in her favour gave Sakkari set point and elicited a pained cry from Williams.

More impenetrable serving saved that and a second set point, taking it to a tie-break.

An 89mph forehand and another booming backhand saved a further two set points for Williams, but eventually her forehand sailed wide to give Sakkari the set.

Williams’ fitness holds up in three-set test Closing out victories has been an issue for Williams recently, with her three-set loss to Sakkari two weeks ago the latest example.

And, though Williams was increasingly fired up, it looked as though history could repeat itself when Sakkari went a break up in the first game of the third set.

Williams was breathing heavily as she darted back and forth along the baseline to cling on to her service game.

“The breaks are a bit longer with the fans here,” she said after the match. “I could have used that a little bit in this match.”

U n d e terred, Williams passed Sakkari with a crosscourt forehand to put it back on serve and a gritty service game helped her lead for the first time in the decider.

The younger player showed she would not be capitulating as she served an ace to hold to love but Wi l l i a m s c o n t i n u e d t o bring her best level.

A scorching forehand

Messi back training with Barca after ending departure saga BARCELONA (Reuters) Barcelona captain Lionel Messi reported for training yesterday for the first time since requesting to leave the club last month.

Messi had failed to turn up to the club’s tests for COVID-19 eight days ago and been absent from all subsequent sessions ahead of the new campaign after giving the club an official notice that he wished to leave.

But the club’s all-time top scorer finally appeared at the Joan Gamper training ground ahead of an evening session, his first under new coach Ronald Koeman, after taking a test for the novel coronavirus at his home on Sunday.

Messi, 33, revealed last Friday in an interview with Goal.com that he was staying at Barca for the c o m i n g season as he did not wish to face a court case with the club where he has spent his entire career over a disputed release clause in his contract.

The Argentine claimed in an official letter that he was free to leave the club unilaterally and without a transfer fee owing to the clause.

But Barca and the league’s organizing body responded by saying the clause was no longer valid and that the only way to free him from his contract was by paying a release clause of 700

million euros ($827.68 million).

Messi, however, will be free to leave free of charge next June unless he pens a new deal with Barca.

Barca, who will be looking to reclaim the La Liga title after surrendering it to Real Madrid last season, are sitting out the first two weeks of the new campaign which begins on Friday due to reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.

Koeman’s side will instead play pre-season friendlies against Gimnastic de Tarragona on Saturday Sept. 12 and Girona on Sept.

16 before their first league game at home to Villarreal on Sept. 27. ($1 = 0.8457 euros)

The win was Serena Williams’ 100th on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. (Getty Images) winner on the line paved the way for three break points and she took the third as Sakkari’s forehand

found the net.

Wi l l i a m s was unrelenting as she served for the match, closing out

an entertaining contest as the Greek was unable to return another powerful cross-court backhand.

Osaka restores order after champions exit U.S. Open NEW YORK (Reuters) Naomi Osaka stood firm after a parade of champions exited the U.S. Open on Sunday, blasting her way into the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-4 win over Anett Kontaveit.

On a dramatic day seven, three-times champion Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the men’s draw for hitting a ball into a line judge’s throat and 2016 women’s champion Angelique Kerber was dumped out by American Jennifer Brady.

But 2018 winner Osaka restored order in the final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium with an impressive display of power and patience against the giant-killing Estonian.

After whipping through the first set in 28 minutes, frustrations grew for Osaka as the two-time Grand Slam champion failed to convert five match points and eight out of nine break points in the second set.

Aware that Djokovic had been sent packing after losing his cool mid-match against Pablo Carreno Busta, Osaka was mindful of keeping her emotions in check.

“I didn’t really see what happened live (with Djokovic). I was sleeping because I knew I was going to play a very late match but yeah I saw it afterwards, the aftermath,” she said in an oncourt interview.

“For me, that’s definitely like a warning to never do

Osaka restores order after champions exit U.S. Open. (Tennis: US OPEN) that.”

Osaka’s left thigh was heavily strapped as she continues to manage a hamstring injury but the 22year-old moved superbly against Kontaveit to set up a clash against unseeded American Shelby Rogers.

World number 93 Rogers was courage personified as she saved four match points before knocking out twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 7-6(5) 3-6 7-6(6).

Osaka has a 3-0 losing record to Rogers, who defeated Serena Williams last month in Lexington, but their last match came in 2017 at

Charleston, when the Japanese number one was barely on the radar.

“I don’t know, it feels like such a long time ago. I have to definitely watch a couple more matches of hers,” Osaka said of Rogers.

“Yeah, I have Alzheimer’s,” she joked, after her match finished postmidnight. “I had a hard time remembering how to play Anett today. I don’t remember.

“I think (Rogers) has a great serve and she’s a good returner. But I have to study ... It’s late. I don’t know what I’m saying any more.”

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 08, 2020

PAGE 25

GFF compliment Beacon FC leadership as equipment - Beacon Café Owner Ramdeo donated for 35th anniversary Kumar promises to support The leadership of the Beacon Football Club (BFC) has been commended by President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wa y n e F o r d e f o r i t s persistence in providing an avenue of hope especially for youth players as the club celebrates its 35th Anniversary as an entity.

Forde, who on behalf of the GFF made a donation of football equipment to the club on Saturday last at Burnham Court, commended former National Captain Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite for sticking with the club through the years since its formation.

Joining the officials and a few of the former senior players for BFC at the simple but significant activity was Proprietor of Beacon Café Mr. Ramdeo Kumar who has also committed to working towards seeing the retransformation of the club.

Whilst noting that quite

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) and Mr. Ramdeo Kumar (right) with former and current players of the Beacon FC following the presentation of gear. often in Guyana’s football leadership is not necessarily found in the Executive Committee, Forde said it is rather found in the commitment to the goals of the game: “And the goals of football is service to mankind, development of community, improvement of brotherly love and relationship and that

leadership is embodied in Coach Gordon Braithwaite.

He has been a punctuation mark in the journey of this club. He has given unselfishly and I want to commend him as a brother in football for what he has done.”

The former national Defender, Captain and Coach has been the main pillar of the club since its

birth and continues to play a pivotal role in its continued existence. Braithwaite was encouraged by President Forde to never give up and to continue working with the club and its youths.

“This is a long journey and you have been in it much longer than I have been but your time in football is not yet come and there is so much more that you have to

do. You can be assured that as far as is possible and as far as the grace of God allows, I will be there to support your work and the work the communities connected to this club so badly needs.”

The players who would have contributed to the club over the years were commended by Forde, which include current National Coach Wayne

‘Wiggy’ Dover, Andre Trotz, Nigel Denny and Julian ‘Beater’ Masdammer as well as the new generation of players who will carry the flag for years to come.

Kumar, in commending the club on its anniversary, informed that he has been a silent supporter of the club for quite some time and his vision is to ensure that the (Continued on page 20)

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The Guyana Amazon Warriors are hoping to cross the Zouks hurdle today and the final for the first time.

(CPL T20 Ltd.)

Re-energised GAW face vastly improving Zouks; unbeaten TKR take on unpredictable Tallwahs in CPL semis today I’m pretty impressed with the pace, overall quality of work by the GFF – Minister Ramson - Visit to NTC and Community Outreach to Tiger Bay achieved

GFF President Wayne Forde (2nd left) observes as Minister Ramson gets a feel of the turf at the GFF National Training Facility.

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