Guyana Times - Thursday, August 20, 2020

P17

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4383

India assists Guyana with US$1M for COVID-19 fight

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

Govt announces comprehensive COVID-19 relief measures See stories on pages 3 & 7

… new equipment procured to tackle COVID-19 backlog cases ...lowered interest rates, loan deferral extension, ATM fees waived … $500M to fund safety measures, equip schools for e-learning

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Massive flooding in Region 5 as sea defence breached again at Dantzig P9 World Bank P15 offers support to President in tackling Guyana’s development challenges …as several Heads of States congratulate Ali

Attempts to rig elections

Dr Thandika Smith

Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams

Yvonne Pearson

Alister Charlie

Minister Pauline Sukhai

13 new MPs on PPP/C Parliamentary List …5 Amerindian leaders among MPs Page 2

Major flooding at Grove as koker collapses

Page 10

Fire destroys DeSinco Trading

Former GECOM DCEO wins defamation case against Vincent Alexander, Chronicle …awarded $4.3M

Page 11

No stone will be left unturned in forensic review P13 – AG Cummings Lodge squatters served with warning P16 notice No records of transport for lands claimed by Lincoln Lewis at P12 Kingelly

Page 16

Guyana records 4 new COVID-19 deaths See story on page 14

NICIL gets new interim CEO P13

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13 new MPs on PPP/C Parliamentary List …5 Amerindian leaders among MPs

T

Trade Unionist Seepaul Narine

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has submitted the names of candidates to occupy seats in the National Assembly and on the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

On the Parliamentary List, there are 13 new Members of Parliament, comprising of young women and men, as well as those who will bring more extensive experience with them.

The Party gained 33 seats in the National Assembly following the March 2 General and Regional Elections. It noted that names were extracted from the List of Candidates and includes 12 persons from the Geographic List and 25 from the National Top-Up

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

List.

PPP/C said that the 2020 parliamentary team demonstrates that the Party is truly a national one representing the diversity of Guyana, with all ethnic groups, geographic regions and a broad range of skills and knowledge of our country represented.

Included in the 33 Members of Parliament (MPs) are six medical doctors, four attorneys at law, economists, administrators, as well as activists from the labour movement, practitioners in broadcasting and the media, and the business community.

The Party said that the interior regions are well presented with five strong leaders from the Amerindian communities. Those are Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams,

Minister Susan Rodrigues

Pauline Sukhai, Yvonne Pearson, Alister Charlie and Dr Thandika Smith.

The fresh faces include Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Public Service Sonia Parag, Junior Minister of Public Works Deodat Indar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd, Junior Minister of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Warren Mc Coy, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government Anand Persaud, Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, veteran Trade Unionist Seepaul Narine, Dr Tandika Smith, Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams and Faizal

Minister Hugh Todd

Jaffarally.

The other names are Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Public Works Juan Anthony

Minister Sonia Parag

Edghill, Alister Charlie, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, Yvonne Pearson Fredericks, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Bhagmattie Veerasammy, and Dr Jennifer Westford.

Technocrat Ministers

PPP also noted that as per the Constitution, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond, neither of whom were on the list of candidates, were appointed as technocrat Ministers.

Additionally, the Party, based on the requirements as set out in Section 98 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1.03, submitted the names of its representatives for the 10 RDCs. Meanwhile, the A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) had named their MPs on Tuesday.

However, it came not without controversy. Noticeably absent from the list are former President David Granger PNC Chairwoman Volda Lawerence, former Chair Basil Williams and General Secretary Amna Ally.

The list was curated by Granger and did not sit well with several members in the PNC – especially former MP James Bond – who went on a tirade against Granger on social media. Bond criticised the PNC and its current leadership for not consulting with the party’s membership before making its decision on the parliamentarians.

TURN TO PAGE 8

NEWS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 20 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Friday, August 21 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Govt announces comprehensive COVID-19 relief measures …lowered interest rates, loan deferral extension, ATM fees waived

Thursday, August 20 – 04:55h – 06:25h and Friday, August 21 – 05:30h – 07:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be clear skies during the night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Westerly to Easterly to East North-Easterly to South-Easterly to Southerly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 17:45h reaching a maximum height of 2.78 metres.

Low Tide: 11:19h and 23:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.38 metre and 0.42 metre.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

14 16 18

22 24 25

09

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

03 04 08 10 21 LUCKY 3

1

9

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020

0

DRAW DE LINE

01

10

12

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

14

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18

PAY DAY

20 SUPER PAY DAY

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$45.37/barrel

-0.20

Rough Rice

$216.41 /ton

-0.08

London Sugar

$373.40/ton

-1.66

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1935.20

$1936.20

Low/High

$1924.20

$1998.00

Change

+7.30

+0.38%

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President Dr Irfaan Ali

n an effort to ease the burden on citizens during COVID-19, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that his Government has reached agreements with the local banking sector to extend the moratorium on loan payments until this yearend, and to cut interest rates.

President Ali made this announcement during an Address to the Nation on Wednesday, when he announced lowered interest rates and an extension of the moratorium on loan payments to help citizens during this pandemic.

This means that customers with mortgages and other loans will be spared the financial burden of servicing these loans during the pandemic. In addition, their loans will not be classified as non-performing, ensuring that they do not default.

“Commercial banks agreed to offer general concessional reductions of interest rates of one per cent and up to two per cent on customer loans below $10 Million until December 30, 2020. The existing lending rate ranges between 6.5 per cent and 16 per cent.

Some commercial banks have agreed to apply special treatment to the interest accrued during the moratorium period,” he explained.

“Commercial banks have agreed to waive all bank charges, including ATM and Merchant Bank charges to encourage more out-ofbank transactions, as well as charges for transactions by senior citizens,” he said, adding that these measures will not impact the soundness of the banking sector.

Ali also announced that the Bank of Guyana will relax certain requirements that would allow Banks to cushion their losses and increase liquidity by $9.4 billion. These requirements are set out in the 13 guidelines that the Bank uses to regulate financial institutions.

He pointed out that the

Bank of Guyana would relax sections 14 and 15 of the supervision guidelines, number five until December 2020. “Additionally, a waiver is being given to section 13 of supervision guideline number five. The relaxation of stringent statutory measures is intended to result in direct benefits for customers to banks, by giving the financial institutions the ability to operate with more flexibility.”

Section 13 states that “the hardcore of an overdraft facility shall be converted into a term loan, which specifies a fixed repayment programme. To facilitate review of overdraft facilities, a licensed financial institution shall maintain an analysis sheet for each account, showing monthly balances and a summary of movements, indicating the total amount and number of deposits and withdrawals, and the accruals and repayments of interest charges.”

Section 14 of supervisory guideline number five speaks to a renegotiated loan, which has been refinanced or rescheduled because of a borrower’s inability to repay. Among the stipulations in the section is that a commercial loan cannot be renegotiated more than twice over the life of the original loan, and that a mortgage cannot be renegotiated more than twice in five years.

Meanwhile, section 15 stipulates that an account shall be written off three months after it is classified

as a loss, unless there is a significant improvement which shows that there can be a recovery within the next six months. It also

ing COVID-19.

It is also something the private sector had called for, since COVID-19 had resulted in reduced demand for

The Bank of Guyana

sets out that a record of bad debts must be kept for monitoring purposes.

The President also announced that commercial banks agreed to continue supporting businesses with short-term capital needs.

This will allow the businesses to meet payroll, remain open, and keep their staff employed during the tough economic times accompany-

certain goods and services.

Moreover, he announced that the Government is securing US$60M to fund various aspects of its response to COVID-19. The money is being sourced from the World Bank, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), and the Islamic Development Bank. (G3)

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

A worthy appeal to the new Govt

T

he umbrella body representing persons with disability in Guyana, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), recently issued a strong call for the Irfaan Ali-led Government to take certain steps to ensure that the national developmental plans are inclusionary and create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The organisation listed a number of concerns which it would like to see the Government address to make life more comfortable and meaningful for persons living with disabilities.

These include: establishment of a monthly Disability Grant in place of the Public Assistance; opportunities for employment of qualified and skilled PWDs in the public sector; improvements in the delivery of education to children with disabilities; provision of low-income housing for PWDs; and provision of assistive and mobility aids.

It also called for yearly subventions to be allocated to disabled people’s organisations (DPOs); the modification and enforcement of building codes, to promote accessibility to public buildings; allocation of small contracts to companies owned and operated by PWDs; and to promote small business development in the disability community.

Certainly, these are reasonable requests being made by the GCOPD, and it is hoped that once the new Government is fully settled into office, it would give serious consideration to these requests.

Many would agree there is quite a lot of work needed at all levels to ensure that persons with disabilities are treated with respect and have access to the necessary resources to help them cope with the challenges they are likely to face. For example, while this country can boast of a good track record in relation to providing quality education for persons, irrespective of geographic location, race, religion or gender; there is still much work to be done to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to acquire an education. At the moment, there are, in the school system, very few teachers who are equipped with the necessary skills to impart knowledge to persons with disabilities. Of note, too, is that most of our public schools do not have the necessary facilities to cater for such persons e.g. ramps and rails etc. All of this makes it more difficult for persons with certain disabilities to ‘fit in’.

Our hope is that, as the Ministry of Education focuses on how to continue educating students during the COVID-19 pandemic, it would not exclude children who have special needs. In any case, a comprehensive plan to ensure that special needs children are fully catered for in the education system is long overdue.

We urge all stakeholders here: Government, political parties and the international development partners, to continue supporting policies that would realise all children’s right to quality education as one way to reduce inequities created by social exclusion.

When persons with disabilities are given a chance to acquire a good education or be taught a skill, they are in a better position to secure a job and, in turn, break the cycle of poverty that normally defines such situations.

In a more general sense, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is necessary for countries, not only to adopt, but to implement fully, because it is a tool for ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the same rights and opportunities as everybody else. As explained by the World Health Organisation (WHO), rather than considering disability as an issue of medicine, charity or dependency, the Convention challenges people worldwide to understand disability as a human rights issue.

The Convention covers many areas where obstacles can arise, such as physical access to buildings, roads and transportation, and access to information through written and electronic communications. The Convention also aims to reduce stigma and discrimination, which are often reasons why people with disabilities are excluded from education, employment and health and other services.

People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower educational achievements, fewer economic opportunities, and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them, and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives.

The authorities here must continue to allocate resources to ensure all impediments that affect the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in society are removed. This of course would require working to change attitudes that fuel stigma and institutionalised discrimination.

Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali participating in a virtual meeting with the World Bank at State House on Wednesday (Office of the President photo)

Filling seats in National Assembly Dear Editor, The recent selection of persons to occupy seats in the National Assembly of Guyana, following the declaration of results of the March 2 elections, has given rise to many posts, discussions, etc on the composition of the new National Assembly; that is: who should occupy those seats, and why.

There have been arguments made for youth and for women, for ensuring diversity, for honouring party loyalty, and even for recognising current popularity.

Each of these arguments may have its own merit, some more than others; but before we take a stance on any of these considerations, shouldn’t we first consider the purpose of the jobs that are being discussed?

I say jobs because, essentially, a seat in the National Assembly makes one a (working) member of the Legislature, which is one arm or branch of Government; the others being the Executive and the Judiciary. The primary purpose of the legislative arm is ‘to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Guyana’ (Article 65 of our Constitution). A selected or appointed member of the National Assembly or Member of Parliament (MP), (Parliament consists

of the President and the National Assembly, as stated in Article 51) is therefore employed under the Constitution of Guyana to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of Guyana. This is of immense importance, as it effectively gives that member the power to determine how our society should function, and this is something that ought not to be taken lightly.

How does one get a seat in the National Assembly of Guyana? As it stands, our Constitution provides for an election of MPs pursuant primarily to Articles 60 and 160. However, when we cast our ballots, we do so only for a particular party, and not for a specific Member of Parliament.

Though we are essentially casting a vote in favour of a List of Candidates, when we vote for a party, we do not get to question that List, or pick and choose which members we prefer. Only after the Election is over and successful parties are allocated numbers of seats in the National Assembly would we know who would occupy those seats, and essentially represent us in Parliament.

This is generally done by the Representative of the List (Section 98, Representation of the People Act), who is required to ex-

tract names from the List to fill the number of seats allocated to that List. No voter gets a say in regard to which names are extracted. And, as has been seen in the recent public outbursts, even prominent members of the party itself may strongly disagree with the names extracted. However, that is the process by which persons become members of the National Assembly.

With that in mind, I would just like to note two things for consideration at this point: Being a member of the National Assembly is no joke. It should not be a popularity contest, or even a reward for loyalty to a party over the years. A person who occupies a seat in the National Assembly should do so to serve the people of Guyana and to represent the views of the people who voted to make that occupation possible. Those who are best able to represent the people are the persons who should be chosen to occupy those seats.

Someone who is young should be chosen not because they are young, but because they represent the voice of the youth who elected them, and this should apply to all other demographics we may want to see represented.

The people of Guyana

should have a greater say in who will represent us in the National Assembly.

This may only happen following significant constitutional changes that permit us to be able to choose specific individuals, whom we can then hold personally accountable. Until then, our votes will result in Members of Parliament who are more interested in, or even compelled to serve, the interests of those who are responsible for extracting their names more than the interests of the people whose votes made their election possible.

If we want to have a greater say in who gets to represent us, we need to keep pressing whoever occupies those seats to enable those changes to be made.

This is not something that is just a peripheral concern.

If the people who are elected do not represent us and see themselves as accountable to us, we may continue to find that all of our other concerns will not be addressed.

Change is possible, but we have to begin to understand where the primary changes need to occur, and we need to change our mindset in relation to whom we want to elect and why.

Dear Editor, Over the last few months, I have written extensively on the state of Guyana’s economy vis-a-vis the election crisis, C19 pandemic, and economic mismanagement.

Our approach to these three issues was disastrous, to say the least from March 2, 2020. Luckily, we have managed to overcome one of them (the election crisis), but overcoming the other two is not going to be easy; and how we approach them matters greatly.

Shutting the economy down and waiting out the C19 pandemic is not a strategy; neither is continuing with business as usual, or pretending that the pandemic doesn’t exists. The top priority must be to protect lives. Saving the economy is the second priority.

So, what exactly are states to do? How should they approach these matters? What options are there for lawmakers?

Lawmakers have a historic opportunity to soften the recession landing by

remodelling the economy.

Yes, remodelling is the C19 strategy, and many countries are adopting this approach. Remodelling simply means “changing the way we do things”. Starting with the public sector, government has the opportunity to bring public services online, digitise the government, increase efficiency, cut costs, create jobs, and keep the economic engine running, albeit at less than full throttle.

Here are some practical steps that the Government

can embark on to immediately commence remodelling: (1) Create a temporary retraining and jobs programme - people who have lost their jobs can be employed by the Government.

To do what? To start digitising Government services.

For example, all birth records should be digitized, so people can order birth certificates online. Digitise agencies’ data and profile for all Government entities to put them online, etc.

Sincerely, Kurt Da Silva

COVID-19 recession and economic remodelling

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

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“Step aside,” or do you still want more sanctions, not forgotten by the ABCEU? Dear Editor, Last Friday, cricket and tennis occupied the center court of Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire when she back-slammed in tennis style a former Attorney General’s return spin, and the ball went flying as if executed in a squarecut fashion; and a tired past President, exhausted and exasperated with disgust, could only watch in further humiliation, refusing to retrieve same, shaking his head in exultation, muffling an angry exclamation that would create further cause to perform a cringing kneeling exercise that would hurt physically, mentally and emotionally.

She delivered another death blow ruling which allowed the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc. (CJRC) to retain occupation of the famous and conspicuous Red House in Kingston, and counsel had to chalk up another loss to decorate the scoreboard. The ruling concluded years after the matter filed

by the CJRCI against the decision of the past President had revoked a 99-year lease that was granted to the historical property by his predecessor, Donald Ramotar.

Guyanese would recall when they watched in horror and disbelief as a group of staffers from the Office of the President descended on the building and attempted to take possession illegally, physically and forcefully starting a dismantling process and removing the sign. In true bullish, vulgar and brutal APNU/AFC Government style, they wanted the occupants to immediately vacate the property.

How asinine, senseless and outrageous could an acclaimed religious, righteous and pious leader be to conduct, encourage and support such diabolical, preposterous and cruel behaviour?

Shame and more shame on the one who couldn’t speak before, except in forkedtongue style, and hid from duty, only to find a voice now

and hypocritically lend absurdity to portray a picture of insane confusion.

Is this the type of leader that a sensible and sensitive generation of youthful Guyanese would accept for direction? He needs to be disciplined, corrected and made to undergo a reorientation programme to educate himself on diplomacy and subjectivity. But that is the nature of an organism that is structured on the pillars of indecency, dishonesty, vanity and immorality; its contagion has no recourse in remorse. Justice is never denied, and it finally comes to those who patiently wait for the day of judgement to be delivered by the fair one in credible form.

Hopefully, the monstrosities from the atrocious past will not be a recurring concurrence in the present or future. The necessary and essential house cleaning is in process for the new Government to transition peacefully and respectfully in an uncontaminated envi-

ronment, free of all the prior political moles deliberately, expensively and cunningly planted by the dangerous predecessor. The demitted caretaker, when occupying the same position in 2015, went on a “witch-hunting exercise” and deliberately eliminated the employment of genuine senior public officials who were in no way political appointees, but simply happened to be of one ethnicity. The call about foul-play is not only hollow, but is basically a political retort meant to create animosity and disrupt the peace, by planting mischief and more lies to corrupt the minds of innocent onlookers.

The PPP/C Government in 2015 quietly vacated, and there was no caucus and confusion, as is currently present by the obstinate and barefaced APNU/AFC party office holders. This is a common protocol that is universally accepted, respected and exercised, except by the vindictive rascals who will not vindicate cordially.

Dear Editor, Over the last several years, I have written many times, asking about the $30B that NICIL/SPU took as a loan for GuySuCo. The new Government is now going to find out, but until now, David Granger and his cohorts have refused to answer the question.

Recently, NICIL/SPU claimed they had disbursed more than $17B to GuySuCo, but GuySuCo claims they have received only about $11B. Even then, GuySuCo have never accounted to the people of Guyana or to the sugar workers how they spent that money. Worse, NICIL/SPU have never come clean and accounted for the money they said they disbursed to GuySuCo. Guyana have paid billions in interest on that money, and we have nothing to show for the $30B. Never, not once, has David Granger said anything to this nation. This is the single largest loan ever taken by the Government of Guyana, and the man who was President of Guyana never said one word about the shameless mismanagement of the industry, nor the $30B loan his government burdened the people of Guyana with. Now that the people of Guyana have voted him out, and the new PPP Government has announced its plans to restore the glory of sugar, Granger has found his voice.

He has a special kind of dislike for sugar. The possibility that sugar would return bigger and better is giving him nightmares. Mr. Granger had better be prepared, because the PPP is serious: sugar estates will be reopened sooner rather than later.

One of the main reasons the people of Guyana fired David Granger as President; one of the most obvious reasons why the APNU+AFC Coalition lost the elections, was the closure of four sugar estates and the loss of employment for 7,500 sugar workers. More than 30,000 people directly, and almost 50,000 altogether, were recklessly thrown into poverty by the Granger-led Government.

It became obvious almost instantly that the closure of the sugar estates was a terrible mistake. It became painfully obvious, almost immediately after the closure of the estates, that the Granger-led Government miscalculated the social and economic impact of that mindless decision. Yet, at no point did they appear remorseful. Instead, they vigorously defended their action, insisting that they would not protect the interest of sugar workers.

They ignored the fact that some of these sugar workers were their own supporters, and that some of the sugar workers who traditionally supported the PPP had given them their votes in 2015.

These sugar workers had the last laugh. The sugar workers voted overwhelmingly for Irfaan Ali and the PPP. The Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Minister of Agriculture, in keeping with a PPP manifesto promise, have announced plans to reopen sugar estates. While the reopening will take time and not all will be reopened at the same time, the PPP has already begun the work towards reopening the closed sugar estates. Mr. Granger, who rarely spoke during his five

years as President, immediately dubbed the announcement as “fake”.

Granger had yet another opportunity to redeem himself, by giving full support to the PPP to correct a wrong he is responsible for. Yet he doubled-down and rejected the PPP’s efforts to reinvigorate the oldest industry in Guyana and the Caribbean.

The PPP leaders never doubted the fact that the sugar industry was experiencing tough times long before the Granger-led Government took over in 2015. Providing support to the sugar industry might have been a difficult thing, but it was a sensible thing.

The PPP knew it was in the interest of Guyana to support the industry. When the Burnham and the Hoyte governments borrowed millions of US dollars from the sugar industry throughout the 1980s to support the bauxite industry, the PPP, then in opposition, supported the efforts to bail out bauxite. Not only did the PPP support the then PNC Government, the PPP based their support on the basis that subsidising and bailing out bauxite was in the national interest.

David Granger adopted a different posture in dealing with sugar, and claimed Government cannot allow sugar to bleed the treasury. He forgot that, in the 1980s, GuySuCo loaned the Government of Guyana the equivalent of more than $100B. Therefore, at no time during the last five years or the preceding five years was GuySuCo getting a handout. The bailout from which GuySuCo benefited was through their own funds the Guyana Government had an obligation to pay

back GuySuCo a small part of what they owed the industry.

But much of the money that was provided to GuySuCo in this era was money that sugar earned for Guyana through the European Union reparation payment for their arbitrary termination of the Cotonou Sugar Protocol of 1976. When the EU ended the price agreement without notice in 2010, it reduced GuySuCo’s earnings by more than 37%. In an agreement to ease the shock, the EU agreed to provide budgetary support in excess of $34B. Much of this budgetary support was provided as subsidy to GuySuCo before 2015.

Granger’s argument for closing the estates: because sugar was bleeding the treasury, is therefore a fake narrative. But even after 2015, GuySuCo was never given handouts. The Granger-led APNU+AFC took a loan of $30B, and this is a loan in the books of GuySuCo. The mismanagement of the $30B is yet another scandal.

The blow-blow Granger has found his voice for the wrong reason. The PPP will restore the vitality and glory of sugar. With the addition of ethanol at Albion, the packaging plants at Blairmont and Enmore, the production of white sugar for export, the addition of another distillery, the diversified sugar cane industry has its best days before it, not behind it. Granger should focus on apologising to the people of Guyana for impoverishing too many Guyanese.

David Granger wrong again

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Earlier, on 16th June, 2020, General Secretary of the PPP/C Party, Bharrat Jagdeo, had assured persons employed in the public service that there is no need to worry about job security, as his party would not be engaged in any “witch-hunting” exercise. “A lot of people (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change) are spreading fears in their minds…about losing their jobs, but ordinary people don’t have to worry about the PPP, whether they voted for APNU/AFC or not, because we take care of all Guyanese,” Jagdeo told supporters gathered outside the party’s headquarters at Robb Street, Georgetown.

However, he pointed out that there are “a few persons at the top level” who will have to face the consequences of their actions. He was well supported when the then President-elect said, “We are not in a witch-hunting exercise, let me make that very clear. We are going to act professionally,” Ali had told media operatives outside the

Police Headquarters in Eve Leary.

“We are moving forward in this country in building a strong country that is inclusive…a country that is tolerant of different ideas, of different views; and a country in which all Guyanese must be proud.” That was an early warning openly sounded, and declared loudly for all guilty ones to be cognisant, wary, and to start making exit preparation. No one said “boo” or raised a hue and cry in objection, because they all had acknowledged the reality, and expected the inevitability.

There was no hidden surprise or dirty politics involved; a customary, acceptable tradition was being followed. Tradewinds said so, “It’s tradition.” The US marine said, “step aside,” or do you still want more sanctions, as promised by the British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, not forgetting his Canadian counterpart?

Respectfully, Jai Lall

COVID-19 recession an...

FROM PAGE 4

(2) Create a temporary cash assistance programme to put money in the hands of people, especially poor family people who have lost their jobs and are without income to feed their families. Yes, give them the cash wherever it is possible and makes sense; if not, give them foodstuff. A greater economic impact is created by giving families the cash instead of goods and services during this period.

(3) Adopt strict C19 guidelines to allow Government services and private sector business, especially small grocery and other essential businesses, to stay open and operate at some (50% or 60%) capacity. This would ensure there is some amount of economic activities ongoing, and prevent the economy from coming to a grinding halt.

(4) The night economy - this is one of those policies we (Guyana and the Caribbean) have not been considering and making full use of. Economies can no longer operate on an 8-4 schedule. Density of economic activities and pedestrian traffic are not friends in this pandemic. We must make use of the night economy, and shift those activities that are better suited for those hours. This would lower the density and spread activities over the day, instead of cutting activities.

(5) Budget policy reorientation - use the national budget process to realign spending to not only deal with the

immediate impact of C19, but to remodel the economy. Key sectors that ware starved of funding, such as agriculture, must see an injection of funding. But the ICT sector is also critical.

Broadband for every household, reliable electricity for every household, adequate and reliable mobile connectivity for every community should be top priorities.

(6) Economic stimulus - yes, despite their limitations, fiscal and monetary stimulus are key to remodelling our economy during this pandemic, and creating a lasting foundation for long-term prosperity. With reduced pedestrian and commercial traffic, key infrastructure projects can be undertaken or moved up the priority ladder. Ensuring a sizable fund to help the private sector weather the storm is vital for economic survival and remodelling.

These are some smart policy ideas that are making their rounds in the international policy arena, both at the national and local economy levels. This is solid policy advice, and the extent to which we can adopt these and other creative policies to remodel our economy would determine how we emerge at the end of this crisis; and, more importantly, use the crisis to jolt us into the future.

Sincerely, Dhanraj Singh Guyana Budget Policy Institute

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

6

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Estimating Quotients

W

hen you estimate the quotient of a division problem, you do not round the numbers. Instead you try to find compatible numbers. These are numbers that you can work with easily in your head.

Example:

Estimate 4922 ÷ 6.

Step 1: Look at the first two digits in the dividend – 49.

Can you divide that evenly by the divisor 6? No. Step 2: Think about multiplying by 6. 6 x 6 = 36, 6 x 7 = 42, 6 x 8 = 48. Select the one that is closest to 49.

That is 48.

Step 3: Add zeros to the dividend as placeholders. In this example, the dividend has four place values, so you need to add 2 zeros: 4800.

Step 4: Divide by 6. 4800 ÷ 6 = 800

Exercises 1) 152 ÷ 12 2) 322 ÷ 8 3) 922 ÷ 25 4) 71 ÷ 9 5) 3452 ÷ 17 6) 66 ÷ 6

A

fox and a leopard, resting lazily after a generous dinner, amused themselves by disputing about their good looks. The leopard was very proud of his glossy, spotted coat and made disdainful remarks about the fox, whose appearance he declared was quite ordinary.

The fox prided himself on his fine bushy tail with its tip of white, but he was wise enough to see that he could not rival the leopard in looks. Still he kept up a flow of sarcastic talk, just to exercise his wits and to have the fun of disputing. The leopard was about to lose his temper when the fox got up, yawning lazily.

“You may have a very smart coat,” he said, “but you would be a great deal better off if you had a little more smartness inside your head and less on your ribs, the way I am. That’s what I call real beauty.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$500M to fund safety measures, equip schools for e-learning

President Dr Irfaan Ali

M

aking it clear that his Government’s goal is to prepare the nation’s schools for reopening while keeping teachers and students safe from COVID-19, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that $500 million will be earmarked to equip schools for e-learning among other measures.

He made this announcement on Wednesday during an address to the nation.

According to the President, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has held consultations with numerous stakeholders and while schools would not be open-

ing in September, they will work to get schools ready for physical classes as quickly as possible. He expressed worry that non-traditional learning methods will not reach all children.

“I’m deeply concerned and recognise that our children are not being academically engaged in the traditional ways since March. We are particularly concerned about the impact of non-traditional school structures and also the unavailability of resources and infrastructure for our children especially in the hinterland, our children with disabilities and our children who don’t have access to data or internet.”

After consultations with stakeholders, President Ali noted, it was decided that schools were not in a position from a public health, infrastructure and facilities standpoint to facilitate a reopening in September, adding that the ultimate goal is to have schools in a state of readiness at the earliest.

According to him, Minister Manickchand has been tasked with formulating a plan to map out how to deliver education in the

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

COVID-19 environment.

“I’ve directed Minister Manickchand to develop a plan to address the delivery of education to our children, in a COVID-19 environment. The Minister has been asked to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring that parents and teachers remain engaged in learning. We will make available $500 million to equip schools and provide facilities for teachers.”

“In the interim, the Ministry has been tasked to put infrastructure in place to deliver the curriculum via the learning channel, State

Govt procures new testing machines to tackle COVID-19 backlog cases …30 new medical technologists by next week

G

uyana’s COVID-19 testing capability is set to significantly improve with the acquisition of two new automatic PCR testing machines, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali. He made the announcement during an address to the nation on Wednesday where he spoke about the country’s response to the pandemic. The President related that there is currently a backlog of over 700 COVID-19 tests owing to the fact the PCR testing machine is manual and the lack of medical technologists.

“Testing has moved from a position of 40-60 per day to 96-140 per day.

Notwithstanding a significant improvement, there is a backlog of 700 test results. This is as a result of the manual PCR machines currently used and also the lack of medical technologists…2 new automatic machines would be sourced to cut testing turnaround time from 9 hours to 2 hours. This will not only clear the backlog but significantly improve our capacity to do mass testing which will become necessary in the eventual opening up of our country and economy,” the President stated.

He said that his Government has been and will continue to work at im-

plementing an approach that brings together all the stakeholders with the objective of ensuring the multifaceted aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that they are committed to delivering relief to the already strained healthcare system and its workers.

President Ali has indicated that Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has been working on a number of interventions to improve test turnaround time, testing capability, human resource ability, infrastructure and equipment. The Government, according to the President, has been able to increase the number of N95 masks from 10,000 to over 65,000 since it took office about two weeks ago.

Another 25,000 N95 masks are expected to arrive in the country shortly.

The President related that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office on August 2, there was just one medical technologist on staff but by the end of this week, there would be an additional 30 persons trained. They are from both the public and private sectors.

“Additionally, we currently have 4 working ventilators at the Georgetown Public Hospital. By next

week, 29 additional ventilators would be in the country to be utilised not only at Georgetown Public Hospital but in all the regions of our country. The Ministry also advised that additional healthcare workers including doctors have been deployed to hotspot areas in Regions Seven and Nine,” the President stated.

Just Tuesday, Director of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s medical laboratory, Dr Pheona MohamedRambaran said with the recent intensification of testing countrywide, by the Health Ministry, more test samples are being processed.

“Based on what we are seeing, there are a lot more samples being taken; on average, we will get between 200-300 samples daily.

However, our laboratory’s capacity currently is only able to test maybe a maximum of 140, so there is always that backlog of samples waiting to be tested,” she was quoted as saying.

Dr Mohamed-Rambaran explained that one crucial way of addressing the backlog is to train more staff.

She said that the Ministry, in collaboration with PAHO/ WHO, has begun training more medical laboratory technologists. (G2)

radio broadcasting and privately-owned media houses,” President Ali also informed.

Minister Manickchand had recently announced that schools will remain closed in September as a result of the continued rise in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) numbers in Guyana. This is even as Guyana has recorded 776 cases of COVID-19 as of August 19.

She had said that the decision was made following widespread consultations with stakeholders on the delivery of the curriculum for the Christmas Term amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

She had pointed out that since schools were closed in March 2020, students have not been academically engaged in a structured manner. Taking all the factors into consideration, Minister

Manickchand announced that the Government cannot reopen schools. “There was little or no decisive and/ or coordinated approach in delivering education and doing so safely…Actions that were needed in the months schools were closed were not taken in their entirety or at all. This is our reality. We, therefore, cannot reopen schools on September

7, 2020, as was previously scheduled,” the Education Minister announced.

She had also explained that in order for schools to be reopened, there need to be enough masks for both students and teachers, hand-washing facilities, and facilities to practice social distancing – which would come from a mass educational campaign. (G3)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Son on $200,000 bail over killing of father

A

n 18-year-old, who is accused of killing his father during a cutlass brawl on Sunday last, was released on bail.

Rashane Joseph, also known as “John Crow,” a labourer of Ithaca, West Bank Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), appeared at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court after he was charged for manslaughter.

It is alleged that on August 16, 2020, at Spencer Street Ithaca, West Bank Berbice, Joseph unlawfully

killed his father – 42-yearold Collis Joseph called “Underdog.”

The court heard that the two had a misunderstanding during which they accused each other of using their personal belongings.

Reports are they both threatened to kill each other. However, the teenager went home and was followed by his father, where another argument ensued.

They both armed themselves with cutlasses and during the brawl, the victim threw his cutlass at his

Dead: Collis Joseph, called “Underdog”

son. However, the weapon missed the teenager and fell into a nearby trench.

The teen then threw his cutlass at his father, which hit him to the right-side chest, causing him to fall to the ground.

The cattle farmer was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The matter was reported, and following an investigation, the teen was arrested and charged. (G1)

40 arrested at bars for flouting COVID-19 restrictions

F

orty persons have been arrested for flouting the COVID-19 restrictions as gazetted by the Public Health Ministry to curb the spread of the virus.

On Tuesday, ranks from Guyana Police Force (GPF) acting on information received between 17:15h to 17:45h conducted an operation at Khan’s Hideout at 100 Second Street

Persons flouting the COVID-19 measures

Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where 17 persons were arrested for breaching the COVID-19 orders. They were all taken into custody and placed on bail pending their court appearance.

Meanwhile, over at Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Region Three Commander of Police, Errol Watts and a team of ranks swooped down on

Mary’s Bar, where a number of vehicles were playing loud music and a gathering was inside the bar.

The license number of each vehicle was recorded as Watts and his ranks entered the bar and arrested everyone for flouting the restrictions.

The Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Health continue to call on persons and businesses to adhere

to the emergency measures which, among other things, prohibit large public gatherings The Police Force is reminding the public that anyone who fails to comply with any of the measures is committing an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty outlined under that section. (G1)

13 new MPs on PPP/C...

B

ond, an attorney by profession, went further to blame Granger’s leadership for

making the party lose the March 2 General and Regional Elections as he threatened to rewrite the former President’s legacy.

Some of the well-known names making the final cut for APNU are former Minister of State Joseph Harmon, former Education Minister Nicolette Henry

and former Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings.

In addition, former Public Service Minister and Working People’s Alliance (WPA) member Tabitha Sarabo-Haley was also included.

This newspaper was told that Harmon is tipped to be Opposition Leader.

However, he will have a relatively fresh and inexperienced team around him as most of the nominees are debut parliamentarians.

In addition, there has been criticism from within the party itself that a number of stalwarts were passed over by the party.

The party reminded that former President Granger has always said young peo-

FROM PAGE 2

ple must be prepared to take up the mantle of leadership.

This is despite the persistent criticism Granger faced during his presidency for packing his Cabinet with the elderly.

Moreover, the party hinted that it’s “new” crop of parliamentarians will be required to do more groundwork.

Some new faces include General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald, former Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond; former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan; Juretha Fernandes and Devin Sears. Attorneyat-law and Senior Counsel, Roysdale Forde, has also been included (G2)

PNC palace coup...

A …fallout continues s the soap opera in the PNC continues with their public histrionics, all sorts of conspiracy theories are being floated to make sense of what we’re seeing. Okay, everyone expected some drama after the way they finally ended their 5-month siege of the Presidency: with a whimper, and not the bang that was their usual style!! Remember what followed elections in 1992 and later?? The PNC’s post-elections script was always “The Fire this time!!”

Well, now they seemed to’ve turned the heat inwards rather than outwards, and your Eyewitness isn’t surprised folks want to know what’s really going on. Are we really seeing a kinder, gentler PNC for real?? Can leopards really change their stripes?? We shall see; but, in the meantime, not only can we breathe a bit easier, but we can even engage in that most satisfying of emotions described so well by its German expression - schadenfreude!!

You know, that warm glow you feel at someone else’s misfortune - especially when that someone else has been making your life miserable!!

So, what’s the latest scuttlebutt from the PNC camp??

Well there’s a lot of head-scratching going on at some of Granger’s moves. And some are wondering whether in fact the moves are his. With him staying out of Parliament and taking down the entire front bench of the old-line PNCites like Volda and Norton, it’s clear the way’s being made for Harmon to become the big enchilada in the House.

And this raises the question once again: Is Harmon really the puppet master, and not the puppet?? From the beginning, in 2015, there was suspicion that Harmon was doing his own thing and calling his own shots. With both him and Granger coming out of the military, it was unbelievable that a mere Colonel would get away with all the hijinks he pulled and still live to tell about it.

Remember that trip to China??

Then, of course, during the five-month elections heist, there was Harmon unilaterally hiring a Washington Lobbyist, with Granger not just being unaware, but listed as an American citizen!! What makes this scenario more plausible is that Harmon’s ascension deguts the assumption (of your Eyewitness and others) that Granger left out Volda and Broomes and others of that ilk because he wants to get rid of their ghetto behaviour.

But Harmon is as ghetto as - if not more than - anyone of them! And this is why Your Eyewitness believes that Granger’s still calling the shots. It’s not that he has anything against ghetto behaviour - just not himself, thank you!

It’s just that he wants his own ghetto element!!

…and their facilitators There’s been a whole lot of dirt on the salaries and perks on the Government’s payroll - of so many PNCites who did absolutely nothing but party work. Did you hear the one about Raphael Trotman getting tetchy about Carol Joseph being described as a “petroleum advisor” in his ministry?? He explained that she was paid all right, but as an “auxiliary District Compliance Officer”!! Unfortunately, he didn’t explain what that “job” entailed...but going by her behaviour during the GECOM recount, one doesn’t need much imagination to figure that one out!!

Then there’s Tacuma Ogunseye, who was in SARA. Surely, the new Govt should reveal what this WPA and ACDA ideologue did, other than sending off those longwinded missives to the press defending the APNU/ AFC peccadilloes. Is he still on the payroll? Cause he just had one published about the US having a quid quo pro to oust the PNC from Government so they could use us as a base to take out Maduro!!

But not a word that Mingo screwed with those SOPs!! …and a cardboard party Jailall Sharma just quit politics. In January, he’d quit JFAP, joined APNU, saying he had a dream that “David will slay Goliath PPP.” In July, he said, “For it is written that I shall serve HE President David Arthur Granger, and him only shall I serve.”

What happened?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9 Massive flooding in Region 5 as sea defence breached again at Dantzig NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

File photo: The breach at Dantzig in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) in July

R

esidents of Dantzig in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) , have experienced another bout of flooding after another section of the sea defence there were recently breached.

The breach occurred sometime on Tuesday morning and spans an area of 100 metres. This resulted in the flooding of residences and farmlands.

As such, in an effort to immediately address the breach and prevent it from worsening as has happened in the past, the Public Works Ministry has already put systems in place for emergency repairs and financing for those works

to bring relief for residents.

In fact, the Ministry has diverted a contractor that was doing corrective works on an existing breach nearby.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar explained that a timely response and mobilisation is the key element in preventing the situation from worsening.

“The speed to react is the most critical thing and that is why it is justified to have the contractor that was closest to the breach actually walking distance and they already have the stones there and stuff there. So it is the best and fastest option at least to

stop the flow of water coming inland and onto residents’ farmlands and their households,” Indar stated during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

That contractor is BK International Inc – one of the companies hired to conduct remedial works on a section of the five-kilometre breach that had occurred in July at Dantzig.

According to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, instructions were given to engage the contractor to immediately move over to the new breach site and commence emergency works.

“I have agreed with the Permanent Secretary that since we have a contract that was already awarded to BK International and the monies were not all paid out, I think about $105 million was already paid from a $352 million contract. So monies from that contract will be used in an emergency manner to deal with this new 100-metre breach,” he stated.

According to Edghill, because of how the sea defences are situated, the reality is that even if they wanted to put in another contractor that is not currently mobilised on the site to do the emergency works,

Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar at a virtual press conference on Wednesday

it would be impossible.

“So instructions are to engage the contractor that is mobilised currently to move to the emergency works so that we can bring relief immediately to the people of Mahaicony and other surrounding areas and at the appropriate time with a budget and in a proper financial architecture, we will have to make applications for the sums that are required to satisfy the contractual demands,” he noted during the press conference.

The Public Works Minister further noted that these emergency works are estimated to cost around $145 million.

The sea defence at Dantzig, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), expe-

rienced a second breach last month resulting in thousands of acres of rice and pasture lands as well households being flooded with water from the ocean.

The breach was initially 200 metres but due to delayed response, the breach extended to five kilometres, part of which BK had been working on.

Upon assuming office earlier this month, Minister Indar had visited the breach sites where corrective works are being done.

In addition to BK International, another contractor, A&S General Contractors Inc, is also conducting repairs to breached sea defence at Glaciers Lust in the vicinity of Content, Mahaicony.

The Junior Public Works Minister had stressed the need for the existing breach of 800 metres to be sealed immediately as the violent tides can result in more damages and expenditure.

The first breach of the sea defence had occurred in October 2019 with floods affecting both the residential and farming communities. Farmland between Planters Hall and DeHoop became barren and remain that way. Cash crop, rice and cattle farmers were all thrown out of business.

Since then, hundreds of farmers would have lost business as a result of being unable to cultivate their lands due to it being flooded with saltwater from the ocean. (G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire destroys DeSinco Trading

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn watches as a fireman stands on a telescoping boom-ladder

F

irefighters spent more than three hours battling a blaze at the DeSinco Trading building,

Sheriff Street, Georgetown, as flames tore through and ultimately destroyed the en-

tire structure.

The fire started at about 13:00h on Wednesday.

However, despite the fact

that several firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service were dispatched

to the scene, accessing water was a challenge. By this time, heavy smoke was billowing from the building and the flames threatened nearby buildings. This promoted the call for more fire tenders as those at the scene were unable to contain the blaze. After almost two hours of battling the flames, the fire service finally deployed a truck with a telescoping boom-ladder to enable the firemen to tackle the blaze from overhead.

By this time, at least one of the buildings on the property was completely destroyed and the other was also gutted.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn also went to the scene to render support.

Benn told reporters that he visited the scene since he saw dark smoke in a distance from his Brickdam Office for over an hour.

Minister Benn contended that “there were too many officers here and nobody was in assertive control”.

The Minister noted that from Wednesday’s operations, there is a need for more/improved training for the firemen.

He added that businesses ought to put in place fire sprinkler systems.

Meanwhile, owner of the building, businessman Frank De Aubreu said he was at home when he received the news that the building was on fire, and he

immediately rushed to the scene.

“I wasn’t feeling well today (Wednesday), and a

came down to see, and it was bigger than I thought.

But there is life and there is hope and I know we will

Firemen struggling to contain the blaze worker from Eccles called me and told that there is a fire in Sherriff Street, so I

rise again. I wouldn’t let this keep us down…”

The businessman was

unable to give an estimate of his losses, but alluded that they amounted to a very “large amount”. De Aubreu said that he is saddened by the incident. He noted that this particular section of the business was managed and controlled by his wife.

The blaze completely destroyed the building which housed the company’s supermarket and its storage unit.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Up to press time, firefighters were still at the scene. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

(LaWanda McAllister)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former GECOM DCEO wins defamation case against Vincent Alexander, Chronicle …awarded $4.3M

Former GECOM DCEO Vishnu Persaud

F

ormer Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vishnu Persaud has been vindicated by the courts, winning a $4.3 million judgement against GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander and a State media outlet in his libel suit.

The judgement was handed down on Tuesday

by Puisne Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who awarded Persaud $4.3 million in costs and damages. The defendants in the case are A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC)-nominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander, the Guyana Chronicle and Editor in Chief Nigel Williams.

The particulars of the case are that Alexander was quoted in the newspapers on June 14, 2018, making statements which Persaud contended were defamatory towards him. The statements pertain to Persaud’s qualifications for the position of DCEO. Persaud contended that Alexander further defamed him in the newspaper on June 20, 2018. According to Persaud, he was employed at GECOM from 2001 to 2017, during which time his qualifications were not in doubt.

And Persaud has always maintained that he never misrepresented his qualifications.

Both articles were in relation to the controversial appointment of Roxanne Myers as the DCEO, even though Persaud, who had also applied for the position, was more qualified – a position which was confirmed by an investigation conducted by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

In her ruling, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry highlighted that the publications were made locally and on the world wide web.

“The first-named Defendant went out of his way to publish the statements on platforms which reached readers locally and worldwide. He ignored the demand letter sent by the claimant’s attorney. Rather than publishing a retraction

of the article and an apology he defended the statements as true in spite of plain evidence to the contrary,” Sewnarine-Beharry said in her ruling.

She said, “the extent of the damage was compounded by the fact that the publications were made by the first-named defendant [Alexander] who was a long-standing GECOM Commissioner and a significant figure in civil society and who the average Guyanese would tend to trust and believe, more so because he was well placed to know the facts.”

“The repeated publication on the part of the first-named defendant after the claimant was not selected for the position of DCEO in 2018 is indicative of malice as it served no other purpose than to damage the claimant’s reputation,” the Judge added.

When it comes to the Guyana Chronicle and Williams, however, Sewnarine-Beharry found that there was an absence of malice on their part.

According to the Judgement, they did make corrections to the publications.

In addition, the Guyana Chronicle retracted the offending articles and offered to publish a second apology, though they stopped short of publishing one prepared by Persaud. These were considered in mitigation.

The defendants had argued that Alexander’s statements on Persaud were of public importance and were therefore published. In her ruling, Sewnarine-Beharry said that the statements were based on falsehoods and as such, the threshold for the fair comment defence was not met.

The Judge ordered that Alexander, as the firstnamed defendant, pay Persaud $2.5 million in damages. The Guyana Chronicle and Williams, who has since proceeded on leave with the change in Government, were ordered to pay $1.5 million in damages.

They were also ordered to pay a total of $300,000 in costs to Persaud, who was represented by Attorneyat-Law Devindra Kissoon and Nicholas Caryll by September 30, 2020.

Alexander was represented

by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde and Asa Shepherd Stewart represented both second and third named defendants.

Persaud’s contract at GECOM ended in 2017, after which GECOM retendered for the Deputy CEO position.

Persaud reapplied but was overlooked in favour of current DCEO Roxanne Myers, despite scoring higher in the assessment.

In fact, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) conducted an investigation, where they concluded that Persaud was indeed unfairly passed over. Importantly,

the ERC report found “no evidence to suggest that Mr. Persaud made any misrepresentation with regard to his qualification to the Commission”.

Despite Persaud being the top-ranked candidate, Alexander and his fellow Government-nominated Commissioners voted for Myers to be appointed while the Opposition Commissioners voted for Persaud.

The GECOM Chairman at the time,

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

Retired Justice James Patterson, used his deciding vote in favour of Myers.

That investigation was conducted by Retired Justice Stanley Moore, who had served as Home Affairs Minister under late President LFS Burnham during the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime, along with former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lloyd Smith and human resources consultant Jairam Petam. (G3)

Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No records of transport for lands claimed by Lincoln Lewis at Kingelly

T

here is no record of any Transport at the Land Registry to prove that several acres of land at Kingelly, West Coast Berbice (WCB), are in fact ancestral lands belonging to the linage of trade unionist Lincoln Lewis, as he is claiming.

This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.

lands in 2017 during a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into African ancestral land established by the then David Granger Administration.

At that testimony, he had produced an apparent Transport for the land which he claimed was ancestral lands bought by his great great grandfather.

But Nandlall said he had met with residents during a

As such, Nandlall said he represented around 25 to 30 residents and obtained prescriptive rights from the Land Court for them.

“I made applications to Land Court on behalf of several residents for declaration of titles by prescription. Now no one had opposed the applications at the time including Lincoln Lewis... And the Registrar’s report indicated that there

The trade unionist in confrontation with residents of Kingelly over lands which he is claiming are his ancestral inheritance

While in Opposition, Nandlall had worked with residents of the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) village to secure prescriptive titles for the lands that they use for farming purposes including as pastures for their cattle.

He recalled that Lewis first made claims to the

subsequent visit to Kingelly and found out that they have been occupying the lands for decades, and the lands were previously occupied by their foreparents.

Further investigation revealed that there was no record of any Transport for the lands.

was no title for the land.

If there were titles for the land then the Registrar’s report would have reflected that. So several declarations of prescriptive titles were granted to the residents,” Nandlall explained.

However, weeks ago, Lewis turned up at Kingelly

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

and claimed ownership of the lands that he said was part of his ancestral inheritance. He was in the company of two others including a member of the Kingelly Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Not only did Lewis renew his claims to the lands but he also tore down fencing that residents had elected and proceeded to build his own fence in order to block residents from accessing the lands.

The confrontation between Lewis and the residents was captured on video. In that video, he was claiming ownership of the lands and as such, was asked by the residents to produce same. At one point, he had even pushed down a post that residents had erected.

One woman was heard saying in the video that they were making a pen to put her cows in but Lewis broke down the structure.

“Them come stop abee,” the woman declared.

The residents, most of whom said they were born and grew up there, claim that they have lived and farmed on the lands for decades after inheriting it from their parents and/or grandparents. They were using the lands mostly as pastures.

According to the resi-

Lincoln Lewis removing a post that was erected by a resident in Kingelly

dents, Lewis is claiming the lands because he was supposed to sell them off.

To this end, after that incident, the villagers travelled to Georgetown and met with several Ministers including Housing, Public Works and Local Government as well as Nandlall himself, seeking to have redress.

The matter has since been reported to the Police with complaints of trespassing, assault and dam-

age to property filed against the trade unionist.

Nandlall contended that Lewis has no Transport or title to claim ownership of the land.

He further posited that the lands are State Lands and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will work to ensure that it remains in the possession of the residents of Kingelly, who have been occupying the lands and depend on it for their livelihood. (G8)

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

NEWS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attempts to rig elections

No stone will be left unturned in forensic review – AG A ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall has once again stated the PPP/C Government’s commitment to launch a forensic review into the events that unfolded after the March 2 General and Regional Elections and holding persons accountable for attempting to subvert democracy in Guyana.

“The GECOM matter will be tackled frontally,” Nandlall declared during a recent interview programme “Room 592” hosted by Yog Mahadeo.

“I will renew our pledge to leave no stone unturned as we get to the bottom of it, but we are going to do it the legal and professional way.”

The Attorney General reminded that President Ali made this commitment

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

and publicly committed his Government to that process during his inauguration speech on August 2.

In response to public anxiety as to when the process would commence, he said: “We were the victims of the fraud, and just like the public we want to know what went on.”

While acknowledging that the attempts to derail the electoral process did not succeed, Nandlall pos-

ited that the entire country would like to know “who were behind the attempts, the intellectual authors and the actual executioners, and we want to know what motivated (them).”

Nandlall argued that there are several components of the electoral process which must be addressed to prevent a recurrence of what happened post-March 2.

“Not one type of law was violated, fraud was commit-

ted, the criminal laws were violated,” he posited.

According to Nandlall, Guyana will have elections again in five years, and the country must not be allowed to go to elections again “using the same institutional weaknesses”.

“This is about cleansing the system; it’s about deterring the reoccurrence of what transpired.” he asserted.

According to the AG, the Government is hoping for a review of the systems from many perspectives and expressed hope that at the end of the day, the public will be satisfied that “we did a great deal in our attempts to improving the system, while at the same bringing to justice those who may have committed an offence”.

President Ali, during his

maiden address as Head of State to the nation at his inauguration ceremony, had said that his Government has an obligation to the nation and to themselves to ensure that no other generation of Guyanese is subjected to such unlawful behaviour that has transpired, for five months, when the country was embroiled in a political and electoral impasse.

“All of us are painfully aware of the trauma and anguish that our people endured over the past five months as vigorous attempts were made to destroy our democratic credentials, and deny the will of the electorate… Therefore, a review of events – related to the electoral process over the last five months – will begin shortly in order to de-

termine, forensically, exactly what transpired, and to hold accountable any persons who sought to pervert and corrupt the system,” the Head of State had announced.

Nandlall had subsequently explained that there are several options available to the PPP/C Administration to pursue the forensic review – a Commission of Inquiry (CoI), a forensic and/or a “deep probing police” investigation.

Meanwhile, in relation to the elections petition that the APNU/AFC had promised to file in the High Court to challenge the elections outcome, Nandlall asserted that the PPP/C Government is eagerly awaiting the process, which he said would turn out to be “a good theatre”.

Decomposed body pulled from Berbice River Office of the President

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he partially decomposed body of a Wiruni village man was pulled from the Upper Berbice River in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Tuesday. Investigators suspect that the deceased, 50-year old Herman Thomas of the Upper Berbice community, might have drowned

sometime between August 16 and 18.

Village Toshao Wayvon King told investigators that Thomas recently returned to the village about a month and a half ago after he had left for several years. He has no relatives residing in the village. Thomas was last seen on August 16 imbibing

in the village. Reports are at about 11:30h on Tuesday, a passerby observed the body floating in the Wiruni River.

It was clad in a white vest and black three-quarter pants. The Toshao and other villagers were alerted and they responded by retrieving the body from the river. The body was reported-

ly examined by the Toshao and no visible marks of violence were observed on the exposed areas, according to Police reports. As such, the body was placed into a wooden box and buried with a view of exhumation since there was reportedly no mortuary or housing for dead bodies in the area. (G13)

an Interim CEO of NICIL for a period of three months, after which the post will be filled following an advertisement inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply.

Sharma is no stranger to the corporate world, having a substantial breadth of experience in the commercial sector, having worked in the capacity of CEO of Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company from March 2013 to December 2015, and as CEO of Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry from July 2000 to November 2009. We are excited to welcome him to NICIL. Only last week, accountant Paul Cheong, who has served on a num-

ber of Boards from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), was appointed the new Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) under President Dr Irfaan Ali’s Government.

Cheong’s background in finance and familiarity with NICIL’s efforts to privatise GuySuCo, make him a natural fit for the position. Cheong also served as Vice Chairman of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI).

warns public about fake Twitter account

NICIL gets new interim CEO

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he Board of Directors of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on Wednesday announced that Radha Krishna Sharma has been appointed its Interim Chief Executive Officer.

According to a statement from NICIL, it has been without a substantive CEO since 25th October, 2018, with the passing of its then Head. The former acting CEO has reverted to his substantive position as Head of the Special Purpose Unit.

Given the importance of NICIL’s operations, it stated, and as the Government’s Privatization arm and the

Interim CEO of NICIL, Radha Krishna Sharma

controversy surrounding many transactions conducted by NICIL over the past few years, the Board considered it urgent and necessary to immediately appoint

Armed bandits rob minibus conductor

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olice in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) are investigating a robbery committed by three armed men on a 21-year-old minibus conductor at his Recht Door Zee, West Bank Demerara home Tuesday night.

The incident occurred at around 21:30h. Guyana Times was told that the victim had just returned home from work when he was confronted by the three bandits, one of whom was armed with a silver-coloured handgun.

The armed men later ducttaped his hands and legs and relieved him of $5000 cash and his LG cellular phone valued $21,000. They also took his TCL television.

Investigations are ongoing.

Only on Tuesday, a 21-year-old man was arrested by Police and a toy gun recovered after he committed a robbery at the Guy-America Housing Scheme, Hill Foot, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Police said that two men were on duty at the housing

scheme when three suspects approached, held them at gunpoint and demanded an excavator sensor/monitor.

According to the workers, one of the perpetrators was armed with a gun.

During the robbery, one of the suspects ended up in a scuffle with the workers, which resulted in them being tied up and beaten.

Ranks responded and arrested one of the suspects while the others managed to escape. (G9)

The fake Twitter account

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he Office of the President is advising the public to be aware of a fake account on social media platform Twitter, purporting to be the official account of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. On Wednesday, the Office of the President said that

the phoney account, @ DrMohamedirfaa1, is seeking to solicit funds from unsuspecting citizens for a fake United Nations fund.

The public is therefore advised that the Twitter account is fraudulent and that they should refrain from engaging the page.

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana records 4 COVID-19 deaths in 1 day …39 new cases recorded

By Shemar Alleyne

A

whopping four COVID-19 deaths have been reported as of August 19, bringing the total number of fatalities to 29, with 39 new cases.

The Health Ministry on Wednesday revealed that a 43-year-old woman, who was a patient of the transitional ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital, died as a result of COVID-19.

According to the Ministry, upon admission to the GPHC, a swab test was done, and following her death at 09:00 on Wednesday, the results came back as positive.

Also on Wednesday, the Ministry announced Guyana’s 27th COVID-19related death. The victim is a 72-year-old man, who died in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after receiving medical care for five days.

His death was followed by the country’s 28th and 29th deaths – who died at the Bartica Hospital, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), at about 18:00h, also on Wednesday. The patients who died at the hospital were a male and a female, aged 55 and 41 respectively.

Meanwhile, within one day, there was 39 new case of the virus locally, which raised the total statistics to 776.

Statistics from the Health Ministry show that the number of active cases in institutional isolation is 68 – an increase of six pa-

Dead: Aaron Peters

tients.

Meanwhile, 21 persons are now out of institutional quarantine, decreasing the total to 55.

There are 298 persons under home isolation and two persons in the designated ICU. In one day, there were an additional 16 recoveries, and this now amounts to 381 recuperated patients.

A gender distribution shows that 394 males and 382 females contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, a breakdown of the regional contraction rate illustrated that 114 positives were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), eight in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 39 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 222 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), seven in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 169 in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), nine in Region

Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 164 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 43 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The new cases originated from Regions One, Three, Four, Six, Seven, and Nine.

In less than a week, seven new deaths were reported.

Emotional turmoil Meanwhile, the family of 87-year-old Aaron Peters, who was reported as Guyana’s 24th COVID-19related death, has accused the GPHC of infecting the man with the deadly virus.

Peters, who is a resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), died on Monday in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the GPHC. When contacted on Wednesday, the man’s family was in a state of emotional turmoil as they try to come to grips with the passing of their loved one.

His daughter, Kim Peters-Yearwood, was deeply distraught about the series of events that occurred before her father’s death.

She explained that her dad was suffering from diabetes, which was compounded by an enlarged heart and lung disease.

“After he was not eating for a couple of days, I realised that he started getting more weak because he is diabetic, so I said I have to seek medical attention for him,” the woman explained, as she added that she carried him to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Whilst there, the staff in-

73-year-old Wilfred 23rd COVID-19 death

James,

formed her that the building was under renovation and that she should take her ill father at Herstelling to be tested for COVID-19.

“Anyways, I went to Herstelling, I had him take the test done, but he did not get to see any doctor

concerning his condition.

So, I decided to go down to Georgetown Hospital, and that is where they admitted him on Tuesday (August 11, 2020).”

Peters-Yearwood added that before she left GPHC on Tuesday, health officials had him in a room next to the emergency door. The following day, she went back to the health institution and her father was still in the same place where she left him the previous day. But this time, she was denied access to see him.

On Friday, August 14, 2020, the woman went back to the facility where she was told that her father was in the ICU. The grieving daughter elucidated that her daughter is pregnant and is expecting the baby soon. During the conference call, he asked if his grandchild has arrived.

“He started to cry and said, he doesn’t know whether he would come home or how long he would stay, and he doesn’t know how long he will make it, so with that, he started to cry,” she said, as the entire family started began to cry.

On Monday, the family received the shocking news of the passing of the elderly man.

The entire family is arguing that the man contracted the virus at the GPHC. The devastated daughter noted that neighbours started discriminating against them following the announcement that their dad died from the virus.

“One of my sisters who don’t live with us, her workplace called her and told her because her father died from COVID-19, she must stay home two weeks,” she concluded.

5 Cubans test positive for COVID-19 in Berbice …driver escapes from quarantine facility

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ive Cubans, who arrived illegally in Guyana through the Corentyne River, have tested positive for COVID-19.

This was disclosed by Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Chairman, David Armogan on Wednesday.

The Chairman noted that the five were part of a group of 13 persons who illegally entered the country last week. They were all tested and five of the tests

returned positive.

Those five persons are currently at a quarantine facility in East Canje.

However, the driver who was transporting the Cubans was also placed in quarantine at a facility in East Canje. However, he has since escaped.

He is reportedly from Region Four.

Meanwhile, the man from Number 74 Village, who was making arrangements to leave Guyana and

had to take a COVID-19 test which came back positive, has since been located and is in a quarantine facility, Armogan told reporters.

He said that his immediate family members have been instructed to self-quarantine.

It was reported that authorities were on the hunt for him since he had given an incorrect address upon arrival in Guyana on a repatriation flight. (G4)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

World Bank offers support to President in tackling Guyana’s development challenges

CJIA expansion

No more extensions, excuses will be accepted — Edghill

…as several Heads of States congratulate Ali

Cheddi Jagan International Airport

W President Irfaan Ali

V

ice President of the World Bank Group (Latin America and the Caribbean), Carlos Felipe Jaramillo has congratulated President Irfaan Ali and his new Government.

In a recent letter addressed to President Ali, Vice President Jaramillo of-

World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo

the President said.

President Pinera also extended best wishes for President Ali’s good success in the high office that the nation has entrusted him, and assured him of his “highest and distinguished consideration”.

President of Chile, Sebastien Pinera Echenique

pressed confidence that under President Ali’s leadership the two nations will continue to enjoy fertile relations.

In his letter, the Prime Minister said: “I am confident that under your leadership, the existing relations of friendship and good cooperation between Saint

Regional leaders

Barbados PM Mia Mottley

fered the Bank’s support to Guyana in addressing various developmental challenges, including the economic impact on the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Ali has also received a congratulatory letter from the President of Chile, Sebastien Pinera Echenique, who expressed a desire to strengthen the ties between the two countries.

In his letter, President Pinera said it is important that the two countries strengthen co-operation, particularly as the continent grapples with the adverse effects of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative economic effects have hit our continent hard, it is most necessary to reinforce the dialogue and cooperation between our countries. That is why I expressed my full will and willingness to work together to deepen the ties between Chile and Guyana,”

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, QC, MP, also expressed a desire to further strengthen relations between the two nations.

In her letter, Prime Minister Mottley states: “I am confident that under your leadership Guyana will pursue ways of addressing the many challenges that will confront it, particularly in a postCOVID-19 era.”

The Prime Minister further noted that Barbados regards highly the long-binding ties between the two nations.

“Barbados highly regards the deep and lasting ties that exist between our two countries and which bind us both bilaterally and as sister members of the Caribbean Community.

Guyanese have long contributed to the development of Barbados since before our independence, as Barbadians have contributed to the development of Guyana. Our collaboration is therefore natural and well-founded in our shared history,” she said.

Prime Minister Mottley further said she is looking forward to meeting soon with President Ali “to discuss ways in which we could further strengthen our relationship. The people and Government of Barbados wish you, your family and the Government and people of Guyana good health as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.”

A congratulatory letter was also sent by Saint Lucia Prime Minister, Allen M Chastanet, who ex-

Saint Lucia Prime Minister Allen M Chastanet

Lucia and Guyana as fellow CARICOM Member States will be further strengthened and developed in years to come.”

Prime Minister Chastanet also commended the Guyanese people for their patience during the electoral process.

“I take this opportunity to commend the people of Guyana for their patience in this electoral process. I am indeed delighted that the impasse emanating from disputes over the election process and results, has come to an end and the rule of law has prevailed.

I trust that the transition to the new administration will be peaceful and all citizens will unite in the singular purpose of achieving further prosperity for Guyana,” he said.

The Prime Minister also expressed his “best wishes of good health, happiness and success” to President Ali in his “noble mission” and assured him of his “highest consideration”.

ith the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project still to be completed almost two years after its deadline, the new People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration is working to ensure that there will be no more excuses by the contractor to complete the project.

This was related by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

The project got underway in 2012 under the previous PPP/C regime when Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was to contribute some US$12 million. The US$150 million project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

When A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) got into power in 2015, it significantly altered and downgraded the design.

Since then the coalition had faced questions over the project’s costs and delayed construction. The project was initially supposed to have been completed within 32 months but several extensions were given, with the last being on December 31, 2018 – nearly two years ago.

By the time the coalition left office, the contractor was paying penalty for the delays.

But according to Minister Edghill, the project is very troubled. He noted that the extensions to the runway are incomplete, with works still ongoing at both ends. He added that the terminal building that was renovated has significant defects including a leaking roof, improper titling and problems with the air conditioning and lighting, among others.

However, he pointed out that the most significant defect is the issue regarding the airbridges. The initial design presented by the PPP had eight airbridges but this was reduced by the coalition Government to just two.

Two others were subsequently added after monies were obtained from the National Assembly. But Edghill noted that none of these is currently working.

“So as we sit here today the airport which was supposed to be modernised, allowing during the time of rainfall or other weather patterns that would affect passengers for their safety,

they’re still having to walk on the tarmac,” he posited.

The Public Works Minister went on to say that the project engineer has indicated that they have been trying to get the Chinese contractor to comply with terms and conditions of the contract and deliver what was signed on to.

“Currently, almost two years after the project was supposed to be completed, there is no significant work done by the contractor to comply and to complete this project… We are in a period of liquidating damages with over 700 days that have elapsed and I don’t even think there is sufficient money in the remaining contract, based on calculations, to really benefit from liquidated damages,” he noted.

According to Minister Edghill, he will soon be engaging the contractor on the way forward.

In the meantime, based on briefings he has had since being appointed Minister two weeks ago, Edghill disclosed that he has been working to ensure that all “obstacles and hindrances” are removed so that the contractor will have no more excuses for delays.

In fact, only Tuesday he had to engage Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, on the matter.

He outlined that CHEC had performed so badly that GRA had stopped granting duty concessions to it for bringing in building materials and was even exploring the possibility of garnishment because of what the contractor had owed the Commission.

“But because of us want-

ing to get on with the work, I engaged Mr Statia, who has responded favourably to my intervention, and we are seeking to clear the obstacles and the hurdles to ensure that the contractor is not going [to] use that as an excuse so that when the instructions are given there must be no excuse. I’m going to be very strong and straight with this.

This project has gone wrong,” Edghill contended.

He further posited that in addition to the contractor not fulfilling his obligations, the APNU/AFC Government did not provide the necessary policy guidelines to the technical team to ensure compliance with the contract.

Nevertheless, the Public Works Minister said that the public will hear more about the project as they delve further into it to ascertain what transpired from 2015 to 2020, and work on the way forward.

However, he asserted that there will be no more extensions.

“They should have finished since 31st December 2018. I am in no mode of extending timelines. We are in liquidating damages period of almost 700-plus days so we got problems and what we’re seeking to do is to ensure delivery…”

“The Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration is committed towards the completion of the modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and every effort is being made to ensure that the contractor complies and all that needs to be done will be done to ensure that we have a product that the Guyanese people can surely benefit from,” Minister Edghill insisted. (G8)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Major flooding at Grove as koker collapses …over 1100 residents affected

An officer from the CDC leading a senior citizen through the flood waters (CDC photo)

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undreds of residents of the Grove community on the East Bank of Demerara have been severely affected by flooding after a koker located at Grove Market Street was breached at about 17:30h on Wednesday.

Guyana Times was informed that the breakage occurred during the spring tide. This has led to the water level rising in the community to about eight inches.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill told this publication that they received telephone calls from residents of the community about the koker being breached, and how it was causing flooding in the area.

“Sluice or kokers fall under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Ministry of Agriculture.

So, the Ministry of Public Work’s response was in di-

rect support of the agency. We came out, we assess what was taking place… we saw what was required, we ensured that the machines and materials for immediate interventions were adequately mobilised….”, he stated.

Minster Edghill said that the tide is expected to “turn around” at 11:00h on Wednesday, and at 01:00h on Thursday, when the tide is low, the machines and tiles will arrive at the area to have the breach fixed.

Given that a lot of persons were affected by the flooding, the Minister said a temporary shelter, which is the Diamond Secondary School, was been identified for those citizens who were affected. “…they may need a temporary shelter for tonight until the water recedes, so those arrangements have already been put in place.

We have responded both in terms of the emergency works to stop the breach, and secondly, to bring relief to the residents who affected by the flood”, he said.

Chairman of the NDC, Indranie Ramnarine said there are approximately 1100 households that are under water. She explained that those residents would have suffered serious damages to their appliances, furniture, and livestock.

One resident, Ramchand Chinnilal, said after the koker broke away, almost everything he had in his very “small house”, went floating. He said he has four children, and one, who is just nine days old, is cur-

squatting area in Grove, after someone burned his previous house down. He said

rently hospitalised.

Chinnilal explained that he recently moved to the

his family is barely trying to survive with the little they

A section of the flooded community

have, since he has been unemployed for some time due to the pandemic.

The man said it broke his heart after he returned home from visiting his son, who is hospitalised, to see all of the little groceries he had left floating in the water.

“My son in the hospital, he got cut. When I come home I see all meh lil ration floating on the ground.

Right now, this is pressure for me. Me deh in punishment … I asking them to see what they can do for me”, he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, who has the responsibility for the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), was also on the ground, and said that as of Thursday,

residents of the area who were affected by the flooding, will receive sanitation supplies, and hampers.

“We are saddened about what has happened here tonight, and we will take all efforts to correct the breach of the koker and to also bring some relief to the people… personally I am from Diamond…so these are people I can identify with what they are going through here…”, he underscored.

The area was also on Wednesday evening visited by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Deodat Indar, Director General of CDC Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, and Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall.

(LaWanda McAlister)

Cummings Lodge squatters served with warning notice

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he Housing and Water Ministry has served Cummings Lodge/Sophia squatters with warning notices as it reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for the illegal act of squatting. In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry said that it is urging persons to desist from illegally occupying State Lands. It noted

served contravention notices to squatters of Cummings Lodge Phase 2, East Coast Demerara, Cummings Park, and the Section C Entrance.

According to the Ministry, these persons were not occupying the named locations at the time of the agency’s last inventory, which means they recently moved into the locations and started con-

An officer from the enforcement arm of the Housing Ministry serving warning notice on Wednesday

that it has received reports of new structures being built on reserves within the Cummings Lodge/Sophia environs.

As a result, the enforcement arm of the Ministry

struction. The illegal occupation of State Lands at Cummings Lodge continues to hinder officials from carrying out the planned budgeted projects, the Ministry said, adding that it is ap-

pealing to the squatters to immediately cease all activities and allow the systematic allocation process to resume.

“Again, the Ministry is working to meet the housing demand, but our hand will not be forced by persons who continue to indulge in this illegal act. Squatting impedes on infrastructure development and more importantly, has a serious impact on the health and safety of those involved,” the statement said.

The Ministry also re-

minded citizens that Government reserves are not suitable living conditions for anyone as they lack the basic necessities for daily human activities. It went on to say that most times, these reserves run along critical waterways, posing a serious threat of contamination. In other instances, critical hardware for utility companies occupy these reserves and illegal encumbrances can affect critical services provided by these companies.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

India assists Guyana with Rowley appoints new US$1M for COVID-19 fight faces to Cabinet

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India High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa

PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony

he Government of India has allocated US$1 million from the “Quick Impact Development Project” that is being implemented jointly by the Health Ministry, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support Guyana’s response to COVID-19.

Present at Tuesday’s signing of the tripartite agreement were the Public Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; the India High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa; PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu Krow and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme, Mikiko Tanaka.

At the signing, Dr Frank Anthony thanked the Government of India for their partnership and donation to the healthcare system of Guyana during this global pandemic.

“The personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased under this fund will assist in preventing our frontline workers from becoming ill,” the Minister said.

He disclosed that Guyana will soon receive 29 ventilators as part of this donation, which will help the Ministry to save lives.

During his brief remarks, Dr Srinivasa said India and Guyana have always partnered for development and progress over the years. He further explained that the Government of India has been assisting many coun-

tries across the world as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to coordinate the COVID-19 worldwide response.

He also highlighted that, thus far, a total of one hundred countries have benefited from medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency room medicines, and monetary aid.

Meanwhile, both Dr William Adu Krow and Mikiko Tanaka expressed their appreciation to the Government of India for their support to Guyana’s COVID-19 response.

Dr Adu Krow indicated that the quantity of medical supplies and PPE have already been procured and is expected to arrive in Guyana shortly. (G1)

T

HE NEW 19-member Cabinet of the Rowley administration will present a mix of old and new faces as they take the oath of office on Wednesday at the President's House.

The Prime Minister offered little insight as he spoke to the media on Tuesday to announce the swearing-in of his new government after the Election and Boundaries Commission submitted its final results to President Paula-Mae Weekes.

The fifth and final recount after last Monday’s general election was completed on Monday night in the St Joseph seat, confirming that the PNM had won 22 seats and the UNC 19.

Dr Rowley said there would be some changes in the composition of the Cabinet but also some continuity. Port of Spain North/ St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young will retain the powerful portfolio of national security minister, assisted by defeated Tabaquite candidate Michael Seales, a former police officer, top party sources told Newsday on Tuesday night.

St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh will retain the Ministry of Health. PNM chairman and Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert will be shifted to the energy ministry, after a barrage of criticism from the public in

his stint as finance minister, PNM officials said. Formerly estranged party chairman Conrad Enill will be sworn in as a senator and assume the finance portfolio.

According to reliable PNM sources, San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi will return as Attorney General and new Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland will assume the Legal Affairs portfolio, with defeated St Augustine candidate Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal as his junior minister. Former ambassador and Arima MP Pennelope Beckles will become Foreign Affairs Minister. Newcomer and Lopinot/Bon Air West MP Marvin Gonzales will be assigned the Ministry of Technology, a new portfolio which Rowley announced on Tuesday.

La Brea MP Stephen Mc Clashie will become the next Labour Minister, replacing Jennifer Baptiste-Primus.

Arouca/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis is likely to get the Ministry of Planning, where she has served before. St Ann’s East MP Dr Nyan GadsbyDolly will be assigned the Education Ministry, and La Horquetta/Talparo winner Foster Cummings will get the Public Utilities portfolio.

Tobago East’s Ayanna Webster-Roy will be assigned the Ministry of Social and Community

Development and former Arima mayor and new MP for D’Abadie/O’Meara Lisa Morris-Julian will be her junior minister. Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe will retain the sports portfolio and assisted by defeated candidate for Barataria/San Juan Jason Williams and defeated Chaguanas East candidate Clarence Rambharat will also retain the Ministry of Agriculture and will be assisted by Avinash Singh, who will be sworn in as a senator.

Victorious Tunapuna candidate Esmond Forde, a former deputy Speaker, will be assigned the Ministry of Culture. Campaign manager Rohan Sinanan will be sworn in as a senator and retain the Works and Transport portfolio, assisted by Laventille East MP Adrian Leonce.

Former San Fernando mayor Kazim Hosein, a loyal Rowley supporter, will return as Local Government Minister, assisted by Diego Martin Central MP Symon de Nobriga, former chairman of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation.

Laventille West/Morvant MP Fitzgerald Hinds will be sworn in as Housing Minister. Former communications minister Donna Cox and San Fernando East MP Brian Manning will become ministers in the Office of the Prime Minister. (T&T Newsday)

We are grateful for our frontline Police officers Attack on our intelligence

Dear Editor, In this day and age, when the situation we all find ourselves in with COVID-19 pandemic and knowing every single person across our nation and regions has given up a great deal, we all know people and families who have made significant sacrifices because of this virus and the unpresented times we are experiencing.

The extraordinary national effort made by our President and his team has been quite remarkable, and I am grateful to everybody for playing their part. However, I am particularly grateful to you, the people of Region 10, and our outstanding frontline Police officers and volunteers, who continue to do an exceptional job in keeping our streets safe.

You enforce COVID-19 protective guidelines and still respond to all types of crimes, working tirelessly to protect the vulnerable.

Police agencies all over the country are facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges are at the same time related to complex and large-scale activities that the Police are asked to perform, and to the changing nature of the Police role during the pandemic.

Although health workers are in the frontline, the

Police are involved in every stage of the response, and remain the main interface with the residents, to answer their questions and solve their problems. Police services are overwhelmed by extra missions due to the emergency: enforcing public health orders, including quarantines or travel restrictions; securing health care facilities; controlling crowds; assisting with handling education, and risk communication.

The coordination of the response is not spontaneous, as the Police may not have previously worked with most of the agencies with whom they should coordinate their response plan, including public health, medical officials, and other critical infrastructures providers.

While the role of the Police during security threats and emergencies is generally well defined, it is far from clear during a COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer to the complexity of the Police response. Actually, unlike public health services, most of the national response plans to combat COVID-19 don’t consider the role of the Police, or only make a little mention of it in wide and general terms. Generally, it is mentioned that, in addition to the usual duties, the

Police have a role in supporting the fight against the disease, and protecting people from contamination. This secondary role attributed to the Police can also be seen in the additional financial and other types of support reserved for the Police by the Government, as compared to other agencies, particularly those working on the health response. The role of the Police also changes as the context of the pandemic changes and the needs of the people(residents) and the Government evolve. For example, the courts can prioritise certain cases at the expense of others according to the situation, which will impact Police decisions about offences that should be prosecuted and the files that should be investigated.

The needs of the Police staff and the capacity of the organisation can also change during the pandemic, as they and their families can be hit by the pandemic, at least in the same proportion as the rest of the residents.

Therefore, planning the Police response to COVID-19 is extremely important to address evolving issues related to the preparedness, response, and the recovery from the pandemic.

The importance of the planning lies also in the

reputational risks that the Police can potentially have during the response to the pandemic, knowing that the measures taken today would impact the future relationship between the Police and the people after the pandemic.

The Police Force should also look to the non-harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare its response to better position itself to enhance its service to the people of Guyana.

The Police should consider the windows of opportunity that can be opened during the pandemic at the political and social levels. For example, in Region #10, there are no cameras set up on the main streets of downtown Linden. Poor lighting in many areas makes it difficult for the Police on duty to perform their jobs. These are just a few things that the region should look into while our Government introduce some critical reforms, such as the digital transformation of the Police management, and innovation in investigation procedures that can sustainably and positively impact the development of the Police in every region, once the pandemic is safely behind us.

Sincerely, David Adams

as Guyanese

Dear Editor, A few days ago, I was in a conversation with a staunch supporter of the PNC, who made the dogmatic statement that she “lives in the present, and not in the past.”

Now, a cursory glance at this statement renders it very silly by any stretch of the imagination, but as we go deeper into our discourse, you will see why those words were used, and for what purpose. Certainly, if we have no past, then how can we ever have a present, or a future?

I am talking about living as a tree -- not having roots, which are the basic structure for its sustenance and development.

So, was this the substance of what my friend wanted us to believe, and the answer comes again in an abrupt no!

What she wants us to believe - and this is typical of all PNC followers - is that misdeeds, misappropriation of funds, and crass mismanagement done by the PNC should be overlooked.

They contend that none of the above misdeeds should be questioned by an incoming administration, we should well accept this as it is, and move on. Well, if that is not the most blatant form of bullyism, then what is? Their bel-

ligerence knows no bounds!

For starters, how about coming into office with an empty treasury and an overdraft that goes into the millions? Shouldn’t this be cause for concern?

Many are the blatant acts of corruption and nepotism being unearthed in every ministry as the new PPP/C Administration gets down to the business of governance.

Millions were doled out to party cronies, some of whom never had a day on the job, far less to get their hands into anything meaningful called work.

It was simply a situation of having money to burn, so let’s live it up! Ghost jobs were created, and positions were made just to provide a sure way to rape the treasury.

These and other questionable appointments are turning up in every ministry at quite an alarming rate.

So, to blandly say we should forget the past is a contemptuous attack on our intelligence as Guyanese. We must put our past under the PNC in its right perspective, with the necessary remedial actions, of course, before moving on into the future.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

Regional

US eyes October deadline to end exemptions Parents told on Venezuela oil sanctions – sources approval needed for

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he United States is considering an October deadline for ending exemptions to Venezuelan sanctions that allow some companies and refiners to still receive the South American producer’s oil, two sources said, as Washington seeks to raise the heat on President Nicolas Maduro.

US President Donald Trump has ramped up sanctions on Venezuela’s staterun PDVSA, its key foreign partners and customers since it first imposed mea-

sures against the company in early 2019, seeking to oust the left-leaning Maduro after a 2018 re-election considered a sham by most Western nations.

Officials in Washington say the failure of sanctions to loosen Maduro’s grip on power has frustrated Trump.

With November’s Presidential Election approaching, the US Government is preparing to toughen its stance on Venezuela, especially the sanctions on its oil and gold industries, the sources said.

The sanctions have already deprived PDVSA of most of its long-term oil customers, reducing oil exports to below 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), their lowest level in almost 80 years.

A handful of European and Asian customers have continued taking Venezuelan oil under specific authorisations granted since last year by the US. Treasury for transactions that do not involve cash payments to Maduro’s Administration.

The US Administration is moving to set an October deadline for winding down all trade of Venezuelan oil, including swaps and payments of pending debt with crude, the sources said.

A further tightening of the sanctions on Venezuela’s main export industry would be likely to exacerbate not only chronic shortages of fuel in the South American country but also lack of everything from basic foodstuffs to medicines. (Excerpt from Reuters)

PM promises free COVID vaccine to all Jamaicans once one is available

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rime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party Leader Andrew Holness is promising that once a safe and tested COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, a Government he leads will provide it free to all Jamaicans.

Holness made the promise in a post on Twitter on Wednesday as he continued to hammer a point he raised on Tuesday that his Administration would be better at leading Jamaica through the COVID crisis after the September 3 General Election.

Addressing journalists after he was nominated to contest the St Andrew West Central seat yesterday, Holness argued that his Administration has done a fair job in manag-

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

ing the pandemic so far, and was better suited to lead Jamaica through a period of living with COVID. He charged that the People's National Party's (PNP's) performance over the years shows that it

would have struggled to deal with the pandemic.

Researchers around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, with more than 170 candidate vaccines now being tracked by the World Health

Organisation.

Vaccines normally require years of testing and additional time to produce at scale, but scientists are hoping to develop a coronavirus vaccine within the next 12 to 18 months.

Just over 22 million COVID-19 cases have already been recorded worldwide with 777,000 deaths and 14 million persons recovered.

On Tuesday, Jamaica recorded 17 new COVID cases to move to 1146 since the first case was reported on the island in March.

Fourteen people have died from complications related to the virus while the number of those to have recovered so far in Jamaica stands at 770. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Man dies in Carrefour Brasil store, left covered with umbrellas as store stays open

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man died at a Carrefour Brasil store in Brazil’s northeastern state of Recife, but his body was left on the shop floor covered with umbrellas and surrounded by cardboard boxes while the store remained open for business, causing outrage as images went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on Aug 14 but only came to light this week, amid a del-

uge of criticism on social media that the body was not removed and that the store did not close.

Carrefour Brasil apologised on Wednesday, telling Reuters in a statement that its handling of the incident was inappropriate.

According to Carrefour, the man was a sales manager who fell ill inside the store. First aid was given and an ambulance was

called. After the man died, Carrefour said it “followed guidelines to not remove the body from its place.”

The local subsidiary of France’s Carrefour SA, one of the largest retail chains in Brazil, said it has now changed its guidelines to include the mandatory closure of the store in future.

“We apologize to the family and stand ready to support them in whatever way

necessary,” Carrefour said in its statement.

This is not the first controversy surrounding the way Carrefour handles incidents in its stores in Brazil.

In 2018, a security guard at a store in the state of Sao Paulo killed a street dog after striking it with a metal bar, a case that caused revulsion on social media and with animal welfare groups.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Dominican schools to reopen on September 7

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he Dominica Government on Wednesday announced that all schools will reopen on September 7 as the island continues to implement measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) which has infected 18 people there.

Education Minister Octavia Alfred said teachers are expected in classes one week before the students.

“Subject to adequate consideration by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and

Health Investment, and taking everything into account, all schools will be reopened for teachers on September 1, 2020, and for all students on Monday, September 7th.

“So from September 1st staff will engage in final preparations to receive students. Teachers will be engaged in professional staff development, training and planning. This school year planning is even more essential than before since teachers and their department heads must review curriculum and prepare for

pre-testing activities which will be very crucial this year,” Alfred said.

She said the pre-testing activities will guide the Ministry's remedial programme and other programmes that would be necessary before “moving ahead”.

She said all measures would be taken to safeguard the health of students and teachers and that during the first four days of next month “we would also be doing a lot of cleaning and re-arranging of furniture…

to ensure that everything is in place.

“Since we have no [active] COVID-19 cases and since there is no community spread of COVID-19, all schools will reopen as normal. However, the Ministry of Education has a plan in place that will be activated in the national status as it relates to COVID-19 changes,” Alfred added.

Dominica closed its schools in March after the first case of the virus was confirmed. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

homeschooling

D

Director of Education Clare Browne

irector of Education Clare Browne said approval for homeschooling will not be automatic.

Many parents who are uncomfortable with their children returning to school in September are considering homeschooling.

Browne said, however, that parents must obtain approval from the Ministry to home-school their children.

“One of the requirements for the application is the submission of an education plan to the DoE,” Browne explained. He stated that the law requires that the education plan should be submitted to the Ministry at least three months prior to the start of the school term. The plan that is to be submitted must detail

a three-year teaching plan providing details for each individual year,” Browne explained.

“An application is no guarantee that permission will be granted. An application is an application and the law says it is the right of a parent to homeschool a child if he/she chooses but with certain conditions. “If those conditions are not met then it is more than likely that the application will be denied. “We have to protect children in spite of the times. We have to ensure our children are protected and are given a quality education,” he remarked. If an application for homeschooling is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision.

(Excerpt from Antigua News Room)

COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Haiti, St Lucia, Trinidad

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32-year-old woman who arrived in St Lucia from the United States has become the island's latest confirmed case of COVID-19.

The St Lucian Ministry of Health said that the woman had been placed in Government quarantine and is stable and will be transferred to the Respiratory Hospital for care.

“This brings the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date to 26. A total of 4768 tests have been conducted to date. As we manage new cases and investigate possible contacts, the public is advised to take personal responsibilities to protect themselves and family. We advise against mass crowd gatherings. We advise

on responsible behaviour without unnecessary panic,” the Ministry said.

In Haiti, meanwhile, the authorities said that 24 new cases had been recorded over the past day bringing the total of 7921 cases since the first case was recorded on March 19.

They said while the death toll remains at 196, the number of active cases is 2490.

Trinidad and Tobago recorded 29 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 629.

The Ministry of Health in its latest bulletin said that there are 477 active cases. The country has recorded 12 deaths since the first case in March. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS OPEC+ presses for compliance with oil cuts

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PEC and its allies pressed oil nations pumping above output targets to cut more in August-September amid fears oil demand recovery was slow while saying it could reach pre-pandemic levels by the year-end.

The group, known as OPEC+, met on Wednesday to review compliance and left oil cuts levels unchanged. Cuts would deepen this month and next because of compensation by Iraq, Nigeria, Angola and Kazakhstan for overproduction in May-July.

“Based on the average projections of various institutions, including OPEC, EIA and the IEA, it is estimated that the world will reach about 97% of pre-pandemic oil demand during the fourth quarter - which is a big recovery from the huge falls in April and May,” said Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

OPEC+ has previously eased output cuts levels to 7.7 million barrels per day (bpd) from August versus a record-high 9.7 million bpd - or 10 per cent of global supply - between May and July 2020 - to balance supply with collapsing demand.

OPEC alone traditionally produced well over 30 million bpd of oil over the past decades but after this year’s cuts, its output stood at 20-22 million bpd.

The virtual meeting on Wednesday only discussed compliance by countries such as Iraq, Nigeria, Angola and Kazakhstan.

The countries within OPEC+ overproduced in May-July and would compensate those volumes in August-September, OPEC+ said in a statement without disclosing exact figures.

“It is very important to maintain full conformity,” said Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who had tested positive for coronavirus and joined the virtual meeting from home.

“We should endeavour to put this temporary compensation regime behind us, by clearing all the past over-production by end of September,” said Prince Abdulaziz.

The next OPEC+ ministerial panel is scheduled for Sept 17.

Brent crude LCOc1 is trading near a 5-month high above US$45 a barrel and has more than doubled since hitting a 21year low below US$16 in April, helped by the OPEC+ deal.

Many OPEC members need high oil revenues to balance their budgets but also want to avoid allowing oil prices to run well above US$50 per barrel as it would encourage a resurgence in US shale production. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Belarusian protesters defy Lukashenko, EU announces sanctions

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undreds of Belarusian protesters gathered in Minsk on Wednesday evening, defying a new order from President Alexander Lukashenko to his police to clear the streets of the capital after a week and a half of rallies against his rule.

Holding an emergency summit on the crisis, the European Union rejected Lukashenko’s re-election in a disputed vote on Aug 9 and announced financial sanctions against officials the bloc blames for election fraud and the abuse of protesters.

“This is about the Belarusian people and their legitimate right to determine the future path of their country,” said the head of the EU’s executive Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Lukashenko, a gruff former collective farm boss facing the biggest crisis of his 26-year rule, has blamed

foreign countries for stirring unrest and funding protesters. At least two protesters have died and thousands have been jailed, many emerging to complain of beatings and abuse.

“There should no longer be any disorder in Minsk of any kind,” Lukashenko said in remarks reported by state news agency Belta, announcing the new police crackdown in the capital.

“People are tired. People demand peace and quiet.”

By early Wednesday evening, there was no sign of a major new operation to clear demonstrators from the streets. Hundreds of protesters assembled in front of the Interior Ministry, which runs the police. A large number of officers were stationed there with vans, but they took no action.

People chanted “Resign!” and “Let them out!” while passing cars honked their horns in the rain. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mali coup leaders promise election in “reasonable” time frame

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oldiers who ousted Mali’s President in a coup promised on Wednesday to oversee elections within a “reasonable” time and moved swiftly to hold talks with one of the West African nation’s most influential power brokers.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resigned and dissolved Parliament on Tuesday after the mutineers detained him at gunpoint, further rocking a country that is in the grip of a jihadist insurgency and plagued by civil unrest.

The mutineers denied reports of casualties from Tuesday’s unrest, but human rights group Amnesty International said it had documented the death of four people, while 15 more

were wounded by bullets.

Fearing Keita’s fall after nearly seven years in power could destabilise the Sahel region, the African Union and Economic Community of West African States

(ECOWAS) both suspended Mali.

As investors ditched shares in Mali-based gold mining companies, the mood in the capital Bamako was calm throughout the day

and junta leaders urged people and officials to return to life as normal.

A spokesman for the mutineers, calling themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, said earlier that they had acted to prevent further “chaos, anarchy and insecurity”.

A Malian security source identified three of the other junta leaders who appeared alongside Wague as Colonels Sadio Camara, Malick Diaw and Modibo Kone.

Wague described neighbouring armies, France’s anti-jihadist Barkhane force and the country’s UN peacekeeping mission as “partners for stability and restoring security”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Hamas security sources said Israeli warplanes and drones struck several facilities that belong to the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the movement.

The Israeli army air raids and artillery attacks caused severe damage to security posts and wounded several people, sources said. No deaths were reported.

In a statement released

shortly before midnight (21:00 GMT), the Israeli military said: "fighter jets and [other] aircraft struck additional Hamas military targets in the Gaza Strip."

"Earlier tonight, a rocket was fired and during the day, explosive and arson balloons were launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," it said. "During the strike, a military com-

pound belonging to one of the special arrays of the Hamas terror organisation was struck."

Egyptian security officials shuttled between the two sides in a bid to end the flare-up, which has seen more than a week of rocket and fire balloon attacks from Gaza and nightly Israeli reprisals. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A crowd of people cheer Malian army soldiers at the Independence Square after a mutiny in Bamako, Mali August 18, 2020. Picture taken August 18, 2020

Israel bombs Gaza after warning Hamas it risks war

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sraeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip for the eighth consecutive night after alleging that Palestinians had fired a rocket into southern Israel.

The latest attacks came as Israel warned Hamas the group that governs the Strip - it was risking "war" by failing to stop incendiary balloons being launched across the border.

California fires: Bay Area hit by blazes, forcing thousands to evacuate

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housands of people have had to flee their homes in areas near San Francisco after several quick-moving wildfires swept into the region.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as authorities battle hundreds of fires burning around the state.

Most at risk is the city of Vacaville, home to about 100,000, which lies between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Officials went door-to-door overnight in a frantic effort to clear homes.

According to fire officials, 50 structures have burned down in Vacaville, with an-

other 50 damaged by the fire.

The blaze is thought to have been sparked by lightning and a heatwave on the US West Coast. Earlier this week, one of the highest ever temperatures on Earth

was recorded in California's Death Valley.

The fire, which is larger than city of Washington DC, has injured four people and threatens about 2000 Meanwhile, the state's

energy provider has pleaded with residents to use less electricity or otherwise face blackouts that would leave millions of people without power for hours at a time.

On Tuesday night more than 37,000 customers across California lost power, officials told CNN. So far this year the US has experienced fewer wildfires than in 2019. According to Reuters news agency, around 1.4 million fewer acres have burned this year, but the pace is expected to accelerate in the next month as Santa Ana winds reach the south and El Diablo winds strike in the north. (Excerpt from BBC News)

wreck reported that at least 45 others had died when the engine of the vessel they were aboard exploded off the coast of Zwara.

The two agencies said the survivors, mostly from Senegal, Mali, Chad and Ghana, were rescued by local fishermen and later detained upon disembarkation.

Following the tragic incident in the Mediterranean, the UNHCR and the IOM

urgently called for a review of countries' approach in their rescue efforts.

"There remains an absence of any dedicated, EUled search and rescue programme," Federico Soda, head of the IOM's mission in Libya, said on Twitter.

"We fear that without an urgent increase in SaR capacity, there is a risk of more disasters," he added, referring to the search

and rescue activities by the coastguards of countries in the Mediterranean.

Human rights groups and agencies have repeatedly denounced what they describe as an inadequate response by maritime authorities when alerted of people left adrift in damaged boats after embarking on dangerous sea journeys to reach Europe. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Vacaville, halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco, has been worst hit so far

Children among 45 dead in 2020's worst Mediterranean boat tragedy

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t least 45 people including five children died earlier this week in the worst shipwreck reported so far this year off Libya's coast, according to the United Nations.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) said 37 survivors from Monday's ship-

20

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

A change will encourage you to do things differently.

Look over your options and do your best to reduce stress and anxiety. You have everything to gain if you are straightforward.

Don’t leave anything to chance. Someone will misinterpret what you say or use emotional manipulation to get his or her way. Be blunt and get things done.

Spend more time with a loved one. Work through differences, and figure out a way to make your life better. An opportunity will put you in an excellent position to make a good move.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Get the lowdown before you make a move. It’s essential to have a solid plan in place before you take on additional tasks. Listen to suggestions, and you’ll find a way to keep everyone interested.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Push forward with poise.

Stand tall, be bold and let your thoughts be known. It’s time to step up and be innovative. Your ideas are sound, and will be met with support.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Take a deep breath and stay focused on what must accomplish. Keep close tabs on your health and emotional well-being. Maintain balance and composure when dealing with others.

Do your best to help.

Offer your support, advice and experience to organizations, peers and your community. Refuse to let anything stand between you and doing what’s right.

Take pride in what you do, and don’t stop until you finish what you start. Your input, imagination and desire to do what’s right will encourage you to make changes that will improve your life.

Be careful what you say.

SAGITTARIUS Someone will be quick to twist your words around or (Nov. 23offer misleading informaDec. 21) tion. Stick close to home, and channel your energy into making domestic and personal improvements.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR SATURDAY'S PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll be right on the mark when it comes to financial, legal or medical issues.

A decision you make with a loved one will lead to a healthier, happier home environment. Embrace change, and make love a priority.

Slow down, go over recent events and rethink your strategy before moving forward. Anger will not help settle a problem, but a reasonable outlook will.

Emotions will surface and, if channeled correctly, can be used to your advantage. Show how passionate you are about your beliefs, concerns and prospects.

Romance is encouraged.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

21

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers…

Guyana lands in Group F following draw

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ONCACAF's road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ reached an important milestone, as the draw for the qualifying competition took place at the Home of FIFA on Wednesday, and 35 teams participated.

There, the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team learned their fate for the Road to the World Cup. Coming out of Pot Three with Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Belize, Guyana was eventually drawn in Group F, with a number of other Caribbean counterparts, during the FIFA draw hosted in Zurich, Switzerland.

Group F consists of Guyana, Trinidad and

Draw results

First round: Group A: El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat and US Virgin Islands Group B: Canada, Suriname, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Aruba

Group C: Curacao, Guatemala, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba and British Virgin Islands Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Golden Jaguars, during the 2019 Gold Cup

Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

The first round of qualifying will be played between the member associ-

ations ranked 6th to 35th in their region based on the FIFA Ranking from 16 July 2020. At the end of the first round, the six group winners will move into the sec-

Golf: A socially-distanced game for everyone!

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n the age of social distance requirements, one sport stands tall against all others, and offers both new and old players a chance to learn and exercise at the same time!

With outdoor players separated by 8 feet and all guidelines in effect, golf offers the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy time together and still be safe.

Over the past few years, the sport has been continuously on the rise, and the driving force behind this rise is President of the Guyana Golf Association, Aleem Hussain.

Through strategic partnerships and strong marketing (he credits much of the promotion to the media partners), the game has gained popularity and national attention to the point where sponsors and players are all vying for a spot at the Academy.

With names like Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, Golf is a sport that has always caught the attention of millions of fans, and with countries like Saudia Arabia and Dubai, UAE investing billions of dollars into developing the game, Guyana is in a perfect position to capitalise on the potential sports tourism industry, given our newfound oil wealth.

Asked about the future of the sport in Guyana, Hussain said there were lots of ongoing discussions, and many international partners had expressed interest in

Group D: Panama, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Dominica and Anguilla

aiding the development of the game, golf courses and golf resorts in the country.

"Many organisations and individuals have already made commitments to donate or provide access to training equipment and education programmes to ensure that our children can participate in international competitions."

Now in the heart of Georgetown (between Camp & Albert streets), situated on the grounds of the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union, the Nexgen Golf Academy & Driving Range is now within reach of thousands of students and families.

State-of-the-art lighting, coaching, equipment and unlimited play for a small hourly fee allow players to learn or sharpen their golfing skills every day from 8am to 8pm. The low rates will soon be enhanced by special offers from Monday to Friday, such as breakfast included with early morning play 6:30-8:30 am, and complimentary lunch from 11am-1pm.

"This is being done for two reasons: giving great value, and allowing us to ensure that we space out our guests to adhere to social distancing guidelines," Rudy Ramalingum has explained.

The Golf Academy & Driving Range offers classes for players of all ages and levels, and guarantees that, within 15 minutes, any newcomer to the game would be able to make proper contact with the ball and start having fun!

Free golf camps will be conducted by Coach Colin Ming and Aleem Hussain for children aged from 3 to 15 from August 24th to September 25th. This will be sponsored

by Guyana Beverages Oasis Water, CIMGRO Development Group, Nand Persaud Group of Companies, Assuria General Insurance, Ming’s Products & Services, and New Trend Auto.

For more information, please visit their Facebook/ Instagram pages: nexgen golf academy, call 645-0944, or simply stop at the convenient location on Woolford Avenue between Camp and Albert Streets.

Group E: Haiti, Nicaragua, Belize, St. Lucia and Turks and Caicos Islands Group F: Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, Puerto Rico and Bahamas ond round to compete for a place at the finals. Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Honduras have already qualified directly for the third round.

The first objective of the draw is to group all 30 teams together with the six seeded teams to whittle the field down to six. Those six group winners will play a

home-and-away playoff to determine who advances to the decisive Final Round.

After 14 qualifying matches, the top three teams from the final group will qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with the fourthplace finisher advancing to an intercontinental playoff with a region yet to be determined.

The eight qualified teams will be compiled into one pot, while positions 1-8 will occupy the other.

Each team will be assigned a designated position, via the draw, which would correlate to a pre-determined numerical schedule.

After 14 qualifying matches, the top three teams from the final group will qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with the fourthplace finisher advancing to an intercontinental playoff with a region yet to be determined.

Ramson meets with GAPLF

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Minister Charles Ramson Jr is flanked by Runita White and Erwyn Smith

he Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) met with the Honourable Charles Ramson, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, on Friday August 14th, 2020.

Representing the GAPLF were Runita White, Public Relations Officer, and Erwyn Smith, Committee Member.

The Minister expressed his commitment to working in partnership with the GAPLF, and framed the principles for engagement.

He said his objective is not to interfere with the way in which the GAPLF operates, and he committed to meeting on an ongoing ba-

sis to assist the advancement of the organisation's goals.

Mr. Ramson said a primary objective for all of the associations is to showcase Guyanese talent through national engagement.

He said this would be the first of many meetings to discuss the growth of the sport, and wants to ensure that none of the associations are discontented with the work of the Ministry.

THE GAPLF is pleased to work alongside the Ministry in order to help with the development of the sport.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

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TALLAWAHS OFF TO WINNING START — after Asif Ali, Phillips, spinners brush aside Zouks From the end of the powerplay onwards, there were no serious wobbles in the Tallawahs’ innings, and they cruised home with seven balls remaining.

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Zouks falter at the death

Although Zouks were never motoring through the course of their innings, they did seem to be in a reasonable position at 144 for 5 after 17.2 overs.

The remainder of the innings, however, went horribly wrong. Not only did they lose their set batsman Chase, but they also failed to hit a boundary from that point on.

In the last 22 balls, they managed only 14 runs, and a total that seemed to be headed towards 175 fell well short.

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Tallawahs' spinners keep it tight

A

Asif Ali unleashes during his unbeaten innings

gainst a Tallawahs batting line-up boasting Glenn Phillips, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Asif Ali and Carlos Brathwaite, St Lucia Zouks' 158 for 7 was never going to be enough.

Roston Chase did his best to drag Zouks towards credibility, providing substance to the innings with his 52 off 42 balls - his maiden T20 half-century; but the batsmen who should have played more

explosive innings around him were unable to raise the tempo for long enough. The next highest score on the Zouks' batting card was Najibullah Zadran's 25 off 21 balls.

Zouks did make a good start with the ball, dismissing Chadwick Walton and Nicholas Kirton inside the powerplay; but Phillips soon got his big-hitting game humming, before Powell and Asif also produced aggressive innings.

Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled two of his overs during the Powerplay, and two at the death. Legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane bowled his four overs in one spell, through the middle of the innings.

Together, they prevented Zouks from ever hitting a high gear, delivering their variations cleverly and accurately.

Lamicchane was the more economical of the two, giving away 23 runs from his four overs, while taking the wicket of Najibullah Zadran.

Mujeeb had the tougher job,

West Indian players to earn US$2M collectively in CPL — says CWI CEO Johnny Grave 223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

NOW!

C

CWI CEO, Johnny Grave

ricket is revived in the Caribbean with the return of the biggest party in sport, the Hero Caribbean Premier League

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

(CPL).

Before the CPL, the last Caribbean-based tournament was played in March, with the West Indies Regional 4-Day championships.

According to Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johnny Grave, West Indian players will collectively be receiving approximately US$2M in this CPL, generated from match fees.

“Well, it’s cricket happening in the Caribbean, simple as that. It is fantastic for our players. I think the West Indians involved in CPL alone will pick up collectively at least US$2 million. It is important for our players

to earn these match fees,” Grave said on the latest Mason and Guest radio show.

When asked if CPL owes CWI, Grave said the players’ license fee was received a day later, and a figure of US$1.7 million was owed.

“For a very short time, that was the figure; but once that quarterly payment of the licence fee was received, it’s down to US$1.4 million. There is no dispute in that figure. We have received over a million US dollars this year in their licence fee, and we are working closely with CPL to ensure that debt (is) cleared,” Grave explained.

With COVID-19 hitting CWI and other cricket territories, Grave said that as measures regarding the COVID-19 begin to be lifted, the Region’s board wants local cricket to return, once the government restrictions are lifted. In the short-term, CWI is looking to restart cricket at the grassroots over the next few months.

CWI will be forced to postpone any tournament after the CPL, as the players are expected to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and are expected to tour New Zealand in November-December, if permitted.

In terms of the tour to New Zealand, Grave said it is impossible for New Zealand Cricket Board and CWI to have charted flights to New Zealand, and the players may have to utilise commercial flights if that tour goes ahead.

Grave said the CWI board have a “can-do” attitude, and will continue to push towards that New Zealand tour. (Brandon Corlette)

Glenn Phillips on the charge

of course, and his figures were even more impressive.

He dismissed Chase as well as Mohammad Nabi, and conceded only 25. Between these two young spinners, Tallawahs may feel they have the best slow-bowling combo in the league.

Asif Ali shows his wares

Although Asif is new to the Tallawahs, he has been lighting up T20 tournaments around the world, and his first outing for his new team emphasised his value. His 47

not-out off 27 balls was better even than Phillips's innings at the top of the order.

He announced himself with a slog-swept six off Rakheem Cornwall to make his first runs for the Tallawahs, before settling into a clinical innings, taking full toll of Zouks' bowling mistakes to clobber five fours and a further six.

The leg side was his more productive half of the field, but it was through extra cover that he struck the winning runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD St Lucia Zouks Innings (158-7 20 overs) RRS Cornwall c Powell b Permaul 9 ADS Fletcher † c Brathwaite b Russell 22 M Deyal c †Walton b Permaul 17 RL Chase c Thomas b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 52 Najibullah Zadran c Powell b Lamichhane 25 Mohammad Nabi c & b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 13 DJG Sammy (c) run out (Powell/†Walton) 4 SC Kuggeleijn not out 5 KOK Williams not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w8) 11 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR:7.9) 158/7 Did not bat: OC McCoy, Zahir Khan Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 1.6 ov), 2-40 (Mark Deyal, 3.6 ov), 3-64 (Andre Fletcher, 7.2 ov), 4-116 (Najibullah Zadran, 14.2 ov), 5-136 (Mohammad Nabi, 16.5 ov), 6-148 (Roston Chase, 18.3 ov), 7-157 (Daren Sammy, 19.5 ov) BOWLING O Thomas V Permaul M.U Rahman AD Russell S Lamichhane CR Brathwaite

2-0-18-0 3-0-34-2 4-0-25-2 4-0-32-1 4-0-23-1 3-0-23-0

Jamaica Tallawahs Innings 160-5 18.5 overs CAK Walton † c Sammy b McCoy 2 GD Phillips c Kuggeleijn b Williams 44 NR Kirton c Deyal b Kuggeleijn 1 R Powell c Mohammad Nabi b Cornwall 26 Asif Ali not out 47 AD Russell c †Fletcher b Williams 16 CR Brathwaite not out 18 Extras (nb 1, w 5) 6 TOTAL (18.5 Ov, RR:8.49) 160/5 Did not bat: V Permaul, S Lamichhane, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, O Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Chadwick Walton, 2.1 ov), 2-13 (Nicholas Kirton, 4.1 ov), 3-76 (Rovman Powell, 9.3 ov), 4-84 (Glenn Phillips, 10.5 ov), 5-126 (Andre Russell, 16.1 ov) BOWLING SC Kuggeleijn Zahir Khan OC McCoy Mohammad Nabi KOK Williams RRS Cornwall

4-0-42-1 4-0-36-0 3.5-0-28-1 2-0-13-0 4-0-32-2 1-0-9-1

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Hetmyer, brilliant bowlers lead Guyana Amazon Warriors to 1st win

Imran Tahir and team mates celebrate a wicket

Top trio; Paul, Hetmyer and Pooran

By Brandon Corlette

G

uyana’s Shimron Hetmyer displayed consistency with the bat as Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) registered a 3-wicket victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their second match of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Aside from Hetmyer’s fireworks of 71 from 44 balls, Keemo Paul was impressive with the ball, earlier claiming 4-19, the best ever figures in T20 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, to restrict Patriots to 127-8 in 20 overs.

Earlier, an unchanged GAW won the toss and elected to bowl first. Captain Chris Green placed himself in the furnace of the power hitters in Evin Lewis and Chris Lynn, but the dynamic Patriots’ duo added only 17 runs for the first wicket.

With better tactics being showed by Green, Imran Tahir came into the proceedings early, bowling in the power play, and struck gold with his first ball, sending Lynn back to the hut for 16.

Evin Lewis, who was dropped early on, looked in fine touch, and took the bowling apart in the powerplay.

Patriots reached 54-2 in the first six overs, but the wicket of the dangerous Lewis in the sixth over saw the Patriots crumble. Lewis, who made a shot-filled 30 from 18 balls, which includ-

ed four boundaries and two sixes, was undone by a brilliant piece of glovework from Nicholas Pooran, after Green pushed one wide.

Ramdin made nine and fell to the same bowler.

With rising star Joshua Da Silva being axed from this match, the Patriots’ batting

Ben Dunk, batting for the Patriots

With Warriors continuing to pick up wickets at regular intervals, Nick Kelly came and went for five, becoming the first of Paul’s four victims; while the rusty Denesh

line-up was found wanting.

Ben Bunk tried to rebuild the innings, but lacked support. At 78-4 in 10.2 overs, the task was an uphill one for Dunk.

Jahmar Hamilton again looked clueless against wrist spin. He became Tahir’s first wicket when he was trapped in front for two as the Warriors tightened their grip on the match.

At 111-6, Rayad Emrit fell to the probing Paul for 17, and by then all hope had been lost for the Patriots to post a significant total.

Dunk departed for 29, while Paul was the star with the ball, ending with 4-19 in four overs. His efforts were backed up by the veteran leggie Imran Tahir who claimed 2-18. Patriots ended with 127-8 when the 20 overs expired.

In the Warriors’ chase, Brandon King showed his royal touch early on when he struck two crisp boundaries; but the impressive Sheldon Cottrell had the final say, as King went to the hut for 10.

A consistent Hetmyer came to the crease, and joined forces with Chandrapaul Hemraj. Between them, they took the Warriors to 45-1 in the powerplay overs.

Hemraj ran himself out for a run-a-ball 19 when the score was at 59-2, but Hetmyer continued to entertain the virtual fans. Despite gaining some weight during the quarantine, he looked focused, and continued to show his talent and class. Hetmyer took the Patriots to the cleaners, and reached his second fifty in as many matches with a sweetly-timed six.

The experienced Ross Taylor was run out for nine, and Nicholas Pooran made a golden duck, playing away from his body and being caught behind.

Warriors were reduced

to 96-4 in 13.1 overs, but Hetmyer continued to steady things. Sherfane Rutherford was sent packing for 10, playing across the line of an Emrit delivery; and, the very next ball, Emrit trapped Paul at the crease for a golden duck.

Warriors lost their way at the tail, and Hetmyer fell for

a 44-ball 71 which was decorated with eight fours and three sixes.

The match ended with Warriors on 131-7 in 17 overs, winning by seven wickets. Warriors will play their third match on Saturday at 14:15h against the Jamaica Tallawahs.

SCOREBOARD Patriots Innings 127-8 (20 overs) CA Lynn c Green b Imran Tahir 16 E Lewis st † Pooran b Green 30 NF Kelly c Hetmyer b Paul 5 D Ramdin † c †Pooran b Paul 9 BR Dunk run out (Paul/†Pooran) 29 JN Hamilton lbw b Imran Tahir 2 RR Emrit (c) c Taylor b Paul 17 DC Drakes c Shepherd b Paul 8 IS Sodhi not out 4 JL Jaggesar not out 0 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 4) 7 TOTAL (20 Ov,RR: 6.35) 127/8 Did not bat: SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Chris Lynn, 3.1 ov), 2-53 (Evin Lewis, 5.4 ov), 3-55 (Nick Kelly, 6.4 ov), 4-78 (Denesh Ramdin, 10.2 ov), 5-83 (Jahmar Hamilton, 11.5 ov), 6-111 (Rayad Emrit, 16.4 ov), 7-115 (Ben Dunk, 17.2 ov), 8-126 (Dominic Drakes, 19.4 ov) BOWLING CJ Green Naveen-ul-Haq R Shepherd Imran Tahir KMA Paul

4-0-24-1 4-0-30-0 4-0-34-0 4-0-18-2 4-0-19-4

Amazon Warriors Innings 131-7 (17 overs) BA King c Hamilton b Cottrell 10 C Hemraj run out (Drakes) 19 SO Hetmyer c Dunk b Drakes 71 LRPL Taylor run out (Lynn/Cottrell) 9 N Pooran † c †Ramdin b Emrit 0 SE Rutherford b Emrit 10 KMA Paul lbw b Emrit 0 CJ Green (c) not out 1 R Shepherd not out 4 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 4) 7 TOTAL (17 Ov, RR: 7.7) 131/7 Did not bat: Naveenul-Haq, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Brandon King, 2.2 ov), 2-59 (Chandrapaul Hemraj, 7.5 ov), 3-96 (Ross Taylor, 12.6 ov), 4-96 (Nicholas Pooran, 13.1 ov), 5-120 (Sherfane Rutherford, 15.5 ov), 6-120 (Keemo Paul, 15.6 ov), 7-124 (Shimron Hetmyer, 16.2 ov) BOWLING SS Cottrell JL Jaggesar RR Emrit DC Drakes IS Sodhi

4-1-24-1 4-0-23-0 3-0-31-3 3-0-28-1 3-0-23-0

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

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Hetmyer, brilliant bowlers lead Guyana Amazon Warriors to 1st win Pg 23

Pg 22

CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers…

Guyana lands in Group F following draw Pg 22

TALLAWAHS OFF TO WINNING START — after Asif Ali, Phillips, spinners brush aside Zouks

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