Guyana Times -- Thursday, September 10, 2020

Direct pension payments begin in Region 1

P15 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4404

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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Deadly Berbice unrest

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt seeks investigative help from British Govt, Regional Security System for GPF See story on page 3

…exploring International Commission of Inquiry …looking at UN system to hold those accountable for spreading race hate, instigating racial strife

Father of murdered Berbice teen calls for end to violent protests

P11 Avoid travelling to WCB – Govt urges as unrest worsens

Pastor, family beaten, robbed

by WCB P14 protesters

See story on page 10

Teen murdered, Bath Settlement man beaten to death amid WCB unrest …“we are sad and angry and we want justice” – family …9 fires in NA as violence spreads to Region 6

$330B emergency Budget will launch Guyana back onto development path – Edghill See story on page 12

…could have been presented since April if not for attempts to rig elections

See stories on pages 7&9

Deadly Berbice unrest

Clear blocked roadways, See story on end page 2 carnage – PNCR Chair Volda Lawrence urges

P14 Business community condemns gruesome murders, violent WCB unrest …calls on Guyanese to respect, uphold rule of law Deadly WCB protests

Granger, Harmon must be held responsible – former PNC P16 Minister As testing increases

90 new P16 COVID-19 cases recorded Children medevacked from NA Hospital P14 to GPHC

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Deadly Berbice unrest

Clear blocked roadways, end carnage – PNCR Chair Volda Lawrence urges A s protests which started off as a movement for justice turned violent, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence has made a passionate plea for all citizens, including par-

ty members and supporters, to bring an end to the lawlessness.

Protests have erupted across the country, particularly in West Berbice, following the discovery of the brutal murders of cousins 19-year-

old Joel Henry and 16-yearold Isaiah Henry on Sunday.

However, these protests have descended into lawlessness, with the blocking of roads, innocent persons being attacked and robbed, and private property destroyed.

In fact, as a result of high tensions in West Berbice communities, two persons have tragically lost their lives amid the protests.

In a message on social media on Wednesday, Lawrence expressed that these past three days of protests could not be condoned. ““What I have seen along the way, as a leader, I consciously cannot condone it.

We are hurting each other as a people, we are hurting each other as neighbours and friends, and we are turning on each other as we don’t know each other.

“As a leader, we have to call a ‘spade a spade’, and as I speak, I am calling on President Irfaan Ali to call on his people too. I am calling on my people to end this carnage, to end the way in which they are grieving and I am asking him to do likewise.

As our people pull back, so he must call on his people too to pull back,” Lawrence stated.

She recognised that over the past three days persons have been gripped in fear, anger, vexation and hurt over the brutal murder of the two Henry boys. She also noted the gruesome murder of 17-year-old Haresh Singh, a relative of some of the suspects in custody.

Lawrence condemned

PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence during a visit to West Berbice, where she met with protesters and urged them to be peaceful in their actions

the senseless killings, noting that these actions were not helpful.

“We are not a people who kill our children; we are not a people who maim each other. We are not barbarians.

We are Guyanese: we are six people living together and we have to continue living together, and this has to stop,” she contended.

“I am calling on every single member of the PNCR irrespective of your status, I am saying that we cannot continue, this carnage must stop.”

The former parliamentarian and former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Government Minister explained that there were more peaceful ways to

grieve and she encouraged those who are hurt not to resort to violence.

“We certainly can display our grief in a better manner; we certainly can empathise in a different way.

“Stop, stop. It is hurting us. It is hurting our image as a people across the world.

We are looking as though we are barbarians. We are looking as though we have no love and no care.”

Lawrence explained that “we are asking for justice, but we are also asking for peace…pull away the things from the middle of the road, we can do things differently; we can send our messages differently. It doesn’t mean that we are weak.” (G11)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS For the Demerara Harbour Bridge there will be no retraction until further notice.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, September 10 – 09:30h-11:00h and Friday, September 11 – 11:15h-12:45h .

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Deadly Berbice unrest

Govt seeks British Govt, Regional Security System help for GPF

…exploring International Commission of Inquiry …looking to UN to hold those accountable for spreading race hate, instigating racial strife

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday evening announced that Government would be reaching out to the British Government and the RSS, which is the Regional Security System, to come to Guyana in support of the Guyana Police Force’s investigative capacity.

Ali made the announcement following consultation with the Guyana Police Force as the unrest along the West Coast Berbice Corridor in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has turned deadly. Persons have also been robbed, beaten and extorted, and vehicles and homes have been set on fire.

The President also announced that the events surrounding these horrific and barbaric acts of murder and criminality require a more comprehensive and holistic review, and as such, there is need to get to the bottom of the situation.

“We need to understand who instigated, what was instigated; and as a result, I am exploring the commissioning of an International Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look at every aspect of this situation; to look beyond what took place on the ground; to look at the behaviours that came about as a result of statements made.

The COI is important for us to have a comprehensive understanding as to what took place,” the President said.

Another announcement the President made was that he has asked Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall to explore within the United Nations system all means available to hold to account all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife. “…over the last three days,

with blows and loss of property; and the country. The credibility and image of our country suffers greatly,” the Head of State noted.

Such matters, he pointed out, must not be left unanswered. “We cannot leave them unanswered, and so, as President, I have decided to proceed with these three steps, in addition to what is going on, to bring swiftly all those who were part of these horrific acts to justice.”

President Irfaan Ali

I have spoken at length about the horrendous and horrific acts that took place in Region Five. Not only the killing of the three young men, but the criminality after those killings, the criminality which led to the disruption of lives along the Region Five Corridor. In previous statements, I alluded to the fact that we will leave no stone unturned, that we will seek to use all available tools in not only solving these crimes, but also in getting a comprehensive and holistic picture as to all the events surrounding what took place thereafter,” Ali said.

He noted that the time has come for Government to deal with the issue of spreading hate and racial strife in speech and in action, noting that it is very seriously and no one must believe that they can use situations like these for any political gain.

“There is no gain, whether politically, socially, economically, morally or culturally. There is no gain that you can get out of this. The only persons who lose are the families who are suffering, the people who received and who were inflicted

Inciting violent protests

Meanwhile, earlier Wednesday, both the President and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn came out swinging at Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon over his “inciteful” statements, which they say continue to fuel the violent protests, particularly along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) to West Coast Berbice (WCB) Corridor.

Following the brutal hacking to death of cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry, protests have erupted in Region Five, where protestors are demanding justice for the boys. However, what was supposed to be peaceful protest turned violent.

Harmon, on Wednesday, stated that the protests which

have been taking place in several parts of Berbice and resulted in violence against innocent civilians, destruction of public and private properties, and disruption of the livelihood of thousands of Guyanese, is a struggle against the democratically elected PPP/C Government.

“I am calling on all of Guyana to recognise that this is a struggle not between the races, this is a struggle against oppression. It’s a struggle against fraudulent government, and we must stand united against that,” Harmon said, even though the protests are about the manner in which the boys were murdered.

The violent protests have led to the deaths of two persons – Haresh Singh and Chatterpaul Harripaul – and robbery, beatings and damage to properties of a number of other persons.

In condemning the deaths and current course the protest is taking, President Ali said the criminals who snuffed the life of Singh must be brought to justice swiftly. He noted that he spoke to the grandmother and brother-in-law of Singh, just as he did with the parents of Isaiah and Joel, and their pain and grief is immense.

TURN TO PAGE 13

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Views Unjustified lynching of 17-year-old 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 commendable budget

A

fter a mere 38 days since taking the reins of power, the PPP/C Government on Wednesday presented a $330 billion Budget to be approved by the National Assembly.

This is quite commendable, considering the fact that, normally, undertaking such a task would take over three months.

It meant that from the time the new Government was sworn in to office, it was engaged in working non-stop to understand what the country’s financial situation was at the time, and plan for the remainder of the financial year.

As correctly stated by Minister of Public Infrastructure, Juan Edghill, who was tasked with the presentation of Budget 2020, the estimates were prepared and presented after “one of the most testing, convoluted, complicated, and traumatic periods of Guyana’s post-Independence history”.

He pointed out that our nation’s young democracy was under severe duress; however, the Guyana Constitution and the judicial system showed their resilience in the face of repeated efforts to undermine both.

There are two main overriding priorities in Budget 2020: containing the spread of COVID-19, and opening up the economy and restoring economic activity to some level of normalcy. The Government must be applauded for taking immediate steps to provide assistance to families, and, in a broader sense, reverse the downward trend of the economy.

A perusal of the Budget shows that there are several provisions aimed at bringing relief to families and giving a boost to businesses that have been squeezed over the past months. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had, in fact, quantified the money persons will save or receive is in the region of $20 billion.

In this year’s budget, members of the Joint Services will be receiving a two-week tax-free bonus. This, therefore, means that the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Prison Service will benefit.

One measure aimed at providing direct assistance to families is the $25,000 cash per household distribution drive. For months, many persons have been struggling to meet the needs of their families due to their being laid off etc.

Also, the old-age pension will be increased to $25,000 per month. This is in addition to pensioners receiving free water, with the overall removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity and water.

The Budget also included several tax-relief measures that would ease the burden on both individuals and businesses. For example, it was announced that VAT would be removed from all medical supplies, not just those related to treating COVID-19 and its symptoms, or even for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Additionally, VAT will also be removed from hinterland travel and cell phones, as well as building and construction materials.

The Government will also be removing corporate tax on private education and healthcare, a measure likely to bring the service costs down.

When it comes to school children, the Government has said that it would be implementing, effective from January 1, 2020, a $15,000 cash grant for children, and a further $4000 uniform voucher allowance. This assistance would greatly assist families to offset educational expenses such as stationary and other items, especially considering the fact that some students would now be engaging in academic learning at home.

The budget also contains measures that would boost the productive sectors. For example, VAT has been removed from all exports, as well as from machines and equipment. Additionally, duties have been reversed on machines and equipment.

Further, tax concessions will be granted for persons operating in the mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. For years now, these sectors have been crying out for attention from the Government.

Many of them have had to downsize or close their operations altogether.

It was also announced that $800 million had been set aside for the Amerindian Development Fund. This will provide funding to support the socio-economic development of Indigenous communities and villages through the implementation of Community Development Plans (CDPs) the Indigenous communities themselves picked.

These are just some of the measures that were catered for in Budget 2020. From what we have seen so far, the economic policy of the Government has been very inclusive and well thought out.

We are confident that once the Budget is passed, the economy would begin to show signs of a turnaround, and this positive effect will trickle down to ordinary citizens.

Dear Editor, The lynching of 17-yearold Haresh Singh is unjustified. What benefits are there for this savage, revengeful lynching? And where were the Police to deter such killing? Why were they not on patrol in the backdam as any crime fighter would have undertaken as a basic step against revengeful violence?

The murder of Haresh is in retaliation for two young Black men being brutally murdered. That much we know. But it is not known who killed the two Black youths.

It is just a guessing game of how they met their end.

Scientific investigation is needed. Nigel Hughes is right that foreign forensic investigation must be undertaken, and quickly.

Supporters of the Opposition are protesting for justice, but protests must not include encouragement for retaliation and destruction of property, and violence and injustice to others. One cannot protest and at the same time condone lynching and mob behaviour. That is worse than the behaviour of racist klansmen in Jim Crow America when innocent Blacks were murdered.

The father of one of the boys said the murder was not politically driven, and that it should not be linked to politics. He asked for peace, calm, and no violence (not in his son’s name, thank you

Sir). So why are the thugs out on the road violently attacking Indians? And why are some politicians engaged in race-baiting to score points?

The election is long over.

Race had nothing to do with the murder of the two youngsters. But the killing of young Haresh Singh; indeed, the violence and robberies since Sunday, are race-related. And they are encouraged by some politicians.

Seeking revenge without even knowing who did the killing is worse than Whites lynching Black Americans.

Even racist Whites would have thought twice before taking an innocent life as revenge.

Politicians need to control their supporters, instead of setting them upon innocent people.

Haresh did not hurt anyone. It is unlikely that even his grandfather hurt anyone.

So why kill this little boy?

And why aren’t politicians that encouraged turmoil and mayhem condemning it? That kind of behaviour don’t belong in today’s civilised world, not even in apartheid South Africa or Jim Crow America.

It is troubling that there was no Police or military presence at the backdam.

Who was protecting the crime scene? The Police should have expected trouble and be put on patrol. In my studies of criminology, when I did my doctorate in Sociology, we

were taught to expect that kind of violent response when individuals are murdered in heightened ethnic tensions coming right after an election. The Police should have expected and planned for revenge killings. It is very disturbing watching videos that Police were standing right in front of criminals who were robbing and beating people and burning their vehicles.

The Police did nothing. People complain of bias in Police response to the unspeakable violence against innocent people who used the road.

The Police say they have to wait for the completion of forensic investigation before issuing a statement. They should have pointed out that the seven individuals are only being held for questioning, and are not suspects at this time. This would have prevented the revenge killing of Haresh. It is like the Police set the family up for attack. The Police need to make a clear, unambiguous statement about the people in custody: whether they are suspects, or are just being questioned to find the real culprits. The families of the seven should be immediately protected, as those of us who study criminology would have advised. White man would have done that in the ABCE countries.

The Government promised a thorough investigation.

The President approached

the problem maturely, and spoke confidently, promising the perpetrator of that heinous crime would be brought to justice. What more do politicians need? One must be patient with the investigation.

Rein in the thugs who are using the killing as opportunity to enrich themselves by looting and burning.

At any rate, seven individuals are in custody for questioning. It is a Police investigation. The Police don’t know who did the killing, nor what is the motive behind the killing, and whether it is related to praedial larceny. The Police said they are gathering evidence. We must wait till they complete their investigation.

We now need a forensic investigation into the killings of the two African youths and the lynching of the Indian youth in an act of senseless rage. What if the killer(s) of the two youngsters was not Indian, and the attack on the two youths was not related to coconuts? Wouldn’t an innocent life have been taken?

The public must join in condemning, in the strongest words possible, this vengeful lynching, and call on politicians to act responsibly and let the Police do their work in the three killings and the beatings and robberies and any molestations.

Dear Editor, We all share the horror and revulsion being felt across our country at the murders, last Saturday, of the two teenage boys on the West Coast of Berbice.

The prevailing poisonous political atmosphere which was instigated by APNUAFC leadership has penetrated the society to the point where public trust in an impartial investigation is virtually non-existent.

The APNU/AFC leadership is still operating in elections mode, regardless of the cost to the national interest.

They refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the elections and the ruling PPP/C Government.

The political polarisation of this society must stop immediately, and the inaccurate perception given of this crime by the Opposition Leader must be condemned.

Guyanese, as we allow all wounds to heal - all wounds from the five months of electoral saga that precipitated this tragic event - let us allow our Government to engage the APNU/AFC Opposition, since they both have the capacity to bring this crisis to an end, and will do all in their power to ensure an impartial and transparent investigation into

the recent atrocities that occurred in Berbice.

The reality means we now need to become very good at being diverse. We need to make our diversity an asset, rather than a risk and a liability; and, as Guyanese, we need to create a future in which our diversity strengthens us as a nation and a people. We need to understand very clearly what that reality of being perpetually diverse will mean for our children, our grandchildren and our great grandchildren.

We must do the right thing now, so all our future generations survive, succeed, prosper and thrive.

That can be done, but it is not the path we will be on if we do not recognise the risks and dangers created by our instinctive behaviours, and then do the right things now to have our instincts help us succeed, rather than steering us to bloody, damaging and emotionally seductive and self-reinforcing division and anger.

Our President and his Government are committed to easing racial tension in Guyana, and have appealed to citizens to do everything possible to deal with race conflict in our dear Guyana.

Race conflict is a very im-

portant issue, not only for this new Government, but for all Guyanese collectively.

The Government, though, has a responsibility to chart policies and programmes that reflect the needs and aspirations of all the people of our country. In terms of public policy and programming, it is essential that policies are designed for all the people of our country, and that’s a great responsibility the Government has.

However, we must understand that peace and security is an essential factor of human life. A peaceful and secure environment is critical to every society, since it affects all aspects of economic and social development in Guyana, and is a necessary sin-qua-non to the realisation of human rights.

These have direct effects on the creation of sound, competitive, and equitable economic development, which ultimately has positive impact on the whole society.

We should also remember that the Guyana we live in has become increasingly more complex, with new challenges developing not just on a daily basis, but every hour. Our country cannot develop or grow economically without peaceful coexistence among its pop-

ulation and within its borders. The fastest developing nations are among those with the best security structures or architecture, and having peace and tranquility thriving within them.

Guyana has recorded enormous development and viable economic progress over the last two decades.

One key attribution to this positive move is the fact that Guyana is among the few secure and peaceful nations.

This has propelled national production, trade, and investment in all sectors of the economy. We have all seen our new Government’s efforts and approach to return and develop a culture of stability for our country.

We must attract foreign investors and local investors. What we need here is development; we don’t need distraction on our path to progress. Hence, we must all act responsibly, especially those in the Berbice area. This a time for us to reflect as a nation, and redouble our efforts towards strengthening relations and ensuring that the laws of this great country are followed and carried out.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Our President, Govt committed to easing racial tension in Guyana

Sincerely, David Adams

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

It is not about seeking justice

Dear Editor, The Black Lives Matter movement was founded in 2013 in the USA in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Its mission is to eradicate White supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. Further, it states that the BLM will combat and counter acts of violence, and create space for Black imagination and innovation.

Years later, the Black Lives Matter movement-Guyana was launched on Emancipation Day, August 1st, 2020. Some of the issues which the BLM hopes to tackle are those related to the Afro-Guyanese struggle, inclusive of extra-judicial killings, Police brutality, Black economic suppression, and institutionalised racism.

It must be noted that the timing of the launching of BLM-Guyana coincided with the declaration of the PPP/C as the 2020 General and Regional Elections’ winner. I must say that there is absolutely nothing

wrong with addressing the issues which the BLM intend to. However, the BLM movement in Guyana needs to understand that people of all races in Guyana have been the subject of socalled “extra-judicial killings” and not only Blacks.

Many Indians, in pursuance of criminal activities, have been killed by Police in shootouts. There are exceptional cases wherein it would seem that the Police did not take all necessary steps to apprehend the suspects alive. These must be condemned in the strongest terms possible, and other races are involved as well.

In terms of economic suppression, this is NOT an issue for Blacks in Guyana. Even the former President was concerned about youths just imbibing Guinness instead of getting employment, although his Government never sought to provide any meaningful employment for any youths.

In fact, if the evidence is considered properly, it has been the Indo-Guyanese who have been economically suppressed during the past 5 years. The closure of

the four sugar estates has been the most vindictive act ever perpetrated against an industry which predominantly employed IndoGuyanese. The marginalisation of Afro-Guyanese is a myth which must be dispelled.

In terms of institutionalised racism, we must look once again to what the PNC has practised for the last 5 years in Government.

Thousands were dismissed simply because they are Indo-Guyanese and perceived to be PPP/C supporters. It was the Blackdominated PNC which promoted racism, and not cohesion.

At Buxton, Joseph Harmon made a most disparaging and disrespectful remark, not only to Brigadier Mark Phillips, but to all those Guyanese whose constitutional right it is to choose a political party of their choice. Harmon scornfully declared, “It is really a contemptuous act on the part of the PPP that says, ‘Look, once you put up a Black face deh, Black people are going to vote for you…No way! No way! No

way, I say! No way, I say!

No way!”

He further referred to Dr Jagdeo’s call for inclusivity of all races as a “contemptuous statement”. Imagine, this man later wanted inclusive governance.

Then the Chairwoman of the PNC, a former Government Minister, made it clear that, “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC…” We do not need a crystal ball to tell us that the predominant make-up of the PNC is AfroGuyanese. The intent of the Coalition was never social cohesion, and billions were expended over the 5-year period just to provide “jobs” for the PNC supporters.

A burning question which any social movement such as the BLM should seek to answer is: “Why were thousands of Indoand Indigenous Guyanese blatantly kicked out of their jobs?”

Are Afro-Guyanese superior to other Guyanese?

Is it now a case of Black supremacy? We have seen that Granger and Harmon promoted the creation of vigi-

Destruction is the stomping ground of PNC Dear Editor, It is not coincidence that the brutal murder of two innocent teenagers on the West Coast of Berbice could have been exploited in such a manner as to cause civil strife. And as is expected, the PNC are at the centre of this controversy as they go about relentlessly pushing their own racial and political agenda. This is vintage PNC at their worst, where every single instance of crime being committed is seen, I would say should be seen, through eyes of race and politics. To this end, the murders of two teenagers on the West Coast of Berbice have erupted a series of senseless crime scenes.

Now, let us examine the performance of the PNC while in and out of power.

Here we go: The PNC/APNU, whatever you want to call them, would have us see crime through racial lenses. I am talking about the deaths of the two teenagers on the West Coast of Berbice.

Immediately as news of their demise came to light, PNC, as the opportunistic cannibals they are, jumped on the issue and exploited this sad situation for their own narrow political ends. Their first aim was to make it a racial issue, pit-

ting Afro-Guyanese against their Indian counterparts.

Instead of seeking investigative clarity and conviction to a heinous crime, they were more interested in waging a vicious political campaign.

A series of civil atrocities ensued, such as the burning of tyres, old cars and the like. It also developed into ugly beating of innocent civilians as well as the burning of buildings and other personal properties.

It is a sinister plot to make Guyana ungovernable. Having lost the election, the PNC are bent on making life difficult for the governing party. In fact, Harmon stated this emphatically at the home of one of the slain teens.

During their time in office, they formed a Ministry of Social Cohesion, but was there any cohesion in our nation? I am afraid not. That Ministry was used as a tool to enhance narrow, selfish, politically-aligned projects, rather than fostering racial harmony. It was a replica of the Burnhamite Ministry of National Mobilisation.

Simply put, it was a ministry of national confusion, making the racial divide even wider still.

At a time when the PPP/C are busy preparing

a budget to get this country moving forward, would that party stoop so low as to want the two innocent black teenagers dead? That just does not make any sense. What would the PPP/C stand to benefit from the deaths of these two youngsters?

The answer is nothing.

However, the PNC stand to get cheap political mileage out of this unfortunate occasion, and this they are making the most of. It is sad, it is disgraceful, to make political football with the lives of these two lads.

If we delve into the notso-distant past, we see a pattern of these ghoulish, ghastly acts (a) The 1964 riots: The PNC was the major player in all of this (b) Crum-Ewing’s murder just 3 days before Election 2015: to this day no one has been convicted, although a promise was made by Granger to investigate and bring the person/s to justice. (c) The Linden riots, where three youths were shot and killed.

Was this an accident or was it murder? Local investigative forensics show the bullets did not come from the Police. The pronouncement of a foreign forensic expert corroborated the local forensics that the bullets did not come from the Police.

Yet, the PPP/C Government

of the day compensated the families of the deceased.

The incoming Granger Regime then gave a further $77M to the families.

I have left this for the last, I make mention of the Lusignan Massacre, where, beyond the shadow of a doubt, 11 innocent lives were snuffed out by “Afro Freedom Fighters” as they were fondly called by the PNC. Just take a close look at the PNC Opposition then, as they gave all necessary support to the killers.

They gloated in the deaths of those at Lusignan, a most despicable act ever.

I do not wish to go further, seeing this would open up deep wounds that might not heal, but suffice it to say: Let us live in peace!

Finally, our nation has been under tremendous duress for far too long by the PNC party, and it is high time that we get on the road to racial harmony and development. We will not be blindsided by the narrow myopic vulgarity of the opposition; their policies of doom and destruction would not divide us. The tribalism that is ever so much a part of the PNC would not deter us from the goal ahead.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

lante groups and hailed the violent and bloody protests as “the correct response”.

Why is BLM-Guyana silent on this?

We have seen that immediately after the racially inflammatory statements made by Granger and Harmon, the protests took a bloodier turn. IndoGuyanese were targeted for brutal beatings, violent robberies, and wanton destruction of their properties. Is this the “justice” being sought?

At the Square of the Revolution, BLM-Guyana cried out, “No justice no peace!” The protestors in various parts of Berbice echoed this very cry. What “justice” are the protestors seeking? The Crime Branch of the GPF were obstructed from performing their duties, so that justice is served. Is “justice” to be dispensed by a lynch mob? Is justice achieved by beating and robbing IndoGuyanese?

The gruesome murders must be properly investigated, and the law enforcement and judicial systems must be given opportunity to function. If the law enforcement agency fail to do their jobs, then there would be justification for peaceful protests and cries for justice. I would then urge all Guyanese to join the protests.

I would like to echo Minister Benn’s admonition: “We cannot fight crime with crime”, and President Ali’s exhortation: “Justice should not be associated with criminality”. It is time for the GPF to start making some arrests and protect the lives and properties of other Guyanese.

Moreover, I was not in the least shocked by the response meted out to Minister Benn when he

tried to speak to the protestors in an effort to allay their ‘fears’ and resolve the issues. In addition to this, the violent reaction to President Ali’s visit made it clear that the protestors have a political agenda, which is being dictated by the PNC. This is taken from the old PNC Playbook.

It was clear that Harmon’s instructions given earlier were being carried out. It was purely political, and it was no longer about the two youths, but the agenda now is to destabilise the Government. As Guyanese, we have seen the horrendous Bartica and Lusignan massacres which were carried out by the ‘Fine Man’ gang which was dubbed by the PNC as ‘freedom fighters’, yet the law enforcers were not obstructed in carrying out their functions. It must be recalled that 11 persons, including 5 children, were slaughtered in their sleep at 1.30 a.m. at Lusignan, and 12 persons were massacred at Bartica. There were no violent and bloody protests although 23 lives were snuffed out. Most of the gang members were killed in shootouts with law enforcers, whilst some were charged, tried and convicted.

I am sure that, ironically, members of the Fine Man Gang who were killed have now been classified as ‘extra-judicial’ killing.

The PNC must never be allowed to take this country back to the past, and all Guyanese must see these protests for what they actually are. It is not about seeking justice, but power!

BLM Guyana should seek to counter the violent protests orchestrated by the PNC. It paints a bad and damaging picture of Blacks in Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

6

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Multiplying fractions and mixed numbers: Reducing

The easiest way to multiply fractions and mixed numbers is to change the mixed number into an improper fraction. Then multiply the fractions just as you normally would.

Example: 2 1/3 x 2/8 Step 1: Change the mixed number into an improper fraction: 7/3 Step 2: Restate the problem: 7/3 x 2/8

REDUCING: You may already know about reducing a fraction.

Reducing changes a fraction into its simplest form. For example: 14/24 = 7/12 . To reduce, see if you can divide both the numerator and denominator by the same number. In this case, you were able to divide both 14 and 24 by 2.

When you have an improper frac-

Exercises: Multiply

Step 3: Multiply the numerators: 7 x 2 = 14

1) 3/3 x 1/3

Step 4: Multiply the denominators: 3 x 8 = 24

2) 10/4 x 4/10

Step 5: Write the product: 14/24

3) 1/3 x 7/12

tion, you can reduce it. 14/12 = 7/6 because you were able to divide both 14 and 12 by 2. You can also reduce the fraction part of a mixed number. 5 10/20 = 5 1/2 because both 10 and 20 are divisible by 10.

Remember: When you reduce a mixed number, the whole number will always stay the same.

4) 6/8 x 1/2 5) 4/16 x 5/9 6) 1/6 x 6/1

Garbage bag kite (Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete) Materials needed:

* 2 skinny wooden dowels from the hardware store * 1 garbage bag * duct tape * ribbons and string

Procedure

Cut one of the dowels 21? long and keep the other dowel full length for now. Take the 21? dowel and centre horizontally it onto the larger dowel 9? down from the top of the longer dowel. Secure the dowels in place by wrapping string or ribbon around the dowels in the middle. Make sure that they make a straight cross and are as even as possible.

Take and lay your garbage bag flat on the floor. Place your cross on top of the bag. You want the top of your cross to be even with the top of your bag.

Mark your wooden dowel where you want to cut the excess part off. Cut the dowel with a pair of sharp kitchen scissors.

Take some duct tape and tape it around all of the edges of the dowels.

This will keep the dowels from making holes into your kite.

Now lay the cross onto the bag. Measure to make sure you have it evenly spaced on the sides and as close to the top of the bag as possible. Tape the dowel in place at the edges of each of the dowels.

Now take and fold the top edges of the garbage bag in. Try and keep them neatly folded and even. Place tape on the front.

And fold it over neatly. Repeat with the other side of the kite.

Cut off the drawstring part if your bag has one.

Tape the bottom of the bag.

Tie some ribbons onto the bottom of the kite.

Tie a piece of string or ribbon onto the kite just above the centre of the cross. Wait for a windy day and enjoy!

(Adapted from 2littlehooligans.com)

A

n eagle, swooping down on powerful wings, seized a lamb in her talons and made off with it to her nest.

A jackdaw saw the deed, and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and strong enough to do as the eagle had done. So with much rustling of feathers and a fierce air, he came down swiftly on the back of a large ram.

But when he tried to rise again he found that he could not get away, for his claws were tangled in the wool. And so far was he from carrying away the ram, that the ram hardly noticed he was there.

The shepherd saw the fluttering jackdaw and at once guessed what had happened. Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its wings. That evening he gave the jackdaw to his children.

"What a funny bird this is!" they said laughing, "what do you call it, father?"

"That is a jackdaw, my children. But if you should ask him, he would say he is an eagle."

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen murdered, Bath Settlement man beaten to death amid WCB unrest — “We are sad and angry, and we want justice” – family

A

s protest actions continue across Guyana, two more persons have been killed on Wednesday, one of whom is a teenager, and family members of these recent deceased are calling for justice.

Seventeen-year-old Haresh Singh of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) was killed early on Wednesday morning. According to initial reports from the Police, the teenager had left home on his motorcycle to attend his farm in the Backdam of Number Three Village, WCB. Sometime after, relatives saw smoke coming from the dam, and upon inspection, found his motorcycle burnt.

Singh was then discovered lying motionless and bleeding from the nose.

Police said he had sustained injuries to the head.

The sister of this dead teenager, Lilawatie Singh, told <<Guyana Times>> that Haresh had left home at about 08:30h in the company of his uncles, to go the backdam to work. However, he returned home shortly after by himself, to take some water to the farm.

He was on his way back to the farm when he was murdered.

Lilawatie recalled that shortly after Haresh had left on his motorcycle, their 12-year-old brother headed out to the dam to take out their cattle when he noted some men heading towards the backdam.

“When my next brother was carrying out the cows, he come back and say, ‘Grandma, I not going to the backdam’, ‘cause he see nuff man on the dam. So when he see the men, he turn

back,” the sister explained.

At the time, the sound of Haresh’s motorcycle stopped, and shortly after, they saw a fire blazing on the dam. Suspicious that it was the motorcycle, they went to investigate, and discovered the motionless body of the teenager and the torched motorbike.

Haresh Singh was bleeding through his nose, and had wounds to his head, ears, neck and hands.

According to the family, there was also an ‘X’ on his neck.

They then rushed the 17-year-old to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but he succumbed on the way.

The Police have since launched an investigation, but up to press time, no one has been arrested.

Meanwhile, the sister told this publication that they were unable to identify the perpetrators, since by the time they got to the scene, the men had already disappeared.

It is, however, suspected that Haresh’s murder is in retaliation for the deaths of Isaiah and Joel Henry – two cousins whose mutilated bodies were found aback Cottage Tree, WCB last weekend.

Singh is a close relative of one of the suspects currently in custody in relation to the murders of the two cousins.

Nevertheless, the family members of the 17-year-old arm demanding justice for his death.

“He was innocent,” his grieving sister declared, while adding, “We are sad and angry, and we want justice.”

Lilawatie, who along with her siblings have been living with their grandpar-

cousins.

The deaths of the two teenagers, aged 16 and 19, have sparked widespread and violent protests across the country, mostly in the Berbice Regions.

Bath Settlement murder

Dead: Prettipaul Hargobin

ents after their father died in 2018 and their mother disappeared about 10 years ago, contended that her brother did not deserve to die, especially in that manner. She described her brother as a hardworking person who had had dreams of starting his own family one day.

The sister noted that her younger brother had intentions of having a simple life, where he would “plant his farm and he gon wuk and he gon mine he wife”.

Additionally, according to the sister, the teenager had no issues with anyone in the community.

“My grandmother don’t allow him to go out on the road late with friends…he never had problems in the area. He was a good and loving [person]…he never trouble anyone. He was very good,” the sister expressed.

Haresh had been a student of the Number 11 Secondary School in West Berbice.

Meanwhile, <<Guyana Times>> understands that Singh’s grandfather and two of his uncles are among the seven persons Police have taken into custody for the murder of the Henry

In fact, the second death on Wednesday occurred at the hands of protestors at Bath Settlement, WCB. Dead is 34-year-old of Prettipaul Hargobin, called “Roy,” of Block B1 Waterloo, Bath Settlement. He was killed at about 15:45h on the Bath Settlement Public Road.

According to Police reports, the victim was in his motor vehicle on the Public Road at Bath Settlement when it was observed that he exited the vehicle with a shotgun and discharged one round into the air, before discharging three rounds towards a crowd of protestors who were about 60 metres away.

As a result of his actions, Hargobin was attacked and beaten by the crowd, whom the Police said are also residents of Bath Settlement.

Having observed the commotion, Police ranks who were some distance away rushed to the scene, where they discovered Hargobin lying on the ground with several injuries about his body.

However, Hargobin’s sister, Ronita, told Guyana Times that she had not been aware that her brother had a firearm. But she related that they were first attack by the protestors, before her brother went out alone and was killed.

She recalled that she was on the Public Road with some friends when her brother came out with his

Dead teenager Haresh Singh

vehicle and was looking for some guy on a blue motorcycle. She said her brother was upset and crying, but would not tell her what had happened to him.

Ronita said she followed her brother in search of the person he was looking for, and they ended up meeting persons protesting on the road.

“We asked if anybody see the body on the blue motorcycle and they said no. Everyone flock around us asking what happened, and I don’t know if anybody think we were there to fight, but some of them hit up – one of them cuff me to my head. They hit at [my brother] also, but I didn’t allow him to fight back… They shut off the vehicle and kept the key. Then he asked for the key to go back home,” she stated.

The distraught sister

said that Hargobin left, and she had to get someone to take her to his house, but while on the way there, she saw her brother’s vehicle heading back towards the protestors on the Public Road.

“I heard gunshots, and then I saw a whole lot of people flock around him. I don’t know what they did to him, but I was told he was chopped. I saw them hitting the vehicle and damage it – They torched it, and I couldn’t do anything.

I asked them not to hit my brother, but it was in vain; nothing there help we…” the woman related.

According to Ronita, she rushed home to get her car to take her brother to the hospital, but by the time she returned to the scene, the Police were already there and they took him to seek medical attention.

However, Hargobin died before reaching the Fort Wellington Hospital.

She described her brother as loving and supportive, noting that he had never been involved in such a situation.

Ronita said her 34-yearold brother had been married and had fathered two children. His body is currently at the Fort Wellington Hospital awaiting a post mortem examination. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 lawyers file defence in case seeking to quash their Senior Counsel appointments

A lynching…

Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas

T

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde

wo of the four lawyers whose appointments to Senior Counsel are being challenged, Roysdale Forde and Mursalene Bacchus have filed defending affidavits.

Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas moved to the High Court where he is seeking judicial review of a decision by then President David Granger to appoint Attorneys-at-Law Forde, Bacchus, Jameli Ali and Stanley Moore to the dignity of Senior Counsel.

Jonas, among other things, is seeking an Order of

Senior Counsel Stanley Moore

Certiorari to be directed to the Attorney General to quash the decision by the then President to appoint the four lawyers as Senior Counsel.

Jonas’s application came up for hearing on Monday before High Court Judge Nareshwar Harnanan. During the virtual hearing, Forde, Moore and Bacchus were added as parties. Forde and Bacchus were granted permission for their Affidavits in Support to be treated as their affidavits in defence, while Moore was granted leave to file

Senior Counsel Jamela Ali

an Affidavit in Defence on or before September 22, 2020.

Jonas’s lawyer, Teni Housty was granted 28 days to file written submissions, on or before October 6, 2020. The Attorney General and added parties – Forde, Bacchus and Moore – were instructed to file written submissions within 14 days after receipt of Jonas’s submissions, on or before October 20, 2020. Jonas has seven days to respond, on or before October 27, 2020.

The case comes up for another hearing on October 28.

Senior Counsel Mursalene Bacchus

The Judge has allotted each party 15 minutes to expound on any point raised in their written submissions.

Back in 2019, then President Granger elevated the four lawyers to Senior Counsel. Jonas, however, argues that the then President acted outside his authority and as such, the conferral was illegal and void. He further argues that there is no statutory or other power conferred on the President to make any decision to appoint Attorneysat-Law to the dignity of Senior Counsel.

Jonas submits that the appointment of Senior Counsel lies within the inherent discretion of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The lawyer explained that the power and discretion to admit persons to practise at the Bar; to preside over such persons; to discipline, suspend and disbar such persons is conferred by the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and Common Law on the High Court, the Supreme Court of Judicature.

He further explained that from time to time, the Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Judicature, in the exercise of an inherent jurisdiction, exercised a discretion to confer on Attorneys-at-Law who have practised with distinction before the Court, the dignity of Senior Counsel.

Jonas noted that the status of Senior Counsel was fundamentally important to the legal practitioner, both within the legal fraternity by virtue of the courtesies extended to Senior Counsels by the Judiciary and the Bar at large, and in the public domain, by public perception of the professional standard of legal service.

“There is no statutory or other power conferred on the President of Guyana, whether as President or otherwise to make such a decision or to appoint Attorneys-Aa-Law to the dignity of Senior Counsel, and the decision by the President… is entirely void and of no effect,” he said.

Jonas further said that in so far as the President, a member of the Executive, purports to make a decision within the province of the inherent discretion of the High Court, “his trespass into the realm of the Judiciary violates Article 122 of the Constitution of Guyana, and is illegal and void”.

These proceedings come more than a year after Attorney Jonas had his Senior Counsel appointment withdrawn after he announced his affiliation with A New and United Guyana (ANUG) – a new political party formed to contest the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

W

…in revenge here are we headed, dear readers? Two young lives from #3 Village were horrifically snuffed out behind the adjoining Cotton Tree village in West Berbice over the weekend. Unrest then exploded across the solitary Public Road in the Region connecting Georgetown to the Corentyne in reaction to the gruesome murders. Even though Police reacted with alacrity and arrested a total of seven persons, the “unrest” segued into riots as enraged “protestors” robbed and beat persons, destroyed cars, burnt paddy trucks, and created general mayhem against Indian-Guyanese.

Your Eyewitness wondered what was being protested?

And he received the answer when he listened to a tape of PNC Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon declaring to the villagers of #3 Village, West Berbice - from the verandah of the home of one of the murdered Henry boys - that this was now a struggle to get rid of the PPP. He more insidiously cast doubts into the minds of the villagers about the professionalism of the GPF, saying that the PPP had brought in “thugs” into the organisation. And yesterday, we witnessed the denouement of that wicked statement.

Some worked-up person or persons decided to take the law into their own hands and murdered Haresh Singh the 17-year-old grandson of the man who owned the land on which the broken bodies of Isaiah and Joel had been found!! For good measure, they burnt his motorcycle, and it was the smoke from this conflagration that alerted relatives to investigate and discover his lifeless body. This has to be revenge, plain and simple...an eye for two eyes!

And it has to be laid at the foot of Harmon, because of his undermining of the credibility of the Police.

What kind of man would be making political mileage from the gruesome murders of these poor lads, knowing full well that the destruction - including murder - unleashed was sure to follow in the light of the high emotions flowing from his incendiary statements? Later in the afternoon, another Indian- Guyanese man was killed at West Berbice when, seeing a road-block ahead, he got out of his car with his shotgun and fired in the direction of the crowd, which then pounced on him and beat him to death.

Shotguns typically have a range of 150 feet, and Chatterpaul Harripaul was well beyond this range. Clearly, he was enraged at the harassment he must’ve been subjected to on the WCB roads during the past few days.

As an owner of a shotgun, he obviously was warning the crowd to get out of the way…but now he’s dead.

Your Eyewitness unfortunately doesn’t have hopes of this eruption receding soon.

After all, the PNC is too busy stoking the flames of racial hatred. …then sanity Gladstone Henry, the father of one of the murdered youths - Isaiah - has made one of the most poignant statements in the wake of the tragedy - and the exploitation of it by the PNC. He reminded all Guyanese that this was a tragedy of great proportions done to his son…and all he’s looking for is justice - and hopes it’ll be delivered by the Police. He explicitly declared he doesn’t want the matter to be made into a political football - as it was by Harmon.

But the heart-wrenching part came when he recounted the close relationship he and his murdered son had with their Indian-Guyanese neighbours. He related that they gave him the name “Geera” …the dark grains of cumin that are mixed with dhall at the end of the cooking to complete it. Among Indian-Guyanese, they would ask, “What is dhall without Geera?”

He said that Isaiah had the same kind of relationship with Indian-Guyanese boys of his age group. Would these friends ever commit such a horrible murder of their friend? …and hypocrisy After whipping up the people of West Berbice into a frenzy - when they supposedly went to offer “condolences” to the murdered Henry youths - Granger and Harmon had the temerity to “condemn” the reprisal murder of Haresh Singh.

Sanctimonious Gangster.

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9 fires in NA as violence spreads to Region 6

…as protesters attack Fire Service vehicles

N

ine fires were set in the town of New Amsterdam on Tuesday evening as violence associated with the killing of the two teenagers in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) spread to Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The Fire Service has also reported that an officer was shot after assisting Joint Services officers to clear up the roadway in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Following a protest at Main and Pitt Streets in New Amsterdam on Tuesday afternoon, rogue elements took to the streets and lit several fires around the town. The first was at Main Street and Shoe Lane, and then another was lit at Main and New Streets.

Divisional Fire Officer Maimchandra Persaud said Fire Service officers were also attacked by persons bent on destruction. He noted that the Police had to disperse the crowds and clear the way for them to extinguish the fires.

“I would have received a few reports of some of the protesters throwing missiles at the fire trucks, but no severe damages were done,” Persaud explained.

Meanwhile, New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Heywood, speaking with reporters on Wednesday morning, explained that she was actively involved in trying to get residents to desist from destroying the Town’s property. According to her, she engaged some residents on Republic Road after the Police and Fire Service had extinguished one fire which was set on the roadway. She asked the residents to desist from destroying the roads.

“I had them for a while.

I said, ‘This town is a town that we need to care, and

you can’t take out spite on this road because of what happened’. They listened to me, and when the Police left, they put their stuff back on the road and started to light the fire,” the mayor recalled.

She said she is aware that family members and friends of the teenagers are hurt over what happened; however, they are not the only ones.

“We, too, would have felt sorry,” she added, while explaining that she was dressed in black and white as a mark of sympathising with the mourning.

“On Monday, we were there with those families.

Yesterday we had a beautiful protest, and I really appreciate that, not knowing that in the evening people will come and destroy the road.”

In denouncing the actions of the rogue elements in the town, Mayor Haywood said any structure on the town must be cared.

“Where will the money come from to repair? This Council does not have.”

Deputy Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, in offering condolences to the family of the two teenagers, condemned the actions of those who were out to destroy and harm persons. He called on all religious persons to pray for peace at this time.

“As a Guyanese, it is quite heart-breaking to see that we would have failed to embrace our national motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

He also cautioned persons to adhere to the National COVID-19 guidelines so as to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19.

“Guyana is currently going through a crisis, so I am calling on all religions to

champion the cause though the means of prayer and supplication. We cannot continue to endure the lawlessness that we are seeing in today’s society,” McIntosh added.

Meanwhile, in Region Five, as violence continued into the night, the Joint Services kept up their presence to maintain some form of order.

However, fires were still being light at Hopetown, Bush Lot, Numbers 28, 29, 30 Villages, and at Litchfield.

In fact, one house at Number 22 Village was burnt.

The building was owned

by John Hiralal, who was not at home at the time. Persaud told this publication that the Fire Service responded, but by the time they arrived, the entire building was engulfed. Nothing was reportedly saved from the building.

John Hiralal’s Number 22 Village home was set on fire by protesters (photo courtesy of Facebook user)

However, the senior Fire Service officer further revealed that the blaze spread to a second house, and his men were able to extinguish that fire without this second building sustaining much damage.

It is believed that the initial fire was a result of an act of arson.

According to Persaud, a Fire Service officer who worked for almost two days was pushing his motorbike home because of the huge number of broken bottles on the road when he was shot.

“He was traversing the road to his home in civilian clothes, and he sustained injuries as a result of gunshot

wounds,” the Fire Officer explained.

The injured officer has been identified as Tyrell Ralph. He is currently a patient at the Fort Wellington Hospital. Health officials are awaiting opportunity to transfer him to the New Amsterdam Hospital for surgery. (G4)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Father of murdered Berbice teen calls for end to violent protests

A

s the East Coast DemeraraWest Coast Berbice corridor continues to be rocked by violent protests in the name of calling for justice for Isaiah and Joel Henry, the father of Isaiah has issued a call for a cessation of the violent acts.

Gladstone Henry, after witnessing his son’s autopsy on Wednesday, told reporters that he was in no way supportive of the current violent protest actions across the country. Isaiah’s father called on the protesters to desist from attacking persons and damaging property. He

Isaiah and Joel Henry

noted that the protests, calling for justice for his son and nephew, should be done in an orderly manner.

“I am not racist. I still love my Indian brothers and sisters. I am not supporting unmoral protesting because I went out in Number 5 (Village) and I told them straight: ‘if you want to protest is our right, let we do it peacefully’…We the nation cannot be fighting against one another, because this is going on too long,” Henry told the media on Wednesday.

“Let we not see this thing as black, white, Chinese or

Gladstone Henry, father of Isaiah Henry, speaking following the PME on Wednesday [Photo taken from Royston Drakes Production Facebook Live]

putagee (Portuguese) because if blackman did do this or a Chinese man did do this or any man did do this and if is not my family, I believe that he will have to pay the penalty and not no other people who looked like him and get the texture of hair like him, but the person who committed the act should pay for the crime,” he said.

He added that he has spent his entire life surrounded predominantly by Indo-Guyanese and so did his son. The grieving father called for the attacks on

believed that the fatal wound severed the teenager's spine between the first and second vertebrae.

"The pathologist suspected that after he got those wounds (to his head), he fell to the ground and then got the wound that severed his spine...his wound was 14 inches by 3 inches wide by 6 inches deep," Hughes related.

In the case of 16-yearold Isaiah, he also sustained a severed spine but unlike his cousin, the teenager had no defensive wounds.

“I am not racist. I still love my Indian brothers and sisters. I am not supporting unmoral protesting, because I went out in Number 5 (Village) and I told them straight: ‘if you want to protest is our right, let we do it peacefully’…We the nation cannot be fighting against one another, because this is going on too long” – Gladstone Henry Indo-Guyanese to stop.

“I am not a racial person. I born in Number Three (Village). The community I live in, I live among Indian people. We eat together, we sleep together. The majority of my friends that I move with are Indian. We move like brothers, big men, older men than me and because of how I was moving with them they give me a nickname “Geera” and “Geera” is because it have to go in the dhal seeing that me is the only black one that living in there,” he said.

Despite his calls, there are several persons disguised as protesters who have attacked, beaten, and robbed innocent persons.

PME results

The Post-Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on the badly mutilated bodies of Joel and Isaiah found that the teenagers died as a result of haemorrhage and shock owing to the extent of their wounds.

The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Memorial Gardens, Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown. It was witnessed by the father of Isiah and the brother of Joel, Colwyn Henry, along with the family's Attorney, Nigel Hughes.

Following the autopsy, Hughes related that in the case of 19-year-old Joel, he had a total of 18 wounds. It is

The Attorney explained that Isaiah sustained a number of chop wounds to his head.

"Isaiah had no defensive wounds to his hand.

He had several more chops to his head. His spine was severed between the second and third vertebrae and his [wound] was 14 inches by 4 inches wide by 6 inches in depth," the Attorney noted.

The family took photographs as well as video footage of the bodies and autopsy to share with foreign forensic experts for their opinions. It was also related that the teenagers may have been dead for about 36 hours before they were discovered on Sunday.

The father said he just wanted to see justice for his son and nephew.

The bodies of Isaiah and Joel were discovered almost one day after they went missing. They reportedly left their Number Three Village home on Friday to pick coconuts in the backdam. Their disappearance prompted family members to launch several search parties to look for them. After hours of searching, the badly-chopped bodies were discovered among bushes partially covered in mud.

Following the discovery of the gruesome manner in which the boys were murdered, Cotton Tree residents took to the streets.

They blocked the roads and burned debris all while calling for justice. (G2)

11 Avoid travelling to WCB – Govt urges as unrest worsens NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

s the current situation worsens in West Coast Berbice (WCB) in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), where street protests have escalated into violence against innocent persons and acts of vandalism, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has warned persons against travelling to or through the area.

“The Joint Services are increas-

Protesters blocked several sections of the WCB roadway (GPF photos)

A protester attacking a minibus driver

ing their efforts to restore calm to the affected areas. Only emergency and essential travel is recommended and that with the support of the Police,” Minister Benn said via a press statement on Wednesday af-

ternoon.

The brutal murders of 16-yearold Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry of WCB have sparked national outrage, resulting in fiery protests, some of which have become violent, with several passers-by being robbed and beaten. Several roads have also been blocked over the past three days, preventing commuters from getting to their destinations freely.

On Wednesday morning, a 17-year-old boy, of Number Three Village, was also found dead in a backdam after he was beaten and chopped about his body.

Dead is Haresh Singh, a relative of one of the suspects in custody in relation to the murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry.

According to the Police, “the victim left home on his motorcycle to attend his farm in the backdam of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice; sometime after, his relatives saw smoke aris-

ing from the said backdam and left to enquire when they discovered the body of Haresh Singh lying

President Irfaan Ali has since condemned the killing, saying: “The criminals who snuffed the

The roadway blocked at Cottage, Mahaicony (Travis Chase photo)

motionless and bleeding from the nose. His motorcycle was also discovered burnt.”

lives out of Joel and Isaiah were barbaric in nature. There is no other way to describe it. The criminals

who snuffed the life out of Haresh Singh, 17 years old, are equally barbaric.”

“The criminals who are robbing people, the criminals who are beating people, the criminals who are chopping people, need to be brought to justice also.

“There is no other way to describe this. It is criminality, it has nothing to do with standing up for justice. Raping people’s children, robbing people, trampling upon others’ rights, beating people, damaging property of innocent people has nothing to do with justice. It is selfish, destructive, and a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and the rights of people,” the Head of State added.

The President said that he had “the unfortunate task of speaking to the grandmother and brotherin-law of Haresh, just as I spoke to the parents of Isaiah and Joel and the pain is immense; the pain, and the grief, is immense”.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$330B Emergency Budget will launch Guyana back onto development path – Edghill …could have been presented since April, if not for attempts to rig elections

Members of Parliament during the reading of Budget 2020

the agreement stage.

“That is currently at the level of an agreement. And since it is a road that will be funded by the Indian Government, the procurement process will involve Indian contractors. But it is something that is being moved on very expeditiously,” he said.

This publication interviewed a few Ministers, who spoke about some of the programmes and work they will be doing in their Ministries with the budgetary allocations. Junior Public Works Minister Deodat Indar spoke of the projects the Ministry will be carrying

how the benefits will accrue to the Guyanese people.”

Housing drive

This publication had previously reported that the Housing Ministry will be moving towards the distribution of 10,000 house lots over the next year – one of the promises in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) election manifesto.

Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, in an interview after the budget reading, emphasised that the PPP will be embarking on its most aggressive housing drive yet, while ensuring that persons

country where child abuse can be reported in a safe and confidential manner, and the reports dealt with by professionals. Moreover, Persaud referred to a family enhancement programme.

“Our Family Enhancement Programme is a big one. This one will be expanded, dealing with young people who display disruptive behaviour. They are troubled teenagers, and working with them and their families so they can have an opportunity where life is concerned,” she said, adding that families are the building blocks of Guyana.

With a total of $329.5

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during his presentation of the Budget on Wednesday

T

he $330B Emergency Budget was on Wednesday presented at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, marking the first budget in almost two years and providing Guyana with much needed resources and development plans after the political upheaval of the past year.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who delivered the budget to the National Assembly, identified combating COVID-19 as one of the priority areas of the budget. Another priority area is safely reopening the economy and restoring economic normalcy to the country.

“Programmes and policies will be implemented to quickly turn around the situation we inherited and set the stage for the implementation of the transformative projects we promised in our manifesto,” Edghill informed his colleagues, even as the Opposition side of the House stood empty due to A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) decision to boycott the budget reading.

“This Budget embodies a no-nonsense, no frills, no fluff, people-centred, propoor, results-oriented approach to launch this nation back on its positive development trajectory,” the Minister said.

During his presentation, Edghill pointed out that the

budget cycle took a mere 22 days, when in fact the budget preparation process normally takes over 150 days to complete. Lauding Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, for his leadership in preparing the budget, and the team that worked with him, Edghill noted that the budget was prepared in record time.

In fact, Edghill noted that had the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) been allowed to take office as they should have done after winning the March 2nd General and Regional Elections, a budget could have been presented the very next month, in August.

“We now have to come with Annual Budget 2020 in the last quarter of the year.

This could have been avoided if the will of the people had been respected and had not been sabotaged on March 5th and March 13th, 2020,” he said in reference to the attempts of Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to alter the results of the elections.

“Had these treacherous events not occurred, the PPP/C, as the legitimately elected Government, would have had Budget 2020 in this House by April of this year. The nation would not have had to endure this untenable situation over those long five months, and our present dire financial and

economic situation could have been reversed faster,” Edghill also said.

At the end of Edghill’s presentation, Prime Minister Mark Phillips moved a motion to adjourn the sitting until Monday, September 14th, at 10:00hrs.

Measures

Of the $330 billion being presented, $51.7 billion, representing 15 per cent of the total budget, will be going to health. This includes $14.3 billion for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies.

In the field of education, $52 billion has been set aside, including $1.7 billion for construction and rehabilitation of schools. A further $3 billion has been set aside for housing and $2 billion for the Guyana Water Incorporated.

In addition, $34.4 billion has been allocated to go to the Public Works Ministry, where work will be done on a number of projects, including the Ogle Bypass Road and the East Coast Railway Embankment Road.

The Ogle Bypass Road, according to Edghill in an interview with this publication after his marathon presentation, will be worked on as quickly as possible.

He noted that the project, funded by the Indian Export Import (EXIM) Bank, is at

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, who is the Member of Parliament for the joinder parties, sits alone in the Opposition benches, as the APNU/AFC boycotted the sitting

out.

“The budget has an overarching vision of transformation. As you can see, with the infrastructure we’re going to put in from our Ministry, the infrastructure is massive. Days into Government, we got a whole lot of big projects approved,” Indar said.

“The $50 million road, the hinterland solar project, we have the ferry (with cold storage for Region One).

We’re redesigning the project for the 125 kilometres of Linden road, and that’s supposed to be finalised before the end of the year. So, there’s much in the budget.

And we’d have to go through it sector by sector to show

are given land with basic infrastructure such as roads and water.

“This budget here, we’re talking about our first 10,000. Because the 50,000 is just our medium term in our first term. And I can say it will be 50,000 and more.

Our aggressive drive is to also make land available.

But it’s not just about giving a letter and an allocation. We need to move further than that: to put the infrastructure in place, to encourage persons that they can go and build immediately,” Minister Croal also said.

Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud spoke of the Ministry’s plans to establish venues around the

billion being presented on Wednesday, it therefore means that the budget figures must be debated by the two sides, although it is unclear whether the APNU/ AFC boycott of the process will continue.

After the figures are debated, the Parliamentary Committee of Supply is convened, and must review the line items for the estimates.

It is only after the committee’s work is completed and it reports to the National Assembly that the budgetary sums can be adopted and disbursed.

Meanwhile, the Opposition APNU/AFC boycotted Wednesday’s Budget presentation.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC left a legacy of “squandermania”, “incompetence”– Edghill

…made unapproved withdrawals from Consolidated, Contingency Funds

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

T

he depths of the situation inherited by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) upon their ascension to Government last month was on Wednesday laid bare by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during his budget presentation.

During his presentation, Edghill lamented that the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had raided the Consolidated and Contingency funds, making withdrawals that did not meet the legal requirements.

Article 217 of the

Constitution of Guyana stipulates that money cannot be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund except: “(a) to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by this Constitution or by any Act of Parliament; or (b) where the issue of those (sums of) money has been authorized by an Appropriation Act; or (c) where the issue of those (sums of) money has been authorized under Article 219.”

Article 220 (2) stipulates that “Where any advance is made from the Contingencies Fund, a supplementary estimate shall, as soon as prac-

ticable, be laid before the National Assembly by the Prime Minister or any other Minister designated by the President for the purpose of authorising the replacement of the amount so advanced.”

But according to Edghill, under APNU/AFC “There were regular withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund and 20 months of uninterrupted, unauthorized invasion of the public purse, and also withdrawals from the Contingency Fund which did not meet the legal requirements, throwing the entire financial architecture of the country off its legal and constitutional tracks.”

He also pointed to the sharp increase in employment in the public sector, which drove up operational costs. Despite the increase in employment, Edghill said, there was no increase in work output. He said incompetence and discrimination also pervaded the former Government’s activities.

“Massive incompetence in every sphere of Government activity, to the extent that not only their manifesto promises of 2015 remain undelivered, but even normal functions of Government were not per-

Govt seeks British Govt, Regional Security....

FROM PAGE 3

“The criminals who are robbing people, the criminals who are beating people, the criminals who are chopping people, need to be brought to justice also. There is no other way to describe this. It is criminality, it has nothing to do with standing up for justice. Raping people’s children, robbing people, trampling upon other rights, beating people, damaging property of innocent people, has nothing to do with justice.

It is selfish, destructive and a flagrant disregard for the rule of law and the rights of people,” he said.

In his address to the nation, the President noted that he has been speaking to the victims of robberies, abuse and destruction, who have related their difficulties. It was related that just on Wednesday, rice fields were burnt in some areas.

The call for every leader to condemn the violent actions was issued along with a stern reprimand for the Opposition Leader.

Opposition igniting

“I find the statement of Joseph Harmon unhelpful to the situation. For a matter, of fact, it is his statement that would have ignited the situation on the ground. Calling this a struggle against a fraudulent Government and oppression tells you the extent to which Mr Harmon is trying to misuse the circumstances that surround us as a nation,” the President stated.

Ali noted that the deaths of the two Henry teens and Singh has nothing to do with oppression by any Government, while adding that it is not a struggle against a fraudulent Government.

“I am calling on Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to investigate the statement of Mr Joseph Harmon, the statement that was inciteful and filled with hate. This is not the type of leadership our country needs at this time, when we are trying to heal and bring communities together,” he said.

It was related that the murders and barbaric individuals, not worth to be classified as humans, must be brought to justice in all three instances, and will be brought to justice. The President furthered that those persons, disguised as protestors, causing chaos and havoc on the streets will not be tolerated. They would be apprehended and be brought to justice.

The call was made for all Guyanese to act responsibly with the aim of uniting.

Leaders, were appealed to to not misuse the circumstances as a tool of achieving selfish desires.

“The irresponsibility from the statement from Joseph Harmon leaves much to be desired. I call upon all the leaders of this country, I call upon all the democratic institutions, to condemn what is taking place, to condemn the actions of the criminals, the murderers and those who are creating havoc in the communities by beating, chopping, robbing and raping people.

“And not only to condemn, but to join me in calling for swift and decisive action against those who are bent on criminal behaviour. I want to assure the residents of Region Five that I will be there. I have been talking to families, to community leaders, and have been monitoring the meetings

and being briefed on a continuous basis from the Police, the Army Chief, on the situation on the ground. I totally understand the hurt. I assure you that I am spending all of my time not only monitoring, but pushing forward for solutions,” the President said.

Ali made the commitment to visit every community in Guyana to bring healing, to talk to residents, to work with them on priorities. He appealed to citizens to allow the Police to conduct their investigations.

Agitators

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn called Harmon and former President David Granger “agitators” of an already volatile situation.

“Unfortunately, Messrs Granger and Harmon descended on the communities, and in their statements and rhetoric, created an atmosphere engendering unfounded suspicions, leading to racial polarisation and attacks. Further, loss of life, injuries and property loss are being experienced! This escalation in violence rests squarely at the doors of these two gentlemen and specific known political agitators of their ilk,” he noted in a statement.

He added that Granger and Harmon bear the prime responsibility for the escalation in violence, injuries and death.

The Guyana Police Force is working to resolve, according to Benn, what is a clear criminal matter, while the Joint Services are increasing their efforts to restore calm to the affected areas. He also advised only emergency and essential travel with the support of the Police from Berbice.

formed,” Edghill said. “(There was also) widespread discrimination in every aspect of governance, including, but not limited to, employment, scholarships and allocation of resources,” the Minister added during his presentation.

The Minister also chided the former Government for the large sums of money it squandered, ranging from the Sussex Street bond fiasco to the D'Urban Park, both of which saw huge sums being expended for little value.

Edghill also cited the Ocean View Hotel-turnedCOVID hospital, on which the former Government spent over $1 billion refurbishing and extending. Despite this large sum being spent, the hospital remains inoperable, and the current Government has been forced to allocate another $700 million just to render it operational.

The distribution of land by the former Government

The D'Urban Park project was cited as one of APNU/AFC’s legacies of squandermania

to friends, family and associates was also cited by Edghill.

The PPP, while in opposition, had campaigned that it would reverse the massive tracts of land given away in the waning days of APNU/AFC Administration should they enter Government. According to Edghill, these transactions lacked any semblance of due process or transparency.

“The wholesale giveaway of our most important national patrimony – land – to friends, families and financiers of the APNU-AFC without due process, without an iota of transparency and, in most cases, far below market value, and in one instance no money being paid but an absolute title given,’ Edghill said in the National Assembly. (G3)

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Business community condemns gruesome murders, violent WCB unrest …calls on Guyanese to respect, uphold rule of law

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he business community has condemned the gruesome murders of 19-year-old Joel Henry, his 16-year-old cousin, Isaiah Henry and 17-yearold Haresh Singh. The badly mutilated bodies of the Henry cousins were found on a coconut farm at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB) on Sunday, one day after they were reported missing.

Singh was found on Wednesday, beaten and chopped to death after he left home to attend to a farm in the backdam of Number Three Village, WCB. The Henry cousins had left their homes to go and pick coconuts.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC); Upper Corentyne, Central Corentyne and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce (UCCCBC); and the Bartica Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on Wednesday all expressed condolences to the families of the dead teenagers.

The PSC, UCCCBC and the BCC have called on the Guyana Police Force to ensure that all efforts are placed into a thorough investigations and that the perpetrator(s) of these horrendous crimes be brought to justice without delay.

The PSC said it was appalled at the politicisation of these murders and condemned in the strongest possible way any attempt to incite division.

It is also urging Guyanese to support peaceful protest action.

Violent protest, destruction

The PSC said it has ob-

Haresh Singh

served with increasing concern instances of violence and destruction of property amid the investigation into the deaths of the teenagers. The PSC said that while it recognised the constitutional rights of Guyanese to peaceful protest, it condemned all forms of violent protest, destruction of public infrastructure, robbery and attacks on people that are taking place.

Meanwhile, the BCC urged Guyanese to support peaceful protest, which is guaranteed under the Constitution and laws. But it is calling on citizen to raise their voices and take a stand against criminal elements who are seizing this period to rein terror by attacking and robbing innocent commuters.

“It is the right of every Guyanese to vent their feelings and frustration by way of protest or picketing exercise, albeit must be done within the confines and remit of the law; any other

way or form taken to vent such feelings where public and private properties are damaged in the process must be met with the strongest of condemnations by all law-abiding Guyanese,” the BCC added.

Further, the UCCCBC disclosed that its efforts to meet with the families of the Henry cousins have been unsuccessful owing to the road blocks. It added that it was unfortunate what has taken place since Sunday has overshadowed the grief of the families and all Guyanese.

“Terror has been unleashed on innocent citizens.

All business activities and movement of people from Region Six through Region Five has been brought to standstill. Worse yet, citizens of Region Five and anyone passing through have been terrorised, beaten, robbed, vehicles destroyed and properties burned, many times in the presence of the security forces.

“The Police who are working long hours and assiduously trying to solve this crime have been hampered from freely doing their job.

The actions of criminal elements have completely hijacked the protests and the gruesome murder of the two young men and the family’s grief seem now to be secondary,” a statement by the UCCCBC added.

The PSC is also calling on Government to act swiftly in the restoration of law and order. It said that all political and social leaders must urge all citizens to refrain from various acts of violence and damage to public and private property, thereby promoting peace, har-

Children medevacked from NA Hospital to GPHC

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The runway lit by vehicle lights to facilitate the medevac

wo children were on Tuesday evening medevacked from the New Amsterdam Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital amid protests which have blocked off roads from the county of East Berbice to the capital city in Georgetown, Demerara.

The Regional Democratic Council of Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne), in a Facebook Post, explained that the medical evacuation occurred at around 19:00h.

According to the RDC, this is the first time that the airstrip located aback the Rose

The pilot standing near the plane which was used to transport the children

Hall Estate has been used by the army, and the second time it has been used during the night. The runway had

to be lit with vehicle lights during the evacuation.

The condition of the patients is unclear.

mony, and good relations.

The UCCCBC, on the other hand, noted that politicians must ensure their supporters do not impede the Police in their work to solve this crime.

The PSC is pleading with all citizens to cooperate and work with the Police to lend any assistance which may contribute to the efficient conclusion of this investigation and said it remained willing and available to engage the leaders and the Commissioner on these matters.

The PSC especially

Isaiah and Joel Henry

called upon Guyanese to respect and uphold the rule of law and to keep the peace in

their individual and collective well-being and in the interest of the country.

Pastor, family beaten, robbed

by WCB protesters

W

hat was supposed to be a peaceful protest for justice to prevail for 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-yearold Joel Henry, whose mutilated bodies were found in the Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB) backdam on Sunday turned into violence as protesters robbed, beat, and extorted innocent commuters.

A pastor and his family, who were victims at the hands of the protesters, have been left traumatised and stranded, after they were beaten and robbed of their personal items during the protest.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Pastor Premraj Parshotam and his wife recounted the horrifying attack on their family by protesters.

“We have a church in Enmore, so every Sunday we will come to church here and after church we would spend some family time and we would head back home. We weren’t aware on Sunday what was happening, we weren’t aware that they were protesting…,” the wife said.

The pastor’s wife added on their way home to Berbice, while they were at Number Five Village, they were confronted at a roadblock. She said she saw a number of Police Officers who did not warn them what was ahead.

“We weren’t aware and we actually drove into it.

There was a Police van that was parked there and my husband drove up to them… we asked them if it was safe to go forward, they said no, we said ‘can we turn back?’

The pastor’s damaged vehicle

Injured: Pastor Premraj Parshotam

and they said yes. At least they could have said it is not safe to turn back stay here… or wait until we can escort you,” the woman explained.

She said as they got closer, they saw a mob of protesters on the road and a few materials blocking the roadway.

The woman said there was a small opening at the corner of the roadblock, and thinking it was ok to pass, her husband made an attempt to get on the other side.

“There was a small track that we could have passed, but a white minibus came and cut us off. Some guys jumped out and they asked me and my husband ‘where you going, where you think you going’… then everybody start coming and flocking around the vehicle. They took my husband out of the vehicle and they started beating him and checking his pockets.”

The woman added the protesters further said “coolie people kill black people, so tonight we gonna kill coolie people”.

According to the pastor’s

wife while they were beating her husband, she was in the car with her two sons. She said they then took her out of the vehicle, but they did not hit her.

Mrs Parshotam said that they started demanding that they hand over their belongings, and she gave them her bag, which had over $40,000, her cellular phone, her husband’s watch, and her son’s laptop among other things.

The woman said she and her family began begging for their lives, as the protesters contemplated what they should do with them. She said they then took a bicycle and began hitting the car, which resulted in the windows being broken.

Shortly after, a group of Police Officers arrived and escorted the Parshotam family out of the area. Mrs Parshotam said they had to turn around and return to the East Coast, where they are currently left stranded.

Meanwhile, the terrified family said even though they were hurt during the ordeal, they forgive the persons who inflicted injuries on them and would not be pressing any criminal charges.

“I strongly condemn the senseless and brutal killing of the Henry boys. My prayers and sympathies go out to their family.... Sis Gale and her son are no stranger to my husband. They used to be a member of one our church before she moved to West Berbice. I know how that family felt because as a mother, when I was going through that on Sunday, all I was thinking is to give them everything, so they wouldn't touch my kids,” the woman said. (G9)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NDC Chairman’s home stoned by Direct pension payments protesters, taxi driver beaten begin in Region 1

NDC Chairman Roy Jaffarally and his family were attacked

the taxi driver’s vehicle was surrounded by the men. A passing driver tried to negotiate with the men to let him go.

According to the taxi driver, the men seemed determined to do what they were set out to do and would not listen to anyone.

He said he became scared because they were armed with gasoline, and he did not want to be a victim of an attack or see his vehicle torched. During that time, the man said he found a few seconds to escape.

“They had already broken his front windshield and chopped various parts on the body of the car. The driver escaped unharmed,” Vick Taxi Service said.

The taxi service said it has been transporting persons to and from the said village since the start of its operations and not once have its drivers been in a situation like this.

“That call seems to be one that was a set-up for the attack,” they said.

A

s the current situation worsens along the West Coast of Berbice (WCB) where street protests have escalated into violence, the home of Number 38/Ordinance/ Fort Lands Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Roy Jaffarally was stoned on Tuesday evening by protesters.

Jaffarally was in his living room with his wife and children, ages 10 and four, when they heard loud crashing noises on the roof of their Fort Ordinance Scheme home. “… my girls are terrified, the impact of the stones on our home was so loud,” he said.

The NDC Chairman said upon checking, he saw his vehicles that were parked in the yard with multiple dents. Also, in the yard, near to his house, there were huge bricks, with a bottle of engine oil close by.

He said he was not sure if they were trying to burn down his home.

Jaffarally, who is the owner of Grill Master Berbice, said his wife, Alexis, and children are still traumatised, and he was in the process of further securing his home.

Taxi driver robbed

Meanwhile, on Wednesday

The stones and engine oil that persons threw at Roy Jaffarally’s home

afternoon at 15th Street Dazzle Scheme, Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), a driver of Vick Taxi Service was ambushed and attacked by about 10 men who were brandishing cutlasses, pieces of wood, knives, ice picks, and gasoline with lighters.

According to the taxi service, their employee came under attack after he went to pick up someone after a call came through the base. After reaching the location, it is alleged that there was no contact, so he decided to return to the base.

Guyana Times understands that on his way back,

The cab from Vick Taxi Service that came under attack

Senior citizens residing in Region One assembled to collect their pension

T

he Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Monday commenced the direct payment of pensions for eligible senior citizens residing in Region One (BarimaWaini).

The Ministry’s Social Services Director, Whentworth Tanner said it was the mandate of the Ministry to ensure that pensioners, despite their locations, be able to receive their pension “as seamless as possible”.

In that regard, he added that the Ministry would continue to assess and implement systems for pensioners to receive their monies hassle free.

“We do not want our seniors to travel long distances just to uplift their pensions,” he said.

The Ministry facilitates direct payments to remote communities in Regions One; Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni);

Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Earlier this month, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud announced that the Ministry was exploring a number of efficient ways to have Old Age Pension paid to senior citizens.

Among the measures she disclosed was direct payment to more than 3000 pensioners who were bedridden and those living in the hinterland regions. Also, under consideration, she added, was direct deposits to pensioners’ bank accounts and the use of alternate payment venues like Western Union and MoneyGram.

Expounding on the direct pension payments, she explained, “What we doing with that is increasing the access by persons in that area. In other words, it will not only be the post offices. There will be mobile units and more staff from the Ministry, so that persons

will not have to go long distances to access the payments.

So, we are increasing our outreach. Unfortunately, because of the terrain, we cannot deliver directly to each home, even though we will be delivering in the hinterland to those persons who are shut-in. This is making sure that we are closer in villages so that they do not have to travel long distances.”

Once Western Union and MoneyGram payment options are added, she stated, that they will become long-term payment venues, since they are easily accessible by the public.

“We are hoping to have that started within the last quarter of the year. We are going to be in talks with those entities, because banks are in specific places, post offices are in specific places. We are looking at other venues that are easily accessible by the public.”

In an effort to safeguard and protect the elderly from the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 29, 2020, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) announced early pension payments. The GPOC disclosed that it had implemented a new alphabetical process which would be used only during the first five payment days of the month in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.

This system remains in place. Moreover, the Ministry has collaborated with the GPOC, the Ministry of Health and several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to develop appropriate and safe payment procedures for the elderly. There are currently a little over 59,000 registered pensioners.

Contractors say only “light work” being done at St Rose’s High

C

ontractors rebuilding the St Rose’s High School said that the works on the new wing of the school have not been abandoned.

This was disclosed just after the school’s Board of Governors said Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited (CBCSL) had seemingly abandoned the construction of the new wing of the St Rose’s High School at Church Street, Georgetown.

On Wednesday, contractors who were seen working said work was still going on, but “it is just light work”.

One of the workers revealed that they were not doing heavy work at the location, because there was a default with the design, and they are working to have that rectified. They said another reason for the light work was the recent preparations for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

Through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board by the Education Ministry to the CBCSL in August 2018, following the demolition of the old building, the contract for the reconstruction of the building was awarded.

However, the redesign and approval process for the variation to that contract to facilitate the new piling foundation works took over a year.

The Ministry, after approval was given, tasked the contractor with installing approximately 220 timber piles late in 2019 following the completion of the variation process.

Guyana Times understands that the school’s Board was informed by the Ministry that the contractor had requested a mobilisation period to accumulate

Workers carrying out “light work” at the St Rose’s High School

the piles, equipment, and the relevant personnel and that the variation piling works of the said contact were set to commence early in 2020, which did occur.

The Board alluded that as the variation process of pile installation unfolded, it observed that the CBCSL, in a peculiar move, refused to submit directly to them – upon formal request – or make public either its work plan for the variation piling works.

However, the CBCSL has denied this.

The school’s Board also said that the contractor sought to prevent the contracting entity (the Education Ministry) from holding regular stakeholder consultation update meetings with the Board or any other stakeholders which is vital for a project of this nature, size, and complexity, as it allows for smooth execution of works while keeping all informed of the issues and concerns arising from construction.

The Board, while reminding that space is sought since staff and students have been utilising the remaining parts

of the school, said it was hopeful that the reconstruction would be executed in a timely, accountable, and effective manner to the satisfaction of all concerned, with the aim of maintaining the original contracted time line.

Back in 2018, $16.9 million was awarded to PD Contracting for the demolition of the old school building.

Back then, Board of Governors Chairman Kenrick Thomas had said that all options were explored before the decision was taken to demolish the school’s timber building which faces Church Street. The demolition was expected to pave the way for a modern building to be erected.

Thomas had assured that the replacement structure would incorporate many aspects of the original design and would integrate the design of the Marion and other wings on the property, including retention of the green space courtyard area, a unique feature of the school.

The demolition exercise commenced on July 9, 2018.

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Deadly WCB protests…

Granger, Harmon must be held responsible – former PNC Minister

F

ormer People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) minister Kit Nascimento has called for Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and APNU Leader, former President David Granger, to be held accountable for inciting racial divisions among Guyanese using the horrific deaths of the Henry cousins on the West Coast of Berbice.

The mutilated bodies of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry were discovered on Sunday aback Cottage Tree village, West Coast Berbice, where they had gone to pick coconuts.

Their deaths have sparked widespread public outrage and protest actions.

The horrific act was also condemned by many leaders, including President Irfaan Ali

Former PNC Minister Kit Nascimento

and Government Ministers, as well as leaders from the APNU/AFC Opposition and from other civil society bodies.

However, Harmon and Granger have been bashed for using the deaths of these two teenagers to drive racial deci-

siveness among Guyanese.

Nascimento is the latest public official to join in criticising the utterances from the two leaders.

In a letter to the editor on Wednesday, he referred to a statement from Harmon in which the Opposition Leader decried the murder, but also sought to incite “racially driven protest”. This, he noted, contributed to the escalation of the protests, which resulted in persons blocking the roads and attacking and robbing persons attempting to pass.

“In the name of protest, labelled as “solidarity” with the families of the murdered boys, the protesters have resorted to violence, disrupting traffic; setting fire to two (2) trucks loaded with farmers’ paddy; destroying proper-

APNU Leader David Granger

ty, and physically confronting the Police who were attempting to clear the roads, resulting in the Guyana Defence Force being called out to provide assistance,” Nascimento posited.

He further pointed out that there was not a word from Granger condemning the vio-

As testing increases

90 new COVID-19 cases recorded

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s Government continues with its massive testing drive across the country, the Health Ministry has reported some 90 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 1,703, of which 842 are males and 861 females.

Based on the figures released on the Ministry’s COVID-19 Dashboard, there are currently 610 active cases. This includes 16 persons now housed in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and some 594 persons in isolation; that is, 51 in institutional isolation and the remaining 543 in home isolation.

Additionally, there are now 68 persons in institutional quarantine.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death toll in Guyana remains at 48, while the number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease has increased to 1,045 – 15 more than what was reported the previous day.

To date, the total number of persons tested for the novel coronavirus in Guyana is 10,345.

Of the 90 new cases recorded on Wednesday, 21 are from Region One (Barima-Waini); one from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); six from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 50 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); three from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); four from Region Region Nine (Upper Takutu-

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

ing tried and failed to impose rigged election results on the country, they now resort to breaking up the country using racial division as a weapon of destruction.”

Nascimento continued, “The legally elected President Irfaan Ali, faced with this ugly and ultimately criminal enterprise to force widespread civil unrest on the country, must act condignly and without hesitation.

President Ali must call out Granger and Harmon, hold them responsible for what they are doing, and treat with them and those who blindly follow them accordingly under the law.” (G8)

GMSA, Agri Ministry establish strategic partnership

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Upper Essequibo) and two from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

The number of cases remains the same in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) at 26 and 24 respectively.

As Guyana continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the PPP/C Government has announced a series of measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Guyanese. These were announced as part of the 2020 Emergency Budget which was presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Among measures are the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from all medi-

cal supplies, thus guaranteeing adequate medication for patients, and essentially increasing the health standards of Guyana.

Meanwhile, in recognition of the sacrifices and hard work of frontline workers, inclusive of those healthcare workers, Government has set aside a budgetary allocation of $150 million to support these workers.

Additionally, a $25,000 grant to each Guyanese household was announced to aid in expenses, especially for those who have been severely affected by the pandemic. A number of measures were also announced to aid in the business community as well. (G8)

After APNU/AFC $1.8B spending

$700M more still needed to operationalise “Ocean View” COVID-19 facility

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ven after the former APNU/AFC Government had spent over one billion dollars of taxpayers’ money to transform the flood-prone Ocean View Hotel into a COVID-19 facility, more funds are needed to ensure the facility is operational.

This was announced by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during his presentation of the 2020 budget.

In giving an example of how under-equipped the Ocean View facility is, Edghill noted that it does not even have sewage systems. He not-

lence. Instead, Harmon is on record calling the protest “a struggle against oppression, a struggle against a fraudulent Government”.

Nascimento stated that Harmon claims, “We do not agree that there should be any Black and Indian fighting”, but then he goes on to claim, without evidence, “Too many Black youths are vanishing in the same way that cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry were killed and mutilated”.

President Irfaan Ali had immediately condemned this horrendous crime perpetrated on the teenage cousins, and directed the Commissioner of Police to place the full resources at his disposal to investigate the crime and bring to justice those responsible.

However, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has pointed out that the protest is preventing the Police from investigating the murder. This, according to Nascimento, is as a result of the PNC’s determination to promote civil unrest. He said they are determined to use these tragic deaths for political purpose.

“Granger and Harmon have become so besotted with hanging on to power, hav-

The former Ocean View International Hotel, which was rehabilitated into an Infectious Diseases Hospital

ed that a hospital without sewage systems is no hospital.

To this end, the

Government has set aside a further $700M to operationalise the hospital. In ad-

dition, $1.8B has been allocated to purchase Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for Government workers.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony had described the facility as a “total disaster” upon his assumption to office.

The flood-prone former Ocean View International Hotel, located at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, was rehabilitated into an Infectious Diseases Hospital by the previous APNU/AFC Coalition to facilitate the immediate need to treat COVID-19 patients, and ultimately, other infectious diseases.

ollowing a meeting on Tuesday between Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and a delegation from the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) a strategic partnership has been established with the setting up of a Joint Working Group to address issues in the Agriculture and Agroprocessing Sector.

The GMSA, in a statement, also said it has given a commitment to collaborate with the GMSA and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) on a major webinar on agriculture and agro-processing being convened on September 23.

The meeting, convened over the Zoom digital platform, appraised the minister on key issues affecting the agro-processing sector, which include high cost of production linked to energy, access to raw materials, and taxation; access to financing; technology and skills; marketing and market access; and the enabling environment and ease of doing business.

Minister Mustapha took the opportunity to be appraised of some of the Ministry’s priorities, and underlined the commitment to working in partnership with the Private Sector to realise more opportunities for Guyanese and Guyanese businesses. In this regard the Minister extended an invitation to GMSA to field persons to be part of Boards of key organisations under the agriculture sector.

According to GMSA President Shyam Nokta, “The GMSA welcomes the setting up of the Joint Working

Group. It presents a unique opportunity between Private Sector and Government to work together to address challenges and to grow the agriculture and agro-processing sectors.

“Agriculture will be a key sector for Guyana’s future for food security and income and job creation. We are pleased that in the Government’s 2020 Emergency Budget, His Excellency President Irfaan Ali has identified key measures aimed at agriculture and agro-processing. Our approach is not only to call on Government to take action, but to also come to the table with initiatives the GMSA will undertake.”

Among its efforts, GMSA’s UncappeD Initiative has sought to advance agro-processing through initiatives aimed at raising awareness, product promotion, networking, market access, capacity development. GMSA has been able to bring SMEs into its network, and in this new normal due to COVID-19, the organisation is moving ahead with UncappeD through the setting up of an online portal to promote agro-processors and their products with a major focus being on SMEs. The GMSA delegation was led by Shyam Nokta, President of the organization, and included Ramsay Ali, Chair of the GMSA Agro-processing Subsector, and GMSA Executives Ramesh Dookhoo, Raymond Ramsaroop (Edward B Beharry and Company); Vasudeo Singh (Demerara Distilleries Limited), Lakeram Autaram; Chris Persaud (UMAMI); Sherl Daniels, along with members of the GMSA Secretariat.

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

17

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

PM Rowley was so right when he said, “This will not end well” Dear Editor, Today marks the sixth sad day for the unfortunate Berbice murder saga: which has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Guyanese and rocked the nation with its worst nightmare; which continues to daunt the very spirit of camaraderie, one that Guyana is trying to forge ahead with after a long battle fought to restore democracy from the claws of bullies.

The PNC Party, alias APNU/AFC, tried to deceive a nation since December 2018 when the NCM was successfully moved and passed, but was denied its consequence and the matter was prolonged all the way to the CCJ, who then decided on a favourable decision for its effectiveness and the causation for new election in the next three months.

The then Government had to be taught a simple lesson in mathematics: that 33 is greater than 32, putting an entire country to shame and being ridiculed by the world for such petty stupidity.

This exposure radically highlighted the silliness of the PNC Party and internationally exposed their absurdity. Their shallowness was further compounded when the CCJ again ruled them incorrect when the GECOM Chairman, Patterson, was illegally appointed. The CCJ had warned them that, legally, the APNU/AFC Party government was in a “caretaker mode”, and as such, they had to operate within its confines and jurisdiction.

Since Dec. 2018, Mr. Granger and his Party brought this country to an economic standstill, with all developments being held in abeyance. As such, the employment rate dropped, cost

of living escalated, and people’s lifestyle became deplorable.

The APNU/AFC Party’s stubbornness caused this country and its people to suffer tremendously, and as a result, all Guyanese, especially the man in the street and those at the lower end, had to struggle daily for survival and to make ends meet, not knowing where the next meal would come from. This brought tremendous pressure on the depressed people, and they were literally left abandoned by a Government that only took care of their selected few to live the good life.

The APNU/AFC Party were guilty of applying delaying tactics to stall the holding of election until March 2020, and after the election, in front of the eyes of the national and international observers, they tried to steal the election with their cockishness and crooked figures. This was unacceptable by that community, and everyone retaliated in various forms. The application of election fraud and skullduggery by the APNU/ AFC Party created chaos and confusion, and further rocked the nation with many court challenges, until the CCJ finally ruled that the CARICOM election recount result was valid, thereby paving the way for Dr. Irfaan Ali to be legitimately sworn in as the new President and the PPP/C Party to form the new, legally elected Government.

This did not sit well with the APNU/AFC Party, who had always adopted a policy of “slo fiya, mo fiya” then declaring “war break.” Never accepting the election result, they did promised to make life a “living hell” for the new Government.

From the time the new Government took office, the PPP/C Party discovered all the mischief deployed by Mr. Granger and his caretaker Party, bringing to light all the corruption, collusions, illegal transactions, their lies and fraudulent embezzlements, all the perks and freeness extended to party and political appointees, the non-working employees, the wastages and the raping of the Treasury.

Now Guyanese became aware as to the real reasons for the country’s bankruptcy, where all the revenues were being disbursed, who were receiving all the fat salaries and allowances, and why the state of the economy was in such a deplorable condition and why the poor Guyanese were being denied a decent opportunity to live a lifestyle without having to scrape the bottom of the pot.

It is the miscreants from the wrong doings of the APNU/AFC Party that created this terrible situation where ordinary citizens had to turn to illegal activities in order to survive. COVID-19 didn’t help either. The pain and suffering were too overbearing and the expenses kept piling up with no solution to the problem for the suppressed people.

The past Government set a precedent for stealing, breaking all the rules and regulations, and not abiding with law and order. So, you have a desperate nation that is succulent for being naïve and gullible from all of the APNU/AFC Party’s tomfoolery. Seeing how the past Government was escaping with all their malfeasance, the poor man tried to copy them also. As a result, more stealing became prevalent, and some, unfortunately, were not as successful as the

past caretaker Government to escape unscratched.

The PNC Party planted the ethnic imbalance from the inception in the 1960s through the medium of the “race card,” Burnham propaganda, and since then, this has catapulted a political disparity by his followers and seeded an economic hardship because of dictatorship and mismanagement. As a consequence, this channelled a social upheaval, paving the way for mass migration and a dependency on foreign remittances from overseas families, the advancement of progressive groups via tremendous sacrifices, and the non-growth of certain sectors due to challenging circumstances.

The APNU/AFC Party had ignored the interest of the mass from both sides of the divide during their last tenure, and had to resort to pulling out their trump card of racial biasness in order to influence and implore their followers to secure their votes at the last election. That stigma, still alive, was inherited by the PPP/C Party when they took office along with a broken economy.

The PNC Party are enjoying this brutal Berbice fiasco as a live sideshow, and are unprepared to discourage its continuance. No wonder the twisted undertones from their leaders’ thwarted statements and their silent approval for its longevity.

Prime Minister Rowley was so right when he said, “This will not end well,” as the smell of PNC Party’s retribution thickens the plot.

The cry for justice now becomes “multi fold” and a catastrophic adumbration.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Calling for peace, calm; allow justice to prevail Dear Editor, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) continue to be most concerned as we follow closely the ongoing protests that emerged following the discovery of the mutilated bodies of Joel and Isaiah Henry.

The Federation share the national outrage, and demand that those responsible for the despotic act be made to answer for their heinous crime. We stand in solidarity with family, friends and the communities of the two (2) young men, who are obviously hurt and upset.

The Federation recognise, too, that the protests which emerged following the gruesome discovery of the bodies of Joel and Isaiah have taken an unsavoury turn. Though we uphold the right of all

Guyanese to protest, such actions must be peaceful and in conformity with the law. Dismayingly, media reports and social media posts have indicated that the protests have, at times, turned violent. Moreover, several innocent Guyanese have been attacked, and as we have seen, roadways have been blocked, vehicles destroyed, residences burnt, and there is debris, among other things.

These actions, we contend, as in the murder of Joel and Isaiah, cannot be condoned. We hold that there is absolutely neither reason nor justification for this sort of action. We abhor the criminal acts being perpetrated, as we wish those who have been hurt a speedy and full recovery.

We are equally upset by the irresponsible statements which we have seen

emanating from certain quarters. Those provocative and clearly uncalled-for statements have, in our view, served to fan the flames and contribute to an exacerbation of the situation. This is not the way responsible leaders should act.

To this end, the Federation have seen some seeking desperately to invoke political and ethnic considerations. Such sentiments cannot be tolerated, as they only serve to undermine the general unity that all Guyanese share. It appears that tensions are being stoked at the altar of political expediency, but we ask to what end? Such behaviour, we contend, must be rejected by all right-thinking and peace-loving Guyanese. This is not the way our people should live, and we should reject those who seek to drive

wedges and to divide our people for partisan purposes.

The FITUG, at this time, reiterate their call for justice to prevail. We urge that our law enforcement officials leave no stone unturned, and those responsible must be dealt with within the confines of the law.

The Federation hold that we, as a people and a nation, have matured, and we must behave responsibly and act respectfully.

We equally call for an end to the violence, to allow the healing process to begin, and for peace to prevail. We contend that it is in our collective interest for us all to work together to promote a united Guyana for this and future generations.

Sincerely, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

Political leaders should be positive examples to restore peace Dear Editor, The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is horrified and deeply saddened by the brutal murders of teenage boys Joel Henry, Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh of West Berbice. Our hearts go out to the parents and families of these young men. The immense cruelty exhibited to them is reprehensible, and must be strongly condemned by all.

We are calling on the Police and law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigations and bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice.

In addition, the unlawful acts committed in Region 5 against dozens of innocent people, inclusive of robbery, beatings, assault on women, and destruction of vehicles and property, must stop at once. This afternoon, another life was lost during protest action.

We call on the Government to provide the necessary protection for all Guyanese, and to take strong action against all perpetrators of criminal acts.

The Sabha would assist the victims in any way that we can.

While we recognise the fundamental right of citizens to protest peacefully, it is our strong view that if the protests on the streets are providing the opportunity and cover for illegal acts to be carried out against citizens, then other forms of protest must be used. At this time, it is better to have

everyone in the affected areas off the streets than to risk even one more incident of attack, or robbery, or destruction, or worse.

Everyone is deeply hurt and angry, and clashes on the streets can only lead to more terrible incidents.

The COVID-19 cases are rising dangerously every day, and, as such, it may be best at this time for persons to protest and express views in a virtual medium.

In this regard, while freedom of speech must be respected and protected, racial slurs, hate speech, and abusive and inciting statements on social media must be strongly condemned.

We urge the owners of the various social media pages not to tolerate such comments, and to report perpetrators to the Ethnic Relations Commission.

At this tense and volatile time in our beloved country, we must do everything possible to promote peace, respect and love among all. It is the responsibility of every Guyanese to work together to improve relations and prevent the recurrence of such devastating incidents.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha calls on the political leaders to be positive examples for our country, and to work to restore peace and calm to our country. Our prayers are with all those affected during this difficult time.

Sincerely, Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Regional

Govt, BPTT agree to 92 Brazil trials of Sinovac licence extensions COVID-19 vaccine show promising results – Governor T

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he Governor of Brazil’s São Paulo state said on Wednesday that Phase 3 clinical trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd have shown promising results and it may be available to Brazilians as early as December.

Governor João Doria added that Phase 2 trials of the potential vaccine had shown an immune response of 98 per cent in the elderly.

Some 9000 Brazilian volunteers are participating in the Sinovac vaccine trials, which are being conducted by the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo city and 11 other locations, including the capital, Brasilia.

Brazil, which has the third worst outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the world after the United States and India, has become a testing ground for at least two vaccine candidates.

One such vaccine is being developed by AstraZeneca, which has had to pause

Brazil’s São Paulo state Governor Joao Doria holds a box of the China’s Sinovac coronavirus potential vaccine for trials during a news conference at Hospital das Clinicas, in São Paulo, Brazil, July 21, 2020 (file photo)

global trials after an unexplained illness in a participant in Britain.

Trials for the AstraZeneca vaccine on 5000 volunteers in Brazil are well advanced and have not produced any problems in participants, according to the immunobiology centre of São Paulo’s Federal University, which is running the trials.

Vaccination of volunteers in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro

and Salvador have been put on hold, but work continues monitoring those who have received the first and even the second dose, a university representative said.

At the start of next year, Phase 3 trials of Russia’s “Sputnik-V” COVID-19 vaccine will also be conducted on 10,000 volunteers in Brazil in partnership with the state of Paraná’s Technology Institute, known as Tecpar.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

he Trinidad Government and BPTT have completed negotiations for the extension of 92 of the energy giant’s exploration and production licences in the Columbus Basin.

In a release Wednesday, the Energy Ministry said Government and BPTT, along with its co-licensees – EOG Resources Trinidad Ltd, Perenco TT Ltd, the National Gas Company and Heritage Petroleum Ltd – agreed to licence extensions to the Teak, Samaan and Poui fields. BPTT’s East Mayaro exploration and production licence has also been extended.

The agreement represents the outcome of continuing negotiations on gas-related issues, the release said. The first phase, which was completed in December 2018, resulted

in a 10-year extension of BPTT’s South East Galeota licence, with a financial benefit to the State in the sum of $1 billion for settlement of legacy issues. Negotiations on behalf of the Government were led by the empowered negotiation team headed by Energy Minister Franklin Khan, including Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, technical advisers Poten and Partners UK Ltd and lawyers White and Case LLP. Under the terms of this agreement, the licences have each been extended for 10 years. Further discussions are scheduled to bring the licences up to date with the modern licences, the release said. The benefit to the State will be about US$250 million up to September 2024.

“The affirmative action taken by the Government in

TT Energy Minister Franklin Khan

engaging upstream producers has been mutually beneficial (and) placed the sector on a more solid and sustainable footing. Government policies have also enabled the country to derive a greater share of revenue from the monetisation of hydrocarbon resources,” the release said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

No honeymoon for Holness

COVID cases, deaths, increase in some Caricom countries

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he Bahamas recorded four deaths from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 72 new cases, as the virus continues to impact a number of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries, including Dominica, which has now recorded new cases for the first time in several weeks.

The Health Ministry said that the death toll in The Bahamas now stands at 63 after the four people — three women and one man — ages ranging from 46 to 71 died of the virus that has now infected 2657 people there.

It said that New

Providence continues to have the highest number of cases, (1725) followed by Grand Bahama (589); Abaco (95) and Bimini (54).

In Suriname, 59 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 4419, of which 733 are active.

There were no new deaths with the death toll remaining at 91 after 15 were recorded on Sunday and Monday.

Dominica, which in mid-August recorded its first coronavirus case in more than 100 days, is reporting six new cases, with two being recorded over the past 24

hours.

A 53-year-old Swedish visitor is Barbados’s latest case of COVID-19. He arrived there on a charter flight on September 3, and tested positive for the viral illness on his second test, five days later.

He was the only positive result among the 164 tests performed by the Bestdos Santos Public Health Laboratory.

Health authorities said that the numbers in isolation stand at 17, and recoveries have increased to 156. There are now 180 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barbados, 93 females and 87 males. (CMC)

Jamaican films up for awards at trinidad+tobago film festival

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wo Jamaican films have been nominated for awards across three prize categories for the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff), and five additional Jamaican or Jamaican-themed films will be screened at the event.

The festival will take place September 9-15, 2020.

Nominated are “Unbroken”, directed by Gabrielle Blackwood, for Best Documentary Short Film, and “Yellow Girl and Me”, directed by Isabella Issa, for both Best Narrative Short Film and Best Film as Selected by a Youth Jury.

Meanwhile, “Traytown”

directed by Nadean Rawlins and Gareth Cobran, and “Out of Many,” directed by Rebecca Williams, will be screened at the event as part of the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) block.

According to Jamaica Promotions (JAMPRO), “Traytown” was part of JAMPRO, JAFTA, and the British Council’s “Film Lab” film development programme and was the recipient of development funds through Aspire Fund Management, which was awarded at the JAMPRO Film Investor Forum pitch in 2019.

Jamaican themed films

“No Place Like Home,” directed by the late Perry Henzell, will also be screened at the festival, along with the documentary film, “Perry Henzell: A Filmmaker’s Odyssey”, directed by David Garonzik and Arthur Gorson. “Inna de Yard: The Soul of Jamaica”, written and directed by Peter Webber, completes the schedule of Jamaican themed content to appear at ttff.

JAFTA President, Analisa Chapman noted that she was pleased with the recognition of Jamaican-made content at ttff. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness signs the instrument of appointment, watched by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (GP)

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eader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Andrew Holness was on Wednesday afternoon sworn into office for a second consecutive term as Prime Minister, promising to work diligently on behalf of Jamaicans.

This marks Holness’ second consecutive term, but his third time serving in the capacity of Prime Minister.

The ceremony was held following last Thursday’s General Election in which the JLP won 48 seats in the 63-member Parliament.

Shortly after receiving the instrument of appointment from Governor General,

Sir Patrick Allen, the Prime Minister stressed that “there is no honeymoon period for this government. Already I am back at my desk working towards our recovery”.

While thanking Jamaicans for placing trust in his administration, Holness, 48, said that the mandate is not taken lightly.

“There is much more work to be done. I am humbled and honoured that the people of Jamaica have seen it fit to give me the opportunity to once more be the chief steward of their affairs – thank you for your vote and support.

I commit once again to use

every fibre of my being and all the energy of my spirit for the advancement, fulfilment and prosperity of the people of Jamaica. We commit to making this Government the highest in integrity, dignity and efficiency.”

He reiterated the Government’s commitment for an accountable government, saying that it would be tough on corruption and warned that available resources would be used for the intended purpose to better the country, but should never be found “being used to create an unfair advantage for others”.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Daily cases reach record high in Argentina

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rgentina, one of the countries where the number of coronavirus infections continues to rise steeply, registered a new record number of daily cases on Tuesday: 12,027.

In total, there have now been more than half a million

confirmed cases in Argentina since the pandemic began.

Most of the new cases are in Buenos Aires province.

Argentina was one of the countries to impose a strict lockdown early on in the pandemic and cases at first rose slowly.

But with restrictions being eased to kickstart Argentina’s ailing economy, the infection rate has shot up and the country is now among the list of top ten countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

(BBC News)

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Surprise crude oil build thwarts price rally

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he American Petroleum Institute (API) reported on Tuesday a build in crude oil inventories of 2.970 million barrels for the week ending September 4.

Analysts had predicted an inventory draw of 1.335-million barrels.

In the previous week, the API reported a draw in crude oil inventories of 6.360 million barrels, after analysts had predicted a smaller draw of 1.887 million barrels.

Oil prices were trading up on Tuesday afternoon before the API’s data release, but the rising prices come only after a brutal trading day in the day prior when oil prices sunk to their lowest levels since June.

A half-hour before the data release, at 16:00h EDT, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) had risen by US$1.32 (+3.59 per cent) to US$38.08. While up significantly on the day, WTI is still trading nearly US$5 per barrel under last week’s levels. The Brent crude benchmark had risen by US$0.97 (+2.44 per cent) to US$40.75 – also nearly US$5 per barrel under last week’s levels Oil production in the United States fell sharply for the last week in August, still down significantly from a high of 13.1 million bpd on March 13. US oil production currently sits at 9.7 million bpd as of August 28, according to the Energy Information Administration—3.4 million bpd under March highs.

The API reported a large draw in gasoline inventories of 6.892 million barrels of gasoline for the week ending August 28 – compared to last week’s 5.761-million-barrel draw. Analysts had expected a much smaller 2.384-million-barrel draw for the week.

At 16:33h EDT, the WTI benchmark was trading at US$38.00 while Brent crude was trading at US$40.70. (Excerpt from oilprice. com)

California wildfires: Smoke turns skies orange

Darkness fell on San Francisco on Wednesday, as smoke from wildfires filled its skies

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plume of smoke from wildfires in the US state of California has descended on the San Francisco area, causing the sky over the region to turn orange.

Some 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major blazes across California, amid a historic heatwave.

Wildfires have burned more than 2.5 million acres in the state this year, killing at least eight people.

On Wednesday, strong winds blew smoke and ash from some of those blazes in

northern parts of the state.

Residents of San Francisco and the surrounding areas woke up to darkened skies, disorientating some, who thought it was still night time.

"It feels like the end of the world," Catherine Geeslin, who lives in the West Portal area of the city, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

"It was alarming to see it's still dark. And it will be strange to have lunch in the dark. But you still have to get on with your day."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Greek camp fire sparks race to find shelter for 13,000 migrants

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reece is in a race to find shelter for thousands of migrants forced to flee an overcrowded camp on the island of Lesbos that has been destroyed by fire.

The blaze ripped through the Moria camp late Tuesday, with another fire wiping out any remaining tents on Wednesday.

Greek officials said many of the 13,000 migrants who lived in the camp would be

temporarily placed on ships at a nearby port or in tents flown in from Athens.

About 400 teenagers and children have been transferred to the mainland.

But Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi told the BBC that about 2000 people might not have access to a shelter and authorities were working to provide emergency accommodation near the Moria camp site.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Global coronavirus deaths hit 900,000 as cases surge in India

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he global death toll from the coronavirus passed 900,000 on Wednesday, as worldwide cases topped 27.7 million, according to a Reuters tally.

The United States remains the world’s worst-affected country, with deaths exceeding 190,000 and cases exceeding 6.3 million. Brazil is in second place with more than 127,000 deaths followed by India with nearly 74,000 dead.

On Monday, India reported 90,802 new confirmed infections – its highest-ever daily jump – bringing its total to over 4.3 million and bumping Brazil and its 4.1 million cases to third place.

As the epicentre of the pandemic shifts to India, there is no sign of a peak in the world’s second most populous nation. As bars re-

A health worker and relatives wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) carry the body of a man, who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for his cremation, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, August 17, 2020 (file photo)

opened Wednesday for the first time since lockdown, it is adding more cases each day than any other country since the onset at the start of the year. It is recording more deaths than any oth-

er country – an average of more than 1000 daily for the last two weeks.

The Americas still account for more than half of all fatalities worldwide owing to high death counts in

Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador.

An average of more than 5600 people die each day from COVID-19, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the last two weeks. The rate of deaths is holding steady taking 18 days to climb from 800,000 to 900,000 deaths.

It took 17 days to go from 700,000 to 800,000.

India’s fatality rate is around one per cent, while Brazil and the United States have mortality rates of around three per cent, in line with the world average.

While both deaths and cases in the United States are down from a July peak, cases are rising in about 40 per cent of the country, exacerbated in part by a return of students to college towns.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Nobel laureate denounces Belarus 'terror' as another activist is detained

N

obel prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich accused the authorities in Belarus of terrorising their own people on Wednesday as another Opposition politician was detained by masked men in plain clothes.

Maxim Znak was the latest figure to be seized in a systematic campaign by the Government of President Alexander Lukashenko to round up leaders of a monthlong mass protest move-

ment.

“What is happening is terror against the people,” said Alexievich, who summoned supporters to her home. “We have to unite and not give up our intentions. There is a danger we will lose the country,” she said.

In a show of solidarity with Alexievich, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize for Literature, diplomats from at least seven European countries joined her in her flat. Lithuania said the en-

voys’ aim was partly to protect the author from abuse.

Znak was detained two days after another Opposition Leader, Maria Kolesnikova, was snatched in the street by masked men. Both are prominent leaders of protests demanding the resignation of Lukashenko following an August 9 presidential election that the Opposition says was rigged. Lukashenko denies vote-rigging.

Kolesnikova’s lawyer, Lyudmila Kazak, said she

was being detained over accusations of an illegal attempt to seize power.

Kazak met Kolesnikova on Wednesday for the first time since her disappearance, saying she was put in a cell with six other people at a pretrial detention centre. Kazak will request a forensic medical examination as Kolesnikova had bruises on her body, she said, according to a statement by Kolesnikova’s team.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Brexit in crisis: EU “very concerned”

by UK plan to break divorce treaty

B

ritain plunged Brexit trade talks into crisis on Wednesday by explicitly acknowledging that it could break international law by ignoring some parts of its European Union divorce treaty, prompting a rapid rebuke from the EU’s chief executive.

Brushing aside warnings from Brussels that it was scuppering any trade deal, London said in the proposed legislation that it would ignore parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, which was only signed in January.

The Internal Market Bill

spells out that certain provisions are “to have effect notwithstanding inconsistency or incompatibility

with international or other domestic law”.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, promptly tweeted that she was “very concerned”.

“This would break international law and undermines trust. Pacta sunt servanda = the foundation of prosperous future relations,” she said. The Latin phrase, meaning “agreements must be kept”, is a basic principle of international law.

John Major, a former Conservative Prime Minister, said that “if we

lose our reputation for honouring the promises we make, we will have lost something beyond price that may never be regained”.

The bill’s publication, on the day the EU’s chief negotiator arrived in London for a new round of trade talks, suggested to some that Prime Minister Boris Johnson might be trying to goad the bloc into storming out of those negotiations.

But EU sources told Reuters they would not seek a suspension. One said this “would only play into the UK game”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Security, Chad Wolf, said earlier that Washington was blocking visas “for certain Chinese graduate students and researchers with ties to China’s military fusion strategy to prevent them from stealing and otherwise appropriating sensitive research”.

In a speech, Wolf repeated US charges of unjust business practices and industrial

espionage by China, including attempts to steal coronavirus research, and accused it of abusing student visas to exploit American academia.

Wolf said the United States was also “preventing goods produced from slave labour from entering our markets, demanding that China respect the inherent dignity of each human be-

ing”, an apparent reference to alleged abuses of Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region.

A State Department spokeswoman said the visa action was being taken under a proclamation President Donald Trump announced on May 29 as part of the US response to China’s curbs on democracy in Hong Kong.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is “very concerned”

US has cancelled more than 1000 visas for Chinese nationals deemed security risks

T

he United States has revoked visas for more than 1000 Chinese nationals under a May 29 presidential proclamation to suspend entry from China of students and researchers deemed security risks, a State Department spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

The acting head of the US Department of Homeland

20

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Put your energy into something worthwhile.

Nurture a personal relationship. An unexpected change will help you adjust your lifestyle. Romance is on the rise.

TAURUS A change will make you (April 20uneasy. Until details are in May 20) place, keep your thoughts to yourself. Bide your time, and you'll get what you want in the end.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Put your energy toward a favored pursuit.

Discussing your plans with someone special will lead to positive input. Love and romance look promising.

You may not like change, but it may be in your best interest. Don't disregard an opportunity due to fear. Embrace the future with a positive attitude, and you will discover that life has more to offer than you imagined.

Curb any anxiety or tendency to get into an argument.

Do something physical that will help you expel pent-up energy. Focus on love, romance and personal growth. Strive to look and do your best.

Be frank about the way you feel, what you want and what you expect. How you handle others will affect the outcome of a tense situation. Be pragmatic and kind.

Listen carefully.

Confusion and uncertainty will be rampant. Problems at home will surface if someone is indulgent or tries to push you in a direction you don't want to go.

Hang on to your cash.

Steer clear of joint ventures.

Seek out stability, downtime and creative endeavors that ease stress and stimulate your mind. Don't take physical risks.

Get involved in something that requires energy and enthusiasm.

Challenging yourself will help you get rid of anxiety.

Make romance, peace and love priorities.

Pay more attention to your investments, contracts and health. Make changes that will improve your lifestyle. Verify information you receive before you pass it along or make a decision based on it.

Spend more time on self-improvement and less time trying to change others. Work alone until you are sure you have everything in place. Sharing or presenting what you have to offer prematurely will lead to interference.

A sensitive personal matter will require diplomacy.

Consider the changes you can make to keep the peace and make everyone, including yourself, happy. The help you offer and the suggestions you make will lead to a better home environment.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

21

“Absolutely critical” that fans return, says Premier League Chief Richard Masters P

remier League chief executive Richard Masters has said it is "absolutely critical" that fans are allowed back inside stadiums as soon as possible. He says failure to do so would cost clubs £700m during the 2020-21 season, which starts on Saturday.

Football has been played behind closed doors since its return in June following the coronavirus lockdown. As it stands, no fans will be admitted to top-flight matches before October at the earliest.

Masters told BBC Sport that matches behind closed doors "can't go on forever", as clubs have already lost more than half a billion pounds from the disruption to the final quarter of last season.

"We have to get back to fans inside stadia as quickly as possible; that's the big thing that's missing, economic or otherwise. We need fans back inside stadiums for all sorts of reasons, and it's the number one priority," he said.

Masters also revealed he was still hopeful some fans could return to grounds next month, despite the rising number of cases of coronavirus in the UK and the Government's new restriction on gatherings of more than six people, which comes into effect on Monday.

He admitted that clubs "would have to adapt" because "there will be bumps in the

Premier League's key targets

There were 2,500 fans at a pre-season friendly between Brighton and Chelsea in August as part of a Government trial

road".

"It doesn't lower our ambitions; it just means that we'll have to adapt. It's one thing we've shown over recent months: we're able to adapt to the situation," Masters said.

"We wait to see what impact it has on the Government's testing programme and permissions it's going to give, and also on that cru-

cial October 1st date. We wait to see what the Government decides, and we'll remain in dialogue with them throughout.

"We always knew September was going to be a difficult month, at the start of the return to normality the Government was talking about, and so we should anticipate bumps in the road," he said.

Masters said the Premier League has three main objectives: the "big challenge" of ensuring 380 matches finish on time this season; getting fans back into full stadia; and returning the Premier League economy to full health. Premier League revenue was down £700m in the final quarter of last season.

"It's not just the loss of matchday revenue," he said. "Every Premier League match on average generates about £20m for the economy, both local and national, so we want to play our part in helping the economy to recover as well.

"I think perhaps there is a perception the Premier League economy can withstand just about anything; but if you do lose £700m out of a planned budget, it's going to affect things, and clubs have had to make some very difficult decisions.

"That is why it is important we focus on those three key objectives, and obviously everyone hopes that from next season we can return to full normality, but it's a huge challenge going forward.

"Financial issues are very real, they're there; economic uncertainty is in front of us, and we just have to have a clear plan and stick to it," he said. (BBC Sports)

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez sues England batsman Dawid DAZN and promoter Oscar de Malan moves to top of la Hoya over lucrative contract T20 batting rankings

F

our-weight world champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is suing streaming service DAZN and promoter Oscar de la Hoya for at least $280m (£216m).

Papers filed with the US district court in California state the Mexican is suing for "breach of the single largest contract in the history of boxing".

In 2018, Alvarez signed a $365m (£282m) deal for 11 fights on DAZN. Alvarez's claim details 11 complaints, including breach of contract, negligent interference and fraud.

The legal papers - seen by BBC Sport - request a jury trial, and state DAZN and De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions organisation have "broken the promises they made to each other, Alvarez, and boxing fans".

At the time of Alvarez signing his fight contract, those close to the deal said it was one of the most lucrative, not only in boxing, but in all of sport.

The court documents state that after the first of his 11 fights was completed, DAZN would pay Golden Boy Promotions $40m for each of the remaining 10 bouts and $35m would be passed on to the fighter on each occasion.

Three of the 11 contests have now taken place, but with no agreement reached for a fourth, 30-year-old Alvarez claims DAZN replied to a letter sent by his team in June stating the $40m fee would not be paid to Golden Boy Promotions for his next contest.

This alleged lack of payment has prompted him to sue both parties for breach of his contract, and he is pursuing "at least $280m" in damages.

The case filings claim that DAZN cited that Alvarez had not fought Gennady Golovkin in 2019 as one of the factors in its decision to not pay him for his next bout.

DAZN insists the deal it struck with Golden Boy Promotions included approval rights on the fighter's future opponents.

Alvarez claims his original agreement with

Golden Boy Promotions boss Oscar de la Hoya (left) is being sued by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (right)

Golden Boy "did not mention that DAZN would have any right to accept or reject any opponents".

He is therefore taking action against Golden Boy Promotions for fraud-concealment, alleging the company made promises or representations to DAZN that were inconsistent with the contract he signed.

DAZN has said it will not comment on legal matters.

Golden Boy Promotions told US media that noone from the organisation "ever promised anyone that Canelo would fight any specified opponent".

The company added that DAZN is refusing to honour Alvarez's contract "by not approving the outstanding opponents we have presented to them, and by refusing to pay the contractually required amount".

The likes of Britain's WBA world super-middleweight champion Callum Smith and WBO world super-middleweight title holder Billy Joe Saunders had been heavily linked with facing Alvarez next.

Alvarez has lost once in 56 fights since turning professional in 2005. (BBC Sports)

E

ngland batsman Dawid Malan has gone to number one in the Twenty20 batting rankings following the 2-1 series win over Australia.

The 33-year-old Yorkshire lefthander moved up four places to the top after scoring 66, 42 and 21 against Australia. Malan has played 16 T20 internationals and has an average of 48.71, with an overall strike-rate of 146.66.

"His form in T20 is phenomenal really," said England coach Chris Silverwood. "It seems to keep getting better the more he bats, and it's great.

It's good to watch.

"He works hard to get into the team, and when he's got his opportunity, he's taken it. His record is brilliant at the moment, good on him."

Fellow England batsman Jonny Bairstow has moved up three places to 19th, and Jos Buttler has gone from

40th to 28th. Spinner Adil Rashid took six wickets against Australia, and has risen two places to seventh in the bowler rankings.

Australia regained number one spot in the team T20 rankings as - after losing the spot to England following defeats in the first two matches - they won the third match of the contest. They now have 275 points compared to England's 271.

Malan's performances mean he is now a reserve for the one-day series against Australia, with Joe Denly going back to Kent.

"The 50-over format is a tough team to get into," added Silverwood prior to the start of the three-match ODI series on Friday.

"If the opportunity comes around, I'm sure he'll grab it with both hands; but it may be the case he has to wait for that opportunity, because it's a tough team to get into." (BBC Sports)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Basil Butcher's 87th birthday celebrations…

RHTY&SC donates to young cricketers and Corriverton Links Football Club

L

egendary West Indies test cricketer Basil Butcher, AA, who died in the United States of America last December, was on Wednesday, September 3, remembered by the ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC).

Butcher would have celebrated his 87th birthday if he were alive, and in his memory, the teams handed over a quantity of cricket gear, educational materials and football items to members of the RHTY&SC and the Corriverton Links Football Club.

Butcher had been an honorary member of the RHTY&SC, and had worked along with the club to assist dozens of youths with

Some RHTY&SC members pose after the presentation of gear for Basil Butcher’s 87th birthday celebration

cricket gear during his lifetime. Butcher represented

the West Indies in forty-four Test matches, scoring 3104

Narine's brilliance leads Majestics to CCLPD title — cops MVP prize

GFF supports footballer Shennel Daniels in academic pursuit

The victorious Majestics team

A

ction continued in the final of the Commonwealth Cricket League Premier Division with MMZ Cricket Club defeating Deccan Challengers in a thrilling 25-over encounter played in Eisenhower State Park in Long Island, USA. Put in to take first strike, Deccan scored 169 all out in 24.5 overs. This score seemed below par for a powerful Majestics’ lineup, but those players knew they could defend the total, as they boasted Derick Narine and Chris Patadin at the top of the order.

As predicted, Narine and Patadin easily annihilated the opposition. The pair took their team over the line, ending on 173-0 in 12.4 overs. Narine ended on 80 off 47 balls, which included 6 boundaries and 7 towering maximums; while Patadin supported with a quickfire 74 off 30 balls, which included 8 boundaries and 5 maximums.

At the end of it all, Narine was adjudged the MVP of the tournament for his all-round performance. He scored 375 runs from 8 matches at an average of 75, and was also supported by Patadin, who scored 230 from his 8 matches

runs at an average of 43.11.

He was remembered by Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster as a dedicated and humble man despite walking among proverbial kings and queens.

Butcher had been quite passionate about giving youths the opportunity to fulfill their potential, because he felt that poverty should not affect God-given talent.

The club handed over cricket gear and educational materials to several of its members as part of the Butcher birthday celebration.

The cricket gear included bat-

ting pads, batting gloves, helmets, wicket-keeping pads and gloves. Several members carried home a complete educational package that included a school bag, exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers and calculators, among other items.

RHTY&SC Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu has encouraged club members to cherish the donated items, and to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Butcher, who rose from a humble background to become one of the greatest ever Test batsmen produced by Berbice and Guyana.

Naidu said the Club had partnered with the Berbice Cricket Board to host the Basil Butcher Trust Fund.

Under the fund, over four million dollars’ worth of items, including cricket gear, educational materials, cleaning detergents, footwear, clocks, bicycles, clothing, household items, utensils, stationery, electric fans and food hampers, have been shared out.

Naidu also disclosed that the club would very shortly be handing over cricket gear to ten youths in Linden, while two students would be getting bicycles to assist them to attend school regularly.

“I

Christopher Patadin bagged a total of 15 wickets

at an average of 38.3.

The pair dominated the bowling, with Patadin leading the charge by bagging a total of 15 wickets from his 37 overs at an average of 10.8, and Narine supporting by bowling a total of 33.5 overs and taking 14 wickets at a bowling average of 10.6.

In a social media post, MVP of the tournament, Guyanese all-rounder Derick Narine,

said, "Awesome season and finishing as CCL 25 overs MVP. Also, congratulations to Team Majestic for winning the CCL 25 overs’ Premier Division Championship 4 years 4 championships, and also well played to everyone in the majestics team that play a part of this championship, and special thanks to all the supporters who been coming out every week to support us."

feel great about the contribution from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), because, throughout my football career, I have been supported by the GFF, and it’s an honour to have the organization now help me to further my education and my football ambitions. It’s overwhelming!”

Those were the words of female footballer and coach Shennel Daniels after she was presented with a monetary contribution from the GFF. The donation, a partial football scholarship to aid her pursuit of a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management at Bryant and Stratton College in the United States of America, was handed over by GFF President Wayne Forde at the Secretariat’s Boardroom yesterday.

Forde said the gesture is part of the GFF’s Strategic Plan: “One of the key pillars of the plan is to open new opportunities for all of our young players, both males and females. At the moment, we have four young footballers pursuing higher education at colleges within the United States of America.

Compared to when my Executive Committee started this journey in November 2015, I think it’s a significant achievement, one that we are very proud of. We continue to offer as much support as the FIFA regulations and our own lobbying efforts with sponsors and through other partnerships such as the one we have with the International Support Group to ensure that our student athletes are given the best level of support during their journey at these higher education institutions.

“We know that it will require and demand quite an adjustment from these players, so we will continue to offer whatever support from where we are here in Guyana.”

The Fruta Conquerors forward, who has been playing competitive football for approximately 16 years, said she would represent her college on the field as part of the scholarship, which was facilitated by former national player Kevin Beaton.

“We want to wish those that are studying and those that are about to join them every success, and we will continue to support in the months and years to come,” Forde added.

Daniels departed Guyana on September 8, and is scheduled to begin classes on September 19.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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23

4 GAW stars make CPL "Team of the Tournament" Riders, Shimron Hetmyer – Guyana Amazon Warriors, Nicholas Pooran – Guyana Amazon Warriors, Darren Bravo – Trinbago Knight Riders, Kieron Pollard (capt) – Trinbago Knight Riders, Mohammad Nabi – St Lucia Zouks, Jason Holder – Barbados Tridents, Rayad Emrit – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Imran Tahir – Guyana Amazon Warriors, Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Jamaica Tallawahs.

The selectors also picked one Caribbean and one overseas 12th man to round out the squad.

T

he ‘Team of the Tournament’ for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has been announced. It was selected by the tournament’s commentary team, compris-

ing Tom Moody, Ian Bishop, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Samuel Badree.

The team features three players from the Trinbago Knight Riders who went

through the group stages unbeaten, three members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad, two players from the Jamaica Tallawahs, and one each from the St Lucia Zouks, St

Kitts & Nevis Patriots and the Barbados Tridents.

The team is as follows:

Glenn Phillips (wk) – Jamaica Tallawahs, Sunil Narine – Trinbago Knight

These are as follows:

Scott Kuggelejin – St Lucia Zouks, Keemo Paul – Guyana Amazon Warriors Tom Moody, CPL Director of International Cricket, said: “After healthy

discussion and debate, the commentators have finalised what they believe is a power packed all-star XI from Hero CPL 2020.

“With a tournament dominated by world-class spin, there was an abundance of riches. Imran Tahir again proved a challenge to all who came his way. Kieron Pollard’s allround skills again brought some eye-catching performances. It was an easy decision to make him the captain after a flawless league stage.”

The final of this year’s tournament will take place today, Thursday 10 September, at 10am Eastern Caribbean Time at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The two competing teams will be Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Zouks. (CPL T20)

Pollard, Sammy ready Unconquered TKR, unbothered St Lucia for final showdown Zouks ready for battle in CPL Final

G

ood vibes and high cricket side, you want a good TKR’s fourth CPL championship, spirits radiated between wicket. So far, the second goer but Darren Sammy shared that Captains Kieron Pollard at Brian Lara, the batters can’t his team has been mentally and Darren Sammy, respectively complain about the pitches, I prepared for the effort that this of the Trinbago Knight Riders think the pitches have been good battle will take. Here’s what they and the St. Lucia Zouks, as for cricket. We just probably just had to say: “You know we look forward they prepare to face off in didn’t play well, but it wasn’t the final match of the Hero because of the pitch, especially in to it again. You know last year we Caribbean Premier League 2020 this second go around,” Sammy were pretty disappointed losing commented. in the semifinal, and we made tournament.

“If I’ll be a little critical, yes some changes and we decided During a pre-match press conference hosted on the pitches haven’t been up to to come with a different sort of Wednesday, both captains standard for batting, but what mentality; and it has shown on shared their optimism about the I have seen as well is that the the cricket field. So, it’s just a final. Pollard described it as “one guys haven’t mentally changed matter to jump that hurdle and, more hurdle”, and Sammy said their game to suit the conditions, hopefully, be that four- time he is expecting an exciting game and that is something that’s not champions,” Pollard explained. only happening at CPL, but it’s “From the time the of cricket.

“It’s plain to see (that) happening to us in international tournament started playing, we said whoever has to win this obviously, we’ve had a good cricket as well,” Pollard chided.

He continued, “Because tournament has to go through tournament thus far. We’ve played some good cricket, we you can’t complain all the time TKR. That’s a given: you want to have come in every time and about the pitches and we’re not win this tournament, you have to tried to improve as a unit; so, I changing as individuals. I didn’t beat TKR, and that’s what left to do. If we want to win this cup, think nothing is going to change see the mental fortitude of that’s what we have to do,” come tomorrow (today). At the the batsmen throughout Sammy stressed. end of the day, we’ve reached the tournament in the The final of the 2020 thus far, so it’s just one more other teams. You know with TKR we’ve tried to Hero Caribbean Premier hurdle,” Captain Pollard stated.

League (CPL) will go “We’ve really put in some adjust to the situation as down today at the Brian good performances, and I think it presented itself,” E x p e c t e d l y, Lara Cricket Academy in that’s why we are in the final. Like Tarouba, Trinidad and Pollard said, the team who plays Kieron Pollard is Tobago, with the first ball better on that day… Whatever e y e i n g expected to bowl off at you’ve done throughout the 10am. (Jemima Holmes) tournament doesn’t matter, it’s what you do on that day that will count. We, as a group, we believe in our abilities and we believe we could play a good cricket match,” Sammy shared.

Ahead of the most crucial game of the tournament, the captains were questioned about their thoughts about the conditions and challenges that may have been posed over the tournament.

To this Sammy answered that the wickets weren’t as bad for bowlers, but needed much more adaptation from the batsmen.

Pollard shared similar sentiments, noting that the batsmen needed to up their game.

“I want to win, that’s the first thing.

But in terms of the SLZ and TKR Captains Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard

T

he CPL 2020 semi-finals have been drab, one-sided affairs that were frankly no fun to watch. We can now hope for something more dramatic and better-contested as the CPL T20 final comes our way.

The two teams playing this match absolutely deserve to be here. The Trinbago Knight Riders have won every single match they have played, and have bossed their way into the final.

The St. Lucia Zouks have had some hiccups along the way, but there is no doubt that they are worthy contestants in this final match of the CPL 2020 tournament. The question to be answered though, is: Can they give the seemingly unstoppable TKR team a fight?

The Guyana Amazon Warriors performed outstandingly last season, playing without losing a match, and then fumbled in the final.

TKR will not want to fall victim to that fate this time around.

TKR vs SLZ CPL T20 2020 Final is going to be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago today, 10th September 2020.

Trinbago Knight Riders The Trinbago Knight Riders were barely tested as they overran the Jamaica Tallawahs in their semi-final. Kieron Pollard demonstrated innovative captaincy when he attacked the Tallawahs with his left-arm spinners. It is unsure whether that tactic will work against the likes of Rahkeem Cornwall and Mark Deyal at the top of the order. TKR may return to a more

traditional form of attack against SLZ in the final.

That means more of a workout for Ali Khan and Dwayne Bravo. Akeal Hosain, Khary Pierre, and Sunil Narine all bowled very well. Fawad Ahmed was a bit expensive, considering the situation he came to bowl in, but he also did decently.

There was no significant score to give the batting any real trouble, but it was great to see Lendl Simmons continuing in his good form.

Tion Webster also scored some runs to give the TKR batting more solidity at the top.

A batting collapse, purely by some miracle, is the only thing that can stop TKR from winning the CPL title.

With most batsmen in form, including the brilliant Kieron Pollard in the middle-order, TKR should be confident of winning this match.

St Lucia Zouks The Zouks believe they can win, and that shows in the manner in which they play. All throughout the tournament, the Zouks have not let anything bring them down. A number of their first-choice players were not available, but the replacements have been fantastic.

Mark Deyal has been one of the finds of CPL 2020, and we think it is just a matter of time before he gets a chance in West Indian colours. Scott Kuggeleijn and Mohammad Nabi have been wonderful in the bowling department. We know they are good T20 players, but they don’t always get the credit they

deserve.

Add Zahir Khan to the mix and the St. Lucia Zouks have a very good bowling attack. They bowled out the Guyana Amazon Warriors for just 55 runs in their previous match.

Can they do something similar against TKR as well? We think there is a possibility of sorts. The real test for the Zouks is going to be their batting.

Cornwall, Deyal and Fletcher form an explosive but somewhat unreliable top-order. Roston Chase, Mohammad Nabi, and Najibullah Zadran are a decent middle-order, but nothing like what TKR has in its team.

At least one Zouks batsman has to be exceptional to give the TKR a fight.

TKR vs SLS toss prediction The team that wins the toss is going to want to field first.

Both teams won chasing in their semi-finals. We think batting second should be seen as a significant advantage.

Pitch and conditions A lot of rain has been forecasted for the morning of the match (today) and that is not a good sign. The weather does improve as the day progresses, and so we could just have a slight delay. The conditions have been spin-friendly, and we saw how much help the slower bowlers got even though a new surface was used for the semi-finals.

Teams are going to want to get something around 150 batting first. That should be something that is difficult to chase down.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

GFF supports footballer Shennel Daniels in academic pursuit See story on page 22

Pollard, Sammy ready for final showdown Page 23

See story on page 23

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