Guyana Times -- Tuesday, August 18, 2020

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

Issue No. 4381

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

More reorganising in GPF: Paul P9 Williams sent on 192 days leave

AXED

AXED

AXED

AXED

Granger splits PNC: Volda Lawrence, Amna Ally, Basil Williams, Aubrey Norton snubbed See story on page 7

Questions raised over 12 political appointees at GuyOil Page 3

…Granger’s relative, outgoing Top Cop’s wife among appointees

Carl Greenidge hired as advisor; Ambassador Audrey Waddell retained

$300M City Hall Restoration Fund unaccounted for – Dharamlall Pages 2 & 10

Broomes, bodyguard charged for causing public terror, assault, discharging firearm P13

Labour Ministry to finalise minimum wage increase in Private Sector P9 Mother stabs son during argument P8

Mechanic severely injured as boat explodes at NA Stelling P15

…Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett Guyana’s Permanent ...says corruption, Gun-toting bandits Representative to UN mismanagement plagued Page shoot, rob Sophia 15 Communities Ministry …Robert Persaud now Foreign Secretary P9 resident

Govt to halt sale of sugar estates – Agri Minister tells Granger Page 11

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$300M City Hall Restoration Fund unaccounted for – Dharamlall

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

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here has been no accountability for the $300 million restoration fund which was contributed to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council for the restoration of the dilapidated City Hall building.

Newly-appointed Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall told Guyana Times in an interview on Monday they are yet to find out where the money went.

“Not a cent has been accounted for. Not a piece of documentation can be provided and that’s an outstanding issue which we would have to look at. We have had cases of gross incompetence and misman-

agement which we will have to work to get fixed,” he lamented.

The restoration fund is one whereby members of the public are encouraged to donate monies towards the rehabilitation for the 19th-century building. At the time of the first study by the European Union several years ago, the project was pegged $400 million but to date, that amount has increased to over $1 billion.

Later, $65 million was also provided over one year ago for the construction of an administrative building but according to the new Minister, only a building design plan has been drafted.

This building was expected to host employees until the restoration exercise is completed. As it stands, the iconic City Hall structure has become an eyesore and is expected to crumble in the near future.

“The only thing that has been done in a year, despite $65 million being provided to City Hall, was a design review of the structure that ought to be built. I have no idea as yet but that information will have to be provided on whether City Hall has expended those resources on other things or whether they held it in escrow,” the new Minister revealed.

cash strapped. They are without resources. Their collection is still below par.

I think most importantly, it’s the way things are managed.”

As such, it was noted that the new Administration will seek greater accountability to ensure that subventions and revenues are well-spent. The dissolved Communities Ministry would have bailed out the

City Hall

No increase in taxes

In a bid to gain more revenues, the city had previously embarked on a property valuation exercise to increase rates, but this project gravely failed. In that regard, Minister Dharamlall has reassured residents within the township that taxes will not be increased as a mean to fix the city’s lack of funds.

The Georgetown municipality has been cashstrapped for many years – mostly linked to lack of transparency and mismanagement of funds.

Dharamlall has included in his mandate, a quest to reshape the operations at City Hall so that Government’s

intervention is no longer constantly needed.

He would have recently engaged Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine, where it was disclosed that the municipality is indeed cashstrapped.

“I think it is legendary that it has been mismanaged. In the next five years, I can assure every resident of Georgetown that we will ensure that City Hall pulls itself up and becomes transparent, accountable, efficient and sustainable in all of its management,” he affirmed.

The Minister added, “We have met with the Mayor and he has indicated very clearly to us that they are

City Council on two occasions within the past three years, in excess of $200 million to pay solid waste contractors, due to their inability to pay these stakeholders for services done.

“We believe that with this new Government, we will work very closely to ensure that they are managed better, the subventions provided would have to be accounted for.” (G12)

Cop slapped with causing death charge

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29-year-old Special Constable was on Monday charged for causing death by dangerous driving and was hauled in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Michael Lewis appeared before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool and denied the charge when it was read to him.

The charged detailed that on May 24, 2020, at Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), he drove motorcar PKK 9991 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of 61-year-old Zalima Subrattie called ‘Patsy’ of Pigeon Island Squatting

Area, ECD. Reports are that car was reportedly driving along the East Coast Highway and suddenly changed lanes to overtake another vehicle, but instead, it came into contact with the woman who was attempting to cross the road.

It is alleged that upon seeing the woman, the driver attempted to swerve, but the right side of the vehicle collided with the now dead woman.

As a result, Subrattie fell onto the roadway, where she sustained severe head and bodily injuries. The woman reportedly died on the spot. Lewis was released on $200,000 bail. The case will continue on October 12. (G1)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 18 – 04:00h – 05:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Wednesday, August 19 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, August 18 – 16:20h – 17:50h and Wednesday, August 19 – 16:45h – 18:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. There will be clear skies during the night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-Easterly to East SouthEasterly to Easterly to East North-Easterly 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:21h reaching a maximum height of 2.61 metres.

Low Tide: 09:53h and 22:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.59 metre.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

14 16 18

22 24 25

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Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

04 08 12 13 18 LUCKY 3

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DRAW DE LINE

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

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PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$45.37/barrel

+1.26

Rough Rice

$214.88 /ton

-0.27

London Sugar

$381.20/ton

0

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1987.00

$1988.00

Low/High

$1940.50

$1991.30

Change

+3.40

+0.17%

Questions raised over 12 political appointees at GuyOil …Granger’s relative, outgoing Top Cop’s wife among appointees

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ince coming to office, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has uncovered a number of political appointments in various State agencies, with the latest being Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil).

According to reliable sources, a niece of former President David Granger is employed as a senior functionary with the State-owned company. This newspaper was told that the current employment of Marketing Manager Jacqueline James is also raising eyebrows.

James is the wife of outgoing Police Commissioner Leslie James, who was appointed by the former President in 2018, and was sent on 306 days of accumulated, pre-retirement leave on August 2, 2020. He is scheduled to reach the age of retirement in April 2021.

Other questionable appointments include the hiring of Attorney-at-Law Suzanne Bullen as Company Secretary. Bullen previously worked at the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) as the Legal Officer.

That was until she was implicated in the 2017 money laundering probe surrounding gold dealer Saddiqi “Bobby” Rasul and sent on administrative leave by the Natural Resources Ministry in order to facilitate an investigation.

In fact, it is understood that from a list of current staff at GuyOil, the new Government was able to decipher the appointment of 12 political appointees, for whom opportunities were created back in 2017.

According to sources, the salaries of these appointees do not commensurate with the work they do or industry averages.

Since coming to power, President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet have been weeding through political appointees and others who collected “fat cat” salaries for little to no work, who were inherited from the previous Government. It has been said that such positions existed in almost every Ministry.

One such position happened to be the “Director of Public Parks”, created especially for Retired Lieutenant Colonel Larry London, the man at the centre of the controversial D’Urban Park project.

Only on Monday, Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall revealed that his predecessor, Ronald Bulkan, paid over $800 million to 56 staffers for doing absolutely no work during

Head Office of the Guyana Oil Company

his five-year term in office.

Dharamlall related that the discovery of Bulkan’s mismanagement of taxpayers’ monies was made when he along with Junior Minister Anand Persaud conducted a situational assessment of the Ministry.

The Ministers found that there were 23 staff members in Bulkan’s Secretariat earning a total of $7,730,000 per month. The Minister noted that those persons are all active members of the APNU/AFC coalition.

During a recent interview on the National Communications Network (NCN), Attorney General Anil Nandlall had revealed that London was getting a $500,000 take-home salary in his position as Director of Public Parks, as well as his light bills paid.

“You have jobs I’ve never

heard about. For instance, Head of Public Parks. He was getting $500,000 a month take home, all his light bills and phone bills being paid, he had guards at his house. His internet being paid. He has a driver and a car. He gets a duty-free allowance in an A grade, presumably the highest type of vehicle,” Nandlall had said.

Gratuity is a benefit normally afforded to public servants, where they are paid a lump sum at the end of

their employment, calculated as a percentage of their pay. According to Nandlall, London was even granted gratuity as high as 22.5 per cent of his salary.

“He gets a gratuity of 22 and a half per cent every six months. And this is a guy, when I find out, is hardly ever in Guyana. But he is the Director of Public Parks.

What is that? What is that?

And you have hundreds of those creations, all over,” the AG had lamented. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

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

Amerindian development I

mmediately after taking office, the new Minister of Amerindian Affairs conducted a brief review of the work done by the then Indigenous Peoples’ Ministry over the past five years relative to land titling and other development-related issues for Indigenous peoples.

What was found was not surprising, compared to the other sectors of development under the then APNU/AFC Administration.

Like in other sectors, no real effort had been made to embark on projects which would have resulted in real development occurring in communities. For example, based on media reports, the Minister discovered that the unit designated to fast-tracking the Amerindian land titling project had produced little to no results while exhausting large sums of money. As a result, communities are still waiting for their titles to be issued.

In essence, there is little outcome to show for the work done within the last five years in relation to the land-titling issue. It was reported that, for almost one year, the project had been put on pause, as the Amerindian Land Titling Board did not facilitate any meetings to discuss or move forward with their plans.

The new Government will now have to return to the process, and bring the project back on track, as Amerindians have been waiting for years to have their lands demarcated and titled. The Amerindian Land Titling process was facilitated by the Amerindian Act of 2006, which catered for land titling and extensions. This led to establishment of the Amerindian Land Titling Project, which commenced in 2013 and was scheduled to end in 2016. This was a US$10.7 million project.

It is clear there was the absence of a proper vision by the previous Coalition Government in relation to Amerindian development. Prior to 2015, several crucial developmentrelated projects were started under the PPP/C Government, which were either put on hold or disbanded altogether after 2015. Besides land titling and demarcation, there were quite a few other initiatives aimed at improving and reviving village economies, improving healthcare delivery, improving access to education, providing electricity through the distribution of solar panels etc.

The National Secure Livelihood Programme, which was carried out by the PPPC Administration in collaboration with Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) International, is a fine example of how the Government and NGOs can collaborate in ensuring improvements in the living standards of Amerindians.

This project was aimed at addressing the challenges of economic development in Amerindian villages and hinterland communities. The initiative was not only meant to expand production of the locally-grown produce, but also processing of value added products.

Additionally, there was the Presidential Grant initiative, a monetary award allocated to Amerindian communities to help them establish income- generating projects to advance their growth and development.

It is quite unfortunate that the then Coalition Government did not see it fit to continue some of these projects, even though those projects were proven to be successful and funding had been allocated to see their completion.

That said, we believe there is need for more collaboration between the Government and other development agencies, to support and fund similar community development projects that would see Amerindians enjoying a better quality of life. For example, there is need for more programmes that would focus on skills training, entrepreneurship etc. Poverty in these areas could be tackled only if persons are empowered to change their situations.

Also, the relevant Ministries, such as Amerindian Affairs and Labour, along with the responsible NGOs, must step up their efforts to ensure that Amerindians are not exploited in any way. Over the years, there have been several complaints that these persons are being forced to work in terrible conditions, sometimes even being abused by their employers.

Finally, the Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC) also has a role to play in seeing the development of Amerindian communities. This constitutional body was created to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous people, raise awareness of their contributions and the problems they face, and make recommendations on economic and educational policies to further their interests.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali being briefed for the 11th Special Emergency Meeting of Caricom to review the current situation and impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019. In photo he is joined by Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy (Office of the President photo)

Govt may not have had much of a say in selection of Alison Redford Dear Editor, The concerns raised in the media regarding the technical expertise of Ms. Alison Redford, the consultant hired to review and evaluate the Payara Field Development Plan (FDP), is serious and disconcerting. However, an important consideration that is overlooked is the source of funding for the consultancy. The consultancy is being funded through a grant as part of the long-standing bilateral cooperation between the Government of Guyana and the Government of Canada.

As such, the Government of Guyana may not have had much say in the decision to hire Ms. Redford.

In international development cooperation projects, whether through grants, co-operative agreements, or contracts, decisions about key personnel ultimately rest with the donor. After all, the donor is paying for the technical assistance, and needs to ensure he/she is getting value for money. In some instances, the donor is ensuring that the services are provided by independent and competent persons, instead of the mon-

ey ending up in the pockets of friends and families of the cooperating country’s government.

In other instances, the donor has an incentive to ensure that the lion’s share of the development assistance returns home. In this case, Ms. Redford is a Canadian citizen, and her compensation will be taxable by the Government of Canada.

While the Government of Guyana could have recommended the most qualified person under the sun and moon to review and evaluate the Payara plan, the ultimate decision rests with the Canadian Government.

And given how quickly Ms. Redford was recruited and selected for the role, it is conceivable that her name was suggested by the Canadian Government as part of the grant agreement.

In the international development world, when a recruitment suggestion is made by a donor, it usually means that the donor wants that person to be selected.

More so, the current situation is not novel or out of the ordinary. A similar arrangement existed when the Government

of Guyana requested technical assistance from the British Government to advise and build the capacity of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). As a result, Dr. Sam Sittlington was contracted, and paid directly by the British Government to serve as an Advisor to SOCU. Despite Mr. Sittlington’s unceremonious exit from Guyana, back then, like now, the Government of Guyana would not have had much say on who was hired.

The Guyana Government would have gladly accepted the technical assistance in whichever form it came.

That the Government of Guyana may not have had much say in the selection of Ms. Redford is not to say that that Government should have accepted poor advice and rushed to decide on a project of national importance. This is especially crucial given what transpired under the Granger Administration and the fire sale of the Liza One and Two projects, also in the Stabroek block. And while Ms. Redford may be short of specific experience or expertise in the opinion of some

industry experts, she should be allowed to do her work.

After all, she was deemed acceptable by the Canadian Government and other international organisations, including the World Bank.

And if she needs additional support or resources, she should not hesitate to reach out and request such assistance.

Having Ms. Redford review the Payara FDP is a positive sign as it relates to transparency and accountability. It is much more than Guyanese got under the first two projects.

However, the ultimate decision to approve the plan rests with the Government of Guyana. If Government is dissatisfied with the advice received, the onus is on it to seek additional assistance in order to make an informed decision that is in the best interest of the country.

More importantly, Government should strive to include all stakeholders, and not succumb to any pressure to expedite the approval process.

Dear Editor, I am moved by the commentaries, insights and sagaciousness of British High Commissioner Greg Quinn in his recent interview on a radio programme.

I implore all Guyanese to take the time to listen and learn from this eminent citizen of this planet, who has taken time to share his observations and understanding of fundamental problems facing the people of this country.

It is gratifying to hear how much Mr Quinn has appreciated the culture, food, and geography of Guyana.

What is striking, however, is his insights about our social, political, and economic challenges.

One of the concerns that stand out in Mr Quinn's mind is the need for constitutional and other structural reforms that could ease the political and racial tensions that have dogged this nation for decades. Guyanese could learn,

for example, how Northern Ireland (Mr. Quinn's home country) handled the humongous (religious) divide, thereby reducing the hatred, enmity and suspicions between the two sides.

I wish to thank Mr Quinn for his outstanding service to this country. I do trust that the President of Guyana would heed Freddie Kissoon’s suggestion to erect a bust of Mr. Quinn (as well as Bruce Golding, Owen Arthur, American Ambassador

Sarah-Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó) to remember their roles in helping to preserve freedom and democracy in Guyana.

Thank you, High Commissioner Quinn, for your distinguished contributions to our country.

Yours faithfully, Omchand Mahdu

Thank you, High Commissioner Quinn, for your distinguished contributions

Yours truly, Dr Devanand Bhagwan

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

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Minister Juan Edghill took time from Review of Bayphase duties to thank Region 10 supporters work by experts timely and welcome

Dear Editor, On Sunday, the hardworking cabinet Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, took time off from his duties to visit several Peoples Progressive Party Civic stronghold bases in Region #10, and thank the many supporters, residents and activists.

Minister Edghill indicated that the Irfaan Ali Administration is working assiduously to present an emergency national budget within the next 21 days to help cushion the current economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. He said the country and the people of Guyana need help, which is not available in many of the sectors unless we have an early but emergency budget, which this administration is working assiduously to get done.

The country has been operating without a budget in 2020, after the David Grangerled A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change

APNU/AFC Administration fell in 2018 after a vote of no confidence and five months’ delay in declaring a winner of the March 2,2020 General and Regional Elections.

The previous Government was still accessing billions of dollars from the treasury, and removed more than $116 billion, which must be considered a corrupt spending spree that it had embarked on. Many of the Ministries awarded contracts although they knew that there was no money to fulfil the contracts. The previous Government released over a billion dollars for COVID-19 related activities from the Capital side.

The Minister assured everyone that Government is still mobilising the $4.5 billion to help Guyanese households combat COVID-19 pandemic, and there are plans to recognise all frontline health workers. He assured that appropriate recognition would be given.

He encouraged Government’s supporters to go out and assure everybody that, now that the elections have been declared, it is time for us to provide the services and deliver on the promises we have said that we would do in our manifesto.

He also emphasised that any new amenities in the communities would be built within the framework of sustainability. The works will continue to better take care of our residents. He said the hard work never ends; it does not matter for whom our residents voted, President Ali's Administration is committed to residents in Region Ten and to every Guyanese.

He also thanked volunteers, activists and supporters for being the backbone of the Region 10 team, and he said that many of them have been with the party for many years, they sacrificed their personal time because they shared the same belief as the Party. He said that

we have to take care of our residents to the best of our abilities; without the Party’s supporters, we would never be able to serve our residents as effectively. The supporters are not just volunteering to serve the party, they are volunteering to serve all our residents.

Minister Edghill, following all COVID-19 procedures and guidelines, interacted with the residents, who were extremely excited over the visit.

Minister Edghill, the people of Region #10 thank you for your kind words and guidance.

Your encouragement meant a lot to us. We admire your leadership and decision- making skills, we hope to continue hearing from you. We appreciate all your encouragement and support. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude as you continue to work for the future development of Region #10.

Sincerely, David Adams

Vacuum of estate closure has been heart-rending Dear Editor, The GAWU’s attention was drawn to Ms Akola Thompson’s Minority Report column titled “Sugar”, which appeared in the Stabroek News of August 14, 2020.

Having considered the column, the GAWU believes it should offer a response to bring clarity to several of Ms Thompson’s suppositions.

The columnist begins by recognising that the industry, for many years, played an important role in our nation. She described the industry as “the crown jewel of Guyana’s industries.”

While the industry’s economic impact is obvious, the GAWU has consistently demonstrated that the industry has a much wider social impact in rural Guyana. This, while not easily seen, is probably the industry’s most tangible contribution. Moreover, as Guyana’s economic “crown jewel”, sugar’s economic legacy is impressive.

The Sugar Levy alone carried Guyana during the turbulent past of our nation.

So, while Ms Thompson contends that it’s an “ambitious task” to restore the industry to viability, we cannot share that view. We are not going to be like ostriches, burying our heads in the sand and saying it will be an easy feat, but we hold that it’s certainly not an impossible task, as the columnist seemingly makes it out to be. It is a goal that is attainable with proper and creative management, motivated workers, and sufficient support.

Ms Thompson, in advancing her proposition, argues that the industry has not been able to justify its past investments.

That sentiment, in our view, has to be considered alongside a clear policy position by the former Coalition Government, to downplay the industry with a seeming intention to get rid of it. Undoubtedly, the lack of effective leadership, and a Government-supervised tugof-war between NICIL and GuySuCo also served to bring more harm than good.

Apart from that, we saw the

placement of many square pegs in round holes. The columnist may be surprised to learn of the number of high-paid consultants, many past the age of retirement, the industry engaged at reportedly high pay over the last five (5) years.

To give an instance, the Corporation’s Factory Operations Department at its Head Office has more staffers now than when the industry had seven (7) factories.

Notwithstanding that development, factory efficiency is at an all-time low.

The industry is largely agricultural, but we continue to see a lack of creativity in addressing the maladies at that level, although the Corporation is currently led by a longstanding agriculturalist who possesses a PhD. The industry is labelled a “black hole” by the columnist.

It’s an interesting phrase, and one which was used by the APNU in the form of Dr Carl Greenidge to similarly describe the industry in 2013. Maybe it is a coincidental choice of words, but it also exposes Ms Thompson’s naivety in regard to the sugar industry. The reality is that the industry must be re-oriented to produce several products, such as electricity, refined sugar and packaged sugar, among other things. There must be improved efficiencies in the fields as well, through mechanisation and harnessing advances in technology.

For this columnist’s information, steps were taken in this direction, and those efforts had borne fruit. But rather than continuing along that path, we saw the former Coalition Government throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

To share an example, the Enmore Packaging Plant yielded GuySuCo the best prices for its sugar, but in spite of this positive development, it was closed without a second thought. Over the last few years, GuySuCo has been forced to rent the plant from NICIL, to whom it was surreptitiously handed, and transport

sugar from Blairmont to be packaged at Enmore in order to meet market demand. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to imagine what it did to the margins.

Guyana’s sugar sector visà-vis our Caribbean contemporaries cannot be considered in abstract. We have to wonder whether Ms Thompson is familiar with those industries.

In those island states, there are massive costs to irrigate fields.

Sugar cane is a heavy consumer of water.

In Guyana, on the other hand, we don’t have to face those difficulties. From a natural standpoint, we have several endowments that lend to sugar cultivation: such as flat, arable land; an abundant access to fresh water; and waterway transport of harvested canes, among other things. We don’t face the difficulties of sugar displacing other economic pursuits, as some of our Caribbean friends face. It’s against that background that we see it as comparing apples with oranges.

Ms Thompson shared her agreement with the past Administration’s decision to close estates. It says a lot about where she stands, in our view; but, again, that’s her right. We, of course, expressed a very critical view for so many reasons.

The columnist, nevertheless, accepted that the closure process was haphazard and callous. Yet, in spite of that admission, it appears that there was no recognition of the reality that the former Government could not have cared less about the fate of those who were affected. As is rightly admitted, that apparent lack of empathy that arose from the closure remains “a sore point.”

We could not agree more with Ms Thompson’s assessment of the Coalition’s refusal to heed the cries of the workers and the communities in which estates were closed. We are unsure whether the columnist knows that the former Government bluntly rejected a call for a properly considered study to have a better under-

standing of the consequences of the decisions which at that time were being contemplated. Indeed, the economic and social impact was “swift and brutal”, and as the Stabroek News and several other media houses have pointed out, many communities have yet to recover from that impact, if they will recover at all.

Ms Thompson, in spite of her admissions, urges that the industry should be “allowed to die its natural death”. As an organisation which has struggled with the workers and their families, we know all too well what that would mean for the tens of thousands in the sugar belt. Certainly, the economic dislocation would be enormous, and the social fallout would be even more detrimental. It would reverse the steady exodus from poverty for a great many Guyanese.

In those circumstances, we find the suggestion, if such it can be considered, most irresponsible. What for us is most disturbing is that Ms Thomspon is regarded as a social activist, and therefore we are at a loss to see how she can fathom making such a statement. But that is another story.

We hasten to remind Ms Thompson that the sugar industry remains significant in our country from so many points of view. Contrary to her view, the industry has much potential for success. Several other industries offer sterling and living examples in this regard. We consider the feat of reviving the sugar industry within our grasp, and once pursued properly, success can redound to the industry and all Guyana.

The vacuum created by estate closure has been heart-rending, and the pains suffered have been intense. It’s not something we would wish on our worst of enemies, and it’s not something we see responsible persons advocating. But then, again, we live in the real world.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Dear Editor, I wish to publicly endorse the decision of the Government of Guyana/Ministry of Natural Resources to undertake a review of the work already undertaken by Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants, to be carried out by a team of international experts in the field of oil and gas development.

It is commendable of the Natural Resources Ministry to consider this review of the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s Payara contract in keeping with transparency and accountability norms, as there was a recent change of government. As such, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Government securing its rights and interests, and, by extension, those of all Guyanese.

It must also be noted that the current review is basically a review of the work undertaken by the previous administration for more than seven months, which will reassure the current Government, in making informed decisions, in moving the approval exercise of the Payara lease permit. It must be pointed out that the previous government never did any review of the work already undertaken by Bayphase Oil and Gas Consultants over the past seven months. This review is timely and appropriate.

While there are some criticisms of this review of the work already undertaken, I would state that this is not an unreasonable review which is being conducted by a team of highly qualified international

experts who are experienced in similar activities. But it must be mentioned that those like Jan Mangal, who objects to everything in Guyana’s oil and gas sector to get some relevance and attention, should not, and must not, be allowed to derail a process which aims to secure the rights and interests of all Guyanese.

This impressive high-level team is headed by Ms. Alison Redford QC, and comprises the former Deputy Minister of Energy in Newfoundland, Canada; senior international reservoir engineers; and Mr. Jay Park, QC, Managing Partner of Park Energy Law based in Canada and the United Kingdom. Most importantly, there is a legal framework review component in addition to the technical aspect, which is a two-pronged approach for compliance and transparency.

Editor, while I note that we, as Guyanese, and the new Government need to go through everything that the APNU/AFC left behind with a fine-tooth comb, there must be constructive criticism, and not just criticism for criticism’s sake; as in the case of Jan Mangal, who wants to create a niche for himself in Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

Meanwhile, what we as citizens can and should do is to be objective and support the current Government to bring Guyana back on track towards success and prosperity for all Guyanese, I repeat: all Guyanese.

Sincerely, Vivian Li

More safety measures needed for public transportation Dear Editor, Public transportation in Guyana is vital for the people; however, the owners, drivers and conductors must play a major part in the safety of passengers, not only for the money’s sake, but for prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We all know that public transportation is an essential service, and the economic situation caused by this virus is not at one man's door, but all of us have to work together to contain this virus.

Generally, the new Government, along with Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and the hard-working Ministry of Health, especially the frontline workers,

have intensified the campaign against the coronavirus to eradicate this deadly decease.

The minibus and hire cars providers must get serious and, as mandated by law, consume no alcohol and do no smoke when working. They must also keep the interior of their vehicles clean, fumigating same after each trip.

And as recommended in the fight against COVID-19, drivers, conductors and passengers are required to wear face mask and do sanitising.

The Ministry of Health, along with the Guyana Police Force, must enforce this regulation as early as possible.

Yours sincerely, Parmanand Ram

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

Cardboard ships

Cut up a corrugated cardboard box and make ships.

Use your imagination and the photos as a guide Start out with the basic ship, which is just a flat bottom with two symmetrical sides. (Adapted from ikatbag.com)

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

& A

T

o estimate products, begin by rounding. Then multiply the two rounded numbers.

Example: Estimate 62 x 48 Step 1: Round 62 downward to 60 and round 48 upward to 50.

Step 2: Multiply 60 x 50

When multiplying two numbers that both end in zero, start by ignoring the final zeros. To multiply 60 x 50, just multiply 6 x 5 = 30.

After you have done that, restore all the zeros that you ignored to the right side of the product. 60 x 50 = 3000.

Exercises

1) 18 x 15 2) 85 x 50 3) 175 x 8 4) 45 x 10 5) 14 x 9 6) 250 x 125

Remember: When you round both numbers downward, you know your estimate is less than the actual product.

If you round both numbers upward, your estimate will be more than the actual product.

The Stag His Reflection

stag, drinking from a crystal spring, saw himself mirrored in the clear water. He greatly admired the graceful arch of his antlers, but he was very much ashamed of his spindling legs.

“How can it be,” he sighed, “that I should be cursed with such legs when I have so magnificent a crown.”

At that moment he scented a panther and in an instant was bounding away through the forest. But as he ran his wide-spreading antlers caught in the branches of the trees, and soon the panther overtook him.

Then the stag perceived that the legs of which he was so ashamed would have saved him had it not been for the useless ornaments on his head.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Granger splits PNC: Volda Lawrence, Amna Ally, Basil Williams, Aubrey Norton snubbed

AXED AXED AXED Axed: PNC Chair Volda Lawrence

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Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has finished the list of proposed parliamentarians they have to submit to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), but that list has excluded some key names from the coalition’s top brass.

Among the names said to have been excluded from the list is the coalition party’s leader himself, former President David Granger.

Granger had faced mounting calls from various quarters for him to step down from the leadership of the party, but had always maintained that he is going nowhere.

Also said to be absent is former Attorney General Basil Williams, who lost numerous significant legal battles for the then Government; a former Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). Another name said to be absent is PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence. Her exclusion, however, did not go down well with a section of the PNC party.

Former PNCR parliamentarian and Attorneyat-Law James Bond took to social media on Monday blasting his party for snubbing Lawrence, widely seen as a powerhouse in the PNC. He called it grossly disrespectful.

“It is grossly disrespectful to the members of the PNCR, the Georgetown District of the PNCR and the office of the Chairman of the PNCR to snub Lawrence for a seat in the National Assembly.”

“Time to rescue the PNCR from inept, ineffectual and aloof leadership.

This is now a battle for the soul of what it means to be PNC. Enough of mediocrity. It is time I personally rewrite your legacy sir,” Bond said in his post.

Additionally, Bond, in a live video on Facebook, further expressed his dissatisfaction, warning David Granger and Amna Ally that “I want you to know that I am coming for you”.

The young politician

Axed: Former PNC Chairman Basil Williams

AXED Axed: Aubrey Norton

contended that “David Arthur Granger, you are not my friend, Amna Ally, you are not my friend so whenever you see me know you are not looking at a comrade.”

Turning his attention specifically to former President Granger, Bond asserted that “Your leadership cost us an election… the reason we are in opposition is because of your leadership.”

In further venting his anger at certain members, including himself, being left out of the parliamentary list, Bond signalled his intention to boycott party activities, asking who will the party now call upon to organise protests in the city.

According to Bond, it is disrespectful that certain members were “snubbed”, especially so that they were not informed by the party, but had to read about it in the press.

Meanwhile, APNU/ AFC’s Chief Whip in the 11th Parliament, former Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, was also excluded. When contacted by this publication, she confirmed that she is not returning to Parliament.

Another conspicuous exclusion from the list is former Minister of Youth Affairs Simona Broomes, who is currently before the courts alongside her driver, Dexter Austin on charges of assault and discharging a loaded firearm respectively. In fact, the pair made a court appearance before

Axed: Former APNU/AFC Chief Whip Amna Ally

Magistrate Leron Daly on Monday, where they were both placed on bail.

However, former Minister of State Joseph Harmon, former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings and former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan will be making a return. Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and former Minister of Natural Resource Raphael Trotman are also slated to return.

Some new faces include General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald, former Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond; former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan; Juretha Fernandes and Devin Sears.

In addition, reports indicate that attorney-at-law and Senior Counsel, Roysdale Forde, has been included.

AFC “settle” for only 9 seats

Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday evening, the AFC Executive said that it recognises that the party could easily have chosen many more worthy of a seat in Parliament but, had to “settle” on nine. It added that the party will also have a rotation of seats where, midterm, some of the members will be considered to replace seated parliamentarians from the initial list.

Efforts to verify the full APNU list proved futile.

PPP/C MPs

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is currently working on their list of parliamentarians. In an interview with this publication, Agriculture Minister and PPP Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha was optimistic that the list would be finished within days.

He also made it clear that their list will be composed of fresh, high-calibre individuals.

“We have a lot of fresh faces, because those persons who were appointed as Ministers are new people. Young people and fresh

General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Coretta McDonald

Former Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Juretha Fernandes

Devin Sears

people. So those are fresh faces. People like Sonia Parag, Susan Rodrigues, and other young people,” Mustapha said.

“You have Indar and a number of other young people who were appointed as Ministers. They will be in there. And as usual, our list reflects the diversity of our country and also youth and experience. Like Cabinet.

Our Cabinet is a youthful Cabinet, but it also has experience.”

On August 5, President Dr Irfaan Ali swore in 19 members of his new Cabinet. Included in the group were several new, vibrant and youthful faces, who President Ali had lauded as bringing multifaceted skillsets and experience.

The new faces had

included Hugh Todd, as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Vickram Bharrat, as Minister of Natural Resources; Charles Ramson Jr, as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; Sonia Parag, as Minister of Public Service; Oneidge Walrond, as Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; Colin Croal, as Minister of Housing and Water; Susan Rodrigues, as Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water.

Other debutant Ministers were Dr Vindhya Persaud, as Minister of Human Services and Social Security; Nigel Dharamlall, as Minister of Local Government and Regional Development; Anand

Former Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan

Persaud, as Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development; and Deodat Indar, as Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Meanwhile, returning Cabinet Ministers had included Dr Frank Anthony, as the new Minister of Health (former Culture, Youth and Sport Minister) and Robeson Benn, as Minister of Home Affairs (former Public Works Minister). Former Ministers who were returned to their previous Ministries were Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai.

The lists of prospective parliamentarians first have to go to GECOM, after which the names are extracted and sent to the National Assembly. This publication has confirmed with Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Issacs that he has so far received no names.

The joinder parties – comprising of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), A New and United Guyana (ANUG), and The New Movement (TNM), have already submitted the name of former National Toshao Council (NTC) Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman to represent them in Parliament. (G30)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother stabs son during argument

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33-year-old man is now hospitalised after he was stabbed on Monday morning by his mother during an argument at Regent Street, Georgetown.

Injured is Floyd Beckles of Lot 29 Queen Street Kitty, Georgetown.

Based on information received, Beckles was stabbed to the abdomen and is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

While information remains sketchy about the stabbing incident, Guyana Times understands that the woman was taken into Police custody and is assist-

The injured man being taken to the hospital

ing with the investigations.

This stabbing comes on the heels of an 18-year-old killing his father, Collis Joseph, at Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice (WBB).

The man succumbed to his injuries after his son threw a cutlass at him. The cutlass reportedly hit the man in the region of his heart. After the incident, Joseph reportedly fell onto the roadway but was picked up and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His son, who was in hiding, reportedly turned himself in on Monday.

The PNC regroups…

T

…for Parliament he PNC ran as “APNU/AFC” in the last elections but we do know what Obama said about lipstick and creatures of the porcine persuasion, don’t we? If they swagger like the PNC, threaten like the PNC and rig like the PNC, then, by golly, they gotta be the PNC!! So no matter what they say, when your look at the first 23 names (of 31) the PNC submitted for parliament – you know they’re all dyed in the wool PNC!!

Take the nine ostensibly from the “AFC”. Can anyone point to a single instance they took a position that wasn’t slavishly PNC - even when the particular policy was totally contradicted what they’d proposed as a party? For Raphael Trotman, we don’t have to even make an argument…his “navel string” after all, is buried at Congress Place!! He blurted out at a meeting in Bartica the details of his tryst with Granger at Nasssau and the Faustian bargain they struck back in 2011. He was rewarded with the Speakership over Nagamootoo…and the rest is (a sordid) history.

We see Ramjattan’s name on the list and some may ask, “what about him?” Well…what about him?? When was he anything but a doormat to Granger’s whims and fancies after he hitched his star to the latter’s wagon? Didn’t he big up himself to suggest HE was the one who’d proposed that Granger could unilaterally appoint Patterson to the GECOM Chair?? Or that he’d ALWAYS agreed that the sugar estates be closed?? Or didn’t even utter a squeak when Granger hived off Immigration from his portfolio??

Why even go down the rest of the list from the Dead Meat Gang with creatures like Sherod Duncan and Hughes?

Their defence of the paradigmatic PNC rigging speaks for itself!!

Granger had promised to jettison all the “cardboard” parties without membership lists, executive meetings and elections and such like. So we understand why Keith Scott and Jailall Sharma are persona non grata – even though Jailall had been ejected from his father’s JFAP and joined the PNC. But how come Sarabo Halley from WPA survived the cut?? Where’s the membership list of the WPA? When did they last have an election of their executive?? Isn’t that executive frozen (or fossilised) in time with Thomas and Roopnarine?? The “WPA and PNC” is a distinction searching for a difference!!

While most of the front benchers weren’t on the list, we can be sure that Volda Lawrence ain’t gonna be there along with her purse carrier James Bond. Your Eyewitness knows Aunty Amna’s also ain’t getting in too..

She lost it when she did that (fatal) Mae West impression to the PPP on the NCM: “Bring it on Big Boy!!” …without Granger??

It’s been bandied about that Granger decided not to return to Parliament. That’s not surprising and he’d admitted as much in a puff-piece “interview” with Benschop. Your Eyewitness always knew that Granger didn’t have the “belly” for a real fight. Unlike Jagdeo from over the PPP benches, he just can’t deal with the cut and thrust of parliamentary debates. He’d rather read from speeches prepared for him. In just two weeks, President Ali had held more press conferences than he did in FIVE YEARS!!

What Granger has hinted at is that he’ll work on rebuilding the PNC at the grassroots!! Can you believe that?? This man wouldn’t know “grassroots” is a snake slithered out and bites hm on his behind!! Does he think he’ll be mobilising support by lurking behind the green walls he’s built at his brothers residence at Pearl?? This is sheer ego and arrogance.

The plan is to have his surrogate Harmon lead the bunch of neophytes in the National Assembly to sing his hosanas!! …with ghetto operatives After inducting Broomes into the PNC’s CEC she wasn’t selected to go to parliament. Granger’s counting on her and her ilk to actually mobilise the base with her ghetto behaviour rather than Volda.

He doesn’t realise that base has moved on!!

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

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More reorganising in GPF: Paul Williams sent on 192 days’ leave

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he Guyana Police Force has announced that Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams has been ordered to take his outstanding 192 days’ annual leave effective from Monday, August 17, 2020.

Williams was appointed as Deputy Commissioner in 2018 by former President David Granger and was Head of the Force’s Administrative Division.

Prior to that appointment, he served as Deputy Commander, Commander, Force Training Officer and Crime Chief.

Calls to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn for a comment on the issue went unanswered.

Williams’ directive comes just about two weeks after both Commissioner of Police, Leslie James and Deputy Police Commissioner,

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Maxine Graham were sent on pre-retirement leave.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken replaced Graham as Head of Operations of the Guyana Police Force.

Gun-toting bandits shoot, rob Sophia resident

Gunmen during a robbery at the décor store on Sherriff Street, Georgetown

A

n E Sophia, Greater Georgetown resident was on Sunday evening shot twice and relieved of $55,000 by two armed bandits.

Reports reaching Guyana Times revealed that 39-year-old Desmond Granado of E Field Sophia was sitting on his verandah when the two gunmen entered his yard and accosted him.

The two men reportedly asked Granado for the money but he refused to budge.

In retaliation, one of the armed men walked up to the man and dealt him one lash to the face with the weapon.

At this time, the man still refused to co-operate and this angered the two young men.

Guyana Times understands that the young men then discharged several rounds, with two hitting the man to the lower left leg.

The injured man fell onto the floor while the two men rushed into the house and collected the money that was on a table at the time.

Due to the gunshots, the neighbours were alerted

and rushed to the scene but by this time, the gunmen had already escaped on foot.

Granado was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated for the gunshot wounds and admitted. His condition is listed as stable.

The matter was reported and the police have launched a probe into the shooting incident. Up to late Monday evening, the police were yet to make an arrest.

Over the weekend, gunmen executed several daring robberies.

One was committed on a Chinese supermarket at Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Saturday while another was committed on a décor store on Sherriff Street where the gunmen escaped with over 900,000 in cash.

Late Sunday afternoon, two armed men also robbed the Rubis Service Station at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. All the robberies were captured on CCTV cameras which have been subsequently handed over to the police for review. (G10)

Graham will attain retirement status in December 2020 but has over 170 days’ leave. She reportedly joined the Force on March 9, 1987.

James was appointed Commissioner of Police back in August 2018 along with four Deputy Commissioners of Police in the persons of Lyndon Alves, Maxine Graham, Nigel Hoppie, and Williams. Alves was sent off the job in the public’s interest in 2019.

However, James has subsequently proceeded on pre-retirement leave and as such, Deputy Commissioner Nigel Hoppie has taken charge of the Force with immediate effect.

Last week, Senior Superintendent Wendell

Blanhum returned as Crime Chief – replacing Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston.

Blanhum was serving as Police Commander of Region One (Barima-Waini).

He previously served as Crime Chief from 2015, but was demoted to Deputy Commander of A Division in 2017 following a controversial Commission of Inquiry into an alleged plot to assassinate former President David Granger.

Blanhum’s demotion was heavily criticised since his stint as Crime Chief resulted in the reopening of many high-profile cases like the execution of fashion designer Trevor Rose and the 1993 murder of Monica Reece. In

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paul Williams

a brief comment, Blanhum stated that he was happy to return as Crime Chief while

noting that he would continue to serve the country with pride and dignity.

Meanwhile, taking over the position of Commander of Region One is Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, who served as the Police Force’s Public Relations Officer for several years.

In addition, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Royston Andries Junor is now heading the Force’s Public Relations Department.

Guyana Times was told that over the coming weeks, it is expected that the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government will be making more changes. (G2)

Labour Ministry to finalise minimum wage increase in Private Sector

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abour Minister Joseph Hamilton has said that the National Tripartite Committee (NTC), on the issue of the salary increases for the Private Sector, is expected to meet within the next week to finalise the proposed increase in minimum wage.

The Minister made this disclosure during a virtual press conference on Monday.

The National Tripartite Committee (NTC), which comprises representatives of the labour movement, the Private Sector and the Government, at its meeting in April last year had agreed to up the national minimum wage for Private Sector employees to $60,000 per month. The increase was supported by all the constituents but was never implemented by the then Labour Department.

However, Minister Hamilton, who recently ascended to the office of Minister of Labour following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) victory at the March 2 polls, indicated that he advised the Chief Labour Officer to urgently convene a meeting of the NTC to finalise the proposed increase.

He told the media that since the last engagement in April, the Committee did not engage again and the proposal was just sitting on the former Minister’s desk with no action. However, he related that at a recent interaction with members of the

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

Private Sector, the impact of COVID-19 on businesses was discussed.

The Minister said that the impact of the pandemic would have to be taken into account when the NTC reconvenes to finalise the proposal.

“When the Committee meets that will be put on the table and we will have to discuss it and see how best we can keep the agreement that the three entities they had regarding this matter since 2019,” he stated.

He added that mechanisms would have to be put in place to ensure that the parties can stick to the initial agreement in light of the pandemic. Further, he noted that the revision of the agreement would depend on the nature of the upcoming engagement with the

Private Sector bodies.

In January 2017, the Private Sector’s minimum wage was increased from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the monthly wage from $35,000 to $44,200.

Over a year ago, consultant of the Labour Department at the then Social Protection Ministry, Francis Carryl had explained that the economy is vastly changing and another increase was crucial at that time.

“We’re not sure when the consultations will be completed, but we are working assiduously to raise the Private Sector’s minimum wage, to bring it up to speed with the 2019 economic circumstances. We don’t want to excite anyone, but all the parties including the unions, employers and the Government are interested with what has been brought to the table. As soon as the consultations are completed, we will announce the increase,” Carryl at that time related.

However, to date, there has been no such increase or a date slated for an increase to be implemented for Private Sector employees across the country.

In light of this, many workers attached to the

country’s Private Sector have over the year left their jobs and sought employment at Government-run agencies or Ministries for better wages.

Back in December, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) had urged the Private Sector to increase the minimum wage for its employees.

“This stark disparity requires urgent attention. Our Union is aware that the National Tripartite Committee (NTC), which comprises representatives of the labour movement, the Private Sector and the Government, at its meeting in April, this year agreed to up the national minimum wage to $60,000 per month.

The increase which, we understand, was supported by all the constituents, at this time, has not been implemented…We are at a loss as to why the NTC is not meeting as such meetings are critical to ensure that the decision to increase the national minimum wage is implemented. Undoubtedly our nation’s workers are more than deserving and the improvement would bring about much-deserved relief to our working-class,” GAWU had stated. (G2)

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corruption, mismanagement plagued Communities Ministry – Dharamlall …says depoliticised organs to respond to citizens’ needs

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall

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ocal Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall has disclosed that the dissolved Communities Ministry was not functioning as it was mandated to, in order to address the needs of the general populace.

He shared this position on Monday during an interview with Guyana Times, where it was stated that this dysfunctional system led to corruption and mismanagement at the local and regional administrative levels. This resulted in the misuse of funds, which did

not benefit the people.

“The success of governance is being able to respond to the issues of people. I don’t think that the last Government did enough of that.

We have issues of corruption taking place at the local and regional level, at the municipal level. They did not ensure that taxpayers’ dollars were well spent. They did not spend enough time addressing the concerns of the people. They only became active in the days leading up to elections,” Dharamlall told this publication. He added that a ripple effect was created by this inactive approach, whereby the needs of the people were not fulfilled. Instead, he said, the regional officers were heavily engaged in politics and neglected the management aspect of their portfolios.

The Ministry, he pointed out, was not functioning as it should, adding that “if services are not provided through good leadership and management, then the lives of our citizens are going to deteriorate. The same thing we found in the regional democratic system as well. The REOs were more entrenched in political work, rather than to manage the administration, our resources and taxpayers’ dollars into investments and interventions.”

The APNU/AFC coalition, in their five-year tenure, had dismantled the Local Government

and Housing Ministries in 2015 and merged them into a Communities Ministry. Upon retaining office earlier this month, the PPP/C Administration sought to return to the old structure to facilitate greater coverage.

Upon taking over, Dharamlall said a situational analysis followed to take a cursory look at financial expenditure, liabilities, shortcomings and challenges.

This was followed by depoliticising the regional administrations to move the focus to the needs of communities.

“We’ve sought to depoliticise the staffing strength of the Ministry because as a Government, we serve all of the people and communities. Our focus here would be to work collaboratively, consultatively and to work from the bottom in a responsible manner that enables solutions,” he added.

Less than one week ago, this was evident after the Permanent Secretary dispatched termination letters to seven Regional Executive Officers.

Randolph Storm from Region One (Barima-Waini), Denis Jaikarran from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Jennifer Ferreira Dougal from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Ovid Morrison from Region Five (Mahaica-

Former Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

Berbice), Kim Stephen-Williams from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Carl Parker from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), and Orrin Gordon from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were terminated since their deployment was “inimical to the effective and efficient functioning of the regions they managed”.

The Minister had commented that they practiced “heavy partisan politics” and were “void of professionalism and impartiality”.

Going forward, he said, their

plans circle having a round-theclock responsive team to address the needs of people and facilitate engagements before policies are developed. Moreover, they are looking to assist the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in other areas which the subventions could not fulfil.

“We have a plan where we are going to make this Ministry 24hour responsive to the needs of the people of this country…Policies that come out of this Ministry and likewise, those that come out of other Ministries, we would like to facilitate our citizens contributing to it. You would find that resources that were supposed to be expended were not properly spent as yet. The subventions provided to NDCs, despite being spent, they still have outstanding needs.”

Other revelations which were unearthed last week was the fact that former Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan paid over $800 million to 56 staffers for doing absolutely no work during his five-year term in office. It was found that there were 23 staff members in Bulkan’s Secretariat earning a total of $7,730,000 per month. The Minister noted that those persons are all active members of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

(G12)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to halt sale of sugar estates – Agri Minister tells Granger other stakeholders.

The Agriculture Ministry will appoint a new Board of Directors to oversee the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and there will be a reshuffling of the management of the Corporation.

The David Granger-led Administration had taken the unilateral decision after entering Government to close operations at four major estates in Guyana – Wales, Enmore, Skeldon and Rose Hall. The plan to downsize this main economic secAgriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

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griculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha has vowed to immediately cease the sale of the four sugar estates which were closed during the APNU/ AFC Administration’s tenure.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Mustapha, who was responding to former President David Granger’s comments on the new Government’s plan to reopen the sugar estates he closed.

According to the Minister, Granger has jumped on board the bandwagon along with a few others to score cheap political points by telling his supporters that the PPP/C’s plans and commitments to reopen the sugar estates is “fake news”.

However, Mustapha assured Granger and his supporters that the Government has all intentions to stick to its commitment and the Guyanese people will see those closed sugar estates reopening.

He reminded Granger that it was his Government which chose to put thousands on the breadline, with no plan, when he arbitrarily closed down the Rose Hall, Skeldon, Enmore and Wales Estates despite being elected to office on the promise of keeping those estates open.

“Let me remind the former President that it was during his tenure that the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) was preparing to sell off these estates to the best bidder. My Ministry will ensure that all of these processes are stopped immediately, that the lands be used for the benefits of the people of this country. Also, we will work with NICIL to revoke any land handouts during the illegal tenure of the former President and have those lands reinstated to the Guyana Sugar Corporation,” Mustapha stated.

He noted that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government will continue to adhere to all the protocols while working assiduously to ensure that all its plans are rolled out. The Minister assured the sugar workers that the PPP/C Government is working around the clock to reverse the bankrupt economy that was inherited from the Granger Administration.

“I wish to reiterate the

fact that within the last five years, we saw gruelling losses in the sugar industry. Four sugar estates were closed and over 7500 persons were displaced. Thousands of other persons lost their livelihoods while these factories suffered damages that will take dedication and determination to repair. The people in the sugar belts depend on these estates for their livelihood and our dedicated team is working around the clock to ensure that all is in place for a smooth reopening. We and the workers are well aware that this will not happen at the click of a finger but it will take time. I take this opportunity to implore on those persons who are awaiting the reopening, not to fall prey to the ‘fake news’ coming from the APNU/AFC camp but to have some patience and confidence in our team,” the Agriculture Minister related.

Granger sought to discredit the PPP/C’s commitment to enhance the lives of the Guyanese people when he made an appearance on the APNU/AFC show “Public Interest” hosted by party activist Nicole Telford. The former President also claimed that he is yet to see the PPP/ C’s manifesto.

To that claim, Mustapha countered: “We don’t blame him, he is still yet to see his own SoPs (Statements of Poll) from the 2020 elections since he made it public that he hasn’t seen those as well. And, honestly, that is no fault of the PPP/C or the Ministry of Agriculture.”

The Agriculture Ministry intends to pursue areas of diversification that would bring back the jobs lost, expand employment opportunities, and re-create wealth in these communities. President Dr Irfaan Ali stated publicly that his Government will work to bring back economic life to the businesses, specifically, in the community of Wales.

Also, the Ministry of Agriculture has set up a team to examine areas of support to families through targeted interventions during the transitional phase. The team is also expected shortly to meet with executives from various farmers’ groups, the Guyana Agriculture Workers’ Union (GAWU) and

tor had its blows, both socially and economically on the population.

Over 7000 individuals would have lost their jobs, creating grave economic hardships in these communities. After four years of being left on the breadline, persons are still struggling to find employment and provide for their families. Many were hopeful for the lands over the past two years to supplement their lost income. But the incumbent Government failed to keep its word. (G2)

Former President, David Granger

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AFC’s denial of attempts to rig elections was unsound – Gaskin …says party’s position was not endorsed by support base

AFC Executive Member Dominic Gaskin

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he position taken by minor coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), following the March 2 General and Regional Elections, has done much harm to the party, and its leadership must begin working immediately to regain the trust of its support base.

This is according to AFC Executive Member and former Business Minister under the coalition Government, Dominic Gaskin, during a recent interview with Room 592 with host Yog Mahadeo.

Even though all the other political stakeholders had concluded that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had won the March 2 polls, both coalition partners; the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC, refused to accept the results and concede defeat, plunging the country into a prolonged period of political crisis.

“The position taken by the AFC post-March 2 was strategically unsound for a party like the AFC, because I think it’s a position that did not go down well with the support base of the AFC and therefore it leaves the AFC in a bit of a bind right now,” Gaskin asserted.

According to Gaskin, he

was not pleased with the party’s position to remain silent in the face of blatant attempts by District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, to alter the results of the elections in favour of the APNU/AFC. “I don’t think that the AFC did itself any favours after that attempt to rig the elections took place by either ignoring the attempt, or denying it, or actually trying to be beneficiaries of what was an attempt to falsify the results of the elections,” the former Business Minister quipped.

In relation to the controversy surrounding the refusal of the APNU/AFC to release its Statements of Poll (SoPs) to back up its false claims of ‘victory’, Gaskin posited that based on the evidence available, it is impossible for the coalition to have won the elections.

“Based on the information available to me, it would have been very difficult for us to have won the elections, and certainly almost impossible for Mingo’s numbers to have been accurate.

“And furthermore, if I can add, a lot of the information at the time that I had access to correlated with the PPP’s SoPs that they had made public.”

In relation to the party’s ability to move forward, Gaskin expressed that leaders must now begin efforts to rebuild the party and regain the trust of supporters who had expressed confidence in them to do what is right for the country.

He said it is now up to the current leadership of the AFC to ensure that the party survives this difficult period. However, he noted that “this will require a completely different posture from what I am seeing or from the way the party has positioned itself over the last few months”.

AFC Executive Cathy Hughes

AFC Executive Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Executive Raphael Trotman

AFC Executive David Patterson

He argued that the AFC did bring some value to the coalition and it needs to go back to its support base with fresh ideas and commitments.

Gaskin, who is APNU/ AFC’s Leader, David Granger’s son-in-law, had warned his colleagues within the coalition that they were losing political ground as they continued to escalate a political crisis in Guyana despite knowing that they lost the General and Regional Elections.

“You cannot win this battle. Find a way out today.

It will be easier than trying to do so tomorrow. And for God’s sake stop abusing everyone who dares to suggest that you lost the election. There is not a shred of evidence to suggest otherwise,” he had posted on his Facebook page.

He had expressed that it is hard to fathom how the APNU/AFC can still be arguing many months after the fact, about something as straightforward as an election, the results of which, at the close of poll, had been known and has not changed since.

Gaskin had said that no amount of shifting narratives, specious arguments, contrived reports or court

rulings can change the contents of those 2339 ballot boxes, in which the net will of the people of this country is expressed. To this end, the AFC Executive had said the coalition’s leadership needs to be honest with its supporters.

Meanwhile, Gaskin explained that before he went public with his statements he had indicated to the leadership of the AFC that he

was uncomfortable with the position taken by the party.

He added that he didn’t detect any change in the position of the party and did not believe that his position would have prevailed.

In relation to his own future within the AFC, he indicated that his name was not included in the list of candidates “so there is no way I am going to Parliament.”

He further noted that

he is not qualified to sit in Parliament based on the interpretation by the Chief Justice regarding the constitutional provisions on dual citizenship.

The former Business Minister noted that he is very pleased that the political crisis is over and it has been resolved in a way that would appear to be acceptable to as many Guyanese as possible.

Region 10 COVID-19 cases climb from 12 to 43 …Police host sensitisation outreach

Targeted groups being briefed on COVID-19

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n light of the drastic increase of COVID-19 cases in Region 10 (Upper

Chase Academy fire was electrical – Fire Chief

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File photo: Firefighters battling the blaze

he Guyana Fire Service (GPS) has concluded its probe into the fire that ripped through the Chase Academy building at Parade Street, Georgetown, on August 4, 2020, and has since determined that the fire was electrical in nature.

This was confirmed by Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who stated that based on the findings of the Guyana Fire Service’s investigations, the fire started as a result of an electrical issue.

It was reported that flames were seen coming from the ground floor of

the three-storey wooden structure after 02:00h on the day in question.

This was the section which housed the principal’s office, where SchoolBased Assessments were stored for students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. These suffered fire and water damages.

A security guard on duty reportedly saw the flames and immediately raised an alarm. William Arthur, who was on the corridor, said he turned off the electrical supply and proceeded to throw water on the flames, which was inadequate.

By then, a neighbour came out and called the Guyana Fire Service.

Tenders arrived on the scene shortly after to put out the blaze.

They managed to save the outer shell of the building from flattening completely. Along with the private academy, a special need learning centre also operated in the same building.

It is unclear how much losses were incurred. (G1)

Demerara-Berbice), the police hosted a week-long sensitisation initiative across Linden.

The number of cases within the region recently escalated from 12 to 43, with 1 death being recorded thus far.

Last Thursday, ranks attached to the Police Division and its Sub-Division conducted an outreach, targeting boat operators, at the Wismar Police Station compound.

The boat operators were educated on topics such as the COVID-19 Guidelines as the ranks stressed the importance of maintaining social distancing, especially when plying their trade.

It was also highlighted that markings should be placed on seats to emphasise social distancing and the safety of passengers as well as the cleanliness of boats must be a top priority.

It was further emphasised that signs must be erected on boats, advising passengers to sanitise their hands and to wear face

masks.

Ranks from the Division and its Sub Division Three also hosted a sensitisation initiative at Kwakwani and Ituni, where they also discussed COVID-19 Guidelines and difficulties faced by businesses during the pandemic.

Additionally, on Friday, ranks attached to the Regional Division and its Sub-Division 1, which includes Amelia’s Ward and the Mackenzie District, hosted an interactive session with drivers on the Wisroc to Amelia’s Ward bus park and the Linden to Georgetown car park.

Drivers were sensitised on COVID-19 Guidelines as they shared some of the difficulties they are currently facing as a result of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 awareness campaign continued on Saturday as ranks ventured into various communities where they encouraged residents to practice social distancing and to follow health and safety guidelines. (G13)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Oil production in Venezuela APNU/AFC neglected food security in hinterland – Sukhai dives as Guyana’s output

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eglect under the previous coalition Administration in hinterland communities created the threat of starvation, after dwindling food security was not replenished nor assistance provided.

This was according to Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, who noted that the PPP/C Government has now been engaged with resolving these issues. Since before she was appointed, the Minister said, plights were shared by residents of several Indigenous villages, citing the need for better food security.

After experiencing floods in 2017, the lands have not fully recovered to provide adequately. Sukhai said the COVID-19 lockdown compounded the issue since persons cannot traverse border communities to access their food necessities. Presently, the situation is not completely resolved and these areas need assistance.

“We’ve had requests coming in before I assumed office from villages like Kurukabaru, Itabac, Tuseneng, Bamboo Creek, with respect for support from the threat of starvation in these areas. They had been under lockdown and they had been affected by the 2017 flooding. Their food security is still developing back to the standard level which they are accustomed to. It has not fully bounced back

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai

and having shut down and affected by COVID-19; and not being able to go over to the border towns where they get their supplies from has been impactful in a negative way,” Sukhai pointed out.

She said upon assuming office, Government responded immediately by providing relief. In the coming months, they will seek to completely alleviate matters concerning food security by implementing various projects.

“We have responded very urgently with some speed to relieve those communities that have been affected.

The bigger significant role of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in addressing the stark neglect by the previous Government to the hinterland is that we will focus within this year and beyond in improving the lives of the people. We will have to de-

velop quickly, mechanisms and responses to improve services.”

She went on to say that apart from agricultural woes, there were grave shortages of medical supplies for hospitals and health centres, which transcended beyond the COVID-19 needs. Both of these issues are expected to be fixed in the upcoming months.

“Within the next four months, we will be looking basically at improving the conditions and support for improving these areas because they are directly affecting people, families, children, the sick, pensioners, the most vulnerable….We expect immediately to supply agricultural support so that they can support themselves and enhance food security issues. We will work collaboratively to ensure that medical supplies are deployed to the affected areas, not by COVID-19 but by shortages,” the Minister expounded.

It was identified that within the past five years, project management grants were diminished and community development was demoralised. While the coalition had sought to hire more persons at the Ministry, their output had decreased.

She said they are addressing the non-delivery of services to people, especially cases where even toshaos are denied adequate transportation mechanisms. (G12)

Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities calls for low-income housing, job opportunities

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he Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) is calling on the Irfaan Ali-led Government to ensure that all developmental plans are inclusionary and create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

This call came on the backdrop of the GCOPD congratulating President Ali on his election to Office following the March 2 polls. The Organisation in commending the new President on his vision and development agenda for the country, also made specific calls for initiatives to better their lives.

“We have taken initiative in outlining some areas that would greatly help persons with disabilities in Guyana.

We look forward to: the establishment of a monthly Disability Grant, in place of the Public Assistance; opportunities for employment of qualified and skilled PWDs in the public sector; improvements in the delivery of education to children with disabilities; provision of low-income housing for

Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Ganesh Singh

PWDs; provision of assistive and mobility aids,” the body stated.

Additionally, the GCOPD called for yearly subventions to be allocated to Disabled People Organisations (DPOs); the modification and enforcement of building codes to promote accessibility to public buildings, and allocation of small contracts to companies owned and operated by PWDs and to promote small business development in the disability community.

As a national civil society umbrella organisation,

GCOPD anticipates a productive partnership with the new Government as they intend to work together to create a more inclusive and accessible Guyana. They are hopeful that the Ali Government will promote and fulfil the inherent rights of Persons With Disabilities in Guyana.

The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities is the umbrella body that represents the majority of Disabled People Organisations across Guyana, working in the areas of advocacy and capacity building.

poised to skyrocket

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new analysis by IHS Markit has shown that Venezuela—one of the world’s earliest and (at one time) largest oil producers, as well as a founding member of OPEC—could soon be producing close to zero barrels of oil.

In a report published recently, IHS Markit – a London-based global information provider – Venezuelan crude oil production is currently around 100,000 to 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) and falling. Production was around 650,000 bpd just a year ago and had been as high as 2 million barrels per day as recently as 2017. It is now conceivable that the country could soon be producing zero barrels, or very close to it.

“Never before has a former major oil-producing country seen output fall so low for so long. In Venezuela’s case, if there is any surprise it is that the disintegration did not happen faster,” said Jim Burkhard, Vice President and Head of Oil Markets, IHS Markit.

According to HIS Markit, never in the history of the oil industry has output from a former major producing country fallen so low. The analysis shows that Venezuela is now the third-smallest producer among OPEC’s 13 members, just ahead of Equatorial Guinea and war-torn Libya.

Venezuela’s production fall—the product of decades of decline and decay— has been exacerbated more recently by the COVIDinduced oil price collapse of

2020, US sanctions and limited domestic oil storage.

HIS Markit said that given the size of the country’s reserves, restoration of production somewhere in the future is always a possibility.

But the state of Venezuela’s infrastructure, ongoing US sanctions and lower global demand make it increasingly unlikely.

that would be behind Brazil, Mexico and Columbia.

The extractive industries expert had noted that in a couple of years, this would place Guyana as one of the largest sources of non-OPEC suppliers. There is still the potential for more reserves to be discovered.

Commenting on the oil discoveries here and how

Meanwhile, just next door to Venezuela, Guyana, with several major oil discoveries over the past few months, is tipped to become one of the largest and most promising non-OPEC oil producers in the world.

The South American country is home to the biggest oil discovery in recent years. US oil giant, Exxon has estimated that there are eight billion barrels of recoverable reserves in the Stabroek Block, and until recently, it predicted that the country would produce 750,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

Director of the InterAmerican Dialogue’s Energy, Climate Change and Extractive Industries Program, Lisa Viscidi had expressed that 750,000 barrels of oil per day would make it (Guyana) the fourth-largest oil producer in Latin America in current production growth,

this will fit into the global oil supply picture at a time of vast oversupply, Viscidi asserted that Guyana has a competitive advantage and has the potential to encroach on other markets.

Just last week, Hess announced that it had completed drilling another well and discovered two high-quality reservoirs.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , ExxonMobil is hoping that once it is granted the necessary approvals by the Government, it would move ahead with the 220,000 bpd Payara project.

Meanwhile, Exxon, which is leading the Consortium with Hess and CNOOC, is now producing 98,000 barrels oil per day from the Liza 1 offshore well and it is hoping to meet its 120,000 barrels per day on August 10. The Liza Phase 2 development is still on schedule for 2022.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Broomes, bodyguard charged for causing public terror, assault, discharging firearm

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wo weeks after former Youth Affairs Minister within the David Granger-led Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes, and her bodyguard Dexter Austin trailed two men, confronted and assaulted them in Sophia, Georgetown, they were finally charged and appeared in court on Monday.

Broomes and Austin appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied the charges of unlawful restraint; threatening language; causing public terror and assault.

It is alleged that on August 3, 2020, at Sophia, Broomes and Austin un-

lawfully restrained Dion Younge, a City Councillor.

The second charge stated that on the same day at the same location, Broomes and Austin used threatening language towards Younge. They were also charged for causing public terror at the same location, also on August 3.

The final charge stated that Broomes assaulted Younge so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

Reports are that on August 3, two men removed a “no fishing” sign from the parapet, which Broomes had erected on Government reserves, located opposite her Lot 103 Lockoo Street, Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown home.

Charged: Dexter Austin

Charged: Simona Broomes

This, however, led to an altercation and an exchange of words before the men entered their vehicle and left the scene.

The former Minister and her bodyguard reportedly went after the men.

According to Broomes, there was a high-speed chase, but based on a video that was posted by the former Minister herself, that was not the case.

As they followed the white motor car, Broomes was heard urging persons on the roadway to intercept the vehicle.

However, the vehicle was finally intercepted in Sophia, where Broomes and some armed associates confronted the two men and assaulted them.

The two were released on self-bail, and the matter will continue on August 31. (G1)

No new COVID-19 cases reported

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uyana’s confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has not changed from 709 positives as of Monday, after zero new cases were reported.

In the Health Ministry’s daily dashboard, the number of deaths also remained the same, at 23.

A breakdown showed that there are 59 persons in institutional isolation, 71 in institutional quarantine and 275 under home isolation. Three persons are also in the designated Intensive Care Unit. In one day, there were 39 recoveries, which added to the total figure of 349.

Sunday’s breakdown of the regional contraction rate showed that 106 positives were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), eight in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 34 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 196 in

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), one in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 166 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 10 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), 144 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 43 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The new cases originated from Regions One, Three, Four, Five, Seven, Nine and 10.

Regions Seven, Eight and Nine are under very strict COVID-19 restrictions.

While another death was reported on Sunday, the last one was earlier this month.

Wilfred James died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Sunday. The 73-year-old was admitted to the hospital on August 4 and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

Norbert Grant, 79, of Beterverwagting on the East

Coast of Demerara had succumbed after battling with the virus at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

At that time, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud had shared the view that there should be no complacency and a laissez-faire attitude coming from the population. According to him, misconceptions about COVID-19 persist – including that the disease does not exist, that wearing a mask causes the disease and even suggestions that testing brings about the disease.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had announced six repatriation flights from the United States of America for this month, which will see stranded Guyanese returning home. These flights will be executed by US-

based Eastern Airlines from Miami and New York.

The next flights are scheduled for August 18

and 25 from the Miami International Airport and August 19 and 26 from the John F Kennedy

International Airport.

In order to be accepted on a flight to Guyana, the electronic Repatriation Form available via GCAA’s website must be completed. Additionally, a molecular biological PCR test for COVID-19 must be completed, and the negative result sent to repatriate@minfor. gov.gy.

Since the repatriation efforts commenced to bring Guyanese home, over 1300 persons have returned from North America, St Marteen, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago; and Barbados.

Persons are asked to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing and continue their sanitary practices to curtail any possible spread. Those experiencing symptoms are asked to get tested for COVID-19.

(G12)

Guyana Goldfields goes to court to secure final order …as deal with Zijin Mining concludes

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uyana Goldfields has gone to court in order to secure a final order to close their deal with Chinese company Zijin, citing the interference of an unnamed third party and the need to resolve their claim.

This was communicated in a statement on Monday.

According to Goldfields, a hearing on the matter was held on Friday last at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, where they are seeking a final order to approve the statutory agreement between Goldfields and Zijin Mining.

Goldfields explained that once this agreement is approved, Zijin will be able to acquire the issued and outstanding shares in Guyana Goldfields, for approximately C$1.85 per share. But there is a problem.

The arrangement, Goldfields said, was approved by the court subject to the company placing additional funds in escrow pending the resolution of an unproven claim by a third party. This condition does not affect the terms of the arrangement,

and, with Zijin's consent, the company is in the process of satisfying this condition.

“Completion of the Arrangement is anticipated to occur by the end of August, 2020, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent to completion. The Company expects that the Shares will be delisted from trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange shortly after the closing date of the Arrangement.”

The Canada-based Guyana Goldfields, which operates local subsidiary Aurora Gold Mine (AGM), had moved to downsize its operations since May, after facing constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with other financial woes.

It was also linked to the company’s transition into underground mining. Hundreds of local workers were also laid off by Goldfields in the process. The layoffs were announced by Goldfields Chief Executive Officer, Alan Pangbourne, who said a reduction in the workforce would take place at all levels including both national

The Aurora mining site

and expatriate employees as the company transitioned its mining operation into a state of care and maintenance for an undetermined period.

At first, Goldfields had entered into an agreement with another Canadian mining company named Silvercorp. They had agreed that Silvercorp would acquire Guyana Goldfields for some C$105 million.

But Goldfields then received a rival offer from Gran Columbia Gold soon after and Silvercorp revised the agreement and increased the offer to C$227 million. The Gran Columbia offer was rejected.

Subsequently, Guyana Goldfields announced that another company had topped

that second offer by 35 per cent. Silvercorp was then given five business days to match or improve the C$1.85 cash-per-share new bid. It never did.

The company that bettered the purchasing price and conditions set by Silvercorp Metals Inc turned out to be Zijin Mining Group Co, which specialises in gold, copper, zinc, and other mineral resource exploration and development.

Last month, Goldfields processed its last batch of ore from stockpile and announced that it produced 56,000 ounces of gold for 2020. The site has also gone into a care and maintenance period, ahead of the anticipated takeover by Zijin. (G3)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Carl Greenidge hired as First Lady hosts Carl Melville F advisor; Ambassador Audrey Waddell retained

…Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett Guyana’s Permanent Representative to UN …Robert Persaud now Foreign Secretary

Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Former Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge is now Government’s Advisor on Borders

our new appointments were announced on Monday evening as the People’s Progressive Party Government seeks to strengthen its foreign affairs staffing.

Newly-appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd said that former Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett has been appointed Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations. She will also take up the Chair of The Group of 77 (G77) and China.

Additionally, former Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge will be the Government’s Advisor on Borders while Ambassador Audrey Waddell will be appointed Permanent Secretary.

Todd stated that former Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud will assume the role of Foreign Secretary.

Meanwhile, Minister Todd, during a virtual meeting with the Department of Public Information (DPI), following his announcement, said that Greenidge will remain as Advisor on Borders after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) matter concludes.

“He is passionate about sovereignty; he understands our issues, and he is going to give us much-needed guidance on how we further our agenda in terms of dealing with Venezuela and Suriname,” Todd said.

Minister Todd noted that the former Foreign Secretary is pleased to be on board to provide support and advice on border-related issues.

“He is very happy to remain on board and see this process through and continue to strengthen our advo-

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Ambassador Audrey Waddell

Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud

irst Lady, Arya Ali on Monday afternoon hosted Carl Melville – the man who lost his job due to COVID-19 and started cleaning the seawalls from the bandstand to the Marriot Hotel, every day without expecting a reward.

According to a Department of Public Information report, Melville was accompanied to the State House by activist Don Singh. Singh had posted Melville’s story on social media stating that because of the difficulties posed by COVID-19 and other factors, Carl lost his job and was left homeless. He subsequently found himself living and sleeping on the seawall in Georgetown.

Rather than spending time pitying himself or engaging in unproductive activities, Melville embarked on a humanitarian mission to clean the entire stretch of the seawall; from the bandstand to the Marriot Hotel, every day without expecting a reward. According to the report, efforts by concerned citizens led to Melville securing a job, a place to stay, and is given time off by his employer to continue his clean-up exercise daily.

The First Lady, the report stated, was moved by Melville’s story and wanted to commend him personally, and to contribute, in a practical way, to his ongoing efforts.

For the First Lady,

First Lady Arya Ali and Carl Melville at State House on Monday

Melville’s spirit and determination, and that of the citizens who reached out to him, is a manifestation of what this beautiful country can truly accomplish if we all work together.

Meanwhile, over the next five years, the First Lady plans to champion, among other initiatives, a Scenic Conservation Project which will help to safeguard the

scenic qualities of Guyana’s roadways, urban spaces, and countryside, while simultaneously creating a more environmentally-friendly society.

The First Lady believes that scenic revitalisation can serve to encourage, and fast-track, community renewal and reinvestment as part of a larger economic development plan.

According to the police, MV Grady White was moored at the stelling, and Fizul Adams, a mechanic, was fuelling the said vessel using a built-in pump. While doing so, the fuel tank overflowed, causing fuel to spill at the stern. As a consequence, a fire started followed by a loud explosion, which threw Adams overboard, shortly after the entire vessel was engulfed in flames which completely destroyed same.

Adams was rushed and admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He suffered second-degree burns.

Station Officer Shannon Crawford explained that shortly before noon the fire department received a call about the boat on fire and two water tenders were deployed

and twelve fighters went to the scene.

He said when they arrived, the boat was engulfed in flames which was threatening the stelling.

However, they were able to bring the fire under control.

The fighters were engaged for close to one hour as fuel continued to feed the flames.

It eventually came to an end when the wreckage turned over in the river.

The vessel is owned by 54-year-old Errol Kertzious of Arima, Berbice River.

It had been shuttling RUSAL staff out to the mouth of the Berbice River since Saturday where an operation is ongoing. The boat and the 200-horsepower engine are valued at $6 million. (G4)

Mechanic severely injured as boat explodes at NA Stelling

cacy on our territorial integrity.”

Minister Todd noted that former Minister RodriguesBirkett’s appointment is “vital” as her selection will add much value to Guyana’s participation at the UN level.

The boat on fire at the NA Stelling

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Public Service Minister Sonia Parag received a courtesy call from Indian High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa on Monday. Discussions were held on areas of mutual interest for the two countries

boat, which has been contracted by the bauxite company RUSAL to take workers out to the mouth of the Berbice River, exploded on Monday morning at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling, leaving a mechanic severely injured.

The private boat, which is contracted by RUSAL, had been at the stelling to shuttle workers loading equipment to take overseas following its announcement that it is shutting down operations in Guyana.

Following the incident, the police said they were investigating the circumstances under which a fibreglass vessel caught fire while moored at the New Amsterdam Stelling.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali COVID-19 Task Force continues congratulated by countrywide response measures German President

President Irfaan Ali

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resident Mohamed Irfaan Ali has received a congratulatory letter from German President, Frank Walter Steinmeier, who has also expressed a willingness to fortify the relationship between the two countries.

In his letter, the German President states: “Please accept my sincere congratulations on your inauguration as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Your election is a reaffirmation of democracy in your country, which is founded on the same values that are important to us. These values and convictions form the basis of our good cooperation, which we are keen to further intensify together with you.”

German President Frank Walter Steinmeier

Prime Minister, Brig (ret’d) Mark Phillips, along with Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony among others during the COVID-19 Task Force meeting

The German President also acknowledged that President Ali has taken office during a particularly difficult time and offered his best wishes for his success.

“You are taking up your new office at a difficult time.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impact are posing a global challenge, which we can only overcome by working together. I wish you, also on behalf of my fellow Germans, much strength and every success with the major task of safely guiding your country out of the crisis, bringing prosperity and peace to your people as well mastering all of the challenges ahead of you,” the German Head of State said.

uyana’s COVID-19 Task Force continues to push forward with its robust agenda as it monitors the country’s response measures to the novel coronavirus. Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, who serves as Chairperson of the Task Force, on Monday met with its members for a weekly progress report and to discuss further plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in

Lindener remanded for illegal ammo possession

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Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) man was remanded to prison on Monday on a charge of illegal possession of ammunition. Kirk Adams of Silvercity, Wismar, Linden, pleaded not guilty to the charge during a virtual court appearance before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that he was caught by Police with 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition in his possession. Adams, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Yondessa

Kirk Adams

Welcome, was remanded to prison until September 7.

(G13)

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Guyana.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall were also present at the meeting, along with members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and other officials, the Department of Public Information reported.

The Prime Minister,

the DPI stated, received a briefing on the increase in countrywide testing as well as the increase in the number of cases resulting from amped-up testing. The current emphasis of the Task Force is to look at continued restricted access to and from Brazil; a review of the current operations at checkpoints in bordering regions and a focus on facilitating increased medical response in Regions One,

Seven, and Nine. In the areas of economic and social responsibility, focus is being placed on the provision of hampers and sanitation supplies to vulnerable areas. Recently, communities in Regions Eight and Nine received the PPP/C Government’s assistance, and the Task Force will now focus their attention on taking these supplies to citizens in communities located in Region One.

500 residents at Lust-en-Rust to finally receive potable water

…to benefit from improved & first-time water access

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he Housing and Water Ministry is advancing works on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), to provide improved water access as well as first-time access to hundreds of persons living in Lust-en-Rust.

A team comprising of Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, along with a team from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), visited residents along the WBD on Monday following a number of complaints about the poor quality, supply and non-supply of potable water.

“The complaints were numerous, so I wanted to get a firsthand look at the area, and I can see it is a very big scheme, and it is not very populated,” Minister Rodrigues told the media.

She added, “we want to ensure that those residents who are here know that we have heard your complaints, and we are trying to do all that we can do to restore water in the area so that the residents can be comfortable.”

The Minister pointed out that there is still a lot to be desired in the community and, as such, assured residents that major improvement in water quality, upgrades of roads, and housing are in the pipelines.

“Upon the visit, I real-

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues interacting with a resident

ised that the entire scheme needs a lot of work not just in relations of water, but the roads are in a deplorable state, there are a lot of lots that are unoccupied,” Minister Rodrigues said, adding that her Ministry will bring plans on board to develop the entire scheme.

“In the future, going forward, we will have to try and coordinate better with GWI and CHPA to ensure that all of the works are going on simultaneously, so none of the agencies have to play catch up.”

Meanwhile, Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako has revealed that Lust-enRust and surrounding areas have been without prop-

er water for some time now given that one of the wells has been out of operations.

Nevertheless, he noted that technicians are working to ensure that residents are connected and receiving quality water.

One resident, Amrit Jawahir, stated that he usually has to wait until it rains to get water.

“Right now, we have to be waiting on the rain or buy a tank of water which usually runs us for three days,” Jawahir explained.

Rawle Tucker, another resident, said that for over three years he was forced to utilise water from the nearby canal.

“At the back of my house

have a trench that comes from the canal, and it is not purified water so, we are just taking a chance.”

Moreover, Vanessa Peters – a resident stated that she would have paid for water supply three months back, but never received any to date.

“Personally, I would have paid for water because I was told that you need to pay, and you will be connected, and we happily went to the office and paid, and we are not connected. The problem is this, some persons were connected, and I hope that when we are connected, we are connected fairly,” she concluded. (G1)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Agri officers will have to listen to farmers before implementing projects

O

fficers employed with the Agriculture Ministry will have to listen to farmers before implementing projects. That is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

He made the announcement on Saturday when he met with farmers in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). The Minister took the opportunity to call on farmers to increase production even as farmers are complaining of cattle rustling.

Region Five is the country’s largest rice-producing region and is second in cattle production.

However, it was on January 12, 2017, that an Agriculture Minister last made an official visit to that region. As such there are many issues affection farmers and the sector.

The Minister visited with a team which included officials from the Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryAgricultural Development Authority; the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Guyana Rice Development Board, Guyana Livestock Development Authority and the fisheries sector.

Meetings were held with farmers at Foulis, Seafield, Kingelly, Bush Lot, Bath Settlement, Cotton Tree and Blairmont.

Addressing concerns at

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha meeting with farmers at Blairmont

Foulis where farmers complained of poor drainage and irrigation, cattle rustling and called for the reintroduction of manual labour to clear canals, Mustapha said the Ministry will now adopt a new way approach in which farmers will be a part of the decision making.

“There will be task force which will be headed by Lionel Wordsworth and the CEO for NDIA Fredrick Flatts and the other people from the MMA, they will make up that task force. I want the farmers to have some representative to liaison with this committee be-

cause I don’t want our officers to decide where the machine should go, they should have consultation with the farmers so that the farmers can help them to identify these critical areas.

Gone are the days when we have people imposing things on you. Farmers will have to play an important part as long as I am Minister of Agriculture, the farmers will have a better say; they are the stakeholders, they are the beneficiaries and they will play an important part in helping us to make decisions for the agriculture sector.”

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

Farmers also expressed concerns over increases in land taxes imposed by the MMA where in some cases, fees were increased by as much as 1500 per cent.

That issue, the Minister said, will be addressed as it was a promise by the PPP to have the increase reversed.

However, farmers questioned whether the reversal will be retroactive.

“Over the last few years, I know for a fact that many farmers were unable to pay their rent because the rent was not doubled but gone up by 2000 per cent. We are committed by all of the

promises that we made in our manifesto and we will reverse the land rental in the MMA/ADA Scheme.”

VAT on agriculture machinery and pesticides, Mustapha said, will also be removed so that farmers can acquire them at cheaper costs.

He said his Ministry is currently looking at expanding existing markets for farmers and also exploring new markets.

Meanwhile, at Seafield, the Minister encouraged farmers to start paying their rentals to the MMA when the increases are re-

versed while at Bush Lot, the Minister said that Government will be presenting a four-month budget and as such, no capital projects will be implemented this year.

He promised the farmers who gathered at Bath that their farms which were taken away by the RDC for the development of a model farm will be returned to them.

The farm was a project undertaken by the former REO Ovid Morrison without the approval of the RDC. There are no known benefits for the region from the project which is utilising the land which was leased to more than fifty farmers.

In noting the importance of farming to Guyana’s development, Mustapha told farmers at Cotton Tree that there is need to improve on agriculture production and promised that extension officers will be visiting farmers to assist them to improve production.

The Minister also addressed issues surrounding sugar when he met with farmers at Blairmont where he also addressed the issue of blocked canals and promised to have extension officers intervene to assist poultry farmers who were experiencing problems with the growth of meat birds.

(Andrew Carmichael)

SYMPTOMS

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

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

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

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

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

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

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

Regional

Brazil Indigenous tribe ordered to end Chile shuts down street protest blocking key grains export route vendors’ mall after

A

Brazilian federal judge on Monday ordered protesters to clear the BR-163 highway, a main route for exporting grains from Mato Grosso state to northern ports, according to a copy of the ruling seen by Reuters.

Members of the Kayapó Indigenous tribe had blocked the route in centre-west Brazil on Monday, protesting against a lack of Government protection from the coronavirus pandemic that has killed several of their elders.

Kayapó wearing warrior body paint and headdresses used tires and wood to block trucks carrying corn on the BR-163 highway, a Reuters witness said.

They were also protesting against the so-called Ferrogrão railway, set to cross part of the Amazon to connect grain-producing Mato Grosso state to river

COVID-19 lockdown easing brings crowds

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Kayapo Indigenous people block Brazil’s BR 163 national highway, as they protest against the Government measures in the Indigenous lands to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Novo Progresso, Para state, Brazil, August 17, 2020

ports for soy and corn.

Brazil’s highway police recommended that grain trucks heading to Miritituba port in Pará state on the Tapajós River pause their journey because of the demonstrations.

The tribe had not been consulted about the rail-

road, which the Government hopes to license early next year, the protesters said. It will link Sinop in Mato Grosso to the port of Miritituba, providing a more efficient transport route.

The railway will run parallel to the BR-163 highway, which has become an important route for exporting

grains to the river ports for transhipment onto larger ships on the Amazon river.

The Kayapo, who live on the adjacent Menkragnoti e Baú indigenous reservations, claim the road has brought illness to their villages and are also seeking reparation money. (Excerpt from Reuters)

news conference.

Meanwhile, the global vaccine race continues.

The governments of Mexico and Argentina have partnered with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc to produce a vaccine.

Martha Delgado, a Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister, said the country will need up to 200 mil-

lion vaccine doses and that if so-called Phase III trials conclude successfully, the first could be available by April next year.

Mexico’s Government has so far reported a total of 522,162 confirmed coronavirus cases and 56,757 deaths.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexican President volunteers to try Russian coronavirus vaccine

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday he would volunteer to be among the first to try a Russian vaccine for the novel coronavirus if it proved effective.

Moscow’s decision to approve the vaccine and produce the first batches after less than two months of hu-

man testing has raised concerns among some scientists considering only about 10 per cent of clinical trials are successful.

Some scientists have said they fear Russia may be putting prestige before safety.

“I’d be the first to be vaccinated,” Lopez Obrador said at his regular morning

he Chilean authorities shut down a mall in downtown Santiago on Monday morning after hundreds of people crowded into the precinct to buy merchandise to sell, just hours after a lockdown for the area was eased.

At least 300 people queued outside the Asia Pacific mall, which specialises in selling Chinese-made products, ahead of opening hours and rushed inside as private security guards attempted to dispense alcohol gel and take temperatures, in some cases resulting in physical clashes with shoppers.

The mall is situated in the capital’s Central Station, a low-income area popular with informal workers and migrants, where a strict lockdown over the past three months was eased on Monday morning.

Like many Latin nations,

Chile has a large population of informal vendors who struggled after movement restrictions reduced their customer base.

The reopening of Central Station, along with the adjoining Central Santiago which hosts Government offices and business headquarters, passed off largely uneventfully, albeit with larger concentrations of people in reopened shops and on public transport.

Around 12 of the Asia Pacific mall’s 70 shops reopened, according to the municipality.

Felipe Alessandri, the Santiago Mayor, said some stores had offered “irresistible” sales that had attracted shoppers from across the capital’s province. He warned that short-term thinking would see the quarantine reinstated. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gonsalves mocks US travel advisory

Colombia offers reward after 8 young partygoers killed

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he Government of Colombia has offered a reward of 200 million pesos (US$53,000; £40,000) for information about the killing of eight people in south-western Nariño province.

Four gunmen burst into a party held at a house in Samaniego on Saturday and shot dead seven men and one woman.

The victims were part of a group of about 20 revellers.

The motive for the attack is not clear but there are a number of drug gangs active in the border area with Ecuador.

Survivors of the attack told El Tiempo newspaper that some of them had received threats on Saturday

Some of the victims have already been laid to rest

warning them to stop the party they were attending on the outskirts of the town of Samaniego.

The group said they had decided to organise the party after an annual music festival was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They gathered at the

empty house of the grandmother of one of the organisers to drink beer and listen to music, according to the father of one of the victims.

Some received messages over WhatsApp telling them to stop and minutes later, four armed men burst onto the property on motorbikes

to the region and the world for several more months going into 2021.

He added that even if there’s a vaccine early next year, or even some other remedy to reduce fatalities, the reality is that COVID will remain a significant threat for some time to come.

The Antigua and Barbuda leader also suspects there will be some “vaccine politics” and some “vaccine challenges” that the region will have to face going forward.

“First of all, accessibility to a vaccine may prove very difficult because if you

and opened fire.

Murder rates have fallen since the Government signed a peace deal with Colombia’s main rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), in 2016.

Despite the fall in homicide number, human rights and land rights activists have been killed by their dozens.

But armed attacks such as on those gathered in Samaniego are unusual and reawaken memories of darker times in Colombia when its armed groups would carry out mass killings, especially in rural areas where there was no or little presence of the security forces.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

PM says Antigua and neighbours might not be able to buy COVID vaccine for citizens

P

rime Minister Gaston Browne said Antiguans and people throughout the Caribbean should brace for a very long battle with COVID-19, and learn to live with the deadly virus.

Browe said he sees COVID remaining a threat

observe what is happening internationally — the European Union, Britain, the United States, even China — clearly they will take care of their citizens firstly,” the Prime Minister said on Pointe FM’s Browne and Browne Show. (Excerpt from Antigua News Room)

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

P

rime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has described as “hilarious . . . like it’s Comedy Central”, the recent travel advisory issued by the United States telling its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries, including St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking on the stateowned NBC radio, Gonsalves also noted that the bulletin also advises against travel to Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, “all these countries which are doing quite well”.

Gonsalves made the comment after noting the impact of COVID-19 on St Vincent and the Grenadines, which, as of Saturday, had recorded 57 cases of the viral infection, 55 of whom have recovered.

He contrasted this to the United States, which took 99

days to reach its first million cases and another 16 days to record four million cases.

“And they are now on to five million. The United States of America has 4.2 per cent of the world’s population; they have 25 per cent of all the COVID deaths in the world,” Gonsalves said, adding that he had seen an interview in which US President, Donald Trump, had claimed that his country was doing well in the management of the illness.

Gonsalves said that the journalist, however, pointed out that this was not the case.

“It doesn’t mean because the United States is powerful that if they do something, which doesn’t make any sense for logical people, that as a leader of an independent country I can’t say that,” Gonsalves said.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises on China plan to boost US imports, OPEC+ compliance

O

il prices settled higher on Monday, as OPEC+ producers almost fully complied in July with their global production cut accord, and after US officials said China is in compliance with the first phase of the two nations’ trade deal.

Brent crude LCOc1 settled up 57 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to US$45.87 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up 88 cents, or 2.1 per cent, to US$42.41 a barrel.

Compliance with OPEC+ oil output cuts is seen at around 97 per cent in July, two OPEC+ sources told Reuters. The oil-producing nations have been cutting output by record levels to curb supply and reduce worldwide inventories.

China is living up to its end of the trade deal the two parties signed in January, US President Donald Trump said on Monday, even though the nation has fallen short so far of promised purchases of US products.

Chinese state-owned oil firms have tentatively booked tankers to transport at least 20 million barrels of US crude for August and September.

“There’s indications of demand picking up in China...we are not in a bull market by a long run but the demand story in China really seems to be what the market is focusing on,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital in New York.

Investors are waiting on Wednesday’s ministerial OPEC+ committee, known as the JMMC, that will review compliance with the global oil supply reduction pact, although no change in the agreement is expected.

In August, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies known as OPEC+ eased its agreed cuts to 7.7 million barrels per day (bpd) from 9.7 million bpd previously. Laterdated Brent futures contracts suggest traders see inventories remaining high in coming months due to weakened demand.

Last week the US Energy Information Administration adjusted global oil demand downward, suggesting a smaller than previously expected reduction in global inventories. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Belarus leader: Ready to share power, but not under pressure

UK Government U-turns on England school exam grades after uproar

T

he British Government bowed to public pressure over its school exam grading system, ditching an algorithm that downgraded the results awarded to students in England after their tests were cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Government had faced days of criticism after the mathematical model used to assess grade predictions made by teachers lowered those grades for almost 40 per cent of students taking their main school-leaving exams.

Students will now be awarded the grade that their teachers had predicted for them based on past performance, Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Government said on Monday.

The chaotic handling of

Students react outside the Department for Education as they hear the news of Government U-turn on exam grades, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London, Britain August 17, 2020

the grades has been felt as far afield as Egypt and Pakistan as some schools there rely on British assessments to secure internationally recognised qualifications.

The algorithm will also be dropped for results for separate exams taken mostly by 15- and 16-year-old students.

The dispute has damaged Johnson’s core message to

voters - that he wanted to get rid of barriers to achievement and help those from poorer backgrounds and areas fulfil their potential.

It marks a fresh embarrassment for a government which has changed course several times - including over meals vouchers for school children after a campaign led by soccer star Marcus Rashford.

Some students missed out on university places after they were downgraded several levels by the regulator’s initial model.

Analysis of the algorithm showed it had resulted in “manifest injustice” of favouring students in fee-paying private schools, said Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank, writing for the Times. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Juan Carlos: Spain’s former king confirmed to be in UAE

S

pain’s former king Juan Carlos has been living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since August 3, the Spanish royal palace has confirmed, putting an end to speculation over his whereabouts.

On August 3, the ex-king made the shock announcement that he was leaving Spain amid a corruption investigation.

The 82-year-old travelled to the UAE on August 3 “and he remains there”, a spokesman said, giving no more details.

The ex-king’s finances are under scrutiny in a major corruption probe.

Juan Carlos is under investigation in Spain, as well as in Switzerland

He denies any wrongdoing and has said he is available if prosecutors need to interview him.

Earlier this month, he announced the move in a letter

to his son, Felipe, to whom he handed the throne six years ago.

He said at the time was making the decision “in the face of the public reper-

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), an umbrella organisation of pro-democracy groups that spearheaded relentless protests that led to the overthrow of longtime President Omar al-Bashir last year, said on Twitter that security forces violently dispersed protesters after they demanded to meet Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and refused to negotiate with an envoy sent in his place.

Large amounts of tear gas were also fired at protesters.

Months of unprecedented

street protests beginning in December 2018 forced army generals to step in and topple al-Bashir in April 2019.

Demonstrations, however, continued well after alBashir’s downfall, with protesters demanding that power be handed over to a civilian administration.

Months of on-and-off negotiations culminated in the signing of a power-sharing agreement between the military and the pro-democracy movement.

The 11-member governing body, called the sovereign

cussions that certain past events in my private life are generating” and in the hope of allowing his son to carry out his functions as king with “tranquillity”.

It was first reported that he had travelled to the Dominican Republic, but Spanish media later said he had arrived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. However, until now, neither the palace nor the Government had confirmed his whereabouts.

The former king is said to have travelled to the UAE on several occasions since his abdication in 2014. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sudanese protest a year after powersharing deal with army

P

Lukashenko addresses his supporters gathered at Independent Square of Minsk on Sunday

B

elarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said he would be willing to share power and change the Constitution, but that he was not prepared to do so under pressure from protesters, according to Belta news agency.

Lukashenko on Monday said work was already underway on possible changes to the Constitution that could redistribute power, Belta reported.

The embattled leader made the remarks at a tractor plant in Minsk where he also told workers that there would be no new presidential election after a disputed August 9 vote.

Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reporting from Minsk said that while Lukashenko says he wants to redistribute power after the Constitution is

changed, this is a long process which could take years.

“Many people here see that as efforts by him to buy time,” Vaessen said.

However, the RIA news agency later reported him saying that a new election would be held after the country adopts a new Constitution.

Nearly 5000 workers from the Minsk Tractor Works plant, which has been on strike since Monday morning, marched down the streets, demanding that Lukashenko step down and cede his post to Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the leading opposition candidate.

It was the ninth consecutive day of protesting against the results of an election that extended his 26-year rule.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

rotesters in Sudan have returned to the streets over the slow pace of change a year after a power-sharing agreement was signed between the country’s generals and a pro-democracy movement.

Draped in Sudanese flags and chanting slogans calling for more reforms, the demonstrators on Monday gathered outside the Cabinet’s headquarters in the capital, Khartoum, to hand over a list of demands that include the election of a legislative body.

council, is made up of five civilians, five military leaders and a consensus civilian agreed to by both sides. It is headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Meanwhile, a Cabinet led

by Hamdok is tasked with the day-to-day running of the country, Protesters on Monday lamented the course that the transition had taken, saying that the military exerted too much influence on the civilian leadership. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

“Highest temperature on Earth” as Death Valley, US hits 54.4C

W

hat could be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth - 130F (54.4C) - may have been reached in Death Valley National Park, California.

The recording is being verified by the US National Weather Service.

It comes amid a heatwave on the US’s west coast, where temperatures

are forecast to rise further this week.

The scorching conditions have led to two days of blackouts in California, after a power plant malfunctioned on Saturday.

Sunday’s reading was recorded in Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

Before this, the highest temperature reliably recorded on Earth was 129.2F (54C) - also in Death Valley in 2013.

The current heatwave stretches from Arizona in the south-west, up the coast to Washington state in the north-west.

It is expected to hit its peak on Monday and Tuesday, before temperatures start to drop later in the week.

However, the sweltering heat will continue for at least another 10 days.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

20

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Take care of yourself.

Fitness, exercise, diet and rest are encouraged. A healthy attitude will promote a better and brighter lifestyle. Personal gain is within reach.

Sit tight, take care of personal and domestic matters, make adjustments to the way you live and do your best to avoid disruptive influences.

Concentrate on making positive changes at home.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Reach out to someone you enjoy working with. Before you make a decision, confront issues that may become a problem. Personal improvement and growth are favored.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Pick up the pace, and focus on whatever will help you accomplish what you set out to do. Put your heart into whatever you feel passionate about, and you'll be content.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

It's up to you to finish what you start. Put your energy to good use, and take care of business before moving on to the things you'd prefer to pursue. Avoid excess at all costs.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Be creative when dealing with changes you are facing or want to pursue. Taking a different approach will alter your perspective regarding how you feel about someone close to you.

Take the initiative, and do something that will help your community or family.

Getting angry will not solve problems, but making reasonable suggestions will.

Don't take a risk when it comes to your health.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Do what you can, and stop wasting time trying to achieve the impossible. Look for an alternative way to use your talents that will also improve your lifestyle. Work on certain important relationships.

SAGITTARIUS

Concentrate on what's important to you. There is money to be made if you tailor your skills, knowledge and experience to fit the current economic trends. A contract looks promising.

SUDOKU (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Thrive on change, but don't go overboard. Know what you want and focus on what's important. Make your home environment welcoming to friends and family.

Don't be a follower or fold under pressure. Consider what's best for you and the people you love. Be reasonable in the face of opposition, and proceed with your plans intelligently.

Look for innovative ways to help those in need without yielding to unsafe situations. A positive change in your personal life will make things easier. Make romance a priority.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

21

Barcelona sack manager Quique Setien after Bayern thrashing

B

arcelona have sacked manager Quique Setien three days after his side's humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, who played for the Catalan giants between 1989 and 1995, is set to replace Setien at the Nou Camp.

Former Real Betis manager Setien, 61, was appointed in January, and took charge for just 25 matches.

Barca finished second in La Liga this season, five points behind Real Madrid.

A new coach will be announced "in the coming days," said the club.

Barca's thrashing by German champions Bayern on Friday was the fourth time in the past five years they have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage of Europe's elite competition.

Setien, who replaced Ernesto Valverde at the Nou Camp, had said after the defeat that it was "time for us to review and take the decisions which are needed for the future".

Koeman is going to be given a two-year deal. He would have said yes to a one-year deal. He has been trying to get to Barcelona for a long while.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was contacted, and there were talks with him even though the chairman realised the fans wouldn't like him (he is a former Espanyol player and manager).

Pochettino is a better option.

There is no doubt about that, but we're not talking about the real issue: This is a club that's in disarray, with a debt that some calculate could be 700m euros, and is unable to move on because it spends 70% of its income on wages for the first team.

They have no clear idea where to go next, partly because they can't get rid of these guys and partly because they've got no vision.

(BBC Sport)

Quique Setien’s Barcelona timeline

Quique Setien's Barcelona conceded eight goals in a match for the first time since April 1946

13 January 2020: Hired as Barcelona boss on a two-and-a-halfyear deal as successor to the sacked Ernesto Valverde

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has said he would be the "first to leave" if the club wishes to make changes.

19 January 2020: Wins his first game in charge, as Lionel Messi scores the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Granada

Analysis

6 February 2020: Barca knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the quarterfinal stage by Athletic Bilbao

After his sacking on Monday, Barcelona said: "This is the first decision within a wider restructuring of the first team."

The club also announced that next year's presidential elections, scheduled for June, will be brought forward to March 15.

(By Guillem Balague, Spanish football expert speaking on Radio 5 Live)

1 March 2020: Barca lose El Clasico to Real Madrid, who move above Barcelona at the top of La Liga 16 July 2020: Barca relinquish La Liga title and lose their 30-game home unbeaten run, as Osasuna win 2-1 at the Nou Camp 14 August 2020: Barca suffer a record 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich, and are knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals

Man City to erect statue of David Silva Simona Halep decides not to participate in US Open at Etihad Stadium

M

anchester City have announced plans to erect a statue of Spanish playmaker David Silva at Etihad Stadium.

Silva's successful 10-year spell at City came to an end after Saturday's Champions League defeat by Lyon.

Signed from Valencia in 2010, the midfielder, 34, made 436 appearances and helped City win 14 trophies.

"David is a transformational player; a quiet leader who has inspired everyone around him," said City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. "David's statue will act as a lasting reminder of the wonderful moments that he gave us, not only as an incredible footballer, but as an inspiring ambassador who represented this football club with great dignity at all times."

The statue will be unveiled in 2021, along with another tribute dedicated to former City captain Vincent Kompany, who left the club last year and announced earlier on Monday he was retiring from playing.

Silva's contribution will also be commemorated by the naming of a training pitch and mosaic in his honour at City's training ground.

Later on Monday, Silva

posted a farewell letter to City fans, saying the club had left an "indelible mark" on his life and career.

"I look back, and it is clear I could not have made a better decision than to accept City's proposal to join their project back in 2010," he said.

Silva made 309 Premier League appearances, scoring 60 goals and playing an instrumental part in City's four title wins: in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

In domestic cup competitions, he played 57 times and won two FA Cups, five League Cups, and three Community Shields.

Silva holds the record for the most European appearances for City, having played 70 Champions League matches over the past decade. The former Spain international, who was in the squads to win the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, has not yet announced where he will play next season.

Italian side Lazio are reported to have offered him a three-year contract.

Analysis

(By BBC Sport's Simon Stone) The departure of David Silva signals a summer of

W

David Silva's final match for Manchester City saw him come on against Lyon as an 84th-minute substitute

change around Manchester City during what will be a very short close season.

Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres have already been bought to strengthen Pep Guardiola's squad, with another central defender also set to come in amid uncertainty over the futures of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Eric Garcia.

On Guardiola, though, there are no doubts within the Etihad Campus.

Whilst there is understandably deep disappointment at City around Saturday's Champions League defeat

by Lyon, faith in Guardiola remains strong.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has a year left on his con-

tract, and there is no barrier to him staying with City beyond what will be a fifth season, which would make him the club's longest serving manager since Joe Mercer.

Guardiola would know the freedom he has at City is beyond anything he could expect at a comparable club, and for all the obvious disappointments in Europe, the Blues have won six trophies out of the last nine on offer domestically.

The big question is whether he has the appetite for the challenge, beyond trying to regain the Premier League title and end what has become an irritating run of quarter-final exits in the Champions League. (BBC Sport)

orld number two Simona Halep is the latest leading women's player to withdraw from the US Open.

Romanian Halep is the sixth top 10 player to opt out of the Grand Slam, which will be played behind closed doors in New York from 31 August.

"I always said I would put my health at the heart of my decision," she has said.

Canada's defending champion Bianca Andreescu and Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty are among the other big names to have pulled out. Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, and Switzerland's Belinda Bencic have also decided not to play in the tournament amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"After weighing up all the factors involved, and with the exceptional circumstances in which we are living, I have decided that I will not travel," added reigning Wimbledon champion Halep, 28.

The two-time Grand Slam winner - who won the Prague Open on Sunday says she will stay and train in Europe, where the French Open is scheduled to start on 27 September.

Simona Halep won the Prague Open on Sunday, her first tournament in five months

American great Serena Williams has committed to play in New York, along with Japanese 2018 champion Naomi Osaka, Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States, and Czech world number three Karolina Pliskova.

On the men's side, Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic, Britain's threetime Grand Slam champion Andy Murray, and Russian 2019 runner-up Daniil Medvedev are competing.

(BBC Sport)

22

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BRANDON KING: “Consistency” is the watchword – aiming to take Guyana Amazon Warriors over the proverbial line

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Guyana A m a z o n Warriors are set to take on the Trinbago Knight Riders today in the 2020 edition of the Hero CPL T20 Tournament; and Warriors batsman Brandon King is looking forward to representing the franchise to the best of his abilities.

In a short but exclusive conversation with this publication, King w a s a s k e d about the current environment, with CPL being played d u r i n g the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, and he responded as follows: “CPL has to be commended; they have done everything in their power to make us as comfortable as possible. We knew what we signed up for, so this is the only way that the tournament can

move forward and still keep everyone safe, and I am okay with the setup.”

King added that, as athletes, all the players must test their discipline. He noted that he has to be professional when it comes to the teams being quarantined in their rooms.

And he said his resolve is “to be consistent” when he takes to the field.

“I have no personal goals. At the moment, I am hoping to be consis-

tent in every game. My aim is to always help Guyana ‘get over the line’, and lift the CPL Trophy,” King has revealed.

Explaining what it means to be a part of the GAW, King said, “I think it’s a great privilege. Last year it was very new to me; I didn’t know what to expect of the setup and everybody, but I found it enjoyable. The guys were very professional (and) the fans were amazing. I would say (that), in my career, the Warriors’ fans are the best experience I’ve ever had; so, it’s a great privilege, and I play for them with a lot of pride.”

King also relayed that with the lack of crowds, mo-

tivation might be a bit difficult, as the fan experience is something that all players would prefer. However, he said, that should not affect the level of cricket, because crowds do add another element of pressure, and it is his belief that their absence would be beneficial to the younger players.

Asked what he could improve in his game, King said, “Nothing specific. I am looking to improve the mental aspect of my game.

I found what worked for me last year was my being able to play games with a clearer mind, and I am living with the result. That is the mindset I need, and that mindset would help me to execute my plans better when the tournament starts.”

CWI stakeholders receive copies of ‘The Wehby Report’ S

T. JOHN’S, Antigua - Cricket West Indies (CWI) President, Ricky Skerritt, has communicated directly with several key partners and stakeholders, including Government leaders, to share the contents of the recently received report on Governance Reform of CWI. In his letter to stakeholders, the CWI President stated his intention to champion the report’s recommendations with his best efforts in an attempt to achieve much needed comprehensive and sustainable change for the growth and development of the organisation. He also thanked stakeholders for their “ongoing support for West Indies cricket”, and asked for their “cooperation and patience as we set about the process of understanding, accepting, and implementing The Wehby Report”.

The report was prepared by an independent Task Force led

by Senator Don Wehby, and including Sir Hilary Beckles, Mr. Deryck Murray, Mr. O.K Melhado and Mr. Charles Wilkin, QC. The Task Force consulted extensively, and the 36-page report drew from

a wide cross section of expertise – from knowledgeable persons in the West Indies as well as in the global game.

President Skerritt said: “We cannot ignore the fact that this is the fifth external governance review endeavour of its kind within the past thirteen years. However, I am confident that this latest review was conducted by five experienced, skilled and well-intentioned West Indians, each with an unmitigated concern and respect for West Indies cricket in general. Together they are more than capable of merging learnings from past reviews with the realities of the present, in order to develop a pertinent and strategic outlook for a preferred future”.

The Report recognised the enormous cricket talent in the region, and the need to harness that talent and promote its growth. It presented the significant way in which improved governance would contribute to the process. The Task Force also conducted case studies of cricket governance models among major cricket nations, and considered it important, in exercise of their man-

CWI President Ricky Skerritt

date, to highlight those principles of modern corporate governance which, in their opinion, should apply to the Board of Directors of CWI as a corporate entity carrying out a public function.

Overall, the report noted that reform was needed to ensure the sustainability of CWI. It highlight-

ed the “need to foster the rebuilding of trust and a common purpose between CWI and the other stakeholders, especially with regional governments”.

The recommendations include: * Comprehensive reform of the governance structure using key principles of modern governance to provide greater accountability and transparency. * Membership of the Board of Directors to reflect a wide cross section of skills and competencies, and a smaller and more balanced Board of 12 (currently 18) in the immediate instance, with an eventual reducing to nine (9), including at least two women. * Redefinition of roles of President and Vice President to be more Board specific and non-executive. * Establishment of a Nominations Committee to identify and evaluate potential directors, and to nominate future directors and committee members. * Reduction in CWI Committee structure from 12 to five (5) Committees.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CPL 2020: No crowd, a quiet party been severely affected by the absence of key overseas players.

ESPNcricinfo looked at some of the key talking points that would come into play during the 23-day tournament, which will a l s o act as training

ground for some players and coaches ahead of the IPL, which begins on September 19, nine days after the CPL final on September 10.

Playoffs format tweaked again

The playoffs format this year will comprise just the two semi-finals and the final, without any advantage for the team winning the league stage. There will be one less match, compared with the four games during the play-offs last year.

Chris Green will lead the Warriors this year

C

PL 2020, the biggest party in town, begins on August 18 in Trinidad & Tobago.

However, it will be a quiet affair due to the

COVID-19 pandemic.

This will be the first T20 league to be played during the pandemic, and it will be played in a single country, and at just two grounds. Due to the global travel restrictions, many franchises have

role. Also, spin has worked well at both the venues: slower bowlers have conceded 6.90 runs per over, compared to 8.38 by pace bowlers.

Hence there is a good chance that teams such as Barbados Tridents and Knight Riders could field even four spinners in the XI. Get ready to watch some masterclasses by leg-spinners like Rashid Khan (Tridents), Imran Tahir (Amazon Warriors), Sandeep Lamichhane (Tallawahs) and Zahir Khan (Zouks).

Who are the emerging players to watch out for?

T h e C P L has

Spin to win

Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain will host ten matches, while the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba will stage 23 games. With pitches set to deteriorate rapidly, there is a good chance that spin could play a dominant

Rashid Khan will turn out for the Tridents this year

Joshua DaSilva will be one to watch

made it mandatory for each team to give an emerging player a minimum of five games during this season. The rule states that at least one emerging player should make five appearances, or multiple players should make five combined appearances. The rule is designed to provide exposure to young, uncapped talent.

So, watch out for Jayden Seales (Knight Riders) and Nayeem Young (Tridents), who shot to fame in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year.

Joshua Da Silva from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, who recently kept wicket as a

s u b - stitute during the final Test of the England series, is ano t h er young player who might have a breakthrough season, along with speedster Keon Harding (Tridents).

Tell me about the favourites…

With 2410 T20 caps bet w e e n them, one can't really look past Knight Riders, who have won the CPL thrice, and this time will be playing the entire league at home. In terms of experience, if you put together the entire squad of Tridents and Amazon Warriors, even then they have fewer matches than Knight Riders, whose line-up includes greats like captain Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Dwayne Bravo. They will be coached by Brendon McCullum, who is the third-highest scorer in T20 cricket.

This will be McCullum's second stint as Knight Riders' coach in the CPL, and he would want to make use of this experience before he heads to the UAE to take charge of the other Knight Riders franchise (KKR) in the IPL. Five-time finalists Warriors will miss their regular captain Shoaib Malik, but they remain firm favourites as well. Chris Green has

23

taken over as captain, and will have a point to prove after he had been pulled up for suspect action.

He has got his action cleared since, but is yet to test it out in topflight cricket. Green, who plays for Sydney Thunder in the BBL, was the most economical T20 bowler in 2019, and was even picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the most recent IPL action.

As for Tallawahs, they have a power-packed middle order that could spring a surprise. Their gun allrounder Andre Russell will also have a point to prove, after having said recently that this could be his last season with the team.

Imran Tahir will be a key part of the Warriors’ spin department

HERO CPL IS HERE!!!

GAW vs TKR: Who will draw first blood in the tournament’s first game?

W

ithout fans in attendance, and without participation of the most acclaimed T20 player in the world, how would you start a T20 tournament during a global pandemic? There is really only one solution: pit the two most-talked-about teams against each other.

As such, when the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2020 tournament bowls off today at 10am, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be coming Kieron Pollard would up against the want to exhibit Trinbago Knight exceptional Riders in what leadership of his team would be a high-

ly anticipated clash of the titans.

Jamaica’s Chris Gayle will be absent from the tournament this year (Gayle was bought by the St. Lucia Zouks before pulling out for personal reasons), but some of the Caribbean’s most seasoned T20 players will be featured in the two rival teams that would play the first match of the tournament today.

Both sides have sought to retain the majority of their 2019 teams, and they both boast a high number of local talents; the Warriors having 8 and the Knight Riders 11.

The Trinbago Knight Riders have a power-packed lineup with the likes of Captain Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo (who was ruled out of the

2019 tournament due to injury, but is back to full health), Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons. However, the Warriors are equipped with Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and last Year’s highest run-scorer, Brandon King.

Looking at the international talents who will be going head-to-head, the Warriors’ department is boosted by the talents of Ross Taylor and Imran Tahir, while the Knight Riders sport Colin Munro, Pravin Tambe and Fawad Ahmed.

Undeniably, the teams have good contenders, but the result will almost always come down to how the players operate on game day.

Flashback to 2019, and the Warriors defeat-

ed the Knight Riders in both preliminary games in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. They also did the dame during the 2018 preliminary round.

In fact, the only time that the Knight Riders have defeated the Warriors in their last 5 games against each other was in the final of the 2018 edition.

The characters to closely watch in today’s game will be Brandon King, who has an average of 55.25, Chandrapaul Hemraj (21.60), Kieron Pollard (52.50) and Lendl Simmons (35.50).

Over in the bowling department, there is Imran Tahir with an average of 6.00, Chandrapaul Hemraj (7.11), Ali Khan (7.90), and Khary Pierre (6.56). However, should the wicket take spin

well, the likes of Chris Green, Pravin Tambe and Sunil Narine will expect great returns.

Also, considering the strong friendships, camaraderie and familiarity between these two teams, the first match of CPL 2020 will be a blockbuster event.

Shimron Hetmyer would be a key component for the GAW

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020

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

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See stories on page 23

CPL 2020: No crowd, a quiet party

GAW vs TKR: Who will draw first blood in the tournament’s first game?

On the eve of the first game of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 tournament, players from the local franchise, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), participated in the annual Media Day activities. The Warriors had the opportunity to get their new headshots taken in the official 2020 team kits - which are a bit similar to the 2019 kit - and autographed cricket memorabilia such as T-shirts, hats, balls etc. In photos are new captain Chris Green; newcomer to the GAW franchise, Ross Taylor; spin maestro Imran Khan; young batsmen Shimron Hetmyer and Chandrapaul Hemraj, and all-rounder Keemo Paul

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