Guyana Times - Thursday, October 29, 2020

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

Issue No. 4453

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

City Hall appeals to Govt for funds to offset over $500M debt …owes $100M to garbage contractors, Page 2

$400M to NIS, $20M in retroactive salaries

Anil Nandlall, Timothy Jonas to be appointed Senior Counsel See story on page 3

GPL fighting to stave off $1B yearend deficit – Deputy CEO

Officer in-charge of Traffic, Regional Division 4 C held a discussion with operators of animal-drawn carts to discuss rules of the road. In photo, the Police Officer explained the requirement of having a piece of red cloth tied to extended cargo to alert other road users (GPF photo)

CSEC, CAPE exams

Page 7

…as COVID-19, debts owed take toll See story on page 18

Education Ministry engages over 900 teachers on schools reopening

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P15 APNU/AFC wants LGE with compromised top officials at GECOM 15-year-old P18 shoots self with father’s gun Attempts to rig election

Lawrence, Mingo, Joseph electoral fraud cases adjourned to P16 Dec 21

Cop critical after car P18 slams into bridge

Caricom Heads to discuss impact of COVID-19 on Region’s P18 economies

Buxton farmers finally benefit from drainage and irrigation services P19

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

City Hall appeals to Govt for funds to offset over $500M debt

…owes $100M to garbage contractors, $400M to NIS, $20M in retroactive salaries

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he cash-strapped and mismanaged City Hall on Wednesday appealed to Government to bail it out as its monstrous debts are piling up.

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine pleaded with Government to bail out the entity by allocating funds to the Council which is faced with over half of a billion dollars in debts that continue to climb.

Of this sum, $100 million is owed to garbage collection contractors, $400 million is owed to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and over $20 million in retroactive salaries is owed to staffers of the City Constabulary.

Narine reported that

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was struggling to pay

staffers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in it recording a 78 per cent decrease in revenue earnings.

Speaking on the issue, Mayor Narine said: “Our revenue drop here is about 78 per cent. We are actually struggling to pay staff. Our salary and wages scale is $120 million per month.

We owe NIS over $400 million that is since in 1993. I am dealing with that issue now.”

He continued, “COVID-19 has carried a tremendous impact on this Council that some things we cannot do. The plans that we had for this year as Mayor and Councillors we could not execute it, because the money is not there. The lil’ bit money you actually have

is to pay staff and to do other works which are necessary.”

With respect to the over $20 million in retroactive salaries owed to the City Constabulary, the Mayor assured that he was trying his best to have the monies paid by December 31, 2020. According to him, there is much more as it relates to COVID-19 in the capital city.

He said he sent several letters to Government asking for help.

Garbage collection Turning his attention to garbage collection and the $100 million owed to contractors, Mayor Narine informed, “The garbage collectors, the contract was up on the 5th of October 2020. I had to sit and

negotiate with them again to extend it for three months until December 2020.”

Mayor Narine said he has now written to President Irfaan Ali as the Council continued to beg for a bailout. He added that a senior secretary at the Office of the President recently responded to his letter ,stating that the President has forwarded his letter to Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall and the Minister would respond on the President’s behalf.

The Mayor disclosed that the Council was carrying out a number of repairs works across the City and that the payment of outstanding rates and taxes owed by Government would assist the Council tremendously.

Earlier this month, Minister Dharamlall announced that Central Government would allocate $2 million to each municipality to ensure that town council staff, who have not been

paid for months, received wages and salaries. In doing so, the Minister said that he was cognisant of the fact that municipalities had been unable to generate revenue as a result of the COVID-19 . However, Mayor Narine said that this was barely enough in light of the numerous financial woes the Council was facing.

Over the years, City Hall has come in for heavy criticism over the management of its finances and its wasteful spending which has left the Council cash-strapped.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, October 29 – 03:30h – 05:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Friday, October 30 – 04:30h – 06:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, October 29 – 15:10h – 16:40h and Friday, October 30 – 15:35h – 17:05h.

Anil Nandlall, Timothy Jonas to be appointed Senior Counsel

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be clear to partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

President Irfaan Ali

Winds: North-Easterly to South South-Westerly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 15:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.64 metres.

Low Tide: 09:28h and 21:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.55 metre.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

06 07 10

16 23 26

FREE TICKET

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DAILY MILLIONS

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Change %

Crude Oil

$39.12/barrel

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Rough Rice

$224.28/ton

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London Sugar

$396.60/ton

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Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1882.30

$1883.30

Low/High

$1880.70

$1883.50

Change

+5.80

+0.31%

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Chairman Timothy Jonas will be appointed to the position of Senior Counsel in Guyana.

This decision was made

by President Irfaan Ali after consultations with acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

According to the Office of the President in a statement on Wednesday, the appointments will be effective from Friday, October 30, 2020.

It was noted that Nandlall and Jonas were selected to be conferred with silk “…due to their demonstrable knowledge of and learning in the law and on account of their exemplary erudition and diligence in the practice of the law and by virtue of their distinguished contributions to the growth and development of Guyana’s jurisprudence and constitutional democracy”.

Both Nandlall and Jonas were on the forefront of the fight following the March 2 General and Regional Elections when there were blatant attempts to undermine democracy in Guyana.

Nandlall, who had previously served as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister under the last People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration from 2011 to 2015, was among the leading legal minds guiding the Party during that tumultuous period.

In fact, it was Nandlall who obtained the court order to block embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo from moving ahead with the fraudulent declaration made on March 5.

A national recount exercise subsequently conducted found that Mingo had heavily inflated the figures in favour of the then incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

However, the recount exercise showed that the PPP/C won the elections by some 15,416 votes.

Both Nandlall and Jonas were instrumental in representing the interests of their respective parties during the national recount.

Meanwhile, Jonas had represented Josh Kanhai of The New Movement (TNM) – one of the small political parties – in the series of post-election

litigation that was filed.

Jonas’ silk conferral comes over a year after his Senior Counsel appointment was withdrawn by then President David Granger shortly after he announced his affiliation with ANUG – a new political party that was formed to contest the March 2 elections.

According to reports, Attorney Jonas was informed

by Chancellor CummingsEdwards in late 2018 that he was approved by the Judges to be conferred with silk and would be recommended to the Executive.

Then on December 24, 2018, Jonas was contacted by Chief of Protocol at the then Ministry of the Presidency, Vic Persaud, informing him that he was reportedly being appointed Senior Counsel and that in the coming days he would receive his documentation and invitation to the ceremony.

However, less than a week after it was announced that he was among the Executives of the new political party, Jonas received another call from Persaud indicating that the executive had reconsidered his Senior Counsel appointment.

A list, exempting Jonas, was then published naming five new SCs: Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack along with Attorneys Stephen Fraser, Carole JamesBoston, Robert Ramcharran, and Rajendra Poonai.

Jonas had described the move as “vindictive politics”, noting that actions such as this have “tarnished the whole image of silk”.

“One would expect that kind of vindictive politics in Guyana’s arenas. One regret for me is that as is so often the case, this was political manipulation which corrupts the

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Attorney-at-Law Timothy Jonas

process. The value of the process itself is undermined in this case, because this exposure has tarnished the whole image of Silk. People who are very deserving like (Attorneyat-Law) Steven Fraser are caught up in a mudslide,” he had stated.

The AFC faction of the then coalition Government had distanced itself from the issue while then Attorney General Basil Williams, who himself was appointed as Senior Counsel by President Granger, had contended that Jonas was never considered for the post.

caretaker President Granger’s appointment of four Senior Counsels back in December 2019.

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

Jonas went on to say that in so far as the President, a member of the Executive, purports to make a decision within the province of the inherent discretion of the High Court, “his trespass into the realm of the Judiciary violates Article 122 of the Constitution of Guyana, and is illegal and void”. (G8)

Legal proceedings against President’s authority

Nevertheless, Jonas in July filed legal proceedings, seeking a judicial review of

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 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

The lessons of the Prophet

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oday, Muslims observe Youman Nabi. The day is very significant to our Muslim brothers and sisters as it marks both the birth and death anniversaries of Islam’s Holy Prophet Muhammad. More importantly, its significance offers much pertinent lessons in humility, contentment, respect and love among mankind.

Prophet Muhammad was born in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia on 12th of Rabi-Al-Awwal (3rd month on the Islamic Calendar), 571 AD and died at the age of 62 in Medina.

The Prophet is seen as the perfect role model and the lessons taught by him can be beneficial to all mankind caring for the less fortunate, duty to one’s parents, respect for all, mercy and forgiveness, care for the sick, charity, prayers and fasting to name a few. These principles have formed the basis of Islam and are also the foundation of becoming better individuals, thereby shaping better societies which we can all be proud of.

Prophet Muhammad has indeed left an excellent example of how a leader of a country should act and behave. Modesty, frugality, fairness, mercifulness, and practising what is demanded of others were some of his watchwords. In reflecting on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet, there are universal lessons of forgiveness and tolerance of which Guyanese could seek to emulate in building a prosperous, modern and united country.

Youman Nabi celebration is therefore an opportunity for the persons not only to understand the message of the Prophet Muhammad, but to put into practice in our everyday life and dealings with our fellow citizens.

The moral teachings of the Prophet Muhammad are not mere theories but practical manifestations of moral principles which are universally relevant and applicable for all times. For example, the Prophet’s message of peace is particularly relevant today as you cannot change someone’s heart by use of force, but through humility and kindness.

Just recently President Irfaan Ali underscored the importance for our leaders to take up the responsibility and lead the charge towards achieving national unity. He was quoted in the media as saying that this task rests entirely on the shoulders of leaders.

On this basis, he called on all Guyanese to break down those invisible walls and bring our people together, saying; “we owe this to the legacy of those who worked tirelessly, and selflessly, we owe this to our future generation, and we have to fix it now and fix it in this generation, and to not leave this burden upon those who will come after us”.

He said that the time has come for citizens to reflect with honourable intentions and a passion and commitment to achieve what those who struggled selflessly, wanted to achieve - the unification of our people. “It is the most pressing issue for us as a people. We talk a lot these days about economic bonanza that will come about, the great wealth that will come, about lifting our people from poverty. But today I say to you, the greatest of tasks and challenge for all of us, is unification of our people.”

The Prophet’s message of peace, understanding, respect, care and compassion for all mankind is more relevant today than it ever was.

We had said before that Guyana is now once again on a democratic path. We have yet another glorious opportunity to fashion a society that is modern, inclusive, progressive, and one in which all citizens can be proud.

This of course can only be achieved if all Guyanese work together in the national interest.

On this auspicious occasion of Youman Nabi, we extend best wishes to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim communities here in Guyana and across the Diaspora.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was on Wednesday paid a courtesy call by UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn (Office of the Vice President photo)

Involvement of GuyaneseAmericans in US politics Dear Editor, This coming Tuesday is the day of America’s general elections. How involved are Guyanese-Americans in this or other elections and in politics in general in the US? In general, Guyanese are not politically-minded, but in this election, they would vote in larger percentages or numbers than before.

An increased number of them don’t feel comfortable with Trump as President, even though his administration is largely responsible for the change in administration in Guyana. The Obama Administration was responsible for the removal of Ramotar’s Administration in 2015.

Based on my interviews and empirical observation, Guyanese political participation in America is minimal, with less than 50% voting, with few involved in campaigns and political activism or donating to campaigns. I attended many political meetings and rallies and victory celebrations from the 1980s to now, and hardly came across (Indo) Guyanese in political activities.

Generally speaking, Guyanese- Americans are not politically or civic-minded. Only a handful of us, inclusive of this writer, are civic- minded, attending community meetings, or are engaged in political activism or donating to campaigns.

Very few are actively involved in getting-out-the-vote drives, and fewer seek elective office or organize political groups in their neighbourhoods.

Guyanese turnout rate in voting is very low, thus it is not surprising that Guyanese do not have much influence in American politics, except in rare cases, as when they lobbied American politicians for the 1992, 2015, and 2020 Guyana elections. Those outcomes were determined largely through US pressure to bring about change in administration.

With Guyanese not being a homogenous group, their political engagement varies by ethnicity. Afro-Guyanese seem more politically involved than

Indians. Afros seem more politically inclined in Brooklyn than Indians in Queens or the Bronx. There are AfroGuyanese elected to office, but no Indos. The two groups are settled in their own distinct communities, with little social interaction, except for some national festivals like Phagwah or Independence Day celebrations and shopping in Richmond Hill.

The two groups live and socialise apart in a manner not different from what obtains in Guyana. In fact, they are more segregated in America than in Guyana. Indos have not been vested with positions of political power, whereas Afros have held elective office. Issues pertaining to Indos are not attended to (given resources) by American politicians, whereas interests of Afros are attended.

I once approached the Congressman for my area in Woodhaven on an issue pertaining to Guyana. His staff checked the registered voters list for my name and pointed out I am not registered as a voter. Assistance was not provided. I could not vote as a non-American. So, it is important to become citizen, register, and vote.

Community and civic leader Ashook Ramsaran lamented the minimal participation of Guyanese in mainstream American politics. Ramsaran, President of Indian Diaspora Council International, noted that “despite their arrival in the USA starting in the mid 1960’s and being a substantial potential voting bloc in various districts in Queens, particularly so in Richmond Hill, Indo-Guyanese have significantly lagged other recent immigrant groups politically, such as the Punjabi and Indian communities who are making rapid strides in political consciousness”. There are 2 Indo-Guyanese appointed or elected district leaders Taj Rajkumar and Richard David in Queens. On the other hand, says Ramsaran, Afro-Guyanese in the USA have made much more progress in politics at the federal, state and city levels.

He points to “Shirley Chisholm (former US Congress Member) and Helen Marshall (former Queens Borough President) who are notable examples.

Others include state senator (Roxanne Persaud) and state assembly member (Alicia Hyndman)”. Ramsaran advices that “Indo-Guyanese must take bold actions on this front to achieve political representation in order to be a fully established community”.

The paucity of Indo participation in mainstream American politics go back to the 1970s when the few existing Guyanese political groups were involved in issues pertaining to Guyana’s politics and not American politics. This writer joined with other student activists to found a group that championed free and fair elections in Guyana. Because we were not citizens, we were not involved in American politics in the early years of the Guyanese presence. We were more interested in the freedom of Guyana. And almost every Guyanese was caught up with earning a living and establishing themselves in a new society and acquiring a home with little time to engage in civic or political activities or even to be bothered in activism to liberate Guyana. Later, during the 1980s, attention was paid to involvement in domestic American politics. We recognized that without Guyanese involvement in American politics, pressure would not be borne on the Guyana dictatorship by American politicians.

Several Guyanese volunteered on American political campaigns. I have not missed an election cycle as a volunteer since the late 1980s.

Since the 1990s, seminars were held to sensitize Guyanese about American political participation. Yet in 2020, Guyanese, Indians in particular, have not exhibited much activism in politics. Their role has remained very submissive and minimal to some of them voting of about 50%. Very few Guyanese attend political meetings or financially contribute to campaigns. And fewer volunteer on campaigns.

Guyanese Americans manifest a resistance to acculturating into American society.

This is a result of cultural, religious and ethnic background.

Indians cannot relate with mainstream (White) American culture which is not appealing to them. They feel at home socializing among their own in their secluded communities.

And because of political issues in Guyana, that is the principal reason why they find themselves in America, they avoid politics. They find little honor in politics given their experience from Guyana. And, thus they avoid politics except when their leaders from Guyana visit America. Guyanese came out in their numbers to greet, hear, and interact with the leadership from Guyana. Indians in Queens showed up in packed halls to meet the PPP leadership. And Brooklyn based Africans do the same when the PNC leadership visits. The two ethnic groups hardly patronize each other political programs. There is virtually no inter-group political interaction to empower each other in America although Black candidates from Brooklyn are known to seek campaign funding from Queens. Every Caribbean politician from Brooklyn has sought political campaign funding from Richmond Hill. Yet not much political benefits flow to Guyanese in Queens. Indo Guyanese need to change tract and strategies.

America has been their home since the 1960s. Guyanese are not returning to live in the former homeland. Thus, they need to become more civic and politically minded to life in the US. Tuesday elections is critical for their presence in America and also for relations with Guyana. They must come out in their numbers and cast ballots. And where practical, they should join the campaigns and provide assistance to the few Guyanese seeking elective office to empower the community.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram (Pol Scientist)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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

GuySuCo needs to clean up its management structure, introduce fiscal discipline Dear Editor, When the PNCR Government closed the Wales sugar estate in 2015 on the ground that it was running at a huge financial loss for several years, a PNCR operative, Stanley Ming, said categorically that the lands should be converted into an aquaculture farming area. What seems striking is that although he made that pronouncement, I doubt whether he believed in its viability. Had he and the PNCR ever seriously embraced the aquaculture venture, they would have implemented it within their five years’ regime. They did not. I believe that they knew that aquaculture was not a promising idea. Ming only made that statement to provide a rationale for the hurt that the PNCR Government had inflicted on the sugar estate community.

There has been limited discussion on the possibility of introducing aquaculture, as part of the diversification of GuySuCo’s operations.

The few people who embrace this idea feel that sugar is a lost cause. Many of us, share a different view.

In addition, their (pessimistic) position runs counter to the government’s claim that sugar could break even in 4-5 years’ time, and then begin to make a profit. Sugar is much more than that the product; it represents a corporate conscience, a challenging history, fluctuating fortunes, a tradition, and a way of life for several communities.

Not to mention that thousands of dismissed workers who are being rehired as well as others, plus sugar’s contribution to GDP and to foreign exchange earnings, there is a huge market for sugar (over 226 tons per annum) in the Caribbean. With the value-added product of refined sugar, Guyana could easily tap into this as well as other markets. At present, GuySuCo should focus on sugar production, including refined sugar and co-generation. Further diversification

should come later.

There is also the pressure to introduce industrial hemp. Should the government approve this product, it is likely to yield economic returns many times more than aquaculture. And experts tell us that hemp cultivation could add about 30% to sugar cane productivity. This is what is needed and not aquaculture that will erode the focus on the revival of the sugar cane industry. Farmed fish is also a health risk.

Almost every Guyanese that I know in the diaspora consumes wild fish (marine or ocean) such as bangamary, butter fish, snapper, trout, catfish, etc. Farmed fish (reared in reservoirs, ponds, etc.) is never popular and consumers tend to avoid it. Since farmed fish is reared on a different diet (inclusive of antibiotics which contribute to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria), this could lead to serious health consequences. Farmed tilapia, for example, has high

mercury level as well as elevated levels of Omega –6 fatty acids which could lead to inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, and even cause cancer. In comparison, wild caught tilapia has healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. “A serving of wild caught fish is likely to contain more proteins and healthy fats than a similar serving of farmed fish.”

Guyana experimented with aquaculture in the 1940s with Mozambique tilapia that was reared in irrigated rice fields, or in flooded sugar cane fields. That experiment failed. There was renewed interest in the 1970s when the Department of Fisheries, IDRC (International Development Research Center) and GuySuCo conducted a joint venture with the rearing of the Nile tilapia. This tilapia variety was supposed to alternate with indigenous species of armored catfish.

That project failed because of management and human resources deficit.

In the 1990s, the PPPC Government was aware that the demand for captured (marine) fish could not meet existing local consumers’ demand. It was learnt later in 1999 that fish consumption was 58.7 kg per capita.

Accordingly, an Action Plan was prepared in 1994 with CIDA’s assistance and this was supported by the FAO specialist for the government to establish a freshwater fish farming station.

Thus, the Mon Repos Freshwater Aquaculture Demonstration Farm and Training Center was set up in 2001 at a cost of $(US) 1.2 million, in response to the recommendations of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), IDRC and CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). While policy makers were looking at value added products for the sugar industry and to diversify GuySuCo’s operations, the aquaculture initiative failed because the PPPC government’s approach has been

that it should be a project to be conducted by private enterprise with the government acting as a facilitator. To have GuySuCo, a quasi-government unit, to become involved again in aquaculture will collide with this policy position.

To even think of converting some of GuySuCo’s lands, as part of the diversification process, into rice cultivation is mind boggling.

Rice cultivation is handled exceptionally well by private farmers. GuySuCo should stay out of the rice industry. To the extent that GuySuCo has unused lands, those could be allocated to the government’s housing program. Both aquaculture and rice cultivation are not needed within the diversification process of GuySuCo. What is urgently needed in GuySuCo is for it to clean up its management structure and introduce fiscal discipline.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Psycho-social impact of online Pandemic provides time for learning on youth: how investigating and preparing parents can provide support Dear Editor, The pandemic has brought an abundance of challenges along with it and that fact is not debatable. From worldwide chaos in the form of fear of the spread of the disease to the negative impacts on workplaces, sleep patterns and bank accounts, the coronavirus is the thing that many of us never thought would happen but came along and brought our worst, unknown fears to life. In response to the pandemic, the option of online learning was concocted as a valuable method to curb any issues relating to children and their schooling. Despite how you may feel about online learning, the system is the very best since it keeps you and your family safe, and makes certain that your children do not fall behind in their classes. The parents’ role is of paramount importance in this new process and while the schooling may be for your children, this is also an opportunity for you to learn new skills that can assist you even after the children have returned to school. Two heads are better than one.

First, parents, be sure to change the way you refer to the process of learning. It should not be school work or any type of work since we already associate work with fatigue and low gains. Instead, alter your perspective by referring

to it as more open-ended terms like class time, learning hour, brain power hour or something else that you made up that sounds more fun. After that is done, you now have a different perspective and will show interest in the class and the child. The children will notice the interest given and whether it is welcomed or not, they will always do their very best when they see their parents motivated and those around them motivated and happy about the lessons. We are social beings, and thus, the normal forms of socializing in the classroom is over for now, so while they are at home, make sure that you socialize and play, talk and learn along with them. Seek out activities in the home that will connect to the topics being taught. For example, if they are learning a new language, then label the items around the house in that new language and greet each family member using this new language as much as you can. This will show the child that the lessons are not just class work, but are applicable in real life. It will also show you the same and encourage further engagement.

Bond, Bond, Bond Children can get distracted easily and sitting, staring at a screen may be against the nature of all children, who are active by nature. Make sure you allot

breaks for them from that screen and encourage them to be active even if you have to whip out your old running shoes and take a few laps with them around the house, or outside. Bonding is everything so bond, bond, bond. Be on the lookout for explicit of inappropriate content including cyber-bullying, scammers, grooming etc. Children may be oblivious to the dangers of the internet but as adults, some of us may see danger, even if we have little or no clue how to operate the internet.

Teamwork makes the dream work Finally, be open to learn from your child. Give yourself mental space to understand that they are in a new era and some of the things they may know, you may not be good at. Use whatever time you have to brush up on your tech skills. Find videos on YouTube where you can learn new teach skills or elsewhere (ask friends or teachers) to help both you and your child get the best out of the teaching and learning experience at home. Make sure the furniture and surroundings are as comfortable as possible and don’t forget to be patient. Your child is as unhappy being stuck at home as you are so don’t forget to work together on this.

Yours respectfully, Khadidja Ba ChildLinK Inc

Dear Editor, Your editorial of October 28, 2020, “Noise Nuisance”, is a most welcome addition to the ongoing public discussion regarding the illegal emittance of music and other noises – e.g. from motorbikes and ATVs - which the Environmental Protection Agency warns endangers our health.

However, the EPA, and citizens like myself who have spoken out about this public scourge, are continuously ignored and not only by the Guyana Police Force who would be hard put to bring any charges against the greatest offenders.

They do go after and harass those creating noise nuisances at wedding houses, birthday parties, or rum shops but dare not touch the “big ones” which include large corporations like Banks DIH, the Mayor and City Council and the Guyana Government itself, both PPP/C and PNC/R administrations.

These are the untouchables that sanction and give permission for the raucous, sprawling brawl that is Mahsramani and Carnival both of which have parades that pass through residential areas of Georgetown and which are accompanied by illegal decibel levels of music that go on all day and night.

Your editorial asks us citizens to “make a conscious effort to abide by the laws and guidelines set out by the Government.” That’s all well and good but how about the Government itself abiding by the coun-

try’s laws and guidelines?

Your editorial’s just concern about the current COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to illegal gatherings and noise levels is relevant but so have all the complaints about the annual barrage of bacchanalia that is Mashramani been relevant, and with no alleviation in sight.

I have written ad nauseam about this issue for years and have forwarded alternative routes for these parades that would take them through the city centre and away from any res-

idential area. My suggestions have all fallen on deaf ears.

With a new, young Minister of Culture in place, perhaps, we can hope for some positive change. I would be quite willing to meet with him to discuss alternative parade routes. The pandemic provides time for investigating and preparing for changed routes that would be to the national good and well-being.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Youman Nabi's significance has benefits for all of mankind – PPP

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n the occasion of Youman Nabi, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to extend greetings and best wishes to all Guyanese, more particularly our brothers and sisters of the Muslim communities, both here in Guyana and overseas.

Youman Nabi is a very sacred occasion to Muslims

across the world, since it marks both the birth and death anniversaries of Islam’s Holy Prophet Mohammad, (OHBP). Its observance allows for worship and reflection on his exemplary life and inspiring teachings.

The messages that are associated with Youman Nabi offer guidance to all of

mankind and are invaluable to the realisation of universal peace and togetherness, thereby enabling opportunities for forgiveness.

Youman Nabi, like other national observances, is invaluable to the promotion of unity through participation, and increases the potential for the building of tolerance, which is vital to the reali-

sation of national harmony.

This will take a collective effort and will redound positively for our country.

Cognizant of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (OHBP), the PPP also believes that the occasion of Youman Nabi allows for the renewal of mindsets to follow the path of virtue and peace, as epitomised in the

religion of Islam.

All are therefore urged to use the occasion for meaningful reflection, for spiritual advancement, and to heed the many lessons of humility, contentment, respect, and love among mankind.

Our Party is also aware of the impact the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has on events associated with

national observances. The Party is confident that, despite the challenges, the spirit and significance that Youman Nabi embodies will remain vibrant and relevant to our personal and collective development.

Once again, best wishes.

People’s Progressive Party

YOUMUN NABI greetings from CIOG

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y brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity: on this joyful occasion of observing the birth and life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS), I extend to you, on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana, greetings on the Mawlid. I pray that Allah (SWT) continue to bless us and accept all our devotion and service. Ameen.

More than fourteen hundred years ago, Allah (SWT) bestowed His greatest mercy upon humanity by sending the Prophet Muhammad (SAS) to teach the message of the Quraan and guide humanity with his exemplary conduct. The Prophet’s (SAS) character was of such high moral excellence that Allah (SWT) Himself mentioned his greatness.

And you are of the highest standard of character (Quran 68:4)

The Prophet (SAS) was destined to be the best human ever to live on Earth — the most virtuous, the most patient, the most loving, the most courteous, the most merciful among men, the best to his wives, his friends, his family, the most honest, the most trustworthy, and so much more that even his enemies testified to it.

We are reminded in many narrations that when the Prophet (SAS) was born, the thrones of kings shook, palaces crumbled, and idols in the Kabah fell, and fire that was worshipped extinguished.

Prophet Muhammad (SAS) participated fully in social life. He married and had a household. He endured hardships as an orphan and an adult, but he always exhibited humanity and tolerance.

He set aside time to detach himself from the hustle and bustle of daily life and prac-

tise contemplation and meditation. He exercised utmost kindness and showed concern for the weak. His loving kindness extended over all things. He was noted for his great love of children, greeting them, praying for them, joining them in their games, and showing utmost respect to them. He was also known for his love of animals.

His love and compassion for his fellow beings and his concern for their welfare in all spheres of human endeavour are recorded in many of his sayings. He was a ruler concerned with the welfare of his subjects. His total involvement in social welfare of the community earned him high praises and respect. He continually sought improved relationship between members of the Muslim community and those of other faiths, preaching and practising brotherhood, tolerance, and patience.

His concern for peace and harmony in all spheres of human activity was paramount.

The Prophet (SAS) was of such a high and sublime character that, after years of persecution, he marched triumphant into the city of his birth at the head of the largest army ever assembled in Arabian history. With his head bowed in humility, He declared a general amnesty and granted war criminals refuge. The Prophet’s ( S A S ) magnanimity was so powerful that it led to a mass conversion among the citizens of Makkah.

Even Abu Sufyan,

Prophet Muhammad preached mutual understanding, respect – GAWU

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uyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends greetings to all Guyanese, but especially to the Islamic community, on the sacred occasion of Youman Nabi.

The birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (On

whom be Peace) is commemorated on the occasion of Youman Nabi. It is a day when Muslims and non-Muslims recall His life and labours and reflect on His total obedience to God, as evinced in His ideals, teachings and service to humanity.

The Holy Prophet (On

whom be peace) taught by example. He preached mutual understanding and respect. He showed compassion, kindness and love towards others. These virtues strengthen human relations and foster happy households, happy families, and happy communities.

The exemplary life of the Holy Prophet (On whom be Peace) working together to build a gentler, more genial world - characterised by the values of compassion and grace, and in which differences are respected – should be contemplated by all Guyanese on this sacred day.

his arch-enemy, embraced the religion of Islam. In the months that followed, almost all of Arabia dispatched representatives to swear allegiance to the Prophet (SAS) and to enter into the faith of Islam. During a period of twenty-three years, Prophet Muhammad (SAS), Peace be upon Him, had succeeded in uniting a feuding people trapped in cycles of violence into one people with a sense of destiny and a mission that would transform the world.

The Prophet (SAS) died on the same day he was born, in his home which he lived in for ten years i n Madinah, on a bed made of leather stuffed with palm fibres, in the arms of his beloved wife Aisha (RA). His dying words were, “Treat your women well, and do not oppress your servants, the prayer, the prayer, don’t be neglectful of the prayer. O God, my highest companion, my highest companion.”

The occasion of celebrat-

ing the birth and life of our Master and Guide, Prophet Muhammad (SAS), should be used to strengthen our will to follow His example. Are we emulating Him by trying to be merciful to our fellow man?

If we aren’t, we should understand that our adherence to His tradition is wanting. Let us reflect on one of his messages, "Wealth, social position and racial superiority do not give special status to anyone; all of you are equal in the eyes of God. It is only the path of righteous which makes you a distinguished human being."

We should remember that our love for the Prophet (SAS) will be a means of our being with Him (SAS) God Willing.

Let us spend these days in increased prayer upon the Prophet (SAS), His family, and for all of Humanity. Let us repent to Allah (SWT) and renew our commitment to following the Laws of Allah (SWT) by following the middle way; the way of Prophet Muhammad (SAS).

May the Peace and Blessing of the Most Merciful be upon each and everyone.

Al-Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad President, CIOG

Let’s all be inspired by pertinent lessons – ERC

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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends greetings to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim community, in observance of Youman Nabi; the birth and death anniversary of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

The ERC notes that the public holiday reflects the embedded Guyanese tradition of nationwide recognition of auspicious observances within the major religions. The ERC overwhelmingly supports the nurturing and continued advancement of the religious diversity which exists in our multi-faceted society.

The Commission also urges that the significance of Youman Nabi be reflected upon through its pertinent messages for all humanity. The observance of this auspicious occasion will serve to reinforce, among Muslims and the

wider world, the teachings of the Holy Prophet, which, centuries after, remain relevant today and continue to be an inspirational guide to all.

The Holy Quran refers to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) as a mercy to mankind. Love and respect for each other and the practise of Islam’s major tenets leading ultimately to spiritual elevation are among the teachings of the Holy Prophet to reform mankind’s behaviour and the acceptance of God and His commandments.

The ERC firmly believes that in heeding those lessons, mankind will be better positioned to free itself from traits that serve to hinder unity and harmony.

The ERC reminds all, as well, to take the necessary steps to remain safe from COVID-19 during this national observance.

NEWS

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GPL fighting to stave off $1B year-end deficit – Deputy CEO …COVID-19, debts owed by companies, public corporations take toll

GPL Deputy CEO Samaroo Ramtahal

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he financial position of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which has long been weakened by debt, is also under pressure owing to the COVID-19 pan-

demic.

According to Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Samaroo Ramtahal, the entity is currently fighting to stave off a projected $1 billion year-end deficit.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Ramtahal was asked about the entity’s financial position.

He admitted that GPL’s cash flow was reduced, which, coupled with the debts owed by large companies and even governmental agencies, has not helped the situation.

“We are in a very weak financial position. We’re tending towards a huge deficit. If we don’t manage carefully,

by December we could be in a deficit of $1 billion, which is well over what our current bank’s overdraft facility

would allow us to accommodate. So, I believe our bank’s overdraft would accommodate us 50, 60 per cent,” he noted.

The Deputy CEO said there were a number of aggressive plans that would be implemented for debt collection and the company’s commercial activities as a whole.

“We do have some Government agencies and Ministries, as well as large, industrial commercial customers with fairly large balances,” Ramtahal, who has oversight for GPL’s strategic operations, further explained.

According to Ramtahal, this would have to be tackled over the next few months if GPL was to remain viable.

To do otherwise, according to

2 more COVID-19 deaths, 13 new cases recorded

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he Health Ministry announced that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) died on Wednesday.

The latest victims are a 65-year-old female from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and a 64-yearman from Region One (Barima-Waini), both of whom died while receiving care at medical facilities.

This now takes the total number of deaths to 123.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Wednesday also reported 13 new COVID-19 cases.

According to the Ministry’s updated dashboard, there are now 4074 confirmed cases in the country. Of these, however, only 866 are active cases.

These include nine persons in the COVID-19 Intensive

Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the other 857 persons in isolation – 95 in institutional isolation and 762 in home isolation.

In addition, there are 27 persons in institutional quarantine, while some 3083 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus. To date, some 18,900 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus.

Of the 13 new cases recorded on Wednesday, two are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); eight from Demerara-Mahaica and three from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The figures in other regions remain the same: 677 cases in Barima-Waini; 73 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); 27 cases in

Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); 375 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 131 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni); 375 in Region Nine (Upper EssequiboUpper Takutu) and 137 cases in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Since taking office, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has embarked on a massive testing drive to ensure that all positives cases, especially asymptomatic cases, are detected. This has resulted in a high number of cases being detected.

Only recently, there has been a surge of COVID-19 cases in Region One – which has the second highest number of cases in the country. However, just over 90 of the 677 cases are currently active in that region.

TURN TO PAGE 9

the Deputy CEO, could see the company bankrupt.

“And so, if we manage to successfully collect a small portion of our outstanding debt, we will survive to Christmas. So, while I’m saying we’re projected to have a negative figure of $1 billion, we’re also working in the background to improve our collection to avoid that situation,” he said.

“So far, with the information we have, I’m working very closely with our commercial team, the commercial sub-committee of the Board. We had a meeting a few days back and they’ve been instilling that we go after our debts and make sure we collect our outstanding debt.”

Added to this, Ramtahal noted that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the power company has not been disconnecting customers for unpaid bills nor has it been collecting as much as it would normally collect as part of normal revenues.

He noted that to deal with the unprecedented situation, they have had to be careful with managing costs.

“What we’ve realised is we have to manage our

costs. And once we have 46.5 megawatts coming out to us in April next year, we’re trying to be as lean as possible with our costs. Because as you can imagine, [as a result of COVID-19], our cash flow position is terrible because we’ve not been doing any disconnections.”

“And so, we’re not getting the regular connection we usually get. So, we have to manage from now to December, how much we can afford to spend to bring more PPAs (Power Producing Agreements) on stream,” Ramtahal explained.

This is a reference to the PPA that GPL signed with Giftland Mall for the latter to supply up to five megawatts of additional power to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). GPL will be paying the Giftland Mall up to $35 million per month for the supply of electricity to the national grid, inclusive of fuel costs. This project is expected to officially come on stream by this weekend.

The sum paid to Giftland will, however, vary depending on GPL’s needs.

According to Ramtahal, recent reports which gave the

impression that the $35 million is a fixed sum are erroneous.

“Almost $24 to $25 million of that $34 to $35 million is fuel related. In other words, you have $8 to $9 million on a monthly basis. But in this case, GPL has the option, if they want to go with the full five megawatts, based on the nature of the agreement we have with Giftland, it’s a Power Purchase Agreement, so we can decide if we want to purchase two megawatts, if we want to purchase one megawatt or zero.”

“Hopefully, next year when we have the Garden of Eden dual engine, we would not have need for this arrangement with Giftland and so we can control that.

It’s not accurate to say we will be paying $35 million, when, in fact, we might pay $1 million,” Ramtahal further explained to this publication.

In the middle of 2019, it was reported that GPL had a $4.2 billion deficit, with a year-end figure of $9.8 billion projected. This was as a result of expenditure exceeding revenue coming into the company.

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Law Reform Commission to be appointed soon – Nandlall

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ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has said that once the current legislation regarding the Law Reform Commission is taken to the Parliament and amended accordingly, the Government would move immediately to appoint the members of the Commission.

“I have spoken a lot about the Law Reform Commission; it will be soon appointed,” Nandlall said during a recent programme he hosted on his social media page.

According to Nandlall, the Ministry has proposed a few amendments to the current Act, which was passed under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration to make the Commission more broad-based.

He explained that the

amendments being proposed would make the Commission more representative of the society as it would be constituted with persons who have been trained in different disciplines “so that you don’t have a Commission only of legally-trained minds, which was what the original Commission would have been under the current legislative framework”.

The Attorney General expressed that the Commission would represent a wider cross-section of society and could treat with matters that were technically legal as well as other areas such as social and fiscal legislation.

Such a commission, he argued, would be far better equipped to discharge the functions of a law reform commission as against one that comprises only legally-trained persons.

The Law Reform Commission seeks to reform and modernise Guyana’s laws –the majority of which were inherited from its colonial masters and were long overdue for review.

The APNU/AFC Government had established the Law Reform Commission Act, but failed to set up the Commission. In fact, Nandlall had revealed that the former Government splurged approximately $98.3 million on the Law Reform Commission with nothing to show for the spending.

Millions of dollars were spent on the rental of a building to house the Commission, payment of staff, and other costs.

When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government took office in August, Nandlall had

promised to move swiftly in setting up the Commission, but before doing so, the glaring deficiencies in the Act would need to be corrected.

“The Act, for example, does two things that are offensive. First, it resides in the President the power to appoint the entire Commission, consulting only with the Minister.

We feel that that is bad. A Law Reform Commission represents the wider society, and therefore, consultations must be had with the Private Sector, labour movement and religious community among others,” Nandlall had noted.

Under the current law, only legally-trained persons are allowed to be part of the Commission. Nandlall had contended that that stance represented a “very myopic” view of what a Law Reform Commission should be.

Speaking...

Y

...in tongues? our Eyewitness invariably ends up with furrowed brows after reading letters to the press from Eusi Kwayana. This last one was ostensibly about the murders of the three young men from West Berbice that the Police still haven’t cracked. But Kwayana managed to get in his obligatory crack about the PPP - a party he parted ways with more than SIXTY YEARS AGO: “The PPP refers to the year 1992 when it won the elections after 24 years of one-party Government as “the return to democracy”.

Now, stuff like this is the source of the “furrowed brows” of yours truly. What’s the point? We all heard that “there’s no fury like a woman scorned”, but it would seem that the almost centurion Mr Kwayana still has issues with his erstwhile comrades, practically all of whom have moved on to the great beyond. Now, in 1992, Kwayana was a card-carrying member of the WPA, whose charismatic leader Walter Rodney had been assassinated

by Forbes Burnham and his PNC. His party campaigned as a member of the combined opposition forces - the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy - for “free and fair elections” after Desmond Hoyte rigged the 1985 elections. They insisted that all sorts of reforms be instituted - like a new voters list, a new GECOM, and counting of ballots at the place of poll etc. - before elections could be held. And were willing to have those elections delayed two years until the demands were met.

Now, this wasn’t an academic exercise for Kwayana and his WPA; they really thought they would win the elections.

But now, after almost thirty years, he’s now casting doubts about whether the 1992 elections were “free and fair” by slyly imputing that only the PPP thinks so.

Exactly what has happened since then for this volte face?

And a volte face it certainly is, since never in those three decades had the WPA ever suggested otherwise. The only variable your Eyewitness can think about are the hijinks that took place after the March 2 polling day at the Ashmins Building.

But Kwayana has doggedly refused to comment about these incidents that involved RO Mingo and a soiled bedsheet, which led to accusations of “rigging”.

He insists he doesn’t have “first-hand information”. But in addition to taking his crack at the PPP about the 1992 elections, Kwayana brought up the matter of the murder of Vincent Teekah, a PPP big one who’d defected to the PNC back in the day. He said Burnham concluded it was an “assassination” but dropped the investigation.

So, does Kwayana have any first-hand information on Teekah’s assassination?

There’s no statute of limitations on murder. And the main suspect’s still alive!! …out on the LGE Even with a new leader (Granger), a new Parliamentary Opposition Leader (Harmon) and a new cadre of MPs, the PNC’s sooo predictable!! Do they have a manual on reacting to the PPP? Well, it’s outdated! Where’s the creativity that’ll put the PPP on the back foot if they’re ever to have a crack at getting back in Government??

They find out at the last moment that they’re losing the elections, and what does the PNC do? Well, what else? Attempt a rigging exercise!! So, what if the world’s watching?? There were those unfortunate murders in West Berbice, and what do they do? Stir up some race riots, of course, wherein presumed supporters of the PPP got some condign beatings. The perpetrators of the rigging are taken to court and criminally charged… so what’s the reaction? Claim persecution of AfricanGuyanese, of course!!

And now that the AG and the President have indicated they want to have the LGE done right, so some reforms must be instituted, what does Harmon scream??

LGE delay! LGE delay! …in acronyms After doggedly remaining under wraps for a month, David Granger surfaced on the Essequibo Coast. And what was his message? His PETS - Public Education Transportation Service - Project!

Yup! The ‘5Bs’ - bicycles, boats, breakfast, buses and books!

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

NEWS

2 more COVID-19 deaths...

In recent days, the small community of Kwebanna has become a COVID-19 hotspot and is currently under a full 14-day lockdown to curb the spread of the disease.

During his daily update on Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony disclosed that Kwebanna has

accounted for most of the region’s 61 cases.

Meanwhile, as authorities continue to battle to curb the novel coronavirus, efforts are afoot to boost capacity in the health sector to deal with COVID-19.

According to the Health Minister, there are a series of

training exercises being executed by Government.

He noted that there was training on mental health ongoing so that health-care workers are better able to identify and treat persons with mental health issues.

Primary health-care workers are also being trained to con-

duct counselling.

Dr Anthony had said there were also some inhouse training to teach health-care workers how to operate the ventilators.

This initiative, led by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), is a two-part training that in-

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volves an online theoretical aspect and then some practical sessions.

Additionally, Guyana will be partnering with the Government of Chile to conduct an online training from November 2 to 20, 2020 on the management of severe and critically-ill COVID-19

patients. This training will be free for all medical professionals.

Also, in November, a number of physicians from the United States will be here to work with local teams to conduct onsite training at the various regional hospitals across the country.

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NEWS

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APNU/AFC wants LGE with compromised top officials at GECOM

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he APNU/AFC Opposition wants Local Government Elections (LGE)to be held with the current lot of officials at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) still on the job although they are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges in relation to attempts to derail the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

While LGEs are due next year, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday cited the need for confidence to be restored in GECOM before proceeding with any other elections, especially in light of the events that unfolded in the five months after the March polls, which saw Guyana being embroiled in a political and electoral crisis.

However, the Coalition

Opposition is adamant that Local Government polls must be held every two years. LGEs were last held in Guyana in 2018, and are due again in 2021.

In a statement on Wednesday, the APNU/ AFC said, “…we call on the PPP regime to hold the Local Government Elections in 2021, and to make the necessary preparations and budgetary allocations for the holding of same.”

Moreover, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon told reporters that his party would continue to pressure the PPP/C Government to hold Local Government Elections.

On the sidelines of the swearing in of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for the Regional Democratic Councils earlier this week, President Ali told report-

ers, “What we have to do is to fix what is there first. We have to ensure we have a system that is working; a system that we can trust; a system that is professional and operates in an unbiased manner, so that the people of our country can have confidence.”

He said that based on his engagements with the public, there is overriding concern that there could be a repeat of the events after the March 2 polls.

“I’ve received letters from many stakeholders in our country. And they all told me that they do not want to go back to the process they went through in those five months. And that is of uttermost importance in the minds of our people. And that is what we have to address,” he added.

The Head of State went on to say that, “GECOM itself, that is an independent commission, and they have to address this also. The CoI (Commission of Inquiry) and so on would help to highlight weaknesses, challenges, opportunities, threats in ensuring that the system is fixed.”

At the last Local Government Elections in November 2018, the then PPP/C Opposition secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAA). This followed the holding of LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

After the 2018 LGE, GECOM spent over a year trying to get ready for snap elections that should have been held within three months of the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government falling to a No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

GECOM finally held General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020. But as if the previous delay were not enough, Guyanese were forced to wait another five months before the results could finally be declared by GECOM

on August 2nd, 2020, after local and international pressure.

In the aftermath of the controversial five-month-long elections, a number of high ranking GECOM officials have been investigated by the Police and charged for misconduct in public office and forgery.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, and embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo are among the top GECOM officials currently before the courts on electoral fraud charges. (G8)

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Attempts to rig election

Lawrence, Mingo, Joseph electoral fraud cases adjourned to Dec 21

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NCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence, embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and Elections Agent for the APNU/AFC, Carol Joseph, on Wednesday made another appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The trio have been charged individually and jointly for forgery and conspiracy to defraud in relation to the events that followed the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecution presented the fiat for permission from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the special prosecutors to prosecute these matters.

However, defence attorney Ronald Daniels told reporters following the hear-

(L-R) Carol Joseph, PNC’s Volda Lawrence, and RO Clairmont Mingo (filed photo)

ing that there were some issues with the document that have to be corrected.

“The court observed that the fiat did not spell out in particular the different offences by way of the case jackets and case jacket numbers that the DPP was granting permission to the prosecutors to prosecute. So, the court invited that that be corrected before the prosecutors have any jurisdiction in the court,” he related.

Daniels added that the prosecutors had invited the court to hear the matters summarily; that is, to have the matters disposed of in the Magistrate’s Court. But he noted that the Court did not entertain this request since the prosecutors who appeared do not have jurisdiction as yet.

Meanwhile, Attorney Daniels on Wednesday also reiterated concerns over Member of Parliament for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, being appointed one of the special prosecutors in this matter.

This issue was first raised last week by Attorney Nigel Hughes.

However, Datadin, in dismissing the objections against him being a prosecutor last week, said the objections have no merit. He had pointed out that there are five other prosecutors listed as well, hence “the risks that they are complaining of is really nothing.”

The matters have been adjourned to December 21.

Last week, Lawrence was slapped with an additional charge of forgery, while Mingo and Joseph were jointly charged with one count of forgery. They are each also facing two counts of conspiracy to defraud.

They were each granted bail in the sum of $30,000 on each charge.

While these are SmithJoseph’s first set of charges in relation to electoral fraud, both Lawrence and Mingo have been charged previously, in some cases jointly, for attempting to rig the March 2 elections.

On October 14, Lawrence was slapped with two counts of conspiracy to defraud charges and was released on $50,000 bail on each charge.

The PNC Chair is already facing private criminal charges jointly with Mingo for forging electoral documents in an effort to defraud the country. She was arraigned in August on that charge and placed on $100,000 bail.

In addition to the private criminal charge for which he is out on self-bail, Mingo is also charged by the Police for four counts of misconduct in public office. He is currently on $600,000 bail in relation to those matters.

The Police Force is currently probing allegations of attempts to rig the March 2 elections after receiving “formal reports” back in August. Already, the Police have arrested and charged several staff at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the role they played in the events after the March 2 polls.

In addition to Mingo, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers are also facing electoral fraud charges brought by the State.

The CEO was also before the court in relation to three private criminal charges: conspiracy to defraud, misconduct in public office, and breach of public trust. But these charges were withdrawn last week by the DPP.

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Caricom Heads to discuss impact of COVID-19 on Region’s economies

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OVID-19 and its impact on the Caribbean Community will be among matters for consideration by Caricom Heads of Government when they meet via video-conference today.

According to the Georgetown-based Caricom Secretariat, this Forty-first Regular Meeting of Heads of Government is expected to examine the health, financial and economic development implications of

the COVID-19 pandemic.

The discussions will follow the Special Emergency Meetings held by the Heads in May, August and September as part of their efforts to harmonise their responses to, and policies on, the multifaceted impact of COVID-19.

Today’s meeting will also discuss other major concerns, including blacklisting, a release from the Secretariat noted.

Caricom earlier this month issued a statement

condemning the “ongoing unilateral, arbitrary and non-transparent blacklisting strategy employed by the European Union (EU) against Caricom Member States”.

The statement noted that along with the unprecedented task of staging a post-COVID-19 economic recovery, the Caricom States now have the added burden of being subjected to the EU’s discriminatory tactics disguised as tax policy and governance.

The meeting is also expected to address issues related to the regional private sector as well as regional security.

The Heads will have an exchange of views with a Special Guest, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Today’s meeting will be held under the chairmanship of current Chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

CSEC, CAPE exams

Education Ministry engages over 900 teachers on schools reopening

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he Education Ministry continues to meet stakeholders on plans for the reopening of schools for CSEC and CAPE students. Over the past two days, more than 900 teachers and officials from Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Nine (Upper TakUtu-Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were engaged by way of a Zoom meeting on key decisions regarding reopening of schools, the Ministry reported.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand told the teachers that it was the MoE’s belief that it would be a prudent approach to consult with the teachers of these examination students in order to finalise the best possible approach in relation to a reopening.

Additionally, she said that although COVID-19 has presented endless challenges, it has also provided opportunities. She added that ordinarily she may not have been able to engage so many teachers at the same time, but with

the pandemic and how things have changed, she is able to do so.

In addressing the core issue of the reopening of schools, Minister Manickchand said the MoE has very limited options in this regard, because of the posture taken by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). This body has started advertising dates for registration for students sitting the 2021 CAPE and CSEC exams.

It is for this reason, she said, that urgent actions have to be taken so that Guyana’s cohort of CSEC and CAPE students are adequately prepared to sit those examinations when a date is announced.

The Education Minister assured teachers that when schools eventually reopen, how the teachers are timetabled will be a decision for the schools’ administration.

However, she cautioned that if the school fails to timetable teachers, the MoE will.

Minister Manickchand said that allowing this flexibility would ensure solutions and approaches that best suit each school’s unique situation are adopted.

She noted that at the level of the Ministry, care packages will be provided to each teacher, and those would comprise of sanitation materials, masks and other similar supplies.

The Education Ministry is also presently installing additional sinks and toilets at schools and is getting all schools fully ready for reopening.

Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Education Officer – Secondary (Ag.) Ameer Ali, noted that the Ministry would ascertain at what stage students are with their SBAs and their Internal Assessments (IAs), and develop a plan customised for individual schools or groups of schools that would allow students to complete the SBAs within the time frame set out

by CXC for the 2021 examinations.

The importance of text books was explained to the teachers by the Deputy Chief Education OfficerDevelopment, Volika Jaikishun. Towards this end she urged the teachers to ensure all text books are returned by the previous exam students. She also impressed

Police still searching for driver in Mon Repos hit and run

Dead: Devanand Bansie

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is still in search of the driver who was involved in a hitand-run accident that killed a Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man on September 19.

Twenty-three-year-old Devanand Bansie, a vendor of Lot 27 Mon Repos Railway Embankment, ECD, had celebrated his 23rd birthday on the day he met his demise, and went home after the celebration. However, upon his arrival, the door was locked and he could not gain entry.

According to Police, at about 04:00h, his body, with injuries thereon, was seen lying motionlessly on the southern side of the railway embankment, just in front of his residence.

His mother-in-law, Yogeta Persaud, told Guyana Times on Tuesday that the family is still trying to cope with his death. She said the Police have been liaising with the family in their probe.

“It is very hard to know that he died, and such a way that we ain’t even get no satisfaction or nothing at all; is just from what we heard and nothing more…”, Persaud said.

Persaud said after Bansie had died, family members had asked their neighbour to review their CCTV footage, and it had revealed that a car had struck down the vendor and driven away. The woman said they were unable to see the licence plate or a clear image of the driver.

After Bansie’s had been found lying on the road, he was picked up and taken to the hospital, where he was examined and pronounced dead. The search for the driver and the vehicle is still ongoing.

upon teachers to need to ensure proper records on first day attendance are collected when schools reopen, so that the MoE can make interventions if needed.

15-year-old shoots self with father’s gun

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he 15-year-old son of former Presidential Candidate of The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) party, Rhonda Lam allegedly committed suicide at his Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on Wednesday.

Dead is Ahren Singh. He was a student at a private school and lived with his father – an enforcement officer at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); his mother – a teacher, and two sisters and one brother.

According to Police, the teen’s father had left home for work about 06:30h, leaving his licensed firearm with a number of matching rounds at the top of a builtin closet, which is located in his bedroom on the lower flat of the house. Police, in a statement, said that one of the teen’s sisters, was inside her room when her brother came to give her a piece of paper and left.

She subsequently followed her brother and saw when he went into his haversack, took out an object, and closed the door behind him.

Shortly after, she heard a loud explosion. She immediately informed the babysitter who rushed upstairs and made the gruesome discovery. The Police were immediately called and a doctor was also summoned to the scene. The teen was pronounced dead by the doctor.

His body was later escorted to the Lyken Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed and possibly contemplating suicide, please call the Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Helpline, which operates 24 hours and is organised by the Guyana Police Force. Telephone – 223-0001, 223-0009, 2230818 and cellphone – 6007896, 623-4444.

Cop critical after slamming car into bridge rail

Police Officer Dellon Harvey trapped in his car after he slammed into a projected bridge rail on the Corentyne Highway

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Police officer has been critically injured after the car he was driving slammed into a bridge rail on the Corentyne Highway.

This is the second time in five days that a Police officer has run a vehicle into projected bridge rails along the Corentyne Highway, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

Injured is Constable Dellon Harvey. Reports are that the accident occurred at about 21:30h on Tuesday at Number 60 Village, Corentyne.

According to the Police, the motorcar was proceeding north at a fast rate of speed when, it has been alleged by the occupant who was seated at the left front seat, the driver swerved west from cows which were on the roadway and ended up colliding with a concrete culvert before running into a gate on the western side of the road.

Members of the Guyana Fire Service along with a doctor and nurses of the

Skeldon Hospital assisted in taking Harvey out of the vehicle and to the Skeldon Hospital. However, as a result of the extent of his injuries he was transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for further treatment. The lone passenger who was with the cop at the time of the accident was assisted by public-spirited citizens out of the vehicle and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he too was treated.

Eyewitnesses say it took several hours to get the injured officer out of the wrecked vehicle.

“When we hear the thing we run out…then they take a while and them carry over a cutter to cut the car. It take about…hours and they can’t get him out. Then they call the Fire Station and the Fire Station come and they can’t take him out. They call the ambulance and they come, and about one hour after, they get to take him out,” one resident recalled.

Eyewitnesses said Harvey was conscious, and

told them that his feet were in pain and appeared to have been broken.

It was only last Thursday at Number 59 Village that Constable Dellon Fields who is stationed at Whim Police Station also slammed into a projected bridge rail.

In a release, the Police said the driver had swerved from cows which was on the roadway and ended up colliding with a concrete culvert. In that accident, two Police officers and two nurses – all occupants of the car - were injured., This publication has, in the past, reported on dangers those illegal structures pose to all categories of road users.

Most of these structures are situated between Numbers 55 and 70 Villages.

The 52/74 NDC has on more than one occasion promised this newscast to go after residents who erect those structures. However, the lives of road users continue to be endangered while authorities allow the situation to exist.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pedestrian critical after motorbike collision A Venezuelan is now critical after he allegedly walked into the path of a motorcycle as he was attempting to cross the Brooms Estate Public Road, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Reports are that the accident occurred at about 09:30h on Wednesday. The driver of motorcycle CH4040, Sherwin Smith, 43, of Kumaka Water Front, North West District, told Police that he was proceeding south along the eastern side of Brooms Estate Public Road. He descended a hill and then proceeded south approximately 20 metres away from a group of persons who were walking on the southern side of the said road when Zantoya Maroue, a Venezuelan aged 39, made an attempt to cross the road.

Upon seeing the man, Smith claimed, he pulled to his right so as to avoid a collision, but despite his efforts, the pedestrian walked into the path of his motorcycle, and as a result he lost control and fell onto the road, causing them both to receive injuries about their bodies.

The motorcyclist and the pedestrian were picked up by public-spirited citizens

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha engaging a farmer who brought some produce from his farm in the backdam

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flooded out, and when there is the dry season, we have no water to water our crops.

We are farmers, and if we are planting, we have to get water for our crops,” Hamer is quoted as saying by the release from the Agriculture Ministry.

Minister Mustapha informed the gathering that a machine would be sent to the village to commence works on the canal in a matter of days. He also said that other small drainage projects would be done, and those works would be contracted to members of that community.

“We will give contracts to persons in the community to do the manual cleaning, so that employment can be in the community and revenue can be circulated. You, the beneficiaries, will have to sign off on the works before payments are made. If you are not pleased with the way the works are done, we will hold off on making payments until you are satisfied,” the minister is quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Marcia Mathews, a resident of the village, also raised issues of farmers being given expired

Mother of paralysed child offered public assistance form

and taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital.

According to Police, the driver was treated for minor injuries and sent away, while the pedestrian was admitted as a patient at the medical facility.

He was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention. An investigation has been launched.

Buxton farmers finally benefit from drainage and irrigation services

armers from Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) will finally receive assistance from the Agriculture Ministry in regard to drainage and irrigation.

This promise was made

by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a recent meeting with representatives of the Buxton/ Friendship Farmers Group on Tuesday, when a number of issues affecting their livelihood was shared with the minister.

Farmers who cultivate farmlands in the backdams complained about the lack of drainage due to clogged canals and drains.

Chairman of the Farmers Group, Leroy Hamer, said in the past the community was not able to benefit from drainage and irrigation services.

“We were not getting the cooperation in terms of the maintenance of the waterways. The water level is very low and that causes tremendous damage to our farms.

The drainage systems need to be updated and maintained. We also need irrigation. When rain falls, we are

After years

products to use on their crops.

“I represent poultry farming, and we would need assistance in that area. One time, the NARIE people came to assist us, and when they bring the poison to assist us, it damaged all of our crops. It wasn’t good poison, it was expired poison, but they scratched off the dates on it. So, we would like ya’ll to help us with proper things”, she said.

A number of other persons expressed an interest in getting into farming, but sought the assistance of the minister with providing basic farming tools, such as power saws, grass cutters and cutlasses.

Minister Mustapha informed the residents that, given that Government is operating with an emergency budget, it would not be able to carry out all the major works needed in the community this year, but assured that provision would be made in future budgets.

Additionally, Minister Mustapha distributed a number of seeds to farmers as part of the recommenced seed distribution initiative.

Mother of injured child: Bibi Shanaz Khan

Injured: Mathew Zaman

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wo and a half years after Bibi Khan was denied a public assistance form to apply for aid in supporting her 11-yearold son Mathew Zaman, who was left paralysed following a motor vehicle accident outside their home at Felicity Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), she was contacted on Tuesday by the Human Service and Social Security Ministry with the aim of having her receive public assistance.

This came just two days after Guyana Times had published an article highlighting Khan’s plight after she was denied a public assistance form by an employee of that Ministry, who told the mother of eight to go and seek help from the father of the child.

Khan said that in April 2018, while she was battling to find resources to keep her son alive, she went to the Ministry with all of the required documents to seek help. She said while she was there, she encountered the rude employee who belittled her.

“When I went there, she told me to sit down. I sit down for over an hour and a half, and everybody coming in and going and collect and walk out. So, I went back to her, and she said, ‘I already talk to you…’ I went back and sit and then I go for lunch. When I go back, I told her I have a sick child at home…when I show her, she asked me where the father of the child deh, and start giving me attitude”, Khan explained.

The child’s mother said she kept asking the woman for the form, since she had to return home, but rather than being given the form, she said the woman told her to get all of the relevant documents, which she already had.

“She told me, ‘Well, you can sit and wait’, and she locked the door and never came back out,” she explained.

Khan said that since that incident she never went back to the Ministry, and she has been battling on her own with the help of a few persons.

In December 2017, the 11-year-old was struck by a minibus in front of his home.

Following the accident, he was admitted as a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital for over a month, and persons there thought he would have died.

It is now three years later, and Mathew is still battling through the odds. He sustained a fractured skull, which resulted in swelling in the brain; damage to his lungs, and injury to his spine, which hinders his mobility.

Following the accident, Bibi left her job as a domestic worker to care for her son. Due to the financial strain on the family to keep little Mathew alive, Khan’s daughters were unable to write CXC. Khan said her daughters are trying everything possible to get a job to assist her, but because they are not qualified, they are finding it difficult to find a job.

After the accident, the driver who struck down the child was charged for dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but appealed the case and was freed.

Anyone desirous of helping Mathew can contact the family on (592) 659-6766.

Relative charged for armed robbery committed on Canje family

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21-year-old unemployed man has been charged in connection with the armed robbery committed on his family of East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

David Karran, of Adelphi Village, Berbice, was arrested on October 23 and was charged with larceny of cash, jewellery, and gadgets from the home of Rudolph Kentolall.

Karran appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. He was released on $50,000 bail, and the case was scheduled to continue on November 6,

Charged: David Karran

2020.

On October 20, four men – one of whom was armed with a gun – unlawfully en-

tered the home of Kentolall and escaped with a number of items.

The men reportedly escaped with $70,000 in cash, one wristwatch, and two gold earrings along with a quantity of artificial jewellery.

During the course of the robbery, the homeowner had a confrontation with the masked bandits.

It was during the confrontation that one of the masks fell off, causing the victim to identify one of the perpetrators as a family member who resides at Adelphi Village.

Police are on the hunt for the other suspects.

20

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

Don’t waste your time on people and things you can(March 21not change. Choose positive April 19) outlets for your energy. Align yourself with people who share your beliefs. A partnership requires an adjustment.

Stick to your plans, and TAURUS don’t stop until you reach your destination. Take ad(April 20vantage of opportunities May 20) and stabilize your important relationships. Now’s the time to take care of business.

ARIES

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Strive for perfection, do your own thing and stay away from people making unrealistic promises Use your intelligence to navigate your way to a safer and better future.

VIRGO

Stop worrying about what others do or think, and show strength and courage in the way you handle adversity. If you call the shots, success can be yours.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Don’t take chances.

Be cautious when dealing with sensitive issues; someone will take advantage of you if you get into a dispute. Protect your assets.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Distance yourself from drama and people who play mind games. Do your own thing. Trust in your skills and ability to get the job done. Beware of outsiders trying to muscle in.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Refuse to let someone pressure you into something that benefits them more than you. An adjustment to how you present yourself to others will show off your unique style. Romance is on the rise.

How you process and utilize information will affect how your day goes.

When uncertainty sets in, ask questions and move on quickly. Don’t waste precious time.

Take the opportunity SAGITTARIUS to make a change at home.

Relax, spend time with a (Nov. 23Dec. 21) loved one or develop an intriguing idea. Personal improvements will lift your spirits and encourage romance.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Avoid getting into a disagreement with someone who can influence the outcome of a project. Be sure to keep your distance when out and about. Focus on health and well-being.

Distance yourself from anyone who appears to be out of control or demanding.

Focus on physical improvements, earning more money and sticking to what works best for you. Romance is in the stars.

A change you encounter will turn out better than anticipated. An innovative idea you present will be well-received. Don’t make promises until you are sure you can deliver.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

21

Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah star as Mumbai Indians put 1 foot in play-offs

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Devdutt Padikkal scored 74

umbai Indians (MI) have registered their eighth win of the Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 after beating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by five wickets in Match 48 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Needing 165 runs to win, MI made a quick start as Ishan Kishan and Quinton de Kock scored 35 runs from the first five overs. However, MI lost their first wicket when de Kock holed out in the deep off to Mohammed Siraj’s bowling in the final over of the powerplay.

Yuzvendra Chahal, introduced into the attack in the eighth over, struck in his first over, claiming the wicket of Ishan Kishan for 25.

MI lost their third wicket in the 11th over, when Devdutt Padikkal took a stunning diving catch to get

Saurabh Tiwary out.

After playing some delectable shots, Suryakumar Yadav moved to 28 off 20 balls. The right -hander creamed four fours and a six in the next three overs as MI moved past one hundred in the 14th over.

While Krunal got out in the same over, Hardik, who replaced his brother in the middle, cranked a six on the fourth ball he faced as MI reached 117/4 at the end of the 15th over.

MI needed 48 from the last five overs, and Surya scored 13 of those runs in the 16th over as he creamed three fours off Siraj and brought up his third fifty of the season in 29 deliveries. He added a four and six to his account over the course of the next two overs as MI reached 149/4 after 18 overs.

While Morris got Hardik out in the 19th over, Kieron

SCOREBOARD ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) JR Philippe st †de Kock b Chahar 33 D Padikkal c Boult b Bumrah 74 V Kohli (c) c Tiwary b Bumrah 9 AB de Villiers † c Chahar b Pollard 15 S Dube c Yadav b Bumrah 2 CH Morris c Pattinson b Boult 4 Gurkeerat Singh not out 14 Washington Sundar not out 10 Extras (w 3) 3 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.2) 164/6 Did not bat: YS Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, DW Steyn Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Josh Philippe, 7.5 ov), 2-95 (Virat Kohli, 11.2 ov), 3-131 (AB de Villiers, 15.2 ov), 4-134 (Shivam Dube, 16.3 ov), 5-134 (Devdutt Padikkal, 16.5 ov), 6-138 (Chris Morris, 17.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W TA Boult 4-0-40-1 JJ Bumrah 4-1-14-3 KH Pandya 4-0-27-0 JL Pattinson 3-0-35-0 RD Chahar 4-0-43-1 KA Pollard 1-0-5-1

MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS (TARGET: 165 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Q de Kock † c Gurkeerat Singh b Mohammed Siraj 18 Ishan Kishan c Morris b Chahal 25 SA Yadav not out 79 SS Tiwary c Padikkal b Mohammed Siraj 5 KH Pandya c Morris b Chahal 10 HH Pandya c Mohammed Siraj b Morris 17 KA Pollard (c) not out 4 Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8 TOTAL (19.1 Ov, RR: 8.66) 166/5 Did not bat: JL Pattinson, RD Chahar, TA Boult, JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Quinton de Kock, 5.3 ov), 2-52 (Ishan Kishan, 7.5 ov), 3-72 (Saurabh Tiwary, 10.4 ov), 4-107 (Krunal Pandya, 13.5 ov), 5-158 (Hardik Pandya, 18.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W CH Morris 4-0-36-1 DW Steyn 4-0-43-0 Washington Sundar 4-0-20-0 Mohammed Siraj 3.1-0-28-2 YS Chahal 4-0-37-2

Pollard hit a four on the final ball of the penultimate over to bring down the target to three runs in the final over. Surya then closed out the game for MI as he creamed his 12th four of the match and sealed a five-wicket win for his side.

Earlier, MI, who remained unchanged, elected to bowl after Kieron Pollard won the toss. RCB, meanwhile, made three changes, as Shivam Dube, Josh Phillipe and Dale Styen replaced Navdeep Saini, Aaron Finch and Moeen Ali in the playing XI.

RCB openers

Devdutt Padikkal and Phillipe were a little watchful in the first two overs before the two hit four fours in the next two overs. The right-hander added a six to his tally before inside-edging Boult for four in the fifth over.

The pair completed a fifty-run stand as RCB moved to 54/0 at the end of the powerplay.

While the duo hit Rahul Chahar for three fours in the eighth over, the leg-spinner dismissed Phillipe in the same over, as Quinton

de Kock completed a sharp stumping to give MI their first wicket.

Padikkal then completed his fourth IPL fifty in the 11th over. But MI struck back as Jasprit Bumrah, brought back into the attack in the 12th over, got the big wicket of Virat Kohli and became the third youngest to take 100 IPL wickets.

AB de Villiers scooped James Pattinson for a six, and followed it up with a four in the 14th over.

Devdutt Padikkal then took on Chahar, hitting two fours and a six as RCB moved to

129/2 after 15 overs.

MI, though, started to turn the tide, as Kieron Pollard got ABD out in the 16th over, and Bumrah followed it up with a two-wicket maiden, dismissing Shivam Dube and a well-set Padikkal for 74.

In the 18th over, Trent Boult dismissed Chris Morris as MI picked up four wickets for 7 runs.

Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Washington Sundar then added 26 runs together as RCB eventually posted 164/6 on the board. (IPLT20)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

National Stadium to be opened for exercise/recreation

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he Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara will, in the coming week, be opened for use by sportsmen and women and civilians wishing to utilise the facility for the purpose of exercising, according to a public notice published by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Wednesday.

The public notice reads: “The public is hereby

notified that commencing Monday, 2nd November, 2020, the outer pathway (see diagram attached)

and the parking lot of the Guyana National Stadium (Providence) will be opened every day to the public for

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Italian Government bans spectators from Imola

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he Italian government has banned spectators from attending this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the historic Imola track.

Imola had hoped to allow 13,000 spectators into the track on Saturday and Sunday but the rise of coro-

navirus cases across Italy has forced a U-turn.

The government has banned crowds at events among a raft of other measures to slow the spread of the virus.

F1 said it “understands and respects the decision taken by the authorities”.

ation that I am pleased to announce the decision of His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, to open the Guyana National Stadium for the purpose described above.

“The public is hereby reminded that it is our national responsibility to care the national facility and to protect the health and safety of all Guyanese at all times.”

This opening comes on the heels of numerous sportsmen and women voicing concerns about the need for additional outdoor facilities to exercise and remain in competitive shape.

It held 27 consecutive races from 1980, first as a one-off stand-in for Monza as the host of the Italian Grand Prix and then from 1981 as a second race in the country with the title San Marino GP. The circuit has won a place this year as a result of the major changes to the schedule caused by the pandemic, which has forced F1 to hold a largely European calendar.

The race will be held over a compressed two-day schedule over the weekend, with just one practice session on Saturday morning before qualifying in the afternoon.

The race is at 13:10 local time (12:10 GMT) on Sunday. (BBC Sport)

Stadium map

recreational/exercising purposes from 5am - 630pm (5:00hrs - 18:30hrs).

“The Government of Guyana appreciates that the residents of the East Bank Demerara and southwest Georgetown area require access to a public facility to exercise and play recreational sports in an environment which is both safe and within proximity.

“The Government of Guyana also appreciates that physical activity and exercise can be an important avenue for maintaining mental health, supporting healthcare, and encouraging family activities, especially as our country continues to navigate the vicissitudes of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is with this appreci-

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23

GBA to roll out outdoor, school programmes …COVID-19 pandemic has set back progress – Executives

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he Guyana B a d m i n t o n Association (GBA), like its numerous counterparts in Guyana, is disenchanted with the way the coronavirus pandemic has shifted the year’s proceedings regarding sport. This was communicated through a missive from President Gokarn Ramdhani, who highlighted the association’s disappointment with the inability of players to be active on the court.

“While they continue to stay fit and watching videos, it’s still a setback as, without the court play, their training towards improving is at a standstill,” Ramdhani wrote.

He added, “It comes at a time when they were all getting better towards a higher competitive level.”

More specifically, the GBA President shared that the Association’s execu-

tives are dissatisfied because they have been unable to offer representation on the international stage.

In light of the progress that has been made over the years, their inability to attend various high-level competitions this year is being seen as a setback.

“In the last 10 years, we medaled at many international championships (Caribbean Regional & International Championships, South American Games, Pan Am Championships, Peru International and IGG Games). Our players also qualified for the Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, South American Games and CAC Games.

We were doing so well getting there, and it’s like our progress was just cut out from under us due to the pandemic,” Ramdhani lamented.

Nevertheless, the GBA

is making all strides to ensure that the players remain in optimum shape.

would benefit the local players in staying fit and competitive and attracting

Flashback: The last local badminton tournament to be staged was the National Junior and Senior Championships 2020

“We however hope to stay at the competitive level with more consistent Badminton awareness, until we can get all our programmes started back again,” the GBA has said.

On a more positive note, the GBA is looking to roll out two programmes that

more players to the sport.

“When this is possible, we have outlined our Shuttle Time Basic Badminton to be introduced in schools. This, basically, will involve Physical Education teachers and students to get the knowledge of the game,”

the GBA has disclosed.

The second project is one that was laid out by World Badminton to encourage outdoor play in an effort to avoid large numbers indoors, in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines. “ T h e o t h e r p r o gramme planned and imple- m e n t ed by World Badminton is the New Outdoor Game which we plan to launch in the rural areas and most regions, as it can be easily demonstrated and also easily set up outdoors. There is a special Shuttlecock designed that can withstand the wind,” the GBA shared.

They went on to explain

that the equipment for this activity will be supplied by their Association in order to make it more accessible.

The GBA stated, “These projects the GBA will supply all the rackets and shuttlecocks with the help of Pan Am Badminton and also World Badminton.

The GBA, in their missive, went on to extend gratitude to the executives of their association for continuing to maintain a positive outlook and motivation of badminton, and in addition, for their role in continuing to keep active for the benefit of the local players.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Women’s rise to golf

GBA to roll out outdoor, school programs …Covid-19 pandemic has setback progress – Executives Page 23

Dozens of youth cricketers to benefit from joint BCB/Clayton Lambert project

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Clayton Lambert

ince taking over the reins of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in February 2018, over 200 youths cricketers have benefited from the hard work of the Hilbert Foster-led executives.

Additionally, cricket clubs in the Ancient County have receive over $10M worth of assistance in forms of cricket gears, stumps, balls, water pitchers, rain coats, educational materials, food hampers, school bags and bicycles, among other things.

Foster in his acceptance speech on being elected to the Presidency, had pledged to assist young cricketers to fulfill their potential on and off the cricket field.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the BCB has kept itself busy, working behind the scenes to develop Berbice Cricket further. Those efforts have

been bearing fruit, with the latest being a special project with former Guyana and West Indies opening batsman Clayton Lambert.

Foster had approached the burly former opener in an effort to obtain cricket gears for promising youth cricketers, especially those in the East Bank of Berbice area.

Lambert readily agreed to Foster’s request, and on Tuesday last, informed the BCB President that he had secured a large quantity of cricket gears which would be distributed free of cost. These include bats, pads, gloves and thigh pads, among other things.

Lambert informed the BCB President that many persons were delighted with the current development of Berbice Cricket, and were, as such, eager to assist. A shipment of gears has already left India for the United States of America, from whence they would be shipped to the BCB, compliments of Caribbean International Shipping.

That company has agreed to assist Lambert in this project, while former West Indies Captain Alvin Kallicharran has also agreed to work along with Lambert to raise gears.

The shipment also includes a large quantity of white cricket uniforms, which would be shared out to less fortunate cricketers.

Lambert also informed the BCB President that a special supply of coloured clothing would be ordered under the Gortonshire Lambada brand. Foster disclosed that the coloured uniforms would be donated to two struggling first division teams. The Gortonshire Lambada brand is a new one and is dedicated to Lambert, who currently coaches in the USA. Lambert has said he is delighted to give back to Berbice Cricket and to play a part in the development of new talents in the county. The 58-year-old made his debut for Guyana at the Regional Under 19 level in 1979, and also appeared in 1980, the year he also captained Berbice. He first represented Berbice in the Jones Cup Inter County Tournament in 1983, and captained Berbice in 1986, 1990, 1991 and 1998.

Lambert made his debut for the senior Guyana team in 1984, and in August, 1991 he made his test debut at the Oval against England. He later migrated to the USA, where he represented that country at the international level as a player and coach.

Foster has expressed gratitude to Lambert for his cooperation and for remembering his home county. He has also urged former Berbice players to join Lambert in his efforts.

G

uyana, golf and women? Not three words one would expect to see in a headline; but that has all changed due to the vision and foresight of one golf enthusiast: Aleem Hussain, President of the Guyana Golf Association. Coming off the second successful event that saw a great turnout by seasoned golfers and beginners to support awareness for cancer, Hussain said he was very pleased with the response.

It is common today to see women, especially the young

professionals who have come to see golf as an alternative to indoor gyms, and a fun way to spend time outdoors with friends and family in a socially distanced environment, learning the game late into the night on Woolford Avenue.

In June 2020, the GGA established a partnership with Nexgen Golf Academy, a lighted driving range and teaching Academy in the middle of Georgetown on Woolford Avenue with the view of making the sport more accessible to all Guyanese.

However, Hussain indicated that, surprisingly, more than 200 women have taken up the sport in the past four months. “We started during what was described as the worst possible time: political turmoil and

COVID-19 restrictions rocking the nation, but with dedication and perseverance, we have shown that together we can overcome great obstacles.”

Hussain explained that, worldwide, golf has always been at the forefront of raising awareness and funds for charity and the recent support shown here by seasoned golfers and newcomers to the sport for cancer Awareness Month demonstrates that Guyanese golfers are no different when it comes to social and corporate responsibility involvement in the community.

A major part of growing a sport in a developing country is how active and energetic the leaders of the game are and it is evident from the efforts being put forward by the GGA, golf will become a contender for the top spot in the nation, rising to challenge the cricket and football establishments!

In 2018, Hussain set out on a campaign to start training new players at the Giftland Mall, University of Guyana, Queens College, Bishops High, St. Rose’s High and ATC, with help of former Women’s Guyana Open Champion Dr. Joaan Deo. “The interest shown by the public led to the development of the Nexgen Golf Academy in Georgetown and the results are incredible!”

The Guyana Golf Association sees the game growing quickly as strong efforts to engage students in basic training and has planned donations of equipment and balls, scheduled in

the coming months as schools are set to reopen.

NexGen Golf Academy is currently building a worldclass putting green complete with sand bunkers to help develop the short game along with a pitch and putt area on the adjoining Guyana Teachers Union ground.

They plan to add a Golf simulator to enhance their teaching aids as the demand increases among new players.

“In these trying times, the NexGen Golf Academy & Driving Range offers a solution to exercise, stress relief, socially distanced interaction, and a great deal of fun for persons of all ages and skill. We guarantee that within 15 minutes, anyone

will be able to hit the ball and begin having fun as they learn,” said Hussain.

For more information about how you can enjoy and be a part of this growing sport, visit their Facebook page Nexgen Golf Academy, call 645 0944 of simply stop by the Academy, located minutes from Marriott and Pegasus hotels.

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