Guyana Chronicle E-paper 3-15-2020

15th March, 2020

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No.105940

FOUR CASES OF CORONAVIRUS

CONFIRMED SEE STORY ON PAGE 02

Public Servants to work shift system amid COVID-19 concerns 17 PAGE

– to take effect from March 14-27, 2020

Rosignol businessman shot dead PAGE

16

National recount of votes likely

SEE PAGE 03

‘We have clean 02 hands in this matter’

…President, Opposition Leader agree to recount for all 10 regions

---Harmon says ‘no finger’ has been pointed to APNU+AFC about alleged electoral fraud

-CARICOM to field high-level team to supervise process

PAGE

Government-nominated GECOM Commissioners (from left) Desmond Trotman, Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin speaking to members of the media outside the Diamond Magistrate’s Court

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Four cases of coronavirus confirmed

Four cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed here, the Department of Public Information has reported.

The persons testing positive include the now deceased 52-year-old woman who may have transmitted the virus after returning for the USA along with her husband; a relative and one other person.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence has confirmed this and noted that other persons who have displayed signs are being monitored.

“The Government is sparing no effort to address the Coronavirus. Presently the EOC [Emergency Operations Centre] is preparing another site to house persons who may have come into contact with a confirmed case. This facility will cater for some 250 cases,” Minister Lawrence told DPI. The positive results came from the National Public Health reference lab where technicians were recently trained by PAHO/WHO to test for the virus. The lab is the only health facility throughout Guyana equipped room test for the COVID-19.

There are currently quarantine areas at the GPHC and the West Demerara Regional Hospital while more will be added as the need arises. The National Emergency Operations Centre in Georgetown has been put into operation to strategically respond to the threat of coronavirus through a multisectoral approach through which key agencies such as the Civil Defence Commission and others are on board.

Guyana’s first imported Corona Virus victim, her husband and at least one of her children travelled from New York to Guyana during the first week of March and according to the authorities, the woman presented herself to the Public Health system five days later with health complaints.

It was noted that based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms, (with out-of-hand diabetes and high blood pressure) health professionals also diagnosed her for COVID-19.

It was noted that a sample was collected and sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) where laboratory tests con-

firmed a positive result on Wednesday morning.

The woman died last Wednesday while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and her family members were informed.

It was noted too that other family members and more than a dozen others who came into contact with the female patient, were advised by Ministry of Public Health’s specialists to self-quarantine. They are all under regular surveillance by public health specialists, the authorities said.

Tests on the other household members over the last two days revealed that the three had contracted the virus discovered last year in Wuhan, China.

The MoPH reminds the public that if anyone has a fever, cough and difficulty breathing they should immediately call the COVID-19 hotline:

227-4986 ext. 215 (from 8am – 4:30pm; 624 -6674; 624 – 2819 (from 4:30pm to 8am).

It is also advisable to share

prev i o u s travel history accurately with a health care provider.

The Health Emergency Operating Centre (HEOC) was this week activated by the Public Health Ministry as part of a broader menu of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

These measures include sending health teams to the homes of those with complaints for assessment and initiation of public health measures; identification and

contact tracing for all possible exposed persons; meetings between public health officials and staff members of the country’s health facilities to ensure all necessary infection-control measures are in place.

Minister Lawrence appealed to Guyanese to remain calm and follow the advised health protocols. These are, to practice simple, everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses and to frequently clean hands using soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly unclean.

Also, when coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue. Dispose of tissue immediately and wash hands; avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough by keeping a distance of at least 1 to 2 metres (3 – 6 feet) from them; resist touching one’s face.

A ministerial task force has since been established to address the situation.

At the same time, screening has been increased at various ports of entry. As a precautionary measure, the Ministry of Education announced on Friday that all

public schools will be closed for two weeks from Monday, March 16.

On Friday the Ministry of Public Infrastructure announced that the Guyana/ Suriname ferry service has been closed indefinitely after the neighbouring country recorded its first case of the virus.

Other regional jurisdictions have also recorded their first cases of the virus, including Trinidad and Tobago.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

The coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to many other countries, including some in the Americas. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

‘We have clean hands in this matter’ ---Harmon says ‘no finger’ has been pointed to APNU+AFC about alleged electoral fraud

THE incumbent A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition has said that it respects the independence and authority of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and while some stakeholders might want to “interfere” in the work of the commission, the coalition has always taken the position not to do so.

This was according to Co-Chair of the APNU+AFC campaign, Joseph Harmon, during a press briefing at the coalition’s headquarters, on Saturday.

It was reported that after more than a week of confrontations and legal actions, the votes for District Four were finally declared by the district’s Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, on Friday night, amid heavy police presence at the GECOM High Street, Kingston Head-

quarters.

According to his declarations, in the General Elections, the APNU+AFC Coalition secured 136, 057 votes in District Four (Demerara-Mahaica), while the PPP/C raked in 77, 231 votes. A New United Guyana (ANUG) secured the third largest number of votes with 1,387 votes, followed by Change Guyana with 919 votes; Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) with 761 votes and The Citizenship Initiative, 463 votes.

The People’s Republic Party got 389 votes and The New Movement (TNM) 128 votes, while the United Republican Party only managed to rake in 90 votes.

In the Regional Elections, the APNU+AFC secured 130, 289 votes while the PPP/C raked in 74, 877 votes.

Change Guyana received 914 votes while 752 votes were cast in favour of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP); 401

in favour of the People’s Republic Party; 125 in favor of the Victory of the People Party and 98 votes in favour of the United Republican Party.

“We meet at the conclusion of the count for the votes cast for Region Four.

This, being the final of 10 declarations, shows that the APNU+AFC has a substantial lead but we await the final declaration by the CEO (Chief Elections Officer).

We trust that the next steps can be completed in a timely manner so the country can return to normalcy and the march to progress can continue,” said Harmon.

He believes that there should be no winners and losers after an election, in determining the way forward for Guyana. And, in this regard, the coalition maintained that the management of the electoral process was the sole TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

‘National recount of votes likely’ …President, Opposition Leader agree to recounts for all 10 regions -CARICOM to field high-level team to supervise recounts

By Navendra Seoraj PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo have agreed to a recount of the ballots in all ten Administrative Regions.

Although the onus is on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to grant a recount, CARICOM has said that both President Granger and Jagdeo have agreed for a recount of all regions and not just Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), where there was much contention.

Since the March 2 General and Regional Elections, the tabulation process for Region Four was marred by a series of events, from the Returning Officer (RO) and his staff falling sick, to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

with 761 votes and The Citizenship Initiative, 463 votes.

The People’s Republic Party got 389 votes and The New Movement (TNM) 128 votes while the United Republican Party managed to rake in only 90 votes.

Meanwhile, in the Regional Elections, the APNU+AFC secured 130, 289 votes while the PPP/C raked in 74, 877 votes. Change Guyana received 914 votes while 752 votes were cast in favour of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP); 401 in favour of the People’s Republic Party; 125 in favour of the Victory of the People Party and 98 votes in favour of the United Republican Party.

Eight political parties had,

Co-Chair of the APNU+AFC campaign, Joseph Harmon

reportedly storming the GECOM command centre, to an injunction barring declaration of the results and subsequently, a series of objections.

After more than a week of confrontation and legal action, the votes for District Four were finally declared by the RO, Clairmont Mingo, on Friday night, amid heavy police presence at the GECOM High Street, Kingston Headquarters. According to his declarations, in the General Elections, the APNU+AFC coalition secured 136, 057 votes in District 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), while the PPP/C raked in 77, 231 votes. A New United Guyana (ANUG) secured the third largest number of votes with 1,387 votes, followed

by Change Guyana with 919 votes; Liberty and Justice Party (LJP)

President David Granger

Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley

however, requested a recount for Region Four, on Saturday, the same day Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley announced that President David Granger made a request for the regional bloc to field an independent high-level team to supervise recounting of the ballots.

“Many of you are aware that I led a high-level team of Caribbean Prime Ministers to Georgetown earlier this week (last week) to meet with all of the affected parties from the recent General Election of March 2, 2020,” said Mottley in a statement. Following additional discussions on Saturday morning with President Granger, Mottley has agreed to field the high-level team to supervise the recount, something to which Jagdeo has

also agreed.

In speaking about the measure, Mottley said: “We believe that this is a giant step in being able to determine the will of the Guyanese people in the Election of March 2, 2020. It will also allow the electoral process to regain the confidence of all locally, regionally and internationally.

“I have spoken directly to both the President and the Leader of the Opposition and they have both committed to abide by the results of a fair and transparent recount of each and every ballot, as supervised by the CARICOM team. We also agreed that there needs to be steps taken to secure the integrity of the ballot boxes until the recount takes place.”

The Independent, high-level team, as announced by the Prime Minister, will be chaired

by Francine Baron, former Attorney General and Foreign Minister of Dominica and comprise Mr. Anthony Boatswain, former Minister of Finance of Grenada; and Ms. Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Senior Lecturer in Department of Government of the University of the West Indies (UWI). They will also be accompanied by the two Chief Election Officers from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Mottley said, both President Granger and Jagdeo have agreed that the recount should commence once the CAR-

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo

ICOM team is on the ground. She has since confirmed that all efforts are being made to have the team in Guyana as soon as possible. A further announcement will be made as to the exact details once the team is on the ground.

REQUESTS DENIED Even as the CARICOM team is set to arrive in Guyana soon, GECOM, through a statement on Saturday evening, said requests for a recount in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four have been denied by the various ROs. The commission is, however, likely to override the rejections.

The APNU+AFC coalition had requested recounts in Regions Two and Three, while eight political

‘We have clean hands in this...

responsibility of GECOM, since no one else has that statutory responsibility.

“We also recognise the independence and authority of the court and respect its rulings.

While some want to seek to intervene and interfere in the work of those independent bodies (GECOM and the court), APNU has always taken the position not to do so.

“As such we call on all Guyanese to respect the declarations of the elections commission and let us move the country forward in peace, love and unity,” said Harmon.

Despite the declarations of results, there have been questions about the electoral process from international organisations/ambassadors, observers and other stakeholders.

parties, including the PPP/C, had requested a recount in Region Four. Early in the day, on Saturday, Co-Chair of the APNU+AFC campaign, Joseph Harmon, in a statement, had said if a recount was granted for Region Four, the coalition would pursue their applications for recounts in all 10 regions.

Meanwhile, in speaking about his view on the potential supervision of the recounting process by an independent team, Jagdeo said: “We are pleased that today (Saturday) we have managed, through the office of the Prime Minister of Barbados, to chart a way forward that would be acceptable to both sides. “You have seen in the statement she urged that all steps be taken to preserve the containers, so there is integrity in those boxes (ballot boxes)… I urge GECOM to

When asked about this, Harmon responded by saying: “Not one single finger has been pointed to the President or the coalition with respect to fraud...On the other hand we have evidence of acts of violence, intimidation on the part of the other party and we have asked that the law enforcement agencies deal with

do that immediately given that it is the desire of the political parties.”

Jagdeo, at a press briefing on Saturday, suggested that all the ballot boxes be centralised in one location so that they can be “watched over” by observers and party agents.

“This is the way forward and the way to solve the problem so all of our people can go on with their lives…whoever the winner is, it will be determined by a verification process and our country can move on to address the threat of the Coronavirus. “I just thought I’d thank CARICOM, thank all those who worked on this, and also all the other observers and commend the President for taking this step forward that would allow us to bring an end to this, satisfactory to all political parties,” said Jagdeo.

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this.” He, as such, challenged persons to put forward a credible case which would prove the coalition’s involvement in acts of fraud. The co-chair said the coalition has “clean hands in this matter,” and has only been involved in running an efficient campaign which mobilised a large scale of Guyanese.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

Coronavirus: France and Spain announce partial lockdowns (BBC) France has ordered the closure of all non-essential places used by the public from midnight (23:00 GMT Saturday) amid fears the outbreak is accelerating.

PM Edouard Philippe said the number of people in intensive care was growing and earlier guidelines for the public were being ignored.

Meanwhile Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez declared a 15-day state of emergency.

With 191 deaths and 6,046 infections, Spain is the worst-hit country in Europe after Italy.

Rome declared a nationwide lockdown on Monday.

More than 1,440 people have died in Italy.

Meanwhile the US is to extend its European coronavirus travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The ban will begin at midnight EST on Monday (04:00 GMT Tuesday), Vice-President Mike Pence announced.

On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the “epicentre” of the pandemic. Its head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives.

What does the French shutdown entail?

The measure applies to restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nightclubs as well as non-essential businesses.

It would not, Mr Philippe said, affect essential businesses which he listed as food shops, chemists, banks, tobacco shops and petrol stations.

Mr Philippe also asked people to reduce their travel, especially between towns.

“The best way to slow down the epidemic”, he said, was “social distancing”.

“I say this gravely - we must all together show great-

Sunday, March 15, 09:30hrs - 11:00hrs

The Eiffel Tower is closed er discipline in the application of these measures,” Mr Philippe added.

However local elections due on Sunday would also still go ahead. he said. Religious buildings would remain open but gatherings and ceremonies should be postponed.

France reported a sharp rise in cases on Saturday, from 3,661 to 4,499. It recorded 12 more deaths, bringing the toll to 79.

The BBC’s Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield says the measures amount to a dramatic ratcheting up of the French response reflecting growing alarm at the fast spread of the virus.

What is happening in Spain?

After a lengthy meeting of the country’s government cabinet, Mr Sanchez said a partial lockdown would be in place across the country, with the armed forces on standby to assist with relief efforts.

All shops will be forced to close, except for those selling food and other basic necessities.

There will also be a reduction in medium-distance rail traffic to stem the spread of people around the country, and economic measures to support businesses and workers.

Mr Sanchez said the state of emergency will be in force from 0800 local time (0700 GMT) on Monday, and could be extended with congressional approval.

Authorities recorded 1,800 more cases since Friday evening - many in the capital Madrid.

This will be the second state of emergency in the country since the transition to democracy began in 1975, the first being a 2010 air traffic controllers’ strike.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

No rush in Tobago for grocery supplies (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) There is no mad rush for toilet paper and other supplies in Tobago. Guardian Media visited supermarkets and spoke with Tobagonians on Saturday Morning.

Shoppers at Coss Cutters Grocery at Plymouth Road, Scarborough, said they were purchasing regular items and in the usual quantity.

Staff at the grocery said items such as hand sanitiser and rubbing alcohol were out of stock but are expected to be replenished this week.

A Coss Cutters Grocery at Plymouth Road, Scarborough, Tobago employee wears a makeshift mask made of tissue paper and rubber bands yesterday.

M e a n w h i l e , s o m e tissue paper and rubber lips, from the Baptist people resorted to using bands. organisation, who was at makeshift masks with Rev Fitzhubert Phil- the grocery, said he was

there to purchase black pepper and other powdered seasoning.

He said his organisation plans a function for Scarborough on Sunday that would commence with a walk from Tamarind Square to the Fairfield Complex, Scarborough, where a cultural programme would be held.

Phillips said attendees would be practising all precautionary measures as outlined by the Ministry of Health and noted that people of all faith are invited to attend.

Ministry: 63 tested, 2 confirmed (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The Ministry of Health has said that while 63 people have been tested for coronavirus COVID-19, only two have been confirmed.

The following is a statement by the Ministry Saturday morning.

“As part of the national drive to safeguard the health of the Trinidad and Tobago population in the face of the global COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Health continues to provide up-to-date information on the country’s status in this regard.

As of the afternoon of Saturday, 14th March, 2020 the Ministry reports the following: · Number of samples submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing for COVID-19 = 63 · Number of samples which have tested positive =2 The public is also advised that the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has the only lab that is certified to test samples for COVID-19 and therefore, it is the only lab that can confirm posi-

tive or negative results of the samples.

The Ministry will continue to provide accurate information to the public in a timely fashion. The public is therefore urged to disregard and avoid sharing all unconfirmed, misleading and/or false information about COVID-19 (formerly Novel Coronavirus).

As part of the proactive

approach to protecting the Trinidad and Tobago population from the threat of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has taken the official decision to institute two parallel health care systems.

One public health system will focus on addressing confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Caura Hospital and the Couva Hospital and Multi-Train-

ing Facility will be used for this purpose.

The public is therefore encouraged to access the standard public health care services via the other existing health facilities, as usual.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Attacking democracy while pretending to be democrats THE last two weeks have been quite a lesson for Guyana. It was plain for all who cared to pay attention that there was a well-orchestrated plot to subvert the democratic process in our country, while pretending to protect democracy. We have witnessed this storyline over and over for the last three decades. People use democracy as a mask to hide their nefarious intentions and actions.

For the better part of 23 years the top leadership of a major political party paraded as agents of democratic restoration, while using their access to power to transform the State into a medium of economic criminality, ethnic domination and extra-judicial killings.

By the time rescue came via the ballot box five years ago, Guyana had reached the brink of a failed state.

After a mere four years of repair work, an unwarranted attack was launched to thwart the desire of the majority of Guyanese to renew the mandate of the repairers. It all began on December 20, 2019, when with the aid of a disgruntled coalition backbencher, a brazen attempt was made to seize power through the back door in the form of a no-confidence motion. It was an act that came like a thief in the night as Guyanese prepared for the festive season. What followed was a year of legal

and extra-legal manipulation masquerading as democratisation. It took all the resolve of the Guyanese and the tenacity of their elected leaders to defend the democratically elected government of the day.

Having failed to unconstitutionally dislodge the government, the plotters set their sights on the 2020 elections. They telegraphed their intentions by introducing the narrative of rigged elections long before the first ballot was cast. But even as they tried to spread that falsehood, they were engaged in the actual attempts to rig the system. They did everything in their power to go to the elections with a tainted voters’ list. Every attempt by GECOM to sanitise the list, including a brand-new house-to-house registration was disrupted.

In the end the final voters list, despite some degree of sanitisation, left some room for manipulation which from all reports was utilised by those who are currently shouting about democratic elections.

The brazen invasion of GECOM by gunmen attached to the major opposition party showed the extent to which that party is prepared to go to illegally seize power. The massing of their supporters in the public space resulted in violent attacks on schoolchildren and the security forces that were captured for

the world to see. Eventually one citizen died as he openly attacked policemen and women who were dispatched to quell the directed uprisings. These uprisings from all indications were designed to not only attack those perceived to be supporters of the coalition, but to also provoke retaliation from adjoining communities. That these communities did not respond to taunts in that regard is a testimony to the restraint exercised by the coalition leadership.

What is most egregious about the plot as it unfolded was the seeming success of the plotters to enlist the support of some civil society organisations, which in turn appeared to have misled some of the international observer groups. We do not make a charge of direct collusion between the local anti-democratic plotters and the observer groups, but the apparent reluctance to call out the aggression of the local opposition is somewhat baffling.

Further, the rush to judgement on the veracity of the elections is rather unfortunate to say the least. Such judgements in a highly volatile environment run against best practices as far as elections observation is concerned.

The move to the courts on two occasions, which was claimed to be done as judicial review, has turned out to be nothing more

than disruptive tactics. The rulings of the court were not respected by the plotters as they did not aid their objectives. As was the case with the no-confidence motion, there were clear attempts to bully the court into granting consequential orders that would have usurped the power of an independent agency and in the process pave the way for the undemocratic seizure of power. The chief justice was adamant that the court would not be drawn into the plot.

The naked attempt to delegitimise GECOM is most shameful. We hold no brief for that agency, but given the tremendous pressure it has had to withstand from hostile actors, it deserved the full commendation of all decent-minded Guyanese. The attacks on the integrity of the Region Four Returning Officer and the GECOM Chair are unprecedented, even for a country that is accustomed to contentious elections. As we await the final declarations, we can expect more of the plot to unfold and more of the self-serving rhetoric of defence of democracy. But the masks are off, and the Guyanese people can see the real hijackers of democracy.

COVID -19 faceless: no respecter of country, race or ethnicity

Dear Editor

NOT satisfied with threatening to starve a certain section of our population, and uttering threats that are plainly interpreted as pointing towards their non-existence, another similar threat that now involves the pandemic coronavirus as a means towards doing so, has now emerged.

Part of the above, I believe, has already been responded to in a letter some days ago in your letter column; now, this, another in the latest abysmal recess of racism is addressed.

Editor, such statements about the coronavirus as a means of threatening the physical existence of a particular ethnic group, is the height of a mental mind that is inherently racist, which can only live in the darkest existence of a mindset that is hopelessly lost in

the mists of total ignorance. It is a further manifestation of unbridled asininity, of which even the animal that it describes has to be ashamed.

As a reminder to the purveyors of such reckless and frightening ignorance, that is absolutely the product of minds that are vile in construct of the racist extremes – pandemics are non-discriminate in their relentless attacks, once they become viral. From a purely layman’s perspective, it can be likened unto some kinds of popular movements that soon begin their broad appeal, as whatever cause that is represented, soon becomes global, igniting minds such as the Greta Thunberg movement on climate change, and the other climate change protest phenomena. In like manner, pandemics eventually become juggernauts once they cannot be contained, as they diffuse their deadly viral payload wherever

transmitted, once set in motion. The reality is that by nature, their spread becomes transnational, because of the interconnectivity of the world, by travel.

For a virus, the Corona Virus aka COVID-19, that commenced its deadly incubation in Wuhan, China, it has since gradually spread globally, cutting a deadly swathe especially in Europe that has now become its epicentre. One is certain that the horrible and wicked representatives of such despicable ignorance must be aware that the Italian Republic, has been totally shut down, because of a death toll in excess of 2300, and the mighty UNITED STATES, closing its TERRITORY to arrivals from Europe. Not the only country to take such measures. One must also add that even ministers of government and MPs in countries, where the virus now rages, have fallen victims.

For example, Iran, that is in deadly throes, with excess of 2500 deaths; Britain, which seems to be slowly grinding to a halt; Ireland, where the virus has recently reared its scything head. The list can go on, as more countries become victims of the relentless march of the virus.

Interestingly enough, to date, only three African states West of the Sahel, have recorded a minimum of three persons struck. This would probably be a surprise to such distorted minded social media group, touting such CRAP. But things can change since this is a PANDEMIC that is swift in its flight and deadly in its effect.

Editor, it was not my intention to have indulged in any such lengthy discourse on the COVID-19, since this is rightly the preserve of medical specialists, and do not pretend to be one. Maybe, it was a case of trying to educate a category of coun-

trymen that continue to be hopeless prisoners of a warped and dangerous mindset, that is their biggest hindrance to understanding the real world around them, and the truth of its existence; and even about the existence of COVID -19. Absolutely, education is needed, to dispel that kind of cultural construct, a fact which the very articulate Ganesh Mahipaul, beautifully illustrated on the NCN’s CONTEXT. How can we all ever hope to take this country of six people into the dawn of the new day of mutual respect, and unity, with such portents of the mind that reek of ungodliness? It is very tragic for a country which continues to be haunted by the demon of race that such a baseless threat/wish CAN BE UTTERED. One wonders, just what these supposedly adults, mothers and fathers, teach their young TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Explaining Guyana’s post-election conflict Dear editor, AS a kid brought up in a deprived community, one of the cardinal rules I’ve learnt is that one should never flaunt one’s wealth in public, since in so doing one may draw the wrong attention to oneself. Events of the last 12 days have caused me to reflect on what was inculcated in most of my compatriots and myself. It is this childhood knowledge I would use to rationalise recent events in Guyana.

Guyana post-independence history has always been one of troubles and conflicts. As a matter of fact, this is not unique to Guyana, for the British by a process of colonisation exploited our wealth. We in the Caribbean served to build, feed and enrich their empire while we the toiling locals received minimal returns for our hard labour. Post-World War II, Britain was in significant economic, infrastructural and human resource difficulties.

As a result, they looked to the workforce in the Caribbean to assist the rebuilding process of Britain, which was destroyed by war.

Soon after, it became evident to the British that the economic benefits of the colonies were on the decline.

As a result, Britain went on a journey of relieving themselves of that economic deadweight. The fact after years of being robbed of its resources, the colonies were not well developed since most of the wealth went to the British Empire. Also because of the actions of the British, whether intentionally or unintentionally, there was mistrust between the major races in Guyana.

In the eyes of the Empire we were no longer of benefit to

them, hence no longer their problem.

And so it would be for over half a decade. The mistrust between the major two races continued and would become more evident around the time of elections. Some politicians who were shortsighted would use it for their political gains and cared less about the post-election problems. I would never fool myself to believe that any political party was solely at fault. What I will say is that they were problems during PNC’s 28 years in power.

These problems were mostly economic in nature for the PNC government ventured on self-provision policy that was not clearly articulated to the masses. As a result, the intent was misinterpreted and misunderstood with the inevitable result of a division along racial lines. On the other hand, the PPP’s problems over their 23 years in government were crime, the narco-trade, corruption and extra-judicial killings. These were thoroughly ventilated during the election campaign, so there is no need to rehash them. Suffice to say that after over 1000 extra-judicial killings, the only action taken by the ABCE countries was to confiscate the visa of Ronald Gajraj, the then Home Affairs Minister, since he was linked with the phantom murderous squad. And that was it. No other intervention required by the ABCE countries, at least that is what they want us to believe.

So now Guyana is experiencing troubles, which are not new, but now the international community is suddenly aware that Guyana exists. We had a similar electoral problem in 1997 when the then presidential candidate, Mrs. Janet Jagan, threw the court

injunction over her shoulder. I am quite sure at that time that we had diplomatic relations with the ABCE countries, but they were all silent. We have had murders, rampant drugs, rampant corruption, and post-election conflicts among others, but the ABCE countries were silent. So why are they so vocal now? Why the sudden interest in Guyana? What has changed?

What has changed is that we now have oil. We see the actions of the ABCE countries when they wish to have that country’s resources.

They create a crisis for which they invade and destabilise those countries in their desperation for oil. The key is to make the country ungovernable, exactly what they are doing to us. Forget about this garbage of democracy, much worse has happened and they cared less. The point is that the volume and quality of the oil in Guyana can significantly influence oil prices.

That would be a serious concern for the ABCE countries since they would like to be in control of that because it can impact their economies.

As a result, the ABCE countries would rather have their puppet in charge. That puppet would be Bharrat Jagdeo and he will be the one under the control of the ABCE. Why? It is likely that the ABCE countries have a thick, damaging and incriminating file on Bharrat Jagdeo years in and out of office. These puppeteering files would be used as control strings over his head to control him and Guyana’s oil. They cannot do that for Mr. David Granger since no such file exists. That is exactly what is playing out in front of your very eyes as you see the ABCE ambassa-

dors stumble over each other to make a supportive case for the PPP. The fact is that through greed, Bharrat Jagdeo was just using the PPP electorate to get his hands on power, a control of Guyana’s oil which he will pass on to the ABCE countries.

Guyana was exploited during colonisation. We were robbed of our sugar. We were robbed of our rice. We were robbed of our bauxite. We were robbed of our gold. The fact is that we are still living in abject poverty while those countries that exploited us are living in wealth, while demanding visas for us to enter the countries our sweat built. We as a people need to wake up.

The ABCE countries don’t care about you. The ABCE countries don’t like you. Don’t believe for a minute that they are with me. Disregard their concerns about democracy, that is an excuse to distract you as they siphon off your oil. They had also said that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction before they changed the narrative that he was involved in 9/11. That’s them!

For decades they ignored us and our problems but now turn up because they wish to have their puppet in charge. No, it is not going to happen. You have stolen enough from us. Leave us with our oil so that we can develop as a country. We don’t need your assistance to solve our problems. We can solve our own problems that you have created. We are One people, One Nation, with One destiny. We as a people will build our nation and determine our destiny.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

COVID -19 faceless: no respecter ...

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about the country and its diversity. It is a question that I always ask, particularly when passing our school playfields, watching the innocents play among themselves, forming bonds of friendship, only for these to become sub-

verted by deliberate parental orientation of a misleading and destructive type.

Finally editor, for this country’s sake, one should hope that COVID-19, already manifesting itself here, does not become real-

ity, as is its pattern in Europe, and elsewhere. Again, God forbid; but if it does, those who would want it to get rid of a section of the nation, would realise that it is no respector of country, race or ethnicity, status or station in life. It would be

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a challenge for ALL GUYANESE TO COMBAT, INCLUSIVE OF THAT SOCIAL MEDIA DEGENERATE. Regards Carla Mendonca

What about justice for Guyanese who suffered under the PPP Dear Editor, IT continues to upset me that the calls for democratic values have fallen on deaf ears when it comes to obtaining justice for the alleged past misdeeds under the PPP/C government.

The OAS, Canadian, American, British and EU government and non-governmental organisations have spoken about veiled threats of sanctions and "isolation" as a response with regard to the elections.

However, where were they when journalists such as Mr. Ronald Waddell was murdered for his democratic right to the free press? Was not that a violation of democratic values by murdering a journalist in cold blood for opposing the PPP/C? As far as I know, for the past five years no government official has ordered anyone to assassinate or throw faeces at critics.

If one could argue that such claims are hearsay under the American rule of law, the best paid lawyer in America cannot deny that Mark Benschop was thrown in jail under

trumped-up charges for opposing the PPP/C government. Bharrat Jagdeo proclaimed that "I hope that [Benschop] learned his lesson" when he 'pardoned' Benschop for the trumped-up charges several years later. Where was the condemnation from the international agencies?

Mr. Freddie Kissoon admitted that President Granger is not corrupt, and that he was being victimised for what he wrote while the PPP/C was in power.

Can any journalist imagine what could happen theoretically if the PPP/C manages to continue where they left off? The extra billions of annual oil and gas revenue will embolden the PPP/C tyrants to suppress dissent in the most undemocratic ways. Journalists will not be safe under a PPP/C government. Mr. Ronald Waddell's death, and the politically motivated victimisation of Mark Benschop and Freddie Kissoon are testaments to that statement.

Regards, Riaz Hamid

Why are ABCEU countries suddenly tight-lipped?

Dear Editor, PERMIT me space to openly call out the ABCEU countries on their lack of SWIFT response to the violence perpetrated against women during this post-election debacle.

One would believe that these countries' representatives would pen statements condemning these attacks with the same expediency that they have been forwarding PPP talking points. The most recent and publicised attack was on APNU+AFCs Carol Joseph by ANUG’s Jonathan Yearwood.

Regardless of circumstance, nothing justifies gender-based violence. We all have our differences in opinion, we stand for different things, we represent different sides of the political spectrum, and that's okay. One thing we must hold heads in complete agreement of is the absolute condemnation of violence against women.

There is no excuse whatsoever. It sets a dangerous precedent for other young

men (and women) that allows them the space to believe that in some world in this galaxy, hitting women is remotely acceptable.

We must condemn any and all acts of violence that resemble this. I urge all political players to desist from similar behaviour.

You cannot become the system which you hate. An attack on one is an attack on all. The representatives of the ABCEU countries have failed miserably in the swift condemnation of attacks on children, media personnel and now women. I respectfully urge these esteemed men and women who enjoy the comforts of Guyana, which many of us cannot yet afford, to be truly unbiased in their representation of the facts. We see you. We are watching.

This is greater than any one of us. This is a cry for Guyana, a Guyana that belongs to all Guyanese.

Regards Nateshia McKenzie

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

A recount as the final keeper of God’s truth must be flawless Dear Editor I have no doubt that the results as declared reflect the will of the people. GECOM’s messy postE-day performance in Region 4, however, has marred the coalition’s victory. As such, there should be no resistance to the calls for a recount. The coalition, I would advise, should even insist on one. It has nothing to lose and all to gain.

But, as the final store of God’s truth (a coalition win), the ballot boxes will soon come under attack by election losers and coalition loathers. In the coming days, expect to see more and more attempts to

discredit these boxes. Allegations that the boxes have been tampered with will now be tossed around with reckless disregard. In this political high-stakes game, any lapse by GECOM during any recount would be jumped on as evidence of fraud.

A recount, therefore, has to be absolutely flawless, a tightrope act.

While the law allows either a partial or a total recount, the situation demands no less than a total recount. For a recount to withstand the desperate attacks on its credibility, however, GECOM must, at minimum, take the following actions: (i) it will have to remove RO Mingo and any other controversial staff from any supervisory or opera-

tional role in the recounting process, (ii) it must ensure, through consultations with contesting parties, that all aspects of the recounting process are agreed on before any ballot box is touched, and (iii) before a full recount, GECOM should conduct a statistically-valid partial recount of 50 or so randomly-selected ballot boxes. In this, each contesting party should be allowed to pull from a bag the numbers of five polling stations. The counts from these stations should be compared with their SOPs. Using such a partial recount to verify the SOPs is critical for several reasons. It provides a dry run allowing kinks to be ironed out before a full recount. Also, the han-

dling of a smaller number of boxes minimizes operational lapses and thus the opportunities for unfounded accusations. Lastly, this initial step allows the truth to steadily and irresistibly unfold. These three suggestions can do much to increase the acceptance, even grudgingly for some, of the 2020 election results.

From here on, GECOM must appreciate that mere compliance with the law would not be enough to restore maximum public confidence in its operations. It must take purposeful steps urgently to increase transparency and accountability.

GECOM must, for example, publish all its SOPs now. In addition, it must speak, through the media,

Price gouging for essential hygiene, sanitary supplies is Selfish and Inhumane Dear Editor, It is with much sadness and disappointment that I read in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News about price gorging or inflated prices by pharmacies, supermarkets and general stores for essential hygiene, sanitation and some medical supplies. This response by supermarkets, pharmacies and general stores is selfish and would only bring short-term gain.

This is an opportunity for supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as manufacturers of these essential supplies and medication, to contribute towards efforts to help the people of the country to remain healthy. The short-term gain of inflating these prices is also short-term thinking.

If persons must use their savings or extra monies to purchase these items; it means that they would have less money to pay bills, purchase food items to ensure a healthy immune system for themselves and their family members, etc. If persons cannot afford to purchase these essential hygiene, sanitation and medical supplies, it means that enough people would not be able to take the necessary precautionary measures; the result of which could be, possible increase in the number of cases of

persons becoming infected with the coronavirus. This would negatively impact the workforce, the insurance industry, the financial industry, the education sector, among others.

It is important to note that the children and family members of persons who own these supermarkets, pharmacies and general stores are sharing the same environment, breathing the same air, as every other citizen. They send their children to the same schools, their families go to the same restaurants, malls, etc. and will therefore be exposed.

From an economic standpoint, as the demand for these supplies increase, one approach could be to inflate prices; however, the coronavirus has become a serious health pandemic, therefore another response ought to be, that Manufacturers, increase production of anti-bacterial products, essential medical supplies such as Vitamin C products. This will translate into higher profits also but by applying a more humane response. Prevention must be of paramount importance.

The response from supermarkets and pharmacies in some developed countries, is to increase not merely the availability but accessibility of items such as, hand sanitizers and face masks. These

items are placed in the area by the cashiers. Ten face masks are sold in a packet for $2.99 and a hand sanitizer cost $1.99. One of the reasons why developed countries manage health challenges better, is not merely because they have better health care facilities but also necessary supplies are available and accessible to the people who need them the most; whereas in developing countries, the poorest of the poor are often the ones who suffer the most because in situations such as these, they are exploited. Developed countries also have better systems for price control. According to some medical doctors, the price for a 19 oz can of Lysol increasing from G$1200 to G$ 6,000 in a day, as reported in the one of the newspapers; is downright ‘criminal’ behaviour. Finally, I would call on all supermarkets, pharmacies and other stores where prices for these products have been increased, to do the morally and humane thing, and reduce these inflated prices by Friday 20 March, 2020.

Regards Audreyanna Thomas

more often with the public.

As for the coalition, whose victory has been marred by the untidiness of it all, it can no longer afford a posture of “quiet obedience to the dictates of GECOM”, to quote its Thursday media release.

Its deliberate aloofness has little strategic value and only leads to loss of political ground and to negative perceptions. It too must publicly express its expectations of GECOM. It too must demand a recount. It too must demand that GECOM get its act together.

Regards Sherwood Lowe

My interest in GECOM is ensuring the commissioners and officers are allowed to do their work consistent with the Constitution Dear Editor:

4 votes. Refer to my letter “GECOM didn’t deny crediResponse is being made to let- ble and transparent process- it ter “Mark Phillips responds was interrupted in completing to Lincoln Lewis” (GC, same” (GC: 8th March 2020).

12th March 2020). When Phillips' inability to recognise Phillips became visible on the this that would cause him to see political scene he promised my statement as “misguided” a new type of politics; one begs the question if he, in the based on reasoning, facts, first instance, understood what tolerance, inclusion and lis- was written or goaded to feel tening to others. Time will he had to respond to me even tell if he has the capacity or at the risk of exposing himself. interest to keep his promise.

On the other issues in his The statement made by me letter relating to persons that that Region 4 Returning Officer he desires information from (RO) “declared preliminary he should seek that directly. results” is a statement of fact.

As prime ministerial candiThis fact, a claim of which was made in a court of law, does date of a major political party not impede with whether the he ought to know he cannot acting Chief Justice set aside hide behind others and must that declaration in her ruling stand on his own two feet. of 11th March. It matters not My interest in GECOM is whether the preliminary results ensuring the commissioners as declared by the RO was and officers are allowed to “fraudulent, the “verification do their work consistent with process for the District Four the Constitution and Laws of Statements of Poll was aborted” Guyana to deliver free, fair, or the act inconsistent with the transparent and credible election in an environment free law or not.

What matters, in the context from fear and intimidation. within which my letter was Regards written, was that a declaration took place for the Region Lincoln Lewis

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

BALLOTS NOT BULLETS!

IN Guyana we have grown up within a democratic culture that emphasizes the ballots, not bullets, to resolve political disputes.

With the potential for untold wealth from oil revenues at our door-steps, we must spare this nation from the wounds of civil conflicts, violence and insurrection.

For those of us who are old enough to remember the bloody 1960s, we do not want again to see internal strife and foreign interference tearing our people apart. For those who have not lived in that tragic period I suggest that you read The West on Trial. In it Dr. Cheddi Jagan referred to the expose by an Insight Team which was published by the Sunday Times.

His removal, the report said, did not cost much - 250,000 pounds sterling. “For the colony, British Guiana, the result was about 170 dead, untold hundreds wounded, roughly 10 million poundsworth of damage to the economy and a legacy of racial bitterness.” (Harpy, 2004, p 380) RAW EDGE Once again, after over 50 years of being independent, Guyana is on the raw edge as we await final results of elections that were held since March 2. This would be the first time that the results have

taken so long to be declared and, today, being March 15, we are cautioned to beware the Ides of March.

On Friday evening when tabulation of votes from the last district was successfully completed and the results announced, we thought we would get the overall final results within hours. But new legal manoeuvres were introduced to block the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) from making the final declaration.

Several of the contesting parties demanded a recount of the ballots cast in Region 4.

This is a matter for the court to decide, unless the Chairman of GECOM conceded that this is the way to go. I understand that the Chairman has extended an invitation to CARICOM to supervise the recount process, a move that received the support of both the President and the Opposition Leader.

The ruling APNU+AFC has already signaled that it wanted a recount of ballots in the remaining nine districts.

CARIBBEAN FAMILY It is a great strategic move to involve CARICOM and repose confidence in it as our foremost Caribbean institution. Others are trying to push out CARICOM, and to literally invade our backyard.

No way!

After the 1997 elections,

we had a similar “family” intervention from CARICOM when Trinidad’s former Judge Ulric Cross was dispatched to oversee a forensic audit of votes. Though the Cross findings identified discrepancies in balloting, it was the court presided over by then Justice Claudette Singh that deemed the results null and void. But by then Mrs Janet Jagan was sworn in as the President, and she could not be removed after the recount.

I was in the thick of things back then, and cooperated with CARICOM’s eminent team of Wise Men headed by Sir Henry Forde, former Attorney General of Barbados. The team brokered an agreement that shaved two years off the term of President Janet Jagan, and set a timeframe for new elections after completion of certain reforms to the Guyana Constitution.

I was present at her Bel Air house when Mrs. Jagan signed along the dotted line, and when elements of the party’s extremist fringe turned on Ralph Ramkarran, then PPP Executive and legal tzar. I still vividly remember the bitter onslaught that was unjustifiably unleashed against him for allegedly selling out to the Wise Men. So recounts could have unsettling outcomes by which

democrats have to live. They must agree a priori to accept the results as this would help to open the door to restore trust amongst political players, and defuse any possibility for outsiders to cash in on our seeming division. While it is laudable that both the President and the Leader of the Opposition have agreed to the recount, it must not appear that this is driven by the Executive. It is GECOM that is running the show, and has to implement the recount process. It must be clearly understood by those who are threatening sanctions, and those who are inviting foreign intervention, that constitutionally, GECOM is in charge of the conduct of elections – from registration of electors to declaration of the final results.

So when we thought that it was over on Friday last, we still have another round or two to go. The ballot boxes

Sanctions are made of sterner stuff

IN light of the word ‘sanctions’ being used as a political talking point to achieve the aims of the machinations by anti-government forces, it behooves those who know this issue to set the record straight. Sanctions are not applied on the flimsiest of excuses.

My research has led me to the conclusion that it is difficult to see Guyana or the government officials facing any semblance of sanctions due to electoral glitches and procedural issues in Guyana elections 2020 by an independent commission of which there is no evidence that it is being directed by the state apparatus. Hereunder contains my argumentation.

SANCTIONS Sanctions are political and economic mechanisms used to force countries to align with the values and norms of the international system. They include temporary economic, diplomatic, trade, cultural

and other restrictions on countries in violation of international rules that may pose a security threat to the nations of the world. According to the Charter of the United Nations, only the United Nations (UN) Security Council has a legal right to apply sanctions in the multilateral sphere in conformance with Article 41 and all UN member countries must comply with the decision of the Security Council, by following Article 2.2. However, this is separate and apart from unilateral sanctions which are imposed by individual countries. Those are based on a myriad of complex geopolitical considerations. Sanctions are more commonly imposed on economically poor countries and on countries with low levels of foreign direct investments (McKoy&Miller, 2012). Be that as it may, nations are compelled to provide some basis for the application of same. In our present context and vis-à-vis our just concluded regional and general

elections, untamed geopolitical bullyism would be laid bare if there is the application of sanctions on the Guyanese people, the government of Guyana or government officials based on recent developments at the Guyana Elections Commission.

It must be noted, the government invited all the observer missions who expressed their desire to be here. These organizations subsequently declared the elections free and fair. There was no coercion of the population, freedom to exercise the franchise was unfettered, the free press was allowed to complete its work, there was no fear or intimidation of political opponents by the state and there were no political imprisonments or political executions before these elections. Above all, there is no evidence of the state apparatus exercising control over an independent electoral commission.

The government of Guyana, based on the conduct of these elections, is in good democratic stead; sanctions

may have stunning revelations. But they would bury all doubts, and would restore credibility to our electoral processes. Its credibility has been tarnished when the PPP boasted that it had won the 2020 elections by leaking fake results, and promoted violence. That unlawful disclosure initially fed the insatiable appetite of certain known vested interests and their surrogates to impugn and discredit our sovereign institutions.

LAYERS OF TRANSPARENCY Then, after bouts of delays and disruptions, GECOM officials implemented several layers of transparency, as it tried to comply with Orders of the Court. It revealed the votes for various contenders from a spreadsheet then, from individual statements of polls that were projected on a big screen for

ought to be made of much more stern stuff.

SANCTIONS MUST HAVE SOME LOGIC OR BASIS Modern sanctions have been driven by the desire to promote democracy and human rights. Where they become applicable, there has to be a general situation of the complete breakdown of democracy and gross violations of human rights.

It is difficult to see this mechanism rearing its head based on the arguing or bickering over how an independent commission executes its work according to law. The post2015 government of Guyana has ushered in unprecedented democracy and human rights have been promoted and protected ferociously by the state apparatus, the institutional challenges notwithstanding.

More than 50% of all sanctions directed toward autocratic regimes recorded in the new global dataset on post-Cold War sanctions explic-

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all party representatives and observers to see. The opposing parties rejected both of those exercises.

When the Region 4 results were declared, for the second time, they validated expectations that the APNU+AFC Coalition had won in Region 4, and has an overall lead by about 7,000 votes. But the race was not over. Now, we have to “hold all bets” and wait on the recount. In the meantime, it is hoped that the political tensions would subside, as our people affirm faith in the Guyana Elections Commission and renew trust in the Caribbean Community.

In the end, the results may be ugly to some. But that would be our baby – the baby that our Constitution delivers.

itly aim to bring about democratization, that is, improvements in civil liberties and political rights (Von Soest&Wahman, 2014). The data points to the promotion of democracy as the key driver of sanctions. It is illogical to apply the same in the Guyana context where democracy flourishes.

OBSERVER MISSIONS’ REPORTS, STATEMENTS

BY HEADS OF MISSIONS AND TWEETS Elections Observers should be welcomed by all democratic nations and governments who proceed from a position of honorable intentions. Observers can spot fraud, offer recommendations to improve the electoral process, enhance the legitimacy or confirm the illegitimacy of a regime and help countries to strengthen their elections procedures, laws and systems.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Understanding Energy

Coronavirus, geopolitics pose challenges for oil producers WHILE the local news cycle is consumed by elections controversy, a global pandemic and a price war between two of the world’s largest oil producers will have strong implications for Guyana’s emerging energy industry.

Nearly everyone already knows that the pandemic Wuhan Coronavirus or COVID-19 is moving rapidly across borders. It has already inflicted sharp short-term pain on stock markets and economic outlooks all around the world.

Nowhere has this been felt more acutely than in oil prices, which had already dropped more than 20 per cent between December and late February based on forecasts that Chinese economic growth, global demand and travel will suffer. Since then, they have plunged as low as $30 per barrel.

Commodity prices are known for volatility —a key reason why companies make investment decisions for expensive new projects so carefully — but this drop is unusually severe due to the impacts of the virus and could be long-lasting.

Last week, yet another development rocked global oil markets that might mean more for Guyana and offshore exploration long term.

Since 2014, a deal between Saudi Arabia and Russia, two of the world’s three largest oil producers, has helped stabilise global oil prices by agreeing to limit production.

That deal collapsed last week after Russia refused to continue output restrictions that had kept prices high and decided to increase production. Saudi Arabia vowed to increase its production in response.

A primary goal of both countries is to hit back at American shale oil producers, who have made the US the world’s largest oil producer in the past few years but who operate on thin profit margins and comparatively high costs.

By creating a sustained lowprice environment, analysts believe Russia and Saudi Arabia hope to drive many of these competitors out of business and hit each other’s bottom lines. News of the deal collapse and this new standoff between oil giants caused the biggest

collapse in oil prices since 1991.

With oil prices already low due to Coronavirus, the new price war drove them from the mid-$60s US per barrel in December into the low $30s before stabilising slightly.

What does this all mean for Guyana? Existing production from the Exxon consortium’s Liza Phase 1 is very unlikely to slow, but in the long run the multi-billion-dollar US investments that Exxon and its partners plan to make for future projects might face cutbacks.

Deepwater offshore oil extraction is one of the most highcost aspects of the industry and tends to suffer heavily in price collapses. But compared to some high-cost deepwater areas, Guyana is not as costly to develop which should help insulate us from some of the downturn’s worst impacts.

But much depends on a variety of costs - production, exploration, development, transportation and marketing costs – as well as market conditions, available technology, above-ground risks such as political instability, regulatory regimes

and other factors. Exxon, the operator in the Stabroek Block where most discoveries have been made, is a global supermajor with expertise in deepwater development and should be able to ride out low prices easier than smaller companies.

It also has a reputation for careful cost-efficient operations and a long-term view of development.

A prolonged slump in prices might hit the smaller independent exploration and production companies in the region. But companies of all kinds will be looking back at their analyses to determine if the economics still work for oil projects all over the world. Some projects might be pushed back or brought forward given that the economics of oil extraction look very different now than they did just a few months ago. If this low-price environment persists, it’s very possible that companies will also scale back exploration.

Even by the lowest price estimates, Guyana will almost certainly take in upwards of US$100M this year, but future revenues will

Sanctions are made of ...

However, constructive or deconstructive criticisms by observer missions do not automatically equate to sanctions being exacted on countries. Reports are submitted to the head of the organization which facilitates the observer mission and coun-

tries are given a chance to defend themselves in the face of allegations made.

In the case of the Organization of the American States (OAS), it comprises three main bodies. Any submissions with consideration for robust action would have to withstand

the rigorous bureaucratic structures of this organization. The author is of the view that the government of Guyana can easily argue its case which would be readily accepted by members of this organization. As mentioned above, all this becomes null and

void when an economically powerful nation sets out to unilaterally sanction a country. Statements by heads of missions reflect the official policy position and sentiments of nations, albeit, at the Embassy level. These statements can indicate the posture of

be highly dependent on prices. This kind of slump is a normal, temporary feature of an industry that fluctuates with global commodity prices. It’s also an excellent example of why it’s important to have attractive fiscal terms for things like taxes, production sharing and royalties to help attract and retain investments as well as sustainable spending and saving policies.

Projects are huge, decades-long investments that need to make sense at a variety of different price points. High taxes or royalties can make sense during high-price environments but can quickly snuff out investment and drive away companies if prices fall enough that the economics of a project no longer make sense.

No matter the eventual outcome of the elections, global events will continue to have a greater impact on Guyana now that we are intricately linked to a global market. That makes it more important than ever that Guyana be prepared.

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the government and can act as a mechanism to deter violations or urge countries to continue on a positive path. However, they do not automatically trigger sanctions; a bureaucratic process would have to follow. Tweets by officials at the highest

level of government are not government policies.

A tweet that says; ‘there will be consequences’ can be designed to instill fear in government officials to do the right thing but they are not guarantees of economic consequences.

Director denies coronavirus case at NA Hospital

Regional Director of Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen

DIRECTOR of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen, has denied that there is a confirmed case of the coronavirus at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that a 70-yearold woman from New York died after almost two months

of being under doctors’ supervision.

Following the elderly woman's death, a post-mortem last Thursday revealed that the cause of death was given as haemorrhagic bronchopneumonia, which is inflammatory consolidation of the lung. Body samples of

the woman have since been submitted for laboratory analysis.

The director revealed that the daughter of the deceased woman lives in Connecticut and New York and has since travelled to Guyana. The daughter has been described as asymptomatic

(a carrier of a disease or infection who experiences no symptoms).

On Wednesday, Guyana recorded its first case of imported coronavirus (COVID- 19). The patient, a 52-year-old woman who died here had travelled from the U.S.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

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THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will be meeting with officials of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to hammer out the modalities for a national recount of the ballots for the country’s administrative regions following the 2020 Regional and General Elections held two Mondays ago.

The commission met on Saturday afternoon to discuss the issue of recounting after several political parties called for a recount of the ballots for the contentious Region Four.

However, some members of the commission were unaware that a CARICOM-brokered decision was made in which President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, agreed for a recount of the ballots for each region. During a court hearing on Saturday morning in which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) sought to block the declaration of results for the elections, the High Court, which was shifted to the Diamond Magistrate’s Court following a fumigation exercise, heard that a statement was released by the Chair of CARICOM on the issue of recounting.

The statement was released by CARICOM’s chair, Mia Mottley, in which she noted that at the urging of President Granger, an agreement was reached between President Granger and Jagdeo for a recount of the ballots for Region Four. The CARICOM Secretariat later confirmed that the ballots for all the regions would be recounted.

On Saturday afternoon, Government-appointed commissioners of GECOM told reporters that they were still in the dark regarding the statement from CARICOM. It was

Sase Gunraj, noted that the statement from CARICOM was made available on Saturday morning while he was in court. He said it was brought to the attention of the court and there was some difficulty in ascertaining its authenticity. Its merit was later confirmed by the Office of the CARICOM Secretary General.

He said at the meeting on Saturday night at GECOM, there was contention about the statement’s intent. Gunraj said what is agreed to is that the commission will meet with the representatives of CARICOM and the delegation which the body identified.

Earlier on Saturday, the PPP/C made an application to the court seeking to block the declaration of the final results of the 2020 elections.

GECOM’s lawyer, Neil Boston, told reporters outside the Diamond Magistrate’s Court that he and his legal team were unaware of the move by the PPP/C to approach the courts. He said no information was served on his legal team as the respondents in the injunction filed. “We were not supposed to be here, we were misled, we thought we were supposed to be here,” he said.

He said PPP/C candidate, Charles Ramson, through an injunction filed by Nandlall, sought to restrain GECOM from making a final declaration based on the summary of results for Region Four. The tabulations for that region were made on Friday night.

Boston said that the court made it clear that “there is no evidence from this, on which an injunction should be granted,” he said. The matter was deferred to Monday.

GECOM, CARICOM to discuss modalities of national recount

GECOM Commissioners Desmond Trotman, Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin spoke with reporters on Croal Street on the court matter filed by the PPP/C on Saturday as well as the statement by CARICOM

argued that the two leaders had no statutory authority over the commission.

Later, on Saturday evening, Commissioner Vincent Alexander told reporters that the proposition for a national recount was brought to GECOM for consideration and he noted that the commission was awaiting further clarification from CARICOM on the matter.

He said the matter becomes a question for the commission to give consideration to a recount

in the context of the controversies which have arisen thus far.

He said initially, when the communication was made by CARICOM, only Region Four seemed under contention. He said the next step would be to clarify and finalsie a decision and make that decision operational. The commission will meet again as soon as the clarification is made by CARICOM. Opposition-appointed commissioner,

Gov’t slams flagrantly biased Stabroek News editorial THE Government of Guyana has flayed what it described as a “flagrantly” biased editorial in Saturday’s edition of the Stabroek News.

The editorial titled ‘Mr. Granger and the elections’, is pointedly misleading and is estranged from the facts and riddled with reckless and outlandish conclusions which have no basis in reality.

FULL STATEMENT BELOW The Honourable Chief Justice ordered thusly in her ruling of Thursday March 11, 2020: “[I]t would be for the Returning Officer and the Deputy Returning Officer to decide whether to restart or continue the process. It is their decision to make.

And I would also repeat here it would be their decision to decide what is the best method for tabulating the Statements of Poll. So, I want to emphasise that everybody else who thinks they can have an input and a say it is not their statutory duty.”

The Chief Justice could not have been more explicit in her ruling. Stabroek News appears to have skirted over this most carefully precise declaration by the Chief Justice. Further, what Stabroek News did not mention in its clearly-biased and malicious editorial was that the revered independence of the Guyana Elections Commission is sacrosanct and rigidly and robustly safeguarded by the Constitution. It is insulated from political influence, instruction and interference. The Constitution at Article 62 charges the Commission with the conduct of elections. It states: “Elections shall be independently supervised by the Elections Commission in accordance with the provisions of Article 162.”

The Constitution at 162 (1) (a) mandates that the commis-

sion: “…shall exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly….”

Unlike Stabroek News’ insinuation, the Commission must be allowed and was allowed by President David Granger and the Executive to function independently. President Granger did not seek to influence, interfere or instruct in any form whatsoever. To do so would have been a breach of the Constitution.

On March 9, in an address to the nation, President Granger was clear when he said: “At all times, I have acted in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. After the elections on March 2, the nation awaited the declaration of the results by the elections commission after completing its work. GECOM is an independent constitutional agency over which I and the Executive have no control. I assure you, that as President, I cannot, did not and will not interfere in the work of GECOM.” The government, since the passage of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on December21, 2018, sought to respect the decision of the court. As was the government’s right and guided by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the validity of the no-c0nfidence motion was challenged. The government defended the challenge to the constitutionality of the appointment of the chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The legal processes which were initiated were neither frivolous nor calculated to delay the consequences of the no-confidence vote. In fact, they sought to explain more clearly and to interpret certain provisions of the Constitution.

The legal challenges were taken to the Supreme Court, then

to the Court of Appeal and, finally, to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final court. The CCJ on June 18, 2019, decoded that the most sensible approach to appointing the chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission was for the leader of the opposition and the President to communicate with each other, in good faith, and to discuss eligible candidates for the position before the formal submission of a list.

The President and the leader of the opposition met on July 4, 2019. On July 26, the President received, from the leader of the opposition, six names not unacceptable to him and on that same day Justice Claudette Singh was chosen from that list. On September 19, 2019, Justice Singh advised President Granger of the elections commission’s preparedness to hold elections by the end of February 2020.

On September 25, 2019, March 2, 2020 (the first Monday in March) was announced as Elections Day in Guyana.

Due process and the rule of law and all constitutional provisions were dutifully adhered to. Where the court ruled, such rulings were scrupulously followed without deviation or delay. Stabroek News’ editorial seeks to enhance the carefully-crafted opposition narrative of foul play, when in fact, none such exists and all indications are that it is they, the opposition, in concert with their foreign agents who have been busy concocting and executing schemes designed to delay the electoral process and derail democracy in Guyana. The Government of Guyana rejects, in total, the biased Stabroek News editorial and calls on all Guyanese to be cognisant of Stabroek News’ obvious agenda of engendering destabilisation, discord and disenchantment.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

TCI presidential candidate decries Mingo’s ‘counting methodology’

THE Citizenship Initiative (TCI) has accused Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, of dereliction of duty during the counting of votes for Region Four on Friday.

TCI, in a release, said glaring discrepancies in the process have rendered the final results an unreliable and inaccurate indicator of the will of the people.

Throughout this process, the small party said Mingo carried out his statutory obligations in contempt of the general judgment and specific declaration of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.

“For those who are not aware of Mr. Mingo’s actions in the wake of a very direct and clear judgment from the CJ, we summarise: 1. Mr. Mingo attempted to use a spreadsheet in contravention of the CJ’s orders to use certified SOPs in the ascertaining of votes.

2. When this was opposed, he then resorted to a clerk reading out from what he purported to be SOPs but which were not visible to any eligible person there, including both observers and candidates.

The numbers he called for polling stations which information (via photographs of SOPs) were in our position did not match our information. He denied both

candidates and observer requests to view the SOPs directly. He was then served legal notice to appear before the Chief Justice in order for him to comply with her orders.

3. When he returned, instead of arranging for video-equipment in the Ashmin’s building to view and project the SOPs that his clerk was reading from, he stopped the process for over two hours and announced that he would be moving the operations to a location with better media facilities. It should be noted that the Ashmin’s facility had a fully-functioning media centre capable of fulfilling the declaration of the CJ. 4. The facility eventually settled upon at GECOM was less suited for the process Mr. Mingo was obligated to carry on than those at Ashmin’s. The source documents scanned and projected appeared to be photocopies of SOPs, the projected images were blurry, the projector some distance away from where observers and candidates sat, and there were no clear signatures on the documents projected.

More importantly, numbers on many of the purported SOPs appeared to be doctored and were again not in concord with the independently-sourced SOPs in our possession,” TCI Presidential Candidate, Rondha-Ann Lam said.”

She said she personally committed to staying throughout the entire process and her story is based on a fist-hand account of what happened at GECOM. “We are a small party, but we are not alone in our perception of how this process unfolded. Every single international observer mission, bar none has commented upon and condemned GECOM’s conduct over the past week.

“We urge Guyanese to consider the future of this country if this fundamental process by which we select our leadership is allowed to remain as flawed as it currently is,” the TCI presidential candidate said.

The Citizenship Initiative believes that the process, on Friday, was so flawed and tainted that the last logical next step to restore any credibility to these elections is that a recount has to be undertaken and in full public scrutiny, beginning from the unsealing of the ballot boxes to the final, credible declaration of the results.

The party also related that in keeping with the Representation of the People Act, it submitted a request for a recount before the statutory deadline of noon on Saturday.

“We are asking that chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, ensure that a recount, as she has committed to,

TCI Presidential Candidate, Rondha-Ann Lam take place as the process yesterday (Friday) was so egregiously flawed that the result cannot be taken to be in itself an accurate representation of the will of the people,” Rondha-Ann Lam contended.

GPA condemns attacks on media workers THE Guyana Press Association (GPA) on Saturday condemned the “threats, verbal assault and attempts of physical attacks of our media workers” over the past weeks as they covered the disputed March 2 regional and general elections.

In a statement, GPA said that the attacks were more severe particularly over the last two days as media workers gathered at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) tabulation centre and its Secretariat for the tabulation of the statements of poll (SOP) in Region 4.

“We hold the leaders of the major political parties, Police Commissioner and members of the Guyana Elections Commission responsible for any harm brought to media professionals as they conduct their duties. “The political

leaders through speech and silence continue to bait and incite supporters to act against opposing groups and the media. During several opposition protest actions last week media workers were followed, taunted and insulted while doing their jobs as some political leaders even attempted to direct journalists on how to write their stories,” the GPA sad.

It said during this week, “media workers were verbally assaulted outside the tabulation centre. “This assault rose to an alarming level on Friday afternoon into the night when party supporters gathered outside of the GECOM Secretariat and prevented the press from accessing interviews and GECOM in full view and presence of Police Officers and party representatives.

“Media workers were verbally

abused based on the media outlet they represented and their ethnicity, as members of the crowd attempted to even check packages that included their equipment and food in their possession and prevented them from accessing their colleagues to obtain their dinner or to rotate.” The GPA said that when the results of the Region 4 area was disclosed by GECOM late on Friday night, “there was an outright blockade of the media by the crowd in full view of Police and party representatives of the Coalition as one media worker reported that she was nearly physically assaulted.

“From the start of results tabulation, GECOM and the Guyana Police Force have played dodge ball with the safety and security of media workers and requests for a secured spot outside

of the tabulation centre have been met with refusal based on which agency has responsibility for security on the ground. “As such, media workers were prevented from conducting interviews of persons leaving the centre about the situation which arose last night.Based on what we have seen, the safety of media workers continues to be treated with a lack of interest by all those concerned with elections,” the GPA added.

GECOM announced Friday night that the ruling coalition, A Partnership for National Unity plus the Alliance for Change (APNU=AFC) had polled 136, 057 and 130. 289 in the general and regional elections respectively as against 77,231 and 74, 877 respectively for the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Rupununi Rodeo cancelled

THE 2020 edition of the Rupununi Rodeo, which was planned for April 1112, has been cancelled as a result of rising concerns on the public health threat of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

According to the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA), the decision was taken following consultations with regional stakeholders “who share the same concerns of the health and safety of the people of the Rupununi and all our visitors who are at the heart of our decision.”

While apologising to fans, the organisers urged the public to follow the protocols of health experts and the authorities. “We encourage you to stay safe and wash your hands as often as possible.”

Thus far, one case of the coronavirus has been detected here in Guyana and the authorities have increased screening at various ports of entry across the country.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency

Action in the 2019 edition of the rodeo

(CARPHA), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such

as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

The coronavirus out-

break originated in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to many other countries, including some in the Americas. Common

signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, coughs, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe

cases, infection can cause

The delivery, she said, was free from complication; however the girls were all birthed by their feet, having one placenta with three membranes.

The triplets’ mother, who was an only child and also an orphan, related that the expected multiple birth was revealed a few weeks before

delivery, following a computed tomography scanning [ CT or CAT scanning] at a private institution.

She said that with the exception of her grandmother who had delivered twins and who had mothered her, no one else amongst her relatives has had such an experience.

pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Canje Triplets turn 12 TWELVE years ago, they created history by being the first triplets to have been born at the New Amsterdam hospital.

Today, they have grown into girls who have different personalities with varied intended career pathways.

Ahmini, Ashwini, and Ashwani, who are fondly referred to as Joanna, Jennifer, and Jessica, respectively, are currently attending the Canje Secondary School, in East Canje. They are in Form One. Joanna likes Integrated Science, Grammar and Social Studies, and envisions becoming a teacher, while Jessica who is only interested in Grammar, and loves to play hide and seek, desires to be a banker. Jennifer loves Mathematics and would like to be an entrepreneur when she grows up.

Over the years, several persons had chipped in to assist the girls, materially, but the supporters have

dwindled, except for a Mr Persaud, and the owner of Church View Hotel. As the girls grew older, their demands increased, more so as they are in their secondary school years.

And while an application was made for Government assistance, it is yet to be fulfilled.

On March 14, 2008, the three girls, each weighing two kilograms, were delivered shortly after 02:00hrs, five minutes after each other,

by Midwife Trovis Jonas.

Their parents are Hameeda Bacchus, and Mohandranauth Punsammy, a cane harvester, of Lot 1186 Galaxy Street, Canefield Settlement, Easy Canje, in the Ancient County.

On the occasion of their birth, the elated obstetric nurse had told the Guyana Chronicle that it was her first delivery of multiple births and that she was honoured to have ushered the young females into the world.

The triplets on their 12th birth anniversary

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Book reviews:

The President and Indigenous peoples’ development

A REVIEW of four books by David Granger ? Guyana’s Indigenous people: identity, inclusivity and prosperity; Human development and hinterland advancement; Indigenous heritage is a national treasure; and, Vibrant villages…viable ventures.

David Granger is a man on a mission. He believes strongly in equality and has set himself the ambitious task of narrowing inequalities between his country’s hinterland and coastland.

The Rupununi, correctly called the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region, is Guyana’s largest region. It encompasses an area which is larger than Costa Rica. The Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro-Siparuni, also, are large regions which are populated primarily by indigenous peoples. There are significant, widely-scattered communities in the Pomeroon-Supenaam, Demerara-Mahaica; Mahaica-Berbice, East Berbice-Corentyne and Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Regions. Guyana’s nine recognised indigenous groups – Akawaio, Arawak, Arecuna, Carib, Makushi, Patamona, Wai-Wai, Wapishana and Warrau – live in the hinterland, for the most part.

David Granger travelled by air, all-terrain vehicle, river-boat and on foot through these vast regions, visiting dozens of indigenous villages during all three of his presidential campaigns for the General and Regional Elections in 2011, 2015 and 2020 and during his tenure as President from 2015.

He assembled a six-party Coalition - comprising A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) – but did not win some of the communities in those elections. Campaigning there, however, allowed him to experience, first-hand, the situation of the indigenous peoples. That experience confirmed the President’s long-held assessment of the inequalities between coastland and the hinterland communities and the need for him to solve the problems of development.

What David Granger saw and felt during that campaign, drove him to place indigenous development as one of his Administration’s foremost priorities. He has never deviated or wavered from this mission.

‘Guyana’s indigenous people: Identity, inclusivity and prosperity’ constitutes the text of his maiden address to the National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC) on the 28th August 2015. It lays out the President’s five-year, 10-point Plan of Action for Hinterland Development aimed at “eradicating extreme poverty, reducing youth unemployment and increasing prosperity”.

It was not surprising the indigenous leaders adopted the inspiring plan for hinterland and indigenous peoples’ development immediately.

Plans, however, are only as efficacious to the extent that they are implemented. Progress, in the Plan’s implementation proved slothful. The President was not discouraged. One year later, he proposed the establishment of a National Indigenous Peoples’ Authority (NIPA) to ensure implementation of the decisions emerging from the annual conferences of the country’s indigenous leaders.

This proposal did not gain traction but this did not diminish the President’s commitment

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

to indigenous peoples’ development. Two years after his NIPA proposal, the President sought to highlight provisions of the Amerindian Act which empower indigenous peoples’ development.

Addressing the annual National Toshaos’ Conference 2018, the President reminded indigenous leaders that the ‘Act’ mandates them to prepare strategies

and plans for reducing poverty, improving access to health and education and the sustainable management of natural resources.”

The President saw the Act as an instrument of empowerment, particularly when it comes to their villages. He reminded them that he had called for village improvement plans. The text of the President’s address forms the content of the second book: ‘Vibrant villages… viable ventures’.

The President addressed the National Toshaos’ Conference again one year later in 2019. His address constitutes the text of the third book, ‘Human development and hinterland advancement’.

The President used this occasion to present an impressive report card of his Administration’s efforts at promoting hinterland development. He noted the improvements which were made in education, health, job-creation and social protection. He explained what hinterland

residents could look forward to during the Decade of Development 2020-2029 and situated these forward-looking plans within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The President was keen to point out that, despite the Administration’s achievements, serious social challenges remained to be overcome. He left little doubt about his Administration’s commitment to working with indigenous leaders to achieve this objective.

‘Indigenous heritage is a national treasure’ reproduces the texts of addresses the President gave at Indigenous Heritage Day observances at Pakuri Village and at St. Cuthbert’s Mission Heritage Village in September 2016 and September 2017, respectively. The village was presented as the epicentre of cultural development in this book. The President returned to the theme of inequality in the first address at St. Cuthbert’s Village. He argued that education was the surest way to reduce inequality. The address highlighted how his Administration had improved hinterland education access, expanded public services and ensured greater protection for indigenous peoples.

At Pakuri Village, he described the village as the custodian of the customs of the people. He argues for greater

engagement of villages in education, job-creation, environmental protection and the strengthening of the economy. There was a profound message which was being transmitted and indicated that the celebration of ‘Indigenous Heritage Month’ would become more meaningful were there to be tangible gains in human development within these villages.

David Granger has stayed the course. He has remained true to his word to improve indigenous and hinterland development. This four-book collection is a chronicle of President Granger’s efforts to improve hinterland development and to foster indigenous human development. It is a portrait of persistence.

His is a hard act to follow.

No other President has placed as much emphasis on this area of national development.

Unlike so many of his predecessors who have viewed the indigenous communities as potential political constituencies, David Granger sees these communities as being potential economic powerhouses capable of providing adequately for their residents.

The four-book collection is a mini-dossier of an enlightened statesman who appreciates that attending to the poorest and most deprived sections of the population is both a governmental obligation and an economic necessity for authentic human development. The special value of this collection is the practical solutions it provides as to how Indigenous peoples can advance their own development and how the state can best support these efforts.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Beepats denies price gouging claims …says no change to prices on Lysol products even as other retailers increased prices

LOCAL authorised distributors for the Lysol brand cleansing and sanitizing products, Beepats, on Friday, issued a statement notifying that there had been no change in the prices of the products being sold by the company.

The statement signed by the company’s CEO, Kristofer Beepat, came following several reports of price inflation on certain items, especially Lysol products, in light of the increase in their demand due to a confirmation of the first reported case of the coronavirus/COVID 19 in Guyana, on Wednesday.

“Loyal customers who come into our stores on a regular basis will notice no change in our pricing. We have been supplying all our regular and valued wholesale customers with the requested quantities at the same prices that the products have always been,” the statement informed.

They did however say that the store will be instituting a limitation on the amount of Lysol products allowed per customer to ensure equity. “At our retail outlet in Regent Street we have decided to limit sales to two per person, so that as many people as possible may be able to purchase same,” the statement said.

Beepat said the company is working towards restocking the product as soon as is possible. However, he noted that with similar increased demand situation in other countries, the company has been restricted on the amount it will be able to purchase.

“We are expecting more shipments. However, at this point in time, the parent company is unable to supply us with any extra beyond our normal buying patterns because of the world pandemic. Stay strong and well Guyana as we go through this together,” he said.

In light of the advisory of sanitation and good hygiene being important in the prevention of the corona virus, since word broke of the first local case, there has been a rush at local pharmacies by consumers for various preventative medication and disinfectants since Wednesday evening. Products include hand sanitizers, Lysol, Clorox and other disinfectants, face masks as well as medications.

On social media, persons have been reporting Lysol

cleaners, which regularly retail for approximately $1200, being sold for as much as $5000 at some stores.

Guyana Chronicle was not able to independently confirm such occurrence; however, one person confirmed a Lysol 32-ounce spray being sold at one pharmacy on Middle Street for $4000.

On Thursday, a similar spray was purchased at Mattai’s Supermarket for $1175.

Nalini McKoy shared that she did not purchase any products herself but found the price of $4000 for the Lysol spray at a pharmacy on Middle Street to be suspicious when she visited.

“It’s very ridiculous for some of the stores to be increasing their prices of items that can save a life. What would happen to the smaller man if he doesn’t have the funds to purchase at the increased rate,” McKoy said.

Another person posted a picture of hand sanitisers priced at $2500, which are being sold at a store on Regent Street. Some persons claim they have bought the same hand sanitizer elsewhere for $200.

One consumer reported paying $1,000 for a clip on one-ounce hand sanitizer on Thursday.

A consumer on the West Coast Demerara reported being in a store and witnessing a proprietor changing the price for a Lysol 12-ounce spray from $1580 to $2140.

They say the price for a rubbing alcohol was also increased. The Competitions and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), on Thursday, issued a statement noting it had “credible information” on occurrences of price gouging.

“CCAC has received credible information of price gouging on items which have been recommended for use to assist in the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus/COVID 19,” the CCAC statement said. The body added that: “While the commission has no legal standing to regulate market prices, we wish to use moral suasion in our appeal to suppliers to revert to the common prices for the items they are now gouging on. It is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency, in this case, that of a possible public health crisis.

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A hand sanitizer someone claimed is being sold in Georgetown for $2,500; the person reported having bought the same hand sanitiser for $200 elsewhere (Photo credit: Facebook)

Someone displays a hand sanitiser bought for $1000

The products that Micaela Adrian bought for $6,300

From left: The Lysol spray bought at Mattai’s Supermarket for $1,175; the Lysol spray bought at a Middle Street pharmacy for $3,500; and the Lysol wipes bought at the same pharmacy for $2,000

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

Popular Rosignol businessman shot dead by armed bandits POPULAR West Berbice businessman, Tony Bisnath aka ‘Uncle Tony’ of Lot 23 Stelling Road, Rosignol was shot dead by one of three armed men while celebrating his 78th birthday outside his home around 23:15 hours on Friday night.

Eyewitnesses said that the motive appeared to be robbery. Eyewitness reports stated that the three men wore masks and were all armed with handguns. The businessman was seated outside his snackette at Stelling Road when the three approached the celebrants at the party on foot, pointed guns at them and told them not to move. One of them immediately shot the business man in the head.

Another opened fire on Bobby Brijlall, a neighbor who moved aside seconds before he pulled the trigger and miraculously escaped with a slight graze from the

bullet on his right side abdomen. While the celebrants at the party remained frozen in terror, the third masked man opened fire on 23-year-old Mahendra Nagamootoo, hit-

ting him three times – once on the arm and once on his side and once in his lower back when he attempted to flee the scene.

The men then demand-

The scene of the shooting (Inset) is Tony Bisnath

Injured: Bobby Brijlall

ed cash and jewellery and one of them ran through the pockets of the fallen businessman and removed cash and a cell phone. They then robbed other persons at the party of cash and cell phones. They then made good their escape by running into a street parallel to Stelling Road. One of them picked up a bicycle he had apparently placed on the roadway and they all ran away in the direction of the Sawmill Street in Rosignol.

Bisnauth’s companion of thirteen years, Ms. Sunita Khanhai, also known as ‘Sandra’, said that she was sitting next to him when he was shot. She said he slumped to the ground and remained still. She said after

the bandits left she frantically tried to revive him but to no avail. He was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Bisnauth, all his neighbors said, was a quiet, mild-mannered man who loved to play dominoes.

He was a re-migrant who returned home after living and working in England for a number of years, and he owned the snackette outside of which himself, friends and neighbours were seated when they were attacked by the three masked men. Nagamootoo, who is nursing three bullet wounds to his body, is currently a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital. His condition was said to be stable.

Meanwhile, some residents in Rosignol said that there had been a spate of robberies in the area carried out mainly by armed youths who appeared to be residents in the village.

“It looks like a gang of them,” one villager said.

The residents called on the police to investigate and dismantle the gang before they rob and harm other victims. Bisnauth’s wife said that he didn’t deserve to die like that. “He was a simple man who lived good with all the people around him. All I want is justice,” she said. Police investigations are ongoing.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

When guests overstay their welcome

By Melina Harris “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players”- William Shakespeare, As You Like It. Our recent elections drama has illuminated some concerning aspects of Guyana’s place on the world stage. As a young democracy and former colonial nation, the heavy involvement of the international community in our internal affairs as a sovereign nation is worrisome.

Even more so when one considers the shared common history existing between Guyana and the former colonialists; namely, the ABCE nations. The recent regional and general elections presented an invitation to those nations to send Observer Groups to observe Guyana’s elections processes and thereafter prepare reports based on recommendations aimed at strengthening and improving our democracy.

The would-be promulgators and protectors of democracy, the ABCE nations, are often deeply involved in the politics of developing nations and democracies so it has almost become customary for their presence within

our political landscape to be expected. These powerful nations have social, political and economic interests in Guyana and more importantly, her resources. Our vast oil reserves buried offshore, signalled the attention of the oligarchs, mercenaries and enforcers of the international community, along with the merry band of ABCE nations and many of their acquired comrades. As such, Guyana hosted the largest contingent of international Observer Groups in what has been one of the most controversial elections we have endured.

The elections process was sadly highjacked by the opposition and their cronies who have, at every step of the process, sought to obfuscate, obstruct and derail orderly conduct and established processes. The criminal invasion of GECOM, the alleged attempts to tamper with GECOM records, the dissemination of false statements of poll, the incitement of civil unrest and overall wanton disregard for the rule of law. These are not minor infractions, so it boggles my mind, that these incidents escaped the ever-watchful eyes of the international observer groups, who have been all

Beepats denies price...

too quick to comment on elections matters as they developed.

What has transpired has not gone unnoticed by Guyanese who are concerned that the international community, through their observer groups, have over stepped their mark and wholly outstayed their welcome. This past week, the narrative has been taken over by these groups and the international community through their willingness to issues strongly worded, threatening, statements against Guyana under the pretense of upholding the rule of law and democracy for Guyanese people. Guyanese should not be intimidated when all of us are more than aware of the underlying conflicts which have affected these elections.

Furthermore, the stony silence on the part of the international observer groups in relation to the actions of the opposition is extremely telling. Why has there been no statement condemning the actions of the opposition and their supporters? Why have these groups only focused on fuelling the opposition-led narrative of electoral fraud?

We are only left to conclude that certain observer groups

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We appeal to suppliers to put your countrymen over excessive profit.”

School teacher, Micaela Adrian, believes the overpricing of the products will only contribute to consumers gravitating towards “panic buying”. “Instead of them trying to help us they are violating us. They are robbing us. So it is a sad situation. It is a scary one. They are not helping the situation, they are exploiting, and it’s too much for us. Some of the stores are closing their doors and just selling you from the fence.

They are causing this panic attack to worsen,” Adrian suggested.

Adrian feels slighted after dolling out $6300 for some two Lysol products and five Emergen-C vitamins at the same pharmacy on Middle Street. “I asked if they had any Lysol. He went looking under the counter and took out Lysol wipes and the 12- ouncs Lysol spray. He said $3,500 for the Lysol spray and $2,000 for the wipes. I said ok, I’m going to take it because I need it. When I got to the counter they were selling the Emergen-C that are usually sold for $100. He sold me five for $800. I collected everything and left,” Adrian related.

Adrian said she bought the products because she felt she needed them, being a teacher interacting with multiple children on a daily basis. Also issuing a statement on the situation was the Private Sector Commission, which said it does not condone the sudden price inflation. “The PSC has noted unverified claims reported in the media of businesses inflating the prices of necessities needed to combat the coronavirus disease. The PSC does not condone any attempt to profit from the crisis threatening our country from the coronavirus and condemns all attempts at doing so,” the PSC said.

are no more impartial than the political parties they secretly support.

For instance, the Organisation of American States Observer Group led by former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, has issued a number of strongly-worded statements and then finally decided to walk out of the long-awaited Region Four verification process. After the OAS Observer Group walked out of the verification process on Friday, they went on to issue a statement. The statement noted that, “The process employed by the Returning Officer for Region Four is not transparent and, based on the numbers that have emanated since the process was first disrupted, is unlikely to produce a result that is credible and is able to command public confidence.” They continued that “To date, neither the Chief Elections Officer nor APNU has challenged the authenticity of the statements of poll published by the PPP/Civic by producing the copies in their possession.

The implications are deeply troubling and make it all the more necessary for the Returning Officer to display the statements of poll on which he is relying.” It might be

redundant but why should APNU or GECOM have to challenge publicly, the statements of poll published by the opposition? Neither APNU nor PPP/C are responsible for disseminating SOPs, that’s GECOM’s remit. Additionally, several smaller parties also contesting the elections noted that the SOPs they received from the PPP/C are different from the originals displayed at the polling stations. And finally, here is the kicker; “The legitimacy of any government that is installed in these circumstances will be open to question. This would be a terrible blow to the country’s democracy.

The people of Guyana do not deserve this.” Indeed, the people of Guyana do not deserve this.

The actions and statements of the Carter Center have also not gone unnoticed.

Again, Guyanese know and understand exactly what is going on here. Deep pockets are very far reaching and the merry band of saviors beating down upon our shores proves that much.

In the meantime, our very own Private Sector Commission, has been brandishing the names of the ‘powers of the world’ is a poorly

made attempt to create a narrative of mounting international pressure against Guyana due to the handing of these elections. Like some misinformed Guyanese who believe that the world’s powers really, truly want the best for Guyana and Guyanese, the Private Sector Commission might do well to invest its strengths into matters in house. Many businesses remain closed although tensions have been de-escalated for days now. Stop the fear mongering and open back up the economy.

Finally, whilst we must recognise that there is room for improvement, Guyanese do not need their hands to be held whilst we make our improvements. The privilege of being invited to observe our intimate constitutional processes is indeed a privilege and not a right.

The former colonisers and would-be neo-colonialists must be remined that they are guests in our house.

Otherwise, like the OAS Observer Group, their outbound flights await them at CJIA.

Public Servants to work shift system amid COVID-19 concerns – to take effect from March 14-27, 2020 In a move to protect the health and wellbeing of public servants in light of global concerns over the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Public Service has instituted a shift system.

The following is a circular addressed to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Regional Executive Officers on Saturday: On the directive of His Excellency, President David Granger, to coordinate the Public Service response to COVID-19; the Department of Public Service has approved the following Staff Rotation measures to prevent clustering at the workplaces during the period March 16 - 27, 2020.

1. Managerial staff/Heads of

Units are expected to be present at work every day. All other staff are to be placed on rotation via a roster system and are expected to be at work on alternate days, to maintain an operational Public Service. On those days when staff are not in office, they are expected to be 'On Call ' and be prepared to work at short notice, should the need arise.

2. Staff with flu-like symptoms should be reminded to call the emergency hotline and NOT go to the hospitals.

Please note that Public Service RuleH45 which requires the officer to produce a medical certificate after being sick for three (3) consecutive days is still in effect. Further, Public Servants who are absent due to a manda-

tory COVID-19 quarantine for 14 days must be cleared by a Medical Practitioner prior to assuming duty.

3. To contain the spread or COVID-19, every Ministry/Department/Region has a responsibility to sanitize the work environment intermittently during working hours to protect all stakeholders. Please follow all guidelines set out by the Ministry of Public Health regarding containing the spread ofCOVID-19.

The Department of Public Service would be grateful for the cooperation of all Ministries /Departments/Regions as we strive to manage this pandemic.

Guyana presently has 4 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Persons are advised to contact hotline numbers 227-4986 or 624-3067 if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms may include respiratory ailments, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

25 years of struggle for gender equality Feature by Inter-American Development Bank

the challenge continues and each era brings its own challenges.

“IN my life there is a before and after Beijing,” says Solana Quesada, director of the Gender Equality Advisory Office of the Municipal Government of Montevideo, Uruguay, recalling her participation in the Fourth World Conference of Women. A milestone that allowed the creation of the first platform of action to achieve gender equality, still in force 25 years later.

About 30,000 women from 185 countries participated in the discussions in Beijing. Among them were Solana and Lydia Alpizar, current Co-Executive Director of the Mesoamerican Initiative for Human Rights Defenders. The two were part of a delegation of 24 young Latin American and Caribbean women taken to the Conference by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to ensure the representation of the new generation of women in the region who were working to achieve gender equality.

“It was a very important space to understand the reality of women in different parts of the world. It allowed us to reach a global agreement that served as a framework for public policies,” explains Lydia.

Gabriela Vega was in charge of the delegation, backed by years of experience in the Gender and Diversity division of the IDB. For her, the participation of young women was the best way to ensure a sustainable and lasting progress, bringing a new generation to the fore on gender issues. With 25 years of perspective, Lydia measures how far the change has come: “Today, young women are a benchmark of struggle, creativity and innovation. They demonstrate in myriad ways the power of their participation and the urgency of their demands.”

Beijing left goals to be reached and future leaders. But the magnitude of

EDUCATION FOR ALL In the 1990s, guaranteeing universal access to education was a priority.

Today, enrollment and basic education assistance rates are similar for boys and girls. Over time, however, the gaps start to increase, as access to the same opportunities becomes growingly disparate.

In addition, new challenges have emerged, such as the gender gap in mathematics, which grows year by year during the student’s life. This is the main reason for the low presence of women pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which are better paid in the labor market.

To reverse the situation, the IDB conducts research to understand how to promote and maintain the interest of girls in mathematics, and collaborates with the Sesame Workshop program on The Great Explorers campaign, which seeks to stimulate the sense of Girls’ belonging in math and science.

FROM ACCESS TO LABOR PARTICIPATION Women’s access to the labor market has been and continues to be another fundamental issue, long made difficult because, in some countries, employment had to be authorized by the man in charge of the house, in addition to an incipient struggle for wage equity.

Today, the wage gap persists and, although female labor participation has increased in the region, it is still 25 percentage points below that of men. The IDB promotes Gender Parity Initiatives that focus on increasing women’s labor participation, reducing the gender pay gap and strengthening women’s leadership, both in the public and private sectors. By

giving visibility to these issues, the Initiatives also allow other policies that may promote female labor participation, such as parental leave or child care services, to be added to the public debate. These types of initiatives have already been implemented in countries such as Chile, Argentina, Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

And although there are still many challenges, “the labor market is one of the areas where significant progress has been made at a quantitative and qualitative level,” says Lydia. Continuing to close the gap implies preparing women for new challenges, such as the future of work.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: A GROWING THREAT Another issue on the Beijing agenda was violence against women and the goal of reducing it considerably.

“In the 90’s we felt it was a time of great hope and opportunities, where many things were possible. We never imagined that so many women would be killed everyday or that we were still going to have to be fighting these struggles today,” says Lydia, who with more than 20 years of work on gender issues dedicates her days to protecting at-risk activists in Latin America.

More than two decades later, the statistics on violence continue to rise. In Latin America and the Caribbean, one in three women, of all socioeconomic levels, has been a victim of violence, impacting on their psychological, sexual and reproductive health at all stages of their lives.

One of the bets that the IDB has made to support survivors and give them tools are the Integrated Services for Women’s Empowerment Program (SIEM for its initials in Spanish) projects. This model integrates different public services in a physical space to address sexual and

reproductive health, economic empowerment, prevention and attention to violence against women, and education about their rights. In addition to this, the challenge of re-educating those who have grown up in domestic violence is still present, to prevent it from continuing to replicate.

“It is necessary to deactivate what to some children may seem normal behavior. Gender equality education is essential for this,” Gabriela explains.

FIGHTING INEQUALITY AT EVERY STAGE Many gaps persist, while others begin to gain relevance. For example, a universal non-contributory pension, which ensures the solvency of women who have assumed unpaid domestic work, is an issue that was not yet a part of the debate 25 years ago.

“Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a requirement to accelerate the social welfare and economic development of the region. Achieving the full participation of women in the different political, social and labor spheres must be a priority in the public policy agenda and a responsibility of the men and women of the region,” explains Caridad Araujo, head of the Division of Gender and Diversity at the IDB. Thus, the growth of female labor income in the region, between 2000 and 2010, represented 28% of the reduction of inequality and 30% of the reduction of extreme poverty, according to World Bank studies. Achieving gender equality and the commitments made in Beijing will depend on coordinated efforts of governments, the private sector, civil society and the men and women of the region.

“There is nothing that women have won that is not the result of our struggle. I would expect that in 25 more years we can continue to strengthen the organizational processes to guarantee equality,”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 15, 2020

'I gave the CJ my word; a recount would be done' – Justice Singh In the interest of transparency and accountability, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, on Saturday, recommitted to having recounts done for the March 2 General and Regional Elections, in light of concerns by the opposition over the results of the Region 4 votes at the March 2 elections.

Returning Officer for the region, Clairmont Mingo, declared the results Friday night. “My commitment has now been bolstered, by a request made by His Excellency President David Granger, and to which the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo has approved, to have the Chairperson of CARICOM field an independent high-level team to supervise the recount of the ballots for Districts One to District Ten,” Justice Singh told Guyana Chronicle.

She said the agreement brokered by the Chairperson of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, is most welcomed. “I welcome this initiative and would assure everyone, that GECOM would cooperate fully with the process,” Justice

Singh said.

The proposal to have an independent high-level team to supervise the re-counting of the ballots in the 10 Electoral Districts was made and agreed upon days after the CARICOM Chair led a high-level team to Guyana to meet with all parties involved and other key stakeholders.

Even as the proposal was made public, the GECOM Chair, legal representatives for the Elections Commission and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) were meeting with the Chief Justice, Roxane George-Wiltshire, in chambers, at the Diamond-Grove Magistrates’ Court. During that in-chamber meeting, Justice Singh again gave her commitment to facilitate a recount of the ballots for Region 4, as she would have done on Friday, March 13, during the contempt-of-court hearing.

But less than an hour before Justice Singh spoke with the Guyana Chronicle, GECOM's Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, issued a statement indicating that applications for recount in Districts Two, Three and Four were denied, while approvals were granted for Districts Five and Six,

GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

and while the recount process for District Five had commenced, the process in District Six had been suspended. Notably, Justice Singh said it was in keeping with that commitment that she summoned a meeting of the full Commission on Saturday. Notably, the Returning Officer for District 4, Clairmont Mingo received a total of eight (8) requests for general recount from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic and Seven smaller parties but the requests were denied.

Justice Singh said that, notwithstanding the positions taken

by the Returning Officers, the issues surrounding the General and Regional Elections have evolved and there were not issues to be dealt with by Commission. “I have given the court my commitment,” she iterated while noting that the Commission, in the interest of transparency, must act.

After a week of legal battles which resulted in the initial declaration by Mingo being invalidated, the votes for District Four for the General and Regional Elections were declared by the Returning Officer Friday night, but the PPP/C, for a second time, alleged that the electoral process was flawed. According to the declaration, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) secured the highest number of votes in both the General and Regional Elections followed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

In the General Elections, APNU+AFC secured 136, 057 votes in District 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), while the PPP/C raked in 77, 231 votes. A New United Guyana (ANUG) secured the third largest number of votes with 1,387 votes, followed by Change Guyana with

919 votes; Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) with 761 votes and The Citizenship Initiative, 463 votes.

The People’s Republic Party got 389 votes and The New Movement (TNM) 128 votes while the United Republican Party only managed to rake in 90 votes.

Meanwhile, in the Regional Elections, the APNU+AFC secured 130, 289 votes while the PPP/C raked in 74, 877 votes.

Change Guyana received 914 votes while 752 votes were cast in favor of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP); 401 in favor of the People’s Republic Party; 125 in favor of the Victory of the People Party and 98 votes in favor of the United Republican Party. While there were requests for recounts in the other districts, the process has been relatively smooth, and the votes declared for Districts One through 10 with the exception of District Four, are widely accepted.

Charity Hospital gets mortuary

Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikarran along with his team during an inspection of the freezer

RESIDENTS in the Charity catchment communities which include the Pomeroon River and the Moruca sub district, Region Two, will now have full access to

mortuary services within their reach.

On Friday, Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran, along with the Administration’s Regional En-

gineering team test-run a six door mortuary freezer at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity.

During the test run,

Jaikarran said residents living in the Pomeroon were in need of the service, and as such, the regional administration immediately acted on their

The six-door mortuary freezer

residents’ request. The mortuary will be fully functional as of Monday, March 16.

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Afarah Khan said the

mortuary would be an asset for the health services in Charity. Previously, families had to travel to access similar service at Suddie which was expensive.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

Japan still preparing for Olympics, prime minister says, as virus concerns rise

By Daniel Leussink, Chang-Ran Kim TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) - Japan is still preparing to host the Olympics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday, despite rising global concern about the viability of the summer Games due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Abe and his government have been adamant the Olympics will go ahead, even as other global sporting events have been put on hold. Speculation about a delay from the July start date has grown since U.S. President Donald Trump said organisers should consider a one-year postponement.

Abe and Trump held a call after those comments, prompting the U.S. president to say on Twitter that the Olympic venue was magnificent. But this may not be enough to assuage sponsors of the Games, who are increasingly nervous about the impact of the outbreak on the competition.

The Olympic Torch relay, in which the Olympic flame typically starts a tour around the host nation, is due to start in the Japanese prefecture of Fukushima in less than two weeks. The tour of the torch through Greece has already been cut short.

“We will overcome the spread of the

plosion in cases as seen in South Korea, China, Italy, Iran and elsewhere. He said delaying the peak of infections was vital to ensure treatment of those in critical condition.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe infection and host the Olympics without problem, as planned,” Abe told a news conference in Tokyo, adding that delaying or cancelling the Olympics was “not a subject at all” in his call with Trump.

He said Japan working closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which will have the final decision whether the Games will go ahead, and the U.N. World Health Organisation - suggesting he accepted that Tokyo would not ultimately decide on the event.

He said Japan had a relatively low infection rate and had not seen an ex-

TORCH RELAY Abe said Japan did not need to declare a national emergency, although parliament on Friday approved a bill to give him emergency powers and allow him to close schools, halt large gatherings and requisition medical supplies.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike promised thorough measures against the coronavirus outbreak and said preparations for a “safe and secure” Games were progressing, TV Asahi reported.

Greece’s Olympic Committee cancelled on Friday the remainder of the Olympic Torch Relay through Greece to avoid attracting crowds, while the relay through Japan is scheduled to start on March 26.

Japan had 21 new coronavirus cases as of last evening, bringing the total to 1 443, public broadcaster NHK reported, while it has killed 28 people in Japan.

The total infections included 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 returnees on chartered flights from China, according to NHK. Japan’s fatalities included those from the ship.

Roach fires Barbados Pride to crushing 236-run win over Jaguars … bags match-haul of 9 for 60 to keep Pride atop table

By Clifton Ross BARBADOS Pride speedster Kemar Roach wreaked havoc with the pink ball as his match-haul of 9 for 60 condemned defending Regional 4-Day champions Guyana Jaguars to a massive 236-run defeat on the third day of Regional championship action at the Providence Stadium.

It was almost a mirror of the first innings from ball one as the pacers thrived on the Providence surface, with the Jaguars being steamrolled for another meagre 94 in their second innings following their second lowest total of 55 in their first innings on Friday.

Needing 330 runs for a victory with two days remaining, Guyana Jaguars were knocked over for a second-innings total of 94 all out inside the first ses-

sion of Day 3.

Roach, the West Indies speedster was again the tormentor yesterday with 4 for 40 from 9 overs to follow his first-innings haul of 5-20, for a match haul of 9 for 60.

The relentless Pride bowlers rallied around the momentum set by Roach, as medium-pacer Jonathan Carter (3-13) along with some lethal spells from their leading wicket-taker this season, Chemar Holder, who grabbed 2 for 29 and Jason Holder 1 for 10 It was an utterly, dismal showing from the Jaguars, who were led by West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, playing a brave hand by smashing six fours and a maximum in his top knock of 36 off 21 balls.

Apart from Paul, only Anthony Bramble who resisted with 22 and added a 51-run, 7th wicket stand with Paul,

managed to look remotely sound; hitting three fours in his 38-ball knock.

Barbados Pride, with their commanding win yes-

terday over the Guyana Jaguars inclusive of their fast-bowling points, maintain their number one spot with just two rounds left.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday March 15, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 28 teams (2) 73 teams

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which two teams are scheduled to contest the opening game of IPL 2020?

(2) When and where is the IPL 2020 final slated to be played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

West Indies stumble to second consecutive defeat

CAPETOWN, South Africa - Defending champions Australia came from behind to beat West Indies by three wickets in a tense match at the Bishops Diocesan Ground in Rondebosch in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2020.

West Indies were sent in and stumbled to a below-par 168 all out from only 42.1 of their allocated 45 overs, but bounced back nicely to control the second half of the game, only to give it away in the penultimate over and lose with 5 balls to spare.

Narine Bidhesi, in his first game of the tournament looked set for a big score but missed a full delivery and was one of the six lbw victims in the innings. The diminutive right-hander stroked 37 from 62 balls with six sweetly timed boundaries that held the middle order together after the West Indies top order again folded meekly.

Openers Rajendra Sadeo (3) and Ishwar Maraj (17) we both back in the pavilion with just 30 on the board, as Australia new-ball bowlers extracted bounce and pace on the cloudy and windy morning.

West Indies then lost their most established batsman Sudesh Dhaniramn (13) and another debutant Howard Jodhan (0) off consecutive deliveries with the score on 36 in the 12th over and were on the verge of humiliation.

However, Bidhesi consolidated and got

fifth wicket, 24 with captain Amin Zamin (11) and 41 with Fareed Hosein for the 7th wicket before he was trapped in front in the 34th over.

Hosein tried his level best to shepherd the lower order but the defending champions were determined. With a heavy dose of pace-bowling the Aussies wrapped up the West Indies innings quickly with Hosein running out of partners, to end on 37 not out from 55 balls (1x4). Number 11 Kenny Girdharry (14) also showed some fight.

Seamers Nick Bole-Brown (3-22), Tony Clark (3-25), Phillip Melville (2-15) and Darren Smith (1-35) shared 9 wickets while

Narine Bidhesi stroked 37 from 62 balls.

Man-of-the-Match Todd O’Keefe was left unbeaten on 39 from 57 balls. some small but significant partnerships to add respectability to the score. With Azad Mohammed (12), Bidhesi added 28 for the

West Indies celebrate the fall of another Australian wicket.

left-arm spinner Gary Eisernmenger (1-36) accounted for the other wicket.

The West Indies opted for a different ap-

proach and mesmerised the Australians with spin on a two-paced track.

Dhaniram and Amin shared the new ball and after the first power play (15 overs), Australia scored 30-3 then 81-5 after the second.

At that stage the champions were still looking for 88 more from their final 15 overs and partnerships while Joe Santostefano was still there.

The compact right-hander faced 66 balls scoring 37 (3x4) in difficult circumstances but just when he was threatening, Amin won a lbw decision and sent him back at 87-6 in the 32nd leaving left-hander Todd O’Keefe to get 82 with the last four batsmen.

Eventual Player-of-the-Match, O’Keefe was up for the challenge despite the circumstances. He put on 52 runs for the seventh wicket with Darren Smith 28 (36 balls; 3x4) before Amin struck again this time from the

outfield. O’Keefe played the ball to mid-wicket and set off for two with Amin chasing.

The West Indies captain picked up with one hand and threw from about 40 yards hitting the stumps direct to spark wild celebration for his team and drooped faces on the opposition. It was 139-7 with 30 needed from 22.

O’Keefe who ended on 39 not out from 57 balls (3x4) then became a spectator as Bill Blair (16 not out) smashed 2 fours and one six to end the game with 5 balls to spare.

Amin ended with 3-21 while Bidhesi (126), Mohammed 1-39) and Fareed Hosein (144) supported but could not give West Indies their first win.

The defending champions remain unbeaten and will take on Sri Lanka today in round three when the action resumes. West Indies will play Canada and New Zealand take on Zimbabwe to round out Group A matches.

In Group B, India take on hosts South Africa; Pakistan come up against Wales and Namibia match skills with England.

West Indies Itinerary at Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2020 Wednesday, March 11, lost to New Zealand by 36 runs Friday, March 13, lost to Australia by 3 wickets Sunday, March 15 vs Canada Monday, March 16 vs Zimbabwe Wednesday, March 18 vs Sri Lanka Friday, March 20 Semi-final Tuesday, March 24 Final

AUS v NZ ODIs, T20s suspended due to COVID-19 AUSTRALIA’S international summer is over after the New Zealand government tightened its border restrictions in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

With New Zealand to enforce a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period for those entering the country from Australia from midnight tomorrow, the Black Caps were making arrangements to fly home yesterday evening.

It means the remaining two Chappell-Hadlee Trophy matches, scheduled for today in Sydney and Hobart on Friday, have been called off.

This month’s three-match T20I series between Australia and the Kiwis in New Zealand starting March 24 in Dunedin has also been postponed.

Both Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket have expressed their hope that the two series can be played at a later date.

The news comes less than 24 hours after both sides played behind closed doors at the SCG on Friday due to the coronavirus outbreak. Australia won the game by 71 runs.

Australia’s Under-19 Indigenous team were also scheduled to play T20s in New Zealand later this month, but that series has also been postponed.

The Black Caps had already announced that fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who bowled nine overs and took 2-60 in the first ODI, was in isolation after reporting a sore throat. The results of his test for COVID-19 were not yet known.

Australia paceman Kane Richardson missed the first game as he was tested for the virus but his results came back negative and re-joined the squad on the sidelines on Friday.

The impact of the pandemic on the cricket

world has grown this week, with England and South Africa calling off tours of Sri Lanka and India respectively.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) pushed back the start of the tournament while the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) will finish four days earlier.

The IPL was initially scheduled to start on March 29 but has been pushed back to April 15.

The April 15 date coincides with visa restrictions that have been imposed by the Indian government which would have kept all international players out of the country until then anyway.

Seventeen Australians hold IPL contracts for the 2020 season, led by Pat Cummins who was snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering A$3.17 million to become the most expensive overseas

Australia paceman Kane Richardson player ever.

“I’m not overly surprised (about the IPL postponement) after the announcements about the visas a couple of days ago,” said Cummins.

“It’s a shame but we’ll see what happens.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

England to open Women’s World Cup defence against Australia ENGLAND will begin the defence of their Women’s World Cup title against Australia in Auckland next year, the day after New Zealand open the tournament on February 6, Waitangi Day. The 30-day, 31-match tournament concludes with the final at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 7.

In total there will be six venues: Eden Park, Dunedin, Hamilton, Mount Maunganui, the Basin Reserve in Wellington and Christchurch.

Wellington will host the Trans-Tasman match between New Zealand and Australia on February 13.

Currently, four of the eight teams have secured their spots in the tournament: Australia, New Zealand (as hosts), England and South Africa. The remaining four teams will be decided after the conclusion of the Women’s Championship and the qualifying event in Sri Lanka in July.

As with the men’s World Cup last year there will be reserve days for the semi-finals (at Mount Maunganui and Hamilton) and the final. There was controversy in the recently-completed T20 World Cup with the lack of a reserve day for the semi-finals with India-England washed out in Sydney.

Prize money for the event will be NZ$5.5

million compared to NZ$3.1 million in 2017.

“The ICC has made a long-term commitment to elevating women’s cricket as part of our strategy to grow and develop the global game,” ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney.

“We want to build a sustainable foundation for women’s cricket.

“We are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in increasing prize money for ICC events over the last few years, with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand having NZ$5.5 million available in prize money compared to NZ$3.1 million in 2017 and NZ$316 000 in 2013.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

England will defend their World Cup title in New Zealand next year. (Getty Images)

Premier League could be declared Prioritise domestic leagues null and void, warns West Ham chief over Euro 2020, UEFA urged

LONDON, England (Reuters) - West Ham United vice-chairman Karen Brady says hopes of re-starting the Premier League in three weeks are “dreamland” and believes this season could be declared null and void.

England’s top-flight soccer league, like the rest of world sport, finds itself in unprecedented peace-time territory as it attempts to react to the coronavirus pandemic which has infected nearly 800 people so far in Britain.

The Premier League moved to shut down until at least April 4 on Friday, joining top leagues in Spain, Italy, Germany and France where fixtures have also been suspended.

With no certainty as to when things will return to normal, it has left the 20 clubs in limbo, with Liverpool tantalisingly close to a first title in 30 years and several clubs - including West Ham - in the thick of a relegation battle.

“The Premier League hopes that an interlude of three weeks from today will enable it to restart but that may well be dreamland,” Brady said in her column in The Sun. “There is no dodging the possibility that all levels in the English Football League (EFL) as well as the Premier League will have to be cancelled and this season declared null and void because if the players can’t play the

The Premier League trophy is displayed before the match. (Reuters/Carl Recine) games can’t go ahead.”

Brady says cancelling the Euro 2020 championships could allow more time for the Premier League season to be completed.

West Ham, like most teams in the Premier League, have nine games remaining, which even if the suspension is limited to three weeks presents a huge challenge with the season originally scheduled to finish on May 17. There are also FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League matches to factor in.

Premier League chiefs and the clubs will meet to discuss the options next week. They are not numer-

ous, though.

Stopping the season and declaring the current standings as final would be hugely controversial. While few would begrudge Liverpool a first title in 30 years - they are 25 points ahead of their nearest rivals - the relegation places are too close to call.

Six points separate bottom club Norwich City from West Ham who are in 16th spot, two places above the drop zone.

Likewise, nothing is yet decided in the second-tier Championship’s promotion race.

“So, what if the league cannot be finished?” Brady says. “As games in both the Premier League and Football League are affected, the only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void.

“Who knows who would have gone down or come up if the games have not actually been played in full?

“A huge blow to Liverpool who might be robbed of their first title in 30 years!” , Brighton and Hove Albion’s chief executive Paul Barber said the decision to suspend the league was the only option.

“Our priority is to play out the remainder of the season but we have to be realistic in that we do not know where this virus is heading,” he told BB Sport.

By Simon Evans MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - UEFA is being urged to prioritise domestic competitions in the wake of the coronavirus, with pressure growing for Euro 2020 to be postponed.

Top-flight football across Europe has ground to a halt as a result of the spread of the coronavirus, with national and continental club competitions suspended or postponed.

Representatives of European clubs and leagues will join national federations on an emergency video-conference call on Tuesday.

The 24-team Euro 2020 tournament, scheduled to be held in 12 countries from June 12-July 12, could be pushed back a year which would create a longer window for national leagues to finish their seasons.

Multiple sources have told Reuters that the meeting will hear demands that plans for the eventual resumption of play should focus on completing national leagues above concerns about the Champions League, Europa League and the Euro 2020 tournament.

The European Leagues body, which represents the national competitions, will be on the call and a statement was issued on Friday saying “it is most essential that domestic competitions can be completed this season, to limit the negative impact for the entire football ecosystem.

“This crisis is also causing very serious sporting and financial consequences to all parties involved in the game. We are ready to cooperate with UEFA and other stakeholders to find common solutions to all these issues in a constructive way, including the international club competitions and Euro 2020.”

One football federation official said, “All options are on the table” for the meeting and another source said those options include one-leg ties for the remainder of the Champions League and Europa League games to halve the fixture load.

Answering a Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas’s call for a ‘null and void’ Ligue 1 season, French League (LFP) executive general director Didier Quillot said he had

FILE PHOTO: UEFA Euro 2020 mascot Skillzy poses with the official match ball at Olympiapark in Munich, Germany, March 3, 2020. (REUTERS/Andreas Gebert/File photo) all clubs’ interests at heart, explaining that “there is the possibility to play every three days until June 30”.

The focus on completing domestic competitions reflects a concern that clubs throughout Europe will lose significant ticket and associated match-day revenue by not completing the season while still having to pay players salaries.

There is also the added complication that incomplete seasons would raise questions over qualification for next season’s Champions League and Europa League competitions, with eligible teams scheduled to begin qualifying matches from June 23.

Euro 2020 already faces the problem that the remaining qualifying playoffs for the tournament, with 16 nations battling for four places, are scheduled for March 26 and 31. FIFA has recommended that all international games in that period be postponed.

FIFA have also said that the rules which normally oblige clubs to release players for national team matches will not apply for the up-coming international windows in March/April.

Several of the teams involved in those games have already asked for postponements and the matches would not be viable without club co-operation. UEFA is expected to take a decision on or before Tuesday’s meeting.

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BCCI to wait, watch before fixing IPL schedule

BCCI and IPL franchise owners have any gain from this situation and trying decided to adopt a wait-and-watch to hold the IPL without a clear underapproach over when and how to hold standing of the situation. Having said the IPL They want to give health and that, number one is that the health and safety of the players and people in- safety of everyone is looked after. volved in holding the IPL priority and “Number two, we will follow whatevare likely to discuss its schedule again er the government direction is. after two-three weeks, depending on “From a third perspective, no one is how the COVID-19 (novel coronavi- in a position to say when it’s going to rus) situation unfolds in India, where, as of Friday, two lives have been lost because of it.

The BCCI top brass met top executives of all eight franchises at its headquarters in Mumbai yesterday, including Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani, Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia, after the board had deferred the start of the tournament until April 15.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that now that two weeks of the schedule was lost, there was no option but to hold a “truncated” IPL, and the board would “assess and monitor” the Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah situation in the country on a weekly ba- Rukh Khan at the BCCI headquarsis. Whether the IPL will be truncated ters (PTI) in terms of days or matches remains to be seen. start. We will review the situation after “If it is (postponed till) April 15, two-three weeks and hopefully by then then in any case 15 days are gone, so it the (coronavirus) cases will reduce. has to be truncated one,” Ganguly said. We should be clear that the most im“How truncated, how many games I portant thing is health and safety, not can’t say at the moment.” (financial) gain at the moment. We are Wadia said that the BCCI, the fran- not here to earn money, we are here to chise owners and host broadcaster Star serve and protect the people.”

Sports had decided to prioritise people’s Public sentiment needs to be considhealth and that they were not concerned ered too - Shah Rukh Khan by any monetary downsides. Wadia even ESPNcricinfo understands all eight said he was prepared for the possibility of franchises had held a teleconference on the IPL not happening at all if the situa- Friday to discuss issues that needed the tion did not improve.

IPL to address at yesterday’s meetings.

ESPNcricinfo understands that a few The main points of discussion were: other scheduling options, including a would the owners want to go ahead with truncated IPL, came up for discussion the tournament, should it be played beduring the meeting but it was too “pre- hind closed doors? mature” to take the discussions forward It was agreed that they did not have right now. much of an option other than following “The meeting was to discuss the pos- the BCCI and government directive. sible scenarios. Number one, most imporDuring that conference Shah Rukh tantly, everyone in India and the world Khan, who stressed that the public’s must understand, (neither) the BCCI, nor feelings must assume top priority. the IPL or Star is here to gain monetary “Whatever you do, the common man benefit by having the IPL,” Wadia told should not get a feeling that we are reporters after the meeting. pushing for the IPL. It is their senti“All the stakeholders, especially ment that needs to be considered, too, the BCCI and owners and Star, feel before any call is taken,” a franchise that it is incorrect to think about even executive, who was present on the call, one rupee. So we are not interested in said of the point Shah Rukh had made. money, we are not interested in having A day later, Shah Rukh reiterated

that stance to the BCCI. “What has to be borne in mind is firstly how does the aam janata (common man) see it? What are their feelings? That has to be looked at along with the other aspects,” is what Shah Rukh is supposed to have said, according to a franchise’s CEO who was present at yesterday’s meeting.

BACK-UP OPTIONS Before deciding to defer IPL 2020 as well as rescheduling the India-South Africa ODI series the BCCI’s top brass, led by its president Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah, met with Uday Shankar, head of Star India, the host broadcaster, in Mumbai on Friday. In 2017 Star had paid a record sum of US$2.55 billion to get the global broadcast rights for the IPL until 2022.

One of the points for discussion was stretching the tournament past May 24 - according to the original schedule, the final was scheduled to be held on this date. Keeping in mind the onset of monsoon in the first week of June, the latest cut-off date was set as June 5. At yesterday’s meeting, the franchises were told that tournament could be played until first week of June if needs be.

The other options, as reported by ESPNcricinfo on Friday, included the possibility of more double-headers.

One other option discussed yesterday was: in the case there would be a government clearance to go ahead with IPL in April, it could be played at limited venues to curtail travel - something many countries are banning people from doing amid the growing outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The participation of the overseas players was another concern for franchises and BCCI agreed that in case no players from outside India could feature then the tournament might not go ahead. However, with the situation in flux, all stakeholders agreed that it would be prudent to not rush into any decision and instead wait for the BCCI to update the franchises periodically.

When asked if any back-up options of rescheduling the tournament were discussed in the meeting that lasted around 90 minutes, Wadia said: “That’s hypothesising. This is not a situation to hypothesise. This is a serious pandemic.

Thousands of people have died across the world, luckily only two in India.

“As far as your next question, ‘will

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly the foreign players come or not?’ I don’t know. There is a (visa) ban till April 15 and then we’ll see. So if IPL happens, great; if it doesn’t, so be it.”

Parth Jindal, co-owner of Delhi Capitals, said BCCI will “probably” call for another meeting with the owners in the coming weeks after “watching” the situation as the board keeps in touch with the Indian government.

The central government placed several travel restrictions for people going in and out of India, cancelling all visas until April 15. The government had also said sporting organisations would need to adhere to the health ministry’s guidelines to avoid mass gatherings which had prompted BCCI to think about holding IPL matches in front of empty stands.

“We are committed to IPL, we would like IPL to happen but we have to wait and watch based on the virus and how it progresses,” Jindal said.

The coronavirus has struck over 100 countries globally, leading to over 5 000 deaths and forcing cancellation and rescheduling of all international and domestic cricket. Soon after the IPL was deferred on Friday, BCCI and Cricket South Africa announced the rescheduling of the remaining two India-South Africa ODIs that were to be played on March 15 (Lucknow) and 18 (Kolkata).

The first Australia-New Zealand ODI happened in front of empty stands at the SCG on Friday and the remaining two ODIs as well as the subsequent three-match T20I series were also cancelled yesterday after the New Zealand government imposed travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

GABA halts all ‘non-essential’ at local gyms THE Guyana Boxing Association (GABA) yesterday advised gyms under its affiliation to halt all non-essential activity for the next two weeks.

This is to assist in curbing the spread of the Coronavirus. GBA president Steve Ninvalle dispatched a letter

to all heads of gyms calling for the immediate halt to sparring and non-essential activity.

“With the threat of the coronavirus the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association has put on hold all competitions until further notice. We ask that there be an immediate halt to sparring

and non-essential training. The executive wishes to thank all parties for their expected compliance,” the letter to the gym heads stated.

In addition, the GBA is forced to postpone the hosting of the CARIFTA Tournament which was scheduled for April 11 to 13 in Guyana, where sev-

eral Caribbean countries had already signalled their intention to participate.

Just recently, the spread of the coronavirus forced the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cancel the AMBC Olympic Boxing Qualifier, billed for Argentina from March 26 to April 3.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 15, 2020

Scorpions eyeing big win after Blackwood’s 248 NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – Jamaica Scorpions were closing in on a comprehensive victory over Leeward Islands Hurricanes, following Jermaine Blackwood’s monumental 248 on the penultimate day of their eighth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Resuming the day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on on 413 for four in their first innings, Scorpions piled up 561 for nine declared to carve out a massive lead of 301 runs.

Unbeaten on a career-best 196 at the start, Blackwood reached the first-ever double century of his career with a square drive for four off the fourth ball of the morning’s first over from pacer Kian Pemberton.

All told, the right-hander faced 332 balls in eight hours and 22 minutes, striking 33 fours and two sixes.

His knock was the second highest for Jamaica in the last 54 years and the seventh highest overall in the history of the championship.

Jermaine Blackwood’s 248 contained 33 fours and two sixes.

Captain John Campbell, unbeaten on 105 at the start, made 112 while number

nine Jamie Merchant chipped in with unbeaten 50.

Tasked with batting to save the contest, Hurricanes ended the day on 134 for six – still requiring a further 167 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Opener Montcin Hodge was holding the innings together in an unbeaten 60 which has so far consumed 179 deliveries, just shy of 3-¾ hours and included nine fours.

He put on 37 for the first wicket with Kieran Powell (17), another 38 for the second wicket with Ross Powell (19) and has so far added 38 in an unbroken seventh wicket stand with West Indies leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr (18 not out).

Following his heroics with the bat, Merchant returned to take three for 12 with his off-spin while seamer Derval Green claimed two for 49.

Blackwood and Campbell had earlier extended their record fifth wicket stand to 219 before they were finally separated.

Campbell, who faced 160 balls in 223

minutes and counted six fours and four sixes, was first to depart in the morning’s third over, when he bizarrely tried to paddle sweep Pemberton (2-110) and scooped a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton.

Blackwood then anchored a series of small partnerships before he was eighth out, two runs shy of equalling Marlon Samuels’s record 250, caught in the deep trying to clear the long on boundary with off-spinner Terrance Warde.

Merchant inflicted further pain on the Hurricanes, lashing two fours and four sixes in a 51-ball knock before Scorpions eventually declared their innings in the ninth over after lunch.

Test fast bowler Alzarri Joseph claimed three for 130 while new-ball partner Jeremiah Louis ended with two for 115.

At 75 for one just after tea, Hurricanes seemed up for the fight in their second innings but Merchant and Green ripped through the top order in the final session to send five wickets tumbling for 21 runs.

Phillip wrecks Volcanoes to set ‘Supernatural’ Semenya up innings win for Red Force confident of 200m success AROUBA, Trinidad (CMC) – Speedster Anderson Phillip notched his maiden 10-wicket match-haul, as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force crushed Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 84 runs inside three days here yesterday to post their second straight win of the Regional Four-Day Championship.

On four without loss overnight after following on by 236 runs at Brian Lara

Fast bowler Anderson Phillip finished with match figures of 10 for72 Stadium, Volcanoes capitulated meekly for 152, with Phillip bowling superbly to finish with a career-best six for 19.

The 22-year-old, who picked up four for 53 in the first innings, finished with match figures of 10 for 72, following up his six for 59 against leaders Barbados Pride last week.

Keron Cottoy, at number six, topscored with 35 while opener Kimani Melius got 29 and Andre Fletcher, 25, but the visitors never recovered after losing four wickets for 14 runs to crash to 50 for four before lunch.

Requiring a massive effort in their second turn at the crease after being

bundled out for 173 in their first innings on Friday’s second day, Volcanoes showed improved resolve up front when Melius and veteran Devon Smith (17) put on 36 for the first wicket.

Melius had struck four fours and a six off 45 balls when he became the morning’s first casualty, lbw playing across to a full-length delivery from fast bowler Uthman Muhammad, pitched on middle and leg.

Phillip then turned the game on its head by removing Smith lbw, playing back then with the very next ball, beating captain Sunil Ambris’s defensive stroke to bowl him comprehensively for a firstball duck.

In his next over, Phillip had Emmanuel Stewart caught at gully by Cephas Cooper off a leading edge, also without scoring.

Cottoy and Fletcher then put together the best stand of the innings by adding 41 for the fifth wicket which temporarily halted the slide.

While Cottoy faced 68 balls and struck two fours and a six in nearly 1-¾ hours at the crease, Fletcher hit a couple of fours and sixes in a 51-ball knock before he perished in the sixth over before lunch, bowled by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein playing back to one which kept slightly low.

Ryan John arrived to launch a bold counter-attack, lashing two fours and sixes in a cameo 11-ball 22 before but he was the last wicket to fall before the interval, caught low down at forward short leg by Cooper off leg-spinner and captain Imran Khan.

On 118 for six at tea, Volcanoes put up little resistance following the resumption as Cottoy, unbeaten on 26, was last out after adding only nine runs with the injured Kavem Hodge again unable to bat.

CAPETOWN, South Africa (Reuters) Caster Semenya is confident she will book her Tokyo Olympics ticket by qualifying for the 200 metres after switching to the sprint distance in a bid to avoid World Athletics regulations aimed at lowering her testosterone.

Semenya is a double Olympic gold med-

South African athlete Caster Semenya speaks with journalists after she raced during a 2 000 metres for the first time after her ban due to elevated testosterone levels, at a small meeting in Montreuil, near Paris, France, June 11, 2019. (REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer) allist in the 800 metres but, as an athlete with differences in sexual development (DSD), must now limit her naturally high levels of testosterone when racing in events ranging from 400m to a mile.

She has consistently refused, citing the negative effects of the medication on her body, and will avoid the need to do so if she runs over the shorter sprint.

The South African is confident she can make the switch after clocking a personal best of 23.49 in Pretoria on Friday to move

closer to the 22.80 time needed to qualify for Tokyo.

“It’s possible. I call myself supernatural so I can do anything I want. It’s all about putting in the hard work,” Semenya told reporters.

“I’m a power athlete. I can do anything from 100 to the marathon. I do have power and speed which have helped me to run the 800, but obviously from (a) young (age) I’ve also done 200m.”

Semenya says she has a long history in the 200m and had it not been for a lack of coaching in South Africa’s rural Limpopo province, she might have made a career out of the distance.

“It has always been easy for me to do that strength, I was born with strength.

But with conditions that I had in Limpopo, I didn’t have a coach so I had to choose to move to middle distances.

“I wish I had been doing 200m from age 12. I don’t know where I would have been now.”

The 29-year-old says failure to qualify for this year’s Olympics would not be the end of her career, and reiterated she had no intention of leaving the track.

“Even if we don’t qualify for the Olympics, it does not matter. What matters is we’re on the track. We are there so that’s the goal. You’ll see a lot of me.

That’s a promise,” she said.

Semenya is appealing to the Swiss Federal Tribunal against a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that supported the regulations introduced by the sport’s governing body, World Athletics.

CAS is based in Lausanne and comes under the jurisdiction of Switzerland’s highest court. A ruling is expected in the first half of this year, taking her close to the July 24 start of the Olympics and providing little time for qualification and preparation.

Man-of-the-match Kemar Roach and his team celebrate the wicket of Raymon Reifer. (Adrian Narine photos)

Roach fires Barbados Pride to crushing 236-run win over Jaguars see story on page 23

… bags match-haul of 9 for 60 to keep Pride atop table

Guyana Jaguars top-scorer Keemo Paul is knocked over by Jonathan Carter.

CWI suspends last two rounds of Regional 4-day competition, youth tournaments ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced it would suspend the last two rounds of the marquee first class championship, along with an entire suite of youth tournaments for the next 30 days, as it braces for the full impact of the deadly coronavirus across the region.

In a statement, CWI said the bold decision was taken on the recommendation of its Medical Advisory Committee, which convened by teleconference on Thursday to discuss the impact of the virus on the domestic schedule.

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has already popped up in several Caribbean territories with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, St Vincent, Antigua and Guyana all reporting cases over the last week.

“The health and safety of our players, officials and staff, are of paramount importance to CWI and we have advised the Board of Directors to take proactive policy steps to decrease the growing risk of contamination and spread of the virus,” said CWI’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Israel Dowlat.

CWI has suspended its first class championship.

The ongoing eighth round of the first the Under-15s Boys Championship was class championship is set to wrap up today, carded for Antigua April 9-20 while the with matches being played in Trinidad, inaugural Under-19 Girls Championship was set for Trinidad from April 6 to 12.

Guyana and Antigua.

Dr Donovan Bennett, chairman of All three nations were set to host upcoming age group tournaments. The the Medical Advisory Committee, said Women’s Super50 Cup was scheduled the decision to suspend the competitions for Guyana from March 27 to April 12, was aimed at minimising the spread of

the virus.

“We are acting based on medical best practices as well as in an abundance of caution,” Bennett said.

“The ongoing gathering of even small groups of spectators, cricketers and match officials could pose a risk to some persons of contracting the virus and being stranded in quarantine in a non-resident country for a prolonged period.

“Clearly this pandemic is still evolving, and we will continue to monitor the situation throughout the Caribbean.”

All face-to-face CWI meetings – including a board of directors meeting and an annual general meeting scheduled for Antigua next month, have been suspended.

The board said any “urgent matters” would be discussed via teleconference.

CWI’s decision follows that of the CARIFTA Games organisers who yesterday cancelled the region’s premier junior track and field which was to be staged in Bermuda over the Easter weekend next month.

Nearly 156 000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide with almost over 5 800 deaths recorded.

Japan still preparing for Olympics, prime see story on page 23 minister says, as virus concerns rise Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020