Guyana Chronicle E-paper 3-22-2020

22nd March, 2020

' No.105947

‘Cease these criminal acts’ SEE PAGE 03

…President condemns acts of civil violence in Region Five –– urges citizens to respect the rule of law, be patient

Arsonists destroy shop of PNC activist PAGE

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Scenes before and after the torching of the activist’s butcher shop at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice

No one invincible CARICOM countries can opt-out to COVID-19 19 of free movement arrangements PAGE

-- WHO director-general …CCJ advises

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Sensitisation

is key

…Indigenous villages taking swift action to safeguard communities against Coronavirus

See Inside

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

CARICOM countries can opt-out of certain free movement arrangements …CCJ advises

MEMBER STATES of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), under Article 27 (4) of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) can opt out of a decision once the fundamental objectives of the Community, as laid now in the Treaty, are not negatively affected, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) said as it offered its first advisory opinion on the Freedom of Movement.

The opinion was offered by the CCJ last Wednesday, in response to a request by CARICOM Heads of Government for advice on two specific questions relating to freedom of movement within the Community.

In 2019, the Heads of Government took a decision to enlarge the list of CARICOM workers who were entitled to work freely within

the Regional Bloc. That expanded list includes agricultural workers and security guards but the CARICOM Heads have acceded to requests made by the states of Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis to opt out of that decision for a period of five years.

But could a Member State lawfully opt out of such decision of the Conference? And secondly, could the principle of non-reciprocity allow nationals of any such Member State opting out to gain the benefits of the decision?

In response, the CCJ concluded that it was lawful for Antigua & Barbuda and St Kitts & Nevis to request an opt out of the obligations to accept agricultural workers and security guards as agreed by the Heads of Government. “It was also

Heads of Government at a recent summit

lawful for the Conference to grant the opt outs in all the circumstances. The said opt outs did not prejudice the fundamental objective of freedom of movement of skilled nationals,” the Court said in a statement.

In arriving at its conclusion, the CCJ explained that five conditions are needed for the effective implementation of an opted out.

“Firstly, one or more of the Member States must make a request to opt out of a decision as the states of St Kitts & Nevis and Antigua

& Barbuda did respectively.

Secondly, the decision maker must be a competent organ of the Community and here, there was no dispute that the Conference of Heads was a competent organ. Thirdly, the Conference must agree to the request of the Member State(s) to opt out of the relevant decision. It was also clear here that such an agreement was made and that the two Member States were permitted to opt out of the enlargement decision,” the CCJ summarized in a statement.

It stated too that in keep-

ing with Article 27(4) of the RTC, the Member State opting out is entitled only to opt out of the obligations arising from the decision.

Importantly, it said an opt out is permitted only if the “fundamental objectives” of the Community, as laid down in the RTC, are not prejudiced or undermined by the opt out, and in the cases of St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, there was no fundamental breach of the objects of the RTC. TURN TO PAGE

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

President condemns acts of civil violence in Region Five -calls on citizens to respect the rule of law, be patient

PRESIDENT David Granger has condemned acts of civil violence, which was perpetrated in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

The President expressed concern about the situation, after a private property, located in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice was torched and destroyed in what is reported to be an act of arson. According to reliable sources, the property was a butcher shop owned and operated by a known supporter of the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.

“I was saddened to learn, today (Saturday), of the destruction of private property and of attacks on innocent citizens on March 20, 2020 in Bush Lot Village in the Mahaica-Berbice, Region Five. I condemn these hateful acts of hostility aimed at terrorizing innocent citizens and instigating discord,” President Granger said in a statement, on Saturday.

In light of these acts of violence, the President called for good sense to prevail and urged residents to desist from communal violence. He also called on the perpetrators to cease these criminal acts immediately.

As a show of his seriousness, President Granger said: “I urge the law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to ensure the safety of citizens and to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Guyana Police Force must ensure that law and order prevails in the interest of the protection of citizens and the state.”

The recent acts of violence on innocent civilians and their property follow attacks on schoolchildren and on law enforcement officers on March 5, 2020, in Region Five. The President said the local media also showed images of a “hooligan,” brandishing a firearm in confrontation with policemen on March 06 at Lusignan.

There were also reports of “lawlessness” at Black Bush Polder, Tain, and East Canje in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“I extend my sympathy to the children and police officers who have been injured and to the family which lost its property in the apparent arson at Bush Lot Village. I express my condolences to the family of the person who was shot in the fracas. I condemn the violence and criminal acts that have occurred since March 02, 2020,” President Granger said.

In this regard, he called on citizens to respect the rule of law and to be patient as they await the ruling of the Supreme Court and the completion of the electoral process by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

President Granger, in an address to the nation on Friday, had said GECOM and the Judiciary must be allowed to execute their functions without inference.

It has been 19 days since thousands of Guyanese went

to the polls, but attempts by the elections commission to

President David Granger

declare the results have been met with litigations.

Amid claims of a flawed electoral process, President Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, had agreed to have the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) supervise a national recount of all the votes cast on March 02, but that too was blocked by an injunction filed in the High Court last Tuesday, March 17.

The Head of State, who has repeatedly iterated his respect for the Constitution, laws of the country, Judiciary and GECOM, said the independent institutions must be allowed to carry out their mandate.

“I have iterated, always, my commitment to respect the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, to protect the integrity of the

The ‘butcher shop’ which was torched (Latchmin Azeez photo)

chairperson and members of the elections commission and to obey the rulings of the courts. I am confident that these institutions, once allowed to function without interference, will provide a solution to the present situation,” he told the nation on Friday.

President Granger, who led the APNU+AFC Coalition into the elections as the presidential candidate, said all and sundry must demonstrate respect for the elections commission as it executes its function, and desist from attacking Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, the Chairperson of GECOM, and the other arms of the elections commission.

“The elections commission has the sole authority for the conduct of general and regional elections and must be allowed to function independent of political interference, instruction and influence,” President Granger said.

In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Head of State had endorsed moves by the Chairperson of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mia Amor Mottley, to assist Guyana by sending a high-level delegation to oversee the recount of ballots cast at the elections, but this initiative has been temporarily blocked in the High Court.

“I am disappointed that the high-level team of five departed Guyana this week after efforts towards a ‘total national recount’ were stymied following the granting of an injunction by the Supreme Court. This matter remains before the court,” he said, while noting that the country’s democracy allows for interested parties to approach the Supreme Court of Judicature for judicial review of the electoral laws.

The Head of State has maintained that the electoral process must be credible.

“Free and fair elections are essential to representative democracy,” he told the nation.

CARICOM countries can opt-out of certain...

While the Court determined that freedom of movement was a fundamental objective of CARICOM, it also considered the facts that the opt out was made available to two Member States, each of which is categorised as a less

developed country; and secondly, the duration of the opt out in each case was temporary.

Notably, the opted out related only to two categories of skilled nationals – agricultural workers and security guards.

In response to the second question, the Court said the opt-out mechanism ought to be treated as being non-reciprocal in character, and as such the principle of non-reciprocity applies to enlargement decisions.

FROM PAGE

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In other words, it means that nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis, who are security guards and agricultural workers, are entitled to enjoy the benefits of the enlargement decision.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 22, 2020

Italy reports nearly 800 coronavirus deaths in largest daily rise (AL JAZEERA) The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has leapt by 793 to 4,825, officials said, by far the largest daily spike in absolute terms since the contagion emerged a month ago.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Italy rose to 53,578 from a previous 47,021, an increase of 13.9 percent, the country’s Civil Protection Agency said on Saturday.

Italy has reported 1,420 deaths since Friday. On Thursday, it overtook China as the country to register most deaths from the highly contagious virus.

The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy remains in a critical situation, with 3,095 deaths and 25,515 cases so far.

The Mediterranean nation of 60 million has been under an effective lockdown since March 12, when public gatherings were banned and most stores shuttered.

Police were out in force across the streets of Rome on Saturday, checking documents and fining those outside without a valid reason, such as buying groceries.

Joggers were asked to run around the block of their houses, parks and beaches were closed, and the government in Rome prepared to extend school and other closures into the summer months.

GLOBAL EPICENTRE OF THE VIRUS But the outbreak keeps gathering pace in the new

The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy remains in a critical situation, with 3,095 deaths and 25,515 cases [Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images] global epicentre of the virus.

First reported in December in China, it has since transformed the world, straining healthcare systems, upending the lives for millions and pummelling global stock markets.

The figures released showed deaths still largely contained to Italy’s richer north, whose world-class healthcare system is under strain but still not breaking.

It is much better than what is available in the poorer south, whose regions have registered a few dozen deaths each - and which the government in Rome is watching closely.

The National Health Institute (ISS) said the average age of coronavirus victims was 78.5, and the average age of those infected 63.

Italy’s figures are being watched closely by other governments as they try to formulate an urgent response to the rapidly unfolding crisis.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

T&T completely shuts borders from midnight Sunday (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Minister of National Security Stuart Young says Trinidad and Tobago will close its international borders completely from midnight Sunday (March 22) to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Young made the announcement at a press conference on measures to prevent the spread of the virus on Saturday, noting that the airports will be closed to all international flights until further notice.

The move came even as

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed that there are 40 new cases of the virus in Trinidad and Tobago, taking the overall national figure to 49 cases.

The 40 new cases were from among the batch of 68 nationals who were immediately quarantined at Camp Balandra after they returned home from an ill-fated Caribbean cruise in Guadeloupe on Wednesday.

Young said air and sea cargo will still be allowed into the country but the crews from those vessels will not be

allowed the disembark and all people traffic, both nationals and non-nationals, will not be allowed entry by either air or sea. However, he said travellers were free to leave the country but would not be allowed to re-enter. He also said the domestic air and sea bridges will remain open at this time but this will be reviewed along the way.

“We recognise the difficulties that people are going to face personally, but the public interest in a balancing exercise is about protection of life,” he said.

Young said the T&T nationals who were stranded in countries which had shut down their borders, including cases he had become aware of in Venezuela and Guyana, could not be helped at this stage, since those countries had also taken the decisions to shut down their airports to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

He said the Government had no doubt this was the best measure at this time to prevent the virus from spreading across the country and urged all citizens to follow the

protocol.

“The only way we will stop the spread of this virus is by lack of contact and social personal responsibility and the Government took the decisive action to say that we will shut bars,” he said.

“We understand the difficulty that this causes businesses, we are very mindful of that, that came up in our discussions at the deliberations but it is not business as usual, unfortunately, around the globe. So we have to take these hard decisions to protect the people on Trinidad

and Tobago, including the family members of the owners of these establishments.”

He said just before the press conference they also received information that betting shops were still being opened. Saying they fell under the recently declare Public Health Ordinance law, Young urged that this be stopped.

He also urged religious leaders to desist from holding gatherings, noting that one pastor in Central Trinidad was still inviting his congregation to events.

“This virus is spread by contact and anyone who doesn’t understand that at this stage has a serious problem,” he said.

40 new COVID-19 cases hospitalised at Couva (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Forty new patients who have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been admitted to the Couva Hospital.

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh just confirmed this at a media conference Saturday.

The Minister said all the new cases were from among the batch of nationals who just returned from an ill-fated

cruise in Guadeloupe.

However, Guardian Media had also received two confirmatory reports from a medical professional at the Couva facility and another employee there that the 40 patients were taken to the hospital just after 2.30 am on Saturday.

It was also confirmed that one of the previous patients at the hospital had recovered enough to be discharged.

This would now take the overall cases here in T&T to 49 as the toll up to Friday had been nine.

Guardian Media was told that all 40 patients are in the same ward.

The doctor, who requested anonymity, said that the Government must start broadening testing quickly. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced on Friday that they would start this process soon.

PdP has say on virus protocols (NATIONNEWS) The People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PDP) has called for personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line workers and price controls on key items to avoid price gouging.

These were some of the issues the group focused on during a press conference at Worthing Corporate Centre, Worthing, Christ Church, yesterday.

Paul Gibson, PdP’s spokesman for health and wellness, said frontline workers such as police officers, imimigration officers and nurses need to have PPEs, especially as the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has reached Barbados.

Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic announced the first two confirmed cases this week and the total is now at seven.

One of the positive tests was facilitated for a cruise ship.

Gibson said the PdP gets

PdP spokesman on health and wellness, Paul Gibson, says frontline workers need protection against COVID-10. (Picture by Reco Moore) regular calls from front-line workers about protective equipment not coming in a timely fashion, and the opposition group is providing as much information as possible.

He also said the indigent and homeless should be given instructions on how to take care of themselves in relation to COVID-19.

Gibson cautioned young people to maintain good personal hygiene, including washing their hands regularly and wiping off their cell phones. (KG)

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh speaks during a media conference on the government’s effort in combating the COVID-19 virus at Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, on Friday

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

National Reconciliation and the Power-Sharing debate

THE developments in the wake of the March 2 elections have prompted a renewal of the debate over the kind of political system that is best suited to the ethno-political nature of the Guyanese society.

This debate arises from the widespread feeling that Guyana needs a deliberate process of national reconciliation. Clearly, the events since March 2 have again highlighted how politically divided the country is and exposes its vulnerability as we enter the era of oil and gas. It is against this background that analysts have revisited power-sharing in the form of a National Government as an alternative to one-party or one-dominant party governance.

The debate over power-sharing dates back to the early 1960s when on the eve of what turned out to be a prolonged period of bitter ethnic disturbances, Eusi Kwayana, then known as Sydney King, proposed a system of “Joint Premiership” as a possible solution to the gathering crisis. Unfortunately, the proposal was rejected, and the rest is now history. Since then, the issue has been engaged by successive political generations with little movement beyond rhetoric. The PPP’s 1977 National Patriotic Front, the WPA’s 1979 Government of National Unity and Reconstruction and the joint PNC-PPP “Fatherland” proposal come to mind, with the latter actually evolving into actual talks between the two sides.

In the wake of the disputed 1997 elections and the signing of the Herdmanston Accord, the issue was raised anew. This

time the lead was taken by a younger generation of PNC leaders who along with some independent voices and organisations such as ACDA, sought to convince the then top leadership of the PNC that “shared governance” as they preferred to call it was the path to national harmony. The PPP poured cold water on the initiative by arguing that any power -sharing mechanism must be preceded by trust between the two major parties.

But after a period of hesitation, the PNC through its then leader Desmond Hoyte, threw its full support behind the idea. In one of the most memorable statements on power-sharing, Hoyte argued the following: “ An adjusted system of governance for our country -- whether we call it “power-sharing”, “shared governance” or any other name -- appears to be an idea whose time has come. It could hardly be claimed that our present arrangements are working in the best interests of the country and its citizens. The imperfections obtrude everywhere and are a serious obstacle to national cohesion and development. In the circumstances, the imperative of constitutional adjustment appears to be unavoidable. We cannot stand on the seashore and bid the waves recede. I suggest, therefore, that we as a party give careful and anxious consideration to the insistent voices that are calling for constitutional and political reform.”

Unfortunately, Hoyte died a few months after that declaration. It was left to his successor, Robert Corbin, to advance the agenda. He reached out to the PPP and

sought agreement on a joint government, but that initiative was scuttled by the top PPP leadership. Corbin then settled for an abbreviated arrangement with the WPA and other opposition groups that saw the evolution of the APNU in 2011. This group was later broadened to include the AFC in what became known as the APNU+AFC Coalition.

The coalition committed itself to an inclusive form of governance in its manifesto and actually began to lay the groundwork for the necessary constitutional reform. But it did not find a willing ally in the PPP which has continued to hold steadfastly to the winnertakes-all form of governance.

So, in the wake of the just concluded elections and the sharp ethno-political divide that has re-emerged, the question of power-sharing has again surfaced. One of the newer parties, ANUG, actually made the issue the centre of its campaign. But it was a statement by Kwayana and Moses Bhagwan, both foundation members of the WPA, that placed the issue at the forefront of the current debate. The two political elders made the following plea: “ We ask that you find the grace to enter without delay into talks to establish a national government based on the principle of parity.

Such negotiations would necessarily have to be consistent with the constitution, but it is entirely possible to envision a situation, for example, in which the winner of the 2020 elections takes the presidency but asks their prime ministerial candidate to resign, so that someone from the other major party

can be appointed and where a collective cabinet can be appointed. Such a compromise would also give greater latitude to MPs to vote against the government instead of following the herd, offering greater opportunities for accountability against corruption.”

Since the Kwayana-Bhagwan statement the response has mirrored the partisan divide. Those sympathetic to the PPP have dismissed the proposal as a gambit aimed at denying the PPP its right to govern. One such commentator, Christopher Ram, called on the two elders to instead ask Granger to concede the election to the PPP and dismissed the power-sharing proposal as a recipe for gridlock. On the other hand, it has gained the support of organisations such as ACDA, the WPA and commentators such as Henry Jeffrey.

This publication lends its voice to the call for national reconciliation regardless of the eventual winners of the election. We feel that a power-sharing arrangement in the form of a national government that includes both the coalition parties and the PPP is an idea worth exploring. Guyana simply cannot afford the conflict that arises from the winner-takes-all system. The coalition parties have already committed themselves to an inclusive form of governance.

It is now up to the PPP to signal its acceptance of such an approach. Every day that party resists movement away from one-party domination, it is subjecting Guyana to unnecessary anxiety and instability.

PPP claims of 10,000 votes and $10,000 Dear editor, I DO know some may view this as premature, but I am so confident that I will say this even before the official results are declared. A massive congratulation to the APNU+AFC government on it’s well deserved election win.

I am disappointed with the one-seat majority, since I do believe that the government’s overall performance over the past five years should have been rewarded with at least a three-seat majority. Having said that, a win is a win, not only for APNU+AFC, but for all of Guyana.

The PPP is clearly struggling to accept their second-place position for the third successive year. Presently, they are like headless chickens running around complaining of electoral fraud, rigging and cheating. This is so hypocritical coming from a party of thieves and threecard tricksters. I have arrived at this conclusion after receiving very credible information of the PPP paying for votes

in APNU+AFC strongholds. As a result, I did some investigations and was able to identify 10 families who were paid $10,000 per vote. The process to earn this $10,000 was simple. Place your X next to the cup then take a photo as evidence.

This image is then sent to the PPP and the $10,000 is secured. Here is the catch.

Many persons placed their X next to the cup but ensured that it was done lightly.

The photo was then taken as evidence to secure the $10,000. The X next to the cup was then immaculately erased and placed next to APNU+AFC. The PPP none the wiser, paid up the $10,000 and added that to their SoPs as a vote earned. I do recognise that this was not a scientific poll, but I am confident this was being conducted on a larger scale. It is my opinion that this is the reason why PPP SoPs were different from GECOM’s.

They thought that every $10,000 that they paid out would equate to one vote. As a result, they became hot under the collar when GECOM broke the bad news to

them that they were duped. They could not believe this; they have the photographic evidence of the vote they paid for. As a result, they rejected the spreadsheet and demanded to see the SoPs. When they saw the SoPs were consistent with the spreadsheets, it was then the penny dropped. This explained why they and their sidekicks parties reluctantly but belatedly requested a recount. They knew the ultimate “betrayal” awaited them in that box, but it was too painful to see it. It also explains why Bharrat Jagdeo was so confident that they had gained 10,000 votes in Region Four compared to 2015. Also, that’s why they were shocked that GECOM’s SoPs indicated that they did not win Sophia.

So now the PPP is complaining of rigging and electoral fraud and able to convince many without an iota of evidence.

As a result, I would ask the question, if what they did by paying for votes is not rigging and electoral fraud? I am no lawyer, but it surely sounds that way to me.

Bharrat Jagdeo and his gang of three-card

tricksters thought they could trick the electorate, but the electorate rightfully fleeced them of the $10,000. PPP were absolutely right that the elections were rigged; they were the ones who did the rigging.

Finally, before I go please let me extend a hearty thank you to Bharrat Jagdeo and his gang of thieves, on behalf of the recipients that were paid $10,000. They have all assured me that they have used it to invest in champagnes which they presently have on ice. They have reported that it is getting a bit hot due to the protracted elections, but that is fine by them. The plan is that when Mr. Granger is sworn in as President, they will have a celebratory popping of the champagnes. Once again, thanks for making this possible.

They have reported that without the PPP’s kind intervention they would have had to celebrate with water.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

Police conduct and professionalism have been commendable in the face of difficult circumstances

Dear Editor,

THE Following paragraph is quoted from a Private Sector Commission (PSC) release regarding the Guyana Police Force (GPF). … “the PSC cites the complete failure of the police to prevent mass crowds of the governing party’s political supporters actively harassing and threatening observers, party officials and media professionals in the course of their respective functions, both outside of GECOM and at other places.”

Notwithstanding this well-known umbrella commerce and business arm that comprises elements of friends, cronies and other types who would have benefitted from the proceedings of the criminal state that flourished during the tenure of the PPP/C; and who, naturally, joined that party’s insurgency bandwagon bent on destabilising Guyana in the post-2015 dispensation, this cabal of mostly unconscionable sorts and anti-nationals, has seen it fit to lend its services to the now exposed American lobby firm, Mercury, as it continues its patently fake news, lies and disinformation against the Government of Guyana.

The above quote can only be described as preposterous; an absurdity, that vile and wicked in its evil construct, as it now seeks to tarnish the professionalism of the GPF. Editor, it is unbelievable that these political mercenaries whose only interests have been about themselves and vested interests, and what they have derived from their association with the PPP/C government, can now turn their attention to a body whose efforts at upholding its dispensation of its duties, acting with great restraint at the scenes of PPP/C attacks on a government minister within the precincts of the Pegasus hotel; and the criminal invasion of the

GECOM Command Centre in the early hours of March 05, signalled a law-enforcement body that constrained itself from what should have been relevant postures in dealing with such threatening situations, so as to avoid accusations of heavy- handed tactics against so-called peaceful opposition initiatives which REALLY WERE NOT, but instead were intended to incite public mayhem.

Let the PSC answer as to its abysmal failure in its deafening silence in not condemning the brutal attacks against innocent and defenceless children being driven home from school in a David G school bus. One further wonders, just how more professional could those brave ranks sent to maintain law and order at Bath Settlement could have been, when, despite coming under attack by a politically inspired mob, they took evasive action by firing their weapons into the air, until their ammunition ran out, before running into nearby yards for protection. And is the PSC also, by its collective silence, giving approval to the ill- advised cutlass attack that almost ended the lives of policemen in the line of duty? If this is the PSC’s understanding of professionalism of policemen sent to maintain law and order, being attacked by cutlass wielders, allowing themselves to be hacked to death because of their being in the community that supports the PSC’s political horse, then it is yet another manifestation of the dangerously political convenience of this private sector umbrella body. It is a hypocrisy and double standard that stinks by the hour. But this is the PSC’s moral stance. This is what it stands for. This is its national position.

But concomitantly, one must add the fact that this band of opportunists stands accused of outright political racism, because if such an incident had taken place in another

section of the Guyanese community, there would have been instant condemnation from all and sundry, inclusive of the political opportunist types such as the PSC and their Gerry Gouveias.

In mentioning the police’s failure to “prevent mass crowds of the governing party’s actively threatening observers….”, is a desperate attempt to paint the coalition’s supporters as “lawless”; but instead, they must be commended for keeping the peace in the face of the nastiest racist attacks, yet unloaded in this troubled country. It was most despicable to the say the least, yet the coalition supporters have kept their cool, displaying a high level of political maturity and responsibility.

Editor, apart from the fact of coalition party members who gathered in proximity, some metres away from the GECOM Command Centre in the hours following the outrageous assault on GECOM’S autonomy

by PPP/C members and their armed death squad thugs, there was a later mass gathering at Coalition House on Lamaha Street, on the railway embankment, where party members sang hymns and other related songs of praise, followed by an address by coalition leader and President. Neither at both sites was there cause for the police to prevent “the mass gatherings,’’ since the supporters were orderly. But here, I should ask, whether the PSC did witness the unprovoked verbal assault on the person of a senior coalition minister by a former PPP/C potentate, who had falsely accused a police rank of physical assault in the National Assembly a while ago? I am certain that it is aware of such an incident.

Yes, during the High Court hearings there were coalition supporters but not “massed,’’ or “harassing’’ and “threatening” any of the observers, party officials

etcetera. Instead, there were loud boos, as these persons exited the courts; not the type that matches the description of the baseless PSC’S accusations against assembled coalition members. At least there was adequate police protection at those instances, at all times, in position for any eventuality. But not menacingly and ready to shoot at peaceful gatherings, as was the culture during the Jagdeo and Ramotar regimes.

No one needs to be reminded by the PSC as to whom they represent, since its listing of the business and commerce concerns seems to be done as a show of strength. Such would not solve this nation’s problems, exacerbated by the shameful actions of either some of its components, or its collective whole, in joining the Jagdeo post- 2015 bandwagon. However, its collectivity outlines the divide of the nation and further explains the why of what has continued to occur.

In the meantime, the Guyana Police Force is continuing to have the full cooperation of sensible citizens, conducting its duly appointed mission of maintaining the peace and protecting ALL Guyanese.

It is not a force that is functioning under political dictates/directives, as what had obtained prior to May 2015. Had it been, the outcome of the lawless, threatening behaviour that threatened the physical well-being of schoolchildren, policemen and women, ordinary citizens and damage to the public road at Lusignan would have been met with brute force, tear gas and pellets or live rounds.

However, the right to protest and have dissenting views have been respected by the APNU+AFC since 2015

An open letter to Mr Wesley Kirton Dear Mr Wesley Kirton, I AM deeply saddened that you would choose to drive fear into the minds of your fellow Guyanese people.

You wrote so much about U.S. sanctions, you also posted a video that is not that of the State Department according to your statement, you were advised of what is about to happen to Guyana, because of concerns surrounding the recent elections.

Your attempt was to create doubts, instability and fear amongst the most vulnerable; you have misled the Guyanese public. Just like you I have access to the

State Department through the FOIA. I also have access to my senators and my congressional members. I decided to fact check your information with the state department; be it known that your information is false. Below you would find the State Department’s information on Guyana. Keep in mind your information was neither found on the State Department’s page, CNN, NYC Times, Reuters, or any of the major U.S. news outlets.

I am sure this information would not be classified; if classified, you would not be privy to such information unless you have a security clearance to that level and the

right to know. When a U.S. senator/ congressperson or a U.S. official says they are paying attention to developments in a country, that does automatically morph into sanctions. Such critical information must pass through many channels prior to being published publicly; more than likely a letter of warning would be penned to the president of the country advising of such steps. Please be reminded that sanctions are not given out willy nilly to any nation. They are many nations who have experienced worst election periods with civil war erupting throughout their histories and they were not sanctioned.

Should the State Department have allegations of corruption and election tampering against the Guyana officials, it must have some substantial proof which may include: proof of the government strategically relocating polling stations without providing adequate notice to voters; performing various disruptive functions on behalf of current government,” or curtailing the freedom of the press and restricting the democratic process using state-controlled media and other allegations. None of these examples to name a few occurred.

Please take note that the elections “were marked as

fair and free by all involved including observers, until the opposition recognised that they lost the elections.

At that time they decided to ramp up the propaganda of numerous irregularities and rigging of elections; they worked assiduously to involve the observers in private engagements to psychologically convince them that what they were seeing was unfair and irregular.

They managed to control the minds of the unsuspecting foreigners and local representatives by planting the images that Region Four had suddenly become a problem or by offering financial contributions. Keep in mind

Regards Earl Hamilton they received no complaints from the numerous polling stations of irregularities in voting in Region Four prior to the final assessment of the SOPs at GECOM. It’s very disturbing that you would stoop this low and still claim your love for country and the average man or woman, it is obvious that you have your own agenda that strongly suggests fraud helped the ruling party unexpectedly win a majority of the government. There are no acceptable or current reasons for the U.S. to have plans to levy any sanctions on Guyan.

Therefore, I suggest you come clean with the Guyanese people with your post and false allegations.

Regards Concerned Citizen

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

I am now deeply disappointed that Joe Singh has turned out to be the mercury, made to glitter like gold on a rusty surface Dear Mr. Editor I AM 35 years old and was raised under humble circumstances by my parents in Guyana.

I came to develop a value system that has served me well thus far. I learned along the way that “all that glitters is not gold” and that oftentimes people who appear to have the best of intentions may well be doing the dance of deception. Since I came to know of Major-General (MG) Joe Singh, I have always heard nothing but good things said about him. As a serious conservationist at heart myself, I have even followed his writings in the newspapers and was always impressed, until two days ago.

I never would have thought that one day I’d read words attributed to him that sow seeds of division amongst Guyanese. I have to confess that I am now deeply disappointed that MG Joe Singh has turned out to be the mercury, made to glitter like gold on a rusty surface, and the trusted uncle who is now exposed for what he was all along -- the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Allow me, Editor, to respond to Major-General Singh’s recent open and highly disrespectful letter to His Excellency our President David Granger. First, let me make it quite clear, that since I was growing up my parents have always voted PPP. In 2011, I myself voted for the first time and I voted PPP. I did so out of fear as I listened then to the likes of Bharrat Jagdeo whose very effective propaganda machine convinced me that David Granger was a dictator.

In 2020 I voted again, but this time I voted for the APNU+AFC. I do not belong to any political party, so no one influenced my vote.

I watched Guyana’s steady progress under President Granger and I was convinced that my country for the first time in my adult life was headed in the right direction. I thank God every day for Mr Granger. Over the last fourplus years he has earned my respect.

Editor, I wish to let the world know, if only the world would listen to a young Guyanese woman of Indian descent, that Mr Granger has earned my respect because of his overwhelming sense of decency and fairness towards all Guyanese, and great love of country.

Now let me address Major-General (MG) Singh. MG, I have to tell you that the language and tone of the letter attributed to you betrayed the intent of its author. In Guyana we know you MG Singh, and from what we know or thought we knew, you do not fit into the caricature of a simpleton who would get angry that His Excellency the President did

not select him to become the GECOM chairperson, especially since you had served in that position before. Your letter, or the letter to which you have affixed your signature, portrayed you as that simpleton. I still hope you are not the author and that you would find the courage to distance yourself from it. Certainly, the MG we knew or thought we did is educated enough to appreciate the words “fit and proper” in the context that those words were used, by His Excellency the President. Even at my age and level of awareness, I understand that those words were never meant to be taken personally. Nor did I, or anyone else I know, up until your most recent open letter would have seen such words as a fitting description of you. The letter you signed, whether you read it or not, left you bereft of the academic savvy to recognise and appreciate the use of words in context. Let me be clear: no educated and mature individual would carry around such unforgivable anger that burns like acid in his bosom over those words for as long as you have done, according to that obvious mercury campaign letter with some of the campaign messages embedded; a despicable portrayal of you-- an expose of treacherous deception.

In that letter you are portrayed as an angry man who allowed himself to be used in a well-coordinated but evil scheme designed by foreign interests, against the President and people of Guyana. Why else would you allow yourself to be so manipulated by others who lack your standing in our society, as to make you behave as if you are incapable of understanding words in context and the complexities of our legal system. You alluded to “the minions who are behind this conspiracy” and you advocated an uncharacteristic, dictatorial approach to have them “identified and excised like a cancerous tumour from our body politic” -- how more Machiavellian can anyone become? Was that the real Joe Singh, Or his Machiavellian handlers waiting to unleash their criminal and dictatorial rule once again upon the Guyanese people?

Your expressed sarcasm, and high-level intolerance surrounding Ms Ulita Grace Moore’s access to the court, makes me question your respect and acceptance of her right of access to the court. What’s different, in this month of Lent, Self-Righteous MG Singh, between Reaz Holladar’s case, represented

by Anil Nandlall and the Ulita Grace Moore case, represented by Mayo Robertson?

Why are the latter regarded as “minions behind a conspiracy” to be “excised” and NOT the former? What is different in this month of Lent Mr Self-Righteous Joe Singh, between the decisions of Justice Navindra

Singh and those of Justice Franklin Holder?

When you would have, in your silent moments, answered the questions posed above and looked at yourself in the mirror, you should bow your head in shame that you allowed yourself to be manipulated to a place where you would publicly safeguard the legal rights of one group of Guyanese and deny another group the same access. You stand like the emperor MG; or the former angel...Fallen!

I never heard a word from you when one side of the divide approached the courts. Why do you believe now that Mr Granger who is not a dictator, and does NOT control the minds of his followers or the courts, should somehow silence a Guyanese who has an opinion different from his, yours and mine for that matter? NOTE: I, like Mr Granger, support a recount, but I also respect everyone’s right to their own opinions and access to the courts of Guyana. Is that not the essence of democracy? Why can’t you and your foreign mercury friends who have made you into one of their ‘minions,’ your word in context uncle Joe, not mine, accept that what’s good for one group in society has to be good for the other.

Teach them Uncle Joe…teach them that in our beautiful Guyana what’s good for the goose is also good for the gander…don’t let them infuse their racist tendencies on us Guyanese through the use of your pen. I will not forgive you if you don’t distance yourself from that.

You are completely out of order to ask Mr Granger to silence, excise condignly those whose opinions differ from his. Silencing other people’s opinions is a thing done by the party I voted for in 2011. My friends in that party tell me that they wanted Anil Nandlall as their presidential candidate.

They however were forced to accept Irfaan Ali, lest they be “excised like the cancerous tumour.” Is that the level to which you would have Mr Granger descend? Is that what you want for Guyana? The foreigners don’t care, they want the oil…. but what do you want Uncle Joe? You claimed in your letter, that you hold Mr Granger in high esteem as a colleague and a friend. I have to conclude that with friends like you, he’ll never have a need for enemies.

Major-General Joe Singh, are you not embarrassed to state or have stated in your name: “We, long-suffering Guyanese, fooled by the mirages of a good life, are hurting”? In this month of Lent, tell me truthfully, who is hurting? And whose words are those?

Let this young Guyanese who voted PPP in 2011 speak for herself. The tremendous development and growth that I have witnessed in the last four years under President Granger I didn’t see in the years under the killing ma-

chine death squad regime. Mercury and you now wish to return to Guyana to interrupt the good life I have only just begun to enjoy.

Where was your voice when Crum-Ewing was murdered? Where was your voice when the phantom squad roamed the land? Why were you not embarrassed and hurting and angry then? Why MG Joe Singh? Why? Why didn’t YOU want the “poisoned chalice pass” then? Why Joe Singh? Why? I rather suspect by now that if you have a conscience you would recognise by now that you stand like the Emperor, Major-General.

Why have you allowed yourself to be manipulated into an instrument of the ongoing Mercury Public Affairs, (of Paul Manafort notoriety), campaign against the masses of Guyanese people? Why have you made yourself into their handmaid? Where is your sense of decency and professionalism as a former senior military officer? Why have you so disgraced yourself? What were you paid? What were you promised?

I am so disappointed that you found yourself in a conspiracy to refer to the peoples of Guyana as “dogs.” It has often been said that in times of crisis the real characters of men rise to the surface. You have exposed yourself Major-General and now you stand like the emperor.

Finally, Joe Singh, why did you let someone else script these foolish words for you, to tarnish your reputation as a gentleman with at least a modicum of intelligence. How could you in your right mind, claim as yours the words below: “I will not forgive you if you fail to do the honourable duty of calling off the dogs of war and excise them condignly” …Like seriously Joe Singh?

Have you gone insane? Do you seriously wish those words to form part of your legacy?

Have you lost YOUR sense of pride? What happened to you in this month of Lent? Did the devil tempt you? Did that slippery devil like mercury take you to the mountain top and promised all the oil kingdoms of the world if you embraced the Mercury/Jagdeo evil design for Guyana’s oil? What happened…and finally, you know the bible, why didn’t you tell that slippery-like mercury devil to get away from you?

Why in this month of Lent, did you yield to the temptation and now you are left standing like the emperor… My grandparents and parent taught me well, “all that glitters is not gold and never take a book by its cover; sometimes those who appear to have good intentions are sometimes exposed for who they really are…the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Regards Devina Mahadeo

DCMO responds to Sherlina Nageer Dear Editor, I WISH to thank Ms Sherlina Nageer (MPH) for her queries concerning a statement attributed to me last week in the newspaper about measures the Ministry of Public Health can implement to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana.

In her letter she quoted a paragraph in which I am quoted as saying that “as an extreme measure, the ministry will employ methods to forcibly detain persons in the interest of public safety.” I do not deny this assertion. My statement was made prior to the recent Presidential Orders and premised on the extant Public Health Ordinance (Chapter 145) which stated, inter alia, in article 139 (1) (g) that the constitution provides “that a

person may be deprived of his or her personal liberty as may be authorised by law for the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease.”

Article 148 (3) (b) also stated that “A person may be deprived of his or her freedom of movement through an imposition of restriction by law on the person’s movement or residence within Guyana that are reasonably required in the interest of public health.” The crafters of our constitution did foresee the likelihood of citizens ignoring or actively resisting containment measures to help thwart the spread of infectious diseases, endangering the lives of other citizens, and deliberately promoting the circulation of ailments such as COVID-19, thus those aforementioned measures among others in the

Health Ordinance. Earlier in the week, the Presidential Orders gave legislative ‘teeth’ to those extant constitutional provisions.

While infected persons who deliberately/maliciously ignore public-safety requirements, thus jeopardising the lives of other citizens, can have their liberties severely restricted, that is not tantamount in my estimation to incarceration or being ‘jailed’ to use Ms Nageer’s term. The Public Health Ministry has identified places to house infected persons who need to be isolated, but might have difficulties doing so in their homes, and any of those can suffice to house wilful transgressors “in the interest of public safety.” The Ministry of Public Health hopes that better sense prevails in these “troubling times” to prevent the use of trained security

personnel as further precautionary measures.

Should those additional, robust measures be necessary, collaboration with the Public Security Ministry will assure that their “human rights and dignity” (Ms Nageer’s phrase) are respected and safeguarded.

The Public Health Ministry and her local and international partners such as PAHO/WHO are committed to ensuring that Guyana beats the spread of COVID-19 and are grateful for the overwhelming positive response and support of the nation.

We wish to thank you in advance for your continued support.

Regards Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle DCMO, Ministry of Public Health

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

INVISIBLE BUT NOT INVINCIBLE

IT is slowly but surely seeping into the sinews of our soul that we are waging a war against an enemy that is invisible, but certainly not invincible.

Yes, it is the war against the novel Caronavirus (COVID-19). It was beaten back in the People’s Republic of China, and almost chased out from the territory from which it originated. But it has invisibly migrated and found a new epicenter in Italy, and is moving speedily in Western Europe, and down across to the Atlantic to North America, and into the Caribbean.

At the speed with which it is spreading, if it is not contained, COVID-19 could destroy within months a big portion of the world’s population.

MOVIE FEARS I have seen this frightening probability some years ago in Inferno, a scary Tom Hanks movie, in which the plot of an insane scientist was to detonate a biological weapon in a city with a high density in population, such as in Italy, and to let the virus travel to other crowded places.

Somehow, the movie reminded me of the unscientific fears of Thomas Malthus (17661834) about the economics of over-population and under-production. That fear over exponential population growth had resulted during the 1970s in sterilisation schemes of one sort or the other in several countries, including the most populous - China and India.

Styled “family planning”, another version of sterilisation was the theme of the Matt Damon movie, Downsizing, which depicted the possibility of reducing members of the human race into miniatures of ourselves.

The movies might have a point, but right now, right here, our people are living in dire fear of the coronavirus. We have gone into lock-down modes, fearful of touching even our own face, nose and eyes.

We go to work if we have to, travel only when necessary, and observe advisories on good hygiene and sanitation.

PARTY POLITICS Guyanese across the board understand that Caronavirus is not about party politics. It is not about racial sentiments.

Yet I would see some folks (trolls, they are called) who foolishly feel safe behind their electronic devices or in some overseas rat-holes that they fear the virus would not infect, want to make it so. They pith the recent elections against the epidemic, and hopelessly see the latter as a political ploy. All I can say to this is that it is real, bro. The pandemic is daily killing hundreds out there, and has claimed one life in Guyana. We may be lucky so far, but we are not yet safe.

We must we grateful that our Government has been vigilant, and that President Granger has authorized several agencies to implement a Table of Measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus, and to save our people from further exposure and from infection.

The President has designated me Head of a National Task Force to coordinate and oversee the measures being taken by various front-line agencies, and to give these agencies, especially our medical, port health and sanitary workers, the support they need.

We started off as a Ministerial Task Force but we have since invited the Leader of the Opposition, and the leadership of civil society

to take part in this important work to not only sensitise our people about the dangers of the virus, but to recommend actionable measures to be taken by relevant agencies.

We have done good so far, and civil society organisations are responding positively.

As I said at the initial press conference of the Task Force, this is not a partisan political or exclusively governmental task.

“All of us, all of our Regions, the entire nation, are in it together…If not, all of us will loose loved ones, and all of us will be held accountable.”

SOUNDING BOARD It may be an opportunity also to use this national emergency as a sounding board on whether our leaders are willing to work together for the common good of our people.

I have seen in the past how this could work. I have seen how it worked when Guyana wanted to take ownership of the “commanding heights of the economy”; how “critical support” evolved when the PPP perceived that a national threat to Guyana’s sovereignty had existed. I had seen it work when an aged David Westmass, personal assistant to Cheddi Jagan, joined the People’s Militia, under which it was intended to make “every citizen a soldier”, to defend our country from aggression.

Today, when the enemy is COVID-19, no call is ever greater than that for national unity. COVID is not a terrorist. It has no suicide belt. It would not self destruct. We have to collectively defeat it. COVID-19 may be invisible but it is not invincible if all of us, not only have clean hands, but we join hands!

I sincerely believe that many Guyanese

want this to happen. But they want to see the 2020 elections behind us. Many of us, including the President, agonise over the delay and the damage this has done to our national fabric. Our major ethnic groups, Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese, are dagger’s tip apart.

Both the coronavirus pandemic and the fragile political situation, when combined, make an explosive time-bomb. It is an unprecedented situation that requires astute leadership.

RIGHT TIME It is unfortunate that some elements and their foreign backers have been making all the noises in order to drown out the constitutional and legal processes.

The Executive, however styled -- “President Granger”, “APNU+AFC” – cannot dictate the outcome of these elections. The results of the elections would be determined by the Elections Commission, which is the only constitutional authority to do so. It must await the decisions of the Judiciary, an independent branch of the State.

Last week as I was heading into a meeting of the GY COVID Task Force, my son-in-law Dr. Dustaff Persaud, sent me this message: “If it feels wrong to take action, it is the right time.

If it feels right to take action, you are too late.”

Our leaders, for various plausible reasons, may feel that it is wrong to have reproachment now. But the time is now, before the final declaration of results of the 2020 elections. They must indicate now that they are committed to a government of national unity.

This is the right time!

Understanding Energy

Coronavirus’s likely impact on local oil industry GUYANA’s airports are closed. Countries all around the world are encouraging citizens to distance themselves from others and remain at home. Businesses are closing and airlines are shuttering routes as travel becomes difficult.

Although overshadowed here until recently by elections drama, Coronavirus (also called COVID-19) will likely have profound impacts for months. Our nascent oil industry will not escape these impacts. Already reeling from an oil price collapse, global energy companies will have many hard choices to make.

Exxon presents a good case study as the operator of the Stabroek Block and the only company currently producing oil commercially in Guyana. Its operations here could be hit hard by things like travel restrictions that make it difficult for drillers, engineers and other critical personnel to travel into Guyana.

The behind-the-scenes logistics of just moving the right materials, technology and manpower across the world to build and operate enormous floating engineering marvels is extensive at the best of times. In emergencies like this when global supply chains are disrupted, borders are closed and transportation

is hard to find, keeping that web of logistics moving will be an immense task and any lapse could cripple operations.

Companies will be looking closely at the capacity of local medical facilities, especially if they’re overwhelmed by Coronavirus patients. If they believe they don’t have a safe place to send workers in the event of an injury or the ability to medivac if the injury is more serious, companies could scale back or even halt operations.

Ensuring that their workers have access to good medical care and the ability to move freely and safely inside and outside the country are the sorts of above-ground risks that oil companies and others with international operations factor in to their “above-ground” risks when they set up operations.

“Above-ground risk”—the conditions that companies have to deal with beyond geology and other oil and gas exploration considerations—are factors that must be considered when making investment decisions because they can significantly impact the economics of their projects. These factors can include border disputes and chaotic political situations but also constantly-changing regulatory

and contract terms. And they include natural disasters like hurricanes, industrial accidents and pandemics like the Coronavirus or SARS. As a critical supplier to almost every industry—including healthcare and first responders—the oil and gas industry does all it can to work through these events safely and responsibly to maintain production. Companies in the industry tend to have long histories of adapting to and working around unpredictable situations while keeping workers and operations safe.

But it is not by happenstance. Oil majors like ExxonMobil have long emphasized preparedness. Well trained emergency response teams are the norm and scenario planning and a variety of regular drills are common practice.

Nonetheless, the current situation is unprecedented and could profoundly reshape life for months. The steps that Guyana is already taking to stem the infection, like designating quarantine sites, closing schools and businesses and more will hopefully help slow the spread here. But the government needs to closely monitor the situation to avoid the kind of widespread infection that we are seeing in

Europe and the United States.

The industry is implementing its own measures, both in terms of safety and finances. Guyana’s development timeline has been extremely aggressive so far in order to maximize how much revenue we can receive in the near term. But moving forward, travel is likely to be limited to only the most essential personnel, slowing down operations. Project development and exploration will likely slow too as additional checks and containment measures are put in place.

A persistent low oil price environment caused by Coronavirus and the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia that erupted last week might mean investments and new projects will be scaled back even for the largest operators like Exxon.

At this point, many of these forces are simply out of Guyana’s hands.

But common-sense precautions like social distancing, strong enforcement of quarantines and border controls and preparing our healthcare system can all help further insulate both Guyana and our new oil industry and give it the best chance of adapting to a changed world.

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WHO WILL OBSERVE THE OBSERVERS?

IN my previous column, I opined: ‘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’.

At times, when observer missions get it wrong, it can be disastrous, as clearly and recently evidenced by the case of Haiti and Bolivia. In the case of Haiti in the 2010 elections, the Organisation of the American States (OAS) recommended changing the results of the elections with no evidentiary basis for doing so. In notable addition, recent findings on the Bolivian elections are proving that Evo Morales, the former President, was a victim of an observer mission’s tacit coup d’etat. These two cases ought to be of much interest to all Guyanese as we analyse developments of our recently-concluded national elections. This column does not seek to vilify our international friends, nor does it seek to pontificate on the just-concluded elections.

This serves to provide information for educative purposes in anticipation of enhanced public debates.

THE CASE OF HAITI Haiti’s election occurred on November 28, 2010 and was mired in controversy in the first round.

Upon the completion of voting by Haitians, the Conseil Electoral Provisoire, Haiti’s version of GECOM, declared the results. First place went to the former First Lady, Mirlande Manigat; Jude Celestin, the government’s candidate, came in second and third place went to Micheal Martelly. The results showed a tight separation

of 0.7 per cent between second and third place and this provided fertile ground for cries of electoral fraud or in the Haitian creole, ‘fwod’ and shouts of rigging or ‘gréement’. Numerous allegations of widespread cheating led to the OAS being invited to settle all disputes. The OAS appointed a committee of seven experts to provide oversight and judgment on the election.

They recommended a reversal of the first-round results which put Martelly second and Celestin third. Subsequently, an OAS report on the elections was released and the findings were consistent with the sentiments of the team of experts.

This report has been reviewed and critiqued by many, including David Rosnick of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. In his report, ‘The Organisation of American States in Haiti: election monitoring or political intervention?’, he submitted the following: ‘This de-legitimation of the 2000 election, which was not based on any significant flaws in the electoral process itself, was a crucial element in bringing about the 2004 coup against the elected government.

The OAS, therefore, contributed significantly to this destabilisation and overthrow of democratic government in Haiti’ THE CASE OF BOLIVIA The case of Eva Morales and the Bolivian elections is emerging as one of the biggest embarrassment for observers and the work they execute. Bolivia’s elections commenced on October 20th, 2019, there were nine candidates including the leftist President, Eva Morales.

Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous President has been a persistent thorn in the side of the United States due to his leftist policies and fiery rhetoric. Bolivians submitted their votes and the results produced by the Tribunal Supremo

Electoral (TSE), showed Morales in separation from the next closest candidate by 7.9 per cent, short of the 10 per cent required to avoid a second round. The seven million registered voters and the rest of the population watched in anxious anticipation of the final results. A sudden stoppage in the transmission of the results sparked allegations of electoral fraud which mushroomed into a public relations blitzkrieg that resulted in Evo Morales being exiled in Mexico.

This unexplained break in the displaying of the results was the popular basis for the media, the opposition, the international community and the observers to discredit these elections and the President never got a chance to recover from the avalanche of accusations, he resigned under excruciating pressure. One year later, the report, ‘Observing the Observers: The OAS in the 2019 Bolivian Elections’, written by Jake Johnston and David Rosnick and commissioned by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, has revealed that Morales was a victim of deliberate dishonesty by the OAS observer mission. The report found that 299 tally sheets which were deemed by the OAS to have forged signatures were completely false. Also, on page four, the following is documented: ‘The unethical conduct of the OAS in Bolivia has had deeply disturbing consequences.

The fraud narrative that the OAS helped promote contributed to Evo Morales, the country’s democratically-elected president, fleeing the country — aboard a plane sent

by Mexico — months before his term ended; other officials — including former members of Bolivia’s electoral authority — sit in jail; and an unelected de facto government has assumed power with the support of the military and has engaged in violent repression of protests, the persecution of political opponents, and a drastic change in foreign policy.’

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

THE CASE OF GUYANA It might be too early to cast judgment on the elections of March 2, but there is an eerie pattern of similarity with the abovementioned cases has emerged.

Guyana is ripe for a baseless narrative of electoral fraud because it has a regrettable rich history of electoral malpractice, it is easy to construct a successful narrative which suggests there is rigging. Also, the political opposition embarked on an unprecedented public relations campaign to convince all and sundry that the government was dead set on manipulating the elections, so the stage was perfectly set. On March 3, the Region Four Returning Officer stopped the agreed process to tally the votes and there was a disparity between the figures he called from his Statement of Polls (SOPs) and the dubious SOPs in the possession of anti-government forces, this sparked a frenzy which almost manifested into the Evo Morales and Bolivia scenario. The OAS was front and centre of the international community’s concerns which was hijacked by the political opposition and communicated as an outcry of electoral fraud. The political opposition is aided

by Mercury Public Relations, a US political consultancy with strong ties to the OAS and the Trump administration. This company has constructed a public relations coup d’etat that has cemented the idea of fraud in the Guyana elections that may prove at a later date to be completely false.

The evidence suggests that observers do get it wrong, who will observe the observers?

Social distancing – how to make the most of it

By Melina Harris WITHOUT being insensitive to the current coronavirus pandemic, I wish to make certain observations about our global society and how we might make the best of the current situation. I have always said and now maintain that Guyanese are amongst the strongest and most resilient people I have ever known and I have no doubt in my mind that we will overcome this too.

Although we have not had to endure the ravages of war, famine, drought or any level of pestilence that would have a significant impact on our lives and livelihood, Guyanese have nonetheless endured our fair share of trauma.

The novel coronavirus is impacting our global family and was recently classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization as it is now present on all continents of the globe.

What I find most fascinating about this pandemic is just how far our governments have gone to circumvent the spread of the deadly virus.

Health warnings have been blasting from our radios, televisions and mobile phones in a constant loop ever since the WHO ramped up its efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Governments have introduced legislation at breakneck speeds and have taken numerous steps to circumvent the spread of the virus. Many nations have now instituted partial or complete lockdown measures and have advised that citizens should stay at home and only venture outside when absolutely necessary. Where individuals are permitted to work from home, they have been doing so.

So far, the corona virus has infected just over 270,000 people and has reportedly killed close to 12,000. The most vulnerable have been described as the elderly and those suffering from pre-existing comorbidities and the immunocompromised. The coronavirus is shockingly similar to the common cold or flu; however, the symptoms have been described as fever, tiredness, dry cough and difficulty breathing in severe cases. I do not purport to be a medical professional but in my opinion, the coronavirus seems just like the flu. Before I am flayed for drawing this conclusion, I will of course follow the WHO guidelines and those provided locally here in Guyana in order to curb the spread of the virus. Nonetheless, I remain convinced that this pandemic is not all that it appears to be.

When I spoke to my younger brother who lives in London earlier this week, he gave me the lowdown on exactly what has been going on in London. Amid howling laughter, he described the changes he had noticed. Before we get into what my brother and I discussed, I would be remiss if I did not set the scene. For those who are easily offended, you might wish to turn away now. In my opinion, the hygiene standards of most native Londoners leave much to be desired.

Studies can attest to the facts I now wish to state.

Most natives do not shower on a daily basis and personal hygiene is often an afterthought for a large segment of society. Mannerisms such as covering one’s mouth when coughing, yawning or sneezing are uncommon. Simply put, you are more likely to see someone’s tonsils before you see them raising their hand to cover their

open mouths.

So how has that all changed since the coronavirus? When I asked my brother how people’s behavior had changed, if it had, he flatly stated that it seemed like people were now being introduced to the concept of hygiene and manners. I laughed uncontrollably because I knew exactly what he was talking about. He went on to say that on public transportation, people are even reluctant to cough openly, and when they do so, they have been covering their mouths! How incredible, that behavior we had never witnessed before was now becoming commonplace. He said that everyone now carried hand sanitizer and were obsessively using it everywhere. When I asked about how work was being impacted on his site (he works in construction), he said he had witnessed the most unbelievable transformations from the very same men who admittedly didn’t have much time for hygiene before. The kicker was when I asked him how he was coping with the social distancing element of the government’s guidance. He laughed again and said it was something that he has always been practicing, especially working on a construction site.

Because of the highly infectious nature of the virus, the need for social distancing and isolation has become necessary. This essentially means staying away from people as much as possible. Although this might be a scary concept to some folks, there are those of us who might thrive in such an environment. So, although the world might be in full on panic mode, there are many different things we can do, to our benefit, during this time of chaos.

I recommend learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby whilst we socially isolate and distance ourselves from each other. There are countless things we always tell ourselves we would like to learn how to do but we often do not get the time to do them. I think a global pandemic requiring us to stay at home is the best possible time to take on the task of learning a new skill. I also recommend getting out and about into nature. Although this might not be possible, depending on where you live, I find that nature is the closest thing to God on this planet and being close to nature can be very therapeutic, healing and relaxing. Just remember to stay away from people when you do so!

Depending on how long this pandemic lasts, there might be a need to revisit this topic; however, I am hopeful for a rapid decline in new cases and for the coronavirus to disappear just as quickly as it appeared.

I am also hopeful that this pandemic teaches us that we are all one in our fight for survival on this planet and that we are more powerful when we are united and working together in the best interests of each other.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

Perspectives on the issues arising from the Guyana March 2, 2020 Elections WERE the Guyana elections fraudulent?

First, was the voting process fraudulent?

After polls closed, the following comments were made by Observer missions: The Carter Center: “The Center’s 41 observers conducted 220 observations in polling stations across all 10 regions, in addition to observing the advance voting for disciplined forces that took place on Feb. 21. Carter Center observers reported that voting and counting processes were largely well-organised and peaceful, and assessed the implementation of voting procedures as positive, with only occasional inadequacies….

GECOM utilised its strong base of electoral expertise to conduct well-managed voting-day operations. The voting and counting processes were generally well-prepared and logistically sound.”

Organisation of American States (OAS) Observer mission head Commended the people of Guyana on their strong democratic commitment, which he said was reflected in their peaceful and enthusiastic participation in the polls.

EUROPEAN UNION OBSERVER MISSION: They described the voting as “well managed” with everyone able to express their franchise.

Commonwealth Observer mission: Commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on its hosting of an efficient election process on March 2.

“Polling conducted in an orderly, transparent and a largely peaceful environment. Polling stations were generally well organised and prepared for the polls and opened promptly… staff appeared to be well trained and we commend them for their professionalism and their diligence,” CARICOM Election Observation Mission: Satisfied that the conduct of the Poll was “free, fair and transparent.”

Said the people of Guyana “should be proud of themselves,” and the mission salutes the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the citizens of the country “for the peaceful conduct of the poll,” and expects that the results of the poll “will reflect the free expression of the will and aspirations of the Guyanese people, for a government of their choice.”

The various comments from the observer missions convey that the voting process in the elections was well managed, peaceful, proceeded largely without incident and was free, fair and transparent.

It is therefore, reasonable to conclude then that the voting process was not fraudulent.

Secondly, was the counting/tabulation fraudulent?

Consequently, dissatisfaction was expressed about the tabulation in Region Four.

SPREADSHEET Complaint was made about the Returning Officer tabulating from a spreadsheet and not directly from the statements of poll.

This was not unusual as it is a common practice by ROs to populate a spreadsheet from the SOPs and then tabulate from the spreadsheet,

and this process was actually used in some of the other regions in these elections. Purely an operational issue where parties rely on the RO. The PPP/C was not prepared to rely on the RO in Region Four, as they had done in some of the other regions.

PPP/C demanded that the RO must do the tabulation directly from the SOPs. They stormed GECOM’s offices demanding documents and abusing and intimidating GECOM staff. They also went to court and the court ordered the RO to tabulate directly from the SOPs. PRESENCE OF ALL PARTIES RO restarted the tabulation using the SOPs. After that, the complaint was then that the tabulation was not being done in the presence of all parties, where all parties could see the SOPs. See joint statement from Observers.

Joint Statement – March 6 The international observer missions from the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States, the European Union, and The Carter Center issued the following statement: “The tabulation of results for the election in Region Four was interrupted and remains incomplete. The law requires that tabulation must be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers. Until this transparent process takes place, the counting of votes recorded for Region Four remains incomplete.

The transparent tabulation of results for Region Four must be resumed in order to proceed to the establishment of national results.

A calm and conducive environment must be provided by the police. We urge all political parties to adhere to the codes of conduct signed by them.

The Guyana Elections Commission, including the chairperson, the commissioners, the chief elections officer, the returning officer and deputy returning officers in Region Four, must be available and committed to establishing the results for Region Four in accordance with the law.

Until this occurs, the result of these elections cannot be credibly declared.”

The entire statement is reproduced so that it is clear what the complaint from the observers was at that stage.

The complaints at this point were all procedural related, as they were all about how the RO was proceeding. Complaints were about transparency, not about fraud. Those complaints were addressed.

The RO moved proceedings to GECOM head office where there was the facility to display SOPs on the screen for all to see. The process was continued and completed at GECOM. That process would have satisfied the specific requirements mentioned in the joint statement.

So, it is not clear: What is the specific problem that some of the observers continue to have about the last tabulation done from the SOPs on March 13? All parties were present, and all SOPs were displayed for all to see.

Before that process was completed, new complaints emerged. The new complaint was now based on what one can only be described as a spurious claim made by the PPP/C.

DIFFERENT FROM PPP/C’S SOPS The PPP/C has claimed that SOPs used by the RO in Region Four were different from the SOPs it has, which it displayed on its website.

Amazingly, the OAS Observer Mission mentioned that and said that because GECOM and APNU did not challenge PPP/C’s SOPs, the implications were “deeply troubling.” This is amazing because GECOM is the constitutional authority in this process, and credence must be given to their SOPs over those of any other party. GECOM has no obligation or responsibility to challenge SOPs presented by any other party.

This view of GECOM’s status is consistent with all parties previously maintaining that GECOM is the only authority who can declare elections results.

Apart from the fact that GECOM’s SOPs are what must be considered, it should be noted that the first publication by PPP/C of its vote tally stated that the document was prepared on February 29, 2020, two days before the elections (See Table One below). That alone should have raised questions and doubt about the authenticity of the PPP/C’s numbers. That initial tally was withdrawn and replaced with one dated March 5, 2020.

SHIFTING COMPLAINTS Importantly, neither PPP/C, Observers nor diplomats have stated specifically how the tabulation exercise on March 13 did not comply with the law, and neither has any credible reason or evidence been provided to question the SOPs used by GECOM. The events mentioned above indicate that there were shifting complaints as the process evolved and in respect of the last one, relating to the PPP/C SOPs, it is more than strange that SOPs produced by a political party could be used, without any other corroborating evidence, as a basis for questioning the integrity of the SOPs of the constitutional authority GECOM…..the same GECOM which was praised by observers for its handling of the “well managed” and “free, fair and transparent” elections. A higher standard must be required and applied if the integrity of the otherwise praiseworthy constitutional body is to be called into question.

CONTROVERSY The impression has been given by some that there was controversy about counting and tabulation of votes only in Region Four. This is incorrect. In Regions Three and Six, APNU+AFC objected to tabulations done by the ROs and requested recounts of the votes. The RO denied the request in Region Three. In Region Six, the recount is suspended until further notice because APNU+AFC has insisted that new blank SOPs should be used for the recount, and PPP/C has refused to open its lock on the container for the blank SOPs to be retrieved.

OBSERVERS It is interesting that very strident and questionable comments were made by the leaders of the OAS and Commonwealth Observer Missions when compared with comments by other observer missions. In both cases, they raised

objections to the declarations made by the RO for Region Four presumably because they were different from the SOPs and tally produced by the PPP/C. This begs the following question: Is it a mere coincidence that the leaders of those two missions are former Prime Ministers of Caribbean countries who were in office when the current Guyana leader of the opposition was President and are his close friends? We can only speculate about the answer, but the events do suggest that better care ought to have been taken by both organisations in the choice of leader of their observer missions.

When viewed dispassionately, the complaints about a lack of transparency in the process in Region Four were addressed. Initially, the process adopted was no different than in other regions. Ultimately, the process followed was in keeping with the legal requirements, and special arrangements were made for all parties to view the SOPs used by GECOM to complete the tabulation. The complaints of a lack of transparency in the tabulation exercise were fully addressed by the RO and GECOM. Equally, the allegations of fraud have arisen solely from one political party producing SOPs different from those held by the constitutional authority responsible for the elections. They have provided no evidence to support an allegation that GECOM’s SOPs could be fraudulent.

Regrettably, observers and diplomats have apparently bought into the PPP/C’s narrative without sufficient objective examination of the facts and in the absence of any evidence to support fraud.

It is a dangerous precedent to question the integrity and work of a constitutional body without any compelling evidence and solely based on unsupported allegations made by a political party which has a vested interest. Such action undermines both the constitutional body as well as democracy in Guyana.

NATIONAL RECOUNT The President, in his judgment, saw it fit to invite CARICOM to oversee a recount of all votes in all regions. He did so in an effort to settle all issues in the presence of CARICOM as another independent body. The leader of the opposition agreed to this process. Both Leaders insisted that such a recount must be undertaken in compliance with the Constitution and laws of Guyana. CARICOM accepted that condition as well. Consequently, there was agreement on the procedure to be adopted within that framework.

Subsequently, a Guyanese citizen has taken issue with this arrangement, and is mounting a challenge in the Supreme Court and in the interim has obtained an injunction to halt the recount.

The right of the citizen to take this action cannot be denied and ought to be respected. This action ought to be welcomed by all stakeholders as the Supreme Court will adjudicate on the legality of the process, which should be a concern for everyone involved. It is unfortunate that the Chairman of CARICOM has ascribed ulterior motives to this development.

This response from the chairman could well call into question CARICOM’s status as a “honest broker” going forward in this process.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

Minister Ally pledges to rebuild Bush Lot butchery destroyed by arsonists –– ‘We must be our brother’s keeper’ MINISTER of Social Protection Amna Ally urged Guyanese to live as one despite our differences as she paid a visit to the home of the Azeez family in Bush Lot, who had their butchery torched Friday evening by unknown persons.

“We must be our brother’s keeper; this is not the time for hate. So, I call on all the people of Region 5- I’m a daughter of this Region. I don’t want to see the destruction of this Region,” Minister Ally pleaded, according to a press release from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

It said that a visibly shaken Mr. Azeez was reassured by the Social Protection Minister that his business will be restored with the help of Good Samaritans who were moved to assist after learning of the unfortunate incident.

Minister Ally stated, “Your party, the People’s National Congress Reform will build back your stand immediately.”

The businessman was asked to provide an estimate of his losses, the release stated.

Acknowledging that the tragic circumstances were

Mr. and Mrs. Azeez of Bush Lot, Region 5

traumatizing for the family, Minister Ally called for unity among Guyanese, particularly those in Region 5 where there have been instances of unrest, fueled by the fear-mongering rhetoric of the main Opposition party.

“Keep calm, keep the peace and continue to promote peace,” the Social Protection Minister urged.

Earlier Saturday President David Granger denounced the acts of violence perpetrated in Region 5 and expressed his sympathy to all affected citizens, inclusive of the children and police officers that were attacked by violent protesters after the March 2, 2020

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally

Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally (right) during the visit to the home of the Azeez family in Bush Lot, Region 5. MP Jennifer Wade is seated extreme left.

elections.

President Granger ad-

vised, citizens “to respect the rule of law” while call-

ing for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Kenny Rogers: County music legend dies at 81 (BBC)-American country music legend Kenny Rogers has died aged 81.

A family representative said he “passed away peacefully at home from natural causes”. Rogers topped pop and country charts during the 1970s and 1980s, and won three Grammy awards. Known for his husky voice and ballads including The Gambler, Lucille and Coward Of The County, his career spanned more than six decades.

He once summed up his popularity by explaining that he believed his songs “say what every man wants to say and that every woman wants to hear”. After growing up in poverty on a federal housing estate in Houston, Texas, Rogers began recording with a string of bands, including Ken-

ny Rogers and the First Edition, before launching his solo career in 1976. He was never a favourite of music critics, but became one of the most successful pop-country crossover acts of all time, and the 10th best-selling male artist in US history in terms of album sales.

He collaborated with other country music legends during his career, including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. In 2007 he unexpectedly found himself back in the limelight in the UK when The Gambler became the unofficial World Cup anthem of England’s Rugby Team.

The song became so popular that during his 2013 Glastonbury Festival legends slot Rogers played it twice.

That same year, he was inducted into the Country Music

Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association. In their statement his family said he had “left an indelible mark on the history of American music”. A keen businessman, Rogers led several ventures over the years, mainly in property and the restaurant sector.

He also acted in several movies and TV shows, including starring as a race car driver in the 1982 movie Six Pack. During an interview with the BBC in 2013 , he recalled his “obsession” with tennis, and said he became so good that he ranked higher than Bjorn Borg in the ATP’s doubles table. He was married five times and had five children.

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

United Minibus Union to meet with MoPH on procedures for public transport THE United Minibus Union (UMU) is set to have a meeting with the Ministry of Public Health on March 23, 2020, to discuss a way forward as it relates to putting measures in place to ensure public transport provides its passengers with an environment that prevents the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This was the information disclosed to the Guyana Chronicle

by President of the UMU, Eon Andrews.

“Well I expect there will be slides and so on showing the minibus operators how to keep their buses clean and sterile to best prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; we expect that the ministry has systems in place that will work to, if not provide resources, at least provide the minibus operators with a system for receiving subsidies for these items,” Andrews said.

Health and safety in public transportation have been growing concerns since the first confirmed case of the novel Corona Virus COVID 19 in Guyana. Many persons have made known their fears of travelling in public transport and if there have been any measures put in place to cater for sanitisation of these minibuses.

Andrews explained that currently, minibus operators have had to take control of sanitising their own vehicles due to the fact that the association does not have the resources to provide sanitisation items to those operators. He further said that even if the UMU had the resources, many of the bus operators are not a part of the union. He however stated that while the operators await the outcome of Monday’s meeting, he still encourages all minibus operators and owners to continue working under the guidelines put forward by the Ministry of Public Health as it relates to creating an environment that would prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Caribbean Airlines’ domestic TT operations to continue …in wake of international restrictions

IN response to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s announcement that effective 00:01 hour on Monday March 23, 2020, the borders of Trinidad and Tobago will be closed to all international commercial services until further notice, Caribbean Airlines said it must restrict its international flights. However, at this time its domestic operations will continue.

A release from the airline said that customers holding tickets for international services beyond March 23, 2020 can place tickets on hold for future travel. It said that for the latest information customers can check: * Caribbean Airlines website - www.caribbean-airlines.com * Caribbean Airlines Mobile App * Caribbean Airlines Flight Notifications service * Caribbean Airlines Social media pages Meanwhile, CEO of Caribbean Airlines, Garvin Medera, said in a message to customers that as a result of decisions

by the governments of Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica to halt all international commercial flights, “there are a number of imminent changes to our services: · Jamaica – all Caribbean Airlines passenger services will cease by midnight on Saturday March 21 · Trinidad – all other international Caribbean Airlines passenger services will cease by midnight on Sunday March 22.”

He noted that services between Trinidad and Tobago will continue to operate on an adjusted frequency schedule.

“If you have a booking on an affected service, there is no need to contact our call centre at this time. Your booking will be automatically cancelled and there is no need to take any further action,” he said.

He noted that once it is announced that international services can resume, persons will be able to contact the airline regarding rebooking “and we would waive any applicable change fees at that time.”

Queensway offering professional guard services WITH Security being a number one issue for many businesses, private security firms in Guyana provide security to both private residences as well as over 90 per cent of businesses in the country. Many Guyanese have called out several of these companies for offering what they call “watchmen” instead of “security services” stating that many of the security officers in their estimation are not equipped to provide adequate security services.

The Guyana Chronicle reached out to Queensway Security Service for an interview and Chief Operations Officer, Lancelot Khan, said that his company follows a process as it relates to hiring security personnel so as to ensure it provides the most efficient service to its clients.

“At Queensway we try to have our employees go through all the processes and the training so they are made more aware of what they have to do in terms of their

responsibility, whether they want to be a guard career wise or not at least they have to deliver on what a guard would have to deliver on.”

Said Khan.

Khan explained that there is a defining factor that would lead persons to believe that some companies provide ‘watchmen’ as opposed to ‘security guards’, he explained that there are several persons who join the security profession out of necessity and some that join, out of wanting to actually be a part of the security sector. He stated that those persons who join out of necessity do not put their best efforts forward and that leads to them not giving 100 per cent to the job.

“Watchman vs guard, historical and now, in not only Guyana, persons coming for a guard service is basically of two types, one; entry level, one who is looking to supplement their income, and generally this is the last kind of job available to them; or two

they are actually interested in the security sector and following that as a career. But you find most of the former people just want an income and this is what is available so they go for it, so they are not dedicated or they are not committed or interested in being a part of the security mechanism, so you find that’s where people would be able to make a comparison.”

Khan told the Guyana Chronicle that Queensway Security Service provides its clients with both armed as we as unarmed security personnel. He stated that before being hired at the company, the applicants would have to go through a series of physical as well as academic assessments, to ensure that they are not just physically fit, but also academically sound to carry out the functions of their posts.

He explained that in order for the company’s employees to be certified to bear arms they must be undergo a background check by the

Guyana Police Force (GPF) and attain approval from the GPF. He said that when they are finished with the background check, once the police are satisfied that there are no criminal charges pending or any issues, they would swear them in as supernumerary constables attached to Queensway Security. “When they receive that precept, the next case is the firearm safety course and the firearms practical and shooting and all this done through the GPF at Eve Leary. Once they pass the test, the police certify them to carry firearm as licensed Queensway Security Service personnel.” Khan explained.

Further, khan stated that the company does its own in-house safety training with firearms and carrying firearms, on a continuous basis so as to ensure that the employees of the organisation are well trained to function.

14

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

Set aside difference; unite to fight COVID-19 -- urges GTUC, calls on gov’t to establish ‘stimulus package’

WITH Guyana’s electoral process yet to be completed, the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) said political leaders should “set aside their differences” and turn their attention to the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The GTUC called on all concerned persons to put politics aside, come together and focus on protecting the lives of health care workers and every individual trapped within the borders of Guyana.

The expectation is that relevant government agen-

cies and the business community will join in and lend full support. In this situation it is not about the fittest and richest surviving, said the congress, noting that it is about all being at risk and facing the potential exhaustion of limited human and material resources, even death.

“We, the people of Guyana want this government to place no hindrances in the way, political or otherwise, in addressing the public health safety and wellbeing of every single Guyanese. This is not time for politicking. This is not time for division. This is

not the time, GTUC dares to say, to question the potential of corruption.

“It is not a time to compromise the lives of Guyanese citizens or attempt to affect the performance of this government in addressing the needs in fighting this pandemic that threatens our health care facilities, our limited health care resources and our tiny nation,” said the GTUC in a press statement, on Saturday.

The congress said Guyana is at risk of facing a national health care crisis because of COVID-19, if it fails to adequately respond to this public health risk. The potential for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity throughout this country being taxed is real. And, the congress believes that unnecessary administrative procedures and concerns, which can be addressed in review, must stop the government's endeavour to safeguard the life of every Guyanese.

SAFETY “The safety of all lies in the safety of one. In Guyana, it only took one person arriving on a plane to spread the virus. The possibility exists with the hundreds exposed from this one source.

Guyana’s figure is likely to escalate.

“Therefore, there must be no obstruction, no delay in fighting this virus to save every single life currently locked down, with no choice of leaving even if they stand a better chance of survival in other society. All attempts at cheap politics with COVID-19 and the health of all must stop,” said the GTUC. This country is reported to be among the least prepared countries for this pandemic, which has resulted in countries “scrambling” to shut borders, businesses and other sections of society. In the United States of America (USA), the world’s superpower, there are grave concerns about the adequacy of supply to meet the needs of the people. Not only of those who fall sick but the consequential needs as a result of this disease and the

potential pervasive impact it has on societies.

“We see what is happening in other countries. In the USA for instance, state governors begging a reluctant federal government to support them in their fight against this virus,” said the GTUC, noting that in Guyana’s case, government has responded to make sure that adequate preparation can be put in place without financial constraints.

In this regard, GTUC joined hands with the Federation of Independent Labour Unions of Guyana (FITUG) in calling on citizens and workers to embrace all the measures put out by government, healthcare experts and supporting international agencies to stop the spread of COVID-19.

GTUC commended the Bank of Guyana (BoG) and other stakeholders for their efforts to cushion or minimise economic fallout, but called on government to examine a “stimulus package,” not excluding tax incentive and VAT exemption for essential goods and services, for workers and citizens whose economic well-being would be impacted in this crisis, one way or the other.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS President David Granger had issued executive orders in alignment with the Public Health Ordinance.

The orders, which were gazetted on March 16, 2020, direct various ministers of government to take “necessary steps” to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

With Guyana recording four cases of COVID-19 so far, President Granger, through the order, said immediate action is necessary to address the virus. In that regard, he directed Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, to “restrain, segregate and isolate” persons suffering from the disease or those who may be affected from exposure to the infection.

This and other measures will be executed in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance and international standards to prevent and control the spread of the disease. It is also provided for under Article 24 of the Constitution which states that every citizen of Guyana has the right to free medical treatment. President Granger, as part of the order, has even called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other law enforcement agencies to provide assistance with the enforcement of the various measures, where necessary.

Among the menu of measures ordered by President Granger was the containment of persons who may show signs of COVID-19 and the provision of curative treatment for persons who are suffering from the disease.

The President also directed Minister Lawrence to remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease.

The minister was also ordered to prevent the spread of the disease on the seas, rivers and waters of Guyana, and on the high seas within twelve miles from the baseline, as well as on land.

“Diagnose, prevent or check the disease, including the prohibition or restriction of movement of persons and public and private conveyances of any kind whatsoever within and to and from an infected area,” said the Head of State.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

A review of David Granger’s ‘Public health is a public good: Risk and response in a small state.’

DAVID Granger’s Public health is a public good: Risk and response in a small state, highlights the dilemma which post-colonial states often face in balancing the need for universal public health coverage with guarantees of quality healthcare and enhanced responsiveness to emerging health threats.

Transnational communicable diseases – such as Chikungunya, Dengue, COVID-19 coronavirus, Malaria, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Zika – are among those emerging threats. The Guyanese President has had the foresight to recognise the dangers these diseases pose to his country’s population and public health system.

Transnational communicable diseases often inflict unsustainable burdens on the slender budgetary resources of small states. This can lead to diversion, or reduction, of resources from other areas of the public health system. Access to, and the quality of, healthcare can decline as a consequence. There are similar consequences when countries have to stretch their slim budgets to finance universal public health coverage.

Developing countries, however, have little alternative than to pursue the goal of universal public health coverage. Primary health care often is not readily available to all sections of the population and meeting this basic need becomes a public health necessity.

Universal public health coverage has become the centrepiece of his country’s national health policy.

David Granger has set his sights on ensuring universal public health coverage. He wants every citizen, in every region of his country, to have easy access to primary healthcare.

His book, ‘Public health is a public good: Risk and response in a small state’ highlights the emphasis which

he attaches to ensuring universal public health coverage. The book consists of the texts of four addresses he delivered over the past four years.

The first was at the commissioning ceremony of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s staff quarters on February 19, 2020. The second was delivered at a Dinner and Awards Ceremony to celebrate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, hosted by the Pan American Health Organisation-World Health Organisation, on May 14, 2016. The third address was delivered at a health exposition, hosted by his Ministry of Public Health, on May 30, 2018.

The fourth address was delivered at at the inter-faith service for the 50th anniversary of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, on January 19, 2017.

The President iterated his concern about transnational health threats, the most recent of which was the outbreak of the COVID-19, at the commissioning ceremony of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s staff quarters.

He argues in favour of his government’s policy of universal health coverage while noting the burdens which these threats can place on the country’s health systems.

The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana guarantees free medical care to all citizens. This is a key goal of international commu-

nity also. He acknowledges that universal public healthcare coverage requires “…resources and a system that are acceptable, accessible, affordable, appropriate and manned by competent medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and other trained

professionals.”

The President may well find that the cost of delivering universal health coverage can come at the expense of quality healthcare, as other countries which provide free medical care to their citizens have discovered.

The President’s address to the Dinner and Awards Ceremony hosted by the Pan American Health Organisation-World Health Organisation to

commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, was dominated by references to the threats posed by vector-borne diseases. The President, in his stirring address, proposed a practical approach to halt the transmission of vector-borne diseases.

He argued for these diseases to be considered not only as a public health problem, but also an environmental threat since it was the abuse of the environment which often provided breeding grounds for vectors. The President, in recommending this approach, suggested that a ‘green’ trajectory of development can effectively limit the spread of vector-borne diseases. It is sound advice which should be reflected more in his country’s public health policies.

Guyana’s healthcare system functions at three levels, – national, regional and neighbourhood. The President, in his address at a health exposition, urged that quality, reliable and inclusive healthcare services be provided at all three levels.

Resource scarcity, however, can impede the achievement of this objective.

The country can be proud of its past record of overcoming epidemics, however. British Guiana overcame two major poliomyelitis epidemics between 1957-58 and 1962-64. An institution was established in 1967 to provide rehabilitative care to those who survived the epidemics.

The institution, now known as the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, celebrated its 50th anniversary in

Book reviews:

The President on public health

2017 and the occasion was commemorated by a ceremony which was addressed

by President David Granger.

He highlighted the important contribution which the institution has made to rehabilitative care and its expansion of such services over the years.

Universal health coverage, including providing facilities for rehabilitative healthcare is costly. David Granger is not discouraged, however. He has set his sights on ensuring that, at the minimum, every citizen can have access to primary healthcare. Guyana may emerge as a model health provider in the Caribbean if his resolve can be matched by his health ministry’s responsiveness.

‘Public health is a public good: Risk and response of a small state’ should be read with this in mind. The book defines the direction in which Guyana’s public health policies are proceeding.

WPA pushes government of national unity …supports legally-supervised recount of all districts The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) one of the six parties in the APNU+AFC coalition has once again called for the abandonment of the winner-takes-all framework of governance here even as it lends support to a legally-supervised recount of all electoral districts to resolve the post-elections impasse that has gripped the nation.

“In our earlier “Election Statement” WPA had expressed grave concern over developments since March 2 when Guyanese went to the polls to elect the next government. We stated that, for a party which is well aware of the dangers of elections within a winner-takesall framework, we are aghast at the turn of events. At stake is the very survival of the multi-ethnic covenant

that has held our country together since emancipation. The signs of severe dislocation cannot be ignored,” the WPA said in a statement issued Saturday evening.

The party noted that it has throughout its long life as a political party and actor advocated for a political solution to our historical problems in the form of a power-sharing Government of National Unity, which guarantees our major ethnic groups protection against domination by the other. It is the foremost reason for our initial and continued membership of the Coalition which we view as a steppingstone towards such a government. “We renew that call now in this hour of seeming despair. At this moment the WPA is in no better position than the Guyana

Election Commission (GECOM) to decide which party was victorious in the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Like the rest of the nation, we continue to be alarmed about the developments surrounding tabulation of the votes. The inherent logic of competitive elections is “winners and losers”.

The WPA said at this point in the country’s national existence “we are more concerned with a different outcome. A national unity government with a mandate for constitutional reform ending the present winner- takes- all governance system is the only way out of our historical entrapment, which hinders economic and social progress as well as racial unity.” “The WPA as a member of the APNU+AFC coalition is there-

fore fully committed to a resolution of this crisis in such a manner as to allow the country and its people to make the best use of our newfound wealth from our oil and gas resources.”

To this end the WPA joins in solidarity with those who call for one or more of the following: (A) We reiterate our demand that following the examination of the ballot boxes which reveal the credibility of the elections, whichever party wins the most votes forms a government of national unity for an agreed period with a clear mandate to complete constitutional reform and ending the "winner-takes- all" governance system. (b) A verified recount of all electoral districts as legally permitted under the Constitution. For the

avoidance of any doubt we welcome CARICOM’s supervision of this recount in chronological order from one to ten. We call on all political parties to accept the results of a recount and will call on them to do so if necessary; C) Full respect for the rights of citizens to seek redress in the courts of law on any related electoral issue. (d) We denounce all calls for sanctions being imposed on Guyana. These will hurt mostly those who are already hurting from poverty and powerlessness. e) WPA rejects violence in all its forms and especially as has occurred since elections day politically-directed against children, women and law enforcement personnel.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

Region 10 adopts grassroots approach to revive agriculture

By Vanessa Braithwaite AS part of its mission to transform Region 10 into a new agriculture frontier and to become self-sustainable within the next five years, the Region 10 Department of Agriculture is addressing this objective frontally.

The department is going to the fundamentals of what could have caused the region to become so dependent on food after experiencing a rapid decrease in agricultural production.

With Region 10 being a mining town, the interest of the youths gravitated towards possessing the skills needed for bauxite industry. Following the decline in bauxite production and the rapid

scaling down of employees needed in the companies both at Linden and Aroaima, there was need for the region’s economy to diversify and agriculture plays a pivotal role in achieving this status.

With the establishment of a Regional Agriculture Department, a decision was taken to include youths in the process, more so high school students, so their interest in agriculture will be peaked at a young age. In this way, there would not be such a huge gap in the demographic, as is the case today.

In 2019, the department under the stewardship of Regional Agriculture Officer, Derick Collins, reconvened practical agriculture in schools through a shade house project. To date, seven

schools are now equipped with shade houses. These include Linden Foundation Secondary School, Christianburg Wismar Secondary School, Wisburg Secondary School and the Kwakwani Secondary School.

Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, related that since the project was launched, the response has been favourable and the youths are now showing more interest in agriculture. The department would have funded and established shade houses in these schools which are now enabling the production of traditional and non-traditional crops. Technical support is also given to the students and agriculture teachers involved the project.

NURSERY SCHOOL LEVEL After receiving such a favourable response at the secondary level, the Agriculture Department in collaboration with the Region 10 Department of Education, went a step further to introduce agriculture at the nursery level, through the Regional Gardening Competition. This reaped major success and saw several nursery schools across the region participating. The competition ran for weeks and saw the students and teachers developing a kitchen garden from scratch.

Though the competition has ended, many schools are continuing the gardening activity, which has already caught the interest of the children.

Students of the Pine Street Nursery School participating in the Regional Gardening Competition

flooding.

MUST WELCOME INITIATIVE West Watooka farmer,

A shade houses at West Watooka

These agricultural school programmes are part of a wider effort to push agriculture as one of the leading industries in the region. The department, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), has also initiated the shade house project in various communities across Region 10. One of the most recent shade house community establishments was done in West Watooka, which is an agricultural hub in Linden. Over 20 shade houses were donated to subsistence farmers in the community, who have already testified of the benefits of planting under shade houses, compared to traditional farming techniques. This is part of the region's climate smart initiative.

Last year, farmers in Region 10, particularly on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, Coomacka and communities on the Wismar shore, such as Christianburg and West Watooka, lost a significant amount of crops to flash

Myrtle Gentle, spoke of how rainy seasons affect her production tremendously and she welcomes the help for a shade house, so she can farm all year round and not have to worry about how her family will be fed during these seasons. Gentle is a full-time farmer who supplies the Mackenzie market with low-fertiliser produce and has an overwhelming clientele. During the rainy season; however, she suffers a lot and is not able to sustain her farming. Several other farmers in West Watooka share similar sentiments and have expressed appreciation that help will come their way.

The Agriculture Department also provides training and technical support for farmers to pursue this climate smart technique, which will enable their crops to combat extreme dry periods or heavy rainfall, which causes freak storms and flash flooding.

The Community Development Council (CDC) of One Mile Extension was one of the first communities in

Linden to gravitate towards the initiative. The shade houses serve as a nursery for seedlings. These seedlings are distributed to several other farmers and farming communities, all in an effort to push communal agriculture.

The shade house is operated by brothers Cleveland and Oliver Tappin.

Complementing the shade house project is the Future Development Economic Strategy (FEDS) Co-operation, and approximately 25 farmers have benefitted from that training. Chairman of the Co-op, Owen DeSouza, related that the aim is to create sustainable livelihood in the farming communities as farmers are no longer able to meet demands following these destructive wet and dry seasons.

“What really happens, if we have a terrible flood, farming suffers a terrible blow in the region and we have to return to being dependent for a few mornings and so we need farming to be sustained and we are pushing for sustainability through shade house farming as that is one of the main initiatives,” DeSouza explained.

Intercropping, he related, is another technique being pursued.

The shade houses also reduce instances of pests and diseases, provide adequate water in the dry season and save the crops from waterlogging in the wet season.

With the strides being made in the agricultural arena in Region 10, the region is expected to reduce its dependency on outside food markets by 40 per cent by 2022.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

No one invincible to COVID-19

-- WHO director-general THE World Health Organisation’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a briefing on March 20, said that while the numbers change every day in some countries, it is important to know that no person is safe from the virus.

“One of the things we are learning is that although older people are the hardest hit, younger people are not spared… Young people, you are not invincible. Data from many countries clearly show that people under the age of 50 make up a significant proportion of patients requiring hospitalisation,” Dr. Ghebreyesus stated.

A recent situation report published by the WHO has presented the latest numbers with more countries reporting new cases while China has managed to control the spread of the virus.

The newest global pandemic, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has affected 210,000 persons worldwide with 9,000 of those persons succumbing to the severe respiratory illness.

Among those hardest hit are China and Italy which

have the highest reported cases as of March 19, 2020 – 81, 232 and 39,920 respectively. The two countries have a combined total of 6,704 deaths.

Iran follows directly with 18,553 reported cases, of which 1,282 persons succumbed. In Spain, there were 598 deaths from 16,254 reported cases. The United States of America rounds off the top five with 10,638 cases being reported with 142 of those being deaths.

Meanwhile, in the CARICOM region, the numbers have been relatively low.

Jamaica, with 14 confirmed cases, has the most followed

by Trinidad and Tobago with nine cases, Guyana-- five cases, The Bahamas-- five cases, Barbados-- four cases and Saint Lucia with two cases.

Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines and Suriname have one case each with no deaths. These countries fall within the region of the Americas.

The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, called on all countries in the Americas to take

urgent action to reorganize their health services and protect health professionals to safely care for patients with

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

COVID-19 and save lives.

Noteworthy, on March 20, it was highlighted that the province of Wuhan in China reported no new cases for the first time since the outbreak started. This, the Director General said, “provides hope for the rest of the world, that even the most severe situation can be turned around.”

For more information and numerical data on the coronavirus in other countries, visit WHO’s website –www.who.int. (DPI)

The table below shows top countries in other regions and their COVID-19 related figures as of March 19, 2020

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

Dharmic Sabha encourages mandirs to open all day during Navratri observance -- encourages pandits to live-stream ‘pujas’ and ‘satsaangs’ on Facebook

AS Hindus across the country prepare to observe the sacred period of Chaitra Navratri, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has urged mandirs to open all day and into the early evening so as to avoid congestion and crowding.

This, the Sabha said, is an important step to reduce the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chaitra Navratri, which starts on March 24, is a nine-day observance which starts on the first day of Hindu Luni-Solar calendar and falls in the month of March or April, every year.

It is described universally as a “powerful period” for prayers, absolute devotion and introspection.

“Hindus are reminded that prayers to Shakti Ma, in all her forms, can lead them to inward transformation and encourage positivity and optimism in all aspects of life,” said President of Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, in a video which was posted on the Sabha’s Facebook page, on

Saturday.

While she encouraged persons to practise absolute devotion during this time, Dr. Persaud reminded persons to beware of the current COVID-19 pandemic, which Guyana and the rest of the world are contending with.

Locally, there have been five confirmed cases of the virus so far.

As precautionary measures, mandirs were urged to ensure that large gatherings and congestion is avoided. Devotees were also encouraged to practise social distancing or stay six feet away from others while in the mandir. Mandirs on the East Coast of Demerara were urged to be extra cautious because most of the cases are from that area, so the risk of exposure is high.

In advising persons on methods to guard against COVID-19, Dr. Persaud said: “Elderly persons over 60 years old and those with medical conditions such as diabetes should avoid attending mandirs, as they are particularly high-risk for

contracting and developing severe complications for the coronavirus…Persons, who are sick and coughing, should not attend.”

CLEAN ENVIRONMENT Additionally, she advised mandirs to ensure that surfaces, puja items and other objects are continuously and scrupulously cleaned, since contaminated surfaces can help in the spread of the virus. It was also advised that sanitisers, soap and water be available for 20 seconds of hand-washing before and after persons enter the mandir.

In some cases, although preventative measures would be in place at mandirs, persons would prefer to stay at home because of the virus.

In this regard, Dr. Persaud said pandits should broadcast pujas and satsaangs on Facebook at a pre-advertised time, so that devotees can join in, at home.

“The collective vibrations across the country throughout this period will be powerful, healing and transformative… persons are encouraged to

Dr. Vindhya Persaud

sit with families or alone and perform pujas, chant or sing bhajans, fast and offer prasadam during this period,” she said.

Though there might be limitations to how Hindus practise their worship during this time, Dr. Persaud said the virus, will in no way, preclude the Hindu community from observing this sacred period, with devotion

and faith.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses 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 reportedly 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.

Persons who suspect that they may have the virus are advised not to visit a health facility, but instead call on several provided hotlines where it can be arranged for a health team to visit. Lawrence noted that additional hotline numbers have been added, and staff has been increased to facilitate efficiency. The numbers are 226-7480; 2297490; 231-1166; 227-4986; 624-6674; 624-2819; 6249355.

Overseas Guyanese looking to return urged to contact embassies

– Min. Patterson OVERSEAS-based Guyanese who wish to return home in light of the COVID-19 outbreak are urged to contact their respective embassies or consulates. This was announced by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

“They will take your information and they will notify you if and when there is the possibility of flights returning to Guyana,” Minister Patterson related during an interview on the National Communications Network.

According to the minister, considerations will be made by the Guyana Government to grant access to flights, depending on the number of persons who make contact with embassies abroad.

“We don’t have any scheduled flights as yet but as the time goes on and as we get a full update of how many persons and where and how many need the assistance, we will make that

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson

decision,” Minister Patterson confirmed.

As of midnight March 18, 2020, both of the country’s major airports – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport -- were closed to international flights while domestic flights continue.

The government has

so far granted access for American Airlines and newcomer- Eastern Airlines, to land at the CJIA for Americans seeking to return to the US. Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, on Friday disclosed on NCN’s COVID-19 National Update programme that the airport has put additional measures in place to protect outgoing passengers.

These measures include a stoppage to parallel lines and instead, have passengers stand feet apart to promote social distancing.

Additionally, airport protocol now dictates that if a pat-down is needed, it is to be done behind the passenger rather than having face-to-face contact. Hand sanitizers are also placed at strategic locations throughout the airport.

To date, Caribbean Airlines will only operate flights leaving Guyana for New York between March 20 through March 31. The airline has also received permission to assist Cubans in returning to their home country. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, March 22, 2020

Arsonists destroy PNC activist-owned butcher shop at Bush Lot Village, WCB

By Clifford Stanley ARSONISTS caused a roadside butcher shop at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice, in Region Five, (Mahaica/Berbice) to go up in flames on Friday night last.

The butcher shop was owned by People’s National Congress member, Latchmin Azeez, and the arsonists are suspected to be activists of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

Mrs Azeez counted her losses, which include butcher shop tools such as knives, cutlasses, hand saws and weights and scales, to be over $120,000.

Mrs Azeez was pleased to say that since the blaze she had been visited by top PNC officials including Minister Amna Ally and she had been assured of her party’s assistance in rebuilding a new butcher shop.

Mrs. Azeez said that

during the elections campaign and in the aftermath of

and she related that it had been damaged and defaced

The gutted shop after the blaze The butcher shop ablaze

the elections, her family had been under constant threats from PPP/C activists in the village which the PPP/C considers to be its stronghold.

She lives some distance away from the butcher shop

on two occasions prior by persons suspected to be PPP/C activists.

She said she was at home when the Police visited her around midnight Friday night and told her about the fire at

her butcher shop.

The blaze was extinguished by the Guyana Fire Service at Onverwagt, WCB,

less than a mile away.

Regional Executive Officer, Ovid Morrison, in an invited comment, expressed

disgust at the willful damage to property owned by the Azeez family in Bush Lot.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

CWI faces possible logistical challenges from coronavirus fallout BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) says it will face a logistical nightmare in rescheduling its international home series if the coronavirus pandemic results in a disruption to these fixtures.

Of main concern for the governing body is the three-match One-Day International series against New Zealand which is part of the qualification process for the 2023 World Cup, and the two-Test rubber against South Africa which forms part of the World Test Championship.

Both series have been carded for July but have been placed in jeopardy by the coronavirus which has now hit the Caribbean and forced CWI to suspend its domestic competitions for a minimum of 30 days.

“The challenge with rescheduling is that the schedule is (already) so tight,” CWI chief executive Johnny Grave told CMC Sports.

“The other challenge that we’d have is those ODIs we’re playing against New Zealand and the Test matches against South Africa are part of leagues.

“We’re now in the Test championship and the games against New Zealand in the ODI format are the first games we’re playing in the ODI league which obviously now is the qualifying process for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. “You would have to try and re-prioritise replaying those in order to keep the integrity

West Indies are scheduled to face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series in July. of those tournaments – particularly the ODI qualification for the Cricket World Cup.” The ODI series against New Zealand runs from July 8 to 13, with the first two matches set for the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and the last one scheduled for Windsor Park in Dominica.

Following the ODIs, the two teams clash in a three-match Twenty20 series in Dominica and Guyana from July 15 to 19 South Africa arrive later in the month for Tests at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad July 23-27 and the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia from July 31 to August 4.

A five-match T20 series will then follow from August 8 to 16, with the first two matches in Florida, United States and the last three at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Already, the Caribbean has reported several cases of the coronavirus with Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua, St Lucia and Barbados all affected.

Up to Tuesday, the United States had reported 4 226 cases of the virus, also known as COVID-19, with 75 deaths resulting.

While Grave remained hopeful, he conceded there was much uncertainty surrounding the upcoming fixtures as it was difficult to determine the extent of the impact from the pandemic.

“It would be a big challenge trying to reschedule them but we are looking ahead,” he said. “Again, no one knows quite how long this pandemic will last or how far it will spread.”

The spread of the virus has so far disrupted the international cricket schedule with England pulling out of the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, India scrapping their ongoing ODI tour of South Africa, and Australia and New Zealand also calling off their limited-overs series Down Under.

Organisers of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) have also delayed the start of the tournament and say it could face further disruption.

USA Track and Field calls for Olympics delay USA Track and Field athletics’ U.S. governing body has called for this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo to be delayed because of the ongoing coronavirus situation.

The federation has asked the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to advocate to the International Olympic Committee for the postponement of the Games.

It follows a request from USA Swimming for it to be delayed by

12 months.

The Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9.

USA Track and Field chief executive Max Siegel wrote in a letter to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee: “We certainly understand the ramifications of this request, and the realities of trying to coordinate the logistics of a postponed Olympic Games around the schedules of other athletes, sport federations, key

stakeholders etc.

“But the alternative of moving forward in light of the current global situation would not be in the best interest of our athletes (as difficult as that decision might be).”

There are a growing number of calls for the Games not to take place this summer.

UK Athletics chairman Nic Coward recently suggested that the Olympics should be postponed, while Brazil, Norway and

Slovenia’s Olympic committees have also urged the IOC to take action and put it back to next year.

Four-time Olympic champion and BBC Sport pundit Michael Johnson fears athletes could “risk their lives” trying to train for the Games and called for clarity on the IOC’s decision-making process.

“IOC should communicate the window for deciding on the ‘20 Olympics,” tweeted the former US sprinter. “Athletes must

keep training but for many there’s nowhere to train.

“They may risk their lives and others trying to continue training. Answer isn’t just cancel ASAP. But communicate the process to the athletes.”

On Friday, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach told the New York Times “different scenarios” for Tokyo 2020 are now being considered for the first time. (BBC Sport)

Four-time Olympic champion and BBC Sport pundit Michael Johnson

Government of Guyana, GOA collaborate ...

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:30 hrs Silver Rose 09:05 hrs Noble Joshua 09:40 hrs Knights Templar 10:15 hrs Blaze Of Silk 10:50 hrs Duran IRISH RACING TIPS Downpatrick 09:40 Vinnied Is Busy 10:10 hrs The Very Man 10:40 hrs Bread And Butter 11:10 hrs Cheb De Kerviniou 11:40 hrs The Trigger 12:10 hrs On The Sod 12:40 hrs Ballyadam

From back page Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas – who were on a prolonged training stint in Cuba, ahead of their now-cancelled Olympic Qualifiers tournament, which was scheduled for March 26 to April 4 in Buenos Aries, Argentina.

While Ninvalle told Chronicle Sport yesterday that the GOA had answered their call immediately and sent an undisclosed sum of money to Santa Clara to help offset unforeseen expenses, Director of Sport Christopher Jones revealed to this publication, that the Government of Guyana will be transporting the boxers to Havana, where they will be housed by the Guyana Consulate on the Spanish-speaking Island.

According to Jones, while all airports in Guyana will remain closed, efforts are being made by the Cuban Government to evacuate the scores of Cuban nationals, who were left in the country, as Guyana, like the rest of the world, upped efforts to combat and contain the dreadful Covid-19 virus.

Jones pointed out that “we’re told that an empty aircraft should be leaving Cuba anytime to come to Guyana and Government is putting systems in place to ensure that the boxers are given a place so they can come home.”

“We’re working closely with the Guyana Consulate in Cuba, and what is going to happen, is that we’re moving the boxers from Santa Clara to Havana, where we will take care of

them. They will be taken care of for as long as possible by Government, until we can have them back in Guyana,” Jones pointed out.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle showered NSC and GOA with praise, noting that he’s grateful that the same two entities, who made their stay in Cuba possible, are the same two entities who are doing everything possible to not only assist in their unscheduled continued stay in Cuba, but also are helping in every way to get them back home safely.

Ninvalle also highlighted that he had only last Tuesday visited the boxers in Cuba, to get a first-hand experience of their lifestyle, and stated that he was impressed with their level of growth.

“I was surprised. I mean, I know

the guys were focussed, but I was more than impressed. I’m extremely proud of those boxers and I know they would have done Guyana proud in the way they have been carrying themselves, how hard they’ve worked to get where they are; and I know they will do Guyana proud when that time comes,” Ninvalle said.

The GBA was left counting its losses in the millions, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) cancelled the Americas Olympic Qualifier for boxing because of fear of the spread of coronavirus, following a move from the Government of Argentina to restrict international events in the country with immediate effect.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

Warner pulls out of Hundred, World champion Hamilton ECB delays season start

DAVID Warner has cited a scheduling clash and family time as the reasons behind his decision to withdraw from the inaugural edition of The Hundred in the UK later this year.

The tournament is due to run from July 17 to August 15, though with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision on Friday to delay the beginning of its domestic season until May 28 at the earliest due to the coronavirus pandemic, there could well be knock-on effects for The Hundred.

Warner’s withdrawal from the tournament is unrelated to COVID-19; cricket. com.au has been shown an email exchange between the 33-year-old’s management and The Hundred organisers from early this month regarding his decision to pull out.

“I was excited to participate in The Hundred’s inaugural season with the Southern Braves, though with the latest updates to the Cricket Australia schedule in the middle part of 2020, and due to the exceptionally busy cricketing programme over the last 12 months, I have decided to put my family first and spend this time of the year with them,” Warner said in a statement that was prepared prior to the coronavirus being declared a pandemic.

Warner will instead make himself

Aussie opener cites scheduling clash and family reasons, as UK domestic season opening is postponed. available for Australia’s currently unscheduled home limited-overs series with Zimbabwe, set for August. The move represents a turnaround on his stance in January, when his manager James Erskine said Warner would be prioritising The Hundred ahead of the international series given no dates for the Zimbabwe series had been set and a commitment to the UK-

based tournament had already been made.

The ECB’s decision to delay the beginning of their home summer came two days after it suspended all recreational cricket. The County Championship was due to start on April 12 and the T20 Blast is to start on May 29 but the ECB said work has begun on possible revised schedules to begin in June, July or August.

The opening England international of the season is on June 4 against West Indies at The Oval, the first of three Tests.

Australia are scheduled to arrive for three T20 and three ODI matches against England from July 3.

The governing body approved a seven-week delay to the start of the 2020 season following discussions with the first-class counties, the MCC and the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

“The decision to delay the start of the season has been essential, given the circumstances the nation faces,” ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said.

Warner is the first marquee player to withdraw from The Hundred, with Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa, Dan Christian, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, and Nathan Coulter-Nile the other Australians signed on to be involved. (AAP)

Pakistan’s Akmal could face lifetime ban over corruption charges KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) - Controversial Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal could face a lifetime ban if convicted of match-fixing charges unveiled Friday by the country’s cricket authorities.

The 29-year-old was provisionally suspended by the anti-corruption unit of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on February 20, the day when the Pakistan Super League (PSL) commenced in Karachi.

The PCB said Umar violated its code on two counts.

“The PCB has charged Umar Akmal with two breaches of the anti-corruption code which relates to not reporting a fixing offer,” said a PCB press release.

Under the PCB anti-corruption code a player is required to immediately report to a team manager or officials of the anti-corruption unit when he receives an offer to fix a match.

Under the code if a player is found

Umar Akmal pads up (AFP) guilty the penalty ranges from a suspension of six months to a lifetime ban.

Umar has 14 days to respond to the charges in writing.

Umar has a history of disciplinary problems, having been arrested and

detained for a day after a brawl with a traffic warden in 2014.

He was also banned for three months after a spat with then Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur in 2017.

Last month he escaped punishment after making rude remarks to a fitness trainer in Lahore.

Often described as a talented yet undisciplined cricketer, Umar has played 16 Tests, 121 one-day internationals and 84 Twenty20 internationals since his debut in 2009.

He last played for Pakistan in the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka four months ago, failing to score in either match.

Umar’s anti-corruption case is the latest of many that have hit Pakistan cricket in the last 20 years, resulting in life bans and fines for several players.

The PSL was hit by a spot-fixing case in 2017 when openers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were banned for five years.

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz dies after contracting coronavirus FORMER Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday after being hospitalised with coronavirus.

Sanz, 76, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000, a period in which Real won the Champions League twice.

“My father has just died,” wrote Sanz’s son Lorenzo Sanz Duran on

Twitter.

“He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion.”

Sanz signed players such as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker during his time

in charge of the 33-time Spanish champions, He lost the 2000 presidential election to Florentino Perez, which sparked Real’s big-spending ‘Galatico’ era.

Sanz’s son Fernando, 46, played for Real Madrid from 1996-1999 before spending the final seven years of his career at Malaga.(BBC Sport)

self-isolating as precaution

LONDON, England (AFP) - Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton says he is self-isolating but will not get tested for coronavirus as others need attention more than he.

The 35-year-old Briton said he decided to self-isolate because he had been at the same function in London that actor Idris Elba and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau attended earlier this month.

Elba and Gregoire-Trudeau subsequently both tested positive for COVID-19.

“I want to let you know that I am doing well,” Hamilton said in a statement. “There has been specu-

Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton says he is self-isolating but largely as insurance rather than fearing he has coronavirus. (AFP photo/William West) lation about my health, after I was at an event where two people later tested positive for coronavirus.

“I have zero symptoms and it has now been 17 days since I saw Sophie and Idris. I have been in touch with Idris and happy to hear he is OK. “I did speak to my doctor and double-checked if I needed to take a test but the truth is, there is a limited amount of tests available and there are people who need it more than I do, especially when I wasn’t showing any symptoms at all.”

Hamilton has been in isolation since last Friday.

The start of the Formula One season has been wiped away by the pandemic with races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, Netherlands and Spain shelved, and the iconic Riviera showpiece in Monaco cancelled.

A season which should have started in Melbourne on March 14 will now not start until Azerbaijan on June 7 at the earliest.

Formula One’s British-based teams are also hoping to contribute away from the track.

They are working on a plan to manufacture medical equipment needed to fight the coronavirus which up to Friday night had claimed 177 victims in the United Kingdom with the numbers infected set to top 4 000.

The British government and health authorities need more ventilators in intensive care units to deal with respiratory problems caused by the illness.

Formula One teams have engineering capabilities that could speed up the production of the units.

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE March 22, 2020

Clamour grows to postpone Tokyo Olympic Games

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) - Calls from sporting organisations for this year’s Tokyo Olympics to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic gathered pace yesterday with USA Track and Field (USATF), the French Swimming Federation and Brazil’s Olympic Committee the latest to join the throng.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 organisers still insist the July 24-August 9 showpiece will go ahead as planned despite Europe and the U.S. struggling to control the spread of the flu-like virus.

Their optimism that the show will go on, however, is looking increasingly out of step with countries in lockdown and athletes around the world unable to train.

In a letter to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) chief executive Sarah Hirshland, USATF urged USOPC to use its voice to “speak up for athletes”.

Chief executive Max Siegel

said the USTAF understood the ramifications of postponing the Games for the first time ever in peace time but moving forward was not in the best interest of athletes.

“We acknowledge that there are no perfect answers, and that this is a very complex and difficult decision, but this position (to postpone the Games) at least provides athletes with the comfort of knowing they will have adequate time to properly prepare themselves physically, mentally and emotionally to participate in a safe and successful Olympic Games,” he wrote.

USA Swimming wrote to USOPC on Friday calling for a delay of one year, with CEO Tim Hinchey saying: “We have watched our athletes’ worlds turned upside down”.

The French Swimming Federation issued a statement saying that sending its athletes to the Games was “untenable” in light of the health crisis sweeping the world.

“The Federation believes that the priority is to fight the spread of the epidemic and that the current context does not allow to calmly

FILE PHOTO: A man, wearing a protective face mask following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walks in front of flags of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan March 17, 2020. (REUTERS/Issei Kato) envisage the smooth running of the 2020 Olympics Games,” it said, adding that it was impossible to ensure equity in competition when athletes were prevented from training because of efforts to contain

the spread of the virus.

A day earlier UK Athletics said the Olympics should be called off to spare athletes the stress of trying to train in the grip of a pandemic which has killed around 12 000 people since the virus surfaced in China.

Brazil’s Olympic chief Paulo Wanderley echoed those thoughts yesterday, saying athletes would not be able to arrive in Tokyo in top form because of the impact of the crisis.

“It’s clear that right now maintaining the Games for this year will impede the athletes’ dream from being realised,” he said.

POLITICAL BOYCOTTS Suggesting a year’s delay, he said the IOC was experienced in dealing with obstacles, citing the cancellations in 1916, 1940 and 1944 because of World Wars and the political boycotts of the Games in Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984.

Norway’s Sports Federation and Olympic and Paralympic Committee (NIF) said it had

written to IOC chief Thomas Bach calling for the Games to be postponed, even if the pandemic was under control in Japan by the summer.

“Given the highly unresolved situation in Norway and in large parts of the world, it is neither justifiable or desirable to send Norwegian athletes to the Olympics or Paralympics in Tokyo until the world community has put this pandemic behind them,” sports president Berit Kjoll said.

The Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) and the World Players Association (WPA) said a “deep review and broader consultation” with athletes was required regarding the decision over whether the Games could run as planned.

“The IOC needs to elevate its dialogue with the full range of those most affected beyond sponsors and governments to an open multi-stakeholder process that brings to the table as equals player associations as the representatives of athletes and others most at risk,” WPA executive director Brendan Schwab said in a statement.

CA to lobby for reserve days for men’s T20 World Cup CRICKET Australia (CA) will have an opportunity to lobby for the inclusion of semi-final reserve days in the men’s T20 World Cup scheduled later this year, but currently there exists no formal provision to avoid a repeat of the wet weather problem that dogged the recent women’s event.

The women’s World Cup, won by Australia at the MCG earlier this month, was thrown into chaos when heavy rain in Sydney forced the abandonment of the first scheduled semi-final between India and England, and foreshortened the subsequent Australia-South Africa match.

As the ICC’s current playing conditions stand, the men’s T20 World Cup – still scheduled for Australia during October-November this year despite current global uncertainty – also features semi-finals in Sydney (November 11) and Adelaide (November 12) with no reserve days available before the final at the MCG on November 15.

An ICC spokesperson confirmed the playing conditions for the men’s T20 World Cup – which starts with a pre-qualifying tournament on October 18 – are not expected to differ from those under which the women’s event was played.

However, the spokesperson added the organisation’s Cricket Committee is scheduled to

meet in the middle of this year where playing conditions will be discussed before they are formally signed-off by the ICC’s Chief Executives Committee (CEC) later in the year.

Should any of ICC’s member boards wish to suggest changes to playing conditions, they will have opportunity to do so at the CEC gathering, although it’s rare for standard playing conditions to be revised at that stage.

CA Chief Executive Kevin Roberts, who will be part of that CEC meeting, noted a case existed for the inclusion of reserve days in the upcoming men’s event but also conceded there was a valid argument to maintain the playing conditions that governed the preceding women’s tournament.

“There’s always cause for reflection at the end of any tournament or any season, in terms of how you approach future tournaments,” Roberts told cricket.com.au.

“In saying that, there will be people who suggest there should be semi-final reserve days for the men’s game.

“But I’m not sure how the English women’s team would feel about that, not having had a reserve day in their leg of the tournament.

“I would imagine the playing conditions are in place for the women’s and men’s events within

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts this tournament (in 2020) and can be discussed and considered after that’s completed.

“Typically, the playing conditions are determined before a tournament starts and we’ve got two events here – women’s and men’s – within the one tournament, albeit staged at different times of the year.”

Over the previous decades, the men’s and women’s iterations of the T20 World Cup have been held concurrently which meant both tournaments abided by the same playing conditions.

The ICC’s decision not to schedule reserve days for their showpiece T20 tournaments also reflects the shorter window they fill on the international calendar,

with the 20-over competitions taking three weeks (excluding the pre-qualifying matches).

By contrast, last year’s men’s 50-over World Cup took almost six weeks to complete and included the provision of reserve days for knock-out finals, in keeping with existing playing conditions for the ICC’s men’s and women’s ODI tournaments.

That protocol remains in place despite Cricket Australia’s decision to split the T20 competitions into standalone events played across two summer seasons, with the playing conditions framed for the 2020 Women’s World Cup explicitly stating “there shall be no reserve day for all matches except for the Final.”

No change to the playing conditions for the men’s T20 World Cup would also ensure a minimum of 10 overs per side much be achieved in rain-affected fixtures to constitute a match, as opposed to five overs in bilateral 20-over internationals.

While confirmation of Australia’s two-Test series in Bangladesh next June came prior to global travel restrictions now enacted due to the coronavirus, the next piece of the men’s team scheduling puzzle will be the 2020-21 home international programme due to be finalised next month.

That fixturing was discussed

at yesterday’s CA Board teleconference, with the Test fixtures for next season expected to include four matches against India and a maiden encounter between Australia and Afghanistan in line with the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).

No venues or timings had been announced at this stage, but Roberts indicated Adelaide Oval remained the front-runner to host a historic first day-night Test between Australia and India now that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had warmed to the idea of pink-ball matches.

“We’d love to see a daynight Test in Adelaide,” Roberts said.

“It’s arguably the best daynight cricket venue in the world, and many would say the best place in the world to watch cricket.

“So a day-night Test in Adelaide would always be fantastic, regardless of the season or the opposition.”

He declined to be drawn on BCCI president Sourav Ganguly’s recently floated proposal for an annual four-nation ODI ‘super series’ featuring India, Australia, England and another drawcard, other than to note “it’s nice to see the BCCI thinking about different ways to grow the game”. (Cricket Network)

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 22, 2020

Time called on ‘unofficial Test matches’ on the beach – Elroy Stephney reminisces

NOTHING was more pleasurable to me than spending hours of enthralling rivalry on the ragged Henrietta Beach on the Essequibo Coast.

The primitively constructed waterfront was laid out with a vast expanse of solid brown sand, strewn with small rocks, whispering flowers and complete with various, busy insects.

The waves usually washed ashore gently; but as the minutes ticked away, they rose angrily, accompanied by roaring sounds, signalling us to retreat. Splashes of water would forcibly spill over in some sections and

at that moment, you knew it was time to leave the natural forces alone.

Coincidentally, the venue was where the unofficial Test matches were hosted, many of which resulted in disputes. Triumphs were celebrated with lemonade drink for the rookies and Vodka/rum for the veterans, whose consumption level would rise simultaneously with the waves. Historically too it was where I learnt to swim and I could boast of mastering the art.

In contrast, modern venues now have the luxury of impressive, swimming pools.

It is quite sad indeed that

Former Essequibo cricketer Elroy Stephney

these delightful times no longer exist due to environmental transformation relating to climate change.

Mangrove trees are now being grown on the beach as a means of combatting the threatening high seas.

Mosquitoes, crabs and undesirable insects have replaced the robust hitting and searing pace-bowling on the water’s edge.

The unpopular intervention has left us still counting our losses of the number of balls that disappeared with the waves beyond the horizon.

Yet, I still remember timing a solid supreme ball in the old Rohan Kanhai-like fashion and as it beats the diving fielder the ball will travel with Usain Bolt- like speed along the thinly compact stretch of sand without an end in sight. The game would momentarily cease for the retriever whose energy level was often tested.

On other occasions, a cycle was substituted to

minimise time. There was never a dull moment and scores of seasoned players from the villages would assemble every Sunday for our Mini World Cup. Sometimes the intense and gripping encounters would create the monsters in us, as though unfazed by the gentleman’s mantra; yet minutes after, orderliness would be restored though not by the umpire who, in rare cases, would portray judge-like qualities.

More often than not his decisions would cause chaos.

Had there been a tribunal though, many of the seemingly noble men would have been implicated for conspiracy. It was a habitual, if not acceptable way, however, of preserving the elites’ supremacy when they were on

the losing end on an often hostile turf.

Upon reflection and as I stood momentarily with a great sense of cherished memories; Henrietta Beach will remain an indelible feature of my childhood recreational foundation.

In fact, the monumental space will also be remembered for the rare sights of whales, sea cows, manatees and numerous unknown fishes.

A new chapter has now emerged and I reckon that the kids will now have to seek other open areas to explore.

This environmental dispensation is occurring throughout the length of the seabed along the Essequibo Coast.

Time therefore has been promptly called on our ‘unofficial’ Test matches there.

Players’ body urges IOC to review Games plans during coronavirus crisis (REUTERS) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) should review plans to go ahead with the Tokyo Olympics during the coronavirus pandemic and ensure dialogue with athletes, the Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) and the World Players Association (WPA) said yesterday.

The flu-like virus, which originated in China last year, has infected over 274 000 people globally and caused more than 11 000 deaths. It has also brought the sporting world to a standstill.

The IOC and Tokyo organisers have maintained that the July 24 - August 9 Games should go ahead as scheduled but WPA executive director Brendan Schwab said the IOC must consult more athletes before making decisions.

“With the world in a pandemic, holding mega-sporting events including the Olympic Games demands a deep

review and broader consultations than are occurring now, including with athletes and their representatives,” Schwab said in a statement.

“The IOC needs to elevate its dialogue with the full range of those most affected beyond sponsors and governments to an open multi-stakeholder process that brings to the table as equals player associations as the representatives of athletes and others most at risk.”

Thousands of Olympic hopefuls have been left in limbo with many qualifying events around the world postponed or cancelled.

Minky Worden, the director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch which is part of the SRA coalition of global non-governmental organisations, said sports bodies had to be more transparent at this time.

“The virus is impacting (not only) the health, human

Doping control facing challenges due to coronavirus, says WADA MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - The coronavirus pandemic is restricting the fight against anti-doping, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has said while issuing new guidelines to continue testing of athletes ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Since starting in China late last year, the flu-like disease has infected over 270 000 persons and killed more than 11 000 across the world, bringing global sport to a virtual standstill. The Tokyo Olympics are due to run from July 24 to August 9, but organisers are under pressure to cancel or postpone them due to the coronavirus.

With most countries going into lockdown and closing borders to contain the spread of the virus, WADA said the anti-doping system was facing challenges.

“The sports world is dealing with an unprecedented situation. COVID-19 has forced all anti-doping stakeholders, including WADA, to adjust the way daily operations are conducted,” WADA president Witold Banka said.

“But this matter goes way beyond anti-doping and sport – it is a global emergency – and our first priority must be public health, safety and social responsibility.”

WADA said it will continue to provide guidance to the Anti-Doping Organisations (ADOs), who must adhere to restrictions placed by local health authorities and governments.

“It will also be crucial that the system can return to full power as quickly as possible once the various restrictions are lifted,”

Banka said.

“During this time, I would like to acknowledge how difficult it is for athletes, too, who face disruptions to their training programmes and uncertainty as to what the future holds for their competitions.”

WADA said sample collection officials must be healthy and have no symptoms related to the virus and should be provided with protective medical equipment.

If testing opportunities are limited due to local restrictions, ADOs should focus on targeted athletes from high risk sports and disciplines, WADA said.

The governing body also urged ADOs to remind athletes they can still be tested at any place and any time and continue to provide whereabouts for their movements to be

monitored.

With several accredited laboratories having suspended operations due to the crisis and more testing facilities expected to do the same, WADA instructed the ADOs to check the governing body’s website to determine the operational ones.

WADA urged the ADOs to inform the agency in case of changes made to doping control programs.

“While there are no plans to change existing requirements under the World Anti-Doping Programme, WADA fully acknowledges the complexities of this unprecedented situation and will ensure its compliance monitoring programme provides a level of flexibility and understanding based on the circumstances,” WADA said.

FILE PHOTO: A woman wearing a protective face mask, following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), walks past the Olympic rings in front of the Japan Olympics Museum in Tokyo, Japan March 13, 2020. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha) rights, employment and careers of athletes but also the well-being of millions whose livelihoods are dependent on the sports industry and its supply chain,” Worden said.

“Sports bodies have a responsibility to lower risks to athletes, insist on the free flow of information, and conduct themselves in an open and transparent way.”

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Alf Valentine (vs ENG, Manchester, 1950) (2) Billy Bates (vs AUST, Melbourne, 1882/83)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first player to crack a double ton and a hundred in the same Test?

(2) Who is the first player to hit a triple hundred and a century in the same Test?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARch 22, 2020

Pollard points to opportunity for players in COVID-19 forced break … to reflect on careers, ways to improve PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard says players should use the break from competition, prompted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, to reflect on their careers and how they can do better.

While acknowledging the health, economic and other implications of the spread of the virus which has reached the Caribbean and prompted the cancellation and postponement of several sporting events, Pollard pointed out the silver lining in the situation for cricketers.

“It is a good time for introspection, a good time for reflection, a good time to look at where you are as an individual in your career and what you want to achieve going forward,” he said on I955 FM’s ISports radio show here on Thursday.

“You have to take this time in order to do

that and also keep yourself in good physical shape, and mentally as well, because when the bell rings and they say ‘ok, everything is back to normal and we need to go on tour’, it might not be enough time to be prepared, but you as an individual have to be prepared mentally in order for you to try to perform at your best.”

Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently announced that given the confirmed cases of COVID-10 in the region, the season has been delayed for 30 days. That suspension took effect last Monday.

The decision affected the final two rounds of the West indies Championship, the Women’s CMI Super50 Cup in Guyana, and two youth tournaments – the Regional Under-15 Boys Championship in Antigua and the Regional Under-19 Girls Championship in Trinidad.

West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard

On Friday, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also announced that the professional cricket season would not start before May 28 – two months later than scheduled – which would impact the West Indies planned tour of England.

The Caribbean men were to play a three-Test series from June 4, following warm-up matches against England Lions and Worcestershire on May 22 and 28, respectively.

Pollard said cricketers, particularly those who have fallen short of CWI requirements, should use the forced break to focus on fitness.

Last month, left-handed opening batsman Evin Lewis and stroke-maker Shimron Hetmyer were dropped from the West Indies squad for the One-Day International series in

Sri Lanka after they failed to meet CWI’s new minimum fitness standard.

Hetmyer subsequently got a call-up to play against Sri Lanka in two Twenty20 Internationals, but 28-year-old Lewis remains on the outside.

While CWI’s requirements have been criticised, Pollard stressed the importance of maintaining fitness.

“In anything that you do there are rules and regulations and there are certain criteria that need to be met at different times in order for you to perform your rule. Some of us are looking at a small point of view of some guys being left out because of just fitness.

“But as a professional you want to be fit, you want to be able to perform at the optimal level,” said the 32-year-old skipper.

Physio Neil Barry Jr. issues tips for local athletes, as coronavirus affects sports world

By Clifton Ross GUYANA/West Indies Performance Enhancement Specialist, Neil Barry Jr is urging not only his cricketers, but all local athletes to adhere to specific tips for keeping themselves safe during the evolving threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Barry, Guyana Jaguars team physio outlined a number of essential guidelines which he says athletes should follow during this time of ‘social-distancing’ and self-quarantine following the COVID-19 pandemic which has made its way onto local soil.

With the virus springing up locally here and there with one accounted death to date, the Government shut its borders, schools and airports along with a number of their organisations for a few weeks; as to better help prepare for quarantine-like measures in the near future.

From the NBA to the NFL, sports worldwide have been hit hard by the outbreak as leagues and tournaments have been called off indefinitely. In keeping with their regimens, Barry stated that his tips are tailor-made for helping athletes to keep fit and healthy during this time of isolation.

TAKE THE SPREAD OF THE ILLNESS SERIOUSLY “In observing the guidelines by the World Health Organisation (WHO) you are not just protecting yourself, but doing your part to protect your community. The great challenge with this illness is not so much the treatment of the virus but rather the rapid rate of spread, especially by those who do not show symptoms.

lete, now would be a good time to focus on getting in those long runs you may or may not enjoy.

Public training facilities in your area could be closed at this period to limit public gatherings, but running 4-5 miles a few days a week can have several benefits beyond giving you a sound aerobic base such as helping to keep a strong immune system and building focus, self-discipline and other key traits to athletics success.

Guyana/West Indies Performance Enhancement Specialist, Neil Barry Jr TAKE CARE OF YOUR AEROBIC SYSTEM With athletes advised to abandon team training and gym sessions until further notice, Barry recommends that more aerobic work should be done during this time.

Evidence shows that training your aerobic system at least once a week helps to maintain your level of fitness. As an ath-

SELF-TRAINING Barry further stresses that isolated time-off is good for individual workouts, adding that strength training at a time like this is important, especially with a number of routines can be carried out in a safe environment.

Several countries have advised closures of gyms and with good reason. Keeping public gatherings to a minimum are proven ways to slow the spread of viruses such as these. This does not have to spell the end of your strength training. There are hundreds of exercises out there (many of which can be found on YouTube) to safely build strength, using just your bodyweight or minimal equipment.

“Now would be a good time to bring out your resistance bands and other portable exercise tools, but also setting simple targets like getting in 100 push-ups and 500 abdominals per day are still highly beneficial.

MINIMISE GROUPS, OBSERVE 3 FEET OR MORE RULE With Social-Distancing now an integral part of the containment/self-quarantine pro-

cess, Barry who heads University of Guyana Physio Therapy Department said isolation is key as athletes across the world have been coming down with the virus.

“If you do need to get in technical work and it becomes unavoidable, then keep your training groups to 5 persons or less and as far as possible observe the 3-feet rule. A lot of your coaches could be at a higher risk of having a more significant reaction to the illness so do not be selfish - keep your distance.

WHERE WEIGHT-TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL, SANITISE BEFORE, AFTER USE Utilise the additional time to learn about your game and other facets of training. For a cricketer or footballer this could mean spending time reviewing footage or practising a new drill.”

Take the time to focus on aspects of training you might not have had the time to work on before. Different variations of the bodyweight plank and the Bodyweight Bridge are excellent tools to prevent injury and enhance performance by strengthening the glute, inner thigh and hips. A simple YouTube search can reveal a lot of safe demonstrations of those exercises.” explained Barry.

In closing, the guidelines prescribed for athletes are no different from the rest of the world. As an athlete you are likely a role model in your community so the example you set can influence others and play a major role in the outcome of this situation. So keep your distance and wash your hands.”

Government of Guyana, GOA collaborate to aid boxers stranded in Cuba

By Rawle Toney THE Government of Guyana, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), along with Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), have once again teamed up to aid the four boxers who are left in Cuba, following the closure of the country’s airports in their efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus in Guyana.

On Friday, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) president Steve Ninvalle made a call to NSC and GOA, for their assistance for the four boxers – Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis,

GBA president Steve Ninvalle (centre), along with boxers (from left) Colin Lewis, Dennis Thomas, Keevin Allicock and Desmond Amsterdam during his recent visit to Santa Clara, Cuba.

See page 27

CBC 3X3 Championship to be implemented following installation of new FIBA Commission

By Rawle Toney PATRICK Haynes, the lone Guyanese and West Indian on the recently-formed FIBA 3X3 Commission, revealed that a championship for basketball’s shortest and most exciting format will be implemented in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) region.

Haynes, speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport, highlighted that the Commission, which will be chaired by Russia’s and former Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko for the next four years (2019-2023), has given him the mandate to oversee the 3X3 format in Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

“Due to the rapid growth of 3X3 basketball, FIBA found it necessary for them to create the 3X3 Commission, so that they can properly govern the sport moving forward, not only leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but also for the World Championships for each of the different continents,” Haynes said.

Over the years, thanks to Ansa McAl under its Mackeson brand, local ‘ballers’ battled in lucrative 3X3 tournaments.

However, now, Haynes said the fast-growing format is going to be used towards grassroots recruiting, where “national teams can start using 3X3 towards identifying talent to now field both junior and senior national teams.”

Patrick, who also serves as the General Secretary for the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), along with his twin brother Paul, have helped tremendously to return Guyana to the CBC Championship, usually going above and beyond to ensure that the GABA

is properly equipped, both on and off to the court, to secure success.

Their hard work paid off in 2018, in Suriname, when Stanton Rose captained Guyana to their maiden CBC tournament title.

“As a Guyanese and a West Indian, I am honoured to be the only one to represent Central America, the Caribbean and South America (on the Commission) and they have given me the mandate to rule the sport in these three areas. I feel that I have the ability and the skills, seeing that I’ve already implemented two successful 3X3 competitions, partnering with the International Basketball Foundation (IBF),” Haynes noted.

The FIBA 3X3 Commission, which recently held a one-day meeting at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, FIBA Headquarters a newly-formed group, not in place in the previous working cycle and consisting of 18 members who are former or current 3X3 players, officials, national federations representatives and private organisers.

The commission held discussions on a wide range of topics which included an update on the growth of the FIBA 3X3 World Tour and the entire FIBA 3X3 competition network, the qualification system for national team events, the FIBA 3X3 Federation Ranking and women in 3X3 - one of FIBA’s priority strategic pillars.

During their life cycle, the Commission will be tasked to develop recommendations for improvement to 3X3 governance and organisation and for the introduction of new official 3X3 competitions, to give advice on the allocation of official 3X3 competitions, to be responsible for training, examining and

CWI faces possible logistical challenges from coronavirus fallout See story on page 27

FLASHBACK! Patrick Haynes (right) hands over the CBC Championship Most Valuable Player (MVP) award to Guyana’s Stanton Rose, following the completion of the tournament in Suriname in 2018. implementing the requested qualification of all 3X3 officials and to draw up the text of the FIBA 3X3 Basketball Rules, draft amendments to these rules for adoption by the Central Board, give the official interpretation of the rules and solve doubtful cases or cases not clearly covered by the rules themselves.

They will also be tasked to study the regulations governing all 3X3 competitions and to recommend changes to such regulations and to monitor the state of 3X3 around the world and to make recommendations for the development of 3X3.

The meeting was also attended by FIBA

Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis and FIBA Executive Director Europe, Kamil Novak.

The other members of the FIBA 3X3 Commission are Peter Bodnar (HUN), Lothar Boesing (GER), Jay Demings (USA), Jiang Guan (CHN), Patrick Haynes (GUY), Martin Ho Suie Sang (NED), Michal Konecny (CZE), Hoang Bao Nguyen (VIE), Jerome Prigent (FRA), Giancarlo Sergi (SUI), Myagmarjav Luvsandash (MGL), Radu Petre (ROU), Mikiko Yasuda (JPN), Rae Lin D’Alie (ITA), Jasmina Juras (SRB) and Michael Linklater (CAN).

USA Track and Field calls See story for Olympics delay on page 27

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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020