Guyana Chronicle E-paper 5-13-2020

WEDNESDAY 13th May, 2020

' No.105998

310 ballot boxes counted in first week …as GECOM seeks to increase workstations, speed up process …writes COVID-19 Task Force for advice

SEE STORIES PAGES 03 & 08

A heavy downpour Monday night and early Tuesday morning caused flash-flooding in several parts of Georgetown, and residents have been asked to remain vigilant as the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to monitor the situation

‘Raiders invade Iwokrama’ …massive illegal mining, fishing and logging uncovered on reservation

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Four new COVID-19 cases

--six persons now in ICU; 67 in institutional isolation

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Lethem COVID-19 patient nabbed in Brazil after fleeing quarantine 09 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

‘Raiders invade Iwokrama’

…massive illegal mining, fishing and logging discovered on reservation …centre believes persons took advantage of COVID-19 lockdown

THE Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development has unearthed a number of illegal activities, including logging, gold mining, hunting and fishing within the Iwokrama forest by persons whom are believed to have taken advantage of the country’s COVID-19 lockdown measures to engage in the illegal activities.

A notice issued by Iwokrama, on Tuesday, said that the centre, with the support of the Corps of Wardens of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Police Force, coordinated raids within the Iwokrama Forest.

“The Iwokrama International Centre has noted again with serious concern the proliferation of illegal activities in the Iwokrama Forest… In November 2019 we conducted an education and awareness activity, so the public should now be well aware of the boundaries of the Iwokrama Forest and permitted activities in the forest,” the notice said. It added that the teams found camps with several four inch dredges and substantive destruction of the forest floor.

“This was a marked increase in intensity from the usual one-man operation using metal detectors and a spade and is of grave concern to the centre. These activities, the centre believes, are being perpetuated by individuals taking advantage of the current restrictions and lock-

down protocols established to combat the COVID–19 virus,” the notice said.

The centre reminded the public and other stakeholders that these activities are not allowed in the Iwokrama Forest unless the centre gives expressed written permission for any of these activities to be undertaken.

“Specifically, section two of the clause titled “Control of the Programme Site” of the Iwokrama Act states: Subject to section 6(1), and notwithstanding anything in any other written law - (a) no mining, forestry or other resources utilisation activity shall be carried out on the Programme Site by any person other than the centre, except with the prior written permission of the centre; and (b) no lease of land or permission to use land in the Programme Site shall be issued by any person other than the centre, and all activities on the Programme Site shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed therefor under this Act,” the notice stated.

It pointed out that Section three prescribes the penalties: “Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (2) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of one hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a period of one year, and where the offence is of a continuing nature, to a further fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars for each day during which the offence continues after

conviction.”

Iwokrama said that it has already imposed penalties on one errant tourism operator “who was caught illegally logging in the Iwokrama Forest and a gold miner who was arrested and placed before the courts.”

Iwokrama noted that it has spent enough time and resources on education and awareness with regard to these illegal activities in the Iwokrama Forest and is continuing its zero tolerance approach to these activities, especially the gold mining and logging operations.

“The centre’s monitoring team, together with the regulatory institutions in Guyana, including but not limited to the Natural Resources Corps of Wardens, Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency will continue to undertake regular monitoring and enforcement activities within the environs of the Iwokrama Forest and the centre will also be rigidly enforcing the prescribed penalties under the Iwokrama Act and other laws of Guyana to any person(s) found illegally operating in the Iwokrama Forest,” the notice said.

DRONE TECHNOLOGY In addition, the centre said it is installing cameras in certain areas and has also acquired a drone with facial recognition software for remote aerial monitoring. It said too that a monitoring station will also be strategically placed to monitor boat traffic in these areas.

“Iwokrama believes in the development of the hinterland region of Guyana which provides livelihoods for many Guyanese but at the same time, all activities must be done within the confines of the Laws of Guyana,” said Iwokrama.

The centre is offering a reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of persons(s) involved in illegal activities in the Iwokrama Forest. “The Centre will also be following up on information it received on specific mining operators who we have been told have been working in the Iwokrama Forest. Any arrests will be fully publicised,” the notice said.

---Police, MNR Corps of Wardens deployed

Mines area in Iwokrama Forest

Mined area in Iwokrama with sluice box

One 4-inch dredge

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

GECOM wants to add more counting stations

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…writes COVID-19 taskforce for advice

By Lisa Hamilton THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is interested in increasing the number of workstations within the Arthur Chung Conference Centre to speed up the national recount, but now awaits approval from the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) which will visit the centre today.

Chair of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh told this newspaper on Tuesday that the NCTF will decide how many workstations can be added, while maintaining safe practices in light of the deadly coronavirus epidemic.

Commissioner Sase Gunraj averages that about six additional stations can be accommodated within the building, which could increase simultaneous counting to over 100 boxes per day.

Provided the increase in approved, Justice Singh has also noted that the commission’s goal would be at least 100 ballot boxes per day to allow the commission to meet its 25-day timeline. To date, the highest number of ballot boxes counted by the commission is 54, but the opposition has been clamouring for this number to be increased.

Representatives of the NCTF first visited the centre on April 23, 2020 and initially approved the current 10 workstations ,which are facilitating the recount of ballots cast in Regions One,Two,Three and Four.

GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward

However, following the commission’s meeting yesterday, GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward confirmed that the NCTF will do another analysis to determine what additions can be made. Given the May/June rainy weather, it is unlikely that any additional stations will be placed outside the centre.

“We are still cognisant of the COVID-19 pandemic and of course, as you’re aware, there was a report that was provided to us by the task force based on their initial assessment of this venue,” Ward said.

“At the conclusion of that meeting, a few of the commissioners had a quick look around to see where they could possibly establish those additional workstations; they haven’t decided on a number of workstations to be established because we still have to be conscious in terms of

Commissioner Sase Gunraj

requirements for physical and social distancing.”

Ward averages that some 70-80 ballot boxes per day could be possible with additional workstations.

As regards additional staff who would be needed, she said that teams are currently working on a rotational basis, but it can be considered that they work daily, or GECOM can tap into its some 400 staff members.

Speaking with the media subsequently, Commissioner Alexander said that himself and Commissioner Robeson Benn had done a walkabout within the building and identified five possible spaces for additional workstations.

He added that while GECOM is prepared to comply with whatever decision is made by the NCTF, it must be considered that, on average, there are already about 400 persons at the centre, inclusive of party represen-

tatives, police, observers, GECOM staff, food handlers and maintenance.

“We’re at 400 and therefore we certainly have to be very concerned if we continue to add to that number,” he said.

The commissioner also stated that GECOM had already agreed on a number of persons per workstation which, at its maximum is 18 and any additional workstation must be established within this context.

With regard to a possible extension of the 25-day timeline, Alexander said that as the process continues, the commission will have to adjust itself as necessary.

Meanwhile, there were several other deliberations by the commission with the aim of meeting the 25-day timeline. One of these is a possible reduction of the items required to be crossed off a checklist before count-

Commissioner Vincent Alexander

ing proceeds.

For example, Ward said that one of the PE envelopes within ballot boxes includes the folio which is not an essential document to the process. The commission will make a final decision today on this matter.

Additionally, the commission has decided that compliance or smooth progress will not be recorded on Observation Reports, but only anomalies which will help to save additional time.

It was decided that if there are objections from parties to allegations made, this will also be noted in the Observation Reports.

Party agents will also be provided with Statements of Recount (SORs) whether or not they sign on to them.

GECOM will also meet the request of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to provide a document with a list of issues and

their resolutions; these will be provided to the involved stakeholders to eliminate further referrals to the commission on said issues.

The document with about 25 issues will be prepared, passed on to the secretariat and later to the GECOM staff at their respective work stations for implementation.

They include matters related to the six-digit stamp, smudge markings on ballot papers and the allotted lunch period.

Commissioner Gunraj also told the media that the decision was made to scan ballots randomly instead of every single ballot; additionally, a suggestion has been made for a targeted number of ballot boxes to be completed daily and will be set for each workstation.

For the aforementioned matters still awaiting a final decision, the commission will meet at 13:00hrs to facilitate the same.

The commission is also expected to meet with the PPP/C’s party representatives today, while the APNU+AFC, which has also requested a meeting, has been asked to prepare a list of its concerns beforehand.

As the recount continues its seventh day today, Ward said that Region One is the closest to completion with over 70 ballot boxes counted, with the region having a total of 99 boxes.

Region Seven records first COVID-19 case A MAN, who travelled into a mining area in Region Seven via Parika, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, noted on Tuesday that seven of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions have recorded COVID-19 cases.

Regional Health Officials at the town of Bartica noted that two persons from within the region were tested for the coronavirus within the past several days.

The Guyana Chronicle was told by sources at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) that one of the men works at the Aranka Backdam in the Cuyuni area of Region Seven. He travelled into and out of the area via the ports of Parika and BuckHall on the Essequibo River.

Reports are that one of the men who was tested is a Brazilian, while the other person works with a government agency.

As the ministry’s response efforts to stem the spread of

COVID-19 continue, Dr. Boyle noted that persons are not helping the situation. ”Your behaviour is not encouraging; you continue to flout control measures and to put all at risk. Instead of our curve beginning to flatten, we still see an upward trajectory in positive coronavirus cases,” she said.

Guyana has recorded a total of 113 cases of the coronavirus to date. Thus far, no cases were recorded in Regions Five, Two and Eight.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Coronavirus: Ventilator fire blamed for Russia Covid-19 deaths

(BBC) A fire at a St Petersburg hospital has killed five coronavirus patients in an intensive care unit.

The blaze was apparently started by a short-circuit in a ventilator, Russian news agencies reported.

The fire was quickly put out and 150 people were evacuated from the hospital, the country’s emergency ministry said. It is not clear how many people have been injured.

All the patients who died at St George Hospital had been on ventilators.

“The ventilators are working to their limits.

Preliminary indications are that it was overloaded and caught fire, and that was the cause,” a source at St Petersburg emergencies department told the Interfax news agency.

Russia’s NTV news website reports that the fire did not spread beyond one small Covid-19 ward on the sixth floor.

It quotes doctors as saying a short-circuit caused a

ventilator “literally to explode” because of the oxygen concentration, and the ward filled with smoke, which suffocated the patients.

There have been persistent reports of a shortage of ventilators in Russia, especially in the provinces as President Vladimir Putin himself acknowledged last month, the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford reports.

Production has increased rapidly, but research by the Reuters news agency found that outside Moscow many ventilators are old - made in the 1990s.

DOCTORS WORKING AT FULL STRETCH St Petersburg, with a population of approximately 4.9 million people, has 5,483 hospital beds for Covid-19 patients.

The city’s hospitals have been overstretched by the outbreak and doctors are working at full capacity, says BBC Russian reporter Anna Pushkarskaya.

St George’s was seen as less affected than others, but it was quarantined last month when 18 patients were diagnosed with the virus.

machine-building plant.

St Petersburg has recorded just over 8,000 cases of Covid-19 so far - far fewer than Moscow, where the infection rate is continuing

ventilator design and manufacture or in the hospital’s fire precautions.

The All-Russia Institute for Medical Technology Research points out that there

Firefighters at St George Hospital - the blaze broke out on the sixth floor

A police source quoted

by Tass news agency said the ventilator which caught fire was new - it had been installed just this month - and was made by Russia’s Ural

to climb at over 10,000 new cases daily.

State investigators have opened a case to determine whether there was criminal negligence - either in the

are many different types of medical ventilator, so a fault in one may not be common to others.

Alexei Kurinny, a member of the Russian parlia-

ment’s health committee, said it was unlikely that a ventilator could have short-circuited or overloaded, and that fire safety was built into their design.

The St George Hospital in the Vyborg district had been converted to a Covid-19 hospital at the end of March.

The emergency services sent 105 firefighters and 55 vehicles to the hospital, offficials said.

The news of the fire comes as the country is starting to ease lockdown restrictions. Construction, farming and factory workers are resuming their duties.

Russia now has the second-highest number of confirmed infections worldwide after the United States. On Tuesday, it reported another 10,899 infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to more than 232,000.

The capital, Moscow, is the worst-affected area and has reported more than 5,000 new cases in the past 24 hours.

Coronavirus: Lebanon imposes ‘total’ shutdown as cases increase (BBC) Lebanon has imposed a “total” shutdown after experiencing a resurgence in reported coronavirus cases.

The curfew will start on the evening of 13 May and

Wednesday, 13 May, 2020 09:30hrs ~ 11:00hrs

stay in place until the morning of 18 May. The number of cases has risen to its highest point in more than a month after the was lockdown rolled back.

People “should stay home and avoid going out except for urgent cases”, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab said more than 100 new infections had been recorded in the past four days, accusing some of “negligence and lack of responsibility” for ignoring government guidelines on social distancing.

cases has partly been attributed to infected expatriates arriving from overseas on repatriation flights.

On 7 May, 25 citizens who all boarded an inbound flight from Lagos, Nigeria, were found to be infected, the health ministry announced.

Videos have also been circulating on social media showing shoppers failing to ensure distancing measures,

Places of worship recently opened their doors for the first time in two months

The country has 870 confirmed cases according to Johns Hopkins University, and 26 deaths due to the virus.

There has been a steady easing of lockdown measures in recent weeks, with shops reopening and curfew measures lifted on the condition that social distancing is maintained. Places of worship have also opened their doors for the first time in two months.

The upward trend in new

and many more people out on the streets than expected.

The lockdown has exacerbated already high tensions over Lebanon’s dire economy and the spiralling cost of living.

Last month there were nights of clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the city of Tripoli after a lull in months-long anti-government street protests.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Coronavirus: First Brazil death ‘earlier than thought’

People in Rio have been urged to stay at home as the virus spreads

Angostura employees donate $1 million for COVID relief

(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) The employees of Angostura Ltd have donated more than $1 million to purchase food items for the most vulnerable who are financially impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 virus on the economy.

Angostur’s employees donated some of their vacation days to create a pool of funds worth over $1 million In a release the company said: “The Management, Executives and Board of Directors have also financially supported the drive. This employee-driven initiative saw 341 Angostura employees giving up a total of 1,074 vacation days, valued at $1,000,000.”

Commenting on why he donated his vacation days, engineering and maintenance supervisor, Victor Francis said, “I give because to me it’s the best thing that one can do at a time like this.”

Technical assistant, Sean C Alleyne added, “I truly believe that any act or gesture of kindness and compassion would go a long way.”

The staff’s generosity has led to some people even giving up their entire vacation for the year.

“This says a lot about the Angostura staff and the values of the company which they all live by—togetherness, tenacity, passion and integrity. The employees’ initiative entitled, “From Our Angostura Family To Yours” is a gift of their kindness to the country. We are extremely proud of all our employees for conceptualising this idea and driving this initiative with a huge goal in mind,” the release read.

On March 20, Angostura announced that it was embarking on a donation drive to produce hand sanitiser for first responders, communities and businesses with frontline staff.

Since then, the company has given out 70,000 bottles of hand sanitiser to front liners including police officers, prison officers, healthcare and social development workers and to its fence-line communities in Laventille/ Morvant.

The company said it will continue to assist those in need during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.

(BBC) The first recorded coronavirus-related death in Brazil happened almost two months earlier than previously thought, researchers say.

Scientists at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation examined cases of patients taken to hospital with respiratory problems.

They say molecular tests suggest one patient who died in Rio de Janeiro between 19 and 25 January had Covid-19.

The first previously known death in Brazil was that of a man on 16 March.

The scientists also say their research suggests the virus was being spread from person to person in Brazil in early February - weeks before the country’s popular carnival street parties kicked off.

According to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the disease globally, Brazil now has more than 170,000 cases of coronavirus, second only to the US in the Western Hemisphere.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Americas are the currently at the centre of the pandemic.

“Around the world we have seen that the warnings we put out right from the start, very, very early on, were not seen as warnings about a very serious, lethal disease,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said about the high number of cases in Brazil and the US.

Government spends $934 million on COVID-19 so far

Finance Minister Colm Imbert at this morning?s COVID-19 update media conference

(TRNIDAD GUARDIAN) The government of this country has spent $934 million so far, on treating with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Speaking at the COVID-19 news conference this morning, Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, said the bulk of the funding has come from his ministry through initiatives such as VAT refunds, salary relief grants, credit unions support, payment for face masks and funding for the THA. He said there is also a loan programme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the amount of $300 million, which is in its final stages, and a US$65 million loan to assist Caribbean Airlines.

The Ministry of Social Development has so far spent $98.1 million in social assistance; another $400 million is projected to be spent.

In terms of the Ministry of Health, it has spent $55 million but is expected to spend $137 million in total.

The Finance Minister added that a further $250 million will be made available in the event that it is needed.

“We are giving health every cent they need,” he said.

The other money spent was done through the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Saluting our nurses and other healthcare workers

Y

ESTERDAY marked another observance of International Nurses Day, an occasion that celebrated the contribution of a most vital component in every state’s health system, whether private or state.

This particular anniversary is being hailed at the most challenging period of modern man’s existence, against the background of the raging coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, which threatens the physical survival of humanity, by the tens of thousands of lives that have been affected.

Celebrated since 1965, and on the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the ‘’Lady with the Lamp,’’ said to be the founder of modern nursing, it is most fitting that this year’s observances are occasioned under the theme: A voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health. Of course, the latter function is what being a nurse is all about, since this crucial frontline category of health care is tasked with this most challenging of medical-care functions which speak to nursing the sick back to good health.

Such a sacred undertaking, for which there can be no price tag in terms of emoluments that can reward such selfless duty, often carried out beyond the call of duty, though

usually lauded at this time in a more relaxed environment, is at the moment greatly overshadowed by the foreboding challenge of a killer virus, against which nurses are on the frontline in their role of combatting COVID-19, throughout the globe. And they have been bearing the brunt of being frontline care health workers, with dozens having to perform daily duties in a highly infected environment without basic personal protection equipment. Dozens have lost their lives, with many others becoming mentally affected, inclusive of cases of suicide. The National Health Service of Britain is a good example of the number of nurses who have been dying, because of being affected by the fatal COVID-19 virus pandemic.

There have also been reported instances of citizens, spitting and coughing at health care workers, including nurses; and landlords asking them to vacate their rented apartments. Such discrimination, though in other forms such as nurses and health care workers being refused public and even, private transportation; and being asked to leave stores and supermarkets, have been manifest in Guyana.

Such cruelty and inconsiderately discriminative behaviour have been condemned, and must continue to be so,

against this essential group of health workers whose daily well- being and that of their families, continues to be at risk, more than any other professional employment group.

Let us be mindful of this fact: nurses will continue to be the pivot around which our health system functions, for no medical institution, public or otherwise, can ever hope to provide suitable health care without their invaluable daily service. They are the legs and shoulders, especially upon which the entire national health system stands, anywhere in the world.

Finally, we are reminded by the wise words of President David Granger, which although is about all our health care workers, is here repeated with the nation’s nurses in mind: ‘I ask you…to think tenderly of our public health professionals and service providers; that is to say, our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all other supporting staff, medical and non-medical, who are providing the required care for those in distress: public health practitioners are on the frontline of protecting those stricken by the disease; they have been working tirelessly, through this very difficult situation, to provide quality healthcare to those who have been infected and afflicted…’

They stand exposed and unclothed ―Let them defend themselves Dear Editor,

T

HE March 02 national and regional elections recount is currently in process; and maybe, for the sake of objectivity and analysis, one should comment at the end of this exercise.

However, since there is no legal gag or constraint on views, I now pen the following thoughts.

With what is now emerging from those ballot boxes in the recount process, the Coalition Government has been proven right in its insistence that House-to-House Reg-

istration take place for the compilation of a clean voter’s list, which is the bedrock of a transparent process of free and fair elections. There could be no other methodology, except a sanitised list.

Of course, we all will recall the PPP/C fighting desperately, in what had become a trenchant dishonest battle, to prevent such a process, which it had always supported in prior instances, except this one, which, because of sinister intentions, they objected to, as if its political life depended on it. The fact of even challenging the legitimacy of such a prerequisite

of national registration at the High Court underlined clear dishonest intentions for objecting to such a list.

One can surmise that the exercise had had to be aborted, because of the CCJ ruling that elections had to be held in the ‘shortest time possible’. It was an edict which had not been lost on the person of the Madame Chair, the distinguished retired judge.

Thus, a till bloated and uncleansed list had to be used for N&RE March 02, because of the judicial time line with regards polling day.

Such must have set off the pealing of the bells of dis-

honesty in Robb Street, given that such list was to be used.

However, THE VERY LATTER LIST, which has finally proven the crooked intentions of the PPP/C, with all of the fraudulent revelations that have exposed: persons being resurrected from their eternal rest to vote; persons residing overseas, suddenly being teleported to the ballot box; persons who voted without identification (ID), although they were requested to uplift such a document, lying at the GECOM offices since 2008. From the reports, they voted without the necessary Affidavit of Identity, being

done; Poll books which must contain all the activity with regard the particular ballot box; and missing lists of voters for the particular district, which have to be used to tally the number of actual ballots cast.

Editor, those very lists have NOW RETURNED TO EXPOSE THE DEEP DARK PLOTS OF ELECTORAL FRAUD AND DISHONESTY, PERPETRATED

BY THE PPP/C AT THE MARCH 02 POLLS. It cannot be any clearer than this.

The nation can now be satisfied as to all the reasons why this COL-

LECTIVE OF POLITICAL DEVIANTS AND THEIR EQUALLY DEVIOUS VESTED INTEREST ALLIES, ET AL WOULD HAVE WAGED AN OVERTIME BATTLE AGAINST THE NATIONAL REGISTRATION LAWS, TO SCUTTLE a legitimate constitutional process that is an electoral requirement.

It is a list that will be their measurement of final judgement.

Regards, Carla Mendonca

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Fire guts Bartica businesses

THE Building which housed the former Morocco Hotel and another within the same compound at First Avenue at the town of Bartica, were destroyed by fire on Monday night.

According to reports, the fire started sometime after 21:40hrs in a building next door to the hotel which housed a boutique, owned by a businessman called ‘Bolo’. Reports are the fire

may have been electrical in origin.

The fire swept through the buildings and in the process, firemen were forced to leave the scene to source water. This resulted in the blaze igniting once more.

Town Clerk, Pheobe Wallerson, noted that members of the Guyana Fire Service tried their best to contain the blaze.

She said that the fire has left “massive damage” in its

wake, noting that the town will rally behind the business entities which suffered losses.

A Citizens Bank branch, as well as a Banks DIH outlet are next door to the scene of the fire.

In addition, the building which houses the Church’s Chicken fast food outlet was also under threat by the blaze which was eventually contained sometime after midnight.

A Bartica businessman looks at his mobile phone, hours after his business was destroyed by fire on Monday night

Who wants to lead a fatigued nation? …let the recount progress without constant threats to the people Dear Editor,

G

U YA N E S E at home and abroad, for some time now, have begun to feel tired and fatigued by the constant threats of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)’s Leader and General Secretary, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

He is using every opportunity to tell the nation how much sanctions they will receive if he does not get his way.

As if the COVID-19 is not enough of a dark cloud, which everyone is trying to avoid, Mr. Jagdeo has been threatening the entire nation that sanctions will come down “like a ton of bricks”.

There is no separation of economic sanctions, and these will affect everyone in the country, even the so-called rich and the powerful in the PPP. At one of his weekly press conferences, Mr. Jagdeo told the media, “We will ask for a stoppage of all the funds flowing from the multilateral institutions… We’re going to ask the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to shut down all disbursements to Guyana…There is bilateral curtailment of funds, so

Norway has made it clear that they [government] will not receive any money there.”

WHO IS HE THREATENING? Brookings (US) Research Institution study on sanctions defined it, “as mostly economic but also political and military penalties introduced to alter political and/or military behavior, are employed by the United States to discourage the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, bolster human rights, end terrorism, thwart drug trafficking, discourage armed aggression, promote market access, protect the environment, and replace governments.”

Which one of these activities is Mr. Jagdeo is interested in; is it the very last one, ‘replace government’?

For there is no way that Mr. Jagdeo would not know that these sanctions and other outrageous requests against Guyana from the international community that he and the PPP is making will ultimately affect all of the people of this country, though some more than others.

The ‘ordinary man’ is in the majority in any country, and Guyana is no exception. Therefore, they will indeed feel the brunt of the blade if any of those threats

should come to pass. In addition to the immediate impact of sanctions on trade with the target, many American businessmen claim that the effects of even limited unilateral US sanctions go well beyond targeted sectors. They also argue that the effects linger long after they are lifted, because US firms have come to be regarded as “unreliable suppliers”. Sanctioned countries may avoid buying from US exporters, even when sanctions are not in place, thus giving firms in other countries a competitive advantage in those markets.

Further, studies also show that sanctions cost U.S. companies billions of dollars a year in lost sales and returns on investment, and cost many thousands of workers their jobs; sanctions tend to be easier to introduce than to lift, and are almost always more difficult to change the status quo than to continue with it.

LEADER; FATHER OF THE NATION Which leader who is worth his salt would want to invite sanctions on any nation, whether it is where he or she is from or on another country? Clearly, in this case, none would escape; all would be consumed. Mahatma Gandhi was referred to as the Father of the Nation because

he created a strong emotional bonding among the different peoples all across India. The people respected him for that.

Other than his humility, his ability to involve women in decision-making, as well as his show of much respect for them caused him to gain tremendous political mileage.

President David Granger cannot be named once by the opposition PPP as being an instigator of any form of trouble on this land; he leads with respect for self and the people. HE can be considered as Father of the nation.

He’d rather keep silent than attempt to say things that are tormenting or laughable to the people. And even in this case, they may still feel some amount of anger. How unfair to the people.

The recount continues, even though there have a number of discrepancies highlighted by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change coalition (APNU+AFC). In a press release, it reported that there is “a clear emerging pattern of PPP contamination of the March 2, elections…unmistakable pattern of irregularities, discrepancies and worse have emerged.”

Regards, Mark Dacosta

PPP’s penchant for rigging exposed Dear Editor,

I

T IS now undeniable, obvious, and indisputable that the PPP attempted to rig the elections, illegally snatch political power, and undermine Guyana’s democracy by every means possible, on numerous fronts, and at all levels of the electoral process. After the PPP has tried its best to prevent a recount, block an audit of the results, and stymie an examination of the results every step of the way, this publication had pointed out that there could be only one reason for the PPP’s behaviour: The Opposition is terrified of what would be revealed. As it turns out, this publication was correct; now that the recount is underway, it is clear that the PPP’s attempts at staging an electoral coup went far beyond stuffing ballot boxes; in fact, the PPP’s dishonesty extended to everything under the sun.

It is now clear, beyond doubt, that the PPP bosses, at the expense of their supporters, have conspired, plotted, and planned behind closed doors to hijack, usurp, undermine, and rig our electoral process and, ultimately, its results. Their objective was to illegally grab political power, steal Guyana’s resources, and get their dirty hands on everything that belongs to all citizens. And, now, the plot is being exposed for all to see.

That plot, as was said, went beyond stuffing ballot boxes.

It is now obvious that the PPP bosses used the smaller parties to push their false narratives and illegal agenda. This is obvious, as the smaller parties continue to do so. Additionally, with the exception of Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, none of those smaller party’s leaders have any experience or history in politics.

What does that tell us?

It is equally evident that the PPP has hijacked the ‘anti-parking-meter group’. Obviously, the smarter members of that group have removed themselves. However, the list of persons at the top of that group is quite interesting. That list includes well known PPP financiers, supporters, and propagandists such as: Gerry Gouveia, Dawn Singh, Ramesh Persaud, Eddie Boyer, Robin Singh, Luane Falconer, Marcel Gaskin, and others. One would recognise many of those personalities as being key players in the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which has also been hijacked by the dishonest PPP bosses. In other words, the PPP has set up a system of front agencies, like the mafia did, to push their criminal agenda and false narrative. But, that is a whole column in itself.

And this publication will publish it.

As Guyana progresses into the future, Guyanese cannot allow anyone to criminally take over our lives, poison our future, and destroy our beautiful country for their personal benefit. We must stand together, as one people of one nation, to achieve a common destiny, for us and for our children.

Regards, Shawn James

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Scrutiny of ballots continues to unnerve PPP/C

…agents trade words over process

By Gabriella Chapman SINCE the commencement of the national recount last Wednesday, the hot topic has been the findings of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) of irregularities in the voting process, which that party has pinned on the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

On Tuesday, the seventh day of the recount, these findings continue to be the matter of contention between the two major parties. PPP/C continues to be bothered by the observations being raised by the APNU+AFC, while the APNU+AFC maintains that every ballot must be scrutinised.

The first person to engage the media on the matter was PPP agent, Ganga Persaud, who sought to make his case as to why these observations

should be disregarded by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). In addition to contributing to a slothful process, Persaud said that these allegations are discrediting every person that was involved in the elections on Elections Day. And for that, these observations being voiced, should be excluded.

In fact, he said that the APNU+AFC should "stop crying foul and discrediting the process." "The process that is unfolding with the calling of the serial numbers is discrediting everyone who participated in elections March 2, 2020.

These objections are seeking to introduce an element of accusation and discrediting of all these people….” Persaud told the media.

He went on to justify that "elections day work is not an easy task. People will leave their homes at 3 AM

and get back at midnight and after that. And then for you to say that these persons are perpetuating irregularities.

It's a terrible accusation and allegation to be made against anyone. What we have found in these ballot boxes would have reflected that these people went out there to do a dedicated and honest job and that’s what they did.

Because when you compare the SORs with the SOPs that were claimed by some of the parties, including PPP/C, you find so much commonality and agreement with the results declared… When you look at the process therefore, the people who would have given their all, who are very dedicated and committed to what they went out there to do, did it very honestly, are now being accused by people who have lost all semblance of integrity, honesty and decency that they have done something wrong."

APNU+AFC agent, Leonard Craig

PPP/C agent, Ganga Persaud

Persaud continued rambling on about the allegations being deliberate attempts to waste time on objections.

He said that the observation period is to record things that happened at the recount station, and not what happened on March 2.

Meanwhile, APNU+AFC agent, Leonard Craig, maintained his position that the coalition is adamant about

continued scrutiny in the national recount of the March 2, 2020 elections. He said that the daily pattern of the PPP/C is noticeable, and that is to reduce the level of scrutiny.

"Right now PPP/C agents are advocating for a reduction of scrutiny, right down to the authenticity of every ballot...

The APNU+AFC is not in agreement with such a decision and we will strenuously

oppose that decision. We want full scrutiny of every single ballot, documents in every ballot box… PPP/C is even asking that some envelopes not be opened," Craig said.

He voiced that he and his party understand that their scrutiny is time-consuming, and they are not disagreeing with a faster flow, but in the same breath would like the process be as credible as possible. "We cannot afford to cut corners to save time.

We are not opposing a more rapid count, but we cannot sacrifice thoroughness for speed. And if we want to have a result that is credible, let us take the time to go through every piece of document... People are saying we are making objections, the word objections is ill-placed.

We are making observations.

That is the reason for the observation reports, and we have the evidence to attest," Craig emphasised.

The saga continues today.

310 boxes counted in first week …as GECOM seeks to increase workstations, speed up process

A TOTAL of 310 ballot boxes were processed in the first week of the National Recount from a total of 2,339, according to statistics provided by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward.

According to those ‘stats’, the lowest number of ballot boxes (25) was counted on the first day of the recount (May 6), while the highest number, 54, was recorded on Day Six, May 11. On Tuesday (Day Seven), a total of 48 ballot boxes was counted at the 10 workstations established within the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where the recount is being executed for a period of 25 days. Of that number, 12 of the boxes were from Region One (Barima-Waini); nine (9) from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 12

from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and 15 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Once the ballots within a ballot box are processed or counted, a Statement of Recount (SOR) is generated at the level of the workstations, and, according to Ward, to date, a total of 288 SORs have been tabulated for the first four districts for the General Elections, while for the Regional Elections, a total of 285 SORs have been tabulated.

MORE WORKSTATIONS LIKELY Cognisant of its 25day timeline, the Elections Commission is analysing the possibility of increasing the number of workstations, so as to increase the number of ballot boxes counted on a daily basis. The workstations, which are manned by four GECOM staff each,

operate for a period of 11 hours from 8:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

In keeping with the Order that was gazetted last Monday (May 4), there is a simultaneous counting of votes, starting with the first four Elections Districts: Barima-Waini; Pomeroon-Supenaam; Essequibo Islands-West Demerara; and Demerara-Mahaica.

“The recount shall commence with the allocation of 10 workstations as follows: District 1, two workstations; District 2, two workstations; District 3, three workstations; and District 4, three workstations. The recount for District 4 shall continue at the three workstations assigned to it. The recount for Districts 5 through 10 shall be conducted, based on the completion of, and at the workstations assigned to, Districts 1, 2 and 3,” the gazzetted Order states.

GENERAL COMPLIANCE Based on reports coming out of the Elections Commission thus far, generally, there has been compliance with the guidelines set out in the Order, which legally triggered the recount.

Upon the arrival of a ballot box at a workstation, it is first examined to ascertain that the seals are intact. The contents are then emptied, and the election materials examined.

Notes are then taken, and records made in accordance with the requirements of the Ballot Box Checklist. Any observation not catered for in the checklist provided is recorded in the Observation Report. To date, the APNU+AFC has cited a number of anomalies, including missing List of Elections, alleged ghost voters, and missing affidavits.

SIGNING OFF Notwithstanding the foregoing observations, the supervisers at the 10 workstations are mandated to sign off on the Ballot Box Checklists, in addition to the Observation Reports.

Those reports are also being signed by representatives of each contesting party, and copies of the completed Ballot Box Checklists and Observation Reports are given to the party representatives.

The result of the General and Regional Recount of each ballot box is recorded as provided for on a Statement of Recount (SOR) upon the completion of the recount of each box. Importantly, the tabulation of the Statements of Recount is being done at a central tabulation centre within the Conference Centre, in the presence of the CARICOM Scrutinising Team; repre-

sentatives of political parties; local and international observers; and GECOM officials.

A copy of the signed matrix will then be submitted to the CEO, and copies thereof will be given to the parties’ representatives, observers, CARICOM Scrutinising Team , the GECOM Chair and Commissioners.

“The matrices for the recount of the ten (10) Electoral Districts shall then be tabulated by the Chief Election Officer and shall be submitted in a report, together with a summary of the observation reports for each District, to the Commission,” a section of the Order reads.

It also indicated that the CARICOM Scrutinising Team will also submit a report to the Commission, inclusive of its observations, recommendations and conclusions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Lethem COVID-19 patient nabbed in Brazil after fleeing quarantine

9

… Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi residents worry following earlier visits by patient A GUYANESE man with Brazilian citizenship, who is the Rupununi's first confirmed COVID-19 patient, fled the isolation facility at the Lethem Regional Hospital compound on Tuesday morning.

The man, Hamlet Da Silva, lives in Brazil and he would make frequent trips across the border. The man discharged himself from the isolation facility during Monday night and crossed the border illegally. He was arrested in the town of BonFim on Tuesday morning

by Brazil's federal police.

Reports are that although she did not display symptoms, the man’s wife was tested by the authorities in BonFim on Tuesday morning as a precautionary measure.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that news of Da Silva’s case has created much worry in sections of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). Concern in the villages of Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi spiralled on Tuesday, since the man travelled to those areas in a sick state a week ago to sell 'tasso' among other commodities. He was actively communicating with persons within the two villages, medical sources in the region noted.

Reports are that the man spent six days at

Monkey Mountain and he informed residents that he had malaria.

The woman’s husband turned up at the Lethem Hospital on Friday night complaining of feeling unwell. He was tested positive for malaria days earlier in Brazil. Reports are that the man may have contracted the virus from a Brazilian who visited him a few weeks ago.That individual later tested positive for the virus. On Friday, when the man visited the Lethem hospital, he was not forthcoming about his history of travel. It was during questioning that the nurses found out that the man crossed the border illegally to seek treatment at Lethem.

Samples were taken from the man and sent to the city for analysis and on Monday, his test returned positive. The man's behaviour has created much concern among staff of the hospital.

Guyana has recorded a total of 113 cases of the virus, 64 of whom are active.

Within the past four days, 16 cases have been recorded.

A view of the town of Lethem. In foreground is the Takutu Bridge which links the town with Brazil.

UG begins search for new Vice-Chancellor THE University of Guyana (UG) said it is in the process of selecting its 11th Vice-Chancellor, and, on Thursday, it will host the first in a series of four virtual lectures.

The process will last until Thursday, May 21, 2020.

The first lecture will be given on Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 6-8 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada), via Zoom Webinar, by Professor Stafford Griffith, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Island Campus.

According to a media advertisement, the UG had said that candidates must be of high academic standing and have considerable experience in university administration. They should have the credibility to lead an academic community and to work effectively with the university’s many stakeholders. The candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the issues pertinent to higher education in a developing country such as Guyana, and should evince capability of providing leadership in the development and delivery

of tertiary level curricula, relevant to the needs of the

through the Chancellor and Chairman of the Council

achieving critical mass and concentration in research

national, regional and international community.

for the leadership and management of the University and works closely with the Council in the exercise of its governance roles of strategic oversight, ensuring effective overall management and ensuring responsible financial management. The Vice-Chancellor is therefore accountable to the Council for the implementation of all its decisions. The Vice-Chancellor must be able to clearly articulate the vision of the University of Guyana as Guyana’s national University, focusing on

disciplines of national importance.

The candidate must lead the University in providing the highest quality teaching and learning environment, responding innovatively to the changing needs of students and equipping them with the skills to be the leaders of tomorrow, nationally, regionally and internationally.

The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for leading a large and diverse organisation in such a manner as: 1. To develop and manage

ROLE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for leading and managing the University’s academic, operational and external affairs – shaping, articulating, and implementing the University’s strategic objectives in research, education, and contribution to public policy development. The Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the University Council, is responsible

the human, financial, and physical resources of the University to meet its strategic goals; 2. To ensure the risk management and compliance programmes across the University’s diverse functions, activities and entities meet the highest standards of ethics, financial probity and corporate governance; 3. To ensure that the critical relationships with key stakeholders within the University community – including statutory officers, staff and students, unions and alumni - are enhanced and maintained and are always in accordance with the provisions of the University Act, Statutes, and Policy Directions of the University Council. 4. To ensure that the University meets all requirements for national registration; to ensure that the University meets all requirements for relevant accreditation and maintains such accreditation where necessary.

Additionally, the Vice-Chancellor is responsible for leading effective engagement with government at all levels, and with other external stakeholders

in the political, business, education, philanthropic, and national communities. The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the University’s reputation through effective communication and advocacy, directly and through the media, to all relevant stakeholders and the general public. The candidate must foster and develop strategic alliances and partnerships both nationally and internationally, including strengthening key alliances with selected universities.

The tenth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, had made an unceremonious exit from the institution following widespread public anger over his stewardship. At the time of his leaving the UG Council was considering whether his contract would have been renewed, but, by way of a correspondence, he withdrew his previous request for a renewal of his contract. Nonetheless, with him demitting, a Transitional Management Team was put in place to manage the affairs of the academic institution.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

CARICOM blasts EU over blacklisting of regional states Caribbean Community (CARICOM) foreign ministers have “rejected the arbitrary and unilateral imposition of blacklisting by the European Union” on several CARICOM countries.

Last week, the EU said under the Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD), it has revised its list, taking into account developments at the international level since 2018 and that the “new list is now better aligned with the lists published by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force)”.

The countries which have been listed are The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, along with Botswana, Cambodia, Ghana, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panama and Zimbabwe. But Guyana is among six other third world countries that have been de-listed. In a statement issued Monday following last week’s 23rd meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), the foreign ministers said they “rejected the arbitrary and unilateral imposition of blacklisting by the EU on several member states of the Community.

“They expressed concern over the constant shifting of goal posts, the continued lack of prior consultation or notification and the unwillingness to take into account the efforts at compliance made by CARICOM member states,” the statement noted.

It said that the “measure was viewed as detrimental to the economies of the affected states which are already in recession. “The Community called on the EU to take into consideration the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic wellbeing of the small states of CARICOM

in their policy-making,” the statement added.

The statement said that the foreign ministers also reviewed the region’s relations with both its traditional and more recent partners and discussed ways and means by which these relations could further be strengthened. “The COFCOR also reflected on the need to engage new partners with a view to promoting an appreciation of the Community’s interests and catalysing new development platforms.”

The statement said particular attention was paid to developments, such as BREXIT and the negotiation of the successor to the Cotonou Agreement, “which are having a profound impact on the nature of existing relationships, hence the focus

on relations with the UK in its new dispensation and the European Union (EU)”. The statement said that with the seventh CARICOM-Cuba Summit scheduled to be held in Cuba in December, the foreign ministers received an update on the status of relations.

“The COFCOR paid tribute to the government and people of Cuba for the provision of public health personnel to boost the region’s limited capacity in the face of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic despite the country’s own challenges aggravated by enhanced US sanctions. “Foreign Ministers called for an immediate and unconditional lifting of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba,” the statement said,

noting that the ministers also made reference to the deepening of relations with Latin America.

“CARICOM Foreign Ministers highlighted the recent developments in the relations between CARICOM and Africa underpinned by reciprocal official visits of CARICOM Prime Ministers and African Presidents which have brought the two regions closer. “They expressed regret over the postponement of the proposed CARICOM-African Union Summit in June 2020 owing to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

The foreign ministers have also expressed their regret at “the understandable postponement of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which was due to be held in

Rwanda in June 2020”. It said that CARICOM “was looking forward to addressing issues of interest and concern with their Commonwealth counterparts. “This forum has always been viewed as a valuable opportunity for exchanging views with members of the G7 and G20 which play an influential role in shaping global economic and financial affairs. This would have been opportune, given the present need for the support required by CARICOM states whose economies have been decimated by the pandemic. This forum is also of significance because of the importance it has ascribed traditionally to the situation of small states,” the statement added.

On the matter of border issues involving Belize and

Guatemala as well as Guyana and Venezuela, the ministers said that they had received “an update” on these matters.

In the case of Belize and Guatemala, the foreign ministers said they welcomed the submission of the case arising from Guatemala’s claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for final and definitive resolution, in accordance with the Special Agreement to Submit Guatemala’s Claim to the ICJ. “They further noted that the ICJ had extended the time-limits for the filing of the initial pleadings,” and “further called on both countries and the OAS to redouble their efforts to engage in the design and development of a mechanism of cooperation for the Sarstoon River, which remains outstanding.”

In the case of Guyana and Venezuela, the foreign ministers “noted that Guyana was to have presented its case in oral pleadings scheduled for the week of 23 March 2020 as to why the ICJ was properly vested with jurisdiction by the United Nations Secretary-General under the Geneva Agreement 1966 for a final resolution to the controversy. “Ministers reiterated the Community’s full support for the judicial process that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries. They further reiterated their firm and unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” the statement added.

Canadian firm in unsolicited proposal to Guyana Goldfields …board to study proposal against Silvercorp Metal’s agreement Guyana Goldfields Inc said it has received an unsolicited proposal from Gran Colombia Gold Corp. ("Gran Colombia") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the company at a share exchange ratio of 0.142 Gran Colombia shares for each Guyana Goldfields share (the "Gran Colombia Proposal").

The Gran Colombia Proposal, which was announced on Tuesday

by Gran Colombia, is conditional upon the completion of Gran Colombia's proposed concurrent acquisition of Gold X Mining Corp. (TSXV: GLDX, OTCQX:

SSPXF).

On April 27, 2020, the Company and Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp") (TSX/NYSE American: SVM) announced a definitive agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") pursuant to which Silvercorp has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Guyana Goldfields by way of a plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act. Under the terms of the transaction, each holder of Guyana Goldfields shares will have the option to receive, for each Guyana Gold-

fields share held, C$0.60 in cash or 0.1195 of a Silvercorp common share (valued at C$0.60 based on the volume weighted average price for Silvercorp common shares for the 20 trading days ended April 24, 2020), subject to a maximum cash consideration of C$33.2 million. If all Guyana Goldfields shareholders elect to receive cash, consideration for each share will consist of C$0.20 in cash and 0.0796 of a Silvercorp common share (valued at C$0.40 based on the volume weighted average price for Silvercorp common shares for the 20 trading days ended April 24, 2020).

The Company's board of directors (the "Board"), in consultation with its legal counsel and financial advisors, is reviewing the Gran Colombia Proposal to determine if it constitutes a "Superior Proposal" as defined in the Arrangement Agreement. The Board will provide an update to shareholders regarding its determination in due course and does not intend to provide further updates or comments with respect to the foregoing except as required by the terms of the Arrangement Agreement or by law.

The Arrangement Agreement remains in effect and the Board

has not changed its recommendation in support of the transaction with Silvercorp. There can be no assurance that the Gran Colombia Proposal will result in termination of the Arrangement Agreement and the execution of a definitive agreement with Gran Colombia. Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canadian based gold producer primarily focused on the exploration, development and operation of gold deposits in Guyana, South America.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Beginning of May-June rainy season sees flooding in several Georgetown communities

THE beginning of the MayJune rainy season has seen flooding in several highrisk communities around Georgetown. Heavy rainfall started sometime during the morning hours of May 11, 2020, and continued throughout the night.

The Guyana Chronicle visited some of these communities, including Albouystown, Alberttown, Riverview Ruimveldt, Durban Backlands and Lacytown in

order to capture the extent of the flooding. It was noted that, although several yards had over an inch of water, the water level was receding.

Several residents stated that they were made aware of the flood warning made public by the Civil Defence Commission and as such they had taken the necessary precautions such as moving their furniture and electronic equipment to higher ground, as a protective measure.

One resident of Castello

Housing Scheme stated that she had heard the rainfall, and woke her children to ensure that they moved as many items as they could have to higher ground. She added that they were able to remove their items, and, although her yard was flooded, her house was not affected.

Several residents of Albouystown stated that, although their homes had been somewhat affected by the flooding in the earlier part of the morning, the water

The Kitty pumps draining water from the city into the sea (Adrian Narine Photo)

A Castello Housing Scheme building affected by the Flooding. (Adrian Narine Photo) receded rapidly.

The Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown, in a release, stated that several communities had experienced overtopping due to the high tide and the closure of the kokers doors. Further the release stated “The City Engineer has given the assurance that all koker doors will be opened between 23:00 hours and midnight to allow the affected areas to drain quickly. Once again, citizens

Star Party Rentals distributes Mother’s Day hampers to frontline workers OVER the Mother’s Day weekend, proprietor of Star Party Rentals Lennox Cush and his team distributed Covid-19 relief hampers to the nurses of the Georgetown Public Hospital, the West Demerara Hospital, the Fort Wellington Hospital and Mahaicony Hospital.

In a release the company said the distribution began on Saturday, May 9 at the West Demerara Hospital and concluded at the GPHC on May 10, 2020. When asked about the reason for this particular initiative, Mr Cush said: “This initiative was a special one for me, my family and my staff, so after the idea came up, it was not one that was debated, but one in which we all agreed that

was needed to be done, and it needed to be done for many reasons.”

He went on to say, “With everything that is going on in this pandemic, our frontline workers are risking their lives on a daily basis to protect us from this virus and even before this virus they’ve always cared for our citizens and displayed professionalism dealing with patients, so it was imperative for me to assist them in whatever way I can, just as some other private and public agencies are doing” Mr. Cush further stated, “This is also 24 years since my dear mom passed away and I’ve always been a mother’s boy and someone who is adamant when it comes to showing appreciation to mothers.” The hampers were

must be reminded that heavy rainfall may result in overtopping in low-lying areas including: Albouystown, Alberttown, Riverview Ruimveldt, Durban Back lands and Lacytown; since the City can only accommodate 2 inches of rainfall during normal high tide.”

The Civil Defence Commission stated that, based on the projected forecast, all regions across the country are expected to experience heavy rainfall which may result in flooding and possible landslides in hilly areas.

Further, in an effort to ensure that citizens are safe, the CDC is networking with regional officials to monitor the impact of the weather conditions over the next few days.

The Civil Defence Commission is urging all citizens to take the necessary precautions: Place sandbags where needed; unplug all electrical items which may come into contact with floodwaters; elevate all household furniture

and appliances situated on the ground floor; relocate livestock to higher ground; use purification tablets as prescribed; ensure children and the elderly stay clear of floodwaters.

The Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture has issued flash flood warnings for flood-prone areas along the coast.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the department stated that cloudy to overcast skies are being observed along coastal Guyana with moderate to heavy thundershowers.

Residents are advised to remain alert and exercise all precautionary measures.

Floods, damage to sea defence and overtopping should be reported to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on (592) 2261114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 225-5847, or its 24-hour National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on (592) 623-1700 and 6007500.

GPL resumes meter reading, bill delivery Star Party Rental Operations Manager Vyphuis hands over a hamper at Mahaicony Hospital organized by Mr Cush and his staff and in the absence of his daughters Salaire and

Nurses at the GPHC stand in the company of Lennox Cush’s younger relatives

Nazyia Cush, distributed by his nieces Malika and Makaila and Operations Manager of Star Party Rentals Colwin Vyphuis During the distribution nurses and members of the administrative body of the hospitals expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Mr Cush and his team for such a thoughtful gesture and said that they look forward to strengthening relations with Star Party Rentals.

This is one of the few efforts of the local company, birthed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

THE Guyana Power and Light Inc on Tuesday recommenced meter reading activities across all served areas in accordance with our Meter Reading schedule for the month of May 2020.

A complete list of the reading schedules is accessible on the company’s website: www.gplinc.net/bill/ meter-reading-schedule/ Meter Readings submitted via our WhatsApp service via 608-8575 during May 1 to 11th will be used to generate bills for the stated period.

Additionally, GPL said in a notice that if Meter Readers are unable to access the meter for actual readings throughout the Month of May, its Meter Reading WhatsApp Service via 608-8575 remains accessible to all postpaid customers for use.

Also, customers may now submit meter readings via messaging on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/GPLIncorporated ONLY during the reading period identified on their most recent bill.

During the execution of work by our Meter Readers, we wish to assure customers that all necessary precautionary measures will be taken by our Readers to guard against the risks of the Coronavirus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Ancient County celebrates its Florence Nightingales –– especially their fortitude in these trying times

IT was a particularly bitter-sweet moment to hear Matron Suzette August speak glowingly of the scores of young men and women under her charge, who, despite their initial apprehension about COVID-19, were able to rise to the occasion and get their jobs done.

The occasion was the celebration of International Nurses Day at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Tuesday, where the event was being observed with the release of a profusion of colourful balloons into the air over the township of New Amsterdam, seat of administration of the Ancient County of Berbice.

As Matron August would recall during the little ceremony to mark the occasion, following the initial outbreak of the coronavirus here, particularly after New Amsterdam recorded its first case, nurses attached to the health

Nurse on a mission

Matron Suzette August institutions in Region Six were so afraid that they often abstained from work, which resulted in the region having a high incidence of absenteeism among nurses.

“At the time, lots of staff were absent. We questioned them, and it turned out that it was because of the fear of COVID-19. But, we were able to reassure staff; there were educational sessions. We encouraged them to treat it as any other disease, which allows one to take precautionary measures,” said Matron August, who supervises the entire health sector across Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

She said that at one point, she even had to remind her charges to bring to fore the things they were taught in the classroom, many of which can also be duplicated at home.

“We treated it like any infectious disease: It is important that we have our Personal

Members of the COVID-19 Quarantine Centre preparing to toss back some good ol’ champagne to mark International Nurses Day

Matron August (right) presenting one of her healthcare providers with a hamper Protective Equipment PPEs; it is important that we sanitise surfaces, and wash our hands regularly, and maintain our social distances,” Matron August said.

“But what was most assuring, is the fact that there are no more positive cases in the region; the staff is a little more comfortable, and we do not have much problems with staff absenteeism,” she added.

Not to be outdone, Medical Superintendent Dr. Vanessa Henry thanked the nurses for having their patients best interest at heart at the end of the day, while Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Imogene Ferdinand expressed her gratitude to each member of staff for the care they lavished on their patients, which is what led to many of them recovering from whatever might have ailed them, whether COVID-19 or else.

Since 1965, the International Council of Nurses has been celebrating May 12 as International Nurses Day, as it is the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who has long been regarded as the Founder of Modern-Day Nursing.

Each year, a week of activities are planned to mark the occasion, but due to the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, a simple ceremony was held to recognise nurses, especially healthcare providers attached to the quarantine section in the region.

The team, along with others, were the recipients of care packages and hampers, which were made possible through the support of overseas-based nurses, Regional Health Services, Twins Pharmacy, as well as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) amongst other agencies and organisations.

Healthcare providers assigned to the Regional COVID-19 Quarantine Centre

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Worrying that PPP/C unconcerned about irregularities APNU+AFC MEMBER, Mervyn Williams, believes that the numerous ballot boxes with missing documents uncovered during the recount process brings into question the extent to which the credibility of the 2020 elections may have been affected, and the Opposition’s push for this to be ignored is “deeply troubling”.

Williams told the newspaper, on Monday, that while the March 2, elections appeared, on the face, to be largely free, fair and credible, the ongoing recount process, which allows for greater scrutiny into ballot boxes by a limited number of workstations, has revealed a series of missteps.

These missteps range from missing poll books, missing Official List of Electors (OLE) to missing PE envelopes and unsigned oaths of identity.

“We have always been confident that the process of elections day appeared, on the face of it, to be smooth, transparent and acceptable and we have been seeing that throughout, but the process of the recount is revealing,

daily, a number of instances that could cause one to begin to question whether what we saw, on the face of it, at the elections day, was in fact the extent to the operations of elections day or whether something happened after,” Williams said.

He recently told the newspaper that joining the poll books missing from Region One ballot boxes will be the poll books belonging to Region Nine which were only returned some four days ago, after the recount process had commenced.

Reports are that the RO of the Region, John Abraham, did not send the books, along with the ballot boxes, because the one belonging to the polling station at Shulinab is missing. Although Region Nine is not yet up to be counted, Williams and several others have noted their concerns about the events and why they were kept under wrap until now.

“The troubling thing for me here is that it appears as though we are missing the importance of the poll book to the process, because, in the case of Region One, the same happened where those

books were in fact retained or detained by someone or some group of persons. And, what is even more interesting in the case of Region One, is that the Returning Officer resides in the Moruca Sub-Region and the books were reportedly in the Mabaruma Sub Region, quite apart from where he was,” Williams recounted.

“So, the question of custody and supervision of the documents is a pertinent question to the entire process, likewise, the case of Region Nine. We don’t know the extent to which the credibility of this process could be affected.”

Since the commencement of the national recount and for the week since then, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has been vehemently contesting the raising of such matters by APNU+AFC agents which are being placed into Observation Reports. They contend that the party representatives are merely “wasting time” by bringing to the fore matters which will have no impact on the recount.

“I’m insisting that this Observation Report is a

Four new cases of COVID-19 –– six persons now in ICU; 67 in institutional isolation REDUCING the transmission of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease continues to be important at this time, as the infection rate continues to increase, with the latest statistics showing that there were four new cases over the past 24 hours.

The new cases took the national total of confirmed cases to 113, a figure, which health authorities said is alarming because it is climbing almost daily. This increase is being attributed to the “callous” and “careless” behaviour of some Guyanese, who continue to flout the containment measures, and risk the health of not only their families, but the entire

population.

“As the ministry’s (Ministry of Public Health) response efforts continue, your behaviour is not encouraging; you continue to flout control measures and to put all at risk. Instead of our curve beginning to flatten, we still see an upward trajectory in positive coronavirus cases,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, during a COVID-19 update, on Tuesday.

In the last 24 hours, an additional 56 tests were done, bringing the total number of persons tested to 986, with 873 persons testing negative. Despite the high number of negative tests, it does not change the

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle fact that the country has lost ten precious lives to the See page 14

mechanism and a tool that is being used to really waste lots of GECOM’s time,” PPP/C Party Agent, Ganga Persaud said on Monday.

However, Williams said that the party should be concerned that the integrity of the process comes into question when crucial documents are missing and the fact that it is of concern to the APNU+AFC. In his view, the objections are disclosing what he believes the party would be happier was concealed.

He stated: “If you listen to the People’s Progressive Party, from the time they recognised that the recount was in fact on, they started to lay the foundation to rejecting the outcome of the recount.

They started out by saying we’re not going into the envelopes, it’s a waste of time doing the recount for ten districts; there’s no point in investigating names crossed off [or] the number of ballots cast, and the full gamut of

objections were made by the People’s Progressive Party who insisted that they wanted a numerical count…It is clear that they were very uncomfortable with the nature of the recount that is taking place right now, which is really a replica of an E-Day count.”

He stated further that the fact that rumours have been circulated about payments made by the Opposition to electors of Regions One and Nine is even more unsettling now that key documents from the regions are missing.

Either way, he believes that the special recount being conducted by the Commission will prove to be “extremely educational”.

And, apart from matters directly related to the recount, Williams underscored that a key lesson GECOM should take away from the election impasse is the need for the separation of its Regional Offices from its Command Centre/Tabulation Centre.

He believes that if this was done from the very inception, whereby the Region Four Returning Officer’s Office was placed separate from the Command Centre, the breakdown in the tabulation

APNU+AFC Member, Mervyn Williams of Statements of Poll (SOPs) could have been avoided.

“It allowed for a lot of access --- unnecessary and unauthorised --- and that led to a number of other things that we all know about,” Williams said.

“Going forward, it may be useful for the Elections Commission to consider a Region Four Operations Centre that is physically separate from its Head Office and that every district operations office is managed in the same way, is secured in the same way and is treated in the same way.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Four new cases ... CDC monitoring weather situation –– donates cleaning supplies to M&CC From page 13

deadly COVID-19 disease.

And, as it is now, six persons are battling for their lives in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 67 persons are in institutional isolation.

To date, a case has been recorded in every administrative region except Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), said Dr. Boyle Considering the prevailing conditions, Dr. Boyle said: “We must seriously think about reducing the transmission of this disease and containing the spread of the virus so that we all can return to normalcy. Isn’t this our ultimate goal?

“Therefore, we ask you not only to abide by the rules but those of you who have been in contact with positive cases, we ask you to come forward and provide information about your contacts as well so that you and your loved ones can avoid the risk of contracting this disease and possibly losing your life,” said the DCMO. Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) remains the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities, outside of Georgetown, which have recorded cases. Among communities on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) where cases were recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

Just recently, in an effort to improve the response to the pandemic, the Public Health Ministry had launched its mobile unit at the East La Penitence Health Centre, as well as at the community COVID-19 facilities of Region Four at Herstelling, on the EBD, and at Paradise, on the ECD. The measures can continuously be implemented, but it is up to the individuals, that is the average Guyanese, to adhere to those measures and think seriously about flattening the curve (reducing the spread).

“We must seriously think about flattening the curve and containing the spread of the virus so that we all can return to normalcy. Therefore, we ask you to put aside fear & stigma and come forward and provide the information so that your loved ones, your friends or acquaintances can avoid the risk of contracting this disease and possibly losing their life,” said Minister Lawrence.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope for society, as one more person recovered recently from COVID-19, taking the number of recoveries to 36.

The disease, however, remains a serious issue, not just in Guyana, but globally. And, according to global statistics, there are over four million cases of COVID-19, with over 278,000 deaths. And with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventative measures to contain the spread of the disease.

The Ministry of Public Health continues to work with the residents in the border communities to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease. Additionally, the government has extended its emergency measures to combat the dreaded disease, with the imposition of a 12-hour curfew on citizens. These emergency measures were taken pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the directive issued by the President, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145, and published in the Official Gazette, Legal Supplement B, on March 16, 2020.

These measures have been extended to June 3, 2020.

WITH at least three more days of rainfall expected, residents in flood-prone areas along the coast are urged to remain vigilant as the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to monitor the situation.

Earlier on Tuesday, the commission conducted rapid assessments in some high-risk communities around Georgetown to evaluate the impact of the heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours. Heavy rainfall began late Monday evening and continued into Tuesday.

Speaking to DPI, Senior Response Officer of the CDC, Captain Salim October noted: “There is going to be increased rainfall over the next 48 hours.” Captain October relayed that the CDC has embarked on a public awareness campaign on their social media platforms and are urging residents to take all necessary precautions.

He noted that the commission is working with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hydrometeorological Service and several other stakeholders to mitigate the effects of flash flooding. “They guide us with operational weather forecasting bulletins and we use those bulletins to extract pertinent information to present and package basic things that the public can do to ensure that their homes remain safe during the times of flash flooding,” he explained. The commission is also working closely with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council to bring relief to the residents in the most affected communities. This afternoon, the CDC donated a number of hampers containing sanitisation items to the M&CC to distribute to households affected by the

Some of the sanitisation items that were donated to City Hall

(left) Mayor of Georgetown, His Worship Ubraj Narine, and (right) Senior Response Officer of the CDC, Captain Salim October floodwater.

In an invited comment, Mayor of the capital city, His Worship Ubraj Narine, disclosed that the M&CC is currently working on a database to ascertain affected residents and will commence distribution of the items tomorrow.

The mayor disclosed that the municipality has activated the pumps around the city to enable faster water runoff.

He called on citizens to do their part and ensure the city’s waterways are kept clean and free of garbage.

The CDC is reminding citizens in high-risk areas to take the following precautions: Place sandbags where needed.

Unplug all electrical items which may come into contact with floodwaters.

Elevate all household furniture and appliances situated on the ground floor.

Relocate livestock to higher ground.

Use purification tablet as prescribed.

Ensure children and the elderly stay clear of floodwaters.

Persons are also reminded to adhere to the COVID-19 precautions. If you must render assistance, remember to wear a mask correctly and sanitise after rendering aid.

To report flooding in your community, call the 24hour National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 623-1700, 600-7500, or 226-1114. (DPI)

CARICOM businesses need to brace for post-COVID – COX THE Region’s business community is being encouraged to engage in detailed strategic planning in an effort to prioritise recovery opportunities in their re-opening strategies.

Speaking at an FAO sponsored webinar under the theme “Enabling agricultural investment in the Caribbean for an effective response and post-COVID-19 recovery” last Thursday, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General Joseph Cox pointed out that regionally, there is no food shortage but a misalignment of supply and demand which is compounded by a dysfunctional price mechanism.

According to Cox, businesses should develop detailed relaunch maps, which would allow for very granular assessments of their production process and overall supply chain. This he argues would also guide

marketing and sales endeavours to help to determine a recovery timeline for each product line and also aid in reviving demand. Cox argues that emphasis must be placed on securing the supply chain to facilitate strategic procurement, which will increase confidence and minimise disruptions.

He also suggested that businesses focus on developing both a baseline scenario for reopening their enterprise and an alternative scenario in the event of renewed contagion and market disruption.

According to Cox, there is need for the strengthening of our ability to anticipate and meet demand and establish a phased recovery process while interrogating and tweaking the value chain at every step.

(Extract from Caricom Business)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Prioritising human rights helps China defeat COVID-19: experts

(Global Times) -- CHINA prioritized human rights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring people’s lives and health in a people-centric approach, and therefore achieved the results of quickly taking the epidemic under control, experts stressed in an international conference entitled “Guarantee of the Right to Life in Epidemic Prevention and Control” held at Southwest University of Political Science and Law on Saturday.

More than 40 experts and scholars from China, the Netherlands, France, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka attended the meeting to exchange their standpoints around human rights values during the pandemic.

The unprecedented outbreak has tested different national systems, capabilities and different human rights dimensions, and China has withstood the test, experts said. The Chinese government upholds the principle that “life is supreme,” which should enjoy precedence when it conflicts with other values in extreme circumstances, experts suggested, referring to how China ramped up efforts to save

International conference on “Guarantee of the Right to Life in Epidemic Prevention and Control” held at Southwest University of Political Science and Law on on May 9 every life in the epidemic despite economic pressure.

To protect public health, necessary restrictions on personal freedom and other rights can find legal basis. In the conflict of social health interests versus individual privileges, the government should always prioritize life and health rights and protect human rights to the highest extent, Chinese experts suggested.

Their remarks refute some ill-intentioned Western organizations smearing China’s consistent human rights improvements by linking Chinese strict control measures to human rights abuse.

“The right to life and health is a human right that requires the highest attention and protection. Collective health should not be sacrificed for individual liberty.”

Professor Liu Huawen, executive director of the Human Rights Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said at the conference.

China’s emphasis on human rights is reflected in its resources preferentially allocated for vulnerable groups. China spent around 1.4 million yuan ($0.2m) on a novel coronavirus patient in her 70s, and more than 3,600 senior citizens in Wuhan over the age of 80 have recovered, making for a 70% recovery rate for patients over 80, according to Professor Han Dayuan, director of the Center for Human Rights at the Renmin University of China.

COVID-19 has seen Western countries, which have begun to adopt restrictive measures, review cultural pluralism and the value of

collectivism, Han said.

It is inhumane for some countries to suggest that people over the age of 65 give up their rights and leave resources for the young. The suggestions the government abandon the weak only serve political interests but not individual rights, argued Zhang Yonghe, Executive Dean at the Human Rights Research Institute, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, saying that a civilized society is one in which the weak are best protected and equally treated.

“The epidemic tells us that human life protection is achieved mainly through a sound political system and not a rosy GDP or technological advances.

This is reflected by how the US and the UK with most developed high-tech

machines failed to protect its citizens from public health crises but only relied on herd immunity,” Professor Cheng Zhimin of Hainan University said at the conference. “Guns and ammunition are not the cure. A good political system is the panacea for all social problems.”

Jayanath Colombage, director of Pathfinder Foundation of Sri Lanka Center for Indo-Lankan Initiative and Law of the Sea, believed the Sri Lankan government shares many similarities in their understanding of the right to life with the Chinese government which prioritizes the right to life in dealing with the pandemic.

Muhammad Naseem, director of the Center for Sustainability Research and Practice at Lahore University,

described the circumstances of vulnerable communities in Pakistan. But he said the Pakistani government found difficulty in implementing a unified approach to coping with the epidemic as regions within Pakistan enjoy a high level of autonomy.

Professor Peter Peverelli of the Vrije University of Amsterdam, however, argued Chinese measures work well in the Chinese communitarian cultural context but not necessarily in a different cultural context.

“Each nation deals with the local situation in a way that suits the national or local culture. However, these differences are also causing heated debate about ‘the best way’ of coping with a new contagious disease like this.

That debate is not always conducted with respect for other nation’s values,” he said.

“After the outbreak, people will have higher expectations for respect and protection of human rights. The epidemic has brought new opportunities for the development of human rights, because the respect and protection of human rights is our biggest consensus,” said Han.

Young Chinese bring new vitality to farmlands CHANGSHA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Watching the excavators working on the field, 35-year-old Li Guojing plans to build six intelligent vegetable greenhouses this year.

Having graduated with a master's degree from Shandong Agricultural University in 2013, he worked in other places for a period of time.

In 2015, Li returned to his hometown, a village in east China's Shandong Province to start his own cultivation business.

Apart from cultivating ornamental chickens at the beginning, he later developed a variety of poultry farms and fruit tree planting, and set up Muzi Farm Ecological Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd. The investment required for planting greenhouse vegetables, however, is huge, and it costs 2 million yuan (about 282,800 U.S. dollars) to build the greenhouse alone. However, Li is full of confidence.

"I majored in vegetable water and fertilizer integra-

tion technology, and vegetables are a necessity for people to live," he said.

At present, Li and his partners have planted landscape trees and fruit trees on part of the newly contracted 13.3 hectares of land. The rest are vegetable greenhouses under construction.

Different from ordinary vegetable planting, Li cooperated with Shandong Agricultural University to make vegetable greenhouses one of the experimental bases and practice bases of the university.

"We can achieve intelligent management in the new greenhouses including irrigation, temperature and humidity control, and we will also explore some nutritional formulas in the future," Li said.

Not far from Li's village, 33-year-old Liu Chao, head of a family farm, is also planning a new project. "This year, I plan to install some deep-processing equipment to process dried sweet potato or its starch, so as to extend the industrial chain and im-

prove our profit margin," Liu said.

Liu, born in 1987, returned to work in the farmland in 2015 after quitting his job in a state-owned enterprise in the Yangtze River Delta for three years. Today, a total of 53.3 hectares of wheat and 20 hectares of carrots are planted in his farm, and he is preparing to plant another 60 hectares of sweet potatoes.

While focusing on diversified planting, Liu also has innovative sales ideas, including moving his market to online platforms. Relying on online marketing, after the Spring Festival this year, 280,000 kg of sweet potatoes harvested from Liu's farm were sold out in just over half a month.

Recently, Liu posted a notice on WeChat, a popular social massaging app in China, to recruit two people with a college degree or above, requiring candidates to be good at using WeChat and live broadcasting platforms to explore more e-commerce channels.

Nowadays, more and more young people in China return to their hometowns to start their own businesses and become new types of farmers. With professional skills and novel ideas of management, they are bringing new vitality to China's rural economic development.

Yu Chao, 33, a native of the county-level city of Ningxiang, central China's Hunan Province, has built

a modern comprehensive farm integrating ecological agriculture, production and sales of green products, rural tourism and characteristic catering in his hometown.

Yu set up a poverty alleviation workshop to provide employment opportunities for the local poor households in order to increase their incomes.

"Each of the over 200 impoverished households we

help has seen annual income growth of more than 4,000 yuan," Yu said.

So far this year, the epidemic has reduced the number of farm visitors by more than 70 percent, but normal production continues.

"We are using We Chat to show and promote our agricultural products," said Yu, adding that he will continue to lead the villagers to realise common prosperity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

RUBIS Guyana plays its part in the fight against COVID-19

IN joining the fight to combat the deadly coronavirus, Rubis Guyana Inc has taken an all-hands-on- deck approach to COVID-19 pandemic.

The energy company is supporting COVID-19 efforts in several ways, recently donating to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to assist front line workers with transportation to and from work.

In addition, RUBIS also provided support to families who are experiencing challenges as a result of the national emergency measures which were instituted, due to the pandemic, contributing some US$10,000.

Joylyn Johnson, Retail Account Executive, Rubis Guyana Inc. explained, “The fight against COVID-19 must be a collective effort; it requires an all-hands-on-deck approach and TeamRubis wanted to be part of Guyana’s proactive measures.”

She further explained that the rationale for the GPHC donation was borne out of disturbing media reports that its frontline medical workers, who are battling to restore the health of COVID-19 patients, were having serious challenges travelling to and from work.

“We wished to enable them an easy passage on their journey…we felt compelled to contribute to GPHC towards providing dedicated and safe transportation for these special healthcare professionals. The money donated will provide dedicated vehicles and drivers to transport medical personnel”.

Brigadier (ret’d) George A. Lewis, CEO of GPHC, sincerely thanked Rubis Guyana Inc. on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the organization for honouring their corporate social responsibility, by supporting healthcare workers, during these unprecedented

times.

He said, “In light of the national regulations that have been put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, the GPHC is exceptionally grateful for this donation which will support the provision of transportation for our staff who work beyond the hours of the national curfew."

In addition, Rubis placed a “second hand on the deck” by donating to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in its drive to ensure the most vulnerable citizens were also being taken care of, through the provision of food hampers.

Cognizant that the CDC is facing a mammoth task, as an exercise of this nature requires many resources, Rubis agreed to come on board.

Mrs. Johnson stated, “One of the things this pandemic has brought to the fore is how interconnected we all are as people, and a person’s actions has implications for

Joylyn Johnson, Retail Account Executive, Rubis Guyana, making the presentation to Brigadier (ret’d) George A. Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation many, as we see with the spread of the COVID-19.”

Ms. Johnson added, “We hope that our contribution will see many households receiving supplies to assist them, and put to rest any anxiety which may arise from not having enough.”

Internally, Rubis Guyana has invested in safety training

for retailers and their staff on heightened cleaning standards to adopt at this time as well as provide all Rubis service stations with sinks and hand sanitisers. They recently purchased face masks for all gas attendants to wear to mitigate the spread of the virus and installed COVID-19 signage at the fuel pumps to

remind customers on safe practices to use.

Mrs Johnson concluded, “Rubis recognises that it has a part to play in the communities in which it operates, and believes we are all in this together, so we are pleased to assist Guyana as we work to overcome COVID-19.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

ECLAC proposes basic income to help vulnerable

… says governments must ensure immediate temporary cash transfers to meet basic needs and sustain households TO cope with the socioeconomic effects of the crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) proposes that governments ensure immediate temporary cash transfers to meet basic needs and sustain household consumption, which will be crucial for achieving a solid and relatively quick reactivation.

In addition, in the long term, the organisation reiterates that these transfers should be made permanent, extending beyond people in situations of poverty and reaching the broad social strata of the population that are very vulnerable to becoming poor, which would enable moving towards a universal basic income to guarantee the basic right to survival, according to a new report unveiled today by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena.

The senior United Nations official presented this Tuesday, May 12, the Special Report COVID-19 No. 3, entitled The social challenge in times of COVID-19, which gives an estimate of the social impact and related challenges that the current crisis is seen having for Latin American and Caribbean countries in the short, medium and long term. At a virtual press conference transmitted live from Santiago, Chile, Bárcena also revealed the details of ECLAC’s proposal for a basic emergency income (BEI) that should be implemented immediately, with a view to keeping it in place over time, depending on each country’s situation. This is especially relevant because overcoming the pandemic will take time and societies must coexist with the coronavirus, which will hamper the reactivation of the economy and production.

“The pandemic has exposed structural problems in the economic model and the failings of social protection systems and welfare schemes that are very costly to us today.

Hence, we must move towards the creation of a welfare State based on a new social compact that takes into account fiscal, social and production-related matters,” Alicia Bárcena indicated.

EMERGENCY INCOME ECLAC proposes providing a basic emergency income (BEI) equivalent to one poverty line (the per capita cost of acquiring a basic food basket and meeting other basic needs) over the course of six months to the entire population living in poverty in 2020 (meaning 215 million people, or 34.7% of the region’s population).

This would entail additional spending of 2.1% of GDP to reach all the people who will find themselves in situations of poverty this year.

The report takes stock of the social effects that the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have. In the short term, it will cause an increase in poverty, extreme poverty and inequality in the region, due to the context of low economic growth. In light of the -5.3% drop in GDP and the 3.4 percentage point increase in unemployment forecast

by ECLAC in Special Report COVID-19 No. 2 (see the April 21 press release), poverty in Latin America is seen increasing by at least 4.4 percentage points (28.7 million more people) in 2020 versus the previous year, reaching a total of 214.7 million people (34.7% of the region’s population). Among these people, extreme poverty is expected to rise by 2.6 percentage points (15.9 million more people) to end up affecting 83.4 million people in total. Furthermore, in line with the increase in poverty and extreme poverty, inequality will also grow in all the region’s countries. ECLAC forecasts increases in the Gini index of between 0.5%

and 6.0%. Once again, the worst results are expected in the region’s biggest economies.

The report adds that in this scenario of more poverty and inequality, broad strata of the region’s population are living in chronic conditions of economic insecurity and are very vulnerable to a loss in labor earnings.

Thus, ECLAC estimates that around 10% of people who found themselves in situations of non-extreme poverty in 2019 (11.8 million people) will likely see their economic situations worsen and will suffer extreme poverty. A sharp deterioration in the position of people who belonged to the middle strata is also foreseen.

According to the report, the groups especially vulnerable to the socioeconomic crisis are women, people from low income and low-middle income strata, informal workers, paid domestic workers, children and adolescents, young people, older persons, the rural population, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant people, persons with disabilities, migrants, and homeless people.

The study explains that starting on March 13, governments in the region began announcing social protection measures in reaction to the sharp drop in worker and household income. They have included cash transfers, transfers in kind (such as food, face masks and medication), the suspension or exemption of payments for the provision of basic services (water, electricity, natural gas, telephone, Internet, etc.), social protection measures for formal workers, and other direct benefits for people and families (such as tax relief and price controls, among others).

To date, 126 social protection measures have been applied in 29 countries for the population that is currently poor and vulnerable. Among them, cash and food transfers are reaching 90.5 million households, which is to say, around 58% of the region’s population.

“The pandemic has intensified difficulties for meeting basic needs, particularly on the part of the poorest and most vulnerable population. That is why it is necessary to guarantee income, food security and basic services to a broad group of people whose situation has become extremely vulnerable and who were not necessarily included in the social programs existing prior to the pandemic,” ECLAC’s Executive Secretary stressed.

To articulate social protection in the short, medium and long term, ECLAC indicates that in addition to implementing immediate measures to address the emergency, it is necessary to overcome operational challenges, such as those related to the population’s use of banks, by completing social records and updating and interconnecting them.

In the medium and long term, the exercise of rights should be guaranteed by strengthening the welfare State and the universal provision of social protection, introducing a care system, and through the gradual implementation and search for sustainable, innovative financing mechanisms.

SOLIDARITY “Given the sizeable historical gaps that the pandemic has worsened, ECLAC reiterates that now is the time to implement universal, redistributive and solidarity-based policies with a rights-based approach,” Alicia Bárcena underscored.

“Providing emergency responses based on social protection to avert a severe deterioration in living conditions is inescapable from the perspective of rights and well-being.”

“Building the welfare State and universal social protection systems is key to averting

another lost decade,” she emphasized. “A central element in the forging of a welfare State is the right to health. Overcoming the current fragmentation, hierarchical organisation and commodification of health systems will be one of the lessons that the pandemic leaves behind,” she stated.

“To come out of this crisis, it is nec-

essary to rethink the development model and consolidate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, leaving no one behind, as set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and through a new social-fiscal compact,” ECLAC’s Executive Secretary said in conclusion.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Bartica Wall of Honour completed –– Recognises sportsmen, women who emerged from township

THE Mayor and Town Council of Bartica have constructed a Wall of Honour in recognition of outstanding sports personalities from Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

It has been constructed in the Bartica Community Center, which is now being transformed into a sports complex for the youths in the town. It is beautified with plants and a small fountain, decorated with lights.

According to Mayor Gifford Marshall, “This project, while honouring our people, is also aimed to be a motivational centrepiece for youths to strive for excellence in academics and sports. Further, active mobility is a critical objective of our Green Agenda. It allows for the promotion of healthy lifestyles in our communities. As a result,

investment in facilities to accommodate such is important to the municipality. This can also be a tourist attraction, or a way of bringing awareness to the eminent names in sports that emerged from Bartica and Region Seven.”

He said that the indelible contributions of men and women to sports in Bartica must always be remembered, and their achievements must never be laid aside, but must be uplifted.

“For generations, past and those in future, we must recognise that sports contribute majorly to inspire standards, promote unity and demonstrate talent & skill. No matter the context or particular discipline, our sports personalities have carved a path for upcoming talent and have given to Barticians, especially the youth, the promise of

possibility. By excelling and gaining recognition locally, nationally and so forth. They have shown that it is possible for a Bartician sportsman or woman to achieve great things. The municipality of Bartica has chosen to honour 10 outstanding sports personalities, whose contributions reflect greatness. This wall of fame was created as a permanent reminder of how proud Bartica is of her achievements in sports and it will see the continued addition of names,” Marshall remarked.

The council, through the support of central government has made significant investments in the development of municipal playfields, parks and recreational areas, and the Bartica Sports Centre is one facility that bears testimony to this.

Over the past years, the

The Wall of Honour at the sports complex in the Bartica Community Centre council created a space that is suitable to foster development of multiple sports disciplines.

“Our vision isn’t limited, but as the council looks ahead, we envisage a super stadium complete with a synthetic track and seating to encourage township-wide participation in events. This vision will undoubtedly come to pass as our township continues to lead the charge in becoming Guyana’s model green town,” the mayor vaunted.

The wall bears the names of distinguished men and women who served the township of Bartica in their respective fields of expertise.

Thus far, some of the names that have been added are Neil Hernandez, Brian Tracey, Terrence Archer,

Vibert De Freitas, Calmeth Younge, Christopher George, Mark Smith, and Dianne Ferreira-James, all of whom are renowned footballers who hailed from Bartica.

Hernandez’s name is etched ‘in memory of,’’ since he lost his life back in 2007. Some other names, for example Brian Tracey, was also imprinted ‘in memory of.’

The other names are Ivor Mendonca and Basil Singh.

Mendonca was a cricketer and Singh, an umpire.

The mayor said that more names are to be added and more names will be added as the years go by, to continue encouraging the youths of the town to strive for excellence in everything that they do. To add to its beautification, the wall will be illumi-

nated with decorative lights, and will also be enhanced with a landscape and water fountain.

Over the years, the council has embarked on several projects that have aided to the development and beautification of the town. What was once a small rural community is now a well developed ‘green’ town with many attractions. Since the election of the APNU+AFC government, and the reinstallation of local government, many areas in Guyana have seen significant improvements.

Mayor Marshall would often boast about where Bartica used to be, to where it is today. He said that there are many more projects earmarked, as the ‘Decade of Development’ has just begun.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

PAHO urges countries to address health, economic emergencies as COVID-19 expands in the Americas THE Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, called on countries to address health, social and economic emergencies, saying she is “deeply concerned” by the rapid expansion of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas.

“The pandemic has forced us to address three emergencies at the same time: health, social and economic emergencies. To be successful, we need a joint approach,” said Dr. Etienne. “Countries must support their economies while building strong social protection networks and embracing evidence-based public health measures that are essential to saving lives.”

PAHO’s Director highlighted the rapid expansion of COVID-19. “It took our region three months to reach 1 million cases, but less than three weeks to nearly double that number,” she said. More than 1.74 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Americas, with more than 104,000 deaths.

The need to control the pandemic is urgent, given that in the past week, there was a relative 18% increase in cases and a 23% relative increase in deaths, compared to the previous week. Between May 4 and May 11, more than 96,000 additional cases including 5,552 deaths were reported in South America. That represents a 45% relative increase in cases and a 51% relative increase in deaths, compared to the previous week.

In South America, health systems in large urban centers like Lima and Rio de Janeiro are quickly becoming overwhelmed.

The impact of COVID-19 on big cities across the Amazon basin also extends to “smaller towns and remote communities, including indigenous areas, where access to health care is challenging,” she said. PAHO continues to coordinate the response across countries, “but we call on national and local health authorities to work even more closely together to contain the spread of the virus and support health system capacity,” she told a press briefing here today.

ECONOMY AND PUBLIC HEALTH Noting that increases in unemployment have pushed millions of families into poverty, “While we remain in this dangerous stage of the pandemic, financial resources are needed to help people cope with the economic impacts of staying at home or being out of work.

This is vital to keeping the virus in check and reducing the duration of this crisis in each country,” Dr. Etienne said.

“Heads of State and Ministers of Health and Finance all face the same dilemma: how to keep their people safe while also protecting the livelihoods of families and communities. It’s a difficult balance to strike but not an impossible one.” Dr. Etienne announced that the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and PAHO will work together to shape a new model where resilient health systems and universal health coverage are viewed as key to economic growth and social protection.

“Only when countries have controlled transmission will they be in a position to implement a well-planned, cautious transition period,” Dr. Etienne said. PAHO is working closely with the IMF, the IDB, the World Bank, and others to help coordinate the economic response to the pandemic, she noted.

“COVID-19 reminds us that when we invest in health systems, we keep our people safe and our economies strong. When we guarantee access to health services for everyone, we reduce inequality and build more resilient societies,” she added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Amazon Warriors retain Pooran, Hetmyer, Paul and King for 2020 CPL season

CPL stars Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Brandon King have all been included among the 10 Caribbean players retained by the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2020 CPL season scheduled to get underway in August.

Paul and Hetmyer are two of seven Guyanese players retained by the Warriors.

Big-hitting Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Chanderpaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble were also retained as has been the emerging player Kevin Sinclair.

Odean Smith from Jamaica will also be back for the coming season.

“The Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise has and will always be committed to the continued development of our local and regional players.

From the inception of the CPL, we included young Guyanese players in our squad as part of the franchise’s mandate to provide opportunities to young aspiring Guyanese cricketers to assist in their overall development as professional cricketers,” said Omar Khan, Guyana Amazon Warriors Team Operations Manager.

“Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford have all benefitted from these opportunities prior to them becoming full-fledged members of our team.

“We are extremely delighted that we were able to retain the majority of our local and regional players,

including Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King, both of whom have been hailed by the cricket pundits as potential future stars of West Indies cricket and who were members of our team last year. The Guyana Amazon Warriors wish all of the retained players great success in the CPL 2020.”

Retentions and signings of international players will be announced at a later date.

This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The CPL is scheduled to take place between August 19 and September 26, but the tournament organisers are currently watching the current situation with COVID-19 closely and are liaising with medical advisors and governments.

A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

The following are the Local and Regional players retained and signed by the franchise for CPL 2020: Nicholas Pooran (Trinidad & Tobago),Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana), Brandon King (Jamaica), Keemo Paul (Guyana),Sherfane Rutherford (Guyana),Romario Shepherd (Guyana),Chandrapaul Hemraj (Guyana),Kevin Sinclair (Guyana)*Odean Smith (Jamaica),Anthony Bramble (Guyana).

If we can’t... moving towards easing lockdown restrictions that will allow training to resume, the AIS guidelines dictate that even at ‘Level C’ of activity, when most sports are allowed full training and competition, that shining a cricket ball with sweat or saliva will be outlawed.

CA’s head of sports science Alex Kountouris, the former physiotherapist for the Australian men’s team, said while the governing body would restrict the prac-

TURN FROM PAGE 27 tice at training, the decision on ball shining in competition would come down to the ICC. QUICK SINGLE “From a training perspective to start with, we’re going to say, ‘Don’t do that’, but when it comes to playing games, that will be an ICC decision,” Kountouris said.

“At the moment we want to get training up, that’s our priority.

“There’s a sub-committee within the ICC. Everyone is sharing information and collaborating, we’re all working together. We usually get together every three months but we’ve just been meeting more regularly to discuss what is common and learn from each other ... discuss how we can best share information and not be duplicating.”

The topic has divided players, with a host of former internationals speaking out for an against, while leading ball manufacturers have also gotten involved.

Kookaburra announced they were developing a special wax applicator to replace spit and saliva, while Dukes said their product could be sufficiently shined just by rubbing on the trousers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

On this day: Born May 13, 1914: Joe Louis, American boxer ...The ‘Brown Bomber’ fought 69 professional bouts and won 66, 52 by knockout

By Alan Baldwin LONDON (Reuters) - Boxing fans and historians will always argue over the greatest heavyweight of them all but even Muhammad Ali was willing to admit he might have met his match in Joseph Louis Barrow.

“I don’t know if I could have beat him, he really don’t know if he could have beat me,” Ali told wrestling writer Bill Apter in 1976.

“But it’s a great possibility because Joe Louis was my idol and he was for me the greatest fighter of all time.”

Before Ali came along, there was very little debate about the greatest.

The ‘Brown Bomber’ fought 69 professional bouts and won 66, 52 by knockout. He defended his title for 25 successive bouts in a heavyweight record reign that started in 1937 and ended in 1949.

Two of the three defeats came late on, when he was fighting mainly to pay the tax authorities, and the end came in October 1951 at the hands of Rocky Marciano.

“I’m sorry Joe. I’m sorry it had to be me,” Marciano told him. “You don’t have to be sorry,” replied the fallen great. “You licked me fair and square.”

When Louis died of a heart attack in Las Vegas in April 1981 aged 66, president Ronald Reagan paid tribute to a man, with some demons, who fought his way to a special place in the nation’s heart.

“Joe Louis was more than a sports legend — his career was an indictment of racial bigotry and a source of pride and inspiration to millions of white and black people around the world,” he said.

Louis’s demolition of Adolf Hitler’s heavyweight Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium in June 1938, after

a loss to the German two years earlier, stands out in the annals of 20th century sport.

With the storm clouds of World War Two looming, the son of an Alabama sharecropper and grandson of former slaves took two minutes and four seconds to shatter the symbol of supposed Aryan racial superiority.

“I had my own personal reasons and the whole damned country was depending on me,” he said.

HUMAN RACE One of the first African-American athletes to achieve national hero status, Louis transcended his sport and helped break down racial barriers.

“What my father did was enable white America to think of him as an American, not as a black,” his son Joe Louis Jr recalled. “By winning, he became white America’s first black hero.”

FILE PHOTO:

The boxing gloves that heavyweight champion Joe Louis used in his first fight against Germany’s Max Schmeling in 1936 are shown at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, January 31, 2007. REUTERS/Jason Reed/File

Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 became the first African American to play in Major League baseball, acknowledged the debt.

“I’m sure if it wasn’t for Joe Louis, the colour line in baseball would not have been broken for another 10 years,” he said.

A keen amateur golfer, with a course named after him at Riverdale in suburban Chicago, Louis in 1952 became the first black player to appear in an event sanctioned by the PGA, which at the time had a ‘Caucasians only’ clause.

To those who declared him “a credit to his race”, the late sportswriter Jimmy Cannon offered the famous reply: “A credit to his race, the human race.”

At one point Louis fought an opponent a month for seven months — including the excellently named Johnny Paychek — in what came to be known as the ‘Bum of the Month’ tour.

When Billy Conn, who came close to beating the champion in 1941, talked of a ‘hit and run strategy’, Louis replied with a quote for the ages: “He can run, but he can’t hide.”

As he observed in another memorable retort: “Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit.”

TURN FROM PAGE 25

South /Central Essequibo ...

Bacchus and Bacchus Bulls, Eickey and Rose Persaud, Fanaz Mohamed, Kissoon Singh Pharmaceuticals, R. Ganesh (RG Mining), Target Hardware, Mavindra Dindyal, Guyana Beverage Inc., Prabhu General Store, Rising Star S.C, Ramnarine Family

and Reliance Hustlers S.C. Meanwhile a recipient from Richmond expressed s i n c e re g r a t i t u d e a n d thanks to the organizations stating that the gift was very beneficial at this time.

There are 24 clubs that are registered with the two

committees and are competing in the South/Central T20 Big Bash League which was suspended due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent advisories that were laid out by the national task force.

(Elroy Stephney)

Members of the Committee making a donation of hampers at Richmond

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Diamond League issues new calendar after London scrapped due to coronavirus LONDON (Reuters) The Diamond League announced a revamped calendar of athletics meetings after the London event on July 4-5 was cancelled on Tuesday due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the first event now provisionally set for Monaco in August.

The league said in a statement that “several events will be rescheduled, others cancelled as organisers continue to adapt the season in the face of the coronavirus crisis.”

Meetings have been cancelled in London, Rabat and Zurich - which was originally scheduled to host the season finale in September while world sport as a whole has seen countless events scrapped and seasons cut short due to the global pandemic.

The Diamond League said that three athletics meetings would now be held in August: in Monaco (Aug 14), Gateshead in England (16), and Stockholm (23).

Those would be followed

by September meetings in Lausanne, Brussels, Paris, Shanghai and possibly Rome or Naples, and in October by meetings in Eugene in the United States, Doha and an unspecified Chinese venue.

The entire calendar remains provisional, the League said, adding that each meeting organiser would review

and announce the format of their competition and which disciplines will be included two months before the event takes place.

“This two-month window will also help to give athletes time to prepare mentally, stay motivated and adjust training for competition,” it said.

“Some meeting organisers might choose to stage their

events in innovative, alternative formats and/or under social distancing regulations.”

The Diamond League is usually a series of events leading to a final, but that would not be the case this season and athletes would not earn Diamond League points.

“Given the current discrepancies in training and travel opportunities, it would

be impossible to ensure a level playing field and a fair qualification system during 2020,” it said.

UK Athletics (UKA) earlier confirmed the cancellation of the London meeting due to be held on July 4-5, a decision that its CEO Joanna Coates said “will have a significant financial impact on UKA and the wider sport.”

FILE PHOTO: Athletics - Diamond League - Brussels - King Baudouin

Stadium, Brussels, Belgium - September 6, 2019 Britain's Dina Asher-Smith celebrates with a trophy on the podium for winning the Women's 100m alongside Greece's Katerina Stefanidi - the Women's High Jump winner, Noah Lyles of the U.S - the Men's 200m winner and all other event winners during the Champions Ceremony (REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo)

Vettel to leave Ferrari at end of 2020 F1 season

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Fourtimes Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of the 2020 season, with the German facing an uncertain future in racing.

The sport’s oldest, most glamorous and successful team announced the move in a statement on Tuesday after talks on a new contract ended without a deal.

“This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best,” said Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto.

“It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person.”

Vettel joined in 2015 with the dream of emulating boyhood hero and seven times champion Michael Schumacher in winning titles in the famous red cars.

Where the 32-year-old will go, whether he will

remain in a sport whose delayed season has yet to start, and who might replace him are the big questions now.

“In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony,” said Vettel. “The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season.

“Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.”

“What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life,” added the father of three, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic that has sent countries around the world into lockdown.

Vettel said he would now take time “to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future”.

TIME TO SPLIT German media, who flagged up the departure on Monday night, reported that he had rejected the terms being offered.

They suggested Vettel, who won 14 races with the team and is their thirdmost successful driver, had been offered only a one-year extension with a salary reduction.

Ferrari had said the German, who won his titles with Red Bull from 2010-13, was their first choice to partner Charles Leclerc in 2021.

Binotto said there was no one reason for the split “apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives”.

Leclerc, who won two races last year and is only 22, has a contract until 2024 and is seen as the future of a team that last won a driver’s title with Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

The Monegasque outperformed Vettel last year

in his first season at Ferrari, finishing ahead of him overall and taking more points, poles, podiums and wins.

“It’s been a huge honour for me to be your team mate,” Leclerc said on Twitter.

“We’ve had some tense moments on tracks, some very good ones and some others that didn’t end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn’t perceived this way from the outside.

“I’ve never learnt so much as I did with you as my teammate. Thank you for everything Seb.” Australian Daniel Ricciardo, at Renault, and McLaren’s Spaniard Carlos Sainz have been installed as the leading candidates to take one of the most coveted seats on the grid.

Six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton has also been linked with Ferrari but has repeatedly indicated he intends to stay with Mercedes.

British Horseracing planning for June return

(REUTERS) - The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has said it is planning to resume the season on June 1 after the government released guidelines on Monday laying out the steps for easing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

The BHA had hoped to restart the season by staging races without fans this month but has had to push that back after the government’s roadmap for easing restrictions on elite sport said steps would be taken no earlier than June 1.

The BHA said in a statement here racing bodies were “committed to plan for resumption on June 1”.

“The Resumption of Racing Group will meet later this week and ensure that race planning and the provisional fixture programme, including the scheduling of the Classics and other flagship races, meet the new government timeline.

“Racing has already drawn up plans for resumption based on minimising risk for participants through robust social distancing and strict infection control measures.”

The government was widely criticised for allowing the Cheltenham horse racing festival to go ahead in March, shortly before the country went into lockdown, with hundreds of thousands of spectators in attendance.

The Grand National, Britain’s most iconic horse race, was cancelled in March due to the pandemic while Ascot Racecourse said this year’s Royal Ascot in June would be held without spectators.

Horse racing resumed in Germany last week with a limited number of races while it returned in France on Monday with races at ParisLongchamp. No fans were in attendance at both events.

South /Central Essequibo Cricket Committee bats against COVID-19 with donation of 100 hampers WITH DONATION MEMBERS of the South and Central Essequibo Cricket Committee on Sunday last made good on their commitment by donating 100 Food Hampers and detergents to needy families in Region 2.

This is in response to the Covid 19 Pandemic which has caused severe hardships to residents including the loss of jobs, increase in transportation cost and a hike in prices of key commodities in stores. The beneficiaries spanned from Charity to Supenaam and primarily targeted families with children.

In an invited comment, executive member, Trevis Simon disclosed that the members of two committees were emotionally driven to play a small role in making a contribution during an extremely difficult period in the lives of many due to Covid 19.

He also mentioned that Sunday being Mother’s Day, it was a fitting and timely gesture which he hoped would have brought a smile and some degree of comfort to Mothers.

He in turn thanked the many donors for their unconditional support including overseas based Guyanese Rovindra and Ravindra Mandolall, Devon Ramnauth, Ravi Etwaroo (Cricket Zone USA) and Nayeem Ullah.

The other donors were Vejai Deonarine, Sherkhan Khan and Jaguars over 40 team, Lokesh Lall, Suresh Jagmohan Construction, Ali Khan Construction, Himant Nankoo Variety Store, Romesh Electrical Service, Spartan Challengers S.C, Romain Khan, Peter Jagroop, Devonshire Castle S.C, Pavindra Persaud, Imam TURN TO PAGE 24

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Pietersen concerned about England pace post-Anderson, Broad

By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI (Reuters) - Kevin Pietersen is concerned about England’s test bowling resources when the long-serving pace duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad call time on their careers, the former captain has told Reuters.

The experienced new ball pair, both in their 30s, have recently said they were aiming to be part of England’s bid to reclaim the Ashes in Australia next year and would subsequently consider retirement.

“I am worried about England’s Test team, when Broad and Anderson go.

They are on their last legs at the moment,” Pietersen told Reuters in an interview.

“If Broad and Anderson go, there’s going to be a big, big gap to fill. Do they have the bowlers?

“Mark Wood is very good, however he’s full of injuries.

And Joffra Archer, he’s also had that elbow injury during that South African series, so he hardly played.

“So it will be about how quickly England can fill that gap because ... if you can’t take 20 wickets in the Test match you really are behind the eight ball.”

Anderson, 37, is Test cricket’s most prolific fast bowler with 584 victims but has not played since January when he suffered a rib injury in South Africa.

Broad, who is second on England’s list with 485 wickets, is four years younger but does not see his playing career continuing as long as Anderson’s.

Pietersen was more confident about the leadership of the team, though admitted he was among those who had

reservations about Joe Root’s captaincy before the 3-1 Test series triumph in South Africa earlier this year.

“I think that he came away from that tour a much better leader, a much better captain, and with a lot more respect from a lot of people that had

reservations about him leading into that Test tour in South Africa,” he said.

SENSATIONAL STOKES England held Australia to a 2-2 draw in last year’s home Ashes series but even then needed Ben Stokes’s brilliant

James Anderson (right) and Stuart Broad are the most prolific opening bowling partnership in Test history

unbeaten 135 to win the third Test in thrilling fashion at Headingley.

The New Zealand-born all-rounder also played a spectacular leading role in England’s 50-overs World Cup triumph in 2019 and was Player of the Series in South Africa.

“He’s been absolutely sensational over the last few years,” said Pietersen.

“We all knew he had cricketing talent, we all knew he had the ability to turn the game on its head.

“But for him to consistently do it, and for him to prepare the way that he continues to prepare, and to play the way that he plays, he is a huge asset to that England team.”

Despite his appreciation for Stokes’s abilities, Pietersen said it was too soon to compare the 28-year-old with England

great Ian Botham.

“Comparing people, I think you can only do at the end of a career,” said Pietersen, who scored more than 8,000 runs for England in 104 tests.

“In terms of match winning they’re right up there with each other. They both win games, single-handedly, so the comparisons I think are quite unfair while a guy is still playing.

“I hated being compared to people. I just wanted to play and be me.”

South African-born Pietersen has continued to be himself after retiring from cricket in 2018, becoming deeply involved in animal conservation and highlighting the plight of the rhinoceros.

His charity, Save our Rhino Africa/India (SORAI), will be relaunched towards the end of June.

Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament postponed FIFA should do the ‘just thing’: Wallace THE qualifying tournament for next year’s Women’s World Cup has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event - featuring 10 teams, including Ireland - was

due to take place in Sri Lanka from 3-19 July.

Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also involved.

Three teams will qualify to join England, Austra-

The coronavirus pandemic previously forced the cancellation of Ireland’s scheduled tour of Thailand in April

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Wednesday, May 13, 2020

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lia, South Africa, India and hosts New Zealand in the World Cup, scheduled for February and March 2021.

The other teams in the Qualifier, who made it through regional qualification tournaments, are Zimbabwe, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, the Netherlands and the United States.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also postponed the start of the qualification process for the men’s Under-19 World Cup in 2022, with regional qualifying set to begin in Denmark in July.

“We will work in partnership with the members to find an appropriate window to reschedule these events as soon as is safe and practical to do so,” said ICC head of events Chris Tetley.

“Our priority during this difficult period is to protect the well-being of players, coaches, officials, fans and the whole cricket community and we will take well-informed, responsible decisions in relation to both postponing events and resuming international cricket.”

Ireland head coach Ed Joyce said: “The chance to qualify for a World Cup is always a big moment in a player’s career.

“The fixture schedule is going to be busy for all nations given the postponements, and we’ll need to develop a preparation programme in the leadup to the tournament, so we hope the ICC can give ample notification of the new dates.

(BBC Sport)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Ousted executives of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association are awaiting a response from the Court of Arbitration for Sport before deciding on their next move, but deposed president William Wallace says they simply want football’s world governing body, FIFA, to “do the right thing”.

Last week, the Switzerland-based CAS dealt a massive blow to Wallace and former vice-presidents Clynt Taylor, Joseph Sam Phillip and Susan Joseph-Warrice in their challenge to FIFA’s takeover of the TTFA, when it stipulated a payment of 40 000 Swiss francs (US$41 000) before the case could proceed.

Lawyers for the aggrieved party have since written CAS pushing back on what they have termed “exorbitant” fees, and are currently awaiting a reply.

“I expect FIFA to do the correct thing, to do the right thing, that’s what I am expecting from FIFA … to do the just thing,” Wallace said in an interview here.

“There was an executive that was voted into office in a fair election and in an election supervised by FIFA themselves and if FIFA as the parent body … and if there was an issue and you are the parent body, I expect you to come in, I expect you to sit with the person who were elected and discuss the issues with them.

“And if you want to propose help, you propose help and as far as I am concerned, if

you want to propose help, you have to work with the officers who were elected. And I have no issue with that. If you think you have to send in specialised people to do certain things, you send them in and we were willing to sit and work with everybody.

Ousted TTFA president William Wallace

“[But] you got into office and then you don’t hear from FIFA during that period and the next thing you’re hearing is this [takeover] is happening – even a blind mind can see what is happening here.”

FIFA swooped down on the TTFA last March to oust the five-month-old executive and install a normalisation committee, following an assessment that found “extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt”.

According to the Zurich-based body, the situation left the TTFA “facing a very real risk of insolvency and

illiquidity”.

Wallace and his vice-presidents have challenged FIFA’s actions before CAS and said despite the latest setback, remained determined to seek justice.

“We are the executive, we are the ones that feel an injustice was done when we look at all the developments across the Caribbean. We are the ones that have been following this and getting information as to why this may have happened and so on,” Wallace said.

“We have four officers – the president and three vice-presidents. All of them are behind this, all of them feel that this was an injustice. Not just us, there is a large section of Trinidad and Tobago that also feel the same way.

“I am easy to get along with … I don’t create issues but when I have to stand for something, people who know me know that I would stand and take it to the end.”

CAS’ latest decision to demand the 40 000 Swiss francs payment before the case could be heard has been widely viewed as a fatal blow to Wallace’s challenge but he said he would continue to discuss the options with his colleagues.

“We are taking one step at a time and we don’t want to signal anything to anybody … whatever decision we have to make, we will make that decision and the whole of Trinidad and Tobago will know that decision,” he stressed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 13, 2020

BCCI staring at huge losses worth if IPL 2020 gets cancelled THE Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may incur a colossal loss of more than half-a-billion dollars (US), if the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) doesn’t take place. The tournament was earlier scheduled to start on March 29, but was postponed to April 15. However, after the lockdown in India was announced until May 3, the IPL had to be postponed indefinitely.

Chances of the IPL not taking place at all can’t completely be ruled out. The coronavirus pandemic has put most cricket tournaments to a halt and it’s not know when action will resume. Even the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia is under the clouds due to the grave global situation.

“The BCCI is looking at

a big revenue loss. In case the IPL does not take place, the loss would be close to 40 billion rupees (US$530 million), or even more,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal was quoted as saying in NDTV Sports.

For the time being, there’s very little one could do. Recently, even Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president, said that no cricket would be played in the near future as life is more previous than the sport.

Previously, India’s ODI series against South Africa was also cancelled. But it’s the IPL that generates bulk of BCCI’s revenue, which is thought to be worth more than US$11 billion a year to the Indian economy.

“We are not sure whether we will be able to have it this year. We will only be able to figure out the exact revenue

loss once we are sure of how many games we have lost,” Dhumal stated.

Dhumal, who joined the BCCI with Ganguly the secretary Jay Shah, said that the board won’t wish to resort to pay cuts for the players.

“That would be the last thing that we would want to do at our end. That is why we are working (on) how much is the loss finally we have to pay. So, once we are able to assess that then we might consider it, but it will be the last thing on our agenda,” he added.

Dhumal also quipped that India’s tour of Sri Lanka in June would only go ahead if the pandemic eases. For the BCCI, the safety and health of the players are paramount.

(CricTracker)

Mumbai Indians players celebrate winning the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings on May 13, 2019. Scrapping this year’s tournament because of the coronavirus pandemic would cost more than half a billion dollars (AFP Photo/NOAH SEELAM)

If we can’t shine, we shouldn’t be playing: Cummins Pakistan in no rush to make call on England tour Australia’s Pat Cummins, the world’s top ranked bowler, has launched the strongest defence yet to maintain the practice of shining the ball as the sport edges towards a return amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cummins said a complete ban on shining the red ball in first-class formats, including Test cricket, would be unacceptable.

Cummins, ranked No.1 in Test match bowling and No.4 in ODI cricket, said if there was risk of transmission of the coronavirus through shining the ball, the sport shouldn’t be played anyway.

“I’m thinking that if we’re in a position where we’re really worried about passing on the coronavirus, if we’re going to be that careful that we can’t shine the

Australia’s pace ace Pat Cummins says sweat and saliva shouldn’t be banned from ball shining if it’s not enough of a risk to halt the game entirely Cricket Network

The Australian Institute of Sport’s framework for the return of sport explicitly calls out “no shining cricket balls with sweat/saliva during training”.

Using any artificial substance to shine the ball would fall foul of cricket’s Laws on ball tampering, although it has been reported the ICC is considering a change in playing conditions in response to the health hazards of COVID-19.

ball, we can’t get close (to teammates), we can’t play the game as we normally would be, I don’t think we’d be playing in the first place,” Cummins said on a videoblog for his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

“Things are going to change in all sports and in the way we live around the world (but) I don’t want them to totally ban shining the ball.

“I want them to come up

with another option because I think it’s a big part of cricket.

QUICK SINGLE Top 20 in 2020: The best Test moments, No.1 “Whether it’s saliva or something else, as long as we’re still allowed to shine up the ball to make sure it keeps swinging.

“As a fast bowler, you’ve got to be able to shine the ball. Why everyone loves Test cricket is because there is so much art to it.

“If you can’t shine the ball, that takes away swing bowling, that takes away reverse swing bowling.”

Cummins comments follow that of Australia batsman David Warner, who said a ban on using sweat and saliva would be unnecessary, arguing that being in close confines to fellow players would be just as much of a risk factor.

QUICK SINGLE Warner against saliva ban as ICC considers major changes “You’re sharing changerooms and you’re sharing everything else, I don’t see why you have to change that,” Warner told cricket. com.au.

“It’s been going around for hundreds of years now, I can’t recall anyone that’s got sick by doing that.

“If you’re going to contract a bug, I don’t think it’d necessarily be just from that.

With individual states TURN TO PAGE 23

MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not rush into a decision about their upcoming tour of England amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Chief Executive Wasim Khan has said.

England are scheduled to host the South Asian side for three tests from July 30, followed by three Twenty20 internationals, but with the UK struggling to contain COVID-19 Wasim said they would wait a few more weeks before confirming a decision.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already said that the sport will not resume until July, though it is likely to be in stadiums without fans.

“Health and safety is paramount for our players and officials and we are not going to compromise on it,” Wasim told reporters on Monday.

“The situation in England is poor right now, and we will ask them about their plans. We are not making any decisions, but we will assess and decide in next three to four weeks.

“This isn’t an easy sit-

uation, and it isn’t an easy decision to make, because things are changing every day in England.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan

“There are so many things to be considered - flights, hotels and they are talking about bio-security stadiums ... so if people ask me, I will tell them to wait and be patient.”

PCB executives, along with coach Misbah-ul-Haq, are scheduled to discuss the arrangements with their ECB counterparts on Friday via video conference.

Test cricket returned to Pakistan after a decade with a two-match series against Sri Lanka in December. The series marked Pakistan’s first

tests on home soil since a militant attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009.

The world’s top sides have been reluctant to return to Pakistan, though England are scheduled to tour next year while Australia are due to visit in 2022.

Wasim said the PCB would not make England’s visit a pre-condition of travelling to the United Kingdom for the upcoming series.

“It’s a tough situation for everyone right now, and I don’t think it’s fair to take advantage of the situation,” Khan said, adding he was hopeful England and Australia would come to Pakistan.

“The most important thing for us is to revive the game for all countries. If we don’t, we will be facing a lot of problems going forward.

“The next 12 months will be tough for cricket financially ... thankfully, the PCB is fine for the next 12 months but thereafter, in 18 months’ time, we will also have problems. Hopefully, by then, cricket will resume.”

Amazon Warriors

FIFA

reschedules women’s U-17, U-20 World Cups to 2021

retain Pooran, Hetmyer, Paul and King for 2020 CPL season PAGE 23

Shimron Hetmyer

Nicholas Pooran

CWI offers condolences on the passing of the late Tony Cozier’s wife ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Tuesday extended condolences to the Cozier family on the passing of Mrs Jillian Cozier (nee McKinstry), the widow of legendary cricket journalist Tony Cozier.

Mrs Cozier died on Sunday in Barbados.

She was 76.

He said: “She was a wonderful lady. She was the rock in the family. My father travelled for over 50 years covering cricket and she was always there to make sure things were in place. She played hockey for Pickwick Club and loved all sports. She was dedicated to her family and will be fondly remembered by all CWI President Ricky Skerrit said: who she came into contact with.”

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the May she rest in eternal peace. passing of Mrs Cozier and I want to extend The late Tony Cozier was the son of Jimdeepest sympathy to her son Craig, daughter my Cozier, a well-known cricket writer in Natalie, grandchildren Jodi, Laila and Kailee the Caribbean, who began writing on cricket and the entire family. Jillian was herself a as a teenager in 1958. He studied journalism cricket enthusiast in a cricket loving family. at Carleton University, Ottawa, and played Mrs. Cozier was a pillar of strength to her hockey for Barbados and club cricket for husband, Tony, whose work in cricket jour- Wanderers and then Carlton. nalism was worldwide Cozier’s first commentary was made and world class.” during the West Indies-Australia series in Craig Cozier, who 1965, and he was an ever-present voice for is himself now a leadfive decades thereafter. He also worked exing cricket statistitensively for overseas television and radio cian and broadcast stations. As a writer, he was producer, also paid prolific in newspapers, tribute to his mother. magazines and books.

Incidentally, Tony died on May 11, 2016 while his wife succumbed on May 10, 2020, one day shy of four years since his departure.

The Guyana Chronicle Sports Desk extends sincere condolences to the beTony and Jillian Cozier in happier times reaving family.

Brandon King

(REUTERS) - The women’s Under-20 World Cup tournament scheduled to be held in Costa Rica and Panama in August-September but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic has now been rescheduled for Jan. 20-Feb. 6, 2021, world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday.The women’s Under-17 World Cup in India, originally scheduled for November, has been rescheduled for Feb. 17-March 7, 2021.

International season to run from August to October

― World Athletics

(REUTERS) - This year’s international athletics season will begin with a Continental Tour Gold event in Finland on Aug. 11 and will end with a Diamond League meeting in China, World Athletics said in a statement on Tuesday.

While a few minor events will be staged in July, the season is likely to resume only in August after the National Championships window, the statement said here

The Diamond League was forced to cancel events in London, Zurich and Rabat due to the COVID-19 pandemic and announced a new calendar on Tuesday with the first event provisionally set for Monaco in August.

Those would be followed by meetings in 10 more cities.

“Our first priority was the health and safety of our athletes. The next priority was to find a way to get our professional athletes back into international competition this year as their incomes rely on this,” World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said.“I’m delighted that it now looks like we will be able to offer them a solid in-

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe

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ternational season... where they can earn prize money and assess their training progress in preparation for next year’s Olympic Games.”

Eight of this year’s 10 Continental Tour Gold meetings have been confirmed, with many rescheduled to take place between August and October.

Some Continental Silver and Bronze meetings will be staged as domestic competitions beginning with the Josefa Odlozila Memorial event in Prague on June 8.

“International travel restrictions will affect the ability of some athletes to attend some meetings, but we hope that there will be a wide enough range of meetings available for most elite athletes to access some competition before the end of the year,” Coe added. | WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020