Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_05_21_2020

THURSDAY 21st May, 2020

No. 106006

‘We need more time’

–– GTU says July too soon for CSEC, CAPE exams

–– students want CXC to 03 reconsider PAGE

Freak storm rips off roofs in Corentyne

‘Worry over 16 NGSA’ –– parents, teachers PAGE

express concern over pupils’ preparedness for NGSA

71 ballot boxes processed on Day 15 12 PAGE

… POs in OLE mix up called in to explain Heavy winds damaged several homes at #36 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne, early Wednesday morning. The storm erupted around 08:00hrs. Residents, speaking with this newspaper, recalled a sudden heavy wind followed by a heavy downpour. “Me see a whole set paper and dust a circle then next thing it start fuh come to we house and rain start fall, next thing me see all them zinc sheets fly out and fold up like paper. Me start fuh pray and me hide a bottom house till it pass,” one resident related. Dianne Razack, a 31-year-old mother of two, said she was relaxing in the bottom flat of her home when she heard her sons screaming that papers were flying in the air. She said that when she got up to investigate she felt a heavy wind. “I just grabbed my two boys and run In front of the house until it passed”. The entire roof of Mrs. Razack’s house was completely damaged, as well as her home appliances as a result of the rain.

Gov’t seeks data to provide COVID-19 17 public assistance PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

‘Don’t be macho, be wise’ -Health authorities say men account for over 85% of COVID-19 cases

MEN continue to account for a majority of the local Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, with the latest statistics showing that men make up about 88 per cent of the existing cases and account for 80 per cent of the deaths related to COVID-19.

“I know many of you are macho and perhaps think that wearing a mask makes you seem less of a man, but there are times when you must put that pride aside and exercise wise judgement. This is the time, because COVID-19 is a silent killer and complying with the control measures is of paramount importance if your family is to be safe,” said Director of Primary Healthcare Services, Dr. Ertensia Hamilton, during a virtual COVID-19 update on Wednesday.

Based on recent statistics, Guyana has gone 24 hours without recording a new

case of COVID-19, leaving the number of cases at 125, but a statistical analysis of the cases revealed that the male-female ratio is 71:54.

In further explaining, Dr. Hamilton said: “From our reports you would have been hearing that the ratio of males to females positively confirmed with the disease is significantly higher; today (Wednesday) it is 71: 54 and of those who have died eight out of 10 are males…further the age group under the lens is the 16-59 age group.

“So, my dear males, I am sure that you want to be around to hug and kiss your loved ones at home rather than be six feet under the ground in a cemetery somewhere. COVID-19 will mash you up and break up that same home circle in which you find comfort. So, don’t wear the mask on your chins, don’t sit way up under your friend, give him some space;

physical distancing is a must and get off the streets before 18:00 hours. Home is the best and safest place. STAY HOME!” Dr. Hamilton pled with persons to stop behaving recklessly and instead follow the control measures and guidelines in place, in order to not just safeguard their families, but also themselves and the entire population.

To date the total number of persons tested for COVID is 1,295 with the total number of negative cases being 1.170.

Of the positive cases, 47 persons have so far recovered, three are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 65 persons are in institutional isolation.

Health authorities continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis, and the potential and existing activities

Director of Primary Healthcare Services, Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton

are part of the plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

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 Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

Residents of the Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), were, however, advised to be watchful and careful as Brazil has now become the country with the third-highest number confirmed coronavirus infections in the world, after registering a total of more than 250,000 cases. “You remain extremely vulnerable and therefore every resident must be pre-

pared to be his brother’s keeper in order to ensure the safety of everyone,” said Dr. Hamilton.

Measures can be continuously 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). The disease remains a serious issue, not just in Guyana, but globally.

And, according to global statistics, there are over 4.7 million cases of COVID-19, with over 316,000 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 preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

‘We need more time’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

--- GTU says July too soon for CSEC, CAPE exams --- students want CXC to reconsider

By Lisa Hamilton THERE is a balance that must be found between the advancement of student education in Guyana and the nation’s safety. However, the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) believes that this balance is at risk, based on the recent decisions of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Administration.

On May 8, 2020, CARICOM’s Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) and the CXC Administration agreed that Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) students will be writing their examinations in July.

Examinations will be administered via an e-Testing modality in equipped countries while the unequipped will write paper-based examinations. This news did not sit well with educators in several Caribbean countries and their collective views were expressed by the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT).

CUT believes that thousands of students and teachers will be put at risk regarding health and safety; technological and infrastructure limitations; the validity of the exam’s proposed format; psychological support and the uncertainty of COVID-19 in the Region.

CUT proposes a September timeline believing that this would allow countries enough time to align themselves with Education International (EI) established protocols such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing and sanitary practices.

NO ROOM FOR E-TESTING When it comes to Guyana, the GTU President said that there are a number of areas where there is cause for worry. For starters, Lyte said that he is unaware of any school in Guyana that is capable of meeting the e-Testing modality without challenges.

He pointed not only to a lack of sufficient equipment but no provision for standby generators in the case of

CAPE exam. In the area of technology, Guyana is very far behind on that subject therefore no technological

Rushell Edwards, a teacher attached to the Rosignol Secondary School in Region Five

power outages; no provision for pre-training for non-tech savvy students and challenges related to access to internet, both on the coastland and in the hinterland.

“I don’t see any school in Guyana, presently --- and I can speak confidently about Queen’s College (QC) and President’s College (PC) or The Bishops --- none of those schools would have the necessary infrastructure to treat with an online exam at this moment,” he said.

“I see the majority, maybe 95 per cent of the learner population, being unable to do an online exam either because of their geographic location, because of a lack of equipment --- which would be computers or ipads--- and also the issue of internet connection.”

Sharing this view was Rishanna Lambert, a teacher all the way in the Rupununi Savannah at the St. Ignatius Secondary School. “I believe the pandemic is more serious than most persons are taking it to be. The exam should be postponed until further notice. I believe that students have not been properly prepared for this 2020 CSEC or

inability to handle the concepts outside of the classroom setting. He told the newspaper: “That two-month period leading up to exams is the most important time for teachers because you get to finish your syllabus, you

Rishanna Lambert, teacher at the St. Ignatius Secondary School

advancements have ever been put in place for the sitting of an exam completely online.”

A RANGE OF CONCERNS This would leave Guyanese students with no other option but to participate in paper-based examinations which also comes along with great challenges. Lyte said that not only is the GTU concerned about the health and safety of students but of teachers as well.

He reminded that Guyana has the second highest number of cases in the Caribbean after Jamaica, the latter which has also requested special consideration from the CXC Administration.

Daniel Jacobs, a teacher of the lower and upper Sixth Form students at the New Amsterdam (Multilateral) Secondary School cautioned about the early and ill-prepared reopening of schools as was the case of France whereby the country recently reported 70 new COVID-19 cases linked to schools which were reopened.

Meanwhile, he said that many students are behind on their work due to their

lation is behind on its SBAs. “We are running into problems because the students who have not finished the SBA’s/IA’s cannot be awarded a final mark if they have not finished,” TTUTA President, Antonia TekahDe Freitas told the Guardian newspaper.

Sixteen-year-old student of the St. Rose's High

Daniel Jacobs, a teacher of the lower and upper Sixth Form students at the New Amsterdam (Multilateral) Secondary School

begin your exam preparation and all the things that are absolutely pertinent to the examination process and the success of the students.

Because of coronavirus most teachers had either just started or were about to start, so this was not done.”

Apart from these concerns, Lyte said that many students need more time to complete their SchoolBased Assessments (SBAs) as every student preparing for CSEC was not able to access the online information provided by their schools or the Ministry of Education.

He explained: “Some students from PC and other schools live in far-flung regions where there is no internet connection and because of COVID-19 they had to go back to their parents in the hinterland or riverine areas.

We can’t take for granted that children have been accessing online platforms to complete their preparation.”

This is not just a concern for Guyana as news coming out of Trinidad and Tobago’s Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) highlighted that the local student popu-

School, Rondeen Rebeiro, will be writing 19 CSEC subjects this year. From his perspective, the CXC Administration must fully consider the challenges faced by developing Caribbean countries such as Guyana.

“I'm concerned about the health, safety and preparation of the students because, as can be seen, CXC is only making preparation and necessary adjustments to suit themselves and the markers since the students will still have to assemble in a classroom to get the exam done. As for the technological capacity, I think it'll be very hard on students within the hinterland regions of countries like Guyana since a lot of them do not have access to the internet and/or a computer,” he said, adding: “Even with students in the city, the internet connection and [electric] current are very unreliable.”

A SEPTEMBER TIME FRAME The GTU believes that the students need at least six additional weeks from the set date to complete their

preparation to be ready for the offline CSEC Exams.

Furthermore, while the date has been set for July, he made the note that, based on the timetable, exams will actually begin on June 29.

With the closure of schools in Guyana to go up until June 3, Lyte said that this is a very short period for students to catch up, in school, on what they would have missed.

Rachel, a 17-year-old student of St. Joseph High who will be writing 10 subjects, told the newspaper that she too is concerned about the plans for in-school learning prior to the exams.

“Some teachers haven't finished the syllabus as yet and there is no way we can go straight ahead to the examinations without any faceto-face interactions with our teachers and the completion of the entire syllabus,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rushell Edwards a teacher attached to the Rosignol Secondary School in Region Five said that she believes that the CXC Administration’s decision will pose “tremendous challenges” for students.

As it relates to technology, she said: “Not every student has access to the internet and so even though there are some teachers working with these students they aren't getting to connect with all of their learners; that’s a great disadvantage for the students.

I strongly think that CXC should rethink before allowing the students to write the exams in July and let us wait and see, by September, if we are going to have [fewer cases] of COVID-19.”

The GTU, like the CUT and some others, believes that a September timeframe will be better suited to the Region’s needs. This timeline will allow the new academic year to begin in January as opposed to September.

For years, Guyana has coveted the top spot in the Region when it comes to CSEC and CAPE performances and the GTU Head said that examinations in July could put this at risk.

The Teachers Union has expressed its concerns to the Ministry of Education by way of letter and awaits an invitation to the ‘table of deliberation’ on a possible alternative way forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Amphan: Cyclone wreaks deadly havoc in India and Bangladesh (BBC) Cyclone Amphan has made violent landfall in eastern India and Bangladesh, lashing communities along the coast with ferocious wind and rain.

It uprooted trees and toppled dwellings in both countries, including in the Indian city of Kolkata in West Bengal.

Nearly three million people were evacuated - most of them in Bangladesh - before the severe storm hit. At least five deaths have been reported.

Coronavirus restrictions have been hampering emergency and relief efforts.

Covid-19 and social-distancing measures have made mass evacuations more difficult for authorities, with shelters unable to be used to full capacity.

The storm, which was the first super cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since 1999, is expected to have

caused deadly storm surges.

Its winds have now weakened but it is still classified as a very severe cyclone.

“Our estimate is that some areas 10-15 kilometres from the coast could be inundated,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the head of India’s meteorological department Amphan began hitting the Sundarbans, a mangrove area around the India-Bangladesh border home to four million people on Wednesday afternoon, before carving north and north-eastwards towards Kolkata, a historic city that was the capital of the British Raj. It was moving with winds gusting up to 185km/h (115mph). Amphan is expected to move further into Bangladesh on Thursday, and later Bhutan.

Satya Narayan Pradhan, director general of India’s National Disaster Response Force, told the BBC it al-

Thursday, May 21, 04:00hrs - 05:30 hrs

ready looked like the impact had been “fairly devastating”, especially in poor areas.

He said reports were coming in of “a lot of fallen trees, fallen houses, uprooted telephone lines, electricity poles”.

Although it had been hard to keep people apart during evacuations, social distancing is being enforced at cyclone shelters, along with hygiene protocols, he said.

In Kolkata, residents said it was the worst storm they had experienced in decades. They spoke of flooded homes, electricity transformers exploding and power cuts.

One man told the BBC the boundary walls of his condominium had collapsed.

“I am in my house. I have been prepared for a while.

But I’ve never seen a storm as bad as this,” said one resident, Pooja Kaur. “There is no power at the moment.”

Earlier, a Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteer helping villagers to evacuate became the first fatality after the boat he was in capsized in strong winds, the organisation said.

Bangladesh has reported two other deaths - both caused by falling trees. In India, media reported two fatalities, including a child in the state of Orissa (also known as Odisha) who was killed after the mud wall of his family’s home collapsed.

In the Sundarbans, also a rich habitat for Bengal tigers, houses “look like they have been run over by a bulldozer”, a villager called Babul Mondal told the AFP news agency.

India and Bangladesh are using schools and other buildings as temporary shelters - but they need more space than usual in order to house people while maintaining social distancing.

Police in West Bengal, which along with Orissa is expected to be the worst-hit part of India, told the BBC that people were unwilling to go to the shelters because they were afraid of contracting Covid-19.

Officials in Bangladesh fear it will be the most powerful storm since Cyclone Sidr killed about 3,500 people in 2007. Most died as a result of sea water surging in.

India’s weather department had predicted storm surges as high as 10-16 feet (3-5 metres). The rising of sea levels in this way can send deadly walls of water barrelling far inland, devastating communities.

The cyclone comes as tens of thousands of migrant workers continue to flee cities for their villages during India’s lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. West Bengal and Orissa are among the Indian states seeing large

numbers return.

Orissa cancelled trains and some district officials asked the state government to accommodate the migrants - many of whom are walking home - elsewhere until the storm passes.

Although they are not in the direct path of the storm, there are fears for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar and live in crowded camps in Bangladesh where cases of coronavirus have recently been reported. Officials said they had moved hundreds of Rohingya living on an island in the Bay of Bengal into shelters.

The UN and human rights groups are also gravely worried for Rohingya refugees who they believe could be on boats in the Bay of Bengal, and possibly in the storm’s path, after trying to flee to Malaysia and Thailand but

being blocked by authorities in those countries from landing.

Although they are not in the direct path of the storm, there are fears for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar and live in crowded camps in Bangladesh where cases of coronavirus have recently been reported. Officials said they had moved hundreds of Rohingya living on an island in the Bay of Bengal into shelters.

The UN and human rights groups are also gravely worried for Rohingya refugees who they believe could be on boats in the Bay of Bengal, and possibly in the storm’s path, after trying to flee to Malaysia and Thailand but being blocked by authorities in those countries from landing.

Coronavirus: Spain tightens mask rules for all older than five

(BBC) Wearing masks is being made compulsory in Spain both indoors and out in public if social distancing is not possible.

Only children under six and people with health issues are exempt from the law, which comes into force on Thursday.

Many European countries have now made wearing masks a requirement on public transport but the Spanish decree goes further.

Spain has seen one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in Europe but is now easing the lockdown gradually.

It already requires the wearing of masks on public transport and is now strengthening the rules across the population. Spain has reported almost 28,000 deaths and 232,000 infections since March but the rate of infection has declined.

Spain had imposed some of the toughest measures on the continent, including keeping children indoors for six weeks.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed parliament on Wednesday ahead of a vote on extending the state of alert for two more weeks.

What does the law say?

The decree states: “Using masks will be compulsory on the street, in open spaces and any closed place of public use, when it is not possible to maintain a safe distance of at least two metres (6.5ft).”

While children under six are not required to wear masks, all between the ages of three and five are recommended to wear them. According to El País, that means 45 million people will now have to wear a mask and another 1.3 million will be urged to.

The law underlines that it is following World Health Organization recommendations to minimise infection in closed and public places where there is a large concentration of people.

It says wearing masks is justified as it blocks the transmission of infected droplets in areas where safe distances cannot be guaranteed.

You are exempt if you have a respiratory illness or another health issue or disability that makes wearing a mask impossible.

In other words, people with asthma, allergies or forms of anxiety will not be liable. No penalties for breaking the law are mentioned and there is no specific type of mask detailed other than that it should cover both nose and mouth.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Jamaica Gov’t intends to use personal devices to monitor people in home quarantine

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton says the Government intends to enhance its monitoring of individuals under home quarantine with technological devices that can be affixed to the body.

Tufton, who was speaking a press conference a short while ago, said though

not yet available, this device is a more secure arrangement than current plans to use the JamCOVID19 smartphone app for monitoring. “…In time to come we intend to deploy another technology device that would be more secure in terms of affixing it to the individual and if that individual were to move

out of a particular space or tamper with the device it will provide a signal to the monitoring infrastructure to respond,” the minister said.

The Government announced the use of the app for the monitoring of people in home quarantine as part of requirements for Jamaican cruise ship workers to disembark the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas

cruise ship, which arrived in Trelawny yesterday.

The cruise ship workers will be disembarked in groups of 200 every 48 to 72 hours and after testing, they will be taken to the Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica hotel in St Ann to await test results.

Those who test positive for the virus will be taken to a State quarantine

facility and crew members with negative results will be allowed to self-quarantine at home for 14 days from the day they disembark the vessel.

For home quarantine, individuals will be required to consent to have their location geofenced via the JamCOVID19 platform and to do video check-in multiple times

daily. “We will require that individual in keeping with taking personal responsibility to provide periodic updates in terms of temperature checks and so on and we will have to depend on individuals to be faithful to the requirements that will be placed to them as a condition of going home,” Tufton said today.

Vessel with 32 Venezuelans intercepted at sea (LOOPTT) A vessel carrying 32 Venezuelan nationals was intercepted by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) on Wednesday.

Speaking at the virtual health briefing on Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Roshan Parasram said while the matter is one of national security, the health component is that the individuals would have to be assessed.

He was responding to

a question from a reporter, who asked how the Venezuelan nationals along with the Coast Guard officials will be dealt with, in light of reports that a security complex is under lockdown after Coast Guard officials rescued Venezuelan nationals from a sinking pirogue.

According to reports, the Venezuelan nationals were said to be exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

“What I know about is, there was an interception

Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) vessel

Nicaragua breaches obligation to report coronavirus cases and deaths, PAHO says

(TICO TIMES) The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said Tuesday that Nicaragua has breached its obligation to report cases and deaths from COVID-19, and argued that a proper response to the pandemic requires an understanding of the country’s situation.

The PAHO Director of Health Emergencies, Ciro Ugarte, said that the government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua promised “a week ago” to report on the impact of the new coronavirus in the country, as stipulated in the International Health Regulations (IHR) of which he is a signatory.

During a video conference with journalists, Ugarte noted that Nicaraguan authorities also said they would allow PAHO representatives to visit health centers and that they would provide “detailed information on the deceased and confirmed and suspected cases, including details of sex, age and location.”

“So far, none of these actions has materialized de-

spite repeated requests from PAHO,” Ugarte said.

The official was responding to about a letter sent last Thursday to the director of the PAHO, Carissa Etienne, in which deputies from Costa Rica asked the organization to carry out an “external evaluation” on COVID-19 in Nicaragua.

In the letter, 52 of the 57 deputies of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly described as “reckless” the handling that the Ortega government has given to the pandemic — which include a lack of containment measures and calls for massive meetings — and warned that it could have negative effects beyond its borders.

Ugarte said that “taking into account unofficial reports on the increase in cases and deaths and pneumonia,” PAHO was continuing to reiterate its recommendations in writing and verbally to the Ortega government.

The Nicaraguan Ministry of Health, which at the time of Ugarte’s statements recorded eight deaths and 25

confirmed infections of the new coronavirus, updated the figures Tuesday afternoon, reporting a sudden increase in deaths and infections.

Health Minister Martha Reyes said that there are 254 cases of COVID-19 in Nicaragua, 10 times more than those reported previously, and 17 deaths from COVID-19.

The balance of the ministry contrasts with that of civil organizations, which indicate more than a thousand infections and hundreds of deaths, with hospitals collapsed by patients with respiratory illnesses, which are officially attributed to diseases such as “atypical pneumonia.”

According to the NGO Citizen Observatory, through May 16 in Nicaragua there were 1,569 COVID-19 cases and 366 deaths.

On April 7, PAHO, the regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO), considered the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Nicaragua “inadequate.”

of 32 Venezuelan nationals (I believe) which is a matter for really National Security, to be honest.

The health component of

it is really to do an assessment of those individuals to make sure they have no acute illnesses.”

Dr Parasram said the

Coast Guard officials who were in contact with the Venezuelan nationals may need to be quarantined.

“The officers having been in contact, if someone was deemed to have flu-like illness in that particular group or just by mere exposure without PPE, they would have to be quarantined whether it is by the Defence Force or within our facilities. Within the next few days, we will make that decision.”

Loop News has reached out to National Security Minister Stuart Young for further details on the operation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Guarding against racial conflict THE news this week that the Ethnic Relations Commission will open an investigation in relation to racist statements made on Facebook by a woman is very disquieting.

In the video, the woman was heard making racially charged comments about Afro-Guyanese, describing them by several derogatory names. The video quickly went viral and the incident was reported to the commission. The commission stated that it is particularly concerned that the post can contribute to the unnecessary escalation of tension in the society. In addition, the ERC, through its Investigations Unit, said it is also probing a recent incident that occurred at Kissoon’s Furniture Store involving alleged racial profiling of a customer.

The customer, a newspaper columnist, shared her story in a sister newspaper regarding her recent experience while shopping at the well-known furniture store. The owners of the store have since made a statement responding to the young woman’s alleged racial profiling, stating that it is against any form of racism and racial profiling. Nevertheless, the ERC is reminding citizens to desist entirely from making racially

motivated remarks which can incite others. In fact, the commission wishes to point out that persons can be prosecuted for offences under the Racial Hostility and Representation of the People Acts, as well as the country’s Cyber Crime Laws. The ERC continues to monitor Facebook and the various social media platforms.

The body is imploring all Guyanese to exercise tolerance and respect for each other throughout their daily lives. The commission is expected to contact the parties involved in the various incidents to further its investigation.

We live in a country that tasted the nasty brew of ethnic violence five decades ago, and, as a nation, we are still trying to overcome the legacy of that violence. We appreciate that there are very deep emotional responses to these reports. On the one hand, there are those who are enraged by the vitriol contained in the posts; on the other hand, there are others who are enraged that the police have moved to take action against those making the posts.

There are two issues at play here. First, there is the issue of racist speech. This matter has to be handled very carefully.

Despite our great advances in ethnic healing, some of our everyday speeches in Guyana, made away from the glare of the public, are still characterised by our ethnic prejudices.

This is understandable, given our deeply charged ethnic rivalry, especially in the political and economic arenas.

It is not surprising that some of this speech sometimes spill into the public arena. This is in no way excusing overt and even covert racist speech. The fact of the matter is that such speech should have no place in our society. Whatever the outcome of these matters, this is a wake-up call for Guyana. The issue here is whether the hate emanating from those Facebook comments is more the exception than the rule. This can only be determined by consistent study of our behaviours in relation to ethnicity. While we hope that such sentiments do not represent the rule, we have to take cognizance of them. There is need for all our political leaders to come to the realisation that if we are not vigilant and responsible, our society could slip right back into that slippery slope of ethnic hostility that could quickly deteriorate into mindless conflict.

New elections with a fresh, new house-to-house registration

Dear Editor,

HAVING read Stabroek News’ editorial and Freddie’s Kaieteur column, both dated 18 May, 2020, I wish to proffer one overlooked aspect of the elections which has resulted in the current election standoff. While indeed what occurred post-elections appears unbelievable, little-known machinations which took place before and on elections day will allow readers to better appreciate the weaknesses that lie at the heart of these elections, points somewhat surprisingly missed by both Stabroek and Freddie. Although difficult to believe, these behind-the-scenes subterfuges are not different from the scale, magnitude and skill of corruption seen in Guyana over the last decade and a half. It is for those reasons only one person was convicted in Guyana for wanton abuse of state resources, the GRDB accountant who was deported back to Guyana from Canada. But, other than him, the absolute ingenuity and masterful execution, has led to few others barely being charged, save and except for two former government ministers.

Before going on to elaborate what happened prior to the elections, one needs to take account of the calculated and cunning strategy to prevent a new voter-registration exercise which was built for the start of 2019 with a publicly known large budgetary allocation to arrive at a clean list. If anyone wanted to prevent this from happening they would find a way destabilise the governance arrangements of a country and to limit

the time possible for the execution of a full-blown voter-registration task. Conceptualising a no-confidence motion to have new elections within three months is one such way to do it. Then if not followed to the letter, vehemently oppose having a cleaned-up list in the lead-up to the elections to ensure a ballooned list remains. One of those highly concurrent cunning practices which could happen in the lead-up to a no-confidence motion and thereafter is the matter of fake national identification cards to leverage on a bloated list.

ID card machines are easy to procure and are done so over the counter worldwide, making duplicate ID cards rather easy to print. Like a U.S.-dollar counterfeit machine, an ID card machine is a tad smaller, roughly six inches by six inches, and are popularly used by companies producing workplace badges or ID cards, both here and abroad. The smallness of Guyana and its low GDP per capita makes GECOM secretariat staff a ripe opportunity for the picking; in so doing, an electronic copy of the entire list of 650,000 persons is easy to come by. Once an elections date is announced and the printed Official List of Electors (OLE) becomes available, or even with the preliminary list of electors (PLE), parties, using their respective local community members, conduct their physical house-to-house verification exercise with a printed list. It therefore becomes easily known who are currently living in Guyana and easily available to vote, but more importantly, those who have migrated and who are dead, with a small error for tolerance.

Parties then collate the data and assemble a list of migrated and dead voters from the very bloated 650,000-person OLE. A simple electronic connection to an ID card machine then has the capacity to print any number of ID cards of those no longer alive or in Guyana. That number can be anywhere up to about 50,000 at minimum to make it economical and widely distributed. Party agents can easily spend just about a week going through that list of the dead and migrated, disaggregated by polling places and respective communities, to match the biodata of similar persons to those alive and present in Guyana and to ensure these freshly minted fake IDs cards are done in parties’ respective strongholds.

Cards are then centrally kept and given to key party personnel on elections day.

These key party representatives would have already, even a year or more, relocated to respective regions of Guyana to become familiar with the local communities and to know who are capable to conducting multiple voting on elections day, and to corroborate the migrated and dead persons on the list.

On elections day, armed with these fake IDs, key party agents then pass them out to similarly biodata- matched persons on the list in various communities by polling place, with the lure of a lucrative financial incentive per card, for them to vote in communities other than their own. In a 12-hour voting period, an individual can easily traverse different distances to vote at least five times at different polling places in their party strongholds, wearing multiple, different clothing. Inked fingers can easily be pre-

oiled for subsequent bleach removal. In party strongholds, some GECOM staff are comfortable with that political plan and would quickly confirm that fake ID, despite the contrary. The photograph on Guyana’s national ID cards, which one would think holds the key to rid multiple voters, is widely known to be of a poor quality, and many are about 10 years old and not very recognisable. If doubts arise at the place of poll by a party agent or GECOM, fake voters would remark that was 10 years ago, naturally many persons’ appearances would have changed.

Figures bandied about for fake ID voting can average US$100 or GY$20,000 per vote. To achieve 50,000 extra votes one only needs just about US$1million, easily obtainable from a nefarious underground business enterprise who has benefitted from past corrupt practices or is promised payback after an elections victory. An average of 10,000 persons using fake IDs just needed to vote five times each, distributed across favourable polling communities. So for instance with an OLE of about 650,000 averaging 278 persons per the 2339 polling booths, one party with say about half (1100) favourable polling areas only need about 45 extra votes per favourable polling area to give it 50,000 votes without going over the total OLE at each polling place.

In other words, with an OLE of 650,000 bloated by about 40% (260,000 extra), a run on the elections machinery can take as many as 50,000 votes mostly unnoticed with this practice (the eventual vote count was about 450,000). Observers, and other parties’ polling agents not

engaging in this practice, would hardly notice any irregularity. They can thus easily and quite understandably say the elections were fair and clean, not having picked up this elaborate and artistic level of corruption and deception, not unheard of before in Guyana. It is understood that this practice could have occurred in the past on a smaller scale, with a dry run done as recent as say our less important local government elections.

As the ongoing electoral recount will pick up other irregularities I have not touched on, such as more elaborate corroboration or collusion of GECOM officials with specific parties, missing documentation, irregular tabulation and other contorted practices, the current exercise is one of futility.

Sadly it cannot unearth fake ID card voting which can significantly distort a vote count. The only solution to have fair and transparent elections in the circumstances in which we find ourselves with the poor electoral laws and room for manipulation, is to have new elections with a fresh, new house-to-house registration exercise to remove the extra padding of the electoral list and limit the room for fake ID card voting. In doing so, the two major parties along with some of the smaller parties should agree to an interim government comprising representatives of these parties, for a period of about a year until a new list is established and elections are ready to go ahead.

Regards, Krishna Persaud

OP-ED

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

By Chinese Ambassador to Guyana CUI Jianchun

On Monday last week, China and the nine Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including Guyana, held a Visual Special Vice-Ministerial Meeting on COVID-19.

At the time when mankind faces the unprecedented global public health crisis, this special meeting has sent a strong message that we should strengthen international cooperation and work together to fight the pandemic.

The World Health Organization, after seeking the opinions of many scientists, determined that the novel coronavirus came from nature. Judging from the earliest cases found in several countries, the origin of the virus is unclear. Like H1N1, Ebola, Yellow fever, and Zika, it reminds mankind how ignorant we are in the face of nature.

The process of scientific exploration from diagnosis, treatment, research and development of vaccine to the eradication of COVID-19 is long and complicated. As of May 20, more than 4.9 million people have been infected in more than 210 countries and regions, and more than 320,000 people have died.

This shows that no country, big or small, rich or poor, can manage alone or stand aloof from the pandemic.

China upholds the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and fight

the pandemic together with the international community without reservation. At the 73rd World Health Assembly on May 18th, Chinese president Xi Jinping announced China’s five major initiatives to promote global anti-pandemic cooperation, including the provision of 2 billion USD assistance within two years to support countries affected by the pandemic, especially developing countries to respond and struggle with economic and social recovery. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has donated 50 million USD to WHO, set up a 2 billion yuan special fund for anti-pandemic cooperation, sent 24 medical expert groups overseas, and provided a lot of material assistance to WHO and many countries. The timeline released by the World Health Organization shows that China provided information to the international community in a fast, timely, open, transparent and responsible manner, and WHO affirms that “China has done its best.”

China-Caribbean cooperation is a model of international cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.

China received much support from the Caribbean when it was in the most difficult time of fighting the pandemic.

Leaders of the Caribbean countries sent letters to the Chinese leaders to express their sympathy and solidarity. The 31st Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM issued a com-

Brothers from afar join hands to fight COVID-19

muniqué supporting China.

Some people recorded videos to cheer for China. As soon as the Caribbean region was hit by the pandemic, the Chinese side provided support and assistance. Within its capacity, China aided many batches of medical supplies to Caribbean countries, and shared anti-pandemic experience and lessons with the Caribbean side. Taking into account the particular vulnerabilities of the Caribbean region, at the Special Vice-Ministerial Meeting on COVID-19, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang promised to provide the Caribbean side with another 3 million

COVID-19. A friend in need is a friend indeed. China and the Caribbean are true friends, and the vast ocean cannot stop the brotherly friendship between us.

The world has become a global village that “there is a bit of me in you and a bit of you in me”. All countries have the shared destiny.

The act of politicizing, stigmatizing and labeling the COVID-19 pandemic disregarding facts and science, and blaming other countries and people can only create and spread “political virus” and “information virus”. These “viruses” not RMB worth of medical supplies. China also calls on the international community to provide the Caribbean region with necessary assistance and support to fight the

Robin Singh’s wicked, divisive and dishonest missive Dear Editor, IT is persons like Robin Singh who make it difficult for all Guyanese to live in peace and harmony. I read his letter, “Something must be rotten” (KN May 19, 2020). It is wicked, divisive and dishonest.

Robin is being wicked when he says President David Granger’s meeting on Saturday with GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh and three of the secretariat’s top-tier staff “ has compromised the integrity of the chair and staff by the most callous and indecent abuse of presidential privilege.”

Last week Friday Leader of the PPP Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo met with Justice Singh in similar manner, then after he held

a press conference. Robin sees no problem with Mr. Jagdeo’s meeting or doesn’t feel this meeting has compromised the integrity of the chair and staff by the most callous and indecent abuse of former presidential privilege. I suspect he wants Justice Singh to be as rude as some in the society. Her respect for persons big and small seems to bother him. Her decency many like him despise. On Monday 18th Commissioner Vincent Alexander, while talking to the press at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, reminded us about Mr. Jagdeo’s meeting with Justice Singh.

The PRO Yolanda Ward later in the day told us what the meeting was about-- a thank you and words of appreciation from

7

the President for what GECOM is doing. The President also met the CARICOM scrutineers and expressed his gratitude. Robin ignores these and seemingly does not understand or care for civility. I suspect he thinks such human decency would not make political mileage and would not succeed in dividing us. The nation is watching!.

Imagine civility is now a divisive issue. What next Robin, may I ask? Those who seek to score points being rude, disrespectful, dishonest and uncivil, shame on them. Guyana would be a better place when we reject their efforts to sink us into this morass.

Regards B. Beniprashad Rayman

only hinder the containing of COVID-19, but also increase the destructiveness of the pandemic and cause more people to suffer more severely. At this critical moment, mankind needs confidence rather than panic, unity rather than division, and cooperation rather than blaming. Only by overcoming arrogance and prejudice, focusing on the pandemic itself, strengthening confidence, and working together, can all countries get out of the predicament and the lives of the people can return to normal as early as possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Justice is the only key to open the door to peace Dear Editor,

ANY negotiation or conflict-resolution expert would tell you that in any conflict it would be unusual for one party to be solely responsible. As a result, for the complete resolution of a dispute, the warring factions must be prepared to come to the negotiating table with an honest disposition to acknowledge their wrongs.

This hypothesis is informed by the rationale that the first hurdle to overcome in conflict resolution is closure for both sides; and understanding of the conflict from both parties’ perspectives.

The painful and factual reality is that without closure, the negotiation is doomed to fail. Acknowledgement of wrongdoing from both parties will serve as that key that will open that door to gain entry to the new world of the resolved conflict.

Last night, Mark Benschop on the “Straight up” show interviewed Sanjeev Datadin and Dr. David Hinds.

From the outset, Sanjeev Datadin, when asked to express his opinion of H.E President Granger, went into a rant about Mr. Granger’s politics.

The reality is that with his tunnel vision he could not differentiate between Mr.Granger the person and Mr. Granger the politician. Dr. David Hinds, when given the chance, was asked the very question

and took Sanjeev to school on how it is done. Sanjeev Datadin was then asked about the recount and Guyana’s politics as a whole. Unfortunately, his responses were stunning but not surprising.

1. He redefined the geography of Guyana. Guyana is made up of only Region Four.

2. In the most recent elections, there was only one Returning Officer, Mr. Mingo.

3. Despite the chief justice clearly stating that eight out of the nine regions used the spreadsheet, he is adamant that Mr. Mingo’s use of the spreadsheet was illegal, while the other ROs’, mostly in PPP areas use of them were not illegal.

4. He lied that it was only Region Four there were problems. If that were true, then why did APNU+AFC request recounts in five of the six regions that the PPP won?

5. He lied that APNU+AFC and the PPP/C gained only a few votes in Region One, when the fact is that the PPP/C lost votes and APNU+AFC gained over 100.

6. He refused to acknowledge that 50% of the ballot boxes in Region One had illegalities and irregularities.

7. He refused to acknowledge that they were irregularities in the disciplined services votes. He tried to provide an irrational explanation.

8. He claimed that the APNU+AFC is making allegations about dead and overseas

voters without evidence. That is not true, since the GECOM commissioner Vincent Alexander stated that they have provided death certificates.

The fact is that the PPP and Datadin would only differentiate allegations from proven facts when it suits them. What evidence have they produced to support their case of fraud

by Mr. Mingo? None, yet they run around making accusations and suggesting punitive actions(removing him from the recount and terminatinghis contract) 8. He tried to defend Gocool Boodhoo’s illegality as numerical mix-ups. The sad reality is that these “numerical mix-ups“ always benefitted the PPP. Mr. Mingo committed fraud, while Mr. Boodhoo had a “numerical mix-up.“ Why? 9. He refused to acknowledge that the 1961 and 1997 elections were illegal, despite the courts making rulings in that regard.

10. He said it is a fact that Mr. Burnham rigged elections, but when asked about the supporting evidence, he claimed that it was part of a BBC documentary. Since when a BBC documentary has been given powers of the judiciary?

11. When Dr. Hinds stated that all parties were involved in some form of rigging dating back to 1961, he flatly said not the PPP, despite the emerging evidence in the recount and the many claims over the years.

12. He claimed that Statements of Poll cannot be faked.

If that is the case, then how can he explain 19 fake PPP Statement of Poll that Mr. Lowenfield discovered during the 2015 vote count? How can he explain the PPP’s daily editing of their Statements of Poll on their website? Why did the PPP take down their Statements of Poll from their website if they are not fake?

13. For him, when the AFC was cheated out of a seat in 2006 and a similar attempt was made in 2011, he did not see those as attempted electoral fraud.

14. He was very rude, loud and aggressive. Many times Dr. Hinds and Mr. Benschop had to request not to be interrupted.

16. He lied by stating that cleaning up the voters list would have taken two years.

That is not my recollection of the timeline provided by GECOM. 17. And they were many more lies, distortion of facts and rewriting of history, but space limitation will not permit me to extend the list.

The fact is that PPP destroyed the sugar industry when they were in power.

US$200M was spent on the Skeldon factory, which was essentially money down the drain. To date they cannot account for money provided by the EU. They singlehandedly destroyed the sugar industry during their 23 years in power, yet by some strange reason they blame the AP-

NU+AFC. A few months ago I outlined the billions Guyana lost from the many failed contracts the PPP awarded to friends and family. Under the very PPP, hundreds were murdered, including a sitting minister, yet they would be gas-lighting us by stating they never happened.

Discrimination, victimisation, nepotism and economic genocide were all painfully practised by the PPP. Their links with the phantom squad and drug traffickers were well documented, but yet the PPP and characters like Datadin would present the PPP as the angelic party and APNU+AFC and PNC as evil entities which have caused Guyana irreparable damage.

My good friend Mark Benschop is very patient. I am not that patient. If Datadin was on my show and be insulting my intelligence, I would not have minced my words. I would have sent that politically blind man to Freedom Radio to lecture to the ruminating cows. The sad reality is that Guyana is in a political crisis. The sad reality is that the PPP is a major contributor to this crisis by refusing a clean list, but rather than admit their failings, they would run around redefining Guyana’s geography as a country of one region, Region Four, while blaming others. Truth be told, unless all parties are prepared to come to the negotiating table and honestly admit their failings,

then Guyana will continue to have disputed elections and mistrust between the major races. In a previous letter I had reason to reprimand both Datadin and Jonas for their tunnel vision in their rush to tag Mr. Burnham as the only President who has had illegal elections. I had to remind them that what they were stating were allegations, since they were never proven in a court of law. I had to bring to their attention the elections of 1997 when Mrs. Jagan demonstrated great disrespect for our constitution by throwing the court papers over her shoulder. I had to remind them that the PPP who forever “lived” by the constitution, yet failed to have local government elections in over 16 years.

The fact is that everyone in Guyana is crying out for peace while ignoring those crying for justice. And we know that peace is birthed out of the womb of justice.

For without justice there can be no peace. As a people we need to be prepared to provide justice for all. We should not trivialise the other parties’ experiences. If we do not get our act together and sit down to have an honest discussion, then we will forever be the laughing stock of the Caribbean. We will forever be seen as this hemisphere’s Cain and Abel -- fighting among ourselves.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

The President has the right to exercise his lawful prerogatives

Dear Editor

ONE should be able to recall a certain Sasenarine Singh, a then member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) who, many years ago, wrote several letters in the Kaieteur News criticising the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar regimes for their policies.

But memory will recall that there had been also a particular letter, published in then then Guyana Chronicle, which sought to expose Singh as being so incompetent that he had to be sacked by Jagdeo from his portfolio as one of his senior advisers.

It would seem that Singh, from his many missives which never failed to fault the then PPP/C regimes for one reason or the other, had probably been lining himself up for a position, when the expected change of government occurred in 2015. Call that the usual expected kind of opportunistic politics for which there are quite a few examples in Guyana. But this never materialised for Singh, the hopedfor place in the new dispensation, for whatever reasons that are not

publicly known?

Then, Singh’s clock turned the full 360 degrees again, when a few years ago, he re-appeared as one of the hordes of PPP/C letter writers, criticising the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU+AFC) government, for one imaginary ill after the other. Editor, proving one’s political usefulness to one’s former political outfit has become rather self-demeaning for all those who have chosen to return to Robb Street. It continues to lay bare the moral character of many souls, for what is their true content.

And so, this is the same Sasenarine Singh, now in the new role of election agent, of course for the PPP/C, who has been questioning the right of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, David Arthur Granger, to visit the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), last Sunday, and his actions while there.

Singh’s statement, which also spoke of the preferential treatment that was given to the President, was also a source of great bother to him and, of course, to his party and surrogates, is an absurdity, and

a mindset that is either deliberately ignorant, and/or clearly disrespectful to the executive rights of the President, and his right of exercise of such rights. In fact, his referring to the President as a candidate, rather than by his rightful official designation, as stipulated by the constitution, describes the calibre of such a cretinous wannabee, and why he may have been kicked out years ago by his now re-claimed master.

Of course, the erudite and intellectual commissioner Vincent Alexander was right to remind this pathetic party agent that “Like it or not, Granger is still President of Guyana.” And this is in keeping with Article 106(7), and not by referring to 106(6) in isolation, as some of our most overnight exalted – turned – constitutional experts, in collusion with the PPP/C, had been busy attempting to create their socalled constitutional crisis, not so long ago.

This latest idiocy of an objection has again emanated from the PPP/C, and reminds one of comments made by a PPP/C commissioner in early 2019, about the President wasting time, because he had made a visit to

the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ascertain its readiness for national and regional elections.

It is the height of grave ignorance in either instance, for any such persons to have made the individual comments which they had made; for such official act of the President is his sole prerogative in his own right, and deliberate judgement, which does not have to receive prior approval/assent from any other person. Further, for Singh, in this recent instance, to take issue with his PPP/C’s puppet nominee, not being accorded the same courtesies, trumpets the further absurdity in terms of suggesting that Irfaan Ali should have been given all the protocol trappings that are rightly the official preserve of a sitting Head of State It is akin to suggesting a guard of honour ceremony for a presidential candidate, when he is not the president!

One need not remind Singh et al, that the President is still President, even in this uncharted phase of the nation. No state is left headless. It needs direction, and governance, even an interim one. Still, this does not remove the title or office of pres-

ident from the present incumbent.

There is also, the reminder, much to the disappointment of Singh, that the President, the current one to be precise, is entitled to visit any institution/situation at any time, at any geographic location of the sovereign state that is governed – and this includes the ACCC, where the current recount exercise is underway. In fact, such a visit was anticipated, since he has every right to have a first-hand look at what is in progress, which is inclusive of discussions, if desired. As a reminder to the Sasenarine Singhs – That honour must be given where it is due.

Such a position taken by Singh is plainly in the realm of racial disdain displayed towards President Granger. It is a familiar path that continues to be displayed towards a genuine leader of country and governance, whose morals are impeccable, and dwarfs the sickening venalities committed on this country and its peoples for over two decades by the former PPP/C regime.

Regards Earl Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

GECOM seeks extension of tabulation hours

…writes COVID-19 task force to add more workstations TWO days after the National COVID-19 task force (NCTF) approved the establishment of two additional workstations from a proposed six; the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) penned a letter, asking it to reconsider its decision to allow for two more to accelerate the pace at which the 2020 Elections ballots are being recounted.

“Cognisant that it is of national importance that this recount exercise concludes as quickly as possible, it is the intention of the Chairperson [of GECOM] to write to the National Task force again to seek their reconsideration for an additional two workstations,” GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, disclosed on Wednesday.

At the time, Ward was briefing reporters on a meeting of the Elections Commission that took place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) earlier that day. Guyana Chronicle has confirmed that the letter to the COVID-19 task force was dispatched on Wednesday.

Initially, there was a total of 10 workstations operating for a period of 11 hours (8:00hrs to 19:00hrs) daily at the conference centre, however, the Elections Commission, in reviewing the recount exercise, took a decision last week to increase the number of workstations but sought clearance from the COVID-19 Task force in light of the Emergency Measures that have been in place since mid-March. On Monday, the COVID-19 Task

force submitted its report to the Elections Commission, and though highlighting a number of infractions, approved the establishment of two additional workstations.

Those new workstations were put into operation on Tuesday.

However, Ward said that though there are now a total of 12 workstations engaged in the recounting of ballots, two more workstations are needed to effectively increase the pace at which the ballot boxes are being processed; and it is the hope of the Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, that the commission receives a favourable response from the Task force. To date, close to 800 ballot boxes have been processed, however, there are more than 1,500 ballot boxes left to be counted before the 25-day line expires if it is not extended.

In responding to a series of questions posed by reporters, Ward said that the Elections Commission’s approach to the COVID-19 Task force is two-fold, explaining that in light of the current health crisis, the commission requires not only permission to establish the additional workstations, but also for an assessment of the facility to be done so as to determine risks associated.

She noted that the Elections Commission is faced with two situations in which, one, it needs to complete the recount in an expeditious manner, and at the same time, minimise any possible spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

GECOM CANNOT ACT IN ISOLATION In light of recent reports in the press, Ward cautioned that while GECOM’s independence is safeguarded by the Constitution of Guyana, it cannot operate in isolation especially when the country

those persons, who are professionals and practitioners in this particular area is of importance,” the Elections Commission Public Relations Officer reasoned.

GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, in weighing in on this issue,

Commissioner Vincent Alexander (Photo by Elvin Croker)

GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward

and the world at a large are battling with a global pandemic that claimed the lives of thousands, with 10 local deaths recorded, and more than 120 cases confirmed locally.

There has been a repeated push particularly by the main opposition – the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) – for GECOM to establish workstations as it deems necessary, but Ward underscored the importance of soliciting expert advice in this regard. “We also need to be sure that we do not put people’s lives at risk, and we are not health professionals and therefore, while we would have to make some decisions, the guidance of

said though GECOM is autonomous, the issue at hand is not electoral in nature.

“The question before us is not merely a question about elections; it is a health issue, a national health issue and in those circumstances there would be some other body that has authority in that regard, and GECOM has to work with that body,” Alexander reasoned while calling for mutual respect for the organs of the State.

While the commission has requested clearance for two additional stations to be added, Alexander told reporters that “given the space in there, we are going to be hard put if at all to get two.” Nonetheless, he said the commis-

sion will continue to explore its options in consultation with the Task force.

Meanwhile, while it is the Election’s Commission intention to further accelerate the pace of the recount, Ward said that continuous discussions or disagreements among representatives from the various political parties at the level of the workstations continue to consume a considerable amount of time.

“If we are to conduct this exercise in the manner that it is intended to, that is, in the interest of fairness and transparency, we have to allow for persons to be heard, to register whatever objections or present whatever cases they may so desire,” she said.

Since the start of the National Recount of the votes cast at the General and Regional Elections commenced on May 6, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has been making a number of objections based on anomalies and irregularities cited, however, much to the objection of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and a number of smaller political parties. Ward said it is important for the process to be executed smoothly and without delays. On Wednesday, the commission also took a decision to increase the tabulation hours for Statements of Recount (SORs). The tabulation centre will now operate from 15:00hrs to 18:30hrs.

Initially, it operated from 17:00hrs and then the commission adjusted the time to 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs before this most recent decision.

As the expiration of the 25-day timeline draws near, with 15 days already ex-

hausted, the Public Relations Officer said the Elections Commission is actively considering the extension of the timeline but no definitive decision has been made. “I must let you know that this is one of the core issues at the level of the commission, since it is the desire of the commission that this process concludes within the shortest possible time,” she posited.

That aside, the opposition and its allies have been advocating for GECOM to pronounce on return of international electoral observers, but Ward said this is outside of the remit of the Elections Commission.

“I want to emphatically state that this is outside of the remit of the commission.

When it comes to international observers, there has been an established protocol, a legal protocol and so the protocol as always is that international observers go through the Executive, and once that approval and accreditation have been granted, it is then forwarded to GECOM. And so it is not for GECOM to do advocacy on that part because it steps outside of the parameters of the commission,” Ward explained.

Though pressure has been mounted on the government to grant approval for the return of the Carter Center and the International Republic Institute (IRI), the government has been resolute in its position that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Team, currently in Guyana, is competent to enough effectively observe and scrutinise the recount process.

Eight cops test positive for COVID-19 EIGHT officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Presidential Guard Unit, have tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

These positive cases were discovered following a round of random testing, which was conducted recently on officers of the unit, said the GPF in a press statement, on Wednesday.

According to the GPF, the tests were done in conformity with guidelines produced by the Ministry of Public Health.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GPF, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, told reporters that the officers are from the “uniformed” branch, which is located on Vlissengen Road. These officers have since been placed in quarantine. Director of Public Information and Press Service (PIPS) Unit at the

Ministry of the Presidency, Ariana Gordon, confirmed that those officers were never part of the Special Protective Service arm of the unit.

In further explaining, she said: “The ranks were, therefore, not responsible for the close protection of President David Granger or his family.”

She said President Granger has been working remotely for some time because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has not been in contact with uniformed members of the Presidential Guard Unit.

While this information was only released to the media on Wednesday, Gordon said the cases are not new and have been included in the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)’s figures.

To date the total number of persons tested for COVID is 1,295 with the total number

of negative cases being 1,170 and 125 positive cases. Of the positive cases, 47 persons have so far recovered, three are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 65 persons are in institutional isolation.

Health authorities continue to work towards strengthening the healthcare system to respond to COVID-19 on a long-term basis, and the potential and existing activities are part of the plan to have a comprehensive COVID-19 health network, whereby patients across the country’s 10 administrative regions will be able to access these services.

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 Demerara (ECD) where cases have been recorded are: Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Golden Grove, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among communities on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

Guyana Chronicle had reported that instead of sitting back and waiting for cases of COVID-19 disease to ‘show up’ at various medical institutions, health authorities have taken testing services to communities which are considered ‘high-risk’. These COVID-19 services are being delivered through mobile sample-collecting units and screening and sample-collecting centres. These units were deployed to Georgetown; the East Coast of Demerara;

East Bank of Demerara and according to health authorities, they will soon be sent to Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“We had a fixed site, where people would go and get their samples taken, but now we have decided to take the services to the people to make it convenient and efficient…the mobile unit is basically a vehicle so we will take it to communities, which are at a high risk and those where there is a need for higher testing,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle, in a previous report.

While the centres and mobile units were established to increase the rate of testing, Dr. Boyle said authorities will not test any and everybody. Persons will

have to go through a screening process and meet certain criteria before they qualify for testing. Persons were, as such, asked to visit the mobile unit and the centres only if they have symptoms of COVID-19, which, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) include fever, tiredness, dry cough, aches and pains, sore throat and even diarrhoea. Once persons meet the criteria for testing, a sample will be taken and sent to the National Reference Laboratory, where the actual test will be conducted.

As it is now, Guyana is using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method to test persons for COVID-19.

And, according to health authorities, this type of testing takes about seven hours to produce results.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

DeSinco donates over $400,000 in supplies to CDC THE Civil Defence Commission (CDC), on Wednesday, received a large quantity of food and hygienic products from DeSinco Trading Limited, estimated at over $400,000.

Receiving the items was Director-General of the CDC,

Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, who thanked the company for its continued support.

“These supplies are timely and will be used to support our relief operations, not only for COVID-19, but as you recognise now, we are in the rainy season and we are con-

ducting assessments across the country to see which communities are impacted,” he said, according to a news bulletin from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

It noted that this initiative will also lend assistance to those affected by possible

Some of the supplies donated to the Civil Defence Commission

by DeSinco Trading Limited

flooding, once the agency concludes its assessment.

Chief Executive Officer of DeSinco Trading Limited, Frank DeAbreu, said that while the donation is part of the company’s social responsibility, it is also reflecting the organisation’s efforts to assist

Marsha Adiana called ‘Dutchie’

roadway. His mangled bicycle was hurled several feet and rested at the corner of the parapet while the car plunged into the roadside trench.

Adiana was bleeding profusely from his ears and mouth and was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the nearby

The hire car that hit the elderly man

Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the car was arrested and tested for alcohol. He was found to be below the legal limit and is presently in custody assisting with investigations. Meanwhile, a shocked Ramona Adiana, the daughter of Marsha,

can be sent to the CDC’s headquarters’ Thomas Road, Thomas Lands daily between the hours of 9 am to 3 pm.

The bulletin said also that funds can be deposited to the commission’s Republic Bank account number 962356519938.

CEO of DeSinco Trading Limited, Frank DeAbreu, hands over the supplies to Director-General of Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig

Elderly man dies after struck down by speeding car A 55-year-old pedal cyclist died after he was struck down by a speeding hire car on the Princetown Public Road, East Berbice Corentyne on Wednesday morning.

The man, identified as Marsha Adiana called “Dutchie”, was riding his bicycle looking for work, when he was struck down by a white Toyota Sienta hire car bearing registration number HC 8511, driven by a 25- year-old male from Crabwood Creek, who was allegedly speeding.

According to reports, the car and the pedal cyclists were proceeding in the opposite direction as well as opposite lanes when the driver of the hire car lost control and turned into the path of Adiana and struck him off his cycle. The impact flung the man several feet in the air before he landed on the

others in times of need.

DeAbreu also urged persons to adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Public Health.

The CDC welcomed donations of food supplies, personal care and sanitation supplies, or financing. Items

explained that her father, who works as a labourer, was on his way to look for work as he does daily on his bicycle. The man usually does odd jobs around the community and is known as a very hard working individual.

Investigation continues into the alleged murder of elderly female security guard A POST MORTEM was, on Wednesday morning, done on 68-year-old Margaret Dawson, whose lifeless body was found among tombs at Le Repentir Cemetery, two days ago.

The body of Dawson, a security guard attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS), was, on Monday, discovered by a passerby using a shortcut in the cemetery which leads into Albouystown.

Her body was discovered, against a grave stone, with her clothes ripped off, along with marks of violence which suggested that she might have been sexually assaulted. Her belongings were also missing.

A taxi driver and a 17-year-old lad were arrested for the crime.

The woman was last seen alive on Sunday night

Margaret Dawson

when she left her daughter’s Albouystown home for work.

Dawson moved to the city from Timehri to avoid taking public transportation, in order to protect herself from COVID-19.

She reportedly called a taxi service for a car to take her to work.

TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

COVID-19 quarantine centre established in Region 5 …fully equipped; ready for use if necessary

The Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) COVID-19 quarantine centre at Bath, Experiment, West Coast Berbice

By Clifford Stanley

THE Regional Health Authorities in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) have reported the completion of a COVID-19 quarantine centre in the Region and have also reported that an Isolation centre should be ready for use by early next week.

Regional Health Officer Dr. Desmond Nicholson disclosed that the quarantine centre has been established at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, using the Health Centre at Experiment. The quarantine facility can accommodate 10 females and 11 males.

The persons who will be accommodated in the centre are those who are suspected of having contact with persons infected by the virus or might have visited places where there were positive COVID-19 cases.

“The quarantine centre is intended to be a holding place not for persons who are sick but persons that we suspect might be at risk,” Dr

Beds for patients: REO Ovid Morrison and Deputy Head of the Region 5 Regional Emergency Operations Centre, Dr Alana James, at the facility yesterday

Regional Health Officer Dr. Desmond Nicholson (second from left) and member of staff of the REOC and the quarantine centre

Nicholson said.

He added: “It is possible for suspected cases to be quarantined at home, but if for some reason, perhaps the person’s social situation at home, this is not feasible, then we will take such persons into the quarantine centre.”

He disclosed that the

quarantine centre, like others countrywide, is fully stocked with all of the necessary medicines, personal protective equipment and signage that are necessary to ensure that the residents who may be received there are able to benefit from optimal attention.

Patients will be provided

with meals and clean and disinfected linen and the staff assigned there have also been provided with the protective equipment necessary for them to do their jobs without fear of themselves becoming infected.

Dr Nicholson disclosed that medical services will be provided by nurses on a

Investigation continues into the alleged murder of elderly...

The older suspect is attached to the same taxi service and is known to Dawson. The teen, who lives in Albert Street, Albouystown is known to the taxi driver and was picked up beforehand.

The two allegedly attacked the woman in the cemetery, robbing her in the process.

The men then sexually assaulted her. During their initial investigation, police arrested the taxi driver

following a tip-off and the man was found with the woman’s rings in his pocket. He is said to be known to the woman and her family members.

Further investigations led to the arrest of the teen who was found

twenty four hour basis and a Rapid Response Team comprising of doctors will be on standby at the Regional Health Emergency Operations Centre at Fort Wellington to visit the facility if and when persons in quarantine begin to exhibit symptoms that are suspected to be COVID-19-related

FROM PAGE

He disclosed also that accommodation has been provided for the Police who will maintain a permanent presence there once the admission of patients commences.

With respect to the isolation facility at Mahaicony for confirmed cases, Dr Nicholson disclosed that there were some issues that needed to be looked at in terms of sufficient separation between the male and female patients and between those who are infected and those who are highly suspected of being infected.

“We have the facilities for three wards and we are looking at the establishment of a fourth ward so that we can have accommodation for five males and five females. There are no major problems here and we believe now that it is possible that we can have four isolation wards ready in a matter of days if we have an upsurge of cases and we have to keep Region 5 patients here within the Region”, he said.

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with the woman’s phone.

On Wednesday a post mortem report revealed that the woman died due to multiple injuries in including blunt trauma to the head.

The body also bore evidence

of ligature strangulation, fractures to the spine and neck, along with indication that she was raped.

Police investigation is still ongoing.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

71 ballot boxes processed on Day 15 …POs in OLE mix up called in to explain

AT the close of operations at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Wednesday, votes from 71 ballot boxes had been recounted, taking the total number of ballot boxes processed to date to 789. There is a total of 2, 339 ballot boxes to be processed.

Wednesday marked 15 days since the recount of votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections Commission commenced. Of the 71 ballot boxes processed on Wednesday, 18 were from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 14 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 20 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and six from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Once a ballot box is completely processed at the level of a workstation, a Statement of Recount (SOR) is generated. According to GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, at the end of Wednesday’s operations 732 SORs for the General Elections had been tabulated, and 756 for the Regional Elections. Already, the SORs from Regions One and Two have been completed.

While the Elections Commission works with the

National COVID-19 Task force (NCTF) to speed up the recounting exercise, it continues to resolve a number of other issues emanating from workstations.

POS CALLED IN FOR QUESTIONING On Monday, two ballot boxes were discovered with the incorrect Official List of Electors (OLEs). The boxes were from two separate polling places at the Diamond Nursery School, and to ascertain how the mix-up might have occurred, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, called in the Presiding Officers for questioning. However, only one of the two POs has met with Chief Elections Officer.

“There was a meeting in that regard; however, we yet to meet with the other presiding officer, and until such time, we will communicate the findings of those discussions at a later time,” the Public Relations Officer told reporters on Wednesday.

According to her, the other Presiding Officer, when contacted, gave a commitment to meet with the CEO. However, she was unable to indicate when that meeting would be held. Due to the grave irregularity, the two

boxes were returned to the Containers.

UNSTAMPED AND PARTIALLY STAMPED BALLOTS

Arthur Chung Conference Centre, told reporters that the issue of unstamped and partially stamped ballots was actively engaging the attention of the Elections

A ballot being counted at one of the 12 workstations that have been established at the Conference Centre

One of the 789 ballot boxes processed to date

Another issue engaging the Elections Commission and its Secretariat is that of unstamped and partially stamped ballots. In recent days, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) has been complaining bitterly that ballots marked in its favour were not stamped and as such deemed rejected.

There were also reports that a number of the ballots from the Joint Services were also unstamped.

Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander, during an interview outside of the

Commission. “There seems to be the emerging view that recognition has to be given to the half that is not stamped on condition that there is synergy between the stamped and the unstamped. In other words, it is the same number of ballots,” Alexander said while referencing to cases in which the ballot paper was stamped on one half only.

“In a similar manner, there is an emerging consensus that in the instance where you can identify the Discipline Services ballots, which were intermixed but not stamped, that those be

equally recognized as valid votes,” the Elections Commissioner further detailed.

During the initial counting of the unstamped and partially stamped ballots following the close of polls on March 2, those ballots were deemed invalid in keeping with the letter of the law.

Alexander, while dismissing that the proposed remedy is outside of the law, suggested that it is in keeping with the spirit of the Law. OBJECTIONS While GECOM’s Public Relations Officer has underscored the importance for objections to be recorded in the Observation Report throughout the recount, Elections Commissioner Sase Gunraj vehemently objected to such on Wednesday.

The APNU+AFC has

filed a number of objections based on anomalies cited such as the alleged voting of the dead and persons who have long migrated, in addition to unsigned Affidavits. But Gunraj, on Wednesday, iterated that these are matters for the Courts, while contending that no evidence has been submitted to date. “Every day it gets more and more ridiculous. Every day it gets more and more ridiculous and like I said, nothing is being presented to Commission or in the stations,” he told reporters.

However, hours after his interview with the press, Ward confirmed that the APNU+AFC has submitted death certificates and other records in support of its claims at the level of the workstations.

Ina Beryl turns 112

By Wendella Davidson GUYANA’S oldest supercentenarian, Ina Beryl Holder, on Tuesday, May 20, 2020, celebrated her 112th birth anniversary, at the Lamaha Gardens home of her nephew, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, where she resides.

Aunt Ina as she is fondly called, is wheelchair -bound and as such she spends her days either in bed or on the verandah taking in the roadside scenery. Dr. Claudette Dereata Harry and Diana Ally, are tasked with taking care of her. Due to the COVID-19 and the guidelines, plus the fact that Aunt Ina falls within the most vulnerable group, visits have been curtailed. She, however, was paid a visit by the Parish priest of St James-the-Less Anglican Church, David Street, where she is a member.

Aunt Ina, who has never been married, was born on May 20, 1908 to Claude Vernon and Alice Clementina Bertyne Holder. She worked at the Argosy newspaper, Bookers Company and at

the Anglican Diocese of Guyana, both as a secretary and librarian. At the age 100 years, she resigned from the job and etched her name in Guyana’s history books as being the oldest secretary.

Aunt Ina in her ‘hey day’ was said to be very stylish and paid attention to fashion and culture. She loved to sew and was very skillful in knitting and covering umbrellas, which she referred to as parasols.

Because of her delicate stomach, Dr. Harry said she is fed mostly soups and fruits, but all of her foods are blended. She has a fondness for ice-cream and ‘Glucerna’ shakes.

Aunt Ina admired World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Mohamed Ali, and former Guyanese actor, producer, director, Mahadeo Shivraj. She was so much in love with Shivraj, that Dr. Harry laminated a picture of him for her, that made her quite happy. She was fortunate to be paid a visit by Shivraj subsequently.

Aunt Ina believed in God and prayers.

Aunt Ina sits in the company of President David Granger (left standing) and her nephew, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder (right standing) along with relatives and friends back in 2016

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

PPP/C seeks extension of 25-day timeline

…asks GECOM to further increase workstations THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), in a meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), tabled a number of recommendations to increase the rate at which the 2020 Elections Ballots are being recounted, among them a proposal for the number of workstations to be further increased, and the 25-day timeline be extended.

The PPP/C Delegation, which was led by its General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, and included its Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, met with the Elections Commission, on Wednesday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where the recount is unfolding.

Less than an hour after exiting that meeting, Ali, in an interview with reporters on the outskirts of the Conference Centre, detailed the recommendations put to the Justice (Ret'd) Claudette Singh-led Elections Commission, while acknowledging the need to extend the timeline beyond 25 days.

Though the Elections Commission, in accordance with the National COVID-19 Task force (NCTF) advice, established two additional workstations, taking the total number to 12, the PPP/C believes that this number is insufficient to meet the 25-day timeline, of which 15 days have already been exhausted.

“It is clear that with the two additional stations much more is needed if they

are to achieve 100 boxes per day,” the PPP/C Presidential Candidate told reporters.

In signaling her initial intention to increase the number of workstations, the GECOM Chair had expressed the hope that the GECOM Secretariat would be able to process a total of 100 ballot boxes per day.

On Tuesday (May 19), one day after the Commission added two workstations to the existing 10, a total of 76 ballot boxes were processed - the highest recorded on any given day since the recount of the votes commenced on May 2.

With more than 1,700 ballot boxes left to be processed before the timeline expires, Ali said increased workstations would be a plausible solution to the issue at hand, emphasizing that it is important to complete the National Recount while the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Scrutinising Team is still present in Guyana.

“As you are aware, the CARICOM team is here for a period of 25 days; so this is one aspect of the equation GECOM and the political parties must take into consideration when we examine the timeline and when we examine what is needed to satisfy all of the stakeholders and to ensure that the process is completed in a transparent manner with CARICOM here,” Ali said.

Though the PPP/C did not indicate how many more workstations should be added, Ali, while cognisant

of the likelihood that the deadline would not be met,

Commission works with CARICOM to accommodate

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, speaking with the press on the outskirts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, following a meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Leader of the Opposition and General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, leaving the Conference Centre.

According to him, he had another meeting to attend to and as such as was unable to speak to the press.

(Elvin Croker Photos)

said that the new time frame should not exceed one week and it should be clearly indicated by the Commission.

“We asked that the

an extension beyond the 25day timeline,” the PPP/C Presidential Candidate said.

He proposed further that the additional workstations,

if established, be assigned to Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) - the largest Electoral Block with a total of 879 ballot boxes.

“More than 40 per cent of the boxes that remain are boxes from Region 4 and we have less than 25 percent of the stations allocated to deal with Region 4. So the output has to be readjusted, and for this to be readjusted, the input, which is the station, needs to reflect the current situation where more than 40 percent of the outstanding boxes are from Region 4,” Ali reasoned.

In separate interviews, Elections Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Sase Gunraj, confirmed the Commission's commitment to consider the recommendations made by the PPP/C, in particular the extension of the timeline and the addition of workstations.

“I think we had a clear understanding based on the contribution of the Leader of the Opposition that even as we try to accelerate the process, it would be difficult for us to achieve in 25 days,” Alexander said as he briefed the press on the meeting.

The Elections Commissioner, while noting that the 25-day timeline is no guarantee, reminded that the timeline was not cast in stone and as such is subject to review as outlined in the order gazetted on May 4.

While noting that the Elections Commission is further reviewing the recount process with the hope

of increasing the number of workstations, Alexander said “it certainly wouldn't be five," when pressed for a figure by the press.

Meanwhile, in its string of recommendations, the PPP/C proposed the establishment of a quota system, whereby a minimum quota is set for each of the 12 workstations.

Further to that, the PPP/C, according to Ali, proposed that the operational hours be extended and an implementation of a shift system. Currently, the 12 workstations at the Conference Centre are operating for a period of 11 hours from 08:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

However, the GECOM staff are required to be at the centre by 07:00hrs, covering a total of 12 hours.

Ali noted, too, that during the meeting, the PPP/C expressed concern that though clear decisions were made on a number of issues that arose since the commencement of the recount, those issues were still being re-examined at the workstations, thereby delaying the process further. As a solution, the party proposed that the station supervisors be briefed on the decisions of the Commission with regards to the arising issues.

Community service for two food vendors caught breaching COVID-19 emergency measures TWO food vendors in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) were, on Wednesday, ordered to do one month of community service each after pleading guilty to breaching COVID-19 emergency measures.

Magistrate Rabindran-

auth Singh made the ruling at the Fort Wellington Magistrates’ Court yesterday when the duo, who are two of six persons charged with the offence, pleaded guilty.

Prosecutor Inspector, Phillip Sheriff, told the court that the two females

were selling food at their respective roadside stands around which several persons, some of whom were consuming alcoholic beverages, had congregated.

“This act was in breach of restriction on social activities due to the COVID-19 virus pandem-

ic. They should have been providing takeaways but failed to do so,” the prosecutor said.

The women were ordered to do one hour community service per week for the next four weeks.

They were assigned to do miscellaneous duties in

the compound of the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court which, according to the magistrate, will include tending the garden, sweeping, cleaning up, washing walls etc.

Magistrate Singh warned them to show up because if they fail to do

so they would be liable to one week in prison as an alternative.

Meanwhile, four other persons charged with similar offences failed to show in court.

Those cases will be called up next week, Wednesday, May 27.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Citizens Bank records increase in profits at half year

15

…keeping eye on COVID-19, unsettled elections for second half of year CITIZENS Bank Guyana Inc. has recorded an after-tax profit for the six months which ended March 31, 2020 of $452.1 million, compared to $357.5 million for the corresponding period last year, representing an increase of $94.7 million or 26.5%.

In a report, Chairman of the bank, Clifford Reis, said the interest Income for the six-month period was $1.6 billion, while Interest Expense was $187.8 million, resulting in Net Interest Income of $1.4 billion compared to $1.2 billion for the corresponding period last year.

Other Income was $299.0 million, resulting in a surplus before Non-interest Expenses of $1.7 billion; this represents an increase of $238.1 million or 16.2% over the corre-

sponding period last year.

According to Reis, the Bank’s Operating Expenses were $827.2 million, reflecting an increase of 11.3% over the corresponding period last year. Inflationary increases in the cost of goods and services, adjustments to the emoluments of employees and our payment to the Deposit Insurance Fund were the major contributors to the increase in our operating expenses. Net impairment on financial assets was $121.1 million compared to $130.8 million for the corresponding period last year.

At March 31, 2020, the net loans and advances balance was S31.3 billion, compared to $26.4 billion at March 31, 2019. Net investments were $10.3 billion, compared to $3.6 billion at

Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. has recorded an after-tax profit of $452.1 million

March 31, 2019. Total deposits balance was $48.4 billion, compared to $40.2 billion at March 31, 2019.

“The Board of Directors believe that we should be cautious and prudent and has approved an Interim Dividend

of $0.90 per share, the same as for the corresponding period in 2019,” Reis said.

He said while the COVID-19 pandemic, and the still unsettled election 2020 results, present several immediate risks, Citizens Bank Guyana Inc has a strong balance sheet. “However, the ultimate impact on the second six months of our financial year is unknown at this time, as it will depend on the resolution to the election 2020 impasse, and on the duration of current precautionary measures, as well as the substance of any stimulus package and the pace of the macroeconomic recovery,” Reis said.

“As we navigate this unchartered crisis, Citizens Bank Guyana Inc is cautiously optimistic that our

Chairman of Citizens Bank, Clifford Reis

performance will result in increased shareholder value. I take this opportunity to thank our customers for their support, the management and staff for their dedication and hard work, our shareholders and fellow Directors for their cooperation and assistance.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

‘Worry over NGSA’ --parents, teachers concerned over pupil's preparedness for NGSA

By Lisa Hamilton “PSYCHOLOGICALLY, I don’t think he’s prepared,” said the father of his 11-year-old child who attends the Peter’s Hall Primary School and who is gearing up to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination set for July 2020.

The exams, which were to be held on April 8 and 9, were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, while this may seem as a positive to some as it relates to time, this is not a sentiment shared by all.

“He was preparing, going along well with the process prior to the virus, but the fact that he’s exposed to a lot of news, he keeps asking ‘how many persons got infected today’ or ‘how many more new cases’ and that alone can tell that it’s affecting his mind,” said the child’s father who preferred to remain anonymous.

This is a reality that has caught the attention of President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, who told this newspaper on Wednesday that NGSA stu-

dents will likely be the group most affected in the public education system.

“I see that many of them are traumatised, they are confused because this is a whole new challenge. While the CXC students are a little older, these kids are younger,” he said.

“They are even more unprepared, they are even more traumatised. To say that we’re going to run off the NGSA in the next two months is a premature decision, because those children need more time to get themselves sorted out. There is a psychological fear and anxiety that it creates. If [I worry about whether] the person sitting next to me has the virus, how do I focus on learning and not the fear of contracting the virus?”

While the GTU has proposed that the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination be pushed to July, it recommends that the NGSA examinations be deferred to October.

Explaining the reason, Lyte reminded this newspaper that the NGSA is a local examination and Guyana has

the option of telling the Caribbean Examinations Coun-

Guyana’s situation,” he said.

The GTU believes that

President of the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU), Mark Lyte

cil (CXC) Administration, which administers the exam, when the country is ready to host same.

“There should be no rush in getting that exam off the ground because it is a local exam; a Guyana exam, not an exam that is taken by all Caribbean countries. So, we can say to CXC who is administering the exam for us...that we would like the exam to be done at ‘X’ time because of

the NGSA can be written in October with enough time for the children to start their new academic year in January and hopes that the Ministry of Education will consider this.

The NGSA examination and the revelation of its results are annually anticipated

by Guyanese as many children study diligently with the intention of making it into one of the country’s ‘top schools.’

Last year, after six years of private school students securing the top spot, top performers came from the Graham’s Hall Primary School and CV Nunes Primary School.

The father who spoke to the newspaper also has high hopes for his child. However, he said that although his son remains in daily contact with his teachers and does his homework, he does not believe that the situation translates as “adequate” when compared to the classroom setting.

“At home is more of a relaxing environment and at school, more emphasis is placed on the entire preparation process,” he said. Added to this, he does not believe that pupils thoroughly understand the measures they must take to protect themselves from the deadly virus. As such, once schools reopen, parents will also face their share of worry.

He recommends that the examination be postponed as he does not believe that there is any harm in children entering secondary school a little later than is customary.

He believes that health and

safety should be put above academic achievement as COVID-19 can be a matter of life and death.

“I don’t see any harm in them pushing back this school year to start later down in October/November.

Having them write the exam later down in the year or early next year, I don’t see anything wrong with that, but it’s up to the ministry,” he said.

An NGSA teacher from Linden also expressed a number of her concerns. “We have to consider the safety of our children. Will the centres be fumigated before exams?

Will they be able to provide hand sanitizer or soap for each child during the exams?

If the children wear masks, I think it's going break their concentration, because some children are nervous during exams and with masks they wouldn't be able to breathe properly,” she said.

The GTU hopes to meet with the Ministry of Education to further discuss such concerns and specifically what Guyana can do in its unique situation.

ExxonMobil Qatar GM to head Guyana operations ---- Henson receives new appointment

Alistair Routledge

PRESIDENT of ExxonMobil Guyana, Rod Henson, will be leaving Guyana for Houston,Texas in the coming months to take up a new appointment as ExxonMobil’s new Vice-president of Wells with responsibility for all drilling activities around the world.

He will be replaced by current President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar Limited, Alistair Routledge, whom Henson has described as “well suited’ for the job, given his years of experience heading up ExxonMobil’s Qatar operations.

A release on Wednesday noted that Henson was assigned to Guyana in 2017 and worked in several countries during his 30-year career. He presided over a number of important operational milestones, including the production of Guyana’s first oil in December 2019.

From times past to now, ExxonMobil Guyana has grown from 21 employees in 2017 to 156 at the end of the first quarter of 2020, more than 55 percent of whom are Guyanese.

More than 4,200 people now support ExxonMobil Guyana activities, and 2,200 are Guyanese. Since 2015, more than GY $52 billion has been spent directly with Guyanese suppliers for a variety of services, ranging from foodstuff to engineering.

“This has been the best and most rewarding job I have ever had,” said Henson in a speech. “Guyana is a great country with amazing people, and I was privileged to have an awesome team that made my time here truly rewarding.”

Outgoing President of ExxonMobil Guyana and newly appointed Vice-president of Wells with responsibility for all drilling activities, Rod Henson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

Gov’t seeks data to provide COVID-19 public assistance THE Government of Guyana, on Wednesday, launched a data collection mechanism, which is aimed at identifying and providing tangible support for vulnerable households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its emergency measures.

A press release said that the initiative is made possible through the collabora-

tive efforts of the National COVID-19 Task force Executive Secretariat, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Ministry of Social Protection (MOSP), Ministry of Communities and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

It said that persons who are in dire need of assistance or are most vulnerable during this period are asked to apply.

Assistance will be given on a

Lawmen arrest several for drug possession

needs basis thereby ensuring that the most affected persons are reached and supported, the release said.

It noted that the identification will be done through two means, that is, an online and manual application process, which will cater for households without telephone and Internet access. The online process commenced on Wednesday, May 20, 2020

and the manual submission is scheduled to begin by May 27, 2020.

The release said that application forms can be downloaded from the MoSP’s website at https://mosp.gov. gy/ or https://government. gy/eform/241. Eligible applicants must submit the completed application forms online as well as the required supporting documentation.

Boat-builder found with illegal firearm A 49-year-old boat-builder is currently in police custody, after he was ‘busted’ at his Jacklow Upper Pomeroon River home with an illegal shotgun.

On Monday, May 18, 2020, a party of policemen, acting on information, went to the boat-builder’s home and conducted a search for arms, ammunition and drugs.

The home was searched

Only individuals/households who meet at least one of the following criteria will qualify for consideration: • Individuals/households currently benefitting from Public Assistance provided by the MoSP. • Individuals/households who applied for Public Assistance and are awaiting a response from the MoSP. • Individuals/households

who suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19.

• Households headed by senior citizens or persons with disabilities.

The Ministry of Social Protection will release additional information, including telephone numbers for citizens who qualify to call, at a later date, the release said.

Woman apologises for racial rant on Facebook

and a 12-gauge single-barrel shot gun, serial # NN35223, was found behind a four-burner gas stove.

Under caution, the suspect told police “yes is me gun you find it in me place”.

He was arrested and taken to the Charity police station. Investigation is ongoing.

A screenshot of the remorseful woman during her apology posted to Facebook on Monday evening

The cannabis found in the Durban Street house

POLICE, on Tuesday afternoon, arrested three suspects, following a raid at a Durban Street Lodge, Georgetown home which unearthed more than 36 kilograms of cannabis.

Ranks from Police Headquarters acting on intelligence received, on Tuesday, around 16:45 hours, went to the dwelling house of a 33-year-old female clerk at Durban Street Lodge.

A search was conducted in her presence and that of two unemployed males who reside at Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara and Victoria Street, Charlestown, Georgetown respectively.

The ECD suspect had, in his possession, 390 grams of suspected cannabis in his haversack.

A further search of the home unearthed two bar-

rels and a box which had a number of taped parcels with 36.43 kilograms ofsuspected cannabis inside. The suspects are in custody pending charges.

Meanwhile a 51-yearold driver/salesman of John Street, Georgetown, is currently in police custody, after he was intercepted in a vehicle at Perth Village, Mahaicony, ECD with a quantity of cannabis, on Tuesday.

According to reports the man was nabbed around 08:00 hrs during a ‘stop and search’ by the police.

He was found with several parcels of suspected cannabis which amounted to 284 grams.

The driver/salesman who was the lone occupant was arrested and is being processed for court.

The shotgun recovered

The woman who was seen last weekend in a viral video on Facebook making racially charged comments about Afro-Guyanese, has apologised.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) had launched an investigation on Monday after the video went viral.

The woman subsequently posted another video expressing her sincerest apologies to the Afro-Guyanese community and to those whom she may have hurt or disappointed during her rant.

She further stated that she was under the influence at the time and was therefore not fully aware of her behaviour.

Meanwhile, Kissoon’s Furniture Store in a response to allegations of racial profiling by its staff towards a customer, stated that the company’s management has since contacted the customer who was involved in the

incident.

The owners of the wellknown store further stated that it is against any form of racism and racial profiling.

The customer, a newspaper columnist, shared her story in a sister newspaper regarding her recent experience while shopping at the popular furniture store.

Nevertheless, the ERC is reminding citizens to desist entirely from making racially motivated remarks which can incite others. In fact, the commission wishes to point out that persons can be prosecuted for offences under the Racial Hostility and Representation of the People Acts, as well as under the country’s cyber crime laws.

The ERC indicated that it will continue to monitor Facebook and the various social media platforms.

It also implored all Guyanese to exercise tolerance and respect for each other throughout their daily lives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Commonwealth health ministers agree to share advice and solutions in coronavirus battle

COMMONWEALTH health ministers have agreed to coordinate their response in tackling the coronavirus pandemic, the body said in a release Wednesday.

Ministers endorsed removing fees for coronavirus tests and treatment, especially for migrants and refugees, as appropriate within national contexts, and creating a voluntary mechanism to share and distribute extra medical supplies including ventilators and testing kits. They agreed on the need for solidarity and cooperation among Commonwealth countries and that close working with the World Health Organization through-

out the crisis was vital.

This statement was released following the annual Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting held on 14 May. Commonwealth Secretary-Genera, Patricia Scotland said: “We are now participants at an inflection point in history, and how we will be seen will be determined by how we act, right now, in this moment.

“The virus knows no nationality, race, religion, border or economic status. It is an interconnected issue threatening our global health and world economic order, and should be dealt with as such-- guided by a culture of multilateral compassion and

cooperation – not competition. “At this critical moment, invigorated by our common pain and concern, Commonwealth countries have come together to provide the salve we need to deliver a coordinated multilateral response that will help thwart the pandemic and keep our citizens safe.”

Globally, around 4.7 million coronavirus cases have been reported. Half a million of these are in the Commonwealth. Seven member states are among 12 nations worldwide that have not reported any cases. The fast-spreading virus has contracted economies, shattered income streams and forced millions

of people to stay indoors.

Health ministers backed the need for unified action to recover from the economic turmoil accompanying the pandemic, while addressing critical health challenges and health systems’ vulnerability, particularly to recurring climate-related events.

The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “While coronavirus is an unprecedented shock to the world, through national unity and global solidarity we can save both lives and livelihoods. “Across the Commonwealth, countries will need to balance the demands of responding directly to corona-

virus, while also maintaining essential health services.”

Ministers pledged to keep essential health services running for non-COVID-19 patients with a critical non-communicable or infectious disease while dealing with an influx of coronavirus cases.

They agreed to work with finance ministers to promote sustainable strategies to finance the implementation of universal health coverage with a focus on providing health care to women, the elderly, young people, marginalised persons and those with mental illness without facing financial difficulty.

He said: “Not since the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in the 2000s

has health occupied such a central position in development policy.

“With an unprecedented pandemic, straining health systems and halting the global economy, the role of resilient health systems across the world has come into full focus.” During the meeting, ministers presented effective national strategies to address the pandemic, which included a mass test, trace and isolate strategy, digital tools to monitor health status and track transmission routes and a clear communication line.

India is in line to chair the next Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in 2021.

Finding opportunities amid COVID-19 FOLLOWING the implementation of the emergency measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, several eateries and catering establishments have adjusted their operations to meet the needs of customers.

Head caterer and owner of Edible Treats

by Georgie, 21-year-old Dionne George, said the current period has allowed her to create new ideas to meet the tastes of her clients. “I have developed a mindset where I see opportunities in crisis. So, we began creating packages to target customers who are at home. I created a package that caters for five persons, consisting of four types of finger foods along with a cake for families

who are stuck at home and still want to celebrate milestones throughout this pandemic,” George told the Department of Public Information.

She noted that since the introduction of these packages her home-based catering service has seen an uptick in clientele. Cognisant of the health guidelines, George and her two assistants practise safety measure, such as washing and sanitizing of hands, wearing their masks and observing social/ physical distancing.

George or an assistant will deliver orders by taxi if requested. The young entrepreneur related that armed with a diploma in catering and hospitality management from the Carn-

CCAC reminds suppliers that the Consumer Affairs Law still applies to domestic online sales THE Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is advising suppliers that domestic online sales are subject to the Consumer Affairs Act (CAA) 2011.

The impact of COVID-19 has seen the inevitable shift from in person sales to online sales, to encourage social distancing.

However, in a release, the CCAC reminds suppliers that return and refund policies, warranties, and policies in regard to cancellations are still subject to the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Act. “Suppliers would still be held accountable for breaches of the Consumer Affairs Law. Considering our new modes of transactions, considerations would

have to be put in place by the Commission for both consumers and suppliers so that no one is disadvantaged,” the body said.

According to the CCAC, consumers should still be afforded the period of seven working days to return an item for an exchange or for a refund if the consumer no longer wants the item. It is the responsibility of the consumer to ensure that the item is returned according to the stipulations of the Act: in its original package, and not used or damaged.

The supplier can charge up to 10% as a restocking fee and the return cost would have to be covered by the consumer in this case.

If the item is defective, the cost of the return should

be borne by the supplier upon establishing that the item was defective. If the payment was a layaway, the CAA speaks to 75% refunds to consumers.

The Commission is also imploring suppliers to be scrupulous at this time to consumers who have booked events which had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Suppliers are asked to offer consumers their correct refunds.

The Commission continues to appeal to suppliers to put your countrymen/people over excessive profit, noting that it is morally wrong to take advantage of consumers during any national emergency; in this case, that of a public health crisis.

egie School of Home Economics, financial backing from her parents and partner, and self-discipline and perseverance, she set about developing her business in 2019.

Today, she is pursuing a diploma in Business Management at School of the Nations. George believes that situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic can be the catalyst for persons to retool and transform with a little determination.

“For those who are at rock bottom, such a phase can provide us with lessons on how to reach the mountain top and what we grasp at the bottom of the mountain to begin our climb will determine whether or not we become successful,” she posited

Head caterer and owner of Edible Treats

by Georgie, 21-year-old Dionne George

Public Private Partnership will spur Guyana’s development

GUYANESE born USbased businessman Edmond Braithwaite believes that public private partnership (PPP) is the model that will drive Guyana’s economic development, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has reported.

Braithwaite maintains that through this model, more will be achieved for Guyanese, hence his firm, the Caribbean Marketing Enterprises Inc. (CMEI) is “pushing for a Pubic Private Partnership with the Government of Guyana” The CMEI executive is convinced that through such a partnership more can and will be achieved, to benefit Guyanese “in a significant way”.

The economic development model is a long-term contract between private entities and governments to provide public assets or services. Under the arrangement, the private sector firm takes significant risks and

management responsibilities to fulfil the contract while repayment, with profits, is linked to performance, the World Bank said in an online explanation.

Braithwaite and his company remain upbeat about business prospects in Guyana despite political hiccups following the local March 02 General and Regional Polls here and growing global uncertainties following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WHO announced that the pandemic has “slowed up a number of our plans” but the CMEI team remains interested and committed to doing business in Guyana, Braithwaite assures.

“Many may have thought that with the current COVID 19 situation that we would have closed shop and put a hold on our plans for Guyana, but I can assure you that we haven’t.

As a matter of fact, we have recognised several other new opportunities that we will seek

to explore as we are more confident of the numerous opportunities that Guyana possess,” the investor said.

The CMEI President noted more companies want to do business in Guyana.

“Guyana possesses unique and creative opportunities that many are seeking to exploit.

Attention is on Guyana as it’s no secret that there are several persons who have long-term investment plans for Guyana and we are hoping that COVID 19 passes quickly so that we can get on the ball.,” he said.

“We are desperately waiting for the airspace to open so that we can be on the first flight to Guyana to take many of these plans further, so rest assured that this coronavirus has not diminished our interest at all in this country. The level and quantum of investment that we will be doing for Guyana will certainly be a massive boost to the people of Guyana, he noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday May 21, 2020

Food for the Poor ramps up support to vulnerable groups

FOOD for the Poor Guyana Inc. (FFP Guyana) said it is collaborating with a range of community partners to provide support to vulnerable populations most impacted by the effects of the Coronavirus.

“Our community partners span the ten regions of Guyana and comprises of churches, elderly homes, non-governmental organisations, and youth developmental and training groups,” the charitable organisation said in a release on Wednesday.

Through FFP Guyana’s COVID-19 distribution efforts so far, approximately 60 of our community partners have received food relief along with cleaning supplies and masks. Amongst some of the distributed items are: white rice, flour, Manna Rice Meal, evaporated milk, canned beans, cleaning products, cooking oil, vegetables, vitamins, clothing, mattresses, furniture, nutritional shakes, household items, personal hygiene products, adult and baby diapers.

Amongst community partners who, with support from FFP Guyana, have been instrumental in providing relief to the less fortunate are: United Bridge Builders Mission, St. Joachim Roman Catholic Church, Voices GY and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. United Bridge Builders Mission has distributed 250 hampers consisting of food rations, cleaning supplies and sensitization materials to vulnerable families along the East Coast of Demerara, while St. Joachim Roman Catholic Church prepared and distributed 200 hampers to families in the Upper Corentyne area. With Venezuelan refugees being amongst the most vulnerable group adversely affected by the pandemic, Voices GY has provided 50 hampers to vulnerable communities.

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club donated hundreds of hampers in col-

laboration with their partners in region 6. While FFP Bartica committee distributed 60 hampers in Region 7.

FFP Guyana has also enhanced our partnership with the Ministry of Health and Civil Defence Commission.

The Ministry of Health has received donations of medical supplies and 68 beds to aid in the establishment of emergency/alternative medical shelters. The Civil Defence Commission has received food items to aid in bolstering their large-scale relief efforts.

MASK PRODUCTION AND SENSITISATION Additionally, the organisation says masks play an important role in bolstering proper hygiene and social distancing efforts. However, many persons cannot afford or are unable to make masks for themselves and families.

As a result, FFP Guyana has partnered with several of our community partners for the sewing and distribution of masks in their communities and amongst vulnerable populations. Community partners that are a part of the masks initiative are: Baramita Village Council, Hogstye Lancaster Sustainable Community Development Council, Mahaica Women’s Group, Orchid Foundation, Tabernacle Assemblies of God Church and the United Bridge Builders Mission. FFP Guyana provides the materials (cloth, thread and elastic) to these groups. They in turn provide the manual labour for sewing and distribution.

Approximately three thousand masks are currently being produced for distribution to children’s homes, rural and Indigenous communities.

Masks are being sewn and distributed in Regions 1, 3, 4, 6 and 10.

Given the rate of extreme poverty in the community of Baramita (Region One) and their vulnerability to the

virus, special emphasis is being placed on mask-sewing, distribution and sensitization in the community. A procurement of soap and bleach for 600 households has been shipped to the community for their public health campaign.

FFP Guyana has been working with the village council and the Jehovah Witness Church in the community to provide COVID-19 sensitisation materials to residents in their native Carib language.

Food for the Poor also stated that the Solus Christus Community that was constructed by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. in 2018 currently has a population of 384 persons (64 families).

The community, even before COVID-19, struggled with food security and now grapples with heightened levels of inaccessibility. Under the food relief project, 64 families have received food rations, cleaning supplies and cloth masks for a period of three months. This timeline will be further extended if extenuating circumstances persists.

With proper hygiene practices still being one of the most effective tools against the spread of COVID-19, FFP Guyana has embarked on a mission to provide hand-washing facilities to community hotspots. With the community of Sophia identified as a hotspot for the virus, three popular stores/supermarkets were targeted for the installation of a washing sink initiative. FFP Guyana provided the materials and labour for the installation of the hand-washing facilities, while the business owners have ensured water is readily available to customers.

Under the Angel’s of Hope programme, monthly support of food, personal care and educational items are provided to 9 children’s home in several regions across the country. With the arrival of COVID-19, FFP

Guyana has been providing four of these homes with emergency supplies and funds to cover necessary purchases as their needs

have increased. These are: Camal Home, St. John’s Bosco, Hauraruni Girls Home and A Sanctuary Children’s Home. Through a partner-

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ship with NAREI Region 6, Camal Home is currently being provided with vegetables. The remaining AOH homes are well maintained.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

Tottemham, Bournemouth investigating players for COVID breaches (BBC) - Tottenham and Bournemouth are investigating Serge Aurier and Jordon Ibe after they appeared to breach coronavirus social-distancing rules.

Spurs right-back Aurier posted a photo on social media of himself and a barber after getting a haircut.

Bournemouth's Ibe has since deleted a photo of himself having a haircut.

Hairdressers will open from 4 July at the earliest in England, and people cannot have visitors at their homes under the current guidelines.

Bournemouth said they have launched "an internal investigation" and it is expected midfielder Ibe will face disciplinary action.

Ibe, 24, is not considered part of the first-team squad and was not due back in training this week.

Spurs said of Aurier that they were "investigating the circumstanc-

es and will deal with the incident appropriately".

It appears to be the third time Aurier has broken social distancing rules. In a social media post on Wednesday, Aurier hinted that there were double standards behind criticism he has received.

"My hairdresser is negative and me too, so stop talking in a vacuum," he wrote.

"Put on masks and gloves when you come to take pictures at the training centre - it's part of the rules too."

Aurier was among the Tottenham players who returned to training on Tuesday.

He previously apologised for posting a video of himself and a friend jogging during lockdown.

Aurier and team-mate Moussa Sissoko also made a donation to the NHS and apologised after being filmed training together.

Footballers to have breached lockdown guidelines Manchester City defender Kyle Walker was reported to have hosted a party involving two sex workers and then travelled to South Yorkshire to visit his sister and parents at different addresses. He has written to some of the club's supporters to apologise.

Everton striker Moise Kean is set to be disciplined by the club after being filmed at a house party.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish was pictured at the scene of a car crash, after going to "see a friend". He apologised and said he was "deeply embarrassed".

Tottenham's Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko apologised for training together despite the coronavirus restrictions.

Spurs manager Jose Mourinho "accepted his actions were not in line with protocol" after being pictured holding a oneon-one training session in a park with midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

Arsenal spoke to all their players after Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz, Nicolas Pepe and Granit Xhaka were pictured breaking social distancing guidelines.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount was pictured having a kickabout with West Ham's Declan Rice despite teammate Callum Hudson-Odoi testing positive for coronavirus and Mount being told to self-isolate for 14 days.

Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was pictured on social media at a party. The 20-year-old is facing disciplinary action from the club.

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Fight or vacate title - Pulev to Joshua

Joshua was due to fight Pulev in 2017 before the Bulgarian withdrew with injury

(BBC) - Kubrat Pulev says he will not step away from his shot at the world heavyweight belts and warned Anthony Joshua “you either fight or vacate the title”.

The Bulgarian is mandatory challenger for Joshua’s IBF title but their planned bout on June 20 was postponed.

It led to talk of Pulev being paid to step aside so Joshua could face Tyson Fury for all four heavyweight belts.

“I can’t understand why we are still postponing instead of fixing a date and venue and getting to work?” said Pulev.

“Enough is enough. I can’t wait to win this fight.

“I see how people are afraid of me and are trying to face someone else before me. That’s not how a real world champion should act.”

Pulev was due to face Briton Joshua in 2017 but withdrew because of injury and was also in mandatory position when Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019.

Joshua holds the IBF, WBA and WBO belts and has talked of his desire to face WBC champion Fury, who is due to face Deontay Wilder for a third time when boxing returns following its shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It would appear the two British heavyweights will need to wait and win their respective fights with neither Wilder nor Pulev appearing likely to accept ‘step-aside’ money.

“I did it once when I didn’t have to do it for Joshua to have his second match against Ruiz Jr. Everything was against IBF’s rules, but I compromised,” said Pulev.

“A year has passed and they always have a reason to postpone, not to fight against me. There are two options.

You either fight or vacate the title.”

When and where a contest between Joshua and Pulev can take place is unknown because of the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Pulev’s manager has said venues - including a Roman amphitheatre in Croatia - were being discussed.

Pulev, one of Bulgaria’s most popular sportsmen, suffered his only career defeat when he challenged for the IBF heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout.

His record stands at 28 wins from 29 bouts, while Joshua has 23 wins from 24.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

Six people from three different PL Clubs test positive for COVID-19 (REUTERS) - THE Premier League said on Tuesday that six people from three different clubs had tested positive for COVID-19 out of a sample of 748 individuals.

The novel coronavirus tests were taken on Sunday and Monday, ahead of the return to small group training.

“Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days,” the league said in a statement.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public in this way after each round of testing.”

Watford later announced that three people, including one player had tested positive for the virus and all three would self-isolate for seven days in line with Premier League guidelines.

Burnley said that their assistant coach Ian Woan was among those to give a positive result after being tested on Sunday.

FIGC sets August 20 as Serie A finishing date (BBC) - ITALY’S football federation (FIGC) has set August 20 as the deadline for finishing the season, with the new campaign starting on September 1.

The current season has been on pause since midMarch because of coronavirus but the FIGC still intends to finish the top three divisions.

There are still 12 rounds of matches remaining in Serie A, while four other games are also outstanding.

Juventus, chasing a ninth successive title, lead

the table by a point.

The federation also announced that if any of the top three divisions should restart and then stop again, a shorter alternative of a play-off would have to be devised.

However, if it was not possible to complete the season even with playoffs, it would implement a coefficient system.

Serie C presents the biggest challenge as it features 60 clubs, divided into three regional groups, with many in difficult financial situations.

Juventus lead the Series the table by a point

“In line with strict Premier League requirements and following a positive test, Ian will now self-isolate for a period of seven days, with a view to being tested again week commencing Monday, May 25,” said Burnley’s statement.

“Ian is asymptomatic and is currently safe and well at home.

He will remain in close communication with club personnel regarding his re-engagement in training once he is clear of the virus.”

On Monday, t h e Premier League voted to allow clubs to begin small group, non-contact training with some clubs returning on Tuesday.

The league will decide early next week when to allow contact training as it looks for a June restart to the season which was halted on March 13.

On Saturday, Germany’s top-flight became the first major European league to return to action.

The Bundesliga returned 10 positives out of 1 700 tests, on May 4, ahead of its return to training.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

Mariappa shocked at being COVID-19 positive

Adrian Mariappa of Watford during the Premier League match against Everton FC at Vicarage Road on February 1, 2020 in Watford, United Kingdom (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - WATFORD defender Adrian Mariappa said he was shocked at testing positive for the coronavirus, having strictly followed Britain’s social distancing guidelines and not shown any symptoms.

The Premier League said on Tuesday that six people from three different clubs had tested positive for COVID-19 out of a sample of 748 and Watford had confirmed three positive cases.

“Ever since I got my positive result back on Tuesday, I’ve been scratching my head to try to work out how I might have got coronavirus,” Mariappa, 33, told the Telegraph.

“It was a big surprise because I haven’t really left the house, apart from some exercise and the odd walk with the kids. I’ve mainly just been homeschooling and keeping fit.

“My lifestyle is very quiet, so I really don’t know how I got it. Like most people, we’ve been having more deliveries of food and things, so maybe that’s one way, and my partner has been to the supermarket a few times.”

Mariappa, who will have to self-isolate for seven days in line with Premier League guidelines, said he was in the best shape of his career and looking forward to returning to training.

“I’ve felt as fit as ever, probably fitter because I’ve been working really hard. I’ve been following my training programme and I’ve not felt out of breath or ill, or anything.”

The Premier League hopes to restart its season in June, having been suspended since mid-March. Watford are due to return to training this week but skipper Troy Deeney has said he will not be present out of concern for his son’s health.

Liverpool return to training ‘like the first day at school’ (BBC) - Liverpool’s return to non-contact training “felt like the first day at school”, says manager Jurgen Klopp.

The Premier League leaders worked in small groups at their Melwood training ground yesterday for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.

The English top flight hopes to resume in June, with 92 fixtures left to play, having been suspended since March 13.

“I woke up even earlier than usual and then I realised it was my first day,” Klopp told Liverpool’s website.

“It felt like the first day at school - for me, it was 46 years ago, but it must have been similar.

“I dressed myself in my uniform again - and for the right reason - for going to training.”

how long we have, but we have some time to prepare the rest of this season and already the next season, because I don’t think there will be a massive break between the two,” he said.

“It’s a pre-season for us.

We don’t know how long and we will not have test games or friendlies.

“Maybe we can organise it between us when we are allowed to, but it will not be the same like in other pre-seasons.”

Klopp said he was glad his players had had a “real rest” during nine weeks off in lockdown, as opposed to two or three weeks of holiday per year.

However, he added: “Of course, you cannot rest when you are worried about the situation in the world, not in the same way like you do on

Barry says virtual training sessions a good way to assess fitness … Jaguars physio lauds attendance, feedback from cricketers

By Clifton Ross GUYANA Jaguars physiotherapist Neil Barry Jr said his virtual training sessions with the national team have been coming along nicely, despite the physical limitations due to lockdown.

Barry, who heads up the Jags’ strength and conditioning sessions, told Chronicle Sport yesterday that he has been enjoying the time spent virtually with his players, as it has been helping to somewhat keep track of what players have been doing during their downtime.

“We’ve been online since the premature end to the 1st class season and restrictions started to be implemented. Virtual sessions have been good to help maintain some aspects of the player’s fitness, taking into consid-

eration access to different training too,” he stated.

Speaking on the pros and cons for this virtual method of the training, Barry said that the online forum keeps players in a good mental place while maintaining the social distancing guidelines.

“One of the cons is that everyone will not have the same training space or equipment available, so it allows us to innovate while still trying to maintain professional standards.

Another good reason is that it allows the players to still foster a bit of team spirit even though we’re all practising physical distancing”. Barry outlined.

The Jaguars stars have been enjoying their time off while having to use their living spaces for makeshift training. The physio also gave insight regarding the logistics behind the ses-

sions.

“So far the sessions have been well attended and we’ve been getting good feedback. We’ve been working on injury prevention, muscle strength and cardiovascular conditioning among other aspects of training.

The feedback from the players has been great and some have talked about feeling leaner and stronger,” said the team physio.

With the uncertainty looming over the entire world with regard to the pandemic and its aftermath, Barry said he has been working on ways to ensure - should virtual sessions become essential - he’s fully prepared for the long haul.

“Everyone is assessing the situation and taking it in stride. As the world develops more mitigating factors, chances are some restric-

tions will be lifted so online sessions are likely to reduce over time. Ultimately the players need the opportunity to practise their skills, so they need to be able to return to training facilities as soon as it is safe.”

Barry said looking ahead to the future, to a postCOVID-19 world, working and rehabbing players will have to undertake a new chapter.

“Even the physiotherapy world has resorted to something called tele-rehab so for now all interactions are done remotely.

Rehabilitation is a very hands-on field so as soon as it is safe we would want to return to that type of practice.” he concluded.

Guyana Jaguars team physio Neil Barry Jr has been conducting virtual sessions with team members.

Players must adhere to social-distancing rules in training

The easing of government restrictions have allowed players to train in small groups in staggered sessions, with all 20 clubs unanimously agreeing to stage one of the return-to-training protocols at Monday’s ‘Project Restart’ meeting.

As well as training in groups of no more than five, sessions must last no longer than 75 minutes for each player. Social distancing must be adhered to.

Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table, with nine games to play, and need just two more wins to secure their first Premier League title.

The league had previously identified June 12 for matches to possibly start again, but there is now an expectation this will need to be pushed back.

Klopp said he was “really happy” to see his players again and that they were all in “good spirits” and “good shape”.

“We don’t know exactly

a proper holiday.”

Defender Adrian Mariappa and two staff members at Watford and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan are among six positive Premier League tests for coronavirus revealed on Tuesday.

A total of 748 players and staff were tested in the first round of twice-weekly testing as part of the return-to-training measures.

Official protocols sent to players and managers last week, and obtained by the BBC, revealed corner flags, balls, cones, goalposts and even playing surfaces will be disinfected after each training session.

Klopp said the protocols are “brilliant” and that he felt his side were able to train in a “very, very safe place”.

He added: “Then hopefully for all of us we will get good news because that always would mean the development was in the right direction for the whole country and then for the league as well.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

Cameron threatens legal action against CWI

(ESPNCricinfo) - Dave Cameron, the former president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has threatened legal action against the board unless they hand over a copy of an audit critical of his period in office.

The audit, requested by Cameron’s successor and conducted by PKF, suggests a lack of financial control posed a threat to “the board’s long-term sustainability” and left “a massive hole” in the board’s finances. Cameron, who was president of CWI (previously WICB) from March 2013 until March 2019, is singled out for criticism several times in the report.

Cameron insists he first

became aware of the report when contacted for comment by ESPNcricinfo in April. He is now demanding that he is provided with a copy of it from CWI within 48 hours in order that he can “respond fully” to the “allegations made by PKF.” A letter from Cameron’s lawyers, Thomas, John & Co, to Johnny Grave, the chief executive officer of CWI, states: “Our client maintains that that he has serious concerns about the credibility of this report, which involved the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee selected and/ or appointed by the President or Board.

“In the circumstances, and having regard to the

Korea’s K league imposes 100 million won fine on FC Seoul

(REUTERS) - SOUTH Korea’s K League said yesterday its disciplinary committee decided to impose a 100 million won ($81,454.45) fine on FC Seoul for using sex dolls instead of mannequins to fill empty seats in their stadium.

The club placed dolls in seats during a K League match on Sunday to make up for the absence of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“The disciplinary committee decided to take heavy disciplinary action considering the graveness of the incident, caused by the ‘real doll’, that has greatly insulted and hurt female and family fans and to prevent similar incidents going forward,” K League said in a statement.

The club apologised on Monday saying they had failed to check the consignment sent by the supplier, though adding it was not aware the dolls were “adult products”.

Though the incident was not intended, it was possible to distinguish the dolls from ordinary mannequins and the club has made a serious mistake by not removing them when it had enough time before the game started, K League added.

Some of the dolls had been dressed in the club’s kit while others were holding supportive placards. Fans watching the match on television took to social media to raise doubts about the inflatable spectators.

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Thurssday, May 21, 2020

COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LT -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:

basic principles of fairness and the right of our client to protect his reputation, our client demands, without prejudice to any rights he may now have, a full copy of this report within 48 hours, and the right to respond fully to all of the questions, comments or allegations made by PKF, and statements made by Mr Holding and the President within 21 days.

“Should CWI whether by way of the Board or management or otherwise seek in the meantime to publish the report, or refuse to meet our client’s demands for a copy of the report and time to respond, our client will have no alternative but to seek the

(BBC) - COLOMB I A N c y c l i s t J a rlinson Pantano has been banned for four years after failing an out-of-competition anti-doping test last year.

The 31-year-old, who won a Tour de France stage in 2016, retired last June, two months after his pro-

ey-laundering. At all material times our client was the president of CWI. These allegations have now gone viral throughout the region and elsewhere.

“As indicated above, our client has not seen the report, nor has he been given any opportunity to respond to it, either by PKF or CWI. In fact, at no time did PKF seek to ascertain any fact or comment from him. However, the report or parts thereof were made known to ESPNCricinfo and Mr Holding.”

At the time of writing, with the 48-hour deadline having passed, it is understood the report has not been passed on to Cameron.

Jarlinson Pantano won a stage of the Tour de France in 2016

visional suspension for testing positive for the blood booster EPO. Yesterday, he was banned by a tribunal of governing body the UCI until April 2023.

He had initially protested his innocence but subsequently said he had lost the will to fight the case.

Swiss panel moves closer to impeach AG over world soccer probe

(REUTERS) - SWITZERLAND has moved closer to removing Attorney General Michael Lauber from office after a parliamentary panel launched impeachment proceedings against the top Swiss prosecutor relating to his probe of corruption in world soccer.

(2) Roy Fredericks-105 (The Oval, 1973) TODAY’S QUIZ:

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

wrath of Cameron.

“The president’s statement and especially the use of the word “uncovered” carries the imputation that PKF uncovered previously hidden and unknown material, which justified or warranted the making of serious questions, comments or allegations directed at or against our client as the president of CWI,” Cameron’s lawyers continue.

“There is no question that Mr Holding believed that the contents of one part of this PKF report raised the real prospect that the offence of money-laundering either occurred or may have occurred, and/ or exposed CWI to the risk of involvement in mon-

Colombian cyclist Jarlinson Pantano banned for four years

(1) Graham Gooch-129* (QPO, Trinidad, 1986)

(1) Who is the first English bowler to bag a five-wicket haul against the WI in ODIs? (2) Who is the first WI to take five-wickets in an ODI game against England?

appropriate orders and remedies from the High Court.”

While very little of the entire report has so far been published, extracts are beginning to appear in publications across the region. Notably, the former West Indies fast bowler, Michael Holding alluded to a couple of sections not published by ESPNcricinfo in various interviews - though he has not mentioned Cameron by name - while Ricky Skerritt, the current CWI president, acknowledged in a media statement that the report “uncovered some illustrations of questionable executive standards and practices.” As a result, both men have incurred the

Switzerland’s attorney general Michael Lauber gestures during a press conference on May 10, 2019 in Bern (Stefan Wermuth/AFP via Getty Images)

The judicial committee voted yesterday 13 to 4 to move against Lauber “on suspicion of serious breach of duty”. That is after he answered the panel’s questions about his handling of the investigation of corruption involving soccer body FIFA. Lauber has been accused by anti-corruption cam-

paigners of bungling a fraud trial over payments linked to Germany’s 2006 World Cup, and in March saw his pay cut 8% by an independent watchdog after it found he told falsehoods and violated prosecutors’ codes of conduct.

“The judicial committee opens an impeachment hearing when there is reasonable suspicion the accused wilfully or with gross negligence seriously violated his official duties, or otherwise has lost the ability to fulfil them,” Andrea Caroni, the committee chairman, told reporters.

If Lauber is found to have committed a breach, the judicial committee will submit a motion to Swiss parliament to vote on his removal, Caroni said, potentially later this year.

Lauber, Switzerland’s attorney general since 2012, was questioned yesterday about alleged inappropriate contacts between his office and FIFA, as well as e-mail correspondence concerning FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Caroni said. Infantino is not accused of wrongdoing.

Lauber’s office took note of the panel’s decision and said he would carry on with his duties during the upcoming process, saying it would not impact the office’s operations.

Lauber, who is appealing the watchdog’s findings against him from earlier this year, is the first Swiss national official to undergo an impeachment process since the foundation of the modern country in 1848.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 21, 2020

FIBA preparing ‘return to play’ guidelines for affiliated federations FIBA has established a special Medical Advisory Group (MAG) to review latest scientific knowledge regarding COVID-19 and to advise on the return of international basketball competitions.

The MAG includes the Chair and Deputy Chair of the FIBA Medical Commission; the NBA Director of Sports Medicine; the Senior Advisor to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Executive Director; a University of Melbourne Professor, of Medicine specialised in immunology and vaccine research; and, as observer, the IOC Medical Director.

Considering the number of requests for information and consultation that they have received, FIBA said the MAG met for a second time on Monday and is currently preparing a set of FIBA Guidelines to National Federations on return to play as

well as a basketball-specific Risk Assessment Tool which will be issued following the extraordinary Medical Commission meeting next week.

The FIBA Americas Zone Board conducted a meeting last Friday via video conference to address the impact of the current pandemic and the recent adjustments of the Global Competitions in the FIBA Americas Competition Calendar.

Coming out of the meeting, it was approved by the Zone Board that the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2021 has been rescheduled to be played between September 2 and September 11 2022, while the Women’s AmeriCup will be set for June 2027, 2021.

FIBA’s Zone Board approved the implementation of the New Competition System for the Sub Zone of The Central American and Caribbean Basketball Confederation

(CONCENCABA) starting in 2021.

The new competition systems simplifies the qualification process for the Centrobasket by unifying the

COCABA) will be qualified directly for the Centrobaskets for the four-year cycle.

For the current cycle, the National Federations of Mexico (if in compliance,

Centrobasket.

The rest of the National Federations will participate in the newly created Centrobasket Qualifying Tournament for four spots in

Sub-Sub-Zones Youth Competitions, based on last results and current rankings, two National Federations from each Sub-Sub-Zone (CBC &

currently suspended) and Panama (from COCABA), and, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (from CBC) will qualify directly to the

the respective Centrobasket (U-15/U-17).

All youth Centrobaskets will continue to qualify three national teams to the

respective FIBA Americas Championships (U-16/U-18).

The Americas Regional Office, along with the Sub Zones (North America, CONCENCABA and CONSUBASQUET) are monitoring the conditions in each of the participating countries, including hosts, and will assess the competitions of the second semester by end June.

Meanwhile, during this suspension period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIBA has initiated several virtual programmes to keep the basketball communities active and together.

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has current men’s National coach Junior Hercules and former head coach Lugard Mohan participating in FIBA’s Virtual Coaching Sessions, while Sileena Arjune will be part of the Adelante - Women in Basketball Forum.

FIBA launches digital Aubameyang to seek Norris help for F1 Esports campaign to prepare for basketball’s return

IN preparing for the return of basketball, the game’s governing body, FIBA, is launching a digital campaign to bring a positive message of hope in these challenging times, with the aim of uniting the basketball community under a common headline: #FIrstBAsket Leveraging FIBA’s leading position in social media among all Olympic sports (with FIBA in the top-3 of all major rankings), the global basketball community is being invited

by FIBA to describe how each body pictures its #FIrstBAsket upon return to competition.

Following the intense social media activity of the last weeks, FIBA accounts continued their very positive performance, despite the absence of “fresh” competition content and a series of #FIrstBAsket videos and mini-interviews with basketball stars, coaches, fans, officials or other actors of the game shall build excitement for the return to action.

All National Federations have been informed in advance of the official launch of #FIrstBAsket, on May 8, and invite all to join through their

own social media channels and contribute with the use of the #FIrstBAsket and with posting your own content or content produced by FIBA to amplify the message and its positive impact.

“Over the past few months the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives and has caused major disruptions in international sport, including basketball,” said Patrick Haynes, GABF General Secretary.

“As the world slowly starts taking steps in restoring various activities, the basketball family is eagerly awaiting the return of our game. In these challenging times, the #FIrstBAsket digital campaign promotes our passion and love of the game, I’m inviting the Guyanese basketball community to share their perfect #FIrstBAsket upon return to action,” Haynes said.

The GABF is calling on all Sub-Associations, clubs, players, officials and fans to contribute by posting and sharing, using the hashtags #FIrstBAsket #GuyanaBasketball.

(REUTERS) - ARSENAL striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be taking tips from McLaren’s Lando Norris before the pair line up for a virtual Formula One grand prix around Monaco’s street circuit on Sunday.

The half-distance race, with drivers competing from home on simulators, will be around a virtual version of the tight and twisty street circuit on the day the cancelled

real grand prix would have happened.

Both the Formula One and Premier League seasons are on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gabon international Aubameyang is the latest in a line of high-profile soccer players making guest appearances in the virtual race series on the official F1 2019 video game against real F1 drivers.

Manchester City striker Sergio

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Aguero took part in the previous virtual Spanish Grand Prix, along with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo.

AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli has also featured.

“You’d better be good, you’d better be fast,” a laughing Norris told Aubameyang, who played for AS Monaco in 2010-11, in a video clip posted by McLaren on Twitter.

“It’s a bit

hard but I try to train every day,” said the striker.

“Some turns are really, really hard.”

“Yeah, they chose the hardest track for you to join. Monaco is not easy at all,” replied Norris, before Aubameyang requested some time for them to train together.

“To tell the truth, I’m free every day,” said the Arsenal player. “I am training but then I have all day.

The morning definitely I’m not there. But definitely I need some advice on the virtual thing ...

I need your help, bro.”

Aubameyang, the Premier League’s joint top goalscorer in 2018-19 and Arsenal’s leading marksman this season, needs no help at least from Formula One’s youngest British driver when it comes to his own day job.

Cameron threatens legal action against CWI PAGE 26

Dave Cameron is the former president of CWI/WICB (Media/Brooks LaTouche Photography Ltd)

Barry says virtual training sessions a good way to assess fitness … Jaguars physio lauds attendance, feedback from cricketers

FIBA launches digital campaign to prepare for basketball’s return PAGE 27

PAGE 25

GABF general secretary Patrick Haynes Guyana Jaguars physiotherapist Neil Barry Jr

PAGE 27

FIBA preparing ‘return to play’ guidelines for affiliated federations

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THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020