Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_06_01_2020

MONDAY 1st June, 2020

’ No. 106016

‘Immigration data turned over’

–– GECOM chair writes ‘Top Cop’, gets data on immigration records

–– political parties split on Commission’s investigative powers 03 PAGE

‘200,000 votes 02 affected by fraud’ PAGE

… Coalition alleges in updated data as recount continues

Three win battle against COVID-19

PAGE

09

Jade Hayslett, 16, at a protest in Bryant Park, Manhattan on Sunday, May 31. (Noah Goldberg/New York Daily News) Protests on Saturday night turned violent and chaotic, particularly in Brooklyn and Manhattan, leading to 345 arrests, 33 cops being injured, and 47 police vehicles damaged. The NYPD’s tactics came under fire as well, after disturbing videos posted on social media showed several clashes between demonstrators and cops, including a police SUV driving through a throng of protesters in Brooklyn.

Circuitville squatters 10 want to be regularised PAGE

2

‘200,000 votes affected by fraud’ … Coalition alleged in updated data as recount continues

A N u p d a t e d v e r s i o n o f t h e A PNU+AFC’s monitoring of irregularities unearthed during the recount process claims that a total of 4,122 numerical irregularities were found to date which have affected 221,244 votes.

The update, presented on Sunday, comes though the party’s examination of 1,144 ballot boxes since the recount began.

A summary of the information provided claims that votes affected by missing poll books are as follows: 2,553 – Region One; 15,897 – Region Two; 3,256 – Region Three; 41, 874 – Region Four; 3,207 – Region Five; 2,090 – Region Six and 303 – Region Seven, amounting to 69,182 votes.

Meanwhile, votes affected by missing Official List of Electors (OLE) are as follows: Region One – 193; Region Two – 156; Region Four – 766 and Region Five – 20 arriving at a total of 1,135.

“The poll book and the Official List of Electors are legal documents that validate the votes cast and all other activities at a given polling station. Missing poll books prevent the validation of votes cast at polling stations. Missing OLEs prevent the confirmation of the number of persons who actually voted at a polling station. The absence of poll books and the Official List of Electors facilitates electoral fraud by the PPP,” the APNU+AFC stated.

The party also claims that a total of 61,690 votes were affected by a variance in what was ticked by GECOM officials on OLEs. These can be broken down as Region One- 3,217; Region Two – 616; Region Three- 15,309; Region Four – 27, 429; Region Five – 9,453; Region Six – 3,553; Region Seven – 2,113; Region Eight – 549; Region Nine – 300 and Region Ten – 61,690.

Meanwhile, in total, the APNU+AFC highlighted 362 missing Certificates of Employment; 41 persons who voted in the place of dead persons; 1,999 persons who voted in the place of migrants; 217 persons who had no identification but voted without an Oath of Identity; 670 missing Oath of Identities; 715 unverifiable oaths due to missing poll books; 118 unstamped ballots; 342 missing poll books and 9 missing OLEs. Together they amount to 4,122 alleged numerical irregularities and what the party states are 221,244 votes affected.

“Given the clear intent of the PPP to commit voter fraud, the coalition will not accept any ballot without the required legal document to validate all votes,” the party stated. It has written the Elections Commission 11 letters on the matter and awaits the outcome of at least one investigation that has been launched into its claims of migrant voters.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Police turn over immigration data to GECOM –– political parties split on GECOM’s investigative powers

COMMISSIONER of Police, Leslie James, as requested, has provided Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh with the immigration information on a list of individuals whom the APNU+AFC claims could not have voted on E-Day because they were overseas.

Justice Singh had requested this information of the Police Commissioner on May 22, 2020, by way of letter.

“The APNU/AFC is alleging that persons whose names and date of birth appear on the list attached had migrated and could not have exercised their franchise on March 2, 2020. In this regard, I shall be grateful if you will be so kind as to cause the Immigration Department to verify whether these persons were out of the country on March 2, 2020. The respective polling divisions and stations where these persons allegedly voted are also identified on the list. The Commission would wish this matter to be urgently addressed,” the letter stated.

Though now provided, political parties are still divided on whether GECOM has the legal right to conduct such investigations.

APNU+AFC Campaign Manager, Joseph Harmon, has noted that his party has sent 11 letters in the last few days to GECOM pointing out cases of irregularities uncovered during the recount process. On Friday, he made it clear that there is a mountain of alleged cases of electoral fraud and Guyanese demand answers. As of May 31, the party said that it has examined 1,144 ballot boxes finding 4,122 irregularities which amount to 221, 244 votes being affected.

“We cannot sail calmly into the end of the recount while our concerns go unanswered, and a massive fraudulent operation was carried out on the electoral process; an operation which is systemic and pervasive,” he said.

However, in a press release on Sunday

Commissioner of Police, Leslie James evening, the PPP/C said that any information provided by the Commissioner of Police is compromised and would sway in the favour of the Government.

The party maintained: “GECOM has no jurisdiction to hear and determine these matters which can only be addressed by the High Court in an election petition.” Even so, it said that it is not afraid of any investigation or inquiry of any type and is, in fact, ready to participate in any such activity “at the appropriate time and at the right forum”.

The PPP/C has requested a meeting with the Chair to ventilate its concerns.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, also said that, based on the legal advice his party has received, GECOM does not have the

GECOM Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh powers to undertake such an exercise.

He stated that there is some amount of conflict of interest in the Commission’s reaching out to the Immigration Department as this comes under the Minister of Citizenship who is a member of the APNU+AFC. Similar to a Letter to the Editor written

by PPP/C’s Charles Ramson Jnr., Shuman put forward that a person can leave Guyana via its international airports but re-enter via “back track” through neighbouring countries.

He also stated that the LJP does not have confidence in the ability of the Commissioner of Police or Immigration Department to remain impartial. “They have not given us the confidence that they are going to conduct themselves with integrity,” he said.

Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman Shuman believes that it is concerning that the Commission has opted to launch an investigation into the claims of the APNU+AFC of illegal voting but have failed to address matters regarding the “inflated” results declared by Region Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo.

He maintained that any investigation into electoral irregularities must come from an elections petition. He said small parties have jointly requested a meeting with the GECOM Chair since last week but is yet to receive information on when such this will be held.

Apart from this, Shuman said that he is pleased that the recount is moving much smoother and, at this rate, should be completed by June 9, 2020.

APNU+AFC calls out PPP for misleading public THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), in calling out the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for what it described as a blatant attempt to deliberately distort the truth, maintained that 25 extra ballots were found in a Ballot Box from District Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) – an anomaly that cannot be ignored.

In a statement on Saturday, APNU+AFC Cam-

paign Manager Joseph Harmon, in highlighting a plethora of irregularities, pointed to Ballot Box 7079, in which there were 352 Ballots issued on Elections Day but when the box was opened for the recount, 377 ballots were discovered. Hours later, the PPP/C issued a statement, contending that there were only 277 in the Ballot Box, which originated from Phillipai Primary School.

But APNU+AFC, in rebuffing the PPP/C, said

the Opposition was being disingenuous about the situation.

“The same ballot box checklist for Phillipai Primary School Box 7079 which sets out the contents of Box, recorded PE6 -Total Ballot Counterfoils (ordinary) 227 and PE 4 Total Ballots unused (ordinary) 150 resulting in a total of 377 ballots in Box 7079. The first observation report from GECOM on Box 7079 contained the observation that “25

ordinary ballots were subsequently issued.” This was corrected in a second observation report, which stated “three hundred and fifty-two (352) ordinary ballots were issued but twenty five EXTRA were found in the ballot box,’” the APNU+AFC explained in a statement late Saturday night.

According to the APNU+AFC, the correction was made as no evidence was found for the legitimate issuance of the ad-

ditional 25 ballots to the polling station.

“It is important to note that this correction was signed by all the contesting agents. Both Observation reports were signed

by PPP/C Agent Gomati Kalicharran,” the ruling coalition noted.

It reminded that the authorized procedure by GECOM for the lawful issuance of additional ballots mandates that a record must be made in the Poll Book but no such entry

was made or found in the Poll Book.

“The GECOM ballot box checklist and observation report for box 7079 confirm the statement made

by Mr. Harmon. The obvious question is by what “credible” means did twenty five extra ballots get into ballot box 7079,” it said.

To support its case, the APNU+AFC provided copies of ballot box check list, in addition to the firs and second observation reports.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

George Floyd death: Lawyer calls it ‘premeditated murder’ (BBC) A lawyer for the family of George Floyd, whose death sparked unrest across the US, has accused a police officer of “premeditated murder”.

Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder, but lawyer Benjamin Crump told CBS news it was a case of first-degree murder.

“We think that he had intent... almost nine minutes he kept his knee in a man’s neck that was begging and pleading for breath,” he said.

Several US cities have imposed curfews.

The Floyd case has reignited US anger over police killings of black Americans.

It follows the high-profile cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Eric Garner in New York and others that have driven the Black Lives Matter movement.

“The fact that officer Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for almost three minutes after he was unconscious. We

don’t understand how that was not first degree murder.

We don’t understand how all these officers haven’t been arrested,” lawyer Crump said.

Three other officers present at the time have also since been sacked.

For many the outrage over George Floyd’s death also reflects years of frustration over socioeconomic inequality and segregation, not least in Minneapolis itself.

In video footage, Mr Chauvin, 44, can be seen kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for several minutes on Monday. Mr Floyd, 46, repeatedly says that he is unable to breathe.

There have been five nights of arson and looting in Minneapolis and the adjacent city of St Paul. Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz said on Saturday he was deploying the full Minnesota National Guard for the first time since World War Two. Governor Walz said racism in his state had created

the conditions for Mr Floyd’s death.

The National Guard - the US reserve military force for domestic emergencies - said on Sunday that 5,000 of its personnel had been activated in 15 states and Washington DC. It added that “state and local law enforcement agencies remain responsible for security”.

In the CBS interview, lawyer Benjamin Crump also said “we now have the audio from the police bodycam and we hear where one officer says ‘he doesn’t have a pulse, maybe we should turn him on his side’, but yet officer Chauvin says ‘no, we’re going to keep him in this position’. That’s intent.

“Also, the fact that officer Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for almost three minutes after he was unconscious.”

The lawyer also said Mr Chauvin and Mr Floyd already knew each other before Mr Floyd’s death in custody.

He said the Floyd family

was “notified by the owner of a club that Derek Chauvin was an off-duty police officer where George Floyd was a security guard, and so they had to overlap”.

Numerous shops have been looted, including on the famous retail avenues, Melrose and Fairfax, while overhead footage showed fires burning. Earlier police fired rubber bullets What’s and hit prothe latest testers with on the probatons. tests?

Hundreds Huge of arrests demonstrahave been tions have made. taken place In New in at least 30 citYork City, poies across the US. lice arrestThey were Derek Chauvin is due to appear in ed about l a r g e l y court in Minneapolis on Monday 350 peopeaceful on ple overSaturday, but violence flared night and dozens of police later in the day. suffered light injuries.

One of the cities worst In Salt Lake City, a man affected by unrest is Los An- aimed a bow and arrow at geles. California Governor protesters and was attacked Gavin Newsom declared a by the crowd, Reuters restate of emergency in the city ported. and activated the National President Donald Guard.

Trump’s national security The entire city is under adviser told CNN “I don’t a 20:00 to 05:30 curfew. think there’s systemic rac-

ism” in the police.

Robert O’Brien said “there are some racist police, I think they’re the minority, I think they’re the few bad apples and we need to root them out”.

On Saturday evening, President Trump said Mr Floyd’s death had “filled Americans with horror, anger and grief”.

He also denounced the actions of “looters and anarchists”, accusing them of dishonouring the memory of Mr Floyd. What was needed, he said, was “healing not hatred, justice not chaos”. “I will not allow angry mobs to dominate - won’t happen,” he added.

Thousands took part in an anti-racism protest march in central London on Sunday, defying social distancing rules imposed because of coronavirus.

They gathered in Trafalgar Square, then the crowd moved on to the US embassy.

Antifa: Trump says group will be designated ‘terrorist organisation’ (BBC) The US will designate the anti-fascist group Antifa a terrorist organisation, President Donald Trump says.

The president accused Antifa of starting riots that stemmed from protests

over George Floyd’s death.

Mr Floyd, a black man, died in police custody earlier this week, reigniting anger at police treatment of African-Americans.

Protests over his death have turned violent,

prompting major cities to impose curfews.

On Saturday, Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz suggested that foreign influences, white supremacists and drug cartels were behind the violence, giving few other details.

neo-Nazis, fascism, white supremacists and racism.

Most members oppose all forms of racism and sexism, and strongly oppose what they see as the nationalist, anti-immigration and anti-Muslim policies that Mr Trump has enacted.

Monday, June 1, 2020 - 01:30hrs ~ 03:00hrs

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly blamed Antifa for rioting amid George Floyd protests

On Twitter Mr Trump blamed “Antifa-led anarchists” and “Radical Left Anarchists” for the unrest, again without providing more specifics.

WHAT IS ANTIFA? Antifa - short for anti-fascist or Anti-Fascist action - is a protest movement that strongly opposes

Anti-government and anti-capitalist, Antifa’s members are often perceived as more closely aligned with anarchists than the mainstream left.

The movement gained new prominence in the US for its role in confronting white supremacists at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017.

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Coronavirus: Brazil now fourth-highest nation in COVID-19 deaths (BBC) The number of coronavirus fatalities in Brazil has risen by almost 1,000 in a day, making the country’s overall death toll the world’s fourth highest.

Its figure of 28,834 has now surpassed France, and only the US, the UK and Italy have recorded more deaths.

President Jair Bolsonaro has consistently played down the outbreak, although the country has the world’s second-highest number of cases.

He has criticised state lockdowns for harming Brazil’s economy and jobs.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST FIGURES? Brazil’s health ministry said the past 24 hours had seen 956 new deaths.

This puts it past France’s total of 28,774. Even if new figures raised the French total back above Brazil, the trends in the two countries show deaths in the Latin American nation are on a far steeper upward trend.

According to a count by Johns Hopkins University, Brazil now has 498,440 confirmed cases.

Only the US has more, with 1.77 million.

The number of deaths in Brazil has been doubling roughly every two weeks, compared to about every two months in the UK, four months in France, and five months in Italy.

Experts have warned that the real figure may be far higher due to a lack of testing.

WILL THIS CHANGE BRAZIL’S POLICIES? Mr Bolsonaro is unlikely to alter his stance, arguing that the economic fallout of lockdowns is worse than the outbreak.

He has fought what he calls “the tyranny of total quarantine” by state governors - despite the upward tick in cases - and has even called for Brazil’s football season to resume.

He has also been seen mingling with hundreds of supporters in Brasilia while not wearing a face mask.

On Sunday, Pope Francis added to the pressure on the president by highlighting the

COVID-19 tests are carried in a rural area near Manaus in Amazonas state

plight of the people of the Amazon.

“We call on the Holy Spirit to grant light and strength to the Church and to society in Amazonia, which has been harshly tested by the pandemic,” he said.

Amazonas state has one of Brazil’s highest infection rates and also one of the most underfunded health systems.

Many experts believe Central and South America are now the major hotspots for increased infections.

A combination of under-pressure healthcare systems and a mixed response by governments to the severity of Covid-19 has meant the region cannot apply the same easing of lockdowns taking place in Europe and elsewhere.

Newsday lays off senior reporters (TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) As private companies fall victim to the economic fallout resulting from COVID-19, several permanent members of the editorial staff at Daily News Limited (Newsday) have been temporarily laid off.

At least three senior reporters–Seeta Persad, Carol Matroo and Marlene Augustine–were handed their letters on Friday which was signed by Human Resource Manager Debra Sutton, who advised the three-month layoff would be without pay.

It was unclear up to late Saturday, how many other members of staff were given letters.

Citing the period June 8 to August 31 in the letter, Sutton claimed if the company’s economic circumstances changed within the period outlined, the employees may be recalled to work with a ten-day notice of the new date.

Failing this, Sutton informed the employees they would be recalled for

confidential discussions regarding their years of service and what options were available to them.

Contacted Saturday, one of the reporters who has 11 years service with the company was very despondent.

She questioned, “Why wasn’t some other option employed first? Why didn’t they explore a salary reduction for employees and even managers? This way, the company could have continued employing everybody as they explore ways to turn things around.

It would not have been just the select few who were given letters.”

Disheartened over the move she described as cavalier, the upset employee said her years of service and duty to Newsday had been tossed aside without consideration.

She claimed the last-infirst-out policy was not being applied in this instance, as there were at least six other reporters who were hired long after her.

A second reporter who had seven years service said

she was determined not to sit down and mope.

Refusing to become depressed, she indicated she would find the strength to pick up the pieces as she always did.

The company has reportedly said though the employees will not be receiving a salary during this period, but they will continue to be covered by the medical plan while pension benefits also continue to accrue.

In an interview with CNC 3, Newsday’s Editor-in-Chief Judy Raymond said it was a hard hit for the company which had been on a recruitment drive prior to COVID-19.

Claiming Newsday had managed to maintain high standards during the pandemic by allowing reporters to work from home, she said their online readership had also increased.

At least two of the reporters have indicated their intention to seek legal advice on the matter.

Meanwhile, the workers’ representative–the

Bankers Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU–plans to take action against Newsday for violating Sections 40 and 63 of the Industrial Rela-

tions Act. BIGWU officials said the company has repeatedly resisted requests to provide its financial information and the criteria

used to select staff to be laid off. An official said this meant the parties were unable to engage in any kind of informed discussions.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

COVID-19 and our education sector OUR children and young people have been going through incredible emotional and psychological stress since the emergence of COVID-19 on our shores several months ago. Like many other nations, our government took the prudent steps to safeguard our children and young people, by permitting the closure of schools and other educational institutions.

Since the closure of schools, our students have been keeping up with their studies through a number of modes, including the television, radio and Online learning platforms.

The new arrangements have not been without issue, because of students’ varying socio-economic backgrounds, and their ability to access the Internet, which is necessary for Online learning.

Prior to COVID-19, the school environment was more of a level playing field, where every student was able to receive the same information and level of support in order to achieve their goals. Since COVID-19, there has been a disruption of the playing field, and it is feared that the less fortunate students may be at a disadvantage when compared to their more well-off colleagues.

Despite the uncertainty as to whether students are indeed doing as they have been advised in order to ensure their continuous learning, we are now confronted with the matter of examinations. Since the emergency measures came into force, the Ministry of Education took the extraordinary step to postpone the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Of course, within the circumstances of a global health pandemic, this was indeed the only prudent choice that the MOE was able to make.

Similarly, older students who were slated to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) in May/June have now been advised that they will do so in July. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has been resolute in their decision to hold these examinations at that time, despite many of the restrictions in place to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

Students and teachers have voiced their concerns in a number of nations throughout the Caribbean, as the COVID-19 situation is still developing, and it is widely felt within academic circles that the decision is premature, given the current circumstances. The Caribbean Union of Teachers has said it is ‘deeply concerned’ about the decision to hold the exams in July, a sentiment which has been echoed in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and locally, here in Guyana.

COVID-19 has exposed the infrastructural inadequacies of our education sector, not just in Guyana, but the wider Caribbean and world. Many nations have taken the decision to cancel examinations because of the disruption that students have had to endure. And, without a clear plan by the MOE here and elsewhere in the Caribbean as to how it will facilitate the examinations, in line with the COVID-19 guidelines,

it is difficult to understand why CXC has taken this decision.

The introduction of the E-paper, the decision that the inaugural paper will not be administrated, and the proposition that the grades will be determined by the candidates’ school-based assessments (SBAs) and their performances on aper ones have caused anxiety amongst students. Students have raised a number of legitimate concerns which should be better addressed by CXC. As it stands, cases of COVID-19 are continuing to escalate in Guyana and several other Caribbean nations, so it is difficult for students and teachers to understand why CXC has reached the current conclusion. The shock alone of having to live in a world facing a global health pandemic has been difficult for us all, especially our children and young people. Is it now necessary for them to sit examinations under these circumstances?

The Jamaican Minister with Responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda has said that Jamaica cannot endorse the actions of its CARICOM partners, and that the Jamaican Cabinet would need to deliberate on the matter in order to arrive at its decision, because of the impact that COVID-19 has had on its education sector. It is hoped that the MOE here in Guyana takes into consideration the concerns raised by students and teachers, not only in regard to examinations concerns, but especially as it relates to the health and safety of our children and young people.

The rigging ‘jumbies’ have been coming forth from the ballot boxes Dear Editor, GUARDIANS of democracy, they have claimed to be; democrats, always pretended they are; and its tenets they have always been erecting as a false front behind which they and their cohorts of anti-nationals have continued to inflict grievous wounds on this nation.

For these undisguised anti-nationals to have brought us to a point where efforts are now being made to complete not merely a national recount of all the ballots cast on March 2, but also a forensic audit to determine the validity of each vote, and the question as to the credibility of the electoral process is a manifest account and survey as to their attempts to derail the democratic process, which, although they preached from their

forked tongues they never practised, because they never believed in its time-honoured values.

There is no question that the type of recount that is ongoing is to establish the truth of the March 02 electoral process; and this seemingly brought about paroxysms of fear for the PPP’s legal officer, Anil Nandlall. His tone of statement, carried in the media, questioning the need for opening the envelopes, and the problems which such action was going to trigger totally betrayed the sense of someone very mortified, realising then/now that the ghosts of PPP/C’s electoral fraud were going to emerge. Remember, this was/is the very senior PPP/C functionary who has been making out a case, along with colleague Gail Teixeira, that what was at stake was the fight for democracy

in Guyana. What a claim! What a sham! What a deception, and Region Four SOPs thrown to all those who wanted to be duped!

The fact that Nandlall’s instant initial objection to the thorough analysis that had been gazetted to take place emphatically betrayed his and his party’s deceptive talk of being democrats. For there was no mistaking that his seemingly fearful expression conveyed the fact that there was a lot to hide in those ballot boxes, as criminal electoral acts had taken place.

And, this, despite his keeping up appearances of bravado of declaring that his party has nothing to hide.

This is utter bull; poppycock, apart from a gambit to deceive!

One only needs to follow closely all of his strategies, inclusive of subtly attempting to bully the

GECOM into ignoring what its gazzetted Order had stipulated.

His latest act of desperation, of threatening Court action against the electoral body, subscribes to an all-out bid to thwart the GECOM’S mission of uncovering the PPP/C’s acts of electoral fraud.

As to the other so-called Guardians of Democracy, those voices of deception who have each had their masquerading clown’s dress brutally pulled off from their false persona, they have been expectedly silent, not out of shame or disbelief that their political horse’s false mane has been PUBLICLY uncovered, but because THEY HAVE ALL BEEN UNMASKED. In closing, and as a reminder to the Nandlalls of this world, genuine democracy means, among other things, the all-out effort to reveal the truth, un-

checked and unfettered, with a view to unearthing the facts.

Further, its practitioner(s) should always want it to be their shining light for honesty and transparency, since, in pursuit of democracy, there must be no objection and fear. This is what the on-going recount is mandated to be all about; establishing of the balloting truth of March 02.

No more or less. This quest has caused all the rigging ‘jumbies’ to be released; and they are frightening the hell out of the entire Robb Street cabal, including Nandlall. No amount of ritual of whatever type will ever force them to return to their ballot-box enclaves. Let them continue to come forth.

Regards, Carla Mendonca

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

The Joint Services vote must be counted

Dear Editor,

OUR fellow Guyanese, we address you because you are our brothers, our sisters, our fathers, our mothers, our neighbours, our cousins and other extended relatives. We live in the same towns, villages, and some of us are from the city of Georgetown. We attended the same schools, churches, masjids and temples. We are one with each other. More specifically, we have served to protect you in your homes, in your streets.

Wherever there was a fracture to the social fabric of society, you called on us and our unswerving duty demanded that we respond to your call. We kept you safe by keeping in custody the delinquents from our communities. We are dispersed from our own families to far-flung interior locations to secure and defend our national sovereignty on our borders.

Over the years and even recently,

our brothers suffered the ultimate price with their lives.

We endured severe sacrifices. The emoluments we received could hardly have compensated for the hardships and deprivations we suffered. Our families who, were at home, were not immune from the separation and social dysfunctioning occasioned by our absence.

Our greater family of Guyanese, we served for you all. We are all of Guyana. There is absolutely no recognition of ethnic distinctions, religious affiliations, nor gender differentiations.

We served you, for you and for the land of our birth.

Our fervent plea at this time is for our currently serving brothers and sisters to be afforded the same dignity and respect enjoyed by all eligible members of the Guyanese society who voted at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. Members of the Joint Ser-

vices who voted in the Elections must have their votes totally counted; it is their constitutional right. That right must not be forfeited by any act of malfeasance, ineptitude, ill will, nor victimisation. The duties and attestations to duty inhibit these loyal Guyanese of the Joint Services from publicly ventilating their personal desires and aspirations for the outcome of their votes.

We who served empathise with their pain and suffering, and are competent to speak on their behalf. Our appeal is; rather, our demand, to the duly Endowed Authority is that the votes for members of the Joint Services be counted for all of the ranks who exercised their franchise for the Parties for whom those votes were cast.

This is their legitimate right, as it is, the right for all Guyanese who exercised their franchise.

Byron W. Henry, Director of Prisons (Retired)

Open letter to the GECOM Chair Dear Madam, I HAVE been following the recount of the votes cast at the General and Regional Elections, and my concern is with the status of votes cast by the Disciplined Services. It has been noted that in certain regions, the ballot papers have not been stamped.

From all indications, it appears as though this was a

deliberate act carried out by the opposition PPP to rig the elections in their favour.

I know that this issue of the unstamped ballots is causing serious concerns among the serving members of the Disciplined Services. It has been noted that traditionally, the majority of the members of the Disciplined Services vote for the present Government. It is only because that they are currently serving

members in the military that they cannot make their voices heard.

The issue of the unstamped votes of the Disciplined Services occurred in regions where the PPP is usually well supported.

If this had happened in one Region, questions may have been asked, but it occurred throughout, therefore it was clear that it was a planned operation to rob the gov-

ernment of votes. Madam Chairperson, I would like to urge you to ensure that all the votes cast by the Disciplined Services be counted in each and every region.

The Opposition must not be allowed to disenfranchise our dedicated servicemen and women.

Regards, Retired Sergeant, Walter Thomas, GDF Veteran

Plain and simple, the PPP bosses and

their co-conspirators committed electoral fraud

Dear Editor,

WATCHING the PPP bosses operate is always an interesting thing to behold. While in government, the PPP learnt how to spin corruption and make it look like charitable donations, among other dubious “skills”. At governance, the PPP bosses are complete failures, but when it comes to hiding their crimes, lies, and dishonesty, the PPP bosses could pivot faster than a well-oiled spindle.

The recount and audit of the March 2 elections are well underway, and, based on what is being found by the process, it is clear beyond any doubt that the PPP had attempted to steal political power by rigging those polls from every conceivable angle. They did everything, from ballot-box stuffing to getting dead people to vote; from stealing Coalition votes to getting votes from people who were not even in Guyana on Election Day. When the fraud started to come out, the PPP bosses claimed that there were a few mishaps. And when the huge scale of the “mishaps” started to become public, the PPP bosses said that it was all “false news” being peddled by the Coalition. Of course, sensible Guyanese have always known that the PPP bosses are ‘full of it’.

Now, we have reached a point at which the “discrepancies” are undeniable, glaring, massive, widespread, and deliberately engineered, beyond any shadow of a doubt. And, so, the PPP bosses have pivoted again, faster than a lubricated hinge; they are now claiming that all of the problems being uncovered were caused by mistakes made by GECOM. In other words, they are saying that GECOM staff did not notice that dead people were voting, or that invisible citizens were casting ballots. Editor, does the PPP honestly expect intelligent Guyanese to buy their spins? Editor, there were no mishaps; there were no “discrepancies”; there was no false news. Instead, there was one problem and one problem only: PPP fraud. Plain and simple.

The PPP bosses and their co-conspirators committed Electoral Fraud.

Regards, Mark DaCosta

We must do more now to contain the virus Dear Sir,

WE have written on COVID-19-related matters to share information with your readers on issues of concern with this global pandemic.

At the national level, we refer to the situation as a country-specific epidemic. We usually turn to, and depend on, the media, particularly the newspapers and their Online versions, as the first, best, and undisputed source of information. In that way, information about what to do in preparation prior to, during and after an outbreak, as well as both the positive and negative associated developmental issues are

somewhat allayed. A few years ago in Guyana, the radio was probably the main source of information in many communities in the interior.

Today, cellular communication and the Internet have replaced the role of the radio in disseminating news that is either true and trustworthy, or indefensibly false. Indeed, we feel that stories of and threats from COVID-19 amongst the Amerindian population need retelling, and to be placed into perspective.

The press reported on April 22, 2020 that Toshao Orin Fernandes of the Indigenous village at Chinese Landing in the Moruca sub-district of Region 1, who, fearing the possible spread of

COVID-19 in his community, sent a letter to the de facto Minister of Public Health, seeking her aid to put a halt to gold mining activities in that area.

They were reportedly unable to stop the movement of outsiders to the village; mining being regarded as an essential service. What makes this even worse is that mining was being carried out on titled land in the village without any permission from the village council; permission was seemingly granted by an individual who claims he has jurisdiction over the land, but with whom the community has been in a longstanding dispute.

In the letter he sent, Toshao Fernandes related that every day the

community was forced to look “helplessly at people coming into the village, setting up shops, and working dredges and pumps. There are no gates to the village and people from all walks of life continue to arrive in the village. He pointed out that the greatest threat for the residents was the limited medical personnel to administer emergency care”. He was of the opinion that “the risk of someone in the village contracting COVID-19 is relatively high due to the free movement” and concluded that “on behalf of my people, I most urgently seek your immediate intervention into this situation.” He had every right to complain as the updated government emergency measures included a clause

stipulating that where a Village Council had determined that a public health threat exists, in relation to any mining or forestry operation carried out as an essential service, it can recommend to the Minister that the operation be discontinued.

Michael McGarrell, a specialist and Forest Policy Officer and representative of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA)’s Geographic Information System, warned that Guyana’s Indigenous communities were at risk of potentially devastating consequences if COVID-19 makes its way into any one of them. He stated that the Indigenous SEE PAGE 8

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

We must do more now to...

communities have limited access to medical supplies and care, including medical resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) or equipment such as ventilators to respond to a potential outbreak, and that “there were still high volumes of persons traveling and engaging in social activities that did not go hand in hand with social distancing”. He also pointed out that some communities have been doing screening but there was need from a policy level on what is to be done’.

Those appeals from Moruca, were reported on April 22, 2020 and though not privy to the response to the request, we are now aware that on Independence Day, 26 May, 2020, Moruca‘s first COVID-19 case was traced back to Lethem (Rupununi). As a result, one person had died, and several others are now in isolation/quarantine since Moruca, Region 1, North West District (NWD) recorded its first case.

It was reported in the press that a 59 year old male, Mr. Vincent Torres, a former teacher and assistant returning officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, turned up at the district hospital with complaints of breathing problems, resembling those associated with COVID-19. His condition worsened before his results came back and he died suddenly while receiving treatment. Post-mortem results later officially confirmed that Mr. Torres had died from coronavirus, increasing the number of deaths to 11 in the country.

MOBILE TESTING UNIT Dr. Derron Moonsammy, who is in charge of the Kumaka-Moruca District Hospital, reported that a mobile testing unit from Georgetown was expected to arrive in Moruca to conduct more testing but feared that it would be a great challenge to contain the disease in his district. He explained that Moruca is a relatively large district consisting of many villages miles apart and with many secret trails leading to the Lethem/Brazil Border. With the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths now increasing daily in Brazil, and miners frequenting the Guyana/Brazil border using secret trails to enter Moruca unknown to authorities, he had already received information that a group of miners had already left the border area and are on their way to Moruca through one of these trails.

Another report from Dr. Nial Uthman, Regional Health Officer, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) stated there were 2 new cases in that area known as the Rupununi. The number of cases is increasing daily, is now at 137 cases in the country with 11 deaths so far, of just over 1500 tested

for the virus, but reports of the spread of the epidemic in the entire country, have only just begun. We are unaware if all of those were diagnosed using the gold-standard RT-PCR (Reverse Transcript-Polymerase Chain Reaction), given that there is some doubt as to the accuracy of the IgM and IgG tests. News reports now confirm that there are now 12 cases at the Palms Geriatric Home, of which the first case prompted us to contribute to the press.

We understand that only 50% of the residents there have so far been tested.

We have had weeks to plan for the disaster which began in Georgetown last March and is now unfolding in the interior of the country. An effective response depends on advanced planning. Without planning, to quote from ‘The public health consequences of disasters’ edited by Eric K. Noji, “in the midst of the crisis, a number of questions go unanswered. For example, what groups will respond to the acute needs of survivors? What training do they have or need? What are their specific responsibilities? What are the priorities for service delivery, in terms of laboratory equipment and supplies?”

When we hear of eleven COVID-related deaths in Guyana, our tendency is to casually dismiss their significance as we are not personally affected, and it is just another (small and insignificant) number. When we read of those who have survived the disease begging us to take it seriously, we are not moved by their pleas, it is somebody looking for attention. We only arise from our slumber when we know that someone who is in the Intensive Care Unit and will either die or survive; or when someone is in quarantine as a result of exposure, worried and pensive, as they wait to hear if he or she was positive.

We need to think of families such as those of 59-year-old Vincent Torres and of those 10 other families, who clearly have different support needs from those in the general population.

In addition to physical, economic, and emotional loss they suffer, they must also cope with the grief that attends the death of a loved one. A bereaved family member may feel guilty for causing or failing to prevent the death. When so much media attention is devoted to giving thought to those who survived, and asserting how “it could have been so much worse”, for those who lose loved ones to COVID, it is already much worse in every respect. Though we haven’t yet seen it appear on the market, don’t be surprised if we see people selling T-shirts proclaiming “I survived COVID-19”, which will only serve to remind us of the loss of one who did not survive.

Lost in all of this are, and hardly ever emphasised, the psychological consequences of the critical part of disaster preparedness even when plans to deal with other issues are in place.

A person’s efforts to resume a normal life are supported by the offer of assistance and information at a time and in a manner appropriate to his or her experience, education, ethnicity and for that matter, language. Planners and Task Force members need to emphasize the individual and community responses to crises are numerous and have been explored in a variety of ways by disaster researchers. Within the typical range of psychological responses soon after a disaster, indicators of stress can be noticed. These include fatigue, nausea, tremors, profuse sweating, chills, dizziness, and gastrointestinal upset. These can be compounded by changes in sleep and appetite, increased substance abuse, ritualistic behavior. There are also changes in gait, anxiety, depression, grief, irritability feeling overwhelmed and decision-making difficulties. Added to this we can find confusion, impaired concentration, and reduced attention span. Let us not forget, however, the workers who may show any or all of the more common stress factors described above (trouble concentrating, fatigue, instability) but may also display several relatively unique symptoms of stress, such as an excessive unwillingness to disengage from the crisis or the helping role, exemplified by a refusal to stop work at the end of a duty or shift.

We have seen the disease spread from Georgetown, south to the Rupununi, Region 9 and then back up north to Moruca, Region 1. While we have been concentrating in Georgetown, the much touted epicentre of the disease, we have not used the opportunity to plan, prevent the spread, and organize development of health provisions in the rest of the country, as requested by the Toshao, doctors and health workers in Regions 1 and 9.

NCTF must take on bigger roles The National COVID-19 Task Force, we understand, is dealing with specific tasks such as deciding whether to install more tables for counting of votes at the Convention Centre instead of dealing with the epidemic which is spreading over the land. We gather that the task force supplied guidelines on April 21, 2020 for operations at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on its initial request for 10 workstations during the election recount. Coincidentally that was the day prior to Toshao Orin Fernandes’ request to the Minister of Public Health, who we gather is also a member of the National Corona Virus Task Force, for a closure of Region 1. We suggest that the National Task

Force should be dealing with issues such as those in Regions 1 (the Northwest) and 9 (in the South, Rupununi) already highlighted. It is our opinion that the Task Force should be concentrating on how many testing facilities have been established and how many tests are available, if they are PCR, how are they being maintained at the specific temperature and how they are being transported immediately to a specific laboratory for analysis? Where have those laboratories been established and are there greater needs? What are the plans for their establishment? The press reports that a laboratory was established at Port Mourant (Region 6) two days ago, on May 28, 2020.

What one must ask is being done when a patient’s is test positive, and does everyone know what and where are isolation/quarantine centres?

It has been reported that those returning from overseas can pay for their stay at specific hotels. Questions remain on whether the owners/persons with responsibility for these hotels have been trained to properly carry out and maintain sanitary conditions in the facility, to prevent further spread of the disease at these hotels? We read in the press on the May 26, 2020, of doctors kicking down a door at the Isolation Unit at the Diamond Hospital, after expressions of frustration by COVID-19 patients. We can only but conclude that there are no guidelines, and if there are, they are not understood nor practiced.

It is necessary if not crucial that we have the right people on the Task Force. We cannot afford to have the “usual suspects” who would not, if it is not in their interest, challenge the status quo. The task force must include a few skeptics but not cynics, people who will challenge each other’s thinking but have an interest in satisfying its problem-solving role, which is to respond to COVID-19.

Implementing measures to contain the disease connotes the availability of financial and human resources which Guyana can find, but there are examples of simple steps that we can take to prevent the spread of, if not contain, the disease. There are three stages to stopping the spread of this virus – Masking, Testing and Vaccination.

This virus will usher in new changes in our lifestyles and dictate how we must comport ourselves and we will have to adopt and adapt if we are to survive this disease. Getting masks for the general populace is a relatively cheap and simple process and we should enlist if not contract the aid of tailors and seamstresses, the private sector and individuals around the country to sew cloth masks. Health authorities should source the importa-

FROM PAGE 7 tion of the type of cloth best suited for this and the specialized elastic bands and share with them the patterns to make a secure mask. Cloth masks are washable and reusable. Let us not forget, too, that sanitisation of frequently-touched surfaces, washing of hands with soap, and social distancing remain key components in this struggle.

We must devote adequate resources to enable more tests to be done especially in the epicentres around the country. Let us add contact tracing too to this effort. Accuracy in reporting data is paramount as it will enable us to wisely allocate available resources as we move to curb the spread of the disease.

Many scientists predict that a vaccine/drugs to prevent and curtail the spread of the virus is still 18 months away. We should now start planning with countries that would be in a position to produce the vaccines/ drugs that will come on stream to make sufficient amounts of vaccines available needed to curtail the spread of the virus, while at the same time ensuring that drugs and supplies are available for other diseases. This could perhaps be enhanced through CARICOM and sourced through PAHO/WHO for all the countries in the Caribbean.

As a result of gold mining, 35 years ago, we had reported the spread of P. falciparum malaria from Region 9 (Rupununi) to Region 1 (North West) as we now see with COVID-19. Whilst Indal Rambajan reported an outbreak of the same parasite after a 28-year absence from the Cuyuni, Mazaruni, Potaro (Region 7), at that time, Dr. Winston Gobin, Director of Regional Health Services said, “to declare a national emergency means you will bring in extra resources”, referring to equipment and supplies to deal with the outbreak. We are sure there are those in Guyana who could be invited to join the Task Force as they have objective views and can make meaningful contributions.

We must do more now to contain the virus for if not, and whether the final count of the election results in a new/incumbent government, the harsh reality on the ground will remain the same.

We are left with the sad impression that because of our political insularity (interest in only ideas of our specific group), we are waiting for foreigners to arrive, like magicians, to tell us how and what to do.

Yours sincerely, Keith H. Carter, MD Raj. N. Mungol, MA Bhiro Harry, MD Pedro Pons, MD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Three win battle against COVID-19

THREE persons have won the battle against the deadly Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the total number of local recoveries to 70.

The new recoveries were recorded by health authorities in the latest statistics, which were released on Sunday.

While three persons were “let off the hook”, the country recorded one new case over the past 24 hours. Health authorities found the new case after testing 14 persons between Saturday and Sunday.

Some 1,618 persons have been tested to date, and according to the results of those tests, 1,465 proved negative, and 153 positive.

Of those tested positive, 12 have died, and of the 73 listed as active, 71 are in institutional isolation, while the remaining two are being

treated at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Health authorities are also placing emphasis on the four hinterland regions, especially now that three of them regions have recorded cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19 EPICENTRE The need for surveillance in those regions is also important, because Guyana’s South American neighbour, Brazil, is now rated as the COVID-19 epicentre of the Americas.

In reporting on the situation in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), two hinterland locations, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said that Moruca, which is located in Region One, had its first case on May 21, 2020, but has

since recorded nine to date, with one death. Region Seven has also gone from one case on May 10, 2020 to 15 to date.

“As I highlighted, Region One has six per cent, and Region Seven has 10 per cent of positively-confirmed cases… “In the breakdown by age group and sex, the younger males among the 25-29 age group, are predominantly affected in Region One, while in Region Seven, it is the 30-39 age group,” Dr. Persaid during his regular virtual COVID-19 update on Friday.

The CMO said that health authorities are aware that young men in Region Seven go into “the mines” in order to provide for themselves and families, but it does not mean that it should be done at the detriment of those persons around them.

As such, his is encouraging

those persons who are into mining to practise social distancing as much as possible, as well as wearing the mandatory face mask and sanitising and washing their hands regularly.

“To those who are going home, you must look to the family that you are going home to, and all the people you interact with on the way.

Life is a treasure that we all need to appreciate, so don’t let us throw it away recklessly; let us collectively be considerate of each other,” Dr. Persaud advised.

“It is sad when you hear of the unnecessary pressures that persons who have recovered face: We stigmatise them; we shun them to the point of even scorning them and their loved ones. Imagine that the respect and honour that are due to a leader in your community, who would have served wholeheartedly,

9

are not given,” he added.

He assured the nation that the public health ministry is not using these messages to bash men, but just as a means of sensitising and pleading with men to be more responsible, and put the health of the nation first.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue, not just here in Guyana, but globally as well. And, according to global statistics, there are over 5.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 362,000 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.

GTA develops business-support documents for tourism - documents to guide operational, human resource development

THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has acknowledged that a number of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises are in need of necessary support to further develop their capacities within the sector.

As such, the GTA in its continuous developmental efforts to promote Guyana as a sustainable destination, has since developed three business-support documents for the country’s tourism sector.

In a press release, the GTA said that through the association these documents aim to minimise negative impacts on the environment, people and economy and to improve the effective use of internal resources.

“We know that multi-stakeholder collaboration is more important now more than ever to continuously strengthen the quality of service provided which will, by extension, improve Guyana’s tourism offerings,” the GTA said.

According to the GTA in its release, the three documents are: 1. Sustainability Policy and Documentation Best Practices: A policy document which should be used by managers and operators across the various tourism categories who have responsibility for sustainability and operations. As a guideline, it will aid in the improvement of the sustainability standards

within companies, as well as implementing GTA’s new regulations and guidelines.

2. Community Ecolodge Operations Manual: An Operations Manual which is intended to be used by government officers, planners, industry players and community leaders as a guide to ensure that community-based tourism is developed in a sustainable manner. According to the release, it aims to ensure that the level of service promised guests is properly and consistently delivered; that customer ratings are monitored and that staff are equipped with the relevant skills and resources to deliver excellent customer service, which will contribute

to a complete experience. The recommendations outlined are practical and based on best practices derived from the case studies.

3. Tourism Business Toolkit: A toolkit that has been created as a business-support tool to assist micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector to establish and operationalise their tourism businesses. The GTA said that hoteliers, lodges and resort managers, tour guides and outfitters as well as tour operators and destination-marketing companies can all benefit from this toolkit.

“The toolkit, to be dis-

seminated via Eblast to registered members of the tourism sector and our partners, is organised into three sections: ? Before you receive your guests (Pre-trip), ? During your guest’s trip (During trip) ? After the guest departs (Post-trip) An assortment of diverse tools, including general operational procedures, risk management and emergency procedures, booking and cancellation forms among others, are readily available within this guide,” the GTA said.

It noted that taking into consideration the dynamic nature of tourism, these doc-

uments are deemed living and will be updated as necessary.

It posited that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, locals and international travellers will pay more attention to health and hygiene, sustainability and less crowded destinations and activities.

“As such, businesses are required to improve their overall operations to address these concerns and ensure the health and safety of their guests. These business-support documents will serve as a good base to help improve their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in keeping with the new normal we now live and have to operate in,” the GTA said.

APNU+AFC flays Jonas for alleged race-based assumptions THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU) has flayed Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Timothy Jonas for implying that he knew for which party representatives of the elections commission have voted, presumably because of their race.

In a letter to the media, the party spotlighted the remarks of Jonas on May 30, 2020 during a briefing to the press outside the Arthur Chung Conference e (ACCC). There, Jonas stated: “Now I have no confidence in the secretariat. We know who their members are. CEO is Lowenfield, next one down is Roxanne

Myers, the next one down is Hetsberger. I don’t know these people personally, I have seen their actions, I have seen their conduct. I think we can all agree that none of them voted PPP.” The APNU+AFC outlined that the “aspirant” leader made the pronouncements even though he admitted that he has no personal knowledge or relation to the individuals. The party said that although he accused them of “actions,” he failed to pinpoint what these actions were.

As such, it concluded: “The only common factor between Lowenfield, Myers and Hetsberger is race, pure and simple. This is

not the first time that Jonas has referred to the African Guyanese as capable of voting only in a particular manner.”

Furthermore, the APNU+AFC said that it is disturbing that Jonas has stated that he has lost confidence in GECOM as his position seems to hinge only on the basis of the race of the members of the secretariat. The party then listed several points which it said have been revealed through Jonas’ statements as: “1) Race is the basis upon which he determines whether he has confidence in an institution. 2) that despite how a person may be perceived to vote they are unable to discharge

their professional duties as a member of the GECOM secretariat. 3) if he has lost confidence in the GECOM secretariat, why bother to wait for the results of the recount as you have already determined that it is incapable of produc-

ing credible results. 4) the fact that they did not vote PPP is a matter which is ‘worrying’ to him and presumably ANUG and 5) that not voting for the PPP as a member of the secretariat is a matter of national concern.”

In frank terms, the APNU+AFC has stated that it is unsure of what constituency Jonas hopes to speak for, but “it is clear that he has a major problem with the African Guyanese citizenry.”

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Circuitville squatters want to be regularised

--- say recent business operation pushing families out of their homes --- want GLSC to confirm legitimacy of an alleged lease of the land

By Lisa Hamilton

PERSONS within a community of over 700 households, just off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, are fearful that they may soon become homeless due to a land dispute which is forcing them off the land they have lived on for years.

Since 2009, scores of persons from as far as Region 9 have been relocating to the community of Circuitville, Yarrowkabra, as squatters, in search of new beginnings for their families.

The community members said that persons have moved to the location due to their inability to meet the high cost of rent, land and housing elsewhere.

Though the community is of mixed race, it is made up of mostly Amerindians who were there since the late 1990s.

As they arrived, they cleared the land, built the houses of wood they could afford, planted kitchen gardens and cash crops and settled in, adding to the population, their children and grandchildren.

If one should count adults and children, about 3,000 persons now live there.

HOPES FOR REGULARISATION However, in October 2019, things took a turn when residents were candidly informed that 50 acres of the State-owned land had been leased to two individuals and sand-pit related construction work would immediately commence.

The affected subsection of the community has been told by the new alleged lessees to pack up and leave, as their farmland and homes would be destroyed to make way for the new development.

A group of 12 residents, representing those affected, met with representatives of Guyana Chronicle recently to tell their stories. However, to understand the entire situation, one must first venture back to 2014, when then Shadow Minister of Housing and Water, Joseph Harmon visited the community.

Harmon had visited, in light of the community’s wish to be regularized, and an order coming from the then Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) administration to cease trespassing on State lands or “strong actions” would be taken.

The squatters were very organised and were interested in becoming regularised which would permit them access to water and electricity. Harmon had promised to make inquiries of the GLSC, and had encouraged them to create a register of all persons in the area and the portions of land they occupied.

So began the agreement that the residents would apply to the GLSC for land titles and, from

Some residents of the Circuitville community stand along with their representatives, businessman Patrick Triumph (first left) and District Community Development Officer for the East Bank, Derick Boyce.

The aftermath of operatations on the land where persons live in Circuitville

2015 through 2019, the community has been seeking to meet the requirements.

These efforts involved a correspondence between the GLSC and the Hauraruni/Yarrowkabra Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) whereby the NDC approved a list of persons who occupied the Yarrowkabra West area which is seeking to be regularised. The Guyana Chronicle was told that all applications were sent in as of December 2019 awaiting approval which may have been delayed due to the 2018 no-confidence motion.

NEW LESSEES The most recent correspondence between the NDC and GLSC seen by the newspaper was on October 14, 2019. Just two days prior, the NDC had received a ‘Notice of Intended Survey’ in which it was announced that there were new lessees of portions of the and.

The document bore the signature of GLSC Manager of the Land Administration Division, Michael Hutson, who is publicly known to have resigned from the Commission in June 2019.

“I hereby give you notice that I am employed by Mr. Wajid Ali [sic], to survey Tract ‘A’,

being a portion of land held under State Land Lease No. A-21663, situated in the rear of Plantation Hyde Park, in the County of Demerara and known as Lease No. A-21663, which adjoins lands in your custody and or administered by you. I shall commence to survey the same on Saturday the 12th day of October, 2019 at 10:30hrs. of the said day,” the notice stated.

The residents not only question the location of the land named as ‘Hyde Park’ but the legitimacy of the lease and under which authority it was approved.

The lessees are “Wajid Ally” and “Bibi Zalina Ally” as stated on the document shown to the newspaper. It was signed on July 27, 2006.

However, most of the residents claim that they are constantly approached by one Fazal/ Fazir Mohamed aka Basheer who owns a sand pit concession miles away from the Circuitville area.

The Guyana Chronicle’s research shows that the Mohamed sand pit was cited in 2018 for “glaring infractions” whereby mining operations were encroaching on the highway, the flooring was dirty, the overburden was not properly cleared and workers were not attired in proper safety gear.

Celia Dear and her family fetch water for domestic purposes. In this photo, taken by the Guyana Chronicle in 2018, she joins other women in Circuitville as they fetch containers filled with water uphill.

NOWHERE TO GO Even so, the community members said that the business owners are now involved in grading the land which is largely affecting the community which simply wants to be regularised.

Persons living in the area are doctors, nurses, teachers, members of the disciplined services and more.

One resident, Jean James, a single parent of five children who has lived in the community since 2014 said that she was offered money to leave the location. She said that she was first told to name her price; then a proposal of 500,000 was put on the table which was later reneged to 300,000.

James said that the offers, in no way, amounted to the over 1 million she injected into the home and land and her family has no one to turn to if they are forced to leave. “We don’t have any place to go. Where are we going to go?” one resident said, reminding that their children go to school at Yarrowkabra.

Pork knocker, Pascal Michael, said that he has been living in the area since 2014 but came home in March 2020 to find that

sand was on his lot where he had spent over $145,000. His efforts to place 60 posts for fencing and his 20 coconut trees were uprooted.

“I had to move,” he said.

“They didn’t give me any money.

They said the place belonged to them so I had to move.”

Another resident, Gladwyn Fordyce said: “Everybody that occupies a piece of land there, everybody plants. Everybody has fruit trees and cash crops and everyone cleared the land and kept the place clean.” Fordyce is the Public Relations Officer of the Circuitville Community Development Council (CDC).

The squatters had to cut trees and remove other obstacles to make the land habitable which, when they arrived, was unexplored by any known government surveyor.

Meanwhile, Mark John, the father of eight children, said that he began to build a house in the location in April 2019 but his construction works have been halted due to the sand which has been placed right up to the house.

“The guy said that if I don’t move in two weeks, he bulldozer gone do the rest,” John said.

The residents said that one woman was so afraid that she

simply took whatever money was being offered to her and left the area.

President of the Circuitville Community Development Council (CDC), Melissa Mundo, also pointed out that the sand being brought to the area is causing erosion to drains dug by the community, while other construction material brought to the area is polluting its main water source.

“How can you make a sand pit or whatever you want to do there among people living there?” she asked.

Seventy-two-year-old Albert Samuel, who has lived in the area for 23 years, said that threats were made to “grade down” his house where he lives with his wife, 22-year old daughter and his grandchildren who all grew up there.

He said that the creek nearby his house which is crucial to water supply is blocked and stagnant. There is a foot of sand surrounding his house affecting his livelihood as a herbalist and farmer while the sand also blocks the entrance into the community.

Desire Griffith told the newspaper that, although residents have reached out to Mohammed, they have received remarks such as: “Wait until the government changes, we will get the land.”

WE WANT A SOLUTION According to John, he has visited the GLSC and was informed that the said lease document being presented to the residents when they are urged to leave has expired and is therefore illegitimate. However, the community wants to hear directly from the GLSC on the matter.

Representing them is Patrick Triumph who has a background in law and business and interests in the preservation of human rights. He came into contact with the residents just about a week ago and heard of their plight.

“We want them to cease and desist and we want to get the land regularised,” he said plainly.

Though only a portion of the 700 households are affected by the operations, the entire population of 3,000 seeks regularization.

Meanwhile, District Community Development Officer for the East Bank, Derick Boyce, has also been following the community’s concerns since 2013.

“People are there from that time to now and I think it’s fitting that since this issue of the bombarding of Mr. Mohammed Basheer, that the authorities responsible for looking into the various aspects of squatters or residents of an area are supposed to [act on the matter],” he said. Boyce made clear that time is of the essence as persons have been forced off the land overnight.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

PPP/C set stage for elections irregularities --- PM says irregularities uncovered enough to alter credible outcome

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has stated that the irregularities uncovered through the national recount process are enough to alter the credible outcome of the elections. Furthermore, he said that the stage was set for such wrongdoings by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

In his weekly column, My Turn, the prime minister pointed to the list of irregularities highlighted by APNU+AFC such as ballots cast for the dead and persons who have migrated; persons voting without proper identification; persons voting outside of their districts without employment documents; large numbers of improperly stamped ballots at locations where disciplined services members voted; missing poll books and documents from one polling station being found in the ballot boxes of another.

“These particulars of fraud are sufficient to materially alter the credible outcome of polling, and to render the 2020 elections

as being free but not fair,” he stated.

“The 2020 fiasco was long in planning. Most of the domestic plotters and players are well known. Still emerging is the full profile of the hidden foreign hands with strategic political connections. Their interference in the internal affairs of a small but sovereign state will be eventually exposed.”

The PPP/C contracted Mercury Public Affairs --an American lobbying firm --- in March 2019 to help run its elections campaign.

The firm was embroiled in the probe into alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential elections.

However, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo described the move to hire Mercury Public Affairs as “proactive.”

Its services, according to its contract, include but is not limited to representing the party before and arranging meetings with the executive branch and the U.S. Congress, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and think-tanks in connec-

tion with issues relating to the elections.

During the subsequent elections, a number of U.S. senators, congressmen and the Department of State maintained pressure on government via tweets and online comments to conduct a transparent recount, although this is in the hands of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) In turn, the APNU+AFC government noted its concerns about the blurred lines between U.S. observation and interference. They have opted to continue their close monitoring of the unfolding.

In his column, Nagamootoo said that the stage for the occurrence of such irregularities being highlighted through the recount was set months ago when the PPP/C vehemently lobbied against the house-tohouse registration and therefore for a bloated Official List of Electors (OLE).

Prior to confirmation of the list, commissioners nominated by the government had argued that under no circumstance could Guyana’s

Caribbean leaders to participate in OACPS inter-sessional summit BRUSSELS, May 30, CMC –Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados is one of two Caribbean leaders who will address the first-ever Inter-Sessional Summit of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) on transcending the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The OACP said that the summit on Wednesday, to be held virtually, will also be addressed by Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

“The virtual Summit, which is hosted by the OACPS, aims to assess the current global COVID-19 situation, and in particular, the effects and consequences to the members of the OACPS. In addition, members will identify opportunities for global solidarity and action.”

The one-day event will be held under the theme “Transcending the COVID-19 Pandemic: Building Resilience through Global Solidarity” and will consist of a dialogue by the Heads of State and Government of the OACPS. The summit will be based on three pillars namely “building resilience; keeping economies functioning and rebooting for a strong recovery, and boosting global solidarity and deepening partnerships.

The OACPS summit will be followed by a high-level exchange with global strategic and development partners, who will be key to achieving the objectives identified by the Heads at the Summit including the heads of governments of Germany, Japan, Norway,

India, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

“The members of the OACPS share several unique challenges which have been intensified by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic threatens recent advances in health and progress towards attaining global sustainable development goals. Members of the OACPS figure among some of the poorest countries in the world and are, as a result, more at risk to the devastating socio-economic consequences of the pandemic.

“It is expected that COVID-19 cases will overwhelm health facilities, leading ultimately to increased morbidity and mortality. There is therefore an urgent need to work with global health leaders, partners and governments, to ensure that the global response to COVID-19 includes lessons learned from other epidemics and communicable diseases, particularly as it concerns the protection of vulnerable populations,” the Brussels-based OACPS Secretariat said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic calls for global action and solidarity. Together we can combat this virus and its dire socio-economic consequences, and secure the well-being of our citizens. Now is the time to work on innovative solutions that will also ensure global preparedness for the future,” said OACPS Secretary-General, Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti.

At the conclusion of the Summit, the OACPS leaders are expected to endorse a communiqué based on the three pillars.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

population of 750,000-plus persons produce an OLE of over 660,000, considering that the school-age population is around 200,000.

There were also issues regarding the presence of the dead and migrated on the list and, while efforts were made through the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) to

remove some of the dead, the court has ruled that residency is not a requirement for voting in Guyana.

The prime minister stated: “It must have been evident that the PPP, not hopeful of a victory at the polls, was doing everything to frustrate compilation of a credible voters list that

was based on new houseto-house registration. It resorted to court challenges, one after the other, resulting in the register not being cleansed of the names of all persons who have died or who have migrated. The final list of electors was bloated, and had some 660,000 names in a population of 750,000. That was a recipe for rigging, which the PPP exploited as the evidence is now showing.”

He also said that in the selection of the new GECOM Chair, the PPP/C put forward names that could not be selected due to their lending support to the PPP/C and some of these individuals have proven such by now joining forces with the party as “united opposition to the Coalition.”

The PM said that it is his belief that the recount process being independently managed by the elections commission before the eyes of all, will bring closure to the irregularities highlighted and inevitably lead to a credible outcome of the elections.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

100 Ballot Boxes processed on Sunday –– 600 outstanding

BREAKING its previous records once again, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) processed a total of 100 ballot boxes on Sunday, Day 26, of the national recount. This brings the number of boxes left to

be counted to 600.

According to GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, of the 100 boxes processed on Sunday, 41 were from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 34 were from Region Six

(East Berbice-Corentyne), 10 from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 15 from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Meanwhile, providing an update on the contentious ballots of Region

Four, Commissioner Sase Gunraj said that ballot boxes belonging to the East Bank and South Georgetown are completed while North Georgetown is in progress. He said that Sunday also saw the certification of Region Three and two boxes remaining to be counted in Region Nine. All of the ballots belonging to

Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 have been completed.

At the completion of each ballot box at the level of the workstations, a Statement of Recount (SOR) is generated, and, according to Ward, 1,684 SORs for General Elections have been tabulated within the Tabulation Centre and 1,684 SORs for the Regional Elections have

been tabulated.

The order for the ongoing national recount has been amended with the new deadline for the completion of the process being June 13, 2020.

According to the amended order, the results of the recount will be declared within three days after the process is completed.

Youth Power Group makes contribution YOUTH POWER GROUP, a youth arm of the Universal Church of God, located at Charlotte and Wellington Street, has collaborated with Unisocial Movement, another youth organisation, to aid residents in vulnerable communities in the country.

YPG, with 12 branches scattered across Guyana, has a combined membership of about 800 persons between the ages of 14 and 29.

Their first community outreach to distribute hampers was on May 24, 2020, with members from six branches going out to various communities.

Members from the branch at the headquarters visited the villages of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, and Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and distributed a total of 310 packages, consisting of non-perishable food items.

A group from the Bourda branch visited residents of ‘C’ Field, Sophia, and distributed 50 hampers to residents.

Meanwhile, members of the YPG, Kiity branch, travelled to a small community called Circuitville, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and handed out 180 hampers.

A branch of the organisation at Meten-MeerZorg visited Area ‘G’ Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara, and Old Scheme, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, and distributed 30 and 43 hampers, respectively.

Visits were also made to the villages of Profit and BushLot, West Coast Berbice by the BushLot arm to hand out 54 hampers. A representative group from the Bartica branch also handed out 54 hampers to residents of the Bybahraboo community.

According to YPG executives, the recipients were overwhelmed and expressed gratitude for the timely assistance during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. It was noted that, at this time, the bread-winners for several of the households are now without jobs.

The distribution of hampers was made possible through sponsors who generously donated the food items.

Meanwhile YPG members have also been assisting in saving lives by donating blood.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Triangular love affair leaves ‘John’ dead

THE police are currently investigating the murder of a man, who was allegedly beaten to death on Princeville Access Road, Mahdia, Potaro.

The dead man has been identified only as ‘John’, who was killed on Friday around 20:30 hours.

Investigations have so far revealed that, on the day in question, about 20:00 hours, on Princeville Access Road, there was a scuffle between 19-yearold Norma Dela Cruz of Moruca, North West District, and 36-year-old Suzette Barjoan, called Sue, of Princeville, Mahdia, over Troy Daniels with whom they both shared an intimate relationship.

As a result of the scuffle, Dela Cruz received a stab wound to the right side of her neck.

Dela Cruz then left the scene, along with Daniels, and they went home.

About 20:30 hours, ‘John’, who was at the scene, left to accompany Barjoan to her home.

As they were about to pass the house where Dela Cruz lived, they were approached by Nathious Daniels, called Sunny, who was armed with a piece of wood.

He is a 26-year-old Pork-knocker of the same village and also a relative of Troy Daniels.

He then asked Barjoan why she had to stab Dela Cruz. He then proceeded to ‘deal’ her several lashes to her shoulders.

‘John’ was also dealt several lashes about his body by the suspect.

The suspect’s father, victor Daniels, approached and took away the wood from his son’s hand and carried him home.

The victim, ‘John’, managed to run away, but collapsed. He was taken to the Mahdia Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His body is presently at Mahdia Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Checks were made for the suspect but he was not arrested.

Investigation is ongoing.

13

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Never say never

CHILDREN can change your mood from one of sorrow and worry to one of happiness and hope.

They can be a source of comfort and a much-needed distraction when you’re feeling emotional and they can keep you going when you feel ready to quit. But let us not be candid, they can also test your faith and drive you to despair on occasions. Despite the effect they may have on you, at one time or another, it pays to bear in mind that children are in a state of transition, they are growing and learning all the time, they are also extremely vulnerable.

Even smart, street-savvy children are vulnerable and children who act tough or who are

ultra-intelligent and gifted; and it doesn’t matter where they live or what their background and social-standing may be because when it comes to vulnerability and children, there is a level playing field. Children are vulnerable because they lack maturity and experience.

They can easily be tricked and beguiled, manipulated and groomed by older, devious people of ill-intent. We often imagine those of ill-intent to be adult but we should consider that older children can sometimes be as much of a perpetrator as a grown-up.

It takes the keenness and astuteness of adults, not to create any situations that might lead to children being sexually abused. When

your children are spending days and nights at other people’s homes, make sure you know where they will be sleeping and ensure they stick to sleeping arrangements. When they are playing in the yard with other children, keep an eye on them or make sure they are with an older responsible child.

In a village where the fence between homes is broken down, the children from both households play and run around freely in the yard. There are children of various ages who have more or less grown up together, the youngest child who plays outside along with her older siblings is only 2 years old.

When one of the children, a boy of eleven, kept calling the two-year-old girl to come and play with him, no one thought it odd.

Everyone played with this little girl, she was cute. Most of the time she would be carried on the hip of an older child. She was in the ‘mix up’ and by all means, with so many older children around, presumed to be safe. But it was a vigilant neighbour who noticed the boy calling the little girl behind the house, on more than one occasion, that raised a red flag.

Of course, the little girl not knowing better would join him behind the house, where he would touch her private parts while he pretended that he was playing with her. The child should have been safe but she wasn’t; there was an obvious lack of adult supervision. If it wasn’t for that person who raised the alarm, the abuse could have escalated.

Child sexual abuse can be found in the most unlikely places, all because children are vulnerable; even the child perpetrator was vulnerable in this case. Because of his negative upbringing, he lacked guidance and understanding, morals and judgement. Another reason why children sometimes act out sexually or interfere with younger children, is that they have been victims of sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse doesn’t always have to

cumulate in an act of penetration. Children are sexually abused when they are fondled or made to touch or play with adults sexually.

This type of behaviour is not natural or normal for children, it confuses them and it can have long-lasting effects on their emotional and psychological development.

In the case of the 11-year-old boy and the 2-year-old girl, the boy needed to be seen by a Counsellor at the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). A professional would have found the reason behind his actions and would have helped him to see where he was inexplicably wrong. Instead, he probably was beaten, threatened and punished for what he’d done; and promised not to do anything like that again. But who knows ‘why’ he did it in the first place and ‘what’ he is likely to do in the future.

There are many yards with many children ‘playing’ across Guyana and lots of households with little children, pre-adolescents and adolescents inside. While there is no need to be suspicious of everyone you come into contact with, there is every need to keep a close watch on your children. You can also equip your children with the ability to talk out and report anything that surrounds them or that is done to them that seems wrong, strange or makes them feel uncomfortable.

Apart from vigilant neighbours, and children who know to speak out, teachers are good at spotting victims of sexual abuse in schools.

When abuse is suspected and/or confirmed the teacher contacts the (CPA) and makes a report, which is followed up expeditiously. But due to COVID-19 children have been spending more time at ‘home’ and, therefore, are far more likely to get caught in unwelcomed encounters and testing situations.

Children are vulnerable, please keep a watchful eye on them in your community, your vicinity and your household.

Man allegedly fatally stabbed by brother POLICE are currently investigating the murder of a 45-year-old man, who was fatally stabbed by his younger brother at Shieldstown Village, West Bank Berbice, on Saturday.

Dead is Sarananand Bisnath, while his brother 44-year-old Khemlall Bisnath is currently in police custody.

The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Sarananand lived with his father while Khemlall resided at another location in the village.

According to reports, both siblings were

imbibing at different locations.

Khemlall then went over to his sibling’s home where they got into an argument about a plot of land which belongs to their father.

During the ordeal, it is alleged that Khemlall armed himself with a knife and stabbed his brother in the vicinity of his heart and on his right arm.

The police was summoned and Khemlall was arrested. Sarananand was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police investigation is ongoing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

15

Police destroy large ganja cultivation in Canje POLICE, acting on information received, went to a location at Vryheid, West Canje, Berbice on Saturday, about 15:00hrs and found about an acre of cannabis cultivation with several hundred plants, measuring two to five feet in height and more than six thousand, five hundred cannabis seedlings.

The estimated street value of the prohibited plants is $5,824,000. The plants, which were photographed and samples obtained, were subsequently destroyed, police said in a release.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old cattle

farmer of High Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, who was caught tending to the plants, has been arrested and is being processed for court. Also, earlier on Saturday, ranks, acting on intelligence gathered, arrested a 27- year-old unemployed resident who has dual addresses at Adelphi Village, East Canje and Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, with 27 grammes of suspected cocaine.

The suspect, who was apprehended a short distance from his first mentioned place of abode, is expected to appear in court soon.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Several arrested for breaking ‘6-to-6’ curfew

--expected to appear in court shortly DURING the past week, Officers of the City Constabulary Department have had cause to arrest 41 persons for flouting the ‘6-to-6’ curfew. They were each placed on $10,000 station bail each, are expected to appear in court to answer charges in the coming days.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force have also had cause to arrest several persons found liming at a house at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara for failing to adhere to the COVID-19 Emergency Measures.

At around 19:30hrs on the night in question, the police got wind of a birthday party in full session in the area, and, quickly responding, broke it up and arrested every man jack and took them

down to the police station.

According to COVID-19 emergency regulations, social activities such as private parties are restricted until June 3, 2020, and those found in breach will have committed an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance.

However, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the curfew is likely to be extended.

Recently, several East Coast villages were listed as COVID-19 ‘hotspots’, among them Golden Grove, Atlantic Gardens, Friendship, Good Hope, Lusignan, Plaisance, and Strathspey. Among those on the East Bank Demerara listed as ‘hotspots are: Diamond, Grove, Land of Canaan, Providence, and Timehri.

MOBILE UNITS Just recently, in an effort to improve its response to the pandemic, the Public Health Ministry launched its mobile unit at the East La Penitence Health Centre, as well as at the two Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) community-based COVID-19 facilities at Herstelling, on the East Coast, and Paradise, on the East Bank.

In recent weeks, the police have been arresting and placing before the courts persons who break the curfew.

Only last month this newspaper reported that 40 Lindeners were arrested and charged for breaking the ‘6-to-6’ curfew, as ranks of Region Ten’s Police Division

continue to be proactive in enforcing the mandatory regulation. Many of these curfew breakers were caught as a result of roadblocks, community patrols, and responding to calls reporting persons

breaking social-distancing regulations for entertainment purposes.

On the Corentyne, 22 persons, including a number of Venezuelans, were charged on May 6 for breaching the

nationwide curfew there, with those being charged hailing from various communities along the Corentyne Coast.

To date, Guyana has recorded 152 COVID-positive cases, with 12 deaths.

Workers want credible elections outcome DESPITE the views of the country’s two main political parties, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) demands that every valid vote be counted for a true representation of the will of the people.

In a statement to the press on Sunday, GTUC General-Secretary Lincoln Lewis said that the labour movement has several concerns about the ongoing political battle and the fact that workers are simply caught in the middle.

He said that workers have heard of cases whereby some ballots have been rendered invalid, not through any fault of the elector, but that of --- allegedly ---- other political players and they (workers) will not be silent about that.

“One man, one vote. I say one eligible man, one vote. Not a missing man or woman ---- that is one who never existed, deceased or is absent from the jurisdiction. One valid vote, correctly stamped and identified against a valid identity number or affidavit,” he said adding: “Unless the credibility of every ballot cast, counted or not counted, private citizens and joint services vote, can be determined, then the issue of credibility remains unresolved. We want to know every elector identified and unidentified, every legal, required documentation present or missing in the ballot box conforming or not conforming [with]

General-Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis

the ballot process. These are basic conditionalities to determine accuracy, credibility and that the will of the people expressed at any stage of the electoral process can be credibly declared. Some say Mingo, some say Jagdeo.

Either would be wrong.”

Lewis said that all evidence points to both sides being unsatisfied with claims of electoral rigging being levelled by the two major parties. However, he said that the GTUC does not care which political party wins the elections but is concerned about the peace, security and stability of the nation and the future of every worker.

The general-secre-

tary also underscored that GECOM must be allowed to conduct its role guided by the rule of law without being “trampled” upon by anyone.

He stated: “The process that GECOM has bent over to facilitate in the interest of Guyana’s well-being must not be treated with lightly or trampled upon by anyone, local or international. We must be guided not by emotions and self-interest, but by the rule of law and national interest. This recount is governed by a gazetted Order of May 4, 2020. GECOM must be allowed to function within the scope of the laws that govern its operation. No more, no less!”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Follow-up EITI report now due March 2021

17 GYEITI National Coordinator, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat

--one year later than initial deadline due to COVID-related, other technicalities THE deadline for Guyana’s second Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report has been postponed to March 2021 due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the delayed completion of Guyana’s electoral process.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, EITI’s National Coordinator Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, in explaining the challenges said that to assist Guyana in the compilation of its second report, previously scheduled for completion by December 2020, it is necessary to hire an independent administrator.

Funding in the sum of $US120,000 has already been provided by the government

through a Department of Energy–cum World Bank loan to hire someone capable of doing the job, but while that person has been identified, the contract to hire them cannot be signed by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), because the proposed fee is above G$15M. As Dr. Jadoopat was at pains to explain, the NPTAB only has authority to sign contracts of up to G$15M, hence permission to sign for above this amount must come from Parliament. However, due to the interim status of the government, and the ongoing electoral process, this cannot be facilitated.

This being the case, the EITI Secretariat,

Local NGOs collaborate in fight against COVID-19

…with hamper-distribution exercise OVER the weekend, three local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) banded together to bring relief to the less fortunate and slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus by distributing food hampers and sanitation products.

Living Colour, the

COVID-19 epidemic by sharing flyers and distributing face masks.

Additionally, Thompson stated that the organisation will be hosting another drive to help put smiles on families’ faces. The young woman noted that given the current situation, many are

Global Church has been working to mobilise the church and communities to improve the material and spiritual condition of the poor.

Founder of the Green Path Foundation, Roger Yearwood, noted that he collaborated with the Living Colours Foundation to

One of the many families receiving their hampers during the distribution exercise

Green Path Foundation and Swag Styles Company on Saturday managed to successfully distribute over 4000 hampers in Regions Two, Three and Four.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, founder of the Living Colour organisation, Melissa Thompson, noted that apart from sharing hampers, the NGOs also led an education exercise to educate families on the

unable to provide for their families since several persons have been unable to work or have suffered reductions in income; as such, it is critical that everyone lends a helping hand.

Meanwhile, the Green Path Foundation of the

donate several food hampers and essential products to feed as many people as possible during the current COVID-19 crisis.

He noted that the exercise was able to bring relief to an estimated 4,320 persons in the epidemic.

knowing that the pandemic poses many challenges to the completion of annual reports by countries, has extended the deadline for the submission of said report to March 2021.

SHOULD BE READY Dr. Jadoopat believes that by then Guyana will be more than ready to meet this new timeline, providing that the COVID-19 and electoral situations improve.

The Guyana arm of the EITI (GYEITI) is a government-led initiative in partnership with the private sector, civil society and the extractive industry. It is a global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources.

Guyana’s first EITI report, a document of approximately 6,000 pages, was completed in April 2019, and not only details where Guyana stands regarding transparency in the extractive industries, but also highlights those areas that can be improved.

To implement the recommendations outlined in the report, the GYEITI’s Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) has drafted an Action Plan, which separates its objectives, based on

a timeframe set for their completion.

While some governments tend to shy away from the publicity that comes with full transparency in their extractive sectors, the Government of Guyana believes that the positives outweigh the negatives, and is forging ahead to meet the requirements of the EITI. While becoming a signatory of the EITI is voluntary, once implementation begins, the country is required to achieve compliance with the EITI requirements, with the participation of all companies and government agencies making or receiving payments.

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Scot Connor Syme and England’s Matthew Jordan part of five-player virtual win

Scotland’s Connor Syme was one of five winners of the virtual event played over Royal Club Valderrama

(BBC) - Connor Syme has won a second virtual title in two weeks after sharing the honours at the BMW Indoor Invitational.

The Scot, England’s Matthew Jordan, Spanish Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia and Rafa Carbrera Bello, plus Frenchman Damien Perrier all posted one-under-par 71 over Real Club Valderrama.

The £8,100 prize money is to be shared by charities chosen by each player.

“Valderrama was as tough as it is in real life,” said Syme, who also won over Royal Portrush.

“Guys like Sergio and Rafa were involved, so to compete with them and be tied at the top was cool.”

Jordan added: “I’m delighted to get the win at Valderrama - it’s one of my favourite courses. It’s a bit tight and narrow so

ER

E

CK I R C

Z

UI Q T

N COR

any of my friends watching this will be confused as to how I won.”

The 38-player field for the 18-hole strokeplay athome tournament organised by the European Tour also included the likes of former world number one Martin Kaymer and Belgian Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts.

Former Masters winner Garcia, who has triumphed four times at Valderrama in the Andalucia Masters, donated his share of the prize money to the Red Cross of Spain.

The European Tour suspended since 8 March due to coronavirus - will resume in July with a six-week ‘UK Swing’ tournament and run until December.

Scotland’s Connor Syme was one of five winners of the virtual event played over Royal Club Valderrama.

Monday, June 01, 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:

(1) Bruce Reid (vs NZ, Sydney, 1986)

(2) Clive Lloyd (vs ENG, The Oval, 1973) TODAY’S QUIZ:

(1) Which AUST wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals against the WI in ODI cricket to date?

(2) Which WI wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals against the Aussies in ODIs to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Bilbao manager Garitano gets contract extension

Gaizka Garitano, head coach of Athletic Club looks on prior to the Copa del Rey semifinal 2nd leg match between Granada CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes on March 05, 2020 in Granada, Spain (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

(Reuters) - Athletic Bilbao manager, Gaizka Garitano, has renewed his contract until June 2021, the Spanish club said in a statement on Sunday.

Garitano took charge of Athletic in December 2018 and steered them away from the relegation zone.

He led them to the Copa del Rey final this season where they were due to play Real Sociedad, although the match was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m very happy that the club has shown confidence in me, it is the team I have supported since I was a boy and to coach them is a great responsibility,” Garitano told the club’s website.

La Liga is due to restart from June 11, with Athletic’s first match back a home fixture against Atletico Madrid played without spectators.

Mercedes to oppose reverse grid proposal (Reuters) - A Formula One proposal for an experimental reverse-grid qualifying race when Austria hosts two grand prix in July looks unlikely to be accepted due to opposition from champions Mercedes.

Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring is due to start the season on July 5 with a second race there, also without spectators, a week later.

Team sources confirmed the proposal was made at a meeting on Friday with commercial rights holders Liberty Media, the governing FIA and the competitors, and Mercedes were unconvinced.

A vote is expected after Formula One publishes its revised calendar early next week, and unanimity is required.

The idea would see qualifying replaced by a 30 minute race on the second Saturday, with drivers starting in reverse order of their previous finishing position. This non-points scoring sprint race would determine the grid for Sunday.

The experiment would be continued at other circuits hosting back-to-back races, with the overall points leader last on the grid.

The aim is to make the action less predictable when the same layout is used and provide more interest for broadcasters.

The experiment was mooted already last year, before COVID-19 played havoc with the calendar, with Formula One keen on having three reverse grid races in 2020.

That was dropped when two teams, one of them Mercedes, voted against.

The season is already going to be considerably reduced from the record 22 races originally scheduled, with grands prix going behind closed doors for the first time and the unprecedented situation of two races at some circuits.

Formula One’s plans envisage races in Asia, the Americas and Middle East but that could change.

The sport was due to introduce major changes for 2021 aimed at making races more competitive but the bulk of those have been pushed back to 2022.

Teams have already accepted a form of handicapping for next year, with less successful outfits able to do more aerodynamic work than the top ones.

Sancho, Thuram join protest against racial abuse England forward Jadon Sancho was among a number of sports stars adding their voice to worldwide protests against racism on Sunday.

Protests have been held after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died while being restrained

by Minneapolis police.

Sancho unveiled a 'Justice for George Floyd' T-shirt after scoring for Borussia Dortmund against Paderborn.

Earlier, Marcus Thuram took a knee after scoring for Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Sancho, who scored a hattrick as Dortmund thrashed Paderborn 6-1, was shown a yellow card for the gesture.

Sancho later wrote on Instagram: "Delighted to get my first career hat trick, a bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change.

Floyd died in police custody on Monday after white officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes to pin him down.

Chauvin has since been charged with his murder and sacked.

W H A T A R E OTHER SPORTS STARS SAYING? American tennis player Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, shared a lengthy post on Instagram.

Underneath a video of a young black girl asking why she is treated differently to others because of her skin colour, a "heavy-hearted" Williams wrote that she was "lost for words".

Two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka wrote

on Twitter: "Just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean it isn't happening at all."

Teenager Coco Gauff, who had a fairytale run at Wimbledon in 2019, urged her Twitter followers to "demand justice for George Floyd".

The 16-year-old posted the faces of black Americans who died in recent years at the hands of authorities or white fellow citizens, asking: "Am I next?"

Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster wrote a lengthy post on Twitter: "This is way deeper than just pointing out who's staying quiet and whose speaking up."

Brewster, who has previously spoken about the racist abuse he has suffered, continued: "For years and generations, we've been screaming out for change and to be heard, yet the pain continues.

"We don't want special privilege. A level playing field is all we have been crying for, forever.

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of basketball legend Kobe, shared an image of her husband wearing an 'I Can't Breathe' t-shirt.

"My husband wore this shirt years ago and yet here we are again," she wrote.

"Life is so fragile.

Life is so unpredictable. Life is too short."

Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton criticised those in his industry for not speaking out.

"I'm one of the only people of colour and yet I stand alone," the Briton, 35, wrote on his Instagram story.

"I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can't stand alongside us."

England’s second tier championship plans to resume on June 20 (Reuters) - England’s second tier Championship plans to resume play on June 20, more than three months after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the English Football League (EFL) said on Sunday.

The provisional date was subject to all safety requirements and government guidance being met and clubs receiving clearance from local authorities to stage home matches.

Clubs are set to return to full contact training this week, with the government saying that competitive sport in England can resume from Monday behind closed doors provided strict conditions are met.

“Whilst matches will

unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship Clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games,” EFL chairman Rick Parry said in a statement.

He said the games, and the Championship playoffs, will be either live on subscription-based Sky Sports, iFollow or a club’s equivalent streaming service.

“We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed once we have met all the requirements,” said Parry of the June resumption.

“Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant

England’s second tier Championship plans to resume play on June 20 (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Getty Images)

effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time.”

No Championship matches have been played since March 8.

The EFL said the Championship play-off final would be on or around July 30.

It was also agreed to consider changing the regulations to allow the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and an increase in the matchday squad from 18 to 20 players.

The Premier League, the world’s richest soccer league, has already announced it plans to restart on June 17.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Rowley “cautiously optimistic” of hosting CPL 2020

Icardi completes permanent move to PSG Icardi is the 16th Argentine to play for PSG

(BBC) - French champions Paris St-Germain have signed striker Mauro Icardi for 60m euros (£54m) from Inter Milan.

The 27-year-old Argentina international joined PSG in September on a season-long loan with a buy-out option.

The new deal means he will be at the French side until June 2024.

Icardi scored 20 goals in 31 matches in all competitions before the French season was officially ended on 30 April with 10 games remaining because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has been competing for a place in the side with Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, PSG’s all-time top scorer, whose contract expires on 30 June.

A statement from Inter said: “FC Internazionale Milano announces the transfer of Mauro Icardi to Paris Saint-Germain FC: the striker, born in 1993, has permanently moved to the French club.

“The club thanks the player for the six seasons he spent with us and wishes him the best for his future professional career.”

Austrian government approves hosting of F1

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen steers his car during the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg on June 30, 2019 (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

(BBC) - AUSTRIA’S government has approved hosting Formula 1’s season-opening races in July, according to reports.

The races, scheduled for 5 and 12 July, will take place behind closed doors at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

The 2020 season was due to start in Australia in March, but the coronavirus pandemic forced

the postponement of that race and a further nine more.

If the Austria races run successfully, the F1 season could continue on 19 July in Budapest, Hungary.

Silverstone agreed a deal for two grand prix to be held at the British track in August.

F1 bosses are still putting together a revised calendar for this season.

CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, said he was “cautiously optimistic” the entire six-week Caribbean Premier League could be staged here later this year but cautioned that the tournament would have to align with the country’s existing COVID-19 protocols, especially since it would involve “serious logistical arrangements”.

Media reports here this week suggested CPL organisers were exploring the possibility of staging all 34 matches of the 2020 edition of the popular Twenty20 tournament between Queen’s Park Oval and the Brian Lara Stadium.

Rowley said there had been no discussions with CPL officials as yet but once there was contact made, any planning to host the tournament would take place under guidance from the country’s Chief Medical Officer.

“We don’t have a proper handle yet but we are cautiously optimistic if the CPL authorities would like to host the tournament in Trinidad,” Rowley said here Saturday.

“We have heard from unofficial sources that they’re conversations that a tournament, all components of it, they’re looking to have it in Trinidad.

“If that comes to us from official sources, we’ve cleared the pathway for that conversation and we would facilitate as we are able to, under the confines of the CMO’s guidance.

“So we would be happy to host it within the confines of what we do here but they’re some serious logistical arrangements because we will want to preserve our environment and that tournament will involve a number of persons coming into Trinidad and Tobago.”

He added: “A tournament in Trinidad and Tobago involving the teams of CPL with players coming from all over the world or all over the region, that creates a more complex arrangement because if they’re coming from areas where they’re problems and right now virtually everywhere in the world has problems.

“We have to be careful … but we want to look at it (staging CPL) positively and we will. But as of now, we don’t have formal requests to do that.”

The CPL is scheduled to be played from August 19 to September 26 across several Caribbean nations including Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad – which has hosted the final for the last three seasons.

However, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic has put the tournament in danger, and organisers are desperately trying to find solutions to ensure it can go ahead as planned, despite the ongoing public health crisis.

Trinidad was among the first Caribbean countries to close its borders to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and have managed to limit recorded infections to 116 along with eight deaths.

Rowley warned, however, that with mandatory quarantine measures still in place for anyone entering the island, the tournament could face complications depending on when it was scheduled.

“Now, if you’re coming into this country you have to go into quarantine.

If the intention is to have the tournament during the time when coming in means going into quarantine, well then obviously we can’t do it,” Rowley pointed out.

“But if the tournament is scheduled for a time when that mandatory quarantine is not on the table, then we can do it.”

Security Minister Stuart Young added there were solutions to the challenge posed by quarantine.

“It is not insurmountable. The CMO and myself have been working with some sectors … and once they satisfy us that outside of Trinidad and Tobago they’ve quarantined for the 14-day period and provide the test results … they’re ways. There’s flexibility and we’re always being guided by our public health experts.”

Health Minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, said the proposed tour of England by West Indies in July would be used as a guide for authorities here.

“We’ll be paying attention to the playing conditions being developed now,” he said.

“This tour by the West Indies to England will give us a template to look at to see how we can manage the on-field application of cricket to CPL.”

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Douglas, Browne put Hikers in final against Ambris’s Breakers

CMC – Windward Islands batsman, Dillon Douglas, struck an 18-ball half-century to fire La Soufriere Hikers into the final of the inaugural T10 Vincy Premier League here Saturday.

The 21-year-old, who played a single game for Volcanoes last November during the Super50 Cup in Trinidad, smashed two Sunil Ambris managed just one for Breakers fours and seven

sixes in an unbeaten 58 as Hikers, sent in at Arnos Vale, tallied 150 for two from their allotted 10 overs in the second semi-final.

Opener Salvan Browne, who played the last of his two first class matches for Windwards 11 years ago, top-scored with an astonishing 70 from 28 deliveries.

He counted eight fours and four sixes, posting 65 for the first wicket with Dean Browne (13) and a further 79 for the second wicket with Douglas.

In reply, Jeremy Haywood picked up four for 15 to restrict Botanical Gardens Rangers to 117 for seven, earning Hikers a

33-run victory.

Kenneth Dember struck 33 and Hyron Shallow, 26, the pair posting exactly 50 for the first wicket off 24 deliveries. However, once they were separated, the innings slipped into decline.

In the opening semi-final, Test player Sunil Ambris failed with one but his Salt Pond Breakers overcame that disappointment to beat Grenadine Divers by five wickets.

Ambris has been a standout performer in the tournament with 259 runs at an average of 43, while picking up nine wickets with his unpracticed off-spin.

“It hurts us tremendously” - Jacobs on COVID-19 fallout ―Cricketer/entrepreneur says uncontracted players will feel brunt of COVID-19

By Clifton Ross IN the wake of the ongoing pandemic, local cricketer/ entrepreneur Steven Jacobs said COVID-19 will most certainly hurt the uncontracted players, adding that he wants the younger crop of cricketers to focus on pursuing other endeavors outside of the game, to help lay a foundation for a life after sports.

Arguably the poster-child for what every cricketer should model himself after, Jacobs, one of Guyana’s most experienced all-rounders, was a key part of the Jaguars limited overs team for a long period of time before he was overlooked by the selectors.

A former West Indies Under-19 captain and skipper of the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) team during the 2014 Regional 4-Day season, the off-spinner has transitioned nicely from a regional cricket star with a University of West Indies (UWI) education to a successful businessman who has converted himself into one of the country’s leading jewellers.

In a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, the 31-year-old touched on a number of topics surrounding the recent state of sports due to COVID-19, as well as giving advice to his fellow teammates with regards to ensuring that they are able to feed their families without solely depending on cricket.

“It’s a very difficult time now with COVID-19; it will have terrible effects right

across the board. In regular jobs, some people are being laid off; some salaries are being cut cause of how business is. So it’s not good because it will affect us in a major way economically”, Jacobs pointed out.

Despite the shroud of darkness hovering over the world of sports, the right-hander said that he felt some of the cricketers were safe from any near-future financial blows.

Those players are the contracted ones who will receive monies from Cricket West Indies (CWI) either for their international or Professional Cricket League (PCL) bonds.

However, Jacobs believes that it is the younger players who will feel the brunt of COVID-19 as many of them are either on the payfor-play basis, which means they are paid only when they represent Guyana or

those who are now looking to break into the academy or the national team full-time.

“It hurts us (cricketers) tremendously, there are no games to play, no tournaments to go to, and this is how cricketers usually make their daily bread.

The contracted players will still have something to help them through this time, but definitely I think it will have a strong impact on us”, Jacobs added.

The Malteenoes Sports Club player then gave some advice to the players, especially those who are now coming into their own professionally and financially.

He believed that the wealth accumulated as a contemporary cricketer could easily allow players to branch off into being their own brand, thus ensuring their financial stability is, even in the midst of a crisis, still maintained.

“What I can do is advise cricketers that when things get back to normalcy, they think about doing something else while they are playing, so when times like this come they will have something to fall back on and something extra to help out in these situations”.

A stalwart in the T20 format, having represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Jamaica Tallawahs with much success in the Hero CPL tournament, Jacobs, who last played for the Jaguars national team in 2017, was one of the primary spin weapons and a good batsman before selectors opted to try other pieces in the team.

Despite his hiatus from the Jags team, Jacobs, who has remained fit and has played in other tournaments locally and regionally since then, including the CPL, confirmed that he’s not retired from cricket but rather just been dropped from the national team.

Nevertheless, the off-break spinner was adamant that as a professional athlete, one needs to make preparations for a life after sports, identifying saving money as one of the key aspects to a successful post-cricket or sports career.

“It’s very difficult with COVID-19, no free-flow of anything and it has to be taken seriously because it can kill you; it has a serious impact, so I’m just advising persons to do something extra and, most importantly, it teaches you to save, because with savings, you have money for these sort of times when money isn’t flowing too well”, Jacobs ended.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, June 1, 2020

Estwick believes West Indies will be bigger threat than before CMC – Assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes West Indies are better poised now than three years ago to carve out a positive series result on their proposed tour of England.

On their last tour of the United Kingdom in 2017, the Caribbean side pulled off an astonishing victory in the second Test at Leeds, but suffered heavy defeats in the two other Tests to go down 2-1 in the three-Test series.

However, Estwick said players had gained significant experience since then and with several other players coming through to give the Test squad greater depth, the Windies could prove a serious threat for their higher-ranked opponents.

“For me, I think we might be a better team when we go to England this time,” Estwick said while overseeing training sessions at Kensington Oval for the Barbadian group selected in the 30-man provisional squad.

“Three years ago in 2017, it was a very, very young unit. Now we’ve got seasoned Test players, we’ve got players with 50 Test matches so I think once we can hit the ground running and get the preparation in, get some match practice under our belts … we can be a lot better.”

“We’ve got youngsters coming through. We’ve got Rahkeem Cornwall who could be a big threat in England especially if the weather stays the way it is. We’ve got Chemar Holder who just

had an outstanding first class season and we’ve got Alzarri Joseph who’s improving all the time.

“So we’ve got backup for the first time in a long while – we’ve got Keemo Paul another exciting all-rounder so we’re quite solid bowling wise.”

He added: “If we can get scores on the board we can really challenge England because I know the bowling will be good, and the three big men (Jason Holder, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel) are all in the top [20] in the world and that tells you our bowling unit is really improving.”

West Indies will travel with 25 players to the UK for the proposed three-Test series in July, which will mark cricket’s first ever

Joseph takes share of lead at Gulfstream

tour played in a “bio-secure” environment due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The squad is expected to depart the Caribbean on June 8 and will be placed in a twoweek quarantine following their arrival in England, before moving to “bio-secure” stadia for the duration of the series where they will be isolated from the public.

Replacement players will be chosen from among the travelling contingent, which will also form the opposition for any tour matches.

“You can understand why they’ve done it because once you’re in a secure system you can’t leave so if players get injured, you can’t come into the secure area. [So] we had

to do it that way,” Estwick explained.

“But it’s going to be a challenge because keeping 15 players who are not going to be involved happy is going to be a challenge but it’s something you’ve got to do.

“As coaches we’ve got to put our heads together, we’ve got to come up with plans, we’ve got to make sure they stay sharp, make sure they stay ready if they get an opportunity to come in to replace whoever.”

Estwick said intense planning for the tour was already underway and noted he had been in “constant contact” with head coach Phil Simmons who is currently based in the UK. “He’s been having Zoom meetings with all the man-

Jonte smith extends stay at Cheltenham CMC – Striker Jonté Smith has extended his stay at English League Two club, Cheltenham Town, and says he is dreaming of becoming the fourth Bermudian player to appear in a Wembley Stadium final.

League Two clubs have voted to curtail the regular season because of the coronavirus pandemic, but play-offs for a place in League One are expected to go ahead. When play was halted in March Cheltenham were in fifth spot in the table..

tol City – is so far the only Bermudian to score at the world-famous London venue, in Bradford’s 3-0 League Two play-off final triumph over Northampton in 2013.

Smith’s contract with Cheltenham – nicknamed the Robins – was due to expire on June 3, but he has agreed to extend the deal for another month, ensuring he will be available for Cheltenham’s bid to reach League One, along with with Crewe Alexandra, Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle,

Barbadian Saffie Joseph Jr.

CMC – Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr produced only a single winner at Gulfstream Park here Saturday but it was enough for him to pull level with Todd Pletcher at the top of the standings.

The Barbadian, who trailed by as much as four wins last week, sent out 3-1 choice Yodel E A Who, who collared the four-year-old and upwards by 5-½ lengths in a 6-½ furlong contest in a time of one minute, 16:30 seconds.

Joseph and Pletcher are

now tied on 21 wins in the season which got underway April 2 and wraps September 27.

Michael Maker lies third on 15 wins with Antonio Sano one back in fourth.

The four-horse field sprinted from the gates to line up across the track before Victor Lebron put Yodel E A Who’s head in front down along the rails, to reach the quarter mile in 22.62 seconds.

Favourite Win With Pride, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr

and conditioned by Pletcher, raced three-quarters of a length behind while Cajun Firecracker and Small Fortune remained in contention.

Approaching the final turn, Win With Pride attacked the leader but Lebron opened up the fouryear-old bay gelding at the top of the stretch and he pulled away impressively from the field to reach the wire strongly.

Win With Pride trailed in second while Cajun Firecracker finished third.

agement team. He’s trying to keep everybody upbeat – that’s the first thing he’s trying to do,” he said.

“We’re having Zoom meetings sometimes two, three times per week … we had a meeting [last week] Saturday just to sit down and plan how we’re going to prepare what is needed to be done – the workload for the bowlers, the workload for the batters.

“We’ve sorted that out now; it’s up to people to go and prepare, prepare properly, adhere to the protocols that are in place and try and stay as safe as possible.”

West Indies are holders of the coveted Wisden Trophy after upsetting England 2-1 in a three-Test series in the Caribbean last year.

Bermudian Jonte Smith

To get to Wembley, Cheltenham will first have to overcome Northampton Town over a two-legged play-off semi-final, but Smith is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Nahki Wells (Bradford City), Kyle Lightbourne (Stoke City) and Shaun Goater (Rotherham United and Manchester City).

Of the three, Wells – now at Championship club Bris-

who filled the three automatic promotion spots.

“I’m happy to be a part of the team for the play-offs,” 25-year-old Smith told media in the Gloucestershire town.

“It’s been a strange season, but I think personally it’s been a good one as eventful as it’s been. I’ve scored a few goals and made an assist in around 500 or so minutes, scoring my first Football League goal.

“It’s now an opportunity to become the fourth Bermudian to play in a Wembley final as well as become the second to score at one, so it means a lot and not just for me.”

Smith joined Cheltenham last September after appearing on trial during pre-season.

He scored a hat-trick against West Ham United Under-21s in an English Football League Trophy match and headed in his first League goal in the 3-0 victory at Mansfield Town on December 7.

Smith was due to start at Port Vale a fortnight later, but he was struck down by illness, which kept him out until the end of February.

He was hospitalised over Christmas and was eventually diagnosed with glandular fever.

During the lockdown due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith has stuck to the routines sent by the club’s fitness coach Josh Harris, and has also kept in close touch with family and friends in Bermuda, where nine people have died from the virus.

Like the rest of his teammates, Smith drove into the club’s car park on Friday to be tested for coronavirus, ahead of Monday’s return to training.

“I can’t wait to be back training on Monday. We have a short space of time to prepare for important games so everyone’s going to be on it and pushing each other like we have been all season,” he said.

Steven Jacobs celebrates after a wicket for his Guyana Jaguars team

PAGE 22

“It hurts us tremendously” - Jacobs on COVID-19 fallout

―Cricketer/entrepreneur says uncontracted players will feel brunt of COVID-19

Estwick believes West Indies Rowley “cautiously will be bigger threat than before optimistic” of hosting CPL 2020 PAGE 21

PAGE 23

In this handout image provided by CPL T20, Fans of Trinbago Knight Riders look on during the Hero Caribbean Premier League Final between Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Brian Lara Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago (Photo by Ashley Allen - CPL T20/Getty Images)

PAGE 20

England’s second tier championship plans to resume on June 20

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

|

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020